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Mississippi State overcomes early deficit to down Prairie View A&MBOGOTA, Colombia — 2024 was a brutal year for the Amazon rainforest, with rampant wildfires and extreme drought ravaging large parts of a biome that’s a critical counterweight to climate change. A warming climate fed drought that in turn fed the worst year for fires since 2005. And those fires contributed to deforestation, with authorities suspecting some fires were set to more easily clear land to run cattle. The Amazon is twice the size of India and sprawls across eight countries and one territory, storing vast amounts of carbon dioxide that would otherwise warm the planet. It has about 20% of the world’s fresh water and astounding biodiversity, including 16,000 known tree species. But governments have historically viewed it as an area to be exploited, with little regard for sustainability or the rights of its Indigenous peoples, and experts say exploitation by individuals and organized crime is rising at alarming rates. “The fires and drought experienced in 2024 across the Amazon rainforest could be ominous indicators that we are reaching the long-feared ecological tipping point,” said Andrew Miller, advocacy director at Amazon Watch, an organization that works to protect the rainforest. “Humanity’s window of opportunity to reverse this trend is shrinking, but still open.” There were some bright spots. The level of Amazonian forest loss fell in both Brazil and Colombia. And nations gathered for the annual United Nations conference on biodiversity agreed to give Indigenous peoples more say in nature conservation decisions. “If the Amazon rainforest is to avoid the tipping point, Indigenous people will have been a determinant factor," Miller said. Forest loss in Brazil’s Amazon — home to the largest swath of this rainforest — dropped 30.6% compared to the previous year, the lowest level of destruction in nine years. The improvement under leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva contrasted with deforestation that hit a 15-year high under Lula's predecessor, far-right leader Jair Bolsonaro, who prioritized agribusiness expansion over forest protection and weakened environmental agencies. In July, Colombia reported historic lows in deforestation in 2023, driven by a drop in environmental destruction. The country's environment minister Susana Muhamad warned that 2024's figures may not be as promising as a significant rise in deforestation had already been recorded by July due to dry weather caused by El Nino, a weather phenomenon that warms the central Pacific. Illegal economies continue to drive deforestation in the Andean nation. “It’s impossible to overlook the threat posed by organized crime and the economies they control to Amazon conservation,” said Bram Ebus, a consultant for Crisis Group in Latin America. “Illegal gold mining is expanding rapidly, driven by soaring global prices, and the revenues of illicit economies often surpass state budgets allocated to combat them.” In Brazil, large swaths of the rainforest were draped in smoke in August from fires raging across the Amazon, Cerrado savannah, Pantanal wetland and the state of Sao Paulo. Fires are traditionally used for deforestation and for managing pastures, and those man-made blazes were largely responsible for igniting the wildfires. For a second year, the Amazon River fell to desperate lows , leading some countries to declare a state of emergency and distribute food and water to struggling residents. The situation was most critical in Brazil, where one of the Amazon River's main tributaries dropped to its lowest level ever recorded. Cesar Ipenza, an environmental lawyer who lives in the heart of the Peruvian Amazon, said he believes people are becoming increasingly aware of the Amazon's fundamental role “for the survival of society as a whole." But, like Miller, he worries about a “point of no return of Amazon destruction.” It was the worst year for Amazon fires since 2005, according to nonprofit Rainforest Foundation US. Between January and October, an area larger than the state of Iowa — 37.42 million acres, or about 15.1 million hectares of Brazil’s Amazon — burned. Bolivia had a record number of fires in the first ten months of the year. “Forest fires have become a constant, especially in the summer months and require particular attention from the authorities who don't how to deal with or respond to them,” Ipenza said. Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, and Guyana also saw a surge in fires this year. The United Nations conference on biodiversity — this year known as COP16 — was hosted by Colombia. The meetings put the Amazon in the spotlight and a historic agreement was made to give Indigenous groups more of a voice on nature conservation decisions , a development that builds on a growing movement to recognize Indigenous people's role in protecting land and combating climate change. Both Ebus and Miller saw promise in the appointment of Martin von Hildebrand as the new secretary general for the Amazon Treaty Cooperation Organization, announced during COP16. “As an expert on Amazon communities, he will need to align governments for joint conservation efforts. If the political will is there, international backers will step forward to finance new strategies to protect the world’s largest tropical rainforest,” Ebus said. Ebus said Amazon countries need to cooperate more, whether in law enforcement, deploying joint emergency teams to combat forest fires, or providing health care in remote Amazon borderlands. But they need help from the wider world, he said. “The well-being of the Amazon is a shared global responsibility, as consumer demand worldwide fuels the trade in commodities that finance violence and environmental destruction,” he said. Next year marks a critical moment for the Amazon, as Belém do Pará in northern Brazil hosts the first United Nations COP in the region that will focus on climate. “Leaders from Amazon countries have a chance to showcase strategies and demand tangible support," Ebus said.
