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The Nordic Roadmap project has unveiled the Fuel Transition Roadmap for Nordic Shipping (‘the Roadmap’), a comprehensive document outlining a decarbonization strategy for the region. The report urges Nordic ministers to take immediate action to support the industry in achieving its goals by closing the cost gap associated with the fuel transition. Its findings and recommendations were officially presented to Nordic ministers today at a High-Level Conference on Green Shipping in the Nordic Region, held in Copenhagen. Alongside their commitment to global maritime emission reduction targets set by the IMO, the Nordic countries have also pledged to meet ambitious regional climate targets for shipping. These include early commitments to net-zero emissions by 2050, advancing a sustainable ocean economy and green transition, cooperation on transport, infrastructure and energy supply, and the establishment of green shipping corridors. To decarbonize, shipping will need to switch to zero-emission fuels and the Roadmap strategy identifies three main barriers to their uptake in the region: The report goes on to outline seven building blocks, broken down further into 20 specific actions to be taken towards 2030, to overcome the interlinked barriers. These represent specific work packages that governments and industry stakeholders must collaborate and work on in parallel to upscale the use of zero-emission fuels. The key recommendations of the Roadmap highlight the urgent need for government action to bridge the cost gap for zero-emission fuels and to accelerate the implementation of competitive tenders for green shipping corridors. The strategy envisions the first corridor becoming operational by 2025, followed by three more by 2026, and an additional six by the end of 2028. An immediate priority is to develop a plan for the regional integration of fuel production and infrastructure. Ms. Ida Heimann Larsen, Deputy Secretary General of the Nordic Council of Ministers, said: “The Nordic Council of Ministers is proud to have helped bring about this comprehensive and ambitious public-private cooperation. And we will continue to support the advancement of the 7 key building blocks of the Road Map as part of a wider, cross-sectoral focus on the green transition of our blue economy. These are important stepping stones on our path towards making the Nordic region the most sustainable in the world.” Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, CEO Maritime, DNV, said: “We call on Nordic governments to act swiftly on the urgent measures identified in the Fuel Transition Roadmap for Nordic Shipping. Doing so will give the industry confidence to invest in ships capable of running on zero-emission fuels, and the fuel infrastructure needed to support them. Cross border and value chain collaboration will be crucial in enabling the industry to overcome key barriers and to meet the ambitious decarbonization targets. By leading the way, the Nordics can not only drive value creation and boost exports but can also play a key role in the global fuel transition.” Bjarne Foldager, Senior Vice President and Head of Two-Stroke Business, Denmark, MAN Energy Solutions, said: “This Roadmap is a worthy initiative and, in tandem with other global decarbonisation efforts, represents a concrete way for Nordic shipping to collaborate and push decarbonisation through – among other parameters – the adoption of zero-emission fuels and green corridors. At MAN Energy Solutions, we welcome the opportunity to work with like-minded partners and are more than happy to bring our expertise within marine propulsion and alternative fuels to the table in the pursuit of net zero.” The Roadmap is developed by the project team led by DNV with members from MAN Energy Solutions, IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, Chalmers University of Technology, Menon Economics, and Litehauz, and in collaboration with more than 60 industry partners. The Nordic Roadmap project started in 2022 and is funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers. It aims to reduce key barriers to the uptake of zero-emission fuels and develop a common roadmap for the whole Nordic region towards zero-emission shipping. Source: DNV,
HARTFORD – Two Black Lives Matter protesters arrested in 2020 have won a $41,000 settlement that ends their civil lawsuits against the city of Waterbury and two of its former police officers. The city’s mayor and police chief both said the settlement reached Wednesday at U.S. District Court in Hartford before Judge Janet Hall is a means of ending the case without enduring a protracted trial or admission of wrongdoing. Jury selection was scheduled to begin in March 2025. Rudonna Legree and Juicy Reid-Stith will share the money with their attorney, Alexander T. Taubes, who said he will charge a “reduced” rate for his services to enable his clients to split a larger amount. The pair sued the city and officer David Terni and Capt. Steve Gilmore, claiming their 1st and 14th Amendment rights were violated during a social justice protest in front of the police station on East Main Street on May 31, 2020. They claim the arrests were illegal, and that their rights to speech and assembly were violated. It happened just days after the murder of George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer got national attention. The two were among 17 protesters arrested during the event. Previously, the city lost its legal bid to end the case on the basis that the officers had qualified immunity based on “arguable probable cause” to make the arrests. A federal court judge disagreed and allowed the case to go forward. Taubes said the consequences of the arrest were particularly severe for Legree, who spent five months in prison when the arrest complicated conditions of a previous criminal record that includes several convictions for larceny and one for interfering with police in 2023. Charges associated with the 2020 arrest were dropped. “It’s important for police to understand