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top 1 casino online Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, passed away at the age of 100, leaving behind a legacy of friendship with India. During his 1978 visit to the country, a village in Haryana was renamed Carterpuri in his honor, symbolizing the unique bond he formed with the nation. Carter, seen as a friend of India, delivered a speech to the Indian Parliament emphasizing the value of democracy over authoritarian rule. He praised India for choosing its leaders freely, marking a pivotal point in US-India relations following the Janata Party's victory. The Carter administration laid the groundwork for enduring cooperation between the two countries, including achievements in nuclear energy, technology, and trade. Carter's presidency marked a pivotal era for US-India relations, shifting towards deeper partnership and mutual respect. (With inputs from agencies.)Exposing the Dark Art of Election Manipulation With ‘Kingmaker’India has made significant progress in drone technology in the last six years, Surveyor General of India Hitesh Kumar Makwana said here on Monday. Mr Makwana, while addressing a workshop, said the Central government has made a drone policy for the widespread use of drone technology. From their initial limited use to their widespread use today, drones have emerged as versatile tools. He said that the government has set a target of developing an ecosystem based on drone technology, for which, necessary rules, licensing procedures, and period of operation, have been prescribed for the operation of drones. "When we talk about drones, it is not just a flying camera but a game-changing technology that is capable of providing services at different levels. There is a possibility of widespread application of this technology in the state, which will provide better facilities to the citizens," he added. He said the government has taken the initiative to develop such an ecosystem through which drones can be widely used in various fields. "This initiative will play an important role in realising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make-in-India vision," Makwana said. During the workshop organised to discuss advanced technology of drones at Bhopal's Kushabhau Thakre auditorium, Makwana also said that Madhya Pradesh has taken a strong step towards becoming a leader in drone technology. "Madhya Pradesh is a leading state in the use of drone technology. The state has made a special achievement by using drone technology to implement the Swamitva Yojana. Drone technology is efficient, accessible, and a low-cost technology," he added. On this occasion, Additional Chief Secretary, Science and Technology, Sanjay Dubey, while highlighting Madhya Pradesh's steps towards the use of drone technology, said the state government has decided to set up manufacturing units and the process has been underway. "Madhya Pradesh is working for the practical and beneficial use of drones at the regional level. We aim to develop a strong and holistic ecosystem in the state. The use of drone technology is not just an option but it is a necessity of the future," Dube said. On this occasion, a drone-centric information portal was also launched, which will be helpful in integrating information related to drone technology, policy and training. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Published 05:03 IST, December 24th 2024 UP CM Yogi Adityanath Delights Japanese Delegation With Opening Remarks In Japanese Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on Monday, left a Japanese delegation delighted and amazed when he delivered his opening remarks in Japanese during a meeting with Kotaro Nagasaki, the Governor of Japan's Yamanashi Prefecture. The meeting, held at Adityanath's official residence in Lucknow, was part of ongoing efforts to strengthen ties between Uttar Pradesh and Japan. Yogi Adityanath's nearly two-minute speech in Japanese surprised the visiting delegation and earned him their applause. A video of CM Yogi speaking in Japanese is also going viral on social media. His unexpected move added a personal touch to the meeting and was appreciated by the Japanese officials. In a brief speech, CM Yogi Adityanath demonstrated his commitment to fostering international relations and promoting Uttar Pradesh as a state open to global collaboration. CM Yogi, in his address in Japanese language, said, “Hearty welcome to the Honorable Governor of Yamanashi Prefecture of Japan, Mr. Kotaro Nagasaki ji and the entire team in the holy land of Lord Gautam Buddha, Uttar Pradesh. Namaste! From Bodhisen to Swami Vivekananda, India and Japan have a long and rich history of cultural relations. Mahatma Gandhi's precious personal possessions also include small statues of the three wise monkeys (Mizaru, Kikazaru, Iwazaru). You must be familiar with these three.” “Had a productive meeting and fruitful discussion with Mr. Kotaro Nagasaki, Hon. Governor of Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan, and his delegation at my official residence in Lucknow today. An MoU was signed between Uttar Pradesh and Yamanashi to promote collaboration in industrial cooperation, tourism, and the vocational education sector,” said the chief minister in a post on social platform X. “We discussed Uttar Pradesh’s immense potential and our shared democratic values, which strengthen India-Japan bilateral ties. Looking forward to exploring new opportunities for economic and cultural exchange together,” the post added. CM Yogi Reviews Prayagraj Maha Kumbh Arrangements Earlier, CM Yogi Adityanath visited Prayagraj on Monday to review the arrangements for Maha Kumbh and directed the officials that the work be completed by the first week of January. The state government said in a statement that the chief minister expressed satisfaction with the work progress. Maha Kumbh-2025 will take place at Prayagraj from January 13 to February 26. “The CM examined the improvements in the old terminal building and parking facilities, expressing satisfaction with the work completed so far. He also inspected the ongoing expansion of the new terminal and reviewed the comprehensive layout plan at the project site,” said Prayagraj Airport