vivo ye7 price in pakistan
In today’s digital age, the intersection of technology and spirituality has become a powerful medium for fostering personal growth and community engagement. The rise of online platforms dedicated to faith-based learning is a testament to how technology can enhance traditional practices, bringing people closer together and empowering them to deepen their spiritual journeys. One such transformative initiative is “I Am the 73rd,” a unique web and mobile platform designed for a prominent religious organization operating across the US, Latin America, and Spain. Harsh Vaidya is an innovative product manager of this project with a vision to blend technology and faith, enabling millions to strengthen their spiritual foundations. Harsh Vaidya’s Leadership in "I Am the 73rd" Harsh Vaidya’s leadership in spearheading the development of “I Am the 73rd” has been a remarkable feat. As the product manager, Harsh was responsible for overseeing the entire development lifecycle, from ideation to execution. The platform, which is set to go live in the next few weeks, is projected to reach millions of users across the US and Latin America, particularly in Mexico. By focusing on creating a space for users to interact, learn, and share their spiritual milestones, Harsh aimed to transform the way people engage with their faith online. The Unique 33-Day Consecration Program One of the most distinctive features of “I Am the 73rd” is the 33-day consecration program, which serves as the cornerstone of the platform’s engagement strategy. Harsh and his team built an advanced Learning Management System (LMS) to facilitate this program, mirroring the structure of popular educational platforms like Udemy or Coursera. Each day of the program includes a series of structured activities designed to guide participants through a deeply reflective and enriching spiritual journey. The LMS allows users to navigate through daily tasks seamlessly, tracking their progress and providing a sense of accomplishment as they move forward. Once participants complete the entire 33-day program, they receive a certificate and a digital badge to signify their achievement. But the impact goes beyond just a virtual token. Graduates of the program are recognized as consecrated users, granting them a higher standing within the platform community. This feature fosters a sense of belonging and purpose, motivating users to continue their spiritual pursuits. Moreover, the platform’s integration with social media channels allows participants to share their achievements with their broader community, inspiring others to embark on similar journeys. Creating a Community of Learners “I Am the 73rd” goes beyond a mere e-learning platform by emphasizing community building and social interaction. Harsh’s vision was to create a space where users could not only engage with educational content but also connect with like-minded individuals, share experiences, and grow together. With features like petitions, Praying Rosary and groups that enable discussions, the platform has become a virtual congregation space, uniting people across geographies. During the development phase, Harsh led cross-functional teams to implement over 20 interactive features aimed at boosting engagement. Social integration tools allow users to create profiles, join discussion groups, and participate in live events. The platform also facilitates communication between members, replicating the feeling of a close-knit community despite the physical distances. Innovative Design for a Seamless User Experience One of the critical aspects Harsh focused on was user experience. Knowing that spiritual seekers might range from tech-savvy millennials to older generations with limited digital exposure, the platform was designed to be intuitive and user-friendly. Harsh introduced a series of interactive visual guides that assist users in navigating through multiple features and functionalities. These guides, combined with a simple yet elegant interface, make it easy for users to find resources, complete courses, and engage in discussions. The development of comprehensive training materials and visual aids also played a significant role in reducing onboarding time by 40%. New users, who might otherwise have felt overwhelmed by the plethora of options, can now seamlessly integrate into the platform, quickly becoming active participants. This focus on ease of use has resulted in higher user satisfaction scores and a projected 50% increase in platform activity within the first few months of its launch. Encouraging Spiritual Growth through Certification Programs A standout feature of “I Am the 73rd” is its structured certification programs, modeled after well-known e-learning platforms like LinkedIn Learning. Participants are encouraged to complete various courses and challenges, earning badges and certificates that mark their spiritual milestones. This gamified approach not only provides a sense of achievement but also drives continuous engagement. The certification program is expected to see an 80% completion rate, positioning “I Am the 73rd” as a leader in spiritual education and community building. These certifications are more than just digital accolades; they serve as symbols of commitment and dedication to the faith, elevating the status of users within the community. Graduates of the program are viewed as respected members, often taking on mentorship roles and contributing to the growth of others in the community. Expanding the Platform’s Reach and Impact While “I Am the 73rd” is set to make its mark with its initial launch, Harsh’s strategic vision extends far beyond the first rollout. The platform is projected to expand its reach to millions of users across the US, Latin America, and Europe, with targeted marketing campaigns and partnerships with local religious organizations. To achieve this, Harsh is focusing on building strong relationships with influential community leaders and leveraging the power of digital media to create awareness and drive adoption. Harnessing the Power of Data for Continuous Improvement Harsh’s data-driven approach ensures that the platform remains dynamic and responsive to user needs. By developing comprehensive reporting dashboards for admin users, he has enabled real-time monitoring of user behavior and content effectiveness. This analytical capability allows the team to make informed decisions on feature enhancements, content updates, and user support initiatives. The reporting tools are expected to increase data analysis efficiency by 30%, empowering the leadership team to steer the platform’s growth strategically. A Project Set to Redefine Digital Faith-Based Engagement As “I Am the 73rd” prepares to go live, its anticipated impact is already resonating within the organization and the broader community. The platform’s unique blend of structured learning, social interaction, and spiritual guidance has the potential to set a new benchmark in digital faith-based engagement. By uniting people across different cultures and backgrounds, “I Am the 73rd” is more than just a product—it is a movement that promises to reshape how faith is practiced and shared in the modern world. Enhancing Spiritual Engagement Through AI-Driven Personalization Building upon his research on "AI-Driven Machine Learning Techniques" and "Search and Recommendation Procedure with the Help of Artificial Intelligence," Harsh revolutionized the platform's user engagement strategy. He implemented an AI-powered recommendation system that personalizes spiritual content based on individual user journeys, prayer patterns, and