WHETHER you're looking for stocking stuffers or treats for your guests, Dollar Tree has just the thing. Shoppers can now stock up on their favorite festive -flavored candy at a low price . Perfect for gift-giving or hanging on your tree Dollar Tree has added some bargain candy that shoppers are scooping up. Fans can now pick up a 12-pack of Natural Peppermint-Flavored Christmas Candy Canes for just $1.25 from Dollar Tree . The holiday treats are created by the hard candy company Coastal Bay Confections. So whether you need a last-minute treat for your child's stockings or you're looking for a palette cleanser after your Christmas dinner, these candy canes may be worth a buy. Read More On Dollar Tree They shouldn't send your kids into too much of a sugar rush either, with just 24% sugar. Plus, shoppers can save over 80% by opting for the Dollar Tree version over Target . The Yum Earth Christmas Candy Canes are available at Target for $7.49. This means shoppers will be paying more and receiving less bargain for their buck as the Target buy only contains 10 candy canes. Most read in Money However, the pricier buys are free of artificial dyes and high fructose corn syrup. They are also non-GMO, vegan-friendly, and certified USDA organic. These candy canes received an average rating of 4.4 stars out of five from customers. They were awarded an average of 3.9 stars out of five for product value. IN THE COMMENTS However, customers rated the flavor even higher with taste coming in at 4.6 stars out of five. A total of 73% of shoppers said they would recommend the candy canes. Impressed shoppers shared their thoughts on the treats in the review section. Despite the name of the store, Dollar Tree recently added items that cost more than $1 to its inventory. Most items at the store cost no more than $1.25, but items in the Dollar Tree Plus section cost up to $5. Dollar Tree introduced Plus aisles to 100 locations in 2019 as part of an effort to diversify its products. By 2022, Dollar Tree had added the items to over 1,500 locations. "We believe testing additional price points above $1 for Dollar Tree products will enable us over time to expand our assortments, introduce new products and meet more of our customers’ everyday needs," president and CEO Michael Witynski said in a statement . "Our brand promise is that customers get great value for what they spend at Dollar Tree. We will continue to be fiercely protective of that promise, regardless of the price point." "I’m so happy to finally have holiday treats! They’re yummy and taste just how I remember candy canes tasting," wrote one buyer. "I am so happy I found these candy canes," said another Target customer. "My daughter can't have anything with red dye but she LOVES candy canes. "I was in the store the other day and walked past these and I was so happy! "I don't understand some of the other reviews saying they don't taste good, they taste EXACTLY like the ones with the red dye. I would recommend them." Read More on The US Sun Shoppers may also score five items from Dollar Tree for $1.25 to elevate your holiday decor. Plus, Dollar Tree has a $5 Christmas tree in two colors that shoppers say is the ‘best fake in the world.’Employees work at an excavator assembly line of a Develon subsidiary in Yantai, east China’s Shandong Province on Dec 26, 2023. – Xinhua photo BEIJING (Nov 23): A little-known road called Kaixuan in Jining, east China’s Shandong Province, has become an undeniable presence on the world’s leading cross-border B2B e-commerce platform, Alibaba. It not only witnesses the transformation of Jining from a traditional coal resource hub to a manufacturing powerhouse but also how cross-border e-commerce has changed the fate of factories along this road. Stretching approximately 2.5km from southwest to northeast, the road, whose name means triumph in Chinese, can be walked in about half an hour. However, a dozen machinery manufacturing companies gathered on both sides of the road, actively seeking to go global through Alibaba. For Han Guangfei, general manager of Jining SAAO Machinery Company Ltd, a “resident” of Kaixuan Road that specialises in small and medium-sized road construction machinery, the recently concluded annual “Double 11” online shopping spree was more of a reminder that his business is not limited to just one day. While others are busy stocking up on discounted daily necessities, he is focused on quality control and preparing the inventory of road rollers, setting his sights on overseas markets. “Either go global or be left behind,” said Han. “Most of the machinery factories you can see along the Kaixuan Road are doing business on Alibaba.” SAAO mainly produces various types of road rollers and graders. It earned its reputation in the industry by sponsoring all the lighting machinery equipment in the 2023 Chinese sci-fi blockbuster “The Wandering Earth II.” Han believes traditional manufacturing equipment must explore overseas markets to achieve sustainable development. In 2018, SAAO’s foreign trade orders accounted for only 20 per cent of its business. Han’s decision to go global online has become a game changer for the company, while SAAO’s store on Alibaba.com, the cross-border B2B platform owned by China’s e-commerce giant Alibaba, was in full operation in 2019. “Since then, the foreign orders have flocked in, but we have seen a surge in overseas orders through Alibaba since 2021 when foreign countries strove to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic with an infrastructure-building wave,” said Han. “In the first half of this year, our order transaction volume on Alibaba increased by 50 per cent year on year, while foreign trade amounts to 60 per cent of its overall business, and the figure is expected to rise to 70 per cent by the end of this year,” he added. SAAO’s overseas expansion is reflected in the official economic data released by the Chinese authorities. According to the China Construction Machinery Industry Association, in the first half of 2024, China’s construction machinery import and export trade exceeded US$27.13 billion, up 3.13 per cent year on year. Among them, exports amounted to nearly US$25.84 billion, up 3.38 per cent year on year. People visit the booth of Alibaba.com during the 136th China Import and Export Fair in Guangzhou, south China’s Guangdong Province on Oct 15, 2024. – Xinhua photo Alibaba also sees more machinery manufacturers like SAAO rapidly expanding their presence in the overseas market. Its data shows that among the top 10 industries with the highest growth of online transactions on Alibaba.com in the first half of 2024, half are related to machinery equipment