IBC speeded up recovery of Rs 10.22 lakh crore from defaulting firms: GovtThe exploration include getting rocks and soil from the moon on Earth, the proposed Bharatiya Antariksha Station and landing an astronaut on the lunar surface. “This mission will mark India's entry into the exclusive league of nations capable of mastering space docking,” Union science minister Jitendra Singh said. “The primary objective of the SpaDeX mission is to develop and demonstrate the technology needed for rendezvous, docking, and undocking of two small spacecraft in a low-Earth circular orbit,” an Isro official said. The secondary objective of the mission includes demonstration of the transfer of electric power between the docked spacecraft, which is essential for future applications such as in-space robotics; composite spacecraft control and payload operations after undocking. “This capability is vital for India's lunar and interplanetary missions. Docking technology enables multi-launch missions and supports future human spaceflight,” Singh said. After the demonstration of docking and undocking experiments, the satellites will continue to orbit the Earth for standalone missions for two years. SDX01 is equipped with a high resolution camera (HRC) and SDX02 has two payloads — a miniature multispectral (MMX) payload and radiation monitor (RadMon). These payloads will provide high-resolution images, natural resource monitoring, vegetation studies and on-orbit radiation environment measurements which have numerous applications, Isro said. The PSLV-C60 mission also carries 24 payloads from various Isro labs, private start-ups and educational institutions for carrying out experiments in space. These 24 payloads are mounted on the fourth stage of the PSLV rocket which will remain in orbit for a few weeks before falling back on the Earth. PS4-Orbital Experiment Module (POEM) provides an opportunity for the scientific community to carry out certain in-orbit microgravity experiments for an extended duration of up to three months using the platform, which otherwise would end up as space debris immediately after the mission objective of injecting the primary payloads of the mission.
Iron ore futures slipped to more than five-week low on Friday to post a second straight week of decline, weighed down by faltering demand in top consumer China. The most-traded May iron ore contract on China’s Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE) ended daytime trade 2.63% lower at 759.5 yuan ($104.05) a metric ton, the lowest since Nov. 19. It slid 1.8% week-on-week. The benchmark January iron ore (SZZFF5) on the Singapore Exchange fell 1.87% to $98.9 a ton by 0709 GMT, the lowest since Nov. 19, falling 1.7% so far this week. Both the benchmarks had dropped more than 3% last week. Revived hopes for more China stimulus had helped the market rise earlier this week. Average daily hot metal output of Chinese steelmakers surveyed slid 0.7% week-on-week to 2.28 million tons in the week to Dec. 26, hitting the lowest since late-September and falling for a sixth straight week, data from consultancy Mysteel showed. “Maintenances on blast furnaces and adjustment to production plans at steel mills are underway. So there is no surprise to see a persistent fall in hot metal output,” analysts at First Futures said. “The pre-holiday replenishment of feedstocks may near its end... in the absence of more forceful stimulus, there is little motivation (for some investors) to build long positions.” Domestic steelmakers usually build up stocks ahead of the Chinese New Year that begins on Jan. 28 to meet production needs during and after the holidays. Other steelmaking ingredients on the DCE lost ground, with coking coal and coke (DCJcv1) down 1% and 2.01%, respectively. Steel benchmarks on the Shanghai Futures Exchange were hit by diminishing demand. Rebar lost 1.27%, hot-rolled coil shed 0.96%, wire rod (SWRcv1) fell 0.14% and stainless steel dipped 0.58%. Profits among steelmakers slid 83.7% year-on-year to 7.86 billion yuan in the first 11 months of the year, data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed. Source: Reuters13 famous cowboys and gunslingers from the history of the American Wild WestISLAMABAD - South Asia, home to over 1.8 billion people, is facing escalating environmental challenges, with marine pollution emerging as a critical threat. Coastal ecosystems, reliant on fishing and tourism, are suffering from rising levels of plastic waste, industrial runoff, and untreated sewage. Immediate action is needed to protect both the environment and the livelihoods of vulnerable populations. The region’s heavy reliance on agriculture is a key driver of marine pollution, as excessive use of chemical fertilizers causes nutrient-rich runoff that contaminates rivers and oceans. Despite efforts to improve farming practices, countries like India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh continue to see rising fertilizer use, aggravating the environmental crisis. A recent World Bank report reveals that six South Asian countries contribute to cross-border pollution, including plastics, industrial waste, and untreated sewage, through the 20 major rivers in the region. The Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Indus River basins are major sources of pollution. This environmental degradation is severely impacting coastal economies, with declining fish stocks, polluted beaches, and damaged marine habitats leading to significant economic losses. 