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U.S. Olympic finalist Forrest Molinari explains why she believes more women’s wrestlers haven’t flocked to MMA yet

Mumbai: With India emerging as one of the top targets for cyber-attacks, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is prioritising advancements in cyber defence and cyber deterrence, DRDO chairman Samir Kamat said on Tuesday during his address at Techfest, the annual science and technology festival of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay. “Cyber warfare is continuous. It is not a declared war; it happens every day. India is among the most attacked countries in the world,” said Kamat. He compared cyber security to the strategic nuclear domain and emphasised the dual importance of cyber defence and cyber deterrence, saying, “You need deterrence capabilities to discourage attacks. Both cyber defence and deterrence are crucial, and this is where young minds can contribute significantly.” The DRDO chairman said all future battles would be network-centric and technologies like satellite communication and software-defined radios would play a pivotal role in ensuring a decisive edge. “Sensors and shooters may operate from different locations, but data must flow seamlessly,” he said. Speaking about DRDO’s initiatives to foster innovation, Kamat said that in 2020, the organisation launched five ‘Young Scientists Laboratories’ focusing on cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, cognitive technologies, asymmetric technologies, and smart materials. He also spoke about DRDO’s efforts to develop next-generation platforms like the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), a fifth-generation stealth aircraft featuring internal weapon bays that can operate in real-time during combat. The DRDO chairman referred to ongoing global conflicts, saying disruptive technologies were transforming warfare. “Unless we quickly adapt to these technologies, we risk falling behind. My goal is to show where the world is heading in defence research and development and inspire some of you to join us in this journey,” he said. One of the key areas identified by DRDO for future development is underwater domain awareness. “Detecting submarines at depths beyond 200 metres remains a significant challenge. Current technologies rely on acoustics, but emerging methods, such as space-based sensors using magnetic anomalies caused by submarine movements, show promise. Developing capabilities in this area will be a major focus for us,” he said. Eagle robot takes centre stage IIT Bombay’s Techfest 2024, which commenced on Tuesday, features an impressive array of lectures, exhibitions, and technological innovations from both Indian and international developers. It aims to inspire young minds and provide a platform for collaboration in fields like artificial intelligence, robotics, and sustainable technology. Among the highlights at the three-day festival is Eagle Robot, a teaching assistant created entirely in India by Eagle Robot Lab. Currently deployed in schools across Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Telangana, the robot assists students by answering their questions accurately in multiple languages, including English, Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, and Bengali. “Eagle Robot is revolutionising classroom learning by enabling seamless interaction in domestic and foreign languages. Around 40 robots are operational in schools across three states,” said Vignesh Rao, director of Eagle Robot Lab. The company plans to launch an upgraded version named Eagle 7 by February 2025. Another major attraction at the festival is the Unitree G1 humanoid robot from China, which is making its first appearance in India. Known for its advanced artificial intelligence capabilities and sustainable design, the humanoid robot has garnered significant global attention.

Protesters gather next to a burning barricade in Maputo on December 23, 2024. Mozambique’s highest court confirmed Monday the ruling party’s victory in a disputed October vote after allegations of rigging triggered weeks of deadly street clashes. Fears are high that more violence could break out in the southern African nation after the opposition threatened to call an uprising following the decision. (Photo by Amilton Neves / AFP) At least 21 people, including two police officers, have been killed in Mozambique in the last 24 hours, the government said, in post-election violence that erupted after the ruling party was controversially confirmed winners in recent elections. The Portuguese-speaking African country’s highest court had confirmed on Monday that the Frelimo party, in power since 1975, won the October 9 presidential election that had already triggered weeks of unrest. A total of “236 acts of serious violence were reported” across the country, leaving at least 25 people wounded including 13 police officers, Interior Minister Pascoal Ronda told a press conference late Tuesday. “Groups of armed men using bladed weapons and firearms have carried out attacks against police stations, penitentiary establishments and other infrastructure,” Ronda said. More than 70 people have been arrested, he added. The largely deserted capital Maputo was earlier hit by skirmishes between protesters and police, AFP reporters said. Police in armored vehicles patrolled the center of the city, where hundreds of protesters in small, scattered groups threw objects and started fires. Makeshift roadblocks on major thoroughfares were set alight on Monday evening, covering the city with thick smoke, soon after the court confirmed the victory of Frelimo’s presidential candidate Daniel Chapo. Chapo’s main challenger, exiled opposition leader Venancio Mondlane, has claimed the election was rigged, sparking fears of violence between rival party supporters. Shops, banks, supermarkets, petrol stations and public buildings, meanwhile, were ransacked, with their windows smashed and contents looted. Some were set on