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New technology shields wind turbines from positive polarity lightning strikes( MENAFN - GetNews) Recently, Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Information technology officially released the list of Shanghai "Specialized, Specialized and New" Enterprises in 2023 (the second batch), and Shanghai Shenyin Group was successfully recognized as Shanghai "Specialized, Specialized and New" Enterprises after the expert evaluation and comprehensive assessment, which is a great recognition of Shanghai Shenyin Group's forty years of development. It is also a great affirmation of Shanghai Shenyin Group's forty years of development."Specialized, refined, special and new" enterprises refer to small and medium-sized enterprises with outstanding specialization, refinement, features and novelty, and the selection mainly focuses on the indicators of enterprises in terms of quality and efficiency, degree of specialization, capability of independent innovation, etc., and requires the enterprises to play the role of "wild goose" leading the way in the niche market, and to deeply develop their business in the market. "The selection mainly focuses on the indicators of quality, efficiency, degree of specialization and independent innovation ability, requiring enterprises to play a leading role in market segments, deeply integrate into the industry chain system and master key core technologies in the field award of the title of "Specialized, Specialized and New" enterprise is not only another symbol of Shenyin's forty years of development, but also reflects that Shenyin's innovation, specialization and unique advantages in the field of mixing have been affirmed and recognized by the authoritative departments. Specialization Shenyin Group has been plowing into the industry for 40 years, always focusing on the R&D and manufacturing in the field of powder mixing, and specializing in providing intelligent powder mixing solutions for customers. It serves well-known listed and international companies such as Ningde Times, BYD, Yanggu Huatai, Dongfang Rainbow, Aluminum Corporation of China, Sinopec, BASF, TATA and so on.[FineRefinementDuring the forty years of development, Shenyin Group has been constantly learning and improving the industry standard of its own brand. 1996 Shenyin Group started from the awareness, cognition and implementation of the 9000 system certification, followed by higher requirements for the European Union CE certification, in order to be more in line with the modernization and standardization of industry, the Group has put forward higher requirements for its own product production technology and production processes and the professionalism of its staff, which has significantly Improve the quality of enterprise products, and successfully completed iso14001 environmental management system certification and iso45001 occupational health and safety management system certification, for enterprises to build a good production, management, occupational health and other aspects of the foundation, the formation of the three systems of the internal cycle, to promote the enterprise into the benign development, for the sustainable development of enterprises to lay a solid foundation. [Special] Characterization Shenyin Group has summarized the customer groups over the past forty years, and has rich experience in the powder mixing needs of various segments. For the gap between the mixing requirements of customer demand and the actual working conditions, as a mixing expert in the field of mixing we can develop a more rationalized mixing program, so as to customize the industry-specific mixing machine for users in different industries. Can meet the battery, building materials, food, medicine, refractory materials, daily chemical, rubber, plastic, metallurgy, rare earth and other industry characteristics of the mixing needs of various industries continue to provide useful products. [New] Novelization Shenyin Group serves in various industries, based on research in niche areas, to grasp the market demand, and long-term investment in the research and development of mixers. Supported by scientific research, innovation and development, to promote the powder mixer is changing day by day Group will inherit the fine tradition of the past forty years, drive its own development with the advanced manufacturing of the new era, and is committed to becoming a century-old high-end equipment in the industry, and hand over a satisfactory answer for the mixing problems of customers. MENAFN17122024003238003268ID1109004760 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Honda and Nissan explore merger to navigate uncertain EV futureExamining the Anaheim Ducks’ leadership disconnect and the puzzling decisions that are prompting the question, “What’s the plan?” The Anaheim Ducks have struggled to find consistency and identity in recent seasons, and under head coach Greg Cronin, their trajectory hasn’t inspired much confidence. In a league where expectations are sky-high, it’s baffling that Cronin continues to lead the Ducks while other franchises in similar situations have made decisive moves to improve their coaching staff. The Anaheim Ducks Plan Read the Room Take the Chicago Blackhawks. Despite being further behind the Ducks in a rebuild, they recently dismissed their head coach , signaling their commitment to progress. With that move, the Blackhawk’s front office made a statement: poor performance will not be tolerated. Then there’s the case of Jim Montgomery . Montgomery led the Boston Bruins to the best regular season in NHL history just two seasons ago and won the Jack Adams Award as Coach of the Year. The Bruins subsequently fired him after an 8-9-3 start to the 2024-2025 season. Although, unsurprisingly, the St. Louis Blues rehired him within five days, and he is already 4-1-1 with them. Expectations are rightfully much higher in Boston than in Anaheim, but Montgomery lost in the playoffs last year to the eventual Stanley Cup Champions. So why does Cronin—master of saying “I don’t know”—still have a job? “I don’t know, shoot more” Cronin’s press appearances only add fuel to the fire. These are opportunities for any coach to instill confidence and outline a coherent vision but have instead highlighted his lack of clear solutions. When asked about his team’s shortcomings, Cronin often defaults to vague clichés like “shoot more,” sounding more like an annoying youth hockey parent shouting from the stands than a professional coach. Cronin fails to address the systemic issues plaguing the Ducks, like defensive lapses, disorganized special teams, and a lack of development among young players who should be the cornerstone of the franchise’s future. “I don’t know, just need to get more shots” – Greg Cronin in about 90 minutes from now — Dalton Keys (@DucksKeys) December 7, 2024 Greg Cronin when it comes to answering postgame questions with “I don’t know” #FlyTogether