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( MENAFN - GetNews) Logic's Dictate by Steve Gibson has been released worldwide. This gripping, 224-page novel is a must-read thriller that blends politics, romance, and science fiction into a compelling narrative unlike anything else on the market today. With the fast-paced action of Ender's Game and the philosophical depth of Dune, the story follows charismatic protagonist Andy Brock, a candidate for President of the United States with a fast wit and penchant for heroism akin to Marvel's iconic Iron Man. Brock soon encounters Rein, a representative from the advanced civilization of Merk, tasked with evaluating Earth's eligibility for joining their galactic continuum. On Earth, global strife has been all but resolved, but China's continued pursuit of domination threatens to disrupt the progress made – and the planet's acceptance into Merk society. As Rein studies Earth, particularly Brock's potential ascent to power, the nature of their relationship begins to change, and the new dynamic may have consequences that affect beings across the galaxy. Deftly moving between the large-scale issues of governance, international conflict, and interstellar societies to the minute nuances of personal relationships, Gibson crafts a narrative that connects macro and micro into a fascinating exploration of how important choices are made. Throughout the novel, detailed descriptions and moments of thrilling action support the unfolding intrigue. Tensions remain high, with unforeseen challenges and inner conflicts propelling the story forward page after page. Reminiscent of epic tales across history - but with a sci-fi twist - Andy and Rein are idyllic characters that represent the best of the best. Their individual arcs are inherently tied to the fates of countless others, and readers have a front-row seat to their struggles, desires, and triumphs. Against the backdrop of futuristic technology, impending war, and the“reputation management” necessary in politics, the story of their relationship is as unpredictable as Earth's place in the larger galactic society. A truly unique novel that draws from a range of styles and influences, at once a love story, a prescient examination of global politics, and a space-traveling adventure, Logic's Dictate is a thrilling, multifaceted story that keeps audiences engaged from the first sentence to the cliffhanger ending. Logic's Dictate (ISBN: 9781963844849 / 9781965340936) can be purchased through retailers worldwide, including Barnes & Noble and Amazon. The hardcover retails for $39.99, the paperback retails for $19.99, and the ebook retails for $2.99. Review copies and interviews are available upon request. About the book: In a world far away from Earth, the advanced civilization of Merk extends a rare invitation to join their peaceful galactic continuum to worlds demonstrating true maturity. With Earth on the bring of a monumental transformation, all eyes are on presidential candidate Andy Brock, whose visionary policies promise unity and progress. Earth has already made significant strides: the Koreas have united, NATO has dissolved following Russia's peaceful democratization, and the world stands on the cusp of unprecedented harmony. Yet, China remains a looming threat, with ambitions to seize Taiwan and a war with the U.S. on the horizon. Amidst this turmoil, Rein, the leader of the Merkian delegation studying Earth, must decide if humanity is ready to join the Merk galactic community. However, her complicated feelings for Andy could either symbolize a potential new era of interstellar cooperation with Earth, or bring the whole mission to a grinding halt. Through political trials, assassination attempts, and opposition from traditionalists, the path is fraught with challenges. Will the impending conflict with China derail Earth's chance at interstellar peace? Can Andy Brock ascend to the presidency and implement his transformative vision for a brighter future? About the author: Steve Gibson lives with his wife, Drizzle, and two cats, Dandelion and Mr. Sherlock Holmes, in New Lenox, Illinois – just outside Chicago. Steve is a lawyer and PoliSci grad. He was on the debate team in high school and college winning many honors. Steve and Drizzle are well-received on the karaoke circuit in Chicagoland. They love Southside Italian Beef and Pizza. They also adore the summer concerts at Ravinia and the Grant Park Symphony. Steve is also generally willing to challenge all comers to a racquetball game and might be willing to wager a bet on who the winner would be. About MindStir Media: MindStir Media LLC is an award-winning book publisher. To learn more about publishing a book with MindStir Media, visit or call 800-767-0531. MENAFN15122024003238003268ID1108995293 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.

DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Syria's prime minister said Monday that most cabinet ministers were back at work after rebels overthrew President Bashar Assad , but some state workers failed to return to their jobs, and a United Nations official said the country's public sector had come “to a complete and abrupt halt." Meanwhile, streams of refugees crossed back into Syria from neighboring countries, hoping for a more peaceful future and looking for relatives who disappeared during Assad's brutal rule. There were already signs of the difficulties ahead for the rebel alliance now in control of much of the country. The alliance is led by a former senior al-Qaida militant who severed ties with the extremist group years ago and has promised representative government and religious tolerance. The rebel command said Monday they would not tell women how to dress. “It is strictly forbidden to interfere with women’s dress or impose any request related to their clothing or appearance, including requests for modesty,” the command said in a statement on social media. Nearly two days after rebels entered the capital, some key government services had shut down after state workers ignored calls to go back to their jobs, the U.N. official said, causing issues at airports and borders and slowing the flow of humanitarian aid. Rebel leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, who was long known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Golani, also met for the first time with Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi Jalali, who stayed in Syria when Assad fled. “You will see there are skills" among the rebels, al-Sharaa said in a video shared on a rebel messaging channel. Israel said it carried out airstrikes on suspected chemical weapons sites and long-range rockets to keep them from falling into the hands of extremists. Israel also seized a buffer zone inside Syria after Syrian troops withdrew. In northern Syria, Turkey said allied opposition forces seized the town of Manbij from Kurdish-led forces backed by the United States, a reminder that even after Assad's departure, the country remains split among armed groups that have fought in the past. The Kremlin said Russia has granted political asylum to Assad , a decision made by President Vladimir Putin . Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on Assad’s specific whereabouts and said Putin did not plan to meet with him. Damascus was quiet Monday, with life slowly returning to normal, though most shops and public institutions were closed. In public squares, some people were still celebrating. Civilian traffic resumed, but there was no public transport. Long lines formed in front of bakeries and other food stores. There was little sign of any security presence though in some areas, small groups of armed men were stationed in the streets. Across swathes of Syria, families are now waiting outside prisons , security offices and courts, hoping for news of loved ones who were imprisoned or who disappeared. Just north of Damascus in the feared Saydnaya military prison, women detainees, some with their children, screamed as rebels broke locks off their cell doors. Amnesty International and other groups say dozens of people were secretly executed every week in Saydnaya, and they estimate that up to 13,000 Syrians were killed between 2011 and 2016. “Don’t be afraid," one rebel said as he ushered women from packed cells. "Bashar Assad has fallen!” In southern Turkey , Mustafa Sultan was among hundreds of Syrian refugees waiting at border crossings to head home. He was searching for his older brother, who was imprisoned under Assad. “I haven’t seen him for 13 years," he said. "I am going to go see whether he’s alive.” Jalali, the prime minister, has sought to project normalcy since Assad fled. “We are working so that the transitional period is quick and smooth,” he told Sky News Arabia TV on Monday, saying the security situation had already improved from the day before. At the court of Justice in Damascus, which was stormed by the rebels to free detainees, Judge Khitam Haddad, an aide to the justice minister in the outgoing government, said Sunday that judges were ready to resume work quickly. “We want to give everyone their rights,” Haddad said outside the courthouse. “We want to build a new Syria and to keep the work, but with new methods.” But a U.N. official said some government services had been paralyzed as worried state employees stayed home. The public sector “has just come to a complete and abrupt halt," said U.N. Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Syria Adam Abdelmoula, noting, for example, that an aid flight carrying urgently needed medical supplies had been put on hold after aviation employees abandoned their jobs. “This is a country that has had one government for 53 years and then suddenly all of those who have been demonized by the public media are now in charge in the nation’s capital,” Abdelmoula told The Associated Press. "I think it will take a couple of days and a lot of assurance on the part of the armed groups for these people to return to work again.” Britain and the U.S. are both considering whether to remove the main anti-Assad rebel group from their lists of designated terrorist organizations. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham began as an offshoot of al-Qaida but cut ties with the group years ago and has worked to present a more moderate image. The group's leader, al-Sharaa, “is saying some of the right things about the protection of minorities, about respecting people’s rights,” British Cabinet minister Pat McFadden said, adding that a change would be considered “quite quickly.” But British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, speaking later during a visit to Saudi Arabia, said it was "far too early” to make that decision. In Washington, a Biden administration official noted that HTS will be an “important component” in Syria's future and that the U.S. needs to “engage with them appropriately.” Another administration official said the U.S. remains in a “wait and see” mode on whether to remove the designation. Both officials requested anonymity to discuss the ongoing internal deliberations. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters that such designations are constantly under review. Even while it is in place, the designation does not bar U.S. officials from speaking with members or leaders of the group, he said. The U.S. also announced it was sending its special envoy for hostage affairs to Beirut to seek information about the whereabouts of Austin Tice, a journalist who vanished in Syria 12 years ago and who President Joe Biden has said is believed to be alive. Israelis welcomed the fall of Assad, who was a key ally of Iran and Lebanon's Hezbollah militant group, while expressing concern over what comes next. Israel says its forces temporarily seized a buffer zone inside Syria dating back to a 1974 agreement after Syrian troops withdrew in the chaos. “The only interest we have is the security of Israel and its citizens," Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar told reporters Monday. Saar did not provide details about the targets, but the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said they included weapons warehouses, research centers, air defense systems and aircraft squadrons. Israel has carried out hundreds of airstrikes in Syria in recent years, targeting what it says are military sites related to Iran and Hezbollah . Israeli officials rarely comment on individual strikes. Syria agreed to give up its chemical weapons stockpile in 2013, after the government was accused of launching an attack near Damascus that killed hundreds of people . But it is widely believed to have kept some of the weapons and was accused of using them again in subsequent years. Officials in Turkey, which is the main supporter of the Syrian opposition to Assad, say its allies have taken full control of the northern Syrian city of Manbij from a U.S.-supported and Kurdish-led force known as the Syrian Democratic Forces, or SDF. The SDF said a Turkish drone struck in the village of al-Mistriha in eastern Syria, killing 12 civilians, including six children. Turkey views the SDF, which is primarily composed of a Syrian Kurdish militia, as an extension of the banned Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, which has waged a decades-long insurgency in Turkey. The SDF has also been a key ally of the United States in the war against the Islamic State group. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Monday warned against allowing Islamic State or Kurdish fighters to take advantage of the situation, saying Turkey will prevent Syria from turning into a “haven for terrorism.” Mroue reported from Beirut and Goldenberg from Tel Aviv, Israel. Associated Press writers Suzan Fraser in Ankara, Turkey, Mehmet Guzel at the Oncupinar border crossing in Turkey, Jamey Keaten in Geneva, and Aamer Madhani and Matthew Lee in Washington contributed to this report. Follow the AP's Syria coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/syriaIn his freshman season playing basketball at Chabot College in Hayward, former St. Bernard’s Crusader Aaiden Burris has quickly become a staple in the Gladiators’ rotation. Burris has shined off the bench for Chabot in the team’s first six games, averaging 9.7 points per game with four rebounds during the Gladiators 5-1 start to the season. “We got to our first tournament and I didn’t really know where I was in the rotation,” Buriss said. “First game comes around, I get in and I hit my first three.” Going into the season opener against Alameda, Burris didn’t know for certain if he’d be seeing the court at all. “We’re having our team breakfast and Coach likes to go through the rotation and all that before the game and he points at me ‘You’re coming off the bench’ and I’m like alright, I’m ready,” Burris recalled. “We were playing Gary Payton that game, Gary Payton is coaching at Alameda, that’s our first game of the season so we already knew it was going to be a packed house. I remember getting in the game, I go to the corner and my All-State point guard swings it to the corner and I just let it fly and it was nothing but net. Ever since that first shot things have been going really good.” The jump from the Little 4 to the Coast-North conference has been a substantial one for Burris but he’s adjusted along with the level of competition. “At first it was definitely a big jump for me,” Burris said. “Back in Humboldt, I was really just a three-point type of guy and now since I’ve been down