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Hornets sign Isaiah Wong to two-way dealNEW YORK, Nov. 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ilustrato Pictures International Inc. (OTC: ILUS) ("ILUS” or the "Company”), a diversified holding company, is pleased to announce the successful completion of the previously disclosed Stock Purchase Agreement with Fusion Fuel Green PLC (NASDAQ: HTOO) ("Fusion Fuel”) and certain other shareholders of Quality Industrial Corp. (OTC: QIND) ("QIND”). Under this agreement, Fusion Fuel has acquired a 69.36% stake in QIND. On November 26, 2024, all material closing conditions were satisfied, and ILUS delivered the necessary documentation to its transfer agent to finalize the share transfer to Fusion Fuel. Concurrently, Fusion Fuel's transfer agent has been instructed to issue its Ordinary and Preferred Shares as consideration to ILUS. As part of the transaction, ILUS receives a combination of ordinary shares and convertible preferred shares in Fusion Fuel. Upon conversion of these preferred shares, subject to Fusion Fuel's shareholder approval and successful clearance of an initial listing application with Nasdaq, ILUS will hold a 55.38% stake in Fusion Fuel on an as-converted, fully diluted basis. Transformative Milestone for ILUS Commenting on the transaction, ILUS CEO Nicolas Link stated: "We are pleased to confirm the closing of this transformative transaction, which sets the stage for the next phase of ILUS's growth. We believe QIND's integration into Nasdaq-listed Fusion Fuel will accelerate its development and create significant value for all stakeholders. This transaction also lays the foundation for Emergency Response Technologies (OTC: SAML) to follow a similar trajectory and for ILUS itself to evolve into a resilient and diversified mini-conglomerate.” Fusion Fuel: A Leader in Green and Industrial Energy Solutions Fusion Fuel, a leader in energy engineering and advisory services, specializes in green hydrogen and industrial gas solutions. With the acquisition of QIND, Fusion Fuel has expanded its portfolio to include the design, supply, installation, and maintenance of energy systems, as well as the transportation and distribution of liquefied petroleum gas. The Company's services cater to a broad range of industries, including commercial buildings, heavy industries, mixed-use developments, and the food service sector. As Fusion Fuel continues to innovate in the renewable energy space, this acquisition reinforces its commitment to advancing the global energy transition through sustainable and reliable energy solutions. About ILUS Ilustrato Pictures International Inc. (OTC: ILUS) is a diversified holding company focused on acquiring and growing businesses in sectors such as industrial, renewable energy, and emergency response technologies. The Company is dedicated to creating long-term value for its shareholders by strategically positioning itself as a leader in high-growth markets. For further information on ILUS, please see its communication channels: Website: https://ilus-group.com Twitter: @ILUS_INTL Email: [email protected] Source: ILUS Related Links https://ilus-group.com Forward-Looking Statement Certain information set forth in this press release contains "forward-looking information", including "future-oriented financial information" and "financial outlook", under applicable securities laws (collectively referred to herein as forward-looking statements). Except for statements of historical fact, the information contained herein constitutes forward-looking statements and includes, but is not limited to, the (i) projected financial performance of the Company; (ii) completion of, and the use of proceeds from, the sale of the shares being offered hereunder; (iii) the expected development of the Company's business, projects, and joint ventures; (iv) execution of the Company's vision and growth strategy, including with respect to future M&A activity and global growth; (v) sources and availability of third-party financing for the Company's projects; (vi) completion of the Company's projects that are currently underway, in development or otherwise under consideration; (vi) renewal of the Company's current customer, supplier and other material agreements; and (vii) future liquidity, working capital, and capital requirements. Forward-looking statements are provided to allow potential investors the opportunity to understand management's beliefs and opinions in respect of the future so that they may use such beliefs and opinions as one factor in evaluating an investment. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and undue reliance should not be placed on them. Such forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual performance and financial results in future periods to differ materially from any projections of future performance or result expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although forward-looking statements contained in this presentation are based upon what management of the Company believes are reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by applicable securities laws. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") has provided guidance to issuers regarding the use of social media to disclose material non-public information. In this regard, investors and others should note that we announce material financial information via official Press Releases, in addition to SEC filings, press releases, Questions & Answers sessions, public conference calls and webcasts also may take time from time to time. We use these channels as well as social media to communicate with the public about our company, our services, and other issues. It is possible that the information we post on social media could be deemed to be material information. Therefore, considering the SEC's guidance, we encourage investors, the media, and others interested in our company to review the information we post on the following social & media channels: website: https://ilus-group.com Twitter: ILUS_INTLPublished 4:03 pm Wednesday, November 27, 2024 By Jim Gazzolo The clock is ticking. With recruiting in full swing and the transfer portal set to open very soon, this is not a good time to be looking for a new head coach. The clock is ticking on McNeese State Athletic Director Heath Schroyer, who said he wants to make his choice “as soon as possible.” Sooner is better than later, but what matters more is that he gets this right. Schroyer is clearly under the gun on this one. After firing Gary Goff on Monday just hours after a six-game improvement from the previous season, all eyes are on the AD now. That’s why he gets the big bucks. One can debate whether Schroyer pulled the trigger on Goff, who had a year remaining on his contract, one year too early or one year too late. Well, that no longer matters. You can’t put the bullet back in the chamber. All that matters is what (or better yet: who) comes next. Schroyer said he wants somebody who gets the McNeese culture and is willing to embrace the community. That would surely please some of the old guard who still believe the area is brimming with football talent. Those folks are ready to head to Cowboy Stadium on Saturday nights in the fall. That is a very romantic idea, but it’s far from today’s reality. Sure, it would be great to get one of the McNeese blue bloods to come back home and make everything right. Good stories are always fun, but they only last for so long. If you want to bring back the good times, you have to win. Schroyer needs to find a football guy–one who understands more than Xs and Os. The next coach must understand the transfer portal, the business of NIL money and he must excite the fans in a way that they rally around a team built with a revolving roster door. The new guy must understand all of that. He must also have both the willingness and the ability to recruit and retain talent. Oh, yes, while raising funds in the process. Yikes. Fans need to realize the good ole days are long gone. It’s been 22 years (that’s more than two decades) since the Cowboys won a playoff game. It’s been nine seasons since they made the playoffs and five since they had a winning record. It should also be noted that this time, unlike a year ago, there’s much more talent already on campus. After the 2023 season that saw the Cowboys finish 0-10, a complete overhaul of the program was warranted. Now, after this 6-6 campaign, the changes needed are much more subtle. You can’t carpet-bomb a program that’s already halfway rebuilt. A more surgical strike is needed this offseason. The first thing that needs to be done is identifying the talent on hand, both in the players and the coaches. Keeping talent on both levels would be helpful to maintain some semblance of continuity within the program. The next step is figuring out what areas need change and attacking those. It may be hard to believe but this team really doesn’t have that far to go in order to find their way to the playoffs. Schroyer must find the guy that’ll get the Cowboys over the hump. He needs to make the right choice and he needs to do it quickly. The clock is ticking and all are watching. Jim Gazzolo is a freelance sports writer who covers McNeese State athletics for the American Press. He can be reached at jimgazzolo@yahoo.com

I’m in the market for a new iPhone right now. But which one should I pick? The iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 are both appealing options, and there are currently some pretty good deals . Still... it’s not going to be cheap. If money’s the issue, what about Apple’s budget-focused iPhone SE? The current model is two and a half years old and got poor reviews when it was new. But a new 4th-gen model is expected to hit the market next spring, with updated components and design, and a price tag under $500. In view of the flagship models’ high price, this is a tempting offer. Surely a new iPhone SE can only be a good buy? This prompts a new question. Should I postpone buying the iPhone 16, and wait for the 4th-gen iPhone SE instead? You know what? I don’t think so. Because the more I hear about the upcoming SE, the more I think we’re in for a whole lot of disappointment. What we know so far The rumors tell us, fairly consistently, that the next SE will have the dimensions of an iPhone 14. The SE has historically been a compact handset, but the era of such phones appears to be over. They had their fans , but Apple was never satisfied with the sales figures for the iPhone 12 mini and 13 mini. For most buyers, a screen measuring at least six inches is a dealbreaker. This is understandable, as many apps and websites are simply no fun to use with anything smaller. Many web applications have been optimized for larger screens and are barely usable with something the size of the 2022 iPhone SE. So we can expect the 2025 SE to feature a 6.1-inch OLED screen, albeit a slightly cheaper panel than the one featured on the iPhone 14. And of course, it will have a notch, which will make it feel outdated and old. And Apple will compromise in other areas too. The Action button on the lefthand edge, which Apple introduced on the iPhone 15 Pro, will be missing. The new Camera Control on the righthand edge will also remain exclusive to the iPhone 16. As leaked cases seem to prove, the economy model will also only have one camera, just like the iPhone XR, one of the few 