The European Union should ensure that future climate and energy policies do not undermine the competitiveness of its industry, already weakened by a price gap with the U.S., the bloc’s member states said.

The secretary general of the United Nations is frustrated with the pace of negotiations for what’s intended to be a crucial agreement limiting global warming.

Climate change pledges submitted so far from the world’s leading economies won’t be enough to keep the planet from warming dangerously, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said Monday in New York.

Proposals to reduce heat-trapping emissions need to be “a floor, not a ceiling,” he said.

The global increase in temperatures will exceed 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) under the national pledges already submitted to UN, Ban said. That’s the goal scientists and the UN have set to avoid the worst effects due to global warming.

The proposals submitted to date “will not be enough to place us on a 2-degree pathway,” Ban said.

Without any changes to global emissions, the world is on track to warm by 4 degrees Celsius or more, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Climate Change Janos Pasztor said earlier this month.

World leaders have five months to go before a meeting of almost 200 nations in Paris that’s intended to seal a new global pact to cut planet-warming carbon emissions. If successful, the agreement would be the first ever to require both developed nations like the US and growing economies like China to address climate change.

“The pace of UN negotiations are far too slow,” Ban said. “It’s like a snail’s pace.”

The U.S., the world’s biggest historic source of greenhouse gases, pledged earlier this year to cut its emissions by as much as 28 percent by 2025. The European Union has promised a 40 percent cut by 2030. Several other major economies, including Australia and Japan, have yet to submit climate plans to the UN.

Publicly, the United Nations climate-change talks look mired in disputes over everything from money to the length of the proposed agreement.

As NVIDIA’s vice president of worldwide AI initiatives, Keith Strier is thinking on a global scale. He leads an initiative called AI Nations, a worldwide program that helps government leaders and stakeholders develop plans to implement AI to advance national priorities and drive economic growth. Strier spoke to AI Podcast host Noah Kravitz about AI Read article >

The post Around the World in AI Days: NVIDIA’s Keith Strier Talks AI Nations appeared first on The Official NVIDIA Blog.

As NVIDIA’s vice president of worldwide AI initiatives, Keith Strier is thinking on a global scale. He leads an initiative called AI Nations, a worldwide program that helps government leaders and stakeholders develop plans to implement AI to advance national priorities and drive economic growth. Strier spoke to AI Podcast host Noah Kravitz about AI Read article >

The post Around the World in AI Days: NVIDIA’s Keith Strier Talks AI Nations appeared first on The Official NVIDIA Blog.

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas has warned that the risk of a hard Brexit is increasingly likely for the United Kingdom as London has so far made almost no progress in talks with the European Union (EU) on the future trade relationship, criticizing Britain for disregarding the agreed political agreement. In an interview with Augsburger Allgemeine newspaper on Saturday, the German top diplomat expressed his concern amid floundering trade talks between London...

The pandemic has forced military to adhere to health guidelines to mitigate spread.

Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party are meeting in the Department of Agriculture to try to resolve their significant differences on housing, public transport and the environment, writes Sandra Hurley.

Negotiations between China and its Southeast Asian neighbours for a South China Sea code of conduct have been postponed as the nations involved put their efforts into containing the Covid-19 pandemic, creating uncertainty about whether the two sides can work together amid rising tensions in the contested territory.Southeast Asian nations are increasingly caught in a dilemma whether to maintain relations with Beijing during the pandemic while also fearing that tensions over the disputed waters…

US President Donald Trump called on Thursday for involving China in new arms control talks with Russia, telling Russian leader Vladimir Putin that they need to avoid a “costly arms race,” the White House said.“President Trump reaffirmed that the United States is committed to effective arms control that includes not only Russia, but also China, and looks forward to future discussions to avoid a costly arms race,” a statement said.Trump and Putin spoke by phone, also discussing the coronavirus…

Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, President of the Councils of State and Ministers, held official talks, on Sunday December 7, with the Honorable Freundel Stuart, Prime Minister of Barbados, who is visiting the country as the head of the Barbados delegation to the 5th CARICOM-Cuba Summit.

Hrithik Roshan had an extraordinary 2019, having made two hit movies in a row

Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri Thursday dismissed as not useful the meeting held the previous day at Baabda Palace to discuss the economic financial rescue plan which he and his parliamentary Future bloc boycotted.

