Michael Kessler chatted about being a social influencer in the digital age. He opened up about his daily motivations and his future plans. What motivates you each day as an influencer? Knowing that I have a community of people who genuinely care about my content and share similar interests is my biggest motivator. The support from my followers pushes me to keep evolving and creating. I’m driven by the opportunity to share moments, ideas, and even advice that can inspire others or just brighten someone’s day. How does it feel to be an influencer in the digital age? Being an influencer in today’s world is surreal. The accessibility of streaming, technology, and social media connects me directly to people in ways that didn’t exist before. It’s a privilege to be part of a culture where you can instantly share content and connect with people globally. It is also a responsibility – you’re always aware that what you put out can have an impact. Balancing authenticity while engaging with this ever-evolving digital world keeps me on my toes. What do your plans for the future include? I plan to expand my brand and work on projects that align with my interests, whether it’s collaborating with other creators, launching personal ventures, or pursuing new digital platforms. I’d like to deepen my influence by focusing on quality over quantity, building a solid connection with my community, and maybe stepping into more mentorship roles to help others. What’s it like knowing JJ Hannon and the work he is doing with his LIVERS foundation? Knowing JJ Hannon and seeing him build his LIVERS foundation is inspiring. His work shows that you can use your platform for genuine, impactful causes. JJ’s approach to influencing and philanthropy is a great reminder to all of us that there’s a lot we can accomplish if we stay focused and committed to giving back. Were there any moments in your life or career that helped define you? One defining moment was when I started gaining a large following. It was the realization that I had a platform and a voice, which changed how I viewed my purpose. This shift made me more mindful of the impact I could have and motivated me to keep refining my brand and connecting with my audience in an authentic way. What is your advice for young and aspiring content creators and influencers? Stay true to yourself, and don’t just chase trends. Authenticity is everything. If your content reflects who you are and what you care about, people will connect with you. Also, don’t let the numbers define you. It’s better to have a loyal, engaged community than a huge but disconnected following. Consistency, patience, and a passion for what you do will set you apart in the long run. What does the word success mean to you? Success to me is about impact, connection, and growth. It’s not about fame or numbers but about knowing that I’ve positively influenced others, built a meaningful community, and stayed true to myself. Success is also about continuing to grow – as a person, a creator, and an influencer – without losing sight of my core values. What would you like to say to your fans and supporters? Thank you for being here, for every message, comment, and share. Your support keeps me going, and I wouldn’t be here without each of you. I’m grateful for this community, and I can’t wait to keep sharing this journey with you. To learn more about Michael Kessler, follow him on Instagram and on TikTok . Markos Papadatos is Digital Journal's Editor-at-Large for Music News.Papadatos is a Greek-American journalist and educator that has authored over 21,000 original articles over the past 18 years. He has interviewed some of the biggest names in music, entertainment, lifestyle, magic, and sports. He is a 16-time "Best of Long Island" winner, where for three consecutive years (2020, 2021, and 2022), he was honored as the "Best Long Island Personality" in Arts & Entertainment, an honor that has gone to Billy Joel six times.
