Justin Wellington reflects on Viral Success and releases Festive Single
Rogers Communications Inc. Cl B stock rises Wednesday, outperforms market
Amazon, Walmart threatened by a new retailer young people love
Srinagar, Dec 25: A Kashmiri doctor has spearheaded the discovery of a groundbreaking potential cure for lung fibrosis, paving the way for aspiring scientists not only in Kashmir but across the world. In an exclusive conversation with Greater Kashmir , Dr Muzamil Majid Khan shared his inspiring journey and insights from the small village in Baramulla to the renowned research hubs of Heidelberg into the drug that could transform the lives of millions worldwide. A widely available cough suppressant, dextromethorphan, may hold the key to treating lung fibrosis, a serious condition that currently has no cure. The discovery, part of a study published in the December 2024 issue of Science Translational Medicine, represents a major step forward in combating the disease, which affects over 7.61 lakh people in Europe alone, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). Dr Khan, a Kashmiri scientist currently based at EMBL Heidelberg in Germany is the first author of the paper. Lung fibrosis is caused by excessive scarring in the lungs due to an accumulation of collagen, leading to tissue stiffness, breathing difficulties, and, in severe cases, organ failure. The risk factors include environmental irritants like asbestos, chemotherapy side effects, or autoimmune conditions. Dr Khan and his colleagues aimed to identify effective treatments for the condition by repurposing existing drugs. “We wanted to discover novel drugs for lung fibrosis, knowing the challenges of developing new ones. Dextromethorphan stood out during our screening of FDA-approved drugs,” Dr Khan said. The research team employed cutting-edge techniques, including a “scar-in-a-jar” assay – an in vitro model that mimics the fibrotic scarring process. This high-throughput screening method allowed them to identify dextromethorphan as a drug that inhibits collagen trafficking in cells. Further studies using advanced technologies like proteomics, transcriptomics, and microscopy uncovered how the drug blocks the accumulation of collagen, reducing scarring in human lung fibroblasts, 3D-cultured lung tissues, and mouse models of lung fibrosis. Collaborating with the Translational Lung Research Center Heidelberg and Thoraxclinic, the team is now preparing for phase II clinical trials to evaluate dextromethorphan’s effects on human patients. Dr Khan’s path to this groundbreaking discovery is as remarkable as the study itself. Hailing from Hanjiwera Bala, a small village in Kashmir’s Baramulla district, his academic journey began in local schools before continuing in Srinagar. He attended Public High School, Gogji Bagh, and Jawahar Nagar Higher Secondary School before earning his Bachelors in Science at SP College, Srinagar. A turning point came when he secured a junior research position in the lab of the late Prof Obaid Siddiqi at NCBS, Bangalore. This opportunity set the foundation for his scientific career. Dr Khan pursued his PhD at the University of Heidelberg and now works as a staff scientist at EMBL Heidelberg, specialising in respiratory diseases and drug discovery. His achievement underscores the importance of hard work, determination, and community support. “It doesn’t matter which school or university you attend; what matters is your passion and persistence,” he advises young researchers from Kashmir. “Hard work never goes in vain, and the growing network of Kashmiri scientists around the world is here to guide and mentor those seeking support.”
