NoneArne Slot channels his inner Winston Churchill to rouse Liverpool back to lifeHere's how Ireland's political parties have said they'd spend the Apple Tax billions

WASHINGTON , Dec. 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In a new major enhancement to the Apollo ® Customer Experience Platform (CXP), dealers partnering with Team Velocity can now unlock the power of automated customer scoring and real-time alerts with Deal Alerts. As customers engage throughout their journey, Apollo's predictive technology dynamically ranks and scores them, sending instant notifications when they hit custom thresholds. Powered by Apollo and intelligent predictive technology, Deal Alerts deliver closing ratios 3-4x higher than traditional sales leads, often within just five days – and best of all, there's no cost to the dealer. "Deal Alerts take our platform's predictive capabilities to the next level," said David Boice , Co-Founder and CEO at Team Velocity. "With this latest innovation, we're making it easier for dealers to connect with customers who are truly ready to buy. By focusing on what really matters, dealers can now spend less time on guesswork and more time building genuine, productive relationships with qualified leads. It's about turning data-driven insights into impactful customer experiences that are proven to convert." This innovative enhancement empowers dealers to further leverage the Command Center, enabling them to proactively prioritize leads, close more deals, and bridge CRM gaps. Apollo's Deal Alert technology intelligently filters website activity, distinguishing between shoppers (inventory searches, trade value estimates) and buyers (based on purchase history, service activity, and intent). Once identified, buyers are segmented into one of three high-value categories – Previous Buyer, Service Customer, and Conquest Customer – and assigned a dynamic score that reflects their likelihood to purchase. Updated every 30 minutes, these scores ensure dealers have real-time insights to act on hot opportunities before they're missed. During beta testing, Murgado Automotive Group and Yark Automotive Group saw the immediate effects of Team Velocity's new Deal Alert rollout. Averaging 4 days from alert to sale, the dealer groups are a shining example of the importance of intelligent lead scoring technology. "Deal Alerts have revolutionized the way we handle leads, turning what used to be guesswork into a precise, efficient process," said Mario Murgado Jr. , Director of Marketing and Operations at Murgado Automotive Group. "Instantly identifying the customers most ready to buy lets our teams focus on high-value opportunities, driving results faster than we ever imagined." "We're now closing deals at lightning speed—often within just a few days. It's a true game-changer that's brought our stores to the next level," said Billy Yark , Vice President and CMO at Yark Automotive Group. To learn more about Deal Alerts or to schedule a demo, please visit https://teamvelocitymarketing.com/websites/ . About Team Velocity Team Velocity is revolutionizing the automotive industry with technology that digitizes the car buying and vehicle ownership processes. Made by dealers for dealers, our Apollo Customer Experience Platform provides a suite of integrated applications that make, manage, and measure frictionless consumer experiences from the initial engagement to a final transaction. Apollo empowers dealers to own the entire customer journey by delivering hyper-personalized campaigns across every touchpoint, maximizing ROI and lifetime revenue. For more information, please visit www.teamvelocitymarketing.com . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/team-velocity-announces-latest-breakthrough-technology-with-automated-deal-alerts-and-customer-scoring-302325163.html SOURCE Team VelocityAST SpaceMobile locks in 10-year Vodafone commercial agreement

( MENAFN - Gulf Times) At this time of year, many people pause to reflect on the true meaning of philanthropy, asking themselves: What is the best way to give? To whom should I give? And, perhaps most importantly, why should I give? Fifteen years ago, I published Dead Aid: Why Aid Is Not Working and How There Is a Better Way for Africa. I argued that government-to-government aid, rather than fuelling economic growth, inadvertently harms the very countries it is meant to help. Since then, philanthropists have often sought my advice about their desire to grapple with seemingly intractable challenges, such as extreme poverty or climate change. In this season of giving, donors should ask themselves 12 key questions when considering how, where, and why to give. The first question is relatively straightforward: What motivates you? Are you looking to spread joy – for example, by supporting the arts – or alleviate suffering by aiding communities affected by war or natural disasters? Both approaches are vital and commendable. Second, how can you use your time and financial resources effectively? In a world of competing needs, it's not just how much we give but how we do it that ultimately determines our ability to effect positive change. For example, consider a philanthropist with $100mn to donate. While allocating the entire amount to improving education could result in better-resourced schools, students might still struggle to attend due to poor health, inadequate transportation, or malnutrition. Recognising this, the philanthropist might choose to divide the $100mn among initiatives supporting education, health, food, and transportation. Yet splitting the funds equally – allocating $25mn to each cause – will inevitably dilute the impact. Such an approach might be enough to prevent conditions from getting worse, but it is unlikely to drive transformative change. The third question to consider is whether to delegate decision-making to an established organisation or create your own philanthropic foundation. Both strategies come with tradeoffs. Delegating enables you to harness the skills and expertise of teams with proven track records, but there is always a risk that the organisation you support will fail to achieve its goals – or worse, exacerbate the problem. Building and managing an organisation