For decades, China has dominated critical minerals, with Canada and the US, among other nations, all too willing to let Beijing do the mining and/ or processing and sell the end-products. Fighting back But Washington has finally begun to recognize its critical minerals vulnerability. The movement to lessen dependence started in 2019 under then-President Donald Trump. Trump authorized the Pentagon to utilize funding available under Title III of the Defense Production Act (DPA) — a tool established during the Cold War to ensure the US could secure goods needed for national security — to support the re-establishment of a US rare earths supply chain. In 2022, a bipartisan group of senators led by Alaska’s Lisa Murkowski and West Virginia’s Joe Manchin wrote to President Joe Biden urging him to authorize the Pentagon to tap into DPA funds to bolster domestic supplies of other critical minerals. The request resonated with President Joe Biden, who used the DPA authority to designate battery minerals and metals – graphite, lithium, nickel, manganese and cobalt – as “essential to the national defense.” For all the partisanship pulling Washington apart, an emerging consensus on critical minerals – and the dangers of Chinese dependency – began to take shape. The result: a bipartisan understanding that China is “the enemy”, with both Democrats and Republicans supporting legislation that keeps Chinese goods behind high tariff walls and other restrictive measures. In fact the US government has committed billions worth of loans and grants to support a domestic critical mineral supply chain — as the country seeks to become more resource-independent and less beholden to China and other countries for minerals critical to a clean-energy future, and to the tech-intensive defense systems that safeguard national security. China’s latest move Earlier this week, the Chinese government showed that it isn’t waiting for the Trump administration to take power in January 2025, to get an edge in the coming trade war. Beijing announced on Tuesday it is banning exports to the United States of several critical minerals and further tightening sales of graphite. The move came after the White House on Monday slapped fresh curbs on the sale of memory chips made by US and foreign companies to China, said Bloomberg , adding the Biden administration’s goal is to slow China’s development of advanced semiconductors and artificial intelligence systems that may help its military. The country’s Commerce Department said gallium, germanium, antimony and superhard materials will no longer be shipped to the US. Bloomberg reported the targeted materials are used in everything from semiconductors to satellites and night-vision googles, but noted China’s sales to the US had already plunged following export restrictions on gallium and germanium announced last year. However, according to the US Geological Survey , a total export ban on gallium and germanium would deliver a $3.4 billion hit to the US economy. Even that may understate the knock-on impact, as these metals and minerals are embedded in larger technology systems increasingly important to U.S. competitiveness. Trump and minerals While Trump has opposed the Biden Inflation Reduction Act and other clean-energy initiatives that are the darlings of progressives, one area that is likely to see a continuance is critical minerals. According to Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, “Trump voiced his support for domestic mining, which could result in a more profound permitting reform and further financial support for domestic mining projects.” Recall Trump’s support for coal miners during his first presidential term, and his “drill baby drill” mantra bolstering the oil & gas industry. In 2020 Trump declared a national emergency regarding US dependence on a range of critical minerals. Trump has already announced that his administration will “pursue a path towards US energy dominance” that will require substantial amounts of minerals, from tungsten in exploration drill bits to copper in electrical transmission lines. However, according to a recent guest column on Mining.com , fragile mineral supply chains pose a risk to energy dominance; not having sufficient supplies could mean significant delays and may drive up prices. Because many minerals are sourced from a limited number of countries, US energy initiatives are particularly vulnerable to disruptions. Authors Gregory Wischer and Dr. Shubham Dwivedi declare that the most secure source of energy and minerals is domestic production. “Ultimately, the pursuit of US energy dominance could coincide with a push for US mineral independence,” the authors conclude. US manufacturing renaissance Trump’s push for energy independence and support for the mining side of critical minerals is coinciding with a renaissance and a re-think in US manufacturing. It actually started last year with a total investment of $246 billion. Where is all this money coming from? You guessed it: the government. Earlier this week Wolf Street posted an article titled ‘Factory Construction Spending Soars to New Record, +16% YoY, +242% since 2019: Result of Corporate & Strategic Rethink’. The gist of the story is that the Biden administration has been spending billions on manufacturing, but it’s high-tech industry not low-tech. According to the Census Bureau, investments in the construction of manufacturing plants jumped to a record $21.1 billion in October, up by 4% from the prior month, up by 16.3% from a year ago, up by 177% from the beginning of 2022, and up by 242% since 2019. The folly of tariffs Yet all of this, and the mining of critical metals, could be undermined by Trump’s tariff policy. A study on the effects of the 2018-19 tariffs shows that US consumers bore most of the cost. Now Trump is threatening to impose 25% tariffs on all good imported from Mexico and Canada, and 60% from China. 25% tariffs on $974 billion worth of trade into the US in 2022 = $243B worth of tariffs Americans will pay extra for. This isn’t even counting the proposed 60% tariffs on Chinese imports. How long before we all say enough is enough to America’s bullying and start trading more with others? In fact many businesses are expected to shift their production to other countries to avoid paying the exorbitant tariffs, states CNN. Countries likely to benefit from the US-Canada-Mexico-China trade war include Vietnam for low-value goods; nations that can out-compete Mexico on cars, i.e., Japan and South Korea; clothes and shoes from Indonesia, Bangladesh and Cambodia; and Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea and Japan for electronics. China has already got the ball rolling by building a port in Chancay, Peru that will bypass North America and allow shipments from South America to go directly to China. Chinese imports will flow tariff-free into countries like Peru, Brazil, Ecuador and Colombia. Nearly 150 countries have signed on to China’s Belt and Road Initiative, of which the port is a part. Two mining industry umbrella groups have come out strongly against the Trump tariffs. The Mining Association of Canada says China’s move to ban exports of raw metals to the US underscores the need for trade cooperation between Canada and its southern neighbor. “Imposing tariffs on Canadian mineral and metal exports to the US would run counter to the shared goals of secure and reliable supply chains,” Pierre Gratton, the mining association’s president, said in Tuesday’s statement . More than half of Canada’s mineral exports — valued at more than CAD$80 billion (USD$56.9 billion) — were destined for the US in 2022. According to Black Press Media: Michael Goehring, president and CEO of the Mining Association of British Columbia, said Wednesday that China’s decision to ban exports of certain critical minerals and rare earths to the United States demonstrates why it is “vital” for Canada and the U.S. to reduce their dependence on authoritarian regimes for critical mineral supplies and mineral processing... “B.C. has, or produces, 16 of the 50 minerals the United States has identified as being critical to the nation’s economic and national security. In fact, seven per cent of B.C.’s exports to the US in 2022 were critical minerals and metals, including aluminum, germanium, gallium, indium, lead and zinc.”