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Drought, fires and deforestation battered Amazon rainforest in 2024AP News Summary at 6:42 p.m. EST
Sharks take on the Sabres after Wennberg's 2-goal game
After 25 years of negotiations, the European Union and the Southern Common Market, commonly known as Mercosur and comprising Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay, signed a free trade and cooperation agreement. If ratified, it will create a market of nearly 800 million citizens, reduce consumer prices, and boost investment. This landmark deal also signals that two like-minded continents can still champion rules-based trade liberalization amid rising protectionism, de-globalization, and geopolitical fragmentation. Q1: What has been agreed? A1: Negotiations between the European Union and Mercosur—two of the world’s largest trade blocs—began in 1999. In 2019, the European Commission reached a preliminary agreement with Mercosur countries. At its core, the deal reduced tariffs on manufactured goods in Mercosur countries while liberalizing agricultural trade in the European Union—a sector long protected by European policies. However, the agreement stalled for years due to opposition from France and other EU countries, who demanded environmental guarantees from Brazil and expressed concerns over the potential losses to European farmers. Simultaneously, the protectionist governments of Brazil and Argentina did not prioritize ratification. On December 6, 2024, a new agreement was signed in Montevideo. This landmark deal is the largest ever concluded by the EU and the only one Mercosur has with a major trading bloc—which means that European products will enter its market under much better conditions than U.S. or Japanese products. It eliminates tariffs on over 90 percent of bilateral trade, saving European exporters EUR 4 billion annually while granting South American products preferential access to European markets, particularly for agricultural goods where Mercosur holds a strong comparative advantage. Until now, trade relations between the two regions have underperformed relative to their potential, especially in merchandise trade (and less so in investment). The agreement is set to change this dynamic, opening Mercosur’s highly protected market to European industrial goods. For instance, previous tariffs on automobiles, textiles, and machinery ranged from 14 percent to 35 percent. The agreement also ensures the protection of 357 European geographical indicators, boosting exports of specialty agricultural products like wines and cheeses. Additionally, European companies will gain better access to Mercosur’s public procurement markets, high-value service sectors, and critical raw materials like lithium. In return, the European Union will reduce tariffs on agricultural products and other goods and contribute EUR 1.8 billion through the Global Gateway initiative to support Mercosur’s green and digital transition. Beyond the economic aspects, the deal includes commitments to high labor standards and reinforces adherence to the Paris Climate Agreement . Measures to prevent deforestation—a key demand of the European Union—are also part of the agreement. Overall, the deal seeks to increase trade and investment by creating a predictable economic environment, reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers, and fostering growth and prosperity, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises. Q2: Why was the agreement possible? A2: After 25 years of stalled negotiations, many doubted the prospects of an EU–Mercosur partnership. Resistance from European farmers, especially in France, Poland, and Ireland, played a major role. These groups feared fierce competition from more competitive Latin American agricultural producers. Proponents, including Spain, Portugal, Germany, and some Nordic countries, struggled to counter this opposition. However, three elements have made the agreement possible. First, the rise of protectionism, exemplified by Donald Trump's reelection, pushed the European Union and Mercosur to act. Both blocs, as advocates of an open, rules-based economic order, saw the agreement as a way to reaffirm their commitment to rules-based free trade. Second, both Brazil’s President Lula da Silva and Argentina’s President Javier Milei have strongly supported the agreement, while Uruguay has always been in favor of a small export-oriented economy. And third, there were important strategic considerations on the EU side, whose leaders were concerned about the rapid expansion of Chinese trade and investment in Latin America. Moreover, the new European Commission, which took office on December 1, wanted to start its mandate by delivering quick results. Q3: What are the next steps? A3: The ratification process poses significant challenges, particularly on the European side. In Mercosur, the agreement must be approved by the national parliaments, but even if some countries fail to ratify it, the deal will still apply to others that do. In the European Union, however, the process is more complex . After the agreement is translated into all EU member state languages, it will go to the European Council for ratification, where EU countries are represented by their trade ministers. A minimum of four states representing at least 35 percent of the EU population could block the agreement. France, Austria, and Poland have stated that they oppose the agreement, but they would need another large country to reject the agreement at the European Council. Italy could join them, but it is also possible that in the next months, the guarantees that the European Commission is offering European farmers would be enough to convince the more skeptical countries. If the agreement is not blocked, it then must be ratified by the European Parliament. This approval only applies to the ratification of those provisions that fall within the exclusive competence of the European Parliament, mainly those related to trade liberalization, and do not require ratification by national parliaments. The rest, those provisions involving aspects of jurisdiction and