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WALL, S.D. — Jim Boensch points out a number of switches and lights on a nearby electronic console. He gives a detailed rundown of what each does as well as gives a demonstration of an ear-piercing alarm. Everything seems to be operating just as it should. He nods and then turns to the others in the room and prepares to proceed. ADVERTISEMENT “OK,” he says with a stark calmness. “Let’s jump into World War III.” Thankfully, there is no danger of nuclear annihilation on the horizon. Boensch, a retired Air Force major, is in the underground Delta-1 Launch Control Facility at the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site just a short drive down Interstate 90 from Wall in western South Dakota. The equipment he is demonstrating is all era-accurate and authentic, though decommissioned, and was one of 15 such facilities in the state that once stood guard every second of every day in the event the president of the United States issued an order for a nuclear strike against a foreign enemy. With the late 1991 dissolution of the Soviet Union, the chief nuclear rival of the United States, the need for the Delta-1 site and its South Dakota sister facilities became less crucial, and with the exception of the one near Wall, all were decommissioned and destroyed. “This is the last pair of this type in the world. There are no more,” Boensch told the Mitchell Republic during a tour of the grounds earlier this year, referring to the underground launch station and a deactivated missile silo just a few miles away. “They blew up the launch tubes and sold the land back. 149 of 150 missiles are gone.” Once part of the 44th Strategic Missile Wing at Ellsworth Air Force Base, the site now serves as a museum, open to tours to the public and dedicated to the history of the Cold War and the role South Dakota and the Great Plains states played in the conflict. It is a chance to see the last remnants of the state’s nuclear Minuteman Missile fields. In 1985, if South Dakota had been ranked apart from the United States based on the number of nuclear warheads located within its borders, the 150 warheads on the Minuteman Missiles would have ranked the state sixth in the world. That would place it right behind China with 243. It had more nuclear warheads than India, Pakistan, Israel, North Korea and South Africa combined. ADVERTISEMENT When the United States dropped a pair of atomic bombs on Japan in 1944, it hastened the close of World War II. With Nazi Germany already defeated in Europe, the world breathed a sigh of relief as its armies, navies and air forces were recalled home and the conflict began to recede into the history books. Though the United States and Soviet Union were allies and on the same victorious side during World War II, a division in military aims and ideology soon began to widen between the superpowers. By 1949, the Soviet Union developed its own nuclear technology, and a decades-long arms race kicked off, with both countries building large nuclear arsenals that threatened to destroy the other side. Intercontinental ballistic nuclear missiles were part of those arsenals. Able to be launched at a moment’s notice and fly thousands of miles to deliver an atomic warhead payload on the enemy, the Minuteman Missiles were among the first developed by the United States as part of its “nuclear triad,” a series of nuclear warhead delivery methods that, along with the missiles, included missiles launched from submarines and bombs delivered by heavy bombers. When the United States was looking for a place to establish those nuclear missile launch sites, they turned to a region in the Great Plains that included South Dakota, North Dakota, Wyoming and Montana. “Most of them were in the middle part of the United States, up north. These missiles would go over the North Pole, and it shortened the distance to your targets without having to build bigger missiles that would be required if you put them down in Texas or Florida,” Boensch said. The United States struck deals with local landowners, and by 1963 the first silos in South Dakota were active. Over their service life those silos housed the Minuteman I and II series of missiles, the second iteration of which could carry a 1.2 megaton warhead capable of delivering the equivalent devastation of 1.2 million tons of TNT with a range of 7,500 miles. That allowed it to strike virtually any target on Earth. Each one carried 66 times the power of the bomb dropped on Hiroshima, Japan, a bomb that killed 144,000 people. There were 150 such missiles within South Dakota’s borders. Always at the ready, the missiles were never used and were removed from active status in 1991 before being completely removed later in the early 1990s. Congress established the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site in 1999, the legislation for which was passed after a bill to establish the site was introduced in 1998 by Senators Tom Daschle and Tim Johnson. ADVERTISEMENT Though now more than a quarter century removed from service, the Delta-01 launch facility, and its nearby companion historic site, the Delta-9 Missile Silo, appears much as it did when it was active. During its service, access to the facility was strictly controlled, but the existence of the missiles and even their locations were not top secret. Local residents were aware of the nature of their neighbors, and even the Soviet Union were keen as to where they were located. That was by design, said Boensch, who works as an education technician at the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site. “We were a deterrent force. To have a good deterrent, you have to have a really great weapon, so from the other side they know you’ve got it and they know you can use it,” Boensch said. “It was no secret. All you had to do was follow the power line out to the middle of nowhere and you had a missile.” The launch facility appears as a relatively small, unremarkable low-slung building surrounded by a chain link fence and gate. A basketball hoop stands just inside the fencing. Entering the building takes one into a receiving area, where missile crews, which were swapped out after every 24 hour shift, would be vetted and checked in. Through one door in that area, toward the back of the building, is a living area that housed facility personnel, including security. Preserved much as it was during its most recent active period, it features a lounge area with a television, a small dining area, kitchen and sleeping quarters for those on-site. Space is limited, the accommodations simple but comfortable. For the most part, it does not resemble a military facility. ADVERTISEMENT It is through a second door in the receiving area that the perception changes. There, an elevator with highly controlled access leads to the underground bunker that housed the actual launch controls for the