and construction materials, with star products in the construction machinery industry, such as excavators, loaders, and drilling rigs, having seen transaction growth rates exceeding 50 per cent. Many enterprises from Jining, one of China’s six major construction machinery industry bases with over 900 such enterprises, are also flocking to Alibaba. Since April this year, the number of new merchants from Jining joining Alibaba has increased by 76.2 per cent year on year. “Jining has already been a brand itself on Alibaba. Foreign buyers searching for road-building machinery know well what they can get from the enterprises tagged with Jining,” said Guo Zhengkui, the regional head of Alibaba.com in Jining. Guo said that the rapid growth of online machinery exports began in 2023 when markets such as Southeast Asia and the Middle East embarked on a wave of infrastructure construction. This created a huge demand for China’s construction machinery, which has a competitive advantage in terms of quality and cost-effectiveness. “Chinese companies going global is not easy. First of all, you have to face the most cutthroat competition domestically, which is why once you survive that round and become a winner here, you are pretty much the most competitive product internationally,” he said. Guo noted that the strong performance of Jining’s mainstream product – small excavators – has been transformative to Chinese construction machinery enterprises for its multifaceted role in farming. Previously, Chinese machinery was traditionally used for infrastructure building in the European and American markets. But now, the convenience of online procurement has prompted many foreign farms and gardens to purchase small excavators through Alibaba, said Guo, bringing breakthroughs to Chinese machinery enterprises with a richer product line. Guo’s view is shared by Liu Mingtao, general manager of Hengwang Group, a major excavator and bulldozer producer based in Jining. “The overseas demand is overwhelming now. If new customers come to place orders, they may not necessarily be able to get them,” said Liu. In 2013, Hengwang officially opened its store on Alibaba.com and the annual sales growth on the platform has already exceeded 80 per cent this year. So far, it accounts for about 70 per cent of the company’s overall foreign trade turnover. “Twelve years ago, 99.9 per cent of my business mates didn’t know what I was doing; five years ago, 10 per cent of them started coming to me for advice; now, 90 per cent want to know how to do cross-border e-commerce,” said Liu. “This year, we see fresh blood has joined us, and many of them are second-generation entrepreneurs in the industry,” he said. Expansion of overseas warehouse Besides growing overseas demand, another driving force behind the booming machinery business is the large number of overseas warehouses sprouting across the globe, which makes Chinese cross-border e-commerce much easier. According to official data, China has over 1,000 cross-border e-commerce industrial parks and over 2,500 overseas warehouses covering over 30 million square metres. However, they are not merely warehouses for goods storage. By integrating storage, logistics, and after-sales support with digital and intelligent technologies, they are helping the country’s over 120,000 cross-border e-commerce entities bring their products to all corners of the world. This warehousing and logistics method has greatly improved logistics efficiency and customer experience. It also helps businesses respond actively to order peaks and reduce logistics costs. To promote cross-border e-commerce, the Chinese government released a guideline in June on advancing the construction of overseas warehouses. The guideline specified measures in financial support, infrastructure construction, and services. Cross-border e-commerce, in collaboration with new foreign trade infrastructure like overseas warehouses, helps build new advantages in international economic cooperation and has become a dynamic force in China’s foreign trade development, it noted. People watch an excavator stunt show at the 2023 East Asia Marine Expo in Qingdao, east China’s Shandong Province on June 28, 2023. – Xinhua photo Hengwang has built 13 warehouses in major export destinations such as the United States, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia and the Philippines. Liu said that such warehouses not only store complete machines but also spare parts for timely after-sales service and technical support. “Overseas warehouses do not always operate at full capacity but adjust inventory dynamically according to customer demand.” SAAO has also taken action. Han plans to deploy overseas warehouses in Central Asian countries after setting up warehouses in Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates, as his business is expanding from Europe and America to the region. Staff members of Kilimall work at a warehouse in Mlolongo, Kenya on Nov 10, 2023. – Xinhua photo Exploration never stops Liu calls himself a “road warrior” after spending more than 200 days abroad last year, shuttling between Europe, America, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. He discovered more business opportunities as Hengwang transformed from a small and medium-sized machinery equipment producer to a large equipment maker. “Being early is crucial. We are developing new products, such as 125-tonne large excavators that can compete with famous brand Caterpillar of the United States and Japan’s Komatsu,” Liu said. SAAO also invested more in the overseas market. It purchased more machines including a second laser cutting machine worth 1.5 million yuan and supplemented its workforce in various links of the entire foreign trade business chain, from technicians, assemblers, salespeople, and procurement personnel. In addition, SAAO has developed green machinery that uses new energy and does not have engine noise pollution. “Currently, the demand for environmentally friendly machinery is increasing year by year, and its shipment volume has accounted for nearly 10 per cent of our overall volume,” said Han. “Only those who never stop exploring and innovating can thrive on the Road of Triumph,” he said. – Xinhua
