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genie magic lamp The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in 2024 has reshaped our world in ways previously confined to science fiction. Virtual assistants now handle complex customer service queries with human-like understanding, while AI-powered chips process vast amounts of data at unprecedented speeds. These technological breakthroughs have caught Wall Street's attention, driving the S&P 500 's ( ^GSPC 1.10% ) remarkable bull run since October 2022. The economic impact of this AI revolution promises to be transformative. PwC projects AI will add $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030. This isn't just about chatbots and automation anymore. AI fundamentally transforms how businesses operate, from restaurants using voice AI to handle drive-thru orders to data centers requiring increasingly sophisticated chips to power their AI operations. Many investors have already profited from AI's meteoric rise through industry giants like Nvidia ( NVDA 0.39% ) . However, the next wave of AI growth may come from companies that are only now beginning to flex their technological muscle. As we approach 2025, two companies stand out for their unique positions in the AI value chain , offering investors fresh opportunities to capitalize on this technological revolution. Voice AI: The future of customer interaction SoundHound AI ( SOUN -0.93% ) has quietly built an AI empire that's revolutionizing how businesses interact with customers. In November 2024, the company reported quarterly revenue of $25.1 million, representing an 89% year-over-year increase as more businesses adopt voice AI solutions. What makes SoundHound AI particularly intriguing is its rapid transformation from an automotive-focused company to a diversified AI powerhouse. The company now serves seven of the top 20 global quick-service restaurant chains, with its AI handling everything from drive-thru orders to phone reservations. Its expansion into financial services, healthcare, and insurance demonstrates the universal appeal of its technology platform. Major automotive manufacturers aren't being left behind. Stellantis has integrated SoundHound AI's technology across its luxury brands in Europe, while partnerships with next-generation vehicle manufacturers in the Middle East and India showcase global demand. With the AI voice generators market projected to grow at nearly 30% annually through 2030, SoundHound AI's first-mover advantage and proven technology make it a compelling play for investors seeking exposure to the future of human-machine interaction. Challenging the AI chip throne Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) ( AMD 1.36% ) has emerged as the dark horse in the AI chip race, offering performance that rivals Nvidia to a degree at more attractive price points. The numbers tell the story: AMD's data center revenue soared to $3.5 billion in its latest quarter , marking a staggering 122% year-over-year leap. The company's AI graphics processing units (GPUs) business has exploded from virtually nothing a year ago to over $1.5 billion in the most recent quarter. This growth stems in part from AMD's strategic partnership with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing and its innovative chiplet manufacturing approach -- a combination that allows for rapid product development and competitive pricing. The potential market opportunity is mind-boggling. Industry analysts project the AI accelerator market will reach $500 billion by 2028. While Nvidia currently dominates this space, customers and developers are actively seeking alternatives to prevent overreliance on a single supplier. AMD's competitive pricing, proven technology, and established reputation make it perfectly positioned to capture a significant share of this expanding market. The investment case The convergence of voice AI technology and semiconductor innovation represents two distinct paths to profit from the AI revolution . SoundHound AI offers pure-play exposure to the rapidly growing voice AI market, with its technology already proving transformative across multiple industries. Meanwhile, AMD provides investors access to the critical infrastructure powering the AI boom, with its competitive pricing strategy and technological capabilities challenging the status quo in AI chip manufacturing. As we enter 2025, these companies represent more than just potential growth stories -- they're actively reshaping how businesses operate and interact with customers. For investors seeking to capitalize on the next wave of AI innovation, SoundHound AI and AMD offer compelling opportunities to participate in this technological revolution while it's still in its early stages. Their unique market positions, proven technology, and massive addressable markets create a powerful combination that could deliver substantial returns as the AI revolution continues to unfold.Recently, we consulted the older folks in our audience on their most comfortable summer sandals . Our interest was piqued when several responses highlighted one shoe that came with claims of reduced joint stress and plantar fasciitis relief. This wasn’t the first time that the recovery footwear brand Oofos had come across our desks. In fact, the company was one of the top breakout searches on Google in the month of June, according to Google Trends . Fashion and culture writer Emily Kirkpatrick wrote in a recent newsletter that her “life has been forever changed for the better” thanks to the brand’s unisex “Ooriginal” flip-flop. Curious to find out what the hype was all about, we reached out to multi-board certified podiatrist Dr. Mark Mendeszoon , who is a physician spokesperson for the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) and an expert in sports medicine and footwear. Mendeszoon explained that recovery shoes are a specific type of footwear that contour to the foot’s arches, offer a significant amount of cushioning and are designed to allow the foot to recover from a strenuous