8 php to usd We may be seeing some of the first major fissures forming in the dalliance between Donald Trump and his billionaire backer Elon Musk. Over the holiday week, Musk entered into a heated online conflict with notable pro-Trump figure and culture warrior Laura Loomer over the president-elect's immigration policy, the Washington Post reports . The debacle saw Musk receive rare pushback from his far-right supporters for advocating laxer immigration policy to court skilled foreign workers, and culminated with Loomer, who has over 1.4 million followers on X, claiming that her account was being silenced by the platform's billionaire owner for espousing her nationalist views. The infighting could augur a growing rift between the tech figures who have come to support Trump and the extreme right wing of his base. "It's a sign of future conflicts," Samuel Hammond, a senior economist at the Foundation for American Innovation, told WaPo . "This is like the pregame." At issue is Trump's decision to name Sriram Krishan, an Indian-born tech entrepreneur, as his senior policy advisor on AI. Loomer is not a fan of Krishan's history of supporting policies that would more easily allow skilled workers to come to the US and stay for longer periods. And though she and her contingent denies it, she's also an unrepentant racist, viciously denigrating Indians as "third world invaders" in a flurry of other descriptors that are too foul and too numerous to repeat here. At any rate, such visas, which provide what's known as H-1B nonimmigrant status, are essential to the tech industry and others that depend on a steady supply of eager-to-work, highly educated professionals from abroad to perform very technical jobs. As nationalists like Loomer took to criticize Krishan's nomination, tech figures, some originally immigrants themselves, came to his defense , including Trump advisers David Sacks and Vivek Ramaswamy, championing high-skilled immigration as the lifeblood of America. But most notably among them was Musk, himself an H-1B worker at one point, and who continues to recruit foreign workers to his companies like Tesla and SpaceX. He has claimed that a "permanent shortage" of top engineering talent is the "fundamental limiting factor in Silicon Valley." "The number of people who are super talented engineers AND super motivated in the USA is far too low," Musk wrote on X on Christmas day. "Think of this like a pro sports team: if you want your TEAM to win the championship, you need to recruit top talent wherever they may be." It's not everyday that Musk sounds like the adult in the room — but this logic wasn't enough to bridle the current of vociferous hatred coming from the rightmost corners of the Trump camp. For one, Musk's post received major pushback from followers questioning his dedication to supporting "real" Americans. Meanwhile, Loomer kept railing against Musk — and immigrants. "We have to put our foot down and let them know MAGA is anti-Big Tech," she wrote . By Friday, she was claiming that Musk had retaliated by revoking her verified status and removing her paid subscribers. "So much for free speech," she posted . Amidst the height of the infighting, right-wing commentator and frequent Musk reply guy Ian Miles Cheong summed it up with a sagacious observation: "It's wild to see MAGA turning against Elon, Vivek, David Sacks." More on Elon Musk: Touchy Trump Insists That He's Not Taking Orders From Elon Musk Share This ArticlePam Bondi, Donald Trump's pick to be attorney general, is a staunch ally of the former president, defending him against impeachment during his first term and pushing his false claims of election fraud as he sought to cling on to the White House. The 59-year-old former Florida attorney general, if confirmed by the Senate, will now serve as the top law enforcement official in a second Trump administration. "For too long, the partisan Department of Justice has been weaponized against me and other Republicans -- Not anymore," Trump wrote on his Truth Social network. "Pam will refocus the DOJ to its intended purpose of fighting Crime, and Making America Safe Again." Bondi's nomination means the top ranks of the Justice Department will be filled by Trump loyalists, as the president-elect has named three of the lawyers who defended him in his multiple criminal cases to its other high-ranking roles. Trump tapped Bondi to be attorney general on Thursday after his first pick, firebrand ex-Florida lawmaker Matt Gaetz, dropped out amid sexual misconduct allegations and doubts that he could obtain Senate confirmation. A graduate of the University of Florida with a law degree from Stetson University, Bondi served as a prosecutor for 18 years before being elected attorney general of the "Sunshine State" in 2010, the first woman to hold the post. Bondi, a native of Trump's adopted home state of Florida, was reelected to a second term in 2014. As attorney general, Bondi notably fought opioid addiction and human trafficking while taking a tough stance on crime and supporting the death penalty. She sued BP for the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and obtained more than $2 billion in economic relief for Florida, according to her biography page at Ballard Partners, a powerful lobbying firm where she has worked after leaving office. While serving as attorney general, Bondi was drawn into a controversy involving Trump when she