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Ingredion Incorporated Declares Quarterly Dividend of $0.80 per ShareWASHINGTON (AP) — In the two weeks since Donald Trump won the presidency, he's tried to demonstrate his dominance by naming loyalists for top administration positions, even though many lack expertise and some face sexual misconduct accusations. It often seems like he's daring Congress to oppose his decisions. But on Thursday, Trump's attempt to act with impunity showed a crack as Matt Gaetz , his choice for attorney general, withdrew from consideration. Trump had named Gaetz, a Florida congressman, to be the country's top law enforcement official even though he was widely disliked by his colleagues, has little legal experience and was accused of having sex with an underage girl, an allegation he denied. After being plagued by investigations during his first presidency, Trump wanted a devoted ally in charge of the Justice Department during his second. However, it was never obvious that Gaetz could win enough support from lawmakers to get confirmed as attorney general. Trump chose for a replacement Pam Bondi, a former Florida attorney general who defended him during his first impeachment trial and supported his false claims of voter fraud. Now the question is whether Gaetz was uniquely unpalatable, or if Trump's other picks might exceed his party's willingness to overlook concerns that would have sunk nominees in a prior political era. The next test will likely be Pete Hegseth, who Trump wants to lead the Pentagon despite an allegation of sexual assault that he's denied. So far, Republicans are rallying around Hegseth , an Army veteran and former Fox News host. Sen. Thom Tillis, a North Carolina Republican who serves on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said the controversy over Gaetz would have little bearing on Trump’s other choices. He said they would be considered “one at a time.” Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Connecticut Democrat, suggested otherwise, claiming “the dominoes are falling.” “The drip drip of evidence and truth is going to eventually doom some others,” he said. Trump's election victory was a sign that there may not be many red lines left in American politics. He won the presidential race despite authoritarian, racist and misogynist rhetoric, not to mention years of lies about election fraud and his role in sparking the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. He was also criminally convicted of falsifying business records to pay hush money, and he was found liable for sexual abuse in a civil case. Empowered by voters who looked past his misconduct and saw him as a powerful agent of change, Trump has shown no deference to Washington norms while working to fill his second administration . The transition team hasn't pursued federal background checks for Trump's personnel choices. While some of his selections have extensive experience in the areas they've been chosen to lead, others are personal friends and Fox News personalities who have impressed and flattered Trump over the years. Several have faced allegations involving sexual misconduct . Hegseth is facing the most scrutiny after Gaetz. Once Trump announced Hegseth as his nominee for Pentagon chief, allegations emerged that he sexually assaulted a woman in California in 2017. The woman said he took her phone, blocked the door to the hotel room and refused to let her leave, according to a police report made public this week. Hegseth told police at the time that the encounter had been consensual and denied any wrongdoing, the report said. However, he paid the woman a confidential settlement in 2023. Hegseth's lawyer said the payment was made to head off the threat of a baseless lawsuit. Trump’s choice for secretary of health and human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has faced allegations of misconduct too. A woman who babysat for him and his second wife told Vanity Fair magazine that Kennedy groped her in the late 1990s, when she was 23. Kennedy did not deny the allegation and texted an apology to the woman after the article was published. That isn't the only hurdle for Kennedy; he's spent years spreading misinformation and conspiracy theories about vaccines, raising fears about making him a top health official in the new administration. Linda McMahon, chosen by Trump to be education secretary, is fighting a lawsuit connected to her former company, World Wrestling Entertainment. She’s accused of knowingly enabling sexual exploitation of children by an employee as early as the 1980s, and she denies the allegations. Tulsi Gabbard is another person who could face a difficult confirmation battle, but for very different reasons. The former Democratic representative from Hawaii has been a vocal Trump ally, and he chose her to be national intelligence director. But there's grave concern by lawmakers and national security officials over Gabbard’s history of echoing Russian propaganda. Critics said she would endanger relationships with U.S. allies. Gaetz was investigated by federal law enforcement for sex trafficking, but the case was closed without charges and Republicans have blocked the release of a related report from the House Ethics Committee. However, some allegations leaked out, including that Gaetz paid women for sex. One of the women testified to the committee that she saw Gaetz having sex with a 17-year-old girl, according to a lawyer for the woman. As Gaetz met with senators this week, it became clear that he would face stubborn resistance from lawmakers who were concerned about his behavior and believed he was unqualified to run the Justice Department. “While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction,” Gaetz wrote on social media when announcing his withdrawal. Sen. Mike Braun, an Indiana Republican, said he believed there were four to six members of the caucus who would have voted against Gaetz, likely dooming his nomination, and “the math got too hard.” He said some of the issues and allegations around Gaetz were “maybe beyond the pale." “I think there were just too many things, it was like a leaky dike, and you know, it broke," Braun said. Trump thanked Gaetz in a post on Truth Social, his social media website, without addressing the substance of the allegations against him. “He was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the Administration, for which he has much respect,” Trump wrote. Associated Press writers Mary Clare Jalonick, Stephen Groves and Lisa Macaro contributed from Washington. Jill Colvin in New York and Adriana Gomez Licon in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, also contributed.

