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Mr Biden told African leaders the resource-rich continent of more than 1.4 billion people had been “left behind for much too long”. “But not anymore,” Mr Biden added. “Africa is the future.” Mr Biden used the third and final day of a visit to Angola – his long-awaited, first trip to sub-Saharan Africa as president – to travel to the coastal city of Lobito and tour an Atlantic port terminal that’s part of the Lobito Corridor railway redevelopment. Mr Biden described it as the largest US investment in a train project outside America. The US and allies are investing heavily in the project that will refurbish nearly 1,200 miles of train lines connecting to the mineral-rich areas of Congo and Zambia in central Africa. The corridor, which likely will take years to complete, gives the US better access to cobalt, copper and other critical minerals in Congo and Zambia that are used in batteries for electric vehicles, electronic devices and clean energy technologies that Mr Biden said would power the future. China is dominant in mining in Congo and Zambia. The US investment has strategic implications for US-China economic competition, which went up a notch this week as they traded blows over access to key materials and technologies. The African leaders who met with Mr Biden on Wednesday said the railway corridor offered their countries a much faster route for minerals and goods – and a convenient outlet to Western markets. “This is a project that is full of hope for our countries and our region,” said Congo President Felix Tshisekedi, whose country has more than 70% of the word’s cobalt. “This is not just a logistical project. It is a driving force for economic and social transformation for millions of our people.” The leaders said the corridor should spur private-sector investment and improve a myriad of related areas like roads, communication networks, agriculture and clean energy technologies. For the African countries, it could create a wave of new jobs for a burgeoning young population. Cargo that once took 45 days to get to the US – usually involving trucks via South Africa – would now take around 45 hours, Mr Biden said. He predicted the project could transform the region from a food importer to exporter. It’s “something that if done right will outlast all of us and keep delivering for our people for generations to come,” he said. The announcement of an additional $600 million took the U.S.’s investment in the Lobito Corridor to 4.0 billion dollars (£3.15 billion).A top White House official on Wednesday said at least eight U.S. telecom firms and dozens of nations have been impacted by a Chinese hacking campaign. Deputy national security adviser Anne Neuberger offered new details about the breadth of the sprawling Chinese hacking campaign that gave officials in Beijing access to private texts and phone conversations of an unknown number of Americans. Neuberger divulged the scope of the hack a day after the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency issued guidance intended to help root out the hackers and prevent similar cyberespionage in the future. White House officials cautioned that a number of telecommunication firms and countries impacted could still grow. The U.S. believes that the hackers were able to gain access to communications of senior U.S. government officials and prominent political figures through the hack, Neuberger said. “We don’t believe any classified communications has been compromised,” Neuberger added during a call with reporters. She added that Biden has been briefed on the findings and that the White House “has made it a priority for the federal government to do everything it can to get to the bottom this.” The Chinese embassy in Washington on Tuesday rejected the accusations that it was responsible for the hack after the U.S. federal authorities issued new guidance. “The U.S. needs to stop its own cyberattacks against other countries and refrain from using cyber security to smear and slander China,” embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu said. The embassy did not immediately respond to messages on Wednesday.