missiles at their command. A brief elevator ride descends approximately 30 feet to reveal a dark, concrete bunker area. A few meters ahead, a 16,000 pound blast door that sealed the missileers from the outside world is propped open. In a display of tongue-in-cheek humor, a mock Domino’s Pizza box has been painted on the front with the slogan “Worldwide delivery in 30 minutes or less or your next one is free.” Squeezing past the blast door brings visitors into a brightly-lit room full of vintage equipment that was crucial to launch operations. Low frequency and satellite communication systems line the walls, and a pair of chairs bolted to slide rails gave personnel a station from which to tend to it all while remaining strapped in securely. Simple sleeping bunks with a curtain grace the opposite wall. Staff in the bunker drilled regularly for a number of different scenarios, including launches. But even with constant training, there was a lot of downtime below ground. Boensch said many missileers would spend their time reading textbooks, preparing for exams. “We read. About half of us got our master’s degree. It was a great place to study. And I had two little girls back at the base. I wanted to play with them when I got off duty (and not study),” Boensch said. Studying aside, they were also prepared in the event of a nuclear emergency. There is no one button to launch the missiles. Once a confirmed launch order was received, each missileer turned a key from their stations, which were about 12 feet apart. Each key had to be turned within two seconds of each other, which prevented any one person from initiating a launch without the other. ADVERTISEMENT On one wall is a small red metal lock box with two combination padlocks. Like the two-person key launch system, the padlocks are another safeguard against any single person going rogue and attempting an unauthorized launch on their own. Both people had to be in agreement to open the box. “Why in the world would you need a safe up here inside this bank vault? With two locks on it, you did not know the combination of your partner’s locks. You were the only person in the world that knew your opening combination. Trust was a very hard thing to come by when you’re dealing with nuclear weapons. You’ve got to be absolutely sure,” Boensch said. The box contained materials for authenticating communications to make sure any such launch order received was authorized by the president of the United States or their successor. The content of those authenticators is still classified to this day. The actual launch keys were also inside the box. Things begin to move quickly once the lock box is opened. “We lay our keys down on this cabinet. We pick the right one. We do this independently of the other person,” Boensch said. “We go through whatever procedures we do to authenticate the message. Once we agree it is a valid and authentic message, we’re going to war. Nuclear war. And we don’t have a lot of time to do this.” The hours of practice and drills kick in. The pair are now almost on autopilot, having ceaselessly trained for this exact moment. Each missileer inserts their launch key into the receptacle at their station. They strap their seatbelts on. At the end of the countdown sequence, both turn their keys. At that point, missile silos like the Delta-9 site preserved a few miles down the road, move into action. The door at the top of the silo is flung off, revealing the weapon underneath. ADVERTISEMENT “An explosive squib fires, dragging that whole thing into a recess in that 12-foot diameter launch tube, getting it out of the way of the missile. About the same time, two Howitzer shell-like gas generators drive a piston tied to a pulley down, rolling that massive 180,000-pound door sideways to the south, rolling on 18-inch steel wheels,” Boensch said. “It clears that tube in less than three seconds.” Moments after the launch order is received, a Minuteman Missile is airborne and bound for its target. World War III has begun. Boensch and his fellow Air Force colleagues never had to take those fateful steps to actually launch a nuclear missile. Cool heads and world-saving diplomacy eventually won the day, and with the collapse of the Soviet Union, a nuclear deterrent on the Cold War scale was no longer needed. The missile fields in South Dakota were decommissioned and destroyed, with the exception of the facilities at which Boensch and his colleagues give tours to the public. Modern land-based missile facilities are still a part of the United States’ defense forces, with locations still maintained in North Dakota, Montana and Wyoming. The Cold War may be over, but the need for a nuclear deterrent remains, Boensch said. Geopolitical winds can shift, and leadership changes at the national level can alter defense priorities. Regardless of election results, the safety of America remains paramount, Boensch said. In addition to the current modern land-based missile silos and submarine-based nuclear weapons, the Air Force is expected to purchase 100 new B-21 Raider bombers, the first of which will be hosted at Ellsworth Air Force Base. The new bomber, which will complement the current fleet of B1 and B2 bombers, represents a generational leap as a dual nuclear and conventionally capable, stealth, penetrating, long-range strike platform, according to a release from the Air Force. “I think regardless of what political party is in charge, I think everybody realizes it’s a necessity,” Boensch said. Once a domain strictly off-limits to the general public, the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site now welcomes them with open arms to share the story of the sentinels on the prairie that assured America’s enemies any attack would be met by an equal, if not greater, force in return. Nearly 100,000 people visited the site in 2020. Some of those are fellow veterans that Boensch gets to interact with, sharing his stories and listening to theirs. It also offers him a chance to reflect on his own service and the service of his fellow missileers, most of which were no older than their mid-20s when they were stationed here. The technology and procedures are indeed fascinating, but in the end, the life or death actions came at the hand of missileers with a pair of small brass keys. There was no glory in the role, just a call to serve their country and to be at the forefront of protecting it should it come under attack. “I had to do some heavy thinking on what I really valued in life, what I really considered important. And I think service is the real reason why we’re here. I really do,” Boensch said. “But it’s just so rewarding to shake the hands of these people. And the folks who never served, too.” The Minuteman Missile National Historic Site is open to tours to the public. More information on the facilities and tours can be found at www.nps.gov/mimi/index.htm or by calling 605-433-5552.
