jili01 PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 16, 2024-- University of Phoenix is proud to announce the launch of its Degrees of SuccessTM podcast which showcases the inspiring journeys of its extraordinary alumni. Hosted by Freda Richards, the podcast delves into the personal and professional lives of graduates who have overcome challenges and achieved remarkable success. With her genuine enthusiasm for human connection and transparency, Richards brings a unique and engaging perspective to each conversation. The University, which has more than one million alumni, aims to share these incredible stories with a wider audience through the captivating series. "What makes Degrees of SuccessTM truly special is the depth of personal experiences our alumni share,” stated Provost and Chief Academic Officer of University of Phoenix John Woods, Ph.D. “These stories go beyond professional achievements; they reveal the heart and determination behind each hard-won success. Listeners will find not only inspiration but also practical insights and advice that can be considered for their own journeys." Dr. Mautra Jones, featured in the inaugural episode, shared her story of overcoming challenges on her path to leadership as president of Oklahoma City Community College. Despite the obstacles she faced, she says she is grateful for the experiences that shaped her both personally and professionally. "It taught me to not take things for granted, but to appreciate things," she shares in the interview. "I have a victor, not a victim, mentality because I’ve been able to overcome so much. The things I’ve gone through have made me stronger. Now I’m able to take all the things I’ve gone through and hopefully inspire others when I say, if I can make it, you can make it." The podcast is launching with four episodes – with new episodes released every other week – each featuring a unique and compelling story: Episode 1: Overcoming Adversity to Lead - Dr. Mautra Jones In the first episode, Richards interviews Dr. Mautra Jones, a distinguished University of Phoenix alumna and the president of Oklahoma City Community College. Jones made history as the first woman and first person of color to lead the college. Her accolades include being named Oklahoma’s Most Admired CEO for public companies in 2023 by The Journal Record, receiving the 100 Women to Know Across North America Award, and being inducted into the Oklahoma African American Educators Hall of Fame in 2022. Jones's impactful and dynamic leadership has made her one of the nation’s most sought-after thought leaders. Episode 2: Mentorship and the Violet Movement - Dr. Scott Andrews Richards talks with Dr. Scott Andrews, the county manager for Doña Ana County in New Mexico. With 21 years of experience in public sector administration, Andrews has provided progressive vision and decisive leadership to local government organizations across Florida, Georgia, and California. A first-generation U.S.-born citizen and college graduate, Andrews honors the memory of his late daughter through The Violet Movement, a non-profit fostering love, kindness, and positive community change. Episode 3: Marine Corps to Corporate Leader - John Kirch In this episode, Richards interviews John Kirch, who has been living and working in Lima, Peru, for nearly 30 years. As the Corporate Health, Safety, and Security Manager for Grupo Gloria, Kirch oversees security operations for over 20 companies across seven countries. His career includes pivotal roles in aviation security post-9/11 and service as a United States Marine. Kirch holds two degrees from the University of Phoenix: a bachelor's in organizational security and an MBA. Episode 4: From Culinary School to Corporate Success - Gary Batara Richards talks with Gary Batara, a former French chef who transitioned into the marketing world. Growing up in a family of healthcare professionals, Batara pursued his passion for culinary arts, which led him to France. His career evolved from corporate food service to becoming the vice president of marketing at Garten. Batara is also an accomplished author of "Lessons to Inspire: Practical Advice from Successful People." Watch Degrees of SuccessTM on YouTube or listen on Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, and Podbean. About University of Phoenix University of Phoenix innovates to help working adults enhance their careers and develop skills in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant courses, interactive learning, skills-mapped curriculum for our bachelor’s and master’s degree programs and a Career Services for Life® commitment help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. For more information, visit phoenix.edu/blog.html . View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241216031813/en/ CONTACT: MEDIA CONTACT:Michele Mitchum University of Phoenix michele.mitchum@phoenix.edu KEYWORD: ARIZONA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: EDUCATION ENTERTAINMENT TECHNOLOGY PODCAST CONTINUING INTERNET UNIVERSITY SOURCE: University of Phoenix Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/16/2024 03:23 PM/DISC: 12/16/2024 03:23 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241216031813/en

"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum." Section 1.10.32 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum", written by Cicero in 45 BC "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" To keep reading, please log in to your account, create a free account, or simply fill out the form below.

