U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and Elon Musk in Boca Chica, Tex., on Nov. 19. Brandon Bell/The Associated Press Tom Bradley is co-founder of Steadyhand Investment Management , a member of the Investment Hall of Fame and a champion of timeless investment principles. Vancouver City Council voted recently to explore accepting payments through bitcoin. Earlier in the fall, Premier Doug Ford of Ontario dreamt (out loud) of building a tunnel under Highway 401. And the Leafs started the season with the second-best odds of winning the Stanley Cup. These items sum up where we are on the fantasy - versus - reality spectrum. Certainly, for investors, the year of Taylor and Trump has seen a steady rise in speculation, risk-taking and, yes, dreaming. It’s like the euphoria of 1999 and 2021, but the mix is different. There’s no Pets.com , cannabis, NFTs or EVs, but there are plenty of other indicators. Crypto is a big part of the speculator fervour. In hopes that president-elect Donald Trump will deregulate cryptocurrencies (or should I say, regulate them even less), bitcoin surpassed US$100,000 and lesser coins such as Dogecoin have skyrocketed. It feels as if all the upside from the Trump election (deregulation, local benefits from higher tariffs) has been absorbed into stock prices, and little of the potential downside (trade retaliation, inflation). Business icons in the president-elect’s inner circle, like Elon Musk, are riding high. Tesla Inc. is up 75 per cent since election night with the only news being about Mr. Musk’s pay package. Meanwhile, Trump Media and Technology Group has kept the meme stock craze alive. It’s valued at more than US$7-billion despite reporting revenue of US$1-million in the September quarter. You might wonder why Truth Social and crypto-everything are indicators of speculation and risk. It relates to the absence of something to value. Investor excitement can drive up prices in the short term, but an asset must offer some utility and ultimately produce a profit for gains to be sustainable. There are other areas that arguably look frothy. Artificial intelligence is one. AI does have utility and will have a profound effect on how businesses operate, but is also prone to hyperbole (this time around, companies are putting AI in their names instead of .com). The question is, will the excitement and huge capital and environmental costs be accompanied by a commensurate amount of sales and profit? Will AI produce incremental revenue, or just be a feature needed to justify the price of existing products and services? Valuations of mainstream stocks and bonds are being carried along with AI and crypto. With a few exceptions, price-to-earnings multiples are above their historical ranges, and the risk premiums on high - yield bonds (the extra yield above government bonds) are at all-time lows. Not surprisingly, people are optimistic. Investor sentiment, which is a contrarian indicator, is moving into bullish territory. To sum it all up, this isn’t normal. Quite the opposite. So what is a steady, long-term investor to do? First, dust off a few investing basics and stick them on your fridge. Tenets such as “price matters.” If you pay too much, a good asset will be a bad investment. The daily price doesn’t determine value. Value comes from revenue growth and profits. And the mood of investors can change on a dime. It can go from bullish (greedy) to bearish (fearful) in a matter of days. (Going from bearish to bullish takes longer.) The stickies hopefully will remind you that investment fundamentals still matter. Second, don’t be frustrated by the craziness, but rather, use it to your advantage. If you need to set aside money to do or buy something, or if you’re retired and need to top up your spending reserve, it’s a great time to do so. If you don’t, use the strength to rebalance your portfolio back to its target asset mix. Third, if you’re speculating or chasing the next great thing, size the bet appropriately. Professional managers are methodical about how big their stock and bond positions are, and you should be, too. The pursuit of a theme such as AI or crypto should be done in the context of a diversified portfolio. And finally, don’t speculate with money you’ll need in the next three to five years. If it absolutely needs to be there, it’s not appropriate for riskier, long-term investment.In the ever-changing world of education technology, Neulight is carving out a unique niche by not just utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) as a trendy term, but by embedding it into meaningful tools that genuinely benefit educators. With a leadership team composed of seasoned Silicon Valley professionals, including CEO Jose Moreno and CTO Andrew Lawrence, PhD , Neulight is developing impactful, user-friendly