Texans foiled by mistake after mistake in 32-27 loss to Titans
Nokia Corporation Stock Exchange Release 13 December 2024 at 22:30 EET Nokia Corporation: Repurchase of own shares on 13.12.2024 Espoo, Finland – On 13 December 2024 Nokia Corporation (LEI: 549300A0JPRWG1KI7U06) has acquired its own shares (ISIN FI0009000681) as follows: * Rounded to two decimals On 22 November 2024, Nokia announced that its Board of Directors is initiating a share buyback program to offset the dilutive effect of new Nokia shares issued to the shareholders of Infinera Corporation and certain Infinera Corporation share-based incentives. The repurchases in compliance with the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014 (MAR), the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052 and under the authorization granted by Nokia’s Annual General Meeting on 3 April 2024 started on 25 November 2024 and end by 31 December 2025 and target to repurchase 150 million shares for a maximum aggregate purchase price of EUR 900 million. Total cost of transactions executed on 13 December 2024 was EUR 3,680,494. After the disclosed transactions, Nokia Corporation holds 214,265,592 treasury shares. Details of transactions are included as an appendix to this announcement. On behalf of Nokia Corporation BofA Securities Europe SA About Nokia At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together. As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs. With truly open architectures that seamlessly integrate into any ecosystem, our high-performance networks create new opportunities for monetization and scale. Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today – and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future. Inquiries: Nokia Communications Phone: +358 10 448 4900 Email: press.services@nokia.com Maria Vaismaa, Global Head of External Communications Nokia Investor Relations Phone: +358 40 803 4080 Email: investor.relations@nokia.com Attachment Daily Report 2024-12-13
Jimmy Carter was a president, a peacemaker, a public health champion — and my friend. When he left the White House, Carter used the power of his name, character and influence to work on challenges that were too obscure or daunting for others to deal with. I believe he did it because he felt it was the right thing to do. His humble beginnings as a farm boy in southern Georgia helped him relate to the challenges and aspirations of everyday people, respectfully partnering with them to improve their own lives. I worked closely with Carter as vice president for health programs at the Carter Center and later as special adviser to the center’s Guinea Worm Eradication Program. I traveled with him to various places, mostly in Africa, an average of once a year from 1988 to 2010. Those trips involved long flights and sometimes lengthy rides to remote villages, giving us ample opportunity to talk about everything from birding to boatbuilding to genealogy. In 2007, we flew separately — he from Atlanta and I from Chicago, where I live — to start a visit to four countries. My flight ran into trouble early and had to return to O’Hare International Airport. It was unnerving. When my wife, Ernie, and I finally arrived in Ghana a day late, Carter greeted me with a big hug. I suffered a near-fatal heart attack in early 2015. Later that year, I was sitting outside a Carter Center conference room, waiting for a meeting to begin, when Carter and his Secret Service detail strode by on their way to his office. I expected only a wave, but he diverted his course and came over to give me another warm embrace. The last time I saw Cater and his wife, Rosalynn, was at their 75 th wedding anniversary celebration in 2021 in Plains, Georgia. He was frail after a recent hospital stay, but he soldiered on. He didn’t just shake my hand; he kissed it. Carter’s kindness belied his physical and mental toughness. During our final trip together, to South Sudan in 2010, he and his wife had contracted a stomach ailment in Khartoum, but he pushed through it and attended a series of political meetings in Juba. The next day, we took a very long drive in brutal heat to survey the Guinea worm situation in Terekeka, and he confessed to me, “I would not have been able to do this trip yesterday.” Carter used his toughness strategically. In 1995, during the Sudanese civil war, I was on the trip when he persuaded John Garang, leader of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army/Movement, to agree to a humanitarian ceasefire. Accompanied by CNN’s bureau chief from Nairobi, Carter presented his truce proposal to a reluctant President Omar al-Bashir. He warned al-Bashir that he was going to announce that Garang agreed to the truce; he gave al-Bashir the option of showing the world that he either agreed to a humanitarian ceasefire or insisted on war. Al-Bashir caved, and together they announced the famed “Guinea worm ceasefire” that night. Carter and his wife witnessed their first Guinea worm cases during a visit to two villages in Ghana in 1988. “We really need to do more to help these people,” he said. The Carter Center, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and UNICEF acted immediately, and a year later, there were almost no cases in those villages. However, by 2006, the Ghana program was struggling. A pumping station in Savelugu had broken down, leaving people exposed to potentially contaminated drinking water, and officials had failed to repair it. Carter was very angry, as was I. In August 2006, we invited Ghanaian health officials to Atlanta, where Carter questioned them sharply. He warned them that he planned to visit in six months. That lit a fire under them to get the pumping station fixed and reform the program. Unfortunately, the complacency of 2006 led to a large outbreak in January 2007, with more than 1,000 cases in Savelugu, including many children. Carter witnessed the disaster firsthand the following month. At a news conference, he threatened to rename the disease “Ghana worm.” In 2008, Ghana reduced its cases by 85%. Ghana is now Guinea worm-free. Hawah Alhassan, 5, in Tingoli Village near Tamale, Ghana, in 2007. She was her village’s last Guinea worm victim because of the eradication program. (Wes Pope/Chicago Tribune) In 2015, Carter said he wanted to see the last Guinea worm die before he did. That’s not likely to happen, but he’s gotten very close: There were just 14 human cases last year. I am sorry I won’t get to see his pleasure when we make Guinea worm the second human disease to be eradicated. We’ll keep working and praying to make it happen soon, knowing of his confidence that we will see it through. Dr. Donald R. Hopkins is a special adviser for Guinea worm eradication and former vice president for health programs with the Carter Center. Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com .Altus Group Limited (AIF) To Go Ex-Dividend on December 31stSACRAMENTO, Calif. , Dec. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- This holiday season, help give the drivers in your life the gift of convenience and control with the Reviver RPLATE ® — the exclusive digital license plate of the Sacramento Kings. The innovative RPLATE is the world's first digital license plate, allowing drivers to monitor and customize their license plate through the ease of a mobile application. Whether it is a teenager's first ride, or the dream car your parents always wanted, the holidays are the perfect time to gift your loved ones with a new car. Reviver has the perfect companion gift for a new car — the RPLATE, a smart and sleek digital license plate. The RPLATE helps make owning and maintaining a car easier and more enjoyable by turning the license plate into a connected vehicle platform. Through the RPLATE, drivers can quickly renew and update their vehicle's registration via the secure Reviver app. The RPLATE also offers fun personalization features with its weatherproof display, such as light/dark mode and banner messages. "I created Reviver and the RPLATE because I observed that the license plate and vehicle registration ecosystem wasn't innovating to meet the needs of the modern world," said Reviver Founder and Chief Strategy Officer Neville Boston . "At Reviver, we want to reimagine the driving experience and what a license plate can do. We want to make life easier for drivers, businesses, and government." Today, more than 65,000 drivers own an RPLATE including Cedric the Entertainer, Marshall Faulk and DJ Skee. Sacramento Kings fans can learn more about Reviver and the innovative RPLATE at an upcoming home game at Golden 1 Center. ABOUT REVIVER ® Reviver ® is a technology company on a mission to modernize the driving experience. As developer of the world's first digital license plate platform, Reviver products transform the license plate into a connected vehicle platform, enabling consumers and commercial businesses to digitize vehicle registration renewals and experience a growing set of personalization, convenience, and safety features, all managed through a mobile or web app interface. Reviver's digital license plates are legal for sale in Arizona and California , along with Texas for commercial fleet vehicles. Ten additional states are in various stages of adoption. Founded in 2009, Reviver is headquartered in Northern California , and is the official patch partner of the Sacramento Kings and the official innovation partner of the Sacramento Kings and Golden 1 Center. To purchase an RPLATE click here . To learn more about the RPLATE, click here . SOURCE Reviver
Texans foiled by mistake after mistake in 32-27 loss to Titans10Pearls has launched 10Pearls, Shine, Pakistan’s first fully remote, AI-powered internship program for a period of 8 weeks with a multi-tiered curriculum encompassing both technical and soft skills. 10Pearls’ unique internship offers students the chance to learn in-demand technical and leadership skills from anywhere within the country, preparing them with a strong foundation for a future career in technology. Students are assigned dedicated technical mentors who guide them through hands-on projects based on their chosen domain. The virtual edition received an overwhelming response, with over 10,000 students registering. Through a rigorous selection process, 100 top-tier students were chosen across two dynamic cohorts, empowering them to grow and excel in the tech industry. Drawing participants from top universities, including LUMS, IBA, and FAST, brings together Pakistan’s brightest minds. It is a fantastic opportunity for students to learn and grow their professional network, form communities and build lasting connections that will help them throughout their careers. 10Pearls Shine . “The 10Pearls Shine program provides vital exposure to students pursuing their degree in technology fields. It allows them to work side-by-side with industry leaders, exposing them to a global tech enterprise and enhancing their confidence with newfound skills beyond traditional classroom knowledge.” Haseeb Iftikhar, Associate Director Talent Acquisition, 10Pearls. Cross-communication is emphasized strongly, with students actively participating in Discord communities and catching up via regular virtual sync-ups.The Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT-B) celebrated its annual Alumni Day on Sunday with a grand event recognising remarkable contributions by its alumni and a historic pledge of Rs 21.2 crore by the Silver Jubilee Batch (Class of ’99). The 'Distinguished Service Award', a coveted honour at IIT-B, was presented to three alumni. Rajindra Harcharan Singh, from the Mechanical Engineering batch of 1988, was recognised for his exceptional achievements in his field and continued support to the institute. Sandeep Asthana, from the Chemical Engineering batch of 1990, was lauded for his professional excellence and impactful contributions, while Sudhir Jayram Nikam, from the Chemical Engineering batch of 1993, was honoured for his remarkable career and dedication to IIT-B’s progress. Six alumni received the 'Chapter Service Awards' for their efforts in strengthening alumni networks and supporting the Institute. Recipients included Rajesh Soy, representing the Seattle, USA Chapter; Ranjan Ojha, from the Chicago, USA Chapter; and Shweta Bhandari and Sagar Shah from the Greater New York, USA Chapter. Indian chapters were represented by Sita Mahalakshmi Durvasula, from the Hyderabad Chapter, and Sunay Wagle, from the Pune Chapter. The