5jl slot After a sprawling hacking campaign exposed the communications of an unknown number of Americans, U.S. cybersecurity officials are advising people to use encryption in their communications. To safeguard against the risks highlighted by the campaign, which originated in China, federal cybersecurity authorities released an extensive list of security recommendations for U.S. telecom companies — such as Verizon and AT&T — that were targeted. The advice includes one tip we can all put into practice with our phones: “Ensure that traffic is end-to-end encrypted to the maximum extent possible.” End-to-end encryption, also known as E2EE, means that messages are scrambled so that only the sender and recipient can see them. If anyone else intercepts the message, all they will see is garble that can't be unscrambled without the key. Law enforcement officials had until now resisted this type of encryption because it means the technology companies themselves won't be able to look at the messages, nor respond to law enforcement requests to turn the data over. Here's a look at various ways ordinary consumers can use end-to-end encryption: Officials said the hackers targeted the metadata of a large number of customers, including information on the dates, times and recipients of calls and texts. They also managed to see the content from texts from a much smaller number of victims. If you're an iPhone user, information in text messages that you send to someone else who also has an iPhone will be encrypted end-to-end. Just look for the blue text bubbles, which indicate that they are encrypted iMessages. The same goes for Android users sending texts through Google Messages. There will be a lock next to the timestamp on each message to indicate the encryption is on. But there's a weakness. When iPhone and Android users text each other, the messages are encrypted only using Rich Communication Services, an industry standard for instant messaging that replaces the older SMS and MMS standards. Apple has noted that RCS messages “aren’t end-to-end encrypted, which means they’re not protected from a third party reading them while they’re sent between devices.” Samsung, which sells Android smartphones, has also hinted at the issue in a footnote at the bottom of a press release last month on RCS, saying, “Encryption only available for Android to Android communication.” To avoid getting caught out when trading texts, experts recommend using encrypted messaging apps. Privacy advocates are big fans of Signal, which applies end-to-end encryption to all messages and voice calls. The independent nonprofit group behind the app promises never to sell, rent or lease customer data and has made its source code publicly available so that it can be audited by anyone to examine it “for security and correctness.” Signal's encryption protocol is so reputable that it has been integrated into rival WhatsApp, so users will enjoy the same level of security protection as Signal, which has a much smaller user base. End-to-end encryption is also the default mode for Facebook Messenger, which like WhatsApp is owned by Meta Platforms. Telegram is an app that can be used for one-on-one conversations, group chats and broadcast “channels" but contrary to popular perception, it doesn't turn on end-to-end encryption by default. Users have to switch on the option. And it doesn’t work with group chats. Cybersecurity experts have warned people against using Telegram for private communications and pointed out that only its opt-in ‘secret chat’ feature is encrypted from end-to-end. The app also has a reputation for being a haven for scammers and criminal activity, highlighted by founder and CEO Pavel Durov's arrest in France. Instead of using your phone to make calls through a wireless cellular network, you can make voice calls with Signal and WhatsApp. Both apps encrypt calls with the same technology that they use to encrypt messages. There are other options. If you have an iPhone you can use Facetime for calls, while Android owners can use the Google Fi service, which are both end-to-end encrypted. The only catch with all these options is that, as with using the chat services to send messages, the person on the other end will also have to have the app installed. WhatsApp and Signal users can customize their privacy preferences in the settings, including hiding an IP address during calls to prevent your general location from being guessed. Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly!President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. —Screengrab from the Presidential Communications Office Facebook page MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Sunday issued an advisory affirming its earlier announcement that President Marcos will sign on Monday morning the P6.352-trillion national budget for 2025, amid widespread criticism over several controversial items in the spending plan. The Palace has yet to disclose which items, if any, are to be vetoed from House Bill No. 10800, or the proposed General Appropriations Bill. READ: Marcos to sign 2025 national budget bill on December 3 READ: Marcos ‘thoroughly reviewing’ 2025 budget to conform to charter – Palace The proposed budget has been the subject of sharp criticism by lawmakers and civil society groups over what they described as “questionable” allocations, such as the P26 billion for the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (Akap) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian earlier defended the program, maintaining that it is “not pork barrel since any good Samaritan can refer potential beneficiaries and the barangay has nothing to do with Akap.” Gatchalian said it is the DSWD’s social workers who vet the beneficiaries to make sure that they are eligible for the aid program. —with a report from Jeannette I. Andrade Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy .

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The US Marine Corps made a significant milestone by launching the first combat air strikes using the F-35C Lightning II aircraft on November 9 and 10. The operation was carried out by the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, which is assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9 aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). During this mission, VMFA 314 targeted Houthi weapons storage facilities located within Houthi-controlled territories in Yemen. These facilities were not only critical to the Houthis’ operations but also housed various conventional weapons, including anti-ship missiles. Combat debut The Iranian-backed Houthis have utilized these weapons to threaten US and international military and civilian vessels navigating the crucial maritime corridors of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Lt. Col. Jeffrey “Wiki” Davis, the commanding officer of VMFA-314, expressed pride in being the first squadron to deploy the F-35C in combat, stating, “The F-35C demonstrated its warfighting advantage by transiting contested airspace and striking targets in the heart of Houthi territory over multiple days. My Marines are honored to be first to fight with the F-35C.” The F-35C is a fifth-generation, long-range stealth fighter jet used by the US Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force. This multi-role aircraft is designed for various missions, including air-to-air combat, air-to-ground strikes, surveillance, and electronic warfare. Capt. Gerald “Dutch” Tritz, commander of CVW 9, highlighted the importance of the F-35C’s capabilities, saying , “The offensive and defensive capabilities of the F-35C absolutely enhance our air wing’s striking arm. The now battle-tested Air Wing of the Future has proven itself a game changer across all carrier air wing missions.” VMFA 314, known as the “Black Knights,” transitioned from the F-18 to the F-35C in 2020, marking them as the first fleet squadron in the Navy and Marine Corps to operate the fifth-generation fighter aircraft. They have a rich history, being the first operational Marine squadron to fly the F-4 Phantom and F-18 Hornet. F-35C fighter The F-35C is tailored for operations aboard aircraft carriers , with features specifically designed to meet naval requirements. It can launch via catapults and land using arrestor wires, making it highly adaptable for maritime aviation. With a wingspan of 43 feet, the F-35C provides enhanced lift for carrier takeoffs and landings, and its wingtips are foldable to maximize space on crowded decks. Due to its larger fuel capacity, the F-35C boasts the longest internal combat range of over 1,200 nautical miles. This allows for long missions with minimal reliance on aerial refueling. Its stealth features are supported by radar-absorbent materials and a low-observable design, enabling the aircraft to evade detection while carrying weapons internally. Equipped with advanced sensors, including the Distributed Aperture System (DAS) for situational awareness, an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, and an Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS), the F-35C enhances its effectiveness in combat. These systems integrate seamlessly to provide a clear and comprehensive operational environment. Contrary to the F-35B, which prioritizes vertical lift and has a reduced payload, the F-35C maximizes range and endurance without sacrificing operational capability. It is designed explicitly for carrier operations, marking a significant advancement in naval aviation and underscoring the US Marine Corps’ commitment to maintaining a technological edge in combat operations.NoneCasella Waste Systems, Inc. Announces Offering of the Finance Authority of Maine Solid Waste Disposal Revenue BondsInvesting in wellness

