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Hosier leads Tigers to Pohlenz titleLeBron 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. '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.” 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. Trailblazing model Dayle Haddon dies from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning NEW HOPE, Pa. (AP) — A trailblazing former “Sports Illustrated” model who pushed back against age discrimination has died in a Pennsylvania home from what authorities believe was carbon monoxide poisoning. Authorities in Bucks County found 76-year-old Dayle Haddon, dead in a second-floor bedroom Friday morning after emergency dispatchers were notified about a person unconscious at the Solebury Township home. A 76-year-old man who was also in the home was hospitalized in critical condition. As a model, Haddon appeared on dozens of magazine coverage in the 1970s and 1980s. She then reentered the industry in the 1990s after landing contracts with cosmetic companies to promote their anti-aging products. 2 Oregon men die from exposure in a forest after they went out to look for Sasquatch STEVENSON, Wash. (AP) — Officials say two Oregon men have died in a Washington state forest after they failed to return from a trip to look for Sasquatch. The Skamania County Sheriff’s Office says the 59-year-old and 37-year-old appear to have died from exposure. The sheriff's office says it based that conclusion on the weather and their lack of preparedness. Both men were from Portland. They were found in a heavily wooded area of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest northeast of that city. Family reported them missing after they failed to return from a Christmas Eve outing. Sasquatch is a folkloric beast thought by some to roam the forests, particularly in the Pacific Northwest.bb fish 。

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University of Kashmir’s (KU) performance in the 2024 National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) shows concerning trends that merit serious attention from policymakers and educational administrators. Over the past five years, KU has struggled to maintain its competitive edge despite substantial financial resources. While KU secured the 14th position in the newly introduced ‘Top 50 State Public Universities’ category in NIRF 2024, there is more to this achievement than meets the eye. The university has slipped 11 positions in the Overall Ranking and 12 spots in the Top 100 University category compared to the previous year. This decline is particularly worrying for an institution with a 76-year legacy and substantial financial resources. KU’s teaching metrics show modest progress, with a 0.5-point overall gain in Teaching, Learning & Resources (TLR). Two factors drove this improvement: Faculty-Student Ratio rose by 0.78 points, while Faculty Quality and Experience increased by 0.14 points. These gains likely reflect recent recruitment efforts, which expanded the teaching staff from 552 to 644 between 2021 and 2024. Despite these positive developments, KU lost ground in other areas: (FRU) sub-parameter. Perhaps the most striking finding is what might be termed the “efficiency gap” in KU’s resource utilization. With an annual FRU of approximately ₹375 crore, KU outspends several better-performing institutions. Yet, this financial advantage has not resulted in proportional improvements in key performance metrics. While KU’s operational expenditure increased by 21.80% over three years (from ₹276 crores to ₹337 crores), its academic expenditure saw only a modest 6.80% rise (from ₹35 crores to ₹37 crores). This disparity raises questions about the institution’s spending priorities and efficiency in resource allocation. The NIRF measures FRU using two main factors: These calculations exclude hostel maintenance and related services. Over the last three years (2020-2023), KU’s spending per student has grown by 23% to ₹3.85 lakh. While day-to-day operational costs per student jumped by nearly 23% to ₹3.46 lakh, academic investments saw a modest 9.31% rise to ₹39,000 per student. But here is the catch: despite spending more overall, KU’s FRU score actually dropped by 1.89 points this year. This drop may reflect reduced spending across several key areas. The numbers become even more concerning when looking at academic spending. As student enrolment grew from 9,380 to 9,730 between 2021 to 2023, academic expenditure per student unexpectedly fell from ₹39,628 to ₹38,970 – a 1.66% decline. This raises important questions about resource allocation: shouldn’t adding 350 more students lead to increased academic investment, not less? KU’s Research and Professional Practice (RPP) score increased by 4.32 points year-over-year. However, this improvement is primarily due to the new Sustainable Developments Goals (SDG) sub-parameter, which inflated the score to 31.25 points. When considering only the original four sub-parameters, KU’s performance actually declined by 0.09 points to 26.84, indicating that the overall increase does not reflect genuine improvement in core research practices. Despite a 1.2-point increase in Publication score, KU’s Quality of Publication score dropped by 0.93 points. Given NIRF’s strong emphasis on RPP scores and its reliance on Scopus and Web of Science databases, KU should incentivize its faculty to publish in these indexed journals rather than predatory ones. A 2021 found that about two-thirds of KU’s social sciences publications appeared in predatory journals, which do not contribute to RPP scores. The focus should shift from quantity to quality in research output. KU scored just 0.50 points in Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) for 2024. While this, perhaps, reflects a patent from Dr. Shabir Ahmad Parah and his team from the Department of Electronics and Instrumentation Technology, recent patents for and is expected to improve KU’s IPR score in the next NIRF ranking, as these fall outside the current three-year assessment period (2020-2022). KU’s Footprint