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bmy88.com download McDonald's Corp. stock underperforms Wednesday when compared to competitorsMy first meeting with Aescape, the AI-powered massage robot, was benign enough — if a bit eerie. As if HAL had gotten a job in the Valley. I stepped into the austere spa room at Pause , a wellness center in Studio City, and a sturdy massage table commanded the space. It was deep-sea blue and plush, glowing from LED lights that lined its base. Its enormous, sculpted robot arms promised a unique spa experience. Yes, I was about to get a transformative butt massage by an AI-powered masseuse. Aescape sparked a media frenzy when it debuted in New York in August at a handful of Equinox gyms. This week, it arrives in Los Angeles. Aescape will open its robotic arms for business Friday at Pause. I got a sneak peek, however, the day before Thanksgiving. Upon arrival, I slipped into specialized compression wear that the Aescape company provided for optimal friction; no oil is required for this massage. After lying on the table belly down, my face nestled into a padded cradle, I selected my playlist on a touch screen (beach house to start, then relaxing piano music). I quickly forgot about the overhead depth sensors and surrounding robotics and drifted into calm. And although I longed for the intimacy of a human masseuse, I found it to be a surprisingly decent session. Here’s how things went. First, four high-resolution infrared sensors took a 3D scan of my body from above, mapping 1.2 million data points — every curve and asymmetric point on my frame, much to my chagrin — so Aescape could pinpoint where I was on the table and better target my specific body parts. Then its hulking robot arms reached up and around my torso, before beginning to massage me. Aescape has heated “hands,” which look like giant pads with touch points on their undersides. They’re modeled after the way a massage therapist uses their body parts as tools, kneading with the blade of the hand at one point, then pressing or rolling with the heel of the palm, the elbow or forearm. I’d selected gentle intensity, so Aescape kneaded slowly and deliberately around my scapula at first, then applied light rolling pressure along my spine, mid-back. It didn’t feel exactly like a human hand; but surprisingly, I wasn’t creeped out, either. Instead, the experience mirrored that of a sophisticated massage chair in horizontal — not as effective as an actual person but still providing much-needed relief in key areas. The Aescape massage is totally customizable. You dictate the kind you want — I chose “total back and glutes,” but “upper and mid-back focus” and “lower back, glutes and hamstrings focus” were also offerings. You can also use the touch screen to control the intensity of your massage as it’s underway, increasing or decreasing the pressure, or pausing altogether. Aescape is the brainchild of Eric Litman, a self-described serial entrepreneur who suffered from neck pain due to a bulging disc and needed daily massages, even while traveling internationally. That’s a headache to schedule, especially when there’s a shortage of massage therapists in the U.S., according to the International Spa Assn . As a solution, Litman imagined a “fully automated, customizable massage experience,” with the goal of “bringing personalized wellness robotics to the masses,” as the Aescape company describes its mission . Litman founded the robotics company in 2017 and by November 2023, it had $85 million in funding from technology, wellness and hospitality backers. “The intent was to build a product that addressed the needs of people like myself who struggled with getting the specific massages that their body needed — whether that’s because of a lack of therapist availability, a lack of consistency among therapists or just the desire for a very personalized experience,” Litman said in an interview. “So what we’ve built is something that caters remarkably well to all three of those needs. It’s accessible in many ways: It’s easily booked, it’s usable by people who wouldn’t otherwise be comfortable getting a massage [by a human] and it puts you in control, allowing you to get the specific massage you want at that moment in time.” Then there’s this — for better or worse, AI masseuses don’t need breaks to rest their hands. They’re the ideal employees. “It can operate 24 hours a day,” Litman said. “So it can be available at 11 at night, hours when you’re unlikely to find a masseuse available.” The Aescape company plans to roll out tables at spas, hotels and fitness centers as well as at corporations, for office workers, nationwide. In addition to its New York and L.A. locations, Aescape tables are now operating in Miami, Baltimore, Nashville, Atlantic City, N.J., and Orlando, Fla. One will debut at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara in Santa Barbara on Dec. 16. Users can find nearby Aescape tables and book sessions on an app . Software engineers offer frequent updates to the Aescape tables on the types of massages available or the music you can listen to. A holiday playlist was added just this week, for instance. However, Aescape is not cheap: $60 for half an hour, $120 for an hour. It’s also not as intelligent as I’d hoped. Aescape knows where your body parts are located in space, so as to target the areas you’ve selected for your massage. But the feature allowing it to intuit areas of tension that need massaging hasn’t been rolled out yet, Litman says. However, it is getting smarter, he adds. “It will continue to learn from all the massages that we give, across all our tables,” Litman says, “and allow for people to get a much more customized, precise massage experience.” As a massage junkie, I prefer the warmth and responsiveness of human touch. Even so, Aescape gave me a pretty decent massage. I had run stairs the day before for exercise and my glutes were sore. The robot masseuse kneaded my butt in just the right spots and even relieved shoulder tightness from hours of typing at my desk. And as a bonus, it didn’t interrupt my massage with chitchat.