gives you the freedom to pursue your personal goals and vision. But over time, this entity's culture, norms, and bureaucratic processes can diverge – and even conflict – with its founding mission. As employees become focused on advancing their own careers, the problem the organisation was created to address may become a justification for its existence rather than something to be resolved. Fourth, what is your time frame? Do you expect immediate results, or are you willing to wait for years, perhaps even decades? After all, philanthropy can lay the groundwork for breakthroughs that donors may never live to see. Fifth, what kind of impact do you want to make? You could spread your resources widely or focus on a single goal – a“moonshot” with a low likelihood of success, such as curing cancer or Alzheimer's. Though risky, supporting groundbreaking research could have far-reaching consequences. Sixth, should you collaborate with governments or operate independently? There is a strong case for working with policymakers to provide public goods like education, health care, and infrastructure. After all, government budgets dwarf even the wealthiest philanthropist's resources. For example, while Bill Gates's estimated net worth is $105bn, it amounts to less than six months of California's annual state budget. Seventh, how should you approach innovation? Should you harness technology and data to make your organisation operate more efficiently and maximise the impact of your giving? Alternatively, you could use your philanthropy to drive the development of revolutionary technologies designed to address societal challenges at scale. Eighth, should you partner with fellow philanthropists or go it alone? Pooling capital could enhance your impact, but working independently allows you to avoid disagreements over who and what to fund. That said, confronting complex challenges rarely allows for a solitary approach. Ninth, should your giving be public or private? Both approaches offer unique advantages. Public actions, such as signing the Giving Pledge, facilitate the sharing of best practices, inspire others to support important causes, and enable you to compare your efforts to your peers through platforms like GuideStar. On the other hand, private giving is arguably the purest form of altruism.“Stealth” philanthropy also provides the freedom for trial and error without the pressure of public scrutiny. Although experimentation is essential for tackling complicated problems, public failures can invite criticism and be dismissed as a waste of money. Tenth, how should you structure your giving? Financial support can take many forms beyond traditional cash donations. While grant-making remains the most common approach, there are compelling alternatives. Loans, for example, can be structured with extended maturity periods and below-market interest rates, encouraging discipline and accountability by requiring recipients to repay the funds. Eleventh, should you establish a board of directors to oversee your philanthropic endeavour, and if so, will you reserve seats for family and friends? Opting for a more formal structure – for example, by designating permanent seats for prominent public figures, such as religious leaders or university presidents – can help ensure impartial oversight. Lastly, what is your exit strategy? Are you planning to wind down your philanthropic efforts by a specific date, or will you establish mechanisms to sustain them indefinitely? The“run down the clock” approach is exemplified by businessman and philanthropist Chuck Feeney, who donated billions of dollars to academic and technical institutions during his lifetime and died in 2023 after successfully giving away his money. By contrast, the Rhodes Trust and Nobel Prize are designed to exist in perpetuity. Whether you're a wealthy donor, a politician, a CEO, or simply a concerned parent, the call to philanthropy resonates with us all. I hope these questions encourage deeper reflection on how to maximise the effectiveness of generosity. – Project Syndicate l Dambisa Moyo, an international economist, is the author of four New York Times bestselling books, including Edge of Chaos: Why Democracy Is Failing to Deliver Economic Growth – and How to Fix It. MENAFN29122024000067011011ID1109040163 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.Trump names David Sacks as White House AI and crypto czar

AMP is giving recycling a robotic makeover. The Colorado-based company just raised $91 million to expand its artificial intelligence (AI)-powered recycling operations, where robots with advanced vision systems sort trash faster and more accurately than humans. As the recycling industry grapples with rising costs and stricter contamination standards, AMP’s technology promises to streamline operations and boost recovery rates, turning garbage into gold. AMP’s AI relies on deep learning, continuously training itself by analyzing millions of images of waste . It identifies materials by recognizing patterns in colors, textures, shapes, and logos — spotting a stray plastic bottle in a sea of trash faster than any human. “Recycling rates have stagnated in the United States,” said AMP founder Matanya Horowitz in a news release. “Our AI systems help recover more materials, reduce contamination, and ultimately optimize waste operations.” More Efficient? The AMP technology also targets a longstanding industry problem: labor shortages. Robots work around the clock, eliminating the need for the grueling manual sorting often performed by humans. With over 400 AI systems deployed worldwide and growing demand for sustainable waste solutions, AMP’s machines could redefine recycling facilities’ operations. “I believe bins themselves can be made intelligent to reduce human errors, then recycling system can start sorting materials with the help of AI,” Abhishek Agrawal , an Amazon AI software engineer, told PYMNTS. Barry Honig, CEO of TruckPay , previously told PYMNTS how digital technology is redefining the waste management industry. Traditionally reliant on cash transactions, the sector is now adopting digital platforms like TruckPay to enhance efficiency and transparency. These platforms offer real-time tracking of