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jili online slot After acquiring the Arcadium Lithium operations, mining company Rio Tinto has now announced a US$2.5 billion investment to expand lithium carbonate production at its Rincón de Salta project. This will be the Anglo-Australian company’s first commercial-scale operation, and obtained its Environmental Impact Declaration a year ago. The investment decision, which will be presented for Argentina’s RIGI large investment regime, demonstrates “the company’s commitment to establishing a first-class battery materials portfolio,” Rio Tinto told the Herald ’s sister title, Energy Report , in a statement. The Rincón project involves the extraction of brine through a series of production wells and processing and effluent facilities, along with its associated infrastructure. The total production capacity is 60,000 tonnes of high-quality lithium carbonate for batteries per year. That figure includes an initial 3,000-tonne plant and a 57,000-tonne expansion plant. The project uses direct lithium extraction (DLE) technology, a process that helps conserve water, reduces effluents, and produces lithium carbonates more consistently than other methods. You may also be interested in: RIGI: understanding Argentina’s new large investment regime The company reports that Rincón’s expected lifecycle is 40 years, with the construction of the expanded plant slated to begin in mid-2025, subject to permit approval. “First production is expected to begin in 2028, followed by three years of increased activity until the maximum capacity is reached, which will generate a significant number of jobs and economic opportunities for local businesses,” the company stated in a press release. Rio Tinto Group’s chief executive officer, Jakob Stausholm, welcomed the investment decision. “The attractive long-term outlook for lithium driven by the energy transition supports our investment in Rincón. We are dedicated to developing this world-class resource at a large scale and at the low end of the cost curve. We are also committed to meeting the highest ESG standards, using our advanced technology to halve the amount of water used in the refining process while continuing to strengthen our mutually beneficial partnerships with local communities and the province of Salta,” he said. Rio Tinto’s plans to enter the RIGI Company sources confirmed that the intention is to incorporate this investment into the RIGI. “Argentina’s economic reforms and the RIGI provide a favorable investment climate, with benefits such as lower tax rates, accelerated depreciation, and regulatory stability for 30 years, which protects the project from future policy changes and further safeguards investors.” You may also be interested in: Argentina launches RIGI with changes in the fine print Stausholm added: “Thanks to exceptional resources, a skilled workforce, and favorable economic policies in Argentina, we are in an excellent position to become one of the world’s leading lithium producers. This investment, along with our Arcadium acquisition proposal, ensures that lithium will be one of the key pillars of our raw materials portfolio for the next decades,” Stausholm added. Rio Tinto buys Arcadium Lithium The mining company announced in October that it had acquired Arcadium Lithium for US$6.7 billion in cash. Globally, Arcadium has 1,300 employees, manages resources in Argentina and Australia, and operates conversion plants in the U.S., China, Japan, and the United Kingdom. It also has production projects in Canada. The sale, which is expected to conclude in the first quarter of 2025, includes all of Arcadium’s operations in Argentina: the Fénix and Sal de Vida projects in Catamarca, and Olaraoz I and II and Cauchari projects in Jujuy. The Fénix project, owned by Livent before being acquired by Arcadium, currently has a production of 20,000 metric tonnes of lithium carbonate in situ and another 9,000 metric tonnes of lithium chloride in the town of Güemes, an external plant located on the Salta plains. With that acquisition and the decision to expand its own Salar de Rincón plant, there is no doubt that Rio Tinto has a clear goal with lithium for the next decade. “The investment will support Argentina’s current ambition to become one of the world’s leading lithium producers,” the company said. Rio Tinto invests in copper in San Juan Rio Tinto, through its tech subsidiary Nuton, recently confirmed a new US$35 million investment for McEwen Copper’s Los Azules copper project, in the San Juan town of Calingasta. With the funds from the acquisition, the world’s second-largest mining company will boost work on the feasibility study for the San Juan copper project, which is expected to be published in the first half of 2025. Michael “Mike” Meding, Vice President of McEwen Copper and General Manager of the Los Azules project, told Energy Report that with this purchase, Nuton has now invested US$100 million, confirming the growing value of the initiative. “This fourth investment by Rio Tinto is an expression of confidence in the project, its leadership, and development, in a project that, measured in resources (according to Mining Intelligence), is the eighth largest in the world in terms of resources,” Meding said. You may also be interested in: UK Ambassador Kirsty Hayes: British companies are taking a ‘wait-and-see’ approach