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A recent study that recommended toxic chemicals in black plastic products be immediately thrown away included a math error that significantly overstated the risks of contamination, but its authors are standing by their conclusions and warn against using such products. Published in the peer-reviewed journal Chemosphere , experts from the nonprofit Toxic-Free Future said they detected flame retardants and other toxic chemicals in 85% of 203 items made of black plastic including kitchen utensils , take-out containers, children's toys and hair accessories. In a blog post, Joe Schwarcz, director of McGill University's Office for Science and Society in Canada, explained that the Toxin-Free Future scientists miscalculated the lower end of what the EPA considered a health risk through a multiplication error. Instead of humans being potentially exposed to a dose of toxic chemicals in black plastic utensils near the minimum level that the EPA deems a health risk, it's actually about one-tenth of that. (Dreamstime/TNS) The study initially said the potential exposure to chemicals found in one of the kitchen utensils approached the minimum levels the Environmental Protection Agency deemed a health risk. People are also reading... Foxy Roxy's Pizza prepares to bring pizza perfection to downtown Statesville, one slice at a time North Iredell Holiday Classic Basketball Schedule Efficiency and versatility of Flowers a winning combination for North Iredell volleyball Garbage pickup, holiday hours listed for Statesville, Mooresville, Iredell County 2 troopers, 1 Statesville man injured in in head-on crash after Alexander County chase West Iredell’s Moore, Lake Norman’s Dingman shine brightest in cross country Initial realignment draft puts 5 Iredell schools in same 6A/7A conference Rowan County shooting suspect apprehended at Statesville motel Iredell Memorial Hospital named one of nation’s top hospitals 2 US Navy pilots shot down over Red Sea in apparent 'friendly fire' incident, US military says See balloons light up Statesville Park and Soccer Complex on Saturday Mooresville duo leads list of Iredell's top football players in 2024 Get to know Statesville basketball player Jay'Veon Lackey 10 Best Mattresses Deals for Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2024 Cauthen, Statesville pull off road win in conference opener But in an update to the study, the authors say they made an error in their calculations and the real levels were "an order of magnitude lower" than the EPA's thresholds. The error was discovered by Joe Schwarcz, director of McGill University's Office for Science and Society in Canada. In a blog post, Schwarcz explained that the Toxin-Free Future scientists miscalculated the lower end of what the EPA considered a health risk through a multiplication error. Instead of humans being potentially exposed to a dose of toxic chemicals in black plastic utensils near the minimum level that the EPA deems a health risk, it's actually about one-tenth of that. Though Schwarcz said the risks outlined in the study aren't enough for him to discard his black plastic kitchen items if he had them, he agreed with the authors that flame retardants shouldn't be in these products in the first place. "The math error does not impact the study's findings, conclusions or recommendations," said Megan Liu, a co-author of the study who is the science and policy manager for Toxic-Free Future . She added that any traces of flame retardants or toxic chemicals in cooking utensils should be concerning for the public. Flame retardants are getting into commonly used items because black-colored products are being made from recycled electronic waste, such as discarded television sets and computers, that frequently contain the additives. When they're heated, the flame retardants and other toxic chemicals can migrate out. If you're wondering whether your old black plastic spoon or other utensils are a part of this group, Liu shared some more guidance. It's nearly impossible to know whether a black plastic product is contaminated. That's because these products that include recycled e-waste don't disclose a detailed list of all ingredients and contaminants in the product. Liu said it's also unclear how many types of flame retardants are in these black plastic products. Some of the products that researchers tested in this recent study "had up to nine different harmful chemicals and harmful flame retardants in them," she said. Anytime you're looking for the type of recycled plastic a product is made of you're going to look for a number within the chasing arrows (that form a triangle) logo. Recycling symbols are numbered 1 to 7 and we commonly associate the numbers with what we can toss in our blue recycling bins. The 1 through 7 numbers stand for, respectively, polyethylene terephthalate, high-density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), low-density polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene or Styrofoam, and miscellaneous plastics (including polycarbonate, polylactide, acrylic, acrylonitrile butadiene, styrene, fiberglass and nylon). The study found higher levels of toxic flame retardants in polystyrene plastic, which is labeled with the number 6, said Liu. Microplastics are everywhere, but are they harming us? MIKE STOBBEAssociated Press There isn't a definitive timeline of when recycled electronic-waste started to be incorporated into black plastic products specifically, but e-waste started to get recycled in the early 2000s, Liu said. The way computers, cellphones, stereos, printers and copiers were being disposed of previously was to simply add them to a landfill without reusing salvageable parts. But as the National Conference of State Legislatures notes, electronics production required a significant amount of resources that could be recovered through recycling. Recovering resources such as metals, plastics and glass through recycling used a fraction of the energy needed to mine new materials. However, the study pointed out that flame retardants and other chemical contaminates have been detected in and near e-waste recycling facilities, in indoor air and dust at formal e-waste recycling facilities in Canada, China, Spain and the U.S. It also noted contamination in soil samples surrounding e-waste recycling sites in China and Vietnam. The safest nontoxic material options for kitchen utensil are wood and stainless steel. Single-use plastics revolutionized the medical industry. Now, they're raising concerns about sustainability. Single-use plastics revolutionized the medical industry. Now, they're raising concerns about sustainability. The 20th century brought airplanes, radio, television, the internet, and plastic. Lots of plastic. That plastic is now showing up on shorelines, forming islands in oceans, and generating mountains of translucent trash on land. Around 700 species of animals in the sea have been found to interact with plastic daily. Companies across every industry face pressure to reduce the amount of plastic they produce. Seventy-two percent of the world's largest have made voluntary commitments to reduce their plastic waste, according to a Duke University analysis. One industry, in particular, has greatly benefited from advancements in single-use plastic technology: the medical industry. Only in recent years have businesses and academics in the field begun to talk about minimizing their impact on our environment like beverage manufacturers and other consumer goods-producing businesses. Medical Technology Schools analyzed academic studies published in the National Library of Medicine , the American Medical Association , and news reports to shed light on the medical community's use of plastics through history, their environmental problems, and proposed solutions to reduce their impact. And the impact can be significant. A single hospital patient generates nearly 34 pounds of waste a day —as much as a quarter of it is plastic. The COVID-19 pandemic only worsened the problem. Plastic medical waste booms during COVID-19 The pandemic pushed hospital capacity to the brink and led to a massive increase in personal protective equipment and medical supply usage. Medical-grade masks and other protective equipment like face shields, made mostly of nonrenewable plastics, were in high demand. In 2020, the World Health Organization estimated that the international need for PPE manufacturing would boost 40% to address the public health crisis. Hospitals needed an estimated 89 million masks, 76 million gloves, and 1.6 million goggles every month of the pandemic. To date, nearly 677 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered, each requiring their own plastic syringe, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Global consulting firm Frost & Sullivan estimated that the U.S. would produce a year's worth of medical waste in just two months due to the pandemic. The World Economic Forum warned that the COVID-19 crisis threatened to " stall and even reverse progress " to reduce large plastic waste. It's a challenge researchers acknowledge today as they search for solutions. Convenience gives way to cleanliness Plastics introduced an era of ultraconvenience to the world. It makes our clothes. It's made bike helmets and airbags possible. And it's a cheap material to produce, meaning it's cheap for consumers too. Almost as importantly, it's durable and incredibly easy to make into complex shapes—a trait that helped plastics invented in the mid-20th century quickly replace more expensive metal and wooden goods. That adoption extended to the medical field, where the single-use nature of plastics represented a move toward more hygienic tools for physicians and hospitals. But it wasn't plastic's sanitary qualities that the industry first latched onto. Like so many other technical advancements, convenience and cost were the initial driving factors. That they were more conducive to creating a sterile environment for patients was a benefit that health care began to tout closer to the end of the 20th century. PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, replaced glass bottles previously used to hold IV solution and replaced rubber tubing used throughout hospital settings. Plastic has also become the go-to material for making syringes and catheters. Plastic products are generally made from chemicals derived from the oil and natural gas refining process. Chemists use those