(NewsUSA) -

A young man’s coming of age is at the heart of what BookLife Review calls “a richly layered narrative that sheds light on the human toll of conflict and celebrates an indomitable spirit of resilience amid overwhelming adversity."

Author Michael J. Cooper has made a pivotal period in history come alive in his thought-provoking, immersive and multiple awarding-winning two-book saga, Wages of Empire and Crossroads of Empire. The author masterfully crafts a tale that intertwines vivid characters and complex themes, blending historical fiction with elements of mystery and intrigue.

Both novels are set against the backdrop of World War I and explore themes of ambition, political intrigue, and the complex relationships between Western powers and the Middle East during the early 20th century.

In Wages of Empire, the story begins in the summer of 1914 when 16-year-old Evan Sinclair leaves home to fight in what was then called "The Great War for Civilization." The novel vividly portrays the Western Front's brutal reality, where Evan experiences firsthand the horrors of trench warfare.

Little does Evan know that, despite the war raging in Europe, the true source of conflict will emerge in Ottoman Palestine, since it's from Jerusalem where the German Kaiser dreams to rule as Holy Roman Emperor.

One of the strengths of Wages of Empire is its interwoven cast of historical figures. Evan crosses paths with personalities like famed British archeologist T.E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia); British diplomat Gertrude Bell; Winston Churchill; Arab leader Faisal bin Hussein; and Zionist leader Chaim Weizmann.

In Crossroads of Empire, Cooper continues Evan’s journey, focusing more intently on the intricate political and military maneuvers in Ottoman Palestine. Having survived German artillery, poison gas, and friendly fire in helping to turn the tide of the war in its first months, Evan barely survives his hospital ship's sinking by a German U-boat. Left with amnesia, he no longer remembers who he is.

During his quest to recover his memory, Evan will discover far more: love for his father, grief for his late mother, and hidden secrets of his bloodline — an unbroken lineage that stretches back to the Crusades and will determine his future role in the Great War.

Cooper has produced  “a gripping page-turner and a series of carefully observed character studies,” says Chanticleer Book Reviews. “Beautifully written in a voice and in details that capture the era, Crossroads of Empire is a must-read for readers of all ages.”

The author himself emigrated to Israel in 1966 and lived in Jerusalem during the last year the city was divided between Israel and Jordan. He graduated from Tel Aviv University Medical School, and after a 40-year career as a pediatric cardiologist in Northern California, he continues to do volunteer missions serving Palestinian children who lack access to care.

Cooper’s writing is richly detailed, and he blends historical accuracy with a gripping narrative. The novels shed light on how the seeds of modern Middle Eastern conflicts were sown during this era, offering readers not only an engaging story but also a deeper understanding of the region's complex history.

To learn more and purchase, visit https://michaeljcooper.net.

(NewsUSA) - Advances in technology, particularly in the areas of artificial intelligence (AI) are reshaping the geopolitical landscape. At the Ash Carter Exchange in Cambridge, Massachusetts, nearly 30 distinguished speakers discussed how emerging technologies are pushing the scientific frontier, transforming national security, and necessitating new partnerships between academic institutions, government agencies, and the private sector.

The event was hosted by the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP), a nonprofit and nonpartisan initiative with a goal of making recommendations to strengthen America's long-term competitiveness in AI.

The speakers stressed that achieving technological leadership requires not only investment in AI, biotechnology, and robotics, but also a unified effort across government, academia, and private industry to accelerate progress and transform traditional approaches.

Some key themes from the event included:

- Academic Evolution. Dr. Joseph E. Aoun, President of Northeastern University, emphasized the need to integrate AI as a fourth dimension of education alongside understanding the physical world, life, and social interactions. He also emphasized the need to shift from traditional education to lifetime learning, and the importance of producing more graduates in STEM fields that would support national security efforts.

- Emerging Technology Extension. Anne Neuberger, the Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor for Cyber and Emerging Technologies discussed the evolving role of cyber capabilities and emerging technologies in protecting national security. She emphasized the potential of AI to enhance both offensive operations and defensive capabilities, such as identifying vulnerabilities and detecting anomalies. However, she warned of the risks of AI models trained on non-assured code, and emphasized the challenge of deterrence in cyberspace, especially with regard to ransomware threats.

- Biotechnology and Robotics Revolution. Dr. Noubar Afeyan, founder and CEO of Flagship Pioneering and co-Founder of Moderna, highlighted the transformative role of AI in biotechnology, notably in generating protein sequences and antibodies to treat disease. The use of molecular markers for early disease detection could reduce healthcare costs and improve outcomes, he said. Although public-private partnerships have been essential to advancing technology, as in the case of the rapid development of a COVID-19 vaccine, Dr. Afeyan emphasized the need to guard against potential misuse of AI in biotechnology. Dr. Marc Raibert, Founder and Executive Director of the AI Institute, also discussed the evolution of robotics over the past 50 years, and reflected some of the issues raised at the SCSP’s recent AI+ Robotics Summit.

