711bet download apk latest version

Michigan Gov. Whitmer on pace to spend about 25% of this year outside the stateSANTA BARBARA, Calif., Dec. 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- H2 Clipper, Inc. (“H2C”), a leader in sustainable hydrogen-based infrastructure and transportation, announces that Nick Gaines has joined the company’s subsidiary, H2C Safety Pipe, Inc. (“H2CSP”), as Regulatory Affairs Specialist. In this role, Gaines will engage with regulators, legislators, and the environmental community to champion a zero-leakage hydrogen standard in California that advances a responsible transition to a clean energy future. Gaines brings over a decade of experience at the intersection of technology, policy, and community development. Most recently, he has been serving as Director of Public Policy at the Matthew Perry Foundation, where he has been overseeing external campaigns and grantmaking initiatives, including the foundation’s inaugural grant program in California. His impressive career also includes roles in public service, where he led technology and climate policy initiatives, including microgrid development and climate resilience legislation, for Senator Henry Stern. He has also managed political campaigns and developed broadband equity frameworks at Michael Baker International. Gaines combines a deep understanding of regulatory environments with a passion for innovation. He said, "I'm thrilled to join H2C Safety Pipe at this pivotal moment in the clean energy transition. The work we do will help ensure that California deploys the best available technologies and avoids the greenhouse gas mistakes of the past methane distribution system in the transition to a clean energy future. I'm excited to contribute my expertise to this mission and collaborate with the talented team at H2C and H2C Safety Pipe." H2C Safety Pipe CEO Robert Shelton commented, "We see a parallel scenario to natural gas pipelines unfolding with the development of the transportation and distribution infrastructure for hydrogen. Our goal is to learn from past errors around leakage in the gas industry to establish more robust protections and state regulations for hydrogen distribution. By instituting rigorous safety standards, such as requiring double-wall containment with active leak monitoring and mitigation systems for all future hydrogen pipelines. We can establish a global standard for safe, sustainable energy distribution networks that are essential for our transition to a low-carbon future." Gaines’ appointment underscores H2C’s commitment to leveraging the best talent and technologies to accelerate a clean energy future. His expertise and vision will help ensure the state of California adopts the highest standards of safety and innovation, while fostering trust among all stakeholders. About H2C Safety Pipe, Inc. H2C Safety Pipe focuses on “last mile” distribution systems that deliver pure hydrogen to end users. Its patented two-layer pipe system is designed to supply local regions with safe and reliable clean energy. This breakthrough pipe technology provides the most cost-effective, safest, and scalable way to address safety for end-user delivery of fuel cell grade hydrogen, especially for sensitive populated areas. H2C Safety Pipe’s technology will save companies and governments billions of dollars by avoiding the construction of new hydrogen pipelines by retrofitting existing ones for hydrogen. This leverages otherwise stranded assets in the energy transition and significantly reduces regulatory challenges. To learn more about H2C’s other hydrogen-related midstream technologies, please visit: https://www.h2clipper.com/ About H2 Clipper, Inc. H2 Clipper, Inc. is the developer of high-speed, Pipeline-in-the-SkyTM hydrogen-powered airships for long distance global transport that use no fossil fuels and have a host of commercial and humanitarian applications, and of the novel Safety PipeTM “last mile” distribution system to deliver pure hydrogen to end users. Since 2008, the company has made significant strategic investments to research, develop, and patent core IP in modern airship design and midstream solutions for efficient delivery of both gaseous and liquid hydrogen. Media Contact: Shannon Albertelli Trevi Communications, Inc. shannon@trevicomm.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a2f9f3f5-7a28-46f0-a785-8b6b71d11684711bet download apk latest version 。

