AP Sports SummaryBrief at 12:46 p.m. EST(BPT) - Tech gifts are consistently some of the most popular presents to give and receive during the holidays. In fact, according to the annual Consumer Technology Holiday Purchase Patterns report , a record 233 million U.S. adults (89%) will buy tech products during the 2024 holiday season. But with so many devices out there, it can be hard to decide on the perfect option for the loved one on your list. A tablet like the new Fire HD 8 from Amazon offers the versatility of an all-in-one device, with access to streaming, gaming, video chatting, reading or writing all at your fingertips. Fire HD 8 also features a vibrant 8-inch HD display and lightweight, portable design, for high-quality entertainment on the go. Plus, Fire HD 8 comes with three new AI features that can help you get the most out of your tablet experience. Check them out below and learn how they can help you with daily tasks this holiday season and beyond. 1. Meet your personal writing assistant Do you struggle with writing a heartfelt message or finessing a tricky email? Fear not! Writing Assist is here to help. Writing Assist works as part of your Fire tablet's device keyboard and compatible apps, including email, Word documents and social media. In just a few taps, you can transform your writing from good to great. Try Writing Assist's pre-set styles to turn a simple email into a professionally written note. Or, you can ask Writing Assist for grammar suggestions to make your writing more concise, or elaborate on your ideas. You can even "emojify" your writing to add more fun and personality. 2. Learn more in less time Say goodbye to scrolling through pages of information. The new Webpage Summaries feature allows you to learn pertinent information as quickly as possible. Available on the Silk browser on Fire tablets, Webpage Summaries provides quick insights on web articles. In a matter of seconds, this feature will distill the key points in an article or on a webpage into a clear, concise summary of what you need to know. 3. Get creative with your device wallpaper With Wallpaper Creator, you can easily add a touch of creative flair and customization to your tablet's home screen. You can choose from one of the curated prompts to get started on creating a unique background. Or, if you're ready to let your imagination run wild, type a description of what you'd like to see. For example, you can ask for an image of a tiger swimming underwater or a watercolor-style image of a desert landscape in space. Wallpaper Creator will then turn your vision into a reality, delivering a high-resolution image that you can use as your tablet's wallpaper. Celebrate an AI-powered holiday season Writing Assist, Webpage Summaries, and Wallpaper Creator are now available on Amazon's new Fire HD 8 and other compatible Fire tablet devices, including the latest Fire HD 10 and Fire Max 11 tablets. To learn more, or to order a new Fire tablet this gift-giving season, visit Amazon.com .
The Mexican Association of Hydrogen, Storage, and Sustainable Mobility (AMH2), in collaboration with Mexico’s Ministry of Energy (SENER), will fund 18 clean hydrogen projects in an effort to reduce greenhouse gases and nurture a nascent green hydrogen industrial sector in the country. The initiative would involve a total US $21 billion in investment hopes to create 3 million jobs by 2050. Israel Hurtado, head of AMH2, met with Jorge Islas, the Undersecretary of Energy Transition at SENER, Jorge Islas, to present the association’s Clean Hydrogen Industrial Strategy, an action plan showing how green hydrogen could replace fossil fuels in various industries. Key points of the strategy include establishing a manufacturing sector focused on hydrogen production and focusing on the production of hydrogen fuel cells, electrolyzers and hydrogen-powered electric turbines, as well as both light and heavy hydrogen vehicles. Islas and his team reportedly committed to collaborating with AMH2 to promote a green hydrogen industry in Mexico in an organized and efficient way. “The green hydrogen industry would also boost the generation of renewable energy, which is crucial for producing clean hydrogen. At the same time, leveraging the potential of clean hydrogen could significantly help decarbonize the country’s economy,” Hurtado told newspaper El Economista . Mexico’s Paris Climate Agreement commitment is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 35% by 2030. Hurtado added that AMH2’s strategy includes wide-ranging recommendations for execution, such as support for infrastructure development, technology adoption, training programs to build human capital and creating an inter-institutional monitoring system. According to the industry association, Mexico is an optimal region for renewable energy production. Its hydrogen production costs are 64% lower — at US $1.40 compared to US $2.30 in other countries. However, Islas said Mexico will face challenges to properly develop the nation’s green hydrogen industrial sector. Mexico needs to develop sufficient infrastructure, establish certifications and regulatory standards, as well as create a comprehensive national hydrogen strategy and reduce hydrogen production costs. Incentives and tax benefits would also encourage clean hydrogen production, he said. With reports from Reporte Índigo and Forbes Mexico .
