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Magma Power is Inevitable. It's not a question of if magma power will power the Earth – but when. NEW YORK , Dec. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Magma Power LLC, a global developer and licensor of Magma PowerTM technology, proudly announces that is has been granted its 14 th U.S. Patent on its revolutionary magma power technology. "We are in preliminary discussions to use Magma PowerTM technology to build the world's largest AI data center powered entirely by renewable energy," says Richard McDonald , Chief Strategy Officer of Magma Power, LLC. Magma Power, LLC says the AI data center, to be developed by Magma Power's global consortium partners, would consume 10 gigawatts of power directly sourced from magma reservoirs. The total investment is expected to be over $20 billion . "The power demand from AI is insatiable and Magma PowerTM is the answer for renewable, baseload, and virtually unlimited power," McDonald says. Goldman Sachs estimates that by 2030 data center power demand will be over 1,000 terra-watt hours (TWh). This equates to over 80 gigawatts of installed power. "Our magma-powered AI data center could meet over 10 percent of the global AI power demand by 2030," McDonald says, "all without emitting a single molecule of carbon or burning a single ounce of fossil fuels." "Wind, solar, and nuclear all have significant drawbacks when it comes to providing the low-cost baseload renewable power that Magma PowerTM provides," says McDonald. "Wind and solar do not provide the baseload power that is required to run a data center. And Magma power has none of the long-term environmental impacts of nuclear power," McDonald says. Magma Power, LLC's 14 th U.S. patent covers a proprietary system designed to safely and efficiently extract geothermal energy from magma reservoirs. This cutting-edge technology represents a significant leap forward in sustainable energy solutions, enabling the formation and maintenance of underground magma chambers for scalable energy production. With this patented system, Magma Power is uniquely positioned as the only company to redefine geothermal energy by unlocking the vast potential of magma reservoirs, making renewable energy more accessible and cost-effective worldwide. Magma Power's patented technology can be applied across a range of industries, offering transformative renewable energy solutions for: Baseload Grid Power: Power grids worldwide are increasingly struggling with the intermittent nature of wind and solar. Magma Power solves this problem with virtually unlimited basedload renewable power. AI Data Centers : As AI computing power demands soar, Magma Power's low-cost, constant energy supply is the ideal solution for powering data centers 24/7. Bitcoin Mining : Energy-intensive bitcoin mining operations will benefit from reliable, low-cost power, enabling sustainable and profitable mining at scale. Green Fuels : Magma Power enables the production of green hydrogen , ammonia , and kerosene , providing a carbon-neutral alternative for transportation and industrial sectors. Energy-Intensive Manufacturing including renewable energy solutions for steel, aluminum, chemical, and cement manufacturing. Patent Claims: A Comprehensive Solution Magma Power's 14 th U.S. patent includes 20 claims that form the foundation of Magma Power's proprietary technology: Statements from Magma Power Leadership Levi Conner , CEO of Magma Power, remarked: "This patent solidifies Magma Power's position as a global leader in renewable energy innovation. Our system represents a transformative leap in geothermal energy, unlocking the potential of magma reservoirs to provide clean, sustainable, and affordable power worldwide". KC Conner , the inventor behind this groundbreaking technology, shared: "This technology reflects years of dedicated research and engineering. By forming hardened magma chambers, we've created a reliable and scalable solution for renewable energy production. It's an honor to see this innovation take a step toward global implementation." Richard McDonald , Chief Strategy Officer, added: "With this patent, Magma Power is uniquely positioned to address the global demand for sustainable energy. This technology enables us to pursue projects worldwide, delivering cutting-edge solutions to regions seeking reliable and cost-effective renewable power." Impact and Global Vision Magma Power's patented system is designed to produce baseload power, offering stable and reliable energy at costs up to 50% lower than market rates. Its adaptability supports applications such as powering AI data centers and other energy-intensive facilities. The company is actively pursuing projects worldwide, leveraging its patented technology to make renewable energy more accessible and sustainable. About Magma Power LLC: Magma Power LLC, (visit MagmaPower.com) with headquarters in Tampa, Florida , with additional offices in New York City and Houston , is a pioneering energy technology company dedicated to developing cutting-edge solutions for harnessing renewable energy. Magma Power, LLC has secured fourteen worldwide patents covering all aspects of the production of green energy, energy-intensive manufacturing, green fuels, and other products using Magma PowerTM. Magma Power LLC has also filed an additional forty-six global patents covering all aspects of magma power production, with over 1,000 patent claims pending related to this revolutionary new green energy source. Magma power is a virtually unlimited source of green, renewable, baseload energy that U.S. government researchers in the 1970s, including those at Sandia National Laboratories, concluded could meet the Earth's energy needs for the next several thousand years. The work of Magma Power LLC has taken the initial insights from the Sandia Labs test and developed them into robust, patent-protected technology ready for commercial deployment. Given the inability of wind and solar to provide stable baseload renewable power, there is no long-term alternative to magma power for renewable energy. Magma Power is Inevitable. It's not a question of if magma power will power the Earth – but when. Energy is civilization, and the next several thousand years of civilization will be driven by Magma PowerTM. For media inquiries, please contact: Richard McDonald Chief Strategy Officer [email protected] SOURCE Magma Power

Middle East latest: Israeli strikes kill a hospital director in Lebanon and wound 6 medics in GazaZAGREB, Croatia Croatia's incumbent President Zoran Milanovic, supported by the Social Democratic Party (SDP), fell just short of winning in the first round of presidential elections Sunday despite leading his closest rival by around 30 percentage points. According to unofficial results announced by the State Electoral Commission (DIP), 99.67% of the votes have been counted. Although exit polls initially showed Milanovic with more than 50% of the vote, the yet-to-be-finalized results indicate he secured 49.1%. His opponent in the second round will be Dragan Primorac, the candidate of the ruling center-right Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) and former education minister, who received 19.4% of the vote. While the SDP experienced both joy and disappointment, HDZ representatives acknowledged that they did not expect such a significant gap but emphasized that the second round represents a fresh start. If the results are confirmed, Milanovic and Primorac will face off in a run-off on Jan. 12. *Writing by Merve Berker

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ISLAMABAD – Government members and senior PML-N leaders have conditionally agreed to hold talks with PTI, demanding the withdrawal of the civil disobedience call. Adviser to the Prime Minister and senior PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah stated that when the government extended a dialogue offer, PTI responded by questioning the government’s worth. He emphasized that resolving issues requires sitting at the table for discussions. Speaking on a private TV channel, Rana Sanaullah clarified that political parties always maintain contact, but such contact cannot be labeled as formal negotiations. He added that negotiations did not occur while they had been in touch with PTI during their Islamabad visit. Rana Sanaullah recalled that the Prime Minister had offered talks to PTI on the House floor a month and a half ago, inviting them to resolve issues through dialogue. He mentioned hearing that PTI now seeks discussions with the government after initially engaging with the establishment. Senate Parliamentary Leader Irfan Siddiqui insisted that talks cannot proceed while the civil disobedience movement looms over them, urging PTI to abandon old strategies. He added that PTI must restore trust if it wishes to engage in talks. PTI Senator Ali Zafar remarked that dialogue channels should remain open, and mutual trust could help