Property forecast: rental market uncertain heading into 2025Scottsdale, Arizona, Nov. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hosted at the prestigious Fairmont Princess in Scottsdale, this year's MedSpa Pro Meeting brought together pacesetting voices in medical aesthetics under the guidance of industry pioneers and co-chairs Barry DiBernardo, MD, Jason Pozner, MD, and Joseph Russo, MD. Over three intensive days, participants immersed themselves in a wealth of cutting-edge, comprehensive content that spanned advanced injection techniques, emerging technologies, and business management strategies. Program highlights included an exclusive Head-to-Head Anatomy Masterclass led by preeminent anatomist Sebastian Cotofana, MD, PhD, and an innovative Weight Loss Track spearheaded by Johnny Franco, MD. Complementing these sessions, expertise-driven curricula featured a dedicated Aesthetician Track and Master Injector Live Injection Program. Beyond the core curriculum, expert-led panel discussions explored today's most pressing aesthetic medicine topics while market-leading brands showcased game-changing products and services in the exhibition space. Together, these experiences equipped participants with fresh perspectives, practical insights, valuable partnerships, and lasting connections, empowering them to elevate their clinical and personal success. MedSpa Pro's rebranding represents expanding pathways for advancing this booming specialty. "As we embrace the next chapter in aesthetic medicine, we are excited to unveil our new identity as MedSpa Pro," stated Doreen Brown, CEO of Informa Connect Medical Division. "This evolution reflects our commitment to keeping pace with our ever-evolving industry and serving our expanding community through gold-standard training and unmatched networking opportunities." MedSpa Pro's refined brand identity will roll out in the coming months as the company prepares for a breakthrough 2025. Among exciting new initiatives, next year introduces specialized training opportunities led by the distinguished Dr. Russo and fellow acclaimed experts, strengthening the organization's position as the foremost resource in medical aesthetics. Aesthetic medicine providers, medical spa professionals, and industry stakeholders can mark their calendars for the 3rd Annual MedSpa Pro Meeting, set to take place at the iconic Boca Raton resort in November 2025. Further details about upcoming programs will be announced soon; in the meantime, please visit MedSpa Pro's LinkedIn profile for updates. ### MedSpa Pro serves as the leading educational platform for medical aesthetics professionals, delivering targeted education, tailored training, and strategic networking opportunities across the industry. Through its premier conference and progressive initiatives, the organization connects enterprising practitioners with renowned experts to advance excellence in aesthetic medicine. MedSpa Pro is part of the Informa Connect Medical Division, a global force in medical education across the entire healthcare ecosystem. Aly Vazquez MedSpa Pro aly.vazquez@informa.com
The rapid advancement and adoption of generative artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the field of communications. AI-powered tools can now generate convincing text, images, audio and video from textual prompts. While generative AI is powerful, useful and convenient , it introduces significant risks, such as misinformation, bias and privacy. Generative AI has already been the cause of some serious communications issues. AI image generators have been used during political campaigns to create fake photos aimed at confusing voters and embarrassing opponents. AI chatbots have provided inaccurate information to customers and damaged organizations’ reputations. Deep-fake videos of public figures making inflammatory statements or endorsing stocks have gone viral. As well, AI-generated social media profiles have been used in disinformation campaigns . The rapid pace of AI development presents a challenge. For example, the increasing realism of AI-generated images has improved dramatically , making deterring deepfakes much harder. Without clear policies for AI in place, organizations run the risk of producing misleading communication that may erode public trust, and the potential misuse of personal data on an unprecedented scale. Establishing AI guidelines and regulation In Canada, several initiatives have been underway to develop AI regulation to varying reception. The federal government introduced controversial legislation in 2022 that, if passed, will outline ways to regulate AI and protect data privacy. The legislation’s Artificial Intelligence and Data Act (AIDA), in particular, has been the subject of strong criticism from a group of 60 organizations, including the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and the Canadian Civil Liberties Union , which have asked for it to be withdrawn and rewritten after more extensive consultation. Recently, in November 2024, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) announced the creation of the Canadian Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute (CAISI). CAISI aims to “support the safe and responsible development and deployment of artificial intelligence” by collaborating with other countries to establish standards and expectations. CAISI’s development allows Canada to join the United States and other countries that have established similar institutes that will hopefully work collaboratively to establish multilateral standards for AI that encourage responsible development while promoting innovation. The Montreal AI Ethics Institute offers resources like a newsletter, a blog and an interactive AI Ethics Living Dictionary . The University of Toronto’s Swartz Reisman Institute for Technology and Society and the University of Guelph’s CARE-AI are examples of universities building academic forums for investigating ethical AI. In the private sector, Telus is the first Canadian telecommunications company to publicly commit to AI transparency and responsibility. Telus’s Responsible AI unit recently published its 2024 AI Report that discusses the company’s commitment to responsible AI through customer and community engagement. Read more: Bletchley declaration: international agreement on AI safety is a good start, but ordinary people need a say – not just elites In November 2023, Canada was among 29 nations to sign the Bletchley AI Declaration following the First International AI Safety Summit. The goal of the declaration was to find agreement about how to assess and mitigate AI risk in the private sector. More recently, the governments of Ontario and Québec have introduced legislation on the use and development of AI tools and systems in the public sector. Looking forward, in January 2025, the European Union’s AI Act will come into force — dubbed “the world’s first comprehensive AI law.” Turning frameworks into action As generative AI use becomes more widespread, the communications industry — including public relations, marketing, digital and social media and public affairs — must