Charleston White's shocking call for Angel Reese to 'dunk in lingerie' sparks outrage
Will the final pair of episodes of HBO’s Dune: Prophecy pay off the table-setting of the first four? They have to, right? The truth is that the critical and commercial reputation of this show could hinge on whether or not they do. If it’s all more set-up for future seasons, more wheel-spinning as the writers of this show put pieces in place instead of actually moving them on the game board, then it’s going to make this overall season feel like a disappointment. On the other hand, if the lit fuses finally lead to explosions, it could get the buzz that this show has distinctly been lacking. Notice how people online kept talking about The Penguin after its fantastic finale ? Dune: Prophecy could use that kind of buzz, or risk sinking into the desert of the glut of TV options in the 2020s. “Twice Born” is another choppy episode for about half of its runtime, continuing the division of its two most captivating characters in Valya and Tula Harkonnen, and spending a lot of time talking about what to do instead of actually doing anything. Despite the dramatic throat-clearing, there are thematic elements of the episode that are worth unpacking. For example, notice how the episode opens with two families in crisis, paralleling the power structures of House Harkonnen and House Corrino. It starts with Valya’s reunion with her elderly uncle Evgeny, who blames her for the dissolution of the legacy of his entire house. Understanding that Harrow Harkonnen is someone she could easily control, she offers herself as the family’s Truthsayer. She will guide them back to the High Council and again control universal politics from behind the curtain. She’s essentially pitching the creation of a leader from the rubble of a regime she helped topple a generation ago. Cut to the Corrinos, who are on the opposite end of the power spectrum but also facing a formative chapter in their legacy. Nez is startled to see Desmond Hart at the table, especially as rumors circulate about how he murdered Pruwet Richese. She doesn’t hold back, telling her father that she won’t be a part of his plans if they include Desmond. In an interesting beat that could be easily missed, Constantine moves to join Nez as she storms out and Javicco orders him to sit. He may not be able to control Nez, but he’s not going to lose Constantine too. Javicco is preparing for a meeting of the High Council, over which he’s kind of like the Speaker of the House, the Emperor who listens to the grievances and concerns of the other regimes throughout the universe. At the same time, Desmond is caught ripping out pages of Kasha’s sisterhood book one by one. It’s real “Universal Psycho” behavior, and he encourages Javicco to use that sociopathic power to his greatest advantage. “Show them the man that you are,” he says. “Use me.” He’s a weapon to turn policy into power. Is Dune: Prophecy a political commentary on life in the 2010s and 2020s, in which political discussion has turned to violence? Perhaps, but it’s thinly written so far if it’s designed to make any sort of specific political point beyond “be careful how you wield the power you’ve been lucky/corrupt enough to achieve.” While wheels are turning (or spinning) behind the scenes, the rebels are planning an attack during the High Council meeting, one involving a “thinking machine,” a drone that can get close to the emperor before exploding. Shortly after learning of its existence, we learn that Valya knows about the drone bomb and plans to use that knowledge to reveal Atreides as a betrayer and gain favor with the council. It’s again power vs. politics, the main theme of the show. It will all end rather abruptly, cutting a potentially interesting plot thread before it has a chance to go anywhere, but I’m getting ahead of myself. Time for the acolytes! The episode actually opens with a haunting vision related to the death of Dorotea by Valya’s voice, a dream that multiple acolytes appear to be having at the same time. To try to figure out what they know and how they know it, Tula initiates a spice ceremony with the acolytes, starting them on a sort of vision trip like they’re getting high in the desert on their way to Joshua Tree. On the futuristic trip, the acolytes start furiously drawing circles. It’s a terrifying beat in a show that could use more powerful imagery. Is it the well where Dorotea was killed? Is it a sandworm? A planet? A bouncy ball? Tula tries to pull them out of the vision with her voice, but she can’t, until they all settle on the same drawing that looks like eyes in the darkness. It’s later revealed it’s not the well but the Shai-Hulud, the Fremen word for a sandworm. Why? Are the sisters drawing the connection between what happened on Arrakis to Desmond Hart? A bit of behind-the-scenes action—most importantly, Nez going to Atreides to help burn down her father’s empire—leads into the High Council meeting. There’s some political chatter and talk of grievances before Nez makes her move, accusing Desmond of killing Pruwet on the Council floor. It turns out the rebels and Valya don’t need an actual bomb when they have a princess to blow everything up. And then Desmond steps in. He did kill Pruwet. He brought in a thinking machine, and that’s punishable by death in the regime that Desmond wants to make a reality. And he caught the rebels, although the Atreides connection appears unknown or at least kept secret. With a nod from his boss, Desmond lights up opposing council leaders and the rebels. It’s a brutal display of power that takes a physical toll on Desmond, which Javicco seems more concerned about than the chaos that the very public violence will sow. Back to Tula, who’s talking to Emeline, who has put all of the pieces together. The Harkonnen sisters killed Dorotea and Orry. And she’s going to tell everyone. Tula responds by slitting her throat. Valya has been portrayed as the vicious one, but Tula will do whatever it takes too. Wait! It’s a dream. Or is it a vision? Will she have to murder to keep her sister’s secrets? She has something else to worry about first when she wakes to find Lila has returned from her spice agony. Lila doesn’t know where she is. What will Tula tell her? In the episode’s final scene, Evgeny croaks (Mark Addy deserved better), leaving Harrow fully in charge, which is exactly what Valya wants. She can control him. She has a vision of Griffin. Or does she? Is it a shapeshifter? As Griffin shifts into another figure, Valya says, “Thank you, Theo.” It was Theodosia, the sister who went on the journey with Valya. Did she know that Valya needed to see Griffin one more time to center her? It’s a reminder of how much of this show is about the death of a Harkonnen at the hands of House Atreides and the battle that will continue over ten thousand years. Stray observations
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Racism toward migrant workers in N.S. on the rise due to misinformation, agency saysA woman has died and two people were injured after a single-vehicle crash in Lanark Highlands on Saturday afternoon, according to Ontario Provincial Police. Police say the crash happened in a rural area on Black Creek Road near Loves Road, about 100 kilometres west of Ottawa at around 3:20 p.m. A small sedan-type vehicle was found to have rolled over onto its roof and one of the occupants was trapped inside. Emergency services at the scene found a 41-year-old woman with serious injuries who was later pronounced dead at the scene, according to police. Two others were taken to hospital with minor injuries. The investigation into what led to the crash is ongoing by OPP and the Chief Coroner of Ontario. Roads in the area were closed for about seven hours on Saturday and have since re-opened. Shopping Trends The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. 