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BINGHAMTON UNIVERSITY ANNOUNCES NEW RESEARCH COLLABORATION WITH THE GUTHRIE CLINIC

SANTA ANA, Calif., Dec. 13, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — In a groundbreaking move for the property management and inspection industry, ( ) introduces its cutting-edge app, a pioneering digital platform designed to revolutionize the balcony inspection process. This innovative tool empowers homeowners, property managers, and Homeowner Associations (HOAs) with a streamlined, intuitive experience, eliminating inefficiencies and redefining how inspections are managed. With a user-friendly interface and advanced features, the transforms what was once a complex, time-consuming process into one that is seamless and efficient. Users can now obtain instant quotes, create and manage projects, and schedule inspections—all with just a few taps on their devices. “At DrBalcony, we are passionate about reimagining property management through technology,” said Greg, VP of Sales of DrBalcony. “The app reflects our dedication to simplifying inspections while upholding safety and compliance standards. With over 2,500 inspections completed, we’re proud to offer a solution that sets a new benchmark for convenience and reliability.” FEATURES THAT SET THE DRBALCONY APP APART The DrBalcony App is tailored to meet the specific needs of California property owners, offering features designed to ensure the integrity of balcony structures while making compliance with state laws like and more accessible than ever. Learn more: A SOLUTION BACKED BY REAL RESULTS “For years, the balcony inspection process has been frustrating and inefficient,” shared Omid, CEO of DrBalcony. “This app eliminates unnecessary complications. From instant quotes to straightforward scheduling, it’s a game-changer.” DOWNLOAD THE DRBALCONY APP TODAY The DrBalcony App is now available for download and marks a significant leap forward in property management. By addressing common pain points in the inspection process, DrBalcony ensures peace of mind for property owners, engineers, and HOAs, all while maintaining safety and compliance with California’s strict . About DrBalcony: DrBalcony leverages innovative technology to enhance balcony inspection, focusing on efficiency, safety, and customer-centric solutions. With a mission to simplify the complex, DrBalcony has become a trusted name in the balcony inspection industry, ensuring compliance and safety standards are met with ease. Learn more: . Your property’s safety has never been simpler—download the DrBalcony App today! NEWS SOURCE: DrBalcony Keywords: Real Estate, DrBalcony, Balcony Inspections, home inspection, safety, app, solution, service, SB 326, SB 721, SANTA ANA, Calif. This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (DrBalcony) who is solely responsibile for its accuracy, by . Information is believed accurate but not guaranteed. Story ID: S2P122836 APDF15TBLLI To view the original version, visit: © 2024 Send2Press® Newswire, a press release distribution service, Calif., USA.

