CUPERTINO — An iconic performing arts theater where Apple co-founder Steve Job unveiled the first Macintosh computer in 1984 is being reduced to rubble, five years after the college district that owns the space closed it down due to high renovation costs . Workers began the demolition of De Anza College’s Flint Center in early October, breaking apart the beige concrete walls that one housed a plethora of community events and exposing dozens of deteriorated railings and theater seats. Majority of the demolition is expected to be completed by March 2025, according to Paula Norsell, a spokesperson for the Foothill-De Anza College District. In 2019, the board of trustees voted to close the center, saying the district would need to pour in $50 million in renovations, seismic and accessibility upgrades to keep the space open. The district is planning to build a new multi-million Creative Arts Building in its place and also make room for an adjacent Student Services building. The projects will be funded by Measure G, which was approved by district voters in 2020 to provide $898 million to upgrade and repair facilities, classrooms and labs, and to acquire and construct facilities and equipment for De Anza and Foothill College. “We are incredibly grateful to the community for approving Measure G and are excited to put the bond dollars to work,” Norsell said. “Improving the college’s aging infrastructure and creating new state-of-the-art facilities that will meet the needs of the next generation of students and reduce our carbon footprint.” In the meantime, De Anza college has temporarily closed down several student walking and drop-off areas around the center until January 2025. The 2,400-seat Flint Center opened in 1971 and was a hotspot for local plays, symphony performances, religious services and college graduations. The center’s popular Celebrity Forum series brought foreign dignitaries into the Silicon Valley, along with famous athletes like 49ers quarterback Joe Montana, and movies stars including Star Trek actor George Takei. It was also where Jobs and other Apple executives unveiled the company’s latest phones, computers and other pioneering technologies. In 2015, the center was even the filming site of for a biopic about Jobs. But managing the five-story concrete building was no easy feat for the Foothill-De Anza District. A 2015 study by the district found the Flint was booked only 17 to 24 percent of the year, and hosted just six or seven annual events that drew crowds of more than 2,000 people.
Georgia QB Carson Beck declares for 2025 NFL DraftWest Virginia’s newly launched iLottery platform, also known as iPlay, is already celebrating its first major win with a $100,000 Powerball prize. This milestone highlights the growing success of the state’s digital lottery system, which provides a more convenient way for residents to play and win from home. The winning ticket was confirmed for the Saturday, December 14 drawing after matching four numbers plus the Powerball. The winning numbers were 12, 17, 23, 52, 67, and the Powerball was 1. While not a subscription purchase, this win marks a significant moment for the platform since its launch on October 31, 2024. Players are encouraged to check their tickets, as Powerball offers nine prize tiers ranging from $4 to the multi-million-dollar jackpot. The iPlay platform allows West Virginians to: This digital option offers a solution for players who may forget to purchase a ticket at retail locations, especially during large jackpots. Now, users can simply use their mobile devices or computers to buy tickets from the comfort of their homes. The winner of the $100,000 ticket must complete the online claim process through their iPlay account. However, West Virginia Lottery rules require winners of prizes exceeding $600 to claim their winnings in person at the main office or designated satellite locations. Winners need to provide the following: West Virginia Lottery Director John Myers expressed optimism about the platform’s potential. Since its launch, the iLottery platform has seen a steady increase in registrations and play activity. The digital system is expected to grow as more residents take advantage of its convenience and benefits. By embracing modern technology, the West Virginia Lottery is making its games more accessible to a new generation of players while continuing to deliver exciting opportunities for significant prizes. For more information or to get started, visit the official West Virginia iLottery platform or download the app.
