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THE 10 KG 99.99% PURE GOLD THE DANCE SCREEN (THE SCREAM TOO), A ONE-OF-A-KIND COIN FROM THE ROYAL CANADIAN MINT, SURPASSES $1.5 MILLION AT HEFFEL AUCTIONAUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Junior Kyla Oldacre matched her career best with 21 points on near perfect shooting, and No. 5 Texas routed Texas Rio Grande Valley 94-35 on Sunday. Oldacre, a 6-foot-6 backup center, converted all six of her field goal attempts and 9 of 10 free throws. She also had seven rebounds and three of the Longhorns' 21 steals. Madison Booker had 14 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and three steals for Texas (13-1). Starting center Taylor Jones had 11 points, nine rebounds and three blocks. Kade Hackerott led Texas Rio Grande Valley (6-7) with seven points. The Vaqueros shot 27% from the field and committed 37 turnovers. Texas converted the turnovers into 47 points. Texas Rio Grande Valley: The Vaqueros average 16 turnovers a game but matched that by midway through the second quarter. They committed 13 while falling behind 24-5 after the first quarter. Texas: Aaliyah Moore's physical health is something to watch. Moore, a starting power forward, missed her first game this season on Sunday while resting because of tendinitis in her right knee. Moore played with that condition last season but it has been a struggle for her. Texas has only two centers and two power forwards on its roster. After Texas Rio Grande Valley sliced a 19-point deficit to 10 with less than four minutes remaining in the second quarter, Texas finished the half with a 13-1 push, eight from Oldacre, during the final 2:36. The Longhorns outscored the Vaqueros 54-12 in the paint and it could have been worse. The Longhorns missed 12 layups. Texas Rio Grande Valley is at Southeastern Louisiana on Thursday, and Texas is at No. 9 Oklahoma on Thursday. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP women’s college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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Oldacre, a 6-foot-6 backup center, converted all six of her field goal attempts and 9 of 10 free throws. She also had seven rebounds and three of the Longhorns' 21 steals. Madison Booker had 14 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and three steals for Texas (13-1). Starting center Taylor Jones had 11 points, nine rebounds and three blocks. Kade Hackerott led Texas Rio Grande Valley (6-7) with seven points. The Vaqueros shot 27% from the field and committed 37 turnovers. Texas converted the turnovers into 47 points. Texas Rio Grande Valley: The Vaqueros average 16 turnovers a game but matched that by midway through the second quarter. They committed 13 while falling behind 24-5 after the first quarter. Texas: Aaliyah Moore's physical health is something to watch. Moore, a starting power forward, missed her first game this season on Sunday while resting because of tendinitis in her right knee. Moore played with that condition last season but it has been a struggle for her. Texas has only two centers and two power forwards on its roster. After Texas Rio Grande Valley sliced a 19-point deficit to 10 with less than four minutes remaining in the second quarter, Texas finished the half with a 13-1 push, eight from Oldacre, during the final 2:36. The Longhorns outscored the Vaqueros 54-12 in the paint and it could have been worse. The Longhorns missed 12 layups. Texas Rio Grande Valley is at Southeastern Louisiana on Thursday, and Texas is at No. 9 Oklahoma on Thursday. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP women’s college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketballIncredible video shows Ukraine unleashing SHOTGUN-wielding drones to hunt down & blast Russians on frontline
SEC's disastrous day silences Greg Sankey as ACC gains CFP bracket steam
Novato’s minimum wage will rise by about 40 cents on Wednesday. The city’s wage schedule outpaces state law, and is adjusted based on retail price data. While some leaders praised the increase, others worry about the effect it could have on small businesses. “Raising the minimum wage ahead of state law demonstrates our commitment to supporting our hardworking residents,” said Rachel Farac, a member of the Novato City Council. “This increase not only helps families make ends meet but also strengthens our local economy by putting more money into the hands of those who need it the most.” Novato’s wage schedule sorts businesses by the number of employees. Categories include “very large” for businesses with more than 100 employees; “large” for those with 26 to 99 employees; and “small” for businesses with 25 or fewer employees. In 2025, the city’s very large businesses will pay a minimum wage of $17.27 per hour; large businesses, $17 per hour; and small businesses, $16.42 per hour. The prior baseline was $16.86 an hour for very large businesses; $16.60 for large ones; and and $16.04 for small ones. State law requires all businesses to pay a minimum wage of $16.50 in 