pic.twitter.com/ZxySSQgcN9 — Chris (@CJKChel) November 27, 2024 Worse still, when pressed for insights into what went wrong after a tough loss, Cronin has repeatedly offered the incredibly insightful: “I don’t know.” In a results-driven business, this type of response should be unacceptable. However, the message from the Anaheim front office is it is. A head coach is paid to know . Cronin’s comments signal either a lack of preparation, an inability to diagnose problems, or both. This raises serious questions about whether he is the right person to guide the Ducks out of years of ineptitude. Trouba Trade Adding to fans’ confusion, management’s actions are signaling it is time for the Ducks to escape the league basement. Last offseason, General Manager Pat Verbeek stated that he wanted to sign a top-tier forward from the free-agent market – that never happened. The Jacob Trouba trade was the latest signal. At 30 years old, Trouba is a seasoned defenceman whose hefty contract ($8 million AAV through 2026) reflects expectations of immediate impact rather than long-term development. If bringing in a journeyman defenceman who is making $8m AAV isn’t an indicator that the team is looking for progress in the standings, then what is? The Trouba acquisition, a win-now player with a hefty contract, feels completely at odds with the developmental, rebuilding tone set by keeping Cronin as head coach. What’s the Ducks plan? Ducks fans deserve better. They deserve a coach who can articulate a vision, address flaws, and inspire the team. If a coach of Montgomery’s calibre can be fired for underperformance, why does Cronin—whose shortcomings are so glaring—still have his job? Ducks fans will collectively feel Montgomery’s availability was a major missed opportunity to improve the team’s coaching. As of December 8, the Ducks are 10-12-3, including a 5-1 beatdown by the Minnesota Wild marking their third loss in the last four games. At this point last season, the Ducks were 9-14-2. Is that “progress”? In a literal sense, it kind of is because they are three points better. However, ask any Ducks fans and they’ll tell you it does not feel progress. Anaheim’s front office owes its fan base an explanation, or better yet, a change. Until then, fans will continue to wonder, “What’s the plan?” This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.
US indictment accuses two Syrian officials of torture at notorious prison
Conservative Party of B.C. Leader John Rustad faces a test after 13 members of his caucus have asked him to essentially discipline Conservative MLA Elenore Sturko for comments that she made about a former Vancouver Police Board member. The signed letter published by radio host Jas Johal on X Thursday (Dec. 5) calls on Rustad to "invite" Sturko to "offer" Comfort Sakoma-Fadugba a written apology after Sturko had criticized her, following Sakoma-Fadugba's controversial remarks about the nature of Canadian society. Sakoma-Fadugba left her position Nov. 22 after several social media posts linked to her became public. Screenshots of the Instagram stories linked to Sakoma-Fadugba show Reddit posts lamenting the loss of Christian values in the face of immigration and criticized "woke culture" as well gender transitions. The alleged statements cost Sakoma-Fadugba her job on the police board and drew criticism from various corners of the political spectrum, including Sturko, a former RCMP officer and member of the LGBTQ2S+ community. “When we have statements being made that erode the public’s trust, or their comfort with their police service, it makes it that much harder on the front-line officers," Sturko told the CBC in November. But this statement did not sit well with her 13 colleagues, calling on Rustad to ask Sturko for the apology "and to encourage the Vancouver Police Board to advance conciliatory discussions with (Sakoma-Fadugba)." But that is not their only demand. "If Ms. Sturko declines your invitation, we ask that you offer this apology and encouragement on behalf of the Conservative caucus," they write. This double-demand appears to put Rustad in a double-bind. He either follows the demands from his part of his caucus ostensibly aimed at one of their own or he undermines the position of Sturko by issuing an apology on her behalf. "The way he responds will tell us something about where his own loyalties lie," UBC political scientist Stewart Prest said. "We do know that he is quite supportive of articulations of these kinds of more critical views of modernity ... so it may be that he has a certain amount of sympathy with the letter writers and his response will tell us whether that's the case. At the same time, a leader has another responsibility to the larger caucus as well. It may be that there are other members of the caucus who feel (Sturko) was quite correct in offering that assessment, and then has nothing to apologize for." Found within the letter is also a larger expression of sympathy for Sakoma-Fadugba's statements and a request to Rustad to give those views room by reminding him of what the signatories consider Rustad's own views to be. "The posts express views many Conservatives (including Conservative MLAs and staff) hold in support for parental rights, religious faith, and the pursuit of shared Canadian values," it reads. "Under your leadership, the Conservative Party of BC has consistently denounced 'cancel culture' and stood for the Charter rights British Columbians enjoy to free expression and freedom of religion," it reads. "The very first question you raised in the (legislature) as leader was in defence of parental rights." “Will the minister admit this SOGI 123 has been divisive and an assault on parents’ rights and a distraction to student education?” Rustad asked on Oct. 3, 2023. That question drew a rebuke from Premier David Eby, who called the question "outrageous" in accusing Rustad of leveraging children for culture-war purposes. “Shame on him," Eby said. "Choose another question." Prest called the letter a "deliberately provocative approach" that speaks to the ideological divisions within the party now for everyone to see. "It's putting right out in the open something we knew was going to be part of this, this challenging political coalition bringing together more populist-style conservatives with more, if you like, centrist or politically moderate types such (Sturko)." None of the 13 signatories once sat with Sturko when she was part of BC United and all were elected on Oct. 13 as first time Conservative candidates. Of note, is also the geographical representation of the MLAs. Eleven signatories represent ridings outside of Metro Vancouver and Greater Victoria including areas in the Fraser Valley and the Okanagan. Three signatories – Dallas Brodie (Vancouver-Quilchena), Brent Chapman (Surrey-South) and Anna Kindy (North Island) – have also found their names in the news over comments that they had made before or during the election campaign, with Chapman being