highlighting its essential role in clean energy technologies. Two years later, the IMF forecasted that In this graphic, how copper demand is projected to increase over the coming decades, while oil consumption is expected to decrease. Copper is critical for a wide range of applications, including the electrical grid, electric vehicles (EVs), and renewable energy technologies. Beyond clean energy, copper is also extensively used in industries such as construction, infrastructure, and defense due to its unique properties. As a result, that limits average temperature increases to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Many components of battery electric vehicles rely on copper. On average, a standard EV contains , four times more than an internal combustion engine vehicle, which typically uses 15-20 kg of copper per car. Meanwhile, oil consumption is projected to decrease, dropping from 101.9 million barrels per day in 2023 to 66 million barrels per day by 2040. Additionally, improvements in energy efficiency and policy regulations are further curbing oil demand. By Zerohedge.comBy CLAIRE RUSH PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Googly eyes have been appearing on sculptures around the central Oregon city of Bend, delighting many residents and sparking a viral sensation covered widely by news outlets and featured on a popular late-night talk show. Related Articles National News | Drones, planes or UFOs? Americans abuzz over mysterious New Jersey sightings National News | Drones, planes or UFOs? Americans abuzz over mysterious New Jersey sightings National News | FACT FOCUS: Inspector general’s Jan. 6 report misrepresented as proof of FBI setup National News | OpenAI whistleblower found dead in San Francisco apartment National News | Judge rejects an attempt by Trump campaign lawyer to invalidate guilty plea in Georgia election case On social media, the city shared photos of googly eyes on installations in the middle of roundabouts that make up its so-called “Roundabout Art Route.” One photo shows googly eyes placed on a sculpture of two deer, while another shows them attached to a sphere. It’s not yet known who has been putting them on the sculptures. “While the googly eyes placed on the various art pieces around town might give you a chuckle, it costs money to remove them with care to not damage the art,” the city said in its posts. The Facebook post received hundreds of comments, with many users saying they liked the googly eyes. “My daughter and I went past the flaming chicken today and shared the biggest laugh,” one user said, using a nickname for the “Phoenix Rising” sculpture. “We love the googly eyes. This town is getting to be so stuffy. Let’s have fun!” Another Facebook user wrote: “I think the googly eyes on the deer specifically are a great look, and they should stay that way.” Others said the city should focus on addressing more important issues, such as homelessness, instead of spending time and money on removing the googly eyes. Over the years, the city’s sculptures have been adorned with other seasonal decorations, including Santa hats, wreaths, leis. The city doesn’t remove those, and views the googly eyes differently because of the adhesive, Bend’s communications director, Rene Mitchell, told The Associated Press. “We really encourage our community to engage with the art and have fun. We just need to make sure that we can protect it and that it doesn’t get damaged,” she said. The post and its comments were covered by news outlets, and even made it on a segment of CBS’s “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert .” The city regrets that its post was misunderstood, Mitchell said. “There was no intent to be heavy-handed, and we certainly understand maybe how that was taken,” she said. “We own this large collection of public art and really want to bring awareness to the community that applying adhesives does harm the art. So as stewards of the collection, we wanted to share that on social media.” The city has so far spent $1,500 on removing googly eyes from seven of the eight sculptures impacted, Mitchell said, and has started treating some of the art pieces, which are made of different types of metal such as bronze and steel. The “Phoenix Rising” sculpture might need to be repainted entirely, she said. For some, the googly eyes — like the other holiday objects — provide a welcome boost of seasonal cheer. “I look forward to seeing the creativity of whoever it is that decorates the roundabouts during the holidays,” one social media commenter said. “Brings a smile to everyone to see silliness.”Bank of Canada preparing for more uncertain, shock-prone future