Director Mukesh Upadhyay. “Given the anticipated increase in passenger traffic starting January 13 with the Maha Kumbh, the chief minister emphasized that all preparations should be finalized by early January,” he added. Get Current Updates on India News , Entertainment News along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world. Updated 05:03 IST, December 24th 2024A leaked letter signed by 13 B.C. Conservative MLAs attacking a fellow caucus member has exposed a rift within the upstart party, just weeks after it became the Official Opposition following a swift rise from political obscurity. The group of MLAs, which comprises almost one-third of the 44-member B.C. Conservative caucus, sent a letter dated Nov. 29 to leader John Rustad raising concerns about public comments MLA Elenore Sturko made to on Nov. 23. Sturko, a former RCMP officer who represents Surrey Cloverdale, said she thought it was appropriate for the Vancouver Police Board to accept the resignation of vice-chair Comfort Sakoma-Fadugba following comments made on social media. In screenshots shared to Reddit, one of Sakoma-Fadugba's posts discusses how "mass immigration" and "a growing aversion to assimilation" are "transforming Canada into a place where a shared identity is disappearing." B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad speaks to reporters in late October. (Mike McArthur/CBC) Another post questions Diwali celebrations at schools, saying the "push for secular education isn't about religion — it's about erasing Christian values from the lives of our children." A third references "gender transitions" while criticizing a "woke culture that pits children against their parents." Sturko said the comments were offensive, particularly to the transgender community. However, many B.C. Conservatives have rallied behind Sakoma-Fadugba, saying she is a victim of "cancel culture" and has been attacked for supporting traditional family values. The party's president, Aisha Estey, wrote on social media: "Cancel culture is alive and well at the Vancouver Police Board. She should never have resigned and shame on those who pressured her to do it." B.C. Conservative party president Aisha Estey comments on the resignation of Vancouver Police Board vice-chair Comfort Sakoma-Fadugba. (X.com) The MLAs' letter to Rustad says they believe Sturko spoke out of turn. "It is our view that the statements caused undue harm to Ms. Sakoma and called into question our commitment to the core values shared by Conservatives," they wrote. The MLAs also said under Rustad's leadership, the B.C. Conservative Party "has consistently denounced 'cancel culture' and stood for the Charter rights British Columbians enjoy to free expression and freedom of religion." They called for Rustad to ask Sturko to send a written apology to Sakoma-Fadugba and "encourage the Vancouver Police Board to advance conciliatory discussions" with the former board member. The letter's signatories are: Tara Armstrong, Rosalyn Bird, Dallas Brodie, Brent Chapman, Reann Gasper, Sharon Hartwell, Anna Kindy, Jordan Kealy, Kristina Loewen, Macklin McCall, Heather Maahs, Korky Neufeld and Ward Stamer. B.C. Conservative MLAs convened virtually for an emergency caucus meeting Friday morning. Sturko told CBC News she won't comment, since the letter was addressed to Rustad. She added she has no plans to change her statement regarding Sakoma-Fadugba, nor has Rustad asked her to do so. Sturko said she first learned about the letter on Thursday. CBC News has contacted Rustad and Estey for comment but has yet to hear back. Rustad's party campaigned on socially conservative issues including what it calls parental rights. It voiced its opposition to sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI 123) guidelines in schools, saying parents should have more of a say in what's taught to their children. Rustad then created a new critic portfolio called parental rights and sports, signalling the issue will continue to be a priority for the party. SOGI 123 is not a curriculum but provides guides and resources to help teachers address discrimination and bullying, create supportive and inclusive environments for 2SLGBTQ+ students and acknowledge varying genders and sexual orientations. Sturko, a former B.C. United MLA, in June to join Rustad amid poor polling numbers and flagging confidence in B.C. United Leader Kevin Falcon. A month later, Falcon made a deal with the B.C. Conservatives to suspend the party's election campaign and throw his support behind Rustad.El Salvador's Congress on Monday approved a bill promoted by President Nayib Bukele to roll back a ban on the mining of gold and other metals, dismaying environmentalists. The small Central American nation became the world's first country to outlaw metal mining in 2017, warning of the harmful effects of the chemicals used, like cyanide and mercury. The move by Bukele's predecessor, former left-wing rebel Salvador Sanchez Ceren, reflected a growing rejection of mining by rural communities in the region. But last month, Bukele, who is popular at home for his crackdown on street gangs, signaled that he wanted to change course. The bill to bring back metal mining was approved by 57 deputies out of a total of 60, said Ernesto Castro, head of the legislature -- which is dominated by the ruling party -- as environmental campaigners protested nearby. Critics fear that mining will pollute the Lempa River, which runs through a potential mining zone proposed by Bukele and supplies water to 70 percent of the inhabitants of the capital and surrounding areas. "This wretched mining will punish the people, it will contaminate our waters and rivers and that's an attack on life," activist Vidalina Morales told reporters. Bukele said last month that El Salvador, a country of 6.6 million people, had "potentially" the largest gold deposits per square kilometer in the world. "God placed a gigantic treasure underneath our feet," he wrote on social media, arguing that the mining ban was "absurd." "If we make responsible use of our natural resources, we can change the economy of El Salvador overnight," he said. The new law stipulates that the state will be the only entity authorized to search for, extract and process mined