Aden Holloway established career highs of 26 points and eight 3-pointers to help No. 5 Alabama roll to a 105-82 nonconference victory over South Dakota State on Sunday at Tuscaloosa, Ala. Freshman Labaron Philon had the best game of his young career with 21 points and six assists for the Crimson Tide (11-2). Mark Sears had 20 points, including 6-for-14 3-point shooting. Grant Nelson added 17 points and eight rebounds and scored the game's first eight points. Alabama coach Nate Oats has sometimes been critical of his squad's defensive effort and the second half against the Jackrabbits will provide more fuel for that concern. Alabama did connect on a season-best 19 3-point shots but also attempted 55 long-range shots (34.5 percent). The Tide also saw South Dakota State put up 49 points in the second half to keep the score relatively competitive. Alabama claimed a fifth straight win with its third 100-plus point performance of the season. South Dakota State (9-6) was led by Washington State transfer Oscar Cluff, who had 21 points and 15 rebounds, including seven offensive boards. The Jackrabbits connected on 11-for-26 3-point shooting (42.3 percent), with guard Isaac Lindsey scoring 11 points, including 3-for-6 on 3-point tries. After Nelson's personal 8-0 run to open the game, South Dakota State pulled with 16-14 on a shot by William Whorton with 11:45 to play in the opening half. But Alabama then broke the game open, going on a 24-3 run culminating in a Holloway 3-pointer to give the Tide a 40-17 edge with 7:37 left in the opening half. South Dakota State trailed 57-33 at halftime, but played a much more competitive second half offensively by connecting on 17 of 33 shots (51.5 percent). Alabama will open 2025 with a home game against No. 12 Oklahoma on Saturday. South Dakota State will host Summit Conference opponent Denver on Thursday. --Field Level Media
US President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday nominated Jared Isaacman, a billionaire online payments entrepreneur and the first private astronaut to conduct a spacewalk, as the next head of NASA. The nod raises questions about potential conflicts of interest, given Isaacman's financial ties to SpaceX chief Elon Musk, who is set to co-chair a government efficiency commission and is one of Trump's closest advisors. Isaacman, 41, the founder and CEO of Shift4 Payments, has emerged as a leading figure in commercial spaceflight through his high-profile collaborations with SpaceX. He made history in September by stepping out of a Crew Dragon to gaze at Earth from the void of space while gripping the spacecraft's exterior, during the first-ever spacewalk carried out by non-professional astronauts. "I am delighted to nominate Jared Isaacman, an accomplished business leader, philanthropist, pilot and astronaut, as Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "Jared will drive NASA's mission of discovery and inspiration, paving the way for groundbreaking achievements in Space science, technology, and exploration." The groundbreaking spacewalk was part of the Polaris program, a collaboration between Isaacman and SpaceX that is set to include three missions in total. Financial terms of the partnership remain under wraps but Isaacman reportedly poured $200 million of his own money into leading the 2021 all-civilian SpaceX Inspiration4 orbital mission, his first foray into space. A staunch supporter of SpaceX and Musk, Isaacman frequently praises the company and its vision on social media platform X. "There will inevitably be a thriving space economy -- one that will create opportunities for countless people to live and work in space," Isaacman said in an X post after Trump's announcement. "At NASA, we will passionately pursue these possibilities." Isaacman, a Pennsylvania native, founded the business that became Shift4 Payments from his family's basement at just 16. A skilled aviator, he is qualified to fly military aircraft, has performed at airshows, and set a world record for an around-the-world flight. The nomination comes at a delicate juncture for the storied US space agency, with experts anticipating significant shifts in direction during Trump's second term. The Artemis program, which aims to return astronauts to the Moon, may face scrutiny as Trump has repeatedly voiced a preference for prioritizing a direct mission to Mars. Also possibly on the chopping block is the massive, NASA-owned Space Launch System (SLS) Moon rocket, which has been criticized for being exorbitantly expensive due to its lack of reusability, in contrast with SpaceX's Starship, which is designed to be reusable but remains a prototype. If Isaacman is confirmed by the Senate, his ties to SpaceX could invite heightened scrutiny of future contracting decisions. NASA currently has agreements with both SpaceX and Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin to develop lunar lander systems -- a dual-source approach Isaacman has criticized, citing budgetary constraints and SpaceX's capabilities. In a recent op-ed for Space News, Peter Juul of the Progressive Policy Institute called upon Congress to require dual-source contracting to "preserve competition in the commercial space industry and preempt any attempt by Musk to entrench SpaceX as a de facto monopoly for commercial space services." Still, as a daring entrepreneur in an era of expanding public-private partnerships in space, Isaacman's appointment has drawn praise in some quarters. "The Planetary Society shares his vision of bold exploration in space, and, should he be confirmed, we look