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What does Big Tech hope to gain from warming up to Trump?After more than forty years of research, scientists finally determined the molecular formula of a chemical found in chloraminated drinking water. 1 Using advanced analytical techniques, researchers detected and characterized the chemical, which, until recently, could not be done using standard methods due to the chemical’s low concentrations in drinking water. The new chemical, which they named chloronitramide anion, is not necessarily toxic. The researchers suggest that chloronitramide anion has a similar composition to other chemicals of concern, which may warrant further study. However, researchers are unwilling to declare the new chemical toxic without additional research. Chloramine manufacturers, distributors, and users should closely follow the forthcoming research on toxicity, as plaintiffs’ lawyers and environmental groups will move quickly toward litigation alleging personal injuries and pushing for new regulatory limits. Background Over 100 million people in the United States consume drinking water treated with chloramines. Chloramines are a class of chlorine-based disinfectants that kill harmful bacteria in drinking water. When added to water, chloramine naturally reacts with other materials present in the water to produce disinfectant byproducts (DBPs). Chloronitramide anion is a chloramine DBP. Regulatory Implications Under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), EPA has the authority to establish national primary drinking water regulations (NPDWRs) for chemical disinfectants. 42 U.S.C. § 300g-1(b)(4). EPA must review NPDWRs every six years to determine whether revisions are warranted. Id. at (b)(9). Since December 2016, EPA has been debating whether the existing body of scientific evidence on microbial and disinfectant byproducts warrants revising disinfectants’ NPDWRs, which includes chloramine. 2 EPA enforces chloramine’s NPDWR by setting a Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL). The study’s authors detected the chloronitramide anion at concentrations ranging from 1 to 120 μg/L. For reference, chloramine’s MRDL is currently limited to 4.0 μg/L and typically, limits for regulated DBPs range from 60 to 80 μg/L. 89 Fed. Reg. 59623, 59625 (July 23, 2024). Should EPA choose to set a NPDWR for chloronitramide anion, the threat of an EPA enforcement action will force regulated entities to curtail chloramine usage while confronting the need for a new means of disinfecting drinking water. Further, armed with the SDWA’s citizen suit provision, environmental groups can pressure EPA to target regulated entities that struggle to comply with EPA’s mandatory timeframe. See 33 U.S.C. § 1365. The SDWA, however, is not the only source of potential liability implicated by this new chemical. The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) obligates EPA to regulate chemical substances deemed an unreasonable risk to health or the environment. 15 U.S.C. § 2605(a). TSCA provides three avenues to obtain a rule regulating a chemical, which includes a “citizen petition.” Id. § 2620(a). As detailed in a prior news alert , at least one environmental group convinced a federal district court that the remedy for a successful citizen petition is ordering EPA to initiate rulemaking that imposes limits on the said chemical. See generally Food & Water Watch, Inc. v. EPA , No. 17-cv-02162, 2024 WL 4291497 (N.D. Cal. Sept. 24, 2024). Unless a higher court holds otherwise, an environmental group copying the Water Watch strategy could obtain a judicial order forcing EPA to initiate rulemaking under TSCA even if EPA declines to regulate chloronitramide anion. Looking Ahead EPA has yet to commit to initiating rulemaking under the SDWA for chloronitramide anion. But an EPA spokeswoman advised that “[f]urther investigation . . . will be needed before EPA can determine if regulatory action is warranted,” which means that EPA recognizes the possibility that chloronitramide anion may eventually require its own NPDWR. 3 Scientific uncertainty works in favor of environmental groups, incentivizing them to push state and federal agencies for toxicity study funding and eventual regulation. So, chloramine manufacturers and distributors, public and private drinking water systems, and state government agencies should closely monitor scientific developments on chloronitramide anion’s potential toxicity or agencies’ notices of intent to initiate rulemakings concerning chloronitramide anion or chloramines generally. If evidence of toxicity emerges, given environmental groups’ recent success in Food Watch , it is likely that Plaintiffs’ lawyers and environmental groups will bring similarly structured TSCA test cases using TSCA’s citizen petition provision. Given the lower standard of proof required in court relative to EPA, 4 these challengers will not necessarily wait for additional chloronitramide anion toxicity studies before taking action. Regulated entities should take stock of their chloramine usage to prepare for either possibility. Private toxic tort lawsuits may allege contamination of drinking water from chloramine treatment—analogizing chloronitramide anion to other chemicals of concern. Any tort lawsuits alleging injuries from chloronitramide anion should be aggressively defended, and—given the absence of toxicity research—the question of whether plaintiffs can establish general causation should be frontloaded in the case schedule to try to secure an early favorable disposition. 1 Fairey, et al., Chloronitramide Anion Is a Decomposition Product of Inorganic Chloramines , Sci., Nov. 21, 2024, at 882–87. 2 Potential Revisions of Microbial & Disinfection Byproducts Rules , U.S. Env’t Prot. Agency, https://www.epa.gov/dwsixyearreview/potential-revisions-microbial-and-disinfection-byproducts-rules (Mar. 13, 2024). 3 Carolyn Y. Johnson & Joel Achenbach, Mysterious Chemical Byproduct in U.S. Tap Water Finally Identified , Wash. Post (Nov. 21, 2024), https://www.washingtonpost.com/science/2024/11/21/tap-water-byproduct-chloronitramide-anion/ . 4 Compare 15 U.S.C. § 2625(h), with 15 U.S.C. § 2620(b)(4)(B). Decisions to establish or revise a NPDWR must be based on the best available scientific evidence. 