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Seadrill Announces Sale of Jack-Up West ProsperoJoel Piroe bagged a brace as Leeds moved to the top of the Championship with a 2-0 win away at struggling Stoke. Earlier, Sheffield United surrendered their lead at the top after a 2-0 home loss to fellow promotion-rivals Burnley. Josh Brownhill (43rd) and Zian Flemming (53rd) scored to shock the Blades on Thursday, with Socceroos and Sheffield central defender Harry Souttar also copping a booking. Piroe, the Whites' leading marksman, struck either side of half-time to move Leeds to the summit of the table on goal difference. The win was Leeds' seventh in their last nine games overall, but just their second in their last eight away matches. Sunderland's hopes of maintaining the pressure on the sides above them were hit by a last-gasp equaliser by Harry Leonard for Blackburn at Ewood Park. Two swift second-half goals from Chris Rigg and Wilson Isidor had wiped out Yuki Ohashi's early opener and looked set to win it for the Black Cats until Leonard fired home in the 90th minute. Sheffield Wednesday surged back from a 3-0 half-time deficit to snatch a point in a 3-3 draw with 10-man Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium. A Finn Azaz double capped a brilliant first half display by Boro after Ben Doak's opener, but second-half strikes from Svante Ingelsson, Josh Windass and Yan Valery sealed the comeback by the hour mark while the hosts had Rav van den Berg sent off. Derby beat managerless West Brom 2-1 as Mason Holgate's own goal proved decisive. Jerry Yates fired the Rams in front and Holgate deflected in Kayden Jackson's effort, with Grady Diangana's goal mere consolation for an Albion team under the temporary stewardship of Chris Brunt after Carlos Corberan's departure for Valencia. Frank Lampard got one over his old England teammate Wayne Rooney as rock-bottom Plymouth were thumped 4-0 at Coventry. All the Sky Blues' goals came in the first half from Tatsuhiro Sakamoto, Ephron Mason-Clark and a Josh Eccles double, while Argyle had Callum Wright sent off three minutes from time. Gary Rowett got his reign as Oxford boss off to a bright start as goals from Mark Harris, Ciaron Brown and Przemyslaw Placheta saw them cling on for a 3-2 win over Cardiff, while Rocco Vata scored deep into injury time to claim a 2-1 win for Watford against Portsmouth at Vicarage Road. Liam Cullen's double sent Swansea on their way to a 3-0 win over QPR and first half goals from Emiliano Marcondes and Oscar Schwartau were enough for Norwich to see off Millwall at Carrow Road. Brad Potts scored the only goal in Preston's 1-0 win over Hull and Scott Twine did likewise as Bristol City beat Luton by the same score.
Congress Charts 2025 Roadmap At CWC Meet
Ricardo Salinas Pliego is no stranger to controversy and crisis. Over decades, the entrepreneur has feuded with business partners, investors and regulators as he built an empire that’s made him Mexico’s third-richest person. But even for Salinas, the current financial predicament is dire — and also a little odd. Ricardo Salinas Pliego is in a financial predicament. Credit: Bloomberg That’s because the bulk of his $US10.5 billion ($16.3 billion) wealth is tied up in a company, Grupo Elektra, that is poised to plunge in value as soon as it begins trading again on the Mexican stock exchange. This is where things get weird. Officials have been trying for days to lift the halt on the stock that was imposed in July, only to give up once buy orders hit trading screens in the pre-market auction. The problem: the bids are so shockingly low, coming in at less than 50 per cent of the stock’s value in July, that the market circuit breaker designed to limit volatility is immediately tripped, and the stock is halted again without a single transaction taking place. So for official bookkeeping reasons, Elektra’s shares are still worth the same 944.95 pesos they were quoted at on July 26, and Salinas’ wealth remains, precariously for now, intact. The cause of the initial ban was, like many things involving Salinas, a bit mysterious. Salinas himself had triggered the trading halt in July when he alleged a creditor had used the company shares to fund a $US110 million loan. Lawyers for the billionaire said most of the shares appeared to have been sold, pushing the stock price down — with the rest allegedly pocketed by the creditor. The creditor has denied any wrongdoing. Index suspension What followed the allegations of fraud was easier to understand — after a month of no trading, Elektra got booted from the country’s main stock gauge, leaving it without the crucial support of index-tracking funds needed to support the share price. Which is why traders have been lobbing in such lowball bids when the exchange tried to restart trading. In another unusual twist, lawyers for Salinas are fighting in court to prevent the stock from trading. On Friday morning, Elektra said that resuming trading would cause “irreparable damage to the company” adding that the exchange and regulators would be responsible for any “adverse effects.” It is, analysts said, a not-so-veiled play to keep the stock price from