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December 12, 2024. OpenAI has every reason to fake an outage. This would demonstrate they are ... [+] becoming a utility, like electricity or water. (Photo by Jason Redmond / AFP) (Photo by JASON REDMOND/AFP via Getty Images) Open AI Went Down Yesterday. It was highly inconvenient. ChatGPT has snuggled right into my workflow and now I’m dependent on the little bugger. The moment reminded me of AOL’s outage in 1996. The service was down for 24 hours and sent shockwaves throughout the world, demonstrating the Internet was a utility, like electricity and water. This sent AOL’s valuation on a rocket ride. The stock split over and over again for the next three years. TikTok is a precarious situation. Unless a court rules, they must shut down in the US next week. ... [+] (Photo by American Stock Archive/Archive Photos/Getty Images) The clock ticks for Tik Tok . ByteDance and its subsidiary TikTok have filed an emergency motion with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, seeking to temporarily halt a law mandating ByteDance to divest TikTok by January 19, 2025, or face a U.S. ban. The companies argue that without this injunction, TikTok's 170 million American users will lose access to the platform. They also note that President-elect Donald Trump has expressed opposition to the ban, suggesting a delay would allow the incoming administration to reassess the situation. The Justice Department opposes the request, citing national security concerns over Chinese control of the app. AI speaks letters, text-to-speech or TTS, text-to-voice, speech synthesis applications, generative ... [+] Artificial Intelligence, futuristic technology in language and communication. Waveform Raises $40M for voices that have emotional intelligence. Founded by former OpenAI researcher Alexis Conneau, WaveForms AI is developing AI voice models with enhanced emotional intelligence, enabling more empathetic and realistic interactions. Conneau previously contributed to OpenAI's GPT-4o voice mode, noted for its real-time responsiveness and ability to handle interruptions. Funding came from mega VC Andreessen Horowitz. Microsoft Warns 400 Million Windows Users—Do Not Update Your PC iOS 18.2—Update Now Warning Issued To All iPhone Users What We Know About Luigi Mangione: Police Have ‘No Indication’ Suspected Shooter Of UnitedHealthcare CEO Was A Client Vapi founders Jordan Dearsley and Nikhil Gupta Vapi Raises $20M to Bring Voice AI Agents to Enterprise. Voice AI platform Vapi has raised $20 million in a Series A funding round to expand its engineering team, scale real-time infrastructure, and support enterprise customers. Since launching in 2023, Vapi has scaled to millions in revenue, providing customizable AI voice agents for industries like healthcare, finance, and customer service. Bessemer Venture Partners led the round, with participation from Y Combinator, Abstract Ventures, and others. It's been all week and I still can't get in. OpenAI Releases Sora, Outages Ensue Amid Surging Demand. OpenAI has officially launched Sora, its long-awaited text-to-video AI model, as part of its "12 Days of OpenAI" event. Billed as a breakthrough in AI-generated media, Sora allows users to create high-quality video content from simple text prompts. However, the release was met with overwhelming demand, causing widespread outages and access issues. Users reported slow response times and platform crashes, underscoring the intense interest in Sora's capabilities. Despite the hiccups, OpenAI's strategic rollout aims to solidify its lead in generative AI. As access stabilizes, Sora is expected to compete with models from Google and Runway. Personally, Sora still won’t let me in. Samsung 's Project Moohan blends design elements from Meta’s Quest and Apple’s Vision Pro. Road to VR’s Ben Lang Got Hands On With Samsung’s Project Moohan XR Headset. Samsung has revealed Project Moohan, its new mixed-reality (XR) headset powered by Android XR, blending design elements from Meta’s Quest and Apple’s Vision Pro. Slated for a 2025 release, the device features a Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 chip and supports hand, eye, and controller-based input. INDIA - 2024/12/12: In this photo illustration, the Gemini logo is seen displayed on a mobile phone ... [+] screen with google logo in the background. (Photo Illustration by Idrees/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) Google's New Gemini 2.0 Can Open the Browser to Check Information Independently. Unveiled this week, Gemini 2.0 introduces autonomous AI capabilities that set it apart from its predecessors. The model’s most notable advancement is its ability to independently open a browser to verify information in real-time — a defining feature of Google's so-called "Agentic Era." The multimodal AI supports text, images, video, audio, and code, with applications spanning Google Search. Projects like Astra (AI assistant), Mariner (web task automation), and Jules (developer agent) demonstrate the model's practical potential. Google emphasized its focus on safety and continues to maintain the strictest guardrails in the industry. Illustration of the logo and website of GROK the generative artificial intelligence chatbot ... [+] developed by xAI. (Photo by RICCARDO MILANI/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images) X Makes AI Chatbot Grok Free for All Users, Shifts to Freemium Model X (formerly Twitter) has made its AI chatbot Grok available to all users, eliminating the need for a Premium subscription. Users now receive 10 free prompts and 10 image generations every two hours, though image analysis is limited to three daily before a subscription is required. This move aligns X’s AI strategy with competitors like ChatGPT and Claude. Unlike Google Gemini, X’s Grok is uncensored. China Launches Bold BCI Trials to Rival Elon Musk’s Neuralink. China is advancing brain-computer interface technology with plans for large-scale clinical trials of its Neural Electronic Opportunity (NEO) device in 2025. Developed by Neuracle Technology and Tsinghua University, NEO employs a semi-invasive approach, placing electrodes outside the brain cortex to avoid direct contact with brain tissue. In a recent procedure, a 38-year-old spinal cord injury patient regained control of a prosthetic hand, performing tasks like unscrewing a bottle cap. The operation took just 1 hour and 40 minutes, aided by a real-time brain localization system. "Dino Hab" Brings Prehistoric Adventure to MR and VR. Film director Doug Liman’s 30 Ninjas, Meta, and Dark Slope have teamed up to launch Dino Hab , a Mixed Reality experience that lets players raise dinosaurs and restore prehistoric habitats in immersive 3D worlds. The company is touting its AI companion, powered by Inworld AI, that guides players between MR and VR environments. This unique cross-platform approach adds depth to the experience, blending exploration, care, and adventure. This column, formerly called “This Week in XR,” is also a podcast hosted by the author of this column, Charlie Fink, Ted Schilowitz, former studio executive and co-founder of Red Camera, and Rony Abovitz, founder of Magic Leap. This week our guest is. We can be found on Spotify , iTunes , and YouTube . What We’re Reading How Gaming Built The Metaverse While Big Tech Wasn’t Looking (Catherine Henry/Forbes)he presidency of Jimmy Carter, who died on Dec. 29 at age 100, is typically understood as bland and ineffective—perhaps best symbolized by the uninspiring cardigan sweaters he favored wearing in office. Four decades of subsequent good works have transformed Carter’s cardigan into a symbol of something more wholesome, humble even. Carter’s post-presidential authenticity has even attracted a young, left-leaning fan base, like those using the TikTok #jimmycartergotmepregnant as a mock ironic lament about the declining quality of recent presidents. Yet, both portraits miss the mark. Carter was neither as ineffective a president as his critics allege, nor as liberal a politician as his new fans believe. Instead, the 39th president scored enormous policy successes—but observers often missed them because they didn’t grasp that Carter was one of the most substantively conservative presidents of the last half-century. In some ways, Carter actually did more to push American economic policy to the right than his Republican successors Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush, and Donald Trump. Understanding this reality paints Carter’s presidency in a totally different light. Carter often described himself as a “conservative progressive,” which he defined as being “a fiscal conservative, but quite liberal on such issues as civil rights, environmental quality, and helping people overcome handicaps to lead fruitful lives.” Carter’s fiscal conservatism was perhaps natural for a agribusinessman. During his 1976 presidential campaign, Carter stumped on the proposition that Washington was a “confused, bloated bureaucratic mess.” If elected, he pledged to streamline government agencies and reduce spending just as he had as governor of Georgia. This was not mere campaign rhetoric that disappeared once Carter entered office. In his 1978 State of the Union address, Carter said, “Government cannot solve our problems ...