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US to require passenger vehicles to sound alarms if rear passengers don’t fasten their seat beltsFormer President Bill Clinton, 78, discharged from hospital after battling fluUS to require passenger vehicles to sound alarms if rear passengers don’t fasten their seat beltsMatty J looks worse for wear on Christmas Eve
How to answer questions about your body this holiday season, according to a psychologist
AMGEN ANNOUNCES 2025 FIRST QUARTER DIVIDENDTTEC Digital wins Cisco Reimagine Customer Experiences Partner of the Year - Americas
Symbotic (SYM) Restates Financial Results Amid Securities Class Action Over Improper Accounting ...
It wasn't that long ago when cigarettes and soda were go-to convenience store vices, glamorized in movies and marketed toward, well, everyone. Then, lawmakers and voters raised taxes on cigarettes, and millions of dollars went into public education campaigns about smoking's harms. Decades of news coverage chronicled how addictive and dangerous cigarettes were and the enormous steps companies took to hide the risks and hook more users. The result: a radical shift in social norms that made it less acceptable to smoke and pushed cigarette use to historic lows, especially among minors. New UC Berkeley research suggests sugar-sweetened beverages may be on a similar path. The city of Berkeley's first-in-the-nation soda tax a decade ago, along with more recent Bay Area tax increases on sugar-sweetened drinks, have not only led to reduced sales. They are also associated with significant changes in social norms and attitudes about the healthfulness of sweet drinks, said Kristine A. Madsen, a professor at UC Berkeley's School of Public Health and senior author of a paper published Nov. 25 in the journal BMC Public Health. Over the span of just a few years, taxes coupled with significant media attention significantly affected the public's overall perceptions of sugar-sweetened beverages, which include sodas, some juices and sports drinks. Such a shift in the informal rules surrounding how people think and act could have major implications for public health efforts more broadly, Madsen said. "Social norms are really powerful. The significant shift we saw in how people are thinking about sugary drinks demonstrates what else we could do," Madsen said. "We could reimagine a healthier food system. It starts with people thinking, "Why drink so much soda?" But what if we also said, "Why isn't most of the food in our grocery stores food that makes us healthy?'" Madsen and colleagues from UC San Francisco and UC Davis analyzed surveys from 9,128 people living in lower-income neighborhoods in Berkeley, Oakland, San Francisco and Richmond. Using data from 2016 to 2019 and 2021, they studied year-to-year trends in people's perception of sugar-sweetened beverages. They wanted to understand how the four taxes in the Bay Area might have affected social norms surrounding sugary beverages—the unwritten and often unspoken rules that influence the food and drinks we buy, the clothes we wear and our habits at the dinner table. Although social norms aren't visible, they are incredibly powerful forces on our actions and behaviors; just ask anyone who has bought something after an influencer promoted it on TikTok or Instagram. Researchers asked questions about how often people thought their neighbors drank sodas, sports drinks and fruity beverages. Participants also rated how healthy several drinks were, which conveyed their own attitudes about the beverages. The researchers found a 28% decline in the social acceptability of drinking sugar-sweetened beverages. In Oakland, positive perceptions of peers' consumption of sports drinks declined after the tax increase, relative to other cities. Similarly, in San Francisco, attitudes about the healthfulness of sugar-sweetened fruit drinks also declined. In other words, people believed their neighbors weren't drinking as many sugar-sweetened beverages, which affected their own interest in consuming soda, juices and sports drinks. "What it means when social norms change is that people say, "Gosh, I guess we don't drink soda. That's just not what we do. Not as much. Not all the time,'" Madsen said. "And that's an amazing shift in mindsets." The research is the latest from UC Berkeley that examines how consumption patterns have changed in the decade since Berkeley implemented the nation's first soda tax. A 2016 study found a decrease in soda consumption and an increase in people turning to water. Research in 2019 documented a sharp decline in people turning to sugar-sweetened drinks. And earlier this year, Berkeley researchers documented that sugar-sweetened beverage purchases declined dramatically and steadily across five major American cities after taxes were put in place. The penny-per-ounce tax on beverages, which is levied on distributors of sugary drinks—who ultimately pass that cost of doing business on to consumers—is an important means of communicating about health with the public, Madsen said. Researchers tallied more than 700 media stories about the taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages during the study period. That level of messaging was likely a major force in driving public awareness and norms. It's also something Madsen said future public health interventions must consider. It was part of the progress made in cutting cigarette smoking and seems to be working with sugary drinks. And it's those interventions