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The will conclude with a winner-take-all matchup that will determine the path of the NFC playoffs. The league on Sunday night announced the Week 18 schedule, which will wrap up with the hosting the for the NFC North title and the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs. The Lions (13-2), who still must play Monday night against the , beat the Vikings (14-2) in , but the rematch will determine the all-important home-field advantage and first-round bye, with the loser being bumped all the way to the No. 5 seed. Saturday will also resolve the AFC North crown, with the hosting the in the afternoon and the , for a wild-card spot, taking on the . Here's the full schedule: Saturday, Jan. 4 Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens, 4:30 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers, 8 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN Sunday, Jan. 5 New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles, 1 p.m. ET, CBS Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots, 1 p.m. ET, CBS Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m. ET, CBS Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m. ET, CBS Washington Commanders at Dallas Cowboys, 1 p.m. ET, FOX Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers, 1 p.m. ET, FOX Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m. ET, FOX New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m. ET, FOX Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS Los Angeles Chargers at Las Vegas Raiders, 4:25 p.m., CBS Miami Dolphins at New York Jets, 4:25 p.m., CBS San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals, 4:25 p.m., CBS Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Rams, 4:25 p.m., CBS Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC
Stock market today: Wall Street rises toward records despite tariff talkAmid rising expectations, ( ) on Monday reported third-quarter earnings and revenue that topped estimates as enterprise sales growth beat views. Revenue guidance for Zoom stock came in slightly above views amid a recent rally. The company reported October-ended quarter earnings after the market close. The company changed its corporate name to Zoom Communications. The stock ticker remains ZM. Zoom earnings for the third quarter were $1.38 per share on an adjusted basis, up 7% from a year earlier. Revenue rose 3.6% to $1.178 billion. Zoom stock analysts had projected earnings of $1.31 a share on sales of $1.163 billion. ZM Stock: Enterprise A Bright Spot In the enterprise market for business customers, revenue rose 6% to $699 million, topping estimates of $683 million. On the , Zoom stock slipped fractionally to 88.34 in extended trading. In 2024, ZM stock had gained 19%, with most of the advance coming after the company reported Q2 earnings. For the October quarter, Zoom said it expects revenue in a range of $1.175 billion to $1.18, slightly ahead of estimates of $1.17 billion. Zoom's cloud-based software sets up video calls, with chat tools available. Zoom Video aims to morph into a broader communications platform for business customers. Zoom Video has been integrating artificial intelligence into more products. Many software companies are . Also, Zoom Video holds $7.5 billion in cash on its balance sheet. Zoom Stock: Post-Covid Blues Meanwhile, Zoom Video sales growth slowed as the in the post-coronavirus era. During the Covid-19 emergency, demand for Zoom videoconferencing software surged as businesses told employees to work from home and consumers contacted friends and family. Heading into the Zoom earnings report, shares owned an IBD Relative Strength Rating of 86 out of a best possible 99, according to ZM stock is extended and trades above a . Meanwhile, ( ) and its Teams communication platform is a big competitor.Since H2 2023, the PV market has experienced a sharp downturn, with the industry deeply mired in a capacity surplus and facing a wave of brutal eliminations. Against this backdrop, PV companies have had to reassess the market environment, rationally adjust their strategies, and slow down or even terminate investment projects lacking competitive advantages. According to Polaris statistics, since 2023, 47 PV projects have been announced as delayed or terminated. These projects span the entire industry chain, including polysilicon, wafers, solar cells, auxiliary materials, and power stations. Among them are projects involving 320,000 mt of polysilicon, 37 GW of wafers/slices/ingots, 101.5 GW of solar cells and modules, and over 850 million m2 of PV film. "84 GW Solar Cell Projects Abruptly Halted" Among the aforementioned projects, 12 PV projects have been terminated, primarily focusing on the TOPCon and HJT solar cell segments, with a total scale reaching 84 GW. Notably, since H2 2023, the PV industry has undergone an iteration wave from P-type to N-type technologies, with solar cells being the core battleground of this transition, experiencing the most dramatic changes. According to InfoLink data, by the end of 2024, TOPCon solar cell capacity is expected to reach approximately 920 GW, sufficient to meet most or even all market demand for the next five years. With new capacity already ample and even approaching surplus, an intense "price war" has become inevitable, and TOPCon module prices are quickly aligning with P-type prices. For investing companies, this significantly compresses profit margins compared to initial investment expectations, leaving many in a dilemma. As "cut-throat competition" in the industry intensifies, an increasing number of cross-sector entrants are exiting this brutal competition. Companies like Lingda Co., Meditech, and Haiyuan Composite Materials have successively pressed the termination button. Even Sunflower, which had re-entered the PV field with high confidence, terminated its 10 GW TOPCon solar cell project under the severe circumstances. Similarly, East China Heavy Machinery took only a year to go from deciding to invest 6 billion yuan in a high-profile cross-sector PV venture to terminating its 10 GW N-type solar cell project. Shanxi Coal International Energy Group, one of the earliest publicly listed firms to venture into HJT, also succumbed, ultimately announcing the termination of its 3 GW HJT solar cell project. Beyond the solar cell segment, PV backsheet leader Zhonglai Co. terminated its 100,000 mt high-purity polycrystalline silicon project; inverter company Xinyuan Technology terminated its 20 GW inverter and bidirectional converter project, while Deye Co. announced the termination of its 1.5 billion yuan inverter investment project. Additionally, Meditech, whose performance was dragged down, announced the termination of its 9 GW high-efficiency monocrystalline solar cell smart factory project and began divesting PV assets. Jiaojian Co., after reassessing market risks, decided to terminate its plan to acquire a 70% stake in Boda New Energy. 