7xm.con Blockchain technology is transforming various sectors of business, entertainment and everyday life. We used to associate blockchain with cryptocurrency, however, its applications extend well beyond that. Related Stories While cryptocurrencies are widely recognized, the true potential of blockchain resides in its capacity to reshape the digital economy. We can see how blockchain is already developing in Africa and how it is changing the business environment. African NFT artists are utilizing blockchain to achieve greater creative freedom, which enables them to circumvent traditional galleries and intermediaries. This change grants artists increased control over their work and amplifies opportunities within the art sector. This is one example of how Satoshi Nakamoto ’s invention changes life for the better. Combination of the blockchain and metaverses developed, for example, by Meta, Decentraland, and Holiverse companies enables real breakthroughs in business, technology and social life. African nations often encounter issues associated with land ownership conflicts, corruption and inefficient transaction processes. Blockchain technology offers a means to tackle these issues by providing an immutable ledger for securely recorded property transactions, ensuring transparency and fostering trust. Blockchain enables users to access cryptocurrency assets, thereby facilitating participation in decentralized finance and unlocking new economic prospects. In Africa, various real estate companies and platforms are beginning to explore the potential of blockchain technology to enhance transactional efficiency and security. Ensuring building a trusted distributed ledger to record land buying and selling transactions that can never be altered, corrupted, forged or replicated in error. The challenges associated with the ownership of physical property, such as ambiguous titles and fraudulent practices, highlight the disruptive potential of blockchain in real estate. Utilizing blockchain technology, property transactions gain transparency and efficiency, enabling seamless ownership transfers with no need for intermediaries. This innovation not only reduces transactional costs but also enhances trust between buyers and sellers navigating the complexities of real estate. A 2023 Chainalysis report shows that Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa accounted for 70% of Africa’s $88.5 million blockchain funding, with Nigeria ranking second globally in cryptocurrency adoption. However, the integration of blockchain technology in economics remains relatively limited. There is an increasing interest towards implementing blockchain in land registration and record systems. Distress Property Market Ltd has partnered with Wallstreet Exchange to leverage blockchain technology for addressing challenges in the Nigerian property market, striving to streamline transactions and broaden investment access. Nigerian startups are leading the way in developing blockchain-based land and property registries to digitize the real estate sector, enhancing transparency and security in transactions. At the 2021 Nigerian Blockchain Conference, several startups showcased solutions addressing fraud and inefficiencies in the real estate market. Their presentations included case studies illustrating how blockchain technology can improve land registration processes and increase transparency in property ownership, ultimately transforming the industry and protecting stakeholders. Blockchain can greatly benefit farmers by enabling them to sell their crops directly to consumers or businesses. By documenting each transaction on a blockchain, farmers can receive fair payments promptly, eliminating the need for intermediaries who often take a share of the profits. This enhances their income and provides them with direct control over their sales and prices. An example of this is the implementation of blockchain in cocoa supply chains, where farmers can track their products from farm to market, ensuring they receive fair compensation while fostering relationships with ethical buyers. Another critical application is in improving government transparency and accountability. With blockchain, governments can track public funds and expenditures in real time. The advancement of blockchain technology is particularly relevant within the context of the metaverse, where it offers substantial promise in addressing long-standing economic challenges in Africa. There are no boundaries in metaverses, everyone can enter their digital worlds. They unleash unique opportunities for business and initiate greenfield projects. Don’t see any real-world business prospects? Get in the metaverse and try your hand at digital business. Crypto assets, virtual real estate, virtual goods, metaverse land – all these objects become the basis of a new economy. These virtual assets are already being transformed into real money, demonstrating the interaction of the real and virtual worlds. Metaverses now are the trend of the IT-industry. Business giants such as Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta and fast-growing ambitious companies like DeFi platform Holiverse by Lado Okhotnikov develop their own metaverses. Holiverse uses blockchain as a basic technology controlling the metaverse. All interactions are based on smart contracts made by means of Polygon blockchain. This provides the decentralization of management and decision-making. Any asset is bought or sold through the NFT associated