100 free casino slot games
NoneBucs rout Panthers, keep pace in race for first in NFC South
WASHINGTON — Senate Majority Leader-in-waiting John Thune plans to have the chamber in session for 10 straight weeks to start 2025. That’s according to the Senate’s 2025 legislative calendar released by the South Dakota Republican on social media Thursday. The calendar has senators in session for five days a week for most of the year, which, if adhered to, would be a change in the chamber’s current flow of usually eschewing Friday votes. The Senate is expected to have a busy start to the year with hearings and votes on President-elect Donald Trump’s announced nominees. Republicans have also begun to plot out their legislative agenda for two budget reconciliation packages – one to address border, defense and energy-related priorities, plus a sweeping tax package. Lawmakers will also likely have to pass a long-term spending bill in the first few months of the year, with Congress expected this month to extend government funding into March. Both the Senate and the House, which released its calendar Wednesday , will convene on Jan. 3 as required under the Constitution, when the new Congress will be sworn in. After the 10 straight weeks in session, with a break on Feb. 17 to observe Presidents Day, the Senate is set to take its first recess the week of March 17, when House lawmakers will also be off. But that would be the House’s third weeklong break of the year, following recesses the last week of January and the week of Presidents Day. As usual, both chambers have scheduled a two-week recess around the Easter and Passover holidays, which fall in mid-April. Weeklong recesses are scheduled around Memorial Day and July 4, while the House is also expected to be out of session for a week around Juneteenth. Both chambers will be out for the traditional August recess. After Labor Day, lawmakers are set to return to Washington for three work weeks in September, with a scheduled recess the week of Sept. 21 for Rosh Hashanah. That would come a week before the fiscal year ends at the close of the month, when Congress faces a funding deadline. Both chambers are scheduled to be in session on Sept. 29 and 30. In the last quarter of the year, the Senate calendar has a weeklong recess in mid-October for Columbus Day, while House lawmakers are set to return that Tuesday. Both chambers are scheduled to recess for two weeks in November, one for Veterans Day and another for Thanksgiving. The Senate is slated to wrap up its work for next year on Dec. 19, a day after the House. ©2024 CQ-Roll Call, Inc., All Rights Reserved. Visit cqrollcall.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Zoren: Former Channel 3 co-anchor turns up as 6abc reporterShares of Under Armour Inc. Cl A .css-8459s-OverridedLink.css-8459s-OverridedLink:any-link{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;color:var(--color-interactiveLink010, interactiveLink010);border-bottom:1px solid;border-bottom-color:var(--color-interactiveLink010, interactiveLink010);}.css-8459s-OverridedLink.css-8459s-OverridedLink:any-link.css-8459s-OverridedLink.css-8459s-OverridedLink:any-link svg{fill:var(--color-interactiveLink010, interactiveLink010);}.css-8459s-OverridedLink.css-8459s-OverridedLink:any-link:hover{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;color:var(--color-interactiveLink020, interactiveLink020);border-bottom:1px solid;border-bottom-color:var(--color-interactiveLink020, interactiveLink020);}.css-8459s-OverridedLink.css-8459s-OverridedLink:any-link:hover.css-8459s-OverridedLink.css-8459s-OverridedLink:any-link:hover svg{fill:var(--color-interactiveLink020, interactiveLink020);} .css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink{display:inline;color:var(--color-interactiveLink010);-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}@media screen and (prefers-reduced-motion: no-preference){.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink{transition-property:color,fill;transition-duration:200ms,200ms;transition-timing-function:cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1),cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1);}}@media screen and (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce){.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink{transition-property:color,fill;transition-duration:0ms;transition-timing-function:cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1),cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1);}}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink svg{fill:var(--color-interactiveLink010);}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:hover:not(:disabled){color:var(--color-interactiveLink020);-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:hover:not(:disabled) svg{fill:var(--color-interactiveLink020);}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:active:not(:disabled){color:var(--color-interactiveLink030);-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:active:not(:disabled) svg{fill:var(--color-interactiveLink030);}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:visited:not(:disabled){color:var(--color-interactiveVisited010);-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:visited:not(:disabled) svg{fill:var(--color-interactiveVisited010);}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:visited:hover:not(:disabled){color:var(--color-interactiveVisited010);-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:visited:hover:not(:disabled) svg{fill:var(--color-interactiveVisited010);}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:focus-visible:not(:disabled){outline-color:var(--outlineColorDefault);outline-style:var(--outlineStyleDefault);outline-width:var(--outlineWidthDefault);outline-offset:var(--outlineOffsetDefault);}@media not all and (min-resolution: 0.001dpcm){@supports (-webkit-appearance: none) and (stroke-color: transparent){.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:focus-visible:not(:disabled){outline-style:var(--safariOutlineStyleDefault);}}}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:any-link{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;color:var(--color-interactiveLink010, interactiveLink010);border-bottom:1px solid;border-bottom-color:var(--color-interactiveLink010, interactiveLink010);}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:any-link.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:any-link svg{fill:var(--color-interactiveLink010, interactiveLink010);}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:any-link:hover{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;color:var(--color-interactiveLink020, interactiveLink020);border-bottom:1px solid;border-bottom-color:var(--color-interactiveLink020, interactiveLink020);}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:any-link:hover.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:any-link:hover svg{fill:var(--color-interactiveLink020, interactiveLink020);} UAA sank 0.88% to $10.09 Tuesday, on what proved to be an all-around poor trading session for the stock market, with the S&P 500 Index SPX falling 0.30% to 6,034.91 and Dow Jones Industrial Average DJIA falling 0.35% to 44,247.83. The stock's fall snapped a two-day winning streak.
