As the investigation unfolds, all eyes will be on Google and Meta to see how they navigate the regulatory scrutiny and demonstrate their commitment to fair competition and ethical business practices. Transparency, accountability, and compliance with antitrust laws are vital principles that should guide the conduct of tech companies operating in the digital advertising landscape.Exciting news for all gaming enthusiasts! The highly anticipated Chinese 5V5 multiplayer competitive game "From The Forgotten" has finally revealed its official gameplay footage to the public. The much-anticipated moment arrived as the game developers announced that the closed beta testing will commence on December 20th, marking a significant milestone in the journey of this immersive gaming experience.The dynamic AI of the monsters in "Black Myth: Wukong" adds a layer of unpredictability to the gameplay, keeping players on their toes and ensuring that no two battles are ever the same. From cunning ambushes to relentless pursuit, players must stay sharp and adapt their strategies on the fly to survive and emerge triumphant.
COLUMBIA, South Carolina (AP) — Victims' families and others affected by crimes that resulted in federal death row convictions shared a range of emotions on Monday, from relief to anger, after President Joe Biden commuted dozens of the sentences . Biden converted the sentences of 37 federal death row inmates to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. The inmates include people who were convicted in the slayings of police, military officers and federal prisoners and guards. Others were involved in deadly robberies and drug deals. Three inmates will remain on federal death row: Dylann Roof , convicted of the 2015 racist slayings of nine Black members of Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina; the 2013 Boston Marathon Bomber, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev , and Robert Bowers, who fatally shot 11 congregants at Pittsburgh’s Tree of life Synagogue in 2018 , the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S history. Opponents of the death penalty lauded Biden for a decision they'd long sought. Supporters of Donald Trump , a vocal advocate of expanding capital punishment, criticized the move as an assault to common decency just weeks before the president-elect takes office. Donnie Oliverio, a retired Ohio police officer whose partner was killed by an inmate whose death sentence was commuted, said the execution of “the person who killed my police partner and best friend would have brought me no peace.” “The president has done what is right here,” Oliverio said in a statement also issued by the White House, “and what is consistent with the faith he and I share.” Heather Turner, whose mother, Donna Major, was killed in a bank robbery in South Carolina in 2017, called Biden's commutation of the killer's sentence a “clear gross abuse of power” in a Facebook post, adding that the weeks she spent in court with the hope of justice were now “just a waste of time.” “At no point did the president consider the victims,” Turner wrote. “He, and his supporters, have blood on their hands.” There has always been a broad range of opinions on what punishment Roof should face from the families of the nine people killed and the survivors of the massacre at the Mother Emanuel AME Church. Many forgave him, but some say they can’t forget and their forgiveness doesn’t mean they don’t want to see him put to death for what he did. Felicia Sanders survived the shooting shielding her granddaughter while watching Roof kill her son, Tywanza, and her aunt, Susie Jackson. Sanders brought her bullet-torn bloodstained Bible to his sentencing and said then she can’t even close her eyes to pray because Roof started firing during the closing prayer of Bible study that night. In a text message to her lawyer, Andy Savage, Sanders called Biden’s decision to not spare Roof’s life a wonderful Christmas gift. Michael Graham, whose sister, Cynthia Hurd, was killed, told The Associated Press that Roof’s lack of remorse and simmering white nationalism in the country means he is the kind of dangerous and evil person the death penalty is intended for. “This was a crime against a race of people," Graham said. “It didn’t matter who was there, only that they were Black.” But the Rev. Sharon Richer, who was Tywanza Sanders’ cousin and whose mother, Ethel Lance, was killed, criticized Biden for not sparing Roof and clearing out all of death row. She said every time Roof’s case comes up through numerous appeals it is like reliving the massacre all over again. “I need the President to understand that when you put a killer on death row, you also put their victims' families in limbo with the false promise that we must wait until there is an execution before we can begin to heal,” Richer said in a statement. Richer, a board member of Death Penalty Action, which seeks to abolish capital punishment, was driven to tears by conflicting emotions during a Zoom news conference Monday. “The families are left to be hostages for the years and years of