In the end, the fate of Assad in Russia remains uncertain. Will he find solace and redemption, or will he be haunted by the ghosts of his past? Only time will tell as the former Syrian President embarks on this new chapter in exile, facing a future filled with uncertainties and challenges.In conclusion, the launch of OpenAI Sora has captivated and inspired audiences around the world, igniting a new wave of excitement and anticipation for the future of AI technology. With its impressive performance and wide-ranging capabilities, Sora has set a new standard for intelligent systems and solidified OpenAI's reputation as a leader in the field of artificial intelligence. As we look ahead to the next chapter in the evolution of AI, one thing is certain: the era of OpenAI Sora has only just begun, and the best is yet to come.
How Fast Can Aircraft In The Bombardier Challenger 600 Series Fly?Recently, an exciting archaeological discovery has been made in South Korea, as four ancient wooden tablets dating back over a thousand years have been unearthed. What makes this discovery particularly intriguing is that these wooden tablets are inscribed with numerous Chinese characters, shedding light on the historical connections between Korea and China.Former CCTV host Li Sisi has embarked on a new career path in the world of online sales. Since making the transition to becoming an influencer, she has successfully sold over 5,000 items, marking a significant milestone in her transformation into a successful internet celebrity.
As a participant in multiple affiliate marketing programs, Localish will earn a commission for certain purchases. See full disclaimer below* This week on It's a Big Deal, Dani Beckstrom, and Ryan Fields are rounding up the best cozy products on sale, from blankets and fuzzy slippers. Shop these limited-time savings ow before you miss your chance. Note: Prices are subject to change after publication. The brand is offering 25% off sitewide on apparel, bath products, bedding and more. Shop now before this deal expires. These anti-skid slippers are warm and cozy, and perfect for wear both indoors or for a quick trip outdoors. They're avaoalble in various colors and sizes, and are currently up to 35% off. These microwavable stuffed animals will keep you feeling warm and cozy and are great to help soothe aches or pains - plus they're lavender scented for the ultimate relaxation. Get them now up to 30% off. We've included a few adorable options below, so shop soon before stocks sell out. ' Helix Sleep is offering 25% off sitewide including discounts on their plush memory foam pillows, dream pillow set and mattresses, designed for every type of sleeper. Shop now. Halara is serving up incredible deals on their cozy, stylish best sellers just in time for winter with your favorite pieces for up to 80% off. Shop bestsellers we're loving below. Note: The prices below are for a single product only. You can save more if you shop up to four products, bringing the price further down. * By clicking on the featured links, visitors will leave this page and be directed to third-party e-commerce sites that operate under different terms and privacy policies. Although we are sharing our personal opinions of these products with you, Localish is not endorsing these products. It has not performed product safety testing on any of these products, did not manufacture them, and is not selling, or distributing them and is not making any representations about the safety or caliber of these products. Prices and availability are subject to change from the date of publication.Shares of Surf Air Mobility Inc. (SRFM) surged as much as 7% in morning trade on Friday to hit an eight-month high of $6.41, building on its gain of 56% during the previous session that helped the stock make up for some of its year-to-date decline. The stock reversed most of its gains, trading 0.36% lower in mid-day trade on Friday. The uptick in Surf Air Mobility’s shares comes after the company announced that its board members purchased stock from the open market. If the stock had maintained its gains, it would have pared its year-to-date decline to under 50% — most of this fall came in April, when the stock fell by over 40% after the company received a notice of possible delisting from the New York Stock Exchange. Surf