42 U.S.C. § 300g-1 (b)(3)(A).The year 2024 will go down in history as one of the most surprising ever for the Argentine economy. It was preceded by another unusual event, this one political in nature: society decided to burn its bridges and elect Javier Milei as president, an outsider with a proposal as bold as it was uncertain. The libertarian leader attacked what he considers the origin of all Argentina’s economic ills: the fiscal deficit. He did this almost without hesitation, giving rise to at least three results that, a priori, were highly improbable: he achieved a surplus in the Treasury accounts, society tolerated and largely endorsed an unprecedented adjustment, and he is tackling inflation while economic activity starts to recover. From deficit to surplus The president is not wrong when he says that he carried out the most significant adjustment in history. Argentina went from a primary deficit of about three points of GDP in 2023 to a surplus projected at around 2% for 2024, a difference of almost five points. In line with the recession, tax revenues fell by 7% year-on-year in the first eleven months of 2024, but the cut in primary spending was much higher at 32%. Milei won the elections promising that the adjustment would fall on “the caste” — his epithet for career politicians, state employees who got their roles through nepotism, and other such privileged miscreants. That said, one of the sectors that contributed most to the containment of expenditures was pensions, which fell by 22%. They were followed by subsidies (cut by 33%), public salaries (-27%), capital expenditures (-71%), and transfers to provinces (-87%). Incidentally, austerity was not the preserve of the national government. Argentina’s provinces also tended to balance their budgets. In the last 12 months, all ran a primary surplus except Buenos Aires and Entre Ríos, according to economist Martín Polo de Cohen. Analysts debate how the libertarian government has managed to get society to accept an adjustment of this magnitude. There is, it appears, no single explanation. The lack of credibility in politics led people to vote for Milei and accept the “sacrifices” that the libertarian leader announced. Containment But the administration also showed signs of pragmatism. It assisted the most vulnerable by increasing the Asignación Universal por Hijo (Universal Child Allowance, or AUH, as it is commonly known) by more than 100% above inflation. That went hand in hand with a real-terms increase in the value of the Alimentar card. The government also says that Human Capital Minister Sandra Pettovello’s work to eliminate the “intermediaries” in social programs has facilitated a significant increase in these benefits. (Under the previous government, social movements often administered state welfare programs, a setup that was mired by accusations of pilfering.) According to official calculations, these “poverty managers” kept anywhere between 10% and 50% of the funds. The income distribution report for the third quarter of 2024 suggests that poverty was around 38.8%, after the peak of 54.8% reached in the first quarter of the year. That would indicate that the worst of the crisis has passed. It should be noted that Alberto Fernández ended his mandate with that figure at 41.4%. Inflation The fiscal surplus, together with the reduction of the monetary excess, led to a slowdown in inflation that was higher than most analysts expected. After starting in December of last year with 25% (driven by the devaluation of the peso), the index fell progressively to 2.4% in November. Significantly, this slowdown is occurring together with a readjustment of relative prices. Thus, data through November showed that electricity, gas, and water rates rose 276% interannually, well above the 166% increase of the consumer price index overall. The dollar and the cepo Another of the government’s greatest achievements was the stabilization of the exchange market. At the start of the year, the contado con liquidación (CCL) dollar rate was around 1,300 pesos and the gap with the official rate was of over 60%. The year is ending with a lower CCL rate in nominal terms — of around 1,200 pesos at the time of writing — and a gap of less than 10%. In recent months, the treasury has been progressively easing the currency controls known as the cepo , but both Milei and Economy Minister Luis Caputo have steadily insisted that the restrictions will not be lifted in their entirety until they are sure there will be no turbulence in the exchange market. More than one analyst has expressed concern about the loss of positions of the dollar. Indeed, the peso has tended to appreciate and the real exchange rate is approaching levels like those it had at the end of 2017 or in the final stage of Convertibility, that is, moments that preceded a correction. The economy ministry points out that this time is different because we are facing a much more orderly economy. However, recent episodes, such as the fall of the Brazilian currency throughout the year — it went from less than 5 to more than 6 reales per dollar —- the recent international strengthening of the U.S, currency, or the drop in international soybean prices (currently around 350 dollars when at the end of last year it was 480), are giving pause to more than one economist. This is even more so when net reserves remain negative by about 5 billion dollars. Employment The activity rate was stable at 48.3% in the third quarter of 2024. The employment rate was 45%, with a slight decrease in unemployment, at 6.9%. Informal work is growing, as evidenced by a drop of 379,000 formal employees (3.7% year-on-year) and an increase of 378,000 non-salaried employees (+7% year-on-year). There was also a slight increase of 4,000 informal employees. Activity With the expansion of families’ purchasing power and the reappearance of credit, the most recent indicators show a gradual increase in consumption that would tend to promote industrial activity. The official commitment is to free the private sector from all regulations that make business activity more expensive or hinder its development. Deregulation Minister Federico Sturzenegger has a key role in this endeavor. It is striking that, despite the harsh austerity measures it has taken, the government retains a high positive image remains high — between 47 and 57%, according to the different consulting firms. Opinion polls show that the population continues to be optimistic about the future, both in a personal sense and regarding the country as well. This is one of the reasons that explain the high level of international interest in the Milei administration. Regarding 2025, it will be a year of challenges for the government: maintaining what has been accomplished, strongly increasing activity, and consolidating these achievements at the ballot box.
NorthView Acquisition Corporation Announces Receipt of Notice from Nasdaq Regarding Filing of Quarterly Report on Form 10-QNEW YORK (AP) — In a string of visits, dinners, calls, monetary pledges and social media overtures, big tech chiefs — including Apple’s Tim Cook, OpenAI’s Sam Altman, Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg and Amazon’s Jeff Bezos — have joined a parade of business and world leaders in trying to improve their standing with President-elect Donald Trump before he takes office in January. “The first term, everybody was fighting me,” Trump said in remarks at Mar-a-Lago . “In this term, everybody wants to be my friend.” Tech companies and leaders have now poured millions into his inauguration fund, a sharp increase — in most cases — from past pledges to incoming presidents. But what does the tech industry expect to gain out of their renewed relationships with Trump? A clue to what the industry is looking for came just days before the election when Microsoft executives — who’ve largely tried to show a neutral or bipartisan stance — joined with a close Trump ally, venture capitalist Marc Andreessen, to publish a blog post outlining their approach to artificial intelligence policy. “Regulation should be implemented only if its benefits outweigh its costs,” said the document signed by Andreessen, his business partner Ben Horowitz, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and the company’s president, Brad Smith. They also urged the government to back off on any attempt to strengthen copyright laws that would make it harder for companies to use publicly available data to train their AI systems. And they said, “the government should examine its procurement practices to enable more startups to sell technology to the government.” Trump has pledged to rescind President Joe Biden’s sweeping AI executive order, which sought to protect people’s rights and safety without stifling innovation. He hasn’t specified what he would do in its place, but his campaign said AI development should be “rooted in Free Speech and Human Flourishing.” Trump’s choice to head the Interior Department, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, has spoken openly about the need to boost electricity production to meet increased demand from data centers and artificial intelligence. “The AI battle affects everything from defense to healthcare to education to productivity as a country,′′ Burgum said on Nov. 15, referring to artificial intelligence. “And the AI that’s coming in the next 18 months is going to be revolutionary. So there’s just a sense of urgency and a sense of understanding in the Trump administration′′ to address it. Demand for data centers ballooned in recent years due to the rapid growth of cloud computing and artificial intelligence, and local governments are competing for lucrative deals with big tech companies. But as data centers begin to consume more resources, some residents are pushing back against the world’s most powerful corporations over concerns about the economic, social and environmental health of their communities. “Maybe Big Tech should buy a copy of ‘The Art of The Deal’ to figure out how to best negotiate with this administration,” suggested Paul Swanson, an antitrust attorney for the law firm Holland & Hart. “I won’t be surprised if they find ways to reach some accommodations and we end up seeing more negotiated resolutions and consent decrees.” Although federal regulators began cracking down on Google and Facebook during Trump’s first term as president — and flourished under Biden — most experts expect his second administration to ease up on antitrust enforcement and be more receptive to business mergers. Google may benefit from Trump’s return after he made comments on the campaign trail suggesting a breakup of the company isn’t in the U.S. national interest, after a judge declared its search engine an illegal monopoly . But recent nominations put forward by his transition team have favored those who have been critical of Big Tech companies, suggesting Google won’t be entirely off the hook. Cook’s notoriously rocky relationship with the EU can be traced back to a 2016 ruling from Brussels in a tax case targeting Apple. Cook slammed the bloc’s order for Apple to pay back up to $13.7 billion in Irish back taxes as “total political crap.” Trump, then in his first term as president, piled on, referring to the European Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, who was spearheading a campaign on special tax deals and a crackdown on Big Tech companies, as the “tax lady” who “really hates the U.S.” Brussels was eventually vindicated after the bloc’s top court rejected Apple’s appeal this year, though it didn’t stop Cook from calling Trump to complain, Trump recounted in a podcast in October. Trump hosted Cook for a Friday evening dinner at the president-elect’s Mar-a-Lago resort, according to a person familiar with the matter who was not authorized to comment publicly. Neither Apple nor the Trump transition team has commented on the nature of their discussions. Altman , Amazon and Meta all pledged to donate $1 million each to Trump’s inaugural fund. During his first term, Trump criticized Amazon and railed against the political coverage at The Washington Post, which billionaire Bezos owns. Meanwhile, Bezos had criticized some of Trump’s past rhetoric. In 2019, Amazon also argued in a court case that Trump’s bias against the company harmed its chances of winning a $10 billion Pentagon contract. More recently, Bezos has struck a more conciliatory tone. He recently said at The New York Times’ DealBook Summit in New York that he was “optimistic” about Trump’s second term, while also endorsing president-elect’s plans to cut regulations. The donation from Meta came just weeks after Zuckerberg met with Trump privately at Mar-a-Lago. During the 2024 campaign, Zuckerberg did not endorse a candidate for president, but voiced a more positive stance toward Trump. Earlier this year, he praised Trump’s response to his first assassination attempt. Still, Trump in recent months had continued to attack Zuckerberg publicly. And Altman, who is in a legal dispute with AI rival Elon Musk, has said he is “not that worried” about the Tesla CEO’s influence in the incoming administration. Musk, an early OpenAI investor and board member, sued the artificial intelligence company earlier this year alleging that the maker of ChatGPT betrayed its founding aims of benefiting the public good rather than pursuing profits.
Orca seen wearing a salmon hat for first time since 1980s. Why do they do it?Want to locate the source of an image, verify its authenticity, or find related images? Then, you may wish to do a reverse image search. With the rise of AI, this has become much easier. I tested over 20 modern solutions and narrowed down 10 of the best reverse image search tools. Here’s everything you need to know: Lenso.ai is my current go to reverse image search tool . It enables you to search for people, places, duplicates, similar, or related images. By analyzing key features, lenso.ai performs image searches with high accuracy and presents only relevant results. Moreover, its keyword and domain filter options let you refine your search for more precise results. The platform’s sorting options also help you quickly find the best and worst match, newest and oldest images, or random ones. Additionally, if you perform an in-depth search, you can save images to Collections for further reference or create Alerts for specific images and get email notifications when new image results come up. Check below for more on how to use lenso.ai effectively. Why Choose lenso.ai? Try lenso.ai TinEye is a long-running reverse image search engine that helps users find the origins of images online. It also helps identify modified versions , higher-resolution versions, and similar images. TinEye lets you search using images instead of keywords , creating a unique digital signature for each image. It then matches this with other indexed images. It boasts over 52 billion indexed images , giving you a high chance of finding exact or similar images. Moreover, it uses image recognition algorithms to identify even heavily edited versions of the original image. As well as uploading an image, you can provide an image URL to conduct your search. Why Choose TinEye? Try TinEye Another specialized reverse image search tool is Image Raider. It’s offered by Infringement Report and is mainly intended to find images that are infringing on copyright law. Nonetheless, it functions like most reverse image search engines. You can simultaneously search for images on Google, Bing, and Yandex, providing a broader range of search results . You can perform batch searches , allowing you to upload 20 images at once. Furthermore, you can specify a specific region to search within, such as worldwide, North America, or Europe. Image Raider stores your search history , allowing you to revisit previous searches or keep track of your reverse image search activity. You can also download all the images from their search results with a single click. Why Choose Image Raider? Try Image Raider The reverse image search tool by SmallSEOTools lets you upload an image or enter an image URL to find similar images and their sources across multiple search engines. It uses Bing, Yandex, and Google, so you can draw from a large pool of images online. Plus, you can enter a keyword related to your image to narrow down the results. To upload an image, it has a simple drag-and-drop interface and you can also source images from Dropbox and Google Drive. Its Pro version offers a higher search limit, no ads, and batch uploads. Why Choose SmallSEOTools? Try SmallSEOTools Reverse Image Search Formerly Image Match, Bing Visual Search is Microsoft’s own reverse image search tool. It searches for similar images and related information by using an image as the input . You can take a photo directly on the platform , paste a URL, or upload an image via drag-and-drop. The tool provides related search suggestions based on the content of the input image, helping you discover more relevant information. It also recognizes product images and provides links to websites where you can purchase the product or find more information about it. I like that on the homepage it offers numerous shortcuts, such as identifying dog breeds or pinpoint location . I.e., if you have an image of a landmark but don’t know where it is in real life. Why Choose Bing Visual Search? Try Bing Visual Search If you are a Pinterest user, then its Visual Search and Lens tools can help you find visually related images and content on the platform. The process involves uploading an image or choosing one from Pinterest itself. You can search for images with similar visual characteristics, making it easy to discover new ideas and inspiration. Moreover, it offers related pin suggestions based on the content of the input image. It can also be used in conjunction with Pinterest Lens, which enables you to search for related content by taking a photo or screenshot with your device. Results align with your account history for a tailored experience and results include shoppable pins, which allow you to purchase products . Why Choose Pinterest Visual Search? Try Pinterest Visual Search I couldn’t make a best reverse image tools list without mentioning Google Images. While its main function is to simply search for images by keyword, you can certainly do reverse searches too. All you have to do is click on the camera icon in the search bar to open Lens, then upload an image from your device or provide an image URL to initiate the search. It works by using advanced algorithms to analyze the visual content of the input image, including its colors, shapes, and patterns. The search engine then compares the input image to its vast database of indexed images to identify similar images or related content. In addition to finding visually similar images, Google Lens can also help users identify the source of an image and locate higher resolution versions. Why Use Google Lens? Try Google Lens Similar to Google Lens, Russian search engine Yandex has a visual search feature that’s perfect for reverse image searches . Its powerful technology can identify source images and similar images even when the original has been modified, cropped, or resized. It also provides additional sizes of the same image, making it easier to find the best resolution for their needs. When you upload an image or enter an image URL , Yandex analyzes the visual content of the image. It then ranks results based on their similarity to the input image. Visual Search also provides related content , such as web pages where the image appears. Why Choose Yandex Visual Search? Try Yandex Visual Search CopySeeker is powered by AI and analyzes the pixels of your image to find duplicates and similar images online. You can search via image URL or by uploading an image. Results are shown in a list based on page rank and it identifies the original source with a symbol. This is useful for determining the copyright status of the image or if your own image has been stolen. Depending on the image, you also get additional info such as the date, location, and the organization or individual that created the image or photo. Why Choose CopySeeker? Try CopySeeker FaceCheck.ID takes a slightly different approach to reverse image searching by focusing on people, rather than general images. It uses advanced AI technology to locate people online . By uploading a photo or providing an image URL, you can search for individuals across various sources like social media, news articles, blogs, and videos. Its database contains over 793 million faces and results are displayed with a useful confidence score from 0 to 100. warning indicators appear above search results to alert you of potential concerns, such as known criminals, scammers, and predators. The drag-and-drop interface supports batch uploads , though this is intended for the same person. Why Choose FaceCheck.ID? Try FaceCheck.ID DNSChecker.org also offers a powerful reverse image search tool. It’s powered by major search engines such as Google, Bing, and Yandex. You upload your image or paste a URL and add related keywords . It then uses the image recognition capabilities of these search engines to compare the input image to their respective databases of indexed images. It’s useful for finding the source of an image , related images, and relevant non-image info. The main drawback is it’s much slower than the likes of Lenso.AI or going to Google or Yandex themselves. Why Choose DNS Checker Reverse Image Search? Try DNS Checker Reverse Image Search As my top pick, here’s how to get the most out of lenso.ai for reverse image searching . 1. Goto lenso.ai and drop, paste, or click to upload your image. 2. Agree to the terms and proceed with the search .3. On the results page , you will find duplicates and their sources at the top, related images in the middle, and similar images at the bottom. 4. You can save the search or apply a filter with the buttons below the original image. 5. To sort results , click Show more on a category such as “Duplicates” and click the sort button . 6. To create an alert , go back to the category and click the Alert button . All reverse image search tools have their own pros and cons. However, as an all-round solution, lenso.ai takes the top spot with its powerful search, filtering, sorting, and alert features. TinEye is also a popular choice. And while individual search engines offer their own tools, many third parties combine them into one tool. What’s your favorite reverse image search tool? Let me know in the comments below.Dearborn Heights, MI (Planet Detroit) A poll released Tuesday found a majority of those who voted for President-elect Donald Trump oppose efforts to weaken the Environmental Protection Agency, as local advocates warn that EPA cuts could impact Michigan environmental programs. The poll, which also found that support from all voters for the agency has increased since 2017, was commissioned by the Environmental Protection Network, a group founded by former EPA scientists and officials during the first Trump administration to support environmental agencies and communities impacted by environmental injustice. "These numbers were frankly astounding to me," said Matt George, head of research for the communications firm Seven Letter, which performed the poll. However, he noted that there has historically been strong bipartisan support for the EPA. Sean McBrearty, Michigan director for the nonprofit Clean Water Action, told Planet Detroit the poll results were similar to other surveys that found overwhelming bipartisan support in Michigan for protecting the Great Lakes and reinstating "polluter pay" legislation to hold businesses accountable for cleaning up pollution. "Holding corporations accountable was actually one of the arguments that Republicans used in their State House campaigns," he said. Despite broad support for environmental action and Trump's promises to protect air and water quality, former EPA staffers on a Tuesday press call said the President-elect will seek to roll back regulations, decline to defend established rules from corporate lawsuits and find ways to shrink the agency. The result could be weaker environmental protections and declining support for Michigan's environmental programs. "Trump tried to dismantle EPA in the past, and he seems dead set on trying again," said Michelle Roos, executive director for EPN. Roos said the poll confirms that Trump does not have a mandate to weaken the EPA. Trump won a majority of electoral votes in this year's election but secured less than 50% of the popular vote. The poll, conducted between Nov. 7 and 13, included responses from 1,000 voters. It found that 76% of Trump voters and 86% of all voters wanted to either strengthen the EPA or protect it at its current level. Sixty-four percent of Trump voters (and 88% of all voters) expressed concern that Trump would hand EPA leadership to a director who will "put the interests of polluting corporations ahead of protecting clean water, clean air, and public health." Trump has picked former U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin to lead the EPA. Zeldin has questioned whether climate change is an urgent problem and voted to expand oil and gas drilling on federal lands. He's widely seen as someone who will be loyal to Trump's agenda of shrinking the EPA and eliminating environmental protections. Former EPA officials on the Tuesday call said widespread support for the agency may not influence the incoming administration, which has discussed using a "schedule F" order to fire as many as 50,000 federal employees. Jeremy Symons, senior advisor for EPN and former climate policy advisor for EPA's Office of Air and Radiation, said the Heritage Foundation's Project 