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On Monday, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth announced that the U.S. Department of Energy's Bioenergy Technologies Office is awarding the University of Illinois $10 million in federal funding. That money, says crop sciences Professor DoKyoung Lee, will help take studies on "purpose-grown energy crops" to the next level to prove that the science works on a large scale. Lee said that official term, "purpose-grown energy crop," means pretty much exactly what it sounds like when you break it down: crops that have the necessary components to be good for creating fuel and are grown specifically for that purpose, not for food or anything else. Most people are already familiar with the concept of corn being used to create ethanol to power cars, but UI researchers are looking at crops that can create fuel to power airplanes. Lee said this is important in creating sustainability across the transportation industry. "By 2035-40, we are expecting pretty much all passenger and small fleet vehicles to use electricity or hydrogen or something like that," Lee said. "But an airplane cannot run by a battery. Maybe in the future we'll have a completely different form of a battery and it won't be a problem, but especially going continent-to-continent, long-distance flights, it's obviously not going to be batteries." Using plants to make fuel would be more environmentally friendly than using fossil fuels, and would make the United States more energy-independent. Different plants can be used to make different kinds of fuel, but Lee said that many of those used in jet fuel are already native to Illinois and the Midwest, which means they would also be healthy for the local ecosystem. Miscanthus and switchgrass sequester carbon from the atmosphere and can be produced on land that isn't suitable for annual production of crops like corn and soybeans, Lee said. Lee and other UI researchers have been working with these plants for some time to understand how they can be used to make fuel, but this $10 million grant will allow them to begin expanding tests. He said the plan is to plant energy crops across many acres and harvest them with large-scale machinery to begin understanding large-scale production. "It's basically exactly the same as what farmers are going to do," Lee said. "We are trying to see how this crop can help farmers' revenue generation while farmers can provide the biggest step for sustainable aviation fuel production and at the same time, they can provide another benefit to society and our environment."Support Independent Arts Journalism As an independent publication, we rely on readers like you to fund our journalism. If you value our coverage and want to support more of it, consider becoming a member today . Already a member? Sign in here. Support Hyperallergic’s independent arts journalism for as little as $8 per month. Become a Member DÜSSELDORF, Germany — The first comprehensive survey in Germany of the American feminist artist and video pioneer Lynn Hershman Leeson, at the Julia Stoschek Foundation, Düsseldorf, is an exhilarating, if anxiety-inducing, experience. As an early adapter of video technology, the artist was one of the first to grapple with the fraught potential of digital tools. The survey, featuring video installations, photography, and mixed media, sees the artist wielding a camera in an intimate and confessional way, using it to probe notions of authenticity and truth, and critiquing digital images themselves as a rapidly proliferating means of surveillance. In this sense, the show’s title, Are Our Eyes Targets? , is particularly apt, and chilling: Eyes, the saying goes, are the windows to the soul — but in our age, baring one’s soul to the camera carries a hefty price tag. The more advanced digital tech becomes, Hershman Leeson seems to warn, the more vigilant we must all be against its lurid seductions. Upon entering the space, visitors are immediately confronted by multiple portraits: The artist’s face populates all six video channels showing excerpts from Hershman Leeson’s seminal video-art series, The Electronic Diaries of Lynn Hershman Leeson 1984–2019 (1984–2019). Transparent glass partitions divide the screens, so that the images seem to interpenetrate one another. The visual cornucopia is a striking embodiment of how the artist saw herself: as an enigma, splintered by trauma. In imagistic snippets, aided by expressionistic, dreamy clips from early cinema, she tells of domestic sexual and physical abuse she suffered as a child. Heartbreaking, dark, and brave, the work powerfully breaks the taboo of speaking of such trauma outside a psychoanalyst’s office. But it is the video’s intimacy that is most compelling: The whisper, the close-up, the averted gaze — all enhance a sense of a diaristic, confessional closeness, in a way that builds a kind of conspiracy between artist and viewer. Other snippets depict Hershman Leeson’s self-described “private apocalypse”: divorce, wildly fluctuating weight, binging, sudden life-threatening illness. Yet a sense of healing is also felt in these voiceovers, such as when she narrates the experience of a sudden feeling of déjà vu upon her abusive father’s death, as well as descriptions of her daughter’s birth and her new marriage. Elsewhere, she expands the scope of Electronic Diaries to include interviews with scientists. Taking a cue from her own intimate relationship with video, she imagines a Cyborgian future in which humans merge with technology. At first, this merger sounds vaguely optimistic. But by the end of the project, she’s clearly ambivalent: In 2019, the last year of the series, she encoded the series’s video archive onto a strand of DNA to create a durable archive (the lifespan of the genetic material is longer than that of a hard-drive), yet bemoans the invasiveness of that very procedure. Get the latest art news, reviews and opinions from Hyperallergic. Daily Weekly Opportunities The dark note shouldn’t come as a surprise. In the acerbic “Paranoid,” (1968–2022), which opens the Stoschek show, a wig with butterfly pins nested inside a glass harrasses visitors as they approach with words like: “You think you’re so clever,” “Please go away,” and “Look at someone else. Look at yourself.” And as early as 1994, the artist was delivering grim messages of digital dependency, aggression, and intrusiveness in works such as “Seduction of Cyborg,” also included at Stoschek, which follows a young woman who gets