NoneA fugitive gains fame in New Orleans eluding dart guns and nets
None
Stocks hit, dollar slips in illiquid year-end profit takingTrump names Andrew Ferguson as head of Federal Trade Commission to replace Lina Khan
Heydar Aliyev International Airport Unveils New Self-Service Kiosks in Terminal 1A report from the charity on hurricanes, floods, typhoons and storms influenced by climate change warns that the top 10 disasters each cost more than 4 billion US dollars in damage (£3.2 billion). The figures are based mostly on insured losses, so the true costs are likely to be even higher, Christian Aid said, as it called for action to cut greenhouse gas emissions and finance for poor countries to cope with climate change. Politicians who “downplay the urgency of the climate crisis only serve to harm their own people and cause untold suffering around the world”, climate expert Joanna Haigh said. While developed countries feature heavily in the list of costliest weather extremes, as they have higher property values and can afford insurance, the charity also highlighted another 10 disasters which did not rack up such costs but were just as devastating, often hitting poorer countries. Most extreme weather events show “clear fingerprints” of climate change, which is driving more extreme weather events, making them more intense and frequent, experts said. The single most costly event in 2024 was Hurricane Milton, which scientists say was made windier, wetter and more destructive by global warming, and which caused 60 billion US dollars (£48 billion) of damage when it hit the US in October. That is closely followed by Hurricane Helene, which cost 55 billion US dollars (£44 billion) when it hit the US, Mexico and Cuba just two weeks before Milton in late September. The US was hit by so many costly storms throughout the year that even when hurricanes are removed, other storms cost more than 60 billion US dollars in damage, the report said. Three of the costliest 10 climate extremes hit Europe, including the floods from Storm Boris which devastated central European countries in September and deadly flooding in Valencia in October which killed 226 people. In other parts of the world, floods in June and July in China killed 315 people and racked up costs of 15.6 billion US dollars (£12.4 billion), while Typhoon Yagi, which hit south-west Asia in September, killed more than 800 people and cost 12.6 billion dollars (£10 billion). Events which were not among the most costly in financial terms but which have still been devastating include Cyclone Chido which hit Mayotte in December and may have killed more than 1,000 people, Christian Aid said. Meanwhile, heatwaves affected 33 million people in Bangladesh and worsened the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, flooding affected 6.6 million people in West Africa and the worst drought in living memory affected more than 14 million in Zambia, Malawi, Namibia and Zimbabwe, the charity said. Christian Aid chief executive Patrick Watt said: “There is nothing natural about the growing severity and frequency of droughts, floods and storms. “Disasters are being supercharged by decisions to keep burning fossil fuels, and to allow emissions to rise. “And they’re being made worse by the consistent failure to deliver on financial commitments to the poorest and most climate-vulnerable countries. “In 2025 we need to see governments leading, and taking action to accelerate the green transition, reduce emissions, and fund their promises.” Dr Mariam Zachariah, World Weather Attribution researcher who analyses extreme events in near-real time to discern the role of climate change, at Imperial College London, said: “This report is just a snapshot of climate devastation in 2024. “There are many more droughts, heatwaves, wildfires and floods not included that are becoming more frequent and intense. “Most of these disasters show clear fingerprints of climate change. “Extreme weather is clearly causing incredible suffering in all corners of the world. Behind the billion-dollar figures are lost lives and livelihoods.” And Prof Haigh, emeritus professor of atmospheric physics at Imperial College London, said: “The economic impact of these extreme weather events should be a wake-up call. “The good news is that ever-worsening crises doesn’t have to be our long-term future. “The technologies of a clean energy economy exist, but we need leaders to invest in them and roll them out at scale.” The 10 costliest climate disasters of 2024 were: – US storms, December to January, more than 60 billion US dollars; – Hurricane Milton in the US, October 9-13, 60 billion US dollars (£48 billion); – Hurricane Helene in the US, Mexico, Cuba, 55 billion US dollars (£44 billion); – China floods, June 9-July 14, 15.6 billion US dollars (£12.4 billion); – Typhoon Yagi, which hit south-west Asia from September 1 to 9, 12.6 billion US dollars (£10 billion); – Hurricane Beryl, in the US, Mexico and Caribbean islands from July 1-11, 6.7 billion US dollars (£5.3 billion); – Storm Boris in central Europe, September 12-16, 5.2 billion US dollars (£4.1 billion); – Rio Grande do Sul floods in Brazil, April 28-May 3, 5 billion US dollars (£4 billion); – Bavaria floods, Germany, June 1-7, 4.45 billion US dollars (£3.5 billion); – Valencia floods, Spain, on October 29, 4.22 billion US dollars (£3.4 billion).Uptown Butte picket: 'Get the Lead Out'Who is Olivia Ponton? All you need to know about Sports Illustrated swimsuit model who called cops for Joe