super ace online casino Nominates Bentina Chisolm Terry and Leland Weaver to Join Board of Directors Two Long-Tenured Directors to Retire at Upcoming 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders ATLANTA, Dec. 18, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mueller Water Products, Inc. (NYSE: MWA) announced that its Board of Directors has nominated Bentina Chisolm Terry and Leland Weaver to join the Board for election at the Company’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders on February 6, 2025. As part of the previously announced Board refreshment plan, Dr. Lydia Thomas and Ms. Shirley Franklin will retire from the Board at the Annual Meeting. “On behalf of the entire Board, I extend my gratitude to Lydia and Shirley for their contributions to Mueller and many years of service on the Board. Lydia’s and Shirley’s leadership, wisdom and expertise during their service have been enormously valuable to the Company and our management team as we have executed on our strategy to create value for shareholders. We also thank Brian Slobodow and Niclas Ytterdahl for their service,” said Stephen C. Van Arsdell, Non-Executive Chair of the Board. Mr. Van Arsdell continued, “Today’s announcement reflects our strong governance as we continue to drive value creation across our business. The continuing evolution of the Board is a testament to our commitment to bringing new viewpoints to the boardroom while continuing to benefit from the guidance and experience of our more tenured directors. With the addition of Bentina and Leland, who most recently joined us as Board Observers, we are on course to complete our board refreshment plan next year. We are confident that each of our new directors will bring significant value to our diverse Board.” The Board’s slate for the Annual Meeting is comprised of Christian A. Garcia, Thomas J. Hansen, Brian C. Healy, Christine Ortiz, Jeffery S. Sharritts, Bentina Chisolm Terry, Stephen C. Van Arsdell, Leland G. Weaver, and Marietta Edmunds Zakas. Following the Annual Meeting, the Board will comprise nine directors, eight of whom are independent and eight of whom will have been elected in the last six years. About Bentina Chisolm Terry Ms. Bentina Chisolm Terry currently serves as the President and CEO of Southern Linc and Southern Telecom, providing mission-critical LTE wireless and dark fiber networks and services to Southern Company electric utilities and external customers. She is an accomplished senior executive with more than 25 years of experience leading across a range of functions in the utility industry and a strong track record of driving growth and innovation. Prior to Southern Linc and Southern Telecom, Ms. Terry served as Senior Vice President of Customer Strategy and Solutions at Georgia Power. She joined Georgia Power in 2001, holding roles of increasing responsibility across multiple departments. Ms. Terry has led multiple environmental initiatives and has been responsible for health and safety. During her time serving as General Counsel for Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Ms. Terry led the Company to receiving the most significant rate increase in its history, ensuring continued service reliability and infrastructure upgrades. Ms. Terry received her Bachelor of Arts from North Carolina State University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan. About Leland Weaver Mr. Leland Weaver currently serves as the President of DuPont Water & Protection. He is an accomplished senior executive with extensive experience across various industries and global markets. As President of the DuPont Water & Protection business, a global business with $6 billion in revenue, Mr. Weaver oversees 34 manufacturing sites and 7,000 employees, as well as the strategy to deliver sustainable, technology-based products and solutions for water, shelter, and safety. He previously held leadership roles within Dupont’s investor relations and business strategy arm. Mr. Weaver has deep experience in both operational and manufacturing as well as growth strategy and transformation, managing relationships with institutional investors, and playing a pivotal role in significant corporate transformation initiatives, including the spin-off of DuPont’s Nutrition & Biosciences business and its merger with International Flavors and Fragrances. Mr. Weaver has a strong track record of building high-performance teams, managing large-scale operations, and driving significant financial growth. Mr. Weaver received his Bachelor of Science from the University of Alabama and his master’s degree in business from the University of Pennsylvania. About Mueller Water Products, Inc. Mueller Water Products, Inc. is a leading manufacturer and marketer of products and services used in the transmission, distribution and measurement of water in North America. Our broad product and service portfolio includes engineered valves, fire hydrants, pipe connection and repair products, metering products, leak detection, pipe condition assessment, pressure management products, and software that provides critical water system data. We help municipalities increase operational efficiencies, improve customer service and prioritize capital spending, demonstrating why Mueller Water Products is Where Intelligence Meets Infrastructure ® . Visit us at www.muellerwaterproducts.com. Mueller refers to one or more of Mueller Water Products, Inc. (MWP), a Delaware corporation, and its subsidiaries. MWP and each of its subsidiaries are legally separate and independent entities when providing products and services. MWP does not provide products or services to third parties. MWP and each of its subsidiaries are liable only for their own acts and omissions and not those of each other. Investor Relations Contact: Whit Kincaid 770-206-4116 wkincaid@muellerwp.com Media Contact: Jenny Barabas 470-806-5771 jbarabas@muellerwp.com

