Conclusion:None
MORGANTOWN – Imagine how difficult it must be to perfectly program timed traffic lights to optimize the flow of traffic in a densely populated urban area. Now imagine doing it from two cities over, or maybe 150 miles away. That, in a nutshell, is the setup when it comes to traffic lights in West Virginia. If Morgantown, or any other city in the state, needs to alter the timing of lights to better accommodate daily traffic, emergencies or special events, it requires someone somewhere else to make it happen. “Yes, oversight of the timing programmed into signals is handheld centrally by the Traffic Division in Charleston. If issues are reported with the timing of signals, those issues are investigated by our office remotely, by our field technicians, or by an on-call electrical contractor that we have in place,” DOH Director of Traffic Engineering Ted Whitmore explained. But why couldn’t it be done here, by someone who sits through these lights and experiences local traffic? Members of the Morgantown Monongalia Metropolitan Planning Organization Policy Board would like to find out. “There’s been quite a bit of discussion about RAISE Grants and potential grant opportunities that have come our way. We’ve been encouraged to explore big ideas,” MPO Executive Director Bill Austin said. “One of the big ideas that we’ve come up with has been the potential for exploring a traffic control center here, just so we could oversee and have better communication with the operation of the signals moving forward.” The board encouraged Austin to initiate those discussions. It was explained that the funds sub-allocated to be directed by the MPO each year could help cover the cost of the physical location and needed personnel. “It would allow the implementation of several timing routines to match the area’s traffic. For example, peak morning traffic has different characteristics than peak afternoon traffic, both of which are different from midday peak traffic and basketball game traffic or football game traffic,” Austin said. “A good portion of the signals in our area are capable of being programmed to match these peaks but it is simply not being done because all signal control is in Charleston, and since they monitor the whole state, they don’t have the manpower to personalize the programming for any one area.” Whitmore said perceived timing issues are often found to be broken or malfunctioning vehicle detection equipment. He said that if a timing issue is identified, adjustments can be made remotely in some cases, but not all, noting “In many cases a site visit is necessary. WVDOT maintains a very large network of traffic signals which vary in age. Not all signals have remote communications established.” If this idea were to get the blessing of the state, and that’s a significant “if,” it would be a first in West Virginia. “Establishing operational facilities outside of Charleston is not being considered at this time,” Whitmore said. “When issues are reported at key locations necessitating action quickly, if a site visit is necessary the WVDOT keeps a technician as well as our on-call contractor on call 24/7 to allow for response in typically no more than a few hours.” Even so, Monongalia County Commissioner Tom Bloom said he believes it’s worth the ask. “Governor-elect Morrisey has mentioned that he wants to do something significant in this area. I believe this is something that not only supports his goals and the state DOH, but it could resolve many of the problems up here,” Bloom said. Bloom said he believes it would allow for quicker responses to potential emergencies, like critical traffic lights going dark. “An emergency is when a light goes out Friday night before a football game on 705 and we can’t get it fixed for 48 hours. Now we need to get help from Charleston or the Huntington area, and they approve it and send someone out, often from another state, to come down to fix it,” Bloom said. “We’re looking at the feasibility of being trained and having the people up here who could solve these problems. Why wait when we could solve these problems in a couple hours before they become a safety factor?”
