#S's 2020 recovery project

[heaven-s-black-box]

The Edgeworths-Prosecutors office

Return to File- Event Masterlist

Recovery date: July 13th, 2020

Description:  Edgeworth and his kids

Notes: An entry from my 2020 research project into the universe of Ace Attorney. You can find the next entry here.

Word count: 563

Back to directory

“Mr. Edgeworth!” Kay screamed as she tackled him in a hug.

“Oof! It is good to see you again Kay. How have you been?” He smiled, awkwardly returning the hug.

“Good! Good! Is Sebby here? I haven’t seen him in forever!” Kay let him go and began scanning the room.

“Prosecutor Debeste is currently in the middle of a trial, however you can stay at the prosecutor’s office until he returns. I have some people I think you would enjoy meeting.” He turned around and waved at her to follow him.

Kay had spent the last few months abroad, helping Franziska and interpol. With the recent end to an investigation, Franziska and her had returned to LA. Franziska would be leaving again in a few days, she only had to retrieve a few files, but Kay was planning on picking up an investigation here. She really did miss LA and it’s prosecutors.

“So, who am I meeting? Is it “that man”?” She asked, doing a terrible Edgeworth impression. He rolled his eyes.

“No. We’ve acquired two new prosecutors I’d like you to meet.” 

They climbed the rest of the stairs, with Kay telling him all about her time with Franziska. Apparently Franziska had been done with Kay’s antics after day two. So, she’d told Kay to just investigate on her own, that explained the call he’d gotten. Not long after the two had left, Franziska had called him to tell him he was insane, and nothing else.

“Now, they are a little strange to say the least,” Edgeworth said, as they approached an office. “I’ll introduce you to prosecutor Gavin first, he’s the more… calm of the two.” He muttered something else that she missed. “Prosecutor Gavin,” he said, as he pushed open the door. They were met with yelling so intense, she was surprised they hadn’t heard it outside.

“Herr Samurai while you have a point-”

“Gavin-dono your refusal is futi-”

“Oh my god! You’re Klavier Gavin!” Both men stopped yelling at each other and turned to the door.

Kay stood jaw dropped, pointing at Klavier, and Edgeworth just sighed. She ignored him and ran up to Klavier.

“I love your music! Can I get an autograph? Or better yet,” she fished around in her bag and pulled out a Gavineers CD, “Can you sign this?”

Klavier shook off his shock, and glared at Simon who had started snickering. He turned back to Kay and smiled, “Of course Fraulein.” Kay let out an almost deafening squeal. “And who am I signing it to?”

“Kay, Kay Faraday. I thought Sebby was lying when he said he worked with THE Klavier Gavin… I guess I owe him an apology,” she grumbled the last part. The two prosecutors were shocked when Edgeworth gave Kay a fond smile.

“Now,” he said, turning back to the two prosecutors, “What on earth were you two fighting about?”

“Gavin-dono and I were merely having a heated debate on whether Justice-dono would accept the proposal of a date with him,” Simon smirked, watching as Klavier’s face turned pink.

Edgeworth nodded, “Please keep these debates civil, or do not have them at all. But for the record, I’m sure Mr. Justice would absolutely accept the proposal of a date.” He smiled, before turning around to leave. “Do not cause too much chaos Kay, Prosecutor Debeste should be returning soon.”

“Yes sir!”

[bumblebeeappletree]

We have deployed 2000 structures to patch up a reef in Indonesia and the results were immediate!

🪸 To support our work you can become a member here: https://mossy.earth

To build this project from the ground up we needed the stability of the constant support that our members give us. Nothing we do is possible without you. We hope you will consider joining us in creating more coral reefs!

🙌 And if you are already a member you can pay for an extra structure (or more!) to be deployed here: https://www.mossy.eart...

MOSSY EARTH MEMBERSHIP

===============================

The rewilding membership that restores nature across a wide range of ecosystems.

🌲 Support a diversity of ecosystems

🐺 Rewild habitats to bring back biodiversity

🦫 Fund neglected species & ecosystems

Learn more and become a member here: https://mossy.earth

⏱️TIMESTAMPS⏱️

===============================

0:00 Intro

1:00 Our project area

4:20 First deployment

9:08 Boat name

9:50 Zip ties!

12:10 Scaling up

🔎 ABOUT THIS PROJECT

===============================

Coral reefs are known as “the rainforests of the sea”. These vibrantly complex ecosystems harbour the highest biodiversity of any ecosystem globally. An estimated 25% of all marine species depend on reefs. They are also crucial for millions of people, providing food, livelihoods, resources and coastal protection.

Major threats, such as over-exploitation and climate change, are jeopardising the future of coral reefs. In the last few decades, sharp declines in reef cover have occurred worldwide. This is our first coral reef project to restore damaged reefs in the northern waters of Nusa Penida, Indonesia.

Our long-term goal is to improve resilience by enhancing connectivity of fragmented reefs whilst protecting and preserving endangered coral species. Led by our local team of expert divers and marine biologists passionate about the preservation of this marine ecosystem, we work with local people to promote positive community involvement in coral reef restoration.

Read more about this project here: https://www.mossy.eart...

CREDITS

===============================

This project is managed by Purnomo Yudhianto, Ellie Jackson-Smith

and Chansa Hilmira

Filming: Julie Schleiss-Andreassen, Duarte de Zoeten, Purnomo Yudhianto and Chansa Hilmira

Writing: Duarte de Zoeten

Editing: Duarte de Zoeten and Thomas Hikin

Scoring: Charlie Hernández

📄 REFERENCES

===============================

Bachman, S. D., Kleypas, J. A., Erdmann, M., & Setyawan, E. (2022). A global atlas of potential thermal refugia for coral reefs generated by internal gravity waves.

Boakes, Z., Hall, A. E., Ampou, E. E., et al. (2022). Coral reef conservation in Bali in light of international best practice: A literature review.

Bowden-Kerby, A. (2023). Coral-Focused Climate Change Adaptation and Restoration: The "Reefs of Hope" Paradigm.

Bruno, J. F., & Selig, E. R. (2007). Regional decline of coral cover in the Indo-Pacific: Timing, extent, and subregional comparisons.

Fox, H., Mous, P. J., Pet, J. S., et al. (2005). Experimental assessment of coral reef rehabilitation following blast fishing.

García-Baciero, A., García-Herrero, A., Horcajo-Berná, E., & Clements, G. R. (2024). The Art of Sticking: Attaching Methods Affect Direct Transplantation Success.

Islam, M. S., Islam, A. R. M. T., Ismail, Z., et al. (2023). Effects of microplastic and heavy metals on coral reefs: A new window for analytical research.

Lamont, T. A. C., Razak, T. B., Djohani, R., et al. (2022). Multi-dimensional approaches to scaling up coral reef restoration.

Lange, I. D., Razak, T. B., Perry, C. T., et al. (2024). Coral restoration can drive rapid reef carbonate budget recovery.

Paxton, A. B., Shertzer, K. W., Bacheler, N. M., et al. (2020). Meta-Analysis Reveals Artificial Reefs Can Be Effective Tools for Fish Community Enhancement.

Ruchimat, T., Basuki, R., & Welly, M. (2013). Nusa Penida Marine Protected Area (MPA) Bali - Indonesia: Why Need to be Protected?.

[thenullproject-archive]

❌Welcome to the Null Project - Prologue.❌

TW: Blood, gore, multiple character death, (some) jumpscares, disturbing/unsettling content.

The purpose of this blog is to recover a project/event made for @kiingkiismet ’s discord community created by Kuiper (kismet), @elitebuster2012 , and @greynightshade in October 2020 called The Null Project, also called “NULL” by past participants and myself.

Video recovery credits from the defunct twitter to @cosmiicchaoss !

NULL was an ARG/unfiction, interactive “who dunnit” Halloween project surrounding the death of my character, Crux. There were clues and mini puzzles littered around the discord server before translating to a more immersive game medium such as Minecraft that multiple people in the server had access to.

The community worked together to figure out the active, ever changing storyline that spanned from October 2020 to (estimated) January 2021 before it was abandoned in Act 2-3 due to life issues.

4 years later, I feel comfortable enough to showcase this for my current community who would otherwise have no context for this alternative universe that concerned a major character in Kismet’s custom species and universe, Starliians, and how influential it was even though the events and snapshot of the characters and their behaviors in that time were apart of an alternative universe.

❌Disclaimers❌

1. Lost media — Due to mental health issues and a hacking of my account in 2021, a lot of the media has been lost to time and have not been recovered, so a lot of the crucial details would have to be filled in second-hand in “in a nutshell” posts for context, including the various in-character role play events as the community created self-inserts that were also apart of the story as some were friends of Crux, in character.

Also due to a lot of things being lost media, I’m gonna be editing and updating things with the help of friends and community members since my memory is shit LMAO. that being said, a lot of posts will include a “last updated” thing to show what was edited, when, and why. There’s also a lot of omitted community members since some of them I do not associate with anymore for personal reasons.

2. This is an AU and not canon — for some characters, their presentations, actions, and experiences are not going to be accurate to their canon if you know them as they are in my normal universe. Despite some feats being carried over into my main stories, a majority of these events ARE NOT CANON or NO LONGER ACCURATE. A lot has changed in 4 years lol.

3. This is no longer an active story — If you’re a person unfamiliar with my world or my stories and you stumbled here by accident, welcome! this isn’t anything to really follow other than to archive an event that is dear to my and my community’s hearts. If you are still interested, however, follow my main blog for my active projects that are still being worked on and involve a lot of these characters, or follow me on my main socials!

Act and RP Tags:

ACT I | ACT II | ACT III (incomplete/lost)

CRR - Community Roleplay Responses: the in-character roleplay responses to events. This will also be notated in posts that involve them.

Character/Group Tags:

This is to jump to anything involving specific characters or to link to their bios, some characters belong to friends and my community, they will be credited accordingly!