forward to working with him," Casey Dreier, the nonprofit's chief of space policy, told AFP. ia/ahaPresident Jimmy Carter may have only had one term in the White House, but he remained a familiar figure on the world stage long after clearing his desk at the Oval Office. Despite a resounding defeat at the hands of Ronald Reagan in 1980, the Democrat forged a new path promoting causes such as electoral probity abroad, social justice and drives to rid the world of medical conditions. His first foreign visit as president was to the UK where then prime minister James Callaghan, as well as the usual visits in London, took his guest to the North East with a visit to Newcastle, Sunderland and Washington – the village bearing the name of the first ever president. President Jimmy Carter on his first foreign trip since becoming president of the United States, with James Callaghan after the then-prime minister had greeted him on arrival at Heathrow Airport (Archive/PA) President Jimmy Carter holds up a scroll presented to him by the Lord Mayor of Newcastle Councillor Hugh White (Archive/PA) He also received a miner’s lamp from 12-year-old Ian McEree in Washington. Ian McEree, 12, presents an old miner’s lamp to US President Jimmy Carter on behalf of Washington village (Archive/PA) US President Jimmy Carter followed by then prime minister Mr James Callaghan in Sunderland when they visited the Corning Glass Factory (Archive/PA) The practising Baptist continued his globetrotting ways after leaving power, even without Air Force One as his vehicle. He was also part of the Elders, a group of experienced statesmen and women drawn from all corners of the world. After the Summit of Seven, the four-nation meeting at No 10 Downing Street – British PM James Callaghan, French president Giscard d-Estaing, US President Jimmy Carter and West German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt (Archive/PA) The Queen Mother walks with President Jimmy Carter in the Blue Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace (Archive/PA) Ex-US president Jimmy Carter during Bible class (Rui Vieira/PA) Jimmy Carter delivers a lecture on the eradication of the Guinea worm, at the House of Lords in London (Neil Hall/PA)
By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday named Andrew Ferguson as the next chair of the Federal Trade Commission . He will replace Lina Khan, who became a lightning rod for Wall Street and Silicon Valley by blocking billions of dollars’ worth of corporate acquisitions and suing Amazon and Meta while alleging anticompetitive behavior . Ferguson is already one of the FTC’s five commissioners, which is currently made up of three Democrats and two Republicans. “Andrew has a proven record of standing up to Big Tech censorship, and protecting Freedom of Speech in our Great Country,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding, “Andrew will be the most America First, and pro-innovation FTC Chair in our Country’s History.” Related Articles National Politics | Donald Trump is returning to the world stage. So is his trolling National Politics | Biden says he was ‘stupid’ not to put his name on pandemic relief checks like Trump did National Politics | Biden issues veto threat on bill expanding federal judiciary as partisan split emerges National Politics | Trump lawyers and aide hit with 10 additional felony charges in Wisconsin over 2020 fake electors National Politics | After withdrawing as attorney general nominee, Matt Gaetz lands a talk show on OANN television The replacement of Khan likely means that the FTC will operate with a lighter touch when it comes to antitrust enforcement. The new chair is expected to appoint new directors of the FTC’s antitrust and consumer protection divisions. “These changes likely will make the FTC more favorable to business than it has been in recent years, though the extent to which is to be determined,” wrote Anthony DiResta, a consumer protection attorney at Holland & Knight, in a recent analysis . Deals that were blocked by the Biden administration could find new life with Trump in command. For example, the new leadership could be more open to a proposed merger between the country’s two biggest supermarket chains, Kroger and Albertsons, which forged a $24.6 billion deal to combine in 2022. Two judges halted the merger Tuesday night. The FTC had filed a lawsuit in federal court earlier this year to block the merger, claiming the deal would eliminate competition, leading to higher prices and lower wages for workers. The two companies say a merger would help them lower prices and compete against bigger rivals like Walmart. One of the judges said the FTC had shown it was likely to prevail in the administrative hearing. Yet given the widespread public concern over high grocery prices, the Trump administration may not fully abandon the FTC’s efforts to block the deal, some experts have said. And the FTC may continue to scrutinize Big Tech firms for any anticompetitive behavior. Many Republican politicians have accused firms such as Meta of censoring conservative views, and some officials in Trump’s orbit, most notably Vice President-elect JD Vance, have previously expressed support for Khan’s scrutiny of Big Tech firms. In addition to Fergson, Trump also announced Tuesday that he had selected Jacob Helberg as the next undersecretary of state for economic growth, energy and the environment.A court challenge over a Stormont vote on extending post-Brexit trading arrangements for Northern Ireland has been dismissed, and the Assembly debate will go ahead as planned