... With 17 new critical mineral projects under development, British Columbia can make what Goehring called “a meaningful contribution to North America’s future”while creating jobs for workers, stability for resource communities and shared prosperity throughout B.C. Conclusion China’s restrictions on graphite and other critical metals are making it harder for the United States to obtain the raw materials required for both economic and defense/ military purposes. Graphite is the ideal material for defense thanks to its unique properties, i.e., it is able to withstand very high temperatures with a high melting point; it is stable at these high temperatures; it is lightweight and easy to machine; and it is corrosion-resistant. Trump says he supports the mining of critical minerals on US soil but he is threatening to impose 25% tariffs on minerals imported from Canada and Mexico. Instead of joining forces with countries friendly to its interests, like Canada, the United States is becoming more insular and protectionist at the same time as China is becoming more outward-looking. While there is little that Canada can do to change Trump’s mind his tariff policy makes greenfield and brownfield mining projects in the United States, free from tariffs, all the more desirable. Graphite One Inc. (TSX.V:GPH, OTCQX:GPHOF) has significant financial backing from the Department of Defense, the Export-Import Bank of the United States. and political support from the highest levels of government, including the White House, Alaska senators, Alaska’s governor, and the Bering Straits Native Corporation. Graphite One could take a leading role in loosening China’s tight grip on the US graphite market by mining feedstock from its Graphite Creek project in Alaska and shipping it to its planned graphite product manufacturing plant in Voltage Valley, Ohio. Initially, G1 will produce synthetic graphite and other graphite products, followed by natural graphite materials once Graphite Creek moves through permitting to production. While the fog of trade war is gathering, Graphite One could supply a significant portion of the amount of graphite demanded by the United States, reducing or even eliminating dependence on China. Graphite One Inc. TSXV:GPH, OTCQX:GPHOF 2024.12.05 share price: Cdn$0.80 Shares Outstanding: 137.8m Market cap: Cdn$111.1M Ahead of the Herd newsletter, aheadoftheherd.com, hereafter known as AOTH. Please read the entire Disclaimer carefully before you use this website or read the newsletter. If you do not agree to all the AOTH/Richard Mills Disclaimer, do not access/read this website/newsletter/article, or any of its pages. By reading/using this AOTH/Richard Mills website/newsletter/article, and whether you actually read this Disclaimer, you are deemed to have accepted it.
Final regular-season games loom large in determining conference championship matchupsNone
Since Donald Trump’s rise to prominence in the 2016 presidential campaign and through his first term, out-of-office election-denial antics and his 2024 campaign, many supporters have built a cottage industry excusing his more extravagant claims. They’ve often said that Americans should take him seriously, but not literally. While it’s true President-elect Trump often engages in figurative rhetoric that’s best to ignore, we believe that Americans should take his plan for mass deportations both literally and seriously, given its prominence in his campaign. It’s real cause for concern. The “Mass Deportation Now” placards held by Trump supporters at his rallies were literally a sign of his intentions. Trump’s and Vice President J.D. Vance’s rhetorical attacks on Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, were another — even though most of them are here legally and definitely were not eating pet cats and dogs. Then there’s this doozy. Judicial Watch’s Tom Fitton posted the following on Truth Social: “GOOD NEWS: Reports are the incoming @RealDonaldTrump administration prepared to declare a national emergency and will use military assets to reverse the Biden invasion through a mass deportation program.” Trump responded to the post by writing “TRUE!!!” ABC News noted that Trump, at his Madison Square Garden rally at the end of his campaign, promised, “On Day 1, I will launch the largest deportation program in American history to get the criminals out.” That statement includes wiggle room given its focus on criminals — and it’s still unclear how he might deploy military assets toward that end. The military has long provided operational assistance to border authorities, according to CBS News. “(L)ongstanding federal law generally prohibits the use of the military for domestic law enforcement,” it noted, but exemptions exist. CBS quoted incoming border czar Tom Homan suggesting a more limited military role with Trump adviser Stephen Miller saying they might deputize the National Guard. Even if the Trump team finds some legal justification, the proposal raises serious constitutional and practical concerns. We’re most concerned by the idea of declaring a national emergency. That tactic is rarely used in this country because it gives the federal government limitless powers to conduct raids and is distinctively un-American. There’s also talk of creating large detainment facilities. This would entail invoking the Insurrection Act, which allows the feds to deploy the military in the face of “unlawful obstructions, combinations, or assemblages, or rebellion ... (that) make it impracticable by the ordinary course of judicial proceedings.” Presidents rarely use such martial law-like powers and only for targeted situations — not for nationwide operations. Anyone who believes that only criminal aliens have reason to fear such an approach are forgetting why our nation’s Founding Fathers included myriad checks and balances in the Constitution, were so concerned about due-process rights and so intent on limiting the unilateral power of the federal executive branch. American citizens — and non-criminal illegal immigrants — almost certainly will get caught up in any dragnets. Conservatives who were rightly appalled at unilateral COVID-19 restrictions on our liberties should also oppose this type of power grab. The Orange County Register remains proud of its opposition to the Japanese-American internment during World War II. This editorial board will likewise oppose any similar abuses now. It’s too early to know the details, but we take the threats literally and seriously.