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LAS VEGAS — Formula 1 on Monday at last said it will expand its grid in 2026 to make room for an American team that is partnered with General Motors. "As the pinnacle of motorsports, F1 demands boundary-pushing innovation and excellence. It's an honor for General Motors and Cadillac to join the world's premier racing series, and we're committed to competing with passion and integrity to elevate the sport for race fans around the world," GM President Mark Reuss said. "This is a global stage for us to demonstrate GM's engineering expertise and technology leadership at an entirely new level." The approval ends years of wrangling that launched a U.S. Justice Department investigation into why Colorado-based Liberty Media, the commercial rights holder of F1, would not approve the team initially started by Michael Andretti. Andretti in September stepped aside from leading his namesake organization, so the 11th team will be called Cadillac F1 and be run by new Andretti Global majority owners Dan Towriss and Mark Walter. The team will use Ferrari engines its first two years until GM has a Cadillac engine built for competition in time for the 2028 season. People are also reading... Towriss is the the CEO and president of Group 1001 and entered motorsports via Andretti's IndyCar team when he signed on financial savings platform Gainbridge as a sponsor. Towriss is now a major part of the motorsports scene with ownership stakes in both Spire Motorsports' NASCAR team and Wayne Taylor Racing's sports car team. Walter is the chief executive of financial services firm Guggenheim Partners and the controlling owner of both the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers and Premier League club Chelsea. "We're excited to partner with General Motors in bringing a dynamic presence to Formula 1," Towriss said. "Together, we're assembling a world-class team that will embody American innovation and deliver unforgettable moments to race fans around the world." Mario Andretti, the 1978 F1 world champion, will have an ambassador role with Cadillac F1. But his son, Michael, will have no official position with the organization now that he has scaled back his involvement with Andretti Global. "The Cadillac F1 Team is made up of a strong group of people that have worked tirelessly to build an American works team," Michael Andretti posted on social media. "I'm very proud of the hard work they have put in and congratulate all involved on this momentous next step. I will be cheering for you!" The approval has been in works for weeks but was held until after last weekend's Las Vegas Grand Prix to not overshadow the showcase event of the Liberty Media portfolio. Max Verstappen won his fourth consecutive championship in Saturday night's race, the third and final stop in the United States for the top motorsports series in the world. Grid expansion in F1 is both infrequent and often unsuccessful. Four teams were granted entries in 2010 that should have pushed the grid to 13 teams and 26 cars for the first time since 1995. One team never made it to the grid and the other three had vanished by 2017. There is only one American team on the current F1 grid — owned by California businessman Gene Haas — but it is not particularly competitive and does not field American drivers. Andretti's dream was to field a truly American team with American drivers. The fight to add this team has been going on for three-plus years, and F1 initially denied the application despite approval from F1 sanctioning body FIA. The existing 10 teams, who have no voice in the matter, also largely opposed expansion because of the dilution in prize money and the billions of dollars they've already invested in the series. Andretti in 2020 tried and failed to buy the existing Sauber team. From there, he applied for grid expansion and partnered with GM, the top-selling manufacturer in the United States. The inclusion of GM was championed by the FIA and president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who said Michael Andretti's application was the only one of seven applicants to meet all required criteria to expand F1's current grid. "General Motors is a huge global brand and powerhouse in the OEM world and is working with impressive partners," Ben Sulayem said Monday. "I am fully supportive of the efforts made by the FIA, Formula 1, GM and the team to maintain dialogue and work towards this outcome of an agreement in principle to progress this application." Despite the FIA's acceptance of Andretti and General Motors from the start, F1 wasn't interested in Andretti — but did want GM. At one point, F1 asked GM to find another team to partner with besides Andretti. GM refused and F1 said it would revisit the Andretti application if and when Cadillac had an engine ready to compete. "Formula 1 has maintained a dialogue with General Motors, and its partners at TWG Global, regarding the viability of an entry following the commercial assessment and decision made by Formula 1 in January 2024," F1 said in a statement. "Over the course of this year, they have achieved operational milestones and made clear their commitment to brand the 11th team GM/Cadillac, and that GM will enter as an engine supplier at a later time. Formula 1 is therefore pleased to move forward with this application process." Yet another major shift in the debate over grid expansion occurred earlier this month with the announced resignation of Liberty Media CEO Greg Maffei, who was largely believed to be one of the biggest opponents of the Andretti entry. "With Formula 1's continued growth plans in the US, we have always believed that welcoming an impressive US brand like GM/Cadillac to the grid and GM as a future power unit supplier could bring additional value and interest to the sport," Maffei said. "We credit the leadership of General Motors and their partners with significant progress in their readiness to enter Formula 1." Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!Drop in Boxing Day footfall ‘signals return to declining pre-pandemic levels’