2025. In 2019, the City Council passed Ordinance 1653, which accelerated the state’s wage schedule and increased the wage by $1 per hour. The ordinance states that once $15 an hour is reached, it would be adjusted yearly by the consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers. The data for the index is derived from the San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Area. Christina Mendes, the incoming chief executive officer of the Novato Chamber of Commerce, said the organization felt the state’s minimum wage schedule was adequate when the ordinance was first introduced. “As an organization dedicated to supporting the local business community, we understand the challenges this accelerated timeline presents, particularly for small businesses that form the backbone of our local economy,” Mendes said. “We acknowledge that adapting to these changes will be a challenge for many, but we remain committed to providing the resources and support necessary to help our businesses thrive during this transition.” Robert Eyler, a professor of economics at Sonoma State University, said Novato’s effort is noble, but from an economic standpoint, there are two issues. First, an effective minimum wage ordinance is a regressive tax — similar to a sales tax — with a bigger impact on smaller businesses, Eyler said. While larger businesses can bear the effects, smaller businesses might struggle. Second, Eyler said, raising the minimum wage does not always change the labor market. He said if the wage that is set by the local supply and demand for labor — a so-called equilibrium wage — is actually higher than the minimum wage, the minimum wage ordinance won’t effectively change labor market conditions. “So when you think about Novato’s increasing, on the one hand it’s good from the worker standpoint if it’s effective, it’s not good if it’s effective in terms for small business,” Eyler said. “Whether or not it’s effective or not is the big question.” Eyler said many ordinances take a business size approach to raising minimum wage. The issue, though, is determining what constitutes a large, medium or small business. Eyler said signs that a wage increase has had an impact on employers include business closures or hiring slowdowns. Mendes said adapting to increased labor costs while keeping affordable prices for customers is a complex challenge that businesses will need to navigate. She said the organization encourages businesses to connect with the Marin Small Business Development Center, which offers free resources and guidance to help plan for wage increases and other challenges. Novato is not alone in pursuing a higher minimum wage. According to the Economic Policy Institute, 21 states will increase minimum wages in 2025, and nearly 30 cities and counties in California are doing so. “It’s been recognized that we need to do something for lower wage workers in the jobs that sort of carry a lower wage with them,” Eyler said. “It’s just very hard to do that without small business sort of bearing that cost.” Marin is ranked one of the most inequitable counties in California in a number of fields, including in wages, according to the county. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s living-wage calculator sets a livable wage for an adult with no children in Marin County at $32.19 an hour. “We are proud to lead by example and this is a step to give everyone in Novato an opportunity to thrive,” Farac said. “This proactive step reflects our dedication to support all residents to achieve a better quality of life.” “By raising the minimum wage, we are not only supporting our hardworking community members, but also fostering a more robust and equitable local economy,” she said.Ottawa firefighters evacuate Sandy Hill apartment for carbon monoxideOdisha leads the way in climate-resilient and inclusive agriculture, says top official
Special report looks at area blighted by anti-social behaviour and a McDonald's restaurant where much of the trouble is claimed to be centred around Residents in a South Liverpool neighbourhood say they are being "terrorised" as gangs of youths "smash cars, burn bins and intimidate people". Just last week, the ECHO reported on a delivery driver, working in Belle Vale , who "didn't leave his house for a week" after experiencing violent racist abuse , while last month, it was also reported on how a police officer in the area was hospitalised after being hit by a firework . Anti-social behaviour in Belle Vale has been going on "for years," claim locals, and youths in the area "rule the roost". Office workers in the area are said to be so scared that they will go for lunch "in packs", while the mum of a teenager who was stabbed to death in the area believes "another tragedy is coming". When the ECHO visited Belle Vale this week, several people were quick to mention the area around McDonald's on Childwall Valley Road, where they claim much of the trouble is centred around. One woman said: "I was walking past the McDonald's one evening last week when fireworks were shot