A judge on Monday rejected a request to block a San Jose State women's volleyball team member from playing in a conference tournament on grounds that she is transgender. The ruling by U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Kato Crews in Denver will allow the player, who has played all season, to compete in the Mountain West Conference women's championship opening this week in Las Vegas. The ruling comes in a lawsuit filed by nine current players against the Mountain West Conference challenging the league's policies for allowing transgender players to participate. The players argued that letting her compete was a safety risk and unfair. While some media have reported those and other details, neither San Jose State nor the forfeiting teams have confirmed the school has a trans woman volleyball player. The Associated Press is withholding the player's name because she has not commented publicly on her gender identity. School officials also have declined an interview request with the player. Crews' ruling referred to the athlete as an "alleged transgender" player and noted that no defendant disputed that the San Jose State roster includes a transgender woman player. San Jose State will "continue to support its student-athletes and reject discrimination in all forms," the university said in a statement, confirming that all its student-athletes are eligible to participate under NCAA and conference rules. "We are gratified that the Court rejected an eleventh-hour attempt to change those rules. Our team looks forward to competing in the Mountain West volleyball tournament this week." The conference did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. The players filed a notice for emergency appeal with the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Crews said the players who filed the complaint could have sought relief much earlier, noting the individual universities had acknowledged that not playing their games against San Jose State this season would result in a loss in league standings. He also refused a request to re-seed the tournament without the forfeited losses. The judge said injunctions are meant to preserve the status quo. The conference policy regarding forfeiting for refusing to play against a team with a transgender player had been in effect since 2022 and the San Jose State player has been on the roster since 2022 — making that the status quo. The player competed at the college level three previous seasons, including two for San Jose State, drawing little attention. This season's awareness of her reported identity led to an uproar among some players, pundits, parents and politicians in a major election year. Crews' ruling also said injunctions are meant to prevent harm, but in this case, he argued, the harm has already occurred. The games have been forfeited, the tournament has been seeded, the teams have made travel plans and the participants have confirmed they're playing. The tournament starts Wednesday and continues Friday and Saturday. Colorado State is seeded first and San Jose State, second. The teams split their regular-season matches and both get byes into Friday's semifinals. San Jose State will play the winner of Wednesday's match between Utah State and Boise State — teams that both forfeited matches to SJSU during the regular season. The conference tournament winner gets an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. San Jose State coach Todd Kress, whose team has not competed in the national tournament since 2001, has said his team has been getting "messages of hate" and that has taken a toll on his players. Several teams refused to play against San Jose State during the season, earning losses in the official conference standings. Boise State and Wyoming each had two forfeits while Utah State and Nevada both had one. Southern Utah, a member of the Western Athletic Conference, was first to cancel against San Jose State this year. Nevada's players stated they "refuse to participate in any match that advances injustice against female athletes," without elaborating. Nevada did not qualify for the conference tournament. The nine current players and others now suing the Mountain West Conference, the California State University Board of Trustees and others include San Jose State senior setter and co-captain Brooke Slusser. The teammate Slusser says is transgender hits the volleyball with more force than others on the team, raising fear during practices of suffering concussions from a head hit, the complaint says. The Independent Council on Women's Sports is funding a separate lawsuit against the NCAA for allowing transgender women to compete in women's sports. Both lawsuits claim the landmark 1972 federal antidiscrimination law known as Title IX prohibits transgender women in women's sports. Title IX prohibits sexual discrimination in federally funded education; Slusser is a plaintiff in both lawsuits. Several circuit courts have used a U.S. Supreme Court ruling to conclude that discriminating against someone based on their transgender status or sexual orientation is sex-based discrimination, Crews wrote. That means case law does not prove the "likelihood of success" needed to grant an injunction. An NCAA policy that subjects transgender participation to the rules of sports governing bodies took effect this academic year. USA Volleyball says a trans woman must suppress testosterone for 12 months before competing. The NCAA has not flagged any issues with San Jose State. The Republican governors of Idaho, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming have made public statements in support of the team cancellations, citing fairness in women's sports. President-elect Donald Trump likewise has spoken out against allowing transgender women to compete in women's sports. Crews was a magistrate judge in Colorado's U.S. District Court for more than five years before President Joe Biden appointed him as a federal judge in January. Get local news delivered to your inbox!
