80 jili free 100 After two months since going on a labor strike, the union representing mental health workers and Kaiser Permanente will return to the bargaining table on Jan. 9, officials announced Monday. Nearly 2,400 Kaiser mental health therapists, social workers, psychiatric nurses and psychologists — represented by National Union of Healthcare Workers — began their strike on Oct. 21 and held their last negotiating session two days later. Due to mounting political pressure from state elected leaders within recent weeks, Kaiser is ready to renegotiate, union officials said during an online media briefing. “Kaiser is creating a patient care crisis by keeping patients away from their therapists, and there is still no sign that it sees any urgency in reaching a fair agreement to end the strike,” Sal Rosselli, president emeritus of the union, said. “It’s deeply troubling that Kaiser still seems intent on slow-walking negotiations when it has never been clearer that patients are suffering from Kaiser’s refusal to bargain in good faith,” he added. According to the union, the key issues remain Kaiser’s “unwillingness” to provides its mental health professionals in Southern California the “same amount of time for critical patient care duties that can’t be done during appoints as their counterparts in Northern California — as well as the same wage levels and retirement benefits as comparable workers throughout the Kaiser system.” In a statement, the company called the strike “unnecessary” and maintained patients are receiving timely access to mental health care and services through an “extensive, high-quality” network of 13,000 therapists across SoCal. Kaiser noted more than 45% of its therapists have returned to work and are caring for patients and members. “NUHW continues to demand that we settle a contract agreement so therapists would spend almost 50% of their time in non-patient care,” Kaiser said in its statement. “This is not logical and would result in 15,000 clinical appointments per month not being staffed.” The company argued that the union’s demand would result in its members receiving more than 40% above their peers in the market — describing it as “not logical.” Employees already earn at market or up to 10% above the market rate, according to Kaiser. Therapists are paid at 18% above the market, and the company is offering more. We have launched our year-end campaign. Our goal: Raise $50,000 by Dec. 31. Help us get there. Times of San Diego is devoted to producing timely, comprehensive news about San Diego County. Your donation helps keep our work free-to-read, funds reporters who cover local issues and allows us to write stories that hold public officials accountable. Join the growing list of donors investing in our community's long-term future. The company also refuted a claim made by the union that therapists do not receive a pension. Kaiser Permanente said they offer a pension plan in which they match up to 9% almost double the national average. A majority of state senators and assembly members have signed letters urging Kaiser CEO Greg Adams to settle negotiations. California Treasurer Fiona Ma and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond have sent similar letters. Kaiser said it appreciates that “they have asked both sides to reconvene and seek a solution.” “We have been deeply disappointed by the union’s lack of engagement in bargaining to this point,” Kaiser said in its statement. “We are pleased that they have agreed to return to the bargaining table on Jan. 9.” “We hope that NUHW is returning to the bargaining table with a sincere interest in reaching an agreement that is good for our therapists and members,” the statement continued. According to the union, there will be no picket lines on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Other than those days, picket lines will continue as scheduled weekdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be a lunchtime rally with community and elected leaders at all strike locations including San Diego County. A full list of picket line locations is available here . Get Our Free Daily Email Newsletter Get the latest local and California news from Times of San Diego delivered to your inbox at 8 a.m. daily. Sign up for our free email newsletter and be fully informed of the most important developments.

Healthcare Laboratory Informatics Market Set for Exceptional Growth in the Forecast 2024-2032 12-20-2024 06:14 PM CET | Health & Medicine Press release from: Cognate Insights Healthcare Laboratory Informatics Market Latest Market Overview The global healthcare laboratory informatics market is projected to reach USD 5.7 billion by 2024, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.5% from 2024 to 2032. This growth is primarily driven by the increasing adoption of laboratory information management systems (LIMS), laboratory data management systems (LDMS), and electronic laboratory notebooks (ELNs). The need for enhanced data management, regulatory compliance, and the integration of laboratory data with clinical and hospital systems is leading healthcare organizations to invest heavily in laboratory informatics solutions. Additionally, advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud-based platforms are further contributing to market expansion, improving operational efficiency, reducing human errors, and supporting decision-making in healthcare settings. The Healthcare Laboratory Informatics Market has experienced steady growth in recent years and is expected to continue expanding at a strong pace from 2024 to 2032. This analysis offers a comprehensive overview, providing valuable insights into key trends and developments within the Healthcare Laboratory Informatics industry. These findings equip business leaders