Burrow READ MORE: Joe Burrow's $7.5m Cincinnati mansion broken into during game By JAKE NISSE and OLIVER SALT Published: 23:16, 10 December 2024 | Updated: 23:42, 10 December 2024 e-mail View comments When Joe Burrow's Cincinnati mansion was burgled on Monday night, it was model Olivia Ponton - and not his long-term girlfriend Olivia Holzmacher - who reported the break-in. According to TMZ Sports , Ponton called police after the break-in at around 8:14pm on Monday, while Burrow was many miles away in Dallas playing the Cowboys. Documents from the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office claim Ponton is 'employed by Mr. Burrow,' though it's unclear why she was at his home. Neither she nor Burrow have publicly commented regarding the situation yet, while it's also unclear if the quarterback and Holzmacher are still together. Nonetheless, there is plenty of public information out there regarding Ponton, who boasts 7.6million TikTok followers and has modeled for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit. Here's what we know about her. Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow was the victim of a break-in while he was in Dallas The woman at the house who placed the call was later identified as model Olivia Ponton Burrow was believed to be with long-time girlfriend Olivia Holzmacher, though it's unclear if they are still together Who is Olivia Ponton? Ponton is a 22-year-old model and social media influencer who has worked with major brands in the fashion industry. Aside from Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, she has also posed for Victoria's Secret, Ralph Lauren, Boss and Tory Burch. After signing with Wilhelmina as a teenager, she is currently with IMG Models - while she's also represented by influencer management company Digital Brand Architects. She initially made her name on social media, as she was part of the 'Hype House' on TikTok after initially going viral on the platform in high school, according to an interview with Flaunt . That fame was parlayed into her becoming a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model in 2022 and 2023. Ponton has also began dipping her toes into the acting world, as she made cameo in the movie 'It Ends with Us' earlier this year, according to Cosmopolitan . Ponton poses backstage for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Runway Show During Paraiso Miami Beach on July 16, 2022 Ponton is a popular social media influencer with 7.6million TikTok followers She also shares frequent snaps to her Instagram account, which has nearly 3million followers Where is she from? Ponton hails from Naples, Florida and attended Naples High School, as per her IMDb profile . 'I forget not everyone grows up near the beach, [laughs] so I sometimes can't relate,' she told Flaunt. 'Being so close to something like that is amazing, I'm glad my parents raised me there. It did shape me because I'm travel-oriented.' Ponton would later move to Los Angeles to join 'Hype House' while continuing to grow her modeling career as well. Is she in a relationship? While it's not clear why Ponton was at Burrow's home, the model gave a clue into her relationship status in an interview published on Tuesday. 'I think everyone has a 'revenge era' at some point in their life,' she told Cosmopolitan. 'While I'm not in mine now - I'm very happy and content - about two years ago, I definitely went through that phase.' There don't appear to be any photos of her with a significant other on her Instagram page. Ponton said in an interview published on Tuesday that she was 'very happy and content' She walked the runway for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit two years ago in Miami, Florida What does she post about on social media? Ponton has cultivated a massive audience on TikTok through a blend of fashion and lifestyle content. Read More BREAKING NEWS Salacious twist in suspicious burglary at Joe Burrow's mansion as he dominated Monday Night Football A pinned post which has received 4.6million views shows what she eats in a day while shooting for Victoria's Secret, while she also records 'hauls' of the clothing she receives and 'get ready with me' videos. Ponton will also post workout videos for her followers and overall provides an intimate look at her exciting life. On Instagram, Ponton posts more of her professional modeling pictures and work to her nearly three million followers on the platform. She previously described to Flaunt how she cultivated a large online presence. 'I tell people that I post a lot on my Instagram,' she said. 'I post every single day, it's super important to be engaged with who comments on your photos. Posting a lot and making sure you're talking to people on social media. @iamoliviaponton definitely also had alot of chocolate covered strawberries, champagne, WATER XOXO🎀 ♬ original sound - olivia ponton She appears to be at least a casual sports fan as she attended a Jets game in September Is she a sports fan? Ponton's online presence suggests that - outside of her connection to Burrow - she is at least a casual sports fan. She has posted TikToks of her visiting F1 events - namely the Austin GP in October - while she also seems to be somewhat of a football fan as well. Ponton was seen at the Jets' home loss to the Broncos earlier this season at MetLife Stadium. Furthermore, she also has a background in sports herself, as she competed in track and water skiing in her younger days. Cincinnati Bengals Share or comment on this article: Who is Olivia Ponton? All you need to know about Sports Illustrated swimsuit model who called cops for Joe Burrow e-mail Add comment
