jilibet s09

Mildura sale and auction results, week ending December 8These holiday gifts change the game when building fires, printing photos, watching birds and more

The new, 12-team College Football Playoff brings with it a promise to be bigger, more exciting, more lucrative. Perfect or 100% fair? Well, nobody ever believed that. The first expanded playoff bracket unveiled Sunday left a presumably deserving Alabama team on the sideline in favor of an SMU squad with a better record after playing a schedule that was not as difficult. It ranked undefeated Oregon first but set up a possible rematch against Ohio State, the team that came closest to beating the Ducks this year. It treated underdog Boise State like a favorite and banged-up Georgia like a world beater at No. 2. It gave Ohio State home-field advantage against Tennessee for reasons it would take a supercomputer to figure out. It gave the sport the multiweek tournament it has longed for, but also ensured there will be plenty to grouse about between now and when the trophy is handed out on Jan. 20 after what will easily be the longest college football season in history. All of it, thankfully, will be sorted out on the field starting with first-round games on campuses Dec. 20 and 21, then over three succeeding rounds that will wind their way through traditional bowl sites. Maybe Oregon coach Dan Lanning, whose undefeated Ducks are the favorite to win it all, put it best when he offered: "Winning a national championship is not supposed to be easy.” Neither, it turns out, is figuring out who should play for it. SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings passes the ball in the first half of the ACC championship game against Clemson on Saturday in Charlotte, N.C. The Big Ten will lead the way with four teams in the tournament, followed by the SEC with three and the ACC with two. The lasting memory from the inaugural bracket will involve the decision that handed the ACC that second bid. Alabama of the SEC didn't play Saturday. SMU of the ACC did. The Mustangs fell behind by three touchdowns to Clemson before coming back to tie. But they ultimately lost 34-31 on a 56-yard field goal as time expired. “We were on pins and needles,” SMU coach Rhett Lashley said. “Until we saw the name ‘SMU’ up there, we were hanging on the edge. We're really, really happy and thankful to the committee for rewarding our guys for their total body of work." The Mustangs only had two losses, compared to three for the Crimson Tide. Even though SMU's schedule wasn't nearly as tough, the committee was impressed by the way the Mustangs came back against Clemson. “We just felt, in this particular case, SMU had the nod above Alabama,” said Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel, the chairman of the selection committee. “But it’s no disrespect to Alabama’s strength of schedule. We looked at the entire body of work for both teams.” Oregon offensive lineman Iapani Laloulu celebrates after winning the Big Ten championship game against Penn State on Saturday in Indianapolis. Georgia, the SEC champion, was seeded second; Boise State, the Mountain West champion, earned the third seed; and Big 12 titlist Arizona State got the fourth seed and the fourth and final first-round bye. All will play in quarterfinals at bowl games on Dec. 31-Jan. 1. Clemson stole a bid and the 12th seed with its crazy win over SMU, the result that ultimately cost Alabama a spot in the field. The Tigers moved to No. 16 in the rankings, but got in as the fifth-best conference winner. Automatic byes and bids made the bracket strange The conference commissioners' idea to give conference champions preferable treatment in this first iteration of the 12-team playoff could be up for reconsideration after this season. The committee actually ranked Boise State, the Mountain West Champion, at No. 9 and Big 12 champion Arizona State at No. 12, but both get to skip the first round. Another CFP guideline: There’s no reseeding of teams after each round, which means no break for Oregon. The top-seeded Ducks will face the winner of Tennessee-Ohio State in the Rose Bowl. Oregon beat Ohio State 32-31 earlier this year in one of the season’s best games. Texas linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. hits Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton during the second half of the SEC championship game on Saturday in Atlanta. No. 12 Clemson at No. 5 Texas, Dec. 21: Clemson is riding high after the SMU upset, while Texas is 0-2 against Georgia and 11-0 vs. everyone else this season. The winner faces ... Arizona State in the Peach Bowl. Huh? No. 11 SMU at No. 6 Penn State, Dec. 21: The biggest knock against the Mustangs was that they didn't play any big boys with that 60th-ranked strength of schedule. Well, now they get to. The winner faces ... Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl. Yes, SMU vs. Boise was the quarterfinal we all expected. No. 10 Indiana at No. 7 Notre Dame, Dec. 20: Hoosiers coach Curt Cignetti thought his team deserved a home game. Well, not quite but close. The winner gets ... Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. The Bulldogs got the No. 2 seed despite a throwing-arm injury to QB Carson Beck. But what else was the committee supposed to do? No. 9 Tennessee at No. 8 Ohio State, Dec. 21: The Buckeyes (losses to Oregon, Michigan) got home field over the Volunteers (losses to Arkansas, Georgia) in a matchup of programs with two of the biggest stadiums in football. The winner faces ... Oregon in the Rose Bowl. Feels like that matchup should come in the semifinals or later. Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, foreground right, dives toward the end zone to score past San Francisco 49ers defensive end Robert Beal Jr. (51) and linebacker Dee Winters during the second half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus) Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green goes up for a dunk during the second half of an Emirates NBA cup basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) South Carolina guard Maddy McDaniel (1) drives to the basket against UCLA forward Janiah Barker (0) and center Lauren Betts (51) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer) Mari Fukada of Japan falls as she competes in the women's Snowboard Big Air qualifying round during the FIS Snowboard & Freeski World Cup 2024 at the Shougang Park in Beijing, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) LSU punter Peyton Todd (38) kneels in prayer before an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. LSU won 37-17. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) South Africa's captain Temba Bavuma misses a catch during the fourth day of the first Test cricket match between South Africa and Sri Lanka, at Kingsmead stadium in Durban, South Africa, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe) Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, left, is hit by Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey, center, as Eagles wide receiver Parris Campbell (80) looks on during a touchdown run by Barkley in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough) Los Angeles Kings left wing Warren Foegele, left, trips San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini, center, during the third period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez) Olympiacos' Francisco Ortega, right, challenges for the ball with FCSB's David Miculescu during the Europa League league phase soccer match between FCSB and Olympiacos at the National Arena stadium, in Bucharest, Romania, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru) Brazil's Botafogo soccer fans react during the Copa Libertadores title match against Atletico Mineiro in Argentina, during a watch party at Nilton Santos Stadium, in Rio de Janeiro, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado) Seattle Kraken fans react after a goal by center Matty Beniers against the San Jose Sharks was disallowed due to goaltender interference during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Seattle. The Sharks won 4-2. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) New York Islanders left wing Anders Lee (27), center, fight for the puck with Boston Bruins defensemen Parker Wotherspoon (29), left, and Brandon Carlo (25), right during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) Jiyai Shin of Korea watches her shot on the 10th hole during the final round of the Australian Open golf championship at the Kingston Heath Golf Club in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake) Mathilde Gremaud of Switzerland competes in the women's Freeski Big Air qualifying round during the FIS Snowboard & Freeski World Cup 2024 at the Shougang Park in Beijing, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) Lara Gut-Behrami, of Switzerland, competes during a women's World Cup giant slalom skiing race, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Killington, Vt. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin cools off during first period of an NHL hockey game against the Boston Bruins, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) Brazil's Amanda Gutierres, second right, is congratulated by teammate Yasmin, right, after scoring her team's first goal during a soccer international between Brazil and Australia in Brisbane, Australia, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Pat Hoelscher) Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) tries to leap over Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Joshua Williams (2) during the first half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga) Luiz Henrique of Brazil's Botafogo, right. is fouled by goalkeeper Everson of Brazil's Atletico Mineiro inside the penalty area during a Copa Libertadores final soccer match at Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) England's Alessia Russo, left, and United States' Naomi Girma challenge for the ball during the International friendly women soccer match between England and United States at Wembley stadium in London, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) Gold medalists Team Netherlands competes in the Team Sprint Women race of the ISU World Cup Speed Skating Beijing 2024 held at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (33) reaches for an incomplete pass ahead of Arizona Cardinals linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. (2) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Melanie Meillard, center, of Switzerland, competes during the second run in a women's World Cup slalom skiing race, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Killington, Vt. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) Get local news delivered to your inbox!AP News Summary at 2:23 p.m. EST

Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-CA) is proposing a bill to halt federal funding for high-speed rail in California as the colossal project continuously faces delays and escalating costs. "California's high-speed rail project has failed because of political ineptitude, and there is no plausible scenario where the cost to federal or state taxpayers can be justified," Kiley said Wednesday. "Our share of federal transportation funding should go towards real infrastructure needs, such as improving roads that rank among the worst in the country." Kiley's bill will be introduced in the 119th Congress, which is scheduled to convene on Jan. 3, 2025, according to his office. The bill does not only seek to dissolve the federal funding for the rail endeavor but also halt the project entirely and redirect its funding to California's roads and existing infrastructure. What is the California high-speed rail? The project's funding was initially authorized in 2008 with plans to connect Los Angeles to San Francisco with high-speed rail by 2020. A second phase of the project was