MACON, Ga. (AP) — Ahmad Robinson had 25 points in Mercer's 75-63 win over winless Chicago State on Sunday. Robinson shot 9 of 16 from the field and went 7 for 8 from the free-throw line for the Bears (6-4). Marcus Overstreet scored 10 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Angel Montas had nine points. Noble Crawford led the Cougars (0-12) with 20 points, nine rebounds, six assists and two steals. Cameron Jernigan added 18 points, seven rebounds, two steals and two blocks. Troy McCoy scored 11. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .EVANSVILLE, Ind. (AP) — Stephen Olowoniyi scored 18 points as Southern Indiana beat Shawnee State 91-56 on Sunday. Olowoniyi also contributed five rebounds for the Screaming Eagles (5-5). Damoni Harrison scored 17 points and added five rebounds. Braxton Jones shot 4 for 11 (1 for 6 from 3-point range) and 4 of 5 from the free-throw line to finish with 13 points. Donovan Lovelace led the way for the Bears with 12 points and seven rebounds. AJ Belton and Cory Gardner added nine points apiece. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Key Laptop Accessories Market Trend 2024-2033: Advancements In Gaming Solutions
Labour MP for Cardiff West, Alex Barros-Curtis, said warnings should have been “amber or red”, as Mr Reed told MPs that more flooding is “likely”. Hundreds of homes were left under water, roads were turned into rivers and winds of more than 80mph were recorded across parts of the UK. More than 130 flood warnings and 160 alerts remained in place across the UK on Monday. In the Commons on Monday, Mr Barros-Curtis asked: “Can I ask that the Secretary of State speak to his Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) colleagues to carefully look into the role of the Met Office here? “It is clear that their response was slow and that there was a clear underestimation of the impact of Storm Bert. “They put it yellow rather than amber or red. Our constituents have been let down by this incompetence before, and it cannot keep happening.” Mr Reed said: “In most parts of the countries that were affected, warnings were given with adequate time for people to prepare and I would encourage people to sign up on the Defra website, or the Environment Agency website for warnings and alerts if they live in an area that could be affected by flooding. “I’m aware of the particular concern that he mentions regarding the Met Office, and I will indeed be speaking to colleagues in DSIT as they review the circumstances of that and look at how the situation can be improved for future events of this kind.” During his update to the House, the Environment Secretary said that more flooding this week is “likely” but its impact “should be less severe” than has been seen. He said: “Around 28,000 properties are being protected by Environment Agency flood defences. “Unfortunately, an estimated 107 properties have flooded across England, principally from river and surface water flooding.” He added: “The Environment Agency and local responders have also been busy protecting properties elsewhere in England, including flooding from the River Teme in Tenbury Wells where around 40 properties have flooded. “The river has now peaked and local responders will be focusing on the lower reaches of rivers over the next few days.” He further stated: “Further flooding is sadly likely over the next few days as water levels rise in slower flowing rivers such as the Severn and the Ouse. “The Environment Agency anticipates that any impacts should be less severe than we have seen in recent days.” Mr Reed also described the flood defences they inherited from the previous government as being “in the worst condition on record following years of underinvestment”. He added: “Over 3,000 of our key flood defences are below an acceptable standard. “That is why we are investing £2.4 billion over the next two years to build and maintain flood defences.” Elsewhere in the session, Labour MP for Coventry South, Zarah Sultana, was among the MPs to call for a legal duty on fire services to respond to flooding. She said: “I want to express my solidarity and thanks to all of our emergency services, including firefighters on the front line. “Extreme weather events are on the rise and becoming ever more frequent due to climate change, highlighting the urgent need for proper funding and resources. “England is the only part of the UK without a statutory duty for flooding, leaving fire services underfunded and under-resourced to respond effectively. This must change, as the FBU (Fire Brigades Union) has long called for.” “When will the Government finally provide a statutory duty for Fire and Rescue authorities to respond to flooding incidents in England?” Mr Reed replied: “The fire and rescue authorities have the powers to intervene, but she’s quite right to point out there’s not a duty, and officials in my department, working with the Home Office, will review that to see that that remains appropriate.” Conservative MP for Mid Buckinghamshire Greg Smith said some communities in his constituency are flooding “for the first time in decades” as he accused the Government of wanting to “concrete over the countryside”. He said: “That is a result of some of the big infrastructure we are seeing being built, particularly HS2 where they will concrete over a field completely, it seems, unaware that that will have a knock-on effect to farmland next door. “So will the Secretary of State commit to working with the Transport Secretary (Louise Haigh) and I also suggest the Deputy Prime Minister (Angela Rayner) given their plans to concrete over the countryside to ensure that where construction takes place proper, and I really mean proper, flood mitigation measures are put into place.” Mr Reed replied: “This needs to operate across Government, and we will have those conversations and ensure that measures are put in place to support communities as much as is possible from the more severe weather events that we’re seeing as a result of climate change.”
