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New Canadians, non-traditional demographics boost minor hockey uptake in B.C.DENVER, Dec. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Medicine Man Technologies, Inc., operating as Schwazze, (OTC: SHWZ) (Cboe CA: SHWZ) ("Schwazze" or the "Company"), is providing an update on its previously announced delayed filings. On November 29, 2024, the Audit Committee of the Company determined, following discussions with Baker Tilly and the Company's management, that the Company's previously issued audited consolidated financial statements for the two fiscal years ended December 31, 2023, audited by BF Borgers, and the Company's unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto as of and for the fiscal periods ended March 31, 2023, June 30, 2023, and September 30, 2023 included in the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal periods ended March 31, 2023, June 30, 2023, and September 30, 2023 that were filed with the SEC (collectively the "Subject Periods”) will be restated due to the identification of certain accounting adjustments needed primarily relating to technical accounting areas. The Company has concluded that the impact of these corrections is material and as a result, the Subject Periods should no longer be relied upon. Similarly, any previously issued or filed reports, press releases, earnings releases, investor presentations or other communications of the Company describing the Company's financial results or other financial information should no longer be relied upon to the extent that they are related to the Subject Periods. Schwazze does not currently believe that the foregoing corrections will have any negative material impact on the Company's revenue, adjusted EBITDA, cash from operations or cash position. Additional details on the impact of these adjustments can be found in the Company's related Form 8-K filed earlier today. About Schwazze Schwazze (OTC: SHWZ) (Cboe CA: SHWZ) is building a premier vertically integrated regional cannabis company with assets in Colorado and New Mexico and will continue to explore taking its operating system to other states where it can develop a differentiated regional leadership position. Schwazze is the parent company of a portfolio of leading cannabis businesses and brands spanning seed to sale. Schwazze is anchored by a high-performance culture that combines customer-centric thinking and data science to test, measure, and drive decisions and outcomes. The Company's leadership team has deep expertise in retailing, wholesaling, and building consumer brands at Fortune 500 companies as well as in the cannabis sector. Medicine Man Technologies, Inc. was Schwazze's former operating trade name. The corporate entity continues to be named Medicine Man Technologies, Inc. Schwazze derives its name from the pruning technique of a cannabis plant to enhance plant structure and promote healthy growth. To learn more about Schwazze, visit https://schwazze.com/ . Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements include financial outlooks; statements regarding the expected impact of the restatements and change in accounting treatment, including on the Company's overall business operations, previously reported cash and cash equivalent balances, and strategic outlook; statements regarding the Company's internal controls over financial reporting and ongoing internal reviews and assessments; any projections of net sales, earnings, or other financial items; any statements of the strategies, plans and objectives of our management team for future operations; expectations in connection with the Company's previously announced business plans; any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance; and statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of our management team. Such statements may be preceded by the words "may," "will," "could," "would," "should," "expect," "intends," "plans," "strategy," "prospects," "anticipate," "believe," "approximately," "estimate," "predict," "project," "potential," "continue," "ongoing," or the negative of these terms or other words of similar meaning in connection with a discussion of future events or future operating or financial performance, although the absence of these words does not necessarily mean that a statement is not forward-looking. We have based our forward-looking statements on management's current expectations and assumptions about future events and trends affecting our business and industry. Although we do not make forward-looking statements unless we believe we have a reasonable basis for doing so, we cannot guarantee their accuracy. Therefore, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future events or performance, are based on certain assumptions, and are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's control and cannot be predicted or quantified. Consequently, actual events and results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, that the Company has underestimated the scope and impact of the restatements, risks and uncertainties around the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures and the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting, the risk that the Company's restated financial statements may take longer to complete than expected, as well as those risks and uncertainties risks and uncertainties associated with (i) regulatory limitations on our products and services and the uncertainty in the application of federal, state, and local laws to our business, and any changes in such laws; (ii) our ability to manufacture our products and product candidates on a commercial scale on our own or in collaboration with third parties; (iii) our ability to identify, consummate, and integrate anticipated acquisitions; (iv) general industry and economic conditions; (v) our ability to access adequate capital upon terms and conditions that are acceptable to us; (vi) our ability to pay interest and principal on outstanding debt when due; (vii) volatility in credit and market