highlight of the event was the pledge of Rs 21.2 crore by the Silver Jubilee Batch (Class of ’99) for the Legacy Project. The funds will be used to support academic and research initiatives, upgrade infrastructure, and advance IIT-B’s vision of ranking among the world’s top 50 universities by 2030. Director Prof. Shireesh Kedare emphasised the importance of alumni contributions, saying, “Our alumni are a big asset. They not only bring resources but also expertise and industry connections that drive IIT Bombay’s growth,” the institute’s director said. IIT-B also unveiled a "Donor Wall" to honour its top benefactors, whose contributions have established Centres of Excellence, funded Chair Professorships, and enhanced student development initiatives. The day also paid tribute to the Class of 1963, IIT-B’s second graduating batch. Dr. Dhirendranath N. Buragohain, representing the class, shared fond memories of his time at the Institute. The launch of the GO-IIT Bombay Campaign and the presentation of “Project Evergreen,” focusing on student housing, showcased the alumni community’s continued commitment to the Institute. Tribute to former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, who passed away on December 26, was also paid during the celebration of the alumni day at IIT-B.
Chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen returns to a tournament after a dispute over jeans is resolved NEW YORK (AP) — Top ranked chess player Magnus Carlsen is headed back to the World Blitz Championship on Monday. That's after its governing body agreed to loosen a dress code that got him fined and denied a late-round game in another tournament for refusing to change out of jeans. The International Chess Federation president said in a statement Sunday that he’d let World Blitz Championship tournament officials consider allowing “appropriate jeans” with a jacket, as well as other "minor deviations” from the dress code. Carlsen quit the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships on Friday. He said Sunday he would play — and wear jeans — in the World Blitz Championship. 'Sonic 3' and 'Mufasa' battle for No. 1 at the holiday box office Two family films are dominating the holiday box office, with “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” winning the three-day weekend over “Mufasa” by a blue hair. According to studio estimates Sunday, the Sonic movie earned $38 million, while “Mufasa” brought in $37.1 million from theaters in the U.S. and Canada. The R-rated horror “Nosferatu” placed third with an unexpectedly strong $21.2 million. Thanksgiving release holdovers “Wicked” and “Moana 2” rounded out the top five. Christmas Day had several big film openings, including the Bob Dylan biopic “A Complete Unknown,” the Nicole Kidman erotic drama “Babygirl” and the boxing drama “The Fire Inside.” Charles Shyer, ‘Father of the Bride’ and ‘Baby Boom’ filmmaker, dies at 83 An Oscar-nominated writer and filmmaker known for classic comedies like “Private Benjamin,” “Baby Boom” and “Father of the Bride," Charles Shyer has died. He was 83. On Sunday his daughter Hallie Meyers-Shyer told The Associated Press that he died Friday in Los Angeles. No cause was disclosed. Born in Los Angeles in 1941 to a filmmaker father, Shyer's big breakthrough came with co-writing “Private Benjamin” for which he and Nancy Meyers received an Oscar nomination. He and Nancy Meyers were frequent collaborators through their nearly 20-year marriage, including on the remake of “The Parent Trap," starring Lindsay Lohan. LeBron James at 40: A milestone birthday arrives Monday for the NBA's all-time scoring leader When LeBron James broke another NBA record earlier this month, the one for most regular-season minutes played in a career, his Los Angeles Lakers teammates handled the moment in typical locker room fashion. They made fun of him. Dubbed The Kid from Akron, with a limitless future, James is now the 40-year-old from Los Angeles with wisps of gray in his beard, his milestone birthday coming Monday, one that will make him the first player in NBA history to play in his teens, 20s, 30s and 40s. He has stood and excelled in the spotlight his entire career. Belgium will ban sales of disposable e-cigarettes in a first for the EU BRUSSELS (AP) — Belgium will ban the sale of disposable electronic cigarettes as of Jan. 1 on health and environmental grounds in a groundbreaking move for European Union nations. Health minister Frank Vandenbroucke tells The Associated Press that the inexpensive e-cigarettes have turned into a health threat since they are an easy way for teenagers to be drawn into smoking and get hooked on nicotine. Australia outlawed the sale of “vapes” outside pharmacies earlier this year in some of the world’s toughest restrictions on electronic cigarettes. Now Belgium is leading the EU drive. Belgium's minister wants tougher tobacco measures in the 27-nation bloc. Charles Dolan, HBO and Cablevision founder, dies at 98 Charles F. Dolan, who founded some of the most prominent U.S. media companies including Home Box Office Inc. and Cablevision Systems Corp., has died at age 98. Newsday reports that a statement issued Saturday by his family says Dolan died of natural causes. Dolan’s legacy in cable broadcasting includes founding HBO in 1972, Cablevision in 1973 and the American Movie Classics television station in 1984. He also launched News 12 in New York City, the first U.S. 24-hour cable channel for local news. Dolan also held controlling stakes in companies that owned Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, the New York Knicks and the New York Rangers. Snoop's game: Snoop Dogg thrills the crowd in the bowl that bears his name TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Miami of Ohio beat Colorado State in the Arizona Bowl, but Snoop Dogg was the main attraction. The Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl presented by Gin & Juice by Dre and Snoop was much a spectacle as a football game. Snoop Dogg seemed to be everywhere all at once, from a pregame tailgate to the postgame trophy presentation. Snoop Dog donned a headset on Colorado State's sideline, spent some time in the broadcast and even led both marching bands as conductor