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My Special Aflac Duck® lands in the Sacramento ValleyAt home in Mauke the news from Rarotonga continues to frustrate as a mining company sponsors yet another community event, on their mission to win people over. Are people aware that we have ex diamond mining and oil industry people exploring our seabed? How can they have a lasting affinity for this precious place we call home – the only home we have? How is it that two Americans, intimately involved with a company holding a Cook Islands seabed minerals exploration licence, are directors of a Cook Islands traditional arts group? These people are closely associated with a company that sued Mexico for over US$2 billion, under a law associated with the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The suit is because the Mexican Government rejected a proposed seabed mining project because the potential environmental impacts would have been too damaging. This case was eventually completed in September of this year, with the company, Odyssey Marine Exploration, winning the case and being awarded US$37 million. Apparently, US companies have never lost a NAFTA investor dispute. Most of these disputes are because of challenges to environmental protection or resource management that were claimed to interfere with the profit-making potential of US companies. Apparently, there are companies making money by suing for potential earnings lost due to mining applications being rejected. You can read about this for yourself on The Guardian. Just google “How a US mining firm sued Mexico for billions...”. I cannot believe our licensing panel didn’t reject CIC’s mining exploration application based on the financial shenanigans they were in the midst of at the time they applied. SBMA’s “robust and transparent licensing process” should have discerned these are not “fit and proper persons” to operate in our waters. Please assure us that agreements with all three companies include them not being able to use some contractual loophole to sue the Cook Islands if we do not offer them a mining licence on environmental grounds. The promise of gold and glory, a mesmerising snake that the Bible clearly warns against, is winning for now because this seabed mining drive has nothing to do with jobs. We’re already short of more than 3000 Cook Islands workers, hence employing foreigners. It’s not even about stopping climate change by providing metals for the ‘clean energy’ transition. Technology is already surpassing the need, finding other ways forward. Mining is not clean and we don’t need more ‘stuff’, that so quickly is discarded and added to our existing overwhelming waste issue. In fact, disturbing deep sea sediment will quite likely exacerbate our problems by releasing stored carbon back into the atmosphere. Of course, the other use for these metals from the deep is in military applications. Interesting that nobody is talking that up as a reason to mine the deep! Maybe they realise that is a less than noble cause, best not discussed! The drive is money, that’s it; a mark of neo-colonisation, a boom and bust industry. It slithers its way in, promises much, sways the indigenous population, then takes what it wants and slithers away leaving desolation in its path. At boarding school in the 1970s, I shared a dormitory with two Nauruan girls. While I was careful with my allowance, these two wandered around with $10 notes! This is at a time when a loaf of bread or pint of milk was 5 cents. Then came Nauru’s downfall, to the point now where they don’t even have useful planting land. Yet, incredibly, they’re willing to sacrifice the environment again for the short-lived monetary gain! Will we fall to such temptation? The Cook Islands is fortunate to have a number of NGOs working towards ocean health and well-being, raising awareness, advising and implementing solutions, where possible, to combat negative impacts that are stressing our ocean. This work is so important as it proffers life, which in the long term ensures an income and/or sustenance, rather than short term dollars that many will never see. We are starting 2025 with a 30 second message on CITV, Vaka TV and social media. An animation inspired by an SBMA’s booklet cover depicting a vaka sitting on lifeless nodules. I had to stifle a giggle when I first saw this, more so when I heard the Prime Minister had invited other Pacific leaders to join him on this vaka going nowhere. Their own depiction sums up the problem; they’re stuck on the rocks, totally losing sight of the ocean. Moana-Nui-O-Kiva with more biodiversity than can be found on land, it supplies more oxygen for humans than the forests, it feeds clouds that water our gardens, it nourishes us (and our visitors) in many ways. Only with the ocean can the vaka voyage be a reality. As we begin 2025 join us in discovering the whole ocean. The world’s engine, that must not just survive, but thrive. Because the ocean’s life is our life.