What to know about the Supreme Court’s latest culture war fight: Transgender careThe Swans stunned Pride Park into silence with less than two minutes on the clock when Zan Vipotnik sent a bullet past Jacob Widell Zetterstrom before Ronald slotted home his first of the season in the 14th minute. Cyrus Christie brought Tom Barkhuizen down inside the box and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing dispatched the resulting penalty to cut the deficit in half and, despite piling on the pressure, Derby succumbed to a second home defeat of the season. Williams told a press conference: “We started the game very well, we were good up until we scored the second goal then we lost the grip on the game and I thought Derby were the better team. “The next thing for us we have to be able to maintain that level throughout the game and we weren’t able to do that to be quite honest today. “They made it difficult, reacted very well after the second goal and didn’t go under, far from it.” Swansea leapfrogged their opponents into the top half of the table with their sixth win of the season and took three points back to south Wales following two last-minute defeats by Burnley and Leeds heading into the match. Williams added: “We’ve recently conceded late goals but they’re a very resilient group and we saw it out in the end. “We’ve dominated games a lot but probably failed to score when we’ve been that dominant and tonight we managed to score the goals when we were dominant. “We scored the goals at the right time today.” Derby had been unbeaten in their last three matches coming into this one but Paul Warne put defeat down to a poor start. He said: “We conceded two and didn’t get close enough, weren’t aggressive enough, not enough body contact and looked soft, that’s my fault. “Maybe I didn’t message it properly. Sometimes it doesn’t come down to shape and tactics but I thought that was what the difference was. “Credit Swansea for the win but after the 25 mins it looked like we would score. I really enjoyed it, that’s the truth. I had 70 minutes of a team giving everything, I don’t think we’ve had that many attempts in the Championship this season. “It’s a rude awakening, last year we would’ve won that 4-2.”

