NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The largest artificial intelligence data center ever built by Facebook’s parent company Meta is coming to northeast Louisiana, the company said Wednesday, bringing hopes that the $10 billion facility will transform an economically neglected corner of the state. Republican Gov. Jeff Landry called it “game-changing” for his state’s expanding tech sector, yet some environmental groups have raised concerns over the amount of energy it would use — and whether it could lead to higher energy bills in the future. Meanwhile, Elon Musk’s AI startup, xAI, is expanding its existing supercomputer project in Memphis, Tennessee, the city’s chamber of commerce said Wednesday. The chamber also said that Nvidia, Dell, and Supermicro Computer will be “establishing operations in Memphis,” without offering further details. Louisiana is among a growing number of states seeking to lure big tech firms in need of energy-intensive data centers with tax credits and other incentives. The U.S. Commerce Department found that there aren’t enough data centers in the U.S. to meet the rising AI-fueled demand, which is projected to grow by 9% each year through 2030, citing industry reports. Meta anticipates its Louisiana data center will create 500 operational jobs and 5,000 temporary construction jobs, said Kevin Janda, director of data center strategy. At 4 million square feet (370,000 square meters), it will be the company’s largest AI data center to date, he added. “We want to make sure we are having a positive impact on the local level,” Janda said. Congressional leaders and local representatives from across the political spectrum heralded the Meta facility as a boon for Richland parish, a rural part of Louisiana with a population of 20,000 historically reliant on agriculture. About one in four residents are considered to live in poverty and the parish has an employment rate below 50%, according to the U.S. census data. Meta plans to invest $200 million into road and water infrastructure improvements for the parish to offset its water usage. The facility is expected to be completed in 2030. Entergy, one of the nation’s largest utilities providers, is fast-tracking plans to build three natural gas power plants in Louisiana capable of generating 2,262 megawatts for Meta’s data center over a 15 year period — nearly one-tenth of Entergy’s existing energy capacity across four states. The Louisiana Public Service Commission is weighing Entergy’s proposal as some environmental groups have opposed locking the state into more fossil fuel-based energy infrastructure. Meta said it plans to help bring 1,500 megawatts of renewable energy onto the grid in the future. Louisiana residents may ultimately end up with rate increases to pay off the cost of operating these natural gas power plants when Meta’s contract with Entergy expires, said Jessica Hendricks, state policy director for the Alliance for Affordable Energy, a Louisiana-based nonprofit advocating for energy consumers. “There’s no reason why residential customers in Louisiana need to pay for a power plant for energy that they’re not going to use,” Hendricks said. “And we want to make sure that there’s safeguards in place.” Public service commissioner Foster Campbell, who represents northeast Louisiana, said he does not believe the data center will increase rates for Louisianians and views it as vital for his region. “It’s going in one of the most needed places in Louisiana and maybe one of the most needed places in the United States of America,” Foster said. “I’m for it 100%.” Environmental groups have also warned of the pollution generated from Musk’s AI data center in Memphis. The Southern Environmental Law Center, among others, says the supercomputer could strain the power grid, prompting attention from the Environmental Protection Agency. Eighteen gas turbines currently running at xAI’s south Memphis facility are significant sources of ground-level ozone, better known as smog, the group said. Patrick Anderson, an attorney at the law center, said xAI has operated with “a stunning lack of transparency” in developing its South Memphis facility, which is located near predominantly Black neighborhoods that have long dealt with pollution and health risks from factories and other industrial sites. “Memphians deserve to know how xAI will affect them,” he said, “and should have a seat at the table when these decisions are being made.” _____ Sainz reported from Memphis, Tennessee. Associated Press writer Matt O’Brien in Providence, Rhode Island, contributed to this report. _____ Brook is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Brook on the social platform X: ↕jack_brook96For organizations that rely on Cisco switches running NX-OS, this vulnerability represents a serious threat to their network security. If exploited, it could lead to significant disruptions in network operations, data breaches, and potentially even financial losses due to downtime and reputational damage.
The game's storyline unfolds in a world where chaos reigns, and superpowered beings rise to the occasion to protect humanity from imminent threats. Players take on the role of a young hero who must navigate the complexities of heroism while discovering their own unique powers and abilities. With a diverse cast of characters to interact with, each with their own motivations and dynamics, Marvel's Vanguard offers a rich narrative experience that keeps players engaged from start to finish.