advance negotiations, calling on the government to foster this environment. However, Senator Talal Chaudhry opposed the negotiations, terming them a “ploy” aimed at protecting former spymaster Faiz Hameed. PTI leader Shaukat Yousafzai reiterated his warning, urging the government to act wisely and initiate talks. He cautioned that failure to do so would lead to the launch of the civil disobedience movement starting December 14.What Are The Key Advantages Of Hydraulic Tensioners 12-12-2024 08:10 PM CET | Industry, Real Estate & Construction Press release from: ABNewswire The global hydraulic tools market was valued at USD 1.79 billion in 2021, expected to reach USD 2.89 billion by 2030 which is growing at a CAGR of 5.50% from 2022 to 2030. The Asia Pacific is expected to grow the fastest during the forecast period Market Introduction: Hydraulic tools are high-powered tools that utilize pressurized fluid to drive hydraulic machinery. The fluid pushes via hydraulic tubes and into the tool's actuator, where the pressure accumulated in the fluid is moved to the machine's moving parts. Then the fluid is channeled back via a pumping mechanism to be re-pressurized. Hydraulic tools are robust, movable, and flexible enough for various uses. Numerous hydraulic tools can be connected to a hydraulic power unit or attached to the hydraulic system of a larger part of the equipment. Hydraulic tools are a generic term that contains low to high-pressure equipment and tooling. Tools are not only limited to drills, cylinders, crimpers, jacks, spreaders, cutters, splitters, breakers, drivers, torque wrenches, punches, and saws. Hydraulic tools and systems are operated in small and large industries, including constructing new facilities, production, and infrastructure such as bridges. The aerospace industry utilizes hydraulic equipment for power generation, robotics, and construction. However, it is an efficient and cost-effective way to form repetitive action for which hydraulic system-based equipment is well suited. The function of a hydraulic system may be different depending on its application. Regardless, all hydraulic systems work via similar basic rules that involve using a fluid pumped into a pressure chamber. The force on a plate area in the chamber drives a piston designed to execute a specific task. Hydraulic systems transfer power by using fluid pressure within a sealed system. The brakes on wheelchair, lifts, cars, trucks, hydraulic jacks, and wing flaps on aircraft generally use hydraulic systems. Multiple manufacturers use hydraulic systems due to their benefits over mechanical and electrical systems, such as offering high power in a small space. In contrast, the fluid leakage from the system can create a problem and a hindrance, after which the system doesn't work. Hydraulic tools are hand-used machines with hydraulic drives operated for different technological functions, like pressing parts in and out and tightening threaded joints. It utilizes a pressurized fluid, commonly hydraulic oil, as the basis of power to perform a work, which gives several advantages over alternative power solutions. Recent Development In March 2020: Parker Hannifin's Hydraulic Pump and Power Systems (HPS) Division announced a new online configuration tool for its Gold Cup Pump and Motor Series, with support for a future product series anticipated. With a handy embedded tool view that includes model-based dimensioning and an extended product summary in one location, the new configurator tool will speed a user's online configuration. In May 2022: Komatsu India, Scania India, and Larsen & Toubro presented four latest environmentally friendly B20-biodiesel-ready hydraulic excavators. The Komatsu PC205-10MO, PC500LC-10R, PC210LC-10MO Super Long Front, and GD535-6 Motor Grader were exhibited at Excon 2022. Scania, L&T, and Komatsu concentrate on introducing sustainable technologies. The four machines are created to run B20 biodiesel. The excavators produce the same power and productivity when they consume alternate energy and lower GGE (greenhouse gas emissions). The model has mainly been formed to fit into the Indian applications and requirements. Image: https://ecdn6.globalso.com/upload/p/1240/image_other/2024-04/6613aea43e2e829919.jpg Market Dynamics: Drivers: Improve Efficiency- Hydraulics is essential for moving considerable amounts of weight. When liquids are compressed, it has the potential to form a force ten times greater than the amount of pressure that was initially applied, which shows the possibility of moving hefty weight with less power used. Water is compressed within a machine under forces which is less important than the rate at which it comes out. The rules permit the hydraulics to move large amounts of weight quickly, which helps in improving efficiency. Easy To Control- Hydraulics allow users to control whatever weight is transferred from a remote or control panel. An operator starts, stops, raises, lowers, accelerates, or decelerates a button with a single push. Elevators are an excellent illustration of the simplicity of hydraulics. With just a push of a button, a hydraulic system can take people down or up on many floors of a hotel, office building, or residential society. When operating heavy machinery, individuals enjoy the simplistic qualities of hydraulics to place their equipment in specific locations for work. Restraints: Leakage Problem- If hydraulic systems don't have hydraulic fluids, they will not function, which creates a problem when a leakage happens. The leak should be repaired so that the hydraulic fluids can continue to produce flow; else, the hydraulic system will begin to slow down. Regardless, places that have leakage will have increased temperatures. However, this phenomenon can be advantageous since these temperatures can help the operators of the hydraulic systems to find the leak and prevent the leaks by using proper plumbing techniques and the appropriate materials and by performing routine preventative maintenance. Opportunities: New advanced technologies- The hydraulic industry is pushing forward to make user interface applications. Parker has already developed a UX Toolkit software tool that streamlines all machine applications. The application contained core machine functions, diagnostics or prediction applications that reduce downtime, smart control systems, and GPS monitoring & navigation applications. By operating Parker's pro display human-machine interface module, the preferred features can be concentrated into a single display and a uniform user interface. Segmentation analysis: Regional segmentation analysis:The regions analyzed for the market include North America, Europe, South America, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa. North America emerged as the largest market for the global hydraulic tools market, with a 34.8% share of the market revenue in 2021.In North America, 80% of mining is considered surface mining, in which the overlying mineral layer, and the overburden, are destroyed. Then the mineral is extracted with the use of shafts or tunnels. The two-part process in surface mining includes the power of hydraulics. Hydraulics make mineral extraction achievable safely and efficiently. To clear the overburden and to support access to the minerals. North America Region Hydraulic Tools Market Share in 2021 - 34.8% Image: https://ecdn6.globalso.com/upload/p/1240/image_other/2024-04/6613b01e218ea94739.jpg Type segment analysis The type segment is divided into hydraulic rescue tool, tension and torque tools, hydraulic cylinder and jack, and others. The hydraulic cylinder and jack segment dominated the market, with a market share of around 25% in 2021. Hydraulic cylinders and hydraulic jacks can be designed to any level of sophistication, right from easy to hard design. Distribution Channels segment analysis The distribution channels segment is divided into online and offline. The offline segment dominated the market, with a market share of around 56% in 2021. COVID-19 has impacted the online global hydraulic tools market sales and is anticipated to hinder the global hydraulic tools market development. End user segment analysis The end user segment is divided into railway, gas, and petrochemical, industrial manufacturing, electric utility, oil, and others. The industrial manufacturing segment dominated the market, with a market share of around 17.2% in 2021. Hydraulic tools can form much greater force than pneumatic tools of a similar size due to fluids being incompressible, permitting hydraulic systems to run at much more increased pressure levels. Hydraulic tools are usually used in heavy-duty and construction industries. Media Contact Company Name: Yantai Winner Hydraulics Technology Co., Ltd Email:Send Email [ https://www.abnewswire.com/email_contact_us.php?pr=what-are-the-key-advantages-of-hydraulic-tensioners ] Country: China Website: https://www.wnhydraulics.com/ This release was published on openPR.