designed to include routes to San Diego and Sacramento as well. Another version of the plan was established in 2024 to connect Bakersfield to Merced, and the California High-Speed Rail Authority set the target date to begin work on the Initial Operating Segment between 2030 and 2033. The project was meant to alleviate traffic congestion, cut greenhouse emissions , and provide Californians an alternative option to driving when traveling across the massive state. The project received state and federal funding, $3.1 billion of which was allocated with the Biden administration 's bipartisan infrastructure bill. "California's high-speed rail project plays an important role as part of the broader climate solution in our state," according to the California State Transportation Agency. "It will provide the backbone of our statewide rail service that will increase connectivity between communities, statewide, regional and urban areas." Project pushback The extensive costs the project has required, as well as its construction setbacks, have been sparking criticism for years. Those opposed to the rail argue that the funds would be better spent on supporting alternative transportation projects for California residents. The high-speed rail was projected to cost taxpayers around $33 billion, but in February, the California High-Speed Rail Authority estimated that the route would end up costing between $89 billion and $128 billion. The figure was compared with "equivalent highway and air passenger capacity," which would require between $179 billion and $253 billion. When Kiley announced his bill, he also brought up high-speed rail criticisms from the Department of Government Efficiency , the advisory body that President-elect Donald Trump selected billionaires Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to oversee. The purpose of the new commission is to eliminate excessive spending and government regulations they deem unnecessary. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER "This is a wasteful vanity project, burning billions in taxpayer cash, with little prospect for completion in the next decade," Ramaswamy said about the project in November. Kiley called the project "perhaps the single greatest example of government waste in United States history."

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla., Dec. 13, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Murphy Law Firm is investigating claims on behalf of all individuals whose personal and confidential information was compromised in the data breach involving Center for Vein Restoration. To join the class action lawsuit, visit our site HERE . On October 6, 2024, Center for Vein Restoration, LLC ("Center for Vein Restoration") detected suspicious activity on its computer network, indicating a data breach. Based on a subsequent forensic investigation, Center for Vein Restoration determined that cybercriminals infiltrated its inadequately secured computer environment and thereby gained access to its data files. The investigation further determined that, through this infiltration, cybercriminals accessed and copied files containing the sensitive personal information of 448,891 individuals. The information exposed in the data breach includes, but is not limited to: Names Social Security numbers Dates of birth Driver's license numbers Financial account information Medical information (including treatment and diagnosis information) Health insurance information Addresses If you received notice of the data breach or if your personal information was compromised in the breach, please visit our site HERE . Murphy Law Firm is evaluating legal options, including a potential class action lawsuit, to recover damages on behalf of individuals who were affected by the data breach. As a result of the data breach, these individuals' personal and highly sensitive information may be in the hands of cybercriminals who can place the information for sale on the dark web or use the information to perpetrate identity theft. To join a class action lawsuit, click HERE Murphy Law Firm specializes in data breach class actions, consumer class actions, and federal securities class actions. The firm has extensive experience in securing highly favorable recoveries for its clients. Contact: Murphy Law Firm abm@murphylegalfirm.com © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Head to Head Comparison: Bakkt (NYSE:BKKT) versus MDB Capital (NASDAQ:MDBH)

Nearly half of US teens are online ‘constantly,’ Pew report findsTrump says he can't guarantee tariffs won't raise US prices and won't rule out revenge prosecutions WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump says he can’t guarantee his promised tariffs on key U.S. foreign trade partners won’t raise prices for American consumers. And he's suggesting once more that some political rivals and federal officials who pursued legal cases against him should be imprisoned. The president-elect made the comments in a wide-ranging interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press” that aired Sunday. He also touched on monetary policy, immigration, abortion and health care, and U.S. involvement in Ukraine, Israel and elsewhere. Trump often mixed declarative statements with caveats, at one point cautioning “things do change.” Europe's economy needs help. Political chaos in France and Germany means it may be slower in coming BRUSSELS (AP) — Europe's economy has enough difficulties, from tepid growth to trade tensions with the U.S. Dealing with those woes is only getting harder due to the political chaos in the two biggest European countries, France and Germany. Neither has a government backed by a functioning majority, and France could take a while yet to sort things out. But some problems aren't going to wait, such as what to do about U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's America First stance on trade and how to fund stronger defense against Putin's Russia. ‘Moana 