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777pub com login register Revolutionizing Precision And Flexibility In Automated Container Labeling Robotics & Automation NewsHUNTINGTON, W.Va., Dec. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Energy Services of America Corporation (the "Company" or "Energy Services") (Nasdaq: ESOA) has completed the previously announced purchase of Tribute Contracting & Consultants, LLC ("Tribute"), an underground utility contractor that employs approximately 90 construction workers and primarily specializes in water and wastewater system installations in Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia. As previously noted, Energy Services purchased substantially all of the assets of Tribute for $22 million in cash, less any assumed debt and working capital adjustments, and $2.0 million of Energy Services' common stock. Todd Harrah and Tommy Enyart will continue their employment with Energy Services' new subsidiary and commented on the announcement, "We are excited to join forces with Energy Services and look forward to contributing to the company's continued success." Douglas Reynolds, President, commented on the announcement. "We are excited to add Tribute to the Energy Services team. This acquisition is consistent with our strategy of buying companies that are familiar to us and further enhances our presence in the water distribution and wastewater categories." About Energy Services Energy Services of America Corporation (NASDAQ: ESOA), headquartered in Huntington, WV, is a contractor and service company that operates primarily in the mid-Atlantic and Central regions of the United States and provides services to customers in the natural gas, petroleum, water distribution, automotive, chemical, and power industries. Energy Services employs 1,200+ employees on a regular basis. The Company's core values are safety, quality, and production. Certain statements contained in the release including, without limitation, the words "believes," "anticipates," "intends," "expects" or words of similar import, constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements of the Company expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, general economic and business conditions, changes in business strategy or development plans, the integration of acquired business and other factors referenced in this release. Given these uncertainties, prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any obligation to update any such factors or to publicly announce the results of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future events or developments. View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/energy-services-of-america-completes-acquisition-302319926.html SOURCE Energy Services of America CorporationWhen it comes to property, data tells us looks matter. It's no surprise that the way a home presents itself can say a lot about the owners' personal style and even their lifestyle—but did you know that a facade can be a deciding factor for buyers? It’s not just about being eye-catching; a well-designed facade can seriously boost kerb appeal, which is important if you ever decide to sell your home. According to data, a home's facade and general kerb appeal is often the first thing a buyer notices and can significantly shape their overall impression of the property. This, in turn, affects the price they're willing to pay. Indicators like how long a property stays on the market, the number of buyer enquiries, and the percentage of offers above or below the asking price all show that homes with appealing facades tend to improve their resale value. And let’s be honest, there’s something incredibly satisfying about owning one of the best-looking houses on the block. “A well-designed facade doesn’t just look good—it adds value,” explained Bill Giannikos, general manager of design and product delivery at Dennis Family Homes. According to our experience, when buyers are comparing two homes with similar interiors, the facade often becomes the deciding factor, Bill noted. "This emotional connection can significantly influence a buyer’s decision and often leads to a higher resale price.” Data shows that an attractive facade will improve the value of your property. In Melbourne, where homeowners love a mix of modern and classic styles, striking the perfect balance can sometimes be tricky. Dennis Family Homes has created a new range to answer the question around which cutting-edge design is timeless enough to appeal to a savvy Melbourne buyer. Whether it’s a sleek, contemporary look or a timeless, traditional style, they've combined wow-factor with lasting elegance, they've create facades that not only look amazing but also feel great to come home to. “We believe that if you can’t drive away from your home and look in the rear-view mirror with a smile, then we haven’t done our job right,” said Mr Giannikos. Here are the top 10 trends redefining kerb appeal and elevating property values. Homeowners are leaning towards natural materials such as timber, stone and brick to add warmth and authenticity to their home’s appearance. These materials integrate beautifully with Melbourne’s diverse streetscapes. “When you look at iconic architecture, such as Fallingwater by Frank Lloyd Wright, it’s clear using great materials and proportions can create a façade that’s both stunning and enduring,” says Mr Giannikos. A sophisticated colour palette can transform a facade and neutral tones not only blend into the home’s natural surrounds, but are also suited to a wide demographic of buyer as the muted colour palette is more versatile. Earthy tones such as soft greens and greys, and sandy beiges are dominating Melbourne homes. These colours not only complement natural materials but also resonate with the city’s elegance. A combination of textures can elevate a home’s aesthetic by adding depth. Pairing cladding with brick or incorporating stone accents against smooth rendered surfaces creates striking contrasts. “Mixed textures, particularly when paired with geometric forms, allow homeowners to create unique façades that are visually balanced yet distinct within a streetscape,” Mr Giannikos explained. A mixture of textures adds visual interest. Sustainability has become a fundamental element of