
In the world of agriculture, the unexpected can often lead to groundbreaking transformations. Recently, a metaphorical "lifesaving straw" has emerged in the form of a new technology or innovation that has the potential to revolutionize the corn industry. The question on everyone's mind now is whether corn, a staple crop with deep historical roots, is poised for a significant change. This potential shift is being accompanied by a subtle but noticeable change in market sentiment, as players in the industry begin to consider the implications of this new development.
As these freed prisoners continue on their journey towards rebuilding their lives and reclaiming their dignity, may their laughter and running serve as a beacon of light and hope for all who have experienced suffering and captivity. May their joy remind us all of the indomitable spirit that resides within each of us, ready to rise above any challenges that may come our way.
Meanwhile, the presence of Manchester City, Real Madrid, and Juventus in the top five of the OPTA team strength ranking highlights the enduring quality and pedigree of these footballing giants. Manchester City, under the guidance of Pep Guardiola, continues to dazzle audiences with their free-flowing style of play and relentless pursuit of success. With a star-studded lineup featuring the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling, and Ruben Dias, Manchester City remains a formidable force in both domestic and international competitions.But the path to acquiring these coveted talents is not without its challenges. Competition from rival clubs, hefty transfer fees, and negotiations with agents and players all present obstacles that the gunman must navigate with skill and determination. However, with a clear vision of his team's needs and a steely resolve to succeed, the gunman is prepared to go to great lengths to secure the players he believes will make a difference on the field.
In the end, while the firework drone show may have ended in a sea crash, the reactions of witnesses and onlookers serve as a testament to the enduring impact of Cai Guo-Qiang's artistic vision and the resilience of his creative spirit. With lessons learned and new challenges ahead, the stage is set for a comeback that promises to captivate audiences once again.
PHOENIX — Arizona energy regulators continued a long-term trend Tuesday of voting against the wishes of the state’s residential ratepayer advocate. By voting yes on two measures, the Arizona Corporation Commission reaffirmed a broad new policy regarding how rates are set in the future, and it kept an APS rooftop solar fee intact after outside groups challenged it. The Residential Utility Consumer Office opposed both decisions. Disagreement over accuracy of APS “Cost of Service” study The Commission voted to keep in place a new fee for more than 180,000 APS rooftop solar owners, which amounts to a 15% higher rate increase than that of other residential customers. Tuesday’s vote was the result of a re-hearing over the fee after The Arizona Attorney General’s Office and solar industry groups alleged the fee, known as a “Grid Access Charge,” was discriminatory. The charge has been in place since March, amounting to a $2-3 average on typical solar homes, and could increase as soon as next year if APS files a new rate case. APS contended residential solar customers pay rates below a threshold of 70% of the cost to serve them and therefore those customers were not paying their fair share. Solar industry representatives attacked APS’ methodology for determining “cost of service” to customers and contended solar customers actually subsidize other residential customers with their contribution of energy generation to the grid. “APS miscalculated,” said Autumn Johnson, attorney for ARISEA. “We provided 50 plus pages of analysis for all the things they (APS) did wrong.” RUCO said they also analyzed the APS study and determined it did not provide sufficient evidence to support or refute the fee, according to a legal filing by the agency. “RUCO’s testimony makes it less probable that the (study) can support continuation of the GAC (fee),” said attorney Dan Pozefsky. APS argued the reliability of its study was already “exhaustively litigated” in the original rate case. “APS’s cost of service study is well-reasoned, legitimate and reasonable,” said APS attorney Jeffrey Allmon. Two administrative law judges who have reviewed the matter concluded the fee is appropriate but not necessary to ensure fairness. The Commission could take it or leave it. APS: Solar customers pose “unique circumstances" APS also justified the fee, saying it pays for “standby” energy to ensure rooftop solar customers have reliable service when the sun goes down or when there is an emergency. Allmon added that as the utility with the fourth largest proportion of rooftop solar customers in the nation, the fee is needed. “APS is unique. That means we do need special tools to deal with unique circumstances and challenges that the company faces by virtue of having this much-distributed generation on its system,” Allmon said. Johnson argued APS selectively used a “hypothetical load” only for an imagined emergency involving rooftop solar customers. What happens if, Johnson argued, all EV users charge their vehicles at the same time? What if demand response customers all refuse to participate in the program simultaneously? Johnson said these hypotheticals were not costing those customers an extra fee and therefore solar customers were being discriminated against. Solar customers pleaded for rejection of fee Dozens of APS ratepayers filed written comments with the