on Tuesday. Ruling on Monday after an emergency hearing at Belfast High Court, judge Mr Justice McAlinden rejected loyalist activist Jamie Bryson’s application for leave for a full judicial review hearing against Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn. The judge said Mr Bryson, who represented himself as a personal litigant, had “very ably argued” his case with “perseverance and cogency”, and had raised some issues of law that caused him “some concern”. However, he found against him on the three grounds of challenge against Mr Benn. Mr Bryson had initially asked the court to grant interim relief in his challenge to prevent Tuesday’s democratic consent motion being heard in the Assembly, pending the hearing of a full judicial review. However, he abandoned that element of his leave application during proceedings on Monday, after the judge made clear he would be “very reluctant” to do anything that would be “trespassing into the realms” of a democratically elected Assembly. Mr Bryson had challenged Mr Benn’s move to initiate the democratic consent process that is required under the UK and EU’s Windsor Framework deal to extend the trading arrangements that apply to Northern Ireland. The previously stated voting intentions of the main parties suggest that Stormont MLAs will vote to continue the measures for another four years when they convene to debate the motion on Tuesday. After the ruling, Mr Bryson told the court he intended to appeal to the Court of Appeal. Any hearing was not expected to come later on Monday. In applying for leave, the activist’s argument was founded on three key grounds. The first was the assertion that Mr Benn failed to make sufficient efforts to ensure Stormont’s leaders undertook a public consultation exercise in Northern Ireland before the consent vote. The second was that the Secretary of State allegedly failed to demonstrate he had paid special regard to protecting Northern Ireland’s place in the UK customs territory in triggering the vote. The third ground centred on law changes introduced by the previous UK government earlier this year, as part of its Safeguarding the Union deal to restore powersharing at Stormont. He claimed that if the amendments achieved their purpose, namely, to safeguard Northern Ireland’s place within the United Kingdom, then it would be unlawful to renew and extend post-Brexit trading arrangements that have created economic barriers between the region and the rest of the UK. In 2023, the UK Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the trading arrangements for Northern Ireland are lawful. The appellants in the case argued that legislation passed at Westminster to give effect to the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement conflicted with the 1800 Acts of Union that formed the United Kingdom, particularly article six of that statute guaranteeing unfettered trade within the UK. The Supreme Court found that while article six of the Acts of Union has been “modified” by the arrangements, that was done with the express will of a sovereign parliament, and so therefore was lawful. Mr Bryson contended that amendments made to the Withdrawal Agreement earlier this year, as part of the Safeguarding the Union measures proposed by the Government to convince the DUP to return to powersharing, purport to reassert and reinforce Northern Ireland’s constitutional status in light of the Supreme Court judgment. He told the court that it was “quite clear” there was “inconsistency” between the different legal provisions. “That inconsistency has to be resolved – there is an arguable case,” he told the judge. However, Dr Tony McGleenan KC, representing the Government, described Mr Bryson’s argument as “hopeless” and “not even arguable”. He said all three limbs of the case had “no prospect of success and serve no utility”. He added: “This is a political argument masquerading as a point of constitutional law and the court should see that for what it is.” After rising to consider the arguments, Justice McAlinden delivered his ruling shortly after 7pm. The judge dismissed the application on the first ground around the lack consultation, noting that such an exercise was not a “mandatory” obligation on Mr Benn. On the second ground, he said there were “very clear” indications that the Secretary of State had paid special regard to the customs territory issues. On the final ground, Justice McAlinden found there was no inconsistency with the recent legislative amendments and the position stated in the Supreme Court judgment. “I don’t think any such inconsistency exists,” he said. He said the amendments were simply a “restatement” of the position as set out by the Supreme Court judgment, and only served to confirm that replacing the Northern Ireland Protocol with the Windsor Framework had not changed the constitutional fact that Article Six of the Acts of Union had been lawfully “modified” by post-Brexit trading arrangements. “It does no more than that,” he said. The framework, and its predecessor the NI Protocol, require checks and customs paperwork on goods moving from Great Britain into Northern Ireland. Under the arrangements, which were designed to ensure no hardening of the Irish land border post-Brexit, Northern Ireland continues to follow many EU trade and customs rules. This has proved highly controversial, with unionists arguing the system threatens Northern Ireland’s place in the United Kingdom. Advocates of the arrangements say they help insulate the region from negative economic consequences of Brexit. A dispute over the so-called