2-day Kashmir Jannat Nazeer festival concludes Plastic waste, one of the most persistent threats to marine life, exacerbates the problem. Improper waste management and storm-driven littering result in plastics — such as bags, bottles, and fishing gear —entering the oceans. The long decomposition time of plastic leaves lasting damage to coastal ecosystems. Pakistan, for instance, faces significant marine pollution challenges, especially in its coastal cities like Karachi and the districts of Thatta, Sujawal, and Badin in Sindh. The country generates approximately 20 million tons of waste annually, with 10% consisting of plastic. While Pakistan has taken steps, such as banning single-use plastic bags in major cities, much more needs to be done. Local governments can extend these bans to coastal areas and organize cleanup projects to promote sustainable practices. Professor Dr. Muhammad Ismail Kumbhar, a Sustainable Development Expert, talking to APP emphasizes that effective wastewater management is crucial in mitigating marine pollution. He advocates for the installation and upgrading of wastewater treatment plants to prevent untreated industrial and domestic waste from reaching the sea. He also suggests converting waste into energy as a sustainable alternative. ITP tackle over 800,000 traffic violations, issues 64,395 new licenses in 2024 Dr. Kumbhar stresses the importance of stricter enforcement of environmental laws, particularly in Sindh, to prevent industries from discharging untreated waste into the sea. He also advocates for educating local communities and stakeholders about the harmful effects of marine pollution and promoting eco-friendly practices. Establishing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) along the Sindh coastline would also contribute to conserving vital marine ecosystems, he says. Marine pollution is not only a threat to biodiversity but also to the health of coastal communities. The pollutants in the oceans, such as heavy metals, microplastics, and chemicals, accumulate in fish, posing serious health risks including cancer and neurological disorders. Poor sanitation and untreated sewage discharge further exacerbate waterborne diseases like cholera, hepatitis, and gastrointestinal infections in coastal areas. Moreover, the declining fish stocks due to pollution threaten the livelihoods of thousands of fishermen in Sindh and other regions. Shakrial post office: a lifeline amidst adversity The destruction of coral reefs, vital for biodiversity and coastal protection, further complicates the situation. Pollution, including oil spills, significantly damages these ecosystems, weakening natural defenses against cyclones and rising sea levels. Mangroves, another crucial barrier against coastal erosion, are also suffering from unchecked industrial activities and pollution. As a result, coastal areas are becoming more vulnerable to extreme weather events. Addressing marine pollution in South Asia requires concerted efforts at both the regional and global levels. Dr. Kumbhar stresses the importance of international collaboration to tackle transboundary marine pollution effectively. Drawing inspiration from initiatives in countries like Vietnam and Indonesia, he advocates for shared knowledge and joint actions to reduce ocean pollution. Indonesia, for example, plans to cut marine plastic debris by 70% by 2025 through public awareness campaigns and infrastructure improvements. Similarly, Vietnam aims to reduce marine plastic by 50% by 2030, focusing on eliminating single-use plastics in coastal tourist areas. Azerbaijan cuts Russian citizens' stay from 180 to 90 days Meanwhile, in China, the “Blue Circle” initiative, started in 2020, uses digital technology to manage marine plastic waste, with impressive results. This model has helped recycle over 10,000 tonnes of marine waste, including 2,200 tonnes of plastic, with plans to expand the effort nationwide. The threats facing South Asia’s marine ecosystems are undeniable. Acidification, overfishing, and pollution are all factors contributing to the rapid decline in ocean health, impacting food chains and the income of those reliant on fishing. Immediate action is required to safeguard marine biodiversity, protect local economies, and ensure long-term sustainability. Governments, industries, and local communities must collaborate to enforce stricter environmental laws, promote sustainable practices, and invest in cleanup initiatives. Only through combined efforts can South Asia hope to reverse the damage and preserve its coastal resources for future generations. CTP issue 40,985 challan slips to unfit PSVs Tags: marine pollution a“Gladiator II” asks the question: Are you not moderately entertained for roughly 60% of this sequel? Truly, this is a movie dependent on managed expectations and a forgiving attitude toward its tendency to overserve. More of a thrash-and-burn schlock epic than the comparatively restrained 2000 “Gladiator,” also directed by Ridley Scott, the new one recycles a fair bit of the old one’s narrative cries for freedom while tossing in some digital sharks for the flooded Colosseum and a bout of deadly sea battle theatrics. They really did flood the Colosseum in those days, though no historical evidence suggests shark deployment, real or digital. On the other hand (checks notes), “Gladiator II” is fiction. Screenwriter David Scarpa picks things up 16 years after “Gladiator,” which gave us the noble death