SmartSky Files $1B+ Antitrust Lawsuit Alleging Gogo Business Aviation Acted as an "Abusive Monopolist"EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Vikings linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. has been placed on injured reserve after hurting his hamstring Sunday in a over the Chicago Bears. The move announced Tuesday means that Pace must miss at least the Vikings next four games. The Vikings also activated outside linebacker Gabriel Murphy from injured reserve and signed linebacker Jamin Davis off the Green Bay Packers practice squad. Pace, 23, had started each of the Vikings nine games this season. The 2023 undrafted free agent from Cincinnati had 56 tackles — including six for loss — and three sacks. Murphy, 24, signed with the Vikings as an undrafted free agent this spring. He was placed on injured reserve Aug. 27. Davis had Oct. 29 after by the Washington Commanders a week earlier. Washington selected him out of Kentucky with the in the 2021 draft. The 25-year-old Davis has 282 tackles, seven sacks, one interception, two forced fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles in his NFL career. He led the Commanders with a career-high 104 tackles in 2022. The Vikings (9-2) host the Arizona Cardinals (6-5) on Sunday. ___ AP NFL: The Associated PressThe big night is finally here - Santa, Rudolph and the gang have started their big journey and are expected to reach the first homes in the Rebel County at midnight tonight. But if you want to know when to get the milk and cookies out - and of course some carrots for the reindeer - we've got a few resources to help you track Santa's sleigh throughout Christmas Eve. Cork Beo received confirmation from the North Pole that Father Christmas left the toy workshop at 11am this morning, and is expected to give out approximately 115,000 presents to children in the Rebel County alone. As he zooms across the globe, there is a high-tech radar tracker that allows all the girls and boys to watch Santa on his journey. You can keep an eye on him to see when he gets near Cork on the Norad Tracker here The team at Cork's National Space Centre are also keeping tabs on Santa again this year with their 100ft radio telescope. Located in the aptly named Elfordstown in Cork, this dish is a cornerstone of Ireland’s space communications history and has been in operation for 40 years. Originally built in 1984 by Eircom to send trans-Atlantic calls to North America via satellite, it has also been used to listen for the birth of stars in the cosmos and as a teaching device. Santa’s annual round-the-world trip officially started at around 11 am Irish time this morning. A midnight sweep through Ireland will be one of his last stops before he heads towards chimneys in North and South America. As always, Santa is using the bright light of the International Space Station (ISS) to help guide him on his travels. Just like his sleigh, the ISS is a state-of-the-art piece of machinery that glows really bright in the night sky as the sun reflects off its metallic surface. Santa's sleigh will be set to 'sprint' mode - matching the speed of the ISS which can travel once around the world every 90 minutes in a furious orbit. Anyone looking for some behind-the-scenes info can use the Santa Tracker from emailsanta.com , which also shows a live chat between Santa and the North Pole communications team. The North Pole Chief Elf told CorkBeo that Santa is expected to reach the Rebel County at around midnight, and wants to thank all the boys and girls in advance for leaving out carrots to feed his reindeer.
Gwen Stefani, 55, shocks fans with ageless appearance: 'Best she's ever looked' By J. PETERSON FOR DAILYMAIL.COM Published: 17:03 EST, 2 December 2024 | Updated: 17:32 EST, 2 December 2024 e-mail 10 View comments Gwen Stefani has always been famed for her seemingly ageless good looks. But even longtime fans were shocked by how youthful she looked during a promotional appearance in New York over the weekend. The star, 55, filmed herself strutting around The Big Apple in a black miniskirt, fishnet stockings and matching knee-high boots. Fans were stunned by the No Doubt singer's beauty, with one gushing, 'This is the best Gwen has looked.' 'You don't age,' wrote another, while a third commented, 'New York looks good on you!!!' Despite the positive feedback, some of Gwen's followers complained about the hitmaker's hairstyle. 'I don't like the hair it looks chopped, I hope that’s a wig...' complained one. 'The hair was horrible,' wrote another, while a third commented, 'It’s the style right now. My 13-year-old does it as well.' Gwen Stefani has always been famed for her ageless looks, but even loyal fans were shocked by how youthful she looked during a promotional appearance in New York over the weekend The star, 55, filmed herself strutting around The Big Apple in a black miniskirt, fishnet stockings and matching knee-high boots Gwen has previously credited her relationship with Blake Shelton as the biggest beauty secret behind her jaw-dropping appearance . 'I look back over the past few years and look at pictures of when I first started kissing Blake, and I look the best I've ever looked in my life in those photos,' she told the Herald Sun in 2021. 'It's really hard for everyone to age and have to face life,' she continued. 