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circus people Old Nemesis is after Elon Musk again. What will world's richest person do now?

In the wake of ChatGPT's dramatic arrival two years ago, companies are excited about generative AI's possibilities but heading into 2025 with careful deliberation rather than rushing to transform their operations. The Channel Tunnel, one of the world's most strained travel checkpoints, presents a compelling example of AI's current limitations and practical applications. Each day, 400 of the world's largest locomotives cross the tunnel linking France and Britain, with nearly 11 million rail passengers and 2 million cars carried through annually. For GetLink, the company managing the 800-meter-long trains, caution around AI implementation remains paramount. "We're in a highly regulated business. We're not kidding around. These are very strict procedures," explained Denis Coutrot, GetLink's Chief Data and AI officer. Rather than controlling train operations, their AI primarily handles more mundane tasks like searching through rules and regulations. The legal sector, initially viewed as prime for AI disruption, tells a similar story. "ChatGPT is obviously incredible. But it's really quite hard to apply it in your day-to-day workflows in a way that is impactful," noted James Sutton, founder and CEO of Avantia Law. While AI excels at basic tasks like searching legal databases and generating simple summaries, more complex work requires careful human oversight. Sutton explained that AI's inconsistency remains a challenge: "One contract I can put in and the AI kicks it out perfectly. Another one will be 40 percent right. That lack of certainty means lawyers still have to verify everything." The tech industry presents a more aggressive adoption curve. Google reports that 25 percent of its coding is now handled by generative AI. JetBrains CEO Kirill Skrygan predicts that by next year, AI will handle about 75-80 percent of all coding tasks. "Developers are using AI as assistants to generate code, and these numbers are growing every day," said Skrygan at the Web Summit in Lisbon. "The next level is coding agents that can resolve entire tasks usually assigned to developers." He suggested that over time, these agents could replace virtually all of the world's millions of developers. Visual design industries, particularly fashion, are seeing significant impact from AI image generators like DALL-E, Midjourney, and Stable Diffusion. These tools are already transforming work habits and shortening time-to-market for new collections. In healthcare, despite a study showing AI's potential —including one where ChatGPT outperformed human doctors in diagnosis from case histories — practitioners remain hesitant to fully embrace the technology. "They didn’t listen to AI when AI told them things they didn’t agree with," Dr. Adam Rodman, who carried out the study, told the New York Times. Companies face a complex calculation between innovation, prudence and how much they are willing to spend. "It will take some time for the market to sort out all of these costs and benefits, especially in an environment where companies are already feeling hesitation around technology investments," observed Seth Robinson, VP for industry research at CompTIA. Anant Bhardwaj, CEO of Instabase, believed that AI's limitations were real but temporary. "The real new innovation, like new physics or new ways of space exploration, those are still beyond the reach of AI... If people think that AI can solve every single human problem, the answer today is 'No.'" While AI excels at processing existing patterns and data, Bhardwaj argued it lacks the human curiosity needed to explore truly new frontiers. But he predicted that within the next decade, most industries will have some form of AI-driven operations, with humans in the backseat, but complete AI autonomy remains distant. Still, the disruption caused by AI is coming hard and fast, and countries must be prepared. "White collar process work is hugely impacted, that's already happening. Call centers is already happening," Professor Susan Athey of Stanford University told a statistics conference at the IMF. Athey, an economist of the tech industry, expressed worry about regions where a core profession such as call centers risked being swept away by AI. "Those are ones I would really watch very carefully. Any country that specializes in call centers, I'm very concerned about that country," she said.NoneStars arrive at the 2024 Royal Variety Performance after Queen pulls out

TORONTO — Canada's main stock index fell more than 100 points Friday, led by losses in base metal and telecom stocks, while U.S. stock markets were mixed ahead of next week's interest rate decision from the U.S. Federal Reserve. This week, the Bank of Canada announced another outsized interest rate cut of half a percentage point while also signalling it plans to slow the pace of cuts going forward. Allan Small, senior investment adviser at iA Private Wealth, said the central bank is juggling a lot of balls heading into the new year, including a faltering economy, a housing market that’s poised to heat up, and a U.S. Fed likely to cut much slower next year. “If (the Bank of Canada) continues to cut when the U.S. doesn’t, where does that leave our dollar?” asked Small. “They’re flying by the seat of their pants.” The S&P/TSX composite index closed down 136.41 points at 25,274.30. In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was down 86.06 points at 43,828.06. The S&P 500 index was down 0.16 points at 6,051.09, while the Nasdaq composite was up 23.88 points at 19,926.72. The Fed has done a better job of tamping down inflation while not harming the economy too much, said Small. The Fed is expected to cut by a quarter-percentage point next week, and its path is clearer than the Bank of Canada’s, said Small. “I don’t think they have much room to cut more,” he said, noting this week saw U.S. inflation data tick up from the month before. “Most people think they’ll go 25 (basis points) and pause for a little while,” said Small. “Would I be surprised to see them not cut at all? No, but I think the market would take that negatively.” Heading into the last few weeks of the year, Small