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Twins tender contracts to all arbitration-eligible players; reach terms with three

FOREST HILL, Md. , Dec. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Cadmium, the leading provider of event and learning management solutions, announced today that Sean Brady will take over as Chief Executive Officer effective December 2 . Sean succeeds current CEO John Pierson, who will transition into retirement while remaining an active Board member. " Sean Brady brings a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective that will propel Cadmium to new heights," said John Pierson . "I'm committed to working closely with Sean as an advisor to ensure a seamless transition. I'm confident his leadership will enable Cadmium to continue to thrive, and I wish him all the best in this exciting role." Sean Brady joins Cadmium with a proven track record of driving growth and innovation. Most recently, he served as President and COO at Maropost, where he oversaw strategic operations and enhanced company performance. His career includes leadership roles such as CEO of Terminus, where he championed customer engagement strategies, and President of Emarsys Americas, where he played a pivotal role in its acquisition by SAP. Earlier in his career, Sean helped transform ExactTarget into a multibillion-dollar enterprise, culminating in its acquisition by Salesforce. "I am honored to join Cadmium as CEO and lead its next chapter of innovation and growth," said Sean Brady . "Cadmium's dedication to empowering associations with transformative technology aligns with my vision for fostering impactful solutions that create lasting value for customers." Rushi Kulkarni , Managing Director at Symphony Technology Group (STG) and Cadmium Board member, added: "We are deeply grateful for John Pierson's leadership, which established Cadmium as a trailblazer in event and continuing education technology. As we wish John a joyful retirement, we are confident Sean's expertise and vision will drive Cadmium's continued success." About Cadmium Cadmium delivers integrated solutions that empower associations to manage events and continuing education seamlessly. Focused on creating transformative learning experiences, Cadmium fosters community and drives meaningful change. Learn more at gocadmium.com. Contact: Jessie Reyes Director of Marketing, Cadmium jessie.reyes@gocadmium.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cadmium-appoints-sean-brady-as-ceo-to-drive-next-phase-of-growth-302320010.html SOURCE CadmiumNASHVILLE — It was about as bad of a start that Tennessee could imagine on Saturday afternoon. The Vols allowed Vanderbilt to score 14 points in the first five minutes of the game. However, UT didn’t blink. They raced their way back into the game to win 36-23. “I think this team, as a whole, one of its biggest strengths is its competitive makeup,” Vols head coach Josh Heupel said. “Resiliency. The ability to just go play the next snap.” Vandy (6-6) wasted no time taking control of the contest early, as Junior Sherrill returned the opening kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown. Then, on Tennessee’s second play from scrimmage, running back Dylan Sampson lost a fumble. The turnover set up a Sedrick Alexander rushing touchdown, giving the Commodores a quick 14-0 lead. The No. 8 Vols (10-2) didn’t let the game get away from them, though. In fact, the visitors flipped the game on its head, scoring 36 of the game’s next 39 points. Nico Iamaleava led a five-play, 73-yard drive to put Tennessee on the board. After a Sampson run put UT into plus territory, Iamaleava found Dont’e Thornton Jr. on a 28-yard passing strike. Following a Brock Taylor field goal, the 118th meeting between the in-state rivals became all-Vols. It started with a Max Gilbert field goal from 50 yards out that hit the top of the crossbar and went through. Iamaleava and Thornton then linked up again, going for an 86-yard strike to tie the game. The Tennessee offense then was able to execute a 10-play, 96-yard drive to take the lead with a touchdown to close the half. They then doubled-up to start the third quarter, going on a 13-play, 75-yard scoring drive. Tyre West recorded a safety and Gilbert knocked through another field goal to close the run, putting the Vols up 36-17. While Vandy quarterback Diego Pavia threw a fourth-quarter touchdown, Tennessee’s running game was able to ice the contest. Sampson makes more history It seems as though Dylan Sampson can’t play a game without breaking a school-record. As the Vols were bleeding clock in the fourth, Sampson set the UT record for most rushing yards in a single season. It was a mark set by Travis Stephens in 2001, when he ran for 1,464 yards. “I don’t even know if I have the right words to describe ‘D-Samp’ and what he means to our team,” Heupel said. “Just as a player and as a leader. I don’t know if anyone has played the position better than he has this year.” Youngsters stepping up With veterans on offense banged up throughout the game, many of Tennessee’s underclassmen made significant contributions. That effort was led by Iamaleava, who, while the full-time starter under center, is still a redshirt freshman. He went 18-for-26 for 257 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception. Iamaleava also rushed the ball six times for 42 yards. Freshman Mike Matthews hauled in one of those touchdowns, as he had three catches for 30 yards. Knoxville native DeSean Bishop helped shoulder Sampson’s load in the backfield, amounting 61 yards on 13 attempts. Local Flair Not only did the Vols enter play with former Northeast Tennessee standouts on the roster, but so did the Commodores. Former David Crockett Pioneer Prince Kollie made a tackle and broke up a pass for Vandy. Up Next Both Tennessee and Vanderbilt will await to hear their postseason destinations, which will be announced on Dec. 8.