'Especially for females and people who have been in the spotlight, it can be daunting, but you tackle it by just trying to be the most beautiful version of yourself inside and out.' She added, 'People talking about my aging is a compliment, I guess. I’m kind of obsessed with how I’m aging, too.' It comes after Gwen's latest album bombed on the charts , selling just 13,000 copies in its first week. The Hollaback Girl hitmaker released her fifth solo studio album Bouquet on November 15, which debuted at No. 95 on the Billboard 200. South Korean boyband ATEEZ topped the charts with their second No. 1 album titled GOLDEN HOUR: Part.2 with 179,000 copies sold. Fans were stunned by the No Doubt singer's beauty, with one gushing, 'This is the best Gwen has looked' 'You don't age,' wrote another fan, while a third commented, 'New York looks good on you!!!' It came a week after she divided fans by selling the album on the Home Shopping Network, shortly after Coldplay was savaged for selling theirs on QVC. One of Gwen's loyal followers on X, formerly Twitter, posted a screenshot of her appearance on HSN with rather scathing commentary. The user wrote: 'I never want to hear another fandom complain about their favs career again. 'Gwen Stefani is out her shilling her album on HSN. I have been in the TRENCHES for this woman.' Gwen Stefani Blake Shelton New York Share or comment on this article: Gwen Stefani, 55, shocks fans with ageless appearance: 'Best she's ever looked' e-mail Add commentNew Complaint Contends 'Vaporware' Strategy and Systematic Anti-Competitive Practices Destroyed Competition for Internet Connectivity in Business Aviation CHARLOTTE, N.C. , Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- SmartSky Networks, LLC today filed a comprehensive antitrust lawsuit against Gogo, Inc. and Gogo Business Aviation, LLC ($GOGO) in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina (Case 3:24-cv-01087), alleging illegal monopolistic practices in the air-to-ground (ATG) broadband inflight connectivity market for business aviation. The lawsuit alleges multiple violations of federal antitrust laws, including the Sherman Act and Clayton Act, as well as North Carolina state tort laws and the Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act, claiming that Gogo engaged in predatory pricing, misleading advertising, and exclusive dealing agreements to maintain its monopoly position in the ATG market. SmartSky is pursuing this case to protect innovation as well as to seek justice for unfair business practices. The company's complaint contends that a systematic campaign of misinformation and exclusive dealing arrangements effectively blocked SmartSky's access to critical distribution channels and created insurmountable barriers to market entry, stifling the innovation and competition customers depend on. The lawsuit seeks substantial damages potentially exceeding $1 billion . The legal action aims to address the alleged harm to competition and consumers in the aviation connectivity market. This new Complaint is separate and apart from the Intellectual Property case (Case 1:22-cv-00266-JLH) SmartSky previously filed against Gogo in Delaware . The trial of that case is scheduled to begin in April, 2025. SmartSky is represented by Rik Tozzi , of Burr & Forman, LLP. About SmartSky Until ceasing business operations in August, 2024, SmartSky Networks, LLC was an aviation technology company that developed and launched an innovative air-to-ground network for business aviation, offering superior connectivity solutions through advanced telecommunications technology and infrastructure. View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/smartsky-files-1b-antitrust-lawsuit-alleging-gogo-business-aviation-acted-as-an-abusive-monopolist-302334142.html SOURCE SmartSky NetworksEAGLE-EYED fans spotted Ruben Amorim's ice cold reaction to Marcus Rashford's goal against Ipswich Town. The Manchester United forward netted 81 seconds into Amorim's reign as manager . Rashford , 27, tapped home after he was found by Amad Diallo 's cross to give the Red Devils a dream start under their new manager. While the players were overjoyed in celebrations of the goal, Amorim had a different reaction. The manager was caught on camera having a very muted reaction to taking the early lead. And fans have hailed the former Sporting boss' ice-cold demeanour on social media. READ MORE ON MAN UTD One posted: "No celebration from Amorim, so cold." A second commented: "Amorim’s reaction to the goal omg he’s so cold." A third wrote: "Ice cold Amorim." A fourth said: "No reaction from Amorim. My manager is cold as ice." Most read in Football CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS A fifth declared: "Amorim doesn’t celebrate goals - man is too cold!" Another added: "Amorim is so cold, man didn’t even celebrate." Despite the early positivity from Man United the match was not a total dream start. Ipswich town grew into the game and looked the better side after the first 45 minutes. Liam Delap was denied an equaliser by a brilliant save from Andre Onana in the 40th minute. Omari Hutchinson then fired the Tractor Boys level with a curling effort into the top corner after a deflection. The officials were also disrupted during the game as VAR went down due to a fire alarm at Stockley Park . RUBEN AMORIM has ruled out poaching any of his Sporting Lisbon players in the January transfer window. But the Portuguese side's chiefs expect Amorim will come calling in the summer - with his cheque book wide open. Here's are three Sporting starts United could swoop for... but they won't come cheap: VIKTOR GYOKERES Age: 26 Position: Striker Cost: £84million Swede has shone since joining Sporting last summer from Coventry — catching the eye of all Europe’s top clubs. Hit 43 goals in 50 games last season and boasts 18 strikes already this term. GONCALO INACIO Age: 23 Position: Defender Cost: £50million Ball-playing centre-back was handed his debut by Amorim and has since become a key figure in Sporting’s recent title successes. Can also slot in at left-back if required and has 12 caps for Portugal. MORTEN HJULMAND Age: 25 Position: Midfield Cost: £40million Dane is one of the top holding midfielders in Portugal — and made skipper by Amorim. He could be the man to replace Casemiro.