2025 phones to have just one camera. And while the iPhone 16 comes in a variety of colors, the new SE will likely stick with the same three options: black, white, and red. Finally, the current iPhone SE is pretty affordable at $429, but a price jump is to be expected for the new model. My guess is $499 for the entry-level version with 128GB. That’s cheaper than the $799 iPhone 16 of course, but not nearly as attractive as the original $399 iPhone SE. What’s old is new With its small screen and old-fashioned Touch ID button, the current iPhone SE serves as a warning that Apple is not afraid to rely on very old technology for this line of phones. The 2nd-gen SE from 2020, for example, was heavily based on the iPhone 8, which came out three years earlier. The reason for this? Apple wants these phones to feel older. The iPhone SE is intended to dissuade Apple’s most frugal customers from switching to a cheap Android handset without cannibalizing purchases of the other iPhones. The more expensive an iPhone, the more profitable it is for Apple, so the company does not want to sell too many SEs. It’s meant to be an economy iPhone that looks like an economy iPhone, not a status symbol. There’s still a market for the SE, of course. It’s ideal not only for price-conscious private customers. Many buyers on a budget don’t want a used device, put off by problems with batteries and the fact that the device has already had one previous owner. For those who want a new iPhone even if it’s missing the latest features and design, and for them the SE is the right choice. But what they are not going to get is excitement. They’re more likely to feel a sense of déjà vu with a notch, single camera, and thick bezels. The curious case of Apple Intelligence The 4th-gen iPhone SE does have one real killer feature up its sleeve, something that could make it a hit after all: support for Apple Intelligence. If Apple’s new AI platform is something you’re desperate to try, the next SE could be a genuine option . Several reports have predicted that the next SE will support Apple Intelligence, but this hardly needed to be said; this is a feature that the affordable iPhone simply has to offer. Even Apple at its stingiest wouldn’t launch a new iPhone in 2025 without building in support for its own AI. And this, in turn, means the new SE will have 8GB of RAM, and will probably be equipped with the A18 processor, the same as the iPhone 16. Even if you’re not interested in AI, the fact that the 4th-gen SE is built for AI means it will deliver the exceptional all-round performance of an iPhone 16, and outperform the iPhone 15, which costs $699. But that phone has a better camera and better features despite missing out on Apple’s flagship AI. It’s all very confusing for buyers—so perhaps Apple will stop selling the iPhone 14 and 15 before things get back to normal when the iPhone 17 arrives later in the year. Loving the good, living with the bad The next iPhone SE will not be a real alternative to the iPhone 16; after all, that is not in Apple’s best interests. It will have its merits and a lower price, but if the new SE truly excites anyone Apple will not have done their job properly. The 4th-gen SE will certainly have its fans, but the vast majority of iPhone buyers will opt for a “better” model. And that’s just the way Apple likes it. Michael Simon contributed to this article.

Romanian telecoms regulator calls for TikTok suspension pending election probeBlack Friday is normally the perfect time to grab yourself a new graphics card. There are, after all, Black Friday graphics card deals out there for practically every GPU of the current generation. And some of them are mighty tempting, especially if you've been using the same one for a good few years. For example, Nvidia's GeForce GTX 10-series spawned the amazing GTX 1080 Ti and while it's still pretty potent today, it lacks all the fancy ray tracing hardware and DLSS technology in the latest RTX models. However, we're not far off seeing a new generation of GPUs from AMD, Intel, and Nvidia. The first and last are expected to showcase RDNA 4 and Blackwell at CES in January, and it's rumored that Intel will try to get the jump on them with a Battlemage launch in December. So, knowing that, should you hold fire on whizzing out your wallet or are there still GPUs in the Black Friday sales that are worth considering? Well, on that allow me to assist. Quick Links AMD Radeon RX 6650 XT - $210 at Amazon AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX - $820 at Newegg Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 - $285 at Amazon Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 - $470 at Newegg RX 6650 XT Sapphire RX 6650 XT | 8 GB GDDR6 | 2,048 shaders | 2,635 MHz boost | $299.99 $209.99 at Amazon (save $90) With the RX 6600 XT stock starting to dwindle, the faster RX 6650 XT is taking its place as one of the best budget GPUs around. It's an 8 GB GPU with the same core specs as the RX 6600 XT but has a slightly higher clock speed boost. We like the newer RX 7600 more, but it also costs a little more. RX 6650 XT price check: Best Buy $219.99 | Newegg $219.99 Yes, this is an RDNA 2 graphics card, first launched back in 2022. So why on Earth should you consider buying something that old when AMD is apparently going to announce its RDNA 4 lineup in around two months ? Two reasons: (1) GPU vendors tend to announce and then release their higher-end models first, with the more budget-friendly offerings coming much later; (2) the RX 6650 XT is a pokey little GPU for very little money. Make no mistake, this Radeon is very much a budget 1080p graphics card but if you've been chugging along with something like a Radeon RX 480 