conditions; (viii) the loss of one or more key executives or other key employees; and (ix) other risks and uncertainties related to the cannabis market and our business strategy. Any such risks and uncertainties could materially and adversely affect the Company's results of operations, its profitability and its cash flows, which would, in turn, have a significant and adverse impact on the Company's stock price. The Company cautions you not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. More detailed information about the Company and the risk factors that may affect the realization of forward-looking statements is set forth in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Investors and security holders are urged to read these documents free of charge on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov . The Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise except as required by law. As noted above, investors are cautioned that the Subject Periods, and related investor communications, should no longer be relied upon; such communications include earnings releases, press releases, shareholder communications, investor presentations and other communications describing relevant portions of the Subject Periods. Investor Relations Contact Sean Mansouri, CFA or Aaron D'Souza Elevate IR (720) 330-2829 [email protected]US lawmakers concluded a two-year investigation Monday into the Covid-19 outbreak that killed 1.1 million Americans -- backing the theory that the virus likely leaked from a Chinese laboratory. A 520-page report from the Republican-controlled House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic looked at the federal and state-level response, as well as the pandemic's origins and vaccination efforts. "This work will help the United States, and the world, predict the next pandemic, prepare for the next pandemic, protect ourselves from the next pandemic, and hopefully prevent the next pandemic," panel chairman Brad Wenstrup said in a letter to Congress. US federal agencies, the World Health Organization and scientists across the planet have arrived at different conclusions about the most likely origin of Covid-19, and no consensus has emerged. Most believe it to have spread from animals in China, but a US intelligence analysis said last year that the virus may have been genetically engineered and escaped from a virology lab in the Chinese city of Wuhan, where human cases first emerged. The congressional panel was persuaded by the lab leak theory after meeting 25 times, conducting more than 30 transcribed interviews and reviewing more than one million pages of documents. The investigation included two days of interviews behind closed doors with Anthony Fauci, the government scientist who became the nation's most trusted expert in the chaotic early days of the 2020 outbreak. Fauci's clashes with former and incoming president Donald Trump over the response sparked fury on the right, and he now lives with security protection following death threats against his family. Republicans accuse the 83-year-old immunologist of helping to set off the worst pandemic in a century by approving funding passed on to Chinese scientists they accuse of manufacturing the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus that causes Covid-19. Among its headline conclusions, the report said the National Institutes of Health had indeed funded contentious "gain-of-function" research -- which seeks to enhance viruses as a way of finding ways to combat them -- at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. Fauci angrily denied covering up the origins of Covid-19 before the panel in June, arguing that it would be "molecularly impossible" for the bat viruses studied at the lab to be turned into the virus that caused the pandemic. But the panel's report said SARS-CoV-2 "likely emerged because of a laboratory or research related accident." The probe found that lockdowns "did more harm than good" and that mask mandates were "ineffective at controlling the spread of Covid-19," contradicting other research showing that masking in public does reduce transmission rates. Social distancing guidelines also came under criticism, although travel restrictions were deemed to have saved lives. Investigators found that Trump's Operation Warp Speed -- the publicly-funded project to develop Covid vaccines -- was a "tremendous success" but that school closures would have an "enduring impact" on US children. ft/jgc
, /PRNewswire/ -- (NYSE: ) – The Emerging Technology Advisory Board (ETAB) today released its first report to elevate as an AI leader. The report provided recommendations to bolster the State's commitment to responsible development and implementation of AI. First introduced by Governor in , the ETAB was established as an independent advisory board to chart the course for a thriving emerging technology ecosystem in . The Advisory Board is co-chaired by IBM Chief Executive Officer and Girls Who Code Chief Executive Officer Dr. and is comprised of leaders from the private sector and nonprofit and foundation organizations. With input from over 40 external stakeholders and experts, the report details how is well-positioned to be at the forefront of AI advancement. This includes leveraging its robust economy, extensive tech talent pool, academic excellence, legacy for innovation, and groundbreaking investments in AI and AI-adjacent industries. In reviewing the state's current landscape, the Advisory Board also identified potential challenges, such as ensuring the workforce is equipped with the skills and resources necessary to succeed in the age of AI. The ETAB took a deeper look at how these challenges could impact organizations and communities – and, based on these insights, proposed three ambitions for the : Guided by these ambitions, the report sets forth nine recommendations – each backed by a thorough framework and next steps – designed to foster public-private partnerships and balance priorities of timely impact and sufficient scale necessary to help drive responsible AI adoption