of the noble warrior Maximus, shortly after slaying the ignoble emperor and returning Rome to the control of the Senate. Our new hero, Lucius (Paul Mescal), has fled Rome for Numidia, on the North African coast. The time is 200 A.D., and for the corrupt, party-time twins running the empire (Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger), that means invasion time. Pedro Pascal takes the role of Acacius, the deeply conflicted general, sick of war and tired of taking orders from a pair of depraved ferrets. The new film winds around the old one this way: Acacius is married to Lucilla (Connie Nielsen, in a welcome return), daughter of the now-deceased emperor Aurelius and the love of the late Maximus’s life. Enslaved and dragged to Rome to gladiate, the widower Lucius vows revenge on the general whose armies killed his wife. But there are things this angry young phenom must learn, about his ancestry and his destiny. It’s the movie’s worst-kept secret, but there’s a reason he keeps seeing footage of Russell Crowe from the first movie in his fever dreams. Battle follows battle, on the field, in the arena, in the nearest river, wherever, and usually with endless splurches of computer-generated blood. “Gladiator II” essentially bumper-cars its way through the mayhem, pausing for long periods of expository scheming about overthrowing the current regime. The prince of all fixers, a wily operative with interests in both managing gladiators and stocking munitions, goes by the name Macrinus. He’s played by Denzel Washington, who at one point makes a full meal out of pronouncing the word “politics” like it’s a poisoned fig. Also, if you want a master class in letting your robes do a lot of your acting for you, watch what Washington does here. He’s more fun than the movie but you can’t have everything. The movie tries everything, all right, and twice. Ridley Scott marshals the chaotic action sequences well enough, though he’s undercut by frenetic cutting rhythms, with that now-familiar, slightly sped-up visual acceleration in frequent use. (Claire Simpson and Sam Restivo are the editors.) Mescal acquits himself well in his first big-budget commercial walloper of an assignment, confined though he is to a narrower range of seething resentments than Crowe’s in the first film. I left thinking about two things: the word “politics” as savored/spit out by Washington, and the innate paradox of how Scott, whose best work over the decades has been wonderful, delivers spectacle. The director and his lavishly talented design team built all the rough-hewn sets with actual tangible materials the massive budget allowed. They took care to find the right locations in Morocco and Malta. Yet when combined in postproduction with scads of medium-grade digital effects work in crowd scenes and the like, never mind the sharks, the movie’s a somewhat frustrating amalgam. With an uneven script on top of it, the visual texture of “Gladiator II” grows increasingly less enveloping and atmospherically persuasive, not more. But I hung there, for some of the acting, for some of the callbacks, and for the many individual moments, or single shots, that could only have come from Ridley Scott. And in the end, yes, you too may be moderately entertained. ‘GLADIATOR II’ 2.5 stars (out of 4) MPA rating: R (for strong bloody violence) Running time: 2:28 How to watch: In theaters
Iron ore at more than five-week low on faltering China demand; logs second weekly fall
An online debate over foreign workers in tech shows tensions in Trump's political coalitionAfter withdrawing his nomination , former Rep. Matt Gaetz will not be President-elect Donald Trump's attorney general. For some, including fellow Republicans, this may not have been such a shock, considering he was a controversial pick from the beginning due to sexual misconduct allegations . Gaetz, who represented Florida's 1st congressional district from January 2017 until his resignation in November 2024, announced his withdrawal on Thursday. "It is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition," Gaetz wrote on Thursday in a post on X, formerly Twitter. "There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus I'll be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General." Trump commented on Gaetz's withdrawal on Truth Social , saying his fellow Republican "was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the Administration, for which he has much respect." Trump's nomination of Gaetz came as the House Ethics Committee, a bipartisan panel equally divided between Democrats and Republicans, was concluding its three-year investigation into the former congressman concerning allegations of sexual misconduct with a 17-year-girl, illegal drug use and the acceptance of "improper gifts." Gaetz resigned before the committee announced the results of its investigation, and it is unclear if the group's findings will ever be released. They are scheduled to reconvene on Dec. 5 to discuss the matter further. Here's what to know about Gaetz and why many saw him as a questionable pick for attorney general. Who is Matt Gaetz? Gaetz grew up in Hollywood, Florida, and was introduced to politics by his father Don Gaetz, a businessman and current member of the Florida State Senate. Matt Gaetz would go on to serve in the Florida House of Representatives from 2010 until 2016, where he became nationally recognized for defending the state's "stand-your-ground law." The 42-year-old then got elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2016 and was re-elected in 2018, 2020, 2022, and 2024. In 2021, the Justice Department – which Gaetz would have led if he became attorney general – was investigating Gaetz for child sex trafficking and the statutory rape of a 17-year-old girl who the former congressman allegedly paid to travel across state lines for sexual favors. The DOJ ultimately dropped the probe into Gaetz and did not file any charges against him. Although the DOJ stopped its investigation, the House Ethics Committee continued theirs up until Gaetz's resignation this year. Why were Republicans skeptical about Gaetz's nomination? Despite the GOP controlling the U.S. Senate 53-47 next year, Gaetz's withdrawal signals there may not have been enough Republicans willing to support Trump's controversial nominee. Republican senators, including Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Susan Collins (R-Maine), questioned Gaetz's selection before his confirmation hearing. Murkowski called Trump's choice not "a serious nomination," while Collins said she was "shocked" to learn about Gaetz's selection and indicated that "there will be a lot of questions raised at his hearing." While speaking with CNN on Monday, Texas Sen. John Cornyn said, "Whether we get the ethics report or not, the facts are going to come out one way or the other, and I would think it would be in everybody’s best interest, including the president’s, not to be surprised by some information that might come out during the confirmation hearing and the background check." "So we're going to do our job and under the Constitution and in the process, I believe, provide the president some assurance that he knows exactly what the facts are about each of his nominees." What is next for Matt Gaetz? It is unclear whether Gaetz, who was reelected this year, will reclaim his seat in the House come January, which is when his next term was set to begin. The release of the House Ethics Committee's report on Gaetz remains uncertain, and the former congressman's political future could hang in the balance depending on the group's findings. Gaetz could also face further legal issues, as a Florida lawyer who represented two women in the House Ethics Committee investigation into the former congressman accused the politician of paying them for sex . One of the women said she witnessed Gaetz having sex with a 17-year-old, according to reports from the Washington Post and ABC News , both of which spoke with attorney Joel Leppard, who represented the two women. On Monday, Alex Pfeiffer, a spokesperson for Trump's transition, called the allegations against Gaetz a "baseless" attempt to derail the president-elect's upcoming administration. "The Biden Justice Department investigated Gaetz for years and cleared him of wrongdoing," Pfeiffer wrote in a statement obtained by USA TODAY. "Matt Gaetz will be the next Attorney General. He’s the right man for the job and will end the weaponization of our justice system." Contributing: Aysha Bagchi & Riley Beggin/ USA TODAY
OTTAWA — Dave Cameron and his players once again found themselves in an uncomfortable position. Coming off a stunning, embarrassing loss to Latvia some 48 hours earlier at the world junior hockey championship, Canada led another of the sport's lesser lights by a single goal late in regulation Sunday. The tournament hosts would get the job done in the end. It wasn't pretty. Oliver Bonk, Caden Price and Mathieu Cataford, into the empty net, scored as the wobbly Canadians picked up an unconvincing 3-0 victory over Germany. "We're snake-bitten," Cameron, at his third world juniors as the country's head coach, said of the roster's toothless attack. "We're getting chances. That's all you can do ... it'll break." Carter George made 25 saves to register the goaltender's second straight shutout for Canada, which was coming off Friday's 3-2 upset loss to Latvia in a shootout. "I just want to go out there and do my part to get this team a win," said George, who took a shot at the empty net that dribbled wide. "We all pitch into the system." Nico Pertuch stopped 33 shots for Germany, which dropped its Group A opener at the men's under-20 tournament 10-4 to the United States before falling 3-1 to Finland. Canada, which entered with a 17-0 record all-time and a combined 107-26 score against Germany at the world juniors, went more than 120 minutes against a pair of hockey minnows without scoring a goal at 5-on-5. "It gets a little tense there when it was 1-0 with five minutes left," said defenceman Tanner Molendyk. "But I thought we handled it well." "A little tighter than maybe we would have expected," added fellow blueliner Sam Dickinson. Despite another sub-par performance, the victory sets up a mouth-watering New Year's Eve matchup against the U.S. for first place in the pool after the Americans fell 4-3 to the Finns in overtime earlier Sunday. Canada suffered one of the worst defeats in the program's history when Latvia — outscored 41-4 in four previous meetings at the event — shocked the hockey world. And while the plucky Europeans were full marks for their victory, the Canadians were largely disjointed and surrendered the middle of the ice for long stretches despite firing 57 shots on goal. There was more of the same Sunday through the two periods. "It's a quick turnaround, maybe, from (the Latvia loss)," said Canadian forward Berkly Catton. "That hurt, but we've got to be ready." Cameron made a