Title: Trump Threatens NATO Member Countries to Consider Exiting the Organization
Published 23:23 IST, December 21st 2024 Andhra Pradesh govt and PhysicsWallah sign Rs 1,000 crore deal to establish a University of Innovation, focusing on AI and emerging technologies. Amaravati: The Andhra Pradesh government and EdTech company PhysicsWallah have signed an agreement to set up a University of Innovation (UoI) at an investment of up to Rs 1,000 crore. The UoI is set to emerge as the first institute of eminence in the state and aligns with Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu’s aim to provide the state’s youth with education in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies. “We are committed to investing up to Rs 1,000 crores by GSV Ventures - US and other investors, the purpose is to create an institution that combines academic learning with industry relevance. The UoI will help learners with the skills they might need in a constantly evolving job market, in an attempt to foster entrepreneurship and innovation,” said PhysicsWallah founder and chief executive Alakh Pandey in a press release on Friday. The UoI will work towards blending academic excellence, innovation, and research, focusing on addressing key challenges in education and employability. Following a hub and spoke model, the varsity will serve as a central hub with satellite centres across the southern state serving as spokes. Further, in a bid to keep the curriculum aligned with the market, PhysicsWallah is collaborating with industry partners like Amazon Web Services India Pvt Ltd to provide industry-relevant education. IT Minister Nara Lokesh added that the partnership with the EdTech company aims at advancing innovation and equipping Andhra Pradesh’s youth with skills which align with industry demands and standards. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Republic and is published from a syndicated feed.) Get Current Updates on India News , Entertainment News along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world. Updated 23:23 IST, December 21st 2024
Armour – and ready
The wants the incoming administration to drop a car-crash reporting requirement opposed by Elon Musk’s Tesla, according to a document seen by Reuters, a move that could cripple the government’s ability to investigate and regulate the safety of vehicles with automated-driving systems. Musk, the world's richest person, more than a quarter of a billion dollars helping Trump get elected president in November. Removing the crash-disclosure provision would particularly benefit Tesla, which has reported most of the crashes – more than 1,500 – to federal safety regulators under the program. Tesla has been targeted in National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigations, including three stemming from the data. The recommendation to kill the crash-reporting rule came from a transition team tasked with producing a 100-day strategy for automotive policy. The group called the measure a mandate for "excessive" data collection, the document seen by Reuters shows. The Trump transition team, Musk and Tesla did not respond to requests for comment. Reuters could not determine what role, if any, Musk may have played in crafting the transition-team recommendations or the likelihood that the administration would enact them. The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, a trade group representing most major automakers except Tesla, has also criticized the requirement as burdensome. A Reuters analysis of the NHTSA crash data shows Tesla accounted for 40 out of 45 fatal crashes reported to NHTSA through Oct. 15. Among the Tesla crashes NHTSA under the provision were a 2023 fatal accident in Virginia where a driver using the car's "Autopilot" feature slammed into a tractor-trailer and a the same year where an Autopiloted Tesla hit a firetruck, killing the driver and injuring four firefighters. NHTSA said in a statement that such data is crucial to evaluating the safety of emerging automated-driving technologies. Two former NHTSA employees said the crash-reporting requirements were pivotal to agency investigations into Tesla’s driver-assistance features that led to 2023 recalls. Without the data, they said, NHTSA cannot easily detect crash patterns that highlight safety problems. NHTSA said it has received and analyzed data on more than 2,700 crashes since the agency established the rule in 2021. The data has influenced 10 investigations into six companies, NHTSA said, as well as nine safety recalls involving four different companies. In one example, NHTSA Cruise, the self-driving startup owned by General Motors GM.N, $1.5 million in September for failing to report a 2023 incident in which a vehicle hit and dragged a pedestrian who had been struck by another car. GM said this week it would at Cruise and fold it into its group working on driver-assistance technology. NHTSA's so-called standing general order requires automakers to report crashes if advanced driver-assistance or autonomous-driving technologies were engaged within 30 seconds of impact, among other factors. In addition to ditching the reporting rule, the recommendations call for the administration to "liberalize" autonomous-vehicle regulation and to enact "basic regulations to enable development" of the industry. In an October Tesla earnings call, Musk called for “a federal approval process for autonomous vehicles,” rather than a patchwork of state laws he called “incredibly painful” to navigate. He said he would use his position as a government-efficiency czar, a post Trump had promised him, to push for such regulatory changes. After the election, Trump named Musk to co-lead a newly created Department of Government Efficiency to advise from “outside government” on slashing federal staff, spending and regulations. Tesla is among the most prominent automakers developing advanced driver-assistance features, which can assist with lane changes, driving speed and steering. Tesla’s Autopilot and “Full Self-Driving” systems, which are not fully autonomous, have come under intense scrutiny in lawsuits and examining whether Tesla exaggerated its vehicles' self-driving capabilities, misleading investors and harming consumers. Tesla despises the crash-notification requirement, believing that NHTSA presents the data in ways that mislead consumers about the automaker's safety, two sources familiar with Tesla executives’ thinking told Reuters. In recent years, Tesla executives discussed with Musk the need to push for scrapping the crash-reporting requirement, according to one of the sources. But because Biden officials expressed enthusiasm for the program, Tesla executives ultimately concluded that they would need a change in administration to get rid of the requirements, according to the source. Tesla finds the rules unfair because it believes it reports better data than other automakers, which makes it look like Tesla is responsible for an outsized number of crashes involving advanced driver-assistance systems, one of the sources said. NHTSA cautions that the data should not be used to compare one automaker's safety to another because different companies collect information on crashes in different ways. Bryant Walker Smith, a University of South Carolina law professor who focuses on autonomous driving, said Tesla collects real-time crash data that other companies don’t and likely reports a "far greater proportion of their incidents” than other automakers. Tesla also likely has a greater frequency of crashes involving driver-assistance technologies because it has more vehicles on the road equipped with them and drivers engage the systems more often, Smith said. That means the vehicles may more often get into “situations that they aren’t capable of handling,” he said.With 2025 on the horizon, Strathmore Mayor Pat Fule looks back on the successes achieved through the year and what is soon to come for the town. “I think we are pretty happy – there has been a (large) increase in development permits. We have had 186 residential permits issued, we have got some major development projects that are close to being ready, or else they have started construction,” said Fule. “We have the Shasta seniors care community complex development on Park Lane Way, we have got construction started at the old seed cleaning plant ... it is a multiplex of apartment buildings, and we have had some really good construction and infrastructure starts.” He explained the town is looking forward to issuing development and construction permits for more residential-type applications in 2025 and expanding Strathmore’s capacity to house members of the community. Between the 37 industrial, commercial, and institutional permits issued, $27 million in building value was added to Strathmore. Prior to releasing council until the start of the new year, the Town of Strathmore passed their new IDP framework bylaw which had been developed in partnership with Wheatland County, and was mandated by the province to be completed before the end of 2024. “Another exciting thing for 2024, we were able to host for the second year in a row, Premier Danielle Smith during our Strathmore Stampede, and that kind of thing creates a buzz around the parade and the Strathmore Stampede,” said Fule. “I think we are starting to be recognized as a destination for great events and for community things going on.” In May, the Town of Strathmore approved the Physician Sponsorship Grant pilot program, which aims to attract more physicians into town, making access to medical services easier and more reliable. The program was initiated after hearing from local residents that doctor availability is tough in Strathmore. By offering grants to support local medical offices in town, Fule said the town hopes to help relieve some of the pressure on the local medical systems, as well as make community life a little bit easier. Additionally, Frontier Diagnostics has expressed interest in and has put forward a proposal to bring a CT scanner into the Strathmore hospital. “Not only will the CT scanner at the Strathmore hospital help with residents in our region who need medical scanning treatment in a quick and efficient manner, but we think that having this kind of a scanner in our town may, as another benefit, attract young doctors who want to be able to have access to this type of scanning technology that is cutting edge,” said Fule. “They can also be working in the emergency department – it gives them a well-rounded bevvy of things that they can do in their professional practice rather than just being the old-style family doctor. They can actually be really accessing and having readouts on scans from the top-level professionals to help them in treating their patients.” Fule said he hopes going into the new year, the Town of Strathmore and Wheatland County will be able to better collaborate on regional partnerships such as what was able to take place with the development of the IDP framework. As the town approaches a population of 15,000 people, Fule is bracing for the inevitable funding model shift that will take place regarding the local RCMP once that threshold is breached. For towns below 15,000 people, the federal government pays 70 per cent of RCMP costs and the Town is responsible for the remaining 30 per cent. Beyond 15,000 people, the funding formula changes to 10 per cent being covered by the federal government, and 90 per cent being covered by the town. The tax increase which will be experienced in Strathmore in 2025 is among the lowest in Alberta, having been restricted to approximately 3.6 per cent. “It is very problematic for a town to have a zero per cent tax increase. When you do that, the town does not keep up with inflation and you are basically kicking problems down the road,” said Fule. “The town has to pay for inflationary raises in things like gas, diesel fuel, automotive and mechanical parts, deliveries – everything goes up with inflation. It is really difficult and problematic for a town to go for a zero per cent.” With approximately eight months remaining of this council’s term and the next election waiting in the wings, Fule commended council’s efforts and achievements throughout their time serving together. “This council has done some really good things. We have worked hard, we have worked well together,” he said. “When we focus on the big-ticket items and when we focus on our strategic plan that we lay out ... we have done some really good things and we have managed to control and keep a good tax increase for next year. “We have got some big projects done; we are looking to the future; we are going to be working hard to manage the growth in the early part of 2025. I am still excited by the job – I still feel a great deal of satisfaction when we accomplish good things as a group.” Fule specifically noted that on behalf of the town, administration and staff, he wished the local community a Merry Christmas, as well as a safe and happy New Year. “I am looking forward to 2025,” he said. “I am ready, I am energized, and I am ready to go.”
On , four NFL teams will play on the holiday for the fifth consecutive season, but this year the games will be streamed on Netflix. The event will also include a star-studded halftime show featuring , who made a playful dig at the streaming platform. Beyoncé will headline the second game on Christmas Day, where the Baltimore Ravens will face off against the Houston Texans. This game is a fitting backdrop for her most recent album, ' ,' a tribute to her Texas roots and a blend of country and R&B. The megastar took to social media to promote her upcoming performance with a clip, humorously poking fun at the streaming giant that recently experienced technical issues during the fight. In the 30-second video, Beyoncé is playing a banjo while the clip lags when focused on her face as she winks. The streaming giant, in response to the recent technical issues, has made significant efforts to optimize their technology and for the Christmas Day games. I’m sending you big joy and love on this Cowboy Christmas Eve ❤️ I’ll see y’all tomorrow, in my city HTX 🤟🏽🏈🪕🌵🎄 — BEYONCÉ (@Beyonce) The Kansas City Chiefs take on the Pittsburgh Steelers at 1 p.m. ET followed by the Baltimore Ravens taking on the Houston Texans at 4:30 p.m. ET. NFL viewers can subscribe to any Netflix plan to access Wednesday's doubleheader broadcast, starting with the "standard with ads" option for $6.99 per month, up to the "premium" plan at $22.99 per month. However, there are some exceptions to this. Fans who have the NFL’s premium subscription service, NFL+, can stream each game on their mobile devices using the NFL app. Beyoncé halftime show will take place during the Baltimore Ravens vs. Houston Texans game which will begin at 4:30 p.m. ET.
Iran has highlighted the growing sophistication of its thriving missile industry and missile technology. Published: December 21, 2024 11:12 PM IST By Edited by As part of its missile development and enhancement programme, Iran has showcased its domestically developed BM-300 surface-to-surface ballistic missile at the Vietnam International Defence Expo 2024 in Hanoi, Vietnam. The Exhibition started on December 19 and will conclude on December 22. With its participation, Iran has highlighted the growing sophistication of its thriving missile industry and missile technology. The BM-300 surface-to-surface ballistic missile is an advanced weapon system designed for high-precision strikes which reflects Iran’s commitment to strengthening its regional deterrence while exploring opportunities for military exports. The battery of BM-300 surface-to-surface ballistic missile system is mounted on a 6×6 truck chassis thus providing mobility and operational efficiency. The vehicle has a crew cabin at the front, with a small shelter located directly behind it, which houses all the equipment necessary for fire control operations. The design is compact yet useful that allows the crew to manage targeting and launching procedures from a protected environment. A launcher ramp is installed at the rear of the vehicle, designed to carry and fire a single BM-300 missile. This integrated setup enhances the system’s mobility, enabling it to operate in diverse terrains and deploy rapidly for tactical missions, making it a versatile asset for modern battlefield scenarios. The BM-300 is a single-stage, solid-fuel ballistic missile designed to destroy critical infrastructure such as command posts, missile bases, ammunition depots, and airstrips. It has a range of 150 to 300 km and an RCS of less than 35 m, and is claimed by its developer to offer a powerful combination of range, mobility, and accuracy. Given the range and power of the missile, it will certainly cause a lot of trouble to the US military bases in the Persian Gulf and advances made by Israel’s military in Syria in what is being viewed as a precursor to its invading Iraq, which shares a long stretch of border with Iran. The BM-300 is part of Iran’s broader missile modernisation programme. Over the past decade, Tehran has developed a number of ballistic missiles, including the Fateh-110, Qiam-1, and Khorramshahr. Now, another addition to that arsenal has been added. By demonstrating the BM-300 missile system at an international exhibition, Iran has made clear its ambition to mark a place for itself in the global arms market. It is to be noted that both Iran and Vietnam have an evolving defence relationship given the changed global scenario. Iran has made some of the most potent, effective drones and missiles as its defence industry, especially the missile development programme has evolved significantly over the past few years in the face of international sanctions, regional rivalries, and military threats. Iran’s display of the BM-300 in Vietnam will certainly establish the Persian nation as a viable developer and manufacturer of military hardware and defence exporter. For breaking news and live news updates, like us on or follow us on and . Read more on Latest on . TopicsEmirates Stadium: A Legacy of History and Future Glory
The US finalizes CHIPS Act funding for Samsung and Texas Instruments
In the wake of the controversy, Dong Yuhui made a conscious effort to revamp his business strategies and practices. He focused on building a solid foundation of integrity and excellence, ensuring that his business operations were above reproach. By instilling a culture of honesty and accountability within his organization, Dong Yuhui was able to regain the trust of his stakeholders and investors, setting the stage for future growth and expansion.
Amidst the sea of sorrow and confusion, one thing became abundantly clear - the boy, whose name may never be known, had touched the hearts of many. His untimely passing served as a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the indiscriminate nature of tragedy.In recent years, the hospitality industry has witnessed a trend of chain hotels expanding into county towns, tapping into what is seen as a new blue ocean for business opportunities. The question of whether opening a hotel in a county town is profitable has sparked debates among investors and entrepreneurs. Let's delve into the pros and cons of venturing into this sector and explore the potential challenges and rewards.Mayor visits slaughter house in Ghazipur
Helibytes Sdn. Bhd. Joins Easydmarc's MSP Program To Enhance Email Security And Deliverability For ClientsCoach Tyronn Lue expressed his support for Leonard during this challenging time, emphasizing the importance of proper rest and rehabilitation to ensure a full recovery. Lue also highlighted the need for other players to step up in Leonard's absence and take on additional responsibilities to maintain the team's competitive edge.Nagpur, Dec 21, (IANS): Finally, the wait is over. Governor CP Radhakrishnan on Saturday approved the portfolio allocation to the ministers as recommended by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The list was released after the conclusion of a weeklong winter session. Fadnavis will hold home, energy excluding renewable energy, law and judiciary, general administration, information and publicity and departments/subjects not allowed to any other minister. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde will hold urban development, housing and public works (public enterprises) while Deputy CM Ajit Pawar will be in charge of planning and finance and excise. Chandrashekhar Bawankule will hold the revenue department while Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil will be in charge of the water resources department including Godavari and Krishna Valley Development Corporation. Hasan Mushrif will hold medical education, Chandrakant Patil higher and technical education and parliamentary affairs, Girish Mahajan water resources including Vidarbha, Tapi, Konkan Development Corporation and disaster management. Ganesh Naik will hold forest, Gulabrao Patil water supply and sanitation, Dadaji Bhuse school education, Dhananjay Munde food and civil supplies and consumer protection, Mangallrabhat Lodha skill development, employment, entrepreneurship and innovation, Uday Samant industries and Marathi Language, Jaykumar Rawal marketing and protocol, Pankaja Munde environment and climate change and animal husbandry and Ashok Uike tribal development. Atul Save will hold OBC welfare, dairy development and renewable energy, Shabhuraj Desai tourism, mining and ex-servicemen welfare, Ashish Shelar information technology and cultural affairs, Dattatray Bharne sports, youths welfare, minorities development and Aukaf, Aditi Tatkare women and child development and Shivendraraje Bhosale public works excluding public enterprises. Manikrao Kokate will be in charge of agriculture, Jaykumar Gore rural development and panchayat raj, Narhari Zirwal food and drug administration and special assistance, Sanjay Savkare textiles, Sanjay Shirsat social justice, Pratap Sarnaik transport and Bharatsheth Gogawale employment guarantee, horticulture, salt pan land development, Makrand Jadhav Patil relief and rehabilitation, Nitesh Rane fisheries and ports, Akash Fundkar labour, Babasaheb Patil cooperation and Prakash Abitkar public health and family welfare. The minister of state Ashish Jaiswal will hold finance and planning, agriculture, relief and rehabilitation, law and judiciary and labour while the minister of state Madhuri Misal urban development, transport, social justice, medical education, minorities development and Aukaf. Minister of State Pankaj Bhoyar will hold home (rural), housing, school education, cooperation and mining while Meghna Sakore Bordikar will get public health, family welfare, water supply and sanitation, energy, women and child development. Minister of State Indranil Naik will hold industries, public works, higher and technical education, tribal development, tourism, soils and water conservation while Yogesh Kadam will hold home (urban), revenue, rural development and panchayat raj, food and civil supplies and consumer protection, food and drug administration. Fadnavis had expanded his cabinet with the induction of 39 ministers on December 15. Even though he had announced that the portfolio allocation would be done in two days, it was delayed due to hard negotiations among the MahaYuti partners. The strength of the Fadnavis-led cabinet is 42 against 43 permissible under the legislative norms. Shinde insisted on allocating home, revenue and housing but BJP has rejected his demand while agreeing to give him housing. Ajit Pawar has retained planning and finance and in addition, got the excise department.