By KENYA HUNTER, Associated Press ATLANTA (AP) — 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 residents’ 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. “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, the 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. 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 programs 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.” Some of Trump’s plans affect people in Olivia Gordon’s immediate community, which is why she struggled to get behind the “Black women rest” wave. Gordon, a New York-based lawyer who supported the Party for Socialism and Liberation’s presidential nominee, Claudia de la Cruz, worries about who may be left behind if the 92% of Black women voters who backed Harris simply stopped advocating. “We’re talking millions of Black women here. If millions of Black women take a step back, it absolutely leaves holes, but for other Black women,” she said. “I think we sometimes are in the bubble of if it’s not in your immediate circle, maybe it doesn’t apply to you. And I truly implore people to understand that it does.” Nicole Lewis, an Alabama-based therapist who specializes in treating Black women’s stress, said she’s aware that Black women withdrawing from social impact movements could have a fallout. But she also hopes that it forces a reckoning for the nation to understand the consequences of not standing in solidarity with Black women. “It could impact things negatively because there isn’t that voice from the most empathetic group,” she said. “I also think it’s going to give other groups an opportunity to step up. ... My hope is that they do show up for themselves and everyone else.” Brown said a reckoning might be exactly what the country needs, but it’s a reckoning for everyone else. Black women, she said, did their job when they supported Harris in droves in hopes they could thwart the massive changes expected under Trump. “This ain’t our reckoning,” she said. “I don’t feel no guilt.” AP polling editor Amelia Thomson DeVeaux and Associated Press writer Linley Sanders in Washington contributed to this report. The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.Nippon Sheet Glass Company, Limited (OTCMKTS:NPSGY) Short Interest Update

Chilean prosecutors probe harassment complaint against President Boric, who says he's a victimThe latest from Call the Midwife HQ is that season 14 has officially wrapped filming, fans will be pleased to know. Announcing the news on its official social media accounts with the above picture of Stephen McGann (Dr Turner) and Natalie Quarry (Nurse Clifford) holding the clapperboard, the caption of the post reads: "LATEST! It's a wrap on Call the Midwife Series 14 filming!! "We have just received this traditional 'end slate' clapperboard shot from the set of Call the midwife, where the very final scene of Series 14 has just been filmed!!! This year it was the turn of Stephen McGann (Dr Turner) and Natalie Quarry (Nurse Clifford) to bring the filming to a close with a VERY emotional story ... "We CAN'T WAIT to show you what we've been working on. Now the countdown begins to...THE CHRISTMAS SPECIAL!! Over the next few weeks we'll be bringing you all the festive insights, chat and behind scenes exclusives as we approach the return of our drama. So stay tuned... the midwives are on their way!!" Keep up to date with all the dramas - from period to crime to comedy By entering your details, you are agreeing to our terms and conditions and privacy policy . You can unsubscribe at any time. Quarry was one of the recent cast additions that joined the beloved drama earlier this year in season 13 as new character Rosalind. Quarry told Radio Times magazine at the time that her character is "honest, loyal, open and kind, emotionally invested in other people – perhaps too much". As for whether or not Rosalind will be caught up in the teased "very emotional story", we'll just have to wait and see. We do know, though, that the official Call the Midwife account previously teased more about some of the tear-jerking scenes that are set to unfold in the season finale. Last week, a behind-the-scenes picture (below) showed Zephryn Taitte (who plays Cyril) in the midst of an "important scene" , which could very well make viewers emotional. As for the details about this upcoming plotline, we'll just have to wait and see. Of course, Cyril has recently had to get used to living life in London without wife Lucille (Leonie Elliott), who moved back to Jamaica after experiencing some mental health issues. With filming on season 14 having now wrapped, we can anticipate new episodes in the near future, as well as the anticipated two-parter Christmas 2024 special . Speaking about the upcoming Christmas special, executive producer Dame Pippa Harris added: "For the first time, viewers can luxuriate in a two-part festive treat this Christmas. Heidi has created a spellbinding special which I know will delight our loyal fans." Call the Midwife returns to BBC One and iPlayer this Christmas. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast .The Los Angeles Lakers’ three-point shooting hasn’t been stellar to begin the 2024-25 season, but they could make a wise move to help bolster that aspect of their team. Trading away a reliable role player and acquiring a near-automatic perimeter shooter would instantly solve the Lakers' long-range shooting woes. “The Lakers have shown promise this season, but their roster still lacks an elite shooter to space the floor consistently for Anthony Davis and LeBron James,” Fadeaway World’s Eddie Bitar wrote Saturday. “Michael Porter Jr. would address this need perfectly. His career 40.9% three-point shooting makes him one of the league’s top marksmen, and his ability to stretch defenses would open up driving lanes for LeBron and opportunities for Davis to dominate inside.” “Porter Jr. also adds versatility with his 6-foot-10 frame, making him a tough matchup on both ends of the floor.” "Adding Porter Jr. would bolster the Lakers' title hopes, as his shooting complements their star duo's strengths and he would be a "Splash Brother" alongside Dalton Knecht as well." “Playing alongside elite playmakers in James and Davis would likely improve Porter Jr.’s efficiency, pushing him closer to his career shooting norms.” "While Porter Jr.’s defensive limitations might pose challenges, the Lakers’ existing defensive structure could mitigate his weaknesses, especially with Davis anchoring the paint." “Essentially, the Lakers having two shooters who can nail over 38% consistently would be a perfect case for their starting lineup.” “The downside of this trade for the Lakers is losing Austin Reaves, who has emerged as a reliable role player and secondary ball-handler.” “However, the upgrade in shooting and offensive firepower Porter Jr. provides outweighs the loss of Reaves, (Jarred) Vanderbilt, and (Gabe) Vincent, none of whom offer the same game-changing skillset. This trade could cement the Lakers as a top contender in the West.” Bitar’s proposed trade would send Reaves, Vanderbilt, Vincent, and a 2029 first-round pick to the Nuggets for Porter Jr. Porter Jr. has been one of Denver’s most consistent outside shooting threats since making his Nuggets debut in 2019. The Missouri product has utilized his impeccable off-ball instincts, impressive manipulation tactics, and clean release to shoot above 39% from three-point land during five of his first six NBA seasons. Without Porter Jr.’s significant contributions from deep, there’s a good chance the Nuggets wouldn’t boast a 9-6 record through the first 15 games of the 2024-25 season. The Lakers could use a three-point shooting specialist like Porter Jr., but the franchise would likely be reluctant to pull the plug on Reaves. The 6-foot-5 guard is a steady contributor who’s earned James’ trust over time, but landing Porter Jr. would give the Lakers the boost they desperately need from beyond the arc. If Los Angeles truly wants to frighten teams in the Western Conference, they’ll consider contacting Porter Jr. More NBA: Warriors may part ways with future All-Star in trade for $215.2 million Hawks phenom

Boston College’s offense had its moments on Saturday, converting 6 of 13 third downs and amassing 296 passing yards. BC caught Nebraska’s aggressive, blitzing defense with a few screens, coach Matt Rhule said, and Eagles’ quarterback Grayson James kept plays alive with timely scrambles. But Rhule said the Huskers' defense found its footing in the red zone — inside NU’s own 20 — by twice denying the Eagles points when they reached the Nebraska 9 and Nebraska 2. The Huskers, coordinated by John Butler, were trying to make BC attempt field goals. Boston College only attempted four all season, and missed its fifth try early in Saturday’s game. From thereon, BC went for its fourth downs in NU territory. It did not successfully convert one. “They missed the first one, so we felt pretty good about our opportunity — hey, they’re not going to kick one, it’ll be four downs,” Rhule said. “We knew how to address it.” Eight of BC’s drives reached Nebraska territory, producing just 13 of BC’s 15 points. “We were having trouble kicking the ball, so I didn't want to kick it,” Boston College coach Bill O’Brien said. “We were in that area where you're either going to plus-50 and punt it — which we could have done, but we're not great at that — or tried to kick a 50-yard field goal, which we're definitely not ready to do that. “I went for it on 4th down and probably put the defense in a couple tough positions. Look, Nebraska did a good job. We had trouble running the ball, had trouble scoring in the red area. We moved the ball. I think at halftime we had the time of possession, we had yardage, but didn't have the score.” Get local news delivered to your inbox!