appeals that are to come,” Richer said. “I’ve got to stay away from the news today. I’ve got to turn the TV off — because whose face am I going to see?” Biden is giving more attention to the three inmates he chose not to spare, something they all wanted as a part of what drove them to kill, said Abraham Bonowitz, Death Penalty Action’s executive director. “These three racists and terrorists who have been left on death row came to their crimes from political motivations. When Donald Trump gets to execute them what will really be happening is they will be given a global platform for their agenda of hatred,” Bonowitz said. Biden had faced pressure from advocacy organizations to commute federal death sentences, and several praised him for taking action in his final month in office. Anthony D. Romero, executive director of the ACLU, said in a statement that Biden “has shown our country — and the rest of the world — that the brutal and inhumane policies of our past do not belong in our future.” Republicans, including Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas, on the other hand, criticized the move — and argued its moral ground was shaky given the three exceptions. “Once again, Democrats side with depraved criminals over their victims, public order, and common decency,” Cotton wrote on X. “Democrats can’t even defend Biden’s outrageous decision as some kind of principled, across-the-board opposition to the death penalty since he didn’t commute the three most politically toxic cases.” Liz Murrill, Louisiana's Republican attorney general, criticized the commuted sentence of Len Davis, a former New Orleans policeman convicted of orchestrating the killing of a woman who had filed a complaint against him. “We can’t trust the Feds to get justice for victims of heinous crimes, so it’s long past time for the state to get it done,” the tough-on-crime Republican said in a written statement to the AP. Two men whose sentences were commuted were Norris Holder and Billie Jerome Allen, on death row for opening fire with assault rifles during a 1997 bank robbery in St. Louis, killing a guard, 46-year-old Richard Heflin. Holder’s attorney, Madeline Cohen, said in an email that Holder, who is Black, was sentenced to death by an all-white jury. She said his case “reflects many of the system’s flaws,” and thanked Biden for commuting his sentence. “Norris’ case exemplifies the racial bias and arbitrariness that led the President to commute federal death sentences,” Cohen said. “Norris has always been deeply remorseful for the pain his actions caused, and we hope this decision brings some measure of closure to Richard Heflin’s family.” Swenson reported from Seattle. Associated Press writers Jim Salter in O'Fallon, Missouri, and Sara Cline in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, contributed to this report. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Get local news delivered to your inbox!La Liga: Three arrested in Spain for racist abuse at El Clasico
Directed by the talented animator and filmmaker Yang Yu, "Ne Zha 2" continues the story of the beloved character Ne Zha, a rebellious and powerful young demon who must face new challenges and enemies in the mythical world of Chinese legends. The first film, released in 2019, broke box office records and became a cultural phenomenon, earning critical acclaim and winning numerous awards.Of course, the spotlight will also be on the individual brilliance of Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Aguero. These two prolific goal scorers have a knack for rising to the occasion in big games and could prove to be the difference-makers in this matchup. Whether it's Ronaldo's aerial prowess and clutch finishing or Aguero's deadly instinct in front of goal, both players have the ability to turn the tide in an instant.In a recent and rather unusual case, a man has made headlines for his repeated failures in a self-discipline challenge, despite investing a significant sum of $20,000 into the endeavor. The individual, whose identity remains undisclosed, attempted the self-discipline challenge three times but fell short of meeting the requirements each time. As a result, the matter has escalated to the point where legal action has been taken, with the court officially opening a case.
As the world transitions from 5G to 6G, Vivo has positioned itself at the forefront of this next-generation technology. With promises of faster speeds, lower latency, and increased connectivity, 6G is set to revolutionize the way we interact with the digital world. Vivo's commitment to showcasing the potential of 6G technology underscores their dedication to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the realm of mobile communication.The latest announcement from the developers of "Black Myth: Wukong" has revealed a new boss challenge that promises to test the skills and determination of even the most seasoned players. With the promise of epic battles and thrilling encounters, players have been eagerly awaiting the chance to dive back into the immersive world of the game and take on this new challenge.
