
Chinese firms boost investments in key sectors: PCJCCI LAHORE: Vice President of the Pakistan-China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI) Zafar Iqbal said during a meeting with the executive body that approximately 2,300 Chinese companies of varying scales are currently operating in Pakistan, investing across diverse sectors, including those under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). He highlighted that Chinese companies are particularly interested in investing in industries such as electronics, automotive, educational exchange programmes, insurance, agriculture, textiles, shoe manufacturing, chemicals, battery recycling plants and real estate. Iqbal pointed to the potential of Pakistan’s chemical industry, which supplies critical inputs to several sectors such as textiles, agriculture, food and beverages, leather, paper, pharmaceuticals, plastics, printing, and sugar. He stressed the need for building a global reputation for ‘Made in Pakistan’ products, evolving from mere strength to a recognised brand. He further noted that Pakistan is the eighth largest exporter of textile products in Asia. This sector contributes 9.5 per cent to GDP and provides employment to approximately 15 million people, accounting for 30 per cent of the country’s 49-million-strong workforce. He urged collaboration with the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) and the Punjab Board of Investment and Trade (PBIT) to facilitate joint ventures that could help local textile manufacturers modernise their outdated technology. The PCJCCI vice president also underscored the opportunities for Pakistan to leverage China’s advancements in the biochemical industry, which has revitalised the traditional chemical sector and opened up new avenues for growth and innovation. “With the rapid development of biotechnology, the biochemical industry has become a new growth engine for the chemical sector,” he said, adding that cooperation in this field could yield significant benefits for both countries. In his concluding remarks, Iqbal stressed that the PCJCCI aims to serve as a bridge between the business communities of Pakistan and China, fostering collaboration to explore and expand opportunities in the commercial and industrial sectors. He called on the government to support initiatives that would open up new horizons of knowledge and technology for young entrepreneurs and business owners.None
Elon Musk wasn't always the polarizing figure we see today in climate discussions. Once celebrated as a green-tech pioneer, Musk was vocal about the urgent need to combat climate change. In 2006, he described Tesla's mission as a way to "help expedite the move from a mine-and-burn hydrocarbon economy toward a solar electric economy." In 2015, he warned of the devastating consequences of delaying this transition. “The worst case,” he said, “is more displacement and destruction than all the wars in history combined.” At the time, Musk painted a grim picture of the future if humanity failed to act. He specifically talked about the dangers of rising sea levels, warning that oceanfront property would become “a lot less valuable” as floods destroyed homes and businesses. Don't Miss: Unlock the hidden potential of commercial real estate — This platform allows individuals to invest in commercial real estate offering a 12% target yield with a bonus 1% return boost today! Deloitte's fastest-growing software company partnered with Amazon, Walmart & Target announces the deadline to invest this year is 12/20. – Last Chance to get 4,000 of its pre-IPO shares for just $0.26/share! In his first appearance on the Joe Rogan Podcast in 2018, Musk stressed how strong the scientific agreement on climate change is, saying, “The scientific consensus is overwhelming. I mean, I don’t know any serious scientists – zero, literally zero – who don’t think that we have quite a serious climate risk that we’re facing.” His past concerns align with findings from a Climate Central study, which revealed that nearly 650,000 parcels of oceanfront property in the U.S. currently sitting on dry land will be at least partially submerged within 30 years due to rising sea levels. This shift will devastate property owners and strain cities and counties that rely on property taxes to fund schools, emergency services and utilities. See Also: This Jeff Bezos-backed startup will allow you to become a landlord in just 10 minutes, with minimum investments as low as $100 for properties like the Byer House from Stranger Things. Insurance giant Swiss RE warned in 2021 that climate change could cut the world economy by $23 trillion in 2050, equivalent to 14 percent of global economic output. Fast forward to today and Musk's rhetoric on climate change has undergone a dramatic shift. In an August conversation with Donald Trump on X, Musk downplayed the urgency of transitioning away from fossil fuels, suggesting the world has "plenty of time" to act. Many on the left and fake news have created another hoax that Trump was "slurring his words" during the X Spaces conversation with @elonmusk Here is the full recording proving them wrong again pic.twitter.com/vrVcRKpu60 Trending: Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing — you can become an investor for $0.80 per share today. He even described the risk of climate change as “not as high as a lot of people say it is,” framing the issue in terms of discomfort from high CO2 levels instead of catastrophic dangers scientists have long warned about. This change in attitude has left people wondering why Musk, who once called for urgent action, now seems so dismissive. Musk's pivot has not gone unnoticed. Critics point to his embrace of right-wing politicians and climate denialism as a key factor. On X (formerly Twitter), a platform he owns, climate scientists have been leaving in droves, citing a surge in misinformation about global warming. Musk's partner in DOGE, the prospective agency tasked with cutting government costs , Vivek Ramaswamy, previously called climate change a “hoax.” Musk’s behavior presents a conflicting image. On the one hand, Tesla TSLA has revolutionized the electric vehicle market and Musk’s endeavors, such as the $100 million Xprize for carbon removal, demonstrate his dedication to creative solutions. However, his personal carbon footprint undermined his message, as his private jet logged a whopping 441 flights in 2023, emitting 5,159 tonnes of CO2, according to JetSpy. Trending: Commercial real estate has historically outperformed the stock market, and this platform allows individuals to invest in commercial real estate with as little as $5,000 offering a 12% target yield with a bonus 1% return boost today! Then there's his claim that CO2 levels would only become a problem at 1,000 parts per million (ppm), much higher than today's 420 ppm . Scientists quickly debunked this, explaining that society would collapse long before CO2 reached those levels, as extreme weather, rising sea levels and food shortages would create chaos. Musk's mix-up of indoor air quality standards with outdoor atmospheric CO2 measurements shows a serious misunderstanding of basic science. This evolution – or perhaps devolution – has left many wondering: What changed? Some suggest Musk's interests now lie more in maintaining relationships in conservative circles than in driving climate advocacy. For example, President-elect Donald Trump said climate change is not "the biggest threat" and claimed it would create "more oceanfront property." Others speculate that his sprawling business empire and the demands of his ventures have pulled him away from his once-clear mission. Read Next: Inspired by Uber and Airbnb – Deloitte's fastest-growing software company is transforming 7 billion smartphones into income-generating assets – The deadline to invest and receive your shares this year is 12/20. Join 30,000+ shareholders and invest at $0.26/share today. Arrived Home's Private Credit Fund’s has historically paid an annualized dividend yield of 8.1%* , which provides access to a pool of short-term loans backed by residential real estate with just a $100 minimum. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Earlier this month, the Orioles chose to part ways with one of their best relievers. They did so again Friday. The Orioles are planning to non-tender reliever Jacob Webb, two sources with direct knowledge confirmed to The Baltimore Sun ahead of Friday’s 8 p.m. arbitration tender deadline. The move makes Webb, who posted a 3.09 ERA in 78 2/3 innings in two seasons with Baltimore, a free agent. The decision comes a few weeks after the ballclub for 2025. In 81 innings over the past two years, Coulombe posted a 2.56 ERA and a sparkling 0.951 WHIP. Webb and Coulombe both missed time with elbow injuries in 2024 but managed to put up perhaps career-best performances on the mound. Manager Brandon Hyde frequently used both relievers because both pitchers have platoon-neutral profiles that allow them to succeed versus both right- and left-handed hitters. Webb joined the Orioles as a waiver claim in 2023 and experienced immediate success. Despite struggling in the 2023 postseason, he won a roster spot out of spring training in 2024 and was a consistent performer out of the bullpen. Webb was entering his second season of arbitration and was projected by MLB Trade Rumors for a modest pay raise from $1 million in 2024 to $1.7 million in 2025. Instead, the Orioles are choosing to go in a different direction. The Orioles still have to decide on their 12 other arbitration-eligible players ahead of Friday’s deadline. The club will need to tender contracts to the following players to keep them for 2025: outfielder Cedric Mullins; first baseman Ryan Mountcastle; catcher Adley Rutschman; infielders Jorge Mateo, Ramón Urías and Emmanuel Rivera; right-handers Dean Kremer, Kyle Bradish and Tyler Wells; and left-handers Gregory Soto, Trevor Rogers and Keegan Akin. for players who have established themselves as big leaguers but have yet to spend enough time in the major leagues to become free agents. Eligible players have