Irish Sea border led to the collapse of the Northern Ireland Assembly in 2022, when the DUP withdrew then-first minister Paul Givan from the coalition executive. The impasse lasted two years and ended in January when the Government published its Safeguarding the Union measures. Under the terms of the framework, a Stormont vote must be held on articles five to 10 of the Windsor Framework, which underpin the EU trade laws in force in Northern Ireland, before they expire. The vote must take place before December 17. Based on the numbers in the Assembly, MLAs are expected to back the continuation of the measures for another four years, even though unionists are likely to oppose the move. DUP leader Gavin Robinson has already made clear his party will be voting against continuing the operation of the Windsor Framework. Unlike other votes on contentious issues at Stormont, the motion does not require cross-community support to pass. If it is voted through with a simple majority, the arrangements are extended for four years. In that event, the Government is obliged to hold an independent review of how the framework is working. If it wins cross-community support, which is a majority of unionists and a majority of nationalists, then it is extended for eight years. The chances of it securing such cross-community backing are highly unlikely.Quick Links Reducing the carbon footprint Electric tugs can reduce carbon emissions by about 2.5 times compared to diesel tugs Significantly cutting the operational cost Each tug saves the airline $50,000 a year in diesel fuel Reducing the downtime Significant improvements in operational efficiency United Airlines states that more than 35% of its ground support equipment was electric as of December 2023. The airline continues to bring sustainability-manufactured and operated ground equipment to its daily operations at both its hubs and line stations. With nearly half of its combined equipment electrified, the airline is gradually phasing out its environmentally polluting tugs. This article explores several ways the airline’s new electric supertugs are shaping the future of sustainable aviation. 1 Reducing the airlines' carbon footprint Electric tugs can reduce carbon emissions by about 2.5 times compared to diesel tugs United Airlines will weep its entire operation off fossil fuels The airline is investing in companies utilizing sustainable aircraft technologies United Airlines made a commitment to going 100% green by 2050 The airline is exploring numerous opportunities to reach its target The airline's hub airport, SFO, has cut its carbon footprint by some 39% in the last decade The aviation industry is committed to net zero carbon emissions by 2050, and United Airlines will play a vital role in making its operations fully electric in the next two decades. One of the world’s largest airlines is taking company-wide initiatives to establish sustainable, carbon-free operations. One such initiative is the use of electric-based aircraft tugs at its major hubs. While many airlines have been gradually moving to all-electric tug operations, most electric tugs are limited to smaller aircraft. Super tugs require a tremendous amount of power to haul large airliners. Towbarless tugs provide greater maneuverability and increased efficiency. United Airlines’ all-electric super tugs are shaping the future of technology, sustainability, and environmental impact. The fully electric tug can lift and haul aircraft as heavy as the Boeing 777. Tugs are used to haul aircraft around terminal gates, particularly during a pushback from the gate. Conventional tugs run on diesel fuel, generating lots of energy while polluting the environment. United Airlines Operations Manager Charles Hinkle, comments about the super tug, “This thing’s been a game changer. It’s like the Tesla of super tugs.” These super tugs are designed and manufactured by the German company Goldhofer. The E-Phoenix electric tug is a distinctive bright orange tug capable of lifting all types of aircraft in the United Airlines fleet, including its largest Boeing 777. Tugs are common for jet aircraft pushback now, with use expanding significantly since the development of jets. According to Goldhofer AG , “The »PHOENIX« E turns the best-selling towbarless aircraft tractor into a future-oriented zero-emission apron vehicle, with a wide range of enormously powerful vehicles that can be individually configured for your application. Regardless of their battery configuration, they are capable of handling all common passenger and cargo aircraft on the market, from the ERJ170 to the B777.” United Airlines has acquired two Phoenix-E super tugs, costing approximately $700,000 each. United became the first airline at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), one of its largest bases, to utilize new electric super tugs. The airline aims to add two or three more tugs to its fleet by next year, gradually shifting away from diesel tugs. According to Hinkle, “At that point we’ll start to sunset the older fleet of the diesel operated tugs,” IATA's update on the path to net zero emissions presents some encouraging progress, particularly in developing the SAF supply chain. 