The Newly Launched DLyte TurboFlow Machine Brings DryLyte Finishing to a Larger Scale 12-03-2024 10:58 PM CET | Business, Economy, Finances, Banking & Insurance Press release from: Getnews / PR Agency: Headlineplus GPAINNOVA, a global leader in surface finishing technology, announces DLyte TurboFlow, an innovative solution that brings the DryLyte finishing process to scale. DLyte TurboFlow is designed to deliver perfect finishes across all dimensions, shapes, and weights, enabling manufacturers to push the boundaries of surface treatment like never before. This pioneering technology ensures that every surface, regardless of complexity, is finished to the highest standards, offering unparalleled results. With TurboFlow, GPAINNOVA continues its legacy of transforming industries through cutting-edge innovation, setting a new standard in surface finishing. Image: https://www.getnews.info/uploads/ad65eeab28bd71b59dd3823f6c00dfb4.jpg Revolutionizing Surface Treatment DLyte TurboFlow redefines the electropolishing process with media movement technology, allowing parts to remain stationary during finishing. This revolutionary approach simplifies handling, eliminates size and weight limitations, and ensures exceptional results even for the most complex geometries. Image: https://www.getnews.info/uploads/dbf0ea1f3e2a975c6185fa614157ef68.jpg "DLyte TurboFlow is not just about scaling-it is about empowering industries to achieve precision and quality at levels previously thought impossible," said Pau Sarsanedas, CEO and President of GPAINNOVA. "It is the ultimate solution for manufacturers looking to streamline operations, reduce costs, and elevate product quality." Image: https://www.getnews.info/uploads/c166b6ba572559b394b8c28b23da42de.jpg Introducing EasyFix: A New Benchmark in Simplicity EasyFix is the new concept used in Turboflow as the parts can be treated without the need of customized fixturing. It marks a new industry benchmark, making even the most complex finishing setups a thing of the past while maximizing efficiency and scalability. Image: https://www.getnews.info/uploads/f68fc48ff4130210751f157132ddd6e7.jpg A Target Market 10 Times Bigger DLyte TurboFlow unlocks vast new markets for DryLyte finishing, expanding the potential target market to 10 times its current size. With the ability to handle any metal, any weight, and any size, TurboFlow is uniquely suited for applications across: * Stamping Molds: An industry spending $10 - $30 billion annually on maintenance and polishing. * Food-Grade Processing Equipment: Large tanks, trays, and mixers requiring hygienic finishes. * Aerospace and Automotive Components: Large, intricate parts needing precise surface treatments. * High volume low value products: Small, high volume, low value products requiring treatment in bulk thanks to the possible use of standard racks for treatment. TurboFlow is the solution for industries demanding excellence, scale, and efficiency in surface finishing. Flexible Commercialization for Easy Integration in Any Business DLyte TurboFlow is also available through a flexible renting solution, offering: * Minimal CAPEX: No upfront investment required. * Consumable-Based Model: Buy the consumable and get the equipment as a renting. * Maintenance Included: Monthly fees cover maintenance, ensuring consistent performance and predictable costs. How to Learn More For those who were unable to attend the launch of the DLyte TurboFlow at Formnext 2024, there is still an opportunity to learn more about this innovative system. Interested parties can schedule a meeting with GPAINNOVA's team to explore how TurboFlow's advanced technology can optimize operations, reduce costs, and deliver exceptional results. About GPAINNOVA Founded in 2013 in Barcelona, GPAINNOVA has expanded globally with subsidiaries in Sunrise, Florida (USA), Monterrey (Mexico), as well as Hong Kong and Shenzhen (China). The company specializes in metal surface finishing through its brands DLyte [ https://www.dlyte.com/ ] and MURUA [ https://murua.dlyte.com/ ]. The business group has more than 60 distributors, more than 1,500 clients worldwide and more than 2,000 machines installed. Since 2020, GPAINNOVA has been recognized annually by the Financial Times as one of the 1,000 fastest-growing European companies. For further information: GPAINNOVA C/ Maracaibo, 1, sheds 2-6. 08030 Barcelona Telephone: (+34) 93 125 65 36 info@gpainnova.com http://www.gpainnova.com Media Contact Company Name: GPAINNOVA AMERICA CORP Contact Person: Media Relations Email: Send Email [ http://www.universalpressrelease.com/?pr=the-newly-launched-dlyte-turboflow-machine-brings-drylyte-finishing-to-a-larger-scale ] Phone: +34 931 256 536 State: Florida Country: United States Website: http://www.gpainnova.com This release was published on openPR.

The Miami Hurricanes, who once appeared to be a near-lock for the College Football Playoff, are not playing for a national title. Instead, they will play in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando. That bowl berth against Iowa State is a let-down for fans with dreams of a sixth national title in their minds, as well as players hoping to compete for a championship. However, Miami’s trip to Orlando and the lead-up to it are still crucial periods for the Hurricanes for multiple reasons. First, it’s a chance for the program to achieve something it has not done in more than two decades: win 11 games. Although the 11th win won’t get them closer to a championship, it is a good sign of the program’s progress over Mario Cristobal’s tenure. It would also end UM’s five-game losing streak in bowls. “We’re not satisfied,” Cristobal said. “We want to win every single game. We won 10. We were close on the other two, but close isn’t good enough. We want progress. We’re hungry and driven to get better, and so that’s what our focus is on: to improving as a football program, to getting better, to moving into the postseason with an opportunity against a great football team like this and putting our best on the field.” There are signs the Hurricanes will show up at close to full strength for the bowl game. Running back Damien Martinez announced he was going to play, and star quarterback Cam Ward said in a video call posted on social media that he intends to play, as well. “We’re trying to win our first bowl game in 20 years,” Ward said in the video, mistaking the length of UM’s long bowl losing streak. “We’re going hard.” Playing in the bowl game also provides the opportunity for the Hurricanes to get in several practices between now and the game. That means Miami can develop its young players and prepare them for next season during both the practices and the bowl game itself. “It’s extremely valuable,” Cristobal said. “You really don’t have many opportunities throughout the course of the year — time is limited more and more each season with your student-athletes. I want to state this and be very clear: it’s very important, it’s ultra-important for the University of Miami to continue to develop and grow and progress by stressing the importance of offseason opportunities ... You learn a lot about your team and learn a lot about your people and your program when you head to the postseason.” Of course, there are potential negatives. Players can get hurt; Mark Fletcher Jr. suffered a foot injury in the Pinstripe Bowl last year that cost him all of spring practice. A poor performance can also potentially set the tone for next season, like how Florida State, fresh off a playoff snub last year, suffered a devastating loss against Georgia in the Orange Bowl and went on to a dismal 2-10 season this year. “This is the ending of ’24 and the beginning of ’25,” Cristobal said. “This is the last opportunity to be on the field and carry some momentum into the offseason. So it is, in essence, it is the most important game because it’s the next game. “There’s a lot of excitement in the form of opportunity for our guys. Our guys love to play football. The chance to play one more time with this special group — this is a special group of guys now. They’ve worked hard to really change the trajectory of the University of Miami, and they want to continue to elevate the status and the culture at the University of Miami. So certainly a ton to play for.” ____ Get local news delivered to your inbox!This Is What Whales Are Betting On Trump Media & Technology

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a new technology with tremendous long-term investment potential. But don't assume that all AI stocks are speculative or high-octane growth businesses. There are plenty of opportunities for dividend investors to add AI exposure to their portfolios, too. Some companies in the best positions to lead the AI industry pay dividends. Their core businesses are enhanced by AI or even have growth opportunities. No, they aren't high-yield stocks that income-focused investors would prefer, but their dividend growth potential makes them wealth compounders to buy and hold for the long term -- including these three AI stocks. 1. Broadcom Semiconductor giant Broadcom ( AVGO -1.47% ) specializes in chips for connectivity applications, such as networking, server storage, and broadband. And it acquired companies to build enterprise infrastructure software into about 40% of its business. This created a diversified technology company that generated $51.5 billion in revenue in its fiscal year 2024, with $19.4 billion (37%) of that in free cash flow . The company paid and raised its dividend for 15 consecutive years at an average hike of 14.7% over the past five years. The current payout ratio is only 48% of its fiscal year 2024 earnings, so investors should feel good about the dividend's security and growth potential. Analysts estimate Broadcom will grow earnings by an average of nearly 22% annually over the long term, according to Yahoo! Finance. Its promising growth expectations are mainly due to its AI-related opportunities. The company has secured deals to develop AI chips for some notable customers, which management has yet to name formally. This year, Broadcom's AI-related revenue totaled $12.2 billion, and management believes it will grow substantially as these chip deals get underway, making the long-term dividend potential sky-high. 2. Microsoft Microsoft ( MSFT -1.73% ) is on a 22-year dividend growth streak. The company has become an AI business on multiple levels, integrating the technology throughout its software products to enhance the user experience. And it owns Azure, the world's second-largest cloud computing platform, whose growth is fueled by the AI applications it deploys. Microsoft keeps growing despite its staggering size, reaching a $3.2 trillion market cap and $254 billion in annual revenue. Analysts estimate the business will grow earnings by a yearly average of 13% over the long term. That should spell inflation-beating dividend increases. The dividend is also about as safe as they come. The payout ratio is only 26% of 2024 earnings estimates, and Microsoft is one of two public companies with an AAA credit rating -- higher than the U.S. government. This ironclad balance sheet gives it the utmost financial flexibility and security. Investors looking for safety and growth should look no further than Microsoft. 3. Meta Platforms Social media titan Meta Platforms ( META -0.59% ) is new to the dividend game, initiating its payout this year. And it has the ingredients for dividend stardom. Meta is arguably the world's best advertising business, generating profits by showing digital ads to the 3.29 billion people who view Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Threads daily. CEO Mark Zuckerberg pushed Meta hard into AI. It created an open-source AI model (Llama) and built the data centers to support its vast computing requirements. The company is also investing billions in its Reality Labs segment , which could add to its growth if it makes money at some point. Meta's dividend is only 9% of the company's 2024 earnings estimates, so the growth potential is obvious. I probably wouldn't expect overly aggressive increases as long as the company is losing money on Reality Labs, but investors have a solid shot at double-digit dividend growth. Analysts estimate earnings will rise by an average of 17% annually over the long term, so the dividend could easily sustain high growth while keeping the payout ratio low. Meta is likely a dividend growth star in the making.