ROSEVILLE Calif. , Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Children in Northern California now have a cuddly companion to bring them comfort through their cancer treatment journey. Aflac Incorporated , a leading provider of health supplemental insurance in the U.S. donated the robotic ducks to Keaton's Child Cancer Alliance in Roseville Thursday. The event marks nearly 200 ducks given to Keaton's in the last two years and more than 33,000 ducks distributed free of charge since the program began in 2018. "Approximately 26 children are diagnosed with cancer each day in the United States , including the brave 'Child Cancer Warriors' supported by Keaton's Child Cancer Alliance," said Ines Rodriguez Gutzmer , Aflac senior vice president and chief Communications officer. "These incredible children, and their families, embody determination and resilience – and most of all, as we saw today, their joyful spirit continues to shine. We're thankful to the team at Keaton's for allowing us to be a part of the great work they do each and every day. Together, we're making a difference in the lives of the children, their families and their communities." My Special Aflac Duck is a social robot powered by innovative technology that helps kids prepare for medical procedures, communicate their feelings, practice distraction techniques and more. The robotic companion was designed in consult with more than 100 children, families and medical professionals in conjunction with Empath Labs. A three-year study revealed that patients reported a reduction in distress, nausea, pain and procedural anxiety compared to those in the study who had not yet received a duck. In addition, parents and caregivers reported a reduction in stress and anxiety, showing how My Special Aflac Duck helps children's support system. The duck delivery Thursday coincided with Keaton's annual Operation Gobble, where more than 20 families received Thanksgiving meal kits. "We are incredibly grateful for our partnership with Aflac to ensure that young cancer warriors and their families receive the personalized support they need throughout their journey" said Jessica Alonso , Executive Director of Keaton's Child Cancer Alliance. "This generous contribution of My Special Aflac Ducks will have a meaningful impact on the children we serve. These comforting, interactive companions provide emotional support and help children navigate the complexities of treatment, bringing much-needed smiles and strength to families during some of their most challenging moments. Together, we are empowering those we serve to face cancer with courage and hope." Since its debut in 2018 , My Special Aflac Duck has received numerous awards; it was named one of Time Magazine's 50 Best Inventions and collected the Best in Show at CES and South by Southwest, among others. The My Special Aflac Duck program is a hallmark of Aflac's more than $184 million given toward pediatric cancer and blood disorder treatment, as part of the company's commitment to support the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta . Health care providers, support organizations and families can order My Special Aflac Duck free of charge for children 3 years or older who have been diagnosed with cancer or sickle cell disease at MySpecialAflacDuck.com . ABOUT AFLAC INCORPORATED Aflac Incorporated (NYSE: AFL), a Fortune 500 company, has helped provide financial protection and peace of mind for more than 68 years to millions of policyholders and customers through its subsidiaries in the U.S. and Japan . In the U.S., Aflac is the No. 1 provider of supplemental health insurance products. 1 In Japan , Aflac Life Insurance Japan is the leading provider of cancer and medical insurance in terms of policies in force. The company takes pride in being there for its policyholders when they need us most, as well as being included in the World's Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere for 18 consecutive years (2024), Fortune's World's Most Admired Companies for 23 years (2024) and Bloomberg's Gender-Equality Index for the fourth consecutive year (2023). In addition, the company became a signatory of the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) in 2021 and has been included in the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index (2023) for 10 years. To find out how to get help with expenses health insurance doesn't cover, get to know us at aflac.com or aflac.com/espanol . Investors may learn more about Aflac Incorporated and its commitment to corporate social responsibility and sustainability at investors.aflac.com under "Sustainability." 1 LIMRA 2023 U.S. Supplemental Health Insurance Total Market Report Media contact: Jon Sullivan , 706-763-4813 or jsullivan@aflac.com Analyst and investor contact: David A. Young , 706-596-3264, 800-235-2667 or dyoung@aflac.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/my-special-aflac-duck-lands-in-the-sacramento-valley-302313728.html SOURCE AflacOttawa police seek assistance as they look for missing man