(All times Eastern) Schedule subject to change and/or blackouts Thursday, Dec. 19 COLLEGE BASKETBALL (MEN’S) 5 p.m. ESPNU — Chris Paul HBCU Challenge: Norfolk St. vs. Alabama St., Uncasville, Conn. 7:30 p.m. ESPNU — Chris Paul HBCU Challenge: Delaware St. vs. Grambling St., Uncasville, Conn. COLLEGE FOOTBALL 7 p.m. ESPN2 — The R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl: Georgia Southern vs. Sam Houston St., New Orleans COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL (WOMEN’S) 6:30 p.m. ESPN — NCAA Tournament: Louisville vs. Pittsburgh, Semifinal, Louisville, Ky. 9 p.m. ESPN — NCAA Tournament: Penn St. vs. Nebraska, Semifinal, Louisville, Ky. GOLF 3:30 a.m. GOLF — DP World Tour: The AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open, First Round, Mont Choisy Le Golf, Grand-Baie, Mauritius 3:30 a.m. (Friday) GOLF — DP World Tour: The AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open, Second Round, Mont Choisy Le Golf, Grand-Baie, Mauritius NBA BASKETBALL 7 p.m. TNT — Oklahoma City at Orlando TRUTV — Oklahoma City at Orlando (DataCast) 9:30 p.m. TNT — New York at Minnesota TRUTV — New York at Minnesota (DataCast) NBA G-LEAGUE BASKETBALL Noon ESPNU — Winter Showcase: Greensboro vs. South Bay, Orlando, Fla. 1 p.m. NBATV — Winter Showcase: Stockton vs. Iowa, Orlando, Fla. 2:30 p.m. ESPNU — Winter Showcase: Grand Rapids vs. Oklahoma City, Orlando, Fla. 3:30 p.m. NBATV — Winter Showcase: Raptors 905 vs. Rio Grande Valley, Orlando, Fla. 5 p.m. ESPNEWS — Winter Showcase: Capital City vs. Sioux Falls, Orlando, Fla. 7:30 p.m. ESPNEWS — Winter Showcase: Valley vs. Memphis, Orlando, Fla. NFL FOOTBALL 8:15 p.m. PRIME VIDEO — Denver at L.A. Chargers SOCCER (MEN’S) 3 p.m. CBSSN — UEFA Conference League: HJK Helsinki at Real Betis TENNIS 6 a.m. TENNIS — Next Gen ATP Finals: Round Robin 11 a.m. TENNIS — Next Gen ATP Finals: Round Robin 6 a.m. (Friday) TENNIS — Next Gen ATP Finals: Round Robin The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive TV listings provided by LiveSportsOnTV .PRINCIPAL REAL ESTATE INCOME FUND CONTINUES SHARE REPURCHASE PROGRAM

Proof-of-concept study bioengineers therapeutics for improved cancer treatment

RecycLiCo Battery Materials Announces Results of 2024 Annual General Meeting of ShareholdersBy Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times (TNS) Every day millions of people share more intimate information with their accessories than they do with their spouse. Wearable technology — smartwatches, smart rings, fitness trackers and the like — monitors body-centric data such as your heart rate, steps taken and calories burned, and may record where you go along the way. Like Santa Claus, it knows when you are sleeping (and how well), it knows when you’re awake, it knows when you’ve been idle or exercising, and it keeps track of all of it. People are also sharing sensitive health information on health and wellness apps , including online mental health and counseling programs. Some women use period tracker apps to map out their monthly cycle. These devices and services have excited consumers hoping for better insight into their health and lifestyle choices. But the lack of oversight into how body-centric data are used and shared with third parties has prompted concerns from privacy experts, who warn that the data could be sold or lost through data breaches, then used to raise insurance premiums, discriminate surreptitiously against applicants for jobs or housing, and even perform surveillance. The use of wearable technology and medical apps surged in the years following the COVID-19 pandemic, but research released by Mozilla on Wednesday indicates that current laws offer little protection for consumers who are often unaware just how much of their health data are being collected and shared by companies. “I’ve been studying the intersections of emerging technologies, data-driven technologies, AI and human rights and social justice for the past 15 years, and since the pandemic I’ve noticed the industry has become hyper-focused on our bodies,” said Mozilla Foundation technology fellow Júlia Keserű, who conducted the research. “That permeates into all kinds of areas of our lives and all kinds of domains within the tech industry.” The report “From Skin to Screen: Bodily Integrity in the Digital Age” recommends that existing data protection laws be clarified to encompass all forms of bodily data. It also calls for expanding national health privacy laws to cover health-related information collected from health apps and fitness trackers and making it easier for users to opt out of body-centric data collections. Researchers have been raising alarms about health data privacy for years. Data collected by companies are often sold to data brokers or groups that buy, sell and trade data from the internet to create detailed consumer profiles. Body-centric data can include information such as the fingerprints used to unlock phones, face scans from facial recognition technology, and data from fitness and fertility trackers, mental health apps and digital medical records. One of the key reasons health information has value to companies — even when the person’s name is not associated with it — is that advertisers can use the data to send targeted ads to groups of people based on certain details they share. The information contained in these consumer profiles is becoming so detailed, however, that when paired with other data sets that include location information, it could be possible to target specific individuals, Keserű said. Location data can “expose sophisticated insights about people’s health status, through their visits to places like hospitals or abortions clinics,” Mozilla’s report said, adding that “companies like Google have been reported to keep such data even after promising to delete it.” A 2023 report by Duke University revealed that data brokers were selling sensitive data on individuals’ mental health conditions on the open market. While many brokers deleted personal identifiers, some provided names and addresses of individuals seeking mental health assistance, according to the report. In two public surveys conducted as part of the research, Keserű said, participants were outraged and felt exploited in scenarios where their health data were sold for a profit without their knowledge. “We need a new approach to our digital interactions that recognizes the fundamental rights of individuals to safeguard their bodily data, an issue that speaks directly to human autonomy and dignity,” Keserű said. “As technology continues to advance, it is critical that our laws and practices evolve to meet the unique challenges of this era.” Consumers often take part in these technologies without fully understanding the implications. Last month, Elon Musk suggested on X that users submit X-rays, PET scans, MRIs and other medical images to Grok, the platform’s artificial intelligence chatbot, to seek diagnoses. The issue alarmed privacy experts, but many X users heeded Musk’s call and submitted health information to the chatbot. While X’s privacy policy says that the company will not sell user data to third parties, it does share some information with certain business partners. Gaps in existing laws have allowed the widespread sharing of biometric and other body-related data. Health information provided to hospitals, doctor’s offices and medical insurance companies is protected from disclosure under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act , known as HIPAA, which established federal standards protecting such information from release without the patient’s consent. But health data collected by many wearable devices and health and wellness apps don’t fall under HIPAA’s umbrella, said Suzanne Bernstein, counsel at Electronic Privacy Information Center. “In the U.S. because we don’t have a comprehensive federal privacy law ... it falls to the state level,” she said. But not every state has weighed in on the issue. Washington, Nevada and Connecticut all recently passed laws to provide safeguards for consumer health data. Washington, D.C., in July introduced legislation that aimed to require tech companies to adhere to strengthened privacy provisions regarding the collection, sharing, use or sale of consumer health data. In California, the California Privacy Rights Act regulates how businesses can use certain types of sensitive information, including biometric information, and requires them to offer consumers the ability to opt out of disclosure of sensitive personal information. “This information being sold or shared with data brokers and other entities hypercharge the online profiling that we’re so used to at this point, and the more sensitive the data, the more sophisticated the profiling can be,” Bernstein said. “A lot of the sharing or selling with third parties is outside the scope of what a consumer would reasonably expect.” Health information has become a prime target for hackers seeking to extort healthcare agencies and individuals after accessing sensitive patient data. Health-related cybersecurity breaches and ransom attacks increased more than 4,000% between 2009 and 2023, targeting the booming market of body-centric data, which is expected to exceed $500 billion by 2030, according to the report. “Nonconsensual data sharing is a big issue,” Keserű said. “Even if it’s biometric data or health data, a lot of the companies are just sharing that data without you knowing, and that is causing a lot of anxiety and questions.” ©2024 Los Angeles Times. Visit at latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) — Clemson reserve guard Trent Howard will miss the 12th-ranked Tigers game with No. 16 South Carolina after tearing the ACL in his left knee at practice this week. Tigers coach Dabo Swinney announced Howard's injury Wednesday. The 6-foot-3, 295-pound fifth-year graduate has been a backup much of the season, but had to step into a starter's role due to injuries along Clemson's offensive line. “My heart breaks for him,” Swinney said. Howard came in on the second snap in a 24-20 win at Pitt two games ago when lineman Elyjah Thurmon was hurt on the first play. Thurmon had an ankle injury that required surgery and will not return this season. Howard got his fourth career start last Saturday in a 51-14 win over The Citadel. and was in line for another if injured starter Marcus Tate was unable to go after missing the past three games. Howard was listed as a backup at both right and left guard on this week's depth chart. The Tigers (9-2) face the rival Gamecocks (8-3) on Saturday. —- Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Haiti’s health minister has been removed from his post following a deadly gang attack on the largest public hospital in the capital, Port-au-Prince , government officials said Thursday. According to two government officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the subject, Health Minister Duckenson Lorthe will be replaced by Justice Minister Patrick Pelissier until a new health minister is found. Two journalists and a police officer were killed Tuesday as gang members burst into the General Hospital and fired indiscriminately at reporters who were there to cover the facility's reopening. It was one of the worst attacks on Haitian media in recent memory. Seven other journalists were wounded. Jean Feguens Regala, a photographer who survived the attack , said journalists had been invited to the hospital by the health ministry but there was little security at the site. “The fact that the minister of health invited us, you feel that preparations have been made already,” Regala told The Associated Press. “When we made contact with a police unit, the police told us they were not aware of the event." The health minister did not show up at the event, for reasons that have not been explained. Shortly after the attack, Johnson “Izo” André — considered Haiti’s most powerful gang leader and part of the Viv Ansanm group of gangs that has taken control of much of Port-au-Prince — posted a video on social media claiming responsibility for the attack. The video said the gang coalition had not authorized the hospital’s reopening. Gang violence has worsened in Haiti, with coordinated gang attacks on prisons, police stations and the main international airport crippling the country’s capital and plunging Haiti into an unprecedented crisis. Gangs are believed to control 85% of Port-au-Prince. The Caribbean country has struggled to organize an election that will restore democratic rule, and is currently governed by a transitional council made up of representatives of political parties, business groups and civil society organizations.Colorado’s Life Sciences Ecosystem Raised $2.15 Billion in 2024

Tri Pointe Homes, Inc. Announces $250 Million Stock Repurchase Program