or a GeForce GTX 1060 , it'll blow them out of the water. Not that you should ever have your gaming PC in water, of course. Think of it as a slightly slower RX 7600 but a good $40 cheaper, then you'll be right as rain. The newer RDNA 3 card does have better ray tracing performance but you're not going to be using that with a budget GPU, nor are you going to miss out on the dual-issue FP32 shaders. AMD is unlikely to announce a really cheap RDNA 4 GPU at CES so if you are looking for a very cost-effective upgrade for your gaming PC, the RX 6650 XT is the ideal choice. RX 7900 XTX ASRock RX 7900 XTX | 24 GB GDDR6 | 6,144 shaders | 2.62 GHz boost | $869.99 $819.99 at Newegg (save $50 with promo code BFDDY2A648) Just like with the RTX 4080, it used to be hard to find AMD's RX 7900 XTX heavily discounted down below its MSRP price. But good deals can now be found and we'll happily take a substantial discount on this high-end GPU. The Radeon RX 7900 XTX is stupidly fast and there are plenty of good cooling designs for this card, including this one. RX 7900 XTX price check: Walmart $819.99 | Best Buy $829.99 | Amazon $859.99 You're probably thinking I've totally lost the plot suggesting that you should buy AMD's current top dog in its gaming GPU portfolio, but hear me out. The next generation of Radeon graphics cards is generally expected to include no 'halo models' like the RX 7900 XTX , with Team Red focusing heavily on the mid-range sector to improve its bottom line. That means there's a very good chance that you won't see a 24 GB RDNA 4 card any time soon, if ever. All that sweet, sweet VRAM means you're not going to hit any kind of memory issues in your games for a very long time and while the 7900 XTX doesn't have the ray tracing grunt of an equivalent GeForce RTX, it's still pretty good. Admittedly, that amount of VRAM is somewhat wasted in games but if you like to do a spot of AI shenanigans or memory-hungry content creation, then it's a much cheaper bet than Nvidia's 24 GB offerings. It's more expensive than an RTX 4070 Ti Super but it notably outperforms it, when you leave ray tracing disabled. And at $820, it significantly undercuts the RTX 4080 Super . In short, it's a hell of a lot of GPU for the money. Of course, it's still a lot of money and I dare say there's a chance that there will be an RDNA 4 card that's just as fast in certain games (or have better ray tracing chops). But I have to admit that I have a bit of a soft spot for AMD's behemoth. Buy one while you can still get a monstrous Radeon. RTX 4060 Gigabyte RTX 4060 | 8 GB GDDR6 | 3,072 shaders | 2,565 MHz boost | $319.99 $284.97 at Amazon (save $35.02) If you must have Ada Lovelace, Nvidia's latest gaming architecture, the cheapest way in is this RTX 4060. Faster than the RTX 3060 but the price suggests it should have been better. You do get the full DLSS 3.5 suite, though, and it's pretty decent at encoding video for streaming. Nevertheless, we prefer AMD's RX 7600 or last-gen RX 6700. RTX 4060 price check: Newegg $289.99 | Walmart $299.99 | Best Buy $294.99 With Nvidia expected to announce its next generation of GeForce graphic cards at CES in January , you're probably best off waiting to see what the new lineup of Blackwell-powered models are like. But if you don't want to wait or you're of the opinion that the RTX 50-series is going to be very expensive, then there are only two out of the current RTX 40-series that I think are worth buying in the Black Friday sales. I'm not suggesting the rest are rubbish—far from it—it's just that, as with AMD, we're not going to see a budget Blackwell until we're well into 2025. The cheapest of all the current Ada Lovelace offerings is, of course, the little RTX 4060 . Mind you, this triple-fan monster from Gigabyte is hardly what you call little. Still, you should have any problems with keeping it cool, that's for sure. One could argue that there's no such thing as a bad GPU, just a bad GPU price. And in the case of the RTX 4060, it's very much the latter. It's a perfectly decent entry-level graphics card, packing all the features of its larger brethren, bar VRAM. 👉 We're curating the best Black Friday PC gaming deals right here 👈 There's much argument to be found on the interwebs about how 8 GB of VRAM just isn't enough these days, and such claims are typically backed up with performance figures of cards tanking out their frame rate because they're bouncing off a VRAM limit. That's actually a fault of the game, not the card, as it's perfectly possible to have a memory management system in games properly track how much VRAM is available and not try to exceed it. Anyway, for me, the RTX 4060's best feature is DLSS. The combined AI-powered upscaling, frame generation, and ray tracing denoiser is a remarkable collection of technology and in the right game, it can turn a sluggish grind into a whirling flurry of frame rates with nary a visual glitch to be found. Pitch an RTX 4060 against a GTX 1060 and the fight will be over before the game has even loaded. RTX 4070 MSI Ventus RTX 4070 12G OC | 12 GB GDDR6X | 5,888 shaders | 2,505 MHz boost | $576.99 $469.99 at Newegg (save $107 after rebate) The RTX 4070 is a popular card and can be difficult to find at a discount, but it's important to remember that this price is way cheaper than it was at launch. You're getting nearly RTX 3080 performance but with all those nice RTX 40 features. This model uses the traditional 8-pin PCIe power connector, rather than the new 12VHPWR one, which makes it far easier to install as an upgrade. RTX 4070 price check: Best Buy $499.99 | Walmart $499.99 | Amazon $534.99 Yes, that's right—the RTX 4070 . Not the Super, nor the Ti Super. And you can forget about