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Over the past few seasons, Sam Hauser has been a vital part of the Boston Celtics rotation . Hauser’s size, shooting, and high IQ make him an ideal fit in the Celtics’ system. However, the 6-foot-8 wing is in the midst of a down season, in large part due to a back injury that has kept him sidelined at various points of the season. Let’s dive into Hauser’s comments and how his back injury is impacting his play. Celtics’ Forward Sam Hauser Opens Up About Nagging Injury Before the Celtics’ recent game against the Indiana Pacers , Hauser discussed his back injury and how it’s affected his season so far. Sam Hauser on having to deal with back injuries: “It sucks, obviously, getting hurt — but just trying to do everything I can not to let it happen again. “It’s been a little frustrating... trying to find a rhythm. And that’s tough sometimes, but just working through it.” pic.twitter.com/bPK0ZxAw1z — Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzell) December 27, 2024 Last season, Hauser averaged 9.0 points and 3.5 rebounds on 44.6 percent shooting from the field and 42.4 percent from beyond the arc. Through 24 games this season, he is averaging 7.7 points and 3.3 rebounds on 42.5 percent shooting from the field and 35.6 percent from beyond the arc. Hauser’s injury is a key reason for his down year. Notably, Hauser has already missed more games than the previous two seasons combined. His dip in three-point shooting has been the most noticeable drop-off. Hauser’s shooting has been a central part of his and the Celtics’ success in recent years. Before this year, Hauser had shot 40 percent or more in each of his three seasons, dropping to a league average 35 percent is certainly concerning. This dip in shooting is paired with the Celtics’ three-point percentage declining from 38.8 to 36.6 while the team is taking eight more threes per game. Additionally, Hauser looks less mobile on both ends of the floor. In the Celtics’ recent game against the Pacers, Hauser earned a starting spot with Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday sidelined, he scored four points on 2-8 shooting from the field and 0-5 shooting from beyond the arc. Can Hauser Get Back on Track? While Hauser has struggled so far this season, he is still an important part of the Celtics’ rotation, and there’s plenty of time for him to get back on track. Despite his struggles, Hauser is still averaging 21.7 minutes per game compared to 22 minutes last season; this underscores Joe Mazzulla ‘s trust in him. Hauser has missed five games due to his back injury, including recent consecutive games against the Chicago Bulls and three straight games in October. He also missed a game against the Detroit Pistons in December with an abductor injury. Furthermore, he has frequently been a game-time decision at various points this season due to his back injury. To Hauser’s point, it’s challenging to find a rhythm, especially as a spot-up shooter, when you are constantly in and out of the lineup. Back injuries can linger for a while, for Hauser and the Celtics’ sake, let’s hope this injury goes away sooner rather than later. Ultimately, Hauser returning to his 2023-24 season form would greatly benefit the Celtics. This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.
LAS VEGAS — Formula 1 on Monday at last said it will expand its grid in 2026 to make room for an American team that is partnered with General Motors. "As the pinnacle of motorsports, F1 demands boundary-pushing innovation and excellence. It's an honor for General Motors and Cadillac to join the world's premier racing series, and we're committed to competing with passion and integrity to elevate the sport for race fans around the world," GM President Mark Reuss said. "This is a global stage for us to demonstrate GM's engineering expertise and technology leadership at an entirely new level." The approval ends years of wrangling that launched a U.S. Justice Department investigation into why Colorado-based Liberty Media, the commercial rights holder of F1, would not approve the team initially started by Michael Andretti. Andretti in September stepped aside from leading his namesake organization, so the 11th team will be called Cadillac F1 and be run by new Andretti Global majority owners Dan Towriss and Mark Walter. The team will use Ferrari engines its first two years until GM has a Cadillac engine built for competition in time for the 2028 season. People are also reading... Towriss is the the CEO and president of Group 1001 and entered motorsports via Andretti's IndyCar team when he signed on financial savings platform Gainbridge as a sponsor. Towriss is now a major part of the motorsports scene with ownership stakes in both Spire Motorsports' NASCAR team and Wayne Taylor Racing's sports car team. Walter is the chief executive of financial services firm Guggenheim Partners and the controlling owner of both the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers and Premier League club Chelsea. "We're excited to partner with General Motors in bringing a dynamic presence to Formula 1," Towriss said. "Together, we're assembling a world-class team that will embody American innovation and deliver unforgettable moments to race fans around the world." Mario Andretti, the 1978 F1 