80jili ph withdrawal LOS ANGELES -- The Biden administration plans on reducing part of Intel's $8.5 billion in federal funding for computer chip plants around the country, according to three people familiar with the grant who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations. The reduction is largely a byproduct of the $3 billion that Intel is also receiving to provide computer chips to the military. President Joe Biden announced the agreement to provide Intel with up to $8.5 billion in direct funding and $11 billion in loans in March. The changes to Intel’s funding are not related to the company’s financial record or milestones, the people familiar with the grant told The Associated Press. In August, the chipmaker announced that it would cut 15% of its workforce — about 15,000 jobs — in an attempt to turn its business around to compete with more successful rivals like Nvidia and AMD. Unlike some of its rivals, Intel manufactures chips in addition to designing them. Two years ago, President Biden hailed Intel as a job creator with its plans to open a new plant near Columbus, Ohio. The president praised the company for plans to “build a workforce of the future” for the $20 billion project, which he said would generate 7,000 construction jobs and 3,000 full-time jobs set to pay an average of $135,000 a year. The California-based tech giant's funding is tied to a sweeping 2022 law that President Biden has celebrated and which is designed to revive U.S. semiconductor manufacturing. Known as the CHIPS and Science Act , the $280 billion package is aimed at sharpening the U.S. edge in military technology and manufacturing while minimizing the kinds of supply disruptions that occurred in 2021, after the start of the coronavirus pandemic, when a shortage of chips stalled factory assembly lines and fueled inflation . The Biden administration helped shepherd the legislation following pandemic-era concerns that the loss of access to chips made in Asia could plunge the U.S. economy into recession. When pushing for the investment, lawmakers expressed concern about efforts by China to control Taiwan, which accounts for more than 90% of advanced computer chip production. In August, the administration pledged to provide up to $6.6 billion so that a Taiwanese semiconductor giant could expand the facilities it is already building in Arizona and better ensure that the most advanced microchips are produced domestically for the first time. The Commerce Department said the funding for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. meant the company could expand on its existing plans for two facilities in Phoenix and add a third, newly announced production hub. The administration has promised tens of billions of dollars to support construction of U.S. chip foundries and reduce reliance on Asian suppliers, which Washington sees as a security weakness. _____ Boak reported from Washington.Dolphins defeat Browns to keep playoff hopes aliveThe Giants were a no-show against the Bucs after releasing quarterback Daniel Jones

Middle East latest: ICC issues warrant for Israel's Netanyahu as Gaza death toll soars past 44,000Trump ally Caitlyn Jenner taunts Kamala HarrisFormer U.S. President Jimmy Carter has died. He was 100 years old and had spent more than a year in hospice care. The Georgia peanut farmer served one turbulent term in the White House before building a reputation as a global humanitarian and champion of democracy. He defeated President Gerald Ford in 1976 promising to restore trust in government but lost to Ronald Reagan four years later amid soaring inflation, gas station lines and the Iran hostage crisis. He and his wife, Rosalynn Carter, then formed The Carter Center, and he earned a Nobel Peace Prize while making himself the most active and internationally engaged of former presidents. The Carter Center said the former president died Sunday afternoon in Plains, Georgia.