byproducts to create synthetic materials with malleable and durable chemical structures. The low cost of these materials has helped medical device-makers support better health outcomes for communities across the U.S. since the 1900s. No longer was health care priced at rates only the elite could afford—it was accessible to a much larger swath of the public. In the last decade, the U.S., in particular, has emerged as a massive market for medical plastics. The country generally accounts for nearly half of the global market for medical devices. Plastic's durability is not only a benefit but a detriment to the environment, as the material can take many years to deteriorate when it enters landfills or trashes oceans. Estimates vary widely, but scientists ballpark that depending on the kind of plastic and the environment in which it decomposes, it could take dozens to thousands of years to break down entirely. Waste could pile higher, faster in the coming years COVID-19, which remains a burden for health care systems, isn't the only force raising the stakes for a health care industry pressured to reduce reliance on plastics or find ways to reuse them. Global annual production of plastic has doubled in the last two decades , according to the Environmental Protection Agency. As the U.S. looks toward the future, its aging population is another factor that could exacerbate the rate at which medical plastics end up in landfills. People require more medical care as they age, and aging baby boomers are expected to place increased demand on the medical device industry. At the same time, governments are under pressure to lower health care costs, which have become unaffordable even for those insured . Organizations work to implement environmentally conscious plastic waste management As recently as 2021, researchers lamented a lack of data on efforts to recycle medical plastics. Around 350 hospitals participate in Practice Greenhealth's Environmental Excellence Awards . Practice Greenhealth is an organization working to help hospitals increase their sustainability. It's one of the few sources of hospital sustainability data, and its roster of participating hospitals represents a small fraction of the more than 6,000 hospitals operating in the U.S. To meet the need to reduce plastic waste generation, some hospitals are moving away from using plastic in certain applications. Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center replaced health care workers' disposable plastic isolation gowns with reusable cloth gowns at its hospitals in the last decade, saving money and preventing literal tons of medical waste. It also implemented a process for sterilizing and incinerating the boxes that hold used needles, allowing them to be reassembled and reused in a health care setting. Recycling plastic medical waste is complicated by the potential for contamination and the need to separate contaminated and noncontaminated waste; once separated, they can be broken down with heat or treated with chemicals and reprocessed. However, using chemical methods to break down and dispose of plastics has drawbacks. Over 200 nongovernmental organizations signed a letter in 2023 urging the Biden administration to end federal support for methods like these, arguing they generate toxic pollutants. The Vinyl Council of Australia is working with hospitals to recover used materials made of PVC . The materials are broken down into tiny pieces, washed and heated at high temperatures, and remade into things used outside medical settings. In the U.S. and Europe, there's the Healthcare Plastics Recycling Council, a coalition of companies working in the health care device space that includes DuPont, Johnson & Johnson, and Medtronic. In 2021, the HPRC, advised by professionals at Kaiser Permanente and other health systems, rolled out a medical waste recycling pilot project with hopes of scaling it across more hospitals. Story editing by Ashleigh Graf. Copy editing by Paris Close. Photo selection by Clarese Moller. This story originally appeared on Medical Technology Schools and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. Sign up here to get the latest health & fitness updates in your inbox every week!Cineverse's Bob Ross, Comedy Dynamics, Dog Whisperer and Dove FAST Channels Now Live on Google TVTM Freeplay

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MANKATO, Minn. — City and police officials attempted to reassure members of the Muslim community of Mankato recently after concerns about a suspected arson at a mosque. “Every single Mankatoan has value and should feel safe,” said Jeremy Clifton, Mankato’s recently appointed director of public safety, before a gathering of about 40 attendees at the Islamic Center of Mankato on Friday. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get the latest news, sports, weather and more delivered right to your inbox.

The Detroit Lions are facing a Chicago Bears team that are coming off of another tough loss. Related Articles Detroit Lions | Grading the Lions’ Week 12 win, as the defense smothers the Colts Detroit Lions | Lions rush for 3 scores and use stingy defense to beat Colts 24-6 for 9th straight win Detroit Lions | Takeaways as Lions cruise past Colts, 24-6, despite injuries piling up Detroit Lions | Photo gallery from the Lions’ 24-6 road win over the Colts Detroit Lions | Lions place Ennis Rakestraw on IR, activate Emmanuel Moseley Despite tying the game late, the Bears went on to lose to the Vikings in overtime, 30-27, dropping their fifth consecutive game and dipping their record to 4-7. For Dan Campbell’s squad, three key contributors may not be available, especially with the upcoming game occurring just four days after a 24-6 win against the Indianapolis Colts. Detroit’s fourth-year head coach expressed, “It’s going to come down to the wire with a number of them. That’s the challenge with the short week. The good news is, I think most of these are not some long-term thing, but the problem is three days to turn around and play. That’s where it becomes a bit of an issue. So, if we can’t, we’re prepare like we always are. Next man up. You got to hold the line, do your job and go compete.” When asked specifically about which three players are the toughest to decide upon, Campbell noted three key players who have helped the team win nine consecutive games may not suit up. “Right now, I mean, Decker, CD (Carlton Davis), Leaf (Kalif Raymond). Saint’s (Amon-Ra St. Brown) a little banged up. We’ll see how he recovers.” For the Lions, the message this week is about healing up and preparing mentally for another NFC North matchup. Detroit has not won on Thanksgiving since back in 2016. Quarterback Jared Goff expressed postgame the seven-game losing streak is one the current team would like to end. “Message is really recovery. Rest, recovery and the mental work,” said Campbell. “It’s how fast can you recover, get your body right, get your mind focused on the job at hand, because you’re not going to get the physical. Block out all the distractions. That’s one thing, the distractions are on us, not on them. We got all our family here, friends, all that. You got to block it out, tell them you love them, and you’ll see them him after the game. “That’s kind of the challenge with all this,” Campbell continued. “This team’s been in, they’ve lost a couple of heartbreakers in the last two weeks. But they’ve been in a bunch of these tight races, and they just keep coming back for more. So they’re hungry for a win. We got our hands full.” This article was produced by the staff at Detroit Lions On SI. For more, visit si.com/nfl/lionsABU DHABI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 25th Dec, 2024) Fund for Development (ADFD) has announced an additional of 147 (US$40 ) to support the completion of the Velana International project in the . This follows an earlier of AED183.5 (US$50 ) provided in for the project’s initial phases, highlighting the ’s vital role in driving tourism, a key pillar of the Maldivian economy. The financing was signed by Mohamed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General of ADFD; and Moosa Zameer, Minister of Finance in the . Several officials both sides were present at the signing ceremony. Mohamed Saif Al Suwaidi said, “This funding reflects the critical role of ADFD in driving economic and social development in partner countries through transformative infrastructure projects. The additional support for the modernisation and expansion of the Velana International will promote the ’ growth, as it increases capacity to meet the rising demand a thriving tourism sector.” He added that these efforts align with the Maldivian ’s development objectives. “ADFD is committed to deepening its partnership with the of the , collaborating on impactful initiatives that fulfill the aspirations of the Maldivian people, generate opportunities, and drive sustainable development. ” Expressing gratitude to the and ADFD for their continuous support in promoting sustainable development in the , Moosa Zameer emphasised the shared commitment to advancing sustainable development in his country. “The ADFD funding is instrumental in establishing a state-of-the-art international equipped with world-class services and technologies. This marks a major milestone in achieving our national goals of developing infrastructure in the transport sector, enhancing the experience, and boosting tourism revenues – key pillars of our national economy,” he pointed out. The Velana International development project will be expanded to accommodate up to 26 gates for passenger access to aircraft, in addition to a building for international flights. The new expansion will accommodate the increase in the total capacity of the , which is expected to reach 7.5 passengers annually. Abu Dhabi Fund for Development has been actively contributing since 1976 to supporting and financing many strategic projects in the . These projects have played a significant role in improving the quality of life for local communities by developing vital sectors such as transportation, energy, tourism, and .