of Projects and Professional Practice (FPPP) score dropped 0.37 points this year, reflecting sharp declines in both funding and consultancy. Research funding at KU has plummeted by 68% – from ₹40.91 crore for 82 projects in FY 2020-21 to ₹13.25 crore for 84 projects in FY 2022-23. Consultancy projects have seen an even steeper decline of 79%. These figures suggest a significant weakening of the university’s research ecosystem. This decline has broader implications since funded research, which help generate new empirical data, often leads to high-quality publications in prestigious journals. To improve its Research and Professional Practice score, KU must actively pursue diverse funding sources beyond ICSSR to retain intellectual property rights and data usage and focus on converting research projects into impactful publications. The placement figures paint a troubling picture at KU. With less than 15% of its students securing jobs through campus recruitment, KU lags far behind its peer institutions. Anna University, Panjab University, University of Kerala, and Jadavpur University all boast placement rates above 40% – nearly triple KU’s performance. This falls drastically short of UGC’s 2018 ‘Quality Mandate’ target of 50% placement. What makes this even more concerning is that KU ranks second highest in faculty-student ratio among these institutions (excluding PhD scholars), and third highest when including doctoral students. Despite this advantage in teaching resources, the university’s placement outcomes remain disappointingly low. Anna University, operating on about half of KU’s FRU (₹23,000 per student), achieves a 60% placement rate for postgraduates. Even more impressive is Jadavpur University, which manages 68% placement despite spending just ₹20,000 per student – less than half of KU’s investment. Despite higher spending per student, KU’s placement record raises serious questions about how effectively these resources are being used to prepare students for the job market. In a region already grappling with 18% unemployment – more than double the all-India average of 8% – KU’s placement struggles are particularly concerning. While the valley’s limited private sector poses challenges, this alone does not explain the full picture. Other universities in moderately industrialized states, like Odisha, have managed to secure jobs for over 80% of their postgraduates. KU’s low placement rates may be contributing to J&K’s growing educated unemployment crisis. For a premier institution in the region, this calls for an urgent rethinking of how academic programs align with employment opportunities. KU reputation among employers and academics remains a major concern. Scoring just 30.53 out of 100 in perception ratings, KU lags far behind its peers – Panjab University (69.13) and Jadavpur University (86.62). This score, based on feedback from a large category of employers, professionals and academic peers, represents a critical area for improvement if KU aims to climb the rankings. To improve its Perception score KU needs to strategically focusing on key areas. To enhance visibility among employers, KU can strengthen collaboration with industry through partnerships with leading private organizations. Introducing ‘Industry PhD program’ can help aligning doctoral research with industry needs. This will allow KU attract partnerships with companies, offering students valuable industry exposure and improving their job prospects. Regular and deeper interactions with employers and recruiters, regular feedback sessions, and tailored training programs for students can help in aligning KU’s curriculum with industry needs, thereby improving employer and peer perception of KU. Effective communication and branding, including a strong online presence and media engagement, are crucial to positively influence perception of KU among the stakeholders. Lovely Professional University (LPU), established just 18 years ago, has shown remarkable progress in NIRF rankings, jumping from 78th position in 2020 to 27th in 2024. Similarly, SRM Institute of Science & Technology has climbed from 35th to 12th place. Meanwhile, KU’s advancement has been minimal, improving by only three positions over five years before its recent decline. Money does not seem to be the issue. KU’s ₹375 crore budget actually exceeds LPU’s ₹367 crore. The message is clear: it is not about how much you spend, but how effectively you use those resources. As competition within the higher education sector intensifies, KU must not only improve its absolute performance but also keep pace with the rapid advancements of newer, more agile institutions. This requires innovative approaches to education delivery, research output, and stakeholder engagement to reverse the current negative trend in rankings. Despite impressive credentials – 644 experienced faculty members, 1,160 full-time PhD students, and over 540 PhD graduates in three years – Kashmir University’s research standing falls short of expectations. The university’s absence from NIRF’s ‘Top 50 Research Institutions’ list stands in stark contrast to peer institutions like Panjab University, Jadavpur University, and Anna University. This underperformance extends to specific departments. The 50-year-old Law Department fails to crack the ‘Top 30 in Law’, while the 33-year-old School of Business remains outside the Top 100 in Management, lagging behind even relatively new business school at LPU. The research quality at KU’s Law Department and School of Business raises serious concerns. A telling example: The Business School’s publication list on its website consists entirely of works from Notion Press, a self-publishing company. Similarly, three out of four books listed on the Law Department’s website are self-published through the same platform. This reliance on vanity publishing, rather than peer-reviewed academic outlets, not only hurts KU’s NIRF rankings but also damages the academic reputation of these departments. It raises serious questions about research standards and academic rigor at these