crazy tanda 8k8 Instagram's Adam Mosseri took to the app today to tease the upcoming launch of a generative AI editing feature that will enable users to "change nearly any aspect of your videos." Expected to roll out next year, the tool will be powered by Meta's Movie Gen AI model , which was unveiled in early October. Meta's Movie Gen AI model can generate HD videos (1080p resolution) from a text prompt, which -- the company claims -- is more "realistic" than videos generated by rival technology such as OpenAI's Sora text-to-video model. By bringing the Movie Gen technology to Instagram, the company aims to equip creators with more tools for "realizing" their ideas more easily. Also: I'm a long-time YouTube video producer - these 3 AI tools help me do it better and faster According to Mosseri , the new editing feature will enable creators to change nearly any aspect of users' videos with a simple text prompt. Moreover, the announcement video previews "early research AI models" that showcase examples of outfit and background transformations. One especially impressive snippet showed Mosseri transformed into a puppet, which speaks to the expansive capabilities of Movie Gen. Similarly, Gen AI models such as Open AI's Sora , Adobe's Firefly , and Google's Veo -- all released in 2024 -- emphasize a shift away from AI image generation and toward AI video generation, especially text-to-video tools. However, just like AI image generation, video generation raises concerns about harmful use cases such as digital blackface , AI-generated deepfakes , and disinformation . Also: This new Google AI tool lets you easily generate images from other photos - no prompt required Many creative professionals -- artists, writers, filmmakers, actors, and photographers -- have voiced frustrations with the impact of AI generators on their respective fields due to AI companies scraping the web to train their models. Because of such concerns, YouTube announced earlier this week that it will allow creators to opt into third-party AI training and recently partnered with the Creative Artists Agency to develop tools that give creators and artists more "control over how AI-generated content features their likeness, including their face, on YouTube at scale." Although Movie Gen has not rolled out, Instagram would be the first Meta-owned platform to use a text-to-video model. Google's new AI tool could be your new favorite learning aid - and it's free The best open-source AI models: All your free-to-use options explained I changed 5 ChatGPT settings and instantly became more productive - here's how The best AI search engines of 2024: Google, Perplexity, and more

NoneEric Bieniemy out as UCLA's offensive coordinator. AP source says Tino Sunseri tabbed as replacement

Dolphin Census in Chilika Lake: Census Will Be Conducted As per Dates Communicated by Chief Wildlife Warden, Says DFO of Chilika WildlifeFRANKLIN, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 19, 2024-- HubSync Co., a pioneer in SaaS for tax and accounting automation, today unveiled dramatic enhancements to its product suite. This release promises not just tools but a transformation in how firms manage tax and accounting processes, leveraging cutting-edge AI and user-centric design. CEO Insight: "We're not just updating; we're redefining what tax and accounting automation can do," stated John McGowan, CEO of HubSync. "Our focus has been relentless innovation, driven by direct client feedback, to ensure our platform not only meets but exceeds modern business needs." Key Product Enhancements for 2024: Why It Matters: These updates are not just about functionality but about transforming the workflow of tax professionals. "Our goal is to automate the mundane, allowing professionals to focus on strategy and client service," McGowan added. This approach not only saves time but also introduces unprecedented levels of accuracy and security in tax processing. Looking Ahead: As tax laws evolve and businesses seek efficiency, HubSync's 2025 updates position it as a leader in providing not just solutions but strategic advantages through technology. Firms adopting these tools can expect a significant uplift in operational efficiency and client satisfaction. For More Information: Contact HubSync's media team at bweissman@hubsync.com or visit www.hubsync.com for further details or to schedule a demo. About HubSync HubSync’s mission is to simplify and automate the tax and accounting processes for CPA firms with best-in-class technology and solutions enabling firm professionals and their clients to enjoy the tax, accounting, and advisory processes. Top CPA firms and firm professionals have come to rely on HubSync’s integration technologies to elevate their services and modernize their offerings. Visit www.hubsync.com to see all HubSync has to offer. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241219626981/en/ bweissman@hubsync.com KEYWORD: TENNESSEE UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: LEGAL SOFTWARE FINANCE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE DATA MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING PROFESSIONAL SERVICES TECHNOLOGY SOURCE: HubSync Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/19/2024 03:37 PM/DISC: 12/19/2024 03:37 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241219626981/enTests keep coming for Auburn and Duke, who collide at Cameron Indoor Stadium in a typical prove-it game in a rare environment on Wednesday night. No. 2 Auburn and No. 9 Duke square off less than one month into the season as two of the most battle-tested teams in basketball. They're matched as one of the marquee games in the crossover showcase known as the ACC-SEC Challenge. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Clubs Casino compiled a ranking of the 10 biggest tournament cash prizes in poker history (adjusted for inflation) using data from The Hendon Mob. Click for more. The 10 biggest tournament cash prizes recorded in poker history

IRVINE, Calif. , Dec. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Interlink Electronics, Inc. (Nasdaq: LINK), a leading provider of sensor and printed electronics solutions, is pleased to announce the acquisition of the businesses of UK-based Conductive Transfers Limited ("CT") and its affiliate, Global Print Solutions Limited ("GPS"). In addition to valuable printing equipment, Interlink is acquiring CT's and GPS's innovative patented processes for the integration of electronics with textiles, resulting in functional e-textiles and wearable technology. CT and GPS boast a successful track record with their award-winning patented technologies, serving customers across various sectors, including apparel, healthcare, medical, and automotive. Their product offerings include heaters for clothing and personal protective equipment, as well as Functional Electrical Stimulation electrodes designed for the rehabilitation of stroke patients. Products in development include sensors for pressure, temperature, humidity, and moisture, which can be used in hospital beds, diapers, and femtech applications. Additionally, they are involved in exciting projects within the automotive industry that utilize their proprietary pressure sensors and efficient ElastaTherm® heaters. Every stage of development, from prototype to production, is managed from a state-of-the-art 11,000 square foot facility located near Sheffield, UK . "We are excited to be part of the Interlink organization, which provides us with the resources to significantly expand our customer base worldwide," stated Paul Brook , co-founder of CT and GPS. "The acquisition of CT's and GPS's businesses fits perfectly with our strategy to enhance our offerings and capabilities in the realm of sensors and printed electronics," said Steven Bronson , CEO of Interlink Electronics. He further emphasized that "the opportunities in wearables and smart textiles represent a high-growth market." About Interlink Electronics, Inc. Interlink Electronics is a leading provider of sensors and printed electronic solutions, boasting nearly 40 years of success in delivering mission-critical technologies across diverse markets. Our blue-chip customers benefit from our robust instruments and printed electronics solutions, which span various markets including industrial, medical, consumer, and automotive. Our expertise in materials science, manufacturing, embedded electronics, firmware, and software enables us to create custom solutions tailored to our customers' unique needs ( www.interlinkelectronics.com ). Forward Looking Statements This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be generally identified by phrases such as "thinks," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "prospective" and similar words. Forward-looking statements in this press release include statements about CT's and GPS's products under development and new market initiatives. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are inherently subject to uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statement. These statements are based upon, among other things, assumptions made by, and information currently available to, management, including management's own knowledge and assessment of CT's and GPS's industry, R&D initiatives, competition and capital requirements. Other factors and uncertainties that could affect the company's forward-looking statements include, among other things, the following: our ability to integrate the acquired businesses with our existing operations; our success in predicting new markets and the acceptance of our new products; efficient management of our infrastructure; the pace of technological developments and industry standards evolution and their effect on our target product and market choices; the effect of outsourcing technology development; changes in the ordering patterns of our customers; a decrease in the quality and/or reliability of our products; protection of our proprietary intellectual property; competition by alternative sophisticated as well as generic products; continued availability of raw materials for our products at competitive prices; disruptions in our manufacturing facilities; risks of international sales and operations including fluctuations in exchange rates; compliance with regulatory requirements applicable to our manufacturing operations; and customer concentrations. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by our forward-looking statements are under the captions "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in our most recent Annual Report (Form 10-K) or Quarterly Report (Form 10-Q) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this release, and we expressly disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Contact: Interlink Electronics, Inc. IR@iefsr.