The Kings headed into Saturday’s rubber match of their three-game homestand with serious concerns about their power play as well as some individual offensive performers that they hoped to get back afloat against the surging Seattle Kraken. They disposed of the dead-tired Detroit Red Wings to kick off the homestand – which is part of nine straight games to be played in California – but were shut out for the first time this season by the Buffalo Sabres Wednesday. The black and silver became the not-so-proud owners of the NHL’s worst power play since Nov. 10 – they’ve scored no power-play goals since Nov. 9 and that one was an empty-netter – and have the fourth-worst conversion rate over all of 2024-25. Their 0-for-5 performance as they were bageled 1-0 by Buffalo was their third such display this season, including an 0-for-6 showing in a loss to lowly San Jose . They’ve gone 0 for 4 on four other occasions, and went without a power-play goal in 13 of their 20 games so far. Their newly assembled top unit of five forwards has had the vibe of Dean Smith’s four-corner offense at times and, at its best, has produced nothing but near misses. The second unit’s struggles have been season-long, with the ineffectual play of both groups rendering meaningless the Kings’ numerous bromides about “looks” and “movement.” Their struggles haven’t been limited to the power play either. Overall, they’ve lost four of their past six games, and in those defeats they’ve managed a meager 1.25 goals per game. Since Nov. 10, they’ve been the NHL’s lowest scoring team on a per-game basis (1.75). Forward Quinton Byfield signed a lucrative extension this summer with the expectation that he’d push upward into the top tier of the Kings’ scoring leaderboard. But instead of chasing captain Anže Kopitar, Byfield’s production has more closely mirrored that of checker Trevor Lewis. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 draft surmounted several setbacks: a broken ankle and not one but two viral illnesses, one of which robbed him of about 25 pounds. Last season, he appeared poised for a breakout, but mixed form, tentativeness and tough luck have inhibited him in the first quarter of this campaign. “He’s had tough stretches before that he’s come out of,” Kings coach Jim Hiller said. “If anybody’s faced adversity, it’s been him through the first run of his career here. So, he’s been through that, he’ll get through it.” Hiller remarked that Byfield “wasn’t alone” among players who could not convert Wednesday. He also wasn’t unaccompanied in a crowd of slumping Kings. Winger Kevin Fiala has gone pointless in six straight games and defenseman Jordan Spence has spent much of the season turning the puck over as if he were cooking it on a grill. Meanwhile, Brock Faber, whom the Kings dealt along with a first-round pick for Fiala, has been the No. 1 defenseman for the West’s second-best team to date, the Minnesota Wild. Even the Kings’ early-season scorchers have cooled significantly. Brandt Clarke has been held scoreless in four straight games and six of his past seven. In his last two games, he and the top power-play unit have clearly missed each other. Related Articles Alex Laferriere remained in that grouping, but his production continued to sag. After a torrid stretch of eight goals in 10 games, he has one goal in his last eight appearances and no points in his four most recent outings. Slumping totals and shoulders alike will have to straighten up against leading scorer Jared McCann and Seattle, which rebounded from a four-game winless skid to capture five of its past six decisions. The Kraken have killed 90% of its penalties during their ascent, good for sixth in the NHL, and allowed a miserly 1.67 goals per game, the fourth-best mark in the league during that span. When: 1 p.m. Saturday Where: Crypto.com Arena How to watch: FDSNWState governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party have called on President Bola Tinubu to review his administration’s economic policies to address current hardship in the land. The governors made the call in a communique issued in Jos, Plateau State, after their two-day meeting, which ended on Saturday. The Communique signed by Senator Bala Mohammed, Bauchi State Governor, who is the chairman of the Governor’s forum, read, “The Forum empathizes with Nigerians who are groaning under the oppressive economic hardship foisted on the nation by the policies and decisions of the APC-led Federal Government. “The Forum calls on the President to urgently review both macroeconomic and fiscal policies that will address the welfare and well-being of Nigerians. “The Forum wishes to pledge that all PDP Governors will continue to aggressively pursue policies and programs that will reduce the hardship and ensure progress and development.” The meeting, held at the Plateau State Government House, Little Rayfield, Jos, was attended by the principal organs of the party: l NWC, PDP-GF, BOT, NASS