2 Significantly cutting the operational cost Each tug saves the airline $50,000 a year in diesel fuel Ergonomics and operator safety Unbeatable reliability Sophisticated technology Uniform design and handling (single vehicle, independent of power train) Tailored to customer needs (battery system and charging options) Long-distance towing with enhanced towing capability and usability United Airlines is committed to reducing its operational costs by using electric tugs. Not only are the new super tugs sustainably manufactured and operated, but they also cut the airline's ongoing diesel cost. The airline states that each electric super tug is saving the airline over $50,000 a year in diesel fuel alone. According to a sustainability report by United Airlines , “Representing the latest development in our emission-freedom ground support equipment, each electric supertug saves approximately $50K per year in diesel fuel costs, allowing us to move airplanes without burning jet fuel. The supertugs can run up to nine hours on a single charge, providing great aircraft towing versatility.” The new super tugs require highly specialized and powerful charging stations. With the airline’s purchase of more than 1,000 pieces of small and large electric equipment in 2023, the airline has spent over $6 million on the installation of over 350 new charging ports at multiple stations across its network. Airbus spoke to Simple Flying about hydrogen-powered aircraft, the A380, and its yearly $2 billion investment in sustainable innovations. Additionally, the airline continues to retire fossil-fuel-based equipment, including aircraft tugs. United Airlines Managing Director of Operations at SFO commented, “The super tug is a really important piece for us because it’s a diesel big unit. To convert one of those to an electric piece – which we’re using throughout the day, 15 or so hours — that’s a lot of fuel and a lot of impact.” In its continuous efforts towards sustainability, United Airlines relies on grants from various airline industry partners and governments. According to United Airlines , "...grants play an important role in United’s ability to accelerate our eGSE efforts. United received $5.5 million in grant funding in 2022 to help procure 77 additional electric GSE and 20 electric mobile Ground Power Units (GPUs). Since 2019, United has been directly awarded over $8 million in grant funding to procure eGSE and has supported multiple airports seeking VALE funding resulting in over $26 million to procure common-use equipment to reduce Scope 1 emissions." Simple Flying caught up with the carrier's Chief Sustainability Officer to learn more about what goes into United's climate leadership strategy. 3 Reducing the downtime Significant improvements in operational efficiency Care : It helps track the tug and allows remote access to operating parameters and history. The system also provides a service countdown and supports customers with condition-based maintenance functionality. Trace: allows technicians from Goldhofer to establish a live connection to the vehicle's CAN bus. The system provides descriptive analytics methods for driving style assessment and wear prediction, as well as black box features. Faster support can reduce downtime, thereby increasing availability. MyConnect: Connecting various devices with operator login, user management, checkup app, and individual interface with your ERP and logistics system. Maintenance : Ensures that vehicles can be used for as long as possible and that workshop stays are reduced. The system checks runtimes of specific components and actions to predict their maintenance period. It also generates regular messages about upcoming maintenance. The system offers a link to the spare parts store to order the necessary components for maintenance. Key Performance Indicator (KPI): Presents all important information about the vehicle, such as working days in operation, consumption (per hour/day/year/aircraft movement), and CO2 savings compared to a diesel-powered vehicle of the same category. Goldhofer fleet, including the electric super tugs, comes with real-time monitoring of components and systems to ensure minimal downtime for maintenance. Moreover, continuous monitoring ensures inspections and maintenance are precisely scheduled according to airline operations. United Airlines will avoid unscheduled downtime and maintenance by using electric super tugs, saving direct and indirect costs. When maintenance is necessary, all information is available on a handy portal. According to Goldhofer AG, “Realtime monitoring of your fleet down to single components, automatically evaluated in real time by algorithms helps you to avoid damage, downtimes, and optimizes your fleet efficiency. Our »LINK« system connects vehicle control units via a telemetric device to a cloud database, which uploads information to a web portal and a mobile app.” As the world becomes warmer, the planes are becoming greener. Let's discover the 5 most eco-friendly aircrafts
Three crypto industry groups — the DeFi Education Fund, the Blockchain Association, and the Texas Blockchain Council — are suing the Internal Revenue Service to block new regulations that require decentralized finance (DeFi) entities to report customer information. The IRS has been finalizing crypto tax regulations as part of the Biden Administration’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The IRS says these new rules should help “close the information gap with respect to digital assets.” The lawsuit , on the other hand, claims that this approach would unduly burden “DeFi trading front-ends,” — basically, online platforms that allow users to access crypto protocols but don’t necessarily “effectuate transactions” themselves. The suit argues against defining these front-ends as brokers, in part because “there is simply no broker-like entity involved in a decentralized transaction.” The Blockchain Association’s head of legal Marisa Coppel said in a statement that the new rules are “an infringement on the privacy rights of individuals using decentralized technology” and would also “push this entire, burgeoning technology offshore.”Opinion: President Jimmy Carter made wrong decision to call for a boycott of 1980 Moscow Olympics