Oklahoma State and coach Mike Gundy have agreed to a restructured contract following the Cowboys' 3-9 season, the university announced Saturday . The new deal ends a brief standoff between the two sides, and now Gundy will enter his 21st year leading the program in 2025. Contract details will be released at a later date. The 2024 season represented the worst of Gundy's career. Oklahoma State failed to win at least four games for the first time in his tenure and went 0-9 in Big 12 play, marking the first time under Gundy that the Cowboys went a whole season without a conference win. Though the university made the decision to retain Gundy, Oklahoma State has instituted major changes elsewhere on the football staff to try and spark a turnaround in 2025. The Cowboys fired offensive coordinator Kasey Dunn and defensive coordinator Bryan Nardo on Dec. 4, five days after Oklahoma State closed the regular season with a 52-0 loss to Colorado . Dunn had been on staff since 2011 when he joined the program as wide receivers coach. Nardo joined the Cowboys ahead of the 2023 season after one year at Pennsylvania's Gannon University. Gundy is tied with Utah's Kyle Whittingham as the second-longest tenured coach in college football . He is 169-88 in his 20 seasons with the Cowboys. Entering the 2024 season, he led Oklahoma State to two Big 12 Championship Game appearances in a span of three years and won the 2022 Fiesta Bowl.

New Delhi: Many adults and youngsters spend nearly a third of their time awake hooked to smartphones—an addiction phonemakers are trying to tackle by incorporating features that allow users to meaningfully take time off from their screens. Smartphone brands such as Vivo, Oppo and HMD have recognized the need for digital detox as a business opportunity, building strategies to cater to a growing preference for switching off—such as Zen Mode by OnePlus. Vivo, in fact, published a study earlier this month on the impact of smartphones on parent-child relationships. It found parents spend 5.5 hours and children about 4.5 hours on their phones each day, with social media and entertainment consuming a majority of this time. Vivo found that about 64% of the children who participated in its study felt they were addicted to their phones. About “73% of parents and 69% of children identify excessive smartphone usage as a major source of conflict," Vivo said in its report. A majority of the children surveyed—94%—said their parents’ smartphones should only include essential features such as calling, messaging and camera—excluding gaming and social media. Additionally, 66% of the children expressed willingness to leave social media if their friends did too, while one in three wished certain social media apps had never been invented. Also, 57% of the parents surveyed said that the first and last thing they saw soon after waking up and before going to bed was their smartphone. About 84% of the parents and 76% of the children that were part of the study said they aspired to build deeper connections and create meaningful moments by turning off their smartphones—in other words, a digital detox. Analysts tracking the sector say the need for digital detox has emerged from the excessive use of data on smartphones. This is largely owing to low-cost data plans being made available in the country, distinctly different from developed markets where data plans are high-cost and data usage is accordingly low. “The average time spent on smartphones has increased from 2-3 hours in 2015-16 to 4-5 hours today with a far younger user profile keen on building and boosting their digital presence," said Tarun Pathak, research director at Counterpoint Research. “The phenomenon is on the rise in the West, which is leading to the rise in use of featurephones with limited app functionality, which we’re yet to see in India. Perhaps we will see this becoming more mainstream in 2026," Pathak added. Detox mode or featurephone? Meanwhile, smartphone brands are introducing optional detox features on their devices. Some featurephone makers even go so far as to claim that the answer to digital detoxing is a 2G handset. “We have introduced Detox Mode on our HMD Skyline smartphones—a user-friendly feature designed to help individuals take intentional breaks from their devices," said Ravi Kunwar, chief executive and vice president, India