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Some Democrats are frustrated over Joe Biden reversing course and pardoning his son HunterNEW YORK , Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- This holiday season, Monport Laser is redefining the spirit of giving with its highly anticipated "Christmas Laser Bonanza" . Known for its industry-leading laser engraving machines, Monport Laser is offering a spectacular lineup of deals, rewards, and giveaways designed to spark creativity and make every creator's holiday truly magical. Whether you're a professional engraver, a small business owner, or a DIY enthusiast, this is your chance to bring home premium laser engraving tools at unparalleled prices. A Holiday Bonanza Like No Other Monport Laser's Christmas Laser Bonanza is packed with exciting opportunities to save big, win amazing prizes, and upgrade your engraving game. With deals designed to suit a wide range of budgets and needs, this festive event ensures that no creator is left behind. 1. Massive Discounts – Save up to $5,800 on top-of-the-line CO2 laser engravers, making high-end machines more affordable than ever. 2. Tiered Savings – Enjoy additional discounts: 3. Spin to Win – Test your luck and spin the wheel for a chance to win incredible prizes, including FREE fiber laser or CO2 laser engravers ! Keep the festive spirit alive by participating during the following dates: Don't miss this limited-time opportunity to add premium laser engraving machines to your creative toolkit for free! 4. Free Laser Tube Replacement – Get a complimentary laser tube replacement six (6) months after purchasing any 100-150w CO2 Laser Machine Engraver, ensuring uninterrupted creativity and peace of mind. 5. Share & Win – Share your Monport Laser experience on social media and enter a special giveaway to win a $50 gift card – because joy is always better when shared! Celebrate Creativity This Holiday Season The Christmas Laser Bonanza is more than just a sale – it's a celebration of creativity. Monport Laser's cutting-edge machines empower creators to produce stunning custom gifts, intricate decorations, and professional-grade products. From personalized holiday ornaments to engraved keepsakes, the possibilities are endless. This festive event makes it easier than ever to turn your imagination into reality while enjoying exclusive perks. Explore a World of Possibilities Whether you're engraving glassware for holiday dinners, creating leather-bound journals as gifts, or designing wood ornaments to adorn your tree, Monport Laser machines offer unmatched precision and versatility. Beginners and professionals alike can take advantage of the advanced features, intuitive controls, and exceptional performance Monport Laser is known for. Why Monport Laser? Monport Laser stands out as a trusted leader in the laser engraving industry. With a reputation for innovation and reliability, Monport's engravers are built to handle projects of all sizes – from hobbyist creations to professional-grade production. Here's what makes Monport a top choice for creators: Join the Monport Laser Community By participating in the Christmas Laser Bonanza, you're not just upgrading your engraving tools – you're joining a vibrant community of creators who share your passion. Monport Laser is committed to supporting its customers with tutorials, resources, and dedicated support to help you unlock your full creative potential. Shop the Christmas Laser Bonanza The Christmas Laser Bonanza is available exclusively online at Monport Website and through authorized Monport Laser retailers. Whether you're shopping for yourself or searching for the perfect gift for the creator in your life, these unbeatable offers make it the ideal time to invest in premium laser engraving technology. About Monport Laser Monport Laser specializes in advanced laser engraving and cutting solutions, offering a wide range of products to meet diverse creative needs. Known for its cutting-edge technology, exceptional quality, and outstanding customer support, Monport is dedicated to fueling the creativity of its global community. With a strong focus on innovation, Monport continues to empower creators to bring their ideas to life. For more information about the Christmas Laser Bonanza, visit [ Company Website ] and discover the deals and rewards waiting for you this holiday season. View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/monport-laser-unwraps-the-christmas-laser-bonanza--spark-your-creativity-with-unbeatable-festive-offers-302334290.html SOURCE Monport Laser

