Stewart cooked critics with Superwoman strengthMillions of people now have access to artificial intelligence like ChatGPT. After Apple Intelligence integrated ChatGPT into its platform, anyone with an iPhone, iPad or Mac can now ask complex questions without going to a separate app or website. This long-awaited integration may spark questions like, how does ChatGPT work? What are chatbots? ChatGPT, operated by OpenAI, is an artificial intelligence chatbot like Google’s Gemini, Anthropic’s Claude, or Meta AI. These chatbots use a type of AI called a “large language model.” They understand text and generate words to sound human. “It’s almost boring now to say this,” said Daniel Dugas, an AI and robotics scientist based in Switzerland. He wrote a visualized explanation of earlier AI GPT models. “The fact that I can talk to my computer and have a semi-coherent conversation is — it’s just unbelievable,” “As an engineer, I immediately was pushed to the direction of, OK, how do we make something like intelligence?” Dugas said. While large language models may seem intelligent, they essentially just predict the next word — much like a phone’s text suggestions. But it’s far more complex. How ChatGPT works Large language models are trained on vast amounts of data, ranging from books to social media to much of the internet. An LLM maps out word relationships similar to the way the human brain does. Take the sentence, “Don’t put all your eggs in one.” Once you enter it into an LLM and hit send, a lot of things happen in repetition — in a fraction of a second. Step One: Tokenization and Encoding Imagine the process like an assembly line. The first step on the assembly line is to turn the sentence into something computers can definitely understand: numbers. RELATED STORY | How deepfake technology works The sentence, “Don’t put all your eggs in one” is broken down into what’s called “token IDs” that vary depending on the AI model. The sentence now becomes [91418, 3006, 722, 634, 27226, 306, 1001] You can test out tokenization using OpenAI’s tool . Step Two: Embedding Next, the resulting vector of numbers is expanded based on context. For example, the word “egg” has a lot of different meanings and connotations. If you had to map out the word mathematically, one way is to plot it onto a graph between “chicken” and “young.” On a two-dimensional graph, that’s simple. But “egg” has so many different meanings. “Egg” can be a part of an idiom, a breakfast ingredient, something associated with Easter, or a shape. Graphing this out would require multiple dimensions in a never-ending vector. We can’t imagine this, but a computer can compute it. With the sentence “Don’t put all your eggs in one” the word egg might be [27226]. With the sentence “I ate an egg for breakfast” the word egg might be [16102]. It all depends on context. These contextual adjustments are based on all the training and the neural network of word relationships, and the changes are embedded into the vector. Step Three: Transformer Architecture The vector moves down the assembly line into a “transformer architecture.” It is a series of layers that make even more adjustments to the vector of numbers. Based on the previous training, the AI has learned and decided what words carry more weight. For example, in the sentence “Don’t put all your eggs in one” the word “eggs” matters more than “one.” Adjustments to the vector of numbers occur repeatedly to make sure context and meaning are close to everything it was trained on. Step Four: Output Finally, the result goes in reverse on the assembly line to turn a vector of numbers back into a word: basket. "Don’t put all your eggs in one ... basket." Is this advanced word prediction? Is this intelligence? Are there limits? “You have papers saying, the model will never be able to create music or a model will never be able to answer a mathematical question,” Dugas said. “And they basically are crushed in the last five years.” As large language models continue to advance, it’s important to keep up with what they can do and to know how we can work with them, not for them. Even a basic understanding will help people utilize, navigate, and legislate a technology some might consider revolutionary.
It sure looks like OpenAI trained Sora on game content — and legal experts say that could be a problemNEW YORK (AP) — Aaron Judge won't be bothered if free agent Juan Soto gets a bigger deal from the New York Yankees than the captain's $360 million , nine-year contract. “It ain’t my money. I really don’t care as long as we get the best players, we get the most that we can, I’m happy with whatever,” Judge said Friday, a day after he was a unanimous winner of his second AL MVP award. “That's never been something on my mind about who gets paid the most.” Judge led the major leagues with 58 homers, 144 RBIs and 133 walks while hitting .322 as New York reached the World Series for the first time since 2009, only to lose to the Los Angeles Dodgers . Soto batted .288 with 41 homers, 109 RBIs and 129 walks in his first season with the Yankees and finished third in MVP voting, also trailing Kansas City shortstop Bobby Witt. Jr. A free agent at 26, Soto