Inside the Gaetz ethics report, a trove of new details alleging payments for sex and drug useDonald Trump’s reelection could bring new energy to a Washington state fight for abortion access begun in the courts last year. Earlier this month, Bob Ferguson — then attorney general, now governor-elect — filed a summary judgment motion requesting that an ongoing case challenging restrictions on the common abortion drug mifepristone be decided without a trial. If the judge sides with Ferguson, the Food and Drug Administration could be obligated to revisit their policies on the drug used in more than half of all abortions. According to Brionna Aho, a spokesperson with the Attorney General’s Office, the FDA’s response is expected Dec. 6. “We are continuing to fight for reproductive freedom, including access to mifepristone,” said Ferguson in a news release announcing the motion. “The FDA must remove its unnecessary and unlawful restrictions on this safe and effective medication.” In a joint lawsuit with 18 other attorneys general filed last year in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington in Spokane, Ferguson and his staff argued that restrictions on mifepristone are illegal, and that the FDA should reevaluate its policies on the drug. In April 2023, Judge Thomas O. Rice approved a preliminary injunction requested by Ferguson that prevents the FDA from interfering with the availability of mifepristone in Washington, Oregon, the District of Columbia, and 16 other states that have signed on to the lawsuit. Rice’s ruling last year was released the same day another decision on mifepristone came out in a Texas lawsuit, in favor of anti-abortion advocates who argued that the already unusually restrictive rules around mifepristone were inadequate. That ruling, which would’ve rescinded FDA approval for the drug, made its way to the U.S. Supreme Court, where, in June, the Court disagreed, deciding unanimously that the anti-abortion advocates who brought the suit in Texas lacked a legal right to sue . While that case was rejected, abortion challenges are not likely over. Trump has bragged publicly about the reversal of Roe v. Wade enabled by the Supreme Court picks he made during his first presidency, while abortion was an issue in both federal and state elections this year. Mifepristone is limited under what’s known as a Risk Evaluation & Mitigation Strategy, a set of regulations the FDA requires for just 73 drugs, including those with well-established addictive properties or that are known to cause birth defects, for example opioids, thalidomide, and isotretinoin . Mifepristone is also restricted under a policy called Elements to Assure Safe Use, which is typically applied to drugs that carry high risk. For years, abortion rights advocates and providers have argued that the restrictions on mifepristone are scientifically baseless and burdensome, pointing out that there are no similar requirements when mifepristone is prescribed for purposes aside from pregnancy termination. Mifepristone is also commonly used to manage high blood sugar in patients with Cushing syndrome. “There is, truly, zero science or medicine to support it,” said Sarah Prager, a Seattle-area abortion provider and professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Washington. According to Prager, recent changes in how mifepristone is prescribed have made it even more challenging to provide it to patients. “Each individual provider now needs to be registered with each pharmacy that will dispense the medication for them,” she said. “Additionally, mifepristone is a medication safer than many over-the-counter medications and should not have ANY restrictions in use.” The Washington Attorney General’s Office agrees, saying that “The stigma and administrative burdens associated with becoming ‘specially certified’ to prescribe and dispense an abortion medication deters many health care providers and pharmacies from signing up to do so in the first place.” But without the FDA rules, “any qualified health care provider would be able to prescribe mifepristone — just as they can for any other prescription drug, including high-risk drugs such as opioids.” Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum, who is co-leading the lawsuit with Ferguson, agrees: “The restrictions simply are not medically necessary.” In medication abortions, mifepristone is typically paired with a second drug, misoprostol, to end a pregnancy. The same FDA rules do not apply to misoprostol, which can also be used on its own to end a pregnancy , a protocol reproductive health care providers have indicated they would pivot to if mifepristone is further restricted. Beyond broader questions of access, the Attorney General’s Office is also concerned that current restrictions on mifepristone could introduce privacy concerns for patients, especially for those seeking care in Washington from states with abortion-hostile policies enacted since Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health was decided more than two years ago. That’s because the restrictions on mifepristone currently include written agreements stating that the drug is being used to induce an abortion or resolve a miscarriage, evidence that could leave patients vulnerable to investigation or prosecution by abortion-hostile state officials.Cooper Rush passed for two touchdowns, Dallas returned two kicks for scores and the visiting Cowboys held off the Washington Commanders in a wild fourth quarter for a 34-26 win. Dallas led 10-9 after three quarters. With Washington trailing 27-26, Jayden Daniels hit Terry McLaurin for an 86-yard touchdown pass with 21 seconds left, but Austin Seibert missed his second extra point of the game. Juanyeh Thomas of the Cowboys then returned the onside kick 43 yards for a touchdown. Rush completed 24 of 32 passes for 247 yards for Dallas (4-7), which snapped a five-game losing streak. Rico Dowdle ran 19 times for 86 yards and CeeDee Lamb had 10 catches for 67 yards. Jayden Daniels was 25-of-38 passing for 274 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions for reeling Washington (7-5), which has lost three straight. He ran for 74 yards and one score. McLaurin had five catches for 102 yards. Trailing 20-9 late in the fourth quarter, Daniels drove Washington 69 yards in nine plays and hit Zach Ertz for a 4-yard touchdown. Daniels ran for two points and Washington trailed 20-17 with 3:02 remaining. KaVontae Turpin muffed the ensuing kickoff, picked it up at the one, and raced 99 yards for a touchdown to make it 27-17. Austin Seibert's 51-yard field goal pulled the Commanders within 27-20 with 1:40 left, With the score tied 3-3, Washington took the second half kick and went 60 yards in 10 plays. On third-and-three from the Dallas 17, Daniels faked a handoff, ran left and scored his first rushing touchdown since Week 4. Seibert missed the point after and Washington led 9-3. Dallas answered with an 80-yard drive. A 23-yard pass interference penalty gave the Cowboys a first-and-goal at the 4. Two plays later Rush found Jalen Tolbert in the end zone and the extra point made it 10-9. Brandon Aubrey's 48-yard field goal made it 13-9 with 8:11 remaining in the game. On the next play, Daniels hit John Bates for 14 yards, but Donovan Wilson forced a fumble and Dallas recovered at the Washington 44. Five plays later, Rush found Luke Schoonmaker down the middle for a 22-yard touchdown and Dallas led 20-9 with 5:16 left. The first quarter was all about field goals. Aubrey's field goal attempt was blocked on the opening drive and Michael Davis returned it to the Dallas 40. Washington later settled for Seibert's 41-yard field goal. On the next Dallas drive, Aubrey hit the right upright from 42 yards out, and then Seibert missed from 51 yards. With 14 seconds left in the half, Rush found Jalen Brooks for a 41-yard gain to the Washington 28. On the next play Aubrey connected from 46 yards to tie it. --Field Level MediaI’m A Celebrity’s Danny Jones in talks for massive new ITV roles following jungle success
