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Powerful quake in Morocco kills more than 600 people and damages historic buildings in Marrakech

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:21:46 GMT

RABAT, Morocco (AP) — A rare, powerful earthquake struck Morocco late Friday night, killing hundreds of people and damaging buildings from villages in the Atlas Mountains to the historic city of Marrakech. Morocco’s Interior Ministry said Saturday morning that at least 632 people had died, mostly in Marrakech and five provinces near the quake’s epicenter. Another 329 people were injured. Casualty figures were expected to rise more as the search continues and as rescuers reach remote areas.Moroccan television showed scenes from the aftermath, as many stayed outside fearing aftershocks.Anxious families stood in streets or huddled on the pavement, some carrying children, blankets or other belongings. Emergency workers looked for survivors in the rubble of buildings, their reflective yellow vests illuminating the nighttime landscape. The quake ripped a gaping hole in a home, and a car was nearly buried by the chunks of a collapsed building.Baskets, buckets and clothing could be se...

The Group of 20 grants the African Union permanent member status to open the summit

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:21:46 GMT

NEW DELHI (AP) — The African Union has been granted permanent member status in the Group of 20 top world economies, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Saturday, adding momentum to his drive to give a greater voice to the Global South as host of this year’s annual summit.Modi announced the membership during his opening speech for the weekend summit of the G20. Growing global rifts and the absence of key players threatened to make reaching consensus on the thorniest issues elusive.There was widespread support, however, for adding the AU to the G20, making it the second regional bloc to become a permanent member after the European Union.Modi rapped his gavel three times before announcing the move to applause in the room. He shook hands with the current AU chair, Comoros President Azali Assoumani, and embraced him warmly before inviting him to sit at the table.“I invite the representative of the African Union to take his place as a permanent member of the G20,” Modi said. Modi has...

Controversial South African political figure and Zulu minister Mangosuthu Buthelezi dies at 95

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:21:46 GMT

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Controversial South African politician and traditional minister of the Zulu ethnic group Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi has died at the age of 95, South African president Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Saturday.Buthelezi founded the Inkatha Freedom Party, the third largest political party in South Africa when the country transitioned from the racist apartheid system to a democratic one in 1994.He was admitted to hospital in July following a failed medical procedure to ease his back pain, his family said at the time.“Prince Buthelezi, who served as the democratic South Africa’s first Minister of Home Affairs, passed away in the early hours of today, Saturday, 9 September 2023, just two weeks after the celebration of his 95th birthday,” Ramaphosa said in a statement on Saturday.According to Ramaphosa, arrangements for his mourning and funeral will be announced after consultations with the Zulu royal family.“Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi has been an outstanding leader in t...

How Romania built its blazingly fast internet

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:21:46 GMT

Over the past decade, Romania -a south-eastern European nation unremarkable otherwise on the international stage- has been constantly amongst the best performers in the world when it comes to internet speed. Small neighbourhood networks played a big part in expanding internet coverage country-wide.Romania might be the second poorest country in the European Union but it comes on top as the EU member state with the fastest internet connection. Romania scores well on the world stage too having been ranked in 2021 as having the 5th fastest internet on the planet according to several testing and network diagnostics companies.According to Eurostat, Romania’s internet penetration rate is also amongst the highest on the continent.  Romania outruns in this regard some of the richest countries in Europe such as France, Belgium,  Finland and Austria to name but a few.With an 88% coverage rate, Romania had benefitted greatly from its small neighbourhood Internet service providers offering an af...

Augmented Reality Transforms College Football Betting

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:21:46 GMT

In the fast-evolving world of college football betting, technology continues to play a pivotal role. One innovation that's reshaping the landscape is the integration of augmented reality (AR) into the experience. This article delves into how AR is transforming college football betting visualization and live streaming, with a focus on college football spreads.The Rise of Augmented Reality in College Football Betting Augmented reality, often abbreviated as AR, overlays digital information onto the real world. This technology has found its way into various industries, including sports betting, where it's enhancing the user experience in unprecedented ways.Understanding the Basics of Augmented Reality Before we dive into how AR is changing college football betting, let's grasp the basics. AR uses sensors, cameras, and computer algorithms to superimpose virtual content onto the real world. In the context of betting, this means you can see game statistics, odds, and more ri...