develop clear guidelines for generative AI use. While progress has been made by governments, universities and industries, more work is needed to turn these frameworks into actionable guidelines that can be adopted by Canada’s communications, media and marketing sectors. Industry groups like the Canadian Public Relations Society, the International Association of Business Communicators and the Canadian Marketing Association should develop standards and training programs that respond to the needs of public relations, marketing and digital media professionals. The Canadian Public Relations Society is making strides in this direction, partnering with the Chartered Institute for Public Relations, a professional body for public relations practitioners in the United Kingdom. Together, the two professional associations created the AI in PR Panel , which has produced practical guides for communicators who want to use generative AI responsibly. Establishing standards for AI To maximize the benefits of generative AI while limiting its downsides, the communications field needs to adopt professional standards and best practices. The past two years of generative AI use have seen several areas of concern emerge, which should be considered when developing guidelines. Transparency and disclosure. AI-generated content should be labelled. How and when generative AI is used should be disclosed. AI agents should not be presented as humans to the public. Accuracy and fact-checking. Professional communicators should uphold the journalistic standard of accuracy by fact-checking AI outputs and correcting errors. Communicators should not use AI to create or spread disinformation or misleading content. Fairness. AI systems should be regularly checked for bias to make sure they are respectful of the organization’s audiences along variables such as race, gender, age and geographic location, among others. To reduce bias, organizations should ensure that the datasets used to train their generative AI systems are accurately representative of audiences and users . Privacy and consent. Users’ privacy rights should be respected. Data protection laws should be followed. . Personal data should not be used for training AI systems without users’ expressed consent. Individuals should be allowed to opt out of receiving automated communication and having their data collected. Accountability and oversight. AI decisions should always be subject to human oversight. Clear lines of accountability and reporting should be spelled out. Generative AI systems should be audited regularly. To effect these policies, organizations should appoint a permanent AI task force accountable to the organization’s board and membership. The AI task force should monitor AI use and regularly report findings to appropriate parties. Generative AI holds immense potential to enhance human creativity and storytelling. By developing and following thoughtful AI guidelines, the communications sector can build public trust and help to maintain the integrity of public information, which is vital to a thriving society and democracy .JINYOU: ePTFE Gasket Sheet with High Versatility to Various Flanges 12-20-2024 07:40 PM CET | Industry, Real Estate & Construction Press release from: ABNewswire Short Description: JINYOU Registered ' ePTFE sheet's patented biaxial expansion process of polytetrafluorethylene produces a highly fibrillated structure making it impermeable to liquid and gases. This technology has resulted in achieving uncanny structural characteristics to the common chrysotile asbestos fiber which had dominated the gasket industry for over a century. Unlike chrysotile fiber gasket, JINYOU sheet is a safe and non-toxic material and does not require the use of elastomers which deteriorate when exposed to chemicals and elevated temperatures. JINYOU sheet has been independently tested by TUV NORD and found to be RoHS and REACH Compliant. Image: https://www.abnewswire.com/uploads/d87d314bc79a947d4a28cec5d344145f.png Material Composition and Application JINYOU Registered ' ePTFE sheet is capable of a wide service range in applications found throughout process industries. The patented UFG multilayer manufacturing method provides reliable sealability due to the low stress and exceptional dimensional stability characteristics the material possesses. This form of gasket material is processed by expanding 100% pure polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) into a highly fibrillated, bi-directional, soft, compressible gasket for longer life and trouble-free sealing. Its form-in-place versatility is perfect for flange surfaces that are worn, warped, or scored. The distinct compressibility of the UFG gasket enables it to effectively fill flange imperfections for a tight, leak-free seal. Unlike conventional PTFE materials which are prone to cold flow, JINYOU Registered ' ePTFE sheet has good creep resistance and bolt torque retention properties. The JINYOU material has excellent chemical resistance with a pH range of 0 to 14, making it suitable for most mediums. The temperature service parameters range from -450 degrees F (-268 degrees C) to 500 degrees F maximum/600 degrees F spike (260 degrees C/315 degrees C) and pressure ranges from full vacuum to 3,000 psi (206 bar). These exceptional values are achieved without the need for filler materials like silica, barium sulfate, or hollow glass spheres. The Ultimate Flange Gasket material is ideal for both high-load metal flanged applications and low-load applications such as glass-lined steel, glass, and FRP (fiberglass reinforced plastic) piping and vessels. It does not support bacterial growth or cause product contamination and is FDA 21 CFR 177.1550 compliant. JINYOU Registered ' ePTFE sheet has an unlimited shelf-life and is unaffected by normal environmental conditions. Besides its standalone capabilities as an effective seal in highly corrosive applications, it is also one of the most widely used composites for the primary sealing element in semi-metallic gaskets such as spiral-wound, corrugated. The JINYOU Registered ' ePTFE sheet solution reduces concerns of process safety and production downtime caused by the use of incorrect gasket material. JINYOU ePTFE Sheet Features Expanded micro-porous structure Excellent chemical resistance from PH0-PH14 Excellent sealing performance UV resistance Non-aging Media Contact Company Name: Shanghai JINYOU Fluorine Materials Co., Ltd. Email:Send Email [ https://www.abnewswire.com/email_contact_us.php?pr=jinyou-eptfe-gasket-sheet-with-high-versatility-to-various-flanges ] Country: China Website: https://www.jinyoueptfe.com/ This release was published on openPR.