in . " is furthering its legacy of innovation and invention for the rest of the world to follow, setting a standard of greatness – and we've only just begun," Governor Hochul said. "Since the beginning of my administration I have been laser-focused on bringing good paying jobs to this state, which is why we need ethical and responsible AI that improves the lives of all New Yorkers and delivers accessible, equitable and future proof jobs with it. I want to thank the members of the Emerging Technology Advisory Board, who took the time to form these recommendations. I look forward to reviewing the report and to working with experts and stakeholders from every sector as we forge an equitable and dynamic future for AI in ." "The Emerging Technology Advisory Board has delivered on its first goal to provide a blueprint that positions as a frontrunner in trustworthy AI," said . "This comprehensive set of recommendations will help drive an innovative AI ecosystem, ensure responsible AI deployment at scale, foster a resilient workforce, and empower all New Yorkers with equitable access to the benefits of AI." "The recommendations of the Emerging Technology Advisory Board reflect a collective effort to ensure that the advancement of artificial intelligence benefits industries and workers across ," said . "These comprehensive proposals aim not only to foster economic growth and innovation but also to uphold our commitment to a technological future that mirrors the diversity and values of our communities." As the Emerging Technology Advisory Board shares its recommendations with the , it underscores the joint effort, commitment and close collaboration it will take between the State's leadership, Advisory Board institutions, private sector, nonprofit organizations, philanthropic organizations, thought leaders and advocates to fortify as an innovation hub for future technologies. Read the full report . IBM is a leading provider of global hybrid cloud and AI, and consulting expertise. We help clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs and gain the competitive edge in their industries. More than 4,000 government and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare rely on IBM's hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to affect their digital transformations quickly, efficiently and securely. IBM's breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and consulting deliver open and flexible options to our clients. All of this is backed by IBM's long-standing commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity and service. Visit for more information. Girls Who Code is an international nonprofit organization working to close the gender gap in technology, and is leading the movement to inspire, educate, and equip students who identify as girls or nonbinary with the computing skills needed to pursue 21st century opportunities. Since launching in 2012, Girls Who Code has reached 670,000 students through our in-person and virtual programming, and 218,000 of our alumni are college or career-aged. Girls Who Code has sparked culture change through marketing campaigns and advocacy efforts, generating 14 Billion engagements globally. In 2019, the organization was named the #1 Most Innovative Non-Profit on Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies list, and in 2023 was named one of Fast Company's Brands That Matter. The organization was also named one of NonProfit Times' Best Nonprofits to Work For in 2022 and 2023. , IBM Corporate Communications View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE IBMNoneWORCESTER, Mass. , Dec. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (NYSE: THG ) announced today its board of directors has approved an increase in the company's quarterly dividend to $0.90 per share on the issued and outstanding common stock of the company, payable December 27, 2024 , to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 13, 2024 . "This is the 20 th consecutive year we have increased our quarterly dividend, demonstrating our commitment to delivering enhanced value to our shareholders," said John C. Roche , president and chief executive officer at The Hanover . "It is a significant milestone for us, underscoring our optimism in the company's future prospects and reinforcing our confidence in our financial stability and growth potential." Forward-Looking Statements Statements regarding quarterly or future dividends, whether regular or special, payable to the company's shareholders, which may be subject to future increases, decreases, or elimination, as determined by The Hanover's board of directors, are forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The company cautions investors that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, including but not limited to, growth, earnings improvement, returns, future dividend payments, or the amount of such payments. Investors are directed to consider the risks and uncertainties in the company's business that may cause actual results to differ and/or affect the board's decision to declare dividends in the future, including those risks which are discussed in readily available documents, such as the company's annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, as well as other documents filed by The Hanover with the Securities and Exchange Commission and which are also available on hanover.com under "Investors." About The Hanover The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. is the holding company for several property and casualty insurance companies, which together constitute one of the largest insurance businesses in the United States . The company provides exceptional insurance solutions through a select group of independent agents and brokers. Together with its agent partners, The Hanover offers standard and specialized insurance protection for small and mid-sized businesses, as well as for homes, automobiles, and other personal items. For more information, please visit hanover.com . SOURCE The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc.