the people’s right to speak out, even when the people being criticized are the police,” Taube said. According to the complaint, Legree said she listened to speakers, kneeled, marched through downtown and made her way with Reid-Stith and others to the Waterbury Police Department. Reid-Stith and Legree claim they never heard a police order to disperse from the street. Reid-Stith said “all hell broke loose” when the order to arrest protesters was said to have been made by Gilmore and Terni. Both officers have retired within the past 18 months. Legree claims she was dragged by police into the street and forcibly arrested. Mayor Paul K. Pernerewski Jr. said he stands firmly behind the city’s police officers. “From everything I have seen, I believe the officers acted prudently and I continue to support the police department,” he said. “There was no admission of liability.” The decision to settle was made because of the risk trials carry. “This outcome was in the best interest of the city,” Pernerewski said. “And it was a number that made sense and wasn’t all that difficult to reach.” No additional police training is planned to avoid similar conflicts in the future, he noted. “This happened before we had body cameras, which would have been helpful,” the mayor said. “I am comfortable that the officers acted appropriately.” Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo said he wasn’t part of settlement discussions involving Taube, two attorneys from the city Corporation Counsel’s Office and U.S. District Court magistrate Robert Richardson. “There was no finding of false arrest or misconduct,” Spagnolo said. “We still stand by the actions police took, which were prudent.” Contact Brigitte Ruthman at bruthman @ rep-am.com.Trump threatens to impose sweeping new tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China on first day in office (Canada)
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The doomers have it wrong. AI is not going to end the world—but it is going to end the web as we've known it. AI is already upending the economic covenant of the internet that's existed since the advent of search: A few companies (mostly Google) bring demand, and creators bring supply (and get some ad revenue or recognition from it). AI tools are already generating and summarizing content, obviating the need for users to click through to the sites of content providers, and thereby upsetting the balance. Meanwhile, an ocean of AI-powered deepfakes and bots will make us question what's real and will degrade people's trust in the online world. And as big tech companies—who can afford the most data and compute—continue to invest in AI, they will become even more powerful, further closing off what remains of the open internet. The march of technology is inevitable. I'm not calling attention to this to cry that the sky is falling or to hold back progress. We need to help individual users gain some control of their digital lives. Thoughtful government regulation could help, but it often slows innovation. Attempting a one-size-fits-all solution can create as many problems as it solves. And, let's face it, users are not going to retreat... Chris DixonNone
Microchip Technology Inc. stock falls Thursday, underperforms market
Pep Guardiola admits he is questioning himself after Manchester City’s latest defeat left them in danger of missing out on the Champions League knockout stages. City slumped to their seventh defeat in 10 games in all competitions as they were beaten 2-0 at Juventus in their latest European outing on Wednesday. Second-half goals from Dusan Vlahovic and Weston McKennie at the Allianz Stadium left Guardiola’s side languishing in 22nd place in the standings. With just two games of the league phase remaining, a place in the top eight and automatic last-16 qualification looks beyond them and they face a battle just to stay in the top 24 and claim a play-off spot. City manager Guardiola said: “Of course I question myself but I’m stable in good moments and bad moments. “I try to find a way to do it. I’m incredibly honest. If we play good (I say) we played good and today I thought we played good. “Our game will save us. We can do it. We conceded few chances compared to the Nottingham Forest game that we won. We’re making the right tempo. “We missed the last pass, did not arrive in the six-yard box (at the right time) or have the composure at the right moment. “But I love my team. This is life, it happens. Sometimes you have a bad period but I’m going to insist until we’re there.” City now face a crunch trip to Paris St Germain, who are also at risk of failing to qualify, next month. Guardiola accepts the top 24 is now the only aim. He said: “It’s the target. We need one point or three points. We go to Paris to try to do it and the last game at home.” Veteran midfielder Ilkay Gundogan said after the game he felt City were suffering from a loss of confidence but Guardiola dismissed his player’s comments. “I am not agreeing with Ilkay,” he said. “Of course it is tough but, except one or two games in this period, we’ve played good.” City now face a further test of their resolve as they host rivals Manchester United in a derby on Sunday. Gundogan told TNT Sports: “It (confidence) is a big part of it. That’s a mental issue as well. “You can see that sometimes we miss the ball or lose a duel and you see that we drop immediately and lose the rhythm. They (the opponents) don’t even need to do much but it has such a big effect on us right now. “Even more you have to do the simple things as good as possible and create and fluidity, then it’s work hard again. This is how you get confidence back – do the small and simple things, (but) in crucial moments at the moment we are always doing the wrong things.” Juventus coach Thiago Motta was pleased with the hosts’ performance, which boosted their hopes of making the top eight. “It was a deserved victory,” he said. “We had to defend as a team and be ready to attack with quality. “We have shown we can compete at this level and now we have to do it consistently.”