engagement levels. The platform's intelligent chatbot system, developed using principles from his published work on "Chatbot Detection with the Help of Artificial Intelligence," provides 24/7 spiritual guidance and support, helping users navigate through their 33-day consecration journey with personalized assistance. This integration of AI technologies is expected to result in an increase in user completion rates for spiritual programs and an improvement in community engagement metrics, demonstrating the powerful synergy between artificial intelligence and spiritual growth facilitation. About Harsh Vaidya Harsh Vaidya’s career is a testament to his dedication and expertise in product management. With a focus on integrating technology with user engagement, Harsh has led transformative projects that make a tangible impact. His work on “I Am the 73rd” showcases his ability to manage complex initiatives and drive innovative solutions. This project not only highlights his strategic and technical skills but also deepens his understanding of user engagement and retention, which continues to shape his successful career in product management. With “I Am the 73rd” set to revolutionize digital spiritual engagement, Harsh’s work is paving the way for a new era of faith-based community building, where technology serves as a bridge to deeper connections and shared spiritual growth.CHICAGO — Six years ago, Chicago Ald. Daniel Solis sat in House Speaker Michael Madigan’s office to break the news that he would not be seeking re-election to the City Council. But don’t worry, Solis told Madigan, he still had a few months left in office, and there were major new real estate developments going up in his ward, and that would mean plenty of tax-appeal business for the speaker’s private law firm. “There’s a couple more in the South Loop, and there’s some in the, in the West Loop. So, I figure I can still help you a lot,” Solis said in the Nov. 23, 2018, conversation, which was secretly recorded as part of Solis’ cooperation with the FBI. “I’m committed for that.” Madigan replied enthusiastically, “OK, thank you,” before moving almost immediately to something Solis had been wanting. “Do, do you want to go forward now on one of those state appointments?” Madigan asked. Prosecutors allege that the pivotal conversation, played Wednesday for the jury in Madigan’s corruption trial, is proof of a corrupt quid-pro-quo scheme in which Solis introduced the powerful Democratic speaker to developers in his ward in exchange for Madigan’s help securing him a six-figure state board appointment. The speaker appeared relaxed and jolly during the meeting, which took place three weeks after the 2018 general election in which Madigan’s bitter rival, Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, had been vanquished by Democrat JB Pritzker. In the background in Madigan’s office was a life-size punching bag printed with Rauner’s face. Before getting down to business, the two exchanged some reaction to the election, including Jesus “Chuy” Garcia’s ascension to the U.S. House. “I like Chuy,” Madigan said. “But a progressive?” prompting them both to laugh. What Madigan did not know was that Solis had been cooperating with the FBI for more than two years and was recording the meeting with a hidden camera. Six days later, agents would raid the City Hall office suite of their Democratic colleague, then-Ald. Edward M. Burke. The video was played for jurors Wednesday toward the end of Solis’ direct examination, which in total lasted about 16 hours over four days of Madigan’s corruption trial. Solis is a crucial prosecution witness, and his cross-examination, slated to begin Monday after an extended break for Thanksgiving, is expected to be grueling. The trial, which began Oct. 8, is expected to last until mid-January. Madigan, 82, of Chicago, who served for decades as speaker of the Illinois House before stepping down in 2021, faces a wide array of racketeering charges alleging he ran his state and political operations like a criminal enterprise. He is charged alongside Michael McClain, 77, a former ComEd contract lobbyist from downstate Quincy, who for years was one of Madigan’s closest confidants. Both men have pleaded not guilty and denied wrongdoing. For months before that November 2018 meeting, Solis had promised to connect Madigan with real estate developers in his 25th Ward who could give business to Madigan’s private tax law firm. At the direction of the FBI, Solis also asked Madigan if he could get Solis appointed to a lucrative seat on a state board or commission. Madigan told Solis to get him his resume. “I wanted to have a meeting with Pritzker the week after next,” Madigan said. “... (I want to) let Pritzker know what’s coming, doesn’t have to be in writing, and I’ll monitor what goes on with the boards and commissions.” Solis arranged to have his resume, along with his daughter’s, sent to Madigan a couple of weeks later. Then, in January 2019, Solis’ cover was blown. Thanks to a slip-up in the clerk’s office at the Dirksen U.S Courthouse, a 120-page FBI search warrant affidavit detailing Solis’ own misdeeds was left unsealed and made public, leading to Solis being outed as a mole. Did you ever hear from Madigan again? asked Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane MacArthur. “No,” Solis said. Solis has testified to a dizzying number of alleged schemes involving Madigan, all of which overlapped during his time as a cooperator. Madigan allegedly hoped to get legal business from a group of developers who would need a plot of land in Chinatown transferred from the state to the city, and tasked McClain with trying to get the supporting legislation through. He requested Solis’ help getting his son Andrew a job interview; he asked Solis for a connection to developers of West Loop real estate projects; and he apparently took steps to help Solis get a seat on a state board. All of that, prosecutors allege, is part of a long-running scheme of corruption in which Madigan used his own power to enrich himself and his allies. Defense attorneys, meanwhile, have framed it as perfectly legal political favor-trading. Solis’ credibility is sure to be under attack as soon as cross-examination begins Monday. The head of the powerful Zoning Committee began cooperating in 2016 only after FBI agents confronted him with evidence they’d gathered of his own extensive misdeeds. And in exchange for his lengthy and “singular” level of cooperation, prosecutors struck an equally unprecedented deal, in which Solis will avoid having a conviction on his record and can continue to draw his city pension. Recordings played Wednesday revealed just how strange Solis’ position was in 2018. He was a key cooperator in investigations against both Madigan and Burke, both of whom were Democratic powerhouses with side jobs as property tax attorneys, competing at times over the same big-time developers. Burke, as detailed in his corruption trial last year, was eager to get business from the New York-based group behind the renovation of the massive Old Post Office project in Solis’ ward. Lead developer Harry Skydell ended up promising Burke business on some of his other local properties instead, the evidence showed. In October 2018, Madigan called Solis and said he had read about Skydell’s company buying a building at 1 S. Wacker Drive. “That may be an opportunity for me,” Madigan told Solis in a recording played for jurors. “All right, I can call him right away,” Solis said. Solis reached Skydell a few days later, and told him Madigan had noticed he made a bid for the property on