metals. However, the government may do so through companies in which it is a shareholder. The bill prohibits the use of mercury in mining operations, which may not be carried out in protected natural areas or places with important water sources. A survey by Central American University published on Monday revealed that 59 percent of respondents do not consider El Salvador "an appropriate country for metal mining." Since El Salvador dollarized its remittances-reliant economy in 2001, it has registered average annual growth of 2.1 percent. Twenty-seven percent of Salvadorans live in poverty, according to the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, and 70 percent of the workforce operates in the informal sector. Elsewhere in the region, Costa Rica and Honduras have banned open-pit mining, and Panama declared a moratorium on new mining concessions last year after mass protests over plans for a huge copper mine. ob/fj/dr/jgc

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What got Malaysian press, civil groups so concerned? A look at Putrajaya’s proposed changes to media lawsPASADENA, Calif. (AP) — The Rose Bowl is the next stop on No. 1 Oregon's national championship quest. And Ohio State or Tennessee will be the Ducks' opponent in the 111th edition of the Granddaddy of Them All. Oregon (13-0) received the top seed in the first 12-team College Football Playoff on Sunday, sending the Ducks to celebrate the new year in Pasadena for the ninth time in school history as they continue to fight for their school's first national title. “Being on this side of the country, this is a game you dream of the opportunity to coach in,” said Oregon coach Dan Lanning, who will be in his first Rose Bowl. “It’s certainly a thrill for me. Obviously, a big fan of our program and influence in our program is Phil Knight, and Phil always told me his No. 1 goal is, ‘Can we get to the Rose Bowl?’ So I’m extremely ecstatic that our team gets to be a part of such a historic game.” But first, the eighth-seeded Buckeyes (10-2) and the ninth-seeded Volunteers (10-2) will meet in Columbus on Saturday, Dec. 21, to determine Oregon's opponent in the Rose Bowl Game, which is also a playoff quarterfinal. Tennessee is in the playoff for the first time, and coach Josh Heupel believes the Vols are ready. “It’s the next step for our program,” Heupel said. “This is something that our players have worked towards since last January, and you earn the right to be in a game like this. Proud of what we’ve done through the course of the regular season. The new season starts here. There was an expectation inside of our program to earn the right to play in a game like this.” As for the idea of an SEC team traveling north to frigid central Ohio, Heupel points out that Knoxville isn't exactly Southern California. “Not sure what the temperature will be up there, and I know it won’t be sunny and 85,” Heupel said. “We played in 30-degree weather a week ago (against Vanderbilt). For us, a lot of our practices are in the morning. (When) we’re outside, it’ll be similar temperatures to what you get up there. Our guys will be able to handle anything that comes at them.” The first-round matchup pits a pair of college football powerhouses with little history together. The Volunteers beat the Buckeyes 20-14 in the Citrus Bowl on Jan. 1, 1996, in the schools' only previous meeting. Ohio State got home-field advantage despite missing out on a Big Ten title game date with Oregon after a humiliating 13-10 loss at home to Michigan last month. The Buckeyes also lost a 32-31 thriller to the Ducks in Eugene in October, but they might still get that rematch in California. Oregon is clearly the class of this jumbled college football season, finishing as the only undefeated team in the FBS and the No. 1 team in the AP Top 25 after holding off Penn State 45-37 to win its first Big Ten championship. The Ducks' road to a title looks fairly daunting with two elite opponents vying for their quarterfinal shot, and social media filled up Sunday with fans and commentators bemoaning the relative difficulty of Oregon's path. The rough road doesn't bother Lanning, however. “What an opportunity, right?” Lanning said on ESPN. “We focus on the things that you can control, and winning a national championship isn’t supposed to be easy. If our path is a little bit tougher, kudos to us if we go through it and take care of business.” For decades, the Rose Bowl cherished its position as a near-annual meeting of teams from the Big Ten and the West Coast conference most recently known as the Pac-12. The breakup of the Pac-12 and the permanent change in the Rose Bowl's postseason position happened simultaneously over the past year, throwing the bowl's future into flux. But Oregon's familiar presence in Pasadena next month will smooth that change significantly — and if the Ducks' opponent is Ohio State, the traditionalists will still get exactly what they crave out of this game anyway. Oregon and Ohio State met in the Rose Bowl in 1958 and again on Jan. 1, 2010, with Terrelle Pryor leading the Buckeyes to a 26-17 victory. Oregon is 4-4 in its previous trips to the Rose Bowl, and the modern Ducks have spent their holiday in Pasadena four times since 2010. They’ve won in their past three appearances in the Granddaddy, most recently beating Wisconsin 28-27 in Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert’s final game for his hometown school in 2020. Ohio State has made 16 previous appearances in the Rose Bowl, third-most in the game's history behind USC (34) and Michigan (21). The Buckeyes have won their last four games in Pasadena, most recently beating Washington in 2019 and Utah in 2022 . A trip to Pasadena would be a treat for Tennessee's vast fan base. The Vols made two trips to the Rose Bowl during the 1940s, but they haven't been back there since 1945. Oregon and Tennessee have faced each other twice, with the Ducks winning both matchups in 2010 and in 2013. 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

