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Eight of the Republicans set to cast Michigan and Nevada's 2024 Electoral College votes for President-elect Donald Trump still face felony charges related to efforts to reverse Trump's 2020 loss.

(Image credit: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds)

The earthquake was centered 10 miles west of Port Vila, the largest city in Vanuatu, a group of 80 islands that is home to about 330,000 people.

(Image credit: Dan McGarry)

The protective proteins in our bodies aren’t just great for fending off infection—they could also fight the effects of getting older.

An explosive device planted close to an apartment block in Moscow killed the head of Russia's Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Defence Forces, Russia's Investigative Committee said.

(Image credit: AP)

For a limited time, score up to 50% off smart appliances when you shop this holiday season at Govee.

Come Spring 2025, your regular driver's license or ID will no longer get you through TSA checkpoints. Here's how you can get your Real ID ASAP.

The stunning move raised questions about how much longer the prime minister of nearly 10 years — whose popularity has plummeted due to concerns about inflation and immigration — can stay on.

(Image credit: Justin Tang)

• CXL 3.2 provides a range of key improvements
• Security updates are a major focus for 3.2
• CXL has become increasingly vital in the age of AI

CXL Consortium has announced the release of its new Compute Express Link (CXL) 3.2 specifications, bringing a raft of optimized funcationalities to the technology.

In its announcement, the consortium revealed the upgraded specification will improve CXL Memory Device monitoring and management capabilities, and enhance the functionality of CXL Memory Devices for both operating systems and applications.

Security improvements are also a key talking point with the introduction of the Trusted Security Protocol (TSP).

What to expect from CXL 3.2

CXL plays a crucial role in how GPUs and CPUs interact with memory, helping to standardize cross-device communication and reduce delays. All told, this helps make systems faster and more efficient when handling large volumes of data.

With the advent of generative AI, CXL has become increasingly important given the rapid data processing requirements of applications, and this latest update will further improve upon previous specifications, particularly in terms of CXL Memory Device monitoring and management.

The new specification will include a new CXL hot page monitoring unit (CHMU) aimed specifically at streamlining memory tiering.

Similarly, the consortium unveiled compatibility with PCIe management message pass through (MMPT) alongside improvements to CXL online firmware.

Security improvements are a key focus in this latest update through TSP, the consortium noted, including new meta-bits storage features, the expansion of IDE protection, and enhanced compliance tests for interoperability.

Full backwards compatibility with previous CXL specifications was also assured by the consortium.

“We are excited to announce the release of the CXL 3.2 Specification to advance the CXL ecosystem by providing enhancements to security, compliance, and functionality of CXL Memory Devices,” said Larrie Carr, president of CXL Consortium.

“The Consortium continues to develop an open, coherent interconnect and enable an interoperable ecosystem for heterogeneous memory and computing solutions.”

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Here are some hints -- and the answers -- for the Dec. 17 Strands puzzle, No. 289.

Here are some hints and the answer for Wordle No. 1,277 for Dec. 17.

Here are some hints — and the answers — for Connections No. 555 for Dec. 17.

Here are some hints — and the answers — for Connections: Sports Edition No. 85 for Dec. 17.

Keep battery anxiety at bay by combining your security cameras with pain-free solar panels. These are the best solar-powered security cameras on the market.

A spokesperson for President-elect Trump said the case should never have been brought, called for its immediate dismissal.

(Image credit: Pool)

• Pika just released the Pika 2.0 AI video creator with advanced customization tools
• You can upload and customize characters, objects, and settings with the new Scene Ingredients feature
• Pika 2.0 offers a contrast to OpenAI's Sora by aiming at individuals rather than big studios

AI video creator Pika Labs is metaphorically elbowing OpenAI and Sora for some of the limelight with a new version of its platform. Pika 2.0 comes with a suite of new features for making custom videos with AI and arrives only weeks after the company released the Pika 1.5 model with its host of new visual effects.

Pika is even taking unsubtle jabs at OpenAI by describing Pika 2.0 as "Not just for pros. For actual people. (Even Europeans!)" in reference to the enterprise focus of Sora and its limited global release that so far doesn't include European countries.

Rivalry aside, Pika 2.0 has plenty of new perks, making it fairly appealing. The most notable is Scene Ingredients. Imagine a virtual kitchen with a pantry of video elements you can pick from. You choose the characters, props, backgrounds, and other bits you want to incorporate and let Pika's AI blend and bake them.

