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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Hundreds of Staten Island residents lined New Dorp Lane between New Dorp High School and Cedar Grove Lane, emerging from their homes at about 5 p.m., phones in hand, to witness a fleet of four presidential helicopters land in Miller Field. The flashing lights of dozens of first responder vehicles illuminated the dark baseball and soccer fields, which were completely cleared and secured before President Joe Biden’s and Dr. Jill Biden’s arrival. “I’m really excited to see him,” said Megan Medina, 13, who was joined by her mother, Marina. “You only see things like this on TV, not in your own neighborhood.” James and Susan Tonrey of Richmond held a handmade sign that read “We love you Joe Biden and First Lady Jill...46.” “There’s been a lot of hub bub about him, but he’s done a very good job, and we wanted to show our respect,” James Tonrey said. “No matter what your political views are, you have to come out and see the sitting president if he’s in your neighborhood,” noted Victoria McFarland of New Dorp Beach, who set up a few beach chairs on the sidewalk with friends. “It’s definitely something to see.” “I support Joe Biden, he did a lot of good things. That’s why I wanted to come out,” added Rosemarie Hogan who lives within walking distance of Miller Field. Support for Trump was thick, however, as many homes still prominently displayed Trump/Vance signs on their porches and front lawns. One onlooker even carried a large Trump flag on his back as he walked the length of the street. “This is killer for me,” noted Dominick “Griff” Griffo, who owns Griff’s Place, located right across the street from Miller Field. “Tables are usually full this time of night, but they closed everything off for this. They gave no notice and started towing cars. Very hard to conduct business on a night like this.” Kids took advantage of the closed street, however, riding bikes freely in the middle of the block, halting only to catch a glimpse of the president’s touch-down. “We basically live in the middle of nowhere, nothing ever happens in Staten Island,” noted 16-year-old Daniel Belyayev who walked the closed roadway with friends to see what all the commotion was about. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime type of thing. No matter who you voted for or what you believe, this is definitely something to see.” Once landed, the president waved quickly to the hundreds of people lined up behind the barricades then proceeded via motorcade to U.S. Coast Guard Sector New York in Fort Wadsworth. The Bidens were greeted by U.S. Coast Guard Sector New York brass, including Captain Jonathan Andrechik, Sector Command and his spouse Mary Andrechik; Captain Doreen McCarthy, Deputy Sector commander; and Master Chief Daniel Phillips, Command senior enlisted leader. Past Presidential Visits The last time a sitting president visited Staten Island was in 2012, when then-President Barack Obama visited New Dorp to speak with residents and survey the damage after Hurricane Sandy. In 2016, Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton visited Staten Island on the same day for separate events during their presidential campaigns. More than 1,000 people turned out to hear Trump speak at the Republican Party’s annual Lincoln Day Brunch at the Hilton Garden Inn, Bloomfield. While Clinton, held a get-out-the-vote event attended by more than 500 people at Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden, Livingston. Reporting from The Washington Post White House pool reporting was used in this report. More on President Joe Biden's Visit to Staten Island
Eagles stars Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown say relationship is 'good' after teammate suggests fissureThe net is tightening on three people alleged to have displayed terror symbols as anti-semitism in Australia rises. or signup to continue reading Police are confident they're closing in on those responsible for inciting fear in Jewish communities but critics say they have acted too slowly. Australia's special envoy to combat anti-Semitism Jillian Segal said a lack of accountability had set a "tone of permissiveness". There were no serious penalties for people displaying terrorist symbols and committing anti-Semitic acts, she said. Australian Federal Police deputy commissioner Krissy Barrett said prosecuting the display of a prohibited terrorist symbol was more than proving someone had waved a flag. Federal police had been working on evidence that would reach the burden of proof required for a successful prosecution, she said, following investigations into the waving of flags at a pro-Palestinian rally. "We have had a lot of back and forth with the (Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions) about the evidence, we are confident we are close on at least three matters," she told ABC radio. "I know this can be frustrating for the community but I want to make sure that we have the best chance of a successful prosecution because that will be the strongest deterrent." Hate laws needed to be strengthened if they weren't adequate enough to prosecute under, Ms Segal said. The special envoy also called for an end to pro-Palestinian demonstrations taking over cities, saying they could be held elsewhere, and said universities needed to do more to make Jewish students feel safer on campus. Anti-Semitism on campuses will be investigated during parliamentary hearings on Thursday with representatives from a number of major tertiary institutions and departmental officials giving evidence. Ms Segal previously told the inquiry universities were a "cauldron of anti-Semitism". Minister for Youth Anne Aly called for Australians to support the Jewish community that was feeling unsafe as they did when Muslims were fearful in the wake of the Christchurch attack. "When it happened to the Muslim community, it hurt us," she told ABC radio. "Remember how the community came together after Christchurch, remember that there is strength in community, remember there is strength in reaching out to each other." The Australian Human Rights Commission is looking into the impact of racism at universities, with a number of institutions suggesting it was a more appropriate avenue for action given a probe should include all forms of religious intolerance. Anti-Semitism, Islamophia, anti-Palestinian and anti-Arab racism had dramatically increased, Race Discrimination Commissioner Giridharan Sivaraman. "Racism" poured out when there were ruptures in society, he said, adding the way it was tackled was disjointed and ad hoc. "We have a structural problem that is allowing racism to take place and we really need a whole of government, whole of society approach to tackle racism," he said. "We continuously have racism operating in our society and it's embedded in our systems and structures." Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636 DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! Advertisement Advertisement
ATLANTA — On Jan. 18 and 19 the AT&T Playoff Playlist Live! will be held at State Farm Arena in advance of the College Football Playoff national championship on Jan. 20. The star-studded lineup was announced Thursday at a news conference at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Performances will include Lil Wayne and GloRilla on Saturday; and Camila Cabello, Myles Smith and Knox on Sunday. On game day, the Allstate Championship Tailgate, taking place just outside Mercedes-Benz Stadium in the Home Depot Backyard, will feature country acts on the Capital One Music Stage, including global superstar Kane Brown and iHeartCountry “On The Verge” artist Ashley Cooke. The concerts are just two of the festivities visiting fans can enjoy in the days leading up to the big game. The fan experience for both ticket holders and the general public has been a focus for event planners. All weekend long, an estimated 100,000 people from across the country are expected to attend fan events preceding kickoff. “It will be an opportunity for fans of all ages to come together to sample what college football is all about, and you don’t have to have a ticket to the game to be a part of it,” said Bill Hancock, executive director of the CFP in a press release. “We’ve worked closely with the Atlanta Football Host Committee to develop fan-friendly events that thousands will enjoy come January.” On Saturday, Jan. 18, Playoff Fan Central will open at the Georgia World Congress Center in downtown Atlanta. The free, family-friendly experience will include games, clinics, pep rallies, special guest appearances, autograph signings and exhibits celebrating college football and its history. That day, fans can also attend Media Day, presented by Great Clips, which will feature one-hour sessions with student-athletes and coaches from each of the College Football Playoff national championship participating teams. ESPN and social media giants X, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok will be taping live broadcasts from the event. On Sunday, Jan. 19, the Trophy Trot, both a 5K and 10K race, will wind its way through the streets of downtown Atlanta. Each Trophy Trot participant will receive a T-shirt and finisher’s medal. Participants can register at atlantatrackclub.org . On Sunday evening, the Georgia Aquarium will host the Taste of the Championship dining event, which offers attendees the opportunity to indulge in food and drink prepared by local Atlanta chefs. This premium experience serves as an elevated exploration of local cuisine on the eve of the national championship. Tickets to the Taste of the Championship event are available on etix.com . Atlanta is the first city ever to repeat as host for the CFP national championship. The playoff was previously held in Atlanta in 2018. “We are honored to be the first city to repeat as host for the CFP national championship and look forward to welcoming college football fans from around the country in January,” said Dan Corso, president of the Atlanta Sports Council and Atlanta Football Host Committee. “This event gives us another opportunity to showcase our incredible city.” The College Football Playoff is the event that crowns the national champion in college football. The quarterfinals and semifinals rotate annually among six bowl games — the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Capital One Orange Bowl, Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential and the Allstate Sugar Bowl. This year’s quarterfinals will take place on Dec. 31, 2024 and Jan. 1, 2025, while the semifinals will be Jan. 9-10, 2025. The CFP national championship will be Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. For additional information on the College Football Playoff, visit CollegeFootballPlayoff.com . Get local news delivered to your inbox!