and Asia-Pacific, at HMD, a Finnish company that sells smartphones under both HMD and Nokia brands. “Detox Mode allows users to temporarily hide their most distracting apps with just three simple clicks, enabling them to focus on work, spend quality time with loved ones, or recharge without constant digital interruptions." Kunwar added that Nokia and HMD featurephones were also evolving to include features such as UPI payments and improved usability. This, he said, would provide users with essential tools and reduce dependency on smartphones, making digital detox more accessible and convenient. “Technology should benefit mankind," added Peter Dohyung Lee, head of product strategy at OPPO, on the company’s plans to cater to the growing need for digital or smartphone detox. “We know it’s a long journey with constant fine-tuning." Vivo, on the other hand, has partnered with Catherine Price, the founder of Screen/Life Balance and the author of . Price has created a list of suggestions and advice for users to inculcate healthier smartphone habits. “All our devices come equipped with robust digital wellbeing tools, where users have the option to set time limits on apps, switch to do-not-disturb, designate focus modes, and set screen-time reminders," a spokesperson for Vivo said in response to ’s queries.Escape To The Country viewers were left outraged after a special celebrity episode. Featuring sprinter Linford Christie, many slammed the BBC for showcasing the athlete's enormous budget. In the episode, Linford and his daughter Briannah joined host Alistair Appleton to search for a property in the countryside of Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, with a focus on finding a home that could accommodate the entire family. However, fans were infuriated by the lavish budgets and extravagance displayed in the show, with one taking to social media to express their discontent: "As if Escape to the Country wasn't bad enough with people's ridiculous budgets, BBC1 is now subjecting us to #celebrityescapetothecountry Obscene amounts of money whilst most normal folks are worried about putting their heating on." Another added: "£2 million budget. P*** off BBC, the regular rich ones with £750K+ are bad enough!" whilst a third viewer shared: "Sorry, had to turn off tonight, what's a waste of taxpayers money. Hope Christie wasn't paid to appear in this, all so staged." "The #BBC showing us how out of touch they are with the times with #escapetothecountry Rich celebs looking for £2 million 4 bedroom houses, all ensuite with swimming pools and cinema rooms. Nice to know where the poor people's #tvlicence fee goes," a fourth wrote, as a fifth took to social media to share their thoughts, adding: "Not entirely convinced that #EscapeToTheCountry lends itself to a celebrity version, particularly at midweek prime time." On the other hand, some viewers enjoyed the celebrity special, with one commenting: "Watching #CelebrityEscapetotheCountry This is fun, Linford Christie is looking for a house in the country." Other famous faces set to appear on the show include Steps singer Ian 'H' Watkins, singer Alfie Boe, presenter Anita Rani, Loose Women star Kaye Adams, and The Apprentice's Tim Campbell, who are all on the hunt for their dream rural retreat. BBC Daytime Commissioner Julie Shaw said of the series: "In this series, we get an insight into the celebrities, their careers and their families, essentially the journey they've been on from where they began long before the cameras and spotlights. "We cover the UK, including the beautiful hills and valleys in the Vale of Glamorgan and Stirlingshire, helping people to escape from world-famous cities like Glasgow and London – it’s a magical tour around some of the UK’s most beautiful homes." *Celebrity Escape To The Country airs on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Do tree-shaped Reese’s actually taste better than a regular peanut butter cup?Justin Thomas was long off the tee and made some long putts as he shot a six-under 66 and seized a one-shot lead over world No.1 Scottie Scheffler going into the final round of the Hero World Challenge. Thomas is trying out a 46-inch driver - a little more than an inch longer than normal - that he previously used for practice at home to gain speed and length. He blasted a 361-yard drive to eight feet on the par-4 seventh hole and led the field in driving distance. But it was his long putts that put him ahead of Scheffler, who had a 69, following Saturday's third round of the 20-player, Tiger Woods-hosted tournament in the Bahamas. Thomas was on the verge of falling two shots behind when he made an 18-foot par putt on the par-3 12th hole. On the reachable par-4 14th, he was in a nasty spot in a sandy area and could only splash it out to nearly 50 feet. He made that one for a most unlikely birdie, while behind him