Ontario offers to cover one-third of cost with Ottawa on future auto agreements after Stellantis, Volkswagen deals
The Globe and Mail
23-07-06 21:44
Ontario is offering to cover one-third of the cost of future auto deals with the federal government after securing billions in subsidies for automakers Stellantis and Volkswagen, but Ottawa says the financial agreement only applies to the two companies.
Land development spells the end of horse racing in Singapore
Nikkei Asia
23-07-06 21:00
Horse racing in Singapore is to come to an end in 2027, following the news that the Turf Club in Kranji will be closed. The government plans to redevelop the 120-hectare site as part of a drive to improve national infrastructure. Land scarcity in the city-state has led to a number of recreational sites being developed for other purposes.
Board games may boost maths skills in young children – study
The Independent
23-07-07 04:01
Children that play board games, such as Monopoly, Snakes and Ladders, or other number-based games, could be better at maths, according to researchers at Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile. A review of 19 studies indicated that maths skills improved significantly in more than half of the 52% tasks that were assessed. Researchers suggested that regular sessions of around 20 minutes each week were needed for the results to be significant.
Mbappe "honoured" to tour father's native Cameroon
Reuters
23-07-07 14:52
Paris St Germain forward Kylian Mbappe is currently on a tour of Cameroon, his father's native country. The 24-year-old met with Cameroon's Prime Minister and is set to play basketball and soccer matches during his visit. The tour also includes visits to schools funded by Mbappe's charity. Mbappe's future at PSG has been in doubt since he declined a one-year contract extension. If he sees out his current contract, PSG risk losing him for free at the end of the 2023-24 season. Club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has ruled out this option.
Ukraine war: The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is a complete non-issue
Telegraph
23-07-07 13:47
As the situation in Ukraine continues to escalate, there are increasing fears that the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Powerplant (ZNPP) will be targeted to cause a dangerous release of radiation or radioactive materials. However, this article argues that these fears are unfounded and that the media is overhyping the situation. The ZNPP is currently in a state of cold shutdown, meaning that the control rods are fully inserted and the fission chain reaction in the fuel is suppressed. The fuel still needs to be cooled with water, but there is not much heat being produced and the water going through the core does not need to be under pressure to keep it liquid. Additionally, the ZNPP has a large storage pond on site which should be sufficient to keep the plant cool. Even if the cooling water was sabotaged, the situation would still be retrievable for a long time. In the worst case scenario, where the plant was damaged, a sub-Fukushima situation would occur, in which one or more reactor cores would get hot enough to force steam out of its containment. However, this would not be as severe as Fukushima, as the ZNPP cores have been in shutdown since last September, meaning that they stopped creating radioactive iodine at that point. In conclusion, even a very bad situation at ZNPP would be far less bad than Fukushima and radiation releases from Fukushima have not caused any measurable harm to anyone.
Mexico’s nearshoring moment requires alignment between the priorities of companies seeking new investment zones and governments designing policies to absorb incoming investments, develop human capital, and protect the environment. The poor southern states of Oaxaca, Guerrero, and Chiapas have suffered from underdevelopment, poverty, and violence. Oaxaca’s GDP per capita was just 25% that of Nuevo Leon’s and less than 20% that of Mexico City’s. If the policy vision guiding the nearshoring moment is not well designed, it could exacerbate inequality and political instability in Mexico. President López Obrador’s economic strategy has a southern orientation and focuses on megaprojects intended to transform the region. Three of the four main infrastructure projects of this federal administration are located in southern Mexico. AMLO’s government is attempting to attract foreign investment to this region mainly by offering subsidies for companies that invest in the industrial parks. However, some business owners still believe the increase in logistics prices associated with more complex transportation costs will remain too high, making southern states incapable of competing with the north in the long term. To be sure, the south is at a disadvantage vis-à-vis the north in most industries and economic sectors, but with well-designed policies to compensate for some of the shortcomings, there are distinct opportunities that have thus far been overlooked: opening new supply routes to the East Coast of the United States through the Gulf of Mexico and overland to Central America. Southern states are historical strongholds of left-wing political parties, which tend to favor nationalist energy policies and the management of state-owned energy companies in the energy sector. A more friendly stance for private investment from the top down is necessary to drive the kinds of private sector-led investments and development that will be truly transformative for southern Mexico. The government of Mexico can encourage this trend by entering into more public-private partnerships to deliver power to underserviced states and municipalities. Also critical are the companies looking to nearshore their operations to North America, which will be important to engage to promote a view of opportunities in Mexico that looks beyond merely the northern border states.
San Francisco's new venture capital hotspot: The Presidio
Reuters
23-07-08 10:23
Venture capital firms in San Francisco are increasingly choosing to move to the Presidio, a former military base-turned-national park, instead of staying in downtown San Francisco. The move comes as the tech industry shifts to remote work or downsizes due to the pandemic, and as the city center struggles with issues like drugs and homelessness. The Presidio, located several miles west of the financial district, is considered a safer and more secure location, with federal police patrolling the area. Venture capital firms play a crucial role in the tech ecosystem in the San Francisco Bay Area, and their relocation could have implications for the broader industry. Some firms feel less obligated to stay downtown as startups and founders have become more scattered since the pandemic. The Presidio offers a convenient location for firm partners who live in the northern part of the city or Marin County. Despite the higher cost of commercial real estate in the Presidio compared to downtown, the vacancy rate in the former military base is only about 5% compared to an overall commercial real estate vacancy rate in San Francisco of 35%.
Central bankers lose status in party, pointing to Xi loyalist's power
Nikkei Asia
23-07-09 02:27
The leaders of the People's Bank of China (PBOC) are losing their status within the Communist Party, as neither the current governor, Yi Gang, nor the newly appointed party chief at the central bank, Pan Gongsheng, are included among the high-ranking members or alternates of the party's Central Committee. The decline in their status suggests that the Communist Party will be directly steering financial decisions in China. Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, who is close to President Xi Jinping, is now considered the de facto finance chief and is expected to have significant influence over future financial policy.
Letters: From pylons to heat pumps, net zero policy is out of touch with reality
Telegraph
23-07-09 00:01
The UK government's push for net zero emissions by 2050 is leading to tensions and conflicts with local communities, according to letters published in The Telegraph. Residents in the Lake District, for example, are unhappy with the imposition of renewable energy infrastructure such as wind farms and pylons. Critics argue that the government's net zero policy is disconnected from reality and driven by funding opportunities rather than genuine concern for the environment. There are also concerns about the impact of the proposed pylons on the East Anglian countryside and the destruction of woodland for the construction of HS2.
The letters also highlight concerns about the government’s push to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030. Critics argue that the UK lacks the necessary infrastructure, such as charging points and electricity supply, to support a mass transition to electric vehicles. They also warn of an over-reliance on China for battery materials and suggest that the EU’s approach, which allows combustion engines in new vehicles as long as they use synthetic fuels, is more pragmatic.
The letters reflect growing tensions between the government’s climate change goals and the concerns of local communities and industries. While there is broad support for reducing emissions and transitioning to clean energy, there are also concerns about the impact on communities, landscapes, and industries. Balancing these competing interests will be a key challenge for policymakers as they work towards net zero.
Actress Catherine Oxenberg and her daughter, India, are now using ketamine therapy to help survivors of cults and sexual violence. The two recently spoke at the psychedelic science conference in Denver where they discussed the foundation that they have created to offer therapeutic ketamine to female survivors of cults and sexual violence. The Food and Drug Administration is expected to approve MDMA and psilocybin for PTSD and depression within the next couple of years. These psychedelic drugs have shown promise in treating psychiatric disorders and addictions, but they also carry significant risks. Traumatic experiences during early life can wire the brain into dysfunctional stress response patterns that can increase the risk of addictions and other psychiatric conditions. Social support, such as good parenting and loving relationships, can help prevent or mitigate harm. However, talk therapy is not always sufficient, particularly for adults whose brains are not as receptive to new information as those of young people. Psychedelics like ketamine may work by making the brain more open to learning, similar to how it is during childhood. These drugs have the potential to enhance social learning and help survivors of trauma. However, they can also be harmful if taken in a toxic relational context, such as a cult or an abusive relationship.
Vineyards to double as Britons turn to homegrown wine
Telegraph
23-07-09 18:06
The UK's wine-making areas are predicted to double in size within the next decade due to increasing popularity of homegrown wine. Currently, there are 943 winemaking sites covering 3,928 hectares of land in the UK, a 74% increase from five years ago. This figure is set to exceed 7,600 hectares in the next ten years. WineGB has credited this growth to UK consumers becoming "more tuned into local British products". Wine revenue in the UK is expected to reach £16.8bn this year and rise to £19bn annually within four years.
I’m friends with the principal at our school. We made a dinner date — and his wife flipped out. Why so jealous? Ask Lisi
The Toronto Star
23-07-10 10:00
A woman in her early 20s has written to advice columnist Ellie Tesher about her frustrations with her mother. The woman was born when her parents were still teenagers and got divorced when she was a child. She is angry at her mother for having her at such a young age and being unable to afford the basics, as well as feeling like she has to raise her younger siblings and pay her mother's bills. The columnist suggests having a talk with her mother to express her feelings and come up with a plan to save for her own future.
Lawmakers will be under pressure to pass funding bills in Washington this week, with the threat of a government shutdown looming if the budget deadline of 30 September is not met. The House and Senate are due to go on a three-week recess in August, leaving little time to pass 12 appropriations bills, especially as the chambers have started marking up the bills at different levels. The House, where conservatives are pushing for deeper cuts, is marking up the bills at 2022 levels, whereas the Senate is marking them up at the levels set in the recent debt limit deal between President Biden and Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Further complicating the budget process is controversy over the proposed merger between the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) and LIV Golf, which is backed by Saudi Arabia. The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs’s Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations is due to hold a hearing on the merger, as some lawmakers are concerned that the deal would allow Saudi Arabia to exert undue influence over US golf.
Examining The Future Of Democracy In America | Brett Carter
Hoover Institution
23-07-10 18:13
In an interview with Hoover Institution fellow Brett Carter, he discusses his article "American Democracy Is Still in Danger" published in Foreign Affairs. Carter argues that while American democracy has so far withstood various challenges, it is still at risk. He points to the influence of money in politics, the erosion of trust in institutions, and the rise of populism as key threats to democracy. Carter suggests that in order to safeguard democracy, it is important to address these issues and strengthen democratic institutions.
Mathew Lawrence on why privatisation has been a costly failure in Britain
Economist
23-07-10 16:36
The privatisation of the water industry in England and Wales in 1989 has had disastrous effects, with water companies accumulating massive debts while distributing billions to international shareholders. This has resulted in high water bills for consumers and chronic underinvestment in infrastructure. Privately owned water companies have prioritized shareholder payouts over investment, and weak regulation has further exacerbated the situation. In contrast, Scotland, whose water company is government-owned, has invested more per household per year and has lower water bills. The case for privatisation was based on the belief that competition and private capital would improve utility management and spur investment, but neither claim has proven true. The failures of privatisation suggest that ideology, not pragmatism, was the motivation. The author argues that public ownership of water infrastructure is the solution, as it allows for the pursuit of broader objectives beyond profit-maximisation and ensures that the public interest is prioritised. The same argument applies to the energy sector, where public ownership is necessary to deliver the clean energy transition. Private investment is hindered by the profit imperative and short-term focus, making it ill-equipped to deliver the scale of investment required. Public ownership offers affordability, effective coordination, and democratic oversight.
Harry Kane could pocket £400,000-a-week deal if Ange Postecogolou convinces him on Tottenham stay
Telegraph
23-07-10 22:30
Tottenham Hotspur has said that it is willing to pay Harry Kane £400,000 ($555,000) a week in an attempt to persuade the England captain to sign a new contract. The club's chairman, Daniel Levy, has not given up hope of convincing the 27-year-old to stay, despite interest from Bayern Munich. Kane will meet new head coach Ange Postecoglou this week. It is unlikely that Kane's decision will be based on money alone; rather, he will want to be convinced that the club can compete in Europe and achieve success.
Baranga-rue: Minns government will regret approving this ‘theme’ park
The Sydney Morning Herald
23-07-11 09:30
The proposed design for the Central Barangaroo development in Sydney has been criticised for its lack of green space and excessive focus on Aboriginal culture. The development will include a new park, but critics argue that it is more like a theme park and does not provide adequate green space for residents or visitors. The design includes hard surfaces, water features, sculptures, and a large retail building. Critics argue that the park should have been an extension of the nearby Headland Park and should have prioritised the provision of green space.
Vilnius Summit Will Determine Whether NATO Is Serious About Deterrence
The Heritage Foundation
23-07-11 18:30
The NATO summit in Vilnius this month will determine whether the alliance will truly focus on collective defense, according to James Jay Carafano in The National Interest. The summit in Madrid last year recognised the threat posed by Russia and agreed to a range of measures to bolster deterrence. However, political leaders must now decide if they have the commitment to make the necessary long-term investments in defense. The shock of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 prompted many European countries to realise their own military capabilities were lacking. Since then, Germany has pledged €100bn for military modernisation, while the UK and France have announced major defense spending increases. Some eastern European countries, which already meet NATO benchmarks, are increasing their defense investments beyond 2% of GDP. However, some NATO members, such as Belgium and Canada, have yet to make the necessary investments. Carafano argues that investment is only part of the equation, and NATO must also ensure it has the planning, exercising and staging capabilities to truly defend its territory.
Search engines, social media can offer early outbreak warning: Waterloo study
The Toronto Star
23-07-11 18:00
A recent study conducted by the University of Waterloo found that internet searches and social media posts can serve as an early warning for disease outbreaks. The study focused on COVID-19 and found a correlation between the virus's prevalence and search engine queries and social media posts related to symptoms. The researchers used data from Google Trends and Twitter to identify symptom keywords and hashtags related to COVID-19. They found that these search terms and hashtags strongly correlated with daily COVID-19 cases, with a time lag of one to 13 days. This suggests that online searches and social media posts can serve as early warnings for disease surveillance in real time. The researchers believe that this tool could be used to predict and prepare for future disease outbreaks. They plan to further develop the tool to identify keywords related to emerging diseases before they are widely recognized or reported.
NATO summit declaration says "Ukraine's future is in NATO"
Reuters
23-07-11 16:00
NATO leaders have stated that Ukraine's future lies within the alliance, but they have not given Kyiv an invitation or timetable for accession. However, NATO has dropped the requirement for Ukraine to fulfill a Membership Action Plan (MAP), which was seen as a hurdle to joining the alliance. The leaders have stated that Ukraine's integration into NATO has moved beyond the need for a MAP. They also said that the alliance would help Ukraine make progress on military interoperability and democratic and security sector reforms.
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