News & Updates
The latest news and updates from companies in the WLTH portfolio.
Penshurst gardener's colossal pumpkin breaks his own 18-year record
Penshurst green thumb Loukas Dedes is proving that some things truly do get better with age. The 91-year-old grandfather has become a neighbourhood sensation after harvesting an enormous pumpkin weighing a staggering 33kg from his home garden. While a squash of that magnitude would be a lifetime achievement for most, for Mr Dedes, it is a record-breaking sequel. He first graced the pages of this masthead 18 years ago at age 73, when he proudly displayed a then-impressive 26kg pumpkin. A retired wedding photographer and former reporter for the Greek press, Mr Dedes has traded his camera lens for gardening shears, though his eye for a great story clearly remains sharp. His horticultural resume also includes a massive one-kilogram tomato, proving his green thumb extends across the entire veggie patch. According to his granddaughter, Hayley Dedes, the 2008 news clipping has been a prized family keepsake for nearly two decades. "My grandfather is known for always being in his garden, growing various fruits and vegetables all year round," Hayley said. Despite the modern era of specialised fertilisers, Mr Dedes keeps his methods refreshingly traditional, relying simply on cow manure and water to fuel his prize-winning produce. His son John said the secret is simply the amount of time he spends in the garden. He noted that his father has also taken a keen hand at beekeeping, at one point extracting two tonnes of honey a year, with neighbours constantly knocking on his door to buy it. "He thinks he's 21," John said. "The garden keeps him fit." This latest pumpkin took a couple of months to grow and is sitting on the verandah. It will soon be put to good use, as Mr Dedes' wife plans to make soup for their friends and neighbours using her collection of large pots. As well as, his record-breaking gourds, Mr Dedes continues to cultivate a diverse patch of broccoli, cabbage, silverbeet, and citrus trees.
Dothan's Community Developer leads number one in Colossal's Entrepreneur Impact competition race
DOTHAN, Ala. (WDHN) -- A YouTuber, and Community Developer from Dothan is competing In the Colossal's Entrepreneur of Impact Competition. The competition is a nationwide campaign raising funds and awareness for GenYOUth. Darante Martin, is making an impact beyond the tri-state area as a Social Educator and Community Developer. The former Wiregrass Pastor, now community leader, is creating space to help people far and near to build healthier lives, after leaving religion. Martin is gaining national and even international followers in the Philippines on YouTube. Through the national competition, Martin has the opportunity to Scale the work that he is currently doing protecting those who is battling with mental, and post-religion crisis. For people in the community who are feeling brunt-out, or mentally challenged in their beliefs, Martin is the "man with the plan." Martin shared, "the competition basically is a open competition to all entrepreneurs all across the nation. who all believe that they are making a difference. " He responded on GenYOUth, "and those do not have the families that support them physically, and that means a lot for me, for someone growing up in poverty, that there is a organization that really focusing on helping them. Entrepreneur of Impact, hosted by Daymond John, the founder of urban clothing brand FUBU -- and investor on ABC's "Shark Tank." The nationwide campaign also invites entrepreneurs from ages 13 and up. Entrepreneurs compete for mentorship, and win a $25,000 prize while supporting national nonprofit GenYOUth. Martin is the founder of DLDD World Group, and the visionary behind Bridge City Global. It is a growing community ecosystem, building toward local campuses. Martin also a published author whose work challenges religious claims and equips people rebuilding their own identity after belief. "But we still have to live life in anyway -- and that is a very liberating place to be." Said, Martin. Martin ended with, "and so if anyone in the Wiregrass that wants to support, the easiest way to do so is casting a vote for me... " On Entrepreneur's Impact website, Martin is number one in the top 10 to win the prize. However, every week a contestant is being eliminated -- and, Martin needs all the support.
'God of chaos' asteroid will be once-in-a-lifetime event visible to the naked eye -- and closer than many satellites: scientists
A rare, colossal-sized asteroid is on course to fly by Earth -- and will come closer to our planet than any other rocks of its size in human history. The asteroid, named Apophis after the ancient Egyptian God of evil and destruction, is believed to span about 1,230 feet -- even longer than the Eiffel Tower's whopping 1,083-foot height. Dubbed the "God of chaos," the asteroid is on track to safely pass by Earth in a once-in-a-lifetime fly-by, lighting up the night sky visible to the naked eye on unlucky Friday, April 13, 2029, according to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. It is predicted that Apophis will come approximately 20,000 miles from the Earth's surface, closer than many satellites floating in space -- nearly 12 times closer than the moon's average distance from Earth. Asteroids of this size fly by Earth "only every few thousand years on average, so it's likely that an event like this has not happened at any time in recorded human history," NASA said. "Without a doubt, this is the first time it's happened when humans have had the technology to observe it," the agency said. Depending on the weather, space fanatics and eagle-eyed observers on Earth will be able to observe the asteroid's approach from the ground in the Eastern Hemisphere without a telescope or binoculars, according to NASA. The space agency reassures that there is no danger to anyone living on Earth, or to the astronauts and satellites in space, "but the event is an amazing and totally unprecedented opportunity to learn much more about Apophis and similar near-Earth asteroids." NASA has been studying the asteroid closely for years; it initially sparked global concern when scientists calculated it could potentially impact Earth in 2029, 2036 or 2068 -- hence the destructive name of Apophis. The "God of chaos" asteroid was first discovered by astronomers in 2004, and briefly reached level 4 on NASA's Torino Impact Hazard Scale, which assesses possible space dangers. Today, Apophis is classified as "potentially hazardous" -- not because it poses any danger to life on Earth, but due to its large size and proximity to Earth, according to Space.com. NASA originally put the astronomically sized rock at a 2.7% chance of devastation, but all danger was ruled out after new radar observations in 2021, leaving Earth safe from harm for at least 100 years. The European Space Agency (ESA) is planning to send its Rapid Apophis Mission for Space Safety (Rames) team to follow the asteroid on its journey close to Earth and will observe how it is warped and changed by Earth's gravity. After the 2029 fly-by, the colossal rock will be back again in 2036, but this time nowhere near as close to Earth.