Scheffler muffed a chip on the 13th hole and made his lone bogey of a windy day. Scheffler never caught up to him, missing birdie chances on the reachable 14th and the par-5 15th. Thomas hit his approach to 3 feet for birdie on the 16th after a 343-yard drive. Scheffler made an 18-foot birdie putt on the 16th to close within one. Thomas hasn't won since the 2022 PGA Championship at Southern Hills, and a victory at Albany Golf Club wouldn't count as an official win. But the two-time major champion has made steady progress toward getting his game back in order. "I'm driving it great. I've had a lot of confidence with it," Thomas said of his longer driver. "I feel like I've been able to put myself in some pretty good spots going into the green. I'm still not taking advantage of some of them as much as I would like, but that's golf and we're always going to say that." Thomas was at 17-under 199 and will be in the final group Sunday with Scheffler, who is trying to end his spectacular season with a ninth title. Tom Kim put himself in the mix, which he might not have imagined on Thursday when he was three over through six holes. Kim got back in the game with a 65 on Friday, and then followed with 12 birdies for a 62. He was only two shots behind while Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley (68) was four behind Thomas in outright fourth place, a shot clear of Sahith Theegala (66) and Akshay Bhatia (71). "Feel like I've been seeing signs of improvement, which is what you want and that's all I can do," Thomas said. "I can't control everybody else or what's going on, I've just got to keep playing as good as I possibly can and hope that it's enough come Sunday."

How To Start an E-Commerce Business Using AIThe Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Lagos State and Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission, (NCPC) Bishop Stephen Adegbite, has called on Nigerians to remain hopeful concerning the nation’s economy. Adegbite in his Christmas goodwill message made available by his Special Adviser on Media, Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Rev. Oladapo Daramola, noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was working for the good of Nigerians. Adegbite stated: “The biggest concern for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu since assumption of office is to see Nigerians smile again. “Clearly, our hopes had been dashed for too long by successive governments to change the narratives, hard decisions, and policies that would stop the downward spiral of the nation’s economy which everyone including the opposition agreed must be taken, but no one had the political will and courage to take were taken. “And despite the unpopular nature of these decisions, his readiness for sacrificial leadership and doggedness to fight for the common man seems to be paying off, which calls for cautious optimism and renewed hope. “Today, there are positive indicators that these policies are yielding the desired results, which may look tangible now, but the impact in 2025 will be massively felt across the board.” He said the positive outlook of the economy was joyous news at a time when Christians in Nigeria are joining the rest of the world to celebrate the birth of the messiah; Jesus Christ. “It is not a mere coincidence that the gradual but impactful turnaround of the nation’s economy is coming at an auspicious time as this one considering the resilience of Nigerians whose larger percentage have kept faith with the present government and have never stopped praying and working hard to see change happen,” Adegbite stated. He called on Christians to show love at this season like never before because it is the essence of the coming of Jesus Christ to the world. His words, “Christians all over the country must be ready to give sacrificially and be intentional about it because this is what God expects of us. Sharing what we have no matter how little with others just to bring joy into other people’s lives and homes must be central to our celebrations at this time.” Also, he said Nigerians need to be united and remain hopeful that better days are truly ahead and nothing can stop it. The cleric reassured that the focus of those who are currently on pilgrimage to the Holy Land and those who are getting ready to embark on the journey was to pray fervently for the “full manifestation and sustainability of the positive outlook the nation’s economy is currently showing and every other facet of our lives as Nigerians.”Tyler: The Based Token of the BASE Blockchain Takes Center Stage

AP Sports SummaryBrief at 4:18 p.m. ESTWorld Series vision that got Nathan Eovaldi to the Rangers is the same one that got him to re-sign