the 4080s and 4090s, too. This is the one that's worth your pennies. And my reason is simple: It's a surprisingly capable GPU and not just 'for the money'. I have two in my office and I'm frequently impressed by how well they cope with today's biggest games. We're taking RTX 3080 levels of pixel pushing, but with a much lower power consumption and you get the full DLSS package to boot. And at $470, a good $120 lower than its ridiculous launch price, it's a great deal too. Sure, the RTX 4070 Super is a better GPU but it's over $100 more expensive. I can't see Nvidia releasing a Blackwell card at this price that will give the 4070 a good thrashing. I've already argued my case for 8 GB of VRAM not being as much of a problem as some folks make it out to be but if you don't believe me, or you want a new graphics card that will last for many years, then the 12 GB here should ease those doubts. Intel? It can't have passed you by that I've not recommended any Intel graphics cards. Well, it's not because they're overpriced, as you can pick up an Arc A770 (the best of the Alchemist bunch) for just $230 at Newegg . The problem with all the Arc GPUs is that their performance is inconsistent and unpredictable. They'll work fine in some games and then awful in others. That's partly down to drivers but it's mostly because the architecture isn't as finely honed or as suitable for gaming as AMD and Nvidia's. Fortunately, it's expected that Intel will showcase Battlemage, the next generation of Arc graphic cards, in December and while they won't be as cheap as the current gen, they're surely going to be better performing. We'll let you know what they're like as soon as find out.

S&P 500, Nasdaq rise with tech-related shares

Salt Lake City, Dec. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Novarad Corporation, a leader in augmented reality (AR) technology, has successfully enabled the first-ever augmented reality-guided brain surgery on a canine patient in the United States, potentially changing the future of veterinary neurosurgery. This pioneering procedure was performed on Geddy, who, as a six-week-old puppy, was abandoned in a high-speed chase involving a stolen car and gunfire in Northern Mississippi. She was rescued by local law enforcement and taken to a veterinarian. After being posted for adoption, Geddy was united with a loving family. During the summer of 2024, Geddy began experiencing seizures and neurological signs and was diagnosed with a brain tumor through MRI. The severity of her condition prompted a referral to the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) with veterinary neurosurgeon scientist Wojciech Panek, DVM, DACVIM, and neurology specialty intern Tessa Arendt, DVM. Panek and his research collaborator, human neurosurgeon and Director of the Penn Brain Tumor Center Nduka Amankulor, MD, from the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine (PSOM) were familiar with an innovative AR technology emerging in human surgeries and recognized the potential for this technology to assist in Geddy’s operation. The augmented reality guidance system known as VisAR, developed by Novarad Corporation and co-invented by Novarad CEO Wendell Gibby, MD, is used in human medical procedures for its precision and accuracy. The decision was made to use VisAR in Geddy's surgery, led by the surgery team of Panek and Amankulor. During the operation, preoperative MRI images were superimposed with anatomical accuracy onto Geddy’s skull, allowing for precise biopsy and tumor resection. Novarad representative Darin Johnson assisted in the calibration of VisAR during surgery. The complex and delicate procedure was a success. “Geddy has recovered from surgery; her owners report no neurological signs nor seizures,” said Panek. “We will continue to monitor Geddy’s recovery, but I am incredibly pleased with her progress. I am extremely grateful to Dr. Gibby and the entire Novarad team for their willingness to partner with Penn Vet to implement their lifesaving AR surgical navigation system, VisAR, in this particularly sensitive canine brain surgery.” “This groundbreaking surgery marks a milestone in veterinary medicine and highlights the incredible potential and promising outcomes of augmented reality in animal healthcare,” said Gibby. “The successful use of VisAR in Geddy's brain surgery is a testament to the power of innovation, the dedication of the Penn Vet and PSOM neurosurgery team, their top-notch research, and the tireless efforts of Novarad to bring this life-saving technology to the forefront of medical care.” Geddy’s remarkable journey, from abandonment to a pioneer in canine veterinary neurosurgery, highlights the incredible advances in veterinary medicine, promising a brighter future for animals and their owners needing complex surgeries. About Novarad Corporation: Novarad Corporation is a leading provider of advanced medical imaging solutions, including cutting-edge augmented reality (AR) technologies. Their innovative products, such as VisAR, are designed to enhance precision and improve outcomes in both human and animal healthcare. Novarad’s solutions have been widely adopted across various medical disciplines and are paving the way for the future of medical procedures. Novarad and Penn Vet established a unique research collaboration to further validate and optimize its use in canine patients with neurological conditions, with several studies ongoing. Attachments Novarad Corporation marketing@novarad.netPete Hegseth, Donald Trump ’s controversial pick for secretary of defense, admitted to his first wife that he had cheated on her five times, calling himself “a f--ked up individual,” as their relationship crumbled amid his