sovereignty, such as dispute settlement mechanisms or investment protection, must be unanimously approved by national parliaments to enter into force. The provisions of the agreement related to political dialogue and cooperation also require unanimous approval by national parliaments. Therefore, even if the European ratification process runs smoothly, the tariff reductions will take some months to be applied, and the rest of the elements could take more than a year. But in any case, the signing of this partnership agreement demonstrates the strong interest in trade liberalization among countries that favor maintaining an open economic order based on stable and predictable rules in the context of threats to cooperation and potential trade wars. Federico Steinberg is visiting fellow with the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C.The Philadelphia Eagles got some good (and bad) news on the injury front this week. Star wide receiver DeVonta Smith, out the past two weeks resting what had been a nagging hamstring injury, returned as a full practice participant on Wednesday and recently told reporters “count me in” when asked about his status for Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers (1 p.m. EST, FOX). That’s good news. The bad? Tight end Dallas Goedert is back on the shelf, now nursing a knee injury that kept him from practicing at all this week. MORE: NFL picks, score predictions for Week 14: Philadelphia Eagles vs. Carolina Panthers The Eagles enter Week 14 ranked last in the NFL — by far — in average pass attempts per game (25.6). They’ve been riding MVP-hopeful Saquon Barkley and quarterback Jalen Hurts in the run game, leaning more on their dominant offensive line and defense than their passing attack. A key reason for that approach — other than what has been a remarkable eight-week stretch of results — is a skill position group that has barely been whole this season due to various injuries. Philly’s passing game runs through A.J. Brown, Smith and Goedert. Those three have only been in the starting lineup together four times since Week 1, and one of those games — Week 6 against the Cleveland Browns — saw Goedert exit after just three snaps due to a hamstring injury. With that being said, the Eagles might not need to pass on Sunday against the banged-up Panthers team that ranks No. 32 in the NFL against the rush. Who’s in and who’s out for this Week 14 matchup? Here’s a full team-by-team injury breakdown, with the latest updates off of Friday’s practice reports: Eagles vs. Panthers: Full injury designations Carolina Panthers WR Jalen Coker (quad) The undrafted rookie out of Holy Cross trended in the wrong direction this week, as he was downgraded to a DNP on Friday. The Panthers passing game should run through Adam Thielen, Xavier Legette and David Moore vs. the Eagles. EDGE Jadeveon Clowney (knee) Carolina’s top pass rusher didn’t practice all week, but that could be more about maintenance, as he’s been playing through this injury and logged 57 snaps in last week’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers . Still, the fact he couldn’t go on Friday at least casts some doubt on his availability for Sunday. CB Caleb Farley (shoulder) Farley has seen an uptick in snaps on special teams in recent weeks. He figures to be on the right side of questionable after upgrading to a full practice on Friday. The reserve corner has played just 35 total snaps on defense this season. LB Josey Jewell (hamstring) The veteran linebacker appears to be truly questionable after practicing in a limited capacity on Wednesday, sitting out Thursday, and returning to another limited session on Friday. He played 80 snaps against the Bucs last week. TE Ja’Tavion Sanders (neck) The fourth-round rookie appears ready to return after what initially looked like a scary head/neck injury a couple weeks ago against the Kansas City Chiefs . After sitting out last week’s game, Sanders returned to practice and upgraded to full participation on Friday. EDGE D.J. Wonnum (knee) Wonnum has given Carolina’s defense a boost since entering the starting lineup in Week 10 against the N.Y. Giants . He played a season-high 62 snaps last week against the Bucs and finished with five pressures, four hurries and three tackles. He should be good to go after practicing in full on Friday. S Nick Scott (hamstring/personal) Scott has been designated to return from injured reserve since Nov. 27, and he appeared to be making strides after logging a pair of full practices to start the week. He missed Friday’s session, though, for personal reasons. RG Robert Hunt (back) Hunt was a late addition to the injury report on Friday, but he was also listed as a full participant. Carolina’s $100 million right guard should be ready for Sunday, barring a setback. Philadelphia Eagles TE Dallas Goedert (knee) Goedert had previously dealt with oblique and hamstring injuries this season, and he’s currently dealing with a knee issue that knocked him out of practice this week. Grant Calcaterra has filled in well when called upon in the passing game this season, and he could have some opportunities to score this week against a Panthers team that has surrendered nine touchdowns to tight ends in 2024. WR Britain Covey (neck) Covey returned from injured reserve to face the Baltimore Ravens last week, but he’s down again after sustaining a neck injury in that game. He was, however, able to practice in a limited fashion on Thursday and Friday, indicating his absence could be a shorter one this time around. S Sydney Brown (knee) It’s been a frustrating season for Brown, who returned from last year’s season-ending knee injury in Week 7. He’s back down again after he was held out of practice all week. Brown’s biggest contributions this season have come on special teams , where he’s logged 148 total snaps. S Reed Blankenship (concussion) Blankenship was knocked out of the Ravens game with a concussion, and as has been the case often this year with the Eagles, was given this week off from practice. Training camp standout Tristin McCollum is poised to make his first career start against Carolina on Sunday.