Kate Moss splits from teetotal Nikolai Von Bismarck after 9 years as supermodel declares she wants ‘to have some fun’By Ja'han Jones Happy Tuesday! Here’s your Tuesday Tech Drop, a curated collection of the past week’s top stories from the intersection of tech and politics. TikTok, in its current state, might be on its last legs in the United States. After a federal judge declined to block a law that would ban the app in the U.S. unless its Chinese owners sell it, TikTok’s legal team petitioned for injunctive relief, asking a federal court to suspend the law until Donald Trump’s administration — and the conservative-heavy Supreme Court — have a chance to look at it. This — paired with a Wall Street Journal report, citing anonymous sources, that TikTok CEO Shou Chew reached out to Elon Musk to make inroads with MAGA last month — suggests that TikTok’s leadership may be taking Trump at his word that he would “save” the app, which has become a hotbed of MAGA disinformation and propaganda in recent years. All this has me thinking about the perverse incentives that could potentially be in play for a social media platform that sees Trump and powerful conservatives as its last hope for survival. Read the Washington Post’s report on TikTok hanging its hopes on Trump and the Supreme Court. U.S. officials are working with officials from numerous other countries to devise ways to curb some of the more dangerous misuses of artificial intelligence technology ... and GOP Texas Sen. Ted Cruz isn’t happy about it. Read my report on Cruz’s letter to the attorney general here . Disinformation expert Kate Starbird, who has come under fire from right-wingers for her work , recently sat for an interview with the outlet Tech Policy to discuss “the differences between the left and right media ecosystems" in the United States and her team’s efforts to study the spread of baseless claims online. Check out the Tech Policy interview . Following an election that, unfortunately, saw candidates and voters turn to podcasters for their political news , the streaming platform Spotify is reportedly planning a podcaster celebration centered around Trump’s inauguration. Read more at Bloomberg . A new study out of the Center for Countering Digital Hate argues that YouTube’s algorithm can steer young girls to harmful content about eating disorders, including videos promoting extreme calorie restriction, emaciated bodies and “meanspo,” or bullying as a way to encourage weight loss. YouTube declined to comment to CBS News when asked about its algorithm’s recommendations, saying it “continually works with mental health experts to refine [its] approach to content recommendations for teens.” Read the Center for Countering Digital Hate’s report . Last week, Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, announced that it intends to build a massive data center in Louisiana to help power its artificial intelligence project. The data center is meant to compete with another data center Elon Musk opened in Tennessee. The centers have raised local concerns over the potential environmental impact and whether the economic impact will benefit neighboring residents. Read The Associate d Press’ report . Trump has tapped right-wing tech oligarch and podcaster David Sacks to lead his administration’s artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency policy. There’s ample reason for concern about potential conflicts of interest. Read my blog to learn more about Sacks here . Federal officials said at least eight American telecommunications companies, including AT&T, Verizon and Lumen technologies, were hit by a Chinese hacking campaign that got access to call records and, in some cases, specific phone calls. The feds don’t think the hackers have been booted from these companies’ systems yet. Read NBC News’ report . Washington, D.C., Attorney General Brian Schwab is suing Amazon over allegations the commerce platform and delivery company is excluding two largely Black zip codes from its Prime delivery service. Amazon called the claims “categorically false.” Read NBC’s Washington affiliate’s reporting . Ja'han Jones is The ReidOut Blog writer. He's a futurist and multimedia producer focused on culture and politics. His previous projects include "Black Hair Defined" and the "Black Obituary Project."6,000 inmates escape from a high-security prison as post-election violence roils Mozambique

Even Nvidia's CEO is obsessed with Google's NotebookLM AI toolMysterious googly eyes go viral after appearing on public art in Oregon

Conor McGregor must pay $250K to woman who says he raped her, civil jury rulesThis image provided by the City of Bend, Oregon, shows a a set of googly eyes placed on a public art sculpture in Bend, Ore. (City of Bend, Oregon, via AP) This image provided by the City of Bend, Oregon, shows a pair of googly eyes placed on a public art sculpture in Bend, Ore. (City of Bend, Oregon, via AP) This image provided by the City of Bend, Oregon, shows damage cardboard and tape following the removal of a pair of googly eyes that were placed on a public art sculpture in Bend, Ore. (City of Bend, Oregon, via AP) This image provided by the City of Bend, Oregon, shows a a set of googly eyes placed on a public art sculpture in Bend, Ore. (City of Bend, Oregon, via AP) By CLAIRE RUSH PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Googly