Publicité Interview 20 décembre 2024 22:00 Commentaire(s) Par Lindsay Prosper Partager cet article Facebook X LinkedIn WhatsApp Interview Eli Belotsercovsky, ex-ambassador of Israel to Mauritius with residence in South Africa. After having served as ambassador of Israel to Mauritius with residence in South Africa for three years between 2021 and 2024, Eli Belotsercovsky paid a farewell visit to Mauritius. In the interview he gave to “l’express”, he talked mainly about the avenues of cooperation that can be developed between our two countries – agriculture, education, social development, tourism and health. Many times have you been in Mauritius where you do not enjoy the privilege of having a fully-fledged embassy? Because of the war against the Hamas that started on October 7, 2023, I have visited Mauritius on three occasions only. How long did you stay in Mauritius during these three visits It was between 3 to 4 days. What lies behind the Israeli government’s intention to try to seek how it can gradually bring to a new level its diplomatic relation and cooperation with Mauritius? One of my main tasks was to try, as best as I could, to see how we can strengthen our relationship with Mauritius. One aspect of this strategy that we have been able to achieve has been to see how we can increase the number of people who are willing to travel to Israel to benefit from all existing facilities that we offer in the field of training. In what fields of interest these training facilities are able to come to fruition? Agriculture, education, social development and health care are the domains where these training facilities can be offered. What has been the response to your proposals? It was quite positive and encouraging because quite a lot of people from Mauritius have openly shown their interest to take advantage of these training facilities. Some moved to Israel while others benefitted from courses that were available online. In addition to this, we have chosen water as one of the main area of cooperation because this is a big challenge for Mauritius and for Rodrigues as well. However, many parts of the main island Mauritius suffer from the consequences of water shortages. We have been able to send an expert from Israel to Mauritius where he stayed about a week. The main purpose of the visit has been to see with the responsible parties from the Central Water Authority how a transfer of knowhow that Israel has acquired in the field of management of water resources can be considered. It was also agreed that an extension of this project could take the form of exchanges between representatives from the Ministry of Energy and Public Utilities and those of a selected group of companies in Israel who deal with water technologies by having recourse to audio and/or video conferencing facilities offered by Zoom Communications. What other fields of interest whereby cooperation between the two countries could start or move a step further from what the situation stands today? I would spontaneously move out of the list, tourism and agriculture. What are your arguments to justify this choice? The reason why tourism arrives at the top of the list is that it is an area of interest where we have already started to cooperate and would like to continue in the future. So far, we have seen quite a number of tourists from Israel who have travelled to Mauritius.The country is becoming more and more known in Israel. However, the potential of that sector is much higher and there is sufficient room to believe that future development of that sector between the two countries is really possible. If this is the case, what have you done to allow this sector to develop further? We invited the Mauritian government to participate in a tourist exhibition that was scheduled to take place in February 2024 in Tel Aviv but didn’t take place because of the war with Hamas. We hope that it will take place next year, I mean 2025. Hopefully, we are expecting that Mauritius will send its representatives to this event. Tourism has a significant chance to develop further because people from Israel are fond of travelling since our country is very small. They are looking for new destinations. The potential of the tourist sector is there. What is the Israeli government prepared to commit so that tourism occupies a more prominent place in the cooperation process that is highly desired? It would be a good idea to organise a visit or even several visits to Mauritius for travel agents of the Israel Travel Association. In Israel, as in many other countries, the government is doing its best to have as many tourists as possible at home. The Israeli