said if there’s a so-called Santa Claus rally, it may be more muted than usual. “It's quite possible we've taken some gains that we normally would have had in December, brought them forward into November, and now December might not be as strong as we normally see,” he said. On Wall St., the Nasdaq did a little better than its U.S. peers as semiconductor company Broadcom saw its stock gain more than 24 per cent after reporting earnings. “I think the commentary on the conference call really caused the stock to shoot up," said Small. The company gave a bright forecast for investors on the back of expected growth in artificial intelligence. This week, Broadcom and Apple also announced a deal to develop a chip for AI. The Canadian dollar traded for 70.27 cents US compared with 70.48 cents US on Thursday. The January crude oil contract was up US$1.27 at US$71.29 per barrel and the January natural gas contract was down 18 cents at US$3.28 per mmBTU. The February gold contract was down US$33.60 at US$2,675.80 an ounce and the March copper contract was down five cents at US$4.15 a pound. — With files from The Associated Press This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 13, 2024. Companies in this story: (TSX:GSPTSE, TSX:CADUSD) Rosa Saba, The Canadian PressCannabis co InterCure raising NIS 66m for Nir Oz facility

It’s time to put AI to work for the employeeResignation roulette won’t move Democrats forward

Buying PC components at a store like Best Buy or Micro Center is easy. You pick what you want and take it to the register. You'll usually have the option to purchase a warranty, or at least to take things back within a return window if they quickly stop working. But buying new parts is expensive, and if you don't strictly need the latest and greatest, it's compelling to seek out used parts. Reusing computer parts is not only cheaper, it can reduce the environmental and labor impacts of PC building too. However, with the secondhand market comes a lack of guarantee about what you're getting. Unscrupulous sellers may misrepresent parts, and even a trustworthy individual may not have the knowledge to correctly identify the parts or their conditions. That doesn't mean you should necessarily avoid buying second hand PC parts, but it does mean you should educate yourself on how to do so safely and confidently. Here are some of the main things to look out for when buying used computer parts, including which ones to avoid entirely. The most important thing to keep in mind when buying used computer parts is to double check you're getting the right one. Nearly identical components can have very subtle but crucial differences, and you should not assume that the seller has correctly labeled a listing. For example, if you're looking for an Intel CPU, your instinct might be to search for a Core i7 model and buy the cheapest one. But Intel has released countless i7 processors over the years, and if you don't research what will work best with your system, you could end up with a processor from over a decade ago and no way to get a refund. Another example, let's say you're looking for a GPU and find one labeled Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 TI Super. It's an incredible price, so you pounce on it, only to realize after installing it that it's actually the comparatively weaker 4070 TI. This could happen even if the seller wasn't intending to scam you, but simply didn't know enough about computers to identify what they were selling. Moreover, it's not enough to see a part's model number written on it. You need to make sure it's physically correct, since it's possible for scammers to swap things out. For example, you could wind up with an older, less powerful GPU dressed up in the housing of a newer, better one. This logic applies to RAM, motherboards, power units, and every other computer part. You should make sure to research these kinds of subtle differences before shopping, and once you've found a part, make sure to examine it before purchasing. As the saying goes: measure twice, cut once. You should always make sure you're getting a component that will last into the future. Using the example of Intel processors from the previous section, you're better off buying a newer Core i3 or Core i5 processor than you are buying a very old Core i7 or i9. Not only would the lower numbered but new processor have more power, it will also last you further into the future. The exception here is if you're upgrading an older system on an older motherboard. In that case, you might require a similarly dated component to ensure compatibility. If you have an older motherboard that predates the current generation of CPUs or GPUs, it likely won't be compatible with newer parts. If you're shopping for a used motherboard, be extremely careful, as motherboards are among the most fragile computer components. They have a ton of complexity, including things like heatsinks, batteries, and capacitors that help connect all the other PC parts. Another consideration related to the age of components is your operating system. Assuming you're running or plan to run Windows, you might not be able to use the latest version on outdated hardware. Microsoft does not supply older versions of Windows and cuts off support for them. At the time of this writing, Windows 11 is the latest version, and it requires a 1GHz processor, 4GB of RAM, 64 GB of storage, a DirectX 12 compatible graphics card, and a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0, among other requirements. You shouldn't buy components that don't meet these specifications, unless you're purposely doing so and have a plan to get an older Windows version or a different OS that works with your parts. So you've made sure to track down secondhand components that are correctly labeled and compatible with your system. The next step is to ensure they actually work. Of course, it's a good idea to make sure the parts function on a basic level, but even a part that technically works might have issues that won't become apparent without consistent use. For example, RAM is usually safe to buy used, but if you wind up with a defective stick, you could conceivably use it for some time before it malfunctions. Computer components are hard to vet for quality