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SANTA MONICA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 16, 2024-- GoodRx Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: GDRX), the leading prescription savings platform in the U.S., today announced that Wendy Barnes has been appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2025. Wendy brings more than 30 years of leadership experience across the pharmacy and medical benefit industry to her new role. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241216730604/en/ Wendy Barnes (Photo: Business Wire) Wendy will join GoodRx following her role as CEO of RxBenefits, where she led the company in providing pharmacy benefit support to more than 2,000 self-insured clients comprised of more than three million lives. Under her guidance, RxBenefits became a leading entity providing tailored pharmacy benefit solutions that promote affordability and transparency. Before that, as President of Express Scripts Pharmacy, Wendy oversaw the service, operation, and financial success of the organization’s multiple pharmacies on behalf of 100 million members. Wendy also served as Group Vice President at Rite Aid, where she was responsible for all aspects of managed care, including contracting, enhancing relationships with managed care organizations, overseeing pharmacy benefit managers and third-party payers, and developing strategic partnerships. “Wendy is joining GoodRx at a pivotal moment – both for the healthcare industry and for GoodRx. In a world where conventional insurance coverage is increasingly restrictive, and patients and healthcare professionals are bearing increasing costs and time burdens, GoodRx offers a complement to insurance that fills the gaps that existing systems don’t cover and helps Americans save both time and money,” said Scott Wagner, Interim CEO at GoodRx. “Wendy has the expertise, vision, and leadership to help GoodRx grow in unique and valuable ways, both for our customers and as a business. I’m excited for Wendy and I’m particularly excited for GoodRx.” Wendy's career highlights include her effective leadership roles at RxBenefits, Express Scripts, Rite Aid and Pfizer, leading extensive pharmacy operations and simplifying and improving patient healthcare experiences. Wendy also served for 10 years as a Medical Service Corps Officer in the United States Air Force. "I am thrilled to join GoodRx and contribute to its mission of making healthcare more affordable for millions of Americans," said Wendy Barnes, the newly appointed President and CEO of GoodRx. "With the evolving challenges in healthcare delivery and management, I look forward to working with our talented executive leadership team to foster growth and innovation at GoodRx and within the industry. We have a tremendous opportunity to free Americans from friction in getting medication.” In her role as CEO, Wendy will focus on advancing GoodRx’s strategic initiatives, with particular attention on bringing all brand affordability programs onto the GoodRx platform, expanding GoodRx’s product experience with healthcare professionals, and enriching partnerships with retail pharmacies, insurers, and pharmaceutical manufacturers to help save Americans time and money. Driven by a steadfast commitment to making healthcare more accessible and affordable, Wendy aims to build a better patient experience and help fill gaps within the existing system. “As we embark on this transition, I want to thank Scott for his hard work and huge impact over the last year and a half as our Interim CEO. His leadership and deep business expertise has been felt both inside and outside the walls of GoodRx,” said Trevor Bezdek, Co-founder and Chairman of GoodRx. “As we look ahead to the next phase of growth, I’m confident and enthusiastic that Wendy’s experience and dedication to improving patient lives will drive GoodRx’s mission forward.” About GoodRx GoodRx is the leading prescription savings platform in the U.S. Trusted by more than 25 million consumers and 750,000 healthcare professionals annually, GoodRx provides access to savings and affordability options for generic and brand-name medications at more than 70,000 pharmacies nationwide, as well as comprehensive healthcare research and information. Since 2011, GoodRx has helped consumers save over $75 billion on the cost of their prescriptions. GoodRx periodically posts information that may be important to investors on its investor relations website at https://investors.goodrx.com . We intend to use our website as a means of disclosing material nonpublic information and for complying with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, investors and potential investors are encouraged to consult GoodRx’s website regularly for important information, in addition to following GoodRx’s press releases, filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and public conference calls and webcasts. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, GoodRx’s website is not incorporated by reference into, and is not a part of, this press release. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements contained in this press release that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding anticipated consumer savings, convenience and accessibility; the new CEO appointment and related benefits and values; and our plans, expectations and objectives. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, risks relating to our ability to achieve broad market education and change consumer purchasing habits; changes in medication pricing and pricing structures; our reliance on a limited number of industry participants; and the important factors discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and our other filings with the SEC. Any such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, projections and estimates as of the date of this press release. While we may elect to update such forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we disclaim any obligation to do so, even if subsequent events cause our views to change. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241216730604/en/ press@goodrx.com KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: HEALTH TECHNOLOGY TELEMEDICINE/VIRTUAL MEDICINE HEALTH TECHNOLOGY HEALTH INSURANCE PHARMACEUTICAL INTERNET SOURCE: GoodRx Holdings, Inc. Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/16/2024 04:05 PM/DISC: 12/16/2024 04:04 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241216730604/enHere’s how much Taylor Swift’s Toronto concerts cost police for security, planning and to escort her motorcadeIn an unprecedented wave of collaboration, leading AI firms are teaming up—sometimes with rivals—to serve a Pentagon and Congress determined to put AI to military use. Their growing alignment may herald an era in which software firms seize the influence now held by old-line defense contractors. “There's an old saying that ,” Byron Callan, managing director at Capital Alpha Partners, Investors Business Daily on Wednesday. “It's going to eat the military too." Over the last week, Palantir, Anduril, Shield AI, OpenAI, Booz Allen, and Oracle announced various partnerships to develop products tailored to defense needs. Meanwhile, the House passed the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act with provisions that push the Defense Department to work more closely with tech firms on AI, and DOD announced yet another office intended to foster AI adoption. Perhaps the most significant is between Palantir and Anduril, two companies that offer somewhat competing capabilities related to battlefield data integration. Palantir holds the contract for the , the seminal Defense Department AI effort to derive intelligence from vast amounts of data provided by satellites, drones, and other sensors. Anduril offers a mesh-networking product called Lattice for rapid collection and analysis of battlefield data for drone swarming and other operations. Just a day earlier, Palantir and Shield AI their own partnership to include the deployment of Palantir’s Warp Speed for integrating data into workflow. Their collaboration has sought to integrate Shield AI's autonomous systems with Palantir’s data-processing platforms to provide commanders with a clearer operational picture. Shield AI also competes against Anduril with its autonomous piloting and drone swarm software for GPS-denied environments. Anduril also has new team-ups with , whose cloud infrastructure will support Anduril’s autonomous systems to offer real-time data analysis near the battlefield; and with fellow drone maker , to develop hybrid-propulsion aircraft for defense. Finally, Palantir a partnership with longtime defense contractor Booz Allen Hamilton to make AI tools for logistics, autonomous systems, and other applications. On Wednesday, the House approved a that includes several provisions intended to spur military adoption of AI. The bill puts a big emphasis on building out data and cloud computing resources to enable much faster adoption of AI and AI-enabled weapons, areas where companies like Anduril, Palantir, Booz Allen, and Shield AI excel. One of the most ambitious is Section 1532, which mandates the expansion of secure, high-performance computing infrastructure to support AI training and development. This infrastructure, which will include partnerships with commercial and hybrid cloud providers, is critical for developing scalable AI models capable of adapting to evolving mission requirements. Section 236 also presses the Pentagon to deepen partnerships with the private sector and academia, building on commercial expertise to accelerate innovation. The act also includes stringent reporting requirements intended to ensure accountability and adaptability. From pilot programs in biotechnology to operational testing of cheap, autonomous drones under the program, the Pentagon must provide regular updates to Congress, demonstrating progress and addressing challenges. “Annual updates will assess data resources, cybersecurity measures, and the potential for operational use of technologies,” the legislation says. The Pentagon needs to reshape its acquisition philosophies to accommodate software firms, DIU Director Doug Beck said on Saturday. Instead of buying things via program requirements, the Defense Department must give companies more flexibility to design products that might be useful for defense and then bring those to the Pentagon. That could be a boon to companies like Anduril, which has found a way to and even battlefield-test before the Defense Department even asks for them. “If you give exact definitions and just port more money against it, then...you actually don't incent the kind of behaviors that you want,” Beck said Saturday at the Reagan National Security Forum. “Instead, for those major areas of tech change, we should provide a consistent demand signal of the critical areas we'll be buying in, rather than specific programs, areas like AI, autonomy, space, biotech.” Beck said the hope is that this approach will induce competition among industry players. It’s not yet clear how the emerging partnerships will square with that. One Defense Department official, speaking on background, called