AP News Summary at 1:24 p.m. EST

NEW YORK (AP) — If anybody knows Deion Sanders' mind, it might be Travis Hunter. And the two-way Colorado star says Coach Prime is indeed staying put with the Buffaloes. “I got a lot of insight. He ain’t going nowhere. He’s going to be right where he's at right now,” Hunter said Friday in Manhattan, where he's a heavy favorite to win the Heisman Trophy on Saturday night. In his second season at the school, Sanders coached No. 20 Colorado to a 9-3 record this year and its first bowl bid since 2020. Hunter, Sanders and the Buffaloes will face No. 17 BYU (10-2) in the Alamo Bowl on Dec. 28. Sanders' success and popularity in Boulder has led to speculation the flashy and outspoken former NFL star might seek or accept a coaching job elsewhere this offseason. Sanders, however, has dismissed such talk himself. Hunter followed Sanders from Jackson State, an HBCU that plays in the lower level FCS, to the Rocky Mountains and has already racked up a staggering string of individual accolades this week, including The Associated Press player of the year. The junior wide receiver and cornerback plans to enter the 2025 NFL draft and is expected to be a top-five pick — perhaps even No. 1 overall. But he backed up assertions from Sanders and his son, star Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, that both will play in the Alamo Bowl rather than skip the game to prepare for the draft and prevent any possible injury. “It's definitely important because, you know, I started this thing with Coach Prime and Shedeur and most of the coaches on the coaching staff, so I want to finish it off right,” Hunter said. "I didn't give them a full season my first year (because of injury), so I'm going to go ahead and end this thing off right. It's going to be our last game together, so I'm going to go out there and dominate and show the loyalty that I have for him. “Definitely looking forward to it. I'm just excited to go out there and play football one more time before the offseason.” Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-footballLAS VEGAS The Milwaukee Bucks are making a return trip to the NBA Cup semifinals after falling short in Sin City last season. This time around, they'll have the responsibility of stopping one of the game's great entertainers in Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks. Young rolled a pair of imaginary dice over the New York Knicks' midcourt logo in the closing moments of the Hawks' 108-100 win in the quarterfinals on Tuesday, a nod to the Hawks' trip to Vegas. It was yet another example of Young's showmanship, something the Knicks have seen firsthand over the years. The Bucks also got to experience a bit of Young's big-game prowess in the 2021 Eastern Conference finals, but Young suffered an ankle injury in Game 3 of that series and wasn't the same the rest of the way. If "Ice Trae" has it his way, the Bucks will be the latest victim of his prime-time heroics on Saturday night. Even if he doesn't like to linger on the memories of that series. "I don't let past things make me mad hold a grudge on those things," the 26-year-old Young said. "Yeah, I'm young. I'm not super young anymore, where I like, let those things really affect me. "I remember it like it was yesterday. It definitely hurts, but I mean, this is a new team. I'm part of a new team. They're a different team. So I can't let my past affect my mental and my focus on right now, because it's a totally different team and totally different place." Young is averaging 21 points per game to go along with 12.2 assists, numbers that have only been equaled by Magic Johnson and Isiah Thomas over the course of an entire NBA season. He's gotten a fair bit of help too, most notably in the form of 19.8 points and a team-high 10.1 rebounds per game from fourth-year forward Jalen Johnson. The Hawks earned the No. 3 seed in NBA Cup knockout play after going 3-1 in the East Group C stage. Atlanta's among the hottest teams in the league at the moment, having won seven of its last eight games overall. The Bucks, on the other hand, are the only team of the four remaining that made it to the NBA Cup semifinals in Las Vegas last season. They had a short trip, falling 128-119 to the Pacers, but the hope is that last year's experience better prepared them for all of the outside hoopla that comes with this stage. At the very least, they have a much better understanding of what winning the NBA Cup would entail. "I think last year, most people didn't even understand what was going on until they got to the final stages," Bucks star Damian Lillard said. "When we got to the game against New York last year, where the winner got to go to Vegas, we started to have a better understanding of what was on the line. "Coming into this season, I think everybody understood better. Everybody cared more, not just because it's an opportunity to win money. Even though it's not the ultimate goal, I think it gives you an edge. We want to be the last team standing in it. We want to win the money. We want to continue going in the right direction as a team." The Bucks entered Tuesday's quarterfinal as the East's top seed in NBA Cup play, going 4-0 in East Group B play despite a turbulent 2-8 start to the season. They've won nine of their last 11 games and eclipsed .500 for the season by beating the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday and the Orlando Magic on Tuesday. Giannis Antetokounmpo sits atop the NBA scoring leaders as of Friday afternoon, averaging 32.7 points and a team-high 11.4 rebounds per game. Lillard has also played at an All-Star level, averaging 25.8 points per game in addition to 7.6 assists. Bobby Portis and Brook Lopez are the only other Bucks averaging double figures. Will Despart, Field Level Media This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.