Shares of C3.ai experienced a significant downturn, falling 12% as KeyBanc downgraded the stock from Sector Weight to Underweight. C3.ai , a company offering platforms to enhance AI integration for businesses and government agencies, has been facing valuation concerns. Eric Heath , an analyst at KeyBanc, cited that C3.ai’s stock was valued at 13.3 times sales before the downgrade. This high valuation raised red flags, prompting a re-evaluation of the stock’s potential returns. Despite the stock’s decline, C3.ai still has a forward enterprise value-to-sales ratio of 11.3 times. Heath expressed concerns about C3.ai’s ability to meet average revenue expectations for fiscal 2026 and 2027. The concern stems from a year-over-year decline in subscription revenue growth, excluding upfront license fees, reported by the company in its latest quarter. This downgrade marks the second such move by a financial institution in December. Earlier, JPMorgan also downgraded C3.ai to Underweight, lowering its outlook based on minimal improvements in incremental margins. JPMorgan highlighted that C3.ai’s fiscal guidance might lead to a concerning -30% incremental margin. The termination of C3.ai’s partnership with Baker Hughes in 2025 combined with their new deal with Microsoft may not suffice to balance future expectations. While C3.ai shows potential, some analysts believe other AI stocks may offer more promise and better returns. Investors seeking favorable risk-to-reward ratios in AI stocks are advised to explore alternatives trading below five times their earnings. Why C3.ai Faces Challenges and Opportunities in the AI Stock Market C3.ai, a prominent player in AI integration for businesses and government entities, is navigating a challenging market landscape marked by significant stock downgrades and valuation concerns. This article delves into the key aspects affecting C3.ai’s current market position, providing insights into potential future trends, comparisons with competitors, and its strategic innovations. The recent stock downgrade by KeyBanc, shifting C3.ai from Sector Weight to Underweight, underscores the valuation pressures the company is facing. With its stock previously valued at 13.3 times sales, the high valuation raised concerns about sustainable growth and potential returns. Even after the downgrade, C3.ai still maintains a forward enterprise value-to-sales ratio of 11.3 times, which remains relatively high compared to other stocks within the AI sector. C3.ai’s ability to meet revenue expectations for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 is under scrutiny. Analyst Eric Heath highlighted a troubling trend: a year-over-year decline in subscription revenue growth, excluding upfront license fees. This decline signals potential challenges in maintaining long-term subscription appeal and revenue stability. In the rapidly evolving AI market, C3.ai’s recent downgrades have led investors to consider alternative stocks that offer more appealing risk-to-reward ratios. Analysts recommend exploring AI stocks trading below five times their earnings, which might present better opportunities for growth and returns. As C3.ai reassesses its strategies, comparisons with competitors could provide insightful benchmarks for investors. The termination of C3.ai’s partnership with Baker Hughes in 2025, juxtaposed with a new collaboration with Microsoft, highlights both challenges and strategic pivots. While the Microsoft deal could bolster C3.ai’s AI solutions and market presence, its sufficiency to compensate for the loss of Baker Hughes remains a topic of debate among analysts. Despite current challenges, C3.ai continues to advance its AI platform’s capabilities. The focus remains on enhancing scalability and integration with industry-specific applications. Observers predict that if C3.ai successfully adapts its business model and refines its technological offerings, it could regain investor confidence in the long run. The AI market shows robust growth potential, driven by increased demand for automation and intelligent analytics. C3.ai, known for its sophisticated AI applications, is well-positioned to leverage these trends. However, the ability to maintain innovation momentum and achieve sustainable financial performance will be crucial for future success. For more insights into AI markets and technology advancements, visit the C3.ai website.ABSOLUTELY NOT! Democratic Senator Peter Welch Wants to Restore Funding for Terror-Loving UNRWA