CUPERTINO — An iconic performing arts theater where Apple co-founder Steve Job unveiled the first Macintosh computer in 1984 is being reduced to rubble, five years after the college district that owns the space . Workers began the demolition of De Anza College’s Flint Center in early October, breaking apart the beige concrete walls that one housed a plethora of community events and exposing dozens of deteriorated railings and theater seats. Majority of the demolition is expected to be completed by March 2025, according to Paula Norsell, a spokesperson for the Foothill-De Anza College District. In 2019, the board of trustees voted to close the center, saying the district would need to pour in $50 million in renovations, seismic and accessibility upgrades to keep the space open. The district is planning to build a new multi-million Creative Arts Building in its place and also make room for an adjacent Student Services building. The projects will be funded by Measure G, which was approved by district voters in 2020 to provide $898 million to upgrade and repair facilities, classrooms and labs, and to acquire and construct facilities and equipment for De Anza and Foothill College. “We are incredibly grateful to the community for approving Measure G and are excited to put the bond dollars to work,” Norsell said. “Improving the college’s aging infrastructure and creating new state-of-the-art facilities that will meet the needs of the next generation of students and reduce our carbon footprint.” In the meantime, De Anza college has temporarily closed down several student walking and drop-off areas around the center until January 2025. and was a hotspot for local plays, symphony performances, religious services and college graduations. The center’s popular Celebrity Forum series brought foreign dignitaries into the Silicon Valley, along with famous athletes like 49ers quarterback Joe Montana, and movies stars including Star Trek actor George Takei. It was also where Jobs and other Apple executives unveiled the company’s latest phones, computers and other pioneering technologies. In 2015, the center was even the filming site of for a biopic about Jobs. But managing the five-story concrete building was no easy feat for the Foothill-De Anza District. A 2015 study by the district found the Flint was booked only 17 to 24 percent of the year, and hosted just six or seven annual events that drew crowds of more than 2,000 people.Minister lauds SRSP, PATRIP’s efforts to boost education in Chitral CHITRAL: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Elementary and Secondary Education Faisal Tarakai has lauded the Sarhad Rural Support Programme (SRSP) for its support to the government to promote education in the border regions of Chitral. He was speaking at a gathering after inaugurating School Buildings and Information Technology Centres at Ashiret, Baradam, Patai, Sweer and Ayun.“The quality of the work is up to the mark. I will describe the schools as model schools,” he said. He termed the initiative a good example of collaboration between the government, donors, civil society and the communities. The minister urged the civil society to come forward like the SRSP to support government schools where the bulk of the poor children get education.He thanked the government of Germany, PATRIP Foundation and KFW for supporting the border regions in road infrastructure, education and agriculture. The border regions have been negatively impacted by the Afghan wars and rebuilding them would contribute to peace and stability in the region, he added.The PATRIP Foundation, supported by KFW and the government of Germany, has supported such initiatives in Chitral, Bajaur, Kurram and North Waziristan districts. The minister said that he had the opportunity to see SRSP’s work during his tour in different sectors and he was impressed by it.The minister hailed the work of the Education Department that had been exemplary in Chitral to boost literacy in the district. Senior officials of the Education Department and SRSP staff conducted the two-day visit.At each school children made colourful presentation and the minister had the time to interact with the staff, communities and schoolchildren and learnt about their problems SRSP Chief Executive Officer Masood Ul Mulk said that the communities were engaged in the process to build the schools and have benefitted from the training programmes. He said it was gratifying to see girls actively participating in the education process which was a good example and model for border communities. He said this initiative would help promote education in the region.

