HUNTINGTON, W.V. (AP) — Marshall has withdrawn from the Independence Bowl after a coaching change resulted in much of its roster jumping into the transfer portal. The Thundering Herd were slated to play Army on Dec. 28 in Shreveport, Louisiana. But the Independence Bowl and Louisiana Tech announced on Saturday that the Bulldogs will take on the 19th-ranked Black Knights instead. Marshall said it pulled out “after falling below the roster minimum that was deemed medically safe.” The Herd (10-3) beat Louisiana-Lafayette 31-3 last weekend to win the Sun Belt Conference Championship for the first time. The program has won seven games in a row in the same season for the first time since 2020. “We apologize for the nature and timing of this announcement and for the turmoil it has brought to bowl season preparations for Army, the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl, the American Athletic Conference and ESPN,” Sun Belt Commissioner Keith Gill said in a statement. Coach Charles Huff left Marshall for Southern Miss last Sunday, and Tony Gibson, the defensive coordinator at North Carolina State, was announced as his replacement less than an hour later. By Thursday, at least 25 Marshall players had entered the transfer portal. Gibson held a meeting shortly after arriving on campus in Huntington to introduce himself to the team. He followed that up with phone calls, text messages and more meetings Friday and Saturday. “Any time coaches leave to take other jobs, it is emotional,” Gibson said at a news conference Thursday. “And kids that are 18-to-22 years old are going to make emotional decisions instead of just breathing for a day or two.” It's the first bowl for Louisiana Tech (5-7) since 2020. The Bulldogs have won two of their last three games, but they haven't played since a 33-0 victory over Kennesaw State on Nov. 30. “We are excited to accept the opportunity to play in the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl against a fantastic and storied program as Army,” Louisiana Tech athletic director Ryan Ivey said in a release. “I believe our football program is moving toward positive structure and the opportunity to play in this bowl adds to that momentum. We are looking forward to being in Shreveport for this matchup.” Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football Get any of our free daily email newsletters — news headlines, opinion, e-edition, obituaries and more.
First Half_1, Orlando City, Enrique, 9, 39th minute. Second Half_None. Goalies_Atlanta, Brad Guzan, Josh Cohen; Orlando City, Pedro Gallese, Javier Otero. Yellow Cards_Williams, Atlanta, 59th. Referee_Armando Villarreal. Assistant Referees_Kathryn Nesbitt, Chris Elliott, Greg Dopka. 4th Official_Pierre-Luc Lauziere. Atlanta_Brad Guzan; Luis Abram, Pedro Amador, Stian Gregersen (Tristan Muyumba, 73rd), Derrick Williams; Ajani Fortune, Saba Lobzhanidze, Dax McCarty (Xande Silva, 69th), Bartosz Slisz; Aleksey Miranchuk, Jamal Thiare (Daniel Rios, 43rd, Ronald Hernandez, 49th). Orlando City_Pedro Gallese; Robin Jansson, Rafael Santos (David Brekalo, 90th+1), Rodrigo Schlegel; Cesar Araujo, Wilder Cartagena, Martin Ojeda, Dagur Dan Thorhallsson (Kyle Smith, 79th), Facundo Torres; Ivan Angulo (Nicolas Lodeiro, 79th), Ramiro Enrique (Luis Muriel, 69th).
