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A thousand days of hell: Ukraine war continues as Trump presidency looms
Resiquimod is under clinical development by SURGE Therapeutics and currently in Phase II for Non Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer (NMIBC) (Superficial Bladder Cancer). According to GlobalData, Phase II drugs for Non Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer (NMIBC) (Superficial Bladder Cancer) have a 72% phase transition success rate (PTSR) indication benchmark for progressing into Phase III. GlobalData tracks drug-specific phase transition and likelihood of approval scores, in addition to indication benchmarks based off 18 years of historical drug development data. Attributes of the drug, company and its clinical trials play a fundamental role in drug-specific PTSR and likelihood of approval. Resiquimod overview Resiquimod (STM-416) is under development for the prevention of recurrence and/or progression after transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). The drug candidate is an imidazoquinolinamine which acts by targeting toll like receptor 7 (TLR7) and toll like receptor 8 (TLR8). It is administered intraoperatively in the form of biodegradable gel. SURGE Therapeutics overview SURGE Therapeutics (SURGE) is a provider of intraoperative immunotherapy services for cancer patients that offers an injectable biodegradable hydrogel and allows prolonged, localized free-up of most cancers immunotherapy. The company is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the US. For a complete picture of Resiquimod’s drug-specific PTSR and LoA scores, This content was updated on 12 April 2024 From Blending expert knowledge with cutting-edge technology, GlobalData’s unrivalled proprietary data will enable you to decode what’s happening in your market. You can make better informed decisions and gain a future-proof advantage over your competitors. , the leading provider of industry intelligence, provided the underlying data, research, and analysis used to produce this article. GlobalData’s Likelihood of Approval analytics tool dynamically assesses and predicts how likely a drug will move to the next stage in clinical development (PTSR), as well as how likely the drug will be approved (LoA). This is based on a combination of machine learning and a proprietary algorithm to process data points from various databases found on GlobalData’s .The Internet of Things to be the future of horticulture, say experts
We always begin the calendar year with a degree of optimism. To live with hope is in the very nature of human existence. No matter how tough the challenges in the year ahead, the optimists outnumber the pessimists. No amount of gloom or doom prospects purveyed by dismal economists can deter the optimists. Their confidence in the future is undiminished. In that spirit here is a prognosis for the year 2025, full of tough challenges for the optimists to tackle and overcome. The year ahead is full of uncertainty. Making an accurate prediction is foolish and is sure to fail. The sources of global uncertainty are economic and geo-political. In the latter category are many factors. These include the outcome of the endless war in Ukraine, the escalation of the Israel-Hamas conflict and its spillover into the wider region of West Asia, and the ascendance of far-right parties in many countries, most prominently in Germany. One of the largest economies in the world, the German government lost the vote of confidence in Parliament this month, leading to mid-term elections which will be held early next year. The German economy will contract for a second year in a row, even as it grapples with a rising deficit, need for greater funding of the overseas wars, a shortage of skills and underfunded education. Then there is a rising anti-immigrant sentiment fueled by the far-right parties. Will Germany tilt closer to Russia or to NATO? How will it deal with Iran and its competitor China? Will its economy bounce back? Beyond geo-politics is the economic uncertainty that will be heightened by America’s new leader, Donald Trump who takes oath on January 20. He has promised higher import tariffs, slashing government funding, stronger anti-immigrant policies and a withdrawal from most global climate treaties. His government will be more protectionist. He is likely to engage in international diplomacy purely from an American transactional perspective. At the same time his government will have to fight inflation along with recessionary winds. Meanwhile the American government debt has reached a new peak of 35 trillion dollars. Feeding this debt mountain are higher deficits and an insatiable appetite by the government for borrowing. The interest on the debt alone is about 1 trillion dollars. The borrowing appetite keeps the American dollar currency strong, causing other currencies like the Indian rupee to fall. Weaker currencies cause inflation to worsen. Despite its economic woes, the American stock market clocked new highs during 2024 leading to the creation of more than 150 new billionaires. The twelve richest men in America are together worth 2 trillion dollars now. We thus have a cocktail mix of high inflation, high unemployment, a wild asset markets growth (stocks and real estate) and widening wealth and income inequality. The stock markets have a habit of an abrupt and sharp correction, when collective paranoia takes hold. That bubble burst could happen but is unpredictable. Not many saw the Lehman crash coming in 2008. China is also fighting a slowdown and a large debt with stress in its banking and real estate. It is also trying to transition into the new economy powered by renewable energy, artificial intelligence, and space technology. The other parts of East Asia and Japan are in relatively better shape and have better macroeconomic features. Rising inequality is a global concern and its removal or reduction is one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) of the United Nations. The rise of populist leaders, higher welfare spending is a response to rising inequality. How to manage the fiscal burden