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baccarat vs blackjack It looked like a recipe for disaster. So, when his country's swimmers were being accused of doping earlier this year, one Chinese official cooked up something fast. He blamed it on contaminated noodles. In fact, he argued, it could have been a culinary conspiracy concocted by criminals, whose actions led to the cooking wine used to prepare the noodles being laced with a banned heart drug that found its way into an athlete's system. This theory was spelled out to international anti-doping officials during a meeting and, after weeks of wrangling, finally made it into the thousands of pages of data handed over to the lawyer who investigated the case involving 23 Chinese swimmers who had tested positive for that same drug. The attorney, appointed by the World Anti-Doping Agency, refused to consider that scenario as he sifted through the evidence. In spelling out his reasoning, lawyer Eric Cottier paid heed to the half-baked nature of the theory. “The Investigator considers this scenario, which he has described in the conditional tense, to be possible, no less, no more,” Cottier wrote. Even without the contaminated-noodles theory, Cottier found problems with the way WADA and the Chinese handled the case but ultimately determined WADA had acted reasonably in not appealing China's conclusion that its athletes had been inadvertently contaminated. Critics of the way the China case was handled can't help but wonder if a wider exploration of the noodle theory, details of which were discovered by The Associated Press via notes and emails from after the meeting where it was delivered, might have lent a different flavor to Cottier's conclusions. “There are more story twists to the ways the Chinese explain the TMZ case than a James Bond movie,” said Rob Koehler, the director general of the advocacy group Global Athlete. "And all of it is complete fiction.” Something in the kitchen was contaminated In April, reporting from the New York Times and the German broadcaster ARD revealed that the 23 Chinese swimmers had tested positive for the banned heart medication trimetazidine, also known as TMZ. China's anti-doping agency determined the athletes had been contaminated, and so, did not sanction them. WADA accepted that explanation , did not press the case further, and China was never made to deliver a public notice about the “no-fault findings,” as is often seen in similar cases. The stock explanation for the contamination was that traces of TMZ were found in the kitchen of a hotel where the swimmers were staying. In his 58-page report , Cottier relayed some suspicions about the feasibility of that chain of events — noting that WADA's chief scientist “saw no other solution than to accept it, even if he continued to have doubts about the reality of contamination as described by the Chinese authorities.” But without evidence to support pursuing the case, and with the chance of winning an appeal at almost nil, Cottier determined WADA's “decision not to appeal appears indisputably reasonable.” But how did the drugs get into the kitchen? A mystery remained: How did those traces of TMZ get into the kitchen? Shortly after the doping positives were revealed, the Institute of National Anti-Doping Organizations held a meeting on April 30 where it heard from the leader of China's agency, Li Zhiquan. Li's presentation was mostly filled with the same talking points that have been delivered throughout the saga — that the positive tests resulted from contamination from the kitchen. But he expanded on one way the kitchen might have become contaminated, harkening to another case in China involving a low-level TMZ positive. A pharmaceutical factory, he explained, had used industrial alcohol in the distillation process for producing TMZ. The industrial alcohol laced with the drug “then entered the market through illegal channels,” he said. The alcohol "was re-used by the perpetrators to process and produce cooking wine, which is an important seasoning used locally to make beef noodles,” Li said. “The contaminated beef noodles were consumed by that athlete, resulting in an extremely low concentration of TMZ in the positive sample. "The wrongdoers involved have been brought to justice.” New information sent to WADA ... eventually This new information raised eyebrows among the anti-doping leaders listening to Li's report. So much so that over the next month, several emails ensued to make sure the details about the noodles and wine made their way to WADA lawyers, who could then pass it onto Cottier. Eventually, Li did pass on the information to WADA general counsel Ross Wenzel and, just to be sure, one of the anti-doping leaders forwarded it, as well, according to the emails seen by the AP. All this came with Li's request that the noodles story be kept confidential. Turns out, it made it into Cottier's report, though he took the information with a grain of salt. “Indeed, giving it more attention would have required it to be documented, then scientifically verified and validated,” he wrote. Neither Wenzel nor officials at the Chinese anti-doping agency returned messages from AP asking about the noodles conspiracy and the other athlete who Li suggested had been contaminated by them. Meanwhile, 11 of the swimmers who originally tested positive competed at the Paris Games earlier this year in a meet held under the cloud of the Chinese doping case. Though WADA considers the case closed, Koehler and others point to situations like this as one of many reasons that an investigation by someone other than Cottier, who was hired by WADA, is still needed. “It gives the appearance that people are just making things up as they go along on this, and hoping the story just goes away," Koehler said. “Which clearly it has not.” ___ AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-gamesDaily Post Nigeria Be more transparent with yours data billings – NCC tells network providers Home News Politics Metro Entertainment Sport Sponsored Be more transparent with yours data billings – NCC tells network providers Published on November 24, 2024 By Daily Post Staff The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has stressed the need to address consumer concerns over data depletion and billing transparency amid growing data consumption, fueled by digital advancements. According to the commission, Nigerians spend an average of 4 hours and 20 minutes on social media daily, far above the global average and underscoring how deeply embedded digital interaction is in our lives. Quoting DataReportal, the NCC noted that the world’s internet users are spending less time watching television, stressing that the average daily television viewing has fallen by over 8% in the past year, as viewers are now spending more time on their telephones, tablets, and smart TVs streaming programs that they would previously have watched on broadcast television. Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Dr Aminu Maida, who disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja at the 93rd Telecoms Consumer Parliament with the theme “Optimising Data Experience: Empowering Consumers through Awareness and Transparency in a Consumer-Centric Telecom Industry”, noted that in 2024, Nigeria’s daily data usage averaged 336 gigabytes per second, marking a 39% increase from the previous year. He added that this is a clear indication of the data-driven lifestyle many Nigerians lead. He observed that despite this, many consumers feel their data depletes faster than expected, adding that earlier this year, NCC analysed consumer complaints, revealing data depletion and billing issues as top concerns. Maida stated that in response, the commission directed Mobile Network Operators and ISPs to conduct audits of their billing systems, which reported no major issues. He said, “However, perceptions persist due to two main factors, including the impact of high-resolution devices and improved technologies on data use, and the complexity of operator tariffs. With the advent of 4G and 5G, as well as devices with ultra-high-definition screens, data consumption has naturally increased. For example, while viewing a photo on Instagram might have required only 100 kilobytes of data five years ago, today, with advanced camera resolutions, a photo can consume between two to four megabytes when opened on Instagram. “According to Tech Advisor, an online resource that offers tech reviews, spending an hour on Instagram can use an average of 600 megabytes of your data, while streaming platforms like YouTube would use about 3.5 to 5.4 gigabytes per hour. Improved technologies go beyond their purchase cost to our pockets; they also come at a cost to data. Because they have better screen resolutions, they consume higher quality media that consumes more data. This is the same for our increasing digital habits: according to DataReportal, the world’s internet users are spending less time watching television; the average daily television viewing has fallen by over 8% in the past year. These viewers are now spending more time on their telephones, tablets, and smart TVs streaming programs that they would previously have watched on broadcast television.” Maida said that DataReportal notes there are now over 5 billion internet users, with Nigeria alone accounting for 132 million connections, pointing out that the commission is working to address consumer concerns about data usage. She added: “Recognizing these challenges, the Commission, in collaboration with major operators, launched a Joint Industry Campaign on Consumer Awareness on Smarter Data Usage. Our message emphasises empowering consumers with the knowledge to optimise their data usage. For example, many smartphone users may not know that their devices can track data usage and allow them to set limits on the amount of data they want to use.” He explained that high-definition streaming services like Netflix consume substantial data—about three gigabytes per hour in high definition, or seven gigabytes in ultra-high definition—adding that the Commission believes that an informed consumer is a better-equipped consumer, leading to a clearer understanding of data consumption and reducing misconceptions about data depletion. Maida lamented that the industry also faces challenges such as vandalism and theft of telecom assets, which frustrate operators’ efforts to deliver quality telecom services. He said that in July 2024, through NCC’s advocacy and collaboration with key stakeholders, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed a Presidential Order designating telecom infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure, stressing that this Executive Order strengthens the commission’s ability to address issues of vandalism, tampering, and unauthorised access to telecom infrastructure. The EVC noted that the current macroeconomic challenges and the rising cost of business in the country are impacting the ability of operators to make the necessary investments in the sector, stating that the Commission is mindful of this and is actively working with other arms of government and stakeholders to address these issues and ensure the industry’s sustainability. Also speaking, ALTON Chairman, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, said that the demand for data has soared exponentially, adding that we are in an era where consumers rely on data to power nearly every aspect of their lives, including homes, cars, offices, and even places of worship. He observed that this growing reliance on data has also challenged service providers to meet and exceed customer expectations, adding that the service providers have taken significant steps to ensure enhanced data quality, expand coverage, and improve connectivity across Nigeria. Adebayo stated that the service providers have embarked on tariff simplification, which aims to provide consumers with a clear understanding of data costs and their choices. “Tariff simplification benefits consumers by offering them more straightforward and transparent data plans that are easier to compare and understand. With simplified tariffs, consumers can make more informed choices about which data packages suit their needs, budget, and usage patterns, empowering them to take control of their data experience. In response to the feedback from consumers, our industry has also concluded a comprehensive study on the reasons behind data depletion,” he added Related Topics: NCc Promoted Don't Miss NCC to resolve telecoms, banks’ USSD debt issue with CBN You may like NCC to resolve telecoms, banks’ USSD debt issue with CBN NCC moves towards digital justice ARO DAY 2024: Foremost Nigeria-born South African preacher to storm Arochukwu for Light of the World Crusade CustomWritings’ Professional Help with Quality PPT for Academic and Career Success Get Ready to #BeatTheDrop as Coke Studio 2024 Unleashes Next-Level Music, Culture, Rewards Zenith Bank rewards Hackathon Winners with N77.5m cash prize at Zenith Tech Fair 4.0 Advertise About Us Contact Us Privacy-Policy Terms Copyright © Daily Post Media Ltd