Four Italian peacekeepers were injured after two rockets struck the West Sector Headquarters of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in southern Lebanon, according to a statement by UNIFIL. The four peacekeepers are currently receiving treatment at the base hospital, and none of the injuries are life-threatening, said the statement on Friday. “The rockets, likely launched by Hezbollah or affiliated groups, impacted a bunker and a logistics area used by the international military police, causing significant damage to nearby infrastructure,” said the statement, noting that one of the affected structures caught fire, “but the blaze was swiftly extinguished by base personnel.” This marked the third attack on the UNIFIL base in the village of Chamaa within just one week, according to UNIFIL, Xinhua news agency reported. In the statement, UNIFIL reiterated its call for relevant parties to avoid fighting next to its positions, stressing, “The inviolability of UN premises and personnel must be respected at all times.” “Any attack against peacekeepers constitutes a serious violation of international law and United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701,” it added. UNIFIL sites and installations have previously been attacked, leading to injuries, amid the ongoing conflict between the Israeli army and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Earlier this week, four Ghanaian peacekeepers on duty sustained injuries as a rocket hit their base in the east of the southern Lebanese village of Ramyah.If I told you that a $5,000 investment in an ASX 300 just one year ago would be worth $30,000 today, you might be a little sceptical. After all, that kind of return (500%), especially among the larger companies on the ASX, is an exceptionally rare feat. It certainly beats the pants off most of the popular stocks on the ASX 300, including ( ) and ( ). It's even far greater than the returns of popular growth winners like ( ), ( ) and ( ). So, what is this highly lucrative ASX 300 stock? Well, it's none other than biotech company ( ). Yep, one year ago, you could have bought this ASX 300 stock for just 27 cents a pop. Today, those same shares are going for $1.63 each. That means if one had put $5,000 into Mesoblast shares in December of 2023, they would have been able to amass 18,518 shares (not accounting for brokerage costs). Today, those 18,518 shares would have a value of $30,184.34. Not a bad return for just one year of waiting. So, how has this ASX 300 healthcare stock delivered such an eye-watering gain in so little time? How has this ASX 300 healthcare stock rocketed 500% in a year? Well, Mesoblast regularly experiences the same double-edged sword that most other biotech companies do. Investors tend to flood in when the company is expected to successfully bring a product to market. But equally, investors can bail out en masse if the company experiences setbacks in these endeavours. A year ago, Mesoblast was in the middle of one of those latter cycles. Its attempts to bring an anti-inflammation drug to market had been met with numerous setbacks, including rejections from government agencies like the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, all of that changed in late March of this year. As , Mesoblast revealed that the FDA had finally given the company approval to submit a Biologics License Application (BLA) for its 'Ryoncil' remestemcel-L treatment. The company's shares promptly rocketed close to 200% over the following week or so and have continued to trend upward ever since. It's clear that investors anticipate that this ASX 300 healthcare stock will continue to find success with Ryoncil and have adjusted the Mesoblast share price accordingly. The company itself shares that confidence, with Mesoblast already with its biggest investors that will give it access to additional capital if the FDA gives Ryoncil approval. Foolish takeaway Before you turn green with envy though, it's worth noting that this ASX 300 healthcare stock has only been a lucrative investment for a handful of buyers. If you owned this stock for more than a few years, chances are you might still be nursing a loss. Despite the astonishing gains that Mesoblast shares have made over the past 12 months, this ASX 300 healthcare stock is down by 15% over the past five years. In fact, any investor who bought this company back in August 2020 would still be sitting on a loss of more than 68% today. Check that out for yourself below before you go:
Lucknow: Singer and actor Diljit Dosanjh won the hearts of Uttar Pradesh's citizens not only with his electrifying performance at Ekana Stadium in Lucknow but also with his heartfelt appreciation of the state police's management at the event. Dosanjh took to social media to thank the Uttar Pradesh Police for their hospitality and arrangements during his concert, describing it as the best he had ever experienced. The official Uttar Pradesh Police Twitter handle, @Uppolice, responded to Diljit's post in a playful and creative manner, mirroring his style and humor. The tweet read: "Do you know, @diljitdosanjh ji, your praise has made UP Police's heart feel like ‘15 Taara'! Your show ‘Born to Shine' was a moment, and now the whole city is your ‘lover.' Always keep coming with 'Proper Patola' vibes! JJ" This witty and heartfelt response from the police department went viral, capturing the attention of thousands. In just eight hours, the tweet was viewed by over 80,000 people, garnered more than 4,400 likes, and was retweeted 554 times. The playful tone resonated with the public, with many expressing admirations