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tilapia fishing CANAAN – The process of appointing Cooper Brown to fill a vacancy on the Planning and Zoning Commission involved some heated exchanges at the Board of Selectmen meeting this week. Chairman Tim Abbott, a Democrat, resigned last month. Filling the empty seat falls to the selectmen. Traditionally, the political party from which the vacancy occurs is asked to recommend a replacement. Chris Jacques, chairman of the Democratic Town Committee, submitted a letter that evening endorsing Kathy Ducillo as a full member. He wrote that as an alternate since 2023, Ducillo has consistently attended meetings and shown a strong dedication to learning the rules. He also noted she has attended the land use academy at the University of Connecticut to better learn her role as an alternate. First Selectman Brian Ohler asked Jacques why the meeting wasn’t held at Town Hall per usual. Jacques said the Park and Recreation Commission was meeting at Town Hall that night. Ohler also wanted to know if there were minutes of that meeting. Jacques said there were. He also asked if members had been alerted to that meeting. Jacques said he’d written to them all. When Selectman Craig Whiting said he wanted to table the issue for a month because the selectmen only received the endorsement earlier that day, Jacques replied that they’d heard through other means the item was going to be discussed that evening. “It was not on the agenda, so we wanted to get ahead of it,” he said, which is how it is done at the Board of Education, on which he serves. Whiting said Brown, another alternate and Democrat, had expressed interest in becoming a full member, too. Ohler asked that the discussion be held that evening. Selectman Jesse Bunce said he had reservations because Brown’s father, Peter Brown, is vice chairman of the commission, and having both on the panel could give a perception of nepotism. Both Ohler and Whiting disputed that claim, with Ohler saying, “That’s unfair to say.” Whiting said if that were the case, he wouldn’t be a current alternate. Ohler made a motion to appoint Brown, saying he and his wife have been active in town and are both business owners. “He’s been next to his father when the regulations were rewritten, so he’s a wealth of knowledge,” he said. Bunce asked Brown if he’d taken any land use classes. He said he’d attended six. “Based on last year’s attendance and the classes she’s taken, I think Kathy is the stronger candidate over Cooper in this aspect,” Bunce said. The vote was 2-1 in favor of Brown, with Bunce voting in opposition. The topic was raised again during the comment period when resident Ian Edwards told the selectmen, “Having multiple members of the family on a commission could absolutely be considered a conflict of interest. They could vote as a bloc. I don’t doubt Cooper is a good candidate, but the point the two of you made is a concern. It should be considered when we make appointments.” Whiting talked about Brown being overlooked for a full-time seat on the commission a few years ago when the Ruggles Landing issue surfaced. The property was bought by the state after Brown’s wife had made it known she wanted to purchase it. Whiting said he thought Brown got a raw deal and he was pretty upset about that. “I don’t blame him,” Whiting said, adding he would have felt the same. When Jacques said he wasn’t in charge of the Democrats then, Whiting said he knew that and noted it was former Selectman Christian Allyn. Whiting then took the opportunity to lash out, saying, “There’s a lot of stuff happening in this town that, frankly, I’m embarrassed about. The way some people at these meetings and in town act is disgraceful to me. Sometimes my emotions come out. I’m an emotional person. It makes it really hard to be a leader in this town when there’s a constant group trying to work against progress in this town and I’m sick of it.” Both Ohler and Whiting said the negativity is not coming from any particular political group. Contact Ruth Epstein at kcsruthe @ aol.com.

