These days, many tech enthusiasts and market watchers recognize Elon Musk and Sam Altman as rivals. But it wasn’t always that way. The two founded OpenAI in 2015 with a shared vision of advancing artificial intelligence. But by 2018, it became clear that the two tech visionaries had different ideas about what that would look like (but that’s another story for another day). So, Elon Musk left OpenAI. And a few years later – in 2022 – ChatGPT-4 debuted and kickstarted the AI Boom. Not to be outdone, Musk founded his own AI startup in 2023: xAI. And since then, the world’s richest man has been working furiously to catch up in the AI race. One way he’s been doing this is through Colossus, the world’s largest supercomputer. Located in Memphis, Tennessee, it currently has 100,000 graphics processing units (GPUs) and was built within 122 days. For this kind of project, it would typically take months or years to build. If that weren’t enough, last Wednesday, December 4, we learned that Colossus is about to get a LOT bigger. The Greater Memphis Chamber announced that xAI will begin expanding its supercomputer to hold at least 1 million GPUs. The GPUs are used to train xAI’s chatbot, Grok which was the first product to come out of the startup. Two AI companies are key in this expansion: NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) and Super Micro Computer, Inc. (SMCI). The former supplies Colossus with its GPUs, and the latter, along with Dell Technologies Inc. (DELL), assembled the supercomputer’s server racks. These are, essentially, a specialized cabinet used to organize multiple servers in a data center. The three tech giants will also establish operations in Memphis to support the buildout. Now, NVIDIA and Super Micro have been under Wall Street’s microscope lately as recent pressure continues to mount. So, in today’s Market 360, I want to talk about the ramifications of this announcement on the AI Boom. I’ll also briefly address the reasons behind NVIDIA’s and Super Micro’s pullbacks this week, and whether investors can feel confident in these names moving forward. NVIDIA Gets Accused of Being a Monopoly Let’s talk about the latest news regarding NVIDIA. You probably noticed that the stock fell 5% earlier this week and is down roughly 5.7% for the week overall. There is one reason why: China accused it of being a monopoly and is opening an investigation into the company. Well, my comment is this: Of course, it’s a monopoly – that’s why I own it! As I mentioned in last Saturday’s Market 360 , I believe NVIDIA is the stock of the decade because of its monopolistic characteristics. In other words, it is so dominant that there are virtually no competitors. The reality is China is very frustrated with the Biden administration as it has restricted the type of chips that NVIDIA can sell to China. At one time, NVIDIA modified its chips to shrink the bus width, which is the rate of data transfer, and shipped those chips to China. But that wasn’t enough for the Biden administration, and NVIDIA had to modify the chips further. These technology curbs and uncertainty about the types of technology restrictions the incoming Trump administration could implement has China lashing out. But I don’t want you to worry. NVIDIA’s fundamentals have not changed. All that happened was that the trading algorithms of major institutions and hedge funds saw negative news and hit the stock. Super Micro Gets a Key Extension You may recall that Super Micro Computer found itself in hot water earlier this year when Hindenberg Research, an unscrupulous short seller, issued a report claiming that Super Micro committed accounting violations based on the story of a disgruntled former employee. After an independent review, no evidence of accounting fraud was found. Shares of Super Micro surged 30% in one day following the news. Then, on Friday, December 6, the NASDAQ granted Super Micro’s request for an extension to allow more time to submit its 10-K and 10-Q filings, along with any other required reports. Super Micro now has until February 25, 2025, to file all required reports to remain listed on the NASDAQ. This triggered another 7% pop in the stock. In recent comments, CEO Charles Liang said that he is confident the company will meet the deadline. That didn’t stop investors from taking profits, though, and the stock was down about 10% this week. The bottom line is that Super Micro continues to dominate liquid-cooled AI chips in data centers, which are becoming faster and faster all the time. So, the company’s solutions remain in hot demand. Super Micro Computer even revealed recently that it shipped a record 100,000 GPUs in the most recent quarter. What’s more, an article in Investor’s Business Daily recently pointed out that Super Micro Computer’s customers are sticking with the company. In other words, the company’s massive order backlog persists – and the company is on track to ramp up production at its new plant in Malaysia in the first half of 2025. It’s also important to remember that this has always been a very volatile stock. So, while the stock was down this week, it has gone up 65% over the last month. Your Next Stock-Picking Tool to Have in Your Arsenal From what I can see, the AI Boom isn’t slowing down any time soon. It is in full force and will stay that way for the foreseeable future. This latest news from xAI is proof of that. Planning to make what is already the world’s largest supercomputer 10 times more powerful just speaks to the magnitude of the arms race taking place between not only xAI and OpenAI, but dozens of other well-funded AI unicorn startups – not to mention Big Tech. And as long as this enormous arms race continues, that’s fantastic news for the likes of NVIDIA and Super Micro. So, folks, there’s nothing to worry about with NVIDIA and Super Micro. Now, I’ve been able to find companies with superior fundamentals like NVIDIA and Super Micro thanks to my proprietary Stock Grader tool. I’ve seen my fair share of stock-picking tools in my 40-plus years in the business. But when I saw the system that my friend and InvestorPlace colleague Luke Lango created, I was impressed. It’s called Auspex . Every month, it analyzes stocks that have strong fundamental, technical and sentimental factors. Based on the analysis, Luke will let you know which stocks are the best to buy and which ones to sell. It couldn’t be any easier. But I’m a numbers guy, so I wanted to see how it performed against the broader market. Thankfully, Luke and his team did thorough backtesting between September 2019 to September 2024. If rebalanced monthly, Auspex would have returned 1,054%. In comparison, the S&P 500 only had 109% in returns. That’s really impressive. This past Wednesday, Luke shared more about how his Auspex tool works in The Auspex Anomaly Event . This replay will only be available for the next few days, so you don’t want to miss it! Click here now to watch the replay of The Auspex Anomaly Event . Sincerely, Louis Navellier Editor, Market360 The Editor hereby discloses that as of the date of this email, the Editor, directly or indirectly, owns the following securities that are the subject of the commentary, analysis, opinions, advice, or recommendations in, or which are otherwise mentioned in, the essay set forth below: NVIDIA Corporation ( NVDA ) and Super Micro Computer, Inc. (SMCI)Littler, who won the Grand Slam of Darts last week, hit checkouts of 170, 164 and 136 as he threatened to overturn an early deficit, but Humphries held his nerve to win the last three legs. “I’m really, really proud of that one to be honest,” Humphries told Sky Sports. FOR THE SECOND TIME 🏆🏆 Luke Humphries retains his 2024 Ladbrokes Players Championship Finals title, beating Luke Littler 11-7 in the final. pic.twitter.com/QUhxvSbGeu — PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) November 24, 2024 “I didn’t feel myself this week playing-wise, I felt like I was a dart behind in a lot of the scenarios but there’s something that Luke does to you. He really drives me, makes me want to be a better player and I enjoy playing him. “He let me in really early in that first session to go 4-1 up, I never looked back and I’m proud that I didn’t take my foot off the gas. These big games are what I live for. “Luke is a special talent and he was right – I said to him I’ve got to get these (titles) early before he wins them all. “I’d love to be up here and hitting 105 averages like Luke is all the time but he’s a different calibre, he’s probably the best player in the world right now but there’s something about me that never gives up. “This is a great way to go into the worlds.” HUMPHRIES GOES BACK-TO-BACK! 