with the necessary knowledge to devise more effective strategies and enhance profitability. Furthermore, the report serves as a useful resource for new and emerging businesses, helping them make informed decisions as they navigate the market and seek growth opportunities. Major Players of Healthcare Laboratory Informatics Market are: Thermo Fisher Scientific (USA): USD 43.52 billion in revenue (2023). LabWare (USA): Leading in LIMS market solutions with a strong global footprint. PerkinElmer (USA): USD 3.5 billion in revenue (2023). Agilent Technologies (USA): Renowned for informatics platforms, USD 6.85 billion in revenue (2023). LabVantage Solutions (USA): Prominent in customized laboratory informatics solutions. Get Latest PDF Sample Report @ https://www.cognateinsights.com/request-sample/healthcare-laboratory-informatics-market-research Our Report covers global as well as regional markets and provides an in-depth analysis of the overall growth prospects of the market. Global market trend analysis including historical data, estimates to 2024, and compound annual growth rate (CAGR) forecast to 2032 is given based on qualitative and quantitative analysis of the market segments involving economic and non-economic factors. Furthermore, it reveals the comprehensive competitive landscape of the global market, the current and future market prospects of the industry, and the growth opportunities and drivers as well as challenges and constraints in emerging and emerging markets. Global Healthcare Laboratory Informatics Market Landscape and Future Pathways: North America: United States Canada Europe: Germany France U.K. Italy Russia Asia-Pacific: China Japan South Korea India Australia China Taiwan Indonesia Thailand Malaysia Latin America: Mexico Brazil Argentina Korea Colombia Middle East & Africa: Turkey Saudi Arabia UAE Korea Speak to Our Analyst for A Discussion on The Above Findings, And Ask for A Discount on The Report @ https://www.cognateinsights.com/check-discount/healthcare-laboratory-informatics-market-research Key drivers and challenges influencing the Healthcare Laboratory Informatics market: Regional Analysis: The report involves examining the Healthcare Laboratory Informatics market at a regional or national level. Report analyses regional factors such as government incentives, infrastructure development, economic conditions, and consumer behaviour to identify variations and opportunities within different markets. Market Projections: Report covers the gathered data and analysis to make future projections and forecasts for the Healthcare Laboratory Informatics market. This may include estimating market growth rates, predicting market demand, and identifying emerging trends. Company Analysis: Report covers individual Healthcare Laboratory Informatics manufacturers, suppliers, and other relevant industry players. This analysis includes studying their financial performance, market positioning, product portfolios, partnerships, and strategies. Consumer Analysis: Report covers data on consumer behaviour, preferences, and attitudes towards Healthcare Laboratory Informatics This may involve surveys, interviews, and analysis of consumer reviews and feedback from different by Application. Technology Analysis: Report covers specific technologies relevant to Healthcare Laboratory Informatics. It assesses the current state, advancements, and potential future developments in Healthcare Laboratory Informatics areas. Reason to Buy this Report: -Analysis of the impact of technological advancements on the market and the emerging trends shaping the industry in the coming years. -Examination of the regulatory and policy changes affecting the market and the implications of these changes for market participants. -Overview of the competitive landscape in the Healthcare Laboratory Informatics market, including profiles of the key players, their market share, and strategies for growth. -Identification of the major challenges facing the market, such as supply chain disruptions, environmental concerns, and changing consumer preferences, and analysis of how these challenges will affect market growth. -Evaluation of the potential of new products and applications in the market, and analysis of the investment opportunities for market participants. For In-Depth Competitive Analysis - Purchase this Report now at @ https://www.cognateinsights.com/purchase-report/healthcare-laboratory-informatics-market-research Contact Us: Cognate Insights Web: www.cognateinsights.com Email: info@cognateinsights.com Phone: +91 8424946476 About Us: We are leaders in market analytics, business research, and consulting services for Fortune 500 companies, start-ups, financial & government institutions. Since we understand the criticality of data and insights, we have associated with the top publishers and research firms all specialized in specific domains, ensuring you will receive the most reliable and up to date research data available. To be at our client's disposal whenever they need help on market research and consulting services. We also aim to be their business partners when it comes to making critical business decisions around new market entry, M&A, competitive Intelligence and strategy. This release was published on openPR.Week 14 of the NFL: Saquon Barkley is on track to break one of the league's most important recordsGovernment departments are on a collision course with unions unsatisfied with proposals to raise pay for more than a million public sector workers by 2.8% next year. Inflation is predicted to average 2.5% this year and 2.6% next year, according to forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility. The British Medical Association said the Government showed a “poor grasp” of unresolved issues from two years of industrial