vegas slot game
The president-elect criticized what he described as unfair tariffs on U.S. ships to pass through the canal U.S. President-elect Donald Trump criticized what he described as unfair tariffs on U.S. ships to pass through the Panama Canal and threatened to demand that Washington retake control of the strategic passageway. A complete swindle of USA “Our Navy and commerce have been threatened in a very unfair and reckless way. The fees charged by Panama are ridiculous,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.The president-elect also denounced a growing influence of China in the canal, a worrisome situation that threatens his country’s interests, since U.S. businesses depend on the canal to transport goods between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. “This complete swindle of our country will cease immediately,” he said. The Panama Canal, which was completed by the United States in 1914, was returned to the Central American country under the 1977 agreement signed by Democratic President Jimmy Cater. Panama retook full control of the commercial passage in 1999. Not China or anyone else “It was exclusively for Panama to administer, not China or anyone else,” Trump said. “We would never and will never let it fall into the wrong hands!” If Panama cannot guarantee a “safe, efficient and reliable operation” of the canal, “then we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to us in full and without question,” the Republican added. Panamanian authorities did not immediately respond to Trump’s statements . Although he will take office on January 20, Trump has been exerting his political influence in the last days of President Joe Biden’s administration. Some 5% of the world’s maritime trade passes through the Panama Canal, which allows ships from Asia to the east coast of the United States to avoid the long and dangerous journey around the southern tip of South America. The countries that use the Panama Canal the most are the United States, China, Japan and South Korea. In October, the Panama Canal Authority reported profits of nearly $5 billion in the last fiscal year. Tags costa rica costa rica news Daily News National News news news costa rica Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. document.addEventListener("DOMContentLiteSpeedLoaded",function(){document.body.addEventListener("click",function(event){if(event.target.matches(".comment-reply-link, #cancel-comment-reply-link")){turnstile.reset(".comment-form .cf-turnstile")}})}) jQuery(document).ajaxComplete(function(){setTimeout(function(){turnstile.render("#cf-turnstile-c-1119451554")},1000)})COPPER MOUNTAIN, Colo. — For a pair of lower-level downhill events, this sure had plenty of Olympic medal-capturing and World Cup-winning ski racers. The stage belonged to Lindsey Vonn , the 40-year-old who took another step on her comeback trail Saturday with her first races in nearly six years. Vonn wasn't particularly speedy and finished in the middle of the pack on a cold but sunny day at Copper Mountain. Times and places weren't the mission, though, as much as getting used to the speed again and gaining the necessary points to compete on the World Cup circuit this season. Vonn accomplished both, finishing 24th in the first downhill race of the day and 27th in the second. She posted on social media after the FIS races that she had enough points to enter World Cup events. The timing couldn't be more perfect — the next stop on the women's circuit is Beaver Creek, Colorado, in a week. Vonn, who used to own a home in nearby Vail, hasn't committed to any sort of timetable for a World Cup return. “Today was a solid start and I had a blast being in start with my teammates again!” Vonn wrote on X . “While I’m sure people will speculate and say I’m not in top form because of the results, I disagree. This was training for me. I’m still testing equipment and getting back in the groove.” Her competition — a veritable who's who of high-profile ski racers — applauded her efforts. “I don't expect her to come back and win — just that she comes back and she has fun,” said Federica Brignone of Italy, a former overall World Cup champion and three-time Olympic medalist. “She's having fun, and she’s doing what she loves. That’s the best thing that she could do.” In the first race on a frigid morning, Vonn wound up 1.44 seconds behind the winning time of 1 minute, 5.79 seconds posted by Mirjam Puchner of Austria. In her second race through the course later in the morning, Vonn was 1.53 seconds behind Cornelia Huetter of Austria, who finished in 1:05.99. Huetter is the reigning season-long World Cup downhill champion. “It’s really nice to compare with her again, and nice to have her (racing) again,” Huetter said. “For sure, for the skiing World Cup, we have a lot of more attention. It's generally good for all racers because everyone is looking.” Also in the field were Nadia Delago of Italy, who won a bronze medal in downhill at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, and Puchner, the Olympic silver winner in super-G in Beijing. In addition, there was Marta Bassino of Italy, a winner of the super-G at the 2023 world championships, and two-time Olympic champion Michelle Gisin of Switzerland. “For me, it was really a training, but it was fun to have a World Cup race level right here,” Gisin said. “It was a crazy race.” Vonn remains a popular figure and took the time after each run to sign autographs for young fans along with posing for photos. When she left the sport, Vonn had 82 World Cup race victories, which stood as the record for a woman and within reach of the all-time Alpine record of 86 held by Swedish standout Ingemar Stenmark. The women’s mark held by Vonn was surpassed in January 2023 by Mikaela Shiffrin, who now has 99 wins — more than any Alpine ski racer in the history of the sport. Shiffrin is currently sidelined after a crash in a giant slalom event in Killington, Vermont , last weekend. Vonn’s last major race was in February 2019, when she finished third in a downhill during the world championships in Sweden. The three-time Olympic medalist left the circuit still near the top of her game. But all the broken arms and legs, concussions and torn knee ligaments took too big a toll and sent her into retirement. She had a partial knee replacement last April and felt good enough to give racing another shot. “It's very impressive to see all the passion that Lindsey still has,” Gisin said. Also racing Saturday was 45-year-old Sarah Schleper, who once competed for the United States but now represents Mexico. Schleper was the next racer behind Vonn and they got a chance to share a moment between a pair of 40-somethings still racing. “I was like, ‘Give me some tips, Lindsey,’” Schleper said. “She’s like, ‘Oh, it’s a highway tuck, the whole thing.’ Then she’s like, ‘It’s just like the good old days.’" AP skiing: https://apnews.com/hub/alpine-skiing Lindsey Vonn Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Get local news delivered to your inbox!
