NoneDan Campbell, Lions no longer satisfied with making playoffs
There is little doubt that the green shoots of a quantum ecosystem in India have emerged. A National Quantum Mission, after a few years of delay, has got off the ground, with a funding of ₹6,003 crore for eight years. Four thematic hubs have been set up in as many higher educational institutions — for quantum computing, communications, sensing and metrology, and materials and devices — to provide infrastructure and mentorship to researchers and start-ups. Over a hundred start-ups have come up, eight of whom have recently selected for substantially higher funding — ₹10-25 crore — than typical government support to start-ups. At least one quantum computer, albeit a small one of seven qubits, has come up in the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR). A few start-ups are itching to build bigger computers. A test bed for quantum internet has been built, which is expected to expand into an indigenous quantum network for hack-proof communication. On the face of it, what has emerged so far is a matter of satisfaction. However, a closer look at the system reveals that there is a need to reset the Mission, in terms of both funding and how the funds are distributed between projects and various objectives. First of all, the Mission is grossly underfunded. The 2020-21 Budget mentions an allocation of ₹8,000 crore for five years for the Mission; in April 2023, the Cabinet approved the Mission with an allocation of ₹6,003 crore for eight years, which (as the Chairman of the Mission’s governing board, Ajai Chowdhry acknowledges) is modest. Perhaps, as Chowdhry points out, the money tap could be opened as we go along; a level of financial assurance commensurate with the lofty aims of the Mission would be appropriate. For comparison, the US is considering a National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act, with a $2.7 billion outlay for five years. According to reports, China has spent $15 billion on quantum technologies. Even while taking into account the fact that talent costs less in India, the Mission’s budget appears to demand a relook. More importantly, though, it is necessary that appropriate — as opposed to equal— weightage is given to the four themes of the Mission. For example, the aim to develop quantum computers with 20-50 qubits in three years and going up to 50-1000 qubits in eight years, is pointless, given that today’s exascale — or even peta-scale — computers perform better than a 1000 qubit quantum computer and are, unlike quantum computers, error-free and more practical to use. Quantum sensing, with applications in medical diagnosis, and quantum communications, which can eliminate most of the risks in online transactions, is of immediate utility and easier to achieve than Q-computers. China has wisely focused on building communications — it has the world’s biggest quantum communications network of 12,000 km but has only a 72-qubit computer. The Mission needs to be reset for sharper focus on areas that can deliver immediate gains. CommentsMinnesota Governor Tim Walz said in two recent interviews that he was "a little surprised" by Kamala Harris's devastating loss in the 2024 presidential election. "I thought we had a positive message and the country was ready for that," Walz told KSTP 5 Eyewitness News. Walz, who was Kamala Harris' running mate on the Democratic ticket, stated that he believed the Democrats were on track for victory in the lead-up to the election. However, the lost both the popular vote and all seven swing states to President-elect Donald Trump when the results came on the election night. "It felt like at the rallies, at the events I was attending, the shops I was visiting, that momentum was going our way — and it obviously wasn’t in the end," Walz said. Walz Explains The Reasons Behind Kamala Harris' Defeat Walz, 60, noted that listening more was one of the lessons he learned from the election defeat. The Minnesota governor was asked if he believes he helped or hindered the Harris ticket as Democrats and political analysts continue to discuss what went wrong for the party in 2024. He said he couldn't judge that himself. "History will write that. It wasn’t my decision to make. It was the vice president’s decision," Walz said. "As I’ve said during this campaign, when you ask the question, 'Were there things that could have been done differently?' Since we lost, the answer is obviously yes. On this one, I did the best I could." Is Walz Planning A Third Run For Governor? The 60-year-old did not specify his plans for his second term in Minnesota, including whether he will seek reelection for a third term as governor of a state without term limits. "I think it’s a little too early to tell. We’re focusing on an upcoming legislative session. We’ll keep working on that, and then we’ll decide from there," Walz said. Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from US News, World and around the world.