Republican National Committee Treasurer KC Crosbie told fellow members Sunday night that she is running for RNC co-chair to replace Lara Trump, who said Sunday night she is stepping down from that post. “This position demands leadership, communication, and the ability to unify our diverse membership while supporting President Trump and his Administration’s bold initiative to “Make America Great Again,” Crosbie, who is also the RNC national committeewoman from Kentucky, wrote in an email to RNC members, which was obtained by NBC News. “I am committed to fulfilling the responsibilities of RNC Co-Chair with the same dedication I have brought to the role of Treasurer.” The RNC co-chair role got significant attention during the 2024 election after President-elect Donald Trump helped install his daughter-in-law to the post as part of his takeover of the party infrastructure. Trump-backed RNC Chair Michael Whatley will has already agreed to remain in that post. “At the RNC, we had three distinct goals: 1) surpass all fundraising records 2) build the largest army of lawyers and poll watchers to ensure election integrity and, 3) turn out millions of Americans and low propensity voters during early voting. We accomplished all three,” Lara Trump wrote in an X post Sunday night announcing she was leaving the post. Crosbie’s email to RNC members came hours later. She highlighted the RNC’s fundraising numbers during her tenure as treasurer and the organization’s internal financial controls. “By implementing best practices and reinforcing internal controls, the RNC earned clean audits from our external auditors, while further strengthening the confidence of both grassroots supporters and major donors,” Crosbie wrote. It’s unlikely anyone would be able to secure enough support to replace Lara Trump without the explicit approval of Donald Trump or his team. Neither Crosbie or the Trump campaign responded to requests seeking comment. An RNC member told NBC News that “she is well liked” by the committee members. Crosbie was elected to serve as Kentucky’s RNC committeewoman in 2012 and picked to serve as the organization’s treasurer in June 2023. At the time, she said she would be a “steward and watchdog of funds raised to support the RNC.” Lara Trump's decision to step down comes as she has also been actively lobbying for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to appoint her to the Senate seat being vacated by Marco Rubio, Donald Trump's pick to serve as secretary of state. “Certainly, we’ve all had the opportunity over the past nine years to fully involve ourselves in politics, to understand the American people, what they want, and we’ve all been residents of the state of Florida now for over three years,” she told Fox News on Sunday. “If that’s something that’s put in front of me, it would be a true honor.” Four sources familiar with the process told NBC News Monday that Lara Trump’s resignation has no bearing on the potential Senate pick and that DeSantis is not likely to make a decision until early January. He is also considering picks from Florida's ranks of elected Republicans, like state Attorney General Ashley Moody, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Núñez, former state House Speaker Paul Renner and Jose Oliva and Secretary of State Cord Byrd, as well as DeSantis chief of staff James Uthmeier. Most of the Trump family and many major supporters have publicly said that they support Lara Trump getting the appointment. She is still in consideration but is not seen as holding frontrunner status at the moment.Could bad publicity be good for Jaguar? | Brief lettersPamela Franco surprises Christian Cueva by stealing a tremendous kiss in public

, /PRNewswire/ -- In 2024, added new tile and stone collections into its industry-leading product line along with launches of extra-large porcelain and quartz slabs. Daltile is the nation's largest manufacturer and marketer of tile, stone, and countertop products for both residential and commercial use. "Our Daltile tile and stone products that were launched in 2024 exemplify many of today's most popular interior design trends," said , senior vice president of research and development, Dal-Tile LLC. "These gorgeous new assortments represent a variety of looks, including dramatic marble, unique desert touch, and tranquil stone visuals to name a few, featured in the finest quality stone, porcelain, and ceramic tiles and mosaics. In addition to exceptional visuals, these new Daltile products also feature sophisticated texture as well as value added features like 50% greater slip resistance than traditional tile and 24/7 protection against bacteria on the tile surface. Combining our cutting-edge technological advances in tile production with our fashion-based mindset, Daltile's newest products provide a myriad of highly sophisticated designs, colors, textures, shapes, and sizes to help bring residential and commercial design visions to life." "On the extra-large slab front, our new 2024 Panoramic designs joined a fleet of existing Daltile products that provide 'the visuals and style of natural stone slabs with the performance of porcelain tile.' Panoramic is a great solution for designs that require a high-end look but are limited by budget or performance constraints. Panoramic easily brings the scale and style of natural stone slabs to projects where stone might be cost or installation prohibitive. Thanks to Daltile's proprietary printing technologies, designs are so realistic that it's hard to tell the difference between Panoramic and natural stone. Because Panoramic is made of authentic porcelain, each product is heat, stain, scratch, and chemical resistant as well as durable and easy to maintain." "Regarding our 2024 quartz offerings, these new Daltile products are among the largest quartz slab products in the world. These new extra-large slabs exemplify how the beauty of marble and stone visuals nicely combine with the durability and low-maintenance of quartz — and at a price that easily fits into both residential and commercial budgets. With quartz, you can add gorgeous natural stone looks to your home's design in a material that stands up to real life activity, perfect for kitchens. These quartz slabs are non-porous, scratch resistant, and stain resistant, and can be used on walls, backsplashes, and countertops. Our quartz slabs are an excellent way to bring both glamour and durability to commercial spaces also." Sovran epitomizes luxury and durability, marrying the opulence of three different natural marble visuals with the practicality of ColorBody porcelain. Each porcelain tile boasts a timeless elegance reminiscent of classic white and black marble, adorned with intricate veining that varies from piece to piece. Reinvent your space with Sovran's distinguished presence, also featuring eight bold art deco-inspired patterns that add a touch of grandeur to any setting. The expansive 24x48 size with rectified edges and a 3D satin polished finish creates seamless installations — designed with the discerning connoisseur in mind. Suitable for floor, wall, and countertop