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Scientists grow human brains in space for first time and they could help cure world's top killer disease READ MORE: Zapping the brain with ultrasound might cure addiction By ELLYN LAPOINTE FOR DAILYMAIL.COM Published: 14:13 EST, 22 November 2024 | Updated: 14:36 EST, 22 November 2024 e-mail 18 shares 7 View comments Scientists have grown tiny human brains in space to research new treatments for Alzheimer's , Parkinson's and spinal injuries. The low gravity environment on the International Space Station (ISS) enabled researchers to grow brain organoids in just 72 hours. This process can take months on Earth. The organoids, which are artificially-grown masses of cells that mimic the structure and function of a human organ, allowed researchers to test a new method for curing currently untreatable neurological diseases . The promising new treatment, developed by biotechnology company Axonis Therapeutics, uses a reprogrammed virus to deliver beneficial gene therapy to central nervous system cells (CNS). Such modified viruses are called viral vectors, and they could be particularly useful for treating Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and spinal cord injuries. Nearly 600,000 Americans are diagnosed with either Alzheimer's or Parkinson's each year, and roughly 18,000 new spinal cord injuries occur in the US annually. Testing revealed that the company's treatment worked in mice. But gene therapies that are effective in rodent models often fail in humans. Axionis Therapeutics needed to perform tests using an accurate model of the human central nervous system, which is what prompted them to try and grow human brain organoids in space. Scientists on the International Space Station (ISS) have grown brain-like organoids in space to research new treatments for Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and spinal injuries Scientists can grow CNS cells on Earth, but gravity forces them to arrange themselves into two-dimensional single layers, which makes it difficult to culture the three-dimensional structure and complexity of brain cell functional groups. These space-grown organoids quickly provided a highly accurate model of the human brain, allowing the ISS researchers to truly test the effectiveness of the new viral vector treatment. 'Doing research in space is not something you'd ever think about normally,' said Shane Hegarty, co-founder and chief scientific officer of Axonis Therapeutics. 'But the opportunity to leverage microgravity conditions can unlock a lot of untouched potential by pushing the boundaries of science in a unique environment,' he added in a statement . In August 2023, Axonis Therapeutics launched frozen vials of their viral vector, mature neurons and astrocytes - or cells that hold nerve cells in place and help them develop - toward the ISS aboard a cargo resupply mission. A crew of researchers on the floating laboratory then injected these materials into a machine called BioCell, which is a specialized cell-culturing system. They loaded the viral vector with a fluorescent protein gene. If it successfully infiltrated the neurons and implanted the gene inside them, they would glow neon green. Within just 72 hours, the cells had not only organized themselves into three-dimensional human brain organoids, but were also glowing. NASA astronaut Mike Barratt processes brain organoid samples aboard the ISS for a different research project conducted this year ISS researchers used a specialized cell-culturing system called BioCell to grow the brain organelles and test the effectiveness of the viral vector 'The pivotal day was when the crew was doing the microscopy, and we saw big aggregates of green, glowing 3D tissue,' said researcher Sheila Nielsen of BioServe Space Technologies, the research organization that created BioCell. 'Shane and I were sending images of the organoids back and forth to each other, and we were pretty ecstatic because this is not something they had ever seen on the ground,' she added in the statement. Read More Exposure to city lights could increase the risk of Alzheimer's, study finds Viruses are very efficient at infecting cells and inserting genetic material into them. This is how they sicken their hosts - the inserted genetic material damages cells and allows the virus to reproduce, eliciting an immune response. But scientists can reprogram viruses to carry beneficial gene therapies to cells, providing a targeted treatment for disease or injury. This study demonstrated that Axonis Therapeutics' viral vector would be able to deliver gene therapy to human neurons. 'It was very exciting - we were able to both validate the gene therapy targeting ability and show that we indeed rapidly formed 3D assembloid models of the human brain,' Hegarty said. 'The major breakthrough is that you can self-assemble mature neurons and astrocytes rapidly into a model of the brain in microgravity conditions, which you can't do on the ground.' Share or comment on this article: Scientists grow human brains in space for first time and they could help cure world's top killer disease e-mail 18 shares Add commentNEW YORK — A number of President-elect Donald Trump 's most prominent Cabinet picks and appointees have been targeted by bomb threats and “swatting attacks," Trump's transition team said Wednesday. The FBI said it was investigating. “Last night and this morning, several of President Trump’s Cabinet nominees and Administration appointees were targeted in violent, unAmerican threats to their lives and those who live with them," Trump transition spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. She said the attacks ranged from bomb threats to swatting, in which attackers initiate an emergency law enforcement response against a target victim under false pretenses. The tactic has become a popular one in recent years. “In response, law enforcement and other authorities acted quickly to ensure the safety of those who were targeted. President Trump and the entire Transition team are grateful for their swift action,” Leavitt said. People are also reading... Rest assured, Nebraska volleyball fans: The missing fan behind the servers will be back Saturday Matt Rhule, Luke Fickell both downplay postgame encounter between Fickell, Donovan