giri slotvip NASA's 2 stuck astronauts face more time in space with return delayed until at least late MarchPercentages: FG .547, FT .725. 3-Point Goals: 12-22, .545 (Hunter 7-10, Rogers 3-6, Carter 1-2, Haggerty 1-4). Team Rebounds: 2. Team Turnovers: 1. Blocked Shots: 2 (Cisse 2). Turnovers: 12 (Dainja 3, Haggerty 3, Hunter 2, Jourdain 2, Okojie, Rogers). Steals: 2 (Haggerty, Hunter). Technical Fouls: Dainja, 2:29 first. Percentages: FG .492, FT .792. 3-Point Goals: 14-30, .467 (Karaban 4-8, Ball 3-6, Stewart 2-3, Mahaney 2-4, McNeeley 2-4, Diarra 1-4, Ross 0-1). Team Rebounds: 2. Team Turnovers: 1. Blocked Shots: 3 (Reed 3). Turnovers: 9 (Diarra 3, Johnson 2, Reed 2, Karaban, Mahaney). Steals: 3 (Diarra, Johnson, McNeeley). Technical Fouls: Huskies, 15:50 first; Johnson, 2:29 first; coach Dan Hurley, 00:39 first. .

( MENAFN - PR Newswire) eMemory's Michael Ho discusses how the company is addressing the memory and security challenges in high-performance computing applications. TAIPEI, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In today's era of the Internet of Everything (IoE), especially with the proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI), which in turn has ushered in the Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT) trend, chip design demands have further intensified. Not only do advanced, high-end applications require powerful CPU cores for processing, but also an increased demand for memory-modern chips need the capability to store critical information, even when powered off. "With the push toward higher performance and power efficiency, devices like mobile phones, laptops, and cloud data centers increasingly rely on advanced process chips," says Michael Ho, President of eMemory Technology Inc., during an interview with EE Times Asia. "Today's applications, especially in HPC (high-performance computing] and AI, demand powerful chips capable of processing large volumes of data and images with enhanced speed and efficiency." eMemory is one of the leading providers of non-volatile memory (NVM) IP. "At eMemory, we focus on multimemory development. Our product line includes OTP [one-time programmable], which includes a floating-gate type NeoBit and the antifuse type NeoFuse; MTP [multiple-time programmable], where we have NeoEE and NeoMTP; and we are also providing a PUF-based security solution and our own embedded flash, NeoFlash," explains Ho. However, Ho notes that as process shrinks, challenges arise in both process and chip architecture, requiring adjustments to maintain performance, such as controlling electron flow and preventing leakage, which can impact power efficiency and reliability. " To meet the demands of advanced applications, it is essential to extend our NVM capabilities to advanced processes. However, these processes are highly complex, making it impractical to tailor them to perfectly align with the design of every individual component." explains Ho. "Our engineers have to find different kind of ways-from device level to design level-to achieve a very reliable and robust NVM technology in those advanced process nodes." NeoFuse, eMemory's advanced anti-fuse OTP solution and a recipient of the Best IP/Processor of the Year award at EE Awards Asia 2024, solves a key industry challenge: scaling with advanced nodes without increasing cost or design complexity. "As advanced processes develop to 5nm, the rated supply voltage of a component lows from 1.8V to 1.2V. NeoFuse's design needed to overcome the challenge of lower power supply while maintaining high programming voltage and performance. NeoFuse uses an innovative circuit that boosts the internal voltage three to four times higher while maintaining reliability of devices. Its new architecture also achieves high temperature tolerance, supporting up to 150°C in sub-5nm processes," explains Ho. Additionally, to fulfill the new demand of the advanced applications, eMemory's NeoFuse reserves parity bits in each word as a standard design, enabling clients to implement Error Correction Code (ECC) schemes to ensure data integrity. This makes it an ideal solution for high-reliability SoC applications, including automotive systems and beyond. "NeoFuse aims to support all kinds of cutting-edge applications' advancements," Ho says. But what also makes NeoFuse a recipient of an EE Awards is its uniqueness. Compared to eFuse, NeoFuse's mechanism makes the physical differences between programmed and unprogrammed cells invisible, making it a safer option than eFuse. In addition, when there is a large capacity requirement, the required area (footprint) of NeoFuse is also relatively economical. "Compared to other OTP, NeoFuse's patented 3T structure adds a regulating transistor to improve yield, reliability, and programming success compared to traditional 2T designs, which reduces testing time and costs," says Ho. "Compatible with standard logic processes, NeoFuse supports fast time-to-market, quality, and cost efficiency for leading-edge applications. As an OTP that always passes advanced processes-from 16nm to 3nm-at the first