The Darnold-Jefferson connection is thriving for the surging VikingsI didn’t expect to say either of these things to you when 2024 began: the new Call of Duty single-player campaign is a blast. And you can play it for $1 . A week before the release of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 , Microsoft removed the ability to try 1-month of Game Pass for $1. However, the option has returned with a tweak: $1 now buys you 14 days and appears to be exclusive to PC. On console, you can get a month for $9.99, which remains comparably reasonable for a new Call of Duty campaign. Which means, you can now play the entirety of the Black Ops 6 campaign this weekend for pocket change. And trust me: you should. I’m not a Call of Duty zealot. Despite an early obsession, beginning with Call of Duty 2 on the Xbox 360, my fandom disintegrated around Black Ops 2 in 2012. And though I’ve played nearly every campaign, I haven’t enjoyed that time since Infinite Warfare . That was eight years ago. So when I say Black Ops 6 campaign is a treat, I am doing so with the context of the full franchise. Good and bad. I wouldn’t say this campaign’s a return to form. Instead, its creators cleverly reimagine other great gaming franchises through the lens of COD. Each mission riffs on a sub-genre of first-person shooters, from an open-world map à la Far Cry to a science laboratory that echoes the works of Arkane Studios and the late Irrational Games. Holding together the disparate stages? An abandoned mansion hub, where characters chat about their bizarro alternate Cold War history while the player is free to solve little puzzles and unlock perks and buffs to carry into the next mission. Taken holistically, the Black Ops 6 campaign is like a Mission: Impossible movie, but instead of setpieces set in iconic international locales, they’re dropped into a syllabus for FPS 101. And if you don’t like it? I have 25 other games for you . Action Gaming News Shopping Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

Trump's team is delaying transition agreements. What does it mean for security checks and governing?By REBECCA SANTANA, Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — The picture of who will be in charge of executing President-elect Donald Trump’s hard-line immigration and border policies has come into sharper focus after he announced his picks to head Customs and Border Protection and also the agency tasked with deporting immigrants in the country illegally. Trump said late Thursday he was tapping Rodney Scott, a former Border Patrol chief who’s been a vocal supporter of tougher enforcement measures, for CBP commissioner. As acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Trump said he’d nominate Caleb Vitello, a career ICE official with more than 23 years in the agency who most recently has been the assistant director for firearms and tactical programs. They will work with an immigration leadership team that includes South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem as head of the Department of Homeland Security ; former acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement head Tom Homan as border czar ; and immigration hard-liner Stephen Miller as deputy chief of staff. Customs and Border Protection, with its roughly 60,000 employees, falls under the Department of Homeland Security. It includes the Border Patrol, which Scott led during Trump’s first term, and is essentially responsible for protecting the country’s borders while facilitating trade and travel. Scott comes to the job firmly from the Border Patrol side of the house. He became an agent in 1992 and spent much of his career in San Diego. When he joined the agency, San Diego was by far the busiest corridor for illegal crossings. Traffic plummeted after the government dramatically increased enforcement there, but critics note the effort pushed people to remote parts of California and Arizona. San Diego was also where wall construction began in the 1990s, which shaped Scott’s belief that barriers work. He was named San Diego sector chief in 2017. When he was appointed head of the border agency in January 2020, he enthusiastically embraced Trump’s policies. “He’s well known. He does know these issues and obviously is trusted by the administration,” said Gil Kerlikowske, the CBP commissioner under the Obama administration. Kerlikowske took issue with some of Scott’s past actions, including his refusal to fall in line with a Biden administration directive to stop using terms like “illegal alien” in favor of descriptions like “migrant,” and his decision as San Diego sector chief to fire tear gas into Mexico to disperse protesters. “You don’t launch projectiles into a foreign country,” Kerlikowske said. At the time Scott defended the agents’ decisions , saying they were being assaulted by “a hail of rocks.” While much of the focus of Trump’s administration may be on illegal immigration and security along the U.S.-Mexico border, Kerlikowske also stressed the importance of other parts of Customs and Border Protection’s mission. The agency is responsible for securing trade and international travel at airports, ports and land crossings around the country. Whoever runs the agency has to make sure that billions of dollars worth of trade and millions of passengers move swiftly and safely into and out of the country. And if Trump makes good on promises to ratchet up tariffs on Mexico, China and Canada, CBP will play an integral role in enforcing them. “There’s a huge amount of other responsibility on trade, on tourism, on cyber that take a significant amount of time and have a huge impact on the economy if it’s not done right,” Kerlikowske said. After being forced out under the Biden administration, Scott has been a vocal supporter of Trump’s hard-line immigration agenda. He has appeared frequently on Fox News and testified in Congress. He’s also a senior fellow at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. In a 2023 interview with The Associated Press, he advocated for a return to Trump-era immigration policies and more pressure on Mexico to enforce immigration on its side of the border.One of the most anticipated games of Week 14 is between the Los Angeles Rams and the Buffalo Bills at SoFi Stadium on Sunday. Going into the fourth quarter, the Rams had a 31-28 lead for what has become a shootout for two teams desperately wanting to win. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Thanks for the feedback.