The Resistance (the “good guys”):

Crux | Puns | Ember/El | Jackson | Kamikaze | Soliana | Esmeralda | Arietta | Rinny | Sylvan (previously named Eden) | TBC…

The Nyxian Cult (previously called The Somnii)

Nyx | Cassian | Bradley | Ouen | Izotl / Jag | Jackie

Other:

Misc | Shitposts | Fan Art

Last updated: 10/20/24 - 4 PM EST

[7grandmel]

Todays rip: 20/12/2023

11 Minutes of City Pop

Season 4 Episode 2 Featured on: Neon Lights & Holiday Nights ~ The SiIvaGunner All​-​Star Winter Festival Collection

Directed by Ahmaykmewsik, Millenium Hero For full list of contributors, see YouTube upload

Two days ago, with Ripping Video Game Music​.​.​.​.​.​.​At Night (2020 Edition), and with several rips from Season 4 Episode 2 in general, I've described the Season as one big celebration. The big reason for that is obvious - it was a year of recovery after the SiIva team pulled out absolutely all of the stocks at once for the biggest event in the channel's history with the King for Another Day tournament, and the SiIvaSummer Festival was primarily dedicated to celebrating DJ Professor K's victory in the tournament. Yet, with 32 contestants entering, with no rematch or future events involving them clearly in sight - a lot of the remaining 31 contestants became treasured by the fanbase in general during, and after, the tournament. It meant a lot to people, more than the first tournament in Season 3 could've really prepared the SiIva team for - and one of the most adored contestants was the holder of the silver medal, and star of 11 Minutes of City Pop - Mariya Takeuchi.

In my eyes, a big reason as for why DJ Professor K wound up taking the tournament, was because he was the contestant who best represented huge parts of what SiIvaGunner is - a celebration of pop culture, self-expression, video games and the art of remixing. And in a way, I feel like Mariya Takeuchi was the perfect grand finalist to match him, in encapsulating so much of the other side of SiIvaGunner. To me, she embodies the niche interests, the depths of YouTube scavenging, the art and appreciation of genuinely fantastic music and the emotional ties we can have to the strangest of things. And due to all of that, it was an absolute delight to see her receive a wonderful consolation price later in the Season, in the form of a collaboration so huge I can't bring myself to list all of its contributors here. 11 Minutes of City Pop, despite being a silver-medalist award, does not cut any corners on delivering exactly what's on the tin.

It has everything we've come to expect from these current huge-scale collaborations, with tons of different styles and creators featured, yet it casts a far wider net: it doesn't center on just one single meme song a la Plastic Love, but instead arranges two dozen hits from the City Pop genre into a listen that manages to feel surprisingly cohesive despite its variety. Part of that is of course the excellent VHS-tape visuals attached to the collaboration - aside from the incredibly well done artwork on both Mariya and the environment, the work done by livvy94 to properly record the footage on VHS is remarkable. I recommend going to the SiIvaGunner Wiki to look at the behind-the-scenes images of the process, because it really puts into perspective how much went into a celebration like this - compared to how easy, yet cheap-feeling, it would've been to just use a filter in a video editing program.

Looking back on it all, I absolutely adore SiIvaGunner's 2020, and it was a huge source of happiness and joy during a time when it was hard to stay optimistic. The feeling of joy that all of this celebration contained were infectious beyond belief, and was absolutely a worthy send-off to KFAD in so many ways. To me, projects like the King for Another Day tournament, like the SiIvaSummer Festival, like Halation Celebration and rips like snow halation but it shreds, and indeed projects like 11 Minutes of City Pop, all demonstrate just how much SiIvaGunner matured during Season 4's two-year run.

[dragonwolf1979-blog]

Keeping it real... if you want more facts let me know..

America gained 7 million new jobs – more than three times government experts’ projections.

Middle-Class family income increased nearly $6,000 – more than five times the gains during the entire previous administration.

The unemployment rate reached 3.5 percent, the lowest in a half-century.

Achieved 40 months in a row with more job openings than job-hirings.

More Americans reported being employed than ever before – nearly 160 million.

Jobless claims hit a nearly 50-year low.

The number of people claiming unemployment insurance as a share of the population hit its lowest on record.

Incomes rose in every single metro area in the United States for the first time in nearly 3 decades.

Delivered a future of greater promise and opportunity for citizens of all backgrounds.

Unemployment rates for African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and those without a high school diploma all reached record lows.

Unemployment for women hit its lowest rate in nearly 70 years.

Lifted nearly 7 million people off of food stamps.

Poverty rates for African Americans and Hispanic Americans reached record lows.

Income inequality fell for two straight years, and by the largest amount in over a decade.

The bottom 50 percent of American households saw a 40 percent increase in net worth.

Wages rose fastest for low-income and blue collar workers – a 16 percent pay increase.

African American homeownership increased from 41.7 percent to 46.4 percent.

Brought jobs, factories, and industries back to the USA.

Created more than 1.2 million manufacturing and construction jobs.

Put in place policies to bring back supply chains from overseas.

Small business optimism broke a 35-year old record in 2018.

Hit record stock market numbers and record 401ks.

The DOW closed above 20,000 for the first time in 2017 and topped 30,000 in 2020.

The S&P 500 and NASDAQ have repeatedly notched record highs.

Rebuilding and investing in rural America.

Signed an Executive Order on Modernizing the Regulatory Framework for Agricultural Biotechnology Products, which is bringing innovative new technologies to market in American farming and agriculture.

Strengthened America’s rural economy by investing over $1.3 billion through the Agriculture Department’s ReConnect Program to bring high-speed broadband infrastructure to rural America.

Achieved a record-setting economic comeback by rejecting blanket lockdowns.

An October 2020 Gallup survey found 56 percent of Americans said they were better off during a pandemic than four years prior.

During the third quarter of 2020, the economy grew at a rate of 33.1 percent – the most rapid GDP growth ever recorded.

Since coronavirus lockdowns ended, the economy has added back over 12 million jobs, more than half the jobs lost.

Jobs have been recovered 23 times faster than the previous administration’s recovery.

Unemployment fell to 6.7 percent in December, from a pandemic peak of 14.7 percent in April – beating expectations of well over 10 percent unemployment through the end of 2020.

Under the previous administration, it took 49 months for the unemployment rate to fall from 10 percent to under 7 percent compared to just 3 months for the Trump Administration.

Since April, the Hispanic unemployment rate has fallen by 9.6 percent, Asian-American unemployment by 8.6 percent, and Black American unemployment by 6.8 percent.

80 percent of small businesses are now open, up from just 53 percent in April.

Small business confidence hit a new high.

Homebuilder confidence reached an all-time high, and home sales hit their highest reading since December 2006.

Manufacturing optimism nearly doubled.

Household net worth rose $7.4 trillion in Q2 2020 to $112 trillion, an all-time high.

Home prices hit an all-time record high.

The United States rejected crippling lockdowns that crush the economy and inflict countless public health harms and instead safely reopened its economy.

Business confidence is higher in America than in any other G7 or European Union country.

Stabilized America’s financial markets with the establishment of a number of Treasury Department supported facilities at the Federal Reserve.

Tax Relief for the Middle Class

Passed $3.2 trillion in historic tax relief and reformed the tax code.

Signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act – the largest tax reform package in history.

More than 6 million American workers received wage increases, bonuses, and increased benefits thanks to the tax cuts.

A typical family of four earning $75,000 received an income tax cut of more than $2,000 – slashing their tax bill in half.

Doubled the standard deduction – making the first $24,000 earned by a married couple completely tax-free.

Doubled the child tax credit.

Virtually eliminated the unfair Estate Tax, or Death Tax.

Cut the business tax rate from 35 percent – the highest in the developed world – all the way down to 21 percent.

Small businesses can now deduct 20 percent of their business income.

Businesses can now deduct 100 percent of the cost of their capital investments in the year the investment is made.

Since the passage of tax cuts, the share of total wealth held by the bottom half of households has increased, while the share held by the top 1 percent has decreased.

Over 400 companies have announced bonuses, wage increases, new hires, or new investments in the United States.

Over $1.5 trillion was repatriated into the United States from overseas.

Lower investment cost and higher capital returns led to faster growth in the middle class, real wages, and international competitiveness.

Jobs and investments are pouring into Opportunity Zones.

Created nearly 9,000 Opportunity Zones where capital gains on long-term investments are taxed at zero.

Opportunity Zone designations have increased property values within them by 1.1 percent, creating an estimated $11 billion in wealth for the nearly half of Opportunity Zone residents who own their own home.

Opportunity Zones have attracted $75 billion in funds and driven $52 billion of new investment in economically distressed communities, creating at least 500,000 new jobs.

Approximately 1 million Americans will be lifted from poverty as a result of these new investments.

Private equity investments into businesses in Opportunity Zones were nearly 30 percent higher than investments into businesses in similar areas that were not designated Opportunity Zones.

Massive Deregulation

Ended the regulatory assault on American Businesses and Workers.

Instead of 2-for-1, we eliminated 8 old regulations for every 1 new regulation adopted.

Provided the average American household an extra $3,100 every year.

Reduced the direct cost of regulatory compliance by $50 billion, and will reduce costs by an additional $50 billion in FY 2020 alone.

Removed nearly 25,000 pages from the Federal Register – more than any other president. The previous administration added over 16,000 pages.

Established the Governors’ Initiative on Regulatory Innovation to reduce outdated regulations at the state, local, and tribal levels.

Signed an executive order to make it easier for businesses to offer retirement plans.

Signed two executive orders to increase transparency in Federal agencies and protect Americans and their small businesses from administrative abuse.

Modernized the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for the first time in over 40 years.

Reduced approval times for major infrastructure projects from 10 or more years down to 2 years or less.

Helped community banks by signing legislation that rolled back costly provisions of Dodd-Frank.

Established the White House Council on Eliminating Regulatory Barriers to Affordable Housing to bring down housing costs.