Elon Musk’s preschool is the next step in his anti-woke education dreams
PRINCESS Kate's star-studded Christmas carol concert has started - as she emphasises the "importance of empathy" in a message of hope. The Princess of Wales called for people to "slow down and reflect on the deeper things that connect us all" and turn to "love, not fear" as she opened the televised service. The fourth annual Together at Christmas concert was filmed at Westminster Abbey earlier this month, with husband Prince William and children Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and six-year-old Prince Louis in attendance. It will feature performances by Paloma Faith, jazz singer Gregory Porter, singer-songwriter JP Cooper, alongside the Soul Sanctuary Choir, and new singing talent Olivia Dean. Olympic cycling legend Sir Chris Hoy, who revealed he has terminal prostrate cancer in recent weeks, lit a candle, as did wife of late rugby league star Rob Burrow, who died in June following a battle with motor neurone disease. Readings will also be given by actors Richard E Grant, Downton Abbey star Michelle Dockery, and Sophie Okonedo, as well as Olympic swimming gold medallist Adam Peaty. However, Kate, 42, is understood to have refused to invite scandal-hit royal Prince Andrew to the bash. The Prince and Princess of Wales are reportedly not keen to have the disgraced Duke of York at their public events - and rejected a proposal to have him seated behind a pillar, it is claimed. Meanwhile, earlier today Kate gave a sweet message after sharing behind-the-scenes footage from the concert. In a video she could be seen beaming as she greeted children in an unseen montage . PRINCE Louis told mum Kate "we're looking out for each other In a heartfelt video shared on social media of the carol service , Kate beams down at Prince Louis, six, who appears to reassure her. Lip Reader Nicola Hickling told The Sun the young Prince is saying: "We're looking out for each other." Watch the adorable moment here . A post from the Waleses' Instagram today said: "This service reflects upon the importance of love and empathy, and how much we need each other, especially in the most difficult times of our lives. "Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this year’s celebrations." It comes after Kate began easing back into public duties after announcing she was cancer-free in September. She officially returned to work last month when she joined William for the annual Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall in South Kensington, London . Then earlier this month she met Qatar's Royal Family during a two-day state visit to the UK. Her heartfelt message was included in a letter handed out to every guest during the concert on December 6, before being shared as a video clip ahead of the Christmas Eve broadcast. It played as a voice over at the beginning of ITV's coverage this evening. Kate said: "Christmas is one of my favourite times of the year, it is a time for presents, tinsel and mince pies, but it's also a time to slow down and reflect on the deeper things that connect us all. "It is when we stop and take ourselves away from the pressures of daily life, that we find the space to live our lives with an open heart, with love, kindness and forgiveness, so much of what the Christmas spirit is all about. "The Christmas story encourages us to consider the experiences and feelings of others. It also reflects our own vulnerabilities and reminds us of the importance of giving and receiving empathy, as well as just how much we need each other in spite of our differences. Above all else, it encourages us to turn to love, not fear." Kate continued: "The love that we show ourselves and the love we show others. "Love that listens with empathy, love that is kind and understanding, love that is forgiving, and love that brings joy and hope. "It is love which is the greatest gift we can receive, not just at Christmas but every day of our lives." The service is featuring a narration by Scottish actress Kelly Macdonald - known for films Trainspotting and No Country for Old Men. It will also "feature three special community films which bring to life the stories of people and organisations who have inspired, counselled and comforted others in their times of need". Kensington Palace said: "In each of the films, the groups are seen receiving letters from the princess inviting them to attend – and in the case of the Sankofa Songsters sing at – the service at Westminster Abbey." The films will showcase the Worcestershire Gingerbread Group, Go Beyond and intergenerational choir the Sankofa Songsters. The first highlights a single mum based in Worcestershire, who set up the group to tackle loneliness. Go Beyond sees