has met with the Yankees, Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox, and he plans to meet with the Philadelphia Phillies, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the meetings have not been publicly announced. Negotiations are not likely to intensify until after Thanksgiving. Judge hasn’t spoken with Soto since the World Series. Judge went through the free-agent experience after hitting an AL record 62 homers in 2022. “The best thing is to really give those guys space," Judge said. "I talked to him all season and he knows how we feel about him and I think the most important thing is now let him do his thing with his family, pray about it, talk with people and come to the right decision for him and his family.” Soto met with Yankees officials on Monday at a hotel in southern California, a group that included owner Hal Steinbrenner, team president Randy Levine, general manager Brian Cashman, manager Aaron Boone and senior adviser for baseball operations Omar Minaya. “We had a good meeting. It was a very honest back-and-forth dialogue, a couple hours long,” Steinbrenner said Wednesday. Asked how confident he was about keeping Soto, Steinbrenner said: “No idea. We’ll be in the mix. I’ll leave it at that.” Soto and Judge filled the Nos. 2 and 3 slots in the Yankees batting order in a franchise-record 153 games, topping the 145 of Joe Dugan and Babe Ruth in 1923, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. “I get to see a lot of pitches," Judge said. "He's going to be a tough at-bat in front of me. He’s going to wear down the pitcher right there in the first inning, within the first 15 pitches or so. Yeah, I think that was a big impact just having having a guy like that in front of you. "If I could have eight Juan Sotos in the lineup with me, I would love that.” After the World Series, Judge spent about a week in Tampa, Florida, where the Yankees hold spring training, and met with Steinbrenner. “We kind of just discussed a lot of things from Juan to other guys that are kind of out there that I think could definitely help this team,:" Judge said. "So I kind of just gave my input on a couple things.” Judge said when he agreed to his big deal in late 2022, Steinbrenner wanted to have a deeper relationship. They've been meeting every week or two, and pitcher Gerrit Cole has developed a similar exchange with the owner. “I think just having that relationship to where I can kind of communicate with him about what I’m seeing, what I’m feeling, what I see with the guys, what I see against other guys that we play against,” Judge said. “I think it’s a cool part to where I think just the more communication you have from top to bottom, it just — it makes everybody better.” Judge's contract is baseball's fourth largest behind the deals of the Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani ($700 million), the Los Angeles Angels' Mike Trout ($426.5 million) and the Dodgers' Mookie Betts ($365 million). Judge cited the example of teammate Giancarlo Stanton, whose $325 million deal was the highest when he joined the Yankees ahead of the 2018 season but now ranks tied for ninth. “Even though he signed one of those — the first big mega-contracts back in Miami, once he came here he didn’t care about the highest-paid guy. He just wanted good players around him,” Judge said. In joining Mickey Mantle in 1956 as the Yankees' only unanimous MVPs, Judge credited his teammates. “You look at every single one of my teammates in that room and know that each and every single one of them impacted me in a way that put me in that position,” Judge said. “So it’s always going to be a team award in my book.” ___ AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB Ronald Blum, The Associated PressStock market today: Wall Street slips as the 'Magnificent 7' weighs down the market
Published 2:40 pm Tuesday, December 17, 2024 By PA News Jeff Darby, Jeff Ortiz, and Britton Jones have announced their candidacies for the May 3 election in Nederland as a united ticket to bring reform, transparency, accountability, and a brighter future for Nederland. Jeff Darby is running for Mayor of Nederland. He retired in 2023 after 33 years as an investigator with the United States Department of Labor in Beaumont. Since retiring, he has owned and operated JP Darby Services, LLC, a consulting and mediation firm. He has been a Professional in Human Resources through the Human Resources Certification Institute in Alexandria, VA, since 1992. Darby has held several leadership positions, including 18 years as president of his local union and five years as President of the Sabine Area Central Labor Council. He has been a member of AFGE Local 2139 since 1990. He previously ran for Mayor of Nederland in 2002 and 2004. Jeff has been married to Christy since 1988; they have three grown daughters and one grandson. Darby earned a BA in history with a minor in French from Lamar University in 1988 and a 40-hour certificate in basic mediation training from The Center for Public Policy Dispute Resolution at The University of Texas School of Law in 2022. He is competent in French and Spanish, as well as some Dutch, German, Italian, and Portuguese. His hobbies include language study, travel, genealogy, and reading. Jeff Ortiz is running for City Council Ward 4. He has owned Ortiz Menswear and Bridal in Nederland for 12 years. For the last 10 years, Jeff has served as Executive Pastor at Revive Church in Nederland. Ortiz has 13 years of experience in the financial industry, including four years as Vice President of a local credit union. He served on the Nederland City Council from 2009 to 2011 as Ward 1 City Council Member. Jeff has been married to Angie since 2021, and they have one daughter. He graduated from Nederland High School in 2001. Get the latest news sent to your inbox Britton Jones is running for City Council Ward 2. Britton has worked in the chemical industry in Port Arthur since 2016 as a technician and first responder for fire and medical; he is licensed as an Emergency Care Attendant through the Texas Department of State Health Services. He is a proud member of USW Local 13-423. Jones has owned Mid County ATM in Nederland since 2022. Britton married Kimberly earlier this year. Jones is active in the Nederland Heritage Festival, serving as Vice Chair for Emergency Services since 2022. He graduated from Nederland High School in 2014 and from Lamar Institute of Technology in 2016 with an Associate of Applied Science in Instrumentation Technology. In 2021, Jones earned a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology from Lamar University. “Enough is enough. It’s time we elect people who care, who have a heart and a passion for this town,” said Ortiz. “We three stand before you today and tell you: we have the heart, we have the time, and we have the passion to look at everything.”Black Friday 2024 is right around the corner, and it's already shaping up to be one of the most competitive shopping events of the year. Top retailers and carriers are vying to bring you the best phone deals. Whether you're starting your holiday shopping early or making up for missing last month's Prime Day, there are incredible offers from Samsung, Google, Motorola, and Apple. Also: The best Black Friday deals live now The phone deals below will save you a significant amount of money on some of the best handsets we've tested and recommend at ZDNET. For example, carriers like Verizon and T-Mobile are offering " On Us " promotions that can get you the latest iPhone, Samsung, or Google Pixel for free with a qualifying trade-in. You'll also find links to the retailer with the best offer for various phones below, whether that's Best Buy , Amazon , or AT&T . Keep an eye out, as we'll be continuously updating the list with new deals this week. Our favorite smartphone deals for Black Friday 2024 Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra : $1,300 (save $120 at Samsung): The best phone we've tested so far, the Galaxy S24 Ultra packs the best specs across key categories, including display, performance, battery life, and camera. It also has a built-in S-Pen for precision inputs. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 : $1,600 (save $300 at Samsung): If you opt for one of the special edition colors (Crafted Black or White), the Korean giant will discount a total of $800 with no trade-in required. iPhone 16 On Us : $25/month (save up to $3,200 at T-Mobile): The carrier will sell you four iPhone 16 models for free when you trade in eligible devices, start 4 new lines at $25 per line, and agree to 24 months of bill credits. Apple iPhone 16 : $0.00/month (save $830 at Verizon): The carrier will credit you the cost of Apple's base-model iPhone when you open a new line and are under an Unlimited Ultimate plan. Clicks Keyboard for iPhone 16 series : $139 (save $20 at Best Buy): A snap-on case that'll bring you back to the glory days of physical phone keyboards and quick dial. The Clicks Keyboard can also be programmable to fire up shortcuts, apps, and more. Nomad USB-C to USB-C ChargeKey : $19 (save $6 at Nomad): One of my essential travel accessories is this keychain with two USB-C connectors that can pump out up to 60W of power. Google Pixel 9 : $649 (save $150 at Amazon): Possibly the best Android phone for most people in 2024, the comfortably sized, very capable Pixel 9 is selling at close to its all-time low price. Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold : $1,500 (save $300 at Amazon): In content for best foldable phone, the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold features an improved, more ergonomic design, a massive 8-inch display, and support for the latest Google AI tools. Google Pixel 8a : $400 (save $100 at Amazon): A fantastic, compact, and AI-ready Android that's priced to compete, the Pixel 8a is 20% off right now. OnePlus Open : $1,200 (save $500 at Amazon): One of the best foldable phones we've tested is selling at a $500 discount for Black Friday. OnePlus 12 : $550 (save $250 at Best Buy): The OnePlus flagship is the fastest-charging phone you can buy in the US, with a beefy 5,400mAh battery that should last you well into a second day. Motorola Razr+ 2024 : $750 (save $250 at Best Buy): The best flip phone you can buy right now is $250 off and comes with 256GB of storage. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Current price: $950 Original price: $1,420 While the year hasn't ended yet, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra remains ZDNET's top pick for best phone of 2024. The big selling point with the Ultra model is its maximalist approach to being a smartphone, giving you all the features you could need, including a built-in S Pen stylus, upwards of 1TB of storage, and a quad-camera system. For a limited time, you can pick up the 512GB of storage variant for the same price as the 256GB. Review: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Google Pixel 9 Current price: $649 Original price: $799 The Google Pixel 9 is the phone I recommend to most people in 2024. It doesn't have the flashiest features, like a dedicated telephoto lens or LTPO display, but it's a well-rounded package that holds up against phones that cost hundreds of dollars more. With seven years of software support, Google AI features, and a very capable camera system, you've got one of the safest, best-value phones on sale for Black Friday. Review: Google Pixel 9 Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 Current price: $772 Original price: $1,100 One of the best flip phones on the market, you can buy Samsung's latest foldable for $300 off for Black Friday. For the money, you get a compact handset with dual cameras, dual screens, and up to seven years of software features, operating system, and security updates. The new Z Flip 6 model is also Samsung's most durable one yet. Review: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 Apple iPhone 16 Pro Current price: $65 a month Original price: $999 Carrier deals are almost always too good to be true, but if you meet all the right requirements and are willing to exchange loyalty for a discounted iPhone, things may just work out. Case in point, this Boost Mobile deal will cover the cost of the latest iPhone 16 Pro, with the requirement being to enroll in the brand's wireless plan ($65 a month over 36 months). If you were already considering switching carrier plans or starting a new one, this deal is worth considering. Review: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Motorola Razr (2023) Current price: $350 Original price: $700 The Motorola Razr (2023) is one of the more accessible foldable phones on the market, and this Black Friday deal makes it even more so. While the outer display is not as large as the flagship flip phones, its inner display is the same size as Razr's more expensive sibling, Razr Plus. Right now, you can buy the Razr at a $350 mark-down. Review: Motorola Razr (2023) Best Black Friday Samsung phone deals Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra : $1,300 (save $120 at Samsung): The best phone we've tested so far, the Galaxy S24 Ultra packs the best specs across key categories, including display, performance, battery life, and camera. It also has a built-in S-Pen for precision inputs. Samsung Galaxy S24 : $700 (save $100 at Amazon): The base model of the Galaxy S24 series has also been discounted by $100. It's a more compact option if you're not a fan of big phones. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 : $1,600 (save $300 at Samsung): If you opt for one of the special edition colors (Crafted Black or White), the Korean giant will discount a total of $700 with no trade-in required. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 : $772 (save $328 at Amazon): For a flagship foldable that won't break the bank, consider Samsung's latest Z Flip 6, which is selling for a record-low price, so long as you opt for the green color. Samsung Galaxy A35 5G : $300 (save $100 at Amazon): One of the best budget phones on the market, with a 120Hz display and triple camera setup. Best Black Friday iPhone deals Kerry Wan/ZDNET Apple iPhone 16 : $0/month (save $830 at Verizon): The carrier will credit you the cost of Apple's base-model iPhone when you open a new line and are under an Unlimited Ultimate plan. Apple iPhone 16 Pro : $65/month (save $1,000 at Boost): Want a Pro iPhone that's actually comfortable to hold and use? Consider the smaller iPhone 16 Pro. Apple iPhone 16 Plus : $65/month (save $930 at Boost): Apple also offers the standard iPhone 16 in a Plus size, with a 6.7-inch display. Apple iPhone 16 On Us : $25/month (save up to $3,200 at T-Mobile): The uncarrier will sell you four iPhone 16 models for free when you trade in eligible devices, start 4 new lines at $25 per line, and agree to 24 months of bill credits. Best Black Friday Motorola phone deals Kerry Wan/ZDNET Motorola Razr+ 2024 : $750 (save $250 at Best Buy): The best flip phone you can buy right now is $250 off and comes with 256GB of storage. Motorola Razr+ 2023 : $550 (save $450 at Amazon): Another foldable phone contender, the higher-end Razr+ model is also discounted and is arguably a better flip phone than Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip thanks to a more customizable and functional outer screen. Motorola Razr 2024 : $450 (save $250 at Best Buy): It's not as big of a discount, but if you want a Motorola Razr with more future-proofed specs, consider the 2024 model. Motorola Razr 2023 : $350 (save $350 at Motorola): The most affordable foldable phone on the market right now just got cheaper, with the 2023 Motorola Razr marked even lower at $350. Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G 2024 : $237 (save $263 at Motorola): For a budget phone with stylus support, consider Motorola's G Stylus model, which comes with 256GB of storage. Motorola Moto G Power 2024 : $200 (save $100 at Best Buy): Motorola's G Power line doesn't have the flashiest features, but its large battery and efficient processor make it a fantastic pick-up for kids, students, elders, or a secondary device. Best Black Friday Google Pixel deals Kerry Wan/ZDNET Google Pixel 9 : $649 (save $150 at Amazon): Possibly the best Android phone for most people in 2024, the comfortably sized, very capable Pixel 9 is selling at close to its all-time low price. Google Pixel Fold : $1,120 (save $680 at Walmart): The brand's first foldable phone has a compact 5.8-inch display on the outside and an expansive 7.6-inch screen on the inside. Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold : $1,500 (save $300 at Amazon): In content for best foldable phone, the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold features an improved, more ergonomic design, a massive 8-inch display, and support for the latest Google AI tools. Google Pixel 8a : $400 (save $100 at Amazon): A fantastic, compact, and AI-ready Android that's priced to compete, the Pixel 8a is 20% off right now. Google Pixel 9 Pro : $0.00/month (save $999 at T-Mobile): When you trade in an eligible device, are on a Go5G Plus or Go5G Next plan, and agree to a 24-month installment plan. Google Pixel 9 Pro XL : $5.55/month (save $1,200 at Verizon): When you trade in an eligible device, are on an eligible Unlimited plan, and agree to a 36-month installment plan. Google Pixel 7a : $350 (save $150 at Amazon): One of the best budget phones on the market, with Google AI features and a 90Hz display. Google Pixel 8 : $450 (save $250 at Amazon): Coming with 128GB of storage, the year-old Pixel 8 is still a fantastic mid-range option if you value camera quality above all else. Best Black Friday OnePlus deals Kerry Wan/ZDNET OnePlus Open : $1,200 (save $500 at Amazon): One of the best foldable phones we've tested is selling at a $500 discount for Black Friday. OnePlus Nord N30 5G : $230 (save $70 at Amazon): This is a great budget option with a large 6.7-inch screen, a 5,000mAh battery, and 50W wired charging. OnePlus 12 : $550 (save $250 at Best Buy): The OnePlus flagship is the fastest-charging phone you can buy in the U.S., with a beefy 5,400mAh battery that should last you well into a second day. OnePlus 12R : $400 (save $100 at OnePlus): A sleeper pick for the best mid-range Android phone this year, the OnePlus 12R is currently being sold at its lowest price in 30 days. Best Black Friday phone accessories deals Clicks Keyboard for iPhone 16 series : $139 (save $20 at Best Buy): A snap-on case that'll bring you back to the glory days of physical phone keyboards and quick dial. The Clicks Keyboard can also be programmable to fire up shortcuts, apps, and more. Nomad USB-C to USB-C ChargeKey : $19 (save $6 at Nomad): One of my essential travel accessories is this keychain with two USB-C connectors that can pump out up to 60W of power. Nomad Magnetic Leather Back : $36 (save $4 at Nomad): If you're not a case guy, consider this magnetic leather back cover, which gives you the texture, look, and smell of the material without adding much bulk to your phone. Spigen Tough Armor MagFit Case : $20 (save $40 at Amazon): For a protective phone case that's soft to the touch, highly functional (thanks to its magnetic ring mount and kickstand), and won't break the bank, consider the Spigen Tough Armor. Apple AirPods Pro 2 : $154 (save $95 at Amazon): You can now use your AirPods with your Apple Watch and as hearing aids , and this is a great deal on one of our favorite AirPod models. Torras MiniMag 5,000mAh MagSafe Battery Pack : $40 (save $13 at Amazon): ZDNET's favorite thin MagSafe battery pack is on sale right now. It's lightweight, powerful, and perfect for topping off your phone's battery on the go. FAQs Black Friday takes place on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. However, expect retailers to begin early discounts and sales weeks before. Cyber Monday is happening on Monday, Dec. 2, 2024, following Black Friday. Yes, phones, including recent iPhone models, are often cheaper on Black Friday, matching (if not beating) the level of discount you'd find during any other major shopping event. This is partly because Black Friday happens months after most manufacturers like Samsung, OnePlus, Google, and Apple have launched new devices. With the amount of time that has passed, you'll often see the more recent phones discounted by a good amount at this time. iPhones are cheaper during this time because carriers like Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T offer competitive trade-in and sign-on promotions. As long as you read the fine print about the qualifications, most of these deals will cover the retail cost of the new iPhone. You'll just have to agree to a long-term installment plan