Assessing and Predicting College Football Betting Market Volatility with Sentiment Analysis

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:21:46 GMT

The Power of Sentiment Analysis in College Football BettingWhen it comes to college football, fans and enthusiasts across the United States are not just passionate; they're also enthusiastic about wagering on their favorite teams. The college football betting market is a dynamic and ever-evolving arena, influenced by a myriad of factors, including team performance, player injuries, and even the emotions of the fans. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the fascinating world of sentiment analysis and how it is employed to assess and predict college football betting market volatility. We'll also delve into the role of NCAA football odds in this exciting landscape.Understanding the Significance of Sentiment AnalysisSentiment Analysis: What Is It?At its core, sentiment analysis is the process of using natural language processing and machine learning techniques to determine the emotions, opinions, and sentiments expressed in textual data. In the context of college football, th...

Revolutionizing NFL Fan Engagement: The Power of Mobile Advertising

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:21:46 GMT

In the digital age, the National Football League (NFL) continues to capture the hearts of millions of fans worldwide. While the game itself remains the primary attraction, the influence of mobile advertising on NFL fan engagement and the excitement surrounding playoff brackets cannot be underestimated. In this article, we delve into the immersive world of NFL fandom, explore the evolving role of mobile advertising, and understand the emotional journey fans embark on during the NFL season.Mobile Advertising and NFL Fan EngagementThe Mobile Advertising RevolutionMobile devices have become indispensable companions for sports enthusiasts. From checking live scores to streaming games, fans can now stay connected with their favorite NFL teams 24/7. This accessibility has paved the way for mobile advertising to play a significant role in fan engagement. But how exactly does it work?Mobile advertising leverages data analytics and user behavior to deliver personalized content to NFL fan...

De La Salle beats St. Francis to dodge first 0-3 start in nearly a half-century

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:21:46 GMT

MOUNTAIN VIEW — Has an early-season victory for De La Salle ever felt so good?In their first trip to St. Francis since their historic loss there two years ago, the Spartans had to dig deep Friday night to avoid what would have been the program’s first 0-3 start in 48 years.Clinging to a four-point lead with less than nine minutes to go, the Concord powerhouse finally dialed up the plays that pushed the team to victory.When it ended, De La Salle prevailed 35-17 as quarterback Toa Faavae ran for three touchdowns and Dominic Kelley carried 25 times for 135 yards and one TD.“I am happy for these kids,” coach Justin Alumbaugh said. “It’s a young group. We’re trying to learn how to win. It’s very gratifying. It was awesome to see our offensive line look like a De La Salle offensive line. We were getting off the ball, and our runners looked like De La Salle runners. They were breaking tackles.“This was a De La Salle win against a very g...

G20 grants the African Union membership in a push to give a greater voice to developing nations

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:21:46 GMT

NEW DELHI (AP) — The African Union has been granted permanent member status in the Group of 20 top world economies, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Saturday, adding momentum to his drive to give a greater voice to the Global South as host of this year’s annual summit.Modi announced the membership during his opening speech for the weekend summit of the G20. Growing global rifts and the absence of key players threatened to make reaching consensus on the thorniest issues elusive.There was widespread support, however, for adding the AU to the G20, making it the second regional bloc to become a permanent member after the European Union.Modi rapped his gavel three times before announcing the move to applause in the room. He shook hands with the current AU chair, Comoros President Azali Assoumani, and embraced him warmly before inviting him to sit at the table.“I invite the representative of the African Union to take his place as a permanent member of the G20,” Modi said. Modi has...

Phoenix faces Las Vegas, aims to stop road slide

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:21:46 GMT

Phoenix Mercury (9-29, 2-17 Western Conference) at Las Vegas Aces (32-6, 17-2 Western Conference)Las Vegas; Sunday, 3 p.m. EDTBOTTOM LINE: Phoenix will attempt to end its 15-game road slide when the Mercury visit Las Vegas.The Aces have gone 17-2 against Western Conference opponents. Las Vegas ranks second in the WNBA with 21.6 assists per game. Chelsea Gray leads the Aces averaging 7.1.The Mercury are 2-17 in Western Conference play. Phoenix ranks 10th in the WNBA averaging 6.7 made 3-pointers per game while shooting 32.6% from deep. Sophie Cunningham leads the team averaging 1.9 makes while shooting 33.7% from 3-point range.TOP PERFORMERS: A’ja Wilson is shooting 54.7% and averaging 22.3 points for the Aces. Kelsey Plum is averaging 16.2 points over the last 10 games for Las Vegas.Brittney Griner is scoring 17.7 points per game and averaging 6.6 rebounds for the Mercury. Cunningham is averaging 1.1 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for Phoenix.LAST 10 GAMES: Aces: 7-3, ...