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ATLANTA (AP) — President Joe Biden's administration announced Tuesday that the U.S. Department of Energy will make a $6.6 billion loan to Rivian Automotive to build a factory in Georgia that had stalled as the startup electric vehicle maker struggled to become profitable. It's unclear whether the administration can complete the loan before Donald Trump becomes president again in less than two months, or whether the Trump administration might try to claw the money back. Trump previously vowed to end federal electric vehicle tax credits , which are worth up to $7,500 for new zero-emission vehicles and $4,000 for used ones. Rivian made a splash when it went public and began producing large electric R1 SUVs, pickup trucks and delivery vans at a former Mitsubishi factory in Normal, Illinois, in 2021. Months later, the California-based company announced it would build a second, larger, $5 billion plant about 40 miles (64 kilometers) east of Atlanta, near the town of Social Circle. The R1 vehicles cost $70,000 or more. The company plans to produce R2 vehicles, a smaller SUV, in Georgia with lower price tags aimed at a mass market. The first phase of Rivian’s Georgia factory is projected to make 200,000 vehicles a year, with a second phase capable of another 200,000 a year. Eventually, the plant is projected to employ 7,500 workers. But Rivian was unable to meet production and sales targets and rapidly burned through cash. In March, the company said it would pause construction of the Georgia plant. The company said it would begin assembling its R2 SUV in Illinois instead. CEO RJ Scaringe said the move would allow Rivian to start selling the R2 sooner and save $2.25 billion in capital spending. Since then, German automaker Volkswagen AG said in June it would invest $5 billion in Rivian in a joint venture in which Rivian would share software and electrical technology with Volkswagen. The money eased Rivian's cash crunch. Tuesday's announcement throws a lifeline to Rivian's grander plans. The company said its plans to make the R2 and the smaller R3 in Georgia are back on and that production will begin in 2028. “This loan would enable Rivian to more aggressively scale our U.S. manufacturing footprint for our competitively priced R2 and R3 vehicles that emphasize both capability and affordability,” Scaringe said in a statement. The Energy Department said the loan would substantially boost electric vehicles made in the United States and support Biden’s goal of having zero-emission vehicles make up half of all new U.S. sales by 2030. “As one of a few American EV startups with light duty vehicles already on the road, Rivian’s Georgia facility will allow the company to reach production volumes that make its products more cost competitive and accelerate access to international markets,” the department said in a statement. The loan includes $6 billion, plus $600 million in interest that will be rolled into the principal. The money would come from the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program, which provides low-interest loans to make fuel-efficient vehicles and components. The program has focused mostly on loans to new battery factories for electric vehicles under Biden, but earlier helped finance initial production of the Tesla Model S and Nissan Leaf, two pioneering electric vehicles. The loan program, created in 2007, requires a "reasonable prospect of repayment" of the loan. Under Biden, the program has announced deals totaling $33.3 billion, including $9.2 billion for massive battery plants in Tennessee and Kentucky for Ford’s electric vehicles. Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff , who has been a vocal supporter of electric vehicle and solar manufacturing in Georgia, hailed Tuesday's announcement as “yet another historic federal investment in Georgia electric vehicle manufacturing.” Ossoff had asked Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm to support the loan in July. “Our federal manufacturing incentives are driving economic development across the state of Georgia,” Ossoff said in a statement. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp says his goal is to make Georgia a center of the electric vehicle industry. But the Republican has had a strained relationship with the Biden administration over its industrial policy, even as some studies have found Georgia has netted more electric vehicle investment than any other state. Kemp has long claimed that manufacturers were picking Georgia before Biden's signature climate law, the Inflation Reduction Act, was passed. Efforts to bring Rivian to Georgia predated the Biden administration and "our shared vision to bring opportunity to Georgia will remain no matter who resides in the White House or what party controls Congress,” Kemp spokesperson Garrison Douglas said Tuesday. The loan to Rivian could rescue one of the Kemp