Ousted Syrian leader Assad flees to Moscow after fall of Damascus, Russian state media say DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Russia media say ousted Syrian leader Bashar Assad has fled to Moscow and received asylum from his longtime ally. The reports came hours after a stunning rebel advance swept into Damascus to cheers and ended the Assad family’s 50 years of iron rule. Thousands of Syrians poured into streets echoing with celebratory gunfire, joyful after a stifling, nearly 14-year civil war. But the swiftly moving events raised questions about the future of the country and the wider region. The rebels face the daunting task of healing bitter divisions in a country still split among armed factions. One rebel commander said “we will not deal with people the way the Assad family did." The fall of Bashar Assad after 13 years of war in Syria brings to an end a decades-long dynasty BEIRUT (AP) — Syrian President Bashar Assad has fled the country. Assad’s departure on Sunday brings to a dramatic close his nearly 14-year struggle to hold onto power in a brutal civil war that became a proxy battlefield for regional and international powers. Assad’s exit stood in stark contrast to his first months as Syria’s unlikely president in 2000, when many hoped he would be a young reformer after three decades of his father’s iron grip. But faced with protests of his rule that erupted in March 2011, Assad turned to his father's brutal tactics to crush dissent. A long stalemate was quickly broken when opposition groups in northwest Syria launched a surprise offensive late last month. Who is Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the leader of the insurgency that toppled Syria's Assad? BEIRUT (AP) — Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the militant leader who led the stunning insurgency that toppled Syria’s President Bashar Assad, has spent years working to remake his public image and that of his fighters. He renounced longtime ties to al-Qaida and depicts himself as a champion of pluralism and tolerance. The extent of that transformation from jihadi extremist to would-be state builder is now put to the test. The 42-year-old al-Golani is labeled a terrorist by the United States. He has not appeared publicly since Damascus fell early Sunday. But he and his insurgent force, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, stand to be a major player in whatever comes next. Trump says he can't guarantee tariffs won't raise US prices and won't rule out revenge prosecutions WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump says he can’t guarantee his promised tariffs on key U.S. foreign trade partners won’t raise prices for American consumers. And he's suggesting once more that some political rivals and federal officials who pursued legal cases against him should be imprisoned. The president-elect made the comments in a wide-ranging interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press” that aired Sunday. He also touched on monetary policy, immigration, abortion and health care, and U.S. involvement in Ukraine, Israel and elsewhere. Trump often mixed declarative statements with caveats, at one point cautioning “things do change.” The hunt for UnitedHealthcare CEO's elusive killer yields new evidence, but few answers NEW YORK (AP) — Police don’t know who he is, where he is, or why he did it. As the frustrating search for UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson’s killer got underway for a fifth day Sunday, investigators reckoned with a tantalizing contradiction: They have troves of evidence, but the shooter remains an enigma. One conclusion they are confident of, however: It was a targeted attack, not a random one. On Sunday morning, police declined to comment on the contents of a backpack found in Central Park that they believe was carried by the killer. Thompson was shot and killed Wednesday outside of a hotel in Manhattan. Trump calls for immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and says a US withdrawal from NATO is possible WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump is pushing Russian leader Vladimir Putin to act to reach an immediate ceasefire with Ukraine. Trump describes it as part of his active efforts as president-elect to end the war despite being weeks from taking office. Trump also said he would be open to reducing military aid to Ukraine and pulling the United States out of NATO. Those are two threats that have alarmed Ukraine, NATO allies and many in the U.S. national security community. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says any deal would have to pave the way to a lasting peace. The Kremlin's spokesman says Moscow is open to talks with Ukraine. Gaza health officials say latest Israeli airstrikes kill at least 14 including children DEIR AL BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Palestinian health officials say Israeli airstrikes in central Gaza have killed at least 14 people including children, while the bombing of a hospital in northern Gaza has wounded a half-dozen patients. Israel’s military continues its latest offensive against Hamas militants in northern Gaza, whose remaining Palestinians have been almost completely cut off from the rest of the territory amid a growing humanitarian crisis. One airstrike flattened a residential building in the urban Bureij refugee camp Sunday afternoon. That's according to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in the nearby city of Deir al-Balah, where the casualties were taken. South Korea's democracy held after a 6-hour power play. What does it say for democracies elsewhere? SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A short-lived martial law decree by South Korea's leader last week raised worries about budding authoritarianism around the world. In the end, though, democracy prevailed. President Yoon Suk Yeol announced that he was declaring martial law and giving his government sweeping powers to crack down on protesters, ban political parties and control the media. Members of the military blocked lawmakers from using the legislature's constitutional power to cancel the power grab. But the National Assembly within hours unanimously voted to do so. Trump's return may be a boon for Netanyahu, but challenges abound in a changed Middle East TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is jubilant about President-elect Donald Trump's return to the White House. Trump's first term policies skewed heavily in favor of Israel, and he has picked stalwart Israel supporters for key positions in his administration. But much has