at me. I was terrified." A spokesperson for McDonald's said it is committed to making its restaurants "a safe and welcoming environment for everyone." The spokesperson also added: "We have a zero-tolerance policy for anti-social behaviour, and the safety and security of our employees and customers remains our highest priority." While residents pointed out the area around the fast-food branch as a "hotspot", it's clear that anti-social behaviour is also being committed in other parts of the town. Jackie, who has lived in Belle Vale all her life, said: “Kids were setting bins on fire in the Morrisons the other week. Bus stops and cars have been smashed up too." Another woman the ECHO spoke to called Deborah, added: “Bins are constantly being set on fire in the park. I’m absolutely sick of the kids here and sick of the area. They all need to be given ASBOs.” One man said: “There’s not much around here for kids to do; if there was, we might not have all of this. It’s not just the boys causing trouble either - the girls are just as bad. Some of them are only about 11.” In 2018, 16-year-old Daniel Gee-Jamieson was stabbed to death on The Nook, a park off Belle Vale Road . He bled out following a pre-arranged "straightener". The teenager was unarmed but was stabbed in the leg in front of dozens of onlookers . Prosecutors said 17-year-old Owen Cousins was losing a "fistfight", so he pulled out a lock knife and stabbed Daniel in his left thigh. Liverpool Crown Court heard Daniel shouted "I've been stabbed", before fleeing to Belle Vale Road, where he collapsed in a pool of blood. In 2019, a jury acquitted Cousins of murder but found him guilty of manslaughter, by a majority of 9 to 1, after a 10-day trial and 13 and a half hours of deliberation. He was jailed for 11 years but has since been released on licence after serving half of his standard determinate sentence. Daniel's mum Mandy Jamieson told the ECHO she believes it is only a matter of time before the area falls victim to another tragedy. She said: “It’s coming, isn’t it? It’s got to be. Last time, it was Daniel and Brandon Regan, and for another mother to go through what me and Julie Regan have been through is wrong. You don’t want to walk in my shoes, it’s like living a life sentence." Speaking about anti-social behaviour in Belle Vale, she said: “This has been going on for years. These kids are still ruling the roost and what annoys me more than anything is that the area saw what I went through and parents still aren’t checking their kids." Mandy believes the area around the McDonald's is 'rife' for trouble. She added: "These kids think that they’re untouchable and that they can get away with anything." She also claimed that youths have been "terrorising office workers" in the area. She said: “They’re smashing the office workers’ cars up. I’ve spoken to some of these workers and they can’t even go for their lunch because they get abused and threats shouted at them - they have to go out in a pack. "Who wants to go to work and put up with that? All they want to do is go to work peacefully and not worry about getting their cars smashed." “Whenever I’m doing talks and adults are there, I always say: ‘Parents, do you know where your children are? Do you know who they’re hanging around with and what they’re doing?’ And even more importantly, ‘if you check your children for weapons, you can save another child’s life’. But sometimes, it feels like I’m butting my head against the wall. It should not take a tragedy for them to open their eyes." Mandy thinks the cause of local trouble is boredom. She continued: “I’ve said from day one that these kids are bored and have nothing to do. And all we’re doing is building more and more houses but no community centres or anything like that - nothing for the kids to do. So they then accumulate in gangs and they develop a gang mentality. “We need to bring back youth services - I’ve been saying it for years. The government says they haven’t got the money but they have money for other things. Children are our future and unless we put time and money into our kids, this situation is going to get worse. The Government can fix this but they don’t." She added: “I do feel for the kids, even after what happened with Daniel, because they don’t know any different. Not all kids are bad but they follow suit wherever they go. They need to be shown the right path and realise that they don’t have to hang around with idiots who manipulate you, and get you to do what they can’t do themselves. “We need to stop all of this but parents aren't doing anything. It takes a village to raise a child and our community needs to start standing up to these kids and taking it back." Ruth Bennett is the councillor for Belle Vale ward. She says that anti-social behaviour is committed by a "very small minority" of young people, but she encourages people to report any instances of ASB in the area. She said: “Combating anti-social behaviour in Belle Vale is a priority for the council and the councillors. "We work all year round with our youth