2025 blueprint for radically restructuring the executive branch is a "novel plan" for dismantling the EPA and driving staff out. Although Republicans will gain control of the U.S. House and Senate next year, they could still resist the Trump administration's efforts to slash EPA's budget. However, Project 2025's chapter on the EPA proposes relocating regional offices "so that they are more accessible to the areas they serve and deliver cost savings to the American people," which could drive out EPA workers. When the Trump administration moved the Bureau of Land Management's headquarters from Washington D.C. to Grand Junction, Colorado, in 2020, it led to an exodus of workers in leadership positions. Russel Vought, former director of the Office of Management and Budget who worked on Project 2025, previously described plans to inflict "trauma" on EPA employees. "We want the bureaucrats to be traumatically affected," Vought said. "When they wake up in the morning, we want them to not want to go to work because they are increasingly viewed as the villains." Recently released EPA data shows over 143 million Americans are exposed to PFAS in drinking water, which has been detected in drinking water systems across Metro Detroit. If the Trump administration proposes different PFAS regulations, the 2029 deadline for complying with the rules will automatically be pushed back by a decade, according to Elizabeth Southerland, former director of the Office of Science and Technology in the EPA's Office of Water. If Congress were to approve EPA budget cuts, it could have a dramatic impact on Michigan. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy received roughly 35% of its funding from the EPA in the 2023-2024 fiscal year. Bentley Johnson, federal government affairs director for the Michigan League of Conservation Voters, said the president-elect and Republican lawmakers are likely to cut programs that largely serve low-income people and communities of color, such as Biden's Justice 40 Initiative, which directs climate and infrastructure funding to historically disadvantaged communities. Johnson said this would force EGLE and the state to make difficult decisions about what programs to support. Budget cuts and a loss of staff at EPA could also drain support for environmental enforcement and cleaning up contaminated sites, Johnson said. EPA administers the Superfund program, which is involved in the cleanup of over 60 highly contaminated sites in Michigan. But the agency also provides support for the cleanup of other sites that aren't on the list. "When the EPA is there, we've heard from impacted residents that it does make a difference," Johnson said. In 2017, the Trump administration sought to reduce the agency's budget by a third, although Congress resisted these cuts. If Trump finds more success securing cuts in his coming term, it would add to a long decline in agency funding. According to an EPN report, the EPA's inflation-adjusted spending decreased by 50% between 1980 and 2019, while the U.S. population increased by 44%. McBrearty stressed the need for grassroots opposition to the budget cuts and deregulation that political donors often support. He said it was important to support environmental groups and organizations like labor unions, which have previously worked collectively to push for environmental protections and workplace safety. "We need to take every step we can to build a system that makes lawmakers accountable to the people, not to the corporations funding their campaigns," he said. This story is provided as a service of the Institute for Nonprofit News’ On the Ground news wire. The Institute for Nonprofit News (INN) is a network of more than 475 independent, nonprofit newsrooms serving communities throughout the US, Canada, and globally. On the Ground is a service of INN, which aggregates the best of its members’ elections and political content, and provides it free for republication. Read more about INN here: https://inn.org/ . Please coordinate with nina@planetdetroit.org should you want to publish photos for this piece. This content cannot be modified, apart from rewriting the headline. To view the original version, visit: https://planetdetroit.org/2024/11/trump-voters-oppose-epa-budget-cuts/
Automotive Window Sealing Systems Market Unidentified Segments - The Biggest Opportunity Of 2024Vikings have ruled out tight end Josh Oliver. What does that mean for the running game?Three people arrested after stolen BMW collided with TTC bus in Toronto: police
President-elect Trump on Saturday accused Democrats of paying celebrities millions of dollars to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris – including MSNBC host Al Sharpton who he ripped as a “con artist.” “Are the Democrats allowed to pay $11,000,000, $2,000,000, and $500,000 to get the ENDORSEMENT of Beyoncé, Oprah, and Reverend Al?” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform. “I don’t think so! Beyoncé didn’t sing, Oprah didn’t do much of anything (she called it “expenses”), and Al is just a third rate Con Man. So what is going on here???” “Totally against the law, and I have heard there are many others!!!” he added. It’s unclear how Trump came up with the figures he posted. Both Beyoncé and Oprah Winfrey joined Harris on her failed presidential campaign trail. Sharpton, the civil rights leader who hosts MSNBC’s “Politics Nation,” interviewed Harris in October and also held a get-out-the-vote rally to boost the veep’s candidacy. Sharpton’s National Action Network nonprofit received $500,000 from Harris weeks before the interview, according to the Washington Free Beacon. MSNBC has said it has no knowledge of the donation, and reps for Sharpton didn’t immediately return messages Saturday. Winfrey has insisted she wasn’t “paid a dime” by Harris’ failed presidential campaign — saying her production company Harpo Productions netted $1 million for its work on the star-studded “Unite for America” virtual-town-hall event in September. Harris’ campaign paid Beyoncé’s production company Parkwood Production Media $165,000 in November – a month after both women appeared at an event in Beyoncé’s hometown of Houston, according to multiple reports.
