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Touchless trash cans are one of the latest innovations in automated kitchen technology. They use infrared motion sensors to automatically lift the lid, allowing users to dispose of trash without touching the can. This hands-free operation makes them not only efficient and easy to use but also improves kitchen hygiene as it helps reduce contact with germs, bacteria and parasites that are often found in household waste. Choosing the ideal touchless trash can for your home will depend on several factors, from the number of people in your household to the shape, size and material that best suits your decor. As with regular trash cans, there are many different shapes and styles available. The most common shapes are round, oval, square or rectangular. While shape can play a factor in determining which trash can to get, it is more important to find the right size trash can for your space. A 13-gallon trash can is standard for a kitchen. However, a smaller 5- to 10-gallon option would be better if you want to place it in a cabinet. For large families that generate a lot of waste, a larger 20 to 30-gallon trash can may be preferable. The most common materials are either metal or plastic. While plastic is certainly the cheaper option, metal trash cans are more durable. A stainless steel trash can is a good option, as it will match kitchen appliances and won’t rust or tarnish with time. However, metal trash cans are more pricey, retailing between $100 and $200, depending on their size and features. There are only two choices when it comes to a power source: battery or mains. A mains-powered trash can requires a permanent power source, restricting its location options. Battery-powered trash cans can be placed wherever you like and are particularly suitable for bathrooms. Look for a model that gives a warning when the batteries need replacing to avoid any inconvenience. The features of a trash can significantly impact the price, so it is important to decide which features you would like. Some trash cans have carbon filters that absorb unpleasant odors; however, remember that the filters must be replaced periodically. Other trash cans may feature a locking mechanism, which is handy if you have pets or small children because the lid will remain closed even if it’s knocked over. simplehuman 45 Liter / 12 Gallon Semi-Round Automatic Sensor Trash Can What you need to know: An elegant-looking option available in a range of metallic and colored finishes. What you’ll love: It has a smooth and quiet motor. The surface is protected with an antimicrobial coating that inhibits the growth of bacteria. What you should consider : At 36 inches tall, it’s too big to fit inside a cabinet. iTouchless 13 Gallon Kitchen Trash Can with Lid and Odor Filter What you need to know: It is available in a range of shapes and sizes, and it has a fingerprint-proof stainless steel body. What you’ll love: A choice of either battery or mains power provides versatility. It has a built-in natural carbon odor filter and a lockable lid. What you should consider : It doesn’t come with batteries or a mains adapter. SensorCan MT04SS-9 Touchless Trash Can What you need to know: With a 4-gallon capacity, this trash can is ideal for use in a kitchen cabinet or a bathroom. What you’ll love: It effectively filters odors and comes with a lemon-scented fragrance cartridge. What you should consider : Although the body is made from metal, the lid is made from plastic, so it may not be as durable. iTouchless 16 Gallon Touchless Sensor Kitchen Trash Can and Recycle Bin with Wheels What you need to know: This versatile option makes separating your recyclables from your waste easy because it has two removable inner buckets with handles. What you’ll love: This trash can can be powered by batteries or an AC adapter. It can be easily moved around the kitchen with optional casters. What you should consider : The battery compartment is below the trash level, so you need to be careful to avoid getting the batteries wet. Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change. Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales. BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.What’s the best way to precisely manipulate a material’s properties to the desired state? It may be straining the material’s atomic arrangement, according to a team of researchers from Cornell and Penn State, among other institutions. The team discovered that “atomic spray painting” of potassium niobate, a material used in advanced electronics, could tune the resulting thin films with exquisite control. The finding, published in Advanced Materials , could drive environmentally friendly advancements in consumer electronics, medical devices and quantum computing, the researchers said. The process, called strain tuning, alters a material’s properties by stretching or compressing its atomic unit cell, which is the repeating motif of atoms that builds up its crystal structure. The researchers use molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), a technique that involves depositing a layer of atoms on a substrate to form a thin film. In this case, they produced a thin film of strain-tuned potassium niobate. "This was the first time potassium niobate has been grown using MBE," said Venkatraman “Venkat” Gopalan, a professor of materials science and engineering at Penn State and corresponding author of the study. “The technique is like spray-painting atoms onto a surface." According to the researchers, the novel MBE technique – in combination with a crystal that serves as a substrate template – creates the strain needed to tune the material. Potassium niobate is ferroelectric, or a class of materials with a natural electric polarization that can be reversed by applying an external electric field, much like how magnets have a magnetic polarization that can be flipped with an external magnetic field. Ferroelectrics are vital for devices like ultrasound equipment, infrared cameras and precision actuators for advanced microdevices. To “spray paint” the potassium niobate for the study, Gopalan turned to Darrell Schlom, the Tisch University Professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Cornell University. They grew the thin films at the U.S. National Science Foundation-funded Platform for the Accelerated Realization, Analysis, and Discovery of Interface Materials (PARADIM) thin film growth facility, which Schlom co-directs at Cornell. Schlom noted that both he and Gopalan worked at Penn State on the first-ever strain tuning of ferroelectric materials approximately 20 years ago. “Our role was to help Venkat and Sankalpa realize this material that Venkat has been dreaming about for decades now,” Schlom said. “Venkat synthesized unstrained thin films of this material during his doctoral work at Cornell three decades ago, so he knows just how challenging it can be to grow it. For this work, my student Tobias Schwaigert and I helped them grow this material.” Schlom explained that strain engineering works by layering two materials of slightly dissimilar sizes. Imagine raining down atoms onto a surface comprising the same type of atoms but spaced a little differently. If the layer being added is thin enough, it will stretch or compress slightly to match the surface below it. The small change in spacing creates a strain in the material, similar to how a rubber band stretches when pulled. This strain, controlled by the size and spacing of the atoms on the surface, is what leads to changes in the material's properties, like increasing its temperature limits or improving its ferroelectric performance. The research team also discovered that strain tuned-potassium niobate’s ferroelectric performance remained stable even at high temperatures. Typically, ferroelectric materials, when heated, lose their polarization – meaning they are no longer able to switch their electrical charge. “With further development, this novel version of the material could become a key player in the next generation of green, high-performance technologies that impact everything from our personal devices to space exploration,” Gopalan said. Along with Gopalan, Hazra, Schwaigert and Schlom, other authors of the study from the Penn State Department of Materials Science and Engineering are Aiden Ross, doctoral candidate; Utkarsh Saha, Tatiana Kuznetsova and Saugata Sarker, all graduate research assistants; Betul Akkopru-Akgun, assistant research professor; Susan Trolier-McKinstry, Evan Pugh University Professor and Flaschen Professor of Ceramic Science and Engineering; Vladimir A. Stoica, associate research professor; and Long-Qing Chen, Hamer Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, professor of engineering science and mechanics and of mathematics. Other co-authors include Haidong Lu, Xin Li, Xiaoshan Xu and Alexei Gruverman, University of Nebraska; Victor Trinquet and Gian-Marco Rignanese, Institute of Condensed Matter and Nanosciences in Belgium; Benjamin Z. Gregory, Suchismita Sarker, Matthew R. Barone, Andrej Singer and David A. Muller, Cornell University; Anudeep Mangu and Aaron M. Lindenberg, Stanford University; John W. Freeland, Argonne National Laboratory; Roman Engel-Herbert, Paul Drude Institute for Solid State Electronics; and Salva Salmani-Rezaie, Ohio State University. The U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. National Science Foundation, among others, supported this research. This article was adapted with permission from a