collapsing. Salinas is the third-richest person in Mexico. Credit: Bloomberg “It’s a golden cage — looks real pretty but it’s still a cage,” said Carlos Legaspy, chief executive officer of broker-dealer Insight Securities. A spokesperson for the billionaire didn’t respond to requests for comment on Elektra or his wealth. Salinas has won legal rulings against the Mexican exchange before. Back in 2012, his lawyers filed lawsuits against exchange officials and successfully beat back an attempt to kick it off the same index. Officials had alleged the company was manipulating the amount of floating shares to help maintain its inclusion in the benchmark. Uncle Rich Salinas controls nearly 80 per cent of Elektra’s outstanding shares, according to data compiled by Bloomberg, and has relied on that holding to borrow money and support the extravagant lifestyle he depicts with his online “Tio Richie,” or Uncle Rich, persona. His stake in the company, which offers everything from appliances to telephones and motorcycles, and also includes branches of Banco Azteca, represents three-quarters of his net worth, the data show. “If you use your budding empire as a personal piggybank, things may eventually turn iffy,” said Diego Ferro, founder of M2M Capital, a New York-based investment firm focusing on emerging markets. Meanwhile, Salinas is facing another potential blow to his wealth. Since last year, the billionaire has been locked in an increasingly heated confrontation with the government over billions of dollars in tax claims. The government alleges that four of his companies owe some 63 billion pesos ($4.7 billion) in taxes in 17 different cases going back as far as 2008. Salinas has argued that the government is trying to “charge us twice” by not recognising deductions from losses. After years of court battles, several claims against Elektra are in their final appeals before the Supreme Court, which could rule in the coming months. Even with the share freeze, Salinas’ net worth has fallen 28 per cent this year from $US15.6 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. As painful as the financial hit may ultimately be, Legaspy, the CEO at Insight Securities, said there’s one thing he’s certain of when it comes to someone as resilient and deep-pocketed as Salinas: “He’ll survive.” Bloomberg The Business Briefing newsletter delivers major stories, exclusive coverage and expert opinion. Sign up to get it every weekday morning .After delay, Trump signs agreement with Biden White House to begin formal transition handoffAlthough (Reinas) is Switzerland’s entry for the this year, the movie is actually set in Peru and told in Spanish. Director and co-writer Klaudia Reynicke, who left her native Peru at the age of 10, says the film helped her reconnect with her roots after spending most of her life in Europe and the U.S. “I didn’t think it in a conscious way, but I had a need of going back to Peru and shooting something in Spanish,” she said during a panel at Deadline’s Contenders Film: International awards-season showcase. “Now that I have done it,” Reynicke added, “I can see that it was actually very important this reconnection, something has changed. I guess cinema allows this, right?” While is not Reynicke’s own personal story, “it’s definitely very, very connected to it,” she said. The touching family drama — which also has comedic elements — is set in 1992 Peru as the country undergoes social and political upheaval. Single mother Elena is making plans to leave the country with her daughters Lucía and Aurora, but needs their predominantly absent father, Carlos, to sign papers to allow the daughters to cross a border. The girls, whom the well-intentioned but hapless Carlos calls “queens,” are at first skeptical of him. But they eventually warm to their father as the impending farewell from home and family draws ever nearer. This is Reynicke’s third feature, and premiered at Sundance before going on to win the Grand Jury Prize for Best Feature in the Generation Kplus strand of Berlin. In Locarno, it won the Audience Award and took Best Screenplay at the Festival de Lima in Peru. Gonzalo Molina, who plays Carlos, describes the character as “a broken man” who thinks the only way to be forgiven “by these two lovely kids is calling them queens ... Carlos thinks that they are better in many ways than him.” He also “doesn’t know how to repair the damage, but he tries to make things a little better.” Luana Vega, who plays Aurora, says she had to “search for these feelings” when playing “the resentment Aurora has ... Aurora has lived more of this not-present father and Lucía hasn’t, so I think that’s why she tries to take advantage of him.” And yet, the family does come together before parting ways, with Reynicke framing them as a unit. “When you feel that this group of people is becoming a family finally, and the camera embraces them, that’s when you know there is going to be a big separation,” she said. “But to me it’s not really a bad ending, it’s actually life. The family has gained in love and has gained in solidity.” Check back Monday for the panel video. Sign up for . For the latest news, follow us on , , and .