world champion, will have an ambassador role with Cadillac F1. But his son, Michael, will have no official position with the organization now that he has scaled back his involvement with Andretti Global. "The Cadillac F1 Team is made up of a strong group of people that have worked tirelessly to build an American works team," Michael Andretti posted on social media. "I'm very proud of the hard work they have put in and congratulate all involved on this momentous next step. I will be cheering for you!" The approval has been in works for weeks but was held until after last weekend's Las Vegas Grand Prix to not overshadow the showcase event of the Liberty Media portfolio. Max Verstappen won his fourth consecutive championship in Saturday night's race, the third and final stop in the United States for the top motorsports series in the world. Grid expansion in F1 is both infrequent and often unsuccessful. Four teams were granted entries in 2010 that should have pushed the grid to 13 teams and 26 cars for the first time since 1995. One team never made it to the grid and the other three had vanished by 2017. There is only one American team on the current F1 grid — owned by California businessman Gene Haas — but it is not particularly competitive and does not field American drivers. Andretti's dream was to field a truly American team with American drivers. The fight to add this team has been going on for three-plus years, and F1 initially denied the application despite approval from F1 sanctioning body FIA. The existing 10 teams, who have no voice in the matter, also largely opposed expansion because of the dilution in prize money and the billions of dollars they've already invested in the series. Andretti in 2020 tried and failed to buy the existing Sauber team. From there, he applied for grid expansion and partnered with GM, the top-selling manufacturer in the United States. The inclusion of GM was championed by the FIA and president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who said Michael Andretti's application was the only one of seven applicants to meet all required criteria to expand F1's current grid. "General Motors is a huge global brand and powerhouse in the OEM world and is working with impressive partners," Ben Sulayem said Monday. "I am fully supportive of the efforts made by the FIA, Formula 1, GM and the team to maintain dialogue and work towards this outcome of an agreement in principle to progress this application." Despite the FIA's acceptance of Andretti and General Motors from the start, F1 wasn't interested in Andretti — but did want GM. At one point, F1 asked GM to find another team to partner with besides Andretti. GM refused and F1 said it would revisit the Andretti application if and when Cadillac had an engine ready to compete. "Formula 1 has maintained a dialogue with General Motors, and its partners at TWG Global, regarding the viability of an entry following the commercial assessment and decision made by Formula 1 in January 2024," F1 said in a statement. "Over the course of this year, they have achieved operational milestones and made clear their commitment to brand the 11th team GM/Cadillac, and that GM will enter as an engine supplier at a later time. Formula 1 is therefore pleased to move forward with this application process." Yet another major shift in the debate over grid expansion occurred earlier this month with the announced resignation of Liberty Media CEO Greg Maffei, who was largely believed to be one of the biggest opponents of the Andretti entry. "With Formula 1's continued growth plans in the US, we have always believed that welcoming an impressive US brand like GM/Cadillac to the grid and GM as a future power unit supplier could bring additional value and interest to the sport," Maffei said. "We credit the leadership of General Motors and their partners with significant progress in their readiness to enter Formula 1." Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!Samsung Galaxy S25 specs predictions: all the key rumored specs for every model
Students at the Campus School at Boston College got a surprise visit from “Spider-Man” star Tom Holland last week. Holland, whose girlfriend Zendaya is filming a movie in Boston , visited The Campus School on Thursday, Boston College said in an X post . The school educates students ages 3 and 22 who have extensive support needs. Holland spent several hours at the school where he spoke with students and played music with them during a music therapy session, the school wrote in an online article . “He couldn’t have been more down to earth,” Jennifer Miller, the Campus School’s marketing manager, said in the article. “Every single student was engaged, they were vibing off the room for sure,” Miller said. “The way he engaged with them was really quite beautiful. He was just so natural and so caring.” Last year, Miller received a call from a former volunteer’s mother who knew the Holland family, the school said. Through her recommendation, the Campus School applied for a grant from Holland’s family foundation, The Brothers Trust . Through this, the Campus School received a $25,000 grant. The grant will be used to buy assistive