fire and reduced to smoldering rubble. “Maputo Central Hospital is operating in critical conditions. More than 200 employees have not been able to reach the site,” its director, Mouzinho Saide, told AFP, adding that nearly 90 people had been admitted with injuries. Forty were injured by firearms and four by knives, he added. Main roads leading to Maputo and the neighboring city of Matola were blocked by barricades and burning tires, while the road leading to Maputo airport was largely impassable. Most local residents stayed at home, with the few who ventured out doing so to look at the damage or do last-minute Christmas shopping. Christmas Eve is normally a busy time, with large crowds in central Maputo but shops and even small neighborhood grocery stores were closed, making petrol and bread unavailable. Public transport was also paralyzed, with only ambulances and funeral vehicles running. The unrest spread to several cities in the northern part of Mozambique, local media reported, with violence and vandalism in the provinces of Cabo Delgado, Nampula, Zambezia and Tete, where opposition support is strong. More than 100 people have already died in the unprecedented post-election violence, with fears that the toll could increase after Mondlane’s claim of victory. Mozambicans are demanding “electoral truth,” he said in a Facebook post. “We must continue the fight, remain united and strong.” Monday’s confirmation of the election result came despite claims of irregularities from many observers. Chapo won 65.1 percent of the vote, more than five points less than the initial results declared by the country’s electoral commission. In the National Assembly, Frelimo has a majority of 171 seats out of 250, down 24 from the announcement in October. “Venancio,” as Mondlane is called on the street, repeated his assertion in a social media message on Tuesday that the constitutional court was “legalizing fraud” and “the humiliation of the people.” “We want to create a People’s Constitutional Court, which will confirm Venancio Mondlane as president,” he said of himself. “I will be sworn in and invested,” he added. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . Chapo, who is due to take office in mid-January, struck a conciliatory tone in his victory speech on Monday, promising to “talk to everyone,” including his main opponent.Public support has been key for Canada Post workers as they halted mail delivery across the country, but maintaining that support had been getting harder as the strike dragged on, experts say. “As strikes wear on, they become more difficult to sustain, and if the public is not rallying behind you, it can be demoralizing for the union,” said Brock University labour professor Larry Savage. More than 55,000 postal workers have been off the job in a strike that has lasted more than four weeks. However, an end may be in sight. With the two sides seemingly still far apart, federal Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon said on Friday that he's asking the Canada Industrial Relations Board to look into whether a negotiated deal is possible before the end of the year. If the board decides it's not possible, MacKinnon is asking that it order workers back on the job and extend the terms of the current collective agreements until May 22, 2025. In the meantime, a commission would examine the dispute and provide recommendations on how new deals can be reached. Canadian Union of Postal Workers negotiator Jim Gallant says on the picket lines, Canada Post workers have been getting the support they need — plus coffee, doughnuts, fried chicken, knitted hats and socks, and even turkeys from citizens. But Savage said he feels overall public opinion has been mixed so far on the strike. “It’s not clear to me that either party is winning the war of public opinion,” he said. “(It) seems like a good chunk of people seem to not care about the strike, but those who do seem evenly split between Canada Post and the union. And I think lots of people are just frustrated and surprised that the strike has lasted this long.” That divide was reflected in a recent Angus Reid poll, though it was conducted during the third week of the work stoppage. The survey of just over 3,000 Canadians found 34 per cent sided with Canada Post and its demands, while 29 per cent stood with the union. The rest were unsure, or didn't support either side. Social media posts reflect the mixed opinions, with some people expressing frustration with the disruption and others proclaiming their support for striking postal workers. Adam King, an assistant professor in the labour studies department at the University of Manitoba, said online discourse doesn’t tell the whole story. “It takes very little effort to post a comment on a story, but it takes much more to show up to a picket line,” he said. On the picket lines King has seen in Winnipeg, “CUPW has received lots of support,” he said, from the labour movement and the public. King and Savage said there’s been a broader trend of higher public support for striking workers in recent years. “The fact that Canada Post isn't a profit-making, billionaire-owned company complicates it a little bit, because it's easier to go after a grocery baron, for example, than Canada Post,” said Savage. But both said even for the public sector, which Canadians historically have had less support for amid labour disputes, the public has been surprisingly onside over the past couple of years. “I think the public has been generally very understanding and receptive of workers' demands coming out of the pandemic,” said King. “I think there was a level of understanding that maybe wasn't there in previous years, that people really do understand that people are in a crunch, union members are in a cost of living squeeze, and they're sympathetic to their demands.” As the Canada Post strike dragged on, "I think there might be maybe some shifts in public opinion, and it might be harder to maintain, especially as the Christmas season approaches,” said