solutions, supported by advisors with a lifetime of experience in education to ensure the needs of educators are always heard and addressed. This unique blend of Silicon Valley expertise and educational insight gives Neulight a distinctive edge in the EdTech arena. Their flagship platform, IntelliTier , is specifically designed to empower educators by offering personalized intervention strategies for students while prioritizing usability and data-driven insights. “We see many companies tossing around the term ‘AI’ as a buzzword. Our focus is bringing our users the value and insights of AI as intuitively as possible,” notes Jose Moreno, drawing from his rich experience that includes over five years at Microsoft and nine years at Netflix—where he was pivotal in launching the immensely successful Account Sharing initiative that helped to attract approximately 40 million new subscribers in just one year. Moreno underscores Neulight’s mission: “Here, we aim to bring that Silicon Valley mentality—world-class talent, rigorous data analytics, and a focus on customer experience—into the realm of education. Educators deserve better tools, which is why we initiated our journey with IntelliTier, focusing on personalized student support through the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework.” The Powerhouse Team Behind Neulight Neulight’s leadership team is a synthesis of cutting-edge technical knowledge and a profound understanding of educational needs. The background Moreno brings provides a unique lens through which to view the EdTech landscape. He envisions a seamless combination of top-notch engineering prowess with a strong emphasis on enhancing user experience. “It is all too common for educators and parents to express frustration with their experiences interacting with EdTech software,” Moreno explains. “Our mission is to change that narrative by injecting top Silicon Valley talent into this sector.” Andrew Lawrence, PhD, the company’s Chief Technology Officer, brings significant AI expertise to the table. With multiple patents and publications in prestigious conferences such as ICML and NeurIPS, he has extensive experience in machine learning. Before joining Neulight, Lawrence served as Director of Research at a London startup, where he helped pioneer Causal AI—a technology that mirrors human reasoning through cause-and-effect relationships. “What truly excites me about IntelliTier is its capacity to transcend basic AI functionalities,” Lawrence shares. “We’re employing AI in a purposeful manner—integrating it deeply into the platform to ensure educators can quickly obtain actionable insights that lead to tangible outcomes.” Neulight’s innovative approach is also supported by an impressive advisory board filled with educational professionals, including former school board members, retired assistant superintendents, and special education specialists. This collaboration between technological innovation and real-world educational experience ensures that Neulight's solutions not only leverage cutting-edge advancements but are also deeply aligned with the practical needs of educators. Lisette Mendez-Garcia , one of Neulight’s trusted advisors, as well as a school board member, school psychologist, and special education administrator in California, highlights the pivotal role and potential of AI in transforming education: "I am passionately dedicated to championing systemic strategies that empower teachers, elevate student success, and engage families as partners in education. As AI transforms industries, it's vital that we leverage its potential in ways that are safe, practical, and impactful for the classroom. IntelliTier is leading the way in streamlining behavior intervention, showcasing how innovative technology can improve support systems within our schools." IntelliTier: A Game-Changer for Educators At the core of Neulight's innovations is IntelliTier, a FERPA-compliant platform designed to help educators implement the MTSS framework effectively. IntelliTier simplifies the often complex challenge of providing personalized support for students' behavioral and social-emotional needs. This system enables educators to collect data, collaborate, and make informed decisions—all aimed at fostering students' social and emotional learning (SEL). “IntelliTier is designed to simplify data collection and analysis, delivering actionable insights that make educators' work more efficient and impactful,” Lawrence explains. “We understand that educators cannot afford to waste time on convoluted systems. That's why we’re ensuring the platform allows educators to save information, analyze it, and make quick decisions—so they can redirect their attention to what's truly vital: teaching.” A standout feature of IntelliTier is its ability