administration's signature economic development projects even as Biden leaves office. That could put Rivian and Kemp in the position of defending the loan if Trump tries to quash it. State and local governments offered Rivian an incentive package worth an estimated $1.5 billion in 2022. Neighbors opposed to development of the Georgia site mounted legal challenges. State and local governments spent around $125 million to buy and prepare the nearly 2,000-acre (810-hectare) site. The state also has completed most of $50 million in roadwork that it pledged. The pause at Rivian contrasts with rapid construction at Hyundai Motor Group’s $7.6 billion electric vehicle and battery complex near Savannah. The Korean automaker said in October that it had begun production in Ellabell, where it plans to eventually employ 8,500. Associated Press writer Matthew Daly in Washington contributed to this story.
Krishna Stanton was planning to end her running career at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games two decades ago. Within years, she questioned whether her life would be the same again due to crushing pelvic problems. or signup to continue reading The former Olympian and Commonwealth Games silver medalist was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2005, and then subsequent forced her to withdraw from her farewell games. Her health wreaked havoc with her teaching career and . "I thought I was going to have a bag, a colostomy bag ... that was hard to swallow," she said. "I know lots of people do, and they manage their life very well, but I'd gone from being someone who was an athlete ... [who] got a silver medal a couple of years before at the Commonwealth Games. "This was a huge shock." Thanks to an advanced but little-known treatment option, Ms Stanton is now running marathons again. A case of food poisoning led to the diagnosis of a condition she had been unknowingly living with for most of her life. Initially, she assumed the illness would run its course, but it didn't get better, prompting her to see pelvic floor specialist Andrea Warwick. A colonoscopy confirmed she had celiac disease. It also revealed a section of her bowel was not working, and certain nerves had been destroyed. Bowel surgery revealed she had also sustained a 12-centimetre tear during childbirth in 1996. The celiac disease, nerve damage and tear led to multiple bowel prolapses and numerous surgeries, significantly impacting her quality of life. "That stress of thinking that I couldn't lead the life I'd planned or envisaged, that was really a trying time." She was teaching physical education (PE) at the time and had to devise strategies with her teaching partner so she could rush off to the toilet when needed. The condition also had a significant impact on her personal life. "I met my second husband during that time, and really, it was difficult. "I probably wasn't my normal bubbly self ... was really self-conscious." She learnt about neuromodulation technology during a chat with a friend and nurse. Neuromodulation uses electronic, chemical or mechanical processes to stimulate the nervous system, improving function and quality of life. After a discussion with Dr Warwick, she had a nerve stimulator implanted, and while it took a few months to get used to the device, in time it helped her return to a more regular lifestyle. The device made such a difference that she successfully ran the Gold Coast Marathon in 2016 in just under three hours. She ran the race in honour of Kerryn McCann and Jackie Fairweather (nee Gallagher) - her fellow medalists at the 2002 Commonwealth Games, who had both died. "I did it. and that ... made me realise ... I could maybe finish my running off on my terms now and not, you know, for health reasons." She continued to run, and in 2022, she broke the women's world record in her age group at the London Marathon. The 58-year-old plans to keep running until she is 60 when she will rerun the Gold Coast Marathon before retiring from the sport. According to the Continence Foundation of Australia, one in four adults is affected by incontinence. Dr Warwick said many people living with incontinence were unaware of available treatment options because stigma prevented them from talking about their conditions. "The patients' whole lives can be affected by these problems. They may start by changing little things in their life and adapting to cope with their symptoms. Then they start making bigger changes, Dr Warwick said. "There are so many fantastic treatment options available now depending on the person's individual situation. "If neuromodulation is appropriate, up to 90 per cent of my patients experience significant improvements to their lives." Hi, my name is Rowan Cowley and I'm a reporter for The Senior newspaper. I have special interests in the areas of entertainment, the arts and history and would like to hear from anyone who feels they have a good story idea. Hi, my name is Rowan Cowley and I'm a reporter for The Senior newspaper. I have special interests in the areas of entertainment, the arts and history and would like to hear from anyone who feels they have a good story idea. DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. 