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Conor McGregor Found Liable For 2018 Sexual Assault In Civil Trial
Photo: RNZ A large high-country scrub fire in Canterbury is still not contained, and strong winds and higher temperatures are expected in the area on Saturday afternoon. The fire has burned through nearly 1000 hectares at Bridge Hill, northwest of Springfield. Firefighters were battling to get the blaze under control in Saturday morning's more favourable weather conditions. Incident Commander Colin Russell said while it was still not yet contained, it was remaining within its 17km boundary. He said despite the more volatile conditions in the afternoon, he was not expecting the fire to grow in size. Residents around Castle Hill were on standby to evacuate should the blaze spread. The fire started early on Thursday morning, closing State Highway 73 and burning through more than 1000 hectares at Bridge Hill, northwest of Springfield. The Holloway Lodge, near the peak of Bridge Hill, was destroyed. Russell said 110 FENZ staff were still working to contain the blaze as the weather turned. "This afternoon the wind is forecast to strengthen, and temperatures will be in the mid- to high-20s. This will be less favourable conditions for getting this fire contained and the risk of breakouts will be higher so we will be closely monitoring the fire." All recreational areas between Castle Hill and Lake Pearson were closed to the public, FENZ said on social media. "This is still an active fire zone and with the winds increasing the risk of a breakout fire is higher. Please do not move cones and signs that are blocking off these areas. When you do this it ties up valuable resources trying to sort evacuations, when we should be working on the fire ground." Seven FENZ crews had monitored the site overnight. Fire retardant lines had been placed around at-risk properties and crews would be focusing on the ground. There had been five helicopters helping to battle the blaze, and FENZ was expected to do an aerial reconnaissance flight on Saturday morning to assess any damage and the extent of the fire's spread. SH73 had reopened, but stop/go signs were in place and traffic was being taken through the affected area in piloted convoys. "We'd like to thank all the road users for their patience and adhering to the traffic restrictions in place," Russell said. "It has meant we can keep the road open in a safe manner so people can continue to pass through." Strong wind warnings were in place for much of the South Island from early on Sunday, with northwesterly gusts picking up on the east coast through Saturday.
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Police in Georgia on Saturday fired water cannons to disperse pro-EU protesters rallying for a ninth consecutive day against the prime minister's decision to shelve talks on joining the European Union. The Caucasus nation has been engulfed in turmoil since the governing Georgian Dream party declared that it had won a disputed October 26 election. The party's critics have accused it of creeping authoritarianism and of steering the country back towards Russia. Thousands of defiant pro-EU protesters in Georgia began to rally Friday eve after the prime minister claimed victory in a "battle" against the opposition. Tens of thousands have taken to the streets since the election to protest against alleged electoral fraud. Fresh rallies took place across the country after Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced last week that Georgia would not hold talks on European Union membership until 2028. Police have fired tear gas and water cannon against pro-EU protests in Tbilisi and hundreds of arrests have been made, triggering outrage at home and mounting international condemnation. France, Germany and Poland condemned what they called the government's "disproportionate" use of force against protesters and opposition leaders in a joint statement Friday. Shortly after midnight on Saturday, riot police in full gear moved in with water cannons to disperse the rally outside the parliament building, making arrests as the crowd retreated a few metres (yards), an AFP reporter witnessed. Earlier on Friday evening, several thousand people blocked the street outside parliament, with some blowing whistles and others setting off firecrackers. The crowd was smaller than on previous nights and the mood quieter, but protesters rejected claims the movement was dying out. "People will continue the protest," said one demonstrator, 23-year-old Giorgi, wearing a Georgian flag and a back scarf pulled over his nose. "They're patient, I will be here for the rest of my life if it is necessary to save my country." Separate protests were held outside Georgia's Public Broadcaster -- accused of being a government propaganda tool -- as well as the education ministry and the country's tourism administration offices. Shalva Alaverdashvili, founder of the Georgian hotels' federation, told AFP that the "unexpected and unacceptable" suspension of EU accession talks has severely hit the country's tourism industry, which accounts for seven percent of the country's GDP. Thousands have also staged anti-government rallies in the second city of Batumi on the Black Sea coast. On Friday evening, a court in Tbilisi put a 19-year-old youth activist in pre-trial detention. Zviad Tsetskhladze had been arrested during the protests on charges of "organising, leading, and participating in group violence". Tsetskhladze told the judge: "Democracy in Georgia is no more. The rule of law has been crushed. "Our actions are a form of resistance, aimed at preserving the rule of law, defending democracy, and protecting the rights of every individual." Earlier Friday Prime Minister Kobakhidze praised his security forces for "successfully neutralising the protesters' capacity for violence". "We have won an important battle against liberal fascism in our country," he told a news conference, using language reminiscent of how the Kremlin in Russia targets its political opponents. "But the fight is not over. Liberal fascism in Georgia must be defeated entirely," Kobakhidze said, repeating an earlier threat to "complete the process of neutralising the radical opposition". With both sides ruling out a compromise, there appeared to be no clear route out of the crisis. The leader of the opposition Lelo party, Mamuka Khazaradze, said the ruling party "no longer has the strength or resources to stand against the people." The government "has resorted to arresting young activists and political opponents out of fear of relentless public protests and growing civil disobedience by public servants," he told AFP. The interior ministry said police had detained three more individuals Friday for "participating in group violence", punishable by up to nine years' jail. Masked officers have raided several opposition party offices and arrested opposition leaders earlier this week, while around 300 people have been detained at rallies. On Friday Nika Gvaramia, leader of the opposition Akhali party, was sentenced to 12 days in prison. Alexandre Elisashvili, leader of the Strong Georgia opposition group, was remanded in custody for two months of pretrial detention. More trouble is expected after December 14, when Georgian Dream lawmakers elect a loyalist to succeed pro-Western President Salome Zurabishvili. She has vowed not to step down until the parliamentary polls are re-run. Local media has also reported protests across the country, including in the cities of Batumi, Kutaisi, Zugdidi, Rustavi and Telavi. Critics of Georgian Dream are enraged by what they call its betrayal of Tbilisi's bid for EU membership, enshrined in the constitution and supported by around 80 percent of the population. Several ambassadors, a deputy foreign minister, and other officials have resigned over the suspension of EU talks. Georgian Dream, in power for more than a decade, has advanced controversial legislation in recent years, targeting civil society and independent media and curbing LGBTQ rights. Brussels warned such policies were incompatible with EU membership, while domestic critics accuse the government of copying Russia's playbook. Georgia's own rights ombudsman has accused the police of "torture" against those arrested. ub-im/sbkSaudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said on Friday the OPEC+ decision to push back the start of oil output rises by three months until April was based mainly on fundamentals. “There are so many things going on over the next two months but primarily the decision to delay bringing these barrels to the second quarter is tied to the issue that the first quarter is not a good quarter to bring in volumes as it is known to be a quarter for building stocks,” Prince Abdulaziz told CNBC in an interview, when asked how the incoming administration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump would impact OPEC’s strategy. OPEC+, which groups the de facto Saudi-led Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) with allies including Russia, on Thursday also extended the full unwinding of cuts by a year until the end of 2026 due to weak demand and booming production outside the group. The decision “also gives you a meaningful way to have a better understanding not necessarily of what will happen with regard to the U.S., respectfully, but there are so many other things – growth in China, growth in Europe, and lack of it thanks to transitioning, and what is happening in the U.S. economy, interest rates, inflation.” “There are too many moving parts. But honestly the primary cause for moving or shifting – bringing these barrels – is based on fundamentals,” Prince Abdulaziz said. OPEC+, which pumps about half the world’s oil, had been planning to start unwinding cuts from October 2024 but a slowdown in global demand and rising output elsewhere forced it to postpone the plans on several occasions. “I think the reality check that we had to attend to was that we have the double task of attending to the fundamentals yet put together something that mitigates these negative sentiments, within of course the controls of what OPEC+ can do,” Prince Abdulaziz said. “We honestly believe the market next year will be better than what is being projected.” OPEC+ members are holding back 5.86 million barrels per day of output, or about 5.7% of global demand, in a series of steps agreed since 2022 to support the market. The steps include cuts of 2 million bpd by the whole group, 1.65 million bpd of first stage of voluntary cuts by eight members and another 2.2 million of second stage of voluntary cuts by the same eight members. On Thursday, OPEC+ agreed to extend the 2 million bpd and the 1.65 million bpd of cuts until the end of 2026 from the end of 2025, according to statements issued by the group. The gradual unwinding of 2.2 million of cuts will start from April 2025 with monthly increases of 138,000 bpd, according to Reuters calculations, and lasting 18 months until September 2026. “What is not helpful was the accumulation of the lack of compensation,” Prince Abdulaziz said, referring to member countries’ plans to trim output over time for prior production above quotas agreed with OPEC+. Iraq, Russia and Kazakhstan have presented OPEC with compensation plans. They were extended to a year and a half from one year “because, again, we took serious commitments at the highest level,” Prince Abdulaziz said. “These things will be delivered if we can extend the period of compensation.” Source: Reuters (Reporting by Maha El Dahan and Nadine Awadalla; writing by Yousef Saba, editing by Jason Neely, Louise Heavens and David Evans)Stock market today: Stocks drift higher as US markets reopen after a holiday pause