ISLAMABAD: Chief of the Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa has said Pakistan’s support for the Afghan reconciliation process is a proof of its sincerity for peace in Afghanistan.

Talking to US Special Envoy for Afghan Reconciliation Dr Zalmay Khalilzad on Friday, the army chief said: “Our support towards peace process is a manifestation of our goodwill towards the cause.”

Dr Khalilzad was visiting Pakis­tan after a meeting with Taliban leaders in Doha and a stopover in Delhi, where he met Indian Exter­nal Affairs Minister Subrahman­yam Jaishankar and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval.

The Indian leaders, according to reports in Indian media, blamed a recent spike in violence in Afghanistan to alleged “sanctuaries” on Pakistani soil and emphasised their elimination. The Indian allegations have come in the backdrop of renewed terror accusations against Pakistan in India-held Kashmir.

Pakistan has strongly rejected all Indian allegations and has asked the United Nations to seek proofs from India about the alleged “launch pads” and “infiltration bids” at the Line of Control.

Khalilzad scheduled to return to Doha for resumption of negotiations with Taliban

Dr Khalilzad, according to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), praised continuing Pakistani efforts for peace and stability in the region.

India, despite the special envoy’s recent visits to Delhi, is uneasy because its viewpoint on Afghanistan is getting little weightage in Washington.

Pakistan had facilitated long-drawn US-Taliban talks, which culminated with the signing of a landmark peace deal in Doha in February between the two adversaries that have been at war for 19 years. Under the deal, the Afghan Taliban gave counterterrorism assurances and agreed to engage in dialogue with the Afghan government for ending war. The peace agreement was expected to pave the way for the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan.

However, the progress towards start of intra-Afghan peace talks have been sluggish because of trust deficit between the Afghan factions and slow release of prisoners by both sides. Intra-Afghan talks were, according to the original plan, to commence on March 10 after release of 5,000 Taliban prisoners by Kabul, while the militant group was to set free 1,000 government personnel. So far the Afghan government has released 933 of the 5,000 Taliban prisoners, while the Taliban have freed 155 captives.

In recent weeks, the Taliban finally intensified attacks against government forces. On Thursday, Khost police chief Ahmad Babazai was killed in a landmine attack.

Dr Khalilzad said he had in his “lengthy” overnight meeting with the head of Taliban political office in Doha emphasised “reduction in violence, humanitarian ceasefire as demanded by the international community to allow for better cooperation on managing Covid-19 pandemic in Afghanistan, acceleration of prisoner releases by both sides, actions necessary to secure the freedom of US citizen Mark Frerichs, regional and international support for the peace process, and movement to intra-Afghan negotiations ASAP”.

The special envoy will travel back to Doha from Islamabad for continuing his discussions with Taliban leaders.

Published in Dawn, May 9th, 2020

Each year, Americans collectively spend 70 billion hours behind the wheel. Three out of four Americans listen to audio in the car – and get this – half of all listening time occurs in the car, according to Edison Research Share of Ear 2018.   It is no...

Angela Merkel faced a test of her authority today as she prepared to thrash out plans with the country's 16 state premiers to further ease Germany's coronavirus lockdown.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will travel to Israel next week for a brief visit amid the coronavirus pandemic and lockdown, a trip that’s expected to focus on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plans to annex portions of the West Bank, the State Department said Friday. Pompeo will make the lightning trip to Jerusalem to see Netanyahu and his new coalition partner Benny Gantz on Wednesday as the Trump administration tries to return to business as normal by resuming governmental travel and reopening an economy devastated by the COVID-19 outbreak.

A hard Brexit is more likely due to the coronavirus crisis because Britain and the European Union have made so little progress in talks, Germany's foreign minister has said. Heiko Maas said that negotiations between Britain and the EU so far on the future trade relationship had yielded few gains with the UK disregarding the political declaration, which he said was "simply not on". Britain left the EU in January, and talks with the bloc are now focused on setting new trading terms from 2021, when London's status-quo transition period ends. However, the talks quickly hit an impasse when negotiations resumed last month, according to diplomats and officials. "It's worrying that Britain is moving further away from our jointly agreed political declaration on key issues in the negotiations," Mr Maas told the Augsburger Allgemeine newspaper. "It's simply not on, because the negotiations are a complete package as it's laid out in the political declaration." Mr Maas said there was currently neither common ground on how to shape a comprehensive trade deal or on whether to extend the negotiation period beyond the end of the year. "The British government is still refusing to extend the deadline," Mr Maas said. "If it stays that way, we will have to deal with Brexit in addition to the coronavirus at the turn of the year." Simon Coveney, Ireland's foreign minister, said on Friday that the coronavirus pandemic had made an already difficult timeline for a British-European Union trade deal "virtually impossible" and that it would make sense to seek more time.