eyes have been appearing on sculptures around the central Oregon city of Bend, delighting many residents and sparking a viral sensation covered widely by news outlets and featured on a popular late-night talk show. Related Articles National News | Biden’s commutation in ‘kids for cash’ scandal angers some Pennsylvania families National News | Drones, planes or UFOs? Americans abuzz over mysterious New Jersey sightings National News | FACT FOCUS: Inspector general’s Jan. 6 report misrepresented as proof of FBI setup National News | OpenAI whistleblower found dead in San Francisco apartment National News | Judge rejects an attempt by Trump campaign lawyer to invalidate guilty plea in Georgia election case On social media, the city shared photos of googly eyes on installations in the middle of roundabouts that make up its so-called “Roundabout Art Route.” One photo shows googly eyes placed on a sculpture of two deer, while another shows them attached to a sphere. It’s not yet known who has been putting them on the sculptures. “While the googly eyes placed on the various art pieces around town might give you a chuckle, it costs money to remove them with care to not damage the art,” the city said in its posts. The Facebook post received hundreds of comments, with many users saying they liked the googly eyes. “My daughter and I went past the flaming chicken today and shared the biggest laugh,” one user said, using a nickname for the “Phoenix Rising” sculpture. “We love the googly eyes. This town is getting to be so stuffy. Let’s have fun!” Another Facebook user wrote: “I think the googly eyes on the deer specifically are a great look, and they should stay that way.” Others said the city should focus on addressing more important issues, such as homelessness, instead of spending time and money on removing the googly eyes. Over the years, the city’s sculptures have been adorned with other seasonal decorations, including Santa hats, wreaths, leis. The city doesn’t remove those, and views the googly eyes differently because of the adhesive, Bend’s communications director, Rene Mitchell, told The Associated Press. “We really encourage our community to engage with the art and have fun. We just need to make sure that we can protect it and that it doesn’t get damaged,” she said. The post and its comments were covered by news outlets, and even made it on a segment of CBS’s “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert .” The city regrets that its post was misunderstood, Mitchell said. “There was no intent to be heavy-handed, and we certainly understand maybe how that was taken,” she said. “We own this large collection of public art and really want to bring awareness to the community that applying adhesives does harm the art. So as stewards of the collection, we wanted to share that on social media.” The city has so far spent $1,500 on removing googly eyes from seven of the eight sculptures impacted, Mitchell said, and has started treating some of the art pieces, which are made of different types of metal such as bronze and steel. The “Phoenix Rising” sculpture might need to be repainted entirely, she said. For some, the googly eyes — like the other holiday objects — provide a welcome boost of seasonal cheer. “I look forward to seeing the creativity of whoever it is that decorates the roundabouts during the holidays,” one social media commenter said. “Brings a smile to everyone to see silliness.”

AP Trending SummaryBrief at 5:26 p.m. EST

HOUSTON (AP) — Will Levis and the Tennessee Titans were far from perfect Sunday. But they did just enough to outlast the mistake-prone Houston Texans and get their first AFC South win of the season. Levis threw for 278 yards and his 70-yard touchdown pass to Chig Okonkwo put Tennessee on top in the fourth quarter and the Titans held on for the 32-27 victory. “The coolest thing about this game was just the way our team fought,” coach Brian Callahan said. “It was a back-and-forth game. Our guys did a good job of not flinching and keeping the blinders on. We’ve been in games like this before, and we haven’t been able to make a play, but this week, we made a play.” Okonkwo grabbed a short pass and rumbled for the touchdown to put the Titans (3-8) up 30-27 with 91⁄2 minutes remaining. Safety Eric Murray missed a tackle that would have stopped him near midfield. The Texans (7-5) had a chance to tie it with less than two minutes remaining, but Ka’imi Fairbairn’s 28-yard field-goal attempt sailed wide left. He fell to the ground after the miss before getting up and slamming his helmet on the field. Callahan held both hands in the air and smiled after watching the miss that allowed his team to win on a day it had three turnovers. The Texans forced a three-and-out, but couldn’t move the ball after that and Harold Landry sacked C.J. Stroud in the end zone for a safety to make it 32-27 and allow Tennessee to snap a two-game skid. Stroud threw for 247 yards and two touchdowns, but also threw two interceptions as the