🏆 Luke Humphries retains his Players Championship Finals title! Cool Hand puts on an absolute clinic to defeat Luke Littler 11-7 in an epic final! 📺 https://t.co/AmuG0PMn18 #PCF2024 | Final pic.twitter.com/nZDWPUVjWE — PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) November 24, 2024 Littler, who lost the world championship final to Humphries last year, said: “It was tough, missed a few doubles and if you don’t take chances early on, it’s a lot to come back. “I hit the 170 and the 164 but just didn’t have enough in the end. “It’s been a good past two weeks. I just can’t wait to go home, chill out, obviously practice at home for the worlds. That’s it now, leading up to the big one.”Canadian precious metal stocks are experiencing a powerful bull market phase thanks to an equally strong bullish trend in gold prices. However, the trend hasn’t remained limited to gold stocks; many are riding the momentum as well. A few other metal stocks, even though they are unrelated to this market, have also experienced a powerful upward surge. Collectively, there are three metal stocks that you should consider looking into, considering their powerful bullish momentum. They may help you achieve decent gains, even if you work with a modest amount of capital. A gold stock Let’s start with the gold stocks since gold prices are still surging. While many giants in this segment have seen serious gains, smaller players like ( ) are surging even more robustly. With a market capitalization of just $533 million, this little stock has risen about 197% in 2024 alone. It can easily double its capital in the next six months if it manages to sustain this pace. This Toronto-based company operates primarily in Guyana and has two different projects in the country. The projects are still in exploratory stages, but the results look quite promising. It recently secured exploration rights on a 30,000-acre parcel from a local entity. Both of the company’s projects are on very promising parcels of land, and the prospects of high-grade gold discovery are one of the factors fueling the stock’s surge. A silver stock ( ) is headquartered in Vancouver. The company focuses on the extraction of high-grade silver from relatively stable regions. Its current production-grade mine, the Cerro Los Gatos Mine, is in Mexico. The company is both operating and exploring in the heart of the country’s silver belt. Silver prices are also experiencing an upward surge, and the trend stretches back to 2023, though it’s not very linear. As a result, the stock has also been bullish for over a year and has grown by about 183% in 2024 alone. It experienced a minor slump recently but has really picked up the pace in the last two weeks. The stock is overvalued right now, but that’s not too big a price to pay for the kind of growth it’s offering. However, it would be wise to keep an eye on silver prices to identify when the stock’s bullish trend might end. An antimony stock Antimony is not a precious metal, but its demand is rising because of its use in electronics and potential use in solar panels and new battery technologies. This has brought companies like ( ) into the limelight. This Idaho-based company is working to revive an old Stibnite Gold Project because once it is up and running, it may be able to meet about 35% of the U.S.’s antimony demand (in the first six years). The nature of this project (revival instead of new mining operations) and the fact that it’s directly tied to renewable power make it an interesting buy from an perspective. More importantly, it’s a rapidly growing stock that has risen over 315% this year alone, and this kind of momentum can help you double your capital in less than four months (if it’s sustained). Foolish takeaway The three metal stocks are worth considering, regardless of the amount of capital you are working with. All three companies can double your capital in less than a year if they sustain their current growth pace. And if they manage to keep it up for more than a year, the returns can be reasonably enormous.From Maui to the Caribbean, college hoops' Thanksgiving tournaments a beloved part of the sport
WASHINGTON — American Airlines briefly grounded flights nationwide Tuesday because of a technical problem just as the Christmas travel season kicked into overdrive and winter weather threatened more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive. Government regulators cleared American flights to get airborne about an hour after the Federal Aviation Administration ordered a national ground stop for the airline. The order, which prevented planes from taking off, was issued at the airline's request. The airline said in an email that the problem was caused by trouble with vendor technology that maintains its flight operating system. An American Airlines employee wearing looks toward quiet check-in counters Tuesday in the American terminal at Miami International Airport in Miami. Dennis Tajer, a spokesperson for the Allied Pilots Association, a union representing American Airlines pilots, said the airline told pilots at 7 a.m. Eastern that there was an outage affecting the system known as FOS. It handles different types of airline operations, including dispatch, flight planning, passenger boarding, as well as an airplane's weight and balance data, he said. People are also reading... New director transitioning to role at community food pantry Beatrice man pleads guilty to receiving child sex abuse images Former Beatrice man sentenced for sex assault of runaway Is John Dutton real? Meet the powerful rancher seemingly inspiring the 'Yellowstone' legend At the courthouse, Dec. 21, 2024 Gage County says board had authority to deny permit for broadband provider Meyn, charged in death of 4-month-old, has case continued to March Sex offender arrested for not reporting change in employment Downtown Beatrice festive for the holidays Nebraska volleyball libero Lexi Rodriguez signs with LOVB's Omaha team At the courthouse, Dec. 14, 2024 Main Street welcomes new director Matt Rhule and Nebraska football plan Pinstripe Bowl practice in Central Park As Brenda Lee turns 80, the Christmas song she sang as a teen is a holiday staple Milke pre-trial hearing in Beatrice shooting death continued to March Some components of FOS have gone down in the past, but a systemwide outage is rare, Tajer said. Flights were delayed across American's major hubs, with only 37% leaving on time, according to Cirium, an aviation analytics company. Out of the 3,901 domestic and international American Airlines flights scheduled for Tuesday, 19 were canceled. Cirium noted that the vast majority of flights departed within two hours of their scheduled departure time. A similar percentage — 36% — arrived at their destinations as scheduled. Meanwhile, the flight-tracking site FlightAware reported that 3,712 flights entering or leaving the U.S., or serving domestic