Robinson won't appear at Trump's North Carolina rally after report on online posts, AP sources sayWhen you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more Auto-emptying cordless vacuums are one of the biggest trends on the cleaning scene, but they tend to be quite large and visually cumbersome. If you want the convenience of a self-emptying vacuum but don't want an unsightly base in your living space, the Samsung Bespoke Jet AI strikes the right balance of function and aesthetics. This high-end cordless stick vacuum isn't just powerful — it's also surprisingly sleek, with a stylish base that won't be an eyesore in your home. The addition of the base also very much limits how often you come into contact with any debris. However, this top-of-the-line vacuum isn't cheap, and I tested it for a month in my multi-pet home to see how it compares against the best cordless vacuums . Its overall cleaning performance was impressive — as was its appearance — but there are a few critiques you should know about before you splurge. The Samsung Bespoke Jet AI Cordless Stick has a sleek design with an auto-emptying base that minimizes contact with dust, and its five suction settings make it a powerful cleaning tool for your home. Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Sleek Design with auto-empty dock Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Five suction settings Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Telescoping wand Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Digital display with battery life timer con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Awkwardly designed base with no storage for attachments con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Long hair wraps around brushroll con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Short warranty, for the price Specifics Dustbin: 0.5 liters (vacuum); 2 liters (base) Weight: 6.3 pounds Battery: Up to 100 minutes Brush length: 9.8 inches Filtration: Five-stage HEPA Warranty: 1 year Extras: All-in-one clean station, Pet Tool+, combination tool, crevice tool, seven dust bags Setup and Design The Samsung Bespoke Jet AI Cordless Stick Vacuum is designed with aesthetics in mind. It has a sleek round base with a fluted exterior and satin finish, and it could pass as a piece of contemporary decor. The vacuum has a matching finish, creating a seamless appearance when it's docked. It's definitely one of the most stylish vacuums I've seen, and I wouldn't mind having it out in the open in one of my main living spaces. However, I didn't get off to the best start with this vacuum. Despite having assembled dozens of cordless vacuums in my career, I had a surprisingly hard time setting it up. After unboxing all the pieces, I was able to put the vacuum itself together with no problem, but the design of the base wasn't intuitive. The side that I expected to be the back of the base was actually the front, which means you have to place the vacuum onto the back of the dock. It's a strange design choice that prioritizes aesthetics over function, and if you place the base too close to the wall, you'll end up banging the vacuum against it every time you put it away. The other thing that had me scratching my head was that there are three accessories — a powered pet tool, combination tool, and crevice tool — yet there's nowhere to store them. I spent longer than I care to admit prying at different panels on the base, trying to find a compartment where I could put the accessories. (I also read through the manual, which offered no insights.) It turns out that there's just not any storage for these pieces, which is a big negative if you ask me. What's the point of having a big, stylish base that's meant to be displayed in your home if you then have to keep the attachments separately in a closet somewhere? Our review of the Samsung Bespoke Jet AI Stick vacuum To see how the Samsung Bespoke Jet AI stacks up against other cordless vacuums, I tested it in my home for around a month. I predominantly used it to vacuum the main floor of my home, which is around 1,000 square feet and features hardwood and linoleum floors, as well as several area rugs. Because I share my home with two long-hair dogs, as well as a short-haired cat, there's no shortage of dirt, dust, and pet hair, so I was able to put the vacuum through its paces to find out where it excelled — and where it fell short. This cordless vacuum is fairly lightweight at just over six pounds, and I found that it was very easy to carry around. It has an on/off switch on the top of the vacuum, as well as buttons to increase or decrease suction and a fancy digital display screen. When I turned the vacuum on for the first time, it even asked me to select my preferred language. I also love that it has a telescoping wand, which allows you to adjust its height. This makes it much more ergonomic to use, especially if you're a taller individual. When you're done cleaning, you simply dock this vacuum back on its base, which then automatically empties the dust bin. The dock also makes sure the vacuum is fully charged and ready to go the next time you need it. One of my favorite aspects of the Samsung Bespoke Jet AI is that it has five different cleaning settings — Min, AI, Mid, Max, and Jet — with a maximum suction power of 280 air watts. Most cordless vacuums only have three settings, and I've found that "eco" modes are often too weak to be useful, and "max" modes drain the battery way too quickly. For this reason, I appreciate having more suction levels in between to find the right balance of performance and battery life. When you turn this vacuum on, it defaults to AI mode, which automatically adjusts its suction based on the floor type to maximize battery life — it functions similarly to the "Auto" mode you'll find on cordless vacuums from Shark, Dyson, and Tineco. This setting worked surprisingly well, increasing suction as soon as I moved onto carpeting and dropping it back down when it sensed hard floors, It also boosted suction when I drove it through a large amount of dirt or debris. I used the Bespoke Jet AI vacuum for everyday cleaning around my house, and I also put it through a series of tests, using it to suck up debris