materials, streamlined logistics, and various cashless payment options, including virtual wallets and instant transactions. AI Cleans Up Waste Management Over the past year, AI-powered systems have gained traction in waste management facilities, which are used to sort materials more accurately and streamline operations. In Europe, Greyparrot , a London-based company, has deployed its AI technology in over 50 recycling facilities. Its systems use cameras and machine learning to analyze waste on conveyor belts in real time , identifying materials such as plastics, paper and metals. The insights help facilities reduce contamination and improve sorting efficiency. Greyparrot’s technology is also pushing manufacturers to redesign packaging for easier recycling. Another player, Recycleye , uses robotic arms equipped with AI to automate sorting. The robots can quickly identify and separate materials like aluminum and PET plastic, boosting productivity and addressing labor shortages. In the U.K., Recorra, a recycling firm, recently upgraded its operations with Recycleye’s technology to modernize its material recovery process. AI’s influence extends beyond sorting lines. Companies like WestRock are turning to AI to design sustainable packaging that is easier to recycle. These efforts align with the broader goals of transitioning to a circular economy, where resources are reused and waste is minimized. Municipalities are also adopting AI to address recycling challenges. A $24 million materials recovery facility featuring AI sorting systems in Tasmania now processes recyclables from more than 100,000 households. Over the past year, AI-powered systems have gained traction in waste management facilities, where they are being used to sort materials more accurately and streamline operations. “In the metals recycling industry, AI is being used to predict market trends and help recyclers make informed decisions regarding the buying, selling and inventory management of scrap metals,” Joe Floam , owner of ScrapWare wrote on his company’s blog . “AI algorithms can analyze large volumes of market data — including prices, supply and demand, and trade patterns — and then identify patterns within the data to predict future market trends. This helps recyclers plan their operations better by optimizing production and managing inventory based on the expected demand for specific metals.”ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — There’s plenty of concern and second-guessing to unpack from how the Bills unraveled on defense, special teams and clock management in their loss to the Los Angeles Rams to wonder whether it was premature labeling Buffalo as Super Bowl contenders only a week earlier. But first, the good news. There’s very little wrong with Buffalo’s Josh Allen-led offense after the quarterback strengthened his NFL MVP case. A week after a four-TD performance that included the statistical anomaly of him scoring two touchdowns on the same play in a 35-10 win over San Francisco, Allen became the NFL’s first player to throw and rush for three scores apiece in 44-42 loss to Los Angeles on Sunday . That Allen's latest superhuman-like effort ended in defeat is what’s troubling for the five-time defending AFC East champions (10-3) in their bid to dispel questions of finding ways to fall short in the playoffs in each of the past five years. Buffalo’s defense had few answers in stopping the Rams’ dynamic attack while allowing a season-high 457 yards. Worse still, the Bills allowed Los Angeles to go 11 of 15 on third down for a 73.3 conversion percentage — the third highest allowed by Buffalo and worst since allowing Miami's 75% conversion rate in 1986. If that’s not bad enough, the Bills lost for the first time in 39 games in which they scored at least 42 points, while becoming the NFL’s second team to lose when scoring 42 or more and not committing a turnover. Special teams didn’t help. Aside from allowing a blocked punt to be returned for a touchdown, the Bills couldn’t muster an attempt to block the Rams’ final punt from midfield with 7 seconds left because they only had nine players on the field. As coach Sean McDermott concluded after finally addressing reporters more than an hour after the game ended: “I thought we lost two of the three phases today.” He failed to mention yet another clock management misstep. Rather than have Allen spike the ball to stop the clock after a failed quarterback keeper from the Rams 1 with 62 seconds remaining, McDermott called timeout. That left Buffalo with two timeouts and essentially relying on the slim chances of recovering an onside kick after Allen scored on his next attempt. McDermott defended his decision by saying he feared too much time would elapse before the Bills aligned for another snap. And yet, it would not have matched the 45 seconds the Rams ran off on their final possession after Buffalo used its final two timeouts. Together, these are the types of miscues that have haunted the Bills in their recent playoff losses. The bright side is the loss to the Rams didn’t end the Bills’ season, though they fell two games behind Kansas City (12-1) in the race for the AFC’s top seed . And perhaps, the loss can be chalked up to a team riding a little too high off a playoff-clinching win and having to travel across the country to face a Rams team in the thick of its divisional race. If that’s so, the Bills have a chance to address their flaws — and doubters — by how they respond in what still stands as a juicy showdown at the NFC-leading Detroit Lions (12-1) on Sunday. “They’re the top dog in football right now,” Allen said, looking ahead to Detroit. “We have to have a good week, learn from this one, and put it behind us.” Scoring. The Bills topped 30 points for a team-record seventh consecutive game and ninth time this season. Buffalo entered the day ranked second in the NFL averaging 30.5 points per outing, behind Detroit (32.1). Run defense. Though the Rams averaged just 3.3 yards per carry, they stuck with it in finishing with 137 yards, helping them enjoy a 17-minute edge in time of possession. Allen. If not for him, the Bills wouldn't have been in position to nearly overcome a 17-point fourth-quarter deficit. His 424 yards (342 passing and 82 rushing) accounted for all but 21 yards of Buffalo's total offense. With so many options, perhaps the focus falls on special teams coordinator Matthew Smiley. This is the second time in 13 months special teams personnel management became an issue. Buffalo was flagged for having too many men as time expired, providing Wil Lutz a second chance to hit a decisive field goal in sealing Denver's 24-22 win last season . Starting CB Rasul Douglas was sidelined by a knee injury. ... DE Casey Toohill injured his ribs. 80-1-1 — The Bills' record when scoring 38 or more points, including a 38-38 tie with Denver in 1960. Facing Detroit represents Buffalo's final major test before closing the season with two games against New England and hosting the New York Jets. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

