Where’s Niko? Jovic has gone from starter to Heat’s missing man amid Spoelstra challenges.‘Forcible evacuation’ of fasting farmer leader will lead to ‘collateral damage’: Punjab to SCIs India’s political economy ready for a low-carbon transition? India is now repeatedly buffeted by extreme weather thanks to the climate crisis, which is costing lives, impoverishing livelihoods, and damaging economic output from crops to infrastructure. At the same time, the energy transition is increasingly visible — from the rising sales of electric vehicles to new schemes for solar deployment to announcements about green hydrogen, and more recently, green steel. However, a shift to net-zero industries, cities, states, and the economy is a call for an economic transformation. To sustain this multi-decadal marathon, India needs domestic consensus for the economy, society and politics. Extreme weather events are categorised for disaster management rather than the need for economic resilience. Repeated shocks — droughts, floods, cyclones — are compounded in two ways. One, their frequency and intensity are on the rise. Two, they are impacting the same regions, creating multi-hazard vulnerability. Indian states will face fiscal limitations in responding to repeated shocks. Disaster risk mitigation (not just disaster management) is now an imperative. Climate risk is a macroeconomic risk. It will also cause social disruption, forcing internally displaced migration, and testing the resilience of vulnerable communities and the adaptive and fiscal capacity of the State, especially local administrations. All risks have costs and the question is who will bear them. Politicians respond to what their constituents want, and Indians are used to patronage, from underpriced electricity or water to unpriced carbon or natural capital. It is possible that what is good for the planet can be good for people. But India’s political economy must be capable of managing the disruptions that are inevitable in any transition. Can the macroeconomics of political patronage (rising fiscal constraints) also be environmentally sustainable (by directing public finance towards greener alternatives)? Framed conversely, can environmentally sustainable infrastructure and investments be both economically rational (renewables plus energy storage are now cheaper than coal-based electricity) as well as politically “sellable”? Part of the answer will lie in economic feasibility. But the delivered price of electricity, clean public transport or treated water depends on other factors as well, such as who gets cross-subsidised and who bears the burden. Four avenues can be explored to align economics, environment and politics. First, green livelihoods. A “green economy” paradigm extends well beyond energy and could include bio-economy, nature-based solutions and circular economy. India must identify opportunities across many value chains. Not all regions will attract investment in large-scale manufacturing of cleantech products. Instead, new value chains can support more evenly distributed jobs, livelihoods and investments. Bio-economy sectors like seaweed cultivation, mangrove management or bio-based packaging in a state like Odisha are more labour-intensive and can attract substantial investments. In 2021, 8,600 million cubic metres of treated wastewater was available, which could have irrigated an area nine times the size of Delhi and generated $12 billion in revenue. The list extends to recycling waste from plastics e-waste, construction and demolition, or batteries. Second, taxes and subsidies. The low-carbon transition will not succeed unless externalities are taxed and subsidies are repurposed. Both are laden with political minefields. As The Economist reported a few months ago, there is a conundrum for politicians: Indian voters expect support from the government in terms of cash and food welfare schemes yet that is insufficient to garner votes because they also expect greater investment in infrastructure and better delivery of educational and health services. For sustainable growth, India’s central and state governments will have to manoeuvre within limited fiscal room (state fiscal deficit is likely to be 3.2% of state GDP for FY25). One route is to price and tax externalities such as carbon emissions or water pollution, but in a manner that those with larger environmental footprints pay progressively higher rates. With a limited direct tax base, other indirect taxes might have to be reduced to mitigate inflationary pressures. Moreover, subsidy targeting must be the mantra to optimise for budget room and efficient use of natural resources. To upend the politics of subsidies, the costs must be distributed, and the benefits localised and visible. Many schemes with positive potential environmental benefits fail because the opposite takes hold. Take air pollution, for instance. Polluting industries or farmers burning stubble feel the pinch directly when pollution abatement measures are enforced, but the wider public health benefits for a healthy and productive workforce are dispersed. More immediate and targeted benefits — such as improved public transport for poorer workers living in distant peri-urban areas, cleaner and cheaper fuels for cooking and small industrial clusters or revised agricultural procurement policies — could deliver more immediate political returns. Third, resource security. India imported $49 billion worth of coal in FY24, along with $132.4 billion of oil and $7.7 billion of natural gas. Together, these accounted for ~28% of India’s total merchandise imports. Resource security is an integral part of national security. A shift to clean energy could reduce the import bill, and be good for the economy and for security. The benefits increase if accompanied by greater indigenisation of cleantech components in which India has a comparative advantage. Building a circular economy reduces imports of virgin minerals and materials. A recent study from CEEW, RMI and WRI India finds that systematic recycling of solar panels can meet 20% of the global solar photovoltaic industry’s demand for aluminium, copper, glass, and silicon between 2040 and 2050, and battery recycling could generate lower raw material procurement costs by 25% to 30% and reduce dependence on critical minerals by 15% to 20%. Rajasthan, Gujarat, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu will have two-thirds of the 340 kilotons of solar waste that will be generated by 2030. They have an opportunity to build a substantial minerals-recycling-and-reprocessing industry. Fourth, differentiated leadership. India (rightly) champions climate justice by demanding differentiated climate action based on historical responsibility. At the same time, its domestic policies have helped build large markets for clean energy and (now) electric mobility and (in future) green hydrogen, green steel and so on. India has taken this domestic story to the world, by co-creating the International Solar Alliance, launching the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure or the more recently announced Global Biofuels Alliance. India can articulate its unique approach to the energy transition. It has delivered energy access to hundreds of millions of people (via electrification and clean cooking schemes) while building a vast clean energy infrastructure. These multiple transitions are not sequential (as occurred in advanced economies) nor easily bankrolled. Instead, they relied on competitive markets, targeted subsidies and new institutions. These lessons are relevant for other energy-deprived economies, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. There is more scope to narrate an evolving subnational story as well. Several state governments are exploring their own net-zero pathways (Bihar, Gujarat, Odisha, Tamil Nadu) or have updated their state action plans for climate change (Maharashtra). With their different levels of development, there is scope for differentiated leadership even within the country. Some states might push aggressively on cleaner heavy industry, others on manufacturing EVs and still others on sustainable agriculture. Differentiated leadership is more authentic, bottom up, and can offer greater political returns from low-carbon development when strategies are localised, and communities see benefits closer to home. Change is never straightforward and seldom unopposed. Managing change requires leadership. We often make the error of assuming that political will for low-carbon and sustainable economic growth will emerge exogenously. That might be a desirable fantasy. To make it more probable, we must highlight the economic and political returns from new sources of livelihoods, more targeted public expenditure, resource security, and opportunities to attract investment and demonstrate leadership at many levels. In short, the kind of change that can be championed. Arunabha Ghosh is CEO, Council on Energy, Environment and Water.The views expressed are personal
WASHINGTON , Nov. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Bridge Defense, a defense-technology company, has made a strategic investment in Federated IT, a trusted provider of mission-critical services to the U.S. government. Founded in 2002, Federated IT has built a reputation as a trusted partner to the U.S. Intelligence Community and the Department of Defense. With expertise optimizing cloud computing, data center operations and migration, enterprise architecture, scientific research and analyses, and cybersecurity solutions, Federated IT consistently delivers technically excellent, secure, and reliable solutions that empower national security clients to achieve their objectives. "This investment represents a pivotal step in Bridge Defense's mission to create the next-generation systems integrator," said Jack Kilcoyne , co-founder of Bridge Defense. "We will combine the critical services Federated IT provides with in-house software development capabilities to build a hybrid organization capable of delivering exceptional services and developing innovative solutions that address our customers' most pressing challenges." Kyle von Bucholz , CEO of Federated IT, added: "For over 20 years, Federated IT has focused on solving our clients' most complex challenges with integrity and technical excellence. Partnering with Bridge Defense will enable us to take that commitment to the next level by leveraging cutting-edge development capabilities and delivering an even greater impact for the federal agencies we serve." About Bridge Defense Bridge Defense is focused on delivering mission-critical services and innovative software solutions to national security customers. A hybrid systems integrator, Bridge Defense combines excellence in technical services with native development capabilities to deliver comprehensive and transformative solutions to address the rapidly evolving needs of national security customers. Bridge Defense is led by a team of Special Operations veterans with deep expertise in technology and government services. The company is headquartered in the Northeast, with a growing presence in Washington, D.C. For more information, visit Bridge-Defense.com . About Federated IT Federated IT is a leading provider of mission-critical IT and cybersecurity services to the U.S. government. Federated IT enables defense, national security, and federal law enforcement clients to expand, improve, and strengthen critical IT infrastructure and mission system capabilities within the Tier Ill - IV Enterprise IT Operations and Cyber Security domains. Federated IT's project portfolio includes the customization and delivery of optimized cloud computing, data center operations and migration, enterprise architecture, scientific research and analyses, and cybersecurity solutions. Federated IT is headquartered in Washington, D.C. For more information, visit FederatedIT.com . View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bridge-defense-announces-strategic-investment-in-federated-it-302314581.html SOURCE Bridge DefenseThe patient is submerged in an ice bath as an anesthetic for its impending surgery. When sufficient numbness is achieved, University of Queensland student Lachlan Fitzgerald begins the procedure, carefully attaching a tiny circuit board to its back to create a part-living, part-machine biohybrid robot. Related video above: How Cyborg Cockroaches Could Help Save Human Lives The patient is, in fact, a beetle, and the backpack-like device sends electrical pulses to its antennae, allowing Fitzgerald to control its movements while tapping into its natural agility. "Only when it leaves the desired path that we want it to be on do we intervene and tell it to actually go this way instead of the way it was actually heading," says Fitzgerald, who is studying mathematics and engineering. He hopes to create an army of insect-machine search and rescue workers. "We see a future where after an urban disaster like an earthquake or a bombing, where humans can't safely access the disaster site, being able to send in a bunch of cyborg beetles to navigate the disaster zone quickly and efficiently," he says. The biorobotics lab where Fitzgerald works is putting control backpacks onto giant burrowing cockroaches, a species native to Australia that can grow up to three inches (eight centimeters) long, and darkling beetles. Species from the darkling family can be found scurrying through environments ranging from tropical savannas to arid deserts across the world . Having to handle the bugs doesn't bother Fitzgerald: "No, they definitely don't gross me out!" he says. Cyborg insects have an edge over traditional robots, according to Fitzgerald. "Insects are so adaptable compared to an artificial robotic system, which has to perform so much computation to be able to deal with all these different scenarios that might get thrown at it in the real world," he explains. Fitzgerald says cyborg search and rescue beetles or cockroaches might be able to help in disaster situations by finding and reporting the location of survivors and delivering lifesaving drugs to them before human rescuers can get there. But first, the Australian researchers must master the ability to direct the movements of the insects, which could take a while. Fitzgerald says that although the work might seem futuristic now, in a few decades, cyborg insects could be saving lives. He's not the only roboticist creating robots from living organisms. Academics at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), for example, are implanting electronic pacemakers into jellyfish to control their swimming speed. They hope the bionic jellies could help collect data about the ocean far below the surface. In September, Cornell University researchers released robots controlled by a king oyster mushroom. The robots, which sense and respond to the environment by harnessing electrical signals made by the fungus and its sensitivity to light, could have uses like sensing the soil chemistry near crops to decide when to add more fertilizer. The rise of biohybrid robots has stirred debate about the ethics of the work , and some researchers have advocated for better regulation and oversight. Caltech academics told CNN that they worked with bioethicists to ensure its interventions don't cause any type of stress response in the jellyfish they work with. Fitzgerald says that beetles that have had backpacks attached to them have normal life expectancies. "So I don't think they mind, per se," he says. "The science is out on whether or not they're actually conscious beings," he adds. He agrees that concerns about the welfare of the creatures are valid but urges people to consider the benefits: "I think the potential for this technology to save lives in an urban disaster, it really outweighs any kind of hesitancy you might have towards the field."
Shares of Google parent Alphabet rose about 5% on Tuesday after it unveiled a new generation chip that the company said helped overcome a key challenge in quantum computing. Google on Monday introduced a new chip called Willow, which solved in five minutes a computing problem that would take a classical computer more time than the history of the universe. Tech companies are chasing quantum computing in hopes of developing systems that perform at speeds far faster than traditional silicon-based computers. The building blocks of quantum computers, called "qubits", while being fast, are error-prone, making it hard to ensure quantum computers are reliable and commercially viable. The more qubits used in quantum computing, the more errors typically occur. But Google said on Monday it found a way to string together qubits in the Willow chip so that error rates decline as the number of qubits rise, adding that it can also correct errors in real time. Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI for Everyone: Understanding and Applying the Basics on Artificial Intelligence By - Ritesh Vajariya, Generative AI Expert View Program Web Development Java 21 Essentials for Beginners: Build Strong Programming Foundations By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Web Development JavaScript Essentials: Unlock AI-Driven Insights with ChatGPT By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI-Powered Python Mastery with Tabnine: Boost Your Coding Skills By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Collaborative AI Foundations: Working Smarter with Machines By - Prince Patni, Software Developer (BI, Data Science) View Program Web Development Master RESTful APIs with Python and Django REST Framework: Web API Development By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Neil Patel By - Neil Patel, Co-Founder and Author at Neil Patel Digital Digital Marketing Guru View Program Web Development Intermediate C++ Skills: Master Pointers, Structures and File Stream By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Entrepreneurship Building Your Winning Startup Team: Key Strategies for Success By - Dr. Anu Khanchandani, Startup Coach with more than 25 years of experience View Program Strategy Succession Planning Masterclass By - Nigel Penny, Global Strategy Advisor: NSP Strategy Facilitation Ltd. View Program Data Science SQL for Data Science along with Data Analytics and Data Visualization By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Digital marketing - Wordpress Website Development By - Shraddha Somani, Digital Marketing Trainer, Consultant, Strategiest and Subject Matter expert View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) ChatGPT Mastery from Zero to Hero: The Complete AI Course By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Performance Marketing for eCommerce Brands By - Zafer Mukeri, Founder- Inara Marketers View Program Web Development 12-Factor App Methodology: Principles and Guidelines By - Prince Patni, Software Developer (BI, Data Science) View Program Web Development Maximizing Developer Productivity: The Pomodoro Technique in Practice By - Prince Patni, Software Developer (BI, Data Science) View Program Finance A2Z Of Money By - elearnmarkets, Financial Education by StockEdge View Program Office Productivity Mastering Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and 365 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Web Development Mastering Full Stack Development: From Frontend to Backend Excellence By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Web Development A Comprehensive ASP.NET Core MVC 6 Project Guide for 2024 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program "While (there are) no current uses, (Willow) will have major implications in science, medicine and finance. Willow reduces errors exponentially and could lead to major breakthroughs and discoveries across industries," said Thomas Hayes, chairman and managing member at Great Hill Capital. Discover the stories of your interest Blockchain 5 Stories Cyber-safety 7 Stories Fintech 9 Stories E-comm 9 Stories ML 8 Stories Edtech 6 Stories Alphabet's shares were on track for their best day since late April. The stock has risen 25% so far this year, as of Monday's close. The company's shares trade at a 12-month forward price-to-earnings ratio of 19.58, compared with Microsoft's 32.03 and Amazon's 36.79, according to data compiled by LSEG. Earlier this year, Microsoft and quantum computing firm Quantinuum said they achieved a key step in making quantum computers a commercial reality by making them more reliable.Philly's Black Mayor Dodges Demands for Affirming 'Sanctuary City' Status