declined in 2013 to join a multi-state prosecution accusing Trump University of fraud. It emerged later that Bondi's reelection committee had received a $25,000 donation from the charitable Trump Foundation. Both Trump and Bondi denied any wrongdoing. Bondi joined Trump's legal team during his first impeachment trial, in which he was alleged to have pressured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to find political dirt on his 2020 election opponent, Democrat Joe Biden. Trump was impeached by the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives but acquitted by the Republican-majority Senate. After the 2020 election, Bondi made television appearances on behalf of Trump and pushed to de-legitimize vote counting in battleground states as part of the push by the former president to overturn the results of the vote. Bondi has also criticized the criminal cases brought against Trump, appearing in solidarity at his New York trial, where he was convicted of falsifying business records to cover up hush money payments to a porn star. At Ballard Partners, Bondi has done work for Amazon, General Motors and Uber and as a registered lobbyist for the oil-rich Gulf nation of Qatar, according to press reports. She is also a member of the America First Policy Institute, a Trump-aligned right-wing think tank. cl/dw

ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia quarterback Carson Beck, believed to be out for the remainder of the game with a hand injury, returned for the final snap in the No. 5 Bulldogs’ 22-19 overtime win over No. 2 Texas in the Southeastern Conference championship game Saturday. Beck was hit by outside linebacker Trey Moore on the final play of the first half, forcing a fumble recovered by Anthony Hill Jr., who then lost the ball on an errant attempt to extend the play with a lateral as time expired. Beck was one of the last players to return to the field following halftime. He was holding his helmet but did not warm up remained on the sideline as backup Gunner Stockton led the offense to its first touchdown on the Bulldogs’ first drive of the second half. Georgia coach Kirby Smart told ESPN Beck would not return to the game and said he had no details on the hand injury. Beck had the right arm wrapped in ice on the Georgia bench. Smart’s plans changed when Stockton took a hard hit from Andrew Mukuba in overtime, knocking Stockton’s helmet to the turf. An on-field call of targeting was reversed following the review. Beck then returned to hand off to Trevor Etienne for a 4-yard touchdown run, ending the game. Texas outgained No. 5 Georgia 260-54 but led only 6-3 at halftime. The Bulldogs netted minus-2 yards rushing and Beck completed 7 of 13 passes for 56 yards. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up . AP college football: andHuntsville, AL, Dec. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GeoCue , a leading provider of advanced LiDAR hardware and software, is pleased to announce the addition of Epotronic as its latest distributor in Germany. Based in Düsseldorf, Epotronic specializes in the commercial distribution and use of surveying drones, industrial drones, sensors, and laser scanners for surveying and inspection purposes. "We are excited to welcome Epotronic to our network of distributors," said Samuel Flick, European Sales Manager at GeoCue. "Their expertise in drone technology and commitment to providing tailored solutions sync with our goal to deliver best-in-class hardware and software to our customers." Epotronic is well known for offering drone and sensor solutions that are tailored to meet the individual requirements of their clients. With an extensive network and years of experience, they now bring GeoCue's TrueView 3D Imaging Systems and LP360 software into its extensive catalog of equipment, surveying supplies, and software solutions. This partnership aims to empower Epotronic’s customers with efficient and accurate surveying tools that seamlessly integrate into their workflow, enhancing their overall productivity. "Partnering with GeoCue allows us to fulfill our customers' needs with precise, reliable, and consistent surveying results at fair pricing for years to come," said Tobias Wentzler, CEO of Epotronic GmbH. "GeoCue's TrueView LiDAR products and LP360 software are best-in-class, and we're confident that this collaboration will bring significant value to surveying and construction companies, government entities, and universities across Germany." Epotronic's decision to become a TrueView and LP360 provider was driven by GeoCue's reputation for delivering high-performance products backed by a trusted and experienced team. This partnership is expected to enhance the capabilities of professionals in the surveying and inspection industries by providing access to cutting-edge technology and comprehensive support services. Epotronic's expertise goes beyond technology. The company provides comprehensive training and customer project support, ensuring businesses can seamlessly integrate advanced drone and sensor technology into their operations with minimal investment risk. Epotronic’s addition to GeoCue’s global distribution network marks another step in expanding access to transformative LiDAR and geospatial solutions worldwide. About Epotronic Epotronic GmbH, based in Düsseldorf, Germany, specializes in the commercial distribution and application of advanced drones, sensors, and