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PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Haiti’s online media association said two reporters were killed and several others were wounded in a gang attack on Tuesday on the reopening of Port-au-Prince’s biggest public hospital. Street gangs have taken over an estimated 85% of Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, and they forced the closure of the General Hospital early this year. Authorities had pledged to reopen the facility Tuesday but as journalists gathered to cover the event, suspected gang members opened fire in a vicious Christmas Eve attack. Robest Dimanche, a spokesman for the Online Media Collective, identified the dead journalists as Markenzy Nathoux and Jimmy Jean. Dimanche said an unspecified number of reporters had also been wounded in the attack, which he blamed on the Viv Ansanm coalition of gangs. Haiti’s interim president, Leslie Voltaire, said in an address to the nation that journalists and police were among the victims of the attack. He did not specify how many casualties there were, or give a breakdown for the dead or wounded. “I send my sympathies to the people who were victims, the national police and the journalists,” Voltaire said, pledging “this crime is not going to go unpunished.” A video posted online by the reporters trapped inside the hospital showed what appeared to be two lifeless bodies of men on stretchers, their clothes bloodied. One of the men had a lanyard with a press credential around his neck. Radio Télé Métronome initially reported that seven journalists and two police officers were wounded. Police and officials did not immediately respond to calls for information on the attack. Street gangs have taken over an estimated 85% of Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince. They forced the closure of the General Hospital early this year during violence that also targeted the main international airport and Haiti’s two largest prisons. Authorities had pledged to reopen the facility Tuesday but as journalists gathered to cover the event, suspected gang members opened fire. Video posted online earlier showed reporters inside the building and at least three lying on the floor, apparently wounded. That video could also not be immediately verified. Johnson “Izo” André, considered Haiti’s most powerful gang leader and part of a gang known as Viv Ansanm, which that has taken control of much of Port-au-Prince , posted a video on social media claiming responsibility for the attack. The video said the gang coalition had not authorized the hospital’s reopening. Haiti has seen journalists targeted before. In 2023, two local journalists were killed in the space of a couple of weeks — radio reporter Dumesky Kersaint was fatally shot in mid-April that year, while journalist Ricot Jean was found dead later that month. In July, former Prime Minister Garry Conille visited the Hospital of the State University of Haiti, more widely known as the General Hospital, after authorities regained control of it from gangs. The hospital had been left ravaged and strewn with debris. Walls and nearby buildings were riddled with bullet holes, signaling fights between police and gangs. The hospital is across the street from the national palace, the scene of several battles in recent months. Gang attacks have pushed Haiti’s health system to the brink of collapse with looting, setting fires, and destroying medical institutions and pharmacies in the capital. The violence has created a surge in patients and a shortage of resources to treat them. Haiti’s health care system faces additional challenges during the rainy season, which is likely to increase the risk of water-borne diseases. Poor conditions in camps and makeshift settlements have heightened the risk of diseases like cholera, with over 84,000 suspected cases in the country, according to UNICEF. ___ Follow AP’s coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america Evens Sanon, The Associated Press

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Haiti’s online media association said two reporters were killed and several others were wounded in a gang attack on Tuesday on the reopening of Port-au-Prince’s biggest public hospital. Street gangs have taken over an estimated 85% of Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, and they forced the closure of the General Hospital early this year. Authorities had pledged to reopen the facility Tuesday but as journalists gathered to cover the event, suspected gang members opened fire in a vicious Christmas Eve attack. Robest Dimanche, a spokesman for the Online Media Collective, identified the dead journalists as Markenzy Nathoux and Jimmy Jean. Dimanche said an unspecified number of reporters had also been wounded in the attack, which he blamed on the Viv Ansanm coalition of gangs. Haiti’s interim president, Leslie Voltaire, said in an address to the nation that journalists and police were among the victims of the attack. He did not specify how many casualties there were, or give a breakdown for the dead or wounded. “I send my sympathies to the people who were victims, the national police and the journalists,” Voltaire said, pledging “this crime is not going to go unpunished.” A video posted online by the reporters trapped inside the hospital showed what appeared to be two lifeless bodies of men on stretchers, their clothes bloodied. One of the men had a lanyard with a press credential around his neck. Radio Télé Métronome initially reported that seven journalists and two police officers were wounded. Police and officials did not immediately respond to calls for information on the attack. Street gangs have taken over an estimated 85% of Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince. They forced the closure of the General Hospital early this year during violence that also targeted the main international airport and Haiti’s two largest prisons. Authorities had pledged to reopen the facility Tuesday but as journalists gathered to cover the event, suspected gang members opened fire. Video posted online earlier showed reporters inside the building and at least three lying on the floor, apparently wounded. That video could also not be immediately verified. Johnson “Izo” André, considered Haiti’s most powerful gang leader and part of a gang known as Viv Ansanm, which that has taken control of much of Port-au-Prince , posted a video on social media claiming responsibility for the attack. The video said the gang coalition had not authorized the hospital’s reopening. Haiti has seen journalists targeted before. In 2023, two local journalists were killed in the space of a couple of weeks — radio reporter Dumesky Kersaint was fatally shot in mid-April that year, while journalist Ricot Jean was found dead later that month. In July, former Prime Minister Garry Conille visited the Hospital of the State University of Haiti, more widely known as the General Hospital, after authorities regained control of it from gangs. The hospital had been left ravaged and strewn with debris. Walls and nearby buildings were riddled with bullet holes, signaling fights between police and gangs. The hospital is across the street from the national palace, the scene of several battles in recent months. Gang attacks have pushed Haiti’s health system to the brink of collapse with looting, setting fires, and destroying medical institutions and pharmacies in the capital. The violence has created a surge in patients and a shortage of resources to treat them. Haiti’s health care system faces additional challenges during the rainy season, which is likely to increase the risk of water-borne diseases. Poor conditions in camps and makeshift settlements have heightened the risk of diseases like cholera, with over 84,000 suspected cases in the country, according to UNICEF. ___ Follow AP’s coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america Evens Sanon, The Associated PressAfter weeks of fear and bewilderment about the drones buzzing over parts of New York and New Jersey , U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer is urging the federal government to deploy better drone-tracking technology to identify and ultimately stop the airborne pests. The New York Democrat is calling on the Department of Homeland Security to immediately deploy special technology that identifies and tracks drones back to their landing spots, according to briefings from his office. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. Get the latest need-to-know information delivered to your inbox as it happens. Our flagship newsletter. Get our front page stories each morning as well as the latest updates each afternoon during the week + more in-depth weekend editions on Saturdays & Sundays.