destinations, were delayed Tuesday, with 55 flights canceled. It did not show any flights from American Airlines. Cirium said Dallas-Fort Worth, New York's Kennedy Airport and Charlotte, North Carolina, saw the greatest number of delays. Washington, Chicago and Miami experienced considerably fewer delays. Travelers wait in line for security checks Tuesday at the Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles. Amid the travel problems, significant rain and snow were expected in the Pacific Northwest at least into Christmas Day. Showers and thunderstorms developed in the South. Freezing rain was reported in the Mid-Atlantic region near Baltimore and Washington, and snow fell in New York. Because the holiday travel period lasts weeks, airports and airlines typically have smaller peak days than they do during the rush around Thanksgiving, but the grind of one hectic day followed by another takes a toll on flight crews. Any hiccups — a winter storm or a computer outage — can snowball into massive disruptions. That is how Southwest Airlines stranded 2 million travelers in December 2022, and Delta Air Lines suffered a smaller but significant meltdown after a worldwide technology outage in July caused by a faulty software update from cybersecurity company CrowdStrike. Many flights during the holidays are sold out, which makes cancellations even more disruptive than during slower periods. That is especially true for smaller budget airlines that have fewer flights and fewer options for rebooking passengers. Only the largest airlines, including American, Delta and United, have "interline agreements" that let them put stranded customers on another carrier's flights. An American Airlines employee wearing a Santa Claus hat walks through the American terminal Tuesday at Miami International Airport in Miami. This will be the first holiday season since a Transportation Department rule took effect that requires airlines to give customers an automatic cash refund for a canceled or significantly delayed flight. Most air travelers were already eligible for refunds, but they often had to request them. Passengers still can ask to get rebooked, which is often a better option than a refund during peak travel periods. Finding a last-minute flight on another airline tends to be expensive. An American spokesperson said Tuesday was not a peak travel day for the airline — with about 2,000 fewer flights than the busiest days — so the airline had somewhat of a buffer to manage the delays. The groundings happened as millions of travelers were expected to fly over the next 10 days. The Transportation Security Administration expects to screen 40 million passengers through Jan. 2. Airlines expect to have their busiest days on Thursday, Friday and Sunday. American Airlines employees check in travelers Tuesday in the American terminal at Miami International Airport in Miami. Many flights during the holidays are sold out, which makes cancellations more disruptive than during slower periods. Even with just a brief outage, the cancellations have a cascading effect that can take days to clear up. About 90% of Americans traveling far from home over the holidays will be in cars, according to AAA. "Airline travel is just really high right now, but most people do drive to their destinations, and that is true for every holiday," AAA spokesperson Aixa Diaz said. Gasoline prices are similar to last year. The nationwide average Thursday was $3.04 a gallon, down from $3.13 a year ago, according to AAA. Charging an electric vehicle averages just under 35 cents per per kilowatt hour, but varies by state. Transportation-data firm INRIX says travel times on the nation's highways could be up to 30% longer than normal over the holidays, with Sunday expected to see the heaviest traffic. Flight nightmare? Here's how to get compensated Flight nightmare? Here's how to get compensated "It's not the destination, it's the journey," said American essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson. Ralph clearly was not among the travellers on one of more than 350 cancelled or 1,400 delayed flights after a worldwide tech outage caused by an update to Crowdstrike's "Falcon Sensor" software in July of 2023. U.S. airlines carried nearly 863 million travellers in 2023, with Canadian carriers accounting for another 150 million, many of whom experienced lost luggage, flight delays, cancellations, or were bumped off their flights. It's unclear how many of them were compensated for these inconveniences. Suffice it to say, posting a crabby rant on social media might temporarily soothe anger, but it won't put wasted money back in pockets. Money.ca shares what to know in order to be compensated for the three most common air travel headaches. Lost Luggage Bags elected to go on a vacay without you? Check off the following: Alert the airline, both in person and in writing, of any missing bags. Remember, the clock starts ticking immediately. After 21 days, the baggage is considered lost and the airline is liable for it and its contents. Contact the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) or Canadian Transportation Agency , who will query the airline on your behalf and give them a 30-day deadline to respond. Usually, the airline will resolve the issue, but if it doesn't, or if you're unsatisfied with the offer, the next level is mediation. Beyond that, the case could move to adjudication, a court-like process with a panel deciding on the outcome. On international flights, you have up to two years to file litigation. If you expect a large payout, think again. Tariffs (air carrier contracts) limit the compensation amounts for "loss of, damage to, or the delay in delivery of baggage or other personal property." In the case of Air Canada, the maximum payout is $1,500 per passenger in the currency of the country where the baggage was processed. To raise that limit, purchase a Declaration of Higher Value for each leg of the trip. The charge is $0.50 for each $100, in which case the payout limit is $2,500. For Delta Air Lines, passengers are entitled to up to $3,800 in baggage compensation, though how much you'll receive depends on your flight. Delta will pay up to $2,080 for delayed, lost, and damaged baggage for international travellers, almost half of what U.S. domestic passengers can claim. If your flight is marked delayed for more than 30 minutes, approach the gate agent and politely request food and hotel vouchers to be used within the airport or nearby. Delayed/Cancelled Flights Different air carriers and jurisdictions have their own compensation policies when flights are delayed or cancelled. For example, under European Union rules, passengers may receive up to 600 Euros, even when travelling on a non-EU carrier. Similarly, the DOT states that travellers are entitled to a refund "if the airline cancelled a flight, regardless of the reason, and the consumer chooses not to travel." However, US rules regarding delays are complicated. Some air carriers, such as Air Canada, do not guarantee their flight schedules. They're also not liable for cancellations or changes due to "force majeure" such as weather conditions or labour disruptions. If the delay is overnight, only out-of-town passengers will be offered hotel accommodation. Nevertheless, many airlines do offer some compensation for the inconvenience. If your flight is marked delayed for more than 30 minutes, approach the gate agent and politely request food and hotel vouchers to be used within the airport or nearby. Flight Compensation in the U.S. In terms of cash compensation, what you'll get can differ significantly based on things like departure location, time, carrier, and ticket class. The DOT offers a helpful delay and cancellations dashboard designed to keep travellers informed about their