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how to win wild ace NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The largest artificial intelligence data center ever built by Facebook’s parent company Meta is coming to northeast Louisiana, the company said Wednesday, bringing hopes that the $10 billion facility will transform an economically neglected corner of the state. Republican Gov. Jeff Landry called it “game-changing” for his state’s expanding tech sector, yet some environmental groups have raised concerns over the center’s reliance on fossil fuels — and whether the plans for new natural gas power to support it could lead to higher energy bills in the future for Louisiana residents. Meanwhile, Elon Musk’s AI startup, xAI, is expanding its existing supercomputer project in Memphis, Tennessee, the city’s chamber of commerce said Wednesday. The chamber also said that Nvidia, Dell, and Supermicro Computer will be “establishing operations in Memphis,” without offering further details. Louisiana is among a growing number of states offering tax credits and other incentives to lure big tech firms seeking sites for energy-intensive data centers. The U.S. Commerce Department found that there aren’t enough data centers in the U.S. to meet the rising AI-fueled demand, which is projected to grow by 9% each year through 2030, citing industry reports. RELATED COVERAGE Takeaways from the Supreme Court arguments on transgender health care ban: Conservatives skeptical Tennessee governor repays trip after ethics panel finds a group shouldn’t have covered it Supreme Court seems likely to uphold Tennessee’s ban on medical treatments for transgender minors Meta anticipates its Louisiana data center will create 500 operational jobs and 5,000 temporary construction jobs, said Kevin Janda, director of data center strategy. At 4 million square feet (370,000 square meters), it will be the company’s largest AI data center to date, he added. “We want to make sure we are having a positive impact on the local level,” Janda said. Congressional leaders and local representatives from across the political spectrum heralded the Meta facility as a boon for Richland parish, a rural part of Louisiana with a population of 20,000 historically reliant on agriculture. About one in four residents are considered to live in poverty and the parish has an employment rate below 50%, according to the U.S. census data. Meta plans to invest $200 million into road and water infrastructure improvements for the parish to offset its water usage. The facility is expected to be completed in 2030. Entergy, one of the nation’s largest utility providers, is fast-tracking plans to build three natural gas power plants in Louisiana capable of generating 2,262 megawatts for Meta’s data center over a 15-year period — nearly one-tenth of Entergy’s existing energy capacity across four states. The Louisiana Public Service Commission is weighing Entergy’s proposal as some environmental groups have opposed locking the state into more fossil fuel-based energy infrastructure. Meta said it plans to help bring 1,500 megawatts of renewable energy onto the grid in the future. Louisiana residents may ultimately end up with rate increases to pay off the cost of operating these natural gas power plants when Meta’s contract with Entergy expires, said Jessica Hendricks, state policy director for the Alliance for Affordable Energy, a Louisiana-based nonprofit advocating for energy consumers. “There’s no reason why residential customers in Louisiana need to pay for a power plant for energy that they’re not going to use,” Hendricks said. “And we want to make sure that there’s safeguards in place.” Public service commissioner Foster Campbell, representing northeast Louisiana, said he does not believe the data center will increase rates for Louisiana residents and views it as vital for his region. “It’s going in one of the most needed places in Louisiana and maybe one of the most needed places in the United States of America,” Foster said. “I’m for it 100%.” Environmental groups have also warned of the pollution generated by Musk’s AI data center in Memphis. The Southern Environmental Law Center, among others, says the supercomputer could strain the power grid, prompting attention from the Environmental Protection Agency. Eighteen gas turbines currently running at xAI’s south Memphis facility are significant sources of ground-level ozone, better known as smog, the group said. Patrick Anderson, an attorney at the law center, said xAI has operated with “a stunning lack of transparency” in developing its South Memphis facility, which is located near predominantly Black neighborhoods that have long dealt with pollution and health risks from factories and other industrial sites. “Memphians deserve to know how xAI will affect them,” he said, “and should have a seat at the table when these decisions are being made.” _____ Sainz reported from Memphis, Tennessee. Associated Press writer Matt O’Brien in Providence, Rhode Island, contributed to this report. _____ Brook is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Brook on the social platform X: @jack_brook96