six young carers, aged between eight and 13, who "go above and beyond every day to show empathy and support to their families". Sankofa Songsters features an intergenerational choir which brings together care home residents and their young friends. Kensington Palace said the choir has "enhanced the lives of everyone, strengthening relationships between all ages by spreading kindness and love, with members aged from two to 100". Kate reached out to grieving Lady Gabriella Windsor, 43 - daughter of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent - for help in planning the concert. The princess made contact over the summer after Lady Gabriella's husband Thomas Kingston, 45, died in February. She went on to play a major role in putting on the service. One of Lady Gabriella’s personal touches was helping to engage youth charity Restore the Music, who played to guests as they queued to enter the service. Polly Moore, CEO of Restore the Music, said: "Lady Gabriella is incredibly passionate about music and helping young people find their voice. "She has been an ambassador for us for the past five years and often attends our events. When she messaged to ask if I would be interested I said, 'Are you kidding, of course!' "She was incredibly approachable and a brilliant sounding board in the planning process. She’s the most wonderful person. I’m extremely grateful to her." Lady Gabriella also helped select singer Gregory Porter and pianist Rosey Chan to perform a specially-composed lyrical piece that was played alongside a poem read by Ms Okonedo. Jan 16 : Kate is admitted to the London Clinic for abdominal surgery Jan 17 : Kensington Palace announce the princess underwent surgery Jan 18 : William spends time at Kate's bedside Jan 23 : The princess' hospital stay passes one week Jan 29 : Kate leaves hospital Feb 27: Prince William pulls out of service last-minute due to 'personal matter', sparking wave of unfounded conspiracy theories about Kate’s health Mar 4: Princess pictured in the car with mum Carole on the Windsor estate Mar 10 : Royal posts a sweet snap of her and the kids for Mother's Day – then fans started spotting flaws, and massive agencies put out 'kill notice' on photo Mar 11: Kate admits she edited photo, and is snapped in car with William Mar 16: Royal fans spot the princess at farm shop near Windsor Mar 17: Onlookers see Kate watching her youngsters playing sport Mar 18: The Sun exclusively published video of Kate and Wills from two days prior Mar 22: Kate bravely reveals in an emotional video that she was given a shock cancer diagnosis April 29: Kate and William mark 13th anniversary releasing unseen wedding photos June 8: Kate does not attend Colonel's Review but letter she penned to Irish Guards reveals she said: "I do hope that I am able to represent you all once again very soon" June 14: Kensington Palace announces the princess will attend the King's Birthday Parade June 15: Kate beams as she joins her family at the annual Trooping the Colour event July 14: The royal attends Wimbledon with sister Pippa and Princess Charlotte to hand out trophies to players July 15: Kate shares a touching photo of Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis watching England in the Euro 2024 final August 11: She joins a bearded Prince William in a video to congratulate Team GB in the Olympics September 9: Kate reveals her treatment for cancer has finished
Ex-Rep. Anthony Weiner, jailed for sexting child, eyes political comeback in New York City CouncilWalker has 22 as Binghamton knocks off Lancaster Bible 85-60
Growing to 4.2M people in Metro Vancouver 'a bit too much' without a plan: Mike HurleyGiven Donald Trump’s history of making false or misleading statements — and his fixation on people’s physical appearance and size — it’s not a reach to think that he’d exaggerate his height. The president-elect has long claimed that he stands a commanding 6-foot-3, the Daily Mail reported . But the 78-year-old didn’t appear to measure up to that height, not while standing next to Prince William, who also is said to be 6-foot-3. The height discrepancy of an inch or two was visible when Trump met the heir to the British throne at the reopening of Notre Dame in Paris on Saturday. Trump and William appeared to enjoy a cordial exchange as they shook hands inside the cathedral, though the prince had to bend his head to meet the shorter man’s gaze. Trump and William later posed for photos at the residence of the British ambassador to France, as an exercise of soft diplomacy. Trump, again, looked somewhat shorter than the son of King Charles III and the late Princess Diana. Incidentally, the former reality TV star once claimed that he could have “nailed” Diana, and he also insisted