Transgender pedophile accused of despicable crime after being allowed to move to women's prison By BETHAN SEXTON FOR THE DAILY MAIL Published: 21:59, 10 December 2024 | Updated: 21:59, 10 December 2024 e-mail View comments A transgender pedophile has been accused of exposing herself to another inmate after being transferred to a Minnesota women's prison. Danielle Marie Whitebird, 38, allegedly showed her genitals to another inmate at MCF-Shakopee. Whitebird was serving time for a 2018 motor vehicle theft offence at the time of the alleged incident, but has previously been convicted for sexual abuse against a victim under the age of 13. She began her sentence at a men's prison, before successfully petitioning to be relocated in February last year on the basis she was experiencing gender dysphoria, Reduxx reports. But a fellow inmate claimed that Whitebird preyed on her while at the facility. '[There was a] man who introduced me to drugs and then prostitution, which eventually led to the charges I am here for now,' the woman said adding that the inmate, 'showed me his penis... I was terrified.' The woman told Reduxx she made a report but, 'nothing was done' and 'everyone turned their cheek'. She believes it was because her account was seen as 'bigoted'. 'We just want to be protected here and not abused or taken advantage of. Most of us come from a background of abuse and we shouldn't allow it here. We should be safe and protected, but they are allowing abusers in,' she added. Transgender pedophile Danielle Marie Whitebird has been accused of exposing herself to another inmate after being transferred to a women's prison in Minnesota Whitebird, 38, allegedly showed her genitals to another inmate at MCF-Shakopee Whitebird was released from the prison in September after the completion of her sentence. She is under the supervision of Crow Wing County Community Corrections. She first entered the penal system while living as a man after being convicted for sexual abuse of a minor. In her civil rights complaint requesting a legal name change, Whitebird said that she was making the plea, 'in good faith', documents obtained by Reduxx show. 'It will not cause any harm to any person,' Whitebird said. 'However, not receiving a change of name and sex identification will cause me harm in the form of mental continued anguish, unnecessary mental suffering and potential situations that may lead to discrimination or assault.' Whitebird served 36 months in prison and was fined $500 for the child sex offence, which took place while he was temporarily staying in the same home as the six-year-old-victim. Law enforcement was tipped off by an informant who said the little girl had been acting strangely for weeks. In an interview with a social worker, the victim said that the then 21-year-old, ' reached with his hand and went inside of the left leg of her pajama pants. He then put his hand inside her panties and touched her on top of her vagina.' Whitebird's records show she has a lengthy criminal past and has been in and out of jails since this offence. She was serving time at the women-only prison for a burglary offence after requesting a transfer from a men's facility Her rap sheet includes assault, weapons and burglary charges. Most recently she was picked up for providing a false name to cops and fined $50. Police records filed after a 2017 arrest in 2017 state that Whitebird had 'active warrants' for 'failure to register as a predatory offender' as well as a report of domestic assault. DailyMail.com has contacted the Minnesota Department of Corrections for comment. Minnesota Share or comment on this article: Transgender pedophile accused of despicable crime after being allowed to move to women's prison e-mail Add comment

Nobody would seriously suggest that an office is as potentially dangerous as, say, a coal mine or a building site. But intensive use of office AV technology can affect users in multiple ways, from posture and eyesight to stress and sanity. “Musculoskeletal problems have become more common among office workers,” says James Campanini, head of B2B, Europe at Logitech. “Improper working setups, especially at home, can lead to poor posture, where users find themselves looking down at laptops or monitors and straining the neck and spine, or using ill-fitting peripherals, exacerbating physical discomfort.” Post-Covid changes in working practices have compounded the problem. “The rise of remote work saw much of the progress that had been made around workplace ergonomics buried under the rubble of the pandemic, as employees struggled to recreate an office-like environment at home, often on their bed or living room sofa,” says Adil Sheikh, UK managing director of modular meeting booth manufacturer MuteBox. “The downsizing of offices since 2020 and the rise of hot-desking have made it more difficult for employees to ensure their desk set-up meets their individual needs and measurements. And hybrid working now means we primarily connect with co-workers via virtual meetings, making proper seating and AV set-up doubly important – yet many are taking video calls hunched over their phones.” According to Jayne Cox, co-founder of Fusion Spaces, remote meeting technology can lead to all kinds of wellbeing issues, from exhaustion and the feeling of being always ‘on call’ to unhealthy multi-tasking and hang-ups over body image. It can even cause anxiety by activating