Sen Onyewuchi’s supporters formally join APC in ImoDialog and Dell unveil next-gen AI-driven VSaaS solution at ‘Sight Beyond Sight’Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu argued in court on his sixth day of testimony in his criminal trial that regulatory decisions he approved prior to an alleged illicit quid pro quo agreement with a news website owner proved that the indictment regarding subsequent authorizations was baseless. The prime minister maintained that he approved all of these regulatory decisions, which are at the heart of the allegations against him, as a pro forma step of a bureaucratic nature and that he had no idea at the time of their significance to businessman Shaul Elovitch. Elovitch owned both Bezeq and the Walla news site at the time the indictment says the two men entered into their agreement, in which the prosecution alleges Walla gave Netanyahu favorable coverage in return for his assistance on regulatory matters. Netanyahu is giving testimony in the Tel Aviv District Court on charges of bribery and fraud and breach of trust in Case 4000, involving Walla, Elovitch and his business interests, which has been the single focus of the prime minister’s defense attorney since Netanyahu began testifying last week. During Tuesday’s hearing, defense attorney Amit Hadad asked Netanyahu about two regulatory decisions he approved in 2010 and 2011, which the prosecution included in the indictment against the prime minister and said were of great economic importance to Elovitch. Netanyahu’s attorney brought up those decisions since they preceded the period in which the prosecution alleges there was an illicit quid pro quo agreement between the two men, which the indictment says began after a meal held by Netanyahu and his wife for Elovitch and his wife at the prime minister’s residence in Jerusalem in 2012. The indictment ostensibly included the pre-2012 regulatory decisions in the indictment to demonstrate a longstanding relationship between Netanyahu and Elovitch. But Netanyahu argued in court that the earlier decisions demonstrated that his signature both then and in 2014 was nothing more than a bureaucratic step in a purely regulatory decision taken on a purely professional, and not illicit, basis. “It shows how ridiculous the charges are, and even negligent,” said Netanyahu. “I didn’t have any bribery relationship with Elovitch. I don’t remember signing permits in 2010 and not in 2014,” he told the judges. On Monday, Netanyahu said that when he approved the regulatory decisions mentioned in the indictment in 2014 he did so in a perfunctory and automatic matter after they were brought to him, as were hundreds of others, for his signature by his staff after passing several layers of professional and legal approval. The two earlier regulatory steps were a permit Netanyahu signed in 2010 along with then communications minister Moshe Kahlon that allowed Elovitch to become the controlling shareholder in Bezeq. The second measure was an authorization signed by Netanyahu allowing the B-Com company, which was controlled by Elovitch, to fall below the minimum percentage of holdings in Bezeq shares, which the indictment says was also important to the businessman. “Both these first permits are more significant, those made before I entered the position [of communications minister in 2014] or before the ‘understanding’ with Elovitch, they were more important economically,” Netanyahu argued to the judges, and insisted that since they were made before the alleged agreement they are “evidence of acquittal.” After Netanyahu signed off on the 2010 decision, Elovitch purchased Bezeq for NIS 6.8 billion ($1.9 billion). In 2014, after Netanyahu signed a permit for the sale of the Yad2 sales website owned by Elovitch, the businessman sold it for NIS 800 million ($220 million). Judge Moshe Baraam asked Netanyahu directly whether he knew Elovitch back in 2010, and the prime minister said, as he has previously testified, that they did not have a personal relationship and that he only knew him from the forum of businessmen Netanyahu would convene as prime minister, and after Elovitch came to the shiva for Sara Netanyahu’s father in November 2011. Along with the bribery charges against Netanyahu in Case 4000 involving Elovitch’s business interests and Walla’s media coverage are a charge of breach of trust, which alleges that since the two men formed a personal