In todayâs fast-paced world, the intersection of finance and technology is crafting unexpected partnerships. One new concern in the gaming industry is the link between Amazonâs stock price (âäşéŠŹéčĄäťˇâ) and the future of cloud gaming. This connection is becoming increasingly significant as Amazon Web Services (AWS) ventures deeper into the gaming sector. Leveraging AWS technology, Amazon is setting the stage for cutting-edge gaming platforms, disrupting traditional paradigms. As more companies integrate AWS into their gaming infrastructure, fluctuations in Amazonâs stock directly impact the growth potential of cloud gaming services. This bold move places Amazon in direct competition with established players like Microsoft and Google in the cloud gaming space. A significant investment in new gaming technologies could drive up Amazonâs stock, encouraging more developers to rely on its cloud services. As streaming becomes the new frontier in gaming, Amazonâs financial performance might influence broader industry standards and practices. This trend poses an intriguing question: Could the future price of Amazon shares stimulate innovations in gaming technology, or is the industry too volatile for any direct correlation? The influence of Amazonâs stock price on the gaming ecosystem is a new narrative in an ever-evolving tale. As companies continue to adapt to cloud-based models, the role that Amazonâs financial health plays in shaping gamingâs future is both a topic of speculation and a voice of innovation. Amazonâs Stock Price: A New Force in Cloud Gamingâs Future? In a rapidly evolving technological landscape, the blending of finance and technology is forging new bonds, especially in the gaming sector. A focal point of exploration is the intriguing link between Amazonâs stock price and the future trajectory of cloud gaming, a relationship that gains prominence as Amazon Web Services (AWS) solidifies its footprint in the gaming world. AWSâs influence in the gaming sector cannot be understated. By harnessing AWSâs sophisticated cloud infrastructure, Amazon is on the path to redefining gaming platforms and challenging conventional norms. This strategic approach positions Amazon in direct rivalry with tech behemoths such as Microsoft and Google within the cloud gaming sphere. As more gaming companies adopt AWS technology, variations in Amazonâs stock valuation are increasingly perceived as barometers of growth potential for cloud gaming services. The Implication of Stock Prices in Gaming Innovation The relationship between Amazonâs financial health and its stock price is pivotal, particularly because substantial investment in gaming technologies has the potential to propel Amazonâs valuation upward. With cloud gaming as the new battleground, Amazonâs performance on the stock market could become an influential factor shaping industry benchmarks and practices. FAQs: The Link Between Stock Prices and Cloud Gaming Q: How does Amazonâs stock price affect cloud gaming? A: Changes in Amazonâs stock price can impact investor confidence, potentially influencing funding and innovation within its cloud gaming initiatives facilitated by AWS. Q: Is Amazon a serious contender in the cloud gaming market? A: Yes, Amazonâs efforts to integrate advanced AWS technologies into gaming depict it as a formidable competitor to Microsoft and Google. Q: Could fluctuations in Amazonâs financial performance alter gaming industry standards? A: Yes, Amazonâs financial health could dictate industry trends, especially with cloud gaming poised as the next major leap in interactive entertainment. Comparative Analysis: Amazon vs. Competitors in Cloud Gaming While Amazon leverages AWS for gaming, itâs essential to compare its progress with other market players. Microsoft, through its Xbox Cloud Gaming, and Googleâs Stadia are major competitors offering extensive cloud-based gaming solutions. Unlike Amazon, Microsoft benefits from a longstanding presence in console gaming, while Google focuses on integrating gaming with its vast ecosystem of services. Economic Trends and Predictions for Cloud Gaming As cloud gaming gains traction, economic forecasts suggest a surge in market demand for seamless, real-time gaming experiences. Amazonâs continued investment in AWS-driven gaming solutions could propel the company to the forefront of this predicted growth spurt. Challenges and Limitations Despite these promising prospects, the industry faces hurdles such as latency issues, licensing complexities, and high initial investment costs. Amazonâs adaptability to these challenges will determine its long-term success in the cloud gaming arena. For further insights on Amazonâs technological innovations, visit the main Amazon domain.