AFC South-leading Texans lost for the third time in four games. Stroud has thrown five interceptions combined in the past three games to give him more interceptions in 12 games this season (nine) than he had in 15 games as a rookie last season (five). “It’s no secret that I haven’t been playing well... I’ve got to be harder on myself,” he said. “I’m not going to hold my head down. I know I can be a great player, but I’ve got to make better plays.” Jimmie Ward had a 65-yard interception return for a touchdown in the third quarter and the Texans tied a franchise record with eight sacks. Danielle Hunter led the group with a season-high three sacks and Will Anderson Jr. added two in his return after missing two games with an ankle injury. But the offense sputtered for most of the game as Joe Mixon was held to 22 yards on 14 carries. “Just a disappointing loss for us,” coach DeMeco Ryans said. “We didn’t do anything well enough to win this game. Out of all the positives that we did have, there were way too many negatives.” It was Tennessee's first win of the season in a game that Levis both started and finished. The second-year player missed three games this year with a sprained AC joint in his throwing shoulder. “I’m really proud of Will,” Callahan said. “He’s done a lot of things to get himself back in the right place, mentally and physically. It was a really good performance.” Levis knows he can be better, but was happy to leave Houston with a victory in this difficult season. “It feels awesome,” he said. “A lot of people have been working really hard to get a win like this. I’m just happy for the organization, top down.” Tennessee extended the lead to 23-17 on a 51-yard field goal by Nick Folk with nine minutes left in the third. Stroud threw his second interception with about 90 seconds left in the third quarter but Ward’s touchdown came three plays later to put the Texans on top 24-23. The Titans fumbled a punt early in the fourth quarter and Houston recovered it. A 54-yard field goal by Fairbairn extended the lead to 27-23 with about 10 minutes to go. Dameon Pierce returned the opening kickoff 80 yards to get the Texans in the red zone. Houston cashed in on the next play when Stroud found rookie Cade Stover on a 19-yard pass for his first touchdown reception. The Titans trailed by four after a field goal by Folk when Nick Westbrook-Ikhine got in front of the defense and was wide open for a 38-yard TD catch that made it 10-7 late in the first quarter. Tennessee extended the lead to 17-7 when Tony Pollard ran 10 yards for a touchdown with about 11 minutes left in the second. Pollard finished with 119 yards and a touchdown. Nico Collins scored on a 5-yard reception with about six minutes left in the second. Levis levis lost a fumble with about 3 1/2 minutes left and the Texans added a 28-yard field goal to tie it at 17-17. Houston forced a punt after that, but rookie Jarvis Brownlee Jr. got his first career interception two plays later to give Tennessee the ball back. Folk’s 56-yard field goal, which tied his career long, put the Titans up 20-17 at halftime. The Titans were without cornerback L’Jarius Sneed, after he was placed on injured reserve with a quadriceps injury, and safety Amani Hooker, who was added to the injury report Sunday morning with an illness. Callahan said Hooker was vomiting “every time he stood up” Sunday. ... Houston S Jalen Pitre injured his shoulder in the second quarter and didn’t return. ... CB Ka’dar Hollman left in the fourth quarter with a knee injury. Titans: Visit the Commanders next Sunday. Texans: Visit Jacksonville next Sunday. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nflAlbertsons $24.6 billion merger with Kroger blocked by judgeSpeaker Mike Johnson discussed the Kids Online Safety Act in his weekly press conference on Tuesday. A Politico reporter said he received thousands of angry, profane attacks and had his account briefly taken down on the progressive-leaning social media platform Bluesky for sharing a seemingly innocuous post about rival platform X. Politico's Michael Kruse recounted sharing on Bluesky a story from a colleague about whether Democrats should continue to engage on X, formerly known as Twitter, since it was bought by Elon Musk and has become a liberal bogeyman of sorts. He posted a quote with the story link from an anonymous Democratic communications staffer that said, "Leaving X because you don’t like Elon is the kind of purity politics that landed Democrats in this mess to begin with." In response, Kruse was flooded with thousands of angry responses, which included calling him a "f---ing dork," "f---ing moron," "dumb f---" and "b---h," among other colorful phrases. Another user added a graphic description of where to put a running chainsaw as "the best thing you could possibly do to make the United States a better place." Kruse shared the anecdote due to Bluesky's liberal reputation as a "safe space" from X, which left-wingers often complain has become a hateful cesspool under