Anduril and Palantir the “success stories of the defense-tech movement.” The official said he wouldn’t be surprised if the partnerships signaled “a play to shape the next administration’s approach” to buying defense technology. That will be even easier under Palantir CTO Shyam Sankar, who has reportedly been to lead the Pentagon’s research and engineering efforts under the next administration. Anduril and Palantir did not respond to requests for comment on this story. Which agency or office in the Department of Defense will spearhead accountability and governance over players that are increasingly coordinating their approach? That falls to the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office, better known for its efforts to foster the use of AI. Just on Wednesday, the CDAO and the Defense Innovation Unit that they had created an AI rapid capabilities cell to accelerate the exploration, testing, and adoption of generative AI. The NDAA also pushes the CDAO to smooth the adoption of AI. Section 1521 tasks the office with increasing and synchronizing the use of modern data formats and sharing standards across the department. This includes defining and implementing a strategy to transition from obsolete data formats to modern ones in weapons, command-and-control systems, and sensors. Those company partnerships announced last week are directly relevant to that—and to Section 233, which requires “the development of a strategy to invest in advanced technologies, including automated systems and artificial intelligence, to streamline the process of organizing, indexing, and categorizing data.” CDOA chief Radha Plumb is scheduled to depart in January as the new administration takes over. Her successor will be tasked with implementing those NDAA provisions on data synchronization and strategy development. But they will be overseeing an AI defense contractor community that is increasingly synchronized in their approach to data standards, reporting, and competition. Scott Nover, writing at GZERO Media, this an incipient “AI military-industrial complex.” In November, Palantir passed Lockheed Martin in one closely watched measure: . In a to investors that month announcing quarterly revenue, Palantir founder Alex Karp boasted, “A juggernaut is emerging. This is the software century, and we intend to take the entire market.” Increasingly, Karp and his fellow defense-tech execs are hunting together.

Despite the immense potential for solar energy in urban areas of the Philippines, the technology's upfront cost and a lack of public awareness of its benefits remain major hurdles to its widespread use. Government subsidies and promotional campaigns are seen to help boost its adoption. A study from the Ateneo de Manila University highlights the persistent challenges preventing widespread adoption of rooftop solar power (RTSP) in Metro Manila and nearby provinces. Conducted by Department of Economics Professor Rosalina Palanca-Tan and published in the journal, , the study surveyed 403 respondents to understand why households remain reluctant to invest in solar technology despite its undisputed economic and environmental benefits. Major selling points: Long-term savings, eco-friendliness The Philippines has some of the highest electricity rates in Southeast Asia—as high as $0.20 (approximately ₱11.50) per kilowatt-hour on average, compared to as low as $0.08 (~₱4.50) in Vietnam or even $0.06 (~₱3.50) in Malaysia. This makes the potential long-term savings from RTSP its biggest selling point for many households. Homeowners also recognize that contributes to by reducing and air pollution, helping combat the effects of climate change. Overall, the respondents generally viewed RTSP as a sound long-term investment, with added advantages such as increased property value and enhanced roof durability. However, the upfront cost of installing solar panels remains a major hurdle to public adoption: a home RTSP setup could easily go for well over $1,700 (₱100,000), equivalent to more than half a year's salary for minimum wage workers. Many households are unsure if this initial expense is justified by long-term financial and environmental returns. In any case, cost by itself does not significantly influence adoption decisions, the Ateneo survey found. Respondents said that the trustworthiness of providers, clarity on warranties, and the perceived quality of the installations themselves were just as important considerations as cost, if not more so. Government support to spur public adoption Although 82% of surveyed households expressed some interest in adopting , only 20% had firm intentions of doing so. This gap apparently stems from a lack of knowledge: while most survey respondents said they understood the broad concept of renewable energy and its role in addressing climate change, few were aware of the specific advantages of RTSPs and how to access reliable installation services. Concerns over the quality of materials, maintenance needs, and provider credibility also added to their reluctance. Thus, the study urges stronger government intervention and public education campaigns. In particular, the study suggests improving net metering rates, expanding access to financing options, and accrediting trustworthy RTSP providers to build consumer confidence. Word-of-mouth recommendations also proved instrumental in , as households with friends or family who had adopted solar power were more likely to consider it for themselves as well. Promoting and community-based testimonials could be a crucial key to shifting perceptions and increasing rates of RSTP in the Philippines.