The 40pc nitrogen hack: how faba beans are slicing 'colossal' fertiliser bills
Riverina growers are increasingly turning to nitrogen-fixing legumes like faba beans to help rein in "colossal" fertiliser bills. Berrigan grower Tom Arnold, Carawatha, said residual nitrogen left in the soil by faba beans allowed him to cut urea inputs by up to 40 per cent in the following irrigated canola crop. "We're using 100 to 150 kilograms per hectare less of urea for the same yield as what we were getting putting 400kg/ha out," Mr Arnold said. "Given the current prices, that's pretty beneficial." Mr Arnold said he was quoted upwards of $1400 a tonne for urea delivered on-farm in June. This time last year on-farm urea prices were sitting closer to $800/t. "It's just colossal...our inputs are getting so much dearer and we seem to be getting paid less for what we grow," he said. The Arnolds crop around 2100 hectares between Berrigan and Jerilderie, with more than half of that area set up for irrigation across both summer and winter. Mr Arnold said they introduced faba beans four years ago, initially planting 90ha. This year, the program has expanded to around 250ha, to be sown in the next couple of weeks, with plans to reach up to 350-400ha from next year. The Arnolds started growing faba beans to improve the sustainability of their rotations and to reduce their reliance on synthetic nitrogen. Mr Arnold said continuous cropping of canola and wheat had taken its toll on the soil and had begun to impact yields. "We realised that our N [nitrogen] was not efficient anymore," he said. "Our dirt had hit a wall and we couldn't get through that wall, so we decided to bring in legumes." Mr Arnold's agronomist Greg Sefton, Sefton Agronomics, Barooga, said faba beans also provide a more effective form of nitrogen, compared to urea. "It's there when the plant needs it and natural N becomes available from the bean stubble even two to three years later. It's just a healthier system," Mr Sefton said. He said legume hectares within his clients' rotations had increased from one per cent seven years ago to 10-12.5pc this year. Faba beans were by far the most popular choice of legume for solely cropping operations in the southern Riverina. "They're the most tolerant legume to water-logging and they go well on our irrigation, on our heavy clay soils, whereas chickpeas and lentils don't like that," Mr Sefton said. Although faba beans' nitrogen-fixing qualities are becoming more valuable, they are a notoriously fickle crop to grow. Mr Arnold said they were trialling different sowing strategies to improve plant population and maximise yields. "That's the trickiest thing with beans, one year we had them do 6t/ha and last year we had them do 2t/ha," Mr Arnold said. However, he said the crop itself had low inputs, with only 80kg/ha of MAP added at sowing and no urea required. Tightening profit margins mean many Riverina irrigators will reduce both their water and fertiliser applications this year. Mr Arnold said they would apply urea and MAP at dryland rates and would not prewater before sowing. "There's a lot of things this year that we're having to think about that we'd normally just say yes to," he said. "As far as fertiliser and irrigation is concerned, this year we're running basically as a dryland operation. "It makes it more difficult because in irrigation you have a lot of area not planted because of rows and channels." Mr Sefton said irrigators would be questioning whether to spend more than $300 per megalitre to establish a winter cereal crop given current grain prices. But in positive news, much of the southern Riverina had received a good autumn break, with around 50-100mm of rainfall recorded in March. Mr Sefton said another client had already seen canola emerge that was planted in early-April "We've got 50pc of the crop up, which is fantastic...and purely on subsoil moisture from that March rain" Mr Sefton said. When it came to fertiliser, Mr Sefton said most of his clients had enough urea secured to put on the minimum 100kg/hectare required in continuous cropping systems. "Those guys who can't get urea secured, we'd be sitting down looking at their program and looking at what we leave out of crop and fallow," he said. Mr Sefton said current fertiliser and grain prices had also led to some growers favouring barley over wheat this year. While wheat typically attracts a premium, prices are currently similar, potentially making barley a more economic crop to grow due to its lower urea requirements. "An irrigated barley crop's probably going to get 250kg/ha of urea whereas wheat, fully irrigated, will get 400kg so there's 150kg of urea difference there," Mr Sefton said.