Wacker. “Yes, that’s the property that Burke has,” Skydell said. “Oh!” Solis said, and laughed out loud. Regardless, when Solis spoke to Madigan later that month, he said Skydell was eager to give Madigan the tax business. “I’ve got good news,” he told Madigan in a meeting secretly recorded on video. “... I talked to Harry, he’s on board, he’s gonna give you that project.” That was not true, Solis testified Wednesday, but the government had directed him to say it. And right after giving Madigan the “good news,” Solis asked about the state board seat. “Yeah, I’ve got it in my notes, I’m gonna sit down with Pritzker,” Madigan said. “Excellent, excellent,” Solis said. The board seat was another fiction, Solis has previously testified. He was not actually interested in a position on a state commission, but his government contacts directed him to ask Madigan for that favor to see how he would respond. Solis was outed as a cooperator before Madigan could make any successful moves to get him appointed. Burke, the city’s longest-serving alderman and powerful chairman of the Finance Committee, was convicted last year and is serving a two-year prison term. The jury Wednesday also heard the end game in the saga surrounding the transfer of a Chinatown parking lot in order for developers to proceed with a hotel project on the site. Solis has testified about efforts that Madigan orchestrated, mainly through McClain, to pass legislation in 2018 that would transfer the triangular-shaped parcel from the Illinois Department of Transportation to city control. In exchange, Madigan hoped to win business for his law firm from the developers, Solis has said. But the thorny political issues surrounding the transfer proved too much for even Madigan to overcome — in part because Rauner was likely to oppose it if Madigan’s fingerprints were on it. In a face-to-face meeting on Oct. 26, 2018, Solis confirmed with Madigan that they were going to push the Chinatown amendment in the upcoming veto session but warned the speaker that the local state representative, Democrat Theresa Mah, had taken a “neutral position.” A week later, Madigan and McClain talked about a potential sponsor for the bill, with the speaker recommending Ed Burke’s brother, then-Democratic state Rep. Dan Burke. That day, McClain left Dan Burke a voicemail saying they wanted him to pick up the bill as a favor to Solis. But more problems quickly arose. On Nov. 21, 2018, McClain left a voicemail for Solis saying a group of Chinese business people had circulated petitions opposing the deal and taken the 3,000 signatures they gathered to then-Secretary of State Jesse White, who “has made the decision to be with the Chinese people and against the development.” “I’m just letting you know we’ve got all of a sudden a huge hurdle I didn’t expect from the Chinese community,” McClain said on the voicemail, which was played in court. Two days later, Madigan called McClain and told him the Chinatown deal was “not gonna go forward.” “Yeah, I kind of figured that,” McClain said. “I left a message for Solis, but he hasn’t called me back.” “Yeah. He was here today to, to tell me,” Madigan said, asking later, “Why would they be against (it)?” McClain said “these Chinese business guys” don’t want the competition. “I know it’s hard to believe, but at the end of the day, it’s probably about money,” McClain said, sharing a chuckle with the speaker. ©2024 Chicago Tribune. Visit at chicagotribune.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
LAS VEGAS — With a restructuring at Andretti Global that pushed Michael Andretti into a smaller role, the chances of his organization landing a Formula 1 team have substantially increased. So much so that F1 and Formula One Management could have a decision to grant the General Motors-backed entry a spot as the 11th team on the grid in the coming weeks. Dan Towriss, now the majority owner of the Andretti organization, was at the Las Vegas Grand Prix on Thursday scoping his chances of entering the top motorsports series in the world. So was the FBI, allegedly, as part of a Department of Justice investigation into why F1 denied the Andretti organization expansion into the series. F1 currently has 10 teams that field 20 cars and only one — the organization owned by California businessman Gene Haas — is an American team. Las Vegas marks the third race this season in the United States, more than any other country, as F1 has exploded in American popularity over the last five years. Even so, Andretti could not get approval from F1 to enter the series. But, the situation changed in September when Andretti scaled back his role with his namesake organization. Now with Towriss in charge, talks have amplified, even though it is not clear what the name of an Andretti-less F1 team would even be. Cadillac would do the engines — but says it won't be ready until 2028 — which means a 2026 Towriss-led F1 team would be GM branded but with a partner engine supplier. Most of the existing teams have been largely opposed to an 11th team entering F1, citing a dilution in prize money and the massive expenses they've already committed to the series. But, Andretti among others believed the teams' position was personal in that they simply didn't like Andretti, who ran 13 races in the 1993 season. His father, Mario, is the 1978 F1 world champion. The Andretti application had already been approved by the FIA, which is F1's ruling body, but later denied by F1 itself. F1 promised to revisit the issue once General Motors had an engine ready to compete. The existing 10 F1 teams have no actual vote or say in if the grid is expanded, which Mercedes boss Toto Wolff reiterated Thursday when The Associated Press asked why the sudden chance of acceptance in a potential 11th team. "We have an obligation, a statutory obligation as directors, to present the standpoint that is the best for our company and for our employees, and we've done that," Wolff said. "I think if a team can add to the championship, particularly if GM decides to come in as a team owner, that is a different story. "And as long as it is creative, that means we're growing the popularity of the sport, we're growing the revenue of the sport, then no team will be ever against it. So I'm putting my hope in there." Wolff has been eager to hear from Towriss directly on what the plans for the organization are now that Andretti has a smaller role. "No one from Andretti or Andretti Global or whatever the name will be has ever spoken to me a single sentence in presentation of what the creative part is," he said. "But they don't need to because the teams don't decide. It is the commercial rights holder, with the FIA, we have no say. If I want to be invited to a party and go to the party, I'm sitting down at the table and telling who I am and why I'm really good fun and sitting here and everybody will enjoy my presence. "That hasn't happened, but you know, that's now my personal point of view, not a professional, because there's nothing we can do, nothing we can say," Wolff continued. "And I don't know the people. I've obviously spoken to Mario. I didn't speak to his son. I didn't speak to any other people that are behind that. I don't know who they are. So I know GM, GM is great." Fred Vasseur, team principal at Ferrari, said he's not opposed to another team if it adds value to F1. "The discussion is between FIA, the team, and FOM. It's not our choice," he said. "For sure, as Toto said, that if it's good for the sport, good for the show, good for the business, and adds value on the sporting side, that we are all OK." Get local news delivered to your inbox!