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US tax authorities have announced that special, $1,400 payments are going out to 1 million taxpayers who did not claim under the 2021 recovery rebate scheme, in what may be a final installment of pandemic-era stimulus checks. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that the disbursements were a “special step” after a review found that many eligible taxpayers who did not receive one or more Economic Impact Payments (EIP), also known as stimulus “stimi” payments. There were three rounds of EIP payments to US citizens during the pandemic, totaling $4,500, which amounted to approximately $931bn between April 2020 and December 2021, according to the US treasury department. The estimated amount of payments going out will be about $2.4bn. The coronavirus aid, relief and economic security (Cares) Act of 2020 provided the largest amount of funding, $1.8tn, to combat both the healthcare crisis as well as the ensuing economic fallout of the pandemic. But trillions more was spent through other government programs and treasury department efforts. The IRS said in a statement that no action was needed for eligible taxpayers to receive these payments, and payments would arrive this month or by late January, and made by direct deposit or check. “The IRS continues to work hard to make improvements and help taxpayers,” IRS commissioner Danny Werfel said in a statement. “These payments are an example of our commitment to go the extra mile for taxpayers.” The late stocking-stuffer payouts for about 1 million Americans come as federal authorities continue to trace billions of dollars in Covid-19 relief that may have been fraudulently obtained. A ’s Covid-19 fraud enforcement task force (CFETF) in April said criminal charges against more than 3,500 defendants for losses of more than $2bn had been brought and more than $1.4bn seized or forfeited. “Our work is not over,” attorney general Merrick Garland said in a statement. “We will continue our efforts to investigate and prosecute pandemic relief fraud and to recover the assets that have been stolen from American taxpayers.” Deputy attorney general Lisa Monaco called for an extension of the statute of limitations “for prosecutors to recover hundreds of millions of dollars more in fraud proceeds, bring remaining offenders to justice, and disrupt criminal networks that continue to victimize our citizens”.Colorado's winter huts blend adventure, luxury, and scenic beauty.
EAM Jaishankar To Visit Qatar From Dec 30 To Jan 1, Review Aspects Of Bilateral RelationsENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — John Elway says any remorse over bypassing Josh Allen in the 2018 NFL draft is quickly dissipating with rookie Bo Nix's rapid rise, suggesting the Denver Broncos have finally found their next franchise quarterback. Elway said Nix, the sixth passer selected in April's draft, is an ideal fit in Denver with coach Sean Payton navigating his transition to the pros and Vance Joseph's defense serving as a pressure release valve for the former Oregon QB. “We’ve seen the progression of Bo in continuing to get better and better each week and Sean giving him more each week and trusting him more and more to where last week we saw his best game of the year,” Elway said in a nod to Nix's first game with 300 yards and four touchdown throws in a rout of Atlanta. For that performance, Nix earned his second straight NFL Rookie of the Week honor along with the AFC Offensive Player of the Week award. “I think the sky’s the limit," Elway said, “and that’s just going to continue to get better and better.” In a wide-ranging interview with The Associated Press, Elway also touted former coach Mike Shanahan's Hall of Fame credentials, spoke about the future of University of Colorado star and Heisman favorite Travis Hunter and discussed his ongoing bout with a chronic hand condition. Elway spent the last half of his decade as the Broncos’ GM in a futile search for a worthy successor to Peyton Manning, a pursuit that continued as he transitioned into a two-year consultant role that ended after the 2022 season. “You have all these young quarterbacks and you look at the ones that make it and the ones that don’t and it’s so important to have the right system and a coach that really knows how to tutelage quarterbacks, and Sean’s really good at that,” Elway said. “I think the combination of Bo’s maturity, having started 61 games in college, his athletic ability and his knowledge of the game has been such a tremendous help for him,'" Elway added. “But also Vance Joseph’s done a heck of a job on the defensive side to where all that