Minnesota hunters registered 120,675 deer after the third weekend of the firearms deer season, up 6% from 2023, but down 4% from the five-year mean, or average, the Department of Natural Resources reported Tuesday, Nov. 26. Deer Season A opened Saturday, Nov. 9, and ended Nov. 17 in 200- and 300-series deer permit areas (DPAs) and continued through Nov. 24 in 100-series DPAs, which are mainly in the northern and northeastern part of the state. ADVERTISEMENT The Season B firearms deer season in 300-series DPAs opened Nov. 23 and continues through Sunday, Dec. 1. The firearms deer harvest by region after 16 days was as follows: According to Todd Froberg, big game program coordinator for the DNR at Whitewater Wildlife Management Area in Altura, Minnesota, the harvest really only increased in the Northwest, Northeast and Central regions during the rest of the 16-day season and then in the B season in the southeast part of the state. The 200-series DPAs only had the nine-day season, and there is only one DPA in the southwest region open during the ongoing B season, Froberg said. The cumulative harvest to date, which includes archery, firearm, early antlerless, youth and special hunts, was 153,390 deer, the DNR said. That’s up 3% from 2023, but down 6% from the five-year average and down 8% from the 10-year average. Cumulative tallies by region were as follows: In related deer hunting news, Minnesota archery hunters as of Tuesday had harvested 23,047 deer, Froberg said, up 12% from last year. Crossbows, which are legal for all archery hunters in Minnesota, are making up a greater percentage of the archery harvest, Froberg says. ADVERTISEMENT “Crossbows are making up 47% of (the) archery harvest,” he said. “For crossbow-specific harvest, we are up 24% compared to last year’s crossbow harvest. Vertical bow harvest is up 4% compared to last year’s vertical bow harvest.” Minnesota’s muzzleloader opens Saturday, Nov. 30, and continues through Sunday, Dec. 15. Archery season continues through Dec. 31. The DNR posts regular harvest updates, both statewide and by DPA, on its website at dnr.state.mn.us/mammals/deer/management/statistics.html.How to get Pittsburgh Steelers tickets for Bengals game in NFL Week 13: Prices, options
By Abigail Marie P. Yraola, Deputy Research Head AS THE COUNTRY embraces the digital revolution, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in its banking operations shows significant advancements for the country. AI, particularly generative AI (GenAI), redefines the operational and strategic landscapes of the banking sector and thus, has become a crucial factor in transformative change, Ernst & Young said in a report titled “How artificial intelligence is reshaping the financial services industry.” The report highlighted that utilizing AI is driving a significant transformation in financial services by fostering innovation and streamlining operations. Additionally, with its broad applications, AI enhances customer service, improves risk management, and reshapes capital markets. The banking sector is adapting to a landscape sculpted by the six major trends: emerging technologies, ecosystem models, sustainability, digital assets, talent acquisition, and regulatory adjustments, Ernst & Young said in their report noting that these factors are driving the industry to move beyond traditional boundaries, impacting not only consumer banking but also transforming investment, corporate banking, and capital markets. “By integrating AI technologies, banks are setting new benchmarks for operational efficiency, client engagement and sustainable growth,” it said. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) recognizes that AI is continually evolving. “AI has been identified as one of the crucial components of the fourth industrial revolution,” the BSP said in an e-mail. The central bank added that AI can bridge the gap in financial inclusion through innovative solutions. However, it also pointed out barriers that hinder financial inclusion which include (a) a lack of documentation required to open an account, (b) low awareness of the digital products and services available in the market, and (c) the high costs associated with the infrastructure needed for digitalization. ADOPTING AI IN BANKING OPERATIONS Currently, the central bank is guided by the definition provided by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), which describes an AI system as a “machine-based system that, for explicit or implicit objectives, infers how to generate outputs based on the input it receives. These outputs, it said, can influence physical or virtual environments. Different AI systems vary in their levels of autonomy and adaptability after deployment. This definition, the BSP said, aligns with the central bank’s goal of promoting the responsible use of technology to assist in inference and output generation that enhances decision-making processes. “There has been a notable increase in the adoption and integration of AI solutions within the financial sector, particularly in enhancing decision-making, automating processes, and personalizing services,” BSP said. It also added that recent advancements in technology have had a significant impact across various industries, particularly in BSP-supervised financial institutions (BSFIs) but noted that BSFIs can choose not to adopt AI if their existing processes