“The Odyssey” Movie: All About Christopher Nolan's Next Star-Studded Film (Featuring a Zendaya and Tom Holland On-Screen Reunion!)WASHINGTON (AP) — A lead organization monitoring for food crises around the world withdrew a new report this week warning of imminent famine in north Gaza under what it called Israel's “near-total blockade,” after the U.S. asked for its retraction, U.S. officials told the Associated Press. The move follows public criticism of the report from the U.S. ambassador to Israel. The rare public dispute drew accusations from prominent aid and human-rights figures that the work of the U.S.-funded Famine Early Warning System Network , meant to reflect the opinion of unbiased international experts, has been tainted by politics. A declaration of famine would be a great embarrassment for Israel, which has insisted that its 15-month war in Gaza is aimed against the Hamas militant group and not against its civilian population. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
South Korea has officially become a ‘super-aged society’ with 20% of its population aged 65 or older in accordance to a data released by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, reported Newsweek. ET Year-end Special Reads It's all Gucci for Indians' luxury craving even as economy shows wrinkles Investing in 2025: Will domestic funds continue to counter FPI sell-offs amid rising valuations? 2024 exposed the underbelly of India's Silicon Valley According to Newsweek, this certain milestone which equates to approximately 10.24 million individuals eventually highlights the demographic challenges of South Korea which includes the world's lowest birth rate at just 0.72 births per woman. The increase in the elderly population has raised severe concerns among policymakers about long term economic impacts. South Jeolla Province has the highest percentage of elderly residents at 27% while Sejong on the other hand is the youngest region with only 11.57% of its population in this age group, asserted Newsweek. The South Korean government has invested around $200 billion since the year 2006 in initiatives to encourage higher birth rates, but these efforts have largely failed due to factors like rising housing costs and changing social attitudes. In response to this demographic crisis, President Yoon Suk-yeol has proposed establishing a new Ministry of Population to develop strategies addressing low birth rates and an aging society, noted Newsweek. Data Science SQL for Data Science along with Data Analytics and Data Visualization By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Data Science SQL Server Bootcamp 2024: Transform from Beginner to Pro By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Learn InVideo AI: Create Videos from Text Easily By - Prince Patni, Software Developer (BI, Data Science) View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Master in Python Language Quickly Using the ChatGPT Open AI By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI for Everyone: Understanding and Applying the Basics on Artificial Intelligence By - Ritesh Vajariya, Generative AI Expert View Program Web Development A Comprehensive ASP.NET Core MVC 6 Project Guide for 2024 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Office Productivity Excel Essentials to Expert: Your Complete Guide By - Study At Home, Quality Education Anytime, Anywhere View Program Marketing Digital marketing - Wordpress Website Development By - Shraddha Somani, Digital Marketing Trainer, Consultant, Strategiest and Subject Matter expert View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass By - CA Himanshu Jain, Ex McKinsey, Moody's, and PwC, Co - founder, The WallStreet School View Program Data Analysis Animated Visualizations with Flourish Studio: Beginner to Pro By - Prince Patni, Software Developer (BI, Data Science) View Program Soft Skills Cross-Cultural Communication Mastery: Connect with Confidence By - Prince Patni, Software Developer (BI, Data Science) View Program Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Neil Patel By - Neil Patel, Co-Founder and Author at Neil Patel Digital Digital Marketing Guru View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI-Powered Python Mastery with Tabnine: Boost Your Coding Skills By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Web Development JavaScript Essentials: Unlock AI-Driven Insights with ChatGPT By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI and Analytics based Business Strategy By - Tanusree De, Managing Director- Accenture Technology Lead, Trustworthy AI Center of Excellence: ATCI View Program Finance A2Z Of Money By - elearnmarkets, Financial Education by StockEdge View Program Web Development Django & PostgreSQL Mastery: Build Professional Web Applications By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Finance A2Z Of Finance: Finance Beginner Course By - elearnmarkets, Financial Education by StockEdge View Program Office Productivity Zero to Hero in Microsoft Excel: Complete Excel guide 2024 