technology as well as a ceiling lift for physical therapy exercises. “We are so grateful to Tom Holland for taking the time to visit our small special needs school,” Campus School Interim Director Thomas Miller said in the article. “He participated in a music session, posed for photos, and fully immersed himself into our students' activities and their hearts.” The surprise visit was just one stop on Holland’s recent trip to Boston . The “Uncharted” actor posted on his Instagram story Sunday that he and Zendaya went to Foxhole on Newbury Street for a beer. “I’m heading out to a bar to go and have my first Bero in the wild,” Holland said in another Instagram story that showed Zendaya in the background. He later posted a photo with the “Euphoria” actress smiling and leaning over the table at Foxhole. This was not the first time Zendaya and Holland have been to Boston. The two were spotted together at the Tatte on Boylston Street, right across from Boston Common, in 2022 . Zendaya was in town then to shoot the film, “Challengers,” which Boston.com reported at the time . The celebrity couple was also seen walking their dog in the city earlier this month . Zendaya is in Boston for a new film. The 28-year-old is set to star in a new romance movie called " The Drama " alongside “Twilight” star Robert Pattinson , who was spotted shooting scenes in the Financial District on Oct. 31. Plans for “The Drama” were revealed in August, as first reported by The Hollywood Reporter and Deadline . The upcoming film is directed by Kristoffer Borgli (“Dream Scenario”) and produced by Ari Aster (“Midsommar,” “Hereditary”). Production on the film started on Oct. 22, according to IMDb Pro. A24 , the film’s production company, was unable to provide exact filming locations for “The Drama” because they are confidential, the company told MassLive. However, Zendaya has been spotted at several locations around Boston, according to several videos on social media. One TikTok with the caption, “Zendaya blending in with the locals in beacon hill,” captured the “Dune” actress having a pastry at the Tatte. Another clip from inside the same Tatte showed Zendaya standing outside. The “Euphoria” actress was also seen at Philips Academy in Andover, according to two other TikToks as well as a post on X . Phillips spokesperson Tracy Sweet told Andover News that a film crew was on campus, but could not provide more information. Another video also captured Pattinson at the same school. The 38-year-old actor arrived in Boston on Oct. 30, Just Jared reported . “The Drama” is shooting from now until the end of November in Boston, according to a casting page that is seeking extras for the film. More Boston storiesALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — Google, already facing a possible breakup of the company , is fighting to beat back another attack by the U.S. Department of Justice alleging monopolistic conduct, this time over technology that puts in front of consumers. The Justice Department and Google made closing arguments Monday in a trial alleging Google’s advertising technology constitutes an illegal monopoly. U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema in Alexandria, Virginia, will decide the case and is expected to issue a written ruling by the end of the year. If Brinkema finds Google has engaged in illegal, monopolistic conduct, she will then hold further hearings to explore what remedies should be imposed. The Justice Department, along with a coalition of states, has already said it believes Google should be forced to sell off parts of its ad tech business, which generates tens of billions of dollars annually for the Mountain View, California-based company. After roughly a month of trial testimony earlier this year, the same. During three hours of arguments Monday, Brinkema, who sometimes tips her hand during legal arguments, did little to indicate how she might rule. She did, though, question the applicability of a key antitrust case Google cites in its defense. The Justice Department contends Google built and maintained a monopoly in “open-web display advertising,” essentially the rectangular ads that appear on the top and right-hand side of the page when one browses websites. Google dominates all facets of the market. A technology called DoubleClick is used pervasively by news sites and other online publishers, while Google Ads maintains a cache of advertisers large and small looking to place their ads on the right webpage in front of the right consumer. In between is another Google product, AdExchange, that conducts nearly instantaneous auctions matching advertisers to publishers. In court papers, Justice Department lawyers say Google “is more concerned with acquiring and preserving its trifecta of monopolies than serving its own publisher and advertiser customers or winning on the merits.” As a result, content providers and news organizations have never been able to generate the online revenue they should due to Google’s excessive fees for brokering transactions between advertisers and publishers, the government says. Google argues on a narrow niche of online advertising. If one looks more broadly at online