Cheryl Hines Uses Naked RFK Jr. Video to Hawk ‘MAHA’ Candles

Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau flies to Florida to meet with Trump after tariffs threat WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has flown to Florida to have dinner with President-elect Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago club after Trump threatened to impose sweeping tariffs on Canadian products. Joining Trump and Trudeau at dinner were Trump's picks for commerce secretary, interior secretary and national security adviser, and the three men's wives. From the Canadian side, the dinner guests included Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc, whose responsibilities include border security. Trump’s transition did not respond to questions about what they had discussed or whether the conversation alleviated Trump’s concerns about the border. A smiling Trudeau declined comment upon returning to his West Palm Beach hotel late Friday. Emboldened 'manosphere' accelerates threats and demeaning language toward women after US election CHICAGO (AP) — An emboldened fringe of right-wing “manosphere” influencers has seized on Donald Trump’s presidential win to justify and amplify misogynistic derision and threats online. Many have appropriated a 1960s abortion rights rallying cry, declaring “Your body, my choice,” and have been using it publicly on college campuses and even in public schools. While none of the current online rhetoric is being amplified by Trump, experts say many young men see the former president’s return to the White House as vindication of their views on women. For many women, the words are a worrying sign of what might lie ahead as some men perceive the election results as a rebuke of reproductive rights and women’s rights. Syrian insurgents are inside Aleppo in a major setback for Assad as government forces regroup BEIRUT (AP) — Thousands of Syrian insurgents have fanned out inside Syria's largest city Aleppo a day after storming it with little resistance from government troops. Syria's army said troops have redeployed to prepare for a counteroffensive. Witnesses said insurgents were seen Saturday at landmarks in Aleppo for the first time since 2016, when they were expelled by government forces backed by Russia and Iran. The surprise offensive is a major embarrassment for Syrian President Bashar Assad, who has regained total control of the city eight years ago. An Israeli strike in Gaza kills World Central Kitchen workers. Israel says 1 was an Oct. 7 attacker DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — An Israeli airstrike on a car in the Gaza Strip on Saturday killed five people including employees of World Central Kitchen. The charity says it is “urgently seeking more details” after Israel’s military said it targeted a WCK worker who had been part of the Hamas attack that sparked the war. The charity in an email says it is “heartbroken” by the airstrike and that it had no knowledge anyone in the car had alleged ties to the Oct. 7, 2023 attack, saying it is “working with incomplete information.” It says it is pausing operations in Gaza. Lebanese fisherman hope ceasefire with Israel means normal life returning TYRE, Lebanon (AP) — The ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah is bringing hope for normality back to many in southern Lebanon. That includes fishermen who’ve long launched their single-engine wooden boats into the Mediterranean at dawn. For months, Israel imposed a siege that kept hundreds of fishermen at this ancient Phoenician port ashore. That upended their lives and dealt the industry a major blow. The port siege also cut people off from key ingredients for traditional Lebanese dishes. As war devastated their country, the loss of fish damaged a deep association with home. Now, the possibility of renewed fishing is helping fuel hope. How Brazilian police say Bolsonaro plotted a coup to stay in office SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil’s Federal Police have formally accused former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro and 36 others of plotting a coup to keep him in office. The plot was allegedly comprised of several components and substantiated by evidence and testimony in the agency's 884-page report. The pieces of the puzzle include laying the groundwork by systematically sowing distrust of the electoral system among the populace. It also includes drafting a decree to give the plot a veneer of legal basis and pressuring top military brass to go along with the plan. Bolsonaro and his main allies have denied any wrongdoing or involvement and accuse authorities of political persecution. More than 100 arrested as Georgian police clash with protesters over suspension of EU talks TBILISI, Georgia (AP) — More than 100 demonstrators were arrested overnight in Georgia as protesters clashed with police following the government’s decision to suspend negotiations to join the European Union, the country’s Interior Ministry said. Friday marked the second straight night of protests after Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze of the country’s ruling Georgian Dream party announced the suspension the previous day. The Associated Press saw protesters in Tbilisi being chased and beaten by police as demonstrators rallied in front of the country's parliament building. The violence follows Georgian Dream’s disputed victory in the Oct. 26 election, which was widely seen as a referendum on the country’s aspirations to join the European Union. Romania's parliamentary vote risks being overshadowed by presidential race chaos BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Romanians are preparing to go to the polls in a parliamentary vote that will determine a new government and prime minister to lead the European Union and NATO member country. However, Sunday's vote is sandwiched between a two-round presidential race and is overshadowed by controversies and chaos following the outcome of the first vote. While the president has significant decision-making powers in areas such as national security and foreign policy, the prime minister is the head of the nation’s government. Sunday’s vote will determine the formation of the country’s 466-seat legislature. North Korea's Kim vows steadfast support for Russia’s war in Ukraine SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said his country will “invariably support” Russia’s war in Ukraine as he met Russia's visiting defense chief. A Russia military delegation led by Defense Minister Andrei Belousov arrived in North Korea on Friday as international concerns about the two countries’ expanding cooperation deepened after North Korea sent thousands of troops to Russia. During a Friday meeting, Kim and Belousov reached “a satisfactory consensus” on issues on how to further boost strategic partnership and defend each country’s sovereignty and security interests, state media said. Great Lakes, Plains and Midwest forecast to be hit with snow and dangerous cold into next week BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — The first big snowfall of the season is threatening to bury towns in upstate New York and northwestern Pennsylvania as the hectic holiday travel and shopping weekend winds down. Numbing cold and heavy snow could persist into next week and cause hazards in the Great Lakes, Plains and Midwest regions. A state of emergency was declared for parts of New York, making it problematic for scores of Thanksgiving travelers trying to return home. This week’s blast of frigid Arctic air also brought bitterly cold temperatures of 10 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit below average to the Northern Plains. Cold air was expected to move over the eastern third of the U.S. by Monday, the weather service said, with temperatures about 10 degrees below average.Kanye West, Bianca Censori make rare appearance amid legal drama Kanye West steps out in Tokyo with Bianca Censori while staying mum on case Kanye West and Bianca Censori made a joint appearance in Tokyo for a night out as the rapper faces harassment accusations. The 47-year-old rapper and his wife appeared in the Japanese capital sporting a white hoodie and pants, paired with black shoes. The Yeezy founder pulled his hood over the head, as he was spotted riding the escalators up towards the Toho Cinemas. Meanwhile, the 29-year-old architecture was seen wearing another one of her signature unitards. Censori donned a sheer white body suit for the outing, paired with white pumps. She pulled her hair back into a sleek bun and completed her look with dark shades. This comes after the Runaway hitmaker has been facing legal accusations by a former employee. Social media personality Lauren Pisciotta sued West for allegedly raping, sexually harassing, and stalking her while she worked for him in 2021-22. Supported by her attorney, she filed the suit in June, right after West left the US. A recent legal document accused him of evading the court proceedings after he has not responded to notices. 'Nutcrackers:' Ben Stiller's shocking experience on set Liam Payne shocking move revealed one month prior to death Prince Andrew makes public return after close call Dwayne Johnson 'cant wait' to reunite with daughters on Christmas

Calgary Flames (12-8-4, in the Pacific Division) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (9-12-4, in the Metropolitan Division) Pittsburgh; Saturday, 7 p.m. EST BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Penguins -122, Flames +101; over/under is 6 BOTTOM LINE: The Calgary Flames enter the matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins after losing three in a row. Pittsburgh is 9-12-4 overall and 5-6-2 at home. The Penguins have conceded 96 goals while scoring 65 for a -31 scoring differential. Calgary is 12-8-4 overall and 3-5-4 in road games. The Flames have a 4-7-1 record in games they serve more penalty minutes than their opponents. The matchup Saturday is the second time these teams meet this season. The Flames won 4-3 in a shootout in the previous meeting. TOP PERFORMERS: Sidney Crosby has eight goals and 16 assists for the Penguins. Bryan Rust has four goals and three assists over the last 10 games. Story continues below video Rasmus Andersson has five goals and nine assists for the Flames. Mikael Backlund has scored three goals and added one assist over the last 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Penguins: 4-4-2, averaging 2.3 goals, four assists, 3.4 penalties and 7.1 penalty minutes while giving up 3.7 goals per game. Flames: 5-3-2, averaging 2.1 goals, 3.4 assists, 3.9 penalties and 9.5 penalty minutes while giving up 2.2 goals per game. INJURIES: Penguins: None listed. Flames: None listed. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .The lost running back to what appears to be a season-ending knee injury during to the . with a PCL sprain and is expected to miss at least six weeks of action. However, McCaffrey wasn't the only member of San Francisco's backfield to be hurt in the contest. McCaffrey's backup, , suffered an ankle injury that is expected to land him on IR along with the All-Pro. Mason, 25, was a breakout star for the early in the season. He replaced McCaffrey as the team's bell-cow back and ran for 147 yards and a touchdown in the team's season-opening win against the . Here's what to know about Mason's injury and how it will impact the 49ers' running back depth chart over the final five weeks of the 2024 NFL season. 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan announced during a Monday news conference that Mason suffered a high-ankle sprain during San Francisco's Week 13 loss to Buffalo. It isn't clear exactly when the third-year running back was injured, but he is being placed on IR because of the sprain. As a result, Mason will be sidelined for at least four games. Just five games remain in the 2024 NFL season, so the earliest that Mason could return would be Week 18. If the 49ers fail to make the postseason, the team might decide not to bring Mason back at all and let him get healthy for the 2025 NFL season. At present, San Francisco is 5-7 and sitting in last place in the , two games behind the pole-sitting . McCaffrey and Mason aren't the only 49ers running backs on IR. The team also lost , who was expected to be McCaffrey's backup entering training camp, to a season-ending hamstring injury before the campaign began. As a result, the 49ers have only one healthy running back on their 53-man roster: rookie fourth-round pick . They will likely elevate from the practice squad to help replace McCaffrey and Mason, but those are the only two healthy running