Trump Slams Kevin McCarthy for Pushing to Raise Debt Ceiling: 'One of the Dumbest Political Decisions Made'A wild first season of the expanded Big 12 is down to what should be a chaotic final weekend. Through all the upsets, unexpected rises and falls, there are nine teams still in the mix to play in the conference championship game. No. 14 Arizona State and No. 17 Iowa State have the best odds, yet a multitude of scenarios could play out — 256 to be exact. There's even the possibility of an eight-team tie. It may take a mathematician to figure out which teams are in the Dec. 7 game in Arlington, Texas — even for the ones who win. Travis Hunter, Colorado. The Buffaloes' two-way star has excelled on both sides of the field, making him one of the favorites to win the Heisman Trophy. Cam Skattebo, Arizona State. The senior running back can do a little of everything, but excels at punishing would-be tacklers. He's one of the nation's leaders in yards after contact and the focal point of the Sun Devils' offense. Shadeur Sanders, Colorado. If it weren't for Hunter, Sanders might be the Heisman favorite. The son of coach Deion Sanders, Shedeur is fifth nationally with 3,488 yards passing and has been a big part of the Buffaloes' turnaround. DJ Giddens, Kansas State. The Wildcats' running back is one of the nation's most versatile players. He is ninth nationally with 1,271 rushing yards and has added 21 receptions for 258 yards. Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona. The Wildcats have struggled this season, but McMillan has not. He is third nationally with 1,251 receiving yards with seven touchdowns on 78 catches. Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech. The Red Raiders' junior linebacker leads the Big 12 with 68 tackles, averaging 10.2 per game. He also has four sacks. Brendan Mott, Kansas State. He's a menace to opposing quarterbacks, leading the Big 12 with 8 1/2 sacks. The Big 12 has nine teams already bowl eligible and two more a win away. The winner of the Big 12 championship game will be in the mix for a College Football Playoff spot. Arizona State, Iowa State, No. 19 BYU, Colorado, Kansas State, Baylor, TCU, Texas Tech and West Virginia have already clinched bowl berths. Kansas and Cincinnati can get into the postseason with wins this weekend. Gus Malzahn, UCF. Despite successes in recruiting, the Knights are 10-14 in two seasons since moving to the Big 12. Maybe not enough to get shown the door this year, but another mediocre season could lead UCF to make a change. Kyle Whittingham, Utah. Whittingham was one of the Pac-12's best coaches, leading the Utes to consecutive conference titles. Utah was expected to contend for the Big 12 title its first year in the league, but enters the final weekend 1-7 in conference play, which could push Whittingham toward retirement since it's doubtful he'd be fired. Neal Brown, West Virginia. The Mountaineers' coach was in a precarious spot at the end of last season and West Virginia hasn't lived up to expectations this season. The Mountaineers are eligible to go to a bowl game for the second straight season, but Brown could be on the hot seat even after signing a contract extension before the season. Josiah Trotter, West Virginia. The redshirt freshman is the latest Trotter to have success at the linebacker position, following the footsteps of his father, former Philadelphia Eagles player Jeremiah Trotter, and brother Jeremiah Trotter Jr., a current Eagles linebacker. Sam Leavitt, Arizona State. The Michigan State transfer has been just what the Sun Devils' needed: an agile quarterback who extends plays with his legs and rarely makes bad decisions. Bryson Washington, Baylor. The Bears' running back has rushed for 812 yards — 196 against TCU — and 10 TDs. TCU has the Big 12's highest rated 2025 recruiting class with six four-star players among 26 commitments, according to the 247 Sports composite. Receiver Terry Shelton of Carrollton, Texas, is the highest-rated recruit at 71st nationally. Baylor is next with five five-star players among its 20 commitments, including running back Michael Turner, rated 13th at his position out of North Richland Hills, Texas. Texas Tech is ranked seventh in the Big 12, but has four four-star recruits. Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Wild first season in expanded Big 12 comes down to final weekendOpinion editor’s note: Strib Voices publishes a mix of guest commentaries online and in print each day. To contribute, click here . ••• As the fall semester concluded at the University of Minnesota, a different kind of buzz than the usual holiday excitement filled the air: the rush of new artificial intelligence tools. New products launched by Google, OpenAI and other tech giants beg the question: Are we witnessing a genuine educational revolution or simply the latest tech hype cycle? Since ChatGPT’s arrival nearly two years ago, the educational technology world has been saturated with claims that AI will transform learning. But history reminds us: These promises don’t always deliver. As a researcher of learning technologies over the past two decades, I’ve studied the use of technology in education and witnessed cycles of unbridled optimism. Educational radio and TV fell short of their lofty goals. Ιn 2012, Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) were hailed as the solution to democratize higher education, but two studies published in one of the world’s most rigorous scientific journals revealed that they disproportionately benefited those who were already more affluent. In 2015, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative pledged to revolutionize K-12 learning with personalized approaches. Despite considerable investment, these initiatives have also failed to shift K-12 student outcomes in fundamental ways. Education has evolved, but no single technology has delivered the radical transformation it promised. Today, AI is championed as the latest game-changer in education, with advocates arguing that its unique capabilities can make education more effective, efficient and engaging. Proponents suggest AI can provide all kinds of benefits, ranging anywhere from offering one-to-one tutoring to addressing teacher burnout. However, a 2023 UNESCO report warns that AI may exacerbate existing disparities by privileging schools and students with access to high-quality digital infrastructure, leaving others behind. The enthusiasm for improving education is commendable, and our education systems are in desperate need of innovation. But a myopic focus on AI hinders innovation because it sidelines alternative solutions and the scope of conversation among educators, entrepreneurs and policymakers. If AI is so compelling and all-encompassing, why should we look elsewhere for solutions to the challenges that schools and universities are facing? To be sure, AI can be a valuable tool in the service of education. For example, it can help students learn more effectively by tutoring them using scientifically validated methods of studying. Or, it can help them explore possible ways forward when they are stuck, such as when they’re facing writer’s block. What higher education truly needs is a portfolio of solutions. AI can’t do it all. AI can’t fix broken policies, study on behalf of stressed learners or provide financial aid. Initiatives like policy changes, flexible learning opportunities, expanding mental health services on campuses, and offering online options are some of the ways that we can address such problems. These are just a few of the many possibilities for genuine transformation. By taking an expansive approach – one that isn’t limited to AI – we can build a better future for education in Minnesota and beyond. George Veletsianos is professor of Learning Technologies at the University of Minnesota, where he holds the Bonnie Westby Huebner Chair in Education and Technology. He can be reached at georgev@umn.edu and is on BlueSky: @veletsianos.bsky.social

