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OpenAI launches Sora AI video generator "We're going to try our hardest to be able to launch there," says Sam Altman in a livestream Artificial Intelligence giant OpenAI on Monday unveiled its much-anticipated Sora video generator to the public, stepping into the growing market of AI tools that have raised concerns about their impact on creative industries, AFP reported. The company, known for ChatGPT, introduced Sora Turbo, an upgraded version that offers notable speed improvements compared to the preview model released in February. Sora Turbo can now produce high-definition videos up to 22 seconds long. Although major tech players like Google and Meta have also announced video generation tools, none have yet lived up to the high expectations set by the launch of ChatGPT two years ago. During the launch event, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman acknowledged the technology’s early-stage development but emphasized that “it’s going to get a lot, lot better.” The service will be available to ChatGPT Plus and Pro subscribers, though it is not yet accessible in Europe or the UK. Altman assured viewers that the company is working hard to expand to those regions. Basic subscribers can generate up to 50 standard-definition videos per month and have the option to create content in different aspect ratios, as well as incorporate existing media. OpenAI has implemented several safeguards, such as metadata verification and visible watermarks, to prevent misuse. It is also temporarily restricting the generation of videos featuring real people as part of efforts to combat deepfake content. Despite the release, Sora faces challenges, with early reviews noting inconsistent realism and struggles with complex sequences. One OpenAI employee tempered expectations during the livestream, advising, “If you come into Sora expecting to click a button and generate a feature film, I think you’re coming in with the wrong expectation.” 'Salt Typhoon' prompts warning from security officials against text messaging Pakistan's mobile, broadband internet speeds among lowest in world WhatsApp users can now easily send sticker packs to anyone US clears export of advanced AI chips to UAE under Microsoft deal
2024: The year of AI at UBNFC's No. 1 seed comes down to Vikings-Lions showdown at Detroit in Week 18Berlin confirmed plans to reform its legal framework make it a clear criminal offence to “facilitate the smuggling of migrants to the UK” as part of the agreement, the Home Office said. The Home Office said the move would give German prosecutors more tools to tackle the supply and storage of dangerous small boats. Both countries will also commit to exchange information that may help to remove migrant-smuggling content from social media platforms and tackle end-to-end routes of criminal smuggling networks as part of the deal. It comes ahead of the UK and Germany hosting the so-called Calais Group in London, which sees ministers and police from the two countries, alongside France, Belgium and the Netherlands, gather to discuss migration in Europe. Delegates are expected to agree a detailed plan to tackle people-smuggling gangs in 2025 at the meeting on Tuesday. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “For too long organised criminal gangs have been exploiting vulnerable people, undermining border security in the UK and across Europe while putting thousands of lives at risk. “We are clear that this cannot go on. “Germany is already a key partner in our efforts to crack down on migrant smuggling, but there is always more we can do together. “Our new joint action plan with deliver a strengthened partnership with Germany, boosting our respective border security as we work to fix the foundations, and ultimately saving lives.” Nancy Faeser, German federal minister of the interior said: “We are now stepping up our joint action to fight the brutal activities of international smugglers. “This is at the core of our joint action plan that we have agreed in London. “I am very grateful to my British counterpart Yvette Cooper that we were able to reach this important agreement. “It will help us end the inhumane activities of criminal migrant smuggling organisations. “By cramming people into inflatable boats under threats of violence and sending them across the Channel, these organisations put human lives at risk. “Many of these crimes are planned in Germany. “Together, we are now countering this unscrupulous business with even more resolve. “This includes maintaining a high investigative pressure, exchanging information between our security authorities as best as possible, and persistently investigating financial flows to identify the criminals operating behind the scenes.”