to automatically discern which student interventions are proving effective and which require adjustments. By leveraging the ABC (Antecedent-Behavior-Consequence) model for data collection, the platform can highlight students who require additional support and the type of interventions that can be most effective. This proactive approach allows educators to act swiftly, ensuring timely support for those in need. “We’re looking to move beyond the typical chatbot model,” Moreno adds. “Our AI actively brings relevant information to educators, rather than waiting for them to seek it out, fostering more proactive and informed decision-making. I’m excited to see how we continue to innovate in this area, but for now, we do include a chatbot that is knowledgeable about MTSS, the school, and the students so that educators receive immediate, informed support.” By detecting shifts in a student's needs, the platform not only alerts educators but also assists in adjusting intervention strategies, reducing the burden on educators to determine the necessary changes. With its meaningful incorporation of AI, IntelliTier evolves beyond the traditional chatbot model by actively presenting vital information to users instead of merely waiting for them to inquire. “We’re not here to simply follow trends,” Moreno states. “Our focus is on embedding AI in ways that practically assist educators. This involves creating systems that conduct in-depth data analysis and providing schools with actionable insights into what strategies are working versus those that aren’t.” Moving Beyond Buzzwords What sets Neulight apart is its profound integration of AI within the IntelliTier platform. Neulight weaves AI into the core functionalities of its platform, providing educators with real-time, actionable insights. This approach empowers schools to utilize their specific resources and policies, enabling IntelliTier to tailor its support accordingly. “Every school is unique, with distinct needs,” Lawrence observes. “IntelliTier is designed to consider the specific policies and resources of each school, allowing the AI to recommend interventions that are both effective and feasible.” IntelliTier’s AI-driven analytics surpass conventional data analysis by supporting educators in defining intervention plans that align with recognized frameworks such as Response to Intervention (RTI), Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), and School-Wide Positive Behavior Support (SWPBS). By doing so, the platform equips educators with the tools they need to implement these frameworks effectively while also aligning with SMART goals—ensuring that objectives are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Impact on Education The potential impact of IntelliTier on educational practices is significant. Research indicates that when the MTSS framework is faithfully implemented, schools report improvements in student attendance, grades, and graduation rates. However, many schools encounter challenges in implementing MTSS effectively, with the majority of teachers expressing confusion regarding its application. “If we execute this correctly,” Moreno asserts, “we should significantly aid schools in reaping these benefits while alleviating some of the burdens on educators. Once we achieve that, we will begin exploring our next education-focused product.” By addressing these existing challenges, IntelliTier is set to transform the manner in which schools support their students, facilitating a smoother implementation of MTSS and yielding meaningful results. Looking Ahead As Neulight continues to expand, the leadership team is optimistic that IntelliTier is merely the starting point. “We are genuinely excited about the future of education and the role that technology can play,” Lawrence states. “Our mission is to ensure that AI transcends being just a buzzword and instead becomes a tool that genuinely improves the experiences of both educators and students.” For anyone interested in understanding how Neulight and IntelliTier are reshaping the EdTech landscape, Moreno succinctly articulates their vision: “We’re here to create a meaningful difference, and this is just the beginning. Please don’t hesitate to contact us . We’re always happy to learn more about your needs and how we can help.” Neulight aims to advance the field of educational technology. Through IntelliTier, the company introduces an AI-powered tool that simplifies the process of providing personalized support to students. By emphasizing user experience and integrating deep data analysis, Neulight ensures that educators can focus on what truly matters: the students. As they continue to advance, one thing is evident—Neulight isn’t just following trends; they’re working to make a meaningful impact in the evolution of EdTech.
says he has no choice but to continue playing despite heavily criticising the forward after the 1-1 draw at Rangers. Werner’s performance in Thursday’s Europa League game at Ibrox was branded “unacceptable” by the Spurs manager, who hauled the winger off at half-time because he was not playing “anywhere near the level he should”. Postecoglou double-downed on Friday morning, though clarified that his words should be considered an “assessment”, rather than criticism”, of Werner. Spurs have six senior players injured, including three defenders and the first-choice goalkeeper, along with two suspended midfielders for their trip to face at St Mary’s on Sunday. Postecoglou joked that the worst injury crisis of his managerial career already has him “pulling kids out of school” to play for his team. “I’ve got no choice,” he said about having to continue picking Werner. “Who else am I going to play? “I’m pulling kids out of school, I literally am — getting notes from their teachers. That was the reasoning for my pointing out [Werner’s performance] last night. “We need Timo. We need all of them. In normal times if you have a poor game, there’s a price to pay. It doesn’t exist right now. We need everybody we’ve got. We need him.” Postecoglou may decide to restore Dominic Solanke to the starting line-up against Saints, with Heung-min Son moving back to the wing and Werner an option from the bench. “What I need from him is the best version of himself,” Postecoglou said about 28-year-old Werner. “When he’s the best version of himself, he helps us. I need everybody to feel that way, to have that mindset. He’s going to play. Of course he’s going to play. “It is an extraordinary situation we are in — it is. Where we are squad-wise with the injuries we have and what we ask our players to do, these are extraordinary circumstances.”
Gophers QB Max Brosmer commits to play in bowl gameWe're 10 days into December, so for a lot of families that means we're 10 days into Elf on the Shelf . For plenty of parents it's exciting to wait until the kids have gone to bed to set up some mischievous little scenario with that cheeky Elf , ready for the kids to see in the morning. But one mum has found herself in a bit of an awkward situation this year because her daughter has started to lie about things happening – blaming it on the Elf. "Daughter lying about the elf. What do I do??" she posted on Reddit . READ MORE: Christmas can be the most stressful time for parents, here's how to get through it "We do the Elf on the Shelf. This year, my daughter (5) keeps doing things and saying the elf did it. Here's an example: last night, the elf got into the cotton balls and Q-tips and made snowflakes on the bathroom counter. My daughter, this afternoon came out of the bathroom and said, 'Mum the elf made snowflakes with the flossers too!'" The mum explained she knows her daughter is doing these things, and lying about it. For a daily dose of 9honey, subscribe to our newsletter here . "It also seems like she knows the elf is fake? But maybe not. Idk what to do," she continued. "She keeps doing this sort of thing and I'm just at a loss. Do I do nothing? Do I talk to her about the lying? Help?!" READ MORE: There are two questions that Kelsey Wells is sick of hearing as a mum Now, lying is a really difficult thing to try and navigate with your kids, but a majority of the people who responded on Reddit thought this was nothing more than harmless fun - and that her daughter was clever for catching on. "I think you should act surprised and excited. From what you've written she's just having fun. There's nothing malicious happening," replied one user. Another wrote, "She's not lying – unless you consider what you're doing lying? She's just playing the game along with you. Smart kiddo!" READ MORE: There's a reason why your kids need a set bedtime "Sounds like she's caught on, no need to tell her about lying, she's using her imagination like mum," replied another person. Others found it quite funny that while she was lying about the Elf getting into these situations, this was like a bit of karma now. The mum took the comments on board and added a follow up comment to her post to explain she wasn't mad with her daughter. "I am not upset with her at all and have acted surprised at everything she's made the elf do," she added. "I just wanted to know if I should talk with her about the elf and it being real etc. I've decided after getting responses that I will not talk with her and just continue on unless she asks me. Thanks everyone!" In another comment she replied that it has also made the Elf ritual even more magical because her daughter is participating in it too. FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE : Stay across all the latest in celebrity, lifestyle and opinion via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.None
CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 20, 2024-- Delta Capital Partners Management, an SEC registered investment adviser specializing in litigation and legal finance, is pleased to announce as additions to the firm Jason Searfoss as Chief Financial Officer, Elinoar Sofer as Chief Operations Officer, and Michael Ouliel as Chief Intelligence Officer. Mr. Searfoss will be responsible for Delta’s finance, accounting, and administrative functions and will oversee all capital market activities, tax and valuation matters. Ms. Sofer will oversee the day-to-day operations and management of Delta, while Mr. Ouliel will assist with business intelligence activities in the firm’s management and monitoring of the cases in its portfolio or under consideration for investment. Mr. Searfoss, an advisor to numerous startup and growth-stage technology companies, is a Cofounder of and served as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Boomtown, a leading technology startup accelerator with more than 200 portfolio companies. A veteran of the litigation finance industry, Mr. Searfoss was also the founding Chief Financial Officer, a General Partner, and member of the Investment Committee of Longford Capital, a leading litigation funder. “I have known and worked closely with Chris DeLise and the Delta team for well over a decade and I am excited about the future of the organization. Litigation finance is an attractive and evolving asset class, and Delta’s strengths stand out in the industry,” said Searfoss. Prior to joining Delta, Ms. Sofer previously served as the Chief Operating Officer of BlackSwan Technologies, a leading global technology AI startup. In this capacity, she scaled the company across six subsidiaries within the US, EMEA and Asia and successfully raised capital and secured valuable commercial partnerships with leading Fintech companies. “I am thrilled to be joining the very talented team at Delta and I am looking forward to collaborating with Chris DeLise and the senior team in building on their ongoing success and executing Delta’s ambitious growth plans,” said Ms. Sofer. Before his tenure at Delta, Mr. Ouliel founded and acted as the CEO of Ripples Homeland Security Group. Ripples was a global technology company with a focus on building large and complex intelligence and investigation systems for governments and large multinational enterprises globally. Mr. Ouliel was also the founder and CEO of BlackSwan Technologies, where he was named among the Top 50 AI CEOs of 2021 by Technology Innovators magazine. In recent years, Mr. Ouliel has been acting as a special advisor to multiple governments and federal agencies in the area of technology, primarily focused on intelligence, counter terror, HUMINT, and extremism. Mr. Ouliel expressed that he is “thrilled and excited to join the excellent team at Delta” and that the opportunity presented an “outstanding value proposition and business model” for which his “skills and expertise will bring unique opportunities to the litigation funding market.” Christopher DeLise, Delta’s founder, CEO and Co-CIO stated that he is “very proud to have such esteemed professionals join Delta as it is continues its growth and development in dynamic markets and verticals. The litigation finance industry has significantly changed over the past 14 years, which necessitates bringing on board very seasoned professionals to best enable the firm to adapt and profit from these developments. I have known each of Jason, Michael and Elinoar for over a decade, frequently collaborating on one-off projects, and therefore it made great sense to have them join the Delta team on a permanent basis as we embark on our latest set of growth initiatives and new product offerings.” About Delta Delta Capital Partners Management LLC is a US-based, global asset management firm specializing exclusively in litigation and legal finance, judgment and award enforcement, and asset recovery. Delta creates bespoke financing solutions for professional service firms, businesses, governments, financial institutions, investment firms, and individual claimants to enable them to investigate claims, pursue litigation or arbitration, recover assets, enforce judgments or awards, and more effectively manage their risks, cash flow, and capital expenditures. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241213205216/en/ For media inquiries, please contact David Temporal, Chief Strategy & Marketing Officer, Delta Capital Partners Management,DTemporal@deltacph.com. KEYWORD: ILLINOIS EUROPE UNITED STATES UNITED KINGDOM NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: PROFESSIONAL SERVICES OTHER PROFESSIONAL SERVICES LEGAL FINANCE ASSET MANAGEMENT CONSULTING SOURCE: Delta Capital Partners Management Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/20/2024 03:27 PM/DISC: 12/20/2024 03:27 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241213205216/en
Cutting through the Noise: Investors are in an era of speculation, risk-taking and dreaming. How do you stay grounded?
Agencies report over 1,700 AI use cases
So you're gathering with relatives whose politics are different. Here are some tips for the holidays
(BPT) - Tech gifts are consistently some of the most popular presents to give and receive during the holidays. In fact, according to the annual , a record 233 million U.S. adults (89%) will buy tech products during the 2024 holiday season. But with so many devices out there, it can be hard to decide on the perfect option for the loved one on your list. A tablet like the new Fire HD 8 from Amazon offers the versatility of an all-in-one device, with access to streaming, gaming, video chatting, reading or writing all at your fingertips. also features a vibrant 8-inch HD display and lightweight, portable design, for high-quality entertainment on the go. Plus, comes with three new AI features that can help you get the most out of your tablet experience. Check them out below and learn how they can help you with daily tasks this holiday season and beyond. Do you struggle with writing a heartfelt message or finessing a tricky email? Fear not! Writing Assist is here to help. Writing Assist works as part of your Fire tablet's device keyboard and compatible apps, including email, Word documents and social media. In just a few taps, you can transform your writing from good to great. Try Writing Assist's pre-set styles to turn a simple email into a professionally written note. Or, you can ask Writing Assist for grammar suggestions to make your writing more concise, or elaborate on your ideas. You can even "emojify" your writing to add more fun and personality. Say goodbye to scrolling through pages of information. The new Webpage Summaries feature allows you to learn pertinent information as quickly as possible. Available on the Silk browser on Fire tablets, Webpage Summaries provides quick insights on web articles. In a matter of seconds, this feature will distill the key points in an article or on a webpage into a clear, concise summary of what you need to know. With Wallpaper Creator, you can easily add a touch of creative flair and customization to your tablet's home screen. You can choose from one of the curated prompts to get started on creating a unique background. Or, if you're ready to let your imagination run wild, type a description of what you'd like to see. For example, you can ask for an image of a tiger swimming underwater or a watercolor-style image of a desert landscape in space. Wallpaper Creator will then turn your vision into a reality, delivering a high-resolution image that you can use as your tablet's wallpaper. Writing Assist, Webpage Summaries, and Wallpaper Creator are now available on Amazon's new and other compatible Fire tablet devices, including the latest and tablets. To learn more, or to order a new Fire tablet this gift-giving season, visit .Letter writes discuss President Biden's legacy, a guest column about President-elect Trump, MacArthur Center, murals at a Virginia Beach hospital and grocery prices. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Click to share on X (Opens in new window) Most Popular Colonial Williamsburg’s Grand Illumination has echoes across the US Colonial Williamsburg's Grand Illumination has echoes across the US Cause of underground fire at Williamsburg Premium Outlets still unknown — and may stay that way, fire chief says Cause of underground fire at Williamsburg Premium Outlets still unknown — and may stay that way, fire chief says Man taken into custody after shooting at Suffolk church staff member Man taken into custody after shooting at Suffolk church staff member Man in custody had a gun, mask and writings tying him to killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO, police say Man in custody had a gun, mask and writings tying him to killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO, police say Disney influencer Dominique Brown dies at 34 after allergic reaction at food event, report says Disney influencer Dominique Brown dies at 34 after allergic reaction at food event, report says Man dies, woman injured in shooting after dispute in Hampton, police say Man dies, woman injured in shooting after dispute in Hampton, police say Inside Business recognizes 2024 Women in Business honorees Inside Business recognizes 2024 Women in Business honorees Hokies will play in Duke’s Mayo Bowl against Minnesota in Charlotte Hokies will play in Duke’s Mayo Bowl against Minnesota in Charlotte Chesapeake man charged after shooting at Suffolk church staff member Chesapeake man charged after shooting at Suffolk church staff member Hampton’s superintendent just got a massive raise. Here’s how it compares. Hampton’s superintendent just got a massive raise. Here’s how it compares. Trending Nationally Traffic stops by Denver police plunge nearly 50% after new policy prohibits low-level enforcement New pics of suspect in UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson slay released by NYPD 2nd rare Florida panther killed by vehicle in week; fewer than 250 remain in wild State anti-book-ban law leads some school districts to forsake