Nigel Farage has said he would be willing to help incoming ambassador to the US Lord Mandelson negotiate with the Trump administration. Labour peer Lord Mandelson has indicated he believes the Reform UK leader, a friend of Mr Trump, could serve as a link between the British Government and the Republican president-elect. But Downing Street would not be drawn on whether Sir Keir Starmer would like Lord Mandelson to work with Mr Farage, saying when asked only that the Prime Minister had “already started to begin to build a relationship with President-elect Trump”. Mr Farage has previously offered to use his relationship with Mr Trump and his team to act as a bridge between them and the UK Government. He told The Telegraph he would be willing to work with people in the Labour Party if it was in the “national interest”. “I am no fan of any of the people in the Labour Party, but if it is in the national interest I have always thought I could be a useful asset if they want to use that – but if they don’t, more fool them,” the Clacton MP said. Mr Farage said he could help with talks on trade, tariffs, intelligence-sharing and countering terrorism because “a lot of the members of the president’s cabinet are friends of mine, and many of them long-term friends”. He said: “I know these people, and in terms of trade, in terms of defence and in terms of intelligence, the US is our most important relationship in the world – forget Brussels.” He said free trade deal talks were likely to be done sector by sector. “I would help even if it is to the Government’s benefit because it is in the national interest. But they are so split they might not want to take up my offer.” Lord Mandelson will take up the role in early 2025. His trade experience is seen as a strength amid concerns over what the second Trump presidency could mean for the UK, with the Republican politician having pledged to introduce wide-ranging tariffs. However, the Labour grandee’s past remarks about Mr Trump – who he once described as “little short of a white nationalist and racist” – may yet plague attempts to foster close US-UK relations.ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia Senate Republicans recommended on Friday that the state write laws banning transgender girls and women from participating in high school and college sports, setting the stage for action in the 2025 legislative session. The vote by a committee that was studying the issue is hardly a surprise. Lt. Gov. Burt Jones — a possible Republican contender for governor in 2026 — announced almost identical goals at the panel's first meeting in August . It’s an issue that’s already been addressed in Georgia. Legislators in 2022 empowered the Georgia High School Association to regulate transgender students' participation in sports. The association, which regulates sports and activities for all public schools and some private schools, then banned transgender boys and girls from playing on the school sports teams matching their gender identity. Jones and others argue that doesn't go far enough and that lawmakers themselves need to act. It's a sign Republicans believe there is more political gain in fears about transgender women playing women’s sports or using women’s bathrooms. At least 26 mostly Republican states have passed laws or rules to restrict transgender girls from participating high school sports and, in some cases, transgender women from college sports , according to the Movement Advancement Project, a gay rights group. In Georgia, additional action appears more likely now after House Speaker Jon Burns and Gov. Brian Kemp, both Republicans, have voiced support for further legislation. Jeff Graham, executive director of the LGBTQ+ advocacy group Georgia Equality, said his group is playing defense, concerned about the possibility of other bills that could further restrict gender-affirming care or ban transgender people from using public bathrooms that match their gender identity. “We’re expecting that it’ll be at least what we saw in 2023 and 2024, with the number of bills and more than likely laws,” Graham told reporters Friday. But Burns, from Newington, has said he's not interested in other bills dealing with transgender people besides those dealing with girls' and women's sports. Republican State Sen. Greg Dolezal, of Cumming, who led the Senate study committee, said Friday that he, too, is not interested in a broader bill regulating bathroom usage, although his committee recommended that schools that host sporting events require athletes to use locker rooms based on their assigned sex at birth. Dolezal said senators would seek to write legislation that regulated public schools and colleges, as well as private institutions that compete against public schools and colleges. The committee also recommends that people be able to sue or file grievances if schools break the rules, and that state money be withheld from schools that break the rules. Supporters of more action have focused on the 2022 NCAA women’s swimming