NoneJaguars end the Titans' slim playoff hopes

'Imagine you wake up on Christmas Day and you don't know where your loved one is'

24 Exchange Receives SEC Approval of its New National Securities Exchange, "24X National Exchange"John M Lund Photography Inc/DigitalVision via Getty Images Chasing yield is like gambling. It can be intoxicating. It can be addictive, And it can be dangerous. Today I will focus on the danger aspect. And I’ll keep it short Introducing iREIT® Join iREIT® on Alpha today to get the most in-depth research that includes REITs, mREIT, Preferreds, BDCs, MLPs, ETFs, Builders, and Asset Managers. Our iREIT® Tracker provides data on over 250 tickers with our quality scores, buy targets, and trim targets. We recently added an all-new Ratings Tracker called iREIT Buy Zone to help members screen for value. Nothing to lose with our FREE 2-week trial . And this offer includes a 2-Week FREE TRIAL plus my FREE book . Brad Thomas has over 30 years of real estate investing experience and has acquired, developed, or brokered over $1B in commercial real estate transactions. He has been featured in Barron's, Bloomberg, Fox Business, and many other media outlets. He's the author of four books, including the latest, REITs For Dummies. Brad, along with HOYA Capital, lead the investing group iREIT®+HOYA Capital. The service covers REITs, BDCs, MLPs, Preferreds, and other income-oriented alternatives. The team of analysts has a combined 100+ years of experience and includes a former hedge fund manager, due diligence officer, portfolio manager, PhD, military veteran, and advisor to a former U.S. President. Learn more Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Author's note: Brad Thomas is a Wall Street writer, which means he's not always right with his predictions or recommendations. Since that also applies to his grammar, please excuse any typos you may find. Also, this article is free: Written and distributed only to assist in research while providing a forum for second-level thinking. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

Nighdive Studios seems to have quietly announced a The Thing: Remastered release date of December 5, 2024. Nightdive announced its latest remaster at IGN Live in June of this year, promising to deliver a bone-chilling upgrade for the classic 2002 adaptation before 2024 came to a close. A post from the studio’s X/Twitter account promised that the release date is in December earlier today but did not clarify whether the December 5 date shown in the Xbox Wire post is accurate. If it is, then we shouldn’t have to wait much longer before the full experience is available for everyone to play for themselves. In addition to Xbox One and Xbox Series X | S, The Thing: Remastered is currently set to come to PC via Steam, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5. Nightdive has made a name for itself as an experienced remaster studio throughout the last few years. Other titles in its catalog include remasters for the Turok trilogy, Star Wars: Dark Forces, System Shock, Shadow Man, and more. The Thing: Remastered promises a suite of additions to help bring the original experience to modern platforms. These include dynamic lighting, up to 144fps, 4K resolution, antialiasing, and other general gameplay improvements. While we wait for Nightdive to share more about its plans for The Thing: Remastered, you can read about PO’ed: Definitive Edition , another one of its projects that launched earlier this year. You can also read up on why we think remakes and remasters are great for gamers , and the top 10 Konami games we think deserve a fresh coat of paint . Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He started writing in the industry in 2017 and is best known for his work at outlets such as The Pitch, The Escapist, OnlySP, and Gameranx. Be sure to give him a follow on Twitter @MikeCripe.

Newtopia Reports Third Quarter 2024 Financial ResultsViking Introduces Viking Vela, Its Latest Ship, in Prestigious Delivery Ceremony in Italy

AP News Summary at 1:18 p.m. EST

Need a research hypothesis? Ask AI December 19, 2024 Massachusetts Institute of Technology Engineers have developed AI frameworks to identify evidence-driven hypotheses that could advance biologically inspired materials. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIN Email Crafting a unique and promising research hypothesis is a fundamental skill for any scientist. It can also be time consuming: New PhD candidates might spend the first year of their program trying to decide exactly what to explore in their experiments. What if artificial intelligence could help? MIT researchers have created a way to autonomously generate and evaluate promising research hypotheses across fields, through human-AI collaboration. In a new paper, they describe how they used this framework to create evidence-driven hypotheses that align with unmet research needs in the field of biologically inspired materials. Published today in Advanced Materials , the study was co-authored by Alireza Ghafarollahi, a postdoc in the Laboratory