modern home design, influencing both interiors and exteriors. From eco-conscious materials to energy-efficient fixtures, more buyers are requesting these details in a property’s design. Dennis Family Homes integrates sustainable elements across its range, including solar panels, various insulation options, and energy efficient lighting. The interplay between a home’s façade and its landscaping can make or break its kerb appeal. Features including vertical gardens, planter boxes, and strategically placed greenery soften contemporary designs and create a natural connection to the home’s surroundings. As time goes by and the gardens mature, the home can look even more rooted in its position. Every homeowner wants a property that reflects their personality, making customisation a top priority. With Dennis Family Homes offering up to 40 façade options, buyers have ample opportunity to create a home that stands out. While individuality is a large selling point of the developer, Mr Giannikos highlights the importance of cohesion within a streetscape. “We ensure our designs share a common architectural language, so homes look unique but flow beautifully when viewed together.” Minimalist façades with clean, sharp lines continue to dominate modern architecture. By prioritising simplicity, these designs create a sense of calm and sophistication that stand the test of time. “Great design is about getting the proportions right. When executed correctly, minimalism creates a timeless look that feels both fresh and familiar, ensuring the home remains relevant for decades,” Mr Giannikos explained. A paired back palette conveys calmness and sophistication. Façades that blur the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces are highly sought after. Features such as expansive windows, open patios, and flowing lines create harmony and invite natural light into the indoor spaces. This approach not only enhances a home’s liveability but also adds a contemporary flair that appeals to modern buyers. Technology is no longer confined to interiors. From smart lighting to security systems, tech-enhanced façades are on the rise. These features boost functionality while also future-proofing your abode. Dennis Family Homes is embracing this trend by integrating smart systems into their designs, with features including automated lighting and climate control. Some trends come and go, but the best designs stand the test of time. By focusing on timeless elements such as proportional geometry, quality materials, and thoughtful details, homeowners can ensure their facades remain appealing for generations. “Look at mid-century modern designs; decades later, their simplicity and symmetry still resonate. That’s what we aim for – creating façades that feel as fresh tomorrow as they do today,” said Mr Giannikos.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Former South Carolina Sen. Kay Patterson, who rose from cleaning offices at the segregated Statehouse to serving as a state legislator for over 30 years died Friday. He was 93. The South Carolina Democratic Party announced Patterson’s death saying he “left an indelible mark on our state. Senator Patterson commanded everyone’s attention with his wit and wisdom.” The statement did not list a cause of death. Patterson was born in 1931 in Darlington County and raised by his grandmothers. They recalled his hardheaded spirit early, recommending he not take jobs as a golf caddy or shoe shiner because he was likely to mouth off to white people in segregated 1940s South Carolina and get in trouble. Instead, Patterson served in the military and then got his teaching degree through the GI Bill at Allen University. While in college, he cleaned offices at the segregated capitol where he and other Black people couldn’t be unless they were working. “When I was a janitor, Black people couldn’t go in the Statehouse,” Patterson said in a 2004 interview with the University of South Carolina. “And then one day I came back down here as a member of the House and then in ’84, I came back sitting in the Senate as a senator. Now that’s a hell of a long way to come.” RELATED COVERAGE Alex Murdaugh’s murder appeal cites biased clerk and prejudicial evidence Who’s playing where? A cheat sheet on college sports realignment Tennessee’s Dylan Sampson, South Carolina’s Kyle Kennard headline AP’s All-SEC team Patterson spent 30 years in education and was elected to the South Carolina House in 1974 and the Senate 10 years later after U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn urged him to run for the upper chamber seat. In a statement, Clyburn called Patterson “a trusted leader, a tireless champion for civil rights, and a treasured friend. He was a person of strength, determination, wisdom, and a long proponent of removing the Confederate flag from the South Carolina Statehouse dome .” Patterson was also the first Black person to serve on the University of South Carolina Board of Trustees since Reconstruction. Patterson was a key member of both the House and Senate, He served on the budget committees in both chambers and was a major voice in support of civil rights, public education and helping poor people. He adamantly demanded the Confederate flag be removed from atop the Statehouse dome and inside the House and Senate chambers long before they were taken down in 2000. The lifelong Democrat said the final years of his political career were the toughest after Republicans took over state government. His seniority no longer mattered and he felt many newer Republicans were religious hypocrites who claimed to help others but only cared for people just like themselves. A few years before he retired from the Statehouse, Patterson said it was important to respect elders and supervisors, but not be afraid to speak up if bothered or something was on one’s mind. “That’s just my hallmark ever since I was a little child. It will get you in trouble now, but you can sleep well at night. And learn to treat everybody as human beings with respect,” Patterson said in the interview with the university’s Champions of Civil and Human Rights in South Carolina program. “You can sleep real good at night. Right now, I’m 73 years old and sleep like a log when I go to bed because I know I’ve done no wrong to my fellow man,” Patterson said.