â Oct. 1, 1924: James Earl Carter Jr. is born in Plains, Georgia, son of James Sr. and Lillian Gordy Carter. â June 1946: Carter graduates from the U.S. Naval Academy. â July 1946: Carter marries Rosalynn Smith, in Plains. They have four children, John William (âJackâ), born 1947; James Earl 3rd (âChipâ), 1950; Donnel Jeffrey (Jeff), 1952; and Amy Lynn, 1967. â 1946-1953: Carter serves in a Navy nuclear submarine program, attaining rank of lieutenant commander. â Summer 1953: Carter resigns from the Navy, returns to Plains after fatherâs death. â 1953-1971: Carter helps run the family peanut farm and warehouse business. â 1963-1966: Carter serves in the Georgia state Senate. â 1966: Carter tries unsuccessfully for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination. â November 1970: Carter is elected governor of Georgia. Serves 1971-75. â Dec. 12, 1974: Carter announces a presidential bid. Atlanta newspaper answers with headline: âJimmy Who?â â January 1976: Carter leads the Democratic field in Iowa, a huge campaign boost that also helps to establish Iowaâs first-in-the-nation caucus. â July 1976: Carter accepts the Democratic nomination and announces Sen. Walter Mondale of Minnesota as running mate. â November 1976: Carter defeats President Gerald R. Ford, winning 51% of the vote and 297 electoral votes to Fordâs 240. â January 1977: Carter is sworn in as the 39th president of the United States. On his first full day in office, he pardons most Vietnam-era draft evaders. âSeptember 1977: U.S. and Panama sign treaties to return the Panama Canal back to Panama in 1999. Senate narrowly ratifies them in 1978. â September 1978: Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Carter sign Camp David accords, which lead to a peace deal between Egypt and Israel the following year. â June 15-18, 1979: Carter attends a summit with Soviet President Leonid Brezhnev in Vienna that leads to the signing of the SALT II treaty. â November 1979: Iranian militants storm the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, taking 52 hostages. All survive and are freed minutes after Carter leaves office in January 1981. â April 1980: The Mariel boatlift begins, sending tens of thousands of Cubans to the U.S. Many are criminals and psychiatric patients set free by Cuban leader Fidel Castro, creating a major foreign policy crisis. â April 1980: An attempt by the U.S. to free hostages fails when a helicopter crashes into a transport plane in Iran, killing eight servicemen. â Nov. 4, 1980: Carter is denied a second term by Ronald Reagan, who wins 51.6% of the popular vote to 41.7% for Carter and 6.7% to independent John Anderson. â 1982: Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter co-found The Carter Center in Atlanta, whose mission is to resolve conflicts, protect human rights and prevent disease around the world. â September 1984: The Carters spend a week building Habitat for Humanity houses, launching what becomes the annual Carter Work Project. â October 1986: A dedication is held for The Carter Presidential Center in Atlanta. The center includes the Carter Presidential Library and Museum and Carter Center offices. â 1989: Carter leads the Carter Centerâs first election monitoring mission, declaring Panamanian Gen. Manuel Noriegaâs election fraudulent. â May 1992: Carter meets with Mikhail and Raisa Gorbachev at the Carter Center to discuss forming the Gorbachev Foundation. â June 1994: Carter plays a key role in North Korea nuclear disarmament talks. â September 1994: Carter leads a delegation to Haiti, arranging terms to avoid a U.S. invasion and return President Jean-Bertrand Aristide to power. â December 1994: Carter negotiates tentative cease-fire in Bosnia. â March 1995: Carter mediates cease-fire in Sudanâs war with southern rebels. â September 1995: Carter travels to Africa to advance the peace process in more troubled areas. â December 1998: Carter receives U.N. Human Rights Prize on 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. â August 1999: President Bill Clinton awards Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter the Presidential Medal of Freedom. â September 2001: Carter joins former Presidents Ford, Bush and Clinton at a prayer service at the National Cathedral in Washington after Sept. 11 attacks. â April 2002: Carterâs book âAn Hour Before Daylight: Memories of a Rural Boyhoodâ chosen as finalist for Pulitzer Prize in biography. â May 2002: Carter visits Cuba and addresses the communist nation on television. He is the highest-ranking American to visit in decades. â Dec. 10, 2002: Carter is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his âuntiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development.â â July 2007: Carter joins The Elders, a group of international leaders brought together by Nelson Mandela to focus on global issues. â Spring 2008: Carter remains officially neutral as Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton battle each other for the Democratic presidential nomination. â April 2008: Carter stirs controversy by meeting with the Islamic militant group Hamas. â August 2010: Carter travels to North Korea as the Carter Center negotiates the release of an imprisoned American teacher. â August 2013: Carter joins President Barack Obama and former President Bill Clinton at the 50th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.