for Atomistic and Molecular Mechanics (LAMM), and Markus Buehler, the Jerry McAfee Professor in Engineering in MIT's departments of Civil and Environmental Engineering and of Mechanical Engineering and director of LAMM. The framework, which the researchers call SciAgents, consists of multiple AI agents, each with specific capabilities and access to data, that leverage "graph reasoning" methods, where AI models utilize a knowledge graph that organizes and defines relationships between diverse scientific concepts. The multi-agent approach mimics the way biological systems organize themselves as groups of elementary building blocks. Buehler notes that this "divide and conquer" principle is a prominent paradigm in biology at many levels, from materials to swarms of insects to civilizations -- all examples where the total intelligence is much greater than the sum of individuals' abilities. "By using multiple AI agents, we're trying to simulate the process by which communities of scientists make discoveries," says Buehler. "At MIT, we do that by having a bunch of people with different backgrounds working together and bumping into each other at coffee shops or in MIT's Infinite Corridor. But that's very coincidental and slow. Our quest is to simulate the process of discovery by exploring whether AI systems can be creative and make discoveries." Automating good ideas As recent developments have demonstrated, large language models (LLMs) have shown an impressive ability to answer questions, summarize information, and execute simple tasks. But they are quite limited when it comes to generating new ideas from scratch. The MIT researchers wanted to design a system that enabled AI models to perform a more sophisticated, multistep process that goes beyond recalling information learned during training, to extrapolate and create new knowledge. The foundation of their approach is an ontological knowledge graph, which organizes and makes connections between diverse scientific concepts. To make the graphs, the researchers feed a set of scientific papers into a generative AI model. In previous work, Buehler used a field of math known as category theory to help the AI model develop abstractions of scientific concepts as graphs, rooted in defining relationships between components, in a way that could be analyzed by other models through a process called graph reasoning. This focuses AI models on developing a more principled way to understand concepts; it also allows them to generalize better across domains. "This is really important for us to create science-focused AI models, as scientific theories are typically rooted in generalizable principles rather than just knowledge recall," Buehler says. "By focusing AI models on 'thinking' in such a manner, we can leapfrog beyond conventional methods and explore more creative uses of AI." For the most recent paper, the researchers used about 1,000 scientific studies on biological materials, but Buehler says the knowledge graphs could be generated using far more or fewer research papers from any field. With the graph established, the researchers developed an AI system for scientific discovery, with multiple models specialized to play specific roles in the system. Most of the components were built off of OpenAI's ChatGPT-4 series models and made use of a technique known as in-context learning, in which prompts provide contextual information about the model's role in the system while allowing it to learn from data provided. The individual agents in the framework interact with each other to collectively solve a complex problem that none of them would be able to do alone. The first task they are given is to generate the research hypothesis. The LLM interactions start after a subgraph has been defined from the knowledge graph, which can happen randomly or by manually entering a pair of keywords discussed in the papers. In the framework, a language model the researchers named the "Ontologist" is tasked with defining scientific terms in the papers and examining the connections between them, fleshing out the knowledge graph. A model named "Scientist 1" then crafts a research proposal based on factors like its ability to uncover unexpected properties and novelty. The proposal includes a discussion of potential findings, the impact of the research, and a guess at the underlying mechanisms of action. A "Scientist 2" model expands on the idea, suggesting specific experimental and simulation approaches and making other improvements. Finally, a "Critic" model highlights its strengths and weaknesses and suggests further improvements. "It's about building a team of experts that are not all thinking the same way," Buehler says. "They have to think differently and have different capabilities. The Critic agent is deliberately programmed to critique the others, so you don't have everybody agreeing and saying it's a great idea. You have an agent saying, 'There's a weakness here, can you explain it better?' That makes the output much different from single models." Other agents in the system are able to search existing