because defects or damage can be totally invisible. For example, parts that were overvolted or overclocked will have more wear on them than those that weren't, and that isn't something you can determine easily. Even if the component isn't old but was used heavily by its previous owner in poor conditions — for example, overheating a CPU — it could age more quickly. Physical damage can be hard to spot. For example, if even one of the many tiny pins on the underside of a CPU gets bent, it won't work properly when installed. If the seller has hidden that by bending the pin into place, you may not notice anything amiss without a magnifying glass. Motherboards in particular are high-risk used purchases because their complexity means more points of potential failure. The best advice here is to familiarize yourself with common kinds of damage that can affect the part you're shopping for. You should never purchase a used PC part from someone who won't let you examine it first. If you're shopping online, you should at least request a video of the part proving a lack of damage. One of the more objective things you can determine about a secondhand computer component is how much it should cost. Since sellers are setting their own prices, any given component will sit within a price range. Those who want to unload their inventory quickly will generally price lower, while those looking to maximize value can price higher. There are multiple tools available online to calculate the resale value of a PC or PC parts. PCPricer will let you search for individual components or a build, whereas Howmuch.one will let you search for the suggested price of a complete build. However, don't take these at face value. Use them as a starting point in combination with other resources like eBay. To determine what you should pay for a part that's still being sold in stores or online storefronts, you can start by looking at what it would cost to purchase new, as well as what people are selling it for used or pre-owned. Again, make sure you're looking at the precise part you want and not some other variant of it. You should never pay more for a used part than the market value of a new one, and usually you should be able to get a significant discount relative to market value. Even if the part is unused, the mere fact that it's pre-owned is enough to warrant paying less than retail because you aren't getting the peace of mind that comes with a store's return policy. If you're purchasing a used PC part and have verified that the part, its price, and lack of damage, the next thing to check for is that any cables or other accessories needed to use the component are there. For example, if you buy a GPU, you'll need the power connector cables that originally came with it (the ones that run the GPU to the power supply unit) in order to get it running. Those cables can be very specific depending on the GPU, and if you don't get them with the graphics card itself, you'll have to shop around carefully to find the right ones. That's extra money and time you don't want to spend. There are exceptions for low-powered graphics cards, some of which draw power solely from the PCIe slot. CPUs and RAM come by themselves as single pieces that slot into the motherboard, so no need to worry about accessories in those cases. When it comes to motherboards, you should check for extra cables, as well as parts like heat sinks that can be crucial to making sure your computer performs at its best. Computer cases are especially important in this regard. They tend to have a ton of little parts, including screws, mounting surfaces, and cables, and without even one of these tiny pieces, you might be out of luck when trying to mount a computer in the case. Cases can also include mechanisms to keep dust out, such as a wire mesh panel, without which a computer might build up debris, or case fans without which the PC could overheat. Always research cases, and examine documents such as user manuals where a full list of pieces for the case might be available. While it can be okay — even beneficial for your wallet and the environment —to purchase some PC parts second hand, there are some PC parts you should avoid buying used at all costs. The number one part you should avoid on the used market is a power supply unit (PSU). PSUs get increasingly unstable and worn out as they age due to the fact that they are managing the electricity powering your rig. A faulty PSU can be a safety hazard, taking down your entire system or even starting a fire. Moreover, new power supplies from top ranked brands are relatively cheap compared to other components. Storage drives should also be avoided on the used market. Most of all, avoid used hard drives that have magnetic and mechanical components inside. These have a high rate of failure and relatively short lifespans because every read or write action requires those parts to move. When it comes to new storage mediums like NVMe SSDs, they still have a limited number of read/write cycles before they go kaput, and last up to five years. Because no one wants them in new computers, hard drives are now quite cheap, so buying new isn't going to crush your wallet. And, although SSDs can be pricey, you're better off with a fresh one. Lastly, as noted elsewhere in this article, motherboards are quite finicky. You don't need to avoid them outright on the used market, but you're better off buying new.DETROIT — Fifty years later, a man who grew up in suburban Detroit tried to return a very overdue baseball book to his boyhood library. The answer: You can keep it — and no fine. Chuck Hildebrandt, 63, of Chicago said he visited the public library in Warren while in town for Thanksgiving, carrying a book titled "Baseball's Zaniest Stars." He borrowed it in 1974 as a 13-year-old "baseball nut" but never returned it. Chuck Hildebrandt of Chicago holds the book "Baseball's Zaniest Stars," which was due Dec. 4, 1974, at the Warren, Mich., library, on Dec. 10. Terrie Wendricks "When you're moving with a bunch of books, you're not examining every book. You throw them in a box and go," said Hildebrandt, who lived in many cities. "But five or six years ago, I was going through the bookshelf and there was a Dewey decimal library number on the book. 