Sunday, December 29, 2024 Search Search By MEO I n a week marked by volatile trading, Egypt’s stock market (EGX) closed in negative territory on Thursday, December 26. The benchmark EGX30 index dipped by 0.16%, finishing at 29,957.97 points. Similarly, the Shariah-compliant EGX33 index saw a decrease of 0.12%, landing at 3,077.31 points. The small and medium enterprises index, EGX70, dropped by 0.11% to 8,201.12 points, while the broader EGX100 index slightly declined by 0.06% to settle at 11,269.09 points. The total market capitalization reached approximately 2.19 trillion Egyptian pounds. T he trading week revealed a pattern of net selling by both Arab and non-Arab foreign investors, who offloaded stocks worth 278.7 million and 994.7 million Egyptian pounds, respectively. Conversely, Egyptian investors remained optimistic, acting as net buyers with acquisitions totaling 1.27 billion Egyptian pounds, according to data from the Egyptian Exchange. F inancial analyst Dr. Ahmed El-Sayed commented to Middle East Observer on the current market trends, saying, “The sell-off by foreign investors could be attributed to global market uncertainties and regional geopolitical factors. However, domestic investors’ resilience and confidence in the local economy have cushioned the market to some extent.” Top Gainers: Real Estate and Investment Sectors Shine Mena Touristic & Real Estate Investment ( MENA.CA ) led the risers, with its shares appreciating by 7.59% to close at 4.250 Egyptian pounds. Grand Investment Capital ( GRCA.CA ) followed closely, witnessing a 7.01% increase to 10.690 Egyptian pounds a share. Alexandria Flour Mills ( AFMC.CA ) also performed well, with a 5.91% rise, closing at 26.710 Egyptian pounds per share. Lagging Stocks: Pharmaceuticals and Land Reclamation Hit On the downside, Minapharm Pharmaceuticals ( MIPH.CA ) saw a drop of 5.04%, closing at 171.430 Egyptian pounds per share. El Arabia for Land Reclamation ( EALR.CA ) shares declined by 4.85%, ending at 50.780 Egyptian pounds. El Ahram Co. for Printing and Packing ( EPPK.CA ) also experienced a downturn, with its shares falling by 4.54% to 9.470 Egyptian pounds. Exclusive insights from financial markets strategist Leila Mahmoud suggest that Egypt’s economic reforms and potential policy shifts might play pivotal roles in shaping investor sentiment in the coming months. “While current fluctuations are partly driven by external pressures, Egypt’s ongoing efforts to stabilize its financial and economic sectors could help in attracting more sustainable investment flows,” she noted. Previous article Nasr Casting Company Reopens projecting a 47,000-Ton OutputLakers' Pelinka Thanks D'Angelo Russell After Trade, Hypes Finney-Smith's 'Toughness'
The ambitious goal of making Jammu and Kashmir Tuberculosis (TB) free by the end of 2025, as outlined by the Chief Secretary during a recent meeting, reflects a robust commitment to public health under the PM TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan. With TB being one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases, claiming millions of lives annually, this goal aligns with India’s larger objective of eradicating the disease nationwide. However, achieving this vision requires a multidimensional approach that addresses detection, treatment, awareness, and community involvement. J&K currently has a TB-affected population of approximately 11,650 individuals who are receiving free treatment across various healthcare facilities. While districts like Anantnag, Budgam, and Pulwama have already been declared ‘TB Free,’ others like Baramulla, Srinagar, and Kupwara are in the process of obtaining this certification. This progress is commendable but also underscores the immense challenge that lies ahead. The disease thrives on poor socio-economic conditions, lack of awareness, and delayed diagnosis, which necessitates a robust and comprehensive strategy. The fact that 463,872 presumptive tests have been conducted this year, achieving a testing rate of 3,047 per lakh of the population, is proof of the focused efforts of the administration. However, with 1,516 out of 4,243 Panchayats declared TB-free, the path to achieving complete elimination remains steep and calls for relentless efforts. One of the critical pillars in combating TB is the early detection of cases. The emphasis on contact tracing and intensive sampling, as highlighted in the meeting, is pivotal. TB is highly contagious, and undetected cases can lead to widespread transmission within communities. The ongoing ‘100-Days TB Campaign’ aims to expedite case detection in vulnerable populations, targeting high-priority districts like Jammu, Srinagar, and Baramulla. To further bolster detection efforts, leveraging technology and innovative diagnostic tools should be a priority. Mobile diagnostic units, expanded access to rapid molecular tests, and integrating TB testing in routine health check-ups at Health and Wellness Centres and Ayushman Aarogya Mandirs can bridge the gap in early diagnosis. While free treatment is already being provided, adherence to the prescribed regimen remains a significant hurdle. The administration’s initiative of providing Rs 1,000 monthly under the Nikshay Poshan Yojana, along with food baskets through Nikshay Mitras, is a commendable step toward ensuring nutritional support for patients. However, effective counselling, regular follow-ups, and community support are equally essential to keep patients on track with their treatment. Utilising ASHA workers, women SHGs under JKRLM, and other rural institutions to identify and support TB patients can be a critical component of the strategy. These grassroots organisations serve as vital conduits to reach the most vulnerable populations, raising awareness, collecting samples, and ensuring treatment compliance. Moreover, community involvement reduces the stigma associated with TB, encouraging more people to come forward for testing and treatment. The role of Nikshay Mitras deserves special mention. The voluntary adoption of TB patients by 5,406 Nikshay Mitras in J&K, providing food baskets and emotional support, is a model that should be further expanded. Engaging local influencers, religious leaders, and educators can amplify the