Removed regulations that threatened the development of a strong and stable internet.

Eased and simplified restrictions on rocket launches, helping to spur commercial investment in space projects.

Published a whole-of-government strategy focused on ensuring American leadership in automated vehicle technology.

Streamlined energy efficiency regulations for American families and businesses, including preserving affordable lightbulbs, enhancing the utility of showerheads, and enabling greater time savings with dishwashers.

Removed unnecessary regulations that restrict the seafood industry and impede job creation.

Modernized the Department of Agriculture’s biotechnology regulations to put America in the lead to develop new technologies.

Took action to suspend regulations that would have slowed our response to COVID-19, including lifting restrictions on manufacturers to more quickly produce ventilators.

Successfully rolled back burdensome regulatory overreach.

Rescinded the previous administration’s Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) rule, which would have abolished zoning for single-family housing to build low-income, federally subsidized apartments.

Issued a final rule on the Fair Housing Act’s disparate impact standard.

Eliminated the Waters of the United States Rule and replaced it with the Navigable Waters Protection Rule, providing relief and certainty for farmers and property owners.

Repealed the previous administration’s costly fuel economy regulations by finalizing the Safer Affordable Fuel Efficient (SAFE) Vehicles rule, which will make cars more affordable, and lower the price of new vehicles by an estimated $2,200.

Americans now have more money in their pockets.

Deregulation had an especially beneficial impact on low-income Americans who pay a much higher share of their incomes for overregulation.

Cut red tape in the healthcare industry, providing Americans with more affordable healthcare and saving Americans nearly 10 percent on prescription drugs.

Deregulatory efforts yielded savings to the medical community an estimated $6.6 billion – with a reduction of 42 million hours of regulatory compliance work through 2021.

Removed government barriers to personal freedom and consumer choice in healthcare.

Once fully in effect, 20 major deregulatory actions undertaken by the Trump Administration are expected to save American consumers and businesses over $220 billion per year.

Signed 16 pieces of deregulatory legislation that will result in a $40 billion increase in annual real incomes.

Fair and Reciprocal Trade

Secured historic trade deals to defend American workers.

Immediately withdrew from the job-killing Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).

Ended the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and replaced it with the brand new United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

The USMCA contains powerful new protections for American manufacturers, auto-makers, farmers, dairy producers, and workers.

The USMCA is expected to generate over $68 billion in economic activity and potentially create over 550,000 new jobs over ten years.

Signed an executive order making it government policy to Buy American and Hire American, and took action to stop the outsourcing of jobs overseas.

Negotiated with Japan to slash tariffs and open its market to $7 billion in American agricultural products and ended its ban on potatoes and lamb.

Over 90 percent of American agricultural exports to Japan now receive preferential treatment, and most are duty-free.

Negotiated another deal with Japan to boost $40 billion worth of digital trade.

Renegotiated the United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement, doubling the cap on imports of American vehicles and extending the American light truck tariff.

Reached a written, fully-enforceable Phase One trade agreement with China on confronting pirated and counterfeit goods, and the protection of American ideas, trade secrets, patents, and trademarks.

China agreed to purchase an additional $200 billion worth of United States exports and opened market access for over 4,000 American facilities to exports while all tariffs remained in effect.

Achieved a mutual agreement with the European Union (EU) that addresses unfair trade practices and increases duty-free exports by 180 percent to $420 million.

Secured a pledge from the EU to eliminate tariffs on American lobster – the first United States-European Union negotiated tariff reduction in over 20 years.

Scored a historic victory by overhauling the Universal Postal Union, whose outdated policies were undermining American workers and interests.

Engaged extensively with trade partners like the EU and Japan to advance reforms to the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Issued a first-ever comprehensive report on the WTO Appellate Body’s failures to comply with WTO rules and interpret WTO agreements as written.

Blocked nominees to the WTO’s Appellate Body until WTO Members recognize and address longstanding issues with Appellate Body activism.

Submitted 5 papers to the WTO Committee on Agriculture to improve Members’ understanding of how trade policies are implemented, highlight areas for improved transparency, and encourage members to maintain up-to-date notifications on market access and domestic support.

Took strong actions to confront unfair trade practices and put America First.

Imposed tariffs on hundreds of billions worth of Chinese goods to protect American jobs and stop China’s abuses under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 and Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974.

Directed an all-of-government effort to halt and punish efforts by the Communist Party of China to steal and profit from American innovations and intellectual property.

Imposed tariffs on foreign aluminum and foreign steel to protect our vital industries and support our national security.

Approved tariffs on $1.8 billion in imports of washing machines and $8.5 billion in imports of solar panels.

Blocked illegal timber imports from Peru.

Took action against France for its digital services tax that unfairly targets American technology companies.

Launched investigations into digital services taxes that have been proposed or adopted by 10 other countries.

Historic support for American farmers.

Successfully negotiated more than 50 agreements with countries around the world to increase foreign market access and boost exports of American agriculture products, supporting more than 1 million American jobs.

Authorized $28 billion in aid for farmers who have been subjected to unfair trade practices – fully funded by the tariffs paid by China.

China lifted its ban on poultry, opened its market to beef, and agreed to purchase at least $80 billion of American agricultural products in the next two years.

The European Union agreed to increase beef imports by 180 percent and opened up its market to more imports of soybeans.

South Korea lifted its ban on American poultry and eggs, and agreed to provide market access for record exports of American rice.

Argentina lifted its ban on American pork.

Brazil agreed to increase wheat imports by $180 million a year and raised its quotas for purchases of United States ethanol.

Guatemala and Tunisia opened up their markets to American eggs.

Won tariff exemptions in Ecuador for wheat and soybeans.

Suspended $817 million in trade preferences for Thailand under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program due to its failure to adequately provide reasonable market access for American pork products.

The amount of food stamps redeemed at farmers markets increased from $1.4 million in May 2020 to $1.75 million in September 2020 – a 50 percent increase over last year.

Rapidly deployed the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, which provided $30 billion in support to farmers and ranchers facing decreased prices and market disruption when COVID-19 impacted the food supply chain.

Authorized more than $6 billion for the Farmers to Families Food Box program, which delivered over 128 million boxes of locally sourced, produce, meat, and dairy products to charity and faith-based organizations nationwide.

Delegated authorities via the Defense Production Act to protect breaks in the American food supply chain as a result of COVID-19.

American Energy Independence

Unleashed America’s oil and natural gas potential.

For the first time in nearly 70 years, the United States has become a net energy exporter.

The United States is now the number one producer of oil and natural gas in the world.

Natural gas production reached a record-high of 34.9 quads in 2019, following record high production in 2018 and in 2017.

The United States has been a net natural gas exporter for three consecutive years and has an export capacity of nearly 10 billion cubic feet per day.

Withdrew from the unfair, one-sided Paris Climate Agreement.

Canceled the previous administration’s Clean Power Plan, and replaced it with the new Affordable Clean Energy rule.

Approved the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines.

Opened up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) in Alaska to oil and gas leasing.

Repealed the last administration’s Federal Coal Leasing Moratorium, which prohibited coal leasing on Federal lands.

Reformed permitting rules to eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy and speed approval for mines.

Fixed the New Source Review permitting program, which punished companies for upgrading or repairing coal power plants.

Fixed the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) steam electric and coal ash rules.

The average American family saved $2,500 a year in lower electric bills and lower prices at the gas pump.

Signed legislation repealing the harmful Stream Protection Rule.

Reduced the time to approve drilling permits on public lands by half, increasing permit applications to drill on public lands by 300 percent.

Expedited approval of the NuStar’s New Burgos pipeline to export American gasoline to Mexico.

Streamlined Liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal permitting and allowed long-term LNG export authorizations to be extended through 2050.

The United States is now among the top three LNG exporters in the world.

Increased LNG exports five-fold since January 2017, reaching an all-time high in January 2020.

LNG exports are expected to reduce the American trade deficit by over $10 billion.

Granted more than 20 new long-term approvals for LNG exports to non-free trade agreement countries.

The development of natural gas and LNG infrastructure in the United States is providing tens of thousands of jobs, and has led to the investment of tens of billions of dollars in infrastructure.

There are now 6 LNG export facilities operating in the United States, with 2 additional export projects under construction.

The amount of nuclear energy production in 2019 was the highest on record, through a combination of increased capacity from power plant upgrades and shorter refueling and maintenance cycles.

Prevented Russian energy coercion across Europe through various lines of effort, including the Partnership for Transatlantic Energy Cooperation, civil nuclear deals with Romania and Poland, and opposition to Nord Stream 2 pipeline.

Issued the Presidential Permit for the A2A railroad between Canada and Alaska, providing energy resources to emerging markets.

Increased access to our country’s abundant natural resources in order to achieve energy independence.

Renewable energy production and consumption both reached record highs in 2019.

Enacted policies that helped double the amount of electricity generated by solar and helped increase the amount of wind generation by 32 percent from 2016 through 2019.

Accelerated construction of energy infrastructure to ensure American energy producers can deliver their products to the market.

Cut red tape holding back the construction of new energy infrastructure.

Authorized ethanol producers to sell E15 year-round and allowed higher-ethanol gasoline to be distributed from existing pumps at filling stations.

Ensured greater transparency and certainty in the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program.

Negotiated leasing capacity in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to Australia, providing American taxpayers a return on this infrastructure investment.

To name a few....

[researchreportinsight]

Corrosion Inhibitors Market – Industry Analysis and Forecast

The global corrosion inhibitors market was valued at USD 7.4 billion in 2019 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.8% from 2020 to 2027. The market growth is largely driven by the development of biobased and environmentally friendly corrosion inhibitors. As sustainability becomes a priority across industries, there is a shift towards eco-friendly corrosion inhibitors, which is expected to boost market adoption among industries focused on sustainable practices. Corrosion inhibitors work by forming a protective barrier on surfaces, preventing moisture penetration and thereby reducing corrosion, a common form of material degradation. The mechanisms through which organic and inorganic corrosion inhibitors operate vary significantly.

