Timberwolves clear the air after Toronto debacle: ‘Name a perfect family. I have never seen one.’
1 2 3 4 5 6 Dibrugarh: In a significant breakthrough in counter-insurgency operations , security forces recovered a substantial cache of Chinese-made assault rifles during a joint operation in Arunachal Pradesh 's Changlang district on Saturday. The operation, conducted in the remote Miao-Vijaynagar region, marks one of the largest weapons recoveries in South Arunachal Pradesh in recent times. The coordinated effort, led by the Army's Spear Corps in collaboration with Assam Rifles and Arunachal Police, successfully unearthed 10 MQ 81 Chinese-origin assault rifles from multiple locations within the forest area. The operation employed cutting-edge technology, including high-tech drones, tracker dogs, and metal detectors. "The weapons were strategically concealed inside the forest area. Prior to conducting the operation, we ensured safe passage for tourists present in the Namdapha Reserve Forest. The entire operation was executed with utmost professionalism and precision to prevent these weapons from falling into insurgent hands," revealed a senior Army official involved in the operation. Intelligence sources said that these weapons were buried by Eastern Naga National Govt (ENNG) cadres prior to their surrender last year. The recovery holds particular significance as various insurgent groups, notably NSCM (IM) and NSCN (K-YA), had reportedly made multiple attempts to retrieve these weapons over the past six months, working in conjunction with former ENNG cadres.Accel India is the largest shareholder in BlueStone, holding a 12.25% stake in the company on a fully diluted basis Gaurav Singh Kushwaha, the founder and CEO of BlueStone, is the second-largest shareholder with a 17.81% stake in the company 360 ONE Asset owns a 6.27% stake, while Kalaari Capital Partners holds 5.81%. Sunil Kant Munjal, chairman of Hero Enterprise, owns 5.65% of the company Omnichannel jewellery company Bluestone filed its draft red herring prospectus with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) earlier this week. The company plans to raise over INR 1,000 Cr through its public issue, which includes a fresh issue of INR 1,000 Cr and an offer-for-sale (OFS) component of up to 2.40 Cr equity shares. From the fresh issue proceeds, INR 750 Cr will be allocated to meet working capital requirements, while the remaining INR 250 Cr will be used for general corporate purposes, including setting up new stores, repayment or prepayment of loans, pursuing strategic initiatives, and exploring partnerships and joint ventures, among others. In the OFS, investors like Accel and Kalaari Capital will divest their stakes. Kalaari plans to sell up to 79.78 Lakh shares via two funds, while Saama Capital will offload 41 Lakh shares. IvyCap Ventures intends to sell 31.26 Lakh shares, Accel India will divest 30.27 Lakh shares, and Iron Pillar will offload 17.53 Lakh shares. Additionally, Hero Enterprise chairman Sunil Kant Munjal will sell 40 Lakh shares as part of the OFS. BlueStone’s net loss declined 15% year-on-year (YoY) to INR 142.2 Cr in the financial year 2023-24 (FY24), while operating revenue jumped 64% to INR 1,265.8 Cr. The company also disclosed its financial performance for the first three months of FY25 (Q1 FY25). It reported a net loss of INR 52.22 Cr in Q1 FY25 on an operating revenue of INR 359.19 Cr. Total expenses for the quarter ending June 2024 stood at INR 418.14 Cr. Founded in 2011 by Gaurav Singh Kushwaha and Vidya Nataraj, BlueStone is an omnichannel jewellery company that offers more than 8,000 designs across rings, pendants, earrings and other products. It competes with the likes of CaratLane, GIVA, and other legacy jewellery brands. In June, BlueStone raised INR 100 Cr in debt funding from Neo Markets. The DRHP filing came against the backdrop of a growing number of Indian startups either gearing up for or making their market debut in recent times. So far this year, 12 new-age tech companies like Go Digit General Insurance, FirstCry, Unicommerce, TBO Tek, Ola Electric, Awfis, ixigo, Menhood, TAC Security, Trust Fintech, Swiggy and BlackBuck listed on the exchanges. MobiKwik is scheduled to list on the bourses next week. BlueStone’s DRHP also shed light on its shareholding pattern and the key executives. Accel India is the largest shareholder in BlueStone, holding a 12.25% stake in the company on a fully diluted basis. Kushwaha, the founder and CEO of BlueStone, is the second-largest shareholder with a 17.81% stake. 360 ONE Asset owns a 6.27% stake, while Kalaari Capital Partners holds 5.81%. Sunil Kant Munjal, chairman of Hero Enterprise, owns 5.65% of the company. MIH Investments One B.V. holds a 4.43% stake, followed by Iron Pillar at 4%. Peak XV Partners owns 2.96%, while both IE Venture and Saama Capital hold an equal stake of 2.99% each. IvyCap Ventures Trust has a 2.28% stake. NKSquared, founded by Zerodha’s Nikhal Kamath, also holds a 1.21% stake in the company. Gaurav Singh Kushwaha Kushwaha is the chairman, managing director and chief executive officer of BlueStone. He holds a bachelor’s degree in technology, specialising in computer science and engineering, from the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi. He was previously associated with Tavant Technologies (India) Private Limited, Amazon Development Centre (India) Private Limited, and Chakpak Media Private Limited. Prashanth Prakash Prashanth Prakash is a non-executive nominee director of BlueStone. He holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering, specialising in computer science and technology from Bangalore University. He also holds a master’s degree in science from the University of Delaware, and an honorary doctorate of science from the University of Mysore. He has been associated with Accel India Management LLP since August 2008. Sameer Dileep Nath Sameer Dileep Nath is a non-executive nominee director of BlueStone. He holds a bachelor’s degree in arts, specialising in political science, from Middlebury College, and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Chicago. He has over seven years of experience in venture capital funding and was previously associated with IP Ventures Advisors Private Limited and TrueScale Venture Capital LLP. Rajesh Kumar Dahiya Rajesh Kumar Dahiya is an independent director of BlueStone. He holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering, specialising in civil engineering, from Bangalore University, and a master’s degree in personnel management and industrial relations from Panjab University. He has experience in human resources and operational distribution and was previously associated with Rallis India Limited, Tata Services Limited, Tata Tea Limited, and Axis Bank Limited. Rohit Bhasin Rohit Bhasin is also an independent director. He holds a bachelor’s degree in commerce from Delhi University and is a qualified chartered accountant from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. He was previously associated with Standard Chartered Bank in its merchant banking division and PricewaterhouseCoopers Private Limited. Neha Neha is an independent director of BlueStone. She holds a postgraduate diploma in business management from Fore School of Management, New Delhi. She was previously associated with FCB-ULKA Advertising Private Limited and Living Media India Limited. Rumit Dugar Rumit Dugar is the chief financial officer of BlueStone. He has been associated with the company since May 2, 2022. Dugar has over 16 years of experience in technology consulting, fintech, and equities. He previously worked at organisations like JP Morgan India Private Limited, Infosys Technologies Limited, Alchemy Shares & Stock Brokers Private Limited, Religare Capital Markets Limited, IDFC Securities Limited, and Niyogin Fintech Limited. Jasmeet Kaur Saluja Jasmeet Kaur Saluja is the company secretary and compliance officer of BlueStone. She has been associated with the company since March 19, 2024. Saluja has significant expertise in corporate legal compliance and company secretarial functions. She was previously associated with Draeger India Private Limited as a company secretary and also worked at Algo Legal and Rathi & Associates. Sudeep Nagar Sudeep Nagar is the chief operating officer of BlueStone. He has been associated with the company since December 11, 2012. Nagar has extensive experience in operational management and strategic leadership. He was previously associated with HCL Technologies Limited, Computer Sciences Corporation India Private Limited, and the Lodha Group of Companies. Vipin Sharma Vipin Sharma is the chief merchandising officer of BlueStone. He has been associated with the company since October 13, 2021. Sharma has over 19 years of experience in the luxury goods and jewellery industry. He previously worked with Titan Watches Provident Fund, OyzterBay Private Limited, Clarity Gold Mint Limited, Wincor-Nixdorf India Private Limited, World Gold Council, and Luxury Products Trendsetter Private Limited. Mikhil Raj Mikhil Raj is the chief product officer of the IPO-bound company. He has been associated with the company since April 10, 2024. Raj has a strong background in product management and artificial intelligence. He was previously associated with Urbanclap Technologies , ZestMoney, and Krutim SI Designs. Harshit Kulin Desai Harshit Kulin Desai is the chief manufacturing officer of BlueStone. He has been associated with the company since June 1, 2024. Desai has over 14 years of experience in manufacturing operations, technical, and production roles within the FMCG industry. He was previously associated with Galaxy Surfactants Limited and ITC Limited. Tarun Rajput Tarun Rajput is the head of engineering at the jewellery company. He has been associated with the company since October 21, 2014. Rajput has a robust background in engineering and technology leadership. He was previously associated with Cisco Video Technologies India as a technical leader.
The Philadelphia 76ers will continue a Western Conference swing with a meeting with the host Portland Trail Blazers on Monday night as they attempt to keep finding their form. After a slow start to the campaign, the Sixers are on a season-best three-game winning streak that includes a 114-111 victory over the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City on Saturday. Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey each scored 32 points to pace Philadelphia's offensive attack. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
To the editor, Once, the skies of this republic were free – a shared realm of birds, man and the occasional daring invention. Now, they are encumbered by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), a bloated gatekeeper of progress. The advent of drones, particularly Beyond Visual Line of Sight operations, has been shackled by Washington’s labyrinth of waivers and delays, serving entrenched interests rather than innovation. This is no longer a republic of invention but a stagnant empire of bureaucracy. ADVERTISEMENT The FAA’s preferred model, exemplified by North Dakota’s federally-backed Vantis system, seeks to impose a one-size-fits-all stranglehold on drone infrastructure. But such centralization ignores the diversity of our geography and economy. The alternative is both simpler and more Jeffersonian: return the skies to the states. State departments of transportation possess the local knowledge and agility to craft drone corridors that serve their specific industries – be it agriculture in the Midwest, logistics in the South or technology in the West. Unlike the federal monolith, state-led systems would foster innovation, economic growth and local reinvestment. Consider Arkansas, where Walmart collaborates with state officials to pioneer decentralized drone delivery systems tailored to local needs. This contrasts starkly with Vantis, whose rigid, federally funded model benefits a few while stifling competition. Critics will cry chaos, citing the need for uniform standards. Yet, as with our highways, cooperative federalism offers a solution: national safety guidelines with state management. Such decentralization would democratize the skies, unlocking opportunities for small businesses and farmers while creating new revenue streams and jobs. The stakes are clear. Will we submit to Washington’s sterile monopoly, or will we empower states to experiment, innovate and lead? Let us liberate the skies – not for the oligarchs of aviation, but for the farmers, entrepreneurs and dreamers who keep this republic alive. Joe Cozart Grand ForksOvercoming hardship thru skills development
OPINION Yamashita: Be a pilgrim of hopeDana 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 | Trump’s picks for top health jobs not just team of rivals but ‘team of opponents’ National Politics | Biden will decide on US Steel acquisition after influential panel fails to reach consensus National Politics | Biden vetoes once-bipartisan effort to add 66 federal judgeships, citing ‘hurried’ House action National Politics | An analyst looks ahead to how the US economy might fare under Trump National Politics | Trump again calls to buy Greenland after eyeing Canada and the Panama Canal 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.
Arsenal crushed Nottingham Forest to end their winless run as skipper Martin Odegaard made a long-awaited injury return. Meanwhile, Chelsea survived a late Leicester scare to put more pressure on Manchester City. Get all the latest football news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!! ARSENAL REIGNITE TITLE HOPES WITH BIG WIN Mikel Arteta said his Arsenal team “flows in a different way” when Martin Odegaard is playing after the Gunners crushed Nottingham Forest 3-0 to end their winless run. Stunning strikes from Bukayo Saka and Thomas Partey and a first Premier League goal for teenager Ethan Nwaneri gave Arsenal a first victory in five league games, reigniting their title challenge. Arsenal, Premier League runners-up for the past two seasons, started the campaign strongly but their form dipped and they kicked off on Saturday nine points behind leaders Liverpool. Victory at the Emirates lifts them to 22 points, level with third-placed Chelsea. Arsenal took the lead in the 15th minute when Saka exchanged passes with Odegaard on the edge of the area before lashing a left-footed shot into the roof of the net. Captain Odegaard was making his first appearance at the Emirates since late August and showed what a huge miss he was for Arsenal during his two-month injury absence. Time and again the Norwegian found space in the penalty area with his quick feet and he teed up Gabriel Jesus, who curled narrowly wide, before linking up with Saka again. Partey doubled Arsenal’s lead early in the second half after collecting Saka’s pass 20 yards out and taking a touch, before curling his shot away from the dive of Matz Sels and inside the far post. Seventeen-year-old Nwaneri tucked away Raheem Sterling’s cutback to wrap up an emphatic win in the 86th minute. “I think we started really well,” Arteta told the BBC. “The sense I was getting in the last 48 hours after the international break, the boys coming together and were all at it.” Speaking about Odegaard, who returned to action at Inter Milan earlier this month, he said: “It’s not a coincidence. The team flows in a different way when he is playing.” And he also had warm words for Nwaneri. “He is the second-youngest (Premier League goalscorer) in our history,” Arteta said. “That’s a story in itself. “He’s brave. You see the reaction of fans and they were singing ‘He’s one of our own’. I think we have to put brick by brick and make sure the cement doesn’t get dry. Hopefully we can build a beautiful thing with him.” CHELSEA SNEAK PAST LEICESTER Chelsea survived a late scare to beat Leicester 2-1 on Enzo Maresca’s return to the King Power Stadium, climbing just a point behind second-placed Manchester City in the Premier League. The visitors looked comfortable after goals from Nicolas Jackson and Enzo Fernandez, but they faced a nervy final few minutes after Jordan Ayew pulled a goal back from the penalty spot deep into stoppage time. Chelsea’s win, which came after two draws, lifts them to 22 points — one behind City and three clear of fourth-placed Arsenal ahead of the later kick-offs on Saturday. Maresca said he was proud of his team after so little preparation time following the international break. “The only thing I asked the players before the game, I said, ‘Guys, we have the chance today to make a statement in terms of (who) we are’,” he told TNT Sports. “Because when you play this kind of game, all the clubs that they are behind, like in this moment, I don’t know, Arsenal or Villa or Brighton or (Manchester) United, Tottenham, they are watching. “They are waiting for us to drop points. And we show that we are there. And we’re going to compete until the end and then we’ll see where we arrive.” It was Maresca’s first game at the King Power since he took Leicester back to the Premier League last season in his only campaign at the club. Chelsea took control from the kick-off and Joao Felix, making his first Premier League start of the season, had two early efforts. But the visitors got the goal they deserved when Jackson won his tussle with Leicester defender Wout Faes. The ball fell to Fernandez, who found Jackson and the Senegal forward poked home with the outside of his right foot for his seventh league goal of the season. Leicester goalkeeper Mads Hermansen kept out Noni Madueke’s sharp effort and Madueke had a goal disallowed for a tight offside against Marc Cucurella just after the half-hour. But as the first period wore on there was a momentum shift and Leicester suddenly started looking more dangerous. Steve Cooper’s men broke at pace and Oliver Skipp found Kasey McAteer on the right. McAteer, making his full Premier League debut, cut inside but steered his shot just beyond the far post. Wilfred Ndidi then screwed wide as half-time approached. Chelsea looked certain to double their lead 10 minutes after the restart but somehow contrived to squander the chance, when Madueke got in the way of a Cole Palmer shot on the goalline in a comical episode. England international Madueke did his best to try and jump out of the way of Palmer’s effort but it hit him and rolled out for a goalkick, with Palmer seeing the funny side. But Chelsea did find the net in the 75th minute when Fernandez headed home after Hermansen kept out Jackson’s header. Leicester substitute Stephy Mavididi appeared to have a strong case for a penalty after he tumbled in the box about 10 minutes later but no foul was given. Fellow substitute Ayew did pull a goal back from the penalty spot in the 95th minute after Bobby De Cordova-Reid was brought down but it was too little, too late. Leicester, the 2016 Premier League champions, remain just three points above the relegation zone. OTHER RESULTS Aston Villa are now winless in six games in all competition and had to twice come from behind to salvage a 2-2 draw at home to Crystal Palace. Brighton’s incredible start under 31-year-old boss Fabian Hurzeler continued with a 2-1 win at Bournemouth to climb to fifth. Wolves are out of the bottom three thanks to a stunning 4-1 win at Fulham, with Matheus Cunha scoring twice. Everton failed to take advantage of an early red card for Brentford’s Christian Norgaard in a 0-0 draw at Goodison Park. Meanwhile, Ruben Amorim takes charge of Manchester United for the first time in the pick of Monday’s action when the Red Devils visit Ipswich.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 | San Francisco’s fentanyl deportations show rare unity with Donald Trump National Politics | Biden will decide on US Steel acquisition after influential panel fails to reach consensus National Politics | Calmes: A peaceful transfer of power — you can thank Biden National Politics | Biden vetoes once-bipartisan effort to add 66 federal judgeships, citing ‘hurried’ House action National Politics | Bill Clinton is hospitalized with a fever but in good spirits, spokesperson says 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.
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( MENAFN - Robotics & automation News) Airbus Ventures invests in Eureka Robotics Airbus Ventures has made an investment in Singapore-based Eureka Robotics . Eureka says it will use the $10.5 million Series A funds to accelerate the development of its main products – Eureka Controller and Eureka 3D Camera, which enable system integrators and manufacturers to deploy High Accuracy-High Agility (HA-HA) applications in factories and warehouses. It will also scale the company's operations in the existing markets of Singapore and Japan, with a plan to launch more widely across Japan, as well as to enter the US market, where the company has already acquired initial customers. Dr Pham Quang Cuong, Eureka CEO and co-founder, says:“Eureka Robotics was founded in 2018 with the mission of helping factories worldwide automate dull, dirty, and dangerous work, so that human workers can focus on their creative endeavors. “We are proud to reach the next stage of our development, with the support of our investors and the cooperation of our esteemed customers and partners. We will continue to make further efforts to bring our innovative technology to society.” Empowered by Robotics and AI research from NTU Singapore, MIT, and the University of Tokyo, Eureka Robotics delivers robotic software and systems to automate tasks that require High Accuracy and High Agility (HA-HA). Common uses include AI-based inspection, precision handling, 3D picking, assembly, or dispensing. Yuichiro Hikosaka, principal at Airbus Ventures, says:“Eureka's technology excels in achieving micron-level accuracy in order to harness the full potential of hardware. “The team's expertise in calibration, motion planning, and force control has powered tens of millions of operations in real-world commercial environments. “We're thrilled to welcome the team into the Airbus Ventures startup portfolio.” Eureka says its strengths lie in its proprietary technologies (High Accuracy Calibration, Computer Vision, Motion Planning, Force Control) and extensive industrial deployment experience, with more than 25 million HA-HA operations to date in factories worldwide. Eureka has offices in Singapore, Vietnam, and Japan, and their customer base ranges from industry-leading companies such as Toyota, Denso, Bridgestone, Mitsui Fudosan, Sumitomo Bakelite from Japan, to Pratt & Whitney, Coherent, and Excelitas. MENAFN14122024005532012229ID1108993086 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.Genetic testing helps B.C. hereditary cancer survivor break the cycle