campaign’s reach and impact. Awareness campaigns remain the backbone of any disease eradication program. The directive to send bulk messages to the families of TB patients, as suggested by the Chief Secretary, is a step in the right direction. Authorities must use both traditional and digital platforms to disseminate information about symptoms, treatment availability, and the importance of timely diagnosis. Effective monitoring mechanisms are crucial to track progress and address bottlenecks. Regular audits of TB facilities should be institutionalised. Senior officers’ visits to healthcare centres can ensure accountability, identify gaps, and provide on-ground support. TB-free J&K by 2025 is a mission that demands unwavering commitment, innovative strategies, and a united front. The success will ultimately depend on sustained efforts, adequate funding, and an adaptive approach to emerging challenges. The ‘100-Days TB Campaign’ and the ongoing activities must serve as catalysts to accelerate progress.ATLANTA (AP) — Jimmy Carter, the peanut farmer who tried to restore virtue to the White House after the Watergate scandal and Vietnam War, then rebounded from a landslide defeat to become a global advocate of human rights and democracy, has died. He was 100 years old . The Carter Center said the 39th president died Sunday afternoon, roughly 22 months after entering hospice care , at his home in Plains, Georgia, where he and his wife, Rosalynn, who died in November 2023, lived most of their lives. The center said he died peacefully, surrounded by his family. President Joe Biden mourned Carter’s death, saying the world lost an “extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian” and he also lost a dear friend. Biden cited Carter’s work to eradicate disease, forge peace, advance civil and human rights, promote free and fair elections and house the homeless as an example for others. Biden spoke later Sunday evening about Carter, calling it a “sad day” but one that “brings back an incredible amount of good memories." “I’ve been hanging out with Jimmy Carter for over 50 years,” Biden said in his remarks. He recalled the former president being a comfort to him and his wife Jill when their son Beau died in 2015 of cancer. The president remarked how cancer was a common bond between their families, with Carter himself having cancer later in his life. “Jimmy knew the ravages of the disease too well,” said Biden. The president has ordered a state funeral for Carter in Washington. A moderate Democrat, Carter ran for president in 1976 as a little-known Georgia governor with a broad grin, effusive Baptist faith and technocratic plans for efficient government. His promise to never deceive the American people resonated after Richard Nixon’s disgrace and U.S. defeat in southeast Asia. “If I ever lie to you, if I ever make a misleading statement, don’t vote for me. I would not deserve to be your president,” Carter said. Carter’s victory over Republican Gerald Ford, whose fortunes fell after pardoning Nixon, came amid Cold War pressures, turbulent oil markets and social upheaval over race, women’s rights and America’s role in the world. His achievements included brokering Mideast peace by keeping Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin at Camp David for 13 days in 1978. But his coalition splintered under double-digit inflation and the 444-day hostage crisis in Iran. His negotiations ultimately brought all the hostages home alive, but in a final insult, Iran didn’t release them until the inauguration of Ronald Reagan, who had trounced him in the 1980 election. Humbled and back home in Georgia, Carter said his faith demanded he keep doing whatever he could, for as long as he could, to try to make a difference. He and Rosalynn co-founded The Carter Center in 1982 and spent the next 40 years traveling the world as peacemakers, human rights advocates and champions of democracy and public health. Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002, Carter helped ease nuclear tensions in North and South Korea, avert a U.S. invasion of Haiti and negotiate cease-fires in Bosnia and Sudan. By 2022, the center had monitored at least 113 elections around the world. Carter was determined to eradicate guinea worm infections as one of many health initiatives. Swinging hammers into their 90s, the Carters built homes with Habitat for Humanity. The common observation that he was better as an ex-president rankled Carter. His allies were pleased he lived long enough to see biographers and historians revisit his presidency and declare it more impactful than many understood at the time. Propelled in 1976 by voters in Iowa and then across the South, Carter ran a no-frills campaign. Americans were captivated by the earnest engineer, and while an election-year Playboy interview drew snickers when he said he “had looked on many women with lust. I’ve committed adultery in my heart many times,” voters weary of political cynicism found it endearing. The first family set an informal tone in the White House, carrying their own luggage, trying to silence the Marine Band’s traditional “Hail to the Chief" and enrolling daughter Amy in public schools. Carter was lampooned for wearing a cardigan and urging Americans to turn down their thermostats. But Carter set the stage for an economic revival and sharply reduced America's dependence on foreign oil by deregulating the energy industry along with airlines, trains and trucking. He established the departments of Energy and Education, appointed record numbers of women and nonwhites to federal posts, preserved millions of acres of Alaskan wilderness and pardoned most Vietnam draft evaders. Emphasizing human rights , he ended most support for military dictators and took on bribery by multinational corporations by signing the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. He persuaded the Senate to ratify the Panama Canal treaties and normalized relations with China, an outgrowth of Nixon’s outreach to Beijing. But crippling turns in foreign affairs took their toll. When OPEC hiked crude prices, making drivers line up for gasoline as inflation spiked to 11%, Carter tried to encourage Americans to overcome “a crisis of confidence.” Many voters lost confidence in Carter instead after the infamous address that media dubbed his “malaise" speech, even though he never used that word. After Carter reluctantly agreed to admit the exiled Shah of Iran to the U.S. for medical treatment, the American Embassy in Tehran was overrun in 1979. Negotiations to quickly free the hostages broke down, and then eight Americans died when a top-secret military rescue attempt failed. Carter also had to reverse course on the SALT II nuclear arms treaty after the Soviets invaded Afghanistan in 1979. Though historians would later credit Carter's diplomatic efforts for hastening the end of the Cold war, Republicans labeled his soft power weak. Reagan’s “make America great again” appeals resonated, and he beat Carter in all but six states. Born Oct. 1, 1924, James Earl Carter Jr. married fellow Plains native Rosalynn Smith in 1946, the year he graduated from the Naval Academy. He brought his young family back to Plains after his father died, abandoning his Navy career, and they soon turned their ambitions to politics . Carter reached the state Senate in 1962. After rural white and Black voters elected him governor in 1970, he drew national attention by declaring that “the time for racial discrimination is over.” Carter published more than 30 books and remained influential as his center turned its democracy advocacy onto U.S. politics, monitoring an audit of Georgia’s 2020 presidential election results. After a 2015 cancer diagnosis, Carter said he felt “perfectly at ease with whatever comes.” “I’ve had a wonderful life,” he said. “I’ve had thousands of friends, I’ve had an exciting, adventurous and gratifying existence.” Sanz is a former Associated Press reporter.Syria's De Facto Leader Wants To Maintain 'Respectful' Ties With Iran, Russia
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Matt Hancock has revealed England's hospitals were on the brink, mere "hours" away from exhausting supplies of certain personal protective equipment (PPE) during the initial months of the Covid-19 crisis. The ex-health secretary disclosed to the Covid-19 inquiry that some PPE was in critical shortage across the first pandemic wave. He holds a firm belief that in any forthcoming pandemics, vaccines should be compulsory for NHS and social care workers, and that masks ought to be obligatory in hospitals immediately. When probed by lead counsel to the inquiry, Jacqueline Carey KC, about the pre-pandemic lack of gowns impacting the capacity to provide adequate PPE, Mr Hancock admitted: "The stockpile that we had was not as good as it needs to be in the future, absolutely." Enquired whether England ever completely depleted its PPE stock, he conceded: "As a whole? No, but individual locations did. "We came extremely close. We came within small numbers of items on a regular basis during April and May 2020 – by the second wave, we were in better shape. "Gowns I think at one point we got to within six or seven hours of running out. "We were working incredibly hard to make sure that we didn’t (run out). We nearly did." On the topic of facemask usage in hospitals during future pandemics, he commented: "It should be brought in immediately, and supplies need to be ready, preferably in each hospital, to make that possible." Additionally, Mr Hancock stated that ensuring health and social care workers are fully vaccinated is a "reasonable step that should be expected" and advocated for simultaneous implementation in the NHS and social care sectors. The policy requiring Care Quality Commission-registered care home staff to be fully vaccinated to work in care homes, unless medically exempt, came into effect in November 2021, with full enforcement from April 2022. Mr Hancock expressed regret over not applying this rule to both social care and the NHS at the same time, emphasising: "If you are employed to care for others, then you should take reasonable steps to ensure you are not harming those in your care." "A clinically proven vaccine is a reasonable step that should be expected." Earlier, Mr Hancock, who was booed by a campaigner as he arrived to give evidence, claimed he had "ruffled some feathers" by shielding the NHS from political interference. He also told the inquiry meddling from Number 10 created "incredible difficulties" in Covid-19 testing efforts. The inquiry's third module is scrutinising the repercussions of the virus on healthcare frameworks within the UK's four nations. When questioned about his witness statements, which alluded to "inappropriate political interference from Number 10" affecting the scope of these hearings, Mr Hancock acknowledged: "Well, of course some of it did. For instance, the biggest interference that caused difficulties was within testing, where some of the political appointees in Number 10 caused incredible difficulties." He also pointed fingers at Scotland's former first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, for instigating "all sorts of difficulties" during the crisis. At the onset of Thursday's hearing, Mr Hancock was probed about the protection of frontline workers throughout the pandemic. He maintained that the government did "everything we possibly could", but conceded: "Does that mean, in a system that employs 1.4 million people in the NHS, with another around two and a half million in social care, that every decision was perfect? Of course it wasn’t." Defending the Stay Home, Save Lives, Protect the NHS campaign, Mr Hancock affirmed its balance when asked, replying simply: "Yes. "We needed to ensure that the public across the whole of the UK understood the importance of staying at home whenever possible in order to stop the spread of the virus." Inquiry chair Baroness Heather Hallett questioned Mr Hancock about his assertion that the NHS was available to all during the pandemic based on need. She pointed out that individuals requiring cancer screening or major surgeries, such as hip operations, were unable to access necessary care. In response, Mr Hancock explained: "It was not safe clinically to go for some cancer treatment during the pandemic, because cancer treatment sometimes involves reducing the immune system. "It was better to delay some non-urgent operations in order to protect both the space in the NHS