flagship departments. Strong rankings boost prestige and appeal, while poor performance risks decreased interest, reduced funding (in some cases), and a weakened reputation. This makes the university’s competitiveness and growth contingent on its ranking. Therefore, KU must adopt a strategic approach to improve its rankings and fulfil its potential. First and foremost, KU must develop a ‘comprehensive strategic document’ to guide the university toward academic excellence. It is not merely about increasing spending, but about making targeted investments in priority areas, identifying where immediate interventions are needed, and ensuring that these investments yield optimal outcomes. Without strategic planning, efficient resource utilization, and a culture of academic excellence, even well-funded institutions risk falling behind in the increasingly competitive higher education landscape. KU stands at a critical crossroads. As newer institutions demonstrate remarkable agility in climbing the NIRF rankings, KU must move beyond merely increasing expenditure to implementing strategic reforms. The success of private institutions offers valuable lessons in adaptation and innovation. The performance of private institutions in the NIRF rankings raises some questions. What strategies are these newer institutions employing to achieve such significant improvements? How can provincial universities like KU adapt to the competitive tertiary education landscape? What other factors, apart from financial resources, are contributing to these ranking disparities? For KU, although located in a specific regional and political context, these trends signal an urgent need for strategic planning. The university must identify areas where it lags behind its competitors within SPU category and accordingly frame and implement targeted initiatives to improve its performance across key NIRF parameters. To this end, the following recommendations are crucial: The path forward requires more than incremental changes. KU must transform its approach to education delivery, research output, and stakeholder engagement. In today’s competitive academic landscape, maintaining the status quo is not an option. The university needs decisive action to reverse its ranking decline and ensure sustained progress in academic excellence. This strategic overhaul is challenging but essential for KU to reclaim its position as a leading institution of higher learning.

The increase is an addition to the $64 million awarded to X-Bow in 2023 to expand production capacity of the solid rocket motor industrial base. LULING, Texas , Dec. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- X-Bow Systems Inc. (X-Bow), a leading non-traditional producer of advanced solid rocket motors (SRMs) and defense technologies, today announced the expansion of its contract to provide large solid rocket motors (SRM) to the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Army. This increase reinforces X-Bow as a new supplier of SRMs and strengthens the Defense Department supply chain in a critical period for the United States . Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

SINN FÉIN LEADER Mary Lou McDonald has been re-elected in Dublin Central. She was elected on the third count at the RDS this evening. Speaking ahead of her re-election this evening, McDonald told reporters that the maths for any government formation talks are going to be complicated. “Nobody has just a home run into government. It’s going to be challenging for everyone concerned and there’s nothing that will frustrate my efforts to do everything I possibly can to deliver the change that we talked about and for which we received a very substantial mandate in the course of this election,” McDonald said. Earlier today, Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said his party has a clear pathway into government. Off the back of this, McDonald was asked if she has a message for the leaders of Social Democrats or Labour, one of whom is likely to form a crucial part in any formation plan including Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael. “Anything that I have to say to people I’ll have the courtesy to say to them directly,” the Sinn Féin leader said, adding that she is committed to bringing change about for voters. “I think we have to now reflect, talk to each and I believe collaborate to see how we make that change real.” McDonald said she plans to “review” the election results in the morning and will then reach out to other political parties.I’m a size six & my bestie is a 22 – we’ve found gorgeous New Year’s Eve dresses that are so flattering

Beirut, Dec 28 (AP) Syria's embassy in Lebanon suspended consular services on Saturday, a day after two relatives of deposed Syrian President Bashar Assad were arrested at the Beirut airport with allegedly forged passports. Also on Saturday, Lebanese authorities handed over dozens of Syrians — including former officers in the Syrian army under Assad — to the new Syrian authorities after they were caught illegally entering Lebanon, a war monitor and Lebanese officials said. Also Read | Earthquake in UAE: Light Quake of Magnitude 2.2 on Richter Scale Hits Falaj Al Mualla. The embassy announced on its Facebook page that consular work was suspended “until further notice” at the order of the Syrian foreign ministry. The announcement did not give a reason for the suspension. Two Lebanese security officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak publicly, said the suspension was ordered because the passports belonging to Assad's relatives — the wife and daughter of one of his cousins — were believed to have been forged at the embassy. Also Read | Azerbaijan Airline Plane Crash: Russian President Vladimir Putin Apologises to Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev After Fatal Flight 8432 Crash. Assad's uncle, Rifaat Assad — who has been indicted in Switzerland on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity — had flown out the day before on his real passport and was not stopped, the officials said. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported on Saturday that 70 Syrians, including former army officers, were handed over by a Lebanese security delegation to the security forces of the new Syrian government, led by the former insurgent group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS. Three Lebanese judicial officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the report. Regional countries have been quick to establish ties with Syria's new rulers. Delegations of Libyan and Bahraini officials arrived in Damascus on Saturday on official visits. HTS leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, has largely succeeded in calming fears within and outside of Syria that his group would unleash collective punishment against communities that supported Assad's rule or attempt to impose strict Islamic law on the country's religious minorities. However, in recent days, sporadic clashes have broken out between the HTS-led security forces and pro-Assad armed groups. The country's new security forces have launched a series of raids targeting officials affiliated with Assad and have set up checkpoints in areas with significant populations of the Alawite religious minority to which the former president belongs to search for weapons. There have also been ongoing tensions and clashes in northeastern Syria between Kurdish-led forces and armed groups backed by Turkiye. Many Kurds have viewed the new order in Damascus, which appears to have strengthened Turkiye's hand in Syria, with anxiety. Ankara sees the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces — a key US ally in the fight against the Islamic State group — as an affiliate of its sworn enemy, the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, which it classifies as a terrorist organisation. The US State Department said on Saturday that Secretary of State Antony Blinken had spoken with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to “discuss the latest developments in Syria.” “Secretary Blinken emphasized the need to support a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process that upholds human rights and prioritises an inclusive and representative government,” the statement said, adding that they “also discussed the shared goal of preventing terrorism from endangering the security” of Turkiye and Syria. On Saturday, hundreds of protesters convened by Kurdish women's groups participated in a demonstration in the northeastern city of Hasaka to demand women's rights in the new Syria. Perishan Ramadan, a participant from Hasaka, said the new government “is worse than Bashar” and that its leaders are Islamist extremists who “don't accept any role for women”. While the country's new leaders have not attempted to impose Islamic dress or other conventions, it remains to be seen what role women will have in the new order and whether they will hold political or government positions. "Women must be present in the new constitution for Syria,” said Rihan Loqo, spokeswoman for the Kongra Star women's organisation. "... Women's rights should not be ignored.” (AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)SHENZHEN, China , Dec. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As technology continues to evolve, consumer electronics have become essential to everyday life. Elephant Robotics, a high-tech company specializing in robotics design and production, is thrilled to announce its participation in the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2025. This premier technology trade show will be held in Las Vegas , USA , from January 7-10 , where you can find Elephant Robotics at Booth 8963 in the LVCC North Hall. With a mission to "Enjoy Robots World", the company offers a diverse range of robotic products, including educational collaborative robots, professional robots, the Mercury humanoid robot, and bionic companion robotic pets. Committed to pushing the boundaries of robotics technology, Elephant Robotics aims to provide everyone with opportunities to experience the convenience and benefits of robots in daily life. At CES 2025, the company will showcase innovative robotic solutions and host 3 engaging interactive activities. Elephant Robotics is dedicated to reducing the barriers to robot applications by offering a diverse range of personal desktop robots, including 4 DOF collaborative robotic arms, 6 DOF cobots, 7 DOF robot arms, and mobile robots. These intelligent robot assistants are characterized by their versatility, high openness, cost-effectiveness, and ease of use, making them perfect for creative projects, daily tasks, and production applications. Equipped with a variety of end effectors—including cameras, suction pumps, grippers, and dexterous hands—these robots can perform a wide range of tasks. This versatility enhances the practicality of robotic arms, reducing the workload and increasing efficiency, allowing people to spend more time on creative and recreational activities. Ultimately, these robotics innovations enhance convenience and joy in everyday life. Whether functioning as personal assistants, production tools, or artistic platforms, they are becoming essential components of modern living. Alongside personal entertainment and convenience, the broad commercial applications of robotics technology are a significant aspect of future intelligent living. At CES 2025, Elephant Robotics will present 2 commercial collaborative robots with powerful performance and sleek, integrated design aesthetics. The myCobot Pro 630, a high-performance commercial collaborative robot, boasts a sleek integrated design and advanced capabilities. Equipped with a holographic device, it provides an immersive and dynamic experience for commercial displays and exhibitions, enabling multi-angle movement and captivating 3D visual effects. This robot offers a fresh approach to business marketing and displays with impressive flexibility and a wide range of applications. Additionally, the Mercury X1, a universal wheeled humanoid robot, features a mobile chassis with high-performance