Commission in opposition. “Rooftop solar customers are reducing the need for utilities to build dirty, water-intensive power plants,” said Norine Smiley in an email to the Commission. Smiley said she went solar in 2017 before two major policy changes at the Commission subsequently raised the amount she believed she would spend for power. “It appears that you are punishing someone like me for trying to be responsible to the environment and energy efficiency.” Attorney Mary Curtin of the Attorney General’s Office told the Commission the public outcry is evidence the fee should not stand. “Plainly, the public does not believe the grid access charge is in their interest,” Curtin said. “We all know rates must be just, reasonable, and non-discriminatory. But they must also be in the public interest.” “Why is APS so aggressive in its support of the fee?” Although APS did not publicly request the fee in its original rate application, it supported its inclusion and defended it in the re-hearing. RUCO raised that point while sparring in legal filings with APS over RUCO’s role in the re-hearing. “The better question is: why APS is so aggressive in its support of the GAC (fee)... when its underlying position in the rate case was an even allocation among the residential ratepayers?” Pozefsky wrote in a filing this month. The fact APS is defending the fee is also relevant given the utility’s public image campaign over the years promoting itself as an advocate of sustainability with mottos like “Everyday Greener.” The nonprofit advocacy group Vote Solar said the fee will discourage the public from adopting solar in the future and many consumers echoed those concerns. “These unfair fees discourage rather than encourage clean energy alternatives that make the environment healthier for us all,” said Joyce Stoffers of Sun City. 12News asked APS President Ted Geisler by email if he shares those concerns. Geisler did not answer the question. APS spokeswoman Jill Hanks responded, saying the company believes such an assertion is false. “Our message for Arizona is that APS supports fairness for all customers and is thoughtfully planning ahead to continue providing Arizonans with energy that’s reliable, affordable and clean,” Hanks said by email. Ultimately, Commissioners Jim O’Connor, Kevin Thompson and Nick Myers voted to keep the fee. “I’m going to vote to support the majority of ratepayers in the interest of fairness,” Thompson said. Anna Tovar voted against it. Lea Marquez Petersen was not present for the vote. “Beyond all the legal issues, it is simply bad policy to impose this charge,” Tovar said. Commission also approves order for formula rate model The Commission also voted to solidify a policy change that will make available a new ratemaking tool, known as formula rates. Critics say the model has not proven it benefits consumers where it’s been attempted in other states and it will cost ratepayers more. Supporters say it reduces red tape and prolonged legal hearings. Before voting to approve the policy, Commission Chair Jim O’Connor said formula rates will modernize the commission. O’Connor claimed there were only six states in the country that still use the existing model at the Arizona Commission, which bases rates on a “historic test year. “ “That is antiquated technology,” O’Conor said. However, Commission Staff released a report in April showing 23 states use a historical test year or “modified” historical test year, like Arizona. Commissioner Anna Tovar said the policy statement lacked details and safeguards for consumers. “Why would we want to wait until after something is put in place to find out the mistakes that could potentially happen?” Tovar said. Myers said there would be opportunities next year for the Commission to refine the formula rate policies. O’Connor said formula rates represent “a new tool in the toolbox” for ratemaking and repeated a promise that formula rates will lead to more transparency and accountability. Opponents say the policy statement does not explain exactly how those goals would be met. “We don’t see the evidence in the proposed order that shows there is increased transparency, that there is additional opportunity for stakeholder engagement,” said consumer advocate Diane Brown. Tuesday’s votes come as the Commission’s 4-1 Republican majority winds down two years of a pro-utility, “deregulation” agenda promised by Thompson and Myers. But that voting record has left consumer nonprofits and RUCO on the losing end of major decisions. Watch 12News+ for free You can now watch 12News content anytime, anywhere thanks to the 12News+ app! The free 12News+ app from 12News lets users stream live events — including daily newscasts like "Today in AZ" and "12 News" and our daily lifestyle program, "Arizona Midday"—on Roku and Amazon Fire TV . 12News+ showcases live video throughout the day for breaking news, local news, weather and even an occasional moment of Zen showcasing breathtaking sights from across Arizona. Users can also watch on-demand videos of top stories, local politics, I-Team investigations, Arizona-specific features and vintage videos from the 12News archives. Roku: Add the channel from the Roku store or by searching for "12 News KPNX." 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In the midst of this turmoil, questions are being raised about the leadership within the team and the ability of the coaching staff to manage and unite a group of talented yet conflicting personalities. As the situation unfolds, Barcelona finds itself at a critical juncture, where decisions must be made to not only salvage the season but also rebuild the team's identity and reputation.