âs âI Have A Dreamâ speech and the March on Washington. â Oct. 1, 2014: Carter celebrates his 90th birthday. â December 2014: Carter is nominated for a Grammy in the best spoken word album category, for his book âA Call To Action.â â May 2015: Carter returns early from an election observation visit in Guyana â the Carter Centerâs 100th â after feeling unwell. â August 2015: Carter has a small cancerous mass removed from his liver. He plans to receive treatment at Emory Healthcare in Atlanta. â August 2015: Carter announces that his grandson Jason Carter will chair the Carter Center governing board. â March 6, 2016: Carter says an experimental drug has eliminated any sign of his cancer, and that he needs no further treatment. â May 25, 2016: Carter steps back from a âfront-lineâ role with The Elders to become an emeritus member. â July 2016: Carter is treated for dehydration during a Habitat for Humanity build in Canada. â Spring 2018: Carter publishes âFaith: A Journey for All,â the last of 32 books. â March 22, 2019: Carter becomes the longest-lived U.S. president, surpassing President George H.W. Bush, who died in 2018. â September 18, 2019: Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter deliver their final in-person annual report at the Carter Center. â October 2019: At 95, still recovering from a fall, Carter joins the Work Project with Habitat for Humanity in Nashville, Tennessee. Itâs the last time he works personally on the annual project. â Fall 2019-early 2020: Democratic presidential hopefuls visit, publicly embracing Carter as a party elder, a first for his post-presidency. â November 2020:The Carter Center monitors an audit of presidential election results in the state of Georgia, marking a new era of democracy advocacy within the U.S. â Jan. 20, 2021: The Carters miss President Joe Bidenâs swearing-in, the first presidential inauguration they donât attend since Carterâs own ceremony in 1977. The Bidens later visit the Carters in Plains on April 29. â Feb. 19, 2023: Carter enters home hospice care after a series of short hospital stays. â July 7, 2023: The Carters celebrate their 77th and final wedding anniversary. â Nov. 19, 2023: Rosalynn Carter dies at home, two days after the family announced that she had joined the former president in receiving hospice care. â Oct. 1, 2024 â Carter becomes the first former U.S. president to reach 100 years of age , celebrating at home with extended family and close friends. â Oct. 16, 2024 â Carter casts a Georgia mail ballot for Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris, having told his family he wanted to live long enough to vote for her. It marks his 21st presidential election as a voter. â Dec. 29, 2024: Carter dies at home.
Marcos vows tireless work for Pinoysâ welfareBy Nic Maclellan A no-confidence motion in the French National Assembly has ousted the government led by Prime Minister Michel Barnier. But for New Caledonians, still reeling from the economic, cultural and social impacts of six months of conflict this year, the collapse of the Barnier government raises concern about future support from Paris. A long-serving conservative politician and former diplomat, Barnier was appointed as a Prime Minister in September by French President Emmanuel Macron, following the defeat of the presidential majority in Julyâs snap elections for the National Assembly. From months, Macron had delayed appointing a prime minister, given his Ensemble alliance lacked the numbers to maintain a governing majority in the French legislature. Refusing to appoint a candidate from the Left-wing political alliance Nouveau Front Populaire (NFP) â even though it was the largest parliamentary group â Macron finally chose Barnier to lead the government, even though he was a member of the conservative Rassemblement party, which came fourth in the elections! At the time, Barnierâs appointment was welcomed by New Caledonian anti-independence parties, given his past support for the Pacific dependency to remain within the French Republic. Over the last few months, however, business leaders and politicians across the political spectrum in Noumea have been increasingly worried by the drift in French leadership. Since July, political and community leaders in Noumea have sought support from Paris for post-conflict reconstruction, after riots erupted on 13 May, followed by five months of clashes between Kanak activists and more than 6,000 French gendarmes, riot squads and anti-terrorist police, backed by armoured cars and military assistance. Initially, responding to the crisis was high on the Barnier governmentâs agenda. It formally abandoned Macronâs failed policy on electoral reform for New Caledoniaâs local legislature (a constitutional amendment that triggered the riots in mid-May). Barnier deployed a series of diplomatic missions to Noumea, including Overseas Minister François-NoeĚl Buffet, the president of the National Assembly YaeĚl Braun-Pivet and Senate president GeĚrard Larcher. His government adopted a more conciliatory tone towards the independence movement, seeking to re-start stalled negotiations on New Caledoniaâs future political status. For the Government of New Caledonia, however, a central priority was to negotiate new funding in the French governmentâs 2025 budget to support economic reconstruction. The months of conflict had damaged local businesses, the tourism sector and the crucial nickel industry, one in six workers in the private sector have lost their jobs and many others survive on reduced hours. Under President Louis Mapou, New Caledoniaâs government adopted a plan