A bid by The Onion satirical news outlet to buy Alex Jones' conspiracy theory platform Infowars returned Monday to a Texas courtroom, where a judge heard arguments on whether a bankruptcy auction was properly run as Jones alleges collusion and fraud. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Lopez in Houston is looking into the November auction and how a trustee chose The Onion over the only other bidder — a company affiliated with Jones that offered twice as much money as The Onion. The judge said the hearing would last into Monday evening and pick up again on Tuesday afternoon. The sale of Infowars is part of Jones' personal bankruptcy case , which he filed in late 2022 after he was ordered to pay nearly $1.5 billion in defamation lawsuits in Connecticut and Texas filed by relatives of victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Connecticut. Jones repeatedly called the 2012 shooting that killed 20 children and six educators a hoax staged by actors and aimed at increasing gun control. Most of the proceeds from the sale of Infowars, as well as many of Jones' personal assets, will go to the Sandy Hook families to help satisfy judgments issued by juries and judges in state courts in Connecticut and Texas. Some proceeds will go to Jones' other creditors. The Onion, which wants to turn Infowars' website and social media accounts into parodies , offered $1.75 million for Infowars' assets in the auction, while First United American Companies — which runs a website in Jones’ name that sells nutritional supplements — bid $3.5 million. The Onion's bid also included a pledge by many of the Sandy Hook families to forgo some or all of the auction proceeds due to them to give other creditors a total of $100,000 more than they would receive under other bids. The trustee, Christopher Murray, chose The Onion, saying its proposal was better for creditors because they would receive more money. Joshua Wolfshohl, an attorney for Murray, told the judge Monday that no wrongdoing occurred during the auction. He called the complaints by Jones and First United American Companies unfounded. “The vast majority of their complaints are just fantastic, imagined conspiracy theories that have no basis in reality," he said. Jones' lawyer, Ben Broocks, questioned Murray's rationale for choosing The Onion and alleged that a recent deposition of the trustee showed improprieties. He also questioned the validity of The Onion's bid, saying it was technically valued at $7 million because of the incentive offered by the Sandy Hook families. An auction company executive involved in the sale testified most of the afternoon. In court filings, Jones and First United American Companies accused Murray, The Onion and the Sandy Hook families of illegally colluding on the bidding, committing fraud and violating the judge's rules for the auction. Murray, The Onion and the families deny the allegations. In his own court filing, Murray called the allegations “a disappointed bidder’s improper attempt to influence an otherwise fair and open auction process.” Up for sale at the auction were all the equipment and other assets in the Infowars studio in Austin, Texas, as well as its social media accounts, websites, video archive and product trademarks. Jones uses the studio to broadcast his far-right, conspiracy theory-filled shows on the Infowars website, his account on the social platform X and radio stations. Jones has set up another studio, websites and social media accounts in case The Onion wins approval to buy Infowars and kicks him out. Jones has said he could continue using the Infowars platforms if the auction winner is friendly to him. Jones is appealing the $1.5 billion in judgments citing free speech rights but has acknowledged that the school shooting happened . On Friday, a Connecticut appeals court reduced by $150 million the original $1.44 billion judgment against Jones in the lawsuit against him in that state, but upheld the rest of the award. Jones' lawyer said he will ask Connecticut's highest court to review the appellate ruling. Jones is also appealing a $50 million judgment in a similar Texas defamation lawsuit.Democrats stick with Schumer as leader. Their strategy for countering Trump is far less certain

By BILL BARROW, Associated Press ATLANTA (AP) — Jimmy Carter, the peanut farmer who won the presidency in the wake of the Watergate scandal and Vietnam War, endured humbling defeat after one tumultuous term and then redefined life after the White House as a global humanitarian, has died. He was 100 years old. The longest-lived American president died on Sunday, more than a year after entering hospice care , at his home in the small town of Plains, Georgia, where he and his wife, Rosalynn, who died at 96 in November 2023 , spent most of their lives, The Carter Center said. Businessman, Navy officer, evangelist, politician, negotiator, author, woodworker, citizen of the world — Carter forged a path that still challenges political assumptions and stands out among the 45 men who reached the nation’s highest office. The 39th president leveraged his ambition with a keen intellect, deep religious faith and prodigious work ethic, conducting diplomatic missions into his 80s and building houses for the poor well into his 90s. “My faith demands — this is not optional — my faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I am, whenever I can, for as long as I can, with whatever I have to try to make a difference,” Carter once said. A moderate Democrat, Carter entered the 1976 presidential race as a little-known Georgia governor with a broad smile, outspoken Baptist mores and technocratic plans reflecting his education as an engineer. His no-frills campaign depended on public financing, and his promise not to deceive the American people resonated after Richard Nixon’s disgrace and U.S. defeat in southeast Asia. “If I ever lie to you, if I ever make a misleading statement, don’t vote for me. I would not deserve to be your president,” Carter repeated before narrowly beating Republican incumbent Gerald Ford, who had lost popularity pardoning Nixon. Carter governed amid Cold War pressures, turbulent oil markets and social upheaval over racism, women’s rights and America’s global role. His most acclaimed achievement in office was a Mideast peace deal that he brokered by keeping Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin at the bargaining table for 13 days in 1978. That Camp David experience inspired the post-presidential center where Carter would establish so much of his legacy. Yet Carter’s electoral coalition splintered under double-digit inflation, gasoline lines and the 444-day hostage crisis in Iran. His bleakest hour came when eight Americans died in a failed hostage rescue in April 1980, helping to ensure his landslide defeat to Republican Ronald Reagan. Carter acknowledged in his 2020 “White House Diary” that he could be “micromanaging” and “excessively autocratic,” complicating dealings with Congress and the federal bureaucracy. He also turned a cold shoulder to Washington’s news media and lobbyists, not fully appreciating their influence on his political fortunes. “It didn’t take us long to realize that the underestimation existed, but by that time we were not able to repair the mistake,” Carter told historians in 1982, suggesting that he had “an inherent incompatibility” with Washington insiders. Carter insisted his overall approach was sound and that he achieved his primary objectives — to “protect our nation’s security and interests peacefully” and “enhance human rights here and abroad” — even if he fell spectacularly short of a second term. Ignominious defeat, though, allowed for renewal. The Carters founded The Carter Center in 1982 as a first-of-its-kind base of operations, asserting themselves as international peacemakers and champions of democracy, public health and human rights. “I was not interested in just building a museum or storing my White House records and memorabilia,” Carter wrote in a memoir published after his 90th birthday. “I wanted a place where we could work.” That work included easing nuclear tensions in North and South Korea, helping to avert a U.S. invasion of Haiti and negotiating cease-fires in Bosnia and Sudan. By 2022, The Carter Center had declared at least 113 elections in Latin America, Asia and Africa to be free or fraudulent. Recently, the center began monitoring U.S. elections as well. Carter’s stubborn self-assuredness and even self-righteousness proved effective once he was unencumbered by the Washington order, sometimes to the point of frustrating his successors . He went “where others are not treading,” he said, to places like Ethiopia, Liberia and North Korea, where he secured the release of an American who had wandered across the border in 2010. “I can say what I like. I can meet whom I want. I can take on projects that please me and reject the ones that don’t,” Carter said. He announced an arms-reduction-for-aid deal with North Korea without clearing the details with Bill Clinton’s White House. He openly criticized President George W. Bush for the 2003 invasion of Iraq. He also criticized America’s approach to Israel with his 2006 book “Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid.” And he repeatedly countered U.S. administrations by insisting North Korea should be included in international affairs, a position that most aligned Carter with Republican President Donald Trump. Among the center’s many public health initiatives, Carter vowed to eradicate the guinea