grants to maintain local control Man covered in blood flees from police, kayaks to random boat in Newport BeachArtificial Intelligence, drones and DNA analysis are all playing a critical role in the ongoing manhunt for the 'brazen' assassin who shot Thompson, 50, in broad daylight Wednesday. AI-powered facial recognition software is being used to analyze CCTV and other images of the killer from the days around the shooting and cross-reference them with NYPD databases of known individuals. This database includes 'lawfully possessed arrest photos' which the AI compares to photo and video evidence from the investigation. The department also has use of more than 100 drones for surveilling the more than 450-square-mile city. And items collected from the crime scene are currently undergoing DNA analysis, as police believe they may have belonged to the gunman. These technologies are already piecing together the events that took place before, during and after Thompson's murder, as officials revealed Monday they are questioning a man about the slaying. New images released by the NYPD show the suspect wanted in connection with UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson's shooting, captured by taxi dashcam footage The NYPD is using AI-powered facial recognition software, drones and DNA analysis to catch the person of interest as the investigation enters its sixth day Surveillance cameras recorded the shooter lying in wait outside the New York Hilton Midtown on West 54th Street around 6:45am on December 4. The video then shows him locking in on his target, approaching Thompson, and firing a gun several times at his back at roughly 7:00am. The CEO was declared dead at the hospital. While the NYPD cannot make an arrest based on facial recognition evidence alone, it is a valuable tool for narrowing down suspects. When used effectively, it can crack a case. In 2019, the department's Facial Identification Section received 9,850 requests for comparison and identified 2,510 possible matches, according to the NYPD website. That included possible matches in 68 murders, 66 rapes, 277... Ellyn Lapointe
By JAMIE STENGLE, Associated Press DALLAS (AP) — More than 60 years after President John F. Kennedy was assassinated , conspiracy theories still swirl and any new glimpse into the fateful day of Nov. 22, 1963, in Dallas continues to fascinate . President-elect Donald Trump promised during his reelection campaign that he would declassify all of the remaining government records surrounding the assassination if he returned to office. He made a similar pledge during his first term, but ultimately bended to appeals from the CIA and FBI to keep some documents withheld. At this point, only a few thousand of the millions of governmental records related to the assassination have yet to be fully released, and those who have studied the records released so far say that even if the remaining files are declassified, the public shouldn’t anticipate any earth-shattering revelations. “Anybody waiting for a smoking gun that’s going to turn this case upside down will be sorely disappointed,” said Gerald Posner, author of “Case Closed,” which concludes that assassin Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. Friday’s 61st anniversary is expected to be marked with a moment of silence at 12:30 p.m. in Dealey Plaza, where Kennedy’s motorcade was passing through when he was fatally shot. And throughout this week there have been events marking the anniversary. When Air Force One carrying Kennedy and first lady Jacqueline Kennedy touched down in Dallas , they were greeted by a clear sky and enthusiastic crowds. With a reelection campaign on the horizon the next year, they had gone to Texas on political fence-mending trip. But as the motorcade was finishing its parade route downtown, shots rang out from the Texas School Book Depository building. Police arrested 24-year-old Oswald and, two days later, nightclub owner Jack Ruby fatally shot Oswald during a jail transfer. A year after the assassination, the Warren Commission, which President Lyndon B. Johnson established to investigate the assassination, concluded that Oswald acted alone and there was no evidence of a conspiracy. But that hasn’t quelled a web of alternative theories over the decades. In the early 1990s, the federal government mandated that all assassination-related documents be housed in a single collection in the National Archives and Records Administration. The collection of over 5 million records was required to be opened by 2017, barring any exemptions designated by the president. Trump, who took office for his first term in 2017, had boasted that he’d allow the release of all of the remaining records but ended up holding some back because of what he called the potential harm to national security. And while files have continued to be released during President Joe Biden’s administration, some still remain unseen. The documents released over the last few years offer details on the way intelligence services operated at the time, and include CIA cables and memos discussing visits by Oswald to the