Saint Nick-Mas: 10 Best Nickelodeon Holiday Specials, Ranked

RingCentral CEO Vladimir Shmunis sells $3.49 million in stockSpot the Station Frequently Asked QuestionsNEW YORK , Dec. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report with market evolution powered by AI - The global arcade gaming market size is estimated to grow by USD 2.22 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 2.18% during the forecast period. Increasing physical activities in arcade gaming is driving market growth, with a trend towards rising integration of vr in arcade games. However, high cost of arcade gaming machines poses a challenge. Key market players include Bandai Namco Holdings Inc., Bay Tek Entertainment Inc., Capcom Co. Ltd., Chicago Gaming Co., CXC Simulations, D BOX Technologies Inc., Eleetus LLC, Helix Leisure USA Inc., Incredible Technologies Inc., Innovative Concepts in Entertainment Inc., International Games System Co. Ltd., Neofuns Amusement Equipment Co. Ltd., Nintendo Co. Ltd., PrimeTime Amusements, Sega Sammy Holdings Inc., Square Enix Holdings Co. Ltd., UNIS Technology Ltd., Valley Dynamo Inc., Vesaro Ltd., and Bowlero Corp.. Key insights into market evolution with AI-powered analysis. Explore trends, segmentation, and growth drivers- View Free Sample PDF Arcade Gaming Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2023 Historic period 2018 - 2022 Forecast period 2024-2028 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 2.18% Market growth 2024-2028 USD 2.22 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 1.86 Regional analysis APAC, North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and South America Performing market contribution APAC at 50% Key countries US, China, Japan, India, and Germany Key companies profiled Bandai Namco Holdings Inc., Bay Tek Entertainment Inc., Capcom Co. Ltd., Chicago Gaming Co., CXC Simulations, D BOX Technologies Inc., Eleetus LLC, Helix Leisure USA Inc., Incredible Technologies Inc., Innovative Concepts in Entertainment Inc., International Games System Co. Ltd., Neofuns Amusement Equipment Co. Ltd., Nintendo Co. Ltd., PrimeTime Amusements, Sega Sammy Holdings Inc., Square Enix Holdings Co. Ltd., UNIS Technology Ltd., Valley Dynamo Inc., Vesaro Ltd., and Bowlero Corp. Market Driver Virtual Reality (VR) is gaining popularity as a mainstream gaming platform in the entertainment industry. VR solutions aim to create a realistic virtual environment, immersing users in a lifelike experience. In recent years, VR-based arcade games have emerged, with notable releases such as the VR 360 dinosaur attack car arcade game 3D shooter and Sega's VR Agent. These innovative games offer unique experiences, combining VR headsets with gun controllers for action-packed gameplay. In 2021, Springboard VR, a leading VR venue management software and content provider, was acquired by Vertigo Games. Vertigo offers a growing portfolio of VR games and location-based entertainment (LBE), including arcade games. This strategic alliance will increase the introduction of VR-based arcade games in the future. The Arcade Expo International (AEI) convention in Las Vegas in March 2022 focused on VR technology in arcades and other LBE games. Discussions covered successful VR arcade chains, operational issues to boost sales and profits, and enhancing user experiences. Such factors will drive the growth of the global arcade gaming market during the forecast period. Arcade gaming is experiencing a resurgence in various public spaces, including malls and restaurants. Amusement arcades, filled with arcade games, video games, simulation games, mechanical games, and electrical display machines, are once again becoming popular hangouts. The genres of racing, shooting, sports, action, and even carnival games are attracting a wide range of consumers. This trend is not limited to residential areas; commercial gaming hubs are also seeing in demand. Arcade gaming offers physical activity and potential health benefits, making it an attractive alternative to sedentary online gambling or remote betting on football wagers or horse racing. Meanwhile, the technology behind these machines continues to evolve, with new levels, scoring features, and consumer-friendly designs. Classic games like pinball machines, slot machines, and coin machine games remain popular, while newer genres like Anime and lifestyle games are gaining traction. Arcade gaming provides a unique blend of entertainment, social interaction, and technology that appeals to a diverse audience. Whether you're looking for a fun day out at an amusement park or a quick break at a game parlor, arcade gaming has something for everyone. Request Sample of our comprehensive report now to stay ahead in the AI-driven market evolution! Market Challenges The global arcade gaming market faces a significant challenge due to the high cost of arcade gaming machines. These specialized machines, featuring advanced hardware, interfaces, and captivating gameplay experiences, necessitate substantial investment from both operators and developers. The development and purchase of modern arcade gaming machines, including those with cutting-edge technologies like VR and AR, involve considerable research and development (R&D) expenses. Additionally, the demand for machines with high-definition displays, motion-sensing controllers, and sophisticated audio-visual components further increases the cost. Ongoing maintenance expenses, averaging around USD4,500 per year, add to the financial burden for operators. With prices ranging from USD5,000 to USD10,000 and sometimes exceeding USD15,000 , the high cost of arcade gaming machines may negatively impact market growth, limiting consumer accessibility and potentially hindering the expansion of the global arcade gaming market. The arcade gaming market faces various challenges in both residential and commercial sectors. Residential consumers prefer the convenience of online gaming, while commercial gaming hubs compete with physical activity and health benefits. The online gambling sector, including remote betting on football wagers and horse racing, poses a significant challenge. The lifestyle change towards technology and virtual reality games, along with the popularity of online streaming and e-sports, impacts the market. However, arcade gaming still thrives with carnival games, merchandiser games, pinball machines, slot machines, and coin machine games in public places like game parlors. The technology behind these machines continues to evolve, offering consumers new levels and scoring features. Toys, amusement parks, anime, and lifestyle trends also contribute to the market's popularity. Despite the competition, affordability remains a significant factor, making arcade gaming an enduring pastime. Discover how AI is revolutionizing market trends- Get your access now! Segment Overview This arcade gaming market report extensively covers market segmentation by End-user 1.1 Gaming hubs 1.2 Semi-commercial 1.3 Residential Genre 2.1 Racing 2.2 Shooting 2.3 Sports 2.4 Action Type 3.1 Video games 3.2 Simulation games 3.3 Mechanical games Geography 4.1 APAC 4.2 North America 4.3 Europe 4.4 Middle East and Africa 4.5 South America 1.1 Gaming hubs- The arcade gaming market's largest segment in 2023 and throughout the forecast period is gaming hubs. These establishments use expensive arcade gaming equipment, making them the only accessible option for consumers. Despite the market's maturity, advanced technologies like gaming simulators are still growing, attracting businesses. Vendors provide simulation-based games, primarily for teenagers and Millennials, such as CXC Simulations' Motion Pro II racing simulator. These products are targeted at racing arcade centers and clubs, increasing demand and driving growth in the gaming hub segment. Download a Sample of our comprehensive report today to discover how AI-driven innovations are reshaping competitive dynamics Research Analysis Arcade gaming refers to the use of electronic games in public spaces, such as malls, restaurants, and amusement arcades. These venues offer a wide range of arcade games, including video games, simulation games, mechanical games, and electromechanical games. Arcade games come in various genres, including