RALEIGH, N.C. — A duplex in a Raleigh neighborhood sustained serious damage after an afternoon fire, according to the Raleigh Fire Department. Around 1:39 p.m. Friday, a reported structure fire was called in for a two-story townhome in the 2400 block of Pumpkin Ridge Way. Fire officials said that heavy flames were showing from the front of the home with exposure to a neighboring home near the right. Fire officials said that around 1:50 p.m., the fire was out. They have not given any word on injuries or if any families have been displaced.
Braden Currie Prepares for Thrilling IRONMAN Cairns Challenge, Australia
Cairns, Australia – June 14, 2024 – Braden Currie is set to compete in his sixth Cairns Airport IRONMAN Asia Pacific Championships this year. With an impressive track record of winning the event three times, securing second place once, and finishing third on another occasion, Currie is poised for another strong performance as part of the IRONMAN Pro Series.
This marks Currie’s second full IRONMAN distance race of the year as part of the IRONMAN Pro Series. Reflecting on his return to Cairns, Currie said, It’s awesome to be back. I enjoy racing here; it’s a great city with an epic setting and it’s always a tough but fun race course.
The addition of the IRONMAN Pro Series has brought a new level of excitement and intensity to this year’s event. There’s a lot more emphasis on this race with it being part of the IRONMAN Pro Series, Currie noted. Sounds like there will be much more coverage, including a heli-cam following the entire race. I would say it is Cairn’s deepest and best field ever, it will be some tough and tight racing.
Despite a frustrating result in Texas, Currie remains highly motivated. Texas showed me how much drive I still have because I just wanted to get back up and go do another one, Currie explained. He has since undergone a comprehensive training block, including a week of reset post-travel, indoor training at home in New Zealand due to cold weather and two intensive weeks in Noosa focusing on swimming and consistent training in a warm environment.
While the ultimate goal remains IRONMAN Kona, Currie is also focused on securing valuable points in the IRONMAN Pro Series. I’m aiming for a good race here to get some solid points, he said. Then I’ll line up again in six weeks at IRONMAN Lake Placid to build on those points before gearing up for Kona at the end of October.
As Currie prepares for IRONMAN Cairns, he brings with him the experience, determination, and strategic focus that have defined his career. The upcoming race promises to be a thrilling display of endurance and skill.
US Supreme Court Declares Gun ‘Bump Stock’ Ban Unconstitutional
The US Supreme Court ruled on Friday that a ban introduced by ex-president Donald Trump’s administration on bump stocks — which allow semi-automatic rifles to fire like a machine gun — is unconstitutional.
The court voted along ideological lines, 6-3 in favor of the conservative justices, that the Trump administration did not follow the law in extending a ban on machine guns to include bump stocks after a 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas.
UK High Court Allows Rights Groups to Provide Evidence in Arms Sales Review to Israel
LONDON: Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and Oxfam are set to contribute to a legal review of UK arms sales to Israel in a landmark case initiated by Al-Haq and the Global Legal Action Network. The High Court has granted permission for these renowned human rights groups to submit evidence that challenges the UK government’s arms export licenses amid concerns over potential violations of international law. The case, scheduled for October, has gained attention following revelations that over 100 new arms export licenses have been issued for Israel without any revocations, despite ongoing conflict resulting in significant civilian casualties. The involvement of these prominent organizations underscores a crucial examination of the UK’s compliance with legal obligations concerning arms sales to countries involved in conflicts with severe humanitarian impacts.
Vietnam Fatherland Front Delegation Visits Vietnamese Embassy in Australia, Praises Community Contributions
Sydney, June 14 – A delegation from the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee visited the Vietnamese Embassy in Australia, led by Vice Chairman Hoang Cong Thuy. The delegation’s visit comes as part of a working trip to the country, aimed at strengthening ties between Vietnam and Australia, with a focus on people-to-people exchanges.
During the visit, Vice Chairman Thuy praised the recent positive developments in Vietnam-Australia relations and expressed optimism about the future of the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership. He also lauded the efforts of the embassy in community development and acknowledged the support from patriotic Vietnamese individuals and organizations in Australia in promoting ties with their homeland.
Ambassador Pham Hung Tam highlighted the achievements in bilateral cooperation following Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s official visit to Australia earlier this year. He emphasized the vital role of Vietnamese associations, particularly those representing businesspersons, intellectuals, and students, in enhancing the relationship between the two countries and supporting the embassy’s community work.
The delegation’s visit to the Vietnamese Embassy serves as a testament to the commitment of both Vietnam and Australia in strengthening their partnership and fostering closer connections between their peoples.
Pope Francis warns against AI replacing human decision-making, Vatican
Pope Francis stressed that human dignity requires that the decisions of artificial intelligence (AI) be under the control of human beings as he participated in the G7 summit, emphasizing the importance of human decision-making in the face of technological advancements. The pontiff highlighted the need for proper human control over AI choices, warning against the potential consequences of relying entirely on machines for decision-making. The Group of Seven (G7) summit focused on various topics including artificial intelligence, energy, and global regions, with Pope Francis advocating for the ethical and responsible use of AI tools for the betterment of society. He also raised concerns about the limitations and risks associated with AI, urging leaders to ensure that AI programs do not undermine human culture and education by reinforcing false information. As discussions continue on the ethical implications of artificial intelligence, Pope Francis emphasized the critical role of human oversight in shaping a future where technology serves humanity without compromising human dignity and autonomy.
DLMI Strikes International Deal with Tokenization Pioneer
Diamond Lake Minerals, Inc. (OTC:DLMI) has made significant strides in the world of tokenization by securing a landmark deal with an international partner. Brian J. Esposito, the CEO of DLMI, recently shared details of this groundbreaking agreement during an interview on Benzinga’s All-Access show alongside Brain Collins, CEO of GlobexUS/Upstream.
DLMI specializes in developing and supporting digital assets and SEC-registered security tokens with a mission to blend traditional businesses with the future of digital assets. Through this new partnership, the company aims to expand its innovative vision for public companies into international markets, offering exciting opportunities on a global scale.
The collaboration between DLMI and its international partner signifies a significant step forward in the world of tokenization. The companies are poised to join forces and bring cutting-edge solutions to a wider audience, setting the stage for a dynamic shift in how businesses embrace the digital revolution.
Speech and More Launches Comprehensive Speech Therapy Services for All Ages in Australia
Sydney, Australia–(Newsfile Corp. – June 14, 2024) – Speech and More is thrilled to announce the launch of its new speech therapy business, dedicated to providing high-quality speech and language services to individuals of all ages across Australia. With the launch of their new website, Speech and More aims to make speech therapy accessible to everyone, offering both home visits and telehealth services.
Speech and More specialises in a wide range of speech therapy services tailored for both children and adults. Their expert team of speech therapists focuses on helping clients improve their speech and language skills and address swallowing difficulties. By providing personalized therapy plans, Speech and More ensures each client receives the attention and care they need to achieve their communication goals.
Understanding the diverse needs of their clients, Speech and More offers flexible therapy options to fit into busy schedules and various lifestyles. Their home visit service allows clients to receive therapy in the comfort of their own homes, while the telehealth service ensures that clients from all corners of Australia can access expert speech therapy without geographical limitations.
Speech and More is committed to improving the lives of individuals through effective speech therapy services. Their team of experienced speech therapists uses evidence-based practices to deliver the best possible outcomes for their clients. With a focus on both speech and language development as well as swallowing therapy, Speech and More is dedicated to helping clients communicate more effectively and live fuller, more independent lives.
The new speech and more website provides detailed information about the services offered, the team of therapists, and how to get started with Speech and More. Clients can easily book appointments online and find resources to support their therapy journey.
For more information about Speech and More and their services, please visit https://speechandmore.com.au/. Key services include speech therapy, mealtime management, and swallowing assessments with a focus on speech specialist areas.
CleverCards Raises €8M Investment From Pluxee for Global Expansion, Ireland
CleverCards, a global digital payments platform, has announced an €8 million capital raise, including an investment from Pluxee, a global player in Employee Benefits and Engagement, and an additional investment from existing investors. The investment stands out in the current capital markets impasse and brings CleverCards’ total funding to date to €28 million.
Since its official market launch in 2023, the company has experienced substantial growth, onboarding over 10,000 businesses directly with 350,000 users in 92 countries. CleverCards has already grown into one of the world’s leading digital payments platforms, enabling Businesses and Public Sector organisations to configure digital Mastercard’s themselves and send them to anyone, anywhere, anytime to download instantly.
The Irish-headquartered company will use the capital raised to accelerate its expansion efforts and support the company’s ambitious growth plans to create the world’s most advanced digital payments platform.
As the company prepares further expansion, it has also strengthened its Board of Directors with five new non-executive members, with vast experience in successfully scaling payments technology on a global level.
Kealan Lennon, CEO and founder of CleverCards, commented: The growth we have experienced in the past two years has been formidable, and this investment round is a show of confidence in our trajectory. Pluxee’s investment is a significant endorsement of our vision and strategy as we push forward in our mission to transform digital payments globally. Their belief in our potential to innovate and connect the digital economy across borders is energizing.
CleverCards’ B2B customers and cardholder base are driving expansion, due to market needs left unfulfilled by traditional financial institutions. The partnership with Pluxee aims to not only help CleverCards’ scale its employee and social welfare benefits products but also positions the company for broader opportunities.
WhatsApp to Introduce Multilingual Voice Note Transcription for Improved User Experience
WhatsApp is launching a voice note transcription feature with multilingual support and improved accessibility. The feature will allow users to transcribe voice notes directly within the app, eliminating the need for third-party services. Users can choose their preferred language for transcriptions, with English, Spanish, Portuguese (Brazil), Russian, and Hindi available initially. The transcription process will be handled locally on the user’s device to protect privacy and maintain end-to-end encryption. This update, initially for Android users, aims to enhance user experience and cater to WhatsApp’s diverse global user base.