of welfare spending is a new challenge. In India too, welfare spending has expanded hugely, both by the Union governments and the States. A recent report by the Reserve Bank of India has cautioned against expanding subsidies and freebies indiscriminately. During 2024 sixty countries had national elections including India, and in most places rising inflation and inequality were big issues for voters. In many places incumbents were thrown out (such as in America) mainly due to inflation and economic hardships. In India too, the State assembly elections to Jharkhand and Maharashtra were swayed by promises of generous subsidies especially targeted at women. We will have two other States, Delhi and Bihar, electing new legislatures, and there is already talk of income subsidies to the poor, women and other sections of society. Who will pay for all of these is not a matter of debate, at least for now. On India’s domestic front there are many things to watch out. Two State assembly elections have been mentioned. The much-delayed national census is likely to be kicked off. A revamp of the consumer price index and the index of industrial production is on the cards. Discussion will begin on the delimitation exercise of readjustment of Parliamentary seats. The deadline is 2026. The sixteenth Finance Commission will finalise its recommendation later this year. Will it assign assured funding to the third tier of government? In many States election to local bodies like municipalities and panchayats have been long delayed, affecting local governance. The Indian rupee is expected to depreciate due to strong dollar policies of the Trump administration compounded by a wider trade deficit in India. The worry about how to increase foreign direct investment will remain. It has been falling for several years. The outflow of capital as well flight of rich people to other countries is also a matter of concern. Indians are expected to spend 70 billion dollars on the “import” of education, i.e. on students studying abroad. This is a major drain on the economy and reflects dissatisfaction with the quality of education in India, or of affordability and availability. On the technology front we will see the proliferation of electric vehicles, greater ethanol blending with petrol, and perhaps the initiation of pilot projects of small and modular nuclear reactors. One big economic development to watch for is the increase in private capital spending and the improvement in rural wages. The slowdown in urban consumption might call for a budgetary stimulus in the Union budget due to be presented in February. In summary a year filled with uncertainty about investment and growth, widening inequalities, the growing influence of geopolitics and conflicts, and ever surging asset markets guided by a loose monetary policy. (Dr. Ajit Ranade is a noted Pune-based economist ) ( Syndicate: The Billion Press )
CUPRA in preliminary talks with Penske Automotive Group ahead of entering the US market by 2030
Ohio State senior quarterback Will Howard performed to high expectations in the Buckeyes’ 38-15 win over No. 5 Indiana, but his stat line wasn't what had social media talking. Instead, it was a sideline celebration that tapped deep into internet culture, pretending to light and stomp out an imaginary joint that polarized football fans and started debates about sportsmanship vs bravado in college athletics. The Buckeyes remained in control throughout the game after overcoming an early seven-point deficit caused by a two-yard yard from senior Hoosier running back Ty Son Lawton. Encircled by teammates and coaches in a sea of red jerseys, Howard simulated putting a fake joint to his mouth, flicking it away, and stomping it out, a nod to the viral “putting them in a pack” meme used to mock defeated opponents. Cameras quickly panned to Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti , who waved off the gesture in visible disgust. On X, the reactions ranged from amused to outraged.One fan wrote, "Bro, have some sportsmanship geez," while another chimed in, "IU talked a lot [Curt specifically] the past few weeks. Many people, OSU fans or not, enjoyed seeing how they fared against a good team." Shedeur Sanders drops huge hint at NFL future after Daniel Jones release from Giants Dave Portnoy pokes fun at Ohio State after helping Michigan flip star QB recruit Bryce Underwood Indiana came into the matchup as heavy underdogs with sportsbooks, giving the Hoosiers a 10.5-point cushion. Cignetti was bold to the press as he talked his team up before the game, taking direct aim at critics of his program. "We’ve got the largest scoring margin, victory margin in college football , right?" Cignetti said. "There’s a narrative out that’s created another chip for us. People can stick that narrative up their you-know-what." When asked how he planned to slow down Ohio State’s high-powered offense, Cignetti laid out his strategy of controlling the line of scrimmage, stopping the run, and creating turnovers by forcing Howard into tight coverage. He ended the interview with a walk-off, saying, "Google me, I win," which rubbed a portion of Buckeyes nation the wrong way online. Cignetti’s verbal faith didn’t translate to the field. Ohio State controlled the game after Indiana's first-quarter rushing TD as senior running back TreVeyon Henderson led the Buckeyes’ rushing attack with 68 yards and a touchdown. The Buckeyes collectively rushed for 115 yards on the ground, and Howard was nearly perfect, completing 22 of 26 passes for 201 yards, two touchdowns, and just one interception. "I was just having some fun with it. I have a lot of respect for those guys, man. I think what coach Cignetti’s done over there, he’s done a heck of a job," said Howard after admitting that the words he mouthed before the gesture were "Google me," returning the favor to Cignetti. "The Buckeyes are here, and the Buckeyes won," he continued. "So you can Google that." Cignetti’s plan to rattle Howard never materialized. The Buckeye's offensive line held firm without giving up a single sack, and by the end of the third quarter, the team had a 28-7 lead.
BlackBerry shares climb after court dismisses former executive's claimsP2P and A2P Messaging Market 2024: A Decade of Phenomenal Growth Ahead
Guy Beahm, the streamer better known as Dr Disrespect, has joined the right-wing streaming platform Rumble, not just as a streamer but also as lead of Rumble Gaming —not esports talent agency of the same name, which is unrelated, but the platform's gaming-focused livestream category. "As part of an agreement that includes equity with milestones as a majority of its compensation, Dr Disrespect will provide exclusive content to Rumble Premium for his 'Champions Club' community," Rumble said . "Dr Disrespect will also lead Rumble Gaming, acting as an advisor and helping to build the Rumble Gaming community." Along with exclusive content for Rumble subscribers, Beahm will continue to stream free content on Rumble. The move to Rumble comes after Beahm's request to remonetize his YouTube channel, which was demonetized in June following his admission of inappropriate conversations with a minor on Twitch, was declined in September. Ironically, just a few weeks later he shot down rumors that he was moving to the streaming platform Kick with a disparaging post saying he'd retire first: "My community is the best in the industry," he said at the time. "I wouldn't take it there." Which is fair enough: Kick is the platform that controversially pays huge amounts of money to xQc and Nickmercs for gambling streams, and more recently hosted banned Twitch streamer Adin Ross as he fawned over Donald Trump . But Rumble is home to numerous personalities of dubious repute too: Streamers currently trending on the platform include Dan Bongino, Steven Crowder, Viva Frei, Russell Brand, The Quartering, and the Tate Brothers. Is that worse? I would argue that it absolutely might be. Beahm isn't a bad fit for it, though. In October he announced a line of Donald Trump-inspired " Make Gaming Great Again " merchandise available for purchase on his website. Naturally, it sold out quickly. "Crazy to think a type of 'class of people' tried to cancel us and create a false, exaggerated narrative about something from almost a decade ago. They embarrassed my family and I," Beahm said on his real-name X account, which had been idle for more than a year prior to today. That "narrative" arose from Beahm's admission in June in which he downplayed his interactions with a minor that got him a lifetime Twitch ban , claiming they were "casual, mutual conversations that sometimes leaned too much in the direction of being inappropriate." Logs of the conversations have not been released by Beahm or Twitch. The biggest gaming news, reviews and hardware deals Keep up to date with the most important stories and the best deals, as picked by the PC Gamer team. "And with all that false, negative energy, YouTube decided to act as well and take my livelihood away by demonetizing us without any real explanation ... Truly grateful for the opportunity to help grow a new, hungry platform that represents the type of values I'm aligned with. No more cancel culture, no more suppression." It's not just a stream... it's an experience.Starting Dec. 2nd, let's Rumble!https://t.co/tZWkPvUfUI pic.twitter.com/2v6suUxHxE November 25, 2024 "Rumble is in a new era, and I'm laser-focused on expanding into two categories: gaming and crypto," Rumble Chairman and CEO Chris Pavlovski said. "Dr Disrespect will give a much-needed injection into our gaming category." Beahm's first stream on Rumble is set to happen on December 2.TORONTO — Canada's main stock index moved lower Monday, weighed down by energy stocks as the price of oil fell, while U.S. stock markets rose. The S&P/TSX composite index closed down 33.93 points at 25,410.35. In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 440.06 points at 44,736.57. The S&P 500 index was up 18.03 points at 5,987.37, while the Nasdaq composite was up 51.19 points at 19,054.84. The Canadian dollar traded for 71.53 cents US compared with 71.54 cents US on Friday. The January crude oil contract was down US$2.30 at US$68.94 per barrel and the January natural gas contract was up 16 cents at US$3.44 per mmBTU. The December gold contract was down US$93.70 at US$2,618.50 an ounce and the March copper contract was up three cents at US$4.16 a pound. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 25, 2024. Companies in this story: (TSX:GSPTSE, TSX:CADUSD) The Canadian Press
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 21, 2024-- CUPRA, the unconventional challenger brand that inspires the world from Barcelona, has begun preliminary talks with Penske Automotive Group to explore a new partnership ahead of entering the U.S. market by the end of the decade. Since its launch in 2018, CUPRA, the first new automotive brand created within the Volkswagen Group, has sold over 750,000 cars. The brand, which has already proven to be a success in Europe, will now take its unstoppable impulse to the United States by the end of the decade. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241120532152/en/ (Photo: Business Wire) A brand for the new generation Positioned between the mass and premium segments, CUPRA is a brand for the new generation that wants to challenge the status quo. With its range of ICE, PHEV and BEV cars that combine bold design and great performance, CUPRA has established itself as one of Europe’s fastest growing car brands. The brand has also found great success outside Europe, in markets including Mexico and Turkey. In 2022, CUPRA took its first major step in globalization, when it launched in Australia. Now, it is ready to undertake its most ambitious expansion to date by entering the U.S. market. With this goal in mind, CUPRA is in early stage talks with Penske Automotive Group. “CUPRA’s ambition is to be a truly global brand and expanding into the United States represents one of the greatest milestones on our journey,” said Wayne Griffiths, CEO of CUPRA. “We have great respect for the U.S. market, recognizing that a strong distribution and retail strategy is essential for success. By entering into preliminary discussions with Penske Automotive Group, we are exploring opportunities with the best possible partner, one with the right distribution network to introduce CUPRA to a new generation of American car lovers. Penske Automotive Group’s leadership in the industry and experience with the Volkswagen Group make this a very promising potential partnership” continued Wayne Griffiths. CUPRA’s journey to the U.S. market CUPRA will enter the U.S. market by the end of the decade in key states that are aligned with the brand. Its range of products are expected to include ICE, PHEV and BEV. CUPRA will leverage synergies within the Brand Group Core by producing one of the models in Volkswagen factories in the North America region. To lead CUPRA into the U.S., Bernhard Bauer, the former Managing Director of CUPRA Germany, has been appointed as the new Managing Director of CUPRA USA. The final location for its headquarters and details of the specific model lineup will be announced at a later date. A proven success story Since its launch in 2018, CUPRA has disrupted the European automotive industry with its fully-fledged lineup of vehicles. The range includes the CUPRA Ateca, a sporty SUV; the CUPRA Leon, recently redesigned with 100% CUPRA DNA; and the CUPRA Formentor, the brand’s bestselling model and modern icon. Both the CUPRA Formentor and the CUPRA Born, the brand’s first 100% electric vehicle, were finalists for the European Car of the Year Award. This year, CUPRA embarked on its biggest product offensive to date with the launch of the CUPRA Tavascan, the brand’s first all-electric SUV coupe and the CUPRA Terramar, a sporty and electrified SUV, that was recently included on the 2025 European Car of the Year list of finalists. Next to come will be the CUPRA Raval, the brand’s radical interpretation of an urban EV. CUPRA is a design led and performance driven brand that has achieved significant success internationally, earning over 200 awards, including top Red Dot Award: Best of the Best for the DarkRebel Showcar, the most radical interpretation of what CUPRA can be. It has been named the 2nd trendiest brand by 'Auto Motor und Sport' in Germany. It has achieved a brand value of 2.1 billion USD and has more than 900 points of sale worldwide, including 9 flagship CUPRA City Garages in major global destinations: Mexico City, Munich, Milan, Lisbon, Rotterdam, Sydney, Berlin, Paris and Madrid. CUPRA has also made a name for itself beyond the automotive, by branching into the worlds of sports, music, cinema and fashion forming partnerships with organizations including Spanish soccer club F.C. Barcelona and the Primavera Sound music festival. CUPRA is the unconventional challenger brand that brings together emotion, electrification, and performance to inspire the world from Barcelona. Launched in 2018, CUPRA has become one of Europe’s fastest growing car brands and has a global network of specialised points of sale. CUPRA proves that electrification and sportiness are a perfect match, and in 2023 the brand hit new heights with more than 230,000 vehicles delivered. Each successive launch of a model has marked a new milestone in defining the brand’s character, with a challenging and original design: the CUPRA Ateca, a unique model in its segment; the CUPRA Leon, redesigned and enhanced as a standalone CUPRA model; the CUPRA Formentor, the first model to be developed exclusively by the brand and the company’s best-selling vehicle to date; the CUPRA Born, the brand’s first 100% electric vehicle; the CUPRA Tavascan, an all-electric SUV coupe; and the CUPRA Terramar, the brand’s sporty SUV. CUPRA is FC Barcelona's official automotive and mobility partner, the Premier Padel Tour's premium sponsor and the official sponsor of the eSports Club Finetwork KOI. CUPRA is also proud to participate in the Formula E racing competition. The CUPRA Tribe is made up of a team of ambassadors who want to be the driving force of change. Its members include Oscar nominated film director J.A. Bayona, Formula E driver Lucas Di Grassi, Street Artist TvBoy, Olympic gold medallists Adam Peaty and Saul Craviotto, the German goalkeeper Marc ter Stegen, and two-time Ballon d'Or and Best FIFA Award-winning footballer Alexia Putellas. www.cupraofficial.com View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241120532152/en/ CONTACT: Cécilia Taieb Global Director of Communications T: +34 690 09 59 30 cecilia.taieb@seat.es Helena Mariscal de Gante Global Head of Corporate Communications T: +34 660 24 24 77 helena.mariscal@seat.es http://seat-mediacenter.com KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA EUROPE SPAIN UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: GENERAL AUTOMOTIVE AUTOMOTIVE MANUFACTURING MANUFACTURING AUTOMOTIVE SOURCE: CUPRA Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 11/21/2024 05:38 PM/DISC: 11/21/2024 05:38 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241120532152/enThe USS Zumwalt is at a Mississippi shipyard where workers have installed missile tubes that replace twin turrets from a gun system that was never activated because it was too expensive. Once the system is complete, the Zumwalt will provide a platform for conducting fast, precision strikes from greater distances, adding to the usefulness of the warship. “It was a costly blunder. But the Navy could take victory from the jaws of defeat here, and get some utility out of them by making them into a hypersonic platform,” said Bryan Clark, a defense analyst at the Hudson Institute. The U.S. has had several types of hypersonic weapons in development for the past two decades, but recent tests by both Russia and China have added pressure to the U.S. military to hasten their production. Hypersonic weapons travel beyond Mach 5, five times the speed of sound, with added maneuverability making them harder to shoot down. Last year, The Washington Post reported that among the documents leaked by former Massachusetts Air National Guard member Jack Teixeira was a defense department briefing that confirmed China had recently tested an intermediate-range hypersonic weapon called the DF-27. While the Pentagon previously acknowledged the weapon's development, it had not recognized its testing. One of the U.S. programs in development and planned for the Zumwalt is the “Conventional Prompt Strike." It would launch like a ballistic missile and then release a hypersonic glide vehicle that would travel at speeds seven to eight times faster than the speed of sound before hitting the target. The weapon system is being developed jointly by the Navy and Army. Each of the Zumwalt-class destroyers would be equipped with four missile tubes, each with three of the missiles for a total of 12 hypersonic weapons per ship. In choosing the Zumwalt, the Navy is attempting to add to the usefulness of a $7.5 billion warship that is considered by critics to be an expensive mistake despite serving as a test platform for multiple innovations. The Zumwalt was envisioned as providing land-attack capability with an Advanced Gun System with rocket-assisted projectiles to open the way for Marines to charge ashore. But the system featuring 155 mm guns hidden in stealthy turrets was canceled because each of the rocket-assisted projectiles cost between $800,000 and $1 million. Despite the stain on its reputation, the three Zumwalt-class destroyers remain the Navy’s most advanced surface warship in terms of new technologies. Those innovations include electric propulsion, an angular shape to minimize radar signature, an unconventional wave-piercing hull, automated fire and damage control and a composite deckhouse that hides radar and other sensors. The Zumwalt arrived at the Huntington Ingalls Industries shipyard in Pascagoula, Mississippi, in August 2023 and was removed from the water for the complex work of integrating the new weapon system. It is due to be undocked this week in preparation for the next round of tests and its return to the fleet, shipyard spokeswoman Kimberly Aguillard said. A U.S. hypersonic weapon was successfully tested over the summer and development of the missiles is continuing. The Navy wants to begin testing the system aboard the Zumwalt in 2027 or 2028, according to the Navy. The U.S. weapon system will come at a steep price. It would cost nearly $18 billion to buy 300 of the weapons and maintain them over 20 years, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Critics say there is too little bang for the buck. “This particular missile costs more than a dozen tanks. All it gets you is a precise non-nuclear explosion, some place far far away. Is it really worth the money? The answer is most of the time the missile costs much more than any target you can destroy with it,” said Loren Thompson, a longtime military analyst in Washington, D.C. But they provide the capability for Navy vessels to strike an enemy from a distance of thousands of kilometers — outside the range of most enemy weapons — and there is no effective defense against them, said retired Navy Rear Adm. Ray Spicer, CEO of the U.S. Naval Institute, an independent forum focusing on national security issues, and former commander of an aircraft carrier strike force. Conventional missiles that cost less aren’t much of a bargain if they are unable to reach their targets, Spicer said, adding the U.S. military really has no choice but to pursue them. “The adversary has them. We never want to be outdone,” he said. The U.S. is accelerating development because hypersonics have been identified as vital to U.S. national security with “survivable and lethal capabilities,” said James Weber, principal director for hypersonics in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Critical Technologies. “Fielding new capabilities that are based on hypersonic technologies is a priority for the defense department to sustain and strengthen our integrated deterrence, and to build enduring advantages,” he said.