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OpenAI officially launches the AI video generation model Sora in Suqian, Jiangsu, China, on December ... [+] 10, 2024. (Photo by Costfoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images) OpenAI’s Sora launched with overwhelming demand, forcing operations to pause within one day. This public enthusiasm underscores AI’s potential to revolutionize media. AI videos are set to transform how people engage with content by making it more interactive. Consumers who once passively consumed media can now easily create their own. No longer confined to text, sound, or static images, AI now generates short videos and is being explored for longer films , though challenges with accuracy and consistency remain. Companies such as Runway AI, Luma AI, Pika Labs, Meta, Hailuo AI, and among others, are at the forefront, racing to enhance their tools. Runway’s Act-One and Camera Control offer professional tools to add nuances to videos. Luma AI and Hailuo AI excel at animating figures from user-uploaded images, seamlessly transforming static visuals into dynamic scenes aligned with textual prompts. This empowers everyday users to experiment with creative ideas, stepping into the role of a producer or director effortlessly. Potential of AI Videos Across Industry AI video generators are reshaping industries like advertising, e-commerce, education, and entertainment by making content creation more dynamic, personalized, and accessible. In advertising, brands can produce localized and interactive campaigns tailored to diverse audiences without costly production teams. This trend is visible in the growth of AI video advertisement startups. In e-commerce, AI-generated videos can create immersive shopping experiences, turning static images into dynamic product showcases or crafting personalized promotion videos that boost engagement. In education, AI has the potential to bring complex concepts to life through explainer videos, virtual tours, or localized instructional content, expanding global access to learning. iOS 18.2—Update Now Warning Issued To All iPhone Users Microsoft Warns 400 Million Windows Users—Do Not Update Your PC Selena Gomez And Benny Blanco Are Engaged—And The Internet Has Opinions In entertainment, filmmakers and musicians are experimenting with AI to produce fantastical visuals and animations, democratizing tools that were once limited to big-budget studios. For instance, the 2024 Tribeca Festival and OpenAI collaborated to debut five original short films. Runway AI held AI film festivals, and initiated the Hundred Film Fund, which will provide grants ranging from $5,000 up to $1 million to selected filmmakers using its technology. Across these fields, AI video technology is lowering barriers, enabling creativity, and transforming how businesses and individuals engage with media. While AI video tools increase efficiency and allow small budget productions, they also raise an important question: How can we preserve human touch and meaningful stories? Strengths and Challenges of AI Video Generators AI video generators are particularly strong at creating surreal and fantastical visuals, similar to the revolutionary art movements of Dadaism and Surrealism. They allow creators to produce scenes that would be impossible in real life, opening new avenues for storytelling. For instance, the Toronto-based pop band Shy Kids created a short film titled “ Air Head ,” featuring a quirky character with a balloon face navigating various scenarios—working, driving, exploring city streets, celebrating at a party, traveling to Rome in one scene, and soaring over the Arctic Ocean in another. In OpenAI’s Sora showcase, a Singaporean artist depicted elderly women emerging from eggs, riding a giant cat, and painting a massive foot. These whimsical scenes offered a humorous yet poignant commentary on aging. Another artist used Sora to show a singer perched on Ionic Greek columns transforming into a bird, blending styles and eras seamlessly. AI thrives at juxtaposing disparate elements, enabling creators to visualize imaginative narratives that are difficult to shoot with a camera in real world. However, AI’s ability to fabricate fantastical scenes comes with risks. These tools blur the line between reality and fiction, which can confuse audiences, especially younger viewers. Clear labeling is essential to help users distinguish AI-generated visuals from real-life content. AI video generators also face limitations. They lack the depth to authentically portray human life, as their creations are based on algorithms rather than lived experiences. AI videos might exacerbate the problems of deepfakes and misinformation, as AI can create realistic yet deceptive visuals. Overreliance on AI may discourage the effort and thought needed for meaningful storytelling. In addition, the machine learning models behind AI video apps often struggle with technical limitations, leading to awkwardly morphing characters, distorted objects, abrupt lighting changes, and unnatural interactions between characters. Coca-Cola’ s recent AI-generated holiday ad, criticized as “soulless,” reveals the absence of human touch in many AI creations. To leverage AI’s strengths, creators should focus on fantastical storytelling and blending unique styles. At the same time, they must address these challenges by merging human elements into AI videos. Preserving Human Creativity in an AI Era Historically, humans have continuously developed new mediums and forms of media to connect with and interpret the world. In Shakespeare’s time, public