Named YU7, the moniker is not merely a combination of letters and numbers, but a deliberate choice that reflects Xiaomi's innovative spirit. The name is pronounced as "Y-U-7," emphasizing the individuality and futuristic appeal of the vehicle. With the Y standing for "Youth," representing the brand's youthful and dynamic image, and the U denoting "Ultimate," symbolizing Xiaomi's commitment to delivering top-notch quality and performance, the 7 completes the name by signifying perfection and completeness.A group is proposing two new power projects in the north end of Fort Frances that it says will generate clean electricity and help support the municipality for decades. Council of the town of Fort Frances heard a presentation at their Monday, November 25, 2024, meeting from FirstLight Energy, a power producer, developer and energy storage company that operates in the U.S. and Canada. The presentation brought before council was in regards to a potential battery energy storage project, or BESP, as well as a solar panel array, both located north of town but within municipal boundaries. The company said the projects would allow them to help to address the Ontario Ministry of Energy’s call for an additional 5,000 MW of power capacity in the province’s electrical grid by 2026 in order to make up for projected shortfalls. FirstLight Senior Project Manager Development Alex Moore said the proposed project complies with the Ontario independent energy system operator’s aim to split procurement for the projected shortfall into two streams, energy and capacity. “this procurement has intended to fill projected shortfalls over the coming 20 years in energy due to increasing economic growth, industrial demand, population growth, and the phase out of old existing generating assets. So the energy stream looks to increase the total energy generated in Ontario through low carbon renewable sources, while the capacity stream will increase Ontario’s electricity system resilience and energy security by providing immediate on demand power, handling peak demand and shifting a lot of the renewable energy generation to times when it’s needed the most. The two projects that we’re going to be discussing mainly today, fall into both of those streams.” Moore said the BESP would be located in the northwest of Fort Frances, with two possible locations being identified near the landfill site on either side of the road leading off of McIrvine. Both locations are near the existing hydro lines and would allow for the proposed battery storage facility to provide 40 megawatts of power for a duration of eight hours . The facility itself would be a number of shipping containers housing a series of lithium ion phosphate batteries, which Moore said are safer than other forms of lithium ion technologies, which have been known to experience fires and runaway situations that can lead to significant damage. To establish the BESP, Moore said their company would look for a suitable partner to act as a supplier for the batteries, and ensure that whoever is selected has a “robust and established” safety record for such a project. The solar farm project, on the other hand, will potentially be located to the north of Fort Frances removed from the residential areas and adjacent to the hydro lines. Moore said the solar project will have a maximum capacity of up to 100 megawatts, which based on preliminary estimates, he said would be enough to provide power to 12,000 homes in Ontario. In terms of benefits to the town, not only would these tow projects represent up to $300 million in capital investment, providing labour opportunities during construction and some full time jobs maintaining and operating them in the future, but FirstLight would also establish a Community Benefit Fund that would support initiatives like community projects, local food initiatives, recreational programs and events, and improvements to pedestrian activity, accessibility and urban green spaces. According to FirstLight’s presentation, the fund “is dependent on the overall project financials but typically is in the range of $1,000 - $1,500/MW/year.” The project would also provide the town with a long term income in the form of a 30+ year rent on the chosen pieces of property that FirstLight said would be between $250/acre/year to $350/acre/year, as well as an increase in property tax base through increased development value. While the project is still in the preliminary stages at this point, Moore said the next steps would be to hold a number of community engagement sessions with members of the public, First Nations, area trail users and other stakeholders to identify potential concerns and jointly develop solutions, as well as to receive a Municipal Support Resolution (MSR) from the Town, which Moore said is a key factor in helping them get approval from the government. “Municipal Support Resolutions are key aspects of projects that have now been mandated as part of this procurement,” Moore said. “The MSR is similar to a letter of intent expressing support for the project, but hasn’t removed any obligation requirements that projects might have in terms of permit regulations. We have ongoing approvals at a local, municipal or provincial, federal level. This ensures proponents engage early and often with municipalities and address any concerns of the council. The recent dates mandated by the ISO for compliant MSRs, which must fall within, be no earlier than a certain date and no later, at the procurement and draft stages, we’re not too sure yet on what those dates will be, but they’ll be released in the coming weeks.” Moore said the organization hopes to receive an MSR from the town of Fort Frances in early 2025, which would allow them to submit their bid later that year. In the event the bid is awarded, construction would be slated to start as early as 2027 following the procurement of neccessary permits and construction contracts. In response to questioning from council regarding possible noise pollution from a battery facility, Moore explained that these buildings have an HVAC component to them to allow the batteries to stay cool ,but are nowhere near as loud or power intensive as a similar size cryptocurrency or data processing centre, similar to a project which council had previously been presented. Moore said their minimum setback around the facility would be 200 to 300 meters from a residential or industrial property, so the noise levels would drop dramatically before reaching anyone who would otherwise be disturbed by them. Fort Frances mayor Andrew Hallikas posed of Moore what the emergency response would need to be in the event a fire at the battery storage facility owing to the specialized batteries intended to be in use. Moore repeated the safety improvements of lithium ion phosphate batteries over other lithium ion technologies, but also noted that the organization would develop a specific emergency safety response plan for the projects and technologies in use and provide dedicated training for first responders so they would be prepared in the event of an incident.
