After 25 years of negotiations, the European Union and the Southern Common Market, commonly known as Mercosur and comprising Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay, signed a free trade and cooperation agreement. If ratified, it will create a market of nearly 800 million citizens, reduce consumer prices, and boost investment. This landmark deal also signals that two like-minded continents can still champion rules-based trade liberalization amid rising protectionism, de-globalization, and geopolitical fragmentation. Q1: What has been agreed? A1: Negotiations between the European Union and Mercosur—two of the world’s largest trade blocs—began in 1999. In 2019, the European Commission reached a preliminary agreement with Mercosur countries. At its core, the deal reduced tariffs on manufactured goods in Mercosur countries while liberalizing agricultural trade in the European Union—a sector long protected by European policies. However, the agreement stalled for years due to opposition from France and other EU countries, who demanded environmental guarantees from Brazil and expressed concerns over the potential losses to European farmers. Simultaneously, the protectionist governments of Brazil and Argentina did not prioritize ratification. On December 6, 2024, a new agreement was signed in Montevideo. This landmark deal is the largest ever concluded by the EU and the only one Mercosur has with a major trading bloc—which means that European products will enter its market under much better conditions than U.S. or Japanese products. It eliminates tariffs on over 90 percent of bilateral trade, saving European exporters EUR 4 billion annually while granting South American products preferential access to European markets, particularly for agricultural goods where Mercosur holds a strong comparative advantage. Until now, trade relations between the two regions have underperformed relative to their potential, especially in merchandise trade (and less so in investment). The agreement is set to change this dynamic, opening Mercosur’s highly protected market to European industrial goods. For instance, previous tariffs on automobiles, textiles, and machinery ranged from 14 percent to 35 percent. The agreement also ensures the protection of 357 European geographical indicators, boosting exports of specialty agricultural products like wines and cheeses. Additionally, European companies will gain better access to Mercosur’s public procurement markets, high-value service sectors, and critical raw materials like lithium. In return, the European Union will reduce tariffs on agricultural products and other goods and contribute EUR 1.8 billion through the Global Gateway initiative to support Mercosur’s green and digital transition. Beyond the economic aspects, the deal includes commitments to high labor standards and reinforces adherence to the Paris Climate Agreement . Measures to prevent deforestation—a key demand of the European Union—are also part of the agreement. Overall, the deal seeks to increase trade and investment by creating a predictable economic environment, reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers, and fostering growth and prosperity, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises. Q2: Why was the agreement possible? A2: After 25 years of stalled negotiations, many doubted the prospects of an EU–Mercosur partnership. Resistance from European farmers, especially in France, Poland, and Ireland, played a major role. These groups feared fierce competition from more competitive Latin American agricultural producers. Proponents, including Spain, Portugal, Germany, and some Nordic countries, struggled to counter this opposition. However, three elements have made the agreement possible. First, the rise of protectionism, exemplified by Donald Trump's reelection, pushed the European Union and Mercosur to act. Both blocs, as advocates of an open, rules-based economic order, saw the agreement as a way to reaffirm their commitment to rules-based free trade. Second, both Brazil’s President Lula da Silva and Argentina’s President Javier Milei have strongly supported the agreement, while Uruguay has always been in favor of a small export-oriented economy. And third, there were important strategic considerations on the EU side, whose leaders were concerned about the rapid expansion of Chinese trade and investment in Latin America. Moreover, the new European Commission, which took office on December 1, wanted to start its mandate by delivering quick results. Q3: What are the next steps? A3: The ratification process poses significant challenges, particularly on the European side. In Mercosur, the agreement must be approved by the national parliaments, but even if some countries fail to ratify it, the deal will still apply to others that do. In the European Union, however, the process is more complex . After the agreement is translated into all EU member state languages, it will go to the European Council for ratification, where EU countries are represented by their trade ministers. A minimum of four states representing at least 35 percent of the EU population could block the agreement. France, Austria, and Poland have stated that they oppose the agreement, but they would need another large country to reject the agreement at the European Council. Italy could join them, but it is also possible that in the next months, the guarantees that the European Commission is offering European farmers would be enough to convince the more skeptical countries. If the agreement is not blocked, it then must be ratified by the European Parliament. This approval only applies to the ratification of those provisions that fall within the exclusive competence of the European Parliament, mainly those related to trade liberalization, and do not require ratification by