[or] eliminate poverty, or provide a bountiful economy, or reduce inflation, or save our cities, or cure illiteracy, or provide energy.” It was an applause line one might have expected from a stalwart conservative Republican, not a Democratic president. Unsurprisingly, Carter’s conservatism alienated much of the Democratic left. Looking back on his presidency in 1982, one union leader remarked, “As presidents go, he [Carter] was on par with Calvin Coolidge.” It was a fitting comparison for a president who once bragged that his policies represented “the greatest change in the relationship between business and government since the New Deal.” Carter’s conservatism ran deeper than mere rhetoric. He transformed government regulation of the economy more than any other modern president. It was Carter, not Reagan, who was the true “Great Deregulator.” Carter viewed deregulation as the solution to stagflation, the unprecedented economic challenge confronting America in the 1970s. During his presidency, inflation rose from 6.5% to 13.5%, even as unemployment reached eight percent by the time he left office. And Carter blamed excessive regulation for these economic headwinds. Not all of his deregulatory push generated opposition from the left. Deregulation of certain industries, especially trucking and airlines, even garnered support from Carter’s most prominent liberal critic and 1980 primary challenger, Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.). At the 1980 Democratic Convention, Kennedy bragged that his party had “ended excessive regulation ... and we restored competition to the marketplace.” Kennedy’s views angered the labor unions who had long backed him in Massachusetts, but he believed that making himself the congressional face of deregulation would improve his national, presidential . That calculus explained why Kennedy and Carter joined forces to unshackle the airline industry. Carter appointed the economist and deregulatory hawk Alfred Kahn to the Civil Aeronautics Board, which created pressure on Congress to pass Kennedy’s legislation ending government regulation of flight routes and ticket price controls. Carter’s success with airline deregulation in 1978—and Republican pickups in the midterm elections—lowered the political barriers to further deregulation. Carter pounced on the opportunity and went far beyond what liberals found tolerable. The administration worked to free scores of industries, from energy to trucking to rail, in subtle, yet significant ways. For example, after passage of the Motor Carrier Act of 1980—which allowed trucking companies to choose their own routes—500,000 new truckers flooded the market. The new efficiencies and additional competition ultimately reduced carriage costs by a third, benefiting every category of good produced or sold in America. The positive impacts of these moves are often credited to Carter’s successors because the benefits only became evident after he had left office. But in concrete ways, he helped lay the foundation for the economic prosperity of the 1980s and 1990s. Yet, perhaps the most underrated front in Carter’s war on regulation reshaped broadcasting, politics, and entertainment. Charles Ferris, Carter’s Federal Communications Commission Chair, was a zealous deregulator, who called the FCC’s thicket of regulations “ossified” and a “dead shell.” He repealed regulations that had stunted cable television’s growth, and acquiesced to the courts limiting FCC oversight. As a result, cable grew rapidly; by the mid-1980s, the of households with cable subscriptions had tripled to nearly 60 percent. Ferris also slowed enforcement of the Fairness Doctrine—a rule meant to promote balance in political broadcasting—which had been by the Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon administrations against political opponents. By streamlining the station license renewal process, Ferris also made it far harder for activists on both sides of the political spectrum to use the doctrine to threaten broadcasters. While it was Reagan’s FCC that did away with the Fairness Doctrine—something for which many on the left still curse him—it simply put the finishing touches on Carter’s revolution. These deregulatory moves transformed news and entertainment, making everything from HBO to cable news channels to hit shows like and possible. Carter’s deregulatory campaigns therefore reshaped the American economy, the media landscape, and national politics in seismic ways. If he had been a Republican, he might rank higher than a subpar 26th (out of 44) in presidential , perhaps even neck-and-neck with the ninth place Reagan. But he was too conservative for his most progressive allies and his policy stances soon became far out of step with a rapidly Democratic Party. Meanwhile, Republicans—who were ideologically more amenable to Carter’s laissez-faire policy accomplishments—were not predisposed to recognize the achievements of a member of the opposition. Yet, Carter’s conservative victories compare favorably to the accomplishments of his Republican successors. Reagan decreased the power of unionized air traffic controllers; but Carter deregulated the entire airline industry with profound results. Americans today fly four times as many miles at less than half the per mile as they did when Carter was president, while as many Americans now fly each year (an of 49% from 2015-2019) as the percentage in 1971 who had flown before. Similarly, George H.W. Bush sent troops to Kuwait to protect U.S. oil imports; but Carter cut American dependence on foreign oil imports nearly in by deregulating the energy sector and encouraging domestic production. George W. Bush massively expanded the federal education with the No Child Left Behind Act, while Carter cut entire federal agencies, like the Civil Aeronautics Board. During Trump’s presidency, the federal debt to GDP ratio broke the record previously set during World War II, whereas Carter reduced that ratio to its lowest point since the beginning of the New Deal. For good or ill, Carter remains the most substantively conservative president of the last half century—even though neither his champions or critics recognize it. The Radio Right: How a Band of Broadcasters Took on the Federal Government and Built the Modern Conservative Movement was published in 2020 by Oxford University Press.Former Bulldog defensive coordinator Nick Toth isn’t returning to Fresno State and will remain at Air Force, where he oversees the defense. Toth wrote on : “Despite what is circulating on social media. I am fired up to be coaching at the United States Air Force Academy and have not taken another coaching job. Go Falcons!” Reports circulated Wednesday night that Toth would replace Fresno State defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle. According to The Barkboard, new head coach Matt Entz is interviewing candidates for his staff, but nobody has been hired. Toth spent five seasons at Fresno State (2012-2016) under Tim DeRuyter, four of which were as defensive coordinator. Related Story: Josiah Freeman Enters Transfer Portal Fresno State junior wide receiver Josiah Freeman entered the transfer portal on Wednesday, making him the 16th Bulldog to signal their intentions to exit the program. Freeman wrote on : “Thank you, Red Wave, for an incredible journey. I’m grateful to the coaching staff for believing in me and giving a small-town kid a chance to chase his dreams.” Freeman spent three seasons at Fresno State (2022-2024) and was predicted to be a playmaker but was plagued with injuries. He only played four games in 2024, making eight catches for 95 yards and two touchdowns. Related Story: Phoenix Jackson Commits to Auburn Linebacker Phoenix Jackson said on Wednesday that he has left Fresno to join Auburn. He played four seasons at Fresno State, (2021-2024) recording 101 total tackles, five sacks, and three interceptions. Related Story: Cam Lockridge Declares for NFL Draft Senior cornerback Cam Lockridge declared to enter the 2025 NFL Draft on Tuesday. He has no remaining eligibility. He announced via : “First off, I want to thank God for blessing me with the opportunity to play the sport I love. I want to thank my family for the support they provided throughout this journey. I’d like to thank Reedley College, the University of Hawai’i, and Fresno State for the opportunity to earn my degree as well display my talent on the field.” Lockridge concluded, “Finally, I’d like to thank my mother for giving me life. Without her, none of this would be possible. Even though God called her name, and she is no longer with us on earth, her presence is felt by many. She is my reason why I haven’t given up on my dream to play in the NFL.” This comes after he missed the last three regular season games after a series of disgruntled social media posts that the coaches called “personal stuff.” Lockridge was named to the All-Mountain West conference first team. He’s ranked No. 1 (MW) & No. 6 in the FBS in passes defended (7 passes broken up); No. 1 (MW) & No. 2 (FBS) in interceptions (5); and No. 7 (MW) in fumbles recovered.None

AP Sports SummaryBrief at 4:45 p.m. EST

Black Ice Studios Partners with Intel Gaming to Debut XeSS 2 Technology in Ashes of MankindClear Blue Technologies International to provide Corporate Update and Report Third Quarter Fiscal 2024 Financial Results and Host Conference Call on Friday, November 29, 2024

Trump-Musk now making amends? After spat between Musk and MAGA supporters, Trump backs Tesla CEO's support for H-1B visa programJimmy Carter, the 39th US president, has died at 100