Raiola Arrest made in 55-year-old cold case of Nebraska teen stabbed to death Signing Day: Meet Nebraska volleyball's five-player 2025 class Wisconsin officer grabbing Donovan Raiola's arm a 'misunderstanding,' UW police say ‘I don’t care who’s played': Nebraska’s Dana Holgorsen on personnel changes at tight end Amie Just: Bring out the tissues — and the brooms — for Nebraska volleyball's emotional win Man found dead in north Lincoln, police say Cover Five: With pressure rising, Matt Rhule delivers Nebraska a bowl bid in Year 2 Nebraska GOP to seek hard-right social policies in 2025 legislative session Sound waves: What others are saying about Nebraska's win against Wisconsin Here's how Nebraska doctors are finding 'more opportunities to save lives' from lung cancer UNO freezes funds for LGBTQ+, multicultural, other student groups after audit Amie Just: Ahead of milestone birthday, local sports figures give advice on turning 30 As Nebraska's Democratic Party shrinks, some former party officials call for change Among those targeted were New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trump’s pick to serve as the next ambassador to the United Nations, Matt Gaetz, Trump’s initial pick to serve as attorney general, and former New York congressman Lee Zeldin, who has been tapped to lead the Environmental Protection Agency. Susie Wiles, Trump's incoming chief of staff, and Pam Bondi, the former Florida Attorney General whom Trump has chosen as Gaetz's replacement, were also targeted, according to a law enforcement official who spoke on condition of anonymity amid the ongoing investigation. Wiles and Bondi did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The FBI said in a statement that it was “aware of numerous bomb threats and swatting incidents targeting incoming administration nominees and appointees" and was "working with our law enforcement partners. We take all potential threats seriously, and as always, encourage members of the public to immediately report anything they consider suspicious to law enforcement.” Stefanik's office said that, on Wednesday morning, she, her husband, and their 3-year-old son were driving home from Washington for Thanksgiving when they were informed of a bomb threat to their residence in Saratoga County. "New York State, County law enforcement, and U.S. Capitol Police responded immediately with the highest levels of professionalism," her office said in a statement. “We are incredibly appreciative of the extraordinary dedication of law enforcement officers who keep our communities safe 24/7." The New York State Police said a team was dispatched to sweep Stefanik’s home on Wednesday morning in response to the bomb threat but did not locate any explosive devices. A spokesman for the agency directed further questions to the FBI. Zeldin said in a social media post that he and his family had been threatened. “A pipe bomb threat targeting me and my family at our home today was sent in with a pro-Palestinian themed message,” he wrote on X. “My family and I were not home at the time and are safe. We are working with law enforcement to learn more as this situation develops.” Police in Suffolk County, Long Island said emergency officers responded to a bomb threat Wednesday morning at an address listed in public records as Zeldin’s home and were checking the property. In Florida, meanwhile, the Okaloosa County sheriff’s office said in an advisory posted on Facebook that it “received notification of a bomb threat referencing former Congressman Matt Gaetz’s supposed mailbox at a home in the Niceville area around 9 a.m. this morning.” While a family member resides at the address, they said "former Congressman Gaetz is NOT a resident. The mailbox however was cleared and no devices were located. The immediate area was also searched with negative results.” Gaetz was Trump’s initial pick to serve as attorney general, but he withdrew from consideration amid allegations that he paid women for sex and slept with underage women. Gaetz has vehemently denied any wrongdoing and said last year that a Justice Department investigation into sex trafficking allegations involving underage girls had ended with no federal charges against him. The threats follow a political campaign marked by disturbing and unprecedented violence. In July, a gunman opened fire at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, grazing the then-candidate in the ear with a bullet and killing one of his supporters. The U.S. Secret Service later thwarted a subsequent assassination attempt at Trump's West Palm Beach, Florida, golf course when an agent spotted the barrel of a gun poking through a perimeter fence while Trump was golfing. Public figures across the political spectrum have been targeted in recent years by hoax bomb threats and false reports of shootings at their homes. The judges overseeing the civil fraud case against Trump in New York and the criminal election interference case against him in Washington, D.C. were both targeted earlier this year. Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith, who recently abandoned the two criminal cases he brought against Trump, was also the subject of a fake emergency call on Christmas Day last year. Earlier this year, schools, government buildings and the homes of city officials in Springfield, Ohio received a string of hoax bomb threats after Trump falsely accused members of Springfield’s Haitian community of abducting and eating cats and dogs. And in 2022, a slew of historically Black colleges and universities nationwide were targeted with dozens of bomb threats with the vast majority arriving during the celebration of Black History Month. The U.S. Capitol Police said in a statement Wednesday that, “Anytime a Member of Congress is the victim of a 'swatting' incident, we work closely with our local and federal law enforcement partners. To protect ongoing investigations and to minimize the risk of copy-cats, we cannot provide more details at this time.” Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson called the threats “dangerous and unhinged.” “This year, there was not just one but TWO assassination attempts on President Trump. Now some of his Cabinet nominees and their families are facing bomb threats,” he wrote on X. “It is not who we are in America.”