Robinson scores 25 in Mercer's 90-89 OT win against Jacksonville
ATLANTA (AP) — As she checked into a recent flight to Mexico for vacation, Teja Smith chuckled at the idea of joining another Women’s March on Washington . As a Black woman, she just couldn’t see herself helping to replicate the largest act of resistance against then-President Donald Trump’s first term in January 2017. Even in an election this year where Trump questioned his opponent’s race , held rallies featuring racist insults and falsely claimed Black migrants in Ohio were eating residents’ pets , he didn't just win a second term. He became the first Republican in two decades to clinch the popular vote, although by a small margin. “It’s like the people have spoken and this is what America looks like,” said Smith, the Los Angeles-based founder of the advocacy social media agency, Get Social. “And there’s not too much more fighting that you’re going to be able to do without losing your own sanity.” After Trump was declared the winner over Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris , many politically engaged Black women said they were so dismayed by the outcome that they were reassessing — but not completely abandoning — their enthusiasm for electoral politics and movement organizing. Black women often carry much of the work of getting out the vote in their communities. They had vigorously supported the historic candidacy of Harris, who would have been the first woman of Black and South Asian descent to win the presidency. Harris' loss spurred a wave of Black women across social media resolving to prioritize themselves, before giving so much to a country that over and over has shown its indifference to their concerns. AP VoteCast , a survey of more than 120,000 voters, found that 6 in 10 Black women said the future of democracy in the United States was the single most important factor for their vote this year, a higher share than for other demographic groups. But now, with Trump set to return to office in two months, some Black women are renewing calls to emphasize rest, focus on mental health and become more selective about what fight they lend their organizing power to. “America is going to have to save herself,” said LaTosha Brown, the co-founder of the national voting rights group Black Voters Matter. She compared Black women’s presence in social justice movements as “core strategists and core organizers” to the North Star, known as the most consistent and dependable star in the galaxy because of its seemingly fixed position in the sky. People can rely on Black women to lead change, Brown said, but the next four years will look different. “That’s not a herculean task that’s for us. We don’t want that title. ... I have no goals to be a martyr for a nation that cares nothing about me,” she said. AP VoteCast paints a clear picture of Black women's concerns. Black female voters were most likely to say that democracy was the single most important factor for their vote, compared to other motivators such as high prices or abortion. More than 7 in 10 Black female voters said they were “very concerned” that electing Trump would lead the nation toward authoritarianism, while only about 2 in 10 said this about Harris. About 9 in 10 Black female voters supported Harris in 2024, according to AP VoteCast, similar to the share that backed Democrat Joe Biden in 2020. Trump received support from more than half of white voters, who made up the vast majority of his coalition in both years. Like voters overall, Black women were most likely to say the economy and jobs were the most important issues facing the country, with about one-third saying that. But they were more likely than many other groups to say that abortion and racism were the top issues, and much less likely than other groups to say immigration was the top issue. Despite those concerns, which were well-voiced by Black women throughout the campaign, increased support from young men of color and white women helped expand Trump’s lead and secured his victory. Politically engaged Black women said they don’t plan to continue positioning themselves in the vertebrae of the “backbone” of America’s democracy. The growing movement prompting Black women to withdraw is a shift from history, where they are often present and at the forefront of political and social change. One of the earliest examples is the women’s suffrage movement that led to ratification in 1920 of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution , which gave women the right to vote. Black women, however, were prevented from voting for decades afterward because of Jim Crow-era literacy tests, poll taxes and laws that blocked the grandchildren of slaves from voting. Most Black women couldn’t vote until the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Black women were among the organizers and counted among the marchers brutalized on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Alabama, during the historic march in 1965 from Selma to Montgomery that preceded federal legislation. Decades later, Black women were prominent organizers of the Black Lives Matter movement in response to the deaths of Black Americans at the hands of police and vigilantes. In his 2024 campaign, Trump called for leveraging federal money to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs in government programs and discussions of race, gender or sexual orientation in schools. His rhetoric on immigration, including