Overall, the message of the Ash Carter Exchange was clear: now is the time to align resources, reform outdated systems, and commit to collaborative progress if the United States is to uphold its strategic, technological, and ideological edge in the world.

Visit scsp.ai for more information, and the SCSP YouTube channel to watch sessions from the Ash Carter Exchange.

(NewsUSA) - As the holiday season approaches, people around the world unite in a Global Day of Giving—Giving Tuesday—on December 3^rd to support the charitable causes they respect and admire. For the Marine Toys for Tots Program, this day is Giving TOYSday, and we want to ensure that every child across our Nation will have at least one gift to open on Christmas morning.

With the generosity of the American public, the Program has faithfully delivered 677 million toys, books, and other gifts to 301 million deserving children since its inception in 1947. We still need your help to deliver the same Christmas magic to even more disadvantaged families—who continue to face financial challenges due to inflation, joblessness, and other hardships. Sadly, the idea of providing their children with Christmas gifts is a distant hope rather than a reality.

“We are asking for support from the American public now more than ever,” said Lieutenant General Jim Laster, President & CEO of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.

“We encourage our dedicated supporters to make a donation to the Marine Toys for Tots Program in honor of Giving TOYSday,” LtGen Laster said.  “When you give to Toys for Tots, you provide hope for a brighter future through the gift of a new toy, book, or game to children who might otherwise go without on Christmas morning. Together, we can restore optimism and deliver Christmas miracles to children whose families are struggling financially.”

Giving TOYSday also serves as a reminder that generosity is not limited to material possession alone. Your kindness helps instill empathy, compassion, and responsibility in children and future generations, shaping them into more caring and socially conscious individuals.

Make this holiday season brighter for children in need! Visit toysfortots.org to donate on Giving TOYSday and spread hope, joy, and the magic of the season to those who need it most.

(NewsUSA) - July and Everything After by Allie Nava

A modern tale of resilience and transformation against extraordinary odds, for fans of Paolo Coelho, Amy Tan, and Khaled Hosseini.

As Maya turns 22, civil war breaks out in her birth country Sri Lanka while on a visit from America. Maya is targeted and attacked in organized massacres against minorities, and she barely escapes.

Haunted by the horrors, Maya returns to the U.S. and tries to rally a diverse group of allies to help expose the atrocities, among them her Norwegian-American best friend, a magnanimous Catholic nun, and a gifted young man from her past.

Bent on justice, Maya isn't prepared for the unexpected twists and turns that will test her resolve. As the war and humanitarian crisis intensify, so does Maya's disillusionment with herself, but contact with a mysterious mentor whose wisdom she once ignored holds the key to her future.

Purchase at https://a.co/d/0HNFtb9.

Between Lies and Revenge by Hannah D Sharpe

For fans of Megan Miranda and Sally Hepworth, here’s a gripping debut of domestic suspense, where a daring jewel heist becomes a lifeline for two women entangled in a web of deceit.

Years after the theft of an heirloom jewelry, ex-con Elle is on the run ... until she spots a stranger wearing a signature piece. Determined to take back what is hers, Elle befriends the woman, and offers to appraise and clean the jewelry, replicating and replacing the pieces instead.

Meanwhile, Olivia is maxing out credit cards to pay for fertility treatments, keep her blackmailing father at bay, and maintain appearances. When Olivia meets Elle, she finally feels understood.

The two bond and start a home jewelry side-hustle. Then they start switching rich housewives’ gems with fakes. But they each have secrets and trust their final con will exact the revenge that’ll secure their freedom. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3ZBsJR3.

Lucianity by John Byer

Lucianity reports the results of a criminal investigation into a 2000-year-old “Cold Case” where it is revealed that Lucius, the Bishop of Cyrene and keeper of early church records, forged and/or corrupted about 75 percent of the New Testament, which includes the four gospels; Revelation; Acts, and at least 16 of the Epistles.

Lucius fabricated his scripture under each of the deceased Apostle’s names, except for the gospel of Luke and Acts, since Lucius was Luke. As such, the detective identifies only the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ as true, and almost everything else as the fiction of Lucius: e.g. the physical ascension and Rapture. Lucius even used books by Flavius Josephus and ancient Egyptians to write scripture for Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21 and Revelation wherein he attributes false dialog to Jesus. Purchase at https://amzn.to/4aD0R0O.

SUPER PSYCHED by Adam Dorsay, PsyD

Connection is everything. Let a leading therapist to Silicon Valley’s top executives help you become super psyched by discovering your personalized formula for more energy, higher performance, better relationships, and a more meaningful life.

Drawing on more than a decade of practical research and Dorsay’s groundbreaking work with Facebook as co-creator of its international resiliency program, Super Psyched reveals an innovative framework for readers to create their own Connection Formula—a customizable tool that allows users to strengthen their bonds in four basic areas: with others, the world around them, their spirituality, and (perhaps most importantly) themselves.

Packed with actionable advice, unforgettable stories, and unexpected insights, Super Psyched is the ultimate handbook for unleashing the power of connection to live the life you love. Purchase at https://bit.ly/4fKR6kg.