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Data Analysis Learn Power BI with Microsoft Fabric: Complete Course By - Prince Patni, Software Developer (BI, Data Science) View Program Entrepreneurship From Idea to Product: A Startup Development Guide By - Dr. Anu Khanchandani, Startup Coach with more than 25 years of experience View Program Web Development Intermediate C++ Skills: Master Pointers, Structures and File Stream By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Strategy Succession Planning Masterclass By - Nigel Penny, Global Strategy Advisor: NSP Strategy Facilitation Ltd. View Program Eminent experts have actually warned that if current trends continue, South Korea could have the highest proportion of elderly citizens globally by the year 2045 which potentially makes it 37.3%. FAQs: What kind of a society is South Korea now? South Korea has officially become a ‘super-aged society’ with 20% of its population aged 65 or older in accordance to a data released by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. Which province of South Korea has the highest percentage of elderly residents and which province is being termed as the youngest region? South Jeolla Province has the highest percentage of elderly residents at 27% while Sejong on the other hand is the youngest region with only 11.57% of its population in this age group. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )By PETER SMITH A social-media tribute to Coptic Christians. A billboard in Amish country. A visit to a revered Jewish gravesite. While Donald Trump’s lock on the white evangelical vote is legendary, he and his campaign allies also wooed smaller religious groups, far from the mainstream. As it turned out, Trump won by decisive margins, but his campaign aggressively courted niche communities with the understanding that every vote could be critical, particularly in swing states. Voter surveys such as exit polls, which canvass broad swaths of the electorate, aren’t able to gauge the impact of such microtargeting, but some backers say the effort was worth it. Just one week before the election, Trump directed a post on the social-media platform X to Coptic Christians in the United States —- whose church has ancient roots in Egypt. He saluted their “Steadfast Faith in God, Perseverance through Centuries of Persecution and Love for this Great Country.” “This was the first time seeing a major U.S. presidential candidate address the community in this manner,” said Mariam Wahba, a Coptic Christian and research analyst with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a Washington-based research institute. “It was really a profound moment.” She said many Copts share the conservative social views of other Christian groups in the Republican constituency, and they may already have been Trump supporters. But the posting reinforced those bonds. Coptic bishops sent the president-elect congratulations after his victory and cited their “shared social and family values.” Some Assyrian Christians — another faith group with Middle Eastern roots — similarly bonded with Trump, whose mispronunciation of “Assyrian” at a rally created a viral video moment and drew attention to their support. Sam Darmo, a Phoenix real estate agent and co-founder of Assyrians for Trump, said many community members cited the economy, illegal immigration and other prominent voter issues. They echoed other conservative Christians’ concerns, he said, on issues such as abortion, gender identity and religious expression in public. But he said Trump supported various Middle Eastern Christians recovering from the Islamic State group’s oppressive rule. Darmo also credited Massad Boulos, father-in-law to Trump’s daughter Tiffany, for mobilizing various Middle Eastern Christian groups, including Chaldean Catholics, and other voters, particularly in Michigan, such as Muslims. “He brought all these minority groups together,” he said. “We’re hoping to continue that relationship.” But members of Middle Eastern-rooted Christian groups, and their politics, are far from monolithic, said Marcus Zacharia, founder of Progressive Copts, a program of Informed Immigrants, an organization that promotes dialogue on sensitive topics among such groups in the United States and Canada. He said many younger community members question Trump’s stances on issues such as immigration, and sense that conservatives sometimes tokenize them by focusing on the plight of persecuted Christians in the Middle East while neglecting wider issues of repression in countries there that the U.S. supports. He said there needs to be more informed dialogue across the political divide in these communities. “There is no more high time than these next four years to have that way of conducting conversations,” he said. Republicans also made an aggressive push for Amish voters , particularly in the swing state of Pennsylvania, where they are most numerous at about 92,000 (many below voting age). The GOP has made similar efforts in the past, even though researchers have found that less than 10% of them typically vote, due to their separatism from society. But Republicans used billboards, mailers, ads and door-to-door campaigner to drive turnout in Lancaster County, home base to the nation’s largest Amish settlement. On Election Day, Amish voters Samuel Stoltzfus and his wife Lillian Stoltzfus said they were supporting Trump, citing their anti-abortion beliefs. “We basically look at it as murder,” Stoltzfus, 31, said outside a polling center in the Lancaster County community of New Holland, where dozens of other members of the local Amish community voted. Trump has wavered on the issue, dismaying some abortion opponents, though many have said Republicans still align more closely to their views. Stolzfus added: “Make America great again and keep the moral values,” he said. “Let’s go back to the roots.” Steven Nolt, a history professor at Elizabethtown College in Lancaster College who studies the Amish and their voting patterns, said that while it’s too early to say definitively without further research, he doesn’t see evidence of a larger turnout this year. Lancaster County as a whole — most of which is not Amish — is a GOP stronghold that Trump won handily, though both parties’ votes edged up from 2020, according to unofficial results posted by the Pennsylvania Department of State. Trump’s biggest increases were in urban or suburban areas with few Amish, while some areas with larger Amish populations generally saw a modest increase in the Trump vote, said Nolt, director of the college’s Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies. “Bottom line, percentage-wise, not much change in the parts of Lancaster County where the Amish live,” he said. Trump directly reached out to members of the Chabad Lubavitch movement, a prominent and highly observant branch of Orthodox Judaism. Related Articles National Politics | Trump gave Interior nominee one directive for a half-billion acres of US land: ‘Drill.’ National Politics | Trump’s team is delaying transition agreements. What does it mean for security checks and governing? National Politics | Judge delays Trump hush money sentencing in order to decide where case should go now National Politics | Republicans scramble to fill JD Vance’s Ohio Senate seat National Politics | Fear of losing U.S. Space Command unites Colorado’s congressional delegation On Oct. 7, the anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel that triggered the Gaza war, Trump made a symbolically resonant visit to the “Ohel,” the burial site of the movement’s revered late leader, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson. Wearing a yarmulke, the traditional Jewish skullcap, Trump, who has Jewish family members, brought a written prayer to the Ohel and laid a small stone at the grave in keeping with tradition. The site in New York City, while particularly central to Chabad adherents, draws an array of Jewish and other visitors, including politicians. About two-thirds of Jewish voters overall supported Trump’s opponent, Democrat Kamala Harris, according to AP VoteCast, a survey of more than 120,000 voters. But the Trump campaign has made a particular outreach to Orthodox Jews, citing issues including his policies toward Israel in his first administration. Rabbi Yitzchok Minkowitz of Chabad Lubavitch of Southwest Florida said it was moving for him to see images of Trump’s visit. “The mere fact that he made a huge effort, obviously it was important to him,” he said. Associated Press journalist Luis Henao contributed.
You’ve got to be a pretty big deal to get an arena like SAP Center to blow up its entire concessions menu. Billie Eilish is that big of a deal. When the Grammy and Oscar-winning for two sold-out shows Tuesday and Wednesday, fans will find only vegan and vegetarian options, in line with Eilish’s advocacy for plant-based diets. So what does that mean? Vegan hot dogs, chicken tenders and pizza will be on the menus, along with popcorn, pretzels and chips and salsa. Vegan Mob will be offering vegan soul food options; Arteaga’s will be making its burritos and tacos with sofritas or veggies and serving them with vegan cheese and sour cream; and Sushi Confidential will be offering veggie rolls, teriyaki veggie bowls and fried tofu for at least Tuesday night. Even the soft serve ice cream at Sugar + Ice will be made out of oat milk. And, the suites will get in on the action, too, by serving a non-meat menu with vegan chicken tenders, Impossible sliders and a crudite with hummus offered along