couple of changes to his lineup — one out of necessity and another for tactical reasons. With star defenceman Matthew Schaefer, who could go No. 1 at the 2025 NHL draft, out of the world juniors after suffering an upper-body injury Friday, Vancouver Canucks prospect Sawyer Mynio drew in. Cameron also sat forward Porter Martone for Carson Rehkopf. Canada opened the scoring on the power play, which also had a new look after going 1-for-7 through two games, when Bonk scored from his normal bumper position in the slot at 9:40 of the first period. "Great feeling," said the Ottawa native and son of former NHLer Radek Bonk. "Fans have been awesome." Dickinson then chimed a one-timer off the post on another man advantage before George, who was in goal for Canada's 4-0 opener against Finland, made a couple of stops on the penalty kill inside a red-clad Canadian Tire Centre. "He's been unbelievable," Catton said of the netminder. "He held us in that game when we weren't playing great. He's been the heart and soul of our team." Petruch made a big save off Tanner Howe in the second before also denying Calum Ritchie from the slot on a power play, but the Canadians again looked out of sorts against a decidedly inferior opponent on paper. "You need different clubs in your bag to win this tournament," Cameron said. "Right now our defence and our goaltending are leading the pack. They're the clubs we're using the most. "The offence in this group's going to get going." Catton hit another post for Canada early in the third as a group with 11 first-round NHL draft picks finally started to flex its muscles. Molendyk then also found iron against Germany, set to meet Latvia in a crucial Monday matchup at the bottom of the Group A standings. "It was a lot better," Bonk said of the overall effort. "We didn't score as much as we should have or wanted to. It happens, but the goals will come." Price finally broke the 5-on-5 goose egg with 4:58 left in regulation on a shot that caromed off the end boards, Pertuch and in before Cataford fired into the empty net on another nervy night for the 20-time gold medallists. "Win a hockey game," Catton said of the feeling on the bench. "That's all that really matters — 1-0, 3-0, 10-0 — it's all the same. "We need the wins and we got it." Canada's biggest rival is now on deck. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 29, 2024. Joshua Clipperton, The Canadian PressNY Times advice column ponders how Democrats should deal with Trump-supporting family members
Longtime SAP Veteran, Former UiPath CEO and Google Cloud President to Lead Workday's Global Commercial Strategy for the Company's Next Phase of Growth PLEASANTON, Calif. , Nov. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Workday, Inc. (NASDAQ: WDAY), a leading provider of solutions to help organizations manage their people and money , today announced the appointment of Rob Enslin to the newly created role of president, chief commercial officer (CCO). Enslin will be responsible for driving Workday's revenue growth and leading the company's global sales, partnership and customer experience efforts. Enslin brings more than 30 years of experience in the technology industry, most recently serving as CEO of UiPath where he led the company to non-GAAP profitability, advanced the company's AI strategy, and drove expansion into new markets. Before joining UiPath, Enslin was president of cloud sales at Google Cloud, where he scaled the company's sales operations and drove significant revenue growth. Enslin's extensive career also includes 27 years at SAP, culminating in his role as president of the Cloud Business Group and executive board member. In addition to deep enterprise expertise, Enslin brings a strong global perspective, having held roles in South Africa , USA , Germany , and Japan throughout his career. "Rob is a world-class leader with a track record of building high performing go-to-market teams, a deep understanding of industry and partner ecosystems, and unique global experience, making him the ideal leader to help guide Workday's next phase of growth," said Carl Eschenbach , CEO, Workday. "We're confident that his vision and commitment to providing exceptional customer experiences will unlock even greater potential for Workday and businesses around the world." "Joining Workday at this pivotal moment is incredibly exciting," said Enslin. "Workday's unparalleled dataset, combined with its commitment to innovation, positions the company to become the definitive AI leader in the ERP market. I'm thrilled to be part of this transformation and shape the future of work." Enslin's appointment will be effective as of December 2, 2024 . About Workday Workday is a leading enterprise platform that helps organizations manage their most important assets – their people and money. The Workday platform is built with AI at the core to help customers elevate people, supercharge work, and move their business forever forward. Workday is used by more than 10,500 organizations around the world and across industries – from medium-sized businesses to more than 60% of the Fortune 500. For more information about Workday, visit workday.com . © 2024 Workday, Inc. All rights reserved. Workday and the Workday logo are registered trademarks of Workday, Inc. All other brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements including, among other things, statements regarding Workday's leadership, growth, transformation, and potential. These forward-looking