Forum, Former Governors Forum, Former Ministers’ Forum and other leaders of the party. The communique added, “The Forum notes the concerns of Nigerians, PDP founding fathers, elders and members of our great Party of seeming divisions within the ranks and files. The Forum wishes to state categorically that it remains resolute in its determination to ensure unity and cohesion of this great Party that Nigerians have come to trust as the best platform for democratic governance. “The Forum is constrained to accept the latest postponement of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Party in empathy with our colleague, H.E. Governor Eno Bassey, whose late dear wife will be buried on the same day earlier scheduled for NEC. Once again, the Forum wishes to commiserate with our colleague and pray that God will grant him and the family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss. Related News Tinubu, wife depart Brazil after G20 summit Osinbajo’s ex-aide urges Obasanjo to stop mocking successive presidents N’Assembly under fire as Nigeria’s debt hits N138tn “The Forum is strongly advising the NWC to call NEC by the first week of February 2025 to allow for elaborate consultations with critical stakeholders of the Party. The period between November and February is to address the existential problems confronting the Party, with a deliberate timeline of activities within the period under review to address issues of leadership and litigations confronting the Party. “The Forum notes with concern the rape of democracy in Edo Governorship elections. It is clear to everyone with a conscience that INEC manipulated results in favour of the APC candidate when, in fact, the majority of lawful votes were won by the PDP candidate, Mr. Asue Ighodalo. Meanwhile, we are still examining the documents in the Ondo elections, where the APC manipulated results after openly buying votes. The Forum calls on the judiciary to save Nigerian democracy and the National Assembly to look into our electoral laws to make it difficult for institutional sabotage of the will of the people. “The Forum recognises the good work that the majority of members of NASS are doing. NASS is therefore called upon to critically interrogate all bills to ensure fairness, equity, national balance and even development nationally. “The Forum commiserates with the Government and people of Plateau State on the recent Katako market fire incident, which destroyed properties worth millions of Naira. The Forum also commiserates with the Government and people of Jigawa State on the recent tanker expulsion whereby scores of people lost their lives, and several others were injured. “The Forum expresses its gratitude to the Government and People of Plateau State for not only hosting the meeting but extending to all the participants the hospitality for which Jos is reputed. In particular, the meeting commends the Government of the State for the visible and laudable transformation in social services, tourism and transportation that have taken place and ensures all Nigerians look forward, with GENUINE HOPE, to the replication of this not only presently but after 2027 when the party would reclaim its rightful position in the Nigerian political scene.” Our Correspondent reports that the Governors who attended the meeting included Senator Bala Mohammed (Bauchi State) – Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum; Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau State) – Host Governor; Agbu Kefas (Taraba State); Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri (Adamawa State); Seyi Makinde (Oyo State); and Dauda Lawal (Zamfara State). The Delta and Enugu state governors were represented by their deputies, Monday Onyeme and Ifeanyi Ossai, respectively.Elon Musk, the richest person in the world, has reached a level of wealth that only one other individual in history has come close to – oil magnate John D. Rockefeller . Musk’s staggering net worth of $474 billion at the time of writing, or 1.61% of the U.S. GDP based on third-quarter data , is reminiscent of Rockefeller’s dominance when his fortune peaked at 1.5% of GDP. In other words, Musk's wealth has surged into a realm not seen in contemporary times, much like Rockefeller’s unparalleled economic influence more than a century ago. Who’s hungry? #eattherich Don't Miss: It’s no wonder Jeff Bezos holds over $70 million in art — this alternative asset has outpaced the S&P 500 since 1995, delivering an average annual return of 11.4%. Here’s how everyday investors are getting started. The global games market is projected to generate $272B by the end of the year — for $0.55/share, this VC-backed startup with a 7M+ userbase gives investors easy access to this asset market. ‘ Tesla's recent stock surge largely fuels Musk's fortune. Tesla's stock price has risen 86% this year, hitting record highs after Donald Trump won the 2024 election. Experts believe Tesla could perform even better