TEHRAN – Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Majid Takht Ravanchi reaffirmed Iran's commitment to tackling regional and global issues through cooperation during talks with Russian Deputy Foreign Ministers Andrey Rudenko and Sergei Ryabkov in Moscow. During these discussions, emphasis was placed on the significance of ongoing international consultations and the advancement of multilateralism. The conversations spanned various subjects, such as bilateral relations, regional and global developments, and collaboration within the BRICS framework. Takht-Ravanchi took to X on Friday to describe the discussions as "constructive and fruitful," emphasizing potential negotiations on nuclear issues and sanctions termination. He expressed Iran's determination to continue consultations with its partners to address regional and global challenges. The two sides emphasized the need for continued dialogue on legal and customs incentives to facilitate trade, strengthen economic ties, and advance a comprehensive cooperation agreement. Initiatives like the North-South Corridor and the 3+3 consultative mechanism for the Caucasus region were highlighted as key areas of focus. Another part of the discussions involved exchanging views on enhancing international peace and security, especially in the face of pressures from states engaging in unilateral actions that violate international law, human rights, and humanitarian principles. Additionally, the senior Iranian diplomat discussed the country's relations with North and South American countries, cooperation with BRICS nations, and broader international security matters. Reaffirming Iran’s commitment to transparency in its nuclear activities, Takht-Ravanchi reiterated Iran's dedication to its international obligations and its support for a constructive approach to global affairs.Mike Johnson Calls on Biden to 'Speak Up' as Trump Cabinet Picks Targeted
NEW YORK , Dec. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report on how AI is driving market transformation - The global social media analytics market size is estimated to grow by USD 14.01 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of over 31.33% during the forecast period. Growing availability and complexity of data is driving market growth, with a trend towards surging use of advanced targeting options. However, concerns associated with interpreting unstructured data poses a challenge. Key market players include Adobe Inc., Agorapulse SAS, Big Propeller LLC, Brand24 Inc., Cision US Inc., Digimind, GoodData Corp., International Business Machines Corp., Khoros LLC, Meltwater NV, MetaQuotes Ltd., NetBase Solutions Inc., Oracle Corp., Reputation Group of Companies, Salesforce Inc., SAP SE, SAS Institute Inc., Simplify360, Sprout Social Inc., and Talkwalker Sarl. AI-Powered Market Evolution Insights. Our comprehensive market report ready with the latest trends, growth opportunities, and strategic analysis- View Free Sample Report PDF Key Market Trends Fueling Growth Social media analytics is a vital business tool that helps companies make data-driven decisions. Advanced technologies like AI speech recognition and machine learning power this market, collecting and analyzing data from social media platforms and tools. Real-time monitoring, performance measurement, and campaign optimization are key trends. Blockchain solutions and cybersecurity measures ensure data security. Self-learning systems and neuroscientific principles enhance insights. Demographic information, competitive information, and business information are crucial data points. Profit margins, workforce management, and customer data are other essential areas of focus. Unstructured social data, cloud adoption, and SaaS solutions are emerging trends. Industries like media & entertainment, IT & telecom, healthcare, and travel benefit greatly. Data identification, preparation, modeling, visualization, and data security concerns are ongoing challenges. Social media analytics drives customer service, engagement, and targeted marketing. User sentiments, competitor intelligence, and influencer tracking are essential for businesses. Cloud-based analytical solutions and AI-powered tools are the future. Social media analytics plays a crucial role in identifying potential customers for businesses by analyzing user data on various social networks. Beyond demographic and geographic targeting, social media analytic tools offer interest targeting, allowing brands to reach consumers based on their stated interests, activities, and skills. This service, available on Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Twitter, enables effective keyword research and market exploration. By promoting product segments to interested audiences, social media analytics enhances the reach and effectiveness of social media advertising. Insights on how AI is driving innovation, efficiency, and market growth- Request Sample! Social media analytics is a vital business tool for understanding customer behavior, trends, and competition in today's digital landscape. Advanced technologies like AI speech recognition and machine learning help in data modeling, identification, and preparation. However, challenges