Donald Trump is reportedly planning to go after the career prosecutors who worked under special counsel Jack Smith in the two federal cases against him — which legal experts have called a gross violation of precedent . But at least one Republican senator is laying the groundwork to cheerlead Trump's move, according to MSNBC's Steve Benen. Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO) said on last weekend's "Meet the Press," that "First and foremost, the people involved with this should be fired immediately," and that those prosecutors investigated Trump "because they didn’t like his politics," noted Benen. Schmitt did not provide evidence for his statement. This is somewhat in line with what Trump's team has pushed, Benen wrote, with his incoming press secretary Karoline Leavitt saying, “President Trump campaigned on firing rogue bureaucrats who have engaged in the illegal weaponization of our American justice system, and the American people can expect he will deliver on that promise. One of the many reasons that President Trump won the election in a landslide is Americans are sick and tired of seeing their tax dollars spent on targeting the Biden-Harris Administration’s political enemies rather than going after real violent criminals in our streets.” ALSO READ: Merrick Garland and his 'Justice' Department should never be forgiven Everything in this statement is wrong, Benen continued. "Members of the special counsel’s team aren’t 'rogue bureaucrats'; they’re law enforcement professionals who pursued highly credible criminal cases based on voluminous evidence. Meanwhile, there’s literally no evidence of 'illegal weaponization of our American justice system' — at least not from the last four years ." Additionally, Trump's win wasn't a "landslide" — just a narrow plurality — and crime has fallen under the Biden administration. Schmitt's endorsement of the plan, however, is a sign that Republicans in Congress aren't likely to be a check on how Trump interferes with the Justice Department, Benen concluded. Indeed, he wrote, Schmitt's language shows he "sees law enforcement as the bad guys in this story, and the defendant as the victim." "Keep this in mind if/when the incoming president starts targeting Smith’s colleagues early next year," he said.
NoneMicrosoft faces wide-ranging US antitrust probe
Jedd Fisch has a busy few weeks ahead of him. The Huskies may not be preparing for conference championship weekend this year, but next week begins one of the most crucial periods for UW’s 2025 season. “At that point in time, we can really visit what it's going to look like in the future,” Fisch said on Monday. “What’s the 2025 calendar year going to look like and what’s the team going to look like moving forward.” Washington plays No. 1 Oregon in Eugene on Saturday, kicking off a chaotic two-week period for Fisch and the Huskies. Early signing day for high school football recruits is Dec. 4. UW will find out where and when its bowl game will be on Dec. 8. Then, on Dec. 9, the winter transfer portal opens. Players will be able to enter their name until Dec. 28. “We’ll be ready for all that,” Fisch said on Monday. “We expect to make some play on some guys when they enter the portal from other programs, and we expect to have to fight hard to keep our team in check. And we’re looking forward to doing that.” Like most coaches, Fisch said he knows it’s unlikely Washington will have zero players enter the transfer portal. He said the coaching staff will have discussions with all the players on UW’s roster following the game against Oregon about where they fit in the program and what their future at Washington looks like going forward. Fisch said these meetings cover lots of different topics. Players want to know if they have a path toward playing time. They want to know how they fit into the program’s vision and how the coaching staff plans to develop them. NIL opportunities, of course, are also a major concern. Starting this summer, student-athletes will also be able to earn revenue-sharing money directly from the university. The House v. NCAA settlement received preliminary approval in October and has a hearing for final approval set for April 7, 2025, so Fisch said he and his staff will also have to explain what those opportunities will look like for his players next season, too. “It’s a matter of making sure that if you do lose a player in the portal — or a player chooses to go in the portal — it’s a good decision for everybody,” Fisch said. “You hate to see people go in there with nowhere to go. You hate to see people go in there and then feel like they’re missing out on something special. “But on that same token, we also know that some people just want to go and play, and they might see a better opportunity to play somewhere else.” Fisch also acknowledged some of his players have already had NIL collectives from other teams inquire about potentially entering the portal. This is not a recruiting violation because of a lawsuit brought against the NCAA by the states of Tennessee and Virginia earlier in 2023 which resulted in a federal judge providing a temporary preliminary injunction against the NCAA, preventing it from enforcing its NIL rules for recruits. While coaches and members of a school’s athletic department cannot reach out directly, NIL collectives, as third-party companies, are not subject to similar restrictions under the current injunction. Fisch also noted other third-party intermediaries or even friends of players on other rosters will occasionally enquire about a player’s potential entry into the transfer portal. “I don’t know exactly who they are — or maybe I do — but of course that’s going on,” Fisch said. “It’s the nature of the beast that we’re living in right now. We’re living in a world where the deregulation of college football has turned it into a little bit of the wild, wild West.” The addition of revenue sharing will also impact how UW approaches the 2025 transfer portal. Fisch noted every program and team will use its money differently, similar to NFL roster construction. For example, the UW coach said Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman, Fisch’s college roommate at Florida, likes to invest heavily in offensive and defensive linemen, then quarterbacks before trying to trade for skill-position players. Other general managers, Fisch said, may prefer to have an elite wide receiver or running back. This season, however, Fisch said his number one priority — both in high-school recruiting and in the transfer portal — is helping UW get bigger. Fisch has repeatedly said he expects to build UW’s offensive line through high-school prospects. He previously noted most good offensive linemen don’t enter the transfer portal because they’re so valuable, and every program competes for the few who decide to go somewhere else. The Huskies currently have six offensive linemen committed to their 2025 recruiting class: Zac Stascausky, Jack Shaffer, Champ Taulealea, Peter Langi, Jake