Nick Kyrgios says positive tests for duo are ‘disgusting’ and ‘a horrible look’None
BATTLE CREEK, MI –– There wasn’t any special statement or adjustments, or even a rah-rah type of halftime message for that matter. It was cut and dry for Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central: return to its expertise. And find Falcon physicality. Channeling what they’ve basked in all year, MSMCC flexed its signature willpower and vigor with an utterly dominant second half that swept away Schoolcraft and lifted the Falcons to Ford Field with Saturday’s 38-7 Division 7 state semifinal victory at Battle Creek Harper Creek High School. “We’ve prided ourselves on being the most physical team all year and we came out in that second half knowing that we were going to win,” senior quarterback Ian Foster said. “We had to be more physical, and we came out of the gates flying and never really looked back from there. “The next game is never guaranteed so for us seniors, this could have been it and we didn’t want it to be. We’ve these dreams since we were little kids and to see them come true, it’s a blessing.” The No. 3-ranked and undefeated Falcons (13-0) are off to Ford Field for the first time in four years and will play in next Friday’s Division 7 state championship at 9:30 a.m. against No. 2-ranked and unbeaten Millington (13-0). Catholic Central is one game away from winning its fourth state title in program history. “I’m so proud of these kids, they’ve bought in and they’ve given themselves up to this football program,” MSMCC head coach Adam Kipf said. “Since January, when we got the weight room squared away, they’ve worked so hard to get to where they’re at right now and I’m so happy for them to feel this success.” After holding a 10-7 halftime advantage, Catholic Central imposed its will by rattling off 28 unanswered points –– all thanks to its signature and powerful ground game, and some dynamite defensive splashes. Schoolcraft attempted some trickery with a fake punt on its opening possession of the second half, but the Falcons sniffed things out to sway some momentum. And MSMCC turned the tides on the very next play. Junior running back Brady Hines rumbled off tackle around the right side, bursting free untouched for a 36-yard touchdown for a 17-7 advantage just three minutes into the third quarter. “Physicality, being cerebral and playing with emotion, those are our big three things this year,” junior running back Brady Hines said. “We just had to be more physical, and that was all started by our offensive line. We just dominated in the second half.” Now in his 10th year as head coach, Kipf said there was no secret recipe for his team to respond the way they did. It was all about getting back to what they do best. “There wasn’t anything crazy and no major adjustments,” said Kipf, who’s led the Falcons to state titles in 2014 and 2019. “It was just more or less, let’s do what we’ve done to get to this point so far and play physical and use our feet out there. I thought our kids did a good job of that in the second half, and I thought we were able to play physical like we wanted.” A pair of ill-timed injuries to starting wide receiver Drew Enright and starting interior defensive lineman Liam Haines made matters worse for Schoolcraft, forcing inexperienced players to step up on the big stage. “The wheels fell of the bus momentum wise and we had some key injuries in the first half with Liam and then Drew’s injury on the opening kickoff of the second half, it just brought us down and it was tough to overcome,” Schoolcraft head coach Nathan Ferency said. “I think we got down a little bit off of the fake punt, and it’s just hard to get kids back up after that. “They had all the momentum and used it, credit to them – they’re a really good football team.” Even so, junior Evan Feller recovered a Falcon fumble later in the third, setting up the Eagles in enemy territory for a jolt of energy. Schoolcraft marched inside MSMCC’s 20-yard line, but Feller coughed up the football and the Faclons’ Foster was able to recover it –– a backbreaking turnover with a chance to claw back into the game. MSMCC would then take full control with a 13-play, near eight-minute drive that featured a pair of pivotal third down conversions, all capped by Foster’s 5-yard leaping touchdown around the right side. “When things start falling apart for the other team, that’s when we know we’re doing things the right way,” Foster said. “That’s what we’ve been doing all year.” Hines continued to make his presence felt late, as he recorded a sack on Schoolcraft sophomore quarterback Jack DeVries and punched in a 3-yard rushing touchdown to further solidify MSMCC’s dominance. “We just came out and played our hardest,” Hines said. “No one wanted to go home because we’ve worked way too hard since January to get here.” Senior Andrew Beggs intercepted DeVries in the final minutes, while Lukas Linzell put a bow on Saturday’s semifinal and firmly lifted the Falcons to Ford Field with a 30-yard touchdown run with just over 90 seconds left. “The most physical team wins, and we live by that,” senior running back Cole Reinhardt said. “We kept our energy up today and just continued to punch