Paris wants a green Olympics, so there’s no air conditioning in athletes’ rooms
Paris 2024 has been billed as the “greenest ever” Olympic Games, and Mayor Anne Hidalgo hopes it lives up to that reputation. On Thursday, March 14, Reuters reported that Hidalgo is urging nations to resist the temptation to install air conditioning units at the athletes’ village.
Instead, Hidalgo advised nations planning to install air conditioning to “trust the science.” She assured competing nations that the buildings in the athletes’ village have been designed with a natural cooling system.
Here’s how the cooling system functions: water is drawn from underground to create a natural cooling mechanism. Additionally, the buildings’ facades are aligned to generate naturally shaded areas, reducing direct sunlight exposure.
However, some competing nations remain unconvinced about forgoing air conditioning units, especially considering 2023 was reportedly the hottest year on record globally.
“It’s a massive logistical challenge, but we’re considering portable air conditioners to offer athletes,” Australia’s Chef De Mission Anna Mears said.
Hidalgo maintains that installing air conditioners won’t be necessary.
“We must trust the scientists when they assist us in constructing buildings in a manner that allows us to manage without air conditioning,” Hidalgo said.
Some nations are in agreement with Hidalgo’s perspective. The German Olympic Committee reported visiting the athletes’ village and determining that the natural cooling system is adequate.
In total, approximately 6,000 athletes will reside in the village for part of the summer. Following the conclusion of the Games, the village will reportedly be repurposed as housing for Parisian locals.
Hidalgo is also gaining attention for her stance on Russian athletes. She told Reuters that she “would prefer them not to come” due to Russia’s war against Ukraine, which she believes denies Ukrainians their right to exist as a people and a nation.
The International Olympic Committee has stated that Russian and Belarusian athletes can compete as neutral athletes. However, the committee has not yet announced whether Russian athletes can participate in the opening ceremony under a neutral flag.
Recently, the International Paralympic Committee declared that Russian and Belarusian Paralympic athletes would not participate in the opening ceremony.
Hidalgo expressed her support for this decision, deeming it “just.” When asked by Reuters about whether Israeli athletes should face similar restrictions, she dismissed the idea of penalizing Israel but stressed her support for diplomatic efforts to secure a cease-fire
Could AI and fusion be the answer to the EU’s debate over nuclear energy?
Members of the European Union are debating whether the future should involve renewable energy or nuclear energy. On Monday, March 4, France and 12 other nations signed a letter urging the EU to embrace nuclear energy while Germany championed the side of renewable energy, according to Reuters.
However, while countries within the EU remain split over renewable and nuclear energy, a new form of energy is emerging that is both. The alternative, known as nuclear fusion, uses the same energy as the sun, and it has been billed as the energy of the future.
France is supporting the nuclear energy of the present: atomic energy. According to worldnuclear.org, atomic energy supplies around 70% of the country’s power, and France is urging other countries to do the same. So far, a dozen countries have joined the push.
In a statement released Monday, the countries promoting the current form of nuclear energy asked other EU partners to recognize the importance of keeping nuclear energy innovations in the mix.
“This momentum must now be converted into a comprehensive and enabling European framework for nuclear development, exploring essential policies dimension and financing,” the letter read.
Part of the mix may involve artificial intelligence.
Egemen Kolemen, an associate professor at Princeton University’s Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department, said that AI is already being used to fix instabilities before they happen in the experimental nuclear fusion process.
“The artificial intelligence system actively examines both historical data and current information, identifying any anomalies or changes. When it spots potential instabilities, it autonomously decides on and implements corrective actions to adjust the plasma. This ensures the fusion reactor operates at peak performance around the clock, without any interruptions to its operation”, explained Kolemen.
France is home to an innovative nuclear fusion project known as Iter, or “the way” in Latin. The Fusion for Energy website touts the project as the “world’s biggest experiment on the path to fusion energy.”
It’s no coincidence that France is also a promoter of AI. Fusion energy and AI now go hand-in-hand. There’s just one problem. The EU may soon be home to some of the strictest AI regulations on the planet.