literature, which provides the system with a way to not only assess feasibility but also create and assess the novelty of each idea. Making the system stronger To validate their approach, Buehler and Ghafarollahi built a knowledge graph based on the words "silk" and "energy intensive." Using the framework, the "Scientist 1" model proposed integrating silk with dandelion-based pigments to create biomaterials with enhanced optical and mechanical properties. The model predicted the material would be significantly stronger than traditional silk materials and require less energy to process. Scientist 2 then made suggestions, such as using specific molecular dynamic simulation tools to explore how the proposed materials would interact, adding that a good application for the material would be a bioinspired adhesive. The Critic model then highlighted several strengths of the proposed material and areas for improvement, such as its scalability, long-term stability, and the environmental impacts of solvent use. To address those concerns, the Critic suggested conducting pilot studies for process validation and performing rigorous analyses of material durability. The researchers also conducted other experiments with randomly chosen keywords, which produced various original hypotheses about more efficient biomimetic microfluidic chips, enhancing the mechanical properties of collagen-based scaffolds, and the interaction between graphene and amyloid fibrils to create bioelectronic devices. The system was able to come up with these new, rigorous ideas based on the path from the knowledge graph," Ghafarollahi says. "In terms of novelty and applicability, the materials seemed robust and novel. In future work, we're going to generate thousands, or tens of thousands, of new research ideas, and then we can categorize them, try to understand better how these materials are generated and how they could be improved further." Going forward, the researchers hope to incorporate new tools for retrieving information and running simulations into their frameworks. They can also easily swap out the foundation models in their frameworks for more advanced models, allowing the system to adapt with the latest innovations in AI. "Because of the way these agents interact, an improvement in one model, even if it's slight, has a huge impact on the overall behaviors and output of the system," Buehler says. Since releasing a preprint with open-source details of their approach, the researchers have been contacted by hundreds of people interesting in using the frameworks in diverse scientific fields and even areas like finance and cybersecurity. "There's a lot of stuff you can do without having to go to the lab," Buehler says. "You want to basically go to the lab at the very end of the process. The lab is expensive and takes a long time, so you want a system that can drill very deep into the best ideas, formulating the best hypotheses and accurately predicting emergent behaviors. Our vision is to make this easy to use, so you can use an app to bring in other ideas or drag in datasets to really challenge the model to make new discoveries." Story Source: Materials provided by Massachusetts Institute of Technology . Original written by Zach Winn. Note: Content may be edited for style and length. Journal Reference : Cite This Page :Share Tweet Share Share Email When trucks are the backbone of an operation, downtime is not an option. From small deliveries to heavy-duty hauls, every truck in a fleet is essential to getting the job done. But like any piece of machinery, trucks need care to perform at their best. That’s where expert truck mechanics come in—offering services that range from routine maintenance to complete machine rebuilds, all designed to keep vehicles reliable, efficient, and road-ready. Let’s explore what truck mechanics do, why their expertise is vital, and how the right service can make all the difference in fleet management. A Job That’s Bigger Than Repairs Truck mechanics aren’t just about fixing what’s broken. The role is a blend of precision, technical skill, and a deep understanding of the machines they service. Trucks are complex systems, built for power and durability but prone to wear and tear. Whether it’s an issue under the hood, electrical problems, or something as specific as hydraulics, mechanics are the unsung heroes ensuring these vehicles don’t miss a mile. Their job often goes beyond the obvious fixes. It’s about spotting potential issues before they escalate—saving time, money, and stress down the line. With a sharp eye for detail and a toolbox full of solutions, these professionals tackle everything from minor tune-ups to major overhauls. What Services Do Truck Mechanics Offer? The range of services offered by professional truck mechanics is extensive. Here’s a breakdown of what can be expected: Preventative Maintenance Regular servicing is the secret to keeping trucks running smoothly. Maintenance includes oil changes, filter replacements, and brake inspections. These simple but crucial checks help prevent costly breakdowns and extend