in 2023 that William’s mother was among the celebrities who wanted to “kiss” up to him before he went into politics, People reported. The latter claim was fiercely denounced by Diana’s brother, Charles, 9th Earl Spencer, who said that the princess once likened Trump to a very bad sore in “the arse,” in the one and only time he said she mentioned him. It’s not likely that William brought up Trump’s boasts and insults at the Notre Dame event. After all, he was there to represent his father and British government. If there’s any consolation, he appeared to tower above the man who once spoke disrespectfully about his mother — even as he also appeared to have a friendly chat with the incoming U.S. president. Trump, for his part, praised William, quipping to reporters: “Good man, this one.” In a later interview with the New York Post , Trump had more positive things to say about the future king, saying they had a “great” 40-minute chat. “I asked him about his wife and he said she’s doing well,” Trump told the Post, referring to the Princess of Wales’ treatment over the past year for cancer. Trump also referred to Charles’ cancer battle, saying, “And I asked him about his father and his father is fighting very hard, and he loves his father and he loves his wife, so it was sad. We had a great talk for half an hour, a little more than half an hour. We had a great, great talk.” Meanwhile, it’s possible that Trump has become shorter than his stated 6-foot-3. It’s known that men can begin to shrink as they age. Some health experts say that men can lose an inch in height between ages 30 and 70, and lose another inch after they turn 80. Trump is almost 80. According to the Daily Mail, Trump remains sensitive about his height, as he has boasted about the beauty and stature of his oldest daughter Ivanka Trump . He also has expressed pride in the fact that his youngest son, 18-year-old Barron, has grown to a towering 6-foot-7. But “rumors have long swirled” that Trump relies on “lifters” — insoles in shoes — or taller heels to give him an additional height, the Daily Mail reported. Unfortunately for Trump, he has begun to appear shorter than he might like when he has recently posed besides other world figures and business leaders, according to the Daily Mail. For example, Trump didn’t look much taller standing next to the 5-foot-7 French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace on Saturday. Trump also has been somewhat dwarfed physically by his fervent new supporter, the 6-foot-2 Elon Musk, the Daily Mail said. When the Tesla and Space X founder joined Trump at his campaign appearances, or when he hosted the 47th president to the Nov. 19 launch of his SpaceX Starship rocket, he stood “significantly” taller than the new president, the Daily Mail reported. ©2024 MediaNews Group, Inc. Visit at mercurynews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Group-IB to Demonstrate Proprietary Network Graph Analysis solution at Black Hat MEA 2024 in RiyadhCHECK OUT: Don't let unemployment hold you back. Start your digital marketing journey today. Amazon is doubling its investment in Anthropic to $8 billion in a deepened collaboration on artificial intelligence, the companies said Friday. The e-commerce and technology behemoth will remain a minority investor in Anthropic, having pumped an initial $4 billion into the artificial intelligence developer late last year and becoming its primary cloud computing provider. "The response from AWS customers who are developing generative AI applications powered by Anthropic in Amazon Bedrock has been remarkable," said Matt Garman, chief of AWS cloud computing division. "We'll keep pushing the boundaries of what customers can achieve with generative AI technologies." Amazon is investing the additional $4 billion in Anthropic as part of an expanded alliance that includes working together on "Trainium" hardware to optimize machine learning, according to the companies. "We're looking forward to working with Amazon to train and power our most advanced AI models using AWS Trainium, and helping to unlock the full potential of their technology," said Anthropic chief executive Dario Amodei. Read also Investors seek 750 mn euros in damages over Wirecard collapse PAY ATTENTION : Standing out in social media world? Easy! "Mastering Storytelling for Social Media" workshop by Legit.ng. Join Us Live! The announcement came just days after Britain's competition regulator cleared Google-parent Alphabet's investment in Anthropic, following a probe. The Competition and Markets Authority concluded that the big tech giant had not acquired "material influence" over Anthropic as a result of the deal, which was reported to have cost $2 billion. The British regulator is one of several global regulators concerned with reining in big tech companies and their partnerships with AI firms. In September, the CMA cleared Amazon's initial investment in Anthropic, saying it did not believe that "a relevant merger situation has been created." Source: AFP