Judge rejects request to sideline a San Jose State volleyball player on grounds she's transgender
121324ho-raymond-paint Court record showing messages Kyle Roberts spray painted on his Raymond home. WATERLOO — A Gilbertville man who is representing himself against charges he stalked a judge took the stand in his own defense Thursday. Answering his own questions, and questions posed by prosecutors, Kyle John Roberts, a 39-year-old CNC machine operator and tool design apprentice, admitted he was upset with Michelle Wagner. “She listened to lies and prosecuted me,” Roberts told jurors. But he said the stalking allegations are the results of misunderstandings. Kyle John Roberts Roberts Roberts is charged with stalking using a technological device or while under a restraining order in connection with a barrage of emails, social media posts and obscenity laden court filings directed largely at Wagner for almost a decade. Wagner was an assistant county attorney in 2014 when she prosecuted Roberts for stalking a neighbor. She was later appointed to the bench as a district associate court judge. On the stand, Roberts said his initial letter to Wagner came from an effort to organize information for his appeal of the 2014 case. He said sent the letter in good faith. Authorities said the letter stated he found her attractive and included the suggestion of starting a relationship. Later messages called her derogatory terms, criticized law enforcement and opined that some people in the court system should have bullets penetrate their skulls, according to testimony at trial. Roberts said some of the wording of his emails wasn’t the best because they were hastily written, sometimes while he was at work. One email, sent to a courthouse employee that included a reference to sodomy, should have stated “on her ass” – like being held accountable – as opposed to “in,” Roberts said. Wagner testified she took the reference as a sexual assault threat. Another email – sent to every officer on the Waterloo Police Department – threatened to take “heavy weapons” to the police station parking lot and cause damage. Roberts told jurors he meant “heavy tools.” He also said an incident where he approached Wagner at the Isle casino was a chance meeting, and he left her alone when she said she didn’t want to talk to him. Another time, when he was seen walking toward her during her class reunion get-together at a FridayLoo event in Lincoln Park, was also a coincidence, he said. He said he didn’t notice her until he was leaving. Roberts also said each time he went to the courthouse was for a legitimate reason – to submit appeal paperwork and handle a matter regarding his vehicle registration. Also on Thursday, jurors heard from a sheriff’s deputy who spent years telling Roberts to quit his harassment campaign, which authorities said was also directed at officers and parole officials and included a threat to slit the sheriff’s throat. “I urged Kyle and told him so many times to stop this,” Capt. Mark Herbst with the Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office said. “He would not listen to me.” Herbst said he was able to keep up a dialog with Roberts because he didn’t have any involvement in the 2014 stalking case, a case that Roberts wouldn’t put behind him. During questioning, Herbst addressed Roberts directly several times. “It was you who refused and refused and refused and refused to stop it,” Herbst said. “You wanted me to somehow overturn a jury’s verdict,” Herbst said. “When that didn’t happen, you said I wasn’t doing my job.” Closing arguments in the case are scheduled for Friday. How many credit cards do you have? (c)2024 Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier (Waterloo, Iowa) Visit Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier (Waterloo, Iowa) at www.wcfcourier.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.Oscar Fairs from Benfleet, Essex, was diagnosed with a rare 7cm ependymoma brain tumour in August 2023 and underwent seven surgeries, one round of chemotherapy and one round of radiotherapy to be told palliative care was the only option. A GoFundMe page was set up to help the family raise £100,000 towards a treatment trial in France. It is with deep and profound sadness that West Ham United confirm the tragic passing of our U15s Academy goalkeeper Oscar Fairs, following his brave battle with cancer. Rest in peace, brave Oscar. — West Ham United (@WestHam) December 13, 2024 West Ham footballers donated £27,000, chairman David Sullivan donated £10,000 and Arsenal footballer and former West Ham star Declan Rice gave £5,000, according to Ms Fairs. On Friday, West Ham announced that the 15-year-old had died. Sporting director Mark Noble said: “Oscar was adored by everyone at the Academy – not only was he a great goalkeeper, he was a true Hammer and a fantastic young person, who will be deeply missed by everyone who had the pleasure to know him. “I have wonderful memories of Oscar playing in my garden – (my son) Lenny and his teammates all loved him. “He was a friendly, happy, well-mannered and polite young man, who had such a bright future ahead of him, and it is just so unimaginably devastating that he has been taken from his family and friends at this age. “The thoughts and sincere condolences of everyone at the Club are with Oscar’s parents, Natalie and Russell, and his brother Harry, and we kindly ask that the family’s privacy is respected at this extremely difficult time.” All scheduled Academy fixtures over the weekend have been postponed as a mark of respect.
Skidding No. 10 Kansas hopes to get right vs. NC State