As the horsepower war between automakers in the 1960s forged the Muscle Car era, the need to deliver increased fuel to V8 combustion chambers became evident to engine designers. But without enough oxygen, pumping more fuel into the intake just led to fuel-rich conditions and fouled spark plugs. Engineers formed different strategies to get more air into, and out of, an engine's cylinders. Some used hemispherical combustion chambers, known as Hemi engines , that allowed the use of larger intake and exhaust valves due to the raised chamber's increased surface area. Others employed similar designs, such as the Ford Boss 429 . Pontiac increased air flow to its V8 engines with Ram Air technology. The Pontiac Ram Air V8 ranks among the most iconic engines from the golden era of muscle cars . Pontiac improved its Ram Air engine lineup over several iterations, culminating with the Ram Air V –- its name shortened to RA V in some circles -– in 1969. Its performance potential is legendary, a status no doubt fueled by its rarity. Since the Ram Air V was developed to support Pontiac's racing initiatives, it saw limited production to meet required homologation rules. Pontiac Ram Air V production ceased after SCCA rule changes in 1970, which coincided with General Motors moving away from its focus on muscle cars. Pontiac produced Ram Air V components for engine displacements such as 303-cubic-inches for SCCA competition, 366-cubic-inches for NASCAR, 400-cubic-inches planned for production GTOs and Firebirds, and 428-cubic-inches for NHRA drag racing. The plan was to build enough Ram Air V cars to satisfy the SCCA's homologation rules, designed to ensure a desired level of production car status for the cars that competed in the series. The idea was to prevent the teams with the most money from winning all of the races. The Ram Air V design received its first blow when the SCCA changed its rules for the 1970 racing season. At the same time, one of the main suppliers for parts on the engine went under, making production more difficult. However, the Ram Air V met its ultimate demise in the boardroom, where GM executives decided its fate with little concern for people's feelings. As rising gasoline prices and stricter emissions standards throttled the golden age of the muscle car, GM went all in on the Chevrolet Corvette and had little appetite for developing a Pontiac to compete with it. The main difference between the Pontiac Ram Air V and other small block GM iterations, including previous Ram Air versions and the notorious small block Chevy, was the complete redesign of the cylinder heads. Previous V8 small block engines from GM, such as the Pontiac 350 and Chevy 350 , use cylinder heads with the valves arranged so that the two inboard cylinders have exhaust valves and ports located next to each other. Most small block GM heads at the time had rectangular or D-shaped intake and exhaust ports, although some high performance versions featured round ports. Pontiac, perhaps inspired by Ford's Tunnel Port cylinder head design, rearranged the valve layout in the Ram Air V heads, swapping the two inboard cylinders to put the intake valves, not exhaust, in close proximity. The new arrangement allowed for larger valves and more exhaust flow. It also required passing pushrods through the intake ports. A late 1960s or early 1970s Firebird or GTO with the Ram Air V engine would be a welcome addition to any collector's garage. However, it may not be the best choice for driving around town. While it could be driven on the street, the Ram Air V was designed for high rpm performance — not an endearing trait for a daily driver. While the 428-cubic-inch Ram Air V could produce acceptable low rpm torque with the free-flowing design due to the sheer volume of air it moves at idle, smaller Ram Air V engines could not. An engine needs some velocity to its airflow to carry the air-fuel mixture into its cylinders. Try blowing out a candle with your lips pursed as you normally would, compared to blowing it out with your mouth wide open. Another aspect of Pontiac's Ram Air system that we haven't discussed is the functional hood scoop. Before the Ram Air V came along, that was the major upgrade provided by the Ram Air option. The increased airflow provided through the hood scoop was a key element to the Ram Air V system's performance.A Burnaby currency exchange is suing a former employee for allegedly defrauding the company of more than $4.4 million over several years. Crystal Currency Exchange Inc. at Crystal Mall provides foreign currency exchange services and helps Canadian customers send money to China. The company launched a civil suit against ex-employee Dan Qing Wang (also known as Lisa Wang) and her mother Pu Wang in March 2022. In January 2022, the company had identified a transaction on its daily ledger that hadn’t been authorized and didn’t match any of its known customers, according to . Wang, who initiated and completed the transaction, told the company it had been a "mistake" and that she had also accidentally deleted all the records and emails associated with it, according to the claim. Wang paid back the funds (42,000 Chinese renminbi – or yuan – just over $8,110 today), left the company, and moved back to China. An internal investigation then revealed hundreds of unauthorized transactions over many years, all completed on days Wang was working and signed off on the ledger, according to court documents. As of October, the company said it has discovered 457 such unauthorized transactions totalling nearly 24 million renminbi ($4.4 million). "Only Ms. Wang knows the full extent of her actions," states Crystal Currency's notice of civil claim. The company says it doesn't know the full particulars of Wang's scheme but claims she used the unauthorized transactions to funnel money into accounts she had set up in China and then covered her tracks during the reconciliation process. Wang denies the Crystal Currency's claims. In , she says she mistakenly sent the January 2022 transaction to someone she believed to have been a past client of Crystal Currency in China. She says she agreed to repay the money herself right away and recover it later from the Chinese client, but Crystal Currency refused to give her access to its previous client information. Wang denies any allegations of misappropriating funds from Crystal Currency and says there were five other people besides her responsible for outbound transactions at various times. Wang says the reason she stopped working for Crystal Currency in January 2022 was because the company had directed her to do things she disagreed with and that might have been illegal, including not reporting certain clients and their transactions to FINTRAC (Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada) when they should have been reported and signing off on a transaction on which her boss, Angelyna Shi, had forged a client's signature. Wang claims Shi also compelled her to impersonate her during phone calls to Canadian banks regarding Shi's personal accounts because Shi didn't speak fluent English. Wang says she complied in order to keep her job. In its response, the company denies Shi compelled Wang to impersonate her, saying instead that Shi sometimes asked employees to translate for her when she was talking to Canadian banks. Crystal Currency has successfully applied to have assets belonging to Wang and her mother frozen, including a in Burnaby. Crystal Currency says Wang and her mother had jointly owned the house before May 2016, at which time Wang and her mother transferred full ownership to Wang. One week after being asked about the unauthorized transaction in January 2022, however, Wang transferred full ownership of the house into her mother's name for "$1.00 and natural love and affection," according to the civil claim. Crystal Currency claims the move was designed to "defeat, delay, hinder, prejudice, or defraud" Wang's creditors, including Crystal Currency, of their "just and lawful remedies" against her and her property. But Wang says she had only ever held legal title on the property while her mother retained 100 per cent beneficial interest. She says her mother had never intended to gift the house to her, and Wang transferred the title back to her in January 2022 at her request. In , Pu Wang says she never intended to transfer the property to her daughter as an outright gift and that her daughter had made no payment or contribution to the acquisition, maintenance, upkeep, property tax or mortgage of the property. Crystal Currency rejected those claims, saying in its reply that Wang had contributed to the Burns Place property and contributed misappropriated funds to two other properties bought by her mother as well: a and a . Crystal Currency is suing Wang and her mother for the return of the alleged misappropriated funds and any profit made on them as well as damages, special damages and punitive damages. It is also asking for a slew of orders and declarations related to their assets. The company claims Wang breached her employment contract, defrauded the company and was unjustly enriched. None of the claims made by the company, Wang or her mother has been tested in court. A 23-day trial is scheduled starting April 14.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — An Indianapolis church is hosting a special wedding day for LGBTQ+ and immigrant couples hoping to tie the knot before the new year. LGBTQ+ and immigrant couples in Indianapolis fear that marriage equality or immigration laws could be reversed once President-elect Donald Trump is inaugurated on Jan. 20. The Rev. Katie Romano Griffin of All Souls Unitarian Church said Thursday, “There’s a lot of concerns about marriages being nullified, and there’s big concerns in the queer community of that people won’t be able to get married anymore so maybe some folks will get grandfathered in but new marriages won’t be able to happen. There’s so much stress and so much uncertainty.” That’s why the city’s oldest Unitarian church on East 56th Street will have short ceremonies on Saturday to support those communities. “We’re super-excited about that. We’re going to be here from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with three ministers here to support in English, Spanish and French.” Reservations are required, and each couple needs to present a marriage certificate and individual photo IDs. They are welcome to bring a videographer as well as a small group of supportive friends and family. Griffin says the weddings include free professional hairstyling and makeup, a commemorative photo, and a reception for friends and family. “We are going to have a dance party in our social hall. We have food. We have a member who is a professional caterer who is getting the food together, and a friend of hers is baking a wedding cake.” As Griffin sees it, it’s important to actively pursue justice and spiritual growth for people who live in Indiana through worship, collaboration and outreach. “To be able to create a space of love and joy and acceptance, to bring community together and communities together from different parts of Indiana is an act of faithful resistance.”

