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The year 2006 marked the first time that Lionel Messi, who would later become one of the greatest footballers of all time, failed to make the shortlist for the prestigious Ballon d'Or award. This was indeed a surprising turn of events, considering the impact that Messi has had on the football world since then. However, despite his absence, there were still plenty of talented players who were making waves in the football scene back in 2006.

Dec. 3—The president of the USD 383 Manhattan-Ogden school board is looking to retain her seat. Jayme Morris-Hardeman on Monday told Mike Matson on 1350 KMAN's "Within Reason" she plans to run for re-election next year. "Education is something that I'm passionate about," Morris-Hardeman said. "I had an interest from my perspective of having spent all these years at CASA and at Thrive working with families in poverty, families that experienced trauma, and I wanted to be sure that those students were receiving what they needed. But I also just feel passionately about teachers." Morris-Hardeman was elected to the school board in 2021. She served on the Manhattan City Commission from 2005 to 2007, saying she got involved because she cared about neighborhood issues and social services. She ran for city commission again in 2009 and served another two years. Karla Hagemeister, a current member of the board, asked Morris-Hardeman to be her treasurer when she ran in 2021 and later suggested Morris-Hardeman also run for school board. Hagemeister announced last month she won't seek a third term on the school board. "I am running again next year, and this time, Karla will be my treasurer," Morris-Hardeman said. Morris-Hardeman said USD 383 has a strong school board that is supportive of education. She encouraged the school board to continue to communicate with local legislators about the importance of funding public schools. "In my mind, education has always been the best form of economic development that we have, and I don't think it's viewed that way by a lot of people," Morris-Hardeman said. "How do we have a functional citizen, body of citizens, if we don't have good public education?" (c)2024 The Manhattan Mercury, Kan. Visit The Manhattan Mercury, Kan. at www.themercury.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.Tuesday, December 24, 2024 Holoconnects, a pioneer in 3D holographic solutions, has joined forces with Mews, a leading cloud-native hospitality management system, and CIC Hospitality, a prominent hotel operator in the Nordics, to unveil an innovative AI-powered holographic front desk avatar. This cutting-edge solution, developed in collaboration with RAVATAR—experts in creating real-time, lifelike AI digital humans—promises to revolutionize guest interactions in the hospitality sector. The AI holographic avatar is designed to streamline hotel operations and elevate the guest experience. Deployed inside Holoconnects’ Holobox, the avatar delivers an immersive, lifelike experience through 4K high-resolution 3D holographic visualization. Guests can interact with the avatar in real-time, engaging in natural, human-like conversations powered by RAVATAR’s AI Avatar Platform. This advanced technology allows the avatar to assist with various tasks, including checking in and out, generating room keys, booking additional rooms, arranging dinner or spa reservations, and providing instant answers to frequently asked questions. The first implementation of this AI-powered greeter took place at the Aiden by Best Western Lolland in Denmark on November 21, marking a significant milestone in the integration of AI and holography in the hospitality industry. CIC Hospitality, which operates 13 Aiden by Best Western hotels in its portfolio across the Nordics, played a crucial role in bringing this futuristic solution to life. Mews’ integration with the holographic avatar further enhances its functionality, enabling seamless handling of hotel bookings and check-ins. As a leader in hospitality software, Mews automates hotel operations to maximize revenue and deliver exceptional guest experiences. This collaboration showcases how advanced technology can transform traditional hotel operations while ensuring customer satisfaction. The partnership between Holoconnects, Mews, CIC Hospitality, and RAVATAR is a testament to the potential of AI and holography in redefining guest services. By combining lifelike holographic visuals with intelligent automation, hotels can offer a modern, efficient, and memorable experience that caters to the needs of today’s travelers. “This launch underscores CIC Hospitality’s commitment to leveraging innovative technology to transform guest experiences. We are excited to collaborate with Holoconnects and Mews to explore how cutting-edge solutions like this holographic front desk avatar can enhance the hospitality landscape,” said Matthias Tanski, CEO of CIC Hospitality. “The launch of a virtual avatar greeter is an exciting new step forward for Holoconnects and the hospitality sector as a whole. We believe it will ultimately elevate and improve the guest experience and overall hotel customer satisfaction,” said Holoconnects co-founder and CEO André Smith. “Our partnership with Mews, CIC Hospitality and RAVATAR has the potential to change the face of modern hotels. We plan to use this first deployment to learn as much as possible and work with Mews to make the front desk virtual avatar