championships at Georgia Tech in Atlanta, where Lia Thomas, a transgender woman, swam for the University of Pennsylvania and won the 500-meter freestyle . The NCAA has since revised its policy on transgender women’s participation, saying it will follow the rules of respective athletics federations. World Aquatics, the swimming governing body, banned transgender women who have been through male puberty from competing in women’s races. That means Thomas wouldn’t be allowed to swim in NCAA events today. “My basic contention that this is a solution in search of a problem remains,” Graham said. He said he fears that many people who oppose laws that seek to restrict transgender people will be afraid to testify and lobby at the Georgia Capitol, citing assault charges against a man accused of shaking U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace in a Capitol office building in Washington, D.C. Dolezal repeatedly tried to turn down the emotional temperature of the issue on Friday. “I think that there’s a group of people that wants to be respected and I think that they deserve respect,” Dolezal told reporters. “But I also think that you can be respectful, but also recognize that in the sporting arena, fairness and competition is important.”Topline President-elect Donald Trump’s popularity has reached a seven-year high and the majority of Americans approve of his handling of the transition process — even though he's still less popular than former Presidents Joe Biden, Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton were at this point in their transitions. Key Facts Contra Confidence in Trump to appoint the best people to his administration has declined to 26% compared to 32% in 2016, with fewer Republicans (56% versus 72%) and independents (18% versus 26%) expressing deep confidence in Trump to appoint the best people. Big Number 68%. That’s the share of Americans who disapprove of Biden’s decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, on federal tax and gun charges earlier this month. Biden made the surprise decision after repeatedly saying he had no plans to pardon his son. Key Background The poll is consistent with a November CBS/YouGov survey that also found the majority of respondents (59%) approve of Trump’s handling of the transition process. Trump has announced new appointments to his administration nearly every day since Nov. 7, starting with his campaign manager Susie Wiles as chief of staff. Several controversial appointees face uncertain futures in the Senate confirmation process, particularly Trump’s choice for Defense secretary, former Fox News host Pete Hegseth , who has faced allegations of concerning drinking habits and was accused of sexual assault in 2017 (which he has denied). Trump’s initial pick for attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz , R-Fla., bowed out of the process amid a sexual misconduct scandal as it became clear he may not have the votes to pass Senate muster. Trump nominated former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi to replace Gaetz. Further Reading Most Americans Approve Of Trump Transition—As Controversial RFK Jr. Gets High Marks, Poll Finds (Forbes) Trump’s Cabinet And Key Jobs: Kimberly Guilfoyle, Jacob Helberg And Andrew Ferguson Are Latest Picks (Forbes) Hegseth Cabinet Nomination: Hegseth Lauds Women In Military—After Previously Saying They Shouldn’t Serve In Combat (Forbes)

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Meikles Limited assets disposal in limbo amid ongoing governance concernsCardinals' Kyler Murray faces Patriots for 1st time since his ACL injury against them 2 years ago

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy President-elect Donald Trump discussed Melania's plans during his second term in a sweeping interview with Time as he was named 2024 "Person of the Year." The magazine honored Trump with the esteemed title for the second time — the first was after his 2016 election win — Thursday. The president-elect sat down with a Time reporter to discuss his successful presidential campaign, his ambitions for his second term, and Melania's plans to return to the White House. While she appeared with Trump as he rang the opening bell of the New York Stock Exchange Thursday, the former first lady was notably absent from the campaign trail, so much so that at one point missing persons posters and banners asking "Where's Melania?" cropped up. Her absence has sparked speculation over whether she wants to return to the White House this time around. Multiple sources told CNN in November after Trump's victory that Melania was unlikely to return to Washington, DC for his second term. But when Time asked whether Melania would be joining him in the White House, Trump offered a very different answer: "Oh yes." "She actually became very active towards the end, as you saw with interviews. And