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A WALMART shopper has boycotted the retail giant for years, calling out the chain on social media for its inefficient checkout operations. The customer begged the store to hire more cashiers after past issues with frozen products had them frustrated. The first self-checkout machine was installed at a Kroger grocery store in 1986. Since then, major retailers have adopted the technology and slowly come to rely on it over traditional cashiers. The kiosks were invented to lighten the load of employees and speed up the checkout process, although many shoppers have taken issue with them. From long lines to scanning issues to a greater workload for the customer, many consumers have come to hate self-checkout. Read More on Walmart One Walmart shopper expressed their disdain for the machines in an X post last month. "Honestly I stopped shopping at Walmart long before Covid even. Because it's ALL self-checkout registers," they fumed. The customer complained that the self-checkout process was long and arduous, resulting in ruined groceries . "After getting groceries, scanning and bagging, loading and unloading. EVERYTHING FROZEN IS NO LONGER FROZEN!" complained the shopper. "BRING CASHIERS BACK! AND I WILL GO BACK." Most read in Money Another Walmart customer threatened to boycott the store for the same reason. "Your self-checkout sucks," blasted the customer, complaining about a 30-minute wait to check out. "All my frozen food was about thawed. I'll probably bring it back and go elsewhere from now on," they wrote. DELIVERY DISS Not only is Walmart under fire for its in-store operations but also for its services outside the store, such as delivery. One shopper vowed to never use the chain's delivery services again after they repeatedly found items missing from their orders. The Walmart+ shopper was hoping to take advantage of their membership perk but was disappointed to find over 20 items from their delivery order missing. "Just got my delivery from Walmart+ and I ordered 28 items. Guess how many I got in my delivery??? Six!" blasted the customer. Walmart+ is the retail giant's subscription service, which costs $98 per year or $12.95 per month. It offers a variety of benefits, including: Free delivery Free shipping Free pharmacy delivery In-home returns pickup Early access to deals Free online pet care Fuel discounts Auto care "The driver dropped off two bags of six items. They forgot 22 freaking items!!!! No more Walmart delivery." Another shopper in the comment section shared they no longer shopped at Walmart due to a drop in the retailer's customer service, blaming self-checkout. "Sadly, going to the stores who close their registers and only have self-service has completely ruined their stores," they wrote. "They don’t put paper in the self-serve registers too. I gave up on Walmart. Hope you have better luck via shipping." The original user agreed about the decline in Walmart's service, calling its delivery ordering "so bad." "I paid almost $100 for the year. Insane," they wrote. "This has happened three times now." Walmart is not the only grocery giant being called out for its poor service. Read More on The US Sun A Kroger shopper begged the chain to "do better," slamming a manager’s "reply" after a "5-minute checkout turns into 20-minute saga." Plus, Target apologized after a "rude" worker "refused to help" with a missing order.
Sridhar Vembu, Zoho CEO and Indian billionaire shares success mantra with aspiring Indians, ‘To earn true...’Wheel of Fortune viewers were less than impressed this evening as they settled in to watch the ITV show's Christmas special. The festive edition, hosted by Graham Norton, featured celebrities Richard E Grant, Tyler West, and Joanna Page spinning the wheel in an attempt to win cash for their chosen charities. The game involves contestants guessing phrases and words to win the largest possible jackpot without losing a turn or going bankrupt. As the Christmas special was broadcast, viewers quickly expressed their dissatisfaction on social media. One viewer tweeted: "Omg how easy is this show now, I got mince pies before he even picked the letters, actually even my dog got the answer." Another commented: "It's so boring sorry. #WheelOfFortune." A third viewer remarked: "At least make it challenging #wheeloffortune," while another was puzzled: "How did he get not get that #wheeloffortune." Graham Norton hosted the show (Image: ITV) Read More Related Articles Coronation Street confirms how long Rob Donovan is really back for as actor issues four-word message Read More Related Articles Coronation Street's Joel Deering star gets 'best present ever' after exit as storyline 'not ended' The episode's simplicity sparked frustration among fans, particularly when the phrase 'mince pies' was deemed too straightforward. The confusion continued as Joanna Page struggled with the phrase 'Ding Dong Merrily on High Heels', which she only solved after all the letters were revealed, much to the audience's bemusement. This Christmas special sets the stage for a nine-episode run of the regular series, which is set to commence in the New Year. Graham will be back for a new series next year (Image: ITV) Graham Norton, the host of the show, expressed his enthusiasm about the return of the series: "I'm thrilled we are coming back for a second series to challenge more contestants to solve more word puzzles and hopefully they come away with even more cash. It's a game of skill and luck, so you just never know which way it will go and I'm excited to see who can hold their nerve against the wheel." Katie Rawcliffe, from ITV's Head of Entertainment Commissioning, also shared her excitement regarding the show's comeback: "We are excited to bring back this iconic game show for a second series after a successful launch earlier this year. Graham with his wit and humour is the perfect host for this fun, exciting, fast paced game of luck and skill." *Wheel of Fortune is available to catch up on ITVX.