World Don't miss out on the headlines from World. Followed categories will be added to My News. The Israeli government’s security cabinet has voted in favour of a ceasefire deal which will halt the war with Hezbollah in Lebanon. The cabinet voted for the deal by a margin of 10-1. The only dissenting voice was National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed his nation on Tuesday evening, local time, to publicly confirm that the deal would be implemented, though he also warned that Israel would react “very forcefully” if Hezbollah were to breach its conditions. Mr Netanyahu said the ceasefire would enable Israel to “refresh”, “rearm” and refocus on the threat posed by Iran, which supports and finances Hezbollah. It will also, he hopes, leave Hezbollah’s ally in Gaza, Hamas, more isolated. “Hamas was counting on Hezbollah fighting together, and once Hezbollah is eliminated, Hamas is left alone,” said the Prime Minister. Benjamin Netanyahu speaking about the ceasefire deal. The length of the United States-brokered ceasefire “depends on what happens in Lebanon”, Mr Netanyahu said, again stressing that a breach of its terms by Hezbollah would immediately lead to a resumption in hostilities. “If Hezbollah tries to attack us, if it arms itself and rebuilds infrastructure near the border, we will attack. If they launch missiles, if they dig big tunnels, we will attack,” he warned. “With the United States’ full understanding, we maintain full freedom of military action.” As things stand, Mr Netanyahu argued, Hezbollah is “not the same Hezbollah anymore” and its strength has been sent “decades back”. He highlighted his country’s successful assassination of the terror group’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, whom he described as “the head of the snake”. According to Lebanese health officials, about 3800 people have been killed in Israel’s strikes on the country, with another 15,900 injured. The full-scale strikes began after a year of Israel trading sporadic fire with Hezbollah over the border. Hezbollah’s attacks, meanwhile, have killed 82 Israeli soldiers and 47 civilians. Ceasefire intended to be ‘permanent’ Speaking in Washington D.C., US President Joe Biden hailed his country’s diplomatic efforts, along with those of France and other allies, to get the ceasefire deal across the line. “Let’s be clear: Israel did not launch this war. The Lebanese people did not seek this war either, nor did the United States,” Mr Biden said. “Since the war with Hezbollah began, almost 70,000 Israelis have been forced to live as refugees in their own country. “Over 300,000 Lebanese people have also been forced to live as refugees in their own county, in a war imposed on them by Hezbollah. “All told, this has been the deadliest conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in decades.” Joe Biden speaking about the ceasefire deal. Picture: Saul Loeb/AFP Mr Biden stressed that “lasting security” for the people of both Israel and Lebanon could not be achieved “only on the battlefield”, which is why he pushed hard in recent months “to bring the conflict to a close”. “Under the deal reached today, effective at 4am tomorrow local time, the fighting will end. Will end. This is designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities,” he said. “What is left of Hezbollah and other terrorist organisations will not - I stress, will not - be allowed to threaten the security of Israel again. “Hezbollah’s terrorist infrastructure in southern Lebanon will not be allowed to be rebuilt. And over the next 60 days, Israel will gradually withdraw its remaining forces. Civilians on both sides will soon be able to safely return to their communities. “We are determined this conflict will not be just another cycle of violence. “Let me be clear: if Hezbollah or anyone else breaks the deal, and poses a direct threat to Israel, then Israel retains the right to self-defence, consistent with international law. “At the same time, this deal supports Lebanon’s sovereignty. So it heralds a new start for Lebanon, a country with a rich history and culture. “This deal could put Lebanon on a path to a future that’s worthy of a significant past.” Mr Biden at the White House today. Picture: Saul Loeb/AFP Mr Biden also brought up the continuing conflict in Gaza, saying of the strip’s residents that “they too deserve an end to the fighting”. “The people of Gaza have been through hell. Their world’s absolutely shattered. Far too many civilians in Gaza have suffered far too much,” he said. The President accused Hamas of “refusing”, for months, to negotiate a ceasefire in good faith. “So now Hamas has a choice to make,” said Mr Biden. “Their only way out is to release the hostages, including American citizens. In the process, bring an end to the fighting, which would make possible a surge of humanitarian relief.” How the ceasefire came about The US had been pushing hard for the Netanyahu government to end its attacks on Lebanon, despite their success in killing much of Hezbollah’s leadership. Before Mr Netanyahu’s speech overnight, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that efforts to secure a ceasefire in Lebanon were “in the final stages”, and that a deal could help end the Gaza conflict. “We’re not there yet, but I believe we are in the final stages,” Mr Blinken told reporters after a meeting near Rome with his G7 counterparts. He argued that, “by de-escalating tensions in the region” progress could be made in Gaza. “Hamas will know that it can’t count on other fronts opening up in the war. So we’re tracking this very closely, and I hope and believe that we can get this over the finish line,” he said. Mr Blinken said that after months of “intensive diplomatic effort” with partners including France, working with Lebanon and Israel, he hoped to reach a conclusion “very soon”. “It will make a big difference in saving lives and livelihoods in Lebanon and in Israel. It will make a big difference in creating the conditions that will allow people to return to their home safely in northern Israel and in southern Lebanon,” he said. Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli air strike that targeted Beirut’s southern suburbs on November 26. Picture: Ibrahim Amro/AFP Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attending a meeting in the command centre of the defence ministry in Tel Aviv. Picture: GPO/AFP The Israeli security cabinet’s decision will not be universally supported. Mr Ben-Gvir has already come out against it publicly, describing it as a “historic mistake”. “This is not a ceasefire. It’s a return to the concept of silence for silence, and we have already seen where this leads,” Mr Ben-Gvir wrote in a statement posted on social media. Speaking before Mr Netanyahu’s announcement, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich pre-emptively eviscerated the idea of a ceasefire. “If there is an agreement, it is not worth the paper it is written on,” Mr Smotrich said. “We have destroyed them, and we will continue to destroy them. We will not allow them to rebuild. Anyone who raises his head will be bombed. This is the test. “I believe that the Israeli public, the army, and the leadership are more aware now. After October 7, we are in a new state of awareness, and this is our decision. Anyone who moves against us will die. This is simple.” Across the border, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati has demanded “swift” action from the international community to implement the ceasefire “immediately”. “The Israeli enemy has no regard for any law or consideration,” he said. “The international community is called upon to act swiftly to stop this aggression and implement an immediate ceasefire.” - with AFP Originally published as Israel announces ceasefire deal with Hezbollah in Lebanon, US warns terror group ‘will not be allowed’ to rebuild Read related topics: Joe Biden More related stories World Death threats: Bomb warning for Trump team The FBI has revealed that a number of members of Donald Trump’s incoming administration have been targeted in threats ranging from bombs to “swatting”. Read more World ‘Hated’: New Harris vid brutally mocked Kamala Harris has made her first public remarks since her loss to Donald Trump and looking tired and beat she seemed a lot less positive. Read moreChanging colors is as energetically demanding for octopuses as jogging for 23 minutes is for humans. You might not realize this, but quickly changing colors, as octopuses do, is energetically costly. This, according to a recently published study by two biologists who measured oxygen consumption rates in live octopuses whilst they changed colors. Rapid color change is an adaptation that has evolved multiple times in animals. It is used for dynamic camouflage, communication, thermoregulation, or ultraviolet light protection. Color changes can occur quickly, as with chameleons, tree frogs or octopuses, or slowly, such as with snow hares or many types of birds. However, our understanding of the evolution of rapid color changes is hindered by a lack of information about the energetic costs associated with this ability. Amongst all animals, the speed of color changes and of overall diversity of color patterns seen in cephalopods is unmatched. This ability is a kind of superpower. Cephalopods, particularly many species of octopuses, possess specialized skin cells called chromatophores. These are tiny flexible sacs of pigments that are connected to 15 to 25 radial muscle fibers, resembling the spokes of a wheel attached to the hub. When the muscles are relaxed, the pigment sacs shrink to nearly invisible specks and the octopus appears to be white, but when the muscles contract, the sacs expand, spreading pigment granules across a small area of the skin and revealing the color. Not only are these color changes rapid, but in octopuses, these changes are remarkably precise. Each chromatophore is like a tiny pixel on a computer screen and shallow water octopuses, like the ruby octopus in this study, have an astonishing 230 chromatophores per square millimeter of skin — far exceeding the 180 pixels per square millimeter on a 4K 13-inch laptop monitor. By precisely controlling each chromatophore using their nervous system, octopuses can produce intricate camouflage patterns or elaborate visual displays. Do octopuses pay a metabolic price for their colorful superpower? “Though octopuses make color change look effortless, it isn’t for them,” said Kirt Onthank, a professor of biology at Walla Walla University and director of the Rosario Beach Marine Laboratory . He noted that the high energetic costs associated with the chromatophore system would put pressure on octopuses to minimize these costs, and this may explain the use of dens or nocturnal lifestyles seen in some octopus species and reductions in chromatophore systems amongst deep-sea species. To better understand the metabolic costs of rapid color change, Ms Sonner, a Master’s student in biology, and Professor Onthank looked to octopuses for answers. They captured 17 wild ruby octopuses (also known as East Pacific red octopus, Octopus rubescens ) and measured their oxygen consumption before, during and after they changed colors to calculate how much energy they used during this process. Ms Sonner and Professor Onthank also measured chromatophore metabolic demands by collecting small skin samples and placing them under a flashing blue light, which activates the chromatophores, causing color changes. By measuring the metabolic demands of a skin sample, Ms Sonner and Professor Onthank were able to separate the energetic impacts of induced color change from the stress of manipulating an animal in a lab environment. Ms Sonner and Professor Onthank found that the average octopus uses 219 micromoles of oxygen per hour when fully changing color, equivalent to the energy the octopus uses for all its other bodily functions whilst at rest, including digestion, respiration, circulation and organ function. To give you an idea of how metabolically demanding this process is for octopuses, Professor Onthank estimated that if humans had color-changing octopus skin, we would burn an extra 390 calories per day, roughly the same as completing a 23-minute run. “Our results show that the octopus chromatophore system has an exceptionally high metabolic demand,” reported Ms Sonner and Professor Onthank in their study. “Due to the involvement of the nervous and muscular systems, it is likely that cephalopod color change is one of the most energetically expensive forms of color change, so our estimate likely represents the upper bound of the cost of