35 PV Projects Delayed Amid this overwhelming "PV winter," for ongoing projects, blind expansion would only plunge companies deeper into financial crises, making project delays a rational choice after careful consideration. According to incomplete statistics, 35 PV projects have been announced as delayed in 2024, covering the entire industry chain from polysilicon, wafers, solar cells and modules, auxiliary materials, to power stations. Although some project completion timelines have been pushed to 2025 or even 2026, this move also reflects a glimmer of hope among companies for a market recovery in the future. Among these, Daqo New Energy's 100,000 mt polysilicon investment and Saineng Silicon's 100,000 mt granular silicon Phase I 20,000 mt project have been delayed; Jingyuntong's Leshan 22 GW ingot and slicing project has been postponed to the end of 2024 for commissioning; and solar cell and module projects totaling 46.5 GW, invested by companies like Dechen New Energy and Eging PV, have been delayed by over six months. In the auxiliary material segment, delays in PV film projects are relatively concentrated. "Main players" such as First, Crown, Tianyang New Materials, and Lushan New Materials have successively postponed their project investments by over a year, with each project scale ranging from 150-250 million m2. On the equipment side, equipment companies like Shichuang Energy, Tiantong Co., Autowell, and Micro Guide Nano have delayed their projects by at least a year. Among them, Autowell's TOPCon solar cell equipment project has been postponed to August 2026; Tiantong Co. has delayed the "large-size RF piezoelectric wafer project" and the "new-type high-efficiency crystal growth and precision processing intelligent equipment project" to December 2026 for reaching their intended usable state. Shichuang Energy has postponed the intended usable state timelines for its high-efficiency solar cell equipment expansion project, new material expansion and automation upgrade project, and R&D center and information construction project by 1-2 years. Micro Guide Nano has delayed the intended usable state timeline for its "PV and flexible electronics equipment expansion and upgrade project based on atomic layer deposition technology" to December 2025. Notably, as downstream end-user PV power stations, project delays have started to increase. This year, as distributed PV installation scales continuously set new records, the associated investment risks have also grown. The implementation of time-of-use electricity prices and distributed PV market trading policies have introduced fluctuations in electricity price returns, making investments increasingly cautious. For instance, distributed PV projects invested by companies like Shanghai Nenghui, Xinneng Technology, GCL Energy Technology, and Ainuo Energy, spanning multiple provinces and cities, have seen significant delays in overall project progress due to policy impacts and adjustments in resource planning by owners. Additionally, changes in the nature of PV land use have also become a reason for implementation delays. Jinkai New Energy announced that due to changes in land use nature, the 100 MW fishery-PV hybrid project in Huangxiekou, Jianli City, and the 200 MWp agrivoltaic-storage hybrid project in Gangnanqiaoxu Town, Guigang City, had to be postponed to June 2025. Details are shown in the table below:
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Woman faces court, charged with murdering partner near BallaratGlobal Citation Management Software Market Size, Share and Forecast By Key Players-Mendeley, Clarivate (EndNote), Chegg (EasyBib), ProQuest (RefWorks), Zotero 12-26-2024 06:02 PM CET | Advertising, Media Consulting, Marketing Research Press release from: Market Research Intellect Citation Management Software Market USA, New Jersey- According to the Market Research Intellect, the global Citation Management Software market is projected to grow at a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.06% from 2024 to 2031. Starting with a valuation of 8.55 Billion in 2024, the market is expected to reach approximately 18.83 Billion by 2031, driven by factors such as Citation Management Software and Citation Management Software. This significant growth underscores the expanding demand for Citation Management Software across various sectors. The Citation Management Software market is experiencing significant growth due to the increasing need for efficient academic research management and proper citation practices. As research becomes more digital and collaborative, researchers, students, and professionals require tools to streamline the process of managing references, citations, and bibliographies. The growing number of academic publications and the rising demand for scholarly work across various fields drive the need for accurate citation management. Additionally, advancements in cloud-based solutions and integrations with popular writing platforms are making citation management tools more accessible and user-friendly. The increasing importance of compliance with citation standards and the shift toward digital education are further fueling the market's growth, leading to a rise in demand for citation management software. The dynamics of the Citation Management Software market are influenced by several key factors, including the increasing volume of academic research, the need for standardized citation practices, and the shift to digital learning. As institutions and researchers focus on maintaining proper citation formats and avoiding plagiarism, demand for efficient citation tools rises. The integration of AI and machine learning into these platforms is enhancing their ability to auto-generate citations and ensure accuracy. Additionally, the growing collaboration between researchers globally requires citation software that supports multiple styles and facilitates sharing references. The rising use of mobile applications and cloud-based solutions for real-time access further drives market adoption. These factors collectively ensure the continued expansion and evolution of the citation management software market. Request PDF Sample Copy of Report: (Including Full TOC, List of Tables & Figures, Chart) @ https://www.marketresearchintellect.com/download-sample/?rid=5751610&utm_source=OpenPr&utm_medium=047 Key Drivers: The growth of the Citation Management Software market is driven by several key factors. Technological advancements in Citation Management Software have enabled greater efficiency and enhanced capabilities, spurring adoption across industries. Additionally, the rising demand for sustainable and eco-friendly solutions is pushing companies to innovate and adopt greener practices. Expanding applications in sectors like Citation Management Software and Citation Management Software are further contributing to market demand, as these industries seek advanced solutions to streamline operations and enhance product quality. Favorable government policies and incentives in regions such as North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific support investment and growth. Moreover, an increasing focus on Citation Management Software for improving operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness is encouraging businesses to embrace new technologies, fostering sustained market expansion. Mergers and Acquisitions Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) play a pivotal role in the Citation Management Software market, as companies look to expand their capabilities, access new technologies, and strengthen market presence. Leading players engage in strategic acquisitions to consolidate their position and gain a competitive edge. These transactions often facilitate the integration of advanced Citation Management Software solutions, helping firms broaden their product portfolios and meet growing customer demands. Additionally, M&A activities support companies in achieving economies of scale and penetrating new regional markets, particularly in high-growth areas like Asia-Pacific. Through such strategic alliances, businesses aim to accelerate innovation, enhance operational efficiency, and address evolving market challenges, ultimately driving the overall growth of the Citation Management Software market. Get a Discount On The Purchase Of This Report @ https://www.marketresearchintellect.com/ask-for-discount/?rid=5751610&utm_source=OpenPr&utm_medium=047 The following Key Segments Are Covered in Our Report By Type Cloud Based Web Based By Application Academic Corporate Government Major companies in Citation Management Software Market are: Mendeley, Clarivate (EndNote), Chegg (EasyBib), ProQuest (RefWorks), Zotero, JabRef, Cite4me, Sorc'd, Citavi, Paperpile Global Citation Management Software Market -Regional Analysis North America: North America is expected to hold a significant share of the Citation Management Software market due to advanced