sucked into her computer screen. Another work, “CybeRoberta” (1996), comprised of a seemingly ordinary doll sitting inside a glass vitrine, allows viewers to access a designated website via a QR code displayed on the wall and then to change the position of “Roberta”’s digital eye to see real-time images of themselves in the gallery. Needless to say, finding myself so thoroughly surveilled by a seemingly benign toy was morbidly riveting, but also genuinely disconcerting. A more recent video, “Shadow Stalker” (2018–21) confronts the controversial surveillance software Predpol , which uses data analytics to allegedly predict crime. In it, a Black woman revolutionary, played by Tessa Thompson, decries a culture of paranoia created from racialized data-assisted policing. In portraying the escalation of techno-social dystopias, Hershman Leeson reminds viewers that digital technologies and the images they help capture and disseminate were never neutral receptacles of private truths, but instead have always been political battlegrounds. Lynn Hershman Leeson: Are Our Eyes Targets? continues at the Julia Stoschek Foundation (Schanzenstraße 54, Düsseldorf, Germany) through February 2, 2025. The exhibition was organized by Lisa Long and Line Ajan. We hope you enjoyed this article! Before you keep reading, please consider supporting Hyperallergic ’s journalism during a time when independent, critical reporting is increasingly scarce. Unlike many in the art world, we are not beholden to large corporations or billionaires. Our journalism is funded by readers like you , ensuring integrity and independence in our coverage. We strive to offer trustworthy perspectives on everything from art history to contemporary art. We spotlight artist-led social movements, uncover overlooked stories, and challenge established norms to make art more inclusive and accessible. With your support, we can continue to provide global coverage without the elitism often found in art journalism. If you can, please join us as a member today . Millions rely on Hyperallergic for free, reliable information. By becoming a member, you help keep our journalism free, independent, and accessible to all. Thank you for reading. Share Copied to clipboard Mail Bluesky Threads LinkedIn Facebook

Black plastic kitchen utensil risks were overstated. But you should still toss them, group saysOld Dominion Freight Line, Inc. ODFL today reported certain less-than-truckload ("LTL") operating metrics for November 2024. Revenue per day decreased 8.2% as compared to November 2023 due to an 8.0% decrease in LTL tons per day and a slight decrease in LTL revenue per hundredweight. The decrease in LTL tons per day was attributable to a 6.8% decrease in LTL shipments per day and a 1.2% decrease in LTL weight per shipment. For the quarter-to-date period, LTL revenue per hundredweight decreased 1.2% as compared to the same period last year and LTL revenue per hundredweight, excluding fuel surcharges, increased 3.7% as compared to the same period last year. Marty Freeman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Old Dominion, commented, "Our revenue results for November reflect the continued softness in the domestic economy as well as the impact of lower fuel surcharge revenue on our yields. While our LTL volumes declined on a year-over-year basis in November, the improvement in our revenue per hundredweight, excluding fuel surcharges, demonstrates our continued commitment to yield management. We have achieved consistent, cost-based increases in our yield metrics, excluding fuel surcharges, by remaining committed to providing our customers with superior service at a fair price. As we continue to deliver on these core elements of our long-term strategic plan, we remain confident in our ability to win market share and increase shareholder value over the long term." Forward-looking statements in this news release are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We caution the reader that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to be materially different from those expressed or implied herein, including, but not limited to, the following: (1) the challenges associated with executing our growth strategy, and developing, marketing and consistently delivering high-quality services that meet customer expectations; (2) changes in our relationships with significant customers; (3) our exposure to claims related to cargo loss and damage, property damage, personal injury, workers' compensation and healthcare, increased self-insured retention or deductible levels or premiums for excess coverage, and claims in excess of insured coverage levels; (4) reductions in the available supply or increases in the cost of equipment and parts; (5) various economic factors such as inflationary pressures or downturns in the domestic economy, and our inability to sufficiently increase our customer rates to offset the increase in our costs; (6) higher costs for or limited availability of suitable real estate; (7) the availability and cost of third-party transportation used to supplement our workforce and equipment needs; (8) fluctuations in the availability and price of diesel fuel and our ability to collect fuel surcharges, as well as the effectiveness of those fuel surcharges in mitigating the impact of fluctuating prices for diesel fuel and other petroleum-based products; (9) seasonal trends in the less-than-truckload ("LTL") industry, harsh weather conditions and disasters; (10) the availability and cost of capital for our significant ongoing cash requirements; (11) decreases in demand for, and the value of, used equipment; (12) our ability to successfully consummate and integrate acquisitions; (13) various risks arising from our international business relationships; (14) the costs and potential adverse impact of compliance with anti-terrorism measures on our business; (15) the competitive environment with respect to our industry, including pricing pressures; (16) our customers' and suppliers' businesses may be impacted by various economic factors such as recessions, inflation, downturns in the economy, global uncertainty and instability, changes in international trade policies, changes in U.S. social, political, and regulatory conditions or a disruption of financial markets; (17) the negative impact of any unionization, or the passage of legislation or regulations that could facilitate unionization, of our employees; (18) increases in the cost of employee compensation and benefit packages used to address