groups; Netherley Youth and Community Initiative, the Woodlands Community Centre, St Cyril's Children & Youth Project and the Valley Theatre. They provide really valuable activities for our young people. Around Mischief Night, they put on diversionary tactics as well, to prevent young people from being drawn into any more anti-social behaviour. “We also support a detached youth team from Netherley Youth and Community Initiative, to engage with young people who may be out at night and bring them to the youth organisations. “The scenes we saw on the night around the McDonald’s and the Naylorsfield estate were really disgraceful and we condemn those actions, but it is a very, very small minority of young people. We’re currently working with partners, police and community organisations to develop a specific response to those scenes that we saw around Mischief Night. “We’re also going to be working to listen to residents’ concerns and feed back to the police as well. We want to ask residents to log and report incidents of ASB and they can do that by reporting online to the police, or they can contact us as their councillors as well." She added: "[ASB] was very much an issue around Mischief Night and around Bonfire Night and it has been an issue for the area in the past, and that’s why we work all year round with those youth organisations and really value the work that they do. It has been a long time since we’ve seen scenes like recent events in Belle Vale. “The police are really aware of all the issues and we would ask people to report any instances of ASB so that we can have that knowledge and police can act on those specific events. We are working very closely with the police, McDonald's and the shopping centre to make sure that people are safe. There is also CCTV in that area, which police can use to identify any offenders." Local Policing Inspector Steve Reilly said: “It is vital that we take a partnership approach to problem-solving in areas such as Belle Vale and Netherley, who suffer from anti-social behaviour and other issues. “To that end, we’re working closely alongside McDonalds and Belle Vale Shopping Centre to resolve issues, and identify offenders who we will put before the courts. Longer term, we are meeting with the council and local councillors to put together an ASB partnership meeting, working with local stakeholders including schools, so that we can explore diversionary activities, and where necessary to target offenders. “On 30 October, an officer was injured on Childwall Valley Road when a firework was recklessly fired at him, causing injuries. This was a disgraceful incident and thankfully, the officer in question is now back in work, but this could have had devastating consequences. The incident remains under investigation and we are making enquiries with local schools to identify the offender. “On the night in question, I introduced a Dispersal Zone in the area. Such an order allowed us to disperse groups of youths from the area and prevent further incidents and is a valuable tactic when such issues arise. We’d also encourage parents and guardians to know where your children are at night, and to discourage them from gathering in large numbers on the streets, as this can cause intimidation and distress to people in the area. “We spend a lot of time out in the community with our partners. Earlier this week, our Local Policing Sergeant Sadie Talbot visited Netherley Youth and Community Initiative to see their new building, and to meet with partners in relation to ASB in the area (see photo). Such community centres provide great opportunities for people in the area, including trip, activities, courses, breakfasts and after school clubs, and we’ll keep publicising them as much as we can to ensure residents realise what is out there. There is sometimes a misconception that community centres are a thing of the past, and we want everyone to know what is available. “Our officers and staff are all members of the community themselves, so we understand the impact that incidents of anti-social behaviour cause. Information is vital in our work, so please report any incidents or concerns to us, so we can focus on the right areas. I’d also remind people to always call 999 if a crime is in progress. You can pass any information via our social media desk @MerPolCC on Twitter or Merseyside Police Contact Centre on Facebook . “I’d also encourage residents and business owners in the area to sign up to the Nextdoor app, which is a fantastic new way for our officers and PCSOs to communicate with the communities they serve, from crime alerts, prevention advice and events.” A McDonald's spokesperson said: "We are committed to making our restaurants a safe and welcoming environment for everyone. We have a zero-tolerance policy for anti-social behaviour, and the safety and security of our employees and customers remains our highest priority. The restaurant team is currently exploring different ways we can work with local services to address the wider issue of anti-social behaviour in the area."