Travel Association is interested in sending tourists abroad. So, the idea is to have a fully-fledged delegation of travel agents over here to visit every corner that will enable them to take stock of the potential of the Mauritian tourism sector they can refer to when they come back to Israel to organise a promotion campaign in favour of Mauritius as a destination that needs to be visited. If the response gathered following this promotion campaign is such that a fair number of Israelis wish to spend some days over here, we can consider the possibility of starting direct charter flights between Mauritius and Israel. It can be expected that people from Mauritius would be eager to seize this opportunity to visit Israel. This development, if it comes into place, should benefit both sides. Let’s shift to agriculture, an area where the Israeli government is eager to share the know-how the country has acquired after many years of practice, and which can be subject to a process regarding the transfer of technology in this field? Agriculture is a very important area. Last year, we already had two experts from the Food and Research and Extension Institute (FAREI), who benefitted from a tailored-cut trip to Israel in the field of cattle breeding for milk production and horticulture. The FAREI, which plays an important role in the agricultural sector of Mauritius, aims at implementing programmes relating to research, development and training that can contribute to help the country attainits food security level, competitiveness as well as stakeholder equity across the whole agrifood value chains. Our aim is to see how we can promote cooperation in the area of agriculture mainly in terms of seeds that give higher yield and extending shelf-life tomato. We can also work together by conveying methods of agricultural practices to farmer communities of Mauritius by establishing over here centres of excellence in agriculture, as we have done in many countries such as India and Rwanda. We cannot end this interview without referring to a specific aspect of the military conflict that started on October 7, 2023, and which took Israel by surprise. It is the possibility of a ceasefire between Israel and the Hamas. Why doesn’t Israel seem too enthusiastic about that solution, which could bring peace to the whole region? There will never be a ceasefire as long as Hamas’s main objective is to destroy the State of Israel. Until we come to destroy all terrorist infrastructure over there, capture the terrorists, disarm them and create in Gaza some kind of Palestinian government, there will no peace over there. If this political authority declares that there is an issue with the State of Israel, then it will be quite possible to sit around a table and discuss the matter with a view to find a solution. It is unnecessary to face a conflictual situation where there is a risk that many innocent people can get killed. This is our aim. 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Annie Kuster, who is retiring from Congress, claimed Trump “tried to kill” her on Jan. 6, 2021. Kuster — who has represented New Hampshire’s 2nd District since 2013 — told the Washington, D.C., outlet Roll Call on Monday that she had “always said I wasn’t going to stay forever” and that Trump “tried to kill me once.” “I was one of the last members of Congress in the gallery on Jan. 6, and as it turns out, we have the security footage that shows it was only 30 seconds from when I was able to evacuate that the insurrectionists were in that hallway hunting for us with zip ties and bear mace and who knows what else,” Kuster told Roll Call. “I just felt like, he tried to kill me once. I’m not available for it again.” (RELATED: FBI Had Over A Dozen Confidential Informants At Capitol On Jan. 6, IG Report Confirms) She accused Trump of attacking women, “undermining the social fabric” and appearing to favor tearing down protections for women against sexual assault , according to the outlet. “I’m not prepared to be the gladiator, if you will, again for him,” she said. 🚨NEW🚨 Retiring Democrat Congresswoman Annie Kuster told @rollcall that “[Trump] tried to k*ll me once. I’m not available for it again.” pic.twitter.com/vAmgqMhseP — Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) December 26, 2024 Kuster acknowledged that most voters in the 2024 elections wanted a different administration because of concerns such as inflation, the border crisis and rising crime and public safety problems . “And there’s a lot of reasons that people had for their vote, but I don’t believe the approach of the Trump administration is going to fix those issues for them. I mean, just take tariffs. If he puts those on, the price of food is going to go way up,” she told Roll Call. She also blamed the loss of the Democrats in the 2024 election on how many young voters felt that “for a pretty long time, the face of our party has been octogenarians.” “We somehow have missed the opportunity to connect with a whole generation of young people that we assumed, just by the laws of nature, would be more progressive and more close to our perspective,” she said. Kuster described herself as “literally exhausted” from being from a district she said she turned from red to purple. Longstanding members of congress who represent deep-blue districts did not appear to have elections as difficult as hers, she added. She predicted the Democrats would win in the midterms in 2026 and the presidential election in 2028 due to “the consequences of [Trump’s] policies.” “I’m going to stay involved, but not on the ballot,” she added, explaining that she would continue her work of pushing for the election of Democratic women to claw back to a majority. Kuster delivered her final address in Congress on Dec. 18.Revival Gold Announces AGM Results and Transition in Exploration Leadership