MONTRÉAL, Dec. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nova Bus, a Canadian leader in electric bus manufacturing and a member of the Volvo Group, announces a strategic partnership with Lithion Technologies, a leader in the circular economy of battery materials, to enhance the sustainability of its urban transportation solutions. Through this collaboration, end-of-life batteries from Nova Bus buses in use across Canada will be collected, transported, and recycled by Lithion at its Saint-Bruno facility. The recycling technologies developed by Lithion will enable the recovery of up to 98% of the critical minerals found in bus batteries destined for recycling. By doing so, Nova Bus will reduce the industry’s need for virgin materials, support a circular economy, and repurpose strategic and critical materials. Ultimately, this multi-year collaboration aims to enhance sustainability in the hybrid and electric urban bus industry. “I am very excited about this partnership because it represents the full potential of companies with complementary expertise dedicating their efforts to improving the environmental footprint of their products. Recycling is a crucial step in the value chain of batteries. That is why, through this collaboration, we are enhancing the sustainability of our solutions for our customers while strengthening our position as a leader in the electrification of public transportation,” explained Mr. Paul Le Houillier, President of Nova Bus. “We are proud to offer a local, sustainable service to a renowned company like Nova Bus, a member of the Volvo Group. This agreement confirms the critical role of recycling in the transition towards truly sustainable transportation. The prospect of making public transit even more environmentally responsible is truly exciting. Through strategic partnerships like Nova Bus, we can envision achieving full circularity of battery materials right here in Quebec,” noted Benoit Couture, President and CEO of Lithion. The Nova Bus batteries recycled by Lithion Technologies will have completed all their life cycles based on various uses, such as energy storage systems or residential electrification, post electrical propulsion. Lithion’s intervention will represent a step towards closing the loop in the circular economy for these batteries, which will no longer be capable of storing electricity. About Nova Bus Nova Bus , member of the Volvo Group, is a leading provider of sustainable transportation solutions in North America. Nova Bus accompanies transit authorities and bus fleet operators in their transition to electromobility with its flagship LFSe+ long-range electric bus, combining the proven Nova Bus structure with the latest innovations in electric drive. Nova Bus is committed to helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions and positively contributing to a greener economy. About Lithion Technologies Lithion has developed a sustainable, robust, and safe solution to produce strategic materials from end-of-life lithium-ion batteries and non-conforming products from their production. Lithion’s technologies enable the recovery of up to 95% of battery components, with an environmental impact significantly smaller than that of mining, to loop them back into the battery supply chain. Using Lithion’s sustainable technologies and processes reduces the demand for natural resource extraction, making the energy transition a sustainable solution. Lithion’s objective is the global deployment of its solutions via strategic partnerships. For more information, visit: www.lithiontechnologies.com . For more information: Christos Kritsidimas Head of Legal, Public Affairs and External Communications at Nova Bus Phone: +1 (438) 350-0454 Email: christos.kritsidimas@volvo.com
( MENAFN - Newsfile Corp) New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - December 17, 2024) - Rothaus Plastic Surgery , led by renowned board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Kenneth O. Rothaus, is proud to announce the introduction of SofwaveTM technology to its Manhattan practice. This revolutionary, non-invasive treatment offers patients a new solution for reducing fine lines and wrinkles and lifting the eyebrow, submental, and neck areas. SofwaveTM utilizes Synchronous Ultrasound Parallel Beam Technology, an FDA-cleared method that stimulates collagen production to rejuvenate the skin. This innovative approach provides patients with a safe, effective, and convenient option for addressing signs of aging without surgery or extensive downtime. "SofwaveTM represents a significant advancement in non-invasive facial rejuvenation," said, Dr. Kenneth O. Rothaus, a Yale and Harvard-educated surgeon with extensive experience in both surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures. "Its ability to target multiple areas with precision and minimal discomfort makes it an excellent option for patients seeking natural-looking results without the commitment of surgery. We're excited to offer this cutting-edge treatment to our Manhattan patients." The SofwaveTM treatment is particularly suitable for individuals in their 30s and older experiencing mild to moderate skin aging. It can be completed in as little as 30-45 minutes, making it an ideal "lunchtime" procedure for busy professionals. Rothaus Plastic Surgery's introduction of SofwaveTM in Manhattan underscores the practice's commitment to offering patients the most advanced and effective cosmetic treatments. By combining Dr. Rothaus's expertise with state-of-the-art technology, the practice continues to raise the bar for aesthetic medicine . About Rothaus Plastic Surgery: Rothaus Plastic Surgery, founded by Dr. Kenneth O. Rothaus , is a leading plastic surgery practice in Manhattan and Westchester. Dr. Rothaus, a board-certified plastic surgeon, brings over three decades of experience to his practice. Educated at Yale College and Harvard Medical School, with general and plastic surgery training at the Columbia and Cornell campuses of the New York Presbyterian Hospital, Dr. Rothaus is renowned for his expertise in both surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures. The practice offers a comprehensive range of treatments, including facelifts, body contouring, breast augmentation, and the latest in non-invasive technologies. Dr. Rothaus and his team are dedicated to providing personalized care and achieving natural-looking results that enhance each patient's unique beauty. Media Contact: Company Name: Rothaus Plastic Surgery Contact Person: Kenneth Rothaus, MD Phone: (212) 737-0770 Address: 325 E 72nd St City: New York State: New York Postal Code: 10021 Country: US Website: To view the source version of this press release, please visit SOURCE: GetFeatured MENAFN17122024004218003983ID1109004699 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
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Canada shares lower at close of trade; S&P/TSX Composite down 0.13%Restaurant Brands International Inc. stock rises Monday, outperforms marketZimmer Biomet Receives FDA Approval for Oxford® Cementless Partial Knee, Only Cementless Partial Knee Replacement Implant in the U.S.