are working efficiently. The central bank further explained that when considering the adoption of AI systems, BSFIs should ensure that these technologies are integrated into their overall business plans, highlighting that it should align with its digital transformation goals. “As with any emerging technology, there are benefits and risks associated in adopting AI,” the central bank said, acknowledging that there is “no one-size-fits-all approach for AI systems.” However, it suggested that financial institutions can establish a policy statement outlining their approach towards AI adoption which could help prime the organization on its use. Fintech Alliance.PH Founding Chairman and Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Executive Vice-President and Chief Innovation and Inclusion Officer Angelito “Lito” M. Villanueva said that AI has played a crucial role in democratizing financial access, allowing for more efficient, secure, and personalized banking experiences. He cautioned that alongside these advances, AI also brings complex challenges that demand careful attention to regulation and ethical boundaries before widespread adoption. He further explained that AI is crucial for automating processes, enhancing predictive analytics, and enabling targeted decision-making, which helps banks accomplish data-driven tasks more efficiently and accurately. “Central banks can leverage AI for regulatory compliance and fraud detection. In commercial banking, AI can personalize customer interactions, credit risk analysis, and cybersecurity measures,” Mr. Villanueva said in an e-mail interview. He added that as AI evolves, concerns about job displacement, especially within low-skilled sectors, are growing. Under Philippine labor law, employers are permitted to terminate employees if labor-saving technologies, such as AI, lead to redundancies, provided that legal standards are followed. “This presents a need for the government to focus not only on AI regulations but also on creating alternative job opportunities for displaced workers,” he said. CONSIDERATIONS AND IMPLEMENTATION When considering the adoption of AI or any emerging technology, financial institutions should start by evaluating their risk appetite. “Depending on the risk-reward analysis, BSFIs could integrate AI into their systems with proper controls,” the BSP said. The central bank expects that risk management measures for consumer protection, cybersecurity, and anti-money laundering/combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) are established whenever an AI system is implemented. “At the minimum, financial institutions should adhere to the principle of “Do no harm” regarding the use of AI, whether internally or externally,” BSP said. For Mr. Villanueva, phased and purpose-driven AI implementation should be given priority to areas that improve customer experience, risk management, and boost cybersecurity. Customer-facing applications, such as AI chatbots and virtual assistants, should be deployed initially to streamline basic customer interactions and make banking more accessible. “At RCBC, we’re focusing on how AI could improve the accuracy of customer risk profiles and improve cybersecurity protocols. Through Fintech Alliance.Ph, we work to advocate for AI policies that promote both innovation and customer protection, a balance that helps financial institutions adopt AI responsibly,” he said. Mr. Villanueva highlighted that traditional AI, such as predictive analytics and machine learning, can reinforce the foundational framework of Philippine banks, while GenAI can enhance customer engagement efforts. EMERGING CHALLENGES A report by McKinsey & Co. titled “Scaling Gen AI in banking: Choosing the best operating model” highlighted that banks and other financial institutions rapidly use AI technology, and challenges are emerging. It further explained that AI, specifically Gen AI is transforming the banking industry as financial institutions leverage this technology to enhance customer-facing chatbots, detect fraud, and accelerate time-consuming tasks such as code development, creating pitch book drafts, and summarizing regulatory reports. They suggested that banks and financial institutions can adopt varying approaches to structuring their GenAI operating models, ranging from highly centralized to highly decentralized. The BSP is cognizant of its crucial role in promoting an enabling regulatory environment that promotes innovation and risk resilient financial systems. When an institution intends to adopt artificial intelligence (AI), it should conduct risk-based assessments before development. These assessments should focus on key risk areas, including consumer protection, cybersecurity, and anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CFT). Additionally, continuous monitoring is essential to validate the AI system’s outputs over time. For Mr. Villanueva, institutions can maximize the value of AI by prioritizing transparency, ethical practices, and strong data governance policies. The proactive measures taken by the BSP in developing regulatory frameworks for AI are essential for establishing these standards, he highlighted. “We need that distinction between goal-oriented AI and ethically guided AI. AI’s capabilities for automation and problem-solving raise questions about maintaining a balance between efficiency and ethics,” Mr. Villanueva emphasized. “We must ensure that human judgment remains central, especially as AI advances to more autonomous roles, how