Jason Statham's Colossal 2027 Action Sequel Delivers Unbelievable Plot Details With First Footage
Jason Statham has fought crime syndicates, giant sharks, and even Dominic Torretto (Vin Diesel) himself, but next year, he'll be fighting his most challenging foe yet -- the United States government. That's right, the action icon's highly anticipated sequel, The Beekeeper 2, has unveiled some absolutely bonkers plot details at CinemaCon 2026, as well as a sneak peek at some brand-new footage. The behind-closed-doors sneak peek has Statham's Adam Clay embark on an action-packed quest that involves the kidnapping of the President of the United States, all but assuring the thrilling sequel is doubling down on the absurd elements that made the original a hit. With a video message to the good folks of CinemaCon, Jason Statham dropped in for a video visit to introduce a never-before-seen clip from the highly anticipated return of his character Adam Clay in The Beekeeper 2. Speeding down a forested lane, a vehicle is spotted by Adam's target. Just when they think they've got the skilled assassin, they realize it's a trap, and Adam pops out from the shadows. Embarking on a new mission, Adam loads up on weaponry and gets a healing bee treatment. After The Beekeepers kidnap the President, all eyes are on Adam to step in and save the day. Packed with crazy weapons (including a flamethrower), epic fight scenes, and incredible one-liners, it looks like our favorite action hero is back and better than ever. This is a developing story. Stay tuned to Collider as the updates come in. The Beekeeper 2 Like Follow Followed Action Crime Thriller Release Date January 15, 2027 Director Timo Tjahjanto Writers Kurt Wimmer Producers Jason Statham, Chris Long, Kurt Wimmer Cast Powered by Expand Collapse
Neion Bio Strengthens Genome Engineering Leadership with Appointment of Colossal Biosciences Veteran James Kehler
Dr. James Kehler at Neion Bio's facilities in the Ford Center Incubator at Rockefeller University. Get the latest news delivered to your inbox Sign up for The Manila Times newsletters By signing up with an email address, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Advertisement James Kehler and Sven Bocklandt Dr. James Kehler (left) and Dr. Sven Bocklandt (right) on the campus of Rockefeller University. Advertisement NEW YORK, April 14, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Neion Bio, a biotechnology company revolutionizing the production of biologic medicines, today announced the appointment of James Kehler, VMD, PhD, as Head of Avian Sciences. Dr. Kehler joins Neion Bio from Colossal Biosciences, where he served as Vice President of BioSynergy overseeing multiple programs at the intersection of genome engineering and animal science. His appointment further strengthens Neion's leadership bench in advanced genome engineering, following the earlier recruitment of founding geneticist and Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Sven Bocklandt, who also joined Neion from Colossal Biosciences. "James has a rare ability to translate cutting-edge genome engineering into real-world preclinical and translational execution," said Dimi Kellari, co-founder and CEO of Neion Bio. "As we scale our platform toward commercial programs, building a leadership team with deep experience at the frontier of genetic engineering is a deliberate priority." Dr. Kehler brings more than two decades of experience developing advanced gene-edited animal models and enabling preclinical studies for leading biotechnology and pharmaceutical organizations. His pioneering work in cloning mammals from blood was recognized as one of TIME magazine's Best Inventions of 2025. Advertisement Earlier in his career, Dr. Kehler worked alongside Dr. Bocklandt to develop the world's first gene-edited hypoallergenic cat. He received his VMD and PhD in Cell and Molecular Biology from the University of Pennsylvania and completed post-doctoral training at the National Institutes of Health, including research appointments at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), and the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Dr. Kehler has held leadership roles at several notable biotechnology organizations, including Stemgent (now part of REPROCELL), the New York Stem Cell Foundation (now part of The Jackson Laboratory), MTI-GlobalStem (now part of Thermo Fisher Scientific), and Mirimus. In these roles, he led the development of advanced gene-edited models to enable translational and preclinical programs across multiple therapeutic areas. "Very few areas of science have advanced as rapidly as genome engineering over the past decade," said Dr. Kehler. "I'm thrilled to join Neion Bio at this stage of both the field and the company's development to apply frontier genetics to an industrial application with the potential to meaningfully expand innovation and access to medicines. Neion has a unique opportunity to translate scientific progress into durable technology that will have lasting impact." Dr. Kehler's appointment reinforces Neion Bio's focus on advancing its genome engineering platform toward industrial-scale production of biologic medicines. His addition further strengthens the company's ability to translate scientific innovation into scalable, cost-efficient manufacturing solutions for the biotech industry. About Neion Bio Advertisement Neion Bio is pioneering a new era in biomanufacturing, using frontier genetic engineering to harness nature's most prolific molecular factory - the egg - to produce biological medicines with unprecedented efficiency, scalability, and environmental sustainability. Founded in 2024, Neion aims to dramatically lower the cost of biologics manufacturing to spur biotech innovation and democratize global access to life-changing therapies. Neion's Raptor™ platform enables localized, resilient domestic manufacturing of critical medicines, strengthening national security while unlocking significant commercial opportunities. Led by a multidisciplinary team of scientists and industry veterans with deep expertise in genetic engineering, biologics manufacturing, and commercialization, Neion is building a platform designed to reset the boundaries of what is possible in biomanufacturing. The company aims to become the partner of choice for upstream biologics manufacturing and deliver transformational advantages for the biotech industry and patients worldwide. Neion Bio Contacts: [email protected] Photos accompanying this announcement are available at
Neion Bio Strengthens Genome Engineering Leadership with Appointment of Colossal Biosciences Veteran Jame