WASHINGTON — There's a common trait that President-elect Donald Trump is clearly prizing as he selects those to serve in his new administration: experience on television. Rep. Sean Duffy, R-Wis., speaks during a hearing July 18, 2018, on Capitol Hill in Washington. President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Duffy to be Transportation Secretary. Trump loves that "central casting" look, as he likes to call it. Some, like his choices for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, and transportation secretary, Sean Duffy, were until recently TV hosts on Trump's favorite network, Fox News. Mike Huckabee, his pick for U.S. ambassador to Israel, hosted the Fox show “Huckabee” from 2008 to 2015 after his time as Arkansas governor. Dr. Mehmet Oz, a former syndicated talk show host and heart surgeon, was tapped to head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the agency that oversees health insurance programs for millions of older, poor and disabled Americans. He would report to Trump's choice for health and human services secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., himself a regular on the cable news circuit. Mehmet Oz visits the AW Driving School & License Testing Center on Sept. 23, 2022, in Allentown, Pa. Trump, a former reality television star himself, has made no secret of his intention to stack his administration with loyalists after his decisive 2024 election win — including some whose lack of relevant experience has raised concerns among lawmakers. But he's also working to set up a more forceful administration in this term, and in his eyes, many of those people happen to intersect with celebrity. The trend was not lost on Democratic Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut, who posted on social media after the Oz nomination: “We are becoming the world’s first nuclear-armed reality television show.” For good measure, Himes added: “Just spitballing here, but what if the Attorney General and the Secretary of HHS fight each other in an octagonal cage?” That was a reference to Trump's affinity for the UFC fighters who do battle in the octagon. Choosing TV personalities isn't that unusual for the once-and-future president: A number of his first-term choices — John Bolton, Larry Kudlow, Heather Nauert and Mercedes Schlapp, were all on TV — mostly also on Fox. Omarosa Manigault Newman, a confrontational first-season member of Trump's NBC show “The Apprentice," was briefly at the White House before she was fired. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican who ran Trump’s 2016 transition team until he was fired, said that eight years ago, Trump held “Apprentice-like interviews at Bedminster,” summoning potential hires to his club in New Jersey. On a call on Tuesday organized by the Council on Foreign Relations, Christie said this year’s Cabinet choices are different than 2016’s but it’s still “Donald Trump casting a TV show.” “He’s casting,” Christie said. Trump has readily highlighted the media experience of his choices as he's announced them. He said Duffy, a former lawmaker and onetime cast member of MTV’s “The Real World," was “a STAR on Fox News.” Pete Hegseth walks to an elevator for a meeting with President-elect Donald Trump at Trump Tower on Dec. 15, 2016, in New York. Hegseth, a military veteran, “has been a host at FOX News for eight years, where he used that platform to fight for our Military and Veterans,” Trump said. He also noted that Hegseth's book “The War on Warriors” spent nine weeks on The New York Times “best-sellers list, including two weeks at NUMBER ONE.” As for Oz, Trump said: “He won nine Daytime Emmy Awards hosting ‘The Dr. Oz Show,’ where he taught millions of Americans how to make healthier lifestyle choices." It's also true that those seeking positions in Trump's orbit often take to the airwaves to audition for an audience of one. Tom Homan, Trump's choice for “border czar,” is a frequent Fox contributor. Ohio Sen. JD Vance was chosen as Trump's running mate in part because of how well he comes across on air. Trump's choice to lead the Federal Communications Commission, Brendan Carr, upped his profile when he took to Fox News to argue that a pre-election appearance on NBC's “Saturday Night Live” by Democratic nominee Kamala Harris was a violation of the “equal time” rule governing candidate appearances on television. The White House-to-cable news pundit pipeline tends to cut across administrations of both parties, to some extent. President Joe Biden had three MSNBC contributors on his transition team and his former press secretary went to the network after she left the White House. Biden, though, looked to career diplomats, longtime government workers and military leaders for key posts like the Defense Department. Trump's affinity for Fox News is well-documented, though the romance cooled for a time after Fox made an early call of Arizona for Biden in 2020, a move that infuriated Trump and many of the network’s viewers. Trump suggested viewers should migrate to other conservative news outlets. While the Arizona call ultimately proved correct, it set in motion internal second-guessing and led some Fox personalities to embrace conspiracy theories, which ultimately cost the network $787 million to settle a defamation lawsuit by Dominion Voting Systems. But Trump is still an avid watcher — the network provides Trump a window into conservative thinking, with commentary from Republican lawmakers and thinkers who are, often, speaking directly to the president-elect. Among President-elect Donald Trump's picks are Susie Wiles for chief of staff, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio for secretary of state, former Democratic House member Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence and Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz for attorney general. Susie Wiles, 67, was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 presidential campaign and its de facto manager. Trump named Florida Sen. Marco Rubio to be secretary of state, making a former sharp critic his choice to be the new administration's top diplomat. Rubio, 53, is a noted hawk on China, Cuba and Iran, and was a finalist to be Trump's running mate on the Republican ticket last summer. Rubio is the vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “He will be a strong Advocate for our Nation, a true friend to our Allies, and a fearless Warrior who will never back down to our adversaries,” Trump said of Rubio in a statement. The announcement punctuates the hard pivot Rubio has made with Trump, whom the senator called a “con man" during his unsuccessful campaign for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination. Their relationship improved dramatically while Trump was in the White House. And as Trump campaigned for the presidency a third time, Rubio cheered his proposals. For instance, Rubio, who more than a decade ago helped craft immigration legislation that included a path to citizenship for people in the U.S. illegally, now supports Trump's plan to use the U.S. military for mass deportations. Pete Hegseth, 44, is a co-host of Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends Weekend” and has been a contributor with the network since 2014, where he developed a friendship with Trump, who made regular appearances on the show. Hegseth lacks senior military or national security experience. If confirmed by the Senate, he would inherit the top job during a series of global crises — ranging from Russia’s war in Ukraine and the ongoing attacks in the Middle East by Iranian proxies to the push for a cease-fire between Israel, Hamas and Hezbollah and escalating worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea. Hegseth is also the author of “The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free,” published earlier this year. Trump tapped Pam Bondi, 59, to be attorney general after U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration. She was Florida's first female attorney general, serving between 2011 and 2019. She also was on Trump’s legal team during his first impeachment trial in 2020. Considered a loyalist, she served as part of a Trump-allied outside group that helped lay the groundwork for his future administration called the America First Policy Institute. Bondi was among a group of Republicans who showed up to support Trump at his hush money criminal trial in New York that ended in May with a conviction on 34 felony counts. A fierce defender of Trump, she also frequently appears on Fox News and has been a critic of the criminal cases against him. Trump picked South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, a well-known conservative who faced sharp criticism for telling a story in her memoir about shooting a rambunctious dog, to lead an agency crucial to the president-elect’s hardline immigration agenda. Noem used her two terms leading a tiny state to vault to a prominent position in Republican politics. South Dakota is usually a political afterthought. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, Noem did not order restrictions that other states had issued and instead declared her state “open for business.” Trump held a fireworks rally at Mount Rushmore in July 2020 in one of the first large gatherings of the pandemic. She takes over a department with a sprawling mission. In addition to key immigration agencies, the Department of Homeland Security oversees natural disaster response, the U.S. Secret Service, and Transportation Security Administration agents who work at airports. The governor of North Dakota, who was once little-known outside his state, Burgum is a former Republican presidential primary contender who endorsed Trump, and spent months traveling to drum up support for him, after dropping out of the race. Burgum was a serious contender to be Trump’s vice presidential choice this summer. The two-term governor was seen as a possible pick because of his executive experience and business savvy. Burgum also has close ties to deep-pocketed energy industry CEOs. Trump made the announcement about Burgum joining his incoming administration while addressing a gala at his Mar-a-Lago club, and said a formal statement would be coming the following day. In comments to reporters before Trump took the stage, Burgum said that, in recent years, the power grid is deteriorating in many parts of the country, which he said could raise national security concerns but also drive up prices enough to increase inflation. “There's just a sense of urgency, and a sense of understanding in the Trump administration,” Burgum said. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ran for president as a Democrat, than as an independent, and then endorsed Trump . He's the son of Democratic icon Robert Kennedy, who was assassinated during his own presidential campaign. The nomination of Kennedy to lead the Department of Health and Human Services alarmed people who are concerned about his record of spreading unfounded fears about vaccines . For example, he has long advanced the debunked idea that vaccines cause autism. Scott Bessent, 62, is a former George Soros money manager and an advocate for deficit reduction. He's the founder of hedge fund Key Square Capital Management, after having worked on-and-off for Soros Fund Management since 1991. If confirmed by the Senate, he would be the nation’s first openly gay treasury secretary. He told Bloomberg in August that he decided to join Trump’s campaign in part to attack the mounting U.S. national debt. That would include slashing government programs and other spending. “This election cycle is the last chance for the U.S. to grow our way out of this mountain of debt without becoming a sort of European-style socialist democracy,” he said then. Oregon Republican U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer narrowly lost her reelection bid this month, but received strong backing from union members in her district. As a potential labor secretary, she would oversee the Labor Department’s workforce, its budget and put forth priorities that impact workers’ wages, health and safety, ability to unionize, and employer’s rights to fire employers, among other responsibilities. Chavez-DeRemer is one of few House Republicans to endorse the “Protecting the Right to Organize” or PRO Act would allow more workers to conduct organizing campaigns and would add penalties for companies that violate workers’ rights. The act would also weaken “right-to-work” laws that allow employees in more than half the states to avoid participating in or paying dues to unions that represent workers at their places of employment. Sean Duffy is a former House member from Wisconsin who was one of Trump's most visible defenders on cable news. Duffy served in the House for nearly nine years, sitting on the Financial Services Committee and chairing the subcommittee on insurance and housing. He left Congress in 2019 for a TV career and has been the host of “The Bottom Line” on Fox Business. Before entering politics, Duffy was a reality TV star on MTV, where he met his wife, “Fox and Friends Weekend” co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy. They have nine children. A campaign donor and CEO of Denver-based Liberty Energy, Write is a vocal advocate of oil and gas development, including fracking — a key pillar of Trump’s quest to achieve U.S. “energy dominance” in the global market. Wright also has been one of the industry’s loudest voices against efforts to fight climate change. He said the climate movement around the world is “collapsing under its own weight.” The Energy Department is responsible for advancing energy, environmental and nuclear security of the United States. Wright also won support from influential conservatives, including oil and gas tycoon Harold Hamm. Hamm, executive chairman of Oklahoma-based Continental Resources, a major shale oil company, is a longtime Trump supporter and adviser who played a key role on energy issues in Trump’s first term. President-elect Donald Trump tapped billionaire professional wrestling mogul Linda McMahon to be secretary of the Education Department, tasked with overseeing an agency Trump promised to dismantle. McMahon led the Small Business Administration during Trump’s initial term from 2017 to 2019 and twice ran unsuccessfully as a Republican for the U.S. Senate in Connecticut. She’s seen as a relative unknown in education circles, though she expressed support for charter schools and school choice. She served on the Connecticut Board of Education for a year starting in 2009 and has spent years on the board of trustees for Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. Trump chose Howard Lutnick, head of brokerage and investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald and a cryptocurrency enthusiast, as his nominee for commerce secretary, a position in which he'd have a key role in carrying out Trump's plans to raise and enforce tariffs. Trump made the announcement Tuesday on his social media platform, Truth Social. Lutnick is a co-chair of Trump’s transition team, along with Linda McMahon, the former wrestling executive who previously led Trump’s Small Business Administration. Both are tasked with putting forward candidates for key roles in the next administration. The nomination would put Lutnick in charge of a sprawling Cabinet agency that is involved in funding new computer chip factories, imposing trade restrictions, releasing economic data and monitoring the weather. It is also a position in which connections to CEOs and the wider business community are crucial. Doug Collins is a former Republican congressman from Georgia who gained recognition for defending Trump during his first impeachment trial, which centered on U.S. assistance for Ukraine. Trump was impeached for urging Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden in 2019 during the Democratic presidential nomination, but he was acquitted by the Senate. Collins has also served in the armed forces himself and is currently a chaplain in the United States Air Force Reserve Command. "We must take care of our brave men and women in uniform, and Doug will be a great advocate for our Active Duty Servicemembers, Veterans, and Military Families to ensure they have the support they need," Trump said in a statement about nominating Collins to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs. Karoline Leavitt, 27, was Trump's campaign press secretary and currently a spokesperson for his transition. She would be the youngest White House press secretary in history. The White House press secretary typically serves as the public face of the administration and historically has held daily briefings for the press corps. Leavitt, a New Hampshire native, was a spokesperson for MAGA Inc., a super PAC supporting Trump, before joining his 2024 campaign. In 2022, she ran for Congress in New Hampshire, winning a 10-way Republican primary before losing to Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas. Leavitt worked in the White House press office during Trump's first term before she became communications director for New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trump's choice for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has been tapped by Trump to be director of national intelligence, keeping with the trend to stock his Cabinet with loyal personalities rather than veteran professionals in their requisite fields. Gabbard, 43, was a Democratic House member who unsuccessfully sought the party's 2020 presidential nomination before leaving the party in 2022. She endorsed Trump in August and campaigned often with him this fall. “I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community,” Trump said in a statement. Gabbard, who has served in the Army National Guard for more than two decades, deploying to Iraq and Kuwait, would come to the role as somewhat of an outsider compared to her predecessor. The current director, Avril Haines, was confirmed by the Senate in 2021 following several years in a number of top national security and intelligence positions. Trump has picked John Ratcliffe, a former Texas congressman who served as director of national intelligence during his first administration, to be director of the Central Intelligence Agency in his next. Ratcliffe was director of national intelligence during the final year and a half of Trump's first term, leading the U.S. government's spy agencies during the coronavirus pandemic. “I look forward to John being the first person ever to serve in both of our Nation's highest Intelligence positions,” Trump said in a statement, calling him a “fearless fighter for the Constitutional Rights of all Americans” who would ensure “the Highest Levels of National Security, and PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH.” Trump has chosen former New York Rep. Lee Zeldin to serve