Trump says US shouldn't intervene in Syria as opposition forces gain groundThe Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) said depositors with balances exceeding N5 million will also be paid from their liquidation dividends. The Managing Director and Chief Executive, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Mr Bello Hassan, made this known on the occasion of NDIC’s special day at the ongoing 45th Kano International Trade Fair. He said, “Over the years, the NDIC has been instrumental in promoting stability by ensuring that when banks fail, depositors are protected, and their funds are reimbursed promptly. Recent lessons from the revocation of Heritage Bank’s operating license on June 3, 2024, and ongoing reimbursement of its depositors reinforce this critical role. “The corporation began the payment of the insured deposits of N5 million per depositor within a record time of four days of the bank’s closure. This was achieved using Bank Verification Numbers (BVN) as a unique identifier to locate depositors alternate accounts in other banks without the need to fill forms or visit the NDIC offices. “Having largely reimbursed depositors their insured deposits, the corporation is committed to ensuring that depositors with balances exceeding N5 million are also paid the balance of their deposits. These uninsured deposits represent a significant portion of the total deposits in Heritage Bank. “In this regard, the corporation is already working assiduously to ensure that depositors with amounts in excess of the maximum insured amount of N5 million are paid through liquidation dividends from the realisation of the defunct bank’s assets and recovery of debts. “Additionally, the NDIC’s responsibilities extend to the creditors of the defunct bank, who will receive payments after all depositors have been fully reimbursed. This orderly process, based on asset realisation and priority of claims, is essential in maintaining public trust in the banking system and promoting financial system stability. ALSO READ: FG commits to generating $100 billion from Nigeria’s creative economy “The corporation today, 4th December 2024, commenced sales of landed properties and chattels of the bank nationwide. This process, which is by competitive public auction, shall follow laid down extant public procurement guidelines aimed at ensuring transparency, fair competition and accountability to enable recovery of commensurate values from the exercise toward payment of liquidation dividend to the uninsured depositors.” He added that the NDIC remains committed to protecting depositors from the adverse effects of bank failures by ensuring reimbursement when failures occur. “As a critical component of the financial safety-net, the NDIC reassures depositors about the safety of their funds, thereby fostering trust in the banking system and preventing the risk of bank runs during periods of uncertainty. This contributes significantly to the overall stability of the financial system. “Moreover, I encourage depositors of any closed bank, especially Heritage Bank, who are yet to receive their payments, to come forward with their BVN, proof of account ownership, verifiable means of identification, and alternative account details. Depositors can submit their claims through our various channels, including our website, email, and social media platforms, as we remain committed to ensuring the safety of depositors’ funds,” he added.BEIRUT (AP) — Insurgents' stunning march across Syria gained speed on Saturday with news that they had reached the suburbs of the capital and with the government forced to deny rumors that President Bashar Assad had fled the country. The rebels' moves around Damascus, reported by an opposition war monitor and a rebel commander, came after the Syrian army withdrew from much of southern part of the country, leaving more areas, including two provincial capitals, under the control of opposition fighters. The advances in the past week were among the largest in recent years by opposition factions, led by a group that has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the United Nations. As they have advanced, the insurgents, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, or HTS, have met little resistance from the Syrian army. The U.N.’s special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, on Saturday called for urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an “orderly political transition.” Speaking to reporters at the annual Doha Forum in Qatar, he said the situation in Syria was changing by the minute. In Damascus, people rushed to stock up on supplies. Thousands rushed the Syria border with Lebanon, trying to leave the country. Many shops in the capital were shuttered, a resident told The Associated Press, and those that remained open ran out of staples such as sugar. Some shops were selling items at three times the normal price. “The situation is very strange. We are not used to that,” the resident said, insisting on anonymity, fearing retributions. “People are worried whether there will be a battle (in Damascus) or not.” It was the first time that opposition forces reach the outskirts of Damascus since 2018, when Syrian troops recaptured the area following a yearslong siege. Amid the developments, Syria’s state media denied rumors flooding social media that Assad has left the country, saying he is performing his duties in Damascus. Assad's chief international backer, Russia, is busy with its war in Ukraine, and Lebanon’s powerful Hezbollah, which at one point sent thousands of fighters to shore up his forces, has been weakened by a yearlong conflict with Israel. Iran, meanwhile, has seen its proxies across the region degraded by regular Israeli airstrikes. Pedersen said a date for the talks in Geneva on the implementation of U.N. Resolution 2254 would be announced later. The resolution, adopted in 2015, called for a Syrian-led political process, starting with the establishment of a transitional governing body, followed by the drafting of a new constitution and ending with U.N.