(The Center Square) - With the state legislature’s new priority on reducing the state’s high cost of living, both Republican and Democratic lawmakers are rolling out proposals to reduce the cost of energy and drug prescriptions. Democrats have held a trifecta in state government since 2010, including supermajorities in the State Assembly and Senate. “It’s clear we must chart a new path forward and renew the California dream by focusing on affordability,” said Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, D-Salinas, in his opening floor speech of the new legislative session. Republicans in the State Senate and Assembly unveiled bills to repeal the state’s new Low Carbon Fuel Standards, which will increase fuel costs by $162 billion to fund clean transportation fuel credits that include $105 billion in electric vehicle charging credits and $8 billion in hydrogen credits. The new LCFS standard, approved by the California Air Resources Board — all but two of whose voting members are appointed by the governor — is expected to add up to 65 cents to the cost of each gallon of gasoline next year. Once factoring in other regulations, such as new refinery regulations passed by the governor, Californians will pay up to $1.15 more for gas next year, meaning the average California driver will need to make up to $1,000 more per year in pre-tax income to break even. “Californians already pay the highest gas prices in the nation, and Gavin Newsom’s political agenda is about to make them even higher,” said Senate Minority Leader Jones, R-San Diego, in a statement. “Our Day 1 priority is protecting Californians at the pump. SB 2 will immediately repeal the Newsom Administration’s 65 cent gas price hike and put an end to their most recent price gouging scheme.” State Senator Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, also unveiled a new proposal to reduce drug prices by regulating pharmacy benefit manager middlemen, building on his work from the prior legislative session. Wiener’s office says that “the share of total spending on prescription drugs that goes to drug manufacturers has declined, while over half of every dollar spent on brand medicines goes to pharmaceutical industry middlemen like PBMs.” According to the California Department of Managed Care, prescription drug costs have risen 5 percentage points per year over the last five years, suggesting most of the increases are being accrued by PBMs. Wiener's new bill, SB 41 , would ban “spread pricing,” in which PBMs charge health insurance plans more for drugs than what they pay to reimburse pharmacies, keeping the difference as profit. SB 966, his bill signed into law last year, ensures patient cost-sharing is based on actual drug costs and requires manufacturer rebates to be passed through to reduce patient costs. “When basic life necessities like medication become unaffordable in blue states, working people pay the price,” said Wiener in a statement. “As Democrats, we should be leading on making people’s lives better and more affordable. It’s past time California caught up with other states and put basic protections in place to contain the astronomical cost of basic medications.”
The Members and Secretariat of Club de Madrid deeply regret the passing of our Honorary Member Jimmy Carter, and we value his legacy in favor of peace, human rights and the advancement of democracy , a work that is now more necessary than ever. Carter served as the 39th President of the United States of America between 1977 and 1981, trying to make a “competent and compassionate” government and paying close attention to foreign affairs. The highlight of his presidential term was the peace agreement between Egypt and Israel. During his administration, important foreign policy achievements were reached, such as the Panama Canal treaties, the SALT II treaty with the Soviet Union and the establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States and the People’s Republic of China. He will be especially remembered for defending human rights around the world, which led to his being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. A prize that the Swedish academy decided to award him “for his decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development”. His work was not only limited to his years as president, but after leaving office he continued to be equally active in defending the causes he believed in. He wrote seventeen books and as leader of The Carter Center he mediated in conflicts such as Ethiopia and Eritrea (1989), Bosnia (1994) and Venezuela (2002-2003), in addition to sending forty-five electoral observation delegations to countries in Africa, Asia and the Americas. The trajectory of a historical figure like Jimmy Carter is overwhelming and Club de Madrid has always been very proud to have him as one of its Honorary Members. Carter’s membership in our organization is just another example of his commitment to human rights and democracy that, like him, we defend every day. Club de Madrid would like to send its sincere condolences to the family and friends of Jimmy Carter and extend them to all the American people, who have undoubtedly lost an incomparable figure who dedicated his life to peace, democracy and human rights.