AI systems are designed and used ultimately defines their impact, whether good or bad.” For John Paolo R. Rivera, senior research fellow at Philippine Institute for Development Studies, he said that AI can be used by banks to detect fraud in transactions and forecast financial risks. “As an advantage, generative AI can create customer outreach campaigns or designs tailored financial advice scripts using natural language generation,” he said in a Viber message. He further explained that traditional and GenAI are complementary technologies that financial institutions can utilize to enhance operations, boost customer satisfaction, and ensure regulatory compliance. “Banks should focus on adopting hybrid solutions — using traditional AI for precision and security, while exploring generative AI for innovation and customization.” RISKS AND BENEFITS Mr. Villanueva listed that harnessing AI offers numerous life-changing benefits, including improved decision-making, cost reduction, and more personalized customer experiences. “In fraud prevention, AI systems can monitor transactions in real time, which is critical in addressing the Philippines’ higher-than-global fraud rates. There is promise in reducing fraudulent transactions and boosting security.” However, he also cautioned that integrating AI posts risks such as data privacy concerns, potential biases, and high implementation costs. For example, he said that if not carefully monitored, AI systems can inadvertently introduce biases into decision-making processes. The central bank emphasized that financial institutions should also develop a workforce training plan to prepare employees for the adoption of AI technologies. “Similarly, with the rise of AI-powered cyber-attacks, institutions should continuously monitor and strengthen their cybersecurity defenses,” the central bank said. Mr. Villanueva emphasized that they are focused on implementing ethical AI adoption by working with regulators to establish standards that protect consumer data and mitigate bias risks. He noted that reports from McKinsey and Goldman Sachs predict that AI will impact millions of jobs in industries such as manufacturing and marketing. “This shift will require flexible regulatory frameworks that protect consumers without stifling innovation,” Mr. Villanueva said. Utilizing AI in banking operations, he said, is not just black or white. It has dual sides benefits and risks, wins and losses. It is undoubtedly a powerful tool that can either help us create a more inclusive and prosperous future or exacerbate the existing class and digital divide.
2024’s top 10 climate disasters cost more than 200 billion dollars, charity says‘Wheel of Fortune’ Player Misses $40,000 Win After Disney DisasterScores of people were killed on Sunday when a passenger jet crash-landed at an airport in southwestern South Korea , with the aircraft careening down the runway on its belly before bursting into flames. Just two of the 181 people on board the plane survived, after the deaths of 179 people were confirmed, according to the local fire department. The two crew members were pulled alive from the crash site. It is the deadliest aviation disaster to hit South Korea since 1997, when a Korean Airlines Boeing 747 crashed in the Guam jungle, with the loss of 228 lives. What happened? Jeju Air flight 7C 2216 from Bangkok was carrying 175 passengers and six crew when disaster struck at the airport in Muan county, on the country's southwestern tip, just after 9am local time (1pm NZT) Sunday. Footage of Sunday's crash broadcast by multiple South Korean news outlets showed the plane sliding on its belly at high speed, hitting an earthen embankment and erupting in a fireball. Neither the back nor front landing gear was visible in the footage - broadcast by networks including YTN , JTBC and MBC - as smoke poured from the back of the sliding aircraft. Firefighters were later seen using water cannons to extinguish the blazing wreckage of the aircraft, which was listed as a Boeing 737-800 on flight-tracking site FlightAware. Several parts of the aircraft were also seen strewn across the runway. The victims include 84 males, 85 females, and 10 people whose gender could not be determined, according to the South Jeolla Fire Service. Both of the survivors were crew members, one male and one female, according to the rescue team. Two Thai nationals were among those on board, according to the South Korean Land Ministry. All the other passengers were South Korean. What caused the accident? Experts told CNN that the plane's undercarriage - specifically, the wheels used for takeoff and landing - appeared not to have fully deployed before landing. But what caused this failure to deploy is still unclear. Aviation analysts said more evidence is needed before South Korean authorities can definitively pinpoint what might have caused Sunday's crash, including speculation from local officials about a possible bird strike prior to the crash landing. The comments came after Lee Jeong-hyun, the head of the Muan Fire Department, briefed the media that the cause was "estimated to be the occurrence of a bird strike or bad weather." Footage of the crash showed clear skies at the time. David Soucie, former Federal Aviation Administration safety inspector, said that "speculation is the worst enemy of an investigator." "In fact, that's why it's so protected when there is an aircraft accident investigation, the information is protected. They're not supposed to be making any speculation