-supervised elections. Rami Abdurrahman, who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor, said insurgents were in the Damascus suburbs of Maadamiyah, Jaramana and Daraya. Opposition fighters were also marching from eastern Syria toward the Damascus suburb of Harasta, he added. A commander with the insurgents, Hassan Abdul-Ghani, posted on the Telegram messaging app that opposition forces had begun the “final stage” of their offensive by encircling Damascus. Syria’s military, meanwhile, sent large numbers of reinforcements to defend the key central city of Homs, Syria’s third largest, as insurgents approached its outskirts. The shock offensive began Nov. 27, during which gunmen captured the northern city of Aleppo, Syria’s largest, and the central city of Hama, the country’s fourth largest city. HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani told CNN in an interview Thursday from Syria that the aim is to overthrow Assad’s government. The Britain-based Observatory said Syrian troops have withdrawn from much of the two southern provinces and are sending reinforcements to Homs, where a battle is looming. If the insurgents capture Homs, they would cut the link between Damascus, Assad’s seat of power, and the coastal region where the president enjoys wide support. The Syrian army said in a statement Saturday that it has carried out redeployment and repositioning in Sweida and Daraa after its checkpoints came under attack by “terrorists.” The army said it is setting up a “strong and coherent defensive and security belt in the area,” apparently to defend Damascus from the south. The Syrian government has referred to opposition gunmen as terrorists since conflict broke out in March 2011. After the fall of the cities of Daraa and Sweida early Saturday, Syrian government forces remained in control of five provincial capitals — Damascus, Homs and Quneitra, as well as Latakia and Tartus on the Mediterranean coast. Tartus is home to the only Russian naval base outside the former Soviet Union while Latakia is home to a major Russian air base. In the gas-rich nation of Qatar, the foreign ministers of Iran, Russia and Turkey met to discuss the situation in Syria. Turkey is a main backer of the rebels. Qatar's top diplomat, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, criticized Assad for failing to take advantage of the lull in fighting in recent years to address the country’s underlying problems. “Assad didn’t seize this opportunity to start engaging and restoring his relationship with his people,” he said. Sheikh Mohammed said he was surprised by how quickly the rebels have advanced and said there is a real threat to Syria’s “territorial integrity.” He said the war could “damage and destroy what is left if there is no sense of urgency” to start a political process. After the fall of the cities of Daraa and Sweida early Saturday, Syrian government forces remained in control of five provincial capitals — Damascus, Homs and Quneitra, as well as Latakia and Tartus on the Mediterranean coast. On Friday, U.S.-backed fighters of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces captured wide parts of the eastern province of Deir el-Zour that borders Iraq as well as the provincial capital that carries the same name. The capture of areas in Deir el-Zour is a blow to Iran’s influence in the region as the area is the gateway to the corridor linking the Mediterranean to Iran, a supply line for Iran-backed fighters, including Lebanon’s Hezbollah. With the capture of a main border crossing with Iraq by the SDF and after opposition fighters took control of the Naseeb border crossing to Jordan in southern Syria, the Syrian government's only gateway to the outside world is the Masnaa border crossing with Lebanon. Karam reported from London. Associated Press writers Albert Aji in Damascus, Syria and Qassim Abdul-Zahra in Baghdad contributed to this report.

FIFA confirms 2034 World Cup coming to Saudi ArabiaThe South Fremont High School volleyball team three-peated as Class 4A District VI champion this fall. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that it led the All-4A Mountain Rivers Conference team. The Cougars totaled nine selections, including sweeping both of the major categories. Tyleigh Hill was the coach of the year in her first season at the helm. Senior middle blocker Tori Hathway was voted the player of the year. Senior outside hitter Kenzley Neville, junior setter Tylenn Conger and junior libero Jerzee Quayle all also made the first team. Sugar-Salem was right behind with eight players making the list. The Diggers also had three first-team selections in junior outside hitter Tasha Larsen, junior libero Hailey Phillips and senior middle blocker Elisa Hawkes. And Teton rounded it out with three players on the first team, too, in senior middle blocker Elysa Kaufman, senior opposite Kaitlyn Zogg and junior defensive specialist Calli Wombacher all making the cut. The full Class 4A All-Mountain Rivers Conference team is listed below. The teams are chosen by the league’s coaches. The Post Register just publishes the results. COACH OF THE YEAR: Tyleigh Hill, South Fremont PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Tori Hathaway, sr., MB, South Fremont FIRST TEAM: SECOND TEAM: HONORABLE MENTION:

ZURICH — Saudi Arabia was officially confirmed Wednesday by FIFA as host of the 2034 World Cup in men's soccer, giving the oil-rich kingdom its biggest prize yet for massive spending on global sports driven by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The Saudi bid was the only candidate and was acclaimed by the applause of more than 200 FIFA member federations. They took part remotely in an online meeting hosted in Zurich by the soccer body's president Gianni Infantino. "The vote of the congress is loud and clear," said Infantino, who had asked officials on a bank of screens to clap their hands at head level to show their support. The decision was combined with approving the only candidate to host the 2030 World Cup. Spain, Portugal and Morocco will co-host in a six-nation project, with Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay each getting one of the 104 games. The South American connection will mark the centenary of Uruguay hosting the first World Cup in 1930. The decisions complete a mostly opaque 15-month bid process which Infantino helped steer toward Saudi Arabia without a rival candidate, without taking questions, and which human rights groups warn will put the lives of migrant workers at risk. "We look forward to hosting an exceptional and unprecedented edition of the FIFA World Cup by harnessing our strengths and capabilities to bring joy to football fans around the world," Prince Mohammed said in a statement. FIFA and Saudi officials have said hosting the 2034 tournament can accelerate change, including more freedoms and rights for women, with Infantino on Wednesday calling the World Cup a "unique catalyst for positive social change and unity." "I fully trust our hosts to address all open points in this process, and deliver a World Cup that meets the world's expectations," the FIFA president said. An international collective of rights groups said FIFA made a "reckless decision" to approve Saudi Arabia without getting public assurances, and the Football Supporters Europe group said it was "the day football truly lost its mind." A fast-track path to victory was cleared last year by FIFA accepting the three-continent hosting plan for the 2030 World Cup. It meant only soccer federations in Asia and Oceania were eligible for the 2034 contest, and FIFA gave countries less than four weeks to declare a bid. Only Saudi Arabia did. The win will kick off a decade of scrutiny on Saudi labor laws and treatment of workers mostly from South Asia needed to help build and upgrade 15 stadiums, plus hotels and transport networks ahead of the 104-game tournament. Amnesty International said awarding the tournament to Saudi Arabia represents "a moment of great danger" for human rights. "FIFA's reckless decision to award the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia without ensuring adequate human rights protections are in place will put many lives at risk," said Steve Cockburn, Amnesty International's Head of Labor Rights and Sport." One of the stadiums is planned to be 350 meters (yards) above the ground in Neom — a futuristic city that does not yet exist — and another named for the crown prince is designed to be atop a 200-meter cliff near Riyadh. During the bid campaign, FIFA has accepted limited scrutiny of Saudi Arabia's human rights record that was widely criticized this year at the United Nations. Saudi and international rights groups and activists warned FIFA it has not learned the lessons of Qatar's much-criticized preparations to host the 2022 World Cup. "At every stage of this bidding process, FIFA has shown its commitment to human rights to be a sham," Cockburn said. The kingdom plans to spend tens of billion of dollars on projects related to the World Cup as part of the crown prince's sweeping Vision 2030 project that aims to modernize Saudi society and economy. At its core is spending on sports by the $900 billion sovereign wealth operation, the Public Investment Fund, which he oversees. "It's amazing. The infrastructure, the stadiums, the conditions for the fans and everything. After what I see, I'm more convinced that 2034 will be the best World Cup ever," Cristiano Ronaldo said in a recorded package posted on X. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has been part of Saudi Arabia's lavish spending on soccer — stunning the sport when agreeing to sign for Al Nassr in 2022 for a record-breaking salary reportedly worth up to $200 million a year. Critics have accused Saudi Arabia of "sportswashing" the kingdom's reputation. The prince, known as MBS, has built close working ties to Infantino since 2017 — aligning with the organizer of sport's most-watched event rather than directly confronting the established system as it did with the disruptive LIV Golf project. The result for Saudi Arabia and FIFA has been smooth progress toward the win Wednesday with limited pushback from soccer officials, though some from women international players. The steady flow of Saudi cash into international