include data collection from various social media platforms and tools, real-time monitoring, and data security. Blockchain solutions and cybersecurity measures ensure data privacy and integrity. Self-learning systems and neuroscientific principles enhance performance monitoring and customer engagement. Profit margins rely on demographic information, competitive and business intelligence, and customer data. Emerging technologies like cloud adoption, SaaS, and AI-powered solutions offer unstructured social data analysis, targeted marketing, and emotional intelligence. Industries like media & entertainment, IT & telecom, healthcare, and travel benefit from social media analytics. Data security concerns and cloud deployment models are key considerations for large enterprises. Brands use social media analytics for customer service, workforce management, and user sentiments analysis. In today's business landscape, managing a company's social media presence is a crucial aspect of brand building and customer engagement. Social media platforms provide both free and paid services for businesses to advertise, promote, and endorse their products and services. An experienced professional is responsible for managing the organization's social media profile, ensuring timely updates and relevant feeds. Customer interaction on these platforms is essential for determining the success of products and building brand loyalty. The sheer size of the audience requires a substantial investment in manpower to effectively manage the official page. Companies delegate this responsibility to individuals or teams to maintain a strong online presence. Insights into how AI is reshaping industries and driving growth- Download a Sample Report This social media analytics market report extensively covers market segmentation by 1.1 Sales and marketing management 1.2 Customer experience management 1.3 Competitive intelligence 1.4 Risk management 1.5 Public safety and law enforcement 2.1 Retail 2.2 Government 2.3 Media and entertainment 2.4 Travel 2.5 Others 3.1 On-premise 3.2 Cloud 4.1 North America 4.2 APAC 4.3 Europe 4.4 South America 4.5 Middle East and Africa 1.1 Sales and marketing management- Social media analytics (SMA) professionals utilize natural language processing and analysis to understand consumer behavior on social media platforms. These tools identify industry capability gaps and inform sales and marketing strategies based on customer feedback. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, brands have had to adapt their advertising, marketing, and promotional activities. Consumer engagement through social media has shifted, leading businesses to restructure their campaigns for sustained interest and spending while maintaining a healthy return on investment. These factors contribute to the growth of the SMA market during the forecast period. Organizations leverage social media data to optimize marketing techniques and boost sales. Download complimentary Sample Report to gain insights into AI's impact on market dynamics, emerging trends, and future opportunities- including forecast (2024-2028) and historic data (2017 - 2021) Social media analytics is a dynamic and evolving market driven by advanced technologies that help businesses make data-driven decisions. It involves data collection from various social media platforms, audience analysis to understand customer behavior, and competitor analysis to stay ahead of the competition. Content optimization and campaign measurement are crucial for effective social media marketing, while sentiment analysis provides insights into public opinion. Real-time monitoring is essential for timely response to customer queries and crisis management. Emerging technologies like AI speech recognition and cloud-based analytical solutions are transforming the market. With increasing internet penetration and social media users, small and medium-scale organizations are adopting social media analytics for growth. Data security concerns are being addressed through cloud deployment models. Mobile phones and tablets are the primary devices for social media access, and e-commerce and online shopping are major sectors leveraging social media analytics. Social media analytics is a dynamic and evolving market driven by advanced technologies and the increasing use of social media platforms. Data collection is at the core, with real-time monitoring, performance measurement, and campaign optimization key components. Unstructured social data from various sources is identified, prepared, and modeled for insights. AI speech recognition, machine learning, and self-learning systems apply neuroscientific principles to understand emotions and customer sentiments. Cloud adoption and SaaS solutions enable access to data and analysis from anywhere. Emerging technologies like blockchain and cybersecurity measures ensure data security. Large enterprises in sectors like media & entertainment, IT & telecom, healthcare, and travel leverage social media analytics for business intelligence, competitive information, and customer data. Small/medium-scale organizations and online shopping/e-commerce also benefit from targeted marketing and workforce management tools. Internet penetration and social media users continue to grow, fueling the demand for advanced social media analytics. However, data security concerns and cloud deployment models remain critical issues. The market is expected to see continued innovation with AI-powered solutions, augmented reality, and targeted marketing applications.Voices and user sentiments are increasingly important for brands, making social media analytics an essential tool for businesses. 