New Delhi: India slammed developed countries for causing the climate crisis during a landmark hearing at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Thursday, saying they exploited the global carbon budget, failed to honour climate-finance promises and are now demanding that developing countries restrict their resource use. The court is examining what legal obligations countries have to address climate change and the consequences if they fail. India also urged the ICJ to avoid creating new obligations that go beyond the existing climate-change framework. “The court may exercise due caution to avoid devising new or additional obligations beyond what is already agreed under the existing climate-change regime, which take into consideration historic emissions, climate justice and the principal principle of equity and CBDR-RC, as well as the equitable access to the global carbon budget,” the country said. China and the United States have also told the court that the existing UN framework is sufficient to determine States’ legal obligations to fight climate change. Making submissions on behalf of India, Luther M Rangreji, joint secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), said, “If contribution to degradation is unequal, responsibility must also be unequal.” He said climate change is a global problem that requires a global solution, but the solutions must respect the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities (CBDR-RC), which is at the heart of the climate-change regime. “It is inequitable and unjust to expect countries with negligible historical emissions to bear an equal burden in mitigating climate change.... Developed nations must lead by example by achieving net zero well before 2050 and providing the means of implementation to developing nations,” India said. Rangreji said developing nations are the hardest hit by climate change, despite contributing the least to it. “The developed world, which historically contributed the most, is ironically the best equipped with the technological and economic means to address this challenge,” the official said. He criticised rich countries for enjoying the benefits of fossil fuels while discouraging developing nations from using their own energy resources. “Countries which have reaped development benefits from exploiting fossil fuels demand developing countries to not utilise the energy resources available to them,” India argued. It said the obligations of developing countries under the Paris Agreement are dependent on the fulfilment of two important factors — one, aspects of climate finance and two, climate justice. India also slammed the lack of action on climate-finance commitments. “The USD 100 billion pledged at the Copenhagen COP in 2009 by developed country parties and the doubling of the contribution to the Adaptation Fund have not yet been translated into any concrete actions,” it noted. India called the new climate-finance package for the Global South agreed at COP29 in Azerbaijan’s Baku “too little, too distant” to meet the urgent needs of developing countries. “Climate finance is a critical enabler for planning and implementing ambitious climate actions and an essential element for building trust in climate multilateralism. Any fair or meaningful assessment of obligations of States cannot be conducted without simultaneously assessing the climate-finance support provided,” the country said. India stressed the principle of fairness and equity, saying, “If contribution to global environmental degradation is unequal, the responsibility should also be unequal.” The fast-developing South Asian nation also reaffirmed its commitment to its climate targets under the Paris Agreement but warned against overburdening its citizens. “There is a limit on how much we burden our citizens, even when India is pursuing Sustainable Development Goals for one-sixth of humanity,” it said. India is home to about 17.8 per cent of the current global population. However, its contribution to climate change is less than 4 per cent historically. “Our per capita greenhouse gas emissions are less than half of the global average. Nevertheless, India has been undertaking ambitious national climate actions in good faith as a solutions provider. “Despite having overriding priorities for poverty eradication and achieving Sustainable Development Goals, India has contributed more than its fair share in the global climate actions,” Rangreji stressed. The country also said the science behind climate change is evolving and it may carry biases based on the choices made in interpreting evidence. Therefore, it said, decisions on who should do what cannot be guided by science alone. The hearing is the result of years of campaigning by Pacific island nations and Vanuatu, which led to a UN resolution asking the ICJ for an advisory opinion. Over the next two weeks, 98 countries, including small island nations and large emitters, will present their views. Though non-binding, the ICJ’s opinion could set a moral and legal benchmark in the global fight against climate change.AGFC stocks Arkansas roadways with conservation license plate
IP Camera Market to Reach USD 2.49 Billion by 2032 | Amid Increasing Demand for Advanced Security Solutions | Research by SNS InsiderNEW YORK , Dec. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- CSharpCorner , the world's premier developer community, is excited to announce its 2025 lineup of industry-leading conferences, addressing the growing demand for events that drive education, networking, and innovation in all areas of software development, including Web3 and AI. These conferences, attended by hundreds of thousands annually, continue to provide valuable opportunities for developers to Learn, Earn, and Grow. CSharpCorner's 2025 calendar offers a dynamic mix of virtual and in-person events, providing cutting-edge content, career growth opportunities, and networking with industry experts to support a thriving developer ecosystem. 2025 Conference Lineup: "At CSharp, our mission is to empower developers by offering platforms where they can access cutting-edge content, connect with like-minded professionals, and advance their careers," said Mahesh Chand , founder & CEO of CSharpCorner. "Our 2025 conferences are designed to meet the evolving needs of the developer community, driving innovation in areas like Web3, AI, cloud computing, and software architecture." CSharpCorner plays a pivotal role in supporting developers worldwide, equipping them with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed in an ever-changing technology landscape. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/csharpcorner-announces-2025-industry-leading-conference-lineup-to-drive-education-and-innovation-in-software-development-302339766.html SOURCE CSharp IncNone
House rejects Democratic efforts to force release of Matt Gaetz ethics reportWhat's Going On With Tesla Stock Today?