The key to a brighter future is in our hands: let’s try to lift the veil and shed light on the dark areas together with our partners at the upcoming webinar. We will analyze the fascinating topic of facial recognition and its capabilities to effectively close the gaps between physical and digital security issues across various facilities, such as data centers, office spaces, and remote locations. Explore how facial recognition technology may help with handling sensitive data. During this webinar, we will focus on robust solutions for managing physical, digital, and remote access to ensure seamless security across diverse settings. – Discover how to address modern security challenges effectively – Learn about practical applications of facial biometrics in diverse environments – Gain insights into enhancing both security and operational efficiency – Explore strategies to protect sensitive data and critical assets has invited special guests from various industries to share their expertise in solving the problems they face every day and exchange ideas in order to better understand the challenges. | | | | | |

Stock market today: Wall Street rises with Nvidia as bitcoin bursts above $99,000Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) Market Analysis By Top Keyplayers - China CSSC Holdings Limited, KOTC ICT GROUP, STX SHIPBUILDING, Mitsui E&S Holdings Co.,Ltd., HYUNDAI SAMHO HEAVY INDUSTRIES CO.,LTD., Namura Shipbuilding, Samsung Heavy Industries, DSME 11-27-2024 08:38 PM CET | Advertising, Media Consulting, Marketing Research Press release from: Verified Market Reports The "Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) Market" is expected to reach USD xx.x billion by 2031, indicating a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of xx.x percent from 2024 to 2031. The market was valued at USD xx.x billion In 2023. Growing Demand and Growth Potential in the Global Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) Market, 2024-2031 Verified Market Research's most recent report, "Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2023-2030," provides an in-depth examination of the industry that includes insights into the market analysis. Along with competition and geographical research, the report also covers recent developments in the worldwide industry. The market for cosmetic packaging has been rising dramatically in recent years due to a variety of important factors, including rising product demand, a greater client base, and developments in technology. The market is thoroughly examined in this study, along with its size, trends, factors driving and impeding growth, competitive aspects, and potential for expansion. Download Full PDF Sample Copy of Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) Report @ https://www.verifiedmarketreports.com/download-sample/?rid=232632&utm_source=Openpr&utm_medium=210 Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) Market business report has been produced with a thorough grasp of the business environment that best fits the client's needs. This market analysis can also help businesses understand sustainability initiatives and financial growth. This report's explanation of market drivers and constraints helps readers understand how many factors might affect how much demand a given product has from consumers. All of the leading companies' and brands' company profiles are included in this market analysis. In-depth research and analysis are used to appropriately elaborate on each area in order to produce an accurate Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) Market survey report. Who is the largest manufacturers of Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) Market worldwide? China CSSC Holdings Limited KOTC ICT GROUP STX SHIPBUILDING Mitsui E&S Holdings Co. Ltd. HYUNDAI SAMHO HEAVY INDUSTRIES CO. LTD. Namura Shipbuilding Samsung Heavy Industries DSME Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) Market Segmentation Analysis Segmentation analysis involves dividing the market into distinct groups based on certain criteria such as type and application. This helps in understanding the market dynamics, targeting specific customer groups, and devising tailored marketing strategies. Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) Market By Type Energy Saving and Environmental Protection Type Regular Type Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) Market By Applications Crude Oil Transportation Refined Oil Transport Other Get Discount On The Purchase Of This Report @ https://www.verifiedmarketreports.com/ask-for-discount/?rid=232632&utm_source=Openpr&utm_medium=210 Detailed TOC of Global Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) Market Research Report, 2023-2030 1. Introduction of the Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) Market ►Overview of the Market ►Scope of Report ►Assumptions 2. Executive Summary 3. Research Methodology of Verified Market Reports ►Data Minin ►Validation ►Primary Interview ►List of Data Sources 4. Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) Market Outlook ►Overview ►Market Dynamics ►Drivers ►Restraints ►Opportunities ►Porters Five Force Model ►Value Chain Analysis 5. Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) Market, By Product 6. Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) Market, By Application 7. Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) Market, By Geography ►North America ►Europe ►Asia Pacific ►Rest of the World 8. Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) Market Competitive Landscape ►Overview ►Company Market Ranking ►Key Development Strategies 9. Company Profiles 10. Appendix For More Information or Query, Visit @ https://www.verifiedmarketreports.com/product/very-large-crude-carrier-vlcc-market/ Contact us: Mr. Edwyne Fernandes US: +1 (650)-781-4080 US Toll-Free: +1 (800)-782-1768 About Us: Verified Market Reports Verified Market Reports is a leading Global Research and Consulting firm servicing over 5000+ global clients. We provide advanced analytical research solutions while offering information-enriched research studies. We also offer insights into strategic and growth analyses and data necessary to achieve corporate goals and critical revenue decisions. Our 250 Analysts and SMEs offer a high level of expertise in data collection and governance using industrial techniques to collect and analyze data on more than 25,000 high-impact and niche markets. Our analysts are trained to combine modern data collection techniques, superior research methodology, expertise, and years of collective experience to produce informative and accurate research. This release was published on openPR.

AP Sports SummaryBrief at 6:49 p.m. EST

AP News Summary at 4:09 p.m. ESTLiverpool is 100% on top of the Champions League after dumping title holder Real Madrid into an almost unbelievable 24th place in the 36-team standings on Wednesday. No one felt the embarrassment of Madrid’s 2-0 loss at Anfield more than Kylian Mbappé, the superstar added in the offseason by the storied club that also was European champion against Liverpool in the finals of 2022 and 2018. Mbappé had a penalty saved in the second half and was earlier dumped on his behind by Conor Bradley’s superb tackle in an instant viral moment. Only Liverpool has started the new Champions League format with five wins and first-year coach Arne Slot's team is two points clear of Inter Milan. Barcelona is third, trailing Liverpool by three points. Madrid is, remarkably, with three rounds left just one place above being eliminated. The top eight teams at the end of January go direct to the round of 16 in March, and teams placed from ninth to 24th enter a round of two-leg playoffs in February. “(This) doesn’t change much, because even with a win it was going to be tough to secure a top-eight finish,” Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said. ”It was a fair result." Monaco missed a chance to go second in the table, giving up a lead playing with 10 men from the 58th minute in a 3-2 loss at home to Benfica. Swiss forward Zeki Amdouni scored the winning goal in the 88th. Borussia Dortmund, the beaten finalist against Madrid in May, is up to fourth place after beating Dinamo Zagreb 3-0. Champions League standout Jamie Gittens now has four goals in five games, curling a rising shot in the 41st to open the scoring in Croatia. The best comeback was at PSV Eindhoven, where the home team trailed Shakhtar Donetsk by two goals in the 87th minute before a 3-2 win was sealed by United States forward Ricardo Pepi’s goal deep in stoppage time. US defender Cameron Carter-Vickers scored an embarrassing own goal for Celtic — playing a no-look pass far beyond goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel — in a 1-1 draw with Club Brugge. “One of those things,” Schmeichel said. “Cam gets pressed and he hasn’t heard me shout that I’m not in (goal).” Congo teammates Ngal’Ayel Mukau and Silas impressed in wins for Lille and Red Star Belgrade. Mukau scored twice in 12th-place Lille’s 2-1 win at Bologna and Silas leveled for Red Star in a 5-1 rout of Stuttgart, though he barely celebrated his goal. Silas is on loan with the Serbian champion from Stuttgart. Aston Villa's 0-0 draw with Juventus was preserved by an excellent save by Emiliano Martinez , the World Cup-winning Argentina goalkeeper, diving low to push away a header from Francisco Conceição. Liverpool’s stand-in right back Bradley was a standout Wednesday, denying Mbappé at high speed in a signature defensive play in the 32nd. The 21-year-old Northern Ireland defender, deputizing for fit-again Trent Alexander-Arnold, joined the attack in the 52nd to play a key pass returning the ball to Alexis Mac Allister who scored the opening goal. After Mbappé’s penalty was pushed away by goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher in the 61st, Liverpool star Mo Salah missed with his spot-kick in the 70th, before substitute Cody Gakpo sealed the win with a header in the 77th. Madrid now has lost three of five games after defeats at Lille and at home to AC Milan. The record 15-time European champion has another tough trip next, at fifth-place Atalanta on Dec. 10. On the same date, Liverpool is at 30th-place Girona and looks to be cruising into the round of 16. “You know how special it is to play against a team that has won the Champions League so many times," Liverpool coach Slot said of Madrid. “They were a pain for Liverpool for many years too.” Red Star Belgrade and Sturm Graz ended four-game losing runs to get their first points and wins. Red Star rallied against Stuttgart after the German team led in the fifth minute. The 1991 European Cup winner’s goal to level the game in the 12th was scored by on-loan Silas. He held up his hands as if in apology as part of a low-key celebration. Sturm Graz won 1-0 against Girona, the Spanish newcomer to European competitions. It was the Austrian champion’s first Champions League game since coach Christian Ilzer left to join Hoffenheim. AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccerFederal Reserve Chair Jerome Powel l adopted a hawkish stance during his Wednesday press conference after the December Fed meeting, sparking a market bloodbath as the New York session headed to the close. Although the Federal Reserve lowered interest rates by 0.25% to a range of 4.25%-4.5%, as widely anticipated, the updated economic projections suggest just two potential rate cuts in 2025 — down from four projected in September and fewer than the three anticipated by markets before the meeting. Powell described the shift as “a new phase” for monetary policy, emphasizing that after 100 basis points of rate cuts in 2024, rates are now significantly closer to a neutral stance. Stocks tumbled across the board, the