racing, shooting, sports, action, and more. They are often found in commercial areas, such as gaming hubs, game parlors, and malls, and can be played for a fee using coins or tokens. The consumer enjoys the thrill of competing against others or the machine itself, with the added excitement of scoring points and advancing through levels. Electrical displays and mechanical movements add to the experience of arcade gaming. Coin machine games, slot machines, and other gambling games are also popular in arcades. Market Research Overview Arcade gaming refers to the use of electronic games in public spaces such as malls, restaurants, and amusement arcades. Arcade games encompass various genres including simulation, racing, shooting, sports, action, and mechanical games. These games are often housed in electrical display cabinets and can be found in both residential and commercial settings. Gaming hubs provide a physical activity outlet with potential health benefits, while also catering to the online gambling sector through remote betting on football wagers, horse racing, and other events. The lifestyle change brought about by arcade gaming extends to carnival games, merchandiser games, and pinball machines, as well as coin machine games and slot machines. With the advancement of machines technology, consumers can now enjoy levels and scoring features in arcade parlors. The popularity of arcade gaming is driven by affordability, accessibility, and the integration of virtual reality and online streaming. Consumer competitions, e-sports, and internet penetration continue to fuel the growth of this dynamic industry. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation End-user Gaming Hubs Semi-commercial Residential Genre Racing Shooting Sports Action Type Video Games Simulation Games Mechanical Games Geography APAC North America Europe Middle East And Africa South America 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: media@technavio.com Website: www.technavio.com/ View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/arcade-gaming-market-to-grow-by-usd-2-22-billion-2024-2028-driven-by-increased-physical-activities-with-ai-redefining-the-market-landscape---technavio-302318971.html SOURCE Technavio © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

Former Boise State coach Chris Petersen still gets asked about the Fiesta Bowl victory over Oklahoma on the first day of 2007. That game had everything. Underdog Boise State took a 28-10 lead over one of college football's blue bloods that was followed by a 25-point Sooners run capped by what could have been a back-breaking interception return for a touchdown with 1:02 left. Then the Broncos used three trick plays that remain sensations to not only force overtime but win 43-42. And then there was the marriage proposal by Boise State running back Ian Johnson — shortly after scoring the winning two-point play — to cheerleader Chrissy Popadics that was accepted on national TV. That game put Broncos football on the national map for most fans, but looking back 18 years later, Petersen sees it differently. “Everybody wants to talk about that Oklahoma Fiesta Bowl game, which is great how it all worked out and all those things,” Petersen said. “But we go back to play TCU (three years later) again on the big stage. It's not as flashy a game, but to me, that was an even better win.” Going back to the Fiesta Bowl and winning, Petersen reasoned, showed the Broncos weren't a splash soon to fade away, that there was something longer lasting and more substantive happening on the famed blue turf. The winning has continued with few interruptions. No. 8 and third-seeded Boise State is preparing for another trip to the Fiesta Bowl, this time in a playoff quarterfinal against No. 5 and sixth-seeded Penn State on New Year's Eve. That success has continued through a series of coaches, though with a lot more of a common thread than readily apparent. Dirk Koetter was hired from Oregon, where Petersen was the wide receivers coach. Not only did Koetter bring Petersen with him from Oregon, Petersen introduced him to Dan Hawkins, who also was hired for the staff. So the transition from Koetter to Hawkins to Petersen ensured at least some level of consistency. Koetter and Hawkins engineered double-digit victory seasons five times over a six-year span that led to power-conference jobs. Koetter went to Arizona State after three seasons and Hawkins to Colorado after five. Then when Petersen became the coach after the 2005 season, he led Boise State to double-digit wins his first seven seasons and made bowls all eight years. He resisted the temptation to leave for a power-conference program until Washington lured him away toward the end of the 2013 season. Then former Boise State quarterback and offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin took over and posted five double-digit victory seasons over his first six years. After going 5-2 during the COVID-shortened 2020 season, he left for Auburn. “They just needed consistency of leadership,” said Koetter, who is back as Boise State's offensive coordinator. “This program had always won at the junior-college level, the Division II level, the I-AA (now FCS) level.” But Koetter referred to “an unfortunate chain of events” that made Boise State a reclamation project when he took over in 1998. Coach Pokey Allen led Boise State to the Division I-AA national championship game in 1994, but was diagnosed with cancer two days later. He died on Dec. 30, 1996, at 53. Allen coached the final two games that season, Boise State's first in Division I-A (now FBS). Houston Nutt became the coach in 1997, went 4-7 and headed to Arkansas. Then Koetter took over. “One coach dies and the other wasn't the right fit for this program,” Koetter said. “Was a really good coach, did a lot of good things, but just wasn't a good fit for here.” Story continues below video But because of Boise State's success at the lower levels, Koetter said the program was set up for success. “As Boise State has risen up the conference food chain, they’ve pretty much always been at the top from a player talent standpoint,” Koetter said. “So it was fairly clear if we got things headed in the right direction and did a good job recruiting, we would be able to win within our conference for sure.” Success didn't take long. He went 6-5 in 1998 and then won 10 games each of the following two seasons. Hawkins built on that winning and Petersen took it to another level. But there is one season, really one game, no really one half that still bugs Petersen. He thought his best team was in 2010, one that entered that late-November game at Nevada ranked No. 3 and had a legitimate chance to play for the national championship. The Colin Kaepernick-led Wolf Pack won 34-31. “I think the best team that I might've been a part of as the head coach was the team that lost one game to Nevada,” Petersen said. "That team, to me, played one poor half of football on offense the entire season. We were winning by a bunch at half (24-7) and we came out and did nothing on offense in the second half and still had a chance to win. “That team would've done some damage.” There aren't any what-ifs with this season's Boise State team. The Broncos are in the field of the first 12-team playoff, representing the Group of Five as its highest-ranked conference champion. That got Boise State a bye into the quarterfinals. Spencer Danielson has restored the championship-level play after taking over as the interim coach late last season during a rare downturn that led to Andy Avalos' dismissal . Danielson received the job full time after leading Boise State to the Mountain West championship . Now the Broncos are 12-1 with their only defeat to top-ranked and No. 1 seed Oregon on a last-second field goal . Running back Ashton Jeanty also was the runner-up to the Heisman Trophy . “Boise State has been built on the backs of years and years of success way before I got here,” Danielson said. "So even this season is not because of me. It’s because the group of young men wanted to leave a legacy, be different. We haven’t been to the Fiesta Bowl in a decade. They said in January, ‘We’re going to get that done.’ They went to work.” As was the case with Danielson, Petersen and Koetter said attracting top talent is the primary reason Boise State has succeeded all these years. Winning, obviously, is the driving force, and with more entry points to the playoffs, the Broncos could make opportunities to keep returning to the postseason a selling point. But there's also something about the blue carpet. Petersen said he didn't get what it was about when he arrived as an assistant coach, and there was some talk about replacing it with more conventional green grass. A poll in the Idaho Statesman was completely against that idea, and Petersen has come to appreciate what that field means to the program. “It's a cumulative period of time where young kids see big-time games when they're in seventh and eighth and ninth and 10th grade and go, ‘Oh, I know that blue turf. I want to go there,’” Petersen said. 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( MENAFN - IANS) New Delhi, Dec 25 (IANS) On the joyous occasion of Christmas, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and congress President Mallikarjun Kharge extended heartfelt greetings on Wednesday, emphasising the values of compassion, peace, and unity. Taking to social media platform X, PM Modi shared his warm wishes and reflected on the teachings of Lord Jesus Christ. In his post, he wrote: "Wishing you all a Merry Christmas. May the teachings of Lord Jesus Christ show everyone the path of peace and prosperity." PM Modi also shared a video from his recent visit to the Christmas programme organised by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI). In the video, he highlighted the enduring significance of Jesus Christ's teachings: "Jesus Christ showed the path of compassion and selfless service to the world. We celebrate and remember Jesus so that we can imbibe these values in our lives. I believe this is our personal responsibility, a social obligation, and also our duty as a nation." "Today, the country is taking this spirit forward through the resolve of 'Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas, and Sabka Prayas.' The teachings of the Lord Christ celebrate love, harmony, and brotherhood. It is important that we all work together to make this spirit stronger," said PM Modi. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also conveyed his Christmas greetings, focusing on the ideals of forgiveness, service, and compassion. In his post on X, he wrote: "To my fellow citizens, I extend warm wishes on Christmas, which embodies the ideals of forgiveness, peace, and unity. The festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ underscores the need to follow the ideals of sacrifice, service, redemption, and amity. The values of compassion for all living beings and concern for those in need imbue this joyous occasion with a unique spirit of sharing," said Kharge adding "May these festivities usher in a new era of hope, happiness, and prosperity for all. Merry Christmas!" MENAFN24122024000231011071ID1109028850 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Haiti’s online media association said two reporters were killed and several others were wounded in a gang attack on Tuesday on the reopening of Port-au-Prince’s biggest public hospital. Street gangs have taken over an estimated 85% of Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, and they forced the closure of the General Hospital early this year. Authorities had pledged to reopen the facility Tuesday but as journalists gathered to cover the event, suspected gang members opened fire in a vicious Christmas Eve attack. Robest Dimanche, a spokesman for the Online Media Collective, identified the dead journalists as Markenzy Nathoux and Jimmy Jean. Dimanche said an unspecified number of reporters had also been wounded in the attack, which he blamed on the Viv Ansanm coalition of gangs. Haiti’s interim president, Leslie Voltaire, said in an address to the nation that journalists and police were among the victims of the attack. He did not specify how many casualties there were, or give a breakdown for the dead or wounded. “I send my sympathies to the people who were victims, the national police and the journalists,” Voltaire said, pledging “this crime is not going to go unpunished.” A video posted online by the reporters trapped inside the hospital showed what appeared to be two lifeless bodies of men on stretchers, their clothes bloodied. One of the men had a lanyard with a press credential around his neck. Radio Télé Métronome initially reported that seven journalists and two police officers were wounded. Police and officials did not immediately respond to calls for information on the attack. Street gangs have taken over an estimated 85% of Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince. They forced the closure of the General Hospital early this year during violence that also targeted the main international airport and Haiti’s two largest prisons. Authorities had pledged to reopen the facility Tuesday but as journalists gathered to cover the event, suspected gang members opened fire. Video posted online earlier showed reporters inside the building and at least three lying on the floor, apparently wounded. That video could also not be immediately verified. Johnson “Izo” André, considered Haiti’s most powerful gang leader and part of a gang known as Viv Ansanm, which that has taken control of much of Port-au-Prince , posted a video on social media claiming responsibility for the attack. The video said the gang coalition had not authorized the hospital’s reopening. Haiti has seen journalists targeted before. In 2023, two local journalists were killed in the space of a couple of weeks — radio reporter Dumesky Kersaint was fatally shot in mid-April that year, while journalist Ricot Jean was found dead later that month. In July, former Prime Minister Garry Conille visited the Hospital of the State University of Haiti, more widely known as the General Hospital, after authorities regained control of it from gangs. The hospital had been left ravaged and strewn with debris. Walls and nearby buildings were riddled with bullet holes, signaling fights between police and gangs. The hospital is across the street from the national palace, the scene of several battles in recent months. Gang attacks have pushed Haiti’s health system to the brink of collapse with looting, setting fires, and destroying medical institutions and pharmacies in the capital. The violence has created a surge in patients and a shortage of resources to treat them. Haiti’s health care system faces additional challenges during the rainy season, which is likely to increase the risk of water-borne diseases. Poor conditions in camps and makeshift settlements have heightened the risk of diseases like cholera, with over 84,000 suspected cases in the country, according to UNICEF. Follow AP’s coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-americaNot only was he one of the best players on the roster for the Los Angeles Dodgers during their World Series run, but Kiké Hernández is also a fan favorite. From his play and heroics on the field, to his passion for the game, to his hilarious post-game interviews, Kiké is a player that fans want to see retained by the Dodgers. He, along with Teoscar Hernández and Blake Treinen are likely candidates to get re-signed, but nothing is a certainty. This most likely means nothing, perhaps (and hopefully) just boredom, but Hernández just posted this to his Instagram story . Kiké Hernández Cryptic Post Signal To Los Angeles Dodgers ? If Hernández were to sign with a team other than the Dodgers, there are two teams that would break the hearts of fans: the San Francisco Giants and the Houston Astros. The 33-year-old utility man was drafted by the Astros in 2014, so perhaps he is just paying homage to the team that started his career. Or has he been in talks with the ‘Stros and contemplating a return to where it began? Also Read: Insider Gives Promising Los Angeles Dodgers Update On Roki Sasaki Or maybe he is trying to push Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman to get a deal done ASAP. Either way, we stand with everyone in hoping Hernández does not sign with the Houston Astros. This article first appeared on LAFB Network and was syndicated with permission.