Donald Trump has yet to move back into the White House and already fissures are opening in his coalition, amid squabbling between Elon Musk and his Silicon Valley "tech bros" and his hardcore Republican backers. At the heart of the internecine sniping is Trump's central election issue -- immigration -- and the H1-B visas that allow companies to bring foreigners with specific qualifications to the United States. The permits are widely used in Silicon Valley, and Musk -- who himself came to the United States from South Africa on an H1-B -- is a fervent advocate. The world's richest man, who bankrolled Trump's election campaign and has become a close advisor, posted on X Thursday that welcoming elite engineering talent from abroad was "essential for America to keep winning." Vivek Ramaswamy, appointed by Trump as Musk's co-chair on a new advisory board on government efficiency, suggested that companies prefer foreign workers because they lack an "American culture," which he said venerates mediocrity. "A culture that celebrates the prom queen over the math olympiad champ, or the jock over the valedictorian, will not produce the best engineers," he posted, warning that, without a change in attitude, "we'll have our asses handed to us by China." Skepticism over the benefits of immigration is a hallmark of Trump's "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) movement and the billionaires' remarks angered immigration hawks who accused them of ignoring US achievements in technological innovation. Incoming White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller posted a 2020 speech in which Trump marveled at the American "culture" that had "harnessed electricity, split the atom, and gave the world the telephone and the Internet." The post appeared calculated to remind critics that Trump won November's election on a platform of getting tough on immigration and boosting American manufacturing. But it was Michael Faraday, an English scientist, who discovered that an electric current could be produced by passing a magnet through a copper wire and Ernest Rutherford, a New Zealander, who first split the atom. And Alexander Graham Bell may have died a US citizen but he was a British subject in Canada when he invented the telephone. Trump voiced opposition to H1-B visas during his successful first run for the White House in 2016, calling them "unfair for our workers" while acknowledging that he used foreign labor in his own businesses. The Republican placed restrictions on the system when he took office, but the curbs were lifted by President Joe Biden. Trump is known for enjoying the gladiatorial spectacle when conflict breaks out in his inner circle. He has been conspicuously silent during the hostilities that Politico characterized as "Musk vs MAGA." Many MAGA figures have been agitating for a complete closure of America's borders while the problem of illegal entries is tackled, and hoping for a steer from Trump that would reassure them that he remains firm in his "America First" stance. For some long-time loyalists, Silicon Valley has already inserted itself too deeply into MAGA politics. "We welcomed the tech bros when they came running our way to avoid the 3rd grade teacher picking their kid's gender -- and the obvious Biden/Harris economic decline," said Matt Gaetz, the scandal-hit congressman forced to withdraw after being nominated by Trump to run the Justice Department. "We did not ask them to engineer an immigration policy." When Musk almost single-handedly blew up a deal painstakingly hammered out between Democrats and Republicans to set the 2025 federal budget, Democrats used "President Musk" to mock Trump, who is famously sensitive about being upstaged. It remains to be seen whether these cracks can be smoothed out or if they are a portent of further strife, but critics point to the chaos in Trump's first term as a potential indicator. "Looking forward to the inevitable divorce between President Trump and Big Tech," said far-right conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer, a MAGA figure with so much influence that she had a seat on Trump's plane during the campaign. "We have to protect President Trump from the technocrats." Loomer has subsequently complained of censorship after she was stripped of her paying subscribers on X, which is owned by Musk. "Full censorship of my account simply because I called out H1B visas," she posted. "This is anti-American behavior by tech oligarchs. What happened to free speech?" rle/ft/sms
Deep-pocketed investors have adopted a bullish approach towards Mobileye Global MBLY , and it's something market players shouldn't ignore. Our tracking of public options records at Benzinga unveiled this significant move today. The identity of these investors remains unknown, but such a substantial move in MBLY usually suggests something big is about to happen. We gleaned this information from our observations today when Benzinga's options scanner highlighted 12 extraordinary options activities for Mobileye Global. This level of activity is out of the ordinary. The general mood among these heavyweight investors is divided, with 58% leaning bullish and 41% bearish. Among these notable options, 2 are puts, totaling $70,339, and 10 are calls, amounting to $538,719. Predicted Price Range Taking into account the Volume and Open Interest on these contracts, it appears that whales have been targeting a price range from $17.0 to $22.0 for Mobileye Global over the last 3 months. Insights into Volume & Open Interest Examining the volume and open interest provides crucial insights into stock research. This information is key in gauging liquidity and interest levels for Mobileye Global's options at certain strike prices. Below, we present a snapshot of the trends in volume and open interest for calls and puts across Mobileye Global's significant trades, within a strike price range of $17.0 to $22.0, over the past month. Mobileye Global 30-Day Option Volume & Interest Snapshot Largest Options Trades Observed: Symbol PUT/CALL Trade Type Sentiment Exp. Date Ask Bid Price Strike Price Total Trade Price Open Interest Volume MBLY CALL SWEEP