backs presently in the team's organization. With that in mind, the 49ers will likely bring in another running back to provide depth behind the duo.Amazon workers and their allies are participating in a series of global actions aimed at holding the online retailer “accountable for labor abuses, environmental degradation, and threats to democracy,” according to the labor group UNI Global Union. Dubbed “Make Amazon Pay,” the campaign is set to last from November 29 to December 2 and will include strikes and protests across six continents, according to the group — and is timed to disrupt Black Friday (or “Make Amazon Pay Day”) and Cyber Monday, two of the busiest online shopping days of the year. “When we announced our intention to protest today, our management attempted to stop us in multiple ways. We want to say to Amazon — you could not stop us today, you cannot stop us in the future,” said the general secretary of the Amazon India Workers Union during a demonstration held in India on Friday. Make Amazon Pay Day was launched in 2020 by UNI Global Union and the left-leaning movement group Progressive International. It has expanded each subsequent year, say organizers, and today the coalition behind Make Amazon Pay Day brings together a wide range of groups , including climate, racial, and economic justice organizations. According to Progressive International, actions taking place as part of the campaign include but are not limited to: strikes at multiple warehouses in Germany; direct actions in French towns and cities led by the justice group Attac; a rally in India by Amazon workers over unsafe working conditions; and a protest by trade unionists at an Amazon call center. All told, actions are supposed to take place in over 30 countries. “This fight is global. Every picket, every strike, every action of solidarity matters. Another world is possible, and we are building that world one strike, one conversation at a time. Together, we are unstoppable,” said Christy Hoffman, UNI Global Union’s general secretary, on Friday while speaking to striking workers in Germany. The campaign alleges that Amazon “squeezes” workers, communities, and the planet. For example, “while tripling profits in early 2024, Amazon surveils and pressures drivers and warehouse workers at the risk of severe physical and mental harm,” according to campaign materials. Responding to the campaign, an Amazon U.S. spokesperson told Newsweek: “The fact is at Amazon we provide great pay, great benefits, and great opportunities — all from day one. We’ve created more than 1.5 million jobs around the world, and counting, and we provide a modern, safe, and engaging workplace whether you work in an office or at one of our operations buildings.” Online, progressive political figures lent their support to the effort. “Today, I stand with Amazon workers in over 30 countries around the world striking and protesting to #MakeAmazonPay ,” wrote Jeremy Corbyn, former leader of the British Labour Party. “While billionaire Bezos tours the world on his $500m yacht, Amazon workers in 20+ countries are rising up this Black Friday to demand fair wages, union rights, and climate action. Amazon must pay its fair share and respect workers. I stand with #MakeAmazonPay ,” chimed in U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) on X. Following the inaugural Make Amazon Pay campaign in 2020, hundreds of lawmakers from dozens of countries endorsed the effort with an open letter to Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon. “The world knows that Amazon can afford to pay its workers, its environmental cost, and its taxes. And yet — time and again — you have dodged and dismissed your debts to workers, societies, and the planet,” the letter alleged. U.S. signatories included Reps. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), and Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.).

CHICAGO , Dec. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Launch Consulting , part of The Planet Group and a leading AI-first digital transformation consultancy, is proud to announce the appointment of John Cipolla as its new President. This strategic addition to the leadership team underscores Launch's commitment to accelerating innovation and delivering transformative solutions to its clients. Cipolla brings a wealth of leadership experience in technology consulting, organizational transformation, and business strategy to Launch. With a track record of building high-performing teams, cloud-first organizations, fostering a culture of excellence, and developing innovative solutions that drive business outcomes, he is poised to guide Launch's continued growth and success. "John's appointment marks a pivotal moment for Launch Consulting," said Tim Simmerly , CEO of The Planet Group. "His deep expertise in driving digital innovation and his passion for empowering organizations to thrive in today's fast-paced technology landscape make him the ideal leader to spearhead our next phase of growth." Cipolla joins Launch Consulting after a distinguished career with market leaders like Atos/Eviden, Accenture, Insight Enterprises, NetApp, and AT&T, during which he led numerous large-scale initiatives, blending cutting-edge technology with human-centric strategies. His leadership style emphasizes collaboration, adaptability, and results-driven execution, aligning seamlessly with Launch's mission to create meaningful AI-first solutions for modern challenges. "I'm honored to join Launch at this pivotal moment," said Cipolla. "My focus is on accelerating our clients' growth through innovative solutions that deliver impactful business outcomes. Together with Launch's talented team, we will build a best-in-class consulting community that is client-obsessed and backed by delivery excellence." As President, Cipolla will oversee the company's strategic direction, go-to-market, operational excellence, and ecosystem partnerships, ensuring that Launch continues to lead in delivering innovative, AI-driven, and data-focused solutions. About Launch Consulting Launch Consulting, part of The Planet Group, is an AI-first digital transformation consultancy that helps Fortune 1000 customers harness the power of data, software, and AI to advance their business and compete. Our approach blends specialized industry experience with