LiDAR and 19 DOF dual-arm robotic arms, delivering exceptional agility and intelligence. Mercury X1 can work seamlessly alongside humans to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and expand commercial opportunities in sectors such as service, hospitality, education, scientific and academic research, entertainment and smart home applications. Since its official launch in late 2023, Mercury X1 has received significant market attention, already delivering notable success in sectors like electronics, chips, and the 3C industry. Since its official launch in late 2023, the Mercury X1 has garnered significant market attention, achieving mass delivery just 7 months post-launch. This versatile wheeled humanoid robot is easily integrated into light industrial manufacturing, particularly in sectors such as electronics, and chips. There are some already successful applications include stripping adhesive sleeves from mobile phone components and assembling flexible connectors. By replacing manual labor, the Mercury X1 improves work efficiency and reduces costs. Robots can also be soft and cuddly, bionic companion robot pets are set to become the most heartwarming intelligent companions in daily life. Elephant Robotics will unveil its new series of bionic robotic pets—metaCat AI, metaDog AI, and metaPanda AI—at CES 2025. These AI bionic robotic pets, available in cat, dog, and panda shapes, closely mimic the appearance, texture, sound, and experience of real animals, fulfilling people's need for companionship and emotional comfort. Equipped with AI models, they understand human language and emotions, providing a life-like interaction experience. Designed to provide companionship and emotional support, these pets are equipped with lifelike features such as realistic fur, interactive movements, and engaging behaviors. These AI bionic companions understand human emotions and can respond to voice commands, offering a truly immersive and responsive interaction. Equipped with AI models, they understand human language and emotions, providing a "life-like" smart interaction experience. Particularly beneficial for children, seniors, and individuals with autism or Alzheimer's disease, these AI bionic companion robotic pets help reduce feelings of loneliness, alleviate anxiety, and promote mental well-being. In addition, their AI capabilities allow them to engage in dynamic, lifelike conversations, and even respond to emotional cues, fostering deeper connections with users. In family environments, these pets can serve as both educational and comforting companions, while in healthcare settings, they offer potential in emotional support and mental care. They represent a new frontier in human-robot interaction, where robotics not only enhance productivity but also improve emotional quality of life. Elephant Robotics is not only showcasing its cutting-edge robotic products at CES 2025, but is also offering visitors the opportunity to participate in 3 exciting interactive activities. Innovative Robotics Workshop: In this hands-on workshop, visitors will experience the power of graphical programming tools like myBlockly to control the 6 DOF collaborative robot arm, myCobot 280. By arranging code "blocks" in a fun and intuitive way, participants can easily bring their creative ideas to life. The workshop simplifies programming, allowing participants to enhance their practical skills and hands-on experience through direct interaction with various robotic products. This engaging environment encourages more people to explore the applications of robotic arms in everyday life. Share & Win: Visitors can participate by sharing posts on social media platforms (Facebook, X, LinkedIn) with the hashtag #ElephantRobotics to win a free, limited-edition panda doll keychain. It's an easy and fun way to engage with the brand while standing a chance to win a unique souvenir! Explore to Win – NVIDA and Partner Passport Program: As an official NVIDIA partner, Elephant Robotics is honored to be invited to participate in the Explore to Win event, part of the NVIDIA and Partner Passport Program at CES 2025. Visitors who scan the QR code at Elephant Robotics' booth (LVCC, North Hall – booth #8963) will be able to collect points and have a chance to win exciting prizes. CES 2025 is an unparalleled platform for showcasing cutting-edge technology and fostering idea exchange. Participation in CES 2025 allows Elephant Robotics to showcase its latest robotic innovations and emphasize its mission to integrate AI and robotics into everyday life. It also offers opportunities to explore collaborations with international organizations and companies, fostering loyalty and trust among its customers. Visitors are encouraged to visit the company's booth at LVCC North Hall – booth 8963 to experience their innovative robotics technologies firsthand and discover how these innovations can transform everyday's life. For more information, please visit: CES2025 - Elephant Robotics ; or connect with them on social media: X: https://twitter.com/CobotMy Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mycobotcreator Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/elephantrobotics/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/elephantrobotics SOURCE Elephant Robotics

