CHANGES NECESSARY?I start most days by reading the Wall Street Journal (WSJ). The WSJ has been my favorite newspaper to read for nearly 30 years. Its regular reporting is well-written and informative. Its op-eds are often provocative but also well-worth reading. But a week ago, I read an opinion piece from a long time WSJ opinion columnist titled “How Mexico Missed the Nearshoring Boom,” and I almost fell out of my chair. The columnist is one whose work I have read diligently for over a decade, and who I respect for her opinions and perspectives on Latin America. But this particular column’s thesis of a “missed opportunity” was, to me, totally incorrect. A review of key nearshoring and export data would make it hard to conclude that the opportunity has been missed: These numbers present the real story, show a clear trend, and provide no evidence of a “missed opportunity.” In fact, if the next U.S. administration enacts a 60% tariff on China as has been suggested, then Mexico could become even more attractive and further increase its leading position in exports to the United States. As Mexico News Daily has frequently reported, business leaders on the ground in Mexico insist that the nearshoring boom is real , that it is in fact happening, and that there is much more impact yet to come. More importantly, the results of many companies show just how real the trends are. Sales of many export-oriented companies are growing double digits, profits are increasing, and many of those companies are making significant investments in plants, equipment and people to continue driving growth in the years to come. Industrial parks are at record low levels of occupancy and new ones are being built throughout the country. That is precisely why it’s so important to listen to business leaders on issues like these, hear firsthand what they are doing, and look beyond the political rhetoric. Business leaders make decisions that involve money and often long-term investments, so observing their actions matters. There is, of course, much uncertainty on the horizon for global trade flows and manufacturing plans given the promises of significant tariffs coming soon from the Trump administration — and Mexico will most certainly be impacted. But it’s hard to not see this uncertainty having an even more significant impact on China, which should only make Mexico even more attractive as a nearshoring destination. Mexico has and always will have geography in its favor, and its cost of labor, workforce skills and productivity levels are globally competitive. The nearshoring boom has not had as large an impact as quickly as had been hoped for Mexico, but I think it’s important to recognize that such significant changes in supply chain strategy often take time. Many companies spent the last several decades moving manufacturing to Asian countries, so it is reasonable to expect that changes in a company’s manufacturing footprint do not happen overnight. It is also likely that many companies were waiting for more clarity on the Mexican elections, the U.S. elections and potential trade policy changes. With some of those big questions resolved, it seems reasonable to expect that things will now begin to move faster. Mexico, despite its imperfections, has shown to be a consistent and reliable destination for investment for many years. I personally think that we are still in the early innings of what will be a significant nearshoring opportunity for both Mexico and North America as a whole for years to come. Declaring that it was a missed opportunity is neither correct nor constructive. The real missed opportunity was chance to present an accurate picture of nearshoring in Mexico. What was presented in the article is far from the reality that I see and hear on the ground, or from what the data shows. It was yet another example of what I have seen as the consistent trend of international media to often only focus on the negative side of the story when it comes to Mexico. That was, of course, a significant motivator of ours in buying Mexico News Daily: to present a more complete and comprehensive perspective on the country that is sorely lacking in most international media today. I will say that the nearshoring boom has not come as quickly as hoped and has not yet had nearly the impact expected. Yet hardly a day goes by without critical improvements in the country’s security, energy, water, education and infrastructure. Mexico (both the public and private sectors) have much work to do to fully realize the benefits of the nearshoring opportunity, but it is moving in the right direction. Travis Bembenek is the CEO of Mexico News Daily and has been living, working or playing in Mexico for nearly 30 years.
Jake Paul and Mike Tyson have been handed a suspension by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) following their much-anticipated bout. The pair received the mandatory minimum suspension period, which in this case is 24 days, after their Arlington fight. TDLR rules stipulate that each fighter must rest for at least three days per round fought. As the YouTuber-turned-boxer and the former undisputed heavyweight champion only fought for eight rounds , they will be suspended for 24 days, as reported by MMA Junkie. Amanda Serrano and Katie Taylor are also facing bans. Their fight went the distance, with Taylor emerging victorious via a unanimous decision, resulting in both stars being sidelined for over a month with a 45-day suspension. Despite Serrano and Taylor's fight showcasing incredible determination and strength, Paul and Tyson's main event seemed to lack the same intensity. After an initial burst from the 58 year old Tyson, he appeared to tire quickly, allowing Paul to capitalise on his opponent's dwindling stamina. Following eight rounds of uninspiring boxing, the 27 year old was declared the winner by unanimous decision, with Paul paying respect to Tyson in the final moments of the last round. In a post-fight address to his fans, Paul apologised for not knocking out Tyson, despite having previously promised to do so. "I'm sorry I didn't knock him out," Paul said, with his entourage nodding in agreement that he had taken the honourable route by not flooring the 58 year old icon. He confessed to holding back his punches when he noticed Tyson flagging as the bout progressed. "After I'd seen him tired I didn't want to put too much hurt on him, but I wanted the fans to get a good experience," he added. Paul also mentioned that squaring off against Tyson felt "different" from his previous fights, highlighting that a more composed mindset allowed him to anticipate Tyson's moves and prepare more effectively. "Fighting in a stadium, it is less personal and less loud so it is less nerve racking," he observed. "Arenas are harder to fight in. Walk out, I was cool, calm and collected. "First round I was gauging his speed, and I managed to get his time pretty quick, saw how I could tag him up and touch him. The rest was pretty much history, I just out boxed him and had fun." With Paul's status as a major attraction in boxing confirmed by over 100 million viewers at one point, the young fighter feels he's earned the right to take on some of the sport's biggest names. Consequently, Paul is confident that he could become a champion in the next few years following his victory over Tyson. "I think it could happen in the next 24 months. I truly, truly believe in my skills and my ability and my power. And the cruiserweight division is seemingly open for the taking on that timeline," he declared.Fireworks in finale: Baylor offensive shines in the dominant win over Kansas in finale
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MONTREAL — Quebec Conservative Party leader Éric Duhaime has been hospitalized with a heart problem. Duhaime says he suffered heart trouble Friday night and his spouse immediately brought him to hospital. The party leader made the announcement on X this afternoon, posting a picture of himself in a hospital bed giving a thumbs up. Duhaime says he's confident he will make a full recovery but will be taking a step back for the next few weeks. Last month, Duhaime indicated he would seek the opinions of party members in the Quebec riding of Arthabaska about running in the fall 2025 byelection and compete for a seat in the National Assembly. A Leger poll published earlier this week found that 13 per cent of the Quebec electorate intended to vote for the Quebec Conservative Party. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 7, 2024 The Canadian Press
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Qatar tribune Tribune News Network Doha Facing intense infrastructure, funding and distribution challenges, Palestinian filmmakers at the 2024 Ajyal presented by the Doha Film Institute (DFI), shared their deep concern about future projects, even as they took pride in the commitment of young and established directors to pursue their passion. The Palestinian filmmakers – acclaimed directors Mohammad Bakri and Rashid Masharawi, actor and head of this year’s ‘Made in Qatar’ jury Saleh Bakri, and emerging filmmakers Mohammed Almughanni and Laila Abbas – said films from Palestine are important not only to address misinformation but also to encourage healthy dialogue and understanding about Palestine and its people. Veteran filmmaker Mohammad Bakri, whose film ‘Janin Jenin’ paints a stark picture of filmmaking challenges in Palestine: “There is no infrastructure for the film industry in Palestine, but there are individuals who do their utmost. In every geographical area where Palestinians exist there are different struggles, but we all share dreams of liberation, independence and dignity. In ‘Janin Jenin’, Bakri returns to the Jenin refugee camp 20 years after his original documentary ‘Jenin, Jenin.’ The film weaves together testimonies from survivors of Israel’s recent military operation and reflections on the continuing impact of the 2002 invasion. He added: “I salute the Doha Film Institute at the Ajyal Festival and respect their efforts in organizing such an important festival without extravagance, and with consideration for what is happening to our people in Gaza.” Bakri said that finances his films has been incredibly difficult but at the end of the day, “when I completed Janin Jenin, I looked at myself in the mirror, and I feel proud!” Echoing similar challenges, acclaimed director Rashid Masharawi, whose films have been applauded at festivals around the world, said it took three years for him to do another film, even after being recognized at Cannes. “Each time I start it is as if I am working on my first feature. The reality is that each film takes more time, effort and planning to realize.” He says it is important to make films even though “cinema is not a push of a button for immediate change. But everyone should participate, and I am trying as much as I can through my work to share the Palestinian narrative and refute the false narrative of the Occupation. Cinematic work makes me feel I am not helpless but rather an active participant in the change.” Masharawi said that his new film, ‘Passing Dreams’, which opened Cairo International Film Festival last week, was shot across Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Haifa, West Bank and across Palestine. “All these places are disconnected, and we required to ask for permission to move between them. But we make it happen, and what inspires and moves me is that despite these challenges young people in Palestine continue to make good films.” Masharawi is the curator of ‘From Ground Zero’ (Palestine), a collection of 22 short films created by filmmakers from Gaza, providing an intimate glimpse into the daily lives, struggles, and hopes of people living under siege. “What is happening in Gaza should be shown everywhere,” he said. “The massacre is different from anything that has happened before because it is being broadcast live. We should not get used to this. And what is killing us is not only the Israeli Occupation but also Arab silence.” Actor Saleh Bakri said that while cinema does not heal the wound, “it gives meaning and helps shake off the dust of helplessness.” Highlighting the everyday realities in Palestine, Bakri said “the very idea of a Palestinian city, has been destroyed. In the past, we had the great Arab artists come to Haifa from all over the world to perform. Today, my own natural audience cannot even enter a cinema.” Mohammed Almughanni, the director of ‘An Orange from Jaffa’ (Palestine, Poland, France), about a young Palestinian seeking to reunite with his mother by crossing an Israeli checkpoint, said the “power of cinema bridges the gap between us and the world, and between the people of Palestine. It is a way of expressing what is inside us, but the film industry in Palestine is very difficult because the circumstances make cinema a luxury that people cannot afford.” Laila Abbas, whose DFI-supported film ‘Thank You For Banking With Us’ (Palestine, Germany, KSA, Qatar, Egypt), is screening at Ajyal said that cinema asks difficult questions and creates dialogue. “I shot my film before the events of October 7. I wanted to stay away from politics, but this is impossible in the Palestinian context because that would mean detaching from reality. And I did not want Israel to also occupy my story.” Copy 22/11/2024 10
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