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French President Emmanuel Macron named a new government Monday evening, putting together a team under Francois Bayrou, his fourth prime minister of the year, to drag the second-largest EU economy out of political crisis. Macron named former prime minister Elisabeth Borne, 63, education minister in a new cabinet under centrist Bayrou, announced Elysee secretary-general Alexis Kohler. Another former premier, Manuel Valls, 62, returned as overseas territories minister, while former interior minister Gerald Darmanin became justice minister. Both Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu and Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot kept their jobs, the presidency said. Lecornu, a 38-year-old loyalist with a keen political nose, has served in every government since Macron's first election as president in 2017. Conservative Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, who has vowed to crack down on illegal immigration, and right-wing Culture Minister Rachida Dati, also stayed in their posts. The difficult job of delivering a budget plan for next year falls to Eric Lombard, head of public-sector lender Caisse des Depots (CDC), who was named economy minister. "I'm very proud of the team we're presenting this evening," Bayrou said on X, adding his "experienced" cabinet would aim to "rebuild trust". The inclusion of two former prime ministers indicates Macron's desire for a heavyweight government that will enjoy stability and not share the fate of Bayrou's predecessor, Michel Barnier, ousted in a no-confidence vote. Bayrou had hoped to bring in figures from the left, right and centre to protect his government from possible censure, but his 35-member team does not include any members of the left-wing coalition New Popular Front. Macron will assemble Bayrou's team on January 3 for a first Council of Ministers meeting, the presidency said. Barnier was brought down over his failure to win support for an austerity budget to shore up France's shaky finances with spending cuts and tax rises. The priority for 73-year-old Bayrou is to make sure his government can survive a no-confidence vote and that it passes a cost-cutting budget for 2025. The unexpected comeback of Valls, premier from 2014 to 2016, as the head of the overseas territories ministry indicates the importance of the post after authorities were strongly criticised for their response to the deadly cyclone on the Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte, which killed at least 35 people. Darmanin had long been known to covet the post of foreign minister, but after days of intense discussions will have to content himself with the justice ministry. Just before the official announcement, heavyweight right-wing politician Xavier Bertrand, who had been tipped for the health ministry, announced he would not be part of the government. He alleged that it had been formed with the implicit "backing" of far-right leader Marine Le Pen, who will play a key role in ensuring its survival. "The prime minister informed me this morning, contrary to what he had proposed yesterday, that he was no longer in a position to entrust me with responsibility for the justice ministry due to opposition from (Le Pen's) National Rally," Bertrand said in a statement. "Despite his new proposals, I refuse to take part in a government of France formed with the backing of Marine Le Pen." Bertrand is a major irritant for the far right, which he has long opposed. Le Pen on March 31, 2025 faces the verdict in an embezzlement trial on charges she denies. If convicted, she could lose the chance of standing in the 2027 elections and with it her best chance yet of winning the presidency. The announcement came as France observed a day of mourning for victims in cyclone-hit Mayotte, France's poorest overseas territory. Bayrou, the head of the centrist MoDem group, which is allied to Macron's party, was appointed on December 13. He is the sixth prime minister of Macron's mandate. Many already predict Bayrou will struggle to survive. France has been mired in deadlock since Macron gambled on snap elections this summer in the hopes of bolstering his authority. The move backfired, with voters electing a parliament fractured between three rival blocs. Le Pen suggested Macron has been weakened by months of political crisis and would eventually have to resign. "I am preparing for an early presidential election," she told French newspaper Le Parisien last week. bur-as/jhb