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has fired back at the former governor of Rivers State, Dr Peter Odili, saying that “an elder statesman should not be a trader and a sycophant all the time.” Wike, who was speaking at the Special Thanksgiving Service organised by Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule, at the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Oro-Igwe/Eliogbolo Archdeaconry Church of the Holy Spirit, Eliozu Parish, Port Harcourt on Sunday, said it was unfortunate that somebody who is supposed to be seen as an elder statesman and called a father can reduce himself to a sycophant and a trader. A press statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister (Public Communications and New Media), Lere Olayinka, said Wike questioned what the former governor was looking for, warranting his unguarded utterances. He asked; “Must you be a trader all the time? As governor for eight years, what else are you looking for?” The Minister said further; “You know, I didn’t want to say anything. But somebody called me last night, and told me what someone said in the social media. I said until I read it myself. This morning, I read in the newspapers, what our former Governor, Sir Dr Peter Odili said. “What did he say? He said that the present governor has been able to stop one man who wanted to convert Rivers State to his personal estate. “Between him and myself, who has turned Rivers State to his personal estate? His wife is a Chairman of Governing Council, his daughter is a commissioner, his other daughter is a judge and he is the general overseer. Who has now turned Rivers State to his private estate? I am sure if care is not taken, if there is a chance, he can even arrange a marriage for the governor. “It was his nephew, his late senior brother’s son that was recommended for commissioner. He took the slot and gave it to his own daughter. Someone who didn’t remember to stand for the son of his late elder brother, is that an elder statesman?” Speaking further, the FCT Minister said it was painful that Dr Odili, out of political sycophancy, has forgotten all that he said in the past, adding that; “All of you here remember when I was governor, this same Odili praised me to high heaven. In fact, he said then that all past governors in Rivers State combined did not do better than me. “In 2007 after he left office, he couldn’t come near power in the state because Amaechi was the governor then. He was gone! “Like somebody said that God will use someone to lift up someone. When I came in as governor in 2015, I won’t use the word resurrected, but I brought him back to life. “All of us know about PAMO University. But for us, there wouldn’t have been anything called PAMO University. Rivers State was sponsoring 100 students per session and for every semester, each of the students was paying nothing less than N5m. Then, Rivers people were attacking me up and down. “I personally called Julius Berger to build a mansion for him to live. He was calling everyone to the house then, telling them, come and see what Wike has done for me. Wike has shown me love. He was taking them round the house. “Now, because you have organised a Christmas Carol for the governor, I didn’t say you should not do your Christmas Carol. But why reduce yourself to such a laughing stock. People will still see it on television how he was telling the whole world then how God used me to bring him back to life politically. “Why not do your Christmas Carol, collect what you can collect and leave me alone? “The governor that all of us made has not spent one year in office and the same Odili was already saying that the governor has beaten the records of all the past governors of Rivers State. “When I was there, he said I had surpassed the records of all the past governors, including himself. What can he even show that he did in his eight years as governor? But a governor has not spent one year, you are saying he has done more than all the past governors. “You spent eight years as governor and someone who hasn’t spent one year has surpassed your records, what manner of elder talk like that? Is that what an elder statesman should be known for? “When I was governor, my pictures were everywhere in his house. Sitting room, bedroom, kitchen, even in the toilet, my picture was everywhere. But today, all the pictures have been removed.” Asking what can be learned from such a sycophantic elder statesman, Wike said; “What can I learn from this kind of elder? What kind of advice can one get from him. This moment you are saying something, the next moment you are saying something else. “You see, if your children begin to ask you, is this not the same man you were praising before? What would you tell them?” On the state governorship issue, the Minister asked; “When I was plotting who will be governor after me, was he (Odili) there? Then, he was complaining about this governor, saying that he couldn’t stand before the public to talk. But today, he is organising Christmas Carol for the same governor he was against then. “He has forgotten all that he said in the past. I named this after you, I named that after your wife. What have I not done? “You said we should not be part of the government, we have left. We are managing, you have taken assembly money, they are not dying of hunger and they will not die of hunger. We are okay. I’m focusing on my job in Abuja and all these sycophancy won’t take him to the level I have attained. “This is a man who wanted to run for president then, he didn’t have the balls, he chickened out. Simply because Obasanjo said no, he will not contest, he ran away. Because of him, I never invited Obasanjo to Rivers State to commission projects. I felt it will humiliate him.”

Jimmy Carter, a man of implacable faith, lived his values

Met Offices 'Inaccurate' Forecast Sparks Backlash

What a wonderful year 2024 has been for investors. U.S. stocks ripped higher and carried the S&P 500 to records as the economy kept growing and the Federal Reserve began cutting interest rates. The year featured many familiar winners, such as Big Tech, which got even bigger as their stock prices kept growing. But it wasn't just Apple, Nvidia and the like. Bitcoin, gold and other investments also drove higher. Here's a look at some of the numbers that defined the year. All are as of Dec. 20. Remember when President Bill Clinton got impeached or when baseball's Mark McGwire hit his 70th home run against the Montreal Expos? That was the last time the U.S. stock market closed out a second straight year with a leap of at least 20%, something the S&P 500 is on track to do again this year. The index has climbed 24.3% so far this year, not including dividends, following last year's spurt of 24.2%. The number of all-time highs the S&P 500 has set so far this year. The first came early, on