threat responses that are deeply ingrained in the human psyche. Vision VFM-DSDB monitor desk stand 100×100 dual meets the growing need for adjustable brackets and mounting solutions that allow users to find optimal screen positions. Photo: Sammy Dierickx “For example,” says Cox, “a disproportionately large face (without the rest of the body for reference) and staring eyes through the screen can cause a natural ‘fight or flight’ response. A large screen allows a lot of data to be shared clearly, but perhaps we need to consider how the face appears to the viewer and not expect one screen size to suit all needs.” The advent of 21:9 displays and ultra wide screen set-ups means giving careful consideration to sightlines and viewing distances, to prevent eye strain and promote good posture, believes Stuart Lockhart, director of Vision. “This highlights the growing need for adjustable brackets and mounting solutions that allow users to find optimal screen positions. They often think about this in their personal space, but less in a meeting room.” “There’s an interesting phenomenon known as ‘screen apnoea’,” says Cox. “Dr Stephen Porges suggests that a narrowing of our visual field, and irregular, shallow breathing and breath holding (often associated with the stress response) occur when looking at a screen. This could be improved by using a larger screen, and taking breaks for simple breathing exercises and movement, among other things.” Composer, Carter Burwell, had WSDG design a new studio while the house plans were still on the drawing board. Screen-based overwork The creative industries that form the heartland of pro AV can be particularly prone to screen-based overwork. “In fields like production, engineering and the arts, professionals may immerse themselves in enjoyable and creative tasks,” says Silvia Molho, partner and art director at WSDG. “Achieving this level of creativity requires significant physical effort, and it’s not uncommon for fatigue or physical strain to go unnoticed for hours or days.” “Noise can be a distraction, leading to poor concentration, headaches, fatigue and stress, and studies show that workers are almost sixty five per cent less productive in noisy work environments,” says Cox. “Not only does sound cause distraction and loss of concentration, but it can also interfere with brain activity, learning and memory. And in those who are sensitive to sound, it can also severely and negatively impact mood and mental state, causing a wide range of emotional responses including irritation and anger. “We often suggest that clients ‘mindfully’ listen to their space, and this might be the first time they actually become aware of poor sound.” Noise does not have to be ear-splitting to be troublesome. Colleagues talking, phones ringing, even the hums, clicks and bleeps of AV equipment, can all be problematic, especially for people who are neurodiverse – and that means one in seven of us. “Shrinking office spaces due to hybrid work, forcing employees to stay cooped up in smaller spaces on their in-office days, expose everyone to higher levels of noise pollution,” says Sheikh. “Virtual meetings also pose a challenge, when nearby sound is picked up by microphones, causing people to struggle with other participants’ background noise.” WSDG: Oven Studios is the personal studio of Alicia Keys. Built in the suburbs of New York. It's the law Why should you care about all this? Well, firstly because the law says so, imposing an obligation to perform a display screen equipment (DSE) assessment on all workers’ workspaces, including home offices. But, as Campanini points out, ergonomic challenges do not only affect health; they can also have significant implications for work performance. “Physical pain can lead to reduced productivity and concentration, and more errors, particularly in high-pressure environments. The stress of this can ultimately contribute to burnout and staff churn. So companies are realising that, by designing and redesigning work practices with a focus on health, they can foster a more engaged, innovative and productive workforce, while improving employee retention and satisfaction.” Creating an ergonomic workplace involves a mixture of design, product selection and working practices. “When selecting displays, prioritise adjustable mounts that allow for easy adjustment of height, tilt and orientation,” says Lockhart. “Ensure that screens are positioned at eye level to prevent neck strain, and that projectors have adjustable mounts to avoid glare and misalignment.” Logitech: Lift ergonomic vertical mouse, designed to reduce wrist strain and promote a more natural hand posture Glaringly obvious solutions Screen glare can be minimised by angling displays away from windows or other light sources, or via built-in or add-on anti-glare filters. More sophisticated displays may also include technology to eliminate flickering and reduce strain-inducing blue light. Poorly designed – or poorly- or over-used – peripherals can cause or exacerbate repetitive strain injuries (RSIs) and other musculoskeletal problems, so there is a focus on ergonomic design in devices such as mice and keyboards. “Vertical or trackball mice promote a natural handshake position, while ergonomic keyboards with a curved, split keyframe enhance wrist alignment, reducing the chance of workers developing chronic RSIs,” says Campanini. Much the same goes for furniture. “Use