US budget airlines are struggling. Will pursuing premium passengers solve their problems? DALLAS (AP) — Delta and United Airlines have become the most profitable U.S. airlines by targeting premium customers while also winning a significant share of budget travelers. That is squeezing smaller low-fare carriers like Spirit Airlines, which filed for bankruptcy protection on Monday. Some travel industry experts think Spirit’s troubles indicate less-wealthy passengers will have fewer choices and higher prices. Other discount airlines are on better financial footing but also are lagging far behind the full-service airlines when it comes to recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. Most industry experts think Frontier and other so-called ultra-low-cost carriers will fill the vacuum if Spirit shrinks, and that there's still plenty of competition to prevent prices from spiking. Bitcoin ticks closer to $100,000 in extended surge following US elections NEW YORK (AP) — Bitcoin is jumping again, setting another new high above $99,000. The cryptocurrency has been shattering records almost daily since the U.S. presidential election, and has rocketed more than 40% higher in just two weeks. It's now at the doorstep of $100,000. Cryptocurrencies and related investments like crypto exchange-traded funds have rallied because the incoming Trump administration is expected to be more “crypto-friendly.” Still, as with everything in the volatile cryptoverse, the future is hard to predict. And while some are bullish, other experts continue to warn of investment risks. Supreme Court steps into fight over FCC's $8 billion subsidies for internet and phone services WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court has stepped into a major legal fight over the $8 billion a year the federal government spends to subsidize phone and internet services in schools, libraries and rural areas, in a new test of federal regulatory power. The justices on Friday agreed to review an appellate ruling that struck down as unconstitutional the Universal Service Fund. The Federal Communications Commission collects money from telecommunications providers, who then pass the cost on to their customers. The Biden administration appealed the lower court ruling, but the case probably won’t be argued until late March. At that point, the Trump administration will be in place and it is not clear whether it will take a different view of the issue. Stock market today: Wall Street gains ground as it notches a winning week and another Dow record Stocks closed higher on Wall Street, giving the market its fifth gain in a row and notching another record high for the Dow Jones Industrial Average. The S&P 500 rose 0.3% Friday. The Dow added 1%, and the Nasdaq composite tacked on 0.2%. Retailers had some of the biggest gains. Gap soared after reporting quarterly results that easily beat analysts' estimates. EchoStar fell after DirecTV called off its purchase of that company's Dish Network unit. European markets closed mostly higher and Asian markets ended mixed. Treasury yields held relatively steady in the bond market. Crude oil prices gained ground. Australia rejects Elon Musk's claim that it plans to control access to the internet MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — An Australian Cabinet minister has rejected X Corp. owner Elon Musk’s allegation that the government intends to control all Australians' access to the internet through legislation that would ban young children from social media. Treasurer Jim Chalmers said on Friday that Musk’s criticism was “unsurprising” after the government introduced legislation to Parliament that would fine platforms including X up to $133 million for allowing children under 16 to hold social media accounts. The spat continues months of open hostility between the Australian government and the tech billionaire over regulators’ efforts to reduce public harm from social media. Parliament could pass the legislation as soon as next week. Oil company Phillips 66 faces federal charges related to alleged Clean Water Act violations LOS ANGELES (AP) — Oil company Phillips 66 has been federally indicted in connection with alleged violations of the Clean Water Act in California. The Texas-based company is accused of discharging hundreds of thousands of gallons of industrial wastewater containing excessive amounts of oil and grease. The U.S. Department of Justice announced the indictment on Thursday. Phillips is charged with two counts of negligently violating the Clean Water Act and four counts of knowingly violating the Clean Water Act. An arraignment date has not been set. A spokesperson for the company said it was cooperating with prosecutors. US regulators seek to break up Google, forcing Chrome sale as part of monopoly punishment U.S. regulators want a federal judge to break up Google to prevent the company from continuing to squash competition through its dominant search engine after a court found it had maintained an abusive monopoly over the past decade. The proposed breakup floated in a 23-page document filed late Wednesday by the U.S. Justice Department calls for Google to sell its industry-leading Chrome web browser and impose restrictions designed to prevent Android from favoring its search engine. Regulators also want to ban Google from forging multibillion-dollar deals to lock in its dominant search engine as the default option on Apple’s iPhone and other devices. New York judge rejects state efforts to shutter bitcoin mine over climate concerns NEW YORK (AP) — A New York judge has rejected an effort by state regulators to shutter a bitcoin mine over concerns about its greenhouse gas emissions. The decision will allow the Greenidge power plant to continue operating in the Finger Lakes region of the state. The state had previously found the gas-powered crypto mine ran afoul of a climate law intended to limit greenhouse gas emissions. But on Thursday, a state Supreme Court judge found Greenidge was entitled to a process to defend its continued operation. Environmental groups have protested the facility, which they allege is pumping emissions into the air while contaminating the nearby Seneca Lake. What you need to know about the proposed measures designed to curb Google's search monopoly U.S. regulators are proposing aggressive measures to restore competition to the online search market after a federal judge ruled that Google maintained an illegal monopoly. The sweeping set of recommendations filed late Wednesday could radically alter Google’s business. Regulators want Google to sell off its industry-leading Chrome web browser. They outlined a range of behavioral measures such as prohibiting Google from using search results to favor its own services such as YouTube, and forcing it to license search index data to its rivals. They're not going as far as to demand Google spin off Android, but are leaving that door open if the remedies don't work. Apple and Google face UK investigation into mobile browser dominance LONDON (AP) — A British watchdog says Apple and Google aren't giving consumers a genuine choice of mobile web browsers. The watchdog's report Friday recommends they face an investigation under new U.K. digital rules taking effect next year. The Competition and Markets Authority took aim at Apple, saying the iPhone maker’s tactics hold back innovation by stopping rivals from giving users new features like faster webpage loading. The CMA’s report also found that Apple and Google manipulate the choices given to mobile phone users to make their own browsers “the clearest or easiest option.” Apple said it disagreed with the findings.