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Application Sales And Marketing Management Customer Experience Management Competitive Intelligence Risk Management Public Safety And Law Enforcement End-user Retail Government Media And Entertainment Travel Others Deployment On-premise Cloud Geography North America APAC Europe South America Middle East And Africa 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE TechnavioNASSAU, Bahamas (AP) — Justin Thomas was long off the tee and made a few long putts on the back nine to overtake Scottie Scheffler with a 6-under 66 and build a one-shot lead Saturday over golf's best player going into the final round of the Hero World Challenge. Thomas is trying out a 46-inch driver — a little more than an inch longer than normal — that he previously used for practice at home to gain speed and length. He blasted a 361-yard drive to 8 feet on the par-4 seventh hole and led the field in driving distance. But it was a few long putts that put him ahead of Scheffler, who had a 69. Thomas was on the verge of falling two shots behind when he made an 18-foot par putt on the par-3 12th hole. On the reachable par-4 14th, he was in a nasty spot in a sandy area and could only splash it out to nearly 50 feet. He made that one for a most unlikely birdie, while behind him Scheffler muffed a chip on the 13th hole and made his lone bogey of a windy day. Scheffler never caught up to him, missing birdie chances on the reachable 14th and the par-5 15th. Thomas hit his approach to 3 feet for birdie on the 16th after a 343-yard drive. Scheffler made an 18-foot birdie putt on the 16th to close within one. Scheffler missed birdie chances on the last two holes from the 10-foot and 15-foot range, while Thomas missed an 8-foot birdie attempt at the last. “I had a stretch at 13, 14, 15 where I felt like I lost a shot or two there, but outside of that I did a lot of really good things today,” Scheffler said. Thomas hasn't won since the 2022 PGA Championship at Southern Hills, and a victory at Albany Golf Club wouldn't count as an official win. But the two-time major champion has made steady progress toward getting his game back in order. “I'm driving it great. I've had a lot of confidence with it,” Thomas said of his longer driver. “I feel like I've been able to put myself in some pretty good spots going into the green. I’m still not taking advantage of some of them as much as I would like, but that’s golf and we're always going to say that.” Thomas was at 17-under 199 and will be in the final group Sunday with Scheffler, who is trying to end his spectacular season with a ninth title. Tom Kim put himself in the mix, which he might not have imagined Thursday when he was 3 over through six holes of the holiday tournament. Kim got back in the game with a 65 on Friday, and then followed with 12 birdies for a 62. He had a shot at the course record — Rickie Fowler shot 61 in the final round when he won at Albany in 2017 — until Kim found a bunker and took two shots to reach the green in making a double bogey on the par-3 17th. Even so, he was only two shots behind. Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley (68) was four back. “Feel like I’ve been seeing signs of improvement, which is what you want and that’s all I can do,” Thomas said. “I can’t control everybody else or what’s going on, I’ve just got to keep playing as good as I possibly can and hope that it’s enough come Sunday.” AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf
CALGARY, Alberta (AP) — A Ukrainian girls’ hockey team is in Canada for a few days of peace and hockey in an arena that doesn’t have a missile-sized hole in its roof. After 56 hours of travel to Calgary, including a 24-hour bus ride from Dnipro to Warsaw, Poland, that required army escort for a portion of it, the Ukrainian Wings will join Wickfest, Hayley Wickenheiser’s annual girls’ hockey festival, on Thursday. The squad of players aged 11 to 13 was drawn from eight different cities in Ukraine, where sport facilities have been damaged or destroyed since Russia started its invasion in February 2022. “They all have a personal story of something awful happening,” said Wickenheiser. “We give them a week of peace and joy here, and I hope they can carry that with them. “We know full well they’re going back to difficult circumstances. It’s tough that way.” Nine players are from Kharkiv, where pictures show a large hole in the roof of the Saltovskiy Led arena where the girls’ team WHC Panthers once skated. “It was our home ice arena, and we played all our national team championships in this ice arena,” said Kateryna Seredenko, who oversees the Panthers program