general labor market challenges and to attract or retain qualified employees, including drivers and maintenance technicians; (19) our ability to retain our key employees and continue to effectively execute our succession plan; (20) potential costs and liabilities associated with cyber incidents and other risks with respect to our information technology systems or those of our third-party service providers, including system failure, security breach, disruption by malware or ransomware or other damage; (21) the failure to adapt to new technologies implemented by our competitors in the LTL and transportation industry, which could negatively affect our ability to compete; (22) the failure to keep pace with developments in technology, any disruption to our technology infrastructure, or failures of essential services upon which our technology platforms rely, which could cause us to incur costs or result in a loss of business; (23) disruption in the operational and technical services (including software as a service) provided to us by third parties, which could result in operational delays and/or increased costs; (24) the Compliance, Safety, Accountability initiative of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration ("FMCSA"), which could adversely impact our ability to hire qualified drivers, meet our growth projections and maintain our customer relationships; (25) the costs and potential adverse impact of compliance with, or violations of, current and future rules issued by the Department of Transportation, the FMCSA and other regulatory agencies; (26) the costs and potential liabilities related to compliance with, or violations of, existing or future governmental laws and regulations, including environmental laws; (27) the effects of legal, regulatory or market responses to climate change concerns; (28) emissions-control and fuel efficiency regulations that could substantially increase operating expenses; (29) expectations relating to environmental, social and governance considerations and related reporting obligations; (30) the increase in costs associated with healthcare and other mandated benefits; (31) the costs and potential liabilities related to legal proceedings and claims, governmental inquiries, notices and investigations; (32) the impact of changes in tax laws, rates, guidance and interpretations; (33) the concentration of our stock ownership with the Congdon family; (34) the ability or the failure to declare future cash dividends; (35) fluctuations in the amount and frequency of our stock repurchases; (36) volatility in the market value of our common stock; (37) the impact of certain provisions in our articles of incorporation, bylaws, and Virginia law that could discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of us or a change in our management; and (38) other risks and uncertainties described in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings with the SEC. Our forward-looking statements are based upon our beliefs and assumptions using information available at the time the statements are made. We caution the reader not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements as (i) these statements are neither a prediction nor a guarantee of future events or circumstances and (ii) the assumptions, beliefs, expectations and projections about future events may differ materially from actual results. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement to reflect developments occurring after the statement is made, except as otherwise required by law. Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. is one of the largest North American LTL motor carriers and provides regional, inter-regional and national LTL services through a single integrated, union-free organization. Our service offerings, which include expedited transportation, are provided through an expansive network of service centers located throughout the continental United States. The Company also maintains strategic alliances with other carriers to provide LTL services throughout North America. In addition to its core LTL services, the Company offers a range of value-added services including container drayage, truckload brokerage and supply chain consulting. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241203903746/en/ © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.None

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REFORM, Ala. (AP) — A federal judge ruled that the family of former NFL player Glenn Foster Jr., who died in law enforcement custody in Alabama, can pursue a lawsuit alleging his death was the result of excessive force. Foster, a former New Orleans Saints defensive end, on Dec. 6, 2021, three days after being arrested and taken to jail in rural Pickens County for alleged speeding and attempting to elude police. A judge ordered Foster taken to a medical facility in Tuscaloosa for a mental evaluation. Foster was found unresponsive in the back of a law enforcement vehicle when he arrived at the facility. He was pronounced dead about 30 minutes later. His widow, Pamela Foster, against officers at the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office and jail saying Foster had been beaten, shocked with a Taser and strangled while at the jail. The defendants then asked a federal judge to dismiss the case. U.S. District Judge Annemarie Carney Axon ruled Thursday refused to dismiss allegations of excessive force and failure to intervene. Axon dismissed other portions of the lawsuit. The ruling came a day before the third anniversary of Foster’s death. Foster appeared in 17 games for the Saints in 2013 and 2014. The Associated Press