None( MENAFN - Kashmir Observer) Modern housing Architecture and Chilly Winters in Kashmir By Abid Hussain Rather A house or shelter is one of the basic needs of human beings; providing safety, security, and a space for personal and communal life. It serves as a refuge from environmental elements like heat, cold, rain, and natural disasters, ensuring physical protection and comfort. Beyond its practical purpose of protecting against natural elements, it serves as a foundation for emotional and social well being. The construction and design of shelters are deeply tied to cultural identity, reflecting the traditions, beliefs, and environmental conditions of a community. For instance, indigenous structures such as igloos, mud huts, or stilt houses exhibit resourcefulness and harmony with the local climate and available materials. Additionally, cultural values of a society influence spatial arrangements, decorations, and functionality while a shelter is being constructed in a particular region. Thus, a shelter is not merely a physical structure but a manifestation of cultural heritage and human ingenuity. When we look at the old traditional house construction style in Kashmir Valley, it reflects a profound harmony between nature, culture and the environment. Our old traditional houses, which were often crafted using locally sourced materials like timber, mud, and stones, blend seamlessly with our valley's natural surroundings. The sloping roofs, designed to withstand heavy snow, and intricately carved wooden panels show the ingenuity and artistic heritage of Kashmiri culture. Such architectural choices ensure thermal insulation, reducing dependence on artificial heating, and highlight an eco-friendly approach. The design and architecture of our old houses was rooted in our cultural values and environmental sustainability; depicting a symbiotic relationship between the people of Kashmir and their unique ecosystem. Their architecture was not only aesthetically pleasing but also meticulously designed to adapt to the region's climatic extremes. In the biting winters, these homes provided warmth through their efficient use of deodar wood and unbaked clay bricks; which used to work as excellent insulators from the scorching heat of summer and biting cold of winter. The sloping roofs allowed heavy snow to slide off effortlessly, preventing structural damage. The use of natural materials such as mud, stone, and timber ensured that the homes were eco-friendly and blended harmoniously with their surroundings. In our old houses, the inner rooms were often adorned with walnut woodwork. Since this wood is soft, it allows for exquisite carving. This craftsmanship reflected the aesthetic taste of the Kashmiris. All things considered, it can be said that our old traditional homes were more than mere shelters; they were cultural artefacts, embodying centuries of wisdom, craftsmanship, and environmental adaptation. From the last one or two decades, the construction landscape of Kashmir has undergone a dramatic transformation. The advent of concrete and steel structures with flat roofs, large glass windows, and minimalist designs reflects a deep taste for modernity. This shift is driven by several factors, including increased access to technology, the aspiration to emulate urban lifestyles, and the perception that traditional designs are outdated or inefficient. Unfortunately, this trend has come at a significant cost. Modern houses in Kashmir often ignore the region's climatic requirements. Flat roofs, for example, are unsuitable for the heavy snowfall that is a hallmark of winters in Kashmir, leading to water leakage and structural vulnerabilities. The excessive use of glass, iron and steel contributes to poor thermal insulation, making these homes harder to heat during the winter months and less energy efficient overall. The severe cold climatic conditions of Kashmir valley demand architectural solutions that respect its unique conditions. Traditional houses, with their thick mud walls and small windows, were naturally insulated and reduced the reliance on external heating systems. Modern houses, in contrast, require extensive energy consumption (excessive use of electric room heaters, LPG heaters, Hamaam system etc.) to maintain warmth during winters. Besides the environmental implications, the loss of traditional architecture represents a profound erosion of cultural identity. Houses are often seen as extensions of one's heritage, and in our Kashmir valley, the architecture was a visual reminder of the valley's unique history and traditions. The complex designs of Khatamband ceilings and Pinjrakari windows in our old houses were displaying the skilled craftsmanship passed down through generations. But these elements are now being replaced in modern houses by sterile designs that could belong to any generic cityscape. This architectural shift alienates our younger generations from their cultural roots. With the disappearance of traditional houses, the stories, values, and skills associated with them are also vanishing, creating a cultural void that cannot easily be filled. The traditional architecture of Kashmir not only connected us to the past but also served as a significant defence against earthquakes. It has been observed that during earthquakes, modern concrete houses collapse, while centuries old houses remain intact. The reason is that after the tremors, the traditional structures return to their original position, whereas concrete structures lack the flexibility to do so. The need for modernization is undeniable, but it must not come at the expense of cultural identity and environmental harmony. To preserve Kashmir's architectural heritage, it is essential to rethink our approach to construction and ensure that future developments are sustainable and reflective of the region's unique culture and environment. We should incorporate elements such as sloping roofs, natural insulation, and intricate woodwork into modern designs while constructing our houses. Further, we must use locally sourced, sustainable materials to reduce the ecological imbalance. It is essential to merge traditional aesthetics with contemporary functionality while designing our houses, such as energy efficient windows with Pinjrakari designs. It is pertinent to mention here that in our valley most individuals in the field of engineering are primarily learning concrete based designs. This approach needs a reconsideration and revision. The government has also not taken significant steps to promote the education and innovation of traditional architecture. The misleading notion of modernity has overshadowed traditional knowledge and sciences. The government and private stakeholders must play a proactive role in promoting architectural policies that respect local traditions. The charisma of modernity is undeniable, but Kashmir must not lose sight of what makes it unique. We must keep in mind that the construction of houses that ignore cultural identity and climatic realities may offer short term convenience, but the long term consequences are far reaching. Views expressed in the article are the