Flores and Lowen Colman-Brusa. Stascausky and Taulealea are both considered four-star prospects by 247Sports composite rankings. All six players weigh 275 pounds or heavier, and can sign with UW on Dec. 4. Washington has enjoyed some relative success adding defensive linemen from the transfer portal. Senior defensive tackle Sebastian Valdez, for example, has racked up 39 tackles including 4.5 for a loss, two sacks and a pass breakup since transferring from Montana State. Valdez also has 19 pressures and 13 hurries according to Pro Football Focus, making him one of UW’s most valuable 2024 transfer portal additions. “We’re recognizing the transition from the Pac-12 to the Big Ten starts up front,” Fisch said. “When we look at our games and how we’ve played, we see that there’s some size differential between us and the top six or seven programs that have been recruiting in the Big Ten for years and years. We need to use resources to make sure we get big. How quickly we can get big will be the test.” While Fisch thinks about building his offensive and defensive lines going forward, he said he’s still focused on putting out UW’s best effort against Oregon this Saturday at Autzen Stadium. He added his message to his players has been to get through this weekend before worrying about the future. “Let’s spend six days trying to beat Oregon, let’s just do that,” Fisch said. “Let’s not worry about who’s reaching out, and who’s trying to get what, and what money looks like, and what negotiations look like. Let’s do everything we can to beat Oregon.”Michelle Wu’s State of the City pushed back, will work after birth of baby girl
India News | India, EU Firm Up Extensive Roadmap for Green Hydrogen CooperationFLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — The New York Jets might be dealing with an opponent even tougher to overcome than their poor play, missed opportunities and ill-timed mistakes. Wide receiver Garrett Wilson suggested last Sunday a losing “gene” might be an explanation for the Jets’ inability to pull out victories after the team dropped to 3-10 with a loss at Miami. On Wednesday, Aaron Rodgers presented another perhaps more sinister reason. “I mean, it might be something like that," the quarterback said of Wilson's theory. "It might be some sort of curse we've got to snap as well.” Generations of frustrated Jets fans have half-jokingly insisted there have been negative forces at work against the franchise since Joe Namath delivered on his Super Bowl guarantee in January 1969. It remains the team's only appearance in the NFL's biggest game. Rodgers has been there once — and won — with Green Bay. The 41-year-old quarterback came to New York hoping to finally lead the Jets back to the Super Bowl. He even commented on how lonely the team's only Lombardi Trophy looked during his introductory news conference 20 months ago. Instead, Rodgers' first season in New York was cut short by a torn Achilles tendon just four snaps in, immediately resurrecting "curse” theories among jaded Jets fans. With its loss last Sunday, New York extended its playoff drought to 14 straight years, the longest active skid among the major North American sports leagues. And the team will be looking for a new general manager and coach after this season, and Rodgers' future in New York is very much up in the air. “Whatever the case, this team, this organization is going to figure out how to get over the hump at some point,” Rodgers said. “The culture is built by the players. There’s a framework set down by the organization, by the upper ups, by the staff. But in the end, it’s the players that make it come to life. "And at some point, everybody’s going to have to figure out what that special sauce is to turn those games that should be wins into wins.” The Jets have held the lead in the fourth quarter in five games this season. They've lost each of them, including the past three games. New York's inability to come away with wins in those prompted Wilson's “gene” theory. “I’m not exactly sure what he was talking about there,” Rodgers said with a smile. "I don’t know what the proper nomenclature is for the situation where we’ve lost some leads or haven’t been able to take the lead late in the game, but that’s the way it goes sometimes. We haven’t been great in situational football. “A lot of those games come down to the plays in the first and second, even third quarter, where if you make the play the game is not in that situation. But in those situations, we haven’t been very good on offense or defense or even (special) teams.” Rodgers said “it takes a conscious effort, it takes an intentional effort” to establish a winning culture, and it includes leadership, practice habits and setting standards inside and outside of the locker room. And this year's Jets, Rodgers said, are “on the edge” of that. “We just haven’t quite figured out how to get that special sauce worked out, mixed up,” he said. “It’s close and a lot of great guys are in the locker room. There’s some good mix of veterans and young guys, but we just haven’t quite put it all together.” ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL Dennis Waszak Jr., The Associated Press
How close are we to true driverless vehicles being made available to consumers? The big buzz subject in the automotive world from a decade ago may have slowed; yet there continue to be significant developments in this area. With current developments, automation can vary from level 0 to level 5 within the automotive industry, from sole reliance on driver control, all the way to completely driverless vehicles. There is also considerable investment. The latest report “ Roboshuttles and Autonomous Buses 2024-2044 ” predicts that the global sales revenue of roboshuttles and autonomous buses is to exceed US$67 billion by 2044. The report predicts that roboshuttles and autonomous buses will likely strive for level 5 operation as a long-term goal, although at present they are currently aiming for level 4, where driverless operation can take place within specific areas. Unlike most buses, roboshuttles are designed to be small, with not-too-large capacities, making them suitable to deploy in higher numbers within small areas. Operating under level 4 driving conditions, these vehicles are driverless and efficient, accommodating up to 22 passengers. Despite being smaller than a minibus, the extra room allowed by having no driver means their 4–6-meter length can hold a greater capacity. Commercialization, however, is proving tricky for roboshuttles, with many being deployed on trial but struggling to go any further towards mainstream acceptance. Consequently, IDTechEx reports a decline in the number of players from over 25 to just 12 since 2020, with most companies still in the early stages of development in 2023. Autonomous buses – mini, midi, and city Mini, midi, and city buses are among the various types of autonomous buses. These are higher capacity of buses compared to roboshuttles, at around 100 passengers per city bus. The large number of investments required for autonomous buses to become mainstream is indicated by the limited number of players within the market. The regulatory challenges faced by companies, alongside the increased challenges and slow progress of level 4 systems in larger buses, are also factors slowing down commercialization. There are some successes, such as the autonomous night bus project in South Korea, where a shortage of taxis might otherwise cause transportation concerns, again highlighting a real-world application for these buses. Going forwards, the development of autonomous buses and roboshuttles is likely to continue somewhat slowly due to a lack of funding and regulatory challenges. Dr. Tim Sandle is Digital Journal's Editor-at-Large for science news.Tim specializes in science, technology, environmental, business, and health journalism. He is additionally a practising microbiologist; and an author. He is also interested in history, politics and current affairs.