for the police's ability to connect with the masses through social media. Dosanjh had earlier expressed his gratitude by posting: "Baut Baut Shukriya A. Sab Se Acha Arrangement UP Mai Mila. Mai FAN HO GAYA A. Very Respectful Host C." The singer also acknowledged the efforts of the Joint Commissioner of Police (L&O), Lucknow, praising the respectful and efficient organisation of the event. Maharashtra Jharkhand Maharashtra Alliance View i Party View Seats: 288 Results Majority: 145 BJP+ 229 MVA 47 OTH 12 Results : 288 / 288 BJP+ WON Jharkhand Alliance View i Party View Seats: 81 Results Majority: 41 INDIA 56 NDA 24 OTH 1 Results : 81 / 81 INDIA WON Source: PValue JCP, LO, Amit Verma, who spearheaded the preparation, said that the preparation for Dosanjh's show was done two months in advance.The Latest: Police search for man who killed UnitedHealthcare CEO, new photos of suspect released
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In a world that sometimes feels monotonous and predictable, Zuo and his "Monkey Zuo" hairstyle serve as a refreshing reminder that true beauty lies in the courage to be uniquely oneself. So, let us all take a page from Zuo's book and dare to embrace our individuality with confidence and grace, just like the playful and fearless monkeys that inspired it all.India News | Gujarat CM Announces Formation of AI Task Force to Accelerate Administrative Reforms at 11th Chintan Shibir
Luxury real estate brokers charged in federal indictment with sex trafficking in NYCIn the world of online shopping, there is no shortage of deals and discounts to take advantage of. However, every once in a while, a promotion comes along that truly stands out from the rest. That is exactly what is happening now with the South Mountain coupon campaign, which promises substantial savings on a wide range of products across the country.
I’m no stranger to the dangers of social media and gaming culture, or of allowing children too much screen time. My family lived through the nightmare of watching our smart and outgoing son fall prey to an online cult through the messaging platform Discord, which my husband and I had approved as safe. We witnessed our once-happy boy tumble into a world of isolation, anger and despair, ultimately leading him to attempt suicide. Twice. Thankfully, we were able to intervene, and we got him the support he needed. So when the U.S. surgeon general issued a dire warning to Americans that young people are experiencing a mental health crisis driven by social media, he was speaking directly to the horrific experiences of families like ours. Yet when I see schools banning phones and blocking social media and governments limiting the use of technology for young people, I worry those actions may backfire, making them even more enticing to adolescents and teens, who naturally test limits as part of their normal development. Don’t we have an obligation to teach our children how to navigate these spaces safely instead of just limiting their access? Australia just passed sweeping legislation to ban children under age 16 from social media, which would put apps like TikTok and many others off limits. The U.S. House of Representatives, meanwhile, is poised to vote on the Kids Online Safety Act , which passed the Senate by a vote of 91-3 in July. While I support mandating oversight for social media companies, this bill won’t solve the fundamental problems. To address the underlying crisis, we need to teach young people how to use online platforms and digital resources in a way that is healthy and responsible. Joshua Buxbaum June 21, 2024 The Kids Online Safety Act creates a “duty of care” for social media companies, making them responsible for mitigating harms to young users and requiring annual risk assessments . But relying solely on social media and online gaming companies to keep kids safe is a losing proposition. While companies certainly have ethical obligations to protect young users, legislation is a blunt instrument for making nuanced decisions on what content is appropriate for young people. The language of the bill prompted 28 advocacy organizations – including the American Civil Liberties Union, the Electronic Frontier Foundation and LGBT Tech – to sign a Dec. 9 letter to congressional leadership opposing KOSA . Their letter argues that the bill could lead to arbitrarily stifling young people’s access to educational information related to reproductive health, LGBTQ+ content and other topics that are relevant to marginalized youth. Even those of us who support this bill can’t allow it to lessen the urgency of finding other safeguards. Just as car safety standards don’t remove the need for driver’s education, students still need direct instruction on the digital rules of the road. Similarly, families and educators need help building better relationships with the tools their children will continue to use. We have failed to protect our kids from the power of the online world – and we must remedy that. But rather than fixating on bans on users and companies that are unlikely to change kids’ behaviors, we should be asking how we can help young people create healthier relationships with technology that is an inevitable and growing part of their lives. Based on my professional expertise in education technology and my family’s difficult experience, I want to offer practical advice for families and educators to teach healthy technology use and build responsible stewardship of online social media and gaming sites. These are skills that young people need, regardless of government intervention. We should not fall into the