MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said he was caught off guard by reports early Tuesday that linebacker Shaq Barrett wants to unretire. The two-time Super Bowl winner signed a one-year deal with the Dolphins in March, then abruptly announced his retirement on social media in July, just days before the start of Miami's training camp. “Just to be candid, obviously there's a reason why you target and sign somebody," McDaniel said Tuesday afternoon. “I was fully caught off guard, or caught by surprise this morning as I found out.” McDaniel indicated the Dolphins have not had any conversations with Barrett recently. Miami holds the 32-year-old’s contractual rights. ESPN first reported the news. “It was kind of news as you guys got it,” McDaniel said. He also said he hasn't had a chance to think about Barrett potentially rejoining the team, and that his immediate focus is on Miami's Thursday night game at Green Bay. “The team is counting on me to think about the Packers,” he said. "I'll get with (GM) Chris (Grier), and we'll work through that. There's a ton of implications that go along with it in terms of team and roster stuff, so we'll work through that as we just got the news today.” Barrett has 400 tackles, 59 sacks, 22 forced fumbles and three interceptions in nine seasons — four with Denver and five with Tampa Bay. He was a second-team All-Pro with the Buccaneers in 2019, with a league-high 19 1/2 sacks. The Dolphins waived veteran safety Marcus Maye on Tuesday and activated rookie safety Patrick McMorris from injured reserve. Maye, who signed with the Dolphins in June, played in 11 games with three starts for Miami this season. He had 30 tackles and a tackle for loss. He could re-sign to the team's practice squad if he clears waivers. Maye previously played for New Orleans, but was cut in a money-saving move in March after two seasons with the Saints. Maye's release made room on the roster for McMorris, who was drafted in the sixth round by Miami in April. He began the season on injured reserve because of a calf injury. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nflAccording to the Indiana Department of Revenue, residents of Floyd, Gibson, Jay, Monroe, Rush and Switzerland counties will see more money taken out of their paychecks to cover the cost of county government services in the new year. The new local income tax rates in those counties are Floyd 1.89%, up from 1.39%; Gibson 1.3%, up from 0.9%; Jay 2.5%, up from 2.45%; Monroe 2.14%, up from 2.035%; Rush 2.15%, up from 2.1%; and Switzerland 1.45%, up from 1.25%. Records show three additional Indiana counties already hiked their income tax rate on Oct. 1: Fayette 2.82%, up from 2.57%; Fulton 2.88%, up from 2.68%; and Henry 2.02%, up from 1.8%. No changes are slated for the local income tax rates in Northwest Indiana that currently stand at 1.5% in Lake County, 0.5% in Porter County, 1.45% in LaPorte County, 1% in Newton County, and 2.864% in Jasper County. But those rates, and local income tax rates across Indiana, might be headed dramatically higher if Republican Gov.-elect Mike Braun succeeds next year in enacting his property tax reduction plan at the Republican-controlled General Assembly. Braun has proposed reverting residential property tax bills to their 2021 amount, regardless of any subsequent increase in the assessed value of the home, as well as increasing the value of residential property tax deductions and capping future property tax revenue growth. Those changes likely will result in a shift of the property tax burden onto rental, business, industrial and agricultural property owners, or higher local income tax rates if counties look to other ways of replacing the lost property tax revenue from owner-occupied homes. Though any local income tax increases will be partially offset by continuing reductions in the state's 3.05% income tax rate that's set to fall to 3% on Jan. 1, 2025, to 2.95% on Jan. 1, 2026, and to 2.9% on Jan. 1, 2027, according to House Enrolled Act 1001 (2023) . The rate cut means a Hoosier worker earning $50,000 a year will pay $1,500 in state income tax next year, instead of $1,525 — a savings of $25, or about $1 per biweekly paycheck. Hiking that same worker's county income rate by 1% would take an extra $500 a year out of the worker's wages, or about $20 from each check. Illinois has a 4.95% state income tax rate and no local income taxes. The combination of the two in Indiana means most Hoosiers are paying more of their earnings in state and local income tax than Illinois residents do.
West Virginia knocks off No. 3 Gonzaga in overtime
Schedule subject to change and/or blackouts Thursday, Dec. 26 COLLEGE FOOTBALL 2 p.m. ESPN — The GameAbove Sports Bowl: Pittsburgh vs. Toledo, Detroit 5:30 p.m. ESPN — The Rate Bowl: Rutgers vs. Kansas St., Phoenix 9 p.m. ESPN — The 68 Ventures Bowl: Arkansas St. vs. Bowling Green, Mobile, Ala. IIHF HOCKEY (MEN’S) Noon NHLN — World Junior Championship Group Stage: Slovakia vs. Sweden, Group B, Toronto 2:30 p.m. NHLN — World Junior Championship Group Stage: U.S. vs. Germany, Group A, Ottawa, Ontario 5 p.m. NHLN — World Junior Championship Group Stage: Czechia vs. Switzerland, Group B, Toronto 7:30 p.m. NHLN — World Junior Championship Group Stage: Finland vs. Canada, Group A, Ottawa, Ontario NBA BASKETBALL 7 p.m. NBATV — Oklahoma City at Indiana 10 p.m. NBATV — Utah at Portland NFL FOOTBALL 8:15 p.m. PRIME VIDEO — Seattle at Chicago SOCCER (MEN’S) 7:30 a.m. USA — Premier League: Everton at Manchester City 10 a.m. USA — Premier League: Aston Villa at Newcastle United 12:30 p.m. USA — Premier League: Manchester United at Wolverhampton 3 p.m. USA — Premier League: Leicester City at Liverpool TENNIS 9 p.m. TENNIS — United Cup: Spain v. Kazakhstan 4 a.m. (Friday) TENNIS — United Cup: China v. Brazil 6 a.m. (Friday) TENNIS — United Cup: China v. Brazil The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive TV listings provided by LiveSportsOnTV .