cut, NeoFuse is ideal for demanding applications such as AI, HPC, data centers and automotive fields." Meanwhile, when it comes to high-end applications, all chips that require a large amount of computing faces the challenge of a sudden increase in SRAM demand and a decline in yield. To address this issue, eMemory recently cooperated with Siemens on an SRAM repair toolset, which integrates the NeoFuse OTP into Siemens' Tessent MemoryBIST (Built-in Self-Test) tool, and coupled with the interface design jointly developed by eMemory subsidiary PUFsecurity Corp. to makes the SRAM repair tool easier to use. "Siemens' Tessent MemoryBIST has a market share of more than 90%, so, cooperating with Siemens on SRAM Repair is an OTP application trend that we value very much," says Ho. Addressing Chip Security Issues Apart from the increasing complexity of chip designs to address the high-performance requirements and interconnectedness of the latest applications in almost every sector, another critical challenge that designers are intensely focusing on is security . In the automotive sector, fintech, industrial automation, or even personal devices such as smartphones and portables, chip security has never been more critical amid the increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks. In fact, threat actors can even leverage the use of advanced AI, especially generative AI, to create malicious content to harm devices. These trends-the need to secure interconnected devices, protect sensitive data across a wide range of applications, the growing urgency to combat cyber risks-bode well for the embedded security industry and its ecosystem. According to research firm MarketsandMarkets, the embedded security market is expected to grow from $7.4 billion in 2023 to around $9.8 billion by 2028-growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.7% from 2023 to 2028. And leading this front is eMemory subsidiary PUFsecurity Corp. eMemory has further invented NeoPUF with nearly ideal PUF performance through NeoFuse technology. Based on its NeoFuse and NeoPUF technologies and industry resources, eMemory established PUFsecurity in 2019, focusing on developing secure storage and key technologies into different levels of hardware security solutions, including the Hardware Root of Trust (PUFrt) and Crypto Coprocessor (PUFcc). In PUFrt, PUF serves as the core for generating a unique password for each chip, enabling the creation of root keys or unique identification codes (UID), and securely stored in NeoFuse OTP. The True Random Number Generator (TRNG) within PUFrt seamlessly integrates PUF values to produce high-quality random numbers, meeting diverse and stringent security operation needs. The overall design of PUFrt is interlocked to form a robust anti-attack protective shell, establishing a solid foundation for building a trust and security chain from each IoT endpoint chip. On top of PUFrt, PUFcc incorporates a comprehensive suite of encryption algorithms certified by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), supporting advanced security functions such as secure boot, secure updates, and secure debugging. By 2023, the company introduced the One-Stop Shop Security Platform to demonstrate a more comprehensive, market-ready secure IP platform with upgraded controllers and interface designs, such as Memory Mapping, Behavioral Models, and Regression Test Methodology support smoother adoption and verification. "As a group, eMemory and PUFsecurity integrate all security elements to deliver a comprehensive solution for our customers. This unique strength is difficult to replicate, especially since very few companies excel in both hardware and software IP design." says Ho. One of the recent developments from PUFsecurity is the recently launched PUFcc7, an upgraded version that meets TLS 1.3's security requirements, particularly in new cryptos. Also, PUFsecurity and Arm joined forces to demonstrate a powerful security framework combining PUFcc and Arm Corstone-300 and achieved SESIP and PSA Certified Level 3 RoT Component certification in the fourth quarter of this year. "Many customers have already used our PUFrt with Arm architecture to enhance hardware security. On the other hand, the adoption of PUFcc has also picked up rapidly. Customers have taken the advantage of complete integration and CAVP-certified crypto engines to accelerate products' time-to-market and certification process," says Ho. In fact, as demand for data centers and the cloud has been exploding exponentially, the industry has established Caliptra, an open standard for silicon root of trust targeted at chips designed for data center applications, including CPUs, GPUs, and DPUs. "For customers who require data center services, their terminal equipment must also comply with Caliptra's specifications," explains Ho. "Our root of trust solution-PUFrt-is the security required by data center applications. In fact, more and more customers are requesting PUFrt. According to Caliptra documentation, the goal is to first adopt Caliptra in confidential computing, with