ELKO —Stormy Barrett, Megan Hernandez, and Alisa Safford were selected as the Elko County School District’s October Staff and Teachers Achieving Results with Students, or STARS. award recipients. Barrett, a bus driver for the school district, was nominated by Sean Caron and Martha Contreras. Stormy Barrett, Megan Hernandez and Alisa Safford were named Elko County School District's October STARS. Caron shared that Barrett is a “superhero” who “demonstrates extraordinary commitment to keeping our kids safe and happy.” Elko County School District Bus Driver Stormy Barrett, was named a STARS recipient for October, and was pictured with, from left, Transportation Director Seth Canning, Superintendent CJ Anderson and School Board trustee Susan Neal. “To say my kids love Ms. Stormy is an understatement,” Contreras added. “She’s patient and understanding and goes out of her way to make each student feel special. For Christmas, she gets her students books, writes them a little note, and wraps them.” Hernandez, a math teacher at West Wendover Middle School, was nominated by an anonymous individual. Megan Hernandez, a math teacher at West Wendover Middle School, was named a STARS award recipient for October. “Mrs. Hernandez truly represents the best of ECSD,” noting her long hours, willingness to tutor, and effective communication with parents and colleagues,” the individual wrote. “She is pursuing a master’s degree in secondary math so she can teach accelerated classes to her students.” West Wendover Middle School teacher Megan Hernandez, center, was named STARS recipient for October, with, from left, Principal Gregory Smith, Wolfie, Elko County School District Superintendent CJ Anderson and School Board Trustee Susan Neal. Safford, a third-grade teacher at Wells Combined School, was nominated by two anonymous individuals. Alisa Safford, a third-grade teacher at Wells Combined Schools, was named a STARS award recipient for October. She was recognized for her genuine connection with each of her students and her creative, hands-on teaching methods, which made learning exciting and accessible. Wells Combined Schools third-grade teacher Alisa Safford was pictured with, from left, Elko County School Board Trustee Susan Neal, Superintendent CJ Anderson and Vice Principal Tina Barger. “One particular instance that exemplifies her approach vividly is when she transformed her classroom into a racetrack,” the nomination read. “This creative environment sparked a love of learning in my son, who came home brimming with excitement about his racing day‚ a day that was packed with both fun and academic achievement.” Beginning this school year, the program recognizes three employees each month through May. Nominees do not need to be a classroom teacher and could be any employee who provides services at any Elko County School District school or department. Recognition of these deserving employees would not be possible without sponsors LeeAnne’s Floral Designs, Maverick Gaming, The Star and Rotary Club of Elko Desert Sunrise. Staff, students and the general public are all encouraged to nominate a school district employee who demonstrates exceptional performance and commitment to the education of all students served by the district’s schools. The nomination form can be found on the STARS webpage on the Elko County School District website. Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox.Just about everyone dreams about cars they wish they could own, and there’s no better time than the holidays to make a list of vehicles you’d love to have in your driveway. The car pros at Edmunds rounded up five of their favorite dream-worthy vehicles. But rather than just list the most outlandish and expensive exotics, they focused on highlighting models that are expensive but not so pricey that it’d be completely unrealistic for you to own one one day. The vehicles are ordered in ascending order of price and include destination fees. Ford F-150 Raptor R Off-road trucks look fantastic and are extremely capable. What truck enthusiast wouldn’t have one topping their wish list? The king of the hill for 2025 is the F-150 Raptor R. The regular Raptor is already impressive, and the R takes it to the next level with a bonkers 720-horsepower supercharged 5.2-liter V8 engine, upgraded Fox dual-value shock absorbers, and massive 37-inch all-terrain tires. An R-specific grille and hood are also part of the R’s upgrades. Thankfully, the Raptor R isn’t all bark and bite. It also has plenty of features to make it a livable truck for daily driving. Standard features include leather upholstery, cooling front seats, a premium sound system, and a surround-view camera to help make this big truck easier to park. Starting Price: $112,825 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Few sedans can match the Mercedes-Benz S-Class for opulence, luxury and prestige. This grand sedan showcases nearly every luxury, technology and performance innovation that Mercedes-Benz has concocted. Everything you touch inside is likely covered in leather, heated, or bathed in disco-worthy ambient light. A novel could be written about all of the S-Class’ luxury and comfort features, but one of the most notable is the E-Active Body Control system. It scans the road surface ahead and adjusts the suspension to deliver the best ride possible. The S-Class also boasts an extensive list of advanced safety features and has an augmented reality head-up display that projects images that appear to float in front of the car. For the ultimate S-Class, get the 791-horsepower AMG S 63 E Performance model. Starting Price: $118,900 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Who needs a European exotic car when the Corvette ZR1 is just as capable? A sports car fanatic’s wish list wouldn’t be right without the ZR1. The new Corvette hit a record-setting top speed of 233 mph, making it the fastest car ever built by an American automaker and the fastest current production car priced under $1 million, according to Chevrolet. The top speed record was possible thanks to the ZR1’s turbocharged 5.5-liter V8 engine that cranks out a staggering 1,064 horsepower. Its carbon-fiber aero package kept it glued to the track by generating over 1,200 pounds of downforce at top speed. Chevrolet also says the ZR1 can accelerate through the quarter mile in less than 10 seconds. We expect the Corvette ZR1 to go on sale in early 2025. Estimated starting price: $150,000 Cadillac Escalade-V Does your wish list include a big and powerful SUV? If it does, the Escalade-V should top it. The big Caddy roars like a muscle car thanks to its supercharged 6.2-liter V8 that churns out 682 horsepower and helps it hit 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds. The Escalade-V also boasts enormous 24-inch wheels and large Brembo brakes that help bring the three-ton SUV to a stop. But the Escalade-V isn’t only about brute power. It also has three rows of seating, plenty of cargo space and offers impressive tech like Super Cruise, a hands-free highway driving system, and an enormous 55-inch curved display that spans the dashboard. Starting Price: $161,990 Lucid Air Sapphire What if we told you there was a car that could outpace almost anything on a drag strip, keep up with high-end sports cars on a racetrack, and be comfortable enough for daily errands? Well, if that sounds amazing, add the Air Sapphire to your dream list. The Air Sapphire is a high-performance electric luxury sedan made by Lucid, an electric vehicle startup. It’s one of the most powerful production cars in the world, producing an astonishing 1,234 horsepower from its three electric motors. Lucid says it has a top speed of 205 mph and can rocket to 60 mph in a mind-numbing 1.9 seconds. You can adjust the vehicle’s setting for exceptional track performance or simply provide a comfortable ride around town. Starting price: $250,500 Edmunds says Even if you can’t afford any of these vehicles, you can still picture one sitting in your driveway or imagine yourself cruising around town in it. And who knows, maybe holiday magic will give you the opportunity to own one in the future. ____ This story was provided to The Associated Press by the automotive website Edmunds. Michael Cantu is a contributor at Edmunds. Michael Cantu, The Associated Press
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This week in AI, security researchers stole artificial intelligence models with near-perfect accuracy by capturing electromagnetic signals , as MIT unveiled a robot system that can handle odd-shaped warehouse packages with 80% success. Meanwhile, three nations launched AI regulations, and Google released its more autonomous Gemini 2.0. Tech leaders acknowledge tougher challenges ahead as some AI models make dramatic leaps while others hit roadblocks. AI Models Vulnerable to Electromagnetic Signal Theft North Carolina State University researchers demonstrated a security vulnerability in AI systems , achieving over 99% accuracy in extracting AI models by capturing electromagnetic signals from computer hardware. The technique, which doesn’t require direct system access, raises alarms for tech giants like OpenAI , Anthropic and Google, which have invested heavily in proprietary AI models. The discovery highlights growing cybersecurity challenges as businesses increasingly rely on AI for competitive advantage. MIT Develops AI System for More Capable Warehouse Robots MIT researchers created PRoC3S, a new AI system that could help warehouse robots handle odd-shaped packages and navigate crowded spaces more effectively. The system combines AI language models with computer vision and tests actions in a virtual environment before executing them. In lab tests, it completed basic tasks like drawing shapes and sorting blocks with 80% accuracy. The technology aims to help robots perform complex warehouse jobs that typically require human dexterity. Three Nations Advance AI Oversight With Different Approaches A bipartisan U.S. House task force recommended industry-specific AI oversight rather than broad federal regulations, marking Congress’s first comprehensive framework. Meanwhile, Malaysia established a National AI Office to coordinate policy and development as it positions itself as a tech hub. And, the United Kingdom introduced a consultation on copyright reforms to balance AI innovation with creative industry protections. The moves reflect growing global efforts to establish AI governance frameworks. Google’s Gemini 2.0 Promises More Autonomous AI Operations Google released Gemini 2.0 , an AI system designed to handle complex tasks across multiple platforms with greater autonomy. The system powers projects like Astra for Android devices and Mariner for web navigation, suggesting a shift from command-based AI to more independent operation. A key feature is its unified approach to processing different types of information, integrating text, images and audio handling that previously required separate tools. AI Progress Shows Mixed Signals as Tech Giants Navigate Future AI is delivering contrasting signals, with some models achieving dramatic leaps while others hit unexpected roadblocks. Tech leaders acknowledge that while AI isn’t stalling, future progress faces steeper challenges. As companies race to develop more practical AI tools, businesses are carefully weighing investment decisions against a technology curve that defies simple characterization as either accelerating or slowing. For all PYMNTS AI coverage, subscribe to the daily AI Newsletter .Association of Ghana Startups calls on John Mahama to prioritize the passage of Startup Bill
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