and the patients themselves because, as we know, you’re more likely to catch Covid in a hospital than in almost any other setting." Mr Hancock emphasized that "the overall point is, that we did not have a collapse in the system". Mr Hancock had previously resigned as Health Secretary after footage surfaced of him breaching social distancing rules by kissing his former aide, Gina Coladangelo, in his office. Following his sensational departure from the front bench, he joined the cast of the ITV reality series I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! Upon exiting Dorland House after giving testimony on Thursday, the ex-health secretary was greeted with cries of "liar" from protestors. ChronicleLive is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our communities. We have a number of communities to join, so you can choose which one you want to be part of and we'll send you the latest news direct to your phone. You could even join them all! To join you need to have WhatsApp on your device. All you need to do is choose which community you want to join, click on the link and press 'join community'. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the ChronicleLive team. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you’re curious, you can read our privacy notice . Join the ChronicleLive Breaking News and Top Stories community Join our Court & Crime community Join the Things to do in Newcastle and the North East community Join our Northumberland community Join our County Durham community Join our Sunderland community Join our NUFC community Join our SAFC community Join our Great North Run communitySyrian government services come to a 'complete halt' as state workers stay home after rebel takeover
British archaeologist Howard Carter opened the tomb of the Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun on November 26, 1922, in the Valley of the Kings in Egypt. The news sparked excitement across the world because most of the royal tombs had been plundered from early times and Tutankhamun's was the first to be found almost entirely undisturbed. But the discovery also sparked media reports about a deadly curse for anyone who dared break into a pharaoh's tomb. Speculation about the curse gained momentum when Carter's financial backer, English aristocrat Lord Carnarvon (shown), died just weeks later from blood poisoning. Other sudden and violent deaths followed: an Egyptian prince and expedition benefactor was shot dead by his wife in 1923; then in 1924 the British governor of Sudan was assassinated. The ensuing public frenzy about a pharaoh's curse gradually subsided, but sprang back to life in 1939 when Carter died alone and depressed of cancer aged 64. Midway through a news bulletin on November 26, 1977, a UK television broadcast was interrupted by an other-worldly voice. "This is the voice of Vrillon, a representative of the Ashtar Galactic Command, speaking to you. "For many years you have seen us as lights in the skies. "We speak to you now in peace and wisdom as we have done to your brothers and sisters all over this, your planet Earth." After six minutes, the channel returned to regular programming. The channel, Southern Television, blamed a hoaxer "jamming the transmitter". Widely considered one of the greatest films of all time, Casablanca premiered in New York on November 26, 1942. The film's release was rushed to take advantage of the publicity of the capture of Casablanca by American and British troops during World War II. Following its release it became a hit and went on to win three Oscars at the Academy Awards. Thousands of naked people filled Australia's iconic Bondi Beach on November 26, 2022, to help raise awareness of skin cancer. The event was organised by acclaimed American photographer Spencer Tunick. The more than 2500 participants represented the number of lives lost to skin cancer every year in Australia. Funds raised from the sale of Tunick's photos were donated to skin cancer research. Australian cricket captain Kim Hughes broke down in tears when he announced his shock resignation on November 26, 1984. Hughes had led the team for 28 matches but shocked the nation when he quit following a heavy defeat by the powerful touring West Indies side. He was succeeded by Allan Border. Hollywood's first colour film was released on November 26, 1922. The Toll of the Sea told the story of a Chinese woman who falls in love with a American man. It was a star-making turn for Anna May Wong, who became one of the biggest stars of the silent era. Wong would later leave Hollywood for Europe because she was tired of being passed over for white actors in "yellowface". Central Brisbane became a warzone when mass brawls between Australian and US troops erupted on November 26, 1942, during World War II. The incident became known as The Battle of Brisbane and left an Australian soldier dead and many from both nations injured. The normally warm camaraderie between the two allies during World War II descended into violence after incidents involving alcohol and social and racial divisions. (State Library Queensland) On November 26, 1976, the British punk rock group Sex Pistols released their debut single, Anarchy in the UK. The iconic punk song, which later appeared on the band's album, Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols , became an anthem for disheartened young people across the world. The group was dropped by their record company EMI two months later for a foul-mouthed appearance on a live television show.No ex-president had a more prolific and diverse publishing career than Jimmy Carter . His more than two dozen books included nonfiction, poetry, fiction, religious meditations and a children’s story. His memoir “An Hour Before Daylight” was a Pulitzer Prize finalist in 2002, while his 2006 best-seller “Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid” stirred a fierce debate by likening Israel’s policies in the West Bank to the brutal South African system of racial segregation. And just before his 100th birthday, the Dayton Literary Peace Prize Foundation honored him with a lifetime achievement award for how he wielded "the power of the written word to foster peace, social justice, and global understanding.” In one recent work, “A Full Life,” Carter observed that he “enjoyed writing” and that his books “provided a much-needed source of income.” But some projects were easier than others. “Everything to Gain,” a 1987 collaboration with his wife, Rosalynn, turned into the “worst threat we ever experienced in our marriage,” an intractable standoff for the facilitator of the Camp David accords and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. According to Carter, Rosalynn was a meticulous author who considered “the resulting sentences as though they have come down from Mount Sinai, carved into stone.” Their memories differed on various events and they fell into “constant arguments.” They were ready to abandon the book and return the advance, until their editor persuaded them to simply divide any disputed passages between them. “In the book, each of these paragraphs is identified by a ‘J’ or an ‘R,’ and our marriage survived,” he wrote. Here is a partial list of books by Carter: “Keeping Faith: Memoirs of a President” “The Blood of Abraham: Insights into the Middle East” (With Rosalynn Carter) “Everything to Gain: Making the Most of the Rest of Your Life” “An Outdoor Journal: Adventures and Reflections” “Turning Point: A Candidate, a State, and a Nation Come of Age” “Always a Reckoning, and Other Poems” (With daughter Amy Carter) “The Little Baby Snoogle-Fleejer” “Living Faith” “The Virtues of Aging” “An Hour Before Daylight: Memories of a Rural Boyhood” “Christmas in Plains: Memories” “The Hornet’s Nest: A Novel of the Revolutionary War” “Our Endangered Values: America’s Moral Crisis” “Faith & Freedom: The Christian Challenge for the World” “Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid” “A Remarkable Mother” “Beyond the White House” “We Can Have Peace in the Holy Land: A Plan That Will Work” “White House Diary” “NIV Lessons from Life Bible: Personal Reflections with Jimmy Carter” “A Call to Action: Women, Religion, Violence, and Power” “A Full Life: Reflections at Ninety”
Rocco Becht scored on a 1-yard quarterback sneak on fourth down with 56 seconds left and No. 18 Iowa State edged No. 13 Miami 42-41 on Saturday in the Pop-Tarts Bowl at Orlando, Fla. Becht also passed for 270 yards and three touchdowns as the Cyclones (11-3) overcame a 10-point deficit in the second half to secure their first 11-win season in school history. "We've been in those situations before," Becht said of the late fourth down. "We practice it all the time. I think our team just has the poise and the confidence to execute in the biggest moments." The Hurricanes (10-3), who lost for the third time in four games after starting the season with a 9-0 record, rushed for 308 yards -- most in school history in a bowl game. However, they had virtually no passing attack in the second half with backup Emory Williams under center. "When we win, we win as a team. We lose, we lose as a team as well," Hurricanes coach Mario Cristobal said. "When you look at certain aspects of our game, there were some issues. Sometimes it's communication, and sometimes it's alignment. Obviously it's nowhere near the standard for us. ... But yeah, there were some issues. It's not acceptable." Heisman Trophy finalist Cam Ward threw for 190 yards and three touchdowns for Miami. The first TD was the 156th of his career, breaking the Division I (FBS and FCS) record he shared with Houston's Case Keenum (2007-11) -- before sitting out the second half of his last college game. Williams, who was intercepted on the final play of the game, finished 5-for-14 passing for 26 yards. He was 3-for-8 for 20 yards when the Hurricanes got the ball back one final time at their own 20 with 47 seconds left. Both offenses combined to deliver an electric first half that featured 59 points and 625 total yards. After the Hurricanes fumbled the ball away on an errant snap on the game's first play, the teams scored touchdowns on eight consecutive possessions, starting with Becht's 9-yard throw to tight end Gabe Burkle on third-and-goal. Damien Martinez raced 75 yards to the end zone on Miami's second offensive play, and Carson Hansen answered with a 30-yard rushing touchdown. Ward knotted the score again with a 4-yard pass to Jacolby George. Becht, a Tampa area native, and Jaylin Noel connected for a 49-yard completion to the 1 and Hansen charged in the next play for a 21-14 lead with 2:23 left in the first quarter. The onslaught continued with three more touchdowns in the next eight minutes. Ward threw a 40-yard score to Joshisa Trader, Hansen caught a 13-yard pass from Becht for his third touchdown, and Ward hit Elijah Arroyo for a 33-yard score. Andy Borregales kicked a 30-yard field goal with 16 seconds left in the half for a 31-28 Hurricanes lead. Miami went up by 10 on Mark Fletcher Jr.'s 1-yard touchdown run with 8:09 left in the third quarter. Iowa State answered with Becht's third TD pass, a 4-yarder to Noel, the ensuing drive. Borregales knocked in a 21-yarder to put the Hurricanes up 41-35 with 9:40 remaining in the game. --Field Level MediaMusk wants to slash US government spending by a third, and Ramaswamy wants to cut 75% of the federal workforce. Can they? For months, Elon Musk, the world’s richest person, has been pushing for a department to slash United States government spending. On November 12, President-elect Donald Trump made his wish come true and announced that Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, an entrepreneur and failed Republican presidential candidate, would lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). DOGE appears to be an outside advisory department that will work in conjunction with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), a White House office in charge of helping the sitting president craft budget proposals to bring to Congress. Musk gave the department official government credentials on X, the social media platform he owns. “From everything we’ve heard now, what Elon and Vivek are proposing to do would be something similar to what the Office of Management and Budget and GAO [Government Accountability Office] does. OMB serves the president specifically to help manage federal agencies across the executive branch. Anything that goes to the president has to go through OMB