pressure’s not being put on Bo and the offense to score all the time.” Payton and his staff have methodically expanded Nix’s repertoire and incorporated his speed into their blueprints. Elway lauded them for “what they’re doing offensively and how they’re breaking Bo into the NFL because it’s a huge jump and I think patience is something that goes a long way in the NFL when it comes down to quarterbacks.” Elway said he hopes to sit down with Nix at some point when things slow down for the rookie. Nix, whose six wins are one more than Elway had as a rookie, said he looks forward to meeting the man who won two Super Bowls during his Hall of Fame playing career and another from the front office. “He’s a legend not only here for this organization, but for the entire NFL," Nix said, adding, "most guys, they would love to have a chat with John Elway, just pick his brain. It’s just awesome that I’m even in that situation.” Orange Crush linebacker Randy Gradishar joined Elway in the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year, something Elway called “way, way overdue.” Elway suggested it's also long past time for the Hall to honor Shanahan, who won back-to-back Super Bowls in Denver with Elway at QB and whose footprint you see every weekend in the NFL because of his expansive coaching tree. Elway called University of Colorado stars Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders “both great athletes." He said he really hopes Sanders gets drafted by a team that will bring him along like the Broncos have done with Nix and he sees Hunter being able to play both ways in the pros but not full time. Elway said he thinks Hunter will be primarily a corner in the NFL but with significant contributions on offense: “He's great at both. He's got great instincts, and that's what you need at corner." It's been five years since Elway announced he was dealing with Dupuytren’s contracture, a chronic condition that typically appears after age 40 and causes one or more fingers to permanently bend toward the palm. Elway's ring fingers on both hands were originally affected and he said now the middle finger on his right hand is starting to pull forward. So, he’ll get another injection of a drug called Xiaflex, which is the only FDA-approved non-surgical treatment, one that he's endorsing in an awareness campaign for the chronic condition that affects 17 million Americans. The condition can make it difficult to do everyday tasks such as shaking hands or picking up a coffee mug. Elway said what bothered him most was “I couldn't pick up a football and I could not imagine not being able to put my hand around a football." AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Virginia hospital pauses NICU admissions after babies are found with 'unexplainable fractures' READ MORE: New data reveals the terrifying population plunges in the EU By SADIE WHITELOCKS FOR DAILYMAIL.COM Published: 14:12 EST, 27 December 2024 | Updated: 14:55 EST, 27 December 2024 e-mail 3 View comments A hospital in Virginia has paused all admissions to its neonatal intensive care unit after a number of babies suffered 'unexplainable' fractures. Henrico Doctors' Hospital in Richmond, Virginia says staff discovered in late November and early December that three babies in its care had sustained injuries with no known cause. The hospital said a similar incident involving four babies took place in the summer of 2023 and now an internal investigation has been launched in collaboration with the 'proper authorities and regulatory agencies.' The neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), which takes care of critically ill newborns, has 40 treatment areas and the hospital delivers around 4,500 babies every year. While hospital officials acknowledge 'fractures occasionally happen,' these fractures appeared to be cause for concern. It has not been revealed where on the body the fractures occurred or if any complications or lasting damage resulted from the injuries. Details on any of the infants is also not available. Investigators are reviewing video footage from inside the NICU to determine if there has been any staff misconduct or unreported accidents, but so far, no evidence of this has been found. Additionally, Henrico police told DailyMail.com no charges in connection with these injuries have been filed against anyone. A hospital in Virginia has paused all admissions to its neonatal intensive care unit after a number of babies suffered 'unexplainable' fractures A statement on the hospital's website said: 'Out of an abundance of caution, we are not admitting any additional babies into our NICU at this time. 