that ranges between 24 months to 36 months. While Amazon has traditionally been the most competitive with its Black Friday smartphone deals, other retailers like Best Buy, Walmart, and Target have caught up in recent years. In fact, we're seeing top offers available across a variety of stores versus just one, which is a good thing for the retail landscape. That said, I'd highly advise scanning the catalogs of the manufacturers themselves, such as Samsung , Motorola , Google , and Apple . Beyond discounts to the retail cost, manufacturers often bundle free wireless earbuds, chargers, and other accessories with your purchase. Since you're purchasing directly from the manufacturer, you'll also have a direct line with their customer support, should any problems with the product arise. While Black Friday's online presence has risen exponentially over the past decade, Cyber Monday was the original "online only" commerce event. Still, you'll find deals in-store and online for both occasions. In some cases, retailers will list new deals during Cyber Monday, especially for products or inventory that didn't sell as much during Black Friday a few days earlier. ZDNET chooses Black Friday deals based on the percentage of discount compared to the original price ($5 off a $20 item is just as good as $250 off a $1,000 item), how significant the discount is compared to pricing history, and whether our experts have tested and recommended the product. We also look at deals from a wider scope, considering better alternatives, unique use cases, stock, and existing customer reviews on websites like Amazon, Best Buy, and Reddit. The best deals will save you a decent amount of money while giving you a truly worthwhile product. There's no beating in-person shopping that begins on the eve of Black Friday, and retailers such as Amazon, Best Buy, Target, and Walmart have made it a point to reward those who do. However, you can still find similar discounts online -- and with a higher chance of securing a product before it's snatched by someone else. Besides big-box retailers, most carriers and e-commerce brands will also host some form of Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotion; simply visit your preferred destinations and see what's available. It won't hurt to try. ZDNET's experts have been searching through Black Friday sales live now to find the best discounts by category. These are the best Black Friday deals so far, by category: Black Friday TV deals Black Friday phone deals Black Friday laptop deals Black Friday gaming PC deals Black Friday smartwatch and fitness tracker deals Black Friday Amazon deals Black Friday Best Buy deals Black Friday Walmart deals Black Friday Sam's Club deals Black Friday Apple deals Black Friday iPad deals Black Friday AirPods deals Black Friday Apple Watch deals Black Friday Kindle deals Black Friday streaming deals Black Friday soundbar and speaker deals Black Friday robot vacuum deals Black Friday Nintendo Switch deals Black Friday PlayStation deals And more Black Friday deals: Black Friday deals under $25 Black Friday deals under $100 Black Friday Samsung deals Black Friday Verizon deals Black Friday headphone deals Black Friday tablet deals Black Friday monitor deals Black Friday gaming deals Black Friday security camera deals Black Friday storage and SSD deals Black Friday portable power station deals Black Friday VPN deals Black Friday Chromebook deals Black Friday HP deals Black Friday Dell deals Black Friday Roku deals Black Friday Roborock deals Best Black Friday deals Black Friday phone deals Black Friday TV deals Black Friday laptop deals
Qatar tribune QNA San Salvador The Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Qatar and El Salvador held their third round of political consultations in San Salvador on Wednesday. The consultation round was co-chaired by Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs HE Dr Ahmed bin Hassan Al Hammadi and Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of El Salvador Adriana Mira. The two sides discussed relations between the two countries and ways to boost them. Also present were Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Qatar to El Salvador HE Fahad Salem Al Marri, Acting Director of the Department of American Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs HE Jassim bin Mohammed Al Asmakh and the accompanying delegation. Copy 12/12/2024 10Published 2:40 pm Tuesday, December 17, 2024 By PA News Jeff Darby, Jeff Ortiz, and Britton Jones have announced their candidacies for the May 3 election in Nederland as a united ticket to bring reform, transparency, accountability, and a brighter future for Nederland. Jeff Darby is running for Mayor of Nederland. He retired in 2023 after 33 years as an investigator with the United States Department of Labor in Beaumont. Since retiring, he has owned and operated JP Darby Services, LLC, a consulting and mediation firm. He has been a Professional in Human Resources through the Human Resources Certification Institute in Alexandria, VA, since 1992. Darby has held several leadership positions, including 18 years as president of his local union and five years as President of the