Air Mobility’s chairman, Carl Albert, purchased 14,500 shares, while co-founder and board member Sudhin Shahani purchased 17,237 shares. The aggregate transaction is valued at approximately $110,000. “We have near and midterm goals to increase value for our shareholders. We are firmly and financially committed to successful execution of our Transformation Plan,” said Albert. Retail traders on Stocktwits expressed optimism about Surf Air Mobility’s turnaround plan, which includes securing a $50 million term loan. The company expects to become profitable in 2025. The stock purchase by board members indicates the confidence insiders have in the company’s four-phase transformation plan. While some retail traders remained confident about the stock’s long-term prospects, others may now regret not taking profits when they had the chance earlier in the day. Surf Air Mobility, a Los Angeles-based regional air mobility service, currently operates Cessna Caravan aircraft, which have a range of a little over 1,200 miles, with a top speed of 213 miles per hour. The company is also developing an AI-powered airline software operating system. It also has electric powertrain technology that is currently in the process of being certified. Surf Air Mobility’s shares have declined by 44% year-to-date. For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.<
In recent news, the popular Chinese TV host Li Xiang has been rumored to have purchased a car in advance for her daughter, Wang Shilin. It is said that Wang Shilin, at the age of 16, is getting ready to take her driving test in London. The mother-daughter duo has been spotted enjoying leisurely drives together, with a collection of luxury cars and a lavish mansion waiting in the wings for this momentous occasion.Unai Emery felt his Aston Villa side restored confidence by returning to winning ways with a 3-1 victory over Brentford in the Premier League. Morgan Rogers’ fourth goal of the season, an Ollie Watkins penalty and Matty Cash’s finish put Villa 3-0 up after 34 minutes. Mikkel Damsgaard pulled one back for Brentford in the second half but the damage had been done as Villa ended their eight-match winless run in all competitions. Emery was relieved to end the unwanted streak but quickly turned his attention to the next fixture against Southampton on Saturday. “We broke a spell of bad results we were having,” the Villa boss said. “We started the first five or 10 minutes not in control of the game but then progressively we controlled. “Today we achieved those three points and it has given us confidence again but even like that it’s not enough. We have to keep going and think about the next match against Southampton on Saturday. “The message was try to focus on each match, try to forget the table. How we can recover confidence and feel comfortable at home. Today was a fantastic match.” Tyrone Mings returned to the starting line-up in the Premier League for the first time since August 2023. Emery admitted it has been a long road back for the 31-year-old and is pleased to have him back. He added: “Mings played in the Champions league but it’s the first time in the league for a year and three months. “I think he played fantastic – he might be tired tomorrow but will be ready for Saturday again. “It was very, very long, the injury he had. His comeback is fantastic for him and everybody, for the doctor and physio and now he’s training everyday.” Brentford fell to a sixth away defeat from seven games and have picked up only a solitary point on the road this season. They have the best home record in the league, with 19 points from seven matches, but they have the joint worst away record. Bees boss Thomas Frank is confident form will improve on the road. He said: “On numbers we can’t argue we are better at home than away, but on numbers it’s a coincidence. I think two of the seven away games have been bad. “The other games we performed well in big spells. I’m confident at the end of the season we will have some wins away from home.” Frank felt Villa should not have been given a penalty when Ethan Pinnock brought Watkins down. He added: “I want to argue the penalty. I don’t think it is (one). I think Ollie kicked back and hit Ethan, yes there is an arm on the shoulder but threshold and all that – but that’s not the reason we lost.”
