A look back at 2024 in photos
Ralph-Beyer puts up 20, Sacred Heart defeats Manhattanville 100-60Amazon’s Stock Rides the AI Wave Amazon’s stock showed resilience after a successful boost from their AI-centered cloud initiatives showcased last week. The tech powerhouse is keen on expanding its influence, driven by positive feedback from analysts regarding its latest ambitions unveiled at the Amazon Web Services (AWS) re:Invent conference. A Major Analyst’s Optimism Mizuho’s analyst, James Lee, recently revised his price target for Amazon from 240 to 260, expressing confidence in AWS’s strategic direction. He highlighted that generative AI is approaching a significant transition, moving promising projects into practical applications. Key Technological Advances by AWS AWS is making waves with transformative AI strategies. They introduced cost-effective computing through their own chips, simplified AI app development, and added AI-agent functionalities to enhance workflow automation. Lee anticipates a strong 21% revenue growth for AWS by 2025. Conference Highlights and Strategic Moves In Las Vegas, AWS revealed that major companies like Apple are adopting its Trainium2 AI chip, with Trainium3 slated for release. An impressive “UltraCluster” of AI chips will soon train Anthropic’s latest models, reflecting Amazon’s $8 billion investment in the AI startup. Additionally, CEO Andy Jassy presented Amazon Nova, a new AI model line available via the Bedrock AI platform. Market Reception and Stock Performance Amazon’s recent initiatives are aimed at maintaining its cloud services lead over competitors like Microsoft and Google’s Alphabet. Positive feedback from analysts suggests a turning tide in favor of AWS’s AI prowess. This year, Amazon’s stock has climbed 49%, significantly outpacing the S&P 500’s 27% rise. This growth catapults Amazon’s position further into the spotlight of robust investment opportunities. The Untold Future of Amazon’s AI Strategies: What’s Next? Amazon’s AI-Driven Ambitions: A Closer Look at Emerging Trends and Innovations Amazon continues to capture attention in the tech world, leveraging its vast resources to make significant strides in artificial intelligence. The AWS re:Invent conference brought new insights, revealing Amazon’s progress and future directions. Let’s explore the key developments, market trends, and strategic innovations shaping Amazon’s AI landscape. Innovative AI Technologies by AWS At the heart of Amazon’s AI advancement is AWS’s innovative approach to cloud computing. A major highlight is the introduction of their proprietary chips, notably the Trainium series, which offer both cost-effectiveness and enhanced performance for AI tasks. Trainium2 has already attracted major industry players like Apple, while the soon-to-be-released Trainium3 promises to revolutionize AI computing further. AWS’s focus on simplifying AI application development is particularly noteworthy. By integrating AI-agent functionalities to automate workflows, AWS is enabling businesses to streamline operations and improve efficiency. These technological innovations offer exciting possibilities for future AI applications across various industries. Diving Deeper into Market Trends and Analyst Predictions Mizuho’s analyst, James Lee, sheds light on the expanding role of generative AI, which is transitioning from experimental to practical applications. This shift is expected to drive substantial revenue growth for AWS, potentially reaching 21% by 2025. Such predictions underscore AWS’s strategic positioning in the competitive AI and cloud market. The positive market reception of Amazon’s AI endeavors is evident in its stock performance. With a notable 49% rise this year, considerably outstripping the S&P 500’s growth, Amazon stands out as an appealing investment option. This growth trajectory is a testament to investor confidence in Amazon’s strategic initiatives and future prospects in AI. Future Prospects and Market Analysis With an $8 billion investment in AI startup Anthropic, Amazon’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of AI technology is clear. This investment reflects a strategic move to enhance AWS’s capabilities, particularly in training sophisticated AI models. The introduction of the “UltraCluster” of AI chips signifies a monumental step in Amazon’s AI journey, potentially setting new industry standards. Furthermore, the unveiling of Amazon Nova on the Bedrock AI platform symbolizes a forward-thinking approach, promising to deliver advanced AI solutions. As Amazon competes with tech giants like Microsoft and Google, such strategic developments will be crucial in maintaining its lead in the cloud services arena. Concluding Insights and Predictions Looking ahead, Amazon’s focus on AI innovations positions it well for sustained growth and influence in the technology sector. With strategic advancements in chip technology, AI applications, and substantial investments, Amazon is gearing up to shape the future of AI. As we anticipate these developments, it’s clear that Amazon’s relentless pursuit of AI excellence is set to redefine the landscape, offering new opportunities and setting benchmarks for the industry. For more insights and updates on Amazon’s latest ventures, visit the Amazon website.