transpired since Trump left office in early 2021. The turmoil in the Middle East, the lofty ambitions of Netanyahu’s far-right governing coalition and Netanyahu’s own personal relationship with the president-elect could dampen that enthusiasm and complicate what on the surface looks like a seamless alliance. First 12-team College Football Playoff set, Oregon seeded No. 1 and SMU edges Alabama for last spot SMU captured the last open spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff, bumping Alabama to land in a bracket that placed undefeated Oregon at No. 1. The selection committee preferred the Mustangs (11-2), losers of a heartbreaker in the Atlantic Coast Conference title game, who had a far less difficult schedule than Alabama (9-3) of the SEC but one fewer loss. The first-of-its-kind 12-team bracket marks a new era for college football, though the Alabama-SMU debate made clear there is no perfect formula. The tournament starts Dec. 20-21 with four first-round games. It concludes Jan. 20 with the national title game in Atlanta.TikTok edged closer to being banned in the United States after it lost an appeal on Friday against a law requiring the video-sharing app to divest from its Chinese parent company by January 19. The potential ban could strain US-China relations just as president-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office on January 20. TikTok said it would now appeal to the Supreme Court, which could choose to take up the case or let the DC circuit court's decision stand. TikTok will also be looking to Trump, who has emerged as an unlikely ally, arguing that a ban would mainly benefit Meta's platforms owned by Mark Zuckerberg. Trump's stance reflects broader conservative criticism of Meta for allegedly suppressing right-wing content, including Trump's ban from Facebook after the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot. Also Read : Android and iPhone users in danger? FBI conducting serious scrutiny about texts amid espionage concerns Artificial Intelligence(AI) ChatGPT Mastery from Zero to Hero: The Complete AI Course By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Data Analysis Animated Visualizations with Flourish Studio: Beginner to Pro By - Prince Patni, Software Developer (BI, Data Science) View Program Astrology Vastu Shastra Course By - Sachenkumar Rai, Vastu Shashtri View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Java Programming with ChatGPT: Learn using Generative AI By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Legal Complete Guide to AI Governance and Compliance By - Prince Patni, Software Developer (BI, Data Science) View Program Entrepreneurship From Idea to Product: A Startup Development Guide By - Dr. Anu Khanchandani, Startup Coach with more than 25 years of experience View Program Entrepreneurship Startup Fundraising: Essential Tactics for Securing Capital By - Dr. Anu Khanchandani, Startup Coach with more than 25 years of experience 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 Data Analysis Learn Power BI with Microsoft Fabric: Complete Course By - Prince Patni, Software Developer (BI, Data Science) View Program Web Development Advanced C++ Mastery: OOPs and Template Techniques By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Strategy Succession Planning Masterclass By - Nigel Penny, Global Strategy Advisor: NSP Strategy Facilitation Ltd. View Program Finance AI and Generative AI for Finance By - Hariom Tatsat, Vice President- Quantitative Analytics at Barclays View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Master in Python Language Quickly Using the ChatGPT Open AI By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI and Analytics based Business Strategy By - Tanusree De, Managing Director- Accenture Technology Lead, Trustworthy AI Center of Excellence: ATCI View Program Office Productivity Microsoft Word Mastery: From Beginner to Expert By - CA Raj K Agrawal, Chartered Accountant View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Tabnine AI Masterclass: Optimize Your Coding Efficiency By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Office Productivity Mastering Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and 365 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 Entrepreneurship Validating Your Startup Idea: Steps to Ensure Market Fit By - Dr. Anu Khanchandani, Startup Coach with more than 25 years of experience 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 Finance A2Z Of Finance: Finance Beginner Course By - elearnmarkets, Financial Education by StockEdge 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 Leadership Business Storytelling Masterclass By - Ameen Haque, Founder of Storywallahs View Program The US government alleges TikTok allows Beijing to collect data and spy on users. It also says TikTok is a conduit to spread propaganda, though China and app owner ByteDance strongly deny these claims. The law, signed by President Joe Biden in April, would block TikTok from US app stores and web hosting services unless ByteDance sells the platform by January 19. While recognizing that "170 million Americans use TikTok to create and view all sorts of free expression," the three-judge panel unanimously upheld the law's premise that divesting it from China's control "is essential to protect our national security." They found that the law did not hinder free speech as it was "devoid of an institutional aim to suppress particular messages or ideas." The judges also disagreed with the idea that less drastic alternatives than a sale by ByteDance would solve the security issues. "This conclusion is supported by ample evidence that the Act is the least restrictive means of advancing the Government's compelling national security interests," the judges said in their opinion. Trump's position marks a reversal from Trump's first term, when he tried to ban TikTok over similar security concerns. That effort got bogged down in the courts when a federal judge questioned how the move would affect free speech and blocked the initiative. Trump's newly nominated tech policy czar David Sacks also opposes the ban as government overreach. Trump's shift coincides with his connection to Jeff Yass, a major Republican donor with ByteDance investments. The President-elect launched his own TikTok account in June, gaining 14.6 million followers, but hasn't posted since Election Day. Despite the uncertainty, TikTok's US presence continues growing. Also Read : Boffins issue clear-cut warning, British men could lose hair this Christmas, urge them not to indulge in these things The platform reported $100 million in Black Friday sales for its new shopping venture, and Emarketer projects US ad revenue will reach $15.5 billion next year, accounting for 4.5 percent of total digital ad spending in the country. But Enberg warned a ban would significantly disrupt the social media landscape, benefiting Meta, YouTube, and Snap while harming content creators and small businesses dependent on TikTok. FAQs Q1. When is TikTok's ban deadline? A1. January 19 is the date for TikTok's ban deadline. Q2. When will Donald Trump take charge? A2. Donald Trump will take charge as the US President on January 20. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
Twins sign Alex Speas to a minor league contract