to stabilise the economy, transform the tax base, and support workers and employers battered by months of shutdown and conflict â but needed support from Paris to finance the transition over the next three years. Since Barnier took office, New Caledonian business and political leaders have travelled to Paris to lobby French politicians for extra funding in the 2025 national budget. President Mapou also flew to Paris in November, meeting with President Macron at the Elysee Palace to call for urgent action. However, after weeks of negotiations, Barnier couldnât finalise a national budget for 2025. In office for only three months, Barnierâs government lacked the numbers to easily pass legislation. Trapped between the largest bloc in the National Assembly, the Left-wing Nouveau Front Populaire and the extreme right Rassemblement national, Barnier lacked the political authority to bang heads together. His decision to ram through changes to Social Security funding without a vote in the National Assembly was the final straw. On 4 December, a no confidence motion proposed by the NFP was backed by Rassemblement national, and 331 of 577 deputies in the National Assembly voted to bring down the government. Unlike most parliamentarians from Franceâs overseas colonies in the Caribbean and Indian Ocean, New Caledoniaâs two deputies in the National Assembly did not vote in favour of the no-confidence motion. Loyalist politician Nicolas Metzdorf is a member of Macronâs presidential bloc and voted against the resolution. Speaking in Paris after the vote, Metzdorf said âwe need to have a functioning government to discuss the future of New Caledonia, and we need to have economic and financial stability and support from the French State.â The other New Caledonian member of the French legislature is Emmanuel Tjibaou, newly elected as president of the largest pro-independence party Union CaleĚdonienne (UC). Winning his seat in Paris last July, Tjibaou is the first pro-independence Kanak leader to serve in the National Assembly for 38 years. However, on Wednesday he was absent during the no-confidence vote, one of the few members of the Left who declined to vote for Barnierâs ousting. As UC president, Tjibaou continues to call for a pathway to sovereign independence. However, like his conservative colleague Metzdorf, Tjibaou has been working to gain extra economic assistance for New Caledonia, in preparation for planned discussions on a new political statute in 2025 (as he recently said âyou canât negotiate on an empty stomachâ). In recent weeks, the New Caledonian parliamentarians have been successful in gaining pledges of extra support from Paris. The Barnier government committed financial assistance until the end of 2024 and included important provisions just for New Caledonia in the draft budget for 2025. Just before the no-confidence motion, the National Assembly passed a bill to continue funding for the 2024 financial year, including important commitments made by Franceâs Overseas Minister during his October visit to Noumea (additional loan guarantees; funding to rebuild schools, town halls and other public buildings damaged by arson or rioting over the last six months; financial subsidies to employers to retain workers who have lost full-time jobs). However, this monthâs parliamentary no-confidence motion â the first in more than 60 years â blows the draft 2025 budget out of the water. Barnier has now formally resigned, with the dubious distinction that his 90-day tenure was the shortest period as prime minister since the French Fifth Republic was created in 1958. Funding for New Caledonia Before the vote on 4 December, Overseas Minister François-NoeĚl Buffet acknowledged that the government had failed to lock in its pledges to New Caledonia. âWe are in an extremely difficult situation,â he said. âThe government had made commitments at the time of my visit to New Caledonia [last October] and they had to be translated into concrete terms in the budget.â In a statement, Buffet outlined the provisions that would lapse if the government lost office. The draft financial program for next year included: a loan guarantee of 1 billion euros to underwrite budgetary initiatives by the Government of New Caledonia; plans for tax incentives to encourage post-conflict investment in the islands; and legislation and funding to conduct a census next year (New Caledoniaâs five-yearly census was last held in 2019 and was due this year, but could not proceed during the months of turmoil since May). Last month, the French Parliament deferred local elections in New Caledonia until November 2025, leaving the Mapou government in office until New Caledonian citizens can again vote for their three provincial assemblies and national Congress. The year-long delay is designed to give time for supporters and opponents of independence to negotiate a new political statute to replace the 1998 Noumea Accord. Now, the collapse of the French government and ongoing political uncertainty in Paris may delay the timing of crucial negotiations on New Caledoniaâs future. For Loyalist leader Nicolas Metzdorf, the no-confidence motion âplunges France into a major political crisis at a time when New Caledonia needs stability more than ever. This vote, with serious consequences, comes while significant progress had been obtained within the framework of the finance bill for 2025.