and is the Wings general manager. Ukraine’s Olympic Committee posted photos and wrote in a Facebook post Sept. 1 that Kharkiv’s Sport Palace, which was home to multiple hockey teams, was also destroyed in an attack on the city. Seredenko says the Wings’ arduous journey to Calgary was worth it because it gives the girls hope. “It’s not a good situation in Ukraine, but when they come here, they can believe that everything will be good, everything will be fine, of course we will win soon and we must play hockey. We can’t stop because we love these girls and we will do everything for them,” she said. “So many girls on this Ukrainian team are future players of the national team.” Wickenheiser, a Hockey Hall of Famer , is the assistant general manager of player development for the Toronto Maple Leafs and a doctor who works emergency room shifts in the Toronto area. The six-time Olympian and four-time gold medalist organized her first Wickfest after the 2010 Winter Games. She’s had teams from India, Mexico and the Czech Republic attend over the last decade and a half, but never a team that ran the Ukrainians’ gauntlet of logistics. The Canadian Partnership for Women and Children’s Health took on the task of arranging visas and paying for the team’s travel. “We care about women and children’s health. Sport is such a symbol. When you see a group of girls coming off the ice all sweaty and having worked hard on the ice, it’s a symbol of a healthy girl,” said chief executive officer Julia Anderson. “That’s a healthy kid that’s able to participate in sport. We really believe if we can get girls there, whether they’re in an active war zone, or here in Canada, those girls will change the world.” The Wings aren’t the first Ukrainians to seek a hockey haven in Canada since the war began. An under-25 men’s team played four games against university squads in early 2023 to prepare for that year’s world university games. Ukrainian teams have also twice played in the Quebec City International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. “It’s the first time in Ukrainian history where a girls’ team is coming to Canada to a very good tournament,” Seredenko said. “They can see how they can play in their future. And they can see how it is to play hockey in Canada.” AP sports: https://apnews.com/sportsNEW ORLEANS – The largest artificial intelligence data center ever built by Facebook’s parent company Meta is coming to northeast Louisiana, the company said Wednesday, bringing hopes that the $10 billion facility will transform an economically neglected corner of the state. Republican Gov. Jeff Landry called it “game-changing” for his state's expanding tech sector, yet some environmental groups have raised concerns over the center's reliance on fossil fuels — and whether the plans for new natural gas power to support it could lead to higher energy bills in the future for Louisiana residents. Recommended Videos Meanwhile, Elon Musk's AI startup, xAI, is expanding its existing supercomputer project in Memphis, Tennessee, the city's chamber of commerce said Wednesday. The chamber also said that Nvidia, Dell, and Supermicro Computer will be “establishing operations in Memphis,” without offering further details. Louisiana is among a growing number of states offering tax credits and other incentives to lure big tech firms seeking sites for energy-intensive data centers. The U.S. Commerce Department found that there aren’t enough data centers in the U.S. to meet the rising AI-fueled demand, which is projected to grow by 9% each year through 2030, citing industry reports. Meta anticipates its Louisiana data center will create 500 operational jobs and 5,000 temporary construction jobs, said Kevin Janda, director of data center strategy. At 4 million square feet (370,000 square meters), it will be the company's largest AI data center to date, he added. “We want to make sure we are having a positive impact on the local level,” Janda said. Congressional leaders and local representatives from across the political spectrum heralded the Meta facility as a boon for Richland parish, a rural part of Louisiana with a population of 20,000 historically reliant on agriculture. About one in four residents are considered to live in poverty and the parish has an employment rate below 50%, according to the U.S. census data. Meta plans to invest $200 million into road and water infrastructure improvements for the parish to offset its water usage. The facility is expected to be completed in 2030. Entergy, one of the nation's largest utility providers, is fast-tracking plans to build three natural gas power plants in Louisiana capable of generating 2,262 megawatts for Meta's data center over a 15-year period — nearly one-tenth of Entergy's existing energy capacity across four states. The Louisiana Public Service Commission is weighing Entergy's proposal as some environmental groups have opposed locking the state into more fossil fuel-based energy infrastructure. Meta said it plans to help bring 1,500 megawatts of renewable energy onto the grid in the future. Louisiana residents may ultimately end up with rate increases to pay off the cost of operating these natural