Governments of EU nations reportedly approved legislation in early February for the first set of laws to regulate artificial intelligence. Now, the law needs final approval by one of the EU’s three legislative branches, according to MIT Technology Review, which is expected to happen in April. The Artificial Intelligence Act would ban some AI uses and create rules for those deemed “high-risk.”
However, it’s unknown how the regulations will be enforced on AI’s role in fusion. Kolemen believes that one of the biggest hurdles nuclear fusion has is figuring out how it will be regulated once it is commercialized.
Kolemen said once perfected, nuclear fusion is an essentially limitless power source. He believes AI is crucial to unlocking fusion’s potential, and he predicts that fusion may be used to power electrical grids by the year 2050.
Kolemen contends that nuclear fusion technology would be safe enough to build right next to Manhattan without fear because there is no risk of meltdown, like atomic energy plants. According to Kolemen, the technology may also eliminate the problem of electrical blackouts.
Tractors take over downtown Prague as farmer protests continue in Europe
Farmers in tractors took to the streets of downtown Prague on Monday, Feb. 19, to protest rising energy prices and stringent climate change regulations. Hundreds of Czech farmers drove their tractors into town, blocking some lanes of traffic in the process.
One farmer who talked to Reuters said he came out to signal his disapproval of “the bureaucracy around farming,” and the paperwork involved in agriculture, describing it as “on the edge of what is bearable.”
However, Czech Republic Prime Minister Petr Fiala said some protesters had ulterior motives.
“Today’s demonstration does not have much in common with the fight for better conditions for farmers,” Fiala wrote on X. “We are negotiating with those who represent farmers and discussing what our agriculture needs are.”
According to ABC News, major organizations representing Czech farmers did not participate and distanced themselves from the rally after discovering some protesters were behind pro-Russian demonstrations. Some protesters in Prague called for the government’s resignation and yelled “shame” outside of Parliament.
However, the major organizations representing Czech farmers that did not participate said they would be present at the expected protests on Thursday, Feb. 22, along border crossings. ABC News reported farmers from nine countries are expected to be part of the protests.
Similar protests have popped up in Germany, Italy, Slovakia and Poland. The European Union did make some concessions weeks ago, including scrapping plans to cut the use of pesticides and chemicals, according to ABC News. However, despite the concessions, protests continue.
In January, French farmers demanding lower fuel prices, higher wages and fewer regulations brought farm equipment to block major roadways outside of Paris.
French farmers were particularly resistant to the EU’s Nature Restoration Law that states that 4% of farmland must go unused, according to Radio France Internationale.
Farmers contend the EU law cuts into production and hurts their income. The law, passed in 2023, is reportedly intended to combat climate change by preserving and restoring habitats harmed by farming.
French farmers block major roadways over gov’t climate change policies
Protests outside Paris continued on Monday, Jan. 29, as farmers demanding lower fuel prices, higher wages, and fewer regulations brought in heavy farm equipment to block major roadways. Combines, tractors, and other large vehicles could be seen rolling into position in protest of government policies farmers say threaten their livelihoods.
European leaders contend that the policies put in place are needed to combat climate change.
According to Radio France Internationale, a French news outlet, one of the main points of contention for farmers is a requirement under the European Union’s Nature Restoration Law for 4% of farmland to remain unused, which farmers said cuts into their production capacity and hurts their income.
The EU law went into effect in 2023. The goal of the law is to preserve and restore habitats harmed by agriculture.
European leaders claim the law is necessary to limit the harm done by pesticides and fertilizer, and cite a significant drop in insect and bird populations in the European countryside tied to current farming practices, according to the Washington Post.
However, demonstrators claim the regulations are too costly as farmers are pushed into bankruptcy. Protesters are demanding the government address soaring prices for fuel, fertilizer, crops and feed for livestock — all things farmers say are necessary to keep the agricultural industry afloat.
One protester said the massive convoy that disrupted traffic around Paris and other areas was not designed to “ruin French people’s lives.” Farmers maintain they simply want lawmakers to find solutions to the crisis which has been worsened by the Russia-Ukraine war.
Demonstrators pointed out that France imports food from countries with fewer regulations and lower costs, which local farmers cannot compete with.