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Baby found dead in south Edmonton parking lot: police Police are investigating the death of an infant in south Edmonton. Trump calls for immediate cease-fire in Ukraine and says a U.S. withdrawal from NATO is possible Donald Trump on Sunday pushed Russian leader Vladimir Putin to act to reach an immediate ceasefire with Ukraine, describing it as part of his active efforts as U.S. president-elect to end the war despite being weeks from taking office. Quebec Premier meets with Trump, Zelenskyy and Musk during Paris trip Quebec Premier François Legault met up with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, U.S. president-elect Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk while visiting Paris this weekend. A man, a bike and a gun: Police search for evidence to solve the killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO on the streets of New York As the investigation into the fatal shooting of a health care executive in Manhattan enters its fifth day, New York City police are missing key pieces of evidence. After $80 million Lotto Max, another lucky Lotto 6/49 ticket sold in Quebec Lotto-Québec announced on Sunday that "the classic jackpot of $5 million, offered in yesterday's (Saturday) Lotto 6/49 draw, was won thanks to a ticket sold in Quebec." Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly focused on re-election, doesn’t explicitly rule out future Liberal leadership bid Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly insisted she supports Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and is focused on her own re-election, but wouldn't explicitly rule out a future Liberal leadership bid, in an interview on CTV's Question Period airing Sunday. ‘Moana 2’ cruises to another record weekend and US$600 million globally The Walt Disney Co.'s animated film 'Moana 2' remained at the top of the box office in its second weekend in theatres as it brought in another record haul. Trump says he can't guarantee tariffs won't raise U.S. prices and promises swift immigration action Donald Trump said he can't guarantee that his promised tariffs on key U.S. foreign trade partners won't raise prices for American consumers and he suggested once more that some political rivals and federal officials who pursued legal cases against him should be imprisoned. Atlantic The 61st Annual Christmas Daddies Telethon raises more than $559,000 for children in need The 61st annual Christmas Daddies Telethon continued its proud Maritime tradition, raising more than $559,000 for children in need on Saturday. Federal Government announces more than $1 billion to meet New Brunswick’s electrical needs Natural Resources Canada announced it will spend more than $1 billion for the province of New Brunswick to meet growing electricity demands in a news release Sunday. Actor visits Halifax mission with socks for those in need Canadian actor and singer Tom Jackson delivered socks to the Souls Harbour Rescue Mission on Friday as part of a campaign to save lives this Christmas. Toronto Ontario saw the highest number of whooping cough cases in the last 17 years: report The number of whooping cough cases in Ontario this year has reached a level that hasn't been seen in 17 years. Car crash sends at least 2 to hospital and leaves debris on Mississauga Road At least two people were taken to the hospital after their vehicle crashed into a pole near Winston Churchill Boulevard at Derry Road overnight. Hwy. 401 westbound shut down in Ajax due to police investigation The westbound lanes of Hwy. 401 have been closed in Ajax due to a police investigation. Montreal Quebec Premier meets with Trump, Zelenskyy and Musk during Paris trip Quebec Premier François Legault met up with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, U.S. president-elect Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk while visiting Paris this weekend. Just for Laughs founder’s sexual assault retrial starts Monday Just for Laughs founder Gilbert Rozon will be back in court on Monday for accusations of sexual assault and rape. Rosemont family event Shake La Cabane cancelled after pricing policy backlash A community centre in Montreal's Rosemont neighbourhood cancelled a family event that was meant to take place Sunday after its pricing policy sparked a heated debate. Northern Ontario Canada Post strike: Union 'extremely disappointed' in latest offer, negotiator says A negotiator for the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) says the latest offer from Canada Post to end the ongoing strike shows the carrier is moving in the "opposite direction." Canada's air force took video of object shot down over Yukon, updated image released The Canadian military has released more details and an updated image of the unidentified object shot down over Canada's Yukon territory in February 2023. How the combination of diapers and splash pads led to 10K illnesses New research is raising concerns about the safety of splash pads, which can be ground zero for germs and greatly increase the risk of spreading disease. Windsor What’s lowering Detroit River water levels? If you’ve noticed the current along the Detroit River sitting lower than usual, you’re not alone. Ontario saw the highest number of whooping cough cases in the last 17 years: report The number of whooping cough cases in Ontario this year has reached a level that hasn't been seen in 17 years. Windsor police continue search for fugitive Windsor police are still searching for 34-year-old Phillip Grant, who is now ranked as Canada's fifth most wanted fugitive. London Hotel roof collapses in Bayfield The roof of the Albion Hotel in Bayfield has collapsed. On the Bright Side with Julie Atchison To brighten your week with good news, CTV London Meteorologist Julie Atchison is showing us the sunny side of things. Digging themselves out: With Santa Claus parade cancelled, Londoners make best of snowy situation Londoners continue to dig themselves out from this week’s massive snowstorm. Kitchener Police looking for missing 16-year-old Waterloo Regional Police are asking for the public’s help in locating a missing 16-year-old. Hotel roof collapses in Bayfield The roof of the Albion Hotel in Bayfield has collapsed. Wet week ahead with rain and snow in southern Ontario's forecast You’ll want to bundle up and bring along an umbrella when heading out the door this week. Barrie Driver charged after passing snow plow in front of oncoming OPP vehicle A driver was pulled over and charged after passing a snow plow in front of an oncoming OPP vehicle. Pair of sleeping drivers charged in drug bust Two drivers are facing charges after they were allegedly found sleeping in their respective vehicles and possessing a quantity drugs Saturday afternoon in Waubaushene. Driver charged after sliding onto someone’s lawn: OPP Caledon OPP charged a driver after they allegedly slid their vehicle onto someone’s front lawn earlier this week. Winnipeg Wintery weather warnings in effect for southern Manitoba Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued several snowfall, winter storm and freezing rain warnings for much of southern Manitoba. Manitoba legislative building holds annual holiday open house The provincial legislative building opened its doors to Manitobans Saturday, inviting everyone to get a glimpse of where major decisions are made. Major Manitoba fossil milestones highlight the potential for future discoveries in the province A trio of fossil finds through the years helped put Manitoba on the mosasaur map, and the milestone of those finds have all been marked in 2024. Calgary Kiwanis Club and Toys ‘R’ Us team up to give hundreds of kids Christmas gifts Northmount Kiwanis Club of Calgary invited 500 kids to Toys "R" Us for its annual Toy Project Sunday. Calgary police stage checkstop on National Impaired Driving Enforcement Day Calgary police launched their first holiday checkstop Saturday night on Stoney Trail. Calgarians flocking to markets with local vendors for Christmas Shopping As Christmas is on the horizon, Calgarians headed to the markets across the city on Saturday to get some shopping done while also supporting local businesses. Edmonton Baby found dead in south Edmonton parking lot: police Police are investigating the death of an infant in south Edmonton. McDavid, Skinner help Oilers beat Blues 4-2 Connor McDavid had a goal and an assist and Leon Draisaitl had two helpers as the Edmonton Oilers won their second game in a row, defeating the St. Louis Blues 4-2 on Saturday. 