as his pick to lead the Environmental Protection Agency . Zeldin does not appear to have any experience in environmental issues, but is a longtime supporter of the former president. The 44-year-old former U.S. House member from New York wrote on X , “We will restore US energy dominance, revitalize our auto industry to bring back American jobs, and make the US the global leader of AI.” “We will do so while protecting access to clean air and water,” he added. During his campaign, Trump often attacked the Biden administration's promotion of electric vehicles, and incorrectly referring to a tax credit for EV purchases as a government mandate. Trump also often told his audiences during the campaign his administration would “Drill, baby, drill,” referring to his support for expanded petroleum exploration. In a statement, Trump said Zeldin “will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses, while at the same time maintaining the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet.” Trump has named Brendan Carr, the senior Republican on the Federal Communications Commission, as the new chairman of the agency tasked with regulating broadcasting, telecommunications and broadband. Carr is a longtime member of the commission and served previously as the FCC’s general counsel. He has been unanimously confirmed by the Senate three times and was nominated by both Trump and President Joe Biden to the commission. Carr made past appearances on “Fox News Channel," including when he decried Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris' pre-Election Day appearance on “Saturday Night Live.” He wrote an op-ed last month defending a satellite company owned by Trump supporter Elon Musk. Scott Turner is a former NFL player and White House aide. He ran the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during Trump’s first term in office. Trump, in a statement, credited Turner, the highest-ranking Black person he’s yet selected for his administration, with “helping to lead an Unprecedented Effort that Transformed our Country’s most distressed communities.” Rep. Elise Stefanik is a representative from New York and one of Trump's staunchest defenders going back to his first impeachment. Elected to the House in 2014, Stefanik was selected by her GOP House colleagues as House Republican Conference chair in 2021, when former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney was removed from the post after publicly criticizing Trump for falsely claiming he won the 2020 election. Stefanik, 40, has served in that role ever since as the third-ranking member of House leadership. Stefanik’s questioning of university presidents over antisemitism on their campuses helped lead to two of those presidents resigning, further raising her national profile. If confirmed, she would represent American interests at the U.N. as Trump vows to end the war waged by Russia against Ukraine begun in 2022. He has also called for peace as Israel continues its offensive against Hamas in Gaza and its invasion of Lebanon to target Hezbollah. President-elect Donald Trump says he's chosen former acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker to serve as U.S. ambassador to NATO. Trump has expressed skepticism about the Western military alliance for years. Trump said in a statement Wednesday that Whitaker is “a strong warrior and loyal Patriot” who “will ensure the United States’ interests are advanced and defended” and “strengthen relationships with our NATO Allies, and stand firm in the face of threats to Peace and Stability.” The choice of Whitaker as the nation’s representative to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is an unusual one, given his background is as a lawyer and not in foreign policy. A Republican congressman from Michigan who served from 1993 to 2011, Hoekstra was ambassador to the Netherlands during Trump's first term. “In my Second Term, Pete will help me once again put AMERICA FIRST,” Trump said in a statement announcing his choice. “He did an outstanding job as United States Ambassador to the Netherlands during our first four years, and I am confident that he will continue to represent our Country well in this new role.” Trump will nominate former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to be ambassador to Israel. Huckabee is a staunch defender of Israel and his intended nomination comes as Trump has promised to align U.S. foreign policy more closely with Israel's interests as it wages wars against the Iran-backed Hamas and Hezbollah. “He loves Israel, and likewise the people of Israel love him,” Trump said in a statement. “Mike will work tirelessly to bring about peace in the Middle East.” Huckabee, who ran unsuccessfully for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008 and 2016, has been a popular figure among evangelical Christian conservatives, many of whom support Israel due to Old Testament writings that Jews are God’s chosen people and that Israel is their rightful homeland. Trump has been praised by some in this important Republican voting bloc for moving the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Trump on Tuesday named real estate investor Steven Witkoff to be special envoy to the Middle East. The 67-year-old Witkoff is the president-elect's golf partner and was golfing with him at Trump's club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sept. 15, when the former president was the target of a second attempted assassination. Witkoff “is a Highly Respected Leader in Business and Philanthropy,” Trump said of Witkoff in a statement. “Steve will be an unrelenting Voice for PEACE, and make us all proud." Trump also named Witkoff co-chair, with former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler, of his inaugural committee. Trump asked Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., a retired Army National Guard officer and war veteran, to be his national security adviser, Trump announced in a statement Tuesday. The move puts Waltz in the middle of national security crises, ranging from efforts to provide weapons to Ukraine and worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea to the persistent attacks in the Middle East by Iran proxies and the push for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas and Hezbollah. “Mike has been a strong champion of my America First Foreign Policy agenda,” Trump's statement said, "and will be a tremendous champion of our pursuit of Peace through Strength!” Waltz is a three-term GOP congressman from east-central Florida. He served multiple tours in Afghanistan and also worked in the Pentagon as a policy adviser when Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates were defense chiefs. He is considered hawkish on China, and called for a U.S. boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing due to its involvement in the origin of COVID-19 and its mistreatment of the minority Muslim Uighur population. Stephen Miller, an immigration hardliner , was a vocal spokesperson during the presidential campaign for Trump's priority of mass deportations. The 39-year-old was a senior adviser during Trump's first administration. Miller has been a central figure in some of Trump's policy decisions, notably his move to separate thousands of immigrant families. Trump argued throughout the campaign that the nation's economic, national security and social priorities could be met by deporting people who are in the United States illegally. Since Trump left office in 2021, Miller has served as the president of America First Legal, an organization made up of former Trump advisers aimed at challenging the Biden administration, media companies, universities and others over issues such as free speech and national security. Thomas Homan, 62, has been tasked with Trump’s top priority of carrying out the largest deportation operation in the nation’s history. Homan, who served under Trump in his first administration leading U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, was widely expected to be offered a position related to the border, an issue Trump made central to his campaign. Though Homan has insisted such a massive undertaking would be humane, he has long been a loyal supporter of Trump's policy proposals, suggesting at a July conference in Washington that he would be willing to "run the biggest deportation operation this country’s ever seen.” Democrats have criticized Homan for his defending Trump's “zero tolerance” policy on border crossings during his first administration, which led to the separation of thousands of parents and children seeking asylum at the border. Dr. Mehmet Oz, 64, is a former heart surgeon who hosted “The Dr. Oz Show,” a long-running daytime television talk show. He ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate as the Republican nominee in 2022 and is an outspoken supporter of Trump, who endorsed Oz's bid for elected office. Elon Musk, left, and Vivek Ramaswamy speak before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at an Oct. 27 campaign rally at Madison Square Garden in New York. Trump on Tuesday said Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Ramaswamy will lead a new “Department of Government Efficiency" — which is not, despite the name, a government agency. The acronym “DOGE” is a nod to Musk's favorite cryptocurrency, dogecoin. Trump said Musk and Ramaswamy will work from outside the government to offer the White House “advice and