perhaps the most widely reported one following his comments about Palestinian children made in 2015. "I would suggest that we are seeing to emerge, perhaps the makings of which you could almost call a Freedom Caucus in the (Conservative Party of B.C.), the sense that there's a group within a group that looks at the world quite differently than other members of that caucus," Prest said. This is not the first time that Sturko has been the object of criticism from within the Conservative Party of B.C. While still with B.C. United, Conservative candidate Paul Ratchford had called her a "woke, lesbian, social justice warrior." At the same time, Sturko had also been critical of the Conservatives, while still with B.C. United. In early October 2023, Sturko called on Rustad to apologize after appearing to draw a comparison with harms caused by residential schools and parental concerns about SOGI 123. Rustad denied making such a comparison. Sturko also called on Rustad to apologize after he had referred to being LGBTQ2S+ as a "lifestyle" in a media interview. When asked to comment on the letter from her colleagues, Sturko said deferred to Rustad. "This letter was addressed to John. I'm going to allow him the opportunity to speak to it at this time." Black Press Media has reached out to the Conservative Party of B.C., including Rustad's spokesperson and Rustad himself for comment.Franklin Fire, burning near Pepperdine University, prompts evacuation orders
The volunteer group running hospice services in Sussex says it’s trying to build up its organization as it aims to build a physical hospice in the next five years. Representatives from Hospice of Sussex presented at town council last week on its plans to launch a new “social enterprise” in the form of a medical equipment rental service, called Mobility+. Board chair Gwen Pope told council this came as part of the group’s strategic planning as it seeks to expand services and move towards a physical hospice building within the next five years. “In the last few years, the look has changed,” Pope told Brunswick News Friday. “Excitement doesn’t begin to describe how the board is feeling.” The non-profit, volunteer-run group was founded in 2006 and provides non-medical end-of-life support to the Sussex area, stretching as far as Norton and Penobsquis, according to a fact sheet. That includes arranging drives to medical appointments, short-term relief for caregivers, family support, and grief support, the hospice says. Vice-chair Florence Buchanan said they had been “very busy over the years,” but things “tanked” during the pandemic and the group has been trying to get back on track. They began developing a three-year strategic plan with consultants with goals to expand the group’s services, she said, including expanding the service to include those who have “life-limiting” chronic conditions or dementia.. “We want to get involved sooner,” Buchanan said. “You can improve their quality of life sooner, before they get to the end stage, and you also have a chance to develop a relationship with the family, so that when they get to the end stage they’re comfortable with you.” The group also partnered with Stockton Health Group to provide more types of grief counselling, including for caregivers and families who have experienced recent loss, with all services free of charge, Pope said. The group’s expansion has meant more training, which means more fundraising, taking up more of the volunteer board’s time, Buchanan said. That’s where the idea of a “social enterprise” comes in, similar to Hospice Greater Saint John’s Hospice Shoppe, or a small business that can be used to help fund the group’s operations, Pope said. “We have discovered there is a sad need for medical equipment,” Pope said. “We decided that medical equipment filled a need within the community, but it’s also part of our wheelhouse.” She said that people in the community after surgery face big price tags to stock equipment for home care, with the price of a hospital bed around $4,000. So the non-profit turned to a social enterprise developer to build a business plan and is trying to soft-launch online in January, Pope said. The idea is that those with leftover equipment would donate it to Mobility+, which would sell the equipment at a reduced price and then give the donor a tax receipt. The service could also purchase new equipment and rent it out, she said. “The client has secured equipment within the town of Sussex at a reasonable price, and the hospice has generated some income,” Pope said. “Any money generated will go towards not only sustaining our support services, but purchasing new equipment as well.” She said that the group’s board has also voted to pursue a physical hospice that could also help house the Mobility+ service, Pope said. That’s something they’d hope to do in at least five years, she told council. “We have great hopes and dreams,” she said. Sussex Mayor Marc Thorne asked if they have someone helping with grants, and Pope said their project manager was on it, but the problem is “visibility.” She said they’re working on a website and will be launching social media at that time. Asked about volunteers, she said that their grief counsellors are accredited professionals, but those who do home visits are trained volunteers, and that they have a volunteer base of about 20 people. Pope told Brunswick News that the group is without an executive director, but has a “great working board” with 11 of 12 seats full that will help execute the plan to launch the social enterprise. She said that they’ve had “tremendous success” thanks to partnerships, and are currently in negotiations for a location that can help host Mobility+ and the future hospice building. Pope said finding funding for the building will take time, but the initiative is “much needed for the community,” she said. She said that getting awareness for the group’s services is also a need. “It comes back to the same old saying, until you need it you’re not aware it’s there,” she said. “People have a tendency to shy away from anything that has to do with dying and death. Sadly, it’s a part of life, and we’re all about quality end-of-life.” Thorne told Brunswick News that the hospice has the town’s “deep admiration” for the work it provides. “I can tell you from my own experience it’s life-changing,” he said. “The efforts that these volunteers provide, the comfort that they bring and the knowledge that they bring with them, long after you’ve lost your loved one, all of that remains.” He said he doesn’t think people “need to be convinced” of the group’s value, they just need to learn who they are and what they do. “I love their ambition, their vision, I think they will be successful, and I think they’ve got it just right,” he said. The group is currently running its Angels Remembered campaign until Dec. 21 at the Gateway Mall, and has a New Year’s eve gala planned at the Sussex Legion. More information can be found by emailing .