version written by Jamie Oberdick and published by Penn State.A thing of beauty may be said to be a joy forever, but it is not one hundred percent true. A thing of beauty may fade, deteriorate, decay and the beauty then begins to decline and vanish. But still, something beautiful is worth hailing while we see it or feel it. Adetshina Ms Chidimma Vanesa Adetshina is the reason for this little homily on beauty today. The 23 year-old law student has beauty and a complicated identity. Her father is a Nigerian of Enugu extraction. Her mother is a Mozambican and she was born in Soweto in South Africa. Soweto has a history that neither South Africans nor the world can afford to forget. The pretty lady who has been living in South Africa was trying to compete for the Miss Universe South Africa in the hope that if she won she would represent that country of her birth in the global Miss Universe competition. But the country that went through hell due to apartheid but which got liberated by the weight of Nigeria’s voice and resources treated her very shabbily. I think the apartheid struggle taught South Africans the wrong lesson, namely that xenophobia was and is an admirable quality. South Africa has treated Nigerians several times as if Nigeria is their enemy, not their enabler. The two countries may be competing politically and economically but that should not deprive them of their humanity or their spirit of brotherhood and adorable co-existence. As two prominent countries in the same continent they have a lot to live for. But that is a story for another day. To cut a long story short South Africa did not let Chidimma to contest in their country. Nigeria invited her to come and contest under the Nigerian flag. She came, she contested, she won. That gave her the opportunity to contest at the global level a couple of weeks ago in Mexico. She did not get the top prize. That went to a 21-year old girl from Denmark, Viktoria Kjaer Theivlig who is a multi-talented beauty, an entrepreneur, a dancer and an animal activist. Our girl Chidimma emerged as the first runner up and the winner for the Africa and Oceania Regions. This is a feat when you realize that there were contestants from 130 countries, a sharp increase from 94 beauties that competed in 2018. This is the second time that Nigeria would win a major beauty pageant. In 2001 Miss Agbani Darego won the Miss World contest. That remains a record for which Nigeria must be proud. Before then no one in Nigeria thought that it was possible for a Nigerian to win a major international beauty contest because there are actually no universally accepted criteria for beauty in the world. Most African women have big buttocks. Most white women have flat buttocks. Most African women are of medium height. Most white women are higher in height. So it can be said that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, whether the beholder is white or black, tall or short, fat or slim. It is instructive that the white lady who represented South Africa in the competition Mia Le Roux suddenly withdrew from the competition based on alleged “health challenges.” Some online irritants described it as “karma at work.” So South Africa that lost the opportunity of giving Chidimma the chance to feature for them lost out completely because of its xenophobic tendencies. The craze for ethnicity and xenophobia in Africa must be something to agitate the minds of African leaders. While our leaders make grand speeches on African unity at their major conferences they are not interested in working on policies that can cement that unity among Africans. The recent very primitive treatment of Nigeria’s Super Eagles players and officials in Libya is an ugly example. And on top of the ill-treatment they had the temerity to defend it as something that was done by their government and not their football organization. And to add insult to injury they said their sovereignty must be respected. That would never happen in any of the developed countries some of whom are opening their doors to educated immigrants from other countries to gain the benefits of globalization and universal education. Despite the problem of racism in America, it has produced a Black American President Barack Obama and a non-white Vice President Kamala Harris. Britain has also produced Rishi Sunak who is not a regular British citizen. And even a Nigerian woman Kemi Badenock is now leading a major political party, the Conservative Party in the UK. When will African leaders grow up and accept the fact that the world is becoming a global village with universality of values. The Governor of Enugu State where Chidimma comes from Dr Peter Mbah has made the girl the State’s Brand Ambassador. A good decision because as Mbah said “Chidimma’s story will serve as a beacon of hope to our young people particularly young women.” For me the real beauty apart from the physical beauty of this girl is her perseverance, her tenacity and her resilience. Even as the competition was on some South Africans were writing petitions to the organisers to disqualify our girl. She kept pushing on relentlessly to her goal. She is a determined and focused person. She says to other young people through the BBC. “Don’t give up on your dreams, set those goals for yourself. It might seem too scary, but set them. Always do anything in your power to make you achieve them.” Those words indicate that the real beauty in her is from within. So she is not a peacock with external beauty only. She has complete beauty which will last forever. That complete beauty is made up of her tenacity, perseverance, grace under pressure, resilience and the knowledge that you cannot be a pretty woman without being a source of trouble to the world because every pretty person is a source of envy. And, often, it is not her fault.
The Prime Minister has now cut the price of his investment property twice. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been snared in an inner west real estate crunch that may explain why he has had to slash about $150,000 off the price of an investment property up for sale. The three-bedroom home in Dulwich Hill was first listed in August with a price guide of about $1.9m. The auction scheduled for October was later called off and the price guide for the three-bedroom home dropped to $1.85m. Last week, the price dropped to $1.75m . Mr Albanese’s investment, which he snapped up in 2015 for $1,175m, remains up for sale after the two price drops. MORE: Bold moves that got Albo $8.8m property empire MORE: Former Prime Minister’s home now worth $150m The Prime Minister is selling the home amid settlement of a luxury Copacabana house he bought in September with partner Jodie Hayson for $4.3m. That home is now being offered for rent at $1,900 a week. But new figures indicate the Labor leader may have inadvertently timed the sale of his Dulwich Hill property poorly, listing it just as the inner west market took a turn for the worse. It’s now one of the weakest property markets in the country outside of Victoria, with home prices falling by an average of 1.2 per cent in the three months to November, according to PropTrack. Such a drop, measured against median prices in many areas (houses in much of the region cost over $2.5m) slashed tens of thousands off real estate values. MORE: Wild reason these homes cost as little as $35k The Dulwich Hill property has been up for sale since August. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers MORE: Russell Crowe’s $42m home for sale It was also a sharp turn from earlier this year when prices in the inner west were rising sharply. And there could be more falls on the way, with modelling by research SQM Research indicating prices across Sydney could drop by 1-5 per cent next year due to affordability constraints and delays in interest rate cuts. Changing fortunes for inner west sellers have followed a considerable increase in the volume of housing available for sale – most of which has been other landlord owned properties. “The market has turned on a dime,” said auctioneer Chris Scerri, who has called sales across much of the inner west this spring. Anthony Albanese recently bought a clifftop home on The Central Coast for $4.3 million. MORE: Countries that will pay you $140k to move there “Buyers have become a lot more cautious because of moves from the Reserve Bank ... the market has come back a lot in the inner west. It’s unusual for that (area).” Local agents told The Daily Telegraph many of the vendors who listed over recent months published guides based on the sale from earlier this year when the market was a lot stronger. And this meant it was common for new properties to hit the market with price expectations a lot higher than the buyer market was willing to pay. Adrian William director Adrian Tsavalas, commenting on the market generally, said most properties attracted four to five strong buyers earlier this year but this whittled down to just one, or sometimes zero, interest for properties listed over the spring. Mr Tsavalas said buyers were reluctant to move on inner west listings unless they “saw value”. MORE: Isla Fisher’s $1m post-divorce win The interior of the Dulwich Hill home up for sale. Mr Albanese’s sale has coincided with a change in the real estate market. Picture: Wagner Meier/Getty Images “Listings increased but there wasn’t the same increase in buyers so buyers were really spoiled for choice,” Mr Tsavalas said. He said it was normal in the current sale climate across the region for vendors to have to adjust their initial price expectations downward on account of softer demand. There was a silver lining for vendors like Mr Albanese, he added. “Stock is beginning to dry up again and there are still a few buyers trying to get something before (Christmas).”30 Years Ago, PlayStation's Biggest Risk Changed Gaming Forever