Sitrin Capital Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Amazon.com, Inc. ( NASDAQ:AMZN ) by 5.5% in the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 35,995 shares of the e-commerce giant’s stock after buying an additional 1,867 shares during the period. Amazon.com accounts for 3.4% of Sitrin Capital Management LLC’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 10th largest position. Sitrin Capital Management LLC’s holdings in Amazon.com were worth $6,707,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. PayPay Securities Corp boosted its stake in Amazon.com by 64.6% during the second quarter. PayPay Securities Corp now owns 163 shares of the e-commerce giant’s stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 64 shares in the last quarter. Hoese & Co LLP acquired a new position in shares of Amazon.com in the 3rd quarter valued at $37,000. Bull Oak Capital LLC acquired a new position in shares of Amazon.com in the 3rd quarter valued at $45,000. Christopher J. Hasenberg Inc boosted its position in shares of Amazon.com by 650.0% in the 2nd quarter. Christopher J. Hasenberg Inc now owns 300 shares of the e-commerce giant’s stock valued at $58,000 after purchasing an additional 260 shares during the period. Finally, Values First Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Amazon.com in the 3rd quarter valued at $56,000. Institutional investors own 72.20% of the company’s stock. Amazon.com Price Performance Shares of NASDAQ:AMZN opened at $227.03 on Friday. Amazon.com, Inc. has a 1-year low of $143.64 and a 1-year high of $227.15. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.39 trillion, a PE ratio of 48.61, a PEG ratio of 1.46 and a beta of 1.16. The business’s 50 day moving average is $197.39 and its 200-day moving average is $188.12. The company has a current ratio of 1.09, a quick ratio of 0.87 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on AMZN shares. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price target on Amazon.com from $224.00 to $245.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, November 1st. Scotiabank increased their price target on Amazon.com from $245.00 to $246.00 and gave the company a “sector outperform” rating in a research report on Friday, November 1st. Telsey Advisory Group increased their price target on Amazon.com from $215.00 to $235.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Friday, November 1st. Bank of America increased their price target on Amazon.com from $210.00 to $230.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, November 1st. Finally, Rosenblatt Securities increased their price objective on Amazon.com from $221.00 to $236.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, November 1st. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, forty-one have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $236.20. Read Our Latest Stock Report on AMZN Insider Transactions at Amazon.com In related news, SVP David Zapolsky sold 2,190 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $195.00, for a total transaction of $427,050.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 62,420 shares in the company, valued at $12,171,900. This trade represents a 3.39 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website . Also, Director Daniel P. Huttenlocher sold 1,237 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $199.06, for a total value of $246,237.22. Following the transaction, the director now owns 24,912 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $4,958,982.72. This trade represents a 4.73 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . In the last quarter, insiders have sold 6,030,183 shares of company stock valued at $1,252,883,795. 10.80% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Amazon.com Profile ( Free Report ) Amazon.com, Inc engages in the retail sale of consumer products, advertising, and subscriptions service through online and physical stores in North America and internationally. The company operates through three segments: North America, International, and Amazon Web Services (AWS). It also manufactures and sells electronic devices, including Kindle, Fire tablets, Fire TVs, Echo, Ring, Blink, and eero; and develops and produces media content. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AMZN? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Amazon.com, Inc. ( NASDAQ:AMZN – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Amazon.com Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Amazon.com and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .A property firm, Sytemap, has stated that 65 per cent of victims of land scams in Nigeria are women. While announcing an initiative designed to empower women through affordable and secure land ownership in a statement, the firm stated that from March 8 to March 14, 2025, women, including professionals in Africa and the Diaspora, will enjoy an exclusive 50 per cent discount on plots from verified estate developers through the Sytemap platform. It stated, “This initiative, themed ‘Her Land, Her Future,’ underscores Sytemap’s commitment to breaking cultural and economic barriers that have historically sidelined women from property ownership. Partnering with over 30 reputable estate developers, Sytemap is creating unprecedented opportunities for women to invest in land with confidence. “For decades, women in Nigeria and across Africa have faced significant hurdles in land acquisition, including high costs, fear of fraud, and societal biases. In fact, studies show that 65 per cent of victims of land scams in Nigeria are women. “This initiative will launch during the ‘Sytemap Land Trade Fair 1.0,’ an event bringing together key stakeholders, women’s organisations, and influencers to celebrate this transformative moment. Women in the Diaspora are encouraged to participate and take advantage of this life-changing opportunity.” Related News Firm unveils new yoghurt brand Firm unveils network to ease cross-border payments