Drones over US show gaps in airspace security, says top Trump adviser

Washington State University Vancouver students will soon transform a local art installation into an interactive educational experience, bridging the gap between art, technology and language at the Woodland Community Library . Suspended above the children’s room in the Woodland Community Library is “Phonic Bloom,” an art installation created by Portland-based studio Superfab. This piece repurposed recycled books into a vibrant hanging garden, visually symbolizing the sounds of the International Phonetic Alphabet. Each color-coded bloom represents syllables common to local languages: red for English, yellow for Spanish and blue for Salish — the language spoken by the Cowlitz Tribe for thousands of years. The installation was developed in collaboration with Portland State University linguist Janet Tom Cowell, who worked with Superfab to highlight the shared phonetic elements across these languages. Washington State University Vancouver student and experience team lead James Lesperance showcases a prototype for an app designed to bring an art installation to life through augmented reality during a presentation at WSU Vancouver on Wednesday, Dec. 11. The app allows visitors to interact with an art piece called “Phonic Bloom” at the Woodland library, providing a deeper understanding of phonics in multiple languages. This “data sculpture,” as WSU professor and Digital Technology and Culture lead Dene Grigar explained, presented a special opportunity for her students — developing an augmented reality mobile app to teach visitors about phonics using the installation. Augmented reality uses technology to blend digital content with the real world. The WSU students' app brings “Phonic Bloom” to life similar to the popular mobile app “Pokémon Go.” Visitors can point their phones at the sculpture to see a digital recreation of the garden appear on their screens. Guided by “Bea,” a friendly bee mascot voiced by design team member Bea Calces, users can interact with virtual blooms to learn about the corresponding phonetic sounds. The app features audio and visual representations, including animations of the human vocal system producing sounds like “la” and “shaw.” Mailei Brodniak, the student project manager, described their mission as developing and promoting a mobile app to educate young audiences about phonics. The task came with a steep learning curve, as the team first had to familiarize themselves with the intricacies of phonics before beginning. The students had 16 weeks — one semester — to complete their work. “We had the job of taking that sculpture and then bringing it down to our level and making it so that people from children to families could interact with it and actually understand what it’s saying,” Brodniak said Each year, Digital Technology and Culture students are tasked with a 16-week project using their skillsets to showcase their work on resumes or portfolios. The students learn a variety of skills ranging from videography to game design, choosing one category to be their “superpower.” Their main chosen skill is their focus for the senior project, giving students a chance to add to their portfolio before graduation. “The senior seminar is like a finishing school slash boot camp ... getting them to polish themselves, refine their skills and begin to feel confident so they can have a successful interview. It’s about turning out successful thinkers, makers and doers,” Grigar said. The senior seminar split its 18 students into four teams: • A design team, which conceptualized the app’s appearance and functionality • An experience team, which developed the app, implementing its interactive features • A web development team, which created a complementary website detailing the project’s history and features. • A social media team, which promoted the project across social media The design and experience teams crafted 15 unique 3D models, 26 animations and 20 audio components, supported by over 2,000 lines of code for the project. Student Evan Leyden took on the intricate task of animating a realistic depiction of human vocal anatomy for the app. “I spent over 12 hours just researching the kinematics of how we actually move everything inside our mouth to make sure that the animation was accurate, as well as looking for just the right [animation] plug-in [so] this [Magnetic Resonance Imaging] has fully articulated lips, tongue, velum, jaw and larynx,” Leyden said. The web development team supplemented the app with an interactive website, featuring an interactive phonetic chart and resources about the installation. Meanwhile, the social media team chronicled the project’s development across Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn, garnering over 200,000 views and 2,000 engagements. In a Dec. 11 presentation at WSU Vancouver, students demonstrated the fully functional mobile app as attendees watched the interactive experience. Brodniak emphasized the teamwork that was key to the project’s success. “The thing I’m most proud of is how everyone just came together. Everyone communicated so well, and everyone was so friendly with each other. There’s a lot of unity, which you would hope for since we’re making a project about community, but we were able to foster one,” She said. As part of their coursework, each student incorporated their contributions into their resumés and portfolios, participating in mock interviews with local employers. Brodniak, who also worked on the social media team, plans to pursue roles in social media or project management. “This experience gave me a lot of confidence in being a project manager, so I wouldn’t be opposed to working in the management side of things either,” she added. “There is so much here that we created and that we can bring with us moving forward into the career space.” The Phonic Bloom app will launch by the end of 2024. Readers can download the app and learn more about the project at dtc-wsuv.org/projects/phonic-bloom/index.html . The Phonic Bloom art piece can be found at the Woodland Community Library, which is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday at 411 Lakeshore Dr. Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox.

After weeks of fear and bewilderment about the drones buzzing over parts of New York and New Jersey , U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer is urging the federal government to deploy better drone-tracking technology to identify and ultimately stop the airborne pests. The New York Democrat is calling on the Department of Homeland Security to immediately deploy special technology that identifies and tracks drones back to their landing spots, according to briefings from his office. Schumer’s calls come amid growing public concern that the federal government hasn’t offered clear explanations as to who is operating the drones, and has not stopped them. National security officials have said the drones don’t appear to be a sign of foreign interference. “There’s a lot of us who are pretty frustrated right now,” said Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, on Fox News Sunday. “The answer ‘We don’t know’ is not a good enough answer.” President-elect Donald Trump posted on social media last week: “Can this really be happening without our government’s knowledge? I don’t think so. Let the public know, and now. Otherwise, shoot them down.” Certain agencies within the Department of Homeland Security have the power to “incapacitate” drones, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas told ABC’s George Stephanopoulos on Sunday. “But we need those authorities expanded,” he said, without saying exactly how. The drones don’t appear to be linked to foreign governments, Mayorkas said. “We know of no foreign involvement with respect to the sightings in the Northeast. And we are vigilant in investigating this matter,” Mayorkas said. Last year, federal aviation rules began requiring certain drones to broadcast their identities. It’s not clear whether that information has been used to determine who is operating the drones swarming locations in New York and New Jersey. Mayorkas’ office didn’t immediately respond to questions about whether they’ve been able to identify drones using this capability. Schumer is calling for recently declassified radar technology to be used to help determine whether an object is a drone or a bird, identify its electronic registration, and follow it back to its landing place. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Sunday said federal officials were sending a drone detection system to the state. “This system will support state and federal law enforcement in their investigations,” Hochul said in a statement. The governor did not immediately provide additional details, including where the system will be deployed. Dozens of mysterious nighttime flights started last month over New Jersey, raising concerns among residents and officials. Part of the worry stems from the flying objects initially being spotted near the Picatinny Arsenal, a U.S. military research and manufacturing facility and over Trump’s golf course in Bedminster. Drones are legal in New Jersey for recreational and commercial use, but they are subject to local and Federal Aviation Administration regulations and flight restrictions. Operators must be FAA certified.Key Takeaways They say great minds think alike — or maybe they land on similar ideas because they are observing the same world all around them. Every year, as my team and I curate the absolute best books of the year, we discover some themes across the 1000-plus submissions we consider. We call them themes — and they reflect a combination of the cultural zeitgeist of what's happening in business today and the hot topics on the minds of entrepreneurs and business professionals right now. Among books published this year, we read about the importance of calm and overcoming anxiety, climate solutions, putting generosity first, reevaluating the human condition in an age of AI, the power of quiet leadership and many more. Read on to see the trends we spotted and some of our thoughts on how they might be relevant for you as we head into 2025 and beyond. Related: 6 Books to Help You Keep Your New Years Resolution 1. Calming anxiety and burnout After a divisive election year, a rise in anxiety and growing awareness of mental health at work, this year, there has been a slate of books focused on what to do about burnout at work. Some advocated working less, while others focused on productivity hacks . From destressing to conquering anxiety, the idea of calm in work and life became an urgent topic, and this reality was reflected through books aiming to offer desperately needed help. 2. Math mindedness Can math explain the world? This year, math minds took center stage to offer perspectives on everything from how AI actually works to how it powers the most popular games in the world. Geography, geometry, statistics and even models of thinking got the numbers treatment as this group of books put math back into the spotlight and argued that understanding the world, making new friends and shifting our perspective all come down to better understanding math. 3. Good aging If longevity exploded in 2023, then this year offers a correction to books focusing on how we live instead of just techniques for living longer . Alongside the longevity topic, many new books this year shifted to offering insights on how to be old successfully. From loving mid-life to living a wonderous life of purpose, the new theme around aging seems to be enjoying the time you have, whether it lasts a century or less. 4. Rethinking higher education As the workplace shifts and the costs of higher education continue to spark debate, a range of books this year offered either a commentary on the higher education experience or a suggestion for a compelling alternative to the traditional four-year college experience. As more young people consider alternative paths to success, the college question is accelerating and will likely spark much more continuing dissent and conversation over the coming year and beyond. 5. Generosity first Perhaps in response to a world that feels as though it rewards toxicity, several books this year put generosity and the idea of generous leadership front and center. Fostering a friendly team dynamic, maintaining hope instead of becoming cynical and living life by giving more back were all key themes that stood out this year as authors offered a more optimistic prescription for how to live and work that reminded us about the too easily forgotten power of actually caring for one another and why doing it may be the key to prosperity and happiness. 6. Saving humanity Last year, the big theme with AI-focused books was all about designing AI in more human ways and reducing bias or other potential issues with the technology as it gains widespread adoption. This year, that trend continued, but many books took a decidedly more philosophical turn as they pondered human existence in a world ruled by AI. Will we exist or be necessary? Is our demise inevitable? As we live through a new technology age, these questions have received a renewed sense of urgency and attention as many books have helped reimagine what it will mean to be human in an increasingly automated future. Related: 5 Books That Paved My Path to Entrepreneurial Success 7. The female lens For the past several years, there has been a growing number of writers turning their attention to the previously neglected female perspective on many different topics. This year, that feminine lens focused on the history of women on Wall Street, memoirs from female trailblazers like Connie Chung, female-first branding techniques, and the exploration of women's role in creating the crossword puzzle. Along with offering a gendered correction to decades of male-centered perspectives on history, this new range of books provides the stories of previously neglected female heroines from history who deserve to be remembered. 8. Finding purpose T his year, a big topic for many books focused on finding your passion and purpose. Rather than living a rudderless life, people of all ages are seeing reminders of living a life with purpose and leaving a legacy they can be proud of. Whether it was finding your passion or avoiding despair (seasonal, political, environmental or otherwise), these hopeful books offered to help you rediscover your purpose and to live it more intentionally every day. 9. Climate solutionism In past years, many books about global warming and climate change both chronicled the problem as well as aimed to offer legislative or advocacy solutions. This year, a new perspective emerged regarding "solutionism." In other words, many books provided the prescription for us actually to fix some of the human-created global environmental problems. At least this positivity focuses on what to do next instead of dissecting and assigning blame for how we got here. 10. The citizenship imperative After a contentious election season , several books this past year aimed to help Americans rediscover their democracy and what it means to be citizens. From teaching young people about the latter to explaining topics like migration or free speech to more controversial calls to overhaul and rethink the Constitution itself, the idea that we all need to better understand and perhaps reimagine the fundamental beliefs of our government was a timely and urgent focus of many titles this past year. 11. Quiet leadership In what might seem like the ultimate irony, several counterintuitive books this year focused on the quieter side of leadership. From embracing silence to increasing cultural intelligence and focusing on the softer side of management, the conclusion seemed to be that the noisier the world gets, the more effective leaders who buck this trend and embrace their quiet side might actually be. 12. The friendship antidote A year ago, a range of books explored the loneliness epidemic and offered a dire warning of the negative health and emotional effects of isolation. This year, the antidote took the main stage in the form of encouraging people to forge and solidify more friendships. These books offered encouragement, tactics and perhaps most importantly, a reminder that having strong friendships requires investing the time to make them work.President-elect Donald Trump will be inaugurated on Monday, Jan. 20 — an event that’s been in the works since before voters even filled out their ballots. Trump’s swearing-in is slated to take place on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol. The inauguration is put on by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies , a bipartisan group tasked with planning and executing the inauguration. But the Presidential Inaugural Committee , formed after the November election, is responsible