Mr Carter, a former peanut farmer, served one term in the White House between 1977 and 1981, taking over in the wake of the Watergate scandal and the end of the Vietnam War. After his defeat by Ronald Reagan, he spent his post-presidency years as a global humanitarian, winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. His death on Sunday was announced by his family and came more than a year after he decided to enter hospice care. He was the longest-lived US president. Our founder, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, passed away this afternoon in Plains, Georgia. pic.twitter.com/aqYmcE9tXi — The Carter Center (@CarterCenter) December 29, 2024 His son, Chip Carter, said: “My father was a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights and unselfish love. “My brothers, sister and I shared him with the rest of the world through these common beliefs. “The world is our family because of the way he brought people together, and we thank you for honouring his memory by continuing to live these shared beliefs.” Mr Carter is expected to receive a state funeral featuring public observances in Atlanta and Washington DC before being buried in his home town of Plains, Georgia. A moderate democrat born in Plains in October 1924, Mr Carter’s political career took him from the Georgia state senate to the state governorship and finally the White House, where he took office as the 39th president. His presidency saw economic disruption amid volatile oil prices, along with social tensions at home and challenges abroad including the Iranian revolution that sparked a 444-day hostage crisis at the US embassy in Tehran. But he also brokered the Camp David Accords between Egypt and Israel, which led to a peace treaty between the two countries in 1979. After his defeat in the 1980 presidential election, he worked for more than four decades leading the Carter Centre, which he and his late wife Rosalynn co-founded in 1982 to “wage peace, fight disease, and build hope”. Mrs Carter, who died last year aged 96, had played a more active role in her husband’s presidency than previous first ladies, with Mr Carter saying she had been “my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished”. Earlier this year, on his 100th birthday, Mr Carter received a private congratulatory message from the King, expressing admiration for his life of public service.What to consider when exchanging currencyAs the central intelligence hub of the manufacturing process, the control room is the brain of the organization. When investing in technology to make the process more efficient (i.e., smarter), it is a logical place to start. Control rooms have made a major technological leap in recent years, transforming from on-site, reactive, and highly stressful spaces into professional, digital, and highly flexible environments that proactively avoid potential issues. Although they tended to look spectacular, with lots of screens or even flashing lights, traditional process control rooms were straightforward environments with limited possibilities. Operators monitored and controlled the manufacturing process on-site, based on limited sensor data. Anomalies were typically met with high stress, as it often took time to identify the root cause of the issue. This vision contrasts with that of their modern counterparts. While the screens are still in place, all information is now digitally available and can easily be distributed to any location. This means the control room could be located 100 miles away and even control multiple production plants. Alternatively, multiple small control rooms can handle day-to-day decisions, with a central crisis room managing escalations. Any configuration is possible, which makes contemporary control rooms very flexible. The large amount of available real-time data also allows staff to drastically cut the time needed to pinpoint and resolve issues. For example, in the past an alarm would be triggered when a temperature sensor exceeds a certain threshold. In most cases, a field worker would need to investigate the situation on-site. Today, a lot more information is available, allowing the control room staff to assess what’s happening from behind their desks. Boosting Efficiency The ultimate goal of the control room is to use predictive analytics to proactively prevent all emerging issues. While even the most sophisticated current systems cannot guarantee this, modern technology certainly plays a pivotal role in risk mitigation. This includes not only production hazards but also upholding safety protocols for workers. It is therefore critical that operators have direct access to all the information they need. This may sound basic, but it often isn’t the case; information is often not available in the same system. Organizations may choose to separate networks — for example, placing process data on one network, internal data on another, and a third that accesses the internet. This is a nightmare for operators, who must constantly switch between computers to do their jobs. That’s why state-of-the-art systems can integrate all information into a single (virtual) environment. Although the networks are still separated, the information appears to be in the same environment (“integration at the glass”), and operators only need a single keyboard and mouse to do their jobs, resulting in a more ergonomic way of working. Empowering the Operator The most critical presence in the control room is always the operator. Firms need to avoid overloading staff with an abundance of data. The optimal way to present and visualize the information is important and this will not only increase efficiency it will also enhance the operator’s job satisfaction and retention. For example, in Barco’s Global Control Room Report 2024 , 91 percent of operators working in highly efficient control rooms reported job satisfaction—significantly higher than the 51 percent of satisfied workers in less efficient environments. Smarter Systems, Reduced Risk In the control room every component is expected to function 24/7, and even scheduled interruptions should be minimal. How can organizations achieve this always-on ideal? The Barco report recommends investing in high-quality equipment. Control rooms are typically environments designed for the long haul, and this should be reflected in the hardware and software. Redundancy of all critical components, with seamless takeovers when the original unit fails, also helps ensure uptime. However, not all risks are related to the system. External threats, such as hackers, can arise. Security breaches can result in weeks of downtime or millions of dollars in ransom payments. Systems should therefore be extremely secure, shielding against all possible penetration attempts. Some organizations address this by completely isolating their critical systems (so-called “air-gapping”). However, this is not 100 percent safe and it can create a false sense of security while severely limiting system flexibility. Instead, the modern approach is to deploy a software platform that is completely secure upon installation (“secure by default”). Dr. Tim Sandle is Digital Journal's Editor-at-Large for science news.Tim specializes in science, technology, environmental, business, and health journalism. He is additionally a practising microbiologist; and an author. He is also interested in history, politics and current affairs.