author's own and do not necessarily represent the editorial stance of Kashmir Observer MENAFN26122024000215011059ID1109033289 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.The buildings are going up at the Texas A&M-Fort Worth campus, but the brick-and-mortar is only part of the story. “This is not going to be just a four-year college campus,” said John Goff, the founder and chairman of Crescent Real Estate who, along with JP Morgan Chase & Co. leader Elaine Agather, helped bring Texas A&M to Fort Worth. “This is much more than that.” Goff, joined by others from Fort Worth, toured some of the top innovation districts in the U.S. to understand the impact the school could have on the city. One place they visited was Kendall Square, the area around the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston. Kendall Square is considered one of the key innovation districts in the country and well-known for its so-called “bump factor,” where interactions between innovators frequently turn into technology advancements and business opportunities. That’s one reason Texas A&M and Fort Worth brought in U3 Advisors on the project. U3 Advisors works with universities to help build innovation districts, with experience in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Chicago. Texas A&M-Fort Worth is their first project in the Lone Star State. Omar Blaik, CEO of U3 Advisors, said an innovation district must feature much more than simply a university. “Innovation districts are mixed-use districts that are productive, not just consumptive,” he said. “It needs to have life; it needs to have restaurants; it needs to have housing; it needs to have office and commercial; it needs to have research and university settings.” Get essential daily news for the Fort Worth area. Sign up for insightful, in-depth stories — completely free. That mixed-use district creates an urban fabric that attracts not just top researchers, but also companies that want to tap into the activity and excitement in the area. “A mixed-use district around the university has the ability to create this third place,” Blaik said. “It’s not the classroom, it’s not the lab. It’s really this third place that allows for the energy of an institution to be leveraged in the marketplace.” U3’s name reflects the “third space” between universities and their urban settings. Goff said the city has already gleaned some economic development from Texas A&M’s plans here. ProbablyMonsters, a video game studio , headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, received $1.5 million in incentives from the city to set up an office in Fort Worth and hire up to 300 employees. Texas A&M-Fort Worth was key to landing that project, said Goff, who is an investor in the company. Blaik said U3 Advisors sometimes works in cities looking to rebuild their economic fortunes. Fort Worth is different, he said, in that the city is on the upswing economically. “What Fort Worth is doing is establishing a new footprint and you have the opportunity to build it here in a way that you cannot build it in other places,” he said. Fort Worth ranks high as manufacturing center Fort Worth ranks eighth among best cities for manufacturing jobs. About 7.6% of the area’s workforce is involved in manufacturing, according to the study conducted by ABM Equipment , a system design, integration and service company based in Washington state. The study ranked the top industrial job centers in the U.S. using key metrics including total manufacturing employment, annual wages, manufacturing jobs as a percentage of the workforce, and employment growth rates. Data for research was taken from the U.S. Census Bureau and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to provide an assessment of each city’s industrial strength and potential. These metrics were weighted and combined to create a 100-point scoring system, highlighting both current and future industrial growth of the cities. San Jose, Tulsa and Los Angeles were the top three cities, but Texas has three cities in the top 10. Houston came in fourth and Austin seventh, just ahead of Fort Worth. According to the data, Fort Worth has 103,900 manufacturing jobs, growing at 4.32%. Manufacturing workers earn wages of $92,854 annually. Do you have something for the Bob on Business column? Email Bob Francis at bob.francis@fortworthreport.org. Bob Francis is business editor for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at bob.francis@fortworthreport.org. At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here . Your support makes TWICE the impact today. As November draws to a close , time is running out to double your impact. Thanks to the generosity of the Nicholas Martin Jr. Family Foundation, every dollar you give will be matched—up to $15,000. Will you give today to help trusted, local reporting thrive in Fort Worth and Tarrant County? Related Fort Worth Report is certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative for adhering to standards for ethical journalism . Republish This Story Republishing is free for noncommercial entities. Commercial entities are prohibited without a licensing agreement. Contact us for details. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License . Look for the "Republish This Story" button underneath each story. To republish online, simply click the button, copy the html code and paste into your Content Management System (CMS). Do not copy stories straight from the front-end of our web-site. You are required to follow the guidelines and use the republication tool when you share our content. The republication tool generates the appropriate html code. You can’t edit our stories, except to reflect relative changes in time, location and editorial style. You can’t sell or syndicate our stories. Any web site our stories appear on must include a contact for your organization. If you use our stories in any other medium — for example, newsletters or other email campaigns — you must make it clear that the stories are from the Fort Worth Report. In all emails, link directly to the story at fortworthreport.org and not to your website. If you share our stories on social media, please tag us in your posts using @FortWorthReport on Facebook and @FortWorthReport on Twitter. You have to credit Fort Worth Report. Please use “Author Name, Fort Worth Report” in the byline. If you’re not able to add the byline, please include a line at the top of the story that reads: “This story was originally published by Fort Worth Report” and include our website, fortworthreport.org . You can’t edit our stories, except to reflect relative changes in time, location and editorial style. Our stories may appear on pages with ads, but not ads specifically sold against our stories. You can’t sell or syndicate our stories. You can only publish select stories individually — not as a collection. Any web site our stories appear on must include a contact for your organization. If you share our stories on social media, please tag us in your posts using @FortWorthReport on Facebook and @FortWorthReport on Twitter. by Bob Francis, Fort Worth Report November 30, 2024