that can lead to individual action. "If we change our behaviors, the environment follows," Madsen said. "While policy really matters and is incredibly important, we as individuals have to advocate for a healthier food system." More information: Emily Altman et al, De-normalizing sugar-sweetened beverage consumption: effects of tax measures on social norms and attitudes in the California Bay Area, BMC Public Health (2024). DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-20781-6WOODHAVEN, Mich. (WXYZ) — A downriver community is coming together this Christmas Eve to help lift one man's spirits and it all started with a simple post on social media. Thomas Gibbons was just asking friends and family to send him some Christmas cards at the nursing home he is living at. "Just to see if I could get the Christmas spirit going, you know," Gibbons said. The 58-year-old tells us he thought filling his door up with cards would help lift his spirits this year. "Christmas Eve was always a special time from when i was a kid, up til last year," Gibbons said. Last year is when Gibbons says he tried to take his own life. "I shot myself but it ended up giving me a stroke and now my legs don't want to work," Gibbons said. His original post got about three cards sent to him but his friend Lindsey Dyer knew she could take it up a notch, so, she brought it to the Facebook group "Downriver and Friends". "I've seen the remarkable things that Downriver and Friends can do and the power of the community and how everybody can rally up behind everybody and make anything possible," Dyer said. A few days after her post in the group the Christmas cards started flooding in. "I'm completely blown away by the response and didn't expect it to be as much as it's been," Dyer said. Gibbons received 30 cards in one day, and counting. Most of the return addresses are from complete strangers. "I don't even know but a couple people on there," Gibbons said. "It's awesome, it really is." He wants to remind people that there are so many others just like him, stuck in a nursing home for the holidays. "Let them know that you know they're still out there, you know what I mean, and I think that's important," Gibbons said. He said just one phone call, message, or Christmas card can make all the difference in someone's day.
DENVER , Dec. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- TTEC Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTEC ), a leading global CX (customer experience) technology and services innovator for AI-enhanced CX with solutions from TTEC Engage and TTEC Digital , today announced that TTEC Digital has been recognized as the Cisco Reimagine Customer Experiences Partner of the Year – Americas. "In collaboration with Cisco, TTEC Digital is helping industry leaders in banking, healthcare, insurance, government services, and more improve their customer experiences with a strong mix of CX strategy and technology. We are honored to be recognized by Cisco for our shared success and look forward to continued partnership," said John Wolf , global Cisco lead at TTEC Digital. In FY24, TTEC Digital achieved significant milestones with Cisco including a 44% year-over-year growth in bookings. Cisco also recognized TTEC Digital for providing targeted training and certifications, expanding into the Cisco commercial space with a focus on Webex Enterprise Contact Center solutions, and developing new services such as WxCC Jet and InteractionSync for Cisco Webex Contact Center. Announced at WebexOne , the Cisco Reimagine Customer Experiences Partner of the Year award recognizes the partner who has had the most success selling and implementing Webex Contact Center solutions to help clients deliver best-in-class customer experiences. TTEC Digital has partnered with Cisco for more than 20 years and was the first partner to take Cisco Contact Center to the cloud. As a five-time Cisco partner of the year winner, TTEC Digital has a strong track record of continuously delivering innovation, leadership and best practices to clients in conjunction with Cisco. To learn more, visit https://ttecdigital.com/partners/cisco . About TTEC TTEC (pronounced T-TEC) Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTEC) is a leading global CX (customer experience) technology and services innovator for AI-enabled digital CX solutions. Serving iconic and disruptive brands, TTEC's outcome-based solutions span the entire enterprise, touch every virtual interaction channel, and improve each step of the customer journey. Leveraging next-gen digital technology, the Company's TTEC Digital business designs, builds, and operates omnichannel contact center technology, CRM, AI and analytics solutions. The Company's TTEC Engage business delivers AI-enhanced customer engagement, customer acquisition and growth, tech support, back office, and fraud prevention services. Founded in 1982, the Company's singular obsession with CX excellence has earned it leading client, customer, and employee satisfaction scores across the globe. The Company's employees operate on six continents and bring technology and humanity together to deliver happy customers and differentiated business results. To learn more visit us at https://www.ttec.com . Media Contact: Meredith Matthews meredith.matthews@ttec.com +1 281-770-2566 View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ttec-digital-wins-cisco-reimagine-customer-experiences-partner-of-the-year--americas-302332643.html SOURCE TTEC Holdings, Inc.