City of Cheyenne proposes using CDBG funds for ADA-compliant Optimist Park playgroundFormer CIA Chief of Station Dan Hoffman joins 'America's Newsroom' to discuss Putin lowering Russia's nuclear threshold. A U.S. official on Thursday confirmed to Fox News Digital that Ukrainian authorities were briefed ahead of the "experimental Intermediate-range ballistic" attack that this type of weapon may be used against it in order to help them prepare. Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed the attack Thursday evening local time in an address to the nation and said it was in direct response to the U.S. and U.K. jointly approving Ukraine’s use of Western-supplied long-range missiles to target Russia. It remains unclear if there were any casualties in the attack on the city of Dnipro, which was originally reported as an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM), and which would have marked the first time such a weapon had been used during a time of war, sending panic across the globe. 1,000 DAYS OF WAR IN UKRAINE AS ZELENSKYY DOUBLES DOWN ON AERIAL OPTIONS WITH ATACMS, DRONES AND MISSILES Putin and U.S. sources have since confirmed the strike was not an ICBM, but the Kremlin chief also claimed that the weapon used poses a significant challenge for Western nations. "The missiles attack targets at a speed of MACH 10. That's 2.5 miles per second," Putin said according to a translation. "The world's current air defense systems and the missile defense systems developed by the Americans in Europe do not intercept such missiles." Fox News Digital could not immediately verify whether the U.S. or its NATO allies are capable of defending against this latest missile, dubbed the Oreshnik. But according to one U.S. official, Putin may be playing up his abilities in a move to intimidate the West and Ukraine. In this photo taken from video distributed by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024, a Yars intercontinental ballistic missile is test-fired in northwestern Russia. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP) "While we take all threats against Ukraine seriously, it is important to keep a few key facts in mind: Russia likely possesses only a handful of these experimental missiles," the official told Fox News Digital. "Ukraine has withstood countless attacks from Russia, including from missiles with significantly larger warheads than this weapon. "Let me be clear: Russia may be seeking to use this capability to try to intimidate Ukraine and its supporters, or generate attention in the information space, but it will not be a game-changer in this conflict," the official added. US EMBASSY IN KYIV CLOSED AS 'POTENTIAL SIGNIFICANT AIR ATTACK' LOOMS Following President Biden’s position reversal this week to allow Ukraine to use U.S.-supplied long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) against the Russian homeland, Kyiv immediately levied strikes against a military arsenal in the Russian region of Bryansk, more than 70 miles from Ukraine’s border. While Ukrainian troops are the ones to officially fire the sophisticated missiles, the weapons system still relies on U.S. satellites to hit their target – an issue Putin touched on in his unannounced speech Thursday. "We are testing the Oreshnik missile systems in combat conditions in response to NATO countries' aggressive actions against Russia. We will decide on the further deployment of intermediate-range and shorter-range missiles depending on the actions of the U.S. and its satellites," he said. CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Firefighters work at the site of a Russian missile strike in Dnipro, Ukraine, on Nov. 21, 2024. (Press service of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Dnipropetrovsk region/Handout via Reuters) Putin claimed Russia will alert Ukrainian citizens of an impending attack like the strike he carried out on Thursday, though it remains unclear if he issued a warning to the Ukrainians living in Dnipro. The Kremlin chief said the "defense industry" was targeted, though images released by the Ukrainian ministry of defense showed what appeared to be civilian infrastructure was also caught in the fray. The Pentagon on Thursday confirmed that Russia informed the U.S. of the impending attack, which corresponds with information obtained by Fox News Digital, but it is unclear if Moscow clarified which Ukrainian city was the intended target. A U.S. official told Fox News Digital that the U.S. is committed to helping Ukraine bolster its air defense systems and has done so already by supplying Ukraine with hundreds of additional Patriot and Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles. Caitlin McFall is a Reporter at Fox News Digital covering Politics, U.S. and World news.
Sterilization Equipment Market Set for Exceptional Growth in the Forecast 2024-2032 12-25-2024 03:40 PM CET | Health & Medicine Press release from: Cognate Insights Sterilization Equipment Market Latest Market Overview The global sterilization equipment market is poised for significant growth, with an estimated market size of USD 11.3 billion in 2024. This market is projected to expand at a CAGR of 7.8% from 2024 to 2032, reaching a valuation of USD 21.8 billion by 2032. The increasing demand for sterilization in healthcare, food processing, pharmaceuticals, and other industries, coupled with advancements in sterilization technologies, are driving the market's expansion. The rising need for infection prevention, stringent regulatory standards, and the growing awareness of hygiene and safety protocols contribute to the robust demand for sterilization equipment worldwide. The Sterilization Equipment Market has experienced steady growth in recent years and is expected to continue expanding at a strong pace from 2024 to 2032. This analysis offers a comprehensive overview, providing valuable insights into key trends and developments within the Sterilization Equipment industry. These findings equip business leaders with the necessary knowledge to devise more effective strategies and enhance profitability. Furthermore, the report serves as a useful resource for new and emerging businesses, helping them make informed decisions as they navigate the market and seek growth opportunities. Major Players of Sterilization Equipment Market are: STERIS Corporation (Ohio, USA): Revenue USD 4.9 billion (2023). Getinge AB (Gothenburg, Sweden): Revenue USD 2.8 billion (2023). 3M Company (Minnesota, USA): Revenue USD 35.4 billion (2023, diversified portfolio). Advanced Sterilization Products (California, USA): Specialized in low-temperature sterilization solutions. Matachana Group (Barcelona, Spain): Known for innovative sterilization technologies. Get Latest PDF Sample Report @ https://www.cognateinsights.com/request-sample/sterilization-equipment-market-research-report-2024-2032 Our Report covers global as well as regional markets and provides an in-depth analysis of the overall growth prospects of the market. Global market trend analysis including historical data, estimates to 2024, and compound annual growth rate (CAGR) forecast to 2032 is given based on qualitative and quantitative analysis of the market segments involving economic and non-economic factors. Furthermore, it reveals the comprehensive competitive landscape of the global market, the current and future market prospects of the industry, and the growth opportunities and drivers as well as challenges and constraints in emerging and emerging markets. Global Sterilization Equipment Market Landscape and Future Pathways: North America: United States Canada Europe: Germany France U.K. Italy Russia Asia-Pacific: China Japan South Korea India Australia China Taiwan Indonesia Thailand Malaysia Latin America: Mexico Brazil Argentina Korea Colombia Middle East & Africa: Turkey Saudi Arabia UAE Korea Speak to Our Analyst for A Discussion on The Above Findings, And Ask for A Discount on The Report @ https://www.cognateinsights.com/check-discount/sterilization-equipment-market-research-report-2024-2032 Key drivers and challenges influencing the Sterilization Equipment market: Regional Analysis: The report involves examining the Sterilization Equipment market at a regional or national level. Report analyses regional factors such as government incentives, infrastructure development, economic conditions, and consumer behaviour to identify variations and opportunities within different markets. Market Projections: Report covers the gathered data and analysis to make future projections and forecasts for the Sterilization Equipment market. This may include estimating market growth rates, predicting market demand, and identifying emerging trends. Company Analysis: Report covers individual Sterilization Equipment manufacturers, suppliers, and other relevant industry players. This analysis includes studying their financial performance, market positioning, product portfolios, partnerships, and strategies. Consumer Analysis: Report covers data on consumer behaviour, preferences, and attitudes towards Sterilization Equipment This may involve surveys, interviews, and analysis of consumer reviews and feedback from different by Application. Technology Analysis: Report covers specific technologies relevant to Sterilization Equipment. It assesses the current state, advancements, and potential future developments in Sterilization Equipment areas. Reason to Buy this Report: -Analysis of the impact of technological advancements on the market and the emerging trends shaping the industry in the coming years. -Examination of the regulatory and policy changes affecting the market and the implications of these changes for market participants. -Overview of the competitive landscape in the Sterilization Equipment market, including profiles of the key players, their market share, and strategies for growth. -Identification of the major challenges facing the market, such as supply chain disruptions, environmental concerns, and changing consumer preferences, and analysis of how these challenges will affect market growth. -Evaluation of the potential of new products and applications in the market, and analysis of the investment opportunities for market participants. For In-Depth Competitive Analysis - Purchase this Report now at @ https://www.cognateinsights.com/purchase-report/sterilization-equipment-market-research-report-2024-2032 Contact Us: Cognate Insights Web: www.cognateinsights.com Email: info@cognateinsights.com Phone: +91 8424946476 About Us: We are leaders in market analytics, business research, and consulting services for Fortune 500 companies, start-ups, financial & government institutions. Since we understand the criticality of data and insights, we have associated with the top publishers and research firms all specialized in specific domains, ensuring you will receive the most reliable and up to date research data available. To be at our client's disposal whenever they need help on market research and consulting services. We also aim to be their business partners when it comes to making critical business decisions around new market entry, M&A, competitive Intelligence and strategy. This release was published on openPR.
NoneThe hills are alive. Anaconda residents won’t hear nuns singing from the slopes of A-Hill or C-Hill. Yet they might savor a songbird’s serenade or a mule deer fawn's bleats and bawls as the animals find cover in recently-rooted shrubs and trees. A current document from the state’s Natural Resource Damage Program describes the recovery of vegetation and wildlife habitat in the landmark hills above Anaconda — a revival aided and abetted by the copper smelter’s closing in 1980, by human toil since then and the passage of time. Both the vegetation and Anaconda have begun to thrive in recent years. The Natural Resource Damage Program, or NRDP, aims to restore vegetation and other natural resources lost to pollution from more than 100 years of toxic smelter emissions. It’s all part of the federal Superfund process that guides remediation and restoration. NRDP’s mission also includes addressing a century of lost recreational opportunities. The program has funds available toward that end reached in a 2008 settlement with Atlantic Richfield. Enter the Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Open Lands Plan. Adopted in early 2024, the 142-page plan reports, “The Anaconda community prioritizes the development of a comprehensive, interconnected multi-use trail system that caters to various activities and skill levels.” Enter the Anaconda Trail Society, a nonprofit with about 100 active members. It has proposed creating a recreational trail that would link Birch Street in east Anaconda to the Sunnyside area in west Anaconda. As envisioned, the 3.5-mile non-motorized trail would serve walkers, hikers, bicyclists and, possibly, riders on horseback. On Monday, Emily Adams, president of the Anaconda Trail Society, described the proposed path as a single-track trail. Some accounts of single-track trails describe them as being only as wide as a mountain bike. American Trails reports that a single-track mountain bike trail is typically between 12 inches and 30 inches wide. Adams said the Birch to Sunnyside trail would likely be 36 inches to 48 inches wide. She said a hiker or biker might need to step aside to let the other pass. Signage would explain and encourage trail etiquette, Adams said, and the proposed trail’s comparatively even grade would not enable cyclists to come barreling around curves. Anaconda-Deer Lodge County is poised to purchase the A-Hill property with $200,000 in NRDP funds. The city-county already owns acreage on C-Hill. As a result, as envisioned, the trail would travel across Anaconda-Deer Lodge County property. A 2008 Consent Decree with Atlantic Richfield/BP provided about $13.3 million to the state for natural resource damages suffered by pollution-impacted lands on Stucky Ridge, Smelter Hill and the Mount Haggin Wildlife Management Area. An Anaconda Uplands Restoration Plan prepared by NRDP specified that up to $4 million could be used for restoration on lands owned by Anaconda-Deer Lodge County. In April 2023, NRDP celebrated the completed cleanup of state lands on Stucky Ridge and within portions of the Mount Haggin Wildlife Management Area east and south of Anaconda. Last month, NRDP published an amendment to the Anaconda Uplands Restoration Plan. Among other things, it provides a recommendation about how to divvy up that $4 million between restoration activities such as ecological restoration, wildlife habitat restoration or recreational restoration. NRDP has proposed allocating $1.9 million for recreation projects. The program suggests that development of trail networks, trailheads and signage on A-Hill and C-Hill — trails designed to serve multiple user groups — could be considered an appropriate restoration action. The Anaconda Trail Society would hire professional trail designers and builders if funding becomes available through NRDP, grants or some combination. As proposed, it would partner with Anaconda-Deer Lodge County to collaborate on planning, developing, monitoring and maintaining trail segments. The city-county could also assist with matching costs for potential grant awards and provide other support. Adams said a properly designed and built dirt trail, with water bars and other features to reduce erosion, should need little maintenance. County commissioners for Anaconda-Deer Lodge County were scheduled to review a related memorandum of understanding during the board’s Tuesday night meeting. As envisioned, the connection between Birch Street and Sunnyside Road would be “a leisurely, groomed trail” with a grade below 12%, Adams said. The community could access the trail at Birch Street, Sheep Gulch, 7 Street, Walnut Street, Willow Street and Sunnyside Road. During a Nov. 26 meeting of commissioners for Anaconda-Deer Lodge County, Adams said the trail would yield community, social and health benefits. She noted too that studies have demonstrated that trails provide economic benefits to communities. Meeting minutes from Nov. 26 show that Commissioner Ed Beaudette expressed concerns about including horses on the trail and whether it would be wheelchair accessible. Adams said the trail would not be wheelchair accessible and it’s not yet clear whether horses would be appropriate. NRDP’s proposed amendment to the Anaconda Uplands Restoration Plan cites reforestation efforts dating back to 1940. It references work by Bob Andreozzi, now retired as a forester for the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, and others for shepherding years of conifer and shrubs planting around Anaconda, as well as ambitious Arbor Day plantings. NRDP notes also that in some areas, lands owned by Anaconda-Deer Lodge County are returning to baseline conditions — as in, conditions prior to pollution — “without the expenditure of remedy or restoration funds.” Ray Vinkey, an environmental scientist for NRDP, said no Anaconda Uplands money has been spent to date on recreation.
Now That the Election's Over, Chris Cillizza Says It's Safe to Admit Tim Walz Was a BAD Pick for VPFormer Rep. Matt Gaetz, a Republican from Florida, on Thursday withdrew his nomination to be President-elect Donald Trump’s attorney general. His decision came after allegations of sexual misconduct. Although the GOP is expected to control the U.S. Senate 53-47 in the upcoming year, it became increasingly clear not enough Republicans were willing to back Gaetz’s nomination. "It is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition," Gaetz wrote on Thursday. Gaetz has been under investigation by the Department of Justice for allegations against him of committing statutory rape by paying for sex with a 17-year-old girl and for her to travel with him across state lines. Although that probe was dropped without charges, the House Ethics Committee was looking into the allegations as well. Trump has been filling his Cabinet at a breakneck pace, at times nominating controversial figures like Gaetz, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Dr. Mehmet Oz . Sign-up for Your Vote: Text with the USA TODAY elections team. Here is who Trump has picked for his Cabinet so far. Trump’s picks so far: What we know Here are Trump's picks for key positions in his administration, as of Thursday afternoon. What are the Cabinet positions? The Cabinet advises the president on issues related to their respective offices. These are the Cabinet positions from the 15 executive departments, which must be confirmed by the Senate: The Cabinet and presidential advisers can also include the vice president, the chief of staff, the ambassador to the United Nations, the director of National Intelligence, the U.S. trade representative, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency, the head of the Office of Management and Budget, the head of the Council of Economic Advisors, the head of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, and the head of the Small Business Administration. Contributing: Anthony Robledo, James Powel, Aysha Bagchi, Zac Anderson, Darren Samuelsohn, Dan Morrison, Karen Weintraub, Alyssa Goldberg, Tom Vanden Brook, David Jackson, Savannah Kuchar, Victor Hagan, Bart Jansen, Riley Beggin, Michael Collins, Joey Garrison; Kaycee Sloan, the Cincinnati Enquirer; Jim Little; Pensacola News Journal. Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_."Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum." Section 1.10.32 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum", written by Cicero in 45 BC "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" To keep reading, please log in to your account, create a free account, or simply fill out the form below.
Last week, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accompanied by his wife and a powerful delegation made up of some cabinet members and captains of industry, paid a three-day state visit to France. The visit was at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron. It was President Tinubu’s first official visit to France whose former colonies encase Nigeria. It was also the first visit by a Nigerian leader in two decades. Interestingly, France occupies a pride of place in the annals of Nigeria’s diplomatic peregrinations. The relationship between Nigeria and France dates back to October 1, 1960, when the former gained independence from Britain. France can be said to have enjoyed close diplomatic ties with Nigeria ab initio. However, their romance suffered a major setback barely a year later when Nigeria, under the late Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, severed ties with France in protest against testing its atomic bomb in the Sahara Desert. The fledgling ties suffered yet another setback during the 30-month Nigerian Civil War – 1967 to 1970 – when President Charles De Gaule threw his weight behind the secessionist regime led by Colonel Chukwuemeka Ojukwu. The French leader also facilitated the French mercenaries to fight on the side of the rebel forces, leading to the loss of many lives on the Biafran side. After the two major setbacks, the relationship between the two nations, separated by socio-linguistic differences, have enjoyed an excellent rapport over the years. Today, a forgiving Nigeria is France’s top trading partner in sub-Sahara Africa. Presently, there are over 100 French firms operating in Nigeria with more than 10,000 employees in critical sectors such as oil and gas, infrastructure and telecommunications. Without a doubt, President Tinubu’s visit is expected to engender more layers of economic cooperation as evidenced by a flurry of agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) signed by the two countries, thus marking a significant turning point in the quest to strengthen economic bond between them. Perhaps, one of the critical MoUs was the collaboration between the two countries to explore Nigeria’s neglected cash cow – the solid minerals sector – wittingly or unwittingly left in the hands of illegal operators. This sector ranks second to crude oil but because of poor regulatory framework and lack of control, the nation is yet to enjoy maximum benefits from the resources. It is public knowledge that some unscrupulous private jet owners are also neck-deep in the pillaging of the resources as they smuggle the national assets to foreign countries. The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, and France’s Inter-Ministerial Delegate of Critical Ores and Metals, Mr. Benjamin Gallezot, signed the MoU on behalf of their two countries. The partnership is intended to focus on the development of critical minerals, such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel, which are key to advancing clean energy technologies. The two countries will also collaborate on research, training, and student exchanges to promote knowledge transfer. Another critical component of the agreement is the commitment to sustainable mining activities, aimed at reducing the environmental impact of the mining sector. The MoU also includes co-financed joint extractive projects, ensuring diversification and security of critical minerals while supporting energy transition projects. Furthermore, the partnership will seek to remediate over 2,000 abandoned mining pits across Nigeria, given France’s expertise in sustainable mining. It will also engender diversification and promotion of the critical minerals value chain in both countries. Also on the card was a Letter of Intent signed between Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, and the French Development Agency (AFD) CEO, Remi Rioux. The agreement focuses on long-term collaboration to support Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda. It is believed that the partnership will go a long way in facilitating funding for key areas such as infrastructure development, agriculture, food security, healthcare, and human capital development. The AFD has, in addition, committed to providing over €300 million in financial and technical assistance across all Nigerian regions, focusing on energy transition, sustainable agriculture, and the improvement of agro-logistic hubs. The agreement emphasises the importance of removing fiscal barriers and ensuring efficient project implementation to enhance mutual trade between the two nations. On the sideline of the visit was the formal inauguration of the operations of two of Nigeria’s leading banks, United Bank for Africa (UBA) and Zenith Bank, in France. Internationalising their operations in an advanced economy like France will, no doubt, take their portfolios to higher heights. In his remarks on the occasion, the Chairman of UBA, Mr. Tony Elumelu, said, “Expanding into France is a natural progression, with Paris serving as our European Union hub, as we continue to bring Africa and the world together, through innovative financial solutions. Paris will join London, New York and Dubai, as a critical component of our unique global network.” On the whole, President Tinubu’s visit to France could not have come at a better time when his administration is currently grappling with daunting economic challenges arising from several years of decay and poor governance. It is hoped that all the agreements reached will be pursued to their logical conclusions. They should not end up as paper tigers.Wild first season in expanded Big 12 comes down to final weekend
'You have to be kidding': MAGA melts down as Spelling Bee accepts new wordNvidia, a leading force in the artificial intelligence sector, has become a favorite among retail investors this year, drawing in nearly $30 billion. This influx marks a staggering increase compared to the nearly nine-fold rise in net inflows from 2021, as reported by Vanda Research. Leading the charge is the AI trend, in which many investors see Nvidia as the primary player. For many investors like Michael MacGillivray from Michigan, the decision to invest in Nvidia was straightforward. Observing the substantial growth in AI, MacGillivray invested thousands in Nvidia shares, adding to the billions of dollars poured into the company by small-scale investors. This massive buying spree could see Nvidia overtaking Tesla, which was the top pick among retail investors in 2023. Nvidia’s notable stock performance speaks volumes, outshining many of its competitors. Throughout 2024, Nvidia didn’t merely attract attention; it became one of the most significant holdings in retail portfolios, doubling to over 10% from the start of the year. Genevieve Khoury, another investor, started investing upon her father’s advice and plans to keep her shares as a long-term investment. Despite some volatility, investors remain optimistic about Nvidia’s future in AI. Retail investor Prajeet Tripathy is confident that Nvidia’s focus on innovation will drive further growth. Gatherings in places like New York City further emphasize Nvidia’s cultural influence beyond just financial markets. While Nvidia’s retail presence is formidable, its share prices have not soared in the same way as some other tech giants like Tesla. Yet, its remarkable journey in 2024 makes it a stock to watch as retail investors continue to shape its future path. Nvidia’s Unstoppable Rise: What You Need to Know Before Investing Nvidia’s reputation as a frontrunner in the artificial intelligence (AI) sector has captivated retail investors, amassing nearly $30 billion from retail inflows, as per recent reports from Vanda Research. This boom showcases a nearly nine-fold surge from 2021, solidifying Nvidia’s status as a key player in the booming AI industry. Features and Innovations Driving Nvidia’s Growth Nvidia’s prominence in AI is underscored by its leading-edge graphics processing units (GPUs), which serve as the backbone for AI computations across various industries. The company’s continuous innovation in expanding the capabilities of its hardware and software platforms positions it uniquely in the market. Their GPUs are not just limited to gaming anymore; they are integral to the advancement of autonomous vehicles, data centers, and machine learning applications. Investor Insights and Market Analysis Retail investors like Michael MacGillivray and Genevieve Khoury are betting big on Nvidia, treating it as a long-term investment owing to its potential in AI advancements. Nvidia’s stock has become a significant holding in retail portfolios, representing over 10% of their investments, which signifies strong investor confidence. Nvidia vs. Tesla: A Comparison of Retail Preferences While Nvidia continues its ascent, it is interesting to note it may soon surpass Tesla as the top choice among retail investors. Despite not experiencing surges as dramatic as Tesla’s, Nvidia’s consistent growth trajectory and its strategic focus on AI may offer investors a potentially more stable yet promising option. Potential Limitations and Market Trends Even as Nvidia marks its territory among the giants, potential investors should note some market volatility and pricing challenges. The tech industry is fast-paced, with rapid changes, making market positioning crucial. Staying at the forefront of AI development can be both an advantage and a pressure point for Nvidia, as competitors continue to innovate. Security and Sustainability Aspects Nvidia is also making strides in the sustainability arena, emphasizing energy-efficient computing solutions within its operations. With increased awareness and regulations concerning environmental impact, Nvidia’s focus on sustainability could play a favorable role in its longevity and appeal among socially conscious investors. Predictions for Nvidia in AI and Beyond Investor confidence suggests promising predictions for Nvidia’s future, particularly as AI continues to expand and impact various sectors. Looking forward, Nvidia might not only maintain its lead in AI technology but also explore new horizons that contribute to its growth, such as quantum computing and digital twinning. For more on Nvidia’s groundbreaking innovations, visit their official website .