Recently, in Zhengzhou, a bustling city in central China, alarming news broke out about multiple people fainting in the female bath area of a popular bathhouse due to carbon monoxide poisoning. The incident, which occurred during the peak hours of the evening, has raised serious concerns about the safety of such establishments and the need for stricter regulations to prevent such incidents from happening again.Rosé, the nightingale of the massively popular Korean girl group Blackpink, has flown the nest and launched her first solo album “Rosie.” She’s the first of the awesome foursome to release a full-length solo record, and in English at that. Members Jisoo and Jennie have previously released singles, and Lisa is gearing up for her own studio album in 2025. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * Rosé, the nightingale of the massively popular Korean girl group Blackpink, has flown the nest and launched her first solo album “Rosie.” She’s the first of the awesome foursome to release a full-length solo record, and in English at that. Members Jisoo and Jennie have previously released singles, and Lisa is gearing up for her own studio album in 2025. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? Rosé, the nightingale of the massively popular Korean girl group Blackpink, has flown the nest and launched her first solo album “Rosie.” She’s the first of the awesome foursome to release a full-length solo record, and in English at that. Members Jisoo and Jennie have previously released singles, and Lisa is gearing up for her own studio album in 2025. Across “Rosie,” titled after Rosé’s nickname to communicate a kind of personal intimacy, the singer goes to great lengths to detach herself sonically from her band. Unlike Blackpink’s high energy electro-pop output, Rosé’s solo material is that of a coffee-house dweller with a sideline in romantic drama. But don’t expect finger-plucked acoustic guitar balladry exclusively — “Rosie” is reserved in some moments, full of life in others. The album starts off chipper, with the soaring piano ballad “Number One Girl,” the cool synth-pop track “Two Years,” the dynamic, catchy Bruno Mars collaboration “Apt.,” and the contemporary, Taylor Swift-indebted pop of “Toxic Till the End.” But it invariably slows down, preferring fairly stripped back production throughout. She’s got the voice and she’s flaunting it; it’s her prerogative to showcase her range at the expense of a more energetic beat. Across 12-tracks, the album studies heartache over lost loves (“It’s been two years and you’re still not gone/It doesn’t make sense that I can’t move on,” she sings on “Two Years”), missed chances (“Are we lovers or friends/’Cause it’s as good as it gets” in “Call it the End”) and ambivalence over situationships that probably should’ve been nipped in the bud but staggered along, strung by the power of lust and not much else. (That one is everywhere — particularly in the dubious boyfriends of “Toxic Till the End” and “Gameboy.”) Who can’t relate? The album is an emotional rollercoaster easy to empathize with, stuffed with songs that articulate the trials and tribulations of early adult years — the search for connection and getting dragged into romances that lead nowhere. But throughout, fans of both Blackpink and Rosé might miss the spirited songs of her group. After all — your 20s are for partying, too — not just heartbreak. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. ___ For more AP reviews of recent music releases, visit: https://apnews.com/hub/music-reviews Advertisement Advertisement
The year 2024 was remarkable for transportation innovations, with groundbreaking advancements redefining the possibilities in air, sea, and land travel. Among the standout stories, Boeing unveiled a colossal seaplane capable of carrying a staggering 50,000-pound cargo load, promising to revolutionize maritime logistics. Meanwhile, the Wind Runner, a flying system designed to transport wind turbine blades to remote areas, demonstrated the potential for sustainable infrastructure development. Embraer achieved a historic milestone in aviation by debuting the world’s first autonomous takeoff planes. At the same time, a hydrogen-powered air taxi set a new record with a 523-mile trip, showcasing the rise of eco-friendly air travel. Adding to the excitement, a US-developed supersonic jet reached an altitude of 25,040 feet, hinting at the resurgence of faster-than-sound passenger transport. On the ground, Porsche introduced a game-changing six-stroke engine designed to increase efficiency and reduce emissions. At the same time, Koenigsegg’s Jesko Absolut shattered automotive speed records, solidifying its place as the world’s fastest production car. Interesting Engineering has been tracking and presenting these advanced transportation stories year-round for you, our readers. Here are the top 7 news from the transportation section in 2024 that we think you must go through, just in case you missed them the first time or remember them as highlights as the year draws to a close: 1 – Boeing’s military seaplane boasts 50,000-pound cargo capacity, 