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TORONTO—Canadian neurosurgeons in partnership with Elon Musk’s Neuralink have regulatory approval to recruit six patients with paralysis willing to have a thousand electrode contacts in their brains. The trial, called CAN-PRIME, has started recruiting patients for a study that will test the safety and efficacy of a device that allows people to move cursors with their minds, a surgeon leading the trial said. Neuralink announced regulator Health Canada’s approval this week. Neuralink has implanted two such devices in patients in the United States. Directors at Neuralink reached out to Toronto-based University Health Network neurosurgeon Andres Lozano a year ago, he told Reuters. He figures his experience with other forms of brain implants played a role. “Myself and our entire team jumped at the possibility of participating in this trial,” Lozano said. The trial will use a two-ton robot to implant 64 electrodes, each with 16 contacts, into the hand-motor areas of patients’ brains. The idea is that the electrodes will transmit activity in those areas so that by thinking about movement, the patient can make connected devices move. To be eligible, individuals must have severe quadriplegia due to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or a spinal cord injury. They would have the surgery in Toronto and use the technology at home, said Lozano, who added he hopes to start in the new year. As the sponsor, Neuralink designed the electrodes and implantation system and will be decoding signals from the electrodes, while the doctors will be responsible for patient selection, surgery safety and health monitoring. “The surgery obviously is a necessary crucial step, but we will not be analyzing the data or doing anything with the data. That'll be up to the company to do that,” Lozano said. Any procedure has risks and there is the possibility of complications, Lozano said. These include brain bleeds, infections, broken wires or wires that stop transmitting. In May Neuralink disclosed that wires had pulled out of position in its first patient—a problem sources told Reuters the company had known about for years. Neuralink did not respond to a request for comment. Health Canada confirmed it had issued an authorization on Nov. 15 but did not provide the study protocols. This intervention is likely years away from being available to the general public, said Brad Wouters, executive vice president of science and research at University Health Network. But Musk “has demonstrated the ability to move quickly,” he said. This technology focuses on reading brain activity. But there is a possibility of “writing,” too, Lozano said—of transmitting information so that, for example, visually impaired people can “see.” But safeguards need to be in place so the technology is not abused, he added. “There’s this issue, also, of whether the systems could be hacked and someone could insert thoughts into you or read your thoughts,” Lozano said, adding this is theoretical but “we have to put in the proper safeguards to ensure that this is done safely and properly.”
-- Shares Facebook Twitter Reddit Email The concept of a sociopolitical “ culture war ” has become so expansive that it feels, at times, reductive. It’s both broad enough to cover everything, from coffee chains to cookie commercials , yet predictable enough for the factions’ opinions to fall roughly along well-worn partisan lines. But now, a new kind of culture war is brewing among the creative class — one that cuts deeper into professional and personal identities. At its center is debate over the use of generative artificial intelligence , the technology behind tools like ChatGPT , DALL-E and MidJourney. While some hail AI as a breakthrough, enabling near click-of-the-button speed and innovation in industries ranging from marketing to medicine, many see it as a profound threat to creative industries. Related The cultured wars: Why lab-grown meat is inspiring bipartisan hate The debate over AI’s role in creative work has surfaced in unexpected ways over the past year and reached a fever pitch in recent months. Last fall, Zelda Williams, daughter of the late Robin Williams, denounced AI recreations of her father’s voice , calling them exploitative and made without consent. Over the summer, the Grammy-winning Tedeschi Trucks Band apologized to fans after discovering that one of their tour posters — sold as merchandise — had been generated by AI. In October, CNN reported on the rise of AI-powered virtual K-pop bands in South Korea, while some U.S.-based crowdfunding platforms introduced rules banning campaigns relying entirely on AI-generated content. Amid this growing divide, Coca-Cola entered the conversation with a bold move: the release of a new Christmas commercial created using generative AI , thrusting the global brand into the heart of this contentious debate. Festive flashpoint The Coca-Cola commercial in question, released earlier this month, features all the hallmarks of holiday nostalgia: families exchanging warm smiles, people in cozy knit scarves and gloves clutching the iconic glass bottles, big red trucks rumbling through snowy streets. The imagery is an unmistakable homage to the company’s 1995 “Holidays Are Coming” advertisement, which was made using human actors and real trucks. But this time, Coca-Cola’s commercial promising “real magic” wasn’t assembled on a set or a soundstage. Instead, it was conjured into existence by artificial intelligence and featured a few otherworldly touches, like a snowy village melting into a Coke bottle here, or a gingerbread house animating itself there. We need your help to stay independent Subscribe today to support Salon's progressive journalism According to Forbes , the video was a collaborative effort by three AI studios — Secret Level, Silverside AI and Wild Car — using four different generative AI models, a kind of technical choreography. Each studio created their own version of the ad (though Silverside’s AI developer, Chris Barber, has since clarified on X , formerly Twitter, the now-viral version of the advertisement wasn’t their studio’s contribution). The result is a perfectly polished holiday scene that looks as if it could have been plucked from any sentimental Coca-Cola commercial of years past. In a statement, a Coca-Cola spokesperson said, "The Coca-Cola Company has celebrated a long history of capturing the magic of the holidays in content, film, events and retail activations for decades around the globe.” “We are always exploring new ways to connect with consumers and experiment with different approaches,” the statement continued. “This year, we crafted films through a collaboration of human storytellers and the power of generative AI. Coca-Cola will always remain dedicated to creating the highest level of work at the intersection of human creativity and technology." However, many creators and customers were quick to criticize the campaign as being emblematic of a worrying trend of replacing human artistry with machine-generated substitutes. For instance, Alex Hirsch, the creator of the beloved Disney series “Gravity Falls,” joked online that Coca-Cola’s signature red color scheme was now “made from the blood of out-of-work artists,” while other social media commentators described the advertisement as “disastrous” and “dystopian.” “Coca-Cola just put out an ad and ruined Christmas,” Dylan Pearce, a TikTok user, said of the commercial . “To put out slop like this just ruins the Christmas spirit.” A broader battle The debate over Coca-Cola’s commercial is just the latest flashpoint in a growing culture war among the creative class. Similar tensions arose earlier this year when Apple faced backlash for an iPad Pro ad that depicted art supplies — brushes, paints, canvases, musical instruments, typewriters — being pulverized by a hydraulic press, a message many saw as a dismissal of traditional methods in favor of digital tools. Supporters of generative AI often liken this moment to past technological upheavals, such as the invention of photography or the rise of digital publishing. They argue that each disruption faced its own wave of skepticism before becoming a standard tool for creators. But critics say this comparison misses the mark. Generative AI doesn’t merely augment creativity — it fundamentally reshapes the economics of creative work. "Generative AI doesn’t merely augment creativity — it fundamentally reshapes the economics of creative work." While a traditional ad campaign might require weeks of brainstorming sessions, focus groups and meticulous production schedules, AI can spit out a ready-made storyboard in minutes. Coca-Cola’s ad crystallizes these fears, even though, as Shelly Palmer, a professor of advanced media in residence at Syracuse University, said in a recent blog post , it “truly sucks.” In an industry where holiday campaigns are major cultural touchpoints — think of the iconic Coca-Cola polar bears or the "Holidays Are Coming" truck — replacing traditional methods with AI feels, to some, like a betrayal. This is especially true after Pratik Thakar, a vice president of Coca-Cola and the company’s global head of generative A.I., touted the budgetary and speed advantages of the project in a recent conversation with Ad Age . So, for every artist who sees AI as a tool to expand their imagination, there’s another who views it as a threat to their livelihood. Coca-Cola’s Christmas ad, for all its shimmering visuals, is more than just a marketing campaign. It’s a litmus test for the future of creativity in an increasingly automated world. For the brand, the move was a calculated risk — and one they aren’t turning away from despite the divided viewer response. “The Coca-Cola Company has celebrated a long history of capturing the magic of the holidays in content, film, events and retail activations for decades around the globe,” a spokesman for the company said in a statement provided to The New York Times . “This year, we crafted films through a collaboration of human storytellers and the power of generative A.I.” In the meantime, the holidays — and the culture wars — roll on. Read more about this topic From "holy hype" to AI sentience, tech has a history of inflating its potential Artificial stupidity and me: If AI can do this to my book, what will it do in an actual war? AI chatbots are having their "tulip mania" moment By Ashlie D. Stevens Ashlie D. Stevens is Salon's food editor. She is also an award-winning radio producer, editor and features writer — with a special emphasis on food, culture and subculture.Her writing has appeared in and on The Atlantic, National Geographic’s “The Plate,” Eater, VICE, Slate, Salon, The Bitter Southerner and Chicago Magazine, while her audio work has appeared on NPR’s All Things Considered and Here & Now, as well as APM’s Marketplace. She is based in Chicago. MORE FROM Ashlie D. Stevens Related Topics ------------------------------------------ Advertising Analysis Artificial Intelligence Christmas Coca-cola Related Articles Advertisement:Since Donald Trump’s rise to prominence in the 2016 presidential campaign and through his first term, out-of-office election-denial antics and his 2024 campaign, many supporters have built a cottage industry excusing his more extravagant claims. They’ve often said that Americans should take him seriously, but not literally. While it’s true President-elect Trump often engages in figurative rhetoric that’s best to ignore, we believe that Americans should take his plan for mass deportations both literally and seriously, given its prominence in his campaign. It’s real cause for concern. The “Mass Deportation Now” placards held by Trump supporters at his rallies were literally a sign of his intentions. Trump’s and Vice President J.D. Vance’s rhetorical attacks on Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, were another — even though most of them are here legally and definitely were not eating pet cats and dogs. Then there’s this doozy. Judicial Watch’s Tom Fitton posted the following on Truth Social: “GOOD NEWS: Reports are the incoming @RealDonaldTrump administration prepared to declare a national emergency and will use military assets to reverse the Biden invasion through a mass deportation program.” Trump responded to the post by writing “TRUE!!!” ABC News noted that Trump, at his Madison Square Garden rally at the end of his campaign, promised, “On Day 1, I will launch the largest deportation program in American history to get the criminals out.” That statement includes wiggle room given its focus on criminals — and it’s still unclear how he might deploy military assets toward that end. The military has long provided operational assistance to border authorities, according to CBS News. “(L)ongstanding federal law generally prohibits the use of the military for domestic law enforcement,” it noted, but exemptions exist. CBS quoted incoming border czar Tom Homan suggesting a more limited military role with Trump adviser Stephen Miller saying they might deputize the National Guard. Even if the Trump team finds some legal justification, the proposal raises serious constitutional and practical concerns. We’re most concerned by the idea of declaring a national emergency. That tactic is rarely used in this country because it gives the federal government limitless powers to conduct raids and is distinctively un-American. There’s also talk of creating large detainment facilities. This would entail invoking the Insurrection Act, which allows the feds to deploy the military in the face of “unlawful obstructions, combinations, or assemblages, or rebellion ... (that) make it impracticable by the ordinary course of judicial proceedings.” Presidents rarely use such martial law-like powers and only for targeted situations — not for nationwide operations. Anyone who believes that only criminal aliens have reason to fear such an approach are forgetting why our nation’s Founding Fathers included myriad checks and balances in the Constitution, were so concerned about due-process rights and so intent on limiting the unilateral power of the federal executive branch. American citizens — and non-criminal illegal immigrants — almost certainly will get caught up in any dragnets. Conservatives who were rightly appalled at unilateral COVID-19 restrictions on our liberties should also oppose this type of power grab. The Orange County Register remains proud of its opposition to the Japanese-American internment during World War II. This editorial board will likewise oppose any similar abuses now. It’s too early to know the details, but we take the threats literally and seriously.