false claims that Black Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, were eating cats and dogs, drove support for his plan to deport millions of people . Tenita Taylor, a Black resident of Atlanta who supported Trump this year, said she was initially excited about Harris’ candidacy. But after thinking about how high her grocery bills have been, she feels that voting for Trump in hopes of finally getting lower prices was a form of self-prioritization. “People say, ‘Well, that’s selfish, it was gonna be better for the greater good,''' she said. “I’m a mother of five kids. ... The things that (Democrats) do either affect the rich or the poor.” Some of Trump’s plans affect people in Olivia Gordon’s immediate community, which is why she struggled to get behind the “Black women rest” wave. Gordon, a New York-based lawyer who supported the Party for Socialism and Liberation’s presidential nominee, Claudia de la Cruz, worries about who may be left behind if the 92% of Black women voters who backed Harris simply stopped advocating. “We’re talking millions of Black women here. If millions of Black women take a step back, it absolutely leaves holes, but for other Black women,” she said. “I think we sometimes are in the bubble of if it’s not in your immediate circle, maybe it doesn’t apply to you. And I truly implore people to understand that it does.” Nicole Lewis, an Alabama-based therapist who specializes in treating Black women’s stress, said she’s aware that Black women withdrawing from social impact movements could have a fallout. But she also hopes that it forces a reckoning for the nation to understand the consequences of not standing in solidarity with Black women. “It could impact things negatively because there isn’t that voice from the most empathetic group,” she said. “I also think it’s going to give other groups an opportunity to step up. ... My hope is that they do show up for themselves and everyone else.” Brown said a reckoning might be exactly what the country needs, but it’s a reckoning for everyone else. Black women, she said, did their job when they supported Harris in droves in hopes they could thwart the massive changes expected under Trump. “This ain’t our reckoning,” she said. “I don’t feel no guilt.” AP polling editor Amelia Thomson DeVeaux and Associated Press writer Linley Sanders in Washington contributed to this report. The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.Two United States senators urged FIFA on Monday not to pick Saudi Arabia as the 2034 World Cup host next month in a decision seen as inevitable since last year despite the kingdom’s record on human rights. Democrats Ron Wyden of Oregon and Dick Durbin of Illinois have told FIFA president Gianni Infantino in a letter “we urge you to seek out a host country with a record of upholding human rights.” Saudi Arabia has been the only candidate for 2034 since FIFA unexpectedly opened a fast-track nomination process in October last year. The contest seemed designed by FIFA for the Saudi bid to win, despite needing to build most of the 15 stadiums needed that risks repeating labor rights issues seen in Qatar over a decade of intense scrutiny before the 2022 World Cup. On Dec. 11, at an online meeting, more than 200 FIFA member federations are expected to jointly endorse by acclamation the Saudi bid plus the only candidate for the 2030 edition. That is a co-hosting plan by Spain, Portugal and Morocco with single games going to Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. “Approving Saudi Arabia’s bid this December endangers workers, athletes, tourists, and members of the press, and it runs counter to FIFA’s own human rights policies,” Wyden and Durbin wrote in a letter seen by The Associated Press. “The kingdom continues to torture dissidents, engage in extrajudicial killings, discriminate against the LGBTQ+ community, oppress women and religious minorities, exploit and abuse foreign workers, and restrict almost all political rights and civil liberties,” the letter claimed. Those concerns were aired by United Nations members at the Human Rights Council in January when Saudi Arabia’s track record was examined. At that session in Geneva, Saudi government officials pointed to dozens of reforms in favor of women and a wider modernizing of its society under the Vision 2030 program pushed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. FIFA’s Infantino has worked to build close ties to the crown prince over several years. The soccer body’s World Cup sponsor deal in April with Saudi state oil firm Aramco signaled a deeper financial relationship ahead of the 2026 edition being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. FIFA bid rules for World Cup candidates require an assessment of human rights risks for the tournament, but the analysis by law firm Clifford Chance published in July was criticized by NGOs and activists for lacking independence. That report committed Saudi Arabia to working with the UN-backed International Labor Organization but not global rights experts who have limited access to enter the country to work. “More concerningly,” the senators wrote, “the Saudis have failed to address how they will uphold labor protections, press freedoms, non-discrimination and inclusion standards. “We strongly urge FIFA to take all steps necessary to thoroughly re-evaluate Saudi Arabia’s ill-equipped World Cup bid ahead of December and select a rights-respecting host country."