Firm partners NexHub to boost creative exports The Chief Executive Officer, Sytemap, Nnamdi Uba, noted that women have been marginalised for too long. He said, “Imagine a future where women are equal stakeholders in property ownership, shaping communities and securing generational wealth. Sytemap invites women across Africa and the Diaspora to claim their space and rewrite the narrative of land ownership. “Women have long been marginalised in land ownership, a critical path to building wealth and security. Our mission is not only to make land ownership accessible but to eliminate the fears and uncertainties that hold women back. With this initiative, Sytemap leverages its reputation for transparency and cutting-edge technology to offer a simple, scam-free, and empowering process for land purchase. “The campaign is designed to resonate with young professionals, particularly women with good-paying jobs who are ready to invest in their future. For women in the Diaspora, the initiative offers tailored support, including seamless international payment options and an innovative plot-monitoring app that allows buyers to manage their investments from anywhere in the world.”
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THE Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the University of the Philippines-Mindanao (UP-Mindanao) to establish a medical school, with SPMC serving as its base hospital. Dr. Ricardo Audan, SPMC Medical Center Chief, shared the news during the Kapehan sa Dabaw on December 16, 2024, at SM City Davao. He confirmed that the medical school is set to open by August or October 2024. The MOA was signed on November 13, 2024, by UP Mindanao Chancellor Lyre Anne Murao and witnessed by UP Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Leo Cubillan, as well as SPMC Chief Training Officer Dr. Maria Elinore Alba-Concha. The initiative follows UP President Angelo Jimenez's April 2023 announcement about establishing Mindanao's first medical school. The new medical school will complement a hospital being built at the UP Mindanao Mintal campus, located on a 3.28-hectare plot. Jimenez noted that the School of Medicine at UP Mindanao aims to address the region’s low doctor-to-population ratio. Although improvements have been made, Davao City’s Health Office reported in 2022 that there is still one doctor for every 50,000 people in some health districts—far lower than Metro Manila's 1:15,300 ratio. The new medical school will offer a full range of courses, similar to other major universities in Mindanao. UP-Mindanao’s Mintal campus also offers various undergraduate programs in Biology, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Food Technology, Agribusiness Economics, Anthropology, and Communication Arts. RGP
Stock market today: Rising tech stocks pull Wall Street to another recordFrom porn star to pixelated pleasure. Chloe Amour, a 33-year-old adult film star, has revealed that she sold her likeness to an AI company to reduce the pressures of her demanding career. The Las Vegas-based performer has spent years working with major studios in the adult film industry and being a real-life “Pretty Woman” , but as her workload continued to bulge, she decided to use a virtual alter ego to interact with her fans when she’s unavailable. This move is not only a way to ease her workload, but also part of a growing trend in the adult entertainment industry where performers are utilizing AI to maintain their presence online. Amour explained that while she enjoys connecting with her fans, there are moments when she can’t fulfill all their desires. “When I chat with my fans directly, sometimes there’s things that they want to talk about with me, or there’s things that they want from me that I might not be able to give them,” she told the Daily Mail . “But through AI, they have the same likeness of me, and it’s like I can be everything that they want me to be in a sense.” No one’s being fooled though. “It’s very transparent because they’re aware that this is AI, it’s not me physically behind the device communicating with you — you know that you’re paying for,” Amour said. Her decision came after an AI company approached her with an offer to create her virtual counterpart. In exchange for a fee, she provided the company with photos, videos, and personal details to make the AI version as lifelike as possible. Amour acknowledges that AI still feels “scary and weird” to her at times, but she appreciates the ability to lighten her workload. “When you’re booked for [porn] shoots, you’re at the beck and call of that company,” she explained. “You’re gonna be on set for anywhere between, four, six, eight, ten, twelve hours, who knows?” Using a virtual persona to engage with fans allows her to take a break while maintaining her online presence. However, she does have one regret. “I should’ve signed up with them sooner because I would’ve gotten a bigger bonus!” she laughed. Amour’s AI persona is just one of many AI-generated women used to keep men company. The growing trend of AI avatars in the adult entertainment world is a sign of how technology is changing the landscape. In fact, some fans are now able to create their own custom virtual partners, from their appearance to their personality traits, hobbies and sexual preferences. Platforms like CamSoda have taken this even further by allowing users to build personalized AI “girlfriends” that become permanent features on the site. These virtual companions are available 24/7, responding instantly to users’ requests, and offering a level of privacy that traditional live-streamed cam shows cannot. A top tech executive has predicted that “AI girlfriends” will create $1B in business . Greg Isenberg, CEO of Late Checkout, wrote a blog post on X in which he shared that he met a man in Miami who “admitted to me that he spends $10,000/month” on “AI girlfriends.” “I thought he was kidding,” Isenberg wrote. “But, he’s a 24-year-old single guy who loves it.” Isenberg said he was left “speechless” by the encounter and predicted