Bell Potter names the best ASX dividend stocks to buy in DecemberNorth Carolina could overhaul how language arts is taught in what’s being billed as a better way to teach students how to become successful readers. The state Department of Public Instruction recently released for public comment the first draft of new K-12 English/language arts standards. It includes what DPI says are a number of major changes, including reducing how many standards are taught and revising English IV offerings for high school seniors. “These are pretty major changes and there could be some major impacts across the state,” said Kristi Day, director of DPI’s Office of Academic Standards. “When those surveys go out today or tomorrow, we really want to hear from the field because we want to know how does this impact them? How does this impact their students and their teaching?” DPI staff briefed the State Board of Education on the proposed new standards this week. The standards will go through at least two more drafts before being voted on next year by the state board. School districts set their own curriculum based on the standards adopted by the state. This will be the first major revision since the current language arts standards were adopted in 2017. The current standards replaced the controversial Common Core-based standards. Here’s a look at some of the major changes in the proposed standards: In what Day told the state board was a “mic drop” she said the number of standards would be cut in half. Standards are defined by DPI as “what is it that students need to know and be able to do.” For instance, kindergarten and first grade currently have a combined 139 standards students are expected to learn. It would drop to 79 in the new draft. Language arts teachers are currently expected to teach a total of 205 standards in grades 6 through 8. But the new draft only has 69 standards for middle school. Also as part of the shift, there will no longer be standards for each individual grade level. Instead, standards are proposed to be grouped by “grade bands” with multiple grades: K-1, 2-3, 4-5, 6-8, 9-11 and 12th grade. The reduction in standards is part of what DPI said staff was their effort to reimagine how language arts is taught. DPI says the changes align with the phonics-based “science of reading” training that the state’s elementary school teachers have been taught to use. Day repeatedly told state board members they’re not lowering expectations for students. Instead, she said teachers would now be able to go into more detail covering each standard. “I want to be very clear it’s not a watering down of standards,” Day said. “We’re not reducing to reduce. “We really looked at how to integrate and how to bring those standards to a place where teachers could do more with less and they could have deeper conversations, deeper tasks, thoughtful types of assignments so they can really dive in deeper so they can master these standards across more than just one year.” For instance one of the proposed K-1 standards is to “determine the central message, lesson, and main topic of texts using key details.” Students would now be expected to be taught that standard in both grade levels. It’s part of a teaching method called “spiraling.” Teachers across the different grade levels in each band would revisit topics multiple times to build on what students previously learned about the standard. DPI staff gave multiple examples to the state board of why they said the current standards need to be changed. DPI provides teachers with pacing guides. But it’s become “death by pacing guides” as teachers rush to cover all the standards, according to Amy Rhyne, senior director of DPI’s Office of Early Learning. “That really drives the rush, if you will, of what’s happening around mastery and what it looks like,” Rhyne told the state board. “That competes with our overarching goal of what does it look like for a student to be a successful long-term reader rather than teaching the minimal pieces to a test.” Rhyne compared it to expecting someone to know how to ride a bicycle by having them spend three days holding the handle bars, four days practicing balancing and five days of practicing pedaling in place. “We have to rethink and redesign what that looks like, which is where we’re working together on how to be more innovative and think differently about how we are teaching children to read rather than checking off skills and standards,” Rhyne told the state board. Students must complete four English courses to graduate from high school. But DPI staff said the options for seniors are limited in English IV, which is a traditional literature course that might not appeal to all students. “Why not think of a different option for English IV?” said Sneha Shah Coltrane, DPI’s senior director of Advanced Learning and Gifted Education. “We know that is not going to be an easy shift. But in all the other content areas, we have significant choices. “A child can take Excel instead of Math IV. In science, they have so many options, in social studies so many options. But we don’t when it comes to senior English.” What’s proposed in the new standards is offering three different English IV sections: STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), arts and literature. The current English IV course would be retained as the literature section. Shah Coltrane said that offering different types of English IV courses could make them more relevant to seniors and decrease absenteeism. ”Our initial feedback has been very positive, but it as well has been very scary for some teachers,” Shah Coltrane told the state board. ©2024 The Charlotte Observer. Visit charlotteobserver.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Trump offers a public show of support for Pete Hegseth, his embattled nominee to lead the PentagonDoechii announced plans for an NPR Tiny Desk performance less than 24 hours before it aired. The TDE breakout had high expectations after her standout appearance at Tyler, The Creator 's Camp Flog Gnaw festival. She crushed it, as was to be expected. If anything, Doechii raised her game, and gave fans one of the best Tiny Desk performances in ages. She ran through most of the standout cuts on her new tape, Alligator Bites Never Heal , but the live setting gave them new life and a new sound. Doechii brought a talented assortment of musicians to back her up. She enlisted an all female, all Black band comprised of DJ Miss Milan, two background vocalists, guitars and horns. The musical breakdowns throughout the Tiny Desk performance was nothing short of astounding. The way in which Doechii was able to flow atop these intricate instrumentals was thoroughly impressive. It helps, of course, that the songs themselves are excellent. Doechii ran through breakout viral hits like "Nissan Altima," as well