safari slot game online Anchored by next-generation IBM Quantum System Two in Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park, new initiative will advance useful quantum applications as industries move towards quantum-centric supercomputing YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, N.Y. and CHICAGO , Dec. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, IBM (NYSE: IBM ) and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker announced a collaboration to establish the new National Quantum Algorithm Center in the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP) in Chicago . Anchored by IBM and other quantum computing pioneers including the University of Chicago and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign , the center will be fueled by IBM's next-generation quantum computer, IBM Quantum System Two, which the company plans to deploy in Chicago in the coming year. IBM Quantum System Two within the IQMP will be powered by IBM Quantum Heron, which can execute utility-scale algorithms beyond the capabilities of brute-force, classical simulation methods. Users will be able to leverage this system with Qiskit, IBM's performant quantum software, which is designed to be able to extend the length and complexity of quantum circuits to extract accurate results for problems of scientific and research value. These capabilities will enable Illinois' growing ecosystem of quantum innovators across academia, national labs, and industries to discover how quantum-centric supercomputing could be used for complex industry challenges. As the next evolution of high-performance computing, IBM's vision of quantum-centric supercomputing will integrate quantum and classical computers with performant software to break apart problems, allowing each architecture to solve parts of a complex algorithm for which it is best suited. Ultimately, this is engineered for users to run applications that are inaccessible or difficult for each computing paradigm on its own. "We are proud of the progress we have made to bring useful quantum technology to the world, and this new partnership with the State of Illinois and its thriving innovation ecosystem brings us one step closer to defining the future of computing," said Arvind Krishna , Chairman and CEO, IBM . "With IBM's best performing quantum hardware and software in the heart of Illinois' innovation network, together we can truly unlock the potential of quantum computing to solve the world's hardest problems." "We're making Illinois the global quantum capital and the center for job growth in the quantum industry – a true center of innovation with the power to solve the world's most pressing and complex challenges and create jobs and investment for our state," said Governor JB Pritzker. "The groundbreaking National Quantum Algorithm Center in Illinois represents a transformative step forward, whose impact will reverberate throughout the tech industry and beyond. I'm grateful to the leadership at IBM and our university and other industry partners for their ongoing efforts to accelerate quantum computing across our state." Within the National Quantum Algorithm Center, quantum information experts, experimentalists, and domain experts across industries will share a unified objective to uncover yet unknown algorithms that leverage quantum-centric computing, including those which combine quantum and classical supercomputing resources across workflows. These teams will explore rigorous experimentation to determine how to execute workloads for complex, industry challenges and within future hybrid supercomputing architectures. To help drive new algorithm discovery, IBM will leverage its leadership as a pioneer in bringing useful quantum computing to the world with its existing relationships with Illinois academic and industry leaders, including long-standing collaborations with the University of Chicago , the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign , and members of the Chicago Quantum Exchange and the U.S. Economic Development Administration-designated Bloch Quantum Technology Hub. "IBM's decision to engage more deeply with our vibrant Illinois quantum ecosystem marks a new phase in the development of quantum information technologies," said Paul Alivisatos , President of the University of Chicago . "UChicago faculty and students will be able to deepen and expand their work in this area in collaboration with IBM scientists, colleagues from other universities, and many interested companies. The development of new algorithms is the next step to demonstrating effective quantum computations across a wide range of important problems and sectors." "We're thrilled to partner with IBM to bring the National Quantum Algorithm Center to life and look forward to hosting its state-of-the-art Quantum Computer as part of the IQMP," said Harley Johnson , Director and CEO of the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park, and Founder Professor in Mechanical Science and Engineering, U. of I . "The IQMP is building upon Illinois' strong existing ecosystem of top-tier talent, research centers, universities and more to further establish our state as a global hub for quantum, and all of the economic growth and technological advancement that comes with it. The National Quantum Algorithm Center will be a place where innovators can realize the potential quantum computing holds to solve some of our most complex problems, and we're grateful to have IBM as a part of our campus." "The great promise of quantum innovation is being realized through powerful partnerships with industry leaders like IBM connecting further to our universities, national labs, and state government," said Rashid Bashir , Dean of The Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign . "Our collaborative ecosystem is perfectly positioned to lead the National Quantum Algorithm Center through world-renowned faculty and students, and an entrepreneurial spirit that answers the most pressing questions of our time." "The announcement of the National Quantum Algorithm Center in collaboration with IBM and some of our brightest higher education institutions is a pivotal moment in Illinois' trajectory toward becoming a world leader in quantum research and development," said John Atkinson , Chairman of Intersect Illinois. "Thanks to the planning, foresight and execution of our Team Illinois partners — including Governor JB Pritzker and his administration, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the state's unmatched quantum ecosystem — we are well positioned to ensure the investment and job creation generated by this industry stays right here in Illinois ." About IBM IBM is a leading provider of global hybrid cloud and AI, and consulting expertise. We help clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs and gain the competitive edge in their industries. More than 4,000 government and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare rely on IBM's hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to affect their digital transformations quickly, efficiently and securely. IBM's breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and consulting deliver open and flexible options to our clients. All of this is backed by IBM's long-standing commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity and service. Visit ibm.com for more information. Media Contact Chris Nay IBM Research cnay@us.ibm.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2580135/Quantum_System_2_Banner.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2580191/Quantum_Heron156.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2319830/IBM_LOGO_1.jpg

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LOS ANGELES, Dec. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Crown Electrokinetics Corp. (NASDAQ: CRKN) ("Crown" or the "Company”), a leading provider of innovative technology infrastructure solutions that benefit communities and the environment, today provided a letter to shareholders from its CEO and Chairman, Doug Croxall. Dear Fellow Shareholders, As 2024 comes to a close, I want to reflect on Crown’s accomplishments this year and share our vision for the year ahead. It has been a transformative year for Crown, as we have evolved into a rapidly growing public conglomerate with three diversified divisions: Smart Windows, Fiber Optics, and Water Solutions. This year, we made significant operational progress, achieving key milestones that position Crown for continued growth and success. We expanded our presence across eight U.S. states and two countries, building a robust platform to address critical infrastructure and technology challenges. We are on track to deliver $20 million in revenue for 2024, which is all the more impressive given it was primarily generated in the final three quarters. This achievement reflects our progress and the strong demand for our innovative technology infrastructure solutions. Financially, we are well-positioned to achieve profitability in the first half of 2025, even as we continue to invest strategically in our growth plans. Crown has actively raised capital recently to execute those expansion plans and will close the year with record levels of cash in hand and minimal debt. This achievement reflects our disciplined approach to building a healthy balance sheet and implementing the structure required to support both near-term objectives and long-term expansion. We share in your frustration that our market value, trading at approximately our current cash value, does not yet reflect either Crown’s recent achievements or its immense future potential. However, we remain confident that this disparity will correct itself as we build a company that delivers meaningful impact, sustainable growth, and shareholder value. To ensure we maintain our listing status, we have filed our appeal with NASDAQ and expect to go before the hearing committee likely in early February. We will provide timely updates as they become available to Crown. In preparation, we have filed a Proxy Statement ahead of the Special Meeting on January 14th and are requesting approval to execute a reverse stock split to maintain bid-price compliance. We strongly urge our shareholders to favorably vote their approximately 64 million voting shares, and to provide Crown with the flexibility and financial strength needed to continue delivering against our growth plans. 2024 Division Highlights Smart Windows Fiber Optics Water Solutions Slant Wells Lead Pipes: Element 82 & PE Pipelines 2025 Outlook As we look ahead to 2025, Crown is stronger, more focused, and better positioned than ever to capitalize on new opportunities. With momentum across our three divisions, we are committed to achieving profitability in the first half of 2025, expanding our footprint to meet increasing demand, and delivering innovative infrastructure solutions that address critical challenges. Our team of industry experts, with a desire to change the status quo through innovation, is growing rapidly. As we scale, we are actively refining our business processes to align with our growing operations while maintaining agility and focus. Looking ahead, we provided full year 2025 revenue guidance between $30 million and $35 million, underscoring the expected strength of our business to come. To our shareholders, thank you for your trust and confidence as we continue to execute our vision. While our stock price does not yet reflect the intrinsic value of Crown, we remain focused on building a company that delivers meaningful impact, sustainable growth, and shareholder value. Approving the proposed reverse stock split is a critical step in strengthening our position to meet listing requirements, attract new investors, and enhance financial flexibility. Your support is vital to driving Crown’s long-term success and unlocking its full potential. We’re excited for 2025 and look forward to updating you on our progress regularly. Sincerely, Doug Croxall CEO and Chairman, Crown Special Meeting of Stockholders The Company will host a Special Meeting of Stockholders on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Holders of record of Crown’s Common Stock as of the close of business on December 16, 2024, will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the Special Meeting. Additional information regarding the Special Meeting, including how to vote, are available via proxy materials filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), and can be found at https://ir.crownek.com/sec-filings . About Crown Crown (Nasdaq: CRKN) is an innovative infrastructure solutions provider dedicated to benefiting communities and the environment. Comprised of three business divisions, Smart Windows, Fiber Optics, and Water Solutions, Crown is developing and delivering cutting edge solutions that are challenging the status quo and redefining industry standards. For more information, please visit www.crownek.com . Forward Looking Statements Certain statements in this news release may be "forward-looking statements" (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) regarding future events or Crown’s future financial performance that involve certain contingencies and uncertainties, including those discussed in Crown’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and subsequent reports Crown files with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time, in the sections entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” . Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements that express our intentions, beliefs, expectations, strategies, predictions, or any other statements relating to our future activities or other future events or conditions. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about our business based, in part, on assumptions made by management. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may, and are likely to, differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this news release and Crown Electrokinetic Corporation undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this news release. This press release does not constitute a public offer of any securities for sale. Any securities offered privately will not be or have not been registered under the Act and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements. For more information, please contact: Investor Relations ir@crownek.com Public Relations pr@crownek.comSome prominent critics of President-elect Donald Trump - including three officials in his first administration - are instructing their accountants to safeguard against the possibility of Trump ordering investigations into their tax records after he returns to the White House, according to interviews with Reuters. Several American administrations in the 20th century misused the Internal Revenue Service, the US tax collection agency, to target opponents by ordering audits of their tax filings, historians say. Six Trump critics, including two national security officials and one CIA officer in his first administration, told Reuters they fear a malicious IRS audit. Five are taking protective measures in response to the former president’s vows to seek retribution against perceived enemies. “We are going through our finances with a fine-tooth comb,” one of the former national security officials told Reuters. On the campaign trail Trump repeatedly called for the prosecution of perceived enemies, including Democratic President Joe Biden and his family, prosecutors who brought criminal cases against him while he was out of power, and former intelligence officials who investigated alleged ties between his 2016 election campaign and Russia. This week Trump filed a lawsuit against the Des Moines Register newspaper and its former top pollster, alleging interference in the November 5 election. While Trump has not spoken publicly about using the IRS as an instrument of revenge, Mark Zaid, a whistleblower attorney representing two of the Trump critics who spoke to Reuters, said many such clients fear that they could be targeted by the IRS with groundless audits. Even if no issue is found with their taxes, he said, an audit would force them to spend money on legal and accounting fees and stress them emotionally. A Trump spokesman referred Reuters to an interview that aired on NBC’s Meet the Press on December 8. ‘They went after me’ Asked if he wants to see investigations of his political enemies, Trump told the interviewer: “No, I don’t think so.” He then added: “If they were crooked, if they did something wrong, if they have broken the law, probably. They went after me. You know, they went after me and I did nothing wrong.” Since he won the election, Trump has been less vocal about going after his enemies. He has not named any of the individuals who spoke to Reuters. The critics Reuters interviewed spoke on the condition of anonymity. They fear that talking publicly will make them more likely to be targeted. Another of the former national security officials told Reuters they have directed their accountant that there can be no “gray areas” in their tax returns and they must be audit-proof. A Republican strategist said he and his accountant are in negotiations with the IRS over more than $100,000 in back taxes. “We are hoping to settle with the IRS before Trump takes office,” the strategist told Reuters. Fifteen other prominent Trump critics did not respond to interview requests or declined to be interviewed. They include two senior officials in Democratic president Barack Obama’s administration, former CIA director John Brennan and former director of national intelligence James Clapper, and former Republican congresswoman Liz Cheney. Brennan headed the CIA during an intelligence community investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election that concluded in a January 2017 report that the effort was aimed at swaying the vote to Trump. A 2018 bipartisan Senate intelligence committee report and Special Counsel Robert Mueller in 2019 reached similar conclusions and found contacts between Trump campaign aides and Russian officials. Both probes, however, found that the campaign did not conspire in Moscow’s interference operations. Last year, Trump reposted on his Truth Social platform a fabricated image of Brennan, Clapper and others behind bars with a caption suggesting they be tried for treason. Cheney was vice-chair of the congressional committee that investigated the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol by Trump supporters and voted to impeach the former president. During the election, she campaigned for his opponent, Vice-President Kamala Harris. In a post on his Truth Social site last Wednesday, Trump said the FBI should investigate Cheney for her role in the January 6 investigation. “Liz Cheney could be in a lot of trouble.” A spokesperson for Cheney did not respond to requests for comment. ComplexThe US has one of the most complex tax systems in the world. But, in general, tax audits are rare. For all returns filed for tax years 2013 through 2021, the most recent long-term data available, the IRS audited just 0.44% of individual returns. An audit typically requires a taxpayer to produce receipts, bank statements or other documents and can involve costly accountants’ fees. A major audit can last months and even years with the possibility of a fine. In extremely rare cases - less than 400 in 2023 - people can be jailed for wilful criminal tax evasion. The IRS said in a statement to Reuters that they operated without political bias. “Audits and collections are handled by career, non-partisan civil servants, and the IRS has safeguards in place to protect the exam and collection process,” the IRS said. Three of those who told Reuters they were worried about the prospect of heightened IRS scrutiny of their finances cited the cases of former FBI director James Comey and his deputy Andrew McCabe, who were selected for the most intrusive type of examination, called a National Research Program audit. “Would I be surprised if I got an IRS audit? No.” said the former CIA official. The FBI leaders infuriated Trump during his first term over their handling of the Russia investigation. In his first term Trump repeatedly called both men corrupt and said they should be investigated. In June 2024, Trump reposted a warning by his former White House advisor Steve Bannon that McCabe should be worried about being targeted if Trump wins re-election. Comey was subjected to an IRS audit in 2019, when Trump was still in office. McCabe was audited in 2021, after Trump left office, but when the IRS was still under the leadership of Trump’s choice to head the agency, according to The New York Times. The audits concluded that the IRS owed Comey and his wife $347, according to The New York Times. McCabe and his wife owed a small amount, which they paid, The Times reported. A 2022 IRS inspector general’s report cleared the IRS of wrongdoing in the Comey and McCabe audits. The IRS is barred by law from discussing individual audits. Nixon and the IRS Several previous US administrations have used the IRS to seek retribution against political enemies, according to the 1989 book *A Law Unto Itself: Power, Politics, and the IRS, by former New York Times investigative journalist David Burnham, who died in October. Those presidents include Calvin Coolidge, a Republican, and Franklin Roosevelt, a Democrat. Richard Nixon, a Republican, also ordered the agency to audit people on his enemies’ list - but the IRS commissioner at the time refused, said Timothy Naftali, a historian and former director of the Nixon Presidential Library in California. “There’s certainly a lot of people in the Nixon era who were quite convinced that Nixon had audited them,” Naftali said. Brian Davis, an accountant in Virginia who has handled audits for clients, said under US laws put in place after Nixon left office a president cannot directly order an audit. However, “the fact that Comey and McCabe got those audits, it certainly raised some questions,” he added. Comey and McCabe declined requests for interviews. Jamie Raskin, a senior House Democrat who was a lead prosecutor in Trump’s second impeachment, said many members of Congress are keeping a close eye on who Trump will target, and how. “Everybody is clearly following the various threats being levelled against private citizens and public officials,” Raskin said.

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Mumbai, the country’s biggest and most expensive property market, has set a new benchmark by recording the best-ever November performance in terms of registration of real estate deals and revenue collection through stamp duty charges. The country’s commercial capital has registered 10,200 property transactions during the month, up 5% from a year ago, while the exchequer has fetched 30% higher revenue worth Rs 924 crore through stamp duty collections, showed data from inspector general of registration, Maharashtra. “Mumbai’s property market continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience and adaptability to evolving buyer preferences. The increasing demand for premium properties and larger living spaces underscores a decisive shift towards quality, value, and long-term investment in the city’s ever-dynamic real estate landscape,” said Shishir Baijal, CMD, Knight Frank India. The sustained uptrend in the housing property market has pushed the cumulative registration numbers in the eleven months of 2024 to over 128,774 deals, marking a 12% year-on-year increase. Cumulative stamp duty collections too exceeded the Rs 11,000 crore milestone in November, marking the fastest growth in revenue from this segment for the state government. 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This consistent performance underscores Mumbai Metropolitan Region's position as a critical driver of India's real estate and economic landscape, in addition to driving the state’s revenues and economic stability,” said Boman Irani, president, CREDAI National. During the month, demand for higher-valued properties saw a significant increase, with properties priced at Rs 2 crore and above making up 23% of registrations, up from 17% the previous year. Transactions in this segment totalled to 2,328 properties. Meanwhile, the share of properties valued at less than Rs 50 lakhs dropped sharply, falling to 20% from 28% in November 2023. On a sequential basis, property registrations saw a decline of 21%, with revenue collections decreasing by 23%. This was attributed primarily to the seasonal surge observed in October, fuelled by the festive activities of Diwali and Navratri. The modest activity in November may also reflect a market pause following October’s robust performance. Residential properties accounted for 80% of total registrations in November. Apartments sized between 500 and 1,000 sq ft remained the most preferred, representing 48% of all registrations during the month. The share of larger apartments measuring 1,000 to 2,000 sq ft also rose from 8% to 14%, and those over 2,000 sq ft grew from 2% to 5%, reflecting a steady shift in buyer preference towards more spacious living spaces. Smaller units up to 500 sq ft saw a sharp decrease, from 47% to 33%. Nominations for ET MSME Awards are now open. The last day to apply is November 30, 2024. Click here to submit your entry for any one or more of the 22 categories and stand a chance to win a prestigious award. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )Officers investigating Louise Haigh's "stolen" phone believed a photo she submitted of the handset had been taken after the alleged theft, Sky News has been told. Two sources said after looking at metadata attached to the photo - information that often details when photos were captured - officers believed it had been taken after the date at which Ms Haigh alleged the phone had been stolen. Sources close to Ms Haigh did not respond when approached about the allegation. The Sheffield MP resigned as transport secretary on Friday after Sky News revealed she pleaded guilty and was convicted in 2014 in relation to an allegedly stolen phone. The conviction is believed to relate to fraud. The now former transport secretary claims the incident was a "genuine mistake" from which she did not benefit. However, Sky News has spoken to three sources who say the stolen phone report was pursued by Ms Haigh for her own personal gain. More on Labour Louise Haigh's resignation prompts internal Labour blame game How a mobile phone brought down a cabinet minister Heidi Alexander named new transport secretary after Louise Haigh's resignation over mobile phone guilty plea Related Topics: Labour Sky News had also spoken to one source who alleged that the handset was used to call Ms Haigh's mother soon after the reported theft, but had been unable to verify the allegation. On Thursday night, Ms Haigh said the incident arose after she was "mugged while on a night out" in 2013. She said she reported the incident to the police and gave officers a list of items she believed had been taken - including a work mobile phone. However, in her statement to Sky News, she said she discovered "some time later" that "the mobile in question had not been taken". In the interim she was issued with another work phone. When she turned on the original work device, it "triggered police attention and I was asked to come in for questioning", she said. "My solicitor advised me not to comment during that interview and I regret following that advice," she added. "Under the advice of my solicitor I pleaded guilty - despite the fact this was a genuine mistake from which I did not make any gain. "The magistrates accepted all of these arguments and gave me the lowest possible outcome (a discharge) available." Be the first to get Breaking News Install the Sky News app for free It is understood Ms Haigh believes she disclosed the incident in full when she was appointed to the shadow cabinet in 2020. However, Downing Street said on Friday that Ms Haigh resigned after "new information" emerged, but declined to say officially if the prime minister knew about the conviction when he appointed his cabinet in July. On Friday, a source told Sky News' political editor Beth Rigby that the story that emerged on Thursday was "inconsistent" with what Sir Keir had been told when Ms Haigh was appointed to his shadow cabinet. Follow our channel and never miss an update. It is understood the prime minister was "not able to square the circle" and as a result the cabinet minister was advised to resign. Friends of Ms Haigh insist she shared the "full facts" of the conviction and that Sir Keir "had expressed sympathy that police had taken the decision to prosecute her".

Alison McConnell: Scotland must step up after uninspiring Euro 25 playoff first legCion investment's co-CEO Michael Reisner buys $4,999 in stockAnchored by next-generation IBM Quantum System Two in Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park, new initiative will advance useful quantum applications as industries move towards quantum-centric supercomputing YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, N.Y. and CHICAGO , Dec. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, IBM (NYSE: IBM ) and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker announced a collaboration to establish the new National Quantum Algorithm Center in the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP) in Chicago . Anchored by IBM and other quantum computing pioneers including the University of Chicago and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign , the center will be fueled by IBM's next-generation quantum computer, IBM Quantum System Two, which the company plans to deploy in Chicago in the coming year. IBM Quantum System Two within the IQMP will be powered by IBM Quantum Heron, which can execute utility-scale algorithms beyond the capabilities of brute-force, classical simulation methods. Users will be able to leverage this system with Qiskit, IBM's performant quantum software, which is designed to be able to extend the length and complexity of quantum circuits to extract accurate results for problems of scientific and research value. These capabilities will enable Illinois' growing ecosystem of quantum innovators across academia, national labs, and industries to discover how quantum-centric supercomputing could be used for complex industry challenges. As the next evolution of high-performance computing, IBM's vision of quantum-centric supercomputing will integrate quantum and classical computers with performant software to break apart problems, allowing each architecture to solve parts of a complex algorithm for which it is best suited. Ultimately, this is engineered for users to run applications that are inaccessible or difficult for each computing paradigm on its own. "We are proud of the progress we have made to bring useful quantum technology to the world, and this new partnership with the State of Illinois and its thriving innovation ecosystem brings us one step closer to defining the future of computing," said Arvind Krishna , Chairman and CEO, IBM . "With IBM's best performing quantum hardware and software in the heart of Illinois' innovation network, together we can truly unlock the potential of quantum computing to solve the world's hardest problems." "We're making Illinois the global quantum capital and the center for job growth in the quantum industry – a true center of innovation with the power to solve the world's most pressing and complex challenges and create jobs and investment for our state," said Governor JB Pritzker. "The groundbreaking National Quantum Algorithm Center in Illinois represents a transformative step forward, whose impact will reverberate throughout the tech industry and beyond. I'm grateful to the leadership at IBM and our university and other industry partners for their ongoing efforts to accelerate quantum computing across our state." Within the National Quantum Algorithm Center, quantum information experts, experimentalists, and domain experts across industries will share a unified objective to uncover yet unknown algorithms that leverage quantum-centric computing, including those which combine quantum and classical supercomputing resources across workflows. These teams will explore rigorous experimentation to determine how to execute workloads for complex, industry challenges and within future hybrid supercomputing architectures. To help drive new algorithm discovery, IBM will leverage its leadership as a pioneer in bringing useful quantum computing to the world with its existing relationships with Illinois academic and industry leaders, including long-standing collaborations with the University of Chicago , the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign , and members of the Chicago Quantum Exchange and the U.S. Economic Development Administration-designated Bloch Quantum Technology Hub. "IBM's decision to engage more deeply with our vibrant Illinois quantum ecosystem marks a new phase in the development of quantum information technologies," said Paul Alivisatos , President of the University of Chicago . "UChicago faculty and students will be able to deepen and expand their work in this area in collaboration with IBM scientists, colleagues from other universities, and many interested companies. The development of new algorithms is the next step to demonstrating effective quantum computations across a wide range of important problems and sectors." "We're thrilled to partner with IBM to bring the National Quantum Algorithm Center to life and look forward to hosting its state-of-the-art Quantum Computer as part of the IQMP," said Harley Johnson , Director and CEO of the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park, and Founder Professor in Mechanical Science and Engineering, U. of I . "The IQMP is building upon Illinois' strong existing ecosystem of top-tier talent, research centers, universities and more to further establish our state as a global hub for quantum, and all of the economic growth and technological advancement that comes with it. The National Quantum Algorithm Center will be a place where innovators can realize the potential quantum computing holds to solve some of our most complex problems, and we're grateful to have IBM as a part of our campus." "The great promise of quantum innovation is being realized through powerful partnerships with industry leaders like IBM connecting further to our universities, national labs, and state government," said Rashid Bashir , Dean of The Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign . "Our collaborative ecosystem is perfectly positioned to lead the National Quantum Algorithm Center through world-renowned faculty and students, and an entrepreneurial spirit that answers the most pressing questions of our time." "The announcement of the National Quantum Algorithm Center in collaboration with IBM and some of our brightest higher education institutions is a pivotal moment in Illinois' trajectory toward becoming a world leader in quantum research and development," said John Atkinson , Chairman of Intersect Illinois. "Thanks to the planning, foresight and execution of our Team Illinois partners — including Governor JB Pritzker and his administration, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the state's unmatched quantum ecosystem — we are well positioned to ensure the investment and job creation generated by this industry stays right here in Illinois ." About IBM IBM is a leading provider of global hybrid cloud and AI, and consulting expertise. We help clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs and gain the competitive edge in their industries. More than 4,000 government and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare rely on IBM's hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to affect their digital transformations quickly, efficiently and securely. IBM's breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and consulting deliver open and flexible options to our clients. All of this is backed by IBM's long-standing commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity and service. Visit ibm.com for more information. Media Contact Chris Nay IBM Research cnay@us.ibm.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ibm-and-state-of-illinois-to-build-national-quantum-algorithm-center-in-chicago-with-universities-and-industries-302330657.html SOURCE IBM

CALGARY, AB , Dec. 19, 2024 /CNW/ - Surge Energy Inc. ("Surge" or the "Company") SGY is pleased to announce that on December 19, 2024 (the "Closing"), the Company disposed of its gas weighted non-core assets in the Valhalla area of Alberta (the "Non-Core Assets") for cash proceeds of $9.5 million (the "Transaction"). Additionally, the purchaser has assumed all future abandonment and reclamation obligations ("ARO") pertaining to the Non-Core Assets. KEY HIGHLIGHTS INCREASED CORE AREA FOCUS - Surge's Sparky and SE Saskatchewan core areas have been independently evaluated as two of the top four crude oil plays in North America , based on per well payout economics 1 . Following the sale of the Non-Core Assets, Surge's conventional Sparky and SE Saskatchewan crude oil assets will now represent 90 percent of the Company's new 22,500 boe per day 2025 production guidance, and more than 95 percent of the Company's cash flow from operating activities. IMPROVED OPERATING NETBACKS AND INCREASED LIQUIDS WEIGHTING – Concurrent with the Closing of the Transaction, the Company anticipates that its operating netback 2 per boe will improve by approximately 4 percent. Net operating expenses 2 for 2025 are now forecast to decrease to $19.05 - $19.55 per boe, following the Transaction. Additionally, Surge's forecast 2025 liquids weighting increases from 87 percent to 91 percent, following the Transaction. NO IMPACT TO FREE CASH FLOW – Due to the significant gas weighting (55 percent natural gas), and accompanying low operating netback ( $4.70 per boe in Q3/24) associated with the Non-Core Assets, the Company does not anticipate any change to its previously forecast 2025 corporate free cash flow 2 of $85 million 3 . NON-CORE ASSET DISPOSITION Surge disposed of the Non-Core Assets on the Closing for cash consideration of $9.5 million . Additionally, the purchaser has assumed all ARO pertaining to the Non-Core Assets. Estimated 2025 production from the Non-Core Assets was forecast to be approximately 1,250 boe/d, with a gas weighting of 55 percent. Over the past four years, Surge has been highly focused on developing its core Sparky and SE Saskatchewan crude oil assets. As such, the Non-Core Assets have been undercapitalized within the Company's high-quality, conventional crude oil asset portfolio. Proceeds from the Transaction bring forward approximately 10 years of future undiscounted free cash flow that the Non-Core Assets would have generated. At current strip crude oil prices, Surge anticipates allocating the net proceeds from the Transaction to additional share buy backs, and further reductions of net debt. Based on better than expected drilling results in 2H 2024, Surge's current production rate following the Closing of the Transaction exceeds 22,500 boepd (91% liquids). ________________________________ 1 As per Peters Oil & Gas Plays Update from January 16, 2024: North American Oil and Natural Gas Plays – Half Cycle Payout Period. Note: Sparky is represented as "Conventional Heavy Oil Hz" by Peters. 2 This is a non-GAAP and other financial measure which is defined under Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures. 3 Pricing assumptions: US$70 WTI, US$13.50 WCS differential, US$3.50 EDM differential, $0.725 CAD/USD FX and $2.50 AECO. REVISED 2025 CAPITAL AND OPERATING BUDGET GUIDANCE Following the sale of the Non-Core Assets, the Company has revised its 2025 capital and operating budget guidance as follows: GUIDANCE Original 2025 Guidance from November 6, 2024 @ US $70 WTI 1 New 2025 Guidance @ US $70 WTI 1 Average 2025 production 23,750 boepd (87% liquids) 22,500 boepd (91% liquids) 2025(e) Exploration and development expenditures $170 million $170 million 2025(e) Adjusted funds flow 2 $277 million $275 million Per share $2.73 per share $2.71 per share 2025(e) Cash flow from operating activities 3 $255 million $255 million Per share $2.51 per share $2.51 per share 2025(e) Free cash flow 2 $85 million $85 million Per share $0.84 per share $0.84 per share 2025(e) Base dividend $53 million $53 million Per share $0.52 per share $0.52 per share 2025(e) Royalties as a % of petroleum and natural gas revenue 19.0 % 19.25 % 2025(e) Net operating expenses 2 $19.50 - $19.95 per boe $19.05 - $19.55 per boe 2025(e) Transportation expenses $1.50 - $1.75 per boe $1.40 - $1.60 per boe 2025(e) General & administrative expenses $2.25 - $2.45 per boe $2.45 - $2.65 per boe 2025(e) Interest expenses $2.50 - $2.75 per boe $2.50 - $2.75 per boe $1.3 billion in tax pools (providing an estimated 4-year tax horizon) 1 - Pricing assumptions: US$70 WTI, US$13.50 WCS differential, US$3.50 EDM differential, $0.725 CAD/USD FX and $2.50 AECO. 2 - This is a non-GAAP and other financial measure which is defined under Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures. 3 - Assumes nil change in non-cash working capital. ADVISORS National Bank Financial Inc. acted as exclusive financial advisor to Surge with respect to the Transaction. ABOUT SURGE ENERGY INC. Surge is an intermediate, publicly traded oil company focused on enhancing shareholder returns through free cash flow generation. The Company's defined operating strategy is based on acquiring and developing high-quality, conventional oil reservoirs using proven technology to enhance ultimate oil recoveries. FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS This press release contains forward-looking statements. The use of any of the words "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "project", "should", "believe", "potential" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. More particularly, this press release contains statements concerning: Surge's expectation that will comprise 90 percent of the Company's new 22,500 boe per day 2025 production guidance and more than 95 percent of the Company's cash flow from operating activities; Surge's expectation that its operating netback per boe will improve by approximately 4 percent following the sale of the Non-Core Assets; Surge's forecast that its net operating expenses for 2025 will decrease to $19.05 - $19.55 per boe and that its liquids weighting for 2025 will increase from 87 percent to 91 percent; Surge's plans to allocate the net proceeds of the Transaction; Surge's anticipated 2024 production exit rate; and Surge's revised 2025 capital and operating budget guidance. The forward-looking statements are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by Surge, including expectations and assumptions around the performance of existing wells and success obtained in drilling new wells; Surge's pricing assumptions of US$70 WTI, US$13.50 WCS differential, US$3.50 EDM differential, $0.725 CAD/USD FX and $2.50 AECO; anticipated operating, transportation and general and administrative costs and expenses; the application of regulatory and royalty regimes; prevailing economic conditions; development and completion activities; the performance of new wells; the successful implementation of waterflood programs; the availability of and performance of facilities and pipelines; the geological characteristics of Surge's properties; the successful application of drilling, completion and seismic technology; the determination of decommissioning liabilities; prevailing weather conditions; licensing requirements; the impact of completed facilities on operating costs; the availability and costs of capital, labour and services; and the creditworthiness of industry partners. Although Surge believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because Surge can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature, they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. These include, but are not limited to, risks associated with the condition of the global economy, including trade, public health and other geopolitical risks (including the Russian invasion of Ukraine and continued conflict in the Middle East ); risks associated with the oil and gas industry in general (e.g., operational risks in development, exploration and production; delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration or development projects or capital expenditures; inability of Surge to fund its future capital requirements and business plan; the uncertainty of reserve estimates; the uncertainty of estimates and projections relating to production, costs and expenses, and health, safety and environmental risks); commodity price and exchange rate fluctuations and constraint in the availability of services, adverse weather or break-up conditions; uncertainties resulting from potential delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration or development projects or capital expenditures; risks related to decommissioning liabilities including as a result of changes to laws or regulations, reserves estimates, costs and technology; failure to obtain the continued support of the lenders under Surge's current credit facilities; potential decrease in the available lending limits under Surge's credit facilities as a result of the syndicate's interpretation of the Company's reserves, commodity prices and decommissioning obligations; or the inability to obtain consent of lenders to increase or maintain the credit facilities. Certain risks are set out in more detail in Surge's annual information form dated March 6, 2024 and in Surge's interim management discussion and analysis for the period ended September 30, 2024 , both of which have been filed on SEDAR+ and can be accessed at www.sedarplus.ca . The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and Surge undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by applicable securities laws. Oil and Gas Advisories The term "boe" means barrel of oil equivalent on the basis of 1 boe to 6,000 cubic feet of natural gas. Boe may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A boe conversion ratio of 1 boe for 6,000 cubic feet of natural gas is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead. "Boe/d" and "boepd" mean barrel of oil equivalent per day. Bbl means barrel of oil and "bopd" means barrels of oil per day. NGLs means natural gas liquids. This press release contains certain oil and gas metrics and defined terms which do not have standardized meanings or standard methods of calculation and therefore such measures may not be comparable to similar metrics/terms presented by other issuers and may differ by definition and application. Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures This press release includes references to non-GAAP and other financial measures used by the Company to evaluate its financial performance, financial position or cash flow. These specified financial measures include non-GAAP financial measures and non-GAAP ratios, are not defined by IFRS and therefore are referred to as non-GAAP and other financial measures. Certain secondary financial measures in this press release – namely "adjusted funds flow", "adjusted funds flow per share", "net debt", "free cash flow", "free cash flow per share", "net operating expenses", "net operating expenses per boe", "operating netback", and "operating netback per boe" are not prescribed by GAAP. These non-GAAP and other financial measures are included because management uses the information to analyze business performance, cash flow generated from the business, leverage and liquidity, resulting from the Company's principal business activities and it may be useful to investors on the same basis. None of these measures are used to enhance the Company's reported financial performance or position. The non-GAAP and other financial measures do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and therefore are unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. They are common in the reports of other companies but may differ by definition and application. All non-GAAP and other financial measures used in this document are defined below. Adjusted Funds Flow & Adjusted Funds Flow Per Share Adjusted funds flow is a non-GAAP financial measure. The Company adjusts cash flow from operating activities in calculating adjusted funds flow for changes in non-cash working capital, decommissioning expenditures, and cash settled transaction and other costs. Management believes the timing of collection, payment or incurrence of these items involves a high degree of discretion and as such, may not be useful for evaluating Surge's cash flows. Changes in non-cash working capital are a result of the timing of cash flows related to accounts receivable and accounts payable, which Management believes reduces comparability between periods. Management views decommissioning expenditures predominately as a discretionary allocation of capital, with flexibility to determine the size and timing of decommissioning programs to achieve greater capital efficiencies and as such, costs may vary between periods. Transaction and other costs represent expenditures associated with property acquisitions and dispositions, debt restructuring and employee severance costs, which Management believes do not reflect the ongoing cash flows of the business, and as such, reduces comparability. Each of these expenditures, due to their nature, are not considered principal business activities and vary between periods, which Management believes reduces comparability. Adjusted funds flow per share is a non-GAAP ratio, calculated using the same weighted average basic and diluted shares used in calculating income (loss) per share. Free Cash Flow and Free Cash Flow Per Share Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure. Free cash flow is calculated as cash flow from operating activities, adjusted for changes in non-cash working capital, decommissioning expenditures, and cash settled transaction and other costs, less expenditures on property, plant and equipment. Management uses free cash flow to determine the amount of funds available to the Company for future capital allocation decisions. Free cash flow per share is a non-GAAP ratio, calculated using the same weighted average basic and diluted shares used in calculating income (loss) per share. Net Operating Expenses & Net Operating Expenses per boe Net operating expenses is a non-GAAP financial measure, determined by deducting processing income, primarily generated by processing third party volumes at processing facilities where the Company has an ownership interest. It is common in the industry to earn third party processing revenue on facilities where the entity has a working interest in the infrastructure asset. Under IFRS this source of funds is required to be reported as revenue. However, the Company's principal business is not that of a midstream entity whose activities are dedicated to earning processing and other infrastructure payments. Where the Company has excess capacity at one of its facilities, it will look to process third party volumes as a means to reduce the cost of operating/owning the facility. As such, third party processing revenue is netted against operating costs when analyzed by management. Net operating expenses per boe is a non-GAAP ratio, calculated as net operating expenses divided by total barrels of oil equivalent produced during a specific period of time. Operating Netback and Operating Netback per boe Operating netback is a non-GAAP financial measure, calculated as petroleum and natural gas revenue and processing and other income, less royalties, realized gain (loss) on commodity and FX contracts, operating expenses, and transportation expenses. Operating netback per boe is a non-GAAP ratio, calculated as operating netback divided by total barrels of oil equivalent produced during a specific period of time. There is no comparable measure in accordance with IFRS. This metric is used by management to evaluate the Company's ability to generate cash margin on a unit of production basis. For more information about Surge, please visit our website at www.surgeenergy.ca Neither the TSX nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX) accepts responsibility of the accuracy of this release. SOURCE Surge Energy Inc. View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/December2024/19/c1934.html © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Trump picks former domestic policy adviser Brooke Rollins for agriculture secretary

Standard Motor Products Releases 2,367 New Numbers in 2024$10M Registered Direct Offering Priced At-The-Market Under Nasdaq RulesBorder-Gavaskar Trophy Live Score: Jaiswal, Rahul become first visiting pair to post 150-plus run partnership in Australia in 14 years Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul's record-defining partnership on Day 2 of the Border Gavaskar Trophy against Australia in Perth saw them join an exclusive club on Saturday. After the pitch started to change its nature and turn in favour of the batters, Jaiswal and Rahul made the most of what was on offer. They shifted through gears, picked their moments and constantly rotated the strike to put pressure off their shoulders. Australia's bowlers soon ran out of depth as they fell to Jaiswal and Rahul's mercy. The relentless approach from the Indian openers became a sight to behold. They upped the ante to post an unbeaten 172-run opening partnership, propelling India's score to 172/0 at the stumps. It was the first 150-plus opening stand by a visiting team in Australia since 159 posted by English duo Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook at the MCG back in 2010. Notably, this was the first 150-plus opening partnership outside Ashes Tests since 191 stitched up by Sunil Gavaskar and Kris Srikkanth at the SCG back in 1986. India vs Australia Live Score: Yashasvi Jaiswal breaks Brendon McCullum's 10-year-old Test record India's young southpaw Yashasvi Jaiswal etched his name in the history book by slamming the most sixes in Test cricket in a calendar year by eclipsing former New Zealand power-hitter Brendon McCullum's 10-year-old record. On Day 2 of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) series opener against Australia, Jaiswal smoked the ball into the stands towards the end of the day's play. He danced around the crease and found the ideal connection to launch the ball over the boundary rope off Nathan Lyon. This was Jaiswal's 34th Test maximum in 2024, surpassing McCullum's tally of 33, which he amassed in 2014. England Test captain Ben Stokes slipped to the third spot with 26 sixes that he tonked in 2022. Australia's destructive Adam Gilchrist and India's legendary opener Virender Sehwag struck 22 sixes each in 2005 and 2008, respectively. IND vs AUS Live Score: 11th five-wicket haul for captain Bumrah In the morning, India captain Bumrah deservedly got his 11th five-wicket haul while debutant Harshit Rana bowled a fiery opening spell to dismiss the hosts for 104 at the stroke of lunch despite a stiff last-wicket resistance from Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood. Starc (26 off 113 balls) shielded Hazlewood (7 not out off 31 balls) admirably during their 25-run last-wicket stand that lasted 18 overs. The day began with Bumrah (5/30 in 18 overs) getting one to rear up from back of the length and Carey's edge carried at a good height to Rishabh Pant behind stumps. The skipper's celebration was understated as he purposefully strode back to his bowling mark even before Nathan Lyon had arrived. At the other end, the burly Harshit Rana (3/48 in 15.2 overs) carried on from where he had left off on the opening day. The rookie speedster used more short balls, and one such well-directed delivery accounted for Lyon, who was pouched at gully by KL Rahul. Border-Gavaskar Trophy Live Score: 'Shot of the Day' Rahul's back-drive off Pat Cummins can easily be called the shot of the match but it was heartening to see Jaiswal put in a big stride forward while driving Mitchell Starc through covers apart from getting under the bounce and playing the ramp shot. In case of Rahul, he kept a very loose bottom-hand and that helped with the deliveries, even the ones that took the thickish edge only to fall way in front of the slip cordon. There was a spell of play in the post-tea session when Indians were kept quiet by Nathan Lyon but neither Jaiswal nor Rahul ran out of patience. Jaiswal's half-century came off 123 balls, his slowest in 15 Tests and spoke volumes about his adaptability. For Rahul, it was about forgetting the unfortunate dismissal on Friday and concentrate, which he did splendidly. Any target above 300 would be very difficult to chase on this track and Washington Sundar can come into play if those cracks open up, not to forget the three quicks who can use the variable bounce to good effect. India vs Australia Live Score: Rahul and Jaiswal wore down the Australian attack The way Rahul wore down the Australian attack was a sight to behold. There was no chatter from the slip cordon and at one point, the stitches of the Kookaburra came out. The live grass died by the second afternoon and the seam movement also went out of equation making batting easier. But no one can take away any credit from the two who were hardly troubled except for a mix-up that could have led to Rahul's run-out. Jaiswal also showed that he had learnt his lessons from the first innings and curbed his urge to drive on the up initially, which was the best part about his batting. Each of his seven fours and two sixes were well-executed shots. Once he had defended enough deliveries, the Australian pacers didn't have any option but to try either short or full length which he utilised well. The whip over mid-wicket to hit Starc for one-bounce four and then induce a grin from the pacer by telling him "you are slow", spoke volumes about how fearless the current generation of Indian cricketers is. In the final session, he flicked him for good measure for a maximum. IND vs AUS Live Score: Jaiswal, Rahul put India on top Yashasvi Jaiswal combined game awareness with perfect shot selection while KL Rahul remained technically unflappable in an unbroken opening stand of 172 as India looked set to bat Australia out of the match with an overall lead of 218 runs on the second day of the opening Test in Perth. After skipper Jasprit Bumrah's game-changing 11th five-wicket haul decimated Australia for 104, young Jaiswal (90 batting, 193 balls) and seasoned Rahul (62 batting, 154 balls) decided to grind it out with some old fashioned Test match batting by waiting for the loose deliveries and respecting good fast bowling. The Indians showed their compact defense by scoring 88 runs in 31 overs during the post-tea session as Jaiswal inched towards a coveted ton on his maiden outing on Australian soil. With enough time at their disposal and signs of cracks appearing on the surface, this is going to be India's Test match to lose. Match Statistics Yashasvi Jaiswal KL Rahul Devdutt Padikkal Usman Khawaja Nathan McSweeney Marnus Labuschagne Top Stories Right Now

Wallbox Receives Notice of Non-Compliance with NYSE Trading Share Price Listing RuleMOSCOW -- Russian police raided several bars and nightclubs across Moscow on Saturday as part of the government’s crackdown on “LGBTQ+ propaganda,” state media reported. Smartphones, laptops and video cameras were seized, while clubgoers had their documents inspected by officers, Russia’s Tass news agency said, citing sources in law enforcement. The raids come exactly a year since Russia’s Supreme Court ruled that the “LGBTQ+ movement” should be banned as an “extremist organization." Its decision followed a decades-long crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights in Russia, where President Vladimir Putin has touted “traditional family values” as a cornerstone of his quarter-century in power. Footage shared on social media appeared to show partygoers being ordered by police to lie on the floor as officers moved through Moscow’s Arma nightclub. The capital’s Mono bar was also targeted, Russian media reported. In a post on Telegram on Saturday, the club’s management didn't directly reference an incident with law enforcement, but wrote, “Friends, we’re so sorry that what happened, happened. They didn’t find anything forbidden. We live in such times, but life must go on.” Police also detained the head of the “Men Travel” tour agency on Saturday under anti-LGBT laws, Tass reported. The news agency said that the 48-year-old was suspected of preparing a trip for “the supporters of nontraditional sexual values” to visit Egypt over Russia’s New Year's holidays. The raids mirror the concerns of Russian activists who warned that Moscow’s designation of the “LGBTQ+ movement” as “extremist” — despite it not being an official entity — could see Russian authorities crack down at will on groups or individuals. Other recent laws have also served to put pressure on those that the Russian government believes aren't in line with the country’s “traditional values.” On Nov. 23, Putin signed into law a bill banning the adoption of Russian children by citizens of countries where gender-affirming care is legal. The Kremlin leader also approved legislation that outlaws the spread of material that encourages people not to have children .