BRP executive warns against overreaction to Trump tariff planSecond-warmest November on record means that 2024 is likely to be Earth's hottest year
Paris stocks rally as Macron fights on, jobs data boosts Wall StreetAaron Judge wins second AL MVP in 3 seasons. Shohei Ohtani expected to win NL honor NEW YORK (AP) — New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge was a unanimous pick to win his second American League Most Valuable Player Award in three seasons on Thursday, easily outdistancing Kansas City shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. Shohei Ohtani was expected to win the National League honor later Thursday, his third MVP and first in the NL. Judge received all 30 first-place votes in voting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. Witt got all 30 second-place votes for 270 points, and Yankees outfielder Juan Soto was third with 21 third-place votes and 229 points. Judge led the major leagues with 58 homers, 144 RBIs and 133 walks while hitting .322. Alex Ovechkin is expected to miss 4 to 6 weeks with a broken left leg Alex Ovechkin has a broken left fibula and is expected to be out four to six weeks. The Washington Capitals confirmed Ovechkin’s injury and prognosis Thursday after he was evaluated by doctors upon the teams’ return from a three-game road trip. This prolonged absence puts a pause on Ovechkin’s pursuit of Wayne Gretzky’s NHL career goals record. He scored 15 goals in his first 18 games this season to move just 27 away of passing Gretzky. Ovechkin was on pace to break the record in February before his shin-on-shin collision with Utah’s Jack McBain on Monday night. NFL issues security alert to teams and the players' union following recent burglaries The NFL has issued a security alert to teams and the players’ union following recent burglaries involving the homes of Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. In a memo obtained by The Associated Press, the league says homes of professional athletes across multiple sports have become “increasingly targeted for burglaries by organized and skilled groups.” Law enforcement officials noted these groups target the homes on days the athletes have games. Players were told to take precautions and implement home security measures to reduce the risk of being targeted. Some of the burglary groups have conducted extensive surveillance on targets. QB Daniel Jones disagrees with the Giants' decision to bench him and says he wants to play EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — With tears occasionally welling in his eyes, Daniel Jones disagreed on Thursday with the New York Giants' decision to bench him earlier this week and perhaps end his five-plus tenure as the team’s quarterback. The 27-year-old Jones said he gave the team everything he had after being taken sixth overall in the 2019 draft and he believes he still has a future in the NFL. He held himself accountable for the Giants making the playoffs once in his tenure as the starter. Guardiola signs a 2-year contract extension at Man City and eyes 'more trophies' MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Pep Guardiola has committed himself to Manchester City for another two years and he quickly set his sights on adding to his record-breaking reign. Guardiola ended uncertainty about his future by signing a contract extension that would prolong his tenure as City manager to 11 seasons. Guardiola’s contract was due to expire at the end of this season. The four-time defending Premier League champions announced the deal Thursday. The Catalan coach has overseen a period of unprecedented dominance since joining City in 2016. He has gone on to win six Premier League titles in seven years and also lifted the Champions League among 15 major trophies at the club. Jannik Sinner leads Italy back to the Davis Cup semifinals and a rematch against Australia MALAGA, Spain (AP) — No. 1-ranked Jannik Sinner has led defending champion Italy to a comeback victory over Argentina for a return to the Davis Cup semifinals. A rematch of last year's championship matchup against Australia now awaits in the final four on Saturday in Malaga, Spain. Italy fell behind 1-0 in the quarterfinals when Argentina's Francisco Cerúndolo defeated Lorenzo Musetti 6-4, 6-1. But two-time Grand Slam champion Sinner overwhelmed Sebastián Báez 6-2, 6-1. Then Sinner teamed with Matteo Berrettini in the deciding doubles match to win 6-4, 7-5 against Andres Molteni and Maximo Gonzalez. Australia eliminated the U.S. to reach the Davis Cup semifinals for the third consecutive year. Drama surrounds final 3 races of F1 season as drivers voice displeasure with recent FIA decisions LAS VEGAS (AP) — There’s three races remaining in the Formula 1 season and Max Verstappen is inching so close to a fourth consecutive world championship he could wrap it up Saturday night at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. But all is not smooth sailing headed into this final month of racing. There’s a new race director following the shock sacking of Niels Wittich that blindsided the Grand Prix Driver’s Association so badly they created an Instagram account to rebuke the lack of FIA transparency. It’s the lone post on the account. Greg Maffei, the CEO of Liberty Media said last week he was stepping down from his position and F1 furiously denied over the weekend that Stefano Domenicali, CEO of Formula One Management, was also on the move. St. Petersburg council rejects immediate repair to Rays' ballpark roof after first giving approval ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The St. Petersburg City Council has reversed course on whether to spend more than $23 million to repair the hurricane-shredded roof of the Tampa Bay Rays' ballpark. The council initially voted Thursday to approve the repair and later changed its mind. The reversal came after the council voted to delay