HOUSTON , Dec. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Gravity Oilfield Services Inc. ("Gravity" or the "company"), a growth-oriented water and power infrastructure company backed by affiliates of Clearlake Capital Group, L.P. ("Clearlake"), announced today that it has agreed to sell its Gravity Water Midstream division to Delek Logistics Partners, LP (NYSE: DKL) ("Delek Logistics"). Gravity Water Midstream provides gathering, transportation, recycling, storage, and disposal solutions for produced water in the Midland Basin in Texas and the Williston Basin in North Dakota . "The acquisition of Gravity Water Midstream by Delek Logistics creates a path to continue to build incredible scale in our water midstream platform in the Midland Basin," said Rob Rice , CEO of Gravity. "I am thankful to the employees of Gravity for their focus on service and dedication to building one of the largest commercial water management platforms in the Midland and Williston Basins. Building this water midstream platform would not be possible without the incredible support and partnership of Clearlake. I am excited to welcome in this new era for water management in the Midland and Williston Basins under the capable leadership of Delek Logistics." While Gravity is divesting its water midstream assets, the company will retain ownership and operation of its power infrastructure assets, continuing its commitment to providing critical power generation offerings. Clearlake and Gravity partnered in 2017 to pursue produced water midstream opportunities. Over the last several years, Gravity has focused on organically growing its water infrastructure business to support producers in the Midland and Williston basins, and its water business segment has quickly grown into one of the largest commercial operators of disposal wells in the Midland Basin. Gravity Water Midstream developed a system comprised of 200+ miles of permanent pipeline, 46 SWD facilities, and 14 fresh water facilities with over six million barrels of storage capacity, all of which form an extensive and interconnected network. "We valued the opportunity to partner with the Gravity team as they executed a vision to build a leading water midstream platform in the Midland and Williston Basins," said José E. Feliciano, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, and Colin Leonard, Partner and Managing Director, of Clearlake. "We'd like to thank Rob and the entire Gravity Water Midstream team for their hard work and commitment to growing the business organically over the last several years." Piper Sandler & Co served as exclusive financial advisor and Vinson & Elkins LLP served as legal counsel to Gravity in connection with the transaction. About Gravity Gravity is a growth-oriented provider of energy infrastructure services to U.S. onshore oil and natural gas exploration and production companies, providing water midstream solutions, critical power generation offerings and other production focused services. Gravity has significant coverage density in the Permian Basin and benefits from a national footprint supported by facilities, operations and management personnel in several other key domestic resource plays including the Bakken, Eagle Ford, SCOOP/STACK, DJ Basin, Haynesville and Marcellus, among others. More information is available at www.gvty.com . About Clearlake Capital Group Founded in 2006, Clearlake Capital Group, L.P. is an investment firm founded operating integrated businesses across private equity, credit and other related strategies. With a sector-focused approach, the firm seeks to partner with management teams by providing patient, long-term capital to businesses that can benefit from Clearlake's operational improvement approach, O.P.S. ® The firm's core target sectors are industrials, technology, and consumer. Clearlake has over $85 billion of assets under management, and its senior investment principals have led or co-led over 400 investments. The firm is headquartered in Santa Monica, CA with affiliates in Dallas, TX, London, UK, Dublin, Ireland , Singapore , and Abu Dhabi , UAE. More information is available at www.clearlake.com and on X @Clearlake . Media Contacts: For Gravity Heather Heacock , (281) 640-3043 Marketing Communication Manager heather.heacock@gvty.com For Clearlake Jennifer Hurson , (845) 507-0571 Lambert jhurson@lambert.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gravity-agrees-to-sell-water-midstream-business-to-delek-logistics-302330850.html SOURCE Gravity Oilfield Services Inc.; Clearlake Capital Group
Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P. stock falls Wednesday, underperforms marketGary O’Neil accepts criticism from Wolves fans after heavy defeat at Everton