plans to expand to all chip types. The demand for security solutions driven by relevant regulations is also an opportunity we are quite optimistic about." Ho adds that PUFsecurity will keep upgrading and completing its entire security portfolio to offer the industry a one-stop-shop service and innovative solutions, whether the designs, availabilities (150nm–3nm), security framework references, and certifications. And it is for these reasons that PUFsecurity is a recipient of this year's Best Security Technology Platform at the EE Awards Asia. "EE Times is an influential technology media in the industry. It is an honor for us to be the recipient of these awards together with many semiconductor giants. With this kind of affirmation, we will go further. We also hope that through the EE Awards, people who are unfamiliar with eMemory and PUFsecurity will get to know us, and lead to more potential cooperation opportunities," says Ho. Next Step Forward Ho says they will continue to actively expand the roadmap of eMemory IP in process nodes. "We expect that NeoFuse will complete the qualification of 3nm next year, and 2nm will always be included in the plan. In addition, several new technologies are also under development." Meanwhile, PUFsecurity is about to launch a brand-new solution, PUFhsm, which is born to fulfil the automotive vertical and enable eight security goals with a CPU-integrated architecture-secure boot, secure update, secure deployment, key management, lifecycle management, secure debugging, secure monitoring, and compliant with the EVITA Full. " Overall, because our products continue to improve and have been successfully expanded to various technology platforms and advanced process nodes, coupled with the cooperation and promotion with industrial giants, which will accelerate our progress in the advanced application market, we are optimistic about future growth," Ho concludes. eMemory and PUFsecurity showcase their collective strengths in R&D and technical expertise as a unified group. Learn More: [Product Intro] NeoFuse [Product Intro] PUF-based Security Products [Related News] Collaboration with Siemens on Memory Repair Tool Set [Related News] PUFcc with PSA Certified Level 3 RoT Component SOURCE EE Times Taiwan MENAFN17122024003732001241ID1109005023 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. 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When the page turns on 2024, it will be time to say goodbye, once and for all, to the amateur athlete in college sports. In theory, the concept held on stubbornly via the quaint and now all-but-dead notion that student-athletes played only for pride, a scholarship and some meal money. In practice, the amateurs have been disappearing for years, washed away by the steady millions, now billions, that have flowed into college athletics, mostly through football and basketball both through legitimate and illicit means. In the coming year, the last vestiges of amateur college sports are expected to officially sputter out — the final step of a journey that has felt inevitable since 2021. That’s when the Supreme Court laid the foundation for paying college players in exchange for promotions — on social media, TV, video games, you name it — featuring their name, image or likeness (NIL). The changes have come in spasms so far, not always well thought out, not always fair and not regulated by any single entity like the NCAA or federal government, but rather by a collection of state laws, along with rules at individual schools and the leagues in which they play. But on April 7, the day final approval is expected for the landmark, $2.8 billion lawsuit settlement that lays the foundation for players to receive money directly from their schools, what was once considered anathema to the entire concept of college sports will become the norm. David Schnase, the NCAA’s vice president for academic and membership affairs, acknowledges that maintaining the unique essence of college sports is a challenge in the shifting landscape. “You can use the word ‘pro,’ you can use the word ‘amateur,’ you can attach whatever moniker you want to it, but those are just labels,” Schnase said. “It’s much less about labels and more about experiences and circumstances. Circumstances are different today than they were last year and they are likely going to be different in the foreseeable future.” Few would argue that college athletes shouldn’t get something back for the billions they help produce in TV and ticket revenue, merchandise sales and the like. But is everyone going to cash in? Are college players really getting rich? Recent headlines suggest top quarterback recruit Bryce Underwood was lured to Michigan thanks to funding from billionaire Oracle founder Larry Ellison, and that a top basketball recruit, A.J. Dybantsa, is heading to BYU — not a hoops powerhouse — for the reported price of $7 million. For every Underwood or Dybantsa, though, there are even more Matthew Slukas and Beau Pribulas. Sluka’s agent says his son agreed to play quarterback at UNLV after a promise of receiving $100,000 and quit three games into the season after the checks never came. Pribula was the backup quarterback at Penn State who abruptly entered the transfer portal earlier this month, choosing the college version of free agency over a chance to play with the Nittany Lions in the College Football Playoff. He’s not the only one hitting the portal in hopes of getting rich before new regulations related to the NCAA settlement take effect. “We’ve got problems in college football,” Penn State coach James Franklin said. The settlement will overhaul the current system. Currently, players receive money via third-party collectives that are booster-funded groups affiliated with individual schools. Coming up fast: the schools paying the athletes directly — the term often used here is “revenue sharing” — with collectives still an option, but not the only one. “It’s going to be more transparent,” said Jeff Kessler, the plaintiffs’ attorney and antitrust veteran who helped shape the settlement. “If anything, having the schools handling all the payments is only going to improve the system.” The NCAA has started collecting data about NIL payments, which date to July 2021. Its first set of numbers, which includes data from more than 140 schools across more than 40 sports in 2024, show a bracing disconnect between have and have-nots. For instance, average earnings for football and men’s and women’s basketball players is nearly $38,000. But the median earning — the middle number among all the data points on the list — is only $1,328, a sign of how much the biggest contracts skew the average. The statistics also show a vast difference in earnings between men and women, an issue that could impact schools’ ability to comply with Title IX. That 1972 law requires schools to provide equal athletic scholarships and financial aid but not necessarily that they spend the same dollar amount on men and women. Heading into 2025, there is no clarity on how this issue will play out. Regardless, the numbers are jarring. The NCAA data set shows the average earnings for women in 16 sports was $8,624, compared with $33,321 for men in 11 sports. Men,’s basketball players averaged $56,000 compared with $11,500 for women. The biggest losers from this move toward a professional model could be all the swimmers and wrestlers and field hockey players — the athletes in the so-called non-revenue sports whose programs also happen to serve as the backbone of the U.S. Olympic team. Only a tiny percentage of those athletes are getting rich, and now that universities have to use revenue to pay the most sought-after players in their athletic programs, there could be cuts to the smaller sports. Also, someone’s going to have backfill the revenue that will now go to the players. Well-heeled donors like Ellison are not around for every school, nor have private equity firms started sending money. The average fan will have to pony up, and the last six months have seen dozens — if not hundreds — of athletic directors begging alumni for money and warning them of changes ahead. Already there are schools placing surcharges on tickets or concessions. How will fans respond to a more transactional model of college sports? “I don’t know that fans have this really great love for the idea of 100% pure amateurism,” said Nels Popp, a University of North Carolina sports business professor. “I think what they care about is the colors and the logos and the brand. I don’t know that it matters to them if the players are making a little bit of money or a lot of money. They’ve been making money for the last couple years, and I don’t know that that’s making fans really back off.” The last time amateurism came under such assault was in the 1980s, when the Olympics unwound the final remnants of pretending the vast majority of their athletes were anything other than full-time professionals. The transformation was tinged with a note of honesty: The people putting on the show should reap some benefits from it. Even 40 years later, there’s an good argument they remain underpaid. The contours of the same debate are shaping up in college sports. Athletes are pushing for a players’ association that would add more transparency to a business that, even with the changes coming, is still largely dictated by the schools. The NCAA, while acceding to the need to pay the players, wants nothing to do with turning them into actual employees of the schools they play for. It’s an expensive prospect that is winding its way through the legal system via lawsuits and labor hearings that many in college sports are desperate to avoid for fear it will push the entire industry off the financial cliff. Among the few things everyone agrees on is that things aren’t going back to a time when athletes pretended to play for pride while the money moved under tables and through shadows. And that this, in fact, could only be the start, not the end, of the transformation of college sports. “At some point, I think people might have to understand that maybe college athletes don’t go to college anymore,” Popp said. “Or maybe they don’t go to class during the season. There could be more radical changes, and as long as they’re wearing the right logo and the right colors, I’m not sure that fans really care.” Get local news delivered to your inbox!TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — This isn’t a week when coach Todd Bowles feels he needs to find the right words to ensure his Tampa Bay Buccaneers are motivated to face the last-place Carolina Panthers. The Bucs (8-7) have won eight of the last nine meetings between the NFC South rivals, including the past three with Baker Mayfield at quarterback. It hasn’t exactly been smoothly sailing against the Panthers (4-11), though, for the three-time defending division champions. And, with at least a share of first place on the line Sunday, Bowles and his players say they are focused solely on rebounding from last week’s disappointing loss to the Dallas Cowboys. “We know it’s going to be a tough ballgame. It went overtime last time. They’re coached very well; they play very hard,” Bowles said, referencing Tampa Bay’s 26-23 win at Carolina on Dec. 1. “We know what’s at stake for us. It doesn’t need to be talked about. Everybody understands that,” Bowles added. “We’ve got to clean up our own mistakes, and we’ve got to play an error-free football game.” The Bucs are tied with Atlanta for the best record in the NFC South, however the Falcons (8-7) hold the tiebreaker after sweeping the season series between the teams. To claim a fourth straight division title, Tampa Bay needs to win remaining home games against the Panthers and New Orleans Saints while Atlanta loses at least once in the last two weeks of the regular season. If the Falcons hold on to win the South, the Bucs can earn a wild-card playoff berth if they win out and the Washington Commanders lose twice. Mayfield, who has resurrected his career since being released by Carolina two years ago, summed up the attitude in a resilient locker room. The Bucs have won four of five games following a four-game losing streak threatened their playoff hopes. “I keep saying it, this team has the mental makeup of a great team. We just have to continue to fight and find ways to win,” the quarterback said. “If we don’t take of business, we won’t be in the playoffs.” Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard cost his team the game four weeks ago against Tampa Bay when he fumbled on the second possession of overtime just after Carolina had reached field goal range. Mayfield responded by leading the Bucs back down the field for the winning field goal. The loss was devastating for Hubbard at the time, but he promised himself when the opportunity arose again he’d make the most of it. He did that this past Sunday, when he carried twice for 49 yards, including a 21-yard touchdown run in which he broke two tackles, in overtime to lift the Panthers to a 36-30 win over Arizona, knocking the Cardinals out of the playoff hunt. “I’d let it go, but it’s definitely been in the back of my head a little bit,” Hubbard said. “Like I said, when the next opportunity came, I told myself I’m going to get it back for them. To be able to have them trust me in that opportunity again, and to have it in that way is a blessing from God.” Bryce Young has shown solid progress in his decision making, particularly when the pocket begins to break down. Last week, the second-year QB ran for a career-best 68 yards, including a 24-yard touchdown. Young was benched after two games this season, but since returning to the lineup has played better, restoring some faith that perhaps the No. 1 overall pick in 2023 can be the team’s quarterback of the future. “Just time in the system and time as a team for us to come together,” Young said of why he has improved. “For me, being able to get reps, and get time with everyone. It’s just all of us being able to feed off of each other, and it’s been able to allow us to turn in the right direction.” The Panthers have been abysmal against the run, allowing nearly 200 yards per game on the ground over the last seven games. In the last meeting with Tampa Bay, Bucky Irving ran for a career-high 152 yards and a touchdown, so Carolina’s defense has a good idea of what's coming Sunday. Mayfield has beaten Carolina three times since joining the Bucs in 2023. All of the meetings have been close, though, with the Panthers losing twice by three points and Tampa Bay settling for three field goals in a 9-0 regular season-ending victory that clinched its third straight NFC South championship last January. “We know them well. They know us well,” Mayfield said. AP Sports Writer Steve Reed in Charlotte, North Carolina, contributed to this report. NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

NEW DELHI (AP) — India’s former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, widely regarded as the architect of India’s economic reform program and a landmark nuclear deal with the United States, has died. He was 92. Singh was admitted to New Delhi’s All India Institute of Medical Sciences late Thursday after his health deteriorated due to a “sudden loss of consciousness at home,” the hospital said in a statement. “Resuscitative measures were started immediately at home. He was brought to the Medical Emergency” at 8:06 p.m., the hospital said, but “despite all efforts, he could not be revived and was declared dead at 9:51 p.m.” Singh was being treated for “age-related medical conditions,” the statement said. A mild-mannered technocrat, Singh became one of India’s longest-serving prime ministers for 10 years and leader of the Congress Party in the Parliament's Upper House, earning a reputation as a man of great personal integrity. He was chosen to fill the role in 2004 by Sonia Gandhi, the widow of assassinated Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi . But his sterling image was tainted by allegations of corruption against his ministers. Singh was reelected in 2009, but his second term as prime minister was clouded by financial scandals and corruption charges over the organization of the 2010 Commonwealth Games. This led to the Congress Party’s crushing defeat in the 2014 national election by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party under the leadership of Narendra Modi . Singh adopted a low profile after relinquishing the post of prime minister. Prime Minister Modi, who succeeded Singh in 2014, called him one of India’s “most distinguished leaders” who rose from humble origins and left “a strong imprint on our economic policy over the years.” “As our Prime Minister, he made extensive efforts to improve people’s lives,” Modi said in a post on the social platform X. He called Singh’s interventions in Parliament as a lawmaker “insightful” and said “his wisdom and humility were always visible.” Rahul Gandhi, from the same party as Singh and the opposition leader in the lower house of the Indian Parliament, said Singh’s “deep understanding of economics inspired the nation” and that he “led India with immense wisdom and integrity.” “I have lost a mentor and guide. Millions of us who admired him will remember him with the utmost pride,” Gandhi wrote on X. Born on Sept. 26, 1932, in a village in the Punjab province of undivided India, Singh’s brilliant academic career took him to Cambridge University in Britain, where he earned a degree in economics in 1957. He then got his doctorate in economics from Nuffield College at Oxford University in 1962. Singh taught at Panjab University and the prestigious Delhi School of Economics before joining the Indian government in 1971 as economic advisor in the Commerce Ministry. In 1982, he became chief economic adviser to the Finance Ministry. He also served as deputy chair of the Planning Commission and governor of the Reserve Bank of India. As finance minister, Singh in 1991 instituted reforms that opened up the economy and moved India away from a socialist-patterned economy and toward a capitalist model in the face of a huge balance of payments deficit, skirting a potential economic crisis. His accolades include the 1987 Padma Vibhushan Award, India’s second-highest civilian honor; the Jawaharlal Nehru Birth Centenary Award of the Indian Science Congress in 1995; and the Asia Money Award for Finance Minister of the Year in 1993 and 1994. Singh was a member of India’s Upper House of Parliament and was leader of the opposition from 1998 to 2004 before he was named prime minister. He was the first Sikh to hold the country’s top post and made a public apology in Parliament for the 1984 Sikh Massacre in which some 3,000 Sikhs were killed after then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by Sikh bodyguards. Under Singh, India adopted a Right to Information Act in 2005 to promote accountability and transparency from government officials and bureaucrats. He was also instrumental in implementing a welfare scheme that guaranteed at least 100 paid workdays for Indian rural citizens. The coalition government he headed for a decade brought together politicians and parties with differing ideologies that were rivals in the country’s various states. In a move hailed as one of his biggest achievements apart from economic reforms, Singh ended India’s nuclear isolation by signing a deal with the U.S. that gave India access to American nuclear technology. But the deal hit his government adversely, with Communist allies withdrawing support and criticism of the agreement growing within India in 2008 when it was finalized. Singh adopted a pragmatic foreign policy approach, pursuing a peace process with nuclear rival and neighbor Pakistan. But his efforts suffered a major setback after Pakistani militants carried out a massive gun and bomb attack in Mumbai in November 2008. He also tried to end the border dispute with China, brokering a deal to reopen the Nathu La pass into Tibet, which had been closed for more than 40 years. His 1965 book, “India’s Export Trends and Prospects for Self-Sustained Growth,” dealt with India’s inward-oriented trade policy. Singh is survived by his wife Gursharan Kaur and three daughters. Associated Press writer Sheikh Saaliq in New Delhi contributed to this report.

Viral image purporting to be Luigi Mangione's NYPD mugshot is fakeNew pro-European coalition approved in Romania amid period of political turmoil

The Los Angeles Hands Off Cuba Committee (LAHOC) is launching a new campaign to help Cuba. This time, they want to send pediatric and general emergency medical supplies that are in short supply «as a result of the U.S. blockade and the island’s inclusion on the State Sponsors of Terrorism (SSOT) list». The call has the collaboration of several organizations, as well as U.S. graduates of the Latin American School of Medicine (ELAM), local doctors, activists from the Not Just Tourists campaign and Global Health Partners (GHP). The latter are the only ones licensed by the U.S. authorities to export medicines and medical supplies from the U.S. to Cuba. The campaign focuses on painkillers, but also includes other products for Cuban public health. The goal is to fill a 26-foot container that will be transported from Los Angeles to New Orleans by volunteer drivers who will make the trip in sections until they reach the port where they will be shipped to Cuba by GHP. As part of the first phase, LAHOC has organized meetings with people who have traveled to the island and have made public the reality they have seen there. One of them was Mike Vera, who upon his return, on behalf of the International Longshoremen’s and Warehousemen’s Union (ILWU) and the Inland Boatmen’s Union (IBU, the maritime division of the ILWU), pushed for the adoption of resolutions calling on his country’s government to remove Cuba from the SSOT list. «I took the opportunity to travel to Cuba with LAHOC in 2023 and spent a few weeks there before May Day,» Vera said at the meeting, which was held via the Zoom app and included activists from several U.S. cities. «The visit changed me and my views. I met a beautiful and loving culture of kind and resilient people. People whose only crime is to live in a country that for more than 60 years has suffered an economic war imposed by a foreign government. The unjust and genocidal U.S. policy toward Cuba has decimated every aspect of its economy and its ability to live a normal life. The blockade and designation as a state sponsor of terrorism are simply political warfare. «While in Cuba, I was able to meet trade unionists from all over South and Latin America who share this vision and are committed to our solidarity with the Cuban people. Upon my return, a large part of my goal was to educate those around me and bring to light that the struggles imposed on the Cuban people cannot be rectified unless we, the people of the U.S., change the political will of those who create and perpetuate this injustice. «Resolutions in and of themselves have little value, but when we make them together with other unions and solidarity groups, both nationally and internationally, we have strength. «We are about to enter an even more difficult and dark period for the Cuban people, with the policies of [Marco] Rubio and [Donald] Trump almost certain to lead to a redoubled attack. The ability to organize and send humanitarian aid and financial support to Cuba by any means necessary will be more important than ever. «As we fight for better working conditions in our bargaining units, we should also fight for workers around the world who are marginalized and oppressed. Fighting for workers and the human condition around the world is the business of unions. Peace and prosperity for workers around the world is the business of trade unions. The right of peoples to self-determination is the business of trade unions,» Vera concluded. Another speaker at the meeting was Cal Saunders of the Democratic Socialists of America, Orange County, who called on people to «put aside the Western narratives we grew up with (...) The best education you can get is to go to Cuba and see for yourself. Let’s educate, organize and agitate for an end to the blockade so that this country can shake off the chains of Western imperialism and show the world that a better vision for the future is possible.Share Tweet Share Share Email The real estate market has historically been a playground for wealthy individuals and large corporations, leaving smaller investors on the sidelines. However, the advent of real estate crowdfunding has revolutionized this terrain, democratizing property investments and altering the way capital flows through the sector. By pooling resources through online platforms, investors now have access to lucrative property deals once reserved for the elite. What is Real Estate Crowdfunding? Real estate crowdfunding is a method of financing property projects by raising small amounts of capital from a large number of investors, typically via online platforms. These platforms serve as intermediaries, connecting property developers or owners with individual investors looking for opportunities in the real estate market. This investment model often involves two main categories: Equity Crowdfunding: Investors purchase shares in a property or portfolio and earn returns through rental income and appreciation. Debt Crowdfunding: Investors lend money to developers in exchange for fixed interest payments over a specified period. With relatively low entry points, often starting at $500 or $1,000, this approach has opened the door to a broader demographic of investors who previously lacked the resources to participate in real estate. The Rise of Real Estate Crowdfunding Platforms The rise of platforms like Fundrise, RealtyMogul, CrowdStreet, and others has been instrumental in driving the popularity of real estate crowdfunding. These platforms provide detailed project descriptions, risk assessments, and expected returns, empowering investors to make informed decisions. Some platforms specialize in residential