laser scanners for surveying and inspection. With a focus on innovation and customer-centric solutions, Epotronic provides tailored hardware, software, and training services to empower businesses, government entities, and universities. Their commitment to precision, reliability, and efficiency ensures clients achieve unparalleled accuracy in their projects, whether for surveying, construction, or research. For more information, visit https://epotronic.com . About GeoCue GeoCue brings geospatial experts the very best in drone, mobile and land surveying equipment, geospatial point cloud software, workflow, training, and support for high-accuracy LiDAR and Imagery mapping to help civil engineering and surveying professionals achieve successful data collection, processing, and management. With TrueView LiDAR/Imaging sensors and LP360 point cloud data processing software we are the leader in LiDAR mapping processing in North America able to meet customers where they are in terms of technology adoption, budget, and resources. For more information about GeoCue, visit www.geocue.com . Attachments Epotronic TrueView Go

Disney World fans fume as theme park announces closure of beloved ride: 'Huge downgrade' Muppet*Vision 3D at Disney World in Orlando will be shutting down for good It will be closed to make way for the park's upcoming Monsters Inc. land The beloved characters are now set to take over the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster By KELSI KARRULI FOR DAILYMAIL.COM Published: 21:31 GMT, 22 November 2024 | Updated: 21:32 GMT, 22 November 2024 e-mail 27 shares View comments Disney fans have been left devastated over the news that a beloved Muppets-themed ride is closing. Theme park enthusiasts took to X, formerly known as Twitter , to express their sadness on Friday after discovering that Muppet*Vision 3D at Disney World in Orlando, Florida , will be shutting down for good. The Hollywood Studios-based experience will be discontinued to make way for the park's upcoming Monsters Inc. land. But Muppets fans do have one thing to look forward to as the beloved Tim Henson characters are now set to take over the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster. The high-speed rollercoaster is currently themed with the rock band Aerosmith, but it will soon get a makeover and feature the Muppets instead. Disney teased that the cartoon character would 'team up with some of music's biggest stars' during the ride to deliver 'a rockin' music festival.' An official Disney Parks blog post read: 'To make way for the monsters, Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy and more of their friends will be moving right along to Sunset Boulevard. 'The Muppets will be taking over Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, teaming up with some of music’s biggest stars for a rockin’ music festival. Disney fans have been left devastated over the news that Muppet*Vision 3D at Disney World in Orlando, Florida, is closing But Muppets fans do have one thing to look forward to as the beloved Tim Henson characters are now set to take over the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster 'We know so many of you share our love for The Muppets and know their energy will be a perfect fit for this coaster. 'There’s sure to be laughter, screams and new tunes for this attraction for fans to enjoy throughout the adventure.' The theme park didn't announce when Muppet*Vision 3D will close or when Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster will get its revamp, but added that 'there's still enough time' to enjoy them both. Muppet*Vision 3D first opened at Hollywood Studios in 1991; the attraction consists of a stunning 3D show complete with live performers, projections, smoke, and soap bubbles. Immediately after the news hit the web, fans took to social media platforms to express their sadness . One person said: 'That's a huge downgrade.' Another user wrote: 'Why not both Muppet vision and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster?' Someone else commented: 'Oh that's gross.' Many people claimed that the renovation was a 'huge downgrade' 'First Dinoland is leaving, then no season 2 of The Acolyte, and now Rock 'n' Roller Coaster is getting re-themed? This is a hate crime against ME,' one user said. 'It really sucks we're losing Muppet Vision, but it's nice that they're still gonna be in the park in a way,' another user commented. 'Great, my favorite ride in all of Disney will be ruined,' someone else said. Previously, Disney World fans were outraged after the theme park announced the closure of a popular attraction to make way for a new Cars Land: the Liberty Square Riverboat ride. In August at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, Disney Experiences chairperson Josh D'Amaro unveiled a slew of new additions that would be coming to the Happiest Place on Earth, which included an Encanto river ride, an Indiana Jones attraction, and a Zootopia show. He also revealed that they had three brand-new areas in the works - one themed like the Disney Pixar movie Monsters Inc., another based on the beloved Cars franchise, and a third dedicated to Disney's villains. But the news was met with mixed reactions from the amusement park's longtime fans. While many were excited about the upcoming additions, some were heartbroken when it was revealed that they'd have to say goodbye to another