2 arrested in connection with Friday killing of 20-year-old security guard Two people have been arrested in connection with the shooting death of a 20-year-old security guard at a downtown apartment building on Friday. Regina Sask. RCMP arrest 1 suspect in White Bear First Nation killing, 1 still at large Saskatchewan RCMP have arrested one suspect in connection to the Dec. 3rd death of Talon Lonethunder on White Bear First Nation. The remaining suspect in the killing remains at large. Updated advisory urges Canadians to avoid all travel to Syria, leave if possible Ottawa is urging Canadians to avoid all travel to Syria and to consider leaving the country if it's safe to do so. Regina holiday market booming as vendors encourage local shopping amid postal strike The holidays are the busiest time of year for countless businesses, but many Regina vendors are hoping Christmas shoppers will come to them this year amid ongoing job action at Canada Post. Saskatoon Saskatoon under winter storm warning with freezing rain, heavy snow forecasted A winter storm warning has been issued for the city of Saskatoon and parts of west central Saskatchewan by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). Sask. RCMP arrest 1 suspect in White Bear First Nation killing, 1 still at large Saskatchewan RCMP have arrested one suspect in connection to the Dec. 3rd death of Talon Lonethunder on White Bear First Nation. The remaining suspect in the killing remains at large. Sask. RCMP investigating homicide on Onion Lake Cree Nation Saskatchewan RCMP is investigating a homicide on Onion Lake Cree Nation after a 37-year-old man died early Friday morning. Vancouver End of the Eras Tour, with Taylor Swift to take final bow in Vancouver After 149 shows, an estimated US$2 billion in revenue and countless outfit changes, Taylor Swift takes to the stage tonight in Vancouver for the final show of her record-smashing Eras Tour. Do you recognize these men? RCMP seek Metro Vancouver grandparent scam suspects Mounties in Metro Vancouver have released photos of two men alleged to have been involved in “numerous” so-called grandparent scams earlier this year, hoping the public can help identify them. Updated advisory urges Canadians to avoid all travel to Syria, leave if possible Ottawa is urging Canadians to avoid all travel to Syria and to consider leaving the country if it's safe to do so. Vancouver Island B.C. NDP provincial director hospitalized after 'serious medical emergency' The former B.C. NDP MLA for Chilliwack and newly appointed provincial director, Dan Coulter, is in hospital after suffering a “serious medical emergency,” according to the party. Prince George Taylor Swift fans rent car after flight to Vancouver cancelled A diehard Taylor Swift fan who lives in Prince George, B.C., says a flight cancellation forced her and a group of other Swifties to rent a car and make the near 800-kilometre journey to Vancouver to catch the last dates of the Eras Tour. Canada Post strike: Union 'extremely disappointed' in latest offer, negotiator says A negotiator for the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) says the latest offer from Canada Post to end the ongoing strike shows the carrier is moving in the "opposite direction." Kelowna Study of 2023 Okanagan wildfires recommends limiting development in high-risk areas A study into the devastating wildfires that struck British Columbia's Okanagan region in 2023 has recommended that government and industry limit development in high-fire-risk areas. Kelowna, B.C., to host the Memorial Cup in the spring of 2026 The Western Hockey League's Kelowna Rockets will host the Memorial Cup in the spring of 2026, the Canadian Hockey League said Wednesday. 545 vehicles impounded in 332 days: BC Highway Patrol pleads for drivers to slow down Mounties with the BC Highway Patrol in Kelowna say they've impounded more than 545 vehicles for excessive speed and aggressive driving so far this year. That works out to more than 1.6 per day. Stay ConnectedThe pay gap between men and women is a persistent problem, with wider effects on society and the economy, according to a new report from the Western New York Women's Foundation. Sheri Scavone, CEO of the Western New York Women’s Foundation. In New York State, the annual gender pay gap is $11,450 for full-time, year-round workers, the report found. If that gap were eliminated for one year, the report said, women in Erie County could pay for one of the following: eight months of child care for one child; 10 months of rent; 22 months of groceries; or 23 months of student loan payments. "It's incredibly frustrating that we have yet not overcome the implicit biases that come with pay for women," said Sheri Scavone, the foundation's CEO. The new report used a combination of national, state and local data. Nationally, the pay gap widened in 2023, with women earning 83 cents of every dollar paid to men for full-time, year-round work, compared to 84 cents the year before. The report looked at some of the causes : • Occupations – and differences in pay within them – and caregiving responsibilities were key factors influencing the gap. Women make up two-thirds of full-time workers in jobs that pay less than $30,000 a year and fewer than one-third of workers in jobs paying an average of $100,000 or more. "Regardless of occupation, women have lower average earnings than men, and Black and Hispanic/Latina women nearly always have the largest wage gaps of any group of women when compared to white, non-Hispanic men," the report said. Women's earnings often drop after they become mothers. "Mothers are more likely than fathers to be responsible for family caregiving, and frequently reduce work hours or leave the workforce entirely due to caregiving demands," the report said. "Limited pay leave policies and insufficient child care options often force women to choose between family and career. • Even education hasn't been a pay equalizer. The report found that in Erie County, women with some college education or an associate degree earned $6,000 less than what men with a high school diploma earn, representing a 14% pay gap. Median annual earnings for women in Erie County with a bachelor's degree were only 74% of the earnings of men with the same level of education. Women with a graduate or professional degree still earned only 78% of men with the same educational attainment. • The pay gap affects women into retirement. A national study by investment firm T. Rowe Price found women's annual 401(k) contributions were 43% lower than men's, and the median 401(k) account balance for women was 65% lower than for men. "They have less money to spend on their family while working or less money to retire on," Scavone said. Last year, New York State implemented a salary transparency law, aimed in part at helping to close the wage gap. Ideally, job applicants now have a clearer view of what they can expect to be paid for jobs employers are advertising. "We have heard from companies that it's helped them kind of change the culture of transparency in general," Scavone said. For instance, some employers have taken stock of where salary discrepancies exist within their organizations, and worked to correct them. The salary transparency law also gives job applicants a better starting point for negotiating pay, Scavone said. Another state law that went into effect several years ago bars employers from asking an applicant's salary history, which also benefits applicants. That's especially true for women who might have been working in lower-paying jobs to accommodate child-care requirements. The Women's Foundation report illustrates the pay gap obstacles yet to be overcome. Leadership is another example: In the Buffalo Niagara region, only 27 of the 100 largest employers are led by women, according to the foundation. Scavone said eliminating the pay gap would have wide-reaching benefits for women and society as a whole. "These companies that take this to heart and really look at their pay scales and promotion strategies have been able to mitigate that gap, because there should be no gap," she said. Matt Glynn The business news you need Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly. Reporter {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