with the asset. NFT and the corresponding smart contract guarantee receipt of funds by the seller and ownership transfer to the buyer. The rise of virtual real estate and digital assets within the metaverse exemplifies the way blockchain facilitates innovative ownership structures and economic models, which are especially critical in African contexts where conventional mechanisms may prove inadequate. Metaverse concept has the potential to significantly enhance traditional real estate processes by offering increased transparency, efficiency, and security pertaining to the acquisition of land, property, or assets. Platforms such as Holiverse allow users to buy, sell, and lease digital properties, creating opportunities for businesses to establish sophisticated storefronts, engage customers, and host events. The evolution towards virtual property ownership introduces complexities regarding the adaptation of traditional real estate concepts to digital marketplaces. Metaverse does not just imitate the real world, it improves it by striving for the ideal. Imagine a world where corruption and deception, agreements and transactions are carried out, your property cannot be stolen or taken away. That’s how the blockchain works. The emergence of blockchain technology in Africa hints at its transformative potential. Visionaries, operating also in Africa through international platforms like Holiverse are paving the way for a reimagined digital landscape that goes beyond mere technology application and serves as a catalyst for innovation. The vision behind Holiverse’s technology is to offer an immersive environment that combines virtual reality, augmented reality, and blockchain, enabling users to connect and explore unique experiences. Now imagine, soon everyone will be able to choose the perfect digital world for themselves. Sooner or later, we will see how the metaverses will influence reality, improving it and creating a new space of harmony.Anticipation is building as the 30th Palmolive Sindh Women’s Swimming Championship approaches, set to showcase one of the most significant female sporting events in Pakistan. Karachi Women’s Swimming Association (KWSA) has been organizing this annual swimming championship in partnership with Colgate Palmolive Pakistan since 1991, a period of 30+ years. This swimming championship serves as a premier platform for discovering emerging talent in Sindh, the best of which go on to the national level. For Karachi Women’s Swimming Association, this 30th edition is a testament to decades of dedication and hard work in promoting women’s swimming across Pakistan. It reflects their ongoing commitment to nurturing young swimmers, providing them with the tools and opportunities to excel both locally and internationally. This event serves as an exciting milestone for the young female athletes who are taking part in the championship. It symbolizes not just a competition, but an opportunity to make history, set records, and inspire future generations of swimmers. This unique platform offers them a chance to showcase their talents, build their confidence, and aim for the highest levels of achievement in national and international swimming events, empowering them on the world stage. Many of the event’s past standout performers have gone on to win medals at prestigious tournaments, including the South Asian Games, South Asian Swimming Championships, and the Islamic Women’s Games. These athletes have also represented Pakistan at the World Swimming Championships, consistently raising the national flag and making the country proud. By empowering female athletes with the same competitive opportunities as their male counterparts, Palmolive continues to affirm its role as a socially responsible brand. Open to female swimmers from across Sindh, the 30th Palmolive Sindh Women’s Swimming Championship 2024 will be held on November 23-24, 2024, at the Karachi Club. Over 300 participants are expected from various schools, clubs, and individual entries, including Karachi Grammar School, Beaconhouse School System, Karachi Club, Karachi Gymkhana, Karachi American School, The City School, Links, Bayview Academy, DHA Sports Club Moin Khan, The CAS School, The Intellect School, The Ivy School, and Haque Academy, among others. The competition will feature all official FINA events. The Opening Ceremony will take place at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 23, 2024, with the medal presentation scheduled for Sunday, November 24, 2024, at 4.30 p.m. The Closing Ceremony will be open to the public.Dexus (OTCMKTS:DXSPF) Trading 3.5% Higher – Here’s Why

Jerusalem : Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Wednesday that Israeli forces will remain in Gaza and maintain “security control” over the Palestinian territory, raising concerns that the latest round of ceasefire talks may face further deadlock. During a visit to a buffer zone along the Gaza-Egypt border, Katz said “security control in Gaza will remain in the hands of the IDF (Israel Defense Forces).” He stated that Israeli forces would remain in “security zones, buffer areas, and control positions” within the Gaza Strip, describing the measure as necessary “to ensure the safety of (Israeli) communities.” “There will be no Hamas government here, nor a Hamas military — a new reality will emerge thanks to the ongoing fighting,” Katz added. The minister’s comments came shortly after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office and Hamas accused