"James has a rare ability to translate cutting-edge genome engineering into real-world preclinical and translational execution," said Dimi Kellari, co-founder and CEO of Neion Bio. "As we scale our platform toward commercial programs, building a leadership team with deep experience at the frontier of genetic engineering is a deliberate priority." Dr. Kehler brings more than two decades of experience developing advanced gene-edited animal models and enabling preclinical studies for leading biotechnology and pharmaceutical organizations. His pioneering work in cloning mammals from blood was recognized as one of TIME magazine's Best Inventions of 2025. Dr. Kehler's appointment reinforces Neion Bio's focus on advancing its genome engineering platform toward industrial-scale production of biologic medicines. His addition further strengthens the company's ability to translate scientific innovation into scalable, cost-efficient manufacturing solutions for the biotech industry. About Neion Bio Neion Bio Contacts: [email protected] Photos accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e37518bc-d9ef-45ce-99a7-35e82f143444 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4f6216ab-2904-4d09-b30a-41ec33b0e03b Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs To add Benzinga News as your preferred source on Google, click here.
Trump administration unveils plans for colossal triumphal arch in Washington
US President Donald Trump stands near models for a proposed "Independence Arch" as he speaks during a dinner with ballroom donors in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC. (File/AFP) Donald Trump's administration on Friday unveiled renderings for a large triumphal arch proposed for construction in Washington near several of the nation's most prominent monuments. The structure is planned to stand 250 feet (76.2 metres) tall, surpassing Monument to the Revolution by 30 feet and making it the largest of its kind globally, ahead of Arch of Triumph. Design and location details The gold-accented arch would rise higher than the 99-foot-tall Lincoln Memorial and is proposed to be located across the Potomac River at the far end of Arlington Memorial Bridge. It would also be visible from Arlington National Cemetery, where many of the country's military personnel are buried. Renderings show a large winged Lady Liberty, flanked by two gilded eagles, positioned atop a white arch. The structure features gold inscriptions reading "One Nation Under God" and "Liberty and Justice for All" on opposite sides. The proposed design resembles the Arc de Triomphe and would be situated on Columbia Island in the Potomac River. Trump highlights project significance "The structure "will be the GREATEST and MOST BEAUTIFUL Triumphal Arch, anywhere in the World," Trump wrote on his social media platform on Friday. "This will be a wonderful addition to the Washington D.C. area for all Americans to enjoy for many decades to come!" Trump has said the arch would commemorate the 250th anniversary of the US founding and the 1776 declaration of independence from Britain. Part of broader architectural plans The project is among several initiatives undertaken during Trump's second term, including a large White House ballroom and renovations to the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The plans have been submitted to the US Commission of Fine Arts for review, an agency responsible for advising the President on design matters. Trump replaced all members of the commission in October and appointed allies as part of broader development plans across the US capital. Last month, the same body approved the design of a commemorative gold coin bearing Trump's likeness to be minted for the 250th anniversary.
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Colossal Concrete Products' rail precast concrete expertise flows into water infrastructure upgrades
As South Africa begins to rehabilitate and repair ageing water infrastructure, Colossal Concrete Products (CCP), Africa's largest concrete railway sleeper manufacturer, says its comprehensive range of precast concrete products can provide meaningful solutions. "Drawing on decades of experience in high-load, high-durability concrete manufacturing for the rail sector, CCP has the technical expertise, manufacturing precision and quality assurance to support the creation, maintenance and rehabilitation of urgently needed water systems," says CCP Chief Operating Officer, Mmapitso Kiewiet, who welcomed commitments made during the 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA), and allocations for water infrastructure in the 2026 Budget. The renewed focus on water infrastructure ties in with World Water Day on March 22. This underscores the universal right to safe water and sanitation. CCP has produced prestressed concrete railway sleepers and related products for freight rail and the Gautrain. The company has already supplied large water projects in Mpumalanga and Gauteng, and recently provided 1,300 metres of its 2,250mm diameter pipes to divert grey water at one of South Africa's newest power stations. An example of cross-sector application is the SATS railway culvert, originally designed for the South African railways to channel water beneath railway lines, while accommodating substantial fill heights and axle loads. CCP Technical Sales and Service Manager, Werner Booyens says that these were engineered to withstand dynamic rail loading and severe environmental conditions. "A culvert system, commonly referred to in industry as an S-Class culvert, has subsequently been developed to meet modern design requirements in accordance with SANS 986. These systems are widely used in the mining and private sectors - as well as on national roads, where their enhanced structural capacity and durability make them well suited for storm water management, mine water control and municipal drainage applications," Booyens adds. "Culverts manage and reduce flooding by safely conveying excess water away from roads, railways, developments and natural water courses. When properly designed, installed and maintained, they minimise flood-related damage. Without them, those structures act like dams, leading to upstream flooding, increasing the risk of buildings, foundations and infrastructure being submerged. In addition, these culverts control flow direction, guiding water along a planned route, preventing random overland flow which can erode roads and embankments and undermine foundations. They also decrease damage to services and pavements by reducing erosion and scour," he explains. CCP has identified several products to assist with water sector upgrades: According to Booyens, these products are manufactured in a controlled factory environment using advanced technology and purpose-built equipment. Precision moulds ensure consistent dimensions. "High-quality raw materials are carefully selected, batched and mixed to strict specifications to ensure consistent strength, durability and performance. The concrete is compacted using modern vibration techniques which eliminate voids and achieve a dense, impermeable concrete product. Steel reinforcement, where required, is accurately positioned to provide structural integrity and resistance to external loads and ground pressures. Throughout the production process, dimensional tolerances, wall thickness and surface finish are continuously monitored. The pipes are then steam cured under controlled conditions to achieve early optimal strength and long-term durability," he advises, adding that these tightly controlled manufacturing processes produce pipes with high load-bearing capacity, low permeability and strong resistance to abrasion, chemical attack and weathering.