The Canada Games Centre has closed both of its rinks due to an issue with one of the facility’s ice plant compressors. “The decision has been made to cancel all ice bookings as well as any drop-in ice activities with the exception of the Arctic Edge Skating Club’s Gold Nugget Competition,” read a Dec. 6 press release. “Impacted user groups have been notified directly by Facility Bookings staff.” Darrell Peters is the operations supervisor at the Canada Games Centre. He told the that one of the rink’s three compressors went out of commission on Wednesday, Dec. 4. “An instrument panel that's on the compressor is not working, it’s dead. So that compressor is no longer working,” he said. The warm conditions that Whitehorse has been experiencing have complicated the matter further: Peters said operations cannot keep up with the flooding of the ice. He said the operations have not been flooding after every period of hockey since Dec. 4 because the ice wasn’t setting quickly enough. “So what's happening is our ice is getting slimmer and slimmer,” he said. The ice is usually maintained at an inch-and-three-quarters to two inches, but the ice level is now down to an inch-and-a-quarter. “It'll keep getting lower, and then we'll lose our lines on the ice, and then it's a problem,” said Peters. Arctic Edge will be able to use the ice due to the nature of their sport compared with hockey, as well as the fact the rink only needs to be flooded every few hours with figure-skating as opposed to after every period with hockey, Peters said. It is also due to the fact that Arctic Edge is running their test program. “That's why we're shutting everything down, so that they have good quality ice still, on the ATCO ice, for them to do the testing program.” Peters said that their technicians will be arriving from Edmonton on Monday, Dec. 9 with the replacement parts. “I expect them to be working on it Tuesday morning and hopefully be running by lunchtime on Tuesday, if everything works out,” Peters said. Contact Talar Stockton at
Conor McGregor has lost his civil rape case in Ireland after a jury found him liable for assault. The case had been going on for much of the month. Nikita Ni Lamhain, a woman from Ireland , claimed McGregor and another man had sex with her against her will after a Christmas party in 2018. Ni Lamhain, who is also known as Nikita Hand, alleged the UFC star picked her and her friend up following the holiday get-together and took them to a nearby hotel. She claimed while there, McGregor forced himself on her on a bed in a penthouse suite. She also stated that later, another man, James Lawrence, sexually assaulted her too. McGregor claimed their encounter was entirely consensual. However, this decision confirms that the court did not believe his recounting of events. They awarded Ni Lamhain with $250,000 in damages. Their report also stated that James Lawrence did not assault her. The media approached for McGregor for comment outside of the courthouse, but he did not make any statements there. Read More: Jake Paul Calls Out Conor McGregor With MMA Fight Offer After Taking Down Mike Tyson Conor McGregor took to X (formerly Twitter) to deliver a public condemnation of the verdict . He announced that he plans to appeal the court's decision. "The judge's instruction and the modest award given was for assault, not for aggravated or exemplary damages. I am disappointed that the jury did not hear all the evidence that the DPP reviewed. I am with my family now, focused on my future," he said. The embattled mixed martial arts star, who was once the biggest box office draw in the sport, has been in and out of legal troubles for much of the last ten years. He's been in several driving incidents since 2017. At UFC 223, he attacked a bus used by rival Khabib Nurmagomedov, smashing a window and injuring other fighters inside in the process. The NYPD issued a warrant for his arrest, eventually charging him with three counts of assault, one count of criminal mischief, as well as menacing and reckless endangerment. That was brought down to one disorderly conduct charge. He served only five days of community service after a no contest plea. In 2023, he was accused of physically assaulting a woman on his yacht and sexually assaulting another after Game Four of the NBA Finals . And now, he is liable for this instance in 2018. As this is a new development, McGregor has not yet filed his appeal.Ifeoma Onumonu starred as the Super Falcons of Nigeria were beaten 2-1 by France in an international friendly on Saturday night. The Falcons ended the game with 10 players after a late red card was shown to Osinachi Ohale, who fumed at the referee before leaving the pitch. In a thrilling encounter, France opened scoring through Eugenie Le Sommer on the half hour mark and doubled their lead Amel Majri seven minutes after. Read Also: Madugu invites 20 Super Falcons players for France friendly Nigerian ladies, led by coach Justin Madugu, kept piling pressure on their hosts, and successfully pulled one back just before halftime. The game played at the Raymond Kopa Stadium saw Onumonu score Nigeria women’s first-ever goal against their French counterparts. The French side enjoyed more possession in the game and got close to extending their lead late on but goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie denied them from a goal mouth scramble. Opinions Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs. As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake. If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause. Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development. Donate Now