'What is this?'" Inside the book was a slip of paper indicating it was due back at the Warren library on Dec. 4, 1974. People are also reading... Hildebrandt told The Associated Press he decided to keep the book until 2024 — the 50th anniversary — and then try to return it. He figured the library might want to publicize the long overdue exchange. Chuck Hildebrandt of Chicago shows the library slip in the overdue book "Baseball's Zaniest Stars" on Dec. 10. Terrie Wendricks He said he recently met library director Oksana Urban, who listened to his pitch. Hildebrandt said he hasn't heard anything since then, though Urban told the Detroit Free Press that all is forgiven. "Some people never come back to face the music," she said of patrons with overdue books. "But there was really no music to face because he and the book were erased from our system." So "Baseball's Zaniest Stars" is back on Hildebrandt's shelf. In return, he's now trying to raise $4,564 for Reading is Fundamental, a nonprofit literacy group. The amount roughly represents a 50-year overdue library fine. Hildebrandt seeded the effort with $457. The right book can inspire the young readers in your life, from picture books to YA novels Taylor Swift 'Eras' tie-in book is a smash, selling more than 800,000 copies in first weekend Charles Dickens' characters come alive in a Dutch town enamored with the English author Best draft picks of all-time for every MLB team Best draft picks of all-time for every MLB team The Major League Baseball draft is unique among professional sports drafts. The 30 organizations pick teenagers and college students who will not join their big league clubs for years—if ever.These athletes will spend that time honing their craft in the minor leagues, where long bus rides and minuscule paychecks are the norm. A few will move quickly up the ranks, seizing playing time opportunities to advance their careers and making their names known to scouts, fans, and other observers around the country.Some of the best will become MLB stars, but there's minimal correlation to draft position. Four of the players on this list were picked after hundreds of other diamond darlings, and only two were #1 overall selections.There's also more than a handful who didn't do much for the teams that drafted them, including superstars such as Nolan Ryan, Ozzie Smith, and Randy Johnson. Each of these players was traded before they evolved into Hall of Famers.Still, calling the draft a "crapshoot" might be going too far. College players are "slightly more likely" than high schoolers to reach the revered stadiums of the majors, and third-rounders have a better chance than fifth-rounders, for example, though the margins are slim, as Vice reported. Teams not only make picks based on years-in-advance projections but also whether they can sign players, a step that must be completed before those youngsters begin playing professionally.To see how clubs have fared since the inaugural draft in 1965, ATS.io compiled a list of the best draft pick by each franchise using data from Baseball Reference. The players were ranked using career wins above replacement, so not one recent choice was named. The amazing Mike Trout, a 32-year-old selected in 2009, is the youngest player. Unsigned picks were not considered, and players who were traded as picks were credited to their acquiring teams. Data is as of June 5, 2024. Mike Stobe // Getty Images Arizona Diamondbacks: Max Scherzer - Draft: 11th overall pick in 2006- Position: Pitcher- Games played: 457- Career stats: 214 wins, 3.15 earned run average, 1.08 walks plus hits per inning- College/HS: University of Missouri (Columbia, Mo.)- Wins above replacement: 75.0 Harry How // Getty Images Atlanta Braves: Chipper Jones - Draft: 1st overall pick in 1990- Position: Shortstop- Games played: 2,499- Career stats: 468 home runs, .303 batting average, .930 on-base plus slugging- College/HS: The Bolles School (Jacksonville, Fla.)- Wins above replacement: 85.3 Kevin C. Cox // Getty Images Baltimore Orioles: Cal Ripken Jr. - Draft: 48th overall pick in 1978- Position: Third baseman- Games played: 3,001- Career stats: 431 home runs, .276 batting average, .788 on-base plus slugging- College/HS: Aberdeen HS (Aberdeen, Md.)- Wins above replacement: 95.9 Focus on Sport // Getty Images Boston Red Sox: Roger Clemens - Draft: 19th overall pick in 1983- Position: Pitcher- Games played: 709- Career stats: 354 wins, 3.12 earned run average, 1.17 walks plus hits per inning- College/HS: University of Texas at Austin (Austin, Texas)- Wins above replacement: 139.2 Rick Stewart // Getty Images Chicago Cubs: Greg Maddux - Draft: 31st overall pick in 1984- Position: Pitcher- Games played: 744- Career stats: 355 wins, 3.16 earned run average, 1.14 walks plus hits per inning- College/HS: Valley HS (Las Vegas, Nev.)- Wins above replacement: 106.6 Ron Vesely/MLB Photos // Getty Images Chicago White Sox: Frank Thomas - Draft: 7th overall pick in 1989- Position: First baseman- Games played: 2,322- Career stats: 521 home runs, .301 batting average, .974 on-base plus slugging- College/HS: Auburn University (Auburn, Ala.)- Wins above replacement: 73.8 David Seelig // Getty Images Cincinnati Reds: Johnny Bench - Draft: 36th overall pick in 1965- Position: Catcher- Games played: 2,158- Career stats: 389 home runs, .267 batting average, .817 on-base plus slugging- College/HS: Binger HS (Binger, Okla.)- Wins above replacement: 75.1 James Drake // Getty Images Cleveland Guardians: Jim Thome - Draft: 333rd overall pick in 1989- Position: Shortstop- Games played: 2,543- Career stats: 612 home runs, .276 batting average, .956 on-base plus slugging- College/HS: Illinois Central College (East Peoria, Ill.)- Wins above replacement: 73.1 Ronald Martinez // Getty Images Colorado Rockies: Todd Helton - Draft: 8th overall pick in 1995- Position: First baseman- Games played: 2,247- Career stats: 369 home runs, .316 batting average, .953 on-base plus slugging- College/HS: University of Tennessee (Knoxville, Tenn.)- Wins above replacement: 61.8 Dustin Bradford // Getty Images Detroit Tigers: Justin Verlander - Draft: 2nd overall pick in 2004- Position: Pitcher- Games played: 518- Career stats: 260 wins, 3.25 earned run average, 1.12 walks plus hits per inning- College/HS: Old Dominion University (Norfolk, Va.)