trap of making social media content “forbidden fruit” that invites boundary-challenging teenagers to redouble their efforts to consume it. First, we need to recognize that even if they are “digital natives,” young people encounter new things every day, just like the rest of us. Sure, they’ve grown up with smartphones and social media. But when it comes to navigating digital tools like ChatGPT or even spreadsheets, they’re often just as confused as their parents. We have a responsibility to arm them with the skills and resources for safely navigating these spaces and developing the life skills they require. When a child turns 16, we don’t throw them keys to the family car and say, “Have fun!” So why are we putting powerful technology in the hands of kids without teaching them how to safely operate the various platforms? I often use the concept of a “digital media driver’s license” to help parents and educators think about how we can teach kids at home and in classrooms to develop healthy tech habits. Scott Allendevaux July 25, 2024 One activity that’s proven particularly powerful is asking students to download TikTok’s user agreement , copy and paste it into an AI chatbot, and direct the bot to give them the highlights and outline how it uses their personal information. Not only do they learn how to use AI as an effective tool to translate a 70-page user agreement, but they’re also learning just how much personal information the platform takes from them and stores. We’ve heard from educators that when students do this exercise in class, nearly half of them take TikTok off their phones because they’re so upset with the way the app is using their information to sell ads. Digital literacy and digital citizenship education, beginning as early as kindergarten, should teach kids age-appropriate skills to keep themselves safe, to protect their data and identity, and to learn ethics for online engagement. Students have long been taught to cite reliable sources for academic purposes; they need to learn how to extend this skill to content on social media and elsewhere online. As AI grows in prevalence, bringing healthy skepticism to images seen online (looking for telltale signs of manipulation, for example) is vital. Additionally, students need to be able to distinguish credible news from misinformation, and they must build the muscle of cross-referencing facts. That’s only half the equation, though: Young people are not just consumers of online content, they’re also creators. It’s vital that we teach students how to engage online with kindness and respect, and how to express ideas and opinions in constructive, impactful ways. We also need to talk more to kids about how their actions online – particularly cyberbullying – create a ripple effect that has a real impact on people’s lives. In one of the more extreme examples, eighth grade students at a middle school in Pennsylvania created fake TikTok accounts impersonating more than 20 of their teachers, filling them with racist and homophobic memes and innuendo about pedophilia. The actions wreaked havoc on teachers’ lives and resulted in suspensions for the students involved. The worst part: many of the students didn’t seem to understand why what they did was wrong . It’s also important to set clear rules and boundaries – and model them ourselves. In my home, we have “No Tech Sunday” once a month, when no one in our family is allowed to use technology from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. It’s as challenging for me as it is for my kids, but these are also the days in which we are most likely to end up in deep conversations, enjoy board games and get outside for fresh air. The flip side of this is just as important: having dedicated time for technology and social media. During these periods, we should teach our kids what it means to have a digital footprint, how to create and manage their own, and how to grasp the permanence of it. I appreciate the need to limit cellphones in class to keep the focus on instruction, but when students are allowed to use them at recess, during lunch or after school, they rush back to their devices instead of engaging with their peers in person and can even fail to eat lunch. By helping to solve one problem, we created additional ones. And cellphones are only one type of device students use: 96% of teachers say their students use tablets or laptops in the classroom at least once a month. We need to dedicate class time to ensuring students can use these digital tools responsibly and effectively. While the perils of technology are real, we shouldn’t embrace the attitude that technology is inherently bad. But that’s a potential message sent by the KOSA legislation before the U.S. Congress and the bill recently passed in Australia. Instead, each of us needs to teach students how to harness the potential of technology to do good things and to unleash their creativity. Fostering an open communication about the pitfalls as well as the positive impact will help them make smart, informed decisions. As for my family, we count ourselves among the lucky: Our son graduated high school last spring, and he is thriving. We are thankful every day for where he is now. We hope that smart and respectful approaches to educating our children about social media, as opposed to outright bans, will help protect many other families. Lisa O’Masta is CEO of Learning.com, a digital curriculum used by more than 1.5 million students each year to help educators and students develop healthy and proficient relationships with technology.
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