applications. A stunning tribute to reactive glaze use in ceramic tile and the time-honored Raku technique, this glazed porcelain wall tile series invites you to travel the isles of design excellence. Crafted in a linear 2x9 size and six sophisticated hues, the glossy finish and metallic lusters create a captivating allure, enhancing any space with shimmer. Whether you seek to infuse a sense of serenity or make a bold style statement, Iridescent Isles provides the perfect backdrop for your design aspirations. Suitable for wall and pool lining applications. Proudly Made In The . Inspired by travertine stone, Calligo embodies the natural essence of stone with the convenience and longevity of porcelain/ceramic tile. Build a dimensional environment with the 12x24 fluted wall tile, which introduces a play of light and shadow, or enjoy a relaxing space created with the 15x30 floor tile and 1x6 mosaic. Calligo also provides exceptional peace of mind by featuring Daltile's proprietary technology, DEFEND powered by Microban®, which continuously eliminates 99% of bacteria on the tile surface. Suitable for floor, wall, countertop, and shower floor applications. Proudly Made In The . Transform your surroundings into a haven of tranquility with Indoterra porcelain tile. A concrete look canvas of neutral tones, Indoterra offers a minimalistic design with large formats, dimensional surfaces, and StepWise technology that provides 50% greater slip resistance, making this product ideal for an immersive experience indoors and outdoors. Choose the timeless allure of the 2x9 brick with the choice of a fluted or flat surface, or the subtle sophistication of the 12x24 woven wall tile and circle mosaic. Indoterra invites you to play with textures and shapes in a color palette that will stand the test of time. This new collection allows for creativity and vision to come to life in any setting. Suitable for floor, wall, countertop, exterior floor, and shower floor applications. Proudly Made In The . Experience the refined luxury of Eclessia Marble. Rich variation and bold veining showcase the unique character of this natural marble stone series. Delve into a palette of four sumptuous shades, adorned with undertones of grey and hints of gold, available in 12x24 polished and honed surfaces. Embark on a journey of elegance with eight coordinating mosaics per color, each designed to inspire limitless creativity and sophistication. Mosaic shapes include arch, wave, feather, double herringbone, elongated fan, 6" circle, and 2" hexagon. Embrace the enduring beauty of Eclessia Marble — your path to luxury begins here. Suitable for floor, wall, countertop, and shower floor applications. This new 32x32 size has joined one of Daltile's most popular existing porcelain tile collections, Marble Attaché. Marble Attaché offers elegant, yet relaxing, marble visuals. With five colors and several large-format sizes, Marble Attaché emulates the finest and most unique marble colors found in nature. This product is available in multiple large format sizes including 32x32, 24x48 as well as a linear hex mosaic and offers matte, satin, and polished finishes. The Marble Attaché collection is suitable for floor, wall, countertop, and shower floor applications. Proudly Made In The . Daltile's existing Keystones porcelain tile collection has expanded into uncharted territory with its new Organic Keystones sub-collection that features ten nature-inspired colors, two new shapes, and five exclusive color blends. The new Organic Hex and Organic Penny mosaics pay homage to the unique, asymmetrical shapes found in nature. Curating ten biophilic hues from the original Keystones collection, the new Organic Keystones assortment offers a palette that encompasses nature's grandeur. Select the perfect hues to match your vision, from vibrant and energetic to calm and serene. These mosaics inspire a connection to the world outside, bridging the gap between the indoors and outdoors to experience the artistry of nature every day. Suitable for floor, wall, countertop, shower floor, exterior floor, and pool lining applications. Proudly Made In The . Take a dive into Color Wheel Splash, a curated assortment from the beloved Color Wheel collection, featuring eight gorgeous Mediterranean blue hues. The offering includes four glossy and four abrasive finishes, in 6x6 glazed ceramic tiles, complemented by two bullnose sizes. Whether enhancing the pool edge or accentuating pool steps, Color Wheel Splash brings a vibrant color accent into the water. Elevate your poolside experience with both style and functionality. Suitable for interior and exterior wall applications. Effortlessly enhance your space with Color Wheel Borders, designed to be the perfect finishing touch for any room. This brand new 96" (8 foot) cast stone wall trim is the first jolly of its size in the entire Daltile product line. In addition, the material is flexible making this trim piece easier to install and transport. Available in select colors from Daltile's existing Color Wheel tile collection, this jolly provides installation convenience and style, offering a seamless transition between wall and tile. Available in matte and glossy. Suitable for wall application. Proudly Made In The . A true design element for any space, Panoramic's Elestial porcelain slabs flawlessly replicate one of nature's most rare stones, Silver Root Marble, quarried from the Turkish landscape. Offering a warm, silver-grey backdrop accented with gold and dark charcoal veining, Elestial brings luxury and soothing elegance to any bathroom, kitchen, or outdoor kitchen. This 64"x127" ultra large slab provides the artistry of a natural marble with the durability, cleanability, and affordability of porcelain. Suitable for floor, wall, and countertop applications. Introducing a seamless design of contemporary opulence, Panoramic's Lemurian porcelain slab collection radiates luxurious charm. A breathtaking marble slab visual, Lemurian captivates and illuminates a room with its warm white backdrop and delicate gold veining. The subtle detailing woven throughout the glossy 48"x96" porcelain slab adds an eye-catching luster that redefines sophistication and elegance. Suitable for wall and floor applications. Illuminating a room with clean serenity, Panoramic's Selenite porcelain slab captures the delicate power of a marble look that sooths the soul. A cloudy white palette with soft gray veining mirrors the feel of water drizzling down a window, grounding and peaceful. Bringing in a natural element, Selenite's monochromatic detailing emulates a fluidity perfect for an oasis. The subtle dimension of this porcelain design elevates the composition of wall and floor applications. Available in 48"x96" slabs. This