World on cusp of shifting from fossil fuels to renewable energy: UN report
Guterres unveiled the report, compiled by the International Renewable Energy Agency and other bodies, in a news conference at the UN headquarters on Tuesday.
The UN chief said: "Fossil fuels are running out of road. The sun is rising on a clean energy age."
He introduced data showing that solar power is 41 percent cheaper and offshore wind power 53 percent cheaper than power generated by fossil fuels.
Guterres noted that in addition to being economically rational, renewable energy is less vulnerable to geopolitical turmoil, and solar panels can be installed in areas where power generation plants cannot be built.
He also listed challenges, including the need for investment in infrastructure such as power grids and storage, and soaring electricity demand from AI data centers.
He urged relevant businesses to ensure that all data centers run on 100 percent renewable energy by 2030.
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Japan Times
4 hours ago
- Japan Times
Apple plots expansion into AI robots, home security and smart displays
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Its most recent moonshot project, the Vision Pro headset, remains a sales flop, and the design of its bestselling devices has remained largely unchanged for years. At the same time, Apple has come under fire for missing the generative AI revolution. And OpenAI may even threaten the company's home turf by developing new AI-driven devices with the help of former Apple design chief Jony Ive. Though Apple is still in the early stages of turning around its AI software, executives see the pipeline of hardware as a key piece of its resurgence — helping it challenge Samsung, Meta and others in new categories. A spokesperson for Cupertino, California-based Apple declined to comment. Because the products haven't been announced, the company's plans could still change or be scrapped. Many of the initiatives and their timelines rely on Apple's continued progress in AI-powered software. Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook told employees in an all-hands meeting this month that Apple must win in AI and hinted at the upcoming devices. "The product pipeline — which I can't talk about — it's amazing, guys. It's amazing,' Cook said. "Some of it you'll see soon. Some of it will come later. But there's a lot to see.' Beyond the home devices, Apple is preparing thinner and redesigned iPhones for release this year. And further out, it aims to introduce smart glasses, a foldable phone, a 20-year anniversary iPhone and a revamped headset dubbed N100. It's also planning a large foldable device that melds a MacBook and an iPad. Apple CEO Tim Cook is banking on an ambitious product road map to help get the company's AI effort on track. | Bloomberg Apple is looking to boost sales after years of slowing growth for its flagship products. It also nixed some expansions into new areas, like self-driving cars, adding pressure to find other sources of revenue. Moreover, the new initiatives will help rebut the idea that the company is no longer innovating like it used to. It was first reported last year that Apple was moving forward with a tabletop robotics project, codenamed J595, and developing a new smart-home strategy. But now a clearer picture is forming of its push into that market — and what it means for its AI ambitions. The tabletop robot resembles an iPad mounted on a movable limb that can swivel and reposition itself to follow users in a room. Like a human head, it can turn toward a person who is speaking or summoning it, and even seek to draw the attention of someone not facing it. The hope is to bring AI to life in ways that other hardware makers have yet to do. Apple imagines customers placing it on a desk or kitchen counter and using it to get work done, consume media and manage their day. FaceTime calls will also be a key function of the device. 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The Apple logo during the opening of the new Apple Malaysia store in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in 2024. | Bloomberg Core to the new home devices — and current products like iPhones and iPads — is an overhaul to the underpinnings of Siri. Engineers are working on a version codenamed Linwood with an entirely new brain built around large language models — the foundation of generative AI. The goal is to tap into personal data to fulfill queries, an ability that was delayed due to hiccups with the current version. That new software, known internally as LLM Siri, is planned for release as early as next spring. But work is going even further: Apple is preparing a visually redesigned assistant for iPhones and iPads that will also debut as early as next year. Craig Federighi, senior vice president of software engineering, hinted at a bigger-than-anticipated overhaul in an internal meeting with employees this month. 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Japan Times
5 hours ago
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NBA approves sale of Celtics for $6.1 billion
The NBA on Wednesday approved the sale of the Boston Celtics to an investment group led by Bill Chisholm, five months after the deal worth a then-record $6.1 billion was agreed upon. "The NBA Board of Governors has unanimously approved the sale of the controlling interests in the Boston Celtics to an investor group led by Bill Chisholm," the league said in a brief statement. "The transaction is expected to close shortly." Chisholm is the managing director and co-founder of Symphony Technology Group. When he and his co-investors agreed to purchase the storied Celtics franchise "at an initial valuation of $6.1 billion," that was the most ever offered for a North American sports team. It has since been surpassed by the $10 billion sale of the Los Angeles Lakers by the Buss family to billionaire Mark Walter in June. When the Celtics sale was announced, it was stated that Wyc Grousbeck would continue in his roles of chief executive officer and governor, overseeing team operations through the 2027-28 season. The Grousbeck family and Steve Pagliuca purchased the Celtics for $360 million in 2002. But U.S. media reported this week that Chisholm — a Massachusetts native who calls himself a "diehard Celtics fan" — will assume the role of governor because under the terms of the deal, Grousbeck will no longer have the required 15% ownership stake the league requires to hold that role. Nevertheless, ESPN reported that Chisholm and Grousbeck "plan to run the team together as originally planned." The Celtics are one of the most storied in the NBA's history, with a record 18 championships, the most recent coming in 2024.
Japan Times
6 hours ago
- Japan Times
Micah Parson stays silent as contract dispute with Cowboys continues
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and hold-in All-Pro linebacker Micah Parsons made no formal progress in their contract showdown on Wednesday, and only one of the principal parties was willing to talk. Parsons only said, "my mouth is closed," as he left the field after watching the team workout. Jones resisted feigning optimism about a breakthrough in talks when the team breaks training camp and heads back to Dallas from Oxnard, California. "I don't know that necessarily talks will," Jones said. "But we've got a game coming, and he's under contract." Jones said there is "nothing" standing in the way of the team negotiating with Parsons, who said he formally and directly requested a trade out of Dallas to executive vice president Stephen Jones, Jerry Jones' son, earlier this month. "I stayed quiet but again after repeated shots at myself and all the narratives I have made a tough decision I no longer want to play for the Dallas Cowboys," he wrote in a social media post on Aug. 1. "My trade request has been submitted to Stephen Jones personally." Jerry Jones said Wednesday there is no deadline for the two sides to come to terms on a deal when asked if he could see negotiations ceasing before the regular-season opener on the road against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sept. 7. "You don't have a deadline when you're playing under contract," he said. Parsons, 26, was present on but never took the field as the Cowboys went through their final padded practice of camp on Wednesday. The two-time All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowl selection is in the final year of his rookie contract and scheduled to be paid $24 million this season.