U.S. dollar soared to two-year highs and Bitcoin BTC/USD cratered over 5%, as investors digested the reality of a shift in the monetary policy stance by the Federal Reserve. The CBOE Volatility Index, known as the VIX and Wall Street’s fear gauge, skyrocketed 58% to 25, reflecting a spike in investor uncertainty and heightened anxiety over the future of interest rates. Wall Street Wipeout: Major Indices Slammed The Dow Jones Industrial Average, as tracked by the SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF DIA , dropped 1,123 points, falling 2.6% to close at 42,326, marking its worst one-day drop since September 2022. Amazon.com Inc. AMZN recorded the worst performance among blue-chip stocks, down 4.6%. The S&P 500 index — tracked by the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust SPY — fell 178 points, down 2.9% to 5,872, also marking its worst day since September 2022. Paycom Software Inc. PAYC was the major laggard within the S&P 500, down 10%. The tech-heavy Nasdaq 100, tracked by the Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 QQQ , experienced an even sharper drop of 3.6%, closing at 21,209 as interest rate-sensitive technology stocks took a beating. Tesla Inc. TSLA tumbled 8.1%, marking the worst performance within the Nasdaq 100. Every Magnificent Seven company ended the day in the red, collectively erasing more than $600 billion in market value on Wednesday. Small caps in the Russell 2000 posted the steepest losses, plummeting 4.7% to 2,225. With Wednesday’s move, the iShares Russell 2000 ETF IWM has fully erased the post-election rally. All major U.S. equity sectors finished in the red. Consumer Discretionary stocks suffered the most, plunging 4.5%, followed by Real Estate, which dropped 4% as rising rates weigh heavily on growth-oriented and interest-rate-sensitive industries. Technology, the largest sector by market capitalization, fell 3.2%, with chipmakers and software companies bearing the brunt of the selloff. Communications and Materials both declined 2.9%, while Financials dropped 3%, reflecting pressure across cyclical areas of the market. Even traditionally defensive sectors failed to escape the selloff. Utilities and Consumer Staples fell 2.4% and 1.5%, respectively. Dollar Surges To 2-Year Highs, Hammers Gold And Bitcoin The U.S. dollar emerged as the day's clear winner, with the dollar index (DXY), followed by the Invesco DB USD Index Bullish Fund ETF UUP , climbing 1.2% to reach its highest level since November 2022. As the greenback rallied, gold failed to provide a safe haven, falling 2.1% to $2,580 per ounce, while silver dropped 3.5%. Risk-off sentiment extended into alternative assets. Bitcoin plunged 5.5%, trading just above $101,500. During the press conference, Powell was asked whether the U.S. government should consider building a strategic reserve of Bitcoin. Powell quickly dismissed the idea, making it clear that such a move is not on the Fed’s radar. "We're not allowed to own Bitcoin," Powell said, emphasizing the legal and structural limitations of the Federal Reserve. "The Federal Reserve Act dictates what we can own, and we're not seeking any changes to that law." Read Next: Fed Slashes Interest Rates By 0.25% As Predicted: December Dot Plot Flags Only 2 Potential Cuts In 2025 Illustration generated with AI via Dall-E. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

poLight ASA to Sponsor, Speak and Exhibit Tunable Optics Advancements at SPIE AR|VR|MR 2025past behavior is now coming back to haunt him. In a recent sneak preview of the new A&E show, “Interrogation Raw: Celebrity Under Oath,” the Chicago rapper is seen butting heads with an attorney during a June 2021 deposition that was done over Zoom. In the clip, Michael Popok, one of the attorneys on the call notices that Ye is on his phone and asks him to not be on it during the legal procedure. In response, he says, “Due to my mental geniusness, in order to focus on this bullshit I need to be on a phone.” West’s attorneys then step in and try to convince their client to get off his phone and pay attention during the call. After accepting to get off the phone, he then takes off the hat he’s wearing and puts on a mask. When questioned why he was wearing the mask, the Chicago rapper states, “Because you don’t have the right to see my face.” Things get even more heated between Ye and Popok in another clip when he asks the “ ” rapper what room he’s in. A frustrated Kanye replies, “I’m not gonna tell you! You never gonna see me again!” Popok then asks if there’s anyone in the room with him and if there are any other items with him. Ye then says, “Are you stupid?! I’m not gonna tell you other things. I don’t have time to be talking about, ‘I got a chair in the room.’ You are talking to the richest Black person in the history of America!” The deposition was part of , who was accusing West of stealing technology from them for his popular Sunday Service show. They also claimed that he promised to invest nearly $10 million in the company and never did. Ye eventually settled with the company in September 2021, with both sides agreeing to a dismissal.