action, and the Royal College of Nursing called the pay recommendation “deeply offensive”. The National Education Union’s chief said teachers were “putting the Government on notice” that the proposed increase “won’t do”. The pay recommendations came after Chancellor Rachel Reeves called for every Government department to cut costs by 5%, as she started work on a sweeping multi-year spending review to be published in 2025. Independent pay review bodies will consider the proposals for pay rises for teachers, NHS workers and senior civil servants. The Department of Health said it viewed 2.8% as a “reasonable amount” to set aside, in its recommendations to the NHS Pay Review Body and the Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration Board remit groups. A 2.8% pay rise for teachers in 2025/26 would “maintain the competitiveness of teachers’ pay despite the challenging financial backdrop the Government is facing”, the Department for Education said. The Cabinet Office also suggested pay increases for senior civil servants should be kept to no more than 2.8%. Paul Johnson, director of the influential economics think tank the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), said it was “not a bad ballpark figure” and feels “just about affordable” given the Government’s public spending plans. The downside, he said, is that public sector workers have lost out since 2010 and unions will be upset that this is not making up the gap, he told Sky News’ Politics Hub with Sophy Ridge. “But given the constraints facing the Chancellor I think it’s pretty hard to argue for more for public sector pay when public sector services ... are under real strain,” he said. Unions expressed their disappointment in the recommendations, with some hinting they could be willing to launch industrial action. The Royal College of Nursing general secretary and chief executive called for “open direct talks now” to avoid “further escalation to disputes and ballots”. Professor Nicola Ranger said: “The Government has today told nursing staff they are worth as little as £2 extra a day, less than the price of a coffee. “Nursing is in crisis – there are fewer joining and too many experienced professionals leaving. This is deeply offensive to nursing staff, detrimental to their patients and contradictory to hopes of rebuilding the NHS. “The public understands the value of nursing and they know that meaningful reform of the NHS requires addressing the crisis in nursing. “We pulled out of the Pay Review Body process, alongside other unions, because it is not the route to address the current crisis. “That has been demonstrated today. “Fair pay must be matched by structural reform. Let’s open direct talks now and avoid further escalation to disputes and ballots – I have said that directly to government today.” Professor Philip Banfield, chairman of the British Medical Association’s council, urged the sector’s pay review body to “show it is now truly independent”. “For this Government to give evidence to the doctors’ and dentists’ pay review body (DDRB) believing a 2.8% pay rise is enough, indicates a poor grasp of the unresolved issues from two years of industrial action,” he said. He said the proposal is far below the current rate of inflation and that the Government was “under no illusion” when doctors accepted pay offers in the summer that there was a “very real risk of further industrial action” if “pay erosion” was not addressed in future pay rounds. “This sub-inflationary suggestion from the current Government serves as a test to the DDRB. “The BMA expects it to take this opportunity to show it is now truly independent, to take an objective view of the evidence it receives from all parties, not just the Government, and to make an offer that reflects the value of doctors’ skills and expertise in a global market, and that moves them visibly further along the path to full pay restoration.” The NEU’s general secretary, Daniel Kebede, said teachers’ pay had been cut by more than one-fifth in real terms since 2010. “Along with sky-high workload, the pay cuts have resulted in a devastating recruitment and retention crisis. Teacher shortages across the school system hit pupils and parents too. “A 2.8% increase is likely to be below inflation and behind wage increases in the wider economy. This will only deepen the crisis in education.” In a hint that there could be a return to industrial action he added: “NEU members fought to win the pay increases of 2023 and 2024. “We are putting the Government on notice. Our members care deeply about education and feel the depth of the crisis. This won’t do.” The offer for teachers is the “exact opposite of fixing the foundations” and will result in bigger class sizes and more cuts to the curriculum, Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: “The inadequacy of the proposed pay award is compounded by the Government’s intention that schools should foot the bill out of their existing allocations. “Given that per-pupil funding will increase on average by less than 1% next year, and the Government’s proposal is for an unfunded 2.8% pay award, it is obvious that this is in fact an announcement of further school cuts.” Paul Whiteman, general secretary at school leaders’ union NAHT, said: This recommendation falls far short of what is needed to restore the competitiveness of the teaching profession, to enable it to retain experienced professionals and attract new talent. Unison head of health Helga Pile said: “The Government has inherited a financial mess from its predecessors, but this is not what NHS workers wanted to hear. “Staff are crucial in turning around the fortunes of the NHS. Improving performance is a key Government pledge, but the pay rise proposed is barely above the cost of living.”