the life of the vehicle. Diagnostics and Repairs Today’s trucks are as much about software as they are about steel. Diagnostics involve using advanced tools to pinpoint issues quickly and accurately. From engine troubles to suspension problems, truck mechanics are trained to handle it all. Complete Rebuilds Sometimes, a truck needs more than just a repair—it needs a fresh start. Machine rebuilds involve stripping down components, refurbishing or replacing parts, and essentially restoring the truck to its former glory. It’s an investment in longevity and reliability. On-Site and Field Services When a truck breaks down on the road, time is of the essence. Mobile mechanics bring the shop to the truck, offering field repairs to get vehicles back in action with minimal delay. Specialized Engineering For fleets with unique needs, custom solutions are a must. Whether it’s fabricating parts, upgrading systems, or integrating new technology, specialized engineering ensures every truck is tailored to perform. Why Expertise Matters Not all mechanics are created equal. Trucks are heavy-duty machines, and working on them requires a specific skill set. It’s not just about knowing what to do; it’s about doing it safely and efficiently. Professional truck mechanics bring a wealth of experience to the table. They understand the nuances of different truck models, how they’re used, and what challenges they face. This knowledge allows them to provide tailored solutions, ensuring each vehicle is serviced to the highest standards. Additionally, high-quality parts and tools are non-negotiable. A quick fix with subpar materials might seem cost-effective, but it’s a recipe for repeat problems. The best mechanics use only trusted components, ensuring repairs are built to last. The Purpose-Built Advantage For comprehensive services, nothing beats a dedicated facility. Purpose-built workshops are equipped with state-of-the-art tools, technology, and enough space to handle multiple vehicles at once. These facilities allow mechanics to perform everything from routine maintenance to complex engineering projects under one roof. But the flexibility doesn’t end there. Many services also include fieldwork, ensuring trucks can be serviced wherever they’re needed—whether it’s in a remote location or right at the job site. This combination of in-house expertise and on-site convenience makes professional truck mechanics an invaluable partner for any fleet operator. How to Know It’s Time for Service Trucks don’t always come with warning signs, but paying attention to subtle changes can save a lot of trouble later. Some things to look out for include: Decreased fuel efficiency Strange noises from the engine or brakes Difficulty starting or stalling Uneven tire wear Warning lights on the dashboard Regular inspections and maintenance schedules help catch these issues early. If something doesn’t feel right, it’s better to address it sooner rather than later. Balancing Cost and Quality One of the biggest concerns for fleet operators is balancing cost with quality. It’s tempting to cut corners, but when it comes to truck mechanics, the saying “you get what you pay for” couldn’t be more accurate. Investing in professional services means fewer breakdowns, longer-lasting vehicles, and lower overall costs in the long run. High-quality workmanship ensures that repairs are done right the first time, reducing downtime and maximizing efficiency. The Role of Trust and Communication At the heart of any good mechanic-client relationship is trust. Knowing that a vehicle is in capable hands makes all the difference. Clear communication, transparent pricing, and detailed explanations of the work being done help build that trust. Mechanics who take the time to understand specific needs, explain the process, and keep clients informed are the ones worth sticking with. It’s not just about fixing trucks; it’s about providing peace of mind. Keeping Trucks on the Road, Rain or Shine Every mile a truck spends off the road is a mile of lost productivity. That’s why truck mechanics work tirelessly to ensure fleets are always ready for the next journey. From regular maintenance checks to emergency breakdown assistance, the goal is simple: to keep trucks moving and businesses thriving. So, whether it’s a single vehicle or an entire fleet, professional truck mechanics are the key to staying ahead of the curve. With the right expertise and a can-do attitude, there’s no challenge too big—or too small—to tackle. The road ahead may be long, but with the right support, it’s always smooth. Trust the experts to keep your trucks running at their best, no matter where the journey takes them. Related Items: Keeping Your , Truck Mechanics Share Tweet Share Share Email Comments

NonePitt quarterback Eli Holstein leaves game with left leg injury against Louisville

AP News Summary at 6:20 p.m. EST

WSAV Exclusive: Savannah Native Felton reflects on changes over 40-year career