comes with a powerful chipset and a colossal 9000 mAh battery
OnePlus has just officially presented the Nord 6 in Indiaand the proposal is striking enough to make it worth paying attention to. The brand has been in the eye of the storm for months due to rumors about its future, but that has not prevented it from launching what is possibly its most ambitious mid-range in years. The question is whether the phone will live up to the hype, and whether Europeans will ever get their hands on it. The Nord 6 inherits the DNA of the OnePlus Turbo 6the device that the firm launched in China at the beginning of the year. This rebranding is a common strategy within the Oppo/OnePlus group: Chinese hardware serves as the basis for the international Nord line. It's not necessarily bad, but it's worth keeping in mind. What the OnePlus Nord 6 offers The big headline is the battery. The silicon-carbon cell 9000mAh It promises more than 26 hours of streaming video and more than 16 hours of navigation with Google Maps, all within a body that is just 8.5 mm thick and 217 grams. The load is 80W SUPERVOOCwith an estimated time of about 70 minutes to complete the cycle. As a novelty, it incorporates 27W reverse charging, something that the Nord 5 offered at a ridiculous speed of 5W. Under the hood we find the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4with up to 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage in the top version. The screen is a 6.78-inch AMOLED panel with 1.5K resolution and 165 Hz refresh rate. In cameras, it has a 50 MP Sony LYTIA-600 main sensor with dual-axis optical stabilizationaccompanied by an 8 MP ultra wide angle. There is no optical zoom. The front camera is 32 MP and the video reaches 4K at 60 fps. In durability, the jump compared to the Nord 5 is notable: the Nord 6 certifies IP66, IP68, IP69 and IP69K, and exceeds the MIL-STD-810H military standard with 25 drops from 1.5 meters on steel. Of course, the back and the frame are made of polycarbonate, or in other words, plastic. OnePlus Nord 6 technical sheet * Screen: 6.78'' AMOLED 1.5K (2772 × 1272), 165 Hz, 1,800 peak nits, Crystal Guard Glass * Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 (4nm), 3.2GHz Cortex-X5 main core * RAM/Storage: 8GB + 256GB / 12GB + 256GB * Rear cameras: 50 MP Sony LYTIA-600 (f/1.8, dual-axis OIS) + 8 MP ultra wide angle (f/2.2, 112°) * Front camera: 32MP * Battery: 9,000 mAh silicon-carbon, 80W SUPERVOOC charge (~70 min), 27W reverse charge * Software: OxygenOS 16 (Android 16), 4 OS updates, 6 years of security * Endurance: IP66, IP68, IP69, IP69K, MIL-STD-810H * Dimensions: 8.5mm thick, 217g * Starting price (India): from ~€430 equivalent (Rs 38,999); estimated European price from €399-449 The problem that no one wants to name: will it reach Europe? Reports have been circulating for weeks suggesting that OnePlus could leave the EU and North American markets to focus on China and India. The recent resignation of the CEO of OnePlus India has not helped to calm things down either. At the moment, the Nord 6 has only been presented in India and OnePlus has not given details about availability in other markets. There is another detail that complicates things for Europeans: Western regulations could force a reduction in battery capacity, possibly up to 7,000 mAhwhich would take away much of the device's appeal. Despite all this, OnePlus has not canceled its expansion plans, and everything indicates that the Nord 6 will reach European markets. The expected price would be around 399-449 eurosa step above the Nord 5, which would put it in direct competition with the Pixel 10a or the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro.