Kamala Harris could already have an opponent if she runs for Governor of California: 'I would destroy her' Caitlyn Jenner is mulling a bid for governor of California as a Republican Sign up for the latest with DailyMail.com's U.S. politics newsletter By SARAH EWALL-WICE, SENIOR U.S. POLITICAL REPORTER FOR DAILYMAIL.COM IN WASHINGTON, DC Published: 21:46, 25 November 2024 | Updated: 21:48, 25 November 2024 e-mail 3 View comments As Vice President Kamala Harris considers her next move after her brutal presidential election defeat, she could face a well-known opponent should she run for governor. The defeated Democratic presidential nominee is reportedly mulling a bid for governor in her home state of California as she prepares to leave office in January. Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom is term-limited, so the governor seat will be open in 2026. But celebrity Caitlyn Jenner , a well-known Trump supporter, is also hinting at a bid for governor. 'If I ran, and it was ultimately against Harris, I would destroy her,' the transgender former Olympian wrote on X. Jenner previously ran for governor as a Republican replacement in the recall election against Newsom in 2021, but she received just one percent of the vote. But lately, Jenner has been dropping hints she will run again in the regular 2026 election for governor. Reality TV star Caitlyn Jenner claims if she runs as a Republican against Kamala Harris for governor of California she would 'destroy her' Jenner is a vocal supporter of Trump, who proudly voted for him in the 2024 election despite the president-elect demonizing transgender people as part of his campaign messaging. The reality TV star referred to her last failed bid for governor in a recent post 'Should we do it again? Have been getting a lot of calls with a lot of strong opinions. Newscum is out in 2026.' The day after the presidential election was called for Trump, she posted a picture of her with the president-elect and supporter Elon Musk, writing 'Hope is back in America.' But Jenner's political ambitions and hopes to take on Harris directly would be a long stretch in California, which is a blue state. Caitlyn Jenner speaking at a news conference as she ran in the recall election against Governor Gavin Newsom in 2021. The recall effort failed and Jenner received only 1 percent of support as a replacement Jenner suggesting she would run against Kamala Harris for governor For one, it's not clear Harris will make a play for governor or if she could potentially run for president again in 2028. Advisers and allies said they have been instructed by the vice president to 'keep her options open,' according to Politico. At the same time, winning liberal California statewide is an uphill climb for any Republican candidate. While Trump won the election, Harris won the state by more than 58 percent to Trump's 38 percent with more than 9.1 million votes to the president-elect's 5.9 million votes. But Republicans were able to gain grounds in The Golden State after President Biden won the state by more than 63 percent in 2020 and 11.1 million votes. Jenner has been a vocal supporter of Trump and posted this image of her with the president-elect and Elon Musk one day after his 2024 election victory Jenner noted the state has shifted more red in the most recent election. When it was pointed out that she could not win the recall election, the 75-year-old acknowledged the challenge. Recalls are quite different. Times are also quite different. But ofc point taken,' she wrote on X. But she is keeping followers on social media guessing writing on Monday in response to reports she is considering it 'MAKE CA GREAT AGAIN!' Politics Share or comment on this article: Kamala Harris could already have an opponent if she runs for Governor of California: 'I would destroy her' e-mail Add comment

NoneThe deadliest air accident ever in South Korea killed 179 people on Sunday when an airliner belly-landed and skidded off the end of the runway, erupting in a fireball as it slammed into a wall at Muan International Airport. Jeju Air flight 7C2216, arriving from the Thai capital Bangkok with 175 passengers and six crew on board, was trying to land shortly after 9 am local time at the airport in the south of the country, South Korea's transport ministry said. Two crew members survived and were being treated for injuries. The twin-engine Boeing 737-800 was seen in local media video landing on its belly at the Muan International Airport and skidding off the runway as smoke streamed out of the engines, before crashing into a wall and exploding in flames, killing everyone on board except two crew plucked from the wreckage. "Only the tail part retains a little bit of shape, and the rest of [the plane] looks almost impossible to recognise," Muan fire chief Lee Jung-hyun told a press briefing. The two crew members, a man and a woman, were rescued from the tail section of the burning plane, Lee said. "Passengers were ejected from the aircraft after it collided with the wall, leaving little chance of survival," a local fire official told families at a briefing, according to a statement released by the fire brigade. Only two people—both flight attendants—were rescued from the crash, it said. "Of the 179 dead, 65 have been identified," the country's fire agency said, adding that DNA retrieval had begun. Inside the airport terminal, tearful family members gathered to wait for news. An official began calling out the names of the 65 victims, with each name triggering fresh cries of grief. All of the passengers were Korean apart from two Thais, with the youngest a three-year-old boy and the oldest a 78-year-old, authorities said. The two survivors were transferred to separate hospitals in Seoul, the Yonhap news agency reported. Bits of plane seats and luggage were strewn across the field next to the runway. Authorities combed nearby areas for bodies possibly thrown from the plane, Lee said. Investigators are examining bird strikes and weather conditions as possible factors, Lee said. The control tower had issued a bird strike warning and, shortly afterward, the pilots declared mayday and then attempted to land from the opposite direction, a transport ministry official said. A passenger texted a relative to say a bird was stuck in the wing, the News1 agency reported. The crash was the worst for any South Korean airline since a 1997 Korean Air crash in Guam that killed more than 200 people, transportation ministry data showed. The previous worst on South Korean soil was an Air China crash that killed 129 in 2002. Yonhap news agency cited airport authorities as saying a bird strike may have caused the landing gear to malfunction. Experts, however, said the bird strike report and the way the aircraft attempted to land raised more questions than answers. "A bird strike is not unusual, problems with an undercarriage are not unusual," said Airline News editor Geoffrey Thomas. "Bird strikes happen far more often, but typically they don't cause the loss of an airplane by themselves." Under global aviation rules, South Korea will lead a civil investigation into the crash and automatically involve the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in the United States, where the plane was built. The NTSB said later it was leading a team of US investigators to help South Korea's aviation authority. Hours after the crash, family members gathered in the airport's arrival area, some crying and hugging as Red Cross volunteers handed out blankets. Many victims appeared to be residents of nearby areas returning from vacation, officials said. Families screamed and wept as a medic announced the names of victims identified by their fingerprints. Papers were circulated for families to write down their contact details. Mortuary vehicles lined up outside to take bodies away, and authorities said a temporary morgue had been established. The aircraft was manufactured in 2009, the transport ministry said. The Boeing model involved in the crash, a 737-800, is one of the world's most flown airliners with a generally strong safety record. It was developed well before the MAX variant involved in a recent Boeing safety crisis. It was the first fatal flight for Jeju Air, a low-cost airline founded in 2005 that ranks behind only Korean Air Lines and Asiana Airlines in terms of the number of passengers in the country. Jeju Air CEO Kim E-bae apologised for the accident, bowing deeply during a televised briefing. Kim said that the aircraft had no record of accidents and there were no early signs of malfunction, adding that the airline will cooperate with investigators and make supporting the bereaved its top priority. All domestic and international flights at the airport were cancelled after the accident, Yonhap reported. The crash site smelled of aviation fuel and blood, according to Reuters witnesses. Workers in protective suits and masks combed the area while soldiers searched through bushes. The accident happened only three weeks after Jeju Air started regular flights from Muan to Bangkok and other Asian cities on December 8. Muan International is one of South Korea's smallest airports but it has become much busier in recent years. South Korean acting President Choi Sang-mok, named interim leader of the country on Friday in an ongoing political crisis, arrived at the scene of the accident and said the government was putting all its resources into dealing with the crash. Two Thai women were on the plane, aged 22 and 45, Thai government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub said. The Thai foreign ministry later confirmed both were among those killed. Thai officials said that there were no abnormal conditions when the plane took off. Both black boxes—the flight data recorder and the cockpit voice recorder—have been found from the crash site, some 288 kilometres southwest of the capital Seoul, deputy transport minister Joo Jong-wan said at a briefing. COMMENTS Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive. For more information, please see our