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Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly is not escalating a war of words with Mexico, after the Mexican president criticized Canada’s culture and its framing of border issues. “I fundamentally believe that many conversations, when it comes to diplomacy, are always better when they remain private,” Joly said Monday during a teleconference from Brussels. The rift between the two trading partners started with U.S. president-elect Donald Trump’s declaration that he plans to impose 25 per cent tariffs on all goods from both countries unless they stop the flow of migrants and illegal drugs into the U.S. Several federal and provincial officials in Canada responded by saying the issues at the Canadian border are vastly different from the Mexican border. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, for example, has voiced concerns that the level of Chinese investment in Mexico goes against the economic-security goals of Ottawa and Washington. Some premiers have called on Canada to negotiate a trade deal with Washington independent from Mexico, ahead of the 2026 review of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement, which replaced NAFTA during Trump’s last tenure in the White House. In a Monday press conference, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Mexico “must be respected, especially by its trading partners.” She also noted that Canada has “a very serious problem with fentanyl consumption,” more than Mexico, and possibly as a result of some drug-decriminalization measures. “We are not going to fall for a provocation of which country is better,” she said, chalking some criticism from Canada up to political pandering. “Mexico should not be used as part of (Canadian) electoral campaigns,” she said. Yet Sheinbaum also said Canada “could only wish they had the cultural riches Mexico has,” saying her country has civilizations dating back thousands of years. Asked to respond, Joly said she is reaching out to Mexican officials after speaking with the U.S., including about the “very important trade agreement” that includes all three countries. “I know there has been many conversations in Canada about how we can work together and how we can, at the same time, protect our interests,” she said. “We have a positive relationship with Mexico, and we need to work with the country; that’s definitely my goal.” Christopher Sands, director of the Canada Institute at the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington, said tensions between both countries played out in the NAFTA renegotiation, when there was limited communication between Ottawa and Mexico City. “The Canada-Mexico relationship has always been the weakest part of the triangle of North America,” he said. “There was a lot of feeling during the (CUSMA) negotiations that Mexico was willing to go it alone, and that Canada particularly toward the end was on the outside looking in, and had to fight its way back to the table.” He said Washington would rather have a trade pact with all three countries so it can limit the time and attention it needs on continental issues. “The U.S. is probably the most trilateral of all three countries,” he said, with a caveat. “I think Donald Trump looks at this going into 2026 and says, ‘Great, divide and conquer.’” Sands added that Sheinbaum and her predecessor have implemented nationalist policies that have been at odds with Washington. “The Mexican government has been moving in a direction which is antithetical to the North American project (through) nationalizing parts of the economy, by reversing energy reforms, by doing deals with the cartels. (They are) sometimes working co-operatively with the Americans in the borders, and sometimes not.” Sheinbaum indicated a week ago that she would be writing a letter to Trudeau. That has not been made public, although she did release a letter she had sent to Trump.Shareholders that lost money on Iris Energy Limited (IREN) Urged to Join Class Action – Contact The Gross Law Firm to Learn More
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IT'S taken just 11 months for some Manchester United fans to turn on minority co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe. And doubters in the Old Trafford faithful will no doubt be left even more frustrated when they find out what could've been under the Qatari administration, who had plans to revolutionise the club in just THREE DAYS. Fan pressure and soaring costs saw the majority owning Glazer family announce that they were open to selling United in November 2022. And Qatari billionaire banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani, entered the race to buy Britain's biggest football club. After months of speculation, Sheikh Jassim's final £4.5billion offer for full control was shunned by the Glazers , in favour of Britain's richest man Ratcliffe. Ratcliffe's own £1.2bn offer for a 27.7 per cent stake was accepted, and the 72-year-old, a life long fan, was effectively given the keys, taking control of all operations. But things haven't gone to plan, with sporting director Dan Ashworth leaving the club after just five months in his role in the latest of a string of PR disasters. Almost 12 months on, the 'new' United lurches from horror show to another under Ratcliffe and his Ineos officers. Ahead of Sunday's derby at Man City they find themselves in a lowly 13th place in the Premier League. After 15 games they are 16 points behind Liverpool, who spanked them 3-0 at Old Trafford. FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS But the Mail have now revealed an inside swoop into what could've happened in M16 if the Qatari's were allowed to buy the club outright. Plans for a United rebirth, fuelled by vast wealth and some of the finest sporting and finance brains on earth , had already been carefully drafted. The strategy for 'Project Ruby' saw the Qatari's pledge to announce the takeover on the first day. The removal of ALL of the club's debt would come on the second day. And United would be taken off the New York Stock Exchange and no longer answerable to far-away stakeholders. By day three, Sheikh Jassim would reveal plans for a brand new state-of-the-art stadium. That's it, a clean break in three days to change the club's history and current predicament. As for Old Trafford, there would be no attempt to grab any money from the taxpayer, or confusion over whether this would be a refurbishment or a rebuild. Ratcliffe was reportedly lobbying the government's "Levelling Up" plan to give the north of England a venue to rival Wembley. And the iconic ground continues to rot away, hampered by an embarrassing leaky roof and dead RATS under seats. Under Sheikh Jassim this would have been a more straightforward process. A senior adviser to the Qatari group told the Mail: "The b****y thing would have been fully in-motion now. "A stadium for a football club paid for by a football club and nobody else. And as for the staff Ratcliffe is firing - we would have been hiring." None of the above will be of solace to the United fans – and the large numbers of staff - who had wanted the Sheikh Jassim bid to succeed. Populous, the designers responsible for many of the venues at the 2022 World Cup , had already drawn up plans, which were shared with bidders for United. It can now be disclosed that an 'adaptable' stadium was being seriously considered, with a capacity of between 90,000 and 100,000. Leading commercial property company JLL, based in Manchester city centre, had already been signed up to work on the project. And there was a separate fund planned for the women's team, who would've had their own training centre in Manchester. Leading commercial property company JLL, based in Manchester city centre, had already been signed up to work on the project. Far from being given the sack, Sir Alex Ferguson was to be cherished and invited onto an advisory board. Others, including Class of '92 members David Beckham and Gary Neville, were also being lined up to add their input. But the opposite has come true. Ratcliffe's hated cost-cutting campaign has seen 250 redundancies made and tickets were hiked to £66 for kids and pensioners. He's even turned into the grinch and replaced the £100 staff Christmas bonus with a £40 M&S voucher in his latest money-saving measure. Fans have already protested outside Old Trafford begging to stop being "exploited". But it might not be the end of the story. The advisor told the Mail: "Sheikh Jassim is still a rich guy. "He is still a United fan. He is not going to rush off and try another Premier League club. 