BULLISH 05/16/25 $5.2 $5.1 $5.2 $17.00 $91.8K 2.6K 178 MBLY CALL TRADE BEARISH 01/17/25 $1.55 $1.3 $1.4 $20.00 $91.2K 11.2K 735 MBLY CALL TRADE BULLISH 02/21/25 $2.85 $2.8 $2.85 $20.00 $82.6K 9.0K 6.4K MBLY CALL SWEEP BULLISH 01/03/25 $2.7 $2.65 $2.65 $17.00 $69.1K 230 675 MBLY CALL SWEEP BULLISH 02/21/25 $2.5 $2.4 $2.49 $20.00 $44.8K 9.0K 882 About Mobileye Global Mobileye Global Inc engages in the development and deployment of ADAS and autonomous driving technologies and solutions. It is building a portfolio of end-to-end ADAS and autonomous driving solutions to provide the capabilities needed for the future of autonomous driving, leveraging a comprehensive suite of purpose-built software and hardware technologies. Mobileye is the Company's only reportable operating segment. Its solutions comprise Driver Assist, Cloud-Enhanced Driver Assist, Mobileye SuperVision Lite, Mobileye SuperVision, Mobileye Chauffeur, Mobileye Drive, Self-Driving System & Vehicles. It also provides data services to Expedite Maintenance Operations with AI-Powered Road Survey Technology. Having examined the options trading patterns of Mobileye Global, our attention now turns directly to the company. This shift allows us to delve into its present market position and performance Where Is Mobileye Global Standing Right Now? Currently trading with a volume of 3,623,808, the MBLY's price is up by 2.57%, now at $19.97. RSI readings suggest the stock is currently may be approaching overbought. Anticipated earnings release is in 27 days. Turn $1000 into $1270 in just 20 days? 20-year pro options trader reveals his one-line chart technique that shows when to buy and sell. Copy his trades, which have had averaged a 27% profit every 20 days. Click here for access . Options trading presents higher risks and potential rewards. Astute traders manage these risks by continually educating themselves, adapting their strategies, monitoring multiple indicators, and keeping a close eye on market movements. Stay informed about the latest Mobileye Global options trades with real-time alerts from Benzinga Pro . © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.The sports world received heartbreaking news on Friday regarding one of the industry's biggest media stars. Longtime CBS Sports broadcaster Greg Gumbel has reportedly died at the age of 78 years old after a battle with cancer. His family confirmed the news on Friday. "It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our beloved husband and father, Greg Gumbel," his wife, Marcy, and his daughter, Michelle, said in a statement . "He passed away peacefully surrounded by much love after a courageous battle with cancer. Greg approached his illness like one would expect he would, with stoicism, grace, and positivity. "He leaves behind a legacy of love, inspiration and dedication to over 50 extraordinary years in the sports broadcast industry; and his iconic voice will never be forgotten. "Greg's memory will forever be treasured by his family, dearest friends, colleagues and all who loved him." A statement from the family of Greg Gumbel pic.twitter.com/oAkSrW8EtJ Gumbel was best known as the voice of Selection Sunday, the CBS bracket show that revealed the 68-team field for college basketball's annual March Madness tournament. The older brother of sports journalist Bryant Gumbel, he acted as the in-studio host for CBS's coverage of the competition until 2023. Gumbel also was known for his work in the NFL, working as a play-by-play announcer for NFL on CBS. Gumbel made history in 2001 when he became the first African-American announcer to call play-by-play of a major U.S. sports championship, as he was on the call for Super Bowl 35 between the Ravens and the Giants. He celebrated his 50th year in broadcasting throughout 2022. "The CBS Sports family is devastated by the passing of Greg Gumbel," David Berson said , president & CEO of CBS Sports. "There has never been a finer gentleman in all of television. He was beloved and respected by those of us who had the honor to call him a friend and colleague. "A tremendous broadcaster and gifted storyteller, Greg led one of the most remarkable and groundbreaking sports broadcasting careers of all time. He was a familiar and welcoming voice for fans across many sports, including the NFL and March Madness, highlighted by the Super Bowl and Final Four. "Greg broke barriers and set the standard for others to follow. It is an extremely sad day for all of us at CBS Sports and the entire sports community. We will miss Greg dearly, and send our deepest condolences to his wife Marcy, daughter Michelle, and his entire family." Sports world reacts to death of Greg Gumbel Following the news of Gumbel's death, many prominent outlets and sports media personalities took to social media to give their thoughts on his passing. Greg Gumbel has passed away at the age of 78. Forever a legendary March Madness voice. pic.twitter.com/XXNlIl01rP Selection Sunday will never be the same 😔 RIP Greg Gumbel 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/ovV1YhgBHJ Wow. RIP Greg Gumbel. Selection Sunday will never be the same. pic.twitter.com/eoP8udgQLQ So sad to hear about the passing of Greg Gumbel. Whether hosting or calling games Greg did it with passion poise and made it look effortless. One of the best ever RIP pic.twitter.com/PqV2gj4wma RIP to Greg Gumbel, the voice behind one of the greatest wins in Ravens history. pic.twitter.com/DgpvScTLqu RIP to Greg Gumbel, the voice behind one of the greatest wins in Ravens history. pic.twitter.com/DgpvScTLqu The NCAA tournament theme music on CBS and Greg Gumbel’s voice on the 3rd Sunday of March gave you a pep in your step knowing that you made it through the winter, and spring and the best 4 days on the sports calendar was right around the corner. https://t.co/Vq2fYiZcID RIP to Greg Gumbel, the host of College Basketball for as long as I can remember. When I think of Selection Sunday and the CBS College Basketball studio show, he is always the first thing that comes to mind and had understated greatness. He was 78 years old pic.twitter.com/7HAivT1QuL This March Madness desk was the best RIP