about this type of thing," Soucie told CNN 's Paula Newton. Aviation industry consultant Scott Hamilton echoed Soucie's concerns and urged South Korean authorities to "stop making declarative statements" at this stage. Sunday's crash is "very perplexing" given that both the aircraft and carrier have a strong safety record and flying conditions were excellent, an aviation journalist said. The Boeing 737-800 is one of the most widely used aircraft in the world and each one is used for about four or five flights per day, Geoffrey Thomas, editor of Airline News, told CNN 's Paula Newton. "It is the most reliable aircraft in the world, and it's been in service for 20 years," he said. "Everybody knows how it works. And it works really, really well. And the maintenance done in (South) Korea is as good as it gets around the world." "It's a little bit unclear whether or not the undercarriage collapsed on landing or whether the undercarriage was not deployed at all. This is a really serious issue that obviously investigators will be very much focused on," Thomas added. He added "it is perplexing" that the crash happened, given it was landing under dry and sunny conditions at a good airport. Jeju Air's chief executive said the aircraft had shown "no signs of issues" prior to Sunday's accident. "At this time, it is difficult to determine the cause of the accident, and we have to wait for the official announcement of the investigation by the relevant government agency," Kim Yi-bae said during a press briefing at the airport. Where is the investigation focused? Officers from the national Incident Investigation Committee had arrived to look into what caused the accident. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading a team of US investigators, including from Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), to assist South Korean authorities with their investigation of the crash. The NTSB said any information about the investigation would be released by South Korea's Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board (ARAIB). According to a briefing from South Korea's Land Ministry, the control tower had instructed the pilot to change course to land in the opposite direction, to avoid the potential bird strike. The pilot followed the instructions. Approximately one minute later, the pilot made a mayday call to the tower. The landing attempt occurred approximately two minutes after the mayday call, according to the ministry. Authorities are continuing their investigation. The "black box" flight data recorder and the voice recording device have been recovered by the accident investigation committee, officials from the ministry said. The flight data recorders or so-called "black boxes" offer aviation safety investigators critical facts when piecing together an incident. More than 700 personnel from the police, military, and coast guard have been mobilized for on-site response efforts, the ministry added. What are the authorities saying? South Korea's acting president said the site of Sunday's plane crash has been declared a special disaster zone as he vowed a full investigation into what caused the deadly disaster. "We will concentrate all resources on recovery and support for the victims. All necessary resources are being mobilized, and a special disaster zone has been declared," Choi Sang-mok said in a statement. Choi, who travelled to the crash site on Sunday, extended his "heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families" and pledged to make every effort to manage the aftermath of the incident and prevent similar accidents in future. The tragedy comes only two days into Choi's acting presidency, the latest chapter in a time of political chaos in South Korea. The country's current president, Yoon Suk Yeol, was stripped of his powers by parliament two weeks ago following a short-lived martial law order that plunged the country into political disarray. He is currently suspended while a top court decides his fate. Han Duck-soo, the man who stepped in to replace Yoon as acting president, was impeached by parliament on Friday, meaning Choi - the finance minister and deputy prime minister - stepped in for him. What has the plane's maker said? Boeing extended its condolences to those who lost loved ones in the crash. "We are in contact with Jeju Air regarding Flight 2216 and stand ready to support them," Boeing said in a short statement posted to its X account. "We extend our deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones and our thoughts remain with the passengers and crew," the company added. The US aviation giant has had a turbulent time in recent years, including two 737 Max crashes, a tragedy for which the company agreed to plead guilty to deceiving the Federal Aviation Administration during the certification process for the plane. However, analysts have described the Boeing 737-800 - an earlier and different model to the Max - as a reliable workhorse of the skies with an extremely strong safety record. What the families have said The scene inside Muan International Airport Sunday afternoon was one of heartbreak and anguish as relatives and loved ones waited for news. Many of those gathered burst into tears or cried out as authorities read victims' names out loud, video footage from Reuters showed. Several relatives could be seen yelling at officials, demanding more information. "I'm going crazy," one man could be heard shouting in the video. People were also seen hugging each other and wiping their