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HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — Ashlon Jackson scored a career-high 30 points and No. 13 Duke defeated No. 9 Kansas State, 73-62 on Monday, in the semifinals of the Ball Dawgs Classic. The Blue Devils (6-1) overcame an early 11-point deficit behind Jackon’s shooting hand to advance to Wednesday’s championship game against the winner of the game between No. 8 Oklahoma and DePaul. Jackson, who has scored in double figures in all six of Duke’s games, shot 12 of 19 (63.1%) from the floor, including 6 of 9 (66.7%) from 3-point range. Reigan Richardson added 16 points for the Blue Devils. Kansas State (5-1) was led by Ayoka Lee, who had 16 points. Serena Sundell scored 15 and Kennedy Taylor came off the bench to add 11 for the Wildcats. Takeaways Kansas State: With her 16-point performance, Lee needs 48 points to pass Kendra Wecker (2001-05) for the Kansas State career scoring record. Wecker scored 2,333 points. Lee, the 2024-25 Preseason Big 12 Player of the Year, is averaging 15.3 points. Duke: Jackson hit her season average of 13.3 points by the 3:54 mark of the second quarter when her pull-up jumper gave her 14. The junior guard was 8 of 11 from the floor, including 4 of 5 from 3-point range, and had 20 points by halftime. Key moment With the Blue Devils trailing by six midway through the second quarter, Jackson triggered a 15-0 run with 13 of the team’s points to help Duke take a lead they’d never relinquish. Up next Duke will face the winner of No. 8 Oklahoma-DePaul on Wednesday in the championship game, while Kansas State will face the loser in the consolation game. Get poll alerts and updates on AP Top 25 basketball throughout the season. Sign up here. AP women’s college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball
A Federal lawmaker in the House of Representatives, Clement Jimbo, on Wednesday, described the critics of the bill to establish the National Commission for Technology Transfer, Acquisition and Promotion as enemies of the country. Jimbo raised the concerns at a stakeholders engagement meeting organised by the Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research in Abuja with the theme ‘Planning for Economic Development and Policy Coordination in Federal State.’ The PUNCH reported two weeks ago that the contentious bill has scaled the first and second reading and has been brought up for public hearing. Jimbo, who was the sponsor of the bill had explained that the proposed legislation seeks to leverage the huge population to create jobs for youths, process raw materials and ultimately transfer the technology to Nigeria. But the Akwa Ibom lawmaker represented the Chairman of the House Committee on National Planning and Economic Development, Ibrahim Isiaka, said he was shocked to discover that some highly placed Nigerians are against the bill. He said, “I was heartbroken when some Nigerians, who are captains of different agencies came and talked down the bill on why it should not see the light of the day. I sat down there looking at them and concluded that some of our people are equally the reason Nigeria has not developed. “These are people saddled with critical responsibilities. These are opinion leaders and critical stakeholders. If we don’t develop this country, nobody will develop it for us. Today, there are certain social media platforms you cannot operate in China. They blocked it. “The USA is called a super-world power, which they also use as a bargaining chip to get whatever they need from other nations. Some persons see this proposed legislation as a threat to whatever they are sitting on. But this should not be done to the detriment of Nigerians. This country is bigger than any one of us.” Related News Nigeria to become leading agricultural exporter by 2025 – Tinubu Nigeria must embrace technology to drive growth, says Tinubu Tinubu arrives Immigration HQ to unveil technology complex Continuing, Jimbo expressed conviction that if assented into law by President Bola Tinubu, the bill has the power to boost local production and reduce importation by over 50 per cent. Earlier in her speech, the Director-General of NISER, Prof Antonia Simbine, announced that the institute is currently implementing a Special Team Research Project to focus on economic development and policy coordination. Simbine explained that the stakeholders’ engagement was to introduce the project to government partners and seek their input into its design and implementation. The DG also described development planning as a multifaceted and cross-cutting undertaking that plays an important role in shaping development goals and priorities. She said, “As a research parastatal of the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, NISER is expected to be a strong engine room for the provision of reliable inputs into its policy process activities. “Nigeria is one of the countries practising the federal system of government. This practice, while allowing the sub-national units to develop their plans for their growth, has frequently created duplication of policies, fragmentations, and overlaps among the tiers of government. “The scenario above underscores the need for policy coordination in a federal state. Indeed, several economic development plans in Nigeria have failed to achieve their aims and objectives due largely to inadequate planning and coordination across tiers of government. This has made the special team research project imperative and timely.” According to her, the study will provide insights into the different issues of policy coordination and frameworks for mainstreaming policy coordination across tiers of governments, including ministries and agencies, into the current and future national development agenda.‘They’ve become so bold now’: Tensions peak as baboons push into Cape Town’s urban spaces, seeking food
As part of its commitment to promoting integrity, trust, and positive behavioral change in Nigeria’s public service, Accountability Lab Nigeria on Thursday recognized five exceptional public servants with its 2024 Integrity Icons Award. The awardees are: Inspector Kamoshi Tada from Fagge Police Station, Kano State; Olugbenga Johnson Kuye of the Lagos State Accident and Emergency Centre (LASAEC); Ezekiel Osemuahu of the Edo State Public Procurement Agency; Temitope Ojoge of Fiwasaye Girls Grammar School, Ondo State; and Idowu Quadri, serving with the Onigbongbo Local Council Development Agency (LCDA), Lagos State. Speaking at the 8th edition of the Integrity Icon Summit held in Abuja, the Country Director of Accountability Lab, Odeh Friday, explained that the awardees were chosen from over 2,500 nominations submitted by Nigerians. The event was organized in partnership with the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Luminate, and the Yar’Adua Foundation. According to Odeh, Accountability Lab is unwavering in its mission to “name and fame” individuals who uphold honesty, accountability, and responsible leadership in a nation struggling with widespread corruption and a lack of transparency. “We are here today to celebrate amazing public servants who are doing the right thing—exceptionally well—to build trust between citizens and their government offices. Today, the Integrity Icon names and fames them,” Odeh said. Highlighting the initiative’s goal, he added: “For over eight years, we have been building a network of public servants with integrity—people who embody the right behaviors and norms to enhance trust in public service. By celebrating these icons, we aim to inspire hope among Nigerians and show that governance can indeed work for citizens.” Odeh also underscored that integrity in public service extends beyond avoiding bribes: “It’s also about ensuring accurate data reporting, proper procurement practices, and transparency in community projects. These actions build trust in government institutions, and that is why citizens, not us, nominate the icons. We review over 2,500 nominations to ensure their stories meet our criteria.” ALSO READ: Why Soludo awarded 621km of road in less than three years — Commissioner The keynote speaker, Dr. Otive Igbuzor, Founding Executive Director of the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development (Centre LSD), lamented the low trust Nigerians have in their government. Citing a report, he noted that only 43% of Nigerians express trust in governance, a gap he attributed to corruption, lack of transparency, poor service delivery, and broken promises. Speaking on the topic, “Building Trust in Governance Processes: The Power of Ethical Behaviors and Positive Norms,” Dr. Igbuzor stated: “The trust deficit has profound implications, from political instability and economic downturns to weakened social cohesion. For instance, this deficit has triggered protests and uprisings, such as in Sudan (2019), Sri Lanka (2022), and the #EndSARS protests in Nigeria (2020).” He proposed several practical measures to rebuild trust, including: strengthening governance institutions to enforce ethical standards, promoting inclusive governance to address the diverse needs of society, building capacity for ethical leadership, leveraging technology for accountability, and recognizing and rewarding integrity. Dr. Igbuzor emphasized: “Rebuilding trust in governance is both an urgent necessity and a collective responsibility. Ethical behaviors and positive norms form the cornerstone of trustworthy governance, fostering transparency, accountability, and inclusivity.” “As we celebrate these individuals of integrity, let their example serve as a call to all leaders and institutions to prioritize ethical conduct. Restoring trust is not just about institutional reforms; it’s about restoring hope and confidence in leadership and creating a system where citizens feel represented and valued.” Get real-time news updates from Tribune Online! Follow us on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive stories and interviews, and much more. Join our WhatsApp Channel nowAUSTIN, Texas, Dec. 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Qmerit, North America's leading provider of implementation and integration services for EV charging and other energy transition technologies, is announcing a banner year of alliances and launches designed to jumpstart the growth of electrification and electrical services in 2025. With its North American network of more than 24,000 licensed, certified, and highly trained electricians, Qmerit teamed with brands like Ford, GM Energy, Stellantis, Schneider Electric and Dominion Energy Virginia in ushering programs to make EVs more affordable and easier to use. Qmerit also became a certified installer for the Tesla Powershare charging system that's part of the Tesla Cybertruck. "Qmerit is in a unique position to help quarterback America's drive toward greater electrification," said Qmerit Chief Operating Officer Oliver Phillips. "Workforce underpins any initiative to increase electrification – we have a central role to play in catalyzing cross-sector solutions that meet the practical needs of consumers while creating jobs for America." Qmerit's 2024 calendar of accomplishments includes: These achievements build upon previous successes with such marquee brands as Chevrolet, Toyota, Cadillac, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Enterprise, NAPA, and the Phoenix water and power company SRP. "Qmerit has a strong history of working across the electrification ecosystem to forge consumer-centric solutions that blend complementary skills and services," said Tom Bowen, President of Qmerit Solutions. "We look forward to leveraging our position to help overcome barriers and challenges in driving electrification forward in the New Year." About Qmerit Qmerit is North America's leading provider of implementation solutions for EV charging, electrical services, and other energy transition technologies, simplifying electrification adoption for residential and business markets. Qmerit's value-driven services are delivered through a network of independent Certified Solutions Partners, Certified Installers and company-owned contractors skilled in system implementation and integration. Qmerit partners with top automakers from the U.S., Europe and Asia. It boasts customer experience (NPS) scores, high above the industry average. Qmerit's white paper, Electrification2030 , examines issues pivotal to broad EV adoption and greater home and building electrification by 2030. For more information, visit https://qmerit.com/ , and connect on Twitter , LinkedIn , Facebook , and Instagram . Media Contact: Samantha Graham samantha.graham@qmerit.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/qmerits-2024-milestones-open-growth-paths-for-evs-solar-battery-and-electrical-services-302326702.html SOURCE Qmerit Copyright © 2024 PR Newswire Association LLC. All Rights Reserved.Fears that rising loans could lead to debt trap
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:Photoshop maker Adobe forecast fiscal 2025 revenue below Wall Street estimates on Wednesday, suggesting the company's investments to weave AI into its software applications were taking longer than expected to bear fruit. Shares of the San Jose, California-based company fell nearly 9 per cent in extended trading. The company forecast annual revenue for 2025 between $23.30 billion and $23.55 billion, compared with estimates of $23.78 billion, according to data compiled by LSEG. Adobe is making significant investments in AI-driven image and video generation technologies in response to the growing competition from well-capitalized startups such as Stability AI and Midjourney. Although Adobe projected strong growth for the second half of the year in June, its forecast on Wednesday indicated the company was still struggling to monetize its AI push. "While the market's initial fears about AI disruption have subsided, Adobe's continued lack of AI monetization makes it increasingly difficult to pick them as a clear AI winner," said Charlie Miner, analyst at Third Bridge. The company's advancements into video-generation technology put it head-to-head with ChatGPT maker OpenAI, which boasts its own model, Sora. Adobe expects foreign exchange volatility and its shift towards subscriptions to cut into its fiscal 2025 revenue by about $200 million. However, DA Davidson analyst Gil Luria said the company is well-positioned to benefit from a return of enterprise spending, including from AI. "Adobe's image and video AI generation capabilities are getting broad adoption, which should continue to grow as the models get better," Luria said. Last month, the company added software tools that let customers use AI to create images based on Adobe's library of stock images. It forecast first-quarter revenue between $5.63 billion and $5.68 billion, which fell short of estimates of $5.73 billion. Adobe's fourth-quarter revenue rose 11 per cent to $5.61 billion from a year ago, beating market expectations of $5.54 billion. On an adjusted basis, the company earned $4.81 per share, compared with estimates of $4.66.
Ferris wheel ban Imposed: SinghPhoto: RCMP Tomasz Jaholkowski, 68, has been missing since Tuesday. He was last seen on the mountain at Sun Peaks Resort. UPDATE: 1:04 p.m. Kamloops Search and Rescue crews are still searching in Sun Peaks for a missing skier who hasn't been seen since Tuesday morning. In a social media post, KSAR said Tomasz Jaholkowski, 68, hasn't been heard from since his last ski run check-in at Sun Peaks around 11:35 a.m. Tuesday morning. Sun Peaks Resort said he was last seen on video surveillance at the West Bowl chairlift on Tod Mountain. He was reported missing the next day and KSAR said it was tasked out around noon. KSAR searched the area alongside Sun Peaks Ski Patrol with sleds, ground teams and a hummingbird drone team. A helicopter with spotters also swept the area until dark. North Shore Search and Rescue was asked to assist in the search at 8 p.m. Responding with Talon helicopters, the crew used thermal cameras, night vision and a helicopter-mounted RECCO. KSAR, Sun Peaks Ski Patrol and RCMP are continuing the search, with support from members of other search and rescue teams, helicopters and drones. Jaholkowski is described as white, 5-foot-10 and weighing around 180 pounds. He has grey hair and brown eyes and was last seen wearing a red and black Spyder ski jacket, dark ski pants, a black and red toque and green skis. Anyone with information that may point to Jaholkowski is asked to contact the Tk’emlúps Rural RCMP detachment at 250-314-1800. ORIGINAL STORY: 9:21 a.m. Police and search crews are scouring the Sun Peaks alpine for a skier missing for two days. Tomasz Jaholkowski, 68, was last seen checking into a run at Sun Peaks just after 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday. “Mr. Jaholkowski does not appear to have returned to his hotel room, nor has he been heard from since checking into the run on Tuesday,” Kamloops RCMP Cpl. Crystal Evelyn said in a news release. “We are very concerned for his wellbeing and are asking anyone who may have seen him or has information on his potential whereabouts to please contact police as soon as possible.” Evelyn said Mounties, search and rescue crews and Sun Peaks Ski Patrol members are searching for Jaholkowski. Police released a photo of Jaholkowski checking into that run on Tuesday morning. He is described as a white man standing 5-foot-10 and weighing approximately 180 pounds. He has grey hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information about Jaholkowski’s whereabouts can call police at 250-314-1800.