In the 1997 sci-fi horror film , about six people trapped in a giant mechanical cube, one character asks of the titular shape, “why put people in it?” The response from another, who unknowingly helped to build it, applies to technological adoption in general: “Because it’s here.” If a technology is available to use, people will find ways to use it to their advantage, particularly in formal structures of power. Between that and the volume of irregular migrants at the southern border, it should come as no surprise that the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency has found its way to expanding the use of . That could be good news for the agency’s long-time iris biometrics provider, Iris ID. A report in FedScoop calls CBP’s adoption of “a notable move given the somewhat limited use of the technology compared with more widespread applications like fingerprint and facial recognition.” Yet it follows by noting how the U.S. Border Patrol has “significantly ramped up use of iris scanning over the past decade.” Iris biometrics are in use at forty checkpoints across four regional sectors. The percent of CBP’s apprehensions that involved an iris scan currently stands at around 70 percent. Now, through an upcoming software update and other measures, it wants to get that to 100. Matthew Lightner of the U.S. Border Patrol highlighted the importance of iris biometrics to the , and its reliability advantages for border ID checks, during a panel discussion at Identity Week in September. As biometric identifiers, irises are more stable throughout a person’s life than fingerprints or faces. FedScoop quotes the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)’s Patrick Grother, who says “ is built on learning from massive amounts of data. Iris recognition, originally, wasn’t done that way.” Rather, the original algorithm was created by the late Cambridge Professor . “The original research looked at images of the iris and wrote down a set of algorithms – as a set of procedures in mathematics – that would promise good recognition. That turned out to be true and an industry was built upon that.” NIST is growing the size of its for IREX X 1:N evaluations and planning to launch a new IREX XI to evaluate 1:1 comparisons, which will provide a lower barrier to entry for academics looking to study challenges like noise or low-resolution images. It is also working on a metric to evaluate the speed and accuracy of together. Specific iris technology is proprietary to vendors. CBP uses tech from – per its website, “the world’s most deployed iris recognition platform.” CBP has used it for about ten years, and it has won its advocates elsewhere; Iris ID counts , India’s , Pakistan’s and Clear among its clients. Iris ID’s technology uses a frame grabber to capture still frames from the video file, which an algorithm analyzes for patterns visible between the pupil and the white of the eye, and converts them into a 512-byte digital template. Voila: a value corresponding to an individual, which can be replicated with further submissions of video (in other words, scans). The company has noted that its technology is , and delivering up to 99 percent accuracy on even across large databases. It is even used in Canadian airports. Because close-up images of irises are not found all over the internet, there is an argument that it poses fewer than facial recognition. But, as tends to happen in the cycle of technological innovation, some can already see how mass adoption might end up sending iris recognition off the rails, privacy-wise. FedScoop quotes Jake Wiener, an attorney with the Electronic Privacy Information Center, who says “what we don’t want to happen with iris is what happened with Social Security numbers. It got used for everything. Now everyone’s Social Security number is purchasable on the dark web. I think iris is the last that has not been broken in that way.” Yet, that is. | | | | | |Middle East latest: Israeli strikes in Gaza kill more than 50 people, including kids
LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — After plenty of talk in recent weeks about Terry McLaurin lining up only on the left side, the Washington Commanders’ first offensive snap was a throw by Jayden Daniels to his top receiver — on the right side, of course. OK, Kliff Kingsbury. Well played. Beyond that not-so-subtle answer to criticism, Washington’s offensive coordinator went back to a tried-and-true recipe to get his unit back on track: running the ball early and often. Brian Robinson Jr. returned from a sprained ankle to account for 103 of a season-high 267 yards rushing in a 42-19 rout of Tennessee on Sunday that ended a three-game losing streak and showed what this offense can do when clicking in all facets. “It’s a beautiful thing to see,” said Robinson, who had the longest rushing touchdown of his three-year NFL career, a 40-yarder. “It’s a beautiful thing to do. Just glad we were able to really put it back out there and show the potential we have in our room and our running game. We have a serious run game, and we just got to believe in it.” A balanced attack with Daniels handing the ball off 36 times, throwing it 30 and running nine allowed the Commanders to dominate time of possession and improve to 8-5 going into their bye week. “It opens up a lot, obviously, to be able to get guys to move the line of scrimmage and get to the second level and let our backs do what they do,” said Daniels, who ran for 34 yards to go along with 206 yards passing. “We’re getting to those times of the season where in December, January when you’ve got to be able to control the line of scrimmage and run the ball.” Robinson playing makes a big difference. His teammates are 1-2 without him this season, and Austin Ekeler going on injured reserve Saturday because of a concussion put everything on Robinson’s shoulders. Averaging 6.4 yards on 16 carries got the job done. “Man, is he a difference maker,” coach Dan Quinn said. “When Brian can kick through and step and get onto the next level, he’s really difficult to tackle.” What’s working: The defense thrived while needing to be on the field for less than 20 minutes, forcing a turnover and keeping Tennessee off the scoreboard until late in the first half. It was already 28-0 at that point. Rookie cornerback Mike Sainristil — who celebrated his alma mater, Michigan, upsetting Ohio State a day