national parliaments. The rest, those provisions involving aspects of jurisdiction and sovereignty, such as dispute settlement mechanisms or investment protection, must be unanimously approved by national parliaments to enter into force. The provisions of the agreement related to political dialogue and cooperation also require unanimous approval by national parliaments. Therefore, even if the European ratification process runs smoothly, the tariff reductions will take some months to be applied, and the rest of the elements could take more than a year. But in any case, the signing of this partnership agreement demonstrates the strong interest in trade liberalization among countries that favor maintaining an open economic order based on stable and predictable rules in the context of threats to cooperation and potential trade wars. Federico Steinberg is visiting fellow with the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C.Qatar tribune Agencies Volkswagen employees warned on Monday that management has one final opportunity to reach a compromise or face unprecedented strikes next year, as negotiations commence in a tense dispute over wage reductions and plant shutdowns. VW staff downed tools at nine German sites, while thousands marched with flags and whistles to a square in Wolfsburg, where the carmaker is headquartered, to listen to union leaders. The latest negotiations, which initially kicked off in September, come as Europe’s largest carmaker seeks ways to radically cut costs in Germany to better compete with cheaper Asian rivals that have entered its home market. The VW crisis comes at a time of uncertainty and political upheaval in Europe’s largest economy, as well as wider turmoil among the region’s automakers. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, trailing in polls ahead of a snap election, warned VW against factory closures over the weekend. Workers are staging four-hour strikes, the second walkouts in a week and for twice as long as the two-hour strikes that took place the first time. Copy 11/12/2024 10

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Ed Miliband's GB Energy slammed as 'needless new quango' costing taxpayers £8.3bn

At a time when the (ASX: XJO) is close to all-time highs, it may be challenging to find compelling stocks at compelling values. Luckily, fund managers from Wilson Asset Management have pointed out two ASX shares that are growing rapidly and look compelling. The investment team that manages the ( ), are looking for stocks that are "the most compelling growth opportunities in the Australian market". In a recent update to investors, WAM nominated two that are seeing double-digit financial growth in percentage terms, giving them a strong outlook. Let's look at those two ideas below. Block Inc CDI ( ) WAM described Block as a business that offers a range of financial services and products, including Square, which helps businesses process transactions and achieve their growth aspirations. It has been a good time to own Block shares in recent times. The Block share price has risen more than 33% since the start of November 2024, as shown on the chart above. Some of those gains came after Block revealed its for the three months to September 2024. That update showed that grew by 19% year over year to US$2.25 billion. The ASX share's profit margins increased, with adjusted operating profit ( ) growing by 69% year over year, which was stronger than the market was expecting. WAM explained why it remains bullish on the payments company: We continue to expect Block to outperform its initial gross profit guidance for 2024 with a strong outlook for 2025 and also see a chance that the company enters the S&P 500 Index in the United States. Gentrack Group Ltd ( ) The other ASX growth share that WAM highlighted was Gentrack, a technology provider to many of the world's largest energy and water companies, as well as airports. The Gentrack share price has been on an incredible run this year, rising by 105% in 2024 to date, as shown on the chart above. It climbed more than 40% in November alone following the release of its for the 12 months to 30 September 2024. Gentrack's FY24 report included revenue growth of 25.5% thanks to strong growth in both the utilities and airports divisions, which beat market expectations. WAM revealed why its investment team is still positive on the ASX tech share: We remain positive on Gentrack Group and the outlook for the company and believe the company's strong cash position can allow the business to make earnings accretive acquisitions. Time will tell whether these positive outlooks translate into further investment gains.Lea Miller-Tooley hopped off a call to welcome the Baylor women’s basketball team to the Atlantis resort in the Bahamas, where 80-degree temperatures made it easy for the Bears to settle in on Paradise Island a week before Thanksgiving. About 5,000 miles west of the Caribbean nation, similar climes awaited Maui Invitational men's teams in Hawaii. They’ve often been greeted with leis, the traditional Hawaiian welcome of friendship. College basketball teams and fans look forward to this time of the year. The holiday week tournaments feature buzzworthy matchups and all-day TV coverage, sure, but there is a familiarity about them as they help ward off the November chill. For four decades, these sandy-beach getaways filled with basketball have become a beloved mainstay of the sport itself. “When you see (ESPN’s) ‘Feast Week’ of college basketball on TV, when you see the Battle 4 Atlantis on TV, you know college basketball is back,” said Miller-Tooley, the founder and organizer of the Battle 4 Atlantis men's and women's tournaments. “Because it’s a saturated time of the year with the NFL, college football and the NBA. But when you see these gorgeous events in these beautiful