Democrats' Colossal Missed Opportunity to Shape the Supreme Court
Neas' enthusiasm was initially matched by that of other Bush critics, such as the Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), who told people that he had been the first to suggest Miers as Supreme Court material to Bush. While Bush's top adviser Karl Rove insists Bush was already mulling a Miers nomination when Reid chimed in, Bush clearly felt more confident in making the move with the expectation that Reid would deliver Democratic votes for Miers. This wasn't a far-fetched notion: Roberts, with far more of a conservative pedigree than Miers, had just won confirmation with the support of half the Democratic caucus. The seeming liberal triumph of the Miers nomination, of course, would give way to a conservative backlash. Almost immediately, conservative judicial activists rose up against Miers, citing her lack of experience in constitutional law and sparking a rebellion that eventually forced Bush to withdraw her nomination. The alacrity with which conservatives turned on Bush, a president they had lionized after 9/11 as the great leader of his time, shocked people on both sides of the judicial divide. It was a powerful signal that the fight over the Supreme Court transcended party loyalty. This was a long twilight struggle, and one side -- the right -- understood the stakes well enough to know they had to gash Bush to preserve their agenda. The other side, it turned out, was slow to grasp the implications until it was too late. Reid's initial praise of Miers was quickly muted. Liberal stalwarts including Sen. Ted Kennedy declared that they would wait until Miers' confirmation hearings to pass judgment. This was a much milder response that the gales of fury that Kennedy usually inflicted on Republican nominees, but it inadvertently fed into the conservative critique of Miers as unknown and unqualified: a non-entity. As the conservative attacks on Miers mounted, Reid and his fellow Democrats seemed only too happy to stand on the sidelines of the Republican-on-Republican scrum, while letting the last chance to rescue Miers slip away. Significantly, Bush made it clear that he didn't give up on Miers simply because of what he called "the firestorm of criticism we received from our supporters." It was the failure of Democrats to lend their backing to the besieged Miers. "When the left started criticizing Harriet, too, I knew the nomination was doomed," Bush wrote in his memoir, Decision Points. Today, the notion of Miers as a misguided, unfit choice for the Supreme Court has taken root, partly because of her lack of any defenders on the left or right outside of Bush's inner circle. The nomination seems to have passed as a blip, a footnote to much more consequential judicial battles before and after. In fact, the Miers debacle was not only a colossal missed opportunity for the Democrats, but a major turning point in the judicial wars. The failure to build consensus around a centrist nominee, based on her character and life experiences rather than ideology, effectively ended any hope of compromise over the Supreme Court. Every nominee confirmed since then has been, for better or worse, a figure with a long, ingrained record of decision-making that reinforced the predilections of the party in power. This was the recipe for bitterness and conflict that followed.
Crabbers wrapping up season as mega colossal claws reach $108 a pound
The waters have long settled from Hurricane Ian, and it seems like the stone crabs have come back in big numbers. Stone crabbers in the Fort Myers-Naples area are wrapping up a very successful fishing season, with some anglers landing three to four times the hauls they've seen in recent years. Stone crab season ends May 1, so there are only a few weeks to catch this regional, seasonal treasure. "It went from about three-quarters of a pound to more than 2 pounds," said St. James City fisherman and crabber Vincent Montella. "And there's a bunch of us pounding (the same general area off Lovers Key State Park). And I can see other guys' gear right beside mine." Stone crabs are a treasured, renewable resource that sells for big dollars in markets and restaurants here. Unlike some other crab species, only the claw of the stone crab has value, and a pinched claw will often regrow once the crab is released back into the Gulf. Market prices now range from $25 a pound for medium claws to upwards of $84.99 for the massive claws that fit the colossal category. Mega colossal crabs are going for as high as $107.99 at online retailers like georgestonecrab.com. Although those prices may sound high, larger hauls and bigger legs create better prices for consumers. "The more product we have, the better the prices," Montella said. "And the size of the individual (claws) has been exceptional. We've had the majority of crabs be large jumbos. We're getting very big crabs." Montella said this is the first quality season for crabbers here since at least 2022, when Hurricane Ian ripped through the region and tore up the Gulf floor. "The year before Ian it was fair and then things just changed," Montella said. "The bottom got tore up." Successful stone crabbing season wrapping up in Naples Crabbing has been good this year in the Naples-Everglades City area as well. Jimmy Grimm, whose family owns Grimm's Stone Crab in Everglades City, said he's been getting in between 300 pounds and 1,000 pounds of stone crab claws a day from two family boats. "It's been a good season," Grimm said. "The hauls are up, so that's good for the customer. When the hauls are up the prices go down." Typically, fishermen remove the larger of the two claws, although they must measure 2 and 7/8 inches to be legal. Stone crab claws will regrow over time, although a crab has a better chance of surviving if it has at least one claw. Recreational crabbing is also allowed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Licensed anglers can take up to a 1 gallon container full of claws, while a vessel with multiple anglers can take up to 2 gallons per day. "Each person will receive unique trap registration numbers that must be included on each trap along with the owner's full name and address" an FWC website reads. "This no-cost registration will allow FWC to collect important information about these recreational fisheries needed for future stock assessments and management decisions." Montella said the Gulf seems primed to produce more delectable seafood and that conditions are better now than they've been in years. "All the signs are there for a good, healthy fishery," Montella said. Chad Gillis is an environment reporter and can be reached by email at [email protected]. Please support local community journalism and stay informed about Southwest Florida news by subscribing to The News-Press and Naples Daily News; download the free News-Press or Naples Daily News app, and sign up for daily briefing email newsletter, food & dining and growth & development newsletters here and here.