for the parade, galas and other events inauguration events not held at the Capitol. While the inauguration is open to the public, tickets are required to attend. And for that, those interested in attending the swearing-in of Trump and his vice president, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, will need to turn to their U.S. senator or congressional representative. Many elected officials, including California Sen. Alex Padilla, already have forms on their official websites for those who wish to attend. Those interested must include their name, address, email, phone number and the amount of tickets requested. Padilla’s office said it “will offer a limited number of tickets when those become available.” Californians can also request tickets from their congressional representative, many who have similar forms on their respective government websites as well as other information about the tickets. Rep. Young Kim, for instance, noted on her website that tickets just provide access to the swearing-in ceremonies. Tickets to balls and the parade are handled by the Presidential Inaugural Committee, her website said. No tickets are needed to view the inaugural parade from open locations along the route. Tickets to the swearing-in are limited, it said, and those who do not receive tickets could still watch the proceedings played on monitors along the National Mall. “January is historically cold and wet. Crowds will be very large, and you will be in the cold for several hours during the inauguration ceremony,” Kim’s website advised. “Be prepared to arrive for the ceremony early to take into consideration delays due to the large crowds.” Kim represents California’s 40th congressional district, which includes western San Bernardino and Riverside counties and eastern Orange County. Local or state Republican parties do not distribute tickets to the inauguration.Saint Nick-Mas: 10 Best Nickelodeon Holiday Specials, Ranked

Tractor Supply Co. stock underperforms Thursday when compared to competitorsBy SAMANTHA CHRISTMANN Dec. 2, 2024 A view of a jewelry advent calendar with several suggested included pieces at Ben Garelick Jewelers in Clarence. Counting down with diamonds And you thought you were living it up with your cheese-a-day calendar from Aldi. A new 12-day advent calendar from Ben Garelick Jewelers on Transit Road in Clarence is set to put all others to shame this Christmas. It's a jewelry advent calendar, which counts down the days to Christmas with a different gift of jewelry each day, leading up to an engagement ring on Christmas. The cost: A mere $48,000. But take heart. If you don't have a would-be fiance, you can get a discount. A view of a jewelry advent calendar with a suggested included ring at Ben Garelick Jewelers in Clarence. Advent calendar givers don't have to include an engagement ring, but those who opt to propose can choose one of three 1.5-carat rings valued at up to $12,000. The buyer can choose from yellow, rose or white gold jewelry. Other boxes in the calendar contain baubles such as rings, necklaces and bracelets, including a Simon G. Pave Bar Diamond Bracelet worth $5,940, and a Gabriel & Co. High Polished Chain Link Ring worth $1,125. Peter Manka and Jennifer Radecki stand for a portrait with a jewelry advent calendar. Christmas is one of the most popular times of the year to propose, owner Peter Manka said. “This is the ultimate way to surprise the love of your life,” he said. “Each day builds excitement, and with the option of an engagement ring on the final day, it turns the holiday season into a once-in-a-lifetime event.” Welcome to Buffalo Next. This newsletter from The Buffalo News will bring you the latest coverage on the changing Buffalo Niagara economy – from real estate to health care to startups. Read more at BuffaloNext.com . The BFLO Store is expanding to The Boulevard in Amherst. The BFLO Store opens at The Boulevard The BFLO Store has opened its latest location in the former Bed, Bath & Beyond store at the Boulevard retail center on Niagara Falls Boulevard in Amherst. The store has a three-month lease. It is the company's fourth store, after those in the McKinley Mall, Transitown Plaza and Walden Galleria. The BFLO store sells Buffalo-themed merchandise, including official merchandise from the Buffalo Bills football team and the Buffalo Sabres hockey team. The Botanist closes The Botanist, a New York City-based medical marijuana dispensary at 192 Seneca St., has closed. It was among the first places consumers in the Buffalo area could legally buy cannabis – before recreational cannabis was legalized in New York – as long as customers had a legally-issued medical marijuana card. The Botanist closure follows that of MedMen, another medical marijuana dispensary that was evicted from its East Amherst location in August after its California parent declared bankruptcy. Medical marijuana providers without recreational licenses have said they've suffered as both the licensed and unlicensed adult-use market have prospered, allowing patients who use cannabis to buy the product elsewhere. Applebee's to close in Amherst Applebee's Grill and Bar will close its restaurant at 1641 Niagara Falls Blvd. in Amherst in February. Applebee's, owned by California-based Dine Brands, had a disappointing third quarter, with sales declining by 5.9%. The company cited lower-income consumers who are pulling back on discretionary spending. “What we’re seeing is a very promotion-driven environment, right now, and a lot of ‘noise’ for consumers to sort through,” said John Peyton, Dine Brands CEO. Big Lots closes Big Lots has closed its store at 2276 Delaware Ave. near Linden Avenue as it reduces its footprint and winds its way through bankruptcy. As part of the effort, Big Lots is closing more than 550 stores. The off-price retailer has received court approval to sell its assets and ongoing business operations to an affiliate of California-based Nexus Capital Management. The transaction is expected to be complete in early December. Señor Leon opens at Walden Galleria Señor Leon Mexican Cantina and Grill has opened at the Walden Galleria in a 5,000-square-foot space on the upper level near Macy's and J.C. Penney. The restaurant makes traditional Mexican cuisine, such as burritos, enchiladas, tacos, quesadillas and desserts, as well as dishes from Southern Mexico, such as chicken mole poblano, chochinita pibil and chile rellenos. Señor Leon sources everything as locally as possible, from its ingredients to its furniture. It is the restaurant's third location, after Batavia and Niagara Falls. The Bank in East Aurora gets new owners Carner Development Group has acquired The Bank, a boutique hotel and event venue in East Aurora. The Bank was built in 1923 and has been redesigned to host weddings, showers, corporate gatherings and other social events. It has a caterer's kitchen, bridal suite, courtyard, private parking and seven hotel rooms themed after 1920s bank robbers, such as John Dillinger. “This acquisition aligns with our vision to develop and manage exceptional venues that combine historical charm with modern luxury," said Rachel Krajewski, president of CDG. "The Bank’s distinctive style and prime location make it an ideal addition to the CDG family.” All reservations made under the previous ownership will be honored, and the transition will be "seamless," CDG said. Someone from the company will reach out to clients with existing bookings, it said. THE LATEST Developer Doug Jemal is tweaking the design of his project at Elmwood and Bidwell avenues. The snow put a damper on holiday shopping in the Southtowns. It's not like the old days, but some hardy souls were out in the darkness to start their Black Friday shopping . Two of Buffalo's top development officials have been ousted . New solar project starts construction in Great Valley. Scanlon, Poloncarz criticize land bank for delays and cost of homes on projects in Buffalo and Cheektowaga. How do the Bills believe they will ever get to the more than 5,000 potential season ticket holder accounts on their waitlist for the new stadium and why advertise for more of them? Developers battle over Tonawanda Island site but sewer capacity may hinder projects. What went wrong at Tonawanda's Sumitomo tire plant ? And why did Sumitomo's Japan-based parent decide to pull the plug now? Work has begun on venture studio built to fill void in Buffalo's entrepreneurial space . Artisans report as much as 50% of their annual revenue comes from the holiday shopping season. ICYMI Five reads from Buffalo Next: 1. Locally owned stores are pulling out all the stops to attract customers who may otherwise be lured in by the convenience of major retailers and online shopping. 