Coastal Carolina 48, Georgia St. 27

SEATTLE (AP) — The Seattle Seahawks were struggling a week ago, coming off their bye having lost five of their last six games. That included a gut-punch overtime defeat at home against the Los Angeles Rams on Nov. 3. The outlook for the last-place Seahawks (5-5) was beginning to look grim. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get any of our free email newsletters — news headlines, obituaries, sports, and more.CROWN ROYAL JOINS FORCES WITH NATE SMITH AND SCOTTY HASTING TO SUPPORT VETERANS AS THE AWARD-WINNING WHISKY DONATES $50,000 TO CREATIVETS ON COUNTRY MUSIC'S BIGGEST NIGHTEurope’s economy seeks support amid political turmoil in France and Germany

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Photos: Pie and cider bring people together at the Willmar Community Center

AP Trending SummaryBrief at 3:45 p.m. ESTThe crypto industry is abuzz with the emergence of Rexas Finance, a promising new entity currently priced at $0.15, predicted to soar to $15 within the next ten weeks. This meteoric rise is drawing the attention of both seasoned investors and market analysts as it positions itself as a formidable rival to Solana, known for its high-speed transactions and scalability. Rexas Finance is gaining momentum due to its innovative approach, integrating practical applications with blockchain technology. It has successfully passed significant benchmarks during its presale phase, with Stage 10 recently selling out and Stage 11 now live. The presale alone has resulted in the sale of over 371.8 million RXS tokens, raising an impressive $31.8 million. What sets Rexas apart is its practical focus, particularly its aim to tokenize real-world assets such as fine art and real estate. This strategic move not only broadens its appeal but also attracts investors seeking blockchain solutions for tangible investments. Enhanced by a thorough security audit by Certik, a leading blockchain security firm, Rexas ensures transparency and security for its smart contracts. Additionally, Rexas Finance is expanding its reach through strategic listings on major platforms like CoinMarketCap and CoinGecko, channels anticipated to increase its visibility and trading volume substantially. Such calculated moves are part of its broader strategy to cement its status as a leader in the blockchain arena. Furthermore, to boost its visibility and community engagement, Rexas is running a $1 million giveaway, providing an additional layer of excitement and attracting numerous crypto enthusiasts. This marketing initiative not only raises awareness but also fosters a strong community, vital for driving future price increases and ensuring sustained growth. For early investors, the timing aligns perfectly for potentially unprecedented gains. The current presale price reflects a massive opportunity for growth, with projections indicating a leap to $15. Rexas Finance’s unique proposition—bridging crypto and physical asset investments—positions it not only as a challenger to Solana but as a transformative force in the crypto market, capable of appealing to both traditional and contemporary investors alike. As Rexas Finance nears the conclusion of its presale phase and prepares for major platform listings, those looking to capitalize on the next big wave in cryptocurrency are keen to secure their stake, recognizing the potential for life-altering wealth generated from a modest initial investment.

Karua: Day angel of death swooped on us

For the past two months, the market focus has, naturally, been on FII selling and the resultant correction. In the process, the street seems to have forgotten another reason for the current volatility: The fast-approaching deadline for implementing the measures the market regulator SEBI ordered to curb rising speculation. These measures were announced mid-year, to be implemented towards the end of 2024. So, there is a technical reason as wellMichael Croley | (TNS) Bloomberg News In the old days of 2016, when golfers visited the Dormie Club in West End, North Carolina — 15 minutes from the hotbed of American golf, Pinehurst — they were greeted by a small, single-wide trailer and a rugged pine straw parking lot. Related Articles Travel | A preview of some stunning hotels and resorts opening in 2025 Travel | Travel scams that can hurt your credit or finances Travel | Travel Troubleshooter: KLM owes money for a refundable flight. So, where’s the refund? Travel | 7 family-friendly ski resorts in the US that won’t break the bank Travel | It’s beginning to look like another record for holiday travel That trailer is now long gone. A gate has been installed at the club’s entrance and a long driveway leads to a grand turnaround that sweeps you past a new modern clubhouse that’s all right angles, with floor-to-ceiling glass. Seconds after you exit your car, valets are zipping up in golf carts, taking your name, then your bags, handing you keys to your own golf cart, and then zipping off to drop your luggage in the four-bedroom cottage where you’ll stay. A short walk past an expansive putting green you’ll find the pro shop — and then you’ll see the club’s most elegant feature: its golf course. The changes have all come about because Dormie Club was acquired in 2017 by the Dormie Network, a national group that owns seven private golf facilities from Nebraska to New Jersey. (“Dormie” is a word for being ahead in golf — the names were coincidences.) A key to the network’s success has been its ability to find clubs ripe for acquisition, with outstanding golf courses and existing on-site lodging or the room to build it, says Zach Peed, president of the company and its driving force. After investing in Arbor Links Golf Club in Nebraska City, Nebraska, in late 2015, Peed believed he saw an opening in the golf market: a new model of hospitality for traveling professionals who wanted a pure golf experience that eschewed the pools and pickleball courts of their home clubs. His clubs would become dream golf-only getaways for avid players and their pals. “Dormie Network’s concept was sparked by having played competitive golf in college, combined with an element of experiencing and understanding hospitality,” says Peed. “It made sense to blend the two to create golf trips that had more value than just playing golf. We want genuine hospitality to help create unforgettable memories and new friendships.” Part of that formula has been in the lodging strategy; in North Carolina, 15 four-bedroom cottages now are a short golf cart ride from the main clubhouse. In each, golfers all have their own king-size bed and en suite bathroom. A large common room is dominated by a flatscreen television along with a well-stocked bar and snacks. That ability to be both social, or tucked away in your room, extends to the expansive new clubhouse, where a high-ceilinged bar area with blond wood creates an inviting space for dining and drinking, and several hideaway rooms allow for more private diners with just your group. So far, their commitment to hospitality has been helping them expand in both membership and club usage in the increasingly competitive