Latest news with #TheRightTrack
The Herald Scotland
15 hours ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Trump's AI action plan may change the game for US tech
President Donald Trump's plan sounds smart and promising. Global tech leaders support it, too, including the chief executive of the world's most valuable company. "America's unique advantage that no country could possibly have is President Trump," Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said on the "All-In" podcast. Trump says US will win the AI race Trump, speaking at the Winning the AI Race summit for "All In," declared that the U.S. will outpace foreign competitors in developing artificial intelligence. That's important because tech leaders have noted that the country that achieves certain AI milestones may well develop an insurmountable lead in unleashing the most revolutionary technology of our lifetimes. Opinion newsletter: Sign up for our newsletter on conservative values, family and religion from columnist Nicole Russell. Get it delivered to your inbox. The Trump administration is taking a hands-off approach to regulating AI at this point. The president even signed executive orders to reduce regulations on constructing data centers and block states from regulating AI on their own. Opinion: Trump wins again. Columbia's $200 million fine will reshape higher education. Tech industry giants embrace Trump's AI plan The shift in the tech industry from critics to partners of Trump has been remarkable. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman was one of those critics. Now he supports the president. Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg also has made an obvious shift toward Trump. And, of course, SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk famously supported Trump before their very public and nasty falling out this year. Opinion: We're creating AI that could surveil US citizens. And the government is in on it. The tech leaders admittedly have their own interests in mind in praising Trump these days. But those interests also include America's economic, technological and national defense priorities. Our nation's strength and the prosperity and well-being of Americans may well depend on whether we win the AI race in the years ahead. It's Huang's support that impresses me the most. The top executive of the world's most valuable company doesn't have to flatter anyone, even the president of the United States. Nvidia is leading the global race to the future, and this leader among leaders now says having Trump in the White House is an advantage for America. Perhaps even progressives should listen. Nicole Russell is a columnist at USA TODAY and a mother of four who lives in Texas. Contact her at nrussell@ and follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @russell_nm. Sign up for her weekly newsletter, The Right Track, here.
Otago Daily Times
17-07-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Cousins' crash deaths prompt efforts to help save lives
After his two young cousins were killed in a car crash, Rob Fleming was motivated to help save lives. Fleming is a Hato Hone St John volunteer first responder and volunteer firefighter in Leeston. He also teaches young people who have driving offences through The Right Track programme. Fleming's volunteer work earned him the inspirational role model award at St John's Time to Shine Awards. 'It came as a big surprise, big shock.' Fleming's cousins Tayla Alexander, 17, and her sister Sunmara, 15, both died after a crash on Christchurch's Summit Rd on November 27, 2019. Tayla was thrown out of the car and died, while Sunmara suffered extensive burns after the fuel tank ruptured and died in hospital on December 13 – her 16th birthday. Fleming was dropping a patient off at Christchurch Hospital as Sunmara was about to be transported to the burns unit at Auckland Hospital. 'That's an image I will never forget,' Fleming said. The driver Levi Phillip Fiddymont was sentenced in 2022 to two years and four months in prison on two charges of dangerous driving causing the deaths. The crash was a major factor in Fleming volunteering his time to The Right Track programme about two years ago. "There had to be something out there that I could lend my experience to and hopefully cause some change,' Fleming said. The programme takes young people who are appearing before the courts and teaches them about the impact of their decisions before they appear for sentencing. 'They see the ambulance, but they don't see what's behind the ambulance. 'They get to know about what happens at the little, small town level with us volunteers. "You actually physically see someone go: 'Oh, wow',' Fleming said. He joined the Rakaia Volunteer Fire Brigade in 2005 and, in 2011, became involved in St John's cadet programme after his son William joined. "He and one of his friends decided they wanted to try the cadets. So I went down and about the third night there, the leader tapped me on the shoulder and said: 'Instead of just sitting there, how about joining?'' Fleming was involved with the cadets for a few years and stopped after his son finished. William is now also a first responder at St John. Fleming moved to Leeston in 2018, shifting to the Leeston Volunteer Fire Brigade and volunteering at Leeston St John as a first responder. Fleming was inspired by his uncles, Noel Thian and Ray Wasley, who were former chiefs of the Leeston brigade. 'They really instilled the whole ethos of volunteering, and it stuck with me.' When not volunteering, Fleming works as a pest controller. 'Luckily, I've got a very understanding wife (Kathryn) and a good support network.'
Otago Daily Times
16-07-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Keeping young people on the right track
After his two young cousins were killed in a car crash, Rob Fleming was motivated to help save lives. Fleming is a Hato Hone St John volunteer first responder and volunteer firefighter in Leeston. He also teaches young people who have driving offences through The Right Track programme. Fleming's volunteer work earned him the inspirational role model award at St John's Time to Shine Awards. 'It came as a big surprise, big shock.' Fleming's cousins Tayla Alexander, 17, and her sister Sunmara, 15, both died after a crash on Summit Rd on November 27, 2019. Tayla was thrown out of the car and died, while Sunmara suffered extensive burns after the fuel tank ruptured and died in hospital on December 13 – her 16th birthday. Fleming was dropping a patient off at Christchurch Hospital as Sunmara was about to be transported to the burns unit at Auckland Hospital. 'That's an image I will never forget,' Fleming said. The driver Levi Phillip Fiddymont was sentenced in 2022 to two years and four months in prison on two charges of dangerous driving causing the deaths. The crash was a major factor in Fleming volunteering his time to The Right Track programme about two years ago. "There had to be something out there that I could lend my experience to and hopefully cause some change,' Fleming said. The programme takes young people who are appearing before the courts and teaches them about the impact of their decisions before they appear for sentencing. 'They see the ambulance, but they don't see what's behind the ambulance. 'They get to know about what happens at the little, small town level with us volunteers. "You actually physically see someone go: 'Oh, wow',' Fleming said. He joined the Rakaia Volunteer Fire Brigade in 2005 and, in 2011, became involved in St John's cadet programme after his son William joined. "He and one of his friends decided they wanted to try the cadets. So I went down and about the third night there, the leader tapped me on the shoulder and said: 'Instead of just sitting there, how about joining?'' Fleming was involved with the cadets for a few years and stopped after his son finished. William is now also a first responder at St John. Fleming moved to Leeston in 2018, shifting to the Leeston Volunteer Fire Brigade and volunteering at Leeston St John as a first responder. Fleming was inspired by his uncles, Noel Thian and Ray Wasley, who were former chiefs of the Leeston brigade. 'They really instilled the whole ethos of volunteering, and it stuck with me.' When not volunteering, Fleming works as a pest controller. 'Luckily, I've got a very understanding wife (Kathryn) and a good support network.'