Former President Bill Clinton was hospitalized today after developing a high fever, an aide announced. “President Clinton was admitted to Georgetown University Medical Center this afternoon for testing and observation after developing a fever,” the aide, Angel Ureña, wrote on X. “He remains in good spirits and deeply appreciates the excellent care he is receiving.” Clinton was hospitalized in 2021 at UCI Medical Center in Orange for an infection for about six days. Clinton, 78, has been on a book tour to promote his most recent book, C itizen: My Life After The White House. He also campaigned for Kamala Harris in the recent presidential election, and spoke at the Democratic National Convention. Clinton underwent a quadruple bypass operation in 2004. In 2010, he underwent surgery to place two stents in his coronary artery.

Fiserv’s Bisignano Takes on New Mess: Social SecurityTrains disrupted as deal delayed by wage-demand gulfWASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump 's team still hasn't signed agreements that are required to formally begin the transition process to the White House — meaning the government can't provide security clearances and briefings to incoming administration officials and the FBI can't screen his rush of picks for the Cabinet and other key posts . The importance of strenuous federal background screenings — and the fact that Trump's team has not been subjecting the president-elect's selections to such vetting — was evident Thursday, when former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz withdrew as Trump's pick for attorney general following continued scrutiny over a federal sex trafficking investigation that cast doubt on whether he could be confirmed by the Senate. The continued delay on agreeing to start the formal transition process may eventually force senators to vote on Trump’s choices without the benefit of the usual background checks. That process is designed to uncover personal problems, criminal histories and other potential red flags that would raise questions about a nominee’s suitability for key jobs. Beyond the top personnel picks that Trump already has announced, good governance activists and other experts on the transition process have warned for weeks that refusing to sign the transition documents will make it impossible for potentially hundreds of Trump national security appointees to get clearances. And that means the new administration won't be fully prepared to govern when Trump takes power on Inauguration Day on Jan. 20, 2025. Here's a look at where things stand and what effect the delay might have: At issue are memorandums of understanding under which the incoming administration agrees to work with the outgoing one while also submitting requests for name and background checks. The FBI then commits to flagging to the White House any adverse information uncovered during the process. Congressionally mandated ethics disclosures and donor contribution limits are required as part of the agreements needed to begin the transition process. A reluctance to comply with those has been a factor in the Trump team's hesitance to sign them, according to a person familiar with the process who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal discussions. No. There's still time for the agreements to be signed. A Justice Department spokesperson said discussions were ongoing with the Trump transition team, which did not respond to a request for comment on Thursday. But transition spokesman Brian Hughes said earlier this month that the team’s “lawyers continue to constructively engage with" lawyers and officials from President Joe Biden 's outgoing administration and promised updates “once a decision is made.” In the meantime, Trump's team has relied on internal campaign aides, allied groups and outside law firms to support its personnel effort. Trump for years has regarded FBI leadership with suspicion — in part because of the Russian election interference investigation that shadowed his first term, and more recently because of FBI investigations into his hoarding of classified documents and his efforts to undo the results of the 2020 election that led to his indictment last year. During a normal transition period, the new administration uses the time before taking office to begin working to fill 4,000 government positions with political appointees, or people who are specifically tapped for their jobs by Trump’s team. That includes everyone from the secretary of state and other heads of Cabinet departments to those selected to serve part-time on boards and commissions. Around 1,200 of those presidential appointments require Senate confirmation — which should be easier with the Senate shifting to Republican control in January. Trump has moved at record-setting speed to announce his key picks , and Senate GOP leaders say they plan to launch confirmation hearings as soon as the new Congress convenes on Jan. 3 — potentially allowing them to begin voting on nominees as soon as Inauguration Day. But lawmakers also are complaining about what they see as insufficient screening of the picks they’re being asked to consider. Some Senate Republicans have expressed concern about alleged wrongdoing by some Trump selections and two Democratic House members — Don Beyer of Virginia and Ted Lieu of California — introduced a proposal seeking to codify the FBI’s role in the background check process for political appointees of the president. And, while Gaetz is no longer an issue, he's not the only Trump pick with an eyebrow-raising background. The president-elect's nominee to be defense secretary, former Fox News personality Pete Hegseth, was accused of sexual assault in 2017 after a speaking appearance at a Republican women’s event in Monterey, California, but was not charged after a police investigation. A police report released Thursday contains graphic details of the sexual assault allegations. The selection of former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence has alarmed some U.S. intelligence analysts. They point to her past criticism of Ukraine, comments supportive of Russia and meetings with Syrian President Bashar Assad, a close ally of Russia and Iran. Incoming members of Trump's administration aren't getting briefings and other information from their outgoing Biden administration counterparts that can help them better prepare for their new jobs. And Trump appointees with positions involving a security clearance won't be able to begin work without a required background check. Once the president-elect takes office, however, he could simply order that officials be given a security clearance, as he was reported to have done for son-in-law Jared Kushner during his first term. Whether the delay thus far will have any longer-term effects is impossible to yet know. The delayed process may not matter much given that Trump has already served as president and has a much better understanding of how to run an administration than he did in 2016, when he won his first term. But there is precedent for problems. The 9/11 Commission suggested that the disputed election of 2000 — which delayed the start of the transition between outgoing President Bill Clinton and incoming President George W. Bush until December — raised questions about national security gaps from one administration to the other that may have contributed to the U.S. being underprepared for the Sept. 11 attacks the following year. The “36-day delay cut in half the normal transition period,” which constituted a “loss of time that hampered the new administration in identifying, recruiting, clearing and obtaining Senate confirmation of key appointees” the commission's report stated in 2004.