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 18, 2024-- Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA) announces the state’s life sciences ecosystem raised $2.15 billion in 2024, a 46% increase compared to 2023. Colorado, recognized as the Hub for Health Impact , has attracted close to $12 billion for life sciences research and development during the last eight years from public and private sources, as well as federal, state, and foundation grants. Colorado’s life sciences companies and organizations demonstrated fundraising strength throughout 2024, surging past $1 billion in the first two quarters of the year, according to CBSA data. The 2024 numbers mark the second time in a four-year period that funding totals have reached $2 billion. During the record fundraising of 2021, fueled by the pandemic, Colorado companies and organizations raised $2.4 billion. “Colorado BioScience Association applauds our ecosystem’s phenomenal fundraising success. Investors know there’s a unique and powerful convergence of world-changing technologies being developed in Colorado, with life sciences playing an interconnected role,” said Elyse Blazevich, President & CEO of Colorado BioScience Association. “Life sciences investors, companies, and talent are seeing and seizing the opportunities in Colorado because of our collaborative community, top-ranked talent, central location, robust infrastructure, reasonable costs, and unmatched quality of life. It’s no surprise Colorado now ranks in the top quintile for life sciences venture capital funding.” Colorado Life Sciences Financings: Eight-Year History Colorado’s life sciences fundraising is approaching close to $12 billion raised in the last eight years. 2024: $2.15B 2023: $1.47B 2022: $1.6B 2021: $2.4B 2020: $1.2B ($2.6B including Invitae acquisition of ArcherDX) 2019: $850M ($12.B including Pfizer acquisition of Array Biopharma) 2018: $1.0B 2017: $1.2B Funding Sources Colorado companies raised $818.5 million in public capital, a 64% increase compared to 2023 through post-IPO equity and debt, $445.0 million through mergers, acquisitions, and partnerships, and $383.0 million in private capital, primarily from venture funding. Private Capital $383.0M Pre-Seed/Seed $23.0M Series A + B $183.4M Series C, D + Later $146.4M Other $30.1M Underscoring the ecosystem’s maturity and growth, several high-profile Colorado companies recently announced clinical milestones, including Edgewise Therapeutics , Enveda , OnKure Therapeutics , and Umoja Biopharma . Federal Grants Federal funding provides critical capital for research and development at private companies and academic and research institutions, with grants from the National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation totaling $496.6 million. In many cases, the grant dollars are deployed through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. The University of Colorado System, Colorado State University, and National Jewish Health continue to rank as the state’s leading recipients of federal funding for life sciences research and development. State Grants The State of Colorado’s Office of Economic Development and International Trade awarded $5.5 million in Advanced Industries Accelerator Grants to life sciences companies and university researchers in 2024. “Thanks to critical funding from the state’s Advanced Industries Accelerator Grant Program, Colorado companies and researchers are advancing technologies that will revolutionize health and care,” said Blazevich. “CBSA is fighting to preserve this program from projected state budget cuts in 2025, because it saves and changes lives with breakthroughs developed here in Colorado. The program provides significant return on investment to the state, attracting $2.9 billion in follow-on capital for Colorado’s advanced industries since 2016 and creating more than 5,000 jobs.” Colorado’s life sciences community makes a vital contribution to health innovation for patients and the state’s economy, providing mission-driven, high-paying jobs to more than 41,000 Coloradans, according to new data from BIO . The $52.9 billion in economic impact by Colorado’s life sciences ecosystem generates tax dollars, funds critical infrastructure and education, and supports families and communities. CBSA compiles and analyzes annual life sciences financings using publicly available sources, including company news releases, media reports, SEC filings, federal and state databases, as well as Crunchbase. Connect with CBSA: Twitter/X , Facebook and LinkedIn About Colorado BioScience Association Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA) creates co-opportunity for the Colorado life sciences community. CBSA champions a collaborative life sciences ecosystem and advocates for a supportive business climate. From concept to commercialization, member companies and organizations drive global health innovations, products, and services that improve and save lives. The association leads Capital and Growth, Education and Networking, Policy and Advocacy, and Workforce Cultivation to make its members stronger, together. Learn more: cobioscience.com View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241218192950/en/ CONTACT: Media Contact:Sheliah Reynolds Primavera Group for Colorado BioScience Association (720) 289-4739 sheliah@theprimaveragroup.com KEYWORD: COLORADO UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: RESEARCH FINANCE PUBLIC POLICY/GOVERNMENT CLINICAL TRIALS PROFESSIONAL SERVICES BIOTECHNOLOGY HEALTH STATE/LOCAL SCIENCE SOURCE: Colorado BioScience Association Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/18/2024 04:41 PM/DISC: 12/18/2024 04:40 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241218192950/en Copyright Business Wire 2024.