Dean McCullough took on his third Bushtucker Trial in tonight’s episode (November 21) of I’m A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! Having quit his first trial as he shouted “I’m A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!” and only managed to secure two out of 10 stars in a trial with GK Barry, he was out to prove himself tonight. His third trial saw him locked in a box, similar to his two other trials, where he had to turn stars off a screw using only his mouth and tongue while being accompanied by various critters. Throughout the trial, he had to move from box to box and was met with different critters in each one. He also had to make a chemical reaction while ants were biting his hands. Since Dean is frightened of creepy crawlies and bigger critters, he asked Ant and Dec not to tell him what was joining him in the box which was secured around his head. The trial called Lethal Lab saw the BBC Radio 1 presenter take four stars back to camp. Each star means more food for the celebrity campmates while no stars means they have to eat rice and beans. Going back to camp was a much better experience for Dean this time around as he was able to celebrate with his campmates, knowing he’d supplied food for the camp’s evening meal. On arriving back to camp, Dean was ecstatic with his success in Lethal Lab and the other celebrities celebrated his win with him. After earning four stars, Dean had fish guts put inside the box with him and quit the trial with "I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!" Meanwhile, the campmates were ordered to give up their contraband after McCullough smuggled teabags into the jungle, while Tulisa Contostavlos gave up a bag of seasoning which radio presenter Melvin Odoom had distributed to her. Viewers took to social media platform X to share their thoughts on Dean’s performance. One said the trial was easy: "So they gave him the easiest challenges we’ve ever seen on I’m a Celeb so he can win some stars lol". Another person commented: “He’s actually doing it, I’m surprised." A third said: "Are you serious?? On the fish guts!" The latest series of I’m A Celebrity has a wide range of popular stars including Danny Jones, Coleen Rooney, Melvin Odoom, Oti Mabuse and Barry McGuigan to name a few. I’m A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! airs every night at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
Nvidia’s impact on the AI sector in 2024 has been nothing short of transformative. The company has solidified its top spot as the leader in graphics processing units (GPUs) essential for artificial intelligence (AI), boasting an impressive year with stock gains surpassing 182%. However, the stock’s journey hasn’t been entirely smooth, with a recent plateau raising questions among investors about the sustainability of its meteoric rise. Looking forward to 2025, key events could reignite Nvidia’s upward trajectory. Investors have their eyes on CEO Jensen Huang, known for his dynamic presentations, who is set to kick off the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) with his keynote on January 6. Industry insiders eagerly anticipate his insights on AI’s growth and the state of technological advancements. He is also expected to provide updates on Nvidia’s Blackwell platform, designed specifically for AI applications. Demand for this next-gen processor has been notably high, setting the stage for a potential stock surge. Market analysts remain optimistic, highlighting Nvidia’s allure to investors. Notable voices, such as Citi’s Atif Malik, have issued a “positive catalyst watch” for Nvidia, foreseeing a potential stock boost. An in-depth analysis reveals investor concerns about slipping profit margins, yet the company maintains robust revenue forecasts, with anticipated growth reaching 70% in the upcoming fiscal report due February 26. The future of AI appears promising, paving the way for Nvidia’s continued ascent. Global projections by PwC highlight AI’s staggering $15.7 trillion economic potential by 2030, indicating Nvidia’s pivotal role in this transformative landscape. For those considering Nvidia stock, the historical valuation context suggests an enticing opportunity lies ahead. Nvidia’s Transformative AI Journey: Trends, Innovations, and Market Insights for 2025 Nvidia’s Role in AI Innovation and Market Dynamics Nvidia has remarkably influenced the artificial intelligence (AI) sector, solidifying its position as a leader through its advanced graphics processing units (GPUs). The company’s substantial stock gains in 2024, recording more than a 182% increase, signify its critical role in the technological evolution. However, investor concerns have emerged due to recent stagnation in stock value, prompting queries regarding the durability of its growth trajectory. Anticipating 2025: Key Developments on the Horizon As 2025 approaches, pivotal events might propel Nvidia’s stock upward. CEO Jensen Huang is poised to deliver the keynote at the prestigious Consumer Electronics Show (CES) on January 6. His presentation is expected to offer profound insights into AI advancements