under Trump's administration due to policies expected to support self-driving cars and reduce tax credits that benefit Tesla's competitors. According to Bloomberg’s year-end valuation of $229 billion , Musk gained $245 billion in 2024 alone. This is so massive that it exceeds the combined net worth of all but two other billionaires: Mark Zuckerberg ($221 billion) and Jeff Bezos ($251 billion). John D. Rockefeller, the founder of Standard Oil, was the original "world's richest man." By his death in 1937, his net worth stood at $1.4 billion, representing 1.5% of the U.S. GDP . See Also: Deloitte's fastest-growing software company partnered with Amazon, Walmart & Target announces the deadline to invest this year is 12/20. – Last Chance to get 4,000 of its pre-IPO shares for just $0.26/share! Rockefeller's wealth came from his near-total control of the oil industry, which powered the Industrial Revolution. His company, Standard Oil, controlled 90% of U.S. oil refining. Standard Oil, however, was split up into 34 companies in 1911 due to public outcry and judicial scrutiny; several of these businesses, like ExxonMobil and Chevron, continue to dominate the oil industry today. While Musk’s income comes from cutting-edge industries like space exploration, electric cars, and artificial intelligence, Rockefeller’s fortune came from an indispensable resource – oil – that characterized an entire era. Yet, both men represent a financial dominance that's hard to fathom. Trending: Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing — you can become an investor for $0.80 per share today. Here’s a comparison to grasp how large Musk's fortune really is. All NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL teams combined are valued at $433.57 billion. Musk could theoretically buy every professional sports team in North America and still have over $43 billion left over. Musk's wealth may keep growing. The Trump administration's potential policies supporting self-driving vehicles and limiting EV tax credits for competitors could directly benefit Tesla. SpaceX also seems to be gaining from future government contracts, especially with Trump nominating Jared Isaacman – a SpaceX investor and friend of Musk – to lead NASA. However, Musk still faces challenges. A legal battle over his 2018 Tesla pay package could impact his fortune if courts uphold the recent ruling against it. Read Next: ‘Scrolling To UBI' — Deloitte's #1 fastest-growing software company allows users to earn money on their phones. The deadline to invest and receive your shares this year is 12/20. Join 30,000+ shareholders and invest at $0.26/share today. If there was a new fund backed by Jeff Bezos offering a 7-9% target yield with monthly dividends would you invest in it ? © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has approved the Burman family 's proposed open offer to acquire an additional 26% stake in New Delhi-based Religare Enterprises (REL), sources familiar with the matter said. Earlier this month, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) also gave its approval to the offer by the promoter family of Dabur . With approvals from stock exchanges, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), the Competition Commission of India (CCI), RBI, and Sebi, all clearances are now in place for the Burmans to proceed with the open offer. The Burman family is expected to announce its offer in the next few days, with a target launch in mid-January, sources cited above said. This open offer could potentially result in a change in management control of the non-banking finance company (NBFC). An email query sent to Sebi, the Burmans, REL and JM Financial , the banker for the open offer, did not elicit any response until Sunday press time. The Burman family, currently the largest shareholder in Religare with a stake of around 25%, announced the open offer in September 2023 to increase its stake and take control of the company. 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Sebi directed Religare in June to submit the Burman family's open offer proposal to the regulators within 15 days. The open offer, announced initially at ₹235 per share, amounts to ₹2,116 crore in all for the additional stake. If successful, it would raise the Burman family's total stake in the New Delhi-based NBFC to well above 50%, effectively granting it majority control. However, the stock, which has surged 38% in the last six months compared to the Nifty's 0.5% gain, is currently trading at ₹310 per share. The Burman family first invested in Religare by subscribing to share warrants which initially represented around a 10% stake. These warrants were later converted into equity. Over time, the Burmans increased their stake to approximately 22% before announcing plans to acquire an additional 5% through the secondary market. This move triggered the open offer for an additional 26% stake. Nominations for ET MSME Awards are now open. The last day to apply is December 15, 2024. 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NBA Spread and Total Picks for Today, December 25