Richard Gere moving to Spain with family; why the Hollywood heartthrob is leaving the USPublished 3:37 pm Saturday, November 23, 2024 By Data Skrive A win by the Minnesota Vikings over the Chicago Bears is our computer model prediction for these teams’ upcoming matchup, on Sunday, Nov. 24 at 1 p.m. ET (at Soldier Field). For more information, including the spread, over/under and final score, keep scrolling. Looking for NFL tickets? Head to StubHub today and see your team live. The Vikings rank 15th in total offense (341 yards per game) and 10th in total defense (309.2 yards allowed per game) this season. The Bears rank fourth-worst in total yards per game (289), but they’ve been better on the other side of the ball, ranking 14th in the NFL with 327.7 total yards ceded per contest. BetMGM is one of the most trusted Sportsbooks in the nation. Start with as little as $1 and place your bets today . Ready to make your pick? Head to BetMGM using our link and start betting today. Watch this game on Fubo (Regional restrictions may apply) Rep your favorite NFL players with officially licensed gear. Head to Fanatics to find jerseys, shirts, hats, and much more. Catch every NFL touchdown with NFL RedZone on Fubo. Not all offers available in all states, please visit BetMGM for the latest promotions for your area. Must be 21+ to gamble, please wager responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, contact 1-800-GAMBLER .Shoplifting incidents in Sault Ste. Marie have surged, with a 22 per cent increase in reported cases compared to last year. In response, local law enforcement is ramping up efforts to tackle the issue through preventative measures, collaboration with the Crown’s office, and enhanced data analysis. This rise comes despite an overall decline in crime across the city. Property crimes such as break-ins and vehicle thefts have dropped significantly — by 32 per cent and 25 per cent, respectively — according to statistics presented at Monday’s police board meeting. “We know something is going on because there are fewer thefts of autos and break-ins,” said Police Chief Hugh Stevenson. “The criminal sub-culture doesn’t have to go to that bother — they simply go into the store, steal the product, and walk out.” Much of the theft involves low-value, consumable items often linked to substance use. “It becomes a low-end commodity to support, basically, a fentanyl habit in this city,” said Stevenson. The economic and social consequences of shoplifting are felt widely, the police board heard. Store owners face increased security costs, which are ultimately passed on to consumers, contributing to higher costs of living. “I think sometimes when we see shoplifting, we think, ‘Well, that’s not an important issue.’ It is an important issue because it affects a lot more people than violent crimes,” said Stevenson, adding that many shoplifting offenders may become violent in the future. While major franchises such as Circle K are often targeted, small businesses also bear the brunt. An employee at Krazy Ernie’s noted, “People steal all the time. It’s sometimes so small that we don’t bother to call it in, but it’s frustrating.” The employee, who wished to remain anonymous, noted that shoplifting appears to be improving, now occurring about once a week compared to once every couple of days during the summer. In the downtown core, shoplifting has been a persistent concern. Ashton Carter, coordinator for the Sault Ste. Marie Downtown Association (DTA), emphasized the financial and safety impacts. “Shoplifting in our downtown core is a real concern that not only impacts local businesses financially but also affects the sense of safety for residents, employees, and visitors,” said Carter in a statement. The DTA has collaborated with law enforcement, community organizations, and merchants to address the issue through various initiatives. The Downtown Ambassador program, launched by the CMHA in 2022, provides on-the-ground support for vulnerable individuals and addresses safety concerns. In June, Norpro Inc. began a downtown security patrol program using “track tick tags,” a technology that monitors patrol movements to optimize their effectiveness and work better in tandem. To curb shoplifting, police have consulted with 11 businesses as of Monday, providing advice on preventative measures such as installing mirrors and raising counter heights to deter theft. Crime Stoppers has also intensified efforts, using “Wanted Wednesday” posts to spotlight repeat offenders. Repeat offenders, especially those committing multiple thefts in a single day, are now being held for bail with the support of the Crown’s office. Police believe stricter bail conditions can help connect offenders with treatment and support. “It will not stop until we apply bail release issues as they were over the last 20 years, where people are held until they get the help, get the treatment, and they can get on with their lives,” said Stevenson. The Local Journalism Initiative is made possible through funding from the federal government.