consideration of revenue bonds for a proposed new $1.3 billion Rays ballpark. Just two days before, the Pinellas County Commission postponed a vote on its share of the new stadium bonds, leaving that project in limbo. The Rays will play the 2025 season at Steinbrenner Field, spring training home of the New York Yankees in Tampa. It's getting harder to stay on the PGA Tour. Here's why The PGA Tour is making sweeping changes to its eligibility and it's only going to get more difficult to keep a tour card. Since 1983, the top 125 on the money list or the FedEx Cup points list have kept their cards. That changes in 2026 to only the top 100 in the FedEx Cup. Making it even harder is the size of the fields. They're shrinking by about a dozen players depending on the daylight hours available. The PGA Tour believes the changes will give everyone with a card a better chance to compete. The tour also hopes it helps with pace of play. Narin An leads with a 64 in the wind as Nelly Korda struggles in LPGA finale NAPLES, Fla. (AP) — Narin An is the surprise first-round leader at the richest-paying event on the LPGA Tour. The South Korean played bogey-free for a 64 in the CME Group Tour Championship. That gives An a one-shot lead over Angel Yin. As for Nelly Korda, she has some work to do. Coming off her seventh victory of the season last week, Korda could only manage an even-par 72. That leaves her needing to make up eight shots over the next three rounds. At stake if a $4 million payoff to the winner. Lydia Ko was among those three shots off the lead.House rejects Democratic efforts to force release of Matt Gaetz ethics report
Sussex hospice group starting 'social enterprise' project
Earth just experienced its second-warmest November on record — second only to 2023 — making it all but certain that 2024 will end as the hottest year ever measured, according to a report Monday by European climate service Copernicus. Last year was the hottest on record due to human-caused climate change coupled with the effects of an El Nino. But after this summer registered as the hottest on record — Phoenix sweltered through 113 consecutive days with a high temperature of at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit — scientists anticipated 2024 would set a new annual record as well. In November, global temperatures averaged 14.10C (57.38F). Last year's global average temperature was 14.98C (59F). FILE - People are silhouetted against the sky at sunset Nov. 12 as they run in a park in Shawnee, Kan. Jennifer Francis, a climate scientist at the Woodwell Climate Research Center in Cape Cod, who wasn't involved in the report, said the big story about November is that "like 2023, it beat out previous Novembers by a large margin." This also likely will be the first calendar year in which the average temperature was more than 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial times, the report said. The 2015 Paris Agreement said human-caused warming should be limited to 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit), and ideally below 1.5. In the following years, the world's top scientist said limiting to 1.5 was crucial to stave off the worst impacts of climate change, such as increasing destructive and frequent extreme weather events. Scientists say the main cause of climate change is the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas. That "does not mean that the Paris Agreement has been breached, but it does mean ambitious climate action is more urgent than ever," said Copernicus Deputy Director Samantha Burgess. A young family visiting Washington cools off from the warm weather in a fountain Nov. 6 at the base of the Washington Monument. Francis said the new records are "terrible news for people and ecosystems." "The pace of warming is so fast that plants and animals cannot adapt as they always have during previous changes in the Earth's climate. More species will go extinct, which disrupts natural food webs they're a part of. Agriculture will suffer as pollinators decline and pests flourish," she said, also warning that coastal communities will be vulnerable to sea-level rise. Heat waves over the oceans and a loss of reflective sea ice and snow cover probably contributed to the temperature increase this year, experts said. Copernicus said the extent of Antarctic sea ice in November was 10% below average, a record. Oceans absorb about 90% of the heat trapped by greenhouse gases, later releasing heat and water vapor back into the atmosphere. Last year's record heat was caused partly by an El Nino — a temporary natural warming of parts of the central Pacific that alters weather worldwide. People walk Nov. 27 on an autumn-colored ginkgo tree-lined avenue in Tokyo. But that ended this year and a cooling effect that often follows, called La Nina, failed to materialize, leaving the scientific community "a little perplexed by what's going on here ... why temperatures are staying high," said Jonathan Overpeck, a climate scientist at the University of Michigan. One explanation is that an El Nino releases more heat to the atmosphere because of warmer ocean waters, then "we're not getting the cooling effect that often in decades gone by helps bring the temperature back down," Overpeck said. "So it does look like this could be contributing to the acceleration of global warming. But this year, he said, "is such a big jump following yet another jump, and that's a scary thing." It's no secret that a warming world will drive food prices higher, a phenomenon increasingly known as " heatflation ." What's less known, but a growing area of interest among economists and scientists alike, is the role individual extreme weather events — blistering temperatures in Texas , a destructive tornado in Iowa — may have on what U.S. consumers pay at the supermarket. At first glance, the answer might seem logical: A drought or flood that impacts agricultural production will, eventually, drive up prices. But it's not that simple, because what consumers pay for groceries isn't only reflective of crop yields or herd sizes, but the whole supply chain. As Grist reports, that's where it gets interesting: Economists are beginning to see a growing trend that suggests weather forecasts play a part in sticker shock. Sometimes the mere prediction of an extreme event — like the record-breaking temperatures, hurricanes, and wildfires forecasters are bracing for this summer — can prompt a spike in prices. It isn't the forecast itself to blame, but concerns about what the weather to come might mean for the entire supply chain, as food manufacturers manage their risks and the expected future value of their goods, said Seungki Lee, an agricultural economist at Ohio State University. "When it comes to the climate risk on food prices, people typically look at the production side. But over the last two years, we learned that extreme weather can raise food prices, [cause] transportation disruptions, as well as production disruptions," said Lee. How much we pay for the food we buy is determined by retailers, who consider the producer's price, labor costs, and other factors. Any increases in what producers charge is typically passed on to consumers because grocery stores operate on thin profit margins. And if manufacturers expect to pay more for commodities like beef or specialty crops like avocados in the future, they may boost prices now to cover those anticipated increases. "The whole discussion about the climate risks on the food supply chain is based on probabilities," Lee said. "It is possible that we do not see extreme temperatures this summer, or even later this year. We may realize there was no significant weather shock hitting the supply chain, but unfortunately that will not be the end of the story." Supply chain disruptions and labor shortages are among the reasons food prices have climbed 25 percent since 2020 . Climate change may be contributing as well. A study published earlier this year found " heatflation " could push them up by as much as 3 percentage points per year worldwide in just over a decade and by about 2 percentage points in North America. Simultaneous disasters in major crop and cattle producing regions around the world — known as multi-breadbasket failure — are among the primary forces driving these costs. Crop shortages in these regions may also squeeze prices, which can create volatility in the global market and bump up consumer costs. Historically, a single, localized heat wave or storm typically wouldn't disrupt the supply chain enough to prompt price hikes. But a warming world might be changing that dynamic as extreme weather events intensify and simultaneous occurrences of them become the norm. How much this adds to consumers' grocery bills will vary, and depends upon whether these climate-fueled disasters hit what Lee calls "supply chain chokepoints" like vital shipping channels during harvest seasons. "As the weather is getting more and more volatile because of climate change, we are seeing this issue more frequently," he said. "So what that means is the supply chain is getting more likely to be jeopardized by these types of risks that we have never seen before." An ongoing drought that plagued the Mississippi River system from the fall of 2022 until February provides an excellent example of this. The Mississippi River basin, which covers 31 states, is a linchpin of America's agricultural supply chain. It produces 92 percent of the nation's agricultural exports, 78 percent of the world's feed grains and soybeans , and most of the country's livestock. Vessels navigating its roughly 2,350 miles of channels carry 589 million tons of cargo annually . Transportation barriers created by low water, seen above, hampered the ability of crop-producing states in the Corn Belt to send commodities like corn and soybeans, primarily used for cattle feed, to livestock producers in the South. Thus emerged a high demand, low supply situation as shipping and commodity prices shot up , with economists expecting consumers to absorb those costs . Past research showing that retail prices increase alongside commodity prices suggests that the drought probably contributed to higher overall food costs last year — and because droughts have a lingering impact on production even after they end, it may be fueling stubbornly high grocery prices today. But although it seems clear that the drought contributed to higher prices, particularly for meat and dairy products, just how much remains to be gauged. One reason for that is a lack of research analyzing the relationship between this particular weather event and the consumer market. Another is it's often difficult to tease out which of several possible factors, including global trade, war, and export bans , influence specific examples of sticker shock. While droughts definitely prompt decreases in agricultural production, Metin Çakır, an economist at the University of Minnesota, says whether that is felt by consumers depends on myriad factors. "This would mean higher raw ingredient costs for foods sold in groceries, and part of those higher costs will be passed onto consumers via higher prices. However, will consumer prices actually increase? The answer depends on many other supply and demand factors that might be happening at the same time as the impact of the drought," said Çakır. In a forthcoming analysis previewed by Grist, Çakır examined the relationship between an enduring drought in California, which produces a third of the nation's vegetables and nearly two-thirds of its fruits and nuts , and costs of produce purchased at large grocery retailers nationwide. While the event raised consumer vegetable prices to a statistically significant degree, they didn't increase as much as Çakır expected. This capricious consumer cost effect is due largely to the resiliency of America's food system . Public safety nets like crop insurance and other federal programs have played a large part in mitigating the impacts of adverse weather and bolstering the food supply chain against climate change and other shocks. By ensuring farmers and producers don't bear the brunt of those losses, these programs reduce the costs passed on to consumers. Advanced agricultural technology, modern infrastructure, substantial storage, and efficient transport links also help ensure retail price stability. A 2024 study of the role climate change played on the U.S. wheat market from 1950 to 2018 found that although the impact of weather shocks on price variability has increased with the frequency of extreme weather, adaptive mechanisms, like a well-developed production and distribution infrastructure with sufficient storage capacity, have minimized the impact on consumers. Still, the paper warns that such systems may collapse when faced with "unprecedented levels of weather variability." Last year was the world's warmest on record , creating an onslaught of challenges for crop and livestock producers nationwide. And this year is primed to be even more brutal , with the transition from El Niño — an atmospheric phenomenon that warms ocean temperatures — to La Niña , its counterpart that cools them. This cyclical change in global weather patterns is another potential threat for crop yields and source of supply chain pressures that economists and scientists are keeping an eye on. They will be particularly focused on the Midwest and stretches of the Corn Belt, two regions prone to drought as an El Niño cycle gives way to a La Niña, according to Weston Anderson, an assistant research scientist at the University of Maryland and NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. Those growing regions for corn and soybeans are what he'll be watching closely as La Niña develops. It's something Jennifer Ifft, an agricultural economist at Kansas State University, is also thinking about. "If you have a very severe drought in the Corn Belt ... that's going to be the biggest deal, because that's gonna raise the cost of production for cattle, hogs, poultry," said Ifft. "So that would probably have the largest inflationary impacts." As of January , U.S. beef herd inventory was at its lowest in 73 years, which multiple reports noted is due to the persisting drought that began in 2020 . Americans, the majority of whom are already spending more on groceries than last year, are poised to soon see "record" beef prices at the supermarket. Food prices are also expected to rise another 2.2 percent in 2024 , according to the USDA's Economic Research Service. In a world enmeshed in extremes, our already-fragile food supply chain could be the next system teetering on the edge of collapse because of human-caused climate change. And costlier groceries linked to impending risk is the first of many warning signs that it is already splintering. This story was produced by Grist and reviewed and distributed by Stacker Media. Get the daily forecast and severe weather alerts in your inbox!
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is and from collecting, using, and selling “sensitive” location data of Americans, the agency announced on Tuesday. The FTC targeted Gravy Analytics, its subsidiary Venntel, and Mobilewalla for allegedly violating the FTC Act by collecting and selling information that could be used to track people to healthcare facilities, military bases, religious sites, labor union gatherings, and other sensitive locations. The FTC says ( ) Mobilewalla “relied primarily on consumer information that Mobilewalla collected from real-time bidding exchanges” by bidding to show people personalized ads on their mobile devices and then retaining tracking info identifying them. It also bought info from other sources and used additional data to build out the profiles attached to each advertising ID. Combining that data, according to the complaint, allowed Mobilewalla to create audience segments targeting pregnant women, as well as provide analysis of people who attended protests over the death of George Floyd. Meanwhile, Venntel’s scheme is explained ( ) as collecting location data from otherwise ordinary mobile apps, and then selling access to the data to other businesses or government agencies. reports that the IRS, DEA, FBI, CBP, and ICE have all purchased Venntel data. Now, the companies must comply by never “selling, disclosing, or using sensitive location data in any product or service, and must establish a sensitive data location program.” Mobilewalla’s proposed settlement order will prohibit the company from: Misrepresenting how it collects, maintains, uses, deletes or discloses consumers’ personal information, and the extent to which consumers’ location data is deidentified. Using, transferring, selling and disclosing sensitive location data from health clinics, religious organizations, correctional facilities, labor union offices, LGBTQ+-related locations, political gatherings and military installations. Senator Ron Wyden from Oregon, who led efforts to target a loophole data brokers used to sell sensitive personal data on the market, applauded the FTC and CFPB for limiting what the companies can collect. In a statement sent to , Wyden said these companies could sell information about “law enforcement, judges and members of the armed forces is on the open market” to “anyone with a credit card,” putting citizens and military personnel in danger. Wyden also said US government agencies spied on Americans by obtaining this data without a warrant. “Many federal agencies hid behind the flimsy claim that Americans consented to the sale of their data, but the FTC’s orders make it clear how untrue these claims were,” said Wyden.What does Big Tech hope to gain from warming up to Trump?