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/interlink-electronics-announces-acquisition-of-conductive-transfers-limited-302336599.html SOURCE Interlink ElectronicsAIRPORTELs Launches the Ultimate Golf Bag Delivery in Thailand 12-05-2024 11:32 PM CET | Logistics & Transport Press release from: Getnews / PR Agency: Comms Factory Image: https://www.getnews.info/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/1733435293.jpg AIRPORTELs Bangkok, Thailand - Dec 5, 2024 - AIRPORTELs, the trusted luggage delivery service in Thailand, today announced the launch of its Seamless Golf Bag Delivery service. The service addresses a longstanding challenge affecting Thailand's tourism and golf industries. While these sectors are thriving, getting golf bags from home to the course has always been a hassle-until now. This new service is designed for those who prefer spending their time on the fairway, not lugging bags through airports, taxis, or hotel lobbies. AIRPORTELs teamed up with golfers nationwide to devise this innovative solution. Effortless Golf Bag Delivery Across Thailand Whether a golfer is heading to a golf course in Chiang Mai, Phuket, or staying local in Bangkok, AIRPORTELs offers a seamless solution for transporting his or her golf bag. With AIRPORTELs, the player's clubs will be waiting for them at the course-no more heavy lifting or worrying about luggage restrictions. Home to Course: Golf Bag Delivery Made Easy Image: https://www.getnews.info/uploads/02effe276429e1d5eb2669c4fdf8f8ea.jpg AIRPORTELs has redefined luggage delivery with services tailored for golfers. Whether a golfer is hopping between cities or traveling within a single location, their Golf Bag Delivery Service takes the stress out of transportation. Here's how it works: * In-Town Delivery: For just 399 THB, AIRPORTELs delivers the golf bag within Bangkok, Chiang Mai, or Phuket-from the hotel directly to the chosen golf course. * Bangkok left and right Chiang Mai (Same-Day Delivery): Home/Hotel to CNX Airport: 699 THB Home/Hotel to Golf Course (Chiang Mai): 899 THB * Bangkok left and right Phuket (Same-Day Delivery): Home/Hotel to HKT Airport: 699 THB Home/Hotel to Golf Course (Phuket): 899 THB * Chiang Mai left and right Phuket (Same-Day Delivery): Airport-to-Airport: 599 THB Hotel/Golf Course Cross-Delivery: 799-999 THB With affordable pricing and quick delivery, AIRPORTELs ensures that one's golf bag gets to the course on time without the added stress. Why AIRPORTELs Stands Out Image: https://www.getnews.info/uploads/3f21a404a3dd4bc584a1347dc3d8a4df.jpg * Reliable Service: AIRPORTELs understands how important a player's golf clubs are to his or her game. With secure handling and timely delivery, players can be sure that their gear arrives in perfect condition. * Convenience: Forget about lugging heavy bags around. AIRPORTELs takes care of the transportation so players can focus on their games. * Same-Day Delivery: Need to make a last-minute tee time? No problem! AIRPORTELs provides same-day delivery between cities, so players never have to worry about missing out on a great round. * Affordable Rates: AIRPORTELs offers competitive prices that won't break the bank. With options starting from 399 THB, golf bag delivery has never been easier or more affordable. Enjoy Thailand's Best Golf Courses Without any Hassle Image: https://www.getnews.info/uploads/a5951303bb1aa73d6679f2cf9d72780a.jpg Thailand is home to some of the most stunning golf courses in the world-from the tropical fairways of Phuket to the picturesque courses in Chiang Mai. With AIRPORTELs, golfers can travel between these premier locations without worrying about their gear. Whether a golfer is a frequent golfer or just enjoying a weekend getaway, AIRPORTELs makes traveling with clubs as easy as swinging the driver. Ready to Swing into Convenience? No more struggling with golf bags through crowded terminals or taxis. Let AIRPORTELs handle the logistics so players can concentrate on their games. Just pack one's clubs, book the service, and let AIRPORTELs take care of the rest. It's time to elevate the golfing experience with AIRPORTELs. For more information, please visit AIRPORTELs' Facebook page at 'AIRPORTELs Luggage Delivery [ https://www.facebook.com/AIRPORTELs]' and the company's website at 'https:// www.airportels.asia/' To book a delivery, contact AIRPORTELs' customer service team via LINE at ID '@Airportels'. Media Contact Company Name: AIRPORTELs Contact Person: Media Relations Email: Send Email [ http://www.universalpressrelease.com/?pr=airportels-launches-the-ultimate-golf-bag-delivery-in-thailand ] Country: Thailand Website: https://www.airportels.asia This release was published on openPR.

KYIV, Ukraine — NATO and Ukraine will hold emergency talks Tuesday after Russia attacked a central city with an experimental, hypersonic ballistic missile. escalating the nearly 33-month-old war. The conflict is “entering a decisive phase,” Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Friday, and “taking on very dramatic dimensions.” Ukraine’s parliament canceled a session as security was tightened following Thursday’s Russian strike on a military facility in the city of Dnipro. In a stark warning to the West, President Vladimir Putin said in a nationally televised speech the attack with the intermediate-range Oreshnik missile was in retaliation for Kyiv’s use of U.S. and British longer-range missiles capable of striking deeper into Russian territory. Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks Friday during a meeting with the leadership of the Russian Ministry of Defense, representatives of the military-industrial complex and developers of missile systems at the Kremlin in Moscow. Putin said Western air defense systems would be powerless to stop the new missile. Ukrainian military officials said the missile that hit Dnipro reached a speed of Mach 11 and carried six nonnuclear warheads, each releasing six submunitions. Speaking Friday to military and weapons industries officials, Putin said Russia will launch production of the Oreshnik. “No one in the world has such weapons,” he said. “Sooner or later, other leading countries will also get them. We are aware that they are under development. “We have this system now,” he added. “And this is important.” Putin said that while it isn’t an intercontinental missile, it’s so powerful that the use of several of them fitted with conventional warheads in one attack could be as devastating as a strike with strategic — or nuclear — weapons. Gen. Sergei Karakayev, head of Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces, said the Oreshnik could reach targets across Europe and be fitted with nuclear or conventional warheads, echoing Putin’s claim that even with conventional warheads, “the massive use of the weapon would be comparable in effect to the use of nuclear weapons.” In this photo taken from a video released Friday, a Russian serviceman operates at an undisclosed location in Ukraine. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov kept up Russia's bellicose tone on Friday, blaming “the reckless decisions and actions of Western countries” in supplying weapons to Ukraine to strike Russia. "The Russian side has clearly demonstrated its capabilities, and the contours of further retaliatory actions in the event that our concerns were not taken into account have also been quite clearly outlined," he said. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, widely seen as having the warmest relations with the Kremlin in the European Union, echoed Moscow’s talking points, suggesting the use of U.S.-supplied weapons in Ukraine likely requires direct American involvement. “These are rockets that are fired and then guided to a target via an electronic system, which requires the world’s most advanced technology and satellite communications capability,” Orbán said on state radio. “There is a strong assumption ... that these missiles cannot be guided without the assistance of American personnel.” Orbán cautioned against underestimating Russia’s responses, emphasizing that the country’s recent modifications to its nuclear deployment doctrine should not be dismissed as a “bluff.” “It’s not a trick ... there will be consequences,” he said. Czech Republic's Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky speaks to journalists Friday during a joint news conference with Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriiy Sybiha in Kyiv, Ukraine. Separately in Kyiv, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský called Thursday’s missile strike an “escalatory step and an attempt of the Russian dictator to scare the population of Ukraine and to scare the population of Europe.” At a news conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Lipavský also expressed his full support for delivering the necessary additional air defense systems to protect Ukrainian civilians from the “heinous attacks.” He said the Czech Republic will impose no limits on the use of its weapons and equipment given to Ukraine. Three lawmakers from Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, confirmed that Friday's previously scheduled session was called off due to the ongoing threat of Russian missiles targeting government buildings in central Kyiv. In addition, there also was a recommendation to limit the work of all commercial offices and nongovernmental organizations "in that perimeter, and local residents were warned of the increased threat,” said lawmaker Mykyta Poturaiev, who said it's not the first time such a threat has been received. Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate said the Oreshnik missile was fired from the Kapustin Yar 4th Missile Test Range in Russia’s Astrakhan region and flew 15 minutes before striking Dnipro. Test launches of a similar missile were conducted in October 2023 and June 2024, the directorate said. The Pentagon confirmed the missile was a new, experimental type of intermediate-range missile based on its RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile. Thursday's attack struck the Pivdenmash plant that built ICBMs when Ukraine was part of the Soviet Union. The military facility is located about 4 miles southwest of the center of Dnipro, a city of about 1 million that is Ukraine’s fourth-largest and a key hub for military supplies and humanitarian aid, and is home to one of the country’s largest hospitals for treating wounded soldiers from the front before their transfer to Kyiv or abroad. We're all going to die someday. Still, how it happens—and when—can point to a historical moment defined by the scientific advancements and public health programs available at the time to contain disease and prevent accidents. In the early 1900s, America's efforts to improve sanitation, hygiene, and routine vaccinations were still in their infancy. Maternal and infant mortality rates were high, as were contagious diseases that spread between people and animals. Combined with the devastation of two World Wars—and the Spanish Flu pandemic in between—the leading causes of death changed significantly after this period. So, too, did the way we diagnose and control the spread of disease. Starting with reforms as part of Roosevelt's New Deal in the 1930s, massive-scale, federal interventions in the U.S. eventually helped stave off disease transmission. It took comprehensive government programs and the establishment of state and local health agencies to educate the public on preventing disease transmission. Seemingly simple behavioral shifts, such as handwashing, were critical in thwarting the spread of germs, much like discoveries in medicine, such as vaccines, and increased access to deliver them across geographies. Over the course of the 20th century, life expectancy increased by 56% and is estimated to keep increasing slightly, according to an annual summary of vital statistics published by the American Academy of Pediatrics in 2000. Death Records examined data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to see how the leading causes of death in America have evolved over time and to pinpoint how some major mortality trends have dropped off. According to a report published in the journal Annual Review of Public Health in 2000, pneumonia was the leading cause of death in the early 1900s, accounting for nearly 1 in 4 deaths. By the time World War I ended in 1918, during which people and animals were housed together for long periods, a new virus emerged: the Spanish Flu. Originating in a bird before spreading to humans, the virus killed 10 times as many Americans as the war. Many died of secondary pneumonia after the initial infection. Pneumonia deaths eventually plummeted throughout the century, partly prevented by increased flu vaccine uptake rates in high-risk groups, particularly older people. Per the CDC, tuberculosis was a close second leading cause of death, killing 194 of every 10,000 people in 1900, mainly concentrated in dense urban areas where the infection could more easily spread. Eventually, public health interventions led to drastic declines in mortality from the disease, such as public education, reducing crowded housing, quarantining people with active disease, improving hygiene, and using antibiotics. Once the death rates lagged, so did the public health infrastructure built to control the disease, leading to a resurgence in the mid-1980s. Diarrhea was the third leading cause of death in 1900, surging every summer among children before the impacts of the pathogen died out in 1930. Adopting water filtration, better nutrition, and improved refrigeration were all associated with its decline. In the 1940s and 1950s, polio outbreaks killed or paralyzed upward of half a million people worldwide every year. Even at its peak, polio wasn't a leading cause of death, it was a much-feared one, particularly among parents of young children, some of whom kept them from crowded public places and interacting with other children. By 1955, when Jonah Salk discovered the polio vaccine, the U.S. had ended the "golden age of medicine." During this period, the causes of mortality shifted dramatically as scientists worldwide began to collaborate on infectious disease control, surgical techniques, vaccines, and other drugs. From the 1950s onward, once quick-spreading deadly contagions weren't prematurely killing American residents en masse, scientists also began to understand better how to diagnose and treat these diseases. As a result, Americans were living longer lives and instead succumbing to noncommunicable diseases, or NCDs. The risk of chronic diseases increased with age and, in some cases, was exacerbated by unhealthy lifestyles. Cancer and heart disease shot up across the century, increasing 90-fold from 1900 to 1998, according to CDC data. Following the post-Spanish Flu years, heart disease killed more Americans than any other cause, peaking in the 1960s and contributing to 1 in 3 deaths. Cigarette smoking rates peaked at the same time, a major risk factor for heart disease. Obesity rates also rose, creating another risk factor for heart disease and many types of cancers. This coincides with the introduction of ultra-processed foods into diets, which plays a more significant role in larger waistlines than the increasing predominance of sedentary work and lifestyles. In the early 1970s, deaths from heart disease began to fall as more Americans prevented and managed their risk factors, like quitting smoking or taking blood pressure medicine. However, the disease remains the biggest killer of Americans. Cancer remains the second leading cause of death and rates still indicate an upward trajectory over time. Only a few types of cancer are detected early by screening, and some treatments for aggressive cancers like glioblastoma—the most common type of brain cancer—have also stalled, unable to improve prognosis much over time. In recent years, early-onset cancers, those diagnosed before age 50 or sometimes even earlier, have seen a drastic rise among younger Americans. While highly processed foods and sedentary lifestyles may contribute to rising rates, a spike in cancer rates among otherwise healthy young individuals has baffled some medical professionals. This follows the COVID-19 pandemic that began in 2020. At its peak, high transmission rates made the virus the third leading cause of death in America. It's often compared to the Spanish Flu of 1918, though COVID-19 had a far larger global impact, spurring international collaborations among scientists who developed a vaccine in an unprecedented time. Public policy around issues of safety and access also influences causes of death, particularly—and tragically—among young Americans. Gun control measures in the U.S. are far less stringent than in peer nations; compared to other nations, however, the U.S. leads in gun violence. Firearms are the leading cause of death for children and teens (around 2 in 3 are homicides, and 1 in 3 are suicides), and deaths from opioids remain a leading cause of death among younger people. Globally, the leading causes of death mirror differences in social and geographic factors. NCDs are primarily associated with socio-economic status and comprise 7 out of 10 leading causes of death, 85% of those occurring in low- and middle-income countries, according to the World Health Organization. However, one of the best health measures is life expectancy at birth. People in the U.S. have been living longer lives since 2000, except for a slight dip in longevity due to COVID-19. According to the most recent CDC estimates, Americans' life expectancy is 77.5 years on average and is expected to increase slightly in the coming decades. Story editing by Alizah Salario. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Paris Close. Photo selection by Lacy Kerrick. This story originally appeared on Death Records and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. Get local news delivered to your inbox!

My twin brother was diagnosed with autism at the age of 2. He will always need assistance with things throughout his life. I've had to put having kids aside because I know I will have to take care of him in the future. When my wife and I discuss having kids , we have to be realistic about what our future looks like from a different angle than most people our age. Sure, we consider things like our uncertainty in our ability to parent, we worry about the climate crisis , and also worry about whether we can even support a growing family in this economy. But there's more than that for us. My brother is autistic My twin brother, Jon, is a lot like me in many ways. He is endlessly funny. He is perseverant and hardworking; if he has a goal, he will achieve it. He is passionate about his interests; I truly know nobody with such an in-depth knowledge of the Marvel universe. Jon is also autistic — he received an early diagnosis at 2, and he's worked hard to become the person he is today. From a young age, I've known that Jon will need support throughout his (and my) future and that someday, when our mom is gone, it will be up to me to ensure he has the successful, happy life he deserves. Jon attends an adult day program. He can work with assistance for a limited time span and attends activities in his community with friends. In many regards, his life is much like that of any adult: he goes to work, socializes, comes home, and watches TV or reads. But he will also always need assistance to make sure his day goes smoothly. He cannot drive; he is unable to fill out important paperwork. He might not be able to convey that something is wrong when he isn't feeling well. He needs reminders and help with day-to-day tasks like laundry, brushing his teeth , and cleaning. This is not a downside or a negative to being Jon's brother; it is his reality, as it is mine. Jon will always need assistance to live his life, and I am at peace with that, but it's hard to explain to others. Related stories Our families want us to have kids My wife's mom has made it clear she's hopeful for kids. It's not a surprise; my wife and her mom are both educators, so naturally, they're hoping for more kids to dote on. Her hints have ranged from subtle comments to asking us if we'd have any use in the future for the childhood items she'd saved from my wife's younger years. We have mainly tried to deflect or avoid the conversation. The reality is we don't have a solid answer. We've both talked about having kids for years with no conclusion. The idea is scary — as a struggling 23-year-old, it's hard to imagine a financially stable future where I could be a good parent. But my future is also intertwined with my brother's in a way that's hard to explain. I do not know when I will become Jon's caretaker; it's painful to picture a future where my mom isn't around, but I know that, in reality, there will come a time when she is unable to provide the care Jon needs. When that time comes, I will be financially responsible for ensuring Jon can attend the program he needs and have a safe living situation. I've never held a position where I was paid more than $20 an hour. My wife is a preschool teacher; she loves her career, but neither of us are exactly rolling in dough. Realistically, planning a future for a child is out of the question unless we get into vastly better financial circumstances. We can keep our fingers crossed, but family comes first — and my brother is no exception.