during their halftime performance. Snoop Dogg saved the best for last, rolling out in a light green, lowrider Chevy Impala with gold rims and accents, the shiny Arizona Bowl trophy in his hand as fans screamed his name. Mavs star Luka Doncic is latest pro athlete whose home was burglarized, business manager says DALLAS (AP) — Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks is the latest professional athlete whose home has been burglarized. The star guard’s business manager tells multiple media outlets there was a break-in at Doncic’s home Friday night. Lara Beth Seager says nobody was home, and Doncic filed a police report. The Dallas Morning News reports that jewelry valued at about $30,000 was stolen. Doncic is the sixth known pro athlete in the U.S. whose home was burglarized since October. Star NFL quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes of Kansas City and Joe Burrow of Cincinnati are among them. The NFL and NBA have issued security alerts to players over the break-ins. Victor Wembanyama plays 1-on-1 chess with fans in New York Victor Wembanyama went to a park in New York City and played 1-on-1 with fans on Saturday. He even lost a couple of games. Not in basketball, though. Wemby was playing chess. Before the San Antonio Spurs left New York for a flight to Minnesota, Wembanyama put out the call on social media: “Who wants to meet me at the SW corner of Washington Square park to play chess? Im there,” Wembanyama wrote. It was 9:36 a.m. And people began showing up almost immediately. Norwegian chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen quits a tournament in a dispute over jeans NEW YORK (AP) — The International Chess Federation says top ranked player Magnus Carlsen has left the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships after refusing to change out of the jeans he wore to the competition. The federation said Friday that its regulations include a dress code that bars participants from wearing jeans at the event. The Norwegian chess grandmaster says he accepted a $200 fine but refused to change his pants out of principle before leaving the competition in New York. The federation said the dress code is designed to ensure professionalism and fairness for all participants.STUART, Fla. , Dec. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Health In Tech, Inc., an Insurtech platform company backed by third-party AI technology, today announced the pricing of its initial public offering of 2,300,000 shares of its Class A common stock, at a public offering price of $4.00 per share. In addition, Health In Tech has granted the underwriter a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 345,000 shares of its Class A common stock at the initial public offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions. The shares are expected to begin trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market on December 23, 2024 , under the ticker symbol "HIT". The offering is expected to close on December 24, 2024 , subject to customary closing conditions. American Trust Investment Services, Inc. is acting as the sole book-running manager of this offering. Health In Tech intends to use the net proceeds from the offering towards system enhancements, the expansion of service offerings, expansion of sales and distribution channels, talent development and retention, working capital and other general corporate purpose. A registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-281853) relating to the shares was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and became effective on December 19, 2024 . This offering was made only by means of a prospectus, forming part of the effective registration statement. A copy of the prospectus relating to the offering can be obtained when available, by contacting American Trust Investment Services, Inc., 230 W. Monroe Street , Suite 300, Chicago, IL 60606, or via E-Mail at ECM@amtruinvest.com . This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of any securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. About Health In Tech Health in Tech, Inc. ("HIT") is an Insurtech platform company backed by third-party AI technology. We offer a dynamic marketplace designed to create customized healthcare plan solutions while streamlining processes through vertical integration, process simplification, and automation. By eliminating friction and complexities, HIT enhances value propositions for employers and optimizes underwriting, sales, and service workflows for Managing General Underwriters (MGUs), insurance carriers, licensed brokers, and Third-Party Administrators (TPAs). Learn more at healthintech.com . Forward-Looking Statements Regarding Health In Tech Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may include estimates or expectations about Health In Tech's possible or assumed operational results, financial condition, business strategies and plans, market opportunities, competitive position, industry environment, and potential growth opportunities. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terms such as "may," "will," "should," "design," "target," "aim," "hope," "expect," "could," "intend," "plan," "anticipate," "estimate," "believe," "continue," "predict," "project," "potential," "goal," or other words that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes. These statements relate to future events or to Health In Tech's future financial performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause Health In Tech's actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements to be different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond Health In Tech's control and which could, and likely will, affect actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Any forward-looking statement reflects Health In Tech's current views with respect to future events and is subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to Health In Tech's operations, results of operations, growth strategy and liquidity. Investor Contact Investor Relations: ir@healthintech.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/health-in-tech-inc-announces-pricing-of-initial-public-offering-302337631.html SOURCE Health In TechPyrethrins Market Analysis: Overview, Scope, Trends, and Factors 2029
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Is Timothée Chalamet a Football Prophet?London, Nov 22 (AP) Apple and Google aren't giving consumers a genuine choice of mobile web browsers, a British watchdog said Friday in a report that recommends they face an investigation under new UK digital rules taking effect next year. The Competition and Markets Authority took aim at Apple, saying the iPhone maker's tactics hold back innovation by stopping rivals from giving users new features like faster webpage loading. Apple does this by restricting progressive web apps, which don't need to be downloaded from an app store and aren't subject to app store commissions, the report said. “This technology is not able to fully take off on iOS devices,” the watchdog said in a provisional report on its investigation into mobile browsers that it opened after an initial study concluded that Apple and Google effectively have a chokehold on “mobile ecosystems”. The CMA's report also found that Apple and Google manipulate the choices given to mobile phone users to make their own browsers “the clearest or easiest option”. And it said that the a revenue-sharing deal between the two US Big Tech companies “significantly reduces their financial incentives” to compete in mobile browsers on Apple's iOS operating system for iPhones. Both companies said they will “engage constructively” with the CMA. Apple said it disagreed with the findings and said it was concerned that the recommendations would undermine user privacy and security. Google said the openness of its Android mobile operating system “has helped to expand choice, reduce prices and democratize access to smartphones and apps" and that it's “committed to open platforms that empower consumers.” It's the latest move by regulators on both sides of the Atlantic to crack down on the dominance of Big Tech companies. US federal prosecutors this week unveiled their proposals to force Google to sell off its Chrome browser as they target its monopoly in online search. The CMA's final report is due by March. The watchdog indicated it would recommend using the UK's new digital competition rulebook set to take effect next year, which includes new powers to rein in tech companies, to prioritise further investigation into Apple's and Google's “activities in mobile ecosystems". (AP) PY PY (This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)
Vegas Golden Knights (13-6-2, in the Pacific Division) vs. Philadelphia Flyers (9-10-2, in the Metropolitan Division) Philadelphia; Monday, 7 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: The Philadelphia Flyers host the Vegas Golden Knights after the Flyers took down the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 in overtime. Philadelphia has a 5-6-0 record in home games and a 9-10-2 record overall. The Flyers are fourth in NHL play with 92 total penalties (averaging 4.4 per game). Vegas has a 5-4-2 record in road games and a 13-6-2 record overall. The Golden Knights have a 13-2-2 record in games they score at least three goals. Monday’s game is the first time these teams meet this season. TOP PERFORMERS: Travis Konecny has 11 goals and 14 assists for the Flyers. Matvei Michkov has scored goals over the last 10 games. Pavel Dorofeyev has 10 goals and three assists for the Golden Knights. Alexander Holtz has scored goals over the past 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Flyers: 5-4-1, averaging 2.7 goals, five assists, 3.7 penalties and eight penalty minutes while giving up 2.9 goals per game. Golden Knights: 6-3-1, averaging 3.1 goals, 5.4 assists, 2.8 penalties and seven penalty minutes while giving up 2.7 goals per game. INJURIES: Flyers: None listed. Golden Knights: None listed. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
Supreme Court will take up a challenge related to California's tough vehicle emissions standards WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court says it will take up a business-backed appeal that could make it easier to challenge federal regulations, acting in a dispute related to California’s nation-leading standards for vehicle emissions. The justices agreed Friday to hear an appeal filed by fuel producers who object to a waiver granted to California in 2022 by the Environmental Protection Agency during Joe Biden’s presidency. The waiver allows California to set more stringent emissions limits than the national standard. The case won’t be argued until the spring, when the Trump administration is certain to take a more industry-friendly approach to the issue. Musk says US is demanding he pay penalty over disclosures of his Twitter stock purchases DETROIT (AP) — Elon Musk says the Securities and Exchange Commission wants him to pay a penalty or face charges involving what he disclosed — or failed to disclose — about his purchases of Twitter stock before he bought the social media platform in 2022. In a letter, Musk’s lawyer Alex Spiro tells the outgoing SEC chairman, Gary Gensler, that the commission’s demand for a monetary payment is a “misguided scheme” that won’t intimidate Musk. The letter also alleges that the commission reopened an investigation this week into Neuralink, Musk’s computer-to-human brain interface company. The SEC has not released the letter. Nor would it comment on it or confirm whether it has issued such a demand to Musk. Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate is pushing toward a vote on legislation that would provide full Social Security benefits to millions of people. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer began the process on Thursday for a final vote on the bill, known as the Social Security Fairness Act. It would eliminate policies that currently limit Social Security payouts for roughly 2.8 million people. The legislation has passed the House. The bill would add more strain on the Social Security Trust funds, which are already estimated to be unable to pay out full benefits beginning in 2035. The measure would add an estimated $195 billion to federal deficits over 10 years, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Trump offers support for dockworkers union by saying ports shouldn't install more automated systems WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump is offering his support for the dockworkers union before their contract expires next month at Eastern and Gulf Coast ports. He posted on social media Thursday that he met with union leaders and that any further “automation” of the ports would harm workers. He wrote that the “amount of money saved is nowhere near the distress, hurt, and harm it causes for American Workers.” The International Longshoremen’s Association has until Jan. 15 to negotiate a new contract with the U.S. Maritime Alliance, which represents ports and shipping companies. The Maritime Alliance says the technology will improve worker safety and strengthen our supply chains, among other things. IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power WASHINGTON (AP) — IRS leadership on Thursday announced that the agency has recovered $4.7 billion in back taxes and proceeds from a variety of crimes. The announcement comes under the backdrop of a promised reckoning from Republicans who will hold a majority over both chambers of the next Congress and have long called for rescinding the tens of billions of dollars in funding provided to the agency by Democrats. IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel said improvements made to the agency will help the incoming administration and new Republican majority congress achieve its goals of administering an extension of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. OpenAI's legal battle with Elon Musk reveals internal turmoil over avoiding AI 'dictatorship' A 7-year-old rivalry between tech leaders Elon Musk and Sam Altman over who should run OpenAI and best avoid an artificial intelligence ‘dictatorship’ is now heading to a federal judge as Musk seeks to halt the ChatGPT maker’s ongoing conversion into a for-profit company. Musk, an early OpenAI investor and board member, sued the artificial intelligence company earlier this year. Musk has since escalated the dispute, adding new claims and asking for a court order that would stop OpenAI’s plans to convert itself into a for-profit business more fully. OpenAI is filing its response Friday. OpenAI's Altman will donate $1 million to Trump's inaugural fund LOS ANGELES (AP) — OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is planning to make a $1 million personal donation to President-Elect Donald Trump’s inauguration fund, joining a number of tech companies and executives who are working to improve their relationships the incoming administration. A spokesperson for OpenAI confirmed the move on Friday. The announcement comes one day after Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, said it donated $1 million to the same fund. Amazon also said it plans to donate $1 million. China signals it's prepared to double down on support for the economy as Trump tariffs loom BANGKOK (AP) — Chinese leaders met this week to plot economic policy for the coming year and sketched out plans to raise government spending and relax Beijing's monetary policy. Analysts said the broad-brush plans from the annual Central Economic Work Conference were more of a recap of current policy than ambitious new initiatives at a time when the outlook is clouded by the President-elect Donald Trump's threats to sharply raise tariffs once he takes office. The ruling Communist Party did commit to raising China's deficit and to doing more to encourage consumer spending by bringing wage increases in line with the pace of economic growth. Here's a look at China's main priorities and their potential implications. Stock market today: Wall Street ends mixed after a bumpy week Stock indexes closed mixed on Wall Street at the end of a rare bumpy week. The S&P 500 ended little changed Friday. The benchmark index reached its latest in a string of records a week ago. It lost ground for the week following three weeks of gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.2%. The Nasdaq composite edged up 0.1%. Broadcom surged after the semiconductor company beat Wall Street’s profit targets and gave a glowing forecast, highlighting its artificial intelligence products. RH, formerly known as Restoration Hardware, surged after raising its revenue forecast. Treasury yields rose in the bond market. Next Week: Retail sales, Fed policy update, existing home sales The Commerce Department releases its monthly snapshot of U.S. retail sales Tuesday. Federal Reserve officials wrap up a two-day meeting and issue an interest rate policy update Wednesday. The National Association of Realtors issues its latest update on U.S. home sales Thursday.Detroit Red Wings (8-10-2, in the Atlantic Division) vs. New York Islanders (8-8-5, in the Metropolitan Division) Elmont, New York; Monday, 7:30 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: The New York Islanders host the Detroit Red Wings after Kyle Palmieri scored two goals in the Islanders' 3-1 win against the St. Louis Blues. New York has an 8-8-5 record overall and a 3-3-2 record in home games. The Islanders have a 2-3-1 record when they commit more penalties than their opponent. Detroit is 8-10-2 overall and 4-5-1 on the road. The Red Wings have gone 3-3-2 in games their opponents serve fewer penalty minutes. The teams meet Monday for the third time this season. The Red Wings won the last meeting 2-1. TOP PERFORMERS: Bo Horvat has five goals and nine assists for the Islanders. Maxim Tsyplakov has over the last 10 games. Alex DeBrincat has eight goals and nine assists for the Red Wings. Albert Johansson has over the past 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Islanders: 4-3-3, averaging 2.7 goals, 4.7 assists, 2.6 penalties and 5.5 penalty minutes while giving up 2.6 goals per game. Red Wings: 4-5-1, averaging 2.2 goals, 3.5 assists, 2.2 penalties and 4.4 penalty minutes while giving up 2.5 goals per game. INJURIES: Islanders: None listed. Red Wings: None listed. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Best Bets for NCAA Basketball Picks Against the Spread for Monday, December 30Stojakovic, Wilkinson lead short-handed Cal past Sacramento State, 83-77 in Cal Classic
Rhythm Pharmaceuticals' Obesity Treatments Target Less Crowded Space, Analyst Sees Long-Term Potential