earlier by asking McLaurin about the result while the Buckeyes product was forced to sit in the interview room after their game with Sainristil’s Wolverines jersey — forced and recovered Tony Pollard’s fumble in the first quarter. The Commanders made it 21-0 three plays later. “Offense, defense, special teams we all feed off one another,” said six-time All-Pro linebacker Bobby Wagner, who joined London Fletcher as the only players with 100-plus tackles in 13 consecutive seasons. “Whether it’s us getting turnovers, special teams getting turnovers or the offense going down the field and scoring, we all got to feed off of that and I felt like we did a good job of that.” What needs help: The kicking game continues to struggle. Zane Gonzalez missed two field goal attempts while filling in for Austin Seibert, who went on injured reserve earlier in the week. Seibert reported a groin injury the day after missing an extra point that would have tied the score in the final minute against Dallas. If there are any Cyber Monday deals on kickers, the Commanders are in the market for a new one. They’ve had six on the roster since March. Stock up: With starting right tackle Andrew Wylie out because of a concussion, Cornelius Lucas took his spot and did not miss a beat. Lucas opened the season splitting time at left tackle with rookie Brandon Coleman, and the journeyman lineman’s quick adjustment in Wylie’s absence helped the offense get on track. “I thought that’s a guy that was ready for the challenge,” Quinn said. Stock down: Defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis was a healthy scratch against the Titans after Carl Davis was elevated from the practice squad. Quinn called it a coaching decision. Sitting the 2022 second-round pick is another blow to the four drafts Ron Rivera oversaw from 2020-23. Every first-round pick is now gone after cornerback Emmanuel Forbes’ release Saturday, and Mathis already has been passed on the depth chart by rookie Johnny Newton. Injuries: Attrition added up through 13 consecutive games, and Ekeler and Seibert are out at least the next three games following the bye: at New Orleans on Dec. 15, against Philadelphia on Dec. 22 and against Atlanta on Dec. 28 or 29. Dealing with a hamstring injury, cornerback Marshon Lattimore has not played since the Commanders acquired him at the trade deadline from the Saints, so his debut for them could come against his old team. Next steps: Rest up. As McLaurin said before leaving the stadium, “I’m going to enjoy this bye week.”https://arab.news/ce8cq RIYADH: Artificial intelligence will help Saudi Arabia to achieve its ambitious goals for growth, while reducing its reliance on other targets, according to a top executive. Jad Haddad, partner and global head of consultancy Oliver Wyman’s AI division Quotient, spoke to Arab News recently about how technological advances are reshaping the workforce. “Today, there is a shortage of labor, particularly in Saudi Arabia,” he said. “If the Kingdom’s going to reach its very ambitious targets of growth, in a way AI and the embracement of AI will basically help achieving those very aggressive, but also achievable, as we’ve seen, targets, with less dependency on others.” Saudi workplaces are already well advanced in using generative AI tools, such as text generator Chat GPT, with 68 percent of employees surveyed by Oliver Wyman making use of the technology compared with a global average of 55 percent. Haddad noted how another survey found that more than 90 percent of CEOs at New York Stock Exchange-listed companies also invest heavily in AI and believe in its promise. “But yet we haven’t seen a lot of disruption to jobs.” He added: “Will we see disruption in the job market? Probably. I think AI already is augmenting a lot of the things that we do, and as we have applications that are implemented and scaled within organizations, things are going to change. “But at the same time, we can look at it from the other way around. I think it is already creating a lot of jobs as well.” The forward-looking Gulf is a leader in the adoption of AI technologies, according Haddad, who highlighted the fact that some of the region’s biggest companies are employing the technology. National oil companies such as Aramco and ADNOC “are really taking up AI, and that’s also great because they are a big part of the society but also of the economy,” he said. “I think the region is really embracing AI, much faster than any other region, and is really seeing the benefit and the promise of AI.” Saudi Arabia’s early focus on the new technology was evidenced when the Kingdom founded its government AI agency SDAIA in 2019. The entity employs around 3,000 people, and is focused on establishing governance related to AI, and positioning the country as a leader in the field. A November report from SDAIA highlighted Saudi Arabia’s global leadership in AI, as evidenced by its top ranking in the pillar of government strategy in the 2023 Global AI Index by Tortoise Media. In 2023, the Kingdom joined the UN AI Advisory Body, aiming to promote the responsible use of AI. Government spending on technologies, including AI, grew at a compound annual growth rate of 59 percent between 2019 and 2023, according to the Saudi Press Agency. In September 2024, at the third edition of SDAIA’s Global AI Summit, the authority unveiled the AI Adoption Framework Document, providing a guiding reference for adopting AI in the public and private sectors. SDAIA also recently announced the activation of AI offices in 23 government entities.
On Dec. 11, President-elect Donald Trump announced in a Truth Social post that he has tapped Kari Lake to serve as the next director of Voice of America. Lake was a television news anchor in Phoenix for nearly three decades until she left in 2021 after making a series of controversial statements on social media, including sharing COVID-19 misinformation during the pandemic. She launched her political career a short time later, quickly building a following and national profile as she sparred with journalists and echoed Trump in her sharp criticism of what she called the “fake news.” She ran unsuccessfully as a Republican for Arizona governor in 2022 and Arizona Senator in 2024. After Trump’s announcement, many people on social media claimed they’d never heard of Voice of America before. Others asked if Trump created a new organization and position just for Lake. Recent search trends also show that “What is Voice of America?” is spiking online. THE QUESTION Is Voice of America a new government organization? THE SOURCES Voice of America U.S. Agency for Global Media U.S. Law 94-350 THE ANSWER No, Voice of America is not a new government organization. Sign up for the VERIFY Fast Facts daily Newsletter! WHAT WE FOUND Voice of America is not new. It’s a U.S. government-funded international multimedia news organization that was founded in the 1940s. Voice of America started in 1942 as a radio broadcaster to “combat Nazi propaganda with accurate and unbiased news and information.” Congress funds the organization through the U.S. Agency for Global Media, which is a federal agency that oversees all non-military U.S. international broadcasting. Congress passed a law establishing the organization in 1976. According to Voice of America’s congressional charter , the organization is required to present objective, independent news and information to international audiences. These are the principles that govern all Voice of America broadcasts: VOA will serve as a consistently reliable and authoritative source of news. VOA news will be accurate, objective, and comprehensive. VOA will represent America, not any single segment of American society, and will therefore present a balanced and comprehensive projection of significant American thought and institutions. VOA will present the policies of the United States clearly and effectively, and will also present responsible discussions and opinion on these policies. Since it was founded more than 80 years ago, Voice of America has expanded to online, social and television platforms to share U.S. policy-centric content around the world. The organization currently broadcasts to an estimated weekly global audience of more than 354 million people in nearly 50 languages. Although Trump says he wants Lake to lead Voice of America, that role is actually appointed by the head of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, which is a position appointed by the president that requires congressional confirmation. Trump said on Dec. 11 that he plans to announce his nomination for the head of the U.S. Agency for Global Media soon. The Associated Press contributed to this report . Related Articles No, the Department of Government Efficiency is not a new government agency Yes, it is taking longer to confirm presidential Cabinet nominees now than in the past No, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. has not announced plans to ban Diet Coke The VERIFY team works to separate fact from fiction so that you can understand what is true and false. Please consider subscribing to our daily newsletter , text alerts and our YouTube channel . You can also follow us on Snapchat , Instagram , Facebook and TikTok . Learn More » Follow Us YouTube Snapchat Instagram Facebook TikTok Want something VERIFIED? Text: 202-410-8808Middle East latest: Israeli strikes in Gaza kill more than 50 people, including kidsB.C. Premier David Eby is promising to seek new export opportunities for the province after U.S. president-elect Donald Trump threatened to impose a 25-per-cent tariff on all Mexican and Canadian goods. British Columbia exports billions of dollars’ worth of commodities and products – coal and lumber, plastics and machinery – every month, with just over half bound for the United States. It could be worse. Canada as a whole sends three-quarters of its exports to the U.S. B.C. has less exposure to that single market thanks to a long-running policy, embraced by political parties of every stripe, of maintaining a diversified trade portfolio. “We’re going to continue to do our work to expand those trading opportunities,” Mr. Eby told reporters Wednesday. In the 1980s, B.C.’s political leaders set their economic sights on Asia, opening trade offices in Hong Kong, South Korea and Japan with the intent of reducing the province’s dependence on its dominant customer to the south. The province has bankrolled countless trade missions and now maintains 19 overseas trade offices. Yet the U.S. has consistently remained its most important trading partner over the past four decades. At best, the diversification strategy has dampened the siren call of the behemoth at its doorstep. “Canada is so privileged to be next door to this giant economic engine of the United States,” noted former B.C. premier Glen Clark in an interview. “We understand the laws there, we