Greg Gumbel pic.twitter.com/Z6UabbPAHd Sports broadcaster Greg Gumbel has died at the age of 78, CBS Sports announced. Gumbel worked at CBS Sports as a play-by-play announcer and studio host for their college basketball and NFL broadcasts. pic.twitter.com/SZDwyMnHRK Terribly sad news. Greg Gumbel was the face of March Madness to so many of us. https://t.co/OPfTsuiJpr There was no kinder person in Sports television than Greg Gumbel. How fortunate I was to have worked with him while I did at CBS. What a loss. Rest easy, Greg. Thank you for all the great moments you provided the viewers — and your colleagues. https://t.co/4Cje9zVXid Greg Gumbel had the kind of career we dream of in our industry. He was talented, versatile, professional, respected, and tenured. Sad to learn of his passing, and sad that I never met him and got to say thank you for the inspiration. RIP 🙏🏾 Greg Gumbel called this inconic OBJ touchdown back in 2016. Such a great career. RIP to a legend. pic.twitter.com/M7nsPB9K2m https://t.co/5WKFGHLBCo RIP Greg Gumbel who covered the Knicks for MSG. Here he is interviewing Michael Jordan in the Garden 1987 pic.twitter.com/rZ2yn48aIg Greg Gumbel was a giant in the business. Unflappable. I wrote for him at two Olympics, in Lillehammer and Atlanta. In Lillehammer, he was hosting the highest-rated unscripted show in tv history--second highest-rated, period, surpassed only by the last episode of MASH--and he was... pic.twitter.com/WWbDHhPl5O Greg Gumbel calling your team’s name on Selection Sunday was such an electric feeling. We lost a legend. pic.twitter.com/Trb5gKDHzm Never forget when Greg Gumbel lost it on air during Charles Barkley’s hilarious uniform washing story lol 😂 pic.twitter.com/h9ZDiezX9B RIP🙏 Gumbel was a great broadcaster. I’ll always remember this legendary call on the Kiko Alonso pick 6. https://t.co/nuLIkpEQlO pic.twitter.com/BysF0rKK3l
Judge rejects request to sideline SJSU volleyball playerDerek Carr suffered apparent fracture to left hand
On the back of slightly discouraging news, Dollar General ( DG 0.13% ) stock traded down in early action on Thursday before recovering. By the end of the day it had landed in positive territory, but only slightly, closing 0.1% higher in price. At least that was good enough to top the S&P 500 index on the day, as that stock market bellwether fell by 0.2%. Mixed fortunes Dollar General's major Thursday news item was its third-quarter results, which were unveiled hours before market open. For the period, the budget retailer managed to increase its net sales by 5% year over year to $10.2 billion, on same-store sales that grew by slightly over 1%. Traveling in quite the opposite direction was GAAP net income; this landed at $196.5 million, or $0.89 per share, from the year-ago profit of over $276 million for a queasy 29% drop. This meant a mixed quarter for the company. It beat on the top line, as analysts tracking it were expecting slightly more than $10.1 billion. However, the consensus net income estimate was $0.95 per share. Acknowledging the fallout from economic worries shared by many Americans during the period, Dollar General nevertheless sounded a bullish note on its performance. It quoted CEO Todd Vasos as saying that "While we continue to operate in an environment where our core customer is financially constrained, we delivered same-store sales near the top end of our expectations for the quarter." Guidance tightened Dollar General revised its guidance for full-year 2024. It now expects that net sales will see annual growth of 4.8% to 5.1%; the preceding forecast was looser, at 4.7% to 5.3%. The dynamic was similar with the yearly same-store sales growth estimate -- this is now 1.1% to 1.4%, trimmed from 1% to 1.6%. Finally, net income should come in at $5.50 to $5.90. The company formerly provided a range of $5.50 to $6.20. Although there were bright spots in the earnings report, it was hard for investors to ignore that scary drop in profitability. Management will have to earn back the market's confidence in light of that.The Sabarmati Report team meet Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi
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This week, authorities from the U.K., E.U., U.S., and seven other nations gathered in San Francisco to launch the “International Network of AI Safety Institutes.” The meeting, which took place at the Presidio Golden Gate Club, addressed managing the risks of AI-generated content, testing foundation models, and conducting risk assessments for advanced AI systems. AI safety institutes from Australia, Canada, France, Japan, Kenya, the Republic of Korea, and Singapore also officially joined the Network. In addition to signing a mission statement , more than $11 million in funding was allocated to research into AI-generated content, and the results of the Network’s first joint safety testing exercise were reviewed. Attendees included regulatory officials, AI developers, academics, and civil society leaders to aid the discussion on emerging AI challenges and potential safeguards. The convening built on the progress made at the previous AI Safety Summit in May, which took place in Seoul. The 10 nations agreed to foster “international cooperation and dialogue on artificial intelligence in the face of its unprecedented advancements and the impact on our economies and societies.” “The International Network of AI Safety Institutes will serve as a forum for collaboration, bringing together technical expertise to address AI safety risks and best practices,” according to the European Commission . “Recognising the importance of cultural and linguistic diversity, the Network will work towards a unified understanding of AI safety risks and mitigation strategies.” Member AI Safety Institutes will have to demonstrate their progress in AI safety testing and evaluation by the Paris AI Impact Summit in February 2025 so they can move forward with discussions around regulation. Key outcomes of the conference Mission statement signed The mission statement commits the Network members to collaborate in four areas: Research: Collaborating with the AI safety research community