AP News Summary at 2:48 p.m. ESTDaniel Jones is free to sign with any NFL team after clearing waivers on Monday, which also means the team that signs the former New York Giants quarterback won't be on the hook for the nearly $12 million that was remaining on his contract this year or his $23 million injury guarantee. Jones was released at his request by the Giants on Saturday after the former first-round pick was benched last week. He reportedly wants to join a contender, and there are expected to be multiple teams interested. The two teams reported to have the most initial interest in Jones are also being offered as the most likely to sign him by one sportsbook. The Baltimore Ravens currently have journeyman backup Josh Johnson behind starting quarterback Lamar Jackson. Jones would potentially provide a third option, and one whose mobility could make him an intriguing fit in offensive coordinator Todd Monken's system The Ravens were installed as the 2/1 favorites to land Jones ahead of the Minnesota Vikings (5/2), who have veterans Nick Mullens and Brett Rypien behind starter Sam Darnold. They would likely view Jones as an upgrade. "I really can't get into too much about any short-term or long-term," Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell said Monday when asked about Jones, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. "I can just say that I've been a big fan of Daniel's for a long time and I hope wherever his next step takes him, it's a good opportunity for him." The Las Vegas Raiders (5/1) don't fall into the category of contenders after falling to 2-9 amid a seven-game losing streak. However, they could provide the most immediate opportunity to play with Gardner Minshew suffering a season-ending broken collarbone on Sunday that is expected to end his season. Second-year quarterback Aidan O'Connell is close to returning from a thumb injury, but coach Antonio Pierce acknowledged after Sunday's game that, "We're going to need somebody, right?" If O'Connell isn't ready to face the Kansas City Chiefs on Black Friday, Desmond Ridder is expected to get the start. The Dallas Cowboys (7/1) would fall into a similar category, with Dak Prescott out for the season following hamstring surgery and being replaced by Cooper Rush. Another intriguing possibility lies with Detroit, where the 10-1 Lions' offense is rolling with Jared Goff at the helm. However, should he go down to injury the only other quarterback on the roster is rookie Hendon Hooker. That has contributed to the Lions having 7/1 odds to sign Jones. DANIEL JONES NEXT TEAM ODDS* Baltimore Ravens (2/1) Minnesota Vikings (5/2) Las Vegas Raiders (5/1) Dallas Cowboys (7/1) Detroit Lions (7/1) Miami Dolphins (7/1) San Francisco 49ers (8/1) Carolina Panthers (10/1) Seattle Seahawks (16/1) Indianapolis Colts (20/1) New England Patriots (25/1) New Orleans Saints (25/1) New York Jets (25/1) Tennessee Titans (25/1) Atlanta Falcons (28/1) Arizona Cardinals (33/1) Chicago Bears (33/1) Cleveland Browns (33/1) Denver Broncos (33/1) Jacksonville Jaguars (40/1) Los Angeles Chargers (50/1) Los Angeles Rams (50/1) Pittsburgh Steelers (50/1) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (50/1) Washington Commanders (50/1) Cincinnati Bengals (66/1) Green Bay Packers (66/1) Houston Texans (66/1) Philadelphia Eagles (66/1) Buffalo Bills (75/1) Kansas City Chiefs (75/1) Any CFL Team (80/1) Any XFL Team (80/1) *Odds provided by SportsBetting.ag are for entertainment purposes only. --Field Level Media

India is set to achieve major milestones in space exploration with plans to establish its own space station, Bharat Antariksha Station, by 2035, and to land an Indian astronaut on the Moon by 2040, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology and Space, Jitendra Singh, announced on Wednesday. Speaking at a press conference in Delhi on the achievements of science ministries, Singh highlighted the government’s ambitious space initiatives. “We are going to have our own space station, we will be among the first to have that, after the US and one or two other countries. It will be known as Bharat Antariksha Station by 2035. And by 2040, we might be landing an Indian on the surface as well,” he said. The minister also provided updates on the Gaganyaan mission, India’s first human spaceflight programme. He revealed that by the end of 2024 or early 2026, the first Indian astronaut will travel to space under the Gaganyaan mission. Simultaneously, India plans to send a human to the seabed, exploring depths of up to 6,000 meters as part of its Deep Sea Mission. “And while next year ends, or maybe by 2026, we will have the first Indian human being in space, called Gaganyaan, simultaneously also sending one human being down into the seabed, 6,000 meters deep, which is possibly the maximum depth of the sea,” the Minister said. Singh also emphasised the significant progress made in satellite launches under the current government. He noted that India has launched 432 foreign satellites from Sriharikota, with 397 of them, nearly 90 percent, launched in the last decade alone. (ANI)Astera Labs Announces Upcoming Financial Conference Participation

The Sault's very own homegrown social network, SPACES, is abuzz with activity this week. It’s your events bulletin board, a place to shout out good Samaritans, and now it’s also a hub to connect with fellow birders. Are you looking to take part in some festive activities? There’s lots to do in the Sault — and SPACES has the latest listings: Dec. 7: Puppy Yoga at Northern Superior Tap Room posted by Erica Hogan: Yoga, puppies, and beer — what’s not to love? Stretch it out with some adorable pups at your side. A perfect way to start your Saturday. Dec. 7: Elf on the Shelf Decorating Class at Hogan’s Homestead Cafe posted by Erica Hogan: Get crafty this season! Join for a fun class to create your own personalized Elf on the Shelf decor. Dec. 8: Cards & Collectibles Christmas Show at Moose Lodge posted by Erica Hogan: Calling all collectors! Whether you’re on the hunt for unique cards, memorabilia, or just love browsing, this Christmas show is not to be missed! Dec. 10: Upcoming Youth Night at The Algoma Youth Wellness Hub, posted by Elise Nelson. Dec. 11-15: A Snow White Christmas at Sault Theatre Workshop, posted by Harry Houston: Tuesday, Dec. 10 is pay what you can with proceeds to St. Vincent Place! Dec. 14: Sault Ste. Marie Christmas Bird Count posted by Carter Dorscht: If you have bird feeders up anywhere within Sault Ste. Marie, please consider spending a few minutes watching them and reporting what you see. On now – until Jan. 11: The Confluence Art Exhibit is on display at the Art Gallery of Algoma. There are loads of other events going on in the Sault this holiday season; find them in the Things to Do space. If your scene is jammin’ to local beats, the Live Music space has you covered. Here’s what’s happening within the next two weeks: Dec. 6-7: Blues for Food Show posted by Elise Nelson. It’s two unforgettable nights of amazing local blues music, all in support of our community! Says Musicians host Pat Mackan, “Remember to support your local musicians around town and have fun listening or dancing to all of their wonderful tunes.” Dec. 14: Jam Night in Celebration of 365 days Around the Sun Distracted posted by Elise Nelson: There will be a small art showing as well as several songs to be sung. Bring your own creative projects and/or your own instruments! Dec. 21: HAILS, The BAG and Elijah Russell posted by Elise Nelson: C'mon down to The Distraction on Saturday, Dec. 21 for some seasonal celebrations in the cellar. Catch up on the behind the scenes of Irving Berlin's White Christmas by the Musical Comedy Guild of Sault Ste. Marie with Sarah Huckson’s 12 Days of White Christmas series. Her penultimate entry was a love letter to an incredible cast of characters she’s proud to be a part of. With a somber tone, she noted in her Day 3 entry that the latest snow storm has put a damper on the show, but in true performer fashion, says that she promised a White Christmas and Mother Nature sure has helped the cast and crew deliver. See: SPACES is live! Welcome to Sault Ste. Marie’s very own social network Of course, when the Sault was pummelled in snow last week, neighbours rose to the occasion, helping one another dig out from it. It was all captured in the Good News space. And, our new Birding space is a hoot! We’re pleased to have Carter Dorscht, Executive Director of The Kensington Conservancy and resident bird expert, as host. His eagle eye is sharp for bird identification and we’re sure this space will become a nesting ground for discussion. There’s a lot more to SPACES, too. Join a Sloyd and Green spoon carving club that was suggested in the Woodworking space. One enthusiastic member proposed starting a group that gathers monthly to carve spoons and other green woodworking projects. “Sloyd is a method of teaching woodworking and handcrafts that originated in Sweden in the 19th century. It was developed to help children develop character and skill through the use of tools and materials,” member Allison Suffel adds. See: MEET YOUR HOST: Talented local carpenter helps us build the Sault’s new social network Or snow shoe the Haiwatha trails with the fat bike club: Cycling host Terrance Roode posted “I have put together a group of us to snow shoe the trails. We have approximately 20 people for Dec. 14.” Back at home, get inspiration for festive baking with Leah Johnson’s The Holiday Baker's Dozen Series. Catch up on the recipes and tips for the best gingerbread cookies, shortbread , peppermint bark , chewy sugar cookies and Rice Krispies Christmas Trees – yum! What Christmas treat do you think packs the most magic per crumb? Share it with our Baking host, and join the conversation. After all, good things come to those who bake – and cook. Wondering what to make for dinner tonight? Or are you excited to share your latest culinary masterpiece? Take a meander through the What’s For Dinner space. If you’re looking forward to tossing back your favourite tipple this holiday season, you’re among merry revellers. All members of a recent poll say they plan on imbibing this holiday season. Will you be having a booze-free holiday? Weigh in on the discussion, cast your vote and hear what others have to say, in the Food & drink space. While you’re browsing, stop by the Newcomers space, and help arriving Saultites feel at home. See: MEET YOUR HOST: Sault newcomer excited to welcome others to a special space In host Shelly Bazil-Smith’s Conversations with a Newcomer Segment, she talks with those who are new to the Sault (and new to Canada) about their courageous decision to move here, the challenges they’ve faced and the strength they have found along their settlement journeys. Hear from newcomer Marlene Smith and Syed Islam on why they moved to the Sault and the support systems they were able to tap into. Whatever your interest, there’s lots to explore in SPACES! Connect with your community, learn a little or a lot, and say hello to a host. There’s also a chance for you to win a luxury suite at the Soo Greyhounds game on Dec. 29. And if there’s someone in your circle you think would love to check in out, share SPACES with them.

A recent study that recommended toxic chemicals in black plastic products be immediately thrown away included a math error that significantly overstated the risks of contamination, but its authors are standing by their conclusions and warn against using such products. Published in the peer-reviewed journal Chemosphere , experts from the nonprofit Toxic-Free Future said they detected flame retardants and other toxic chemicals in 85% of 203 items made of black plastic including kitchen utensils , take-out containers, children's toys and hair accessories. In a blog post, Joe Schwarcz, director of McGill University's Office for Science and Society in Canada, explained that the Toxin-Free Future scientists miscalculated the lower end of what the EPA considered a health risk through a multiplication error. Instead of humans being potentially exposed to a dose of toxic chemicals in black plastic utensils near the minimum level that the EPA deems a health risk, it's actually about one-tenth of that. (Dreamstime/TNS) The study initially said the potential exposure to chemicals found in one of the kitchen utensils approached the minimum levels the Environmental Protection Agency deemed a health risk. But in an update to the study, the authors say they made an error in their calculations and the real levels were "an order of magnitude lower" than the EPA's thresholds. The error was discovered by Joe Schwarcz, director of McGill University's Office for Science and Society in Canada. In a blog post, Schwarcz explained that the Toxin-Free Future scientists miscalculated the lower end of what the EPA considered a health risk through a multiplication error. Instead of humans being potentially exposed to a dose of toxic chemicals in black plastic utensils near the minimum level that the EPA deems a health risk, it's actually about one-tenth of that. Though Schwarcz said the risks outlined in the study aren't enough for him to discard his black plastic kitchen items if he had them, he agreed with the authors that flame retardants shouldn't be in these products in the first place. "The math error does not impact the study's findings, conclusions or recommendations," said Megan Liu, a co-author of the study who is the science and policy manager for Toxic-Free Future . She added that any traces of flame retardants or toxic chemicals in cooking utensils should be concerning for the public. Flame retardants are getting into commonly used items because black-colored products are being made from recycled electronic waste, such as discarded television sets and computers, that frequently contain the additives. When they're heated, the flame retardants and other toxic chemicals can migrate out. If you're wondering whether your old black plastic spoon or other utensils are a part of this group, Liu shared some more guidance. It's nearly impossible to know whether a black plastic product is contaminated. That's because these products that include recycled e-waste don't disclose a detailed list of all ingredients and contaminants in the product. Liu said it's also unclear how many types of flame retardants are in these black plastic products. Some of the products that researchers tested in this recent study "had up to nine different harmful chemicals and harmful flame retardants in them," she said. Anytime you're looking for the type of recycled plastic a product is made of you're going to look for a number within the chasing arrows (that form a triangle) logo. Recycling symbols are numbered 1 to 7 and we commonly associate the numbers with what we can toss in our blue recycling bins. The 1 through 7 numbers stand for, respectively, polyethylene terephthalate, high-density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), low-density polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene or Styrofoam, and miscellaneous plastics (including polycarbonate, polylactide, acrylic, acrylonitrile butadiene, styrene, fiberglass and nylon). The study found higher levels of toxic flame retardants in polystyrene plastic, which is labeled with the number 6, said Liu. There isn't a definitive timeline of when recycled electronic-waste started to be incorporated into black plastic products specifically, but e-waste started to get recycled in the early 2000s, Liu said. The way computers, cellphones, stereos, printers and copiers were being disposed of previously was to simply add them to a landfill without reusing salvageable parts. But as the National Conference of State Legislatures notes, electronics production required a significant amount of resources that could be recovered through recycling. Recovering resources such as metals, plastics and glass through recycling used a fraction of the energy needed to mine new materials. However, the study pointed out that flame retardants and other chemical contaminates have been detected in and near e-waste recycling facilities, in indoor air and dust at formal e-waste recycling facilities in Canada, China, Spain and the U.S. It also noted contamination in soil samples surrounding e-waste recycling sites in China and Vietnam. The safest nontoxic material options for kitchen utensil are wood and stainless steel. The 20th century brought airplanes, radio, television, the internet, and plastic. Lots of plastic. That plastic is now showing up on shorelines, forming islands in oceans, and generating mountains of translucent trash on land. Around 700 species of animals in the sea have been found to interact with plastic daily. Companies across every industry face pressure to reduce the amount of plastic they produce. Seventy-two percent of the world's largest have made voluntary commitments to reduce their plastic waste, according to a Duke University analysis. One industry, in particular, has greatly benefited from advancements in single-use plastic technology: the medical industry. Only in recent years have businesses and academics in the field begun to talk about minimizing their impact on our environment like beverage manufacturers and other consumer goods-producing businesses. Medical Technology Schools analyzed academic studies published in the National Library of Medicine , the American Medical Association , and news reports to shed light on the medical community's use of plastics through history, their environmental problems, and proposed solutions to reduce their impact. And the impact can be significant. A single hospital patient generates nearly 34 pounds of waste a day —as much as a quarter of it is plastic. The COVID-19 pandemic only worsened the problem. The pandemic pushed hospital capacity to the brink and led to a massive increase in personal protective equipment and medical supply usage. Medical-grade masks and other protective equipment like face shields, made mostly of nonrenewable plastics, were in high demand. In 2020, the World Health Organization estimated that the international need for PPE manufacturing would boost 40% to address the public health crisis. Hospitals needed an estimated 89 million masks, 76 million gloves, and 1.6 million goggles every month of the pandemic. To date, nearly 677 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered, each requiring their own plastic syringe, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Global consulting firm Frost & Sullivan estimated that the U.S. would produce a year's worth of medical waste in just two months due to the pandemic. The World Economic Forum warned that the COVID-19 crisis threatened to " stall and even reverse progress " to reduce large plastic waste. It's a challenge researchers acknowledge today as they search for solutions. Plastics introduced an era of ultraconvenience to the world. It makes our clothes. It's made bike helmets and airbags possible. And it's a cheap material to produce, meaning it's cheap for consumers too. Almost as importantly, it's durable and incredibly easy to make into complex shapes—a trait that helped plastics invented in the mid-20th century quickly replace more expensive metal and wooden goods. That adoption extended to the medical field, where the single-use nature of plastics represented a move toward more hygienic tools for physicians and hospitals. But it wasn't plastic's sanitary qualities that the industry first latched onto. Like so many other technical advancements, convenience and cost were the initial driving factors. That they were more conducive to creating a sterile environment for patients was a benefit that health care began to tout closer to the end of the 20th century. PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, replaced glass bottles previously used to hold IV solution and replaced rubber tubing used throughout hospital settings. Plastic has also become the go-to material for making syringes and catheters. Plastic products are generally made from chemicals derived from the oil and natural gas refining process. Chemists use those byproducts to create synthetic materials with malleable and durable chemical structures. The low cost of these materials has helped medical device-makers support better health outcomes for communities across the U.S. since the 1900s. No longer was health care priced at rates only the elite could afford—it was accessible to a much larger swath of the public. In the last decade, the U.S., in particular, has emerged as a massive market for medical plastics. The country generally accounts for nearly half of the global market for medical devices. Plastic's durability is not only a benefit but a detriment to the environment, as the material can take many years to deteriorate when it enters landfills or