at least three years of MLB service time but fewer than the six necessary to hit free agency. The only exceptions are for players who already have a set salary through a guaranteed contract, such as left-handed reliever Cionel Pérez, whose $2.2 million team option was picked up by the club earlier this month. Tendering a contract to an arbitration-eligible player does not mean the sides have agreed to a 2025 salary yet, but rather the club has decided to keep the player under contract for the upcoming season. Non-tendered players such as Webb become free agents. The main reason a player is non-tendered is because the salary they’d garner through arbitration is higher than what the club wants to pay them, and the sides couldn’t agree before the deadline. After Friday’s deadline, teams and their tendered players have until Jan. 9 to agree on a 2025 salary. If they’re unable to do so, the sides will exchange proposed salary figures for the player. If the team and player remain at an impasse, a panel of arbitrators will hold a hearing and pick one of the two suggested salary figures. No other contract value can be chosen by the arbitrators. Hearings typically take place in February. Baltimore’s bullpen survived in 2024 without closer Félix Bautista, but it worsened as the season progressed. Bautista is expected back for the start of 2025, and setup men Yennier Cano, Seranthony Domínguez and Pérez will return as well to round out the back end of Hyde’s bullpen. Soto and Akin are also expected to return, though it’s yet to be announced whether the Orioles will tender them contracts ahead of the deadline. Related Articles The absences of Coulombe and Webb, though, do leave holes in the heart of the bullpen. They could be filled internally by pitchers like Bryan Baker or Colin Selby; or executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias could dip into the free-agent market to bolster his bullpen. “We do have a good bullpen to start the offseason with,” Elias said during a news conference last week. “You look at the returning guys and names and there’s a lot of above average relievers in there. I thought Seranthony Domínguez, who is coming back, did a great job after the deadline pitching at the end of games for us. It’s really nice to have him back. Cano’s been a mainstay and a rock out there, and we have the lefties. So we have a good start.” The Baltimore Banner was first to report the club is planning to non-tender Webb.NEW YORK (AP) — Top-ranked chess player Magnus Carlsen is headed back to the World Blitz Championship on Monday after its governing body agreed to loosen a dress code that got him fined and denied a late-round game in another tournament for refusing to change out of jeans . Lamenting the contretemps, International Chess Federation President Arkady Dvorkovich said in a statement Sunday that he'd let World Blitz Championship tournament officials consider allowing “appropriate jeans” with a jacket, and other “elegant minor deviations” from the dress code. He said Carlsen's stand — which culminated in his quitting the tournament Friday — highlighted a need for more discussion “to ensure that our rules and their application reflect the evolving nature of chess as a global and accessible sport.” Carlsen, meanwhile, said in a video posted Sunday on social media that he would play — and wear jeans — in the World Blitz Championship when it begins Monday. “I think the situation was badly mishandled on their side,” the 34-year-old Norwegian grandmaster said. But he added that he loves playing blitz — a fast-paced form of chess — and wanted fans to be able to watch, and that he was encouraged by his discussions with the federation after Friday's showdown. “I think we sort of all want the same thing,” he suggested in the video on his Take Take Take chess app’s YouTube channel. “We want the players to be comfortable, sure, but also relatively presentable.” The events began when Carlsen wore jeans and a sportcoat Friday to the Rapid World Championship, which is separate from but held in conjunction with the blitz event. The chess federation said Friday that longstanding rules prohibit jeans at those tournaments, and players are lodged nearby to make sartorial switch-ups easy if needed. An official fined Carlsen $200 and asked him to change pants, but he refused and wasn't paired for a ninth-round game, the federation said at the time. The organization noted that another grandmaster, Ian Nepomniachtchi, was fined earlier in the day for wearing sports shoes, changed and continued to play. Carlsen has said that he offered to wear something else the next day, but officials were unyielding. He said “it became a bit of a matter of principle,” so he quit the rapid and blitz championships. In the video posted Sunday, he questioned whether he had indeed broken a rule and said changing clothes would have needlessly interrupted his concentration between games. He called the punishment “unbelievably harsh.” “Of course, I could have changed. Obviously, I didn’t want to,” he said, and “I stand by that.”