soccer is set to increase. FIFA created a new and higher World Cup sponsor category for state oil firm Aramco, and Saudi funding is set to underwrite the 2025 Club World Cup in the United States that is a pet project for Infantino. North American soccer body CONCACAF signed a multi-year deal with PIF, Saudi stadiums host Super Cup games for Italy and Spain, and nearly 50 FIFA member federations have signed working agreements with Saudi counterparts. Lavish spending by PIF-owned Saudi clubs in the past two years buying and paying players – including Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Karim Benzema and Sadio Mané – put hundreds of millions of dollars into European soccer. That influence could be key in talks to agree which months to play the 2034 World Cup. The November-December slot taken by Qatar in 2022 to avoid extreme midsummer heat is complicated in 2034 by the holy month of Ramadan through mid-December and Riyadh hosting the multi-sport Asian Games. Still, January 2034 could be an option — and likely better for European clubs and leagues —after the International Olympic Committee said it saw few issues in clashing with the Salt Lake Winter Games opening Feb. 10, 2034. The IOC also has a major commercial deal with Saudi Arabia, to host the new Esports Olympics. Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Things are really starting to cook for , a Surrey family business that makes South Asian-influenced, ready-to-eat meals sold in stores and served at a growing number of hospitals, schools and other institutions. Cooked and packaged at a Newton plant since 2019, the Khan family's butter chicken, channa masala, beef haleem and other products come frozen in bags and boxes, ready for the microwave. The company recently scored the Emerging Business trophy during hosted by BC Food & Beverage, a not-for-profit association representing the province's food and beverage processing industry. Rushd Khan operates Barakah Eats with the help of father Zafar, mother Lubna, wife Arshiya and a dozen employees. "We're very proud of the award, which reinforces our mission since we've launched this business as an extension of our family business including the restaurant ( , located near the KPU Surrey campus in Newton)," Rushd said. "It (the award) will help with the growth of our businesses, for sure." In a competitive frozen-food market, key for Barakah Eats products is halal certification — food that adheres to Islamic dietary laws and regulations. "Some hospitals, like Surrey Memorial, Langley and BC Children's Hospital just this month, they started using some of our products for patient care because they're halal-certified," Rushd explained. "That has been a gap among hospital patients, who can now ask for halal-certified meals. The hospitals noticed that there was a lot of food waste, because some people couldn't eat the food." Barakah Eats products have been tasted at in recent summers and will be featured at the new Halal Expo Vancouver, planned Feb. 7-8 at Cloverdale Agriplex (details on ). In Arabic, the company name means "blessings," a word embraced by the Khan family. "I never thought it would get to this, with people all over the place eating our food. It's unbelievable," patriarch Zafar Khan said. "Food is my passion, you know, so we have a tandoor in my backyard when we built our house, where we make naan," he added. "I went to back to Pakistan to learn how to make it, and at that time we didn't have a restaurant or anything yet." Looking ahead, the Khans aim to grow the Barakah Eats name in the food manufacturing market. "We see ourselves becoming more of a national company, hopefully by next year," Rushd said. "Right now our business is predominantly in B.C. We do some business outside of B.C. with our vegetarian products, but the meat license with CFIA certification (Canadian Food Inspection Agency), that's our target right now. Once we get over that hump, that opens up a lot of doors for us to start exporting across Canada and then outside of Canada as well. We already have a HACCP-certified facility." BC Food & Beverage's 2024 Rise Awards attracted 400 people to Anvil Centre in New Westminster on Nov. 29, a night when "exceptional leaders, innovators and brands" were recognized in 16 categories. “These awards showcase the talent, dedication and innovation that define B.C.’s food and beverage industry,” James Donaldson, CEO of BC Food & Beverage, raved in a . Other Rise Awards winners are Terra Breads (Hall of Fame inductee), Chocxo Chocolatier (Best in Brand), Vancouver Island Sea Salt (Circularity), Fine Choice Foods (Export), Authentic Indigenous Seafood (Indigenous Led Business of the Year), Blume (Innovation), Jeff Lee of Honey Bee Zen Apiaries (Leadership), Fine Choice Foods (Outstanding Workplace, Health & Safety), Salt Spring Kitchen Co. (People's Choice), Salt Spring Coffee (Social Impact), Chiwis (Sustainability) and Binny Boparai-Gill of Farming Karma Fruit Company (Woman Entrepreneur of the Year). Products of the year are Plant-based Crumbles-Chorizo, made by The Better Butchers (Gold award), Honey Salt Popcorn, Popstastic (Silver) and Dark Chocolate Lemon Crème Cups, Chocxo Chocolatier (Bronze).