The United States has said it is the country's long-standing policy to deny support to Pakistan's long-range ballistic missile programme, calling Pakistan an "important partner" that shares the US commitment to maintaining the global nonproliferation regime. The US statement came hours after Pakistan's forceful response in reaction to the State Department's December 18 announcement of additional sanctions on entities contributing to Pakistan's ballistic missile programme. Earlier today, Deputy national security adviser Jon Finer said Islamabad's conduct raised "real questions" about its intentions, saying nuclear-armed Pakistan is developing long-range ballistic missile capabilities that eventually could allow it to strike targets outside of South Asia, including the United States. "Candidly, it's hard for us to see Pakistan's actions as anything other than an emerging threat to the United States," Finer said in a speech to the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Earlier today, the US reiterated that it would continue to use sanctions and other tools to protect its national security. "The US is committed to maintaining the global non-proliferation regime and Pakistan is an important partner in that. However, we have been clear and consistent about our concerns about Pakistan's long-range, ballistic missile programme," Vedant Patel, the Principal Deputy Spokesperson of the US State Department said, addressing a weekly press briefing on Thursday. "It is long-standing US policy to deny support to Pakistan's long-range ballistic missile programme. The Department of State will continue to use sanctions and other tools to protect our national security and ensure that US exporters and US financial systems cannot be abused by proliferators." The spokesperson said that the US hoped to continue to engage constructively with the Pakistani government on these issues. Replying to a question, Patel said that the US had concerns regarding Pakistan's long-range ballistic missile programme, but they don't affect great deal of other bilateral areas of cooperation. The US State Department said on December 18 that it was imposing additional sanctions related to Pakistan's ballistic missile programme, targeting four entities that it said were contributing to the proliferation or delivery of such weapons. The statement, issued on the State Department's website, said that the decision was taken “in light of the continuing proliferation threat of Pakistan’s long-range missile development”. It added that the four entities were being designated for sanctions pursuant to Executive Order (EO) 13382, which targeted proliferators of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery. "Pakistan’s National Development Complex – which is responsible for Pakistan’s ballistic missile program and has worked to acquire items to advance Pakistan’s long range ballistic missile program – and Affiliates International, Akhtar and Sons Private Limited, and Rockside Enterprise – which have worked to supply equipment and missile‐applicable items to Pakistan’s ballistic missile program, including its long range missile program – are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13382 Section 1(a)(ii) for having engaged, or attempted to engage, in activities or transactions that have materially contributed to, or pose a risk of materially contributing to, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction or their means of delivery (including missiles capable of delivering such weapons), including any efforts to manufacture, acquire, possess, develop, transport, transfer, or use such items, by Pakistan," read the statement. However, Islamabad reacted strongly to the development, terming the the decision as "biased" and stressing that the step from the US has "dangerous implications for strategic stability of our region and beyond". "Pakistan’s strategic capabilities are meant to defend its sovereignty and preserve peace and stability in South Asia. The latest installment of sanctions defies the objective of peace and security by aiming to accentuate military asymmetries. Such policies have dangerous implications for strategic stability of our region and beyond," Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said in a statement. The Foreign Office stressed that the county's strategic programme is a sacred trust bestowed by 240 million people upon its leadership, adding that the sanctity of this trust, held in the highest esteem across the entire political spectrum, cannot be compromised. In September this year, Washington targeted five entities and one individual with sanctions, which were involved in the expansion of ballistic missiles and controlling missile equipment and technology to Pakistan. Similarly, the US — in October 2023 — imposed sanctions on three Chinese companies for supplying missile-applicable items to Pakistan. The sanctions also affected China-based firms Hubei Huachangda Intelligent Equipment Co, Universal Enterprise, and Xi’an Longde Technology Development Co. Pakistan-based Innovative Equipment and a Chinese national were sanctioned for knowingly transferring equipment under missile technology restrictions.First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF (NASDAQ:CIBR) Position Boosted by Caprock Group LLC