The white-bearded Christian saint whose acts of generosity inspired America’s secular Santa Claus figure is known worldwide — but Saint Nicholas’ origin story is not. The legends surrounding jolly old St. Nicholas — celebrated annually on Dec. 6 — go way beyond delivering candy and toys to children. St. Nicholas was a fourth century Christian bishop from the Mediterranean port city of Myra (in modern-day Turkey). “Much of the rest is legend. There’s not really a lot of hard historical evidence about St. Nicholas,” said the Rev. Nicholas Ayo, author of “Saint Nicholas in America: Christmas Holy Day and Holiday.” But whether the stories are true is not so much the point, said Ayo, an 89-year-old retired Notre Dame University professor named after St. Nicholas. “There’s no Santa Claus that lands on the roof, but there’s a desire in people’s heart for an unconditional love that doesn’t depend on your behavior, but the fact that you’re somebody’s child.” Devotion to St. Nicholas — also referred to as St. Nick — spread during the Middle Ages across Europe and he became a favorite subject for medieval artists and liturgical plays, according to the Encyclopedia Britannica. He is the patron saint of Greece and Russia, Moscow and New York, as well as charities, children and pawnbrokers. He also is the patron saint of sailors. In 1807, Italian sailors took the remains of St. Nicholas from Myra to the seaport of Bari, on the southeast coast of the boot of Italy. They built a church in his honor; relics believed to be his are kept in Bari’s 11th century basilica of San Nicola. St. Nicholas Day is celebrated every year on Dec. 6, typically by filling the stockings and shoes children leave out overnight with sweets and toys. It also is a fitting date for the patron saint of sailors. “The December feast day of Saint Nicholas coincides with the beginning of the winter storm season on the Mediterranean,” Ayo wrote. Legends surrounding St. Nicholas’ generosity appear in texts ranging from medieval manuscripts to modern-day poems, including how he interceded on behalf of wrongly condemned prisoners and miraculously saved sailors from storms. One of the most famous legends, Ayo said, features the aging father of three young women who didn’t have means to pay for their dowry. St. Nicholas is said to have thrown gold pieces into the man’s window. “It is the quintessential Nicholas,” Ayo wrote. “It requires no miracle, no credulity from the hearer, and no superstition at any level. What is needed is only a generous heart ready to give of his wealth in a self-effacing way that others may come to know a deep love in their life.” k inspired Santa Devotion to St. Nicholas seems to have faded after the 16th century Protestant Reformation, except in the Netherlands where his legend remained as Sinterklaas. In the 17th century, Dutch Protestants who settled in New York brought the Sinterklaas tradition with them. “The Dutch had St. Nicholas on the bow of the first ship that went into New York harbor,” Ayo said. Eventually, St. Nicholas morphed into the secular Santa Claus. Artist Thomas Nast, an engraver in Morristown, New Jersey, who illustrated the front cover of Harper’s magazine for many years, played a key role in the transformation, Ayo said. “He followed the description of Santa Claus or Saint Nicholas — and Clement Clarke Moore’s ‘Twas the Night before Christmas’ poem,” Ayo said. “So, that’s how that got changed. But in Europe, the bishop shows up in bishop’s clothing at the door sometimes.” Get local news delivered to your inbox!NoneBEIJING, Dec. 27 (Xinhua) -- China created a total of 11.98 million new urban jobs in the first 11 months of the year, official data showed on Friday. Since the beginning of this year, the employment situation has been generally stable among young people, including college graduates, while the scale of rural migrant workers continued to grow, according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security. This year, the ministry continued to implement policies such as reducing insurance charges of unemployment or work-related injury, which are levied on enterprises, and strengthening support for business entities in areas including the private sector and micro, small and medium enterprises. During the January-September period, a total of 80.2 billion yuan (11.2 billion U.S. dollars) was issued in employment subsidies to enterprises nationwide to encourage employment, the data showed on Friday.Mumbai, December 30 : The Indian stock market opened lower on Monday as selling was seen in the auto, IT, PSU bank, financial service, FMCG, media, energy and metal sectors on Nifty in early trade. At around 9:30 am, Sensex was trading at 78,523.25 after declining 175.82 points or 0.22 per cent, while the Nifty was trading at 23,758.20 after declining 55.20 points or 0.23 per cent. The market trend remained negative. On the National Stock Exchange (NSE), 815 stocks were trading in green, while 1,454 stocks were in red. According to experts, "as investors leave 2024 behind and look forward to the New Year, there will be more concerns than confidence, at least in the early days of 2025." "The biggest concern for stock markets, globally, is uncertainty surrounding Trump 2.0. The concern is that since market valuations are high any negative news might cause corrections," they added. Stocks To Buy or Sell Today, December 30: HDFC Bank, Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra Among Shares That May Remain in Focus on Thursday, Know Which Stocks to Buy or Sell on December 30. Nifty Bank was down 74.80 points or 0.15 per cent at 51,236.50. Nifty Midcap 100 index was trading at 56,796.90 after dropping 182.90 points or 0.32 per cent. Nifty Smallcap 100 index was at 18,673.75 after dropping 82.10 points or 0.44 per cent. On the sectoral front, buying was seen in the Pharma and Healthcare sector. In the Sensex pack, Tata Steel, M&M, HCL Tech, Tech Mahindra, Maruti Suzuki, Bajaj Finserv, Titan, Kotak Mahindra Bank and Reliance were the top losers. Adani Ports, Bharti Airtel, ITC, Zomato, Nestle India, ICICI Bank, NTPC and UltraTech Cement were the top gainers. The Dow Jones declined 0.77 per cent to close at 42,992.21. The S&P 500 declined 1.11 per cent to 5,970.84 and the Nasdaq declined 1.49 per cent to close at 19,722.03 in the previous trading session on Friday. JSW Energy Share Price Today, December 30: JSW Energy Stock Opens in Green in Early Trade, Surges 5.50%. In the Asian markets, Bangkok and Seoul were trading in green while China, Japan, Jakarta and Hong Kong were trading in red. Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) sold equities worth Rs 1,323.29 crore on December 27, while domestic institutional investors bought equities worth Rs 2,544.64 crore on the same day. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 30, 2024 11:02 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com ).