that “someone will build the AI-version of Match Group and make $1B+.” Match Group is the parent company of dating apps such as Tinder, Match.com, Hinge, OkCupid and Plenty of Fish. While users and some sex workers are embracing the technology, others aren’t too turned on to the idea . Facebook and Instagram reportedly host thousands of explicit ads for AI-generated companions and “girlfriend” apps – and sex workers are accusing Meta of double standards when it comes to policing smut. Some human sex workers raised concerns over Meta favoring AI-powered sex services and letting them multiply while barring human sex work on Facebook and Instagram as “adult content.”Dozens of luxury beachfront condos and hotels in Surfside, Bal Harbour, Miami Beach, and Sunny Isles are sinking into the ground at rates that were “unexpected,” with nearly 70 percent of the buildings in northern and central Sunny Isles affected, research by the University of Miami found. The study, published December 13, 2024, in the journal Earth And Space Science identified a total of 35 buildings that have sunk by as much as three inches between 2016 and 2023, including the iconic Surf Club Towers and Faena Hotel, the Porsche Design Tower, The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Trump Tower III, and Trump International Beach Resorts. Those buildings accommodate tens of thousands of residents and tourists. Some have more than 300 units, including penthouses that cost millions of dollars. “Almost all the buildings at the coast itself, they’re subsiding,” Falk Amelung, a geophysicist at the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric and Earth Science and the study’s senior author, told the Miami Herald , “It’s a lot.” Preliminary data also shows signs that some buildings along the coasts of Broward and Palm Beach are sinking. Experts called the study a “game changer” that raises a host of questions about development on vulnerable barrier islands. For starters, experts said, this could be a sign that rising sea levels, caused by the continued emission of greenhouse gases, is accelerating the erosion of the limestone on which South Florida is built. “It’s probably a much larger problem than we know,” Paul Chinowsky, a professor of civil engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder, told the Herald . Initially, researchers looked at satellite images that can measure fractions of an inch of subsidence to determine whether the phenomenon had occurred leading up to the collapse of Champlain Towers in Surfside, the 2021 catastrophe that killed 98 people and led to laws calling for structural reviews of older condos across the state. The researchers did not see any signs of settlement before the collapse, “indicating that settlement was not the cause of collapse,” according to a statement. But they did see subsidence at nearby beachside buildings both north and south of it. “What was surprising is that it was there at all, so we didn’t believe it at the beginning,” Amelung said, explaining that his team checked several sources that confirmed the initial data. “And then we thought, we have to investigate it.” In total, they found subsidence ranging between roughly 0.8 and just over 3 inches, mostly in Sunny Isles Beach, Surfside, and at two buildings in Miami Beach — the Faena Hotel and L’atelier condo — and one in Bal Harbour. It’s unclear what the implications are or whether the slow sinking could lead to long-term damage, but several experts told the Herald that the study raises questions that require further research as well as a thorough on-site inspection. “These findings raise additional questions which require further investigation,” Gregor Eberli, a geoscience professor and co-author of the study, said in a statement. Lead author Farzaneh Aziz Zanjani pointed to the need for “ongoing monitoring and a deeper understanding of the long term implications for these structures.” Though the vast majority of affected buildings were constructed years or decades before the satellite images were taken, it is common for buildings to subside a handful of inches during and shortly after construction — a natural effect as the weight of the building compresses the soil underneath. And sinking doesn’t necessarily create structural issues. “As long as it’s even, everything’s fine,” Chinowsky said, placing his hands next to each other. “The problems start when you start doing this,” he said, then moving one hand down faster than the other. Such uneven sinking, known as differential subsidence, can cause significant damage to buildings. “That’s where you can get structural damage,” he said. More research is needed to determine whether the buildings are sinking evenly or not. “Sometimes it can be dangerous, sometimes not. It will have to be evaluated,” said Shimon Wdowinski, a geophysicist at Florida International University. He worked on a different 2020 study that showed that the land surrounding the Champlain Towers — not the buildings themselves — had been subsiding back in the nineties. Though, that alone couldn’t have led to the collapse. For the 35 buildings shown to be sinking in the University of Miami’s study, he said, the next step is to check the integrity and design plans. “If there is differential subsidence, it could cause structural damage, and it would need immediate attention,” he said. Cracks in walls, utilities that are breaking, or doors and windows that don’t shut as easily as they used to are all signs of differential subsidence, said Hota GangaRao, a professor of civil engineering and the director of the constructed facilities center at West Virginia University. “In some extreme scenarios, the buildings at some point sink much more dramatically with time,” he said. If that subsidence is differential, “then it is very, very serious,” he said. Some settlement appears to have started right around the time the construction of new buildings nearby began, and when vibration might have caused layers of sand to compress further. The pumping of groundwater