tears. A father of one of the Thai victims, Boonchuay Duangmanee, told the Associated Press he "never thought that this would be the last time we would see each other forever." His daughter, Jongluk, had been working in a factory in South Korea for several years, he told the AP. She had been back in Thailand visiting family before departing on the flight from Bangkok to Muan International Airport. "I heard that the plane exploded in Korea this morning. But I did not expect at all that my daughter would be on this flight," he said. Another man who lost his daughter told Reuters he had not heard from her before the crash. "She was almost home so she didn't feel the need to make a call," 71-year-old Jeon Je-Young said of his daughter Jeon Mi-Sook. "She thought she was coming home. I figure in those last moments when she did try to reach out, the damage had already been done and the plane had probably crashed," he said. - CNN
‘A man of principle, faith and humility’
On Football analyzes the biggest topics in the NFL from week to week. For more On Football analysis, head here . Saquon Barkley has become the Shohei Ohtani of the NFL. There’s no better home run hitter playing football right now. Barkley had touchdown runs of 72 and 70 yards for the Philadelphia Eagles in a 37-20 victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night. He now has five runs of 50-plus yards this season and is on pace to break Eric Dickerson’s single-season record of 2,105 yards set in 1984. Barkley’s historic performance against the Rams — his 255 yards set a team record — captivated a national audience and turned him into a fan favorite for the AP NFL MVP award. He’s not the betting favorite, however. Josh Allen has the best odds at plus-150, according to Bet MGM Sportsbook. Two-time MVP Lamar Jackson is next at plus-250 followed by Barkley at plus-400. Running backs have won the award 18 times, including three-time winner Jim Brown, who was the AP’s first NFL MVP in 1957. Quarterbacks have dominated the award, winning it 45 times. Only three players who weren’t QBs or RBs have been MVP. It takes a special season for a non-QB to win it mainly because the offense goes through the signal caller. Quarterbacks handle the ball every offensive snap, run the show and get the credit when things go well and the blame when it doesn’t. Adrian Peterson was the most recent non-QB to win it when he ran for 2,097 yards and 12 touchdowns for the Minnesota Vikings in 2012. Playing for a winning team matters, too. Nine of the past 11 winners played for a No. 1 seed with the other two winners on a No. 2 seed. The Vikings earned the sixth seed when Pederson was MVP. Barkley is a major reason why the Eagles (9-2) are leading the NFC East and only trail Detroit (10-1) by one game for the top spot in the conference. Does he have a realistic chance to win the MVP award? Kicker Mark Moseley was the MVP in the strike-shortened 1982 season when he made 20 of 21 field goals and 16 of 19 extra points in nine games for Washington. If voters once selected a kicker, everyone has a chance, especially a game-changer such as Barkley. Defensive tackle Alan Page was the MVP in 1971 and linebacker Lawrence Taylor won it in 1986. Running back Christian McCaffrey finished third in voting last year and wide receiver Justin Jefferson placed fifth in 2022. The Offensive Player of the Year award and Defensive Player of the Year award recognize the best all-around players on both sides of the ball, allowing voters to recognize non-QBs if they choose. Wide receivers and running backs have won the AP OPOY award seven times over the past 11 seasons. McCaffrey was the 2023 winner. The AP’s new voting format introduced in 2022 also gives non-QBs a better opportunity to get MVP recognition. Voter submit their top five picks for each award, with a weighted point system. Previously, voters made one choice for each award. A nationwide panel of 50 media members who regularly cover the league vote for MVP and seven other awards. The awards are based on regular-season performance. The Chiefs (10-1) and Bills (9-2) already are in position to lock up postseason berths right after Thanksgiving. Kansas City clinches a playoff berth with a win over Las Vegas on Black Friday and a loss by Miami on Thursday night, or a win plus a loss by Denver on Monday night. Buffalo can wrap up a fifth straight AFC East title with a victory over San Francisco on Sunday and a loss by the Dolphins. It’s not a given that the Dallas Cowboys will be looking for a new head coach after this season. Owner Jerry Jones said Tuesday on local radio that Mike McCarthy could end up getting a contract extension. “I don’t think that’s crazy at all. This is a Super Bowl-winning coach. Mike McCarthy has been there and done that. He has great ideas. We got a lot of football left,” Jones said. McCarthy led the Cowboys (4-7) to three straight 12-win seasons, but they went 1-3 in the playoffs and haven’t reached the NFC championship game since winning the Super Bowl 29 years ago. Injuries have contributed to the team’s struggles this season, but Dallas was just 3-5 before Dak Prescott was lost for the rest of the season. The Cowboys upset Washington last week and their next four games are against teams that currently have losing records. If they somehow end up 9-8 or even 8-9, Jones could make a case for keeping McCarthy. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nflDarina Allen: Take the pressure off at Christmas with these edible presentsNone