statements are based only on currently available information and our current beliefs, expectations, and assumptions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. If the risks materialize, assumptions prove incorrect, or we experience unexpected changes in circumstances, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements, and therefore you should not rely on any forward-looking statements. Risks include, but are not limited to, risks described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including our most recent report on Form 10-Q or Form 10-K and other reports that we have filed and will file with the SEC from time to time, which could cause actual results to vary from expectations. Workday assumes no obligation to, and does not currently intend to, update any such forward-looking statements after the date of this release, except as required by law. Any unreleased services, features, or functions referenced in this document, our website, or other press releases or public statements that are not currently available are subject to change at Workday's discretion and may not be delivered as planned or at all. Customers who purchase Workday services should make their purchase decisions based upon services, features, and functions that are currently available. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/workday-names-rob-enslin-president-chief-commercial-officer-302316896.html SOURCE Workday Inc.None
How Labour's new green drive will cost you £32,000: JEFF PRESTRIDGE's guide to protect YOUR cash from the eco-zealots By JEFF PRESTRIDGE Updated: 22:47, 26 November 2024 e-mail View comments The drive to turn us into a nation of heat-pump owners is back in fifth gear. Led by the fervent Ed Miliband, Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, homeowners are once again being encouraged to rip out their gas boilers and replace them with expensive heat pumps to help save the planet (believe me, heat pumps will make NO difference to the planet’s survival). Although the Tory government of Boris Johnson was the initial flag-waver when it came to heat pumps, Mr Miliband – a heat pump zealot – has taken the flag-waving to a new level. A sea of green flags is now being waved before our very eyes. Earlier this month, he threw more buckets of money at the so-called Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) to ensure that homeowners who want to make the leap from gas boiler to heat pump will have ready access to grants worth up to £7,500. Without the grants, heat pumps would be out of the financial reach of most households (more on this in a minute). Even with them, they remain an option that only a minority of households can afford. He also announced that planning rules would be relaxed to ensure that nearly everybody who wants a heat pump installed on an exterior wall of their home will soon be able to go ahead – irrespective of the fact that the pump’s noise could well keep the neighbours awake for most of the night. Get pumped: Homeowners are once again being encouraged to rip out their gas boilers and replace them with expensive heat pumps to help save the planet Cities could soon be turned into ‘cacophonous’ heat pump farms, according to one respected commentator. Ear plugs at the ready for the heat pump raves. Mr Miliband wasn’t finished. He also said that the boiler tax will return from next April – a fine paid by boiler manufacturers unable to meet unachievable heat pump sales targets – and passed on to buyers of gas boilers in the form of higher prices. It will be a modest fine to begin with, but is likely to be cranked up every year while green Labour (green in so many other ways) remains in power. Mr Miliband has supporters. The grandiose Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit followed the announcements with a ludicrous press release that played the patriotic card. It said heat pumps would help wean the UK off foreign imported gas – without squaring the circle by admitting that most heat pumps are manufactured in Asia and then imported into the UK. RELATED ARTICLES Previous 1 Next The ultimate five tricks energy experts use to keep heating... How can I make a foolproof insurance claim for flood damage... Share this article Share HOW THIS IS MONEY CAN HELP How to save money on energy: What you need to know and energy-saving tips that work Even manufacturers here assemble heat pumps primarily from components brought into the country on container ships sailing the seven seas. Yet there are more discerning experts who believe that the Government’s belief in a heat pump future – with its target of 600,000 installations a year by 2028 (more than ten times last year’s installation figure) – will end in failure. Yesterday, Gordon Hughes, a former senior adviser on energy and environmental policy at the World Bank, told Money Mail that the 2028 installation target is not credible, even if larger subsidies were handed out to buyers of heat pumps. He also said that even at an installation rate of 600,000 a year, it would take 45 years to convert all houses to heat pumps – way beyond the country’s legally binding commitment under the Climate Change Act 2008 to reach net zero emissions by 2050. Mr Hughes added: ‘Almost everyone with practical knowledge of the energy sector knows that current heat pump targets are both daft and unachievable. ‘But policies are a matter of religious faith, and few are willing to be cast out for saying the emperor has no clothes.’ Money Mail searches for the answers to the key questions facing households thinking about joining Mr Miliband in his heat pump crusade. How much is it going to cost? It depends on the type of heat pump installed – air pump or ground source. The air source pump sits on the outside wall of a home – and looks like the air conditioning units that you see outside many industrial buildings. This pump is painful on the eyes (an eyesore), ears (it’s noisy and gets noisier as it ages) and wallet, costing an average of £13,200 to install. In basic terms, it sucks air from the outside which then interacts with a refrigerant – a chemical substance – to produce heat which can be used to warm radiators and create hot water. Then there is the grander ground source pump which, through the laying of underground pipes (typically in the back garden), draws upon natural-occurring heat stored in the ground to ultimately heat radiators and water in the home. These can cost anything between £15,000 and £30,000, which makes them the Louis Vuitton of heat pumps. But this government – and Mr Miliband in particular – is desperate for households to wean themselves off gas boilers and buy these expensive pumps. So desperate, in fact, that it offers grants of £7,500 to those who get them installed (properly). These are provided through BUS (gov.uk/apply-boiler-upgrade-scheme) and available to households in England and Wales (other energy-efficiency grants are on offer in Scotland and Northern Ireland). So that takes the price of the respective pumps down to a more reasonable £5,700 (air) and £7,500 to £22,500 (ground). To put these sums into perspective, the cost of replacing a gas boiler is around £2,500. So, should you buy a pump? Mike Foster, chief executive of energy trade association the Energy and Utilities Alliance, says that if people want a heat pump and can afford it, ‘they should go out and get one’. Yet a survey by consumer group Which? indicates that cost remains a big issue – 71 pc of respondents who know about heat pumps say they are out of their financial range. Installation costs are also not necessarily the only financial hit. Heat pumps are not effective in homes where windows are single glazed (as opposed to double glazed), or where walls are not insulated. According to the Energy Saving Trust (EST), the cost of fitting A-rated windows (the most energy-efficient double-glazed windows) for a semi-detached house typically cost £15,000, while cavity wall insulation will cost £2,700. Grants: Secretary of State for Energy Security Ed Miliband If you have solid walls and want them insulated, the EST reckons that will set you back £7,500 if fitted internally, or £11,000 externally. In short, fitting a heat pump in a solid-wall, semi-detached house with A-rated windows and external wall insulation will set you back £39,200 – £31,700 net of the £7,500 grant. Running costs will still be more than that of a gas boiler, too. Mr Foster says: ‘You may hear from supporters of heat pump technology that it is three times more efficient than a gas boiler. ‘What they fail to mention is that the average unit price of electricity is four times higher than that for gas. This means a heat pump works out slightly more expensive to run over a full year than a gas boiler.’ For the 50 per cent of homes that use gas for cooking, Mr Foster adds that a conversion to heat pumps will mean the need for electric cooking appliances – yet more cost (typically, £250 for an electric oven, £225 for an electric hob, and £250 for installation) on top of the £39,200. Mr Hughes agrees. He says the differential between gas and electricity prices makes it financially ‘daft’ to replace a gas boiler with a heat pump. He adds: ‘Electricity prices would have to be less than half their current level – with gas prices not changing – to even make a heat pump a consideration.’ Is the boiler tax a game-changer? From April next year, the Government’s Clean Heat Market Mechanism (CHMM) will impose swingeing taxes on boiler manufacturers if heat pumps represent less than 6 per cent of all domestic heating installations. For every heat pump installation short of their target, the manufacturers will be hit with a £500 fine. But Mr Miliband’s zealotry towards heat pumps means the sky is the limit in 12 months’ time. The tax will be passed on by manufacturers to buyers of gas boilers in the form of higher prices. Based on the current demand for gas boilers and heat pumps, Mr Foster estimates that it is likely to add £25 to the average cost of a gas boiler when fines are set at £500. But if Mr Miliband were to impose a more onerous heat pump installation target and bigger fines, the gap between heat pump and gas boiler installation costs would start closing. If the Secretary of State demanded a 24 per cent installation target – similar to the electric vehicle targets imposed on car manufacturers – and a fine of £5,000 per heat pump short of the target, Mr Foster says this would result in a boiler tax for customers of £1,000. Peter Thom, founder of energy efficiency specialist Green Heat, says the financial mathematics for households aren’t changed by CHMM. He says: ‘My advice would still be to replace a failing gas boiler with another gas boiler.’ But he adds: ‘I would ensure that any new installation works effectively at a lower temperature – which may mean putting in higher-output radiators. I’d also make sure that the heating controls are upgraded. ‘This would mean your heating system is heat-pump ready for when the dice is loaded so heavily against gas boilers that heat pumps are the way forward.’ Eyesore: Air source heat pumps sit on the outside wall of a home – and looks like the air conditioning units you see outside many industrial units Could better tech drive down prices? Not according to Mr Foster. He says heat pumps are already sold in their millions worldwide (especially in the Far East) and their basic design has not changed much. Yes, he says, they could become quieter – but that will come at a price. Unless a vicious boiler tax is introduced, a gas boiler will always be cheaper than a heat pump. Is the funding sustainable? No. Mr Thom says the installation target of 600,000 heat pumps per year by 2028 will cost the taxpayer £4.5 billion annually (assuming the BUS grant remains at £7,500). If the annual target of 1.6 million new heat pumps is achieved in 2035, it will cost £12 billion a year. He adds: ‘This is like being at the Mad Hatter’s party on Fantasy Island. ‘I also question the moral compass of a government which is providing grants of £7,500 to help essentially wealthy people install heat pumps while, at the same time, taking away the winter fuel allowance from millions of pensioners – with some four million people now in fuel poverty.’ A damning comment. Are you a heat pump sceptic or a zealot? Email: jeff.prestridge@dailymail.co.uk Can you save money on energy bills? Check the best fixed deals When energy prices spiked most households slipped energy price cap tariffs, but it is now possible again to switch to fixed rate energy deals that can save you money. This is Money's recommended partner uSwitch lets you compare the best energy deals for you, based on your home and gas and electricity costs. > Compare the best energy deals with uSwitch* By entering your address and energy usage, you can search for energy deals that can cut your costs and suit how you live. Switching energy provider can also help the planet, if you move to one of the a green deals offering electricity from renewable sources and more environmentally-friendly gas. > Check the best fixed rate energy deals with uSwitch and This is Money * *Affiliate links: If you take out a product This is Money may earn a commission. This does not affect our editorial independence. 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Stock market today: Wall Street hits records despite tariff talkLAS VEGAS (AP) — A team that previously boycotted at least one match against the San Jose State women's volleyball program will again be faced with the decision whether to play the school , this time in the Mountain West Conference semifinals with a shot at the NCAA Tournament on the line. Five schools forfeited matches in the regular season against San Jose State, which carried a No. 2 seed into the conference tournament in Las Vegas. Among those schools: No. 3 Utah State and No. 6 Boise State, who will face off Wednesday with the winner scheduled to play the Spartans in the semifinals on Friday. Wyoming, Nevada and Southern Utah — which is not a Mountain West member — also canceled regular-season matches, all without explicitly saying why they were forfeiting. Nevada players cited fairness in women’s sports as a reason to boycott their match, while political figures from Wyoming, Idaho, Utah and Nevada suggested the cancellations center around protecting women’s sports. In a lawsuit filed against the NCAA , plaintiffs cited unspecified reports asserting there was a transgender player on the San Jose State volleyball team, even naming her. While some media have reported those and other details, neither San Jose State nor the forfeiting teams have confirmed the school has a trans women’s volleyball player. The Associated Press is withholding the player’s name because she has not publicly commented on her gender identity and through school officials has declined an interview request. A judge on Monday rejected a request made by nine current conference players to block the San Jose State player from competing in the tournament on grounds that she is transgender. That ruling was upheld Tuesday by an appeals court. “The team looks forward to starting Mountain West Conference tournament competition on Friday,” San Jose State said in a statement issued after the appeals court decision. “The university maintains an unwavering commitment to the participation, safety and privacy of all students at San Jose State and ensuring they are able to compete in an inclusive, fair and respectful environment.” Boise State did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday. “Utah State is reviewing the court’s order," Doug Hoffman, Aggies associate athletic director for communications, said in an email. "Right now, our women’s volleyball program is focused on the game this Wednesday, and we’ll be cheering them on.” San Jose State, which had a first-round bye, would be sent directly to the conference title game if Utah State or Boise State were to forfeit again. If the Spartans make the title game, it's likely the opponent would not forfeit. They would face top-seeded Colorado State, No. 4 Fresno State or No. 5 San Diego State — all teams that played the Spartans this season. The conference champion receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. AP college sports: https://apnews.com/hub/college-sports
S Korea's opposition moves to impeach acting president
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