Celestine Metcalf, a resident of the Chicago Housing Authority’s Albany Terrace Apartments, remembers when she woke up Christmas morning in 2022 to find that her foyer had frozen over. A pipe had burst from the cold and flooded the entryway, leaving it “covered with ice,” the 67-year-old said, but the building’s senior residents had to walk across it “if you want to get out.” On Thursday, Metcalf, who has lived in Albany Terrace Apartments for four years and is a resident ambassador, stood in the bright, newly renovated entrance of her building as snow came down hard, pointing out where the flooding had once spread. “(It’s) like you just got a new toy or you just got something new, and you’re just so excited and you want to show it off to everybody,” she said. During Chicago’s first snow Thursday morning, Albany Terrace Apartments’ senior residents celebrated the completion of the $93 million renovation of their 50-year-old South Lawndale building at a ribbon-cutting attended by the developers and local housing officials. In late December 2022, just weeks before renovations on the building were scheduled to begin, residents of Albany Terrace told the Tribune about burst pipes and days spent without working heat. Yet amid Thursday’s freezing temperatures, residents were staying warm in a new community space with wood paneling and hanging lights, drinking coffee and eating pastries as snow covered the building’s redone courtyard with a layer of white. “I have heard the complaints, I have heard the dissatisfaction, but look at what you have today,” said Ald. Monique Scott, 24th, whose great-grandmother lived in Albany Terrace. “It’s clean, it’s bright, it’s vibrant, it’s everything that I think that we could have imagined — or couldn’t have imagined.” Renovations of Albany Terrance came as part of a larger push by CHA to improve housing conditions within its senior buildings on the West Side. Last month, another ribbon-cutting took place at the rehabilitated Irene McCoy Gaines Apartments, a CHA senior building in East Garfield Park. “These are exactly the types of projects that CHA will be doing more of in the future,” said interim CHA Chief Executive Officer Angela Hurlock at Thursday’s event. “After all, CHA has an obligation to all of our residents to ensure that they are living in safe and modern homes, and this obligation is especially profound when we talk about our senior residents, who deserve to live in dignity and comfort.” A renovated unit at Albany Terrace Apartments on Nov. 21, 2024. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune) Albany Terrace is now equipped with new central cooling, heating, plumbing and electrical systems. A third elevator was installed to serve residents of the 17-story building. Individual units were repainted and refloored, with upgraded kitchens and bathrooms, while the common areas on the ground level were redeveloped to include a new fitness center, health and wellness center, package room, on-site management office and community room. Resident council President Nadine Mason, who has lived in Albany Terrace for almost 11 years and grew up in South Lawndale, said that she “loves” the renovations. “We have everything we need right here,” Mason said. “I want us all to take pride in what we have here. This is where we live, and we want to respect it.” Mason said that the residents are excited to hold Friday night bingo in the new common room. After Thursday’s event, she planned to head to the Dollar Tree to buy prizes. The revamp of Albany Terrace by Michaels Development Co. and CHA began in February 2023. Though all residents of the 350-unit high-rise were given the option to move out until the project was completed, the vast majority elected to remain, according to Mason. “I’d liken the rehab of an occupied building to working on a highway while traffic runs over it,” said Greg Olson, regional vice president of Michaels Development. The rehabilitation of each floor was staggered over time, according to CHA Chief Development Officer Ann McKenzie, allowing residents to remain in their original units until they could move into a brand new renovated apartment. Barbara Foster, 67, said she knew a renovation was being planned when she moved into Albany Terrace seven years ago. Soon after, she said, she woke up to drops of water falling on her head due to flooding in the ceiling of her apartment. “A boiler and then a pipe would break, something else would break, it was a constant thing every single year from the time I moved in,” Foster said. She chose to stay in the building throughout the construction, and said that although it was “noisy,” contractors kept residents’ living areas “clean and safe” and notified them about each step of the process. As she walked through the fitness center Thursday, watching snow gather on the newly installed fire pits outside, she said that the building was “nothing like this, nothing,” prior to the renovations. “This is beautiful,” she said. The project was funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Rental Assistance Demonstration program, which aims to assist public housing authorities in preserving existing housing by making it easier for them to get financing for renovations. The city of Chicago and the Housing Authority also provided financial support for the project, while U.S. Bank was the construction lender and investor. At Thursday’s news conference, Olson thanked the residents for their patience as they “worked on giving this building another life.” “The development of affordable housing in today’s economic climate is very difficult, and to build 350 units of new housing would likely take a decade to complete,” Olson said. “As such, the preservation of existing affordable housing stock in Chicago was really critical.”

Dylan Hernández: MLS deal with Apple TV could be hurting league's efforts to grow its fan base