NoneBreaking News Don't miss out on the headlines from Breaking News. Followed categories will be added to My News. Anthony Albanese has been accused of responding “too slow” to a surge in anti-Semitism after yet another incident in Sydney. A crime scene was established in the east Sydney suburb of Woollahra after “Kill Israiel” was scrawled onto a wall behind a torched car in the early hours of Wednesday. Another car and two buildings were also vandalised, authorities said. CAnthony Albanese has been accused of responding “too slow” to a surge in anti-Semitism after yet another incident in Sydney. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman ‘Kill Israiel’ was scrawled onto a wall behind a torched car in Sydney’s east. Picture: onScene Bondi A crime scene has been established. Picture: Supplied The second high profile anti-Semitic incident in a major Australian city in less than a week, senior Coalition MP Sussan Ley said she wanted “to see strong leadership from the Prime Minister”. “This is not a peaceful protest. This is thugs and hooligans going to where Jewish people live, to their homes, and conducting these sort of awful, awful acts of intimidation, harassment, and who knows what next,” she told Sky News. “I want to see arrests, I want to see action, I want to see strong leadership from the Prime Minister, and I’m not sure that we’re seeing that now.” Mr Albanese and several senior ministers have condemned the latest incident in Sydney. “Overwhelmingly, Australians are respectful people,” he told the ABC. “Australians want to live peacefully, side by side, and Australians reject this abhorrent criminal behaviour.” Mr Albanese said the incident was “not a political act”, in that it would “not change anything that is occurring in the Middle East”. “This is an attack against their fellow Australians,” he said. This latest attack is an abhorrent attempt to intimidate our Jewish community, but it will not be successful. Officers from Operation Avalite will brief the Government this morning. Home Affairs officials are engaging with NSW Police. — Tony Burke (@Tony_Burke) December 10, 2024 Meanwhile, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has pledged that those behind the incident in Woollahra “will face the full force of the law”. “This latest attack is an abhorrent attempt to intimidate our Jewish community, but it will not be successful,” Mr Burke said in a statement. “Officers from Operation Avalite will brief the government this morning. Home Affairs officials are engaging with NSW police. “We will continue to stand with the Jewish community against hatred and violence which has no place in our country. Those responsible for this will face the full force of the law and the condemnation of our community.” The Albanese government on Monday announced Operation Avalite, a special taskforce to tackle anti-Semitic attacks after a synagogue in Melbourne was firebombed last week. But many in the Jewish community have questioned why it took so long for any concrete action. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited a synagogue in Melbourne that was firebombed last week. Picture: NewsWire / David Geraghty On Tuesday, security rushed Mr Albanese into his car after he was heckled while visiting the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne. The incident overnight in Woollahra, which has a high Jewish population, is the second such incident in the suburb in less than a month. In late November, several buildings were vandalised with anti-Semitic graffiti and a car set alight. Two men have been charged in relation to that incident. Originally published as ‘Too slow’: PM under fire after latest anti-Semitic incident in Sydney Read related topics: Anthony Albanese Join the conversation Add your comment to this story To join the conversation, please log in. Don't have an account? Register Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout More related stories Breaking News ‘Appalling’: TV star’s attack on woman A lifeguard who stars in the iconic reality TV series Bondi Rescue has been slammed for assaulting a woman “in a fit of alcoholic rage”. Read more Breaking News Machete wielding teens at carols event Police have arrested three teenage boys armed with machetes after clashing with authorities at a family Christmas event on Tuesday evening. Read more

The suspect in the high-profile killing of a health insurance CEO that has gripped the United States graduated from an Ivy League university, reportedly hails from a wealthy family, and wrote social media posts brimming with cerebral musings. Luigi Mangione, 26, was thrust into the spotlight Monday after police revealed he is their person of interest in the brutal murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, a father of two, last week in broad daylight in Manhattan in a case that laid bare deep frustration and anger with America's privatized medical system. News of his capture in Pennsylvania -- following a tip from a McDonald's worker --triggered an explosion of online activity, with Mangione quickly amassing new followers on social media as citizen sleuths and US media tried to understand who he is. While some lauded him as a hero and lamented his arrest, others analyzed his intellectual takes in search of ideological clues. A photo on one of his social media accounts includes an X-ray of an apparently injured