Arnoud Rousseau, the president of the FNSEA agricultural union, claimed Ukrainian sugar producers saw soaring exports to Europe after Russia invaded Ukraine. He said it has created an “untenable” situation for European counterparts.
During a press conference on Tuesday, Jan. 30, French President Emmanuel Macron said the European Union needs to act to protect farmers against cheap agricultural imports and distribution platforms.
“This is why I will see the EU Commission president on Thursday because we’ve asked for very concrete measures for our farmers,” Macron said. “First, to have clear rules set up around imports from Ukraine because we have today, in terms of volume and quality, something that’s destabilizing the European market, be it poultry or cereals.”
So far, there are no reports of violence other than demonstrators burning some hay bales and tires. Some farmers reportedly played cards as they continued to wait for concessions from the French government.
The farmers’ protests are not just limited to France. In recent weeks, similar protests have been playing out in Germany and across Europe.
Paris police took the two women into custody following the protest. According to the group Riposte Alimentaire, which translates to “Food Response,” the two women involved have been identified as 24-year-old Sasha and 63-year-old Juliette-Marie.
“In France, one in three people skip meals due to lack of means,” The group said posted on “X” in French. “At the same time, 20% of the food produced is thrown away. Our model stigmatizes the most precarious and does not respect our fundamental right to food.”
The environmental group said the protest was done to draw attention to unsustainable food production and hunger in France. Staff members at the Louvre evacuated the room which houses the painting for around 90 minutes while the glass was cleaned. The museum said it is lodging a complaint.
According to NBC News, Louvre officials said in a statement that no damage was done to the famous Leonardo da Vinci painting. The painting attracts 10 million people to the museum every year.
Biden: US will respond after 3 troops killed by Iran-backed militia in Jordan: The Morning Rundown, Jan. 29, 2024
President Biden said the U.S. will respond after three troops are killed in an attack in Jordan. And climate activists target one of the most famous paintings in the world. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Monday, Jan. 29, 2024.
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Biden says U.S. will respond after 3 troops killed in Jordan
President Joe Biden vows America will respond after three U.S. service members were killed in Jordan on Sunday, Jan. 28, in a drone attack the White House said was launched by an Iran-backed militia. This marks the first U.S. military deaths amid months of strikes in the region since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.
At least 34 American troops were injured in the attack on a military base near the Syrian border. According to U.S. Central Command, at least eight of the injured were flown to “higher-level care” outside Jordan.
The Pentagon has not identified the service members who were killed at this time, and officials have not yet said which Iran-backed group was behind the attack.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said America would take necessary actions to defend the U.S., our troops, and our interests. In a statement following the attack, the president called the three service members “patriots in the highest sense.” Speaking in South Carolina, he held a moment of silence for the troops, then added, “And we shall respond.”
Republican lawmakers reacted to the attack by calling on the White House to take action. Senator Lindsey Graham posted on “X” that the Biden administration’s “rhetoric is falling on deaf ears” and the U.S. should “hit Iran now.”
When the Biden Administration says ‘don’t’, the Iranians ‘do’. The Biden Administration’s rhetoric is falling on deaf ears in Iran. https://t.co/A5MwLWBsSj
GOP frontrunner for the 2024 presidential election, former President Donald Trump, blamed the attack on “Joe Biden’s weakness and surrender.”
US pauses funding to UN agency after Israel’s Oct. 7 claims
Fallout continues to grow for the main United Nations agency in Gaza after Israel accused 12 of its staff members of being involved in the terror attacks by Hamas on Oct. 7. After being notified of the allegations last week, the U.N. said it fired several employees of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency.
The UN is taking swift action following the extremely serious allegations against several UNRWA staff. These abhorrent alleged acts must have consequences. But the humanitarian needs of the desperate populations UNRWA serves must be met – @antonioguterreshttps://t.co/gy7cthapRa
The United States is among several countries to pause funding to the U.N. agency. The State Department said the U.S. “is extremely troubled by the allegations” as the agency plays “a critical role in providing life-saving assistance to Palestinians” in Gaza.
U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres said he is “horrified by the accusations” that agency workers helped Hamas stage the attacks. But he asked the countries suspending their aid to reconsider.