first. Anything that comes from the president to other agencies has to go through OMB first,” a former senior Trump administration official who declined to be named told Al Jazeera. Regardless, it would not be an official cabinet position, which would require the formation of a new government agency, which would require congressional approval. The most recent agency to be created was the Department of Homeland Security, which opened its doors in 2003 in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, attacks. What is DOGE planning to do? Musk has promised to cut $2 trillion, or more than a third, of the US government’s annual budget. He said he wants to cut the number of agencies from 428 to 99 . Last week, he shared on X an old interview with Milton Friedman in which the economist lists the government departments that should be scrapped – agriculture, education, commerce – adding, “Milton Friedman was the best,” a post that is being read as things Musk would like to do. Ramaswamy, who will co-lead the office, said he wants to cut 75 percent of the federal government workforce. The federal government employs roughly 2 million civilians. A 75 percent reduction would mean that 1.5 million people would be out of a job, which, experts said, will strip down a range of services from food stamps to defence spending. To boost the effort, Trump ally and Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene has been picked to lead a DOGE subcommittee in the House of Representatives, in which she is to outline plans to fire government employees. The subcommittee has yet to be created. Musk has acknowledged that the move would create temporary hardships but said it is for long-term prosperity. “There are a lot of questions that are brought up by his stated goal of streamlining the government and by some of the metrics that he’s put out. [And that’s] before he’s done any of his initial analysis,” Ann Skeet, senior director of leadership ethics at the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University in California, told Al Jazeera. This week, Musk singled out specific government employees, questioning their jobs to his 205 million followers on X, The Wall Street Journal reported, many of whom then followed up with tweets targeting those people. Musk has oversimplified government programmes to make them sound ridiculous and worthy of cuts but has ignored why these programmes exist. He slammed , for instance, research in which the US government spent $4.5m to spray alcoholic rats with bobcat urine. However, this is part of a bigger research study into the relationship between alcoholism and post-traumatic stress disorder, a common issue among military veterans and one the research is trying to find treatment for. Musk’s willingness to make cuts “just speaks to an arrogance that because you’ve been successful in one domain, that doesn’t mean he can be successful in another domain”, Skeet said. Musk and Ramaswamy argued that Trump will be able to cut government jobs unilaterally under a policy called Schedule F, an executive order that Trump signed during his first term and never went into effect. It would have reclassified civilian civil servants as at will employees who serve at the pleasure of the president, similar to a political appointment like a cabinet secretary. It would strip job protections from these employees. Musk has a long record of firing people who are necessary to key functions of his companies, including during his takeover of Twitter when he laid off half its employees, a move that led to systemic failures across the company. As a result of his decisions, the company is now valued at 80 percent less than when he took it over. Musk has tweeted that DOGE is looking to hire people with high IQs who are willing to work 80 hours a week for no money and will need to buy a subscription to X to apply. Skeet warned that a skeleton staff manning the federal government “will impact how consumers will interact with the government – whether or not airplanes will be safe to fly and cars will be regulated in the correct way and sort of just will people get their tax returns on time”. Musk’s appointment is until July 4, 2026, in conjunction with the country’s 250th birthday, according to a Trump team press release. That is also only a few months before midterm elections. Conflicts of interest Musk’s appointment comes with significant conflicts of interest. He has claimed on X that his businesses were “smothered by bureaucracy” and DOGE would address that. Musk’s businesses have billions of dollars in government contracts. SpaceX alone received $3.8bn in government contracts in the 2024 fiscal year, most of which was work for NASA and the Department of Defense, according to government data. Those contracts include building the propulsion systems NASA uses while another contract is to use Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite internet service provider, to first responders during weather events like the floods in North Carolina. While SpaceX has the lion’s share of government contracts among Musk’s companies, some of his other firms also earn money from the US government, including Tesla. In the 2024 fiscal year, Tesla had $6m of government contracts. NASA and the Department of Commerce are the largest awarding agencies for the electric vehicle giant. “Having somebody who is a beneficiary of government decision-making, you know, in a role to decide which parts of government to streamline, is somebody who is fundamentally conflicted,” Skeet said. Musk’s conflicts of interest do not just stem from federal contracts but also agencies either investigating or sanctioning him and his businesses. As the co-head of this new agency, he would be in charge of coming up with financial policy decisions that could impact their future funding. One agency where Musk faces fines and investigations is the National Labor Relations Board, which investigates allegations of union busting and workforce harm. Musk faced complaints for his actions in the overhaul of Twitter, including lawsuits from employees he fired. Musk also faces a complaint lodged by the United Auto Workers union after his interview with then-candidate Trump in which the two joked about firing striking