Samantha Dart, co-head of global commodities research at Goldman, published a note to clients outlining five key questions and answers about the US-EU liquefied natural gas trade. This comes just days after President-elect Donald Trump unless Brussels ramped up purchases of American LNG. For context, last Friday, Trump wrote on Truth Social: Dart told clients that the US is already Europe's largest LNG supplier and a key source of supply growth. She said replacing Russian LNG with US LNG imports could raise shipping costs and European prices to incentivize re-routing cargoes. She said such a shift would have minimal impact on US LNG export revenues, as total export capacity remains fixed, adding exporters with long-term contracts with proposed US LNG projects would benefit. However, Europe's decarbonization strategy may limit the willingness of European companies to make long-term NatGas commitments with US exporters. Dart laid out key questions and answers about the US-EU LNG trade that help clients understand that US LNG Gulf exports can "theoretically" replace Russian NatGas flowing into the EU. US LNG exports averaged 91 mt over the past year (Dec23-Nov24), of which 47 mt or 51% were delivered to Europe. US LNG exports to Europe have grown significantly in levels and as a share of total US LNG exports since the European energy crisis in 2022, peaking in 2023 (Exhibit 1). It appears that Goldman believes Trump's 'America First' policy of replacing Russian LNG to Europe with American LNG is "theoretically" possible. By Zerohedge.comFlyers riding high entering road battle with Wild

Unwrap the latest AI features with Amazon Fire TabletsThe search for Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 will continue more than a decade after the plane went missing. Malaysia's Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced Dec. 20 that the country's government has agreed in principle to carry on the search for wreckage of the flight, which vanished while flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on March 8, 2014. The Boeing 777 was carrying 227 passengers and 12 crew members. "Our responsibility and obligation and commitment is to the next of kin," Loke said in a press conference, CNN reported. "We hope this time will be positive, that the wreckage will be found and give closure to the families." The search—which fill focus on a new area of the southern Indian Ocean—will be conducted by Texas-based marine exploration firm Ocean Infinity, which oversaw the most recent search for the plane's remains back in 2018. The transport minister explained that the Malaysian government and the firm are still finalizing their agreement, which is a "no find, no fee" deal, meaning that the firm will receive $70 million only if it discovers substantive wreckage. The announcement comes nine months after officials indicated that they were open to resuming the search after Ocean Infinity approached them. "The Malaysian Government's position is consistent," they said in a statement to ABC News in March. "We will commission a further search operation when new information and credible evidence is ascertained." The company's CEO Oliver Plunkett provided insight into his company's desire to continue searching the ocean for debris six years after the search became dormant. "Finding MH370 and bringing some resolution for all connected with the loss of the aircraft has been a constant in our minds since we left the southern Indian Ocean in 2018," he explained at the time. "Since then, we have focused on driving the transformation of operations at sea; innovating with technology and robotics to further advance our ocean search capabilities." "This search is arguably the most challenging, and indeed pertinent one out there," Plunkett continued. "We’ve been working with many experts, some outside of Ocean Infinity, to continue analysing the data in the hope of narrowing the search area down to one in which success becomes potentially achievable." According to CNN , some debris "confirmed and believed" to be from the missing plane has washed up on the coasts of Africa as well as islands in the Indian Ocean.

