Nearly half of American teenagers say they are online “constantly” despite of social media and smartphones on their mental health, according to a new report published Thursday by the Pew Research Center. As in past years, YouTube was the single most popular platform teenagers used — 90% said they watched videos on the site, down slightly from 95% in 2022. Nearly three-quarters said they visit YouTube every day. There was a slight downward trend in several popular apps teens used. For instance, 63% of teens said they used TikTok, down from 67% and Snapchat slipped to 55% from 59%. This small decline could be due to pandemic-era restrictions easing up and kids having more time to see friends in person, but it’s . X saw the biggest decline among teenage users. Only 17% of teenagers said they use X, down from 23% in 2022, the year Elon Musk bought the platform. Reddit held steady at 14%. About 6% of teenagers said they use Threads, Meta’s answer to X that launched in 2023. The report comes as countries around the world are grappling with how to handle the effects of social media on young people’s well-being. Australia recently passed a law from social networks, though it’s unclear how it will be able to enforce the age limit — and whether it will come with unintended consequences such as isolating vulnerable kids from their peers. Meta’s messaging service WhatsApp was a rare exception in that it saw the number of teenage users increase, to 23% from 17% in 2022. Pew also asked kids how often they use various online platforms. Small but significant numbers said they are on them “almost constantly.” For YouTube, 15% reported constant use, for TikTok, 16% and for Snapchat, 13%. As in previous surveys, girls were more likely to use TikTok almost constantly while boys gravitated to YouTube. There was no meaningful gender difference in the use of Snapchat, Instagram and Facebook. Roughly a quarter of Black and Hispanic teens said they visit TikTok almost constantly, compared with just 8% of white teenagers. The report was based on a survey of 1,391 U.S. teens ages 13 to 17 conducted from Sept. 18 to Oct. 10, 2024.Drones for commercial and recreational use have grown rapidly in popularity, despite restrictions on who can operate them and where they can be flown. No-fly zones are enforced around airports, military installations, nuclear plants, certain landmarks including the Statue of Liberty, and sports stadiums during games. Not everybody follows the rules. Sightings at airports have shut down flights in a few instances. Reported sightings of flying over New Jersey at night in recent weeks have created anxiety among some residents, in part because it is not clear who is operating them or why. Some state and local officials have called for stricter rules to govern drones. After receiving reports of drone activity last month near Morris County, New Jersey, the Federal Aviation Administration issued temporary bans on drone flights over a , New Jersey, that is owned by President-elect Donald Trump, and over . The FAA says the bans are in response to requests from “federal security partners.” Who regulates drones? The FAA is responsible for the , and Congress has written some requirements into law. Who enforces the rules? With a 2018 law, the Preventing Emerging Threats Act, Congress gave certain agencies in the Homeland Security and Justice departments authority to counter threats from unmanned aircraft to protect the safety of certain facilities. New drones must be outfitted with equipment allowing law enforcement to identify the operator, and Congress gave the agencies the power to detect and take down unmanned aircraft that they consider dangerous. The law spells out where the counter-drone measures can be used, including “national special security events” such as presidential inaugurations and other large gatherings of people. What does it take to become a drone pilot? To get a “remote pilot certificate,” you must be at least 16 years old, be proficient in English, pass an aeronautics exam, and not suffer from a ”mental condition that would interfere with the safe operation of a small unmanned aircraft system.” Are drones allowed to fly at night? Yes, but the FAA imposes restrictions on nighttime operations. Most drones are not allowed to fly at night unless they are equipped with anti-collision lights that are visible for at least 3 miles (4.8 kilometers). Are drones a hazard? Over the past decade, pilots have reported hundreds of close calls between drones and airplanes including airline jets. In some cases, airplane pilots have had to take evasive action to avoid collisions. Drones buzzing over a runway at London’s Gatwick Airport during the Christmas travel rush in 2018 and . Police dismissed the idea of shooting down the drones, fearing that stray bullets could kill someone. Advances in drone technology have made it harder for law enforcement to find rogue drone operators — bigger drones in particular have more range and power. Will drone rules get tougher? Some state and local officials in New Jersey are calling for stronger restrictions because of the recent sightings, and that has the drone industry worried. Scott Shtofman, director of government affairs at the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International, said putting more limits on drones could have a “chilling effect” on “a growing economic engine for the United States.” “We would definitely oppose anything that is blindly pushing for new regulation of what are right now legal drone operations,” he said. AirSight, a company that sells software against “drone threats,” says more than 20 states have enacted laws against privacy invasion by drones, including Peeping Toms. Will Austin, president of Warren County Community College in New Jersey, and founder of its drone program, says it’s up to users to reduce public concern about the machines. He said operators must explain why they are flying when confronted by people worried about privacy or safety. “It’s a brand new technology that’s not really understood real well, so it will raise fear and anxiety in a lot of people,” Austin said. “We want to be good professional aviators and alleviate that.” ___ Associated Press reporter Rebecca Santana in Washington, D.C., contributed. David Koenig, The Associated PressMexico cracks down on drugs and migrants amid Trump tariff threat

IVE caught up with Billboard on the red carpet at the MAMA Awards 2024.