exotic marble design immediately adds intrigue to a space. Atop the rich onyx black background, several high-contrast thick white veins seem to dramatically cut through the darkness, complemented and tamed by additional thin gold, grey veining. The result is a deep, rich statement design. The 136"x79" Super Jumbo sized quartz slab is available in both 2 and 3 cm thicknesses, with a polished surface. Suitable for wall, backsplash, and countertop applications. Made in the with imported materials. The artistic flow of the rich marble-look of Calacatta Bolt is striking in any space. The depth of the contrast between the off-white slab and the thick black marble-like veining creates a unique and dramatic statement. This 136" x 79" Super Jumbo polished quartz slab comes in 2 cm and 3 cm thickness, making it an excellent selection for any wall, backsplash, or countertop application. Made in the with imported materials. Outer Banks combines the richness of delicate golds and sandy-colored veining with a polished, off-white background. The soft, intricate pattern adds dimension to this simple yet elegant stone-look visual. Outer Banks is available in both 2 cm and 3 cm thickness in the 136" x 79" Super Jumbo slab sizing, perfect for any countertop, backsplash, or wallcovering applications. Made in the with imported materials. The subtle, pencil-like details of Telluride effortlessly establish a unique visual that boasts purity of design. The understated simplicity of the polished off-white background combined with soft grey veining adds both modernity and serenity to a space. This marble-look design is available in 2 cm and 3 cm thickness and 136" x 79" Super Jumbo quartz slab dimensions. Suitable for wall, backsplash, and countertop applications. Made in the with imported materials. Daltile's Valor Gold melds beauty with understated luxury through the use of a clean, white background infused with warmer golden tones. The resulting cream palette is accented with slightly feathered veining for a marble design that provides depth and realism. Valor Gold is versatile, perfect for either a modern or traditional setting. The 136"x79" Super Jumbo sized quartz slab is available in both 2 and 3 cm thicknesses, with a polished or lava surface. Suitable for wall, backsplash, and countertop applications. Made in the with imported materials. Daltile's Monument White is a warm marble look background showcasing flowing veins that almost appear to be nature's version of kintsugi. Thin grey and gold veining is accented by tiny flecks of mirrored material to add a reflective quality to the surface. The 136"x79" Super Jumbo sized quartz slab is available in both 2 and 3 cm thicknesses, with a polished or matte surface. Suitable for wall, backsplash, and countertop applications. Made in the with imported materials. With overall soft appealing stone visual, the delight is in the details. Viewing from afar, the surface will appear a monochromatic white, but viewed more closely, a swirling pattern appears across the entire quartz slab. This enchanting movement offers further interest by blending in gentle streaks of off-white, sprinkled with flecks of glass, mirror, and cool grey colored shards. The 136"x79" Super Jumbo sized quartz slab is available in both 2 and 3 cm thicknesses, with a polished surface. Suitable for wall, backsplash, and countertop applications. Made in the with imported materials. Daltile's Acadia Black is a deep, pure black background swirled with a chalky black fusion that brings additional depth to the surface. Upon this backdrop, mirrored and dark flecks appear throughout, creating an elevated granite visual. The 136"x79" Super Jumbo sized quartz slab is available in both 2 and 3 cm thicknesses, with a polished surface. Suitable for wall, backsplash, and countertop applications. Made in the with imported materials. Daltile is the industry-leading brand of ceramic, porcelain, glass, metal, and stone tile as well as mosaics, extra-large slabs, countertops, exteriors, and roofing tile. Daltile products are distributed through over 250 company-owned sales service centers, stone slab yards, and gallery design centers that service a robust network of trade customers. Daltile products are also sold through independent flooring retailers. Dedicated to innovative product development and distinguished style, Daltile provides a rich palette of quality products created to inspire residential and commercial designs. For more information, visit and follow Daltile on , , , , , and . View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Daltile Get local news delivered to your inbox!Biodesix director Jack Schuler buys $122,840 in stockLos Blancos, sitting in second, capitalised on leaders Barcelona’s draw to Celta Vigo on Saturday to move four points behind with a game in hand. After Mbappe’s first-half opener, Federico Valverde and Bellingham scored in the second half to make it seven goals and two clean sheets in two games for Madrid. Gerard Moreno’s late penalty helped fourth-placed Villarreal rescue a late point in a 2-2 draw at Osasuna. ⚽ @KMbappe 🫂 @ViniJr 🅰️ #LeganésRealMadrid pic.twitter.com/Zw9sqLBVDa — Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) November 24, 2024 Djibril Sow’s 27th-minute goal helped Sevilla to a 1-0 win over Rayo Vallecano, who had Unai Lopez sent off on the stroke of half-time. Oihan Sancet’s header in the first half helped Athletic Bilbao to a 1-0 win against Real Sociedad. In Serie A, Romelu Lukaku scored for Antonio Conte’s Napoli in a 1-0 win over Roma to help them reclaim top spot. Yacine Adli and Moise Kean were on the scoresheet as Fiorentina won 2-0 at Como, with Alberto Dossena shown a red at the death for Cesc Fabregas’ hosts. Milan Duric’s 63rd-minute equaliser cancelled out Adam Masina’s opener as Monza held Torino to a 1-1 draw. ⏹️ Full time: #NapoliRoma 1-0 💙 #ForzaNapoliSempre pic.twitter.com/S41nw13riV — Official SSC Napoli (@sscnapoli) November 24, 2024 Patrick Vieira was denied victory in his first game in charge of Genoa after Roberto Piccoli’s late penalty salvaged Cagliari a 2-2 draw. In Ligue 1, fourth-placed Lille inflicted more misery on struggling Rennes after Edon Zhegrova’s 45th-minute goal secured a 1-0 win. Le Havre returned to winning ways with a 2-0 victory at Nantes following goals from Josue Casimir and Steve Ngoura, while Hamed Traore’s late goal handed Auxerre a dramatic 1-0 triumph at home to Angers. Loubadhe Abakar Sylla’s own goal resulted in Nice snatching a 2-1 win at home to Strasbourg. Borussia Monchengladbach extended their unbeaten run in the Bundesliga to five games after goals from Alassane Plea and Tim Kleindienst gave them a 2-0 win over St Pauli, while Mainz beat Holstein Kiel 3-0.

Rome: External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on Sunday inaugurated the new Chancery of the Embassy of India in Rome, a few hours after he arrived in Italy on a three-day visit to attend the Outreach session of the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting where India has been invited as a guest country. "It befits the continued expansion of India-Italy partnership in recent years. Will also help us serve better the Indian community in Italy," the EAM posted on X after inaugurating the new premises of the Embassy of India in Rome. Jaishankar is also scheduled to participate in the 10th edition of the MED Mediterranean Dialogue in Rome, being organised by Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI) in collaboration with Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy. The conference will be inaugurated on Monday with a speech by Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani. Besides EAM Jaishankar, the event will also be attended by high-level representatives from all over the enlarged Mediterranean region, as well as representatives of numerous relevant international organisations, including Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary General, Arab League; Taher al-Baour, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Libya; Abdallah Bou Habib, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Lebanon; Mohamed Salem Ould Marzouk, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mauritania; Shaya Mohsin Zindani, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Yemen and Geir O. Pedersen, Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Syria. In Fiuggi, which is hosting the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, EAM Jaishankar is expected to hold discussions on major regional issues and global topics, including the stability of the Indo-Pacific -- a priority region for political balances and world trade. He is also expected to meet his counterparts from Italy and other participating nations in the G7 related engagements and hold bilateral discussions during the visit. India and Italy, both ancient civilizations with rich cultural heritage, enjoy strong people-to-people connect propelled by a large Indian diaspora and long standing Indological Studies tradition in Italy. In their bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday (November 18), Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni had reiterated their commitment to advancing the India-Italy Strategic Partnership and announced a Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-29 which outlines their vision for the next five years. The Action Plan will pursue joint collaborations, programmes and initiatives in key sectors of trade and investment, science and technology, new and emerging technologies, clean energy, space, defence, connectivity and people-to-people linkages. Meanwhile, the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Fiuggi will be the second to be hosted in Italy in 2024, after the one held in Capri from April 17 to 19. Under the Italian Presidency, the G7 Foreign Ministers have also met, in recent months, on the sidelines of major international events in Munich, Washington and New York. "As in Capri, the agenda of the Fiuggi Ministerial Meeting will focus on the main issues at the heart of the international debate, starting with the situation in the Middle East following Hamas’s brutal terrorist attack against Israel on 7 October 2023. Among the topics under discussion will be the serious humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the situation in Lebanon, the one in the Red Sea, and the need to promote a credible political horizon for the region that guarantees peace and security, from the perspective of 'two Peoples, two States'," stated the Italian G7 Presidency, earlier this week.Octopus Energy customers have been told they could save £300 on their energy bills. It's part of a heating upgrade grant being handed to 300,000 homes by the Government. Selected homes across the UK will be handed £7,500 each to replace their boilers with heat pumps in 2025. Experts say a heat pump saves customers as much as £100 a year off bills, while insulation can take another £200 off, the costs of which are covered by the scheme. It comes as energy bills are due to rise again in January, with the typical household paying £21 a year more. The Government has relaxed planning regulations to allow heat pumps to be installed more quickly, while insulation will also be offered to more homes as part of the scheme in a bid to ensure more will take up the offer and ditch their boilers. READ MORE: Five DWP benefits being scrapped before 2025 Get our best money saving tips and hacks by signing up to our newsletter POLL: Do you agree with the DWP taking money from bank accounts or wages? Octopus has told its customers they could save £300 by using a heat pump, the Express reports , amid a national push to reduce boiler usage. The Government said: “Households install an air source heat pump without needing to submit a planning application in England – removing the 1m rule, with figures from Octopus showing 34% of those who order a heat pump are discouraged or drop out for reasons attributed to planning permission. “Working alongside the Government’s mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower, the Warm Homes Plan will ensure millions more households benefit from homegrown energy delivered by every new turbine, solar panel or pylon built on the path to energy independence. This includes boosting the budget for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to support more households switch to a heat pump – which can save families around £100 a year compared to a gas boiler by using a smart tariff effectively, and insulating more homes across the country – potentially saving homeowners around £200 per year.” Octopus' price comparison shows households will save £300 a year on average on its Octopus Cosy heat pump tariff against using a traditional boiler on Flexible Octopus, at £1,391 per year instead of £1,691. Greg Jackson, CEO of Octopus Energy, said: “More than a third of customers who order a heat pump drop out because of planning issues, leaving them stuck with dirty, inefficient gas boilers. "Removing outdated and unnecessary red tape is an urgent priority to grow this sector and get low cost, safe, clean heating technology into British homes.”None

Washington, Seattle shoot for state bragging rightsDear Annie: I live with bipolar disorder, which I was first diagnosed with in the early 1990s. My husband and I got together after my diagnosis, and he has been my biggest support through everything -- navigating different providers, raising my children (not his) who also had their challenges and helping me stay stable. There have been tough times when I felt guilty for the toll my illness has taken on him. He didn't sign up for this life, yet he's had to watch me struggle through hospitalizations, legal troubles during severe psychotic episodes and multiple diagnoses before we found the right one. I do my best to manage my illness -- staying on my medication, working with my mental health team and attending support groups. But recently, I had a stroke that worsened my symptoms and led to another hospitalization earlier this year. This severely tested our marriage in every way: physically, emotionally, financially and socially. If it weren't for support systems like my providers, medications and groups like NAMI, we might not have made it. I know my husband needs time and space for himself, too. No one can be everything to someone, and I do my best to let him know how much I appreciate his love and support. How can I ensure that my husband feels supported and cared for in our marriage while I continue to manage my illness? How can we keep our relationship strong despite these ongoing challenges? -- Wanting to Do More Dear Wanting: You're already doing exactly what you need to do. Your letter is filled with gratitude and love for your husband, and that's one of the best ways to make someone feel appreciated, cared for and seen. Thank you for sharing your story; it's both heartfelt and inspiring. I hope it serves as a reminder to others in similar situations that they can lean on their loved ones and that there is hope and help on the other side of challenging times.