FIFA report praises Saudi Arabia 2034 World Cup bid

Nikita Hand, who accused the sportsman of raping her in a Dublin hotel in December 2018, won her claim against him for damages in a civil case at the High Court in the Irish capital. The jury delivered its verdict on Friday. The total amount of damages awarded to Hand by the jury was 248,603.60 euros (£206,714.31). Mr McGregor made no comment as he left court but later posted on social media that he intends to appeal. The Irish athlete has featured in multiple video games, including voice-acting a character bearing his likeness in additional downloadable content in the Hitman series. Mr McGregor’s character featured as a target for the player-controlled assassin in the game. In light of the recent court ruling regarding Conor McGregor, IO Interactive has made the decision to cease its collaboration with the athlete, effective immediately. We take this matter very seriously and cannot ignore its implications. Consequently, we will begin removing all... — HITMAN (@Hitman) IO Interactive, the Danish developer and publisher of Hitman, said in a statement: “In light of the recent court ruling regarding Conor McGregor, IO Interactive has made the decision to cease its collaboration with the athlete, effective immediately. “We take this matter very seriously and cannot ignore its implications. “Consequently, we will begin removing all content featuring Mr McGregor from our storefronts starting today.” Mr McGregor had faced an accusation that he “brutally raped and battered” Ms Hand at a hotel in south Dublin in December 2018. The Irish sports star previously told the court he had consensual sex with Ms Hand in a penthouse at the Beacon Hotel. Ms Hand was taken in an ambulance to the Rotunda Hospital the following day where she was assessed in the sexual assault treatment unit. A paramedic who examined Ms Hand the day after the assault had told the court she had not seen “someone so bruised” in a long time.As we enter the shortest days of the year here’s the history of light bulbs

UNITED NATIONS — Myanmar’s desperate military junta is ramping up attacks on villages that have fallen to opposition groups, carrying out beheadings, gang rapes and torture, with women, children and the elderly among the victims, the U.N. independent human rights investigator for Myanmar said in a new report. Thomas Andrews, a former U.S. congressman from Maine, said in the report to the U.N. General Assembly circulated Friday that the junta has responded to military defeats and the loss of territory by using sophisticated weapons against civilians and seeking to destroy towns that it cannot control. Related Story: Myanmar: An Invisible Crisis Calling Myanmar “an invisible crisis” because the world’s attention is focused elsewhere, he said, “Escalating atrocities against the people of Myanmar are being enabled by governments that allow, or actively support, the transfer of weapons, weapons materials, and jet fuel to junta forces.” Andrews didn’t name the governments. But he praised Singapore for cracking down on weapons transfers that has led to a 90% reduction by Singapore-registered companies, and said sanctions imposed by the United States on junta-controlled, state-owned banks have disrupted military supply chains. The U.N. special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar lamented, however, that their actions remain an exception. He called on all countries to address Myanmar’s “devastating human rights and humanitarian crisis” by stopping the flow of weapons to the junta, stepping up humanitarian aid to millions in need, and supporting efforts to hold perpetrators accountable for human rights violations. Related Story: Escalating Violence and Humanitarian Crisis Myanmar is racked by violence that began when the army ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021 and brutally suppressed nonviolent protests. That triggered armed resistance and combat across the country, with the military increasingly using airstrikes to counter the opposition and secure territory. The army is on the defensive against ethnic militias in much of Myanmar as well as hundreds of armed guerrilla groups collectively called the People’s Defense Forces, formed to fight to restore democracy. The military has said in the past that it only attacks legitimate targets of war and has accused the resistance forces of being terrorists. Andrews called the military junta’s plan to hold an election in late 2025 “a farcical parody” and “thinly veiled attempt to create an impression of legitimacy and relieve international pressure.” He warned, “Not only is this fraudulent attempt outrageous, it is dangerous, as it could lead to even greater levels of instability and violence.” He ticked off grim statistics: Over 3.1 million people are displaced by conflict and the junta’s human rights violations, and 18.6 million people need humanitarian assistance, including 13.3 million facing emergency levels of food insecurity. He said the junta’s military forces have killed more than 5,800 civilians, destroyed over 100,000 homes and other civilian structures, and have kept more than 21,000 political prisoners languishing behind bars. “Junta troops have killed civilians in ground assaults, including the mass killing of individuals already in the custody of junta forces,” Andrews said. “Victims have been tortured, raped and beheaded, and their bodies burned.” Related Story: Desperate Situation in Rakhine State Andrews, a human rights fellow at Yale Law School who was appointed by the Geneva-based Human Rights Council, said the situation was most “desperate and dangerous” in Rakhine state in western Myanmar. Last November, the Arakan Army, which is seeking autonomy from Myanmar’s central government, began an offensive against the military in Rakhine and has gained control of more than half of its townships. The Arakan Army, which is the well-armed wing of the Rakhine ethnic minority movement, is also a member of the armed ethnic group alliance trying to topple the military. In the report, Andrews said: “The Arakan Army has been implicated in grave human rights abuses, including indiscriminate attacks, killings, sexual violence and arbitrary arrests.” He also said the military has responded to the Arakan Army’s steady losses in Rakhine by attacking civilians and raising tensions between the ethnic Rakhine and Rohingya communities. Buddhist-majority Myanmar has long considered the Rohingya Muslim minority to be “Bengalis” from Bangladesh even though their families have lived in the country for generations. Nearly all have been denied citizenship since 1982. In August 2017, attacks by a Rohingya insurgent group on Myanmar security personnel triggered a brutal campaign by the military, which drove at least 740,000 Rohingya to Bangladesh. The