Musk. Kruse said he had never received such an avalanche of personal attacks on X, but Bluesky users were infuriated that he would question why they left Musk's site behind. The logo of social media platform Bluesky displayed on a mobile device. (Photo by Ian LANGSDON / AFP) (Photo by IAN LANGSDON/AFP via Getty Images) CULTURE OF LIFE? UNITEDHEALTHCARE CEO'S MURDER MOCKED AND CELEBRATED BY FAR-LEFT "On the one hand, it’s not a big deal, because it’s part of the deal — regrettably commonplace in what passes for internet discourse. And I get far less of this abuse than people who are not white, male and gentile," Kruse wrote . "On the other hand, this was notable, because with the exception of a couple episodes — and long before Musk took over — I have on Twitter never been on the receiving end of such a sustained assault. Bluesky says it basically and principally exists as an alternative for those for whom X.com had gotten too noxious, and yet the vitriol here was overwhelmingly ad hominem attacks." Kruse said he was puzzled by Bluesky users' tone if the point was for the platform to be an oasis from so-called toxicity. "The toxin is what exactly? Unpleasant ideas? Ugly reactions? Maybe the toxin is far bigger than Bluesky could possibly address. Social media overall? People writ large? Even the notion of a safe space — as a smart Democrat texted me as this was going on, safe for whom, and from what?'" he wrote. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and Elon Musk watch the launch of the sixth test flight of the SpaceX Starship rocket on Nov. 19, 2024 in Brownsville, Texas. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images) MARK CUBAN RUNS TO 'LESS HATEFUL' SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM AFTER SCRUBBING X ACCOUNT OF HARRIS SUPPORT Kruse said he didn't get an answer from Bluesky about why his account was taken down, but it was reinstated shortly after without any further explanation. Bluesky has picked up millions of new accounts since the election, many of them left-leaning media figures fed up with X and Musk's support of President-elect Donald Trump. It's generated headlines for its seeming focus on progressive purity, such as conservative satire site The Babylon Bee being censored for sharing an article calling transgender Biden administration official Rachel Levine a "man of the year." CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Fox News Digital reached out to Bluesky and Kruse for comment.

US markets close mixed as sentiment faltersUniversity of Phoenix Launches Degrees of SuccessTM Podcast Highlighting Alumni Achievements

Kolkata’s information technology sector is growing at a rate of 70% annually According to the department of information technology and electronics, Kolkata’s information technology sector is growing at a rate of 70% annually, supported by several state initiatives to promote the industry. This not only does help the industry to meet local demands but also lets companies spread their wings globally. While Bengal govt has established the West Bengal Information Technology Services (WBITES) and the West BengalElectronics Industry DevelopmentCorporation (Webel) to attract investments in the sector, state minister of information technology and electronics Babul Supriyo has taken quite a few steps to boost the industry, recently announcing plans to introduce a semiconductor policy before the BengalGlobal Business Summit (BGBS) to attract foreign investors to the state’s IT industry. IPL 2025 mega auction IPL Auction 2025: Who got whom IPL 2025 Auction: Updated Full Team Squads BluCocoon Digital, founded in 2020, provides services including product engineering, AI and machinelearning solutions, cloud migration, and IoT integration. According to Shantanu Bhattacharya, the company’s MD and CEO, partnerships with digital transformation providers offer a strategic advantage in the rapidly evolving industry. Bhattacharya said: “We’re seeing rapid growth in the adoption of AI-driven analytics, IoT for smarter connectivity, and the expansion of edge computing to support real-time data processing. There’s also an increasing focus on sustainability within information technology, where organisations are seeking tech solutions that promote efficiency and eco-friendliness. Data privacy and cybersecurity remain essential to the market, especially as companies adopt cloud and multi-cloud infrastructures. We have plans to expand into international markets.” Bhattacharya went on to add: “In agriculture, for example, our product AGRi360® leverages data driven insights to improve crop yield and monitor environmental factors. Additionally, we provide advanced solutions in food processing, pharma, manufacturing, and logistics.” Somnetics (Som Imaging Informatics Pvt Ltd), a Kolkata-based IT services company, has started global operations in the USA, European Union, and Middle East. Domestically, Somnetics serves around 500 companies and govt organisations. Shantanu Som, founder and CEO of the