bet365 joining bonus code Sleep expert Chris Tattersall claims making New Year’s “rest-olutions” can help set Brits up sleep success over the coming year and is one of the healthiest things anyone can do. Tattersal says: "Having insufficient sleep can cause issues with both physical and emotional wellbeing, leading to the increased risk of conditions such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular problems. It can also compromise the immune system, making us all more susceptible to illness and impaired cognitive function, such as poor memory, attention, problem-solving, productivity and decision-making." According to Woolroom’s latest Clean Sleep Report, 83 per cent of people surveyed said that getting a regular, good night’s sleep was the most important factor for their general wellbeing. Despite this, 60 per cent admitted they were getting less than six hours sleep per night. Tattersall has outline the five New Year’s restolutions Brits should be aiming for in 2025 One: Getting the right amount of shut eye - for you The average adult needs seven to ten hours of sleep per night, andh women tending to benefit from closer to ten hours than men. This increases for youngsters; teens should be aiming for eight to ten hours, with school-age children requiring nine to twelve hours of sleep a night. Tattersall says: "As part of your 2025 New Year’s restolutions, figure out how much sleep is optimal for you, and commit to achieving this every night come rain or shine. Using a sleep-tracking fitness watch can often be helpful for monitoring levels of sleep and using the data to create these goals, but this can also be achieved naturally by trialling new bedtimes and assessing energy levels the next day." Two: Create a bedtime routine – and stick to it Routine is king when it comes to getting the best night’s sleep. Consistently carrying out the same, soothing activities before bedtime, signals to the brain that it’s time to wind down. Positive habits to consider for your bedtime routine include having a hot bath, using cosy lighting or candles, listening to calming music, or getting tucked up with a book. Even something as simple as opening the window to lower the temperature in your room to 18 degrees – the optimal temperature for a good night’s sleep – can have a big impact. When these actions become habits associated with sleep, they can help to boost melatonin – the hormone responsible for making us feel tired and ready for bed. Whatever it is that helps you to drift off – stick to it every day. And yes, that includes weekends. Three: Ditch the screens before bed Screens produce blue light, which mimics the effect of daylight and suppresses melatonin. This disrupts your circadian rhythm and keeps our mind stimulated, so turning off TVs, phones, laptops and tablets two hours or more before bed works wonders for your sleep quality. For 2025, consider replacing the doomscrolling with activities like meditation or gratitude journalling, which not only set you up for a deep, restorative sleep, but also help to boost your mood upon waking. Tattersall adds: "I’d also recommend using night mode on electronics in the evening to reduce the impact of blue light, and to avoid looking at social media, news platforms or particularly action-packed TV that might cause overstimulation close to bedtime." Four: What is your bedding made of To ensure you are creating the ultimate sleep environment, try switching to natural fibre wool bedding with linen bedding sheets . It’s been scientifically proven to deliver a 25% deeper, more regenerative sleep than synthetic fibres due to its temperature regulating properties. Heat regulation is crucial to great sleep, and being too hot is often the number one disruptor. Waking intermittently throughout the night not only reduces the quality of sleep but leads to periods of restlessness, which in turn increase the symptoms of stress and deregulates your nervous system. For those who co-sleep, waking through the night due to heat can also cause unnecessary disturbance to a partner. The temperature-regulating properties of wool are not only great for individuals, but also balance temperatures between two sleepers avoiding any further disruption. Five: Become sleep-conscious throughout the day Good sleep hygiene starts from the moment you wake up, encompassing the daily habits that promote good sleep. I always advise limiting caffeine and alcohol in the afternoon and evening, avoiding naps longer than 30 mins during the day, and getting natural sunlight exposure in the morning to regulate your circadian rhythm. It’s also important to leave a two-hour gap between both heavy exercise and meals before bedtime. "Ultimately, improving your quality of sleep doesn’t require a commitment to every practice mentioned above; it’s a handful of small, achievable improvements that will start to have an impact on your health and overall wellness. Start 2025 with these simple “restolutions”, and the rest will be history."

Marine Construction Ship Market Outlook and Future Projections for 2030Rumours about a possible romance and marriage between Indian tennis star Sania Mirza and cricketer Mohammed Shami have been circulating. Find out the truth behind these speculations and the viral photo that sparked the buzz. The personal lives of sports celebrities often become the subject of public fascination, and recently, the internet was abuzz with rumours linking Indian tennis icon Sania Mirza and cricketer Mohammed Shami. Speculation about a possible romantic relationship and marriage between the two gained momentum following the circulation of a photo that allegedly showed them together. The image spread rapidly on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, causing a stir among fans and media alike. The rumors took root when Sania Mirza , who resided in Dubai with her son after her divorce, returned to India for an event. This coincided with Mohammed Shami’s return to domestic cricket following an injury. The buzz intensified after a viral photo showed the two sports stars in a casual encounter in Dubai. However, the heart of the rumour lay in this very photo, which purportedly depicted Mirza and Shami together during Mirza’s trip to Dubai. Fans quickly speculated about the possibility of a romantic relationship, and the gossip spread like wildfire across social media. Upon closer inspection, the truth behind the viral image became clear. It was discovered that the photograph was not genuine but generated using advanced AI technology . The image was a fake, digitally created, and manipulated, rather than an authentic snapshot of Mirza and Shami spending time together. Sania Mirza and Mohammed Shami have remained tight-lipped regarding the rumours and have not issued any statements confirming a connection beyond their professional careers. Mirza continues to engage in her broadcasting role at the World Tennis League in Abu Dhabi, while Shami is focused on his comeback in domestic cricket tournaments. Also Read: 42 Feared Dead in Azerbaijan Airlines Plane Crash in Kazakhstan: Video (Lead) The claims about a romantic relationship and marriage between Sania Mirza and Mohammed Shami are entirely unfounded. The viral photo and the accompanying speculation lack substantial evidence and were merely the result of social media hype, further fueled by AI-generated content. Is the news true about mohommad Shami and Sania mirza 😶 pic.twitter.com/3WHQs2eLVd Fans are urged to be cautious and not fall for unverified claims or spread false information. In the age of digital media, it is essential to fact-check before sharing sensational news. Mirza and Shami continue to focus on their professional commitments, unaffected by the baseless rumours surrounding their personal lives. 🟣A Hidden Affair: The Unseen Wedding of Sania Mirza & Mohammed Shami!Latest News 🗞️ https://t.co/1B7Y3aZwLO pic.twitter.com/zSnZ6bcXcV In conclusion, the talk of a relationship between Sania Mirza and Mohammed Shami is a product of social media speculation with no grounding in reality. As sports stars, Mirza and Shami remain focused on their respective careers, and the truth behind this buzz serves as a reminder to question and verify information before believing or spreading it.

PARIS (AFP) – French President Emmanuel Macron named a new government, putting together a team under Francois Bayrou, his fourth prime minister of the year, to drag the second-largest European Union (EU) economy out of political crisis. Macron named former prime minister Elisabeth Borne, 63, Education Minister in a new Cabinet under centrist Bayrou. Another former premier, Manuel Valls, 62, returned as Overseas Territories Minister, while former interior minister Gerald Darmanin became Justice Minister. Both Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu and Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot kept their jobs, the presidency said. Lecornu, a 38-year-old loyalist with a keen political nose, has served in every government since Macron’s first election as president in 2017. Conservative Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, who has vowed to crack down on illegal immigration, and right-wing Culture Minister Rachida Dati, also stayed in their posts. The difficult job of delivering a budget plan for next year falls to Eric Lombard, the 66-year-old head of public-sector lender Caisse des Depots (CDC), who was named economy minister. “I’m very proud of the team we’re presenting this evening,” Bayrou said on X, adding his “experienced” government would aim to “rebuild trust”. The inclusion of two former prime ministers indicates Macron’s desire for a heavyweight government that will enjoy stability and not share the fate of Bayrou’s predecessor, Michel Barnier, ousted in a no-confidence vote following a standoff over an austerity budget. Bayrou had hoped to bring in figures from the left, right and centre to protect his government from possible censure, but his 35-member team does not include any representatives of the left-wing coalition New Popular Front, which has won the most seats in snap legislative elections this summer. Left-wing politicians were livid. “It’s not a government, it’s a provocation. The extreme right in power under the watchful eye of the extreme right,” Socialist leader Olivier Faure said on X. Macron will gather Bayrou’s team on January 3 for a first Cabinet meeting, the presidency said. The priority for Bayrou, 73, is to make sure his government can survive a no-confidence vote and that it passes a cost-cutting budget for 2025. The unexpected comeback of Valls, premier from 2014 to 2016, as the head of the overseas territories ministry indicates the importance of the post after authorities were strongly criticised for their response to the deadly cyclone on the Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte, which killed at least 35 people. Darmanin had long been known to covet the post of foreign minister, but after days of intense discussions will have to content himself with the justice ministry.The Boston Red Sox continued to rebuild their pitching staff, acquiring left-hander Jovani Morán on Tuesday from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for catcher and infielder Mickey Gasper. The 27-year-old Morán appeared in 79 games as a reliever for the Twins from 2021 to 2023, posting a 4.15 ERA, striking out 112 with 52 walks and holding opponents to a .208 batting average. He missed all of last season recovering from Tommy John surgery. He originally was chosen in the seventh round of the 2015 draft. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.Campbell River city council voted Thursday (Nov. 21) to decrease funding to non-profit organizations in Campbell River, while also streamlining the city's approach to its grant process, with most of the changes taking effect in 2026. Chief financial officer Alaina Maher said the new grant policy will allow the city to continue to support non-profits in "improved ways." "It's less subjective, more transparent, and more inclusive," said Maher of the new policy. By providing $2.87 million in grants, leases, and facility rentals to non-profit organizations, she said, the changes reflect a $370,000 decrease in the city's current funding. She added the changes would also align city spending with comparable communities. Currently, the City of Campbell River spends more on non-profit funding than comparable communities, such as Courtenay and Penticton, according to the city report. During the presentation to the council, finance services manager Aaron Daur said the proposed changes streamline three existing policies – the permissive tax exemption, the community grant policy, and a segment of the property policy – into a single policy called the "financial assistance policy." Permissive tax exemptions will decrease from 1.7 percent (or $720,000) to 1.4 percent (or $603,000) of the previous year's tax, resulting in an estimated savings of up to $220,000 each year, he said. Community grants will no longer be restricted to the arts and culture sector. Instead, they will be available to all organizations that contribute directly to the city's social, recreational, cultural, environmental, and economic well-being. A total of $150,000 will be budgeted for community grants, with a maximum of $20,000 per organization. The city currently awards $277,000 in grants, meaning the savings will amount to $127,000, Daur said. The city operating grants are available to organizations operating on city-owned property – and, under the changes, are no longer restricted to arts and culture organizations. The budget will decrease to $550,000, from the $654,000 the municipality currently awards. For example, the Campbell River Art Gallery was awarded an operating grant of $80,000 in 2024. But, due to the changes, with a budget of $550,000, it would instead receive $67,000 – a reduction of $13,000. The changes are substantial, Daur said. City staff recommend the changes be phased in over 2025, taking effect in 2026. At the beginning of the meeting, Mayor Kermit Dahl addressed the significant community uproar over the changes. He said there is a "lack of understanding" about the substantial funding the city currently allocates to non-profits. "Like many cities across Canada, Campbell River is facing the challenge of maintaining our service levels while meeting the needs of a growing community and keeping taxes affordable," Dahl said. "We also recognize that we provide significant funding to the non-profit sector each year." Coun. Ben Lanyon said a five per cent reduction for certain organizations would not lead to dire consequences. He recommended the organizations reach out to the community for philanthropic donations. These days many families are just struggling to put food on the table and don't have any extra money to put toward a higher property tax, he added. 'Intense' approach to keeping taxes low Just one councillor, Tanille Johnston, voted against the changes. "We are taking a pretty intense, in my opinion, approach to where we're finding the money to keep the taxation as low as is desired," she said. "This is also a cumulative effect of having councils that have not, in my opinion, operated the community in a way that can sustain itself." She pointed to what she called the city's "historic commitment" to single-family housing as a culprit, adding that single-family homes don't pay for themselves, setting up the city to implement drastic tax measures. Sara Lopez Assu, the Campbell River Art Gallery's executive director, attended Thursday's council meeting. To her, the city is playing a "numbers game" and is "intentionally misleading." "I'm angry and I'm disappointed," she told the Mirror , adding when it comes to the actual money the art gallery receives, the community grant cuts amount to about 25 per cent, while the permissive tax cuts add up to 16 per cent. Asking organizations to seek philanthropic donations is "tone deaf," she said, as organizations, like the art gallery, already do so. She said city funding represents about 13 per cent of the art gallery's total operating budget. However, they use those funds, which are core operating funds, to leverage a "multiplier effect" with other funding sources. "We can show up with money in our pocket and say, 'Hey, match it.' And that is what we all have been doing. So we bring in four times what the city invests," she said. Lopez Assu is also not convinced the city funds more than the so-called comparable communities. "It's nine (comparative) communities that the city report is based on," she said. "Five out of those nine communities don't even have a public art gallery. You're comparing complete apples to oranges. "They're comparing us to communities that don't have arts and cultural assets," she said. To help with this transition, council also approved a $20,000 budget to implement the policy and provide workshops to help organizations navigate the changes. The city is also in discussions about creating a grant process with the Strathcona Regional District for non-profits that benefit the entire region, including the city.

First dog-friendly cruise scheduled for 2025. Organizers hope it turns into a recurring event.

WARSAW, N.Y., Dec. 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Financial Institutions, Inc. (Nasdaq: FISI) (the “Company”), parent company of Five Star Bank and Courier Capital, LLC, announced today that it has launched an underwritten public offering of shares of its common stock. The Company intends to grant the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase additional shares of its common stock. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from this offering for general corporate purposes which may include a balance sheet restructuring through the repositioning of a substantial portion of our available-for-sale debt securities portfolio to support continued growth as well as the repayment of indebtedness. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc., A Stifel Company is serving as the sole bookrunner for the offering, and Piper Sandler & Co. is acting as the co-manager. Additional Information Regarding the Offering The offering of common stock is being made pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-283475) that was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on December 4, 2024. A preliminary prospectus supplement to which this communication relates has been filed with the SEC. A final prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus will be filed with the SEC. Prospective investors should read the preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and other documents the Company has filed with the SEC for more complete information about the Company and the offering. Copies of these documents are available at no charge by visiting the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov . When available, copies of the preliminary prospectus supplement, the final prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus related to the offering may be obtained by contacting Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc., A Stifel Company by telephone at (800) 966-1559 or by e-mail at USCapitalMarkets@kbw.com . No Offer or Solicitation This press release does not constitute an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities. There will be no sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. About Financial Institutions, Inc. Financial Institutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: FISI) is an innovative financial holding company with approximately $6.2 billion in assets offering banking and wealth management products and services. Its Five Star Bank subsidiary provides consumer and commercial banking and lending services to individuals, municipalities and businesses through banking locations spanning Western and Central New York and a commercial loan production office serving the Mid-Atlantic region. Courier Capital, LLC offers customized investment management, financial planning and consulting services to individuals and families, businesses, institutions, non-profits and retirement plans. Learn more at Five-StarBank.com and FISI-Investors.com. Special Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements represent plans, estimates, objectives, goals, guidelines, expectations, intentions, projections, and statements of the Company’s beliefs concerning future events, business plans, objectives, expected operating results, and the assumptions upon which those statements are based. Forward-looking statements include without limitation, any statement that may predict, forecast, indicate, or imply future results, performance, or achievements, and are typically identified with words such as “may”, “could”, “should”, “will”, “would”, “believe”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “expect”, “aim”, “intend”, “plan” or words or phases of similar meaning. The Company cautions that the forward-looking statements are based largely on the Company’s expectations and are subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties that are subject to change based on factors which are, in many instances, beyond the Company’s control. Such forward-looking statements are based on various assumptions (some of which may be beyond the Company’s control) and are subject to risks and uncertainties, which change over time, and other factors, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated. New risks and uncertainties may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict their occurrence or how they will affect the Company. If one or more of the factors affecting the Company’s forward-looking information and statements proves incorrect, then the Company’s actual results, performance, or achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, forward-looking information and statements contained in this press release. Therefore, the Company cautions you not to place undue reliance on the Company’s forward-looking information and statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are set forth in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 under the section entitled “Risk Factors,” and other documents filed by the Company with the SEC from time to time. The Company disclaims any duty to revise or update the forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, to reflect actual results or changes in the factors affecting the forward-looking statements, except as specifically required by law. Investor Contact : Kate Croft Director of Investor and External Relations (716) 817-5159 klcroft@five-starbank.comJust about everyone dreams about cars they wish they could own, and there’s no better time than the holidays to make a list of vehicles you’d love to have in your driveway. The car pros at Edmunds rounded up five of their favorite dream-worthy vehicles. But rather than just list the most outlandish and expensive exotics, they focused on highlighting models that are expensive but not so pricey that it’d be completely unrealistic for you to own one one day. The vehicles are ordered in ascending order of price and include destination fees. Off-road trucks look fantastic and are extremely capable. What truck enthusiast wouldn’t have one topping their wish list? The king of the hill for 2025 is the F-150 Raptor R. The regular Raptor is already impressive, and the R takes it to the next level with a bonkers 720-horsepower supercharged 5.2-liter V8 engine, upgraded Fox dual-value shock absorbers, and massive 37-inch all-terrain tires. An R-specific grille and hood are also part of the R’s upgrades. Thankfully, the Raptor R isn’t all bark and bite. It also has plenty of features to make it a livable truck for daily driving. Standard features include leather upholstery, cooling front seats, a premium sound system, and a surround-view camera to help make this big truck easier to park. Starting Price: $112,825 Few sedans can match the Mercedes-Benz S-Class for opulence, luxury and prestige. This grand sedan showcases nearly every luxury, technology and performance innovation that Mercedes-Benz has concocted. Everything you touch inside is likely covered in leather, heated, or bathed in disco-worthy ambient light. A novel could be written about all of the S-Class’ luxury and comfort features, but one of the most notable is the E-Active Body Control system. It scans the road surface ahead and adjusts the suspension to deliver the best ride possible. The S-Class also boasts an extensive list of advanced safety features and has an augmented reality head-up display that projects images that appear to float in front of the car. For the ultimate S-Class, get the 791-horsepower AMG S 63 E Performance model. Starting Price: $118,900 Who needs a European exotic car when the Corvette ZR1 is just as capable? A sports car fanatic’s wish list wouldn’t be right without the ZR1. The new Corvette hit a record-setting top speed of 233 mph, making it the fastest car ever built by an American automaker and the fastest current production car priced under $1 million, according to Chevrolet. The top speed record was possible thanks to the ZR1’s turbocharged 5.5-liter V8 engine that cranks out a staggering 1,064 horsepower. Its carbon-fiber aero package kept it glued to the track by generating over 1,200 pounds of downforce at top speed. Chevrolet also says the ZR1 can accelerate through the quarter mile in less than 10 seconds. We expect the Corvette ZR1 to go on sale in early 2025. Estimated starting price: $150,000 Does your wish list include a big and powerful SUV? If it does, the Escalade-V should top it. The big Caddy roars like a muscle car thanks to its supercharged 6.2-liter V8 that churns out 682 horsepower and helps it hit 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds. The Escalade-V also boasts enormous 24-inch wheels and large Brembo brakes that help bring the three-ton SUV to a stop. But the Escalade-V isn’t only about brute power. It also has three rows of seating, plenty of cargo space and offers impressive tech like Super Cruise, a hands-free highway driving system, and an enormous 55-inch curved display that spans the dashboard. Starting Price: $161,990 What if we told you there was a car that could outpace almost anything on a drag strip, keep up with high-end sports cars on a racetrack, and be comfortable enough for daily errands? Well, if that sounds amazing, add the Air Sapphire to your dream list. The Air Sapphire is a high-performance electric luxury sedan made by Lucid, an electric vehicle startup. It’s one of the most powerful production cars in the world, producing an astonishing 1,234 horsepower from its three electric motors. Lucid says it has a top speed of 205 mph and can rocket to 60 mph in a mind-numbing 1.9 seconds. You can adjust the vehicle’s setting for exceptional track performance or simply provide a comfortable ride around town. Starting price: $250,500 Edmunds says Even if you can’t afford any of these vehicles, you can still picture one sitting in your driveway or imagine yourself cruising around town in it. And who knows, maybe holiday magic will give you the opportunity to own one in the future. ____ This story was provided to by the automotive website . is a contributor at Edmunds. Michael Cantu, The Associated Press

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The Boston Red Sox continued to rebuild their pitching staff, acquiring left-hander Jovani Morán on Tuesday from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for catcher and infielder Mickey Gasper. The 27-year-old Morán appeared in 79 games as a reliever for the Twins from 2021 to 2023, posting a 4.15 ERA, striking out 112 with 52 walks and holding opponents to a .208 batting average. He missed all of last season recovering from Tommy John surgery. He originally was chosen in the seventh round of the 2015 draft. In Gasper, the Twins are getting a 29-year-old who made his major league debut last season and appeared in 13 games with Boston. The switch-hitter was selected by the New York Yankees in the 27th round of the 2018 draft. He was picked by Boston in the minor league portion of the 2023 Rule 5 Draft. The Red Sox and Twins both currently have 39 players on their 40-man rosters. ___ AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlbThe Boston Red Sox continued to rebuild their pitching staff, acquiring left-hander Jovani Morán on Tuesday from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for catcher and infielder Mickey Gasper. The 27-year-old Morán appeared in 79 games as a reliever for the Twins from 2021 to 2023, posting a 4.15 ERA, striking out 112 with 52 walks and holding opponents to a .208 batting average. He missed all of last season recovering from Tommy John surgery. He originally was chosen in the seventh round of the 2015 draft. In Gasper, the Twins are getting a 29-year-old who made his major league debut last season and appeared in 13 games with Boston. The switch-hitter was selected by the New York Yankees in the 27th round of the 2018 draft. He was picked by Boston in the minor league portion of the 2023 Rule 5 Draft. The Red Sox and Twins both currently have 39 players on their 40-man rosters. AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

A 199-foot-tall wireless service cell tower has received a special exception permit from Amherst County to locate on a property close to the intersection of U.S. 29 and Virginia 151. The Amherst County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Dec. 17 to approve the permit for Arcola Towers 2, LLP to place the communications tower at 299 Toytown Road on 23 acres zoned A-1, agricultural residential. A sawmill also is located on the property in northern Amherst County just outside the town of Amherst limits. Tyler Creasy, director of community development, said the board should consider two major factors in reviewing the tower: the efforts to improve the county’s information technology and wireless communication coverage infrastructure and the effects on residents’ scenic views. “These towers are fairly tall, so they will have a detriment on viewsheds,” Creasy said. The proposed tower is a low-intensity commercial use that does not conflict with the A1 district and will support emergency services, businesses, residents and travelers in the area, Arcola Towers states in its application. “The applicant has indicated the need for the tower due to poor coverage in the vicinity,” Creasy said. “However, it is expected the viewshed of the surrounding community will be impacted by this proposal.” Jonathan Yates, of Arcola Towers, said Verizon Wireless has a definite need to boost coverage in that general area and the tower is set back off the sawmill operation that has been in place for decades and will continue. “It’s the perfect piece of property,” Yates said. “It is right where Verizon needed to be ... It’s just a win-win.” Much of the equipment on the tower is monitored remotely for the most part and it will not cause any noise, odor or lighting issues, Yates said. The tower is crucial for emergency calls and communications between the public and first responders in a busy stretch of U.S. 29 and surrounding areas, he said. “Sometimes wireless is now called the fourth utility — we’ve become ubiquitous,” Yates said. “It connects people, it gives them access to other people and help when they need it.” The monopole initially will be equipped with panel antennas, radios and associated components for Verizon Wireless’s use, according to a project narrative from Arcola Towers. The tower will expand Verizon’s network of services into a part of the county that currently has “low to marginal levels of wireless coverage” while also meeting the needs for increased network capacity in the surrounding areas that being served by existing, neighboring facilities that are currently overstressed, Arcola Towers wrote in the application. The proposed facility will not be artificially lit and will include a 50-by-50-foot compound containing cabinets, utility stands, emergency backup power generators and equipment that will not exceed 12 feet in height. No one spoke for or against the zoning request during a public hearing on Dec. 17. Supervisor Tom Martin, who represents that part of the county, said he thinks the most “intrusive” effects on views will be along U.S. 29 and weighed the need for good infrastructure in voicing support for it. He said he appreciates a balloon test that was done to show how the tower’s height would be noticeable. “...There’s competing interests here with protecting our viewsheds and having good wireless communications,” Martin said. In a separate matter during the board’s final meeting of 2024, Chairman Drew Wade spoke of attending a Dec. 5 open house Appalachian Power Company held on plans to bring a small modular reactor (SMRs) project to Campbell County, a few miles down the James River from Lynchburg. The open house attracted close to a hundred people to the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance building in downtown Lynchburg where the public learned about SMR technology, how the spent nuclear fuel from the reactors would be stored onsite, and the project’s estimated economic impact on Campbell County and the Lynchburg area. The SMR project would be built on company-owned property in the Joshua Falls area of Campbell County. This site, off Mt. Athos Road, already houses a 765-kilovolt substation and nearby roadways that can support moving the necessary equipment on site, according to APCo. Wade said he thought the company did a great job walking people through the process and noted the project’s importance to the region. He asked county staff to inquire about having a presentation done in early 2025 on the plan during a county board meeting. “Nuclear is, in my opinion, the future for energy,” Wade said.Former Miss Basketball Rebecca Feickert building connections along the way

US President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to demand control of the Panama Canal be returned to Washington, complaining of "unfair" treatment of American ships and hinting at China's growing influence. Here are five things to know about the waterway connecting the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. The 80-kilometer (50-mile) interoceanic waterway is operated by the Panama Canal Authority, an autonomous public entity. The Central American nation's constitution describes the canal as an "inalienable heritage of the Panamanian nation" that is open to vessels "of all nations." The United States is its main user, accounting for 74 percent of cargo, followed by China with 21 percent. Panama's government sets the price of tolls based on canal needs and international demand. Rates depends on a vessel's cargo capacity. "The canal has no direct or indirect control from China, nor the European Union, nor the United States or any other power," Panama's President Jose Raul Mulino said Sunday as he dismissed Trump's threat. All vessels, including warships and submarines, are given a Panama Canal pilot. Panama's independence from Colombia in 1903 is linked to the canal. Following the failure of French count Ferdinand de Lesseps to open a channel through the isthmus, the United States promoted the separation of the province of Panama and signed a treaty with the nascent country that ceded land and water in perpetuity to build it. After 10 years of construction and an investment of $380 million, the canal was inaugurated on August 15, 1914 with the transit of the steamer Ancon. Some 25,000 deaths from disease and accidents were recorded during its construction. The canal "is part of our history" and "an irreversible achievement," Mulino said. Washington's establishment of a "Canal Zone" -- an enclave with its own military bases, police and justice system -- gave rise to decades of demands by Panamanians to reunify the country and take control of the waterway. In 1977, Panamanian nationalist leader Omar Torrijos and US president Jimmy Carter signed treaties that allowed the canal to be transferred to Panama on December 31, 1999. "Any attempt to reverse this historic achievement not only dishonors our struggle, but is also an insult to the memory of those who made it possible," former president Martin Torrijos, the general's son, wrote on social media. Under the treaties, supported by more than 40 countries, the canal is deemed neutral and any ship can pass through. The only conditions are that ships must comply with safety regulations and military vessels from countries at war must not pass through at the same time. Unlike Egypt's Suez Canal, the Panama Canal operates using freshwater stored in two reservoirs. A drought led to a reduction in the number of transits in 2023, but the situation has since normalized. The canal, which has a system of locks to raise and lower vessels, transformed global shipping. Crafts can travel between the two oceans in about eight hours without having to sail all the way around Cape Horn, the southern tip of the Americas. The canal allows a ship to shave 20,300 kilometers off a journey from New York to San Francisco. Five percent of world maritime trade passes through the canal, which connects more than 1,900 ports in 170 countries. By the early 21st century, it had become too small, so it was expanded between 2009 and 2016. Today, the canal can accommodate ships up to 366 meters long and 49 meters wide (1,200 feet by 161 feet) -- equivalent to almost four football pitches. It generates six percent of Panama's national economic output and since 2000 has pumped more than $28 billion into state coffers. More than 11,200 ships transited the canal in the last fiscal year carrying 423 million tons of cargo. jjr/fj/dr/mlm( MENAFN - Newsroom Panama) You're witnessing a seismic shift in the entertainment industry, driven by technological advancements and evolving consumer preferences. The metaverse is projected to generate up to $5 trillion in value by 2030, with over 50% of live events expected to occur within this immersive digital realm. Data-driven diversity and inclusion initiatives are influencing box office success and consumer engagement. Strategic partnerships and M&A activity highlight the importance of collaboration in adapting to changes in content distribution. Personalization through AI-driven technologies can boost revenues by 15%, while intuitive interfaces promote natural interactions with entertainment. Embrace these trends to stay competitive in the evolving global entertainment landscape. Two key trends are driving the future of entertainment: the rise of the metaverse and the growing demand for immersive experiences. As the metaverse is projected to generate up to $5 trillion in value by 2030, it's clear that this virtual reality landscape will play a significant role in shaping how we consume and interact with content. You can expect over 50% of live events to occur within the metaverse by 2030, signaling a major shift towards digital transformation in the entertainment industry. Content creators and companies investing in metaverse-related technologies will be at the forefront of innovation, redefining how we experience entertainment. The integration of gaming and filmed entertainment will blur the lines between passive and interactive content consumption, creating new opportunities for immersive experiences. With the virtual reality industry expected to reach $22 billion by 2025, it's evident that the demand for immersive entertainment will continue to grow. Embracing these trends will be crucial for staying relevant and competitive in the rapidly evolving entertainment landscape, as the metaverse and immersive experiences become the new norm. Alongside the metaverse and immersive experiences, data-driven diversity and inclusion initiatives are transforming the entertainment industry, including Canadian IPTV . Authentic representation in films significantly impacts box office success, with movies featuring fewer than 11% underrepresented actors underperforming by 20%. Additionally, 64% of consumers report being influenced by diverse advertisements, highlighting the importance of representation in marketing strategies. However, companies face challenges in effectively recording Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) data: Despite these challenges, 59% of executives have increased their investments in DEI initiatives over the past year, reflecting a growing commitment to fostering inclusive environments in the media and entertainment industry. As the industry evolves, data-driven diversity and inclusion will play a crucial role in shaping personalized content and ensuring authentic representation across all platforms, ultimately driving the future of entertainment. Strategic partnerships and mergers and acquisitions (M&A) are transforming the entertainment industry as companies adapt to the rapidly evolving content and distribution landscape. In the realm of entertainment, storytelling formats are undergoing a profound transformation, driven by technological advancements and evolving consumer preferences. Modern creators are leveraging mixed reality, participatory storytelling, and immersive theater to engage audiences in unprecedented ways. This shift is evident in: As technology continues to progress, the lines between creator and consumer will blur further, giving rise to even more interactive and personalized forms of storytelling. This evolution will not only reshape the entertainment landscape but also redefine how we connect with narratives and each other. The future of entertainment lies in the seamless integration of diverse formats, fostering deeper engagement and more meaningful experiences for audiences worldwide. Personalization and intuitive interfaces are poised to revolutionize the entertainment landscape, as AI-driven technologies and immersive experiences continue to shape consumer expectations. You'll find that personalization, powered by machine learning, can boost revenues by 15% through tailored customer experiences. Intuitive interfaces, such as gesture and voice recognition, will promote more natural interactions with entertainment, moving beyond traditional controls. As you demand more relatable content, immersive experiences designed with character recognition and emotional responsiveness will enhance your engagement. By 2030, your wearable devices will seamlessly integrate social, work, and entertainment environments, creating a personalized consumption experience. The rise of virtual reality and mixed reality technologies will redefine storytelling, allowing for personalization that enhances your interaction and engagement with narratives. Artificial intelligence will play a crucial role in driving these advancements, enabling entertainment providers to deliver highly customized content and experiences. As personalization and intuitive interfaces become the norm, you can expect a more immersive and engaging entertainment landscape that adapts to your preferences and behaviors, ultimately transforming the way you consume and interact with content in the future. You'll witness a transformation in entertainment, driven by content diversity and personalized experiences. Streaming competition will intensify, while virtual reality and AI redefine audience engagement. Prepare for a future of immersive storytelling and global cultural exchange. You'll witness streaming dominance, immersive experiences, and diverse content driving audience engagement. Virtual reality and cultural exchange will reshape entertainment, while data-driven insights and forward-looking strategies will be essential for success in this evolving landscape. You'll experience immersive entertainment through virtual reality and AI-driven storytelling on streaming platforms. Interactive media and personalized content, powered by advanced technologies, will reshape how you engage with and consume entertainment in the future. Globalization has transformed entertainment through cultural exchange and audience diversity. Streaming platforms now offer regional content, fostering global collaborations. As language barriers diminish, you can access a wealth of international films, shows, and creators like never before. MENAFN24122024000218011062ID1109028674 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith looked up at the jumbotron at Hard Rock Stadium and saw a piece of history written next to his name. He’d just broken Miami’s single-season record for receptions (76) and yards (802) for a tight end, making him the most productive at the position in Dolphins history in just his first year with the team. After the game was over — a 29-17 win over the San Francisco 49ers — Smith took a minute before explaining what that feat meant to him. “I’ve just got a heart of gratitude right now,” Smith said, “a heart of thankfulness for this entire organization for believing in me, for my teammates, the entire offense, and just trusting in my ability to say, ‘Listen, man, this is a guy that we’ve got to implement on a consistent basis in this offense.’ This is the first time that I’ve been able to really come into my own in my career and it’s Year 8. And God’s timing is perfect.” One of Miami’s first free agent signings back in March, Smith was brought in to bolster the Dolphins’ tight end position, which has always played a primary blocking role in coach Mike McDaniel’s offense but needed a boost. Miami led the league in total offense in 2023 but failed to get a touchdown from any of its tight ends. The Dolphins weren’t exactly expecting Smith to become one of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s primary targets. Tyreek Hill was coming off a season in which he led the NFL in receiving yards. Jaylen Waddle was on the heels of his third-straight 1,000-yard receiving campaign. And the Dolphins signed former All-Pro Odell Beckham Jr. to be the third-receiving option behind those two. “It’s not like Jonnu started off with a ton of numbers like Week 1,” McDaniel said. “I think he never blinked at the beginning of the season, and was worried about the right stuff — worried about getting better and being his best. As a result, he’s been a key contributor week in and week out.” Smith’s stats were modest to start the season: He had just 14 catches for 140 yards through the first five games before catching seven passes for 96 yards and his first touchdown in Week 7 against Indianapolis. Since then, Smith has 55 receptions, 566 yards and six touchdowns. He has recorded at least 44 receiving yards in all but one game since Week 7, including a career-high 113 yards on 10 receptions against Green Bay on Thanksgiving. Aaron Rodgers insists there’s nothing uncertain about his status for the New York Jets’ game Sunday at Buffalo. “There’s no way I’m not playing,” the quarterback said during a video call Tuesday. Rodgers acknowledged he has “a little MCL” issue in a knee, but added: “I’ve had a lot worse. I lucked out. I avoided major stretchage of the MCL.” Rodgers was hurt in the Jets’ 19-9 loss to the Los Angeles Rams last Sunday but remained in the game. “I’m gonna play,” Rodgers said of the game against the Bills. “It feels pretty good.” Rookie left tackle Olu Fashanu’s promising first season is over, though, as the first-round pick was placed on injured reserve with an injury to the plantar fascia in his left foot. NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Coach Brian Callahan is sticking with Mason Rudolph at quarterback for a second straight game to see if the Tennessee Titans can build on the veteran who’s played in four of their highest scoring games this season. Callahan said Tuesday that he thinks Rudolph earned another chance to play Sunday at Jacksonville, despite a 38-30 loss to Indianapolis. “Obviously the one interception was probably his only really poor moment,” Callahan said. “The rest of it was pretty well executed on his part and operated in a drop-back passing game and had to fight his way back through it. And it was good to see, so we’ll let him take another crack at it.” Rudolph is 2-4 in the six games he’s played in this season. That includes coming in for an injured Will Levis on Sept. 30 in a 31-12 win at Miami, and he tried to rally the Titans in a turnover-plagued 37-27 loss to Cincinnati before being selected as the starter last week. Rudolph, who is in Tennessee on a one-year deal, was 23 of 34 for 252 yards with two touchdown passes and three interceptions. One went off running back Tony Pollard’s hands with the final pick coming on the last play of the game after Rudolph led a rally from a 38-7 deficit in the final 18 minutes. ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos’ usually stout defense has been rocked ever since losing second-year cornerback Riley Moss to an MCL injury against Las Vegas in Week 12. Without Moss there to capitalize on opponents shying away from star cornerback Patrick Surtain II, the Broncos (9-6) have had to largely abandon their preferred man coverage in favor of zone strategies and the results haven’t been pretty. However, Moss returned to practice last week and the Broncos will determine this week whether he’s ready to return to the field or if it’s better to keep him out until their season finale against Kansas City. The medial collateral ligament is on the inside of the knee that connects the thigh bone to the shin bone. It’s one of four major ligaments that stabilize the knee and allow it to rotate. It typically takes a month to recover from an MCL sprain and the Broncos had their bye week earlier this month, meaning Moss might only have to miss three games. EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Drew Lock is likely going to start at quarterback for the New York Giants against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday when they try to end a franchise-record 10-game losing streak. Lock started against Atlanta last weekend and his status became an issue after the 34-7 loss when coach Brian Daboll said the 28-year-old was having an issue with his right shoulder. An MRI was done Monday and Daboll announced Tuesday that Lock would be his starter if he stayed healthy. BRIEFLY HALL OF FAME: Longtime assistant coaches Dick Hoak, Elijah Pitts and Jim McNally will be honored with the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Awards of Excellence for the 2025 class. The three assistants were announced Tuesday as the fourth class of assistant coaches to receiver the award given to coordinators or position coaches. Hoak was a running backs coach for 35 seasons for Pittsburgh. Pitts coached running backs for the Rams, Bills and Oilers. McNally was a longtime offensive line coach who spent most of his career in Cincinnati. EAGLES: Former Philadelphia running back Wendell Smallwood Jr. is facing sentencing after he pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges. The plea agreement was approved Friday by a federal judge in Delaware. Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Ford is best known for its enduring American muscle cars, its powerful pickups, and even the Tin Lizzy from the early 1900s – in other words, you probably associate Ford with cars. It makes sense since that's all Ford makes right now. However, it wasn't always that way. The Ford Motor Company shaped how people drove and how cars are produced thanks to the moving assembly line, but it also has had a hand in a lot of surprising non-car-related things throughout the years. Not every endeavor proved successful, but all were memorable in their own ways. From rattly, reliable planes to life-saving masks, Ford has attempted to utilize its groundbreaking assembly line and production expertise to pursue products outside of the automobile space. Here are four interesting things that Ford has built over the hundred years that all shaped society in different ways. And who knows, maybe Ford will step away from cars again in the future. The Ford Trimotor, often called the "Tin Goose," got its name for being pretty noisy but it was still a respected aircraft due to its reliability and metal construction, as well as its relation to the trusted Ford brand. When it took flight for the first time in 1926, it was the largest civil aircraft in America, with a wingspan of over 77 feet and a length of nearly 50 feet. Its top speed was 135 miles per hour. The Ford Trimotor was manufactured by Stout Metal Airplane Co, a division of Ford Motor Company, after engineer William B. Stout sent a letter to Ford and other leading manufacturers at the time, asking for a $1,000 investment towards building an aircraft. By 1925, Ford bought the entire company. During the seven years that Ford produced the Trimotor aircraft, 199 were built and more than 100 airlines flew it in the United States and other countries — including Canada, Mexico, South America, China, Europe, and Australia. Ford Trimotors will now cost you over $1 million, making them one of the most expensive older planes you can find . During the beginning of the global pandemic in 2020, Ford announced that it was producing face masks at the Van Dyke Transmission Plant in collaboration with the United Auto Workers. At the time, Ford had already produced more than three million face shields, also for healthcare workers. Before this, Ford was already helping 3M increase its own production of N95 respirators by deploying supply chain experts at its facilities. A big part of the collaboration with 3M was producing a new PAPR design and decreasing its development time — and if there's any company that knows about decreasing development time it's Ford, who invented the moving assembly line . "By working collaboratively with 3M to quickly combine more than 100 years of Ford manufacturing and engineering expertise with personal protection equipment design and expertise, we're getting much-needed technology into the hands of frontline medical workers to help when they need it most," said Marcy Fisher , Ford's Director of Global Body Exterior and Interior Engineering. From 1941 to the end of World War II, Ford repurposed its assembly lines to manufacture tanks, aircraft, and other military vehicles. Over 12,500 M4 Sherman tanks were produced, weighing over 68,000 pounds with a GAA-V8 4-cycle 8-cylinder engine that produced 500 horsepower and got the tanks to 26 miles per hour. These mid-sized tanks were meant to have a five-man crew — a commander, loader, gunner, driver, and assistant driver — and had a 75 mm main gun, two .30 caliber machine guns, and one .50 caliber machine gun. Ford's tanks were primarily used for infantry support, leading attacks, and holding defensive positions by the United States, Great Britain, France, China, and the Soviet Union. Unfortunately, the Sherman tank was not able to keep up with other popular tanks at that time and was known to catch on fire. This earned it the clever nickname "Ronson's," a lighter with the slogan "lights every time." You've definitely heard of the iconic Ford Model A , but some may not know that there was actually a pickup version of the Model T and Model A. When it was first produced in 1929, the Model A became one of the first manufactured pickup trucks. It interestingly has the same distinct and dramatically curved body of the Model A but an added bed in the back (some with a wood trim). We consider it one of the best-looking trucks that Ford has ever made . Aside from its strikingly classy appearance, the Model A pickup was considered pretty functional during that time period. It had a 200 cubic inch four-cylinder engine that made 40 hp and 128 lb-ft of torque. This is nothing compared to the power that pickups have now — the 2025 F-150 can produce up to 720 hp and 640 lb-ft of torque, depending on the engine you go with . While the Ford Model A pickup wasn't towing 8,700 pounds, it got the job done while looking good.Jimmy Carter: president, global mediator, Nobel laureate

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