infidelity, Vanity Fair has reported. While reports already existed of Hegseth’s penchant for adultery—including a scathing letter published last week by The New York Times in which his own mother accused him of mistreating women—unnamed sources close to the former couple have now shared with Vanity Fair details of the former Fox News host’s tumultuous first marriage, which initially had a storybook beginning. Hegseth and Meredith Schwarz were high-school sweethearts in Minnesota (reportedly voted “most likely to marry” by their 1999 graduating class), who dated long-distance while he was at Princeton and she at Barnard. ADVERTISEMENT After graduating college, the two married. But Hegseth’s decision, in 2005, to volunteer for a tour of duty in Iraq meant they were again apart. This didn’t change even after Hegseth returned from overseas—he led the political advocacy group Vets for Freedom in Washington, D.C., while Schwarz pursued an investment banking career at JPMorgan in New York City. The sources said that Hegseth’s political aspirations were already apparent, as were his far-right convictions. “We would argue about women’s reproductive rights,” one person told Vanity Fair . “He had some regressive views on birth control. His position was basically, if you got pregnant it was your fault.” While the couple remained together despite frequently being geographically apart, Hegseth already displayed behavior that troubled the two’s friends. Two sources told Vanity Fair that, on one occasion, Hegseth went out for a night of drinking with his college friends, but didn’t return, prompting Schwarz to call hospitals. He returned in the morning and castigated his wife for fretting about his absence. A representative for Hegseth did not immediately respond to The Daily Beast’s request for comment on Vanity Fair ’s report. When sent a “detailed list of questions” from Vanity Fair, Hegseth’s lawyer, Timothy Parlatore, did not respond “and instead provided a statement that impugned my record as a reporter,” author Gabriel Sherman wrote. In spring 2008, Hegseth reportedly told Schwarz that he wanted to move back to Minnesota with her, where he would pursue a graduate degree at the University of Minnesota. Eager to be reunited with her husband, Schwarz quit her finance job, sold her apartment, and moved to Minneapolis. But Hegseth didn’t come. He waffled on his plans, sources said, offering different stories to Schwarz about what was going on. Meanwhile, she suffered. “In her journal she was begging God to help her figure out what was happening,” a friend of Schwarz’s told Vanity Fair . In November of that year, Hegseth took a trip to Minnesota (wearing his army uniform) and finally admitted his infidelity to Schwarz. She was crushed, the sources said, and Hegseth himself seemed racked by guilt. Schwarz’s younger brother called Hegseth the next day for an hours-long conversation, a source familiar with the situation told Vanity Fair . “Pete said he no longer believed in God and family values,” the source said. “He claimed he no longer wanted to seek the limelight. He said, and this quote is as clear as day, ‘I’m a f--ked up individual.’” Although Schwarz still tried to make the marriage work—she loved him—it didn’t last long. She noticed charges for hotel rooms on her credit card that she didn’t recognize. Confronted about it, Hegseth couldn’t give a straight answer, sources said, but Schwarz would later learn that the room was for him and Samantha Deering, a woman who also worked at Vets for Freedom whom Hegseth would later marry. Hegseth reportedly admitted to Schwarz that he had had five affairs while the two were married, which was when she decided to end their communication and divorce him. He apparently didn’t learn his lesson—in 2017, he had a baby with Fox News producer Jennifer Rauchet, who he began dating while still married to Deering. When she found out, she too divorced Hegseth. He and Rauchet married in 2019, remaining together today. Less than two months before that the child was born, Hegseth allegedly committed sexual assault against another woman, although he has denied this accusation, saying it was consensual sex. Although Trump—who was reportedly blindsided by the accusation of sexual assault against Hegseth—has so far stood by his nominee to head the Department of Defense, Hegseth will surely face an uphill battle before the Senate.LOS ANGELES (AP) — After struggling to run the ball consistently all season, the Los Angeles Rams finally made some progress on the ground in New Orleans. Kyren Williams and rookie Blake Corum carried the Rams (6-6) to a 21-14 win that kept them squarely in the playoff race for another week. Los Angeles racked up a season-high 156 yards rushing against the Saints, with Williams going for 104 yards and a touchdown while Corum added 42 yards on a season high-tying eight carries. The game was the inverse of most afternoons this season for the Rams, who came into the week averaging fewer than 100 yards rushing per game. The running game was sturdy and productive, while Matthew Stafford and his receivers struggled to get into a rhythm at the Superdome. Coach Sean McVay always prefers to use his run game to set up the pass, and it finally worked for once this season. “I thought Kyren ran really well," McVay said. “I thought Corum ran really well. I thought our offensive line set the line of scrimmage in the run game. We really started slow in the pass game, but I thought Matthew was excellent in the second half. We were able to get some different things off of those run actions going, and that ended up being the difference in the game.” Not coincidentally, the Rams' running game worked well on the Sunday