Denton’s Walmart on South Loop 288 is piloting a new program that equips some employees with body-worn cameras in an effort to mitigate theft and customer conflict. The Denton Record-Chronicle visited both Denton Walmart stores, located at 1515 S. Loop 288 and 2750 W. University Drive, on Thursday. A small number of employees were wearing the body cameras at the South Loop 288 store. The employees wearing the devices were located at the self check out stations and were greeters, who occasionally check customer receipts. Other employees throughout the Loop 288 store’s floor were not wearing body cameras at the time. A sign at the store’s entrances informs customers that there is video and audio recording at the store and that body-worn cameras are in use. There were not any employees seen wearing body cameras at the University Drive store on Thursday. Though the stores have in-house asset protection and contracts with the Denton Police Department to provide off-duty officer security, Walmart confirmed it’s looking for additional security measures. “While we don’t talk about the specifics of our security measures, we are always looking at new and innovating technology used across the retail industry,” Walmart said in a statement to USA Today. “This is a pilot we are testing in one market and we will evaluate the result before making any longer-term decisions.” An employee at a unspecified Walmart store posted a photo on Reddit of the devices in a charging station. A poster directs employees to wear the cameras at chest level and activate them if an interaction with a customer is escalating. It tells employees not to wear the cameras in associate spaces or bathrooms. The Denton Walmart stores have long since been hot spots for shoplifting, assault and other criminal behavior. For example, during the week of Thanksgiving, Denton police arrested a man on an aggravated assault charge for allegedly barricading himself in the Walmart on University Drive and shooting arrows at employees and customers. No one was injured in that incident. However, multiple Walmart employees from both Denton stores have reported within the past year that they have been pushed, kicked and hit when confronting customers who are suspected of shoplifting, generally causing a disturbance or victimizing other customers. Other retailers, like TJX , which owns T.J. Maxx, HomeGoods and Marshalls, also equipped employees with body-worn cameras earlier this year. “It’s almost like a de-escalation where people are less likely to do something when they’re being videotaped,” said TJX Chief Financial Officer John Klinger, according to CNN . Back on Reddit, reactions from commenters who worked at various Walmart stores were mixed with some feeling the devices were a necessary improvement in employee safety and others worrying that turning on a camera may further escalate a confrontation. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. From minor traffic accidents to neighborhood watch updates, stay informed on public safety with the week’s top crime stories in your inbox every Wednesday morning. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request.Over the long-term, some of the best businesses to own have been because of their substantial profit growth and the subsequent share price gains that have spurred. But, many of the ASX's most compelling companies now trade on very high such as ( ) and ( ) which have P/E ratios of well over 100. Where are we supposed to look for cheaper opportunities? I suggest we look at businesses that have compelling futures and plans for growth. The valuation doesn't seem as demanding as the high-profile stocks I've referred to. Below are two stocks I view as appealing. Beacon Lighting Group Ltd ( ) This ASX growth share claims to be Australia's leading retailer and trade supplier of lighting, ceiling fans, and electrical accessories. It has more than 120 Beacon Lighting stores, a wholesale division, and international sales offices in Hong Kong, Germany, and the US. Expanding its store network is one of the easiest ways this company can grow its earnings and underlying value. It currently has 127 stores, and management has identified the potential for 195 stores in Australia, which implies a possible increase of 53% from today's level. The company is also growing its market share in Australia's residential electrical wholesale market. Beacon Lighting is trying to partner with more electricians, builders, architects and interior designers by offering special prices, referral benefits, free lighting design, free delivery and other perks. One of the areas of this ASX growth share I'm most excited about is the international segment because of the large addressable market. Beacon's international division is expanding its offering to new sales channels and customers and attending international lighting fairs in Hong Kong, Dallas, and Frankfurt. The Beacon Lighting share price is valued at 24x FY24's earnings, which I think is a very reasonable P/E ratio for a business that's executing on multiple growth avenues. Webjet Group Ltd ( ) Webjet recently split into two businesses, with the WebBeds business now operating separately as ( ). The Webjet business now includes the online travel agency (OTA) business Webjet, the car and motorhome hire business GoSee and travel product software Trip Ninja. As shown on the chart below, the Webjet share price is down 20% since 27 September 2024 and I think this is a good time to pounce. In Webjet's recent (HY25), the company noted that the Australian economy remains slow and that ongoing cost-of-living pressures are subduing demand for travel, particularly domestic travel. Why am I optimistic about that? When it comes to cyclical businesses like and , I believe the right time to invest is when there's weakness in the sector, the outlook is poor, and share prices are down. I believe Webjet has shown its quality and business intelligence during this period by adjusting its focus to higher revenue margin opportunities, selling more 'ancillaries' to customers, increasing international flight bookings and controlling costs. Webjet OTA's revenue per booking is now higher than before the COVID pandemic. This combination of positives has boosted Webjet's profitability – the HY25 result saw a 1% increase in operating profit ( ) despite an 8% decrease in bookings. I believe that if/when travel demand eventually rebounds, whether that's in 2025 or further away, the ASX growth share's profit could significantly benefit. I'm optimistic both the company's profit margin and the Webjet share price can noticeably improve in the next couple of years, so I'm willing to be patient.

Investors with a lot of money to spend have taken a bearish stance on Enphase Energy ENPH . And retail traders should know. We noticed this today when the trades showed up on publicly available options history that we track here at Benzinga. Whether these are institutions or just wealthy individuals, we don't know. But when something this big happens with ENPH, it often means somebody knows something is about to happen. So how do we know what these investors just did? Today, Benzinga 's options scanner spotted 15 uncommon options trades for Enphase Energy. This isn't normal. The overall sentiment of these big-money traders is split between 33% bullish and 66%, bearish. Out of all of the special options we uncovered, 8 are puts, for a total amount of $446,394, and 7 are calls, for a total amount of $257,340. Projected Price Targets Based on the trading activity, it appears that the significant investors are aiming for a price territory stretching from $55.0 to $80.0 for Enphase Energy over the recent three months. Volume & Open Interest Trends In terms of liquidity and interest, the mean open interest for Enphase Energy options trades today is 1476.36 with a total volume of 1,318.00. In the following chart, we are able to follow the development of volume and open interest of call and put options for Enphase Energy's big money trades within a strike price range of $55.0 to $80.0 over the last 30 days. Enphase Energy Option Volume And Open Interest Over Last 30 Days Largest Options Trades Observed: Symbol PUT/CALL Trade Type Sentiment Exp. Date Ask Bid Price Strike Price Total Trade Price Open Interest Volume ENPH PUT SWEEP BULLISH 05/16/25 $14.1 $13.9 $13.92 $70.00 $72.3K 525 119 ENPH PUT SWEEP BEARISH 05/16/25 $19.5 $19.45 $19.5 $80.00 $70.2K 763 32 ENPH PUT TRADE BEARISH 01/16/26 $16.4 $16.3 $16.4 $65.00 $65.6K 440 226 ENPH PUT TRADE BEARISH 01/16/26 $16.4 $16.3 $16.4 $65.00 $65.6K 440 226 ENPH PUT SWEEP BEARISH 05/16/25 $17.35 $17.25 $17.3 $75.00 $55.3K 1.7K 84 About Enphase Energy Enphase Energy is a global energy technology company. The company delivers smart, easy-to-use solutions that manage solar generation, storage, and communication on one platform. The company's microinverter technology primarily serves the rooftop solar market and produces a fully integrated solar-plus-storage solution. Geographically, it derives a majority of revenue from the United States. Following our analysis of the options activities associated with Enphase Energy, we pivot to a closer look at the company's own performance. Present Market Standing of Enphase Energy With a volume of 2,936,074, the price of ENPH is down -0.6% at $68.39. RSI indicators hint that the underlying stock may be approaching overbought. Next earnings are expected to be released in 47 days. Expert Opinions on Enphase Energy In the last month, 3 experts released ratings on this stock with an average target price of $87.33333333333333. Unusual Options Activity Detected: Smart Money on the Move Benzinga Edge's Unusual Options board spots potential market movers before they happen. See what positions big money is taking on your favorite stocks. Click here for access .* Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Piper Sandler continues to hold a Neutral rating for Enphase Energy, targeting a price of $70. * An analyst from RBC Capital has decided to maintain their Sector Perform rating on Enphase Energy, which currently sits at a price target of $71. * An analyst from Goldman Sachs persists with their Buy rating on Enphase Energy, maintaining a target price of $121. Options trading presents higher risks and potential rewards. Astute traders manage these risks by continually educating themselves, adapting their strategies, monitoring multiple indicators, and keeping a close eye on market movements. Stay informed about the latest Enphase Energy options trades with real-time alerts from Benzinga Pro . © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Rinnai America Joins Forces with Homes For Our Troops to Aid Injured Veterans

How the world has changed since Jimmy Carter was born in 1924A recent report highlights the concerning levels of social media abuse aimed at tennis players, with nearly 50% coming from disgruntled gamblers. The International Tennis Federation (ITF), Women's Tennis Association (WTA), the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC), and the United States Tennis Association (USTA) have taken action, monitoring 2.47 million posts using an AI detection system. The Threat Matrix system identified 15 accounts that crossed criminal thresholds, leading to law enforcement intervention. A joint statement emphasized the importance of protecting tennis players and officials from online abuse. This proactive system was launched at the start of the year to address harassment, especially noted during Wimbledon and the U.S. Open. According to the study, gamblers were accountable for 48% of the abuse. With its reach across 39 languages, the Threat Matrix now safeguards nearly 8,000 players. Former world number one Victoria Azarenka praised the initiative for fostering a healthier digital environment. (With inputs from agencies.)