market for traveling golfers. Major players such as Bandon Dunes, Pinehurst Resort, and the Cabot Collection have created — or renovated — a new paradigm where golfers get dining and lodging that’s as showcase-worthy as the courses they play. Comfortable sheets and options beyond pub food aren’t luxuries anymore, but staples for many group trips. Dormie has answered that call by focusing on both the big details and the small ones, like having the dew wiped off each golf cart at dawn outside guest cottages before the day begins or having a tray of cocktails delivered to golfers as their final putt falls on the 18th green. These touches may seem over-the-top, but they stand out in a world where golf travel is increasingly popular — and expensive — after the pandemic lockdowns. Since 2020 there has been an explosion in participation in the sport, with new golfers picking up the game and avid golfers playing more: According to the National Golf Foundation, a record 531 million rounds were played in 2023, surpassing the high of 529 million set in 2021. Supreme Golf, a public golf booking website, reports in its latest analysis that the average cost of a tee time has increased to $49 in 2024 from $38 in 2019, a 30% increase. Those cost increases are also on par (pun intended) with the costs of private clubs and initiation fees during that same period, where membership rosters that were dwindling pre-COVID now have waitlists 50 to 60 people deep, according to Jason Becker, co-founder and chief executive officer of Golf Life Navigators, which matches homebuyers with golf course communities. “There’s been an absolute run on private golf. If we use southwest Florida as an example, where there are 158 golf communities, this time last November, only five had memberships available,” he said. That inability to find a club close to home has pushed avid golfers to look farther afield, choosing national memberships at clubs that require traveling, usually via plane, to play. Dormie has capitalized on this growing segment, offering two types of memberships: First, a national membership, where members pay an initiation fee and monthly dues just as they would at a local club, but instead of one club they have access to seven. The second option is a signature membership for companies, “which allows businesses to use our properties for entertainment needs and requires a multiyear commitment,” Peed says. The network also offers a limited number of regional memberships for those living within a certain distance of one of its clubs. Dormie Network declined to provide the cost of memberships or monthly dues and wouldn’t give membership numbers, but the clubs are structured to lodge roughly 60 golfers, max, on-site at any given property at any time. The total number of beds across the network’s portfolio of properties has increased from 84 in 2019 to 432 today. It saw a jump from 10,000 room nights in 2019 to 48,000 in 2023. This September, Dormie opened GrayBull in Maxwell, in Nebraska’s, Sandhills region. Dormie Network tabbed David McLay Kidd to build the course, who also built the original course at Oregon’s famed Bandon Dunes. Kidd says of the property GrayBull sits on, “It’s like the Goldilocks thing: not too flat, not too steep. It’s kind of in a bowl that looks inwards, and there are no bad views.” That kind of remote destination, where the long-range views are only Mother Nature or other golf holes, is what drives many traveling golfers these days. Peed says his team leaned on years of knowledge from Dormie’s acquisitions as they built GrayBull, which started construction in 2022. “We had an understanding of how our members and guests use the clubs that allowed us to take a blank canvas in the Sandhills of Nebraska and combine all of the greatest aspects of each Dormie property into one.” ©2024 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.AP Trending SummaryBrief at 3:45 p.m. EST

Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to Halifax Courier, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you. Margaret ‘Maggie’ Hackney received an exchange blood transfusion as a newborn to treat Rhesus disease, and starred in a 1966 blood donation film ‘The Givers’ as a 17-year-old - but she had never seen the film! Watch the video above (click to play) as NHS Blood and Transplant show her the footage for the first time since it aired 60 years ago - in a fresh Christmas appeal for blood donations. Maggie, now aged 76, from Hitchin in Hertfordshire, said: “Watching the Look at Life film after nearly 60 years was amazing, including seeing my mum. I watched it with my family and we had a giggle!” Advertisement Advertisement She remembers filming the campaign, which can be seen within the above video, at a local swimming pool and feeling ‘nervous’, and also recalls watching herself on screen at the cinema afterwards. When she was born, Maggie had been so ill hospital nurses urgently baptised her because they thought she wouldn’t survive. Her mother’s blood had passed through the placenta and was destroying her own blood. “After the blood exchange, I was monitored regularly until I was five years old, at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital for Children in Hackney,” said Maggie. Advertisement Advertisement “I was told I was one of the first recipients of an exchange blood transfusion. I was told it was revolutionary at the time. Even today, you can still see the scars on my wrists and ankles.” Maggie was born and treated in the 1948, the year the NHS was created. She went on to work as a dental surgery assistant for 14 years then as a fitness instructor for 40 years. She promoted blood donation throughout her life, attending donor recognition events and giving talks in schools and colleges as a voluntary ambassador for the National Blood Service. She was awarded an MBE for Services to Health and Families in Hertfordshire. Maggie is now supporting the call for people to donate blood this Christmas - in a campaign video, which can be seen above. Advertisement Advertisement She said: “I will never be able to thank the NHS blood service enough for giving me a chance of survival as a newborn baby. I’d like to give a huge thank you to all the blood donors past and present. “I know that this winter will be difficult for blood stocks so please give blood if you can. People take it for granted that there will always be a supply of blood if any of their loved ones might need it. But it’s only there if people choose to give.” Dr Lise Estcourt, NHSBT’s medical director for blood transfusion, said: “It was an honour to show Maggie this film again after nearly 60 years. While many things have changed, two things haven’t – the generosity of people who donate blood and the fact that it saves lives. You could even help someone young grow up to live a full life, just like Maggie.” NHSBT has warned it remains in an Amber Alert on blood stocks. Donor centres in towns and cities have many unfilled appointments between now and the new year. To register or book an appointment to give blood, please visit our website, use the GiveBlood app or call 0300 123 23 23.