PLANO, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 12, 2024-- Upbound Group, Inc. (“Upbound” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: UPBD), a technology and data-driven leader in accessible and inclusive financial products that address the evolving needs and aspirations of underserved consumers, today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Brigit, a leading financial health technology company, for total consideration of up to $460 million consisting of cash and shares of Upbound common stock. This transaction is a logical next step reflecting Upbound’s strategic focus on expanding its technology-driven financial solutions for consumers who are underserved by the traditional financial system. Brigit, which offers a subscription-based model, was launched nationally in 2019 to expand financial inclusion and help consumers build a brighter financial future. It is consistently ranked among the most downloaded financial health apps and is a recognized leader in innovation in the industry. Built on proprietary artificial intelligence and machine learning-powered cash flow data insights, Brigit’s core product is its direct-to-consumer Instant Cash advance product (earned wage access or EWA) which has saved its users approximately $1 billion in overdraft fees since inception 2. Brigit also offers a credit builder product that helps its subscribers build their credit history over time as they increase their savings, as well as financial wellness solutions and educational resources to help consumers better manage, save, and earn money. Brigit currently serves nearly two million monthly active customers, including over one million active paying subscribers and almost one million free subscribers. Their customers are highly engaged, with paid users logging in on average six times per month. The business is expected to generate revenues of approximately $215 million to $230 million in 2025 and approximately $350 million to $400 million in 2026. Brigit will expand Upbound’s offerings of innovative and flexible financial solutions, positioning the combined company to create an industry-leading technology platform for the financially underserved that meets the consumer wherever they are on their financial journey. In addition, Brigit’s proprietary data and sophisticated tech stack are expected to enhance Upbound’s existing brands, including Acima and Rent-A-Center (RAC), by improving risk management and fraud prevention, enabling more customer approvals while also mitigating net losses and enhancing account management. The combined company’s data-driven insights will create a more personalized customer experience with the ability to deliver, at the right time and through the right channels, a wider range of targeted solutions for consumers. Upbound expects these enhancements to boost conversion rates, lower churn, and increase customer loyalty and engagement. “We are thrilled to welcome Brigit, a company whose mission and target customer base are closely aligned with ours, into our family of brands,” said Upbound’s Chief Executive Officer Mitch Fadel. “Creating a financial solutions platform with Brigit as the backbone expands our addressable market and enables Upbound to innovate across even more product categories to improve the financial health of our customers. The ability to add new products for our customers beyond lease-to-own is an important part of our strategy and now we can offer liquidity solutions, budgeting, credit building, financial literacy and savings. We believe this transaction will position Upbound for accelerated growth, with greater scale and a more diversified financial profile, ultimately driving long-term value for our shareholders.” “Brigit has helped everyday Americans build a brighter financial future through a suite of innovative financial products that leverage cutting-edge cash flow technology,” said Brigit cofounder & CEO Zuben Mathews. “This transaction is a testament to our team’s continued passion for helping the underserved and our dedication to innovation. By combining forces with Upbound, we can accelerate our impact and better serve the millions of Americans who have been historically underserved by traditional financial institutions. Together, we are excited to widen our reach and bring financial freedom to even more people in need.” Brigit founders Zuben Mathews and Hamel Kothari will continue to lead the Brigit team as a business segment of Upbound. Brigit will continue to operate under its existing branding and will retain its headquarters in New York City, which is expected to serve as one of Upbound’s innovation hubs. Transaction Details Upbound is acquiring Brigit for up to $460 million, comprised of (1) $325 million payable at closing, 75% in cash and 25% in Upbound shares; (2) $75 million in deferred cash consideration over two years; and (3) a potential earnout of up to $60 million in cash based on achievement of certain financial performance metrics for the Brigit business in 2026. Upbound will fund the transaction through a combination of cash on hand, borrowing capacity under its $550 million revolving credit facility, and issuance of new shares of Upbound common stock to Brigit stockholders. The integration of Brigit’s all-digital, scalable platform is expected to expand Upbound’s addressable market outside of durable goods and enhance its strong financial profile while adding an additional complementary growth segment. With approximately 80% recurring subscription revenue, and an estimated total revenue growth in 2024 of 40% to 50% compared to 2023 with similar expectations in 2025, Upbound believes the transaction will accelerate its growth and is expected to be neutral to non-GAAP EPS in year one and meaningfully accretive to non-GAAP EPS in year two and beyond. Brigit will diversify Upbound’s revenue/Adjusted EBITDA mix; within the next four years, Upbound expects approximately two-thirds of revenue and Adjusted EBITDA 3 will be derived from virtual and digital platforms. Following the transaction, Upbound expects pro forma net leverage ratio of approximately 3x 4 and pro forma available liquidity of nearly $300 million 5. Upbound continues to target leverage of approximately 2x over the long-term. The acquisition is expected to close in Q1 2025, subject to receipt of requisite regulatory approvals and satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. Advisors Greenhill & Co. Inc. is acting as financial advisor to Upbound, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP and Mayer Brown LLP are acting as its legal counsel. FT Partners is acting as financial advisor to Brigit and Cooley LLP and Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP are acting as its legal counsel. Investor Conference Call Details Upbound will host a conference call on Friday, December 13, 2024, at 9:00 am (ET) to discuss this transaction. Interested parties can access a live webcast of the conference call via this link or through the Company's investor relations website. About Upbound Group, Inc. Upbound Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: UPBD), is a technology and data-driven leader in accessible and inclusive financial products that address the evolving needs and aspirations of underserved consumers. The Company’s customer-facing operating units include industry-leading brands such as Rent-A-Center® and Acima® that facilitate consumer transactions across a wide range of store-based and digital retail channels, including over 2,300 company branded retail units across the United States, Mexico and Puerto Rico. Upbound Group, Inc. is headquartered in Plano, Texas. For additional information about the Company, please visit our website Upbound.com . About Brigit Brigit is a holistic financial health app that has helped millions of Americans budget better, get their earned wages early, build their credit through savings, protect themselves from identity theft, and find ways to earn and save money. Its mission is to help everyday Americans build a better financial future. Brigit is backed by Lightspeed, DCM, Nyca, Flourish Ventures, Hummingbird VC, DN Capital, Will Smith, Kevin Durant, and other prominent investors. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release and the associated investor presentation and webcast contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "will," "expect," "intend," "could," "estimate," "predict," "continue," "should," "anticipate," "believe," or “confident,” or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology and include, among others, statements concerning (a) the anticipated benefits of the proposed transaction, (b) the anticipated impact of the proposed transaction on the combined company’s business and future financial and operating results, (c) the anticipated closing date for the proposed transaction, (d) other aspects of both companies’ operations and operating results, and (e) our goals, plans and projections with respect to our operations, financial position and business strategy. However, there can be no assurance that such expectations will occur. The Company's actual future performance could differ materially and adversely from such statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such material and adverse differences include, but are not limited to: (1) risks relating to the proposed transaction, including (i) the inability to obtain regulatory approvals required to consummate the transaction with Brigit on the terms expected, at all or in a timely manner, (ii) the impact of the additional debt on the Company’s leverage ratio, interest expense and other business and financial impacts and restrictions due to the additional debt, (iii) the failure of conditions to closing the transaction and the ability of the parties to consummate the proposed transaction on a timely basis or at all, (iv) the failure of the transaction to deliver the estimated value and benefits expected by the Company, (v) the incurrence of unexpected future costs, liabilities or obligations as a result of the transaction, (vi) the effect of the announcement of the transaction on the ability of the Company or Brigit to retain and hire necessary personnel and maintain relationships with material commercial counterparties, consumers and others with whom the Company and Brigit do business, (vii) the ability of the Company to successfully integrate Brigit’s operations over time, (viii) the ability of the Company to successfully implement its plans, forecasts and other expectations with respect to Brigit’s business after the closing and (ix) other risks and uncertainties inherent in a transaction of this size and nature, (2) the general strength of the economy and other economic conditions affecting consumer preferences, demand, payment behaviors and spending; (3) factors affecting the disposable income available to the Company's and Brigit’s current and potential customers; (4) the appeal of the Company’s and Brigit’s offerings to consumers; (5) the Company's and Brigit’s ability to protect their proprietary intellectual property; (6) the impact of the competitive environment in the Company’s and Brigit’s industries; (7) the Company's and Brigit’s ability to identify and successfully market products and services that appeal to their current and future targeted customer segments; (8) consumer preferences and perceptions of the Company's and Brigit’s brands; (9) the Company’s and Brigit’s compliance with applicable laws and regulations and the impact of active enforcement of those laws and regulations, including any changes with respect thereto or attempts to recharacterize their offerings as credit sales, (10) information technology and data security costs; (11) the impact of any breaches in data security or other disturbances to the Company's or Brigit’s information technology and other networks and the Company's and Brigit’s ability to protect the integrity and security of individually identifiable data of its customers and employees; and (12) the other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports, including but not limited to, its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and in its subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, the Company is not obligated to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect the events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Non-GAAP Financial Measures This release and the associated investor presentation and webcast contain certain financial information determined by methods other than in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), including (1) Adjusted EBITDA (net earnings before interest, taxes, stock-based compensation, depreciation and amortization, as adjusted for special items) on a consolidated and segment basis and (2) Net Leverage Ratio (total debt less unrestricted cash, divided by Adjusted EBITDA). “Special items” refers to certain gains and charges we view as extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring in nature or which we believe do not reflect our core business activities. Special items are reported as Other Gains and Charges in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. Because of the inherent uncertainty related to these special items, management does not believe it is able to provide a meaningful forecast of the comparable GAAP measures or reconciliation to any forecasted GAAP measure without unreasonable effort. These non-GAAP measures are additional tools intended to assist our management in comparing our performance on a more consistent basis for purposes of business decision-making by removing the impact of certain items management believes do not directly reflect our core operations. These measures are intended to assist management in evaluating operating performance and liquidity, comparing performance and liquidity across periods, planning and forecasting future business operations, helping determine levels of operating and capital investments and identifying and assessing additional trends potentially impacting our Company that may not be shown solely by comparisons of GAAP measures. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA is also used as part of our incentive compensation program for our executive officers and others. We believe these non-GAAP financial measures also provide supplemental information that is useful to investors, analysts and other external users of our consolidated financial statements in understanding our financial results and evaluating our performance and liquidity from period to period. However, non-GAAP financial measures have inherent limitations and are not substitutes for, or superior to, GAAP financial measures, and they should be read together with our consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. Further, because non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized, it may not be possible to compare such measures to the non-GAAP financial measures presented by other companies, even if they have the same or similar names. ______________________________ 1 Non-GAAP Financial Measure. See descriptions below in this release. Due to the inherent uncertainty related to the special items discussed under “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below, management does not believe it is able to provide a meaningful forecast of the comparable GAAP measure or reconciliation to any forecasted GAAP measure without unreasonable effort. 2 Assumes all Brigit’s cash advances since inception have assisted customers with avoiding overdraft fees at an estimated $34/overdraft. 3 Non-GAAP Financial Measure. See descriptions below in this release. Due to the inherent uncertainty related to the special items discussed under “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below, management does not believe it is able to provide a meaningful forecast of the comparable GAAP measure or reconciliation to any forecasted GAAP measure without unreasonable effort. 4 Non-GAAP Financial Measure. See descriptions below in this release. Due to the inherent uncertainty related to the special items discussed under “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below, management does not believe it is able to provide a meaningful forecast of the comparable GAAP measure or reconciliation to any forecasted GAAP measure without unreasonable effort. 5 Pro forma net leverage ratio (total debt less unrestricted cash, divided by Adjusted EBITDA) and pro forma available liquidity (estimated available borrowings under the company’s revolving credit facility and unrestricted cash) assume the acquisition of Brigit is completed March 31, 2025 and the Company makes the closing date cash payment at that time. Above metrics reflect the Company’s estimates and are not reflective of actual amounts or indicative of future results. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241212082702/en/ CONTACT: Investor Contact Jeff Chesnut SVP, Strategy & Corporate Development 972-801-1108 jeff.chesnut@upbound.comMedia Contacts Kelly Kimberly 713-822-7538 Kelly.kimberly@fgsglobal.com Leah Polito 212-687-8080 Leah.polito@fgsglobal.com KEYWORD: TEXAS UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: APPS/APPLICATIONS TECHNOLOGY FINANCE FINTECH HEALTH TECHNOLOGY PROFESSIONAL SERVICES SOFTWARE HEALTH DATA MANAGEMENT SOURCE: Upbound Group, Inc. Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/12/2024 05:00 PM/DISC: 12/12/2024 05:00 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241212082702/en