In today’s world of abundant data and growing information complexity, storytelling has become more than an art—it’s a science powered by technology. Tools like Google’s NotebookLM, an AI-driven research and note-taking assistant, are transforming the way we interact with information. By simplifying research, generating insights, and creating structured narratives, NotebookLM has become an invaluable ally for journalists, researchers, and content creators. How NotebookLM Works: A practical example To understand NotebookLM’s potential, The Hindu Data Team tested it using a real-world case study. Over the past year, questions related to LPG pricing in India were raised in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. We compiled ten of these parliamentary answers into PDFs and uploaded them to NotebookLM. Within moments, the tool went to work. It generated relevant questions, such as: How does India’s LPG pricing strategy balance affordability and market realities? What percentage of India’s LPG consumption is imported? What is the current retail price of a 14.2 kg LPG cylinder in Delhi? How did the PMUY impact LPG consumption per capita? What percentage of new LPG distributorships since 2016 serve rural areas? NotebookLM didn’t stop at asking questions—it provided detailed answers, citing references from the uploaded documents. The ability to produce accurate, source-backed insights saves time. Why NotebookLM matters for journalists For journalists, particularly those working on data-driven stories, NotebookLM offers a host of benefits: Efficient synthesis of complex information NotebookLM analyses diverse datasets—ranging from research papers to financial statements—helping users distil key takeaways without hours of manual effort. By providing accurate, source-based answers, NotebookLM eliminates the need to sift through multiple documents, enabling faster decision-making. The tool excels at identifying patterns and trends, crafting structured outputs like FAQs, timelines, and briefs that form the backbone of compelling narratives. Features like image support and potential for audio summaries allow analysts and creators to transform complex charts and diagrams into digestible, data-driven stories. Generative AI and the future of content creation AI-powered tools are revolutionising content creation across formats, from podcasts and videos to long-form articles. Hila Zigelman, who leads AI growth and product marketing at AI21 Labs , summarises this as follows: “Generative AI tools like NotebookLM empower creators to automate processes, dive deeper into research, and craft compelling stories. By integrating data from various sources, they enable swift analysis, provide actionable insights, and help content creators produce impactful work tailored to their audience. At AI21 Labs, creators have used models like Jamba 1.5 to: customise content to fit unique styles and brand voices, transform lengthy materials into bite-sized summaries, simplify complex concepts, ensuring accessibility and wider reach. These tools also help creators brainstorm ideas, generate visuals, draft scripts, and refine storytelling. NotebookLM-Spotify collaboration Take the example of NotebookLM’s capability to generate Spotify Wrapped-style summaries , as highlighted by Google’s recent feature update. This ability to offer personalised insights and trends demonstrates how AI can help creators and analysts better understand their audience while crafting meaningful narratives. As generative AI continues to evolve, it holds the promise of revolutionising how we create, share, and consume information. For those of us in the AI ecosystem, the journey has only just begun. Published - December 14, 2024 04:25 pm IST Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp RedditHUNTINGTON, W.V. (AP) — Marshall has withdrawn from the Independence Bowl after a coaching change resulted in much of its roster jumping into the transfer portal. The Thundering Herd were slated to play Army on Dec. 28 in Shreveport, Louisiana. But the and announced on Saturday that the Bulldogs will take on the 19th-ranked Black Knights instead. Marshall said it pulled out “after falling below the roster minimum that was deemed medically safe.” The Herd (10-3) beat Louisiana-Lafayette 31-3 last weekend to win the for the first time. The program has won seven games in a row in the same season for the first time since 2020. “We apologize for the nature and timing of this announcement and for the turmoil it has brought to bowl season preparations for Army, the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl, the American Athletic Conference and ESPN,” Sun Belt Commissioner Keith Gill said in a statement. Coach Charles Huff left Marshall for last Sunday, and Tony Gibson, the defensive coordinator at North Carolina State, less than an hour later. By Thursday, at least 25 Marshall players had entered the transfer portal. Gibson held a meeting shortly after arriving on campus in Huntington to introduce himself to the