Trump says he can't guarantee tariffs won't raise US prices and won't rule out revenge prosecutions WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump says he can’t guarantee his promised tariffs on key U.S. foreign trade partners won’t raise prices for American consumers. And he's suggesting once more that some political rivals and federal officials who pursued legal cases against him should be imprisoned. The president-elect made the comments in a wide-ranging interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press” that aired Sunday. He also touched on monetary policy, immigration, abortion and health care, and U.S. involvement in Ukraine, Israel and elsewhere. Trump often mixed declarative statements with caveats, at one point cautioning “things do change.” Europe's economy needs help. Political chaos in France and Germany means it may be slower in coming BRUSSELS (AP) — Europe's economy has enough difficulties, from tepid growth to trade tensions with the U.S. Dealing with those woes is only getting harder due to the political chaos in the two biggest European countries, France and Germany. Neither has a government backed by a functioning majority, and France could take a while yet to sort things out. But some problems aren't going to wait, such as what to do about U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's America First stance on trade and how to fund stronger defense against Putin's Russia. ‘Moana 2’ cruises to another record weekend and $600 million globally “Moana 2” remains at the top of the box office in its second weekend in theaters as it pulled in another record haul. According to studio estimates Sunday, the animated Disney film added $52 million, bringing its domestic total to $300 million. That surpasses the take for the original “Moana” and brings the sequel's global tally to a staggering $600 million. It also puts the film in this year's top five at the box office. “Wicked” came in second place for the weekend with $34.9 million and “Gladiator II” was third with $12.5 million. The 10th anniversary re-release of Christopher Nolan's “Interstellar” also earned an impressive $4.4 million even though it played in only 165 theaters. Federal appeals court upholds law requiring sale or ban of TikTok in the US A federal appeals court panel on Friday unanimously upheld a law that could lead to a ban on TikTok as soon as next month, handing a resounding defeat to the popular social media platform as it fights for its survival in the U.S. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled that the law - which requires TikTok to break ties with its China-based parent company ByteDance or be banned by mid-January — is constitutional, rebuffing TikTok’s challenge that the statute ran afoul of the First Amendment and unfairly targeted the platform. TikTok and ByteDance — another plaintiff in the lawsuit — are expected to appeal to the Supreme Court. Executive of Tyler Perry Studios dies when plane he was piloting crashes in Florida ATLANTA (AP) — The president of Atlanta-based Tyler Perry Studios has died when the small plane he was piloting crashed on Florida’s Gulf Coast. The studio confirmed on Saturday that Steve Mensch, its 62-year-old president and general manager, had died Friday. The crash happened in Homosassa, about 60 miles north of Tampa. Photos from the scene show the plane having come to rest upside down on a road. Mensch helped advocate for Georgia’s film tax credit of more than $1 billion a year. Perry hired Mensch to run his namesake studio in 2016. Mensch died as Perry released his war drama, “The Six Triple Eight." The film was shot at the Atlanta studio. US added a strong 227,000 jobs in November in bounce-back from October slowdown WASHINGTON (AP) — America’s job market rebounded in November, adding 227,000 workers in a solid recovery from the previous month, when the effects of strikes and hurricanes had sharply diminished employers’ payrolls. Last month’s hiring growth was up considerably from a meager gain of 36,000 jobs in October. The government also revised up its estimate of job growth in September and October by a combined 56,000. Friday’s report also showed that the unemployment rate ticked up from 4.1% in October to a still-low 4.2%. The November data provided the latest evidence that the U.S. job market remains durable even though it has lost significant momentum from the 2021-2023 hiring boom, when the economy was rebounding from the pandemic recession. Stock market today: Wall Street hits more records following a just-right jobs report NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks rose to records after data suggested the job market remains solid enough to keep the economy going, but not so strong that it raises immediate worries about inflation. The S&P 500 climbed 0.2%, just enough top the all-time high set on Wednesday, as it closed a third straight winning week in what looks to be one of its best years since the 2000 dot-com bust. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 0.3%, while the Nasdaq composite climbed 0.8% to set its own record. Treasury yields eased after the jobs report showed stronger hiring than expected but also an uptick in the unemployment rate. Killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO spotlights complex challenge companies face in protecting top brass NEW YORK (AP) — In an era when online anger and social tensions are increasingly directed at the businesses consumers count on, Meta last year spent $24.4 million to surround CEO Mark Zuckerberg with security. But the fatal shooting this week of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson while walking alone on a New York City sidewalk has put a spotlight on the widely varied approaches companies take to protect their leaders against threats. And experts say the task of evaluating threats against executives and taking action to protect them is getting more difficult. One of the primary worries are loners whose rantings online are fed by others who are like-minded. It’s up to corporate security analysts to decide what represents a real threat. Days after gunman killed UnitedHealthcare's CEO, police push to ID him and FBI offers reward NEW YORK (AP) — Nearly four days after the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, police still do not know the gunman’s name or whereabouts or have a motive for the killing. But they have made some progress in their investigation into Wednesday's killing of the leader of the largest U.S. health insurer, including that the gunman likely left New York City on a bus soon after fleeing the scene. The also found that the gunman left something behind: a backpack that was discovered in Central Park. Police are working with the FBI, which on Friday night announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. USDA orders nationwide testing of milk for bird flu to halt the virus The U.S. government has ordered testing of the nation’s milk supply for bird flu to better monitor the spread of the virus in dairy cows. The Agriculture Department on Friday said raw or unpasteurized milk from dairy farms and processors nationwide must be tested on request starting Dec. 16. Testing will begin in six states — California, Colorado, Michigan, Mississippi, Oregon and Pennsylvania. The move is aimed at eliminating the virus, which has infected more than 700 dairy herds in 15 states.