and technological trends. Particularly, updates on Nvidia’s Blackwell platform, crafted explicitly for AI applications, are eagerly awaited by industry insiders. The heightened demand for this next-generation processor suggests a potential surge in Nvidia’s stock value. Pros and Cons: Nvidia’s Market Value and Investor Sentiment Pros: – Nvidia remains an attractive investment, with industry experts like Citi’s Atif Malik issuing a “positive catalyst watch.” – The company forecasts robust revenue growth, anticipating a 70% increase in the upcoming fiscal report, projected for release on February 26. Cons: – Concerns about declining profit margins persist among investors, necessitating careful consideration. Global AI Projections: Nvidia’s Role in Economic Growth According to PwC, AI presents a staggering economic opportunity, with expectations of contributing $15.7 trillion by 2030. Nvidia’s continuous innovation marks it as a pivotal player in this expansive landscape. For investors contemplating Nvidia’s stock, the historical valuation context indicates a potentially lucrative opportunity ahead. Looking Ahead: Strategic Insights and Economic Impact Nvidia’s innovative strides and strategic positioning in the AI domain position the company for sustained growth and influence. As the global market embraces AI’s potential, Nvidia’s products and platforms are crucial in shaping this transformative era. With the anticipation surrounding its upcoming releases and insights, Nvidia’s trajectory remains a focal point for technology and investment sectors alike.
I'm A Celeb's Dean McCullough 'surprises' viewers in latest Bushtucker TrialMeet the man spotted hand-in-hand with Neha Sharma
WASHINGTON, Dec 29 (Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said the extension of the debt ceiling will "go down as one of the dumbest political decisions made in years," referring to a 2023 budget deal struck by then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and President Joe Biden. Under that deal, Congress suspended the debt ceiling until Jan. 1, 2025. The U.S. Treasury will be able to pay its bills for several more months, but Congress will have to address the issue at some point next year. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said, "The extension of the Debt Ceiling by a previous Speaker of the House, a good man and a friend of mine ... will go down as one of the dumbest political decisions made in years." He added, "The Democrats must be forced to take a vote on this treacherous issue NOW, during the Biden Administration, and not in June. They should be blamed for this potential disaster, not the Republicans!" Sign up here. Reporting by Jasper WardEditing by Don Durfee Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tabElon Musk, after blasting H1-B visa critics, calls the system ‘broken’ and proposes his ‘fix’
Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk strengthened his support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, calling the group the country’s “last spark of hope” in an opinion piece published Saturday. Musk, who supporting Donald Trump’s election in the U.S., wrote that AfD “can lead [Germany] into a future where economic prosperity, cultural integrity and technological innovation are not just wishes, but reality.” Germany will elect a new government on Feb. 23 following the collapse of the three-party governing coalition last month. The country has been plagued by economic stagnation. “The traditional parties have failed in Germany,” he Tesla CEO and X owner wrote. “Their policies have led to economic stagnation, social unrest, and the erosion of national identity.” This is not the first time Musk has supported AfD. Last week, he shared a video on X from a far-right political activist and wrote, “Only the AfD can save Germany.” The AfD, which has been growing in popularity, espouses a “Germany first” ideology. The party supports virulently anti-immigrant and white supremacist views and has . Its leader has proposed from regular schools. The party, which has connections to neo-Nazis, has been deemed by German authorities while its youth wing has been classified as “confirmed extremist.” In September, the party won a state election in Thuringia, marking the first time a far-right party has had that kind of victory since the Nazi era. While it is unlikely AfD will win the national election in February, and Germany’s other leading parties have said they will not form a coalition government with AfD, its rising popularity is causing concern. Musk’s opinion piece drew the ire of left-leaning German politicians. “It’s unacceptable that foreign billionaires try to influence our political landscape and support parties that undermine our democratic values,” Matthias Miersch, general secretary of Germany’s ruling Social Democrats (SPD), told the newspaper. Miersch also criticized media conglomerate Axel Springer for the “shameful and dangerous” decision to allow the piece to run in one of its papers, Welt am Sonntag. Axel Springer also owns Politico. Welt opinion editor, Eva Marie Kogel, resigned in protest of Musk’s