- Wins above replacement: 81.7 Rob Carr // Getty Images Houston Astros: Kenny Lofton - Draft: 428th overall pick in 1988- Position: Outfielder- Games played: 2,103- Career stats: 130 home runs, .299 batting average, .794 on-base plus slugging- College/HS: University of Arizona (Tucson, Ariz.)- Wins above replacement: 68.4 Sporting News // Getty Images Kansas City Royals: George Brett - Draft: 29th overall pick in 1971- Position: Shortstop- Games played: 2,707- Career stats: 317 home runs, .305 batting average, .857 on-base plus slugging- College/HS: El Segundo HS (El Segundo, Calif.)- Wins above replacement: 88.6 Focus on Sport // Getty Images Los Angeles Angels: Mike Trout - Draft: 25th overall pick in 2009- Position: Centerfielder- Games played: 1,518- Career stats: 378 home runs, .299 batting average, .991 on-base plus slugging- College/HS: Millville Senior HS (Millville, N.J.)- Wins above replacement: 86.1 Dustin Bradford // Getty Images Los Angeles Dodgers: Clayton Kershaw - Draft: 7th overall pick in 2006- Position: Pitcher- Games played: 425- Career stats: 210 wins, 2.48 earned run average, 1.00 walks plus hits per inning- College/HS: Highland Park HS (Dallas, Texas)- Wins above replacement: 79.7 Allen J. Schaben // Getty Images Miami Marlins: Giancarlo Stanton - Draft: 76th overall pick in 2007- Position: First baseman- Games played: 1,589- Career stats: 417 home runs, .258 batting average, .874 on-base plus slugging- College/HS: Notre Dame HS (Sherman Oaks, Calif.)- Wins above replacement: 44.3 Rob Foldy // Getty Images Milwaukee Brewers: Robin Yount - Draft: 3rd overall pick in 1973- Position: Shortstop- Games played: 2,856- Career stats: 251 home runs, .285 batting average, .772 on-base plus slugging- College/HS: William Howard Taft Charter HS (Woodland Hills, Calif.)- Wins above replacement: 77.4 Rich Pilling // Getty Images Minnesota Twins: Bert Blyleven - Draft: 55th overall pick in 1969- Position: Pitcher- Games played: 692- Career stats: 287 wins, 3.31 earned run average, 1.20 walks plus hits per inning- College/HS: Santiago HS (Garden Grove, Calif.)- Wins above replacement: 94.5 Owen C. Shaw // Getty Images New York Mets: Nolan Ryan - Draft: 295th overall pick in 1965- Position: Pitcher- Games played: 807- Career stats: 324 wins, 3.19 earned run average, 1.25 walks plus hits per inning- College/HS: Alvin HS (Alvin, Texas)- Wins above replacement: 81.3 Focus on Sport // Getty Images New York Yankees: Derek Jeter - Draft: 6th overall pick in 1992- Position: Shortstop- Games played: 2,747- Career stats: 260 home runs, .310 batting average, .817 on-base plus slugging- College/HS: Central HS (Kalamazoo, Mich.)- Wins above replacement: 71.3 Tom Szczerbowski // Getty Images Philadelphia Phillies: Mike Schmidt - Draft: 30th overall pick in 1971- Position: Shortstop- Games played: 2,404- Career stats: 548 home runs, .268 batting average, .908 on-base plus slugging- College/HS: Ohio University (Athens, Ohio)- Wins above replacement: 106.9 Jonathan Daniel // Getty Images Pittsburgh Pirates: Barry Bonds - Draft: 6th overall pick in 1985- Position: Outfielder- Games played: 2,986- Career stats: 762 home runs, .298 batting average, 1.051 on-base plus slugging- College/HS: Arizona State University (Tempe, Ariz.)- Wins above replacement: 162.8 George Gojkovich // Getty Images San Diego Padres: Ozzie Smith - Draft: 86th overall pick in 1977- Position: Shortstop- Games played: 2,573- Career stats: 28 home runs, .262 batting average, .666 on-base plus slugging- College/HS: California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (San Luis Obispo, Calif.)- Wins above replacement: 76.9 Focus on Sport // Getty Images San Francisco Giants: Will Clark - Draft: 2nd overall pick in 1985- Position: First baseman- Games played: 1,976- Career stats: 284 home runs, .303 batting average, .880 on-base plus slugging- College/HS: Mississippi State University (Mississippi State, Miss.)- Wins above replacement: 56.5 David Madison // Getty Images Seattle Mariners: Alex Rodriguez - Draft: 1st overall pick in 1993- Position: Shortstop- Games played: 2,784- Career stats: 696 home runs, .295 batting average, .930 on-base plus slugging- College/HS: Westminster Christian School (Miami, Fla.)- Wins above replacement: 117.6 John Reid III // Getty Images St. Louis Cardinals: Albert Pujols - Draft: 402nd overall pick in 1999- Position: Third baseman- Games played: 3,080- Career stats: 703 home runs, .296 batting average, .918 on-base plus slugging- College/HS: Metropolitan Community College-Maple Woods (Kansas City, Mo.)- Wins above replacement: 101.4 Harry How // Getty Images Tampa Bay Rays: Evan Longoria - Draft: 3rd overall pick in 2006- Position: Third baseman- Games played: 1,986- Career stats: 342 home runs, .264 batting average, .804 on-base plus slugging- College/HS: California State University, Long Beach (Long Beach, Calif.)- Wins above replacement: 58.6 J. Meric // Getty Images Toronto Blue Jays: Roy Halladay - Draft: 17th overall pick in 1995- Position: Pitcher- Games played: 416- Career stats: 203 wins, 3.38 earned run average, 1.18 walks plus hits per inning- College/HS: Arvada West HS (Arvada, Colo.)- Wins above replacement: 64.2 G Fiume // Getty Images Washington Nationals: Randy Johnson - Draft: 36th overall pick in 1985- Position: Pitcher- Games played: 618- Career stats: 303 wins, 3.29 earned run average, 1.17 walks plus hits per inning- College/HS: University of Southern California (Los Angeles, Calif.)- Wins above replacement: 101.1Data reporting by Karim Noorani. Story editing by Carren Jao. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Robert Wickwire. Photo selection by Clarese Moller.This story originally appeared on ATS.io and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. Focus on Sport // Getty Images Oakland Athletics: Rickey Henderson - Draft: 96th overall pick in 1976- Position: Outfielder- Games played: 3,081- Career stats: 297 home runs, .279 batting average, .820 on-base plus slugging- College/HS: Oakland Technical HS (Oakland, Calif.)- Wins above replacement: 111.1 Bettmann // Getty Images Texas Rangers: Kevin Brown - Draft: 4th overall pick in 1986- Position: Pitcher- Games played: 486- Career stats: 211 wins, 3.28 earned run average, 1.22 walks plus hits per inning- College/HS: Georgia Institute of Technology (Atlanta, Ga.)- Wins above replacement: 67.8 Bernstein Associates // Getty Images Stay up-to-date on what's happening