Editor's Note: In an era marked by unprecedented global transformations, the world stands at a critical crossroads, grappling with deepening deficits in peace, development, security, and governance. As humanity faces unparalleled challenges during this tumultuous period, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese president, has put forth a solemn call to action through the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI), and the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI). The three pivotal initiatives address the pressing issues of our time, offering viable pathways and robust support for the building of a global community of shared future. Rooted in the rich historical experiences of the CPC's century-long struggle and infused with the wisdom of China's traditional culture, these initiatives are expected to unite the world in the pursuit of common progress and stability. To offer a deep understanding of the GDI, the GSI, and the GCI, and elaborate on their significance on a global scale, the Global Times is launching a series of articles featuring engaging stories and in-depth interviews to provide our readers with a comprehensive insight into the three initiatives. In this installment, we converse with artists and scholars from Latin America, exploring how the enhanced exchanges and mutual learning in the fields of literature, music, and art under the GCI proposed by President Xi are deepening the friendship between China and Latin America. Sculptures by Chinese artist Wu Weishan, titled "In Search of Wisdom - Confucius Asking Lao Tzu about the Tao," are displayed at Batlle Park in Montevideo, Uruguay, on May 29, 2024. Photo: Courtesy of the National Art Museum of China Chinese writer Ge Fei holds deep sentiments for Jorge Luis Borges. The Argentine writer had always been "a writer, poet, and scholar that I have full respect for. He is also renowned in novels, poetry, and literary theory, and no one in the world can deny this." Borges was an admirer of traditional Chinese culture. Chinese philosophy greatly influenced his works, such as "Kafka and His Precursors" and "The Garden of Forking Paths." He is the Latin American writer with the largest number of works translated into Chinese, and his work has significantly influenced Chinese authors including Yu Hua, Ma Yuan, and Sun Ganlu. His writing reflects his extensive knowledge of Chinese culture. In 1937, he published a review of the novel "Dream of the Red Chamber" by Cao Xueqin, one of the four classics of Chinese literature. Three years later, he published "The Book of Fantasy," featuring two translated episodes from "Red Chamber." In his essay "Kafka and his Precursors," he mentioned Tang dynasty poet Han Yu, and in the story "The Garden of Forking Paths," he again alluded to the "Red Chamber." While Borges never visited China, he made an invaluable contribution to the West's understanding and appreciation of China. In 2018, Chinese President Xi Jinping cited Borges in a signed article in an Argentine newspaper, writing that "the literary legend Jorge Luis Borges used Chinese allusions such as the butterfly dream of the philosopher Chuang Tzu and the Great Wall in his works, including The Paint Cane. And he indeed had a cherished Chinese paint cane in his possession." Numerous stories of exchanges between Chinese and Latin American writers including Borges are painting a vivid picture of mutual learning, a vivid practice of GCI proposed by President Xi, who stresses that promoting people-to-people exchanges and mutual learning is of great value in summoning the enormous wisdom and energy needed to advance the progress and development of human civilizations. The GCI can be a powerful engine for strengthening ties between China and Latin American countries by fostering cultural exchanges and direct cooperation between their people. Through projects that promote the exchange of cultural, educational, and artistic experiences, the GCI can serve as a bridge to build mutual understanding and bring the two regions closer, Ronnie Lins, director of the China-Brazil Center for Research and Business, told the Global Times. Twenty-three foreigners from nearly 20 countries, including the Chile, visit East China's Jiangsu Province, to experience local intangible cultural heritage, on July 10, 2024. Photo: VCG Tales of two peoples As an ancient Chinese poem reads, "If you have a friend afar who knows your heart, distance cannot keep you two apart." Although China and Latin America are far away from each other, the two peoples enjoy a long history of interactions and profound friendship. Recently, Enrique Teixeira, former Deputy Mayor of Campinas, Sao Paulo State, and more than 100 friendly personages from the Brazil-China Friendship Association, Sao Paulo University, Sao Paulo State University, and the Copacabana Fort Orchestra in Rio de Janeiro wrote to Xi, respectively, thanking the Chinese government, enterprises, and universities for their contributions to China-Brazil friendly exchanges and the improvement of local people's livelihoods. Founded in 2011, the Copacabana Fort Orchestra, made its first tour to China in September. The orchestra recruits young music enthusiasts aged 10 to 21 from various low-income communities in Rio de Janeiro. Thanks to the support of Chinese enterprises in Brazil, these young musicians regularly receive musical training. The orchestra has gained valuable development and has been recognized as an intangible cultural heritage of Rio de Janeiro State. "I believe that music is a universal language and a perfect medium for cultural exchange. By sharing Brazilian music and learning about Chinese music and culture, we aim to deepen mutual understanding between our countries. We hope that these exchanges will broaden the perspectives of our musicians and audiences, fostering a deeper appreciation for the shared qualities and values between cultures. For us, it is about building friendships and inspiring young musicians through a real connection with China," Marcia Melchior, founder and director of the Orchestra, told the Global Times. In Chile, Pablo Neruda, a Nobel Prize laureate in literature and a major poet in Chile, referred to China affectionately as a "great brother." Neruda made multiple visits to China and wrote poems such as Cancion de la Tierra China and El Viento de la Asia, in which he expressed his love and best wishes for China. His works have been widely read in China and have influenced many Chinese poets. Jose Venturelli (1924-88), a famous Chilean artist, lived in China for many years. He learned Chinese ink painting and created works such as the Yangtze River, which demonstrated his strong attachment to China. "These poems and paintings reflect the profound friendship between the two peoples," wrote President Xi in his signed article in a Chilean newspaper in 2016. In 2023, Chilean President Gabriel Boric kicked off an exhibition at the National Art Museum of China in Beijing, paying tribute to the Chilean artist Jose Venturelli for his contributions to the Chile-China friendship. "We have highlighted the pride we feel in having been the first country in South America to establish relations with China and, from there, a path was opened that we continue to broaden today and this path would surely not have been possible to open without Jose Venturelli," said Boric, adding that Venturelli was a man "who carries a message of peace to the world." Venturelli, a Chilean artist, was the first Latin American painter to visit China in 1952. He participated in the founding of the Chilean-Chinese Institute of Culture and contributed to the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries as well as the fostering of friendship between China and Latin America. While in China, he participated in a collective workshop at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing and befriended famous Chinese artists such as Qi Baishi, Wu Zuoren, and Li Keran. All these stories demonstrated that the GCI connects people with various cultural means, from paintings to literary works, as mutual understanding leads to further cooperation. Vibrant cultural ties This year, many people in China were charmed by the ancient Inca civilization at an exhibition held in the Southern Chinese metropolis of Shenzhen. The artifacts, ranging from leopard-print pottery and stone slabs adorned with mythical creatures to intricately crafted figurines, were shipped to China from 14 museums across Peru. Initially set to run from April to August, the exhibition was extended to October because of its popularity. The success of the exhibition underscored the vibrant cultural ties between China and Latin America, which are both home to some of the world's oldest and most influential civilizations. "Upon his arrival in Peru to participate in the APEC 2024 Summit, President Xi penned a message to the Peruvian people, in which he highlighted the close relationship that exists between the people of China and Peru, indicating that this is not a reflection of an economic or political interest of either party, but rather a desire for rapprochement and association based on ancient historical and cultural ties," Juan Carlos Capuñay, former Peruvian Ambassador to China, told the Global Times. Back in 2016, when Xi was in Peru on a state visit, Peru's National Museum of Archaeology, Anthropology, and History played host to the closing ceremony of the China-Latin America and Caribbean 2016 Year of Culture Exchange. Ivan Ghezzi Solis, then director of the museum, said he was taken aback by the Chinese president's insight into the nation's over 5,000 years of history. "People from countries that have seen the rise of great civilizations, such as Peru and China, understand better than anyone the importance of culture and history to give us a deep perspective on the world. Respect for the diversity of civilizations, while acknowledging and taking advantage of common values, is a path to cooperation and mutual progress," Solis told the Global Times. Linked dreams "Condition of good friends, condition of old wine." Xi cited a Brazilian proverb to describe the long-running friendship between the Chinese and Latin American people when addressing the Brazilian National Congress during a visit to the South American country in 2014. It was Xi's first visit to Brazil after assuming the Chinese presidency. Noting that he has visited Brazil four times and witnessed the development and changes in the country over the past 30 years, Xi said he feels very close to Brazil as he again stepped onto this passionate land. Xi made the remarks in a written statement upon his arrival in Brazil for the 19th G20 Leaders' Summit and a state visit to the country. The president published a signed article in Brazilian media outlet Folha de S. Paulo on November 17 titled "A Friendship Spanning Vast Oceans A Voyage Toward a Brighter Shared Future." In the article, Xi cited Brazil's renowned poets and writers Cecilia Meireles and Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis who translated poems from China's Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), though not directly from Chinese. Their commendable endeavors reflect the resonance between our two cultures that defy time and space. In recent years, music, dance, and other forms of art, along with cuisine and sport, have become a new bridge connecting the people of our two countries, helping to enhance amity and mutual understanding, wrote Xi. Brazil's cute capybaras, bossa nova music, Samba dance, and Capoeira are immensely popular in China. China's traditional festivals like the Spring Festival and its cultural heritages such as traditional Chinese medicine are increasingly well-known among Brazilians, according to the article. "The 'Chinese Dream' and the 'Latin American Dream' are closely linked. Both sides should take the courage to pursue the dream and jointly make the dream come true," Xi said during the China-Latin America and the Caribbean Summit in Brasília in Brazil in July 2014. Today, in Tijuca National Park in Rio de Janeiro, there stands a "Chinese Pavilion." With its uniquely styled eaves, pillars, and pointed roof, it sits gracefully among lush greenery, attracting countless visitors. Since its building in 1903 to remember the Chinese tea farmers, who generously shared their expertise and taught the art of tea cultivation in Brazil 200 years ago, the pavilion will always tell the world about the bond "forged by tea" between the two nations and the fruitful results of the seeds of friendship between the two great civilizations.PNC Financial Services Group Inc. Purchases 6,521 Shares of Arch Capital Group Ltd. (NASDAQ:ACGL)