she does—she does them well. People really watch. She's very beloved by the people, Melania. And they like the fact that she's not out there in your face all the time for many reasons," the president-elect continued. "They really love her. Actually, in many ways, when I make speeches, we love our First Lady. They have signs [that... Kelly RissmanAtlanta wants to get a jump on artificial intelligence via a new commission — a move that could eventually help the city deal with its lean finances and perhaps even have an impact among suppliers of government technology. The city, , recently set up one of the in the country via a . The move came as to other governments and , just two examples of how the quickly growing technology is forcing officials to focus on its uses, risks and possibilities. The creation of the commission also happens as Atlanta faces a — a point brought up by , the City Council member credited by his colleagues with pushing the commission idea. “I want to make sure the city gets better at what it does for the benefit of residents. AI can play a role in that,” he told via email. “For example, we are headed into a lean fiscal year. AI could be used to streamline administrative tasks and improve customer service at a time when we need to tighten our belts.” As he sees it, Atlanta can do more to “leverage AI” for such tasks as infrastructure maintenance and monitoring, customer service and reducing “administrative inefficiencies.” To get from here to there, the commission will gather a “wide array of voices and inputs, both inside and outside the city,” he said. Any recommendations from the commission will have to go to the city’s executive branch and departments before winning approval, Farokhi said. For now, the commission will focus on gaining more knowledge about AI, . “This issue is important to me because AI has power, both good and bad, to transform our lives,” he said. This new commission in Atlanta represents the latest development in “ ,” according to Stefaan Verhulst, co-founder of , which helps governments navigate issues related to technology and data. “Cities are well-positioned to address the challenges and opportunities of AI due to their proximity to local stakeholders and the specific needs of their communities,” he told via email. Similar efforts, he said, have taken place in , , and . is not confined to the U.S.; are taking similar steps. National policies on AI tend to come more slowly than the pace of tech advancements, Verhulst said, sparking the establishment of local bodies to dig into the issue. Those local groups, such as the new one in Atlanta, promise to influence further progress with artificial intelligence. “Local AI commissions provide a platform to experiment with governance approaches that can later be scaled or adapted at higher levels,” he said. But those commissions can also come with significant challenges, he said. They include domination by “industry interests,” a lack of inclusivity and favoring private interests over public needs. “The Toronto Sidewalk Labs case is an example of how inadequate public engagement and transparency can erode trust,” he said, referring to the now cancelled, that was dogged by privacy fears and other concerns. Not only that, Verhulst added, but cities might not have the money or tech resources to follow recommendations from AI commissions. Cities, of course, aren’t the only operations deeply interested in AI guidelines and recommendations. Suppliers of government technology have a keen interest — it can seem that almost every company in that space is touting how its particular products are getting a boost from AI. At least one gov tech executive was generally skeptical of city AI commissions, though he could also see how the commission could provide benefits. “I find often [that] committees are just in name only,” said Parth Shah, CEO and co-founder of , which sells an , among other products. “I do think if they are actually focused on prioritizing customer service, AI solutions can be great.” He worries that with various governments getting into the AI commission and study group business, guidelines might not be consistent or lasting. He said he finds more value in a broader group such as the year-old , which includes about 1,700 people from about 550 agencies — and which just held a . “If they collaborate — and the GovAI Coalition did this — then that’s easier,” Shah told via email. He said such commissions, no matter which agency organizes them, won’t make a difference in the company’s AI research and development. But that doesn’t mean they lack value. “I do think it helps sales and marketing to see which [organizations] are already thinking about AI,” he said. At a company best known for its public safety tools, the company is “encouraged” about the Atlanta commission and the “open dialogue” about how to best use