Prime Minister’s address on Veer Bal Diwas has brought renewed focus to the critical role of youth in shaping India’s future. By emphasizing emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning and drawing lessons from history, the Prime Minister has underscored the importance of equipping youngsters with the tools, skills, and values necessary to lead the nation into a new era of progress and innovation. The sacrifice of the Sahibzadas, who at a tender age defied oppression and chose the path of unwavering faith and courage, resonates deeply in today’s context. Their story serves as a powerful reminder that the nation’s progress often rests on the shoulders of its young people. The Prime Minister stressed the need for a futuristic approach to education and skills development. With the rapid advancements in AI and ML transforming industries, India must ensure its youth are adequately prepared to adapt and excel. These technologies are no longer confined to niche areas but are becoming integral to fields as diverse as railways, semiconductors, travel, and astronomy. By fostering expertise in such cutting-edge domains, the country can secure a competitive edge in the global economy. In this context, the Government’s new education policy is a step in this direction, aiming to equip students with the skills needed for the jobs of tomorrow. However, implementing these changes on a large scale will require significant investment in teacher training, curriculum development, and infrastructure, particularly in rural areas where access to quality education remains challenging. Including vocational training and digital literacy at all levels of education can help bridge the gap between traditional learning and the demands of a modern workforce. The burgeoning startup ecosystem in India reflects the country’s potential as a global innovation hub. Young entrepreneurs are at the forefront of solving some of India’s most pressing challenges, from sustainable energy to healthcare and fintech. The Government’s support through initiatives like Startup India and promoting research and development in science and technology is commendable. However, further efforts are needed to simplify regulatory processes, improve access to funding, and create a more conducive environment for risk-taking. The launch of the ‘Suposhit Gram Panchayat Abhiyan,’ aimed at improving nutritional outcomes through community participation, is another initiative worth mention. By addressing foundational issues like nutrition, the initiative ensures that children have the physical and cognitive capacity to thrive in their educational and professional pursuits. The Constitution’s principle of equality highlights its alignment with the teachings of India’s spiritual and historical leaders. The Sahibzadas’ sacrifice exemplifies the idea that every act in service of the nation is an act of valour. The Prime Minister’s interactions with the winners of the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar further underscore the importance of recognizing and nurturing talent. These young achievers, who have excelled in fields like art, innovation, and social service, serve as role models for their peers and exemplify what India’s youth can accomplish with the right support and opportunities. PM’s call to involve one lakh politically unaffiliated youth in governance over the next 25 years is a bold and visionary move. Political participation by young people can bring fresh perspectives and energy to policymaking, ensuring that governance reflects the aspirations of a new generation. This initiative, coupled with platforms like the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue, provides a roadmap for harnessing the potential of India’s demographic dividend. The Government’s focus on empowering the youth is a step in the right direction. However, the success of these efforts will depend on their implementation and the active participation of stakeholders at all levels. As the nation honours the sacrifices of its past, it must also invest in the promise of its future. By equipping young Indians with the skills, values, and opportunities they need to succeed, India can ensure that its journey towards a brighter tomorrow is driven by the energy and vision of its youngest citizens.AP Business SummaryBrief at 4:40 p.m. EST
American University to Welcome Recent Graduate Sean Astin, SPA/MPAP '24, as Commencement Speaker for Fall Commencement
Nissan and Honda to attempt a merger that would create the world's No. 3 automaker TOKYO (AP) — Japanese automakers Nissan and Honda have announced plans to work toward a merger that would catapult them to a top position in an industry in the midst of tectonic shifts as it transitions away from its reliance on fossil fuels. The two companies said they signed an agreement on integrating their businesses on Monday. Smaller Nissan alliance member Mitsubishi Motors agreed to join the talks. News of a possible merger surfaced earlier this month. Japanese automakers face a strong challenge from their Chinese rivals and Tesla as they make inroads into markets at home and abroad. What a merger between Nissan and Honda means for the automakers and the industry BANGKOK (AP) — Japanese automakers Honda and Nissan will attempt to merge and create the world’s third-largest automaker by sales as the industry undergoes dramatic changes in its transition away from fossil fuels. The two companies said they had signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday and that smaller Nissan alliance member Mitsubishi Motors also had agreed to join the talks on integrating their businesses. Honda will initially lead the new management, retaining the principles and brands of each company. Following is a quick look at what a combined Honda and Nissan would mean for the companies, and for the auto industry. Nordstrom to be acquired by Nordstrom family and a Mexican retail group in $6.25 billion deal Century-old department store Nordstrom has agreed to be acquired and taken private by Nordstrom family members and a Mexican retail group in a $6.25 billion deal. Nordstrom shareholders will receive $24.25 in cash for each share of Nordstrom common stock, representing a 42% premium on the company’s stock as of March 18. Nordstrom’s board of directors unanimously approved the the proposed transaction, while Erik and Pete Nordstrom — part of the Nordstrom family taking over the company — recused themselves from voting. Following the close of the transaction, the Nordstrom Family will have a majority ownership stake in the company. An analyst looks ahead to how the US economy might fare under Trump WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump won a return to the White House in part by promising big changes in economic policy — more tax cuts, huge tariffs on imports, mass deportations of immigrants working in the United States illegally. In some ways, his victory marked a repudiation of President Joe Biden’s economic stewardship and a protest against inflation. It came despite low unemployment and steady growth under the Biden administration. What lies ahead for the economy under Trump? Paul Ashworth of Capital Economics spoke recently to The Associated Press. The interview has been edited for length and clarity. American consumers feeling less confident in December, Conference Board says American consumers are feeling less confident in December, a business research group says. The Conference Board said Monday that its consumer confidence index fell back in December to 104.7 from 112.8 in November. Consumers had been feeling increasingly confident in recent months. The consumer confidence index measures both Americans’ assessment of current economic conditions and their outlook for the next six months. The measure of Americans’ short-term expectations for income, business and the job market tumbled more than a dozen points to 81.1. The Conference Board says a reading under 80 can signal a potential recession in the near future. Stock market today: Wall Street rises at the start of a holiday-shortened week Stocks closed higher on Wall Street at the start of a holiday-shortened week. The S&P 500 rose 0.7% Monday. Several big technology companies helped support the gains, including chip companies Nvidia and Broadcom. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.2%, and the Nasdaq composite rose 1%. Honda's U.S.-listed shares rose sharply after the company said it was in talks about a combination with Nissan in a deal that could also include Mitsubishi Motors. Eli Lilly rose after announcing that regulators approved Zepbound as the first prescription medicine for adults with sleep apnea. Treasury yields rose in the bond market. The internet is rife with fake reviews. Will AI make it worse? Researchers and watchdog groups say the emergence of generative artificial intelligence tools that allow people to efficiently produce detailed and novel online reviews has put merchants, service providers and consumers in uncharted territory. Phony reviews have long plagued many popular consumer websites, such as Amazon and Yelp. But AI-infused text generation tools enable fraudsters to produce reviews faster and in greater volume, according to tech industry experts. The deceptive practice is illegal in the U.S. and becomes a bigger problem for consumers during the holiday shopping season, when many people rely on reviews to buy gifts. A tech company and watchdog group that uses software to detect fake reviews says AI-generated reviews have multiplied. Romanian lawmakers narrowly approve new pro-European coalition during period of political turmoil BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Romanian lawmakers have voted narrowly in favor of a new pro-European coalition government led by incumbent Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu. The move on Monday could usher in an end to a protracted political crisis in the European Union country following the annulment of a presidential election. Parliament approved the new administration in a 240-143 vote in the 466-seat legislature. The new coalition is made up of the leftist Social Democratic Party, the center-right National Liberal Party, the small ethnic Hungarian UDMR party and national minorities. President Klaus Iohannis swore in the new government on Monday night. Government regulators close investigation into Ford Focus recalls Government safety regulators are closing an investigation into two previous recalls of the Ford Focus after determining that Ford Motor Co. has satisfied its concerns. Ford recalled around 1.5 million Ford Focus sedans from the 2012-2018 model years in 2018 because they could lose power. The issue was a malfunctioning canister purge valve and software that didn’t adequately detect when it was stuck open. Ford fixed the software in two separate recalls, but after cars continued to stall, the government opened an inquiry last year. Earlier this fall, Ford offered to replace the canister purge valve on all of the vehicles, satisfying regulators' concerns. AI will eavesdrop on world's wildest places to track and help protect endangered wildlife PUERTO JIMÉNEZ, Costa Rica (AP) — A biologist hid 350 audio monitors across Costa Rica’s tropical rainforests to spy on endangered spider monkeys in order to help protect them. But she had to go back to collect the data and feed those sounds into artificial intelligence systems that can recognize monkey calls. Now tech giant Microsoft's philanthropic arm is hoping to supercharge AI-assisted wildlife research with new solar-powered devices that can capture sounds, images and other wilderness data for a year or more without human intervention. Researchers say more AI wildlife surveillance is urgently needed to monitor the health of species at risk of extinction.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones' 21 points helped UC San Diego defeat James Madison 73-67 on Friday night. Tait-Jones also contributed six rebounds for the Tritons (4-2). Hayden Gray scored 16 points and added four steals. Nordin Kapic went 5 of 8 from the field (1 for 4 from 3-point range) to finish with 12 points. Bryce Lindsay led the way for the Dukes (3-3) with 17 points. James Madison also got 13 points and four assists from Xavier Brown. UCSD went into halftime ahead of James Madison 34-28. Tait-Jones scored 14 points in the half. UCSD took the lead for good with 5:46 left in the second half on a free throw from Tait-Jones to make it a 58-57 game. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar . For copyright information, check with the distributor of this item, Data Skrive.