Female Indiana school bus driver, 38, is arrested for ridiculous act By SONYA GUGLIARA FOR DAILYMAIL.COM Published: 01:40, 30 December 2024 | Updated: 02:01, 30 December 2024 e-mail View comments An Indiana school bus driver accused of drunk-driving a bus of 32 children has been charged with two felonies. Kayla Pier, 38, turned herself in to police on Friday after authorities issued a warrant for her arrest, according to the La Porte County Sheriff's Office. On September 20, the reckless driver took students from La Porte Middle School to Riley Elementary School. But the students on the bus realized something was wrong as soon as she started driving. Police said that the students noticed Pier acting strangely and began reporting her out of the ordinary 'driving behaviors and mannerisms,' police said in a statement. 'The courageous students aboard the bus who reported the behaviors of the accused are publicly commended,' LPCSC Captain Derek Allen wrote in a press release. 'Their attention to detail and prompt actions may have prevented a tragedy from occurring.' The school district's transportation director met the bus at Riley Elementary School. Pier was taken off the vehicle and the school district started investigating the situation. Kayla Pier, 38, turned herself in to police on Friday after authorities issued a warrant for her arrest after allegedly drunk-driving a school bus According to police, 32 students were onboard the school bus, driving from La Porte Middle School to Riley Elementary School (stock image) Pier quit her job later that day. The school district brought the incident to the attention of the sheriff's office on October 21, when toxicology results confirmed that Pier was still intoxicated. 'Thank you to the school corporation administrators for their assistance and cooperation throughout the investigation. Our partnership is committed to student safety, both on and off of every campus,' Allen said. Authorities then launched an official investigation into Pier's actions, collecting videos and conducting interviews to get to the bottom of what transpired that day. On December 19, Deputy Brian Crail - who led the investigation - submitted a Probable Cause affidavit to the county's Prosecuting Attorney's office for evaluation. La Porte County Circuit Court agreed that there was probable cause the next day and issued an arrest warrant. Pier turned herself in a week later and was charged with Operating While Intoxicated and Neglect of a Dependent. She was taken to La Porte County Jail, but was released after her bond was posted. The La Porte Community School Corporation addressed Pier's arrest in a social media post, outlining what had transpired. The statement reads: 'Earlier this Fall, students aboard one of our buses demonstrated exceptional judgment and courage by reporting concerning behavior from their driver to school administrators. 'We are incredibly proud of our students, who recognized something was wrong and reported their concerns responsibly. Their actions exemplify the "see something, say something" principles we teach in our schools. 'Our district maintains rigorous standards for all transportation employees, including mandatory random drug and alcohol testing, regular credential verification, and ongoing safety training.' On social media, concerned parents have expressed their outrage with Pier and how the incident was handled. One woman wrote under the LPCSO's Facebook post about the situation: 'Why did the school deal with this internally? Pier was allegedly drunk-driving a bus that left from La Porte Middle School (pictured). Students started reporting her while she was driving 'This was a crime that should have been reported immediately like any other. This is disgusting and disturbing. Another example of poor leadership and a failure to protect our children.' Another user added: 'This should have been reported to the police when it happened! Very concerning it was not reported for a month. '[Pier should be charged with ] 32 counts neglect. 32 counts child endangerment.' 'Police should have met her at the school along with the superintendent! Baffling they didn't call the police right away! She had children on the bus! Even the children knew something was wrong!' someone else said. Indiana Share or comment on this article: Female Indiana school bus driver, 38, is arrested for ridiculous act e-mail Add commentEdwin Su, MD, Orthopedic Surgeon at Hospital for Special Surgery performed the first Lantern Hip procedure. (PRNewsfoto/OrthAlign) Edwin Su, MD, Orthopedic Surgeon at Hospital for Special Surgery performed the first Lantern Hip procedure. (PRNewsfoto/OrthAlign) IRVINE, Calif. , Dec. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- OrthAlign, Inc. today announced a significant milestone with the successful first clinical use of its Lantern Hip handheld technology. The procedure was performed by Edwin Su, MD, a renowned orthopedic surgeon at the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in New York, NY . "The first clinical case of Lantern Hip is a monumental achievement for our team and the surgeons involved with this project," said Eric Timko , CEO of OrthAlign. "This expansion of our flagship platform to include hips not only enhances our product portfolio, but also positions us for significant growth in both the hospital and the ambulatory surgery center (ASC). We're excited to kick off the new year with Lantern Hip and showcase its impact at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons annual meeting," says Eric Timko . Lantern Hip is the latest evolution in hip technology, built upon the success of over 375,000 OrthAlign procedures worldwide. Next-generation sensors, powered by accelerometers and gyroscopes, are designed to provide an accurate and simple solution to navigate cup placement and measure changes in leg length and offset. The system enables the surgeon to choose their preferred implant, and is accessible to any site of service. "Lantern Hip allows me to personalize cup position for each patient," said Dr. Su. "I can compare the functional pelvic plane (FPP), the anterior pelvic plane (APP), and the coronal plane during live cup navigation, so I can place the implant in the best position for function and stability. With its triple-sensor technology, Lantern Hip also allows me to feel confident in my leg length and offset restoration. The system was simple for me and my team to integrate into our workflow during our first case, and I expect this will make a positive impact on other surgeons' experience too." OrthAlign will continue to offer surgeons the opportunity to experience Lantern Hip firsthand through webinars and demonstrations at industry events throughout 2025. For inquiries about upcoming events or to schedule a product demonstration, contact your local OrthAlign representative. Visit www.orthalign.com/lanternhip to view the Lantern Hip introductory video. Lantern Hip is indicated for use in direct anterior total hip arthroplasty procedures with the patient in the supine position. About OrthAlign, Inc. OrthAlign is a medical device company with a focus on delivering practical, cutting-edge technologies for orthopedic surgery. With a commitment to innovation and excellence, OrthAlign provides surgeons with user-friendly, cost-effective solutions to help improve patient care in joint replacement. In 2023, the company celebrated a record-breaking year with over $50 million in global revenue, reflecting its dedication to growth and leadership in the industry. Driven by the belief that everyone deserves exceptional healthcare, OrthAlign is committed to making empowering technologies accessible to all. LANTERN ® and ORTHALIGN ® are registered trademarks of OrthAlign, Inc. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/orthalign-inc-announces-first-cases-using-lantern-hip-the-next-evolution-in-total-hip-replacement-technology-302336610.html SOURCE OrthAlignST. 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 The Associated Press

Lululemon CEO sees progress in company's efforts to address past lack of newnessA former operating room director at Tri-City Medical Center was sentenced Monday to four years in state prison on burglary and sex crime-related charges, convicted of going to a staffer’s home intending to drug her with a surgical anesthetic and then sexually assault her. Gary Johnson, 63, was convicted by a Vista Superior Court jury in August on charges of residential burglary and attempted sexual assault of an unconscious person. The verdict followed about a day of deliberations. Judge Kelly Mok cited the “shocking and extremely serious set of facts” in sentencing Johnson, who must also register as a sex offender. On April 14, Johnson showed up at the woman’s Oceanside apartment carrying a condom, a key to her front door, a rag and a bottle of a general anesthetic used in surgeries, according to authorities and testimony. About 3 a.m., as the woman and her boyfriend watched television in the living room of her apartment, their attention was drawn to her patio. Her boyfriend opened the drapes and found a hooded man in dark clothes wearing gloves and a mask. As the intruder ran, he threw aside a bottle of anesthesia typically used before and during surgery. The boyfriend tackled him and police arrested him. Before Mok handed down the sentence, the victim, identified in court as Jane Doe, made a tearful statement, speaking of the “depth of pain, suffering and consequences” she has suffered. She said she has been “crippled with fear” and no longer feels safe living alone. The incident, she said, “stole a sense of normalcy in my life.” “He is truly the worst type of bad guy. He is truly a wolf in sheep’s clothing,” the victim said in court. Johnson was not her direct supervisor but was higher than her in the hospital hierarchy. The woman has previously testified that in the months leading up to the incident, Johnson had given her pricey gifts, sent her flowers and helped her with groceries. She said that he professed love, but she made it clear they were only friends. Deputy District Attorney Claudia Plascencia said the woman made her boundaries clear in text exchanges with Johnson. Plascencia has also said there was evidence that the anesthesia had been taken from Tri-City. In a lengthy statement Monday, Johnson said he is “deeply sorry,” and that when he pictures himself on the patio that night, he is ashamed and embarrassed. Related Articles Courts | San Diego federal court was ground zero for hashing out Trump’s border policies. A repeat is likely. Courts | San Diego federal judge nominee now a political pawn in run-up to Trump inauguration Courts | Former San Diego federal judge who later mediated Enron settlement dies at 89 Courts | Champion-Cain pushes for early release, citing ‘horrific’ sexual abuse while in prison Courts | April trial set for former National City teacher accused of sex crimes with 2 students “I can neither explain nor justify my actions,” Johnson said, adding he had been “convinced it was OK to put my ill-fated plan into action. I ignored all the alarm bells.” He also apologized to his wife and family, as well as to the Tri-City organization, and said trust was “exponentially ruined when I put my ridiculous plan into action.” Mok cited serious mitigating and aggravating factors as she laid out the sentence for Johnson. She noted that he has no criminal history, suffered abuse as a child and that evaluations found him to be at low risk of committing new crimes. But the judge also weighed “protecting society and punishing the defendant.” The judge noted the thousands of text messages between the defendant and victim in the weeks and months before the incident.