A study by researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay has explored optimal albedo and tilt angles for bifacial perovskite solar cells. They have discovered that a rear-side albedo of 0.5 combined with a 20-degree tilt angle delivers maximum efficiency. Lambertian reflection and albedo key to boosting performance Bifacial perovskite solar cells (Bi-PSCs) have gained significant attention in the photovoltaic (PV) community for their potential to boost power generation, suitability for integration into building structures, and application in multijunction PV systems. The new study explores the fabrication of efficient bifacial perovskite solar cells and examines their unique properties through various characterization techniques, including Lambertian reflection effects from tilt angle adjustments and bottom albedo illumination, according to lead author Paul Ananta. The scientists identified the transparent back contact, made of indium zinc oxide (IZO), as the core component of their bifacial solar cells. They highlighted its excellent conductivity, high mobility, and optimal transparency. The device features an active area of 0.175 cm2 when illuminated from the front and 0.14 cm2 from the rear. The cell features a transparent fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrate, an electron transport layer (ETL) made of tin oxide (SnO2), a perovskite absorber, a hole transport layer (HTL) composed of spiro-OMeTAD and molybdenum oxide (MoOx), and an indium zinc oxide (IZO) layer. The control device achieved a maximum power conversion efficiency of 17.46% under front-side 1 Sun AM1.5G illumination. A significant impact of ground Lambertian reflection was observed with tilt angle variations, increasing efficiency from 17.46% to 18.82% as the tilt angle reached 20 degrees. The researchers also found that increasing the rear-side albedo to 0.5 Sun resulted in a maximum efficiency of 26% and a bifaciality factor of 89.3% at a 20-degree tilt angle. SCAPS-1D simulations confirm experimental results The synergistic effect of 0.5 Sun albedo and a 20-degree tilt angle resulted in bifacial perovskite solar cells with an efficiency of 26.46%. SCAPS-1D simulations were also used to validate the experimental Lambertian reflection effects. The researchers also found that the cells demonstrated intrinsic self-encapsulation and chemical durability. Moreover, the study predicts that cost-effective and highly efficient bifacial perovskite solar cells will become a leading photovoltaic technology for electricity generation in both single-junction and tandem configurations in the near future. Perovskite solar cells, developed by Tsutomu Miyasaka in 2009, marked a breakthrough in photovoltaics and offer a promising alternative to traditional solar technologies. Now, leading research labs worldwide are exploring these next-gen cells, which can absorb a wider spectrum of sunlight. Furthermore, innovations like perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells enhance the technology by merging the strengths of perovskite and crystalline silicon, enabling the capture of a broader spectrum of sunlight and boosting overall efficiency.‘May you be haunted by Andrew’s spirit’: Vallejo man’s family decries plea deal as killer is sentenced to 3 years

Man City stumble again while Arsenal and Bayern Munich earn dominant wins

“We’re all just pieces on the board to be played in the pursuit of power and spice,” says Nez, really putting the themes of Dune: Prophecy in bold font in case they’re unclear. Now that those pieces are in place, the writers of HBO’s new prestige drama are able to define the rules of the game in this second episode, “Two Wolves.” It’s clearly going to be a show about not only how power is gained but how it is maintained, through not just force but mental manipulation. By dispensing with some of the hoity-toity set-up of the premiere, “Two Wolves” moves at a better clip, even if it still struggles a bit with some of the common trappings of modern TV, including some bloated storytelling and, even worse, drab filmmaking. Still, the performers already seem like they’re getting more attuned to the voices of their characters, which is what’s most likely to really hold this show together moving forward. “Two Wolves” opens with the fallout of the deaths that ended the premiere , the young Pruwet Richese and the Emperor’s Truthsayer Kasha. The Sisterhood is discussing the latter, noting that Kasha knew something horrible was coming. She had a vision that came true. When Valya and Tula learn that Pruwet died the same way, they suspect that “The Burning Truth” that Mother Raquella spoke of years ago is coming to fruition. Valya decides to go to Salusa Secundus to learn more and takes Theodosia with her. It’s revealed that the story going around Secundus is that it was the boy’s “thinking machine” that burned him alive, but there’s tension in the air over the obvious lie. Emperor Javicco Corrino goes to Desmond to get to the bottom of what happened, both on Arrakis and to his potential child son-in-law, and discovers that his soldier thought he was operating under the Emperor’s implied demands. “What I did I did for you, and I can do it again,” he says. They send Desmond off to “the suspensor cells,” and Mark Strong sells the wheels turning in Javicco’s mind, wondering if having a human weapon as his closest ally may be better than having a member of the Sisterhood or a politically driven marriage. The character who takes the most interesting journey this week is Sister Lila (Chloe Lea), a young acolyte who is the great-great-granddaughter of Raquella and the daughter of Dorotea, the sister that Valya murdered years earlier. Tula wants to use a technique known as The Agony (sounds fun!) to basically send Lila to the underworld, where she can communicate with lost relatives, and get to the bottom of Raquella’s vision and how it’s playing out today. It’s revealed that Raquella had something called “Tiran-Arafel”: the prophecy of a tyrannical force that would destroy the Sisterhood. Is that force working through Desmond Hart? Maybe Lila can get some answers. After a bit of a diversion to remind viewers that this is on HBO in a sex scene between Constantine and Pruwet’s barely-grieving sister Shannon (Tessa Bonham Jones), Prophecy spins back to the seat of power as Javicco tells the Empress about what’s happening with Desmond. He was swallowed by a sandworm and came out different . She’s the first to verbally express that having an ally who can burn people with his mind might come in handy if there’s a war on the horizon. It’s a thought that Javicco carries into a fight with Duke Ferdinand Richese (Brendan Cowell) about what happens now that the marriage is off. It’s interrupted by Valya—good timing!—who arrives just in time to see Javicco lie about there not being a suspect in the killing. She also informs them about the death of Kasha and insists on interrogating Desmond about both deaths. He admits to killing Pruwet for “justice” and Kasha because she was “unworthy.” It’s not a mystery, although it does feel like Desmond is hiding his true motives. Another theme emerges as it becomes clear that what the Sisterhood is asking of Lila is dangerous. It’s about the “Sisterhood,” not the “Sisters”—or rather, the system, not the individual (and how the former uses the latter to survive). That’s always a key dynamic in any show with this kind of political subtext. The main world-building development this episode comes with the revelation that there is a strong resistance seeking to topple the Corrino regime, and that swordmaster Keiran Atreides is basically a mole, even bringing the rebels hologram maps of the palace. Will he be a liability because he cares about Nez? Probably. That’s made even clearer in a later scene between him and Nez as they spar and flirt under some of the drabbest lighting on TV this year. Turn some lights on! We all know this is an epidemic now on TV, but there’s no reason for a show like this to look washed-out as often as it does. Use color, shadow, light, anything. Nez and Atreides are shot so poorly in this scene that they almost look A.I. Now that my rant is over—sorry—let’s go back to the pair of series-crucial scenes that end the episode. First, Lila goes through The Agony. After some CGI shots of blue stuff overtaking red stuff in her system, she’s in what looks like purgatory, surrounded by whispering sisters with shrouds over their heads. (Again, it’s so drab.) She learns of “a weapon born in war,” which is presumably Desmond, before things go very wrong. Dorotea appears and shows Lila what happened to her—when Talya used her Voice to murder her—before saying, “You stole my future. Now I’m taking your hope.” Lila appears to die, or maybe she’s just stuck in the Upside Down forever. Yikes. Finally, Desmond starts to use his Fire Force on Ferdinand, and Valya learns the true extent of his powers. He wants to wipe out every trace of The Sisterhood. It’s power vs. logic, might vs. faith. She goes to use the Voice on him, and it doesn’t work. “It’s not that no one will hear you,” he says to a shocked Valya. “It’s that they’ll hear you and just won’t care.” Stray observationsGhana’s Transition Team Makes Strides In Smooth Power TransferALABAMA ST. (3-3) Bass 2-8 0-0 6, Okon 0-1 0-0 0, Hines 6-13 4-6 19, Knox 3-9 0-3 8, Madlock 7-14 2-4 17, Mack 6-9 0-0 18, Walker 2-7 2-2 8, Simpsom 0-2 0-0 0, Andrews 0-1 0-0 0, Fulcher 1-2 0-0 2, Kaego 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 27-66 8-15 78. AKRON (4-2) Harris 2-8 0-0 5, Lyles 1-3 1-2 3, Gray 4-7 2-2 11, T.Johnson 3-10 0-0 8, N.Johnson 7-12 8-8 25, Scott 3-8 0-0 8, Hardman 6-7 1-2 19, Okonkwo 3-5 2-5 8, Young 3-8 4-4 10, Musiime-Kamali 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 32-69 18-23 97. Halftime_Akron 50-41. 3-Point Goals_Alabama St. 16-33 (Mack 6-9, Hines 3-5, Knox 2-4, Walker 2-4, Bass 2-7, Madlock 1-3, Simpsom 0-1), Akron 15-35 (Hardman 6-7, N.Johnson 3-5, Scott 2-5, T.Johnson 2-6, Gray 1-1, Harris 1-5, Lyles 0-2, Young 0-4). Rebounds_Alabama St. 25 (Madlock 5), Akron 49 (Harris, Okonkwo 10). Assists_Alabama St. 13 (Knox 4), Akron 21 (Harris, Gray, T.Johnson 4). Total Fouls_Alabama St. 19, Akron 15.