advertising to include social media, streaming TV services, and app-based advertising, Google says it controls as little as 10% of the market, a share that is dwindling as it faces increased and evolving competition. Google alleges in court papers that the government’s lawsuit “boil(s) down to the persistent complaints of a handful of Google’s rivals and several mammoth publishers.” Google also says it has invested billions in technology that facilitates the efficient match of advertisers to interested consumers and it should not be forced to share its technology and success with competitors. “Requiring a company to do further engineering work to make its technology and customers accessible by all of its competitors on their preferred terms has never been compelled by U.S. antitrust law,” the company wrote. Brinkema, during Monday’s arguments, also sought clarity on Google’s market share, a number the two sides dispute, depending on how broadly the market is defined. Historically, courts have been unwilling to declare an illegal monopoly in markets in which a company holds less than a 70% market share. Google says that when online display advertising is viewed as a whole, it holds only a 10% market share, and dwindling. The Justice Department contends, though, that when focusing on open-web display advertising, Google controls 91% of the market for publisher ad servers and 87% of the market for advertiser ad networks. Google says that the “open web display advertising” market is gerrymandered by the Justice Department to make Google look bad, and that nobody in the industry looks at that category of ads without considering the ability of advertisers to switch to other forms of advertising, like in mobile apps. The Justice Department also contends that the public is harmed by the excessive rates Google charges to facilitate ad purchases, saying the company takes 36 cents on the dollar when it facilitates the transaction end to end. Google says its “take rate” has dropped to 31% and continues to decrease, and it says that rate is lower than that of its competitors. “When you have an integrated system, one of the benefits is lower prices,” Google lawyer Karen Dunn said Monday. The Virginia case is separate from an ongoing lawsuit brought against Google in the District of Columbia over its namesake search engine. In that case, the judge determined it constitutes an illegal monopoly but has not decided what remedy to impose. The Justice Department said last week it will seek to force Google to , among a host of other penalties. Google has said the department’s request is overkill and unhinged from legitimate regulation. In Monday’s arguments, Justice Department lawyer Aaron Teitelbaum cited the search engine case when he highlighted an email from a Google executive, David Rosenblatt, who said in a 2009 email that Google’s goal was to “do to display what Google did to search,” which Teitelbaum said showed the company’s intent to achieve market dominance. “Google did not achieve its trifecta of monopolies by accident,” Teitelbaum said. Matthew Barakat, The Associated Press
During the Singapore FinTech Festival, I had a chance to visit the National Library of Singapore and explore the Generative AI-powered ChatBook featuring one of the founders of modern Singapore S. Rajaratnam. The showcase was inaugurated by Prime Minister of Singapore Lawrence Wong while launching the second volume of the biography of S. Rajaratnam, “The Lion’s Roar”, authored by Irene Ng. Singapore’s Senior Minister and former Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who graced the showcase, noted: “Raja belonged to the core group of Founding Fathers who shared fierce conviction of what Singapore should be, and defied the odds to build a united, successful, and confident nation. It is befitting that NLB has made this ChatBook prototype publicly available with Raja’s materials.” Rajaratnam was born on 25 February 1915 in Jaffna, Ceylon, and at the age of six months, his mother brought him to join his father in Malaya. His mother had taken the precaution of giving birth to him in her hometown Jaffna because of her traumatic experience at a hospital in Malaya a few years earlier. Rajaratnam spent his childhood in Malaya and later went to London to study at King’s College but had to return to Malaya before completing his studies due to World War II. Eventually, he settled in Singapore, where he became a prominent journalist, political leader, and one of the Founding Fathers of independent Singapore. Rajaratnam was close to Lee Kuan Yew, and they shared a strong working relationship as part of Singapore’s founding leadership. Both were core members of the People’s Action Party (PAP) and worked together to guide Singapore through its early years of independence. Rajaratnam served as Singapore’s first Foreign Minister, while Lee was the first Prime Minister, and their shared vision for the country’s future helped them build a solid and effective partnership. As the Foreign Minister, Rajaratnam was skilled in diplomacy and worked to establish Singapore’s presence on the global stage, especially during a time when Singapore was a small, newly independent