HAGUE, Netherlands US officials have sparked controversy by invoking the so-called "Hague Invasion Act" in response to the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Matthew Hoh, associate director of the Eisenhower Media Network -- a group of former US military, intelligence and national security officials that provides analysis of Washington’s foreign policy -- criticized the threats for Anadolu, highlighting their implications for international law. Hoh reflected on the origins of the act and its renewed relevance following the decision by the ICC. The 2002 law, officially titled the "American Service-Members’ Protection Act," was enacted during President George W. Bush’s administration to shield the US and its allied nationals from ICC prosecution. Known informally as the "Hague Invasion Act," it authorizes the US to use all means, including force, to protect its nationals from ICC jurisdiction. Hoh explained that the legislation was originally designed to block ICC investigations into potential US war crimes. The ICC’s past investigations into US personnel in Afghanistan drew similar threats, with the US imposing sanctions on the court and its officials. He said the law resurfaced in the American Congress after the ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant. 'Decision-makers within the US are doing to hasten the end of the US empire' Hoh criticized the US response as an overreach to protect Israel. "The US has, within its own law, the authorization to use military force against institutions like the ICC,” he said. "Certainly this action ... contravenes the US' own stated desires, its own slogans ... that it believes in such things as international law.” Hoh also noted the broader implications of the US’ confrontational approach toward the ICC. "By doing this, by reacting this way to the International Criminal Court and by requiring its allies to do so, it is giving more credence, more validity, more reason for alternative institutions, alternative mechanisms, alternative alliances to grow and expand against the American empire," he said. "Decision-makers within the US are doing to hasten the end of the US empire.” Double standards in the US approach to the ICC have drawn further scrutiny. Hoh pointed out the stark contrast in US reactions to ICC warrants against Russian President Vladimir Putin and Netanyahu. "When the ICC issued arrest warrants for Vladimir Putin, say the president of Russia, the Americans across the board, political class, media class, military class, so on and so forth, were excited about that development and they were very pleased to see the arrest warrants,” he said. When it comes to Israel, the response is different, he noted. Hoh said the West sees international law as a tool not to be used against those in power. He argued it is there to be used against those in the "developing world, those who do not have power, those who are not within the upper levels in the imperial world order." He added that international law is meant to keep people other than "white people" in check, to keep nations out of power and under the subjugation of the existing world order.I've been estranged from my mum for six years. She finally wanted to meet her granddaughter this Christmas - but would she let me down again? By KATE WILLS Published: 01:30 GMT, 30 December 2024 | Updated: 01:36 GMT, 30 December 2024 e-mail View comments Tell people you don't enjoy Christmas and they look at you like you've been kicking puppies. Over the years, I've come up with many reasons why I dislike this time of year, from the endless over-consumption to the cheesy music. I would always try to shrug off my inner Scrooge with a jokey comment. Most years I would skip the whole thing by jetting out of the country. But behind my smug Instagram posts from a beach in Mexico was a very different story. A big part of the reason I've always hated Christmas so much is that I was estranged from my mother. This time of year is particularly difficult for the millions of adults who have an estranged family member. In Britain, research by the charity Stand Alone suggests around one in five families are affected by estrangement – which is defined as a relationship in which communication has stopped. In the US, a study from Ohio State University found 6 per cent of respondents were estranged from a mother and a staggering 26 per cent from a father. Although lots of us feel under some sort of obligation to see someone we'd rather not spend time with over the holidays – from a tricky uncle to a monstrous mother-in-law – being utterly cut off from a parent is a completely different emotion. In December I would often feel like an alien , as friends talked warmly of looking forward to spending time with their parents and what they'd buy for them. I felt completely cold. For as long as I can remember, I've had a turbulent relationship with my mother. We were never close – whether it was because of her long hours at work or because we had very different personalities. Although I was close to my older sister and got along well with my dad, my childhood was punctuated by my father's drinking and a lot of dysfunction. Kate Wills says a big part of the reason she has always hated Christmas so much is because she was estranged from her mother As a child, I always dreaded Christmas because it seemed to highlight the gap between what I saw on TV and my own set up. My only memories of Christmas are the traditions we had at school – a play of The Nutcracker, making cards and giving them to teachers. My parents divorced when I was 11 and I initially lived with my mother in the home I'd grown up in – but we led largely separate lives. When I was 14 she met a new partner who I didn't get on with and I saw even less of her. A year later I came home from school to find a 'For Sale' sign outside our house, and when I asked my mother about it, she said she was moving to a new city to live with her partner. She told me I could join them, but I didn't want to leave my friends and school to be uprooted to a place where I knew no one. So I went to live with my dad and although I still saw my mother, our meetings were often strained and sad. I felt abandoned and angry. Even when I could see she was trying to make an effort, I struggled to reconcile that with the uninterested mother I had known growing up. I remember one Christmas Day it was just me and my father in his cramped flat with a ready meal. As I grew older, I tended to spend Christmas with my boyfriends' families. I learned to bat off questions about what my own family were doing for Christmas, and give vague responses about why I wasn't seeing them. Over the years, my lack of a traditional family Christmas has led to some unusual December 25ths. I have eaten dim sum with Jewish friends, spent it volunteering at a homeless shelter, and once completely forgot it was Christmas Day entirely as I was hiking in the Himalayas. But wherever I was in the world, as soon as I saw the first decorations in the shops, or heard the first Christmas songs on the radio, I would feel a looming sense of unease. It's a season where family togetherness is rammed down your throat in every advert or movie. Some years, I would try to make the effort to see my mum around the holidays and we would exchange presents, but it always seemed like we were going through the motions. When I met my now-ex-husband in 2005, his huge family were big fans of Christmas and I was happy to be enveloped in their long-standing traditions – walks in the countryside, old movies on the projector. He was overjoyed that the tricky dynamics with my mother meant that we got to spend it with his family every year, rather than alternating like most couples. But occasionally I would look up at the smiles and affection around the table and feel a pang of sadness that I had never known this kind of Christmas growing up. Kate says that for as long as she can remember, she has had a turbulent relationship with her mother. They were never close - whether it was because of her mother's long hours at work or because they had very different personalities Ultimately the stark difference in our backgrounds and childhoods was one of the reasons my ex and I proved incompatible. When we got divorced in 2018, I made some big changes. After many years of therapy, I realised I was never going to get the emotional support I needed from my mother. Following one particularly stressful meeting, I decided it would be our last. I cut off all contact with her – deleting her number, ignoring her emails, blocking her on social media. I wasn't sure how long it would be for, but as the weeks turned to months, I felt much lighter without the obligation to see her. Around this time, I met my current partner and we quickly moved in together. He struggled to understand how I could have no relationship with my mother at all and was saddened by it. But I quickly got used to this reaction from friends and colleagues. Having an estranged parent – particularly your mother – can feel very lonely. An absent father most people can understand, but having no relationship with the woman who gave birth to you is incomprehensible to many. I found some comfort in a Facebook group for people with estranged family members, where thousands of us would share our experiences and offer advice. Sometimes it felt like these strangers understood me more than my closest friends or even my partner. In 2020, our daughter was born. Our first Christmas was spent at home with just the three of us. Because of the pandemic, this wasn't unusual. I revelled in the fact that, for once, I wasn't an outlier on Christmas Day, I was just like everyone else. Although when friends wept with sadness that they couldn't see their parents, I tried hard to empathise. Of course, having my own child has brought up lots of complicated feelings about my mother. But the most surprising one was that falling in love with motherhood made me feel pity for her. I don't think she took much pleasure in us, and I felt sorry if she missed out on this joy. The thought of my own daughter one day cutting off contact with me made me feel physically sick. I would sometimes get messages or letters from my mother, especially around Christmas. She would apologise for what had happened. I felt really sad when I read her words, but I knew that nothing had really changed. I chose not to respond and to focus on my own family. But that didn't mean I didn't wish things were different. New friends and colleagues would ask if I was seeing my parents at Christmas, and when told them I was estranged from my mother they were shocked. 'But she's your mother? And it's Christmas?!' they'd say. As if the mere fact of it being December 25 could undo so many years of hurt and toxic behaviour. There's a perception in our culture that we should put family first, especially at Christmas. But for some families that's just not possible, and protecting yourself from more hurt is the only sensible course of action. I remember once arguing with a friend who had lost both her parents, as she urged me to make amends with my mother while there was still time. Although I understood that it came from a good and well-meaning place, some families can't just kiss and make up. I tried to enjoy Christmas on my own terms, and make new rituals and traditions for my own little family. After decades of not understanding why you could cut down something lovely in nature and plonk it in your living room, in 2021, I got my first Christmas tree. Seeing my daughter's face as the lights went on and she put the star on top made me see Christmas in a new way. After a lifetime of 'Bah humbug' I had caught the Christmas spirit. But I'd still find myself thinking about my mother – despite not having spent a Christmas with her in decades. I would wonder where she was and what was happening in her life. I'd feel sad that she wasn't there to watch my daughter unwrap her gifts or to send her pictures of the school nativity. In 2019, my father was diagnosed with dementia and as his illness progressed he would often ask how my mother was, forgetting I was no longer in touch with her. My dad's worsening condition made me confront the fact that my mother also wouldn't be around for ever. I would occasionally wonder if enough time and space had passed and we could have a relationship again. But I wasn't sure how to open the channels of communication after so long. It had been six years, I couldn't just text her and say 'Fancy a coffee?' Despite our difficult childhood, my sister had always managed to maintain some kind of relationship with my mum. Although they also had periods of not speaking, she would occasionally tell me about meeting my mother at Christmas and I would feel conflicted. Relief that I didn't have to go through that, but also envy that she was able to have a mother in her life, that her children had a grandmother. When my father died earlier this year, I knew I would see my mother at his funeral. I felt more anxious about this than I did about giving the eulogy or seeing my father's coffin. We said brief hellos, and she told me that my dad would've been really proud of my eulogy. She met my partner for the first time and it was a hugely emotional day. Although my mother and I didn't get much time to talk, I felt like a pathway had been opened for us to have a relationship again. My father's death had made me see him in a new light – as a complex person in his own right. I realised that I was able to start to see my mother like this, too. I realised that life is complicated, and she did the best she could. As I approach 40 and with my own experience of motherhood, I can finally appreciate that she had her own reasons for the choices she made – something I always found difficult to comprehend when I was younger. A few tentative emails later, initiated by her, and we met for lunch a month ago. I was very nervous about seeing her again, but it instantly felt like no time had passed at all. We made polite chit-chat about where we were living now, but when she said, 'I hear you've had a daughter' I broke down in tears. It felt like so much had happened in my life and I didn't even know where to begin. I felt overwhelmed with sadness for everything we'd both missed out on. Read More BRYONY GORDON: I discovered the true meaning of Christmas by going to Dubai with my grieving friend That day felt both incredibly mundane and hugely significant. I came away feeling that I'd like to see her again, and that I'd like for her to properly meet my partner and my daughter. Since our meeting she has been respectful of my boundaries – allowing me to set the pace. I'll always be grateful that she has been able to give me the time and space I needed, and that she still wants to try to have a relationship. We arranged to see each other a few days before Christmas, to meet her granddaughter for the first time. But the day before, she sent me a text cancelling, saying she was ill. Although I was disappointed, I wasn't surprised. I have had a lifetime of being let down by my mother. I was hurt that she had cancelled, but I was happy that I hadn't said too much to my daughter about meeting her grandmother. Perhaps a part of me knew she would probably end up not coming – even though it seems unfathomable to me. If I was meeting my grandchild for the first time, it's hard to think of much that would prevent me from showing up. She suggested we find another day to meet up, but I'm not holding out too much hope. Every time I do that with my mother I set myself up for sadness. I would love to give her the benefit of the doubt – it is flu season after all or perhaps she feels nervous about meeting up and it has manifested as an illness. In a way, I feel vindicated that my partner has now seen her baffling and confusing behaviour first- hand, because I sometimes found it hard to explain why we were estranged. Occasionally, I have even doubted my own recollection of the past, almost gas-lighting myself into wondering if she was really that bad. But it seems she hasn't changed all that much. I tried to enjoy the day with my own family. I felt grateful that although it would be another Christmas without my mum – and my first without my dad – I have a lovely family of my own now, and I am much less affected by her being unreliable. I have many memories of being the last person to be collected from school, countless missed parents' evenings and having to stay at friends' houses because she didn't pick me up at all. Christmas is just another day – it wasn't going to magically heal all wounds. There was no exchanging gifts with mum and no heartwarming ending to this story, but by creating my own traditions with my family, this time of year does feel special to me. Even before the arrival of a man called Jesus, people rejoiced in a celebration of light, rebirth and renewal. The worst of winter is hopefully behind us, and it feels like there's a lot to look forward to. Share or comment on this article: I've been estranged from my mum for six years. She finally wanted to meet her granddaughter this Christmas - but would she let me down again? e-mail Add commentKYIV, Ukraine — NATO and Ukraine will hold emergency talks Tuesday after Russia attacked a central city with an experimental, hypersonic ballistic missile. escalating the nearly 33-month-old war. The conflict is “entering a decisive phase,” Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Friday, and “taking on very dramatic dimensions.” Ukraine’s parliament canceled a session as security was tightened following Thursday’s Russian strike on a military facility in the city of Dnipro. In a stark warning to the West, President Vladimir Putin said in a nationally televised speech the attack with the intermediate-range Oreshnik missile was in retaliation for Kyiv’s use of U.S. and British longer-range missiles capable of striking deeper into Russian territory. Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks Friday during a meeting with the leadership of the Russian Ministry of Defense, representatives of the military-industrial complex and developers of missile systems at the Kremlin in Moscow. Putin said Western air defense systems would be powerless to stop the new missile. Ukrainian military officials said the missile that hit Dnipro reached a speed of Mach 11 and carried six nonnuclear warheads, each releasing six submunitions. Speaking Friday to military and weapons industries officials, Putin said Russia will launch production of the Oreshnik. “No one in the world has such weapons,” he said. “Sooner or later, other leading countries will also get them. We are aware that they are under development. “We have this system now,” he added. “And this is important.” Putin said that while it isn’t an intercontinental missile, it’s so powerful that the use of several of them fitted with conventional warheads in one attack could be as devastating as a strike with strategic — or nuclear — weapons. Gen. Sergei Karakayev, head of Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces, said the Oreshnik could reach targets across Europe and be fitted with nuclear or conventional warheads, echoing Putin’s claim that even with conventional warheads, “the massive use of the weapon would be comparable in effect to the use of nuclear weapons.” In this photo taken from a video released Friday, a Russian serviceman operates at an undisclosed location in Ukraine. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov kept up Russia's bellicose tone on Friday, blaming “the reckless decisions and actions of Western countries” in supplying weapons to Ukraine to strike Russia. "The Russian side has clearly demonstrated its capabilities, and the contours of further retaliatory actions in the event that our concerns were not taken into account have also been quite clearly outlined," he said. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, widely seen as having the warmest relations with the Kremlin in the European Union, echoed Moscow’s talking points, suggesting the use of U.S.-supplied weapons in Ukraine likely requires direct American involvement. “These are rockets that are fired and then guided to a target via an electronic system, which requires the world’s most advanced technology and satellite communications capability,” Orbán said on state radio. “There is a strong assumption ... that these missiles cannot be guided without the assistance of American personnel.” Orbán cautioned against underestimating Russia’s responses, emphasizing that the country’s recent modifications to its nuclear deployment doctrine should not be dismissed as a “bluff.” “It’s not a trick ... there will be consequences,” he said. Czech Republic's Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky speaks to journalists Friday during a joint news conference with Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriiy Sybiha in Kyiv, Ukraine. Separately in Kyiv, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský called Thursday’s missile strike an “escalatory step and an attempt of the Russian dictator to scare the population of Ukraine and to scare the population of Europe.” At a news conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Lipavský also expressed his full support for delivering the necessary additional air defense systems to protect Ukrainian civilians from the “heinous attacks.” He said the Czech Republic will impose no limits on the use of its weapons and equipment given to Ukraine. Three lawmakers from Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, confirmed that Friday's previously scheduled session was called off due to the ongoing threat of Russian missiles targeting government buildings in central Kyiv. In addition, there also was a recommendation to limit the work of all commercial offices and nongovernmental organizations "in that perimeter, and local residents were warned of the increased threat,” said lawmaker Mykyta Poturaiev, who said it's not the first time such a threat has been received. Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate said the Oreshnik missile was fired from the Kapustin Yar 4th Missile Test Range in Russia’s Astrakhan region and flew 15 minutes before striking Dnipro. Test launches of a similar missile were conducted in October 2023 and June 2024, the directorate said. The Pentagon confirmed the missile was a new, experimental type of intermediate-range missile based on its RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile. Thursday's attack struck the Pivdenmash plant that built ICBMs when Ukraine was part of the Soviet Union. The military facility is located about 4 miles southwest of the center of Dnipro, a city of about 1 million that is Ukraine’s fourth-largest and a key hub for military supplies and humanitarian aid, and is home to one of the country’s largest hospitals for treating wounded soldiers from the front before their transfer to Kyiv or abroad. We're all going to die someday. Still, how it happens—and when—can point to a historical moment defined by the scientific advancements and public health programs available at the time to contain disease and prevent accidents. In the early 1900s, to improve sanitation, hygiene, and routine vaccinations were still in their infancy. Maternal and infant mortality rates were high, as were contagious diseases that spread between people and animals. Combined with the devastation of two World Wars—and the Spanish Flu pandemic in between—the leading causes of death changed significantly after this period. So, too, did the way we diagnose and control the spread of disease. Starting with reforms as part of Roosevelt's New Deal in the 1930s, massive-scale, federal interventions in the U.S. eventually helped stave off disease transmission. It took comprehensive government programs and the establishment of state and local health agencies to educate the public on preventing disease transmission. Seemingly simple behavioral shifts, such as handwashing, were critical in thwarting the spread of germs, much like discoveries in medicine, such as vaccines, and increased access to deliver them across geographies. Over the course of the 20th century, and is estimated to keep increasing slightly, according to an annual summary of vital statistics published by the American Academy of Pediatrics in 2000. examined data from the to see how the leading causes of death in America have evolved over time and to pinpoint how some major mortality trends have dropped off. According to a report published in the journal Annual Review of Public Health in 2000, in the early 1900s, accounting for nearly 1 in 4 deaths. By the time World War I ended in 1918, during which people and animals were housed together for long periods, a new virus emerged: the Spanish Flu. Originating in a bird before spreading to humans, the virus killed 10 times as many Americans as the war. Many died of secondary pneumonia after the initial infection. Pneumonia deaths eventually plummeted throughout the century, partly prevented by increased flu vaccine uptake rates in high-risk groups, particularly older people. Per the CDC, tuberculosis was a close second leading cause of death, in 1900, mainly concentrated in dense urban areas where the infection could more easily spread. Eventually, public health interventions led to drastic declines in mortality from the disease, such as public education, reducing crowded housing, quarantining people with active disease, improving hygiene, and using antibiotics. Once the death rates lagged, so did the public health infrastructure built to control the disease, leading to a resurgence in the mid-1980s. Diarrhea was the third leading cause of death in 1900, surging every summer among children before the impacts of the pathogen died out in 1930. Adopting water filtration, better nutrition, and improved refrigeration were all associated with its decline. In the 1940s and 1950s, polio outbreaks killed or paralyzed upward of half a million people worldwide every year. Even at its peak, polio wasn't a leading cause of death, it was a much-feared one, particularly among parents of young children, some of whom kept them from crowded public places and interacting with other children. By 1955, when Jonah Salk discovered the polio vaccine, the U.S. had ended the "golden age of medicine." During this period, the causes of mortality shifted dramatically as scientists worldwide began to collaborate on infectious disease control, surgical techniques, vaccines, and other drugs. From the 1950s onward, once quick-spreading deadly contagions weren't prematurely killing American residents en masse, scientists also began to understand better how to diagnose and treat these diseases. As a result, Americans were living longer lives and instead succumbing to noncommunicable diseases, or NCDs. The risk of chronic diseases increased with age and, in some cases, was exacerbated by unhealthy lifestyles. Cancer and heart disease shot up across the century, from 1900 to 1998, according to CDC data. Following the post-Spanish Flu years, heart disease killed more Americans than any other cause, peaking in the 1960s and contributing to 1 in 3 deaths. Cigarette smoking rates peaked at the same time, a major risk factor for heart disease. Obesity rates also rose, creating another risk factor for heart disease and many types of cancers. This coincides with the introduction of ultra-processed foods into diets, which plays a more significant role in larger waistlines than the increasing predominance of sedentary work and lifestyles. In the early 1970s, deaths from heart disease began to fall as more Americans prevented and managed their risk factors, like quitting smoking or taking blood pressure medicine. However, the disease remains the biggest killer of Americans. Cancer remains the second leading cause of death and rates still indicate an upward trajectory over time. Only a few types of cancer are detected early by screening, and some treatments for aggressive cancers like glioblastoma—the most common type of brain cancer—have also stalled, unable to improve prognosis much over time. In recent years, early-onset cancers, those diagnosed before age 50 or sometimes even earlier, have seen a drastic rise among younger Americans. While highly processed foods and sedentary lifestyles may contribute to rising rates, a spike in cancer rates among otherwise healthy young individuals has baffled some medical professionals. This follows the COVID-19 pandemic that began in 2020. At its peak, high transmission rates made the virus the third leading cause of death in America. It's often compared to the Spanish Flu of 1918, though COVID-19 had a far larger global impact, spurring international collaborations among scientists who developed a vaccine in an unprecedented time. Public policy around issues of safety and access also influences causes of death, particularly—and tragically—among young Americans. Gun control measures in the U.S. are far less stringent than in peer nations; compared to other nations, however, the U.S. leads in gun violence. Firearms are the leading cause of death for children and teens (around 2 in 3 are homicides, and 1 in 3 are suicides), and deaths from opioids remain a leading cause of death among younger people. Globally, the leading causes of death mirror differences in social and geographic factors. NCDs are primarily associated with socio-economic status and comprise 7 out of 10 leading causes of death, occurring in low- and middle-income countries, according to the World Health Organization. However, one of the best health measures is life expectancy at birth. People in the U.S. have been living longer lives since 2000, except for a slight dip in longevity due to COVID-19. According to the most recent CDC estimates, Americans' on average and is expected to increase slightly in the coming decades. Get local news delivered to your inbox!Seahawks try for 7th straight win in series vs. Cards in crucial NFC West matchup