AS 2024 comes to a close, China's cooperation with the global semiconductor industry is witnessing a series of positive developments. Semiconductor giants such as Infineon, NXP and STMicroelectronics have announced plans to continue expanding their presence in China, including setting up new production lines or collaborating with Chinese companies to manufacture chips. Semiconductor companies from Japan and South Korea have also expressed their intention to increase chip procurement from China this month, with the goal of building a strong supply chain. In addition, data shows that from January to October this year, China's semiconductor exports reached 931.17 billion yuan ($128 billion), an increase of 21.4 percent year on year, making it a major highlight of this year's overall export performance. At the same time, the United States has also frequently interfered with the normal order of the global semiconductor supply chain. Earlier this month, the US Department of Commerce introduced a new round of export controls on China's chip industry. Register to read this story and more for free . Signing up for an account helps us improve your browsing experience. OR See our subscription options.Linda Annis offered a holiday message for shoppers: don’t let Christmastime Grinches steal your Christmas or your Christmas cheer. Annis, executive director of Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers, gave her annual tips for a crime-free Christmas at a home in Cloverdale Dec. 9. “Every year, we ask the Grinch himself to help us remind people to follow some very common-sense precautions,” she said. “Nonetheless, every year we hear stories of people who still take chances with their valuables and their personal safety. That’s why we like to come out as the shopping season heats up with some helpful reminders, and a few things people might not have thought about.” Annis, who is also a Surrey city councillor, said the message is “especially important” as the year draws to a close and concerns with crime and public safety are riding. “Now is not the time to let down our guard when it comes to porch pirates, purse snatchers, home break-ins, parking lot B&Es and online fraudsters,” she said. “If you see a crime in action, call 9-1-1 or the local police right away. And if you have information about what nefarious deeds somebody’s up to, or see a suspicious person in the neighbourhood, but want to remain anonymous, call us at Crime Stoppers.” She added if anyone has information, they can telephone Crime Stoppers, use the P3 smartphone app to report crime anonymously, or visit solvecrime.ca. “Your anonymity is guaranteed by the Supreme Court of Canada. You’ll never be questioned or called to testify.” Annis, the Grinch, and little Cindy Lou Who teamed up to stage safety scenarios. Their efforts helped illustrate the dos and dont’s for the holidays as it pertained to shopping, both at stores and online. Annis ended her remarks with a few red hot, Grinch-thwarting tips to help prevent the onset of some Christmas blues. Ask neighbours to help keep an eye on your front door for deliveries. Some thieves actually follow delivery trucks to people’s homes so they can steal parcels as soon as the truck is gone. Use your video camera feeds to watch for both deliveries and crooks. Maybe you’ll spot someone stealing your Christmas lawn display, or packages from your porch. Where programs exist, register your doorbell and home security cameras to help police quickly find recordings of neighbourhood crimes. Voluntary programs in some cities, like Project Iris in Surrey, could help police solve a break-in or other crime at your house or your neighbour’s. Does the website you’re buying from, and the merch you buying, look legit? Maybe it’s cheaper that it really should be? Organized retail crime costs Canadians almost $5 billion a year, so buy from established businesses, not unknown sources. Shoplifted or stolen goods may be sold online or through flea markets, with the money often going to gangs dealing in drugs or illegal weapons. Think about who might be watching your sunny vacation pics on social media. Remember, your post from the beach tells the whole world you’re not at home – and that includes thieves. Large empty boxes outside your home tell everyone what valuable goodies are inside your house to steal. Boxes from that gaming computer, 65-inch TV, or other expensive gifts should be stored out of sight until the cardboard can be recycled. You can also close blinds to keep people from seeing inside your house. Etch your valuables in case they’re stolen. Ask local police to help etch your property with your driver’s license number. Also photograph valuables showing make, model and serial number. Theft is getting worse, so don’t leave valuables visible in your car. Before you lock up your car to go shopping, leave nothing visible inside. Not even pocket change or empty bottles or cans. And don’t fill your car with gifts and then go back into more stores. Someone may be watching what you’ve bought. Find a busy, well-lit section of the parking lot and lock your gifts out of sight in the trunk. Leave your garage door opener at home or in your pocket. A thief who takes your remote sitting from your console, and finds your address somewhere in the car, considers that an open invitation to come open your garage for a look. Watch your pockets in busy stores. Keep purses and wallets where you can keep track of them and thwart pickpockets who look to take advantage while jostling with holiday crowds. Visit for more info.ADFD extends additional AED147 million loan to complete Velana International Airport development in Maldives

Trump’s Treasury pick wants shadow Fed chair and maybe weak US dollarWheel of Fortune contestants regularly whiff their bonus puzzles, but the winner of Monday, December 2’s episode was in for a particularly heartbreaking spin. Her additional letter choices added ZERO letters to a tricky puzzle, which was even more shocking since she had the advantage of a Wild Card wedge. The tough break involved Kelsey Sowders, a mom of three and steak/wine savant from Tomball, Texas. After an astounding performance, she proceeded to the coveted bonus round, having racked up $40,398 in cash, a prize trip to Japan, and the elusive Wild Card. This meant she got to pick five additional letters instead of four, which often spells success. Selecting “What are You Doing?” as her category, with the off-side support of her eldest son Grant and husband, Sowders joined Ryan Seacrest center stage. She landed on the star portion of the wheel, and the host assured, “Perhaps it’s good luck.” “I hope so,” Sowders said. The two-word puzzle read as “_EE_N_’ ‘_ _ S_,’ and she chose an additional “MFDA,” and H.” However, Vanna White didn’t move an inch as the letter choices were useless, making the puzzle very difficult. “Oh no!” Sowders exclaimed in disappointment. She went through the five stages of grief, staring in disbelief, blowing a raspberry in frustration, and recollecting herself. Seacrest wished her the best, “You’re doing great so far tonight.” But the cruel twist of fate left Sowder unable to solve the puzzle under the 10-second timer, which ended up being “KEEPING BUSY.” She was close, even able to get the first word, but nowhere near the second. “Oh no!” Sowders exclaimed once more as the full puzzle was displayed. Then, cutting back to the contestant and Seacrest, the second dagger came. The host revealed from his prize card contained $75,000 and she hid her face from it. “I don’t want to see that,” she said as Seacrest winced at the camera. “Don’t worry,” the host told her as she emotionally recovered and told him, “That’s okay.” The game show shared the big miss on YouTube, where fans expressed their shock and empathized with the player’s reaction. “That was a tough one. I didn’t get it either. Props to her for getting the first word right, but that second word was tricky as hell. I’m glad she’s not walking away empty-handed, though. She still won up until that point and nobody can take that from her,” one fan wrote. “Impossible without the right letter choices. Been a few of those this season,” wrote another. “If she would have won, she would have won over $100,000 cash without actually landing on the envelope! That’s really disappointing. Also, the fact that she had 5 letters but didn’t get a single one?! Should I be disappointed or impressed?” asked a third. “Ouch!” wrote a fourth. “You don’t see $75,000 all that often!” Meanwhile , Seacrest had huge shoes to fill replacing the legendary Pat Sajak after four decades for Season 42. His debut month was the strongest ratings month for WoF in the past three years, and viewers were already treated to a viral moment (via a round of sausage) . That said, there have been some questionable host moments according to fans. In September, Seacrest suffered what fans dubbed his “first blooper” , involving a delayed reaction to rewarding a bonus round. Fans also called out the host for ruling against another player before the timer was up. Most controversially, fans recently called out the host for not reminding a player to pick a letter , leading to him losing the game in a misunderstanding and by a mere $147. Another puzzling pattern has emerged, which is that no player has won the bonus round in a full week , many fans blaming the players, not the host. As for Sowders, another contestant recently botched their bonus puzzle in a similar way after choosing poor letters, but in that instance, they didn’t have the boost of the Wild Card wedge. Wheel of Fortune , Weeknights, Check your local listings More Headlines:

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Lynn Hershman Leeson Predicted Our Digital HellscapeAfter in Seoul, when critics of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yol came within five votes of the number needed to impeach him, the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) pledged to persist with its impeachment efforts while the ruling to navigate the ongoing crisis. What comes next, and how will this situation shape the broader domestic and international political landscape? To explore these questions, Asia Times spoke late Saturday with , leader of the Sonamu Party and a former senior lawmaker from the Democratic Party. was also the mayor of Incheon and led the DP from 2021 to 2022. Q: A: First, within the People Power Party, there remains a deep-seated trauma from the impeachment of former conservative President Park Geun-hye. Many lawmakers fear that if President Yoon falls, the entire conservative camp could collapse alongside him. Additionally, they are determined to block any scenario in which liberal opposition leader Lee Jae-myung could ascend to power following Yoon’s potential ouster. Viewing the current crisis through a partisan and political lens, the PPP perceives the impeachment motion as an existential threat. [The PPP leader] Han Dong-hoon’s opposition to impeachment is perplexing, though, particularly since he was targeted for arrest under Yoon’s martial law. His ambiguous stance underscores his lack of political acumen and gravitas. The so-called Han Dong-hoon faction is not blindly loyal to him, especially as he isn’t even a member of the National Assembly. Instead, they appear to be assessing the broader political landscape. Han’s inability to articulate a clear position or inspire confidence cements his reputation as a politician devoid of leadership. The core issue, I believe, lies in the ongoing parliamentary efforts to seek a special counsel probe against Kim Keon-hee, the first lady. To shield his wife, Yoon issued an emergency martial law declaration, effectively creating a “bulletproof” defense. Beyond this immediate motive, it reflects Yoon’s consistent approach since taking office — branding leftists as anti-state forces and suppressing political dissent. Yoon’s latest gambit, however, does not appear to be a spontaneous decision but rather a premeditated act. Yoon recently appointed his close confidant and high school alumnus, Kim Young-hyun [Kim then resigned on December 4], as minister of defense and established a private network comprising Yoon’s key allies, including Interior and Safety Minister Lee Sang-min [he resigned on December 8] and Counterintelligence Commander Yeo In-hyung [he was dismissed on December 6)] This group played a pivotal role in facilitating the declaration of martial law on Tuesday. South Korea’s legislative branch is legally untouchable, even under martial law. While a martial law decree can place the executive and judiciary under its command, the National Assembly retains its autonomy. South Korean law explicitly ensures legislative oversight in such situations. Article 4 of the Martial Law Act mandates that the president notify the National Assembly immediately after declaring martial law. If the Assembly is not in session, the president must seek a parliamentary session to deliberate on the declaration without delay. Under Yoon’s directive, these legal safeguards were blatantly disregarded. Not only did the military barricade the National Assembly to block lawmakers’ entry, but armed soldiers forced their way into the main building, attempting to arrest politicians. The marital law command also breached the building housing the National Election Commission, an autonomous institution. Such actions represent a flagrant violation of constitutional order and amount to a clear act of insurrection. A special