213-foot wings Aurora Flight Sciences, owned by Boeing, released a new render video in September showcasing its advanced Liberty Lifter wing-in-ground-effect aircraft. The design is being developed for the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The idea shown in the video is to use the fly-ground effect to enhance efficiency and provide quick, heavy-lift transportation without the need for an airfield or shipping port. According to Aurora, the program “aims to design, build, float, and fly an affordable X-plane that demonstrates revolutionary heavy-airlift capability from the sea. ” 2 – World’s longest plane plans to fly football-field long wind turbine blades Colorado-based Radia is an energy startup, but not in the conventional sense. Instead of trying to generate renewable energy by building wind farms, the company wants to solve the major problem facing them these days—transporting massive turbine blades. Radia’s answer to the problem is the WindRunner, the world’s largest aircraft that could ship turbine blades at costs comparable to road transport. For the growing demand for renewable and clean energy, the wind energy industry has a simple answer—make bigger turbines that sweep larger areas with every rotation and deliver cleaner energy to many households. 3 – Embraer unveils historic world-1st auto takeoff system for passenger planes In a first in the aviation industry, Embraer introduced an automatic takeoff system on one of its commercial jets in July. The Embraer Enhanced Takeoff System (E2TS) system is designed to provide its E2 passenger aircraft with an optimal profile and automated takeoff. This allows for increased fuel capacity, which extends the range and boosts the onboard payload. The Brazilian manufacturer’s design claims to improve rotation and trajectory, reduce field length, and lessen pilot workload. Other than a software update, no aircraft modifications are required. 4 – Hydrogen-powered air taxi sets record 523-mile trip, emits just water steam In a push for cleaner forms of aviation technologies, a general aviation startup announced the successful non-stop flight of its hydrogen-electric air taxi demonstrator in July. California-based Joby Aviaiton’s S4 eVTOL air taxi traveled 523 miles (841 kilometers), producing only water as a by-product. Hydrogen technology is promoted as a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional gas-powered jets for mid-range regional travel. 5 – US supersonic jet soars to record 25,040 feet, fuels speedy travel dreams Boom Supersonic took significant steps toward bringing commercial supersonic travel back to the skies. The company’s XB-1 demonstrator aircraft recently completed its eighth flight, setting a new altitude record and matching its top speed. This milestone is part of Boom’s ongoing effort to reintroduce supersonic flights, a concept that faded after the Concorde’s final flight in 2003 due to high costs and noise concerns. The XB-1’s eighth flight took place on November 16. During this flight, the aircraft reached an impressive altitude of 25,040 feet (7,632 meters), its highest yet. The flight lasted 54 minutes, during which the aircraft reached a top speed of Mach 0.82, tying its previous speed record. 6 – Porsche’s 6-stroke engine innovation could rewrite automotive engineering Porsche may be signaling a shift in automotive engineering with recent patent filings for a six-stroke engine, hinting at the potential move from traditional four-stroke engines. The development could mark a major evolution in combustion engine technology, reviving innovation not seen since the days of the two-stroke cycle. In this regard, the German automotive company filed a patent with the US Patent and Trademark Office in September, detailing its plan to develop a six-stroke engine design. According to the documents, Porsche intends to experiment with adding more compression and power stroke rather than depending solely on the conventional combination of intake, compression, power, and exhaust. 7 – World’s fastest car breaks speed record at 250 mph in 19.2 secs Koenigsegg shattered multiple speed records with its latest supercar, the Jesko Absolut. The Swedish manufacturer announced in July that the Jesko Absolut achieved a remarkable feat, accelerating from zero to 250 mph and back to zero in an unprecedented 28.27 seconds, 1.33 seconds quicker than the Regera’s record. The car also went from zero to 400 km/h and back to zero in a record-breaking 27.83 seconds. The time beats the old record set in 2023, held by the Koenigsegg Regera, by 0.98 seconds. This achievement surpasses the previous record set by the Koenigsegg Regera in 2023, making it the fastest production car in this category. These were the top seven transportation stories of 2024 from Interesting Engineering that reveal the advancements taking place around the globe. With technology knowing no bounds, there will be lots of breakthroughs, firsts, and bigger and better machines in the future. Keep up with Interesting Engineering for our daily coverage and the top seven stories of 2024 across energy, EV, science, and other key fields.