Sabine Area Central Labor Council. He has been a member of AFGE Local 2139 since 1990. He previously ran for Mayor of Nederland in 2002 and 2004. Jeff has been married to Christy since 1988; they have three grown daughters and one grandson. Darby earned a BA in history with a minor in French from Lamar University in 1988 and a 40-hour certificate in basic mediation training from The Center for Public Policy Dispute Resolution at The University of Texas School of Law in 2022. He is competent in French and Spanish, as well as some Dutch, German, Italian, and Portuguese. His hobbies include language study, travel, genealogy, and reading. Jeff Ortiz is running for City Council Ward 4. He has owned Ortiz Menswear and Bridal in Nederland for 12 years. For the last 10 years, Jeff has served as Executive Pastor at Revive Church in Nederland. Ortiz has 13 years of experience in the financial industry, including four years as Vice President of a local credit union. He served on the Nederland City Council from 2009 to 2011 as Ward 1 City Council Member. Jeff has been married to Angie since 2021, and they have one daughter. He graduated from Nederland High School in 2001. Get the latest news sent to your inbox Britton Jones is running for City Council Ward 2. Britton has worked in the chemical industry in Port Arthur since 2016 as a technician and first responder for fire and medical; he is licensed as an Emergency Care Attendant through the Texas Department of State Health Services. He is a proud member of USW Local 13-423. Jones has owned Mid County ATM in Nederland since 2022. Britton married Kimberly earlier this year. Jones is active in the Nederland Heritage Festival, serving as Vice Chair for Emergency Services since 2022. He graduated from Nederland High School in 2014 and from Lamar Institute of Technology in 2016 with an Associate of Applied Science in Instrumentation Technology. In 2021, Jones earned a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology from Lamar University. “Enough is enough. It’s time we elect people who care, who have a heart and a passion for this town,” said Ortiz. “We three stand before you today and tell you: we have the heart, we have the time, and we have the passion to look at everything.”
Homeland Security shares new details of mysterious drone flights over New Jersey, lawmaker says A New Jersey lawmaker from part of the state where several mysterious drones have been spotted in recent week says the devices appear to avoid detection by traditional methods. Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia was among state officials who met Wednesday with representatives from the Department of Homeland Security. She says lawmakers were told the drones have dodged detection by helicopters and radio. Fantasia says DHS described the devices as up to 6 feet in diameter and sometimes traveling with their lights off. The Morris County Republican made the comments in a post on X shortly after she and several other state and local lawmakers met with state police and Homeland Security officials. Donald Trump will ring the New York Stock Exchange bell as he's named Time's Person of the Year NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump is expected to ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange for the first time and be named Time magazine's Person of the Year. Thursday's events will be a notable moment of twin recognitions for Trump, a born-and-bred New Yorker who has long seen praise from the business world and media as a sign of success. Four people with knowledge of his plans told The Associated Press that Trump was expected to be on Wall Street on Thursday to mark the ceremonial start of the day's trading, while a person familiar with the selection confirmed that Trump had been selected as Time's Person of the Year. Rape allegation against Jay-Z won’t impact NFL's relationship with music mogul, Goodell says IRVING, Texas (AP) — NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says a rape allegation against rapper Jay-Z won’t impact the NFL's relationship with the music mogul. Jay-Z's company Roc Nation has produced some of the NFL’s entertainment presentations including the Super Bowl halftime show. A woman who previously sued Sean “Diddy” Combs alleging she was raped at an awards show after-party in 2000 amended the lawsuit Sunday to include an allegation that Jay-Z was also at the party and participated in the sexual assault. Jay-Z says the rape allegation made against him is part of an extortion attempt. The NFL teamed up with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation in 2019 for events and social activism. The league and the entertainment company extended their partnership a few months ago. Ohio politician proposes make flag planting a felony after fight in Michigan rivalry game An Ohio politician has seen enough flag planting. Republican state Rep. Josh Williams said Wednesday on social media he's introducing a bill to make flag planting in sports a felony in the state. His proposal comes after the Nov. 30 fight at the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry football game when the Wolverines beat the Buckeyes 13-10 