As the UEFA Champions League group stage progresses, two European football giants, Manchester City and Barcelona, are set to face crucial matches that could potentially shape their paths in the competition. Both teams have been going through a challenging period, with mixed performances domestically and in Europe. As they prepare to clash on the European stage, the question arises: Can the difficult brothers find stability and secure crucial victories?Defensively, Real Madrid will look to keep things tight at the back, with Thibaut Courtois expected to start in goal and a backline featuring the likes of Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, Nacho Fernandez, and Ferland Mendy. The defense will be tasked with keeping Atalanta's attacking threats at bay and providing a solid foundation for the team to build on.
WASHINGTON (AP) — A person accused of accosting U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace in a Capitol Office building pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to a misdemeanor assault charge. Witnesses told police that James McIntyre, 33, of Chicago, shook Mace's hand in an “exaggerated, aggressive” manner after approaching the South Carolina Republican in the Rayburn House Office Building on Tuesday evening, according to a police affidavit. Mace, who is identified only by her initials in a court filing, posted a string of social media messages about the incident. She said she was “physically accosted” at the Capitol, and she thanked President-elect Donald Trump for calling her Wednesday morning to check on her condition. “I’m going to be fine just as soon as the pain and soreness subside,” Mace wrote. Mace declined to be treated by a paramedic after her encounter with McIntyre, who was arrested Tuesday by the Capitol Police, the affidavit says. Mace told police that McIntyre said, “Trans youth serve advocacy,” while shaking her hand. Last month, Mace proposed a resolution that would prohibit any lawmakers and House employees from “using single-sex facilities other than those corresponding to their biological sex.” Mace said the bill is aimed specifically at Delaware Democrat Sarah McBride — the first transgender person to be elected to Congress. A magistrate judge ordered McIntyre’s release after an arraignment in Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Efforts to reach an attorney for McIntyre weren't immediately successful.THE Ministry of Youth Development and Sports is actively pursuing initiatives aimed at advancing the development of young individuals within the community. To fulfill its mandate of cultivating the youth of the nation, the Ministry has established robust alliances with local, regional, and international partners. During the recent 31st National Youth Awards ceremony, Minister of Youth Development and Sports, Kenson Casimir, expressed strong approval of the vital partnerships forged by the ministry. “One significant milestone to highlight is the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports and USAID/YRIE – the Youth Resilience Inclusion and Empowerment program,” Casimir stated emphatically to the attendees last Saturday. The minister recognized YRIE’s substantial contributions through technical support that empower the ministry to effectively fulfill its overall mandate to uplift marginalized youth within our society. Currently, YRIE, in collaboration with the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Council, is committed to certifying all youth workers in Youth Development work. Minister Casimir also gave special emphasis to the Taiwanese Embassy for its unwavering and enthusiastic support of the ministry’s developmental programmes. He outlined key support areas, including kitchen gardens, arts and crafts programmes, and crime prevention initiatives. At the ceremony, the island’s exceptional young individuals were celebrated for their impactful contributions to nation-building across various categories. Trevon Richard earned recognition as Youth of the Year and also claimed awards for Outstanding Youth in Social Development and Individual Community Achievement. The comprehensive list of awardees announced at last Saturday’s Youth Awards ceremony, held at The Pavilion, Rodney Bay, includes: – Outstanding Youth in Performing Arts – Deshawn Augustin – Outstanding Youth in Literary Arts – Shyne Savory – Outstanding Youth in Visual Arts – Arthur Lee – Outstanding Youth in Media- Vitus Peter – Outstanding Youth in Entrepreneurship (Individual) – Jonathan William – Outstanding Youth in Entrepreneurship (Organization)- RJ Rentals – Outstanding Youth in Agriculture – Benny James – Outstanding Youth in Innovation & Technology – Uriah Victor – Outstanding Youth in Social Development – Trevon Richard – Outstanding Community Achievement Award (Individual) – Trevon Richard – Outstanding Community Achievement Award (Organization) – Twisted Dance Group – Outstanding Youth in Environment and Sustainable Development (Individual) – Brodi Louis – Outstanding Youth in Environment and Sustainable Development (organization)- Caribbean Youth Environment Network – Outstanding Religious Organization – Labayee District of SDA Youth Ministry – Outstanding Youth Organization- Hewanorra Plains Leos Club – Outstanding District Youth & Sports Council – Laborie Youth & Sports Council – Esteemed Challenge Award – Keitha Augustin – Outstanding Youth in Volunteerism Award – Ethan Leandre – Outstanding Student Leader – Jean Luc Constantine -High Achiever Award – Samiya Matthew – Youth Economy Award – Kayode James – Dr. Henry Charles Fellow in Youth Work Award – Desyl Dianne Francis – Youth of the Year – Trevon Richard.