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The suspect in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on December 4 may have been motivated by personal struggles with chronic pain. Luigi Mangione, 26, was named as a person of interest in the investigation by the authorities. Mangione was caught at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania, which is around 275 miles from New York City. He has not been officially charged in relation to Thompson's death as of Monday afternoon. A national discussion about the American healthcare system and its relationship to the public has been triggered by Thompson's shooting outside a Hilton hotel in midtown Manhattan. According to early accounts, the phrases "deny, defend, depose," which are frequently employed by those who criticize the insurance sector, were etched on the bullet casings discovered at the crime site. Even though the inquiry is still underway, more issues have been raised by an examination of Mangione's internet activity. A number of books about chronic back pain were listed on his Goodreads page, indicating a personal connection to the problem. The books were added between May 2022 and February 2023, and some of the titles are about understanding and managing chronic pain. Among the books listed on Mangione's profile are: Becoming a Supple Leopard: The Ultimate Guide to Resolving Pain, Preventing Injury, and Optimizing Athletic PerformanceBack in Control: A Spine Surgeon's Roadmap Out of Chronic PainHealing Back Pain: The Mind-Body ConnectionWhy We Get Sick: The Hidden Epidemic at the Root of Most Chronic Disease—And How to Fight ItCrooked: Outwitting the Back Pain Industry and Getting on the Road to Recovery A sizable percentage of Americans suffer from chronic discomfort. A 2023 National Institutes of Health (NIH) research estimates that 51.6 million Americans, or around 21% of all adults, suffer from chronic pain. Pain that is felt most or every day for three months or longer is considered chronic pain. A significant percentage of this population is also impacted by high-impact chronic pain that restricts their ability to do daily or professional tasks. The relationship between the nation's opioid crisis and chronic pain has sparked questions about the way pain is managed. The NIH emphasized how urgent it is to address these problems, citing the substantial healthcare and social impact that chronic pain causes. Mangione’s Goodreads profile has also drawn attention for a review he left on the manifesto of Ted Kaczynski, the infamous Unabomber. In the review, Mangione called Kaczynski an “extreme political revolutionary,” acknowledging the discomfort in confronting the manifesto's criticisms of modern society. Mangione wrote, “It’s easy to quickly and thoughtlessly write this off as the manifesto of a lunatic, in order to avoid facing some of the uncomfortable problems it identifies. But it’s simply impossible to ignore how prescient many of his predictions about modern society turned out.” Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from US News, World and around the world.Militia detains 300 migrants in the desert in Libya's effort to contain sea crossings'Our points return against bottom-six teams has let us down a little bit'
The Thunder Bay Police say they are investigating a weekend threat targeting The Thunder Bay Public Library ahead of a scheduled Storytime with Thunder Bay Drag Queens event. The event was scheduled Saturday at the Waverly Library. In a media release, the police said they secured the scene and thoroughly searched the library and determined there was no credible threat. Storytime with Thunder Bay Drag Queens events has faced violent threats before including in March where a similar event was forced to cancel following a bomb threat. The Thunder Bay Public Library confirmed they received a threat this weekend and the Storytime was moved to a different location while police investigated. Community provides support after bomb threat at Thunder Bay Drag Queen Storytime event "The Library was evacuated and closed for the remainder of the day to ensure the safety of our staff and community. We would like to publicly thank the Thunder Bay Police for their support and assistance in dealing with this threat, which turned out to be a malicious hoax," said the statement. The Library also confirms it's in support of Drag Queen Storytimes, and said they are "proud to be open to all members of our community." "It's a shame that someone feels justified in wasting the resources of Thunder Bay Police Service in an effort to make what's essentially a hateful political statement," said Library CEO Richard Togman. Story Time with Thunder Bay Drag Queens returns after bomb threat cancels last event The Library confirms Storytime with Thunder Bay Drag Queens "will continue on a monthly basis for the foreseeable future." "We stand in solidarity with Thunder Bay's 2SLGBTQIA+ community and are committed to continuing to present inclusive programming at all of our Library branches." The investigation into the threat remains ongoing.Nick Kern came off the bench for 20 points and 13 rebounds as Penn State remained unbeaten with an 85-66 thumping of Fordham in a semifinal of the Sunshine Slam on Monday in Daytona Beach, Fla. The Nittany Lions (6-0), who will play either San Francisco or Clemson for the tournament title on Tuesday, put four other players in double figures. Zach Hicks scored 16 points, while Puff Johnson added 15. Ace Baldwin and Yanic Konan Niederhauser each chipped in 12 points. Penn State sank nearly 53 percent of its field goal attempts and earned a 38-30 advantage on the boards, more than enough to offset missing 12 of its 32 foul shots. Four players reached double figures for the Rams (3-4), led by 15 points apiece from Jackie Johnson III and reserve Joshua Rivera. Romad Dean and Jahmere Tripp each added 13. Fordham was as close as 56-49 after Tripp made a layup with 14:25 left in the game. But the Nittany Lions responded with a 16-1 run, capped with a layup by Kern for a 22-point lead at the 9:33 mark, and they never looked back. The main storyline prior to tipoff was whether Penn State could continue its torrid early start that saw it come into the day leading Division I in steals and ranked second in scoring at 98.2 points per game. The Nittany Lions certainly played to their billing for most of the first half, establishing a 21-8 lead at the 10:08 mark via Hicks' three-point play. Fordham predictably struggled early with the pressure defense, committing four turnovers in the first four minutes. But the Rams got their bearings over the last 10 minutes and made some shots. They got as close as four on two occasions late in the half before Penn State pushed the lead to 42-34 at the half. The officials were busy in the half, calling 23 fouls and administering 27 free throws. --Field Level Media
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