Man killed in late-night Center Point shootingBy JOSH BOAK WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden said Tuesday he was “stupid” not to put his own name on pandemic relief checks in 2021, noting that Donald Trump had done so in 2020 and likely got credit for helping people out through this simple, effective act of branding. Biden did the second-guessing as he delivered a speech at the Brookings Institution defending his economic record and challenging Trump to preserve Democratic policy ideas when he returns to the White House next month. Related Articles National Politics | Biden issues veto threat on bill expanding federal judiciary as partisan split emerges National Politics | Trump lawyers and aide hit with 10 additional felony charges in Wisconsin over 2020 fake electors National Politics | After withdrawing as attorney general nominee, Matt Gaetz lands a talk show on OANN television National Politics | What will happen to Social Security under Trump’s tax plan? National Politics | Republican-led states are rolling out plans that could aid Trump’s mass deportation effort As Biden focused on his legacy with his term ending, he suggested Trump should keep the Democrats’ momentum going and ignore the policies of his allies. The president laid out favorable recent economic data but acknowledged his rare public regret that he had not been more self-promotional in advertising the financial support provided by his administration as the country emerged from the pandemic. “I signed the American Rescue Plan, the most significant economic recovery package in our history, and also learned something from Donald Trump,” Biden said at the Washington-based think tank. “He signed checks for people for 7,400 bucks ... and I didn’t. Stupid.” The decision by the former reality TV star and real estate developer to add his name to the checks sent by the U.S. Treasury to millions of Americans struggling during the coronavirus marked the first time a president’s name appeared on any IRS payments. Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris , who replaced him as the Democratic nominee , largely failed to convince the American public of the strength of the economy. The addition of 16 million jobs, funding for infrastructure, new factories and investments in renewable energy were not enough to overcome public exhaustion over inflation, which spiked in 2022 and left many households coping with elevated grocery, gasoline and housing costs. More than 6 in 10 voters in November’s election described the economy as “poor” or “not so good,” according to AP VoteCast, an extensive survey of the electorate. Trump won nearly 7 in 10 of the voters who felt the economy was in bad shape, paving the way for a second term as president after his 2020 loss to Biden. Biden used his speech to argue that Trump was inheriting a strong economy that is the envy of the world. The inflation rate fell without a recession that many economists had viewed as inevitable, while the unemployment rate is a healthy 4.2% and applications to start new businesses are at record levels. Biden called the numbers under his watch “a new set of benchmarks to measure against the next four years.” “President-elect Trump is receiving the strongest economy in modern history,” said Biden, who warned that Trump’s planned tax cuts could lead to massive deficits or deep spending cuts. He also said that Trump’s promise of broad tariffs on foreign imports would be a mistake, part of a broader push Tuesday by the administration to warn against Trump’s threatened action. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen also issued a word of caution about them at a summit of The Wall Street Journal’s CEO Council. “I think the imposition of broad based tariffs, at least of the type that have been discussed, almost all economists agree this would raise prices on American consumers,” she said. Biden was also critical of Trump allies who have pushed Project 2025 , a policy blueprint from the Heritage Foundation that calls for a complete overhaul of the federal government. Trump has disavowed participation in it, though parts were written by his allies and overlap with his stated views on economics, immigration, education policy and civil rights. “I pray to God the president-elect throws away Project 2025,” Biden said. “I think it would be an economic disaster.” Associated Press writer Fatima Hussein in Washington contributed to this report.