military is accused of mass rape, killings and burning thousands of homes. Meanwhile, the military junta has conscripted thousands of Rohingya men and deployed them to the front lines to fight the Arakan Army, he said. And Rohingya militant groups have “cynically aligned with the junta” and committed human rights abuses against the ethnic Rakhine population. “Hundreds of thousands of people in Rakhine State are completely cut off from humanitarian assistance and threatened by exposure, starvation and disease,” Andrews warned. “Failure to act immediately to provide emergency humanitarian aid will be a death sentence for untold numbers of innocent men, women and children.” A month ago, he said, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, the interim leader of Bangladesh where 1 million Rohingya refugees live, called on U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to convene a conference with all key players in the Rohingya crisis. Yunus has pressed for their repatriation to Myanmar. Andrews urged Guterres to call a conference that could help “seize the attention of a distracted world and mobilize the resources and action necessary to save the many lives that hang in the balance.”Northeast Ohio native Braelyn Rankins talks working on ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’

NoneBosso Star Forward Clinches Golden BootALTOONA, Pa. — The man accused of killing struggled with deputies and shouted while being led into court Tuesday as new details emerged about his possible motivation behind the ambush. In his first public words since a five-day search ended with his arrest at a McDonald’s in Pennsylvania, emerged from a patrol car shouting about an “insult to the intelligence of the American people” while deputies pushed him inside a courthouse. The 26-year-old Ivy League graduate from a prominent Maryland real estate family is fighting attempts to extradite him to New York so that he can face a murder charge in the Manhattan killing of , who led the United States’ largest medical insurance company. A law enforcement bulletin obtained by The Associated Press said that at the time of his arrest, Mangione was carrying a handwritten document expressing anger with what he called “parasitic” health insurance companies and a disdain for corporate greed and power. He wrote that the U.S. has the most expensive health care system in the world and that profits of major corporations continue to rise while “our life expectancy” does not, according to the bulletin. In social media posts, Mangione called — who carried out a series of bombings while railing against modern society and technology — a “political revolutionary,” according to the police bulletin. Mangione remained jailed in Pennsylvania, where he was initially charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm, forgery and providing false identification to police. Manhattan prosecutors were beginning to take steps to bring Mangione to New York, but at a brief hearing Tuesday, defense lawyer Thomas Dickey said his client will not waive extradition and instead wants a hearing on the issue. Mangione was denied bail after prosecutors said he was too dangerous to be released. He mostly stared straight ahead at the hearing, occasionally looking at papers, rocking in his chair or looking back at the gallery. At one point, he began to speak to respond to the court discussion but was quieted by his lawyer. “You can’t rush to judgment in this case or any case,” Dickey said afterward. “He’s presumed innocent. Let’s not forget that.” Mangione was arrested in Altoona, Pennsylvania, about 230 miles (about 370 kilometers) west of New York City, after a McDonald’s customer recognized him and notified an employee, authorities said. Images of Mangione released Tuesday by Pennsylvania State Police showed him pulling down his mask in the corner of the McDonald’s while holding what appeared to be hash browns and wearing a winter jacket and beanie. In another photo from a holding cell, he stood unsmiling with rumpled hair. New York police officials have said Mangione was carrying like the one used to kill Thompson and the same fake ID the shooter had used to check into a New York hostel, along with a passport and other fraudulent IDs. A law enforcement official who wasn’t authorized to discuss the investigation publicly and spoke with The Associated Press on condition of anonymity said a three-page, handwritten document found with Mangione included a line in which he claimed to have acted alone. “To the Feds, I’ll keep this short, because I do respect what you do for our country. To save you a lengthy investigation, I state plainly that I wasn’t working with anyone,” the document said, according to the official. It also said, “I do apologize for any strife or traumas but it had to be done. Frankly, these parasites simply had it coming.” Thompson, 50, was killed last Wednesday as he walked alone to a Manhattan hotel for an investor conference. From surveillance video, New York investigators determined the shooter quickly fled the city, likely by bus. Mangione was born into a life of country clubs and privilege. His grandfather was a self-made real estate developer and philanthropist. Valedictorian at his elite Baltimore prep school, he went on to earn undergraduate and graduate degrees in computer science in 2020 from the University of Pennsylvania, a spokesperson said. “Our family is shocked and devastated by Luigi’s arrest,” Mangione’s family said in a statement posted on social media late Monday by his cousin, Maryland Del. Nino Mangione. “We offer our prayers to the family of Brian Thompson and we ask people to pray for all involved.” From January to June 2022, Luigi Mangione lived at Surfbreak, a “co-living” space at the edge of touristy Waikiki in Honolulu. Like other residents of the shared penthouse catering to remote workers, Mangione underwent a background check, said Josiah Ryan, a spokesperson for owner and founder R.J. Martin. “Luigi was just widely considered to be a great guy. There were no complaints,” Ryan said. “There was no sign that might point to these alleged crimes they’re saying he committed.” At Surfbreak, Martin learned Mangione had severe back pain from childhood that interfered with many aspects of his life, from surfing to romance, Ryan said. Mangione left Surfbreak to get surgery on the mainland, Ryan said, then later returned to Honolulu and rented an apartment. Martin stopped hearing from Mangione six months to a year ago. ___ Scolforo reported from Altoona and Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania. Contributing were Associated Press writers Cedar Attanasio and Jennifer Peltz in New York; Michael Rubinkam and Maryclaire Dale in Pennsylvania; Lea Skene in Baltimore; Jennifer Sinco Kelleher in Honolulu and John Seewer in Toledo, Ohio.