Walmart is still rolling out plenty of big TV deals for the holidays, including a major discount on this 75-inch VIZIO 4K Limited-Edition UHD Smart TV model. The 75-inch VIZIO 4K Limited-Edition UHD LED HDR TV is now on sale for $478, instead of $598, for a savings of $120. This $120 markdown drops this massive 75-inch VIZIO TV under $480, which is a super-low sale price for this large of a screen size. Walmart is also offering this TV deal with free next-day delivery, so you’ll have this gift under the tree ASAP. With the 75-inch VIZIO 4K UHD Smart TV , you’ll be able to take advantage of Dolby Vision Bright+ technology for a brighter picture color and more image detail. Plus, the Dolby Audio sound quality with spatial audio complements the 4K UHD resolution for a theater-like viewing experience. The TV also has VIZIO Home integrated so you can manage your favorite streaming apps, watch tons of free TV channels and take advantage of more viewing options. It’s also Wi-Fi 6 compatible for faster streaming and gaming with voice control offered through the VIZIO app. Shop for this 75-inch VIZIO 4K UHD LED HDR TV deal at Walmart here. Walmart TV Deals You can also check out more TVs on sale from Walmart for the holidays, including these top offers: TCL 55” Class S4 4K UHD HDR LED Roku TV for $228, instead of $348 Hisense 75′′ Class 4K UHD LED LCD Roku TV for $478, instead of $698 SAMSUNG 65” Class DU6900 Crystal UHD 4K Smart TV for $378, instead of $470 LG 55′′ Class 4K UHD OLED Web OS Smart TV for $798, instead of $1,199 Find even more smart TV markdowns at Walmart here. The Best Deals in December Kate Spade Outlet has handbags up to 79% off with an extra discount on top styles — and you can still get them by Christmas Canada Goose jackets are up to 20% off at Gilt, but this luxury outerwear sale will be gone in a flash UGG has its famous boots and slippers on sale for 30% off with delivery still available by Christmas Amazon has this enormous 98-inch QLED 4K UHD TV on sale for an unbelievable 50% off just before Christmas Amazon has the latest GoPro HERO13 camera on sale for 25% off — and its even cheaper than Black Friday Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com . Dawn Magyar can be reached at dmagyar@njadvancemedia.com . Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips/ .GitHub today announced GitHub Copilot Free, a free new tier of GitHub Copilot that integrates directly with Visual Studio Code. “Now automatically integrated into VS Code, all of you have access to 2,000 code completions and 50 chat messages per month, simply by signing in with your personal GitHub account,” . “Copilot Free gives you the choice between Anthropic’s Claude 3.5 Sonnet or OpenAI’s GPT-4o model. You can ask a coding question, explain existing code, or have it find a bug. You can execute edits across multiple files. And you can access Copilot’s third-party agents or build your own extension.” Sign up for our new free newsletter to get three time-saving tips each Friday — get free copies of Paul Thurrott's Windows 11 and Windows 10 Field Guides (normally $9.99) as a special welcome gift! , it appears that the main limitation of GitHub Copilot Free when compared to the free versions is usage-based: Where GitHub Copilot Pro, Business, and Enterprise all offer unlimited messages, interactions, and real-time code suggestions each month, the free version tops out at 50 messages and interactions, and 2000 code suggestions per month. It also doesn’t offer pull request, issue, and discussion summaries, and some other high-end features. But the basics are all there: You can use different models, tailor the chat to your codebase, integrate with unlimited GitHub Copilot extensions, build your own private extensions, access core features like chat and prompt suggestions, and get code feedback in Visual Studio Code. : With this, GitHub Copilot becomes a core part of the Visual Studio Code experience. . Paul Thurrott is an award-winning technology journalist and blogger with 30 years of industry experience and the author of 30 books. He is the owner of and the host of three tech podcasts: with Leo Laporte and Richard Campbell, , and with Brad Sams. He was formerly the senior technology analyst at Windows IT Pro and the creator of the SuperSite for Windows from 1999 to 2014 and the Major Domo of Thurrott.com while at BWW Media Group from 2015 to 2023. You can reach Paul via , or . Join the crowd where the love of tech is real - become a Thurrott Premium Member today! Sign up for our new free newsletter to get three time-saving tips each Friday