like uncooked rice, coffee grounds, and baby powder off different types of flooring. Because it offers more settings than your average vacuum, I was able to dial in the suction to the task at hand, and it did a (mostly) great job on both hard floors and carpeting thanks to its dual brushrolls. However, it struggled with larger debris like cereal and rice on hardwoods — the floorhead is too low and struggled to suck up the large pieces, often just pushing them around the floor instead. Another area where this vacuum struggled was cleaning up pet hair — long pet hair, in particular. After cleaning the main floor of my home, where my two golden retrievers spend most of their time, I noticed that there was a lot of hair wrapped around the vacuum's brushroll, and I had to use scissors to cut it off. I was surprised that such an expensive vacuum doesn't have any sort of anti-tangle technology, and as such, I can't recommend it for households with long-haired pets. You'll just end up having to clean off the brushroll again and again. The crevice and combo tools are fairly standard in terms of attachments, but I did like the Pet Tool+. Thanks to its rubber fins, it did a great job picking up pet hair off my furniture, and unlike the floorhead, it doesn't get wrapped up in long strands of hair. The tool pivots slightly, making it easy to hold it at a comfortable angle as you clean. As with most cordless vacuums, Samsung's battery life varies greatly depending on what mode you're using. I generally used the AI mode for everyday cleaning, and on hard floors, the vacuum offers around 60 minutes of runtime, which is impressive. However, if you move over to carpeting, the suction increases, and the runtime drops down to around 30 minutes. On Mid mode, you generally get around 30 to 40 minutes of battery life, and runtime drops to 20 minutes on Max and just 12 minutes on Jet. However, I seldom turned this vacuum to anything higher than Mid for more than a few minutes at a time, so I think it's safe to say you'll get at least 30 minutes of use out of it in most instances. I love that you can monitor the exact amount of runtime you have left on the unit's digital display. The display has a countdown timer that adjusts based on the settings you use. The only other vacuum I've tested with this feature is the Dyson Gen5detect , which is similarly expensive. This vacuum can hold 0.5 liters of debris in its onboard dust bin, which is fairly standard. However, the real selling point is its auto-emptying base. Not only does the vacuum's dock look sleek, but it also makes emptying the vacuum a hands-off task. Every time you dock the vacuum, the base automatically opens the bottom of the vacuum's dust bin and uses powerful suction to pull out all the debris, which is then trapped in a 2-liter vacuum bag in the base. (There's also a button labeled Start/Stop that lets you manually run the self-emptying cycle.) The process is much more sanitary than banging a dustbin over the trash can, which often ends up spewing dust all over the room, and it's equally mess-free to change the inner bag, which is accessible through the front panel of the base. I've also noticed that this feature helps to keep the on-board dustbin cleaner. The auto-emptying feature works with or without the vacuum's wand attached — convenient when you're using a hand tool like the pet brush — but I did run into issues one time when I overfilled the on-board dustbin. I wasn't paying attention while cleaning and let the debris surpass the max fill line. When I put the vacuum on the dock, a large clump of pet hair got stuck toward the top of the dust cup. I ran the self-emptying cycle twice, but it wasn't able to dislodge the clump. I ended up manually digging out the debris over the trash can. This was the only time I ran into a problem with the base, and ultimately, it was my fault for not paying attention to how much debris I was picking up. There are a few things you'll need to do regularly to keep this vacuum working properly. When the button on the top of the dock turns red, that means it's time to replace the vacuum bag. The manual indicates that the bag generally needs to be emptied every one or two months — after using the vacuum for around a month, my bag was still only half full. The vacuum comes with six replacement bags , which is nice, and when you need to purchase more, they cost $40 for a pack of five. This vacuum also has three filters, all of which are washable, and the brand recommends cleaning them once a month. Because this vacuum often gets long hair wrapped around its brushroll, you'll want to check its floorhead periodically and cut off hair as needed. The brushroll can also be removed from the floorhead for more thorough cleaning. Cons to consider My biggest complaint about the Samsung Bespoke Jet AI is the design of the base. While it is attractive, I found it frustrating that it needs to be placed so far away from a wall, or else it's very hard to get the vacuum into the dock, as you have to place it in from the back. I also dislike that there's nowhere to store the vacuum's three accessories. The other major downside is that this vacuum quickly gets tangled with long strands of hair. If you have long-haired pets, you'll likely find yourself cutting hair off the brushroll frequently to keep it working properly. It's worth mentioning that despite its high price point, this vacuum only comes with a one-year warranty. (For comparison, Dyson vacuums come with a two-year warranty, and Shark offers a five-year warranty.) If you buy directly from the brand, you have the option to purchase Samsung Care+ , which offers three years of protection against mechanical and electrical problems, but it costs an extra $134.99. What are your alternatives? There are several versions of the Samsung Jet that you may want to consider — especially if you're hoping to spend a bit less. The next step down is the regular Bespoke Jet , which has a virtually identical design, including a self-emptying base and the same multi-level filtration. The regular Jet lacks AI mode and has a max runtime of 60 minutes, and it also has slightly less suction power than the AI model. However, it's a fair bit cheaper, retailing at $699.99, so it's a good option if you want a similar design at a lower price. If you want something even more affordable, the Samsung Jet 75 costs $400 and has fewer bells and whistles (i.e. forgoes the clean station but is compatible with one). There are several other auto-emptying models among the best cordless vacuums that we've tested that you may want to consider, as well. The LG CordZero All-in-One is a (slightly) less-expensive option, retailing for around $750, and it has a better self-emptying base that has hidden storage for all its attachments. This cordless vacuum is powerful and works well across both hard floors and carpeting, and it also has a spray mop attachment. The Shark Cordless PowerDetect Clean & Empty System is another self-emptying option that automatically detects dirt and floor type, and while it's not as sleek as the Samsung Bespoke Jet, it's more budget-friendly at around $450. The bottom line The Samsung Bespoke Jet AI Cordless Vacuum has a lot going for it — it's powerful, low-maintenance, and versatile, and more than anything, it's surprisingly attractive for a vacuum. However, it's also very expensive at $1,000 and has some quirks, such as its awkward base and lack of accessory storage. If you're looking for something aesthetically pleasing, it might be worth the splurge, but in terms of cleaning performance, there are comparable (if not better) options that will cost significantly less.
In conclusion, Omar al-Bashir's reign as the President of Sudan was a dark chapter in the country's history, characterized by authoritarianism, corruption, and human rights abuses. His ouster in 2019 marked a turning point for Sudan, as the country embarked on a path towards democracy and reform. As Sudanese leaders and citizens work together to overcome the challenges of the past, they continue to strive for a better future, free from the shadows of the Bashir era.
One of the key factors to look out for in this match will be the battle of the midfields. Both teams possess a strong midfield with players who are capable of controlling the tempo of the game and creating scoring opportunities for their teammates. It will be fascinating to see how the likes of De Bruyne and Pjanic match up against each other and dictate the flow of the game.
KBC Group NV lifted its stake in Otter Tail Co. ( NASDAQ:OTTR – Free Report ) by 27.9% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,248 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 272 shares during the quarter. KBC Group NV’s holdings in Otter Tail were worth $98,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in OTTR. Janus Henderson Group PLC boosted its stake in Otter Tail by 45.2% during the 1st quarter. Janus Henderson Group PLC now owns 29,765 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $2,572,000 after purchasing an additional 9,270 shares during the last quarter. Tidal Investments LLC boosted its position in shares of Otter Tail by 320.5% during the first quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 16,879 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $1,458,000 after buying an additional 12,865 shares during the last quarter. Jane Street Group LLC increased its holdings in Otter Tail by 57.2% in the 1st quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 64,615 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $5,583,000 after buying an additional 23,514 shares in the last quarter. GSA Capital Partners LLP raised its position in Otter Tail by 285.1% in the 3rd quarter. GSA Capital Partners LLP now owns 19,030 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $1,487,000 after buying an additional 14,089 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Edgestream Partners L.P. bought a new position in Otter Tail during the 1st quarter valued at about $271,000. Institutional investors own 61.32% of the company’s stock. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of analysts have recently commented on OTTR shares. Siebert Williams Shank upgraded shares of Otter Tail from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 6th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Otter Tail from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Thursday, November 14th. Otter Tail Price Performance Shares of NASDAQ:OTTR opened at $80.78 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.66, a current ratio of 2.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.38 billion, a PE ratio of 11.16 and a beta of 0.52. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $78.88 and its 200-day moving average price is $85.27. Otter Tail Co. has a twelve month low of $73.43 and a twelve month high of $100.84. Otter Tail ( NASDAQ:OTTR – Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, November 4th. The utilities provider reported $2.03 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.97 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $338.03 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $362.20 million. Otter Tail had a net margin of 22.70% and a return on equity of 19.84%. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $2.19 EPS. Equities research analysts expect that Otter Tail Co. will post 7.01 EPS for the current year. Otter Tail Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 15th will be paid a $0.468 dividend. This represents a $1.87 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.32%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 15th. Otter Tail’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 25.83%. Otter Tail Company Profile ( Free Report ) Otter Tail Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in electric utility, manufacturing, and plastic pipe businesses in the United States. It operates through three segments: Electric, Manufacturing, and Plastics. The Electric segment produces, transmits, distributes, and sells electric energy in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota; and operates as a participant in the Midcontinent Independent System Operator markets. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Otter Tail Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Otter Tail and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .
The King has been hailed as a “visionary” who “wants action” at a reception to celebrate an initiative working to create a nature-first economy. The Circular Bioeconomy Alliance’s Chief Executive Marc Palahi said: “We’ve been creating an economy developed at the expense of nature and climate and now we have reached a tipping point. We need to move towards an economy that prospers in harmony with nature, which has been the vision of His Majesty . For decades he has pioneered thinking on that.” Citing Charles’s longstanding support of organic farming and calls to end plastic pollution , he added: “He was a visionary and now it’s part of his legacy. People realise he was right and now we need to accelerate action. He always says seeing is believing. He wants action.” Explaining that the CBA is working to turn the vision of a “nature-first” economy into reality across different industries, he added: “The paradox is that we have never had so much knowledge and technology to be able to change, but we are not changing. So there’s a mindset problem.” Founded by the King in 2020, the CBA has grown from four founding organisations – Lombard Odier, LVMH, AstraZeneca and the Eranda Rothschild Foundation, to around 60 from all over the world , including fashion houses, banks, pharmaceutical companies and organisations defending indigenous rights. Marc added: “The idea of the CBA is to act as a bridge between science and indigenous knowledge, between technology and traditions.” There was a touching moment between the King and Mere Takoko of the Pacific Whale Fund, a new ambassador for the CBA from Gisborne, New Zealand. She and the monarch shared a Hongi, the traditional Maori greeting, as protests calling for the protection of indigenous rights in New Zealand took place across the world. She later said of the King’s gesture: “It’s hugely symbolic. It’s vitally important. "I came here in the spirit of reconciliation, friendship, and unity. From the Māori king's perspective, they enjoyed a very strong friendship and this legacy must be maintained. We are two peoples but bound together through the treaty of Waitangi, which his ancestors signed, and my ancestors signed." Mere, who wore a traditional Kakahu cloak and pendant made of Greenstone, said she wanted to "continue to celebrate that relationship at a time which is quite divisive". The Pacific Whale Fund is working to protect the oceans and in particular, the Great Whale, which sequesters 33 tonnes of carbon dioxide during its lifetime – the equivalent of 1000 trees. Mere said the organization was establishing “indigenous led, nature based solutions” and that she hoped to "unite the United-Kingdom and the Pacific” on protecting the marine mammal. There were also words of thanks to the King from Uyunkar Domingo Peas, head of the Amazon Sacred Headwaters Alliance. Based in Northern Peru, it brings together 30 indigenous nations to protect the rainforest and train the next generation of chiefs. “Your Majesty, on behalf of the 30 nations of our Sacred Headwaters Alliance, we want to thank you so much,” he said. “We are the stewards of this living laboratory that we have created with the CBA in the headwaters. With the support of CBA we have reforested 162,000 trees in 41 villages and we’ve also trained 73 future chiefs in the Living Amazon school.” The King had earlier met trustees and founders of the CBA in the Throne Room of St James’s Palace before joining the main reception. There were kisses for Lynn Forester de Rothschild, who was there to mark the launch of the CBA Sir Evelyn de Rothschild Fellowship for Reimagining Nature Finance and Inclusive Capitalism. And there was laughter as the King recognized an old acquaintance, the German climatologist John Schellnhuber, 74, director of the International Institute of Applied System Analysts. “You still exist!” joked the monarch as they shook hands. Told the scientist planned to write to him, he replied: “I shall await your letter with eagerness.” Touring the “living lab” stalls in the Entrée Room, each displaying the CBA’s work in different fields, the King stopped to admire a pashmina produced by the Italian fashion label Bruno Cucinelli using fine wool from Ladakh in the Indian Himalayas which has been produced through regenerative farming. “It’s amazing, isn’t it?” he said, touching the fabric. He was also shown cotton grown sustainably in Puglia, southern Italy, to produce t-shirts made by Armani – one of which has been sent to the monarch as a gift, along with one of the pashminas. Federico Marchetti, chair of the Fashion Task Force of the King’s Sustainable Markets Initiative, said: “What’s important is that just 18 months from the idea generation, we have a final product.” Established by The King in 2020 when he was Prince of Wales, the Circular Bioeconomy Alliance is working to accelerate the transition to a nature-first, circular bioeconomy that is climate neutral, inclusive and powers prosperity. Today’s reception for up to 100 guests included figures from the worlds of business, finance, Nature and followed earlier discussions and panel talks.Maple Leafs superstar Mitch Marner opened up about his selection to Team Canada as they prepare for the 4 Nations Face-Off. With Canada, USA, Sweden, and Finland gearing up for the 4 Nations Face-Off Tournament in February, the Maple Leafs have one representative on each roster. It's a great sign that not only is the team succeeding but that these players are trusted enough to lead their country. Mitch Marner Deserved A Team Canada Roster Spot With him being selected to Team Canada, it was another bright spot in a great season so far for the Leafs superstar. Opening up about the selection, Marner was thrilled to be asked to participate in such an occasion: It will be Marner's 4th time representing Canada on the international stage, and he deserves it for his season so far. On a blistering 100+ point pace, he has 36 points in 25 games and a big reason for Toronto sitting atop the Atlantic Division. Team Canada is with no shortage of firepower too, as Marner gets to join Connor McDavid , Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and several other All-Stars and future Hall of Famers. It will be interesting to see how head coach Jon Cooper uses Marner given how many stars he has on his team. With the tournament not taking place until February 12, the Maple Leafs star winger will be able to showcase even more of his abilities as he continues to lead the team toward a long playoff push. If Marner can dominate even more, there's no telling the type of success he could help lead Canada to. Toronto's other representatives for the tournament are: Auston Matthews (Team USA) William Nylander (Team Sweden) Jani Hakanpaa (Team Finland) While Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and Mitch Marner are names you'd expect, Jani Hakanpaa's inclusion is a great story as well for the defenseman as he has dealt with some career-threatening injuries. It will be a battle of superstar teammate wingers as Team Canada takes on Team Sweden to kick off the tournament to kick off the tournament at the Bell Centre on February 12 with Marner looking to help the red and white come home with the gold. This article first appeared on Hockey Patrol and was syndicated with permission."The Chinese people are so miserable," read a social media post in the wake of yet another mass killing in the country earlier this year. The same user also warned: "There will only be more and more copycat attacks." "This tragedy reflects the darkness within society," wrote another. Such bleak assessments, following a spate of deadly incidents in China during 2024, have led to questions about what is driving people to murder strangers en masse to "take revenge on society" . Attacks like this are still rare given China's huge population, and are not new, says David Schak, associate professor at Griffith University in Australia. But they seem to come in waves, often as copycat attempts at garnering attention. This year has been especially distressing. From 2019 to 2023, police recorded three to five cases each year, where perpetrators attacked pedestrians or strangers. In 2024, that number jumped to 19. In 2019, three people were killed and 28 injured in such incidents; in 2023, 16 dead and 40 injured and in 2024, 63 people killed and 166 injured. November was especially bloody. On the 11th of that month, a 62-year-old man ploughed a car into people exercising outside a stadium in the city of Zhuhai, killing at least 35. Police said that the driver had been unhappy with his divorce settlement. He was sentenced to death this week. Days later, in Changde city, a man drove into a crowd of children and parents outside a primary school, injuring 30 of them. The authorities said he was angry over financial losses and family problems. That same week, a 21-year-old who couldn't graduate after failing his exams, went on a stabbing rampage on his campus in Wuxi city, killing eight and injuring 17. In September, a 37-year-old man raced through a Shanghai shopping centre, stabbing people as he went . In June, four American instructors were attacked at a park by a 55-year-old man wielding a knife. And there were two separate attacks on Japanese citizens, including one in which a 10-year-old boy was stabbed to death outside his school. The perpetrators have largely targeted "random people" to show their "displeasure with society", Prof Schak says. In a country with vast surveillance capabilities, where women rarely hesitate to walk alone at night, these killings have sparked understandable unease. So what has prompted so many mass attacks in China this year? A major source of pressure in China right now is the sluggish economy. It is no secret that the country has been struggling with high youth unemployment, massive debt and a real estate crisis which has consumed the life savings of many families, sometimes with nothing to show for it. On the outskirts of most major cities there are entire housing estates where construction has stopped because indebted developers cannot afford to complete them. In 2022, the BBC interviewed people camping in the concrete shells of their own unfinished apartments , without running water, electricity and windows because they had nowhere else to stay. "Optimism certainly does seem to have faded," says George