workers. That case is still open. The National Transportation Safety Board has pending investigations against Tesla on its self-driving cars, which have been involved in crashes, including one that killed a pedestrian in Arizona in 2023. Musk also has conflicts with the Department of Justice (DOJ), which has been trying to access all data and records pertaining to Trump’s X account as recently as last month as it investigates Trump’s role in the January 6, 2021, assault on the US Capitol by his supporters. Before the November elections, Musk was also accused of breaking federal election laws by the DOJ for a $1m daily giveaway conducted by his political action committee. In recent days, Senate Democrats have raised concerns about Musk’s calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin as early as 2022 and his sustained connections with high-level Russian officials, as reported by The Wall Street Journal. They have asked the DOJ to determine if Musk should be barred from future involvement in space contracts. There are other areas of potential conflicts. During President Joe Biden’s administration, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) awarded Starlink an $885m contract to provide access to rural America, but it was later revoked because the FCC didn’t think Starlink could provide the service. Musk slammed the decision as politically biased. Now Trump has picked Musk ally Brenden Carr to lead the commission. Carr is the top Republican on the FCC, who disagreed with the decision to deny Starlink the contract. He also wrote the chapter on the FCC in the conservative policy playbook for a second Trump term, Project 2025. The Securities and Exchange Commission is also a thorn in Musk’s side. As recently as September, the agency planned to sanction him for not showing up to testify for a second time over his acquisition of Twitter and rejected his proposal to pay a $2,923 fine for missing the deposition. But arguably, Musk’s conflicts of interest are neither unique to him nor are they new to Washington. Last year, an investigative report from the outlet Insider found that 78 members of Congress had not properly disclosed personal financial trades, which is required by law. The law is meant to combat issues like insider trading. Musk did not say whether he would divest before joining the government or serve as an outside adviser. He also did not respond to Al Jazeera’s request for clarification. At the same time, some of Trump’s policies might also negatively impact Musk. “From everything that President Trump has said, it sounds like he will be very tough on China, which will then serve Elon Musk poorly. He gets a lot of his materials that he needs for his different companies from China,” the former senior Trump administration official who spoke to Al Jazeera said. Tesla, for example, reportedly gets roughly 40 percent of its materials from China. Trump’s proposed tariffs on the country could be as high as 60 percent. In case the tariffs do kick in, “I don’t think it’s all necessarily going to be good for Elon as an adviser,” the official added. Can Musk actually serve? Given all of these factors, can Musk actually serve as head of DOGE under his current arrangements with Tesla, X and SpaceX? Ethics experts suggested they should be disqualifying. “What’s happening here is problematic. Elon Musk has built-in obvious conflicts of interest because the companies that he is associated with have relationships with the very government that he is now going to come in and try to make more efficient,” Skeet said. Legal experts, however, said it’s a bit more of an open question. Advisory committees whether for a federal agency or the president fall under a specific law that requires they make public their actions and meetings so the public can participate, explained Kedric Payne, vice president, general counsel and senior director of ethics at the Campaign Legal Center. But “it’s not clear that [DOGE] will fall under those transparency requirements of the law that applies to most advisory committees,” he said. That law is called the Federal Advisory Committee Act and requires that nongovernmental experts who provide federal agencies with advice publicly disclose their recommendations. Musk said on X he would do that. “In most situations where an official has a conflict of interest, there is a rule that can be enforced to stop that conflict of interest. In this situation, it is not clear yet whether or not there are any rules that could prohibit these conflicts,” Payne said. But with few specifics on how DOGE will be set up, there’s not a lot that can be said about the legal options, Payne pointed out. The Trump transition team, which did not respond to Al Jazeera’s request for comment, has publicly said it is compliant with all laws.
IRVING, Texas , Dec. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Commercial Metals Company CMC , in conjunction with its first quarter earnings release for fiscal 2025, invites you to listen to its conference call that will be broadcast live over the Internet on Monday, January 6, 2025 , at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time ( 10:00 a.m. Central) with Peter Matt , President and Chief Executive Officer, and Paul Lawrence , Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. The teleconference will also be available via webcast. To access the webcast (in listen-only mode), please visit CMC's Web site at www.cmc.com . About CMC CMC is an innovative solutions provider helping build a stronger, safer, and more sustainable world. Through an extensive manufacturing network principally located in the United States and Central Europe , we offer products and technologies to meet the critical reinforcement needs of the global construction sector. CMC's solutions support construction across a wide variety of applications, including infrastructure, non-residential, residential, industrial, and energy generation and transmission. View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cmc-announces-first-quarter-fiscal-2025-conference-call-webcast-details-302326343.html SOURCE Commercial Metals Company © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
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