guidance” and will partner with the Office of Management and Budget to “drive large scale structural reform, and create an entrepreneurial approach to Government never seen before.” He added the move would shock government systems. It's not clear how the organization will operate. Musk, owner of X and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has been a constant presence at Mar-a-Lago since Trump won the presidential election. Ramaswamy suspended his campaign in January and threw his support behind Trump. Trump said the two will “pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies.” Scavino, whom Trump's transition referred to in a statement as one of “Trump's longest serving and most trusted aides,” was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 campaign, as well as his 2016 and 2020 campaigns. He will be deputy chief of staff and assistant to the president. Scavino had run Trump's social media profile in the White House during his first administration. He was also held in contempt of Congress in 2022 after a month-long refusal to comply with a subpoena from the House committee’s investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Blair was political director for Trump's 2024 campaign and for the Republican National Committee. He will be deputy chief of staff for legislative, political and public affairs and assistant to the president. Blair was key to Trump's economic messaging during his winning White House comeback campaign this year, a driving force behind the candidate's “Trump can fix it” slogan and his query to audiences this fall if they were better off than four years ago. Budowich is a veteran Trump campaign aide who launched and directed Make America Great Again, Inc., a super PAC that supported Trump's 2024 campaign. He will be deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel and assistant to the president. Budowich also had served as a spokesman for Trump after his presidency. McGinley was White House Cabinet secretary during Trump's first administration, and was outside legal counsel for the Republican National Committee's election integrity effort during the 2024 campaign. In a statement, Trump called McGinley “a smart and tenacious lawyer who will help me advance our America First agenda, while fighting for election integrity and against the weaponization of law enforcement.” Russell Vought held the position during Trump’s first presidency. After Trump’s initial term ended, Vought founded the Center for Renewing America, a think tank that describes its mission as “renew a consensus of America as a nation under God.” Vought was closely involved with Project 2025, a conservative blueprint for Trump’s second term that he tried to distance himself from during the campaign. Vought has also previously worked as the executive and budget director for the Republican Study Committee, a caucus for conservative House Republicans. He also worked at Heritage Action, the political group tied to The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The very close election for a North Carolina Supreme Court seat heads next to a hand recount even as election officials announced a machine recount of over 5.5 million ballots resulted in no margin change between the candidates. The statewide machine recount — in which ballots were run again through tabulators — that wrapped up this week showed Democratic Associate Justice Allison Riggs with a 734-vote lead over Republican challenger Jefferson Griffin, who is a Court of Appeals judge. Most county election boards reported minor vote changes from the machine recount requested by Griffin. But State Board of Elections data showed the post-recount lead exactly the same as what Riggs held after all 100 counties fully completed their ballot canvass in November. Griffin led Riggs by about 10,000 votes on election night, but that lead dwindled and flipped to Riggs as tens of thousands of qualifying provisional and absentee ballots were added to the totals through the canvass. Griffin, who already has pending election protests challenging the validity of more than 60,000 ballots counted statewide, has asked for a partial hand-to-eye recount, which county boards will start Wednesday or Thursday. The partial hand recount applies to ballots in 3% of the voting sites in all 100 counties, chosen at random Tuesday by the state board. Once the partial recount is complete, a statewide hand recount would be ordered if the sample results differ enough from the machine recount that the result would be reversed if the difference were extrapolated to all ballots. Riggs, who was appointed to the Supreme Court in 2023 and now seeks an eight-year term, again claimed victory Tuesday. In a campaign news release, spokesperson Embry Owen said Griffin “needs to immediately concede – losing candidates must respect the will of voters and not needlessly waste state resources.” Riggs is one of two Democrats on the seven-member court. Through attorneys, Griffin has challenged ballots that he says may not qualify for several reasons and cast doubt on the election result. Among them: voter registration records of some voters casting ballots lack driver's license or partial Social Security numbers, and overseas voters never living in North Carolina may run afoul of state residency requirements. State and county boards are considering the protests. Griffin's attorneys on Monday asked the state board to accelerate the matters before it and make a final ruling early next week. "Our priority remains ensuring that every legal vote is counted and that the public can trust the integrity of this election,” state Republican Party spokesperson Matt Mercer said in a news release. Final rulings by the state board can be appealed to state court. Joining Griffin in protests are three Republican legislative candidates who still trailed narrowly in their respective races after the machine recounts. The Supreme Court race and two of these three legislative races have not been called by The Associated Press. The key pending legislative race is for a House seat covering Granville County and parts of Vance County. Republican Rep. Frank Sossamon trails Democratic challenger Bryan Cohn by 228 votes, down from 233 votes before the recount. Sossamon also asked for a partial hard recount in his race, which was to begin Tuesday. Should Cohn win, Republicans will fall one seat short of the 72 needed in the 120-member House to retain its veto-proof majority — giving more leverage to Democratic Gov.-elect Josh Stein in 2025. Senate Republicans already have won 30 of the 50 seats needed to retain its supermajority in their chamber. The AP on Tuesday did call another legislative race not subject to a protest, as Mecklenburg County GOP Rep. Tricia Cotham won her reelection bid over Democrat Nicole Sidman. A machine recount showed Cotham ahead of Sidman by 213 votes, compared to 216 after the county canvass. Cotham’s switch from the Democrats to the Republicans in April 2023 secured the Republicans' 72-seat veto-proof majority so that Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s vetoes could be overridden by relying solely on GOP lawmakers. Gary D. Robertson, The Associated PressIt was always rough to be a woman on Twitter. It’s even worse on X.Global Video Management Software Market Size, Share and Forecast By Key Players- Milestone, Genetec, Qognify(NICE Systems), Verint, Axis 12-15-2024 06:07 PM CET | Advertising, Media Consulting, Marketing Research Press release from: Market Research Intellect Video Management Software Market USA, New Jersey- According to the Market Research Intellect, the global Video Management Software market is projected to grow at a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.42% from 2024 to 2031. Starting with a valuation of 9.19 Billion in 2024, the market is expected to reach approximately 19.56 Billion by 2031, driven by factors such as Video Management Software and Video Management Software. This significant growth underscores the expanding demand for Video Management Software across various sectors. The Video Management Software (VMS) Market is witnessing substantial growth due to the rising adoption of surveillance systems across industries such as retail, transportation, healthcare, and government. The growing need for real-time monitoring, enhanced security, and video analytics is driving demand for advanced VMS solutions. Integration with technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cloud computing has further boosted the market by enabling features such as facial recognition, object detection, and predictive analytics. The increasing penetration of IP-based cameras and the proliferation of smart city projects globally have also contributed to the expansion of the VMS market. As businesses focus on optimizing operations and improving security measures, the adoption of flexible and scalable video management software solutions continues to grow, driving overall market momentum. The dynamics of the Video Management Software Market are shaped by technological advancements, evolving security needs, and industry-specific applications. AI and analytics integration into VMS solutions have transformed them into powerful tools for predictive insights and efficient video data management. Cloud-based deployment models are gaining popularity due to their scalability, remote access, and cost-effectiveness. However, challenges such as high initial investment