gas power plants when Meta's contract with Entergy expires, said Jessica Hendricks, state policy director for the Alliance for Affordable Energy, a Louisiana-based nonprofit advocating for energy consumers. “There’s no reason why residential customers in Louisiana need to pay for a power plant for energy that they’re not going to use," Hendricks said. "And we want to make sure that there’s safeguards in place.” Public service commissioner Foster Campbell, representing northeast Louisiana, said he does not believe the data center will increase rates for Louisiana residents and views it as vital for his region. “It’s going in one of the most needed places in Louisiana and maybe one of the most needed places in the United States of America,” Foster said. “I’m for it 100%.” Environmental groups have also warned of the pollution generated by Musk's AI data center in Memphis. The Southern Environmental Law Center, among others, says the supercomputer could strain the power grid, prompting attention from the Environmental Protection Agency. Eighteen gas turbines currently running at xAI’s south Memphis facility are significant sources of ground-level ozone, better known as smog, the group said. Patrick Anderson, an attorney at the law center, said xAI has operated with “a stunning lack of transparency” in developing its South Memphis facility, which is located near predominantly Black neighborhoods that have long dealt with pollution and health risks from factories and other industrial sites. “Memphians deserve to know how xAI will affect them,” he said, “and should have a seat at the table when these decisions are being made.” _____ Sainz reported from Memphis, Tennessee. Associated Press writer Matt O’Brien in Providence, Rhode Island, contributed to this report. _____ Brook is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Brook on the social platform X: @jack_brook96
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jalen Hurts may sit out a potential NFC East clincher against Dallas because of the lingering effects of a concussion . The Eagles could also just rest Hurts to play it safe -- even if he’s medically cleared ahead of Sunday’s game -- and protect their franchise QB from additional injury over the final two games. Eagles coach Nick Sirianni kept quiet this week on which QB will start Sunday, in large part, of course, because of the head injury suffered by Hurts in last week’s loss to Washington that forced him into the concussion protocol . The issue was complicated by backup Kenny Pickett’s rib injury suffered in relief of Hurts in his first real game competition in nearly a year. Tanner McKee, the third-string QB, could move into a backup role — or maybe even get the start against the Cowboys. Philadelphia’s starting quarterback situation has surged past Saquon Barkley’s chase at Eric Dickerson’s season rushing record as the most intriguing talking point in the final two games. The Eagles (12-3) appear certain to win the division title — they’re two games ahead of Washington (10-5) — and a No. 2 seed in the conference no matter the quarterback headed into the playoffs. Even with an unsettled QB spot, the Eagles are are still 71⁄2-point home favorites to beat division rival Dallas, per BetMGM Sportsbook. RELATED COVERAGE Dolphins are on the outside of AFC playoffs and need help and a win over Browns to have any chance Bills seek to shore up playoff positioning in hosting Jets team looking ahead to uncertain offseason Surging Rams host the eliminated Cardinals in the rematch of a rare blowout loss for Sean McVay Sirianni appreciated that quarterback depth has been a strength for the Eagles. “We feel good about that room,” he said. So why risk Hurts against the Cowboys? There’s little reason to make Hurts play only a week after absorbing a pair of blows to the head and the extra week off — maybe two if the finale against the Giants is truly meaningless — could add to his recovery time ahead of a home playoff game. The Eagles were burned in a similar situation last season when Hurts and star wide receiver A.J. Brown were both injured in the final game against the Giants with little at stake. With both players hampered by unnecessary injuries, the Eagles were dumped the next week by Tampa Bay in the NFC wild-card playoff game. The Eagles have options if Hurts is inactive. Pickett was 14 of 24 for 143 yards in relief, throwing a touchdown pass to Brown and an interception. Pickett, a first-round pick out of Pitt in 2022, went 14-10 as a starter for the Steelers before he was traded to the Eagles in the offseason. McKee was the Eagles’ 2023 sixth-round pick out of Stanford. The 6-foot-6, 231-pound quarterback has yet to take a snap in a regular-season game. He’s mostly used in practice on the scout team or in developmental periods — at best, he’ll stay late after practice to get some reps in with the top receivers. “Every week, every opportunity, it’s knowing it could be my shot, my chance,” McKee said. He could finally get that shot against Dallas. Rolling with Rush With the Cowboys out of playoff contention, the questions persist for coach Mike McCarthy about bypassing Cooper Rush for a look at Trey