ALLO-316 Demonstrates Early Activity and Safety in Advanced CD70-Positive ccRCC

Two years ago, we questioned the sustainability of a rapid e-fuels pathway for shipping. Our position hasn’t changed, but we’ve watched the industry yo-yo between fossil-based alternative fuels and e-fuels. Anchored in energy economics (using renewable energy most efficiently) and our pragmatic view, we argued that LNG has an important role to play in the fuel transition short to medium term, while e-fuel is likely to be part of a longer-term solution. In this piece we will focus more on the commercial development needed to successfully transition to these low carbon molecules, rather than the physical characteristics and arguments. “Fast forward two years, there has been a lot of development and, as many will argue, a lot of missing development.” Let’s begin with methanol. The strong growth in methanol dual-fuel (DF) vessel contracting, first led by Maersk in 2021, continued well into 2023, emerging as one of the leading DF options. It represented 12%1 of contracted gross tonnage (GT) over 5,000 GT in 2023. This growth has been supported by a relatively low capex premium on DF engines, along with a promising supply-side outlook, as new projects continue to be announced. As a result, methanol DF vessel contracting grew in prominence. While we do not intend to fuel the “LNG vs Methanol vs Ammonia” debate – since, as brokers we remain fuel-agnostic and believe that all fuels will play a role in the future – it’s clear that LNG and methanol have been competing closely across principals’ desks over the past couple of years. This is evident in the sharp decline in LNG dual-fuel vessel contracting in 2023 dropping from 28% in 2022 to 14.7% of contracted GT above 5,000 GT, largely due to methanol’s growing popularity. Some of this decline, however, can also be attributed to a surge in gas prices following the sanctions on Russian gas. But in late 2023, we saw the first sign of LNG regaining momentum when liner giant CMA CGM changed an order of eight 9,200 TEU vessels from methanol DF to LNG DF2. While this news passed somewhat quietly, a similar move by Danish competitor Maersk did not. Maersk surprised the industry by revealing plans to invest in LNG DF vessels3. This diversification from previous commitments was justified with the rationale that betting on just one fuel would be risky. Instead their portfolio mix would include the methane molecule, although emphasising that focus is on bio-LNG and not on fossil LNG. Our 2022 argument supports the shift, and like Maersk, points out a more fundamental challenge in the fuel transition: the limited availability of green methanol. They emphasised the need to achieve their decarbonisation goals in a commercially competitive way. In other words, while several e-methanol projects are approaching final investment decisions (FIDs), there remains a shortage of green methanol at acceptable prices. This highlights a key issue in the fuel transition: the need for more movement in green e-fuel project developments. The high cost of low-carbon fuels is a challenge for all fuel alternatives, but we stand by our original position and emphasise our concern for the outlook for methanol. LNG (though a fossil fuel, it still offers clear reductions in GHG emissions) and bio-LNG (a, potentially, carbon-neutral variant) are largely driven by demand from sectors outside shipping. Similarly, we expect the first large-scale demand for low-carbon ammonia to come from industries like coal-fired power plants (for co-firing) or as a hydrogen carrier. This means that shipping, as an offtake sector, doesn’t have to be the primary driver of demand for LNG or ammonia, which is crucial given the industry’s longstanding preference for the cheapest product cracked from crude oil, on the spot market. In contrast, most e-methanol project developers are counting on shipping to be their main offtakers. For these projects to reach FID, shipping companies will need to commit to long-term offtake agreements at prices multiple times higher than conventional fuels, with first volumes expected in 3 to 4 years (the typical production facility lead time). This presents a significant challenge—especially considering that even Maersk, a champion of methanol and leader in decarbonisation, has not been able to make this model commercially viable. Regulations like FuelEU Maritime, and hopefully the IMO’s upcoming Global Fuel Intensity Requirement, will play a crucial role in making low-carbon fuels, including e-methanol, commercially viable. The challenge, however, lies in the fact that many of these fuels depend on long-term shipping offtake agreements to get production projects off the ground. This is complicated by the gradual phase-in of these regulations and the lead time between FIDs and actual fuel production. By the time these regulations start to have a real impact—likely around 2030 to 2035—when fuel prices might become more competitive and willingness to pay increases, the necessary fuel volumes may not yet be available. This timing mismatch presents a major hurdle for the adoption of low-carbon fuels in shipping, and in particular e-methanol (as we argue the other fuels may come with or without us). In the long term, we believe e-fuels like ammonia, which unlike e-methanol and e-LNG, doesn’t rely on biogenic CO2 as a feedstock, will play a significant role in shipping’s fuel mix. A recent study by the Maersk McKinney Møller Centre for Zero Carbon Shipping (MMMZCS) estimated that the global availability of biogenic CO2 is around 370 million tons4—enough to produce around 43% of the e-fuels required to meet shipping’s current energy demand. However, it’s unlikely that shipping will be able to secure all of this, given competition from other sectors. In other words, biogenic CO2 could become a major constraint if shipping focuses solely on e-methanol and e-LNG for large-scale decarbonisation. Ammonia offers a promising alternative, but its main challenge lies in engine technology development. While the progress made by key engine manufacturers like MAN and WinGD is encouraging, and initiatives like the recent ship-to-ship5 transfer of ammonia fuel demonstrate its potential, we are still years away from seeing a significant number of ammonia dual-fuel vessels in operation. So, where do we go from here? As shipping emissions continue to rise, we stress the point, again, that waiting for a perfect end-game solution could hinder shipping’s green transition. We have vocalised concerns about the availability of low-carbon methanol for the methanol dual-fuel vessels set to enter operation in the coming years. While we view ammonia as an appealing long-term solution, we cannot afford to wait for it, as emissions keep accumulating. In the meantime, LNG presents a well-to-wake (WTW) GHG reduction of approximately 17% compared to conventional fuels when burned in a high-pressure two-stroke engine, according to the FuelEU Maritime regulation. Whilst there are valid concerns about upstream methane leakages, several initiatives and regulations (e.g., the Global Methane Pledge)6 are working to ensure these issues are effectively addressed and reduced. Bio-LNG is a very attractive low-carbon fuel for shipping, with the potential to be blended with LNG up to 100%. In conclusion, while the industry grapples with the availability of essential fuels like e-methanol and ammonia, the continued use of LNG and bio-LNG as transitional solutions is vital. In the past, we’ve been challenged on our position of championing fossil-based alternative fuels, but we maintain that not only does it offer immediate reductions in greenhouse gas emissions but also provides a pathway for scaling up low-carbon fuel adoption whilst ensuring that renewable energy resources are deployed for global benefit. We’re pleased to see that these challengers and indeed the data is now starting to align with our stance so that greater progress can be recognised. As we look ahead, collaboration between stakeholders, including brokers, shipowners, and fuel developers, will be essential to overcome hurdles and ensure a smooth transition. The journey may be complex, but with informed guidance and strategic planning, the path forward can lead to a more sustainable future for shipping. Source: Clarkson Plc.RCMP union applauds planned federal spending on border security