company, believes e-commerce surge and the rise of digital public infrastructure have driven the demand for IT services across Kolkata and the country. Som said: “We have both vertical and horizontal expansion plans for the next three years. Expanding into Africa will be a priority. In terms of technological expansions, we have already made significant investments in an AI Lab located in Kolkata. We have started an AI-enabled document processing centre at the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) in Guwahati, and we will soon open a software engineering centre in Bengaluru.” Somnetics is also planning investments in innovation and software product engineering, with a focus on rolling out “Made in India” software products for global customers. “India should make the patent-granting system easier and quicker and encourage innovative organisations through policies to market their products to a global audience,” added Som. In Bengal and other parts of eastern India, there is a growing emphasis on promoting IT companies in areas such as AI, blockchain , and IoT, as well as electronics design, development, and semiconductor packaging, according to Rohit Sarkar, co-founder of Distronix, an industrial IoT product company. “We have been witnessing an increase in focus on deep-tech and IPR generation, hence giving birth to more product companies. There is a slow but steady shift from service-oriented companies to product companies. We are looking to develop, build and manufacture many innovative industrial IoT products in line with the ‘ Make in India ’ initiative. We have grown almost 2x year-on-year for the past three years, and we are working towards maintaining the same growth rate over the next four years,” said Sarkar. Many Kolkata-based IT companies have grown globally as they previously lacked sufficient opportunities in the local market. However, the scenario has changed, with ample avenues now available both locally and globally, according to Abhishek Rungta, founder and CEO of Indus Net Technologies (INT) and an angel investor. “Now, with growing demand in the local market, it’s a big opportunity for city-based IT firms to multiply their growth. INT is an example itself as it was set up as an export-oriented company. We built our sales and delivery capabilities across the world, especially in North America, Europe, and Singapore. We have been growing year on year, creating a global impact. Aswesay, bornin Beng al,built in India, serving the world,” said Rungta. Cyber audit firm Indian School of AntiHacking (Isoah) Data Securities Pvt Ltd has launched services in Kolkata to help companies prevent hacking incidents. The company works closely with state govt departments, including CID and the Kolkata Police headquarters, on cybersecurity. Sandeep Sengupta, director of the company and regional committee member at Nasscom, said: “We help MNCs, PSUs, and SME companies in information security health checks. We have opened an office in the USA. We have around 100 clients, including Powergrid, CESC, Titagarh Wagons, and hospitals. With the rise in IT services demand, the need for protective tools against hacking is also increasing.”

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By ALEXA ST. JOHN | Associated Press DETROIT — Electric vehicles had another whirlwind year around the globe, driven by buyers in China, and growth in parts of Europe and the United States, despite headwinds. In a milestone for China, the world’s biggest auto market, EVs hit 50% of new car sales in July. That included pure battery EVs plus plug-inhybrid electric vehicles . Chinese companies such as BYD continue to gain traction worldwide with their inexpensive EVs. RELATED: Thinking of buying an EV? You might want to move quickly Electric vehicles also made headway in Europe and the U.S. Uncertainty around purchase subsidies could complicate matters come 2025, especially under the incoming Trump administration in the U.S. But mainstream consumers remain interested in new models, longer driving ranges, better performance and lower prices. The transition to electric vehicles is an important part of the shift to clean energy. Road transport accounts for around one-sixth of all global emissions from energy, according to the International Energy Agency. Widespread EV adoption could significantly address climate change. Here are five facts about EVs this year. Most of the data comes from consultancy Rho Motion. The global EV market, including pure EVs and plug-in hybrids, grew by 25% year-over-year as of November. Rho Motion estimates 15.2 million EVs had been sold worldwide ahead of the end of the year, and the International Energy Agency expected electrified vehicle sales to reach one in five cars sold globally. Most were in China. Mexico sold roughly 5 times as many EVs this year than last, mostly from Chinese powerhouse automaker BYD, according to Rho Motion. Related Articles Business | Thinking of buying an EV? You might want to move quickly Business | ‘Alarming’ new car prices push Bay Area buyers toward used vehicles, but they’re pricey, too Business | Car insurance premiums are rising: Which Bay Area cities pay more? Business | Walters: Major hurdles ahead for California’s zero-emission vehicle mandate Business | California auto emissions case gets US Supreme Court review Because China’s population is so much larger, its 40% growth year-to-date translates to many more EVs than Mexico’s fivefold increase. Other areas of note are the United Kingdom, which saw a roughly 17% increase year-to-date. That’s interesting to compare to France and Germany, which saw sales decline. In Turkey, the EV market grew by almost 50% year-to-date, driven by Tesla entering the market last year and Togg, a Turkish auto company, ramping up its sales. In Norway, which for years has been in first place for share of vehicles that are electric, 90% of new cars were EVs. The best-selling pure electric vehicles were the Tesla Model Y, followed by the Tesla Model 3 — both globally and in the U.S., according to Rho Motion. The Model Y SUV was released in 2020. Its base version today costs nearly $45,000. The Model 3 was released in 2017. The least expensive version sells for around $42,000. Both have been eligible for a $7,500 tax credit in the U.S. Tesla’s market share stood at 17% of all electric cars across the globe through October, according to Rho Motion. In the U.S., Tesla’s market share was 49% through October. That means the company still has the biggest EV market share. But its hold is shrinking as other auto companies combined sell a growing number of electrics. For example, GM, Ford, Honda and more are offering a wider variety of EVs at lower prices and sizes and are chipping away at Tesla’s longstanding lead. Tesla remains the most valuable auto company in the world, with a market value of $1.4 trillion. Alexa St. John is an Associated Press climate solutions reporter. Follow her on X: @alexa_stjohn . Reach her at ast.john@ap.org . The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org .US to require passenger vehicles to sound alarms if rear passengers don't fasten their seat belts

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Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino on Thursday ruled out negotiations with US President-elect Donald Trump over control of the Panama Canal, denying that China was interfering in its operation. Mulino also rejected the possibility of reducing tolls for US vessels in response to Trump's threat to demand control of the vital waterway connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans be returned to Washington. "There's nothing to talk about," Mulino told a press conference. "The canal is Panamanian and belongs to Panamanians. There's no possibility of opening any kind of conversation around this reality, which has cost the country blood, sweat and tears," he added. The canal, inaugurated in 1914, was built by the United States but handed to Panama on December 31, 1999, under treaties signed some two decades earlier by then-US president Jimmy Carter and Panamanian nationalist leader Omar Torrijos. Trump on Saturday slammed what he called "ridiculous" fees for US ships passing through the canal and hinted at China's growing influence. "It was solely for Panama to manage, not China, or anyone else," Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform. "We would and will NEVER let it fall into the wrong hands!" If Panama could not ensure "the secure, efficient and reliable operation" of the channel, "then we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to us, in full, and without question," he said. An estimated five percent of global maritime traffic passes through the Panama Canal, which allows ships traveling between Asia and the US East Coast to avoid the long, hazardous route around the southern tip of South America. The United States is its main user, accounting for 74 percent of cargo, followed by China with 21 percent. Mulino said the canal's usage fees were "not set at the whim of the president or the administrator" of the interoceanic waterway, but under a long-established "public and open process." "There is absolutely no Chinese interference or participation in anything to do with the Panama Canal," Mulino said. On Wednesday, Trump wrote on Truth Social alleged, without evidence, that Chinese soldiers were "lovingly, but illegally, operating the Panama Canal." Mulino denied that allegation, too. "There are no Chinese soldiers in the canal, for the love of God," he added. Panama established diplomatic relations with China in 2017, after breaking off ties with Taiwan -- a decision criticized by Trump's first administration. On Tuesday, dozens of demonstrators gathered outside the US embassy in Panama City chanting "Trump, animal, leave the canal alone" and burning an image of the incoming US president. jjr/fj/dr/ahaMysterious googly eyes go viral after appearing on public art in Oregon

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