article. “I always enjoyed leading the opinion section of WELT and WAMS. Today an article by Elon Musk appeared in Welt am Sonntag. I handed in my resignation yesterday after it went to print,” Kogel shortly after the piece was published online. Along with Musk’s opinion piece, the paper published an article by Welt’s soon-to-be editor-in-chief, Jan Philipp Burgard, who wrote, “Musk’s diagnosis is correct, but his therapeutic approach, that only the AfD can save Germany, is fatally wrong.” Per , Burgard and the Welt group’s current editor-in-chief, Ulf Poschardt, said in a statement to German Press Agency, dpa, that Musk’s opinion piece prompted a discussion that was “very insightful.” “Democracy and journalism thrive on freedom of expression,” they added. Sign up for . For the latest news, follow us on , , and .Elon Musk channels 'Irony Man' in a hilarious post, mocking superhero rivalries and sparking a meme frenzy on social media with his witty remarks. Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk sparked a wave of laughter on social media with a playful post featuring himself in an Iron Man suit. In the image, Musk humorously claimed he could use the "power of irony" to defeat villains, adding a witty jab at superhero rivalries. "I will use the power of irony to defeat villains! 'Oh, you call yourself 'The Joker,' then why can't you tell a joke! How ironic,'" Musk wrote on X, alongside an image of him soaring through the skies in the iconic Iron Man suit. The caption was a tongue-in-cheek remark, poking fun at the rivalry between the Marvel and DC universes. In a follow-up post, Musk continued the banter, noting, "But one is Marvel and the other is DC. Oh no, not more irony." Musk’s post quickly sparked a frenzy of memes and humorous comments across X. Fans imagined him as the next Iron Man, with one user joking, "Irony Man: Meme War coming soon in theatres." Another user teased Musk's sense of humour, saying, "You've never told a funny joke, not once." The post’s humour didn’t stop there. When a fan pointed out the mix-up between Marvel’s Iron Man and DC’s The Joker, Musk responded with another ironic twist: "Oh no, not more irony!" In addition to his playful superhero antics, Musk had earlier made headlines with a comment regarding MSNBC. After Donald Trump Jr. jokingly suggested that Musk buy the left-leaning US media network, Musk responded with a cheeky "How much does it cost?" The response was reminiscent of his earlier remarks before purchasing X (formerly Twitter). Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Musk’s sense of humour wasn't the only topic to make waves. Following Donald Trump Jr.’s victory in the 2024 presidential election, Musk was appointed to co-lead the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) alongside entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. The duo is expected to provide "advice and guidance" to the White House and the Office of Management and Budget in an effort to drive large-scale structural reforms. As Musk continues to make headlines with his bold ideas and humour, it’s clear that his influence extends beyond social media and into the corridors of power. Published 00:16 IST, November 25th 2024
Jim Harbaugh and Chargers focused on accomplishing more after wrapping up playoff berth
The Electronics and Computer Software Export Promotion Council (ESC) has urged Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to introduce a range of tax incentives in the upcoming 2025-26 Budget to boost investments in R&D by the domestic hardware sector, enabling it to compete globally. In their recent exclusive interaction with Sitharaman and other senior officials of the Finance Ministry, the ESC top brass highlighted that several incentives are needed to promote R&D, Innovation, and Disruption in the capital-intensive electronics hardware sector to address the challenges and emerge as a strong global tech player. A well-calibrated incentive system designed to empower industry players could motivate nascent industry units to move in the R&D value chain in cutting-edge technology domains like AI, IoT, telecom, and embedded technologies in sectors like semiconductors, consumer electronics, and defence equipment, ESC submitted. “Significant amount of expenses incurred towards R&D enables the tech-driven companies to compete in the highly complex and cutthroat international market effectively;” said Sandeep Narula, Chairman – Global Outreach, ESC. “Investment in R&D can ensure electronics products to align with the unique needs of India’s diverse population, rapidly growing economy, imperatives for achieving quantum jumps in exports and employment.” ESC said that the current level of R&D in the electronics sector remains relatively modest, with limited investments compared to global leaders. While India’s electronics market is significant, valued at $155 billion in 2022 and expected to grow to $300 billion by 2025- 26, its R&D expenditure in the sector is far behind its competitors. This is even as investment in R&D had continuously increased over the years and more than doubled in the last 10 