when the offensive line finally had a starting five uncompromised by injuries or suspension for the first time all season. Right tackle Rob Havenstein returned from an ankle injury, making the group whole around rookie center Beaux Limmer, who has beaten out high-priced free agent Jonah Jackson for a starting job. The Rams still had yet another slow start in a season full of them. They ran only three plays in the entire first quarter, and they were held scoreless in the first half when their other two drives resulted in a turnover on downs and a punt. But Los Angeles rebounded with an 11-play scoring drive to open the second half featuring seven runs by Williams. He eventually moved up to fifth in the NFL with 926 yards rushing despite averaging just 4.2 yards per carry — nearly a yard less than he had last season, and the lowest average among the league's top 10 rushers this season. The Rams have thrived without a strong rushing attack before: They averaged just 99.0 yards per game on the ground, ranking 25th in the NFL, during their Super Bowl championship season in 2021-22. But McVay prefers his first option to be a strong running attack, which he had during his first three seasons in charge with Todd Gurley in the backfield and Andrew Whitworth at left tackle. “Anytime the guys up front are moving them, and (Williams) is making great reads and moves on the second level, then that is a fun feeling for the offense," Stafford said. “It’s great when you can hand the ball off and get big creases. We converted when we needed to in short-yardage stuff. I thought our guys did a really great job up front, and Kyren ran it great.” What's working The Rams have struggled in the red zone all season, but they scored touchdowns on all three trips in New Orleans. They did it by committing to the run game up the middle, setting up TD passes on the outside to Demarcus Robinson and Puka Nacua. What needs help Alvin Kamara racked up 112 yards rushing in the latest strong game by an opposing running back. Los Angeles is 28th in the league against the run, allowing 144.2 yards rushing per game — including 194 per game over the past three weeks. Stock up Rookie edge rusher Jared Verse had another outstanding game, racking up five tackles, three quarterback hits and numerous big plays that don't show up on stat sheets. He capped the performance by hitting Derek Carr from behind and forcing an incompletion from the Los Angeles 9 on New Orleans' final play. Stock down Cornerback Darious Williams gave up a touchdown pass to Marquez Valdes-Scantling and the ensuing 2-point conversion pass to Dante Pettis early in the fourth quarter, capping a second straight rough week for the free-agent signee. Williams is the Rams' best cornerback, but they haven't had an above-average shutdown pass defender since trading Jalen Ramsey. Los Angeles added cornerback depth Monday, claiming 2023 first-round pick Emmanuel Forbes off waivers from Washington. Injuries Robinson injured his hand during the game, and Stafford incurred a lateral ankle sprain. McVay said he doesn't expect either injury to affect the veterans' preparations this week. Key number 17 — Cooper Kupp's yards receiving. That's his lowest total in a game in which he didn't get injured since Oct. 18, 2020. Kupp had only six targets, few downfield routes and curiously scant chances to make big plays. Next steps The Rams are home underdogs this week against powerhouse Buffalo, followed by a Thursday night game at San Francisco. Getting even one win out of these two matchups will be difficult, but probably necessary to keep pace with Seattle and Arizona in the NFC West. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL Greg Beacham, The Associated Press

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NoneThis report is from today's CNBC Daily Open, our international markets newsletter. CNBC Daily Open brings investors up to speed on everything they need to know, no matter where they are. Like what you see? You can subscribe here . 24/7 San Diego news stream: Watch NBC 7 free wherever you are Martial law declared and lifted in South Korea South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared early Wednesday morning he would lift emergency martial law after the National Assembly voted to overturn Yoon's decree issued late Tuesday night. Yoon has in recent weeks clashed with the opposition party over 2025's budget. A coalition of lawmakers from opposition parties are reportedly planning to propose a bill to impeach Yoon on Wednesday. South Korean markets roiling South Korean markets opened lower on Wednesday as investors digested the political turmoil. The Kospi lost around 1.6% as South Korean heavyweight stocks like Samsung Electronics, Hyundai Motor and Korea Gas Corporation stumbled. The won rebounded from earlier steep losses — it plunged to a two-year low against the U.S. dollar — but still ended the day lower against the greenback. Emergency measures by BOK In the morning after Yoon's shocking move, the Bank of Korea said it would boost short-term liquidity and offer special loans to stabilize the country's financial and foreign exchange markets, as necessary. However, the impact on markets might be "short-lived," wrote Citi analysts in a note, if there is "proactive policy response." Mixed markets U.S. markets were mixed on Tuesday . The S&P 500 was flat, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell but the Nasdaq Composite rose. Asia-Pacific markets also traded mixed on Wednesday . Australia's S&P/ASX 200 lost 0.38% as the country's statistics agency reported that gross domestic product grew a slower-than-expected 0.3% in the three months through September. [PRO] Opportunities amid