costs, concerns over data privacy, and cybersecurity threats may impact market growth. The shift towards hybrid solutions that combine on-premises and cloud capabilities is addressing these concerns, offering flexibility and enhanced security. Additionally, increasing demand for customized VMS solutions tailored to specific industries, such as retail analytics or traffic monitoring, is driving innovation. As security and operational efficiency remain priorities, the VMS market is set to expand further. Request PDF Sample Copy of Report: (Including Full TOC, List of Tables & Figures, Chart) @ https://www.marketresearchintellect.com/download-sample/?rid=2006490&utm_source=OpenPr&utm_medium=042 Key Drivers: The growth of the Video Management Software market is driven by several key factors. Technological advancements in Video Management Software have enabled greater efficiency and enhanced capabilities, spurring adoption across industries. Additionally, the rising demand for sustainable and eco-friendly solutions is pushing companies to innovate and adopt greener practices. Expanding applications in sectors like Video Management Software and Video Management Software are further contributing to market demand, as these industries seek advanced solutions to streamline operations and enhance product quality. Favorable government policies and incentives in regions such as North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific support investment and growth. Moreover, an increasing focus on Video Management Software for improving operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness is encouraging businesses to embrace new technologies, fostering sustained market expansion. Mergers and Acquisitions Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) play a pivotal role in the Video Management Software market, as companies look to expand their capabilities, access new technologies, and strengthen market presence. Leading players engage in strategic acquisitions to consolidate their position and gain a competitive edge. These transactions often facilitate the integration of advanced Video Management Software solutions, helping firms broaden their product portfolios and meet growing customer demands. Additionally, M&A activities support companies in achieving economies of scale and penetrating new regional markets, particularly in high-growth areas like Asia-Pacific. Through such strategic alliances, businesses aim to accelerate innovation, enhance operational efficiency, and address evolving market challenges, ultimately driving the overall growth of the Video Management Software market. Get a Discount On The Purchase Of This Report @ https://www.marketresearchintellect.com/ask-for-discount/?rid=2006490&utm_source=OpenPr&utm_medium=042 The following Key Segments Are Covered in Our Report By Type Standard Level Professional Level Enterprise Level Cloud By Application Commercial Government Personal Major companies in Video Management Software Market are: Milestone, Genetec, Qognify(NICE Systems), Verint, Axis, Aimetis, OnSSI, Video Insight, AxxonSoft, Tyco Security, Cathexis, MindTree, Pelco, Salient, ISS, A&H Software, 3VR, IProNet, March, Hikvision, Dahua, KEDACOM, ZNV, SOBEYCLOUD, CDV Global Video Management Software Market -Regional Analysis North America: North America is expected to hold a significant share of the Video Management Software market due to advanced technological infrastructure and the presence of major market players. High demand across sectors like Video Management Software and Video Management Software is driving growth, with the U.S. being a key contributor. Additionally, ongoing investments in R&D and innovation reinforce the region's strong market position. Europe: Europe is projected to experience steady growth, driven by stringent regulatory standards and a rising focus on sustainability in Video Management Software practices. Countries like Germany, France, and the UK are leading due to their advanced industrial base and supportive government policies. The demand for eco-friendly and efficient Video Management Software solutions is expected to continue fostering market expansion. Asia-Pacific: Asia-Pacific is anticipated to be the fastest-growing region, fueled by rapid industrialization and urbanization. Countries such as China, India, and Japan are driving demand due to expanding consumer bases and increasing investments in infrastructure. The region's robust manufacturing sector and favorable economic policies further enhance growth opportunities in the Video Management Software market. Latin America: Latin America and the Middle East & Africa are expected to show moderate growth in the Video Management Software market. In Latin America, growth is supported by rising industrial activities in countries like Brazil and Mexico. Meanwhile, in the Middle East & Africa, infrastructure development and an increasing focus on innovation in sectors like Video Management Software are key drivers of market expansion. Middle East and Africa: The Middle East and Africa represent emerging markets in the global Video Management Software market, with countries like UAE, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and Nigeria showing promising growth potential. Economic diversification efforts, urbanization, and a young population are driving demand for Video Management Software products and services in the region. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 1. What is the current size of the Video Management Software market? Answer: The Video Management Software market was valued at approximately 9.19 Billion in 2024, with projections suggesting it will reach 19.56 Billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 13.42%. 2. What factors are driving the growth of the Video Management Software market? Answer: The market's expansion is attributed to several factors, including increased demand for Video Management Software, advancements in Video Management Software technology, and the adoption of Video Management Software across various sectors. 3. Which regions are expected to dominate the Video Management Software market? Answer: Regions such as North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific are anticipated to lead due to the presence of major industry players and growing investments in Video Management Software. 4. Who are the key players in the Video Management Software market? Answer: Prominent companies in the Video Management Software market include Video Management Software, Video Management Software, and Video Management Software, each contributing to market growth through innovations and strategic partnerships. 5. What challenges does the Video Management Software market face? Answer: The market faces challenges such as Video Management Software, regulatory compliance, and competition from alternative solutions. However, ongoing advancements aim to address these issues. 6. What are the future trends in the Video Management Software market? Emerging trends include the integration of Video Management Software technology, sustainability practices, and digital transformation in processes, all expected to shape the market's future. 7. How can businesses benefit from the Video Management Software market? Answer: Businesses can leverage growth opportunities in the Video Management Software market by adopting new solutions, enhancing operational efficiency, and expanding their offerings to meet evolving consumer demands. 8. Why invest in a Video Management Software market report from MRI? Answer: MRI's report provides in-depth analysis, future projections, and key insights to support strategic decision-making, enabling businesses to stay competitive and capitalize on growth trends in the Video Management Software market. For More Information or Query, Visit @ https://www.marketresearchintellect.com/product/global-video-management-software-market-size-and-forecast/?utm_source=OpenPr&utm_medium=042 About Us: Market Research Intellect Market Research Intellect is a leading Global Research and Consulting firm servicing over 5000+ global clients. We provide advanced analytical research solutions while offering information-enriched research studies. We also offer insights into strategic and growth analyses and data necessary to achieve corporate goals and critical revenue decisions. Our 250 Analysts and SMEs offer a high level of expertise in data collection and governance using industrial techniques to collect and analyze data on more than 25,000 high-impact and niche markets. Our analysts are trained to combine modern data collection techniques, superior research methodology, expertise, and years of collective experience to produce informative and accurate research. Our research spans a multitude of industries including Energy, Technology, Manufacturing and Construction, Chemicals and Materials, Food and Beverages, etc. Having serviced many Fortune 2000 organizations, we bring a rich and reliable experience that covers all kinds of research needs. For inquiries, Contact Us at: Mr. Edwyne Fernandes Market Research Intellect APAC: +61 485 860 968 EU: +44 788 886 6344 US: +1 743 222 5439 This release was published on openPR.Even with access to blockbuster obesity drugs, some people don't lose weight

No. 25 UConn working on climbing back up poll, faces No. 15 BaylorBy MICHAEL R. SISAK NEW YORK (AP) — Lawyers for Sean “Diddy” Combs tried for a third time Friday to persuade a judge to let him leave jail while he awaits his sex trafficking trial, but a decision won’t come until next week. Judge Arun Subramanian said at a hearing that he will release his decision on Combs’ latest request for bail after Combs’ lawyers and federal prosecutors file letters addressing outstanding issues. Those letters are due at noon on Monday, Subramanian said. Combs’ lawyers pitched having him await trial under around-the-clock surveillance either his mansion on an island near Miami Beach or — after the judge scoffed at that location — an apartment on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Their plan essentially amounts to putting Combs on house arrest, with strict limits on who he has contact with. But prosecutors argue that Combs has routinely flouted jail rules and can’t be trusted not to interfere with witnesses or the judicial process. “The argument that he’s a lawless person who doesn’t follow instructions isn’t factually accurate,” Combs lawyer Anthony Ricco argued. “The idea that he’s an out-of-control individual who has to be detained isn’t factually accurate.” Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to charges that he coerced and abused women for years with help from a network of associates and employees while silencing victims through blackmail and violence, including kidnapping, arson and physical beatings. His trial is slated to begin May 5. The Bad Boy Records founder remains locked up at a Brooklyn federal jail, where he spent his Nov. 4 birthday. Two other judges previously concluded that Combs would be a danger to the community if he is released and an appeals court judge last month denied Combs’ immediate release while a three-judge panel of the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals weighs his bail request. Friday’s hearing was the second time Combs was in court this week. On Tuesday, a judge blocked prosecutors from using as evidence papers that were seized from his cell during jail-wide sweep for contraband and weapons at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. Related Articles As he entered through a side door, Combs waved to relatives including his mother and several of his children in the courtroom gallery, tapping his hand to his heart and blowing kisses at them. He then hugged his lead attorney, Marc Agnifilo, before taking a seat at the defense table. He was not handcuffed or shackled and wore a beige jail uniform, occasionally pulling a pair of reading glasses from his pocket as he peered at papers in front of him. Prosecutors maintain that no bail conditions will mitigate the “risk of obstruction and dangerousness to others” of releasing Combs from jail. Prosecutors contend that while locked up the “I’ll Be Missing You” artist has orchestrated social media campaigns aimed at tainting the jury pool. They allege that he has also attempted to publicly leak materials he thinks would be helpful to his case and is contacting potential witnesses via third parties. “Simply put, the defendant cannot be trusted,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Christy Slavik argued. Combs’ lawyer Teny Geragos countered that, given the strict release conditions proposed, “it would be impossible for him not to follow rules.”

I’m a Celeb fans blast Dean McCullough as he makes ‘cheeky’ request to Danny JonesRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The very close election for a North Carolina Supreme Court seat heads next to a hand recount even as election officials announced a machine recount of over 5.5 million ballots resulted in no margin change between the candidates. The statewide machine recount — in which ballots were run again through tabulators — that wrapped up this week showed Democratic Associate Justice Allison Riggs with a 734-vote lead over Republican challenger Jefferson Griffin, who is a Court of Appeals judge. Most county election boards reported minor vote changes from the machine recount requested by Griffin. But State Board of Elections data showed the post-recount lead exactly the same as what Riggs held after all 100 counties fully completed their ballot canvass in November. Griffin led Riggs by about 10,000 votes on election night, but that lead dwindled and flipped to Riggs as tens of thousands of qualifying provisional and absentee ballots were added to the totals through the canvass. Griffin, who already has pending election protests challenging the validity of more than 60,000 ballots counted statewide, has asked for a partial hand-to-eye recount, which county boards will start Wednesday or Thursday. The partial hand recount applies to ballots in 3% of the voting sites in all 100 counties, chosen at random Tuesday by the state board. Once the partial recount is complete, a statewide hand recount would be ordered if the sample results differ enough from the machine recount that the result would be reversed if the difference were extrapolated to all ballots. Riggs, who was appointed to the Supreme Court in 2023 and now seeks an eight-year term, again claimed victory Tuesday. In a campaign news release, spokesperson Embry Owen said Griffin “needs to immediately concede – losing candidates must respect the will of voters and not needlessly waste state resources.” Riggs is one of two Democrats on the seven-member court. Through attorneys, Griffin has challenged ballots that he says may not qualify for several reasons and cast doubt on the election result. Among them: voter registration records of some voters casting ballots lack driver's license or partial Social Security numbers, and overseas voters never living in North Carolina may run afoul of state residency requirements. State and county boards are considering the protests. Griffin's attorneys on Monday asked the state board to accelerate the matters before it and make a final ruling early next week. "Our priority remains ensuring that every legal vote is counted and that the public can trust the integrity of this election,” state Republican Party spokesperson Matt Mercer said in a news release. Final rulings by the state board can be appealed to state court. Joining Griffin in protests are three Republican legislative candidates who still trailed narrowly in their respective races after the machine recounts. The Supreme Court race and two of these three legislative races have not been called by The Associated Press. The key pending legislative race is for a House seat covering Granville County and parts of Vance County. Republican Rep. Frank Sossamon trails Democratic challenger Bryan Cohn by 228 votes, down from 233 votes before the recount. Sossamon also asked for a partial hard recount in his race, which was to begin Tuesday. Should Cohn win, Republicans will fall one seat short of the 72 needed in the 120-member House to retain its veto-proof majority — giving more leverage to Democratic Gov.-elect Josh Stein in 2025. Senate Republicans already have won 30 of the 50 seats needed to retain its supermajority in their chamber. The AP on Tuesday did call another legislative race not subject to a protest, as Mecklenburg County GOP Rep. Tricia Cotham won her reelection bid over Democrat Nicole Sidman. A machine recount showed Cotham ahead of Sidman by 213 votes, compared to 216 after the county canvass. Cotham’s switch from the Democrats to the Republicans in April 2023 secured the Republicans' 72-seat veto-proof majority so that Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s vetoes could be overridden by relying solely on GOP lawmakers. Gary D. Robertson, The Associated PressPGE CEO Patricia Poppe sells $1.15 million in stock

The University of NSW has signed an Australian-first deal with ChatGPT to roll out a special version of the technology on campus, as universities increasingly embrace AI and acknowledge bans are no longer viable despite fears of a “new wave” of cheating. The deal with ChatGPT would allow students, academics, and staff to use the tool securely, ensuring any information shared with the chatbot remained private and was not used to train AI models. UNSW students Matthew Kuk and Gemma Ahearne have found benefits in using AI to enhance their study. Credit: Rhett Wyman It comes after the University of Sydney overhauled its cheating policy to allow the use of AI in all assessments not held in exam-like conditions, in a sign institutions were conceding they could not control students’ use of the rapidly evolving technology. UNSW’s deal with ChatGPT – a chatbot widely used to answer questions, generate ideas and write content – will start with a pilot across about 500 staff and students with the view of rolling it out more widely. It is the first Australian university to introduce ChatGPT Edu – a tool specifically built for higher education – joining other institutions including Arizona State, Oxford and Columbia. UNSW has paid the US company behind the chatbot, OpenAI, to deploy the tool, but would not reveal how much. Third-year UNSW law and commerce student Matthew Kuk welcomed the move, saying it could make the technology more accessible by eliminating the need for students to pay for the premium version, ChatGPT4. He regularly uses it to summarise papers he doesn’t have time to read in full and to help understand difficult ideas. UNSW student Gemma Ahearne. Credit: Rhett Wyman “It has freed up so much more time in my studies now, so I’m able to spend more time on concepts that I would have just skipped over,” he said. Kuk said