esports teams in the philippines Until now, Ms Weinstein has been the US firm’s vice president and managing director in the UK and Ireland, having previously worked at Unilever. She said her focus will be on “unlocking AI-powered growth for everyone”, calling the current AI boom a “pivotal” time for the tech giant. Google has joined many of its rivals in launching a string of high-profile generative AI products in recent times, led by the firm’s generative AI-powered assistant, Gemini. “Europe, the Middle East and Africa is an amazingly diverse and varied region, but the enormous growth opportunity that AI can create is universal,” she said. “My focus will be on unlocking that AI-powered growth for everyone – users, businesses, partners and governments across every part of the region. “I’m excited to be stepping into this role at a pivotal time, in a company where I’ve spent the last ten years and leading a region where I’ve spent much of my life.” Google employs more than 29,000 people across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, with 56 offices across 35 countries in those regions working on many of the firm’s largest products, including its search engine, the Android mobile operating system and its Chrome web browser. Its AI research arm, at Google DeepMind, is also led from London. Philipp Schindler, Google senior vice president and chief business officer, said: “This is the AI era and we are only just beginning to see its transformative impact on business and society. “In such a pivotal moment for technology, I’m thrilled we’ve appointed a visionary leader to be our President of Google EMEA. “Debbie brings a track record of unlocking growth that benefits everyone, alongside the passion and focus needed to help our customers succeed, as we bring the best of Google’s Gemini-era to everyone across EMEA.”

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( ) shares are rocketing out of the gates on Tuesday morning. At the time of writing, the battery materials and technology company's shares are up 16% to 68 cents. Why are Novonix shares rocketing? Investors have been buying the company's shares this morning after it made a . According to the release, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has conditionally committed a direct loan of up to US$754.8 million (~A$1.2 billion) to be applied towards partially financing a proposed new facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The release notes that the proposed financing is being offered under the DOE Loan Programs Office's Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing (ATVM) Loan Program. The Chattanooga facility will manufacture synthetic graphite primarily for use in electric vehicle (EV) batteries. At full capacity, the new facility is expected to produce approximately 31,500 tonnes per annum (tpa) of synthetic graphite. This can support the production of lithium-ion batteries for approximately 325,000 EVs each year. Management highlights that China currently has over 95% market share for battery grade graphite. The new facility is expected to reach full production capacity by the end of 2028 and is anticipated to create 450 full-time operational jobs and 500 construction jobs. 'Another critical milestone' Novonix's CEO, Dr. Chris Burns, was very pleased with the news, highlighting that it is another major milestone. He said: This announcement is the culmination of years of hard work and is another critical milestone for our anode materials business towards our target production of 150,000 tpa in North America. This conditional commitment from the government to invest in our new facility continues to underscore the focus on localizing critical materials in the battery supply chain, such as graphite. Recent announcements from China to further scrutinize the export of battery-grade graphite to the United States highlight the importance of domestic production of high-performance, battery-grade synthetic graphite. Our offtake agreements with strong partners have strengthened our leadership in onshoring the synthetic graphite supply chain in North America and supporting the path towards U.S. energy independence. What's next? As mentioned at the top, this funding is conditional. The release notes that the DOE must complete an environmental review, and the company must satisfy certain technical, commercial, legal, environmental, and financial conditions before the DOE can decide whether to enter into definitive financing documents and fund the loan. A binding loan agreement from DOE will also be subject to the satisfactory completion of due diligence by DOE, satisfaction of conditions precedent specified in the term sheet, approval of the Novonix board, receipt of required governmental and third-party consents, and the negotiation and execution of binding loan documents.

Until now, Ms Weinstein has been the US firm’s vice president and managing director in the UK and Ireland, having previously worked at Unilever. She said her focus will be on “unlocking AI-powered growth for everyone”, calling the current AI boom a “pivotal” time for the tech giant. Google has joined many of its rivals in launching a string of high-profile generative AI products in recent times, led by the firm’s generative AI-powered assistant, Gemini. “Europe, the Middle East and Africa is an amazingly diverse and varied region, but the enormous growth opportunity that AI can create is universal,” she said. “My focus will be on unlocking that AI-powered growth for everyone – users, businesses, partners and governments across every part of the region. “I’m excited to be stepping into this role at a pivotal time, in a company where I’ve spent the last ten years and leading a region where I’ve spent much of my life.” Google employs more than 29,000 people across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, with 56 offices across 35 countries in those regions working on many of the firm’s largest products, including its search engine, the Android mobile operating system and its Chrome web browser. Its AI research arm, at Google DeepMind, is also led from London. Philipp Schindler, Google senior vice president and chief business officer, said: “This is the AI era and we are only just beginning to see its transformative impact on business and society. “In such a pivotal moment for technology, I’m thrilled we’ve appointed a visionary leader to be our President of Google EMEA. “Debbie brings a track record of unlocking growth that benefits everyone, alongside the passion and focus needed to help our customers succeed, as we bring the best of Google’s Gemini-era to everyone across EMEA.”E.J. Speed criticizes the NFL's handling of 'Donald Trump dance' fiasco