King. But for the most part, “I would fit this strike into that longer pattern" of stronger support for striking workers, he said. Gallant said as the strike continued, there has been a lot of pressure on both sides to reach a deal. “We don't want to be the people that ruin Christmas,” he said. Business associations had called for government intervention, saying the strike was harming business owners during the key holiday season. The day the strike started, Shopify CEO Tobi Lütke posted on X that Canada Post is an essential service and shouldn’t be allowed to go on strike. But strikes are meant to disrupt “business as usual,” Savage pointed out — the anger of customers and business owners is intended to pressure employers to reach a deal. However, strikes “also risk alienating the public,” added Savage. “The trick is for the union to align its demands with the interests of the public. And that is like ... walking a tightrope,” said Savage. Bea Bruske, president of the Canadian Labour Congress, said public support is important for workers during strikes because it not only boosts morale on the picket line, it puts pressure on the employer to come to the table. "I mean, they are really stuck, but there's pressure all the way around. There's pressure on the employer, and there's pressure on the union as well," she said. When a strike goes on for multiple weeks, "it's harder to see the end of the road," said Bruske. Groups within the labour movement like the Canadian Labour Congress try to keep the momentum going through social media, email campaigns and speaking to the media, she said. "Making sure that you maintain that momentum and that public support for the issue is critically important." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 13, 2024. Rosa Saba, The Canadian Press

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Biden will decide on US Steel acquisition after influential panel fails to reach consensus WASHINGTON (AP) — A powerful government panel has failed to reach consensus on the possible national security risks of a nearly $15 billion proposed deal for Nippon Steel of Japan to purchase U.S. Steel. The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States on Monday sent its long-awaited report to President Joe Biden, a longtime opponent of the deal. Some federal agencies represented on the panel were skeptical that allowing a Japanese company to buy an American-owned steelmaker would create national security risks. That's according to a U.S. official familiar with the matter. Both Biden and President-elect Donald Trump opposed the merger and vowed to block it. Nippon Steel says it is confident the deal will go ahead. Nissan and Honda to attempt a merger that would create the world's No. 3 automaker TOKYO (AP) — Japanese automakers Nissan and Honda have announced plans to work toward a merger that would catapult them to a top position in an industry in the midst of tectonic shifts as it transitions away from its reliance on fossil fuels. The two companies said they signed an agreement on integrating their businesses on Monday. Smaller Nissan alliance member Mitsubishi Motors agreed to join the talks. News of a possible merger surfaced earlier this month. Japanese automakers face a strong challenge from their Chinese rivals and Tesla as they make inroads into markets at home and abroad. What a merger between Nissan and Honda means for the automakers and the industry BANGKOK (AP) — Japanese automakers Honda and Nissan will attempt to merge and create the world’s third-largest automaker by sales as the industry undergoes dramatic changes in its transition away from fossil fuels. The two companies said they had signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday and that smaller Nissan alliance member Mitsubishi Motors also had agreed to join the talks on integrating their businesses. Honda will initially lead the new management, retaining the principles and brands of each company. Following is a quick look at what a combined Honda and Nissan would mean for the companies, and for the auto industry. Survey: Small businesses are feeling more optimistic about the economy after the election A survey shows small business owners are feeling more optimistic about the economy following the election. The National Federation of Independent Businesses’ Small Business Optimism Index rose by eight points in November to 101.7, its highest reading since June 2021. The Uncertainty Index declined 12 points in November to 98, following October’s pre-election record high of 110. NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg said small business owners became more certain about future business conditions following the presidential election, breaking a nearly three-year streak of record high uncertainty. The survey also showed that more owners are also hoping 2025 will be a good time to grow. Heavy travel day starts with brief grounding of all American Airlines flights WASHINGTON (AP) — American Airlines briefly grounded flights nationwide due to a technical problem just as the Christmas travel season kicked into overdrive and winter weather threatened more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive. Government regulators cleared American flights to get airborne Tuesday about one hour after the Federal Aviation Administration ordered a national ground stop, which prevented planes from taking off. American said in an email that the problem was caused by an issue with a vendor technology that maintains its flight operating system. Aviation analytics company Cirium said flights were delayed across American’s major hubs, with only 37% leaving on time. Nineteen flights were cancelled. Nordstrom to be acquired by Nordstrom family and a Mexican retail group in $6.25 billion deal Century-old department store Nordstrom has agreed to be acquired and taken private by Nordstrom family members and a Mexican retail group in a $6.25 billion deal. Nordstrom shareholders will receive $24.25 in cash for each share of Nordstrom common stock, representing a 42% premium on the company’s stock as of March 18. Nordstrom’s board of directors unanimously approved the the proposed transaction, while Erik and Pete Nordstrom — part of the Nordstrom family taking over the company — recused themselves from voting. Following the close of the transaction, the Nordstrom Family will have a majority ownership stake in the company. Stock market today: Wall Street rallies ahead of Christmas Stocks closed higher on Wall Street ahead of the Christmas holiday, led by gains in Big Tech stocks. The S&P 500 added 1.1% Tuesday. Trading closed early ahead of the holiday. Tech companies including Apple, Amazon and chip company Broadcom helped pull the market higher. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.9%, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 1.3%. American Airlines shook off an early loss and ended mostly higher after the airline briefly grounded flights nationwide due to a technical issue. Treasury yields held steady in the bond market. The yield on the 10-year Treasury was little changed at 4.59% An analyst looks ahead to how the US economy might fare under Trump WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump won a return to the White House in part by promising big changes in economic policy — more tax cuts, huge tariffs on imports, mass deportations of immigrants working in the United States illegally. In some ways, his victory marked a repudiation of President Joe Biden’s economic stewardship and a protest against inflation. It came despite low unemployment and steady growth under the Biden administration. What lies ahead for the economy under Trump? Paul Ashworth of Capital Economics spoke recently to The Associated Press. The interview has been edited for length and clarity. American consumers feeling less confident in December, Conference Board says American consumers are feeling less confident in December, a business research group says. The Conference Board said Monday that its consumer confidence index fell back in December to 104.7 from 112.8 in November. Consumers had been feeling increasingly confident in recent months. The consumer confidence index measures both Americans’ assessment of current economic conditions and their outlook for the next six months. The measure of Americans’ short-term expectations for income, business and the job market tumbled more than a dozen points to 81.1. The Conference Board says a reading under 80 can signal a potential recession in the near future. Stock market today: Wall Street rises at the start of a holiday-shortened week Stocks closed higher on Wall Street at the start of a holiday-shortened week. The S&P 500 rose 0.7% Monday. Several big technology companies helped support the gains, including chip companies Nvidia and Broadcom. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.2%, and the Nasdaq composite rose 1%. Honda's U.S.-listed shares rose sharply after the company said it was in talks about a combination with Nissan in a deal that could also include Mitsubishi Motors. Eli Lilly rose after announcing that regulators approved Zepbound as the first prescription medicine for adults with sleep apnea. Treasury yields rose in the bond market.Share Tweet Share Share Email In today’s fast-paced world, startup founders and business owners face numerous challenges when scaling their companies. From juggling operations to crafting marketing strategies, the path to sustainable growth can feel overwhelming. Enter Artificial Intelligence (AI)—a game-changing tool that’s transforming how businesses grow, innovate, and compete. Let’s explore how AI empowers founders to scale their businesses efficiently, overcome challenges, and achieve remarkable success. The Challenges of Scaling a Business Scaling a business is no easy feat. Many founders encounter common roadblocks such as: Resource Constraints: Limited time, money, and manpower often slow down progress. Operational Inefficiencies: Manual processes can hinder productivity and waste resources. Marketing Struggles: Creating effective campaigns that attract the right audience is a daunting task. Decision Fatigue: With countless decisions to make daily, founders often feel stuck or unsure. These challenges can stall growth and make it hard for startups to reach their full potential. This is where AI steps in, offering solutions that are both innovative and practical. How AI Tools Revolutionize Business Growth AI has the power to turn these challenges into opportunities. Here’s how it works: 1. Optimizing Operations AI tools can automate repetitive tasks, freeing up valuable time for founders to focus on strategic decisions. For example: Customer Support: AI-powered chatbots provide 24/7 assistance, reducing workload and improving customer satisfaction. Inventory Management: Predictive analytics tools help businesses avoid overstocking or running out of products. 2. Enhancing Marketing Strategies AI transforms marketing from guesswork to precision by: Personalizing Campaigns: AI analyzes customer data to deliver tailored content that resonates with individual preferences. Improving Ad Performance: Tools like AI-driven ad platforms optimize budgets and target audiences more effectively. Content Creation: AI-powered tools can generate blog posts, social media captions, and even email campaigns in minutes. 3. Data-Driven Decision-Making AI provides actionable insights from data that might otherwise go unnoticed. Founders can use AI to: Identify emerging market trends. Predict customer behavior. Make informed financial decisions. By leveraging these capabilities, businesses can grow faster, smarter, and more sustainably. Case Studies: Success with AI To illustrate the power of AI, let’s look at two examples: 1. A Startup Scaling Its E-commerce Operations A small e-commerce business struggled with slow delivery times and inventory mismanagement. By implementing AI-powered inventory tools, the company optimized stock levels and reduced delays. Sales increased by 30%, and customer satisfaction soared. 