when ChatGPT was first rolled out, its use was stigmatised, and it was labelled by students a “cheat bot”. “In my experience, it’s quite the contrary,” he said. “It’s almost impossible to cheat well with ChatGPT. That’s because you’re probably going to fail if you use ChatGPT as your bible because it can’t critically think. “It’s only really good at explaining concepts and it’s really, really bad with numbers.” ChatGPT’s emergence about two years ago has upended universities’ cheating policies and caused widespread concern about a new and undetectable wave of cheating on campus. UNSW revealed it had seen an increase in cheating using AI tools such as ChatGPT, with 166 serious cases referred for investigation in 2023. But experts warned this would just be the tip of the iceberg because the available technology used to detect AI plagiarism only picked up the most unsophisticated cheaters. Students have also raised concerns that tools used by universities to detect AI cheating are rife with false positives and caused unnecessary stress. Unlike Sydney University, UNSW does not have a blanket rule on AI. Instead, teachers determine whether students can use AI in assessments on a subject-by-subject basis. UNSW Business School senior deputy dean Paul Andon said there were vast uses for the tool for both staff and students, including creating bespoke “AI tutors”, and it would help develop students into “AI natives”. Andon said the university had evolved its policies to reflect the realities of AI, conceding students could not be effectively stopped from accessing AI in non-supervised settings. “I actually think in many ways [AI access is] a good thing. It helps them in terms of their learning, it’s not something to shy away from,” he said, adding they also needed to be assessed in secure settings without access to AI. UNSW design student Gemma Ahearne said she started using AI widely this year and describes it as her “personal assistant”, helping her with brainstorming ideas, giving personalised feedback and summarising academic articles. “When we were initially told, ‘no you’re not allowed to use it’, it scared me away, but now I understand it a lot more,” she said. “The world is infused with AI. If you’re not using it you’re going to fall behind.” But she said students needed to actively reflect on their reliance and consider if they were starting with their own ideas or going straight to ChatGPT. “When you go into a job interview or exam, for example, you’re going to have to think for yourself,” Ahearne said. The higher education watchdog said institutions imposing strict bans on the use of generative AI did not constitute an effective long-term approach to managing integrity risks, and universities need to consider how to redesign teaching and assessments. UNSW vice chancellor Attila Brungs said the collaboration would be used to enhance research, teaching and the student experience. “From engineering to health, business and science, AI is revolutionising research and education by making learning more personalised, accessible, and impactful,” he said. Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter .As we approach the end of 2024, the full Cold Moon will shine in the middle of December, bringing a lively social energy just in time for the holiday season. Celebrity astrologer Kyle Thomas, who is known for his cosmic guidance among celebrities, businesses and online influencers, spoke to "Good Morning America" about the best ways to take advantage of this engaging full moon. But first, let's break down the meaning of the Cold Moon and what to know about this particular celestial event. The Cold Moon will arrive on Dec. 15, according to Thomas. The Cold Moon gets its name because December is the month when the weather typically turns cold, according to NASA. The Old Farmer's Almanac states that some Native Americans also called the Cold Moon the Long Night Moon. The second name likely originates from the fact that the full moon in December occurs near the winter solstice, which has the longest night of the year, according to NASA. "The full moon takes a high trajectory across the sky because it is opposite to the low sun, so the moon will be above the horizon longer than at other times of the year," NASA states. The zodiac sign of each full moon is determined by its position in the night sky relative to the astrological signs. This year, the Cold Moon occurs as a full moon in Gemini, an air sign associated with communication, technology, and short-distance travel, according to Thomas. It encourages mental connections, particularly with those in our immediate circles -- friends, neighbors, acquaintances, and siblings. "We will be motivated to express our minds and may be in the process of launching a significant writing, speaking, advertising, digital or social media project," Thomas added. "The pace of life will also quicken rapidly." Rituals and manifestations to try during the Cold Moon Many ancient cultures, from Chinese traditions to Hebrew holidays, celebrate celestial cycles and revere the power of the moon. For instance, Thomas noted that Gemini, an air sign, makes this an ideal time to integrate communication -- whether written or spoken -- into your rituals. "This is a great moment to communicate our desires to the world -- as well as to others," he explained. "Writing down explicit statements, manifestation goals, and plans can be particularly useful. Also, as an Air sign, using smoke, sage, or incense can be excellent tools during meditation or ritual." Potential meditations, mantras or journal prompts: Speak up and speak out, Aries! "You have an important message that you'd like to broadcast to the world. This full moon could help you to launch an important writing, speaking, advertising or social media endeavor to great success. People will be listening!" Thomas said. Wealth is top of mind, Taurus. "Prosperity could soon be on its way," Thomas explained. "The full moon should bring to [ a ] culmination an important financial matter for you - perhaps in the form of a raise, new job offer or large check." Claim your spotlight, Gemini. According to Thomas, "the most important full moon of the year has arrived for you, as you reach an important turning point. Something of vital personal significance will reach [ its ] culmination at this time, perhaps giving you closure that will improve your life going forward." Relax and recharge, Cancer. "This full moon will encourage you to reset your emotional, mental and physical batteries-you've earned it! Lie low and give yourself some much-needed TLC. If you are in need of finding a specialist, therapist or healer, this lunation could also aid you in doing so." Thomas added. Get out and mingle, Leo. "You're always popular, but with this full moon highlighting your friendships, you'll be on the top of everyone's holiday list!" Thomas explained. "You'll likely attend at least one dazzling event where you're the star of the show. Circulate amongst those who you love and make time to show how much you appreciate them." Embrace your success, Virgo. According to Thomas, "A major professional victory could now be within reach. A promotion, new job offer, milestone or opportunity for public praise may present itself near this time. Previous hard work will surely be celebrated." Keep an open mind for a new adventure, Libra. "You could now be ready to soar in a breathtaking new direction-or make plans to do so in 2024!" Thomas said. "This full moon will energize you to slightly shift the narrative of your life and examine what else you'd like to learn. Some Libras will make a decision or hear news regarding an academic, travelling, immigration or media endeavor." It's time to explore your intimacy department, Scorpio. "The full moon will be helping you to get in touch with your most sensitive parts-emotionally and physically," Thomas explained. "If single, you could attract someone who knows how to complete you in every way. If taken, you'll be assessing if your authentic needs are being fulfilled by your partner." Take a closer look at your partnership, Sagittarius. "This full moon will help you to grow closer with someone in business, collaboration or love," Thomas added. "Single Sagittarians may have luck finding a perfect match, so be sure to put yourself out there. Love won't find you if you're not making an effort! Those already committed could decide it's time to make long-term plans, move in, get engaged or even be wed." Get ready to make progress, Capricorn. According to Thomas, "the full moon will make you busier than ever." "You may now be focused upon an important project for your employer that must have final approval," he said. "You could be putting everything you have into completing the task, but be sure to do so, as it could end up making you shine brighter than ever in your boss's eyes." Open your heart to love, Aquarius. "Get excited for a vibrant, romantic period to appear," Thomas added. "Single Aquarians must not let this energy go to waste, as you could find someone who is a soulmate or who lights your heart on fire." Toast to the holidays and reflect on the year, Pisces. "This full moon will bring to [ a ] culmination a domestic, family or real estate matter for you," Thomas said. "Some Pisceans could be hosting a lovely gathering at their home with their kindred. Others may be contemplating a big renovation, redecoration or move now or in the coming year."