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ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Hope Adebayo rushed for 123 yards and two scores, Tak Tateoka threw a touchdown pass and St. Thomas-Minnesota rolled to a 32-9 victory over Dayton on Saturday in a season finale. Dayton scored first on a 24-yard field goal by Danny Baker, but the Tommies (6-6, 5-3 Pioneer Football League) responded with 25 unanswered points on its way to a 22-point advantage at halftime. Adebayo gave the Tommies the lead with an 11-yard touchdown run. Tateoka connected with Colin Chase for a 42-yard score and a 14-3 lead early in the second quarter. Ryan Calcagno returned a fumble 34 yards for a touchdown and senior defensive back Grif Wurtz ran it in for the two-point conversion. Ben Holland kicked a 31-yard field goal with 68 seconds left before intermission. Adebayo bulled his way into the end zone on the first play of the fourth quarter to up the Tommies' lead to 32-3. Drew VanVleet threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to Jake Coleman late to complete the scoring for the Flyers (6-5, 4-4). Tateoka completed 12 of 21 passes for 136 yards with one interception for St. Thomas-Minnesota. Adebayo did his damage on 22 carries. Chase finished with seven receptions for 101 yards. VanVleet totaled 198 yards on 23-for-43 passing with three interceptions. Coleman caught 10 passes for 107 yards. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
On June 28 2023, Microsoft and LinkedIn launched the AI Skills Initiative certificate program, a library of free videos for professionals who are beginners in generative AI . The program aims to teach participants how to apply generative AI to their work. As of December 2024, Microsoft expanded its library to form the AI Skills Navigator portal. What are the Career Essentials in Generative AI program by Microsoft and LinkedIn? The Microsoft AI Skills Initiative, developed with LinkedIn, consists of five modules. Every module includes a video, and some are supplemented with quizzes, a workbook file, or both. Completing all five modules gives the learner a Professional Certificate in Generative AI to display on LinkedIn Learning. The content presented in the AI Skills Initiative certification skews toward Microsoft’s Copilot instead of its major rival, Google’s Gemini . The Professional Certificate on Generative AI training will be available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, German, Simplified Chinese, and Japanese and will be free through 2025. SEE: Learn how generative AI is transforming cloud security . (TechRepublic) “We have the opportunity to provide foundational information to everyone, everywhere, to help us all stay ahead of the skills gaps and harness its creativity to retrieve helpful information,” said Naria Santa Lucia, general manager of digital inclusion at Microsoft, in an email to TechRepublic. “As we are learning, the technology is learning from us, too, and we have the power to shape how the technology can best support us.” SEE: 2025 was the year of agentic AI . The LinkedIn training course is part of Microsoft’s Skills for Jobs program, which includes a training module for teachers, trainers, and facilitators exploring artificial intelligence . Note that some of the material focuses on Microsoft Azure and Azure OpenAI. Generative AI skills are among companies’ top three training priorities More than 75% of companies plan to adopt AI in the next five years, according to the World Economic Forum. Training employees to use AI and big data is the third-highest company skills-training priority companies plan to focus on over this period, as highlighted in the WEF Future of Jobs 2023 report . That statistic includes generative AI and related technologies, such as machine learning , which fall under the same umbrella. The importance of AI in the workplace is further underscored by Microsoft’s May 2024 Work Trend Index, which found that 75% of knowledge workers use AI at work. However, 53% of people surveyed who use AI at work worry that using it makes them look replaceable. Additionally, some workers (45%) are still concerned they will lose their jobs to AI. On the other hand, a proportionate number of hiring leaders (55%) say they’re concerned about not having enough talent to fill roles in 2025. In last year’s Work Trend Index, 49% of people were concerned about AI making their jobs obsolete. At the same time, 70% are open to the possibility of delegating some tasks to AI to reduce their workloads. To address these challenges and opportunities, Microsoft proposes upskilling in AI to remediate imbalances. One element of skills training somewhat unique to generative AI is the practice of prompt engineering . “Unlike other enterprise software, generative AI tools require the user to train the tool itself,” said Shravan Goli, chief operating officer at Coursera, in an email to TechRepublic in 2023. “Without good prompts, the tool won’t be able to help employees boost productivity in a meaningful way, and increasing productivity is one of the most promising components of generative AI for workers today.” SEE: This customizable prompt engineer hiring kit from TechRepublic Premium He also noted that generative AI skills training requires ethical oversight, which Coursera considers in its own free training modules . “As with any emerging technology, society is still navigating its broader implications and managing guardrails,” Goli said. “In order to leverage this incredibly powerful tool while still ensuring responsible use by employees, I believe organizations need to carefully outline ethical guidelines.” Note: This story was originally published in 2023 and updated for 2024.