New Oakland Township library board will look to mend fences with Rochester Hill libraryTHE Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star Mary Cosby’s son Robert Jr. has told a Utah court that he completed his stint in rehab, The U.S. Sun can exclusively reveal. As The U.S. Sun exclusively reported, Robert Jr., 21, entered an inpatient treatment facility in California in August as part of his ongoing 2022 DUI case . According to new court documents obtained by The U.S. Sun, Robert Jr. is now back in Utah. The RHOSLC guest star appeared in Murray Justice Court on November 21 for a scheduled hearing alongside his attorney. “Defendant states he completed in-patient treatment,” the minutes from the hearing revealed. However, Robert Jr. must return to court in January because he allegedly failed to provide proof he completed all aspects of his treatment plan. Read More RHOSLC "Prosecutor filed order to show cause based on failing to complete Prime For Life, 16-week Substance Abuse Treatment with random testing or 30 days home confinement,” the docs stated. Prime For Life is an alcohol and drug program that features court-required courses to help participants “reflect on personal choices, be inspired and motivated to make changes, and protect the things they value most in life,” according to the website. The U.S. Sun has reached out to Robert Jr.'s attorney for comment and he did not immediately respond. 'HEALTHY' CHANGES In a recent interview, Mary , 52, implied her son was on a path to recovery. Most read in Celebrity "Robert is steady," she told Page Six's Virtual Reali-Tea podcast on November 19. "He's steady, which for me is healthy, and he's doing good." She continued: "He's working on [himself] on telling lies. He's working on himself being honest with me and not trying to deceive me. "And that right there — I think those little changes has better[ed] our relationship because, you know, that's more trust, more love, and loving me in the right way, not taking advantage of Mom because I'm weak to him and he knows it." LONG ROAD TO RECOVERY Robert previously made an appearance in court on July 8. He was expected to be in court on August 15, but his attorney informed the court he was unable to appear because he was "at an inpatient treatment facility in California.” By the July hearing, Robert had completed a 10-day Detox Treatment and a Victim Impact Panel course, both of which were previously ordered by the court. He had also completed 30 days of home confinement in 2023, according to court docs. On July 3, an Assessment, Counseling & Educational Services (ACES) report was filed with the court, noting that Robert has been "non-compliant." The counselors noted they "had no contact" with him since the last hearing, which was a month prior, and that his previous test for them was conducted in May. Results from May showed that he tested positive for cocaine, Fentanyl, and THC , according to records obtained by The U.S. Sun. Robert’s DUI charge had initially stemmed from a March 2022 incident when the housewife’s only child was caught by cops after not following road rules and throwing a case of beer cans into a dumpster . Per the report, Robert informed the officer that he "did not have a driver's license" and "he had not been drinking and does not drink alcohol." He admitted, however, that he has recently in the past "taken some oxycontin, Xanax, and smoked marijuana." After failing the field sobriety tests, including blowing "triple zeros" in the breathalyzer test, he was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, improper right turn, driving on suspension alcohol-related, and failure to operate within a single lane. Apart from the DUI, which Robert had pleaded guilty to, the other three charges were dismissed with prejudice in September 2022. WORRIED MOM This season of RHOSLC has shed light on Robert’s disturbing behavior as he was often seen avoiding his mother in their home and being less communicative. Robert and his wife of two years, Alexiana, were often hiding out in his bedroom. "Robert is currently at home right now. He's not in college. Robert does ask me for money and no, he's not working," Mary told the cameras. But I just feel like he's very sheltered and I feel like that's my fault, and so, that's why I don't mind him staying at home." In the recent episode, Mary found Robert and his wife eating in bed, acting lethargic and slurring their words. She asked him, “When’s the last time you picked up?” as she looked around and found a mess in his room. “Something’s going on with Robert Jr. and I’m concerned. He’s typically very ambitious but lately, he’s just not. He’s not doing anything,” she confessed to the cameras. Mary previously skipped out on co-star Bronwyn Newport’s trip to Palm Springs to spend time with her family. In the midseason trailer, Mary confronted her son and asks him: "You’ve got to be real. You’ve got to talk to me," as he appeared to break down in front of her. The preview then skipped to Mary telling her pal Angie Katsanevas, “Right now, my family needs me." Fans also expressed their concern over Robert Jr.'s behavior on social media. "This was so sad to watch," one follower said on Reddit after watching the bedroom seen with Robert Jr. and Alexiana. Read More on The US Sun "This is really emotional, I feel so bad for Mary," said another. New episodes of RHOSLC Season 5 air every Wednesday at 9pm ET/PT on Bravo.

Alleged would-be Donald Trump assassin Ryan Routh wrote in a letter to the news outlet Politico that he shared a trait with Butler shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks. Routh, who has pleaded not guilty to the charge of attempted assassination of Trump in September, argued in a sent to Politico writer Ankush Khardori before this month’s election, saying that he, like Crooks, was “ready to die for freedom and democracy.” Crooks was shot and killed by a after the would-be assassin opened fire at a Trump campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, July 13, grazing the now president-elect in the ear, while killing one rally attendee and seriously wounding two others. A Secret Service agent spotted Routh’s rifle protruding from the hedge line at a Florida golf course where Trump was playing on Sept. 15. The agent opened fire on the suspect, who fled the scene but was quickly captured. who claimed to be independent politically, wrote in his letter, “My entire life has been plagued by D’s and R’s. It seems not long ago there was a push for the libertarian party and now a green party and maybe Truth party. But for some reason our leaders have not allowed any other party [to] be recognized in any race.” He explicitly disclaimed having an affiliation with the Democratic Party, recounting, “A guard [in] Palm Beach asked jokingly if I was a democrat — I said, ‘NO — Independent — I vote for the best candidate.’” His pickup truck parked at his Hawaii home had a Biden-Harris bumper sticker on it, and he has made 19 donations to a Democratic political action committee since 2019, the reported. Trump would-be assassin Ryan Routh has a Biden-Harris bumper sticker on his pickup truck and apparently donated entirely to Democrats (spreadsheet via , photo ) — Miranda Devine (@mirandadevine) Nonetheless, Routh’s letter criticized “the two ruling parties” and argued that “[w]ith our national debt swallowing us whole and bankruptcy imminent we may as well fix this problem balls out.” The 58-year-old also wrote that in the event of a Trump victory, federal officials should “remove the power of our military by the President and place it with Congress before January.” “We must limit all Presidential power before Trump seizes our country,” he added, referring to Trump at one point as a “ ,” a term that mirrors Democratic talking points. sent a similar letter to before the Nov. 5 election, as well. The Palm Beach Post reported that Routh’s daughter authenticated the letter as being from her father, who sent it from the federal prison in Florida where he is being held. Both Politico and the Palm Beach Post noted the handwriting for the letters looks the same as that included in a filed by the Justice Department. In that letter, Routh wrote, “Dear World, This was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump but I am so sorry I failed you. I tried my best and gave it all the gumption I could muster. It is up to you now to finish the job; and I will offer $150,000 to whomever can complete the job.” The Post reported, “In addition to the attempted assassination charge, Routh faces charges of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number and assaulting a federal officer. He has pleaded not guilty to each.” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. .Russia 'close to' deal with rebels to retain military bases in Syria

As New York City prosecutors worked Thursday to bring murder charges against Luigi Mangione in the brazen killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson , supporters of the suspect are donating tens of thousands of dollars for a defense fund established for him, leaving law enforcement officials worried Mangione is being turned into a martyr. Several online defense funds have been created for Mangione by anonymous people, including one on the crowdfunding website GiveSendGo that as of Thursday afternoon had raised over $50,000. The GiveSendGo defense fund for the 26-year-old Mangione was established by an anonymous group calling itself "The December 4th Legal Committee," apparently in reference to the day Mangione allegedly ambushed and gunned down Thompson in Midtown Manhattan as the executive walked to his company's shareholders conference at the New York Hilton hotel. "We are not here to celebrate violence, but we do believe in the constitutional right to fair legal representation," the anonymous group said in a statement. The crowdfunding campaign prompted donations from more than 1,500 anonymous donors across the country, many of them leaving messages of support for Mangione, including one person who called themselves "A frustrated citizen" and thanked Mangione for "sparking the awareness and thought across this sleeping nation." The GiveSendGo fund for Mangione appeared to be briefly taken down before it was restored on Thursday. GiveSendGo did not immediately respond to ABC News' requests for comment. Other crowdfunding sites such as GoFundMe have also taken down campaigns soliciting donations for Mangione's defense. "GoFundMe's Terms of Service prohibit fundraisers for the legal defense of violent crimes," the crowdfunding website said in a statement. "The fundraisers have been removed from our platform and all donors have been refunded." Amazon and Etsy have removed from their websites merchandise featuring Mangione, including T-shirts and tote bags reading "Free Luigi" and the phrase "Deny, Defend, Depose," words police said were etched in the shell casings discovered at the scene of Thompson's homicide. "Celebrating this conduct is abhorrent to me. It's deeply disturbing," Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg told ABC News senior investigative reporter Aaron Katersky in an interview Wednesday night. "And what I would say to members of the public, people who as you described are celebrating this and maybe contemplating other action, that we will be vigilant and we will hold people accountable. We are at the ready." Prosecutors at the Manhattan district attorney's office have begun presenting evidence to a grand jury as they work to try to secure an indictment against Mangione, sources told ABC News on Thursday. Mangione's attorney, Thomas Dickey of Altoona, Pennsylvania, where Mangione was arrested Monday following a five-day manhunt, said his client is presumed innocent and will plead not guilty to any charges filed against him. Mangione is contesting extradition to New York. Asked about people contributing to Mangione defense funds that have popped up, Dickey said, "People are entitled to their opinion and, like I said, if you're an American and you believe in the American criminal justice system, you have to presume him to be innocent and none of us would want anything other than that if that were us in their shoes. So, I'm glad he had some support." But law enforcement officials have expressed concern that Mangione is being turned into a martyr. Someone this week pasted "wanted posters" outside the New York Stock Exchange naming other executives. A bulletin released Wednesday by the Delaware Valley Intelligence Center, a multi-agency law enforcement intelligence-sharing network based in Philadelphia, included a photo of a banner hanging from an overpass reading, "Deny, Defend, Depose." "Many social media users have outright advocated for the continued killings of CEOs with some aiming to spread fear by posting 'hit lists,'" the bulletin, obtained by ABC News, reads. Meanwhile, New York Police Department investigators continue to build a murder case against Mangione, who is being held in Pennsylvania on charges stemming from his arrest there, including illegal possession of ghost gun and fraudulent identification. Mangione has pleaded not guilty to the charges in Pennsylvania. On Wednesday, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said that the three shell casings recovered at the scene of Thompson's shooting matched the gun found in Mangione possession when he was arrested. She also confirmed that Mangione's fingerprints were recovered from a water bottle and the wrapper of a granola bar found near the crime scene.Man City 3 Feyenoord 3: Pep Guardiola’s nightmare run goes on as hosts throw away THREE-GOAL lead to drawCostco set for three changes to stores in 2025 – what customers can expect to seeDigital Nation Pakistan Bill 2024 tabled in National Assembly

Direct Line founder Sir Peter Wood says Aviva must raise its offerCopy link Copied Copy link Copied Subscribe to gift this article Gift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe. Already a subscriber? Login Mar-a-Lago | Donald Trump’s first news conference since the election covered a wide range of topics, but it began with an eye-catching pledge: a $US100 billion ($157 billion) investment in the United States by SoftBank, a Japanese technology company. Standing beside SoftBank chief executive Masayoshi Son at his Mar-a-Lago estate, Trump announced the company’s investment is intended to create 100,000 jobs. Trump transition officials said the investment will focus on technology and artificial intelligence over the next four years. Bloomberg and Reuters Copy link Copied Copy link Copied Subscribe to gift this article Gift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe. Already a subscriber? Login Introducing your Newsfeed Follow the topics, people and companies that matter to you. Latest In North America Fetching latest articles Most Viewed In World

Saturday’s Ohio State-Michigan game ended in shock for many, but what happened after the final whistle is what most fans will likely remember most. Down their best offensive and defensive player in tight end Colston Loveland and cornerback Will Johnson, respectively, unranked Michigan went into Columbus and knocked off the No. 2-ranked Buckeyes. During their postgame celebration, the Wolverines gathered at midfield and planted their school flag at midfield, which started a brawl between the two teams. Things got out of hand quickly, and police were forced to use some pepper spray to keep things from escalating any further. Videos started going viral of several players with mace in their eyes on the sidelines after the brawl was broken up, and one of the players who was on the receiving end of it was Michigan defensive end Josaiah Stewart, who tweeted the details of exactly what happened to him before deleting it moments later. “Got maced, beer thrown at my face hit by a fan all in 5 min what a state 😂 #2-0,” Stewart wrote. It’s not known why Stewart deleted his tweet, but it likely had something to do with not drawing more negative attention to what transpired on the field, especially since many consider Michigan to be the instigator of what happened. While no one is disputing the legitimacy of what Stewart claims happened to him, the videos circulating on social media back up the mace part, but there were no videos (at least at time of publication) showing him getting struck by a fan or having beer thrown at him. Two other Michigan players — running back Tavierre Dunlap and linebacker Jason Hewlett — were seemingly maced as well, and multiple reports indicated that a few Ohio State players were maced as well.

Dana Hull | (TNS) Bloomberg News Jared Birchall, Elon Musk’s money manager and the head of his family office, is listed as the chief executive officer. Jehn Balajadia, a longtime Musk aide who has worked at SpaceX and the Boring Co., is named as an official contact. Related Articles National Politics | Hitman who killed Navy officer in Newport News among 37 death row inmates commuted by Biden National Politics | Biden will decide on US Steel acquisition after influential panel fails to reach consensus National Politics | Ford to give $1 million for Trump inauguration National Politics | Biden vetoes once-bipartisan effort to add 66 federal judgeships, citing ‘hurried’ House action National Politics | A history of the Panama Canal — and why Trump can’t take it back on his own But they’re not connected to Musk’s new technology venture, or the political operation that’s endeared him to Donald Trump. Instead, they’re tied to the billionaire’s new Montessori school outside Bastrop, Texas, called Ad Astra, according to documents filed with state authorities and obtained via a Texas Public Information Act request. The world’s richest person oversees an overlapping empire of six companies — or seven, if you include his political action committee. Alongside rockets, electric cars, brain implants, social media and the next Trump administration, he is increasingly focused on education, spanning preschool to college. One part of his endeavor was revealed last year, when Bloomberg News reported that his foundation had set aside roughly $100 million to create a technology-focused primary and secondary school in Austin, with eventual plans for a university. An additional $137 million in cash and stock was allotted last year, according to the most recent tax filing for the Musk Foundation. Ad Astra is closer to fruition. The state documents show Texas authorities issued an initial permit last month, clearing the way for the center to operate with as many as 21 pupils. Ad Astra’s website says it’s “currently open to all children ages 3 to 9.” The school’s account on X includes job postings for an assistant teacher for preschool and kindergarten and an assistant teacher for students ages 6 to 9. To run the school, Ad Astra is partnering with a company that has experience with billionaires: Xplor Education, which developed Hala Kahiki Montessori school in Lanai, Hawaii, the island 98% owned by Oracle Corp. founder Larry Ellison. Ad Astra sits on a highway outside Bastrop, a bedroom community about 30 miles from Austin and part of a region that’s home to several of Musk’s businesses. On a visit during a recent weekday morning, there was a single Toyota Prius in the parking lot and no one answered the door at the white building with a gray metal roof. The school’s main entrance was blocked by a gate, and there was no sign of any children on the grounds. But what information there is about Ad Astra makes it sound like a fairly typical, if high-end, Montessori preschool. The proposed schedule includes “thematic, STEM-based activities and projects” as well as outdoor play and nap time. A sample snack calendar features carrots and hummus. While Birchall’s and Balajadia’s names appear in the application, it isn’t clear that they’ll have substantive roles at the school once it’s operational. Musk, Birchall and Balajadia didn’t respond to emailed questions. A phone call and email to the school went unanswered. Access to high quality, affordable childcare is a huge issue for working parents across the country, and tends to be an especially vexing problem in rural areas like Bastrop. Many families live in “childcare deserts” where there is either not a facility or there isn’t an available slot. Opening Ad Astra gives Musk a chance to showcase his vision for education, and his support for the hands-on learning and problem solving that are a hallmark of his industrial companies. His public comments about learning frequently overlap with cultural concerns popular among conservatives and the Make America Great Again crowd, often focusing on what he sees as young minds being indoctrinated by teachers spewing left-wing propaganda. He has railed against diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, and in August posted that “a lot of schools are teaching white boys to hate themselves.” Musk’s educational interests dovetail with his new role as Trump’s “first buddy.” The billionaire has pitched a role for himself that he — and now the incoming Trump administration — call “DOGE,” or the Department of Government Efficiency. Though it’s not an actual department, DOGE now posts on X, the social media platform that Musk owns. “The Department of Education spent over $1 billion promoting DEI in America’s schools,” the account posted Dec. 12. Back in Texas, Bastrop is quickly becoming a key Musk point of interest. The Boring Co., his tunneling venture, is based in an unincorporated area there. Across the road, SpaceX produces Starlink satellites at a 500,000-square-foot (46,000-square-meter) facility. Nearby, X is constructing a building for trust and safety workers. Musk employees, as well as the general public, can grab snacks at the Boring Bodega, a convenience store housed within Musk’s Hyperloop Plaza, which also contains a bar, candy shop and hair salon. Ad Astra is just a five-minute drive away. It seems to have been designed with the children of Musk’s employees — if not Musk’s own offspring — in mind. Musk has fathered at least 12 children, six of them in the last five years. “Ad Astra’s mission is to foster curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking in the next generation of problem solvers and builders,” reads the school’s website. A job posting on the website of the Montessori Institute of North Texas says “While their parents support the breakthroughs that expand the realm of human possibility, their children will grow into the next generation of innovators in a way that only authentic Montessori can provide.” The school has hired an executive director, according to documents Bloomberg obtained from Texas Health and Human Services. Ad Astra is located on 40 acres of land, according to the documents, which said a 4,000-square-foot house would be remodeled for the preschool. It isn’t uncommon for entrepreneurs to take an interest in education, according to Bill Gormley, a professor emeritus at the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University who studies early childhood education. Charles Butt, the chairman of the Texas-based H-E-B grocery chain, has made public education a focus of his philanthropy. Along with other business and community leaders, Butt founded “Raise Your Hand Texas,” which advocates on school funding, teacher workforce and retention issues and fully funding pre-kindergarten. “Musk is not the only entrepreneur to recognize the value of preschool for Texas workers,” Gormley said. “A lot of politicians and business people get enthusiastic about education in general — and preschool in particular — because they salivate at the prospect of a better workforce.” Musk spent much of October actively campaigning for Trump’s presidential effort, becoming the most prolific donor of the election cycle. He poured at least $274 million into political groups in 2024, including $238 million to America PAC, the political action committee he founded. While the vast majority of money raised by America PAC came from Musk himself, it also had support from other donors. Betsy DeVos, who served as education secretary in Trump’s first term, donated $250,000, federal filings show. The Department of Education is already in the new administration’s cross hairs. Trump campaigned on the idea of disbanding the department and dismantling diversity initiatives, and he has also taken aim at transgender rights. “Rather than indoctrinating young people with inappropriate racial, sexual, and political material, which is what we’re doing now, our schools must be totally refocused to prepare our children to succeed in the world of work,” Trump wrote in Agenda 47, his campaign platform. Musk has three children with the musician Grimes and three with Shivon Zilis, who in the past was actively involved at Neuralink, his brain machine interface company. All are under the age of five. Musk took X, his son with Grimes, with him on a recent trip to Capitol Hill. After his visit, he shared a graphic that showed the growth of administrators in America’s public schools since 2000. Musk is a fan of hands-on education. During a Tesla earnings call in 2018, he talked about the need for more electricians as the electric-car maker scaled up the energy side of its business. On the Joe Rogan podcast in 2020, Musk said that “too many smart people go into finance and law.” “I have a lot of respect for people who work with their hands and we need electricians and plumbers and carpenters,” Musk said while campaigning for Trump in Pennsylvania in October. “That’s a lot more important than having incremental political science majors.” Ad Astra’s website says the cost of tuition will be initially subsidized, but in future years “tuition will be in line with local private schools that include an extended day program.” “I do think we need significant reform in education,” Musk said at a separate Trump campaign event. “The priority should be to teach kids skills that they will find useful later in life, and to leave any sort of social propaganda out of the classroom.” With assistance from Sophie Alexander and Kara Carlson. ©2024 Bloomberg News. Visit at bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Click to share on X (Opens in new window) Most Popular Police identify Hampton man found dead at Great Dismal Swamp Police identify Hampton man found dead at Great Dismal Swamp 45 years ago, a Virginia Beach woman was killed. Her family is still waiting for answers. 45 years ago, a Virginia Beach woman was killed. Her family is still waiting for answers. Hitman who killed Navy officer in Newport News among 37 death row inmates commuted by Biden Hitman who killed Navy officer in Newport News among 37 death row inmates commuted by Biden Man sentenced to life in prison for drug-robbery slaying of popular skateboarder Man sentenced to life in prison for drug-robbery slaying of popular skateboarder Hampton considers accessory dwelling units as solution to housing shortage Hampton considers accessory dwelling units as solution to housing shortage David Teel: Why Norfolk State? For Michael Vick, the 757 is home David Teel: Why Norfolk State? For Michael Vick, the 757 is home Seven Poquoson football players take Class 2 all-state honors Seven Poquoson football players take Class 2 all-state honors Williamsburg regional sports complex gets new name Williamsburg regional sports complex gets new name Live: Michael Vick introduced as Norfolk State’s coach Live: Michael Vick introduced as Norfolk State’s coach Public records: Hampton EDA buys Kelly’s Tavern building, restaurants and retailers sign leases Public records: Hampton EDA buys Kelly’s Tavern building, restaurants and retailers sign leases Trending Nationally U.S.-imposed tariffs on Canada would be ‘devastating’ for Massachusetts economy, Gov. Healey says NYPD arrests man suspected of lighting homeless woman on fire in Brooklyn subway car, killing her Surgery for boy after drones fell from sky during Florida holiday show Chicago girl helps make scientific discovery of molecule with cancer-fighting properties in goose poop California No. 1 for crazy, pretentious residents, poll saysAlphabet-owned Waymo says it will begin testing its robotaxis in Tokyo, Japan in early 2025. The move marks the company's first step toward international expansion. Waymo has not yet committed to starting commercial operations in Japan but has locked in development partnerships there with taxi operator Nihon Kotsu and taxi-hailing app GO. Alphabet -owned Waymo announced Monday that it will start testing its autonomous vehicles in Tokyo in early 2025, the company's first step toward international expansion. Waymo hasn't committed to start commercial service in Tokyo yet, but the robotaxi developer will partner with Japan's largest taxi operator, Nihon Kotsu, and taxi app GO to start testing its Jaguar I-PACE vehicles in Tokyo's streets. To start, Nihon Kotsu drivers will manually operate the Waymo vehicles to map key areas of the Japanese capital, including Minato, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Chiyoda, Chūō, Shinagawa, and Kōtō. Data from the manned test drives will help train the company's AI systems. Waymo will also test its robotaxis on a closed course in the U.S. built to mimic driving conditions in Japan. This is the first phase of the partnerships, which will last several quarters, Waymo told CNBC, adding that it expects to remain in Japan for an extended period. "Our upcoming road trip to Tokyo gives us the chance to work alongside local partners, government officials, and community groups to understand the new landscape," Waymo said in a statement. "We'll learn how Waymo can serve Tokyo's residents and become a beneficial part of the city's transportation ecosystem." Nihon Kotsu will oversee the management and servicing of Waymo's vehicles in Japan, the companies said. Waymo announced a series of expansions across the U.S. in 2024. Earlier this month, the company announced new testing in Miami in 2025, it made its driverless ride hail service available across Los Angeles in November, and in September, it announced planned expansions into Austin and Atlanta in partnership with Uber . The move into Japan marks the company's first in a left-hand traffic market. Both the Japanese national government and Tokyo Metropolitan government see driverless technology as a potential boon to the country's aging population, according to research by the World Economic Forum . Tokyo has designated certain areas as "test zones" for self-driving cars hoping to hasten the arrival of safe driverless transportation systems there. Several developers are working on autonomous vehicles in Japan, including local startup Tier IV and ZMP, a robotics company that is testing delivery vehicles and buses in Tokyo. Monet Technologies, which is partly owned by Toyota , announced plans to test a self-driving taxi service in Tokyo's Odaiba district earlier this year. Waymo's Japan expansion announcement comes a week after General Motors announced it was abandoning its Cruise robotaxi division . Honda, an outside investor in Cruise, told CNBC that it aimed to launch a driverless ride-hail service in Japan in early 2026 but would re-assess those plans and make adjustments if needed. Prior to GM's retreat from robotaxis, Cruise had been one of Waymo's primary domestic competitors. WATCH: GM pulls the plug on robotaxi plan

No I’m not talking about the ATMs you see at every bank or most places of business. The ATM I’m talking about is a hard-working, people-caring, compassionate and humble leader in our village that we often take for granted until we face difficulties, need assistance, or someone to ask a favor from. It is then that we go to the ATM machine: Ask The Mayor! If you think about it, they are literally human machines. Every one of us have been impacted somehow, someway by our mayors and vice mayors at some point in our lives. Of all our political leaders, the ATMs are probably the most accessible, personable, and never have a limit on what you can get out from them. We see them everywhere. They do everything whether asked or not asked. They are on 24/7. They are like the ever-ready battery. They keep going and going. They are in fact the first line and front line individuals we go to. ATMs: What would we do without them! Today, I want to honor those who have put in countless days and nights working for us and with us but are now ready to give whatever they have left in them to give back to their own families. They chose to retire and give someone else an opportunity to become an ATM. Mayor Paul M. McDonald of Agana Heights has served 34 years. Mayor Melissa B. Savares of Dededo has served 24 years including as vice mayor. Mayor John A. Cruz of Hagåtña has served 20 years. Mayor Ernest T. Chargualaf of Malesso’ served 16 years. Mayor Dale E. Alvarez of Sånta Rita-Sumai served 16 years. Mayor Jessy C. Gogue of Ordot-Chalan Pago served 16 years. Vice Mayor Kevin AN Delgado of Mangilao served 4 years. Mayor Anthony Sanchez of Yigo, Mayor William Quenga of Yona and Vice Mayor Loreto Leones of Yigo all ran for reelection but were unsuccessful in their quest. Nonetheless, I honor them too. ATMs: What would we do without them! Mayor McDonald over the years has lost an eye and even a leg but never slowed him down. He upgraded and enhanced Tutujan Triangle Park and their gymnasium and ballpark. Mayor Savares continued the legacy of her grandfather, former Commissioner Vicente S.A. Benavente and was even hit by a vehicle performing one of her many challenges in the village. She was instrumental in opening a new location for the Dededo Flea Market and the farmer’s market and always had the unfair disadvantage of sharing funds equally amongst all villages even though Dededo had the highest population of residents. Mayor John always made sure that the day of Santa Marian Kamalen he can have thousand of residents come and honor our patron saint but to also walk the streets of a clean Hagåtña. He always claims that during the weekdays he has over a thousand residents (GovGuam workers from other villages) and less than 400 on weekends. Every other mayor wants to be the mayor of Hagåtña, our capital. Mayor Ernest continued the legacy of his dad, former Commissioner Francisco C. Chargualaf and now has a gymnasium built under his tenure. He also led the successful Crab Festival and Gupot CHamoru. Mayor Dale promoted sports in his village and played a major role in supporting his senior citizens. Mayor Jessy leaves a great Christmas gift to his residents with a new mayor’s office and community center and the acquisition of the Jose Atoigue Ball Park for more enhancement. Vice Mayor Kevin loved his generation and all the youth he mentored to become productive young citizens. They are all retiring after so many years of service, blood, sweat, and tears. Not to mention, they were “broke” at times. But they served with dedication, distinction and humility. I honor them today. You should too! Believe you me, we will still look at them and say, ATM! ATMs: What would we do without them. But the work continues in the hands of those that were reelected and in the election of newest crop of public servants. You already know what ATM means. For the new ones, you will soon find out! Si Yu’os in fan binindisi! God bless you!

The AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll is back every week throughout the season! Get the poll delivered straight to your inbox with AP Top 25 Poll Alerts. Sign up here . BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) — Marcus Adams Jr. had 21 points in CSU Northridge’s 72-69 overtime win against Montana State on Saturday night. Patrick McMahon split a pair of free throws to pull Montana State to 70-69 with 18 seconds left in overtime. Jordan Brinson made two free throws on the ensuing possession for the Matadors before Brian Goracke missed a 3-point attempt for the Bobcats to end it. McMahon also split a pair of free throws with two seconds left in regulation to tie it 64-all. Scotty Washington missed a 3 for the Matadors to force overtime. Adams also grabbed seven rebounds for the Matadors (6-2). Keonte Jones added 11 points, 11 rebounds, six assists, and four blocks. Washington finished with nine points. Agbonkpolo led the Bobcats (3-5) with 21 points, seven rebounds and two steals. Tyler Patterson added 12 points for Montana State. Brandon Walker also had 11 points and five assists. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .By MIKE CATALINI, Associated Press TRENTON, N.J. — A large number of mysterious drones have been reported flying over New Jersey and across the eastern U.S., sparking speculation and concern over where they came from and why. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and U.S. Sen. Andy Kim have both gone out on drone hunts, hoping for answers. The FBI, Homeland Security, state police and other agencies are investigating. Murphy and law enforcement officials have stressed that the drones don’t appear to be a threat to public safety, but many state and municipal lawmakers have nonetheless called for stricter rules about who can fly the unmanned aircraft — and to be allowed to shoot them out of the sky. Dozens of witnesses have reported seeing drones statewide since mid-November, including near the Picatinny Arsenal, a military research and manufacturing facility, and over President-elect Donald Trump’s golf course in Bedminster. Murphy, a Democrat, said Monday that equipment supplied by the federal government has yielded little new information. He declined to describe the equipment except to say it was powerful and could even “mitigate” the drones, though he added that’s not currently legal on U.S. soil. The state tallied 12 sightings Saturday and just one on Sunday. Murphy urged Congress to give states more authority to deal with the drones. The growing anxiety among some residents is not lost on the Biden administration, which has faced criticism from Trump for not dealing with the matter more aggressively. White House national security spokesman John Kirby on Monday said the federal government has yet to identify any public safety or national security risks from reported drone sightings in the northeast, saying officials believe they were lawfully flown drones, planes or even stars. “There are more than 1 million drones that are lawfully registered with the Federal Aviation Administration here in the United States,” Kirby said. “And there are thousands of commercial, hobbyist and law enforcement drones that are lawfully in the sky on any given day. That is the ecosystem that we are dealing with.” The federal government has deployed personnel and advanced technology to investigate the reports in New Jersey and other states, and is evaluating each tip reported by citizens, he said. The FBI received more than 5,000 tips in recent weeks, he added, with only “about 100” deemed credible enough to require additional investigation. Authorities say they do not know. The Department of Homeland Security and FBI said they have no evidence that the aircraft pose “a national security or public safety threat or have a foreign nexus.” Speculation has nevertheless raged online, with some expressing concerns that the drones could be part of a nefarious plot by foreign agents. Officials stress that ongoing investigations have found no evidence to support such concerns, but U.S. Rep Chris Smith, a Republican, on Saturday echoed such speculation. “The elusive maneuvering of these drones suggests a major military power sophistication that begs the question whether they have been deployed to test our defense capabilities — or worse — by violent dictatorships, perhaps maybe Russia, or China, or Iran, or North Korea,” he said. On Monday, Pentagon spokesperson Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder cast doubt on the idea that the drones are engaged in intelligence gathering, given how loud and bright they are. He said about 1 million drones are registered drones in the U.S. and about 8,000 flying on any given day. Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh has said the aircraft are not U.S. military drones. Drones flying around Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio, forced base officials to close its airspace for about four hours late Friday into early Saturday, said Robert Purtiman, a base spokesperson. It was the first time drones had been spotted at the base, one of the largest in the world, and no sightings have been reported since, Purtiman said Monday. He said the drones had no impact on any facilities on the base. Trump has said he believes the government knows more than it’s saying. “Let the public know, and now. Otherwise, shoot them down!!!” he posted on Truth Social. Kim said he’s heard no support for the notion the government is hiding anything. He said a lack of faith in institutions is playing a key part in the saga. “Nothing that I’m seeing, nothing that I’ve engaged in gives me any impression of that nature. But like, I get it, some people won’t believe me, right? Because that’s the level of distrust that we face,” Kim said Monday. Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut last week called for the drones to be “shot down.” Rep. Smith urged the Pentagon to authorize the use of force to bring down one or more drones to try to figure out who deployed them. The objects could be downed over the ocean or in an unpopulated area on land, Smith said Saturday. “Why can’t we bag at least one of these drones and get to the bottom of it?” Smith said.The first commercial batch of made-in-Canada low-carbon aviation fuel sourced from non-food grade canola and tallow has been produced and quickly purchased. Fuel retailer Parkland Corp. said Tuesday it has successfully produced about 100,000 litres of the fuel at its refinery in Burnaby, B.C. “using existing infrastructure.” Parkland senior vice-president Ferio Pugliese said it means production can easily be scaled up, but only if Canada provides the necessary conditions to create an ecosystem around the nascent commodity and its adoption across the country. “We need to do more to make low-carbon air travel a reality,” Pugliese said during the announcement in Vancouver on Tuesday. “We need a long-term Canadian solution for low-carbon, sustainable aviation fuel.” While the potential for emission reduction is massive with production in Canada is also significantly more expensive, Pugliese said. He notes that similar low-carbon fuels used in vehicles, buses and ferries have about one-eighth of the carbon content when compared to traditional fuels. Pugliese said other countries such as the United States incentivize production and use of low-carbon jet fuel, creating the necessary ecosystem to support a local industry. “Currently, the Canadian aviation industry purchases low-carbon aviation (fuel) from other countries and imports it from across the globe into Canada. That makes little sense.” Parkland began trying to develop the fuel in 2017, and the entire batch of the first production run has already been bought by Air Canada. Pugliese said the purchase of the fuel by Air Canada completes a value chain within the country that shows local development, production, sale and use of low-carbon jet fuel can be achieved to the benefit of everyone — but only if the support from government is there. “Airlines need very practical solutions, and today, right here in B.C., Parkland has created a made-in-Canada solution to a global challenge,” he said. The comments echoed that of WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech, who in 2023 said the global push for decarbonizing commercial aviation by 2050 will cause spikes in airfares unless governments intervene. Part of the challenge, von Hoensbroech said, is that alternative energy sources such as electric or hydrogen aircraft remains a long way from reality, making the sector difficult to decarbonize. In February, a pair of industry groups, including the National Airlines Council of Canada, said the country needed incentives matching that of the United States to spark production of sustainable aviation fuels. Commercial aviation giant Airbus has said that low-carbon jet fuel can reduce carbon-dioxide emissions by about 80 per cent, and development is ongoing for planes to be able to run completely on it instead of needing to mix it with conventional fuels. But Airbus also said the ecosystem for the fuel is still “in its infancy,” with just 600 million litres produced last year, making up 0.2 per cent of all aviation fuel for 2023. “Appropriate regulatory mechanisms and inventive structures still need to be put in place, and even then, there are challenges associated with the limited availability of land and biowaste,” Airbus said of the technology on its website. Airbus has said it is increasing its own use of low-carbon fuels with a goal of reaching 30 per cent of its total fuel mix by 2030.

Dorn scores 21 as Elon knocks off Navy 69-63You don’t hire Bill Belichick for joy. While leading the greatest dynasty in NFL history, he proved with the New England Patriots that success and fun don’t need to be compatible. He created a dour legacy with his irritable genius, a triumphant enigma the Patriots spurned soon after his six-championship glow faded and the rest of the NFL rejected him during the most recent hiring cycle. Belichick may be the best coach football has ever known - or at least he was when Tom Brady was the quarterback caretaking his vision. But he knows only one way. He must operate with ruthless rigor. Apparently, his style has become too cutthroat and outdated for the merciless NFL. So he’s poised to take his act to the last place you would think could handle him: college. At 72 years old, Belichick is about to coach the North Carolina Tar Heels. He’s probably trimming the sleeves on a Carolina blue hoodie at this very minute. When he started stacking losses during his final years in New England, Belichick was having trouble relating to a locker room of men in their mid-20s. Now, most of his players won’t even be of legal drinking age. Oh, this is going to be fun. For the first time with Belichick, it’s going to be fun. Who knew he wanted to turn the end of his career into a sitcom? Oh, this is going to be funny. It’s doubtful North Carolina will enjoy it as much as the rubbernecking outsiders. Belichick could win big and make it an awkward, miserable experience. He could win a little - in that eight-win range that defines most good seasons for the Tar Heels - and make it an awkward, miserable experience. Or he could be a disaster and make it an especially awkward, miserable experience. Belichick could shock the sport more than he already has if he turns into a chatty, grandfatherly figure and tells better stories than Mack Brown, the 73-year-old coach he’s replacing. He’s a pleasure to listen to when he decides to share. Out of coaching this season for the first time since 1975, Belichick has been an entertaining and insightful media member. But the mumbling grump is about to return. Now, he won’t be doing it as the coach and personnel chief of an NFL team, which needs him only to obsess about football because that business model is bulletproof. At North Carolina, he will have to charm - or at least acknowledge - boosters and make an effort to sell the program. He will need to persuade the community to contribute to name, image and likeness funds to compensate players. And while he doesn’t figure to hit the recruiting trail the way Nick Saban did, he must establish relationships with high school players, their parents, coaches, agents and handlers. It’s a gripping experiment for Belichick and for college football. A man with little tolerance now has an annoyingly long chore list, and those items are just as urgent as schemes, strategy and player development. His success depends on much more than his football brain. He must motivate and retain young players during a time when they can transfer freely. He must inspire them to commit to excellence when the vultures are circling, hoping a little bit of money and a nicer coach can convince kids to flee. The college game is different, but coaching won’t be an issue for Belichick. The pace of play is faster, and the styles of play are more diverse. Practice time is limited, and teaching methods must be simplified. There’s also a wider spectrum of aspirations among the players; not everyone expects to go pro. Belichick, who never stops learning, will revel in adjusting to those challenges. But is he wired to be diplomatic when a potential program-changing 19-year-old wants to talk about greater NIL compensation? Where do academics factor into his football obsession? Belichick reportedly was drawn to college football for the same reasons that are driving older college coaches from the sport. He’s attracted to the professionalization of it. He envisions treating the North Carolina program like an NFL franchise, and he will structure his staff accordingly. He’s not the first coach to view it this way, to talk about the transfer portal as free agency and have no qualms about players earning significant money. But he’s the first Hall of Fame-bound NFL coach to bring this level of expertise and nuance to the enterprise. His approach will be thoughtful, and he will stretch North Carolina’s football budget as much as he can to hire the best people to help him. He will create an intriguing fiefdom, and his power will be unchallenged if he can deliver. As much as I would like to make fun of this move, it’s impossible to ignore more than two decades of Belichick’s brilliance as a coach and all the success he has had in a half-century on the sideline. This isn’t a mediocre NFL coach coming to college to rehabilitate his career. This is a luminary intent on finishing a remarkable run in an unexpected way, and he trusts he has an advantage because he sees the college game in a manner that most aren’t ready to fully embrace. Belichick developed into a historic winner by exploiting every opportunity, pushing the limits and sometimes crossing the line. The greatest weakness of most coaches and leaders in college athletics is that they’re too dishonest, disingenuous or disillusioned to accept what the sport is now. And here comes Belichick, clear-eyed and vicious, prepared to try his best without apology. He’s a master of discomfort. Opponents never have an easy time competing against him, and at the same time, his own team isn’t allowed to relax. Belichick, with all that knowledge and edge, has arrived in the most unlikely place. After 48 years in the NFL, he’s going back to school. The Tar Heels just did what no NFL team could muster the enthusiasm to do: They gave a cutthroat coach his sunset job. They should bask while they can. Win or lose, Belichick won’t allow it much longer.How to Watch Porn in Virtual Reality

From road closures, power outages, weather declarations and nonstop shoveling, Muskoka residents were faced with nearly a metre of persistent snowfall this weekend. According to Environment Canada, storm accumulations reached 140 centimetres of snow in Gravenhurst and 125 centimetres in Bracebridge. Near-whiteout conditions near Orillia Ont., on Sat., Nov. 30, 2024 (CTV News/David Sullivan) The heavy snowfall led to the closure of Highway 11 in both directions between Orillia and Huntsville on Saturday, with the closure persisting through to Monday morning. OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt said police expect the northbound lanes along Highway 11 to reopen around noon Monday from West Street in Orillia to Highway 60 in Huntsville. "There will be limited access. Not every exit and entrance will be open in that stretch," he explained. Except for Luigi Road, all ramps are cleared. Schmidt noted southbound lanes are expected to reopen sometime around 4 p.m. on Monday. Additionally, a dozen trucks were trapped on Country Road 6 in Cooper's Falls near Washago Monday morning. Emergency crews and motorists confirmed to CTV News that hundreds of vehicles were stranded without food or water, some for nearly 30 hours. On Saturday, fire crews helped bring motorists to Gravenhurst Town Hall via side-by-side transports for access to generators amid power outages.Lakeland Power and Elexicon Energy – the respective suppliers of electricity for Bracebridge and Gravenhurst – and Hydro One all indicated via their outage maps that tens of thousands of customers were without power on Saturday. The Town of Gravenhurst declared a state of emergency on Sunday after the District Municipality of Muskoka had declared a ‘Significant Weather Event’ on Saturday. Premier Doug Ford posted to social media Monday morning stating the province was working closely with authorities in Gravenhurst and across Muskoka to ensure they have everything they need. “Provincial resources are on hand and more are en route to help where needed. I’m relieved that there are no injuries or fatalities reported.” Ford encouraged residents to stay home until power is restored and roads and highways are safely reopened. Beaver Creek Institution isn’t immune to the power outage, having to switch over to its generator. “We are closely monitoring weather conditions and are prepared to make adjustments as needed to ensure secure access to essential services,” Correctional Service Canada noted in an email to CTV News. Meanwhile, drivers who are low on fuel are advised to find a safe place to park until they can safely access a gas station, or until fuel can be brought to them. OPP add that locals should only dial 911 for life-threatening situations and should contact the non-emergency line at 1-888-310-1122 for all other situations.LA Lakers star opens up on new role, reveals how tough Pistons ‘All-Star level’ player is

Our sun could produce catastrophic superflares far more often than previously thought — and one may even be due soon — according to new research. Superflares are solar megastorms thousands of times more powerful than regular solar flares , capable of wreaking incalculable damage as they fry electronics, wipe data servers and send satellites tumbling from space. Past studies, made by observing stars similar to our own, suggested that superflares likely happened once every few thousand years. But now, a new study of 56,000 sun-like stars has revealed that stars like ours may experience powerful superflares much more often than we thought — roughly once every century. However, some crucial questions remain. The researchers published their findings Dec. 13 in the journal Science . "Our results demonstrate that stars with Sun-like [stars] ... can indeed produce superflares," Valeriy Vasilyev , a doctoral student at the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research, told Live Science in an email. "Ionizing radiation, UV, and X-rays during a superflare (as well as from a [ coronal mass ejection , a plasma wave launched from the sun] if it accompanies the superflare) can have significant impacts. Details such as the impact on Earth's atmosphere, magnetosphere, and technological systems are important subjects for further investigation." The sun is a gigantic ball of plasma whose charged ions swirl over its surface to create powerful magnetic fields . As magnetic-field lines cannot cross each other, sometimes these fields knot before suddenly snapping to launch bursts of radiation called solar flares , which are sometimes accompanied by enormous coronal mass ejections (CMEs). If these outbursts are facing Earth , the X-rays and ultraviolet radiation produced by the flares knock electrons from atoms in the upper atmosphere, forming an ionized screen that high-frequency radio waves cannot bounce off that leads to radio blackouts. These blackouts occur over the areas lit by the sun during the time of the flare and last one or two hours. Related: Ancient solar storm smashed Earth at the wrong part of the sun's cycle — and scientists are concerned Sign up for the Live Science daily newsletter now Get the world’s most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox. One of the largest solar storms in recent history was the 1859 Carrington Event , which released roughly the same energy as 10 billion 1-megaton atomic bombs. After slamming into Earth, the powerful stream of solar particles set telegraph systems around the world on fire and caused auroras brighter than the light of the full moon to appear as far south as the Caribbean. Yet some evidence, such as sudden spikes in radiocarbon levels found inside ancient tree rings, suggests that our sun could be capable of producing flares hundreds of times stronger than the Carrington Event. If pointed toward Earth, these storms could prove to be disastrous. To investigate the likelihood of a superflare being produced by our sun, the researchers behind the new study used NASA 's Kepler space telescope to study 56,450 stars, identifying 2,889 superflares coming from 2,527 stars like our sun between 2009 and 2013. Compared to previous studies, this is a significant step up in the frequency of devastating superflares, a result the researchers attribute to biases in past experiments, such as only measuring stars with rotation periods similar to our sun. As most rotation periods (which are tied to solar activity) are difficult to detect, this led a lot of stars like ours to be excluded from prior observations. But the astronomers behind the study developed a new method to work around these biases. "We employed a new flare detection method developed by our group to identify flare sources in light curves and images with sub-pixel resolution, accounting for instrumental effects," Vasilyev said. "This method has been applied for the first time to detect superflares, enabling the analysis of a much larger sample of stars." — An 'Internet apocalypse' could ride to Earth with the next solar storm, new research warns — Devastating solar storms could be far more common than we thought — Solar storms might be causing gray whales to get lost However, despite their troubling findings, some assumptions within the study remain unexplored. These include possible unobserved differences between our own sun and the sun-like stars they observed flaring. For example, 30% of these flaring stars exist in binary pairs — two stars orbiting a shared center of gravity — which could be triggering superflares through tidal interactions. Loose ends such as these will need to be investigated further before we can be sure that the sun is likely to pummel Earth with a superflare soon, the researchers say. In the meantime, they recommend better forecasting of the sun to predict when it might throw its next extreme tantrum — an endeavor which will be helped by the planned launch of the European Space Agency ’s Vigil probe in 2031. "I hope people will carefully investigate [this question] after reading our paper," Vasilyev said.