places, you realize, ‘Wow, hoops are back, let’s get excited.’” The Great Alaska Shootout was the trend-setting multiple-team event (MTE) nearly five decades ago. The brainchild of late Alaska-Anchorage coach Bob Rachal sought to raise his program’s profile by bringing in national-power programs, which could take advantage of NCAA rules allowing them to exceed the maximum allotment of regular-season games if they played the three-game tournament outside the contiguous 48 states. The first edition, named the Sea Wolf Classic, saw N.C. State beat Louisville 72-66 for the title on Nov. 26, 1978. The Maui Invitational followed in November 1984, borne from the buzz of NAIA program Chaminade’s shocking upset of top-ranked Virginia and 7-foot-4 star Ralph Sampson in Hawaii two years earlier. Events kept coming, with warm-weather locales getting in on the action. The Paradise Jam in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Cancun Challenge in Mexico. The Cayman Islands Classic. The Jamaica Classic. The Myrtle Beach Invitational joining the Charleston Classic in South Carolina. Numerous tournaments in Florida. Some events have faded away like the Puerto Rico Tipoff and the Great Alaska Shootout, the latter in 2017 amid event competition and schools opting for warm-weather locales. Notre Dame takes on Chaminade during the first half of a 2017 game in Lahaina, Hawaii. Miller-Tooley’s push to build an MTE for Atlantis began as a December 2010 doubleheader with Georgia Tech beating Richmond and Virginia Tech beating Mississippi State in a prove-it moment for a tournament’s viability. It also required changing NCAA legislation to permit MTEs in the Bahamas. Approval came in March 2011; the first eight-team Atlantis men’s tournament followed in November. That tournament quickly earned marquee status with big-name fields, with Atlantis champions Villanova (2017) and Virginia (2018) later winning that season’s NCAA title. Games run in a ballroom-turned-arena at the resort, where players also check out massive swimming pools, water slides and inner-tube rapids surrounded by palm trees and the Atlantic Ocean. “It’s just the value of getting your passport stamped, that will never get old,” Miller-Tooley said. “Watching some of these kids, this may be their first and last time – and staff and families – that they ever travel outside the United States. ... You can see through these kids’ eyes that it’s really an unbelievable experience.” ACC Network analyst Luke Hancock knows that firsthand. His Louisville team finished second at Atlantis in 2012 and won that year’s later-vacated NCAA title, with Hancock as the Final Four's most outstanding player. “I remember (then-coach Rick Pitino) saying something to the effect of: ‘Some of you guys might never get this opportunity again. We’re staying in this unbelievable place, you’re doing it with people you love,’” Hancock said. “It was a business trip for us there at Thanksgiving, but he definitely had a tone of ‘We’ve got to enjoy this as well.’” Maui offers similar vibes, though 2024 could be a little different as Lahaina recovers from deadly 2023 wildfires that forced the event's relocation last year. North Carolina assistant coach Sean May played for the Tar Heels’ Maui winner in 2004 and was part of UNC’s staff for the 2016 champion, with both teams later winning the NCAA title. May said “you just feel the peacefulness” of the area — even while focusing on games — and savors memories of the team taking a boat out on the Pacific Ocean after title runs under now-retired Hall of Famer Roy Williams. “Teams like us, Dukes, UConns – you want to go to places that are very well-run,” May said. “Maui, Lea Miller with her group at the Battle 4 Atlantis, that’s what drives teams to come back because you know you’re going to get standard A-quality of not only the preparation but the tournament with the way it’s run. Everything is top-notch. And I think that brings guys back year after year.” That’s why Colorado coach Tad Boyle is so excited for the Buffaloes’ first Maui appearance since 2009. “We’ve been trying to get in the tournament since I got here,” said Boyle, now in his 15th season. And of course, that warm-weather setting sure doesn’t hurt. “If you talk about the Marquettes of the world, St. John’s, Providence – they don’t want that cold weather,” said NBA and college TV analyst Terrence Oglesby, who played for Clemson in the 2007 San Juan Invitational in Puerto Rico. “They’re going to have to deal with that all January and February. You might as well get a taste of what the sun feels like.” Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo argues a call during the first half of a Nov. 16 game against Bowling Green in East Lansing, Michigan. Mi zzo is making his fourth trip to Maui. The men’s Baha Mar Championship in Nassau, Bahamas, got things rolling last week with No. 11 Tennessee routing No. 13 Baylor for the title. The week ahead could boast matchups befitting the Final Four, with teams having two weeks of action since any opening-night hiccups. “It’s a special kickoff to the college basketball season,” Oglesby said. “It’s just without the rust.” On the women’s side, Atlantis began its fourth eight-team women’s tournament Saturday with No. 16 North Carolina and No. 18 Baylor, while the nearby Baha Mar resort follows with two four-team women’s brackets that include No. 2 UConn, No. 7 LSU, No. 17 Mississippi and No. 20 N.C. State. Then come the men’s headliners. The Maui Invitational turns 40 as it opens Monday back in Lahaina. It features second-ranked and two-time reigning national champion UConn, No. 4 Auburn, No. 5 Iowa State and No. 10 North Carolina. The Battle 4 Atlantis opens its 13th men’s tournament Wednesday, topped by No. 3 Gonzaga, No. 16 Indiana and No. 17 Arizona. Michigan State Hall of Famer Tom