2 . A SaaS Company Boosting Customer Acquisition A software-as-a-service (SaaS) startup wanted to attract more users but lacked the resources for extensive marketing. Using AI-driven marketing platforms, they created targeted campaigns that brought in 50% more leads while cutting costs by 20%. These examples show how AI can turn challenges into growth opportunities, regardless of industry. Practical Tips for Founders AI isn’t just for tech giants—it’s accessible to startups and small businesses too. Here are some practical steps founders can take today: Start Small: Identify one area where AI can make an immediate impact, such as automating customer support. Leverage Free or Affordable Tools: Many AI tools, like HubSpot for marketing or Trello for project management, offer free versions. Analyze Your Data: Use AI-powered analytics tools to uncover insights about your customers and operations. Invest in Training: Ensure your team understands how to use AI effectively to maximize its benefits. Consult Experts: Partner with agencies like Ena Pragma Consulting to develop tailored AI strategies for your business. By taking these steps, founders can unlock the immense potential of AI and position their businesses for long-term success . The Role of Ena Pragma Consulting Navigating the world of AI and advanced marketing can be daunting, especially for busy founders. That’s where Ena Pragma Consulting comes in. We specialize in helping startups and businesses scale efficiently by combining cutting-edge AI tools with innovative marketing strategies. Whether you’re looking to optimize operations, supercharge your marketing, or drive sustainable growth, our team has the expertise to guide you every step of the way. Conclusion: Embrace the AI Advantage Scaling a business is no longer about working harder—it’s about working smarter. With AI, founders can overcome common challenges, streamline operations, and unlock new growth opportunities . Ready to take your business to the next level? Visit Ena Pragma Consulting today to explore customized AI and marketing solutions designed to help you scale successfully. The future of your business starts now! Related Items: Business Growth , tech Share Tweet Share Share Email Recommended for you The Role of AI in Streamlining Law Firm Operations Tech Is Shaping the Future of Food: Here’s How Venture Capital is Carrying that Tech Across the Finish Line Skyhawk Drone Review: Truth Revealed! Read Before Buying Comments

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Jalen Johnson scores 28 to lead the Hawks over the Bulls 120-110Tabarak Holding Invests EGP 60Bn In Real Estate Development For 2024Plans submitted on behalf of the developers said the project will create a "high quality development that will provide much-needed purpose-built student accommodation". They added it will also deliver residential flats — to be managed by the West of Scotland Housing Association — and a ground floor commercial unit. Rising to 19 storeys at its highest point, the new development will "align with the shoulder block of the Scottish Power building" nearby. READ MORE: Scottish family-owned jeweller hails major openings Scottish golf drives towards 2025 in mixed fortunes Major Glasgow employer sold to... Drew Sandelands

The Buccaneers announced the signing of linebacker Shaquil Barrett. Initial reports Friday night indicated Barrett was signing with the team’s practice squad, but he signed to the 53-player roster. He has not played this season after deciding to retire over the summer, but the Dolphins waived him from the reserve/retired list this week. The Bucs also announced they signed punter Jack Browning to the active roster. Wide receiver Kameron Johnson and safety Jordan Whitehead were activated back to the active roster from injured reserve. Whitehead landed on injured reserve Nov. 29 after injuring a pectoral muscle in Week 12 against the Giants. Johnson played four early season games before going on injured reserve Oct. 21 with an ankle injury he aggravated in Week 5 against the Falcons. The Buccaneers waived linebacker Vi Jones. Additionally, the Bucs elevated linebacker Deion Jones and quarterback Michael Pratt from the practice squad for Sunday’s game. It marks the first elevation of the season for Jones and the third for Pratt.

The Dow rocketed to a fresh record Friday, extending a post-election US equity rally while the euro retreated against the dollar following weak eurozone data. The blue-chip index piled on one percent to end the day at 44,296.51, narrowly overtaking a record set earlier this month. Major American indices have been at or near record territory since the US election, with investors betting that President-elect Donald Trump's program of tax cuts and regulatory scale-back would more than offset the drag from expected tariff increases. "The trading most of this week has been influenced by the growth agenda," said Jack Ablin, chief investment officer at Cresset Capital Management. Market watchers have been cheered this week by a broadening of the rally beyond the tech names that dominated earlier in the year. The dollar also continued to strengthen, reflecting less certainty about additional Federal Reserve interest rate cuts and the US currency's status as a haven asset amid escalating tensions in the Russia-Ukraine war. The euro was also battered by a closely watched survey showing contractions in November business activity in the eurozone. The HCOB Flash Eurozone purchasing managers' index (PMI) published by S&P Global dropped to 48.1 compared to 50.0 in October, the most marked rate of contraction in 10 months. Any reading above 50 indicates growth, while a figure below 50 shows contraction. "Things could hardly have turned out much worse," said Cyrus de la Rubia, chief economist at Hamburg Commercial Bank. "The eurozone's manufacturing sector is sinking deeper into recession, and now the services sector is starting to struggle after two months of marginal growth." But as the euro fell both Paris and Frankfurt stocks managed to recover their losses and advance. "The eurozone data has increased the chance of more rate cuts from the ECB next year," said Kathleen Brooks, research director at XTB, as well a cut of 50 basis points next month. "Investors have been jolted into recalibrating interest rate expectations on the back of this bleak economic news," she added. London managed to gain 1.4 percent despite data showing that retail sales figures for October undershot forecasts, as the pound fell against the dollar. In Asia, Tokyo climbed as the government prepared to announce a $140 billion stimulus package to kickstart the country's stuttering economy. However, Hong Kong and Shanghai sank on a sell-off in tech firms caused by weak earnings from firms including Temu-owner PDD Holdings and internet giant Baidu. Bitcoin set a new record high above $99,500 Friday, before easing back slightly. The leading digital currency is expected to soon burst through $100,000 as investors grow increasingly hopeful that Trump will pass measures to deregulate the crypto sector. Bitcoin has soared more than 40 percent since the Republican's election victory this month and has more than doubled since the turn of the year. The recent surge has also been "driven by news that Trump could set up an official crypto department that would sit in the heart of US government," said XTB's Brooks. New York - Dow: UP 1.0 percent at 44,296.51 (close) New York - S&P 500: UP 0.4 percent at 5,969.34 (close) New York - Nasdaq Composite: UP 0.2 percent at 19,003.65 (close) London - FTSE 100: UP 1.4 percent at 8,262.08 (close) Paris - CAC 40: UP 0.6 percent at 7,255.01 (close) Frankfurt - DAX: UP 0.9 percent at 19,322.59 (close) Tokyo - Nikkei 225: UP 0.7 percent at 38,283.85 (close) Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: DOWN 1.9 percent at 19,229.97 (close) Shanghai - Composite: DOWN 3.1 percent at 3,267.19 (close) Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.0418 from $1.0474 on Thursday Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.2530 from $1.2589 Dollar/yen: UP at 154.83 yen from 154.54 yen Euro/pound: DOWN at 83.11 pence from 83.20 pence West Texas Intermediate: UP 1.6 percent at $71.24 per barrel Brent North Sea Crude: UP 1.3 percent at $75.17 per barrel burs-jmb/mlmDrBalcony App Redefines Balcony Inspections with Unparalleled Efficiency

NEW YORK (AP) — In a string of visits, dinners, calls, monetary pledges and social media overtures, big tech chiefs — including Apple’s Tim Cook , OpenAI’s Sam Altman , Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg , SoftBank’s Masayoshi Son and Amazon’s Jeff Bezos — have joined a parade of business and world leaders in trying to improve their standing with President-elect Donald Trump before he takes office in January. “The first term, everybody was fighting me,” Trump said in remarks at Mar-a-Lago . “In this term, everybody wants to be my friend.” Tech companies and leaders have now poured millions into his inauguration fund, a sharp increase — in most cases — from past pledges to incoming presidents. But what does the tech industry expect to gain out of their renewed relationships with Trump? RELATED COVERAGE Trump hosts Apple CEO at Mar-a-Lago as big tech leaders continue outreach to president-elect OpenAI’s legal battle with Elon Musk reveals internal turmoil over avoiding AI ‘dictatorship’ OpenAI’s Altman will donate $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund Clearing the way for AI development A clue to what the industry is looking for came just days before the election when Microsoft executives — who’ve largely tried to show a neutral or bipartisan stance — joined with a close Trump ally, venture capitalist Marc Andreessen, to publish a blog post outlining their approach to artificial intelligence policy. “Regulation should be implemented only if its benefits outweigh its costs,” said the document signed by Andreessen, his business partner Ben Horowitz, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and the company’s president, Brad Smith. They also urged the government to back off on any attempt to strengthen copyright laws that would make it harder for companies to use publicly available data to train their AI systems. And they said, “the government should examine its procurement practices to enable more startups to sell technology to the government.” Trump has pledged to rescind President Joe Biden’s sweeping AI executive order, which sought to protect people’s rights and safety without stifling innovation. He hasn’t specified what he would do in its place, but his campaign said AI development should be “rooted in Free Speech and Human Flourishing.” Easier energy for data centers Trump’s choice to head the Interior Department, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, has spoken openly about the need to boost electricity production to meet increased demand from data centers and artificial intelligence. “The AI battle affects everything from defense to healthcare to education to productivity as a country,′′ Burgum said on Nov. 15, referring to artificial intelligence. “And the AI that’s coming in the next 18 months is going to be revolutionary. So there’s just a sense of urgency and a sense of understanding in the Trump administration′′ to address it. Demand for data centers ballooned in recent years due to the rapid growth of cloud computing and AI, and local governments are competing for lucrative deals with big tech companies. But as data centers begin to consume more resources, some residents are pushing back against the world’s most powerful corporations over concerns about the economic, social and environmental health of their communities. Changing the antitrust discussion “Maybe Big Tech should buy a copy of ‘The Art of The Deal’ to figure out how to best negotiate with this administration,” suggested Paul Swanson, an antitrust attorney for the law firm Holland & Hart. “I won’t be surprised if they find ways to reach some accommodations and we end up seeing more negotiated resolutions and consent decrees.” Although federal regulators began cracking down on Google and Facebook during Trump’s first term as president — and flourished under Biden — most experts expect his second administration to ease up on antitrust enforcement and be more receptive to business mergers. Google may benefit from Trump’s return after he made comments on the campaign trail suggesting a breakup of the company isn’t in the U.S. national interest, after a judge declared its search engine an illegal monopoly . But recent nominations put forward by his transition team have favored those who have been critical of Big Tech companies, suggesting Google won’t be entirely off the hook. Fending off the EU Cook’s notoriously rocky relationship with the EU can be traced back to a 2016 ruling from Brussels in a tax case targeting Apple. Cook slammed the bloc’s order for Apple to pay back up to 13 billion euros ($13.7 billion) in Irish back taxes as “total political crap.” Trump, then in his first term as president, piled on, referring to the European Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, who was spearheading a campaign on special tax deals and a crackdown on Big Tech companies, as someone who “really hates the U.S.” Brussels was eventually vindicated after the bloc’s top court rejected Apple’s appeal this year, though it didn’t stop Cook from calling Trump to complain, Trump recounted in a podcast in October. Making amends? Altman , Amazon and Meta all pledged to donate $1 million each to Trump’s inaugural fund. During his first term, Trump criticized Amazon and railed against the political coverage at The Washington Post, which billionaire Bezos owns. Meanwhile, Bezos had criticized some of Trump’s past rhetoric. In 2019, Amazon also argued in a court case that Trump’s bias against the company harmed its chances of winning a $10 billion Pentagon contract. More recently, Bezos has struck a more conciliatory tone. He recently said at The New York Times’ DealBook Summit in New York that he was “optimistic” about Trump’s second term, while also endorsing president-elect’s plans to cut regulations. The donation from Meta came just weeks after Zuckerberg met with Trump privately at Mar-a-Lago. During the 2024 campaign, Zuckerberg did not endorse a candidate for president, but voiced a more positive stance toward Trump. Earlier this year, he praised Trump’s response to his first assassination attempt. Still, Trump in recent months had continued to attack Zuckerberg publicly. And Altman, who is in a legal dispute with AI rival Elon Musk, has said he is “not that worried” about the Tesla CEO’s influence in the incoming administration. Musk, an early OpenAI investor and board member, sued the company earlier this year alleging that the maker of ChatGPT betrayed its founding aims of benefiting the public good rather than pursuing profits. What about Elon Musk? “We have two multi-billionaires, Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, who are tasked with cutting what they’re saying will be multiple trillions of dollars from the federal budget, reducing the civil service, the workforce,” said Rob Lalka, a business professor at Tulane University. Musk, he said, has a level of access to the White House that very few others have had -- access that allows him to potentially influence multiple policy areas, including foreign policy, automotive and energy policy through EVs, and tech policy on artificial intelligence. “Elon Musk walked into Twitter’s headquarters with a sink and then posted, ‘let that sink in,‘” he said. “Elon Musk then posted a status update on X, a picture of himself with a sink in the Oval Office and said, ‘Let that sink in.′"Nova Bus partners with Lithion Technologies to strengthen the sustainable electrification of public transitThe man accused of burning a woman to death inside a New York City subway train used a shirt to fan the flames, a prosecutor said at his arraignment on murder charges. Sebastian Zapeta, 33, who federal immigration officials said is a Guatemalan citizen who entered the US illegally, was not required to enter a plea and did not speak at the hearing in Brooklyn criminal court. He will remain jailed at the city’s Rikers Island complex and is due back in court on Friday. His lawyer did not ask for bail. Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Zapeta is charged with two counts of murder, accusing him of intentionally killing the woman and killing her while committing arson. He is also charged with one count of arson. The top charge carries a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole. Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez called the attack a “gruesome and senseless act of violence” and said it would be “met with the most serious consequences.” The apparently random attack occurred Sunday morning on a train stopped at the Coney Island station. The victim’s identification is still pending. Authorities say Zapeta approached the woman, who may have been sleeping in the train, and set her clothing on fire with a lighter. Zapeta then fanned the flames with a shirt, engulfing her in fire, Assistant District Attorney Ari Rottenberg said in court Tuesday. Zapeta sat on a bench on the subway platform and watched, Rottenberg said. According to Rottenberg, Zapeta told detectives that he didn’t know what happened but identified himself in images of the attack. Zapeta’s lawyer, public defender Andrew Friedman, did not speak to reporters after the arraignment. Video on social media appears to show some people looking on from the platform and at least one police officer walking by while the woman is on fire inside the train. NYPD Transit Chief Joseph Gulotta said Sunday that several officers responded to the fire and one stayed to keep the crime scene “the way it’s supposed to be” while the others went to get fire extinguishers and transit workers. “Officers who were on patrol on an upper level of that station smelled and saw smoke and went to investigate. What they saw was a person standing inside the train car fully engulfed in flames,” Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. They eventually put the fire out, but “unfortunately, it was too late,” Tisch said, and the woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Zapeta was taken into custody Sunday afternoon while riding a train on the same subway line after teenagers recognised him from images circulated by the police. A Brooklyn address for Zapeta released by police matches a shelter that provides housing and substance abuse support. Federal immigration officials said Zapeta was deported in 2018 but later reentered the US illegally. The crime deepened a growing sense of unease among some New Yorkers about the safety of the subway system, amplified by graphic video of the attack that ricocheted across social media. Overall, crime is down in the transit system compared to last year. But murders are up, with nine killings this year through to November compared to five during the same period last year. There have also been several high-profile incidents, including one in September where police inadvertently shot two bystanders and a fellow officer when they opened fire on a man holding a knife in front of a train. Earlier this month, a Manhattan jury acquitted former Marine Daniel Penny in the chokehold death last year of an agitated subway rider. The case became a flashpoint in debates over safety, homelessness and mental illness on the system.After Sharing Switch 2 Images, Dbrand Is Back With Actual Measurements

Though they're so common that we don't typically give them much thought, lights are fascinating elements of the modern world. By sending an electrical current through a conductor, extreme amounts of heat are generated, and visible light is created. With that, we can see in the dark, but that's not all. This process can also be used to create lights of different colors, like those generated by the uniquely useful color-changing smart lights , for instance. This technology can liven up a party or make for interesting photography opportunities, but sometimes, the change of hue in lights isn't so intentional. Some of the most important light systems in use are street lights. They go a long way in keeping drivers safe when the sun goes down, keeping the road visible and hazards illuminated. More often than not, these lights are an off-white, light blue, or light gold color, but there is one strange exception that has become prevalent in some areas. Some motorists have taken notice of street lights giving off a purple glow, and not just one or two here and there, either. It's not unheard of to spot dozens of purple street lights in a similar region, strangely alongside their traditional counterparts. As it turns out, this isn't intentional, with the most likely answer pertaining to a manufacturing defect within specific bulbs that cause them to go from white to violet or purple. These defective purple-appearing street lights have made a fair amount of buzz online. Here's what we know about what could be causing this strange phenomena. One of the leading hypothesis regarding the reason for street lights turning purple pertains to the newer tech used to illuminate them. Cities have switched from sodium lamps to LEDs due to their comparative energy efficiency, but there's more to it than merely swapping bulbs. LEDs can't give off a white hue, so extra steps need to be taken to make them appear to do so. This process involves adding a phosphor layer to a blue LED, which, when powered on, appears to emit white light by restraining blue and releasing a combination of red and yellow. This is where the mysterious purple coloring could come in. It's entirely possible that over time, this phosphor layer has peeled away from the blue light, altering the color of the street lights they're housed within. Instead of appearing white to the common driver, they could give off a violet or even full-on purple light. This is nothing compared to the biggest downside of LED lighting , but it's still a noticeable defect. It has been said that this is likely a widespread yet fixable issue with the manufacturing of these bulbs, so these strange purple lights will likely become an anomaly of the past sooner rather than later once they can be replaced with fresh lamps. Before these purple street lights are completely replaced, though, it's worth mentioning the dangers they present for motorists and pedestrians alike. At first glance, purple street lights might not seem like much of an issue. As it turns out, many have even expressed positive sentiments toward them since they started popping up. Be that as it may, these defective lights are anything but innocuous. They come with some major concerns in terms of driver and pedestrian safety, specifically speaking to how they impact visibility. Due to the nature of the human eye and how it perceives blue-hued light, as objects get closer and come into focus, they become more difficult to see. The longer it takes to visually process a road obstacle, the more likely an accident involving it becomes. In addition to issues with focusing on objects while under purple light, these defective lamps can give off reduced brightness to their white or yellow counterparts. Naturally, this decreases driver and walker visibility even further. Muddying the waters a bit more, purple light doesn't exactly take well to other colors. They tend to wash most shades out and make colors appear blue, purple, or black. This means that everything from street signs to other vehicles can blend in with their surroundings, putting folks in even more danger. You should already keep some key safety tips in mind when driving at night , but doing so around purple street lights calls for another level of caution. Ideally, the remaining purple street lights on the road will be replaced soon enough, eliminating what could be catalysts for potential accidents.