T his is at once a wise and wonderfully enjoyable book. Mark Lilla treats weighty matters with a light touch, in an elegant prose style that crackles with dry wit. Almost every one of the short sections into which the narrative is divided – and there is a narrative, cunningly sustained within what seems a relaxed discursiveness – takes careful aim and at the end hits the bullseye with a sure and satisfying aphoristic thwock . The central premise of the book is simply stated: “How is it that we are creatures who want to know and not to know?” Lilla, professor of humanities at Columbia University, New York, and the author of a handful of masterly studies of the terrain where political and intellectual sensibilities collide, is an acute observer of the vagaries of human behaviour and thought in general, and of our tendency to self-delusion in particular. He has a genius for the telling epigraph, of which there are many here, set like jewels throughout the text. The first of these, and the most emblematic, is taken from George Eliot’s novel Daniel Deronda : “It is a common sentence that knowledge is power; but who hath duly considered or set forth the power of ignorance?” This latter form of power, he tells us, is the subject he means to address. His book is certainly timely. As he notes, there are certain epochs, and surely we are slap bang in the middle of one, when “evident truth” is cast aside in favour of all manner of imbecile imaginings. “Mesmerised crowds still follow preposterous prophets, irrational rumours trigger fanatical acts, and magical thinking crowds out common sense and expertise.” There, encapsulated in a sentence, is the predicament we face in our present-day social and political lives. At the outset he presents a subtle retelling of Plato’s allegory of the cave . In his telling, a man and a boy are set free from the shadowed chamber and led up into the light. Soon, however, the boy is begging to return to the realm of happy delusion. “I miss my playmates,” he says tearfully. “Even if they were just pixels on a screen.” From the cave, Lilla makes a smooth ascent to the case of Oedipus, the most famous exemplar of the will to ignorance. As he notes, today Oedipus the King “seems less about fate and prophecy than about the vexed problem of self-knowledge”. And Oedipus is not alone in his state of willed blindness. What about Jocasta ? “While sharing her son’s bed all those years, wouldn’t she have noticed his disfigured feet, an unmistakable sign of his identity?” And why stop with the royal couple? Maybe they were all in on it, all of Thebes, and beyond, all “caught between the will to know and the will not to know”. It is remarkable how many instances Lilla finds of the wriggly measures humankind adopts in order not to look the facts in the face, from the Bible – that vast compendium of elaborate avoidances – through Augustine , and the giants of the Enlightenment, to the enraptured messianism of the twin mid-20th-century ideologies of fascism and communism. At the heart of the book is an invigorating excursus on St Paul, the founding father of the most consequential and, some would contend, most pernicious religious cult the world has known. Lilla knows his man: “It is no exaggeration to say that the history of western populism – spiritual and political – began with Paul.” He is “the cultured despiser of culture”, “a learned fanatic of the highest order”, who “held up as spiritual models innocent children, uneducated workmen, and lambs with vacant eyes, forever enshrining reverse snobbery as a Christian virtue”. If the next resident at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is in need of a patron saint, surely Paul is the one: “For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent ... If any man among you seems to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.” Sign up to Observed Analysis and opinion on the week's news and culture brought to you by the best Observer writers after newsletter promotion And one more quote, not to be resisted for the tenor of its measured contempt: “Paul made possible the transformation of the Gospels’ beautiful moral ideal into an anti-intellectual ideology that was enshrined permanently in the Christian scriptures and has since passed into our secular societies. That ideology has attracted a certain sort of mind ever since – one with a death wish.” As Nietzsche put it: “There was only one Christian, and he died on the cross.” Ignorance and Bliss is a splendidly invigorating antidote to the vapid nostrums and mindless pieties – from right and left – that swirl about us in a poisoned fog. These are parlous times, and we need the likes of Lilla to help us face, and face down, the massed cohorts of “holy fools and eternal children whose distaste for the present sends them rushing, vainly, to restore an imagined past”. Ignorance and Bliss: On Wanting Not to Know by Mark Lilla is published on 12 December by C Hurst & Co (£18.99). To support the Guardian and the Observer order your copy at guardianbookshop.com . Delivery charges may applyWhatsApp Rolls Out Camera Effects And Filters For iPhone Users: How To Use

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DEAR ABBY: I have been happily single for most of my life, and I treasure the friendship and company of my other women friends. My question concerns a situation that happens frequently when one of them starts dating or marries. They seem to feel I should enjoy the company of BOTH of them together from then on. My response has been to refuse any invitations, but it feels rude and impolite. I would appreciate your advice, and thank you! -- SINGLE LADY IN THE MIDWEST DEAR SINGLE LADY: Running away isn’t the answer. Instead of cutting off these women without explanation when they become involved in a romantic relationship, it would make more sense to point out to them that women (and men) communicate differently when members of the opposite sex are present. It’s the truth. Couples don’t have to be joined at the hip 100% of the time, and, in fact, it’s healthier for their relationship when they sometimes socialize as individuals. *** Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069. Latest Advice Columns Dear Abby: I wish my father’s ex didn’t send a shoebox full of mementos from their relationship to me Dear Annie: Happy Holidays to All December 24 birthday horoscope and your daily astrology Miss Manners: My sister-in-law was angry that my nephew saw ‘embarrassing things’ in my medicine cabinet Asking Eric: Since my dad and brother passed away, my mother has been increasingly mean, angry and rude