Stock market today: Wall Street rises at the start of a holiday-shortened week

In October, headlines suggested that Chinese scientists had hacked “military-grade encryption” using quantum computers, a claim that ignited serious concerns over the future of cybersecurity and national security. The notion of an adversary possessing the power to crack high-level encryption using quantum technology stoked fears of vulnerability in everything from government communications to private sector data. Upon closer examination, however, experts deemed this breakthrough an overstatement, concluding that has not yet unlocked an ability to cut through military-grade encryption. Even if this specific claim was exaggerated, the potential of quantum computing’s threat underscores the importance of taking the technology seriously, especially as vigorously pursues quantum capabilities. Quantum computing is being heralded as a revolutionary technology that could potentially transform numerous industries. Unlike classical computers, which process information in binary code (zeros and ones), quantum computers use qubits that can exist in multiple states simultaneously, enabling them to solve complex problems exponentially faster than traditional computers. One of the most promising applications of quantum computing lies in drug discovery and materials science. Pharmaceutical companies could simulate molecular interactions at a previously impossible level of detail, potentially leading to breakthroughs in treatments for diseases that have long eluded effective drugs. Quantum computing could also refine our understanding of complex systems through advanced modeling, allowing scientists and engineers to develop more accurate projections. The financial sector could also benefit from quantum algorithms capable of optimizing investment portfolios and identifying profitable trading patterns with unprecedented precision. Yet with these benefits come significant dangers. Quantum computing’s best-known threat is its potential to break encryption standards. Most modern encryption relies on complex mathematical problems that traditional computers cannot solve within a practical time frame. But a powerful quantum computer could, in theory, solve these problems in seconds. This would nullify the encryption systems that secure the global financial system, government secrets and private communications. Suppose quantum computers reach the point where they can break widely used encryption methods. In that case, the world could face an unprecedented cybersecurity crisis, leading to massive economic uncertainty and military risks. In the race toward quantum dominance, companies based in the United States and other Western nations have made impressive strides. IBM, for instance, recently opened its first quantum data center in Europe, emphasizing the increasing importance of quantum infrastructure outside of research labs and in operational environments. Other tech titans such as , and are investing billions of dollars in this emerging technology. Moreover, the U.S. government’s commitment to quantum research is demonstrated through initiatives such as the DARPA US2QC program, which attempts to promote quantum breakthroughs by recruiting and financing experts from the private sector. The federal emphasis on quantum computing highlights the technology’s perceived strategic value, likening it to past investments in the space race and the internet. DARPA’s involvement, in particular, underscores the dual-use nature of quantum technology, where innovations have both commercial and military applications. Make no mistake: is also making significant strides in quantum technology. The recent report claiming that Chinese scientists broke encryption with quantum computing highlights the potential threats that progress poses. While the initial story turned out to be overstated — the experiment dealt with a 22-bit key, a far cry from advanced encryption — it serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities that are at stake. Avesta Hojjati, head of research at DigiCert, commented on the story, saying, “This research, while intriguing, does not equate to an immediate quantum apocalypse.” But as Mr. Hojjati also mentioned, the experiment serves as a warning of the potential threat quantum computing poses to classical encryption. ambitions in quantum computing are clear and, perhaps more importantly, well funded. The Chinese Communist Party has poured $15 billion into various quantum computing endeavors — an amount that dwarfs public investment by the United States. It spent $10 billion building National Laboratory for Quantum Information Sciences in Hefei, Anhui province. This lab, which opened in 2020 and sits on a 4 million-square-foot campus, is dedicated to achieving breakthroughs in the quantum computing field. But strategy is distinct from that of the United States and other Western countries. Unlike the collaborative, private-public approach favored by the West, quantum initiatives are largely state-controlled. funds the research and directs its strategic focus, prioritizing advancements with military and economic implications. This tightly controlled approach allows to integrate its quantum research with broader strategic objectives, including national defense and economic self-sufficiency. For instance, quantum technology could support secure military communications or enable new forms of intelligence gathering through quantum radar. Furthermore, is reshaping its education system to support its quantum ambitions. Traditional majors are being replaced with programs focusing on emerging technologies, such as quantum computing and artificial intelligence. By training a new generation of specialists in these fields, aims to strengthen its ability to make significant strides in developing these technologies. This shift in educational priorities reflects long-term commitment to dominating the industries of the future and signals a clear intent to challenge U.S. leadership in technology. The implications of ambitions are vast. Economically, quantum computing could empower to excel in materials science, logistics optimization and financial modeling — giving it a competitive advantage in global markets. Militarily, quantum technologies can turn advanced encryption into Swiss cheese. As quantum technology continues to develop, early investments may give it a disproportionate influence over international standards and norms, reshaping the global landscape in ways that could challenge Western dominance. may not have yet used quantum technology to hack military-grade encryption, but given the resources and effort it is pouring into quantum research, it might be just a matter of time. Copyright © 2024 The Washington Times, LLC. .The rideshare industry has just been shaken up by a new that is rapidly expanding to major cities around the country including Atlanta, Miami, Orlando, Nashville, Phoenix, and many other locations. BlackWolf, like Uber and Lyft, is a rideshare app that will take you anywhere you need to go. The kicker is this service has drivers who are armed with guns. But they aren’t just the typical Joes with firearms, the company claims that they only hire law enforcement officers, veterans, and others who have worked in the private security sector for at least four years, according to t . As for how they screen potential drivers, the founder, Kerry KingBrown, told that they perform a detailed background check, reviewing documentation from the law enforcement or military agency that the potential employee previously worked at. Founded by KingBrown in May 2023, he was inspired to start the company during a unique encounter with a female client who alleged that she had previously been a victim of sex trafficking. This happened while he was working as a private investigator. He shared in an interview with , “She was trafficked for three years and [during] the last couple of months that I had with this particular client, she told me to create a transportation system for herself and her daughter.” Initially, KingBrown only transported women and children who were victims of domestic violence or trafficking. Now, he’s made his special rideshare service to anyone who wants that extra sense of security while driving. Currently, the app has more than 300,000 users nationwide and will be expanding to some of the biggest cities in Texas such as Austin, Houston, and Dallas by the end of 2025 according to . But how have they been able to get so many users after only a year? KingBrown gives all the credit to social media, specifically TikTok, telling Houston Public Radio, “TikTok has given us a boost of a lifetime. When we started in May [2023] we probably had a thousand followers. By the time we got to December, we were well over 200,000. ... The biggest thing is the concept we’ve created. It’s the realness in every video we put out. We think like how the people think because we’re a people-driven business.”TD Cowen Forecasts Strong Price Appreciation for Williams-Sonoma (NYSE:WSM) Stock

The Senate took another positive step towards improving the country’s agricultural sector as the Agricultural Extension Service Bill, 2024 (SB. 646), sponsored by Senator Saliu Mustapha, passed its first reading. The (WOFAN-ICON-2) and agricultural extension stakeholders sponsored Agricultural Extension Service Bill, (SB.646) has passed the first reading at the floor of the Nigerian Senate. The bill aims to strengthen agricultural extension services that will support smallholder farmers to improve productivity and ensure food security in the Nation. Furthermore, the bill targets to strengthen the capacity of extension workers to deliver advanced, technology-driven, and demand-oriented services. Senator Saliu Mustapha, who represents Kwara Central at the National Assembly while speaking with journalists on the objectives of the bill, said it aims to ensure the effective implementation of the National Agricultural Extension Policy and Strategy and to establish a legal framework for sustainable agricultural extension services in Nigeria. The Lawmaker further noted that the bill will further create a sustainable, harmonized, pluralistic, and demand-driven e-agricultural extension system that will ensure efficient service delivery across the agricultural value chain. Recall that the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Abdullahi during a technical update meeting held in Abuja recently, commended the efforts of WOFAN-ICON2 project, NAERLS and other stakeholders in putting the draft bill together. Senator Abdullahi who contributed effectively during the meeting also noted that with about 70 per cent of the population are involved in agriculture and further emphasized that it is important to ensure they receive the kind of technical support they need to be able to achieve optimal outputs and good income. “Extension Agents don’t just show farmers Good Agronomic Practices, they step down successful research results and new innovative techniques to farmers for improved outputs. “So, Extension Agents are very positive additions to how farmers are supposed to operate. And so, to me the proposed bill will be a game changer.’’ READ MORE FROM: NIGERIAN TRIBUNE Get real-time news updates from Tribune Online! Follow us on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive stories and interviews, and much more. Join our WhatsApp Channel now

USC QB Miller Moss enters transfer portal after losing starting job to Jayden Maiava

While the internet is abuzz about the jingling keys that is generative AI, some of the biggest companies on the planet are preparing to unveil some of the biggest artificial intelligence integrations at CES 2025 . And many of those AI products from companies like Samsung and LG are focused on more practical AI solutions like home appliances. Here's a look at what we can expect at CES 2025. Samsung's AI for All home appliances The day before CES 2025 officially opens is expected to be a big one for major tech companies as many have planned press conferences on Jan. 6. Companies like Samsung will make their official announcements before finally showcasing the newly announced products on the CES show floor on Jan. 7. Samsung just announced the theme for its CES 2025 press conference: "AI for All: Everyday, Everywhere." The theme seems to coincide with a number of home appliance products that Samsung is poised to unveil at CES. Smart appliances appear to be a highlight of Samsung's CES offerings. The company just announced that it will be bringing AI to many home appliances such as refrigerators and washers and dryers. For example, Samsung announced that it will be bringing new refrigerators to CES with AI Hybrid Cooling technology. These refrigerators will be able to anticipate temperature changes based on usage and automatically adjust its cooling as a result. The Bespoke AI Washer and Dryer that the company will reveal provides a wash cycle monitor and energy monitoring. Samsung will also be showcasing its Bespoke Wall Oven which has an AI-powered recipe feature. While some of these features may not be entirely new to the home appliance industry, Samsung is highlighting new large touchscreens that will be implemented in these smart home appliances which provide a new standard in visual monitoring and control for consumers. Hisense brings AI recipes to the fridge Samsung isn't the only company introducing AI recipe features into its home appliances. Hisense will be bringing new ConnectLife home appliance features to some of its kitchen products. The company already announced an AI-powered recipe assistant as well as a Meal Planner with AI-powered suggestions that will factor in dietary needs, nutritional goals, and the user's available ingredients. The recipe suggestions can also be tailored to each individual member of a family. LG AI-powered TVs LG will undoubtedly be showcasing its new QNED evo TVs, which the company just recently announced, at CES 2025. LG's 2025 QNED evo TVs will bring AI-enhanced picture and audio to your favorite movies and shows. The TVs will introduce a new AI-powered feature called Dynamic Tone Mapping that will find the perfect HDR and brightness settings for each specific media. The AI will also provide similar audio quality improvements to LG's QNED TVs. AI will be able to take dialogue and boost these voices over background noise. The AI will also be able to convert 2-channel sound to virtual 9.1.2 channel sound. In addition to audio and visual enhancements, AI will also be coming to LG's new QNED TVs' remote controls. LG will unveil a new AI Magic Remote which comes with an AI button that will provide content recommendations and viewing choices. Voice-powered AI search, TV picture and audio customization, and even a generative AI gallery will also be offered through the AI-powered remote.EDMONTON - A report from Canada's chief actuary suggests Alberta would not be entitled to more than half of the Canada Pension Plan's assets that the province has argued it should get if it were to leave the investment fund. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * EDMONTON - A report from Canada's chief actuary suggests Alberta would not be entitled to more than half of the Canada Pension Plan's assets that the province has argued it should get if it were to leave the investment fund. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? EDMONTON – A report from Canada’s chief actuary suggests Alberta would not be entitled to more than half of the Canada Pension Plan’s assets that the province has argued it should get if it were to leave the investment fund. The chief actuary’s paper, published Friday, says the calculation that claims Alberta should get 53 per cent — or $334 billion — of the $575-billion in CPP assets “does not respect” federal pension legislation. The $334-billion estimate comes from a report commissioned by the Alberta government in 2023 from consultants LifeWorks. Instead, the chief actuary agreed with the interpretation of University of Calgary economics professor Trevor Tombe, who had pegged Alberta’s share at between 20 and 25 per cent of total assets. “It is a complete rejection of the formula used in the LifeWorks report,” said Tombe, adding that he, like Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, was disappointed the report didn’t contain more detailed data. However, Tombe said Smith’s frustration over not getting a dollar figure is disingenuous because the report provides a simple formula to arrive at one. “This is not hard. We can have this assigned to some high school students to calculate, and they could do it,” he said, adding provincial officials have likely already calculated a number. Smith reiterated Thursday that her government wouldn’t consider moving forward with a referendum on the issue until it had a firm number from Ottawa. “We were under the impression that the chief actuary was hiring three different analysts to look at the legislation, to be able to get three very precise ways of looking at this issue, so that we had a precise number,” Smith said at an unrelated news conference. Applying data from the LifeWorks report to the formula provided by the chief actuary would suggest Alberta’s share would be about $135 billion, Tombe said. However, he noted that CPP assets grow and shrink all the time, so any estimate could quickly become irrelevant. Chief Actuary Assia Billig wrote that the LifeWorks formula would split up the CPP pie by leaving some provinces with a net negative allocation — an arrangement that would go against the wording of federal legislation. That position, the report says, is consistent with the findings of an independent advisory council. Four of the five panel members ultimately sided with Tombe’s approach. Tombe said the LifeWorks estimate calculated what Alberta would be entitled to if it had an independent provincial pension plan beginning at the same time as the inception of the CPP in 1966. Smith has long argued Albertans are getting a raw deal under the CPP. Her United Conservative Party government spent $7.5 million on a public campaign touting the benefits of a provincial plan, including the possibility of lower contributions and higher payouts to retirees. It also struck a public panel to speak directly to Albertans on the issue but later set it on the back burner pending a federal estimate. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Tombe said it’s worth having a public debate about the potential risks and rewards of a provincial pension plan, but the Alberta government should be transparent about its methods. “The challenge for the government is that the poll numbers didn’t move at all, even with a completely exaggerated set of benefits,” he said. Last week, a spokesperson for the federal finance department said it, along with the provinces and territories, are reviewing the findings from the chief actuary. “Discussions will take place between the government of Canada and provinces and territories over the coming weeks regarding the report and possible next steps,” the spokesperson said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 23, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement

GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) — A police officer responding to a report of a man with a gun inside a North Carolina supermarket was fatally shot Monday and a suspect was later taken into custody, authorities said. Police announced the death of Greensboro police officer Michael Horan at a news conference, saying Horan was responding to the report when he was shot shortly before midday at a Food Lion store in Greensboro in the central part of the state. Ramona Miller told WGHP-TV she was shopping with her 6-year-old granddaughter when she heard shots being fired. “We were on our way out and I was purchasing a lottery ticket and I was just sitting there and heard a ‘pop-pop’ and then ‘pop-pop-pop.’ I think I heard five shots,” Miller said. “At first I didn’t know it was a shooting ... but an employee yelled out, ‘Shooting! Shooting!’ ” Miller said she and her granddaughter left the store and that police arrived soon afterward. Authorities said Monday afternoon that the circumstances of the shooting remain under investigation and they did not immediately release further details about how it unfolded. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, the state’s lead law enforcement agency, is continuing the investigation. Horan was hired in 2017 and became a sworn Greensboro Police Department officer in early 2018, Assistant Police Chief Milford J. Harris said. Horan served in the department’s patrol bureau. He also was a U.S. Coast Guard member since 2000, according to his LinkedIn profile. “He was an excellent officer. He had an outstanding reputation inside the department and in the community,” Harris said at the news conference. Gov. Roy Cooper said he was monitoring the day’s developments. Cooper said on the social media platform X that his office had sent a “significant” number of state law enforcement officers to aid the emergency response in Greensboro. A heavy police presence was spotted outside the grocery store in Greensboro. The store will remain closed while authorities continue their investigation, Food Lion said in a statement, adding it was providing resources to its affected workers. It directed all questions to local law enforcement and said it was cooperating with the investigation. The shooting was another reminder that state lawmakers should strengthen resources and improve safety for law enforcement officers, said Democratic state Sen. Michael Garrett, who represents part of Guilford County where Greensboro is located. “During what should be a time of joy and celebration, another brave officer has been shot in the line of duty. Another family’s holiday season forever changed,” Garrett said in a Facebook statement. More articles from the BDN