color change in the animal kingdom.” Ms Sonner and Professor Onthank also suggested that the high energetic cost of changing color may explain common octopus behaviors, particularly hiding in dens and only venturing out at night. “Octopuses outside of dens employ high degrees of crypsis, and consequently, a high proportion of chromatophores are active the majority of the time,” wrote Ms Sonner and Professor Onthank in their study. “However, octopuses in dens would be hidden from predators and not actively hunting prey, and therefore unlikely to be using their chromatophore system extensively. This reduction in energetic demand may be the reason that many octopus species spend the majority of their time in dens.” Source: Sofie C. Sonner and Kirt L. Onthank (2024). High energetic cost of color change in octopuses , Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 121 (48):e2408386121 | doi: 10.1073/pnas.2408386121 Questions emailed to senior author, Professor Onthank, about this study went unanswered. © Copyright by GrrlScientist | hosted by Forbes | LinkTr.ee Socials: Bluesky | CounterSocial | Gab | LinkedIn | Mastodon Science | MeWe | Spoutible | SubStack | Threads | Tribel | Tumblr | Twitter

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The “human printer” who has quickly risen the ranks in Donald Trump’s campaign has been writing him adoring letters, according to a new report by The New York Times . Though aide Natalie Harp has no official title, she controls all the information the president-elect receives, according to The Times . She travels with a portable printer to give Trump a hard copy of favorable coverage, as he prefers, which earned her the nickname. Now, Harp, 33, is under renewed scrutiny for a series of letters she wrote to Trump in 2023, which were shown to The Times and confirmed by two other sources. ADVERTISEMENT “You are all that matters to me,” Harp wrote in one letter. “I don’t ever want to let you down,” she continued, thanking Trump for being her “Guardian and Protector in this Life.” In another letter, Harp told Trump she wanted to bring back “that synergy” they used to have, where “we’d talk about everything and nothing.” “I want to bring you joy to feel like we can get through a day without ever having to talk ‘work,’” she wrote. Harp first caught Trump’s attention during an appearance on Fox News in 2019. She credited the Right to Try law, which Trump signed in 2018, with saving her life by allowing her to use experimental treatments for her bone cancer. She was seen in the Tucker Carlson-produced documentary about Trump’s campaign writing up his Truth Social posts. For his part, Trump calls Harp “sweetie” and treats her like a daughter, according to The Times. He has reportedly told his staff that he felt like Harp was the only aide who truly cared about him after his arraignment in Georgia in 2023. After the report published on Monday, Trump took to Truth Social to criticize the journalist, Maggie Haberman, and call the story “phony junk.”

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Corcept Therapeutics' chief accounting officer sells $80,031 in stockIBTM World 2024 Achieves Remarkable 10% Attendance Surge with Over 73,000 Business Meetings

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump is promising expedited federal permits for energy projects and other construction worth more than $1 billion. But like other Trump plans, the idea is likely to run into regulatory and legislative hurdles, including a landmark law that requires federal agencies to consider the environmental impact before deciding on major projects. In a post on his Truth Social site Tuesday, Trump said anyone making a $1 billion investment in the United States “will receive fully expedited approvals and permits, including, but in no way limited to, all Environmental approvals.” Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get updates and player profiles ahead of Friday's high school games, plus a recap Saturday with stories, photos, video Frequency: Seasonal Twice a weekLOS ANGELES — At the University of Texas, Jordan Whittington was a special teams ace, playing on punt and punt return as well as kickoff and kickoff return units. In his rookie season with the Rams, the receiver is settling into a more specialized role as one of the team’s primary kick returners. In Sunday’s win over the New Orleans Saints , Whittington provided a spark for the Rams (6-6). He returned three kicks for a total of 100 yards, a season-high for the team. His longest went for 43 yards to the Rams 44, setting the offense up for the go-ahead, eight-play touchdown drive. “Obviously, it’s an 11-man game the way we play it,” special teams coordinator Chase Blackburn said. “To be able to set the blocks up, stay connected, and be able to have the vision to hit that ... he’s full speed, one cut and go and that’s exciting to see. Explosives are fun. We have to try to figure out a way to create even more of those.” Whittington saw an expanded role early in the season as Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua dealt with injuries. But as they returned, his role in the offense decreased. But special teams are still allowing him a way to contribute as he averages 28.2 yards per return this season. “He’s a violent runner. He has good vision, contact-balance, ball security, a little bit of everything that you’re looking for in a returner, especially in the kick return guy,” Blackburn said. “He’s a little bit bigger size-wise (6-foot-1 and 202 pounds) and physicality. Those are the things that he adds for us.” NOTES Rams outside linebacker Jared Verse tweaked his ankle in practice Thursday, head coach Sean McVay said, leading to his limited participation. The rookie, who leads the team with 11 tackles for loss, will be listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills (10-2) but is still expected to play. “Just being smart with him,” McVay said. Left tackle Alaric Jackson (foot) was limited at practice Friday for the second straight day after being held out of practice Wednesday. He will be listed as questionable for the Bills game, McVay said, but is also expected to play. The Rams will wait at least another week to activate TE Tyler Higbee (knee) off the physically unable to perform (PUP) list as he continues to recover from surgery to repair a torn ACL last winter. “Maybe this Thursday against the 49ers,” McVay said. “For him to even be out there at this point is a real credit to him. ... We always kinda knew we wanted to give him close to that full allotment of time before he ended up getting him back out there.” Cornerback Emmanuel Forbes, who was claimed off waivers from Washington on Monday, will be left inactive for Sunday’s game against the Bills as he continues to acclimate to his new team, McVay said.ASML Investors Have Opportunity to Lead ASML Holding N.V. Securities Fraud Lawsuit

(Bloomberg) — Asian shares were poised for a tepid opening as traders await key US inflation data for clues on whether the Federal Reserve will cut or hold rates next week. Sydney stocks edged lower and futures for Tokyo’s benchmark were slightly down, while Hong Kong shares were set for a steady open. S&P 500 contracts were little changed on Wednesday following small moves in the US, where stocks fell and bond yields rose in the run-up to the consumer price index data. “Animal spirits take a breather ahead of CPI,” said Jose Torres at Interactive Brokers. “US stocks are stalling near all-time highs as investors await this year’s final CPI report, which is expected to reflect another increase in the annualized headline figure.” Wednesday’s CPI will offer Fed officials a final look at the pricing environment ahead of their next meeting. Any indication that progress has stalled could well undercut the chances of a rate cut. For now, swap trading projects an 80% chance of a quarter-point Fed reduction this month. The market is pricing in the smallest implied reaction to CPI since 2021, according to Bank of America Corp. strategists, who argue the readout will matter more this time. “A softer print can clear the path for a year-end rally, with the second half of December being the second strongest period of the year,” a team led by Ohsung Kwon said. “On the contrary, a firmer print can revamp volatility,” particularly after the post-election rally. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 both slipped 0.3%. Treasury 10-year yields rose three basis points to 4.23%. The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index added 0.1%. CPI figures on Wednesday are expected to show a fourth straight 0.3% increase in the consumer price index excluding food and fuel. The data will be the last major inflation data point before the Fed’s final policy meeting of the year. China is set to begin its annual economic work meeting on Wednesday to map out policies for next year, with traders emboldened by the strongest stimulus signals from its top leaders in years. President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday that Beijing is fully confident in achieving its economic growth target this year. China may raise its budget deficit to the highest in three decades and make the deepest interest-rate cuts since 2015, according to economists. At least seven Chinese brokerages forecast that next year’s fiscal deficit target could reach 4% of gross domestic product, the widest since a major tax reform in 1994. Beijing has historically kept its budget deficit ratio at or below 3%. Meanwhile, the bid by Nippon Steel Corp. to buy United States Steel Corp. looks to be entering its endgame, with President Joe Biden to formally block the $14.1 billion sale on national security grounds once the deal is referred back to him later this month, people familiar with the matter said. Corporate Highlights: Key events this week: Some of the main moves in markets: Stocks Currencies Cryptocurrencies Bonds Commodities This story was produced with the assistance of Bloomberg Automation.NBC Sports makes its first foray into doing an NFL alternate broadcast on Saturday when it puts the matchup between the Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs into the realm of the Madden video game universe. The Madden altcast will be streamed on Peacock with the main broadcast airing on NBC, beginning at 1 p.m. EST. It is the first time NBC has done an alternate broadcast of an NFL game. CBS has done at least one game on Nickelodeon since the 2020 season, while ESPN/ABC have the “ManningCast” as well as animated presentations featuring “ The Simpsons ” and “ Toy Story .” Amazon Prime Video also has “Prime Vision with Next Gen Stats” during “Thursday Night Football.” “It’s ironic that you want to make the video game as much as actual live play as possible and now you are doing the opposite of trying to make the real game look like the video game,” said Josh Helmrich, the NFL's senior director of media and Next Gen Stats. The altcast on Peacock will blend video game elements — such as Madden 25 graphics, route trees, player cards, button icons on eligible receivers and player ratings — with live action. GenuisIQ will provide real-time data via the league’s Next Gen Stats. There will also be times when animations from the video game — such as touchdown celebrations — will be used instead of live action. NBC has used the “Sunday Night Football” games the last two weeks as test broadcasts to make sure all the technology was working as well as build cohesion in the studio in Stamford, Connecticut, with the announcers doing the game. Paul Burmeister will handle the play-by-play with Madden NFL expert Kurt Benkert and six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Chad Ochocinco providing commentary. Ochocinco will serve as a real-time player “ratings adjuster.” Henry Leverette, who won the Ultimate Madden Bowl championship ring in February, will also be part of the broadcast. Burmeister noted earlier this week that there will be more hard core football schematic chess match talk on the altcast compared to what might happen on a traditional football broadcast. Story continues below video “I’m really excited to toe that line and weave this in to show how much parallel the game has to the real game itself,” Benkert said. “I think will resonate really well with the younger audience and with people that are used to seeing it in the video game that way.” While the Madden video game is known for the high camera view above the quarterback, that will be used only for replays or to show formations before plays. The traditional sideline camera will be used the most since that better shows route trees and other features most associated with the game. In an added twist, Ochocinco will be able to adjust a player's rating depending on what happens during the game. The Texans (9-5) have clinched the AFC South while the AFC West champion Chiefs (13-1) are looking to remain the conference's top seed. Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce were two of only six players to begin the season with 99 overall ratings in the Madden game. Houston's highest-rated players in Madden are offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil (95) and running back Joe Mixon (93). Eleven players on the Texans and Chiefs rosters have a Madden rating above 90. The Madden altcast also takes on personal meaning for NBC Sports Executive Producer of NFL Fred Gaudelli, who was Madden's producer during the final seven years of his broadcast career. Madden joined ABC's “Monday Night Football” in 2002 before Madden and Gaudelli moved to NBC for the start of “Sunday Night Football” in 2006. “The one thing John held fast is you couldn't put something in the video game that you couldn't do in a real game,” Gaudelli said. “I had some memorable times picking his brain about the advent of the video game and what led him to it. He has been foremost in my mind as we’ve all tried to strategize what this should look like on Saturday.” AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

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Rosen Law Firm Encourages Light & Wonder, Inc. Investors to Inquire About Securities Class Action Investigation - LNWOur sleep experts have been lying on mattresses for years -- some members for eight years at this point. Having tested around 350 beds from dozens of different mattress brands, our team has a good grasp on bed firmness levels. Even with our honed-in testing processes and extensive experience comparing firmnesses, our assessments have been solely subjective -- until recently. Built by CNET Labs' tech experts Bryan Adams, lab engineer, Jared Hannah, technical product testing analyst and Steve Conaway, the director of CNET Labs, our proprietary Mattress Smasher 9000 device offers an objective way to determine mattresses' firmness levels. This nifty machine officially launched in July and has smashed nearly 100 beds thus far. This number rises weekly as our experts continue to smash the beds currently stored in our expansive mattress warehouse and the new mattresses we regularly receive to review. Read more : We Use Tech to Test Beds: Say Hello to the Mattress Smasher 9000 Watch senior video producer Owen Poole explain how the Mattress Smasher works and why it changed the way we test beds. The mattress-smashing process On average, smashing each bed takes about thirty minutes. Moving the beds into our designated Mattress Smasher room and situating them on the platform takes some time. Once the bed is appropriately positioned and the machine is ready, we hit "start" and wait between three to five minutes for the machine to work its magic and provide us with the objective firmness level. This "magic" happens as the powerful actuator arm pushes its pressure-sensitive plate down into the mattress until it reaches a pre-determined amount of force, simulating body weight. The machine calculates the firmness based on the distance the arm and plate traveled into the mattress until they reached that force amount, traveling further (or deeper) into softer beds and not as far into firmer beds. With our custom programming software, we can change the amount of force applied to the bed to simulate different body weights, allowing us to see how the firmness would feel for lighter and heavier body types . We can adjust the actuator arm of the Mattress Smasher 9000 to test multiple areas of each bed. We can also adjust the location of the actuator arm. Moving the actuator's positioning over the bed enables us to test various areas of the mattress, which is essential for determining whether the zoned support sections are actually softer or firmer, as the brands might claim. Read more: Using Tech to Test Beds: Say Hello to the Mattress Smasher 9000 Mattress Smasher results, ranked by firmness Firmness is rated on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest and 10 the firmest. We use industry terms such as "medium-soft" or "true firm" to describe it. The firmness ratings provided by the Mattress Smasher are provided from the perspective of an average person weighing between 150 and 230 pounds, but we also test and discuss what the firmness might feel like for someone weighing above or below that range. We smash each bed at least three times but often four or five (sometimes up to six or seven), taking the average of those scores to determine the final objective firmness level. Of the nearly 100 beds we've smashed to date, the average firmness level is 5.7, or just a hair above medium. The graph below shows the firmness levels of the beds we’ve smashed with the Mattress Smasher 9000, organized from softest to firmest. The Nectar Luxe Hybrid and Helix Midnight Core mattresses were the softest, with firmness levels by the smasher of 2.1 and 2.17, respectively. Soft scores like this are best suited for strict side sleepers who need the most pressure relief for the shoulders and hips possible. The Mattress Smasher 9000 pushes the actuator arm into the bed. To no one's surprise on our team, the extra firm side of Plank Firm ranked the firmest of them all, landing at an impressive 9.5 out of 10 by the Mattress Smasher -- confirming that it's best for back and stomach sleepers seeking the most support possible from a mattress. As we continue to test and smash beds, we anticipate that the average firmness level will stay between 5 and 6. Many mattress companies offer middle-of-the-road beds that can accommodate all sleeping positions and body types and offer a combination of pressure relief and support. Read more: Best Firm Mattresses of 2024 What we've learned about mattress firmness Not to toot our own horns, but we will... This new addition to our testing process has confirmed that our team of sleep experts is highly accurate when evaluating and ranking a bed's firmness level. Brands are also pretty accurate in how they rank the firmness of their mattresses. For the Bear Original mattress, the Mattress Smasher provided 7.6, 7.6 