here, I’ve been able to expand my game a lot to doing other things because that’s what I had to do to, I don’t want to say survive, but if I say survive, you know what I mean.” Buriss has been working hard to improve his ballhandling and defense as he’s now having to face larger and more explosive opponents at the collegiate level. Burris has played 24.7 minutes per game which is fifth most on the Gladiators, serving as a 6th man off the bench for Chabot. “I know defense was really something I needed to work on because guarding kids down here is not like guarding kids back home,” Burris said of the change in competition. “I can’t just stand still and put my hands up and get a block, down here I got to guard someone 94 feet that might have just came from a D-1 school.” In addition to the more talented opponents, Burris also has to adjust to no longer being one of the taller players on the court at any given moment. “I was always one of the biggest guys, if not the biggest guy on my team until Rowan [Cromwell] came around,” Burris said of his former Crusader teammate. “In high school I could post up anybody I wanted, I could do easy things that now at this college level, it’s like OK I can’t really do that. I got to stick to my strongsuits.” Even with the added layers to his game, Burris remains a shooter first and foremost, launching 6.7 threes a game and is currently shooting them at a 30% clip, with his overall field goal percentage at 40% for the season. Burris has gotten a lot of confidence from his head coach, Keenan McMiller, who told Burris on his first day on campus that he believes the St. Bernard’s alum is a Division 1 talent. “He instills confidence in me every practice,” Burris said of McMiller. “Sometimes me and him will talk on the phone for an hour. We have a strong relationship, I don’t have any family out here so me and him in the summer got super close. I’m an adult now but he’s kind of like my authoritative figure.” Chabot won the Chabot Classic on their homecourt before heading down to Los Angeles for the Pasadena CrossOver Tournament where the Gladiators went 2-1 with a couple of overtime games. Burris is excited for the start of conference play, where he believes Chabot can make a run at the Coast-North title. “I can’t wait for conference,” Burris said. “We have the best conference in California so I’m just excited to go play in those games and put my name out there.” Dylan McNeill can be reached at 707-441-0526

The Sydney service station offering petrol for under $1 per litreDublin, Dec. 06, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "High Purity Gas Market by Type (Argon, Carbon Dioxide, Helium), Production Method (Air Separation Units, Cryogenic Distillation, Membrane Separation), Purity Level, End-use, Delivery Mode, Distribution Channel - Global Forecast 2025-2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The High Purity Gas Market grew from USD 35.29 billion in 2023 to USD 37.53 billion in 2024. It is expected to continue growing at a CAGR of 6.63%, reaching USD 55.35 billion by 2030. The rise in electronic device consumption, paired with the expansion of healthcare facilities, sustains a robust demand for high purity gases. Additionally, the progressive shift towards renewable energy industries, which require high purity gases for efficient energy storage and conversion processes, offers significant opportunities. However, the market growth is not without challenges, notably the stringent regulatory standards involved in gas manufacturing and distribution, fluctuating raw material prices, and the need for high-capital investments for production infrastructure. Innovation areas include the development of more sustainable gas production methods, enhancement of gas storage technologies, and improvements in analytical instrumentation for better quality control. Focus on reducing carbon footprints through technological advancements aligns with global sustainability trends. Additionally, exploring lightweight, portable containment systems could revolutionize applications in remote areas or versatile industrial settings. A competitive landscape necessitates strategic partnerships and collaborations in innovations to stay ahead. Understanding the dynamic nature of this market, with a blend of emerging technologies and evolving regulatory frameworks, makes a continuous research approach essential for business growth, ensuring adaptability to changing market specifications and consumer demands. Understanding Market Dynamics in the High Purity Gas Market The High Purity Gas Market is rapidly evolving, shaped by dynamic supply and demand trends. These insights provide companies with actionable intelligence to drive investments, develop strategies, and seize emerging opportunities. A comprehensive understanding of market dynamics also helps organizations mitigate political, geographical, technical, social, and economic risks while offering a clearer view of consumer behavior and its effects on manufacturing costs and purchasing decisions. Market Drivers Expanding applications in semiconductor manufacturing and fabrication Favorable government initiatives for emission control and green technologies across industries Increasing use of high-purity gas in scientific labs & analytical instrument Market Restraints Fluctuating raw material