'While fractures occasionally happen with pre-term babies since they lack full fetal bone development, we are actively working to determine how these fractures occurred.' Preterm births - defined as a birth before 37 weeks gestation - have increased by 12 percent over the last decade, to 8.7 percent of all births in 2022. Read More Rate of babies born prematurely has surged 12% since 2014 as doctors warn of 'infant health crisis' And these babies are at a high risk of injury because they did not have enough time to form strong bones in the womb. These weaker bones are more prone to fracture. Additionally, the use of certain medications to combat any complications from a preterm birth can contribute to low mineral content in the bones, making them more brittle and therefore more prone to fractures and breaks. Fractures in preterm infants typically heal well when the babies are handled extremely gently and are given supplemental calcium, vitamin D and phosphorus, all of which help to fortify bones. However, in rare cases - and depending on the type of fracture - further complications may occur. A 2020 study found reports of fractures in premature infants are 'inconsistent,' ranging from two percent to 10 percent. A fracture of the clavicle is the most common, according to a UK survey analyzing medical records from 2000 to 2016. This fracture is usually found in preterm babies born vaginally. In a statement posted on its website, Henrico Doctors' Hospital said it is not admitting any additional babies to its NICU at this time 'out of an abundance of caution' (stock image) Local news channel WRIC reported the news has sent shockwaves through the local community. Jaron Jacobs, whose daughter was born at Henrico Doctors' Hospital on Christmas Day, said: 'Something like that is really intense... It's kind of scary. '[Babies] are harmless, they're innocent. 'Regardless of anything that's going on - injuries - babies are the last ones that should be involved in any type of mishaps or mistreatment.' The hospital said it has initiated an internal investigation and notified the parents and 'proper authorities and regulatory agencies and worked collaboratively with them on their investigations.' Additionally, the facility has provided video footage to the authorities and healthcare professionals are reviewing it. The statement added: 'The process is thorough and time-consuming, but they are making steady progress. So far during our review of the videos, no misconduct or accidental actions have been found.' The Henrico Doctors' Hospital also highlighted it has taken 'immediate steps' to enhance safety measures in its NICU. This includes having all clinicians accompanied by an 'observer' to 'help ensure all protocols are followed' when they are carrying out newborn care. Other protocols include in-person safety training for NICU care providers, performing additional exams of the babies in the unit, educating providers on interacting with minors and identifying and reporting suspected neglect or abuse, installing new security systems, implementing 24/7 camera recording of NICU rooms and live-streaming to allow parents to watch their babies. Your browser does not support iframes. Maria Reppas, who serves as the communications director for the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), told DailyMail.com the institution is working with the hospital on the investigation. She said: 'The health and safety of those receiving care in this NICU has and will continue to be our top priority. 'VDH's Office of Licensure and Certification, in partnership with the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), has taken immediate action to identify potential concerns and are monitoring specific corrective actions. 'We are working closely with other state and local partners, including the Henrico Police Department and Virginia State Police.' A spokesperson for the Henrico Police Department told this website detectives are working on the case and 'at this time, no charges have been filed.' Due to the sensitive medical nature of the investigation, they said additional details will be limited until the case is concluded. Other agencies involved in the investigation include the Child Protective Services within Henrico's Department of Social Services and the Attorney General's Office. Virginia Share or comment on this article: Virginia hospital pauses NICU admissions after babies are found with 'unexplainable fractures' e-mail Add comment
New recharge plan: BSNL launches new 425 day plan; Jio-Airtel and Vi’s problems increaseElections will come and go, and our great democracy will run on, but at the social level — and not unrelated to politics and economics — some issues need to be tackled head on. One of them is: Are we a nation of hypocrites? Or, to put it more gently, are we as a people, more accepting of the gulf between public posturing and private morality? Do we profess something, and even make it public policy, while in private know that it is all a sham? And, worse, have we forgotten the difference between the two, what we say we believe in, and what we practice in real life? During the freedom movement, under the towering influence of Mahatma Gandhi, there was genuine acceptance of the need for simplicity in public life. Gandhiji popularised Khadi, and that became the livery of public leaders. But soon thereafter, while the livery, complete with Gandhi cap, remained for public consumption, private lifestyles, fuelled by shameless corruption, were marked by wealth, conspicuous consumption, and ostentatious living. Secure in their façade of Khadi, our political role models lived the good life — big bungalows, an army of minions, and every conceivable luxury. The tragedy is that they did, and continue to do so, oblivious to the deceit involved. The Central and state governments run Khadi production corporations, without serious thought to value addition and commercialisation of a genuinely fine product. In the shabby government outlets for Khadi, political workers are the first buyers. Article 47 of the Directive Principles of State Policy of our Constitution recommends that the government should “prohibit the consumption of alcoholic drinks that are harmful to health”. Pursuantly, Gujarat adopted prohibition, Haryana and some other states experimented with it, and Bihar has most recently imposed it in 2016. Discouraging excessive alcohol consumption is a laudable objective. But both our leaders and the public know that prohibition is an unworkable solution. It increases rampant alcohol smuggling, creates powerful liquor mafias, coopts the administration in corruption, encourages the sale of lethal illicit spirits, and deprives the state of much needed resources. Yet, lip service continues to be paid to such a policy. I know so many politicians who drink in public and expensive Scotch in private, Coca Cola laced with unseen rum. In Bihar, alcohol is available everywhere, and the enforcement authorities are complicit in enabling it. The result of this hypocrisy is that even needed policy measures against alcohol abuse are not seriously implemented. The policy of not allowing casinos is motivated by high ethical principles against gambling. But in our country, millions gamble in private, and some even consider it auspicious on Diwali, as an invitation to Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. Billions are spent by common people in betting on , cricket matches, and the results of elections. The networks for unauthorized gambling, are massive, pervasive and organised, functioning without any legal regulatory framework, and with the connivance of enforcement agencies. Indians flock to Kathmandu, London, Macao, Las Vegas — and world over — to casinos, to add to the tourist revenues of those countries, whose ethical standards — incidentally — are often superior to ours. Casinos are legal in Sikkim, Diu and Daman and Goa. In Goa, our hypocrisy is such that they can run only on luxury boats anchored in the Mandovi river, not onshore, lest our high morality is not further diluted. Few people know or remember, that in 2002, the Haryana Assembly passed a law, the Haryana Casino (Licensing and Control) Bill, whose objective was to foster infrastructure growth, attract global investment, increase tourism and create new job opportunities. The Bill never received Central government clearance. In my view, that was an opportunity lost. What our country needs is alternative avenues of employment. Industry is an option, but with automation and Artificial Intelligence, and the need to cut costs, most of these are not labour intensive. The graduates and semi-trained army of the young we produce from sub-standard educational institutions — with a few exceptions — are largely unemployable in high-tech or exacting managerial sectors. In this situation, tourism has a very high potential for job creation. It does not require highly skilled or educated personnel. It is widely dispersed, not over-centralised in just a few states or clusters, provides employment opportunities at lower levels of the educational curve, and has ripple economic effects on a variety of other sectors. Currently, tourism in our country is operating far below its potential and, in comparison with some other nations, including China, operating far below its actual potential. This is particularly unfortunate since there is almost nothing our country lacks in terms of tourist attraction. Our policy on casinos, based on duplicitous moral grounds, needs a rethink for these reasons, as the Haryana government courageously tried once, and not because I am in any way advocating the encouragement of gambling in general. Vegetarianism is becoming another of our ‘moral’ fads, although reliable surveys show that even among Hindus, 52 to 56 per cent are non-vegetarians. Food habits are a matter of individual choice. Beef is not universally banned in India, but keeping the sentiments of Hindus in mind, cow slaughter is rightfully banned in many states. However, we have no qualms in benefiting from the exports of buffalo or ‘carabeef’, of which we are the world’s second largest exporter. Governments