December 20, 2024 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlightedthe following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: fact-checked trusted source proofread by Enna Bartlett, University of Manchester Scientists at The University of Manchester have achieved a significant breakthrough in using cyanobacteria—commonly known as "blue-green algae"—to convert carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) into valuable bio-based materials. Their work, published in Biotechnology for Biofuels and Bioproducts , could accelerate the development of sustainable alternatives to fossil fuel-derived products like plastics, helping pave the way for a carbon-neutral circular bioeconomy. The research, led by Dr. Matthew Faulkner, working alongside Dr. Fraser Andrews, and Professor Nigel Scrutton, focused on improving the production of citramalate, a compound that serves as a precursor for renewable plastics such as Perspex or Plexiglas. Using an innovative approach called "design of experiment," the team achieved a remarkable 23-fold increase in citramalate production by optimizing key process parameters. Why cyanobacteria? Cyanobacteria are microscopic organisms capable of photosynthesis, converting sunlight and CO 2 into organic compounds. They are a promising candidate for industrial applications because they can transform CO 2 —a major greenhouse gas—into valuable products without relying on traditional agricultural resources like sugar or corn. However, until now, the slow growth and limited efficiency of these organisms have posed challenges for large-scale industrial use. "Our research addresses one of the key bottlenecks in using cyanobacteria for sustainable manufacturing," explains Matthew. "By optimizing how these organisms convert carbon into useful products, we've taken an important step toward making this technology commercially viable." The science behind the breakthrough The team's research centered on Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, a well-studied strain of cyanobacteria. Citramalate, the focus of their study, is produced in a single enzymatic step using two key metabolites: pyruvate and acetyl-CoA. By fine-tuning process parameters such as light intensity , CO 2 concentration, and nutrient availability , the researchers were able to significantly boost citramalate production. Initial experiments yielded only small amounts of citramalate, but the design of the experimental approach allowed the team to systematically explore the interplay between multiple factors. As a result, they increased citramalate production to 6.35 grams per liter (g/L) in 2-liter photobioreactors, with a productivity rate of 1.59 g/L/day. While productivity slightly decreased when scaling up to 5-liter reactors due to light delivery challenges, the study demonstrates that such adjustments are manageable in biotechnology scale-up processes. A circular bioeconomy vision The implications of this research extend beyond plastics. Pyruvate and acetyl-CoA, the key metabolites involved in citramalate production, are also precursors to many other biotechnologically significant compounds. The optimization techniques demonstrated in this study could therefore be applied to produce a variety of materials, from biofuels to pharmaceuticals. By enhancing the efficiency of carbon capture and utilization, the research contributes to global efforts to mitigate climate change and reduce dependence on non-renewable resources. "This work underscores the importance of a circular bioeconomy," adds Matthew. "By turning CO 2 into something valuable, we're not just reducing emissions—we're creating a sustainable cycle where carbon becomes the building block for the products we use every day." What's next? The team plans to further refine their methods and explore ways to scale up production while maintaining efficiency. They are also investigating how their approach can be adapted to optimize other metabolic pathways in cyanobacteria, with the aim of expanding the range of bio-based products that can be sustainably manufactured. More information: Matthew Faulkner et al, Improving productivity of citramalate from CO 2 by Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 through design of experiment, Biotechnology for Biofuels and Bioproducts (2024). DOI: 10.1186/s13068-024-02589-z Provided by University of Manchester

Kim Kardashian's face looks very different at SKIMS opening and fans think they know why Have YOU got a story? Email tips@dailymail.com By HEIDI PARKER and ALESIA STANFORD FOR DAILYMAIL.COM Published: 22:00, 13 December 2024 | Updated: 22:03, 13 December 2024 e-mail 19 View comments Kim Kardashian 's face looked very different at the grand opening her flagship Skims store in New York City on Thursday. And fans think they know why. Followers took to X to share that the 44-year-old star did her makeup very differently for the high-profile event that saw her wear a low-cut top and tight slacks with heels as she rode a scooter to aid her broken foot. 'She did her lips in a new way,' said one fan. 'She overlined her lips with brown liner and added lighter lipstick, it's a '90s thing.' Another said, 'Kimmy went wild on her lips, they massive, but it looks cool.' Another blamed the hair: 'She had bangs in her face, made her look like a different person.' And this fan had a whole new theory: 'She was sweating from pushing that darn scooter around all night so honey had a flushed look, she was dewy.' Kim Kardashian's face looked very different at the grand opening her flagship Skims store in New York City on Thursday. And fans think they know why Followers took to X to share that the 44-year-old star did her makeup very differently for the high-profile event that saw her wear a low-cut top and tight slacks with heels as she rode a scooter to aid her broken foot The reality TV star was joined by several friends including Paris Hilton, Cardi B , Teyana Taylor, Ciara and La La Anthony. Her hair was styled in a sleek updo with camera ready makeup. Taylor, 34, looked fierce in a black leather jumpsuit with a plunging neckline. Her long, dark hair was styled straight with a couple of tendrils in the front and some side ponytails. Ciara, 39, displayed her fit form in a black leather jacket over a black body suit with sheer black stocking and furry boots. The Level Up artist styled her long blond hair straight and wore futuristic looking glasses as an accessory. Anthony, 42, oozed confidence in a strapless Y/Project mini with ruching. The Perfect Find star wore gray shearling boots and a matching coat. Her long, red hair was styled straight and she wore camera ready makeup behind her sunglasses. The Power star accessorized with thick platinum hoop earrings and a matching necklace. 