A recent study that recommended toxic chemicals in black plastic products be immediately thrown away included a math error that significantly overstated the risks of contamination, but its authors are standing by their conclusions and warn against using such products. Published in the peer-reviewed journal Chemosphere , experts from the nonprofit Toxic-Free Future said they detected flame retardants and other toxic chemicals in 85% of 203 items made of black plastic including kitchen utensils , take-out containers, children's toys and hair accessories. In a blog post, Joe Schwarcz, director of McGill University's Office for Science and Society in Canada, explained that the Toxin-Free Future scientists miscalculated the lower end of what the EPA considered a health risk through a multiplication error. Instead of humans being potentially exposed to a dose of toxic chemicals in black plastic utensils near the minimum level that the EPA deems a health risk, it's actually about one-tenth of that. (Dreamstime/TNS) The study initially said the potential exposure to chemicals found in one of the kitchen utensils approached the minimum levels the Environmental Protection Agency deemed a health risk. But in an update to the study, the authors say they made an error in their calculations and the real levels were "an order of magnitude lower" than the EPA's thresholds. The error was discovered by Joe Schwarcz, director of McGill University's Office for Science and Society in Canada. In a blog post, Schwarcz explained that the Toxin-Free Future scientists miscalculated the lower end of what the EPA considered a health risk through a multiplication error. Instead of humans being potentially exposed to a dose of toxic chemicals in black plastic utensils near the minimum level that the EPA deems a health risk, it's actually about one-tenth of that. Though Schwarcz said the risks outlined in the study aren't enough for him to discard his black plastic kitchen items if he had them, he agreed with the authors that flame retardants shouldn't be in these products in the first place. "The math error does not impact the study's findings, conclusions or recommendations," said Megan Liu, a co-author of the study who is the science and policy manager for Toxic-Free Future . She added that any traces of flame retardants or toxic chemicals in cooking utensils should be concerning for the public. Flame retardants are getting into commonly used items because black-colored products are being made from recycled electronic waste, such as discarded television sets and computers, that frequently contain the additives. When they're heated, the flame retardants and other toxic chemicals can migrate out. If you're wondering whether your old black plastic spoon or other utensils are a part of this group, Liu shared some more guidance. Generally, how do I know a product is harmful? It's nearly impossible to know whether a black plastic product is contaminated. That's because these products that include recycled e-waste don't disclose a detailed list of all ingredients and contaminants in the product. Liu said it's also unclear how many types of flame retardants are in these black plastic products. Some of the products that researchers tested in this recent study "had up to nine different harmful chemicals and harmful flame retardants in them," she said. How can I find out if black plastic food trays are made with recycled contaminated plastic? Anytime you're looking for the type of recycled plastic a product is made of you're going to look for a number within the chasing arrows (that form a triangle) logo. Recycling symbols are numbered 1 to 7 and we commonly associate the numbers with what we can toss in our blue recycling bins. The 1 through 7 numbers stand for, respectively, polyethylene terephthalate, high-density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), low-density polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene or Styrofoam, and miscellaneous plastics (including polycarbonate, polylactide, acrylic, acrylonitrile butadiene, styrene, fiberglass and nylon). The study found higher levels of toxic flame retardants in polystyrene plastic, which is labeled with the number 6, said Liu. When did recycled e-waste begin contaminating black plastic products? There isn't a definitive timeline of when recycled electronic-waste started to be incorporated into black plastic products specifically, but e-waste started to get recycled in the early 2000s, Liu said. The way computers, cellphones, stereos, printers and copiers were being disposed of previously was to simply add them to a landfill without reusing salvageable parts. But as the National Conference of State Legislatures notes, electronics production required a significant amount of resources that could be recovered through recycling. Recovering resources such as metals, plastics and glass through recycling used a fraction of the energy needed to mine new materials. However, the study pointed out that flame retardants and other chemical contaminates have been detected in and near e-waste recycling facilities, in indoor air and dust at formal e-waste recycling facilities in Canada, China, Spain and the U.S. It also noted contamination in soil samples surrounding e-waste recycling sites in China and Vietnam. What are safer alternatives? The safest nontoxic material options for kitchen utensil are wood and stainless steel. The 20th century brought airplanes, radio, television, the internet, and plastic. Lots of plastic. That plastic is now showing up on shorelines, forming islands in oceans, and generating mountains of translucent trash on land. Around 700 species of animals in the sea have been found to interact with plastic daily. Companies across every industry face pressure to reduce the amount of plastic they produce. Seventy-two percent of the world's largest have made voluntary commitments to reduce their plastic waste, according to a Duke University analysis. One industry, in particular, has greatly benefited from advancements in single-use plastic technology: the medical industry. Only in recent years have businesses and academics in the field begun to talk about minimizing their impact on our environment like beverage manufacturers and other consumer goods-producing businesses. Medical Technology Schools analyzed academic studies published in the National Library of Medicine , the American Medical Association , and news reports to shed light on the medical community's use of plastics through history, their environmental problems, and proposed solutions to reduce their