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** IRAN DAILY -- Pezeshkian calls for private sector involvement to promote blue economy Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, speaking at a session on the development of the blue economy on Sunday, emphasized the critical importance of maritime industries, particularly shipbuilding. He noted that the current administration is highly focused on addressing challenges, opportunities and potentials in the sector, according to president.ir. The president urged the formulation of a clear, up-to-date strategy tailored to current conditions and stressed that an effective plan requires a comprehensive understanding of the current state of maritime industries, with detailed development goals and achievements outlined for the next five years. -- ASEAN bent on meaningful engagement with Iran, all partners: Envoy Malaysia’s ambassador to Iran highlighted the unwavering commitment of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to constructive engagement with all partners, including Iran. The conference explored opportunities for engagement between Iran and the ASEAN, a 10-member organization established in 1967 by Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia, later joined by Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and Brunei. -- Minister: Tariffs on 78% of Iran-Eurasian trade reduced to zero The Iranian Minister of Industry, Mine, and Trade announced significant developments in Iran’s free trade with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), highlighting that 87% of goods traded between Iran and EAEU members currently benefit from zero tariffs. Speaking on Sunday, Seyed Mohammad Atabak discussed the outcomes of his recent trip to Russia and participation in the EAEU summit in St. Petersburg. ** KAYHAN INTERNATIONAL -- Iraq, Iran to jointly hold conference on Arba’een The 4th international conference of “Husseini Insight and Mission” will be held in April under the title of “Arba’een Theology”. The Arba’een Cultural and Educational Committee of, Qom University, and the Union of Iraqi Academics, in collaboration with universities and scientific institutions from Iran and Iraq will organize the conference on April 19, 2025. Five main themes have been announced for submitting papers to this conference, which include “Arba’een and theological jurisprudence, ethics, and education,” ‘philosophy of theology and mysticism”, “culture, art, and literature”, “Arba’een and theological perspectives on law and economics”, and “media, technology, and innovation”. -- Leopard, cub sighted in Rudsar A leopard and its cub have been sighted in the Ashkourat Rudsar no-hunting area, in northern Iran, the director general of Environmental Protection Unit for Gilan Province announced. Hamzeh Ashouri said the discovery was made possible through the relentless efforts of the Rudsar Environmental Protection Unit rangers, local community support, and the security agents in the region. -- Iran among countries to develop rapid gas detection kits for oil, mining industries Iranian scientists have developed the technical know-how to produce rapid gas detection kits, making Iran the third country to achieve this feat. The kits, known for their low cost and high quality, are now being exported due to their efficiency in quickly detecting gases in the oil, gas, and mining industries. ** TEHRAN TIMES -- 12 Iranian films to be shown at Dhaka International Film Festival Twelve films from Iran will participate in the 23rd Dhaka International Film Festival (DIFF), due to be held in Dhaka, Bangladesh, from January 11 to 19, 2025. The Iranian films have been selected to be shown in different sections of the festival, which is organized by the Rainbow Film Society. In the Asian Film Competition section, three films from Iran will compete for the top awards. They include “Summer Time” directed by Mahmoud Kalari, “Projectionist” by Ghorbanali Taherifar, and “Melody” by Behrouz Sebt Rasoul. The latter is a joint production of Iran and Tajikistan. -- ‘Detailed strategy, private sector’s contribution required in maritime-oriented economy’ President Masoud Pezeshkian said that a detailed strategy and private sector’s contribution is necessary for transformation in the maritime-oriented economy. Making the remarks in the Sunday’s session on the development of maritime-oriented economy, the president, while emphasizing the development of a detailed strategy in this field, addressed the necessity of the presence of the private sector in the industries related to the sea and stated: “For the presence of the private sector, it is necessary to prepare and compile the economic frameworks and commercial annexes of the development plans of the sea economy.” -- Rare Safavid carpets put on show at Tehran museum The Iran Carpet Museum hosted a ceremony unveiling two exquisite Safavid-era carpets, drawing the attention of over 150 scholars, artists, and carpet enthusiasts. Held in the Pazyryk Hall of the museum, the event featured an in-depth presentation by prominent carpet researcher and educator Touraj Zhouleh, who provided detailed insights into the intricate beauty and historical significance of the Safavid carpets, Mehr reported on Saturday. 6125**4194OneStream Announces Full Exercise of Underwriters' Option to Purchase Additional Shares in Secondary Offering of Class A Common StockQatar and Colombia have issued a joint statement on the occasion of the official visit of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to Colombia. The statement reads as follows: His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, and Gustavo Petro, President of the Republic of Colombia, held bilateral discussions on November 20, 2024, at the Narino Palace in Bogota. The leaders, joined by high-level ministers including the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Trade, Transport, Energy and Communications, reaffirmed the strength of the Qatar-Colombia partnership and their shared commitment to expand co-operation across political, economic, and cultural spheres. Bilateral co-operation Qatar welcomed Colombia's announcement to establish an embassy in Doha, marking a significant advancement in diplomatic relations. Both sides witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on economic, commercial, and technical co-operation, which will facilitate joint initiatives and promote exchange visits between business leaders and chambers of commerce. The two governments signed additional memorandums of understanding in tourism, ports, sports, and news exchange to strengthen bilateral engagement across various sectors. Colombia expressed interest in developing initiatives to support health and education, particularly in remote areas and conflict-affected regions. Economic partnership Both sides agreed to advance discussions toward a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Colombia presented a roadmap for negotiations, building on discussions held during COP28 in Dubai in December 2023. To strengthen trade and investment ties, both countries agreed to establish a dialogue between Colombia's National Tax and Customs Authority (DIAN) and its Qatari counterpart to enhance co-operation in taxation and customs matters. Regional peace and security The two sides held in-depth discussions on regional developments, focusing on efforts to achieve lasting peace and stability. Both nations emphasized the importance of achieving a permanent and sustainable cessation of hostilities, upholding international law and international humanitarian law regarding the protection of civilians in armed conflicts, securing the release of hostages, and alleviating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Colombia commended Qatar's diplomatic role in promoting regional peace and stability, including its mediation efforts. Qatar appreciated Colombia's steadfast support for a two-state solution and its opposition to illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Looking ahead Qatar and Colombia expressed satisfaction with the concrete outcomes of this visit and reaffirmed their commitment to expand bilateral co-operation. Both countries pledged to maintain regular consultations on bilateral and regional issues while working together to address global challenges. Related Story Amir leaves Costa Rica for Colombia Amir to attend G20 Summit in Brazil Monday, visit Costa Rica and Colombia