Ariyibi 4-6 6-7 14, Bieker 1-4 2-2 5, Byrd 5-8 9-9 23, Gonsalves 5-11 2-2 15, Riley 1-7 4-5 6, Rainwater 1-2 2-2 4, Berrett 4-10 0-0 10, Misic 0-0 0-0 0, Hutchings 1-2 0-0 2, Schenck 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 22-50 25-27 79. Fofana 2-3 2-4 6, Jones 8-15 5-10 23, Lewis 1-3 0-0 2, Fuller 0-0 0-0 0, Washington 7-14 2-2 19, Adams 11-16 2-3 25, Brinson 0-2 0-1 0, Beard 2-4 0-0 4, Martindale 2-3 0-0 5, Barbee 2-2 0-0 5, Cain 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 35-63 11-20 89. Halftime_Utah Tech 50-40. 3-Point Goals_Utah Tech 10-27 (Byrd 4-5, Gonsalves 3-9, Berrett 2-7, Bieker 1-4, Riley 0-2), CS Northridge 8-17 (Washington 3-6, Jones 2-2, Barbee 1-1, Martindale 1-2, Adams 1-3, Beard 0-1, Brinson 0-1, Cain 0-1). Rebounds_Utah Tech 22 (Riley 5), CS Northridge 31 (Jones 9). Assists_Utah Tech 16 (Rainwater 4), CS Northridge 15 (Beard 4). Total Fouls_Utah Tech 17, CS Northridge 17. A_138 (7,321).
Apple Faces Lawsuit Over Child Sexual Abuse Material on iCloudLike many embarking on the journey of mastering a new language, Megan Bednarczyk understands the challenges that come with it. The senior design manager at language-learning app Duolingo has been studying French using the popular platform for the last two years. The 30-year-old recalled how she was in Paris a year ago, determined to put what she learnt to use. “I was at a restaurant and I knew the vocabulary to use, but the second someone spoke to me in French, I froze. I had no confidence to speak the language and it was so frustrating,” she said. She fared better while on a recent trip to Paris. “This time, I had more confidence to speak French. I was given the French menu, and I ordered my meal in French,” said Bednarczyk with a hint of pride. Bednarczyk credits her confidence to daily practice. And yes, Duo, the beloved green owl mascot of Duolingo that constantly reminds her (and other users) to keep up with her lessons. She also has Lily to thank. Duolingo users would be familiar with Lily, the purple-haired, emo teenage character known for her sarcasm and moody demeanour. Lily is also the face of Duolingo Max, the platform’s newest AI-powered subscription tier which offers two exclusive features: Explain My Answer and Roleplay. It was launched in March. The two features came about after Bednarczyk and her team, which includes designers, illustrators, engineers, linguists and education experts, researched the pain points learners were facing: To understand their mistakes better and to have more opportunities for conversational practice. The New York-based designer and avid marathon runner led the design of Duolingo Max from concept to launch. She was in Singapore to speak at the Design Future Forum 2024 in October during Singapore Design Week. Explain My Answer helps users learn more about their response in a lesson, regardless of whether the answer was correct or incorrect. “Sometimes, you make a mistake but you don’t know why. Using AI, we explain the associated grammar rule with that mistake, so that you don’t make the same mistake again,” Bednarczyk said. Roleplay allows learners to practise real-world conversation skills with the characters in the app. For example, they might discuss future vacation plans with Oscar, go furniture shopping with Eddy, ask Bea to go for a hike , or ask Lin to help with dog-walking. “We wanted to make people speak with the characters more, rather than type out their replies. Speaking helps build up confidence more, especially in real world scenarios,” said Bednarczyk, who can attest to this. Although users aren’t talking to a live human, the AI behind this feature is responsive and interactive, meaning no two conversations will be exactly alike. After the interaction, learners get AI-powered feedback from Duo on the accuracy and complexity of their responses, as well as tips for future conversations. There is also the Video Call feature, where learners can video call Lily and have a conversation. Even though Lily isn’t real, she can remember little details about the learner and will use them in future conversations. The more proficient the learner is, the more nuanced the conversation. Bednarczyk told CNA Women that Lily is the face of Duolingo Max as she represents introverted learners and is popular for her relatable personality. “She is not easily excitable, so you really have to work hard to impress her. We picked her as she gave a more realistic experience to language learning.” Launched in 2011, Duolingo was created by Luis von Ahn and Severin Hacker with the aim of making education accessible to everyone. Number of users: Over 500 million learners worldwide to date, of which 74 million are active users. Languages offered: Over 100, from the world’s top five most spoken languages, namely English, Spanish, French, Japanese