Celtic have opened up a three-point lead at the top of the table after winning 4-1 at Hearts while Aberdeen slipped up for the first tine this season. Kyogo Furuhashi gave the visitors the lead 10 minutes into the second half, Nicolas Gerrit-Kühn quickly added a second and Adam Idah a third. Musa Drammeh pulled one back before Idah completed the win with a penalty. Richard Taylor headed a late winner as Aberdeen saw their unbeaten start come to a crashing halt in a 2-1 defeat at St Mirren . After kick-off was delayed by an hour to allow a relentless effort by the Saints staff to clear the pitch of snow, the Dons were caught cold by a ferocious start from the hosts. Toyosi Olusanya fired Stephen Robinson’s side in front in the 20th minute and their advantage could have been more at half-time. Jamie McGrath drew Aberdeen level five minutes after the restart but St Mirren claimed victory after Taylor netted with seven minutes left. Philippe Clement admitted Rangers lack “credit in the bank” having lost too many points this season after another setback in the 1-1 draw against Dundee United at Ibrox. Dundee United were held up by traffic, which eventually put the kick-off back 55 minutes. But the visitors shrugged off their problems to take the lead in the 36th minute through Sam Dalby’s header. Frustrated Gers fans booed their side off at the interval before they got back on level terms in the 66th minute through Vaclav Cerny, although the draw means they have dropped 13 points from 12 games. Clement said: “Very frustrating to lose points and we have already lost too many this season. So we know we don’t have credit in the bank in that way. “We lose too many points. We’re not where we want to be as a club. We knew that before this game. So in that way it’s two points again lost that we cannot lose.” Jim Goodwin praised his players for leaving Ibrox with a point after the worst possible preparation. The Dundee United manager said: “The lads were sitting on a bus from 9.30 in the morning until 2pm when they got to Glasgow. The weather didn’t help and then obviously you’ve got a couple of major incidents on the roads as well, which delayed the whole thing. It was probably as bad as you could prepare for the game.” Ross County had a blistering start to the second half to go two goals ahead courtesy of Ronan Hale and Josh Nisbet and with Motherwell only able to respond late on through Zach Robinson the points remained in Dingwall. It was a first win in almost a month for County. Dundee piled more pressure on Hibernian ’s manager, David Gray, with an emphatic 4-1 win at Dens Park. The Edinburgh side stormed into an early lead thanks to Nicky Cadden but then crumbled after having Jordan Obita sent off, with Dundee netting three before half-time through Jordan McGhee, a Nectarios Triantis own goal and Seb Palmer-Houlden. The Dundee substitute Curtis Main added a fourth deep into stoppage time. St Johnstone halted a run of three straight defeats as Makenzie Kirk’s glancing header earned a 1-0 win over a Kilmarnock side for whom Liam Donnelly was shown a second yellow card late on.DavNor braces for typhoon season
Greg Cote's Christmas Day and Thursday night NFL picksNico Iamaleava throws 4 TD passes to lead No. 10 Tennessee over UTEP 56-0