Nearly 50 payloads safely splashed down to Earth on SpaceX's 31 st Commercial Resupply Services Mission for NASA KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. , Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Research that could enable early cancer detection, advance treatments for neurodegenerative conditions, and improve respiratory therapies returned from the International Space Station (ISS) on SpaceX's 31st Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) mission for NASA. SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft splashed down off the coast of Florida with nearly 50 biotechnology, physical science, and student research payloads sponsored by the ISS National Laboratory ® . These investigations are among those that leveraged the unique environment of the space station for the benefit of life on Earth: The ISS National Lab enables access and opportunity for researchers to leverage this unique orbiting laboratory for the benefit of humanity and to enable commerce in space. To learn more about ISS National Lab-sponsored investigations that flew on NASA's SpaceX CRS-31, please visit our launch page . Download a high-resolution image for this release: SpaceX Dragon Freedom spacecraft About the International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory: The International Space Station (ISS) is a one-of-a-kind laboratory that enables research and technology development not possible on Earth. As a public service enterprise, the ISS National Laboratory ® allows researchers to leverage this multiuser facility to improve quality of life on Earth, mature space-based business models, advance science literacy in the future workforce, and expand a sustainable and scalable market in low Earth orbit. Through this orbiting national laboratory, research resources on the ISS are available to support non-NASA science, technology, and education initiatives from U.S. government agencies, academic institutions, and the private sector. The Center for the Advancement of Science in SpaceTM (CASIS ® ) manages the ISS National Lab, under Cooperative Agreement with NASA, facilitating access to its permanent microgravity research environment, a powerful vantage point in low Earth orbit, and the extreme and varied conditions of space. To learn more about the ISS National Lab, visit our website . As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, CASIS ® accepts corporate and individual donations to help advance science in space for the benefit of humanity. For more information, visit our donations page . Media Contact: Patrick O'Neill 904-806-0035 PONeill@ISSNationalLab.org International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory Managed by the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space, Inc. (CASIS) 1005 Viera Blvd., Suite 101, Rockledge, FL 32955 • 321.253.5101 • www.ISSNationalLab.org View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/iss-national-lab-sponsored-projects-on-cancer-neurodegenerative-conditions-and-more-return-from-space-station-302334158.html SOURCE International Space Station National LabJustin Trudeau taking the time to reflect following Freeland departureSouth Korea Impeaches Second President In 2 Weeks, Stocks Face Significant VolatilityMiles Johns was just boarding his flight to Las Vegas for a fight against Cody Garbrandt when he got a call from his manager. He knew there was no chance it was good news. “Jason [House] called me and if he calls me on fight week like that I already know something’s not good,” Johns told MMA Fighting. “He lets me know Cody is out but just stay the course, we’re going to look for a new replacement, we’re going to look for a new opponent. I’m staying on the diet and everything. I really thought that they were going to find somebody.” The fight cancellation was understandably frustrating considering Johns was already cutting weight and jumping on a plane bound for Las Vegas when he got word. The matchup was scrapped after a previous delay pushed the fight back from October to November. This time around, Johns found out Garbrandt was actually dropping out of the fight but he wasn’t upset about the cancellation as much as he was the lack of response he heard from his opponent. “I’ve had to pull out of a fight on the Wednesday before a fight because during my training session, I freaking dislocated my shoulder, tore my labrum, tore my chest,” Johns explained. “I know how that happens. But immediately after it happened, I put up something on social media [saying] so sorry to my opponent Raoni Barcelos , I feel bad for him, I feel bad for everyone who is expected it, things happen but it’s the way you go about it. “The thing about Cody, he supposedly had vertigo and he was getting dizzy at the [UFC Performance Institute]. I mean this dude has had vertigo since 2012. He’s been going to therapy for it this whole time. I feel like he’s been dealing with this. He decided he was going to take the fight. He pushed the fight back and then decided ‘oh yeah, I’m going to do this’ and then I don’t know if he felt my energy fight week or if he was watching my stuff and thought ‘this young dude is going to come in here and knock my ass out and I’m looking to go out on my last fight with somebody with a bigger name.’ I don’t know what it was. Then he pulls out and just goes radio silent, doesn’t say anything.” As much as he wishes Garbrandt at least messaged him privately to apologize or explain what happened, Johns isn’t holding a grudge but he also had no desire to revisit that matchup again. “I’m still giving him the benefit of the doubt,” Johns said about Garbrandt. “I still like the dude. When I was watching him growing up before I was in the UFC, I always looked up to him, I always had a lot of respect and I don’t want to lose that respect. “I don’t really know what he’s going through. At the end of the day, I just hope he’s happy with his decisions. Because it seems like he just wants to ride off into the sunset on a motorcycle and that’s all fine and good but before you do that, you better walk through the fire or your soul is not going to be free. I’m moved on past it. Forget that dude and we’ve got bigger things ahead of us.” Johns actually had every intention of fighting anybody the UFC could throw at him that week in Las Vegas but when the promotion couldn’t secure a new opponent, he had to shift gears to a later date. Now he’s scheduled to face Felipe Lima at featherweight at UFC Tampa on Saturday with Johns revealing that it was his idea to put the fight at 145 pounds because he was only six pounds over the bantamweight limit when he got the word that he wouldn’t be competing in November. Going through another grueling weight cut just a few weeks later wasn’t going to be good for his body so Johns was happy to move up a division, if only for one night. While the change in opponents isn’t ideal, Johns still sees benefit in his new fight against Lima versus the matchup he was supposed to face with Garbrandt. “I feel like this fight reaps more benefits,” Johns said. “I feel like if I would have knocked Cody out, everybody’s just going to say he’s on his way out, he’s on his last leg anyway. But for some reason people are counting me out of this fight. They do this to me every single time. I’m like I’m finally going to shut you guys up. I’m going to go out and put this kid away and I think this one will give me some respect on my name.” If all goes well on Saturday, Johns already has an idea about his next fight and that might actually be a matchup that he could potentially take away from Garbrandt if he plays his cards right. “I’m done with [Cody] but him and [Dominick] Cruz had a long rivalry,” Johns said. “I go out there and I have a really good performance this time, I saw that Dominick Cruz was saying that he’s looking for one last dance. Looking to put a show on and if I have a good performance, why not throw me in that fight? “I have a lot of respect for him. He’s always giving me advice as a commentator. I’d be honored to give him his last fight.”

The Sterling Group Names Two New Partners