adjustable desks, stands and seating to allow for easy reconfiguration and encourage better posture,” says Lockhart. “This also allows for multiple users in each space, and for users to continuously evolve what feels comfortable to them.” “An ergonomic chair should offer comprehensive support and relaxation for the back,” says Molho. “Features like adjustable height, backrest inclination, knee support, headrest and armrests are important, with armrests aligning with the table surface to promote a more natural posture.” Adjustable-height desks that can be used while sitting or standing, or sit-stand risers placed on regular desks, can promote more natural behaviour. As Cox points out, human beings have evolved to keep moving, not to sit for hours, so the option to work standing up can be very beneficial, particularly in meetings. “Productive meetings while standing take around twenty minutes, and are more likely to lead to a creative solution or a ‘light bulb’ moment,” says Cox. “Basic ergonomic guidelines recommend taking a ten-minute break every fifty minutes or engaging in light exercise,” says Molho. “To support this, some companies provide relaxation or entertainment rooms, and spaces with walking machines, fitness balls or designated areas for short walks.” Architect Nadja Zürcher designed a series of all-glass conference and huddle rooms for a Zurich-based firm. WSDG did the acoustic consulting, treatments and AV integration for these spaces. Audio aggravation As we noted earlier, poor audio and acoustics can cause many issues. “Speakers, microphones and sound systems should be installed at appropriate heights and angles to maintain clear sound quality without needing excessive volume,” says Lockhart. “Adjustable brackets for speakers help to fine-tune positioning, improving auditory comfort and clarity – especially with ceiling speakers which are less directional.” “Managing exposure times to sound helps minimise fatigue and discomfort, ensuring that individuals can engage with audio content without negative effects,” adds Molho. The hard, reflective surfaces so popular with interior designers can make for an overly harsh acoustic environment. “Create acoustic comfort with innovative, spatial treatments that can incorporate biophilic design,” advises Cox. “Use walls, ceiling and dividers, plantings both natural and artificial, and include soft, absorbent furnishing materials and carpets.” Use of spatial or 3D audio could make remote participants in meetings sound more natural and intelligible, and help listeners to relax, she adds. Lighting also requires careful attention. “Architectural lighting should be installed above work surfaces, providing warmth and even illumination,” says Molho. “Additionally, accessory or accent lighting should accommodate dimming and colour variation, offering versatility during extended work sessions.” Flicker-free, of the right brightness and adjustable Illumination needs to be flicker-free, of the right brightness (neither glaring nor gloomy), and adjustable to match how the space is being used, and even the time of day (whiter in the morning, warmer-hued in the afternoon). This can be done via pre-programmed settings, but it is always advisable also to allow workers in a space to manually adjust the lighting to suit their own needs. In fact, “power to the user” is a good mantra for any organisation that wants a happy, healthy and productive workforce. “It’s important that users are consulted about new technology and their objectives understood,” says Cox. “Technology shouldn’t require laminated sheets for instruction, and should be reliable and appropriate to the tasks in hand, to reduce stress.” “Complex interfaces and cluttered setups can contribute to user stress and hinder productivity,” says Lockhart. “So position controls within easy reach and ensure they’re intuitive. Clear labelling and simple layouts minimise operational fatigue.” “Creating healthier work environments involves not only workspaces with ergonomic equipment, but also providing mental health resources, such as counselling and wellness programmes,” adds Campanini. And finally, dear reader, a word of caution. In a few pages we can’t possibly tell you everything you need to know about workplace ergonomics. So if, as we hope, we’ve piqued your interest, please take expert advice that relates to your own situation, and let this article be the start of your journey, not the end. CASE STUDY: THE MINISTRY Converted from a Victorian print works by London nightclub, Ministry of Sound (pictured above), co-working space ‘The Ministry’ takes an innovative approach to the use of sound. Sound baths are offered at lunchtime and after work, using the power of sound to relax mind and body. On the outdoor terrace, members can immerse themselves in gentle sounds inspired by nature, such as bird calls and buzzing bees. And MuteBox meeting booths are dotted around the building to provide soundproof spaces where workers can concentrate on tasks in silence, or host confidential meetings. CASE STUDY: THE PIT Vision worked with The PIT (pictured below), a co-working, gallery and event space in Bristol, to create a set of mobile displays designed with ergonomics in mind. The team wanted to be able to offer a ‘desk side’ experience where screens showing people on video conferencing calls could be positioned right next to the team in a meeting room as if they were part of the table. This reduces the need for participants to be positioned towards a screen, and improves comfort by not having to look further into the distance.Ingram Micro Awarded Two 2024 AWS Partner Awards