and sharing findings. Testing: Developing and sharing best practices for testing advanced AI systems. Guidance: Facilitating shared approaches to interpreting AI safety test results. Inclusion: Sharing information and technical tools to broaden participation in AI safety science. Over $11 million allocated to AI safety research In total, Network members and several nonprofits announced over $11 million of funding for research into mitigating the risk of AI-generated content. Child sexual abuse material, non-consensual sexual imagery, and the use of AI for fraud and impersonation were highlighted as key areas of concern. Funding will be allocated as a priority to researchers investigating digital content transparency techniques and model safeguards to prevent the generation and distribution of harmful content. Grants will be considered for scientists developing technical mitigations and social scientific and humanistic assessments. The U.S. institute also released a series of voluntary approaches to address the risks of AI-generated content. The results of a joint testing exercise discussed The network has completed its first-ever joint testing exercise on Meta’s Llama 3.1 405B, looking into its general knowledge, multi-lingual capabilities, and closed-domain hallucinations, where a model provides information from outside the realm of what it was instructed to refer to. The exercise raised several considerations for how AI safety testing across languages, cultures, and contexts could be improved. For example, the impact minor methodological differences and model optimisation techniques can have on evaluation results. Broader joint testing exercises will take place before the Paris AI Action Summit. Shared basis for risk assessments agreed The network has agreed upon a shared scientific basis for AI risk assessments , including that they must be actionable, transparent, comprehensive, multistakeholder, iterative, and reproducible. Members discussed how it could be operationalised. U.S.’s ‘Testing Risks of AI for National Security’ task force established Finally, the new TRAINS task force was established, led by the U.S. AI Safety Institute, and included experts from other U.S. agencies, including Commerce, Defense, Energy, and Homeland Security. All members will test AI models to manage national security risks in domains such as radiological and nuclear security, chemical and biological security, cybersecurity, critical infrastructure, and military capabilities. SEE: Apple Joins Voluntary U.S. Government Commitment to AI Safety This reinforces how top-of-mind the intersection of AI and the military is in the U.S. Last month, the White House published the first-ever National Security Memorandum on Artificial Intelligence , which ordered the Department of Defense and U.S. intelligence agencies to accelerate their adoption of AI in national security missions. Speakers addressed balancing AI innovation with safety U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo delivered the keynote speech on Wednesday. She told attendees that “advancing AI is the right thing to do, but advancing as quickly as possible, just because we can, without thinking of the consequences, isn’t the smart thing to do,” according to TIME . The battle between progress and safety in AI has been a point of contention between governments and tech companies in recent months. While the intention is to keep consumers safe, regulators risk limiting their access to the latest technologies, which could bring tangible benefits . Google and Meta have both openly criticised European AI regulation , referring to the region’s AI Act , suggesting it will quash its innovation potential. Raimondo said that the U.S. AI Safety Institute is “not in the business of stifling innovation,” according to AP . “But here’s the thing. Safety is good for innovation. Safety breeds trust. Trust speeds adoption. Adoption leads to more innovation.” She also stressed that nations have an “obligation” to manage risks that could negatively impact society, such as through causing unemployment and security breaches. “Let’s not let our ambition blind us and allow us to sleepwalk into our own undoing,” she said via AP. Dario Amodei, the CEO of Anthropic, also delivered a talk stressing the need for safety testing. He said that while “people laugh today when chatbots say something a little unpredictable,” it indicates how essential it is to get control of AI before it gains more nefarious capabilities, according to Fortune . Global AI safety institutes have been popping up through the last year The first meeting of AI authorities took place in Bletchley Park in Buckinghamshire, U.K. about a year ago. It saw the launch of the U.K.’s AI Safety Institute, which has the three primary goals of: Evaluating existing AI systems. Performing foundational AI safety research. Sharing information with other national and international actors. The U.S. has its own AI Safety Institute, formally established by NIST in February 2024, that has been designated the network’s chair. It was created to work on the priority actions outlined in the AI Executive Order issued in October 2023. These actions include developing standards for the safety and security of AI systems. SEE: OpenAI and Anthropic Sign Deals With U.S. AI Safety Institute In April, the U.K. government formally agreed to collaborate with the U.S. in developing tests for advanced AI models, largely by sharing developments made by their respective AI Safety Institutes. An agreement made in Seoul saw similar institutes created in other nations that joined the collaboration. Clarifying the U.S.’s position toward AI safety with the San Francisco conference was especially important, as the wider nation does not currently present an overwhelmingly supportive attitude. President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to repeal the Executive Order when he returns to the White House. California Governor Gavin Newsom, who was in attendance, also vetoed the controversial AI regulation bill SB 1047 at the end of September.How Quickly Can Trump's Musk-Led Efficiency Panel Slash US Regulations?