MADRID (AP) — Spanish King Felipe VI used his traditional Christmas Eve speech to remember the victims of the catastrophic Valencia flash floods , and urged the country to remain calm while addressing hot-button issues such as immigration and housing affordability. In a pre-recorded speech that usually reviews the year's most relevant issues, Felipe said Spain “must never forget the pain and sadness" the floods caused. The Oct. 29 floods killed more than 225 people in eastern Spain, damaging countless homes and leaving graveyards of cars piled on top of each other. In some towns, the heavy downpours that caused the floods dropped as much as a year's worth of rain in just eight hours. In early November, as Spaniards' shock at the wreckage turned into frustration, a political blame game began, directed especially at regional authorities who failed to send timely emergency alerts to cell phones on the day of the floods. The frustration of residents in hard-hit Paiporta near Valencia was on display when people tossed mud and shouted insults at the king and government officials in early November when they made their first visit to the town. “We have seen — and understood — the frustration, the pain, the impatience, the demands for greater and more effective coordination," Felipe said about how the disaster was managed. He also addressed the country's housing crunch and high rents, which have become a leading concern in the southern European country that is the eurozone's fourth-largest economy. Fast-rising rents are especially acute in cities like Barcelona and Madrid, where incomes have failed to keep up, especially for younger people in a country with chronically high unemployment. Felipe urged that “all the actors involved reflect” and "listen to each other” so that they facilitate bringing access to housing under “affordable conditions.” Spain's immigration debate should keep in mind the country's European partners and immigrants' countries of origin, Felipe said, warning that “the way in which we are able to address immigration ... will say a lot in the future about our principles and the quality of our democracy.” Felipe said Spain needed to remain calm in the public sphere, even in the face of a “sometimes thunderous” contest in its politics.
Elon Musk has officially become the wealthiest person in history, with his net worth soaring to $334.3 billion, as reported by Forbes. This milestone comes on the back of a 40% surge in Tesla's stock since the US presidential election, driven by Wall Street's optimism about the incoming administration under President-elect Donald Trump. On Friday alone, Tesla's stock rose 3.8%, closing at $352.56, its highest price in over three years, adding $7 billion to Musk's fortune. This record-breaking achievement surpasses Musk's previous high of $320.3 billion in November 2021, during a pandemic-induced stock rally. Musk's close relationship with Trump has played a significant role in boosting investor confidence. Earlier this year, Musk endorsed Trump and contributed over $100 million to his campaign. His appointment as chair of the newly created "Department of Government Efficiency" (DOGE), working alongside biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, has further cemented his influence. Analysts predict that the incoming administration's deregulation efforts will benefit Tesla’s Full Self-Driving program, which has faced regulatory hurdles. While Tesla remains Musk's primary wealth driver, his ventures in artificial intelligence and aerospace have significantly bolstered his fortune. Musk's 60% stake in xAI, a private AI firm valued at $50 billion, adds $13 billion to his net worth. His 42% stake in SpaceX, valued at $210 billion in a June tender offer, contributes $88 billion. Speculation about SpaceX's upcoming funding round, which could value the company at $250 billion, indicates Musk's wealth may rise further, potentially adding $18 billion. Musk's $334.3 billion fortune places him far ahead of Oracle chairman Larry Ellison, the world's second-richest individual with $235 billion. Most of Musk's wealth is tied to his 13% stake in Tesla, valued at $145 billion, and a pending 9% equity award in the company. Despite Musk's historic fortune, Tesla shares remain about 14% below their all-time high from late 2021, while the broader S&P 500 index has climbed 27% since then.