understand the language, we understand the people, and it’s very close, so it’s a natural.” But too much dependence on a single market – no matter how big, no matter how easy – comes with risk. Mr. Trump’s tariff threat should be a catalyst for a fresh commitment to cultivate new markets, said Mr. Clark, who led 13 trade missions to China alone during his term as premier, from 1996 to 1999. “Reviving that trade policy, only with different focus on parts of the world, makes a lot of sense as we move forward in this kind of dangerous time.” In 1987, Mike Harcourt, then the NDP opposition leader, stood up in the legislature and endorsed the Social Credit government’s early trade missions. Even as some Socred backbenchers dismissed the trips as “boondoggles,” Mr. Harcourt pressed for a more aggressive strategy. “We support those initiatives, but we’re not bold enough,” he said, insisting that the province needed to establish outposts in China and India. At the time, the Canada-U.S. softwood lumber dispute was demonstrating the ability of the U.S. to cripple the province’s forest sector. That conflict continues today – a textbook example for Canada of how U.S. protectionism can supersede good trade relations. British Columbia’s position as a trade gateway for Pacific Rim countries was already a reality before politicians tried to help. The year Mr. Harcourt was calling for trade offices in China, just 46 per cent of the province’s exports went to the United States. When he became Premier in 1991, Mr. Harcourt took the opportunity to pursue new markets aggressively. “I started talking about Vancouver being, not the last stop of the CPR railway, but the front door to Asia for Canada,” he said in an interview. But today he believes the province’s trade strategy needs an urgent update to prepare for 2025, when Mr. Trump returns to office. B.C.’s Trade Diversification Strategy was updated in 2023, but much has changed since. The value of softwood lumber exports has stagnated and is now rivalled by sales of machinery and equipment. Meanwhile, energy exports – especially coal – are climbing in value. Mr. Trump’s tariff threats aside, global trade relations are also more complex, particularly with China and India. The two countries are host to almost half of B.C.’s international trade offices outside the U.S. David Emerson helped steer Canada toward trade diversification. As deputy finance minister under then-Premier Bill Bennett and deputy minister to Premier Bill Vander Zalm, he crafted B.C.’s Asian Pacific trade strategy and later introduced the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative as the federal Minister of International Trade. He also was the minister who negotiated the one and only settlement on softwood lumber, in 2006. That agreement expired in 2015. Mr. Emerson says this is not a good time for British Columbia – and Canada – to face a strong protectionist leader in the U.S., because the alternatives are limited. “I do believe we need to grow market penetration in markets other than the U.S., but the greatest potential is in markets where we now have terrible relations,” he said. “Today, relations with China and India are a mess, and the great trade diversification strategy has run into serious trouble.” China is B.C.’s second-largest export destination – one that is growing in value. But Canada and China are in the midst of a trade spat. In August, Ottawa announced a 100-per-cent import tariff on Chinese electric vehicles and a 25-per-cent tariff on steel and aluminum products from China, after the U.S. and the European Union introduced similar measures. The following month, Beijing launched an anti-dumping investigation into imports of rapeseed from Canada. Meanwhile, Mr. Trump has signalled he is prepared to reignite trade tensions between the U.S. and China, which could put other trading partners in the crossfire. Canada’s relations with India soured after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said last year that there were credible allegations the Indian government had links to the assassination of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. Canada has since alleged that India’s Home Affairs Minister, Amit Shah, ordered the targeting of Sikh activists in Canada. Both countries have now expelled each other’s top diplomatic officials. Mr. Trump’s rationale for slapping tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports is to punish both countries for lax border security, allowing illegal migrants and illicit drugs to slip through into the U.S. On Wednesday, Mr. Trudeau met with the premiers to strategize and emerged with a promise to strengthen border security by pumping more money into the Canada Border Services Agency and the RCMP. Mr. Eby, who advocated for that investment as an answer to Mr. Trump’s complaints, said Canada should put up a united front to take on the U.S. trade threat. But in the meantime, he said, he’ll renew his government’s commitment to diversification. “This was definitely the right direction, obviously, in hindsight, and we do have to redouble those efforts, given the instability south of the border.” The decades of previous efforts have shown, however, that changing those trade patterns will be exceptionally difficult.
Aerospace companies choose Colorado over Utah, California for expansion