Lance before both QBs hit free agency. McCarthy’s answer hasn’t wavered: Rush gives Dallas the best chance to win. Rush is 4-3 since Dak Prescott’s season-ending hamstring tear after going 5-1 over two previous stints as an injury replacement. That’s 9-4 total. Half the losses came in both of Rush’s starts against Eagles – the last of five games filling in during the 2022 season and the first game this season. “The mindset is to win,” McCarthy said. “We’re going to Philadelphia to win the game.” Barkley watch Barkley leads the NFL with 1,838 yards rushing for the season through 15 games. He still needs two big outings in the final games of the season against Dallas and the New York Giants to top Dickerson and his 2,105 yards for the Los Angeles Rams in 1984. Barkley is 268 yards away from passing Dickerson for the season mark and 162 shy from becoming the ninth player in NFL history with 2,000 yards rushing in a season. He ran for only 66 yards in the first game this season against Dallas. Dallas ranks 28th in the NFL in rushing defense, surrendering 135.9 yards per contest. Philadelphia, behind Barkley’s stellar play, tops the league at 187.9 yards per game on the ground. The Eagles have already have set a team record for yards rushing in a season with 2,818, and they are within four rushing touchdowns of tying the club’s single-season mark of 32, set in 2022. Barkley needs four more rushing touchdowns to tie LeSean McCoy’s Eagles record, set in 2011 and just 33 yards from scrimmage to break McCoy’s mark of 2,146 set in 2013. Seeing double digits Star Dallas edge rusher Micah Parsons needs half a sack to reach double digits in each of his first four seasons despite missing four games with a high ankle sprain, the first injury absence of his career. The 2021 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year would be the fifth player to reach 10 sacks in each of his first four seasons. The other four — Claude Humphrey, Reggie White, Derrick Thomas and Dwight Freeney - are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. ___ AP Pro Football Writer Schuyler Dixon contributed from Arlington, Texas. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Enrollment in North Carolina’s new Medicaid coverage for low-income adults has nearly reached the state’s goal of 600,000 in half of the time initially projected, Gov. Roy Cooper said on Wednesday while celebrating the one-year anniversary of expansion in the state. As of Wednesday, 590,331 people were enrolled in Medicaid expansion in North Carolina, according to the Division of Health Benefits. At the expansion’s start on Dec. 1, 2023, Cooper’s administration had estimated the state would reach 600,000 within two years. Speaking in Greenville with leaders of East Carolina University’s health care system and medical school, Cooper recognized expansion and other health care initiatives advanced during his two terms as governor. Cooper, a Democrat prevented from seeking reelection due to term limits, leaves office at the end of the month. “For the last eight years, we’ve worked hard to lead our state with one health care innovation after another that will leave lasting impacts on generations of North Carolinians to come,” Cooper said in a news release. Since taking office in early 2017, Cooper was a strong advocate for North Carolina accepting through the 2010 federal Affordable Care Act full health benefits coverage for some adults ages 19-64 who earn too much to qualify for traditional Medicaid. Republicans in charge of the General Assembly opposed the idea for years. As Congress offered states additional financial incentives to participate, the GOP-controlled legislature and Cooper ultimately enacted an expansion law in 2023, making North Carolina one but a few Southern states to date to accept the coverage. The federal government pays 90% of the cost of expansion, with the remainder paid in North Carolina by an increased assessment on hospitals. Nearly 273,000 people, most of whom had been receiving Medicaid for family-planning coverage alone, were covered on the first day of North Carolina enrollment. Over one-third of the expansion enrollees are from rural areas, Cooper’s office said, and expansion recipients in the past year have been able to fill 3.8 million prescriptions and have covered $58 million in dental services. Overall Medicaid enrollment statewide is now at 3 million. Cooper’s office billed the event as the first in a series this month to highlight the departing governor’s accomplishments. The news release mentioned a first-of-its-kind initiative this year that will give almost 100 hospitals higher Medicaid payments if medical debt of low- and middle-income patients is relieved and they implement policies that prevent liabilities for future patients. It also cited $835 million — the result of a Medicaid expansion incentive from Washington — appropriated last year for mental health treatment and resources. Brian Thompson led one of the biggest health insurers in It is an ambitious social experiment of our moment in Enrollment in North Carolina’s new Medicaid coverage for low-income adults An elaborate parody appears to be behind an effort to