The KSE-100 Index closes at 109,054 points, gaining 7,697 points, up 7.6% week-on-week KARACHI: The outlook for Pakistan’s equity market remains favorable, driven by expectations of continued monetary easing and an improving macroeconomic environment. Analysts at AKD Research noted, “The disinflationary environment, coupled with easing external financing requirements, makes equities more attractive, especially with the market trading at a P/E of 5.0x and DY of 10.2%.” The KSE-100 Index recorded its highest-ever weekly gain, surging by 7,697 points to close at a record high of 109,054 points, up 7.6% week-on-week (WoW). These gains marked the highest weekly return in 4.7 years, supported by a November inflation rate of 4.9% year-on-year (YoY), the lowest in 6.5 years. Major sectors driving the rally included commercial banks (+1,434 points), fertilizer (+1,424 points), and oil and gas exploration (+1,148 points). The fertilizer sector rose on news of Engro Corporation’s acquisition of Jazz Tower and the Lahore High Court’s approval of the FFC-FFBL merger. AKD Research highlighted, “The continued interest in commercial banks is driven by a 21% YoY increase in gross advances as of mid-November, with ADR expected to cross 50% by year-end to avoid ADR-based taxation.” Source: PSX & AKD ResearchOn the macroeconomic side, the Saudi Fund for Development extended $3 billion deposits for another year, while November’s trade deficit narrowed to $1.6 billion, down 19% YoY. The government’s debt declined by 1% month-on-month to Rs69 trillion in October, and foreign exchange reserves increased by $620 million to $12 billion, boosted by a $500 million Asian Development Bank loan. Sector-wise, Vanaspati & Allied Products (+23.7%), Transport (+19.3%), and Refinery (+18.5%) led performance. Top gainers included CNERGY (+45.6%) and Airlink (+42.5%), while laggards included EFUG (-8.8%) and JVDC (-8.1%). The upcoming Monetary Policy Committee meeting on December 16 remains a key focus, as investors anticipate further easing to sustain momentum. Top stock picks include OGDC, PPL, MCB, FFC, PSO, LUCK, MLCF, FCCL, and INDU. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() );SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Colorado secured what it said was record insurance coverage for quarterback Shedeur Sanders and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter as the star duo opted to complete their college careers in the Alamo Bowl rather than sit out and prepare for the NFL draft. Colorado would not disclose the amount of insurance coverage each received, citing privacy laws. Coach Deion Sanders and athletic director Rick George both said it was the largest in college football history. “We happen to have two players that are probably going to be the first two picks of the NFL draft,” Sanders said Monday. “We all know who those two are and they have received, I think, the highest number of coverage that has ever been covered in college football. It far exceeds anyone that has ever played this game of college football.” While college programs maintain insurance policies for their athletes in case of injury, Colorado increased disability coverage for its entire roster in the Alamo Bowl. Sanders, the coach of the No. 20 Buffaloes, ensured his QB son and two-way star Hunter received larger policies since both are expected to be among the top 10 selections in the upcoming NFL draft. “It was his idea we should get disability insurance for our athletes for this game to ensure that they played and if there was some kind of injury that they would be well taken care of," George said. “So, we worked together on that. We’re excited about it. We think it’s great that all our players are playing in the game. That’s what all bowl games should be like.” Colorado (9-3, No. 23 CFP) will face the 17th-ranked BYU Cougars (10-2, No. 17 CFP) in the Alamo Bowl on Saturday. While most teams are scrambling with starters opting out of bowl games this year to enter the transfer portal or NFL draft, the Buffaloes did not lose any player on their two-deep roster. “It’s more than what I got (when he played at Kansas State),” Colorado linebackers coach Andre’ Hart said. “They gave us a helmet and said pop this on your leg and get out there and play. For them to get that (increased insurance coverage), I just think it’s beneficial. To talk about where the game is, where it’s going and how leadership is taking care of the players, I thought that’s excellent.” Shedeur Sanders completed 337 of 454 passes for 3,926 yards and 35 touchdowns this season. Many scouting services have Sanders rated as the top quarterback in this year's draft. Hunter received the Heisman Trophy as a two-way standout at cornerback and wide receiver. He had 92 receptions for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns and as a cornerback had four interceptions, broke up 11 passes and limited the opposition to 22 receptions on 688 defensive snaps. “They’ve taken care of us, everybody,” Colorado running back Micah Welch said. “It really means a lot to have every teammate up here. That's a big thing. What I like about Coach Prime, they’re taking care of us.” 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
PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 3, 2024-- Minto Communities USA (“Minto”), The St. Joe Company (NYSE: JOE) (“St. Joe”), and Margaritaville Holdings (Margaritaville) announce that Latitude Margaritaville Watersound has sold its 2,000th home. Latitude Margaritaville Watersound, an active adult community for those 55 and better, opened in May 2021. Plans call for approximately 3,500 homes in the community’s first phase, and additional phases are anticipated. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241203016770/en/ Latitude Margaritaville Watersound Sales Center (Photo: Business Wire) Latitude Margaritaville Watersound is located on Northwest Florida’s beautiful Emerald Coast, between Pensacola and Panama City, near Panama City Beach. It is situated in the heart of St. Joe’s vast Bay-Walton Sector Plan that encompasses approximately 110,500 acres with approximately 15 miles of frontage on the Intracoastal Waterway. Just a short drive from the famed Scenic Highway 30-A corridor with its beautiful white-sand beaches, this region is the embodiment of the relaxed, beachy atmosphere that is at the heart of the Latitude Margaritaville lifestyle. “Reaching 2,000 home sales at Latitude Margaritaville Watersound is a significant milestone for this community,” said Jorge Gonzalez, President and CEO of St. Joe. “The continuing demand for new homes speaks not only to the quality of the homes and abundance of amenities that residents can enjoy, but also to the appeal of the quality of life in Northwest Florida. We continue to see migration into our region from across the country, and the 2,000th home sale in the Latitude Margaritaville Watersound community is evidence of that.” Today’s vibrant 55+ home buyers have actively embraced Latitude Margaritaville’s one-of-a-kind elements of fun, food, music and escapism, and sales have exceeded all projections. Named among the top 50 master-planned communities in the U.S. on the RCLCO Real Estate Consulting