Jan. 19, when the index capped a two-year comeback from the swoon caused by high inflation and worries that high interest rates instituted by the Federal Reserve to combat it would create a recession. But the index was methodical through the rest of the year, setting a record in every month outside of April and August, according to S&P Dow Jones Indices. The latest came on Dec. 6. The number of times the Federal Reserve has cut its main interest rate this year from a two-decade high, offering some relief to the economy. Expectations for those cuts, along with hopes for more in 2025, were a big reason the U.S. stock market has been so successful this year. The 1 percentage point of cuts, though, is still short of the 1.5 percentage points that many traders were forecasting for 2024 at the start of the year. The Fed disappointed investors in December when it said it may cut rates just two more times in 2025, fewer than it had earlier expected. RELATED STORY | FBI arrests man charged with planning an attack on the New York Stock Exchange That’s how many points the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by the day after Election Day, as investors made bets on what Donald Trump’s return to the White House will mean for the economy and the world. The more widely followed S&P 500 soared 2.5% for its best day in nearly two years. Aside from bitcoin, stocks of banks and smaller winners were also perceived to be big winners. The bump has since diminished amid worries that Trump’s policies could also send inflation higher. The level that bitcoin topped to set a record above $108,000 this past month. It's been climbing as interest rates come down, and it got a particularly big boost following Trump's election. He's turned around and become a fan of crypto, and he's named a former regulator who’s seen as friendly to digital currencies as the next chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission, replacing someone who critics said was overly aggressive in his oversight. Bitcoin was below $17,000 just two years ago following the collapse of crypto exchange FTX. Gold's rise for the year, as it also hit records and had as strong a run as U.S. stocks. Wars around the world have helped drive demand for investments seen as safe, such as gold. It's also benefited from the Fed's cut to interest rates. When bonds are paying less in interest, they pull away fewer potential buyers from gold, which pays investors nothing. It's a favorite number of Elon Musk, and it's also a threshold that Tesla's stock price passed in December as it set a record. The number has a long history among marijuana devotees, and Musk famously said in 2018 that he had secured funding to take Tesla private at $420 per share. Tesla soared this year, up from less than $250 at the start, in part because of expectations that Musk's close relationship with Trump could benefit the company. RELATED STORY | Wealthier Americans are driving retail spending and powering US economy That's how much revenue Nvidia made in the nine months through Oct. 27, showing how the artificial intelligence frenzy is creating mountains of cash. Nvidia's chips are driving much of the move into AI, and its revenue through the last nine months catapulted from less than $39 billion the year before. Such growth has boosted Nvidia's worth to more than $3 trillion in total. GameStop’s gain on May 13 after Keith Gill, better known as “Roaring Kitty,” appeared online for the first time in three years to support the video game retailer’s stock, which he helped rocket to unimaginable heights during the “ meme stock craze ” in 2021. Several other meme stocks also jumped following his post in May on the social platform X, including AMC Entertainment. Gill later disclosed a sizeable stake in the online pet products retailer Chewy, but he sold all of his holdings by late October. That's how much the U.S. economy grew, at annualized seasonally adjusted rates, in each of the three first quarters of this year. Such growth blew past what many pessimists were expecting when inflation was topping 9% in the summer of 2022. The fear was that the medicine prescribed by the Fed to beat high inflation — high interest rates — would create a recession. Households at the lower end of the income spectrum in particular are feeling pain now, as they contend with still-high prices. But the overall economy has remained remarkably resilient. This is the vacancy rate for U.S. office buildings — an all-time high — through the first three quarters of 2024, according to data from Moody's. The fact the rate held steady for most of the year was something of a win for office building owners, given that it had marched up steadily from 16.8% in the fourth quarter of 2019. Demand for office space weakened as the pandemic led to the popularization of remote work. That's the total number of previously occupied homes sold nationally through the first 11 months of 2024. Sales would have to surge 20% year-over-year in December for 2024's home sales to match the 4.09 million existing homes sold in 2023, a nearly 30-year low. The U.S. housing market has been in a sales slump dating back to 2022, when mortgage rates began to climb from pandemic-era lows. A shortage of homes for sale and elevated mortgage rates have discouraged many would-be homebuyers.WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump said he’ll nominate Charles Kushner as U.S. ambassador to France, offering a prime diplomatic post to his son-in-law’s father and a real estate developer he once pardoned. “He is a tremendous business leader, philanthropist, & dealmaker, who will be a strong advocate representing our Country & its interests,” Trump said in a statement Saturday on his Truth Social network. “Together, we will strengthen America’s partnership with France, our oldest Ally, & one of our greatest!” Kushner is the father of Jared Kushner, who is married to the president-elect’s daughter Ivanka Trump, and who served in Trump’s first term as a senior adviser to the president. The elder Kushner founded the real estate firm Kushner Cos. He was sentenced in 2005 to two years in prison after pleading guilty to assisting in the filing of false tax returns, retaliating against a witness and making false statements to the Federal Election Commission. Trump pardoned Kushner in 2020 during his first term in the White House. Kushner was prosecuted by Chris Christie, then a U.S. attorney in New Jersey, who later became the state’s governor and an adviser to Trump. Christie and Trump later fell out and the former governor ran unsuccessfully against him for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. The elder Kushner was a co-host of a fundraiser for Trump in May. During his first term, Trump’s ambassador to France was businesswoman Jamie McCourt. ©2024 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