theater brought people together to witness the power struggles among aristocrats, the tragedy of impulsive romances, and the twists of human folly—performed live before their eyes. Cinema shifted these performances to the screen, where audiences gathered to experience stories through the lens of cameras and projection systems, replacing the immediacy of live actors with the magic of film. History of British theatre: early playhouse from 1570 - 1629 . Early English Elizabethan theatres ... [+] . Note audience standing around stage and looking through open windows. (Photo by Culture Club/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Television brought entertainment into individual homes, changing how we spent time with family and friends. It encouraged hours of passive viewing, turning the couch into a central hub of leisure. The internet further revolutionized engagement by connecting people not through letters, phone calls, or face-to-face interactions, but through fiber-optic cables that transmitted electronic signals and vast streams of information instantly across the globe. Platforms like YouTube, Netflix, and other video-streaming services introduced a new era of media consumption, shifting preferences from reading stories and reflecting on their meaning to indulging in visual spectacles. These tantalizing displays appealed to our senses, offering quick and captivating content that increasingly prioritized immediacy and entertainment over depth and contemplation. AI video generators build on this evolution, making content creation interactive and more efficient than ever. However, they risk stripping media of its sensitivity to human emotions and experience. German philosopher Walter Benjamin famously argued that art’s “aura” stems from the “here and now” that embodied the physical and intellectual engagement of the artist at the moment of creation. While AI-generated content boasts efficiency, it often lacks the deliberate labor and human touch that give traditional art its depth and meaning. Ease of use removes the challenges that drive creativity. Just as hand crafted furniture and haute couture retain their appeal in a world of mass production, human-created art will always hold a unique place in culture. AI tools should complement creativity, not replace it. As we engage with AI videos, thoughtful adoption is key. By using AI as a collaborator, not a substitute, we can amplify our imagination and push the boundaries of storytelling.AP Sports SummaryBrief at 4:56 p.m. EST

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Nokia Corp. ADR falls Thursday, underperforms market(The Center Square) – Adoption of institutional neutrality is supported by better than 6 in 10 tenured and nontenured faculty at the University of North Carolina, Wake Forest University and Duke University, a report says. Nationally, 66% of faculty say “colleges and universities should not take positions on political and social issues,” says Silence in the Classroom, the 2024 FIRE Faculty Survey Report. At Duke, the percentage is 71%, at Carolina 65%, and at Wake 64%. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. Get the latest need-to-know information delivered to your inbox as it happens. Our flagship newsletter. Get our front page stories each morning as well as the latest updates each afternoon during the week + more in-depth weekend editions on Saturdays & Sundays.Tarar for ‘acceptable to all’ AI regulatory framework Minister stresses need for using AI in combating climate change, bolstering economy and curbing misinformation ISTANBUL: Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting, National Heritage and Culture Attaullah Tarar on Friday made a passionate call at an international conference to work out a comprehensive and inclusive AI regulatory framework which is “acceptable to all”. “As the world is progressing with the AI advancement, we must come up with a regulatory framework that upholds ethical standards and works for collective good of humanity which has common goals and objectives,” said the minister while addressing the Startcom Summit 2024. “We must come together on common terms and make a regulatory framework which is acceptable to all,” he said while advocating encouraging the positive use of AI and discouraging the negative ones. “What I would like to achieve from AI...in the field of agri-tech, we would like to have more productivity and high yield crops through inducement of technology because we are a rice exporting country and we have the agriculture as a backbone of economy,” he said while underlining the need for AI advancement in education, skill development and fintech and healthtech sectors.” “With regard to education and skill development, we would like to see the AI advancement in distance learning so that those students who do not have access to good universities could gain higher education,” he said, adding AI should be used in increasing the children enrolment in schools, and eradicating diseases like hepatitis and polio. He stressed the need for using AI in combating the climate change, bolstering economy and curbing misinformation and disinformation. “We just need to make right policies and benefit our people,” he said while pointing out the biggest contemporary challenge in the form of misinformation and disinformation. He cited the World Economic Forum where most of the leaders called misinformation a greatest threat as it led to chaos and anarchy. The minister said international fora could be used to deal with this challenge and an international agreement could be reached or