each other of delays in reaching a Gaza ceasefire agreement, each claiming the other had introduced new demands. A key demand by Hamas has been an Israeli withdrawal from the enclave, which has been devastated by Israel’s heavy bombardment and airstrikes. In a press statement, Hamas said the talks in Doha, mediated by Qatar and Egypt, were “progressing seriously.” However, it accused Israel of introducing “new conditions related to the issues of the withdrawal (from Gaza), the ceasefire, the prisoners, and the return of the displaced people.” These conditions, Hamas claimed, caused “the delay in reaching an agreement that was within reach.” In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office released a statement denying Hamas’s accusations. The statement said Hamas had backtracked on understandings already reached and was “hindering the negotiations” On Tuesday, Israel recalled its delegation from the talks in Doha, stating that the team had been involved in a week of “meaningful” discussions. “The team is returning for internal consultations in Israel regarding the continuation of negotiations for the return of our hostages,” the office said, Xinhua news agency reported. The team included senior officials from the Mossad, Shin Bet security agency, and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The withdrawal of the Israeli forces from the coastal Palestinian enclave and the length of the ceasefire have been key sticking points in previous failed negotiation attempts. Hamas seeks to end the war entirely, while Israel insists on removing Hamas’ control over Gaza before any resolution and maintaining a military presence in the Palestinian enclave even after the ceasefire. On Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had said that “there has been progress” in efforts to secure a ceasefire-for-hostages deal with Hamas, but cautioned that the timeline for reaching an agreement remains unclear. Speaking before the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, Netanyahu said, “I do not know how long it will take,” while vowing to “continue to act in every possible way until we bring everyone home.” Foreign Minister Gideon Saar also outlined parts of the deal during a closed meeting of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee, describing it as “a phased, gradual framework.” Israel’s Diaspora Minister Amichai Chikli told Kan Reshet Bet public radio that there had been “some” progress toward an agreement, adding that the sides are closer to a deal than in recent months. He said the initial phase would be “a humanitarian phase,” involving a 42-day ceasefire and the release of some hostages. “This ceasefire could last six months or 10 years, depending on the dynamics that develop on the ground,” Chikli said. Israel has been conducting a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on October 7, 2023, during which about 1200 people were killed and about 250 taken hostage.

On Monday, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth announced that the U.S. Department of Energy's Bioenergy Technologies Office is awarding the University of Illinois $10 million in federal funding. That money, says crop sciences Professor DoKyoung Lee, will help take studies on "purpose-grown energy crops" to the next level to prove that the science works on a large scale. Lee said that official term, "purpose-grown energy crop," means pretty much exactly what it sounds like when you break it down: crops that have the necessary components to be good for creating fuel and are grown specifically for that purpose, not for food or anything else. Most people are already familiar with the concept of corn being used to create ethanol to power cars, but UI researchers are looking at crops that can create fuel to power airplanes. Lee said this is important in creating sustainability across the transportation industry. "By 2035-40, we are expecting pretty much all passenger and small fleet vehicles to use electricity or hydrogen or something like that," Lee said. "But an airplane cannot run by a battery. Maybe in the future we'll have a completely different form of a battery and it won't be a problem, but especially going continent-to-continent, long-distance flights, it's obviously not going to be batteries." Using plants to make fuel would be more environmentally friendly than using fossil fuels, and would make the United States more energy-independent. Different plants can be used to make different kinds of fuel, but Lee said that many of those used in jet fuel are already native to Illinois and the Midwest, which means they would also be healthy for the local ecosystem. Miscanthus and switchgrass sequester carbon from the atmosphere and can be produced on land that isn't suitable for annual production of crops like corn and soybeans, Lee said. Lee and other UI researchers have been working with these plants for some time to understand how they can be used to make fuel, but this $10 million grant will allow them to begin expanding tests. He said the plan is to plant energy crops across many acres and harvest them with large-scale machinery to begin understanding large-scale production. "It's basically exactly the same as what farmers are going to do," Lee said. "We are trying to see how this crop can help farmers' revenue generation while farmers can provide the biggest step for sustainable aviation fuel production and at the same time, they can provide another benefit to society and our environment."

PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa. , Dec. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- INOVIO Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: INO ), a biotechnology company focused on developing and commercializing DNA medicines to help treat and protect people from HPV-related diseases, cancer, and infectious diseases, today announced that it intends to offer and sell shares of its common stock and accompanying warrants to purchase shares of its common stock, in an underwritten public offering. All of the securities in the proposed offering will be sold by INOVIO. The proposed offering is subject to market conditions, and there can be no assurance as to whether or when the offering may be completed, or the actual size or terms of the offering. Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. and Citizens JMP are acting as joint book-running managers for the offering. Stephens Inc. is acting as lead manager for the offering. A shelf registration statement relating to the shares of common stock and accompanying warrants offered in the offering described above was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on November 9, 2023 and declared effective by the SEC on January 31, 2024 . The offering will be made only by means of a written prospectus and prospectus supplement that form a part of the registration statement. A preliminary prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus relating to and describing the terms of the proposed offering will be filed with the SEC and will be available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov . Copies of the preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, when available, may also be obtained by contacting: Oppenheimer & Co. Inc., Attention: Syndicate Prospectus Department, 85 Broad Street, 26th Floor, New York, NY 10004, by telephone at (212) 667-8055, or by email at [email protected] ; or Citizens JMP Securities, LLC, 600 Montgomery Street, Suite 1100, San Francisco, California 94111, by telephone at (415) 835-8985, or by email at [email protected] . This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities being offered, nor shall there be any sale of the securities being offered in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or other jurisdiction. About INOVIO INOVIO is a biotechnology company focused on developing and commercializing DNA medicines to help treat and protect people from HPV-related diseases, cancer, and infectious diseases. INOVIO's technology optimizes the design and delivery of innovative DNA medicines that teach the body to manufacture its own disease-fighting tools. Forward-Looking Statements This release contains or may imply "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are not based on historical fact and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding INOVIO's anticipated public offering, including the completion of the public offering on the anticipated terms, if at all. Any forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations of future events and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from those set forth in or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties related to market conditions and satisfaction of customary closing conditions related to the proposed public offering. For a discussion of other risks and uncertainties, and other important factors, any of which could cause our actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see the section entitled "Risk Factors" in INOVIO's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 , INOVIO's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 and in other filings that INOVIO makes with the SEC from time to time. There can be no assurance that any of the forward-looking information provided herein will be proven accurate. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof and INOVIO undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Contacts Media: Jennie Willson (267) 429-8567 [email protected] Investors: Peter Vozzo , ICR Healthcare, 443-213-0505 [email protected] SOURCE INOVIO Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

30th Palmolive Sindh Women’s Swimming Championship 2024AUSTIN, Texas , Dec. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As the nurse practitioner (NP) profession looks ahead to 2025, the American Association of Nurse Practitioners® (AANP) has identified five key health trends that will impact the health care system in the coming years. "As health care trends evolve, the demand for America's 385,000 licensed nurse practitioners remains high due to their exceptional, patient-centered approach to care," said AANP President Stephen A. Ferrara , DNP. "Patients nationwide deserve access to high-quality health care, and NPs are experts in various fields, including primary care, elder care, mental health care, substance use disorder treatment and artificial intelligence (AI) innovations. Nurse practitioners are dedicated to providing evidence-based care as the health care landscape continues to change." The Top Five Health Care Trends of 2025 1. AI Technologies Can Improve Patient Care – Nurse practitioners are leading the way to improve health care access and outcomes for millions of patients and leveraging the potential of new technologies, including AI, to benefit their patients. In their constant pursuit of excellence in health care, NPs are exploring the capability of AI to analyze vast amounts of patient data from remote monitoring devices to allow more proactive interventions and added patient engagement in care. The potential for AI to automate non-clinical routine tasks, like note-taking and documentation, will allow NPs and other providers to focus even more on patient interactions. Used properly, AI can make a real difference while reducing documentation and administrative burdens. Nurse Practitioners are well-positioned to evaluate and guide the implementation of safe and effective AI technologies and must be actively involved throughout the entire AI development and integration process to improve patient outcomes. 