With holiday parties and wintertime jaunts on the horizon, you'll have no shortage of opportunities to bust out — and show off — a new pair of shoes, whether fancy or functional. Luckily for you: The is stocked with delightful deals that'll have head-over-heels with joy. ( .) Seeking out a fresh new pair of ? Need some trusty to get you through the snow and slush? The Zappos extended Black Friday sale has you covered, and then some. We're talking stylish beloved by big names like Meghan Markle and to — all at super discounts. No matter what type of shoe you're after, you can scoop up a pair right now for a fraction of their original price — and you just might be able to cross some names off your holiday shopping list. Check out our faves from Zappos' Black Friday sale below, and remember to act fast! Certain styles and colors are already selling out. And when you're done, take a spin through across the web too. Crocs Classic Clog Hoka Bondi 8 Sneakers Sorel Joan of Arctic Waterproof Boots Hey Dude Wendy Fold Brushed Cozy Asics Gel-Venture 9 Skechers Summits Hands Free Slip-Ins Clarks Ashland Bubble Sperry Torrent Chelsea Crocs Classic Lined Clog SneakErasers Instant Sole and Sneaker Cleaner, 10-Pack If comfy cool is your jam, this is the shoe for you. Beloved by chefs, medical workers and kids alike, Crocs are lightweight, easy to clean, quick-drying and water-friendly. The price depends on the color and size you choose, but you can't go wrong with this neutral off-white option at 40% off. Meet one of Hoka's most popular styles — the Bondis have even made our list of the . Yahoo Commerce Editor Saundra Latham packed them for a cruise during which she walked over 15,000 steps a day. "They're ultra-cushioned, with a flexible upper that's almost sock-like, so it molds to my foot," she said. These sporty, foamy kicks weigh less than 9 ounces, so take them on your next trip. Certain colors and sizes are 20% off right now, the lowest they've been in 30 days. Celebs like have been spotted in these cozy boots, made with waterproof leather and suede. At up to 70% off some colors, you'll be saving royally — and keeping your feet from the winter wet. If you already own (and love) the wildly popular , you probably want to get this cozy version of the comfy shoe for the upcoming winter months. They have the same comfortable design as the classic loafer but are lined with ultra-warm fleece to keep your tootsies nice and toasty. Bonus: they are currently down to just $56 — the lowest price in 30 days! Available in regular and wide widths, these Asics sneakers boast a rubber outsole that helps with traction (perfect for people who regularly navigate slippery floors or love to go on hikes). These ultra-cushioned kicks provide excellent shock absorption, which NYC-based podiatrist Polina Zaydenberg, M.D., appreciates. "The rocker bottom helps with propulsion," she adds. These Skechers are highly-rated for their comfort! Simply slip them on and go — no lacing them up. Tons of shoppers give the shoe a five-star rating, too. "I bought them on a Friday, and Saturday morning left for two weeks to Europe, wearing my brand new Sketchers Slip-ins for the first time. No break-in time," shared one five-star reviewer. "They were a breeze to use going through TSA screening — easy off and on. I wore them for eight of the next 12 days, walking all over Budapest and Vienna in complete comfort. I will be buying another pair soon in a different color!" These flats boast extra cushioning and a small platform heel (hence the in the name). Says Dr. Zaydenberg: "They’re excellent for people with peripheral vascular disease and different toe deformities." Grab a pair in black, brown or navy blue. These sleek black Sperry's prove rain boots don't have to be unattractive. This stylish Chelsea boot will keep you well-insulated during rain showers, slushy messes and whatever else comes your way. Snag the black or olive styles while they are still 25% off. These clogs feature all of the comfort and easy slip-on construction of classic Crocs with a faux fur lining to keep your feet cozy and warm this winter. "I have psoriatic arthritis in my feet and couldn't find a shoe that didn't hurt my feet... until I tried Crocs!" raved a reviewer. "I'm on my feet at work 10 hours a day, and my feet do not hurt at all." Need a trusty way to clean all your new kicks? Check out this clever little : These little doodads are dual-sided: the white side scrubs away the filth, while the orange side wipes away any leftover marks, leaving you with spotless kicks. A gentle rub is all you need for maximum cleaning power. And if the sponges begin to dry while you’re buffing, simply add a bit of water to reactivate them. Before you know it, you’ll be glowing up, whether you’re running errands or jogging around the neighborhood. "Sneakers look like new!" . "I hate getting scuffs/dirt from normal city wear and tear, and although my shoes are well-loved, they don't look like it! I used them on my Vans and Converse — so satisfying to erase all the grind! I find these are more effective than spray cleaners or magic erasers; you can tell they are made specifically for shoes and shoe materials."Surfing collective launches trendy community café in Cornish tourist hotspot