technological infrastructure and the presence of major market players. High demand across sectors like Citation Management Software and Citation Management Software is driving growth, with the U.S. being a key contributor. Additionally, ongoing investments in R&D and innovation reinforce the region's strong market position. Europe: Europe is projected to experience steady growth, driven by stringent regulatory standards and a rising focus on sustainability in Citation Management Software practices. Countries like Germany, France, and the UK are leading due to their advanced industrial base and supportive government policies. The demand for eco-friendly and efficient Citation Management Software solutions is expected to continue fostering market expansion. Asia-Pacific: Asia-Pacific is anticipated to be the fastest-growing region, fueled by rapid industrialization and urbanization. Countries such as China, India, and Japan are driving demand due to expanding consumer bases and increasing investments in infrastructure. The region's robust manufacturing sector and favorable economic policies further enhance growth opportunities in the Citation Management Software market. Latin America: Latin America and the Middle East & Africa are expected to show moderate growth in the Citation Management Software market. In Latin America, growth is supported by rising industrial activities in countries like Brazil and Mexico. Meanwhile, in the Middle East & Africa, infrastructure development and an increasing focus on innovation in sectors like Citation Management Software are key drivers of market expansion. Middle East and Africa: The Middle East and Africa represent emerging markets in the global Citation Management Software market, with countries like UAE, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and Nigeria showing promising growth potential. Economic diversification efforts, urbanization, and a young population are driving demand for Citation Management Software products and services in the region. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 1. What is the current size of the Citation Management Software market? Answer: The Citation Management Software market was valued at approximately 8.55 Billion in 2024, with projections suggesting it will reach 18.83 Billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 14.06%. 2. What factors are driving the growth of the Citation Management Software market? Answer: The market's expansion is attributed to several factors, including increased demand for Citation Management Software, advancements in Citation Management Software technology, and the adoption of Citation Management Software across various sectors. 3. Which regions are expected to dominate the Citation Management Software market? Answer: Regions such as North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific are anticipated to lead due to the presence of major industry players and growing investments in Citation Management Software. 4. Who are the key players in the Citation Management Software market? Answer: Prominent companies in the Citation Management Software market include Citation Management Software, Citation Management Software, and Citation Management Software, each contributing to market growth through innovations and strategic partnerships. 5. What challenges does the Citation Management Software market face? Answer: The market faces challenges such as Citation Management Software, regulatory compliance, and competition from alternative solutions. However, ongoing advancements aim to address these issues. 6. What are the future trends in the Citation Management Software market? Emerging trends include the integration of Citation Management Software technology, sustainability practices, and digital transformation in processes, all expected to shape the market's future. 7. How can businesses benefit from the Citation Management Software market? Answer: Businesses can leverage growth opportunities in the Citation Management Software market by adopting new solutions, enhancing operational efficiency, and expanding their offerings to meet evolving consumer demands. 8. Why invest in a Citation Management Software market report from MRI? Answer: MRI's report provides in-depth analysis, future projections, and key insights to support strategic decision-making, enabling businesses to stay competitive and capitalize on growth trends in the Citation Management Software market. For More Information or Query, Visit @ https://www.marketresearchintellect.com/product/global-citation-management-software-market-size-forecast/?utm_source=OpenPr&utm_medium=047 About Us: Market Research Intellect Market Research Intellect is a leading Global Research and Consulting firm servicing over 5000+ global clients. We provide advanced analytical research solutions while offering information-enriched research studies. We also offer insights into strategic and growth analyses and data necessary to achieve corporate goals and critical revenue decisions. Our 250 Analysts and SMEs offer a high level of expertise in data collection and governance using industrial techniques to collect and analyze data on more than 25,000 high-impact and niche markets. Our analysts are trained to combine modern data collection techniques, superior research methodology, expertise, and years of collective experience to produce informative and accurate research. Our research spans a multitude of industries including Energy, Technology, Manufacturing and Construction, Chemicals and Materials, Food and Beverages, etc. Having serviced many Fortune 2000 organizations, we bring a rich and reliable experience that covers all kinds of research needs. For inquiries, Contact Us at: Mr. Edwyne Fernandes Market Research Intellect APAC: +61 485 860 968 EU: +44 788 886 6344 US: +1 743 222 5439 This release was published on openPR.Tevogen Bio CEO Reflects on Public Support, Reaffirms Preserving Shareholder Value Remains His ...Incarnate Word (10-2, 7-0) became the first team in program history to finish undefeated in conference play. The No. 6 Cardinals await the FCS selection show on Sunday to learn the playoff matchups. Calzada came in leading the FCS in passing touchdowns with 30 on the season and No. 6 for passing yards (3,018). He finished 26 of 40 with an interception against East Texas A&M. Incarnate Word linebacker Darius Sanders made his third interception in two games then Calzada launched a 43-yard pass to Jalen Walthall to tie it at 14 midway through the second quarter. The Cardinals' Marcus Brown blocked a 45-yard field-goal attempt that would have broken a tie at 24 early in the fourth. Calzada found wide-open Logan Compton in the end zone for a 31-24 lead. Mason Pierce was also left wide open for an 18-yard score with 2:43 left. Ron Peace was 21 of 38 for 165 yards with one touchdown and one interception for East Texas (3-9, 2-4). He also rushed for a score. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