workout or being confined for a period of time. “Oofos is a brand of recovery shoes that has really focused on the science of foot and ankle by mechanics. They found their niche with materials to help with people with foot issues,” Mendeszoon said, adding that it’s one of the two top brands that he personally recommends to his own patients. Oofos — which has received the APMA seal of acceptance for products that are deemed beneficial for foot health — uses a proprietary footbed and foam material in the construction of their footwear that’s designed to absorb shock, reduce strain on joints and assist with active recovery. It’s a technology that the brand claims absorbs 37% more impact than traditional footwear foam materials . “Because they are focused on recovery, that’s [how] the majority of their shoes are made, and therefore they’re not trying to do everything and make every type of shoe. They can [just] focus on design, engineering, and materials,” Mendeszoon said. The brand offers a huge range of designs and styles for both men and women such as sandals, clogs, sneakers, platforms and even slippers. All of them are machine-washable and designed to minimize odor thanks to the closed-cell foam material. Oofos’ most popular option is the original flip-flop , which comes in several colors, gender-neutral sizing and was the first sandal that started the company’s reputation as a trusted name in recovery footwear. Mendeszoon said that recovery sandals specifically allow the small intrinsic muscles of the feet, as well as the extrinsic muscles of the lower leg, to work in a more natural environment. According to him, this can be a particularly beneficial relief from the confining designs of traditional closed-toed shoes. On the other hand, he said that closed toe and heel designs will take less toe-gripping effort to keep the shoe on, which is a motion that may cause muscle imbalances over time. For this reason, closed recovery shoe styles may be better for anyone that does a lot of walking or wants to wear their recovery shoes for longer periods of time. “Regardless, it is recommended that both recovery sandals and shoes are only utilized for a fraction of the day for anyone who is on their feet all day long [or post-activity],” Mendeszoon said. In case the professional endorsement of an expert isn’t enough to sway you in your recovery footwear decision making, take a look at just some of the promising reviews from verified Oofos buyers down below or shop any of the most popular styles from any of the retailers above. Promising reviews: “ So comfortable the minute I put them on. I occasionally have flares of tendonitis and plantar fasciitis, and these are just what the ‘doctor’ ordered! ” — Lisa E. “Out of all the thong sandals I’ve purchased through other companies, by far, this sandal is THE BEST!! and never felt anything like it and will definitely purchase more , my feet are on cloud NINE!!!! AMAZING!!!” — TLanya G. “These are amazing! They stopped my foot pain from plantar fasciitis and relieved my knee pain! I highly recommend to anyone on their feet a lot.” — Wendy I. “This is my second pair of thong sandals! I have very difficult feet and I needed something for summer that had great arches and room for my bunion on the right foot and soft enough for the left foot after surgery. They are so soft and squishy that I literally wear them 24/7! You won’t be disappointed!” — Bonnie P. “The pain in my heels from plantar fasciitis was so bad that I could barely walk. Since using these sandals, I have no pain and can walk again. They are the most comfortable sandals I have ever used. I will never buy any other sandals. I wish OOFOS made insoles for my shoes with the same material/technology as the sandals.” — Stewart F. “My husband is a diabetic and sometimes has trouble with neuropathy. These shoes have been a Godsend. I also have a pair and love mine. Thank you so much for making such a superior product!” — Krista L. Get them from Oofos for $59.95 (available in women's sizes 5–16, men's sizes 3–16, and five colors). Also available on Amazon and Zappos. Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.There is no doubt that the right speaker can set the mood. New Year is just around the corner, and if you have plans to host gatherings or know someone who loves to bring people together, a good speaker can complete the celebration. The JBL Boombox 2 is built for these occasions. Buy it at a discount as a gift to yourself. This speaker comes in a portable, practical design. The grip handle makes it easy to carry and perfect for the outdoors. Portability doesn’t mean any compromise on performance, though. This model is the loudest JBL boombox ever. Enjoy 160 watts of JBL Original Pro Sound and provide tunes in any space. The sound isn’t just loud – it is rich, so you can enjoy crisp highs and balanced mids, making it feel like the audio is being played live. The battery will last an impressive 24 hours, so your music won’t stop anytime soon. There’s good news for beachgoers and water lovers too: the JBL Boombox 2 is IPX7 waterproof. It will handle all those splashes and even accidental drops in the pool, which makes it excellent for all your adventures. Connectivity is simple. The Boombox 2 pairs quickly with your phone, tablet, or any Bluetooth device. Control the playlist from anywhere, switch tracks, and even share control with friends or the DJ without any interruptions. Grab this boombox for $299.95 after a 26% discount in two colors: black and camouflage. JBL Boombox 2 Make Tech Easier may earn commission on products purchased through our links, which supports the work we do for our readers. Our latest tutorials delivered straight to your inbox Zainab is an Actuarial Sciences graduate from Pakistan with a passion for technology. When she's not busy writing insightful pieces on Windows and the latest tech trends, you'll find her with her nose buried in a productivity book, always on the lookout for ways to optimize her workflow and stay ahead of the curve.