'If the opportunity to buy the whole of Manchester United arose again at some point in the future it is hard to see there not being a big level of interest. The plans are still there." SIR JIM RATCLIFFE'S minority takeover at Manchester United was announced on Christmas Eve in 2023 - and a lot has happened at Old Trafford since... December 2023 - Man Utd confirm Ratcliffe's takeover on Christmas Eve, vowing to invest £245m into Old Trafford January 2024 - Ratcliffe and right-hand man Sir Dave Brailsford photographed meeting Erik ten Hag during tour of Carrington January 2024 - Omar Berrada poached from Man City as new CEO February 2024 - Ratcliffe's £1billion, 27.7 per cent takeover officially completed February 2024 - Former CEO Richard Arnold quits board as Ineos pair John Rees and Rob Nevin added March 2024 - Ratcliffe bans words "awesome" and "lukewarm cappuccino" in bizarre move March 2024 - Matt Johnson appointed head of women's football March 2024 - Ratcliffe announces plans to build "Wembley of the North" to replace Old Trafford March 2024 - Man Utd NYSE share price drops to $13.73 on March 21 - down from $20.52 immediately after Ratcliffe takeover in December April 2024 - Senior staff club credit cards and private cars cancelled April 2024 - John Murtough quits as football director April 2024 - Jason Wilcox appointed technical director after compensation package agreed with Southampton May 2024 - Ratcliffe turns Carrington "toxic" after sending email to employees slamming "disgraceful" lack of cleanliness May 2024 - Work finally starts on leaking Old Trafford roof May 2024 - Man Utd finish eighth in Premier League, worst-ever finish May 2024 - Ratcliffe gives employees just one week to decide if they want to accept redundancy May 2024 - Staff forced to pay for own transport to FA Cup final and only given one ticket May 2024 - Pre-match party and hotel for senior staff before FA Cup final axed May 2024 - Man Utd shock rivals Man City to win FA Cup despite suggestions Erik ten Hag will be sacked regardless of result June 2024 - Man Utd announce £50m plans to upgrade Carrington training ground June 2024 - Ratcliffe introduces strict "back to work" policy forcing staff to come into office June 2024 - Ratcliffe scores own goal with comments about women's team July 2024 - Man Utd finally agree deal to bring in Dan Ashworth as sporting director after four months of gardening leave at Newcastle, who received £3m in compensation July 2024 - Erik ten Hag signs shock new contract extension until 2026 July 2024 - Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake appointed assistant managers, Andreas Georgson first-team coach and Jelle ten Rouwelaar goalkeeper coach. Darren Fletcher's role changes from technical director to first-team coach. Steve McClaren, Mitchell van der Gaag and Benni McCarthy depart. July 2024 - Ex-Chelsea technical director Christopher Vivell joins on short-term basis as interim director of recruitment July 2024 - Jean-Claude Blanc added to Man Utd board July 2024 - Man Utd cut down number of staff on US pre-season tour to 125 July 2024 - Ratcliffe makes 250 redundancies including popular media man John Allen, historian Cliff Butler and kitman Alex Wylie August 2024 - Man Utd splash out £199m in the summer transfer window August 2024 - Matchday staff lunchboxes scrapped and some forced to eat beside toilet October 2024 - Man Utd stop paying £2m-a-year ambassador salary to Sir Alex Ferguson October 2024 - Staff Christmas party cancelled October 2024 - "Back to work" policy costing Utd fortune to convert hospitality suites into temporary offices between home matches October 2024 - Erik ten Hag sacked with club 14th in Premier League table, costing club £15m November 2024 - Ruben Amorim appointed new Man Utd manager on deal until 2027 after stumping up £10m release clause November 2024 - Coach Ruud van Nistelrooy axed by new manager Ruben Amorim November 2024 - Man Utd chiefs locked in blame game over summer shambles including Erik ten Hag situation and transfer signings November 2024 - Ratcliffe reportedly set to half £40,000 budget paid to Manchester United Disabled Supporters Association December 2024 - Ratcliffe admits "mediocre" Man Utd "still in last century" December 2024 - Fans protest after OAP and children concessions tickets ditched and minimum home ticket cost up to £66 December 2024 - Dan Ashworth sacked after five months as sporting director December 2024 - £100 staff Christmas bonus ditched for £40 M&S voucher
Jury are deliberating in the long-running YSL gang and racketeering trialMeta faces April trial in FTC case seeking to unwind Instagram merger
Kaduna Eboigbodin, a one-time chairman of the Edo state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has reportedly slumped and died during an encounter with police officers in Benin City Legit.ng learnt that the incident happened on Monday, December 2, 2024, at a checkpoint in Upper Sakponba, Ikpoba Okha local government area of the state The late Eboigbodin was a former head of Uhunmwonde local government administration and the erstwhile national vice-chairman of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) CHECK OUT: Learn at Your Own Pace! Our Flexible Online Course allows you to fit copywriting skills development around your busy schedule. Enroll Now! Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering public affairs and governance. Benin City, Edo state - Kaduna Eboigbodin, a former chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Edo state, has tragically passed away. Eboigbodin's death occurred after an alleged encounter with police officers at a roadblock in the Upper Sokponba area of Benin City. Kaduna Eboigbodin: CSOs outraged Read also Court overturns suspension of Pro-Fubara federal lawmaker From PDP The sudden exit of the labour leader has sparked widespread outrage and calls for justice from labour unions, civil society organisations, and the public. PAY ATTENTION : Standing out in social media world? Easy! "Mastering Storytelling for Social Media" workshop by Legit.ng. Join Us Live! As reported by Vanguard newspaper on Tuesday, December 3, civil society groups have issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the police to identify and hold accountable the officers involved. Eboigbodin was reportedly stopped on Monday, December 2, while driving with his wife. According to Reverend David Ugolor, executive director of the African Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), initial accounts from Eboigbodin’s wife revealed that the police demanded his vehicle papers, which were up to date. They allegedly raised concerns about a discrepancy between the car’s glass engraving and its plate number. Despite providing explanations, the police reportedly seized his documents, ordered his arrest, and called for a tow truck to impound his car. The tension at the scene escalated, and Eboigbodin reportedly slumped. Bystanders and his wife rushed him to the hospital, but he was pronounced dead on arrival. Read also Former House of Reps member abducted in Nasarawa, police orderly killed, details emerge Kaduna Eboigbodin's death: Police react Meanwhile, the Edo state police command denied the allegation. Moses Yamu, the spokesperson of the police in the south-south state explained that the account shared by civil rights groups does not align with the version provided by the deceased’s wife to the authorities. Legit.ng reports that apart from being a former NLC state chairman, Eboigbodin served as the national vice chairman of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE). Former NLC president, Ciroma dies Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Ali Ciroma, a former NLC president, died in Borno . Ciroma breathed his last at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri. A family member, who is also the secretary of the Borno state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ali Ibrahim Ciroma, announced the death of the unionist in a statement. PAY ATTENTION: Сheck out news that is picked exactly for YOU ➡️ find the “Recommended for you” block on the home page and enjoy! Source: Legit.ngPenns Woods Bancorp, Inc. Announces Quarterly Dividend
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Nintendo Switch 2 in even more trouble after PlayStation bombshellIndie Semiconductor ( INDI -23.67% ) stock is falling fast in Tuesday's trading. The chip specialist's share price was down by 20.7% as of 2:45 p.m. ET. The sell-off came in reaction to the company's announcement after the market closed Monday that it plans to sell up to $175 million in convertible senior debt notes. The company will sell those debt notes in a private offering. In addition, management left the door open for an additional $26.25 million in debt-note sales. The notes are slated to mature on Dec. 15, 2029, although the company has laid out provisions that would allow for the notes to be redeemed for cash on or after Dec. 20, 2027. What's next for Indie Semiconductor? If Indie Semiconductor stock performs well over the next several years, it's reasonable to expect that holders of the convertible notes will redeem them for shares of new common stock. That would increase the chip company's shares outstanding, diluting the value of the shares held by current investors. Based on Indie's market cap of roughly $852 million, the creation of new stock at corresponding levels would work out to a roughly 24% increase over the company's current share count (assuming the additional $26.25 million worth of notes are also sold). On the other hand, the company's stock has already pulled back substantially in response to the new debt offering, so there's not much additional reason to be concerned about whether or not the notes eventually get converted into common stock at this point. Indie's recent move highlights the company's profitability and funding concerns. Depending on how effectively it utilizes the funds raised through this new convertible debt offering, the capital-raising move could be either beneficial or deleterious to long-term shareholders.