impact. And the impact can be significant. A single hospital patient generates nearly 34 pounds of waste a day —as much as a quarter of it is plastic. The COVID-19 pandemic only worsened the problem. The pandemic pushed hospital capacity to the brink and led to a massive increase in personal protective equipment and medical supply usage. Medical-grade masks and other protective equipment like face shields, made mostly of nonrenewable plastics, were in high demand. In 2020, the World Health Organization estimated that the international need for PPE manufacturing would boost 40% to address the public health crisis. Hospitals needed an estimated 89 million masks, 76 million gloves, and 1.6 million goggles every month of the pandemic. To date, nearly 677 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered, each requiring their own plastic syringe, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Global consulting firm Frost & Sullivan estimated that the U.S. would produce a year's worth of medical waste in just two months due to the pandemic. The World Economic Forum warned that the COVID-19 crisis threatened to " stall and even reverse progress " to reduce large plastic waste. It's a challenge researchers acknowledge today as they search for solutions. Plastics introduced an era of ultraconvenience to the world. It makes our clothes. It's made bike helmets and airbags possible. And it's a cheap material to produce, meaning it's cheap for consumers too. Almost as importantly, it's durable and incredibly easy to make into complex shapes—a trait that helped plastics invented in the mid-20th century quickly replace more expensive metal and wooden goods. That adoption extended to the medical field, where the single-use nature of plastics represented a move toward more hygienic tools for physicians and hospitals. But it wasn't plastic's sanitary qualities that the industry first latched onto. Like so many other technical advancements, convenience and cost were the initial driving factors. That they were more conducive to creating a sterile environment for patients was a benefit that health care began to tout closer to the end of the 20th century. PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, replaced glass bottles previously used to hold IV solution and replaced rubber tubing used throughout hospital settings. Plastic has also become the go-to material for making syringes and catheters. Plastic products are generally made from chemicals derived from the oil and natural gas refining process. Chemists use those byproducts to create synthetic materials with malleable and durable chemical structures. The low cost of these materials has helped medical device-makers support better health outcomes for communities across the U.S. since the 1900s. No longer was health care priced at rates only the elite could afford—it was accessible to a much larger swath of the public. In the last decade, the U.S., in particular, has emerged as a massive market for medical plastics. The country generally accounts for nearly half of the global market for medical devices. Plastic's durability is not only a benefit but a detriment to the environment, as the material can take many years to deteriorate when it enters landfills or trashes oceans. Estimates vary widely, but scientists ballpark that depending on the kind of plastic and the environment in which it decomposes, it could take dozens to thousands of years to break down entirely. COVID-19, which remains a burden for health care systems, isn't the only force raising the stakes for a health care industry pressured to reduce reliance on plastics or find ways to reuse them. Global annual production of plastic has doubled in the last two decades , according to the Environmental Protection Agency. As the U.S. looks toward the future, its aging population is another factor that could exacerbate the rate at which medical plastics end up in landfills. People require more medical care as they age, and aging baby boomers are expected to place increased demand on the medical device industry. At the same time, governments are under pressure to lower health care costs, which have become unaffordable even for those insured . As recently as 2021, researchers lamented a lack of data on efforts to recycle medical plastics. Around 350 hospitals participate in Practice Greenhealth's Environmental Excellence Awards . Practice Greenhealth is an organization working to help hospitals increase their sustainability. It's one of the few sources of hospital sustainability data, and its roster of participating hospitals represents a small fraction of the more than 6,000 hospitals operating in the U.S. To meet the need to reduce plastic waste generation, some hospitals are moving away from using plastic in certain applications. Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center replaced health care workers' disposable plastic isolation gowns with reusable cloth gowns at its hospitals in the last decade, saving money and preventing literal tons of medical waste. It also implemented a process for sterilizing and incinerating the boxes that hold used needles, allowing them to be reassembled and reused in a health care setting. Recycling plastic medical waste is complicated by the potential for contamination and the need to separate contaminated and noncontaminated waste; once separated, they can be broken down with heat or treated with chemicals and reprocessed. However, using chemical methods to break down and dispose of plastics has drawbacks. Over 200 nongovernmental organizations signed a letter in 2023 urging the Biden administration to end federal support for methods like these, arguing they generate toxic pollutants. The Vinyl Council of Australia is working with hospitals to recover used materials made of PVC . The materials are broken down into tiny pieces, washed and heated at high temperatures, and remade into things used outside medical settings. In the U.S. and Europe, there's the Healthcare Plastics Recycling Council, a coalition of companies working in the health care device space that includes DuPont, Johnson & Johnson, and Medtronic. In 2021, the HPRC, advised by professionals at Kaiser Permanente and other health systems, rolled out a medical waste recycling pilot project with hopes of scaling it across more hospitals. Story editing by Ashleigh Graf. Copy editing by Paris Close. Photo selection by Clarese Moller. This story originally appeared on Medical Technology Schools and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. 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