as "Boom Bap" and "Catfish." Read More: Doechii Thanks MF DOOM & Solange For Inspiring Her Stephen Colbert Performance It was the performance of "Black Girl Diaries," however, that touched the hearts of most viewers. The rapper gave an impassioned backstory for the song prior to her performance, emphasizing its crucial place within the mixtape. "I wrote this song specifically for Black women," Doechii noted. "As a dark-skinned woman, there’s a very unique experience I’m trying to internalize. This is dedicated to all the beautiful Black women in the room." Social media exploded following the NPR performance. Many fans praised her aesthetic choices. The rapper, as well as her backing band, wore braids, while the choreography and musical flexibility of the band were note perfect. "This Doechii tiny desk was a life altering experience," one user tweeted. "And I hate that I can experience this for the first time only once." Another user praised Doechii's presence and ability to alternate between mellow and intense at a moment's notice. "The way she can rap like that and be animated is crazy, Doechii is a STAR & a true visionary all around," they tweeted. The rapper has been posed by TDE as the next big thing, and this performance certainly bolsters the vision.Batties scores 16, Harvard takes down Iona 67-61
KENNESAW, Ga. (AP) — Adrian Wooley and Simeon Cottle each scored 32 points and Kennesaw State beat Brewton-Parker 112-77 on Sunday. Wooley added eight rebounds and eight assists for the Owls (8-5). Cottle went 11 of 16 from the field (8 for 13 from 3-point range) to add 32 points. Braedan Lue went 5 of 8 from the field (2 for 3 from 3-point range) to finish with 14 points. Dre Burroughs finished with 25 points for the Barons. Brewton-Parker got 20 points and seven rebounds from Tommy J Tisdale III. Kennesaw State took the lead with 15:42 left in the first half and did not give it up. The score was 57-31 at halftime, with Cottle racking up 16 points. Kennesaw State extended its lead to 83-38 during the second half, fueled by a 10-0 scoring run. Wooley scored a team-high 19 points in the second half as their team closed out the win. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .West Forsyth won the coin toss and has deferred to the second half. Follow along for live updates from Fred Lewis Stadium in Kernersville as East Forsyth takes on West Forsyth in the second round of the NCHSAA 4-A state playoffs. East Forsyth (11-0) beat West Forsyth (8-3) 48-42 on Nov. 1. The Eagles got a 3-yard touchdown pass from Bryce Baker to J.P. Gilchrist with 9.4 seconds left to pull out the win. mpruitt@wsjournal.com Sent weekly directly to your inbox!
NoneManufacturing sector’s struggle for revival LAHORE: The decline in Pakistan’s manufacturing sector is a complex issue influenced by more than just faulty government policies. Inefficiencies within the business sector, poor governance practices and external economic pressures also play significant roles in this downward trajectory. While government policies undeniably shape the manufacturing landscape, their shortcomings often exacerbate existing challenges. For instance, complex and uneven taxation has placed undue burdens on manufacturers, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Inefficient tax collection further raises the cost of doing business, discouraging growth and innovation. Energy costs in Pakistan rank among the highest in the region, making local products uncompetitive compared to those from regional peers like India and Bangladesh. Frequent policy reversals, a lack of long-term planning and limited consultation with industry stakeholders create uncertainty and deter investment. Weak transportation networks and inadequate industrial zones disrupt supply chains and hinder production efficiency. The reliance on imports, coupled with insufficient export facilitation, further stifles the potential of local manufacturers. However, the inefficiency and governance issues within the manufacturing sector itself cannot be ignored. A lack of innovation has left many businesses unable to modernise their production processes, adopt new technologies or invest in research and development (R&D), thereby reducing global competitiveness. Many family-owned manufacturing businesses suffer from nepotism, poor transparency and inadequate succession planning. Cartels in key industries, such as cement and sugar, often prioritise short-term profits over long-term growth, distorting market dynamics and hindering fair competition. Moreover, insufficient investment in employee training and productivity improvements leads to subpar product quality and inefficiencies across the sector. A significant number of manufacturers cater exclusively to the domestic market, failing to meet international standards and thereby missing global opportunities. The state’s inability to enforce quality standards enables local producers to sell subpar products domestically, effectively barring them from entering international markets. External factors, including global recessions, supply chain disruptions and currency depreciation, further exacerbate the challenges faced by Pakistan’s manufacturing sector. Improving governance in Pakistan is a daunting challenge. The country’s governance system suffers from entrenched inefficiencies, corruption and bureaucratic inertia that cannot be dismantled overnight. Many government institutions lack the expertise, autonomy and resources necessary for effective policymaking and implementation. Frequent changes in government and policy direction erode trust, fostering a culture of short-termism among both decision-makers and businesses. Populist measures often take precedence over essential yet politically challenging reforms. Businesses, meanwhile, hesitate to voice concerns or innovate for fear of victimisation, selective taxation or unfair treatment. While challenges persist, there are promising signs of improvement. Initiatives such as digitising tax records and streamlining customs procedures have the potential to reduce corruption and inefficiency. Greater collaboration between the private sector and the government, especially in export-oriented industries, could act as a catalyst for reform. Agreements with international institutions like the IMF often push the government towards structural reforms, albeit slowly. Pakistan’s young population and rising entrepreneurial spirit hold the promise of a more efficient and innovative manufacturing environment. However, in the short term, transformative changes in governance are unlikely due to deeply rooted structural issues and political instability. With sustained efforts in digitalisation, public-private collaboration, and long-term planning, gradual improvements in governance and manufacturing competitiveness can be achieved over time.