spine. No explicit political affiliation has emerged. Meanwhile, memes and jokes proliferated, many riffing on his first name and comparing him to the "Mario Bros." character Luigi, sometimes depicted in AI-altered images wielding a gun or holding a Big Mac. "Godspeed. Please know that we all hear you," wrote one user on Facebook. "I want to donate to your defense fund," added another. According to Mangione's LinkedIn profile, he is employed as a data engineer at TrueCar, a California-based online auto marketplace. A company spokesperson told AFP Mangione "has not been an employee of our company since 2023." Although he had been living in Hawaii ahead of the killing, he originally hails from Towson, Maryland, near Baltimore. He comes from a prominent and wealthy Italian-American family, according to the Baltimore Banner. The family owns local businesses, including the Hayfields Country Club, its website says. A standout student, Mangione graduated at the top of his high school class in 2016. In an interview with his local paper at the time, he praised his teachers for fostering a passion for learning beyond grades and encouraging intellectual curiosity. A former student who knew Mangione at the Gilman School told AFP the suspect struck him as "a normal guy, nice kid." "There was nothing about him that was off, at least from my perception," this person said, asking that their name not be used. "Seemed to just be smiling, and kind of seemed like he was a smart kid. Ended up being valedictorian, which confirmed that," the former student said. Mangione went on to attend the prestigious University of Pennsylvania, where he completed both a bachelor's and master's degree in computer science by 2020, according to a university spokesperson. While at Penn, Mangione co-led a group of 60 undergraduates who collaborated on video game projects, as noted in a now-deleted university webpage, archived on the Wayback Machine. On Instagram, where his following has skyrocketed from hundreds to tens of thousands, Mangione shared snapshots of his travels in Mexico, Puerto Rico and Hawaii. He also posted shirtless photos flaunting a six-pack and appeared in celebratory posts with fellow members of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. However, it is on X (formerly Twitter) that users have scoured Mangione's posts for potential motives. His header photo -- an X-ray of a spine with bolts -- remains cryptic, with no public explanation. Finding a coherent political ideology has also proved elusive, though he had written a review of Ted Kaczynski's manifesto on the online site goodreads, calling it "prescient." Kaczynski, known as the Unabomber, carried out a string of bombings in the United States from 1978 to 1995, a campaign he said was aimed at halting the advance of modern society and technology. Mangione called Kaczynski "rightfully imprisoned," while also saying "'violence never solved anything' is a statement uttered by cowards and predators." According to CNN, handwritten documents recovered when Mangione was arrested included the phrase "these parasites had it coming." Mangione has also linked approvingly to posts criticizing secularism as a harmful consequence of Christianity's decline. In April, he wrote, "Horror vacui (nature abhors a vacuum)." The following month, he posted an essay he wrote in high school titled "How Christianity Prospered by Appealing to the Lower Classes of Ancient Rome." In another post from April, he speculated that Japan's low birthrate stems from societal disconnection, adding that "fleshlights" and other vaginal-replica sex toys should be banned. ia/nro/dwWesmen’s rise a bit of a surpriseAmericans pride themselves on leading the world in innovation, freedom, and opportunity. Yet, when it comes to health, the numbers tell a damning story. Life expectancy in the United States is 79.25 years, ranking a dismal 40th globally—well below its wealthy peers. A report published in the prestigious journal The Lancet , authored by 622 international researchers and forecasting health trends for the U.S. from 2022 to 2050, offers an even grimmer outlook. By 2050, the U.S. is predicted to plumment to 66th place in life expectancy rankings. Despite spending an astronomical $4.5 trillion on health care, the U.S. trails other high-income nations like Japan, Switzerland, and Australia, underscoring the profound failure of the country's health care system to deliver on its most basic promise: improving health outcomes. How did it come to this? The U.S. health care system is in disarray. Despite spending nearly 18 percent of its GDP on health—the highest among high-income countries—the United States ranks last in outcomes such as life expectancy and preventable deaths, according to both The Lancet and the Commonwealth Fund's Mirror, Mirror 2024 report. Administrative inefficiencies, fragmented care, and inequities exacerbate the problem. Preventable risk factors such as obesity, poor diet, and substance use drive a significant portion of these poor outcomes. If ignored, these issues will cost the U.S. a staggering four years of potential life expectancy gains by 2050, while more than 12 million preventable deaths accumulate. These trends underscore systemic failures, an indictment of a system that prioritizes profit over people. This broken system needs radical change. The challenges extend far beyond inefficiencies. Chronic diseases dominate the landscape, disproportionately crushing low-income and marginalized communities. Health disparities are not just statistics; they are daily tragedies exposing a moral and economic crisis. Other nations achieve better results with fewer resources, yet Americans endure higher rates of suffering and preventable deaths. Addressing these issues requires a radical transformation, prioritizing evidence-based public health strategies and policies that tackle root causes rather than symptoms. Universal access to affordable, high-quality care must become a reality, not just an aspiration. American health care is a paradox: The developed world's most expensive health system delivers some of its worst results. Even as expenditures continue to soar, millions of Americans delay or forgo care due to unaffordable