Gather more insights about the market drivers, restrains and growth of the corrosion inhibitors market

Organic corrosion inhibitors create protection by using interfacial, anodic, cathodic, barrier, and adsorption activities, while inorganic inhibitors work through processes such as anodic and cathodic passivation, anion exchange, and saponification. Research and development in corrosion control technology have been instrumental in advancing these inhibitor products, with many manufacturers focused on innovation to enhance product performance. These R&D efforts are resulting in new products that better resist environmental stresses and perform efficiently under challenging conditions.

The rising costs associated with corrosion, combined with regulatory measures from the U.S. government regarding the toxicity of certain inhibitors, particularly in water systems, impact market dynamics. While phosphate-based corrosion inhibitors are common in the U.S., their application is restricted in some areas due to environmental concerns, particularly regarding their effects on wastewater treatment facilities and potential reactions with metals like aluminum.

End-use Segmentation Insights:

In 2019, the oil and gas sector held the largest market share at 33.1%, driven by the prevalence of internal corrosion issues in pipelines, refineries, and petrochemical plants. As these facilities often operate in high-moisture environments, corrosion inhibitors are essential for protecting infrastructure from degradation, ensuring equipment longevity, and minimizing costly downtime. The power generation sector is also a growing market for corrosion inhibitors, particularly in Asia Pacific, where rapid urbanization and industrial expansion are underway. Power plants face significant corrosion challenges, as components in steam circuits are constantly exposed to water and other corroding agents. Effective corrosion control in these plants involves monitoring pH, conductivity, and the presence of corroding ions, while also using specific corrosion inhibitors like phosphonates, phosphates, and zinc for steel, and triazoles for copper.

Additionally, the pulp and paper industry faces extreme corrosive conditions, especially in equipment like digesters, recovery boilers, bleachers, evaporators, papermaking machines, and storage tanks. These components are frequently exposed to air, water, and organic contaminants, increasing their susceptibility to corrosion. The bleaching process used to whiten pulp generates wastewater that contains chlorinated compounds, including dioxins, which can lead to pitting corrosion in high-cost equipment. As a result, the demand for corrosion inhibitors remains high in the pulp and paper industry to protect against these corrosive environments, extending equipment lifespan and reducing maintenance costs.

In summary, while the market for corrosion inhibitors is broadly driven by demand across multiple sectors, the focus on developing biobased and environmentally friendly solutions is becoming increasingly prominent, aligning with industry trends toward sustainability and environmental responsibility.

Order a free sample PDF of the Corrosion Inhibitors Market Intelligence Study, published by Grand View Research.

[globalindustrytrends]

Hot and Cold Therapy Packs Market Set to Surpass $2 Billion by 2030

According to the Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Network (RASN), around 1% of the global population is currently affected by rheumatoid arthritis, with over 1.3 million individuals in the U.S. living with this chronic condition. Additionally, the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) reports that osteoporosis leads to more than 8.9 million fractures annually, impacting approximately 500 million people worldwide. The increasing prevalence of orthopedic conditions such as arthritis and osteoporosis is driving a significant demand for hot and cold therapy packs globally.

Moreover, the rising incidence of road accidents is also contributing to the growth of the hot and cold therapy packs market, which is expected to expand at a CAGR of 7.7% between 2021 and 2030. Market revenue is predicted to grow from $981.9 million in 2020 to $2,008.2 million by 2030. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), road traffic accidents result in non-fatal injuries for around 20–50 million people each year, often leading to long-term disabilities. People recovering from such injuries, as well as those managing orthopedic pain, frequently use cold and hot therapy packs.

Cold therapy packs are particularly popular due to their ability to alleviate pain and reduce inflammation, making them more widely used than hot therapy packs. They are commonly utilized by individuals with chronic joint and bone pain, as well as athletes recovering from sports injuries. On the other hand, hot therapy packs, including dry and moist varieties, are effective for managing pain associated with sports injuries, post-surgical recovery, and neuropathic conditions.

Manufacturers of hot and cold therapy packs are increasingly forming partnerships to expand their reach among people suffering from orthopedic conditions. For instance, Halyard Health Inc. acquired CoolSystems Inc. in June 2018 for $65 million, aiming to enhance its pain management offerings with products like the Med4 Elite multi-modality therapy unit, GRPro 2.1 cold and compression system, and ATX wraps. Other companies such as IceWraps, Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Xiamen Artborne Industrial Co. Ltd., and Beurer GmbH are also engaging in strategic collaborations.

P&S Intelligence reports that the North American region has been the largest market for hot and cold therapy packs in recent years, a trend expected to continue. This dominance is primarily due to the high prevalence of orthopedic conditions such as osteoporosis and arthritis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that from 2017 to 2018, 18% of American women and 4.2% of American men aged 50 and above were diagnosed with osteoporosis of the femur neck or lumbar spine.

In the future, the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region is anticipated to witness significant demand for these products, driven by the growing elderly population and increasing cases of orthopedic conditions. According to the WHO, osteoarthritis is the most common joint disease in India, affecting about 45% of women and 70% of men over the age of 65. HelpAge International projects that the population of individuals aged over 60 in India will grow from 139 million in 2019 to 319 million by 2050.

In conclusion, the rising prevalence of orthopedic disorders and the increasing number of road accident cases worldwide will continue to drive the demand for hot and cold therapy packs globally.

[heaven-s-black-box]

Parents night- ensemble

Return to File- Event Masterlist

Recovery date: July 8th, 2020

Description: Dead parent meeting

Notes: An entry from my 2020 research project into the universe of Ace Attorney. You can find the next entry here.

Word count: 648

Back to directory

“Good Evening everyone and welcome to the wonder bar! I’m Trucy Gramarye and I’ll be your magician for tonight!” The crowd erupted into Applause. “Tonight I’m joined by my amazing assistant Apollo Justice,” Apollo blushed a little and waved, making the audience laugh.

“Go Polly!”

“You’re doing great you two!”

“Stand tall horn head!”

“Without further ado, let’s get this show on the road!” The lights went out for a second before the spot light turned on and the show began.

“Shit!” Jove yelled as he ran into the bar through a wall. “Damn it! I missed the opening.”

“Your son looked about ready to die,” Metis chuckled. “ I don’t think the laughing helped.”

The back of the wonder bar was empty except for a bartender, as everyone else wanted a good view of the show. This left it open to be inhabited by a group of spectators who frequented this bar. Dhurke, Metis, Jove, Gregory, Mia, Misty, and Clay sat at the bar with their drinks, watching the show. Although Dhurke was normally in Khura’in, watching over his family, he was here since Rayfa and Nahyuta were visiting with Apollo on business. Trucy had roped Apollo in along with help from her mother, who said she’d love to see them perform together at least once.

Misty and Mia had been last minute additions to tonight's group, as Maya and Pearl surprised the WAA with a visit. The parents always followed their children, and met up when they were all nearby in LA. Usually to catch one of Trucy’s shows at the wonder bar. They once followed their children to one of Klavier Gavin’s shows, only to listen to Jove complain that his ears were bleeding the whole time.

“He’ll be fine,” Dhurke assured, “A dragon never yields!”

“Mr. Shadmadhi’s right, Polly will be fine! I saw him doing his chords of steel practice backstage.”

“Is that what that was?”Mia asked, “I was worried someone was dying or something.”

“It did sound rather worrisome,” Misty added. “Mr.Edgeworth, is everything alright?” She asked, turning to Gregory who hadn’t so much as greeted Jove.

They followed his gaze to see a familiar pink ghost standing on the other side of the room. Jove moved to stand, but Dhurke stopped him.

“Let him watch his daughter,” Dhurke said. “He missed a lot of her childhood, this is his way of making up for it, I’m sure.”

“He had his chance to go back and he didn’t. He ran away like a coward,” Jove spat, he very rarely got angry, but Zak never ceased to infuriate him. “He didn’t come forward when he thought he killed Tessa, and he left his daughter to a man, who at the time, had no way of supporting her.”

“Phoenix was fine though,” Gregory finally said. “But I understand your anger, I wouldn’t let Mr. Von Karma anywhere near his daughter now.” Dhurke went to let Jove stand, Gregory may have been dead the second longest, but he was the oldest. This made him the default leader of the group. Gregory stopped Jove from going anywhere. “However, we both know that’s not the reason you want him gone.”

By now, Clay and Mia had left towards the stage to let the adults talk. While they were both adults, they still understood that there were some things they should stay out of.

“So what if that’s not my whole reasoning, it’s still part of it.”

“Let’s make a compromise,” Metis said, “you can go confront him if he tries to get close to anyone. Other than that, leave him be.”

“Fine,” Jove grumbled, it was arguments like these that reminded everyone just how young he had been when he died.

“Now that that’s been sorted,” Misty said, “I believe we’ve missed a good part of the show. It seems Trucy is about to kill Apollo.”

[dragonwolf1979-blog]

America gained 7 million new jobs – more than three times government experts’ projections.

Middle-Class family income increased nearly $6,000 – more than five times the gains during the entire previous administration.

The unemployment rate reached 3.5 percent, the lowest in a half-century.

Achieved 40 months in a row with more job openings than job-hirings.

More Americans reported being employed than ever before – nearly 160 million.

Jobless claims hit a nearly 50-year low.

The number of people claiming unemployment insurance as a share of the population hit its lowest on record.

Incomes rose in every single metro area in the United States for the first time in nearly 3 decades.

Delivered a future of greater promise and opportunity for citizens of all backgrounds.

Unemployment rates for African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and those without a high school diploma all reached record lows.

Unemployment for women hit its lowest rate in nearly 70 years.

Lifted nearly 7 million people off of food stamps.

Poverty rates for African Americans and Hispanic Americans reached record lows.

Income inequality fell for two straight years, and by the largest amount in over a decade.