Izzo is making his fourth trip to Maui, where he debuted as Jud Heathcote’s successor at the 1995 tournament. Izzo's Spartans have twice competed at Atlantis, last in 2021. “They’re important because they give you something in November or December that is exciting,” Izzo said. Any drawbacks? “It’s a 10-hour flight,” he said of Hawaii. Mike Tyson, left, slaps Jake Paul during a weigh-in ahead of their heavyweight bout, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, in Irving, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) In this image taken with a slow shutter speed, Spain's tennis player Rafael Nadal serves during a training session at the Martin Carpena Sports Hall, in Malaga, southern Spain, on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) A fan takes a picture of the moon prior to a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 between Uruguay and Colombia in Montevideo, Uruguay, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Santiago Mazzarovich) Rasmus Højgaard of Denmark reacts after missing a shot on the 18th hole in the final round of World Tour Golf Championship in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri) Taylor Fritz of the United States reacts during the final match of the ATP World Tour Finals against Italy's Jannik Sinner at the Inalpi Arena, in Turin, Italy, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Tolbert (1) fails to pull in a pass against Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford (20) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/ Brynn Anderson) Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love, top right, scores a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears in Chicago, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) India's Tilak Varma jumps in the air as he celebrates after scoring a century during the third T20 International cricket match between South Africa and India, at Centurion Park in Centurion, South Africa, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe) Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski warms up before facing the Seattle Kraken in an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) Kansas State players run onto the field before an NCAA college football game against Arizona State Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Manhattan, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) A fan rapped in an Uruguay flag arrives to the stands for a qualifying soccer match against Colombia for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Montevideo, Uruguay, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico) People practice folding a giant United States flag before an NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) Brazil's Marquinhos attempts to stop the sprinklers that were turned on during a FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match against Venezuela at Monumental stadium in Maturin, Venezuela, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos) Georgia's Georges Mikautadze celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the UEFA Nations League, group B1 soccer match between Georgia and Ukraine at the AdjaraBet Arena in Batumi, Georgia, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Tamuna Kulumbegashvili) Dallas Stars center Mavrik Bourque, right, attempts to score while Minnesota Wild right wing Ryan Hartman (38) and Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson (32) keep the puck out of the net during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt) Mike Tyson, left, fights Jake Paul during their heavyweight boxing match, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) Italy goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario misses the third goal during the Nations League soccer match between Italy and France, at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno) Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki (88) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half of an NFL football game in Cincinnati, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) President-elect Donald Trump attends UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Fans argue in stands during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between France and Israel at the Stade de France stadium in Saint-Denis, outside Paris, Thursday Nov. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) Slovakia's Rebecca Sramkova hits a return against Danielle Collins, of the United States, during a tennis match at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals at the Martin Carpena Sports Hall, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, in Malaga, southern Spain. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) St. John's guard RJ Luis Jr. (12) falls after driving to the basket during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against New Mexico, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith) England's Anthony Gordon celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between England and the Republic of Ireland at Wembley stadium in London, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung) Katie Taylor, left, lands a right to Amanda Serrano during their undisputed super lightweight title bout, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver DJ Turner, right, tackles Miami Dolphins wide receiver Malik Washington, left, on a punt return during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) UConn's Paige Bueckers (5) battles North Carolina's Laila Hull, right, for a loose ball during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Greensboro, N.C., Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown) Get local news delivered to your inbox!Dune: Prophecy‘s Toxic Siblings Are the Best Part of the SisterhoodTORONTO — When Geoffrey Hinton strode across the Stockholm Concert Hall stage Tuesday to receive his Nobel Prize for physics from King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, he was beaming. It has taken decades for many beyond the science community to realize the British Canadian computer scientist's life's work was so significant it eventually formed the foundation of artificial intelligence. But on Tuesday, as he accepted the Nobel diploma and its accompanying gold medal with co-laureate John Hopfield, there was no question about the importance of Hinton's discoveries nor how he has shaped history. Instead, there was only pride for the affable 77-year-old, often called the godfather of AI — and that pride stretched from Stockholm to Toronto. A crowd of about 100 students and colleagues at the University of Toronto, where Hinton is a professor emeritus, gathered at the school's downtown campus to watch the Nobel ceremony. Two other watch parties took over the school's Mississauga and Scarborough campuses. Any mention of physics or a sighting of Hinton, clad in a dark suit and white bow tie, generated rousing applause at the Toronto gathering. When the man of the hour headed to retrieve his accolade from the King, a few former students and colleagues wiped tears from their eyes. "There is, at least for me, this sense that Prof. Hinton created the whole ecosystem here, where there are thousands of people who are working on his ideas," Michael Guerzhoy, one of Hinton's former students who went on to teach a course Hinton had once led at the university, said before the ceremony began. The idea that earned Hinton the Nobel dates back to the 1980s, when he was working at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh and AI was far from the buzzy technology it is today. It was then that Hinton developed the Boltzmann machine, which learns from examples, rather than instructions, and when trained, can recognize familiar characteristics in information, even if it has not seen that data before. "It was a lot of fun doing the research but it was slightly annoying that many people — in fact, most people in the field of AI — said that neural networks would never work," Hinton recalled during a press conference on the October day he was named as a Nobel laureate. "They were very confident that these things were just a waste of time and we would never be able to learn complicated things like, for example, understanding natural language using neural networks — and they were wrong." Neural networks are computational models that resemble the human brain's structure and functions. When Nobel physics committee chair Ellen Moons presented Hinton to receive his award, she said these networks are good at sorting and interpreting large amounts of data and self-improve based on the accuracy of the results they generate. "Today, artificial neural networks are powerful tools in research fields spanning physics, chemistry and medicine, as well as in daily life," she said. John DiMarco wasn't surprised that Hinton's work paved the way for such possibilities, but the IT director for U of T's computer science department was taken aback that Hinton's Nobel came in the unlikely physics category. DiMarco met Hinton roughly 35 years ago in a job interview and quickly took note of his proclivity for humour and the quirks in how his mind works. "He is quite insightful and he goes straight to the core of things," DiMarco said. "He would sometimes come out of his office and share some new idea. We didn't always understand what he was sharing, but he was very excited about it." Many of those ideas required lots of computing power the school's systems didn't have, so DiMarco's team patched together a solution with graphics processing units from video game consoles. DiMarco brought one of Hinton's GPUs to the watch party, which was also attended by Joseph Jay Williams, the director of U of T's Intelligent Adaptive Interventions Lab. Williams took one of Hinton's classes and said the Nobel winner "changed the course of my life" by encouraging him to go to grad school, which then led him to win the XPRIZE Digital Learning Challenge, a global competition aimed at rewarding people who modernize learning tools and processes. Other notable mentees and alumni of Hinton's classes include OpenAI co-founder Ilya Sutskever and Cohere co-founders Nick Frosst and Aidan Gomez. With his Nobel win and so many esteemed protege, Williams said Hinton has become a "reluctant celebrity" who is hounded for photos every time he's on campus. Hinton, however, has taken a much more humble approach to his recent win, which he learned of on a trip to California. He initially thought the call from the academy that gives out the Nobel was "a spoof," but later realized it had to be real because it was placed from Sweden and the speaker had a "strong Swedish accent." The award the academy gave him comes with 11 million Swedish kronor (about $1.4 million) from a bequest arranged by Swedish inventor Alfred Nobel. Hinton and Hopfield will split the money, with some of Hinton's share going to Water First, an Ontario organization working to boost Indigenous access to water, and another unnamed charity supporting neurodiverse young adults. Hinton has said he doesn't plan to do much more "frontier research." "I believe I'm going to spend my time advocating for people to work on safety," he said in October. Last year, Hinton left a role he held at Google to more freely speak about the dangers of AI, which he has said include bias and discrimination, fake news, joblessness, lethal autonomous weapons and even the end of humanity. At a Stockholm press conference over the weekend, he said he doesn’t regret the work he did to lay the foundations of artificial intelligence, but wishes he thought of safety sooner. “In the same circumstances, I would do the same again,” he said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 10, 2024. Tara Deschamps, The Canadian Press