worm parasite during his lifetime, and nearly achieved it: Cases dropped from millions in the 1980s to nearly a handful. With hardhats and hammers, the Carters also built homes with Habitat for Humanity. The Nobel committee’s 2002 Peace Prize cites his “untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development.” Carter should have won it alongside Sadat and Begin in 1978, the chairman added. Carter accepted the recognition saying there was more work to be done. “The world is now, in many ways, a more dangerous place,” he said. “The greater ease of travel and communication has not been matched by equal understanding and mutual respect.” Carter’s globetrotting took him to remote villages where he met little “Jimmy Carters,” so named by admiring parents. But he spent most of his days in the same one-story Plains house — expanded and guarded by Secret Service agents — where they lived before he became governor. He regularly taught Sunday School lessons at Maranatha Baptist Church until his mobility declined and the coronavirus pandemic raged. Those sessions drew visitors from around the world to the small sanctuary where Carter will receive his final send-off after a state funeral at Washington’s National Cathedral. The common assessment that he was a better ex-president than president rankled Carter and his allies. His prolific post-presidency gave him a brand above politics, particularly for Americans too young to witness him in office. But Carter also lived long enough to see biographers and historians reassess his White House years more generously. His record includes the deregulation of key industries, reduction of U.S. dependence on foreign oil, cautious management of the national debt and notable legislation on the environment, education and mental health. He focused on human rights in foreign policy, pressuring dictators to release thousands of political prisoners . He acknowledged America’s historical imperialism, pardoned Vietnam War draft evaders and relinquished control of the Panama Canal. He normalized relations with China. “I am not nominating Jimmy Carter for a place on Mount Rushmore,” Stuart Eizenstat, Carter’s domestic policy director, wrote in a 2018 book. “He was not a great president” but also not the “hapless and weak” caricature voters rejected in 1980, Eizenstat said. Rather, Carter was “good and productive” and “delivered results, many of which were realized only after he left office.” Madeleine Albright, a national security staffer for Carter and Clinton’s secretary of state, wrote in Eizenstat’s forward that Carter was “consequential and successful” and expressed hope that “perceptions will continue to evolve” about his presidency. “Our country was lucky to have him as our leader,” said Albright, who died in 2022. Jonathan Alter, who penned a comprehensive Carter biography published in 2020, said in an interview that Carter should be remembered for “an epic American life” spanning from a humble start in a home with no electricity or indoor plumbing through decades on the world stage across two centuries. “He will likely go down as one of the most misunderstood and underestimated figures in American history,” Alter told The Associated Press. James Earl Carter Jr. was born Oct. 1, 1924, in Plains and spent his early years in nearby Archery. His family was a minority in the mostly Black community, decades before the civil rights movement played out at the dawn of Carter’s political career. Carter, who campaigned as a moderate on race relations but governed more progressively, talked often of the influence of his Black caregivers and playmates but also noted his advantages: His land-owning father sat atop Archery’s tenant-farming system and owned a main street grocery. His mother, Lillian , would become a staple of his political campaigns. Seeking to broaden his world beyond Plains and its population of fewer than 1,000 — then and now — Carter won an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating in 1946. That same year he married Rosalynn Smith, another Plains native, a decision he considered more important than any he made as head of state. She shared his desire to see the world, sacrificing college to support his Navy career. Carter climbed in rank to lieutenant, but then his father was diagnosed with cancer, so the submarine officer set aside his ambitions of admiralty and moved the family back to Plains. His decision angered Rosalynn, even as she dived into the peanut business alongside her husband. Carter again failed to talk with his wife before his first run for office — he later called it “inconceivable” not to have consulted her on such major life decisions — but this time, she was on board. “My wife is much more political,” Carter told the AP in 2021. He won a state Senate seat in 1962 but wasn’t long for the General Assembly and its back-slapping, deal-cutting ways. He ran for governor in 1966 — losing to arch-segregationist Lester Maddox — and then immediately focused on the next campaign. Carter had spoken out against church segregation as a Baptist deacon and opposed racist “Dixiecrats” as a state senator. Yet as a local school board leader in the 1950s he had not pushed to end school segregation even after the Supreme Court’s Brown v. Board of Education decision, despite his private support for integration. And in 1970, Carter ran for governor again as the more conservative Democrat against Carl Sanders, a wealthy businessman Carter mocked as “Cufflinks Carl.” Sanders never forgave him for anonymous, race-baiting flyers, which Carter disavowed. Ultimately, Carter won his races by attracting both Black voters and culturally conservative whites. Once in office, he was more direct. “I say to you quite frankly that the time for racial discrimination is over,” he declared in his 1971 inaugural address, setting a new standard for Southern governors that landed him on the cover of Time magazine. His statehouse initiatives included environmental protection, boosting rural education and overhauling antiquated executive branch structures. He proclaimed Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the slain civil rights leader’s home state. And he decided, as he received presidential candidates in 1972, that they were no more talented than he was. In 1974, he ran Democrats’ national campaign arm. Then he declared his own candidacy for 1976. An Atlanta newspaper responded with the headline: “Jimmy Who?” The Carters and a “Peanut Brigade” of family members and Georgia supporters camped out in Iowa and New Hampshire, establishing both states as presidential proving grounds. His first Senate endorsement: a young first-termer from Delaware named Joe Biden. Yet it was Carter’s ability to navigate America’s complex racial and rural politics that cemented the nomination. He swept the Deep South that November, the last Democrat to do so, as many white Southerners shifted to Republicans in response to civil rights initiatives. A self-declared “born-again Christian,” Carter drew snickers by referring to Scripture in a Playboy magazine interview, saying he “had looked on many women with lust. I’ve committed adultery in my heart many times.” The remarks gave Ford a new foothold and television comedians pounced — including NBC’s new “Saturday Night Live” show. But voters weary of cynicism in politics found it endearing. Carter chose Minnesota Sen. Walter “Fritz” Mondale as his running mate on a “Grits and Fritz” ticket. In office, he elevated the vice presidency and the first lady’s office. Mondale’s governing partnership was a model for influential successors Al Gore, Dick Cheney and Biden. Rosalynn Carter was one of the most involved presidential spouses in history, welcomed into Cabinet meetings and huddles with lawmakers and top aides. The Carters presided with uncommon informality: He used his nickname “Jimmy” even when taking the oath of office, carried his own luggage and tried to silence the Marine Band’s “Hail to the Chief.” They bought their clothes off the rack. Carter wore a cardigan for a White House address, urging Americans to conserve energy by turning down their thermostats. Amy, the youngest of four children, attended District of Columbia public school. Washington’s social and media elite scorned their style. But the larger concern was that “he hated politics,” according to Eizenstat, leaving him nowhere to turn politically once economic turmoil and foreign policy challenges took their toll. Carter partially deregulated the airline, railroad and trucking industries and established the departments of Education and Energy, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. He designated millions of acres of Alaska as national parks or wildlife refuges. He appointed a then-record number of women and nonwhite people to federal posts. He never had a Supreme Court nomination, but he elevated civil rights attorney Ruth Bader Ginsburg to the nation’s second highest court, positioning her for a promotion in 1993. He appointed Paul Volker, the Federal Reserve chairman whose policies would help the economy boom in the 1980s — after Carter left office. He built on Nixon’s opening with China, and though he tolerated autocrats in Asia, pushed Latin America from dictatorships to democracy. But he couldn’t immediately tame inflation or the related energy crisis. And then came Iran. After he admitted the exiled Shah of Iran to the U.S. for medical treatment, the American Embassy in Tehran was overrun in 1979 by followers of the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Negotiations to free the hostages broke down repeatedly ahead of the failed rescue attempt. The same year, Carter signed SALT II, the new strategic arms treaty with Leonid Brezhnev of the Soviet Union, only to pull it back, impose trade sanctions and order a U.S. boycott of the Moscow Olympics after the Soviets invaded Afghanistan. Hoping to instill optimism, he delivered what the media dubbed his “malaise” speech, although he didn’t use that word. He declared the nation was suffering “a crisis of confidence.” By then, many Americans had lost confidence in the president, not themselves. Carter campaigned sparingly for reelection because of the hostage crisis, instead sending Rosalynn as Sen. Edward M. Kennedy challenged him for the Democratic nomination. Carter famously said he’d “kick his ass,” but was hobbled by Kennedy as Reagan rallied a broad coalition with “make America great again” appeals and asking voters whether they were “better off than you were four years ago.” Reagan further capitalized on Carter’s lecturing tone, eviscerating him in their lone fall debate with the quip: “There you go again.” Carter lost all but six states and Republicans rolled to a new Senate majority. Carter successfully negotiated the hostages’ freedom after the election, but in one final, bitter turn of events, Tehran waited until hours after Carter left office to let them walk free. At 56, Carter returned to Georgia with “no idea what I would do with the rest of my life.” Four decades after launching The Carter Center, he still talked of unfinished business. “I thought when we got into politics we would have resolved everything,” Carter told the AP in 2021. “But it’s turned out to be much more long-lasting and insidious than I had thought it was. I think in general, the world itself is much more divided than in previous years.” Still, he affirmed what he said when he underwent treatment for a cancer diagnosis in his 10th decade of life. “I’m perfectly at ease with whatever comes,” he said in 2015 . “I’ve had a wonderful life. I’ve had thousands of friends, I’ve had an exciting, adventurous and gratifying existence.” ___ Former Associated Press journalist Alex Sanz contributed to this report.

NEW YORK , Dec. 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report on how AI is driving market transformation - The global wasabi market size is estimated to grow by USD 466.1 million from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 10.68% during the forecast period. Rising awareness about health benefits of wasabi is driving market growth, with a trend towards rising sales of wasabi online. However, side effects on overuse of wasabi poses a challenge. Key market players include Beaverton Foods Inc., Clearspring Ltd., Connors Greens LLC, Eden Foods Inc., Half Moon Bay Wasabi Co., J.R. Kelly Co., Kelchner Food Products, Kikkoman Sales USA Inc., KINJIRUSHI Co. Ltd., McCormick and Co. Inc., Mountain View Wasabi, MUSO Co., Ltd., Oregon Coast Wasabi, Pacific Coast Wasabi Ltd., Real Wasabi LLC, S and B Foods Inc., Shima Wasabi, Tamaruya Honten Co. Ltd., TasFoods Ltd., The Good Bean Inc., The Wasabi Co., and ZHUHAI KINGZEST FOOD CO. LTD.; Yamasa Corporation; Eden Foods; Wingreens Farms; Wasabi Essentials Ltd.; World Wasabi Inc.. AI-Powered Market Evolution Insights. Our comprehensive market report ready with the latest trends, growth opportunities, and strategic analysis- View Free Sample Report PDF Forecast period 2024-2028 Base Year 2023 Historic Data 2018 - 2022 Segment Covered Type (Sauce and Powder), Application (Food and beverages and Medical and nutraceuticals), and Geography (APAC, North America, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa), Product Region Covered APAC, North America, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa Key companies profiled Beaverton Foods Inc., Clearspring Ltd., Connors Greens LLC, Eden Foods Inc., Half Moon Bay Wasabi Co., J.R. Kelly Co., Kelchner Food Products, Kikkoman Sales USA Inc., KINJIRUSHI Co. Ltd., McCormick and Co. Inc., Mountain View Wasabi, MUSO Co., Ltd., Oregon Coast Wasabi, Pacific Coast Wasabi Ltd., Real Wasabi LLC, S and B Foods Inc., Shima Wasabi, Tamaruya Honten Co. Ltd., TasFoods Ltd., The Good Bean Inc., The Wasabi Co., and ZHUHAI KINGZEST FOOD CO. LTD.; Yamasa Corporation; Eden Foods; Wingreens Farms; Wasabi Essentials Ltd.; World Wasabi Inc. Key Market Trends Fueling Growth Wasabi, the peppery condiment known for its distinctive taste and nasal tingling sensation, is experiencing in popularity due to increased awareness of its health benefits. The consumption of wasabi extracts and food preparations, such as noodles and soups, is on the rise in both the nutraceutical and medical industries. Wasabi's anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects are being studied for their potential in preventing chronic diseases like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. E-commerce businesses and online shopping platforms are making it easier for consumers to access fresh wasabi in various forms, including sauce, powder, bottles, tubes, and pouches and sachets. The food service industries are also embracing this trend, with sustainable agricultural practices and technology development, such as artificial intelligence, enhancing the production and packaging of wasabi. The rhizome, leaf, and petiole of the Wasabia japonica plant contain bioactive compounds like isothiocyanates, which have antioxidant, antimicrobial, and digestive properties. The gastronomy and pharmaceuticals industries are exploring innovative uses for these compounds, including in the treatment of arthritis and improving gut health. Authenticity and high-quality ingredients are essential in the Japanese cuisine, where wasabi is a staple condiment in restaurants. Cultivation methods and cultural significance are also important considerations, with geographical cultivation areas playing a role in the authenticity and flavor profile of the wasabi. The market for imitation products is growing, but consumers are increasingly demanding real, high-quality wasabi. The e-commerce sector presents a significant opportunity for businesses to boost their profits as more consumers opt for online shopping. Convenience and time savings are key drivers, with customers preferring to pay for purchases using credit or debit cards instead of making time-consuming store visits and standing in queues. This trend has led many companies to target internet-savvy customers and enter the expanding online retail market. The global retail e-commerce sales are projected to reach over USD3.5 trillion in 2020. E-commerce offers consumers a wide selection of food products and reduces operating costs for businesses, making it an attractive business model. Insights on how AI is driving innovation, efficiency, and market growth- Request Sample! Market Challenges Insights into how AI is reshaping industries and driving growth- Download a Sample Report Segment Overview This wasabi market report extensively covers market segmentation by 1.1 Sauce- The wasabi sauce segment holds a significant share in the global wasabi market. Key players in this sector include Mountain View Wasabi, MUSO Co., Ltd., and Oregon Coast Wasabi, known for producing conventional wasabi sauces. American consumers favor wasabi sauce for its ability to enhance flavor without compromising food nutrients. The global palate is expanding, with consumers exploring diverse culinary traditions, potentially driving wasabi market growth. Kikkoman Sales USA , Inc. Recently introduced a creamy textured Wasabi Sauce, adding a spicy twist to regular dishes. Wasabi sauce elevates sandwiches, veggies, steaks, burgers, chicken, fish, salad dressings, and dips. Pasteurized and manufactured in the US, Kikkoman Wasabi Sauce adheres to top quality standards. The rise in social gatherings and dining occasions fuels wasabi sauce consumption, particularly with raw fish dishes like sushi and sashimi, as well as zaru soba, yakiniku, and yakitori. Therefore, the wasabi sauce segment is poised to propel the expansion of the global wasabi market. Download complimentary Sample Report to gain insights into AI's impact on market dynamics, emerging trends, and future opportunities- including forecast (2024-2028) and historic data (2018 - 2022) Research Analysis Wasabi, the Japanese horseradish derived from the Wasabia japonica plant, is gaining increased awareness for its numerous health benefits. Its peppery smell and pungent taste, caused by the presence of allyl isothiocyanate and other isothiocyanate compounds, make it a popular condiment in various food preparations such as noodles, soups, sushi, sashimi, and tempura. The nutraceutical and medical industries have recognized the anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties of wasabi extracts. These properties contribute to preventing cancers, treating arthritis, and preventing the growth of harmful bacteria. Wasabi is also rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and digestive properties, making it a valuable addition to a healthy diet. The consumption of wasabi not only enhances the flavor of dishes but also provides numerous health benefits. Its unique properties make it a valuable ingredient in the food industry and beyond, with potential applications in the medical field as well. Market Research Overview Wasabi, the peppery condiment known for its distinctive pungent flavor and nasal tingling sensation, is experiencing in popularity due to increased awareness of its numerous health benefits. Derived from the Wasabia japonica plant, wasabi is more than just a staple condiment in Japanese cuisine. Its rhizome, leaf, and petiole contain bioactive compounds, primarily isothiocyanates, which offer anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and digestive properties. The consumption of wasabi in various food preparations, such as noodles and soups, is on the rise, fueled by the nutraceutical and medical industries' interest in its potential health benefits. Wasabi extracts are being explored for their ability to prevent chronic diseases like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, as well as improve gut health and treat arthritis. E-commerce businesses and online shopping platforms have made it easier for consumers to access fresh wasabi in various forms, including sauce, powder, bottles, tubes, pouches, and sachets. Sustainable agricultural practices and technology development, including artificial intelligence, are also playing a role in ensuring a consistent supply of high-quality wasabi. Despite its cultural significance and authenticity, the market for wasabi is not without challenges, including the prevalence of imitation products and the need for innovative packaging materials to maintain its freshness and potency. The gastronomy and pharmaceutical industries are at the forefront of exploring the full potential of this versatile and health-promoting ingredient. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: media@technavio.com Website: www.technavio.com/ View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wasabi-market-to-grow-by-usd-466-1-million-2024-2028-driven-by-rising-health-awareness-and-ai-powered-insights---technavio-302326129.html SOURCE Technavio'It's not ideal and I feel for the fans' - Hinshelwood reacts to City postponement

Bain Capital Specialty Finance, Inc. (BCSF) to Issue — Dividend of $0.03 on January 31stHours after Lieutenant General (retd) Faiz Hamid was formally indicted on multiple charges, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has said that his party has nothing to do with the matter. The former chief of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) faces multiple offences, including engaging in political activities and violating the Official Secrets Act, according to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Tuesday. The process of field general court-martial (FGCM) was initiated against the retired general under provisions of the Pakistan Army Act on August 12, the army's media affairs wing said. Speaking to Geo News on Tuesday, the central leader of the former ruling party clarified: "The party has already said this that the charge sheet against General (retd) Faiz is an internal matter of the military." The PTI has nothing to do with the issue, said Barrister Gohar, adding: "The military operates under its own rules and regulations, under which it conducts trials." Reacting to General Faiz's arrest, the former prime minister, who was removed from office via a parliamentary vote in 2022, said that an open trial would benefit the country and allow it to prosper. "I demand an open trial of Faiz Hamid with media should be given access to cover it," said the ex-premier on August 21 during an informal interaction with journalists in Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail where he has been imprisoned for over a year in different cases ranging from corruption to terrorism. "If the military wants accountability for General Faiz [then] it should proceed and do it," Khan said, asserting that it is the army's internal matter. The former premier welcomed the development, saying that it was good that the army launched the process of internal accountability. However, he urged the military to ensure that the process of accountability should be across the board. In today's media talk, Barrister Gohar also replied to a question regarding the party's recently announced civil disobedience movement, saying that the upcoming anti-government movement is the party's founder Imran Khan's call and it would be discussed with him. It should be mentioned here that the incarcerated party founder on December 6 warned the government of launching a "civil disobedience" movement if his demands, including the judicial probe into the crackdown on party supporters, are not met.

Posted: Thursday, December 26, 2024. 2:48 pm CST. The views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not necessarily those of Breaking Belize News. (Note: This TIME COME post features a guest piece by Mr. Grinch – or at least inspired by him. And Happy Holidays to all my readers.) By ‘Di Grinch’, TIME COME #18, 20 December 2024. I live on hill where it blows and it snows. So, I crave a place with no need for ploughs. Perhaps a warm isthmus with a nice quiet Christmas. To catch some warm breeze and escape the deep freeze. My mutt Max says, ‘let’s do Belize’. Hmmmm? But is it just what he heard from that migratory bird? That Belize now has tons of free turkeys and hams. Free turkeys and hams! Is it but a scam? The Grinch knows what to do! Trusting Max nor A.I., I will employ a good spy. Christmas in Belize? Do I go, or abort? Well, let me first read my intel report. Dear Mr. Grinch, Greetings from Belize and much thanks for the commission – though please note that I am a ‘consultant’, not ‘spy’. But straight to the point as your deadline is tight. The rumour Max heard is no rumour at all. At Christmas in Belize there are free turkeys and hams! There are also loud parties with free food and free drinks, with free gifts for the kids, and with free raffles of fridges. And some get free cash, if cards are played right. Who can argue with all this free giving in a season of joy? Perhaps you, Mr. Grinch? But I rudely digress. So yes, Max was right about free turkeys and hams. It’s important you know that some free ‘givings’ at Christmas are well above board. Several kind people and charity groups give food (including turkeys and hams) and gifts to some most in need. But these are not the free turkeys and hams that have Max excited. Those ones are doled out by politicos painted deep blue or deep red. (No green as yet, I am afraid, Mr. Grinch). The Blues – the People’s United Party (PUP) – and the Reds – the United Democratic Party (UDP) – have made such free ‘givings’ quite a fine art. How did it come to this you ask Mr. Grinch? The explanation does require some contextualization. From Informal to Normal It began quite innocently you see, Mr. Grinch. By 1981, when Belize became free, some politicians of both colours hosted wee parties for constituents at Christmas. It was mostly informal and the ‘givings’ were small. They used their own funds or donations from family and friends. Some used part of their constituency ‘vote’ they got from the state, or small contributions from companies like Belize Estate. Over the next three decades, the practice of ‘free givings’ expanded each Christmas. And so, the Blues and the Reds needed more and more funds for more and more free turkeys and hams. Reds Up the Game Voila! In December 2011, the then Red Government had an epiphany: Let’s just officially use public money! All in plain sight. If it is all formalised there is no need to hide giving out turkeys and hams. So, $1.4 million was allocated to a scheme with a name shrewdly innocuous: Christmas Cheer. Who can argue with that? And the money did flow. Red politicians in 31 divisions, elected or not, got $40,000 each for Christmas goodies for their constituents. But the Blue Opposition was quite vexed that its politicians received zero. They did, indeed, moan – and accused the Reds of vote-buying, gross bribery and abusing public funds. Well, the Reds won again in 2012, and by 2013, Christmas Cheer reached a new record of $2.3 million. This time, the 17 Red elected representatives got $90,000 each. The 14 Reds who were just standard bearers (not in the House) got $25,000 each. But guess what, Mr Grinch? The 14 Blue representatives got $25,000 each! Though they complained about the ‘inequity in distribution’, the Blues, took their smaller Cheer with little contrition – and continued to do so except for one year. Did the Blues just forget their vote-buying concerns? Well, they used the excuse that they too needed state money to meet the growing demand for turkeys and hams. By 2020, when the long-reigning Reds got the voters’ boot, Christmas Cheer was its own institution – a national programme much anticipated every December. So, would the new Blue Government, that came to power with the promise to clean up corruption, disband or clean up Christmas Cheer? Alas no, Mr Grinch. Blues Up the Game Instead, the Blues embraced the Reds’ Christmas Cheer tactics, it seems without question. In the Christmas of 2020 (that annus horribilis) the Blues called its programme ‘December COVID-19 Relief Fund’ with an allocation of $930,000. Although very much needed in that dark December, it very much resembled a Christmas Cheer. Since 2021, with the Blues in control, Christmas Cheer has both thrived and solidified. And so embedded was the name that the Blues could not lose it. In 2022, all 31 elected representatives got $75,000 each in Christmas Cheer. The total that year of $2.3 million matched or exceeded the Reds’ 2013 record. Some Belizeans lining up for Christmas Cheer But the Blues did initiate two noteworthy ‘Cheer’ changes. First, elected representatives of both the Blues and the Reds now receive equal amounts of Christmas Cheer funds. Then, in a change