Beyond evangelicals, Trump and his allies courted smaller faith groups, from the Amish to ChabadBeyond evangelicals, Trump and his allies courted smaller faith groups, from the Amish to Chabad

Denmark increased defense budget after Trump's Greenland plan — 'No coincidence'HIGH POINT, N.C. (AP) — D'Maurian Williams scored 18 points as High Point beat Pfeiffer 81-50 on Saturday. Williams went 8 of 13 from the field (2 for 3 from 3-point range) for the Panthers (8-1). Kezza Giffa scored 14 points, going 3 of 8 from the floor, including 1 for 3 from 3-point range, and 7 for 8 from the line. Kimani Hamilton shot 4 for 8, including 1 for 3 from beyond the arc to finish with 11 points. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get updates and player profiles ahead of Friday's high school games, plus a recap Saturday with stories, photos, video Frequency: Seasonal Twice a weekWall Street rallies ahead of Christmas

Things to do in metro Detroit, Dec. 27 and beyondBig Ten could place four teams in playoff, thanks to IU's rise

Lawsuit for Investors who Lost over $100,000 in shares of DMC Global Inc. (NASDAQ: BOOM) between May and Nov. 2024 announced by Shareholders FoundationNew £15 Million Government Fund To Help Charities Get Spare Produce To Those In Need"We must get our inspiration directly from the Qur'an and draw out this century's understanding of Islam" Mehmet Akif Ersoy / Writer of Turkish National Anthem *** Mehmet Akif Ersoy's poetry not limited to national borders, appeals to entire Muslim world, says expert Mehmet Akif Ersoy, the revered Turkish poet and the author of the Turkish national anthem, still shines a light for the entire Muslim world 83 years after his demise. Ersoy became one of the most well-known figures in Turkish literature worldwide in early 1900s, Necmettin Turinay, teaching at TOBB University of Economics and Technology in the capital Ankara, told Anadolu Agency. Turinay, an expert on Ersoy's literary works and currently working on the latest edition of Ersoy's 1911 work entitled "Safahat", spoke to Anadolu Agency in an exclusive interview at the Museum House of Mehmet Akif Ersoy in Turkey's capital Ankara. His famous work Safahat is a collection of 44 poems in various lengths, including Phases (1911), Lecturing at Suleymaniye (1912), Voices of God (1913), Lecturing at Fatih (1914), Memoirs (1917), Asim (1924), and Shadows (1933). His poems were themed with social problems, philosophical, religious, political and ethical issues. Ersoy's house, in one of Ankara’s older districts Altindag, was once used as a dervish convent. The "Selamlik" -- a part of a house only men can enter -- was assigned to Ersoy during the Turkish War of Independence. Moving from Istanbul to Ankara to live in the dervish convent in 1920s, now converted into a museum, Ersoy arrived there during the most painful and troubled years of foreign occupation in the country, Turinay said. Spiritual leader of Turkish national struggle When Ersoy came to Ankara, the Turkish people had to achieve mainly two things to win the War of Independence, Turinay stressed. The first was to form a new army as the Turkish armies were dissolved with the agreements of World War I, and the second was to encourage the people to join the national struggle with a hope for independence, he stressed. During his speeches at various mosques of Central Anatolian cities, Ersoy gave voice to the faith and spirit necessary for the national struggle, Turinay added. In 1920, Ersoy was also elected the deputy of the northwestern Burdur province and entered the parliament. ‘Free since beginning, to be so forever’ The dervish convent was also the place where Ersoy wrote the lyrics of Turkish National Anthem -- the March of Independence -- Turinay said. On March 12, 1921, the Turkish Grand National Assembly officially declared Ersoy's poem as the national anthem. In the march, Ersoy immortalized his nation's battle for survival, in the wake of World War I, crowning its national liberation in 1921 during the Turkish War of Independence against foreign occupation. After World War I, the Ottoman Empire, one of the greatest empires in history, was destroyed. The British, French and allied forces had shattered the Ottoman Empire, and every part of the country was in captivity. Under those conditions, the national anthem's first words were “Fear not!”. Ersoy began his poem with such a call to give hope to the Turkish and Muslim people against foreign occupation that they can regain their independence, he said. “The Turkish nation has been free since the beginning of history,” said Turinay referring to the two verses of the anthem. “I have been free since the beginning and forever will be so.” What madman shall put me in chains! I defy the very idea!” The phrase of “since the beginning” had special significance expressing that the Turkish people have always lived in independence, founding great empires, Turinay said. Through these verses, Ersoy warned Turkish people that the negative conditions were temporary and urged to struggle together to overcome the captivity, Turinay added. Universal character, historical depth of national anthem Turinay stressed that the national anthem soon began to evoke significant repercussions in the Muslim and Turkic worlds in the wake of official recognition by the Turkish Parliament. “The national anthem, 'the symbol of the Turkish nation', has a universal character appealing to both the Turkish and Islamic worlds,” he highlighted. It was translated into the local languages of various countries, including Pakistan, Syria and Iraq, although the people of these countries were living under captivity of the French and British at that time. “Ersoy, who depicted the most painful years of Turkey during World War I and Balkan Wars in his works, gained a high reputation within and outside of the Ottoman Empire," Turinay underlined. He was a well known poet and author in a wide range of countries extending from Azerbaijan, Pakistan, India, Egypt, Syria, Iraq, North Africa, Crimea to Balkans, he added. “Mehmet Akif’s understanding of poetry was not limited to our national borders, rather he addressed the whole Turkish and Muslim world,” Turinay stressed. History through art, literature Turinay described Ersoy as “one of the geniuses of Turkish poetry, and said: “If there is an awareness today in Turkey about World War I and the Battle of Canakkale [Gallipoli], thanks to Ersoy's poem To the Gallipoli Martyrs". “Turkish people remember the pain, grief and destruction of these years through this poem,” he added. Ersoy not only tells the pain and memory of the martyrs of Gallipoli with this poem, but he also describes the withdrawal of an empire from the stage of history and the closing of an era, Turinay stressed. The Battle of Canakkale, which took place in the northwestern Turkish province of Canakkale's Gelibolu (Gallipoli) district in 1915, marked a turnaround in favor of the Turks against the Allied forces during World War I. Tens of thousands of Turkish nationals and soldiers died, along with tens of thousands of Europeans, as well as around 7,000-8,000 Australians and nearly 3,000 New Zealanders, referred together as Anzac troops. AA