Clayton scores 34 as Ohio knocks off Portland 85-73ATLANTA — As she checked into a recent flight to Mexico for vacation, Teja Smith chuckled at the idea of joining another Women’s March on Washington. As a Black woman, she just couldn’t see herself helping to replicate the largest act of resistance against then-President Donald Trump’s first term in January 2017. Even in an election this year where Trump questioned his opponent’s race, held rallies featuring racist insults and falsely claimed Black migrants in Ohio were eating their neighbors’ pets, he didn't just win a second term. He became the first Republican in two decades to clinch the popular vote, although by a small margin. Supporters of Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris hold their fists in the air after she delivered a concession speech after the 2024 presidential election Nov. 6 on the campus of Howard University in Washington. “It’s like the people have spoken and this is what America looks like,” said Smith, the Los Angeles-based founder of the advocacy social media agency, Get Social. “And there’s not too much more fighting that you’re going to be able to do without losing your own sanity.” After Trump was declared the winner over Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, many politically engaged Black women said they were so dismayed by the outcome that they were reassessing — but not completely abandoning — their enthusiasm for electoral politics and movement organizing. Black women often carry much of the work of getting out the vote in their communities. They had vigorously supported the historic candidacy of Harris, who would have been the first woman of Black and South Asian descent to win the presidency. Harris' loss spurred a wave of Black women across social media resolving to prioritize themselves, before giving so much to a country that over and over has shown its indifference to their concerns. AP VoteCast, a survey of more than 120,000 voters, found that 6 in 10 Black women said the future of democracy in the United States was the single most important factor for their vote this year, a higher share than for other demographic groups. But now, with Trump set to return to office in two months, some Black women are renewing calls to emphasize rest, focus on mental health and become more selective about what fight they lend their organizing power to. “America is going to have to save herself,” said LaTosha Brown, co-founder of the national voting rights group Black Voters Matter. She compared Black women’s presence in social justice movements as “core strategists and core organizers” to the North Star, known as the most consistent and dependable star in the galaxy because of its seemingly fixed position in the sky. People can rely on Black women to lead change, Brown said, but the next four years will look different. “That’s not a herculean task that’s for us. We don’t want that title. ... I have no goals to be a martyr for a nation that cares nothing about me,” she said. Supporters cheer during a community rally with Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris on Oct. 27 in Philadelphia. AP VoteCast paints a clear picture of Black women's concerns. Black female voters were most likely to say that democracy was the single most important factor for their vote, compared to other motivators such as high prices or abortion. More than 7 in 10 Black female voters said they were “very concerned” that electing Trump would lead the nation toward authoritarianism, while only about 2 in 10 said this about Harris. About 9 in 10 Black female voters supported Harris in 2024, according to AP VoteCast, similar to the share that backed Democrat Joe Biden in 2020. Trump received support from more than half of white voters, who made up the vast majority of his coalition in both years. Like voters overall, Black women were most likely to say the economy and jobs were the most important issues facing the country, with about one-third saying that. But they were more likely than many other groups to say that abortion and racism were the top issues, and much less likely than other groups to say immigration was the top issue. Despite those concerns, which were well-voiced by Black women throughout the campaign, increased support from young men of color and white women helped expand Trump’s lead and secured his victory. Politically engaged Black women said they don’t plan to continue positioning themselves in the vertebrae of the “backbone” of America’s democracy. The growing movement prompting Black women to withdraw is a shift from history, where they are often present and at the forefront of political and social change. One of the earliest examples is the women’s suffrage movement that led to ratification in 1920 of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, which gave women the right to vote. Black women, however, were prevented from voting for decades afterward because of Jim Crow-era literacy tests, poll taxes and laws that blocked the grandchildren of slaves from voting. Most Black women couldn’t vote until the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Black women were among the organizers and counted among the marchers brutalized on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Alabama, during the historic march in 1965 from Selma to Montgomery that preceded federal legislation. Decades later, Black women were prominent organizers of the Black Lives Matter movement in response to the deaths of Black Americans at the hands of police and vigilantes. In his 2024 campaign, Trump called for leveraging federal money to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs in government and discussions of race, gender or sexual orientation in schools. His rhetoric on immigration, including false claims that Black Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, were eating cats and dogs, drove support for his plan to deport millions of people. Tenita Taylor, a Black resident of Atlanta who supported Trump this year, said she was initially excited about Harris’ candidacy. But after thinking about how high her grocery bills have been, she feels that voting for Trump in hopes of finally getting lower prices was a form of self-prioritization. “People say, ‘Well, that’s selfish, it was gonna be better for the greater good,''' she said. “I’m a mother of five kids. ... The things that (Democrats) do either affect the rich or the poor.” Where can Black women feel supported and flourish financially? When posed that question, Dr. Lori Martin, a professor of African and African American studies and sociology at Louisiana State University, had this to say: "A livable place for Black women is safe, and for women with children, it is home to schools where all students have access to an excellent education. It would also be diverse, with a visible and thriving Black community, including Black businesses." While the socioeconomic realities of our current time touch all corners of the country, there are pockets of the U.S. where the wealth gap narrows and Black women have more opportunities. MoneyGeek analyzed data on income, the cost of crime , homeownership , and poverty levels from 164 cities across the United States to rank the best — and worst — cities for Black women to live and financially flourish in. MoneyGeek ranked 164 cities with populations greater than 65,000 from the best to the worst for Black women. The ranking includes analysis of income, poverty rate, homeownership, educational attainment and health insurance gaps between Black women and the entire population nationally and locally. The size of the local Black population and the cost of crime in the area were included in the ranking to reflect the presence of the Black community and safety, respectively. Southfield — a suburb of Detroit — and Pearland — a Houston suburb — ranked as the top two cities in the analysis. Notably, Southern cities make up the majority of cities in the top 25, with 13 located in this region. In contrast, Minneapolis, Minnesota, ranked as the worst city for Black women. In Minneapolis, Black women face high poverty rates in absolute and relative terms and have low rates of health insurance coverage compared to the cities analyzed. Meanwhile, Miami ranks as the second least favorable city, with a significant local income gap — there, white men earn almost triple the income of Black women. Income disparity is a key measure of how well Black women are doing today. For each city in the analysis, we calculated the local Equal Pay Day — the day in the following year when Black women would make an equivalent amount as white men — using the median income of Black women working full time and the median income of white men working full time in each locality. In Carson, California, the median pay of Black women is higher than the median pay of white men. However, in Evanston, Illinois, Black women make just over a third of white men's earnings, meaning they would need to work until September 24, 2024, to earn the equivalent of a white man's 2022 pay. Economic challenges faced by Black women include restricted career advancement opportunities, insufficient health insurance, and inadequate retirement savings. Survey data from Goldman Sachs indicates that 42% of Black women perceive limited career growth opportunities compared to 35% of U.S. adults, and merely 43% are able to obtain health insurance through their employer, in contrast to 53% nationwide. Additionally, 71% of Black women feel they are living paycheck to paycheck, compared to 63% of the general population. The intersection of racial and gender bias contributes to these challenges, resulting in low-wage jobs and a considerable wealth gap. Our analysis validates this, demonstrating that Black women who work full-time, year-round, earn 64 cents for every dollar white men earn working full-time, year-round. Less access to economic opportunities puts Black women at a disadvantage in building wealth. The FDIC's National Survey of Unbanked and Underbanked Households found that 11.3% of Black households were unbanked compared to just 2.1% of white households. Unbanked households are credit invisible — that is, they don't have a credit history and, therefore, can't build credit. Having no credit history makes it difficult to utilize credit cards to manage cash needs and mortgages to buy homes. Advocating for economic opportunities for Black women The struggle for economic equity remains a persistent challenge for Black women in America, who have historically faced systemic wage disparities and employment obstacles. However, there are tools and resources that can provide Black women with economic opportunities and empowerment. Dr. Ukanwa shares additional solutions, such as: 1. Invest in education: Research has already shown that degrees increase lifetime earnings, close some societal gaps, and increase job security. But if degrees are not your path, it also means continuing to build that knowledge and expertise in something you can be the best at. Figure out your expertise and what you bring to the table. 2. After building your expertise in a field, build your reputation and personal brand: With an excellent reputation and personal brand, people will start to seek you out rather than the other way around. This increases the worth of your expertise. 3. Find out what your expertise is worth: Educate yourself on how to negotiate . Negotiate to be paid what you are worth. 4. Get into the habit of ownership: Build your own equity, which decreases the dependence on someone else for your income. For example, this could be your own business, stocks , or real estate. To rank the best cities for Black women, MoneyGeek analyzed data from the American Community Survey , MoneyGeek's Safest Cities and Safest Small Cities and Towns studies, and the Bureau of Economic Analysis. The analysis started with over 500 places in America with populations of 65,000 or more. Places without granular data about Black women or lacking other data points for the analysis were removed to get to the final set of 164 cities. The ranking of the best cities for Black women was based on eight factors: safety, Black population, educational attainment, poverty rates, income, employment, health insurance, and homeownership. Each factor was weighted equally and scaled to a score between 0 and 1. The factors were calculated as follows: Safety (full weight): This metric equally comprises two metrics. Percent of local population that is Black (full weight): This percentage represents the proportion of Black individuals within a city's total population, as reported by the United States Census Bureau's five-year American Community Survey (ACS) from 2021, the most recent data available. Educational attainment (full weight): This metric equally comprises two metrics. Poverty rate (full weight): The percentage point difference between the city's rate of Black women earning at or above the poverty level and the rate of all women living above the poverty level nationally. This finding comes from the 2021 Census ACS five-year data, the latest available source covering over 200 cities. Income (full weight): This factor equally comprises two metrics. Employment (full weight): The difference in percentage points between the Black female employment rate and the white male employment rate in the locality. Health insurance (full weight): This metric reveals the percentage point difference between Black women (ages 19-64) and white men (ages 19-64) with health insurance. This information comes from the Census ACS five-year data from 2021, the most recent data source available. Black female homeownership (full weight): This factor comprises three metrics. The full data set can be found here . This story was produced by MoneyGeek and reviewed and distributed by Stacker Media. Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Aden Holloway explodes as No. 5 Alabama rolls over South Dakota StateNoneEven with access to blockbuster obesity drugs, some people don't lose weight76ers center Joel Embiid sidelined due to swelling in his left knee and will miss two games PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia 76ers say center Joel Embiid is managing swelling in his left knee and will miss a second consecutive game Sunday. The Sixers issued a statement on the condition of the 2023 NBA MVP at halftime of Friday’s NBA Cup game against the Brooklyn Nets, saying the decision to sideline Embiid was made along with the team’s medical staff. Embiid was ruled out prior to Friday’s game against the Nets due to what the team described as left knee injury maintenance. The Sixers host the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday. Giants release quarterback Daniel Jones just days after benching him EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — The Daniel Jones era in New York is over. The Giants quarterback was granted his release by the team just days after the franchise said it was benching him in favor of third-stringer Tommy DeVito. New York president John Mara said Jones approached the team about releasing him and the club obliged. Mara added he was “disappointed” at the quick dissolution of a once-promising relationship between Jones and the team. Giants coach Brian Daboll benched Jones in favor of DeVito following a loss to the Panthers in Germany that dropped New York's record to 2-8. Austin Hays, Kyle Finnegan, Brendan Rodgers and Jordan Romano among 62 new free agents NEW YORK (AP) — Outfielder Austin Hays, right-hander Kyle Finnegan and second baseman Brendan Rodgers were among 62 players who became free agents when their teams failed to offer 2025 contracts. Right-hander Jordan Romano, left-hander Patrick Sandoval and outfielders Michael Tauchman and Ramón Laureano also were among the players cut loose, many of whom would have been eligible for salary arbitration. Washington cut right-hander Tanner Rainey, its last remaining player from the 2019 World Series champions. Finnegan and Hays are former All-Stars. Conor McGregor must pay $250K to woman who says he raped her, civil jury rules LONDON (AP) — A civil jury in Ireland has awarded more than $250,000 to a woman who says she was raped by mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor in a Dublin hotel penthouse after a night of heavy partying. The jury on Friday awarded Nikita Hand in her lawsuit that claimed McGregor “brutally raped and battered” her in 2018. The lawsuit says the assault left her heavily bruised and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. McGregor testified that he never forced her to do anything and that Hand fabricated her allegations after the two had consensual sex. McGregor says he will appeal the verdict. Russell puts Mercedes on pole at Las Vegas and Verstappen nips Norris in championship battle LAS VEGAS (AP) — George Russell put Mercedes on the pole for the Las Vegas Grand Prix in an upset over teammate Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton was fastest in the first two practice sessions with Russell fastest in Friday night’s third and final session. But come qualifying, Hamilton made two mistakes in the final group and wound up a distant 10th. Carlos Sainz Jr. and Charles Leclerc seemed to sweep the front row until Russell’s late lap pushed Sainz to second. Pierre Gasly slid into third, and Leclerc wound up fourth. Championship leader Max Verstappen of Red Bull qualified fifth for Saturday night's race. Verstappen needs only to score three points more than challenger Lando Norris to win his fourth straight world championship. Week 16 game between Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers flexed to Thursday night spot The Los Angeles Chargers have played their way into another prime time appearance. Justin Herbert and company have had their Dec. 22 game against the Denver Broncos flexed to Thursday night, Dec. 19. Friday’s announcement makes this the first time a game has been flexed to the Thursday night spot. The league amended its policy last season where Thursday night games in Weeks 13 through 17 could be flexed with at least 28 days notice prior to the game. The matchup of AFC West division rivals bumps the game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals to Sunday afternoon. Chase Elliott named NASCAR's most popular driver for 7th straight season CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Chase Elliott has been named NASCAR's most popular driver for the seventh straight year. He was announced Friday at NASCAR's annual season-ending awards ceremony. It's the only major NASCAR award determined solely by the vote of race fans. Elliott beat out Hendrick Motorsports teammate Kyle Larson and Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney, per results released by the National Motorsports Press Association. Bill Elliott, Chase's father who is nicknamed “Awesome Bill from Dawsonville,” was named NASCAR’s most popular driver a record 16 times before removing his name from the ballot. Either an Elliott or Earnhardt has won NASCAR’s most popular driver award for 34 consecutive years. NBA memo to players urges increased vigilance regarding home security following break-ins MIAMI (AP) — The NBA is urging its players to take additional precautions to secure their homes following reports of recent high-profile burglaries of dwellings owned by Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis and Kansas City Chiefs teammates Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. In a memo sent to team officials, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press, the NBA revealed that the FBI has connected some burglaries to “transnational South American Theft Groups” that are “reportedly well-organized, sophisticated rings that incorporate advanced techniques and technologies, including pre-surveillance, drones, and signal jamming devices.” US ski star Shiffrin leads World Cup slalom after 1st run and closes in on career win No. 99 GURGL, Austria (AP) — Mikaela Shiffrin closed in on what would be the American ski star’s career win No. 99 by setting the pace in the opening run of a women’s World Cup slalom. Shiffrin wasn’t clean going into the steep of the Kirchenkar course but gained time on all competitors with a near-flawless finish section. Wendy Holdener was fastest at the first two splits and the Swiss racer trailed Shiffrin by 0.13 seconds at the finish. Shiffrin says she was feeling "a little bit funky on some spots.” A victory would give Shiffrin five chances to compete for win No. 100 during a North American sweep of the World Cup starting next week. Brock Purdy will miss Sunday's game for the 49ers with a shoulder injury SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy will miss Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers with a sore throwing shoulder. Purdy injured his right shoulder in last Sunday’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Purdy underwent an MRI that showed no structural damage but the shoulder didn’t improve during the week and Purdy was ruled out for the game. Coach Kyle Shanahan said star defensive end Nick Bosa also will miss the game with injuries to his left hip and oblique. Left tackle Trent Williams is questionable with an ankle injury and will be a game-time decision.

CRA International, Inc. ( NASDAQ:CRAI – Get Free Report ) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest in the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 60,600 shares, a growth of 27.8% from the November 30th total of 47,400 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 37,100 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.6 days. Currently, 0.9% of the company’s stock are sold short. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research firms recently weighed in on CRAI. StockNews.com lowered shares of CRA International from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, November 1st. Barrington Research increased their price objective on CRA International from $194.00 to $212.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, November 8th. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on CRA International Insider Buying and Selling at CRA International Institutional Inflows and Outflows Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Quantbot Technologies LP bought a new stake in shares of CRA International during the 3rd quarter worth $164,000. Marshall Wace LLP purchased a new stake in CRA International during the second quarter worth about $221,000. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. raised its position in CRA International by 2.9% in the third quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 3,095 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $543,000 after acquiring an additional 86 shares during the period. SG Americas Securities LLC purchased a new position in CRA International in the third quarter valued at about $573,000. Finally, Farther Finance Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of CRA International by 13.6% during the 2nd quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 3,280 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $549,000 after acquiring an additional 393 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 84.13% of the company’s stock. CRA International Price Performance CRAI opened at $186.84 on Friday. The firm’s fifty day moving average price is $191.86 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $177.93. The company has a market capitalization of $1.27 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.23, a P/E/G ratio of 1.64 and a beta of 1.13. CRA International has a 1 year low of $97.31 and a 1 year high of $210.70. CRA International ( NASDAQ:CRAI – Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 31st. The business services provider reported $1.77 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.58 by $0.19. CRA International had a net margin of 6.41% and a return on equity of 24.46%. The business had revenue of $167.75 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $166.83 million. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.13 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that CRA International will post 7.15 EPS for the current year. CRA International Increases Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 13th. Investors of record on Tuesday, November 26th were given a dividend of $0.49 per share. This represents a $1.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.05%. This is an increase from CRA International’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.42. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, November 26th. CRA International’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 31.72%. CRA International Company Profile ( Get Free Report ) CRA International, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides economic, financial, and management consulting services worldwide. It advises clients on economic and financial matters pertaining to litigation and regulatory proceedings; and guides corporations through business strategy and performance-related issues. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for CRA International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for CRA International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .There he was in the middle of it all at The Swamp, standing and smiling and soaking it all in. The greatest comeback since Lazarus. It wasn’t long ago that Florida’s deep-pocket boosters pooled together millions to fire Gators coach Billy Napier. Save that cash, folks. Better yet, throw it at the Florida NIL collective. Napier isn’t going anywhere. “We’re just getting started,” Napier said after Florida’s 24-17 upset of No. 9 Mississippi on Saturday that secured bowl eligibility for the Gators. “This is part of the big picture journey.” From embattled to emboldened, in six short weeks. This improbable climb, this you’ve-got-to-be-kidding-me rise from the rabbit hole of firing coaches and paying tens of millions in walkaway money, has finally reached the surface. To the big, beautiful light of winning games. If a win over LSU last week was hope, a convincing win over Ole Miss – the biggest win for not just Napier, but in 16 years for the floundering Florida program – is a statement of defiance. So he waked into the post-game press conference, and opened it by saying, "What do they say, are you not entertained?" Marcus Aurelius himself couldn't have said it better. There are numerous winners in this comeback for the ages, all contributing to what one day could be the turning point of Napier’s successful tenure at Florida. But none more than the coach who, prior to his biggest win in three seasons, was 16-19 in 35 career games as the Gators coach. It was falling apart in a cacophony of self-inflicted wounds and poor coaching, and was only a matter of time before Napier was fired and took everyone – the athletic director, a talented group of underclassmen, the hope of a passionate but gutted fan base – down with him. Florida boosters, infamous for their impatience, wanted Napier out and wanted to hire – how about this for irony? – Lane Kiffin from Ole Miss. In an absolutely stunning transformation, that was Kiffin on the sidelines at The Swamp, a dumfounded look on his face as his quarterback threw another interception to officially end the game. And that was Napier on the other side, a measured smile and a gracious soliloquy for television after the game. He better have gone off in that postgame locker room. He better have raised his voice and shouted from all high and declared this game, this moment, is where everything changes. This is where Florida, which hasn’t won the SEC or been nationally relevant since 2008, turns the corner. This is where Florida, which has thumbed through coach after coach (Will Muschamp, Jim McElwain, Dan Mullen) since 2011 while desperately trying to find the next Steve Spurrier or Urban Meyer, sells the future to one of the three most talented states for high school recruits. This is where Florida, which has ceded the SEC to Alabama and Georgia and LSU over the last 16 seasons, starts the turn to make it all the way back. It’s hard to ignore what Napier has been building over the last six weeks, and how it’s now clearly coming into focus. The Gators should’ve beaten Tennessee in Knoxville (lost in overtime), and – but for an injury to quarterback DJ Lagway – could’ve beaten Georgia earlier this month. We only focused on the losses, and how much closer they brought Napier to the inevitable reality of unemployment. We ignored a talented core of underclassmen beginning to figure it out, and a rare talent at quarterback with the ability to not only play at a high level — but get others to play to their ceiling, too. The defense, an historical mess over the last two seasons, got better when a group of players showed up at Napier’s office and told him the scheme had to change. It had to be simplified. Napier listened, and the unit has developed into one of the best in the SEC. Ole Miss had three trips inside the red zone Saturday, and didn’t get a point. Ole Miss failed on two critical fourth-down attempts, ending 65- and 69-yard drives with nothing to show for it. The Gators had four sacks and harassed Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart into his worst game of the season. This from a defense that couldn’t stop Miami if the season depended on it, and couldn’t stop Texas A&M’s backup quarterback if Napier’s job was on the line. Like it was. But not anymore. Billy Napier has climbed out of the hole, and into the big beautiful light of winning. Are you not entertained? Matt Hayes is the senior national college football writer for USA TODAY Sports Network. Follow him on X at @MattHayesCFB .This story was originally published by Yale E360 and is reproduced here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration. The angry Alaskans gathered in Fairbanks to burn the president’s effigy. It was early December 1978 and President Jimmy Carter was that unpopular in Alaska. A few days earlier Carter had issued an unusual executive order, designating 56 million acres of Alaskan wilderness as a national monument. He did so unilaterally, using a little known 1906 Antiquities Act that ostensibly gave the president the executive power to designate buildings or small plots of historical sites on federal land as national monuments. No previous president had ever used the obscure act to create a vast wilderness area. But Congress was refusing to pass the necessary legislation, so Carter, who passed away Sunday at the age of 100, decided to act alone. The Alaskan political establishment was flabbergasted. Despite the unpopularity of the unusual sequestration order, Carter announced that it would stand until Congress agreed to pass its own legislation. For the next two years Carter stubbornly held his ground, explaining that he wasn’t opposed to oil and gas development, but that he would not accept any bill that jeopardized the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge—the calving grounds and migratory route for one of the world’s last great caribou herds. Finally, Alaska’s senior politician, Republican Senator Ted Stevens agreed in late 1980 to break the impasse. At one point in their wrangling over what became known as the Alaska Lands Act, Senator Stevens argued that one small region should be excluded from the proposed wilderness refuge. “Well, let’s check that,” Carter said. The president then rolled out an oversized map on the floor of the Oval Office. Stevens was astonished to see the president on his hands and knees, inspecting the area in question. “No, I don’t think you are right,” Carter observed. “You see, this little watershed here doesn’t actually go into that one. It comes over here.” The senator had to concede the point, and on the car ride back to Capitol Hill he turned to his aide and remarked, “He knows more about Alaska than I do.” Sen. Ted Stevens and President Carter discuss the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act. Anchorage Daily News/Tribune News Service/Getty That was vintage Carter, the president who always paid attention to details. But it also illustrates Carter’s legacy as a president devoted to protecting the environment. Carter was still negotiating with Senator Stevens weeks after his defeat in the November 1980 election. But on December 2, 1980, this now lame-duck president signed the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, creating more than 157 million acres of wilderness area, national wildlife refuges, and national parks—tripling the size of the nation’s Wilderness Preservation System and doubling the size of the National Park System. It was, and still is, the largest single expansion of protected lands in American history. More than four decades later, before he entered hospice care in his simple Plains, Georgia home in February, Carter signed an amicus brief, appealing to the courts and President Joe Biden, not to permit the building of a gravel road through one small portion of the designated wilderness area. It was his last act in the public arena. And it succeeded: On March 14, 2023, the Interior Department canceled a plan that would have allowed the road’s construction. Carter was always annoyed when pundits proclaimed him a “model” ex-president, but a failed president. And he was right to be annoyed because his was actually a quite consequential presidency, and no more so than on questions of conservation and the environment. Carter signs the Energy Bill on November 9, 1978. HUM Images/Universal Images Group/Getty Early in his presidency, in the spring of 1977, he famously vetoed a slew of water projects, mostly small dams and river diversion facilities, in dozens of congressional districts around the country. Federal funding of such projects was often a waste of taxpayer funds. And these boondoggles, always encouraged by the US Army Corps of Engineers, often harmed the rivers’ natural habitat. Carter knew he was doing the right thing—even though it eroded his support in a Democratic-controlled Congress. Carter’s instincts for conservation had been evident earlier when, as governor of Georgia, he had opposed unbridled commercial development, favored tough regulations to protect the state’s coastal wetlands, and endorsed the creation of two major seashores and river parks. But when Carter got to the White House, he shocked many observers by appointing James Gustave Speth, age 35, to the President’s Council on Environmental Quality. Speth was regarded by the Washington establishment as a radical on environmental issues. A Yale-trained lawyer and Rhodes Scholar, he had co-founded in 1970 the Natural Resources Defense Council, a tough advocacy group on environmental issues. Speth, who later served as dean of the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, used his position in the administration to educate Carter about the dangers of acid rain, carbon dioxide buildup in the atmosphere, and the likely extinction of 100,000 species during the next quarter century. Just before leaving office, Carter released a prophetic report, largely written by Speth, that predicted “widespread and pervasive changes in global climatic, economic, social and agricultural patterns” if humanity continued to rely on fossil fuels. The Global 2000 Report to the President became an early clarion call for scientists studying climate change. The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Danielle Brigida/US Fish and Wildlife Service History will judge Carter as a president ahead of his time. He set a goal of producing 20 percent of the nation’s energy from renewable sources by 2000. In an age of soaring energy prices and stagflation, he famously wore a cardigan on national television during a fireside chat in which he urged Americans to lower their thermostats and conserve energy. He put solar water heating panels on the roof of the White House, telling reporters, “A generation from now this solar heater can either be a curiosity, a museum piece, an example of a road not taken, or it can be just a small part of one of the greatest and most exciting adventures ever undertaken by the American people.” Ironically, while Carter put federal money into solar energy research, a few years later his successor Ronald Reagan ripped the solar panels off the White House roof—and a few are still displayed in museums. Carter spent much of his time in office trying to deal with energy issues. He proposed a 283-page National Energy Act (NEA) that included a tax on oversized, gas-guzzling cars, tax credits for home insulation, and investments in solar and wind technologies. Carter insisted that his energy bill was the “moral equivalent of war.” In response, The Wall Street Journal labeled it with the sarcastic acronym MEOW. Republican Party chairman Bill Brock charged that the president was “driving people out of their family cars.” Michigan Democratic Congressman John Dingell told Carter aides that it was an “asinine bill.” The legislation nevertheless passed the House, but then encountered much more opposition in the Senate. Carter complained in a private White House diary, “The influence of the oil and gas industry is unbelievable, and it’s impossible to arouse the public to protect themselves.” Carter announces his solar energy policy in front of PV panels installed on the West Wing roof. Warren Leffler/Library of Congress The final bill, passed in October 1978, was a complicated compromise—but it did impose penalties on gas-guzzling cars, required higher efficiency standards for home appliances, and provided tax incentives to develop wind and solar technologies. But environmentalists would criticize it for also providing incentives to mine domestic coal and produce corn-based gasohol. Carter’s goal here was to lessen the country’s dependence on imported Arab oil—and in this he was marginally successful, leading to a decline in oil imports during his term in office. But in an unintended consequence, environmentalists would complain that a part of the bill required that any new power plants be fired with fuels other than oil or natural gas. In practice, that meant coal received a major boost. In retrospect, the most consequential part of the energy bill was the phased decontrol of natural gas prices. This deregulation eventually stimulated exploration for natural gas in the United States and created the market conditions decades later for the innovative fracking technology that would make the country a major supplier of liquefied natural gas. Politically speaking, Carter’s energy policies were criticized by both sides. He was faulted by liberals for enacting too much deregulation, while conservatives perceived him as an enemy of the oil and gas industry. Former President Carter with grandson Jason Carter during a ribbon cutting for a solar project on family farmland in Plains, Georgia. David Goldman/AP If environmentalists should remember one thing about the Carter presidency it should be his so-called “malaise speech” in July 1979. It was an extraordinary sermon about America’s limits—a most un-American idea for a people constantly fed on the manna of manifest destiny. “We’ve always had a faith that the days of our children would be better than our own,” he said. “Our people are losing that faith...In a nation that was once proud of hard work, strong families, close-knit communities, and our faith in God, too many of us now tend to worship self-indulgence and consumption.” Taking a page straight from Christopher Lasch’s The Culture of Narcissism (which Carter had recently read), Carter observed, “Human identity is no longer defined by what one does, but by what one owns. But we’ve discovered that owning things and consuming things does not satisfy our longing for meaning. We’ve learned that piling up material goods cannot fill the emptiness of lives which have no confidence or purpose.” This was the born-again Southern Baptist in Jimmy Carter speaking, the Southern populist, warning his people about the need to be aware of our environment’s fragility and limitations. It was not a message most Americans wanted to hear. But it remains a key part of his presidential legacy.