trashes oceans. Estimates vary widely, but scientists ballpark that depending on the kind of plastic and the environment in which it decomposes, it could take dozens to thousands of years to break down entirely. COVID-19, which remains a burden for health care systems, isn't the only force raising the stakes for a health care industry pressured to reduce reliance on plastics or find ways to reuse them. Global annual production of plastic has doubled in the last two decades , according to the Environmental Protection Agency. As the U.S. looks toward the future, its aging population is another factor that could exacerbate the rate at which medical plastics end up in landfills. People require more medical care as they age, and aging baby boomers are expected to place increased demand on the medical device industry. At the same time, governments are under pressure to lower health care costs, which have become unaffordable even for those insured . As recently as 2021, researchers lamented a lack of data on efforts to recycle medical plastics. Around 350 hospitals participate in Practice Greenhealth's Environmental Excellence Awards . Practice Greenhealth is an organization working to help hospitals increase their sustainability. It's one of the few sources of hospital sustainability data, and its roster of participating hospitals represents a small fraction of the more than 6,000 hospitals operating in the U.S. To meet the need to reduce plastic waste generation, some hospitals are moving away from using plastic in certain applications. Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center replaced health care workers' disposable plastic isolation gowns with reusable cloth gowns at its hospitals in the last decade, saving money and preventing literal tons of medical waste. It also implemented a process for sterilizing and incinerating the boxes that hold used needles, allowing them to be reassembled and reused in a health care setting. Recycling plastic medical waste is complicated by the potential for contamination and the need to separate contaminated and noncontaminated waste; once separated, they can be broken down with heat or treated with chemicals and reprocessed. However, using chemical methods to break down and dispose of plastics has drawbacks. Over 200 nongovernmental organizations signed a letter in 2023 urging the Biden administration to end federal support for methods like these, arguing they generate toxic pollutants. The Vinyl Council of Australia is working with hospitals to recover used materials made of PVC . The materials are broken down into tiny pieces, washed and heated at high temperatures, and remade into things used outside medical settings. In the U.S. and Europe, there's the Healthcare Plastics Recycling Council, a coalition of companies working in the health care device space that includes DuPont, Johnson & Johnson, and Medtronic. In 2021, the HPRC, advised by professionals at Kaiser Permanente and other health systems, rolled out a medical waste recycling pilot project with hopes of scaling it across more hospitals. Story editing by Ashleigh Graf. Copy editing by Paris Close. Photo selection by Clarese Moller. This story originally appeared on Medical Technology Schools and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. Sign up here to get the latest health & fitness updates in your inbox every week!As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to develop, it is changing how businesses operate. Mindbreeze, a technology company that develops AI-based knowledge management solutions, has outlined four critical AI trends they expect will come into play in 2025 while emphasizing how these advancements can help businesses tackle complex challenges and achieve sustainable growth. Daniel Fallmann, CEO of Mindbreeze, notes, “The goal is not only to unlock insights but to enable intelligent automation and streamlined processes that support sustainable growth.” As businesses continue to take advantage of AI in their operations and decision-making, its importance grows. Integrating AI into business operations gives organizations the opportunity to improve their competitiveness. AI Agents for Focused Business Use Cases AI agents are poised to revolutionize industry-specific applications by delivering tailored, context-aware insights. These agents represent a new wave of customizable tools designed to address unique challenges within sectors such as engineering, manufacturing, and finance. For instance, AI agents can optimize workflows, automate processes, and enhance personalization efforts. Mindbreeze’s 360-Degree Views illustrate how these agents facilitate fully automated workflows, driving operational excellence. By providing specialized solutions, businesses can address niche demands, ensuring greater efficiency and customer satisfaction. The significance of these AI agents lies in their adaptability. Unlike generic AI tools, focused AI solutions are purpose-built, offering actionable insights specific to a company’s unique operational landscape. This customization allows organizations to harness AI for specialized goals, positioning them as leaders in their respective industries. Hyper-Automation and Self-Learning Systems Hyper-automation, coupled with self-learning systems, is rapidly becoming a cornerstone of operational transformation. By consolidating processes and integrating workflows, businesses can eliminate silos, improve flexibility, and achieve higher productivity. Mindbreeze’s AI solutions are at the forefront of this trend, empowering organizations to streamline operations while adapting to changing needs. Adaptive systems offer a continuous improvement mechanism, learning from new data and evolving circumstances to deliver optimized results. The potential of hyper-automation goes beyond efficiency gains. AI empowers businesses to rethink operations, cutting expenses and speeding up their time to market. As self-learning systems evolve, they will also improve decision-making, allowing companies to adapt quickly in a dynamic market. Turning Data into Actionable Insights Data has long been a cornerstone of strategic decision-making, but the ability to convert vast datasets into actionable insights is becoming increasingly critical. In 2025, AI-driven analytics will reach new heights, transforming raw information into real-time intelligence. Businesses are increasingly recognizing the potential value hidden within their data and leveraging Mindbreeze InSpire to unlock it. This transformation empowers them to derive meaningful insights and make data-informed decisions. This trend has significant implications in industries like healthcare, finance, and retail, where quick decision-making can significantly impact results. The key to success lies in integrating AI solutions capable of handling both structured and unstructured data. By doing so, organizations can identify patterns, predict trends, and gain a competitive advantage. These insights will not only inform strategic decisions but also optimize daily operations, ensuring businesses remain responsive and customer-focused. Delivering Accurate and Validatable AI Results As the capabilities of AI solutions grow, so do the risks associated with their use. Generative AI technologies, in particular, have introduced the challenge of “hallucinations”—instances where AI generates content that appears accurate but is factually incorrect. For businesses, this raises critical concerns about data integrity and trust. In response to potential risks, “Explainable AI” has emerged as a valuable approach. It offers insights into how AI creates content, ensuring that its conclusions stem from reliable and verifiable data. This is particularly crucial in fields like finance, law, and healthcare, where inaccuracies can have severe repercussions. Mindbreeze highlights Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) as a key technology in this domain. RAG ensures efficient and precise communication by delivering the right information at the right time. With robust validation mechanisms, businesses can trust AI-driven insights, enhancing their reliability and credibility. The Business Imperative for 2025 Mindbreeze’s report highlights four key trends that demonstrate the increasing significance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in revolutionizing businesses. Organizations embracing these technologies can anticipate significant enhancements in operational efficiency, customer interaction, and groundbreaking innovations. Moreover, the focus on explainability and data integrity highlights the ethical considerations associated with AI adoption. As businesses increasingly rely on AI for decision-making, ensuring accuracy and transparency will be essential for maintaining stakeholder trust. Strategic Recommendations for Executives To fully leverage these AI trends, business leaders should: By aligning their strategies with these trends, executives can position their organizations as innovators in a rapidly evolving landscape. As Fallmann emphasizes, the true potential of AI lies in its ability to foster sustainable growth while addressing complex challenges. The AI trends outlined above that are expected to be part of 2025 are expected to be more than technological advancements. They will show a change in how businesses operate. By embracing these innovations, companies can enhance efficiency and increase their competitive positioning. For executives looking to become leaders in their industries, adopting AI-driven strategies is no longer optional but essential for success in the years ahead.