... Market Cap Rises To N61.944trn As Nigeria moves towards having a $1 trillion economy by 2030, the combination of new listings, bank recapitalisation and improved participation of domestic investors boosted the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) to N61.944 trillion in 2024. When it comes to Africa’s integrated market infrastructure, the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group Plc) is a forerunner. As they seek to make Africa’s largest economy more competitive on the global stage, they serve the interests of the whole continent. With just two trading days left for the year to end, trading on the floor of the Nigeria Exchange Limited (NGX) went down by 0.05 percent on Friday, December 27, 2024, due to profit taking by investors. Nevertheless, the year 2024 has been a good one for the market as the All Share Index closed trading at 102,186.03 points. From January to December 2024, the Nigerian equities market showed resilience in the face of economic headwinds with the new listing of a whopping N8.1 trillion worth of shares. In all, the overall market capitalisation that opened on January 2, 2024 at N40.918 trillion, gained N18.2 trillion or 44.5 percent to close December 27, 2024 at N59.107trillion, making it one of the top four best-performing exchanges in Africa. Also, the All-Share Index closed December 27, 2024, at 102,133.30 basis points, about 27,359.53 basis points or 36.58 percent from 74,773.77 basis points the stock market opened for trading this year. Twenty companies responsible for the N8.1 trillion comprise 10 financial institutions and two brewery manufacturing companies, which were driven by the need to expand business and meet the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) minimum capital requirement. While most of the banks already listed on the local bourse embarked on public offers and rights issues, others came by way of private placement and ‘listing by introduction.’ Among major ‘listings by introduction’ in 2024 was Aradel Holdings Plc, which listed N3.05 trillion, followed by Transcorp Power Plc, which listed by introduction N1.8 trillion worth of shares. Also, Haldane McCall Plc recently listed by introduction of 3.12 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each at N3.84 per share with a market capitalisation of over N11.99 billion. In terms of raising fresh capital, Nigerian Breweries Plc and International Breweries Plc are the only two breweries manufacturing companies that raised the highest amount, followed by Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO). Nigerian Breweries was in the market to raise N599.1 billion; International Breweries raised N588.28 billion in fresh capital from the investing public. Nigerian Breweries, in August 2024, got approval for a rights issue of 22,607,491,232 ordinary shares of 50 kobo each at N26.50 per share based on 11 new ordinary shares for every existing 5 ordinary shares held as at the close of business on Friday, July 12, 2024. International Breweries’ N588 billion rights issue programme was 87.75 percent oversubscribed, with 141.43 billion shares taken up by the company’s shareholders. It amounted to a capital raise of N516.2 billion for the company, which was used to offset the company’s current liabilities. Daily Independent learnt that out of the N8.12 trillion capital in the period under review, GTCO, Zenith Bank Plc, Access Holdings Plc, FCMB Group Plc, Fidelity Bank Plc, United Bank for Africa Plc, FBN Holdings Plc, Sterling Financial Holdings Company Plc, and Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc contributed about 23.4 percent or N1.92 trillion amid CBN’s latest policy in the banking sector. Jaiz Bank Plc, in February 2024 got approval from the Exchange to raise N10.05 billion through private placement. The non-interest financial institution listed a private placement of 10,048,237,995 ordinary shares of N0.50 each at N1.00 per share. Jaiz Bank’s Chairman, Mohammed Bintube, had hinted that the proceeds of the capital raising exercise would be deployed to improve service delivery on its various platforms to enable the bank to achieve its five-year strategic objectives. He further said, “The bank chose this route to sustain its growth trajectory and also to ensure it remains well capitalised in line with its capital management strategy.” On March 28, 2024, the CBN revised the minimum capital requirements for banks. In the new dispensation, commercial banks are facing minimum capital thresholds of N500 billion for international authorisation and N200 billion for national authorisation. In contrast, those with regional authorisation are expected to achieve a N50 billion capital floor. Similarly, non-interest banks with national and regional authorisations will need to increase their capital to N20 billion and N10 billion, respectively. The directive, which was contained in a CBN circular, emphasised that all banks were required to meet the minimum capital requirement within 24 months commencing from April 1, 2024, terminating on March 31, 2026. To enable the banks to meet the minimum capital requirements, the CBN urged banks to consider injecting fresh equity capital through private placements, rights issues, and/or offers for subscription; mergers and acquisitions (M&As); and/ or upgrades or downgrade of licence authorisation. Nigerian banks have accessed the capital market to raise fresh capital via public offers and rights issues. However, the outcome of these capital raising exercises is creating mixed reactions among capital market stakeholders. In the period under review, GTCO raised N400.5 billion as it got approval and listed its offer for subscription of 9,000,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 kobo each at N44.50 per share. Similarly, the NGX approved Access Holdings N351.01 billion fresh capital, with rights issue of 17,772,612,811 ordinary shares of 50 kobo each at N19.75 per share based on one new ordinary share for every existing two ordinary shares held as at the close of business on Friday, June 07, 2024. Notable banks that have completed fresh capital injections in the banking sector include: Zenith Bank’s N289.38 billion public offer and rights issue; Fidelity Bank’s N127.10 billion public offer and rights issue; FCMB Group’s N110.94 billion and Sterling Financial Holdings Company Plc’s N130.79 billion private placements and rights issues. Others that approached the NGX for capital raising are UBA, Stanbic IBTC Holdings, and FBN Holdings N239.4 billion, N148.71 billion and N149.56 billion, respectively. Chairman NGX Group Plc, Mr. Umaru Kwairanga, in a chat with Daily Independent stated that the banking sector recapitalisation has long been recognised as a cornerstone for building resilient financial institutions and a thriving economy. He said, “It is essential not just for regulatory compliance but for driving innovation, fostering economic stability, and equipping banks to fulfil their critical role in resource allocation and development. At the Nigerian Exchange Group, we remain unwavering in our commitment to creating a capital market ecosystem that supports these objectives. “The capital market serves as a critical enabler in this process, acting as a bridge between issuers seeking to raise capital and investors looking for opportunities to create value. At NGX Group, our mission is to ensure that this bridge is efficient, accessible, and transparent. It is against this backdrop that we introduced NGX Invest, a digital platform transforming the way public offerings and rights issues are distributed in Nigeria. “Since its inception, NGX Invest has facilitated over N1.26 trillion in capital-raising efforts by banks, including notable players such as FBN Holdings, Zenith Bank, GTCO, FCMB Group and Access Bank, among others. These achievements underscore the potential of the capital market to support various sectors’ growth while fostering investor confidence through transparency and efficiency.” One noticeable development in the year was that the Exchange recorded N3.968 trillion in equities trading, driven by strong domestic investor participation. Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) has recorded a remarkable increase in the value of equities traded, reaching a record high of N3.968 trillion in the nine months leading up to September 30, 2024. This figure represented a significant rise from the N2.712 trillion worth of stocks traded during the same period in 2023. Foreign investors contributed N696.88 billion, accounting for 17.56 percent of the total value of stocks traded, while domestic investors dominated the market with N3.271 trillion, or 82.44 percent of the total trading volume. According to the latest report on Domestic and Foreign Portfolio Investment (FPI) released by NGX, foreign inflows during this review period amounted to N310.99 billion, whereas foreign outflows reached N385.89 billion.