The Nigerian Institution of Highway and Transportation Engineers has urged President Bola Tinubu to assent to the Road Reform Bill. The Institute stated that the bill aims to revolutionise the country’s transportation infrastructure by ensuring the development and maintenance of a high-quality road network, which is expected to improve transportation efficiency, boost economic growth, and enhance road safety across Nigeria. The NIHTE National Chairman, Engr. Saidu Hassan, made the appeal at its 2024 International Conference and Annual General Meeting held on Friday in Abuja. He added that the bill had been passed by both the eighth and ninth National Assemblies and is currently undergoing review by the 10th Assembly. The Chairman said, “In Nigeria, highway and transportation engineering plays a vital role in economic development, social progress, and national integration. Our roads, highways, and transportation systems are the arteries of the economy, facilitating the movement of goods, services, and people from one location to another. However, we face significant challenges, including inadequate funding and resources, outdated technology and infrastructure, insufficient skilled personnel, and poor maintenance and management. “We are advocating for a comprehensive review of the road sector to address issues such as funding, regulations, and maintenance. We seek your unalloyed support to help us push for the presidential assent on the road reforms bill that was passed by the 8th and 9th National Assemblies and is also currently being reviewed by the current Assembly.” A major component of the bill includes the establishment of the National Road Fund, which would provide a sound governance structure based on sectoral professionalism, as well as create sustainable and robust funding for road development and maintenance in the country. Hassan also explained that the Institute is actively advocating for the promotion of policies aimed at creating a safer, more efficient transportation system. This effort involves providing a range of training and development opportunities designed to enhance the skills and knowledge of industry professionals. The House Committee Chairman on FERMA, Aderemi Oseni, assured NIHTE of legislative support through future legislation aimed at ensuring an improved road network across the country. The House member, represented by Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala, also emphasised the need for a concerted effort from both the government and stakeholders to focus on revitalising the rail system, particularly by establishing a rail connection between the northern and southern regions of the country. This, he explained, would help reduce the heavy burden on the road infrastructure, promoting a more balanced and efficient transportation system. He said, “We have to change the discourse to achieve a different result. We keep complaining that our roads are bad and in need of repair. How thick can our roads be to sustain the heavy trucks that transport food products every day? Why don’t we have a different plan that includes the railway? I am not saying it’s the solution, but let’s have a discussion on it and see it as a reliable alternative.” Related News Tinubu eyes livestock sector reform, investment to curb farmer-herder clashes Atiku slams Tinubu's loan policies, warns of devastating economic consequences Tinubu set to name envoys as ministry posts consular officers Earlier in his keynote address, the National Coordinator of the Rural Access and Agricultural Monitoring Project, Muhammed Bodinga, speaking on the theme, “Rural Road Infrastructure: Catalyst, Panacea, and Cornerstone of Food Security,” explained that the causes of food insecurity are multifaceted and deeply intertwined, influenced by both human-driven and natural factors. He said human actions, such as poor infrastructure like bad roads, hinder the efficient transportation of food, making it difficult for rural areas to access essential supplies. Additionally, rising insecurity in certain regions prevents farmers from cultivating their land and disrupts the food distribution process. He stated, “Lack of access to the food value chain—from production, distribution, and processing to storage facilities—is responsible for food insecurity in the country.” The RAAMP Coordinator further revealed that they have carried out interventions in various states of the country, fixing rural roads for farmers to have access to markets. According to him, 19 states have passed the State Road Fund and Rural Access and Agricultural Agency bills, with the target of improving rural roads. The highlight of the event was the conferment of fellowship to 50 members of the profession. Meanwhile, the President and Chairman of the Council of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Engr. Margaret Oguntala has appealed for a deliberate government effort to fund the construction and maintenance of rural roads to ease the transportation of agricultural products into urban areas. She cautioned that unless drastic efforts are made by the government to address the poor state of rural roads, the country will continue to experience food insecurity. Reading the communiqué from its international conference held earlier this week, the president said 70 per cent of Nigeria’s agricultural produce comes from rural areas. “However, poor road networks hinder the transportation and distribution of produce from farms to markets, causing spoilage, raising costs, and reducing accessibility to consumers.” She further recommended that “Government at all levels and donor agencies should fund the construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance of rural roads to ease the challenges of food transportation in Nigeria.”Florida State pounds Charleston Southern for second victory of season

Darajar Naira na kara farfadowaOur community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A single ticket-holder has won the £7.4 million jackpot in Saturday’s Lotto draw and players have been advised to check their tickets. Andy Carter, senior winners’ adviser at Allwyn , operator of The National Lottery , said: “Brilliant news, one lucky ticket-holder has won tonight’s £7.4 million Lotto jackpot. “November is proving to be a lucky month for Lotto players, as tonight’s big win follows on from the two lucky ticket-holders who won £2.6 million each when they shared the £5.2 million jackpot in the draw on November 6. Players are urged to check their tickets and to give us a call if they think they are tonight’s lucky winner. “The National Lottery is celebrating 30 years of changing lives. Since it launched, over 7,400 millionaires have been made and more than £50 billion has been raised for good causes with more than 700,000 individual grants awarded. This money supports our nation’s heritage, the arts and sport, as well as helping grassroots projects in every local community.” Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile , select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Wednesday’s estimated jackpot is £2 million, the National Lottery said. The jackpot winner matched all six main numbers to win £7,418,062 while no players matched five and the bonus ball for £1 million. The winning Lotto numbers were 03, 08, 13, 33, 39, 44 and the bonus number was 56. Set of balls 11 and draw machine Arthur were used. One ticket-holder matched all five numbers to win the £350,000 top prize in Lotto HotPicks, which uses the same numbers as the Lotto draw. Thirteen players won £13,000 for matching four of the five numbers. The winning Thunderball numbers were 05, 17, 27, 37, 39 and the Thunderball number was 13. No ticket-holders won £500,000 for matching all five numbers and the Thunderball, while two players won £5,000 for matching five numbers. Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.Microsoft seized 240 domains belonging to ONNX, a phishing-as-a-service platform that enabled its customers to target companies and individuals since 2017. ONNX was the top adversary-in-the-middle (AitM) phishing service, according to Microsoft's "Digital Defense Report 2024," with a high volume of phishing messages during the first six months of this year. Millions of phishing emails targeted Microsoft 365 accounts each month, and Microsoft has apparently had enough. ONNX promoted and sold phishing kits on Telegram using a subscription service model, which ranged from $150 to $550 a month. "The fraudulent ONNX operation offered phishing kits designed to target a variety of companies across the technology sector, including Google, Dropbox, Rackspace, and Microsoft," Microsoft said in its statement. The attacks themselves are controlled through Telegram bots and come with built-in, two-factor authentication (2FA) bypass mechanisms . As of late, QR code phishing, also known as quishing, has also been enabled, targeting financial firms' employees. ONNX uses bulletproof hosting services that allow delays in phishing domain takedowns, as well as encrypted JavaScript code that decrypts itself, all of which allows them to be highly effective in carrying out attacks and evading detection. "While today's legal action will substantially hamper the fraudulent ONNX's operations, other providers will fill the void, and we expect threat actors will adapt their techniques in response," stated Steven Masada , assistant general counsel at Microsoft's Digital Crimes Unit. "However, taking action sends a strong message to those who choose to replicate our services to harm users online: we will proactively pursue remedies to protect our services and our customers and are continuously improving our technical and legal strategies to have greater impact." A full list of the 240 domains that were seized is available online. Dark Reading is a leading cybersecurity media site.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 12, 2024-- Lumentum Holdings Inc. ("Lumentum"), a market-leading designer and manufacturer of innovative optical and photonic products for cloud, networking and industrial applications, today announced the appointment of Paul Lundstrom to the company's Board of Directors, effective immediately. This election expands the membership to nine members, eight of whom are independent. "I am excited to welcome Paul to the Lumentum Board," said Penelope Herscher, Chair of Lumentum's Board of Directors. "He brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in corporate finance, manufacturing and business transformation. I am confident he will provide valuable insights as Lumentum executes its long-term strategy to grow its business and shareholder value." "Lumentum has significant opportunities for growth with its portfolio of foundational photonic technologies that underpin the explosive growth we are seeing in artificial intelligence and cloud infrastructure," said Paul Lundstrom. "I look forward to working together with the senior leadership team and the rest of the Lumentum’s Board of Directors to capitalize on these compelling opportunities and to help build lasting value for shareholders.” Lundstrom is currently Chief Financial Officer at Copeland, a global leader in sustainable climate solutions. Prior to Copeland, he was the Chief Financial Officer of Flex Ltd (NASDAQ:FLEX), where he was a key member of the team that led the analysis, carve-out and IPO for Nextracker (NASDAQ: NXT), and served as a member of the Nextracker Board of Directors. Prior to Flex, Lundstrom served as the Chief Financial Officer for Aerojet Rocketdyne (previously NYSE:AJRD). Lundstrom has also held a number of senior finance leadership roles while at United Technologies (previously NYSE: UTX). Lundstrom holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Truman State University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Columbia University. About Lumentum Lumentum (NASDAQ: LITE) is a market-leading designer and manufacturer of innovative optical and photonic products enabling cloud, optical networking, and laser applications worldwide. Lumentum optical components and subsystems are part of virtually every type of data center, telecom, and enterprise network. Lumentum lasers enable advanced manufacturing techniques and diverse applications including next-generation 3D sensing capabilities. Lumentum is headquartered in San Jose, California with R&D, manufacturing, and sales offices worldwide. For more information, visit www.lumentum.com and follow Lumentum on LinkedIn , Twitter , Facebook , Instagram , and YouTube . Category: Financial View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241212156977/en/ CONTACT: Investors: Kathy Ta, 408-750-3853;investor.relations@lumentum.com Media: Noël Bilodeau, 408-439-2140;noel.bilodeau@lumentum.com KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: TECHNOLOGY ENGINEERING TELECOMMUNICATIONS SOFTWARE MANUFACTURING NETWORKS INTERNET HARDWARE DATA MANAGEMENT ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SOURCE: Lumentum Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/12/2024 04:32 PM/DISC: 12/12/2024 04:32 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241212156977/enMajor League Baseball American League TEXAS RANGERS — Named Luis Urueta bench coach, Dave Bush assistant pitching coach and Jordan Tiegs bullpen coach. BASKETBALL National Basketball Association NBA — Fined Sacramento head coach Mike Brown $35,000 for for aggressively pursuing a game official during a Nov. 24 game against Brooklyn. Fined Atlanta $100,000 for violating the player participation policy in connection with Trae Young missing the team’s Nov. 12 Emirates NBA Cup game against Boston. FOOTBALL National Football League NFL — Fined Jacksonville LB Ventrell Miller $5,440.19 for unnecessary roughness. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS — Signed OL Tyler Shatley to the practice squad. Released OL Dieter Eiselen from the practice squad. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS — Signed K Matthew Wright. Reinstated TE Baylor Cupp from the practice squad injured reserve. Placed TE Peyton Hendershot on injured reserve. Waived DE Cameron Thomas. Released OT Lucas Niang and DR Truman Jones from the practice squad. MIAMI DOLPHINS — Reinstated S Patrick McMorris from injured reserve. Waived S Marcus Maye. MINNESOTA VIKINGS — Signed LB Jamin Davis. Placed LB Ivan Pace Jr. on injured reserve. Reinstated OLB Gabriel Murphy from injured reserve. NEW YORK GIANTS — Claimed TE Greg Dulcich off waivers from Denver. NEW YORK JETS — Signed WR Easop Winston to the practice squad. TENNESSEE TITANS — Signed WR Stanley Morgan to the practice squad. WASHINGTON COMMANDERS — Signed RB Chris Rodriguez Jr. Placed K Austin Seibert on injured reserve. Signed DT Vilami Fehoko Jr. to the practice squad. Released G Marquis Hayes from the practice squad. HOCKEY National Hockey League NHL — Suspended New Jersey F Timo Meier for one game without pay for cross-checking during a Nov. 25 game against Nashville. ANAHEIM DUCKS — Recalled D Tyson Hinds from San Diego (AHL). BUFFALO SABRES — Reinstated C Tage Thompson from injured reserve. Sent Isak Rosen to Rochester (AHL). CAROLINA HURRICANES — Recalled D Riley Stillman from Chicago (AHL). NEW YORK RANGERS — Reassigned RW Matt Rempe to Hartford (AHL). Promoted D Chad Ruhwedel from Hartford. OTTAWA SENATORS — Placed D Artyom Zub on long-term injured reserve. Recalled D Donocan Sebrango from Belleville (AHL). PITTSBURGH PENGUINS — Waived RW Valtteri Puustinen. SAN JOSE SHARKS — Reassigned G Yaroslav Askarov to San Jose (AHL). Recalled D Jack Thompson from San Jose. SEATTLE KRAKEN — Reassigned C Ben Meyers for Coachella Valley (AHL). UTAH — Loaned RW Milos Kelemen to HC Dynamo Pardubice and D Patrik Koch to HC Ocelari Trinec. SOCCER Major League Soccer ATLANTA UNITED — Exercised contract options on G Brad Guzan, D Efrain Morales and Ms Jay Fortune and Santiago Sosa. INTER MIAMI — Named Javier Mascherano head coach. PHILADELPHIA UNION — Exercised a contract option on D Isaiah LeFlore. ST. LOUIS CITY — Named Olof Mellberg head coach. COLLEGE NORTH CAROLINA — Fired head football coach Mack Brown.

Former NHL star Thornton back as co-GM of Canada's Spengler Cup squad

Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Netflix has shared an exciting update on Prince Harry 's forthcoming documentary series. The five-part docuseries, produced by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex , is set to premiere on December 10, as announced on Wednesday. The eagerly-awaited show, named POLO, tracks polo players "on and off the field as they compete in the high-stakes US Open Polo Championship in Wellington, Florida", according to Netflix. The streaming giant revealed: "Through fierce rivalries and intense training, viewers will get an unprecedented glimpse into the dedication and skill required to compete at the sport's highest level." It's no secret that the Duke of Sussex, 40, has been a polo player for years and is a big fan of the equestrian sport. "From a young player pushed to his limits by his demanding father, to a former golfer who's made significant sacrifices for the love of the sport, to the father-son duo widely regarded as the greatest players of all time - they all face intense personal and professional challenges as they vie for the coveted title," Netflix elaborated. This latest update follows Netflix's announcement of the documentary series on X in September. The statement read: "POLO is a new documentary series that follows elite global players and offers an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the fast-paced world of the sport. From Archewell Productions and Boardwalk Pictures." Archewell Productions, the company owned by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, is set to release a new show as part of their multi-year deal with Netflix, signed in 2020. Meghan will also be hosting her own non-fiction series, celebrating "the joys of cooking, gardening, entertaining and friendship". Netflix has already given fans a sneak peek of the documentary with four still images, including a shot of three polo players on horseback and two competitors sprinting with mallets after the ball. While Harry and Meghan may make brief appearances, the focus won't be on them. Back in April, it was revealed that Harry had signed a deal with Netflix to produce a documentary series about the intriguing sport of polo. The series promises to "provide viewers unprecedented access to the world of professional polo," according to a statement released at the time. "Known primarily for its aesthetic and social scene, the series will pull the curtain back on the grit and passion of the sport, capturing players and all it takes to compete at the highest level," it read. Harry's friend and fellow polo player, Ignacio 'Nacho' Figueras, is working closely with the Duke on the show. Discussing the upcoming polo-themed project with People, he shared: "Prince Harry and I have talked about polo for years. The production company is incredible, and Netflix has a huge platform to reach the biggest hearts in the world. I am happy to be involved and think this is a great opportunity for the sport."Great Osobor scored 12 points, grabbed six rebounds and had three assists in 18 minutes of playing time as Washington wrapped up nonconference action with a 90-53 rout of NJIT on Sunday afternoon in Seattle. Zoom Diallo came off the bench to contribute 12 points and a game-high five assists for the Huskies (9-4), and Wilhelm Breidenbach, who missed Monday's 79-70 upset loss to Seattle U., added 10 points and five rebounds. Sebastian Robinson led the Highlanders (2-12) with 16 points, Tim Moore Jr. scored 14 and Ari Fulton added 11. NJIT, which suffered its third consecutive defeat and dropped to 0-9 on the road, played without leading scorer Tariq Francis (18.6 ppg) because of an ankle injury. The Huskies shot 34 of 61 from the field (55.7 percent) and were 10 of 24 from 3-point range. NJIT was 19 of 51 (37.3 percent) and just 3 of 17 from distance. Washington forced 13 turnovers while committing just five, leading to a 17-4 edge in points off miscues. The Huskies also had sizable advantages in points off the bench (47-4), in the paint (42-24) and in fastbreak scoring (17-0). The Huskies led 46-26 at the half as Osobor, Breidenbach and Mekhi Mason each scored seven points. Osobor scored the game's first five points and Mason made a 3-pointer to give the Huskies an 8-2 lead. A jumper by Mason extended the lead to 26-16 with 8:30 left in the first half. The Huskies continued to pull away, with Jase Butler capping an 8-0 run with a 3-pointer to make it 42-22 with 2:29 remaining before the intermission. A 9-0 run gave Washington its first 30-point lead of the day at 60-30 with 15:24 still to play. The Huskies led by as many as 40 on Luis Kortright's fastbreak layup at the 7:09 mark. Mason, Kortright, Christian King and KC Ibekwe all scored nine points for Washington. Washington resumes Big Ten Conference play Thursday when Maryland makes a trip to the West Coast. The Highlanders have one more nonconference game before opening America East play Jan. 9. --Field Level Media