Qatar tribune Agencies Washington In a significant shift in global trade dynamics, the United States has steadily reduced its garment imports from China over the past decade. This decline, spurred by the US-China trade war and concerns over China’s human rights violations, has opened doors for other Asian countries to expand their presence in the American apparel market. According to a recent report by the United States International Trade Commission (USITC), China—once the dominant supplier of garments to the US—saw its market share plummet by 16.4 percent between 2013 and 2023. In contrast, nations like Vietnam, Bangladesh, India, and Cambodia have emerged as major beneficiaries of this shift. China’s dominance in the US apparel market was once unassailable. Its large-scale production capabilities, efficient supply chains, and competitive pricing made it the go-to source for American retailers. However, several factors have eroded China’s market share over the past decade. The US-China trade war that began in 2018 under the Trump administration, imposed tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars’ worth of Chinese goods, including apparel. These tariffs significantly increased the cost of importing garments from China, prompting US companies to explore alternative sourcing options. Reports of forced labour in China’s Xinjiang region, where a significant portion of the country’s cotton is produced, have drawn widespread condemnation. In response, the US enacted the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act in 2021, banning imports of goods made with forced labour from Xinjiang. This legislation further dis-incentivised American companies from sourcing garments from China. As China’s economy has matured, wages have risen, making it less competitive compared to other low-cost garment-producing nations in Asia. While China’s loss has been significant, it has provided opportunities for other Asian countries to increase their exports to the US. These nations have leveraged their strengths to fill the gap left by China. Vietnam has been the biggest beneficiary, solidifying its position as a top supplier to the US apparel market. The country’s proximity to China has allowed it to capitalise on existing supply chain infrastructure while offering lower costs. Additionally, Vietnam has signed free trade agreements with key global partners, including the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), which enhances its competitiveness. Known for its expertise in producing ready-made garments, Bangladesh has expanded its foothold in the US market by offering competitive pricing and large-scale production capabilities. Investments in sustainability and compliance with international labour standards have further boosted its appeal to American buyers. India has emerged as a strong contender, especially in categories like cotton apparel and textiles. Government initiatives such as the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme and a focus on enhancing manufacturing capacity have enabled Indian exporters to seize opportunities created by China’s declining market share.Cambodia’s garment sector has also seen growth, and the credit goes to preferential trade agreements and competitive labour costs. Despite challenges like limited infrastructure, the country has managed to attract US buyers seeking alternatives to China. The redistribution of market share among Asian countries has far-reaching implications for the global apparel industry. US companies have increasingly adopted a “China plus one” strategy, diversifying their supply chains to reduce dependence on a single country. This trend not only mitigates risks associated with geopolitical tensions but also ensures greater resilience against disruptions like the Covid-19 pandemic. With more countries vying for a larger slice of the US apparel market, competition among Asian exporters has intensified. This has encouraged nations to invest in improving quality, sustainability, and compliance standards. Sustainability has become a key focus area for US retailers, who are under growing pressure from consumers and regulators to adopt ethical sourcing practices. Countries like Bangladesh and India have responded by investing in green technologies and sustainable manufacturing processes, further enhancing their appeal. As Donald Trump is all set to begin his new tenure in January 2025, after the historic election win, experts are closely watching how his administration might impact US-China trade relations and the broader apparel market. Trump’s first term was marked by a hardline approach to China, including the imposition of tariffs that disrupted global trade flows. As he will be returning to office, similar policies could further accelerate the decline in US garment imports from China, benefiting alternative suppliers in Asia. Trump’s “America First” policy emphasised boosting domestic manufacturing. While it is unlikely that the US will become a major garment producer due to high labour costs, policies encouraging reshoring could impact import patterns. A Trump administration might continue or even intensify scrutiny of China’s human rights practices, leading to stricter regulations on imports from the country. This could further pressure US companies to pivot away from Chinese suppliers. However, there are challenges for emerging exporters in Asia. While countries like Vietnam, Bangladesh, India, and Cambodia have successfully increased their market share, they face several challenges in maintaining and expanding their foothold, which include infrastructure limitations, geopolitical risks, compliance costs, etc. The decline in US garment imports from China marks a pivotal