Thursday, December 26, 2024 The global business travel market, valued at USD 689.7 billion in 2021, is forecast to reach USD 2.1 trillion by 2031, growing at a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.5%. This growth is being driven by multiple factors, including the rise of bleisure travel (business plus leisure), advancements in technology, and a strong expansion in government-backed initiatives in the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Events (MICE) segment. As businesses continue to adopt international and cross-border collaborations, the demand for travel-related services to facilitate meetings, negotiations, trade shows, and networking is on the rise. Business travel, essential for creating partnerships, joint ventures, and maintaining customer relationships, continues to be a cornerstone of the global economy, with companies eager to expand their market reach. A significant development within the business travel market is the growing trend of bleisure travel, where business travelers extend their trips for leisure purposes. The integration of work and leisure not only helps travelers relieve stress but also enhances work efficiency. According to experts, this hybrid travel trend is expected to continue growing, fueling demand for both business and leisure accommodations, thereby impacting the market growth significantly. Technological advancements have also played a crucial role in driving the business travel market. The rise of online travel agencies (OTAs) like Booking.com, Expedia, and KAYAK has made booking travel arrangements more accessible and efficient for businesses. The introduction of virtual reality (VR) for hotel bookings, smart hotels, and the Internet of Things (IoT) in the travel industry are also enhancing the overall travel experience for business travelers. Additionally, the adoption of robotics in hotels for greeting guests, providing information, and handling luggage is changing the landscape of service delivery in business tourism. The business travel market is segmented across various categories, including services, industries, traveler types, and regions. Services are divided into transportation (air, rail, and car), food & lodging, and recreation, with the food and lodging segment expected to see the fastest growth. Within the transportation segment, air travel remains the dominant choice, with rail and car travel contributing to specific regional needs. In terms of industry, the business travel market is divided into government and corporate sectors, with the corporate sector taking the largest share. In 2021, the corporate segment was valued at USD 454.5 billion, accounting for nearly 65.9% of the global business travel market. This dominance reflects the ongoing demand for business travel to maintain and expand corporate operations globally. Regionally, North America remains a significant player in the business travel market, with the United States projected to reach USD 374.5 billion by 2031. The U.S. market alone will grow at a CAGR of 8.7% during the forecast period, driven by high business activity, a vast network of multinational companies, and strong governmental support for business-related travel initiatives. Leading companies operating in the business travel sector include American Express Company, BCD Group, CWT Global B.V., and American Express Global Business Travel, among others. These organizations are at the forefront of providing travel management services, personalized travel packages, and corporate travel solutions to meet the needs of businesses across various sectors. Robotics and automation are also gaining ground in the business travel market, helping companies streamline operations and reduce human-to-human contact. Travel agencies are incorporating robotic technology for tasks like customer pre-screening and data entry, offering a more efficient and secure experience for business travelers. The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound impact on the global business travel market. In 2020, global business travel spending plummeted by 52%, with losses reported at ten times the scale of the 2008 Great Recession. Travel spending in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific all saw significant declines, affecting major markets globally. Despite these challenges, the industry is steadily recovering, thanks to the measures implemented by governments and organizations to mitigate the impacts of the pandemic. For instance, in Singapore, the government increased capacity limits for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Events (MICE) activities, a step that was welcomed by the industry as it allowed for the gradual return of business events and conferences. These efforts are contributing to the resurgence of business travel, particularly within the MICE segment, which is expected to continue growing in the coming years. Looking ahead, the business travel market is poised for continued growth, driven by infrastructure investments, technological advancements, and a more liberalized approach to market entry, which will encourage foreign direct investments (FDIs). Infrastructural development, such as the construction of modern conference centers, expansion of airport facilities, and improvements in transport networks, is expected to fuel the demand for business travel services. The rise of virtual meetings and video conferencing, although offering an alternative to traditional travel, will not diminish the need for face-to-face interactions in business. As global connectivity increases, business travel will remain an integral part of the corporate landscape, facilitating stronger business relationships and fostering international trade. The business travel market is on a strong upward trajectory, with projected growth from USD 689.7 billion in 2021 to USD 2.1 trillion by 2031. Key drivers, including the growing popularity of bleisure travel, technological innovations, and the expansion of the MICE segment, are expected to continue propelling the market forward. As businesses become more global and interconnected, the demand for business travel services will remain strong, supported by investments in infrastructure and advancements in travel technologies. Despite the setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the industry is recovering steadily, and the future looks promising as the demand for corporate travel, conferences, and networking opportunities increases. The business travel market is not only a critical component of the global economy but also an evolving sector that will continue to adapt to the needs of modern businesses and travelers.None
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Michigan aims to cap lost season by beating Ohio State