How Colossal Biosciences Uses CRISPR and the Safeguards Behind the Science
Safety continues after birth. The controlled preserve enables longitudinal health monitoring tracking unexpected effects from multi-gene editing over lifespans. Researchers monitor cancer rates, immune function, epigenetic effects, aging patterns, and stress indicators, establishing a CRISPR safety baseline for large carnivores informing future conservation applications. This managed care approach allows detection of off-target effects that might only appear during development or maturity. It provides data on how edited genes interact with complete organ systems. And critically, it maintains ability to refine or terminate the program if welfare concerns arise. "We closely monitor and compare embryonic and fetal development against known and expected milestones in case there is ever a need for intervention." The preserve's veterinary clinic, specialized staff, and continuous observation systems ensure immediate response capability.
Hare-cules! Giant bunny Junior weighs a colossal 21lbs
If this Easter bunny turned up to deliver your chocolate eggs, you'd be sure to know about it. Big-eared Junior weighs an impressive 21lb and, you may not be surprised to learn, is a Continental giant rabbit. He towers over his playmate Suzi, a Netherland dwarf rabbit who is just 1.5lb. In fact, she's so small that she loves to snuggle up under one of Junior's massive ears when they're on the sofa together. Owner Lyn Hobson, 66, admits that the pair are 'spoiled' and have their own room in her three-bedroom home in Hull and a sandpit outside. Those tempted to get their own bunny might want to sleep on the idea first, however. A study found that owning a rabbit is linked to a significantly higher risk of insomnia - whereas having a dog can offer a major boost to sleep quality. The research showed adults over 60 with a pet are significantly less likely to suffer from insomnia, with dog owners getting most protection partly thanks to increased physical activity during walkies. But rabbits 'are predominantly nocturnal animals requiring cage confinement and demanding care (eg, frequent cage cleaning), which may increase owners' psychological stress and correlate with poorer sleep quality'. The study of nearly 1,500 adults, carried out by researchers in China, was published in Frontiers of Veterinary Science. Junior's owner Lyn Hobson, 66, admits that the giant rabbit and his sibling are 'spoiled' and have their own room in her three-bedroom home in Hull and a sandpit outside Big-eared Junior weighs an impressive 21lb and towers over his playmate Suzi, a Netherland dwarf rabbit who is just 1.5lb They answered questions including whether they owned pets, the type of animals and how often they interacted, such as through walks or engagement at home. Pet ownership in general was 'significantly associated with a reduced risk' of insomnia - a persistent difficulty falling and staying asleep - the researchers said. 'Specifically, dog ownership and owning healthy pets were protective factors. Conversely, rabbit ownership, ownership duration of less than one year, and daily interaction exceeding two hours were associated with an increased risk of poor sleep quality.' The increased benefits for dog owners were linked to the increased physical activity and social benefits. Dog owners in the study typically spend around 45 minutes per day walking their pet. 'Walking dogs provides more social opportunities, reducing loneliness and indirectly promoting sleep,' the researchers said. 'Moreover, dog owners experience greater daytime exposure to natural light, which helps maintain healthy circadian rhythms.' The paper added: 'Rabbits are predominantly nocturnal animals requiring cage confinement and demanding care (e.g., frequent cage cleaning), which may increase owners' psychological stress and correlate with poorer sleep quality.' A total of 717 participants had one or more animals as pets, including 487 dog owners, 270 cat owners, 61 bird owners, and 70 rabbit owners. Nearly 61pc of rabbit owners suffered from insomnia, compared with 21pc of dog owners. No insomnia link was observed in the cat and bird owner group. 'For cats, calming interactions such as petting can provide emotional support and reduce stress, potentially benefiting sleep. However, cats are often most active during dawn and dusk, and their nighttime behaviors can disrupt an owner's sleep,' the study said. They said the increased insomnia risk in owners who spend two hours or more per day looking after their pet could be due to 'underlying challenges, such as behaviour issues in pets (e.g. separation anxiety) that may also cause sleep disruption at night, or owner-related anxiety and over-attachment that sustains a state of hypervigilance'. 'Furthermore, stimulating interactions close to bedtime may directly interfere with the wind-down process necessary for sleep onset,' they said. Those who had their pet less than one year may have reduced sleep quality as they 'adapt to care demands'. The study, carried out by researchers in China, was published in Frontiers of Veterinary Science (pls keep).