EXCLUSIVE Jill Biden makes a very naughty pitstop on Nantucket shopping trip with daughter Ashley The mother and daughter spent over an hour shopping in downtown Nantucket READ MORE: Biden escapes the White House for Thanksgiving vacation By EMILY GOODIN, SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT ON NANTUCKET Published: 21:20 GMT, 27 November 2024 | Updated: 21:41 GMT, 27 November 2024 e-mail 12 View comments Jill Biden ‘s shopping spree in Nantucket on Wednesday included a stop in Ladybird Lingerie, know for its ‘beautiful yet comfortable' undergarments. The window showed an array of lace bras and panties to choose from. Biden and her daughter Ashley Biden spend over an hour visiting several local shops in historic downtown area. The First Lady wasn’t spotted carrying any bags, but her personal assistant was with her and could make arrangements to have anything she purchased delivered. The mother and daughter duo hit about a dozen high-end shops on the posh island off the coast of Massachusetts . Jill Biden, wearing skintight brown leather leggings and black high-heeled ankle boots, even got a gift from Town Pool, a Nantucket-themed store. She received a t-shirt that read 'Biden' in the shape of the island. First Lady, Jill Biden goes shopping at 'Ladybird Lingerie' on Nantucket with Daughter Ashley in tow. Dr Jill and Ashley spent just under 2 hours perusing a multitude of stores before heading back to their Thanksgiving vacation home Jill Biden emerges from 'Ladybird Lingerie' on Nantucket Jill and Ashley arrived on Nantucket on Tuesday night with President Joe Biden to spend the Thanksgiving holiday. Hunter Biden, his wife Melissa and son Beau were also on the flight. Only the mother and daughter hit the downtown area on Wednesday. The weather was sunny and in the 50s - a perfect day to shop ahead of the Black Friday crowds. The Bidens are staying at the $34 million luxurious compound owned by billionaire businessman turned philanthropist David Rubenstein. The 13-acre compound has a 13,000 square foot house, a private beach, and private dock. It's a sprawling property that sits on the island's secluded inner harbor with gorgeous views of the water as the sun sets in the background. Rubenstein bought the waterfront property in 2000 for his now ex-wife Alice and their three children. He tore down the existing house and put up a 13,000-square-foot home which features a tennis court, swimming pool, hot tub and private dock. Zillow estimates it would cost $30,000 a month to rent. Jill Biden goes shopping on Nantucket with daughter Ashley Jill Biden outside 'Ladybird Lingerie' on Nantucket ill Biden goes shopping at 'Ladybird Lingerie' on Nantucket with Daughter Ashley in tow The house is located on historic Abrams Point off of Polpis Road - named after one of the last surviving Native Americans of the Wampanoag people, Abram Quary. The island has been making preparations for the presidential arrival. A cargo plane landed last week with the necessary equipment needed to transport and guard the president. Coast Guard boats have been circling the waters around the island. Jill Biden and daughter Ashley biden spent two hours shopping on Nantucket The amount of staff, security and reporters following the president where ever he goes numbers into the hundreds. Local hotels are booked and restaurants are preparing for the influx of people. The Bidens have been going to Nantucket for 49 years, dating back to when Biden was a U.S. senator. In his 2017 memoir 'Promise me Dad,' Biden wrote that Thanksgiving in 1975 was the first holiday he and his now-wife Jill spent together, going to Nantucket with his young sons Beau and Hunter for a little bonding time. They rarely have missed a holiday on Nantucket since. One of the few Thanksgivings the Bidens missed there was in 2015, which took place about six months after Beau Biden died. The family went to Rome instead. They also skipped going in 2020 because of the pandemic. JThe Biden family are on a Thanksgiving break Ashley Biden went shopping to a lingerie store with her mother The island became a spot of many memories for the family. Beau proposed to his future wife Hallie at the town's 2001 Christmas Tree lighting and married her at a downtown church. 'We had some great years in that span, and we had some lousy years, but whatever was happening, whatever bumps and bruises we were suffering, we put it all aside and celebrated Thanksgiving in Nantucket,' the president wrote in his memoir. 'The holiday trip was a constant in our grandchildren's lives from the time they were aware, and they made it clear how much it meant to them.' This year the Bidens will stay on Nantucket until Saturday, when they are scheduled to return to Washington D.C. Jill Biden Politics Joe Biden Share or comment on this article: Jill Biden makes a very naughty pitstop on Nantucket shopping trip with daughter Ashley e-mail Add commentNoneThe Thing Remastered Release Date Quietly Revealed for Later This Week