Let’s say you want to make a clip of a surfing cat in space. Until now, you'd need to write a prompt for the video, perhaps with an image reference for the cat. With Scene Ingredients, you can upload your favorite cat's photo, a stellar background image of the sky at night, and a picture of your dream surfboard, and Pika will mash it up into a delicious, cohesive scene.

Even without images to embed in videos, Pika 2.0 better understands text prompts thanks to its upgraded text alignment. If you’ve ever typed a prompt into an AI tool and gotten something that only vaguely resembled what you wanted, you'll likely notice how Pika is less likely to mess up your idea when making the video.

If you ask for a dragon to fly over a medieval castle during sunset, the AI will be much more likely to show a video with a dragon that actually flies, a castle that looks like a castle, and a sunset that doesn’t look like a lava explosion. And with upgraded motion rendering, all the characters in the video will walk, fly, roller skate, or cartwheel without looking like they are floating or that their joints don't all connect.

Pika for all

Pika’s pitch is about giving the average person or small group control over making videos without making it too complicated. Hence, the deliberate, if oblique, mocking of OpenAI and Sora for their Hollywood-level focus projects. Pika 2.0 is aimed at those making clips for TikTok of marketing videos for side hustles.

That doesn't mean Pika has no other competition besides OpenAI, though. There are AI video platforms for all kinds of projects: Pollo, Runway, Stability AI, Hotshot, and Luma Labs' Dream Machine have something to offer the average aspiring AI filmmaker.

If you want to try out Pika 2.0, it’s available to free and paid users, with limits on the free tier. You can also switch back to earlier models if you desire to.

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• OpenAI Sora officially launches to change AI video – 5 things you need to know
• I tried bringing my memories to life with AI and found it works better with dogs than with human hands
• This AI video generator can melt, crush, blow up, or turn anything into cake

The best internet plans in Frederick offer fast download speeds and reliability. We've scoured the top broadband service providers in the area to help find the best option for you.

The autonomous vehicles will hit the streets of Japan in early 2025, Waymo says.

Humans pump a huge amount of groundwater, and it's got us akilter.

Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,000 games later. It offers a genuine challenge, though, so read on if you need some Quordle hints today – or scroll down further for the answers.

Enjoy playing word games? You can also check out my NYT Connections today and NYT Strands today pages for hints and answers for those puzzles, while Marc's Wordle today column covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about Quordle today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

Quordle today (game #1058) - hint #1 - Vowels How many different vowels are in Quordle today?

• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 4*.

* Note that by vowel we mean the five standard vowels (A, E, I, O, U), not Y (which is sometimes counted as a vowel too).

Quordle today (game #1058) - hint #2 - repeated letters Do any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?

• The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 0.

Quordle today (game #1058) - hint #3 - uncommon letters Do the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?

• Yes. One of Q, Z, X or J appears among today's Quordle answers.

Quordle today (game #1058) - hint #4 - starting letters (1) Do any of today's Quordle puzzles start with the same letter?

• The number of today's Quordle answers starting with the same letter is 0.

If you just want to know the answers at this stage, simply scroll down. If you're not ready yet then here's one more clue to make things a lot easier:

Quordle today (game #1058) - hint #5 - starting letters (2) What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• D

• E

• S

• A

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

Quordle today (game #1058) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1058, are…

• DOING
• ENJOY
• SNAKY
• AMPLE

I’m used to forgetting the titles of songs, the names of actors (the ones who were in that other thing I watched the other day), and the actual thing I went to the supermarket for, but today I forgot a letter.

The tried and trusted Quordle technique is to get all of the vowels in your first two words. I know this, but somehow today A went, erm AWOL.

Still, I managed to rescue things, despite the sneaky SNAKY and rarely seen letter J popping by for ENJOY.

How did you do today? Send me an email and let me know.