In early 2000, scientists at 3M, the Maplewood-based chemicals giant, made a startling discovery: High levels of PFAS, the virtually indestructible “forever chemicals” used in nonstick pans, stain-resistant carpets and many other products, were turning up in the nation’s sewage. The researchers were concerned. The data suggested that the toxic chemicals, made by 3M, were fast becoming ubiquitous in the environment. The company’s research had already linked exposure to birth defects, cancer and more. That sewage was being used as fertilizer on farmland nationwide, a practice encouraged by the Environmental Protection Agency. The presence of PFAS in the sewage meant those chemicals were being unwittingly spread on fields across the country. 3M didn’t publish the research, but the company did share its findings with the EPA at a 2003 meeting, according to 3M documents reviewed by the New York Times. The research and the EPA’s knowledge of it have not been previously reported. Today, the EPA continues to promote sewage sludge as fertilizer and doesn’t require testing for PFAS, despite the fact that whistleblowers, academics, state officials and the agency’s internal studies over the years have also raised contamination concerns. “These are highly complex mixtures of chemicals,” said David Lewis, a former EPA microbiologist who in the late 1990s issued early warnings of the risks in spreading sludge on farmland. The soil “becomes essentially permanently contaminated,” he said in a recent interview from his home in Georgia. The concerns raised by Lewis and others went unheeded at the time. The country is starting to wake up to the consequences. PFAS, an abbreviation for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, has been detected in sewage sludge, on land treated with sludge fertilizer across the country, and in milk and crops produced on contaminated soil. Only one state, Maine, has started to systematically test its farms for PFAS. Maine has also banned the use of sludge on its fields. In a statement, 3M said the sewage study had been shared with the EPA, and was therefore available to anyone who searched for it in the agency’s archives. The agency had sought 3M’s research into the chemicals as part of an investigation in the early 2000s into their health effects. 3M also said it had invested in “state-of-the-art water treatment technologies” at its manufacturing operations. The company is on track to stop PFAS manufacturing globally by the end of 2025, it said. The EPA did not respond to detailed questions for this article, including about the 3M research. It said in an earlier statement that it “recognizes that biosolids may sometimes contain PFAS and other contaminants” and that it was working with other agencies to “better understand the scope of farms that may have applied contaminated biosolids” and to “support farmers and protect the food supply.” Farmland contamination has become a contentious environmental issue in red and blue states. In Oklahoma, Republican voters ousted a longtime incumbent in a state House primary in August after the lawmaker drew criticism for the use of sewage sludge fertilizer on his fields. The victor, Jim Shaw, said he planned to introduce legislation to ban sludge fertilizer across the state. “There are other ways to dispose of excess waste from the cities,” Shaw said in an email. “Contaminating our farmland, livestock, food and water sources is not an option and has to stop.” This year the EPA designated two kinds of PFAS as hazardous substances under the Superfund law, and it mandated that water utilities reduce levels in drinking water to near zero and said there is no safe level of exposure to PFAS. It also designated PFAS as “an urgent public health and environmental issue” in 2021, and has said it will issue a report on the risks of PFAS contamination in sludge fertilizer by the end of the year. The decades-old research by 3M and the record of the company’s interaction with the EPA were found by the Times in a cache of tens of thousands of pages of internal documents that the company released as part of settlements in the early 2000s between the federal government and 3M over health risks of the chemicals. Reusing human waste to fertilize farmland, a practice that dates back centuries, keeps the waste from needing other ways of disposing of it, such as incineration or landfill dumping, both of which have their own environmental risks. But the problem, experts say, is that sewage today contains a host of chemicals, including PFAS, generated by businesses, factories and homes. The federal government regulates certain heavy metals and pathogens in sludge that is reused as fertilizer; it has no limits on PFAS. “There’s absolutely enough evidence, with the high levels of contaminants that we see in the sludge, for the EPA to regulate,” said Arjun K. Venkatesan, director of the Emerging Contaminants Research Laboratory at the New Jersey Institute of Technology. ‘It’s insidious’ The turn of the century was a turbulent time for 3M. After decades of hiding the dangers of PFAS — a history outlined in lawsuits and peer-reviewed studies based on previously secret industry documents — in 1998 it alerted the EPA about the potential hazards. The company had already found high levels of PFAS in the blood of its employees, and was starting to detect the chemicals in the wider population. It had also long tracked PFAS in wastewater from its factories. Then in a 2000 study, 3M researchers noticed something alarming. While testing for PFAS in cities with “no known significant industrial use” of the chemicals, including Cleveland, Tennessee, and Port St. Lucie, Florida, they found surprisingly high concentrations in sewage sludge. A question weighed on the researchers’ minds: If there were no PFAS manufacturers present, where were the chemicals coming from? Hints lay in 3M’s other research. The company had been studying how the chemicals could be released by PFAS-treated carpets during washing. And they were also studying how PFAS could leach from food packaging and other products. In an interview, Kris Hansen, a former chemist at 3M who was involved in the research, said the presence in sludge “meant this contamination was probably occurring at any city” that was using 3M’s products. The study showed, moreover, that PFAS were not getting broken down at wastewater treatment plants. “It was ending up in the sludge, and that was becoming biosolids, being mixed into soil,” Hansen said. “From there it can run into the groundwater, go back into people. It’s insidious.” In September 2003, 3M officials met with the EPA to discuss the company’s study of sludge contamination and other research, according to the internal records. At the end of the meeting, the EPA requested “additional background information supporting this monitoring data,” the records show. Sewage sludge has now been spread on millions of acres across the country. It’s difficult to know exactly how much, and EPA data is incomplete. The fertilizer industry says more than 2 million dry tons were used on 4.6 million acres of farmland in 2018. And it estimates that farmers have obtained permits to use sewage sludge on nearly 70 million acres, or about a fifth of all U.S. agricultural land. “If we really wanted to figure this problem out because we believe it’s in the interest of public health, we really needed to share that data widely,” said Hansen, who has become a whistleblower against 3M. “But my memory is that the corporation was kind of caught up in the, ‘Oh my gosh, what do we do about this?’” Early warning, unheeded Lewis was a rising star in the late 1990s as a microbiologist at the EPA. He discovered how dental equipment could harbor HIV, winning him kudos within the scientific community. Then he turned his attention to sewage sludge. The EPA was encouraging farmers to use sludge as fertilizer. Humans had used waste to fertilize the land for millennia, after all. But, as Lewis pointed out with his research, modern-day sewage most likely contained a slew of chemicals, including PFAS, that made it a very dangerous fertilizer. He collected and examined sewage samples. He investigated illnesses and deaths he said could be linked to sludge. He started presenting his findings at scientific conferences. “The chances that serious adverse effects will occur from a complex and unpredictable mixture of tens of thousands of chemical pollutants is a virtual certainty,” he said at the time. His research prompted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to issue guidelines protecting workers handling processed sewage sludge. The EPA eliminated his job in 2003. He was a prominent voice on the issue at the time, but not the only one. Rolf Halden, a