Pakistan has joined a coalition of climate-vulnerable countries advocating for a global fossil-fuel non-proliferation treaty, which seeks an equitable transition away from coal, oil, and gas. The proposed treaty, designed to complement the Paris Agreement, emphasises the need for financial and technological support to ensure fair energy transitions for developing nations. Ranked among the top ten countries most vulnerable to the devastating impacts of climate change, Pakistan is the first nation in South Asia to engage with this initiative, and aims to address its severe climate challenges, such as catastrophic flooding and rising temperatures, while urging wealthier nations to lead the global energy transition, said a press release. Earlier this year, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif also underscored the importance of climate justice during COP29 and called for greater international support to foster the resilience and sustainability of vulnerable nations in the face of looming environmental threats. Back home, Pakistan has actively undertaken initiatives at the policy and implementation level to foster environmental sustainability. As part of its safeguarding efforts, the government has introduced the New Energy Vehicle (NEV) Policy, which aims at transitioning 30% of all new vehicles—both imported and locally manufactured—to electric power by 2030. The policy incorporates a variety of technologies, and the government has announced subsidies worth PKR 4 billion to encourage adoption. According to the National Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority (NEECA) of Pakistan, the transport sector alone accounts for 30% of the country’s total energy consumption, worth approximately $1.3 billion each month, which places significant strain on the economy and foreign exchange reserves. Environmentalists and automobile experts view the policy as a game changer for Pakistan’s energy and automobile sectors, and the environment. The transition could address Pakistan’s persistent air pollution woes, particularly the chronic smog problem plaguing urban centres. Widespread adoption of EVs can significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions and reduce particulate matter, resulting in improved air quality and better public health. The policy is expected to drive innovation and modernization in the automobile sector, fostering long-term growth and sustainability. Local manufacturing of EVs is expected to significantly boost the economy while providing users with access to the latest vehicle models—an upgrade for Pakistani users who have long been compelled to purchase outdated models. While the government has introduced subsidies to encourage EV adoption, experts emphasize the need for further measures, such as tax breaks, and low-interest financing options, to make EVs accessible to a broader population. Such initiatives will augment Pakistan’s initiative in environmental protection and agency in ensuring climate justice globally.None

Tap to Pay on iPhone Launches in ChilePakistan joins fossil-fuel non-proliferation coalition to embrace a renewable energy futureLife of Compassion and Scholarship

Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Embattled Hibs boss David Gray admits he will know he is in real trouble if his players stop running for him. But Gray insists that is not the case despite his team continuing to languish at the Premiership basement after 13 games. And he has also leapt to the defence of Elie Youan in the wake of his keepy-uppy antics in Saturday’s 4-1 collapse at Dundee. The Leith side can climb above rivals Hearts at the bottom if they beat Aberdeen but with just one league victory all season fans are not confident of that outcome. But Gray is adamant that he has still got the backing of his players despite their woeful run of form. Asked if he would have to look at himself if the players were not running for him, Gray replied: “One hundred per cent. Firstly I look at myself but you need to make sure that you’re still getting buy-in from the players every single day and I think that’s been probably reflected more in the last couple of games when a few players who maybe haven’t had as much game time as you’d expect them to are still coming on and trying to do absolutely everything they can to turn it around. “You can see that they’re all in it together, they’re all still desperate to turn it around. The players are 100 per cent still running for me, still trying to do the best they can do, still caring about what they’re doing, still trying to be the best they can be.” Gray, meanwhile, insists he has no problem with Frenchman’s Youan’s behaviour in the wake of Jordan Obita’s red card for a high challenge on Dundee’s Mo Sylla at the weekend. While Sylla was getting treatment on the pitch, the Premier Sports cameras picked up a carefree Youan performing tricks with the ball. And that enraged former Hibs favourite and one time Gray team-mate Marvin Bartley, who described it as “embarrassing”. Gray said: “A lot’s been made of it, but I think if you actually know him, I don’t think there’s any malice in what he was doing. But I understand why the question would be asked and why Marvin would single out his feelings on it.” Tune in to Hotline Live every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football.Limited again, 49ers QB Brock Purdy still fighting sore shoulder

T his story begins in a fever. It was the spring of 2021 and I’d contracted my first bout of Covid. Confined to bed, I turned to the pile of books that had been staring at me guiltily for weeks, if not months. The one I pulled out was a soon-to-be released noir-ish thriller called The Passenger . It was set in the Germany of the 1930s, following a man on the run from the Nazi authorities, hoping to make his escape by hopping on and off trains crisscrossing the country. As the Gestapo net around him tightens, he plunges into paranoia and breakdown. Perhaps the coronavirus intensified the experience, but I was gripped. I tweeted that it was part Franz Kafka, part John Buchan and completely riveting. But there was a twist. This was not a new book, but one written nearly a century earlier. The author was Ulrich Alexander Boschwitz, just 23 years old when his novel was published in 1938 and a Jewish refugee from Nazi Germany. In 1935, he had made his way across Europe to reach Britain, where he was promptly classified as an “enemy alien” and interned in a camp on the Isle of Man. He was held with more than a thousand other émigrés, among them a remarkable number of artists, musicians, writers and intellectuals on what Simon Parkin has called the island of extraordinary captives . Eventually the British authorities decided that some of these enemy aliens should be shipped to Australia. After a hellish journey, Boschwitz was held in another detention camp, this time in New South Wales. Finally, in 1942, he was reclassified – now deemed to be a “friendly alien”– and allowed to return to Britain. He climbed on board a ship, the MV Abosso, and set sail for what he hoped would be the start of a new life. He was 27. But the Abosso was spotted by a German U-boat and torpedoed. The ship sank, killing 362 of those on board, young, luckless Boschwitz among them. Lost with him was his revised manuscript of The Passenger which, he felt sure, would have made an even better book. But there was another text he had left behind, a story for children that he had dreamed up while held on the Isle of Man. Less than 3,000 words long, it was called King Winter’s Birthday: A Fairy Tale . The original, handwritten manuscript, complete with drawings added by Ulrich’s mother, had lain undisturbed in a New York archive for eight long decades. I learned all this from Adam Freudenheim of Pushkin Press, the publisher who had so successfully resurrected The Passenger , turning it into a belated international bestseller. I had become something of a champion of that novel and now he had an unusual proposal to make. Would I take a look at Boschwitz’s forgotten fairytale and see if it could be brought to a contemporary audience? Might I, a political columnist and sometime writer of thrillers, relish the challenge of writing for children? The answers were yes and yes. I read Freudenheim’s translation from the German and my first instinct was that, while I couldn’t exactly adapt the story, I could certainly take inspiration from it. Indeed, the conceit at the core of Boschwitz’s tale – Winter summoning the other seasons, his siblings, to celebrate his birthday – had prompted an idea the instant I read it. Two decisions, apparently contradictory, came to me just as quickly. First, I realised that this story would need to be aimed at children younger than those Boschwitz had seemed to have in mind. Older children might have accepted the idiom of a fairytale – kings and palaces and the like – in the 1940s, but I suspected their counterparts today would be far less patient. Sign up to Observed Analysis and opinion on the week's news and culture brought to you by the best Observer writers after newsletter promotion At the same time, I had an animating thought for the story that might, at first blush, appear an unlikely theme for the youngest readers. Yes, the structure of my King Winter’s Birthday is straightforward and the words are simple, but the plot turns on a seemingly demanding concept: the need to put right a world that has lost its natural balance. Some might think that too much for a child to take on, but I remembered from my own experience as a parent and, many decades ago, in informal education, that young children are often able to grasp the largest ideas. Indeed, when it comes to philosophical questions that older minds shy away from – why are we here? What happens when we are gone? How do I know this table is real? – there is a refreshing openness, perhaps born of lack of embarrassment, among the very young. There is, too, more of me in this short book than I anticipated. No spoilers, but it is a story about siblings and the ache that comes to those who can no longer be with a much-loved brother or sister, who can only remember them instead. I am in that position myself and I confess I did not expect to find expression for that feeling in a debut title for children. Still, that is what happened. The result is a book that is more beautiful than I ever guessed it could be, thanks to the magnificent illustrations of Emily Sutton. Between us I hope we have done justice to the imaginings of that young man, a boy really, who never stopped running – who was cut down in the spring of his life and who never knew its summer, autumn or winter. King Winter’s Birthday by Jonathan Freedland and Emily Sutton is published by Pushkin (£12.99). To support the Guardian and Observer order your copy at guardianbookshop.com . Delivery charges may apply

NFL reinstates Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers

An illicit photo, a secret code, a Project Skydrop sequel. A tale of betrayal and reconciliation.The measure spreads out the establishment of the new district judgeships over about a decade to give three presidential administrations the chance to appoint the new judges. Subscribe to continue reading this article. Already subscribed? To login in, click here.

NoneShares of Wolfspeed Inc. ($WOLF), a prominent manufacturer of silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductors used in electric vehicles (EVs), surged over 20% on Friday, reaching one-week highs after significant insider buying boosted investor sentiment. SEC filings revealed that Wolfspeed directors collectively purchased shares worth approximately $817,000 this week. The purchases included notable buys from Interim CEO Thomas Werner, Duy-Loan Le, Stacy Smith, and Darren Jackson. That has helped counteract recent concerns over management changes and weaker financial performance. Earlier this week, Wolfspeed announced the sudden departure of CEO Gregg Lowe, prompting the board to begin a search for a permanent replacement. Financial challenges have also weighed on the stock, as the company earlier this month reported fiscal first-quarter revenue that missed expectations and issued second-quarter guidance well below estimates. The company also disclosed plans to reduce its workforce by 20% in an effort to streamline its cost structure. Retail sentiment on Stocktwits has shifted dramatically, flipping from ‘extremely bearish’ to ‘extremely bullish’ by Friday afternoon, with message volume more than doubling over the past week. On the platform, a poll reveals that 71% of retail investors believe it is the right to buy WOLF stock as the insider stock buys are bullish, while 13% believe it’s too risky and prefer staying out instead. Adding to the renewed enthusiasm, Roth MKM analyst Craig Irwin maintained a ‘Buy’ rating with a $20 price target after hosting meetings with Wolfspeed’s management. Irwin highlighted the company’s strategic importance as a U.S. leader in SiC semiconductor materials and noted that increased demand for 200mm SiC wafers could act as a significant catalyst for growth. Despite Friday’s rally, Wolfspeed shares remain down over 80% for the year, reflecting challenges such as the uncertain future of EV subsidies following Donald Trump’s election victory, which has raised concerns about SiC demand. Last month, the company captured investor attention after saying it was set to receive $750 million in U.S. government grants and an additional $750 million in financing led by Apollo Global Management to support its expansion efforts. For updates and corrections email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.

Best Delta-8 Gummies: Leading THC Edibles Available for 2025ST. LOUIS , Dec. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Eric Watkins , President of Abstrakt, is shedding light on the significant challenges businesses face when building in-house Sales Development Representative (SDR) teams. Rising costs, complex technology needs, and extended timelines are making outsourcing an increasingly attractive option for companies seeking efficient and effective sales solutions. "We often find companies have already tried to do this all on their own and struggled," said Watkins. "It's a lot of puzzle pieces to put together, and working with a professional team that does this exclusively often gets better results." Watkins noted that businesses often underestimate the full scope of building an SDR team, from recruiting and onboarding skilled personnel to investing in necessary software and AI tools. Additional hurdles include developing outreach strategies, maintaining accountability metrics, and ensuring consistent performance tracking. "Building your own team can be a good route if you have the fully dedicated resources to do so," Watkins said. "But it requires a lot of software, content planning, research tools, and follow-through on sequencing." The rise of AI-driven sales tools has added to the complexity, with many companies struggling to optimize these technologies for maximum impact. Watkins explained that companies often lack the expertise to effectively integrate AI into their outreach efforts, further extending the time and cost required to build a functional SDR team. For many businesses, outsourcing to specialized teams like Abstrakt provides a faster and more cost-effective solution. By eliminating the need for ongoing training, technology investment, and process development, outsourcing offers immediate access to experienced professionals and proven systems. Abstrakt, which handles over 100,000 appointments annually across industries, has seen firsthand how outsourcing delivers measurable results for its clients. "Evaluate your resources, timeline, and ability to stay accountable to your sales goals," Watkins advised. "If there are gaps, partnering with a team that specializes in this work can help you grow faster and more effectively." Abstrakt is a B2B lead generation and marketing agency based in St. Louis, Missouri . With over a decade of experience, the company specializes in omnichannel appointment setting and helping businesses achieve measurable growth. View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/eric-watkins-of-abstrakt-highlights-the-challenges-of-building-internal-sdr-teams-302337750.html SOURCE Abstrakt Marketing Group