team. He followed that up with phone calls, text messages and more meetings Friday and Saturday. “Any time coaches leave to take other jobs, it is emotional,” Gibson said at a news conference Thursday. “And kids that are 18-to-22 years old are going to make emotional decisions instead of just breathing for a day or two.” It's the first bowl for Louisiana Tech (5-7) since 2020. The Bulldogs have won two of their last three games, but they haven't played since a 33-0 victory over Kennesaw State on Nov. 30. “We are excited to accept the opportunity to play in the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl against a fantastic and storied program as Army,” Louisiana Tech athletic director Ryan Ivey said in a release. “I believe our football program is moving toward positive structure and the opportunity to play in this bowl adds to that momentum. We are looking forward to being in Shreveport for this matchup.” ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up . AP college football: and The Associated Press
'Over-Achiever' Nvidia Warms Sell-Side, Retail As Bullish Analyst Says Path For $4 Trillion Market Cap Laid OutMarshall withdraws from Independence Bowl matchup against Army
Wolfspeed's stock price surged 10% on Monday after the company filed for a mixed securities shelf, allowing it to issue new stock over the next three years without additional registrations. The move is seen as a positive indicator for the company's turnaround efforts, which focus on profitable silicon-carbide products. Additionally, recent insider stock acquisitions suggest that company officials are betting on the turnaround, as they continue to receive compensation in the form of stock and are not selling their shares. Despite the surge, Wolfspeed's stock is still down 76% year-to-date. Wolfspeed (NYSE: WOLF) stock is surging in Monday's trading. The company's share price was up 10% as of 2:30 p.m. ET and had been up as much as 18.5% earlier in the daily session. Wolfspeed stock is gaining today following a filing showing that it had filed for a mixed securities shelf. The company's share price is likely also getting a boost from recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ( SEC ) showing that insiders have continued to acquire stock. Despite today's pop, Wolfpseed stock is still down roughly 76% year to date. Start Your Mornings Smarter! Wake up with Breakfast news in your inbox every market day. Sign Up For Free » Wolfspeed leaves the door open for new fundraising moves A filing submitted to the SEC today showed that Wolfspeed had moved forward with an automatic shelf registration statement of securities. The move will give the company the flexibility to issue new stock at any point over a three-year period without the need to file additional registrations. With the company trying to orchestrate a turnaround and refocus its business on profitable silicon-carbide products, the push to raise new funds is a favorable indicator even though issuing new stock will have dilutive impact for existing shareholders. Insiders appear to be betting on Wolfspeed's turnaround Wolfspeed's recent mixed securities shelf filing looks better in the context of recent insider stock acquisitions. If company insiders were moving to dump their shares ahead of potential new stock offerings, that could suggest that they were looking to cash in prior to the impact of stock dilution. Instead, board members and company officials have continued to receive compensation in the form of stock. And thus far, they aren't moving to sell their shares. The mixed securities shelf offering and insider stock moves don't necessarily mean that the company's turnaround push will be successful, but it's still encouraging to see that those leading Wolfspeed have increasing amounts of skin in the game. Don’t miss this second chance at a potentially lucrative opportunity Ever feel like you missed the boat in buying the most successful stocks? Then you’ll want to hear this. On rare occasions, our expert team of analysts issues a “Double Down” stock recommendation for companies that they think are about to pop. If you’re worried you’ve already missed your chance to invest, now is the best time to buy before it’s too late. And the numbers speak for themselves: Nvidia: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2009, you’d have $369,349 !* Apple: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2008, you’d have $45,990 !* Netflix: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2004, you’d have $504,097 !* Right now, we’re issuing “Double Down” alerts for three incredible companies, and there may not be another chance like this anytime soon. See 3 “Double Down” stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of December 9, 2024 Keith Noonan has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Wolfspeed. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy . Why Wolfspeed Stock Is Skyrocketing Today was originally published by The Motley Fool
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