costs. This dysfunction disproportionately harms low-income populations, worsening inequities and further straining an already overburdened system. Rural states like West Virginia have life expectancies akin to those in developing nations, while wealthier states like California boast outcomes comparable to European ones. These inequities are morally indefensible and economically unsustainable, demanding systemic reform to ensure equitable, high-quality care for all. Reforming the U.S. health system is no small feat. The country's size, diversity, and entrenched political divisions present unique challenges. Public distrust of government, amplified by industry lobbies, fuels resistance to policies like health taxes. Worse, the shifting priorities of new administrations often undermine long-term, evidence-informed policymaking. Yet, the alternatives—rising costs, worsening disparities, and a continued decline in global health rankings—are unacceptable. Reform should begin at the heart of the U.S. health crisis: chronic diseases and preventable risks like smoking, obesity, poor diet, and substance abuse. The Lancet emphasizes that reducing such preventable risks could substantially improve outcomes, adding nearly four years to American life expectancy by 2050. Effective strategies include health taxes on harmful products like tobacco, sugary beverages, and alcohol. Such taxes, proven effective worldwide, reduce consumption while generating revenue for public health initiatives. Yet industries producing these products thrive, protected by political lobbying and weak regulation. Tobacco, sugary drink, and alcohol companies rake in massive profits while their products lead to preventable deaths. The time for timid policy is over. Bold, unflinching interventions are necessary to curb these risks and shift the trajectory of public health. The United States stands at a crossroads. The projections are clear: without intervention, life expectancy will continue to stagnate, health disparities will widen, and the country's global rankings will nosedive. Lessons from nations with better-performing health systems are abundant. Addressing health inequities, reducing preventable risks, and ensuring universal access to care are not impossible tasks. Public health must take its rightful place as a cornerstone of national policy, insulated from political whims and guided by science. The evidence is clear, the stakes are enormous, and the time to act is now. America's health crisis is not inevitable—unless we choose to ignore it. Habib Benzian is a professor at New York University's Dental College, Co-Director of a WHO Collaborating Center, and a Public Voices Fellow of the OpEd Project. The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.

New Aquila DSP Delivers Cost, Power, and Scalability for 2 km to 20 km Connectivity, Extending Marvell Optical Interconnect Leadership SANTA CLARA, Calif. , Dec. 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Marvell Technology, Inc . (NASDAQ: MRVL), a leader in data infrastructure semiconductor solutions, today announced Marvell® Aquila , the industry's first coherent-lite DSP optimized for 1.6 Tbps coherent optical transceiver modules operating at O-band wavelengths. By combining advanced coherent modulation with scalable O-band optics, the Aquila DSP delivers a power and performance-optimized solution tailored for the emerging market for distributed campus data center interconnects spanning up to 20 km with high bandwidth and low latency. The industry is shifting from large-scale facilities to campus-based data centers due to power and space constraints. While PAM4 interconnects remain the standard for inside data center connections and coherent data center interconnect (DCI) interconnects address regional data center connectivity, both areas where Marvell is the industry leader, campus-based data centers require optimized interconnects spanning 2-20 km, driving the need for coherent-lite technology. Marvell, leveraging its unique expertise in both PAM4 and coherent DSPs, is leading this market transformation. Traditional coherent DSPs are optimized for C-band tunable optics, which lack the scalability needed for high-volume data center deployment. The new Aquila coherent-lite DSP introduces an innovative O-band coherent architecture that delivers cost efficiency, power savings, and scalability, enabling the next generation of campus-based data center connectivity. "Interconnect bandwidth, data center traffic, and data center capacity needs are all growing at accelerated rates because of AI, and operators are limited by the available power delivery in a single building," said Xi Wang , vice president of product marketing for Optical Connectivity at Marvell. "Aquila offers data center operators a new, groundbreaking avenue for optimizing their infrastructure for sustainability and developing campus facilities that can scale with their customers' demands for cloud and AI services." "The transition to distributed data centers is creating a growing demand for innovative solutions to address campus connectivity challenges," said Osa Mok , chief marketing officer at TeraHop Ltd. (previously known as InnoLight Technology). "Marvell's Aquila represents a significant step forward, bringing coherent technologies to this evolving market. By combining the advancements from Aquila with TeraHop's expertise in coherent modules and scalable optical solutions, we are establishing a new standard for performance and efficiency in campus networks." "Shipments of coherent-lite solutions are expected to grow from sample volumes this year to over 1 million units per year by 2029," said Vlad Kozlov , founder and CEO of LightCounting. "Coherent-lite technology like Aquila from Marvell expands the options available to hyperscalers, providing a more energy-efficient solution to an emerging and critical use case." Aquila is one of the latest members of the Marvell interconnect portfolio, optimized for specific use cases to help data centers maximize the utilization and performance of their infrastructure while reducing overall cost and power per bit. The extensive 1.6 Tbps portfolio also includes the Marvell LPO TIA and driver chipset; Ara , the industry's first 3nm PAM4 interconnect platform; Nova family of PAM4 DSPs featuring 200 Gbps electrical and optical interfaces; and Alaska® A PAM4 DSP for active electrical cables. Aquila Coherent-lite DSP Attributes Availability The Marvell Aquila coherent-lite DSP is sampling to select customers. About Marvell To deliver the data infrastructure technology that connects the world, we're building solutions on the most powerful foundation: our partnerships with our customers. Trusted by the world's leading technology companies for over 25 years, we move, store, process and secure the world's data with semiconductor solutions designed for our customers' current needs and future ambitions. Through a process of deep collaboration and transparency, we're ultimately changing the way tomorrow's enterprise, cloud, automotive, and carrier architectures transform—for the better. Marvell and the M logo are trademarks of Marvell or its affiliates. Please visit www.marvell.com for a complete list of Marvell trademarks. Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others. This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, any statement that may predict, forecast, indicate or imply future events, results or achievements. Actual events, results or achievements may differ materially from those contemplated in this press release. Forward-looking statements are only predictions and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict, including those described in the "Risk Factors" section of our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other documents filed by us from time to time with the SEC. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and no person assumes any obligation to update or revise any such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. For further information, contact: Kim Markle pr@marvell.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/marvell-unveils-industrys-first-coherent-lite-1-6-tbps-o-band-optimized-dsp-for-data-center-campus-connectivity-302328132.html SOURCE Marvell

Trump says he will nominate former White House aide Brooke Rollins to be agriculture secretary

PAY ATTENTION: Follow our WhatsApp channel to never miss out on the news that matters to you! Outgoing US President Joe Biden on Tuesday branded his successor Donald Trump's economic plans a "disaster," in a speech hailing his own legacy. Biden said Trump's threats to slap huge tariffs on imports were a "major mistake" and challenged Trump to build on what he said were the successes of his own administration. The lame-duck president's speech comes after Trump won a second term largely on the back of US voters' anger at high costs of living under Democrats. "I pray to God the president-elect throws away Project 2025. I think it'd be an economic disaster for us and the region," Biden said at the Brookings Institution in Washington, referring to a conservative blueprint for a second Trump administration. Coughing frequently because of a cold, Biden said US consumers would pay the price for the tariffs that Trump has vowed to slap on US neighbors Mexico and Canada and on Asia-Pacific rival China. Read also Most markets down as traders assess crises in S.Korea, France Together they are the three biggest US trading partners. PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Instagram - get the most important news directly in your favourite app! "I believe this approach is a major mistake," Biden added. At a separate event Tuesday, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Trump's tariffs could "derail the progress that we've made on inflation, and have adverse consequences on growth." She warned at the Wall Street Journal's CEO Council Summit that sweeping tariffs could raise prices significantly for US consumers and pile pressure on companies which rely on imports. Shadow president The White House touted Biden's speech as a "major address on his economic legacy" as the 82-year-old looks to the history books with fewer than six weeks left in office. Biden dropped out of the 2024 presidential race against Trump in July due to concerns about his age and passed the torch to Vice President Kamala Harris, whom Trump comfortably defeated at the November polls. Trump's inauguration is not until January 20, but he has already become something of a shadow president, making pronouncements on the economy and foreign policy and being feted by world leaders. Read also South Korea stocks drop, won stable as Asian markets fluctuate Biden has kept a relatively low profile, but he came out swinging in defense of his own record before an audience of economists. He contrasted his "middle-out, bottom-up economic playbook" with what he called Trump's failed promise of "trickle-down economics" in which tax cuts for the wealthy are supposed to boost incomes. Biden also touted achievements including the US economy's recovery from the Covid pandemic and his huge investments in green technology and industry. "President-elect Trump is receiving the strongest economy in modern history," said Biden. But the departing president said he regretted not signing his name to Covid stimulus checks sent out to Americans, like Trump had done. Biden ended his speech with a broader plea for US leadership in a troubled world, even as Trump has repeatedly signaled his intention to take a more isolationist stance. "If we do not lead the world, what nation leads the world?" he said. PAY ATTENTION: Сheck out news that is picked exactly for YOU ➡️ find the “Recommended for you” block on the home page and enjoy! Source: AFPBy Conor Ryan After 14 seasons in the NHL ranks, Kevin Shattenkirk is hanging up his skates. Shattenkirk announced his retirement via social media on Tuesday evening, with the playmaking defenseman’s final stop in the pro ranks coming with the Bruins during the 2023-24 season. “After 14 amazing years in the National Hockey League, I have decided to retire,” Shattenkirk said in a statement on X . “I never knew hockey would take me this far. ... To the Boston Bruins, for valuing my qualities as a player and a leader in the locker room. Thank you to all of my great general managers and coaches for treating me with respect and teaching me some great