deep expertise in a local and global delivery model that supports all aspects of transformation. We help our customers make bold moves with confidence to build their future state. Learn more at launchconsulting.com . About The Planet Group The Planet Group, a portfolio company of Odyssey Investment Partners Fund VI, LP, consists of a group of related global consulting organizations and renowned staffing brands and has been purposefully built to address the professional services needs of leading companies in the areas of Technology and Digital Transformation, Engineering, Marketing, and Professional Services. Named one of America's fastest-growing private companies, the company was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois with offices throughout the US, Europe , India , and LATAM. Learn more at theplanetgroup.com . Media Contact : Elizabeth Spayne VP, Marketing, The Planet Group 781.530.3191 | [email protected] SOURCE Launch Consulting

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — “My Driver and I” was supposed to be made in 2016, but was scuttled amid Saudi Arabia's decades-long cinema ban. Eight years later, the landscape for film in the kingdom looks much different — and the star of “My Driver and I” now has an award. Roula Dakheelallah was named the winner of the Chopard Emerging Saudi Talent award at the Red Sea International Film Festival on Thursday. The award — and the glitzy festival itself — is a sign of Saudi Arabia's commitment to shaping a new film industry. “My heart is attached to cinema and art; I have always dreamed of a moment like this,” Dakheelallah, who still works a 9-5 job, told The Associated Press before the awards ceremony. “I used to work in voluntary films and help my friends in the field, but this is my first big role in a film.” The reopening of cinemas in 2018 marked a cultural turning point for Saudi Arabia, an absolute monarchy that had instituted the ban 35 years before, under the influence of ultraconservative religious authorities. It has since invested heavily in a native film industry by building theaters and launching programs to support local filmmakers through grants and training. The Red Sea International Film Festival was launched just a year later, part of an attempt to expand Saudi influence into films, gaming, sports and other cultural fields. Activists have decried the investments as whitewashing the kingdom’s human rights record as it tightly controls speech and remains one of the world’s top executioners. With FIFA awarding the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia this week, Lina al-Hathloul, a Saudi activist with the London-based rights group ALQST, said Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman “has really managed to create this bubble where people only see entertainment and they don’t see the reality on the ground.” These efforts are part of Vision 2030, an ambitious reform plan unveiled in 2016 to ease the economy's dependence on oil. As part of it, Saudi Arabia plans to construct 350 cinemas with over 2,500 movie screens — by this past April, across 22 cities, it already had 66 cinemas showing movies from the local film industry, as well as Hollywood and Bollywood. (The Red Sea International Film Festival attracts a host of talent from the latter industries, with Viola Davis and Priyanka Chopra Jonas also picking up awards Thursday.) The country's General Entertainment Authority last month opened Al Hisn Studios on the outskirts of Riyadh. As one of the largest such production hubs in the Middle East, it not only includes several film studios but also a production village with workshops for carpentry, blacksmithing and fashion tailoring. “These facilities, when they exist, will stimulate filmmakers,” said Saudi actor Mohammed Elshehri. “Today, no writer or director has an excuse to imagine and say, ‘I cannot implement my imagination.’” The facilities are one part of the equation — the content itself is another. One of the major players in transforming Saudi filmmaking has been Telfaz11, a media company founded in 2011 that began as a YouTube channel and quickly became a trailblazer. Producing high-quality digital content such as short films, comedy sketches and series, Telfaz11 offered fresh perspectives on Saudi and regional issues. In 2020, Telfaz11 signed a partnership with Netflix to produce original content for the streaming giant. The result has been movies that demonstrate an evolution on the storytelling level, tackling topics that were once off-limits and sensitive to the public like secret nightlife in “Mandoob” (“Night Courier”) and changing social norms in “Naga.” “I think we tell our stories in a very simple way, and that’s what reaches the world,” Elshehri says of the changing shift. “When you tell your story in a natural way without any affectation, it will reach every person.” But the films were not without their critics, drawing mixed reaction. Social media discoursed ranged from pleasure that Saudi film were tackling such topics to anger over how the films reflected conservative society. As Hana Al-Omair, a Saudi writer and director, points out, there are still many stories left untold. “We certainly have a long time ahead of us before we can tell the Saudi narrative as it should be,” she said, acknowledging that there are still barriers and rampant censorship. “The Goat Life,” a Malayalam-language movie about an Indian man forced to work without pay in Saudi Arabia, is not available on Netflix's platform in the country. Movies that explore political topics or LGBTQ+ stories are essentially out of the question. Even “My Driver and I,” featured at the Red Sea festival alongside 11 other Saudi feature-length films, was initially too controversial. It centers on a Sudanese man in Jeddah, living away from his own daughter, who feels responsible for the girl he drives as her parents are absent. It was initially blocked from being made because of the relationship between the girl and the driver, filmmaker Ahd Kamel has said, even though it's not a romantic relationship. Now in 2024, the film is a success story — a symbol of the Saudi film industry's evolution as well as the growing role of women like Kamel behind the camera and Dakheelallah in front of it. “I see the change in Saudi cinema, a very beautiful change and it is moving at a wonderful speed. In my opinion, we do not need to rush,” Dakheelallah said. “We need to guide the truth of the artistic movement that is happening in Saudi Arabia.”None