USA Today
26-06-2025
- Health
- USA Today
SCOTUS boosts effort to defund Planned Parenthood. It's a win for women's health.
I hope other states will now bar using tax dollars to pay for abortions and ban Planned Parenthood from participating in Medicaid. A new Supreme Court ruling could be the beginning of the end of Planned Parenthood's ability to receive Medicaid funding for abortions. In a 6-3 decision released June 26, the court ruled that patients can't bring a lawsuit challenging South Carolina's decision to halt Planned Parenthood's participation in the state's Medicaid program. The ruling is a win for the pro-life community, women's health and taxpayers. I can't stand the fact that Planned Parenthood has for decades received taxpayer dollars to perform abortions. I hope now, with the ruling in Medina v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, that other states will act to end taxpayer subsidies of Planned Parenthood. Planned Parenthood has lost big time in this case, and it's long past time. As a pro-life mom, I'm glad Parenthood Parenthood lost tax dollars In 2018, South Carolina lawmakers enacted legislation that prohibits the use of taxpayer dollars to pay for an abortion. Planned Parenthood subsequently was denied participation in the state's Medicaid program. State leaders argued that a "variety of other nongovernmental entities and governmental agencies' would continue to provide 'access to necessary medical care and important women's health and family planning services.' But patient Julie Edwards and Planned Parenthood sued the state, arguing that the organization's exclusion violated the "free choice of provider" clause of the Medicaid program. A strong majority of justices rejected that argument, clearing the way for not only South Carolina but also other states to cut off tax dollars for the nation's most prominent abortion provider. Planned Parenthood has been dependent on tax dollars Taxpayers should never have been forced to pay for abortions, but that's precisely what has happened for many years. In past years, about 40% of Planned Parenthood's budget − more than $500 billion a year − has come from Medicaid and other government sources. Apologists for Planned Parenthood claim that abortions are only a small percentage of the services the organization provides. Yet, Planned Parenthood's 2023 annual report, released last year, shows that it performed nearly 400,000 abortions in 2022. That was more than 60% of all the reported abortions in the United States that year. As a staunch pro-life mom, that makes me nauseous. Taxpayers should not be forced to pay to end a life. Women need health care, but Planned Parenthood should function without taxpayer subsidies. Thousands of other providers also are available to help women with medical care. I hope other states will now bar using tax dollars to pay for abortions and ban Planned Parenthood from participating in Medicaid. Nicole Russell is an opinion columnist with USA TODAY. She lives in Texas with her four kids. Sign up for her newsletter, The Right Track, and get it delivered to your inbox.
Otago Daily Times
25-05-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Sock used to bypass device, drink-drive
Photo: file A Dunedin man used a rudimentary technique involving a sock to defeat an alcohol interlock device, leaving a judge "astounded". Conor Scott Lawson, 32, appeared in the Dunedin District Court on Friday after earlier admitting his sixth drink-driving offence, fifth breach of licence conditions, committing a threatening act and wilful damage. The court heard that on March 3 last year, the defendant had been drinking at a party when he got into an argument and wanted to leave. He got into his car, which was fitted with an alcohol interlock device, but the use of a sock meant he was able to bypass the system. Lawson then drove down High St, but failed to give way at an intersection, forcing a police patrol vehicle to take evasive action. As police turned around, the defendant fled. He was eventually caught in Serpentine Ave, and exited the car with his hands in the air. A blood test revealed a blood-alcohol level of 114mg — the legal limit is 50mg, but zero on an alcohol interlock licence. The defendant confessed he had used a sock to defeat the device and drive. While on bail for that offending, on May 1 last year, Lawson got into an argument with his then-partner as she was receiving messages from a "potential suitor". He accused her of being a cheater and broke her cellphone. The victim left, and while she was away Lawson defaced the flat. With a whiteboard marker he wrote "cheater" in a number of places and damaged wine glasses, a photo frame and upended house plants. Judge David Robinson said alcohol was an issue for the defendant and was surprised he was able to beat the alcohol interlock device. "I'm astounded that a simple measure like that is able to overcome a device which is ... intended to keep the public safe." The judge was also concerned Lawson continued to drink and drive despite completing The Right Track programme — a highly effective course with an 80% non-recidivism rate. While this offending marked his first convictions for family violence, they needed to be his last. "These reflect issues of power and control, [and] a possessive attitude toward women." Judge Robinson sentenced Lawson to seven months' home detention and ordered him to pay reparation of $1000 for the phone he broke. He disqualified the defendant from driving for 12 months and one day, after which he would be back on the alcohol interlock licence, and ordered him to pay the blood-analysis fee of $212.