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President-elect Donald Trump announced Wednesday that he will nominate former Sen. Kelly Loeffler, R-Ga., to lead the Small Business Administration in his second term. "I am very pleased to nominate business leader and former U.S. Senator Kelly Loeffler, from the Great State of Georgia, to serve as Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA)," Trump wrote on Truth Social . Trump called Loeffler "a tremendous fighter in the U.S. Senate during the first Trump Administration" and said she would "bring her experience in business and Washington to reduce red tape, and unleash opportunity for our Small Businesses to grow, innovate, and thrive." Trump announced l ast month that Loeffler would co-chair the organization planning his inauguration. Loeffler, 53, represented Georgia in the Senate for just over a year in 2020 and 2021, filling the seat left by the late Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., when he resigned because of health reasons. She ran in the 2020 special election for the seat but lost in a runoff election to Democrat Raphael Warnock . After the 2020 election, as Trump pushed his claims of widespread voter fraud, Loeffler repeatedly refused to acknowledge that he had lost the presidential election. NBC News reported last year that a special grand jury in Georgia that initially investigated Trump's efforts to overturn the election results recommended indict ing more than three dozen people , including 21 who weren't charged in the Fulton County case. Loeffler was among those the panel recommended, but she was ultimately not charged. Trump has named other choices for his future Cabinet who also expressed doubt about his loss in the 2020 election, including Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., his pick for ambassador to the U.N. ; Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla. , chosen for secretary of state ; and former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi , selec t ed for attorney general . Loeffler is the founder of the company RallyRight, which is described as “a suite of technology products designed to empower conservatives with the necessary tools to win at every level.” She is also on the board for the application PublicSquare, which is described as the “largest marketplace & payments ecosystem that protects life, family, and freedom.” She previously owned a 49% stake in the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream, which was sold in 2021 . The small business administrator is subject to Senate confirmation.The mood on Ukraine at the NATO foreign affairs ministerial in Brussels on December 3-4 can be described in one word: grim. Just listen to the normally chirpy NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte: "This could be Ukraine's most difficult winter since 2022." Or Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha, who told the press that the situation "is really very challenging. And I am [being] very diplomatic now." A senior NATO official, speaking anonymously because they weren't authorized to speak on the record, made clear to me what has been apparent for a while now -- that Russia is increasing the tempo of its offensive operations on the battlefield, pushing back Ukraine on several fronts. And the rapid gains are now rather considerable, with NATO estimating that Russia could be advancing up to 10 kilometers a day. (Earlier this year, that would have been more like 10 meters a day.) Russia's rapid advance has been made possible by taking advantage of flat, open terrain, for example around Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region, before the worst of the winter mud arrives. The NATO official noted that Russia had "a significant advantage when it comes to equipment, ammunition, and manpower" -- on the latter, being able to call on 30,000 new troops every month. Add to this the increased air strikes on critical Ukrainian infrastructure, which keeps the country's air defenses busy and ramps up psychological pressure on the civilian population. It should, however, be noted that not all is going swimmingly for Moscow. Russian forces will soon run into more entrenched Ukrainian positions. And from September through November, Russian casualties were an estimated 1,500 a day, whereas Ukraine's casualty rates are thought to be around half that. In one aspect, it's clear what Ukraine needs: more men and additional air defenses. On the first issue, most people I spoke to at NATO headquarters in Brussels agreed with Washington's recent assessment that Kyiv should lower the recruitment age to 18 from the current 25, while also conceding that this would be a tough political decision. On air-defense systems, Ukraine has been the one doing the asking, with Foreign Minister Sybiha requesting 19 new ones to cover critical infrastructure. While nothing was promised, diplomats at the ministerial told me that they expected that at least some systems would be delivered soon. Another predictable disappointment for Ukraine at the ministerial meeting was that elusive NATO invitation. In fact, the military alliance hasn't moved on that since the Vilnius NATO summit in 2023. There simply isn't unanimity on the issue so, at the moment, the best Ukraine gets is the same well-rehearsed phrases about Ukraine's "irreversible NATO path" and "a bridge to membership," a reference to individual members' security pacts with Kyiv and the alliance's mission to train Ukrainian soldiers. But this fall there has been a renewed Ukrainian charm offensive, with some in Kyiv hoping that, at the ministerial meeting, they might even get an invite. Apparently the hope was that the two key skeptics -- the United States and Germany -- would be more amenable as the former will have a new administration in January and Germany will hold federal elections in February. The Ukrainian foreign minister even brought along a copy of the Budapest Memorandum, agreed 30 years ago in 1994 and signed by the United States and Russia, which was meant to guarantee Ukrainian territorial integrity in return for the former Soviet republic giving up its nuclear arms. The optimism, however, appeared misplaced. Already, ahead of the ministerial, senior NATO diplomats briefed the media that the alliance still remains divided on the issue of Ukraine joining the alliance and that such a "monumental" decision wasn't on the table. The ministers were unmoved by Ukraine's persuasion. Speaking anonymously as they weren't authorized to go on the record, several NATO officials told me that the idea of Ukraine's membership was nipped in the bud during a dinner devoted to the war. The issue will certainly come up again, most likely in the run-up to NATO's next summit in The Hague in June 2025. By RFE/RL