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Daily Post Nigeria Troops sustain onslaught against oil thieves, recover 80,000 litres of stolen crude Home News Politics Metro Entertainment Sport News Troops sustain onslaught against oil thieves, recover 80,000 litres of stolen crude Published on November 24, 2024 By John Gabriel Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, working with other security agencies, have continued the onslaught against oil theft in the Niger Delta. According to a statement by Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director 6 Division Army Public Relations, in operations conducted in Buguma Creeks in Asari-Toru LGA, eight illegal refining sites were deactivated. “Additionally, at Iyalama/Bakana, also in Buguma, a Wellhead used as a loading point by the criminals was discovered, several cooking pots of different sizes, receivers as well as four wooden boats were taken out with over 8,000 litres of stolen products confiscated,” the statement added. It said troops also intercepted a wooden boat stocked with over 6,000 litres of condensate in the same area. Similarly, around Ogaji-Ama, in Buguma South East River, two wooden boats loaded with over 3,000 litres of stolen crude were intercepted. The statement further disclosed, “In a related vein, operations were conducted, around Asaramatoro Creek in Bonny LGA, where an illegal refining site with over 10,000 litres of stolen crude housed in a local reservoir was discovered. “Relatedly, along Idu Ekpeye in Ahoada West LGA, a wooden boat with over 2,000 litres of stolen products was intercepted. At Obiafu general area in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA (ONELGA), over 3,000 litres of stolen crude concealed in sacks were recovered. “Also, at Oboburu in ONELGA, troops had an encounter with an armed vandal who opened fire on them. They responded and he was neutralised. One pump action gun and 5 cartridges were recovered at the scene. While, around Ke Community in Degema LGA, a large wooden boat hidden inside the creek suspected to be used by the oil thieves was intercepted. “Further combing of the general area led to the confiscation of a fibre boat ladened with over 1,500 litres of stolen products. Clearance operations was also conducted along the Imo River, particularly around Oyigbo, Asa, Ukwa and environs, with remarkable successes recorded. ” These included the dismantling of over 20 illegal refining sites, 169 cooking drums, 29 metal container receivers as well as the recovery of over 15,000 litres of stolen products. “In Bayelsa State, several operations were conducted with successes recorded. At Clough Creek in Ekeremor LGA, a wooden boat hidden inside the Creek loaded with over 2,500 litres of stolen products was intercepted. “Likewise, around Sangakubu general area in Nembe LGA, an illegal refining site was dismantled with over 1,500 litres of stolen products recovered. ” The operation was also extended to Southern Ijaw LGA, along Tebidaba Creek, where illegal refining sites, a wooden boat with unquantified quantity of stolen products handled appropriately. “While, in Delta State, troops on routine patrol, along Ekpan in Uvwie LGA, intercepted over 2,500 litres of stolen products stored in a tank within the premises of Lamiel Hotel and Suites. “Additionally, troops on pursuit, intercepted two vehicles stocked with stolen products at Abe Community in Orhiomwon LGA of Edo State. In Akwa State, troops have continued to dominate land and waterways to ward off criminal activities. “During the operations conducted within the period under review, several achievements were recorded across the joint operations area. “These included, the dismantling of 34 illegal refining sites, arrest of eleven suspected oil thieves, deactivation of 19 boats and over 80,650 litres of stolen products recovered. Others included, the deactivation of 180 cooking drum pots, 29 metal container receivers, several vehicles and motorcycles. “Those arrested have been profiled and handed over to the relevant authority, while products were handled appropriately. “The General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, commended troops for their resilience.” Abdulsalam assured that the Division under his watch would continue to sustain the ongoing operations to ensure increase in oil and gas production. He also reassured that efforts would be sustained to thwart the intentions of criminal elements operating in the region. Related Topics: Troops Don't Miss Tinubu: ‘You have no shame’ – Atiku’s aide knocks Bwala You may like Troops kill notorious terrorist in Yobe, neutralise 114 others nationwide Nigerian troops kill notorious terrorist, Munzur Ya Audu in Yobe Troops nab suspected bandits informant in Taraba, clear camps Troops apprehend suspected gunrunners, recover arms in Plateau Nigeria Army reacts to informants’ refusal to cooperate with troops in Zamfara Troops arrest Taraba kidnapping kingpin who abducted 20, extorted over N70m ransom Advertise About Us Contact Us Privacy-Policy Terms Copyright © Daily Post Media LtdBarry Odom begins Purdue career with larger NIL budget and questions about payment dispute at UNLV

