TikToker teaching science hopes short-form video will become part of curriculumWASHINGTON — 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... 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: 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: 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. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!
Image via Stephanie Beatty Photography Christmas day is finally here and if you are struggling about telling a close friend or a family member about how they are a poor gift giver, you might just need advice from the former NFL star, Jason Kelce. In a recent episode of the highly popular podcast, New Heights, a man called Jason and Travis asked for advice on telling someone they are just a bad gifter. To answer this, Jason Kelce shared a very funny incident centred around Christmas gifts on the podcast he hosts with Travis, the New Heights podcast. Travis Kelce And Jason Kelce Gifted The Same Christmas Gifts To Their Mother, Donna Kelce, Every Single Year Jason spoke about how when he and Travis were pretty young, they would be very confused about what to gift their mother, Donna Kelce. As a result, they would end up gifting their mother the same Christmas gift every single year until they entered high school. Recalling the incident, Jason said, “Donna Kelce, had to deal with Christmas upon Christmas of the exact same gifts, earrings and candles, earrings and candles and pistachio nuts for I mean, we did it our whole childhood, before we were in high school.” Kylie Kelce on Love Actually, Blind Ranking Christmas Movies and the Best Kelce Gift Giver | Ep 119 It seems like Jason was also in the mood to give away some tips regarding Christmas gifts. Jason spoke about how there is no other way to escape a bad gifter but to just say it to their face. Jason said “Nip it in the bud” since such a thing has to be addressed as soon as possible. Jason Kelce Gives Further Advice On How To Address “Bad” Christmas Gifts Jason also added further points on how such an issue can be tackled without anybody feeling bad about it. Jason asked his audience to quit being a “jerk” about it and say it more politely. He said to bring out the emotional aspect of gifts while addressing such an issue, by saying “Hey, I just like sometimes I think I would appreciate something more sentimental, something I like, I really like jewellery'. Just say what you like. You don't have to say what you don't like. You can plant seeds as to what you want." Also Read: All you need to know about Beyoncé’s NFL Christmas performance tomorrow which will be available for just 3 hours post-match in the US. It seems like the NFL star brother duo Jason and Travis Kelce have quite a bit of experience regarding gifts. While Jason has not revealed his Christmas plans yet, one can catch Travis Kelce, the tight end of the Kansas City Chiefs, playing for his team tomorrow as they go against the Houston Texans at 1 pm ET. There are speculations around whether Taylor Swift will be attending Travis’ game tomorrow but as per Taylor’s history, she usually avoids any away games and only attends home matches that are scheduled to be played at the Kansas City Chiefs’ home stadium, the Arrowhead Stadium.
TikToker teaching science hopes short-form video will become part of curriculum
World News | Global Women's Forum Dubai Discusses 'Future Transport Trends Supporting Gender Balance'AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 26, 2024-- ZP Better Together, a leading provider of video relay services (VRS) for the deaf and hard of hearing communities, announced today that it will join the Teleperformance family, a digital business services company that aligns with ZP’s principles and is the parent company of LanguageLine Solutions, a US-based global leader in interpretation, translation and localization services. To view an American Sign Language interpretation of this press release, please visit ZP . ZP Better Together has been a leader in paving the way for equitable communication through innovation and accessibility. We believe this alliance with Teleperformance will create a powerhouse partnership, opening new opportunities for ZP to deliver top-notch services, expand reach, tap into global markets and further strengthen its position as the leading solution-maker delivering the highest-quality and most innovative communication services for the deaf and hard of hearing community. “By joining forces with Teleperformance, we intend to leverage our combined expertise and resources to serve more people in more places – ensuring no one gets left behind,” said Sherri Turpin, Chief Executive Officer of ZP Better Together . “While this marks a new and exciting chapter for our organization, our focus remains on our mission and on maintaining the same passion and dedication that have been our guiding principles for more than 20 years.” “At Teleperformance, we are proud to combine our strengths with ZP Better Together to advance our shared mission of creating meaningful connections for all,” said Thomas Mackenbrock, TP’s Group Deputy CEO . “Throughout the years, we have continued to be impressed by ZP’s innovative and accessible communications solutions, which we believe are the perfect complement to TP's standard of excellence and service. This new partnership brings together leading-edge capabilities to provide best-in-class services to the communities we proudly serve.” Teleperformance was recently named one of the top 10 World’s Best Workplaces 2024 by Fortune, for the fourth consecutive year, and is known for its work blending advanced technology with human empathy to deliver enhanced customer care that is simpler, faster and safer. We believe these capabilities, mixed with ZP’s leading, innovative and trusted communication services, will redefine equitable communication and accessibility not only for deaf and hard of hearing consumers but also for some of the biggest companies in the world. Chris Michalik, Managing Director of Kinderhook Industries added: “Since 2015, I’ve had the privilege to work with ZP Better Together to drive growth, innovation and best-in-class communications solutions for the deaf and hard of hearing communities. I’m incredibly proud of ZP’s dedication and resilience. The strong culture ZP built has positioned them for