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Touchless trash cans are one of the latest innovations in automated kitchen technology. They use infrared motion sensors to automatically lift the lid, allowing users to dispose of trash without touching the can. This hands-free operation makes them not only efficient and easy to use but also improves kitchen hygiene as it helps reduce contact with germs, bacteria and parasites that are often found in household waste. Choosing the ideal touchless trash can for your home will depend on several factors, from the number of people in your household to the shape, size and material that best suits your decor. As with regular trash cans, there are many different shapes and styles available. The most common shapes are round, oval, square or rectangular. While shape can play a factor in determining which trash can to get, it is more important to find the right size trash can for your space. A 13-gallon trash can is standard for a kitchen. However, a smaller 5- to 10-gallon option would be better if you want to place it in a cabinet. For large families that generate a lot of waste, a larger 20 to 30-gallon trash can may be preferable. The most common materials are either metal or plastic. While plastic is certainly the cheaper option, metal trash cans are more durable. A stainless steel trash can is a good option, as it will match kitchen appliances and won’t rust or tarnish with time. However, metal trash cans are more pricey, retailing between $100 and $200, depending on their size and features. There are only two choices when it comes to a power source: battery or mains. A mains-powered trash can requires a permanent power source, restricting its location options. Battery-powered trash cans can be placed wherever you like and are particularly suitable for bathrooms. Look for a model that gives a warning when the batteries need replacing to avoid any inconvenience. The features of a trash can significantly impact the price, so it is important to decide which features you would like. Some trash cans have carbon filters that absorb unpleasant odors; however, remember that the filters must be replaced periodically. Other trash cans may feature a locking mechanism, which is handy if you have pets or small children because the lid will remain closed even if it’s knocked over. simplehuman 45 Liter / 12 Gallon Semi-Round Automatic Sensor Trash Can What you need to know: An elegant-looking option available in a range of metallic and colored finishes. What you’ll love: It has a smooth and quiet motor. The surface is protected with an antimicrobial coating that inhibits the growth of bacteria. What you should consider : At 36 inches tall, it’s too big to fit inside a cabinet. iTouchless 13 Gallon Kitchen Trash Can with Lid and Odor Filter What you need to know: It is available in a range of shapes and sizes, and it has a fingerprint-proof stainless steel body. What you’ll love: A choice of either battery or mains power provides versatility. It has a built-in natural carbon odor filter and a lockable lid. What you should consider : It doesn’t come with batteries or a mains adapter. SensorCan MT04SS-9 Touchless Trash Can What you need to know: With a 4-gallon capacity, this trash can is ideal for use in a kitchen cabinet or a bathroom. What you’ll love: It effectively filters odors and comes with a lemon-scented fragrance cartridge. What you should consider : Although the body is made from metal, the lid is made from plastic, so it may not be as durable. iTouchless 16 Gallon Touchless Sensor Kitchen Trash Can and Recycle Bin with Wheels What you need to know: This versatile option makes separating your recyclables from your waste easy because it has two removable inner buckets with handles. What you’ll love: This trash can can be powered by batteries or an AC adapter. It can be easily moved around the kitchen with optional casters. What you should consider : The battery compartment is below the trash level, so you need to be careful to avoid getting the batteries wet. Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change. Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales. BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.What’s the best way to precisely manipulate a material’s properties to the desired state? It may be straining the material’s atomic arrangement, according to a team of researchers from Cornell and Penn State, among other institutions. The team discovered that “atomic spray painting” of potassium niobate, a material used in advanced electronics, could tune the resulting thin films with exquisite control. The finding, published in Advanced Materials , could drive environmentally friendly advancements in consumer electronics, medical devices and quantum computing, the researchers said. The process, called strain tuning, alters a material’s properties by stretching or compressing its atomic unit cell, which is the repeating motif of atoms that builds up its crystal structure. The researchers use molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), a technique that involves depositing a layer of atoms on a substrate to form a thin film. In this case, they produced a thin film of strain-tuned potassium niobate. "This was the first time potassium niobate has been grown using MBE," said Venkatraman “Venkat” Gopalan, a professor of materials science and engineering at Penn State and corresponding author of the study. “The technique is like spray-painting atoms onto a surface." According to the researchers, the novel MBE technique – in combination with a crystal that serves as a substrate template – creates the strain needed to tune the material. Potassium niobate is ferroelectric, or a class of materials with a natural electric polarization that can be reversed by applying an external electric field, much like how magnets have a magnetic polarization that can be flipped with an external magnetic field. Ferroelectrics are vital for devices like ultrasound equipment, infrared cameras and precision actuators for advanced microdevices. To “spray paint” the potassium niobate for the study, Gopalan turned to Darrell Schlom, the Tisch University Professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Cornell University. They grew the thin films at the U.S. National Science Foundation-funded Platform for the Accelerated Realization, Analysis, and Discovery of Interface Materials (PARADIM) thin film growth facility, which Schlom co-directs at Cornell. Schlom noted that both he and Gopalan worked at Penn State on the first-ever strain tuning of ferroelectric materials approximately 20 years ago. “Our role was to help Venkat and Sankalpa realize this material that Venkat has been dreaming about for decades now,” Schlom said. “Venkat synthesized unstrained thin films of this material during his doctoral work at Cornell three decades ago, so he knows just how challenging it can be to grow it. For this work, my student Tobias Schwaigert and I helped them grow this material.” Schlom explained that strain engineering works by layering two materials of slightly dissimilar sizes. Imagine raining down atoms onto a surface comprising the same type of atoms but spaced a little differently. If the layer being added is thin enough, it will stretch or compress slightly to match the surface below it. The small change in spacing creates a strain in the material, similar to how a rubber band stretches when pulled. This strain, controlled by the size and spacing of the atoms on the surface, is what leads to changes in the material's properties, like increasing its temperature limits or improving its ferroelectric performance. The research team also discovered that strain tuned-potassium niobate’s ferroelectric performance remained stable even at high temperatures. Typically, ferroelectric materials, when heated, lose their polarization – meaning they are no longer able to switch their electrical charge. “With further development, this novel version of the material could become a key player in the next generation of green, high-performance technologies that impact everything from our personal devices to space exploration,” Gopalan said. Along with Gopalan, Hazra, Schwaigert and Schlom, other authors of the study from the Penn State Department of Materials Science and Engineering are Aiden Ross, doctoral candidate; Utkarsh Saha, Tatiana Kuznetsova and Saugata Sarker, all graduate research assistants; Betul Akkopru-Akgun, assistant research professor; Susan Trolier-McKinstry, Evan Pugh University Professor and Flaschen Professor of Ceramic Science and Engineering; Vladimir A. Stoica, associate research professor; and Long-Qing Chen, Hamer Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, professor of engineering science and mechanics and of mathematics. Other co-authors include Haidong Lu, Xin Li, Xiaoshan Xu and Alexei Gruverman, University of Nebraska; Victor Trinquet and Gian-Marco Rignanese, Institute of Condensed Matter and Nanosciences in Belgium; Benjamin Z. Gregory, Suchismita Sarker, Matthew R. Barone, Andrej Singer and David A. Muller, Cornell University; Anudeep Mangu and Aaron M. Lindenberg, Stanford University; John W. Freeland, Argonne National Laboratory; Roman Engel-Herbert, Paul Drude Institute for Solid State Electronics; and Salva Salmani-Rezaie, Ohio State University. The U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. National Science Foundation, among others, supported this research. This article was adapted with permission from a version written by Jamie