2. Growing Demand for Elder Care – As the U.S. population ages, the rising demand for elder care requires a growing health care workforce. Every Baby Boomer will be at least 65 by 2030, with the oldest members closer to 85 – meaning 1 out of every 5 Americans will be eligible to enroll in Medicare. At the same time, the NP profession is 385,000 strong, ensuring needed access to care for patients. NPs provide care to seniors in a wide variety of settings, including telehealth and in - home care. 3. Mental Health Integration into Primary Care – NPs and other primary care providers are increasingly integrating patients' mental health into primary care screenings for both physical and mental health problems, during their visits. Mental health conditions have increased sharply since the COVID-19 pandemic, and more than 122 million people live in areas where access to treatment is limited due to provider shortages. With a strong focus on whole-patient care, NPs understand the important role mental health plays in the overall well-being of their patients. In addition, increasing numbers of psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners will play a vital role in meeting the nation's need for diagnosing, treating and managing mental health conditions. 4. Limited Access to Primary Care Services – More than a quarter of Americans reported they are not up to date on health screenings and immunizations, according to AANP's State of Primary Care in America national survey. The survey also found that nearly one-third of adults, particularly those who are younger, Hispanic or living in rural areas, reported difficulty accessing health care services. Among adults who did see a provider for primary care, nearly a third (31%) turned to telehealth or to convenient care clinics. This survey echoes AANP's 2023 survey, which found that more than 25% of respondents had waited more than two months for an appointment with a health care provider. Adopting Full Practice Authority policies removes barriers to care so patients can choose an NP to access preventive screenings and health services, which are essential to improving the health of the nation. 5. NPs Treating Patients with Substance Use Disorders – According to the National Institute on Drugs and Addiction's 2024 fact sheet, more than 40 million people in the United States had a substance use disorder (SUD), and only 6.5 percent received treatment. More than 100,000 people died from an overdose in 2021. NPs who specialize in SUD and opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment are experts in this addiction crisis, prescribing medications to aid in recovery and ensuring that their patients have access to counseling, behavioral therapy, peer support and other interventions. The American Association of Nurse Practitioners ® (AANP) is the largest professional membership organization for nurse practitioners (NPs) of all specialties. It represents the interests of the more than 385,000 licensed NPs in the U.S. AANP provides legislative leadership at the local, state and national levels, advancing health policy; promoting excellence in practice, education and research; and establishing standards that best serve NPs' patients and other health care consumers. As The Voice of the Nurse Practitioner ® , AANP represents the interests of NPs as providers of high-quality, cost-effective, comprehensive, patient-centered health care. To locate an NP in your community, visit npfinder.com . For more information about NPs, visit aanp.org . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/aanp-spotlights-five-critical-health-care-trends-to-watch-in-2025-302330746.html SOURCE American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)

AANP Spotlights Five Critical Health Care Trends to Watch in 2025New Player in the Market Will It Surpass Dogecoin’s Widespread Fame?

( ) and startup Anduril are talking with many other tech companies, including OpenAI and Elon Musk's SpaceX, to form a consortium to jointly bid on U.S. government contracts, The Financial Times reported Sunday. The aim is to take on traditional defense giants such as ( ), ( ), ( ) and ( ). Palantir and Anduril also reportedly are talking to Saronic and ScaleAI. Palantir and Anduril aim to announce a series of alliances next month, the FT said. Musk, as co-leader of President-elect Donald Trump's government efficiency drive, has signaled he will target Pentagon spending. He has specifically criticized the F-35 fighter jet as wasteful. Lockheed Martin makes the F-35, with Northrop Grumman a major sub-contractor. Boeing is a would-be competitor to SpaceX in private space fight. ( ) has soared since the election in the belief that the Trump administration will favor the EV giant. But there may be more scope for Trump to aid SpaceX, via defense and space government contracts. Palantir stock jumped 8.5% on Friday to 80.55, a record close. PLTR stock is by far the top performer in the S&P 500 index this year, up 369%.Incredible video shows Ukraine unleashing SHOTGUN-wielding drones to hunt down & blast Russians on frontline