supply and price along with a lack of skilled professionals to handling Market Opportunities Technological advancements for the extraction and processing of high-purity gas Growing potential of high-purity gases in the automotive industry Market Challenges Concerns associated with contamination due to improper handling and storage Key Company Profiles The report delves into recent significant developments in the High Purity Gas Market, highlighting leading vendors and their innovative profiles. These include: Air Liquide Air Products and Chemicals Air Water Asia Industrial Gases Bhuruka Gases Chem-Gas Coregas Pty Ltd by Wesfarmers Industrial and Safety Cryotec Anlagenbau GmbH by Nikkiso Clean Energy & Industrial Gases Ellenbarrie Industrial Gases Gulf Cryo Holding CSC Hangzhou Oxygen Group Co., Indiana Oxygen Company Iwatani Corporation Kanto Denka Kogyo Co. Ltd. Linde Messer Mitsui Chemicals Resonac Holdings SOL Group Solvay Sumitomo Seika Co. Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corporation WKS Industrial Gas The report provides a detailed overview of the market, exploring several key areas: Market Penetration: A thorough examination of the current market landscape, featuring comprehensive data from leading industry players and analyzing their reach and influence across the market. Market Development: The report identifies significant growth opportunities in emerging markets and assesses expansion potential within established segments, providing a roadmap for future development. Market Diversification: In-depth coverage of recent product launches, untapped geographic regions, significant industry developments, and strategic investments reshaping the market landscape. Competitive Assessment & Intelligence: A detailed analysis of the competitive landscape, covering market share, business strategies, product portfolios, certifications, regulatory approvals, patent trends, technological advancements, and innovations in manufacturing by key market players. Product Development & Innovation: Insight into groundbreaking technologies, R&D efforts, and product innovations that will drive the market in future. Additionally, the report addresses key questions to assist stakeholders in making informed decisions: What is the current size of the market, and how is it expected to grow? Which products, segments, and regions present the most attractive investment opportunities? What are the prevailing technology trends and regulatory factors influencing the market? How do top vendors rank regarding market share and competitive positioning? What revenue sources and strategic opportunities guide vendors' market entry or exit decisions? Key Attributes: Key Topics Covered: 1. Preface 2. Research Methodology 3. Executive Summary 4. Market Overview 5. Market Insights 5.1. Market Dynamics 5.2. Market Segmentation Analysis 5.2.1. Type: Growing significance of nitrogen due to demand for inertness in a variety of industries 5.2.2. Production Method: Rising adoption of cryogenic distillation in metallurgy and healthcare owing to efficient separation of components 5.2.3. End Use: Boosting application of high purity gas in the chemical industry to maximize yield and consistency 5.2.4. Purity Level: Significant benefits of N3.0 (99.9%) in industries for metal fabrication processes and specific food packaging applications 5.2.5. Delivery Mode: Emerging use of cylinders & dewars for delivery owing to flexibility and mobility 5.2.6. Distribution Channel: Rising significance of direct supply contracts owing to the demand for consistent, large-scale, and customized gas supplies 5.3. Porter's Five Forces Analysis 5.4. PESTLE Analysis 6. High Purity Gas Market, by Type 6.1. Introduction 6.2. Argon 6.3. Carbon Dioxide 6.4. Helium 6.5. Hydrogen 6.6. Nitrogen 6.7. Oxygen 7. High Purity Gas Market, by Production Method 7.1. Introduction 7.2. Air Separation Units 7.3. Cryogenic Distillation 7.4. Membrane Separation 7.5. Pressure Swing Adsorption 8. High Purity Gas Market, by Purity Level 8.1. Introduction 8.2. N2.0 (99%) 8.3. N3.0 (99.9%) 8.4. N4.0 (99.99%) 8.5. N5.0 (99.999%) 8.6. N6.0 (99.9999%) 8.7. N7.0 (99.99999%) 8.8. Ultra-high purity and research-grade gases 9. High Purity Gas Market, by End Use 9.1. Introduction 9.2. Chemical Industry 9.3. Electronics & Semiconductors 9.4. Food & Beverages 9.5. Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals 9.6. Metal Production & Fabrication 9.7. Oil & Gas 10. High Purity Gas Market, by Delivery Mode 10.1. Introduction 10.2. Bulk Tanks 10.3. Cylinders & Dewars 10.4. Onsite Generation 10.5. Pipeline Supply 11. High Purity Gas Market, by Distribution Channel 11.1. Introduction 11.2. Direct Supply Contracts 11.3. Distributors 12. Americas High Purity Gas Market 13. Asia-Pacific High Purity Gas Market 14. Europe, Middle East & Africa High Purity Gas Market 15. Competitive Landscape 15.1. Market Share Analysis, 2023 15.2. FPNV Positioning Matrix, 2023 15.3. Competitive Scenario Analysis 15.3.1. UNICAT's strategic partnership elevates global high-purity hydrogen production efficiency and sustainability 15.3.2. Collaboration between Suntory and Tokyo Gas achieves breakthrough in CO2 recovery using solid sorbent technology 15.3.3. Air Liquide's USD 250 million investment enhances U.S. semiconductor capabilities with high-purity gas