(Bloomberg) — Donald Trump’s return to the White House is forcing one of Wall Street’s more jargon-filled corners to rethink its talking points. Investment managers targeting climate change — a concept Trump has referred to as both a “scam” and a “hoax” — say it’s time to start speaking in terms that don’t alienate the millions of Americans who voted for the president-elect. “We need to change the language we’re using when we talk about climate and the energy transition,” said Joe Sumberg, a former Goldman Sachs Group Inc. managing director who now runs real estate investments at billionaire Tom Steyer’s Galvanize Climate Solutions. The goal should be to “make sure that we don’t sound like a bunch of coastal elites coming into middle America telling people that they need to install carbon capture at their properties and compost toilets on industrial properties,” he said in an interview. It’s one of a number of takeaways from the Nov. 5 election that investors targeting a whole range of ESG (environmental, social and governance) strategies are now busy analyzing. The consensus view forming among green asset managers is that many of the policies themselves are popular, based on their uptake in many Republican states. But the way that ESG professionals tout what they do is polarizing. The election “is a wake-up call for people who label what they do as ESG or even, frankly, sustainable investing,” said Ian Simm, the chief executive of Impax Asset Management, which oversees about $50 billion dedicated to investing in the clean-energy transition. “These are relatively new terms and they don’t always sit well with a traditional or mainstream view of fiduciary duty,” Simm said in an interview. “People who are using these ESG and similar phrases to reflect a values-driven or even ethical view of investment are now increasingly and probably unavoidably forced to declare their hands.” Since Trump’s election victory, investors have dumped stocks associated with high-profile ESG themes such as wind and solar. And analysts have even advised ESG professionals to keep their lawyers close, given the new political environment. The president-elect has made clear he plans to ratchet up fossil-fuel production, wind back environmental protections and embrace deregulation. That follows more than two years of ESG bans and legal threats in mostly Republican states. How the ESG investment industry communicates its agenda in a GOP-dominated America will be crucial in shaping its survival. So far, there has been “a lot of confusion and frankly a lot of laziness around definitions and the framing of these issues,” Simm said. “ESG as a phrase or label has been with us for far too long and needs to be replaced with clearer language.” As the political environment grows increasingly hostile toward all things labeled ESG, those whose business depends on it are being told to quickly adapt. The day after the US election, analysts at Jefferies predicted ESG professionals will stop touting their efforts in terms that once defined their work. Aniket Shah, the lead analyst of the Nov. 6 Jefferies note, said the ongoing backlash should result in a more “focused and pragmatic” approach to handling and talking about ESG. Even before Trump’s election victory, efforts by GOP-led states to sue climate-finance alliances were forcing a rethink in the ESG industry. Maslansky + Partners, a New York-based consultancy that focuses on language use, warned last year that the words ESG professionals use risk “alienating half the population.” And BDO, an international network of accounting and tax consultancies, said in September that ESG programs need to stop using “technical terms that can be hard to grasp” and instead start to “communicate in the language of the business” they serve. Ultimately, the business case should speak for itself, Sumberg said. “We’re not ignorant to the fact that if a different administration was in office, they probably would be more supportive,” he said. “But at the core of it, this is already profitable.” Sumberg just oversaw a third green real estate deal this year for Steyer, with the purchase of an industrial property in New Jersey. The goals, as with the other properties Galvanize has bought, are lower energy costs and emissions, as well as higher property values. He cautions against assuming that a Trump presidency will coincide with a major retreat from green investing. “The last time Trump was in power, the tax credits were extended for wind and solar,” he said. And Trump’s first presidency also coincided with a significant increase in energy-transition investments, he said. “The reason wasn’t because the administration at that time was adding subsidies to that sector,” Sumberg said. “The reason was because it’s profitable.”

7 Tips For Using A Heater In Your Tent While CampingProfessor Yang Qingqing's Monograph "Chinese Opera Costume Patterns" Published 12-10-2024 09:46 PM CET | Fashion, Lifestyle, Trends Press release from: Getnews / PR Agency: LianPR Professor Yang Qingqing of Shanghai Theatre Academy's major monograph, Research on the Design of Chinese Opera Costume Pattern Element Codes, a National Publishing Fund project, has been officially published. The Shanghai Library and Donghua University Press jointly organized a new book launch and thematic seminar. Attendees included the Shanghai Publishing Association, the Shanghai Municipal Propaganda Department's Publishing Division, the Shanghai Art Research Center, the Shanghai Art Archives, Shanghai Theatre Academy, and others. Opera performers Mr. Chen Shaoyun and Ms. Li Peihong, Professor Wu Haiyan from the China Academy of Art, cultural historian Mr. Gao Chunming, opera researcher Ms. Fei Yong, Peking Opera scholar Mr. Yu Kaiyi, and many more were present. The President of the China Arts and Crafts Society's Jacquard Committee and Director of the Nanjing Yun Brocade Museum, Mr. Jian Mingwei, also sent congratulatory messages and videos. Experts from various fields offered comments on the book, unanimously recognizing its publishing value and significance. Image: https://www.getnews.info/uploads/616aaffa757224cfecdbb5caec44f04c.jpg Research on the Design of Chinese Opera Costume Pattern Element Codes is a book that studies the historical development of Chinese opera costume patterns, explores the constituent elements of these