â On 11 December, the Congress of New Caledonia must now vote on legislation that would validate the loans and grants committed for 2024 worth 27 billion Pacific francs (AUD$350 million). Beyond this, prospects for next year are still uncertain. Macronâs folly On the night after the collapse of the Barnier government, French President Emmanuel Macron made a televised speech to the nation, pledging to appoint a new prime minister quickly. However, he showed no humility or acknowledgement of his own responsibility for the current crisis. Instead he thrust responsibility back to the parliament, suggesting they must finalise a new budget before Christmas: âIt is necessary to have this budget at the very beginning of next year to allow the country to invest, as has been planned, in our armed forces, our court system, our law enforcement, but also to help our farmers in difficulty who were waiting for the budget, or to support New Caledonia.â Macron still has two years in office until the next presidential elections in 2027, but his capacity to drive politics and policy is diminished. Even as he struts the world stage as a statesman, he is on the nose with most French voters â one opinion poll taken after the no-confidence motion reported that 63% of French citizens want him to resign. The New Popular Front has called for Macronâs resignation, but â returning to Paris from a diplomatic visit to Saudi Arabia â Macron was defiant: âIf I am here before you, it is because I was elected twice by the French people. I am extremely proud of this, and I will honour this trust with all the energy that is mine, until the last second, I can be useful to the country.â His political future remains uncertain however, given that many of the key players in the National Assembly also intend to run for the presidency in 2027, including Marine Le Pen of Rassemblement national (National Rally), Jean-Luc MeĚlenchon of La France Insoumise (France unbowed) and even Macron allies like Edouard Philippe, a former Prime Minister dumped in the 2021, or outgoing Armed Forces Minister SeĚbastien Lecornu. Widely seen as arrogant or out of touch, the French President has been criticised by his own supporters for last Juneâs decision to call snap elections, which left his parliamentary group without the numbers to pass legislation. After the collapse of the Barnier government, an editorial in Le Monde noted that âMacron is still paying for, and making the country pay for, his disastrous dissolution of the National Assembly in June, which resulted in no governing majority, three political blocs unable to agree, and the feeling amongst many voters that they had been democratically cheated during the interminable appointment of Prime Minister Barnier.â The leading newspaper argued âthere is now a real risk that the political crisis will degenerate into an institutional crisis, given the high level of mistrust not only of the President but also of parliamentarians.â Macronâs misjudgement on domestic French politics echoes a series of policy blunders in recent years that have affected people in New Caledonia, Wallis and Futuna and French Polynesia, even as the small island states try to deal with post-Covid debt, cost-of-living pressure, the climate emergency and growing US-China strategic competition. At the Pacific Islands Forum in Nukuâalofa last August, President of French Polynesia Moetai Brotherson told Islands Business that misjudged decisions taken by President Macron since 2021 had contributed to mid-Mayâs explosion of conflict in New Caledonia. âUnfortunately, all the events since 13 May were easy to foresee,â Brotherson said. âIâve been telling France for three years now about the stepping stones that led to those events.â âFirst of all, the decision by the French State to maintain the third referendum on self-determination in December 2021, that was the first mistake. Then the nomination of [Loyalist leader] Madame BackeĚs as Secretary of State for Citizenship â that was a huge mistake, because it was the first time that the French State was clearly no longer respecting the neutral position that was their position since the [1998 Noumea] Accord.â Brotherson noted that President Macronâs attempt to ram through electoral reforms for New Caledonia â without a local consensus â added to this breakdown of trust between independence supporters and the French State: âThe third and major mistake was this push around modification of the voting constituency in New Caledonia, and that was a major mistake, especially in the light of dissolving the French National Assembly right after creating all this havoc!â So, what comes next? Michel Barnier will remain as caretaker leader until President Macron can appoint a successor (who will become the fifth prime minister the French leader has churned through since his re-election in 2022). Macron may now seek to split the Leftâs New Popular Front, offering the prime ministerâs job to a politician from the Socialist Party or Greens, while isolating MeĚlenchonâs La France Insoumise. However, whoever takes up this poisoned chalice will not have a governing majority in the parliament, Macron cannot call new parliamentary elections until July 2025 (after calling snap elections last June, the law requires him to wait a year before he can dissolve the legislature again). When Barnier first took office three months ago, a Le Monde editorial on New Caledonia said that âFrance has a duty there to achieve what it has so often failed to do in the past: decolonisation.â That remains the challenge for Franceâs next Prime Minister. Many independence supporters will be reaffirmed in their belief that itâs time to move on from the French colonial empire, as an independent nation.... PACNEWS/ISLANDS BUSINESSThe Rise of the Web Celebrity Shedding the Long Robe: Constructing a Vast "Edgy" Universe