JAMAICA, N.Y. , Dec. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The New Terminal One at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) today announced that Turkish Airlines will begin operations at the new terminal when it opens in 2026. Turkish Airlines will also unveil a brand new, state-of-the-art lounge for its premium customers, launching the next phase of the award-winning airline's growth at its top U.S. gateway. The New Terminal One, set to be the largest international terminal in the United States , will offer best-in-class amenities and innovative technology for a transformational and efficient travel experience. The New Terminal One is a key component of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey's $19 billion transformation of JFK Airport into a world-class gateway, which will include two new terminals, the modernization and expansion of two existing terminals, a new ground transportation center, and an entirely new, simplified roadway network. Turkish Airlines, which currently flies 19 times weekly from JFK Airport to its hub at Istanbul , providing seamless connections to its extensive global network, will continue to offer top-tier service from the new terminal. As part of its expansion in the JFK market, Turkish Airlines will open an 11,000-square-foot lounge in the New Terminal One – twice the size of the airline's lounge at the existing Terminal 1. The new lounge will feature premium amenities, expansive views of JFK Airport's airfield and provide direct boarding access to aircraft, offering unmatched convenience for Turkish Airlines' business class customers and top-tier frequent flyers. Recognized for its exceptional in-flight service, Turkish Airlines recently received the World Class Award from the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) for the fourth consecutive year, placing it among just 10 airlines in the world to have received this prestigious recognition. Turkish Airlines was also chosen as the Best Airline in Europe nine times by Skytrax. Over the years Turkish Airlines also received accolades from Skytrax and other prestigious organizations numerous times for its Business and Economy Class offerings and Lounges. Turkish Airlines offers service to 351 destinations, including 25 in the Americas. Turkish is a member of the Star Alliance and will join other alliance members at the New Terminal One: LOT Polish Airlines, EVA Air and Air China. "We are thrilled to welcome Turkish Airlines to the New Terminal One at JFK, where their commitment to world-class customer service aligns perfectly with our mission to provide an unparalleled customer experience," said The New Terminal One Chief Executive Officer Jennifer Aument . "We look forward to working closely with our colleagues at Turkish Airlines to elevate the travel experience for customers from 2026 and beyond." Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee Prof. Ahmet Bolat stated: "We are excited to bring Turkish Airlines' world-class service to the New Terminal One at JFK, further enhancing our passengers' travel experience with a state-of-the-art-lounge. This move underlines our commitment to continue our growth in the U.S market." In addition to Turkish Airlines, the New Terminal One has partnered with several other global carriers, including Air France, KLM, Etihad, LOT Polish Airlines, Korean Air, EVA Air, Air Serbia, SAS, Neos and Philippine Airlines. Air China is also partnering with the terminal on elevating the travel experience for Chinese customers visiting New York . The New Terminal One is focused on improving the customer experience by collaborating with potential airline partners. This includes working with airline teams across all customer journey touchpoints. Set to be JFK Airport's largest terminal when complete, the New Terminal One will offer a world-class customer experience and additional widebody aircraft gate capacity – providing international airlines a unique opportunity to grow their service at JFK, the top global gateway to the U.S. About The New Terminal One The New Terminal One at John F. Kennedy International Airport is a bold and exciting project to develop a world-class international terminal that will serve as an anchor terminal in the Port Authority's $19 billion transformation of JFK into a global gateway to the New York metropolitan area and the United States . The New Terminal One will set a new standard for design and service, aspiring to obtain a Top 5 Skytrax ranking and be considered one of the finest airport terminals in the world. The New Terminal One is being built on sites now occupied by Terminal 1 and the former Terminal 2 and Terminal 3, where it will anchor JFK's south side. Construction is taking place in phases. The first phase, including the new arrivals and departures halls and first set of 14 new gates, is expected to open in 2026. At completion, anticipated in 2030, the New Terminal One will be 2.6 million square feet, making it the largest terminal at JFK and nearly the same size as LaGuardia Airport's two new terminals combined. The New Terminal One will be a 23-gate, state-of-the-art, international-only terminal. Sustainably designed and future-focused, the terminal will feature expansive, naturally lit public spaces, cutting-edge technology, and an array of amenities, all designed to enhance the customer experience and compete with some of the highest-rated airport terminals in the world. The New Terminal One consortium of labor, operating, and financial partners is led by Ferrovial, JLC Infrastructure, Ullico, and Carlyle. The New Terminal One is being built by union labor and is committed to local inclusion and labor participation, focusing on diversity and capacity-building opportunities, including ambitious participation goals of 30% for minority and women-owned enterprises, 10% for local business enterprises and 3% for service-disabled veteran-owned businesses. To learn more about the New Terminal One at JFK International Airport, visit https://www.anewjfk.com/projects/the-new-terminal-one/ About Turkish Airlines Established in 1933 with a fleet of five aircraft, Star Alliance member Turkish Airlines has a fleet of 491 (passenger and cargo) aircraft flying to 351 worldwide destinations in 130 countries (298 international destinations and 53 domestic destinations within Turkiye). More information about Turkish Airlines can be found on its official website www.turkishairlines.com or its social media accounts on Facebook, X, YouTube, LinkedIn and Instagram. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/turkish-airlines-to-begin-operations-at-the-new-terminal-one-at-jfk-and-unveil-world-class-lounge-302331710.html SOURCE The New Terminal One at JFKQuantum computing stocks have emerged as one of 2024's hottest investment themes, with the Defiance Quantum ETF ( QTUM 4.63% ) soaring 49.4% year to date, nearly doubling the S&P 500 's robust 24.3% gain. While widespread commercial quantum computers might take years to develop, major technological breakthroughs have sparked an early rush into what many see as the next computing revolution. The excitement isn't just speculative hype. Quantum computing achieved two groundbreaking milestones in 2024, suggesting we're approaching a technological tipping point. Alphabet ( GOOG 1.72% ) ( GOOGL 1.54% ) made history with its Willow quantum computing system, which demonstrated the ability to reduce errors as the number of qubits increases exponentially. This breakthrough solves a challenge that has stumped researchers for nearly 30 years. Even more impressively, Willow completed a benchmark computation in under five minutes that would require today's fastest supercomputers 10 septillion years to solve -- a timespan far greater than the universe's age. Meanwhile, quantum computing start-up Infleqtion, working with Nvidia ( NVDA 3.08% ) , achieved another first by demonstrating a practical materials science application using logical qubits. This breakthrough, which delivered a 6x boost in computational accuracy, hints at quantum computing's potential to revolutionize everything from battery technology to superconductors. While quantum computing remains in its infancy, these early breakthroughs, spurred by tech giants Alphabet and Nvidia, suggest we might be at the dawn of a computing revolution. Two companies are pioneering this transformative technology that could supercharge your portfolio in 2025 and beyond. Industry leadership through quantum execution Trapped-ion quantum computing leader IonQ ( IONQ 17.64% ) has emerged as one of 2024's standout quantum computing stocks. The company's novel approach uses ionized atoms as the heart of its quantum systems, enabling longer and more sophisticated calculations with fewer errors than competing approaches. IonQ's platform integrates with all major cloud providers and supports multiple programming languages, making quantum computing highly accessible to developers and researchers. The company's competitive advantages come from deep academic roots in ion trap technology spanning over 25 years of research and proven commercial traction through government and enterprise partnerships. IonQ has also expanded into quantum networking, working at the intersection of quantum computing and the future quantum internet. However, despite IonQ's impressive 258.5% stock gain in 2024, the company remains unprofitable and faces significant technological and commercialization risks. The quantum computing industry is still in its early stages, with uncertain timelines for achieving practical advantages over classical computers. Competition from tech giants and other quantum start-ups and the potential for technological obsolescence represent key risks to IonQ's market position. While IonQ's valuation may seem steep after its stellar 2024 run, with shares trading at nearly 250 times trailing sales, the company's growing commercial momentum, expanding quantum networking business, and strong balance sheet of $382.8 million at the end of the most recent quarter put it in pole position to capture a significant share of what could become a multitrillion-dollar quantum computing market. For investors with a high risk tolerance and a long-term horizon, IonQ offers pure-play exposure to one of technology's most promising frontiers. Industry leadership through superconducting innovation Quantum computing pioneer Rigetti Computing ( RGTI 25.43% ) takes a fundamentally different approach to quantum computing than IonQ, using superconducting circuits instead of trapped ions. The company's vertically integrated strategy includes Fab-1, the industry's first dedicated quantum foundry, giving Rigetti control over the entire quantum chip development process. This in-house manufacturing capability allows for rapid innovation cycles and helps protect against supply chain risks. The company's latest Ankaa quantum processor architecture has achieved 98% two-qubit gate fidelity, marking significant progress in quantum performance. Rigetti's strategy focuses heavily on scalability through a modular chip design that allows larger quantum systems to be built from smaller, identical components. The company has also built strong partnerships across government, research, and commercial sectors. However, like other quantum companies, Rigetti faces major technological hurdles and remains unprofitable. The stock's 851.2% surge in 2024 and valuation at 130 times sales indicate investors are pricing in significant future growth potential. Still, with its integrated manufacturing approach, improving quantum performance metrics, and clear technology roadmap through 2025, Rigetti offers an intriguing pure-play option for investors seeking exposure to superconducting quantum computing technology. The quantum investing strategy: Pure plays versus tech giants While tech giants like Alphabet and Nvidia have made significant strides in quantum computing, their massive market capitalizations mean quantum breakthroughs will likely have minimal impact on their stock prices. Pure-play quantum companies like IonQ and Rigetti offer more direct exposure to the technology's potential, though with considerably higher risk. Each represents a different technological approach -- trapped ions versus superconducting circuits -- and both could emerge as winners in what may become a massive new computing market. Given quantum computing's early stage and technical complexity, however, many investors may prefer a more diversified approach. The Defiance Quantum ETF offers exactly that, balancing pure-play quantum stocks with established tech leaders advancing the technology . With quantum computing potentially approaching an inflection point, investors now have multiple ways to position themselves for what could become one of the most transformative technologies of our time.ZETA FRAUD ALERT: The Class Action Deadline for Zeta Global Holdings Investors is January 21 -- Contact BFA Law if You Lost Money (NYSE:ZETA)