Donald Trump has yet to move back into the White House and already fissures are opening in his coalition, amid squabbling between Elon Musk and his Silicon Valley "tech bros" and his hardcore Republican backers. At the heart of the internecine sniping is Trump's central election issue -- immigration -- and the H1-B visas that allow companies to bring foreigners with specific qualifications to the United States. The permits are widely used in Silicon Valley, and Musk -- who himself came to the United States from South Africa on an H1-B -- is a fervent advocate. The world's richest man, who bankrolled Trump's election campaign and has become a close advisor, posted on X Thursday that welcoming elite engineering talent from abroad was "essential for America to keep winning." Vivek Ramaswamy, appointed by Trump as Musk's co-chair on a new advisory board on government efficiency, suggested that companies prefer foreign workers because they lack an "American culture," which he said venerates mediocrity. "A culture that celebrates the prom queen over the math olympiad champ, or the jock over the valedictorian, will not produce the best engineers," he posted, warning that, without a change in attitude, "we'll have our asses handed to us by China." Skepticism over the benefits of immigration is a hallmark of Trump's "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) movement and the billionaires' remarks angered immigration hawks who accused them of ignoring US achievements in technological innovation. Incoming White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller posted a 2020 speech in which Trump marveled at the American "culture" that had "harnessed electricity, split the atom, and gave the world the telephone and the Internet." The post appeared calculated to remind critics that Trump won November's election on a platform of getting tough on immigration and boosting American manufacturing. But it was Michael Faraday, an English scientist, who discovered that an electric current could be produced by passing a magnet through a copper wire and Ernest Rutherford, a New Zealander, who first split the atom. And Alexander Graham Bell may have died a US citizen but he was a British subject in Canada when he invented the telephone. Trump voiced opposition to H1-B visas during his successful first run for the White House in 2016, calling them "unfair for our workers" while acknowledging that he used foreign labor in his own businesses. The Republican placed restrictions on the system when he took office, but the curbs were lifted by President Joe Biden. Trump is known for enjoying the gladiatorial spectacle when conflict breaks out in his inner circle. He has been conspicuously silent during the hostilities that Politico characterized as "Musk vs MAGA." Many MAGA figures have been agitating for a complete closure of America's borders while the problem of illegal entries is tackled, and hoping for a steer from Trump that would reassure them that he remains firm in his "America First" stance. For some long-time loyalists, Silicon Valley has already inserted itself too deeply into MAGA politics. "We welcomed the tech bros when they came running our way to avoid the 3rd grade teacher picking their kid's gender -- and the obvious Biden/Harris economic decline," said Matt Gaetz, the scandal-hit congressman forced to withdraw after being nominated by Trump to run the Justice Department. "We did not ask them to engineer an immigration policy." When Musk almost single-handedly blew up a deal painstakingly hammered out between Democrats and Republicans to set the 2025 federal budget, Democrats used "President Musk" to mock Trump, who is famously sensitive about being upstaged. It remains to be seen whether these cracks can be smoothed out or if they are a portent of further strife, but critics point to the chaos in Trump's first term as a potential indicator. "Looking forward to the inevitable divorce between President Trump and Big Tech," said far-right conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer, a MAGA figure with so much influence that she had a seat on Trump's plane during the campaign. "We have to protect President Trump from the technocrats." Loomer has subsequently complained of censorship after she was stripped of her paying subscribers on X, which is owned by Musk. "Full censorship of my account simply because I called out H1B visas," she posted. "This is anti-American behavior by tech oligarchs. What happened to free speech?" rle/ft/smsZimmer Biomet Receives FDA Approval for Oxford® Cementless Partial Knee, Only Cementless Partial Knee Replacement Implant in the U.S.FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Wade Taylor IV scored 19 points, Zhuric Phelps hit a go-ahead 3-pointer during an 11-0 run and finished with 12 points, and 22nd-ranked Texas A&M beat Texas Tech 72-67 on Sunday in the first meeting of the former conference rivals since 2012. Phelps' 3 with 7 1/2 minutes left made it 54-52 and put the Aggies (8-2) ahead to stay. His step-back jumper after hard contact with Tech's Kevin Overton capped the game-turning spurt. Jace Carter scored 13 of his 16 points in the first half as Texas A&M won its fourth straight game. Chance McMillian had 23 points with five 3s for Tech (7-2). Overton scored 14 of his 17 points before halftime, when he hit four 3s. Texas Tech played its second game in a row without leading scorer and rebounder JT Toppin (18.6 ppg/11 rpg) because of what the school said is a lower-body injury for the 6-foot-9 forward. Texas A&M made all eight of its free throws in the final 27 seconds, four by Taylor, while Tech made three 3s in the final minute. Texas A&M led 23-12 in the first half on a 3-pointer by Carter, that opened a 45-second exchange of two 3s each by he and Overton. The second 3 by Overton started a 9-0 run that got the Red Raiders within 26-24. The Aggies and Red Raiders played at least twice annually between 1958-2012 while members of the old Southwest Conference and then the original Big 12 before Texas A&M went to the SEC. Their first non-conference meeting since 1953 was at Dickies Arena, a neutral site. Texas A&M plays No. 8 Purdue in Indianapolis on Sunday. Texas Tech hosts Oral Roberts on Dec. 16. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 all season. Sign up here . AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball
NoneEASTON, Md., Nov. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TeraWulf Inc. (Nasdaq: WULF) (“TeraWulf” or the “Company”), a leading owner and operator of vertically integrated, next-generation digital infrastructure powered by predominantly zero-carbon energy, today announced that Sean Farrell has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer, effective immediately. Mr. Farrell will continue to report directly to Nazar Khan, Chief Technology Officer of TeraWulf. “This promotion reflects Sean’s exceptional leadership, unwavering commitment to operational excellence, and the strong relationships he has cultivated within and outside the Company,” said Paul Prager, Chief Executive Officer of TeraWulf. “Our leadership team is a vital asset to TeraWulf, and Sean embodies the qualities that drive our success. His energy, passion, and determination will be invaluable as we enhance our high-performance computing (HPC) and artificial intelligence (AI) data center capabilities.” Prager further emphasized, “In this new role, which combines strategic vision with operational execution, we are positioning TeraWulf to navigate rapid expansion and unlock significant value. It is crucial that our leadership team delivers results for our shareholders. Sean’s promotion marks a significant step forward in our commitment to operational excellence and organic growth. His technical experience and tireless attitude are precisely what TeraWulf needs, and we are fortunate to have him on our team.” Mr. Farrell brings over 13 years of experience in the energy sector, specializing in renewables, grid optimization, electric delivery, digitalization, and storage solutions across various business domains. Most recently, he served as Senior Vice President of Operations at TeraWulf, where he coordinated and oversaw the Company's data center operations and vertical integration strategy. Before joining TeraWulf, Mr. Farrell was the North American Head of Onshore Sales and Marketing at Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy Inc., where he led product development, sales, and market strategy for onshore wind turbines in the U.S. and Canada. He began his career in the energy industry at Siemens Energy, progressing through roles of increasing responsibility within their Power System Sales organization, focusing on generation and electric delivery across diverse verticals for over a decade. “I am honored and excited by this opportunity to lead TeraWulf’s digital infrastructure operations,” said Sean Farrell. “Having worked alongside TeraWulf’s talented professionals for almost three years, I see substantial opportunities for growth and the expansion of our capacity to support HPC and AI compute workloads. I look forward to driving that growth in the coming years to be a top player in the space.” About TeraWulf TeraWulf develops, owns, and operates environmentally sustainable, next-generation data center infrastructure in the United States, specifically designed for Bitcoin mining and high-performance computing. Led by a team of seasoned energy entrepreneurs, the Company owns and operates the Lake Mariner facility situated on the expansive site of a now retired coal plant in Western New York. Currently, TeraWulf generates revenue primarily through Bitcoin mining, leveraging predominantly zero-carbon energy sources, including nuclear and hydroelectric power. Committed to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles that align with its business objectives, TeraWulf aims to deliver industry-leading economics in mining and data center operations at an industrial scale. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Such forward-looking statements include statements concerning anticipated future events and expectations that are not historical facts. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as “plan,” “believe,” “goal,” “target,” “aim,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “outlook,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “project,” “continue,” “could,” “may,” “might,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “should,” “would” and other similar words and expressions, although the absence of these words or expressions does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are based on the current expectations and beliefs of TeraWulf’s management and are inherently subject to a number of factors, risks, uncertainties and assumptions and their potential effects. There can be no assurance that future developments will be those that have been anticipated. Actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements based on a number of factors, risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, among others: (1) conditions in the cryptocurrency mining industry, including fluctuation in the market pricing of bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, and the economics of cryptocurrency mining, including as to variables or factors affecting the cost, efficiency and profitability of cryptocurrency mining; (2) competition among the various providers of cryptocurrency mining services; (3) changes in applicable laws, regulations and/or permits affecting TeraWulf’s operations or the industries in which it operates, including regulation regarding power generation, cryptocurrency usage and/or cryptocurrency mining, and/or regulation regarding safety, health, environmental and other matters, which could require significant expenditures; (4) the ability to implement certain business objectives and to timely and cost-effectively execute integrated projects; (5) failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and/or on acceptable terms with regard to growth strategies or operations; (6) loss of public confidence in bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies and the potential for cryptocurrency market manipulation; (7) adverse geopolitical or economic conditions, including a high inflationary environment; (8) the potential of cybercrime, money-laundering, malware infections and phishing and/or loss and interference as a result of equipment malfunction or break-down, physical disaster, data security breach, computer malfunction or sabotage (and the costs associated with any of the foregoing); (9) the availability, delivery schedule and cost of equipment necessary to maintain and grow the business and operations of TeraWulf, including mining equipment and infrastructure equipment meeting the technical or other specifications required to achieve its growth strategy; (10) employment workforce factors, including the loss of key employees; (11) litigation relating to TeraWulf and/or its business; and (12) other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Potential investors, stockholders and other readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they were made. TeraWulf does not assume any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement after it was made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law or regulation. Investors are referred to the full discussion of risks and uncertainties associated with forward-looking statements and the discussion of risk factors contained in the Company’s filings with the SEC, which are available at www.sec.gov . Investors: Investors@terawulf.com Media: media@terawulf.com