greeter and check-in experience better and more helpful.” Holoconnects, a pioneer in holographic technology, is revolutionizing immersive experiences across a wide range of industries, including hospitality, travel, healthcare, retail, entertainment, communications, events, education, advertising, and more. By continually expanding its product portfolio and entering new market sectors, Holoconnects is at the forefront of innovation in holographic solutions. The company’s flagship products—the Holobox, Holobox Mini, and Hologrid—offer 3D holographic visualizations of people, products, or logos, transforming communication into a dynamic and interactive experience. These cutting-edge tools provide unparalleled engagement, delivering immersive interactions that leave a lasting impact on audiences. With its versatile applications and commitment to innovation, Holoconnects is redefining how businesses and individuals connect and communicate. “At Mews, we are dedicated to building the right solutions that provide remarkable experiences for guests, no matter where they stay. This revolutionary front-desk avatar, in collaboration with Holoconnects, has the potential to transform the hotel reception experience as we know it,” commented Matt Welle, CEO of Mews. “We are delighted to have launched this at Aiden by Best Western Lolland in collaboration with CIC Hospitality, Holoconnects and RAVATAR. It is already freeing up front-desk staff who now have more time to deliver a truly personal experience for each of their guests.” “This joint initiative with Holoconnects, Mews, and CIC Hospitality is a transformative step for the hotel industry, blending AI and holographic technology to enhance guest interactions,” said Ruslan Synytskyy, CEO of RAVATAR. “We’re thrilled to bring personalized, lifelike avatars into real-world settings, setting a new benchmark for service innovation.”The directive emphasizes the importance of creating a positive social atmosphere that values and respects teachers. It calls for increased efforts to protect teachers' rights and interests, including better working conditions, professional development opportunities, and fair treatment. This, in turn, is expected to boost morale among teachers and attract more talented individuals to the profession.

Kecam Technologies, Foxit to transform digital signing across Africaquarterback , whose football future remains a mystery, suggested Monday that he could be released at the end of the season. He also joked about the possibility of being released by the owner's teenage son -- an obvious poke at owner Woody Johnson and the latest controversy surrounding the organization. "Being released would be a first; being released by a teenager, that would also be a first," Rodgers said with a laugh during his weekly spot on "The Pat McAfee Show." "So, hey, I'm open to everything and I find the comedy in all of it. If that happens, hey, it's a great story." It was a reference to , which reported that Johnson, 77, takes advice from his teenage sons, Brick and Jack. Rodgers, 41, has said the Jets are his "first option" if he decides to return for a 21st season. The Jets are in the process of a regime change, as they fired coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas during the season -- a 4-11 disaster. The new decision-makers will have a lot to say about Rodgers' fate, although the feeling among those close to the team is that Woody Johnson wants to move on from the future Hall of Famer, who is signed for 2025. "I think there's a world where they just say, 'Hey, thank you, we're going to go in another direction' on January 6th," said Rodgers, referring to the day after the regular season. "...That's a possibility. I think there's also a possibility we're going to wait and see who the new staff is." When Brick Johnson's name was mentioned on the show, Rodgers chimed in. Trying to hold back his laughter, he replied, "Just to answer that, there's a first time for everything -- and there's been a few of those this year and first time in 20 years." A source confirmed to ESPN that Johnson's sons are "very much" involved in football matters. The Jets have denied that. Rodgers made it clear that he has some issues with the team's culture. He's bothered by leaks within the organization, something he has mentioned several times over the past two seasons. On Monday, he went so far as to say that it's impacting the outcome of games. "What's best for the Jets is not having these type of leaks all the time, and when that gets figured out then it'll be a little easier to win," he said. "I mean, it doesn't have a direct impact on the players on the field, but it has an impact on the culture and the chemistry and the overall energy of the building, and that's what needs to get better." As for his own future, Rodgers reiterated that he's willing to take a pay cut, saying he has already made "a ton of money" in his career. Under his current contract, renegotiated last year, he's due a $35 million option bonus and a $2.5 million base salary in 2025 -- none of it guaranteed. He took a $34 million pay cut last year to provide cap relief to pursue free agents. "I think I've already proven I'm willing to take a pay cut," he said, asserting that his contract and that of wide receiver would have to be renegotiated for them to return. Rodgers' 2025 cap charge is a manageable $23.5 million, although the team would get hit with a $49 million dead charge if