Shares of LTIMindtree Ltd. traded 0.93 per cent in Thursday's session at 10:20AM (IST). The stock opened at Rs 6250.00 and has touched an intraday high and low of Rs 6353.80 and Rs 6249.95, respectively, during the session so far. The stock quoted a 52-week high of Rs 6575.00 and a 52-week low of 4518.35. About 2,154 shares changed hands on the counter so far. Benchmark Nifty50 was 84.25 points at 24383.2, while the BSE Sensex traded 207.27 points at 80749.06 at the time of writing of this report. In the Nifty pack, 8 stocks traded the day in the green, while 42 were in the red. 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The company reported net of Rs 1251.0 crore for the latest quarter. Promoter Holdings Promoters held 68.6 per cent stake in the company as of 30-Sep-2024, while FIIs held 7.39 per cent and MFs 5.38 per cent. Technicals On the technical charts, the 200-Day Moving Average (DMA) of the stock stood at Rs 5494.46 on December 05, while the 50-DMA was at Rs 6087.82. If a stock trades above 50-DMA and 200-DMA, it usually means the immediate trend is upward. On the other hand, if the stock trades well below 50-DMA and 200-DMA both, it is considered as bearish trend and if trades between these averages, then it suggests the stock can go either way. (You can now subscribe to our ETMarkets WhatsApp channel )The common murre, a large black-and-white seabird native to northern waters, has become far less common in Alaska over the past decade due to the impacts of climate change. A study published Thursday in Science reveals that a record-breaking marine heat wave in the northeast Pacific from 2014 to 2016 triggered a catastrophic population collapse, wiping out four million birds — about half the species in the region. Strikingly, they have shown little signs of rebounding, suggesting long-term shifts in the food web that have locked the ecosystem into a troubling new equilibrium. “There’s a lot of talk about declines of species that are tied to changes in temperature, but in this case, it was not a long term result,” lead author Heather Renner of the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge told AFP. “To our knowledge, this is the largest mortality event of any wildlife species reported during the modern era,” she and her colleagues emphasized in their paper. The finding triggers “alarm bells,” Renner said in an interview, as human-caused climate change makes heat waves more frequent, intense, and longer-lasting. – Emaciated Carcasses – With their dapper, tuxedoed look, common murres are sometimes called the “penguins of the north.” Their slender wings power them across vast distances in search of food and make them expert divers. But even these hardy seabirds were no match for an unprecedented environmental catastrophe. The largest marine heat wave ever recorded began in the late fall of 2014, spanning a massive swath of the northeast Pacific Ocean from California to Alaska. It persisted for over two years, leaving devastation in its wake. During this time, some 62,000 emaciated murres washed ashore along the North American Pacific coastline — dead or dying from starvation. Experts point to two key reasons for the bird deaths: elevated ocean temperatures reduced both the quality and quantity of phytoplankton, impacting fish like herring, sardines, and anchovies — the mainstay of the murre diet. At the same time, warmer waters increased the energy demands of larger fish, such as salmon and Pacific cod, which compete with murres for the same prey. “We knew then it was a big deal, but unfortunately, we couldn’t really quantify the effects,” explained Renner. For years after the event, breeding colonies failed to produce chicks, complicating efforts to assess the full impact. Earlier estimates pegged the number of deaths at around a million, but a more robust analysis — drawing on data from 13 murre colonies — revealed the toll was four times higher. “It is just so much worse than we thought it was,” Renner said of the new findings. – Climate winners and losers – The marine heat wave didn’t just impact common murres. Pacific cod stocks collapsed, king salmon populations dwindled, and as many as 7,000 humpback whales perished. Yet the crisis created an uneven playing field: some species emerged unscathed, while others even thrived. Thick-billed murres, which often share nesting cliffs with common murres, were largely unaffected, possibly due to their more adaptable diet, Renner noted. For common murres, however, the fallout lingers. Despite nearly a decade since the heat wave, their numbers show no sign of bouncing back — and the losses may well be permanent. Part of the reason lies in the long-term decline of some of their prey. Another factor is murres’ survival strategy relies on numbers: they aggregate in massive colonies to protect their eggs from opportunistic predators like eagles and gulls. With their populations slashed, these birds have lost their critical safety buffer. Still, Renner offered a glimmer of hope. While addressing global warming is essential for curbing long-term climate change, conservation efforts can make a difference in the short term, she said. Removing invasive species like foxes and rats from murre nesting islands could also provide the beleaguered birds with a fighting chance. With 2,400 staff representing 100 different nationalities, AFP covers the world as a leading global news agency. AFP provides fast, comprehensive and verified coverage of the issues affecting our daily lives.Each week, the weekly magazine Shukan Jitsuwa (Nov 28) serves up a potpourri of newsy tidbits titled "News Scramble." "Scramble" certainly applies to the price of eggs, which, due to such factors as the unusually hot summer and spread of avian influenza is once again on the rise. From the end of October 2022 to early April of 2023, 84 outbreaks of avian influenza were reported across 26 of Japan's prefectures, resulting in the culling of some 17,710,000 laying hens. That was the equivalent of 10% of the nations' chickens, which sent up the price of eggs by a factor of 1.5 fold. So far from April of the present year, 11 outbreaks in 10 prefectures have led to the culling of some 856,000 hens. "Compared with the previous season, bird flu outbreaks this year declined by 87%, and the number of culled hens fell by 95%," a reporter for a nationally circulated newspaper told the magazine. "Nonetheless, Japan had record-setting high temperatures, leaving many birds in a debilitated state, leading to a fall in egg production." "According to a trade publication issued by JA Zen-Noh (the National Federation of Agricultural Cooperative Associations), as of October 25, the average wholesale price in Tokyo for a kilogram of M-size eggs was ¥274 -- representing a rise for the past three consecutive months," a journalist covering consumer matters was quoted as saying. "As the year-end and new year approach, egg demand will increase for sukiyaki, baked goods, oden (boiled hodgepodge) and other foods. If avian influenza persists, I suppose an eggu-shokku will be unavoidable." Somewhat ominously, during October, flu outbreaks were reported at poultry farms in Hokkaido, Chiba, Niigata and Shimane prefectures. Meanwhile, in the Diet elections held on Oct 27, Agriculture Minister Yasuhiro Ozato, representing a district in Kagoshima Prefecture, was defeated, forcing his resignation from the cabinet. Hopefully, writes