(Lindsey Johnson, Consumer Bankers Association President and CEO) - The end of the year is the perfect time to review your full financial picture and consider any changes. With over 4,000 banks in the U.S. competing for your business, you have more options than ever to take control of your finances—whether it’s budgeting, improving your credit, or saving in challenging times.

Managing life's big expenses 

If you're struggling with debt as the year ends, you're not alone—life is expensive! Fortunately, there are many different resources available to you to help you get back on track.

For credit card debt, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) recommends that you first contact your credit card company directly. They can often provide a similar, less expensive solution than debt settlement companies, offer tips for budgeting, and provide hardship programs that can include lower monthly payments. Another good option is to work with a nonprofit credit counselor, who can help negotiate with your creditors on your behalf and help you manage multiple debts.

It’s also important to know the risks associated with for-profit debt settlement companies that use aggressive advertising and sales tactics and may leave you deeper in debt than you were when you started. Learn more at https://www.aboutdebtrelief.com/.

Overdraft services help customers in a pinch

Another tool banks offer is overdraft services, which cover transactions that exceed account balances. For many consumers—especially the one in five Americans without access to credit—overdraft is a lifeline for essential expenses like rent and utilities when faced with an unexpected expense shock.

Many banks have made big changes to improve overdraft policies, introducing innovative tools designed to reduce fees and give you more visibility into your finances, including:

• Fee elimination: Decreased or eliminated overdraft fees entirely in some cases for consumer accounts.
• Grace periods to give you time to bring your account balance back to positive before a fee is applied.
• Overdraft cushions or “buffers” that let you avoid fees for smaller transactions.
• Daily limits on the number of overdraft fees charged to prevent unexpected financial strain.

As you think about your New Year’s resolutions and evaluate your financial situation, the innovations offered by America's banks can be useful tools to reduce stress and help you stay on top of your finances.

(NewsUSA) - Thermally modified Real American Hardwood^® is a durable, sustainable product gaining traction in U.S. home design. Developed in Finland in the 1990s, the process involves heating wood to over 400°F in a low-oxygen chamber, permanently altering its cellular structure to boost resistance to moisture, decay, and insects—without chemicals. It’s also more dimensionally stable, making it less likely to warp or twist. “Thermally modified hardwood is an eco-friendly alternative to pressure-treated wood,” notes Ian Faight of the American Hardwood Information Center. “For homeowners, this versatile, low-maintenance material is an excellent choice for exterior applications like decking, siding, and outdoor furniture, as well as for interior uses like flooring and cabinetry.” Here are six examples of its remarkable adaptability and great looks.

Pennsylvania poplar siding from Americana^™ Thermally Modified Hardwoods envelops this contemporary residence in Biltmore Forest, North Carolina, by Vellum Architecture and Design. The poplar’s rich tones and clean lines enhance the home’s modern aesthetic, while its durability and stability—achieved through heat treatment—ensure lasting performance against moisture, decay, and warping. Photo courtesy of 161 Photography

VikingWood^™ thermally modified sweet gum flooring enhances the covered porch of this Lake Lanier, Georgia, family home, offering a natural, chemical-free alternative to treated wood. The thermal process adds structural stability and fungal resistance while producing a deep, chocolate hue that helps create a warm, inviting setting for the retreat designed by Jillian Mitchell of Details Design. Photo courtesy of VikingWood, AHC Hardwood Group

An architecturally complicated space, the renovated entertainment area of a Las Vegas, Nevada, residence is given a sense of unity by cladding the ceiling, soffits, and columns with thermally modified Pennsylvania poplar from Americana. The heat-treated hardwood not only enhances the space’s aesthetics with its burnished, natural tones, but also provides improved resistance to warping, decay, and insects—ideal for the desert climate. Photo courtesy of Henri Sagalow Photography

About 4,000 square feet of thermally modified Appalachian ash decking, also from Americana, creates a seamless flow around the pool of a Sonoma County, California, residence. Part of a multilevel wrap-around terrace designed and built by Deck Supply Warehouse, the deck’s heat-treated timber means the space will retain its glamorous looks and structural integrity for many years to come. Photo courtesy of Americana Thermally Modified Hardwoods

Thermally modified hardwood’s resistance to moisture, decay, and warping make it ideal for outdoor furniture, as does another attribute: During the heating process, natural sugars in the wood caramelize, giving the timber a warmer, more pronounced hue—a phenomenon showcased in these classic Adirondack chairs made from VikingWood thermally modified ash, which has acquired a rich, coffee-like hue that accentuates its characterful grain. Photo courtesy of VikingWood, AHC Hardwood Group

By using thermally modified ash from Arbor Wood Co. to clad both the interior ceiling and the exterior roof overhang of this lake house in Riverside, Texas, Collaborative Designworks gives a master class in creating continuous indoor-outdoor living. The treated hardwood not only frames the water views perfectly, it also makes those deep soffits as low-maintenance as they are spectacular. Photo courtesy of Joe Aker/Aker Imaging

Visit www.hardwoodinfo.com for more about using American hardwoods in your home.