The bottom 50 percent of American households saw a 40 percent increase in net worth.

Wages rose fastest for low-income and blue collar workers – a 16 percent pay increase.

African American homeownership increased from 41.7 percent to 46.4 percent.

Brought jobs, factories, and industries back to the USA.

Created more than 1.2 million manufacturing and construction jobs.

Put in place policies to bring back supply chains from overseas.

Small business optimism broke a 35-year old record in 2018.

Hit record stock market numbers and record 401ks.

The DOW closed above 20,000 for the first time in 2017 and topped 30,000 in 2020.

The S&P 500 and NASDAQ have repeatedly notched record highs.

Rebuilding and investing in rural America.

Signed an Executive Order on Modernizing the Regulatory Framework for Agricultural Biotechnology Products, which is bringing innovative new technologies to market in American farming and agriculture.

Strengthened America’s rural economy by investing over $1.3 billion through the Agriculture Department’s ReConnect Program to bring high-speed broadband infrastructure to rural America.

Achieved a record-setting economic comeback by rejecting blanket lockdowns.

An October 2020 Gallup survey found 56 percent of Americans said they were better off during a pandemic than four years prior.

During the third quarter of 2020, the economy grew at a rate of 33.1 percent – the most rapid GDP growth ever recorded.

Since coronavirus lockdowns ended, the economy has added back over 12 million jobs, more than half the jobs lost.

Jobs have been recovered 23 times faster than the previous administration’s recovery.

Unemployment fell to 6.7 percent in December, from a pandemic peak of 14.7 percent in April – beating expectations of well over 10 percent unemployment through the end of 2020.

Under the previous administration, it took 49 months for the unemployment rate to fall from 10 percent to under 7 percent compared to just 3 months for the Trump Administration.

Since April, the Hispanic unemployment rate has fallen by 9.6 percent, Asian-American unemployment by 8.6 percent, and Black American unemployment by 6.8 percent.

80 percent of small businesses are now open, up from just 53 percent in April.

Small business confidence hit a new high.

Homebuilder confidence reached an all-time high, and home sales hit their highest reading since December 2006.

Manufacturing optimism nearly doubled.

Household net worth rose $7.4 trillion in Q2 2020 to $112 trillion, an all-time high.

Home prices hit an all-time record high.

The United States rejected crippling lockdowns that crush the economy and inflict countless public health harms and instead safely reopened its economy.

Business confidence is higher in America than in any other G7 or European Union country.

Stabilized America’s financial markets with the establishment of a number of Treasury Department supported facilities at the Federal Reserve.

Tax Relief for the Middle Class

Passed $3.2 trillion in historic tax relief and reformed the tax code.

Signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act – the largest tax reform package in history.

More than 6 million American workers received wage increases, bonuses, and increased benefits thanks to the tax cuts.

A typical family of four earning $75,000 received an income tax cut of more than $2,000 – slashing their tax bill in half.

Doubled the standard deduction – making the first $24,000 earned by a married couple completely tax-free.

Doubled the child tax credit.

Virtually eliminated the unfair Estate Tax, or Death Tax.

Cut the business tax rate from 35 percent – the highest in the developed world – all the way down to 21 percent.

Small businesses can now deduct 20 percent of their business income.

Businesses can now deduct 100 percent of the cost of their capital investments in the year the investment is made.

Since the passage of tax cuts, the share of total wealth held by the bottom half of households has increased, while the share held by the top 1 percent has decreased.

Over 400 companies have announced bonuses, wage increases, new hires, or new investments in the United States.

Over $1.5 trillion was repatriated into the United States from overseas.

Lower investment cost and higher capital returns led to faster growth in the middle class, real wages, and international competitiveness.

Jobs and investments are pouring into Opportunity Zones.

Created nearly 9,000 Opportunity Zones where capital gains on long-term investments are taxed at zero.

Opportunity Zone designations have increased property values within them by 1.1 percent, creating an estimated $11 billion in wealth for the nearly half of Opportunity Zone residents who own their own home.

Opportunity Zones have attracted $75 billion in funds and driven $52 billion of new investment in economically distressed communities, creating at least 500,000 new jobs.

Approximately 1 million Americans will be lifted from poverty as a result of these new investments.

Private equity investments into businesses in Opportunity Zones were nearly 30 percent higher than investments into businesses in similar areas that were not designated Opportunity Zones.

Massive Deregulation

Ended the regulatory assault on American Businesses and Workers.

Instead of 2-for-1, we eliminated 8 old regulations for every 1 new regulation adopted.

Provided the average American household an extra $3,100 every year.

Reduced the direct cost of regulatory compliance by $50 billion, and will reduce costs by an additional $50 billion in FY 2020 alone.

Removed nearly 25,000 pages from the Federal Register – more than any other president. The previous administration added over 16,000 pages.

Established the Governors’ Initiative on Regulatory Innovation to reduce outdated regulations at the state, local, and tribal levels.

Signed an executive order to make it easier for businesses to offer retirement plans.

Signed two executive orders to increase transparency in Federal agencies and protect Americans and their small businesses from administrative abuse.

Modernized the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for the first time in over 40 years.

Reduced approval times for major infrastructure projects from 10 or more years down to 2 years or less.

Helped community banks by signing legislation that rolled back costly provisions of Dodd-Frank.

Established the White House Council on Eliminating Regulatory Barriers to Affordable Housing to bring down housing costs.

Removed regulations that threatened the development of a strong and stable internet.

Eased and simplified restrictions on rocket launches, helping to spur commercial investment in space projects.

Published a whole-of-government strategy focused on ensuring American leadership in automated vehicle technology.

Streamlined energy efficiency regulations for American families and businesses, including preserving affordable lightbulbs, enhancing the utility of showerheads, and enabling greater time savings with dishwashers.

Removed unnecessary regulations that restrict the seafood industry and impede job creation.

Modernized the Department of Agriculture’s biotechnology regulations to put America in the lead to develop new technologies.

Took action to suspend regulations that would have slowed our response to COVID-19, including lifting restrictions on manufacturers to more quickly produce ventilators.

Successfully rolled back burdensome regulatory overreach.

Rescinded the previous administration’s Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) rule, which would have abolished zoning for single-family housing to build low-income, federally subsidized apartments.

Issued a final rule on the Fair Housing Act’s disparate impact standard.

Eliminated the Waters of the United States Rule and replaced it with the Navigable Waters Protection Rule, providing relief and certainty for farmers and property owners.

Repealed the previous administration’s costly fuel economy regulations by finalizing the Safer Affordable Fuel Efficient (SAFE) Vehicles rule, which will make cars more affordable, and lower the price of new vehicles by an estimated $2,200.

Americans now have more money in their pockets.

Deregulation had an especially beneficial impact on low-income Americans who pay a much higher share of their incomes for overregulation.

Cut red tape in the healthcare industry, providing Americans with more affordable healthcare and saving Americans nearly 10 percent on prescription drugs.

Deregulatory efforts yielded savings to the medical community an estimated $6.6 billion – with a reduction of 42 million hours of regulatory compliance work through 2021.

Removed government barriers to personal freedom and consumer choice in healthcare.

Once fully in effect, 20 major deregulatory actions undertaken by the Trump Administration are expected to save American consumers and businesses over $220 billion per year.

Signed 16 pieces of deregulatory legislation that will result in a $40 billion increase in annual real incomes.

Fair and Reciprocal Trade

Secured historic trade deals to defend American workers.

Immediately withdrew from the job-killing Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).

Ended the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and replaced it with the brand new United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

The USMCA contains powerful new protections for American manufacturers, auto-makers, farmers, dairy producers, and workers.

The USMCA is expected to generate over $68 billion in economic activity and potentially create over 550,000 new jobs over ten years.

Signed an executive order making it government policy to Buy American and Hire American, and took action to stop the outsourcing of jobs overseas.

Negotiated with Japan to slash tariffs and open its market to $7 billion in American agricultural products and ended its ban on potatoes and lamb.

Over 90 percent of American agricultural exports to Japan now receive preferential treatment, and most are duty-free.

Negotiated another deal with Japan to boost $40 billion worth of digital trade.

Renegotiated the United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement, doubling the cap on imports of American vehicles and extending the American light truck tariff.

Reached a written, fully-enforceable Phase One trade agreement with China on confronting pirated and counterfeit goods, and the protection of American ideas, trade secrets, patents, and trademarks.

China agreed to purchase an additional $200 billion worth of United States exports and opened market access for over 4,000 American facilities to exports while all tariffs remained in effect.

Achieved a mutual agreement with the European Union (EU) that addresses unfair trade practices and increases duty-free exports by 180 percent to $420 million.

Secured a pledge from the EU to eliminate tariffs on American lobster – the first United States-European Union negotiated tariff reduction in over 20 years.

Scored a historic victory by overhauling the Universal Postal Union, whose outdated policies were undermining American workers and interests.

Engaged extensively with trade partners like the EU and Japan to advance reforms to the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Issued a first-ever comprehensive report on the WTO Appellate Body’s failures to comply with WTO rules and interpret WTO agreements as written.

Blocked nominees to the WTO’s Appellate Body until WTO Members recognize and address longstanding issues with Appellate Body activism.

Submitted 5 papers to the WTO Committee on Agriculture to improve Members’ understanding of how trade policies are implemented, highlight areas for improved transparency, and encourage members to maintain up-to-date notifications on market access and domestic support.

Took strong actions to confront unfair trade practices and put America First.

Imposed tariffs on hundreds of billions worth of Chinese goods to protect American jobs and stop China’s abuses under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 and Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974.

Directed an all-of-government effort to halt and punish efforts by the Communist Party of China to steal and profit from American innovations and intellectual property.

Imposed tariffs on foreign aluminum and foreign steel to protect our vital industries and support our national security.

Approved tariffs on $1.8 billion in imports of washing machines and $8.5 billion in imports of solar panels.