investigation headquarters has been established to probe President Yoon’s martial law declaration. The headquarters must swiftly summon key figures and uncover further details about the events of this week. For example, broadcaster MBC recently that the Yoon administration may have attempted to provoke a limited war by striking North Korean targets in retaliation for the regime’s trash-filled balloon attacks. If this is substantiated, it would constitute a serious felony, tantamount to treason, which could pave the way for the president’s removal under Article 84 of the Constitution. In the case of former President Park, an investigation into her many scandals was conducted before the impeachment bill was voted on. Given the ongoing investigations against Yoon, impeachment would become more viable if the evidence supports such a course. [President Yoon has now been in the December 3 insurrection case]. By staffing government agencies, the ruling party and the presidential office with a pro-Yoon prosecutorial clique, Yoon has effectively created a “republic of prosecutors.” This faction, operating under his guidance, has undermined South Korea’s democratic norms by using its power to shield the president and his family from criminal liability, suppress press freedom and silence opposition and dissent. I have long argued that, even if the Yoon administration falls, little will change as long as Han Dong-hoon, with his equally prosecutorial mindset, remains the leader of the ruling party. What is urgently needed along with Yoon’s ouster is a fundamental overhaul of our prosecutorial system. We welcome Washington reaffirming that the foundation of the South Korea-US alliance is democracy, which is crucial. However, as a sovereign nation, South Korea has no obligation to give prior notice, regardless of the legitimacy of the martial law. First, I emphasized that the use of nuclear weapons should never be considered under any circumstances. Second, I expressed that heightened military cooperation with Russia and North Korea should not lead to escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula. I also stressed the importance of a swift resolution to the war in Ukraine. First, Yoon’s rationale for supporting Ukraine is rooted in Cold War-era rhetoric: a battle between communism and democracy. However, Russia is no longer a communist state. It’s essentially a democratic republic, the Russian Federation, which former President Yeltsin defended against a communist coup. Putin has inherited that legacy, and Russia’s political landscape has moved beyond the communist ideology. Second, Ukrainians are ethnically closely related to Russians, and historically, Crimea was transferred to Ukraine as a gift by former Soviet leader Krushchev. Furthermore, the port of Sevastopol in Crimea is the headquarters of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. As such, Ukraine’s situation differs significantly from that of the Baltic states — Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania — or the Scandinavian countries. Third, from Russia’s perspective, NATO’s eastward expansion, despite the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact and promises from Washington not to expand, is a significant security concern. Moscow has repeatedly stated that Ukraine’s potential NATO membership is a redline, but these concerns have been largely ignored, with the US welcoming Ukraine’s entry. If we consider Russia’s position, it mirrors Washington’s obstinate rejection of Soviet missiles in Cuba. Of course, I publicly criticized Russia when the war broke out in 2022, and I even made a small personal donation to Ukraine. But in diplomacy, it’s crucial to listen to all parties involved. South Korea should maintain diplomatic relations with both Kyiv and Moscow and focus on bringing an end to the conflict rather than taking sides and advocating for an extended war. As a country that shares a border with Russia, how can South Korea afford to make Russia an enemy? South Korea already struggles to manage the complexities of dealing with North Korea on its own and relies on cooperation with the US military and Japan’s Self-Defense Forces. Making Russia an adversary, therefore, is not a prudent course of action and should be avoided in favor of a more balanced and sound foreign policy.

Easyjet to report £600m profit as holiday arm boosts businessBlack plastic kitchen utensil risks were overstated. But you should still toss them, group says

Festive, Budget-Friendly Tips to Help Reign in Energy Waste & Lower Bills OAKLAND, Calif. , Nov. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- 'Tis the season for more houseguests, mouthwatering meals, and dazzling decorations. Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is sharing simple, energy-efficient actions to help customers manage their energy use and bills this holiday season. According to the California Energy Commission , 10% of typical household energy use is from lighting and 31% is from kitchen appliances. With more festive feasts, light displays, and home heating over the holidays, energy use can increase, driving up fall and winter energy bills. "Energy costs can vary widely over the holidays, but customers can celebrate and save by incorporating a few energy-efficient steps in their seasonal prep," said David Poster , PG&E Director of Energy Efficiency. "Small changes can add up and make a meaningful difference." PG&E is giving the gift of energy efficiency with a few Scrooge-proof tips to help customers serve up a cost-effective and comfortable holiday season: Dial Down the Thermostat: For every degree you turn down your thermostat, you can save 1% on your annual energy bill. Convection Check: Use the convection setting on your oven. It cooks food faster and at a lower temperature, which saves energy and money. Group Gourmet: Cook side dishes simultaneously in the oven. This reduces prep time and saves energy by allowing your oven to run for less time. Lids On, Doors Closed: Every time the oven door opens, the temperature inside is reduced by as much as 25 degrees. Use the oven window instead. Keeping lids on pots and pans and using glass or ceramic dishes can also reduce cooking time. Induction Inspiration: Explore alternative cooking methods, including microwaves, crockpots, or induction cooktops for meals instead of a traditional stovetop to reduce energy costs. The PG&E Induction Cooktop Loaner Program allows customers to borrow a single-burner induction cooktop and pan for two weeks at no cost. Dishwasher Duty: Using your dishwasher is more energy efficient than washing by hand. Run it with a full load and stop before the heat-dry cycle to save energy. LED Lighting: LED holiday lights are at least 