professor at the School of Sustainable Engineering at Arizona State University and an early researcher of contamination in biosolids, met with EPA officials at least nine times since 2005 to warn about his own research, according to his records. “The history of biosolids is that it was a toxic waste,” he said. For decades, he noted, sludge from New York City “was loaded on trains and shipped to the back corners of the country,” he said. Farmers often took the sludge without knowledge of its possible contamination. In 2006, an EPA contractor offered him samples of municipal sewage sludge left over from earlier agency testing. The EPA had been about to throw them out. Those samples led to a study that confirmed elevated PFAS levels in sludge nationwide. (The early research into sewage samples eventually led to wastewater testing that has helped researchers track the virus that causes COVID-19.) Another researcher, Christopher Higgins, was starting his academic career in the early 2000s when he began looking at sludge. He presented his work to EPA officials, he said, and was left with the impression that it wasn’t a priority. “I was really surprised by how few people were working for EPA on the topic,” said Higgins, who is now a professor at the Colorado School of Mines. Betsy Southerland, a former director of science and technology in the EPA Office of Water, which oversees biosolids, said the program had been hurt by staffing shortages as well as an arduous process for setting new restrictions. Action has been slow, she said, even though EPA’s surveys of sludge had shown “all kinds of pollutants — flame retardants, pharmaceuticals, steroids, hormones,” she said. “It’s the most horrible story,” she said. A 2018 report by the EPA’s inspector accused the agency of failing to properly regulate biosolids, saying it had “reduced staff and resources in the biosolids program over time, creating barriers.” The Biden administration has said it would publish a risk assessment of PFAS in biosolids by the end of 2024. That would be a first step toward setting limits on PFAS in sewage sludge used as fertilizer. There is another solution, experts say. Under the Clean Water Act, wastewater treatment plants have a legal authority to limit PFAS pollution from local factories. It’s known as the Clean Water Act “pretreatment program,” preventing chemicals from reaching sewage in the first place. In the past two years, two cities — Burlington, North Carolina, and Calhoun, Georgia — have ordered industries to clean up the effluent they send to wastewater treatment plants. In one instance, a textile producer decided to stop using PFAS entirely. Those actions came after a local environmental group sued the cities. “Industry is in the best position to control their own pollution, rather than treating wastewater treatment plants like industrial, toxic dumping grounds,” said Kelly Moser, an attorney at the Southern Environmental Law Center, which filed the lawsuits. The National Association of Clean Water Agencies, which represents wastewater treatment plants, said more than 1,600 utilities already had pretreatment programs in place, though not necessarily for PFAS. (The group also said research showed that the chemicals were coming from household waste, including human waste, not just factories.) Adam Krantz, the group’s CEO, said many utilities were waiting for the EPA to set standards. That would strengthen treatment plants’ ability to hold the ultimate polluters responsible, he said. “If these chemical companies were aware of PFAS’ potential dangers and kept it quiet,” he said, “then these polluters have to pay.”RUSSIA used a terrifying new type of weapon in its suspected intercontinental ballistic missile strike against Ukraine, Ukrainian president Zelensky has warned. Zelensky told his war-embattled nation that despot Vladimir Putin is using Ukraine as a "testing ground" for new weapons. 6 Ukrainian president Zelensky addresses the nation after Russia's attack 6 Footage appeared to show missiles raining down on the city of Dnipro 6 Explosions ring out in Dnipro during the Russian attack Kyiv Air Force said today that Russia had launched an ICBM at the city of Dnipro in the early hours of the morning. If firmed up, it marks the first time the nuclear-capable missile has ever been used as part of an ongoing conflict. Unverified footage appeared to show warheads from the ferocious R-26 Rubezh raining down on Dnipro overnight, lighting up the sky with explosions. Zelensky, speaking from his office today in a video posted online, said the attack had "all the characteristics... speed, altitude... of an intercontinental ballistic missile". He added: "It is obvious that Putin is using Ukraine as a testing ground. "Expert examinations are underway. It is obvious that Putin is using Ukraine as a testing ground." And UK PM Keir Starmer blasted depot Putin for his "reckless and escalatory behaviour" after the suspected ICBM strike. He warned that such a move would take the war to another level, calling claims of their use "deeply concerning". Starmer's official spokesperson said: "If true, clearly, this would be another example of depraved, reckless and escalatory behaviour from Russia." ICBMs are designed to carry nuclear warheads and have a minimum range of 5,500 kilometres, or 3,400 miles. The advanced technology is expensive, and possibly used to send a message of intimidation after Kyiv fired a slew of long-range Western missiles at Russia this week. Sources and experts told AFP it was "obvious" the missile that struck Ukraine did not carry a nuclear charge,... Ellie Doughty , Will Stewart
Zuby Ejiofor delivered an early Christmas present to St. John's in the form of a buzzer-beating shot to keep the Red Storm's winning streak alive. St. John's (10-2) beat Providence at the horn back on Dec. 20 to win its fifth straight game and move to 2-0 in the Big East. Back on its campus in New York, St. John's will face Delaware on Saturday for one last tune-up before returning to conference action. In the Red Storm's first true road game of the season, Providence led most of the way before Ejiofor and RJ Luis Jr. steered the comeback. Ejiofor made a jumper in the lane in the final second to secure a 72-70 win. Coach Rick Pitino saw evidence that his team had grown from the start of the season. The Red Storm's two losses came on a double-overtime buzzer-beater against Baylor and by three points versus Georgia. "I think they're mentally maturing," Pitino told the New York Post. "Three weeks ago, with missing all those free throws, all those shots, we lose by 12 to 16 points. But they're maturing mentally and getting tougher because (that night) we didn't have it offensively, and they still found a way to win on the road in a tough environment." Ejiofor had 19 points and 10 rebounds for his fifth double-double of the season. On a team stacked with talent, he and Luis have been the main catalysts. Luis averages 17.0 points and 6.3 rebounds per game, and Ejiofor provides 14.6 points and a team-best 7.8 rebounds per contest. Ejiofor's game-winner came on an offensive board and second-chance look. "My philosophy is, and Coach says, every shot is essentially my rebound," Ejiofor said. "I have pride in getting my team a second chance, and that's exactly what I did." Delaware (7-5) has had a quiet month, with two of its three wins coming against non-Division I teams. But its other win in that time was a 93-80 romp against rival Delaware State on Dec. 3. That night, the Blue Hens shot a red-hot 17-of-31 from 3-point range. The 17 makes were one shy of tying the program record. Cavan Reilly (five 3-pointers) led them that night with 20 points, but three other starters also buried three triples. "That's what