country. He advocated for principles of non-alignment, peaceful coexistence, and cooperation, which allowed Singapore to build strong relationships with both Eastern and Western nations. His influence also extended domestically. He played a key role in promoting multiculturalism and social cohesion, particularly through the drafting of the Singapore National Pledge, which emphasised unity across racial and religious lines. His ideals of harmony, meritocracy, and national unity continue to shape Singapore’s identity today. Rajaratnam’s contributions to the nation’s broader development had a significant impact on Singapore’s emergence as a global financial hub. As Foreign Minister, he played a key role in shaping Singapore’s international image and establishing diplomatic ties with countries and organisations that would later facilitate global trade and investment. His efforts in building strong foreign relations and advocating for Singapore’s strategic location as a neutral and stable nation created an environment conducive to economic growth, including in the financial sector. Additionally, Rajaratnam’s emphasis on national stability, meritocracy, and social cohesion helped to create the social and political foundation that made the country an attractive destination for global businesses and investors. Singapore’s reputation as a stable, efficient, and transparent country, with policies that encouraged foreign investment, was crucial to its success as a powerful financial hub in the world today. (The writer is the Founding President of Fintech Association of Sri Lanka and a relative of Late S. Rajaratnam)Comforting robotic companions donated to pediatric cancer patients courtesy of Aflac ROSEVILLE Calif. , Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Children in Northern California now have a cuddly companion to bring them comfort through their cancer treatment journey. Aflac Incorporated , a leading provider of health supplemental insurance in the U.S. donated the robotic ducks to Keaton's Child Cancer Alliance in Roseville Thursday. The event marks nearly 200 ducks given to Keaton's in the last two years and more than 33,000 ducks distributed free of charge since the program began in 2018. "Approximately 26 children are diagnosed with cancer each day in the United States , including the brave 'Child Cancer Warriors' supported by Keaton's Child Cancer Alliance," said Ines Rodriguez Gutzmer , Aflac senior vice president and chief Communications officer. "These incredible children, and their families, embody determination and resilience – and most of all, as we saw today, their joyful spirit continues to shine. We're thankful to the team at Keaton's for allowing us to be a part of the great work they do each and every day. Together, we're making a difference in the lives of the children, their families and their communities." My Special Aflac Duck is a social robot powered by innovative technology that helps kids prepare for medical procedures, communicate their feelings, practice distraction techniques and more. The robotic companion was designed in consult with more than 100 children, families and medical professionals in conjunction with Empath Labs. A three-year study revealed that patients reported a reduction in distress, nausea, pain and procedural anxiety compared to those in the study who had not yet received a duck. In addition, parents and caregivers reported a reduction in stress and anxiety, showing how My Special Aflac Duck helps children's support system. The duck delivery Thursday coincided with Keaton's annual Operation Gobble, where more than 20 families received Thanksgiving meal kits. "We are incredibly grateful for our partnership with Aflac to ensure that young cancer warriors and their families receive the personalized support they need throughout their journey" said Jessica Alonso , Executive Director of Keaton's Child Cancer Alliance. "This generous contribution of My Special Aflac Ducks will have a meaningful impact on the children we serve. These comforting, interactive companions provide emotional support and help children navigate the complexities of treatment, bringing much-needed smiles and strength to families during some of their most challenging moments. Together, we are empowering those we serve to face cancer with courage and hope." Since its debut in 2018 , My Special Aflac Duck has received numerous awards; it was named one of Time Magazine's 50 Best Inventions and collected the Best in Show at CES and South by Southwest, among others. The My Special Aflac Duck program is a hallmark of Aflac's more than $184 million given toward pediatric cancer and blood disorder treatment, as part of the company's commitment to support the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta . Health care providers, support organizations and families can order My Special Aflac Duck free of charge for children 3 years or older who have been diagnosed with cancer or sickle cell disease at MySpecialAflacDuck.com . ABOUT AFLAC INCORPORATED Aflac Incorporated (NYSE: AFL), a Fortune 500 company, has helped provide financial protection and peace of mind for more than 68 years to millions of policyholders and customers through its subsidiaries in the U.S. and Japan . In the U.S., Aflac is the No. 1 provider of supplemental health insurance products. 