Blocked illegal timber imports from Peru.

Took action against France for its digital services tax that unfairly targets American technology companies.

Launched investigations into digital services taxes that have been proposed or adopted by 10 other countries.

Historic support for American farmers.

Successfully negotiated more than 50 agreements with countries around the world to increase foreign market access and boost exports of American agriculture products, supporting more than 1 million American jobs.

Authorized $28 billion in aid for farmers who have been subjected to unfair trade practices – fully funded by the tariffs paid by China.

China lifted its ban on poultry, opened its market to beef, and agreed to purchase at least $80 billion of American agricultural products in the next two years.

The European Union agreed to increase beef imports by 180 percent and opened up its market to more imports of soybeans.

South Korea lifted its ban on American poultry and eggs, and agreed to provide market access for record exports of American rice.

Argentina lifted its ban on American pork.

Brazil agreed to increase wheat imports by $180 million a year and raised its quotas for purchases of United States ethanol.

Guatemala and Tunisia opened up their markets to American eggs.

Won tariff exemptions in Ecuador for wheat and soybeans.

Suspended $817 million in trade preferences for Thailand under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program due to its failure to adequately provide reasonable market access for American pork products.

The amount of food stamps redeemed at farmers markets increased from $1.4 million in May 2020 to $1.75 million in September 2020 – a 50 percent increase over last year.

Rapidly deployed the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, which provided $30 billion in support to farmers and ranchers facing decreased prices and market disruption when COVID-19 impacted the food supply chain.

Authorized more than $6 billion for the Farmers to Families Food Box program, which delivered over 128 million boxes of locally sourced, produce, meat, and dairy products to charity and faith-based organizations nationwide.

Delegated authorities via the Defense Production Act to protect breaks in the American food supply chain as a result of COVID-19.

American Energy Independence

Unleashed America’s oil and natural gas potential.

For the first time in nearly 70 years, the United States has become a net energy exporter.

The United States is now the number one producer of oil and natural gas in the world.

Natural gas production reached a record-high of 34.9 quads in 2019, following record high production in 2018 and in 2017.

The United States has been a net natural gas exporter for three consecutive years and has an export capacity of nearly 10 billion cubic feet per day.

Withdrew from the unfair, one-sided Paris Climate Agreement.

Canceled the previous administration’s Clean Power Plan, and replaced it with the new Affordable Clean Energy rule.

Approved the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines.

Opened up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) in Alaska to oil and gas leasing.

Repealed the last administration’s Federal Coal Leasing Moratorium, which prohibited coal leasing on Federal lands.

Reformed permitting rules to eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy and speed approval for mines.

Fixed the New Source Review permitting program, which punished companies for upgrading or repairing coal power plants.

Fixed the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) steam electric and coal ash rules.

The average American family saved $2,500 a year in lower electric bills and lower prices at the gas pump.

Signed legislation repealing the harmful Stream Protection Rule.

Reduced the time to approve drilling permits on public lands by half, increasing permit applications to drill on public lands by 300 percent.

Expedited approval of the NuStar’s New Burgos pipeline to export American gasoline to Mexico.

Streamlined Liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal permitting and allowed long-term LNG export authorizations to be extended through 2050.

The United States is now among the top three LNG exporters in the world.

Increased LNG exports five-fold since January 2017, reaching an all-time high in January 2020.

LNG exports are expected to reduce the American trade deficit by over $10 billion.

Granted more than 20 new long-term approvals for LNG exports to non-free trade agreement countries.

The development of natural gas and LNG infrastructure in the United States is providing tens of thousands of jobs, and has led to the investment of tens of billions of dollars in infrastructure.

There are now 6 LNG export facilities operating in the United States, with 2 additional export projects under construction.

The amount of nuclear energy production in 2019 was the highest on record, through a combination of increased capacity from power plant upgrades and shorter refueling and maintenance cycles.

Prevented Russian energy coercion across Europe through various lines of effort, including the Partnership for Transatlantic Energy Cooperation, civil nuclear deals with Romania and Poland, and opposition to Nord Stream 2 pipeline.

Issued the Presidential Permit for the A2A railroad between Canada and Alaska, providing energy resources to emerging markets.

Increased access to our country’s abundant natural resources in order to achieve energy independence.

Renewable energy production and consumption both reached record highs in 2019.

Enacted policies that helped double the amount of electricity generated by solar and helped increase the amount of wind generation by 32 percent from 2016 through 2019.

Accelerated construction of energy infrastructure to ensure American energy producers can deliver their products to the market.

Cut red tape holding back the construction of new energy infrastructure.

Authorized ethanol producers to sell E15 year-round and allowed higher-ethanol gasoline to be distributed from existing pumps at filling stations.

Ensured greater transparency and certainty in the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program.

Negotiated leasing capacity in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to Australia, providing American taxpayers a return on this infrastructure investment.

[creativeera]

Building Thermal Insulation Market is Estimated to Witness High Growth Owing to Rising Construction Activities

Building thermal insulation refers to any material used in the construction industry that is designed to reduce the rate of heat transfer and minimize temperature fluctuations. Some common types of thermal insulation include fiberglass, mineral wool, expanded polystyrene, and cellular glass insulation. These materials provide resistance to heat flow and help keep the indoor temperature uniform. Thermal insulation plays a crucial role in managing energy costs, improving occupant comfort, and reducing a building's carbon footprint. The rising awareness about energy efficiency and the need to curb greenhouse gas emissions is propelling the demand for thermal insulation solutions across residential and commercial spaces. Global building thermal insulation market is estimated to be valued at USD 36.68 Bn in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 49.13 Bn by 2031, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.3% from 2024 to 2031.

Rapid urbanization and industrialization have bolstered construction activities globally. Additionally, stringent government regulations regarding energy conservation and implementation of green building codes are driving the market's growth. Key Takeaways Key players operating in the Building Thermal Insulation market are Owens Corning, Rockwool International A/S, Johns Manville (Berkshire Hathaway), Knauf Insulation, Saint-Gobain, BASF SE, DuPont, 3M Company, Kingspan Group, GAF Materials Corporation, Celotex, CertainTeed, Armacell International S.A., Fletcher Building Limited, Insulation Corporation of America, Nitto Denko Corporation, Thermafiber, Inc., Sika AG, Isolatek International, and Huntsman Corporation. The Building Thermal Insulation Market Demand offers significant opportunities stemming from rebates and tax credits on energy-efficient buildings. Many governments provide incentives to promote green construction and encourage homeowners to opt for insulation upgrades. Additionally, the development of bio-based and recyclable insulation materials presents new avenues for market participants. The increased spending on infrastructure development and commercial real estate in emerging nations is fueling the global expansion of the building thermal insulation market. Asia Pacific is expected to witness lucrative growth due to rapid urbanization and growth in the residential sector in countries like China and India. Stringent energy codes in Europe and government incentives are also driving regional market demand. Market Drivers Rising construction activities are estimated to be the major market driver. According to statistics, the global construction industry grew by over 3% annually between 2010 to 2020. Further construction investments are expected to increase substantially with the economic recovery post-pandemic. The need for thermal insulation gains prominence with the construction of massive commercial buildings and infrastructure projects worldwide. As a result, the construction boom is propelling the building thermal insulation market.

Building Thermal Insulation Market PEST Analysis

Political: Regulations for energy efficiency in buildings are becoming more stringent in various countries to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions. This is driving growth in the insulation market. Economic: Rising disposable incomes along with growing construction activities globally is fueling the demand for building thermal insulation to reduce energy costs of buildings over their lifecycle. Social: Increasing awareness about global warming and climate change is encouraging consumers to adopt green building practices including use of insulation materials. Technological: Advanced insulation materials with low thermal conductivity and breathability are gaining popularity. Vacuum insulations panels (VIPs) offer ultra high performance but need more widespread commercialization. Europe accounts for the largest share of the global building thermal insulation market in terms of value. Strict regulations regarding energy efficiency in the EU coupled with the large existing building stock driving retrofits and renovation activities support market growth. Asia Pacific is the fastest growing regional market propelled by ongoing construction boom, rising incomes, infrastructure investments and regulations promoting green buildings in countries like China and India. The Middle East and North Africa region presents considerable opportunities. Rapid infrastructure development accompanied with the development of new cities will propel market demand. At the same time, legislation requiring energy efficient homes and commercials buildings are anticipated to facilitate regional growth over the forecast period.

Get more insights on Building Thermal Insulation Market

Also read related article on Graphene Market

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About Author:

Ravina Pandya, Content Writer, has a strong foothold in the market research industry. She specializes in writing well-researched articles from different industries, including food and beverages, information and technology, healthcare, chemical and materials, etc. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ravina-pandya-1a3984191)

[keendaanmaa]

Splendid found family dynamic, sweet romance(s), so much angst/whump but also plenty of fluff, SALT AND LIGHT!