Magnus, a research associate at Oxford University's China Centre. "Let's use the word trapped, just for the moment. I think China has become trapped in a sort of cycle of repression. Social repression and economic repression, on the one hand, and a kind of faltering economic development model on the other." Studies appear to point to a significant change in attitudes, with a measurable increase in pessimism among Chinese people about their personal prospects. A significant US-China joint analysis, which for years had recorded them saying that inequality in society could often be attributed to a lack of effort or ability, found in its most recent survey that people were now blaming an "unfair economic system" . "The question is who do people really blame?" Mr Magnus asks. "And the next step from that is that the system is unfair to me, and I can't break through. I can't change my circumstances." In countries with a healthy media, if you felt you had been fired from your job unfairly or that your home had been demolished by corrupt builders backed by local officials, you might turn to journalists for your story to be heard. But that is rarely an option in China, where the press is controlled by the Communist Party and unlikely to run stories which reflect badly on any level of the government. Then there are the courts – also run by and for the party – which are slow and inefficient. Much was made on social media here of the Zhuhai attacker's alleged motive: that he did not achieve what he believed was a fair divorce settlement in court. Experts say other outlets for venting frustrations have also narrowed or been shut down altogether. Chinese people often air their grievances online, says Lynette Ong, a political science professor at the University of Toronto, who has carried out significant research on how the Chinese state responds to push back from its people. "[They] will go on to the internet and scold the government... just to vent their anger. Or they may organise a small protest which the police would often allow if it's small-scale," she explains. "But this sort of dissent, small dissent, has been closed off in the last couple of years." There are plenty of examples of this: Increased internet censorship, which blocks words or expressions that are deemed controversial or critical; crackdowns on cheeky Halloween costumes that make fun of officialdom; or when plain-clothed men, who appeared to have been mobilised by local officials, beat up protesters in Henan province outside banks which had frozen their accounts. As for dealing with people's mental and emotional responses to these stresses, this too has been found wanting. Specialists say that China's counselling services are vastly inadequate, leaving no outlet for those who feel isolated, alone and depressed in modern Chinese society. "Counselling can help build up emotional resilience," says Professor Silvia Kwok from Hong Kong's City University, adding that China needs to increase its mental health services, especially for at-risk groups who have experienced trauma or those with mental illness. "People need to find different strategies or constructive ways to deal with their emotions... making them less likely to react violently in moments of intense emotional stress." Taken together, these factors suggest the lid is tightening on Chinese society, creating a pressure cooker-like situation. "There are not a lot of people going around mass killing. But still the tensions do seem to be building, and it doesn't look like there is any way it is going to ease up in the near future," Mr Magnus says. What should worry the Communist Party is the commentary from the general public blaming those in power for this. Take this remark for example: "If the government truly acts fairly and justly, there would not be so much anger and grievance in Chinese society... the government's efforts have focused on creating a superficial sense of harmony. While it may appear that they care about disadvantaged people, their actions have instead caused the greatest injustices." While violent attacks have been rising in many countries, according to Professor Ong, the difference in China is that officials have had little experience dealing with them. "I think the authorities are very alarmed because they've not seen it before, and their instinct is to crack down." When China's leader Xi Jinping spoke about the Zhuhai attack, he seemed to acknowledge pressure was building in society. He urged officials across the country to "learn hard lessons from the incident, address risks at their roots, resolve conflicts and disputes early and take proactive measures to prevent extreme crime". But, so far, the lessons learnt seem to have led to a push for quicker police response times using greater surveillance, rather than considering any changes to the way China is run. "China is moving into a new phase, a new phase that we have not seen since the late 70s," Prof Ong says, referring to the time when the country began opening to the world again, unleashing enormous change. "We need to brace for unexpected events, such as a lot of random attacks and pockets of protest and social instability emerging."