Alex Ovechkin is expected to miss 4 to 6 weeks with a broken left legViking® named its newest ocean ship, the Viking Vela®, with a traditional ceremony in Trieste, Italy. The naming of the Viking Vela also served as a celebration of Viking’s longtime partnership with Fincantieri, which is one of the world’s largest shipbuilding groups and is based in Trieste. With its rich maritime history, Trieste is considered the endpoint to the maritime Silk Road and is now Italy’s most important commercial port. Serving as ceremonial godmother of the Viking Vela was Ivana Elice, Vice President and Project Manager of the Fincantieri Cruise Business Unit, who has overseen the design and engineering of Viking’s ocean ships for 12 years. “We are proud to welcome the Viking Vela to our growing, award-winning fleet. With Fincantieri as our partner, we believe we have built the world’s most elegant fleet of small ocean ships,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman and CEO of Viking. “We thank Ivana Elice for being godmother of the Viking Vela. In her role at Fincantieri, she has cared for our ocean ships during their construction just as a godmother would, and we are very appreciative of her contributions as a member of the extended Viking family.” In keeping with the naming tradition, during the ceremony, Ivana was presented with a historic Viking broad axe by Ann Ziff, the esteemed philanthropist, Chairman of the Metropolitan Opera and godmother of the Viking Saturn®. The same axe was previously used in the naming of the Viking Saturn in June 2023. After the axe presentation, Ivana pressed a button that allowed a bottle of Norwegian aquavit to break on the ship’s hull. Guests also enjoyed performances by Sissel Kyrkjebø, one of the world’s leading crossover sopranos and godmother of the Viking Jupiter®, and acclaimed Italian singer Alessandro Safina, who paid tribute to the cultures of both Norway and Italy in song. Ivana Elice, Vice President and Project Manager of the Fincantieri Cruise Business Unit, has enjoyed a distinguished career in naval and mechanical engineering, helping support the expansion of the Viking ocean fleet for the past 12 years. In 2012, Ms. Elice was appointed by Fincantieri to oversee the build of Viking’s first ocean ship, the Viking Star®, and she has continued to serve as valuable support for the expansion of Viking’s fleet of sister ships. She joined Fincantieri in 1985 after graduating from the University of Genoa with a master’s degree in naval architecture and mechanical engineering. Her initial role as a noise and vibration specialist within the company’s Naval Vessel Division involved assisting with the design of surface ships and submarines. Since 1993, she has held several positions within Fincantieri’s Merchant Division in the areas of hydrodynamics, ship construction, production engineering and more. The Viking Vela is the newest ship in Viking’s award-winning ocean fleet of sister ships. Classified as a small ship, as are all Viking ocean ships, the Viking Vela has a gross tonnage of 54,300 tons, with 499 staterooms that can host 998 guests; the ships feature all veranda staterooms, elegant Scandinavian design, light-filled public spaces and abundant al fresco dining options. The Viking Vela will spend her inaugural season sailing itineraries during the “quiet season” in the Mediterranean before continuing to Northern Europe. Viking is working on a project for a partial hybrid propulsion system for future ocean ships based on liquid hydrogen and fuel cells, which could allow the company to operate at zero-emission in the Norwegian Fjords and other sensitive environments. The Viking Vela has been designed with the future in mind, ensuring she can be retrofitted to incorporate these new technologies as they become available. The naming of the Viking Vela follows a string of recent accolades for the company. Viking was rated #1 for Oceans, #1 for Rivers and #1 for Expeditions by Condé Nast Traveler in the 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards for the second consecutive year. This achievement marked the first time a travel company won these three categories in back-to-back years. Viking was also named Best Luxury Line, Best Line for Couples and Best Line in the Mediterranean in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best Cruise Lines ranking for the fourth consecutive year. Viking’s ocean ships have been rated and “Recommended” as part of the Forbes Travel Guide 2024 Star Awards, an annual independent evaluation for luxury travel brands. Additionally, Viking received seven awards at the 2023 Cruise Critic Editors’ Picks Awards—more than any other line—across the luxury, river and expedition categories. Source: Viking