Shoppers are heading into the Black Friday weekend unsure how wide to open their wallets, retailers say, with many still feeling the squeeze of inflation and also worried that tariffs could make things even more expensive if they wait too long to buy. Black Friday marks the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season, a make-or-break period for many retailers. Recent data suggests that consumer spending, the engine of the U.S. economy, remains relatively robust. But reports from retailers hint at diverging fortunes, as shoppers have grown pickier about what they buy and where they buy it. An executive at Target described consumers as shifting from “resilient” to “resourceful.” A leader at Walmart said shoppers “seek value to maximize their budgets.” These spending patterns are creating winners and losers in corporate America, perhaps most starkly illustrated by Walmart and Target. Last week, Walmart beat analysts’ estimates for sales and raised its forecast for the full year for the second time in three months. Its share price jumped higher, setting fresh records. A day later, Target — which features more discretionary categories like apparel and home décor — badly missed sales expectations, cut its forecast and saw the steepest drop in its stock for years. The picture that is forming shows sellers that are focused on discretionary or big-ticket purchases are coming under pressure as shoppers, including more affluent ones, spend more judiciously at places that offer deals and lower-cost items. The National Retail Federation projected U.S. holiday sales to grow as much as 3.5% this year, slower than in recent years but in line with averages before the pandemic. Walmart, the nation’s largest retailer, is emerging as one of the winners before the holiday season. The company reported that its U.S. sales had increased 5% in its most recent quarter, comfortably surpassing Wall Street estimates. Higher-income households accounted for most of the retailer’s market share gains, the company said. Amazon’s e-commerce business in North America grew 9% in its most recent quarter, even as consumers shifted their spending to lower-cost products, contributing to a record-breaking quarter for the company. The tech giant is positioning itself to keep winning over shoppers looking for deals. This month, it unveiled Amazon Haul, a feature in its mobile app that replicates the shopping experience at rivals such as Temu, with a kaleidoscope of low-priced items: Christmas tree-themed iPhone cases are $2.99, and a four-pack of plastic headbands goes for $3.99. TJX, the owner of T.J. Maxx and Marshalls, also beat analysts’ estimates for its most recent quarter and raised its full-year forecast. The rise in sales was driven by more customer visits, rather than shoppers’ spending more per visit, which John Joseph Klinger, TJX’s chief financial officer, told analysts was “a great indicator of the strength of our value proposition.” Strong results from Ross, a discount clothing retailer, reinforced the picture. Richard Dickson, the chief executive of Gap, said the chain was seeing “strong responses to our value proposition from higher-end consumers.” Costco and BJ’s both announced increases in their membership fees for the first time in years, a sign of confidence after reporting better-than-expected earnings. Then there is Target. Sales at its stores last quarter fell 1.9% from a year earlier, and the company cut its full-year profit forecast. Its shares tumbled more than 20% on the day it reported the results. Brian Cornell, Target’s chief executive, told investors that shoppers were “waiting to buy until last moment of need, focusing on deals and then stocking up when they find them.” Michael Baker, managing director at D.A. Davidson, a brokerage, wrote in a note to clients that Target’s difficulty navigating the changing economic conditions was “a function of a product positioning that is better suited to a more bullish spending environment.” Some big department chains with lots of middle-income customers have also missed the mark, losing ground to discounters and online sellers, among others, and disappointing investors with weak sales, murky outlooks and other issues. Macy’s, which is in the midst of a turnaround that includes closing 150 of its stores over the next three years, reported mixed results this week. They were overshadowed, however, by an accounting issue that forced the company to delay its full earnings report. Macy’s discovered that an employee had misstated and hidden up to $154 million in delivery expenses over the past few years. Kohl’s, which announced a new chief executive this week, reported a 9% drop in third-quarter sales. Its shares promptly plunged to their lowest level since 2020, and the retailer warned of a “highly competitive holiday season,” slashing its forecast for the rest of the year. Also struggling this season are home furnishings and home improvement retailers, like Lowe’s and Home Depot, as interest rates, which remain relatively high, depress demand for big-ticket items that require financing. Consumers “continue to face affordability challenges as both inflation and interest rates are putting pressures on their wallet,” Marvin Ellison, the chief executive of Lowe’s, told investors. Appliances and flooring are among the purchases that many people have put off, executives said. Still, “you have to distinguish between a company that’s struggling and an industry that’s struggling,” said Nikki Baird, vice president of strategy at Aptos, a technology company that works with retailers. “I think this is going to be a better holiday season than people expected, but it’s not evenly applied.” Some higher-end retailers appear to be doing well, like Williams-Sonoma, the kitchen supply and home furnishings chain, which tends to cater to more affluent households. Laura J. Alber, the company’s chief