Shukan Jitsuwa's reporter, the countermeasures by Kozato's replacement won't come too late. Aging dentists Along with aging of the general population, Japan is also seeing an aging of dentists. On Nov 6, the Teikoku Data Bank released a report on the trend toward failures of dental clinics. By the end of October 2024, 126 went out of business -- double the number in 2023 -- and of these, 25 had debts of over ¥10 million. This contrasts with 104 closures for all of 2023, clearly showing the profession is undergoing a host of problems. It's long been pointed out that Japan has more dental clinics than convenience stores, but recently along with supply and demand that affects the overall market environment, trained dental technicians are in short supply. What's more, the prices of silver and other metals used to fill cavities or construct dental bridges, etc., have undergone sharp increases, adding to costs, which can adversely affect the profitability of their operations. From April of last year, the adoption of the new My Number health insurance cards require online confirmation of a clinic's certification. This has required investment in pricy new equipment, which is believed to have pushed some clinics over the edge. True, more clinics have been buoyed by the rise in demand for cosmetic dentistry, such as whitening. However, that has also required investment in new equipment, pushing the older generation of clinicians to opt for shutting down, and in some cases declaring bankruptcy. It is ironic, the magazine writes, that while the number of elderly people who maintain their own teeth has been increasing, the dentists who should be caring for them are disappearing as they grow older. New type of internet fraud Finally, new type of fraud via internet sales has become increasingly problematic. It involves refunds for goods claimed to be "out of stock." In Tokyo so far this year 138 such cases have been reported to the National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan, involving losses totaling some ¥150 million. Citing one case, last May the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department was contacted by a woman in her 40s who had ordered a product priced at ¥15,000 from a cut-rate internet shop. "The product is out of stock," the company replied. "We will refund your money via PayPay." Then the customer was sent a "confirmation QR code" via the Line messaging service. Afterwards the woman was tricked out of a "large sum of money" via instructions she was asked to enter via net banking. According to police, such fraudulent cases have been soaring among victims of all ages and both genders. The Consumer Affairs Center warns people to be especially suspicious of sites where 1) luxury brand items or famous maker goods are priced considerably lower than the going market rate; 2) merchandise with "strange or "unnatural" Japanese writing appears on the labeling; and 3) sites that don't post information about their refund policy. If an exchange of mails with the vendor takes place, alarms should be raised if a service representative informs a customer to the effect "A refund will be sent to you via 'XX-pay.'"TJ Bamba led Oregon with 22 points and five assists in the Ducks' 78-68 victory over San Diego State on Wednesday in pool play of the Players Era Festival at Las Vegas. The Ducks (7-0) won both games in the "Power Group" and will play in the championship Saturday against the top team from the "Impact Group." San Diego State (3-2) will await its opponent for one of the secondary games Saturday. The matchups are based on seeding dependent on performance of the first two games. Bamba made 7 of 14 shots from the field, including 4 of 6 from 3-point range. Keeshawn Barthelemy had 16 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the field and hit 3 of 4 from beyond the arc. Nate Bittle finished with 11 points and nine rebounds, Brandon Angel 12 points and six rebounds and Jackson Shelstad paired 12 points with four assists. BJ Davis led San Diego State with 18 points before fouling out. Nick Boyd finished with 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the field, including 3-of-4 from beyond the arc. Neither team led by more than four points until Oregon scored nine unanswered to take a 34-27 lead with 2:20 left in the first half. Barthelemy started the run with a jumper and finished it with a 3-pointer. Oregon outscored San Diego State 16-4 in the last 4:23 of the half to take a 41-31 lead into the break. Bamba and Barthelemy combined for 20 points on 7-of-14 shooting in the first half. Boyd led San Diego State with 13 points, making all three of his 3-point attempts and going 5-of-6 overall. A 7-2 run for Oregon increased its advantage to 48-35 with 17:36 remaining, but San Diego State cut the lead to 56-53 with 10:58 left following a 9-0 run. A Bamba 3-pointer closed an 8-2 stretch with 4:15 remaining to increase Oregon's lead to 73-63. San Diego State did not get closer than eight points the rest of the way. Davis fouled out with 31 seconds left and Oregon leading 77-68. --Field Level Media

A proposed deal on climate cash at UN summit highlights split between rich and poor nationsGold’s 27pc advance stands out in mixed year for metals markets

Court visits Robert Mugabe’s grave and mausoleum amid exhumation rowThe call for Rio Tinto to abandon its primary London listing doesn’t make economic sense, chief executive Jakob Stausholm says after an activist shareholder urged the miner to relocate to Australia. UK hedge fund Palliser Capital, which holds around $390 million of shares, wrote to Rio’s board on Wednesday, claiming its dual listed structure had been an “unmitigated failure” leading to about $78 billion in value destruction. It also said Rio’s efforts to pursue large-scale M&A had been hampered and called for an independent review to consider listing unification. “We have just not got anything that tells us that the structure we have is not the best structure,” Mr Stausholm said in response during an investor presentation in London on Wednesday. “There is a lot of value preserved in that structure.” The world’s second-largest miner by market value holds a primary listing on the London Stock Exchange and a secondary listing on the Australian Securities Exchange. Ever since rival BHP decided to collapse its dual listing in 2021, Rio has faced some pressure from activist investors to follow suit. Meanwhile, Rio is set to ramp up capital expenditure to the most in more than a decade, as the world’s biggest miners return to an era of growth. The raw materials giant will boost spending to $17b in 2025, up from $15b this year, for the biggest round of investment since 2013, Rio said in filings on Wednesday ahead of its presentation in London. “We are executing our strategy of delivering a stronger, more diversified, and growing business, underpinned by our belief in the demand for materials which are essential for the global energy transition,” Mr Jakob Stausholm said in a statement. The world’s biggest miners are shifting focus to expansion and dealmaking with an eye on metals needed for the world’s shift from fossil fuels. BHP targeted copper with its audacious but unsuccessful bid for rival Anglo American, while Rio is set to complete its $10b takeover of Arcadium Lithium next year. Rio said there’s potential to accelerate investment in lithium in Argentina and Canada after it buys Arcadium. It’s eyeing 225,000 tonnes of capacity by 2028, according to Wednesday’s statement. Rio said its copper output would rise to