mid-2024 listing, Latitude Margaritaville Watersound has won numerous national awards and recognitions for its laid-back lifestyle, island-inspired homes, and world-class resort-style amenities. “We at Margaritaville are thrilled for Latitude Margaritaville Watersound to achieve its 2,000th sale in such a short period of time,” said Jim Wiseman, President of Margaritaville Development. “Our active adult residents and soon to be residents embrace the fun, safe, and inspired living lifestyle provided by the Latitude Margaritaville brand.” Latitude Town Square amenities include a terraced amphitheater, thatched roof bandshell with full-size concert stage for the community’s robust program of live music, a jumbo screen for live streaming, and recessed dance floor that provides a little cushion and spring for dancers. A two-story Latitude Bar & Chill restaurant and rooftop Overlook Bar provide a menu of Margaritaville-inspired food and beverage concoctions and stunning, panoramic views of the Intracoastal Waterway. A massive lagoon-style Paradise Pool has a beach-like gradual entry and its own Tiki Island . Existing amenities also include a Telegraph Business Center with individual workstations and a board room as well as the state-of-the-art Fins Up! Fitness Center with indoor lap pool and spa, workout equipment, spin room, fitness classes, and wellness programming. In addition to a games lawn with bocce, cornhole, billiards tables, and a putting green, the tennis and pickleball courts have lighting for night play. Residents also can explore the Intracoastal Waterway by kayak from the Port of Indecision kayak launch, and canine residents can have their own fun at the Barkaritaville Dog Park . Additional Latitude Town Square amenities currently under construction will add even more exciting options for fun and entertainment. A colorful Workin’ N’ Playin’ Center complex will include a Last Mango Theater for movies, shows, and concerts with a large screen, fully immersive theater sound, and a concession stand. There will also be a Hangar Workshop where residents can do woodworking projects or trick out their golf carts, as well as a Clayground Pottery Studio and Arts & Crafts Room . There will be a Barkaritaville Pet Spa that provides grooming services and is designed to look like a doghouse. Additional sports courts will include three more pickleball courts, two tennis courts, and three bocce courts. The Latitude Margaritaville Watersound sales center and 13 model homes are open daily. Five distinct home collections include the Conch Cottage Collection, Caribbean Villas Collection, Beach and Island Collections of single-family homes, and Vista Collection of two-story luxury homes overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway. Homes capture the “no worries” tropical vibe that defines Latitude Margaritaville. Floor plans range from 1,210 to 4,048 square feet under air with pricing from the $300s. Latitude Margaritaville Watersound is being developed in a dynamic partnership that includes master developer Minto, global lifestyle brand Margaritaville, and St. Joe. It is the first of the wildly popular communities to be developed in partnership with St. Joe. Two additional Latitude Margaritaville communities are located in Daytona Beach, Florida and near Hilton Head, South Carolina. In addition to the many Latitude Margaritaville Watersound amenities, St. Joe has plans for a future full-service public marina and a commercial village adjacent to the community. St. Joe is also developing a healthcare campus, along with Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare and Florida State University (FSU) College of Medicine, located just minutes from Latitude Margaritaville Watersound. The healthcare campus is located on an 87-acre parcel near the intersection of State Highway 79 and Phillip Griffitts Sr. Parkway. In addition to a planned inpatient facility, FSU intends to utilize the campus for research focused on successful aging and senior living technology. The first campus building has opened, offering urgent and primary care and cardiology and pulmonary services. Clinical practices in orthopedics, obstetrics and gynecology, and others as well as a four-room ambulatory surgery center are planned to open in the next few months. The Latitude Margaritaville Watersound sales center is located at 9201 Highway 79, Panama City Beach, Florida. Open daily, Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central time. For information, call 866-524-0144. For more information on Latitude Margaritaville and to sign up to receive regular development updates, visit www.LatitudeMargaritaville.com . Also follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LatitudeMargaritaville , on Instagram @LatitudeMville, and on Twitter at @LatitudeMville. NOTE TO EDITOR: Please see link to Latitude Margaritaville Watersound images below. Image credits: Courtesy Minto Communities Dropbox link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/d5zst3cb5nwaayihn68a1/AOAwi-_WMcqWzLyT8TuZtX8?rlkey=imxx48hf5yuba0bvvk3meeifd&st=b0hqc4ga&dl=0 Important Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains “forward-looking statements,” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including statements regarding the anticipated size of the initial phase of Latitude Margaritaville Watersound, expectations regarding specific amenities and other features, neighboring developments and the prospective interest in the Latitude Margaritaville Watersound and the neighboring developments. These forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by cautionary statements and risk factors set forth in St. Joe’s filings with the SEC, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and subsequent current report filings, as well as the following: (1) the ability of Minto, Margaritaville Holdings and St. Joe to continue to develop and successfully complete the Latitude Margaritaville Watersound community (2) the ability of St. Joe to develop the marina, commercial village or health care campus, (3) the continued interest of prospective buyers of Latitude Margaritaville Watersound homes and (4) the interest of consumers in the marina, commercial village or the health care campus. About Latitude Margaritaville Latitude Margaritaville communities are active adult communities developed and built by master developer Minto Communities under license from acclaimed lifestyle brand Margaritaville Holdings. Offering resort-style amenities, Latitude Margaritaville is the ideal destination for those looking to live the Margaritaville lifestyle as they grow older, but not up. The communities feature a resort-style pool, fitness center, live entertainment, signature Margaritaville food and beverage concepts, arts and learning programs, and more. Latitude Margaritaville communities are now open in Daytona Beach, Florida, Hilton Head, South Carolina and Watersound, Florida located on the Emerald Coast in Florida’s Panhandle. All three Latitude Margaritaville communities were named among the 2023 Top 50 Master-Planned Communities by John Burns Real Estate Consulting and RCLCO Real Estate Consulting. About the St. Joe Company The St. Joe Company is a real estate development, asset management and operating company with real estate assets and operations in Northwest Florida. The Company intends to use existing assets for residential, hospitality and commercial ventures. St. Joe has significant residential and commercial land-use entitlements. The Company actively seeks higher and better uses for its real estate assets through a range of development activities. More information about the Company can be found on its website at www.joe.com . ©2024 The St Joe Company. “St. Joe ®,” “JOE ®,” the “Taking Flight” Design ®,” and “St. Joe (and Taking Flight Design) ® ” are registered service marks of The St. Joe Company. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241203016770/en/ CONTACT: Minto Communities USA Paula Robertson Paula Robertson & Associates 239-454-1454 Paula@prprUSA.comThe St. Joe Company, Investor Relations Marek Bakun 866-417-7132 Marek.Bakun@joe.comThe St. Joe Company, Media Relations Mary Beth Lovingood 850-231-6583 marybeth.lovingood@joe.comMargaritaville Caroline Andrew Finn Partners 646-373-2899 caroline.andrew@finnpartners.com KEYWORD: FLORIDA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: SENIORS CONSUMER RESIDENTIAL BUILDING & REAL ESTATE CONSTRUCTION & PROPERTY URBAN PLANNING SOURCE: The St. Joe Company Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/03/2024 04:06 PM/DISC: 12/03/2024 04:07 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241203016770/enDuring your first driving class, the instructor probably sat next to you, offering immediate advice on every turn, stop and minor adjustment. If it was a parent, they might have even grabbed the wheel a few times and shouted "Brake!" Over time, those corrections and insights developed experience and intuition, turning you into an independent, capable driver. Although advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) have made a reality, the used to train them remain a far cry from even the most nervous side-seat driver. Rather than nuance and real-time instruction, AI learns primarily through massive datasets and extensive simulations, regardless of the application. Now, researchers from Duke University and the Army Research Laboratory have developed a platform to help AI learn to perform more like humans. Nicknamed GUIDE for short, the AI framework will be showcased at the upcoming Conference on Neural Information Processing Systems ( ), taking place Dec. 9–5 in Vancouver, Canada. The work is also on the preprint server. "It remains a challenge for AI to handle tasks that require fast decision making based on limited learning information," explained Boyuan Chen, professor of mechanical engineering and , electrical and , and computer science at Duke, where he also directs the Duke General Robotics Lab. "Existing are often constrained by their reliance on extensive pre-existing datasets while also struggling with the limited adaptability of traditional feedback approaches," Chen said. "We aimed to bridge this gap by incorporating real-time continuous human feedback." GUIDE functions by allowing humans to observe AI's actions in real-time and provide ongoing, nuanced feedback. It's like how a skilled driving coach wouldn't just shout "left" or "right," but instead offer detailed guidance that fosters incremental improvements and deeper understanding. In its debut study, GUIDE helps AI learn how best to play hide-and-seek. The game involves two beetle-shaped players, one red and one green. While both are controlled by computers, only the red player is working to advance its AI controller. The game takes place on a square playing field with a C-shaped barrier in the center. Most of the playing field remains black and unknown until the red seeker enters new areas to reveal what they contain. As the red AI player chases the other, a human trainer provides feedback on its searching strategy. While previous attempts at this sort of training strategy have only allowed for three human inputs—good, bad or neutral—GUIDE has humans hover a mouse cursor over a gradient scale to provide real-time feedback. The experiment involved 50 adult participants with no prior training or specialized knowledge, which is by far the largest-scale study of its kind. The researchers found that just 10 minutes of human feedback led to a significant improvement in the AI's performance. GUIDE achieved up to a 30% increase in success rates compared to current state-of-the-art human-guided reinforcement learning methods. "This strong quantitative and qualitative evidence highlights the effectiveness of our approach," said Lingyu Zhang, the lead author and a first-year Ph.D. student in Chen's lab. "It shows how GUIDE can boost adaptability, helping AI to independently navigate and respond to complex, dynamic environments." The researchers also demonstrated that human trainers are only really needed for a short period of time. As participants provided feedback, the team created a simulated human trainer AI based on their insights within particular scenarios at particular points in time. This allows the seeker AI to continually train long after a human has grown weary of helping it learn. Training an AI "coach" that isn't as good as the AI it's coaching may sound counterintuitive, but as Chen explains, it's actually a very human thing to do. "While it's very difficult for someone to master a certain task, it's not that hard for someone to judge whether or not they're getting better at it," Chen said. "Lots of coaches can guide players to championships without having been a champion themselves." Another fascinating direction for GUIDE lies in exploring the individual differences among human trainers. Cognitive tests given to all 50 participants revealed that certain abilities, such as spatial reasoning and rapid decision-making, significantly influenced how effectively a person could guide an AI. These results highlight intriguing possibilities such as enhancing these abilities through targeted training and discovering other factors that might contribute to successful AI guidance. These questions point to an exciting potential for developing more adaptive training frameworks that not only focus on teaching AI but also on augmenting human capabilities to form future human-AI teams. By addressing these questions, researchers hope to create a future where AI learns not only more effectively but also more intuitively, bridging the gap between human intuition and machine learning, and enabling AI to operate more autonomously in environments with limited information. "As AI technologies become more prevalent, it's crucial to design systems that are intuitive and accessible for everyday users," said Chen. "GUIDE paves the way for smarter, more responsive AI capable of functioning autonomously in dynamic and unpredictable environments." The team envisions future research that incorporates diverse communication signals using language, , hand gestures and more to create a more comprehensive and intuitive framework for AI to learn from human interactions. Their work is part of the lab's mission toward building the next-level intelligent systems that team up with humans to tackle tasks that neither AI nor humans alone could solve.
Article content Sometime this financial quarter, the Canadian oilsands will hit a major milestone: one trillion dollars in cumulative spending. This number does not represent profits or dividends. It is the amount of direct spending – the capital, the operating expenses, the taxes and the royalties – that Canada’s most important industrial activity has injected into the economy over a period of about 25 years. The oilsands are Canada’s winning lottery ticket. Economists are well aware of the huge outlay of capital that the oilsands attracted in the early 2010s. Many macroeconomic datasets are distorted by them: investment attraction, productivity, GDP per capita: all enjoyed a bump during the oilsands’ most capital-intensive years. What’s less discussed is how those early outlays of capital committed producers to operational and de-bottleneck spending for years to come: the drilling, well pads, gathering pipelines and equipment needed to sustain and optimize operations. As a result of higher royalties and taxes, oilsands spending actually peaked in 2022, not 2014, the latter of which was the high point for the construction phase of the oilsands’ life cycle. The 2022 oilsands expenditures were equivalent to the GDP of Saskatchewan that same year. The trillion dollars in spending has bolstered the Canadian economy in hundreds of ways, but a few are worth highlighting. Over $107 billion in royalties and $79 billion in taxes have been paid to Canadian governments, representing more than the last five years of Canadian defense spending . Billions in goods and services have been procured from Indigenous businesses, and tens of billions from the manufacturing sector in central Canada. Far from just an Alberta success story, the oilsands are a quintessentially Canadian sector. M ore than 2,300 companies outside of Alberta have had direct business with the oilsands, including over 1,300 in Ontario and almost 600 in Quebec. If anything, the trillion-dollar figure is conservative. It does not include third-party handling, tankage or pipeline spend (the cost of TMX, for example). And it does not include IT, corporate, research and development, diluent costs or the indirect spend that impacts countless firms across the country. These add tens of billions more to worker paycheques, small business profits, and taxes. Such a golden goose should surely be cossetted by our political class? Of course not. The oilsands have been consistently undermined by Ottawa. The announcement of an emissions cap is the latest example. Analysis by S&P Global and the Conference Board of Canada show that, depending on the implementation, the cap could force a reduction in output of well over one million barrels of oil equivalent/day, almost of all of which would have to come out of our exports to the United States. This would lead to a significantly lower balance of trade and an even weaker dollar, affecting all Canadians’ buying power. Canada has the world’s fourth-largest oil reserves; a democracy alone on a list with authoritarian regimes Venezuela, Saudi Arabia and Iran. Ninety-seven per cent of those reserves are in the Alberta oilsands. That juggernaut could keep Canada’s economy prosperous for many more decades, providing the feedstock for chemicals and carbon-based materials whenever global fuel consumption starts to decline. In fact, based on the last three years of current expenditures, the oilsands would hit their next trillion-dollar spending milestone in half the time it took to hit the first. With good planning and collaboration, some of its future expenditures will go toward emissions-reductions activities such as carbon capture and storage, and new technology investment such as carbon fibre production . But if companies are forced to cut their production, they won’t be able to afford to aggressively cut emissions. Nor will they be able to make other investments to maximize and sustain the value of this resource. Shareholders will put their money elsewhere, and spending will decline. A trillion-dollar milestone is something to celebrate. Governments and industry need to collaborate so we can reach it again. Heather Exner-Pirot is the director of energy, natural resources and environment at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute. Bryan Remillard is senior advisor, policy, at Pathways Alliance and has over 30years of experience in the oilsands sector.The US Government Charges China-Based Hacker for Exploiting Zero-Day Vulnerability
VANCOUVER — Vancouver-based bookkeeping service Bench Accounting has announced its sudden closure, potentially putting hundreds of staff out of work. The company that has described itself as North America's largest bookkeeping service for small businesses says on its website in a "notice of closure" dated Friday that the platform is "no longer accessible." The statement acknowledges that the closure is "abrupt and may cause disruption," and says the firm is committed to helping customers "navigate through the transition." Bench has previously said it had more than 600 employees and had received investor funding of US$113 million. It said it moved to Vancouver and changed its name to Bench in 2013, having started out in 2012 as 10sheet Inc in the U.S. Calls to Bench's Vancouver office went to voice mail and did not immediately receive a response. But the company's former CEO and co-founder Ian Crosby released a statement on social media on Friday, saying he was "very sad" about the closure. Crosby, who said he was ousted by the company's board about three years ago, said there was a lesson in the fate of the company. "I hope the story of Bench goes on to become a warning for VCs (venture capitalists) that think they can 'upgrade' a company by replacing the founder. It never works," he said. The University of British Columbia Sauder Business School alumni said he had been avoiding speaking publicly about Bench since his exit, but wanted to make a statement in light of the company's demise. He said that in 2021 he had been battling with some board members over their strategy for a "new direction" that he thought was a "very bad idea." " Rather than continuing to fight with me, they opted to just replace me, thinking that they could run the company better themselves," he said. "I was totally convinced that their approach would destroy the company. I opted to resign rather than fight." Other bookkeeping companies were quick to reach out to Bench's former clients, with rivals such as Acuity and Better Bookkeeping making reference to Bench's closure in social media pitches. A spokeswoman for B.C.'s jobs ministry said they were looking into a request for comment. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 27, 2024. The Canadian Press
Giants QB Tommy DeVito has a sore throwing arm after loss to Bucs
Is Enron back? If it’s a joke, some former employees aren’t laughingColorado adds record insurance coverage for Sanders and Hunter with both playing in Alamo Bowl
Spain's monarch pays tribute to the victims of Valencia floods in his Christmas Eve speech
It’s almost time for Spotify Wrapped. When can you expect your 2024 recap?JERUSALEM — Israel approved a ceasefire agreement with Lebanon's Hezbollah militants on Tuesday that would end nearly 14 months of fighting linked to the war in the Gaza Strip. The ceasefire, starting at 4 a.m. local time Wednesday, would mark the first major step toward ending the regionwide unrest triggered by Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. But it does not address the devastating war in Gaza , where Hamas is still holding dozens of hostages and the conflict is more intractable. Hours before the ceasefire with Hezbollah was to take effect, Israel carried out the most intense wave of strikes in Beirut and its southern suburbs since the start of the conflict and issued a record number of evacuation warnings. At least 42 people were killed in strikes across the country, according to local authorities. Another huge airstrike shook Beirut shortly after the ceasefire was announced. Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike on Dahiyeh, in Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. There appeared to be lingering disagreement over whether Israel would have the right to strike Hezbollah if it believed the militants had violated the agreement, something Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted was part of the deal but which Lebanese and Hezbollah officials have rejected. Israel's security Cabinet approved the U.S.-France-brokered ceasefire agreement after Netanyahu presented it, his office said. U.S. President Joe Biden, speaking in Washington, called the agreement “good news” and said his administration would make a renewed push for a ceasefire in Gaza. The Biden administration spent much of this year trying to broker a ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza but the talks repeatedly sputtered to a halt . President-elect Donald Trump vowed to bring peace to the Middle East without saying how. Still, any halt to the fighting in Lebanon is expected to reduce the likelihood of war between Israel and Iran, which backs both Hezbollah and Hamas and exchanged direct fire with Israel on two occasions earlier this year. In this screen grab image from video provide by the Israeli Government Press Office, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu makes a televised statement Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, in Jerusalem, Israel. Israel says it will ‘attack with might’ if Hezbollah breaks truce Netanyahu presented the ceasefire proposal to Cabinet ministers after a televised address in which he listed accomplishments against Israel’s enemies across the region. He said a ceasefire with Hezbollah would further isolate Hamas in Gaza and allow Israel to focus on its main enemy, Iran. “If Hezbollah breaks the agreement and tries to rearm, we will attack,” he said. “For every violation, we will attack with might.” The ceasefire deal calls for a two-month initial halt in fighting and would require Hezbollah to end its armed presence in a broad swath of southern Lebanon, while Israeli troops would return to their side of the border. Thousands of additional Lebanese troops and U.N. peacekeepers would deploy in the south, and an international panel headed by the United States would monitor compliance. Biden said Israel reserved the right to quickly resume operations in Lebanon if Hezbollah breaks the terms of the truce, but that the deal "was designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities.” A police bomb squad officer inspects the site where a rocket fired from Lebanon landed in a backyard in Kiryat Shmona, northern Israel, Tuesday Nov. 26, 2024. Netanyahu’s office said Israel appreciated the U.S. efforts in securing the deal but “reserves the right to act against every threat to its security.” Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati welcomed the ceasefire and described it as a crucial step toward stability and the return of displaced people. Hezbollah has said it accepts the proposal, but a senior official with the group said Tuesday it had not seen the agreement in its final form. “After reviewing the agreement signed by the enemy government, we will see if there is a match between what we stated and what was agreed upon by the Lebanese officials,” Mahmoud Qamati, deputy chair of Hezbollah’s political council, told the Al Jazeera news network. “We want an end to the aggression, of course, but not at the expense of the sovereignty of the state," he said, referring to Israel's demand for freedom of action. “Any violation of sovereignty is refused.” Rescuers and residents search for victims Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, at the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted a building in Beirut, Lebanon. Warplanes bombard Beirut and its southern suburbs Even as ceasefire efforts gained momentum in recent days, Israel continued to strike what it called Hezbollah targets across Lebanon while the militants fired rockets, missiles and drones across the border. An Israeli strike on Tuesday leveled a residential building in central Beirut — the second time in recent days warplanes have hit the crowded area near downtown. At least seven people were killed and 37 wounded, according to Lebanon's Health Ministry. Israel also struck a building in Beirut's bustling commercial district of Hamra for the first time, hitting a site around 400 meters (yards) from Lebanon’s Central Bank. There were no reports of casualties. The Israeli military said it struck targets linked to Hezbollah's financial arm. The evacuation warnings covered many areas, including parts of Beirut that previously were not targeted. The warnings sent residents fleeing. Traffic was gridlocked, with mattresses tied to some cars. Dozens of people, some wearing pajamas, gathered in a central square, huddling under blankets or standing around fires as Israeli drones buzzed overhead. Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee issued evacuation warnings for 20 buildings in Beirut's southern suburbs, where Hezbollah has a major presence, as well as a warning for the southern town of Naqoura where the U.N. peacekeeping mission, UNIFIL, is headquartered. UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti said peacekeepers will not evacuate. Israeli soldiers inspect the site Tuesday Nov. 26, 2024, where a rocket fired from Lebanon landed in a backyard in Kiryat Shmona, northern Israel. Israeli forces reach Litani River in southern Lebanon The Israeli military also said its ground troops clashed with Hezbollah forces and destroyed rocket launchers in the Slouqi area on the eastern end of the Litani River, a few miles from the Israeli border. Under the ceasefire deal, Hezbollah would be required to move its forces north of the Litani, which in some places is about 20 miles north of the border. Hezbollah began firing into northern Israel on Oct. 8, 2023, saying it was showing support for the Palestinians, a day after Hamas carried out its attack on southern Israel, triggering the Gaza war. Israel returned fire on Hezbollah, and the two sides have exchanged barrages ever since. Israeli security officers and army soldiers inspect the site Tuesday Nov. 26, 2024, where a rocket fired from Lebanon landed in a backyard in Kiryat Shmona, northern Israel. Israel escalated its bombardment in mid-September and later sent troops into Lebanon, vowing to put an end to Hezbollah fire so tens of thousands of evacuated Israelis could return to their homes. More than 3,760 people have been killed by Israeli fire in Lebanon the past 13 months, many of them civilians, according to Lebanese health officials. The bombardment has driven 1.2 million people from their homes. Israel says it has killed more than 2,000 Hezbollah members. Hezbollah fire has forced some 50,000 Israelis to evacuate in the country’s north, and its rockets have reached as far south in Israel as Tel Aviv. At least 75 people have been killed, more than half of them civilians. More than 50 Israeli soldiers have died in the ground offensive in Lebanon. Chehayeb and Mroue reported from Beirut and Federman from Jerusalem. Associated Press reporters Lujain Jo and Sally Abou AlJoud in Beirut and Aamer Madhani in Washington contributed. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox!
Pakistan unveiled first National Carbon Market Policy in November this year to attract green investment The federal cabinet on Friday approved policy guidelines for carbon market trading on recommendations of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said. Pakistan unveiled first National Carbon Market Policy in November this year to attract green investment. “Pakistan is now ready to lead, innovate, and collaborate with local private sector as well as international partners for the development of carbon markets to attract investments in green initiatives for achieving climate goals under the Paris climate pact,” Coordinator to Prime Minister on Climate Change Romina Khurshid Alam said while addressing at ‘Launch of Pakistan’s Carbon market Policy & Panel on Coordinated Access to Net Zero Development Financing Through Paris-Aligned Carbon Markets’ at Pakistan Pavilion on the sidelines of COP29 global climate conference in Baku in November. Pakistan, the fifth most populous country in the world, faced one of its most significant natural calamities in 2022 as climate-induced floods affected one-third of its population, causing an estimated $40 billion in damages. International donors pledged over $9 billion in the aftermath of the disastrous floods that left nearly a million people without safe and adequate housing, food, and shelter. However, experts have noted that the actual disbursement of funds has been slow, representing less than a quarter of the estimated damages. Carbon credits or offsets are traded after certification by a government or independent body. Carbon offsetting allows entities to compensate for their greenhouse gas emissions by supporting projects that reduce emissions elsewhere, such as forests and promoting renewable energy. By participating in such markets, Pakistan can incentivise businesses and industries to adopt cleaner technologies and practices, according to Romina Khurshid Alam. Speaking to Business Recorder earlier this year , Faraz Khan, CEO of US-based SpectrEco – a technology, data, and advisory firm that simplifies and accelerates sustainability and ESG transitions for companies – emphasised the need for Pakistan to transition from the grant and aid model to a value proposition investment pitch. “Investment is one thing, and grant/aid is another. We really need to move from the grant and aid model to a value proposition investment model, whether it is climate-related, renewable energy, or any other sector. “After some tough years, Pakistan is gearing up to create a conducive environment for FDI (Foreign Direct Investments), carbon-related investments, and climate-related investments,” Faraz Khan said then.
ATLANTA — On Jan. 18 and 19 the AT&T Playoff Playlist Live! will be held at State Farm Arena in advance of the College Football Playoff national championship on Jan. 20. The star-studded lineup was announced Thursday at a news conference at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Performances will include Lil Wayne and GloRilla on Saturday; and Camila Cabello, Myles Smith and Knox on Sunday. On game day, the Allstate Championship Tailgate, taking place just outside Mercedes-Benz Stadium in the Home Depot Backyard, will feature country acts on the Capital One Music Stage, including global superstar Kane Brown and iHeartCountry “On The Verge” artist Ashley Cooke. The concerts are just two of the festivities visiting fans can enjoy in the days leading up to the big game. The fan experience for both ticket holders and the general public has been a focus for event planners. All weekend long, an estimated 100,000 people from across the country are expected to attend fan events preceding kickoff. “It will be an opportunity for fans of all ages to come together to sample what college football is all about, and you don’t have to have a ticket to the game to be a part of it,” said Bill Hancock, executive director of the CFP in a press release. “We’ve worked closely with the Atlanta Football Host Committee to develop fan-friendly events that thousands will enjoy come January.” On Saturday, Jan. 18, Playoff Fan Central will open at the Georgia World Congress Center in downtown Atlanta. The free, family-friendly experience will include games, clinics, pep rallies, special guest appearances, autograph signings and exhibits celebrating college football and its history. That day, fans can also attend Media Day, presented by Great Clips, which will feature one-hour sessions with student-athletes and coaches from each of the College Football Playoff national championship participating teams. ESPN and social media giants X, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok will be taping live broadcasts from the event. On Sunday, Jan. 19, the Trophy Trot, both a 5K and 10K race, will wind its way through the streets of downtown Atlanta. Each Trophy Trot participant will receive a T-shirt and finisher’s medal. Participants can register at atlantatrackclub.org . On Sunday evening, the Georgia Aquarium will host the Taste of the Championship dining event, which offers attendees the opportunity to indulge in food and drink prepared by local Atlanta chefs. This premium experience serves as an elevated exploration of local cuisine on the eve of the national championship. Tickets to the Taste of the Championship event are available on etix.com . Atlanta is the first city ever to repeat as host for the CFP national championship. The playoff was previously held in Atlanta in 2018. “We are honored to be the first city to repeat as host for the CFP national championship and look forward to welcoming college football fans from around the country in January,” said Dan Corso, president of the Atlanta Sports Council and Atlanta Football Host Committee. “This event gives us another opportunity to showcase our incredible city.” The College Football Playoff is the event that crowns the national champion in college football. The quarterfinals and semifinals rotate annually among six bowl games — the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Capital One Orange Bowl, Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential and the Allstate Sugar Bowl. This year’s quarterfinals will take place on Dec. 31, 2024 and Jan. 1, 2025, while the semifinals will be Jan. 9-10, 2025. The CFP national championship will be Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. For additional information on the College Football Playoff, visit CollegeFootballPlayoff.com . Get local news delivered to your inbox!
Advanced AI chips cleared for export to UAE under Microsoft deal, Axios reportsEdward W. (Ned) Graham, Ph.D.Senegal PM Seeks To Repeal Contested Amnesty Law
The Contra Costa County Library system is piloting a new program designed to give patrons access to the Concord Library on Sundays, when the branch is normally closed. Related Articles Patrons who sign up for the Self-Service Sundays program in advance can enter the Concord Library from 12 to 4 p.m. Sundays starting Dec. 1. No staff will be on-site, but two security guards will be present to ensure that only patrons who have signed up for the service enter the library. Patrons can browse the collection and check out books, return items, pick up holds, connect to Wi-Fi and use the space for studying or reading. To sign up for the service, patrons must have a library card in good standing and a valid form of identification and must attend an in-person orientation and sign a user agreement. Approved patrons will scan their library cards at the door and use a unique PIN code to enter. More information is available online at . The Contra Costa library system’s early literacy outreach van, the Rolling Reader, will celebrate its first birthday in December. The van and outreach team had a very busy first year connecting with 12,950 people, handing out 7,068 books and driving 6,273 miles. The Rolling Reader visits underserved communities across the county where library staff present storytimes, hand out free books and crafts and provide activities focused on early literacy, small motor skills and STEM. This digital service gives users on-demand access to a vast collection of titles from O’Reilly (including eBooks in early release) and nearly 200 other publishers. Find videos, eBooks, resource centers, learning paths, case studies and playlists. Subject areas include information technology and software, business, digital media, professional and personal development and desktop and web applications. Enjoy this collection of music, dance and theater content spanning hundreds of genres and a wide range of subject types. It includes instructional videos, performances and more from leading providers such as the National Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company, Qwest TV, Smithsonian, L.A. Theatre Works and Broadway On-Demand. Visit to sign up for a library card and get connected to books and resources. For questions about Contra Costa library services and programming or account information, contact the library system via email at , online chat at or text questions to 925-290-7627. 6 p.m. Dec. 3 in the Martinez Library. Join host Carolina Amor in creating a tarot and astrology community at the Martinez Library. Attendees will talk about tarot cards, cover different tarot spreads, do practice readings and discuss answers to questions. Registration is required. 12 p.m. Dec. 4 in the De Anza Gardens at 205 Pueblo Ave. in Bay Point. Join the county library system and Tandem, Partners in Early Learning, at a holiday book give-away celebration. The event will include free books for kids and teens, games, crafts and library card signups. No registration is required. All ages and abilities are welcome. The books are provided by the Book Rich Environment, a program of the National Book Foundation. 10 a.m. Dec. 10 at the Bay Point Regional Shoreline. Enjoy a nature walk with a naturalist followed by storytime with a librarian. This program is part of a special partnership between the library system and the East Bay Regional Park District. The meeting spot is Bay Point Regional Shoreline, at the end of McAvoy Road in Bay Point. 4:30 p.m. Dec. 11 in the Hercules Library. Paint scenes from a winter wonderland at an afternoon painting workshop for kids with local artist and educator Tatiana Ortiz. This program is for children and teens ages 6 to 18 years old. Registration is required.