Members of the Colorado Supreme Court appeared incredulous on Wednesday as a lawyer for Weld County argued the jurisdiction did not need to follow the state's redistricting law, maintained it should not have to redraw its commissioner districts for nine more years, and declined to say whether the county would even follow a Supreme Court order. "I'm from Brooklyn, New York. The word we’d use is 'chutzpah,'" said Justice Richard L. Gabriel, reacting to Weld County's assertions during oral arguments. Although some justices were unsure whether they had the power to tell the county to redo its process in time for the 2026 election, the Colorado Attorney General's Office argued there had to be a consequence if local jurisdictions evade their once-a-decade redistricting obligations. "If that’s the case, then what is to stop this from happening the next time?" said Deputy Attorney General Jennifer L. Sullivan. In 2021, the General Assembly enacted House Bill 1047 , laying out requirements for counties to follow when completing their post-census redrawing of commission districts. The law applied to only a handful of counties that elect commissioners by district, and provided direction for holding hearings, producing alternate maps and maximizing politically competitive districts. Two local civic groups — the League of Women Voters and the Latino Coalition of Weld County — along with two voters filed suit following the adoption of Weld County's new district maps in 2023. They pointed out the jurisdiction had not followed HB 1047, under the belief that its home rule status meant it only needed to comply with the redistricting provisions of its own charter. Weld County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 4, 2021. In a March 2024 order, District Court Judge Todd Taylor agreed the county "failed to meet nearly every procedural requirement" the legislature imposed. He further found the General Assembly did intend for HB 1047 to apply to Weld County and its charter did not excuse it from following state law. Recognizing Weld County would not likely have enough time to properly draw its commission districts this year, Taylor allowed the board to use its pre-2023 map temporarily. The county and the plaintiffs both filed appeals with the Court of Appeals, but the plaintiffs petitioned the Supreme Court to stage a rare intervention and immediately hear the case itself. The Colorado Constitution allows home rule counties to set up the "organization and structure" of their county functions via a charter. On the subject of redistricting, Weld County's charter only provides that there be three commissioner districts and that the county board shall revise the boundaries no more than every two years to ensure the populations are roughly equal. At the same time, the charter obligates the board to fulfill any duties "that may hereafter be required or permitted by State law." (From left) Colorado Supreme Court Justice Brian D. Boatright, Chief Justice Monica M. M á rquez, and Justice William W. Hood III listen to arguments from Assistant Attorney General Caitlin E. Grant during the People v. Rodriguez-Morelos case as part of Courts in the Community at the Wolf Law building at University of Colorado Boulder on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024. The semi-annual event entails the Colorado Supreme Court hearing arguments before an audience of students throughout the state. (Stephen Swofford, Denver Gazette) To the plaintiffs, Weld County's duty was clear: Follow the state's redistricting requirements, which do not conflict with the existing guideposts in the charter. "The board wants the power to choose its voters, rather than give voters the power to choose their government," attorney Kendra N. Beckwith told the Supreme Court. "This is not what democracy looks like. This is not what home rule looks like. And the board's self-interested process is not what redistricting looks like in this state." Sullivan, who also argued in support of the plaintiffs, drew the court's attention to the board's decision to split Greeley, the most populous city with a large Hispanic population , between the three commission districts. The board's deviation from the transparency requirements in state law left no way to "rebut a belief or conclusion that the map was drawn that way for partisan reasons or to disenfranchise some voters," she said. The city of Greeley, Colo., split between three Weld County commissioner districts. Source: League of Women Voters of Greeley, Weld County, Inc. v. Board of County Commissioners "I will confess that I've been scratching my head a little bit around that remedy," said Chief Justice Monica M. Márquez, who noted the plaintiffs did not argue the maps themselves were unfair. "Help me understand how the court has authority to require compliance with a deadline that has long since passed" in 2023. In contrast, members of the court were far more skeptical of Weld County's justifications for redrawing its districts without regard to HB 1047. Justice Melissa Hart wondered how the county's constitutional ability to set up the "organization and structure" of its government gave it license to ignore redistricting steps. "Organization and structure of county government, it seems to me, is about an org chart. Who does what within the government," she said. "This is not about the organization of the Weld County government." Parker Seibold, the Denver Gazette Colorado Supreme Court Justices William Hood III, left, Melissa Hart and Maria Berkenkotter listen to an argument during a Courts in the Community session held at Pine Creek High School last year. "How do you get around your own charter," added Gabriel, "that says commissioners shall exercise powers and perform all duties that may be required by state law?" The redistricting requirements "force on the county how to do something which the county already provided for in its own home rule charter," responded attorney Alexandria L. Bell. "And now what