NEW YORK , Nov. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Attorney Advertising-- Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC, a nationally recognized law firm, notifies investors that a class action lawsuit has been filed against ASML Holding NV ("ASML" or "the Company") (NASDAQ: ASML ) and certain of its officers. Class Definition This lawsuit seeks to recover damages against Defendants for alleged violations of the federal securities laws on behalf of all persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired ASML securities between January 24, 2024 and October 15, 2024 inclusive (the "Class Period"). Such investors are encouraged to join this case by visiting the firm's site: bgandg.com/ASML. Case Details The complaint alleges Defendants misrepresented and/or failed to disclose that: (1) the issues being faced by suppliers, like ASML, in the semiconductor industry were much more severe than Defendants had indicated to investors; (2) the pace of recovery of sales in the semiconductor industry was much slower than Defendants had publicly acknowledged; (3) Defendants had created the false impression that they possessed reliable information pertaining to customer demand and anticipated growth, while also downplaying risk from macroeconomic and industry fluctuations, as well as stronger regulations restricting the export of semiconductor technology, including the products that ASML sells; and (4) as a result, Defendants' statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects lacked a reasonable basis. What's Next? A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to review a copy of the Complaint, you can visit the firm's site: bgandg.com/ASML. or you may contact Peretz Bronstein, Esq. or his Client Relations Manager, Nathan Miller , of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC at 332-239-2660 . If you suffered a loss in ASML you have until January 13, 2025 , to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as lead plaintiff. There is No Cost to You We represent investors in class actions on a contingency fee basis. That means we will ask the court to reimburse us for out-of-pocket expenses and attorneys' fees, usually a percentage of the total recovery, only if we are successful. Why Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is a nationally recognized firm that represents investors in securities fraud class actions and shareholder derivative suits. Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors nationwide. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. Contact Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC Peretz Bronstein or Nathan Miller 332-239-2660 | [email protected] SOURCE Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLCROYAL STARS | GEORGIA NICOLSThe only people we want to take us for a ride are rail workers, says union boss

Celebrities Dress in Mourning for Dulce The Mexican Singer Passed Away at 69 Bronco Among Celebrities Sending Condolences From Bronco to Ana Bárbara, José Manuel Figueroa, and Amanda Miguel, celebrities have dressed in mourning upon hearing the news of the death of the beloved Mexican singer Dulce. On Wednesday, December 25, the passing of the cherished singer was confirmed, and famous figures quickly reacted through their social media. Among the first to express their condolences following Dulce’s death were the members of the group Bronco. «We join in the sorrow of the Noeggerath family for the sensitive passing of singer Dulce. We wish comfort to her family and friends,» they posted on Facebook. «Thank You for Your Music, Dulce» They Wrote to the Singer Celebrities Dress in Mourning for Dulce – PHOTO: Screenshot from Instagram «Thank you for your music, Dulce. Rest in peace,» the members of Bronco added in their post. Bronco quickly began receiving comments from their followers, joining the condolences. «What a sad loss, a great singer, woman, and human being. May God receive you in His glory, Dulce. Rest in peace,» one comment read. «May she rest in peace. We join all the people who knew her and her family during this difficult time,» wrote another. Amanda Miguel Sends Message PHOTO: Instagram screenshot «Today we face a loss that fills us with sadness,» wrote singer Amanda Miguel. «Dulce was someone who left a mark on those of us fortunate enough to know her,» added the widow of the late singer Diego Verdaguer. She also sent a message to the Mexican singer’s family: «Our hearts are with her family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult moment.» «May her light continue to shine in the memory of everyone,» she concluded. Bobby Pulido Joins the Condolences Celebrities Dress in Mourning for Dulce – PHOTO: Instagram screenshot Singer Bobby Pulido made an unexpected revelation about the late singer. «I met Dulce in the same play where I met my wife Mariana,» Pulido wrote, alongside a photo of the three of them. «Eternal love. Always positive, always kind, and always authentic,» added the tex-mex singer. «That’s how I will always remember my friend Dulce. Rest in peace, my friend,» he concluded. Ana Bárbara, Devastated by Dulce’s Loss «Rest in peace, dear Dulce. Today the sky receives one of the greatest Spanish-speaking singers,» wrote Ana Bárbara. The singer posted a photo of herself with Dulce, accompanied by a heartfelt message. «I am grateful to have shared moments with you,» she added in her post. «Lots of light and strength to her loved ones,» she concluded. José Manuel Figueroa Also Sends Message for Singer Dulce Celebrities Dress in Mourning for Dulce – PHOTO: Screenshot from Instagram «What a sad day,» wrote the grieving son of Joan Sebastian, singer José Manuel Figueroa. «Dulce, you will always be in my heart and in the music I admire the most,» Figueroa added in his message. You may also like: Singer Dulce dies in the middle of Christmas «Intact, beautiful, I love you,» concluded José Manuel Figueroa. Dulce passed away on December 25, 2024, at the age of 69, after being hospitalized for more than a month. TO LISTEN TO THE PODCAST OF THIS AND OTHER NEWS CLICK ON THE PHOTO PHOTO: MundoNOW if(typeof custom_paginate == "function")custom_paginate()PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The guy on the Philly sports talk radio station had something to say, and he started to vent about the perceived strained relationship between star quarterback Jalen Hurts and standout wide receiver A.J. Brown. Why weren’t these two Pro Bowl Eagles on the same page? Why had their personal and professional relationship changed even with Philadelphia enjoying tremendous success? It was football gossip usually ripe for a hot-take host or fed-up fan to stir up on the air — only in this instance, the temperature check came from inside the locker room. Normally respected team leader Brandon Graham, who is sidelined with a triceps injury, noted in a radio appearance that “ things have changed ” between Hurts and Brown in the wake of a stale passing game in last week’s win over Carolina. An apologetic Graham walked back his comments. Hurts and Brown both insisted their relationship was cool in front of media hordes more appropriate for the Super Bowl. As for the rest of the Eagles, they were ready to squash the so-called controversy. “We are moving on,” offensive lineman and Christmas song crooner Jordan Mailata said. “It is the Pittsburgh Steelers this week. Not the A.J. Brown and Jalen Show. It is the Pittsburgh Steelers. That’s it.” Oh yeah, the Steelers! Lost in the brouhaha ignited in a Philly sports bar is the fact that sitting — and winning — on the western side of Pennsylvania are the Steelers (10-3). Unlike most matchups in series history, this one Sunday at the Linc comes with the tantalizing appeal of a potential Super Bowl preview. The Steelers have won seven of eight, and the Eagles (11-2) have won nine straight and could clinch the NFC East with a win and a Washington loss or tie. It's the first time the teams — among the original eight NFL teams — will play each other when they both have a double-digit win total. Both teams are in strong position for a playoff run — the Eagles led by Saquon Barkley and his pursuit of Eric Dickerson's NFL season rushing record; Russell Wilson and the soft-schedule Steelers atop the AFC North in large part thanks to six wins against teams that currently have losing records. “I do like playing really good people, I think there's growth in it,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. “You've got to get the job done. But man, I think there's significant growth in pitting your collective talents and skills versus big-time opponents and they're certainly that.” Will the drama out of Philly this week affect the Eagles? They certainly don't think so and neither do the oddsmakers — the Eagles are 5 1/2-point favorites, per BetMGM. “What I’ve noticed about this football team is they’re so locked in and determined to get better each day,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said. “We don’t really want anyone else talking to us about anything other than the Pittsburgh Steelers.” Good luck with that, Coach. Maybe playing the Steelers on Sunday at home can snap the Eagles out of their offensive malaise. Hurts threw three TD passes to Brown in a 35-13 win in 2022. Barkley leads the NFL in rushing with 1,623 yards, 216 yards ahead of Baltimore’s Derrick Henry. He is averaging 124.8 yards per game. At that pace, and with one more game to play than Dickerson had, he would become the top single-season rusher in NFL history. He needs 483 yards over the final four games to top Dickerson’s 40-year-old record. Barkley is on pace for 2,122 yards, which would put him just 17 yards beyond Dickerson’s 2,105 in 1984. Barkley doesn’t need much of a reminder from his 2020 