AU Hobbit quest setting with a masterful blend of book and movies, plus several gender-bends, quite a bit of worldbuilding into the gaps left by Tolkien, and some fairly discussion of depression and recovery (if any of those are a no-go for you)

10/10 DEFINITELY recommend

(Author's original tags and summary under the cut)

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply

Categories: F/M, Gen

Relationships: Fíli & Kíli & Thorin Oakenshield, Fíli & Kíli (Tolkien), Dwalin & Thorin Oakenshield, Balin & Dwalin (Tolkien), Bilbo Baggins & Gandalf | Mithrandir, Bilbo Baggins & Fíli & Kíli, Bilbo Baggins & Kíli, Bilbo Baggins/Kíli, Bilbo Baggins & Dwalin, Belda & Dwalin (Parental), Fíli/Ori (Tolkien), Belda & Beorn, Bilbo Baggins & Beorn, Bilbo Baggins & Legolas Greenleaf & Tauriel, Legolas Greenleaf & Tauriel, Dwalin/Nori (Tolkien), Bard the Bowman/Bard the Bowman's Wife, Bard the Bowman & Tauriel, Bard the Bowman's Wife & Tauriel, Kíli (Tolkien) & Tauriel (Hobbit Movies), Fíli (Tolkien) & Tauriel (Hobbit Movies), Belda & Ori, Belda & Nori (Parental), Bard the Bowman’s Wife & Fíli & Kíli, Bard the Bowman & Fíli, Bard the Bowman & Kíli, Bard the Bowman & Tollak, Bard the Bowman’s Wife & Tollak, Nori & Ori, Ori & Dori, Bilbo Baggins & Radagast, Belda & Radagast, Rûna & Rosteth, Fíli & Ori (Tolkien)

Characters: Bilbo Baggins, Thorin Oakenshield, Dwalin (Tolkien), Kíli (Tolkien), Thorin's Company, Fíli (Tolkien), Gandalf | Mithrandir, Elrond Peredhel, Beorn (Tolkien), Legolas Greenleaf, Thranduil (Tolkien), Tauriel (Hobbit Movies), Mirkwood Elves, Bard the Bowman, Bard the Bowman's Wife, Tollak (OC), Nori (Tolkien), Ori (Tolkien), Rosteth (OC)

Additional Tags: fem!Bilbo, Alternate Universe - Always a Different Sex, Quest of Erebor, Eventual Romance, fem!Fili - Freeform, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Fluff and Angst, Bilbo Has Issues, BAMF Bilbo Baggins, Hurt Bilbo Baggins, Alternate Universe - Shapeshifters, Hurt No Comfort, Shapeshifter Bilbo Baggins, Dragon Bilbo Baggins, Mild Hurt/Comfort, Angst and Feels, Pining, Parental Dwalin, Romantic Fluff, Not Actually Unrequited Love, Mutual Pining, Dwarven Ones | Soulmates, Love Confessions, (sort of), fem!Nori, Starvation, Exhaustion, Isolation, When Will I Let Belda Be Happy?, Emotional Hurt, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Bard is a Good Dad, Parental Nori, dwalin is a good dad, Nori is a Good Mom, Gold Sick Thorin, kilbo - Freeform, Gold Sickness (Tolkien)

Published: 2018-10-23 Completed: 2020-10-17 Words: 400,793 Chapters: 80/80

Summary:

Erebor's time has finally come, now that Thorin has gathered together enough loyal Dwarves to make it to the Lonely Mountain alive. Dwalin just wishes they weren't a cursed number.

Oh, and that the irritatingly bull-headed Halfling Tharkûn found in the Shire would go home already. The Wilds are no place for a half-starved, girl-child gentleHobbit who can neither fight nor fend for herself.

Belda's time to escape has finally come, now that she's managed to convince (read: emotionally blackmail) Gandalf into agreeing to let her come on the quest thingy he seems to be on, as well as convince the annoyingly bull-headed leader of the Dwarven pack to let her join them until Rivendell, at least. She only hopes she can earn their respect.

Especially his second-in-command.

Oh, and that they won't kill her when they find out the truth. She might not be their Burglar yet, but she regrets lying to them anyway.

Other than Thorin. The stupidhead.

[happilyn16]

Week 12

Crowd Sourcing in Times of Crisis

Crowdsourcing is a powerful tool to gather real-time information, ideas or services from a large group of people, especially from an online community. It is a decentralised network that grasps the collective intelligence and efforts of the public to address challenges that arise during emergencies such as natural disasters, pandemics, or political issues. For example, the Ushahidi Haiti Project collected approximately 40,000 independent reports, and within a few hours, nearly 4,000 unique events were mapped (Yang et al., 2014). This has shown crowdsourcing plays a crucial role in real-time gathering information and enabling people to share and update information simultaneously.

MapAction rapid response process.

Certainly, crowdsourcing is being utilised to help mobilise resources such as food, medical supplies, and volunteers. It allows diverse communities to collaborate and improve communication through online platforms. TopCoder, an online platform offering crowd-contest services, launched the Anti-Coronavirus Hackathon, an ideation challenge aimed at generating ideas from its community to assist people, governments, and organisations during the coronavirus outbreak (Vermicelli et al., 2020). Engaging the community in crisis response efforts fosters a sense of ownership and empowerment. Additionally, crowdsourcing encourages society to take the initiative to be involved in disaster response and recovery. For instance, the "Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team" entitles volunteers to create and update maps in areas affected by disasters, providing critical information for responders.

The accuracy of data, users’ privacy, and the digital divide have become the concerns of society. There is controversy about the compromise between the speed of information gathering and the accuracy of data. In crises, quick decisions are often necessary, but relying on unsubstantiated crowdsourced data can lead to misinformation and ineffective responses. In order to ensure the reliability of crowdsourced information, verification mechanisms and partnerships with trusted entities can help alleviate the risk of misinformation. Crowdsourcing in times of crisis offers multiple advantages, from rapid data collection to diverse problem-solving. However, it also presents challenges that integrate with data quality, privacy, and coordination. As technology evolves gradually, the rapid expansion of crowdsourcing makes it essential to confront these obstacles and leverage the collective strengths of the crowd in a responsible and ethical manner.

References:

Penson, S. (2021, December 13). Mapping for Humanitarian Response 2019 MapAction and Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team. Medium. https://medium.com/@steve.penson/mapping-for-humanitarian-response-2019

Vermicelli, S., Cricelli, L., & Grimaldi, M. (2020). How can crowdsourcing help tackle The COVID‐19 pandemic? An explorative overview of innovative collaborative practices. R & D Management, 51(2), 183–194. https://doi.org/10.1111/radm.12443

Yang, D., Zhang, D., Frank, K., Robertson, P., Jennings, E., Roddy, M., & Lichtenstern, M. (2014). Providing real-time assistance in disaster relief by leveraging crowdsourcing power.Personal and Ubiquitous Computing, 18(8), 20252034. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00779-014 0758-3

[uptothetrendblogs]

Minimally Invasive Cosmetic Procedures Market

The minimally invasive cosmetic procedures market has seen substantial growth in recent years, driven by advancements in technology, increasing consumer demand for less invasive options, and a growing focus on aesthetics. These procedures, which include techniques like Botox injections, dermal fillers, and laser treatments, offer a less painful, more affordable, and quicker recovery alternative to traditional surgical methods. This article explores the latest news, recent developments, and a comprehensive analysis of this dynamic market.

Market Overview

Minimally invasive cosmetic procedures have become increasingly popular due to their ability to enhance appearance with minimal downtime. The global market for these procedures was valued at approximately $8.2 billion in 2020 and is projected to reach $15.1 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 8.2% during the forecast period .

Key Drivers

Technological Advancements: Innovations in cosmetic technology have significantly improved the safety and efficacy of minimally invasive procedures. Developments in laser technology, radiofrequency, and ultrasound have broadened the range of treatments available and enhanced their results.

Rising Demand for Non-Surgical Treatments: The demand for non-surgical aesthetic procedures has surged, driven by the growing awareness of beauty and wellness. People prefer these procedures due to their lower risk, minimal pain, and shorter recovery times compared to traditional surgical options.

Aging Population: The increasing aging population, particularly in developed countries, is a significant driver. Older individuals are seeking cosmetic treatments to maintain a youthful appearance, contributing to the market's growth.

Social Media Influence: The impact of social media and the prevalence of beauty standards have heightened the desire for aesthetic enhancements. Influencers and celebrities showcasing their treatments have normalized cosmetic procedures, making them more accessible and desirable to the general public.

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Recent Developments

1. Introduction of New Technologies

Recent technological advancements have revolutionized the minimally invasive cosmetic procedures market. For instance, the introduction of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) and cryolipolysis has provided new methods for non-surgical fat reduction and skin tightening. These technologies offer patients effective results with minimal discomfort and downtime.

2. FDA Approvals and New Product Launches

The market has seen several new product launches and FDA approvals. For example, in 2023, the FDA approved a new hyaluronic acid-based dermal filler designed to provide longer-lasting results and improved skin texture. This approval has expanded the options available to practitioners and patients, enhancing the overall market growth.

3. Mergers and Acquisitions

Strategic mergers and acquisitions have also played a crucial role in the market's expansion. Major players in the industry are acquiring smaller companies with innovative technologies to strengthen their market position. For instance, AbbVie’s acquisition of Allergan, known for its leading product Botox, has bolstered its presence in the aesthetic medicine market .

4. Increase in Clinics and Service Providers

The proliferation of specialized clinics offering minimally invasive procedures has made these treatments more accessible to a broader audience. The increase in service providers has also led to competitive pricing, making procedures more affordable and attracting a larger customer base.

Regional Analysis

North America

North America holds the largest market share, primarily due to high consumer awareness, advanced healthcare infrastructure, and a significant number of aesthetic practitioners. The United States is the leading country in this region, with a substantial portion of the population opting for these procedures.

Europe

Europe is another significant market, driven by countries like Germany, the UK, and France. The presence of renowned cosmetic brands and high disposable income levels contribute to the market's growth in this region.

Asia-Pacific

The Asia-Pacific region is expected to witness the highest growth rate during the forecast period. Increasing disposable incomes, rising awareness about aesthetic procedures, and the growing influence of social media are driving the demand in countries like China, Japan, and South Korea.

𝐃𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐥𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐏𝐃𝐅 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞-  https://univdatos.com/report/digital-twin-in-healthcare-market/get-a-free-sample-form.php?product_id=58944

Challenges and Future Outlook

Despite the promising growth, the minimally invasive cosmetic procedures market faces several challenges. These include the high cost of advanced technologies, stringent regulatory approvals, and the need for skilled practitioners to perform these procedures safely.

However, the future outlook remains positive. The continuous innovation in cosmetic technologies and the increasing acceptance of aesthetic procedures worldwide are expected to drive the market forward. Additionally, the development of more effective and longer-lasting treatments will likely enhance patient satisfaction and boost market growth.

Conclusion

The minimally invasive cosmetic procedures market is poised for significant growth, fueled by technological advancements, rising consumer demand, and an aging population. The industry is evolving rapidly, with new technologies and treatments continually emerging. While challenges exist, the market's future looks bright, promising safer, more effective, and more accessible aesthetic solutions for consumers worldwide.

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Contact Number - +1 9782263411

Website - www.univdatos.com

[bhushans]

Unlocking Potential: How Technology is Transforming the Global 3D Printed Maxillofacial Implants Market

The global demand for 3D printed maxillofacial implants market is anticipated to show a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.2% and reach a market valuation of US$ 1,119.1 million by 2033.

Increased demand for efficient reconstructive operations and an increase in traffic accidents due to urbanization and industrialization are expected to present a number of growth prospects for the 3D printed maxillofacial market. During the assessment period, it is projected that the market for 3D printed maxillofacial implants would grow due to the rising desire for less invasive surgical procedures.

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Revolutionizing Maxillofacial Surgery: 3D Printing Takes Center Stage

A recent Future Market Insights report highlights the burgeoning market for 3D printed maxillofacial implants. These innovative implants offer a new era of possibilities in maxillofacial reconstruction, surpassing limitations associated with traditional methods.

Market Poised for Exponential Growth

The report reveals a promising future for the market, with a projected CAGR of 8.2% over the next decade. This follows a steady growth trajectory observed between 2018 and 2022, where the market reached a value of US$483.8 million. The rising demand for 3D printed maxillofacial implants is attributed to several key advantages:

Reduced Surgical Times: 3D printing allows for customized implants, streamlining surgical procedures and minimizing patient recovery time.

Unprecedented Customization: Unlike traditional implants with limited size and shape options, 3D printing enables the creation of personalized implants that perfectly fit a patient’s unique anatomy.

Key Takeaways:

The global 3D printed maxillofacial implants market is projected to reach a value of US$1,119.1 million by 2033, reflecting a significant rise from US$507.3 million in 2023.

This growth is anticipated at a strong compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.2% throughout the forecast period.

The increasing demand for personalized and minimally invasive surgical solutions for maxillofacial reconstruction is a key driver for market expansion.

Competition Analysis:

Key players in the global 3D printed maxillofacial implants market include Materialise, Zimmer Biomet, Medartis, DePuySynthes, and others.

Recent Industry Updates include:

In May 2022, Medartis Holding AG announced that it has completed the acquisition of Nextremity Solutions Inc., a strategic commercialization organization located in Warsaw, Indiana. The total purchase price for the transaction is going to be up to US$ 70 million and includes milestone and earn-out payments of up to US$ 30 million. The initiative might allow Medartis to expedite its USextremities business by gaining access to a comprehensive product pipeline, strong relationships with US design surgeons, and an experienced research and development team.

In December 2020, Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc., a globally renowned healthcare player announced that the company completed the acquisition of A&E Medical Corporation, a Vance Street Capital Portfolio Company, for US$ 150 million in cash at closing and S$ 100 million in cash payable in 2021.

Key Companies Profiled:

Johnson & Johnson Services

Materialise

Stryker Corporation

Zimmer Biomet Holdings

B. Braun Melsungen

Medtronic Plc.

Boston Medical Products

Integra Lifesciences

KLS Martin

Medartis

Key Segments Profiled in the Global 3D Printed Maxillofacial Implants Market:

By End User Verticals:

Hospitals

Clinics

Ambulatory Surgical Centers

Other End User Verticals

By Region:

North America Market

Latin America Market

Europe 3D Market

Asia Pacific Market

The Middle East & African (MEA) Market

[thoughtlessarse]

Languages: Français | Deutsch

The head of the EU’s auditing body said on Tuesday (9 April) that there is “absolutely” a risk that the recent case of the alleged embezzlement of hundreds of millions of euros from the bloc’s pandemic recovery fund could be repeated. In an interview with Euractiv, European Court of Auditors (ECA) president Tony Murphy stressed that last week’s announcement  that 22 individuals had been arrested in Italy for defrauding €600 million from the EU €723.8 billion Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) followed persistent warnings that a lack of central oversight was amplifying the likelihood of the funds’ misuse. “Because of the limited control, or lesser control framework, compared to the standard EU funding based on multi-year budgeting (MMF), the risk of such incidents occurring is high,” Murphy said. Murphy also pointed out that the facility’s scheduled expiry by the end of 2026 is further “contributing to the risk” of funds’ misappropriation by amplifying “pressure on member states to spend this money quickly”. “That in itself inherently raises the risk of people being opportunistic and taking advantage of shortcuts or whatever might be there,” he said. Last week’s news, reported by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office’s (EPPO)‘s Venice office, led to arrests in Italy, Austria, Romania and Slovakia and followed Murphy’s own explicit warning just two weeks earlier that the European Commission’s strategy of relying on member states to ensure RRF funds are properly spent was increasing the “risk of irregularity or even corruption”. Murphy’s remarks also came just months after an ECA report  found multiple “weaknesses” in the RRF’s monitoring framework. Agreed at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in December 2020, the RRF comprises €385.8 billion worth of loans, financed through debt jointly underwritten by EU member states, and €338 billion in grants. The funds, which are the flagship component of the bloc’s NextGenerationEU (NextGenEU) initiative, are intended to boost Europe’s post-pandemic recovery by financing green, digital, and other critical investments in exchange for specific reforms. Despite the fact that the facility has received eager applications by several member states — including Italy and Spain, the bloc’s third and fourth-largest economies —  less than a third of the total RRF facility has so far been disbursed. The majority of payments have come in the form of grants (€144.88 billion) rather than loans (€80.51 billion).

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I imagine the Italian government is too busy trying to keep "criminal" migrants out to be bothered about the criminal Italians already in the country and, apparently, running it. Many members of the current government are anti-EU.

Then we have Slovakia, where PM Fico has managed to abolish the office of the special prosecutor dealing with corruption and is trying to amend corruption laws to make penalties less onerous and the threshold for proving such crimes placed much higher. Fico is also anti-EU.

Austria next, where the government has various corruption charges under its belt, and the far-right party projected to win the next election also has quite a few scandals, corruption and foreign funding, in the bag. The current government, conservative obviously, is only just pro-EU and the far-right is obviously anti-EU.

I'm not up in Romanian politics but the country is one of the least pro-EU members with support just over 50%.

[yessadirichards]

Pearl Jam throws a listening party for their new album that Eddie Vedder calls 'our best work'

WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif.

Pearl Jam blasted out their forthcoming album to a few hundred family, friends, industry insiders and reporters Wednesday, and the tracks showed they are doing anything but mellowing with age.

Singer Eddie Vedder, 59, lead guitarist Mike McCready, 57 and bassist Jeff Ament, 60, played the record for the first time for invited guests at the Troubadour, the legendary Los Angeles-area club where Elton John and many other Rock & Roll Hall of Famers first made their names.

The Republic Records release will be the 12th studio album and first since 2020’s “Gigaton” for the saints of the 1990s Seattle scene, who have been plying their trade together for more than three decades.

"You all get together as a group as we've been doing for 30-plus years and you say, ‘Let’s try it again,'" Vedder said from the stage as he introduced the album. “No hyperbole, I think this is our best work.”

The title of the record and its songs, recorded by producer Andrew Watt at Rick Rubin 's Shangri-La studio in Malibu, California, are not yet being made public, nor is the date it drops. But musically, it's ready for release.

“We made this record like a year ago," Ament told the audience. “We’ve been sitting on it.”

“Gigaton” surprised many fans and critics with how hard-rocking it was. The new one goes even harder. It's almost athletic in its speed, aggression, and tenacity, sounding like it would make men of their age sore in the aftermath.

While Vedder remains the face and voice of the band, the star of this album is drummer Matt Cameron, who joined the Jam in 1998 after starting out with Soundgarden.

His relentless pounding opens many of the 11 tracks, and drowns out his bandmates' playing and Vedder's vocals at times.

“It's one of the greatest drum records we’ve ever made,” Vedders said to cheers from a crowd that included Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith. “Matt Cameron is just playing out of his skull, especially seeing as how it’s our last record.”

Vedder struggled to hide that he was (probably) joking as he said that last part, to laughs and boos.

The lyrics to the new songs are often dark and bleak, especially at the album's start, but at it goes on the determined hopefulness that has been central to the band from the beginning shines through.

The alcohol flowed freely at the afternoon event, including a mass tequila-shot toast. It was strategic. Vedder said he has been softening his aging friends with booze to prepare them to listen to kind of loud tunes they may no longer be used to.

“Every time I've played someone the record it was like a two-day recovery,” Vedder said.

The band members credited Watt, who was less than a year old when their first album “Ten” was released in 1991, for lifting them to the heights they hit.

“He's a force,” bassist Jeff Ament said.

Watt is a Pearl Jam super fan (he wore a band basketball jersey Wednesday) who brought to the project what Ament called an “encyclopedic” knowledge of their musical history that is more detailed and deep than the members' own memories.

A Grammy winner for 2021 producer of the year, Watt has worked with the Rolling Stones, Post Malone, Miley Cyrus and Vedder on his 2022 solo album “Earthling."

McCready said the Troubadour stage took him back. He played there with his metal band Shadow in 1987, when the Sunset Strip outside was the teased-hair capital of the world, and his solos on the new record are metallic in their speed and ferocity.

Vedder compared the current process of making a record together to surfer Kelly Slater’s attempt to create the perfect wave far from the ocean, but instead of water, the group was trying to make something of “an anxiousness, an anger, a sadness, a joy, a regret.”

The band acknowledged that it was surreal to stand there and listen to a recording as audience members bobbed their heads in front of an empty stage.

“It's an unusual situation,” Vedder said.

But the afternoon was emotional anyway. Ament nearly got choked up as he talked about coming so far together.

“I couldn't be prouder of us as a band at this point,” he said. “I feel grateful.”