Oberdick and published by Penn State.A thing of beauty may be said to be a joy forever, but it is not one hundred percent true. A thing of beauty may fade, deteriorate, decay and the beauty then begins to decline and vanish. But still, something beautiful is worth hailing while we see it or feel it. Adetshina Ms Chidimma Vanesa Adetshina is the reason for this little homily on beauty today. The 23 year-old law student has beauty and a complicated identity. Her father is a Nigerian of Enugu extraction. Her mother is a Mozambican and she was born in Soweto in South Africa. Soweto has a history that neither South Africans nor the world can afford to forget. The pretty lady who has been living in South Africa was trying to compete for the Miss Universe South Africa in the hope that if she won she would represent that country of her birth in the global Miss Universe competition. But the country that went through hell due to apartheid but which got liberated by the weight of Nigeria’s voice and resources treated her very shabbily. I think the apartheid struggle taught South Africans the wrong lesson, namely that xenophobia was and is an admirable quality. South Africa has treated Nigerians several times as if Nigeria is their enemy, not their enabler. The two countries may be competing politically and economically but that should not deprive them of their humanity or their spirit of brotherhood and adorable co-existence. As two prominent countries in the same continent they have a lot to live for. But that is a story for another day. To cut a long story short South Africa did not let Chidimma to contest in their country. Nigeria invited her to come and contest under the Nigerian flag. She came, she contested, she won. That gave her the opportunity to contest at the global level a couple of weeks ago in Mexico. She did not get the top prize. That went to a 21-year old girl from Denmark, Viktoria Kjaer Theivlig who is a multi-talented beauty, an entrepreneur, a dancer and an animal activist. Our girl Chidimma emerged as the first runner up and the winner for the Africa and Oceania Regions. This is a feat when you realize that there were contestants from 130 countries, a sharp increase from 94 beauties that competed in 2018. This is the second time that Nigeria would win a major beauty pageant. In 2001 Miss Agbani Darego won the Miss World contest. That remains a record for which Nigeria must be proud. Before then no one in Nigeria thought that it was possible for a Nigerian to win a major international beauty contest because there are actually no universally accepted criteria for beauty in the world. Most African women have big buttocks. Most white women have flat buttocks. Most African women are of medium height. Most white women are higher in height. So it can be said that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, whether the beholder is white or black, tall or short, fat or slim. It is instructive that the white lady who represented South Africa in the competition Mia Le Roux suddenly withdrew from the competition based on alleged “health challenges.” Some online irritants described it as “karma at work.” So South Africa that lost the opportunity of giving Chidimma the chance to feature for them lost out completely because of its xenophobic tendencies. The craze for ethnicity and xenophobia in Africa must be something to agitate the minds of African leaders. While our leaders make grand speeches on African unity at their major conferences they are not interested in working on policies that can cement that unity among Africans. The recent very primitive treatment of Nigeria’s Super Eagles players and officials in Libya is an ugly example. And on top of the ill-treatment they had the temerity to defend it as something that was done by their government and not their football organization. And to add insult to injury they said their sovereignty must be respected. That would never happen in any of the developed countries some of whom are opening their doors to educated immigrants from other countries to gain the benefits of globalization and universal education. Despite the problem of racism in America, it has produced a Black American President Barack Obama and a non-white Vice President Kamala Harris. Britain has also produced Rishi Sunak who is not a regular British citizen. And even a Nigerian woman Kemi Badenock is now leading a major political party, the Conservative Party in the UK. When will African leaders grow up and accept the fact that the world is becoming a global village with universality of values. The Governor of Enugu State where Chidimma comes from Dr Peter Mbah has made the girl the State’s Brand Ambassador. A good decision because as Mbah said “Chidimma’s story will serve as a beacon of hope to our young people particularly young women.” For me the real beauty apart from the physical beauty of this girl is her perseverance, her tenacity and her resilience. Even as the competition was on some South Africans were writing petitions to the organisers to disqualify our girl. She kept pushing on relentlessly to her goal. She is a determined and focused person. She says to other young people through the BBC. “Don’t give up on your dreams, set those goals for yourself. It might seem too scary, but set them. Always do anything in your power to make you achieve them.” Those words indicate that the real beauty in her is from within. So she is not a peacock with external beauty only. She has complete beauty which will last forever. That complete beauty is made up of her tenacity, perseverance, grace under pressure, resilience and the knowledge that you cannot be a pretty woman without being a source of trouble to the world because every pretty person is a source of envy. And, often, it is not her fault.
The Prime Minister has now cut the price of his investment property twice. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been snared in an inner west real estate crunch that may explain why he has had to slash about $150,000 off the price of an investment property up for sale. The three-bedroom home in Dulwich Hill was first listed in August with a price guide of about $1.9m. The auction scheduled for October was later called off and the price guide for the three-bedroom home dropped to $1.85m. Last week, the price dropped to $1.75m . Mr Albanese’s investment, which he snapped up in 2015 for $1,175m, remains up for sale after the two price drops. MORE: Bold moves that got Albo $8.8m property empire MORE: Former Prime Minister’s home now worth $150m The Prime Minister is selling the home amid settlement of a luxury Copacabana house he bought in September with partner Jodie Hayson for $4.3m. That home is now being offered for rent at $1,900 a week. But new figures indicate the Labor leader may have inadvertently timed the sale of his Dulwich Hill property poorly, listing it just as the inner west market took a turn for the worse. It’s now one of the weakest property markets in the country outside of Victoria, with home prices falling by an average of 1.2 per cent in the three months to November, according to PropTrack. Such a drop, measured against median prices in many areas (houses in much of the region cost over $2.5m) slashed tens of thousands off real estate values. MORE: Wild reason these homes cost as little as $35k The Dulwich Hill property has been up for sale since August. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers MORE: Russell Crowe’s $42m home for sale It was also a sharp turn from earlier this year when prices in the inner west were rising sharply. And there could be more falls on the way, with modelling by research SQM Research indicating prices across Sydney could drop by 1-5 per cent next year due to affordability constraints and delays in interest rate cuts. Changing fortunes for inner west sellers have followed a considerable increase in the volume of housing available for sale – most of which has been other landlord owned properties. “The market has turned on a dime,” said auctioneer Chris Scerri, who has called sales across much of the inner west this spring. Anthony Albanese recently bought a clifftop home on The Central Coast for $4.3 million. MORE: Countries that will pay you $140k to move there “Buyers have become a lot more cautious because of moves from the Reserve Bank ... the market has come back a lot in the inner west. It’s unusual for that (area).” Local agents told The Daily Telegraph many of the vendors who listed over recent months published guides based on the sale from earlier this year when the market was a lot stronger. And this meant it was common for new properties to hit the market with price expectations a lot higher than the buyer market was willing to pay. Adrian William director Adrian Tsavalas, commenting on the market generally, said most properties attracted four to five strong buyers earlier this year but this whittled down to just one, or sometimes zero, interest for properties listed over the spring. Mr Tsavalas said buyers were reluctant to move on inner west listings unless they “saw value”. MORE: Isla Fisher’s $1m post-divorce win The interior of the Dulwich Hill home up for sale. Mr Albanese’s sale has coincided with a change in the real estate market. Picture: Wagner Meier/Getty Images “Listings increased but there wasn’t the same increase in buyers so buyers were really spoiled for choice,” Mr Tsavalas said. He said it was normal in the current sale climate across the region for vendors to have to adjust their initial price expectations downward on account of softer demand. There was a silver lining for vendors like Mr Albanese, he added. “Stock is beginning to dry up again and there are still a few buyers trying to get something before (Christmas).”30 Years Ago, PlayStation's Biggest Risk Changed Gaming Forever
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Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly is not escalating a war of words with Mexico, after the Mexican president criticized Canada’s culture and its framing of border issues. “I fundamentally believe that many conversations, when it comes to diplomacy, are always better when they remain private,” Joly said Monday during a teleconference from Brussels. The rift between the two trading partners started with U.S. president-elect Donald Trump’s declaration that he plans to impose 25 per cent tariffs on all goods from both countries unless they stop the flow of migrants and illegal drugs into the U.S. Several federal and provincial officials in Canada responded by saying the issues at the Canadian border are vastly different from the Mexican border. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, for example, has voiced concerns that the level of Chinese investment in Mexico goes against the economic-security goals of Ottawa and Washington. Some premiers have called on Canada to negotiate a trade deal with Washington independent from Mexico, ahead of the 2026 review of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement, which replaced NAFTA during Trump’s last tenure in the White House. In a Monday press conference, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Mexico “must be respected, especially by its trading partners.” She also noted that Canada has “a very serious problem with fentanyl consumption,” more than Mexico, and possibly as a result of some drug-decriminalization measures. “We are not going to fall for a provocation of which country is better,” she said, chalking some criticism from Canada up to political pandering. “Mexico should not be used as part of (Canadian) electoral campaigns,” she said. Yet Sheinbaum also said Canada “could only wish they had the cultural riches Mexico has,” saying her country has civilizations dating back thousands of years. Asked to respond, Joly said she is reaching out to Mexican officials after speaking with the U.S., including about the “very important trade agreement” that includes all three countries. “I know there has been many conversations in Canada about how we can work together and how we can, at the same time, protect our interests,” she said. “We have a positive relationship with Mexico, and we need to work with the country; that’s definitely my goal.” Christopher Sands, director of the Canada Institute at the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington, said tensions between both countries played out in the NAFTA renegotiation, when there was limited communication between Ottawa and Mexico City. “The Canada-Mexico relationship has always been the weakest part of the triangle of North America,” he said. “There was a lot of feeling during the (CUSMA) negotiations that Mexico was willing to go it alone, and that Canada particularly toward the end was on the outside looking in, and had to fight its way back to the table.” He said Washington would rather have a trade pact with all three countries so it can limit the time and attention it needs on continental issues. “The U.S. is probably the most trilateral of all three countries,” he said, with a caveat. “I think Donald Trump looks at this going into 2026 and says, ‘Great, divide and conquer.’” Sands added that Sheinbaum and her predecessor have implemented nationalist policies that have been at odds with Washington. “The Mexican government has been moving in a direction which is antithetical to the North American project (through) nationalizing parts of the economy, by reversing energy reforms, by doing deals with the cartels. (They are) sometimes working co-operatively with the Americans in the borders, and sometimes not.” Sheinbaum indicated a week ago that she would be writing a letter to Trudeau. That has not been made public, although she did release a letter she had sent to Trump.Shareholders that lost money on Iris Energy Limited (IREN) Urged to Join Class Action – Contact The Gross Law Firm to Learn More
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IT'S taken just 11 months for some Manchester United fans to turn on minority co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe. And doubters in the Old Trafford faithful will no doubt be left even more frustrated when they find out what could've been under the Qatari administration, who had plans to revolutionise the club in just THREE DAYS. Fan pressure and soaring costs saw the majority owning Glazer family announce that they were open to selling United in November 2022. And Qatari billionaire banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani, entered the race to buy Britain's biggest football club. After months of speculation, Sheikh Jassim's final £4.5billion offer for full control was shunned by the Glazers , in favour of Britain's richest man Ratcliffe. Ratcliffe's own £1.2bn offer for a 27.7 per cent stake was accepted, and the 72-year-old, a life long fan, was effectively given the keys, taking control of all operations. But things haven't gone to plan, with sporting director Dan Ashworth leaving the club after just five months in his role in the latest of a string of PR disasters. Almost 12 months on, the 'new' United lurches from horror show to another under Ratcliffe and his Ineos officers. Ahead of Sunday's derby at Man City they find themselves in a lowly 13th place in the Premier League. After 15 games they are 16 points behind Liverpool, who spanked them 3-0 at Old Trafford. FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS But the Mail have now revealed an inside swoop into what could've happened in M16 if the Qatari's were allowed to buy the club outright. Plans for a United rebirth, fuelled by vast wealth and some of the finest sporting and finance brains on earth , had already been carefully drafted. The strategy for 'Project Ruby' saw the Qatari's pledge to announce the takeover on the first day. The removal of ALL of the club's debt would come on the second day. And United would be taken off the New York Stock Exchange and no longer answerable to far-away stakeholders. By day three, Sheikh Jassim would reveal plans for a brand new state-of-the-art stadium. That's it, a clean break in three days to change the club's history and current predicament. As for Old Trafford, there would be no attempt to grab any money from the taxpayer, or confusion over whether this would be a refurbishment or a rebuild. Ratcliffe was reportedly lobbying the government's "Levelling Up" plan to give the north of England a venue to rival Wembley. And the iconic ground continues to rot away, hampered by an embarrassing leaky roof and dead RATS under seats. Under Sheikh Jassim this would have been a more straightforward process. A senior adviser to the Qatari group told the Mail: "The b****y thing would have been fully in-motion now. "A stadium for a football club paid for by a football club and nobody else. And as for the staff Ratcliffe is firing - we would have been hiring." None of the above will be of solace to the United fans – and the large numbers of staff - who had wanted the Sheikh Jassim bid to succeed. Populous, the designers responsible for many of the venues at the 2022 World Cup , had already drawn up plans, which were shared with bidders for United. It can now be disclosed that an 'adaptable' stadium was being seriously considered, with a capacity of between 90,000 and 100,000. Leading commercial property company JLL, based in Manchester city centre, had already been signed up to work on the project. And there was a separate fund planned for the women's team, who would've had their own training centre in Manchester. Leading commercial property company JLL, based in Manchester city centre, had already been signed up to work on the project. Far from being given the sack, Sir Alex Ferguson was to be cherished and invited onto an advisory board. Others, including Class of '92 members David Beckham and Gary Neville, were also being lined up to add their input. But the opposite has come true. Ratcliffe's hated cost-cutting campaign has seen 250 redundancies made and tickets were hiked to £66 for kids and pensioners. He's even turned into the grinch and replaced the £100 staff Christmas bonus with a £40 M&S voucher in his latest money-saving measure. Fans have already protested outside Old Trafford begging to stop being "exploited". But it might not be the end of the story. The advisor told the Mail: "Sheikh Jassim is still a rich guy. "He is still a United fan. He is not going to rush off and try another Premier League club. 