years. However, the country’s R&D expenditure as a percentage of GDP remained between 0.6 - 0.7 per cent as against China’s 2.4 per cent, US 3.5 per cent and Israel 5.4 per cent. ESC’s wish list for the upcoming Budget includes the demand for an additional 5 percent Income Tax reduction for corporates spending over 3 per cent of their turnover on R&D and filing patents/designs in India. Such a tax break is justified as it aligns with the national goal of fostering innovation, self-reliance, and global competitiveness. “ By introducing tax reduction, India can create a compelling incentive for companies to prioritise R&D, leading to technological advancements, the creation of intellectual property, and a reduction in dependence on imports;” Narula added. ESC noted that similar incentives are given to tech giants in countries like the US, South Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, and China to foster a culture of R&D and innovation. For the capital-intensive electronics hardware sector which is facing intense competition from global supply chains, comfort should be accorded to stay strong, ESC has said. ESC also pitched for further calibration of the Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme to make it more broad-based and impact-oriented. It suggests extending the scheme’s duration for an additional 10 years, i.e., until January 1, 2035. Given the long gestation period and complexity involved in electronics and semiconductor design, sustained support over the next decade is critical to fostering innovation, building intellectual property, and reducing reliance on imports, ESC said. ESC is of the view that a long-term commitment will provide the necessary stability and confidence for companies to undertake high-risk, high-reward R&D projects. Coupled with this, there should be a provision for the rollover of unutilized funds from the current allocation to subsequent years under the extended scheme. This will ensure optimal utilisation of resources, facilitate continuous support for ongoing projects, and maximize the impact of the scheme without leaving allocated budgets underutilised. Gurmeet Singh, Executive Director, ESC called for additional funding to the tune of $20 billion under the DLI scheme to meet the rising demand for R&D in emerging quantum technologies like AI and internet products. “Happily, we have a large number of small MSMEs gearing up to invest in R&D, innovation, and product innovation, which should be encouraged by helping them to access adequate funds, which will be paid off once they become active players domestically and globally;” he added. ESC also pitched for providing a 10-year Tax Holiday on Sales of Products with Intellectual Property (IP) such as patents and designs, developed through in-house R&D efforts. This would incentivise companies, particularly those not utilising the DLI scheme, to invest in the creation of innovative products and technologies. By providing tax relief on revenues generated from these IP-driven products, the government can encourage the development of proprietary technologies, foster innovation, and reduce the reliance on foreign patents or designs, ESC said. CommentsMusk Backs German Far-Right Party in Controversial Opinion Piece
Jimmy Carter, the 39th US president, has died at 100Boxing Day sporting extravaganza has always caught the attention of fans around the world and this year it will be no different. Cricket being one of the popular sports, it always has been synonymous with the festive vibe of after Christmas Boxing Day. We have many top cricketers in action this year as the battle for supremacy is on the line. Starting with the big one will be India taking on Australia at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Stadium. South Africa host Pakistan in a one-off test match while Zimbabwe will also be facing Afghanistan in the last of the fixtures. ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Full Schedule Announced: India vs Pakistan on February 23 in Dubai; Check Groups and Complete Fixtures. India defeated Australia in the opening game of their five-game series but Australia bounced back in style in the Adelaide game. The rain curtailed third match was a draw setting up for a fascinating Boxing Day test that should draw a record capacity. India have traditionally done well in this fixture but in recent times, the results have not been up to the mark and hence we cannot say for sure which Indian team will turn up. On the other hand, Australia will be confident of a good showing. When is India vs Pakistan in ICC Champions Trophy 2025? Know Date and Time in IST of IND vs PAK Cricket Match. Pakistan blanked Proteas 3-0 in the ODI series putting the host under a lot of duress ahead of the one-off test match. South Africa have always done well at home in the red ball cricket but Pakistan have shown their capabilities in recent times. Afghanistan on the other hand should start as the favorites against a young and inexperienced Zimbabwe team. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 24, 2024 09:26 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com ).