them in the mouth.” Schoolcraft scored and took its lone lead with just over two-minute before halftime, as Gavin Hart’s 5-yard rushing touchdown capped a 13-play drive for a 7-3 lead. But the Falcons fired right back by executing their two-minute offense flawlessly –– Foster connected with Brock Cousino for a 10-yard touchdown with 18 seconds left in the half for a 10-7 lead. Schoolcraft’s promising run ends just short, but Ferency believes what the Eagles accomplished this season is just the beginning of a special stretch. RECOMMENDED • mlive .com Meet the 2024 SAC-Valley all-conference football team Nov. 19, 2024, 12:25 p.m. Meet the 2024 SMAC-East all-conference football team Nov. 20, 2024, 11:28 a.m. “I’m glad they got us back into this position and gave us a chance to take a big step, but it didn’t work out for us this year,” Ferency said. “But the good news is, we’ve got seven starters on both sides of the ball back and the future is bright. While we wanted to complete the circle this year, we’ll have to wait till next year to try and make it happen.” Contrarily, the Falcons are back on the big stage –– and they’re having fun along the way. “I just love when our kids have fun and they’ve had a lot of fun this year,” Kipf said. “When they’re like that, and when they’re loose, you can really see a difference on the football field. And I love when they’re able to enjoy that.”Travis Lazarczyk: UMaine football improved, but job not doneTexans foiled by mistake after mistake in 32-27 loss to Titans
The controversial Australian has played only one match in more than two years because of injury but that has not stopped him being an outspoken presence on social media during a difficult few months for the sport. First it was announced in August that Sinner had failed two doping tests in March but was cleared of fault, while in November Swiatek was handed a one-month ban for a failed test caused by contaminated medication. Kyrgios has been particularly vociferous in his criticism of Sinner, who could yet face a ban after the World Anti-Doping Agency appealed the finding of no fault or negligence in his case. At a press conference ahead of the Brisbane International, Kyrgios told reporters: “I have to be outspoken about it because I don’t think there’s enough people that are speaking about it. I think people are trying to sweep it under the rug. “I just think that it’s been handled horrifically in our sport. Two world number ones both getting done for doping is disgusting for our sport. It’s a horrible look. “The tennis integrity right now – and everyone knows it, but no one wants to speak about it – it’s awful. It’s actually awful. And it’s not OK.” Kyrgios initially underwent knee surgery in January 2023, returning to action in June of that year, but he played only one match before pulling out of Wimbledon due to a torn ligament in his right wrist. He has not played a competitive match since, and it appeared doubtful that he would be able to return, but the 29-year-old will make his comeback in Brisbane this week. Kyrgios will take on France’s Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in singles, while he will also team up with Novak Djokovic in a blockbuster doubles pairing. “It’s good to be back,” said Kyrgios. “I honestly never thought I’d be back playing at this level. Even entering an event like this, preparing, doing all the right things. “I’m really excited to just go out there and play, just play tennis. I saw Novak in the gym, playing doubles with him, a lot to be excited about that I’m able to get out there and compete again.” Asked whether he could get back to the same level that saw him reach the Wimbledon final in 2022, Kyrgios said: “I still believe I can, whether or not that’s factual or not. There was another player who was like, ‘You have to be realistic’. That’s not how I am. I always back my ability.” The new tennis season is already under way, with the United Cup team event beginning on Friday. Great Britain, who are weakened by the absence of Jack Draper through injury, begin their campaign against Argentina in Sydney on Monday before facing hosts Australia on Wednesday. That could pit Katie Boulter against fiance Alex De Minaur, with the pair having announced their engagement last week. “Obviously some incredible news from our side, but I think we kind of wanted it to die down a little bit before matches started,” said Boulter of the timing. “My private life is out in the public a little bit at the moment. But, in terms of the stuff that I’m doing on the court, I’ll be doing the best I can every single day to stay in my own little bubble.” Billy Harris has taken Draper’s place, with the British number one facing a race against time to be fit for the Australian Open because of a hip problem. Emma Raducanu is the sixth seed at the ASB Classic in Auckland and will begin her season with a match against Robin Montgomery, while Cameron Norrie takes on another American, Learner Tien, at the Hong Kong Open.Lions' Dan Campbell gives injury updates on Taylor Decker, David Montgomery, Carlton Davis and Kalif Raymond, where there status is for Thanksgiving right now
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