have the solemn duty to encourage morality and prevent vice. Ideally, people should only be honest, wear Khadi, abstain from drink, shun gambling and eat sattvik food. But even if this was possible, any attempt to achieve it is deeply vitiated by our hypocrisy. Our national motto is: It is an inspiring clarion call, reflective of the loftiness and courage of our philosophical heritage. Let us honour it in real life, not by encouraging immorality, but by pragmatically recognising our own double standards where morality is concerned, especially where this hypocrisy is hurting the real needs of the people. Only if we get off from our make-belief moral pedestal, can we credibly, effectively and actually rectify such a situation.BIG TEN ROUNDUP
Can you imagine? Down in the coal mines, there are more cameras than workers. At Shandong Energy Group Co., Ltd., there is a strict safety rule: "no video, no work." There are over 800 cameras on average in each mine. "In the past, most of our video footage could only be used to for retrospective analysis," said Zhou Jianpeng, the deputy general manager of Shandong Energy Group's Yunding Technology. "Now with the wide use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the coal mines, cameras are playing a 'big role.'" In the underground operation area, visual recognition technology is replacing the traditional mode of "people watching people." AI has become a "safety officer" 24 hours on duty. Once someone enters the operation area, it will automatically issue a warning. In a multi-rope friction hoisting system, the integration of an AI reasoning server enables real-time analysis to swiftly identify potential issues such as rope misalignment and wear. Intelligent applications are also enhancing efficiency. In mine shafts which are nearly 1,000 meters deep and face the risk of rock bursts, pressure relief drilling is essential to prevent collapses. Based on intelligent analysis and assisted verification of a visual recognition large language model, the construction supervision process for drilling has been shortened to 10 minutes from a previous length of three days, achieving a 100 percent acceptance rate. "These applications are inseparable from two key elements: data and intelligence," explained Jiang Wangcheng, vice president of Huawei's Oil, Gas and Mining BU. In the past, people often likened coal to "black gold." In Jiang's view, data is now becoming the "gold" of the intelligent era. Mines not only produce coal, but also a huge amount of data. This provides application scenarios and rich data elements for new technologies such as AI represented by large language models. "Nowadays, our large language models for mines have included more than 80 operational scenarios of mining enterprises," Jiang said. Just as oil is essential to industry, the rich data resources generated in various industries serve as "digital blood" driving the new round of industrial transformation. Driven by intelligent technology, data's potential value is being unleashed at an accelerated pace.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Donte DiVincenzo scored 26 points as the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the San Antonio Spurs 112-110 on Sunday night. Rudy Gobert had 17 points and 15 rebounds for the Timberwolves, won won their third straight. Julius Randle had 16 points, while Jaden McDaniels added 12 points and 10 boards for Minnesota. Anthony Edwards, who for continued use of profanity in postgame media comments, was held to 14 points, 11 below his season average. After DiVincenzo made one of two free throws with 12.1 seconds left, the Spurs had one more possession down 112-110. San Antonio found a wide-open Jeremy Sochan for 3, but he came up short. Wembanyama led San Antonio with 34 points and eight rebounds. Harrison Barnes had 24 points, Devin Vassell had 22 and Chris Paul dished out 14 assists. Takeaways Spurs: Trailing by 13 early in the third quarter, Wembanyama keyed a 16-4 run by showcasing his diverse offensive skills. He scored in the low post, hit a 3, made a pair of free throws and drained two midrange jumpers. Timberwolves: Minnesota survived a brutal shooting night from 3-point range, making just 11 of 44 attempts from beyond the arc. DiVincenzo was 5 for 10, but Edwards and Randle combined to go 1 for 16. Key moment With 4:44 to play and the game tied at 101, Randle made a driving layup against Wembanyama that was initially whistled for an offensive foul. Timberwolves coach Chris Finch challenged the call, and the basket was allowed to stand. Minnesota didn't trail the rest of the way. Key stat In the first quarter, the Timberwolves made just 1 of 11 3-point attempts but went 9 for 9 inside the arc. Up next The Spurs host the Clippers, and the Timberwolves visit Oklahoma City on Tuesday. ___ AP NBA: Patrick Donnelly, The Associated Press
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