Amazon signs deals to build, invest in small modular nuclear reactors

Amazon signs deals to build, invest in small modular nuclear reactorsAmazon announced a series of deals Wednesday aimed at building out small modular nuclear reactors, becoming the latest major technology company to invest in nuclear energy as Big Tech contends with the extensive energy needs of artificial intelligence (AI). As part of an agreement with Energy Northwest, a consortium of public utilities in Washington state,…

British return as Challenger of Record

British return as Challenger of RecordNot only is the America’s Cup the oldest competition in international sport, it is also one of the most idiosyncratic. So it was that, as New Zealand crossed the finish line in Barcelona, to seal an ultimately comprehensive 7-2 victory over Ben Ainslie’s Ineos Britannia and lift the Auld Mug for the third time in a row, an official letter was being passed by Bertie Bickett, chairman of the Royal Yacht Squadron, under whose flag Ineos Britannia race, to his opposite number in the New Zealand Royal Yacht Squadron, challenging the Kiwis to another match. The challenge was accepted and Ineos are, as a consequence, official Challenger of Record for the 38th America’s Cup. The race for the next Cup has already started. ‘A football score’ There will be those who will look at the final scoreline here and laugh at that statement, imagining this to be some sort of drubbing, as if it was a football score. Who will consider the millions spent as money down the drain. The truth is, the America’s Cup match is a two-horse race. And in a two-horse race, the fastest horse usually wins. New Zealand were definitely the faster horse. The America’s Cup is so hard to win precisely because it is not fair. The odds are always stacked in favour of the defender. They set the rules, they decide the class of boat, they decide the venue, the challengers. They even run the event itself. That is why only four countries have ever won it in 173 years. That is why the New York Yacht Club retained it for the first 130-odd years of the Cup’s existence. Ultimately, Ineos were unable to upset the odds. New Zealand, who were able to spend two months longer designing their boat as they knew they were already in the final, who tested out different foils during the challenger series before deciding on their final package, who spent three weeks making refinements to their boat while assessing the opposition in the knockout rounds, were just too good. As Ainslie was happy to admit. – Full report

Emirates Team New Zealand won the America’s Cup

Emirates Team New Zealand won the America’s Cup: America's Cup On Saturday, Emirates Team New Zealand won the America’s Cup for the third time in a row, beating the INEOS Britannia challengers 7-2 in the final race series. Two days earlier, the British dream of a “Miracle on the Med,” which would’ve brought the Cup back to England for the first time since 1851, seemed like a real

Italy Criminalizes Surrogacy

ROME -- Italy on Wednesday criminalized citizens who go abroad to have children through surrogacy, a measure slammed by opponents as “medieval" and discriminatory to same-sex couples. The measure extending a surrogacy ban in place since 2004 was promoted by Premier Giorgia Meloni's far-right Brothers of Italy party and its conservative coalition partner, the League, asserting that it protects women’s dignity. The Senate after a seven-hour debate passed the bill 84-58, the final step in the process after the Lower House's approval last year. Italians seeking surrogacy in countries such as the United States or Canada, where the practice is legal, can face up to two years in jail and up to 1 million euros ($1.1 million) in fines. The surrogacy ban applies equally to all couples. But same-sex parent advocates say it hits gay families particularly hard in a country struggling with record-low birthrates and where only heterosexual couples are allowed to adopt. Same-sex marriages are also banned in Italy, and LGBTQ+ couples have been fighting to obtain parental rights for the partner who is not the biological parent. Several lawmakers and LGBTQ+ activists protested in front of the Senate to oppose the law, some holding banners that read: “Parents, not criminals." “When protectionism prevails, a social phenomenon is not erased," opposition lawmaker Riccardo Magi said during the protest. “It is simply relegated to a dark area, which the law doesn't reach. In that case, it’s easier for exploitation, abuse and rights violations to prevail." “We are very saddened because Italy has once again missed an opportunity to demonstrate that it is a country in line with what Europe and the world are," said Cristiano Giraldi, the father of two 10-year-old children born from a surrogate mother in the U.S. The Catholic Church has strongly opposed surrogacy in Italy and abroad, with Pope Francis calling for a universal ban and criticizing what he called the “commercialization” of pregnancy.

Nature and wildlife: where B.C.’s political parties stand on key issues

Nature and wildlife: where B.C.’s political parties stand on key issues

Interactive Travel

Guides and economic financial apps. R.G.Richardon has authored over 305 Interactive Worldwide Interactive Travel Guides for restaurants, hotels, transportation, historical sites, sports and events. Restaurant Guide - pubs, dining, fast food, take out, ethnic Career Guide - job search, permanent, part-time, career. Real Estate Guide - apartments, condos, commercial. Good for tourists, travellers, vacationers, and business persons who have just moved to town, and even long-term residents who want to stay on top of what’s new and current in their area or city. Never go out of date. 13,900 preset searches that give you the best search results and all you have to do is pick and click. Connect to the internet or WiFi at the coffee shop and search for everything you want to know about the All Guides search in 10 languages! Never out of date! These guides are great for those with typing issues; pick and click with one thumb, no typing!