relationship at one stage Netanyahu was legally prohibited from making any decision which affected Elovitch. “The procedures which I signed off on were automatic,” Netanyahu said in reference to the pre-2012 decisions. “If one of the legal professionals would have said there was a problem the authorization would not have got to me.” During the course of Tuesday’s hearing, Hadad returned to evaluating the list of 315 examples cited in the indictment of instances in which Netanyahu, his family members, or associates demanded improved coverage from Walla CEO Ilan Yeshua. One of those articles was a report that Netanyahu’s son Yair was dating a non-Jewish woman, which the indictment alleges Sara Netanyahu’s friend Zeev Rubinstein demanded directly from Elovitch that he remove it from the news site. The item was removed 10 hours later after Elovitch asked Yeshua to do so, but Netanyahu, as he has repeatedly insisted, said he wasn’t involved in the request, maintained that he could call Elovitch directly if he wanted to — as he did do on some occasions — and pointed out that Rubenstein’s initial request demonstrated he had direct access to Elovitch. Hadad also highlights another example cited by the indictment as evidence of special treatment by Walla to Netanyahu, two opinion pieces published in January 2014 which Elovitch himself ensured were removed. But the opinion pieces were not negatively disposed toward Netanyahu, but rather to former prime minister Ehud Barak and the actions he took against Netanyahu. Hadad noted that former Walla employee and commentator Yinon Magal actually testified that it had been Barak who requested the op-eds be removed, leaving Hadad to wonder why the indictment included it in its list. And Hadad emphasized further problems with the indictment regarding an alleged request by Sara Netanyahu to Elovitch’s wife Iris that Walla remove an article about the former manager of the prime minister’s residence suing Netanyahu, and which the indictment says was indeed removed. The item was not removed and was hostile to the prime minister, leading Netanyahu to quip that this was “one mistake among many.” Hadad also highlighted another example brought by the indictment in which Netanyahu personally called Elovitch to ask him to remove an article about a new lawsuit against the prime minister. Netanyahu conceded that it was likely he had called Elovitch about that particular article, but insisted that it demonstrated that he could call the Bezeq and Walla owner himself and did not need Rubinstein or anyone else as an intermediary. According to Netanyahu, this reality undermines the prosecution’s allegations he was involved in the numerous requests by Rubinstein and others for better coverage from Walla on his behalf. “When I want to talk with Elovitch I speak with Elovitch, not through Rubinstein.” The charges against Netanyahu Netanyahu is on trial in three corruption cases. He faces charges of fraud and breach of trust in Case 1000 and Case 2000, and charges of bribery, as well as fraud and breach of trust in Case 4000. Case 1000 revolves around allegations that Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, received expensive gifts illicitly from Hollywood media mogul Arnon Milchan worth some NIS 700,000, and that Netanyahu violated conflict of interest laws when he provided Milchan with assistance in renewing his long-term US residency visa and sought to help him with tax issues. In Case 2000, the prime minister is accused of fraud and breach of trust over his alleged attempt to reach a quid pro quo agreement with the publisher of the Yedioth Aharaonot newspaper Arnon (Noni) Mozes, whereby Yedioth would give the prime minister more positive media coverage in exchange for legislation weakening its key rival, the Israel Hayom free sheet. Case 4000, also known as the Bezeq-Walla case, is the most serious the prime minister faces, in which he is accused of authorizing regulatory decisions that financially benefited Bezeq telecommunications giant shareholder Elovitch by hundreds of millions of shekels. In return, Netanyahu allegedly received favorable media coverage from the Walla news site, which Elovitch also owned. Netanyahu denies wrongdoing and says the charges were fabricated in a political coup led by the police and state prosecution.
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Iraq selects Vodafone for national 5G mobile license project