Jimmy Carter, a former peanut farmer who rose from rural Georgia to the White House and went on to a storied post-presidency that included winning the Nobel Peace Prize, died Sunday at his home in Plains, Ga. He was 100. An outsider, free from the baggage of Washington, Carter defeated President Gerald R. Ford in 1976, a victory seen as representing a clean break with the Watergate era. But the 39th president’s solitary term in office was hamstrung by a sluggish economy and crises at home and abroad. His presidency was also an anomaly, sandwiched between a total of two decades of Republican presidents. Carter, who was born on Oct. 1, 1924, was predeceased by his wife, Rosalynn Carter, who died on Nov. 19, 2023. The couple was married for more than 77 years. Their son Chip Carter confirmed the former president’s death Sunday to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . The Carter Center announced in February 2023 that the former president had decided to receive hospice care and spend his remaining time at home with family, rather than seek further medical treatment “after a series of short hospital stays.” Years before, Carter had been diagnosed with melanoma, which he announced in August 2015 had extended to his brain. He said at the time that he expected to have a short time to live, but after aggressive treatment he was reported free of the melanoma by December of that year. In what was perhaps the high point of his post-presidency years, Carter was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on Oct. 11, 2002, for what the Nobel Foundation called “his decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development.” In his acceptance speech, Carter criticized the very notion of preemptive war as having “catastrophic consequences.” He added: “If we accept the premise that the United Nations is the best avenue for the maintenance of peace, then the carefully considered decisions of the United Nations Security Council must be enforced. All too often, the alternative has proven to be uncontrollable violence and expanding spheres of hostility.” Relationship with Congress Scholars have judged Carter’s dealings with Congress critically. Democrats controlled both the Senate and the House for the entirety of his presidency. But many experts have argued that the former agribusinessman was largely disinterested in working directly with lawmakers. After leaving the White House, Carter tried to reverse the conventional wisdom about his relationship with Congress, arguing that lawmakers mostly supported his initiatives. “Despite the controversial and often unpopular nature of my proposals to the Congress, I had remarkably good success in congressional approval of bills I supported,” he wrote in his 2010 book “White House Diary.” Carter pointed to congressional vote data compiled by CQ, writing that at the time his book was published it showed he ranked third among all presidents, behind Lyndon B. Johnson and John F. Kennedy, when it came to garnering congressional approval for legislation on which he took a position and was voted on by lawmakers. Congress gave Carter his way 76.6% of the time, according to the CQ Almanac data. But Politifact, an independent fact-checking organization, found the former Georgia governor’s batting average with Congress was “unexceptional.” That’s because few of Carter’s initiatives actually became law; CQ’s methodology handed out successful scores for a positive vote in one chamber, even if a bill never became law. The roots of Carter’s struggles with Congress can be traced to his time in the governor’s mansion, according to scholars at the University of Virginia’s Miller Center, which specializes in presidential studies. “As when he was governor, Carter had an abiding dislike for the backroom dealing that is so pervasive in Washington,” Robert Strong, a politics professor at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Va., wrote for the Miller Center. Strong said lawmakers “found the new president hard to deal with.” Soon after he entered the White House, lawmakers sensed he lacked the support of many Americans — and they pounced. “Congress asserted its power over the president by shooting down (a) consumer-protection bill and (a) labor reform package,” Strong said. “Carter responded by vetoing a public works package in 1978 on the grounds that it was inflationary. A pattern of mutual distrust and contempt had been set.” Energy policy Also complicating his dealings with Congress was his opposition, soon after taking office, to a rivers and harbors bill supported by Democratic leaders that he felt was full of wasteful spending. Perhaps his biggest achievement was on energy policy, which Carter pushed at a time when U.S. oil imports had risen 65% in the four years before he became president. Carter’s advocacy also came when America was heavily reliant on imports from the OPEC cartel. He convinced lawmakers to pass several measures credited with increasing oil and natural gas supplies and generally lowering prices, as well as others that reshaped mileage standards for cars and American companies’ use of fuel. Carter faced an economy besieged by so-called stagflation, a combination of high inflation, high unemployment and plodding growth. His often-troubled presidency was a drag on congressional Democrats — and his own reelection effort — in 1980. Former California Gov. Ronald Reagan walloped Carter, taking 489 of 538 Electoral College votes. Carter won just six states, including Georgia, as well as the District of Columbia. Republicans picked up 34 House seats and 12 in the Senate, enough to take control of that chamber. After the presidency Carter revealed during an August 2015 press conference that the Iranian hostage crisis, in which an attempted military rescue of embassy employees ended in the deaths of eight American servicemembers, was among his biggest regrets. “I wish I had sent one more helicopter to get the hostages, and we would’ve rescued them,” Carter said, “and I would’ve been reelected.” The New York Times reported in March 2023 that allies of Reagan went on a mission to the Middle East seeking to stop the Iranians from releasing 52 American hostages before Election Day in 1980. After leaving the White House, Carter was among the most active former presidents of the modern era. He participated in election monitoring around the globe, and regularly worked with Habitat for Humanity. What’s more, the Carter Center in Atlanta studied issues such as mental health and fought lesser-known problems, including Guinea-worm disease. Before leaving office in 2001, then-President Bill Clinton reportedly told confidants that the Carter Center was the model for the kind of post-presidency pursuits he envisioned. ©2024 CQ-Roll Call, Inc., All Rights Reserved. Visit cqrollcall.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.