2. The Buffalo Center for Arts & Technology has expanded in his mission to help local adults and teens pursue successful careers. 3. Get the story behind Evans Bank's hunt for a merger , which ended with the Amherst-based bank's acquisition by NBT Bank. 4. Buffalo officials are considering whether to impose more restrictions on short-term rentals. 5. How retailers try to entice shoppers to do their holiday buying early . The Buffalo Next team gives you the big picture on the region’s economic revitalization. Email tips to buffalonext@buffnews.com or reach Buffalo Next Editor David Robinson at 716-849-4435. Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up to get the latest in your inbox five days a week . Email tips to buffalonext@buffnews.com . Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!Most people associate AI investing with semiconductors like Nvidia Corp . NVDA or cloud giants like Microsoft Corp. MSFT . But beneath the surface, there's a less obvious story: the immense power required to support this innovation. As U.S. power demand is projected to surge at an annual rate of 2.5%, a $7 trillion investment windfall is on the horizon fueled by the sweeping infrastructure overhaul required to sustain AI breakthroughs, digital asset mining, and next-generation mobility innovations. In an exclusive interview with Benzinga on Thursday, Maurits Pot , CEO and co-founder of Tema ETFs, introduced the newly launched Tema Electrification ETF VOLT , the world's first fund dedicated to the infrastructure powering modern technology. Why Power Demand Is Surging The U.S. power grid has been largely neglected for decades, but the electrification era is creating a surge in electricity consumption that hasn't been seen since the 1990s. Several megatrends are at play: AI is energy-hungry: AI data centers consume seven times more power than traditional facilities, according to Tema ETFs. With generative AI and machine learning applications proliferating, power requirements are expected to soar. Aging infrastructure: Approximately 70% of U.S. transmission and distribution (T&D) lines are over 25 years old—past their recommended lifespan. Without upgrades, the grid may be unable to meet demand. Supply deficits are coming: The U.S. could face a 40 gigawatt power shortfall by 2030, equivalent to 40 nuclear plants or 100 gas-fired turbines. “We think this electrification trend is massive,” Pot said, adding, “the opportunity lies on the expansion of power capacity needed to meet rising demand for AI, mobility and other things.” What Sets VOLT Apart? Pot explained that VOLT is the first ETF to span the full electrification value chain, offering exposure to companies across five categories: generation, transmission, grid equipment, electrification services, and applications. Here's a closer look at some of the key names in the portfolio: Category Portfolio Holding Investment Rationale Generation GE Vernova Inc. GEV The U.S.'s largest manufacturer of gas turbines is sold out until 2028. Transmission Nexans Supplies high-voltage cables to modernize aging T&D lines in the U.S. Grid Equipment Hubbell Inc. HUBB Builds critical electrical grid infrastructure expected to grow at 2x GDP. Electrification Services Quanta Services Inc. PWR Modernizes grid networks and connects new energy sources to the system. Applications Vertiv Holdings LLC VRT Produces data center cooling systems, with the market growing 13–15% annually. Bitcoin, Crypto And the Hidden Digital Asset Demand Story According to Pot, the growth of the digital asset industry is an underrated source of upside risks to U.S. power demand needs in the upcoming years. “ Bitcoin BTC/USD mining is very energy intensive,” Pot stated. Current VOLT Portfolio Positioning Here's a breakdown of the fund's current portfolio positioning as of Dec. 4, 2024: Regional Exposure: North America dominates the portfolio with 80.91% allocation, while Europe accounts for 16.57% of the exposure. Market Cap Breakdown: The portfolio focuses on large-cap companies, which comprise 64.80% of the holdings, followed by mid-cap companies at 24.54%. Small-cap stocks represent 8.14% of the fund. There are no mega-cap stocks, defined as those with a market capitalization of over $200 billion. Power Allocation: Power Generation accounts for 23.55%, split into conventional energy at 12.85% and renewables at 10.70%. Grid Management is the largest allocation at 44.39%, including 24.53% for “before the meter” infrastructure and 19.86% for “after the meter” services. End-Use Applications make up 29.54%, further divided into 13.15% for products and 16.39% for services. Top 10 Holdings Company % of NAV Bel Fuse, Inc. BELB 5.10% Nexans SA 5.08% GE Vernova, Inc. 5.03% Hubbell, Inc. 5.01% Quanta Services, Inc. 4.88% Powell Industries, Inc. POWL 4.15% Vertiv Holdings Co. VRT 4.09% ABB Ltd . ABB 4.05% Schneider Electric SE SU 4.04% Eaton Corp. PLC ETN 4.03% Read Next: Tesla’s Path To $400: Bank Of America Highlights EV, AI Growth Image created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

National League club confirm appointment of new manager

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The right frame can freeze a moment in time, creating meaning for the masses from a fist pump over a bloodied ear , a bridge crumbled by a ship , towns shredded by nature , and a victory sealed with an on-field kiss . In 2024, photographers across the U.S. captured glimpses of humanity, ranging from a deeply divisive presidential election , to hurricanes and fires that ravaged communities, to campus protests over the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. The gallery from The Associated Press illustrates a new chapter of political history — the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump , the moment President Joe Biden announced he would no longer run again , the campaign sprint by Vice President Kamala Harris in Biden’s place, and the raw emotion from voters during a grueling contest ultimately won by Trump . Hurricanes whipped through the country with devastating imagery, leaving a path of wreckage and death from Florida to Appalachia . After Hurricane Helene , Lake Lure in North Carolina was shown in a jarring photo covered in shards of debris thick enough to hide the surface of the water. Hurricane Milton ripped apart the roof of Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, home to Major League Baseball’s Tampa Bay Rays. The scale of destruction experienced in some corners of the country in 2024 was hard to capture and might have been harder to fathom. That was the case when a container ship slammed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, causing it to collapse and crumple around the vessel, killing construction workers on the bridge. As flames torched the landscape in California , another image captured firefighters and sheriff’s deputies pushing a vintage car away from a burning home. Elsewhere in California , one photo is aglow with bright orange flames, broken up only by the subtle features of an animal running through them. But hope also persevered in the face of devastation. In Helene’s aftermath , an image from Crystal River, Florida, shows Dustin Holmes holding hands with his girlfriend, Hailey Morgan, as they sloshed through floodwaters with her 4- and 7-year-old children to return to their flooded home. And in Manasota Key, Florida, a family was lit up by the glow of flashlights as they walked to check on their home damaged by Milton. Other photos from 2024 also grabbed the darkness and shadows to emphasize light: among them, a rocket liftoff and a total solar eclipse . And, yes, eclipse glasses were back in style for a shared moment of skygazing. But many other photos delivered a blast of color, from the spectrum of the northern lights across a Maine sky to a crew of workers wading into the deep-red of a Massachusetts cranberry bog . And, once again, Taylor Swift captured the country’s attention, even as a part of the crowd. She rushed down from the stands to kiss her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, after the Chiefs won the AFC Championship , en route to another Super Bowl win.