'She did her lips in a new way,' said one fan. 'She overlined her lips with brown liner and added lighter lipstick, it's a '90s thing' Another said, 'Kimmy went wild on her lips, they massive, but it looks cool' Another blamed the hair: 'She had bangs in her face, made her look like a different person.' Seen with Cardi B, Teyana Taylor, Ciara and La La Anthony Read More Kim Kardashian's new celebrity friendship circle 'Girls night out! Super proud of you @kimkardashian & @skims... a flagship store on 5th ave is craazzyyyyy! We had such a fun night!!' Ice Spice, 24, chose tight fitting animal print look to accentuate her recent weight loss . The Barbie World singer donned a low-cut corset over a sheer turtleneck top and matching pants and open toes pumps. The Deli artist accessorized with a large bejeweled cross and carried a matching animal print handbag. Her long red locks were parted on the side and styled in a half-ponytail. The hitmaker's makeup looked natural with a soft pink lip. She and her hostess seemed to have fun pursing their lips together in one of Kardashian's preferred poses for a photo. News anchor Gayle King, 69, stayed up late for the fete. And this fan had a whole new theory: 'She was sweating from pushing that darn scooter around all night so honey had a flushed look, she was dewy'; seen with Ice Spice The CBS Mornings host donned a long fitted bright pink dress under an intricately embroidered floral coat with a white feathery trim. Her burgundy locks were styled in loose curls and she accessorized with two diamond necklaces and some red earrings. The Skims founder's childhood friend Paris Hilton, 43, who has been in New York City promoting her new show, Paris & Nicole: The Encore, also opted for a tight black and white animal print dress and matching coat. She accessorized with a Swarovski crystal encrusted choker and dark sunglasses. The DJ's long, blonde hair was styled in loose waves. News anchor Gayle King, 69, stayed up late for the fete. The CBS Mornings host donned a long fitted bright pink dress under an intricately embroidered floral coat with a white feathery trim NBA Player Donovan Mitchell, 28, dropped by for the grand opening. The Cleveland Cavaliers shooting guard, looked handsome in a black denim jacket and matching jeans with a cream toned shirt and completed his look with dark sunglasses The world of country music was well represented with an appearance from Kelsea Ballerini, 31, who stunned in a black slip dress and long black coat. Her blonde bob was styled in loose waves. Pop star Meghan Trainor, 30, showed off her recent weight loss wearing a black mock turtleneck sweater and leather jacket. Her long blonde hair was styled straight and she wore natural looking makeup with a natural red lip. NBA Player Donovan Mitchell, 28, dropped by for the grand opening. The Cleveland Cavaliers shooting guard, looked handsome in a black denim jacket and matching jeans with a cream toned shirt and completed his look with dark sunglasses. For dinner, the Skims staff cooked up a menu that included roasted red peppers and mozzarella, Ceasar alla ZZ and baked clams for appetizers. That was followed by spicy rigatoni vodka, prime porterhouse steak and a whole branzino with garlic spinach and funghi trifolati as side dishes, followed by various desserts. 'It means the world to me that you guys are here to support,' The Kardashians star told her guests at dinner 'I cannot f-ing believe we have a store on Fifth avenue,' she told the crowd who responded with huge applause. 'My first job ever was in retail,' she recalled, adding the job 'shaped me, the best experiences, I've learned so much' For dinner, guests were served roasted red peppers and mozzarella, Ceasar alla ZZ and baked clams for appetizers, along with spicy rigatoni vodka, prime porterhouse steak and a whole branzino with garlic spinach and funghi trifolati as side dishes, followed by various desserts 'It means the world to me that you guys are here to support,' The Kardashians star told her guests at dinner. 'I cannot f-ing believe we have a store on Fifth avenue,' she told the crowd who responded with huge applause. 'My first job ever was in retail,' she recalled, adding the job 'shaped me, the best experiences, I've learned so much.' The flagship store will not be the only brick and mortar Skims location. The company plans to open another flagship location in Los Angeles. Other stores have been recently opened in Georgetown, Atlanta, Austen, TX and Aventura, FL per Retail Dive . Kim Kardashian Ciara Paris Hilton Cardi B Share or comment on this article: Kim Kardashian's face looks very different at SKIMS opening and fans think they know why e-mail Add comment