and German, to less commonly taught languages such as Hawaiian, Navajo and Scottish Gaelic. You can also learn High Valyrian from Game Of Thrones, and Klingon from the Star Trek series, as well as math and music. Most popular languages in Singapore: Japanese, Chinese and Spanish. How to learn: Membership levels start with the free Duolingo tier, where users go from the start to end of a course without paying a cent. It also offers two paid subscription tiers. Super Duolingo, at S$13.98 (US$10.40) per month, that allows users to fast track their learning. Bednarczyk said the majority of learners are on the Super Duolingo tier. Duolingo Max costs S$27.98 per month, which includes all the benefits of Super Duolingo and the new AI-powered features. It is currently available only for the Chinese, French for English Speakers and Spanish for English Speakers courses. Bednarczyk fully embraces AI and sees it as a partner. “AI helps take away the mundane tasks,” she said, citing an example of using AI to help her draw grids for brainstorming sessions. “I still do the strategic thinking,” she said. “I use AI as a sparring partner, to help me write the copy. It never gives me the perfect copy, but I use what it gives to shape my own thinking. I see it like a partner that enhances the work we do.” “Humans are still the final decision maker, and we are the ones asking and framing the questions to get the solutions that we need,” Bednarczyk added. Humans write the scenarios that learners see in Roleplay, making sure the initial prompt is aligned with where they are in their course. Humans also review the AI-generated explanations to ensure that answers are factually correct and have the right tone. Bednarczyk said that if not for AI, specifically GPT-4, Duolingo Max might have taken longer to create. “We knew that Duolingo had gaps and pain points, which we wanted to solve for years, but it was either too hard or took too much effort.” GPT-4 allowed the team to fill those gaps. Bednarczyk said Duolingo is not competing with other language learning apps, but rather with other social media apps. “We need to make learning engaging to keep learners coming back,” she said. This is where her design expertise comes in. Although trained in product design, designing in the digital world follows the same principles – solving a problem through design that is simple and beautiful. Duolingo’s aim is to make learning a language enjoyable and accessible, and this is done through thoughtful, innovative design. Lessons are bite-sized to fit busy learners’ schedules and take a game-like approach to foster a sense of accomplishment. The interface is intuitive, allowing users to navigate effortlessly through lessons and exercises. “We want learners to open the app, and know what to do next – creating something so simple can be hard,” said Bednarczyk. “Some of the best experiences with an app could be unmemorable, because you don’t have problems with it.” Working on a digital platform means things are constantly changing. To stay on top of the game, the team keeps up to date with the latest AI news, stays abreast of what other tech companies are doing, listens to users on their wants, and is always thinking about how others can disrupt them. Bednarczyk is constantly reminding herself and her team that “the things that you are building today will hopefully not be in the app in two years – that is how fast we innovate. If the feature is still there, it means the product is stale”. CNA Women is a section on CNA Lifestyle that seeks to inform, empower and inspire the modern woman. If you have women-related news, issues and ideas to share with us, email CNAWomen [at] mediacorp.com.sg .
Legendary ESPN "College GameDay" analyst Lee Corso won't be on the show forever, but president Burke Magnus made it clear the network plans to keep him on the show through the playoffs and then reassess. “I think we’re going to do what we’ve done now for a couple years running, which is we’re gonna have a conversation with him after the season and see where things are,” Magnus said . “You know, he’s a special guy," the ESPN boss continued. "I mean, he’s one of the nicest men you or any of your listeners or anybody on Earth could ever come across. And he’s been absolutely iconic on the show. So we’re going to get through the playoff this year, let everybody decompress, and then we’ll have some time to figure out what we’re going to do for next season.” Sara Diggins/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images On Saturday Corso and the rest of the "College GameDay" crew took to Columbus, Ohio ahead of a top five showdown between No. 2 Ohio State and No. 5 Indiana. The former Hoosiers coach received a shout out from former NFL coach Jon Gruden, whose father coached with Corso. In the shout out, Gruden admitted Corso lost five straight....oops. "My dad coached running backs for Lee Corso at Indiana from 1973 to 1977. Willie Jones was