section of the park to make room for the Cars land. The company said that the River of America and Tom Sawyer Island in Magic Kingdom's Frontierland would be transformed into the new Lightning McQueen-themed area. Share or comment on this article: Disney World fans fume as theme park announces closure of beloved ride: 'Huge downgrade' e-mail 27 shares Add commentAn online debate over foreign workers in tech shows tensions in Trump's political coalitionPublished 5:18 pm Friday, December 27, 2024 By Minnesota Public Radio By Anika Besst It seemed like companies couldn’t hire information technology analysts fast enough in 2014 when Michael Deneen began his IT career. Job counts nationally soared in the 2010s and early 2020s, but then the market flattened and a profession that looked like it might grow uninterrupted started shedding jobs. Laid off twice this year from Minnesota IT jobs, Deneen said he’s found it hard to snag the next gig. “Before I could have three, four offers lined up and would have to choose between them,” the Columbia Heights man said. “It’s like I’m struggling to even get a foot in the door in places that I’m more than qualified for.” Even with the state’s relatively low 3.5 percent unemployment rate, some mid-career Minnesotans and those just coming out of college are seeing a job market now that worries them. Recent layoffs at Cargill in the Twin Cities and last week’s announcement that Arctic Cat, the Minnesota snowmobile maker, will shutter its manufacturing operations next year in Thief River Falls and St. Cloud, have added to the anxiety. Analysts say Minnesota’s job market remains robust, but for some there’s a skills matchup problem as some sectors grow while others flatten or decline. ‘Shouldn’t be this way’ Health care, government, leisure and hospitality and transportation are among the Minnesota sectors that continue to show strong job growth, according to state data. Other industries are growing slower, including construction and manufacturing. “We’ve heard from some folks that maybe it has taken a little longer than what they remember in the past if they were previously unemployed. Some individuals don’t say that at all,” said Sara Garbe, workforce development supervisor at the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. “November and reaching December, we certainly see a slowdown of hiring and folks may mention things like that they’ve heard from recruiters that maybe a decision won’t be made until after the holidays or after the first or the last quarter of the year,” added Garbe, whose staff works with new job seekers and those in mid-career. For recent college grads who haven’t landed work, the holiday season can bring its own pressures. Raina Hofstede, 22, studied English at Harvard University. Since graduating in May and coming back to Minnesota, she said job prospects have been nearly nonexistent. “I feel kind of directionless in the time period that I’m waiting,” said Hofstede, who grew up in Coon Rapids. “I feel like I really want to plan. I’m at a point where, like, I’d love to get things moving.” She’s applied to post-undergrad internships and career-advancing work. She’s looking into publishing, creative writing spaces and museums and hopes a stint working in comedy clubs while at Harvard might intrigue an employer. The search and the uncertainty around it is a grind, she acknowledged. “I think, as time goes on, and this feels sad, but I think as time goes on, my belief in myself slowly drops a little bit more with more rejections, and so I feel like I’ll be applying to less and less competitive things as I move forward,” Hofstede said.

Opposition fighters are at Damascus’ gates. Who are they and what now?

Global Solar Fuel Market To Reach $17.52 Billion By 2028 With A Growth Rate Of 7.6%

Hyderabad: The ‘Global Development Centre’ of Techwave, a leading global IT and engineering solutions firm, was inaugurated by IT minister D Sridhar Babu at Tech Park in the Financial District of Hyderabad on Saturday, December 14. The new state-of-the-art techwave facility built on a one lakh square foot area at Tech Park in the Financial district is expected to create 1,200 new jobs. The facility is expected to serve as a catalyst for Techwave’s digital transformation initiatives and global expansion strategies, equipped with advanced amenities designed to foster creativity, collaboration, and productivity, enhance client engagements and drive industry-wide innovation. “Telangana is home to over 220 Global Capability Centres (GCCs), with a clear vision to grow this number to 400. The launch of Techwave’s Global Development Centre underscores our commitment to shaping a digitally empowered future,” Sridhar Babu said. Headquartered in Houston, USA, Techwave has its physical presence in Hungary, UK, South Africa, and India. In Telangana, the company claims to employ 2,400 associates in Hyderabad and 500 in Khammam district. “As we celebrate two decades of growth, with over 4,000 associates globally, this new facility is designed to drive innovation in digital solutions and foster an environment that promotes seamless communication and collaboration. With world-class amenities, the new facility is intended to enhance associate’s well-being, productivity, and creativity, empowering our team to lead the next generation of tech innovation,” said Damodar Rao Gummadapu, co-founder and chairman of Techwave.