In recent financial news, a significant move by the government has sparked discussions and debates within the banking and investment sectors. The decision to extend loan terms and increase the maximum financing ratio for stock repurchase loans has been met with a mix of optimism and caution. This policy change, aimed at providing more flexibility and support to businesses and investors, has the potential to reshape the landscape of corporate finance.Commercial banks are increasingly focusing on strengthening their personal pension business marketing to cater to the growing demand for retirement planning solutions. As people are living longer and saving less, the importance of preparing for retirement is becoming more apparent. In response to this trend, commercial banks are ramping up their efforts to offer personalized and comprehensive pension products and services to meet the diverse needs of their customers.French President Emmanuel Macron named a new government Monday evening, putting together a team under Francois Bayrou, his fourth prime minister of the year, to drag the second-largest EU economy out of political crisis. Macron named former prime minister Elisabeth Borne, 63, education minister in a new cabinet under centrist Bayrou, announced Elysee secretary-general Alexis Kohler. Another former premier, Manuel Valls, 62, returned as overseas territories minister, while former interior minister Gerald Darmanin became justice minister. Both Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu and Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot kept their jobs, the presidency said. Lecornu, a 38-year-old loyalist with a keen political nose, has served in every government since Macron's first election as president in 2017. Conservative Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, who has vowed to crack down on illegal immigration, and right-wing Culture Minister Rachida Dati, also stayed in their posts. The difficult job of delivering a budget plan for next year falls to Eric Lombard, head of public-sector lender Caisse des Depots (CDC), who was named economy minister. "I'm very proud of the team we're presenting this evening," Bayrou said on X, adding his "experienced" cabinet would aim to "rebuild trust". The inclusion of two former prime ministers indicates Macron's desire for a heavyweight government that will enjoy stability and not share the fate of Bayrou's predecessor, Michel Barnier, ousted in a no-confidence vote. Bayrou had hoped to bring in figures from the left, right and centre to protect his government from possible censure, but his 35-member team does not include any members of the left-wing coalition New Popular Front. Macron will assemble Bayrou's team on January 3 for a first Council of Ministers meeting, the presidency said. Barnier was brought down over his failure to win support for an austerity budget to shore up France's shaky finances with spending cuts and tax rises. The priority for 73-year-old Bayrou is to make sure his government can survive a no-confidence vote and that it passes a cost-cutting budget for 2025. The unexpected comeback of Valls, premier from 2014 to 2016, as the head of the overseas territories ministry indicates the importance of the post after authorities were strongly criticised for their response to the deadly cyclone on the Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte, which killed at least 35 people. Darmanin had long been known to covet the post of foreign minister, but after days of intense discussions will have to content himself with the justice ministry. Just before the official announcement, heavyweight right-wing politician Xavier Bertrand, who had been tipped for the health ministry, announced he would not be part of the government. He alleged that it had been formed with the implicit "backing" of far-right leader Marine Le Pen, who will play a key role in ensuring its survival. "The prime minister informed me this morning, contrary to what he had proposed yesterday, that he was no longer in a position to entrust me with responsibility for the justice ministry due to opposition from (Le Pen's) National Rally," Bertrand said in a statement. "Despite his new proposals, I refuse to take part in a government of France formed with the backing of Marine Le Pen." Bertrand is a major irritant for the far right, which he has long opposed. Le Pen on March 31, 2025 faces the verdict in an embezzlement trial on charges she denies. If convicted, she could lose the chance of standing in the 2027 elections and with it her best chance yet of winning the presidency. The announcement came as France observed a day of mourning for victims in cyclone-hit Mayotte, France's poorest overseas territory. Bayrou, the head of the centrist MoDem group, which is allied to Macron's party, was appointed on December 13. He is the sixth prime minister of Macron's mandate. Many already predict Bayrou will struggle to survive. France has been mired in deadlock since Macron gambled on snap elections this summer in the hopes of bolstering his authority. The move backfired, with voters electing a parliament fractured between three rival blocs. Le Pen suggested Macron has been weakened by months of political crisis and would eventually have to resign. "I am preparing for an early presidential election," she told French newspaper Le Parisien last week. bur-as/jhb
Biden pledges £472m for rail project to improve access to Africa’s mineralsSeven out of 10 adults said Luigi Mangione was not solely responsible for Brian Thompson's murder. A new poll conducted among Americans has revealed that roughly 7 in 10 adults believe that Luigi Mangione is not to be blamed for the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson -- health insurance profits and coverage denials are. The NORC poll was conducted between December 12 and 16 among a total of 1,001 adults. The poll's margin of error is plus or minus 4.2 percentage points. About 8 in 10 adults said Magione has a "great deal" or a "moderate amount" of responsibility for the December 4 shooting of Brian Thompson. About 7 in 10 adults said that denials for health care coverage by insurance companies or the profits made by health insurance companies also bear at least a "moderate" amount of responsibility. About 7 in 10 said they heard and read "a lot" or "some" about Thompson's death. About 3 in 10 Americans said they have had a problem getting coverage from their health insurer in the last year. Luigi Mangione has been accused of murdering 50-year-old Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare. On December 4, Mangione allegedly fired at Thompson in front of a hotel in New York. Mangione then fled NYC and was only arrested after five days in Pennsylvania. He was transferred from Pennsylvania to New York where he awaits his trial. Luigi Mangione has been lionized on social media and many prominent voices endorsed his murder projecting it as justice to those who died after being denied their insurance claims. A lot of funds for him have been pouring in while Luigi Mangione's merchandise has taken off. An earlier poll conducted by Emerson College revealed similar sentiments as 41 per cent said Luigi Mangione's alleged murder was acceptable. 24 per cent of US voters aged 19-29 said Mangione killing Thompson was somewhat acceptable, and 17 per cent said it was completely acceptable. Luigi Mangione had a serious spinal problem enough to have made him angry over the insurance industry but he was never a customer of UnitedHealthcare. He allegedly took up arms against Thompson as a vigilante.2. "The Legend of the White Snake" - This fantasy epic brings to life the classic Chinese folklore tale of the White Snake, a mystical creature who falls in love with a human. With breathtaking visual effects and a star-studded cast, including big names in the industry, this film is expected to captivate audiences with its magical storytelling and spectacular production values.
Biden pledges £472m for rail project to improve access to Africa’s mineralsWhatever the outcome, one thing is certain: the retrial of Yu Hua Ying is set to be a historic moment in the annals of the country's legal system. For Yang Niu Hua, it is yet another chapter in a saga that has consumed her life for the past three years, a reminder of the enduring power of the pursuit of justice and the weight of the law.
Air Canada plans to bar carry-on bags and impose a seat selection fee for its lowest-fare customers in the new year, as discount carrier tactics increasingly enter the mainstream. Starting Jan. 3, basic fare passengers on trips within North America and to sun destinations will have to check duffel bags, rolling suitcases and large backpacks for a fee — $35 for the first, $50 for the second. A small personal item such as a purse or laptop bag will be allowed on board for free, as will strollers, mobility aids and medical devices. The country’s largest airline also said that as of Jan. 21, lower-tier customers will have to pay if they want to change the seat assigned to them at check-in — a policy it had suspended just two days after implementation earlier this year amid backlash from travellers. The moves mark a shift toward a budget airline-style offering from Canada’s flag carrier, which along with rivals has relied increasingly on ancillary fees for formerly bundled services that range from checked bags to on-board snacks and Wi-Fi access. Air Canada says the changes align its fare structure with similar ticket options from other Canadian carriers and “better distinguish its fare brands.” In June, WestJet rolled out its “UltraBasic” fare. The ticket tier allows no more than a personal item on board — stored under the seat — and charges a fee for seat selection, including after check-in, whether online or in-person. Discount carrier Flair Airlines always charges for a carry-on, which costs between $29 and $74 depending on its size. No-frills fares carry growing appeal for big airlines seeking to capture cost-conscious travellers as budgets tighten after inflation and interest rate hikes. “They’re competing with these low-cost carriers on various routes,” said Richard Vanderlubbe, founder of Hamilton, Ont.-based travel agency Tripcentral.ca. “This is what wins in the price-sensitive area of the market.” Criticism of bare-bones ticket offerings is “easy,” Vanderlubbe said, but the fare tiers — up to seven at Air Canada — give travellers choice. U.S. carriers such as United Airlines, Delta Air Lines and American Airlines have similar categories, though American and Delta still allow basic economy travellers to bring a bag onto the plane at no cost. “It’s a market solution to kind of an ugly problem,” Vanderlubbe said. “If you’re paying the lowest of the low, then who should get the middle seat at the back?” He added that customers need to be aware that what they see as the lowest fare on a price comparison search may not wind up being the cheapest option once the fees are tallied. “It’s not transparent until you’ve gotten a certain depth into the booking: ‘Oh, here’s the seat selection fee. Oh, here’s the baggage fee. Oh, here’s the carry-on fee.’ And watch out if you don’t check in online, there’s a massive penalty if you don’t,” Vanderlubbe said. “It’s kind of drip, drip, drip, drip. And it works,” he said, calling the trend “troublesome.” Transport Minister Anita Anand agreed. “I was just made aware of a decision by Air Canada to introduce new carry-on baggage fees. I am extremely concerned. Canadians work hard and save up to travel. They rightly expect excellent service, not extra fees,” she said Wednesday in a social media post on X, formerly known as Twitter. Some competitors sought to seize on Air Canada’s announcement to highlight their own offerings. “Now the choice should be clear,” Flair said in a post on X. “The products are the same, one just costs way less.” That’s not always true. Some Toronto-Vancouver tickets in March start at $129 for Flair and $135 for Air Canada and WestJet. Other routes see a bigger difference, with Calgary-Toronto priced at $139 for Flair, $209 for Air Canada, $175 for WestJet and $198 for Porter. Air Canada noted that basic fare passengers who arrive at the boarding gate with ineligible bags will be charged $65 per item to check them. It also announced that customers on its “comfort economy” fare — the middle of the seven tiers — can check two bags for free starting Jan. 3, rather than one. Air Canada took in nearly US$2 billion in so-called ancillary revenue in 2022, up by nearly 50 per cent from five years earlier, according to airline consulting firm IdeaWorksCompany. The category’s share of total revenue for the company grew to more than 15 per cent from below 11 per cent in the same five-year period.By AAMER MADHANI, Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — A top White House official on Wednesday said at least eight U.S. telecom firms and dozens of nations have been impacted by a Chinese hacking campaign. Deputy national security adviser Anne Neuberger offered new details about the breadth of the sprawling Chinese hacking campaign that gave officials in Beijing access to private texts and phone conversations of an unknown number of Americans. Neuberger divulged the scope of the hack a day after the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency issued guidance intended to help root out the hackers and prevent similar cyberespionage in the future. White House officials cautioned that a number of telecommunication firms and countries impacted could still grow. The U.S. believes that the hackers were able to gain access to communications of senior U.S. government officials and prominent political figures through the hack, Neuberger said. “We don’t believe any classified communications has been compromised,” Neuberger added during a call with reporters. She added that Biden has been briefed on the findings and that the White House “has made it a priority for the federal government to do everything it can to get to the bottom this.” The Chinese embassy in Washington on Tuesday rejected the accusations that it was responsible for the hack after the U.S. federal authorities issued new guidance. “The U.S. needs to stop its own cyberattacks against other countries and refrain from using cyber security to smear and slander China,” embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu said. The embassy did not immediately respond to messages on Wednesday. Associated Press writer David Klepper contributed reporting.
USC women move to No. 4 in AP poll as top three unchanged