life lessons along the way.” Brought in last year to add some veteran mettle to Boston’s blue line, the 35-year-old Shattenkirk appeared in 61 games with the Bruins last season — scoring six goals and adding 18 assists. Beyond his contributions from the back end, Shattenkirk’s postseason experience (91 playoff games, one Stanley Cup with Tampa Bay in 2020) came in handy during Boston’s first-round series against the Maple Leafs. Congratulations on a tremendous career, Shatty! Wishing you and your family all the best in this next chapter! pic.twitter.com/e16cxfbG8i Following Boston’s overtime triumph against Toronto in Game 7, several Bruins veterans credited Shattenkirk for inspiring the team ahead of an eventual 2-1 victory at TD Garden. “Shatty gave the group an incredible speech,” Brad Marchand said postgame . “That really allowed us to kind of settle down and understand where we were at and how we had to play and what we needed to believe to get the job done.” Shattenkirk already had plenty of familiarity in Boston ahead of signing with the Bruins in 2023. He played three seasons at Boston University, helping the Terriers win a national championship in 2009. NCAA champion Stanley Cup champion Olympian Terrier Congrats on an incredible career, Shatty! Proud to call you a Terrier. pic.twitter.com/7TT5xkvquv A first-round pick (No. 14 overall) by the Colorado Avalanche in 2007, Shattenkirk concludes his NHL career with 103 goals and 484 total points over 952 career games. “I want to say one final thank you to all the fans who have supported me along the way,” Shattenkirk added in his social media post. “Your passion for hockey is what made me stepping onto the ice every night so much fun and playing in front of you was a privilege that I never took for granted.” Conor Ryan Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023. Sign up for Bruins updates🏒 Get breaking news and analysis delivered to your inbox during hockey season. Be civil. Be kind.Nearly every cinematic genre is represented in the annual Black List , a round-up of scripts that have earned buzz in Hollywood but haven’t yet been snapped up for production. Several past entries have made the leap from the page to screen, and even to the stage at the Academy Awards—and it’s always fun to look through the contenders and imagine seeing their stories come to life. Here are the 10 we would be most excited to see from the 2024 list (via Variety ; you can check out the full list here ), all hailing from the sci-fi, horror, and fantasy realms. Bloody Mingo by Jonathan Easley “Investigating the crime scene of a potential homicide in the Appalachian mountainside, a deputy encounters a strange mountain community that claims to be haunted by an evil witch that lives in the woods.” The world needs more folk horror, and this sounds like a very eerie way to help meet that requirement. The 13th Hour by Anna Klassen “When a group of teenagers repair an old clock with a mysterious 13th numeral, they are granted an extra hour where their actions have no consequence.” Something tells us there will be consequences, eventually, for the tinkering kids—their magical control of time notwithstanding. American Monsters by Chris Grillot “A senator and his estranged son must fight to survive when they’re stranded at a hunting ranch where mythical beasts from global folklore are genetically engineered as dangerous game.” Get Kurt and Wyatt Russell on the phone, immediately! AIDa by Alexis Jacknow “A new mother finds the perfect nanny in AI, only to learn that a ‘perfect’ caregiver might be the most dangerous kind of all. This psychological thriller examines the disparity between human nature versus AI nurture and asks the question, could AI ever replace us as parents?” We’ve seen AI be scary around kids before ( M3GAN ‘s sequel is coming soon!), but blending the idea with 21st century parenting fears sounds promising, in a deeply dystopian kind of way. Turnaround by Elyse Hollander “After beloved movie star Tom Adair is found dead, the outpouring of grief and sympathy quickly elevates his best friend Alec Donavan to movie star status. Now Alec must contend with his newfound fame and success—and the fact that he and his agent/girlfriend Karynn Pieper secretly murdered Tom and are haunted by his vengeful ghost.” A murder mystery ghost comedy set among Hollywood’s A-list? We’d watch the hell out of that. Howl by Madison Vanderberg “All hell breaks loose when a famous—but notoriously troubled—actor announces on a talk show that in less than an hour, he’ll turn into a werewolf... all on live TV.” Speaking of Hollywood-set tales, we can imagine an array of performers (top of the list: Nicolas Cage) devouring the scenery in a movie like this. Mommy’s Home by James Morosini “A young dad revives his 24-year-old cryogenically frozen mom, unleashing terror and forbidden tension that haunt his family and threaten to unravel his marriage.” We love any tale that starts off with someone emerging from cryogenic sleep—because you just know all kinds of chaos will ensue: Encino Man , Demolition Man , whatever domestic nightmares and “forbidden tension” this guy’s mom has up her sleeve... Mom? by Jack Bloom “When a deadly virus infects mothers and turns them against their offspring, a father must do whatever it takes to protect his daughter from her mom.” It’s a big year for villainous moms, apparently! Camp David by Megan Amram & Joseph Carnegie “In 1981, a young George W. Bush and his siblings are hunted by a masked killer while partying at Camp David.” Yes. This is some revisionist history we need to eat popcorn with. Let’s make it happen, Hollywood! It’s Not You, It’s Me by Shane Kennedy and Ant Simpson “When Nick and Sophie break up just days before the lavish destination wedding of his best friend and her sister, they vow to keep it a secret until after the nuptials. But what should be a simple white lie becomes a living nightmare when a mystical encounter turns them into the one thing they hate most in the world: each other.” There are a couple of body-swapping tales on this year’s Black List, but only one gives off “ Anyone But You with a freaky genre twist” vibes.

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