Middle East latest: Israel bombs hundreds of sites across Syria as army pushes into border zone

Company will implement innovative Mission Partner Environment to securely share information with global mission partners FALLS CHURCH, Va. , Dec. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT), a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE:GD), announced today it was awarded a new $5.6 billion contract by the Air Force Mission Partner Capabilities Office. The single award, indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity contract, awarded in November, has a five-year base period and a five-year option. Mission Partner Environments (MPEs) enable the military and its trusted partners to securely communicate, collaborate and share information at multiple levels of classification in real time so decision makers can rapidly adapt to changing mission dynamics. Under the contract, GDIT will modernize, integrate, operate and sustain the Department of Defense's MPE. The company will provide a portfolio of services including mission, cyber and enterprise IT services and infrastructure. This contract will also advance interoperability – the ability to seamlessly connect multiple systems together – with U.S. government and non-government entities and international coalition partners in support of the National Defense Strategy. "The complexity of global threats necessitates the urgency to create agile, secure and seamless information-sharing environments with our trusted partners," said Amy Gilliland , GDIT's president. "We look forward to implementing an integrated Mission Partner Environment that will serve as a blueprint for future efforts across the Department of Defense." GDIT has more than three decades of experience delivering some of the largest MPE programs globally. This includes operating the largest coalition intelligence sharing program in the world as well as implementing an MPE network for U.S. Army Europe and Africa . At Talisman Sabre 2023, the company also demonstrated the first ever Zero Trust exercises to enable rapid, secure and seamless data sharing between global mission partners in battlefield environments with limited to no internet connectivity. GDIT is a business unit of General Dynamics, a global aerospace and defense company that offers a broad portfolio of products and services in business aviation; ship construction and repair; land combat vehicles, weapons systems and munitions; and technology products and services. General Dynamics employs more than 100,000 people worldwide and generated $42.3 billion in revenue in 2023. More information about General Dynamics Information Technology is available at www.gdit.com . More information about General Dynamics is available at www.gd.com . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gdit-awarded-mission-partner-environment-contract-302337479.html SOURCE General Dynamics

US proposes voluntary guidelines for self-driving vehicles in waning days of Biden administrationCOLEEN Rooney burst into tears during an emotional reunion with her two youngest sons in the I’m A Celebrity jungle camp last night. She was stunned to see eight-year-old Kit and Cass, six , appear with her mum Colette McLoughlin . They were sneaked in by producers for a special friends and families reunion episode after spending nearly four weeks apart. Wag Coleen, 38, became a blubbering wreck when she left the Bush Telegraph and saw Colette, 62, sitting on the Leaders’ Lodge throne. She ran and hugged her, then said: “I don’t want you to leave me now.” As Coleen prepared to chat to her mum, Kit and Cass shouted: “Boo!” — making their mum hysterical. Cheeky Kit said “She stinks” as he embraced his mother — and told her he won a football match. Kit got emotional and nodded after Coleen asked if he had scored. In tears, she told him: “I’m crying because I’m happy. "I’ve missed you so much!” After giving them a tour of the camp — as Cass sported her jungle hat — they said their goodbyes, with Coleen telling them the countdown to Christmas will kick off soon. She left their £20million Cheshire home to fly to Australia on November 11. After landing the next day, she had her belongings confiscated — including her phone — and has not spoken to loved ones since. The Sun on Sunday revealed last month Coleen would be surprised by her two lads and Colette , once there were around five or six celebs left in camp. Last week, Coleen — also mum to Kai, 15 , and Klay, 11 — admitted she had suffered a “wobble” while thinking about her children. She has been wearing a necklace with her four boys’ names on, which she touches as a sign to let them know she is thinking of them. One of the younger lads had been “really quiet and subdued” back home without mum around, but both were delighted to see her again. Their ex-England star dad Wayne, 39, was with them back home last month, but is currently living 270 miles away in Devon, where he is the boss of Plymouth Argyle . He is not able to fly to Oz with his family because of a hectic fixture schedule, with crucial matches coming up as his team bids to stave off relegation from the Championship. The other celebs, meanwhile, also got the chance to see their loved ones again. McFly singer Danny Jones embraced wife Georgia and their six-year-old son Cooper, while Dancing on Ice judge Oti Mabuse had a reunion with husband Marius Iepure . The friends and families special featured on the show in 2023 for the first time in five years. In 2018, ex-footie manager and SunSport columnist Harry Redknapp broke down in tears when he got to see his wife Sandra. Last night’s reunion was made even sweeter for Coleen after she did a grim Dreaded Dreggs drinking challenge in a Bushtucker Trial with the Rev Richard Coles. At one point, she looked like she was about to throw up . On the menu were blended pig’s testicles and six cups of blended cockroaches. The pair won the maximum six stars for a camp meal, plus a bonus star. i'm A Celebrity is back for its 24th series, with a batch of famous faces living in the Aussie jungle. The Sun's Jake Penkethman takes a look at the stars on the show this year.. Coleen Rooney - Arguably the most famous name in the camp, the leading WAG, known for her marriage to Wayne Rooney , has made a grand return to TV as she looks to put the Wagatha Christie scandal behind her. The Sun revealed the mum-of-four had bagged an eye-watering deal worth over £1.5million to be on the show this year making her the highest-paid contestant ever. Tulisa - The popstar and former X Factor judge has made her triumphant TV comeback by signing up to this year's I'm A Celeb after shunning TV shows for many years. Known for being a member of the trio, N-Dubz, Tulisa became a household name back in 2011 when she signed on to replace Cheryl on ITV show The X Factor in a multi-million pound deal. Alan Halsall - The actor, known for playing the long-running role of Tyrone Dobbs on ITV soap opera Coronation Street, was originally signed up to head Down Under last year but an operation threw his scheduled appearance off-course. Now he has become the latest Corrie star to win over both the viewers and his fellow celebrities. Melvin Odoom - The Radio DJ has become a regular face on TV screens after rising to fame with presenting roles on Kiss FM, BBC Radio 1 and 4Music. Melvin has already been for a spin on the Strictly dancefloor and co-hosted The Xtra Factor with Rochelle Humes in 2015 but now he is facing up to his biggest challenge yet - the Aussie jungle . GK Barry - The UK's biggest social media personality, GK, whose real name is Grace Keeling, has transformed her TikTok stardom into a lucrative career. Aside from her popular social media channels, she hosts the weekly podcast, Saving Grace, and regularly appears on ITV talk show, Loose Women. She has even gone on to endorse popular brands such as PrettyLittleThing, KFC and Ann Summers. Dean McCullough - A rising star amongst this year's bunch of celebs , Dean first achieved notability through his radio appearances on Gaydio and BBC Radio 1. He was chosen to join the BBC station permanently in 2021 and has featured prominently ever since. He has enjoyed a crossover to ITV over the past year thanks to his guest slots on Big Brother spin-off show, Late & Live. Oti Mabuse - The pro dancer has signed up to her latest TV show after making her way through the biggest programmes on the box. She originally found fame on Strictly Come Dancing but has since branched out into the world of TV judging with appearances on former BBC show The Greatest Dancer as well as her current role on ITV's Dancing On Ice . Danny Jones - The McFly star was drafted into the programme last minute as a replacement for Tommy Fury. Danny is the second member of McFly to enter the jungle , after Dougie Poynter won the show in 2011. He is also considered a rising star on ITV as he's now one of the mentors on their Saturday night talent show, The Voice , along with bandmate Tom Fletcher. Jane Moore - The Loose Women star and The Sun columnist is braving the creepy crawlies this year. The star is ready for a new challenge - having recently split from her husband . It will be Jane's first foray into reality TV with the telly favourite having always said no to reality shows in the past. Barry McGuigan - Former pro boxer Barry is the latest fighting champ to head Down Under following in the footsteps of Tony Bellew and Amir Khan. It comes after a tough few years for Irish star Barry, who lost his daughter Danika to bowel cancer . He told The Late Late Show in 2021: "She was such an intrinsic part of the family that every day we ache." Maura Higgins - The Irish TV beauty first found fame on Love Island where she found a brief connection with dancer Curtis Pritchard . Since then, she has competed on Dancing On Ice as well as hosting the Irish version of the beauty contest, Glow Up. Since last year, she has been working on building up her career in the US by being the social media correspondent and host of Aftersun to accompany Love Island USA. She even guest hosted an episode of the spin-off, Love Island Games, in place of Maya Jama last year. Rev. Richard Coles - Former BBC radio host the Rev Richard Coles is a late arrival on I’m A Celebrity , and he's ready to spill the beans on his former employer. The former Communards and Strictly star , said the BBC did not know its a**e from its elbow last year. An insider said: "Rev Coles will have a variety of tales to tell from his wild days as a pop star in the Eighties, through to performing on Strictly and his later life as a man of the cloth."