my favorite player. Ohio State beat us five years in a row! Go Hoosiers!!!" Gruden said on social media . My dad coached running backs for Lee Corso at Indiana from 1973 to 1977. Willie Jones was my favorite player. Ohio State beat us five years in a row! Go Hoosiers!!! pic.twitter.com/Zd2HBuT8qa Gruden's message had fans ready for today's game. "Let’s go," one person said . "Knock on wood if you’re with me!" added another . "So cool to have that memory with your dad and Coach Corso. My dad and I have alot of memories together for when I played college football in the 90s. Hopefully Indiana upsets Ohio state today," offered a third. Gruden will be rooting for the Hoosiers today as the team enters this afternoon's game as a 13.5-point underdog. Indiana sits at 10-0 on the season but hasn't faced a ranked team until today. Can Curt Cignetti and company pull off the upset?None
Jared Birchall, Elon Musk’s money manager and the head of his family office, is listed as the chief executive officer. Jehn Balajadia, a longtime Musk aide who has worked at SpaceX and the Boring Co., is named as an official contact. Related Articles But they’re not connected to Musk’s new technology venture, or the political operation that’s endeared him to Donald Trump. Instead, they’re tied to the billionaire’s new Montessori school outside Bastrop, Texas, called Ad Astra, according to documents filed with state authorities and obtained via a Texas Public Information Act request. The world’s richest person oversees an overlapping empire of six companies — or seven, if you include his political action committee. Alongside rockets, electric cars, brain implants, social media and the next Trump administration, he is increasingly focused on education, spanning preschool to college. One part of his endeavor was revealed last year, when Bloomberg News reported that his foundation had set aside roughly $100 million to create a technology-focused primary and secondary school in Austin, with eventual plans for a university. An additional $137 million in cash and stock was allotted last year, according to the most recent tax filing for the Musk Foundation. Ad Astra is closer to fruition. The state documents show Texas authorities issued an initial permit last month, clearing the way for the center to operate with as many as 21 pupils. Ad Astra’s website says it’s “currently open to all children ages 3 to 9.” The school’s account on X includes job postings for an assistant teacher for preschool and kindergarten and an assistant teacher for students ages 6 to 9. To run the school, Ad Astra is partnering with a company that has experience with billionaires: Xplor Education, which developed Hala Kahiki Montessori school in Lanai, Hawaii, the island 98% owned by Oracle Corp. founder Larry Ellison. Ad Astra sits on a highway outside Bastrop, a bedroom community about 30 miles from Austin and part of a region that’s home to several of Musk’s businesses. On a visit during a recent weekday morning, there was a single Toyota Prius in the parking lot and no one answered the door at the white building with a gray metal roof. The school’s main entrance was blocked by a gate, and there was no sign of any children on the grounds. But what information there is about Ad Astra makes it sound like a fairly typical, if high-end, Montessori preschool. The proposed schedule includes “thematic, STEM-based activities and projects” as well as outdoor play and nap time. A sample snack calendar features carrots and hummus. While Birchall’s and Balajadia’s names appear in the application, it isn’t clear that they’ll have substantive roles at the school once it’s operational. Musk, Birchall and Balajadia didn’t respond to emailed questions. A phone call and email to the school went unanswered. Access to high quality, affordable childcare is a huge issue for working parents across the country, and tends to be an especially vexing problem in rural areas like Bastrop. Many families live in “childcare deserts” where there is either not a facility or there isn’t an available slot. Opening Ad Astra gives Musk a chance to showcase his vision for education, and his support for the hands-on learning and problem solving that are a hallmark of his industrial companies. His public comments about learning frequently overlap with cultural concerns popular among conservatives and the Make America Great Again crowd, often focusing on what he sees as young minds being indoctrinated by teachers spewing left-wing propaganda. He has railed against diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, and in August posted that “a lot of schools are teaching white boys to hate themselves.” Musk’s educational interests dovetail with his new role as Trump’s “first buddy.” The billionaire has pitched a role for himself that he — and now the incoming Trump administration — call “DOGE,” or the Department of Government Efficiency. Though it’s not an actual department, DOGE now