more recent, Cheer is allocated based roughly on the number of voters in a constituency. For example, this year, in 2024, all elected representatives of larger constituencies got $90,000 each and those of smaller constituencies got $60,000 each. Does it not all sound so fair? Well, at least until you realise that by adding some rules to the partisan game, it becomes further normalised with more official permission to splurge. An informal bi-partisan agreement perhaps? So, when next in power, the Reds will maintain equity in distribution? In 2024, 43 years after independence, Christmas Cheer and Santa Claus politicians are now deeply embedded in Belize’s political and Christmas culture. Christmas Cheer is now institutional policy, eagerly supported by the Blues and the Reds – and awaited each December by more and more people. But I know Mr. Grinch, you also did ask, “Is it but a scam?” Is it but a Scam? Before I respond, you should know, Mr. Grinch, that Christmas Cheer is but one piece of the broader practice of handout politics in Belize. This is where Red and Blue politicians hand out money, resources and services to voters in return for political support – usually their votes. Besides Christmas Cheer, there are also ‘Cheers’ for Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and such other big periods – like when the school year begins. And every week the politicians of the Reds and the Blues hold ‘clinics’ where constituents can go to personally ask them for bills to be paid, or for cash or for land or for some government favour. Then there are the big Christmas gimmicks like writing off mortgages (2011 by the Reds) and waiving GST (2024 by the Blues). And all this is before it is election day once again. But it’s time to talk scam. Scam 1: Tek di Turkey, Tek di Ham, Vote PUDP The Blues and the Reds all say they are just ‘helping’ the needy and bringing good cheer. But most everyone knows that it’s part of the partisan game where the prize is winning the next election. It’s best seen as ‘transaction’: from my hand to yours – and you owe me something. For you see Mr. Grinch, no matter what accountability measures they boast, each politician ensures that each voter knows that it is, he or she, the individual politician, who is giving. From my own hand to yours. That’s why politicians say insane things like, “I gave Miss Gertrude a turkey and ham.” Or “I gave all the kids in my constituency free gifts.” Or “I gave your daughter a scholarship?” So, Scam 1 is that politicians of the Blues and the Reds personally give voters ‘free’ Christmas goodies but expect their votes in return. But is free really free? Scam 2: Use the People’s Own Money Scam 2 is about where the money comes from for tens of thousands of turkeys and hams. You will recall, Mr. Grinch, that Christmas Cheer money comes from the public treasury. So, the funds for Christmas Cheer can come from things like taxes, duties, fees, returns on investments, grants or loans. In other words, from the people’s money or the people’s debt. Few people know that the $1.4 million for the 2011 Christmas Cheers came from proceeds received by the Red Government from shares it held for the people in the then newly nationalised Belize Telemedia Limited. Then between 2013 and 2019 the Reds funded most of their Christmas Cheers from the PetroCaribe loan provided by Venezuela. One credible estimate is that the total expended just on Christmas Cheer in this period was some $9,000,000.00. In this term of office, the Blues do not say much about the exact public source of the funds for their Christmas Cheers. It is just another line in an annual or supplementary budget. And whereas the Blues used to boastfully announce the monetary amounts for Christmas Cheers in the House, none was made for the over $2 million in 2024. So, Mr. Grinch, the scam here is deceitfully simple: for their personal electoral gain, the Blues and the Reds give people back their own money and make it seem free. But is free really free? I know time is short, but two more things you must know. One is that local governments (like city and town councils) and statutory bodies (like the Belize Tourism Board) also dole out Christmas Cheer, funded largely by the people’s money. The second is that both the Blues and the Reds also get private funds from some big wigs to supplement their Christmas Cheers. The funds or goods or discounts that they get, allow them, in theory, to have more goodies to barter with. There are no records kept here, for Belize has no laws that require political parties and politicians to disclose their donations. Scam 3: Immediate Relief but Core Problems Remain I suggest, Mr. Grinch, that Scam 3 is the most disillusioning of all. Who can blame needy people for accepting free turkeys and hams and free gifts for kids at this time of year? On top of high poverty and much inequality, inflation is rough, making times harder for many. But however much festive joy they bring and however many bellies they full, are most Christmas Cheer givings not just immediate gratifications? So, Mr. Grinch, even as some in need surely do benefit, these seasonal givings are like opiate-laced band-aids. The Blues and the Reds – and some of the people – ignore key questions like: “Why can’t more people afford their own turkeys and hams? And if there is to be a state programme, why must it be implemented by the Blues and the Reds? In short, Mr. Grinch, handout programmes like Christmas Cheer do not address why so many people are poor. Or why a few have so much and most have so little. In fact, such programmes may just foster even more socio-economic dependency on the Blues and the Reds. The more deeply we look, the more evidence we see that the short-term benefits of such things as ‘free’ turkeys and hams are outweighed by their long-lasting damaging effects. For sure programmes like these are wide open to corruption, to waste. How do we know that no public funds end up in private hands or that no deals are made with suppliers for kickbacks? And one often hears of double dipping – where more cunning constituents get again and again, while others get none. What promises are made to big private donors and how much public revenue is lost in this game? How much funds are wasted that could have gone to under-funded social programmes ran by the state? No time to explore such questions right now Mr. Grinch. Your deadline is today, and I must wrap up. The Grinch and Max in Belize? So, Mr. Grinch, by now you know that Belize’s turkeys and hams are not really free – they just seem to be. You may agree that, in principle, there is nothing wrong with people really in need getting social and economic assistance from the state. The issue is how it is done. We have seen that when programmes such as Christmas Cheer, go ‘through’ the hands of Blues and the Reds, their politicians use partisan discretion to decide who gets what and how much. It not only bad for democracy and people’s development, but, as you may suspect, it is not sustainable. But let’s dream for a bit, Mr. Grinch, that most Belizeans agree the needy should receive things like turkeys and hams from public funds each December. Then a sound social welfare programme, based on merit and transparency, is designed and established in a department of government. Then trained public officers implement the programme with full accountability and provide audited records for all to see. Politicians will be banned from any involvement – apart from informing their constituents that the programme exists. Wake up, Mr. Grinch! While your key query was about scams around hams, please do not assume that all is bad in Belize. Of course they are problems, but good things do happen. Belize has great natural beauty with warm beaches, blue seas, a long barrier reef, hundreds of birds, majestic Maya temples and lush forests that are greener than you. And yes, most Belizeans are really welcoming and nice – though I fear this could be a put off knowing you. The economy is growing, and unemployment is low. Minimum wage has been raised, and a National Health Insurance scheme is expanding. And more good things can happen – if Belize can fix things like free turkeys and hams. Mr. Grinch, I hope that this brief will help you decide whether you and Max will do Belize this Christmas. I am sure if you do, that Max can ‘arrange’ to eat dozens of ‘free’ turkeys and hams. As for you, Mr Grinch, you now know that Christmas in Belize comes with big noisy parties, lots of bright lights, much feasting on hams, and sleek politicians. All things that you say make you more and more grumpy. Perhaps you stay home and just send Max to Belize? Happy Holidays Mr. Grinch. Do extend my greetings to Max and the Whos. ******************** Dear Dr. Vernon, I appreciate your wee brief, though it has but increased my grief. I deduce that if we go to Belize, we may never leave – at least not in one piece. So, Max and I will stay put and just travel to nearby places by foot. Bah Hambug! Mr. Grinch But I want to go. Please Mr. Grinch...free turkeys and hams! Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Belize ~ We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages. Your content is delivered instantly to thousands of users in Belize and abroad! Contact us at mаrkеtіng@brеаkіngbеlіzеnеwѕ.соm or call us at 501-612-0315. © 2024, BreakingBelizeNews.com. Content is copyrighted and requires written permission for reprinting in online or print media. Theft of content without permission/payment is punishable by law.