Lekano World: Click and Caps - Official Mini Game Trailer Check out the Click and Caps teaser trailer for this mini-game which gives a peek behind the Lekano World game. Click and Caps allows players to experience competitive online battles for collectible caps. Click and Caps is now available to play for free on Steam.Lekano World is a social MMO on Unreal Engine 5, inspired by 90s and 2000s pop culture. Explore an open world, interact with fantastic creatures called Lekamons, and enjoy various fun and competitive mechanics.Autodesk Inc. stock underperforms Friday when compared to competitors despite daily gainsSEOUL, South Korea — South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared emergency martial law late Tuesday before backing down, placing the military in control of all government and judicial functions in a power grab that came after months of political stalemate. The hours of crisis and chaos have thrown the future of his presidency into doubt. As the military and police sought to contain protesters who had poured into the streets around the National Assembly, the president announced he would lift the order as soon as he could convene his Cabinet, heeding a defiant vote from the opposition-led legislature. The Cabinet met before dawn Wednesday local time, according to South Korea’s Yonhap news agency, as protesters chanted for Yoon’s impeachment. It remained unclear what immediately precipitated Yoon’s decree — the first time martial law has been declared in South Korea since 1980, when a military junta ruled the country. In a televised address to the nation announcing his declaration of martial law, Yoon called the legislature a “den of criminals” engaged in “legislative tyranny” and “anti-state activities.” “Honorable citizens, as president, I appeal to you with a feeling of spitting blood,” he said. Accusing his opponents of being “shameless pro-North Korean anti-state forces that are plundering the freedom and happiness of our people,” Yoon lambasted lawmakers for rejecting his government budget proposal and moving to impeach several public officials. His presidency has been plagued by scandal since soon after he took office in 2022, with relentless accusations that he and his wife had abused their positions for personal and political gain. Yoon’s approval ratings have plummeted in recent months amid growing calls for his impeachment. South Korean television broadcasted Yoon’s address over and over again. One news anchor noted in grave disbelief that “we are now reporting a situation to you that we had only seen in movies.” Army Chief of Staff Gen. Park An-su, whom Yoon had named martial law commander, banned all political activity and proclaimed that the media was under military control. Outside the National Assembly, around a thousand protesters tussled with police guarding the gates as military helicopters hovered overhead. Bundled in thick winter jackets, they waved banners and umbrellas, chanting “lift the martial law!” Reporters, legislative staff and lawmakers had barricaded themselves inside the building as soldiers stormed the entrance, shattering a window and setting off what appeared to be either a smoke grenade or tear gas canister in an attempt to force their way in. Early Wednesday — less than three hours after Yoon declared martial law — the legislature voted to overturn his decree. By law, the president is required to lift his order immediately. Yoon soon announced he would comply. Upon learning of the vote, the protesters broke out in cheers, which quickly turned into another increasingly familiar refrain: “Impeach Yoon Suk Yeol!” In the minds of most South Koreans, martial law is strongly associated with the country’s pre-democratic military dictatorships, which used it as a tool to crush political dissent, oftentimes with violence. Under a state of martial law, the military can restrict citizens’ basic rights, including detaining or searching them without a warrant. Crimes can be prosecuted in military courts. The last leader to declare emergency martial law was military general Chun Doo-hwan, who rose to power in a coup in 1979. Chun later declared martial law over the entire country in 1980, during which his military opened fire on pro-democracy protestors in the city of Gwangju, killing at least 165. This is not the first time that democratically elected presidents have toyed with martial law. Under former president Park Geun-hye, a conservative whose corruption scandal led to her impeachment in 2017, military officials had secretly prepared their own plans of declaring martial law in the event that the courts upheld her impeachment. But Park would ultimately be ousted and jailed without those plans ever being set into motion. In September, opposition politicians raised the alarm that Yoon himself was preparing to declare martial law, citing the fact that Kim Yong-hyun, the defense minister, had held an uncustomary meeting with the three military commanders who would likely play key roles in a martial law regime. At the time, the presidential office denied the allegations, which it dismissed as political incitement akin to that of Stalin or Nazi Germany. Yoon , a former prosecutor, rose to political prominence as a straight-shooting investigator who handled high-profile corruption cases. But since being elected president May 2022, he has been a divisive leader, inviting controversy by engaging in misogynistic rhetoric and cracking down on critical media outlets . Yoon has been accused of interfering in a military investigation into the death of a young marine who drowned during a search and rescue operation last year, while his wife has been under fire for accepting a luxury handbag from a Korean American pastor in what critics have characterized as a clear case of graft. The opposition party has also moved to impeach Yoon’s interior minister, who it holds responsible for a crowd crush that killed over 150 people on Halloween in 2022. In addition, liberal party legislators have tried to remove several prosecutors who investigated Lee Jae-myung, their leader and presidential hopeful. In April, Yoon’s conservative party suffered a crushing defeat in the parliamentary general elections, which many saw as a referendum on his presidency. Legislators of all stripes quickly denounced Yoon’s decree of martial law. “There is no reason to declare martial law. We cannot let the military rule this country,” opposition leader Lee Jae-myung said in a video he recorded in a car on his way to the National Assembly. “President Yoon Suk Yeol has betrayed the people. President Yoon’s illegal declaration of emergency martial law is null and void. From this moment on, Mr. Yoon is no longer the president of South Korea.” Even Han Dong-hoon, the leader of Yoon’s own conservative party, had condemned Yoon’s actions as unconstitutional. “With the National Assembly’s vote to lift it, the state of emergency martial law has now been rendered invalid,” he said. ©2024 Los Angeles Times. Visit at latimes.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.-whether dominating on the basketball court as , strutting the runway as , or commanding social media as . But In a bold move, she showcased a more provocative side that instantly grabbed her followers' attention. , sparking debates over whether her actions were daringly empowering or simply crossing the line. Angel Reese sparks debate over her bold TikTok moves There's nothing wrong with embracing your true self, but . Her provocative dance, seen as pushing the boundaries, has fans debating whether . And this isn't her first time heating things up on social media-she's no stranger to stirring the pot. The comparisons quickly rolled in. Many defended her right to showcase her sensuality, noting that plenty of basketball players have done the same. Just recently, fellow rookie . The debate, however, has shifted to Reese faces both criticism and support for her unapologetic content All the chatter around As a sports celebrity-or even just as a person- . While some criticized her content as unfit for a WNBA role model, just as many cheered her on, urging her to keep owning her narrative. The controversy didn't faze her. Despite facing comments that attempted to stir up drama, Her actions send a powerful message: Instead, she chooses what makes her feel c And let's talk about the song she chose for the video-none other than Nicki Minaj, the queen of bold empowerment through unapologetic sensuality. It wasn't just a track; it was a statement.