Environment Secretary Steve Reed has been asked to review “incompetence” at the Met Office that led to a “clear underestimation” of the impact of Storm Bert. Labour MP for Cardiff West, Alex Barros-Curtis, said warnings should have been “amber or red”, as Mr Reed told MPs that more flooding is “likely”. Hundreds of homes were left under water, roads were turned into rivers and winds of more than 80mph were recorded across parts of the UK. More than 130 flood warnings and 160 alerts remained in place across the UK on Monday. In the Commons on Monday, Mr Barros-Curtis asked: “Can I ask that the Secretary of State speak to his Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) colleagues to carefully look into the role of the Met Office here? “It is clear that their response was slow and that there was a clear underestimation of the impact of Storm Bert. “They put it yellow rather than amber or red. Our constituents have been let down by this incompetence before, and it cannot keep happening.” Mr Reed said: “In most parts of the countries that were affected, warnings were given with adequate time for people to prepare and I would encourage people to sign up on the Defra website, or the Environment Agency website for warnings and alerts if they live in an area that could be affected by flooding. “I’m aware of the particular concern that he mentions regarding the Met Office, and I will indeed be speaking to colleagues in DSIT as they review the circumstances of that and look at how the situation can be improved for future events of this kind.” During his update to the House, the Environment Secretary said that more flooding this week is “likely” but its impact “should be less severe” than has been seen. He said: “Around 28,000 properties are being protected by Environment Agency flood defences. “Unfortunately, an estimated 107 properties have flooded across England , principally from river and surface water flooding.” He added: “The Environment Agency and local responders have also been busy protecting properties elsewhere in England, including flooding from the River Teme in Tenbury Wells where around 40 properties have flooded. “The river has now peaked and local responders will be focusing on the lower reaches of rivers over the next few days.” He further stated: “Further flooding is sadly likely over the next few days as water levels rise in slower flowing rivers such as the Severn and the Ouse. “The Environment Agency anticipates that any impacts should be less severe than we have seen in recent days.” Mr Reed also described the flood defences they inherited from the previous government as being “in the worst condition on record following years of underinvestment”. He added: “Over 3,000 of our key flood defences are below an acceptable standard. “That is why we are investing £2.4 billion over the next two years to build and maintain flood defences.” Elsewhere in the session, Labour MP for Coventry South, Zarah Sultana, was among the MPs to call for a legal duty on fire services to respond to flooding. She said: “I want to express my solidarity and thanks to all of our emergency services, including firefighters on the front line. “Extreme weather events are on the rise and becoming ever more frequent due to climate change, highlighting the urgent need for proper funding and resources. “England is the only part of the UK without a statutory duty for flooding, leaving fire services underfunded and under-resourced to respond effectively. This must change, as the FBU (Fire Brigades Union) has long called for.” “When will the Government finally provide a statutory duty for Fire and Rescue authorities to respond to flooding incidents in England?” Mr Reed replied: “The fire and rescue authorities have the powers to intervene, but she’s quite right to point out there’s not a duty, and officials in my department, working with the Home Office, will review that to see that that remains appropriate.” Conservative MP for Mid Buckinghamshire Greg Smith said some communities in his constituency are flooding “for the first time in decades” as he accused the Government of wanting to “concrete over the countryside”. He said: “That is a result of some of the big infrastructure we are seeing being built, particularly HS2 where they will concrete over a field completely, it seems, unaware that that will have a knock-on effect to farmland next door. “So will the Secretary of State commit to working with the Transport Secretary (Louise Haigh) and I also suggest the Deputy Prime Minister (Angela Rayner) given their plans to concrete over the countryside to ensure that where construction takes place proper, and I really mean proper, flood mitigation measures are put into place.” Mr Reed replied: “This needs to operate across Government, and we will have those conversations and ensure that measures are put in place to support communities as much as is possible from the more severe weather events that we’re seeing as a result of climate change.”Two people have been arrested after allegedly conducting a "hazardous drone operation" near the airspace of the US city of Boston's main airport, police said. Robert Duffy, 42, and Jeremy Folcik, 32, were arrested on Long Island, part of the Boston Harbor Islands, on Saturday night. They were charged with trespassing and police said they may face further charges and fines over the drones, which were "dangerously close" to Logan International Airport, said police. Their arrests follow a series of drone sightings across the US north-east in recent weeks. Police have given no indication that the sightings are connected to these arrests. Police said the incident in Boston occurred at 16:30 local time (21:30 GMT) when a police officer detected a drone operating "dangerously close" to Logan International Airport. Police said they identified the drone's location and tracked the operators' position to a decommissioned health campus on Long Island. Because of the drone's proximity to an airport, FBI counter-terrorism agents helped the investigation. When officers arrived on the scene, police said three people attempted to flee, two of whom - Mr Duffy and Mr Folcik, were apprehended. A drone was discovered in a backpack carried by Mr Duffy, police said. The third suspect is believed to have fled the island in a small vessel and has not so far been found. It was not immediately clear whether Mr Duffy and Mr Folcik had legal representation. Police said they were yet to be arraigned. US government officials have been seeking to reassure residents of the north-east that no threats have been identified in relation to hundreds of drone sightings across the area. Flying objects have been reported in states including New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Connecticut and Massachusetts - with the most sightings reported in New Jersey. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said the government was deploying additional resources, personnel and technology to assist New Jersey police in investigating. In an interview with ABC News, he said that the department was working in "close co-ordination" with state and local authorities, adding it was "critical" they be given the ability to counter drone activity under federal supervision. His comments follow New York state Governor Kathy Hochul's demands for more state powers to tackle the issue, after runways at Stewart Airfield had to shut down for about an hour on Friday night. "Congress must pass a law that will give us the power to deal directly with the drones," she added on Sunday, after announcing that a drone detection system was being sent to New York. Mayorkas said the rise in drone sightings could be to do with a change in federal law last year that allows drones to be flown at night. "That may be one of the reasons why now people are seeing more drones than they did before, especially from dawn to dusk," he said. He also said he knew of "no foreign involvement with respect to the sightings in the north-east".