OpenAI details plans for becoming a for-profit companyPhiladelphia Police are on the hunt for another alleged organizer of the chaotic car meetups that turned violent two months ago, while they also announced a tenth arrest in the case. Police Inspector Raymond Evers on Monday announced the arrest of Ezra Walker, 20, of Enola, Pennsylvania, who authorities say was involved in the mayhem on the night of Saturday, Sept. 21 and early morning of Sunday, Sept. 22. Philadelphia news 24/7: Watch NBC10 free wherever you are Walker was arrested after his blue Chevrolet Camaro was found and confiscated from his place of employment near Reading, Evers said. The blue Camaro was identified by police as the same vehicle seen in video footage drifting at 25th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, near the Philadelphia Museum of Art. "He was active in the car meet and arrested last Thursday, and his car is still in our custody," Evers said. Police have also issued an arrest warrant for Sam Hoffman, a 19-year-old from Reading, Pa. who police allege was a "promoter" of the car meet that night. "[Hoffman] was involved in sharing content -- he monetized, was making money off of being a promoter," Evers said, adding that he used Instagram to promote and earn money off of the meetups. The series of chaotic car meetups occurred in a seven-hour span in Philadelphia in which officers were attacked, fires were set and vehicles were vandalized. Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood. "You are not going to attack my police officers," Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel said during a press conference on Thursday, Nov. 7. "You’re not going to jump on our cars. And you’re not going to treat us and devalue the work that we do each and every day." "We’re here to serve the men and women of this community. But what I will not allow is my officers to be attacked by individuals who just want to come out and race around our city," Bethel said. "If you want to engage in this activity, you may get me the first time but I’m going to get you." On Monday, Evers reiterated the emphasis placed on this case by Philadelphia Police. "We still have more to go, Evers said. "As investigators would say, there's still meat on the bone and we will be looking for other individuals. We know there were 11 or 12 different locations -- we're using technology to figure out who was at the individual car meets throughout the city. We'll be sending target letters out to those individuals working with the district attorney's office." "We're taking a very, very strong stance on this. We've taken 32 cars, we've locked up ten people, and there's more people to be arrested." A night of chaos The car meetups took place between the night of Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, and the early morning hours of Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024. The first meetup began Sept. 21, at 9:30 p.m. on the 7400 block of Bustleton Avenue where around 50 cars were involved, police said. One of the drivers involved tried to evade police and drove directly at officers, crashing into a civilian’s vehicle in the process, investigators said. The second meetup occurred at 11:47 p.m. on 20 th Street and Pattison Avenue where over 100 vehicles were involved in reckless driving and drifting, police said. Then, at midnight, a police officer spotted a silver Nissan doing donuts in the middle of the street in the area of Columbus Boulevard and Pattison Avenue. The Nissan then moved towards the officer’s vehicle, police said. The officer managed to get out of the way and then followed the Nissan until it struck a pole on 300 Pattison Avenue, investigators said. Four males then fled from the Nissan. At 1:30 a.m., police responded to a report of gunshots on 25 th Street and Washington Avenue. When they arrived, they were met by a woman who said several cars were in the intersection when she was attacked by another woman and a man who threw an orange traffic cone at her, knocking her to the ground. As the woman spoke with the officers, they heard another gunshot coming from the direction of cars in the street. The vehicles fled the area and police recovered a spent shell casing and a live round. At 2:25 a.m., police responded to 11 th Street and Grange Avenue where there was an unruly crowd of people and a large group of cars. The responding officers were unable to disperse the crowd and were briefly surrounded, police said. One of the officers then called for backup and the crowd was dispersed once more police arrived. There were no reports of injuries, arrests or property damage at that location. At 4 a.m., police responded to Island and Bartram avenues where over 200 cars were involved in drag racing and drifting. The officers were attacked and a police vehicle was damaged, investigators said. The crowd dispersed once more police arrived. Finally, at 4:33 a.m., officers responded to 15 th and Market streets in Center City where more than 100 cars were drifting and members of a crowd were setting rubbish fires, investigators said. The responding officers were attacked and multiple police vehicles were damaged with broken windshields and flattened tires, police said. Arrests in car meetups Utilizing technology and witnesses, police identified 50 vehicles involved in the car meetups and recovered 31 of them. Deonte Vincent, 25, was arrested and charged in connection to the incident on Bustleton Avenue . On Oct. 23, 20-year-old David French was arrested in connection to one of the incidents and charged with rioting and other offenses. Vanore said French had previously been cited in March for drag racing on Cottman Avenue. Joseph Cavanaugh, 21, of Levittown, Pennsylvania, and James Hare, 20, of Philadelphia, were both arrested on Friday, Oct. 25, in connection to the illegal car meetups. Cavanaugh, who was arrested on Coral Lane in Levittown, is charged with aggravated assault, causing risking catastrophe, criminal mischief, RIOT, criminal conspiracy, recklessly endangering another person, simple assault, fleeing a police officer, disorderly conduct-hazard and reckless driving. Hare, who was arrested on Bustleton Avenue in Philadelphia, is charged with causing risking catastrophe, RIOT, recklessly endangering another person, criminal conspiracy, possessing an instrument of crime, fleeing a police officer, criminal mischief, disorderly conduct-hazard and reckless driving. Police described Cavanaugh of the organizer of the car meetups and Hare as a participant. "Joseph Cavanaugh's social media was identified as being the creator of 'Project X,'" Deputy Commissioner Vanore said on Friday, Nov. 8. "He was the promoter of the car meetup. He was utilizing his social media. He was making money." Vanore said Cavanaugh encouraged people in Philadelphia, New York, New Jersey and Delaware to participate in the meetups. According to investigators, of the nine people who were arrested, only three are from Philadelphia. The others are from Maryland, Pittsburgh, the Pennsylvania suburbs and New Jersey, officials said. Police said the most recent arrest occurred on Nov. 7. Juawan Williams, 21, of Maryland, was arrested and charged with filming the car meetups by illegally flying a drone within the city and then posting the videos to social media. Police said they are working with Meta to shut down the websites that paid for and posted the drone footage. Despite the arrests, police continue to investigate all of the incidents that occurred. "We ain't gonna stop," Bethel said. "We're going to lock up every person who came into our city, disrespected my men and women, disrespected our city and what we stand for." If you have any information on the car meetups, call Philadelphia Police at 215-686-TIPS (8477).