I condemn in the strongest terms this morning’s attack by Hamas against Israeli towns.
The U.S. is the biggest donor to the agency, providing $340 million in 2022 and several hundred million in 2023.
House Republicans introduce articles of impeachment against DHS secretary Mayorkas
On Sunday, Jan. 28, House Republicans released two articles of impeachment against Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. House Republicans accused Mayorkas of willfully refusing to comply with the law and breaching public trust as it relates to enforcing immigration laws at the U.S.-Mexico border.
The results of his lawless behavior have been disastrous for our country.
Chair Rep. Mark Green, R-Tenn.
House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green, R-Tenn., said they have “exhausted all other options to hold Secretary Mayorkas accountable.”
“The results of his lawless behavior have been disastrous for our country,” Green said.
Rep. Bennie Thompson, top Democrat on Homeland Security Committee, slams the Mayorkas impeachment process in a letter to Chair Mark Green as "unserious," "inept and inappropriate" and a "partisan sham." pic.twitter.com/fPdZH9cgPV
Ranking member Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., accused Republicans of using the impeachment effort to score political points.
“This unserious impeachment is a testament to partisan politics over rules and reason,” Thompson said.
The articles of impeachment will be reviewed in committee on Tuesday, Jan. 30, and would have to be adopted by the full House before a trial in front of the Senate.
Videos recorded at the Louvre in Paris on Sunday, Jan. 28, show two protesters hurling the liquid at the famous painting, splashing the armored glass that has protected the piece of art since 2005. Paris police took the two women into custody.
Environmental group Riposte Alimentaire said the protest was done to draw attention to unsustainable food production and hunger in France. Staff members at the Louvre evacuated the room which houses the painting for around 90 minutes while the glass was cleaned. The museum said it is lodging a complaint.
USA Hockey announces gear changes following ex-NHL player’s death
Three months after an American hockey player was killed from an ice skate blade cut to his neck, changes are being implemented for young hockey players. It was in late October when former NHL player Adam Johnson suffered a fatal neck injury while playing in England.
The USA Hockey Congress today approved legislation requiring the use of neck laceration protection.
On Sunday, Jan. 28, USA Hockey leadership approved legislation requiring all players under 18 to wear neck laceration protection to games and practices. USA Hockey recommends that adults wear neck protection, too.
In December, the International Hockey Federation mandated neck guards for all its tournaments, including the Olympics. Currently, the NHL has no such policy, though some players have chosen to wear neck protection since Johnson’s death.
Kansas City to meet San Francisco in Super Bowl LVII
On Sunday, Jan. 28, Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and the Chiefs defeated the Baltimore Ravens 17-10 to become AFC Champions on their way to the team’s fourth Super Bowl in five years. The Chiefs are hoping for back-to-back Super Bowl wins. And yes, Taylor Swift was there to celebrate.
Later in the day, Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, and the 49ers, down 17 points to the Detroit Lions at halftime, rallied historically to win the NFC championship 34-31. Super Bowl 58 takes place on Feb. 11 in Las Vegas.
Qatar and France broker deal to provide aid for hostages in Gaza
Qatar and France brokered a deal between Israel and Hamas on Wednesday, Jan. 17, marking the first humanitarian agreement between the warring sides since a weeklong ceasefire ended in late November 2023.. The deal offers relief to victims of the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas at a festival, where more than 1,200 people were killed and more than 240 were taken hostage.
Medicine is on its way to approximately 45 Israeli hostages following the agreement. The shipment, originating from Egypt, includes three months’ worth of medication for chronic illnesses, along with other medicines and vitamins. Among the captives are several elderly men. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) will deliver the supplies, which will then be handed over to members of Hamas.
Over 100 captives remain at the mercy of Hamas militants. ABC News reported that two hostages were killed on Tuesday, Jan. 16, and Israeli officials are demanding the return of their bodies. Hamas had previously released a video they claimed showed the bodies of two Israeli hostages killed in airstrikes.
While additional details were provided about the aid the hostages would receive in the agreement, Qatar did not specify the supplies Palestinians would be given. The timing is critical for the Gaza Strip, as a senior U.N. official cautioned famine and disease could spread if no assistance was provided.
Under U.S. and international pressure, Israel — previously sealing off all of Gaza — has removed limits on the entry of humanitarian aid. An Israeli military official suggested the U.N. could reduce delays by providing more workers and trucks. U.N. officials argue that there are too few border crossings, a hindered vetting process and widespread fighting in the territory.
At least 85% of Gazans are without homes and a quarter of the population is starving, according to the U.N. France said the current plan took a lot of effort, requiring months to organize shipments of medicines.
The agreement comes more than 100 days into the war, with rising tensions in the Middle East and a flurry of strikes and counterstrikes reported this week from various locations. In Gaza alone, more than 24,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to the Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry. Israel attributes the high death toll to Hamas, claiming it fights in highly populated areas. Israel reported 190 of its own soldiers killed, with its offensive killing 9,000 militants.
The grocery chain said it has decided to pull some PepsiCo products because of “unacceptable price increases.”
“We’ve been in discussion with Carrefour for many months, and we will continue to engage in good faith in order to try to ensure that our products are available,” PepsiCo said in a statement.
Reuters reported that customers in Europe backed the supermarket chain’s move.
“It doesn’t surprise me at all,” Edith Carpentier told Reuters. “I think there will be lots of products left on the shelves because things have become too expensive, and they are all things we can avoid buying.”
American-based PepsiCo hiked prices seven quarters in a row. Despite reporting a 2.5% slump in sales due to the hikes, the company reported a 14% spike in profit, according to data from 2023.
PepsiCo executives said consumers should expect price increases in 2024 that align with inflation, as the company says it is paying more for things like grain and cooking oil.
Europe’s AI regulations face uncertain fate amid negotiations
The European Union’s once-pioneering efforts to regulate artificial intelligence have hit some roadblocks in the face of new legislation. Lawmakers are struggling to reconcile differing perspectives on foundation models such as generative AI tools like ChatGPT, according to Reuters.
The European Commission unveiled its proposal for the AI Act in 2021, and the European Parliament granted approval in June of 2023. The drafted regulations now have to move through the European Parliament, the Council and the European Commission.
However, a persistent tension between the pursuit of unhindered innovation in the competitive AI landscape and the imperative for robust regulations to prioritize safety remains a central challenge.
Obstacles emerged during EU negotiations when France, Germany and Italy advocated for self-regulation among companies developing foundation models, according to Politico. The three countries proposed a paper asserting the need for a “regulatory framework which fosters innovation and competition, so that European players can emerge and carry our voice and values in the global race of AI.”
Additional contentious issues include a proposal for a complete ban on public facial recognition.
With talks scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 6, EU leaders face a crucial moment as they strive to finalize a version before the commencement of election campaigns next year. A failure to reach an agreement could jeopardize the legislation.
Simultaneously, while EU negotiations persist, China has surged ahead with its own AI regulation, which took effect in August.
In the United States, President Joe Biden took a significant step in October by issuing an executive order on AI safety. The order requires that developers with AI technology that could threaten national security will share safety test results with the government. However, the executive order only goes so far. President Biden called on Congress to take further actions on AI regulation.
France successfully tests 6,000-mile range ballistic missile
France successfully test-fired the M51.3 strategic ballistic missile on Saturday night, Nov. 18, according to the French Ministry of Defense. The test marks a significant advancement in bolstering the nation’s nuclear deterrent.
The M51.3 is the latest iteration of the M51 missile family, enhancing its characteristics with an improved third stage.
Fired from the French army’s Biscarrosse missile testing site in southwest France, the missile, which did not carry a nuclear weapon, traveled over the North Atlantic before splashing down in a remote sea area hundreds of miles from any coast.
Developed by the ArianeGroup since 2010, the M51 missile family aims to replace France’s aging M45 missile. The M51.3, in development since 2014, incorporates various enhancements, with the goal of increasing its maximum range and enabling penetration of anti-missile defenses. The modified missile has a range of 6,000 miles.
France’s nuclear deterrent currently consists of 290 fusion warheads.
“This development perpetuates the credibility of our nuclear deterrence and demonstrates the excellence of our launcher sector,” said Sébastien Lecornu, France’s Minister of the Armed Forces