a task-force could be established to deal with this challenge that eventually leads to economic instability and security crises that caused destruction beyond imagination. He expressed reservation over the censorship of issues related to Gaza, Kashmir and Lebanon on social media. “AI is being used negatively there, and there is a selective judgement in this regard,” he added. He regretted that he was unable to mention the name of martyr Burhan Wani on social media and use his picture due to what he called “selective judgement”. He said people should be told about humanitarian crises in Gaza, Kashmir and other countries. “In Pakistan, we have 111 million Internet users, about 45 per cent of our population. Then, we have 71 million social media users, about 29 per cent of our population and mobile phone users are about 188 million,” he said while highlighting the young population of Pakistan. “We have an opportunity and challenge in the form of youths of this country. So we are trying to impart IT skills to the youth so they can not only be efficient in IT skills and AI at home but also abroad.” He mentioned three policies for digital advancement including the National Fiberization Policy which is aimed at providing Internet to the entire population in Pakistan. “Besides, we are moving towards 5G spectrum that is our next target, we hope to achieve that by mid next year.” In addition to that, he said the National Artificial Intelligence Policy was being worked out, which was in line with modern trends in the world and included the best ethical standards. “So to tackle misinformation, we have to develop large language models, we have to go to natural language processing. So LLMs and NLPs have to be developed in order to cope with this challenge of misinformation and disinformation the world over,” he stressed. “As far as our national AI policy is concerned, a big part of it going to focus on ethical part, there is accuracy of historical data and accuracy of facts,” he said, highlighting the Fact-check Forum created by the Ministry of Information that actually verified certain facts which had not only AI as integral part but also human intervention that oversaw that AI module. “In addition to that, we are running two more programmes. We have the Directorate of Electronic Media and Publications which monitored opinions and narratives the world over and within our own country and came up with a strategic communication policy for the government. “We are using our own AI engine for that to improve our strategic communication,” he said, adding that the government of Pakistan had also established a counter-violent extremism cell.Here's What Could Happen If Google Is Forced To Sell Chrome

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Kigali, Dec 7 (IANS): Rwanda has published the fifth Strategic Plan for Agriculture Transformation (PSTA5) in the Rwandan capital of Kigali to build resilient, sustainable agri-food systems. The ambitious plan, themed Building Resilient and Sustainable Agri-Food Systems, serves as a blueprint for transforming the agriculture sector to achieve food security, sustainable land use, and economic development, Xinhua news agency reported. Speaking at the launch Friday, Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources Mark Cyubahiro Bagabe emphasised the transformative potential of PSTA5, calling it a unique approach to agricultural development. "PSTA5 is unique because it is centered on agri-food systems-that is the central pivot," he said. Bagabe urged Rwanda's youth to play a pivotal role in implementing the plan, highlighting the integration of advanced technologies such as the Internet of Things and artificial intelligence. "When you talk about using technology tools like the Internet of Things and AI to move agriculture forward, I can tell you we are together. I see young people as the pillar of productivity," he said. He also stressed the importance of translating the strategy into tangible results. "We must chip into this strategic plan and ensure this blueprint is translated into actions," he added. Bagabe also emphasised that the success of the strategy lies in collective action to ensure resilient, sustainable, and equitable agri-food systems for all. PSTA5 focuses on modernising agriculture and animal resource production, fostering inclusive markets, and creating jobs within agriculture and food systems. The five-year strategy aims to address pressing challenges such as low productivity, food insecurity, and limited commercialisation in the sector while enhancing resilience to climate shocks like droughts and floods. It aligns with national priorities and global frameworks, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). PSTA5 incorporates lessons from its predecessor, PSTA4, which made significant progress in areas such as marshland development, agroforestry, and irrigation infrastructure. Challenges like climate change and limited investment in agriculture, however, persist, necessitating further innovation and funding. The expected impact of PSTA5 is transformative. The plan targets an average annual agricultural growth rate of 6.5 per cent, increasing export revenues to 1.54 billion US dollars and creating over 644,000 off-farm jobs in agri-food systems, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources. The strategy also aims to empower 72 per cent of women in agriculture and improve food and nutrition security nationwide. With the launch of PSTA5, Rwanda has reaffirmed its commitment to driving inclusive and sustainable agricultural development. Rwanda's agricultural sector remains vital to the country's economy, with about 69 per cent of households engaged in farming and around 400,000 people employed in agri-food systems, according to the Fifth Population and Housing Census (2022).Rutgers looks to pick up steam in clash vs. Seton Hall