Mercedes-Benz CLE fits the bill as a three-pointed star coupéMater Dei junior Luke Barnett scored 55 points Saturday to break the Monarchs boys basketball single-game points record. The record was set by Tom Lewis in 1983 when Lewis scored 53 points against Katella in a Valencia Tournament game. Lewis, who played at USC and Pepperdine, now is a Mater Dei assistant coach. Barnett, a 6-4 guard, was 12 for 22 on 3-point shots Saturday as the Monarchs beat Hoover of San Diego 99-35 in the Desert Holiday Classic tournament game at College of the Desert. Barnett’s father is Keith Barnett, Aliso Niguel’s coach, who was at the Mater Dei game. Aliso played at College of the Desert in the game immediately following the Mater Dei game. Related ArticlesAtlanta Medical Institute Celebrates Over 1 Million Pounds Lost and Unveils Exclusive Semaglutide Offer 11-25-2024 08:56 PM CET | Sports Press release from: ABNewswire Atlanta Medical Institute Atlanta Medical Institute celebrates helping over 50,000 patients lose over 1 million pounds in the past decade. Known for its innovative health services, the institute now offers a GLP-1 Semaglutide program at an exclusive $225 for the first month. Combining FDA-approved treatments with personalized care, the institute specializes in weight loss, anti-aging, and hormone therapy, promoting sustainable results and holistic wellness. Atlanta, GA - November 25, 2024 - Atlanta Medical Institute proudly announces a remarkable milestone: helping over 50,000 patients achieve a collective weight loss of over 1 million pounds over the past decade. As a leader in personalized health and weight management, the institute is now offering an exclusive promotion for its highly effective GLP-1 Semaglutide program. For a limited time, new patients can enjoy their first month for just $225! A Pioneering Approach to Weight Loss Atlanta Medical Institute [ https://atlantamedicalinstitute.com/ ] revolutionizes weight management by placing Semaglutide at the heart of its innovative approach. As an FDA-approved medication, Semaglutide is pivotal in personalized weight loss programs, offering patients a powerful tool to achieve significant and sustainable weight reduction. Integrated with behavioral counseling and lifestyle modifications, this comprehensive strategy ensures that patients not only lose weight but maintain their progress for the long term. Innovative Health and Wellness Services Atlanta Medical Institute offers numerous services tailored to enhance overall health and wellness. Specializing in weight loss, anti-aging, hormone replacement therapy, and regenerative medicine, they provide a comprehensive approach to healthcare. Their state-of-the-art facility ensures patients receive the latest medical technology and personalized treatment plans to fit individual needs. This holistic strategy addresses immediate health concerns and promotes overall well-being, making Atlanta Medical Institute a trusted partner on the journey to optimal health. About Atlanta Medical Institute Established in 2010, Atlanta Medical Institute is a premier health and wellness center offering weight loss programs, hormone replacement therapy, and anti-aging treatments. Led by esteemed physicians Dr. Jeff Semel and Dr. Elbridge Bills, the institute combines cutting-edge medical expertise with a commitment to patient-centered care. Media Contact Company Name: Atlanta Medical Institute Contact Person: Jeff Semel Email:Send Email [ https://www.abnewswire.com/email_contact_us.php?pr=atlanta-medical-institute-celebrates-over-1-million-pounds-lost-and-unveils-exclusive-semaglutide-offer ] Phone: 404-800-6774 Address:5009 Roswell Rd, Suite 201 City: Atlanta State: GA Country: United States Website: https://atlantamedicalinstitute.com/ This release was published on openPR.
Proponents for $1B Norman entertainment district challenge petition(The Center Square) – Christians helped push President-elect Donald Trump across the finish line on Election Day, a survey found. Trump received the majority of the Christian vote, while Vice President Kamala Harris received the majority of the non-Christian vote. This is according to a report from the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University, which surveyed 2,000 voting-age adults nationally. The election was a historic comeback for Republicans on many fronts, with Trump being the first Republican to win the popular vote vote in over two decades. Among self-identified Christians, Trump also received 56% of their votes, compared to the 60% Harris received from non-Christians. Yet, because the majority of voters still identify as Christians, Trump had a larger share of the vote. “Although Harris won a larger share of the non-Christian vote than Trump’s share of the Christian votes, Christians outnumbered non-Christian voters by more than a 5 to 2 margin – delivering the decisive Nov. 5 victory to President Trump,” the report said. “Not only did most of Trump’s votes come from Christians, but they gave him a 17 million vote cushion over Harris, which proved to be an insurmountable lead.” Christians represented 72% of the voters who turned out. The report also found that Catholics had record-high turnout, despite overall voter and Christian voter turnout being well below what it was in 2020. While voter turnout was lower than 2020 in most of the Christian subgroups polled, 70% of Catholics reported voting compared to 2020’s 67%. Voters with a “biblical worldview” also voted at a higher percentage, up to 67% in 2024 from 2020’s 64%. Just days before the election, Trump predicted that Harris would struggle with the Catholic vote on Election Day. “Kamala Harris has finally lost the Catholic vote,” he said on social media on Oct. 25. “Her and the Democrats persecution of the Catholic Church is unprecedented! Her poll numbers have dropped like a rock, both with Catholics, and otherwise.” While many politicos expressed concerns that Trump’s moderate pro-life stance would disenfranchise Christian and anti-abortion voters, it seems to have much less of an impact than expected. In fact, Trump pointed to Harris’ abortion stance as pushing Catholics toward voting for him. “Kamala is demanding late-term abortion, in months seven, eight, and nine, and even execution after birth, and people aren’t buying it – and they never will,” the former president said . The report found that 20% of Christians selected abortion as the most-consequential issue this election, with inflation (38%) and immigration (34%) receiving even higher percentages. Yet, potentially even more impactful on the election than the increase in the Catholic vote was the significant drop in non-Christian turnout, even higher than those reported in Christian subgroups. The report found that adults “associated with a faith other than Christianity” and “adults who have no religious faith” had a massive drop in turnout from 2020, dropping 12% and 9% respectively. With both of these groups historically supporting Democratic candidates, this cratering in support likely had a significant impact on Harris’ chances of winning. George Barna, who serves as the director of research at the Cultural Research Center and led the survey, said Trump’s boost with Christians was just too much for Harris. “Americans forget that two-thirds of adults in this nation consider themselves to be Christians,” Barna said . “Donald Trump, for all of his perceived and ridiculed faults, did a better job than did Kamala Harris of representing hallowed Christian characteristics such as the importance and support of family, the rule of law, limited government authority, financial responsibility, and the like.”Tokyo Metropolitan University researchers employed long-term skin conductance measurements to distinguish between emotions . Volunteers were given videos representing frightening scenarios, family bonding, and humour while their skin conductance was measured. The team's investigation revealed that traces might be used to create accurate estimations about which emotions were being experienced. Advances like this assist in reducing an overreliance on facial data, bringing emotionally sensitive technologies closer to home. Can skin conductance predict emotions? A new frontier is being pioneered in consumer electronics: one day, digital devices might be able to offer services depending on your emotional state. While this sounds amazing, this depends on whether devices can correctly tell what people are feeling . The most common methods depend on facial expressions: while these have had some success, such data may not always be available. This has led to researchers looking for different biological signals which could be interpreted to access emotional states, like brain wave measurements or cardiograms. A team of scientists led by Professor Shogo Okamoto from Tokyo Metropolitan University have been using skin conductance as a doorway to human emotions. When people feel different things, the electrical properties of their skin change drastically due to perspiration, with signals showing up within one to three seconds of the original stimulus. Previous research has already shown that measurements of peak conductance, for example, can be correlated with certain emotions. In their most recent work, the team focused on the dynamics of the response i.e. how quickly the conductance trace following some stimulus reaches a peak, and how it decays back to normal. Emotion reading devices In their experiment, volunteers were asked to wear probes on the skin and watch videos which were either scary scenes from horror movies, emotional scenes of family bonding, or funny acts performed by comedians. Importantly, each of the scenes had well-defined points at which a certain emotional stimulus was sought. Analyzing the traces, the team found many interesting and significant trends. For example, they found that the response to fear lasted the longest. This may be a biologically evolved trait, since there are benefits to perceptions of danger lasting longer. Comparing responses to humor and emotional scenes of family bonding, they found responses to family bonding seemed to increase more slowly. The emotions that were evoked were most likely a mixture of sadness and happiness, so it may be that they interfere with each other, leading to a slower change. Importantly, the team's statistical analysis revealed that the different numbers extracted from the dynamics of the trace could be used to discriminate the emotional state of an individual. Though they can't yet tell the emotions apart perfectly, the data could, for example, be used to make statistically significant predictions of whether a subject was experiencing fear or feeling the warmth of a family bond. Combined with other signals, the team believe we are one step closer to devices knowing how we are feeling, with scope for a better understanding of human emotions.
South Korea's democracy held after a 6-hour power play. What does it say for democracies elsewhere?
Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) participated in the 22nd edition of the Doha Forum, reaffirming its dedication to driving sustainable development and strengthening global co-operation to address pressing challenges. During the forum, QFFD hosted a series of high-level discussions and had a dedicated booth showcasing its impactful initiatives around the world. The fund also held meetings with key stakeholders and partners to explore innovative solutions to overcome major challenges in humanitarian aid and sustainable development projects. QFFD organised a prominent discussion titled “Resilience and Innovation: Supporting Women and Girls in Conflict and Post Conflict Situations”, in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The session focused on the unique challenges faced by women and girls in conflict zones, including social violence, limited access to essential services such as education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. The discussion called for empowering women in conflict zones and involving them in decisions regarding humanitarian efforts and conflict resolution. Additionally, QFFD, together with the International Platform on Sport and Development, held a session on “Sport as a Catalyst for Sustainable Development in the Middle East and North Africa”. The conversation highlighted how sports can address critical issues like youth unemployment, gender inequality, and educational disparities, while promoting peace, social cohesion, and resilience in conflict-affected communities. Director-General of QFFD, Fahad al-Sulaiti, also took part in a session on “Financing the Future: Tackling the Global Education Crisis”, organised by Education Above All Foundation. The discussion focused on the urgent need for new financing models to solve the global education crisis, underscoring the essential role of education in building a sustainable, inclusive, and prosperous future. His participation reaffirmed QFFD’s commitment to advocating for universal access to education and leveraging it as a key tool for global progress. Related Story Doha Metro records 200mn in ridership Technology at heart of Qatar’s industry; key growth to come from technology, AI and innovations: says al-Kuwari
Ever since Indian-origin Sriram Krishnan's name came out as the Senior White House Policy Advisor for US President-elect Donald Trump, the entrepreneur has been a subject of debate. His views on immigration and green card caps have been criticised by many, however, the world’s richest man and one of the greatest tech entrepreneurs of all time, Elon Musk, has backed Krishnan. In of those criticism posts, one X user posted a picture of an Indian dish, butter chicken, and along with the picture of Sriram Krishnan. The post read, “Here is what Sriram Krishnan would look like if he was butter chicken.” The butter chicken picture seems to be an AI-generated picture that covers Krishnan’s face and neck with the Indian dish. These racist attacks are disgusting. [ @sriramk is awesome, for the record ] https://t.co/mZPLrMuLz3 — @jason (@Jason) December 27, 2024 Elon Musk’s reactions: A user on X, Jason supported Sriram and criticised the racist post saying, “These racist attacks are disgusting. [ @sriramk is awesome, for the record ].” Musk in reply to Jason’s comments wrote, “100” by using an emoji, which is a sign of saying “100 percent” and is written in support of anything. In an earlier post Krishnan expressed his views on green card and immigration and said, “Anything to remove country caps/unlock skilled immigration would be huge”. He was criticised on his views by a far-right commentator Laura Loomer. Donald Trump’s new head of artificial intelligence (AI) and crypto David Sacks clarified Krishnan’s views and in reply said, “Point of clarification: Sriram didn’t say he wants to remove all caps on green cards. He said he wants to remove *country* caps on green cards...”. Elon Musk supported Sack’s views and wrote, “Makes sense”. Deeply disturbing to see the appointment of Sriram Krishnan @sriramk as Senior Policy Advisor for AI at the Office of Science and Technology Policy. It’s alarming to see the number of career leftists who are now being appointed to serve in Trump’s admin when they share views... https://t.co/pf0WiViy32 pic.twitter.com/nR0TkZpNK7 — Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) December 23, 2024 Makes sense — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 24, 2024 Sriram Krishnan’s appointment and his views on immigration and green card policies sparked a debate which led to clash between the top tech entrepreneurs including Elon Musk and Trump’s loyal supporters. This debate was made even more complex after Donald Trump who staunchly put restrictions on H1B visa in his last term became more soft supporting extending green cards to graduates.The S&P 500 rose 0.3%. The benchmark index's 1.7% gain for the week erased most of its loss from last week. The Dow rose 1% as it nudged past its most recent high set last week, and the Nasdaq composite rose 0.2%. Markets have been volatile over the last few weeks, losing ground in the runup to elections in November, then surging following Donald Trump's victory, before falling again. The S&P 500 has been steadily rising throughout this week to within close range of its record. It's now within about 0.5% of its all-time high set last week. "Overall, market behavior has normalized following an intense few weeks," said Mark Hackett, chief of investment research at Nationwide, in a statement. Several retailers jumped after giving Wall Street encouraging financial updates. Gap soared 12.8% after handily beating analysts' third-quarter earnings and revenue expectations, while raising its own revenue forecast for the year. Discount retailer Ross Stores rose 2.2% after raising its earnings forecast for the year. EchoStar fell 2.8% after DirecTV called off its purchase of that company's Dish Network unit. Smaller company stocks had some of the biggest gains. The Russell 2000 index rose 1.8%. A majority of stocks in the S&P 500 gained ground, but those gains were kept in check by slumps for several big technology companies. Nvidia fell 3.2%. Its pricey valuation makes it among the heaviest influences on whether the broader market gains or loses ground. The company has grown into a nearly $3.6 trillion behemoth because of demand for its chips used in artificial-intelligence technology. Intuit, which makes TurboTax and other accounting software, fell 5.7%. It gave investors a quarterly earnings forecast that fell short of analysts' expectations. Facebook owner Meta Platforms fell 0.7% following a decision by the Supreme Court to allow a multibillion-dollar class action investors' lawsuit to proceed against the company. It stems from the privacy scandal involving the Cambridge Analytica political consulting firm. All told, the S&P 500 rose 20.63 points to 5,969.34. The Dow climbed 426.16 points to 44,296.51, and the Nasdaq picked up 42.65 points to close at 2,406.67. European markets closed mostly higher and Asian markets ended mixed. Crude oil prices rose. Treasury yields held relatively steady in the bond market. The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.41% from 4.42% late Thursday. In the crypto market, bitcoin hovered around $99,000, according to CoinDesk. It has more than doubled this year and first surpassed the $99,000 level on Thursday. Retailers remained a big focus for investors this week amid close scrutiny on consumer spending habits headed into the holiday shopping season. Walmart, the nation's largest retailer, reported a quarter of strong sales and gave investors an encouraging financial forecast. Target, though, reported weaker earnings than analysts' expected and its forecast disappointed Wall Street. Consumer spending has fueled economic growth, despite a persistent squeeze from inflation and high borrowing costs. Inflation has been easing and the Federal Reserve has started trimming its benchmark interest rates. That is likely to help relieve pressure on consumers, but any major shift in spending could prompt the Fed to reassess its path ahead on interest rates. Also, any big reversals on the rate of inflation could curtail spending. Consumer sentiment remains strong, according to the University of Michigan's consumer sentiment index. It revised its latest figure for November to 71.8 from an initial reading of 73 earlier this month, though economists expected a slight increase. It's still up from 70.5 in October. The survey also showed that consumers' inflation expectations for the year ahead fell slightly to 2.6%, which is the lowest reading since December of 2020. Wall Street will get another update on how consumers feel when the business group The Conference Board releases its monthly consumer confidence survey on Tuesday. A key inflation update will come on Wednesday when the U.S. releases its October personal consumption expenditures index. The PCE is the Fed's preferred measure of inflation and this will be the last PCE reading prior to the central bank's meeting in December.President-elect Trump weighs into debate among supporters to back H-1B visa program
South Korea's democracy held after a 6-hour power play. What does it say for democracies elsewhere?