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — NASA's two stuck astronauts just got their space mission extended again. That means they won't be back on Earth until spring — 10 months after rocketing into orbit on Boeing's Starliner capsule. NASA announced the latest delay in Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams' homecoming Tuesday. The two test pilots planned to be away just a week or so when they blasted off June 5 on Boeing's first astronaut flight to the International Space Station. Their mission grew from eight days to eight months after NASA decided to send the company's problem-plagued Starliner capsule back empty in September. FILE - This image made from a NASA live stream shows NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore during a press conference from the International Space Station on Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. (NASA via AP, File) Now the pair won't return until the end of March or even April because of a delay in launching their replacements, according to NASA. A fresh crew needs to launch before Wilmore and Williams can return and the next mission was bumped more than a month, according to the space agency. NASA's next crew of four was supposed to launch in February, followed by Wilmore and Williams' return home by the end of that month alongside two other astronauts. But SpaceX needs more time to prepare the new capsule for liftoff. That launch is now scheduled for no earlier than late March. NASA said it considered using a different SpaceX capsule to fly up the replacement crew in order to keep the flights on schedule. However, it decided the best option was to wait for the new capsule to transport the next crew. NASA prefers to have overlapping crews at the space station for a smoother transition, according to officials. Most space station missions last six months, with a few reaching a full year. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, with a crew of two astronauts, lifts off from launch pad 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, with a crew of two astronauts, lifts off from launch pad 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) NASA astronaut Nick Hague, left, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, left, gives a thumbs up as they leave the Operations and Checkout Building on their way to Launch Complex 40 for a mission to the International Space Station Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024 at Cape Canaveral, Fla., (AP Photo/John Raoux) NASA astronaut Nick Hague, right, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov leave the Operations and Checkout building for a trip to the launch pad 40 Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) NASA astronaut Nick Hague, right, talks to his family members as Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov looks on after leaving the Operations and Checkout building for a trip to the launch pad 40 Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Two astronauts are beginning a mission to the International Space Station. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) In this image from video provided by NASA, Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, left, and astronaut Nick Hague travel inside a SpaceX capsule en route to the International Space Station after launching from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (NASA via AP) A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, with a crew of two astronauts, lifts off from launch pad 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, with a crew of two astronauts, lifts off from launch pad 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with a crew of two lifts off from launch pad 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024 at Cape Canaveral, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) The Falcon 9's first stage booster returns to Landing Zone 1 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024 at Cape Canaveral, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with a crew of two lifts off from launch pad 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024 at Cape Canaveral, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) Get local news delivered to your inbox!Indiana should be able to breathe easy this week. It has very little chance of making it into the Big Ten championship game. On the other hand, Georgia's spot in the Southeastern Conference title game is so risky that if the Bulldogs lose they might have been better off sitting it out. Recommended Videos Over the next two weeks, the warm familiarity of conference championship games, which began in 1992 thanks to the SEC, could run into the cold reality that comes with the first 12-team College Football Playoff. League title games give the nation's top contenders a chance to hang a banner and impress the CFP committee, but more than ever, the bragging rights come with the risk of a season-wrecking loss — even with an expanded field. “I just don’t think it’s a quality conversation,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart said last week, sticking with the time-honored cliche of looking no further than the next weekend's opponent. Those who want to have that talk, though, already know where Georgia stands. The Bulldogs (9-2) are ranked sixth in this week's AP Top 25 and projected somewhere near that in the next set of CFP rankings that come out Tuesday. They already have two losses and will have to beat No. 3 Texas or No. 20 Texas A&M in the SEC title game on Dec. 7 to avoid a third. How bad would a third loss hurt? The chairman of the selection committee insists that a team making a conference title game shouldn't count against it. What that really means won't be known until the games are played and the pairings come out on Dec. 8. "We're going to let the season play out," Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel said. “But I think teams who make that championship game, the committee looks at them and puts them in high esteem." Indiana's situation is more complex All of which could be good news for Indiana in the unlikely event the Hoosiers find themselves playing for the Big Ten title. IU is coming off a flop in its first major test of the season, a 38-15 loss to Ohio State last weekend. After his team's first loss of the season, coach Curt Cignetti took offense to being asked whether the Hoosiers were still a playoff-caliber team. “Is that a serious question?” he asked. “I’m not even gonna answer that. The answer is so obvious.” What might hurt Indiana, which dropped five spots to No. 10 in the AP poll, would be another drubbing. The Hoosiers would be at least a two-touchdown underdog in a title-game matchup against top-ranked Oregon. The odds of that happening, however, are slim. It would take a Michigan upset over No. 2 Ohio State on Saturday, combined with a Maryland upset over No. 4 Penn State and, of course, an Indiana win over Purdue (1-10). History lessons Because this is the first year of the 12-team playoff, there's no perfect comparison to make. For instance, this is the first time Power Four conference champions are guaranteed a spot in the playoff. But 2017 provides a textbook example of how a team losing its conference title game suffered. That year, Alabama had one loss (to Auburn) and didn't play in the SEC title game, but made the four-team field ahead of Wisconsin, which was 12-1 after a loss to Ohio State in the Big Ten championship game. Ohio State didn't make it either — two losses didn't get teams into a four-team field. Neither did undefeated UCF. Other conferences seem more clear-cut Saturday's results made things a little more clear for the rest of the conferences: — In the Big 12, winning the title game will probably be the only way for Arizona State (9-2), BYU (9-2), Iowa State (9-2), Colorado (8-3) or anyone else to earn a spot in the 12-team playoff. None are ranked higher than 14th in the AP poll. — The Atlantic Coast Conference could get multiple bids. Miami (10-1), SMU (10-1) and Clemson (9-2) all finished in the top 12 of this week's AP poll. They were cheering the loudest when both Alabama and Ole Miss suffered their third losses of the season. — The Mountain West would be a one-bid conference, but that's only a sure thing if Boise State wins. A loss by the Broncos could open the CFP for Tulane or Army of the American Athletic. Both the MWC and AAC title games take place at 8 p.m. on Dec. 6. Other things to watch when the rankings come out — Where the committee places Alabama and Ole Miss on Tuesday will be an indicator of what it thinks of teams with three losses that played very strong schedules. — It could also set the stakes for Georgia, which faces the prospect of loss No. 3 in the Dec. 7 title game, assuming the Bulldogs beat rival Georgia Tech this week. — Clemson has been steadily climbing. Its 34-3 loss to Georgia came on Aug. 31. Is it ancient history to the committee, though? — Indiana's status as a playoff team — in, out, nervous? — will become apparent. The Ohio State game was Indiana's first against a top-flight opponent. Then again, it is the Hoosiers' only loss and their weak Big Ten schedule is not their fault. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
FEATURED: Huawei Rwanda empowers future tech leaders through ICT competitions roadshowWhen Inter Miami were dumped out of Major League Soccer's playoffs in the first round, their former Spain international full-back Jordi Alba questioned the fairness of the post-season format. Miami had topped the Eastern Conference and the overall regular season standings with a record points tally a performance which earned them the 'Supporters' Shield'. But there would be no title battle against the best in the West for Lionel Messi and Company after they contrived to lose two matches in their best-of-three series against an Atlanta United team which finished ninth in the East and 20th in the overall standings. "I think this format is a bit unfair. It has been done for many years but I think it should be the champion of one conference against the champion of the other, to make it as fair as possible," Alba said. Alba's comments prompted much debate among MLS fans and plenty of accusations of sour grapes but they did serve to highlight that this year's playoffs, if not MLS's playoffs in general, would certainly not be a battle of the best versus best. Defending champions Columbus Crew, who finished second in the Supporters' Shield race, were also eliminated in the first round, adding to the sense that the knockout phase of the season is very much a competition of its own. So on Saturday, after the international break disrupted the flow of the post-season, the Conference semi-finals, will see a "Hudson River Derby" between two New York teams who couldn't finish in the top 10 in the regular season. New York City, Manchester City's sister club, have home-field advantage after finishing in 13th spot while the New York Red Bulls travel from New Jersey, having ended up in 16th place. The 'home field' isn't actually NYCFC's usual home of Yankee Stadium, which is being used for a college football game, but Citi Field, home of New York's other baseball club, the Mets. Later on Saturday, in the Western Conference, 2022 MLS Cup winners and last year's beaten finalists, Los Angeles FC, are at home to the Seattle Sounders. That fixture feels much more like the kind of playoff game that was expected -- LAFC finished top of the West while Seattle were fourth. LAFC faces the Sounders for the fourth time in an elimination match over the last 13 months, having defeated Seattle in the 2023 Western Conference semifinals, the 2024 Leagues Cup quarterfinal and the 2024 US Open Cup semifinal. Each of those matches was hosted by Seattle. LAFC, with former France stars in goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and striker Olivier Giroud, enter the encounter unbeaten in their last 10 meetings with the Sounders, with their last loss to Seattle coming in a 2-0 defeat in 2021. On Sunday, surprise package Atlanta, with their 40-year-old goalkeeper Brad Guzan having impressed so many with his heroics against Miami, will return to Florida to take on Orlando City, who finished fourth in the East. Atlanta won at Orlando on the last day of the regular campaign, a victory that allowed them to sneak into the wildcard round but which also completed a home and away double for the Georgia side. "Obviously, in Major League Soccer, anything can happen," said Orlando coach Oscar Pareja. "Our responsibility is to play one game at a time. This one, we're going to be ready for sure," he added. The weekend rounds off with Los Angeles Galaxy hosting Minnesota United who, under former Manchester United assistant coach Eric Ramsay, came through a best-of-three series against higher-ranked Real Salt Lake. The Galaxy start as favourites but, as this season has shown in abundance, that counts for little. "We know they are a top team at this level with top individual players who are very difficult to beat at home but...I feel that if we are a good version of what we have been over the last 10-12 games... I certainly won't be painting it as a one sided game," said Ramsay. sev/js
Influencer Phillip Chu Joy Pushes the Galaxy Watch Ultra to the Limits in Elite Peruvian Military Training ProgramPenrose, Colorado, Dec. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Blue Origin, a leader in aerospace innovation, and Estes Rockets, the trusted name in model rocketry for over 65 years, are proud to announce an exciting partnership to bring the marvel of space exploration to enthusiasts of all ages. The collaboration will launch a groundbreaking product line inspired by Blue Origin’s New Glenn orbital rocket, bridging the worlds of hobby, educational and toy industries with the future of spaceflight. The product line, branded Estes and New Glenn , will include highly detailed scale models, functional model rockets for hobbyists, and educational kits for schools. Designed for a wide range of audiences—from young dreamers building their first rockets to seasoned hobbyists aiming for advanced launches—the line offers an unparalleled combination of authenticity, innovation, and fun. Blue Origin is committed to inspiring the next generation of scientists, engineers, and explorers. By partnering with Estes Rockets, Blue Origin is creating an accessible way for everyone to engage with the excitement of space exploration, right in their own backyards. The New Glenn Product line will include: • Scale Models: Meticulously crafted replicas of Blue Origin’s New Glenn Rocket, perfect for collectors and display enthusiasts. • Launchable Models: Fully functional rocket kits designed with the New Glenn’s features, delivering a thrilling hands-on experience for hobbyists. • STEM Education Kits: STEM Curriculum-Estes Education is partnering with Club for the Future, Blue Origin’s nonprofit, to develop educational content linking the New Glenn Rocket to STEM principles and career pathways. Through this collaboration, students will have the opportunity to launch the New Glenn model rocket while exploring real-world connections to rocketry and space exploration “We are thrilled to collaborate with Blue Origin to bring their groundbreaking technologies to a wider audience,” said Mallory Langford, President of Estes Rockets. “This partnership exemplifies our shared mission of sparking curiosity and passion for space exploration, and we can’t wait to see the next generation of rocketeers take flight.” The New Glenn Rocket product line will be available in hobby stores, educational catalogs, and online starting Spring 2026) . Pre-orders will open in early end of year 2025. For more information about this partnership and the New Glenn Rocket line, visit BlueOrigin.com or EstesRockets.com . About Blue Origin Blue Origin is a private aerospace manufacturer and spaceflight services company dedicated to building a future where millions of people live and work in space. Founded by Jeff Bezos, Blue Origin’s vision is to enable human space exploration while advancing science and technology on Earth. About Estes Rockets Estes Rockets is the world’s leading manufacturer of model rockets and accessories, inspiring generations of rocketry enthusiasts since 1958. Estes is committed to providing safe, high-quality products that fuel imagination and innovation in young minds and lifelong hobbyists alike. Heidi Muckenthaler Estes Industries 7193729870 Hmuckenthaler@estesrockets.comFinal crystal triangles installed on Times Square ball ahead of New Year's Eve
The main opposition People's Party (PP) announced it would not take part in former protest leader Sondhi Limthongkul's planned anti-government protests , saying it would work within the parliamentary system to fulfill its role. PP spokesman Parit Wacharasindhu said on Wednesday the party would focus on the government's work and address issues that were of public concern through parliamentary mechanisms. These issues, including the justice administration process, the Khao Kradong land controversy and the 2001 memorandum of understanding on joint development in the Gulf of Thailand signed by Thailand and Cambodia, would be examined as usual, he said. The party would also do it best to advocate for reforms and policies by submitting bills or proposing legal amendments, many of which were approved by parliament, he said. Mr Parit was responding to comments by Nattawut Saikuar, an adviser to the prime minister, who said PP supporters might join the planned street protests. The PP spokesman dismissed Mr Nattawut's comments as speculation, saying he had no idea on what it was based. However, he insisted the party supports people's freedom of expression whether the party agrees with the issues and it hopes that political expression will not violate democratic principles. "The party has no intention to whip up political movements outside parliament. "We're determined to work within the system to keep the government in check and advocate for change," he said. Mr Sondhi, former leader of the now-defunct People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), caused a stir this week when he announced his plan to hold regular activities next year. Some observers warned these activities could escalate into mass demonstrations against the Pheu Thai-led government and even lead to the seizure of power. Mr Nattawut said previous demonstrations against the Thai Rak Thai-led government and the Pheu Thai administration culminated in the 2006 and 2014 coups. PM's Office Minister Chousak Sirinil on Wednesday called on the public to consider the impacts of past yellow-shirt protests and the coups, saying they were important lessons for the country. He said these incidents brought political instability which posed a major obstacle to the country's development. Mr Chousak said there were no conditions which could trigger mass protests and added that no negotiations under the 2001 MoU were in progress. He said the result of the talks would have to be reviewed and approved by parliament. "Such a crisis is way behind us, and I don't want the country to go back to that point," he said. The Pheu Thai Party member also brushed off speculation the Paetongtarn Shinawatra administration would be short-lived. Paiboon Nititawan, secretary-general of the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), on Wednesday warned the government not to mess things up especially when dealing with charter amendments and the referendum bill, which are controversial matters. He was commenting on Mr Chousak's remark that the waiting period for the referendum bill would be much shorter if it was classified as a finance-related law after the Senate last week won the joint House-Senate panel vote to retain the double majority rule needed to pass a charter amendment referendum. The House is likely to affirm the simple majority when the bill is returned for a vote, as it has backed such a change in the past. In this case a 180-day mandatory "cooling-off period" would apply before the bill is passed. However, if the bill is classified as a finance law, it will be suspended only 10 days, instead of 180 days. Mr Paiboon said the government should respect the House regulations and the House Speaker's judgement that the referendum bill is not a finance bill. He also said he agreed with some analysts' observations the Paetongtarn government might not last a year.Blue Origin and Estes Rockets Join Forces