France's political chaos South Korea aside, France is also facing its own political chaos, as the country's lawmakers tabled a vote of no-confidence against the government of Prime Minister Michel Barnier. That political uncertainty is reverberating through financial markets, giving rise to trading opportunities . Money Report European markets head for mixed open with all eyes on French confidence vote Kospi heavyweight stocks fall in volatile trade after President Yoon's martial law flip-flop December may have triggered the thawing of Mariah Carey, but stocks are beginning the month chilly. The S&P 500 was essentially flat and the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 0.17%. The Nasdaq Composite , however, managed to climb 0.4%, thanks to Apple rising 1.3% for a new 52-week high. It's unlikely that stocks will remain in permafrost this month. December's historically the third-best month of the year , according to the Stock Trader's Almanac. The stock market may falter a little at the start of December, writes CNBC's Bob Pisani, because of tax loss selling – a phenomenon in which investors sell assets that are making a loss to reduce the tax burden on other assets making capital gains. But stocks tend to regain forward momentum as the year wraps up. "These strong returns are historically often back-end loaded," said George Smith, portfolio strategist at LPL Financial. Moreover, in presidential election years, December typically moves up one notch to become the second-best month for stocks. As Ken Mahoney, CEO of Mahoney Asset Management, noted, "When the market is up 10% or more with a newly elected President, it has never gone down in the month of December." Also, investors are likely awaiting the U.S. jobs report for November, out this Friday, before making any major moves. The numbers will be the U.S. Federal Reserve's last look at the labor market before their rate-setting meeting from December 17 to 18. The markets are currently pricing in a 73.8% chance the Fed will lower rates by 25 basis points at that meeting, a more optimistic bet than the 59.4% last week, according to the CME FedWatch tool . If the Fed does cut rates, that incision will probably scrape off any lingering frostbite on the stock market as well, in time for them to hear sleigh bells ringing. — CNBC's Bob Pisani, Sarah Min, Hakyung Kim, Sean Conlon, Lisa Kailai Han and Alex Harring contributed to this report. Also on CNBC U.S. stocks began December chilly, but will probably warm up soon Investors are filled with the festive spirit Investors are filled with the holiday spirit

High cholesterol doesn't usually cause any symptoms, but there's one sign you might easily miss (Image: Stock image) Sign up to our free email newsletter to receive the latest breaking news and daily roundups More Newsletters Subscribe Please enter a valid email Something went wrong, please try again later. More Newsletters We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info Thank you for subscribing! We have more newsletters Show me See Our Privacy Notice See Our Privacy Notice × Group 28 Sign up to our free email newsletter to receive the latest breaking news and daily roundups Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Sign Up No thanks, close We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info × Group 28 Thank you for subscribing! We have more newsletters Show Me No thanks, close See our Privacy Notice High cholesterol can be an insidious condition; often silent, it raises the risk of serious incidents like heart attacks or strokes. While there are typically no overt symptoms, if left unchecked the consequences can be deadly. Hence, understanding potential indicators is crucial. The TikTok channel @perfect_wellness cautions on "four signs you might have high cholesterol without knowing it," with one symptom easily overlooked in winter's chill: "numbness or cold extremities". They clarified, "Reduced blood flow due to blocked arteries can make your hands and feet feel cold." As temperatures drop, this is frequently dismissed. The NHS warns that high cholesterol may precipitate peripheral arterial disease (PAD), which occurs when fatty deposits congest arteries and diminish blood flow to leg muscles. Moreover, WebMD notes PAD can obstruct blood circulation to the feet, causing the extremities to cool down due to poor circulation, reports Surrey Live . If left unchecked, the ailment can progress to critical limb ischaemia (CLI), where "blood flow to the legs becomes severely restricted". This restriction can lead to "the skin on your toes or lower limbs" turning "cold and numb". Individuals observing these warning signs are advised to seek immediate medical attention from a GP or dial 111. The British Heart Foundation also cautions that those with familial hypercholesterolaemia, a genetic disorder resulting in elevated blood cholesterol, might notice physical indicators. These signs include swellings on the knuckles, knees, or Achilles tendons, small yellowish growths near the eyes' inner corners, or a pale white arc around the iris. Since high cholesterol generally manifests no overt symptoms, it's essential to get tested by a healthcare provider to ascertain cholesterol levels. Following a diagnosis of high cholesterol, healthcare professionals will provide guidance on managing the condition through dietary alterations or medication. Story Saved You can find this story in My Bookmarks. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. Follow CambridgeLive Facebook Twitter Comment More On NHSYellen Says US Will Hit Debt Ceiling Mid-January, Forcing Treasury To Employ 'Extraordinary Measures'

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