Travis Kelce encourages Taylor Swift to take some time off after the Eras Tour that left her with burnoutThe New York Knicks will get a chance to advance to the NBA Cup quarterfinals on Tuesday night. Before that, though, the Knicks will look to continue progressing towards an even more important goal -- establishing the consistency necessary to contend for the NBA title. The Knicks will attempt to break a win-one-lose-one cycle Sunday night, when they host the New Orleans Pelicans in a nonconference matchup. Both teams were off Saturday after playing road NBA Cup contests Friday. The Knicks overcame a six-point fourth quarter deficit to edge the Charlotte Hornets 99-98 in East Group A action while the struggling Pelicans fell to the Memphis Grizzlies 120-109 in a West Group C game. With the win, the Knicks improved to 3-0 and set up a winner-take-all game for the East Group A's automatic bid to the quarterfinals with the Orlando Magic, who are also unbeaten through three games following Friday's 123-100 victory over the Brooklyn Nets. The Knicks entered Saturday one of four Eastern Conference teams with at least 10 wins this season even though they've won back-to-back games just once outside of a four-game winning streak from Nov. 15-20. For much of Friday afternoon, the Knicks appeared headed for their second two-game losing streak of the season. New York, which suffered a 129-114 loss Wednesday night to the Dallas Mavericks despite the latter being without superstar point guard Luka Doncic (right wrist), trailed the Hornets for more than 38 minutes Friday even though Charlotte star LaMelo Ball sat out with a left calf injury. Jalen Brunson helped the Knicks avoid the upset over the final five minutes, when he scored 11 of his game-high 31 points. The victory allowed New York to finish 3-2 on a road trip that began with four games against Western Conference foes before the Black Friday noon tipoff in North Carolina. "It's a weird schedule," Brunson said. "But there's no complaints and you can't change it, so we've got to go out and find a way. We came out really soft, made some runs and then they made some shots where it looked like they were just going to get away from us. We kept fighting and found a way to get a win." The search for a win has grown increasingly frustrating for the injury-wracked Pelicans, who suffered their seventh straight loss and fell to 1-13 in their last 14 games with Friday's loss. New Orleans, which is last in the Western Conference with a 4-16 record, has played just three games this season with its optimal starting lineup of Brandon Ingram, Herbert Jones, C.J. McCollum, Daniel Theis and Zion Williamson. The quintet has combined to miss 52 games. Ingram (right calf) is day-to-day after missing the last three games while Jones (right shoulder) and Williamson (left hamstring) are out indefinitely. The Pelicans lost by 11 points or fewer for the sixth time in their last 13 defeats Friday when they missed opportunities to creep closer to the Grizzlies in the second half. New Orleans committed turnovers on consecutive trips while down 83-75 late in the third and went five straight possessions without scoring in a 101-89 game shortly before the midway point of the fourth. "We had some chances there where we cut the lead to 10, cut it to eight," Hornets coach Willie Green said. "A few miscues, a few missed shots, some 50/50 balls that we had to come up with that we didn't. Our margin for error is extremely small right now, so you've got to capitalize on those opportunities." --Field Level Media

ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. (AP) — PGA Tour rookie Patrick Fishburn played bogey-free for an 8-under 64 for his first lead after any round. Joel Dahmen was 10 shots behind and had a bigger cause for celebration Friday in the RSM Classic. Dahmen made a 5-foot par putt on his final hole for a 2-under 68 in tough conditions brought on by the wind and cold, allowing him to make the cut on the number and get two more days to secure his PGA Tour card for next year. He is No. 124 in the FedEx Cup. “I still got more to write this weekend for sure,” said Dahmen, who recently had said his story is not yet over. “But without having the opportunity to play this weekend, my story would be a lot shorter this year.” Fishburn took advantage of being on the easier Plantation course, with trees blocking the brunt of the wind and two additional par 5s. He also was helped by Maverick McNealy, who opened with a 62 on the tougher Seaside course, making two bogeys late in his round and having to settle for a 70. Fishburn, who already has locked up his card for next year, was at 11-under 131 and led McNealy and Lee Hodges (63) going into the weekend. Michael Thorbjornsen had a 69 and was the only player who had to face Seaside on Friday who was among the top five. What mattered on this day, however, was far down the leaderboard. The RSM Classic is the final tournament of the PGA Tour season, and only the top 125 in the FedEx Cup have full status in 2025. That's more critical than ever with the tour only taking the top 100 for full cards after next season. Players like Dahmen will need full status to get as many playing opportunities as they can. That explains why he felt so much pressure on a Friday. He didn't make a bogey after his opening hole and was battling temperatures in the low 50s that felt even colder with the wind ripping off the Atlantic waters of St. Simons Sound. He made a key birdie on the 14th, hitting a 4-iron for his second shot on the 424-yard hole. Dahmen also hit wedge to 2 feet on the 16th that put him on the cut line, and from the 18th fairway, he was safely on the green some 40 feet away. But he lagged woefully short, leaving himself a testy 5-footer with his job on the line. “It was a great putt. I was very nervous,” Dahmen said. “But there's still work to do. It wasn't the game-winner, it was like the half-court shot to get us to halftime. But without that, and the way I played today, I wouldn't have anything this weekend.” His playing partners weren't so fortunate. The tour put three in danger of losing their cards in the same