patterns and the data elements that emerge from them, and uses computer algorithms for processing and creative transformation in modern design applications. The book, with 1.3 million words, is divided into thirteen chapters and uses text complemented by charts, diagrams, illustrations, and images. It studies everything from the "Twelve Chapters Patterns" on the ceremonial attire of imperial officials 4,000 years ago to the costumes and patterns of the four main Chinese opera roles (sheng, dan, jing, chou) and nearly 20 subcategories of roles. It also investigates the color composition of traditional Chinese colors in opera costume patterns for the first time, establishing a color palette and genealogy for Chinese traditional opera costume patterns. The book analyzes over 30 categories of opera costume patterns and presents over a hundred contemporary design examples based on traditional Chinese opera patterns. It also establishes a hierarchical model for pattern classification and creates a digital atlas of Chinese traditional opera costume patterns. Image: https://www.getnews.info/uploads/5bcd259b432f36ba9d40c3d89c983ed8.jpg Author Yang Qingqing is dedicated to the transformation of traditional Chinese culture into contemporary art design and the integration of art and technology. She has led several national cultural and artistic planning projects as chief expert. Yang was the first to propose the concept and methodology of "transmedia" and pioneered "transmedia art design" courses for undergraduate and graduate students, becoming one of the earliest advocates and practitioners of transmedia art worldwide. She is the Director of the Chinese Cultural and Tourism Performance Creation and Education Research Center at Shanghai Theatre Academy, Deputy Director of the Key Laboratory of Digital Performance Integrated Innovation of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and Chair of the Visual Arts Committee of the Shanghai Stage Design Society. Yang Qingqing has curated and created numerous projects such as Jiangnan Kunqu Opera Conference, 100 Years of Kunqu Transmission, Through the Dream of Red Mansions, New Media Interactive Interpretation of Peking Opera Facial Makeup, Transmedia Art Exhibition - Another Mei Lanfang, Elegant Melody of the Ages - Yu Zhenfei's 120th Anniversary Exhibition, Chinese Cross-Stitch, Contemporary Transformation of Chinese Opera Patterns, Peking Opera Master Zhou Xinfang Exhibition, and Lin Chuan Si Dreams in New York. In recent years, she has led her team to win two Red Dot Awards (the highest international award), one German Design Award, one Muse Platinum Award, and one Muse Gold Award. She has been awarded an honorary artist medal by the French government and named an advanced individual in the Overseas Chinese Affairs of the People's Republic of China. Image: https://www.getnews.info/uploads/5bc08c78c6c1ffde5041aa3c14f9e026.jpg In her book, Yang Qingqing uses practical case studies of transmedia art to provide detailed analysis on how to upgrade patterns from individuality and concreteness to quantification, categorization, and logical structuring using the latest computer technologies. She has created a scientific system for digital analysis and redesign tools. The book also introduces methods for creating and innovatively displaying patterns using cutting-edge technologies such as AR, VR, XR, MR, digital generation, and artificial intelligence. Image: https://www.getnews.info/uploads/d7f8d259317614ac5986578c3e27a838.jpg The book has been recommended by the renowned dramatist and educator Professor Ye Changhai, who praised it as "opening up a new field for research into Chinese traditional art, with both literary and academic value; it also serves as a reference for professionals due to its encyclopedic nature." Opera performer Mr. Chen Shaoyun highly praised the book, especially its research on the element codes of traditional patterns and the transformation of contemporary design, along with its use of artificial intelligence for design experimentation. He described it as "a great achievement for the present day, beneficial for the future." Li Peihong, Professor and National First-Class Actor, Dean of the School of Chinese Opera at Shanghai Theatre Academy, believes that Yang Qingqing exemplifies the integration and transformation between contemporary fashion and outstanding traditional culture. She described the book as pioneering, innovative, systematic, practical, interdisciplinary, and a valuable contribution to research in Chinese traditional arts, which will surely have a profound impact on the art field. Image: https://www.getnews.info/uploads/238db6eab09590055c84c90bcb1d4278.jpg Experts believe that this book provides a great paradigm for young people in today's digital age by using digital methods to reinterpret traditional costume patterns, thus revitalizing and transforming traditional culture. The book has reorganized and summarized the opera costume patterns scattered in folk culture, restored them with modern scientific techniques, and expanded them further. This is both a faithful preservation of our traditional culture and a form of promotion. The book won the 2024 Shanghai Book Art Design Award - Overall Design Award. The content of this book will be exhibited in Europe and the United States, allowing the world to appreciate the beauty of China. Media Contact Company Name: Transmedia Co.Ltd Contact Person: TANG Email: Send Email [ http://www.universalpressrelease.com/?pr=professor-yang-qingqings-monograph-chinese-opera-costume-patterns-published ] State: Shanghai Country: China Website: https://www.xiaohongshu.com/user/profile/629e113f00000000210211ce?xhsshare=CopyLink&appuid=5510f90a4fac633d83eccf92&apptime=1733763012&share_id=cb4c2a862406462d9cd98a18eaae14d5 This release was published on openPR.