we are being asked to do is to actually be forced to follow how-to procedures that are not in the charter." She said that Weld County, which was part of an unsuccessful secession attempt in 2013, "does not have a duty to its citizens to follow" the redistricting law. If voters wanted such a process, they could amend the charter to include one. "But what would that vote look like?" interjected Gabriel. "The referendum would be a vote on whether the people of Weld County have to follow the ruling of the Colorado Supreme Court? With all respect, I don’t think the people of Weld County have that right." Justice Carlos A. Samour Jr. wondered if Weld County could feasibly comply with the redistricting law in time for the 2026 election, if the court were to rule in the plaintiffs' favor. "I'm assuming you would try to comply with our order," he added. Bell did not say whether the county would comply, only that the charter permits boundary adjustments in two-year increments. "I’m not sure if I answered your question," she said. "I’m not sure if you did, either," Samour replied. Rep. Chris deGruy Kennedy, D-Lakewood, who sponsored HB 1047, said he found it "unbelievable" that Weld County refused to follow the law. He shared with Colorado Politics a 2021 email from Republican Commissioner Perry Buck in which she promised to "do all I can" to kill the legislation. "Yes, I absolutely intended the law to apply to Weld County, and they know it," deGruy Kennedy said. The case is League of Women Voters of Greeley, Weld County, Inc. et al. v. Board of County Commissioners.November 21 - Quarterback Sam Darnold kickstarted the Vikings' offense on Thursday as he has most of the 2024 season, and plans to play Sunday in a meaningful NFC North road game at Chicago. Darnold returned to practice after being listed as a limited participant on Wednesday because of a foot injury. The Vikings (8-2) are anticipating another close matchup with the Bears (4-6), who won a field-goal battle at Minnesota last season while head coach Kevin O'Connell was shuttling quarterbacks in and out of the lineup to replace the injured Kirk Cousins. That's not a problem these days. After Cousins left for greener pastures in Atlanta, the Vikings signed Darnold to a one-year deal and drafted Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy in the first round. Darnold already has eight wins, beating the 7-10 mark the Vikings cobbled together with a QB room that spun on fast forward from Cousins, Jaren Hall, Nick Mullens, and Joshua Dobbs. "What we're trying to get from Sam is play the best football of his career," O'Connell said. Darnold is delivering and the Vikings have a three-game winning streak in tow when they arrive at Soldier Field on Sunday. He has posted a 100.0 passer rating in 10 starts. He has completed a career-best 67.9 percent of his passes for 2,387 yards, 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. The next touchdown pass will mark a career high for Darnold, who sputtered with the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers before serving as the San Francisco 49ers' backup last season. "I just feel like, you know -- not talking about past experiences at all -- but I think here it's the detail that we've had ever since OTAs, ever since April," Darnold said. "We've been able to lock in our progressions. Just our feet, our eyes, where they're supposed to be. And just being on time with the concepts. "If you play like that, it makes the quarterback position a little bit easier." --Field Level Media Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tab
Manchin, Sinema prevent Democrats from locking in majority on labor board through 2026 WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Democrats failed in their bid to confirm a Democratic member of the National Labor Relations Board after the Senate rejected a razor-thin vote that hinged on the pivotal rejections of independent Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona. If the nomination had been successful, the board would have had a Democratic majority until 2026. President-elect Donald Trump will now have a chance to nominate a replacement. The NLRB is a government agency that handles labor relations and unionization in the workplace. It also has the power to investigate potential unfair labor practices, meaning its leadership is highly scrutinized by business interests and labor groups. The failed vote is another blow to Senate Democrats and outgoing President Joe Biden's agenda. Arizona AG sues Saudi firm over 'excessive' groundwater pumping, saying it's a public nuisance PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes says she is suing a Saudi Arabian agribusiness over what she calls “excessive pumping” of groundwater. She alleges that the Fondomonte alfalfa farm in western Arizona is violating a public nuisance law even though the area has no groundwater pumping regulations. Mayes said Wednesday that Fondomonte's use of groundwater threatens the public health, safety and infrastructure of local communities in rural La Paz County. It's Arizona's latest action against foreign companies that use huge amounts of groundwater to grow thirsty forage crops for export. The Associated Press emailed Fondomonte seeking a response to the lawsuit. US inflation ticked up last month as some price pressures remain persistent WASHINGTON (AP) — Fueled by pricier used cars, hotel rooms and groceries, inflation in the United States moved slightly higher last month in the latest sign that some price pressures remain elevated. Consumer prices rose 2.7% in November from a year earlier, up from a yearly figure of 2.6% in October. Excluding volatile food and energy costs, so-called core prices increased 3.3%. Measured month to month, prices climbed 0.3% from October to November, the biggest such increase since April. Wednesday’s inflation figures are the final major piece of data Federal Reserve officials will consider before they meet next week to decide on interest rates. The November increase won’t likely be enough to discourage the officials from cutting their key rate by a quarter-point. 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.” 