shift in global trade dynamics, driven by geopolitical tensions, human rights concerns, and economic factors. While this has created opportunities for other Asian countries, the road ahead is fraught with challenges, from infrastructure bottlenecks to compliance pressures. For now, Vietnam, Bangladesh, India, and Cambodia are reaping the benefits of this transition, showcasing the importance of adaptability and resilience in navigating the complexities of global trade. Copy 10/12/2024 10By MICHELLE L. PRICE WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — An online spat between factions of Donald Trump’s supporters over immigration and the tech industry has thrown internal divisions in his political movement into public display, previewing the fissures and contradictory views his coalition could bring to the White House. The rift laid bare the tensions between the newest flank of Trump’s movement — wealthy members of the tech world including billionaire Elon Musk and fellow entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and their call for more highly skilled workers in their industry — and people in Trump’s Make America Great Again base who championed his hardline immigration policies. The debate touched off this week when Laura Loomer , a right-wing provocateur with a history of racist and conspiratorial comments, criticized Trump’s selection of Sriram Krishnan as an adviser on artificial intelligence policy in his coming administration. Krishnan favors the ability to bring more skilled immigrants into the U.S. Loomer declared the stance to be “not America First policy” and said the tech executives who have aligned themselves with Trump were doing so to enrich themselves. Much of the debate played out on the social media network X, which Musk owns. Loomer’s comments sparked a back-and-forth with venture capitalist and former PayPal executive David Sacks , whom Trump has tapped to be the “White House A.I. & Crypto Czar.” Musk and Ramaswamy, whom Trump has tasked with finding ways to cut the federal government , weighed in, defending the tech industry’s need to bring in foreign workers. It bloomed into a larger debate with more figures from the hard-right weighing in about the need to hire U.S. workers, whether values in American culture can produce the best engineers, free speech on the internet, the newfound influence tech figures have in Trump’s world and what his political movement stands for. Trump has not yet weighed in on the rift, and his presidential transition team did not respond to a message seeking comment. Musk, the world’s richest man who has grown remarkably close to the president-elect , was a central figure in the debate, not only for his stature in Trump’s movement but his stance on the tech industry’s hiring of foreign workers. Technology companies say H-1B visas for skilled workers, used by software engineers and others in the tech industry, are critical for hard-to-fill positions. But critics have said they undercut U.S. citizens who could take those jobs. Some on the right have called for the program to be eliminated, not expanded. Born in South Africa, Musk was once on an a H-1B visa himself and defended the industry’s need to bring in foreign workers. “There is a permanent shortage of excellent engineering talent,” he said in a post. “It is the fundamental limiting factor in Silicon Valley.” Related Articles National Politics | Should the U.S. increase immigration levels for highly skilled workers? National Politics | Trump threat to immigrant health care tempered by economic hopes National Politics | In states that ban abortion, social safety net programs often fail families National Politics | Court rules Georgia lawmakers can subpoena Fani Willis for information related to her Trump case National Politics | New 2025 laws hit hot topics from AI in movies to rapid-fire guns Trump’s own positions over the years have reflected the divide in his movement. His tough immigration policies, including his pledge for a mass deportation, were central to his winning presidential campaign. He has focused on immigrants who come into the U.S. illegally but he has also sought curbs on legal immigration , including family-based visas. As a presidential candidate in 2016, Trump called the H-1B visa program “very bad” and “unfair” for U.S. workers. After he became president, Trump in 2017 issued a “Buy American and Hire American” executive order , which directed Cabinet members to suggest changes to ensure H-1B visas were awarded to the highest-paid or most-skilled applicants to protect American workers. Trump’s businesses, however, have hired foreign workers, including waiters and cooks at his Mar-a-Lago club , and his social media company behind his Truth Social app has used the the H-1B program for highly skilled workers. During his 2024 campaign for president, as he made immigration his signature issue, Trump said immigrants in the country illegally are “poisoning the blood of our country” and promised to carry out the largest deportation operation in U.S. history. But in a sharp departure from his usual alarmist message around immigration generally, Trump told a podcast this year that he wants to give automatic green cards to foreign students who graduate from U.S. colleges. “I think you should get automatically, as part of your diploma, a green card to be able to stay in this country,” he told the “All-In” podcast with people from the venture capital and technology world. Those comments came on the cusp of Trump’s budding alliance with tech industry figures, but he did not make the idea a regular part of his campaign message or detail any plans to pursue such changes.
Why Does ETH 3.0 Need Lumoz's ZK Computing Network?