AI, according to a statement from Chris Bennett, director of AI transparency and education. “At the same time, we think it’s strategically important that we maintain a landscape for innovation, and would encourage these forums to prioritize education and awareness as a first step,” he said.The archbishop of Paris reopened Notre-Dame cathedral yesterday by symbolically knocking on the doors and entering the 12th-century landmark which has been restored after a devastating fire in 2019. Wearing new designer vestments and carrying a staff cut from one of the roof beams that survived the inferno, Laurent Ulrich joined hundreds of VIPs inside the Gothic masterpiece for a two-hour ceremony. Ulrich commanded the cathedral to “open your doors” and he entered the magnificently-restored edifice. US President-elect Donald Trump sat on the front row as guest of honour next to French President Emmanuel Macron, with invitees marvelling at the freshly cleaned walls, new furniture and state-of-the-art lightening installed as part of the cathedral’s overhaul. Outside, small crowds of Parisians and tourists braved wet weather and high winds to witness the renaissance of a beloved monument which came close to being totally destroyed by the inferno that toppled its roof and spire. “I find it really beautiful, even more so now that the spire has been restored,” Marie Jean, a 27-year-old dentist from southwest France, told AFP outside. The reconstruction effort has cost around €700mn ($750mn), financed from donations, with the reopening achieved within a five-year deadline set by Macron despite predictions it could take decades. Workers had to overcome problems with lead pollution, the Covid-19 epidemic, and the army general overseeing the project falling to his death while hiking in the Pyrenees last year. It is “a cathedral like we have never seen before,” Philippe Jost, who took over as project manager last year, told Franceinfo radio, adding that he was proud to “show the whole world” a “great collective success and a source of pride for all of France”. Yesterday’s service was to feature prayer, organ music and hymns from the cathedral’s choir. A public concert planned in front of the cathedral featuring Chinese piano virtuoso Lang Lang and possibly US singer and fashion designer Pharrell Williams had to be pre-recorded on Friday night because of the stormy weather. Held up as an example of French creativity and resilience by Macron, Notre-Dame’s renaissance so soon after the fire comes at a difficult time for the country. The sense of national accomplishment in restoring a symbol of Paris has been undercut by political turmoil that has left France without a proper government since last week when prime minister Michel Barnier lost a confidence vote. Macron is hoping the reopening might provide a fleeting sense of national pride and unity — as the Paris Olympics did in July and August. The scale of the immense security operation also recalls the Olympics — with some 6,000 police officers and gendarmes mobilised. The reopening “is the proof that we know how to do grand things, we know how to do the impossible” Macron said Thursday in a televised address to the country. He addressed the congregation during yesterday’s ceremony. Macron has scored a major coup by attracting incoming US president Donald Trump for his first foreign trip since his re-election. Another 40 heads of state and government were also present, including Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky, who was given a round of applause as he entered Notre-Dame, as well as British heir to the throne, Prince William. Macron hosted three-way talks with Zelensky and Trump at the presidential palace shortly before the ceremony, with future US military support for Ukraine’s war effort against Russia’s invasion expected to have been discussed. Trump has vowed to force an end to the nearly three-year Ukraine war when he takes office, sparking fears in Kyiv that he will force Ukraine to make territorial concessions to Russia which Zelensky is resisting. “It seems like the world is going a little crazy right now and we will be talking about that,” Trump told reporters as he prepared to sit down for talks with Macron. One surprising absentee yesterday was Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church. He sent a message addressed to the French people which was read out. The exact cause of the 2019 blaze has never been identified despite a forensic investigation by prosecutors, who believe an accident such as an electrical fault was the most likely reason. Today, the first mass with 170 bishops and more than 100 Paris priests will take place at 10:30am (0930 GMT), followed by a second service in the evening at 6:30pm which will be open to the public.

Syrian insurgents reach the capital's suburbs. Worried residents flee and stock up on supplies