This holiday season, many Russians are tightening their belts. Stubborn inflation has driven up prices of staples such as butter, potatoes and chicken in recent months, hitting Russia’s poorest and causing some to cut back this festive season. Reuters spoke to Russians in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg in the Urals and Omsk in Siberia to understand how people are managing their finances. “Prices have noticeably increased,” said Natalia Moreva, 58, listing flour, bread, chocolates, fruit, vegetables and meat as all having gone up in price. “Incomes are sufficient, but when you go to the shop you used to be able to buy more,” said Moreva, who works for the Omsk regional government. “The holiday is turning out to be a modest one.” Russians traditionally increase their spending in the final few weeks of each year, gearing up for New Year celebrations and nationwide holidays in the first weeks of January. This year, they have had to spend a lot more. “Way more expensive, it is heavy on the pocket. In past New Years, expenses more or less met the budget. Now, the costs are much higher, maybe three or four times more than before,” said Dinara, a student from Yekaterinburg, Russia’s fourth-largest city. Real wages have risen across Russia, largely due to rising salaries in the defence and technology sectors. But for many, wages have not kept pace with inflation, which is running at more than 9%, despite the central bank maintaining interest rates at 21%, their highest in more than 20 years. Vyacheslav, 73, a pensioner in Omsk, said he was noticing prices rising from one day to the next. “It is, of course, not very nice or convenient for people at the moment. We understand that the country is in a difficult situation at the moment, but nevertheless I would like for grocery prices not to grow so quickly. The price of his favourite cheese has risen by 15% to 20% since September, he said, to around 850 roubles. Inflation could end the year at as high as 9.8%, Andrei Gangan, director of the central bank’s monetary policy department, told Interfax on Tuesday, and will peak in April 2025 before starting to come down. The central bank defied expectations for a rate hike last week and opted to keep the current cost of borrowing, but soaring borrowing costs are cooling demand in Russia’s real estate market, with mortgage rates of up to 30% putting off potential buyers and fuelling a rental market boom. “Communal services are getting more expensive, (so are) taxes, and it is very noticeable,” said Moscow student Veronica Arefieva. “When you go to the shop, a loaf of bread that once cost 20 roubles, now costs 50 roubles.” Another Moscow student, Sergei Shoreshorin, said the price of chocolates was “scary”. Even the cost of fir trees was high, buyers in St. Petersburg agreed. “There are people who need a tree who don’t even ask the price, they just buy one,” said Ramiz, who was selling trees in the city. “And there are people who, even when we offer a discount, say they can’t afford it. “I wish everyone season’s greetings, all the best and that next year everyone will be able to afford it!” Source: ReutersShould AI be used to resurrect extinct species like the Neanderthal? | Mohammad HosseiniKANNUR: A group of highly skilled thieves broke into the house of K.P. Ashraf, a rice merchant in Valapattanam and stole gold and diamond ornaments worth over 300 sovereigns and cash amounting to Rs 1 crore. The robbery, which showcased the burglars’ technical expertise, has left the police investigating multiple leads. The thieves managed to open a highly secure locker, which required simultaneous operation of a key, a lever, and a secondary key. The locker, purchased from a Bengaluru-based company, was designed to be nearly impossible to open without knowledge of its unique mechanism. Investigators believe only someone familiar with this technology could have successfully accessed the locker. The police have already visited the Bengaluru company to gather details about the locker’s technology and service personnel. They are also probing whether anyone connected to the company may have shared insider information about the system. The robbery took place at Ashraf's 'Coral' house near the KSEB office in Valapattanam Manna while the family was away attending a wedding in Madurai. The theft is believed to have occurred between 8 pm on January 20 and 4 am on January 21. The family discovered the crime upon returning home at 9:15 pm on January 21. The burglars gained entry by breaking the grill of a bedroom window at the back of the house. They proceeded to break open the cupboard to retrieve the key to the locker, which was stored in another shelf. Despite the locker being securely placed inside a wooden cupboard, the thieves opened it without causing any visible damage. The police suspect the involvement of individuals with prior knowledge of the house and the security system. Fingerprints collected from the crime scene and 113 CCTV footage clips from the area are being analyzed. A police dog tracked the suspects to the Valapattanam railway station, suggesting they may have boarded a train to Mangaluru after the robbery. Three individuals are under suspicion and the police have intensified their search efforts. The authorities are focusing on tracing connections between the suspects and the technology used in the locker, which could be a crucial lead in solving the case.

Synopsys Inc SNPS reported fourth-quarter financial results after the market close on Wednesday. Here’s a rundown of the report . Q4 Revenue: $1.64 billion, versus estimates of $1.63 billion Q4 Adjusted EPS: $3.40, versus estimates of $3.30 “The fourth quarter was a strong finish to a transformational year for Synopsys. We achieved record financial results while doubling down on our strategy with the sale of our Software Integrity business and the pending acquisition of Ansys,” said Sassine Ghazi , president and CEO of Synopsys. “Looking ahead, the AI-driven reinvention of compute is accelerating the pace, scale and complexity of technology R&D, which expands our opportunity to solve engineering challenges from silicon to systems.” Synopsys said its previously announced acquisition of Ansys is expected to close in the first half of 2025. The company is working cooperatively with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to conclude the investigation and the staff’s review of Synopsys’ proposed remedies. Outlook: Synopsys expects first-quarter revenue to be in the range of $1.435 billion to $1.465 billion versus estimates of $1.643 billion, according to Benzinga Pro . The company sees first-quarter adjusted earnings between $2.77 and $2.82 per share versus estimates of $3.53 per share. Synopsys noted that its outlook reflects a change in the company’s fiscal year from a 52/53-week period ending on the Saturday nearest to Oct. 31 of each year to Oct. 31 of each year. As a result of this change, there will be 10 fewer days in the first half of fiscal year 2025. “In 2025, we expect to deliver double-digit revenue growth grounded in pragmatism given continued macro uncertainties and the impact of our fiscal year calendar change,” said Shelagh Glaser , CFO of Synopsys. SNPS Price Action: Synopsys shares were down 6.23% in after-hours, trading at $551.37 at the time of publication Wednesday, per Benzinga Pro . Read Next: ChargePoint Stock Rallies After Q3 Results: EPS In Line, Revenues Beat Photo: Courtesy of Synopsys. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.No fewer than 519 students of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, have emerged as first-class graduates among the 6,405 students set to graduate from the institution. Adenike Oladiji, vice chancellor of the University, who disclosed this on Friday during a press briefing to herald the combined 34 and 35 convocation ceremonies of the institution, therefore, said out of the total number, 3408 have second class (upper division), 2139 have second class (lower division, while 339 have third class. According to her, the university would also confer postgraduate diploma, masters and doctoral degrees on 960 postgraduate students. For the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 academic sessions, Oladiji, announced three students of the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Faromika Ifeoluwa Faith with a cumulative grade point average of 4.96, Vitowanu Johnbull Aanuoluwapo (IPE/17/3299) with a cumulative grade point average of 4.96 and Ajakaye Oluwasegun Joshua (MME/18/7019) with a cumulative grade point average of 4.95. “There are currently 59 academic programmes in the university and none has been denied accreditation. The university continues to reassess her academic programmes for global relevance and competitiveness. “As a university of technology, we have contributed significantly to the development of our immediate community and the global environment is various ways. “Enhancement of food security through production of tomatoes and bell pepper on our farm, production of variety of loaves, including low sugar bread for diabetics and weight-watchers. Our students are being equipped with entrepreneurial skills to solve local challenges,” Oladiji said. The vice chancellor, who also spoke on the highlights of the convocation ceremonies, said Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo would be delivering the convocation lecture with the title; “Technological Innovation: A panacea to food insecurity.” “Our honorary degree awardees are; Prof. Daniel Olukoya, the founder of the MFM as Doctor of Management Science, Mr. Ayorinde Ogunruku, and Mr. Joel Ogunsola. Apart from their impressive contributions to humanity, they have also identified with FUTA’s great ideals and vision such that the entire university community can continue to identify with their legacies. “I have no doubt that we have every cause to look forward to a brighter and more inspiring second half of my vice-chancellorship. A lot of interactions have elicited out core challenges and how we could address them, especially the energy challenges. “I am very optimistic that with a very stable and convivial industrial ambience, we shall take FUTA to higher heights,” Oladiji said. She, therefore, promised to sustain the preservation of FUTA’s status as research-intensive university.Blame it on the food and drink?

HOUSTON , Dec. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Applus+, a global leader in the Inspection, Testing and Certification sector, is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with Abyss Solutions (Abyss), a cutting-edge provider of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine-learning solutions for inspection and maintenance. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in advancing Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) capabilities through the integration of AI-driven technologies. By bringing together the extensive experience of Applus+ in NDT with Abyss' innovative AI algorithms and software platforms, this collaboration aims to revolutionize asset inspection processes, enabling faster, more accurate, and data-driven decision-making. "We are excited to partner with Abyss Solutions to unlock the full potential of artificial intelligence within inspection and testing," said Adam Alessandrino , Executive Vice President of the Pacific region at Applus+. "By integrating AI-driven technologies into our inspection processes, we are well positioned to deliver unparalleled value to our clients by enhancing efficiency, reliability, and safety." Through this partnership, Applus+ and Abyss will focus on developing AI-powered inspection solutions that enable predictive maintenance, asset optimization, and risk mitigation for clients across various industries, including oil and gas, mining, manufacturing, and infrastructure across the Pacific and South-East Asia "We are thrilled to collaborate with Applus+, a global leader in Inspection, Testing, and Certification services," said Gary Hill , Regional Director at Abyss Solutions. "By leading a disruption in the inspection industry, Applus+ is addressing challenges once considered unsolvable due to workforce shortages. We are excited to partner with them on this transformative journey." About Applus+: Applus+ is one of the world's leading and most innovative companies in the Testing, Inspection and Certification (TIC) sector, offering a broad portfolio of services and solutions for customers across various industries. Its solutions ensure that assets and products meet quality, health & safety and environmental standards and regulations, while also enhancing performance. Headquartered in Spain , the company operates in more than 70 countries and employs over 26,000 people. The Applus+ Group drives profitable revenue growth through sustainable services and digitalisation at all levels. About Abyss Solutions: Abyss is pioneering the future of inspection at scale, providing products and solutions that enables autonomous robots to capture and analyze data at an unprecedented level. Its industry-leading technology is pushing the boundaries of the possible, going beyond the status quo to deliver billions of dollars in risk reduction for some of the world's biggest companies. We've curated the brightest minds in autonomy who strive to help protect the world's most valuable assets and resources, delivering the insights needed to inform preventative maintenance programs, exceed health and safety targets, and significantly reduce CO2. SOURCE Abyss Solutions PTY LTDManmohan Singh News: Harbhajan Singh, Virender Sehwag Lead Condolences For Former Prime Minister's DemiseBlack Friday deals are everywhere right now, and many of the major streaming services will probably announce special promotions to entice new customers soon, too. If you’re thinking about “cutting the cord,” or switching from a traditional cable provider to a streaming service , this might be a good time to try it. “The deals that will be coming out will be attractive to new subscribers and most likely will be basic plans with ads,” Chad Gammon, an Iowa-based certified financial planner, said in an email interview. While some streaming services might also offer deals on plans without ads, Gammon, who owns Custom Fit Financial, said they’ll come at a higher cost. So keep an eye out for the deals, but make sure you look at the terms and conditions, too. Some streaming services will roll out their Black Friday prices in the coming days — and some have already started offering deals. For example, ESPN+ is running a promotion offering 12 months for the price of nine, as long as subscribers choose the annual plan. That deal is good through Dec. 2. Last year’s Black Friday deals can be a good indication of what’s to come. "Past Black Friday deals, like Hulu's $1.99/month offer, really show the range of savings,” Clay Cary, a senior trends analyst at CouponFollow, said in a prepared statement. “More often than not, bundles like Disney+/Hulu/ESPN+ tend to give the most value if your household uses multiple platforms," Cary said. We contacted these services about their Black Friday plans. Disney+ said there are no deals to announce quite yet. Hulu and ESPN+ did not respond to requests for information. While you’re waiting for the deals to drop, consider the different streaming plans, your budget, and whether one service can give you all the programming you want. Streaming services present themselves as cheaper alternatives to cable companies with long contracts, poor service, lots of commercials and expensive monthly contracts. But do they make good on that promise? You might think you’re scoring a great streaming service deal only to realize it’s for the version with ads. Pay attention to other details, too. A streaming service might offer a seasonal deal, but on a plan that limits the number of devices that can stream at once, and video quality can vary. Crackdowns on password sharing have also hit the streaming world hard and frustrated many consumers — and the alternatives aren’t great. “Paid-sharing options, like Netflix's, haven't been popular because they feel like an extra charge without added value,” Cary said. “For budget-conscious viewers, these changes could push them toward free ad-supported services instead.” If you were hoping to cut ties with your cable provider, you might have to think twice. You’ll still need the internet to use your streaming service. Many households bundle cable and internet costs, so if you cut cable, you will need to get a price for an internet-only plan. If multiple people in your household are streaming at once, you might find your old internet speed isn’t cutting it. A boost in internet speed will cost more, so you’ll need to adjust your budget accordingly. If you’re a sports fan with kids in the house and a spouse who likes shows from premium channels, you might have to sign up for three different streaming services to get all the content you want. Signing up for multiple streaming services can get pricey and can also be a real headache. Gammon described this as “subscription fatigue,” where people subscribe to multiple services and end up not using them because they can’t find which programs are on which streaming service. To stay within your budget, Cary said consumers should focus “on platforms that align with what you actually watch rather than trying to subscribe to everything.” The excitement of scoring a cheap deal won’t last forever. “When promotional deals lapse, prices can spiral upward alarmingly, doubling in some cases,” Cary said. “To avoid such surprises, set a reminder before the discounted rate expires to review your subscription,” he said. Before signing up, ask yourself: How do streaming services fit into my budget? In a 50/30/20 budget , streaming services fit squarely into the 30% wants category, alongside travel, entertainment and dining out. If your budget is tight, check your current memberships, because some major retailers offer significant discounts or free subscriptions on streaming services. For example: While most of these offers are for base-level plans with ads, tapping into existing benefits is a low-stakes way to try out one of these platforms. More From NerdWallet Amanda Barroso writes for NerdWallet. Email: abarroso@nerdwallet.com . The article Black Friday Streaming Deals: Read the Fine Print First originally appeared on NerdWallet.

AP Top 25: Alabama, Mississippi out of top 10 and Miami, SMU are in; Oregon remains unanimous No. 1

‘Clear route back to government’ declares Martin as FF & FG set to keep SF out of power again while Hutch still in fight