75% more energy efficient, and last up to 25 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs. They also emit less heat, reducing the risk of burns or fire hazards. Smart Timers: Automate your holiday lights to focus on festivities while saving energy. Scheduled on/off times prevent wasteful all-day and all-night displays. Consider heat pump technology: Consider a heat pump alternative. It is the most efficient way to heat water or heat/cool your home. Learn more at pge.com/electrification . Watch this video for more ways to create a more sustainable kitchen. Additional ways to put an energy-efficient twist on your holiday traditions can be found here . Energy Efficiency DIY Tool Kit Customers can save hundreds of dollars a year on their energy bills by building an Energy Efficiency DIY Tool Kit. Materials in the kit can be purchased for less than $200 . Additional Energy Efficiency Resources Golden State Rebates : This statewide program provides homeowners and renters with instant rebates on energy-efficient products including smart thermostats, air conditioners, and water heaters. GoGreen Home Financing: A statewide program which offers affordable financing for energy efficiency upgrades to help homeowners and renters reduce their energy use. WatterSaver Program : A program that pays you to use energy when prices are lower. Your connected water heater can automatically take advantage of lower electricity rates, so water is heated at the least expensive times of day. Energy Action Guide: PG&E's online resource that helps customers to find personalized energy-efficient product recommendations. Switch Is On : PG&E's partner website designed to provide resources, tools, and incentives for those interested in switching from gas to electric appliances. For more energy savings, you can visit pge.com/winter . Income-Eligible Assistance Programs PG&E has several assistance programs to help income-eligible customers pay their energy bills: California Alternate Rates for Energy Program (CARE): Provides a discount of 20% or more each month on gas and electricity bills. Family Electric Rate Assistance Program (FERA): Offers a monthly discount of 18% on electricity bills for households with three or more people. Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): a federally funded assistance program overseen by the state that offers a one-time payment up to $1,000 on past due bills to help low-income households pay for heating or cooling in their homes. Arrearage Management Plan (AMP) : a debt forgiveness plan for eligible residential customers. About PG&E Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation PCG , is a combined natural gas and electric utility serving more than sixteen million people across 70,000 square miles in Northern and Central California . For more information, visit pge.com and pge.com/news View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/merry--mindful-pges-energy-efficient-solutions-for-a-season-of-savings-302314401.html SOURCE Pacific Gas and Electric Company © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

The tough break involved Kelsey Sowders, a mom of three and steak/wine savant from Tomball, Texas. After an astounding performance, she proceeded to the coveted bonus round, having racked up $40,398 in cash, a prize trip to Japan, and the elusive Wild Card. This meant she got to pick five additional letters instead of four, which often spells success. Selecting “What are You Doing?” as her category, with the off-side support of her eldest son Grant and husband, Sowders joined Ryan Seacrest center stage. She landed on the star portion of the wheel, and the host assured, “Perhaps it’s good luck.” “I hope so,” Sowders said. The two-word puzzle read as “_EE_N_’ ‘_ _ S_,’ and she chose an additional “MFDA,” and H.” However, Vanna White didn’t move an inch as the letter choices were useless, making the puzzle very difficult. “Oh no!” Sowders exclaimed in disappointment. She went through the five stages of grief, staring in disbelief, blowing a raspberry in frustration, and recollecting herself. Seacrest wished her the best, “You’re doing great so far tonight.” But the cruel twist of fate left Sowder unable to solve the puzzle under the 10-second timer, which ended up being “KEEPING BUSY.” She was close, even able to get the first word, but nowhere near the second. “Oh no!” Sowders exclaimed once more as the full puzzle was displayed. Then, cutting back to the contestant and Seacrest, the second dagger came. The host revealed from his prize card contained $75,000 and she hid her face from it. “I don’t want to see that,” she said as Seacrest winced at the camera. “Don’t worry,” the host told her as she emotionally recovered and told him, “That’s okay.” The game show shared the big miss on YouTube, where fans expressed their shock and empathized with the player’s reaction. “That was a tough one. I didn’t get it either. Props to her for getting the first word right, but that second word was tricky as hell. I’m glad she’s not walking away empty-handed, though. She still won up until that point and nobody can take that from her,” one fan wrote. “Impossible without the right letter choices. Been a few of those this season,” wrote another. “If she would have won, she would have won over $100,000 cash without actually landing on the envelope! That’s really disappointing. Also, the fact that she had 5 letters but didn’t get a single one?! Should I be disappointed or impressed?” asked a third. “Ouch!” wrote a fourth. “You don’t see $75,000 all that often!” Meanwhile , Seacrest had huge shoes to fill replacing the legendary Pat Sajak after four decades for Season 42. His debut month was the strongest ratings month for WoF in the past three years, and viewers were already treated to a viral moment (via a round of sausage) . That said, there have been some questionable host moments according to fans. In September, Seacrest suffered what fans dubbed his “first blooper” , involving a delayed reaction to rewarding a bonus round. Fans also called out the host for ruling against another player before the timer was up. Most controversially, fans recently called out the host for not reminding a player to pick a letter , leading to him losing the game in a misunderstanding and by a mere $147. Another puzzling pattern has emerged, which is that no player has won the bonus round in a full week , many fans blaming the players, not the host. As for Sowders, another contestant recently botched their bonus puzzle in a similar way after choosing poor letters, but in that instance, they didn’t have the boost of the Wild Card wedge. Wheel of Fortune , Weeknights, Check your local listings More Headlines:Jamaican TikToker Niah Fatally Shot During Live Stream