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. Supreme Court allows investors' class action to proceed against microchip company Nvidia WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court is allowing a class-action lawsuit that accuses Nvidia of misleading investors about its past dependence on selling computer chips for the mining of volatile cryptocurrency to proceed. The court’s decision Wednesday comes the same week that China said it is investigating the the microchip company over suspected violations of Chinese anti-monopoly laws. The justices heard arguments four weeks ago in Nvidia’s bid to shut down the lawsuit, then decided that they were wrong to take up the case in the first place. They dismissed the company’s appeal, leaving in place an appellate ruling allowing the case to go forward. Apple's latest iPhones get the gift of more AI as holiday shopping season heats up SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Apple is pumping more artificial intelligence into the latest iPhones during the holiday shopping season. It comes in the form of a free software update that includes a feature that enables users to create customized emojis within a matter of seconds. The Wednesday release of the iPhone’s upgraded operating system extends Apple’s expansion into AI months after rivals such as Samsung and Google began implanting the revolutionary on their devices. The update builds upon another one that came out in late October. The latest round of AI tricks includes “Genmojis,” Apple’s description of emojis that iPhone users will be able to ask the technology to create and then share. EU targets Russia's ghost fleet shipping oil in a new round of sanctions BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union envoys have agreed a new raft of sanctions against Russia over its war on Ukraine. The EU's Hungarian presidency said Wednesday that the measures will target in particular a vast shadow fleet of ships that Moscow is exploiting to skirt restrictions on transporting oil and fuel. The sanctions are aimed at about 50 of what are routinely decrepit ships. The sanctions will hit more officials and entities alleged to be helping Russia to improve its military technology by evading export restrictions. EU foreign ministers are set to formally adopt the sanctions package on Monday. Can ordinary citizens solve our toughest problems? BEND, OREGON (AP) — Research shows Americans are frustrated with what they perceive as aloofness and gridlock within civic institutions. Citizen assemblies may be able to help. The groups which have direct involvement in decision-making can help “overcome polarization and strengthen societal cohesion,” says Claudia Chwalisz, founder of DemocracyNext. Her nonprofit, launched in Paris in 2022, champions such assemblies worldwide, hoping they can “create the democratic spaces for everyday people to grapple with the complexity of policy issues, listen to one another, and find common ground.” In Europe, examples of such changes abound. In the United States, results are spottier. Making a $1B investment in the US? Trump pledges expedited permits — but there are hurdles WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump is promising expedited federal permits for energy projects and other construction worth more than $1 billion. But like other Trump plans, the idea is likely to run into regulatory and legislative hurdles, including a landmark law that requires federal agencies to consider the environmental impact before deciding on major projects. Environmental groups called the plan a clear violation of the National Environmental Policy Act. The chief policy advocacy officer at the Natural Resources Defense Council says Trump should be careful what he wishes for. She said, "What if someone wants to build a waste incinerator next to Mar-a-Lago or a coal mine next to Bedminster golf course?”No. 25 Illinois rebounds in big way, blasts UMES 87-40
The main opposition People's Party (PP) announced it would not take part in former protest leader Sondhi Limthongkul's planned anti-government protests, saying it would work within the parliamentary system to fulfill its role. PP spokesman Parit Wacharasindhu said on Wednesday the party would focus on the government's work and address issues that were of public concern through parliamentary mechanisms. These issues, including the justice administration process, the Khao Kradong land controversy and the 2001 memorandum of understanding on joint development in the Gulf of Thailand signed by Thailand and Cambodia, would be examined as usual, he said. The party would also do it best to advocate for reforms and policies by submitting bills or proposing legal amendments, many of which were approved by parliament, he said. Mr Parit was responding to comments by Nattawut Saikuar, an adviser to the prime minister, who said PP supporters might join the planned street protests. The PP spokesman dismissed Mr Nattawut's comments as speculation, saying he had no idea on what it was based. However, he insisted the party supports people's freedom of expression whether the party agrees with the issues and it hopes that political expression will not violate democratic principles. "The party has no intention to whip up political movements outside parliament. "We're determined to work within the system to keep the government in check and advocate for change," he said. Mr Sondhi, former leader of the now-defunct People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), caused a stir this week when he announced his plan to hold regular activities next year. Some observers warned these activities could escalate into mass demonstrations against the Pheu Thai-led government and even lead to the seizure of power. Mr Nattawut said previous demonstrations against the Thai Rak Thai-led government and the Pheu Thai administration culminated in the 2006 and 2014 coups. PM's Office Minister Chousak Sirinil on Wednesday called on the public to consider the impacts of past yellow-shirt protests and the coups, saying they were important lessons for the country. He said these incidents brought political instability which posed a major obstacle to the country's development. Mr Chousak said there were no conditions which could trigger mass protests and added that no negotiations under the 2001 MoU were in progress. He said the result of the talks would have to be reviewed and approved by parliament. "Such a crisis is way behind us, and I don't want the country to go back to that point," he said. The Pheu Thai Party member also brushed off speculation the Paetongtarn Shinawatra administration would be short-lived. Paiboon Nititawan, secretary-general of the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), on Wednesday warned the government not to mess things up especially when dealing with charter amendments and the referendum bill, which are controversial matters. He was commenting on Mr Chousak's remark that the waiting period for the referendum bill would be much shorter if it was classified as a finance-related law after the Senate last week won the joint House-Senate panel vote to retain the double majority rule needed to pass a charter amendment referendum. The House is likely to affirm the simple majority when the bill is returned for a vote, as it has backed such a change in the past. In this case a 180-day mandatory "cooling-off period" would apply before the bill is passed. However, if the bill is classified as a finance law, it will be suspended only 10 days, instead of 180 days. Mr Paiboon said the government should respect the House regulations and the House Speaker's judgement that the referendum bill is not a finance bill. He also said he agreed with some analysts' observations the Paetongtarn government might not last a year.