Dana Hull | (TNS) Bloomberg News Jared Birchall, Elon Musk’s money manager and the head of his family office, is listed as the chief executive officer. Jehn Balajadia, a longtime Musk aide who has worked at SpaceX and the Boring Co., is named as an official contact. Related Articles National Politics | Trump’s picks for top health jobs not just team of rivals but ‘team of opponents’ National Politics | Biden will decide on US Steel acquisition after influential panel fails to reach consensus National Politics | Biden vetoes once-bipartisan effort to add 66 federal judgeships, citing ‘hurried’ House action National Politics | A history of the Panama Canal — and why Trump can’t take it back on his own National Politics | President-elect Trump wants to again rename North America’s tallest peak But they’re not connected to Musk’s new technology venture, or the political operation that’s endeared him to Donald Trump. Instead, they’re tied to the billionaire’s new Montessori school outside Bastrop, Texas, called Ad Astra, according to documents filed with state authorities and obtained via a Texas Public Information Act request. The world’s richest person oversees an overlapping empire of six companies — or seven, if you include his political action committee. Alongside rockets, electric cars, brain implants, social media and the next Trump administration, he is increasingly focused on education, spanning preschool to college. One part of his endeavor was revealed last year, when Bloomberg News reported that his foundation had set aside roughly $100 million to create a technology-focused primary and secondary school in Austin, with eventual plans for a university. An additional $137 million in cash and stock was allotted last year, according to the most recent tax filing for the Musk Foundation. Ad Astra is closer to fruition. The state documents show Texas authorities issued an initial permit last month, clearing the way for the center to operate with as many as 21 pupils. Ad Astra’s website says it’s “currently open to all children ages 3 to 9.” The school’s account on X includes job postings for an assistant teacher for preschool and kindergarten and an assistant teacher for students ages 6 to 9. To run the school, Ad Astra is partnering with a company that has experience with billionaires: Xplor Education, which developed Hala Kahiki Montessori school in Lanai, Hawaii, the island 98% owned by Oracle Corp. founder Larry Ellison. Ad Astra sits on a highway outside Bastrop, a bedroom community about 30 miles from Austin and part of a region that’s home to several of Musk’s businesses. On a visit during a recent weekday morning, there was a single Toyota Prius in the parking lot and no one answered the door at the white building with a gray metal roof. The school’s main entrance was blocked by a gate, and there was no sign of any children on the grounds. But what information there is about Ad Astra makes it sound like a fairly typical, if high-end, Montessori preschool. The proposed schedule includes “thematic, STEM-based activities and projects” as well as outdoor play and nap time. A sample snack calendar features carrots and hummus. While Birchall’s and Balajadia’s names appear in the application, it isn’t clear that they’ll have substantive roles at the school once it’s operational. Musk, Birchall and Balajadia didn’t respond to emailed questions. A phone call and email to the school went unanswered. Access to high quality, affordable childcare is a huge issue for working parents across the country, and tends to be an especially vexing problem in rural areas like Bastrop. Many families live in “childcare deserts” where there is either not a facility or there isn’t an available slot. Opening Ad Astra gives Musk a chance to showcase his vision for education, and his support for the hands-on learning and problem solving that are a hallmark of his industrial companies. His public comments about learning frequently overlap with cultural concerns popular among conservatives and the Make America Great Again crowd, often focusing on what he sees as young minds being indoctrinated by teachers spewing left-wing propaganda. He has railed against diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, and in August posted that “a lot of schools are teaching white boys to hate themselves.” Musk’s educational interests dovetail with his new role as Trump’s “first buddy.” The billionaire has pitched a role for himself that he — and now the incoming Trump administration — call “DOGE,” or the Department of Government Efficiency. Though it’s not an actual department, DOGE now posts on X, the social media platform that Musk owns. “The Department of Education spent over $1 billion promoting DEI in America’s schools,” the account posted Dec. 12. Back in Texas, Bastrop is quickly becoming a key Musk point of