DETROIT (AP) — Starting in September of 2027, all new passenger vehicles in the U.S. will have to sound a warning if rear-seat passengers don’t buckle up. Related Articles National News | TikTok asks the Supreme Court for an emergency order to block a US ban unless it’s sold National News | Survivors seek a reckoning as FBI investigates child sex abuse in little-known Christian sect National News | Trump migrant deportations could threaten states’ agricultural economies National News | Federal Reserve is likely to slow its rate cuts with inflation pressures still elevated National News | Teacher and a teenage student killed in a shooting at a private Christian school in Wisconsin The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Monday that it finalized the rule, which also requires enhanced warnings when front seat belts aren’t fastened. The agency estimates that the new rule will save 50 lives per year and prevent 500 injuries when fully in effect, according to a statement. The new rule will apply to passenger cars, trucks, buses except for school buses, and multipurpose vehicles weighing up to 10,000 pounds. Before the rule, seat belt warnings were required only for the driver’s seat. Under the new rule, outboard front-seat passengers also must get a warning if they don’t fasten their belts. Front-center seats will not get a warning because NHTSA found that it wouldn’t be cost effective. The agency said most vehicles already have warnings for the outboard passenger seats. The rule also lengthens the duration of audio and visual warnings for the driver’s seat. The front-seat rules are effective starting Sept. 1 of 2026. Rear passengers consistently use seat belts at a lower rate than front passengers, the agency says. In 2022, front belt use was just under 92%, while rear use dropped to about 82%. About half of automobile passengers who died in crashes two years ago weren’t wearing belts, according to NHTSA data. The seat belt rule is the second significant regulation to come from NHTSA in the past two months. In November the agency bolstered its five-star auto safety ratings to include driver assistance technologies and pedestrian protection. Safety advocates want the Department of Transportation, which includes NHTSA, to finish several more rules before the end of the Biden administration, because President-elect Donald Trump has said he’s against new government regulations. Cathy Chase, president of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, urged the department to approve automatic emergency braking for heavy trucks and technology to prevent impaired driving.

Tottenham are open to offloading Richarlison in January if he becomes fully fit Richarlison has been a frustrating figure at Tottenham Hotspur for his inconsistent performances laced with his recurrent injury issues. The Brazil international has failed to live up to the lofty expectations of the White Hart Lane faithful since his move from Everton in the summer of 2022. His career in North London has been blighted by several injury problems, with the latest setback sustained at the end of last month expected to keep him out of action for some time. The 27-year-old turned down a move to the cash-rich Saudi Arabia in the summer to fight for his spot in Ange Postecoglou’s side, but has continued to face fitness issues. Owing to thigh and hamstring problems, Richarlison has managed only 88 minutes of Premier League action so far this season. Ange Postecoglou confirmed earlier this season that the versatile forward will be out for a few weeks due to a ‘significant’ injury, but it appears as if he has suffered a bit of a setback . This has potentially ruled him out for the rest of 2024, dashing Spurs’ chances of being able to sell Richarlison during the winter transfer window. However, according to a report from The Athletic , Richarlison will be transfer-listed by Tottenham if he regains full fitness by the New Year. The South American, who has a contract at the Hotspur Way until 2027 ( Transfermarkt ), will be desperate to recover fully from his latest hamstring problem and help Big Ange’s side during this relentless fixture schedule. Daniel Levy and his bosses will be concerned that an extended period on the sidelines will make it difficult for the club to move the forward on from their books. The £90,000 per-week star’s stock will have significantly tumbled following the latest update on his injury, much to Spurs and Levy’s disliking. It will be difficult to attract buyers in January following Richarlison’s non-involvement in competitive action at the highest level for Tottenham. While an exit in January has already been mooted, it is unclear if that is a realistic prospect as the ex-Watford man is expected to be sidelined for several weeks or perhaps months. For now, our club’s main focus will be to help Richarlison fully heal from a hamstring issue and come back to Big Ange’s squad sharper and stronger. Meanwhile, the chiefs at the Hotspur Way could already be thinking of a life beyond the Brazilian, with Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Matheus Cunha recently emerging as a target . This article first appeared on To The Lane And Back and was syndicated with permission.Returns on Capital Paint A Bright Future For Gorilla Technology Group (NASDAQ:GRRR)