Daily Sequence today (game #1058) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1058, are…

• SHRUG
• SCALE
• CRUMP
• WEDGE

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1057, Monday 16 December: HYDRO, CREAM, CHIDE, SLIME
• Quordle #1056, Sunday 15 December: DROVE, STILT, LINEN, GIANT
• Quordle #1055, Saturday 14 December: SPIEL, ONSET, TIGER, DITTO
• Quordle #1054, Friday 13 December: ERECT, REBAR, MOIST, IDIOM
• Quordle #1053, Thursday 12 December: MILKY, CRIER, STORK, DRIER
• Quordle #1052, Wednesday 11 December: BRIAR, NASAL, SHARD, FLUFF
• Quordle #1051, Tuesday 10 December: BEGAN, TRIAL, IDEAL, GUIDE
• Quordle #1050, Monday 9 December: TITAN, FORTE, SPEED, BRIAR
• Quordle #1049, Sunday 8 December: BUNCH, SHINY, MOULT, INTRO
• Quordle #1048, Saturday 7 December: SHAKY, CROOK, GHOUL, VERSE
• Quordle #1047, Friday 6 December: BRAWL, UNTIL, DOWRY, STING
• Quordle #1046, Thursday 5 December: AGING, BICEP, CLOVE, SPILL
• Quordle #1045, Wednesday 4 December: JUDGE, GIVER, GNASH, CLOAK
• Quordle #1044, Tuesday 3 December: FUDGE, THICK, CRANK, STASH
• Quordle #1043, Monday 2 December: TROPE, HOVER, SAUNA, SHAPE
• Quordle #1042, Sunday 1 December: NAIVE, CIRCA, STEAD, MICRO
• Quordle #1041, Saturday 30 November: MAMMA, SNUCK, CRYPT, TAROT
• Quordle #1040, Friday 29 November: JOIST, DROOL, DUSKY, GLIDE
• Quordle #1039, Thursday 28 November: GRADE, WORRY, NOISE, DAISY
• Quordle #1038, Wednesday 27 November: HEART, ROGUE, INEPT, UTILE

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need clues.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #555) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• TISSUE
• CARPET
• WAX
• PLUCK
• DRAG
• NERVE
• CLAY
• GRAPH
• GRASS
• ARTERY
• HARD
• HEART
• DRIVE
• GRIT
• CONSTRUCTION
• AVENUE

NYT Connections today (game #555) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: Spirit
• GREEN: On the… 
• BLUE: For wrapping and writing
• PURPLE: 40-15

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #555) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: INTREPIDITY
• GREEN: ROAD
• BLUE: KINDS OF PAPER
• KINDS OF TENNIS COURTS

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #555) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #555, are…

• YELLOW: INTREPIDITY GRIT, HEART, NERVE, PLUCK
• GREEN: ROAD ARTERY, AVENUE, DRAG, DRIVE
• BLUE: KINDS OF PAPER CONSTRUCTION, GRAPH, TISSUE, WAX
• PURPLE: KINDS OF TENNIS COURTS  CARPET, CLAY, GRASS, HARD

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 2 mistakes

Perhaps if we were in the thick of the tennis season I would have got there a bit more quickly today, but having said that CARPET does not automatically spring to mind when you think of tennis surfaces. Presumably tennis carpet is different to the shag-pile material you might find in a living room – although I like the idea of Sinner and Alcaraz duking it out in their slippers.

Meanwhile, the only reason I got the Green group is because I used to have a friend who was always going on about going to the main DRAG on Saturday night. “You going down the drag?” he’d ask relentlessly.

I have to admit I was reluctant. Hitting the crowded bars and clubs in the center of town might be some people’s idea of a great night out, but I’ve always found it a bit of a drag. I’d rather watch tennis. Or play Connections.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Monday, 16 December, game #554)

• YELLOW: TYPES OF RADIO AM, HAM, SATELLITE, WALKIE-TALKIE
• GREEN: KINDS OF PLAY FIGHTS FOOD, PILLOW, SNOWBALL, WATER BALLOON
• BLUE: SNACK CAKES DEVIL DOG, DING DONG, HOHO, YODEL
• PURPLE: CLASSIC JOKE STAPLES BAR, CHICKEN, KNOCK-KNOCK, LIGHT BULB

What is NYT Connections?

NYT Connections is one of several increasingly popular word games made by the New York Times. It challenges you to find groups of four items that share something in common, and each group has a different difficulty level: green is easy, yellow a little harder, blue often quite tough and purple usually very difficult.

On the plus side, you don't technically need to solve the final one, as you'll be able to answer that one by a process of elimination. What's more, you can make up to four mistakes, which gives you a little bit of breathing room.

It's a little more involved than something like Wordle, however, and there are plenty of opportunities for the game to trip you up with tricks. For instance, watch out for homophones and other word games that could disguise the answers.

It's playable for free via the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.