that seeps into construction sites could also cause sand layers to shift and rearrange. Though there appears to be a strong link to nearby construction for some buildings, it is unlikely to be the only explanation for the 35 sinking buildings, as some settlement had started before any construction began nearby and persisted after construction ended. “There’s no sign that it’s stopping,” Amelung said of the settlement. Experts also pointed to the impact the emission of fossil fuels and the resulting warming of the climate is having on the overall stability of Miami-Dade’s barrier islands. For one, rising sea levels are now encroaching on sand and limestone underneath the buildings. That could lead to the corrosion of the pillars on which highrises stand. Stronger waves, heavier rainfalls, and more sunny day flooding could also add to the erosion of the limestone that all of South Florida is built on, Chinowsky said. Already a soft rock that is riddled with holes and air pockets, further erosion could destabilize the base of most constructions. “I would expect that they would see this all throughout the barrier islands and on into the main coastline — wherever there is limestone, basically,” he said. “That’s what makes the whole South Florida area so unique, because of that porous rock, the limestone, all that action is happening where you can’t see it, and that’s why it’s never accounted for to this level.” For readers who like more technical information, here is the abstract of the study: This study utilizes Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) to examine subsidence along the coastal strip of the Miami barrier islands from 2016 to 2023. Using Sentinel-1 data, we document vertical displacements ranging from 2 to 8 cm, affecting a total of 35 coastal buildings and their vicinity. About half of the subsiding structures are younger than 2014 and at the majority of them subsidence decays with time. This correlation suggests that the subsidence is related to construction activities. In northern and central Sunny Isles Beach, where 23% of coastal structures were built during the last decade, nearly 70% are experiencing subsidence. The majority of the older subsiding structures show sudden onset or sudden acceleration of subsidence, suggesting that this is due to construction activities in their vicinity; we have identified subsidence at distance of 200 m, possibly up to 320 m, from construction sites. We attribute the observed subsidence to load-induced, prolonged creep deformation of the sandy layers within the limestone, which is accelerated, if not instigated, by construction activities. Distant subsidence from a construction site could indicate extended sandy deposits. Anthropogenic and natural groundwater movements could also be driving the creep deformation. This study demonstrates that high-rise construction on karstic barrier islands can induce creep deformation in sandy layer within the limestone succession persisting for a decade or longer. It showcases the potential of InSAR technology for monitoring both building settlement and structural stability. Construction in Miami and nearby areas continues at a breathtaking pace. What this study suggests is that new construction can disturb the foundations of nearby existing buildings in an area where arguably no major construction should be permitted due to the instability of the sand and limestone substrate underneath. But this is some of the most desirable real estate in America, so proceeding with caution is not very likely. Much of South Florida consists of limestone , which dissolves slowly in saltwater. That’s a long-term problem for which there are no easy solutions. But there is a solution to over-building — don’t do it, especially in Miami and neighboring communities. Now to see whether anyone will pay the slightest attention to the science. The odds are, nobody will until another disaster strikes the area. There is just too much money to be made by continuing to build in this area to even think about stopping. There is a lesson to be learned in there somewhere. CleanTechnica's Comment Policy LinkedIn WhatsApp Facebook Bluesky Email Reddit
ISRO gears up for last mission of 2024, to experiment with 24 payloadsMCKINNEY, Texas , Dec. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hartwater Aesthetics ® , a leading medical aesthetic brand, announced an expansion of its clinical and leadership team with the addition of a new aesthetic provider and a new practice manager at its location in McKinney, TX. The Hartwater Clinical team is joined by Tiffany Byres , LMA, a licensed Medical Aesthetician, Certified Laser Technician, and Laser Safety Officer with 13 years of experience in the plastic surgery and medical aesthetics space. Byres brings to Hartwater an extensive knowledge of skin care techniques and protocols as well as expertise with numerous laser technologies and other treatments to provide top-quality care to patients. Joining the leadership team as Practice Manager is Lauren Parker , an experienced operational and sales leader in the beauty industry. Parker will oversee daily operations at the practice and ensure the continued delivery of a seamless, patient-focused experience. This growth reflects Hartwater's ongoing commitment to delivering exceptional care and innovative services to its patients. The team expansion marks an exciting new chapter for Hartwater Aesthetics ® as it continues to set the standard for medical aesthetic care. About Hartwater Aesthetics ® Hartwater Aesthetics ® is a premier medical aesthetic practice offering industry-leading treatments for the face, body, and skin. It is home to a team of world-class aesthetic providers and uses the most state-of-the-art technology to offer patients the highest quality of care available. Media Contact: pr@h artwatera esthetics.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hartwater-aesthetics-expands-team-302337620.html SOURCE Hartwater Aesthetics
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