Prime Video's 10/10 'Bosch' Spin-Off Takes a Colossal Step Forward
Lade Omotade is a News and Feature Author at Collider with a passion for exploring the ever-evolving world of the Film & TV industry. Her work centers on covering the latest news, from casting announcements and franchise scoops to streaming updates and behind-the-scenes shifts that shape the way stories are told. Omotade approaches storytelling with both professional insight and unapologetic fandom; digging into what makes a franchise successful, spotlighting rising voices in Hollywood, and asking the questions fans are already buzzing about. Her writing reflects that mix: part industry analysis, part fan excitement, and always grounded in a love for the craft of storytelling. Following a tremendously successful seven-year run, Prime Video's Bosch came to a satisfying albeit bittersweet end on June 25, 2021. Two spin-offs soon came along -- Bosch: Legacy and Ballard -- both of which performed strongly by streaming standards. However, only one of the two remains ongoing and is already gearing fans up for its return after ending on a major cliffhanger and securing a Season 2 renewal. Based on Michael Connelly's best-selling novels, Ballard has reached audiences in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide since its premiere on July 9, 2025. The police procedural was renewed for a sophomore run on October 6, 2025, though a premiere date hasn't been announced. Nevertheless, it has taken a huge step towards its return, as production on Season 2 has officially begun, which comes shortly after several cast additions were reported. As seen on the 100% RT detective show's official X page, Maggie Q's Renée Ballard is back on the case. The post features a video of the team at a table read, offering a peek at Season 2, Episode 1, titled "Blue Window," written by Ralph Gifford. In addition to the title character -- who heads the cold case division of the LAPD, returning in Season 2, other returnees are Samira Parker (Courtney Taylor), a former officer who returns to the force at Ballard's request, and Thomas Laffont (John Carroll Lynch), a retired former police partner who returns to help Ballard run the cold case department. Related Party Down in Pawnee -- Adam Scott Comedies Collide in Today's Collider TV Quiz! Whether you're an innie or an outie, you've undoubtedly enjoyed the workplace comedies of Adam Scott. Let's all cater to this state auditor. Posts By Macklen Makhloghi When Will 'Ballard' Season 2 Premiere? Since production on Ballard Season 2 has just begun, the new episodes will most likely arrive sometime in 2027, based on the previous season's release timeline -- unless otherwise reported. In the meantime, now's the perfect time to get to know the newest cast additions, namely Rosanna Arquette, Benjamin Bratt, Ever Carradine, and Hamish Linklater. Arquette has been tapped as Jenny Ballard, the lead character's estranged mother; Bratt joined in the key recurring role of Ryan Ainsley, a former DEA Agent turned cowboy; Carradine will recur as Lauren Sousa, a devoted mother whose past involvement in an influential spiritual movement continues to affect her present; while Linklater was cast as Chris Alexander, a magnetic but mysterious figure who is described as "charismatic" and "calculating." Newsletter for Ballard fans: casting and analysis Subscribe to our newsletter for focused Ballard coverage -- deep dives into casting additions, episode breakdowns, and production developments, plus context on Bosch and related streaming dramas. Get Updates By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime. Ballard streams on Prime Video. Stay tuned to Collider for further updates. 8 10 Ballard Like Follow Followed Crime Drama Release Date July 9, 2025 Network Prime Video Directors Jet Wilkinson 8 Images Close Cast See All Maggie Q Detective Renée Ballard Courtney Taylor Samira Parker Where to watch Close WHERE TO WATCH Streaming Writers Michael Connelly, Brandi Nicole, Galeesa Murph, John Coveny, Julissa Castillo, Kendall Sherwood, Liz Hsiao Lan Alper, Michael Alaimo, Ralph Gifford, Thania St. John Franchise(s) Bosch Creator(s) Kendall Sherwood Powered by Expand Collapse
Colossal modulation of the phase transition dynamics via solid-state gating - Communications Materials
Controlling material phases using gate voltage offers a promising alternative to traditional temperature and pressure-based methods. However, despite the widespread use of ionic liquid gates, they suffer from slow and complex response, limiting speed and accuracy that were originally expected from voltage control. In this study, we evaluate the speed of the VO phase transition by exploiting a solid-state three-terminal device with an ultra-high-k gate dielectric, leading to the construction of Time-Temperature-Transformation diagram in metal-insulator transition systems. Remarkably, the transition speed is modulated by three orders of magnitude through gate voltage although the transition temperature is affected by only 0.6 K. This effect on transition speed is 1000 times larger than thermodynamic predictions, revealing the collectivity that underlies the energy barrier during phase transition. The results indicate such collective behavior could enable high speed with minimal external stimuli overcoming the power-speed trade-off in conventional electronics.
Colossal Biosciences Non-Invasive Blood Cloning: The Best Inventions of 2025
Cloning can be a vital tool for saving some of the 47,000 species threatened with extinction. Colossal Biosciences -- the company that famously de-extincted the dire wolf -- has found a way to make it easier. Cloning previously involved surgically harvesting skin or tissue cells from the donor animal, but Colossal has successfully cloned animals using endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), which line blood vessels and can be harvested with a simple blood draw. EPCs are also heartier than skin cells, and divide faster. "As biodiversity loss accelerates worldwide," says CEO and co-founder Ben Lamm, "EPCs offer a more humane, efficient pathway to safeguarding genetic heritage for future generations."