posts on X, the social media platform that Musk owns. “The Department of Education spent over $1 billion promoting DEI in America’s schools,” the account posted Dec. 12. Back in Texas, Bastrop is quickly becoming a key Musk point of interest. The Boring Co., his tunneling venture, is based in an unincorporated area there. Across the road, SpaceX produces Starlink satellites at a 500,000-square-foot (46,000-square-meter) facility. Nearby, X is constructing a building for trust and safety workers. Musk employees, as well as the general public, can grab snacks at the Boring Bodega, a convenience store housed within Musk’s Hyperloop Plaza, which also contains a bar, candy shop and hair salon. Ad Astra is just a five-minute drive away. It seems to have been designed with the children of Musk’s employees — if not Musk’s own offspring — in mind. Musk has fathered at least 12 children, six of them in the last five years. “Ad Astra’s mission is to foster curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking in the next generation of problem solvers and builders,” reads the school’s website. A job posting on the website of the Montessori Institute of North Texas says “While their parents support the breakthroughs that expand the realm of human possibility, their children will grow into the next generation of innovators in a way that only authentic Montessori can provide.” The school has hired an executive director, according to documents Bloomberg obtained from Texas Health and Human Services. Ad Astra is located on 40 acres of land, according to the documents, which said a 4,000-square-foot house would be remodeled for the preschool. It isn’t uncommon for entrepreneurs to take an interest in education, according to Bill Gormley, a professor emeritus at the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University who studies early childhood education. Charles Butt, the chairman of the Texas-based H-E-B grocery chain, has made public education a focus of his philanthropy. Along with other business and community leaders, Butt founded “Raise Your Hand Texas,” which advocates on school funding, teacher workforce and retention issues and fully funding pre-kindergarten. “Musk is not the only entrepreneur to recognize the value of preschool for Texas workers,” Gormley said. “A lot of politicians and business people get enthusiastic about education in general — and preschool in particular — because they salivate at the prospect of a better workforce.” Musk spent much of October actively campaigning for Trump’s presidential effort, becoming the most prolific donor of the election cycle. He poured at least $274 million into political groups in 2024, including $238 million to America PAC, the political action committee he founded. While the vast majority of money raised by America PAC came from Musk himself, it also had support from other donors. Betsy DeVos, who served as education secretary in Trump’s first term, donated $250,000, federal filings show. The Department of Education is already in the new administration’s cross hairs. Trump campaigned on the idea of disbanding the department and dismantling diversity initiatives, and he has also taken aim at transgender rights. “Rather than indoctrinating young people with inappropriate racial, sexual, and political material, which is what we’re doing now, our schools must be totally refocused to prepare our children to succeed in the world of work,” Trump wrote in Agenda 47, his campaign platform. Musk has three children with the musician Grimes and three with Shivon Zilis, who in the past was actively involved at Neuralink, his brain machine interface company. All are under the age of five. Musk took X, his son with Grimes, with him on a recent trip to Capitol Hill. After his visit, he shared a graphic that showed the growth of administrators in America’s public schools since 2000. Musk is a fan of hands-on education. During a Tesla earnings call in 2018, he talked about the need for more electricians as the electric-car maker scaled up the energy side of its business. On the Joe Rogan podcast in 2020, Musk said that “too many smart people go into finance and law.” “I have a lot of respect for people who work with their hands and we need electricians and plumbers and carpenters,” Musk said while campaigning for Trump in Pennsylvania in October. “That’s a lot more important than having incremental political science majors.” Ad Astra’s website says the cost of tuition will be initially subsidized, but in future years “tuition will be in line with local private schools that include an extended day program.” “I do think we need significant reform in education,” Musk said at a separate Trump campaign event. “The priority should be to teach kids skills that they will find useful later in life, and to leave any sort of social propaganda out of the classroom.” ©2024 Bloomberg News. Visit at bloomberg.com. 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