Humans, we are hardwired for connection. The research is clear: we need social support for our emotional and physical health, and when we don’t have it, we suffer. Social isolation clearly has significant negative effects on our bodies. It can increase the risk of anxiety, depression, as well as heart disease, cancer, weight gain, and stroke. Data indicates that the risk of a premature death due to loneliness is comparable to the risk associated with being a daily smoker. But it’s not just our own bodies that suffer from disconnection; the body politic of our nation suffers, too. Our U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has declared loneliness a public health crisis and has spent years researching the problem and possible remedies. In his book, Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World, Murthy makes the compelling argument that loneliness and disconnection don’t just have harmful effects on individuals; they are also a root cause of the epidemics of drug and alcohol use disorder and a driver of violence. Our feelings of loneliness and isolation fuel anger and distrust in politics. They contribute to the disconnection many Americans feel from others who don’t hold the same political views. And our loneliness is being manipulated to drive extremist ideologies. This needs our attention. But what do we do about it? We must be intentional about seeking connection with our neighbors, colleagues, and friends. We have to make an effort because the opportunities don’t come easily when we’re caught up in the hecticness of our daily lives. Getting our kids off to school, working our jobs (sometimes multiple), and putting food on the table often leaves little time or energy for forming new connections. But we have to make the time and effort–for our own health and wellbeing, but also for our communities and for the health of our nation. Last month, I had the great honor of engaging in a community conversation with the renowned social scientist Robert Putnam at an event in Burlington. You may know his name for his seminal book Bowling Alone in which he documents how our community bonds have frayed over the past 50 years. Putnam also sees a relationship between strong social connections and a strong democracy. That’s why I see the work to combat disconnection as fundamental to the work I’m doing in Congress. I was a history and social studies teacher before I ran for office, and I can assure you we have always had intense policy disagreements in this country. But we didn’t so easily and casually attack the inherent dignity and self worth of Americans on the other side of the political aisle. We’re at a very unhealthy place right now, individually, and collectively. And we need to focus energy and resources on reconnecting. The science is compelling. People who feel more connected to others tend to show greater empathy and demonstrate more humility. This humility can then lead to greater capacity for putting aside ego and the ability to listen to others who may hold differing views. We desperately need this right now for our public health outcomes, civic engagement, and our quality of life. I’m introducing a bill, the Combating Loneliness Act, that specifically tackles this issue of loneliness and addresses the role that the federal government can play in reducing social isolation. My bill focuses on three critical areas: social infrastructure, community health care, and supporting mental health in schools. It highlights the important role of our social infrastructure. Places like parks and playgrounds are important gathering spaces for building stronger community bonds. This bill also supports organizations like libraries and teen centers so that they can expand their services to connect more community members with each other. Congress must invest in the community organizations that are the duct tape and twine holding our towns together. By supporting our need for social connection, we will be taking steps to strengthen our democracy.Jimmy Carter, in his own words: Memorable quotes from the former president
Oscar-winning director will be taking audiences to mythical Greece with his latest project. Universal Pictures this week that Nolan will be directing a cinematic adaptation of “ ,” an ancient poem believed to be written by Homer between 750 and 650 BCE centering on the character Odysseus’ 10-year trek home after the Trojan War. Nolan’s forthcoming adaptation is described as “a mythic action epic shot across the world using brand new IMAX film technology,” according to the studio’s announcement posted to their X page Monday. Zendaya, Tom Holland and Robert Pattinson along with Oscar-winners Matt Damon, Lupita Nyong’o, Anne Hathaway and Charlize Theron are set to star in the film. Holland recently spoke about signing onto the project, saying on last week that the film hasn’t started shooting yet. He added that Nolan only “loosely pitched” it to him when they met to discuss the project, but that he still didn’t know all the details. The “Spider-Man” actor also touched on working with his girlfriend Zendaya, joking that “studios love it” when they’re on the same project because they only have to pay for “one hotel room.” Pattinson, Damon and Hathaway have all previously appeared in Nolan’s films, including “Tenet,” “Interstellar” and “Oppenheimer.” Nolan is also behind epic films including “Inception,” “The Dark Knight,” “Dunkirk” and his most recent film “Oppenheimer,” which scored big at last year’s Oscars when it took home the trophy for best picture. Nolan won that award as a producer, and also took home the Academy Award for best director. According to Universal’s social media announcement this week, “The Odyssey” will bring Homer’s “foundational saga to IMAX film screens for the first time” and will open in theaters on July 17, 2026.Tiger Woods Bows Out of 2024 Hero World Challenge
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