facility expansion 15.3.4. Linde invests USD 150 Million in green steel plant with advanced gas solutions 15.3.5. Air Liquide invests EUR 50 million to enhance global semiconductor supply chain for GlobalFoundaries 15.3.6. Linde s USD 60 million expansion to bolster industrial gas supply and support SAIL s growth in India 15.3.7. Orthodyne teams up with global tech to enhance semiconductor manufacturing 15.3.8. Dow partners with Linde to innovate clean hydrogen and nitrogen production at Canada's net-zero ethylene complex 15.3.9. Linde invests USD 100 million to expand high-purity gas facility in South Korea for Samsung's OLED shift 15.4. Strategy Analysis & Recommendation For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/f5tjgb About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Attachment High Purity Gas Market

By Lawrence Delevingne (Reuters) - Investor Scott Bessent has spent his career in finance, working for macro investment billionaire George Soros and noted short seller Jim Chanos, as well as running his own hedge fund. Bessent will take his investing knowledge down a rarefied career path that only a few other prominent Wall Street luminaries have followed: running the U.S. Treasury. Other examples of U.S. Treasury secretaries who have come from finance include Steven Mnuchin, who served under Trump in his first term, and had worked at Goldman Sachs. Henry Paulson, who served as Treasury secretary under George W. Bush, was also a Goldman Sachs alumnus, where he had been chairman and CEO. Bessent has advocated for tax reform and deregulation, particularly to spur more bank lending and energy production, as noted in a recent opinion piece he wrote for The Wall Street Journal. The market's surge after Trump's election victory, he wrote, signaled investor "expectations of higher growth, lower volatility and inflation, and a revitalized economy for all Americans." "Scott is one of the smartest and sharpest investors I’ve had the privilege to work for. Just like George Soros was, he too is typically multiple steps ahead of the market," said Michael Oliver Weinberg, a Columbia Business School professor and investment advisor who previously worked under Bessent as a portfolio manager at Soros Fund Management. Bessent, 62, has said his success came after growing up knowing financial anxiety. He grew up in the fishing village of Little River, South Carolina, where Bessent has said his father, a real estate investor, experienced booms and busts. “I’ve known financial anxiety and I do not want that for any family,” Bessent told Trump ally Roger Stone in a recent interview on Stone's radio show. Bessent attended Yale College and considered journalism but, after graduating in 1984 with a degree in political science, took an internship on Wall Street. He worked for Chanos in the late 1980s and then joined Soros Fund Management, Soros' famed macroeconomic investment firm. He soon helped Soros and top deputy Stanley Druckenmiller on their most famous trade - shorting the British pound in 1992, which earned the firm more than $1 billion. In 2015, Bessent raised $4.5 billion, including $2 billion from Soros, to launch Key Square Group, a hedge fund firm that bets on macroeconomic trends. The firm managed approximately $577 million in overall assets, as of December 2023, according to a regulatory filing. Bessent has said he has known the Trump family for 30 years through a friendship with Donald Trump’s late brother, Robert Trump. Bessent supported Donald Trump’s presidential run in 2016 but during this election cycle worked as a top economic advisor to the campaign in addition to being a top fundraiser. “I was all in for President Trump. I was one of the few Wall Street people backing him,” Bessent told Stone over the weekend. (Reporting by Lawrence Delevingne in Boston, editing by Megan Davies and Rod Nickel)Somerset House has been a key part of London's landscape for hundreds of years, with its grand architecture and prominent position close to the River Thames and the Covent Garden area. > Watch NBC Bay Area News 📺 Streaming free 24/7 But its leaders say its current role as a center for arts and culture is not fully understood, with one even describing it as "London and the U.K.'s best-kept secret." While its courtyard is well known as a striking venue for a winter ice rink and summer movie screenings, people are less aware that hundreds of artists and creatives work within its walls. And as it approaches 25 years in its most recent guise, the organization wants to raise its profile — in 2025, there will be a raft of exhibitions and events aiming to show off its artistic endeavors. "There wasn't a ... moment when Somerset House was revealed in its full glory. And, in a way, next year is a kind of belated moment to do that," said Jonathan Reekie, director of the Somerset House Trust, the organization that preserves the building and its activities for the public. Somerset House has had many transformations. Queen Elizabeth I lived there in the 16th century, and since then it has been a Navy headquarters, a home for the Royal Academy of Arts and a newspaper tax office, before being completely rebuilt in 1801. "In the ... 