As the premiere of "Gourmet Chronicle" unfolds, viewers can expect a rollercoaster of emotions ranging from heartwarming moments to gut-wrenching twists. The show's impeccable storytelling combined with its stunning visuals and evocative soundtrack create a viewing experience that is both immersive and unforgettable. Each episode promises to reveal new layers of depth to the characters and their relationships, keeping viewers hooked and eager for more.KATY, Texas, Dec. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. (the “Company” or “Academy”) (Nasdaq: ASO) announced today that its Board of Directors approved a new share repurchase program authorizing the Company to repurchase up to $700 million of its outstanding common stock. This new share repurchase program replaces the preceding share repurchase program, of which $423 million remained at the time this new program was approved, and is effective as of December 4, 2024, for a period of three years. The Company also announced today that its Board of Directors approved the declaration of a quarterly cash dividend with respect to the fiscal quarter ended November 2, 2024, of $0.11 per share of the Company's common stock. The dividend is payable on January 15, 2025, to stockholders of record as of the close of business on December 18, 2024. About Academy Sports + Outdoors Academy is a leading full-line sporting goods and outdoor recreation retailer in the United States. Originally founded in 1938 as a family business in Texas, Academy has grown to 298 stores across 19 states. Academy’s mission is to provide “Fun for All” and Academy fulfills this mission with a localized merchandising strategy and value proposition that strongly connects with a broad range of consumers. Academy’s product assortment focuses on key categories of outdoor, apparel, sports & recreation and footwear through both leading national brands and a portfolio of private label brands. For more information, visit www.academy.com. Forward Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current expectations and are not guarantees of future performance. The forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements regarding the payment of the dividend, including the timing and amount thereof, share repurchases by the Company, the Company's expectations regarding its future performance, and the Company's future financial condition to support future dividend and share repurchase program growth, and are subject to various risks, uncertainties, assumptions, or changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict or quantify. Actual results may differ materially from these expectations due to factors that are set forth in Academy's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statement in this press release speaks only as of the date of this release. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement, except as may be required by any applicable securities laws.