between 780,000t and 850,000t next year, up from guidance for this year at 660,000t to 720,000t. Higher bauxite mining will deliver a marginal increase in aluminium shipments next year, it added. Broadly, miners are shifting focus away from commodities like coal and iron ore that have enjoyed a two-decade boom along with the stunning growth of China’s economy. While Rio said its iron ore output would remain unchanged next year, it reiterated that the massive new Simandou mine in Guinea is expected to start shipping by the end of 2025. That project — considered one of the world’s highest-quality new sources of the steelmaking ingredient — could reach full capacity by 2028, Rio said. BloombergFORESTVILLE, Calif. (AP) — A major storm moving through Northern California on Thursday toppled trees and dropped heavy snow and record rain after damaging homes, killing two people and knocking out power to hundreds of thousands in the Pacific Northwest. Forecasters warned that the risk of flash flooding and rockslides would continue, and scores of flights were canceled at San Francisco's airport. In Washington, more than 320,000 people — most of them in the Seattle area — were still without power as crews worked to clear streets of electrical lines, fallen branches and debris. Utility officials said the outages, which began Tuesday, could last into Saturday. Meanwhile on the East Coast, where rare wildfires have raged, New York and New Jersey welcomed much-needed rain that could ease the fire danger for the rest of the year. The National Weather Service extended a flood watch into Saturday for areas north of San Francisco as the region was inundated by the strongest atmospheric river — a long plume of moisture that forms over an ocean and flows through the sky over land — this season. The system roared ashore Tuesday as a “bomb cyclone,” unleashing fierce winds . Communities in Washington opened warming centers offering free internet and device charging. A number of medical clinics closed because of power outages. “I’ve been here since the mid-’80s. I haven’t seen anything like this,” said Trish Bloor, who serves on the city of Issaquah’s Human Resources Commission, as she surveyed damaged homes. Up to 16 inches (about 41 centimeters) of rain was forecast in southwestern Oregon and California's northern counties through Friday. The Sonoma County Airport, in the wine country north of San Francisco, received 6.92 inches (17.5 centimeters) Wednesday, breaking a record dating to 1998. In nearby Forestville, one person was hurt when a tree fell on a house. Small landslides were reported across the North Bay region, including one on State Route 281 on Wednesday that caused a car crash, according to Marc Chenard, a weather service meteorologist. Rain slowed somewhat, but “persistent heavy rain will enter the picture again by Friday morning,” the weather service's San Francisco office said on the social platform X. “We are not done!” Dangerous flash flooding, rockslides and debris flows were possible, especially where hillsides were loosened by recent wildfires, officials warned. Scott Rowe, a hydrologist with the weather service in Sacramento, said that so far the ground has been able to absorb the rain in California's Butte and Tehama counties, where the Park Fire burned over the summer. “It’s not necessarily how much rain falls; it’s how fast the rain falls,” Rowe said. Northern Mendocino and southern Humboldt counties received between 4 and 8 inches (10 and 20 centimeters) of rain in the last 48 hours, and similar amounts were expected over the next 48 hours, forecasters said. Wind gusts could top 50 mph (80 kph). The storm system, which first hit the Pacific Northwest on Tuesday, reached the status of “ bomb cyclone ,” which occurs when a cyclone intensifies rapidly. A winter storm watch was in place for the northern Sierra Nevada above 3,500 feet (1,066 meters), with 15 inches (38 centimeters) of snow possible over two days. Wind gusts could top 75 mph (121 kph) in mountain areas, forecasters said. Sugar Bowl Resort, north of Lake Tahoe near Donner Summit, picked up a foot (30 centimeters) of snow overnight, marketing manager Maggie Eshbaugh said Thursday. She said the resort will welcome skiers and boarders on Friday, the earliest opening date in 20 years. “And then we’re going to get another whopping of another foot or so on Saturday, so this is fantastic,” she said. Another popular resort, Palisades Tahoe, is also opening Friday, five days ahead of schedule, according to its website. The storm already dumped more than a foot of snow along the Cascades in Oregon by Wednesday night, according to the weather service. Forecasters warned of blizzard and whiteout conditions and nearly impossible travel at pass level. Falling trees struck homes and littered roads across western Washington, killing at least two people. A woman in Lynnwood was killed when a large tree fell on a homeless encampment, and another in Bellevue died when a tree fell on a home. More than a dozen schools closed in the Seattle area Wednesday, and some opted to extend the closures through Thursday. In Enumclaw, east of Seattle, residents were cleaning up after their town clocked the highest winds in the state Tuesday night: 74 mph (119 kph). Resident Sophie Keene said the powerful gusts caused transformers to blow out around town. “Things were exploding, like, everywhere,” Keene told the Seattle Times. “Like the transformers over by the park. One blew big, it looked like fireworks just going off.” Ben Gibbard, lead singer of the indie rock bands Death Cab for Cutie and Postal Service, drove from his Seattle neighborhood Thursday morning to the woods of Tiger Mountain for his regular weekday run, but there were too many trees blocking the trail. “We didn’t get hit that hard in the city,” he said. “I just didn’t assume it would be this kind of situation out here. Obviously you feel the most for people who had their homes partially destroyed by this.” In California, there were reports of more than 20,000 power outages on Thursday. Only 50 vehicles per hour were allowed through part of northbound Interstate 5 from 10 miles (16 kilometers) north of Redding to 21 miles (34 kilometers) south of Yreka due to snow, according to California's Department of Transportation. Transportation officials also shut down a two-mile (3.2 kilometer) stretch of the famed Avenue of the Giants, a scenic drive named for its towering coast redwoods, due to flooding. About 150 flights were delayed and another two dozen were canceled early Thursday at San Francisco International Airport after hundreds of delays and dozens of cancelations the previous day, according to tracking service FlightAware. Parched areas of the Northeast got a much-needed shot of precipitation Thursday, providing a bit of respite in a region plagued by wildfires and dwindling water supplies. More than 2 inches (5 centimeters) of rain was expected by Saturday morning in areas north of New York City, with snow mixed in at higher elevations. “Any rainfall is going to be significant at this point,” said Brian Ciemnecki, a weather service meteorologist in New York City, where the first drought warning in 22 years was issued this week. “Is it going to break the drought? No, we’re going to need more rain than that.” Har reported from San Francisco, and Weber from Los Angeles. Associated Press writers Hallie Golden and Gene Johnson in Seattle; Martha Bellisle in Issaquah, Washington; Sarah Brumfield in Washington, D.C.; and Michael Hill in Albany, New York, contributed.