NEW YORK — A federal judge is signaling Rudy Giuliani’s contempt hearing next Friday might not end so well for the former New York City mayor and onetime personal lawyer for President-elect Donald Trump as two Georgia election poll workers try to collect a $148 million defamation award they won against him. Judge Lewis J. Liman in Manhattan issued an order Friday in which he was dismissive of what he described as attempts by Giuliani and his lawyer to dodge providing information to the election workers’ lawyers. And he said the litigants should be ready at the contempt hearing to explain why he should not grant a request by lawyers for the two election workers that he make adverse inferences from evidence in the case that would put Giuliani’s Palm Beach, Fla., condominium in danger of being surrendered to satisfy the defamation award. The judge also said he might rule on the contempt request at the hearing. Giuliani has maintained the Palm Beach property is his personal residence and should be shielded from the judgment. He faces a Jan. 16 trial before Liman over the disposition of his Florida residence and World Series rings. Lawyers for the election workers filed the contempt request after saying Giuliani had failed to turn over a lease to his Manhattan apartment, a Mercedes, various watches and jewelry, a signed Joe DiMaggio shirt and other baseball momentos. The judge ordered Giuliani to turn over the items in October. A request for comment was sent to a lawyer for Giuliani, who was supposed to be deposed Friday. In October, Liman ordered Giuliani to turn over many of his prized possessions to the poll workers. Giuliani’s lawyers have predicted Giuliani will eventually win custody of the items on appeal. The contempt hearing follows a contentious November hearing in which Giuliani, a former federal prosecutor, became angry at the judge and said Liman was treating him unfairly. Giuliani was found liable last year for defaming the two Georgia poll workers by falsely accusing them of tampering with ballots during the 2020 presidential election. The women said they faced death threats after Giuliani falsely claimed they sneaked in ballots in suitcases, counted ballots multiple times and tampered with voting machines.Bears keep GM Ryan Poles in driver's seat for coaching searchBenue state community mourns as suspected herdsmen kill thirteen, destroy farmlands in early morning raid on Azege settlement

Bears general manager Ryan Poles was granted a reprieve complete with a second swing at hiring a head coach in Chicago. Poles will interview candidates and select a replacement for Matt Eberflus, who was fired Friday after the Bears' sixth consecutive loss and fourth of the season decided on a final play. "Ryan Poles is the general manager of the Chicago Bears, and he will remain the general manager of the Chicago Bears," president and CEO Kevin Warren said Monday. "Ryan will serve as the point person of our upcoming search for a head football coach. We will closely, we will work together on a daily basis to make sure we have the right person as our head football coach." Warren said the McCaskey family provided "all the resources" to build a championship environment. He confirmed that Thomas Brown, who a month ago was passing game coordinator before replacing Shane Waldron as offensive coordinator, will serve as interim head coach and shift from the press box to the sideline starting this week. Warren did not say whether Brown would automatically receive an interview for the full-time coaching position, which he said "will be the most coveted head coaching job in the National Football League." Poles said consideration will be given to candidates with the plan to develop rookie No. 1 pick Caleb Williams, but there are no set plans to involve the quarterback in the interview process. He said the Bears showed great progress through two seasons but couldn't sustain growth. "At the end of the day, we just came up short too many times," Poles said of firing Eberflus, his pick to be the Bears' head coach in January 2022. Brown promoted wide receivers coach Chris Beatty to interim offensive coordinator on Monday and announced that defensive coordinator Eric Washington will be the defensive play caller, a role Eberflus previously held. Trailing 23-20 on Thanksgiving Day, the Bears were within field-goal range when quarterback Caleb Williams was sacked. With 32 seconds remaining, Eberflus elected not to use his final timeout as Williams heaved an incompletion down the right sideline as time expired. "When you look at the end-of-the-game situations, detailing to finish in some of those moments. We all know a lot of games come down to those critical moments where we weren't able to get over the hump," Poles said. Eberflus said after the game that everything was handled properly and held a press conference via Zoom on Friday voicing confidence he'd have the team ready to play the 49ers this week. But three hours later, he was fired. Warren admitted the franchise could've handled the timing better, but clarified there was no decision on Eberflus' status at the time of his media session. "The decision was made to terminate the employment of head coach Matt Eberflus," Warren said 72 hours later. "We try to do everything in a professional manner. That decision was made on Friday." "Coach Eberflus had his press conference, we had not made a final decision. I think you know me, you know Ryan you know George McCaskey. One thing we stand for is family, integrity, doing it the right way. In retrospect, could we have done it better? Absolutely." Eberflus, 54, went 14-32 in two-plus seasons. The Bears (4-8) travel to San Francisco (5-7) in Week 1. --Field Level Media'Look at the crime in our area': Trump made biggest gains in Santa Fe on the south side

Stock market today: Wall Street rallies ahead of ChristmasEnvironment Minister Inaugurates 'International Dates Conference and Exhibition' in Riyadh