performance when, while playing for the New York Giants, he ran into a Pittsburgh defense that seemed reminiscent of its famed Steel Curtain. The Steelers held Barkley to 6 yards on 15 carries. The Steelers will have to find a way forward against the NFL’s toughest defense without wide receiver George Pickens, who will miss his second straight game with a hamstring injury. Pittsburgh survived last week against Cleveland, with Mike Williams and Scotty Miller — afterthoughts of late — coming off the bench to make an impact. While Tomlin believes “the strength of the pack is the pack,” the reality is the Steelers don’t have anyone who can stretch the field like Pickens, who leads the team in receptions (55) and yards (850) by a wide margin. It’s a challenge, but considering the way Wilson has spread the ball around — eight players caught passes against the Browns — he won’t lack for options. “Everybody in the receiver room has a different skill set, different strengths,” Calvin Austin III said. “The coaching staff knows that and they know how to put us in position to be able to show that.” The cross-state trip to Philadelphia, where the Steelers haven’t won in nearly 60 years, is the start of an 11-day stretch in which Pittsburgh faces three teams likely bound for the playoffs. While Tomlin is leaning into the “nameless, gray faces” mantra he uses for every opponent, his players know facing the Eagles, Ravens and Chiefs in such a short period is a litmus test for what’s to come in January. “That’s why I’m in the league, period,” linebacker Patrick Queen said. “When you sign up to play football, you want to play at the highest level. ... I love to play the game the right way. I think these next few games is going to show that and it starts with the Eagles.” AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

BEIJING — The Chinese government placed sanctions on seven companies on Friday in response to recent U.S. announcements of military sales and aid to Taiwan, the self-governing island that China claims as part of its territory. The sanctions also come in response to the recent approval of the U.S. government’s annual defense spending bill, which a Chinese Foreign Ministry statement said “includes multiple negative sections on China.” China objects to American military assistance for Taiwan and often imposes sanctions on related companies after a sale or aid package is announced. The sanctions generally have a limited impact, because American defense companies don’t sell arms or other military goods to China. The U.S. is the main supplier of weapons to Taiwan for its defense. Related Story: Companies and Executives Face Asset Freeze The seven companies being sanctioned are Insitu Inc., Hudson Technologies Co., Saronic Technologies, Inc., Raytheon Canada, Raytheon Australia, Aerkomm Inc. and Oceaneering International Inc., the Foreign Ministry statement said. It said that “relevant senior executives” of the companies are also sanctioned, without naming any. Any assets they have in China will be frozen, and organizations and individuals in China are prohibited from engaging in any activity with them, it said. US Boosts Military Support for Taiwan U.S. President Joe Biden last week authorized up to $571 million in Defense Department material and services and military education and training for Taiwan. Separately, the Defense Department announced that $295 million in military sales had been approved. The U.S. defense bill boosts military spending to $895 billion and directs resources toward a more confrontational approach to China. It establishes a fund that could be used to send military resources to Taiwan in much the same way that the U.S. has backed Ukraine. It also expands a ban on U.S. military purchases of Chinese products ranging from drone technology to garlic for military commissaries. Related Story: Zhang Xiaogang, a Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson, said earlier this week that the U.S. is hyping up the “so-called” threat from China to justify increased military spending. “U.S. military spending has topped the world and keeps increasing every year,” he said at a press conference. “This fully exposes the belligerent nature of the U.S. and its obsession with hegemony and expansion.” The Foreign Ministry statement said the U.S. moves violate agreements between the two countries on Taiwan, interfere in China’s domestic affairs and undermine the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Taiwan’s government said earlier this month that China had sent dozens of ships into nearby seas to practice a blockade of the island, a move that Taiwan said undermined peace and stability and disrupted international shipping and trade. China has not confirmed or commented on the reported military activity.

With Apple Intelligence , Apple is aiming to make Siri smarter than ever before. The personal assistant is going to be able to learn more about you, do more in apps, and hand over the reins to a smarter virtual assistant when needed. Some new ‌Siri‌ features are available now, while some won't be coming until 2025. This guide highlights everything that's new with ‌Siri‌ thanks to ‌Apple Intelligence‌. Updated Siri Design ‌Siri‌ has a refreshed design on devices that support ‌Apple Intelligence‌. Rather than the small wavelength that used to show when activating ‌Siri‌, there's now a pink/purple/blue/orange variegated glow that wraps around the entire iPhone , with the colors shifting as ‌Siri‌ listens to a command. Better Language Understanding ‌Siri‌ can better understand conversational language and requests, so if you stumble over your words or change your mind mid-sentence, ‌Siri‌ can still follow what you're saying. ‌Siri‌ is also able to maintain context between requests, so you can refer to something in a previous request, and ‌Siri‌ will understand what you're talking about. So if you use ‌Siri‌ to create a calendar event, you can then just ask "What will the weather be like there?" and ‌Siri‌ knows where "there" is. Improved Voice ‌Siri‌ has a new, more natural sounding voice. Type to Siri There is a built-in Type to ‌Siri‌ feature so you don't need to speak to ‌Siri‌ to interact with the personal assistant. To use it, double tap on the bottom of the ‌iPhone‌ or iPad to bring up a text bar, and then from there, just type in your request. Type to ‌Siri‌ can be used in the same way as speaking to ‌Siri‌, and ‌Siri‌ is able to provide information without speaking aloud. It is a useful feature for public situations where you're not able to speak and do not want to have ‌Siri‌ speaking back to you. Siri on the Mac While this guide focuses on the ‌iPhone‌ and the ‌iPad‌, the new, smarter ‌Siri‌ is also available on the Mac. Type to ‌Siri‌ can be enabled in the Settings app, and it can be assigned to a shortcut, such as pressing the Command button twice. Apple Product Knowledge Apple taught ‌Siri‌ about all of its products, so if you want to know how to use a feature or how to complete a task, you can ask ‌Siri‌ for help. ‌Siri‌ can provide step-by-step directions on using ‌iPhone‌, ‌iPad‌, and Mac features. ChatGPT Integration (iOS 18.2) In iOS 18.2, ChatGPT integration is available with ‌Siri‌. If a user asks something that ‌Siri‌ is not capable of handling, ChatGPT can provide a response instead, so long as the user gives permission. ‌Siri‌ can tap into ChatGPT, and then relay ChatGPT's response with no need to switch apps or use other tools. The ‌Siri‌ ChatGPT integration can essentially be used to do anything you can do with the ChatGPT app or ChatGPT on the web, it's simply an easier way to get to ChatGPT. Object Identification For anything on your screen, such as an image, you can ask ‌Siri‌ a question about it. If you have a photo of a plant, for example, asking "What is this?" will prompt ‌Siri‌ to send a screenshot over to ChatGPT, and ChatGPT will attempt to provide context. This works with images on the web, your photos, the something you're viewing through the Camera app, text, and more. ChatGPT can be used to describe a scene, which is useful for people who might have issues with sight. Opening the Camera app, activating ‌Siri‌, and asking "What is this?" will provide a detailed description of whatever is in front of you. The option to send images to ChatGPT from screenshots is distinct from the ‌Siri‌ onscreen awareness feature that Apple plans to implement in the future. Info From Documents For emails, documents, PDFs, and more, ChatGPT can provide a summary. When you ask "Can you summarize this?" ‌Siri‌ will send a screenshot or the entire document, which includes full PDFs. It's a useful feature for getting a quick overview of the content of a long document. For long PDFs or documents, you'll want to tap on the