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As the artificial intelligence revolution accelerates, two titans dominate the chip industry: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing and Nvidia. Both have seen their stock prices soar, but which is the ultimate AI investment today? Spotlight on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSMC) While not as glamorous as AI-driven software companies, TSMC’s expertise in semiconductor production has proven vital. In Q3, its revenue surged by 36% to $23.5 billion, with earnings leaping by 54% to $1.94 per American Depository Receipt. These impressive results are fueled by tech giants’ significant investments in cutting-edge AI chips. The company’s strategy hinges on its advanced production techniques, including the recent introduction of 3-nanometer chips, and ambitious plans to begin 2-nanometer chip production in 2025. TSMC currently commands a 90% market share for the world’s most advanced processors, securing its leadership in semiconductor manufacturing as AI infrastructure spending soars. Nvidia’s Power Play Unlike TSMC, Nvidia excels in designing the semiconductors crucial for AI data centers. Recent demand spikes saw Nvidia’s Q3 sales rocket by 94% to $35.1 billion, with non-GAAP earnings climbing 103% to $0.81 per share. This growth was largely driven by a 112% increase in data center revenue. Nvidia’s CEO anticipates AI infrastructure spending might hit $2 trillion in the next five years, positioning the company to capitalize significantly on this trend. Nvidia’s chips currently power between 70% and 95% of AI data centers, cementing its dominance in the sector. The Winner: Taiwan Semiconductor Both companies dominate their niches, but for investors seeking value, TSMC may be the more attractive choice. With a forward P/E ratio of 23.0, it’s comparatively cheaper than Nvidia, which stands at 32.7. As AI technology evolves, both TSMC and Nvidia remain pivotal players. However, for those keen on a more cost-effective option, Taiwan Semiconductor emerges as the more appealing investment today. Investing in the AI Revolution: TSMC vs. Nvidia – Which Stock Holds the Edge? As artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) and Nvidia lead the charge in the chip sector, playing pivotal roles in the AI ecosystem. While TSMC excels in semiconductor production, Nvidia dominates in designing AI-centric semiconductors. Here’s a deeper dive into the investment potential of these two industry leaders. TSMC: Scaling New Heights with Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing Specifications and Innovations TSMC’s strength lies in its mastery of semiconductor manufacturing. The company commands a staggering 90% market share in advanced processing chips, thanks to its innovative production techniques. Their recent rollout of the 3-nanometer chips and plans to advance to 2-nanometer chips by 2025 highlight their commitment to staying ahead technologically. Market Position and Strategy TSMC’s robust market position is bolstered by significant investments from tech giants seeking high-performance AI chips. This ensures steady revenue growth and secures TSMC’s leadership as a crucial supplier in the AI landscape. The company’s ambitious roadmap further fortifies its status in semiconductor advancements, crucial for AI infrastructure. Nvidia: Powering the AI Data Center Revolution Market Analysis and Growth Predictions Nvidia has established itself as a leader in designing semiconductors that empower AI data centers. Its recent performance saw revenues soaring by 94% to $35.1 billion, with a notable 112% increase in data center revenues. As AI infrastructure spending is predicted to reach $2 trillion within five years, Nvidia is strategically positioned to harness this expansion. Features and Compatibility Nvidia’s GPUs are integral to modern AI applications, powering between 70% and 95% of current AI data centers. This widespread adoption underscores their compatibility and essential role in AI computing tasks, enabling everything from complex calculations to real-time data processing. Investment Insights: Comparing TSMC and Nvidia Pros and Cons – TSMC : Offers investors a cost-effective entry with a forward P/E ratio of 23.0. Its leading market share and cutting-edge manufacturing position make it a strong contender for those focusing on value investments. – Nvidia : Although trading at a higher P/E ratio of 32.7, Nvidia’s