Boothby scores 16, William & Mary beats Navy 82-76In conclusion, while cancer remains a formidable challenge in the field of public health, there are actionable steps that individuals can take to reduce their risk of developing this disease. By addressing the three major risk factors of tobacco use, poor diet and physical inactivity, and excessive sun exposure through lifestyle modifications, individuals can empower themselves to make healthier choices and lower their risk of cancer. Ultimately, by prioritizing prevention through education, awareness, and proactive health behaviors, we can work towards reducing the global burden of cancer and improving the overall well-being of individuals worldwide.Sydney Thomas' future in jeopardy: AI may put ring girls out of a job
Paris Hilton is aging backwards au naturel. The 43-year-old reality star and DJ claimed on the “Zach Sang Show” Friday that she is “working on” aging in reverse without the help of any cosmetic features. “I feel really proud that I’m all natural,” she told host, 31. “I’ve stayed out of the sun. I’ve never done any Botox, injectables, no surgery, nothing.” The “Paris in Love” star explained that she has maintained her youthful glow thanks to her mom Kathy Hilton’s skincare advice. “My mom told me when I was 8 years old, ‘Paris, stay out of the sun,'” she recalled. “And then she taught me this amazing 10-step skincare routine. So I’ve literally been doing that since [I was] 8.” Paris also noted she built an incredible in-home spa called the Sliving Spa. It features “the most epic” LED light therapy, offers Hydrafacials and cryotherapy, and hosts a hyperbaric chamber. A hyperbaric chamber is used for oxygen therapy that supplies the person inside with 100 percent oxygen, which can heal damaged tissue, according to the Cleveland Clinic . She previously called her spa “the fountain of youth” while speaking to People . Paris has been maintaining that she has never gone under the knife or gotten injections for years. In 2015, the “Simple Life” star claimed to New You magazine that she’s never had cosmestic surgery . “I even asked my dermatologist if I should do [Botox], and he’s like ‘I refuse to do it to you ... your skin is so perfect. I will not do it to you until you need it, and I don’t know if you ever will,'” she told the publication. She noted that she’s not against cosmetic procedures — they’re not just for her. In 2018, Paris reaffirmed her anti-aging secret while speaking to Page Six, telling us, “Stay out of the sun and always keep your skin hydrated.” In June of that year, the “Stars Are Blind” singer came out with a skincare line called ProD.N.A, which she said contained “all the ingredients that have worked to keep [her] skin healthy and looking great.” The brand appears to be defunct, as its Instagram page has not been active since 2020 and the products don’t appear to be purchasable through the provided links. However, Paris released a press release last week, revealing that her lifestyle company 11:11 Media is teaming up with beauty industry leader Guthy-Renker to create a joint company called 11:11 Beauty. “Now with 11:11 Beauty, partnering with Guthy-Renker has allowed me to bring my vision for beauty and wellness to life, blending cutting-edge technology with transformative results,” she said in the release. “The past couple of years have been a journey of passion and innovation and I can’t wait for the world to experience our first collection that will be unveiled Spring 2025.”Cisco has been quick to respond to the issue and has released a security advisory outlining the steps that organizations can take to mitigate the risk posed by this vulnerability. This includes applying the latest software updates and patches provided by Cisco, implementing access controls to restrict access to vulnerable devices, and monitoring network traffic for any signs of malicious activity.In conclusion, Muniain's performance against Manchester City and his belief in Athletic Bilbao's potential to claim 3 points in every match illustrate his passion for the game and his commitment to his team's success. His leadership both on and off the field sets a positive example for his teammates and inspires confidence in their ability to achieve their goals. As Athletic Bilbao continues their journey this season, Muniain's influence and impact will undoubtedly play a key role in shaping their destiny.
But perhaps the most memorable moment of the night was when Jay Chou and Kamenashi Kazuya performed a special duet together, sending fans into a frenzy of excitement and admiration. Their voices blended harmoniously, their stage presence captivating, and their mutual respect for each other evident in every note.The Middle East has once again found itself at the center of geopolitical tensions as the Iranian Ambassador issued a stark warning to the United States regarding the potential consequences of the collapse of the Assad regime in Syria. The Ambassador's warning has raised concerns about the possibility of a new wave of conflict engulfing the region, with Syria serving as a focal point for various regional and international actors.
Veteran forward Bruce Brown's return a boost to flagging Toronto Raptors' lineupNew Tax Reform on Shandong Water Resource Fee Released to Promote Water Conservation and Policy Incentives
The consequences of falling victim to this car loan scam are severe and far-reaching. Many individuals find themselves facing bankruptcy, foreclosure, and even legal action as a result of their involvement in this fraudulent scheme. The emotional toll of realizing that they have been duped and manipulated by unscrupulous actors takes a heavy toll on their mental well-being and sense of trust in others.The power of social media and the rapid dissemination of information online have both advantages and disadvantages. While it allows for quick communication and sharing of important news, it also opens the doors to the spread of rumors and misinformation. Recently, an unfounded rumor has been circulating online about John Doe being abducted, a claim for which no evidence or clues have been found yet. In times like these, it is crucial to debunk false information and prevent the spread of harmful rumors in order to protect the integrity of our society and environment.