'If the opportunity to buy the whole of Manchester United arose again at some point in the future it is hard to see there not being a big level of interest. The plans are still there." SIR JIM RATCLIFFE'S minority takeover at Manchester United was announced on Christmas Eve in 2023 - and a lot has happened at Old Trafford since... December 2023 - Man Utd confirm Ratcliffe's takeover on Christmas Eve, vowing to invest £245m into Old Trafford January 2024 - Ratcliffe and right-hand man Sir Dave Brailsford photographed meeting Erik ten Hag during tour of Carrington January 2024 - Omar Berrada poached from Man City as new CEO February 2024 - Ratcliffe's £1billion, 27.7 per cent takeover officially completed February 2024 - Former CEO Richard Arnold quits board as Ineos pair John Rees and Rob Nevin added March 2024 - Ratcliffe bans words "awesome" and "lukewarm cappuccino" in bizarre move March 2024 - Matt Johnson appointed head of women's football March 2024 - Ratcliffe announces plans to build "Wembley of the North" to replace Old Trafford March 2024 - Man Utd NYSE share price drops to $13.73 on March 21 - down from $20.52 immediately after Ratcliffe takeover in December April 2024 - Senior staff club credit cards and private cars cancelled April 2024 - John Murtough quits as football director April 2024 - Jason Wilcox appointed technical director after compensation package agreed with Southampton May 2024 - Ratcliffe turns Carrington "toxic" after sending email to employees slamming "disgraceful" lack of cleanliness May 2024 - Work finally starts on leaking Old Trafford roof May 2024 - Man Utd finish eighth in Premier League, worst-ever finish May 2024 - Ratcliffe gives employees just one week to decide if they want to accept redundancy May 2024 - Staff forced to pay for own transport to FA Cup final and only given one ticket May 2024 - Pre-match party and hotel for senior staff before FA Cup final axed May 2024 - Man Utd shock rivals Man City to win FA Cup despite suggestions Erik ten Hag will be sacked regardless of result June 2024 - Man Utd announce £50m plans to upgrade Carrington training ground June 2024 - Ratcliffe introduces strict "back to work" policy forcing staff to come into office June 2024 - Ratcliffe scores own goal with comments about women's team July 2024 - Man Utd finally agree deal to bring in Dan Ashworth as sporting director after four months of gardening leave at Newcastle, who received £3m in compensation July 2024 - Erik ten Hag signs shock new contract extension until 2026 July 2024 - Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake appointed assistant managers, Andreas Georgson first-team coach and Jelle ten Rouwelaar goalkeeper coach. Darren Fletcher's role changes from technical director to first-team coach. Steve McClaren, Mitchell van der Gaag and Benni McCarthy depart. July 2024 - Ex-Chelsea technical director Christopher Vivell joins on short-term basis as interim director of recruitment July 2024 - Jean-Claude Blanc added to Man Utd board July 2024 - Man Utd cut down number of staff on US pre-season tour to 125 July 2024 - Ratcliffe makes 250 redundancies including popular media man John Allen, historian Cliff Butler and kitman Alex Wylie August 2024 - Man Utd splash out £199m in the summer transfer window August 2024 - Matchday staff lunchboxes scrapped and some forced to eat beside toilet October 2024 - Man Utd stop paying £2m-a-year ambassador salary to Sir Alex Ferguson October 2024 - Staff Christmas party cancelled October 2024 - "Back to work" policy costing Utd fortune to convert hospitality suites into temporary offices between home matches October 2024 - Erik ten Hag sacked with club 14th in Premier League table, costing club £15m November 2024 - Ruben Amorim appointed new Man Utd manager on deal until 2027 after stumping up £10m release clause November 2024 - Coach Ruud van Nistelrooy axed by new manager Ruben Amorim November 2024 - Man Utd chiefs locked in blame game over summer shambles including Erik ten Hag situation and transfer signings November 2024 - Ratcliffe reportedly set to half £40,000 budget paid to Manchester United Disabled Supporters Association December 2024 - Ratcliffe admits "mediocre" Man Utd "still in last century" December 2024 - Fans protest after OAP and children concessions tickets ditched and minimum home ticket cost up to £66 December 2024 - Dan Ashworth sacked after five months as sporting director December 2024 - £100 staff Christmas bonus ditched for £40 M&S voucher
Jury are deliberating in the long-running YSL gang and racketeering trialMeta faces April trial in FTC case seeking to unwind Instagram merger
Kaduna Eboigbodin, a one-time chairman of the Edo state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has reportedly slumped and died during an encounter with police officers in Benin City Legit.ng learnt that the incident happened on Monday, December 2, 2024, at a checkpoint in Upper Sakponba, Ikpoba Okha local government area of the state The late Eboigbodin was a former head of Uhunmwonde local government administration and the erstwhile national vice-chairman of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) CHECK OUT: Learn at Your Own Pace! Our Flexible Online Course allows you to fit copywriting skills development around your busy schedule. Enroll Now! Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering public affairs and governance. Benin City, Edo state - Kaduna Eboigbodin, a former chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Edo state, has tragically passed away. Eboigbodin's death occurred after an alleged encounter with police officers at a roadblock in the Upper Sokponba area of Benin City. Kaduna Eboigbodin: CSOs outraged Read also Court overturns suspension of Pro-Fubara federal lawmaker From PDP The sudden exit of the labour leader has sparked widespread outrage and calls for justice from labour unions, civil society organisations, and the public. PAY ATTENTION : Standing out in social media world? Easy! "Mastering Storytelling for Social Media" workshop by Legit.ng. Join Us Live! As reported by Vanguard newspaper on Tuesday, December 3, civil society groups have issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the police to identify and hold accountable the officers involved. Eboigbodin was reportedly stopped on Monday, December 2, while driving with his wife. According to Reverend David Ugolor, executive director of the African Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), initial accounts from Eboigbodin’s wife revealed that the police demanded his vehicle papers, which were up to date. They allegedly raised concerns about a discrepancy between the car’s glass engraving and its plate number. Despite providing explanations, the police reportedly seized his documents, ordered his arrest, and called for a tow truck to impound his car. The tension at the scene escalated, and Eboigbodin reportedly slumped. Bystanders and his wife rushed him to the hospital, but he was pronounced dead on arrival. Read also Former House of Reps member abducted in Nasarawa, police orderly killed, details emerge Kaduna Eboigbodin's death: Police react Meanwhile, the Edo state police command denied the allegation. Moses Yamu, the spokesperson of the police in the south-south state explained that the account shared by civil rights groups does not align with the version provided by the deceased’s wife to the authorities. Legit.ng reports that apart from being a former NLC state chairman, Eboigbodin served as the national vice chairman of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE). Former NLC president, Ciroma dies Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Ali Ciroma, a former NLC president, died in Borno . Ciroma breathed his last at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri. A family member, who is also the secretary of the Borno state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ali Ibrahim Ciroma, announced the death of the unionist in a statement. PAY ATTENTION: Сheck out news that is picked exactly for YOU ➡️ find the “Recommended for you” block on the home page and enjoy! Source: Legit.ngPenns Woods Bancorp, Inc. Announces Quarterly Dividend
Mazama Energy Awarded Grant by U.S. Department of Energy for Superhot Rock Geothermal Demonstration Project
Nintendo Switch 2 in even more trouble after PlayStation bombshellIndie Semiconductor ( INDI -23.67% ) stock is falling fast in Tuesday's trading. The chip specialist's share price was down by 20.7% as of 2:45 p.m. ET. The sell-off came in reaction to the company's announcement after the market closed Monday that it plans to sell up to $175 million in convertible senior debt notes. The company will sell those debt notes in a private offering. In addition, management left the door open for an additional $26.25 million in debt-note sales. The notes are slated to mature on Dec. 15, 2029, although the company has laid out provisions that would allow for the notes to be redeemed for cash on or after Dec. 20, 2027. What's next for Indie Semiconductor? If Indie Semiconductor stock performs well over the next several years, it's reasonable to expect that holders of the convertible notes will redeem them for shares of new common stock. That would increase the chip company's shares outstanding, diluting the value of the shares held by current investors. Based on Indie's market cap of roughly $852 million, the creation of new stock at corresponding levels would work out to a roughly 24% increase over the company's current share count (assuming the additional $26.25 million worth of notes are also sold). On the other hand, the company's stock has already pulled back substantially in response to the new debt offering, so there's not much additional reason to be concerned about whether or not the notes eventually get converted into common stock at this point. Indie's recent move highlights the company's profitability and funding concerns. Depending on how effectively it utilizes the funds raised through this new convertible debt offering, the capital-raising move could be either beneficial or deleterious to long-term shareholders.
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