group — Zac Blair (No. 123), Dahmen and Wesley Bryan (No. 125). The cut was at 1-under 141. Blair and Bryan came to the 18th hole needing birdie to be assured of making the cut and both narrowly missed. Now they have to wait to see if anyone passes them, which is typically the case. Thorbjornsen in a tie for fourth and Daniel Berger (66 at Plantation) in a tie for 17th both were projected to move into the top 125. Dahmen, indeed, still has work to do. Fishburn gets a weekend to see if he can end his rookie year with a win. “I've had a lot of experience playing in cold growing up in Utah, playing this time of year, kind of get used to playing when the body’s not moving very well and you’ve got to move your hands,” said Fishburn, who played college golf at BYU. “Just pretty happy with how I played.” Ludvig Aberg, the defending champion and No. 5 player in the world competing for the first time in more than two months because of knee surgery, bounced back with a 64 on Plantation and was back in the mix. Aberg played with Luke Clanton, the Florida State sophomore who looks like he belongs each week. Clanton, the No. 1 player in the world amateur ranking who received a sponsor exemption, had a 65 at Plantation and was two shots off the lead. Clanton already has a runner-up and two other top 10s since June. “Playing with him, it's pretty awesome to watch,” Clanton said. “We were kind of fanboying a little it. I know he's a really good dude but to be playing with him and to see what he's done over the last couple years, it's pretty inspirational.” AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

China has shipped vital modules for a global fusion reactor project in France. The components, departing from Guangzhou in southern China’s Guangdong Province, are the first of their kind sent to the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project in southern France. Known as the “artificial sun,” the facility is a collaborative effort by China, the European Union, India, Japan, South Korea, Russia, and the US to explore the potential of fusion as a large-scale, clean energy source. Magnetic cage technology powers ITER’s nuclear fusion efforts The ITER tokamak relies on a magnetic cage to confine, shape, and control super-heated plasma, enabling fusion reactions. Weighing 5,000 tons, this colossal structure consists of nine sectors and includes 44 ports to support critical operations such as diagnostics, remote handling, heating, and fueling. With an interior volume of 1,400 cubic meters, the vessel serves as a specialized experimental platform for advancing fusion energy research. According to Luo Delong, deputy director general of the ITER organization, the project is focused on developing nuclear fusion energy as a long-term solution for humanity’s future energy demands. Fusion energy is considered ideal due to its virtually limitless fuel supply, environmentally friendly nature, and high safety standards, he added. Serving as critical vacuum components, the blanket shield block modules provide neutron shielding and manage heat conduction under extreme thermal conditions. They protect the vacuum chamber, external equipment, and personnel from radiation, ensuring the stable and safe operation of the reactor. Chen Jiming, chief scientist at the Southwestern Institute of Physics under the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), likened the blanket shield modules to “refractory bricks” in a furnace. China and South Korea lead ITER module production These modules serve two key purposes: shielding against 14 MeV high-energy neutrons and transferring hundreds of megawatts of nuclear heat out of the system using cooling water. This design protects peripheral equipment while ensuring components operate within safe temperature limits, the Chinese scientist added. China and South Korea are each tasked with producing 220 blanket shield block modules, with the first 48 manufactured by Dongfang Electric Corporation. According to Wang Weidong, chairman of Dongfang Electric (Guangzhou) Heavy Machinery Co., Ltd., the remaining 172 modules from China are scheduled for delivery by 2027. South Korea was initially assigned two ITER vacuum vessel sectors, but took on two additional sectors in 2016, bringing its total responsibility to four. The modules could play a crucial role in producing tritium, an essential fuel for nuclear fusion. Tritium is vital for sustaining fusion reactions, but since it is scarce on Earth, it currently does not meet the demands for large-scale fusion energy development, Chen explained. While the current project doesn’t focus on tritium production, the team plans to explore its role in the future to enable tritium regeneration and improve sustainability in clean energy.

Mother orca and her children make 'grocery shopping' trip near downtown VancouverCalgary Flames (12-8-4, in the Pacific Division) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (9-12-4, in the Metropolitan Division) Pittsburgh; Saturday, 7 p.m. EST BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Penguins -122, Flames +101; over/under is 6 BOTTOM LINE: The Calgary Flames enter the matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins after losing three in a row. Pittsburgh is 9-12-4 overall and 5-6-2 at home. The Penguins have conceded 96 goals while scoring 65 for a -31 scoring differential. Calgary is 12-8-4 overall and 3-5-4 in road games. The Flames have a 4-7-1 record in games they serve more penalty minutes than their opponents. The matchup Saturday is the second time these teams meet this season. The Flames won 4-3 in a shootout in the previous meeting. TOP PERFORMERS: Sidney Crosby has eight goals and 16 assists for the Penguins. Bryan Rust has four goals and three assists over the last 10 games. Rasmus Andersson has five goals and nine assists for the Flames. Mikael Backlund has scored three goals and added one assist over the last 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Penguins: 4-4-2, averaging 2.3 goals, four assists, 3.4 penalties and 7.1 penalty minutes while giving up 3.7 goals per game. Flames: 5-3-2, averaging 2.1 goals, 3.4 assists, 3.9 penalties and 9.5 penalty minutes while giving up 2.2 goals per game. INJURIES: Penguins: None listed. Flames: None listed. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .