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jili889 CONWAY, Ark. (AP) — Elias Cato scored 23 points as Central Arkansas beat UNC Asheville 92-83 in double overtime on Sunday. Jordan Morris made two free throws with one second left for UNC Asheville (2-3) to force overtime tied at 71. Fletcher Abee's 3-pointer with 33 seconds left in the first overtime tied the game at 79 and led to the second extra period. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

Deal on Elgin Marbles ‘still some distance’ away, says George OsborneLondon, Dec. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pixalate, the market-leading ad fraud protection, privacy, and compliance analytics platform, today released the Q3 2024 United Kingdom Seller Trust Index for Web, Mobile, and Connected TV (CTV) to rank programmatic ad sellers across desktop and mobile web , mobile apps , and CTV . The first-of-its-kind rankings, using SupplyChain Object (SCO) data, offer a comprehensive view of programmatic ad sellers based on quality across the advertising supply chain, as measured by Pixalate. Pixalate’s Seller Trust Indexes feature country-level seller ratings in 140+ countries for 580+ sellers. The rankings are based on an analysis of over 50 billion monthly programmatic advertising impressions from Q3 2024. Top Programmatic Web Ad Sellers in the United Kingdom (Q3 2024) See more in the Web Seller Trust Index . Top Programmatic Mobile Ad Sellers in the United Kingdom (Q3 2024) See more in the Mobile Seller Trust Index . Top Programmatic CTV Ad Sellers in the United Kingdom (Q3 2024) Amazon Fire TV Samsung Smart TV See more in the CTV Seller Trust Index . Pixalate’s Seller Trust Indexes provide a full view of the ad supply chain ecosystem. In doing so, the Indexes aim to foster economic fairness, encourage competition, and highlight the full range of sellers available to buyers, including each sellers’ relative strengths and weaknesses in each country. Explore all of Pixalate’s Seller Trust Indexes: Web Seller Trust Index Mobile Seller Trust Index CTV Seller Trust Index About Pixalate Pixalate is a global platform specializing in privacy compliance, ad fraud prevention, and digital ad supply chain data intelligence. Founded in 2012, Pixalate is trusted by regulators, data researchers, advertisers, publishers, ad tech platforms, and financial analysts across the Connected TV (CTV), mobile app, and website ecosystems. Pixalate is accredited by the MRC for the detection and filtration of Sophisticated Invalid Traffic (SIVT). pixalate.com Disclaimer The content of this press release, and the Seller Trust Indexes (collectively, the "Indexes"), reflect Pixalate's opinions with respect to factors that Pixalate believes may be useful to the digital media industry. As cited in the Indexes, the ratings and rankings in the Indexes are based on a number of metrics and Pixalate's opinions regarding the relative performance of each seller with respect to the metrics. The data is derived from buy-side, predominantly open auction, programmatic advertising transactions, as measured by Pixalate. The Indexes examine global advertising activity. Any insights shared are grounded in Pixalate's proprietary technology and analytics, which Pixalate is continuously evaluating and updating. Any references to outside sources in the Indexes and herein should not be construed as endorsements. Pixalate's opinions are just that, opinions, which means that they are neither facts nor guarantees; and neither this press release nor the Indexes are intended to impugn the standing or reputation of any person, entity or app. Per the MRC , “'Fraud' is not intended to represent fraud as defined in various laws, statutes and ordinances or as conventionally used in U.S. Court or other legal proceedings, but rather a custom definition strictly for advertising measurement purposes. Also per the MRC , “‘Invalid Traffic’ is defined generally as traffic that does not meet certain ad serving quality or completeness criteria, or otherwise does not represent legitimate ad traffic that should be included in measurement counts. Among the reasons why ad traffic may be deemed invalid is it is a result of non-human traffic (spiders, bots, etc.), or activity designed to produce fraudulent traffic.”

Finward Bancorp Announces Fourth Quarter DividendThe law of supply and demand has always made it tough to get a table at a popular restaurant – but as Scarsdale foodie Mark Hauser tells us, “the Manhattan hotspots now that you really want to get a reservation – like Atomix – it’s really hard unless you know somebody.” It turns out it’s not just foodies trying to score a restaurant reservation— it’s also “bots”. Amy Zhou, is the executive director of operations at Gracious Hospitality Management, which runs COTE Korean Steakhouse and COQODAQ. Zhou noticed an uptick in no-shows over the last two years, and discovered “bad actors would program bots that had the ability to understand when my reservations systems were going to release every single reservation online and they would take every single one of them.” The owner of Moscato, in Scarsdale, points out that unsold reservations leave eateries holding the bag. Mario Fava tells us, “especially having a small restaurant, if you don’t fill a table, that hurts the bottom line at the end of the day.” In the last two years, some restaurants began noticing a huge jump in no-shows... from the industry’s typical five to 10 percent...to 20 and even 25 percent. Hot spots like COTE Korean Steakhouse offer four hundred reservations a night. “All of a sudden, one hundred covers don’t show up, that’s— on any given night— three servers, bartender, three server assistants,” Zhou said. “Food runners. That’s up to ten to twelve staff who are not making the income they were expecting to make for an evening. It’s really damaging.” A new state law in New York aims to enforce rules like the ones against ticket scalping — making it illegal for third-party reservation services to make unauthorized reservations. “We’re putting an end to the predatory black market for restaurant reservations — protecting consumers and businesses, and giving everyone a chance to get a seat at the dinner table,” Governor Kathy Hochul said. “New York is home to some of the best restaurants in the world, and whether you’re returning to your favorite local spot or trying out the latest in fine dining, you deserve a fair system.” Andrew Rigie, executive director of the NYC Hospitality Alliance, believes that with this measure, “at least government can go after them, issue penalties and mitigate the impact.” Keep in mind, this action is not about companies like Open Table and Resy. Instead, it focuses on third-party businesses that don’t have an authorized business relationship with the restaurant. With this new law signed Thursday, Rigie believes “maybe the humans will have a little bit of an upper hand getting the reservation because they’re not competing with technology.” At Moscato restaurant, regular patron Mike Wallace, who’s from Southport CT, says the key to scoring a reservation at a popular spot is patience. “I think if you’re persistent, it helps,” Wallace said.

Golf’s best-selling book just got even better. Here's what's insideIsrael says rabbi who went missing in the UAE was killed. The government arrests 3NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stock indexes rose to more records Wednesday after tech companies talked up how much of a boost they’re getting from the artificial-intelligence boom. The S&P 500 climbed 0.6% to add to what’s set to be one of its best years of the millennium. It’s the 56th time the index has hit an all-time high this year after climbing in 11 of the last 12 days . The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 308 points, or 0.7%, while the Nasdaq composite added 1.3% to its own record. Salesforce helped pull the market higher after delivering stronger revenue for the latest quarter than analysts expected, though its profit fell just short. CEO Mark Benioff highlighted the company’s artificial-intelligence offering for customers, saying “the rise of autonomous AI agents is revolutionizing global labor, reshaping how industries operate and scale.” The stock price of the company, which helps businesses manage their customers, jumped 11%. Marvell Technology leaped even more after delivering better results than expected, up 23.2%. CEO Matt Murphy said the semiconductor supplier is seeing strong demand from AI and gave a forecast for profit in the upcoming quarter that topped analysts’ expectations. All the optimistic talk helped Nvidia , the company whose chips are powering much of the move into AI, rally 3.5%. It was the strongest force pushing upward on the S&P 500 by far. They helped offset an 8.9% drop for Foot Locker, which reported profit and revenue that fell short of analysts’ expectations. CEO Mary Dillon said the company is taking a more cautious view, and it cut its forecasts for sales and profit this year. Dillon pointed to how keen customers are for discounts and how soft demand has been outside of Thanksgiving week and other key selling periods. Retailers overall have offered mixed signals about how resilient U.S. shoppers can remain. Their spending has been one of the main reasons the U.S. economy has avoided a recession that earlier seemed inevitable after the Federal Reserve hiked interest rates to crush inflation. But shoppers are now contending with still-high prices and a slowing job market . This week’s highlight for Wall Street will be Friday’s jobs report from the U.S. government, which will show how many people employers hired and fired last month. A narrower report released Wednesday morning suggested employers in the private sector increased their payrolls by less last month than economists expected. Hiring in manufacturing was the weakest since the spring, according to Nela Richardson, chief economist at ADP. The report strengthened traders’ expectations that the Fed will cut its main interest rate again when it meets in two weeks. The Fed began easing its main interest rate from a two-decade high in September, hoping to offer more support for the job market. The central bank had appeared set to continue cutting rates into next year, but the election of Donald Trump has scrambled Wall Street’s expectations somewhat. Trump’s preference for higher tariffs and other policies could lead to higher inflation , which could alter the Fed’s plans . Fed Chair Jerome Powell said Wednesday that the central bank can afford to cut rates cautiously because inflation has slowed from its peak two years ago and the economy remains sturdy. A separate report on Wednesday said health care, finance and other businesses in the U.S. services sector are continuing to grow, but not by as much as before and not by as much as economists expected. One respondent from the construction industry told the survey from the Institute for Supply Management that the Fed’s rate cuts haven't pulled down mortgage rates as much as hoped. Plus, “the unknown effect of tariffs clouds the future.” In the bond market, the yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.18% from 4.23% late Tuesday. On Wall Street, Campbell’s sank 6.2% for one of the S&P 500’s sharper losses despite increasing its dividend and reporting a stronger profit than analysts expected. Its revenue fell short of Wall Street’s expectations, and the National Football League’s Washington Commanders hired Campbell’s CEO Mark Clouse as its team president. Gains for airline stocks helped offset that drop after JetBlue Airways said it saw stronger bookings for travel in November and December following the presidential election. It also said it’s benefiting from lower fuel prices, as well as lower costs due to improved on-time performance. JetBlue jumped 8.3%, while Southwest Airlines climbed 3.5%. All told, the S&P 500 rose 36.61 points to 6,086.49. The Dow climbed 308.51 to 45,014.04, and the Nasdaq composite rallied 254.21 to 19,735.12. In stock markets abroad, South Korea’s Kospi sank 1.4% following a night full of drama in Seoul. President Yoon Suk Yeol was facing possible impeachment after he suddenly declared martial law on Tuesday night, prompting troops to surround the parliament. He revoked the martial law declaration six hours later. In the crypto market , bitcoin climbed near $99,000 after Trump said he would nominate Paul Atkins , a cryptocurrency advocate, to chair the Securities and Exchange Commission. AP Writers Matt Ott and Zimo Zhong contributed.

Japan holds first memorial for 'all workers' at Sado gold mines but blurs WWII atrocity. Why?OTTAWA—Conservative Leader is challenging the government to disclose details about federal finances that are late to arrive this year, suggesting the Liberal administration is hiding bad news about the deficit. Poilievre stopped in front of a cluster of reporters Wednesday morning to say his party will carve out a two-hour window of time in the House of Commons on Monday so that Finance Minister can deliver a fiscal update a suggestion Freeland later rejected as “utterly absurd.” “Why won’t the finance minister tell us the true number? What’s she hiding? Is she hiding that Trudeau lost control of the deficit this year, just like every year?” Poilievre said, before refusing to take questions. “Stand on your feet Monday at 4 p.m. We’ll clear the deck so you can do it, and tell us how badly you’ve lost control of the nation’s finances and the inflation and taxes Canadians pay as a result.” The Liberal government is unusually late this year in publishing annual reports that included audited results from the previous fiscal year, from the current and former parliamentary budget watchdogs about a lack of spending transparency. Asked about the concerns on Tuesday, Freeland dodged questions about why they are delayed, saying only that the Liberal government would release the reports and present a mid-year fiscal update “this year.” Freeland has insisted the federal government’s fiscal standing is strong, with lower debt compared to peer countries in the Group of Seven. She has also suggested the economic update has not been released because of a weeks-long Conservative filibuster in the House, in which the Tories are blocking normal parliamentary business to try and force the government to hand over unredacted documents related to alleged corruption at an arms-length green tech agency. Freeland picked up that theme again on Wednesday, when she shot down Poilievre’s offer to clear time so she could provide the fiscal update in the House. “This proposal from the Conservatives is like an arsonist who set the fire in the first place, saying ‘Don’t worry about, I’ll come with a fire truck for a couple of hours, but tomorrow I’ll be back again with matches,’” Freeland told reporters, adding that she will present the fiscal update “soon.” Meanwhile, ahead of the Liberals’ cabinet meeting, Treasury Board President Anita Anand said Freeland is working “extremely hard” on providing a fall economic statement, and that Poilievre’s demand will not dictate when she presents it. “I’ll leave it to her to decide when to do that in the House of Commons ,” Anand said. “She’ll do it when she’s ready.” Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne said he would take Poilievre’s demand with a “grain of salt” and noted the Conservatives have clogged Parliament with their filibuster. “Unlock the Parliament. There are serious things to be done,” he said. Asked about Poilievre’s offer, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet said it’s irrelevant, since the government could release the economic update anywhere — they don’t need to do so in Parliament. He added, however, that he believes the Liberal government does not have a “credible” reading of the economic situation, and is pursuing election-ready policies “without understanding the real consequences that it could bring.” Last year, after a huge spike in federal spending during the , the Liberal government set itself a series of fiscal targets to keep government debt in check. Those targets included a pledge to cap Ottawa’s budget deficit at $40 billion and ensure federal debt declines in proportion to the size of the national economy. But it’s not clear whether the government has managed to hit that target. Reports that are published each year, typically before the end of October, show the audited results of the 2023-24 fiscal year, which ended in October, including the final size of the deficit. As of Wednesday evening, neither of those reports has been published this year. The government also usually presents a fall economic statement before the end of November, but so far the Liberal government has not done so. In October, Parliamentary Budget Officer Yves Giroux published a that estimated the government blew past its promise to limit the deficit with a $46.8-billion shortfall last fiscal year. At a parliamentary committee on Tuesday, Giroux said it’s “very uncomfortable” for parliamentarians to be asked to vote on new government spending when they still have no access to the precise financial standing of the government. In recent days, the Liberals have proposed almost $6 billion in new spending to pay for a two-month GST holiday on a host of consumer goods — from Christmas trees and video games to beer and food — and to hand out $250 in one-time payouts to millions of Canadians who earned less than $150,000 in income last year.

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

Asian Markets Cautious Amid Geopolitical Tensions: Markets WrapThe US believes journalist Austin Tice is alive after disappearing in Syria in 2012, Biden saysWhat Pep Guardiola's glorious past tells us about Man City's ongoing crisis | Sporting News

The US says it pushed retraction of a famine warning for north Gaza. Aid groups express concern.Apple’s Vision Pro headset is an incredible piece of technology, but even Apple’s design and marketing magic convince many people to don a VR headset for an entire day. Instead, people seem more willing to use discreet wearables like Bluetooth headphones, smartwatches, and products like the Ray-Ban Meta glasses — so Apple’s headset isn’t making the waves the company would have wanted. Of course, an instant transformation of the computing landscape wasn’t exactly the point of the Vision Pro. Apple was clearly launching its headset for Apple enthusiasts, first adopters, and people who love VR. At a starting price of $3,499, the barrier of entry was just too high to expect the device to be a hit from the jump. Even CEO Tim Cook called it Nearly a year from launch, though, Apple hasn’t done enough to demonstrate why the Vision Pro should be a potential showcase of the future of computing. It’s taking a long time to put together its immersive content library, and while those are great demonstrations of what’s possible, the videos have been . There aren’t many great games, either. Yes, Apple keeps adding cool new software features. The for using a Mac display seem exceptionally useful. But those are pretty specific options for pretty specific use cases. There still isn’t an immediate, obvious reason to buy a Vision Pro the way there usually is with the company’s newest iPhones and Macs. If I bought a Vision Pro today, I wouldn’t know what to do with it besides give myself a bigger Mac screen or watch movies, and I don’t think either of those are worth the exorbitant price. It seems Apple may have already acknowledged that the Vision Pro might not be the future, either. The company has reportedly scaled back production and focused efforts on (perhaps just called Apple Vision?). If Apple still wants to make a splash in VR, the company might need to race to get its next product out the door. It can be argued that Meta has the best VR headsets and ecosystem on the market right now — and a very clear lineup for consumers to consider. Its most affordable offering is the , which has the same chip as the , meaning you can access the same experiences across both headsets. The price difference between the two largely comes down to displays and storage, and I’d argue that the cheaper Quest 3S is an excellent VR headset for most people. But like the Vision Pro, Meta hasn’t really found a way to make its headsets much more than a great way to play VR games. The , which Meta pitched in part as a headset for work, was such a flop that the company discontinued it only . , the company’s 3D social network, still feels amateur and barren, despite the company’s efforts to make it a better place to hang out. When I put on a Meta headset, I find that I just want to play games, either serious titles like or lighter fare like , where you conduct a virtual orchestra. I don’t care about the mixed reality features except to glance at my phone or computer screen to make a note or check notifications. You can make a pretty solid living selling game consoles, as Sony and Nintendo know very well, but it’s a far cry from the full-fledged computing platform Mark Zuckerberg once promised. I just don’t know if any tech company is going to crack the code on how to make VR headsets anything but solo technology. Yes, you can use VR headsets to interact with other people over the internet. But putting on a VR headset at home means I can’t look my wife in the eye; if I’m going to look at a screen, I’d prefer to look at one that we can share or that I can easily put off to the side. And even if you’re fine with VR being mostly a solo thing, VR headsets don’t fit neatly into everyday life unless you have a good amount of space in your home for them. (And hopefully your controllers haven’t run out of battery power!) Perhaps that’s why glasses seem like a much more promising option for computers that you wear on your face. Augmented reality glasses have been an aspirational goal for a long time, and you can see why. It’s much easier to make eye contact with somebody while you’re wearing glasses. Meta may have already proved that the glasses form factor works: its relatively simple , which have a camera, speakers, and look fashionable, are already . If glasses-equipped cameras do truly go mainstream, I have some concerns . But I also wrote about the immediate appeal of the tech: whenever I wear the Ray-Ban Meta glasses, I find myself snapping tons of photos because it’s so much fun to capture my point of view without holding up a phone. And because they look like regular glasses, I can walk around and most people will think that they’re glasses, unlike a VR headset, . It seems that Apple might be eyeing computer glasses as well; the company an internal study about the market. I think even glasses with some basic tech would make more sense for Apple than a VR headset, especially if they let you easily snap photos and listen to podcasts. These devices could be years off, though, meaning that, right now, Apple is stuck selling VR headsets that . Apple’s Vision Pro headset is an incredible piece of technology, but even Apple’s design and marketing magic convince many people to don a VR headset for an entire day. Instead, people seem more willing to use discreet wearables like Bluetooth headphones, smartwatches, and products like the Ray-Ban Meta glasses — so Apple’s headset isn’t making the waves the company would have wanted. Of course, an instant transformation of the computing landscape wasn’t exactly the point of the Vision Pro. Apple was clearly launching its headset for Apple enthusiasts, first adopters, and people who love VR. At a starting price of $3,499, the barrier of entry was just too high to expect the device to be a hit from the jump. Even CEO Tim Cook called it Nearly a year from launch, though, Apple hasn’t done enough to demonstrate why the Vision Pro should be a potential showcase of the future of computing. It’s taking a long time to put together its immersive content library, and while those are great demonstrations of what’s possible, the videos have been . There aren’t many great games, either. Yes, Apple keeps adding cool new software features. The for using a Mac display seem exceptionally useful. But those are pretty specific options for pretty specific use cases. There still isn’t an immediate, obvious reason to buy a Vision Pro the way there usually is with the company’s newest iPhones and Macs. If I bought a Vision Pro today, I wouldn’t know what to do with it besides give myself a bigger Mac screen or watch movies, and I don’t think either of those are worth the exorbitant price. It seems Apple may have already acknowledged that the Vision Pro might not be the future, either. The company has reportedly scaled back production and focused efforts on (perhaps just called Apple Vision?). If Apple still wants to make a splash in VR, the company might need to race to get its next product out the door. It can be argued that Meta has the best VR headsets and ecosystem on the market right now — and a very clear lineup for consumers to consider. Its most affordable offering is the , which has the same chip as the , meaning you can access the same experiences across both headsets. The price difference between the two largely comes down to displays and storage, and I’d argue that the cheaper Quest 3S is an excellent VR headset for most people. But like the Vision Pro, Meta hasn’t really found a way to make its headsets much more than a great way to play VR games. The , which Meta pitched in part as a headset for work, was such a flop that the company discontinued it only . , the company’s 3D social network, still feels amateur and barren, despite the company’s efforts to make it a better place to hang out. When I put on a Meta headset, I find that I just want to play games, either serious titles like or lighter fare like , where you conduct a virtual orchestra. I don’t care about the mixed reality features except to glance at my phone or computer screen to make a note or check notifications. You can make a pretty solid living selling game consoles, as Sony and Nintendo know very well, but it’s a far cry from the full-fledged computing platform Mark Zuckerberg once promised. I just don’t know if any tech company is going to crack the code on how to make VR headsets anything but solo technology. Yes, you can use VR headsets to interact with other people over the internet. But putting on a VR headset at home means I can’t look my wife in the eye; if I’m going to look at a screen, I’d prefer to look at one that we can share or that I can easily put off to the side. And even if you’re fine with VR being mostly a solo thing, VR headsets don’t fit neatly into everyday life unless you have a good amount of space in your home for them. (And hopefully your controllers haven’t run out of battery power!) Perhaps that’s why glasses seem like a much more promising option for computers that you wear on your face. Augmented reality glasses have been an aspirational goal for a long time, and you can see why. It’s much easier to make eye contact with somebody while you’re wearing glasses. Meta may have already proved that the glasses form factor works: its relatively simple , which have a camera, speakers, and look fashionable, are already . If glasses-equipped cameras do truly go mainstream, I have some concerns . But I also wrote about the immediate appeal of the tech: whenever I wear the Ray-Ban Meta glasses, I find myself snapping tons of photos because it’s so much fun to capture my point of view without holding up a phone. And because they look like regular glasses, I can walk around and most people will think that they’re glasses, unlike a VR headset, . It seems that Apple might be eyeing computer glasses as well; the company an internal study about the market. I think even glasses with some basic tech would make more sense for Apple than a VR headset, especially if they let you easily snap photos and listen to podcasts. These devices could be years off, though, meaning that, right now, Apple is stuck selling VR headsets that .

Ottawa firefighters respond to three ice rescues involving dogs this week

( ) gained Food and Drug Administration approval late Friday for its weight-loss drug, Zepbound, as a treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea, also called sleep suffocation, occurs when the upper airway repeatedly narrows or closes during sleep. This stops or reduces airflow. Patients typically wear a continuous positive airway pressure device, or CPAP. In testing, Zepbound proved five times more effective than a placebo in reducing breathing disruptions in adults who didn't wear a CPAP. In adults using the sleep device, Zepbound recipients had 29 fewer breathing disruptions per hour, compared to a reduction of six for the placebo group. Eli Lilly stock was unmoved on the news. But the announcement could pressure shares of ( ), a maker of CPAP devices. But Chief Executive Mick Farrell says most patients will benefit from the combination of a CPAP and a weight-loss drug like Zepbound. Further, the approval will likely stoke obstructive sleep apnea diagnosis rates, he told Investor's Business Daily in an April interview with Investor's Business Daily. "I think the GLP-1s will bring patients into the funnel," he said. In after-hours trades Friday, rose almost 1% while ResMed stock remained flat.

EXCLUSIVE Woe de parfum! Harrods perfume seller accuses rival of hurling card reader at her in squabble By JAMES TOZER and MARY O CONNOR Published: 22:02, 8 December 2024 | Updated: 22:48, 8 December 2024 e-mail View comments Harrods bills its marble-lined, sixth floor 'salon de perfums' – famed for selling the most exclusive scents – as a 'secluded scented nirvana' aimed at the most discerning customer. But when it came to staff selling the 'hand-selected brands', things were not as fragrant, it has been alleged. Tempers flared between staff at rival concessions at the West End department store, according to a tribunal claim. Natalia Pytel, who was employed by Luxe Associates, alleged that a worker at competitor brand Edeniste made 'spiteful' comments about the products she was selling from an adjacent desk. Their dispute culminated when the employee – referred to only as Evie – was said to have thrown a card reader machine at Ms Pytel. Ms Pytel complained both to Luxe Associates and Harrods – but CCTV footage was said to have shown 'nothing untoward'. She was then sacked by Luxe Associates after being accused of being rude to a customer. Ms Pytel, who is Polish, brought an employment tribunal case against Harrods. She alleged unfair dismissal, detriment for making a whistleblowing public interest disclosure, and harassment under the Equality Act. Natalia Pytel (pictured) who was employed by Luxe Associates, alleged that a worker at competitor brand Edeniste made 'spiteful' comments about the products she was selling from an adjacent desk Their dispute culminated when the employee – referred to only as Evie – was said to have thrown a card reader machine at Ms Pytel who is pictured here Ms Pytel, who is Polish, brought an employment tribunal case against Harrods. She alleged unfair dismissal, detriment for making a whistleblowing public interest disclosure, and harassment under the Equality Act But at a preliminary hearing in London the case was struck out because a judge said her complaints had no reasonable prospect of success. Ms Pytel accepted that Harrods hadn't employed her, and she only had five months service with Luxe Associates– the minimum service for making an unfair dismissal claim is currently two years. In a statement in support of her claim, Ms Pytel – who began work at the concession in February last year - said: 'I struggled to work with one of the girls from a neighbour brand. 'Every day she was making spiteful comments about my brands and was aggressively behaving towards me.'On June 13 she threw a PDQ card reader machine at me. 'I felt unsafe working around her so I decided I would ask for help.' After Ms Pytel spoke out, counter-claims were made against her, according to tribunal documents.She was sacked on July 24 last year. In her claim, Ms Pytel said a manager subsequently informed her that 'I did not fit into perfumery and was rude to a customer, therefore he decided to terminate my contract'. She claimed that she asked a colleague to assist, but the colleague was 'extremely rude' to the customer and refused to process the refund he initially requested. Ms Pytel complained both to Luxe Associates and Harrods – but CCTV footage was said to have shown 'nothing untoward' (Stock image of Harrods) Ms Pytel – who represented herself - also alleged that she experienced 'harassment and bullying' by two shop floor managers. However Employment Judge Jonathan Gidney threw out all her claims, pointing out that she was never directly employed by Harrods. Her job was with the Luxe Associates concession, he stressed – but having only worked there for just over five months, she wasn't entitled to claim unfair dismissal. Ms Pytel's detriment claim also fell as she had not specified what disclosure she claimed to have made in the public interest. Finally her harassment claim was invalid as she did not specify any 'protected characteristic' – for example race, sex or religion – which allegedly led to her being singled out. 'There is, simply put, no reasonable prospect of [Ms Pytel] establishing her complaints against [Harrods], and accordingly, I strike [Ms Pytel's] claims out,' he concluded. Harrods and Luxe Associates were approached for comment. According to her social media profile, Ms Pytel now sells make-up at a different West End department store. Under Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner's controversial overhaul of workers' rights, employees will be able to launch unfair dismissal claim from their first day in a job. However companies would be able to keep new recruits on probation for up to nine months after business groups claimed the move would disincentive hiring. London Share or comment on this article: Woe de parfum! Harrods perfume seller accuses rival of hurling card reader at her in squabble e-mail Add commentFLORIDA GULF COAST 60, FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL 59

Wade Taylor IV helps No. 22 Texas A&M get by Texas TechAuthorities warn about 'brushing scams' | Here's how it works

AIoT enables smart devices to not only collect and exchange data but also process and analyse it in real-time Edge-as-a-Service (EaaS) offers a list of comprehensive solutions, providing the tools and infrastructure necessary to strengthen data protection in AIoT environments Deploying AIoT at the edge offers operational benefits but adds security challenges As the convergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) transforms industries, the Artificial Intelligence of things (AIoT) is emerging as a game-changing technological advancement . AIoT enables smart devices to not only collect and exchange data but also process and analyse it in real-time, leading to better decision-making across applications such as smart cities, industrial automation, and healthcare. A significant enabler of this technology is edge computing, which allows data to be processed closer to its source, reducing latency and bandwidth usage. However, this growing adoption of AIoT at the edge introduces critical security challenges. To address these, Edge-as-a-Service (EaaS) offers a list of comprehensive solutions, providing the tools and infrastructure necessary to strengthen data protection in AIoT environments. AIoT integrates the power of artificial intelligence with IoT devices, enabling real-time data analysis and intelligent automation. This convergence allows devices to make decisions autonomously, streamlining processes in various industries. For example, in smart cities, AIoT can optimise traffic flow, reduce energy consumption, and improve public safety. In industrial automation, AIoT systems can predict equipment failures and optimise production lines, while in healthcare, wearable devices and smart medical systems monitor patients in real-time, alerting medical professionals to potential health risks. Edge computing, on the other hand, refers to the practice of processing data closer to the point of origin rather than relying solely on centralised cloud infrastructure. By moving data processing to the edge, companies can reduce latency and bandwidth consumption while enabling faster decision-making. However, this decentralised model also increases the complexity of securing these systems. While AIoT offers immense benefits, the deployment of these solutions at the edge presents significant security risks. One of the primary concerns is data breaches. Edge devices often process sensitive information locally, making them susceptible to unauthorised access. In fact, according to a report by Keyfactor and Vanson Bourne , 69% of companies reported increase in data breach and cyberattacks in the past three years, further highlighting this concern. Another major risk is cyberattacks. With edge computing’s distributed architecture, each connected device becomes a potential entry point for attackers. This expanded attack surface makes it easier for cybercriminals to exploit vulnerabilities. Insider threats also pose challenges. As the number of edge devices grows, it becomes increasingly difficult to manage and monitor security, creating opportunities for malicious insiders to compromise systems. Additionally, device compromise is a risk, as AIoT devices located in remote or unsecured areas can be physically tampered with or hacked. High-profile cases, such as the Mirai botnet attack , in which millions of IoT devices were hijacked to launch a massive DDoS attack, illustrate the potential dangers. Edge-as-a-Service (EaaS) is an emerging solution that simplifies the deployment, management, and security of edge infrastructure. EaaS allows businesses to outsource the complexity of managing their edge environments to specialised providers who offer built-in security frameworks designed to address the unique challenges of edge computing. One of the key benefits of EaaS is encryption, which ensures that data is protected both in transit and at rest. This reduces the risk of data breaches by preventing unauthorised parties from accessing sensitive information. EaaS also incorporates access control mechanisms, such as secure authentication and authorisation, ensuring that only authorised users and devices can interact with the system. EaaS enhances security through zero-trust architecture, continuously verifying users and devices to prevent unauthorised access. It also offers real-time monitoring, AI-driven threat detection, and automated patch management, ensuring edge devices stay updated and secure. EaaS enhances data protection in AIoT systems by providing continuous monitoring, ensuring rapid identification and response to potential security threats. In addition, EaaS services offer automated software updates and patches, ensuring that vulnerabilities are addressed as soon as they are identified. This reduces the risk of security breaches caused by outdated software. EaaS also leverages AI-powered anomaly detection, which can identify unusual activity or deviations from normal patterns that may indicate a security breach. This proactive approach to security allows businesses to respond to threats more effectively, minimising potential damage. As AIoT deployments continue to grow, the importance of security will only intensify. EaaS will play a critical role in ensuring that AIoT systems remain secure as they scale across industries. The demand for robust security measures will likely increase, with EaaS providers leading the charge in offering scalable, secure, and cost-effective solutions. Regulatory compliance will also play a key role in shaping the future of AIoT security. As data protection laws such as GDPR and CCPA evolve, businesses will need to ensure that their AIoT systems comply with these regulations. EaaS providers will be instrumental in helping companies navigate these complex requirements. Deploying AIoT at the edge offers operational benefits but adds security challenges. EaaS addresses these risks with encryption, real-time monitoring, and Zero-Trust architecture, ensuring secure, scalable deployments. Businesses that adopt EaaS will be better equipped to succeed as AIoT adoption grows. Step up your startup journey with BHASKAR! From resources to networking, BHASKAR connects Indian innovators with everything they need to succeed. Join today to access a platform built for innovation, growth, and community.Deal on Elgin Marbles ‘still some distance’ away, says George Osborne

College Football Playoff's first 12-team bracket is set with Oregon No. 1 and SMU in, Alabama out SMU captured the last open spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff, bumping Alabama to land in a bracket that placed undefeated Oregon at No. 1. The selection committee preferred the Mustangs, losers of a heartbreaker in the Atlantic Coast Conference title game, who had a far less difficult schedule than Alabama of the SEC but one fewer loss. The inaugural 12-team bracket marks a new era for college football, though the Alabama-SMU debate made clear there is no perfect formula. The tournament starts Dec. 20-21 with four first-round games. It concludes Jan. 20 with the national title game in Atlanta. Alabama left out of playoff as committee rewards SMU's wins over Crimson Tide's strong schedule The College Football Playoff committee took wins over strength of schedule, taking SMU over Alabama for the final at-large spot in the field. The field was expanded from four to 12 teams this season, but that didn’t save the committee from controversy. SMU showed it could compete against a traditional power, losing to Clemson 34-31 on a 56-yard field goal in the ACC title game on Saturday. Alabama had some ups and downs in its first season under coach Kalen DeBoer. The Crimson Tide had quality wins against Georgia and South Carolina, but lost at Vanderbilt, Tennessee and Oklahoma. Big Ten wins playoff selection derby, followed by SEC despite notable Alabama omission College football’s conference shakeup left concerns about two super conferences dominating the playoff field. They weren’t totally unfounded, or 100% born out. The Big Ten, not the Southeastern Conference, was the biggest winner. The ACC scored, too. The Big Ten led the initial 12-team playoff field with four making the cut, topped by a No. 1 Oregon team that was part of the Pac-12 exodus. Then came the SEC — and one notable omission. ACC runner-up SMU got the nod over college football blue-blood Alabama, another blemish in Kalen DeBoer’s first season as Nick Saban’s championship-or-bust successor. Darnold delivers for Vikings with career-high 347 yards and 5 TDs to beat Falcons, Cousins 42-21 MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Sam Darnold threw for 347 yards and five touchdowns, both career highs, and the Minnesota Vikings pulled away from Kirk Cousins and the Atlanta Falcons 42-21 for their sixth straight victory. Darnold added another highlight to his brilliant first season with the Vikings following Cousins' departure in free agency to Atlanta with a 22-for-28 performance and no turnover-worthy plays despite heavy first-half pressure. Jordan Addison had eight catches for 133 yards and three scores and Justin Jefferson racked up seven receptions for 132 yards and two touchdowns. Cousins threw two more interceptions without a touchdown in his return to Minnesota. Saquon Barkley sets Eagles season rushing record and has Dickerson's NFL mark in his sights PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Saquon Barkley has broken LeSean McCoy's Eagles franchise record for rushing yards in a season. Barkley has 1,623 yards. He surpassed McCoy's mark of 1,607 yards with a 9-yard run in Sunday's 22-16 win over Carolina. Barkley finished the game with 124 yards, within a yard of his season average. He has four games left and is on pace to break Eric Dickerson's 40-year-old NFL record of 2,105 yards. Dickerson set that record in a 16-game season and Barkley has one more game. Eagles fans serenaded Barkley with “MVP!” chants and McCoy congratulated him on social media. Saints QB Derek Carr injures left hand on dive in 4th quarter of win over Giants EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr injured his left hand late in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 14-11 victory over the New York Giants when he went airborne while trying for a first down and crashed to the turf. Carr tried to leap over a Giants tackler and landed at the New Orleans 39-yard line, extending his non-throwing hand to break his fall. He was on the turf for a minute or two before walking to the medical tent. He was examined and slowly walked to an area where X-rays are done. The injury could hurt the already slim playoff hopes of the Saints. Tamar Bates scores 29 points to help Missouri beat No. 1 Kansas 76-67 COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Tamar Bates had 29 points and five steals to help Missouri beat Hunter Dickinson and No. 1 Kansas 76-67. Mark Mitchell scored 17 points in Missouri’s first win over Kansas since a 74-71 victory on Feb. 4, 2012. Anthony Robinson II had 11 points and five steals for the 8-1 Tigers. Dickinson had 19 points and 14 rebounds, but he also committed seven turnovers. The 7-2 Jayhawks have lost two straight on the road after falling 76-63 against Creighton on Wednesday night. Scottie Scheffler ends his big year in the Bahamas with his 9th victory NASSAU, Bahamas (AP) — Scottie Scheffler ended his biggest year with another victory. Scheffler was coming off a two-month break and looked as good as ever. He shot 63 in the Hero World Challenge and set tournament records at Albany with a 72-hole total of 263 and a six-shot victory. Tom Kim was the runner-up and Justin Thomas finished third. Scheffler ends his year with nine victories in 21 tournaments. That includes the holiday tournament in the Bahamas and the Olympic gold medal in Paris. It's the third-highest winning percentage in the last 40 years. Tournament host Tiger Woods had two better years. Lindsey Vonn is encouraged by how close she is to being competitive in ski racing return at age 40 COPPER MOUNTAIN, Colo. (AP) — Lindsey Vonn is encouraged by how close she is to being competitive again in her ski racing return at 40 years old. Vonn is still getting her ski equipment dialed in and getting used to going full speed again on her new titanium knee. That’s why all that she's reading into being more than two seconds behind in a pair of lower-level super-G races Sunday is that she’s right there. This after nearly six years away from ski racing and an abbreviated prep period. She was 2.19 seconds behind in the first race and 2.06 in the second. Both were won by her American teammate Lauren Macuga. Plane circles MetLife Stadium with message to co-owner John Mara to fix the Giants' 'dumpster fire' EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — A small plane circled MetLife Stadium roughly 90 minutes before New York was to play host to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, asking Giants co-owner John Mara to overhaul the team that has made the playoffs twice since winning the Super Bowl in February 2012. “Mr. Mara, enough. Please fix this dumpster fire!” the message read as it was towed behind the rear of a small plane.

Wood's 23 lead Murray State over Southeast Missouri State 73-53