1770s, 1780s, [King] George III needed to build an 'office block' for his newly formed civil service. So, this is what he built," Reekie said as he took CNBC on a tour. With four large wings surrounding the large, cobbled courtyard (plus a "new" wing added in the 19 th century), the striking Renaissance property housed the multiple offices of the U.K. government's tax and excise authority for more than 150 years — and in more recent times, the courtyard was even covered with asphalt and used as a parking lot. In 1997, the house gained charitable status after a long campaign led by author and newspaper editor Simon Jenkins and philanthropist Lord Rothschild. "When Somerset House ... opened to the public in May 2000, this building was still mostly full of civil servants," Reekie said. "My predecessors basically had to negotiate with each government department to get rid of them," he said. The tax authority — now known as His Majesty's Revenue and Customs — finally closed its Somerset House office in 2011. Its current role is that of a "self-sustaining home to cultural innovators," according to Somerset House Trust chair Gail Rebuck, speaking at an event in September. But its varied facets are not always well understood, she said. When a fire broke out in August, there was an "outpouring of concern," Rebuck said, but "people struggled to describe Somerset House," she said of news reports at the time. "That's our fault, in a way, and something we want to correct ... We're a very special creative cluster," Rebuck said. "It's also London and the U.K.'s best-kept secret ... it's really important that the 3 million visitors who come through our doors actually know what goes on underneath," she said — Somerset House was the U.K.'s 10th most-visited attraction in 2023, with 2.7 million visits according to the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions . Rebuck referred to the network of rooms and areas that are home to multiple artists and creatives who work from the building, in offices, co-working places and studios. When Reekie joined the organization in 2014, he was asked what Somerset House should "be." "Part of the question in terms of how would it work as a cultural space is: what can you do with lots of rooms?" he said. One of Reekie's first jobs was to transform what was essentially a long corridor of government offices into rooms that would be desirable to artists — which now make up Somerset House Studios — raising money to do so from scratch. The artists' rent is subsidized by Somerset House's activities: It makes most of its income — £21.2 million ($27.5 million) for the financial year ending March 31, 2023 — from its own events like the ice rink and arts exhibitions curated in-house, as well as from hiring spaces to other organizations such as the 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair. There are now around 60-70 artists, teams or collectives working in Somerset House Studios, overseen by director Marie McPartlin. The studios' first resident in 2016 was British fashion designer Gareth Pugh, and composer Anna Meredith was its second, with many others working in the visual arts. "Most of them are doing socially-engaged work ... or engaging with emergent, evolving and advanced technologies," McPartlin said. Artists are encouraged to collaborate — one high-profile name was turned down a studio place because of concerns that they would not have been on site enough of the time. "The community is the most important thing," McPartlin said. "The majority of artists don't have gallery representation — it's such a precarious existence ... really quickly, we realized that long-term support is something Somerset House was able to offer." Artists are resident for between one and seven years, with some on site for up to 10 years. In 2025, McPartlin will curate sculpture "The Spell or The Dream" by Turner Prize-winning artist Tai Shani, a resident of the studios, which will sit at the courtyard's center in August and September. Inspired by a sleeping beauty-type figure, it will reflect "on the urgent contemporary issues of our time," according to a release. McPartlin will also curate an artwork by resident artists Lydia Ourahmane and Sophia Al Maria, which will explore the idea of the "right to remain," according to a release, while BAFTA-nominated filmmaker and resident Akinola Davies Jr will screen a new movie in the courtyard that will look at the "everyday rituals" of black life in the U.K. Other highlights for 2025 will include "Salt Cosmologies," an installation that will map out India's Inland Customs Line, the extraordinary story of a 2,500 mile-long hedge put in place by the British East India Company to enforce its Salt Tax in the late 19th century. And an immersive exhibition by choreographer Wayne McGregor, named "Infinite Bodies," will be the culmination of Somerset House's 25-year celebration. Near the studios is Makerversity, a community of about 300 designers and makers, who share a wood workshop, photography studio and other "maker" spaces tucked close to the underside of Waterloo Bridge, at the far west border of Somerset House. And there is also The Exchange, a co-working space for creatives, and the Black Business Residency, a program for black entrepreneurs. "Having great artists in the center of London seems quite essential ... the thinking was to make it completely interdisciplinary," Reekie said.

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