with vegan versions of ranch dip, aioli and ketchup. Vegetarian House, photographed Dec. 6, 2024, is a vegan restaurant in San Jose that originally opened in 1994. (Sal Pizarro/Bay Area News Group) Good Karma Fine Ales and Food, photographed Dec. 6, 2024, is a vegetarian restaurant in downtown San Jose. (Sal Pizarro/Bay Area News Group) Tofoo Com Chay, photographed Dec. 6, 2024, is a restaurant in San Jose that serves vegetarian Vietnamese dishes. (Sal Pizarro/Bay Area News Group) Vegan Bistro and Donuts, photographed Dec. 6, 2024, is a vegan cafe in downtown San Jose. (Sal Pizarro/Bay Area News Group) Vegetarian House, photographed Dec. 6, 2024, is a vegan restaurant in San Jose that originally opened in 1994. (Sal Pizarro/Bay Area News Group) SAP Center regularly has some vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options, but this is believed to be the first time the arena has changed its entire menu for an artist. (The willingness to do this could even be a selling point for SAP Center should Paul McCartney, who is a vegetarian, decide to bring his “Got Back” tour to the Bay Area next year.) What if you’re not a vegetarian? Well, you could give it a try for the night or at least consider yourself forewarned and make plans to eat before the show. As part of the push, Eilish also has partnered with Google Maps to recommend vegetarian and vegan restaurants in the cities on her tour. For San Jose, her picks are (520 E. Santa Clara St.), (37 S. First St.), and (548 Lawrence Expy. in Sunnyvale). I’ll add to the list , a great Vietnamese vegetarian restaurant at 388 E. Santa Clara St., and , which also houses , on 10th and Santa Clara Streets (though it’s regularly closed Monday through Wednesday). Pizza My Heart at 117 E. San Carlos St. also offers lots of including a vegan version of its garlic-filled Big Sur pizza. If concertgoers want to make their trip even more sustainable, they should remember that both VTA and Caltrain are good, climate-friendlier ways to get to SAP Center. On the subject of Caltrain, state Sen. Dave Cortese can’t believe the transit agency has agreed to transfer its entire retired fleet — 90 gallery cars and 19 diesel locomotives — to Lima, Peru after finally getting its entire fleet electrified this fall. “This is no way to run a railroad by taking the diesel off California’s carbon footprint then putting it right back on in Peru. Are we not all fighting to decarbonize the same air?” Cortese, who chairs the state Senate Transportation committee, said in a release. that states the intent of the Legislature to restrict the resale of decommissioned diesel trains and rolling stock for continued use. I still like the idea of planting a locomotive and gallery car on permanent display at San Jose’s Diridon Station as part of a transit museum. San Jose musician Gus Kambeitz is being a tuneful Santa Claus this season, with his jazzy Nineteen Big Band performing benefit concerts for two downtown theater companies. On Dec. 10, Nineteen will provide the tunes at City Lights Theatre Company for seven actors who’ve performed in “The Rocky Horror Show,” “Kinky Boots” and other City Lights musicals. Go to for tickets. Then, a week later on Dec. 17, Nineteen will be at San Jose Stage Company for its “Sounds of the Season Holiday Bash,” performing jazzy versions of holiday favorites along with some familiar San Jose Stage voices: Adrienne Herro, Allison F. Rich, Will Springhorn Jr. and Jonathan Rhys Williams. Tickets are available at . And if that’s not enough, vocalist Ren Geisick has two chances to at City Lights this month, bringing a mix of classic holiday tunes and originals on Dec. 8 and 15. After the 49ers last couple of games, you might be looking for a less stressful way to spend your Sunday afternoon than seeing if they can beat the Chicago Bears. If so, there is a trio of musical options on Dec. 8 — but they’re all at 3 p.m. at different South Bay venues. Related Articles The San Jose Metropolitan Band will be playing its “Holiday Spectacular” concert at the Hammer Theatre, the San Jose Wind Symphony has “Hollywood Holidays” at the McAfee Performing Arts Center in Saratoga, and the First Congregational Church of San Jose, at 1980 Hamilton Ave., is welcoming chamber orchestra Harmonia California for its Concerts on the Corner series (which will include the world premiere of Bay Area composer Alan Hebert’s “The Orchestra and the Orchard.”) Take your pick. If you don’t get to the First Congregational Church, though, you can always stop by Dec. 13 when it has its holiday program, “Carols on the Corner,” with the church’s Bell Choir, Chancel Choir and Family Band joined by guest musicians. Donations of non-perishable food items will benefit the Campbell United Church of Christ Food Pantry.