Syrian Kurdish groups have welcomed the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad's regime, viewing it as a historic opportunity for change after 54 years of rule by the Assad dynasty. However, concerns remain among Kurdish communities about potential opposition to Kurdish rights from the Islamist rebels who led the regime's overthrow. Following Assad's fall on Sunday, Mazloum Abdi, the top commander of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, or SDF, said, "This change is an opportunity to build a new Syria based on democracy and justice that guarantee the rights of all Syrians." The SDF is the military arm of the Kurdish-led Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), which governs a significant portion of the country. On Thursday, the AANES announced its decision to raise the new Syrian flag adopted by the rebels. Both the SDF and AANES have expressed their readiness to engage in dialogue with the new authorities in Damascus over the status of Syrian Kurds and other ethnic and religious minorities in territories under their administration. Kamal Akif, a spokesperson for the AANES, confirmed in a statement on Friday that "the autonomous administration currently works to prepare for the dialogue period." Syrian Kurds, who constitute nearly 15% of Syria's population of 24 million, have long faced persecution under successive governments in Syria. Their oppression intensified under the Baath party's rule, which began in 1963, stripping Kurds of basic civic, linguistic and cultural rights. In the wake of Syria's civil war, which erupted in 2011, Kurdish forces established control over their region in northeast Syria, eventually becoming a key partner of the United States in the fight against Islamic State group militants. Preserving autonomy Salih Muslim, a senior Kurdish politician with the Democratic Union Party, the de facto ruling party in northeast Syria, said the governing institutions that have been set up in recent years should be preserved. "We have established a sophisticated governing system in our region, so we will not accept returning to the pre-2011 status," he told VOA in a phone interview. "We are ready to start a dialogue process with the new rulers in Damascus, who have so far been saying positive things about inclusiveness and coexistence in Syria." The offensive that led to the overthrow of Assad's regime was headed by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a U.S.-designated terrorist organization. Following the capture of Aleppo, Syria's second-largest city with a significant Kurdish population, the HTS political affairs office issued a statement saying that "Syrian Kurds have the full rights to live in dignity and freedom, as do all the Syrian people.” "We stand with the Kurds as we stand with all segments of the Syrian people and society in building the future Syria in which justice and dignity prevail for all," the statement said. Other groups that participated in the anti-regime offensive are backed by Turkey, which views the SDF as a terrorist organization. These armed groups have intensified their attacks on Kurdish forces in recent days. Salih Muslim said Kurds "fear that these groups will continue attacking our forces and further destabilizing our region." Yerevan Saeed, director of the Global Kurdish Initiative for Peace at American University in Washington, said Kurdish unity is crucial at this critical juncture in Syria to safeguard Kurdish rights. "For Kurds to preserve their autonomy in the region, the most effective course of action for the Syrian Democratic Forces in the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria and the Kurdish National Council is to negotiate a preliminary agreement and present a unified, credible and legitimate front in Damascus," Saeed told VOA. The Kurdish National Council, or ENKS, a coalition of Kurdish parties that has often been at odds with the AANES, is aligned with the Turkey-based national Syrian opposition. "This unified representation would be essential to securing Kurdish rights in the new Syrian constitution, much like the successful strategy employed by the Kurds in Iraq in 2003," Saeed added, referring to the unified Iraqi Kurdish front in Baghdad following the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime. Amy Austin Holmes, a professor at the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University, emphasized that the most effective approach for the SDF and its civilian component is to engage with all sides. "Besides HTS, they should also reach out with other rebel factions, for example those in the southern front, as well as the ENKS," she told VOA. The oil factor The areas under SDF control in northeast Syria contain most of the country's oil and natural gas fields. Ahed al-Hendi, a Syrian affairs analyst based in Washington, said that this dynamic presents both opportunities and challenges for Syrian Kurdish groups. "For the Kurdish administration, controlling oilfields could be the biggest leverage point and the most vulnerable one at the same time," he told VOA. "Controlling the oil means all eyes will be on the Kurds, including different hostile powers such as Turkey and the many Syrian rebel groups." Hendi added that Kurds could leverage their control over oil resources if they successfully manage to integrate with the new Syrian state and demonstrate a willingness to contribute to the country's new phase. "Controlling oil is a sovereignty matter. It belongs to the Syrian state," he said. "The Kurds can negotiate a proportional share of oil revenues as part of their integration."