and 7.8 scores for a total average firmness ranking of 7.65 out of 10, while Bear clocks it at 7.1. While not exactly the same, it's close, considering we have different methods and means of assessing and determining firmness -- and both rankings mean the mattress lands around medium-firm. We always test mattress firmness subjectively first, followed by its objective score. It's important to remember that even when technology is used to find the objective firmness level, firmness is still subjective at the end of the day. How one person perceives the firmness and feel of a bed may differ from another, depending on body type and weight. Our sleep team consists of members of different body types, weights and genders, allowing us to test each mattress from various perspectives and provide an all-encompassing review of the bed. Many mattresses feature zoned support, meaning different firmness levels throughout the bed provide support and pressure relief where your body needs it most. It's intended to help keep the spine neutrally aligned throughout the night. This is accomplished by altering the bed's construction, typically by having slightly firmer foam or a layer of individually wrapped coils in the center for enhanced support for your torso and hips. The outer thirds are often slightly softer to provide pressure relief for your head and shoulders. An example is the Saatva Classic , which features an additional layer of thin memory foam in the center third of the bed. The Mattress Smasher 9000 has proven that the brands' claims of zoned support are generally true and accurate. Even if we can't necessarily feel the zoned support while lying on certain beds, the Mattress Smasher can confirm that different firmness levels are present. The Saatva Rx is a prime example of this. Specifically designed for those with chronic back and joint pain, it features patented Lumbar Zone Technology. This technology provides more support in the center third of the mattress, aiming to keep your spine neutrally aligned. We moved the actuator to test each third of the mattress and confirmed this to be true -- the inside ranked around 6.1 out of 10, and the outer thirds were slightly softer, around 5.4 out of 10. With the Mattress Smasher, we can test the firmness of various areas in mattresses with zoned support, like the Saatva Rx. Interesting discoveries we had during testing Like any technology, the Mattress Smasher 9000 is not always 100% accurate. It might occasionally rank a bed higher or lower than we know it to be, and we always use our best judgment and discretion to determine why and whether the score is off from what its firmness rating truly is. We've encountered a few interesting realizations as we continue to work out any kinks with the Mattress Smasher. Mattresses with super unique construction, such as the Layla Hybrid , can sometimes throw off the firmness score provided by the smasher. We always investigate to determine the cause, and in this case, since the Layla Hybrid is flippable, the base of the mattress is soft when the firm side is up, which resulted in a few funky scores. We've also found that beds with soft top comfort layers or cushioning pillow tops tend to score softer than they are. This is because the actuator arm of the Mattress Smasher does not press down as far into the mattress layers as in a bed without a pillow top, causing it to provide a score that's softer than it would feel for a real person lying on the whole bed. An example of this is the Titan Plus Luxe . In our testing, we found this bed to be around medium-firm, while the Mattress Smasher consistently gave us lower scores between 3 and 4, which would be medium-soft. We know this is because of the soft quilted gel foam top on the Titan Plus Luxe. The Titan Plus Luxe has a thick pillow top that slightly affected the Mattress Smasher's scoring. When the bed (particularly one with memory foam) is cold from being outside in cool weather or a room with no heat, it will score higher (firmer). The bed can become more rigid when it reaches a certain threshold, as memory foam is sensitive to temperature fluctuations. The foam molecules become more tightly packed when cold, resulting in a harder feel. Typically, memory foam beds feel best between 68 and 72 degrees . Read more: The Foam in Your Mattress Matters. Here’s How It's Made Our sleep team knows this well. We are patient when unboxing memory foam mattresses from the cold delivery truck in the winter, as they're much more rigid and firm than they will be once they've had a chance to warm up and properly inflate. It's the same when lying on a memory foam bed in a cold room -- it takes extra time for your body heat to warm before the foam begins to respond appropriately, sinking and contouring around you. The building where our mattress warehouse is situated recently encountered heating issues, which meant there was no heat in the rooms where we store, film and smash beds. The resulting cooler room temperatures affected the Mattress Smasher scores for memory foam mattresses, causing them to rank higher than they should. Watch us unbox the extremely cold Casper Snow Max. Why we use technology to test beds Our sleep experts always provide in-depth descriptions of a bed's firmness and feel in our reviews to help you decide if it's the right bed for you. These qualities are largely subjective. How a bed feels from person to person will differ. We take turns lying on and dissecting the mattress's construction, collecting opinions on the firmness level from multiple CNET sleep experts with varying body types and preferred sleeping positions because it's critical to test and review this characteristic from a wide range of perspectives. Until CNET Labs created the Mattress Smasher 9000, this was the only way we could test a bed's firmness. Now, having an objective way to test and determine firmness supplements our expert assessments and makes our reviews even more precise by providing entirely unbiased data. As a dedicated member of CNET's sleep team, the Mattress Smasher 9000 will continue to test and analyze beds alongside the rest of us for the foreseeable future. Read more: How CNET's Sleep Experts Test MattressesSharon picks up first win, Farrell takes first loss of the season

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