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Following a tough loss, Tony Brar reports that the Edmonton Oilers are working with some interesting line combinations ahead of Saturday night’s match-up with the New York Rangers. In an attempt to combat several injuries, some unexpected players are getting an opportunity they otherwise wouldn’t get. Notably, Connor Brown finds his way into the top six and after just one game in orange and blue, forward Kasperi Kapanen sees an early promotion to the top line. In his Oilers debut, Kapanen showed promise on the second line, impressing the coaching staff. In just 12 minutes of ice time, he recorded one shot on net, delivered four hits, and, crucially, drew two penalties. The penalties he drew highlighted his skating ability — something he called his best asset — earning him an opportunity to play alongside one of the NHL’s best skaters, Connor McDavid . Additionally, head coach Kris Knoblauch praised Kapanen’s speed and physicality, emphasizing his strong first impression in an Oilers uniform. In a post-practice interview Knoblauch stated , “That’s a pretty good game...if you’re going to be physical, you got to be quick.” Ranking in the top 95th percentile for top skating speed , Kapanen uses his speed effectively. With McDavid being one of the fastest players in the league, pairing him up with somebody who can keep up with him is vital. Furthermore, having Ryan Nugent-Hopkins , a strong playmaker, rounding out the top line works to stimulate as much offense as possible. Kapanen’s Offensive Struggles On the other hand, Kapanen has struggled offensively. Before being waived, he registered only one point through ten games with St. Louis this season. His lowered offensive production has been a trend for the past few seasons. In the last 159 games, Kapanen has recorded only 59 points. A shocking statistic as Kapanen once logged 44 points in a single season. After losing several key young and speedy players in the offseason, the aging Oilers took a chance on the struggling yet quick 28-year-old forward, hoping he could inject some much-needed pace into the lineup. From being placed on waivers to earning a spot on the Oilers’ top line alongside Connor McDavid , Kapanen has experienced a whirlwind of emotions this week. Now, he looks to rejuvenate his game and make the most of this unique opportunity to play alongside one of the NHL’s best. This article first appeared on NHL Trade Talk and was syndicated with permission.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday signed a law that allows those who sign up to fight in Ukraine to write off unpaid debts worth almost $100,000, the government announced. The new legislation will be a strong motivation for some to join up, experts said, as Russia seeks new ways to recruit fighters for the nearly three-year conflict grinding through troops. The new legislation will allow those who sign a one-year contract to fight in Ukraine after December 1 to free themselves of existing bad debts. It also covers their spouses. The law concerns debts where a court order for collection was issued and enforcement proceedings began before December 1, 2024. The total amount of unpaid debt that can be covered is 10 million rubles, around $96,000 at current rates. Parliament approved the bill earlier this month. The legislation will largely concern younger Russians of fighting age, since those in their 30s and younger are most likely to have loans. Russia has extremely high interest rates for loans and many Russians have almost no cash savings, although the proportion of home owners is relatively high. "Previously (for those fighting) there was only provision for taking repayment holidays on loans," Sergei Krivenko of advocacy group Citizen Army Law told Vazhniye Istorii Telegram channel. The new legislation applies to those who are conscripted for national service and those mobilised for the so-called "special military operation", Krivenko said. Conscripts cannot be sent to the front line but can choose to sign a contract to join the professional army and be sent to fight in Ukraine. Russian authorities "are strengthening the motivation to sign a contract," political analyst Georgy Bovt wrote on Telegram. The legislation provides "another way to get rid of an unbearable burden of credit, at least for several hundred thousand people," Bovt wrote. Over 13 million Russians have three or more loans, according to a central bank report released last month covering the first two quarters. This was up 20 percent on the same period last year. The average amount owed by those with three or more loans is 1.4 million rubles ($13,400 at current rates). Many start with a bank loan and then apply for further loans from microfinance organisations. Russians serving on the front line are already paid far more than the national average. Ukraine also has legislation allowing those fighting to get preferential terms for loans and in some cases to write off debts. bur/tw