Last-minute bargain hunters send holiday retail sales higher than last year, Mastercard saysThe US State and Treasury departments said they hit Georgian Dream party founder and honorary chairman Bidzina Ivanishvili with penalties “for undermining the democratic and Euro-Atlantic future of Georgia for the benefit of the Russian Federation”, according to a statement. The designation of Mr Ivanishvili is the latest in a series of sanctions the US has placed on Georgian politicians and others this year. Those sanctions include freezes on assets and properties those targeted may have in US jurisdictions or that might enter US jurisdictions as well as travel bans on the targets and members of their families. “We strongly condemn Georgian Dream’s actions under Ivanishvili’s leadership, including its ongoing and violent repression of Georgian citizens, protesters, members of the media, human rights activists, and opposition figures,” the State Department said in a statement. “The United States is committed to promoting accountability for those undermining democracy and human rights in Georgia.” Mr Ivanishvili is a billionaire who made his fortune in Russia and served briefly as Georgia’s prime minister. In 2012, he founded Georgian Dream, Georgia’s longtime ruling party. Critics have accused Georgian Dream of becoming increasingly authoritarian and tilted towards Moscow. The party recently pushed through laws similar to those used by the Kremlin to crack down on freedom of speech and LGBT+ rights, prompting the European Union to suspend Georgia’s membership application process indefinitely. In October, Georgian Dream won another term in a divisive parliamentary election that has led to more mass protests. Last month, the country’s prime minister, Irakli Kobakhidze, announced a four-year suspension of talks on Georgia’s bid to join the European Union, fuelling further public outrage.
The match against Liverpool is not just a test of skill and talent, but also a chance for Herrona to show their resilience and fighting spirit. The coach emphasized the need for his players to stay calm under pressure and not let the intensity of the game get to them. He encouraged them to enjoy the experience of playing against a top team like Liverpool, but also reminded them of the importance of staying focused and disciplined throughout the match.
Calls for peaceful elections raised amid increasing violence
One of the main reasons for this concern is Arsenal's over-reliance on set pieces, particularly on free kicks and corners. While being proficient in scoring from dead-ball situations is certainly an asset, the inability to consistently create and convert chances from open play can be a cause for alarm. Football matches are often won or lost based on the ability to break down opposition defenses and score goals through creative build-up play, quick combinations, and decisive finishing. Without a strong presence in open play, Arsenal may find themselves struggling to compete with top teams on a consistent basis.
The new expressway project has already received strong support from both the central government and local authorities, who view it as a strategic investment in the future development of Jiangxi. The project is expected to generate employment opportunities, stimulate economic activity, and improve the living standards of local residents. By investing in the construction of the new expressway, Jiangxi aims to enhance its connectivity with neighboring provinces and regions, strengthen its position as a key transportation hub, and attract more businesses and investments to the area.
The man's experience serves as a cautionary tale for others who may be enticed by the allure of high-stakes prizes and seemingly rewarding challenges. It highlights the importance of exercising discernment and due diligence when considering participation in such competitions, ensuring that the promises made align with the actual benefits and objectives of the endeavor.
Feds suspend ACA marketplace access to companies accused of falsely promising ‘cash cards’In a recent turn of events, 33-year-old female director Zhang Xin has made headlines for her bold stance in support of Wu Liufang, a young actress who has been facing relentless online harassment. Zhang Xin, known for her critically acclaimed works in the film industry, took to social media to denounce the toxic behavior of some fans and made a significant decision to disband her fan group. Her actions have sparked a wave of discussions and controversies, leading to speculation about her potential withdrawal from social media platforms and a subsequent account unblocking that has once again brought her into the limelight.