IPL 2025 Mega Auction: Top 5 Overseas Players To Watch Out ForSince 1999, the EU and Mercosur (comprising Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and since 2024, Bolivia) have been negotiating a trade agreement. While an agreement in principle was reached in 2019, EU members refused to ratify the deal. Today at the Mercosur Summit in Uruguay, attended by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the agreement took a significant step closer to finally coming into effect, with both EU and Mercosur states signing the deal. Tariff reductions: The agreement will remove over 90% of tariffs on goods exchanged between the two blocs, saving EU companies around âŹ4 billion worth of duties each year. For some products, duties will be phased out over longer periods to provide companies in Mercosur countries with a sufficient amount time to adapt. Easier market access: Elimination of non-tariff barriers, discriminatory tax treatments, and the facilitation of trade in services. Sustainability: Provisions to ensure that trade does not come at the expense of environmental and labour standards. If approved by the EU member states and the EU parliament, this would create one of the largest free trade zones in the world. The EU and the five Mercosur states together make up 20.2% of global GDP, with the EU contributing the lions share with 17.4% (Brazil: 2.1%, Argentina: 0.6%, Uruguay: 0.1%, Paraguay and Bolivia: 0.04% each). In terms of population, the trade deal would unite 730 million people (450 million in the EU), or about 8.9% of the global population. While goods trade between the two blocs is still relatively small, totalling âŹ109.4bn in 2023, the EU is Mercosurâs second-largest trade partner for goods, following China and ahead of the United States. Conversely, Mercosur ranks as the EUâs tenth-largest trade partner for goods. When it comes to trade in services, the EU has exported âŹ28.2bn to Mercosur, while Mercosur exported âŹ12.3bn to the EU in 2022. The trade deal is expected to significantly boost goods trade between the two regions. But hereâs the catch, and the reason why the agreement hasnât been signed in five years â it faces significant opposition. France and Poland, amongst others, are openly opposing the trade deal. Meanwhile 11 countries â Germany, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Croatia, Estonia, Latvia, Luxembourg, and Czechia â recently called for the swift conclusion of the deal in a letter to the President of the Commission. Germany, for example, sees Mercosur as a key market for its auto exports. Currently, average car tariffs on imports into Brazil, for instance, stand at 35% compared to an import tariff of 10% in the EU. Food and agri products represent the biggest part of the EUâs imports from Mercosur, with total a total import value of 23 billion euros in 2023 (42% of total imports). The agreement will facilitate trade growth due to a mix of larger import quotas as well as reduced and removed tariffs and duties on products like beef, poultry, sugar and soybeans. Thatâs stirring discontent among EU beef, poultry, sugar beet and soybean farmers, given that their Mercosur counterparts can operate at lower costs. Other companies in the food sector are more supportive. This is either because they can benefit from lower input costs, like confectionery and soft drinks manufacturers, or because the deal creates better market access for European cheese, beer, wine and spirits exporters. For EU consumers, we would argue that any deflationary impact on food prices will be difficult to spot. Firstly, quotas will likely be expanded over multiple years to avoid market distortions. Secondly, quotas will be larger but they still represent only a small portion of total EU consumption. Thirdly, the costs of these products make up only a part of the final price that consumers pay. In the case of a premium steak bought in a restaurant, factors such as labour costs are also an important part of the equation. A trade agreement between the EU and Mercosur countries could bring some light to the darkness for the struggling European car industry. Current tariffs of up to 18% on autoparts and even 35% on cars are obviously not very beneficial for export propositions. EU countries exported âŹ1.1bn of passenger cars to Brazil, the blocâs largest market, in 2023 and Germany was responsible for almost 60% of this. Altogether â and including the largest category automotive parts â EU countries exported almost âŹ5bn worth of vehicles and automotive parts to the Mercosur member states. Including Bolivia, the Mercosur members produce just about as many cars as their domestic sales annually, but a significant chunk of this is exported to the rest of South America as the continent hardly has any other production sites outside of Brazil and Argentina. South America has a production deficit of about 30%, making it dependent on car imports. South American car markets therefore provide more growth opportunities than the sluggish European home markets. Driven by high import tariffs, European manufacturers like the Volkswagen Group and Daimler Trucks have established their manufacturing sites on the continent. A reduction in tariffs could boost production in Europe, where occupancy rates are currently low. While critical for the EUâs economic future, raw materials like lithium are making less headlines in the coverage of the free trade agreement. Thatâs surprising, given that a) the EU is very dependent on China for critical raw materials, b) countries like Argentina, Bolivia and Brazil hold large reserves of some of these critical raw materials and c) EU demand for these materials is expected to massively increase. Weâve previously written about how demand for lithium batteries (which power electric vehicles and energy storage) is set to increase 12 times by 2030, while the blocâs demand for rare earth metals, used in wind turbines and EVs, is set to rise five to six times by 2030. It may be difficult to quantify the exact economic value of having better access to these materials through closer ties with Mercosur, but we believe this particular element carried a lot of strategic weight for the EU Comission when striking the deal â especially as diversification or sourcing and securing supply is currently top of mind. The signing of the trade deal is expected to spark new protests from farmers â particularly those in France â who strongly oppose it. This response will mostly be borne out of a fear that the elimination of tariffs will lead to a substantial inflow of cheaper South American agricultural products, particularly beef, with products not meeting Europeâs stringent environmental and food safety standards. French President Emmanuel Macron might even face stronger pressure at home, given that he was unable to stop this deal and that it looks unlikely heâd sign the Treaty in the current political situation in France. In Poland, the Netherlands and Austria, farmers fear that the deal will lead to unfair competition, doesnât meet the EUâs environmental ambitions, and contributes little to GDP for some member states. The expected GDP boost for the Netherlands is only 0.03% in 2035, compared to a GDP gain of 0.23% for Spain, for example. If the trade agreement is signed in its current form, i.e., a âmixedâ agreement including both trade and non-trade measures, it would necessitate approval from the European Parliament as well as all national parliaments. It would also require ratification by all 27 EU member states. While the EU can negotiate trade agreements on behalf of its members with a qualified majority, any agreement involving shared competence between the EU and its member countries must be ratified by each member state. Remember that also the Canadian-European Trade Agreement (CETA) has not been ratified yet by all member states. To avoid repetition of the CETA experience, the EU could therefore split the agreement into two parts: the pure trade agreement and the non-trade measure part. For the pure trade part, a qualified majority vote would be required instead of approval from all 27 members, meaning that at least 15 EU member states representing 65% of the EU population would need to approve. Consequently, at least four member states representing 35% of the EU population would be needed to block the deal. The same procedure had been in place for the tariffs against electric vehicles made in China. This agreement comes at a time when the world is facing increasing protectionism, with US President-elect Donald Trump returning to the White House. He has made no secret of his fondness for tariffs. However, protectionist tendencies are not solely limited to Trump. This week, Beijing announced export bans on key minerals such as germanium and gallium in retaliation against US controls on semiconductor technology. Additionally, new tariffs worth $18bn on Chinese products will take effect in January 2025 and 2026. Elsewhere, the EU has also stepped up its protectionist measures against China this year â and Mercosur countries arenât holding back either. Brazil introduced import tariffs on electric vehicles (BEVs) of 10% at the start of the year, climbing to 18% in July and up to 35% in 2026. A trade deal between these two economic blocs would be welcome amid a global climate engulfed by a new era of protectionism, and would be significant step towards ongoing trade liberalisation. However, the likelihood of success remains slim â and weâre interested to see whether free trade supporters can prevail over the protectionists this time around. Source: ING
Darnold delivers for Vikings with career-high 347 yards and 5 TDs to beat Falcons, Cousins 42-214. GHI GroupMississippi State overcomes early deficit to down Prairie View A&M
Mississippi State overcomes early deficit to down Prairie View A&MJosh Hubbard scored 25 points and Claudell Harris Jr. scored 21 on 6-of-9 shooting as Mississippi State escaped with a 91-84 win against Prairie View A&M on Sunday in Starkville, Miss. Prairie View A&M took a 65-64 lead with 10:38 remaining, but Hubbard and Harris Jr. each scored seven points to power the ensuing 14-1 run that put Mississippi State up for good. Hubbard punctuated the rally with a 3-pointer that made it 78-66 with 5:51 to play. The Bulldogs (8-1) stretched their lead to as many as 13 points in the closing minutes to notch their second straight win. Shawn Jones Jr. added 11 points for Mississippi State, while Michael Nwoko added 10 points and 10 rebounds. RJ Melendez also netted 10 points. The Panthers (1-8) were led by the trio of Nick Anderson (21 points) Tanahj Pettway (20) and Marcel Bryant (19). Pettway drilled 4 of 5 3-pointers and Bryant grabbed seven rebounds. Prairie View A&M got off to a hot start, opening up a 27-12 lead with 10:42 left in the first half. It was a surprising haymaker from the visitors, who entered the game winless in Division I play and faced a Bulldogs team that was ranked last week. Mississippi State eventually found its stride offensively, turning things around with a 32-17 run to tie the game at 44 entering halftime. The Bulldogs shot 50 percent from the field overall in the first half, but only made six of their 17 attempts from 3-point range (35.3 percent). Their defense remained an issue throughout the half, with the Panthers hitting 16 of their 27 shots (59.3 percent) and canning 5 of 8 3-pointers. Neither team led by more than five early in the second half until Mississippi State pulled away. The Bulldogs finished the game shooting 55.6 percent from the floor (30-of-54) and drilled 11 of 26 attempts (42.3 percent) from long range. They outrebounded Prairie View A&M 35-22 and outscored them 31-20 in bench points. The Panthers held a 34-32 advantage in points in the paint and shot 56.4 percent overall for the game, including 52.6 percent (10-of-19) on threes. --Field Level Media
The upcoming match between Herona and Liverpool has captured the attention of football fans around the world. As the coach of Herona, I believe that this match is not only a great opportunity to showcase our capabilities on the field, but also a chance for us to fully enjoy the experience of competing against one of the top teams in the world.SC asks EC to study if parties can be within POSH Act ambitBLAINVILLE, Que. â Sam Oliver scored a hat trick to give him a league-leading 28 goals on the season and the Drummondville Voltigeurs kept rolling with a 6-2 win over the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada in Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League action Sunday. Ethan Gauthier, Adam Cavallin and Maxime Lambert all scored for Drummondville (22-5-3), who are 7-0-1 over their last eight games and lead the QMJHL with 47 points. Voltigeurs netminder Riley Mercer stopped 46 of 48 shots. Olivier Lemieux and Jonathan Fauchon scored for Blainville-Boisbriand (16-12-1). Armada goaltender ReĚmi Delafontaine kicked out 18 of 23 shots. --- ISLANDERS 4 HUSKIES 3 (SO) CHARLOTTETOWN â Alexis Michaud scored the shootout winner as the Islanders defeated Rouyn-Noranda. Egor Goriunov had two goals while Owen Conrad scored once for Charlottetown (11-15-3) in regulation. Islanders goaltender Nicolas Ruccia stopped 39 of 42 shots. Ty Higgins, Evan Courtois and Lars Steiner all scored for Rouyn-Noranda (16-6-7). Huskies goaltender Samuel Carreiras made 25 saves. --- WILDCATS 3 SEA DOGS 2 SAINT JOHN, N.B. â Gabe Smith scored the game-winning goal at 17:00 in the third period as Moncton edged the Sea Dogs. Juraj Pekarcik and Markus Vidicek also scored for Eastern Conference-leading Moncton (22-5-2). Wildcats netminder Rudy Guimond stopped 37 of 39 shots. Zachary Morin scored twice for Saint John (14-16-0), while Sea Dogs netminder Justin Robinson kicked out 36 of 39 shots. --- TITAN 2 MOOSEHEADS 1 (OT) BATHURST, N.B. â Dawson Sharkey scored in overtime period as the Acadie-Bathurst Titan edged Halifax. Liam Arsenault also scored for Acadie-Bathurst (18-11-0). Titan netminder Joshua Fleming stopped 35 of 36 shots. Lou LeĚvesque scored for Halifax (10-14-5). Mooseheads netminder Mathis Rousseau made 23 saves. --- EAGLES 5 FOREURS 3 SYDNEY, N.S. â Cam Squires scored three goals as the Cape Breton Eagles topped Val-D'Or. EĚmile Ricard and Luke Patterson also scored for Cape Breton (13-13-3). Eagles netminder Jakub Milota kicked out 28 of 31 shots. Noah Reinhart scored all three goals for Val-D'Or (9-17-3). Foreurs netminder CeĚdric MasseĚ saved 29 of 34 shots, --- CATARACTES 3 OLYMPIQUES 1 GATINEAU â Mathys Fernandez made 32 saves and Kody Dupuis scored the game-winner as Shawinigan downed the Olympiques. FeĚlix Lacerte and Matvei Gridin and Kody Dupuis also scored for Shawinigan (16-12-1). Julien PailleĚ scored once for Gatineau (6-18-6). Olympiques goaltender Nathan St-Pierre stopped 25 of 28 shots. This roundup was generated automatically with a CP-developed application. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 8, 2024. The Canadian Press
Counterfeiting is a serious crime with far-reaching consequences. Not only does it undermine the integrity of the financial system, but it also poses a threat to businesses and consumers who may unwittingly accept fake currency. The impact of counterfeit money can be devastating, leading to financial losses and eroding trust in the economy.Irving's journey to conquer the court in one-on-one matchups has been nothing short of spectacular. From his days as a standout player in high school to his dazzling performances in college and in the NBA, Irving has always been a force to be reckoned with in individual play. His quickness, creativity, and basketball IQ have made him a nightmare for defenders and a favorite among fans.
Title: Exploring the Luxurious Bathing Culture: Northeast Chinese Bathhouse Lobby Overflowing with SuitcasesRecently, the South Korean Ministry of National Defense was plunged into chaos as its Defense Security Command headquarters became the target of a surprise search operation. Reports indicated that a large number of confidential materials related to emergency martial law procedures were confiscated during the raid, leading to heightened concerns about potential security breaches and espionage activities.