interest. The Boring Co., his tunneling venture, is based in an unincorporated area there. Across the road, SpaceX produces Starlink satellites at a 500,000-square-foot (46,000-square-meter) facility. Nearby, X is constructing a building for trust and safety workers. Musk employees, as well as the general public, can grab snacks at the Boring Bodega, a convenience store housed within Musk’s Hyperloop Plaza, which also contains a bar, candy shop and hair salon. Ad Astra is just a five-minute drive away. It seems to have been designed with the children of Musk’s employees — if not Musk’s own offspring — in mind. Musk has fathered at least 12 children, six of them in the last five years. “Ad Astra’s mission is to foster curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking in the next generation of problem solvers and builders,” reads the school’s website. A job posting on the website of the Montessori Institute of North Texas says “While their parents support the breakthroughs that expand the realm of human possibility, their children will grow into the next generation of innovators in a way that only authentic Montessori can provide.” The school has hired an executive director, according to documents Bloomberg obtained from Texas Health and Human Services. Ad Astra is located on 40 acres of land, according to the documents, which said a 4,000-square-foot house would be remodeled for the preschool. It isn’t uncommon for entrepreneurs to take an interest in education, according to Bill Gormley, a professor emeritus at the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University who studies early childhood education. Charles Butt, the chairman of the Texas-based H-E-B grocery chain, has made public education a focus of his philanthropy. Along with other business and community leaders, Butt founded “Raise Your Hand Texas,” which advocates on school funding, teacher workforce and retention issues and fully funding pre-kindergarten. “Musk is not the only entrepreneur to recognize the value of preschool for Texas workers,” Gormley said. “A lot of politicians and business people get enthusiastic about education in general — and preschool in particular — because they salivate at the prospect of a better workforce.” Political Moves Musk spent much of October actively campaigning for Trump’s presidential effort, becoming the most prolific donor of the election cycle. He poured at least $274 million into political groups in 2024, including $238 million to America PAC, the political action committee he founded. While the vast majority of money raised by America PAC came from Musk himself, it also had support from other donors. Betsy DeVos, who served as education secretary in Trump’s first term, donated $250,000, federal filings show. The Department of Education is already in the new administration’s cross hairs. Trump campaigned on the idea of disbanding the department and dismantling diversity initiatives, and he has also taken aim at transgender rights. “Rather than indoctrinating young people with inappropriate racial, sexual, and political material, which is what we’re doing now, our schools must be totally refocused to prepare our children to succeed in the world of work,” Trump wrote in Agenda 47, his campaign platform. Musk has three children with the musician Grimes and three with Shivon Zilis, who in the past was actively involved at Neuralink, his brain machine interface company. All are under the age of five. Musk took X, his son with Grimes, with him on a recent trip to Capitol Hill. After his visit, he shared a graphic that showed the growth of administrators in America’s public schools since 2000. Tuition Costs Musk is a fan of hands-on education. During a Tesla earnings call in 2018, he talked about the need for more electricians as the electric-car maker scaled up the energy side of its business. On the Joe Rogan podcast in 2020, Musk said that “too many smart people go into finance and law.” “I have a lot of respect for people who work with their hands and we need electricians and plumbers and carpenters,” Musk said while campaigning for Trump in Pennsylvania in October. “That’s a lot more important than having incremental political science majors.” Ad Astra’s website says the cost of tuition will be initially subsidized, but in future years “tuition will be in line with local private schools that include an extended day program.” “I do think we need significant reform in education,” Musk said at a separate Trump campaign event. “The priority should be to teach kids skills that they will find useful later in life, and to leave any sort of social propaganda out of the classroom.” With assistance from Sophie Alexander and Kara Carlson. ©2024 Bloomberg News. Visit at bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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