Martin Madaus Elected to Hologic Board of DirectorsEVOLV ALERT: Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C. Announces That A Class Action Lawsuit Has Been Filed Against Evolv Technologies Holdings, Inc. And Encourages Investors To Contact The Firm

WASHINGTON — Senate Democrats reelected Chuck Schumer as party leader on Tuesday as the party moves into a deeply uncertain time, with no real consensus on a strategy as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office. From left, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of N.Y., Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., and Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., gather after Senate Democratic leadership elections for the next session of Congress on Tuesday in Washington. Schumer faced no opposition in the party leadership elections, in which Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin was also reelected to the No. 2 spot and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar became the new No. 3. In a statement, Schumer, of New York, said he was honored to move the party forward “during this crucial period for our country.” “Our preference is to secure bipartisan solutions wherever possible and look for ways to collaborate with our Republican colleagues to help working families,” Schumer said. “However, our Republican colleagues should make no mistake about it, we will always stand up for our values.” While Schumer remains popular with his colleagues, it is a bleak moment for Senate Democrats, who were hopeful that they could hold the majority for the third election in a row. Instead they lost four seats and will be in the minority, 53-47, as Trump takes office and pressures the Senate to quickly confirm his Cabinet nominees. Unlike eight years ago, when opposition to Trump’s narrow election win fueled enthusiasm in their party, Democratic lawmakers and many of their voters are exhausted and looking for answers. So far, Democrats have stayed relatively quiet on Trump’s nominees and plans for office – a stark contrast from the loud opposition to Trump when he was elected eight years ago. Schumer has declined to comment on specifics of any nominees, instead allowing Republican reaction to dominate the conversation. On Monday, Schumer wrote a public letter to South Dakota Sen. John Thune, the incoming Republican majority leader, asking him to resist Trump’s pressure to allow him to appoint some of his nominees without a Senate vote and to insist on full FBI background checks for all nominees. But he has said little else about Trump’s upcoming presidency. While some have been more aggressive — Washington Sen. Patty Murray, a former chairwoman of the Senate Health, Labor, Education and Pensions Committee, said that Trump’s nomination of Robert Kennedy Jr. to lead the Health and Human Services Department is “dangerous” and “nothing short of disaster” — several Democratic senators say they are saving their strength and figuring out a focus. “Everybody’s in kind of a wait-and-see mode right now,” said Nevada Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, who is part of Schumer’s leadership team. “Under the previous Trump administration, there was chaos all the time, all the time. And I do think it is important to pick your battles.” It’s still unclear which battles they will pick. And Democrats have differing opinions on how to fight them. Hawaii Sen. Brian Schatz, who is also in Democratic leadership, says that “anyone who has a grand strategy is full of crap,” but thinks that Democrats, for now, “need to keep things simple.” “We need to talk about people, protect people, advocate for people,” Schatz said. “Do not talk about protecting institutions. Do not talk about advocating for institutions. It’s a not just a rhetorical shift, but an attitudinal shift. We have to remind ourselves, that we’re not fighting for programs and projects and line items and agencies or norms. We’re fighting for people.” Virginia Sen. Mark Warner said that he’s spent a lot of time reflecting, and “I don’t think anyone can claim this was a policy election,” and Democrats need to look at cultural issues. Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman says Democrats just need to “pace ourselves” and avoid the “massive freakout” of Trump's last term. Democrats should be preparing, says Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal. He says Schumer is picking his battles “very thoughtfully and strategically.” “We’re thinking about how we protect against using the FBI, or the prosecutorial authority of the Justice Department for retribution against critics,” said Blumenthal. “How we elevate these issues in a way that American people understand them.” Democrats know better now, after eight years, “the extraordinary challenges we’re going to face,” Blumenthal said. Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the U.S. compete in the ice dance rhythm dance program at the Grand Prix of Figure Skating series competition in Tokyo, Japan, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae) A discarded plastic bag floats in the waters of Botafogo beach in Rio de Janeiro, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado) China's President Xi Jinping, left center, and Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, walk into the Alvorada palace after attending a welcoming ceremony in Brasilia, Brazil, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres) Slovakia's Rebecca Sramkova competes against Great Britain's Katie Boulter during a Billie Jean King Cup semi-final match at Martin Carpena Sports Hall in Malaga, southern Spain, on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to be attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., closes a door to a private meeting with Vice President-elect JD Vance and Republican Senate Judiciary Committee members, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) A surfer rides on an artificial wave in the river 'Eisbach' at the 'Englischer Garten' (English Garden) downtown in Munich, Germany, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) A woman carries a gift basket as she arrives at a park to attend a friend's birthday party, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Kampala, Uganda. (AP Photo/David Goldman) Tania hugs her brother-in-law Baruc after rescuing some of their belongings from their flooded house after the floods in Paiporta, Valencia, Spain, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti) Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris looks at a monitor backstage, just before taking the stage for her final campaign rally, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) President-elect Donald Trump listens during an America First Policy Institute gala at his Mar-a-Lago estate, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) President Joe Biden meets with President-elect Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) A resident returns to his burned village, Monday Nov. 25, 2024, one day after a fire broke out leaving about 2,000 families homeless at a slum area in Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) Isaac Young rests his cheek on the family horse Rusty's forehead during farm chores before homeschooling, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Sunbury, Ohio. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) Students from anti-discrimination movements attack an Awami League supporter in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu) A young girl holds a "Black Voters for Harris-Walz" sign outside of Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris' election night watch party at Howard University, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams) A man looks from a damaged building a day after it was hit by a rocket fired from Lebanon, in Ramat Gan, central Israel, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty) Visitors walk through the 'Cathedral' on the Christmas light trail as it returns for its12th year with a showcase of new installations set within the UNESCO World Heritage Site landscape of Kew Gardens in London, England, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) Venezuelan migrant Alvaro Calderini carries his niece across a river near Bajo Chiquito, Panama, after walking across the Darien Gap from Colombia on their way north to the United States, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix) An aerial view shows a packed parking lot at Citadel Outlets in Commerce, Calif., Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024, as early Black Friday shoppers arrive at the mall. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) Israeli soldiers holding their weapons bathe with residents in a hot water pool coming from a drilling project which exposed a subterranean hydrothermal spring near Mount Bental in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights, on the first day of the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg) Voters stand in line outside a polling place at Madison Church, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Phoenix, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York) Molten lava flows on the road to the Blue Lagoon, Grindavik, after the volcanic eruption that started Wednesday, on the Reykjanes Peninsula in Iceland, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Marco di Marco) Firefighters and sheriff's deputies push a vintage car away from a burning home as the Mountain Fire burns in Camarillo, Calif., on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) Supporters of the Frente Amplio (Broad Front) celebrate the victory of candidate Yamandú Orsi in the presidential run-off election in Montevideo, Uruguay, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) People gather at the site where former Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah was killed by Israeli airstrikes late September during a memorial ceremony in Dahiyeh, in the southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla) Katia, 11, with her grandmother and mother sit in an armored minivan during en evacuation by the "White Angels" police unit in Kurakhove, Donetsk region, Ukraine, on Nov. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Anton Shtuka) People clean mud from a house affected by floods, in Algemesi, Spain, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) Cattle stand on a heap of textile waste at the Old Fadama settlement of Accra, Ghana, Oct. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Misper Apawu) Family members accompany the coffin that contain the remains of Mexican actress Silvia Pinal, during a memorial service at the Palacio de Bellas Artes, in Mexico City, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. Pinal, an actress from Mexico's Golden Age of cinema in the 1940s and 50s, died Thursday. She was 93. (AP Photo/Aurea Del Rosario) A family arrive to cross into Lebanon through the Jousieh border crossing, between Syria and Lebanon, Nov. 28, 2024, following a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah that went into effect on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Omar Sanadiki) Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.