2’ cruises to another record weekend and $600 million globally “Moana 2” remains at the top of the box office in its second weekend in theaters as it pulled in another record haul. According to studio estimates Sunday, the animated Disney film added $52 million, bringing its domestic total to $300 million. That surpasses the take for the original “Moana” and brings the sequel's global tally to a staggering $600 million. It also puts the film in this year's top five at the box office. “Wicked” came in second place for the weekend with $34.9 million and “Gladiator II” was third with $12.5 million. The 10th anniversary re-release of Christopher Nolan's “Interstellar” also earned an impressive $4.4 million even though it played in only 165 theaters. Federal appeals court upholds law requiring sale or ban of TikTok in the US A federal appeals court panel on Friday unanimously upheld a law that could lead to a ban on TikTok as soon as next month, handing a resounding defeat to the popular social media platform as it fights for its survival in the U.S. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled that the law - which requires TikTok to break ties with its China-based parent company ByteDance or be banned by mid-January — is constitutional, rebuffing TikTok’s challenge that the statute ran afoul of the First Amendment and unfairly targeted the platform. TikTok and ByteDance — another plaintiff in the lawsuit — are expected to appeal to the Supreme Court. Executive of Tyler Perry Studios dies when plane he was piloting crashes in Florida ATLANTA (AP) — The president of Atlanta-based Tyler Perry Studios has died when the small plane he was piloting crashed on Florida’s Gulf Coast. The studio confirmed on Saturday that Steve Mensch, its 62-year-old president and general manager, had died Friday. The crash happened in Homosassa, about 60 miles north of Tampa. Photos from the scene show the plane having come to rest upside down on a road. Mensch helped advocate for Georgia’s film tax credit of more than $1 billion a year. Perry hired Mensch to run his namesake studio in 2016. Mensch died as Perry released his war drama, “The Six Triple Eight." The film was shot at the Atlanta studio. US added a strong 227,000 jobs in November in bounce-back from October slowdown WASHINGTON (AP) — America’s job market rebounded in November, adding 227,000 workers in a solid recovery from the previous month, when the effects of strikes and hurricanes had sharply diminished employers’ payrolls. Last month’s hiring growth was up considerably from a meager gain of 36,000 jobs in October. The government also revised up its estimate of job growth in September and October by a combined 56,000. Friday’s report also showed that the unemployment rate ticked up from 4.1% in October to a still-low 4.2%. The November data provided the latest evidence that the U.S. job market remains durable even though it has lost significant momentum from the 2021-2023 hiring boom, when the economy was rebounding from the pandemic recession. Stock market today: Wall Street hits more records following a just-right jobs report NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks rose to records after data suggested the job market remains solid enough to keep the economy going, but not so strong that it raises immediate worries about inflation. The S&P 500 climbed 0.2%, just enough top the all-time high set on Wednesday, as it closed a third straight winning week in what looks to be one of its best years since the 2000 dot-com bust. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 0.3%, while the Nasdaq composite climbed 0.8% to set its own record. Treasury yields eased after the jobs report showed stronger hiring than expected but also an uptick in the unemployment rate. Killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO spotlights complex challenge companies face in protecting top brass NEW YORK (AP) — In an era when online anger and social tensions are increasingly directed at the businesses consumers count on, Meta last year spent $24.4 million to surround CEO Mark Zuckerberg with security. But the fatal shooting this week of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson while walking alone on a New York City sidewalk has put a spotlight on the widely varied approaches companies take to protect their leaders against threats. And experts say the task of evaluating threats against executives and taking action to protect them is getting more difficult. One of the primary worries are loners whose rantings online are fed by others who are like-minded. It’s up to corporate security analysts to decide what represents a real threat. Days after gunman killed UnitedHealthcare's CEO, police push to ID him and FBI offers reward NEW YORK (AP) — Nearly four days after the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, police still do not know the gunman’s name or whereabouts or have a motive for the killing. But they have made some progress in their investigation into Wednesday's killing of the leader of the largest U.S. health insurer, including that the gunman likely left New York City on a bus soon after fleeing the scene. The also found that the gunman left something behind: a backpack that was discovered in Central Park. Police are working with the FBI, which on Friday night announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. USDA orders nationwide testing of milk for bird flu to halt the virus The U.S. government has ordered testing of the nation’s milk supply for bird flu to better monitor the spread of the virus in dairy cows. The Agriculture Department on Friday said raw or unpasteurized milk from dairy farms and processors nationwide must be tested on request starting Dec. 16. Testing will begin in six states — California, Colorado, Michigan, Mississippi, Oregon and Pennsylvania. The move is aimed at eliminating the virus, which has infected more than 700 dairy herds in 15 states.

BlackJack3D/iStock via Getty Images Introduction C3.ai ( NYSE: AI ) is a provider of enterprise artificial intelligence software based in the United States. The company provides more than 40 turnkey applications and employs approximately 900 full-time employees. As of November 2024, the company's software Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.The report builds on Governor Kathy Hochul's efforts to advance New York's global reputation as the place where businesses come to grow, innovate, and create the future of emerging technologies. NEW YORK , Dec. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- (NYSE: IBM ) – The Emerging Technology Advisory Board (ETAB) today released its first report to elevate New York as an AI leader. The report provided recommendations to bolster the State's commitment to responsible development and implementation of AI. First introduced by Governor Kathy Hochul in June 2024 , the ETAB was established as an independent advisory board to chart the course for a thriving emerging technology ecosystem in New York State . The Advisory Board is co-chaired by IBM Chief Executive Officer Arvind Krishna and Girls Who Code Chief Executive Officer Dr. Tarika Barrett and is comprised of leaders from the private sector and nonprofit and foundation organizations. With input from over 40 external stakeholders and experts, the report details how New York is well-positioned to be at the forefront of AI advancement. This includes leveraging its robust economy, extensive tech talent pool, academic excellence, legacy for innovation, and groundbreaking investments in AI and AI-adjacent industries. In reviewing the state's current landscape, the Advisory Board also identified potential challenges, such as ensuring the workforce is equipped with the skills and resources necessary to succeed in the age of AI. The ETAB took a deeper look at how these challenges could impact New York organizations and communities – and, based on these insights, proposed three ambitions for the State of New York : Guided by these ambitions, the report sets forth nine recommendations – each backed by a thorough framework and next steps – designed to foster public-private partnerships and balance priorities of timely impact and sufficient scale necessary to help drive responsible AI adoption in New York . " New York State is furthering its legacy of innovation and invention for the rest of the world to follow, setting a standard of greatness – and we've only just begun," Governor Hochul said. "Since the beginning of my administration I have been laser-focused on bringing good paying jobs to this state, which is why we need ethical and responsible AI that improves the lives of all New Yorkers and delivers accessible, equitable and future proof jobs with it. I want to thank the members of the Emerging Technology Advisory Board, who took the time to form these recommendations. I look forward to reviewing the report and to working with experts and stakeholders from every sector as we forge an equitable and dynamic future for AI in New York ." "The Emerging Technology Advisory Board has delivered on its first goal to provide a blueprint that positions New York as a frontrunner in trustworthy AI," said Arvind Krishna . "This comprehensive set of recommendations will help drive an innovative AI ecosystem, ensure responsible AI deployment at scale, foster a resilient workforce, and empower all New Yorkers with equitable access to the benefits of AI." "The recommendations of the Emerging Technology Advisory Board reflect a collective effort to ensure that the advancement of artificial intelligence benefits industries and workers across New York ," said Tarika Barrett . "These comprehensive proposals aim not only to foster economic growth and innovation but also to uphold our commitment to a technological future that mirrors the diversity and values of our communities." As the Emerging Technology Advisory Board shares its recommendations with the State of New York , it underscores the joint effort, commitment and close collaboration it will take between the State's leadership, Advisory Board institutions, private sector, nonprofit organizations, philanthropic organizations, thought leaders and advocates to fortify New York as an innovation hub for future technologies. Read the full report here . About IBM IBM is a leading provider of global hybrid cloud and AI, and consulting expertise. We help clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs and gain the competitive edge in their industries. More than 4,000 government and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare rely on IBM's hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to affect their digital transformations quickly, efficiently and securely. IBM's breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and consulting deliver open and flexible options to our clients. All of this is backed by IBM's long-standing commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity and service. Visit www.ibm.com for more information. About Girls Who Code Girls Who Code is an international nonprofit organization working to close the gender gap in technology, and is leading the movement to inspire, educate, and equip students who identify as girls or nonbinary with the computing skills needed to pursue 21st century opportunities. Since launching in 2012, Girls Who Code has reached 670,000 students through our in-person and virtual programming, and 218,000 of our alumni are college or career-aged. Girls Who Code has sparked culture change through marketing campaigns and advocacy efforts, generating 14 Billion engagements globally. In 2019, the organization was named the #1 Most Innovative Non-Profit on Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies list, and in 2023 was named one of Fast Company's Brands That Matter. The organization was also named one of NonProfit Times' Best Nonprofits to Work For in 2022 and 2023. Media Contact Caitlin O'Neill , IBM Corporate Communications caitlin.oneill@ibm.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-york-emerging-technology-advisory-board-publishes-first-report-outlining-vision-to-elevate-leadership-in-ai-302330851.html SOURCE IBM

With Trump on the way, advocates look to states to pick up medical debt fightAP News Summary at 6:30 p.m. EST

Gurgaon, Dec 6: UPES, a leading multidisciplinary university in India, has formed a strategic partnership with the University of Waterloo, Canada, by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This collaboration aims to leverage the expertise of both institutions to create transformative learning opportunities in online executive education by bringing WatSPEED, the University of Waterloo’s professional learning initiative, to India. A statement said that the MoU outlines several key areas of collaboration. Firstly, the institutions aim to work towards integrating WatSPEED’s high-quality, flexible course offerings with UPES’ expertise and student outreach, ensuring innovative and accessible learning solutions. This collaboration seeks to enhance opportunities for working professionals in India to upskill and reskill, aligning with the demands of the global economy. Secondly, the partnership aims to facilitate the establishment of international credit transfer pathways, enabling UPES students to seamlessly transfer credits earned from their programs to applicable courses or degree programs at the University of Waterloo. This process will align with the academic standards of both institutions enabling a smooth transition for students pursuing advanced studies abroad. The signing ceremony witnessed the presence of a high-level delegation from the University of Waterloo, including Dr. Vivek Goel, President; Dr. Mark Giesbrecht, Dean of Mathematics; Dr. Mary Wells, Dean of Engineering; Sanjeev Gill, Associate Vice-President of Innovation and Nenone Donaldson, Vice-President, Advancement. At the signing, Dr. Sunil Rai, President; Dr. Abhishek Sinha, Dean – School of Law and Head- International Affairs and Dr. Vijaysekhar Chellaboina, Dean – School of Computer Science, represented UPES. Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Sunil Rai, President, UPES, expressed his excitement about the collaboration. He said, “Over the years, UPES has worked tirelessly to forge meaningful collaborations with some of the world’s most prestigious institutions. Our collaborations with leading global universities provide learners with unique international exposure, equipping them to excel as skilled professionals in a global economy. This partnership between UPES and the University of Waterloo highlights our commitment to delivering globally benchmarked education.” Dr. Vivek Goel, President of the University of Waterloo, stated, “As technological advancements and global forces dramatically reshape industries, education will be essential for driving innovation and economic growth. Our collaboration with UPES to deliver professional and executive education will equip learners with the skills and adaptability required in the dynamic Indian economy. We look forward to working together to build transformative educational pathways that transcend borders and embody our commitment to shaping a better future for humanity and our planet.”A new study from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis describes an innovative method of analyzing mammograms that significantly improves the accuracy of predicting the risk of breast cancer development over the following five years. Using up to three years of previous mammograms, the new method identified individuals at high risk of developing breast cancer 2.3 times more accurately than the standard method, which is based on questionnaires assessing clinical risk factors alone, such as age, race and family history of breast cancer. The study is published Dec. 5 in JCO Clinical Cancer Informatics . We are seeking ways to improve early detection, since that increases the chances of successful treatment. This improved prediction of risk also may help research surrounding prevention, so that we can find better ways for women who fall into the high-risk category to lower their five-year risk of developing breast cancer." Graham A. Colditz, MD, DrPH, senior author, associate director of Siteman Cancer Center, based at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and WashU Medicine, and the Niess-Gain Professor of Surgery This risk-prediction method builds on past research led by Colditz and lead author Shu (Joy) Jiang, PhD, a statistician, data scientist and associate professor of surgery in the Division of Public Health Sciences at WashU Medicine. The researchers showed that prior mammograms hold a wealth of information on early signs of breast cancer development that can't be perceived even by a well-trained human eye. This information includes subtle changes over time in breast density, which is a measure of the relative amounts of fibrous versus fatty tissue in the breasts. For the new study, the team built an algorithm based on artificial intelligence that can discern subtle differences in mammograms and help identify those women at highest risk of developing a new breast tumor over a specific timeframe. In addition to breast density, their machine-learning tool considers changes in other patterns in the images, including in texture, calcification and asymmetry within the breasts. "Our new method is able to detect subtle changes over time in repeated mammogram images that are not visible to the eye," said Jiang, yet these changes hold rich information that can help identify high-risk individuals. At the moment, risk-reduction options are limited and can include drugs such as tamoxifen that lower risk but may have unwanted side effects. Most of the time, women at high risk are offered more frequent screening or the option of adding another imaging method, such as an MRI, to try to identify cancer as early as possible. "Today, we don't have a way to know who is likely to develop breast cancer in the future based on their mammogram images," said co-author Debbie L. Bennett, MD, an associate professor of radiology and chief of breast imaging for the Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology at WashU Medicine. "What's so exciting about this research is that it indicates that it is possible to glean this information from current and prior mammograms using this algorithm. The prediction is never going to be perfect, but this study suggests the new algorithm is much better than our current methods." AI improves prediction of breast cancer development The researchers trained their machine-learning algorithm on the mammograms of more than 10,000 women who received breast cancer screenings through Siteman Cancer Center from 2008 – 2012. These individuals were followed through 2020, and in that time 478 were diagnosed with breast cancer. Related Stories Exploring the potential of MSCs in cancer therapy Fibroblastic reticular cells power immune defenses in lung cancer Cancer cells block T-cell activation, but new therapies restore immune defenses The researchers then applied their method to predict breast cancer risk in a separate set of patients -; more than 18,000 women who received mammograms through Emory University in the Atlanta area from 2013 – 2020. Subsequently, 332 women were diagnosed with breast cancer during the follow-up period, which ended in 2020. According to the new prediction model, women in the high-risk group were 21 times more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer over the following five years than were those in the lowest-risk group. In the high-risk group, 53 out of every 1,000 women screened developed breast cancer over the next five years. In contrast, in the low-risk group, 2.6 women per 1,000 screened developed breast cancer over the following five years. Under the old questionnaire-based methods, only 23 women per 1,000 screened were correctly classified in the high-risk group, providing evidence that the old method, in this case, missed 30 breast cancer cases that the new method found. The mammograms were conducted at academic medical centers and community clinics, demonstrating that the accuracy of the method holds up in diverse settings. Importantly, the algorithm was built with robust representation of Black women, who are usually underrepresented in development of breast cancer risk models. The accuracy for predicting risk held up across racial groups. Of the women screened through Siteman, most were white, and 27% were Black. Of those screened through Emory, 42% were Black. In ongoing work, the researchers are testing the algorithm in women of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, including those of Asian, southeast Asian and Native American descent, to help ensure that the method is equally accurate for everyone. The researchers are working with WashU's Office of Technology Management toward patents and licensing on the new method with the goal of making it broadly available anywhere screening mammograms are provided. Colditz and Jiang also are working toward founding a start-up company around this technology. Jiang S, Bennett DL, Rosner BA, Tamimi RM, Colditz GA. Development and validation of a dynamic 5-year breast cancer risk model using repeated mammograms. JCO Clinical Cancer Informatics. Dec. 5, 2024. This work was supported by Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Jiang and Colditz have patents pending related to this work, predicting disease risk using radiomic images. Washington University School of Medicine Jiang, S., et al. (2024). Development and Validation of Dynamic 5-Year Breast Cancer Risk Model Using Repeated Mammograms. JCO Clinical Cancer Informatics . doi.org/10.1200/cci-24-00200 .