Judge rejects request to sideline a San Jose State volleyball player on grounds she’s transgenderATLANTA , Nov. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Atomic-6 was recently awarded a Tactical Funding Increase (TACFI) to further develop its revolutionary Space ArmorTM shielding tiles and complete testing qualification for first flight. Designed to minimize shielding mass, stowage space, post-impact ejecta, and mission risk, Space ArmorTM provides vital protection for space assets against space debris and kinetic energy weapons while offering optional radio frequency permeable capabilities. This innovative technology is essential for maintaining the United States' competitive edge in space operations, a concern that has been increasingly emphasized by Pentagon officials and lawmakers. In NASA's recent study on the economic advantages of safeguarding satellites from orbital debris, the findings suggest potential net benefits exceeding $50 billion over the next 30 years. To meet this demand, Space ArmorTM offers two levels of protection: Lite and Max. "Space ArmorTM Lite" is designed to withstand impacts from debris up to 3mm, which accounts for over 90% of debris in low earth orbit, while "Space ArmorTM Max" is designed to withstand impacts from debris up to 12.5mm. This productized approach allows for tailored protection strategies, ensuring both cost-effectiveness and critical defense against varying sizes of debris. The TACFI award, along with matching funds from outside investors, paves the way for Atomic-6 to take Space ArmorTM from prototype to full product line with added variations and capabilities to meet market and customer demand. Atomic-6 is committed to the safety, sustainability, performance and affordability of future space endeavors. Space ArmorTM is the latest of several Atomic-6 innovations to reinforce their mission and provide the US military, Allies, and commercial space operators with the strategic edge necessary to reduce mission risk and protect space assets. Contact Us for RFPs To learn more about Space ArmorTM, other Atomic-6 innovations, and/or submit a Request for Proposal (RFP), please contact our team at sales@atomic-6.com . About Atomic-6 Atomic-6 is revolutionizing mobility in space, air, land, and sea by rapidly designing and manufacturing the world's finest composite solutions. Everything we touch gets lighter, stronger, and smarter. Visit our website atomic-6.com or contact us directly to learn more. Media Inquiries Atomic-6, Inc. media@atomic-6.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/atomic-6-secures-3-8m-tacfi-for-space-armor-302316953.html SOURCE Atomic-6

NEW YORK (AP) — A ransomware attack that hit a major software provider last week caused disruptions for a handful of companies over recent days, from Starbucks to U.K. grocery giant Morrisons. Blue Yonder, which provides supply chain technology to a range of brands worldwide, said that it experienced disruptions to services it manages for customers on Thursday, which the third-party software supplier determined to be "the result of a ransomware incident.” Some systems went offline, impacting clients using Blue Yonder's software. A spokesperson for Starbucks, for example, said that the chain's ability to manage barista schedules and track hours was disrupted — meaning store leaders across North America are currently being instructed to use manual workarounds. Starbucks maintained that the outage is not impacting how customers are served and that ensuring workers get paid for all hours worked is a top priority. While the company continues to work towards full recovery, the spokesperson added that Starbucks was able to process payroll again as of Tuesday morning. Two of the U.K.'s biggest grocers, Morrisons and Sainsbury's, were also affected — with both telling CNN over the weekend that they had turned to contingency plans to keep operations flowing. A spokesperson for Morrisons confirmed to The Associated Press that the outage “impacted our warehouse management systems for fresh and produce” and that it was continuing to operate on back up systems Tuesday. Sainsbury's, meanwhile, said Tuesday that its service was restored. Blue Yonder declined to disclose how many of its customers were impacted by the hack. In a statement sent to the AP, a spokesperson maintained that it had notified “relevant customers” and would continue to communicate as needed. The spokesperson also maintained that recovery efforts were still underway — noting that Blue Yonder "has been working diligently together with external cybersecurity firms to make progress,” including the implementation of several defensive and forensic protocols. Blue Yonder's website touts an extensive global roster of customers — including Gap, Ford and Walgreens. Walgreens and Gap were not impacted following the ransomware attack, spokespeople for the companies said. Ford shared that it was investigating whether the incident affected its operations earlier this week, but had no further updates when reached Tuesday. Blue Yonder, based in Arizona, is a subsidiary of Japan’s Panasonic Corp. Panasonic acquired the supply chain software firm in September 2021.Serbia presented Expo flagAUSTIN, Texas (AP) — AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — CrowdStrike Holdings Inc. (CRWD) on Tuesday reported a loss of $16.8 million in its fiscal third quarter. On a per-share basis, the Austin, Texas-based company said it had a loss of 7 cents. Earnings, adjusted for stock option expense and non-recurring costs, came to 93 cents per share. The results topped Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of 13 analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of 81 cents per share. The cloud-based security company posted revenue of $1.01 billion in the period, also surpassing Street forecasts. Thirteen analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $982.3 million. For the current quarter ending in January, CrowdStrike expects its per-share earnings to range from 84 cents to 86 cents. The company said it expects revenue in the range of $1.03 billion to $1.04 billion for the fiscal fourth quarter. CrowdStrike expects full-year earnings in the range of $3.74 to $3.76 per share, with revenue ranging from $3.92 billion to $3.93 billion. This story was generated by Automated Insights ( http://automatedinsights.com/ap ) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on CRWD at https://www.zacks.com/ap/CRWD