The latest design in Bernews’ weekly series features a festive Bermuda flag high heel, beautifully surrounded by gifts, perfectly capturing the holiday spirit in style. You can find more . The design is available in two sizes; a Facebook profile cover image and also in a vertical format, ideally sized for use as a mobile phone wallpaper, WhatsApp status image or Instagram story. You can download both sizes below, and check back on Bernews every Wednesday for our latest free graphic download. To access more phone wallpapers with Bermudian themes, as well as social media cover graphics, visit , and if you would like to request a specific Bermuda-related phone wallpaper design, please feel free to email us at support@bernews.com. : ,Netanyahu says he supports proposed ceasefire with Lebanon's Hezbollah JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he will recommend his Cabinet adopt a United States-brokered ceasefire agreement with Lebanon’s Hezbollah, as Israeli warplanes struck across Lebanon, killing at least 23 people. The Israeli military also issued a flurry of evacuation warnings — a sign it was aiming to inflict punishment on Hezbollah down to the final moments before any ceasefire takes hold. For the first time in the conflict, Israeli ground troops reached parts of Lebanon’s Litani River, a focal point of the emerging deal. In a televised statement, Netanyahu said he would present the ceasefire to Cabinet ministers later on Tuesday, setting the stage for an end to nearly 14 months of fighting. Trump's threat to impose tariffs could raise prices for consumers, colliding with promise for relief DETROIT (AP) — If Donald Trump makes good on his threat to slap 25% tariffs on everything imported from Mexico and Canada, the price increases that could follow will collide with his campaign promise to give American families a break from inflation. Economists and industry officials say companies would have little choice but to pass along the added costs, dramatically raising prices for food, clothing, automobiles, booze and other goods. The president-elect floated the tariff idea and an additional 10% tax on goods from China, as a way to force the countries to halt the flow of illegal immigrants and drugs into the U.S. But his posts Monday threatening tariffs on his first day in office could be a negotiating ploy to get the countries to change behavior. Trump won about 2.5M more votes than in 2020, some in unexpected places Republican Donald Trump’s support has grown broadly since he last sought the presidency. In his defeat of Democrat Kamala Harris, Trump won a bigger percentage of the vote in each one of the 50 states, and Washington, D.C., than he did four years ago. According to an Associated Press analysis, he won more actual votes than in 2020 in 40 states. Even with turnout lower, Trump received 2.5 million more votes than he did in 2020. Trump cut into places where Harris needed to overperform to win a close election, especially in swing-state metropolitan areas that have been Democrats' winning electoral strongholds. Now Democrats are weighing how to regain traction ahead of the midterm elections in two years. Childhood cancer patients in Lebanon must battle disease while under fire BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanese families with children diagnosed with cancer are now grappling with the hardships of both illness and war. One family now has to drive three hours to reach the center where their 9-year-old gets treatment. It used to take just 90 minutes. Other families have been displaced by an intensified Israeli bombardment that began in late September. The Children’s Cancer Center of Lebanon quickly identified each patient’s location to ensure treatments remained uninterrupted, sometimes facilitating them at hospitals closer to the families’ new locations. Doctors too have struggled during the war. Biden proposes Medicare and Medicaid cover costly weight-loss drugs for millions of obese Americans WASHINGTON (AP) — Millions of obese Americans would be eligible to have popular weight-loss drugs like Wegovy or Zepbound covered by Medicare or Medicaid under a new rule the Biden administration proposed Tuesday morning. The proposal, which would not be finalized until after President-elect Donald Trump takes office, could cost taxpayers as much as $35 billion over the next decade. It would give millions of people access to weekly injectables that have helped people shed pounds so quickly that some people have labeled them miracle drugs. New rule allows HIV-positive organ transplants People with HIV who need a kidney or liver transplant will be able to receive an organ from a donor with HIV. That's according to a new rule announced Tuesday by U.S. health officials. Previously, such transplants could be done only as part of research studies. The new rule takes effect Wednesday. It's expected to shorten the wait for organs for all, regardless of HIV status, by increasing the pool of available organs. The practice is supported by a decade of research, during which 500 transplants of kidneys and livers from HIV-positive donors have been done in the U.S. Surveillance tech advances by Biden could aid in Trump's promised crackdown on immigration President-elect Donald Trump will return to power next year with a raft of technological tools at his disposal that would help deliver his campaign promise of cracking down on immigration — among them, surveillance and artificial intelligence technology that the Biden administration already uses to help make crucial decisions in tracking, detaining and ultimately deporting immigrants lacking permanent legal status. One algorithm, for example, ranks immigrants with a “Hurricane Score,” ranging from 1-5, to assess whether someone will “abscond” from the agency’s supervision. Ukraine says Russian attack sets a new record for the number of drones used KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The Ukrainian air force says Russia launched 188 drones against most regions of Ukraine in a nighttime blitz, describing it as a record number of drones deployed in a single attack. It said Tuesday that most of the drones were intercepted, but apartment buildings and critical infrastructure such as the national power grid were damaged. No casualties were immediately reported in the 17 targeted regions. Russia has been hammering civilian areas of Ukraine with increasingly heavy drone, missile and glide bomb attacks since the middle of the year. The Russian Defense Ministry, meanwhile, issued a rare official acknowledgement of its assets being hit on its own soil by U.S.-made longer-range missiles that the U.S. recently authorized Ukraine to use. Man found guilty of holding down teen while he was raped at a youth center in 1998 MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) — A New Hampshire jury has found a former leader at a youth detention center guilty of holding down a teen while he was raped in 1998. The jury delivered the verdict Tuesday. Seventy-year-old Bradley Asbury was found guilty on two counts of being an accomplice to aggravated sexual assault. He faces a maximum prison term of 20 years on each count. Asbury served as a house leader at the Sununu Youth Services Center in Manchester. It was the second criminal trial to stem from a broad 2019 investigation into longstanding abuse at the center. Asbury is among 11 men who worked there or at an associated facility in Concord who were arrested. UK Supreme Court hears landmark legal challenge over how a 'woman' is defined in law LONDON (AP) — The U.K. Supreme Court has begun hearing a legal challenge focusing on the definition of “woman” in a long-running dispute between a women’s right campaign group and the Scottish government. Five judges at Britain’s highest court are considering a case which seeks to clarify whether a trans person with a gender recognition certificate that recognizes them as female can be regarded as a woman under equality law. While the case centers on Scottish law, the women's campaign group bringing the challenge has said its outcome could have U.K.-wide consequences for sex-based rights as well as everyday single-sex services such as toilets and hospital wards.Sydneysiders who want to live in a suburb along the Metro line for the convenient commute will have to pay top dollar to either rent or buy. The fast-rail system stretches from Sydenham to the CBD, lower north shore, Hills district and Tallawong, with a journey from North Sydney to Barangaroo in just three minutes. Castle Hill residents can get to Martin Place in 35 minutes. But convenience comes at a premium. Bella Vista residents can get to the CBD in 41 minutes, but face a median house price of $2,477,500, while a house will set renters back around $975 per week. Waterloo’s median unit price is $925,500, and median unit rent $935, for a commute of just six minutes to Martin Place. Rents are also high at $780 for a unit in Chatswood (11 minutes to Martin Place) and $720 for Castle Hill (35 minutes). Castle Hill house buyers would pay a median of $2,312,500. Loading Ray White agent Peter Iann said the Metro had driven greater demand for Bella Vista and that he could not limit the buyer pool to one specific region of Sydney. “We are now seeing interest from all over Sydney,” he said. “There is not enough stock for the demand and sellers now have higher price expectations.” Geoffrey Clinton, senior lecturer in transport and logistics management at the University of Sydney Business School, said that while the Metro had a significant impact on social cohesion, it was just one piece of the puzzle. “Just building train lines alone is not going to create nirvana for Sydneysiders,” he said. “In the next five to ten years we will see mini CBDs pop up. People will be living in fairly small apartments, and they’ll be more likely to dine and go out, similar to what happens in other high-density areas like Singapore.” Sydneysiders who want to live along the Metro line in suburbs such as Bella Vista, pictured, will need to pay top dollar. Credit: Nick Moir Clinton said that while people wanted to live near public transport, pricing came down to the timing of developments. “If apartments are built ahead of demand, prices may be softer. But if they’re slow to be built, then prices will be higher.” He suggested the Metro and its surrounding high-rises are part of the solution to the housing crisis, but that we also need standalone houses and townhouses. “By opening up transport opportunities, it makes it easier to develop density around these areas.” Professor of civil engineering at the University of Technology Sydney, Buddhima Indraratna, said that while he would like to see young professionals living closer to the Metro, there was a lot of wishful thinking about how much the train line could improve housing affordability. Loading “With the high cost of living, people are living further away from the CBD because they can’t afford it. Even a two-bedroom [CBD] apartment can cost up to $3 million,” he said. “Sydney is one of the most expensive cities in the world. We might not see the advantages of the Metro yet, but they will be there for the next generation.” Marriott Lane Crows Nest agent Stephen O’Sullivan said that while the Metro has enhanced the appeal of the suburb, it hasn’t changed the buyer pool. “There’s more appetite, but the buyers tend to be locals or downsizers from the upper north shore that are seeking convenience to the CBD,” he said. O’Sullivan said buyers are limited by price. However, the Metro allows for more choice when priced out of Crows Nest, as residents of nearby St Leonards and Wollstonecraft can walk to the station. O’Sullivan said we are yet to see an uptick in prices for Crows Nest since the introduction of the Metro, as there are few homes for sale and prices are high. An extension from Sydenham to Marrickville, Lakemba and Bankstown, will open in 2025, further connecting Sydney’s suburbs. BresicWhitney Lower North Shore agent Louise Barton said buyers from the eastern suburbs have moved to North Sydney in the past few months, but not because they’re priced out. “They’re just interested to explore North Sydney, and it makes a lot of sense as you’re just over the other side of the bridge,” she said. Barton said sellers are not driving up their prices due to the Metro. “Sellers remain realistic about the market. But given how the Metro has impacted other suburbs such as North Ryde, we’ve seen prices increase over time. Sellers are excited about what it means for them.” North Ryde’s median house price rose 10.9 per cent to $2,495,000 in the year to September on Domain data. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. License this article Sydney house prices Infrastructure Property prices NSW residential property Renting First-home buyers Property market Kristy Johnson – Kristy is a property reporter for the Sydney Morning Herald. Most Viewed in Property Loading10-man Botafogo wins its first Copa Libertadores title

Former world No.1 out of Aus Open after brutal setbackWhen Guangli Xu's phone started buzzing with thousands of notifications, he realised he had "gone viral". The 28-year-old shared a video to social media platform Douyin — the Chinese version of TikTok — titled "Challenging the world's longest commute to classes". The video documents the 8,800km journey Xu takes weekly from his hometown Dezhou, in China’s Shandong province, to Melbourne for face-to-face classes. "A round trip takes about 72 hours. One way is about 10 to 13 hours on the plane," he tells SBS Mandarin. Xu first came to Melbourne eight years ago and in that time has completed his undergraduate studies in game design and a master's degree in arts management at RMIT University. For his final semester this year, he decided to move back to his hometown and become an 'international commuter'. Source: Supplied "I usually leave for Melbourne on Monday mornings and can be back home [in China] by Wednesday evenings," Xu says. Between August and October, he made the commute 11 times, with each round trip costing around $1,500. He says the expense is comparable to his typical monthly living costs in Melbourne. Xu says the main reasons he wanted to become an "international commute student" were to spend more time with his family and girlfriend, who are based in Dezhou, and to prepare for a career in China post-graduation. Before committing to the plan, Xu read up on China's overseas degree recognition and recruitment timelines and assessed the feasibility of managing his coursework remotely. Why international students like Huzaifa say they feel 'like a scapegoat' "I found that the flight routes between China and Australia are frequent, with multiple airlines operating, so I gave it a try ... It turned out to be quite feasible and I haven't encountered any major issues," he explains. "I prefer the environment and convenience in China. After living abroad for so many years, I also wanted to spend more time with my family." Cross-state commuting Alongside international commuting, some domestic students are travelling interstate for their studies. Hunter Huang, a Chinese international student at the University of Adelaide, moved to Sydney in February and began a four-month journey of "cross-state commuting" to complete his postgraduate studies in marketing. The 27-year-old had been living in Adelaide since 2016, where he completed his foundation and undergraduate studies. Source: Supplied Speaking to SBS Mandarin, Huang says he would typically fly from Sydney to Adelaide once a month, returning the same day. "I usually arrive at Sydney Airport around 6am and take the earliest flight to Adelaide, arriving just in time for my 10am class. Like Xu, Huang’s move was in part motivated by love — his girlfriend lives in Sydney. He also cited Sydney’s lower shared accommodation costs and greater job opportunities as primary reasons behind his decision to commute between states. "After calculating the costs, I found that living together [with my girlfriend] in Sydney is cheaper than living apart, with me staying in Adelaide to study. We're saving nearly a month's rent, around $2,000," Huang says. "Also, it's not easy to find a marketing job in Adelaide but there are more opportunities here in Sydney." There are new restrictions for student visas in Australia. Here's what you need to know Could international commuting become mainstream? Xu isn't the only one adopting the international commute lifestyle. On Chinese social media, it is not unusual to see international students from other countries posting videos tagged "China-Japan commute", "China-Korea commute" and "China-Russia commute". Dr Qian Gong, a scholar of Chinese media and popular culture at Perth's Curtin University, believes that short-term international commuting could become "a more common practice" among international students in the near future. "Particularly for countries that are geographically closer, like South Korea, Japan, Malaysia or Singapore, I think it's highly possible that some students might opt for a period of international commuting," she says. Source: Supplied Gong explains that compared with earlier generations of Chinese international students, the new generation places a higher value on staying connected with their families. Additionally, an increasing number of students now choose to return to China after graduation. "I've seen students mention that one reason they choose Australia is the [smaller] time difference between Australia and China. Whereas in the US, for instance, it's less convenient to call or video chat with family," she says. "Over time, international commuting might become a practice that no longer stands out as unusual." These uni students are working 'extreme hours' to make ends meet, but a crackdown is looming International commute not for everyone As Xu's international commute videos gained traction online, he started facing criticism. Some comments posted on Douyin label him a "wealthy kid" and questioned the value of his degree. Dr Hongzhi Zhang is a senior lecturer in education at Monash University and says the decision to undertake international commuting is tied to a range of social, economic and lifestyle factors international students have to consider. "If there were more job opportunities and better living conditions here in Australia, I believe [Xu] would be more inclined to invite his family to live in Australia, rather than flying back to China every week," Zhang says. Source: SBS News Despite the considerable time spent travelling and associated costs, Zhang says international commuting does not necessarily diminish the quality of learning. "What affects the quality of learning is whether the student has adequately prepared before attending class," he explains. Zhang points out that since the pandemic, universities have embraced more flexible teaching methods to meet diverse needs. "For instance, many reading materials are now provided online in advance. Whether students are in Australia or elsewhere, they can prepare for class ahead of time." International students face major mental health barriers. Are universities doing enough? In early December, Xu returned to Melbourne to prepare for his graduation ceremony later this month. Reflecting on his three-month journey as an international commuter, Xu described it as a "bold" experiment that not only enriched his life experience but also made him more confident about planning for his future. But he says international commuting is "not a good fit for everyone". "But if your time and energy abroad are already limited, I'd recommend focusing on integrating into local life as soon as possible. I think that will have greater meaning for your future." This story was written by Nicole Gong from SBS Mandarin .None