executive, told investors after a better-than-expected earnings report that “it’s really hard to know exactly what’s going on with the consumer,” but that shoppers were “probably a little bit better off than everybody thinks.” Other factors could lift spending in the crucial final weeks of the year. Americans might be “taking a big sigh of relief” after the presidential election lacked a contested result or the violence that some feared, said Joe Feldman, a retail analyst at Telsey Advisory Group. “The consumer has kind of moved forward, like, ‘All right, it’s time to have a good holiday season,’” Feldman said. Also the sweeping tariffs pledged by President-elect Donald Trump could encourage spending on higher-cost items, before the levies raise prices further. That could help the consumer electronics sector, which has seen mixed results as shoppers have cut back on discretionary spending, Baird said. Best Buy recently cut its full-year sales forecast, pointing to “softer-than-expected sales” in the past few months. If retail sales prove strong for the rest of the year, “it’s going to be a question of how much is this a shift in consumer behavior because they’re expecting tariffs,” Baird added, versus a sign of underlying economic strength. This article originally appeared in The New York Times . © 2024 The New York Times Company

Report: Chargers expect WR Ladd McConkey, LB Khalil Mack to play vs. RavensGuardiola takes his struggling side to Liverpool on Sunday. Pep Guardiola has pledged to step aside if he fails to turn around Manchester City’s poor run of form. The City boss is enduring the worst run of his glittering managerial career after a six-game winless streak featuring five successive defeats and a calamitous 3-3 draw in a match his side had led 3-0. The 53-year-old, who has won 18 trophies since taking charge at the Etihad Stadium in 2016, signed a contract extension through to the summer of 2027 just over a week ago. Yet, despite his remarkable successes, he still considers himself vulnerable to the sack and has pleaded with the club to keep faith. “I don’t want to stay in the place if I feel like I’m a problem,” said the Spaniard, who watched in obvious frustration as City conceded three times in the last 15 minutes in a dramatic capitulation against Feyenoord in midweek. “I don’t want to stay here just because the contract is there. “My chairman knows it. I said to him, ‘Give me the chance to try come back’, and especially when everybody comes back (from injury) and see what happens. “After, if I’m not able to do it, we have to change because, of course, (the past) nine years are dead. “More than ever I ask to my hierarchy, give me the chance. “Will it be easy for me now? No. I have the feeling that still I have a job to do and I want to do it.” City have been hampered by a raft of injuries this term, most pertinently to midfield talisman and Ballon d’Or winner Rodri. The Euro 2024 winner is expected to miss the remainder of the season and his absence has been keenly felt over the past two months. Playmaker Kevin De Bruyne has also not started a match since September. The pressure continues to build with champions City facing a crucial trip to title rivals and Premier League leaders Liverpool on Sunday. Defeat would leave City trailing Arne Slot’s side by 11 points. “I don’t enjoy it at all, I don’t like it,” said Guardiola of his side’s current situation. “I sleep not as good as I slept when I won every game. “The sound, the smell, the perfume is not good enough right now. “But I’m the same person who won the four Premier Leagues in a row. I was happier because I ate better, lived better, but I was not thinking differently from who I am.” Guardiola is confident his side will not stop battling as they bid to get back on track. He said: “The people say, ‘Yeah, it’s the end of that’. Maybe, but we are in November. We will see what happens until the end. “What can you do? Cry for that? You don’t stay long – many, many years without fighting. That is what you try to look for, this is the best (way). “Why should we not believe? Why should it not happen with us?”

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump said Saturday that he wants real estate developer Charles Kushner , father of Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, to serve as ambassador to France. Trump made the announcement in a Truth Social post, calling Charles Kushner “a tremendous business leader, philanthropist, & dealmaker." Kushner is the founder of Kushner Companies, a real estate firm. Jared Kushner is a former senior Trump adviser who is married to Trump’s eldest daughter, Ivanka. The elder Kushner was pardoned by Trump in December 2020 after pleading guilty years earlier to tax evasion and making illegal campaign donations. Prosecutors alleged that after Charles Kushner discovered his brother-in-law was cooperating with federal authorities in an investigation, he hatched a scheme for revenge and intimidation. Kushner hired a prostitute to lure his brother-in-law, then arranged to have the encounter in a New Jersey motel room recorded with a hidden camera and the recording sent to his own sister, the man’s wife, prosecutors said. Kushner eventually pleaded guilty to 18 counts including tax evasion and witness tampering. He was sentenced in 2005 to two years in prison — the most he could receive under a plea deal, but less than what Chris Christie, the U.S. attorney for New Jersey at the time and later governor and Republican presidential candidate, had sought. Christie has blamed Jared Kushner for his firing from Trump’s transition team in 2016, and has called Charles Kushner’s offenses “one of the most loathsome, disgusting crimes that I prosecuted when I was U.S. attorney.” Trump and the elder Kushner knew each other from real estate circles and their children were married in 2009. Tucker reported from Newtown, Pennsylvania.