and then attempted to plant their flag at midfield. A fight ensued and police had to use pepper spray to disperse the players. Former Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield famously planted a flag in the middle of the field at Ohio State after the Sooners beat the Buckeyes in 2017. Gastineau confronts Favre in documentary for his 'dive' on Strahan's record-breaking sack Former New York Jets star Mark Gastineau confronted Brett Favre last year at a memorabilia show and angrily accused the Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback of deliberately going down on a record-breaking sack. The tense exchange is shown in the new ESPN 30 for 30 documentary “The New York Sack Exchange." It chronicles the Jets’ fearsome foursome defensive line of the 1980s that included Gastineau. Gastineau set an NFL record with 22 sacks in 1984, but Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Strahan broke the mark when he sacked Favre in 2002 in a game between the Giants and Packers. Many have accused Favre of purposely taking the sack so Strahan could set the single-season record with 22 1/2. What happens next with Alex Jones' Infowars? No certainty yet after sale to The Onion is rejected Lawyers in the Alex Jones bankruptcy case are now in discussions on what could happen next after a federal judge in Texas rejected the auction sale of Jones’ Infowars to The Onion satirical news outlet. The next steps remained unclear Wednesday as the judge ordered the trustee who oversaw the auction to come up with a new plan. Judge Christopher Lopez in Houston rejected the bid late Tuesday, saying there was too much confusion about The Onion’s bid. The bankruptcy case was in the wake of the nearly $1.5 billion that courts have ordered Jones to pay for calling the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Connecticut a hoax. Sandy Hook families had backed The Onion’s bid. NFL and Nike extend their partnership with a 10-year deal, will focus on growing the sport globally IRVING, Texas (AP) — The NFL’s desire to become a global powerhouse is no secret. Nike is committed to helping the league continue expanding its worldwide reach. The league and the apparel giant announced Wednesday a 10-year partnership extension. The NFL and Nike will focus on working together to grow the game’s global reach, increase participation, develop new talent, and expand the football fan base. Nike, the world’s largest supplier of athletic shoes and apparel, has been the NFL’s exclusive provider of uniforms and sideline, practice and base layer apparel for all 32 NFL teams for 12 years. George Kresge Jr., who wowed talk show audiences as the The Amazing Kreskin, dies at age 89 NEW YORK (AP) — George Joseph Kresge Jr., otherwise known to TV watchers as the mesmerizing entertainer and mentalist The Amazing Kreskin, has died at age 89. Kreskin’s friend and former road manager, Ryan Galway, says he died Tuesday at his home in Caldwell, New Jersey. Kreskin launched his television career in the 1960s and remained popular for decades, appearing with everyone from Merv Griffin to Johnny Carson to Jimmy Fallon. Fans would welcome, if not entirely figure out, his favorite mind tricks — whether correctly guessing a playing card chosen at random, or, most famously, divining where his paycheck had been planted among the audience. He also hosted a show in the 1970s, gave live performances and wrote numerous books. Albertsons sues Kroger for failing to win approval of their proposed supermarket merger Kroger and Albertsons’ plan for the largest U.S. supermarket merger in history has crumbled. The two companies have accused each other of not doing enough to push their proposed alliance through, and Albertsons pulled out of the $24.6 billion deal on Wednesday. The bitter breakup came the day after a federal judge in Oregon and a state judge in Washington issued injunctions to block the merger, saying that combining the two grocery chains could reduce competition and harm consumers. Albertsons is now suing Kroger, seeking a $600 million termination fee, as well as billions of dollars in legal fees and lost shareholder value. Kroger says the legal claims are “baseless.” Keynote Selena Gomez spotlights prioritizing mental health during Academy Women's Luncheon LOS ANGELES (AP) — While surveying a room packed with Hollywood’s most influential figures, “Emilia Pérez” star Selena Gomez took center stage at the Academy Women’s Luncheon to spotlight a critical issue: Prioritizing mental health and supporting underserved communities often left behind in the conversation. The singer-actor has been public about her mental health struggles, revealing she had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Gomez was the keynote speaker Tuesday at the event held at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures with attendees including Ariana Grande, Olivia Wilde, Amy Adams, Pamela Anderson, Rita Wilson, Ava DuVernay and Awkwafina.Sporttrade expands reach to Arizona with innovative stock market-style sportsbookTechCon SoCal 2025 Slated for January 2025, Bringing 100+ Speakers and More Than 500 Industry Leaders from Around the World to San Diego