Russia's economy has had a turbulent few years since its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The sharp decline of the ruble's value in recent weeks is just the most recent economic spasm. The Russians are juggling the materiel and manpower demands of the long-running war, punitive Western sanctions, low oil prices, high interest rates, inflation, a labor shortage, endemic corruption, and much more besides. President Vladimir Putin has a long list of economic concerns. But what is the Russian economy's greatest vulnerability at the moment? Newsweek asked experts for their views. Here's what they told us. Sergey Aleksashenko, Co-Founder, Boris Nemtsov Foundation; Former Deputy Chairman, Central Bank of Russia; Former Chairman, Merrill Lynch Russia Inflation, inflation, inflation. Consumer inflation is speeding up slowly and will erode the pensions and incomes of low-income families. Inflation that exceeds budgetary numbers will force the public sector to cut its investment plans. The Central Bank of Russia believes it can freeze inflationary pressure by raising its rate, though I doubt it. Inflation is fueled by the "guns, not butter" policy that is not sensitive to the interest rate. Elina Ribakova, Nonresident Senior Fellow, Peterson Institute for International Economics Russia economy's greatest vulnerability is overheating. It is like a property bubble, but now it is a morbid war bubble. Budget money and subsidized credit are thrown at the military-industrial complex, but they lack investment, components, males of a working age that are being instead sucked into the war. It also means a huge reallocation of resources towards an activity that won't bring medium-term growth—war. Like with any bubble, it will burst. It is more likely to burst when oil hits $40-50 per barrel. Dr. Alexander Libman, Professor of Russian and East European Politics, The Institute for East European Studies, Free University of Berlin The main vulnerability of the Russian economy appears to be the shortage of the labor force. Russia is now in the state of full employment; there are hardly any possibilities for increasing the output, since it would require new workers—and they are simply not available. Emigration and recruitment of soldiers in the Russian army decrease the labor supply. Importantly, this is not a vulnerability potentially leading to a collapse of the Russian economy; but labor shortage is likely to put an end to the period of economic growth, pushing Russia into stagnation. Maximilian Hess, Fellow, Foreign Policy Research Institute The Kremlin's greatest vulnerability would be losing its oil exports. But Western policymakers won't proceed down this path given the potential risks to global prices and thus their own markets (unless somehow Saudi Arabia can be convinced to run up production dramatically). Realistically, Putin's greatest vulnerability is that Russia remains in a stagflationary environment over the next year and that the economic outlook from there turns even more negative. But while sanctions are vital to ensuring Russia's war machine is limited in the extent of devastation it can cause across Ukraine, we should not look to them to magically defeat Putin or cause him to abandon his megalomaniacal war in the short term. Nevertheless, maintaining them and tweaking them to be ever more effective is paramount to effectively mitigating against the threat of Putin's aggression. Dr. Janis Kluge, Deputy Head of Research Division, Eastern Europe and Eurasia, ‪German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP)‬ Russia is very vulnerable to a drop in export revenues. If the U.S. decides to sanction Russian LNG exports or even oil exports, this could be painful for Russia. As Russia's reserve assets are mostly frozen by sanctions, the central bank cannot mitigate a drop in export earnings, so the ruble would drop much further, Russia would experience a recession and inflation would soar. If global oil prices decline significantly, this could happen as well. Dr. Vladislav Inozemtsev, Director, Center for Post-Industrial Studies; Special Advisor to MEMRI's Russia Media Studies Project I would say that Russia's weakness—as well as its strength—lies in the actions undertaken by the ruling bureaucracy. In 2024, the dissociation between the financial authorities and the top leadership has significantly increased compared to, would one say, 2022. If the government undertakes both market and non-market actions (like another selloff of currency proceeds, a freeze of the tariffs of state-own monopolies, and increasing pressure on the banks for lowering the deposit rates), it may succeed in another round of adjusting the economy to war-time realities (similar to one that was made in 2022). If it decides to stick only to liberal market measures, the economy may face dangerous imbalances. Sergei Guriev, Dean and Professor of Economics, London Business School The fiscal situation. Sanctions work and force difficult decisions (raising taxes and interest rates). But Russia continues to circumvent oil sanctions. If the West is serious about defunding Putin's war machine, sanctions enforcement should be tightened. Vladimir Milov, Former Russian Deputy Minister of Energy; Economist and Opposition Politician As to vulnerabilities, it's easier to ask if the Russian economy has any strength left. The inflation/interest rate spiral is killing business confidence, as most Russian enterprises can't survive for too long with current extreme interest rates. Russia is currently 12th in the world by central bank interest rate, we may well enter the worst 10 countries after December 20. On top of that, rapid depletion of the state's financial reserves, wild budget deficits, massive tax hikes effective from January 1 that would further undermine investment and business confidence, plus sanctions, etc. Russia survived for nearly three years since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine due to accumulated reserves and military-driven economic bounce-back, but there are no miracles, sanctions and international isolation are finally beginning to bite. I agree with the central bank that the root problem of inflation is the output gap, supply's inability to catch up with demand—which is a direct result of supply constraints driven by war and sanctions (labor shortages, lack of access to technology and investment).Hologic Statement on USPSTF Draft Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines

No, UnitedHealthcare didn’t post a job listing for a new CEO the day after Brian Thompson’s death

( MENAFN - PR Newswire) Strategic hire underscores Assembly's commitment to bolstering its leadership team to deliver best-in-class services and results for its clients. NEW YORK, Dec. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Assembly, a leading global marketing agency within the Stagwell (STGW) network, today announced the appointment of Josh Berman as Executive Vice President, Assembly Lead. Earlier this year, Assembly unveiled a new operating structure with teams organized into 'Assemblies' based on geography and industry sector. Based in New York, Berman will co-lead Assembly East, focusing on deepening brand relationships, driving innovation, and providing more rigor, expertise, and growth for clients. Berman brings 15 years of media industry experience to Assembly. Most recently, as Managing Partner and Client Lead at Wavemaker, he led media planning and buying for a major Church & Dwight brand and contributed to global product development initiatives, leveraging data and technology to craft effective marketing solutions. Over his career, Josh has partnered with marquee brands across various industries, including Citi, Campbell's, IKEA, Tiffany & Co., Amgen, Marriott, and AT&T. Berman's appointment is part of Assembly's ongoing growth efforts, ensuring that the agency remains at the forefront of the industry and continues to meet clients' evolving needs. "Our clients get the best of both worlds-an agency big enough to lead yet small enough to care-which means each client receives the attention, dedicated leadership, and prioritization the industry and clients are demanding," said Rick Acampora, Global CEO of Assembly. "Josh's extensive experience in media strategy, analytics, client leadership, and innovation, coupled with his ability to fuse media and creative to unlock and accelerate brand performance, will be instrumental as we continue to elevate and find the change that fuels growth for our clients. We are thrilled to have him join our team." Berman's role is effective immediately. ABOUT ASSEMBLY Assembly is a leading global omnichannel media agency that merges data, talent, and technology to catalyze growth for the world's most esteemed brands. Our holistic approach weaves together compelling brand narratives with a comprehensive suite of global media capabilities, driving performance and fostering significant business expansion. Our initiatives are powered by STAGE, our proprietary operating system, and executed by a dedicated global team of over 2,300 professionals across 35 offices worldwide. Committed to purposeful action, Assembly leads the way in social and environmental impact within the agency realm. As a proud member of Stagwell, the challenger network designed to revolutionize marketing, Assembly continues to set new standards of excellence. For more information, please visit assemblyglobal . Contact Mariana Delacqua [email protected] SOURCE Assembly MENAFN20122024003732001241ID1109018315 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.NoneFlorida vs. Florida State FREE LIVE STREAM (11/30/24): Watch college football, Week 14 online | Time, TV, channel

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NEW YORK, Dec. 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- At the end of the settlement date of November 29, 2024, short interest in 3,065 Nasdaq Global Market SM securities totaled 11,857,580,215 shares compared with 11,973,515,318 shares in 3,070 Global Market issues reported for the prior settlement date of November 15, 2024. The end-of-November short interest represents 2.36 days compared with 2.25 days for the prior reporting period. Short interest in 1,665 securities on The Nasdaq Capital Market SM totaled 2,052,759,872 shares at the end of the settlement date of November 29, 2024, compared with 2,044,997,906 shares in 1,668 securities for the previous reporting period. This represents a 1.00 day average daily volume; the previous reporting period’s figure was 1.00. In summary, short interest in all 4,730 Nasdaq ® securities totaled 13,910,340,087 shares at the November 29, 2024 settlement date, compared with 4,738 issues and 14,018,513,224 shares at the end of the previous reporting period. This is 1.78 days average daily volume, compared with an average of 1.83 days for the prior reporting period. The open short interest positions reported for each Nasdaq security reflect the total number of shares sold short by all broker/dealers regardless of their exchange affiliations. A short sale is generally understood to mean the sale of a security that the seller does not own or any sale that is consummated by the delivery of a security borrowed by or for the account of the seller. For more information on Nasdaq Short interest positions, including publication dates, visit http://www.nasdaq.com/quotes/short-interest.aspx or http://www.nasdaqtrader.com/asp/short_interest.asp . About Nasdaq: Nasdaq (Nasdaq: NDAQ) is a leading global technology company serving corporate clients, investment managers, banks, brokers, and exchange operators as they navigate and interact with the global capital markets and the broader financial system. We aspire to deliver world-leading platforms that improve the liquidity, transparency, and integrity of the global economy. Our diverse offering of data, analytics, software, exchange capabilities, and client-centric services enables clients to optimize and execute their business vision with confidence. To learn more about the company, technology solutions, and career opportunities, visit us on LinkedIn , on X @Nasdaq , or at www.nasdaq.com . Media Contact: Jennifer Lawson jennifer.lawson@nasdaq.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f4354fcd-38a7-4213-9609-bcd369b043be NDAQO

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