Mercedes-Benz is in the midst of a major ramp up in its luxury vehicle operations. The company has invested €10 million ($10.57 million USD) into its Manufaktur customization business this year, expanding ordering possibilities. The individualization program is for a growing range of select Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-AMG and Mercedes-Maybach models. Clients of the personalization option will now be able to experience Manufaktur at the Manufaktur Studio, a new operational center that gives clients a behind-the-scenes peek at their vehicle's finishing process. This is on top of new Maybach Atelier locations in Shanghai (opened in 2022) and New York City (coming soon), with additional locations planned to be opened through 2030. Maybach is the company's ultimate brand expression in luxury vehicles. "Manufaktur gives our customers the opportunity to actually create their own fantastic and very individualized vehicle. Our customers, they do not only buy a car, actually. They buy an experience. And after all, this is what you expect if you buy such a truly something special," Michael Schiebe, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-AMG GmbH and Head of the Mercedes-Benz G-Class and Mercedes Maybach divisions told Newsweek at the opening of the Studio. "When you buy a special timepiece you can often marvel at the watchmaker building it. With a new Manufaktur studio here, we now offer a customized experience where you can get really close with our experts" he said. At the company's Factory 56 plant in Sindelfingen, Germany, speciality skilled workers finish Manufaktur client vehicles in the areas of textile finishing, interior fittings, fabrication, embroidery and personalized paintwork, among other operations. This is work that Mercedes has been doing for a hundred years, stretching back to the company's coachbuilding operations at the dawn of the automobile era. "We have more than 120 years of experience when it comes to fulfilling customer wishes and exceeding, of course, our customers' dreams," Schiebe said. The Sindelfingen site has long been known as the home of Mercedes craftsmanship and this investment signals a commitment to continue that in the future, with a heaping helping of modern technology to assist the skilled workers with their trades. Today, more than 90 percent of G-Class sales feature at least one Manufaktur customization. Germany, the U.S. and China are the largest Manufaktur markets with Japan, the Middle East and Eastern Europe markets expected to grow significantly in the coming years. The company recently created a new Popemobile from the current generation G-Class. The old school approach to customized luxury is combined with modern technology at various stages throughout the Manufaktur process. The company has changed the traditional workstation approach to its process by digitizing individual work steps and optimizing them with artificial intelligence. This has sped up Manufaktur operations and is ensuring a top-level quality in the production process. While Mercedes' Manufaktur operations are not to the level of Rolls-Royce's bespoke program, they are able to indulge some extravagant client asks. The Manufaktur Atelier is tucked into a tiny corner of the company's Manufaktur site, with engineers and designers working hand-in-hand to develop vehicles based on specialty client asks, like a large sunroof for a custom GLS. There is one hard and fast rule for customization, Paloma Cury, senior manager of individualization at Mercedes-Benz, told Newsweek . The company will not compromise on safety, standards and principles.If you've been interested in upgrading your AI experience with one of the available paid subscriptions, pay attention because here's your chance to score a free year of Perplexity Pro . Perplexity is a free AI chatbot and internet search tool that operates like other AI chatbots . ZDNET senior contributing editor Steven Vaughan-Nichols called it his favorite chatbot , beating out ChatGPT and Copilot . Also: Perplexity launches an AI-powered shopping assistant - and it even gets you free shipping Perplexity Pro gives you several advantages over a free account. These include increased usage of Pro Search, which breaks down queries with multi-step reasoning and programming ; the option to choose which AI model you want to use; file analysis, which lets you upload documents for summaries or insights ; multimodal capabilities, where you can capture a picture or screenshot and asking questions about it; and image generation from Access Playground v3, OpenAI DALL-E 3 , Flux, and Stable Diffusion XL. Usually, the service costs $20 a month or $200 a year, but there are currently several ways to get a free subscription. Here's what you need to know. 1. Free Perplexity Pro for Xfinity customers Xfinity has a customer rewards program that's free to join. The rewards range from movie ticket discounts to savings on theme parks and sporting events. A few months ago, Perplexity announced a partnership with Xfinity to offer a free year subscription of Perplexity Pro to Xfinity customers. Also: I put the free version of Perplexity.ai through my coding tests - here's what happened Here's how to claim your free Perplexity Pro subscription: Log in to your account at www.xfinity.com/rewards Find your unique code Use that code at https://www.perplexity.ai/join/p/xfinity Free Perplexity Pro for eligible college students Earlier this year, Perplexity ran a competition in which any college student with an .edu email address could claim a free month of Perplexity Pro. If more than 500 students from the same campus signed up, the entire campus got a free year of Perplexity Pro. Forty-five schools reached that mark, including Arizona State University, the University of California, Berkeley, New York University, and the University of Southern California. You can find the complete list here . Also: Perplexity AI's new tool makes researching the stock market 'delightful'. Here's how If you're a student at one of the universities on the list, all you have to do is enter your student email address to claim your free year. Google's new AI tool could be your new favorite learning aid - and it's free The best open-source AI models: All your free-to-use options explained I changed 5 ChatGPT settings and instantly became more productive - here's how The best AI search engines of 2024: Google, Perplexity, and more