strategic edge in the rapidly expanding AI data center domain could justify the premium. The potential ROI driven by significant AI infrastructure investment creates an attractive case for growth-focused investors. Use Cases and Compatibility Both companies are indispensable to the AI sector but cater to different needs. TSMC’s chips are foundational for AI hardware, while Nvidia’s designs are vital for the operational capabilities of AI systems, particularly in data-heavy environments. Future Predictions and Trends As AI technologies evolve, both TSMC and Nvidia are expected to remain pivotal. TSMC’s continued excellence in chip production and pioneering of smaller, more efficient chips will likely maintain their leadership. Nvidia’s dominance in AI-centered semiconductors means they are poised to capture significant portions of the forthcoming surge in AI infrastructure spending. For potential investors, those drawn to a comparatively undervalued yet fundamentally strong stock may favor TSMC. Meanwhile, those seeking growth opportunities in AI data processing could find Nvidia more appealing. For more insights about Nvidia, you can explore the official Nvidia website, and for TSMC, visit their official site .
The Clark County School District settled a two-year-old lawsuit with parents who complained of an inappropriate assignment for their high school daughter. CCSD paid $25,000 and agreed to conduct an review with administrators and staff at Las Vegas Academy of the Arts, where the incident occurred. At a Clark County School Board meeting in May 2022, Candra Evans testified about an assignment that she said was given to her daughter at the school. The assignment required that students in the theater class write drafts of a monologue that would then be randomly assigned to, memorized and performed by another student, according to the lawsuit. The full monologue describes a woman coming out as a lesbian to her ex-boyfriend, and contains lines, such as “I don’t like your d— or any d— in that case.” Board members interrupted her and asked her to refrain from using profanity. “If you don’t want me to read it to you, what was it like for my 15-year-old daughter to memorize pornographic material...?” Evans asked at the time. Evans’ comment to the board went viral after a shortened version of the clip was reposted by a conservative Twitter account that criticized the board for interrupting Evans’ comment and asking her to refrain from using profanity. At the time, the district said in a statement that it was investigating the situation and that the assignment was a student-generated writing exercise that “produced content not conducive to student instruction.” The original December 2022 lawsuit, filed by Candra and Terrell Evans, sought damages in excess of $50,000 as well as a restraining order against the teacher and other administrators. The judge dismissed the request for a restraining order and all claims except those involving the student’s assignment, her First Amendment rights and her treatment afterward. On Monday evening, Evans said she was grateful that the case was finally over. She said that she had just wanted to protect her daughter, whom she believed had been “brainwashed” by the teacher. “Because a teacher thought it was OK to read that, she thought it was OK to read it,” Evans told the Review-Journal on Monday. CCSD did not respond to a request for comment. The lawsuit described Hawes’ assignment as unlawful and inappropriate and constituted “sexual grooming” and sexual indoctrination of her students. Her story gained traction as one of parental rights. Local group Power 2 Parent came to Evans’ aid in contacting the school, and her legal case was represented by the American Center for Law and Justice, which describes itself as a politically conservative, Christian-based legal organization. In a statement on its website after the settlement, the legal center wrote, “This case underscores the crucial role parents play in advocating for their children’s welfare and the need for schools to respect and uphold parental rights. Parents have an absolute right to know what their children are being taught, and children should never be subjected to obscene material, particularly in an environment meant to educate and nurture.” Evans also hoped her lawsuit would help future kids. “Now this is precedent,” she said. ©2024 Las Vegas Review-Journal. Visit reviewjournal.com. . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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GERMANTOWN, Tenn. , Dec. 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc., or MAA (NYSE: MAA), today announced that its board of directors approved a quarterly dividend payment of $1.515 per share of common stock to be paid on January 31, 2025 , to shareholders of record on January 15, 2025 . The increase will raise the annualized dividend payment 3.1% to $6.06 per share of common stock and represents the 15 th consecutive year MAA has increased its dividend to shareholders. As established in prior quarters, the board of directors declared the quarterly common dividend in advance of MAA's earnings announcement that is expected to be made on February 5, 2025 . About MAA MAA is a self-administered real estate investment trust (REIT) and member of the S&P 500. MAA owns or has ownership interest in apartment communities primarily throughout the Southeast, Southwest and Mid-Atlantic regions of the U.S. focused on delivering strong, full-cycle investment performance. For further details, please refer to www.maac.com or contact Investor Relations at investor.relations@maac.com . Certain matters in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended with respect to our expectations for future periods. Such statements include statements made about the payment of common dividends. The ability to meet the payment of common dividends in or contemplated by the forward-looking statements could differ materially from the projection due to a number of factors, including a downturn in general economic conditions or the capital markets, changes in interest rates and other items that are difficult to control such as increases in real estate taxes in many of our markets, as well as the other general risks inherent in the apartment and real estate businesses. Reference is hereby made to the filings of Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, reports on Form 8-K, and its annual report on Form 10-K, particularly including the risk factors contained in the latter filing. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/maa-announces-increase-to-quarterly-common-dividend-302328178.html SOURCE MAA
Linq Blue Automates and Personalizes iMessage Outreach to Boost Engagement and Efficiency BIRMINGHAM, Ala. , Nov. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Linq, the world's leading mobile CRM and lead capture platform, announces Linq Blue — an iMessage automation tool designed to revolutionize sales communication. This breakthrough feature empowers businesses to automate and personalize customer outreach via iMessage—without requiring an iPhone. Launching January 2025 , Linq Blue offers seamless messaging capabilities that drive higher response rates and unlock new levels of sales efficiency. Why Linq Blue is a Game-Changer Enhanced Engagement : iMessage campaigns have been shown to increase response rates by 29% over traditional SMS outreach. Seamless CRM Integration : Linq Blue integrates with popular CRM platforms such as Salesforce, HubSpot, and Microsoft Dynamics, allowing users to manage iMessage communications directly from their existing workflows. Device-Agnostic iMessage Campaigns : Users can send blue text campaigns from any device, including Android, by utilizing a dedicated phone number provided by Linq. Advanced Automation : Users can schedule messages, create sequences and campaigns, and automate confirmation messages to streamline customer interactions. Unlimited Messaging : Linq Blue offers unlimited messaging capabilities, enhancing communication. Reserve Your Spot Today Linq Blue is now open for early access reservations to a closed beta. Learn more and reserve your spot at https://linqapp.com/s/imessage-automation/ About Linq: Founded in Birmingham, AL , Linq is a rapidly growing tech company that transforms the way businesses manage contacts, relationships, and workflows. With a focus on mobile-first solutions, Linq integrates seamlessly with existing CRM platforms like Salesforce and HubSpot, offering an easy-to-use interface that enables teams to work effectively, no matter where they are. For more information, visit www.linqapp.com . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/linq-launches-blue-messages-for-sales-302314658.html SOURCE Linq
MIND TECHNOLOGY, INC. REPORTS FISCAL 2025 THIRD QUARTER RESULTS"They let him walk": Merrick Garland's DOJ under fire after damning Matt Gaetz report released