he's released or traded. Adams' cap charge is a prohibitive $38.3 million, which consists mostly of nonguaranteed base salary. Rodgers is having a down year by his standards, ranking 23rd in QBR (52.2), but he's on the verge of some milestones. He needs one touchdown pass to become the fifth player in history with 500, and he needs 497 passing yards to eclipse Joe Namath's franchise record (4,007), set in 1967.QNA DOHA: Qatar University (QU) has announced the opening of applications for the third edition of the Qatar Entrepreneurship Awards (QEAs) and called on all entrepreneurs and startups from Qatar and the region to submit their applications within various award categories. Organized by QU, represented by the Center for Entrepreneurship and Organizational Excellence (CEOE), in collaboration with HyperThink Systems firm, QEAs constitute a national platform that pays tribute to excellence and innovation in entrepreneurship environment in Qatar. Director of CEOE at QU, Dr Said Elbanna, said QEAs underline QU's commitment to creating an environment conducive for innovation and entrepreneurship, in addition to empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs to contribute to Qatar's economic transformation. For his part, CEO of HyperThink Systems firm, Awdesh Chetal, highlighted the importance of unwavering engagement with QU in hosting QEAs, affirming that these awards are evidence of Qatar's commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in the digital epoch. The 2023 edition of the QEAs has impressively fared well, with the submission of over 500 applications, as the awards feature several categories, including the best innovative technology and a green startup, as well as women in entrepreneurship, et al. In addition, QU called on startups and entrepreneurs from Qatar and the region to seize this opportunity to showcase their achievements in entrepreneurship. Copy 22/12/2024 10

Qatar tribune Tribune News Network Doha Sidra Medicine, a member of Qatar Foundation (QF), celebrated a decade of innovation in genomic medicine with the opening of its 10th annual Precision Medicine and the Future of Genomics (PMFG 2024) Summit at QNCC. Day 1 of PMFG 2024, being held in Doha from December 3-5, welcomed 1,100 attendees, featured more than 50 distinguished speakers and showcased over 42 booths from sponsors and partners, who have gathered to explore the latest advancements in personalised healthcare, genomic research, and the ethical considerations surrounding this rapidly evolving field. Khadija Benganna from Al Jazeera Arabic was the Master of Ceremonies who opened the event with stories of hope featuring patient narratives. PMFG 2024 Chairs, Dr Ammira Al-Shabeeb Akil and Prof Khalid Fakhro, said: “PMFG serves as a vital platform for collaboration in precision health, bringing together the brightest minds to drive innovation and progress. Let’s all work towards hope for future generations by building partnerships and pushing the boundaries of personalized healthcare.” Sessions on Day 1 of PMFG 2024 focused on advancements in genomic newborn screening, rare disease diagnosis, and population genomic cohorts. Discussions explored the ethical, legal, and social implications of integrating genomic data into healthcare, strategies for early detection and personalized treatment, and the role of international collaborations in shaping global genomic research. Dr Iyabo Tinubu-Karch, chief executive officer of Sidra Medicine, delivered her welcoming remarks at the opening ceremony of the PMFG 2024 Summit. Speaking about the significance of the event, she stated: “Our shared insights into the latest research and best practices have a profound impact on patient populations globally, especially in the areas of genetic and rare diseases.” Day 2 of PMFG 2024 on December 4 will feature: • Morning Session: Implementing Genomics – Bridging Science and Healthcare • Keynote speaker, Dr Nancy B. Spinner, Chief of Genomic Diagnostics at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, will discuss “Successes and Challenges of Genomic Testing in the NICU.” • Afternoon Session: Global Health Innovations • Keynote speaker, Dr Gordon Sanghera, CEO of Oxford Nanopore Technologies, will deliver a special lecture on “Innovating in Genomics: Journey of a Health Spin-off.” • Late Afternoon Session: Capacity Building for Precision Medicine • Talks by Dr Markus Wenk (HBKU), Dr Medhat Askar (Qatar University), and Dr Khaled Machaca (Weill Cornell Medicine Qatar). Day 3 of PMFG 2024 on December 5 will feature: • Morning Session: Expert Forum on Custom-Made Therapies and Clinical Trials • Keynote speaker, Dr Hakon Hakonarson (Director, Center for Applied Genomics, CHOP) will discuss Genomically-Informed Clinical Trials. • Keynote speaker, Dr Chantal Mathieu (President, EASD) will discuss Arresting Type 1 Diabetes: Insights and Innovations from Leading Experts and Clinical Trials. • Afternoon Session: Dialogue in Gene Therapy • Keynote speaker, Dr James Wilson (President/CEO Gemma Biotherapeutics) will discuss Genetic Medicines for Rare Diseases. • Closing Session: Precision Medicine in Qatar: Shaping the Future of Health through Genomics, Innovative Care, and Philosophies of Medicine • Talks by Dr Paul Franks, Professor of Genetic Epidemiology at Lund University, Sweden and Dr Ed Liu, Former President and CEO of The Jackson Laboratory, and Director of NCI-designated Cancer Center, USA. Copy 04/12/2024 10