A Reuters report quoting Mint suggested that Yes Bank is in talks with Microsoft and two other tech firms for a possible stake sale.

In the late afternoon session, the scrip was being traded at 20.61 pounds, down by 5.50 per cent on the LSE. Vedanta opened on a positive note, but soon swung into the red.

The scrip, which was flat for most of the session, shot up in the final hour of trade on the Bombay Stock Exchange to settle with a net gain of 4.36 per cent at Rs 355.45.

Campbell played Sidney Prescott in the first four movies.

Professional poker player Phil Galfond overcame a €900,000 deficit in a 25,000-hand head-to-head challenge against a pot-limit Omaha regular known as "VeniVidi1993" online.

The EU's chief negotiator has branded progress in post-Brexit talks disappointing and warned the "clock was ticking".

The UK will begin the first round of post-Brexit trade deal talks with the US this week.

Britain and the US are set to begin negotiations on an "ambitious" post-Brexit free trade agreement.

CFL, CFLPA were scheduled to meet Friday to continue talks on potential contingency plans due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was first gathering after CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie's admission Thursday night the most likely scenario for the league is a cancelled 2020 season.

Cate Blanchett will be reuniting with director Eli Roth if she signs on for the project.

Welcome to the Evening Standard's live blog covering the latest transfer news and rumours from the Premier League and beyond.

Barcelona misfit Philippe Coutinho would "love" a return to the Premier League, according to agent Kia Joorabchian.

Odion Ighalo believes Victor Osimhen has huge potential, with the Manchester United striker praising his compatriot as the "future of Nigerian football."

Chelsea have "dropped one" regarding Willian's contract, according to Paul Merson - but the former Arsenal forward also believes the Brazilian winger has been fortunate to avoid criticism for letting his deal run down.

Arsenal are growing frustrated at the progress and complexity of talks with their squad over wage cuts.

Welcome to the Evening Standard's live blog covering the latest transfer news and rumours from the Premier League and beyond.

Former Arsenal and England striker Ian Wright has hit back at criticism of the Premier League over discussions about how to finish the current campaign, claiming football is being used as a 'punch-bag'.

Welcome to the Evening Standard's LIVE coverage as the coronavirus crisis continues to heavily impact sport across the globe.

Watford will become the third Premier League club to agree wage deferrals with their squad this week.

Charlie Nicholas says Arsenal's inability to convince big stars to extend their contracts is "terrifying" but doubts that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang actually wants to leave Emirates Stadium.

The father of Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey has confirmed that his son is in talks with Arsenal over a summer transfer.

Welcome to the Evening Standard's live blog covering the latest transfer news and rumours from the Premier League and beyond.

The Premier League are in talks with several UK rights holders over how to divvy up the remaining fixtures as part of preparations for the top flight's return behind closed doors.

Arsenal appear to have a key member of the Aubameyang camp batting for them after the striker's father sent a clear message to his son on Instagram.

Ray Parlour has blasted former club Arsenal's lack of leadership, defending Mesut Ozil as he stalls on taking a pay cut.

Welcome to the Evening Standard's live blog covering the latest transfer news and rumours from the Premier League and beyond.

Chelsea starlet Billy Gilmour has revealed how a conversation with Frank Lampard convinced him not to go out on loan and compete for opportunities at the club.

The UK Government will this week begin a series of meetings with leading sports organisations with the hope of resuming competitions 'within weeks' after action was suspended by the coronavirus pandemic.

Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Oliver Dowden has confirmed personal talks with the Premier League over resuming top-flight football "as soon as possible".

Incoming Chelsea signing Hakim Ziyech says Frank Lampard convinced him to move to Stamford Bridge.

Welcome to the Evening Standard's live blog covering the latest transfer news and rumours from the Premier League and beyond.

The Premier League and wider sport were on Friday undergoing crunch talks which will be pivotal in deciding the reality of a return to action.