Macklin Celebrini might be the best under-20 hockey player from North Vancouver in the NHL right now. Now, that may sound so oddly specific that it's actually a backhanded compliment, like Flight of the Conchords singing about " The most beautiful girl (in the room) ," but it's actually high praise because his competition is Connor Bedard. Celebrini and Bedard were both picked first overall in back-to-back years and Celebrini is arguably having a better rookie season than Bedard did last year. It's far too early to declare one the winner in what isn't really a competition — at least, not until they face each other in the playoffs at some point in the future — but Celebrini has been fantastic for the San Jose Sharks. With 11 goals and 23 points in 24 games, Celebrini is leading the Sharks in points per game, and he's been particularly good recently. He has three goals and eight points in his last six games, though the team around him is still not great — the Sharks lost five of those six games. Despite Celebrini's excellence, the Sharks are dead last in the Pacific Division with an 11-19-6 record. On Monday night, Celebrini will play his first NHL game at Rogers Arena, though it's far from his first time in the arena. Celebrini grew up as a dyed-in-the-wool Canucks fan and his most recent trip to Rogers Arena was for Game 7 against the Edmonton Oilers, where he cheered on the Canucks just before he was drafted by the Sharks. He'll be looking for the same result as that game as he faces his hometown team for the first time. Celebrini will be facing a Canucks team that is reeling. They've lost three straight games and six of their last eight, though they took three of those losses to overtime to earn a single point. The Canucks' record as a whole would look a lot better if they had managed to win a few more of their overtime games. The Canucks have taken ten games to overtime this season and won just three of them. Despite that, the Canucks' 16-10-7 record is still good enough to have them fourth in the Pacific Division and in the first wild card spot in the Western Conference by points percentage. If the Canucks can sort out their game and whatever off-ice issues may or may not exist, they're still in a good position to make some noise in the back half of the season. Nils Höglander is expected to get back into the lineup after he was a healthy scratch for two games. He practice on a top-six line alongside Elias Pettersson and Jake DeBrusk on Sunday. Hopefully, the two-game break was what Höglander needed to find his game again, as he had gone 21 games without a point and 26 games without a goal before he was scratched. Linus Karlsson will come out of the lineup for Höglander, which makes a lot of sense. Karlsson simply did not look like an NHLer in his two games and the lack of footspeed was very apparent. As good as Karlsson has been in the AHL, he just hasn't been able to translate his game to the NHL level. The Canucks' starting goaltender is expected to be Thatcher Demko, who has never lost to the San Jose Sharks in 11 starts. He has an 11-0-0 record against the Sharks with a .925 save percentage in his career. While Celebrini is the star, the Sharks are getting decent offensive contributions from a few other forwards. Former Canuck Tyler Toffoli leads the Sharks in goals with 13, while Mikael Granlund leads the team in points with 32 in 34 games. That trio gives the Sharks a pretty dangerous top line; shutting them down will be a priority for the Canucks. Here are the projected lines for the Sharks, courtesy of beat reporter Curtis Pashelka : Mikael Granlund - Macklin Celebrini - Tyler Toffoli William Eklund - Alexander Wennberg - Will Smith Nikolai Kovalenko - Luke Kunin - Fabian Zetterlund Barclay Goodrow - Nico Sturm - Ty Dellandrea Henry Thrun - Cody Ceci Mario Ferraro - Timothy Liljegren Shakir Mukhamadullin - Jan Rutta Yaroslav Askarov Alexandar Georgiev The Sharks will be without the services of top defenceman Jake Walman, who has 25 points in 31 games this season. Walman is out day-to-day with a lower-body injury. The Sharks' starting goaltender is expected to be Yaroslav Askarov. The 22-year-old netminder has been outstanding in his three starts this season, even as the team in front of him hasn't provided a lot of support. He has a .928 save percentage and earned the Sharks at least a point in all three games with a 1-0-2 record.Amber Heard criticises social media in response to Blake Lively complaintASUNCION, Paraguay (AP) — Gaston Martirena and Adrian Martinez scored first-half goals as Argentina’s Racing won its first Copa Sudamericana championship by beating Brazil’s Cruzeiro 3-1 in the final on Saturday. Martirena opened the scoring in the 15th minute and Martinez added a goal five minutes later to give “La Academia” its first international title since 1988 when it won the Supercopa Sudamericana. “Maravilla” Martinez scored 10 goals in 13 matches and finished as the top scorer in the competition. Roger Martinez sealed the victory with a goal in the 90th. Kaio Jorge scored in the 52nd for Cruzeiro. ___ AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer The Associated Press
Merrimack holds Fordham to 31 yards offense in 19-3 win
Bloomin’ Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ:BLMN) Stock Holdings Trimmed by Mutual of America Capital Management LLC
Ethereum 3.0: What Can We Expect?