Soviet and Cuban embassies during a trip to Mexico City just weeks before the assassination. The former Marine had previously defected to the Soviet Union before returning home to Texas. Mark S. Zaid, a national security attorney in Washington, said what’s been released so far has contributed to the understanding of the time period, giving “a great picture” of what was happening during the Cold War and the activities of the CIA. Posner estimates that there are still about 3,000 to 4,000 documents in the collection that haven’t yet been fully released. Of those documents, some are still completely redacted while others just have small redactions, like someone’s Social Security number. There are about 500 documents where all the information is redacted, Posner said, and those include Oswald’s and Ruby’s tax returns. “If you have been following it, as I have and others have, you sort of are zeroed in on the pages you think might provide some additional information for history,” Posner said. Trump’s transition team hasn’t responded to questions this week about his plans when he takes office. From the start, there were those who believed there had to be more to the story than just Oswald acting alone, said Stephen Fagin, curator of the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, which tells the story of the assassination from the building where Oswald made his sniper’s perch. “People want to make sense of this and they want to find the solution that fits the crime,” said Fagin, who said that while there are lingering questions, law enforcement made “a pretty compelling case” against Oswald. Larry J. Sabato, director of the University of Virginia Center for Politics, said his interest in the assassination dates back to the event itself, when he was a child. “It just seemed so fantastical that one very disturbed individual could end up pulling off the crime of the century,” Sabato said. “But the more I studied it, the more I realized that is a very possible, maybe even probable in my view, hypothesis.”Altus Group Limited (AIF) To Go Ex-Dividend on December 31st
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(BPT) - Tech gifts are consistently some of the most popular presents to give and receive during the holidays. In fact, according to the annual Consumer Technology Holiday Purchase Patterns report , a record 233 million U.S. adults (89%) will buy tech products during the 2024 holiday season. But with so many devices out there, it can be hard to decide on the perfect option for the loved one on your list. A tablet like the new Fire HD 8 from Amazon offers the versatility of an all-in-one device, with access to streaming, gaming, video chatting, reading or writing all at your fingertips. Fire HD 8 also features a vibrant 8-inch HD display and lightweight, portable design, for high-quality entertainment on the go. Plus, Fire HD 8 comes with three new AI features that can help you get the most out of your tablet experience. Check them out below and learn how they can help you with daily tasks this holiday season and beyond. 1. Meet your personal writing assistant Do you struggle with writing a heartfelt message or finessing a tricky email? Fear not! Writing Assist is here to help. Writing Assist works as part of your Fire tablet's device keyboard and compatible apps, including email, Word documents and social media. In just a few taps, you can transform your writing from good to great. Try Writing Assist's pre-set styles to turn a simple email into a professionally written note. Or, you can ask Writing Assist for grammar suggestions to make your writing more concise, or elaborate on your ideas. You can even "emojify" your writing to add more fun and personality. 2. Learn more in less time Say goodbye to scrolling through pages of information. The new Webpage Summaries feature allows you to learn pertinent information as quickly as possible. Available on the Silk browser on Fire tablets, Webpage Summaries provides quick insights on web articles. In a matter of seconds, this feature will distill the key points in an article or on a webpage into a clear, concise summary of what you need to know. 3. Get creative with your device wallpaper With Wallpaper Creator, you can easily add a touch of creative flair and customization to your tablet's home screen. You can choose from one of the curated prompts to get started on creating a unique background. Or, if you're ready to let your imagination run wild, type a description of what you'd like to see. For example, you can ask for an image of a tiger swimming underwater or a watercolor-style image of a desert landscape in space. Wallpaper Creator will then turn your vision into a reality, delivering a high-resolution image that you can use as your tablet's wallpaper. Celebrate an AI-powered holiday season Writing Assist, Webpage Summaries, and Wallpaper Creator are now available on Amazon's new Fire HD 8 and other compatible Fire tablet devices, including the latest Fire HD 10 and Fire Max 11 tablets. To learn more, or to order a new Fire tablet this gift-giving season, visit Amazon.com .