1 In Japan , Aflac Life Insurance Japan is the leading provider of cancer and medical insurance in terms of policies in force. The company takes pride in being there for its policyholders when they need us most, as well as being included in the World's Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere for 18 consecutive years (2024), Fortune's World's Most Admired Companies for 23 years (2024) and Bloomberg's Gender-Equality Index for the fourth consecutive year (2023). In addition, the company became a signatory of the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) in 2021 and has been included in the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index (2023) for 10 years. To find out how to get help with expenses health insurance doesn't cover, get to know us at aflac.com or aflac.com/espanol . Investors may learn more about Aflac Incorporated and its commitment to corporate social responsibility and sustainability at investors.aflac.com under "Sustainability." 1 LIMRA 2023 U.S. Supplemental Health Insurance Total Market Report Media contact: Jon Sullivan , 706-763-4813 or jsullivan@aflac.com Analyst and investor contact: David A. Young , 706-596-3264, 800-235-2667 or dyoung@aflac.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/my-special-aflac-duck-lands-in-the-sacramento-valley-302313728.html SOURCE Aflac
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Mend your ways or face stern action, Pawan Kalyan warns political leadersANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan's defense of the national championship has fallen woefully short. The Wolverines started the season ranked No. 9 in the AP Top 25, making them the third college football team since 1991 to be ranked worse than seventh in the preseason poll after winning a national title. Michigan (6-5, 4-4 Big Ten) failed to meet those modest expectations, barely becoming eligible to play in a bowl and putting the program in danger of losing six or seven games for the first time since the Brady Hoke era ended a decade ago. The Wolverines potentially can ease some of the pain with a win against rival and second-ranked Ohio State (10-1, 7-1, No. 2 CFP) on Saturday in the Horseshoe, but that would be a stunning upset. Ohio State is a 21 1/2-point favorite, according to the BetMGM Sportsbook, and that marks just the third time this century that there has been a spread of at least 20 1/2 points in what is known as "The Game." Michigan coach Sherrone Moore doesn't sound like someone who is motivating players with an underdog mentality. "I don't think none of that matters in this game," Moore said Monday. "It doesn't matter the records. It doesn't matter anything. The spread, that doesn't matter." How did Michigan end up with a relative mess of a season on the field, coming off its first national title since 1997? Winning it all with a coach and star player contemplating being in the NFL for the 2024 season seemed to have unintended consequences for the current squad. The Wolverines closed the College Football Playoff with a win over Washington on Jan. 8; several days later quarterback J.J. McCarthy announced he was skipping his senior season; and it took more than another week for Jim Harbaugh to bolt to coach the Los Angeles Chargers. In the meantime, most quality quarterbacks wanting to transfer had already enrolled at other schools and Moore was left with lackluster options. Davis Warren beat out Alex Orji to be the team's quarterback for the opener and later lost the job to Orji only to get it back again. No matter who was under center, however, would've likely struggled this year behind an offensive line that sent six players to the NFL. The Wolverines lost one of their top players on defense, safety Rod Moore, to a season-ending injury last spring and another one, preseason All-America cornerback Will Johnson, hasn't played in more than a month because of an injury. The Buckeyes are not planning to show any mercy after losing three straight in the series. "We're going to attack them," Ohio State defensive end Jack Sawyer said. "We know they're going to come in here swinging, too, and they've still got a good team even though the record doesn't indicate it. This game, it never matters what the records are." While a win would not suddenly make the Wolverines' season a success, it could help Moore build some momentum a week after top-rated freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood flipped his commitment from LSU to Michigan. "You come to Michigan to beat Ohio," said defensive back Quinten Johnson, intentionally leaving the word State out when referring to the rival. "That's one of the pillars of the Michigan football program. "It doesn't necessarily change the fact of where we are in the season, but it definitely is one of the defining moments of your career here at Michigan." AP Sports Writer Mitch Stacy in Columbus, Ohio, contributed to this report. Get local news delivered to your inbox!
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