I envisioned out of this group," coach Martin Ingelsby told the Delaware News Journal, "to have multiple weapons." Delaware would love to rediscover that shooting touch. It made just 6 of 21 shots from deep in a 72-64 loss to Saint Peter's on Dec. 20. John Camden paces Delaware with 14.9 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. Four other players average double-figure scoring: Niels Lane (13.7), Reilly (12.9), Erik Timko (12.4) and Izaiah Pasha (10.7). --Field Level MediaBefore a new era begins at North Carolina, there is one more football game to play. That comes when the Tar Heels meet UConn on Saturday in the Fenway Bowl -- at Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox. There is no doubt that much of the bowl game will include the backdrop of Bill Belichick becoming North Carolina's coach beginning in the 2025 season. Adding to the buzz is the fact that the game will played practically in the backyard of where Belichick coached the New England Patriots to six Super Bowl wins. The distractions could be numerous for the Tar Heels (6-6), who lost their final two games of the regular season. "I want to compliment the guys on working to get better each and every day," interim coach Freddie Kitchens said. "We're just trying to do a good job staying where our feet are. I think the guys have done a good job of kind of knocking out some of the distractions." Since the departure of coach Mack Brown, Kitchens, who will remain with the program on Belichick's staff, has overseen the North Carolina team. Belichick and Kitchens are in regular communication. "He asks questions. I answer the questions," Kitchens said, "so he's fully aware of everything dealing with this program." UConn (8-4) certainly doesn't want to be an afterthought in this bowl. "It's Fenway, (so) it's going to be awesome," Huskies coach Jim Mora Jr. said. The Huskies are trying to match the program's highest win total since moving to the Football Bowl Subdivision in 2000. UConn posted nine victories in 2003 and 2007. "You guys can look back with a lot of pride that you've hopefully changed the trajectory of this program for a long time to come," Mora said of his message to the team. The trajectory for North Carolina, on the other, is that of a program in transition. Kitchens is finishing his second season as North Carolina's run game coordinator and tight ends coach. He is part of a group of assistants coordinating the offense for the bowl as 2024 coordinator Chip Lindsey departed for Michigan earlier this month. "We try to draw on things we can control," Kitchens said. "I expect them to play well and hopefully they expect themselves to play well." Kitchens has declined to discuss specifics regarding how the offense might be designed for the Connecticut game. North Carolina defensive coordinator Geoff Collins remains in that position for Fenway Bowl. "Nothing really has changed from a defensive staff or special teams staff," Kitchens said. Kitchens said that most players who entered the transfer portal have continued to work out with the Tar Heels and that he anticipates they will play in Boston. One player who stepped away is running back Omarion Hampton, who ranks fourth all-time in rushing yards (3,565) for North Carolina. He has declared for the NFL draft after gaining 1,660 rushing yards -- second in the nation behind the 2,497 of Heisman Trophy runner-up Ashton Jeanty of Boise State -- and 15 touchdowns this season. Mora said the Huskies will be without running back Durell Robinson (731 rushing yards), who is transferring to Auburn. Robinson is among at least 10 UConn players in the transfer portal, some of whom expressed interest in playing in the bowl. "They want to finish this thing out," Mora said. The Huskies still have leading rusher Cam Edwards (756 yards) but will be without defensive lineman Dal'Mont Gourdine, who sustained a broken foot during a late-November practice. North Carolina has won all three of its meetings with UConn, most recently earning a 12-10 win on Sept. 12, 2009, in East Hartford, Conn. UConn is 0-3 against Atlantic Coast Conference members this year with losses to Duke, Wake Forest and Syracuse. ACC teams (Louisville, Boston College) won the first two Fenway Bowls. Connecticut lost a regular-season game at the ballpark in November 2017, falling to Boston College. Kitchens said he has been outside Fenway Park on a visit to Boston but never inside the gates. --Field Level MediaDefense attorney asks judge to dismiss ex-History Nebraska director's criminal case
Manmohan Singh passes away: The Finance Minister who opened India’s doors to global economy
The Ford government’s controversial decision to remove bike lanes from major roads in Toronto, and to frustrate the efforts of other cities to install them going forward, has passed its third reading and is set to become law. On Monday afternoon, the government completed a sped-up legislative process to pass Bill 212 after a shortened committee hearing and the addition of last-minute amendments, including one to insulate the province from lawsuits if people are hurt on streets where bike lanes have been removed. The bill requires municipalities to seek permission from the provincial government to install new cycling infrastructure that removes a lane of traffic and promises to review those added in the past five years. It also gives the province the power to remove the entirety of bike lanes on Bloor Street, Yonge Street and University Avenue in Toronto. “We’ll examine the entire stretch to see which parts — ultimately all of it could be removed,” Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria said Thursday. The City of Toronto has claimed removing those bike lanes, which cost roughly $27 million to install, could cost as much as $48 million. That’s a suggestion the government has rejected . On Monday, Premier Doug Ford appeared to indicate the bike lane changes were only about the province’s capital city. “We are really focused on the congestion in Toronto, it’s the worst congestion in North America, third worst in the entire world,” he said an at unrelated event in Burlington, Ont. “We’re focusing on three or four roads to get it moving, so we’re going to (work) collaboratively with the mayor. She believes the Bloor Street West (lanes) should not be there, the previous mayor admits that he made a mistake.” Last week, the government also made amendments to the law to prohibit lawsuits as a direct or indirect result of actions taken to remove bike lanes. At the same time, both the premier and transportation minister began explicitly telling cyclists to ride on side streets. “I think the safer thing for a cyclist to do would be to make a decision to go on streets that are safer, less volume and that’s what we believe is the right way to do it, on our secondary streets, where there is much less traffic volume” Sarkaria said, also on Thursday. Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles claimed that adding the clause was an admission from the government that people could be harmed when bike lanes are removed. “I think it is interesting that it was an afterthought,” she told reporters on Monday. “They threw this into the legislation after they started hearing from everybody and realized, I think, that yes, people will probably die and more people will be injured. Without question.” The controversial legislation makes other changes, including expediting the construction process for Highway 413 and the Bradford Bypass and altering environmental assessment and expropriation rules. It is set to receive Royal Assent and become law on Monday afternoon, barely an hour after it passed third reading.An online debate over foreign workers in tech shows tensions in Trump’s political coalition