compensation rights. The dashboard is particularly helpful because, as the DOT states on its website, "whether you are entitled to a refund depends on a lot of factors—such as the length of the delay, the length of the flight, and your particular circumstances." Flight Compensation in Canada The Canadian Transportation Agency is proposing air passenger protection regulations that guarantee financial compensation to travellers experiencing flight delays and cancellations, with the level of compensation varying depending on the situation and how much control the air carrier had. The proposed regulations include the following: A plane must return to its gate after three hours on the tarmac. Minimum requirements will be set for procuring food, drink, lavatories, ventilation, and access to electronic communications during the delay. For larger airlines, payouts will range from $400 for a 3-6 hour delay, to $700 for 6-9 hours, and $1,000 for more than nine hours. For smaller carriers, the compensation would be $125, $250, and $500, respectively. Here's the loophole: If the delay is related to the air carrier's maintenance problems, no compensation is required. The airline is obligated to complete the passenger's itinerary. If the new ticket is for a lower class of service, the air carrier would have to refund the cost difference; if the booking is in a higher class of service, passengers cannot be charged extra. If the passenger declines the ticket, the airline must give a full refund, in addition to the prescribed compensation. For overnight delays, the air carrier needs to provide hotel accommodation and transportation free-of-charge. Again, if you are unsatisfied, the Canadian Transportation Agency or Department of Transportation may advocate on your behalf. Bumped Off the Flight Passengers get bumped because airlines overbook. When this happens, the air carrier must compensate you. For international flights in the US, the rate is 200% of your one-way fare to your final destination, with a $675 maximum. If the airline does not make travel arrangements for you, the payout is 400% of your one-way fare to a maximum of $1,350. To qualify, you must check-in by the stated deadline, which on international flights can be up to 3 hours ahead. Keep in mind that if you accept the cash, you are no longer entitled to any further compensation, nor are you guaranteed to be rebooked on a direct flight or similar type of seat. Don't be too quick to give up your boarding pass. Negotiate for the best compensation deal that would include cash, food and hotel vouchers, flight upgrade, lounge passes, as well as mileage points. But avoid being too greedy—if the gate attendant is requesting volunteers and you wait too long, you'll miss the offer. According to Air Canada's tariff, if a passenger is involuntarily bumped, they'll receive $200, in cash or bank draft, for up to a two-hour delay; $400 for a 2-6 hours delay; and $800 if the delay is over six hours. (Air Canada was forced to raise its payouts in 2013 due to passenger complaints.) The new rules would raise the payout significantly: $900 for up to six hours; $1,800 for 6-9; and $2,400 for more than nine hours, all to be paid within 48 hours. Statistically speaking, Delta Airlines is the carrier most likely to bump. A few years ago, Delta raised its payout maximum to $9,950, while United Airlines tops out at $10,000. This story was produced by Money.ca and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. Get local news delivered to your inbox!
On Jan. 2, I stepped off the treadmill gasping for breath and learned I’d flunked the test, but this failing grade could put a permanent period on my earthly life. Terror struck my heart at the thought of leaving my family behind even though my faith in God assured me peace and love awaited me on the other side. Fear is a terrific motivator. I gave up red meat, butter and high-fat foods, hoping my changes even at this late date might make a difference. Two months later, an Olympia cardiologist inserted a stent in an artery into my heart to increase blood flow around a 95 percent blockage. So as Thanksgiving approaches this year, I count my blessings as I do every year, but especially the blessing of still being here to celebrate with my cherished loved ones. After surviving an operation to insert a stent — perhaps routine for the cardiologist but seldom for the patient — I decided to take a hard look at my bucket list and quit putting off longed-for trips. My husband and I toured British Columbia and Alberta in August, an item on his list. I’m visiting the Panama Canal with my sister, crossing off a desire from my list. Last weekend, I sold books at the Elma Country Christmas Bazaar, sharing a table with fellow authors Sandy Crowell (author of “The Land Called Lewis” and “Water, Woods, and Prairies”) and Bill Lindstrom (who wrote “John Tornow: Victim or Villain? The untold story of the ‘Wildman of the Wynooche and Strait Press”). I visited with passersby, greeted old friends and thought how, despite contentious election seasons, we all have more in common than divides us. Sometimes, our favored candidate wins; other times, the one we liked loses. But life goes on. I liked a meme on Facebook before the election that stated: “Don’t lose friendships today over two people who don’t even know your name.” That’s so true, and it’s sad to see how fractured our divided nation has become. Families disagree. Friends no longer speak. Some on each side demonize those who hold different beliefs. Even in my own family, I’ve seen divisions over politics create tensions among people who love each other. A year ago, I spent a week in November in Los Cabos with my four sisters at an all-inclusive hotel. My eldest and youngest sisters have made the annual trip to Mexico with their husbands to celebrate their birthday: they were born on the same day, six years and 15 minutes apart. At one point, one of my sisters mentioned that Donald Trump might win election as president again. I threw out a quick quip: “Only if he steals the election.” When she stood and walked away, I realized my offhand comment offered partly in jest had offended her. I never want to destroy relationships over politics. I love my sisters and my brother too much to let differences in opinions separate us. The next day, all was fine. Just as the Bible promises that nothing can separate us from God’s love, we should let nothing separate us from our love for one another. Another Facebook meme offered wisdom: “Please don’t let the elephants and donkeys make you forget you belong to The Lamb!” Our faith, our family relationships, our friendships mean so much more than politics, even though, as my husband points out, voting decides who controls the government, which can adversely affect our lives. But it doesn’t need to destroy our relationships. While I counted my blessings over the weekend, I did what I often do: I picked up my camera and snapped photos. I love to chronicle life as I live it. In the past, before Facebook, my digital photos remained trapped in my camera or on my memory card, never to be printed. But the advent of Facebook allowed me to share those photos with friends online in more than 4,000 albums. What’s most fun, and a reminder of the blessings in my life, is when Facebook pops up with a photo from a year ago, five years ago, a decade ago. Often it’s a photo of one of my children when they were younger. Other times it’s a precious friend who has passed away, and I think how grateful I am to have known them. That happened with a photo of the late Margaret Shields of Centralia and Harold Borovec of Chehalis who were walking together in the Lewis County Historical Museum. My life is richer from having known them both. So as we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving, it’s time to set aside political differences and simply enjoy being in the presence of loved ones. If you have time, pull out your camera and snap photos to capture those precious memories. Open the video or audio recorder on your phone and ask questions about the past (I have lists of oral history questions on my website at www.chaptersoflife.com under Help for Historians). Treasure your family and your shared past and preserve it for future generations. And count your blessings. ••• Julie McDonald, a personal historian from Toledo, may be reached at memoirs@chaptersoflife.com.Even if you don't know what 3D microfluidic networks are, that doesn't change the fact that they have some very valuable possible uses. Scientists have now devised a much easier method of making the things, by taking casts of plant roots. Putting it simply, a 3D microfluidic network is a series of branching micro-scale channels that tunnel through a piece of three-dimensional material. The channels are narrow enough that they're able to disperse various liquids throughout the material via capillary action. No pumping is required. Among other potential applications, such networks could find use in , self-healing materials, and soft robotic devices. Due to the fact that microfabricating the tiny channels is such a painstaking task, however, the technology has yet to enter wide use. With this limitation in mind, Prof. Fujio Tsumori and colleagues from Japan's Kyushu University looked to something that already has the desired structure: plant roots. After all, when it comes down it, roots are essentially just intricate water-transporting structures that branch out through a three-dimensional soil matrix. The scientists started by creating a soil-substitute growth media made up of silica nanoparticles, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose resin, and water. Seeds of plants such as radish, white clover, and ryegrass were then placed in that media and left to sprout. Once the plants had established a good root network, they and the growth media were placed in a kiln and heated to over 1,000 oC (1,832 oF). This caused the plant matter to completely decompose, plus it caused the silica particles to melt, merge, and form into glass. The end result was a transparent slab of glass full of root-shaped microfluidic channels. Those channels ranged in width from 150 micrometers for the main roots, down to approximately 8 micrometers for hairs that branched off of those roots. Taking the concept a step further, the scientists experimented with growing fungi in the media instead of plants. It was found that the organisms' extremely fine root structure, known as hyphae, formed channels in the glass as narrow as 1 micrometer. Along with the technology's other potential applications – in which matrices other than glass may be used – it could also simply serve as an easier means of studying the function of plant roots. This could in turn lead to improved methods of growing crops. "The focus of our lab is biomimetics, where we try to solve engineering problems by looking to nature and artificially replicating such structures," says Tsumori. "And what better example of microfluidics in nature than plant roots and fungal hyphae?". A paper on the research was recently published in the journal . Source:
5 doctors suspended after pregnant woman's death in RajouriBy LINDSEY BAHR Do you have a someone in your life who plays Vulture’s Cinematrix game every morning? Or maybe they have the kitchen television turned to Turner Classic Movies all day and make a point of organizing Oscar polls at work? Hate to break it to you: They might be a hard-to-please cinephile. But while you might not want to get into a winless debate over the “Juror No. 2” release or the merits of “Megalopolis” with said person, they don’t have to be hard to buy gifts for. The Associated Press has gathered up some of the best items out there to keep any movie lover stylish and informed. While Christopher Nolan dreams up his next film, fans can tide themselves over by revisiting his modern classic “Interstellar,” which will be back in IMAX theaters on the weekend of Dec. 6, followed by the home release of a new collector’s edition on 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray ($59.95). A third disc in the set, available Dec. 10, contains more than two hours of bonus content, like a never-before-seen storyboard sequence, and new interviews with Nolan, producer Emma Thomas and famous fans Peter Jackson and Denis Villeneuve . Elaine May does not give interviews anymore. But thankfully that didn’t deter writer Carrie Courogen, who did a remarkable job stitching together the life of one of our culture’s most fascinating, and prickly, talents. “Miss May Does Not Exist” is full of delightful anecdotes about the sharp and satirical comedian who gained fame as one half of Nichols and May and went on to direct films like “The Heartbreak Kid” and “Mikey and Nicky.” Courogen writes about May’s successes, flops and her legendary scuffles with the Hollywood establishment. It’s a vital companion to Mark Harris’ biography of Mike Nichols . Macmillan. $30. The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures has an exclusive new “Matrix” sweatshirt for sale in conjunction with its Cyberpunk exhibition. Brain Dead Studios designed and created several items, including the black hoodie ($140), a white rabbit tee ($54) and a pint glass ($18). If you can’t make it to Los Angeles to check out the “Color in Motion” exhibit for yourself, the Academy Museum also has a beautiful new companion book for sale ($55) charting the development of color technology in film and its impact. It includes photos from films like “The Red Shoes,” “Vertigo,” “2001: A Space Odyssey,” and images of rare prints from the silent era. The Academy Museum Store is having a sale (20% off everything) from Nov. 28 to Dec. 2. Related Articles Things To Do | US airports with worst weather delays during holiday season Things To Do | The right book can inspire the young readers in your life, from picture books to YA novels Things To Do | These holiday gifts change the game when building fires, printing photos, watching birds and more Things To Do | ‘Gladiator II’ review: Are you not moderately entertained? Things To Do | Beer pairings for your holiday feasts Want to look like a real film festival warrior, the kind who sees five movies a day, files a review and still manages to make the late-night karaoke party? You’re going to need the ultimate status tote from the independent streaming service MUBI . Simple, to-the-point and only for people in the know. $25. Film magazines may be an endangered species, but print is not dead at The Metrograph . Manhattan’s coolest movie theater is starting a biannual print publication “for cinephiles and cultural connoisseurs alike.” The first issue’s cover art is by cinematographer Ed Lachman (“Carol”), and contributors include the likes of Daniel Clowes, Ari Aster, Steve Martin and Simon Rex. There’s also a conversation with Clint Eastwood. It’s currently available for pre-order and will be in bookstores Dec. 10 for $25 ($15 for Metrograph members). This is not a book about filmmaking styles, camera angles and leadership choices. It’s literally about what directors wear. “How Directors Dress: On Set, in the Edit, and Down the Red Carpet” ($40) has over 200 archival photos of filmmakers in action: Spike Lee in his basketball caps, Sofia Coppola in her Charvet button-ups, Steven Spielberg’s denim on denim and many more. With a forward by the always elegant Joanna Hogg and writing from some of the top fashion journalists, it’s a beautiful look at how filmmakers really dress for work — and might even be a source of inspiration.
TEHRAN – The Deputy Commander of Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, Mohammad Jafar Asadi, announced that Iranian military advisor Kiomars Pourhashemi was martyred in Syria by an infiltrator acting on behalf of the United States. “An American agent was responsible for the martyrdom of our commander in Aleppo,” Asadi revealed to an Iranian news agency on Monday. He dismissed allegations that a Syrian general was behind the killing, labeling them as “Israeli propaganda aimed at creating discord between Iran and Syria,” and emphasizing that such claims originate from the West. Brigadier General Pourhashemi, an advisor within the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), was martyred on November 28 in Aleppo. Initially, details surrounding his assassination were not disclosed. On Sunday, however, a correspondent from China's CGTN in Ankara claimed that Pourhashemi was shot by a Syrian officer during a meeting in a joint operations room in Aleppo, which was denied by Brigadier General Asadi. Further illustrating the challenges faced by the Syrian army, Asadi remarked, “With the whole world mobilized against them, they barely have food and water.” He also highlighted Russia's challenges in Syria due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, stating, “The Russians have been bogged down for a long time, with NATO's imposed war leaving them unable to do much.” Drawing a parallel with Libya, Asadi suggested that accountability in Syria has become opaque: “Now in Syria, there's no accountability anymore; you can blame anyone for any murder.” Regarding the “National Defense Forces” in Syria, established by the martyred General Qasem Soleimani, Asadi commented, “This force was formed with great difficulty during General Soleimani's time, but the Syrian army did not warmly welcome it. Assad himself didn't understand why volunteers should take up arms.” He added that, after extensive persuasion, about 120,000 people joined this force, significantly aiding the army at the time. However, Asadi lamented the decline of this force, noting, “When militants gathered in Idlib near Turkey, Americans and Israelis supplied them with weapons, while the National Defense Forces were sidelined, their numbers reduced from 120,000 to 20,000.” Addressing potential tensions between Resistance forces and current Syrian rulers, Asadi observed that every country has patriots who don't need a specific label. “The humiliation Israel is imposing on Syria now will surely provoke a response from the proud youth of Syria,” Asadi asserted. He added that “Syrian patriots will certainly respond to this disgrace and aggression in the future.”Stars arrive at the 2024 Royal Variety Performance after Queen pulls outDALLAS , Dec. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- We will release our fourth-quarter 2024 results on Monday, January 27, 2025 , and webcast a conference call to discuss results. Key Takeaways: AT&T (NYSE:T) will release its fourth-quarter 2024 results before the New York Stock Exchange opens on Monday, January 27, 2025 . The company's earnings release and related materials will be available at AT&T Investor Relations . At 8:30 a.m. ET the same day, AT&T will host a conference call to discuss the results. A live webcast of the call will also be available at AT&T Investor Relations , and the webcast replay and transcript will be available following the call. To automatically receive AT&T financial news by email, please subscribe to email alerts . About AT&T We help more than 100 million U.S. families, friends and neighbors, plus nearly 2.5 million businesses, connect to greater possibility. From the first phone call 140+ years ago to our 5G wireless and multi-gig internet offerings today, we @ATT innovate to improve lives. For more information about AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T), please visit us at about.att.com . Investors can learn more at investors.att.com . © 2024 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. AT&T and the Globe logo are registered trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/att-to-release-fourth-quarter-2024-earnings-on-january-27-302331704.html SOURCE AT&T
Australian soldier Oscar Jenkins has been captured by Russia. What happens now?
In London, where I live, you can forget about a white Christmas. The best I can hope for is a pitiful flurry of flakes. So, this year, I am on a mission to create my own snow. And not just any snow: for maximum festive impact, I want to make the world’s largest snowflake. It will be a challenge. The Guinness world record stands at 38 centimeters across and 20 centimeters thick. This whopper was recorded in Montana in January 1887, when ranch owner Matt Coleman reported seeing snowflakes “larger than milk pans” during a severe storm. Admittedly, some experts are skeptical. “If this was falling from the sky, they would probably need to be wearing crash helmets,” says glaciologist Douglas Mair at the University of Liverpool, UK. Nevertheless, Guinness World Records insists that contemporary sources support the record. But hold on! There’s an addendum: the largest snow crystal measured 10 millimeters. “A snow crystal is a single crystal of ice,” says Ken Libbrecht, who photographed the record-breaker in Ontario, Canada, in December 2003. The textbook image of a Christmas snowflake is actually a perfect snow crystal, he explains, whereas a snowflake is several crystals joined together. So perhaps I could break a record by making the world’s largest snow crystal instead — how hard can that be? “You’ll be able to grow some ice crystals from water vapor,” says Libbrecht, who makes “designer” snow crystals in his lab at the California Institute of Technology. “But if you want to make it look like a snow crystal — I mean an actual symmetrical snow crystal — that’s a tall order.” Clearly, I will need some help. My first stop is the Manchester Ice Cloud Chamber at the University of Manchester, UK. This 10-metre-tall, climate-controlled tube was designed to “build” ice clouds like those found high in the atmosphere, to improve the accuracy of weather forecasts. Atmospheric scientist Paul Connolly has used it to create snow crystals from scratch, so I am here to find out how that is done. You start with a supercooled cloud of water vapor, he says. From there, you have two options. If the temperature is above about −38°C (−36°F), an ice crystal will form around a “nucleating particle”, such as pollen or soot. If the temperature is lower than that, “homogeneous nucleation” occurs, with some of the water vapor spontaneously freezing to create the nuclei upon which crystals can form. Either way, under the right conditions, your crystal will begin to grow, drawing in surrounding water molecules from the air. And using the ice cloud chamber has advantages over nature. “We don’t have to wait for the ice crystals to fall kilometers through an atmosphere,” says Connolly. “We can speed up this process and do it within 10 meters.” Unfortunately, however, the largest snow crystals he and his colleagues have created measure just 1 millimeter. Perhaps a bigger chamber would help. Just down the road is Energy House 2.0, a climate-controlled warehouse run by the University of Salford that is designed to test new construction techniques. “There’s nowhere else like it in the world,” says technical lead Richard Fitton. Energy House 2.0 can produce an incredible diversity of temperatures and humidities — including extreme cold — making it the perfect place to try to grow my giant snow crystal. I have assembled a crack team of experts to help. Alongside Connolly and Fitton, we have Fitton’s colleague Grant Henshaw, Gordon McFiggans, an atmospheric scientist at the University of Manchester, and Mair. Energy House 2.0 has been set to a bone-chilling -18°C (-0.4°F), and there is a snow cannon all ready to go. Stage one, we agree, will be to see if we can encourage the cannon’s ready-made snow crystals to grow bigger. The plan is to fire it twice: low first, and then higher. We are hoping this will provide a lingering cloud of supercooled water vapor for crystals generated at the top of the chamber to fall through. “In the atmosphere, the way we get the largest snowflakes is if small snow crystals can grow in a process known as vapor deposition,” says Connolly. “That means water vapor condenses onto the ice crystals.” This so-called Bergeron-Findeisen process is what we hope to trigger. The cannon cranks up, jetting out plumes of small, white pellets. In the fog of this snow spray, it is hard to distinguish anything, let alone our hoped-for supercooled cloud. But we manage to swipe a few snow crystals to examine under a microscope. The news isn’t encouraging. Despite our best efforts, the tiny, round crystals aren’t getting any bigger. The problem is the cannon itself, the group agrees. It produces spherical particles, and without rough edges, it is harder for these crystals to grow. Plastic bottle and a bicycle pump So, we are going to have to make ice crystals from scratch. We decide our best chance is to get the air in the chamber down to -38°C, cold enough for homogeneous nucleation, because at higher temperatures, only around 1 in a million aerosol particles will act as a nucleus for an ice crystal. But the chamber itself can only be cooled to -20°C (4°F). How can we make the air even colder? Connolly whips out a plastic drinks bottle and starts pumping air into it with a bicycle pump. “If we let the air out really quickly, then it has to work to push the air molecules outside of the bottle out of the way,” he says. That requires energy — in this case heat — so the escaping gas cools rapidly, lowering the temperature further. We will also need a source of water vapor: a hastily sourced kettle should do the job nicely. And, because the Energy House 2.0 chamber is cavernous, our highly qualified academics rig up a tall, tarpaulin tube in one corner to contain the experiment. By this point, we have been in the freezing chamber a while, and we are all starting to vibrate with the cold. It is time to put physics to the test. Connolly wriggles into our tube. The kettle is by his feet, boiling furiously, producing plumes of water vapor. We hand him the plastic bottle, and the air pops as the pressure is released. There is a tense, silent wait. Then Connolly exclaims — with more than a hint of relief — that there are a few snowflakes swirling about him. He catches one on a glass slide and posts it out through a gap in the tarpaulin. The flake is tiny, but size has ceased to matter. We rush to the microscope and inspect our creation. Sure enough, a crystalline structure glimmers into focus, delicate tendrils reaching towards the lens. “It doesn’t look like a single ice crystal,” says McFiggans, peering at it. He thinks we have caught a bundle of ice crystals that have joined together in their fall through the chamber. “We’ve grown a snowflake,” he says. A round of applause clatters through the chamber. Our snowflake is less than 2 millimeters in size, not even close to rivalling Libbrecht’s snow crystal, let alone Coleman’s milk-pan-sized flakes. But I’m not counting this as a failure. Discovering just how complex it is to form a single snow crystal has left me with a newfound appreciation for the magic of those dancing white flecks. I will never look at a snowflake the same way again. Watch Madeleine Cuff attempt to make the largest snowflake at youtube.com/newscientistIt's time for a brief break from discussing Colorado's current goaltending situation. Instead, it feels like a good time to check in on the top three prospects the Avalanche have in their system, all of which could play a role in the makeup of the NHL team over the next year. And yes, one of them might just be the much needed long-term solution for the team in net. Goaltender Ilya Nabokov Might as well start with said goaltender. After moving out of the first round in June's NHL Entry Draft, the Avalanche selected Nabokov with their top pick. Most high draft picks are 17-18 years old, but not Nabokov. He was 21 at the time and in his final year of draft eligibility. It was a surprise to many to see him drafted that high, but no one can deny the season he had in the KHL last year. He was named Rookie of the Year after a terrific regular season, and followed it up with a dominant postseason where he was named the KHL Playoffs MVP. Nabokov's team has taken a bit of a step back this season and so have his numbers, but not by much. His save percentage sits at 92.5% after he was at 93% last season and his goals against average has only gone up a minuscule amount. He's been a workhorse for his team and leads the league in games played, mostly because his backup has been inconsistent. Colorado's current goaltending situation has fans pining for Nabokov to come over to North America right away, but that isn't possible this season. It's very possible for next season though, as he's in the final year of his KHL contract. There were rumblings recently that SKA, one of the richer teams in the league, was looking to pursue Nabokov, but those are just rumors. Over the summer, The Gazette reached out to Nabokov's representation regarding his future. His agent, Shumi Babaev, responded by saying he would "make a decision soon." That decision has not been made yet, but is expected in the near future, although Babaev hasn't responded to recent inquiries. The Avalanche have just one goaltender under contract beyond this season, so they certainly have room to bring Nabokov to North America. Whether their plan would involve throwing him into the NHL immediately or letting him start in the AHL is another question entirely, but there is plenty of optimism that he can become the goalie of the future for the Avalanche. The franchise hasn't drafted and developed a starting goaltender of their own since David Aebischer nearly two decades ago. Yes, it's been that long. Center Calum Ritchie Ritchie got a taste of NHL action early in the year, but it was clear he wasn't ready for prime time just yet. After seven games, the Avalanche decided to send him back to the Ontario Hockey League, which was the only option they had. Although he was in a bit over his head at the NHL level, it doesn't appear to have shattered his confidence. Since returning to Oshawa, he's been dominant, which is what the Avalanche wanted to see. The 19-year old has picked up 26 points in just 13 games. His average of two points-per-game is tied for second best in the league, and Oshawa has gone 10-1-2 since he returned to the lineup. Many scouts believe he's the best player in the league. If he's not, he has a case for being the most valuable player, as Oshawa has been a different team with him in the lineup the last two years. He's expected to play a big role on Team Canada at the World Junior Championships late next month, and after the tournament, he'll likely go on a long playoff run with Oshawa. The hope from the organization is that he continues to develop his all-around game this season and comes to camp next September ready to stick in the NHL. For good. Defenseman Mikhail Gulyayev The smooth skating 19-year old defenseman isn't likely to play for the Avalanche next season, as his KHL contract runs until 2026. Gulyayev has gone on the record saying that he doesn't want to play in the AHL, so when he eventually makes his way to North America, he plans to play in the NHL right from the get-go. Gulyayev established himself as a regular in the KHL at the age of 18, which is a little rare in that league. They don't give ice-time to teenagers unless they really earn it, and Gulyayev's role expanded as last year went on. His start to this season was a little slow, but it's really picked up of late. He's starting to get more power play time and has been playing 20 minutes a night of late. That's major progress for the former first round pick. The Russian defenseman fits the prototype of how the Avalanche like their defensemen to play. His skating ability is already well above average by NHL standards, and he uses it to his advantage all over the ice. Size will always be an issue for him (he's listed at 5'10"), but he brings a lot of other things to the table. Given the Avalanche aren't likely to see him make an impact in the NHL for a few years, could he be be used as trade bait? While the team needs to rebuild it's prospect pipeline and keep an eye towards the future, all of Colorado's stars are currently in their prime. It would make sense to dangle a talented prospect like this to help the team right away, especially if he's years away from making an impact. Trading Gulyayev would really sting, but he could bring back a solid player who may help the team take another run at a Stanley Cup.Why Are Investors Suddenly So Excited About This Database Giant?
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Federal investigators raid home of Queens pastor who runs PAC formed to back Mayor AdamsKansas GOP senator wants state to invest $1 billion to boost pension system’s bottom line
MEDIROM Healthcare Technology‘s Subsidiary, MEDIROM MOTHER Labs, Raises an Aggregate Total of JPY260.3 Million in its Series A Financing RoundI refer to Maneesha Seneviratne’s excellent tribute to Senator A. Ratnayake in The Island of 25 Nov. One of the most valuable events in A. Ratnayake’s career stands as a powerful reminder for those who fervently compete for positions in governments and within political parties driven by sheer greed. This is about how he became the first Cabinet Minister of Food, Co-operatives, under D S Senenayake. Ratnayake had often been a vocal critic of D. S. Senanayake and his policies during their time in both the State Council [in 1936-47] and later in Parliament. He had, on occasion, even supported Marxists like Dr. N. M. Perera and Philip Gunawardene, representatives of Ruwanwella and Avissawella electorates, respectively. Ratnayake believed this history of dissent would make his chances of being offered a ministerial position highly unlikely. To his surprise, one evening, the phone rang. When he answered, the familiar voice of D. S. Senanayake greeted him with an unexpected question: “I say, Rat, how would you feel about joining my Cabinet?” Ratnayake was momentarily stunned into silence. Regaining his composure, he replied in Sinhala with a hint of humour, “Sir, ara ibba waturata danawa wage ne ” (It’s like asking a tortoise to willingly enter the water). Senanayake burst into hearty laughter, momentarily deafening Ratnayake. Once the laughter subsided, Ratnayake inquired about the portfolio being offered. He expressed a preference for the Education Ministry, noting his extensive experience serving on education committees in the State Council and even acting as Minister of Education. However, Senanayake was firm. “No, Rat. I want you to handle the subjects I managed during my time in the State Council. Will you honour me by accepting the position of Minister of Food and Cooperative Undertakings? The other part, Agriculture, I want Dudley to take over—he has already agreed. You are the only person I trust to carry forward the plans I initiated, even though you’ve been one of my harshest critics.” This unexpected offer left Ratnayake both surprised and deeply hounored. After the first Parliamentary election under the Soulbury Constitution in 1947, D. S. Senanayake gave Sir John Kotelawala a practical instruction. “I say, Lionel, check if we have a majority. If not, see if you can get a few chaps to join the government. The Eastern Province members are the best bet—they always come to Parliament with open minds,” he remarked, laced with humour. Reflecting on his tenure in the first Parliament, Senator A. Ratnayake once said, “After 16 years of giving the government hell, I found myself on the receiving end—and what an unrelenting opposition it was. Among them were NM and Philip, and, of course, Dr. Dahanayake. Taming that opposition was like trying to humanise hell.” Dr. Dahanayake, in particular, stood out as one of the most vocal critics of Ratnayake’s policies, challenging and dissecting his decisions with vigour. These spirited exchanges underscored the era’s vibrant democratic ethos and the intense parliamentary discourse that shaped policy and governance. KKS Perera