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How major US stock indexes fared Monday, 12/9/2024The case involving the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson continues to unfold. On Dec. 9, a person of interest in the case, 26-year-old Luigi Mangione was arrested at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on a firearms charge, authorities said at a press conference hours later. Mangione was found, law enforcement confirmed, carrying a gun, a silencer and multiple fake identification cards including one with the moniker “Mark Rosario.” An employee of the establishment had “thought he looked suspicious,” and called local police, according to New York Police Department Commissioner Jessica Tisch . Another chief detective for the NYPD, Joseph Kenny , also said at a briefing that the person of interest was detained at around 9:15 a.m. at the fast food chain, noting, “He was sitting there eating.” Mangione was also carrying a “handwritten three-page document” that criticized healthcare companies for putting profits above care. Kenny noted d uring the Dec. 9 press conference that just from “briefly speaking” with investigators, they sense Mangione “has some ill will toward corporate America.” Police—who previously said they believed the alleged gunman had left New York City by bus—are currently looking into whether Mangione had traveled the 236 miles from Philadelphia to Altoona, as they hold the University of Pennsylvania graduate i n custody for questioning. “Mark Rosario,” the aforementioned name on one of Mangione’s identification cards, a New Jersey state ID, is the same as the one a man—believed by police to be the gunman who shot Thompson— who checked into a hostel on the Upper West Side of Manhattan prior to Thompson’s killing, police told NBC News. Mangione has not been charged in connection to Thompson’s killing and has not yet been named a suspect. Authorities told the N ew York Times that he earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering from the University of Pennsylvania. He was born and raised in Maryland, and has also lived in San Francisco and Hawaii. The arrest of Mangione comes five days after Thompson, 50, was shot in the early hours of the morning on Dec. 4 near Manhattan’s Sixth Avenue. Keep reading for every detail to know about Thompson’s death. Who is Brian Thompson? Brian Thompson was the CEO of UnitedHealthcare. He first joined the company in 2004 and held several positions before taking on the role of CEO in 2021. Prior to working at UnitedHealthcare, Thompson was employed at PwC, according to his LinkedIn profile. He also graduated with honors from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor's degree in business administration as an accounting major in May 1997, the school's public relations manager Steve Schmadeke told NBC News. Thompson, who lived in Minnesota, was married to Paulette Thompson —though according to a Wall Street Journal report, they had been living in separate homes—and was the father of two sons. He was shot and killed in New York on Dec. 4, 2024. Thompson was 50 years old. How did Brian Thompson die? Patrol officers from the New York City Police Department’s Midtown North Precinct responded to a 911 call at 6:46 a.m. on Dec. 4, 2024 regarding a person who was shot in front of the New York Hilton Midtown hotel, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said in a media briefing later that morning. Kenny noted officers arrived at the scene at 6:48 a.m. and found gunshot wounds on Thompson’s back and leg. The chief detective said Emergency Medical Services transported Thompson several blocks to Mount Sinai West, where the CEO was pronounced dead at 7:12 a.m. “The victim was in New York City to speak at an investor conference," NYPD commissioner Jessica Tisch said during the media briefing. "It appears the suspect was lying in wait for several minutes. And as the victim was walking to the conference hotel, the suspect approached from behind and fired several rounds, striking the victim at least once in the back and at least once in the right calf. Many people passed the suspect, but he appeared to wait for his intended target.” Tisch said the shooting appeared to be a “pre-meditated, pre-planned, targeted attack” and not a random act of violence. “The full investigative efforts of the New York City Police Department are well underway,” she noted, “and we will not rest until we identify and apprehend the shooter in this case.” What do investigators know about the shooting of Brian Thompson so far? According to Kenny, the shooter—who has yet to be named or arrested—headed to the New York Hilton Midtown on foot and arrived outside the hotel five minutes before Thompson’s arrival. In a video, Kenny continued, Thompson was seen walking alone towards the Hilton at 6:44 a.m. after exiting his separate, nearby hotel apparently for a UnitedHealth Group investors conference that was scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. that day. The chief detective added the shooter—who ignored “numerous other pedestrians”—approached Thompson from behind, shot him, walked towards him and continued shooting. Kenny said the gunman then fled on foot before getting on an ebike, and the shooter was seen riding into Central Park at Center Drive at 6:48 a.m. Kenny said three live nine-millimeter rounds and three discharged shell casings were recovered during the investigation. A senior New York City law enforcement official briefed on the investigation told NBC News Dec. 5 the words "deny," "defend" and "depose" were written on the shell casings. However, Kenny noted the motive for the killing is still unknown. He added a cellphone was discovered in an alley where the shooter fled before walking on a sidewalk toward the ebike, but it's unclear if it belonged to the gunman. Kenny also said investigators are "looking at everything"—including Thompson's social media and interviews with employees and family—that could help in the case. They're also working with Minnesota and Atlanta law enforcement. What have investigators revealed about the gunman who shot Brian Thompson? During the Dec. 4 briefing, Kenny said the shooter appeared to be a "light-skin male" who was "wearing a light brown or cream-colored jacket, a black face mask, black and white sneakers and a very distinctive gray backpack." On Dec. 4, New York police shared photos of an individual they're looking for holding a gun and riding a bike. Later that day, the NYPD tweeted out more pictures of a person they said they're searching for wearing a black mask, dark hooded jacket and gray backpack. Two senior law enforcement officials told NBC News these photos were captured from a Starbucks prior to the shooting. On Dec. 5, the NYPD released additional photos of a person of interest that showed the individual wearing a hooded jacket and lowered face mask. A senior law enforcement official told NBC News the photos came from surveillance video at an Upper West Side hostel. Two separate law enforcement officials noted to the outlet investigators are trying to determine if the individual used a fake ID and paid cash for a hostel room. Three senior law enforcement officials also told NBC News investigators think the shooter possibly took a bus to New York from Atlanta, with the outlet reporting officials are looking at names on tickets from a Nov. 24 Greyhound bus trip to see if they can identify the shooter and that Greyhound said they're cooperating with authorities. On Dec. 6, Kenny told CNN investigators think the shooter may have left New York as he was spotted at Port Authority. What has Brian Thompson’s family said about his death? After learning of the shooting, Thompson’s family mourned his passing. “We are shattered to hear about the senseless killing of our beloved Brian,” a family statement obtained by NBC affiliate KARE in Minneapolis on Dec. 5 read. “Brian was an incredibly loving, generous, talented man who truly lived life to the fullest and touched so many lives. Most importantly, Brian was an incredibly loving father to our two sons and will be greatly missed. We appreciate your condolences and request complete privacy as our family moves through this difficult time.” Thompson’s wife Paulette also recalled how her husband had received threats. "Yes, there had been some threats," she told NBC News Dec. 5. "Basically, I don’t know, a lack of coverage? I don’t know details. I just know that he said there were some people that had been threatening him." What has UnitedHealth Group said about Brian Thompson’s death? UnitedHealth Group, the parent company of UnitedHealthcare, also expressed how it was "deeply saddened and shocked at the passing of our dear friend" Thompson, flying its flags at half-mast at corporate headquarters in Minnesota. "Brian was a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him," a Dec. 4 statement from the organization read. "We are working closely with the New York Police Department and ask for your patience and understanding during this difficult time. Our hearts go out to Brian’s family and all who were close to him.” And while the company noted "our hearts are broken," it shared in a Dec. 5 statement that it has also "been touched by the huge outpouring of kindness and support in the hours since this horrific crime took place." "So many patients, consumers, health care professionals, associations, government officials and other caring people have taken time out of their day to reach out," the message read. "We are thankful, even as we grieve. Our priorities are, first and foremost, supporting Brian’s family; ensuring the safety of our employees; and working with law enforcement to bring the perpetrator to justice. We, at UnitedHealth Group, will continue to be there for those who depend upon us for their health care. We ask that everyone respect the family’s privacy as they mourn the loss of their husband, father, brother and friend." However, there's also been public criticism about UnitedHealthcare, Thompson and America's healthcare system overall. These have included online conversations about insurance companies' claim denial rates as well as a look at accusations against Thompson. For instance, in a class-action lawsuit filed by the City of Hollywood Firefighters' Pension Fund in May 2024 and obtained by NBC News, Thompson was accused of selling more than $15 million of his personal UnitedHealth shares after allegedly learning of an investigation of the company by the U.S. Department of Justice before the public did. When asked about the trades allegedly made by Thompson and other executives, a UnitedHealth spokesperson told Bloomberg in April 2024 "these directors and officers followed our protocols and received approval from the company." The lawsuit, per the BBC , remains active. And while a motive for the shooting has again not been revealed, many outlets have noted the words "deny," "defend" and "depose" on the shell casings are similar to the title of a 2010 book called Delay Deny Defend: Why Insurance Companies Don't Pay Claims and What You Can Do About It . (E! and NBC News are both part of the NBCUniversal family).

Jimmy Carter, the 39th US president, has died at 100