arrows to make sure the full document is sent to ChatGPT rather than just a screenshot. Rather than asking for a summary, you can instead ask a specific question about a document. If you're looking at an insurance policy, you can ask "What are the limits of this policy?" or "What are the exclusions?" to get more tailored information. Checking Spelling and Grammar If you've written an email, rather than selecting it and using Writing Tools to check it for spelling and grammar errors, you can ask ‌Siri‌ to take a look, and ‌Siri‌ will send a screenshot to ChatGPT. "Can you look this over for errors?" works as a command for this feature. ChatGPT can also be used for rewriting and refining what you've written, but note that this is not the same as Apple's own Writing Tools. Generating Text and Images ChatGPT can generate text from scratch based on prompts that it is given. You can, for example, ask ‌Siri‌ to ask ChatGPT to write a poem or compose a polite letter to a friend, and ChatGPT will create something from scratch. Some sample requests you can use: If you have ChatGPT write something for you, you can tap on the copy icon to copy it to the clipboard to paste it into Notes, Messages, a document, or an email. You can also create images. Using the Dall-E 3 engine, ChatGPT can make realistic AI-generated images, something that can't be done with ‌Apple Intelligence‌. For image requests, it's easiest to tell ‌Siri‌ to "Tell ChatGPT to make an image of [thing you want an image of]," because if you just ask ‌Siri‌ to make an image or generate an image, it will often bring up web images. Answering Questions One of the best use cases for ChatGPT through ‌Siri‌ is getting answers for queries that are just a bit too complex for ‌Siri‌. Questions that ‌Siri‌ can't handle will be handed over to ChatGPT with your permission, but you can also force ‌Siri‌ to use ChatGPT instead of the internal ‌Siri‌ engine by amending questions with "Ask ChatGPT." For example, a question about what battery an Xbox controller uses will source Wikipedia and not ChatGPT, but specifically "Ask ChatGPT what battery an Xbox controller uses" will prompt ‌Siri‌ to present the question to ChatGPT. ChatGPT's answers can sometimes be more informative. Asking ‌Siri‌ how to replace eggs in a recipe just gives you alternatives, but ChatGPT's answer for the same question provides the amount of an ingredient you might want to add to equate to an egg. Some example queries that ‌Siri‌ will automatically consult ChatGPT on: Other Things You Can Ask ChatGPT To Do While ‌Siri‌ can do all of these things with ChatGPT's help, the lack of continuity with the ‌Siri‌ version of ChatGPT makes it difficult to complete tasks that are not one-off requests. Creating a meal plan, for example, works better with the actual ChatGPT interface because you can have more of a conversation rather than relying on a single request. ChatGPT Settings and Privacy ChatGPT integration has to be turned on, and after that, each request requires user permission. There is an option to turn off the extra permission by toggling off the "Confirm ChatGPT Requests" option. The toggle can be accessed by opening up the Settings app, choosing ‌Apple Intelligence‌, and then tapping on ChatGPT. With the feature disabled, ‌Siri‌ will not ask each time before sending information to ChatGPT. ‌Siri‌ will, however, always ask permission before sending a file to ChatGPT even with the confirm requests feature turned off. As for privacy, no login is required to use ChatGPT, and neither Apple nor OpenAI log your requests. But if you sign in with a paid account, ChatGPT can keep a copy of requests. ChatGPT - Free vs. Paid ChatGPT integration includes a limited number of requests that use ChatGPT-4o, the latest version of ChatGPT, for free. After those are used up, ChatGPT integration uses 4o Mini, which is less advanced and takes up less resources. ChatGPT Plus subscribers get more ChatGPT-4o requests. ChatGPT Plus is priced at $20 per month, and ‌iPhone‌ users who don't already have ChatGPT Plus can sign up right from the ‌Apple Intelligence‌ section of the Settings app. Apple users essentially have access to ChatGPT's basic plan, so requests that use advanced capabilities reset every 24 hours. With this plan, two images per day can be generated. ChatGPT vs. Apple Intelligence There is overlap between what's possible with ‌Apple Intelligence‌ and what you can do with ChatGPT integration, but there are some distinctions. ‌Apple Intelligence‌ has Writing Tools for rewriting and editing what you've already written, but ChatGPT can write content from scratch. Image Playground , Image Wand , and Genmoji allow you to generate images, but ‌Apple Intelligence‌ won't generate realistic looking images. Instead, styles are limited to those that look animated or sketched. ChatGPT will generate lifelike images, though. ‌Apple Intelligence‌ can be used to summarize documents, but only when you select text and select the Summarize option from Writing Tools. ‌Apple Intelligence‌ can't answer more specific questions about PDFs and documents, so ChatGPT does have an edge for that kind of query. ChatGPT Limitations When you ask ChatGPT a question through ‌Siri‌, you need to make sure to read the answer right away because it doesn't stay on the screen long. Apple does not keep a record of it, either. If you're logged into ChatGPT, there is a history in your OpenAI account, but if you're not logged in, there's no way to save information that you've received from ChatGPT, and there's no log. Other Chatbots Apple has only added ChatGPT integration right now, but support for Google Gemini is planned in the future. Siri Apple Intelligence Features Coming Next Year There are several ‌Siri‌ features that are still in development, with Apple planning to add these capabilities to ‌Siri‌ next year. Timing isn't concrete yet, but rumors suggest we'll see them in iOS 18.4 in the spring. Personal Context ‌Siri‌ will be able to keep track of your emails, messages, files, photos, and more, learning more about you to help you complete tasks and keep track of what you've been sent. Onscreen Awareness ‌Siri‌ will be able to tell what's on your screen and complete actions involving whatever you're looking at. If someone texts you an address, for example, you can tell ‌Siri‌ to add it to their contact card. Or if you're looking at a photo and want to send it to someone, you can ask ‌Siri‌ to do it for you. Deeper App Integration ‌Siri‌ will be able to do more in and across apps, performing actions and completing tasks that are just not possible with the personal assistant right now. We don't have a full picture of what ‌Siri‌ will be capable of, but Apple has provided a few examples of what to expect. The Next Siri Phase After all of the ‌Siri‌ ‌Apple Intelligence‌ features have been implemented in iOS 18 , Apple plans to unveil the next-generation ‌Siri‌, which will rely on large language models. An LLM version of ‌Siri‌ is already in development , and it will be able to better compete with chatbots like ChatGPT. LLM ‌Siri‌ will be able to hold ongoing conversations, and it will be more like speaking with a human. Large language model integration will let ‌Siri‌ perform more complex tasks, and in the future, ‌Siri‌ likely won't need to rely on ChatGPT. The updated version of ‌Siri‌ will replace the current version of ‌Siri‌ in the future. Apple is expected to announce LLM ‌Siri‌ in 2025 alongside the introduction of iOS 19 , but the update likely won't launch until spring 2026. Apple Intelligence Privacy ‌Apple Intelligence‌ was designed with privacy in mind, and many requests are handled on-device. All personal context learning, for example, is done with on-device intelligence and nothing leaves your ‌iPhone‌ or ‌iPad‌. For requests that need the processing power of a cloud server, Apple is using Private Cloud Compute on Apple silicon machines to handle complex tasks while preserving user privacy. Apple promises that data is not stored and is used only for user requests. Apple Intelligence Compatible Devices ‌Apple Intelligence‌ is available on the iPhone 15 Pro, the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro Max, all iPhone 16 models, the iPad mini with A17 Pro chip, all iPads with an Apple silicon chip, and all Macs with an Apple silicon chip. Read More We've shared detailed guides on ‌Genmoji‌ and ‌Image Playground‌ already, plus we have an overall guide on the full set of ‌Apple Intelligence‌ features and a guide for the general features coming in iOS 18.2. Release Date iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2 with ‌Image Wand‌ integration will be coming in December, with Apple likely planning for a December 9 software release.

Drexel defeats Howard 68-65