properties, while others focus on commercial real estate, offering diverse options to suit various investment goals. Technology has played a pivotal role in the success of these platforms. Secure digital payment systems, data analytics, and AI-driven algorithms help match investors with opportunities that align with their risk tolerance and financial objectives. Furthermore, regulatory changes, such as the 2012 Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act in the U.S., have facilitated the growth of crowdfunding by allowing non-accredited investors to participate in equity-based investments. How Real Estate Crowdfunding is Changing Property Markets Real estate crowdfunding has introduced several transformative changes to the property markets, including increased accessibility, diversification, and innovation. Democratization of Real Estate Investment Traditionally, real estate investing required substantial capital, limiting participation to high-net-worth individuals and institutional investors. Crowdfunding platforms have lowered this barrier, enabling everyday individuals to invest in properties with minimal initial contributions. This democratization has not only expanded the pool of investors but has also diversified the types of properties that receive funding. Greater Market Efficiency By aggregating capital from a wide range of investors, real estate crowdfunding platforms streamline the funding process. Developers can access capital more quickly compared to traditional financing methods, reducing the time and effort spent on securing loans or negotiating with institutional partners. This efficiency benefits developers, investors, and the market as a whole by accelerating project timelines. Enhanced Diversification Opportunities Investors can spread their capital across multiple properties and markets, reducing the risks associated with investing in a single asset. Crowdfunding platforms often offer a mix of residential, commercial, and industrial projects in various geographic locations, allowing for greater portfolio diversification. Innovation in Property Development The influx of crowdfunding has sparked innovation in property development. Developers are now exploring niche markets and sustainable projects that may have been overlooked by traditional financiers. Examples include eco-friendly housing developments, co-living spaces, and mixed-use properties designed to cater to modern urban lifestyles. Data-Driven Decision Making Crowdfunding platforms provide investors with access to robust data, including historical performance metrics, market trends, and risk analyses. This transparency empowers investors to make data-driven decisions, fostering greater confidence and participation in the market. Benefits for Investors Real estate crowdfunding offers several advantages for individual investors, including: Accessibility: Low minimum investments allow participation from a broader demographic. Passive Income: Equity investments can generate rental income, while debt investments offer interest payments. Portfolio Diversification: Opportunities to invest in various property types and locations. Transparency: Detailed project information helps investors evaluate risks and rewards. Challenges and Risks Despite its benefits, real estate crowdfunding is not without challenges and risks: Illiquidity: Investments are often locked in for years, making it difficult to access funds quickly. Platform Risk: The success of an investment depends heavily on the reliability and credibility of the crowdfunding platform. Market Volatility: Economic downturns or fluctuations in property markets can impact returns. Lack of Regulation: While some countries have introduced regulations, others still lack robust frameworks to protect investors. Impact on Traditional Real Estate Financing The growth of real estate crowdfunding has disrupted traditional financing models, prompting banks and institutional investors to rethink their strategies. Some banks have begun collaborating with crowdfunding platforms to co-finance projects, while others have adopted similar technologies to enhance their offerings. Additionally, crowdfunding has created competition for venture capital and private equity firms, which now face pressure to offer more competitive terms to attract developers and investors. This competition has ultimately benefited the real estate market by increasing the availability of funding and reducing financing costs. The Future of Real Estate Crowdfunding As the sector matures, several trends are likely to shape its future: Global Expansion: Crowdfunding platforms are expanding into international markets, providing investors with opportunities in emerging economies. Increased Regulation: Governments are expected to introduce stricter regulations to protect investors and ensure market stability. Integration with Blockchain: Blockchain technology could enhance transparency and security, enabling tokenized real estate investments. Focus on Sustainability: Investors are increasingly prioritizing projects that align with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles. Conclusion Real estate crowdfunding has fundamentally changed the property market, making it more accessible, efficient, and diverse. By empowering individual investors and fostering innovation, this model has challenged traditional financing methods and reshaped the real estate landscape. However, as with any investment, due diligence and a clear understanding of risks are essential. As the sector continues to advance, it holds the potential to unlock even greater opportunities for investors and developers alike, paving the way for a more inclusive and dynamic real estate market. 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