this exciting chapter. Teleperformance is an ideal partner to continue ZP’s remarkable journey, and I look forward to witnessing the success they’ll achieve together.” Jefferies served as exclusive financial advisor to ZP Better Together on its sale to Teleperformance. About ZP Better Together ZP Better Together is a leading communications solution-maker dedicated to delivering the highest-quality and most innovative communication services to meet the unique needs of each deaf and hard of hearing individual. Our commitment extends across hardware, software, cloud-based, and in-person solutions, including Video Relay Service (VRS), Video Remote Interpreting (VRI), Communication Access Real-Time Translation (CART), On-Site Interpreting, CloudVP, and Scheduled Virtual Interpreting (SVI) for use with third-party videoconferencing platforms. We also provide trilingual sign language interpreting services for those who speak Spanish. These communication services are the foundation of our commitment to the belief that every conversation matters. Whether it is at home, on the go, at school, or in the workplace, our mission is to grow and bridge two worlds with innovative, accessible communication solutions, creating more opportunities in our deaf and hard of hearing community. About Teleperformance Group Teleperformance (TEP – ISIN: FR0000051807 – Reuters: TEPRF.PA - Bloomberg: TEP FP), is a global leader in digital business services which consistently seeks to blend the best of advanced technology with human empathy to deliver enhanced customer care that is simpler, faster, and safer for the world’s biggest brands and their customers. The Group’s comprehensive, AI-powered service portfolio ranges from front office customer care to back-office functions, including operations consulting and high-value digital transformation services. It also offers a range of specialized services such as collections, interpreting and localization, visa and consular services, and recruitment process outsourcing services. The teams of multilingual, inspired, and passionate experts and advisors, spread in close to 100 countries, as well as the Group’s local presence allows it to be a force of good in supporting communities, clients, and the environment. In 2023, Teleperformance reported consolidated revenue of €8,345 million (US$9 billion) and net profit of €602 million. Teleperformance shares are traded on the Euronext Paris market, Compartment A, and are eligible for the deferred settlement service. They are included in the following indices: CAC 40, STOXX 600, S&P Europe 350, MSCI Global Standard and Euronext Tech Leaders. In the area of corporate social responsibility, Teleperformance shares are included in the CAC 40 ESG since September 2022, the Euronext Vigeo Euro 120 index since 2015, the MSCI Europe ESG Leaders index since 2019, the FTSE4Good index since 2018 and the S&P Global 1200 ESG index since 2017. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241126134360/en/ CONTACT: Laura Hernandez Smith Laura@Rokksolutions.com KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA TEXAS INDUSTRY KEYWORD: CONSUMER TECHNOLOGY AUDIO/VIDEO SOFTWARE HARDWARE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES SOURCE: ZP Better Together Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 11/26/2024 01:26 PM/DISC: 11/26/2024 01:26 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241126134360/en
New Delhi, December 14 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday lauded the power of ‘Nari Shakti’ in shaping the Constitution and made a strong pitch for ‘united Bharat’ in realising the country's dreams in the twenty-first century. Joining the two-day debate on the Constitution, commemorating the 75th year of its adoption, PM Modi said that today, the country is being recognised and celebrated across the world as the 'Mother of Democracy'. "Nari Shakti played a crucial role in shaping and empowering the Constitution. There were 15 women members in the Constituent Assembly, who left their stamp on the sacred book. This is a matter of pride for us," PM Modi said. He further said that his government has focussed heavily on women empowerment. PM Modi’s Lok Sabha Address: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Hails India’s Journey Since Constitution Adoption As ‘Extraordinary’ During Day 2 of Samvidhan Debate. "We have shifted focus from women-centric to women-led development. We cleared the Naari Shakti Adhiniyam Vandan to ensure active participation of women in the democracy. Today, women are breaking social barriers and making forays into every sector," PM Modi said in the concluding address in Lok Sabha. Making a strong pitch for 'unity', PM Modi called upon everyone including the Opposition parties to come together and contribute in achieving the shared dreams of the twenty-first century. "It's time for everyone to celebrate the unity in diversity and not get divided by some political motives," the Prime Minister said in the Lower House. PM Modi Speech in Lok Sabha: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thanks Makers of Constitution, Describes India As ‘Mother of Democracy’ (Watch Videos). The Prime Minister then counted several initiatives of his government and how this was focussed on achieving one unified approach in making policies. "Article 370 was a major obstacle in India's unity and hence it was buried under the earth. Goods and Services Tax (GST) played a vital role in ensuring economic unity – one nation, one tax is taking this idea forward," he stated. PM Modi further said that his government strongly pushed for 'One nation, one ration card' to facilitate equitable treatment of every citizen across the country. "Under One nation– one health card i.e. Ayushman Bharat card, any Indian living in any part of the country can avail the same medical benefits under the scheme. One nation, one grid initiative has driven out darkness from urban centres as well as villages," PM Modi said. Laying emphasis on the government's focus on the digital economy, PM Modi said that democratising technology has ensured that the benefits of government schemes percolate down to remote locations without any discrimination. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 14, 2024 07:34 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com ).
Aptiv: Sensible Bet On Long-Term EV PenetrationHot money net inflows hit $96.6M in November
( MENAFN - Robotics & automation News) Airbus Ventures invests in Eureka Robotics Airbus Ventures has made an investment in Singapore-based Eureka Robotics . Eureka says it will use the $10.5 million Series A funds to accelerate the development of its main products – Eureka Controller and Eureka 3D Camera, which enable system integrators and manufacturers to deploy High Accuracy-High Agility (HA-HA) applications in factories and warehouses. It will also scale the company's operations in the existing markets of Singapore and Japan, with a plan to launch more widely across Japan, as well as to enter the US market, where the company has already acquired initial customers. Dr Pham Quang Cuong, Eureka CEO and co-founder, says:“Eureka Robotics was founded in 2018 with the mission of helping factories worldwide automate dull, dirty, and dangerous work, so that human workers can focus on their creative endeavors. “We are proud to reach the next stage of our development, with the support of our investors and the cooperation of our esteemed customers and partners. We will continue to make further efforts to bring our innovative technology to society.” Empowered by Robotics and AI research from NTU Singapore, MIT, and the University of Tokyo, Eureka Robotics delivers robotic software and systems to automate tasks that require High Accuracy and High Agility (HA-HA). Common uses include AI-based inspection, precision handling, 3D picking, assembly, or dispensing. Yuichiro Hikosaka, principal at Airbus Ventures, says:“Eureka's technology excels in achieving micron-level accuracy in order to harness the full potential of hardware. “The team's expertise in calibration, motion planning, and force control has powered tens of millions of operations in real-world commercial environments. “We're thrilled to welcome the team into the Airbus Ventures startup portfolio.” Eureka says its strengths lie in its proprietary technologies (High Accuracy Calibration, Computer Vision, Motion Planning, Force Control) and extensive industrial deployment experience, with more than 25 million HA-HA operations to date in factories worldwide. Eureka has offices in Singapore, Vietnam, and Japan, and their customer base ranges from industry-leading companies such as Toyota, Denso, Bridgestone, Mitsui Fudosan, Sumitomo Bakelite from Japan, to Pratt & Whitney, Coherent, and Excelitas. MENAFN14122024005532012229ID1108993086 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.Almost 50 Russian civilians who were forcibly taken into Ukraine during the Kursk offensive have been returned to their home country. Forty-six Russians, who were living in Kursk when the Ukrainian military invaded the region during a push into Russian territory in August , have been returned to Russia following a series of negotiations between Kyiv and the Russian commissioner for human rights, Tatyana Moskalkova. Moskalkova confirmed that the civilians, including 12 children, had been returned to Russia via Belarus in a post on social media service Telegram. She did not confirm where in Russia the civilians would be returning to as large parts of the Kursk region remain close to the fighting. Moskalkova said the International Committee of the Red Cross helped during the negotiation process, along with the Belarus government. Belarus is a close ally of Russia and has continually supported the invasion of Ukraine. "Today, 46 residents of the Kursk region returned to Russia from Ukraine as a result of a negotiation process with the Ukrainian side," Moskalkova said. Newsweek contacted the Russian Ministry of Defence via email for comment on this story. Alexei Smirnov, a local governor for the Sudzhansky District in Russia, which was partially captured by Ukrainian forces in the offensive, also praised the return. "The painstaking and lengthy negotiations to return our fellow countrymen to their homeland have brought results," he said on Telegram. The successful negotiations come as Russia and Ukraine continue to heighten tensions in the wake of a change in U.S. policy over how Ukraine can use long-range missiles. After President Joe Biden authorized strikes within Russian territory, Ukraine immediately used missiles supplied by the U.K . to target areas behind enemy lines, well within the Russian border. The Kursk offensive saw the Ukrainian army push into Russian territory along its northern border, forcing Russia to deprioritize combat along the eastern border, where most of the fighting had taken place prior to this. Ukrainian forces remain in Kursk, with the Kremlin dedicating additional resources to the area in order to force them back into Ukraine. NATO intelligence believes that Putin will try to recapture all the territory lost to Ukraine before Trump's inauguration on January 20, according to a British defense assessment seen by T he Telegraph. Russian officials accused the Ukrainian military of forcibly relocating over 1,000 civilians during the offensive, which forced more than 152,000 people to leave their homes. According to The Moscow Times , over 30,000 people from areas along the Russian border and annexed Ukrainian territories are currently being housed in almost a thousand temporary shelters across Russia. Do you have a story we should be covering? Do you have any questions about this story? Contact LiveNews@newsweek.com.
To the editor, Once, the skies of this republic were free – a shared realm of birds, man and the occasional daring invention. Now, they are encumbered by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), a bloated gatekeeper of progress. The advent of drones, particularly Beyond Visual Line of Sight operations, has been shackled by Washington’s labyrinth of waivers and delays, serving entrenched interests rather than innovation. This is no longer a republic of invention but a stagnant empire of bureaucracy. ADVERTISEMENT The FAA’s preferred model, exemplified by North Dakota’s federally-backed Vantis system, seeks to impose a one-size-fits-all stranglehold on drone infrastructure. But such centralization ignores the diversity of our geography and economy. The alternative is both simpler and more Jeffersonian: return the skies to the states. State departments of transportation possess the local knowledge and agility to craft drone corridors that serve their specific industries – be it agriculture in the Midwest, logistics in the South or technology in the West. Unlike the federal monolith, state-led systems would foster innovation, economic growth and local reinvestment. Consider Arkansas, where Walmart collaborates with state officials to pioneer decentralized drone delivery systems tailored to local needs. This contrasts starkly with Vantis, whose rigid, federally funded model benefits a few while stifling competition. Critics will cry chaos, citing the need for uniform standards. Yet, as with our highways, cooperative federalism offers a solution: national safety guidelines with state management. Such decentralization would democratize the skies, unlocking opportunities for small businesses and farmers while creating new revenue streams and jobs. The stakes are clear. Will we submit to Washington’s sterile monopoly, or will we empower states to experiment, innovate and lead? Let us liberate the skies – not for the oligarchs of aviation, but for the farmers, entrepreneurs and dreamers who keep this republic alive. Joe Cozart Grand ForksA forecaster says ripe avalanche conditions are expected to persist across much of British Columbia for the rest of the week. Large swaths of the province, stretching from the coast to the Alberta boundary, are under “considerable” or “moderate” avalanche danger warnings. Tyson Rettie with Avalanche Canada says the conditions are largely a result of a series of storms that have lead to temperature fluctuations and significant amounts of snow at high elevation points. “We’ve seen a pattern of a storm every 18 hours or so on the coast for over a week now,” Rettie said in an interview Tuesday. “Every time the storm comes through, it deposits significant amounts of snow, often with strong or extreme winds.” He said storms like these deposit wind and storm slabs, or layers of snow, on mountains. These deposits bond together on top of existing layers of snow, Rettie said, and when the top slab is stronger than the layer beneath it, the greater the risk for an avalanche. “We’re seeing formation of both storm and wind slabs that are large enough to justify a ‘considerable hazard’ (warning),” he said. “Even just the new snow itself can form what we call a storm slab problem or a wind slab problem.” As of Tuesday afternoon, Avalanche Canada had a “considerable hazard” warning covering Vancouver Island, a stretch of coastal B.C. from Powell River to Pemberton in the east, and more areas. There were also significant areas of the province covered under “moderate hazard” avalanche warnings. One of these moderate areas is east of Pemberton towards Lillooet, and Rettie noted a few avalanches have been reported in the area over the past week. On Monday, four backcountry skiers were buried in an avalanche on Ipsoot Mountain north of Whistler, B.C., and a fifth was partially buried. All were rescued. B.C. Emergency Health Services said in a statement that three of the skiers were transported to hospital in stable condition, while the other two didn’t require hospitalization. Premier David Eby shared his appreciation for the first responders in a social media post, calling it “an incredible rescue.” Const. Antoine Graebling with the Whistler RCMP detachment said the avalanche was a 2.5 on a five-point scale, which means it was large enough to seriously injure or kill people. Graebling said his detachment hasn’t been notified of any other avalanches. But he and Rettie both said conditions can change daily. “Each of these storms is bringing a significant amount of precipitation, often warmer temperatures and strong or extreme wind speeds,” Rettie said. “The more intense the storm, the higher the danger.” He said the storm pattern is expected to continue near the coast for the rest of this week. “The timing and intensity of it is a bit uncertain. But at least over the next three days, we’re expecting a couple of significant storms to impact the coast,” he said. He encouraged backcountry skiers to check the Avalanche Canada forecasts, which are updated daily, before they hit the slopes.
An India-China reset needs bold and new thinkingTikToker teaching science hopes short-form video will become part of curriculumAt a press conference on Dec. 17, the Canadian federal government announced proposed new measures to expand its management of Canada’s border with the United States. These measures were intended to appease the incoming Trump administration and to avoid a threatened 25 per cent import tariff . The proposal includes expansions of border technologies, including RCMP counterintelligence, 24/7 surveillance between ports of entry, helicopters, drones and mobile towers. But what will this mean for people seeking asylum? If the U.S.-Mexico border is any indication, it will mean more death. Criminalizing migration At the press conference, Dominic LeBlanc, the minister of finance and intergovernmental affairs, reaffirmed Canada’s relationship with the incoming Trump administration . Framed around politics of difference, and relying on the fearmongering trope of migration as a “crisis,” Canada’s new border plan will also cost taxpayers $1.3 billion. Read more: Fearmongering about people fleeing disasters is a dangerous and faulty narrative During the press conference, LeBlanc’s remarks conflated migration with trafficking and crime, relying on “ crimmigration ,” or the use of criminalization to discipline, exclude, or expel migrants or others seen as not entitled to be in a country. LeBlanc also made direct reference to preventing fraud in the asylum system, with the driving forces behind this new border plan being “minimizing border volumes” and “removing irritants” to the U.S. However, these framings weaken the global right to asylum, which is an internationally protected right guaranteed by the 1951 Refugee Convention and sections 96 and 97 of Canada’s own Immigration and Refugee Protection Protection Act . Canada’s own courts have also found that the U.S. is not a safe country for some refugees . Read more: Canadian court correctly finds the U.S. is unsafe for refugees Deadly borders Since 2018, I have been researching technology and migration . I have worked at and studied various borders around the world , starting in Canada, moving south to the U.S.-Mexico border and including various countries in Europe and East Africa, as well as the Palestinian territories. Over the years, I have worked with hundreds of people seeking safety and witnessed the horrific conditions they have to survive. Read more: Deadly border technologies are increasingly employed to violently deter migration The Sonoran Desert containing the U.S.-Mexico border has become what anthropologist Jason de Leon calls “ the land of open graves .” Researchers have shown that deaths have increased every year as a result of growing surveillance and deterrence mechanisms. I have witnessed these spaces of death in the Sonoran Desert and European borders, with people on the move succumbing to these sharpening borders. Canadian borders are not devoid of death. Families have frozen and drowned attempting to enter Canada . Others, like Seidu Mohammed and Razak Iyal, nearly froze to death and lost limbs as a result of frostbite; they later received refugee status and became Canadian citizens in 2023. ‘Extreme vulnerability’ Throughout the press conference, a clear theme emerged again and again: Canada’s border plan will “expand and deepen the relationship” between Canada and U.S. through border management, including both data sharing and operational support. The border management plan will include an aerial intelligence task force to provide non-stop surveillance. The mandate of the Canada Border Services Agency will also expand, and include a joint operational strike force. In November, president-elect Donald Trump named former Immigration and Customs Enforcement director Tom Homan as his administration’s “border czar.” Homan explicitly called out Canada after his appointment, calling the Canadian border “ an extreme vulnerability .” Trump has also made pointed comments directed at Justin Trudeau , referring to him as “governor” and to Canada as the 51st state. And with Trump’s aggressive “America First” policies and the 25 per cent tariff threat, appeasing the incoming administration by strengthening border surveillance at the Canada-U.S. border is the lowest hanging fruit for the Trudeau administration to strengthen its hand. Creeping surveillance Border surveillance technologies do not remain at the border. In 2021, communities in Vermont and New York have already raised concerns about possible privacy infringements with the installation of surveillance towers . There are also fears of growing surveillance and repression of journalists and the migrant justice sector as a whole. And surveillance technologies used at the border have also been repurposed: for example, robo-dogs first employed at the U.S.-Mexico border have appeared in New York City and facial recognition technologies ubiquitous at airports are also being used on sports fans in stadiums . The big business of borders Taxpayers will foot the bill of this new border strategy to the hefty tune of $1.3 billion. This amount is part of a growing and lucrative border industrial complex that is now worth a staggering US$68 billion dollars and projected to grow exponentially to nearly a trillion dollars by 2031. But taxpayers do not benefit. Instead, the private sector makes up the market place of technical solutions to the so-called “problem” of migration . In this lucrative ecosystem built on fear of “ the migrant other ,” it is the private sector actors and not taxpayers who benefit. Instead of succumbing to the exclusionary politics of the incoming U.S. administration, we should call for transparency and accountability in the development and deployment of new technologies. There is also a need for more governance and laws to curtail these high-risk tech experiments before more people die at Canada’s borders. Instead of spending $1.3 billion dollars on surveillance technologies that infringe upon people’s rights, Canada should strengthen its asylum system and civil society support. Canada should also remember its international human rights obligations, and resist the U.S. political rhetoric of dehumanizing people who are seeking safety and protection.
Deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin inaugurates the MCC-MRF Innovation Park on on Saturday. Photo by L R Shankar CHENNAI: Students from arts and science courses with innovative solutions can walk into the newly inaugurated innovation park at Madras Christian College and pitch their ideas. The innovation park, which is the first among arts and science colleges in the country, will guide students from ideation to commercialisation. Deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Saturday inaugurated the MCC-MRF Innovation Park , which was built at a cost of Rs 30 crore on the college campus. "This is a monumental step forward as we traditionally see such innovations in engineering and technology institutions like IITs," Udhayanidhi said during the inauguration. "The govt has launched several initiatives such as StartupTN and Guidance TN to make Tamil Nadu a one trillion dollar economy by 2030. These innovations aim to foster innovation and entrepreneurship for the growth of the state. MCC and MRF have joined hands to contribute to this vision with the establishment of the innovation park," he added. The park, which was built at 45,000 sq ft, has specialised centres including business analytics, nanomaterials, big data analytics, computational informatics, healthcare and digital solutions. "Innovation Park gives an opportunity to nurture future leaders and innovators by providing access to advanced resources, expert mentorship and a platform for transforming ideas into impactful solutions," said K M Mammen, chairman, MRF Limited. It was built under the corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative of MRF. "It will incubate ideas from social sciences, humanities and sciences. One of the highlights is the Psychometry Lab , which will develop tools for career planning, skill profiling and personality profiling," said MCC principal Paul Wilson. The park has facilities like a tinkering lab, a rapid prototype lab, an entrepreneurship café, coworking spaces, an amphitheatre, a writers’ nook and several meeting halls. Around 55 startups focusing on smart materials, climate-smart agriculture, ed-tech and livelihood empowerment are being incubated by the college. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , and Mini Crossword .US News Today Live Updates: In today’s dynamic landscape, staying updated on the latest developments across the United States is essential. US News delivers the most impactful and current stories from coast to coast, covering a broad spectrum of topics, including politics, economic trends, healthcare, social issues, and cultural shifts. From significant government actions and economic shifts to breakthroughs in technology and the latest social debates, we provide real-time updates and thoughtful analysis to keep you informed. Our goal is to keep you connected to the stories that shape American life, ensuring you’re always in the know on the news that matters. US News Today Live: Diddy hit with new lawsuit: Ex-employee claims forced to set up ‘Wild King Nights’ sex parties
ATLANTA — As she checked into a recent flight to Mexico for vacation, Teja Smith chuckled at the idea of joining another Women’s March on Washington. As a Black woman, she just couldn’t see herself helping to replicate the largest act of resistance against then-President Donald Trump’s first term in January 2017. Even in an election this year where Trump questioned his opponent’s race, held rallies featuring racist insults and falsely claimed Black migrants in Ohio were eating their neighbors’ pets, he didn't just win a second term. He became the first Republican in two decades to clinch the popular vote, although by a small margin. Supporters of Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris hold their fists in the air after she delivered a concession speech after the 2024 presidential election Nov. 6 on the campus of Howard University in Washington. “It’s like the people have spoken and this is what America looks like,” said Smith, the Los Angeles-based founder of the advocacy social media agency, Get Social. “And there’s not too much more fighting that you’re going to be able to do without losing your own sanity.” After Trump was declared the winner over Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, many politically engaged Black women said they were so dismayed by the outcome that they were reassessing — but not completely abandoning — their enthusiasm for electoral politics and movement organizing. Black women often carry much of the work of getting out the vote in their communities. They had vigorously supported the historic candidacy of Harris, who would have been the first woman of Black and South Asian descent to win the presidency. Harris' loss spurred a wave of Black women across social media resolving to prioritize themselves, before giving so much to a country that over and over has shown its indifference to their concerns. AP VoteCast, a survey of more than 120,000 voters, found that 6 in 10 Black women said the future of democracy in the United States was the single most important factor for their vote this year, a higher share than for other demographic groups. But now, with Trump set to return to office in two months, some Black women are renewing calls to emphasize rest, focus on mental health and become more selective about what fight they lend their organizing power to. “America is going to have to save herself,” said LaTosha Brown, co-founder of the national voting rights group Black Voters Matter. She compared Black women’s presence in social justice movements as “core strategists and core organizers” to the North Star, known as the most consistent and dependable star in the galaxy because of its seemingly fixed position in the sky. People can rely on Black women to lead change, Brown said, but the next four years will look different. “That’s not a herculean task that’s for us. We don’t want that title. ... I have no goals to be a martyr for a nation that cares nothing about me,” she said. Supporters cheer during a community rally with Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris on Oct. 27 in Philadelphia. AP VoteCast paints a clear picture of Black women's concerns. Black female voters were most likely to say that democracy was the single most important factor for their vote, compared to other motivators such as high prices or abortion. More than 7 in 10 Black female voters said they were “very concerned” that electing Trump would lead the nation toward authoritarianism, while only about 2 in 10 said this about Harris. About 9 in 10 Black female voters supported Harris in 2024, according to AP VoteCast, similar to the share that backed Democrat Joe Biden in 2020. Trump received support from more than half of white voters, who made up the vast majority of his coalition in both years. Like voters overall, Black women were most likely to say the economy and jobs were the most important issues facing the country, with about one-third saying that. But they were more likely than many other groups to say that abortion and racism were the top issues, and much less likely than other groups to say immigration was the top issue. Despite those concerns, which were well-voiced by Black women throughout the campaign, increased support from young men of color and white women helped expand Trump’s lead and secured his victory. Politically engaged Black women said they don’t plan to continue positioning themselves in the vertebrae of the “backbone” of America’s democracy. The growing movement prompting Black women to withdraw is a shift from history, where they are often present and at the forefront of political and social change. One of the earliest examples is the women’s suffrage movement that led to ratification in 1920 of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, which gave women the right to vote. Black women, however, were prevented from voting for decades afterward because of Jim Crow-era literacy tests, poll taxes and laws that blocked the grandchildren of slaves from voting. Most Black women couldn’t vote until the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Black women were among the organizers and counted among the marchers brutalized on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Alabama, during the historic march in 1965 from Selma to Montgomery that preceded federal legislation. Decades later, Black women were prominent organizers of the Black Lives Matter movement in response to the deaths of Black Americans at the hands of police and vigilantes. In his 2024 campaign, Trump called for leveraging federal money to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs in government and discussions of race, gender or sexual orientation in schools. His rhetoric on immigration, including false claims that Black Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, were eating cats and dogs, drove support for his plan to deport millions of people. Tenita Taylor, a Black resident of Atlanta who supported Trump this year, said she was initially excited about Harris’ candidacy. But after thinking about how high her grocery bills have been, she feels that voting for Trump in hopes of finally getting lower prices was a form of self-prioritization. “People say, ‘Well, that’s selfish, it was gonna be better for the greater good,''' she said. “I’m a mother of five kids. ... The things that (Democrats) do either affect the rich or the poor.” Where can Black women feel supported and flourish financially? When posed that question, Dr. Lori Martin, a professor of African and African American studies and sociology at Louisiana State University, had this to say: "A livable place for Black women is safe, and for women with children, it is home to schools where all students have access to an excellent education. It would also be diverse, with a visible and thriving Black community, including Black businesses." While the socioeconomic realities of our current time touch all corners of the country, there are pockets of the U.S. where the wealth gap narrows and Black women have more opportunities. MoneyGeek analyzed data on income, the cost of crime , homeownership , and poverty levels from 164 cities across the United States to rank the best — and worst — cities for Black women to live and financially flourish in. MoneyGeek ranked 164 cities with populations greater than 65,000 from the best to the worst for Black women. The ranking includes analysis of income, poverty rate, homeownership, educational attainment and health insurance gaps between Black women and the entire population nationally and locally. The size of the local Black population and the cost of crime in the area were included in the ranking to reflect the presence of the Black community and safety, respectively. Southfield — a suburb of Detroit — and Pearland — a Houston suburb — ranked as the top two cities in the analysis. Notably, Southern cities make up the majority of cities in the top 25, with 13 located in this region. In contrast, Minneapolis, Minnesota, ranked as the worst city for Black women. In Minneapolis, Black women face high poverty rates in absolute and relative terms and have low rates of health insurance coverage compared to the cities analyzed. Meanwhile, Miami ranks as the second least favorable city, with a significant local income gap — there, white men earn almost triple the income of Black women. Income disparity is a key measure of how well Black women are doing today. For each city in the analysis, we calculated the local Equal Pay Day — the day in the following year when Black women would make an equivalent amount as white men — using the median income of Black women working full time and the median income of white men working full time in each locality. In Carson, California, the median pay of Black women is higher than the median pay of white men. However, in Evanston, Illinois, Black women make just over a third of white men's earnings, meaning they would need to work until September 24, 2024, to earn the equivalent of a white man's 2022 pay. Economic challenges faced by Black women include restricted career advancement opportunities, insufficient health insurance, and inadequate retirement savings. Survey data from Goldman Sachs indicates that 42% of Black women perceive limited career growth opportunities compared to 35% of U.S. adults, and merely 43% are able to obtain health insurance through their employer, in contrast to 53% nationwide. Additionally, 71% of Black women feel they are living paycheck to paycheck, compared to 63% of the general population. The intersection of racial and gender bias contributes to these challenges, resulting in low-wage jobs and a considerable wealth gap. Our analysis validates this, demonstrating that Black women who work full-time, year-round, earn 64 cents for every dollar white men earn working full-time, year-round. Less access to economic opportunities puts Black women at a disadvantage in building wealth. The FDIC's National Survey of Unbanked and Underbanked Households found that 11.3% of Black households were unbanked compared to just 2.1% of white households. Unbanked households are credit invisible — that is, they don't have a credit history and, therefore, can't build credit. Having no credit history makes it difficult to utilize credit cards to manage cash needs and mortgages to buy homes. Advocating for economic opportunities for Black women The struggle for economic equity remains a persistent challenge for Black women in America, who have historically faced systemic wage disparities and employment obstacles. However, there are tools and resources that can provide Black women with economic opportunities and empowerment. Dr. Ukanwa shares additional solutions, such as: 1. Invest in education: Research has already shown that degrees increase lifetime earnings, close some societal gaps, and increase job security. But if degrees are not your path, it also means continuing to build that knowledge and expertise in something you can be the best at. Figure out your expertise and what you bring to the table. 2. After building your expertise in a field, build your reputation and personal brand: With an excellent reputation and personal brand, people will start to seek you out rather than the other way around. This increases the worth of your expertise. 3. Find out what your expertise is worth: Educate yourself on how to negotiate . Negotiate to be paid what you are worth. 4. Get into the habit of ownership: Build your own equity, which decreases the dependence on someone else for your income. For example, this could be your own business, stocks , or real estate. To rank the best cities for Black women, MoneyGeek analyzed data from the American Community Survey , MoneyGeek's Safest Cities and Safest Small Cities and Towns studies, and the Bureau of Economic Analysis. The analysis started with over 500 places in America with populations of 65,000 or more. Places without granular data about Black women or lacking other data points for the analysis were removed to get to the final set of 164 cities. The ranking of the best cities for Black women was based on eight factors: safety, Black population, educational attainment, poverty rates, income, employment, health insurance, and homeownership. Each factor was weighted equally and scaled to a score between 0 and 1. The factors were calculated as follows: Safety (full weight): This metric equally comprises two metrics. Percent of local population that is Black (full weight): This percentage represents the proportion of Black individuals within a city's total population, as reported by the United States Census Bureau's five-year American Community Survey (ACS) from 2021, the most recent data available. Educational attainment (full weight): This metric equally comprises two metrics. Poverty rate (full weight): The percentage point difference between the city's rate of Black women earning at or above the poverty level and the rate of all women living above the poverty level nationally. This finding comes from the 2021 Census ACS five-year data, the latest available source covering over 200 cities. Income (full weight): This factor equally comprises two metrics. Employment (full weight): The difference in percentage points between the Black female employment rate and the white male employment rate in the locality. Health insurance (full weight): This metric reveals the percentage point difference between Black women (ages 19-64) and white men (ages 19-64) with health insurance. This information comes from the Census ACS five-year data from 2021, the most recent data source available. Black female homeownership (full weight): This factor comprises three metrics. The full data set can be found here . This story was produced by MoneyGeek and reviewed and distributed by Stacker Media. Get local news delivered to your inbox!Breve biografía de Jimmy Carter
Khurshid Ganai red flags environmental issues in KashmirNew Delhi: Delhi’s air quality remained stagnant in the “very poor” category on Tuesday, with experts warning that it may deteriorate to “severe” levels in the next 24 hours due to a change in wind patterns. None of the 39 monitoring stations in the capital recorded the air quality in the “severe” category on Tuesday. According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the city’s 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 4 pm was 343 against 349 the previous day. The AQI peaked at 419 on November 20 while it was recorded at 371 the next day. On Friday, the air quality level stood at 393, even as it rose to 412 on Saturday and on Sunday, it was 318. An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered “good”, 51-100 “satisfactory”, 101-200 “moderate”, 201-300 “poor”, 301-400 “very poor”, 401-450 “severe” and above 450 “severe plus”. Mahesh Palawat, vice-president of Skymet Weather Services, said the air quality might deteriorate in the next 24 hours and fall into the “severe” category again as easterly winds are expected to arrive. He explained that while there were westerly winds so far, they will now change and the calm easterly winds will contribute to increased pollution. At 3 pm on Tuesday, the CPCB data indicated that PM2.5 was the primary pollutant, with levels of 143 μg/m3 and PM10 at 325 μg/m3. These fine particles, particularly PM2.5, pose significant health risks as these can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream. The Centre’s Decision Support System (DSS) for Air Quality Management estimated that 22.2 per cent of Delhi’s pollution on Tuesday was due to vehicular emissions. Stubble burning, another major contributor, accounted for 6.9 per cent of the pollution on Monday. The DSS provides daily estimates for vehicular emissions, while the data on stubble burning is typically available the following day. Meanwhile, authorities intensified their action against violations of anti-pollution norms, a day after the Supreme Court slammed the Delhi government and police for a “serious lapse” in implementing the restrictions under the fourth stage of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). A senior police officer said the number of teams deployed to ensure the implementation of the restrictions has been increased, particularly in the border areas. The city police, in coordination with teams from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), transport department and civil defence volunteers, is conducting thorough vehicle checks at the border points. Another officer mentioned that the local police is working alongside the traffic police to enforce traffic regulations, with challans being issued to violators. Under the stage 4 of the GRAP, the entry of trucks, except for those run on CNG, electric and BS-VI diesel, is banned in Delhi. According to the traffic police, more than 1.64 lakh challans amounting to Rs 164 crore were issued in the capital against vehicles lacking valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates from October 1 to November 22. Police have also impounded 6,531 10-year-old petrol and 15-year-old diesel vehicles this winter season. Since October 15, a total of 13,762 non-destined trucks approaching Delhi were diverted through the Eastern and Western Peripheral expressways, while the number stood at 2,944 since the implementation of GRAP-4 on November 18. The maximum temperature was recorded at 26.7 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, while the minimum temperature settled 0.6 notches above normal at 11.9 degrees Celsius. Humidity fluctuated between 81 and 63 per cent during the day. The weather department has forecast moderate conditions for Wednesday, with the maximum and minimum temperatures likely to hover around 27 degrees Celsius and 11 degrees Celsius respectively.
Of All The Cheap Things You Can Buy Online Right Now, These 42 Products Are EliteCyborg cockroaches can now be mass-produced in a robotic factory. Pleasant dreams