Wade Taylor IV helps No. 13 Texas A&M rout Abilene ChristianIndia News | Haryana Cabinet Approves Extension of Logistics, Warehousing & Retail Policy, 2019
Mickey, Minnie, Goffy and Wemby
Ada Community Chiefs demand justice over violent attack in BornikopeAir Jordan 1 Low EasyOn Dropping In The “Bred” ColorwayIn mid-December, FIFA announced the 2030 World Cup would take place in six countries, spanning three continents. Meanwhile, most American sports have been heading to Europe in recent years looking to expand their appeal. These events sell out, usually in record-setting times, but do not come close to matching the worldwide spectacle that comes from hosting 24 grands prix, across five continents and 21 countries, with viewing figures that continue to rise. In that regard, Formula 1 is unique among sporting contests seeking sponsorship revenue and partnership participation. It is why Emily Prazer, F1’s chief commercial officer, feels the series is only growing its portfolio of partners. “We talk about it all the time; the appeal of the global brand is something that we can't really take for granted,” she told Autosport Business. “I think obviously we're up against NFL, NBA in the US and the Premier League in the UK. But I think people are starting to really understand the global reach we have for 24 races in most continents. “I think we've also done a really good job of being a little bit more trusted by brands, seeing the strategy come to life with some of the global partnerships that we've had for a very long time, it has meant that we've been able to stand behind the data, which is really helpful.” Across 2024, F1’s longest-ever season, the championship welcomed new deals, the biggest of which was the one struck with LVMH to bring a number of their ‘maisons’ on board as the 10-year global agreement will result in the brands of Louis Vuitton, Moet and TAG Heuer on display. Add to that Santander and Globant joining, Crypto.com extending its deal and Lenovo elevating into the highest tier of global partners and it has been a fruitful year for Prazer and her team. “I think LVMH are just exactly the type of partner that we want to be working with, just on the activation side alone,” she added. “I think you'll see some really fun stuff that they're working with us on for next year around each of the three brands, which again, is just levelling up, I think against some of the other sports. “We are probably one of the nimbler rights holders as it relates to partnerships. We don't really have a rule book of ‘you have to do this, and you have to do that’. “We get very creative when answering brand’s objectives and I think that's been really good in separating ourselves from the rest. “I think we're quite deliberate around what we do with our brands. Obviously, some of it is relatively progressive. Again, if you look at the AWS, the Salesforce, Tata, those types of brands, they very much support the wider business, which is super helpful, when you're talking and being able to tell a story. “Not everybody gets the opportunity to really weave technology into partnerships, and we're very fortunate in that regard, in addition to the fact that we want it to be the top brands in the world. “So we are very thoughtful about who we partner with, because it's based on what value they provide to our fans, not necessarily just a cash injection into the sport. Obviously, we love money! I think every sport does but, from our perspective, it's very much about how they show up.” With so many new partners joining at different tiers or as part of licensing agreements, does Prazer worry that there could be a time when there are too many brands vying for space in the F1 sphere? “We definitely have category exclusivity, so you'd never see us have two partners in the same category,” she said. “I don't think you'll see us ever over-saturate ourselves. What I think you'll see is deal values becoming more significant, because we do have a scarcity issue, that we will never go above a certain number of partners, and we're very thorough in our due diligence around what value they're providing.” Despite the number of races already on the calendar, there are still areas of the world currently not serviced by an F1 grand prix. Rwanda is keen to bring the series back to Africa , while Argentina has been touted as potentially making a return to add a second race to the huge continent of South America, with those sorts of locations offering new partnership opportunities should they materialise. “When the race promotion team start talking about the calendar, we obviously work with them quite significantly on where we think the opportunities are, because we want to make sure we're aligned in the value of that race market,” said Prazer. “Particularly in Asia, we've got a ton of commercial opportunity that if we had a few more races there, I think would come to fruition quite quickly. “And I think what we've done really well in that regard with our promoters is create identities across each of our grands prix.” In this article Mark Mann-Bryans Formula 1 Be the first to know and subscribe for real-time news email updates on these topics Subscribe to news alerts