Trump's Cabinet picks look like revenge of the bros

Will Riley scored a game-high 19 points off the bench as No. 25 Illinois shrugged off a slow start to earn an 87-40 nonconference victory over Maryland Eastern Shore on Saturday afternoon in Champaign, Ill. Morez Johnson Jr. recorded his first double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds, Kylan Boswell posted 13 points and Tomislav Ivisic contributed 11 for Illinois (4-1). Coming off a 100-87 loss to No. 8 Alabama on Wednesday, the Illini led by as much as 52 despite hitting just 10-of-40 3-point attempts. Jalen Ware paced Maryland Eastern Shore (2-6) with 10 points before fouling out. Ketron "KC" Shaw, who entered Saturday in the top 20 of Division I scorers at 22.3 points per game, went scoreless in the first half and finished with seven points on 2-of-11 shooting. The Hawks canned just 22.1 percent of their shots from the floor. Illinois broke out to a 6-0 lead in the first 2:06, then missed its next six shots. That gave the Hawks time to pull into an 8-8 tie on Evan Johnson's 17-foot pullup at the 12:21 mark. That marked Maryland Eastern Shore's last points for more than seven minutes as the Illini reeled off 17 straight points to remove any suspense. Johnson opened the spree with a basket and two free throws, Ben Humrichous swished a 3-pointer and Tre White sank a layup before Kasparas Jakucionis fed Ivisic for a 3-pointer and an alley-oop layup. Jakucionis set up Johnson for a free throw, then drove for an unchallenged layup to make it 25-8 with 5:15 left in the first. Evan Johnson snapped the visitors' dry spell with a driving layup at the 4:56 mark, but Illinois went on to establish a 35-15 halftime lead on the stretch of 11 offensive rebounds that turned into 12 second-chance points and 13 points off UMES' 10 turnovers. Maryland Eastern Shore needed nearly four minutes to get its first points in the second half as Illinois pushed its lead to 42-15. The Illini margin ballooned all the way to 70-24 on Boswell's driving layup with 8:11 to go. --Field Level Media

MicroStrategy’s Bold Move Sends Shares Soaring

PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 19, 2024-- Aramark (NYSE: ARMK), a global leader in food and facilities management, announced today that Avendra International acquired the Quantum Cost Consultancy Group. The acquisition further enhances the company’s position as a leading global professional procurement and supply chain services provider, to a wide range of clients including hotels, hospitality and leisure resorts, healthcare, and educational institutions worldwide. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241219109142/en/ Quantum has customer spend of nearly half a billion dollars (converted to US currency) and has operations in Spain, Portugal, Germany, the Netherlands, Zanzibar, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Jamaica. “We are very pleased to bring Quantum into our portfolio,” said Autumn Bayles, Aramark’s Senior Vice President of Global Supply Chain and Group Purchasing Organizations. “Both companies share a similar vision and culture and adding Quantum positions us to better globally serve not only the hotel category, but several other hospitality markets in the Quantum geographies.” Quantum’s associates and clients can expect a seamless transition to Avendra International over the coming weeks. Their CEO will continue to lead the Quantum business and operations will remain unchanged. “We are excited to begin our next chapter as part of Avendra International,” said Alex Casajuana, Chief Executive Officer of Quantum. “Our associates, clients and suppliers will not see any changes in how the company operates and we are now better positioned to provide stronger outcomes for our clients and suppliers.” Quantum manages, to varying degrees, the expense categories that a hotel establishment might incur, including food and beverage, housekeeping and non-consumable products, services, energy and telecommunications, maintenance expenditures, small equipment, and insurances. “Our purchase of Quantum is part of our strategy to expand the footprint of Avendra International and strengthen our purchasing capacity in hospitality related products, services and engineering solutions in particular,” said Ian Murphy, Aramark’s European Senior Vice President of Supply Chain and Group Purchasing Organizations. In addition to hotels, Quantum also serves restaurants, gaming establishments, and senior and youth residencies. This purchase represents part of Aramark’s “tuck in” acquisition strategy to position the company for continued profitable growth. About Avendra International Avendra International is a leading strategic procurement and supply chain partner to a wide range of organizations, including hotels, hospitality and leisure resorts, healthcare, and educational institutions worldwide. Avendra International leverages $20.5 billion in procurement power and combines supply chain resources backed by Aramark’s global footprint across 15 countries. What makes us stand out is our team of local experts who are deeply knowledgeable about the cultural, industry and sector-specific nuances of each country we operate in. Whether clients aim to reduce costs, boost efficiency, drive innovation, or achieve sustainability targets, we provide the support they need to succeed. By harnessing our tailored solutions, advanced technology, and industry expertise, we enable organisations to thrive. About Aramark Aramark (NYSE: ARMK) proudly serves the world’s leading educational institutions, Fortune 500 companies, world champion sports teams, prominent healthcare providers, iconic destinations and cultural attractions, and numerous municipalities in 15 countries around the world with food and facilities management. Because of our hospitality culture, our employees strive to do great things for each other, our partners, our communities, and the planet. Aramark has been recognized on FORTUNE’s list of “World’s Most Admired Companies,” The Civic 50 by Points of Light 2024, Fair360’s “Top 50 Companies for Diversity” and “Top Companies for Black Executives,” Newsweek’s list of “America’s Most Responsible Companies 2024,” the HRC’s “Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality,” and earned a score of 100 on the Disability Equality Index. Learn more at www.aramark.com and connect with us on LinkedIn , Facebook , X , and Instagram . View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241219109142/en/ Chris Collom, 215-238-3593,collom-chris@aramark.com KEYWORD: PENNSYLVANIA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT RETAIL RESTAURANT/BAR LODGING DESTINATIONS TRAVEL FOOD/BEVERAGE SOURCE: Aramark Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/19/2024 01:40 PM/DISC: 12/19/2024 01:38 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241219109142/enAs Elon Musk takes charge of the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), created to advise the White House on optimizing federal spending, the F-35 stealth jet program has become a key target of his criticism. Over the weekend, the Tesla CEO and a surrogate for Donald Trump criticized the fighter jet program on his social media platform, X, calling it outdated and inefficient compared to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). "Meanwhile, some idiots are still building manned fighter jets like the F-35," Musk posted, alongside a video showcasing synchronized Chinese drones in action. Meanwhile, some idiots are still building manned fighter jets like the F-35 🗑️ 🫠 pic.twitter.com/4JX27qcxz1 Musk's critique aligns with his and DOGE co-leader Vivek Ramaswamy 's push for sweeping federal spending reforms. Their ambitious goal of cutting at least $2 trillion from the federal budget has put the Pentagon under particular scrutiny. The F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter, developed by Lockheed Martin, is the Department of Defense's most expensive and ambitious weapons program. While hailed as critical to U.S. national security, the program has faced relentless criticism for soaring costs and delays. The U.S. Government Accountability Office estimates the program's lifetime cost at over $2 trillion, making it the costliest military project in history. On Monday, Musk doubled down on his criticism, arguing that the jet's design was fundamentally flawed from the outset due to an attempt to meet too many conflicting requirements. "The F-35 design was broken at the requirements level because it was required to be too many things to too many people. This made it an expensive & complex jack of all trades, master of none. Success was never in the set of possible outcomes," Musk said. "Manned fighter jets are outdated in the age of drones and only put pilots' lives at risk," he said, garnering support from Trump ally Matt Gaetz , who wrote: "The F-35 is a failed platform. It's time to shift entirely to drones." UAVs have played a crucial role in modern conflicts, particularly in Ukraine, where drones have been instrumental in countering Russian forces. Musk, a longtime advocate for replacing traditional fighter jets with drones, argues that UAVs—whether remotely piloted or autonomous—offer greater precision and eliminate the risks faced by human pilots. He has often pointed to the role. Despite Musk's assertions, the F-35 program has its defenders. Proponents highlight the jet's performance in real-world combat, citing its use by Israel's F-35I Adir variant to strike Iranian military installations and neutralize advanced Russian-made air defenses. Supporters also note that China, a country Musk has praised for its drone capabilities, has spent years attempting to replicate the F-35's cutting-edge technology. A spokesperson for the Pentagon's F-35 joint program office defended the aircraft's value. "We have combat-capable aircraft in operation today, and they perform exceptionally well against the threats for which they were designed. Pilots continually emphasize that this is the fighter they want to take to war if called upon," the Pentagon said. Lockheed Martin echoed these sentiments, calling the F-35 "the most advanced, survivable, and connected fighter aircraft in the world" and a cornerstone of joint all-domain operations. Still, the program's flaws are well-documented. A recently declassified Pentagon report revealed ongoing issues with the F-35's reliability, maintainability, and availability. Lockheed Martin responded by emphasizing that the aircraft "consistently meets or exceeds the reliability performance requirements we are contracted to deliver." Aviation enthusiasts weighed in on Musk's remarks, with some defending the symbolic and morale-boosting role of manned fighter jets. "No kid dreams of piloting a drone," one user commented, "but plenty dream of flying a fighter jet with an American flag on its tail."

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday named Pam Bondi, the former attorney general of Florida, to be U.S. attorney general just hours after his other choice, Matt Gaetz , withdrew his name from consideration. Bondi is a longtime Trump ally and was one of his lawyers during his first impeachment trial, when he was accused — but not convicted — of abusing his power as he tried to condition U.S. military assistance to Ukraine on that country investigating then-former Vice President Joe Biden . 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. She’s been a chair at the America First Policy Institute, a think tank set up by former Trump administration staffers. “For too long, the partisan Department of Justice has been weaponized against me and other Republicans - Not anymore,” Trump said in a social media post. “Pam will refocus the DOJ to its intended purpose of fighting Crime, and Making America Safe Again.” Trump’s son Donald Trump Jr. told Fox Business on Sunday that the transition team had backups in mind for his controversial nominees should they fail to get confirmed. The swift selection of Bondi came about six hours after Gaetz withdrew. Gaetz stepped aside amid continued fallout over a federal sex trafficking investigation that cast doubt on his ability to be confirmed as the nation’s chief federal law enforcement officer. That announcement capped a turbulent eight-day period in which Trump sought to capitalize on his decisive election win to force Senate Republicans to accept provocative selections like Gaetz, who had been investigated by the Justice Department before being tapped last week to lead it. The decision could heighten scrutiny on other controversial Trump nominees, including Pentagon pick Pete Hegseth , who faces sexual assault allegations that he denies. “While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition,” Gaetz, a Florida Republican who one day earlier met with senators in an effort to win their support, said in a statement. “There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus I’ll be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General. Trump’s DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1,” he added. Hours later, Gaetz posted on social media that he looks “forward to continuing the fight to save our country,” adding, “Just maybe from a different post.” Trump, in a social media post, said: “I greatly appreciate the recent efforts of Matt Gaetz in seeking approval to be Attorney General. He was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the Administration, for which he has much respect. Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do!” Last week, Trump named personal lawyers Todd Blanche, Emil Bove and D. John Sauer to senior roles in the department. Another possible attorney general contender, Matt Whitaker, was announced Wednesday as the U.S. ambassador to NATO. Bondi, too, is a longtime loyalist. She has been a vocal critic of the criminal cases against Trump as well as Jack Smith, the special counsel who charged Trump in two federal cases. In one radio appearance, she blasted Smith and other prosecutors who have charged Trump as “horrible” people she said were trying to make names for themselves by “going after Donald Trump and weaponizing our legal system.” If confirmed by the Republican-led Senate, Bondi would instantly become one of the most closely watched members of Trump’s Cabinet given the Republican’s threat to pursue retribution against perceived adversaries and concern among Democrats that he will look to bend the Justice Department to his will. A recent Supreme Court opinion not only conferred broad immunity on former presidents but also affirmed a president’s exclusive authority over the Justice Department’s investigative functions. Bondi would inherit a Justice Department expected to pivot sharply on civil rights, corporate enforcement and the prosecutions of hundreds of Trump supporters charged in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol — defendants whom Trump has pledged to pardon . It’s unlikely that Bondi would be confirmed in time to overlap with Smith, who brought two federal indictments against Trump that are both expected to wind down before the incoming president takes office. Special counsels are expected to produce reports on their work that historically are made public, but it remains unclear when such a document might be released. In 2013, while serving as Florida attorney general, Bondi publicly apologized for asking that the execution of a man convicted of murder be delayed because it conflicted with a campaign fundraiser. Bondi said she was wrong and sorry for requesting then-Gov. Rick Scott push back the execution of Marshall Lee Gore by three weeks. Before she ran for state attorney general in 2010, Bondi worked for the Hillsborough County state attorney. Don't let this be the end of the free press. The free press is under attack — and America's future hangs in the balance. As other newsrooms bow to political pressure, HuffPost is not backing down. Would you help us keep our news free for all? We can't do it without you. Can't afford to contribute? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read. You've supported HuffPost before, and we'll be honest — we could use your help again . We view our mission to provide free, fair news as critically important in this crucial moment, and we can't do it without you. Whether you give once or many more times, we appreciate your contribution to keeping our journalism free for all. You've supported HuffPost before, and we'll be honest — we could use your help again . We view our mission to provide free, fair news as critically important in this crucial moment, and we can't do it without you. Whether you give just one more time or sign up again to contribute regularly, we appreciate you playing a part in keeping our journalism free for all. Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages. _____ Associated Press writers Zeke Miller, Michelle L. Price, Lisa Mascaro, Mary Clare Jalonick and Adriana Gomez Licon contributed to this report. Related From Our PartnerNo ruling by 9th Circuit in Ex-Councilmember Mark Ridley Thomas’ appeal