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New Delhi: The ministry of electronics and IT ( MeitY ) has asked Meta to prevent WhatsApp-originated pesky messages and calls, many of which lead to financial frauds. "We have taken it (scams issue) up with Meta. This is a continuous process. They (scamsters) will keep discovering newer ways, making people worry," MeitY secretary S Krishnan told ET. Lately, there has been a rampant misuse of WhatsApp, a popular instant messaging (IM) and voice-over-IP (VoIP) service provider, by scamsters for sharing dubious content, which led to users being conned. The telecom regulator had sought MeitY's intervention to check financial frauds perpetrated through OTT platforms, since such apps are regulators under the IT Act and don't fall under the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai). Krishnan further said the government is in a regular dialogue with stakeholders particularly Meta and added that users also need to be cautious and raise complaints even in the case of mobile app WhatsApp. "If there is some wrong content, there is a process. The IT rules require these companies to have a grievance officer with whom users can raise issues. They can raise it either within the app or outside. In case, the issue is not dealt with, there is also a grievance appellate committee," said Krishnan. 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During its action against unsolicited commercial communication (UCC) earlier this year, Trai had asked MeitY to probe and prevent calls and messages sent out by scamsters using WhatsApp. "WhatsApp calls at present are being looked at by MeitY, so on that we have already written to the ministry, saying that Trai is already working in respect to voice calls and SMS, and requested them to take appropriate action," Trai chairman Anil Kumar Lahoti had told ET recently. The fraudsters have been abusing the messaging platforms to lure users by posing as the organisers of a lottery or Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan-hosted Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) show, among others. The modus operandi includes asking for screen share and taking remote access of a smartphone to steal personal data, and in other cases asking for OTP to swindle money from a bank account. Nominations for ET MSME Awards are now open. The last day to apply is December 15, 2024. Click here to submit your entry for any one or more of the 22 categories and stand a chance to win a prestigious award. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )The Cincinnati Bearcats men's basketball team has gotten off to a fast start this season in more ways than one. The No. 16 Bearcats have raced to a 5-0 record while outscoring their opponents by more than 31 points per game, with just one team (Northern Kentucky) coming within 16 points. Cincinnati is averaging a robust 87 points per game with one of the more efficient offenses in college basketball. Cincinnati will look to continue that hot streak when it plays host to Alabama State in nonconference action Wednesday evening. Cincinnati has punished opposing defenses in a variety of ways this season. Despite being the No. 14 offense in the nation in Ken Pomeroy's efficiency ratings, the Bearcats aren't among the nation's leaders in pace. Still, they take advantage of those opportunities when they are there. "Us playing fast is something we want to do," Cincinnati forward Dillon Mitchell said. "When I was being recruited here, that was something Coach (Wes) Miller wanted to do. "There could be games where we're not making shots or something is off, but one thing is we're gonna push the ball, play hard and play fast. That's something he preaches. We'll be in shape and get rebounds." Mitchell is fresh off a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds in Cincinnati's 81-58 road win at Georgia Tech Saturday. He is one of four Bearcats to average double figures in scoring this season. That balance was on display once again against the Yellow Jackets, with Connor Hickman and Jizzle James also scoring 14 points each and Simas Lukosius contributing 12 points. In that game, Cincinnati sank 51.6 percent of its shots while regularly getting out into transition with 16 fastbreak points, while winning the rebounding battle 36-29. "Any time you get a road win over a quality, Power 4 team, you're gonna feel good about it," Miller said. "I was pleased with our effort." Lukosius is scoring 16.6 points per game, while James is at 14.0 points, followed by Mitchell at 12.4, while he also grabs a team-best 8.6 rebounds. Alabama State (3-3) has a tough task ahead, especially when considering its 97-78 loss at Akron Sunday, which ended a three-game winning streak. The Hornets allowed the Zips to shoot 46.4 percent from the field and were 53-32 in the rebounding battle. Alabama State gave up a season high in points, after playing the likes of LSU and UNLV earlier this season. Akron standout Nate Johnson lit up Alabama State for 25 points, as the game got away from the Hornets in the second half to keep them winless in true road games. Alabama leading scorers CJ Hines and TJ Madlock still got theirs against Akron, scoring 19 and 17 points, respectively. They were joined in double figures by reserve Tyler Mack (18 points), but recent history says they'll need more help to keep up with the Bearcats. Hines leads the Hornets with 15.7 points per game, while Madlock contributes 14.5 points. In previous Akron Basketball Classic wins last week against Omaha and Lamar, Alabama State featured at least four double-digit scorers in each game. --Field Level MediaIn-Depth Analysis Of The Global Smart Apartments Market: Key Drivers, Trends, And Forecast 2024-2033

Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Michelle Rowland once confessed she had a vice. It was “excessive online clothes shopping”, Rowland told this masthead in 2021 , when she was Labor’s communications spokeswoman. “I blame Instagram.” Now the communications minister with responsibility for regulating social media, Rowland is doing something to curb its influence. The politician known for having such a lawyerly, cautious approach that she reads from notes even in private meetings has taken the audacious step of banning under 16s from social media . The move has outraged technology giants and generated headlines around the world. “We would like that something very similar could be put in place, enforced in Europe,” French Education Minister Anne Genetet said. “We absolutely urgently need something to be put in place.” Michelle Rowland has strong backroom relationships. But they have not been enough to advance major parts of the government’s agenda that she is overseeing. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen That Australia is out ahead of any other country is all the more striking because two of Rowland’s other priorities – a bill to ban lies online and a crackdown on gambling ads – are dead or dying. Rowland’s critics blame the minister for that. “Minister Rowland seems to operate under the belief that she doesn’t have to bring anyone along with her on her legislation and policies,” Greens communications spokesperson Sarah Hanson-Young says. “For the communications minister, she’s not a great communicator.” But the wooden exterior belies a different Rowland. Behind the closed doors of the Labor Party, colleagues know her as funny (the type of minister who leaves odd snacks on staff desks), sharp and influential. Rowland, they say, is in her dream job. She is the first sitting MP since Paul Keating to serve as NSW party president, a role in which she has helped keep internal NSW Labor dramas off the front page as the state branch won an election after more than a decade in opposition. The former communications and regulatory lawyer, who worked with star lawyer Danny Gilbert and Australian Competition and Consumer Commission chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb, cares about her portfolio and knows it inside out. Growing up in the western Sydney electorate of Greenway that she represents, Rowland rose through the ranks of Young Labor before marrying Michael Chaaya, a corporate lawyer who could not speak English when he started school in Mount Druitt. The pair regularly attend a Maronite church together, grounding her views in favour of religious freedom and against antisemitism. In 2009, Rowland was a senior lawyer at Gilbert+Tobin when an electoral redistribution flipped Greenway from a safe Liberal seat to a winnable prospect for Labor. Rowland won it the next year and began a steady rise through the party that has won her fans in Labor’s most senior ranks. Treasurer Jim Chalmers secured her a position on the powerful cabinet expenditure review committee that signs off on government spending – a rarity for a communications minister. “She is very smart, very thorough and very tough,” one senior minister says. “She has a lawyer’s sense of the detail and a marginal member’s sense of the politics, and that makes her very influential.” And she has personal bonds, too. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese rates not only her political judgment as a voice from suburban Labor comfortable on Sky News, but also her health advice. He followed Rowland’s diet (she lost about 40kg – roughly half her body weight – on the strict meal-prepping plan in 2020 and still gets up at 4.30am for Pilates) to lose weight before the 2022 election, declaring it made him “match fit”. Yet, those backroom relationships have not been enough to advance major parts of the government’s agenda that Rowland is overseeing in a portfolio that deals with politically influential organisations such as media companies and sporting codes. On some other issues, such as modernising Australia Post, updating rules to preserve major sport on free-to-air TV, reshaping the National Broadband Network, and letting users find broadcast stations on smart TVs, Rowland has confronted issues that her Coalition predecessors left alone. But rules to require more Australian content on streaming services such as Netflix, which sit both in Rowland’s patch and the arts portfolio, are nowhere to be seen. Labor’s anti-misinformation bill , which would have let the media regulator pressure social media companies to take down falsehoods circulating online, attracted a chorus of critics, from human rights groups to religious institutions. Intended to prevent conspiracy theories about events such as terrorist attacks, it left experts baffled about who would determine what was true and how. Rowland abandoned her second attempt to pass the law late last month. Gambling reform has fared scarcely better. More than a year after the late Labor MP Peta Murphy delivered bipartisan recommendations from a parliamentary committee for a blanket ban on gambling advertising, no laws have been introduced and a government commitment to respond by the end of this year has been all but abandoned. Anti-gambling advocates have accused the government of betraying Murphy’s memory. That is despite Rowland privately briefing interested parties on a full digital ban on gambling ads online and a cap on those airing on television, less than the proposal Murphy backed, but further than the sports, gambling and media sectors wanted and beyond what any previous government has floated. But Rowland has done little to convince the public of the significance of the reforms. In press conferences, Rowland is disciplined to the point of appearing stilted. Those who have spoken with her in private say her habit of referring to notes, which is unusual for a politician but more common in the law, has the same effect. It is, one former minister says, an “insult to the craft”. Rowland’s allies admit her attitude towards the gambling sector changed after this masthead reported in February 2023 that she had received donations and a Rockpool dinner from Sportsbet before the 2022 federal election, leading to crossbench calls for her resignation. Teal MPs and anti-gambling advocates portrayed Rowland as captured by corporate interests. That perception has meant her proposed set of policies, which would hurt media companies and sporting codes’ finances, won no friends. “The reputational damage done by the Sportsbet stuff meant she was always on the back foot on the gambling issue,” one gambling industry source says. “People like [Alliance for Gambling Reform chief advocate] Tim Costello were always going to paint her as weak if she ended up anywhere other than a full blanket ban.” With the prime minister publicly suggesting poker machines are a greater problem and privately convinced there is little electoral benefit in prosecuting the crackdown, Rowland’s problem is unlikely to go away unless she can muster the rhetoric to convince the public that a middle path works. That more charismatic Rowland has peeked through before. Asked her favourite TV show in that 2021 Q&A with this masthead , Rowland named the Netflix show Vikings . It’s full of “heavily tattooed Nordic beefcakes in sweaty battle scenes”, she said. “I’m only human.” Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter .