Latest news with #Per
06-08-2025
- Business
New Jersey reaches historic $2 billion environmental settlement with DuPont over 'forever chemicals'
Three chemical producers have reached a historic settlement with the state of New Jersey over "forever chemicals" and other pollutants released into the environment. Global chemical manufacturer DuPont and its affiliates, Chemours and Corteva, have agreed to a $2 billion settlement with New Jersey to resolve environmental claims tied to decades of pollution involving Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), commonly known as 'forever chemicals,' as well as other pollutants originating from four industrial sites across the state. NJDEP Commissioner LaTourette and NJ Attorney General Platkin made the announcement on Monday, calling the deal the 'largest environmental settlement ever achieved by a single state'. The proposed settlement, which still requires court approval, obligates the companies to pay $875 million in natural resource and other damages to the state over a 25-year period. It also mandates that DuPont and its affiliates create a $1.2 billion remediation fund for cleanup efforts at the four industrial sites and establish a separate $475 million reserve fund to ensure that, if any of the companies go bankrupt or otherwise fail to meet their obligations, New Jersey taxpayers are not left footing the bill. "Polluters who place profit above public well-being by releasing poisonous PFAS and other contamination in our State can expect to be held responsible to clean up their mess and fully compensate the State and its citizens for the precious natural resources they've damaged or destroyed," Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Shawn LaTourette said. The proposed settlement will resolve the Chambers Works case, a 2019 lawsuit against Delaware-based E.I. DuPont de Nemours and Co. (now known as EIDP, Inc.) and other DuPont-related entities, officials said. The settlement follows a month of trial proceedings in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. In a press release, DuPont, Chemours and Corteva said the settlement will not only resolve the 2019 lawsuit, but 'all legacy contamination claims related to the companies' current and former operating sites (Chambers Works, Parlin, Pompton Lakes and Repauno) and claims of statewide PFAS contamination unrelated to those sites." ABC News reached out to the companies for comment, and they declined to comment further. Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) are a group of manufactured chemicals that have been used for decades in a wide range of products, including non-stick cookware. Commonly referred to as 'forever chemicals,' PFAS do not break down easily in the human body or the environment, and are associated with certain cancers, hormonal dysfunction, and other health problems, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). New Jersey's extensive industrial and manufacturing history has put it on the front lines of pollution monitoring and remediation. New Jersey was the first state in the nation to set a maximum contaminant level for certain PFAS. The affected sites include Pompton Lakes Works in Pompton Lakes and Wanaque in Passaic County; the Parlin Site in Sayreville, Middlesex County; the Repauno Site in Greenwich Township in Gloucester County; Chambers Works, in Pennsville and Carney's Point in Salem County. The Sierra Club, one of the largest and most influential grassroots environmental organizations in the country, called the settlement 'an incredible and historical achievement' for the state. 'DuPont has finally been held responsible for what they have done to New Jersey, to our public health, and to our environment', NJ Sierra Club Chapter Director, Anjuli Ramos-Busot, said in a statement. 'DuPont has been knowingly poisoning our lands and waters for decades. As an entity of chemical innovation, DuPont brought prosperity to New Jersey. But, like with all polluters with a ROI bottom line, the true impact brought to New Jersey was hidden from us'. 'This outcome proves that New Jersey will fight to ensure that polluters pay their fair share for the devastating damages they have caused. I remain committed to working alongside the Attorney General and the DEP to ascertain how to swiftly and effectively allocate these funds to best clean up our communities and protect public health in the future,' State Senator Linda Greenstein (D-Middlesex/Mercer) said. The DuPont settlement will be published in the New Jersey Register and is subject to a public comment period before it can be finalized. Following that, the proposed agreement must be approved by the U.S. District Court.
Business Insider
01-07-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Cloudflare to block AI bot crawlers by default and let websites demand payment for access
Cloudflare announced a major policy shift that could reshape the dynamics between content creators and AI companies. Beginning Tuesday, the company will automatically block AI crawlers from scraping the websites it powers, unless site owners explicitly opt in. This makes Cloudflare the first major internet infrastructure provider to enforce a default permission-based model for AI content access. The move comes amid growing concerns from content creators and publishers that AI giants are exploiting their work without consent or compensation. Historically, search engines have indexed content in a way that drives traffic and ad revenue back to original sources. But AI bot crawlers, used for training large language models, harvest vast amounts of data and send much less traffic back to the original creators of this content. These bots are used by industry giants including Google, Meta, OpenAI, and Anthropic. Cloudflare, which manages and protects traffic for about 20% of the web, initially rolled out an optional one-click AI crawler blocking system in 2024. More than a million customers enabled it. Now, this becomes the default: AI companies will now be required to obtain explicit permission from websites before scraping, flipping the script on passive data harvesting. "Original content is what makes the internet one of the greatest inventions in the last century, and we have to come together to protect it," Cloudflare CEO Matthew Prince said. "AI crawlers have been scraping content without limits," he added. "Our goal is to put the power back in the hands of creators, while still helping AI companies innovate. This is about safeguarding the future of a free and vibrant internet with a new model that works for everyone." Pay Per Crawl As part of its broader push toward a permission-based internet, Cloudflare also rolled out Pay Per Crawl on Tuesday. This new feature lets select publishers and creators charge AI companies for accessing their content. Participants can set pricing for individual crawlers, granting full control over how and whether their work is used in AI model training. Cloudflare hopes to create a transparent, consent-driven marketplace that helps creators decide whether to allow all AI crawlers, permit specific ones, or set their own access fees, turning previously unmonetized content usage into new revenue streams. For AI companies, Pay Per Crawl offers a streamlined interface to browse access terms, view pricing, and choose whether to pay or walk away without the data. Pay Per Crawl is currently available to a select group of partners, with broader access available through this sign-up page. Major publishers have signed on or expressed support for Cloudflare's latest move to block AI bot crawlers by default, including Gannett, Time, BuzzFeed, The Atlantic, and the Associated Press. Other companies, such as Stack Overflow, have endorsed the initiative. At its core, Cloudflare's moves are an attempt to reset the internet's economic model for the new age of generative AI. This initiative doesn't halt AI innovation, but encourages it to grow responsibly by paying for intellectual property and rewarding the creators behind the data.
Euronews
06-06-2025
- Health
- Euronews
Danish PM calls for full-face veil ban in educational institutions
The European Commission plans to launch a vast operation to clean up PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances), also known as "forever chemicals" in water through the creation of public-private partnerships. These were the conclusions of the European Water Resilience Strategy, adopted on Wednesday in Brussels. In 2022, out of 1,300 monitoring sites in Europe, 59% of rivers, 35% of lakes and 73% of coastal waters exceeded the environmental quality standard for perfluorooctanesulphonic acid (PFOS), a type of PFAS, according to the European Environment Agency (EEA). In Europe, only 37% of surface waters are in good or very good ecological health and 29% have achieved good chemical status, according to the agency. Environmental associations, which are campaigning for a ban on PFAS at the source, are denouncing this as a "missed opportunity". "We expected to see more ambition to reduce pollution at the source," said Angeliki Lyssimachou, head of science and policy at the Pesticide Action Network (PAN) Europe. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances are dubbed "forever chemicals" because they don't easily break down in the environment and accumulate in humans and animals over time. Health costs are estimated at €52 to €84 billion a year and some of the chemicals have been classified as carcinogenic. These chemical compounds are non-stick, waterproof and resistant to high temperatures. They are also present in many everyday items such as non-stick frying pans, fire-fighting foams and medical devices. Jessika Roswall, the European Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resilience said she was in favour of banning PFAS in consumer products such as cosmetics and food packaging. However, she stressed that it would be difficult to ban all PFASs, as some do not yet have an effective alternative. "The problem is that we need PFASs for many different products. For example, medical products like inhalers (...) or many things for which there is no substitution. In terms of the ecological transition, semiconductors, digitisation or the defence industry," Roswall told Euronews. In a leaked document, the Commission's estimated range for the annual cost of PFAS decontamination in Europe was wide, at anywhere from €5 all the way to €100 billion. For the water sector alone, the cost could increase to up to €18 billion annually for drinking water treatment. For some pollutants, such as TFA (trifluoroacetic acid, a type of PFAS), the clean-up is not so simple. "According to the water companies, it's a very expensive process that involves extracting all the minerals from the water and adding them back. At the end of the day, you're going to lose a lot of water," says Angeliki Lyssimachou. "So you're going to consume a lot more energy. The Commission wants to apply the "polluter pays" principle and reserve public funding for sites where it has not been possible to identify who is responsible. The European Water Resilience Strategy aims to restore the water cycle and ensure access to clean, affordable water at a time when Europe is facing extreme weather events such as floods and droughts. 34% of the EU is affected by water shortages. "Water is life. Water resilience is essential for our citizens, our farmers, the environment and businesses. The Commission's Water Resilience Strategy sets out the path towards a sustainable, resilient, smart and competitive water economy. We must act now to protect this resource," said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in a statement. The European action plan also includes raising awareness for these issues through public debates, increasing European funding for infrastructure modernisation, supporting digitisation through the EU's Copernicus Earth observation programme, and supporting innovation. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has called on Thursday for stricter measures limiting religious symbols and rituals in education, asking for a ban on full-coverage veils worn by some Muslim women to be extended to schools and universities. The country's overall ban on burkas and niqabs in public places, introduced in 2018, has not been applied to educational institutions. However, Frederiksen, who is also the leader of the country's Social Democrats party, wants to change this, stating that limiting the ban in this way had been a mistake. "There are gaps in the legislation that allow Muslim social control and oppression of women at educational institutions in Denmark," Frederiksen told domestic media. "You have the right to be a person of faith and practice your religion, but democracy takes precedence." Meanwhile, opponents of the general ban, including civil society organisations such as Amnesty International, said it infringes on women's right to dress as they choose. "All women should be free to dress as they please and to wear clothing that expresses their identity or beliefs," the NGO said in 2018. The announcement is a direct response to recommendations from the Commission for the Forgotten Women's Struggle, which earlier this year called for action. In 2022, the same government-formed commission proposed to impose a ban on the wearing of hijabs in primary schools to ensure 'that women with minority backgrounds can enjoy the same rights and freedoms as other Danish women'. At the time, the ban proposal sparked a backlash and protests in Denmark. The plan was rejected in 2023. Frederiksen also wants prayer rooms to be removed from educational institutions, objecting to the fact that they have been set up at several universities and colleges. The Danish PM does not believe these rooms create inclusiveness, but rather "provide a breeding ground for discrimination and pressure", she explained. While Frederiksen is not asking for an outright ban, she said that Minister for Education and Children Mattias Tesfaye and Minister for Higher Education Christina Egelund will enter into a dialogue with schools and universities about finding a common solution, and "clarify that prayer rooms do not belong there". The Danish society cannot allow itself to be ruled by religious conservatism, Frederiksen told the domestic press. "You're welcome to have your religion, but when you're at school, you're there to be at school and take part in your education," she concluded. North Korea's dictator Kim Jong-un has once again affirmed his "unconditional support" for Russia's all-out war against Ukraine during a meeting with a top Russian official. The authoritarian ruler made the comment during talks with Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu in Pyongyang on Wednesday, according to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). Kim reiterated his 'unconditional support for the stand of Russia and its foreign policies in all the crucial international political issues including the Ukrainian issue", KCNA reported. The two countries' ties have strengthened in recent years, with Pyongyang sending thousands of troops to Russia to participate in its war against Ukraine. The North Korean soldiers have been deployed in Russia's Kursk region, parts of which were seized by the Ukrainian army in a surprise offensive last August. Speculation about North Korea's deployment of troops to Russia first arose at the end of 2024, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and South Korean officials accusing Pyongyang of sending soldiers to support Moscow's war efforts. However, it wasn't until April that Moscow and Pyongyang officially confirmed the presence of North Korean troops on the battlefield. A monitoring group comprising South Korea, the US, Japan and eight other countries last week classified Russia and North Korea's military alliance as 'illegal", saying it flagrantly violates UN sanctions. The report said their pact was allowing North Korea to fund its banned ballistic missile programme. The group also expressed concern that Russia might also transfer sophisticated technologies to help North Korea enhance its nuclear weapons programme. In late April, North Korea unveiled the country's first naval destroyer, named the Choe Hyon, which experts say was likely built with Russian assistance, in further proof of growing military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Colliers Set to Acquire Astris Finance, Bolsters IB Capabilities
Colliers International Group, Inc. CIGI recently entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a controlling interest in a global investment banking (IB) company, Astris Infrastructure, LLC (Astris Finance). The deal, subject to customary closing conditions, is expected to close in the third quarter of 2025. The financial terms were not disclosed. Under Colliers' unique partnership model, the senior leadership of Astris Finance, together with nine senior team members designated to become partners, will retain substantial ownership in the business. Founded in 2000, Astris Finance offers strategic and transaction advisory services, which include mergers and acquisitions (M&A), project finance, and other long-term capital raising initiatives to the world's leading developers and investors in transportation, renewable energy, power generation and distribution, as well as digital and social infrastructure. Per Elias Mulamoottil, co-chief investment officer of Colliers, 'Colliers manages more than $25 billion of energy transition and other infrastructure assets through our Investment Management segment, and we deliver comprehensive technical design and consulting services to the same sectors through our Engineering segment.' Through this acquisition, the company will expand its investment banking capabilities, enabling it to better serve institutional clients and take advantage of the increasing global demand for infrastructure that facilitates urbanization, energy security and decarbonization. Colliers is a global diversified professional services and investment management company. Its primary services include outsourcing, leasing, capital markets, engineering and investment management. CIGI is poised to ride the growth curve, backed by its globally balanced and highly diversified business model. In the past three months, shares of this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company have gained 0.5% compared to the industry's upside of 3.9%. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Some better-ranked stocks from the broader real estate sector are Ferrovial SE FER and Berkeley Group BKGFY. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Ferrovial's 2025 earnings per share is pegged at 99 cents, which indicates year-over-year decrease of 35.7%. FER currently sports a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. BKGFY carries a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy) at present. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Berkeley's full-year earnings per share is 80 cents, which indicates a decrease of 16.7% from the year-ago period. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Colliers International Group Inc. (CIGI) : Free Stock Analysis Report Berkeley Group Holdings PLC Unsponsored ADR (BKGFY) : Free Stock Analysis Report Ferrovial SE (FER) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research Sign in to access your portfolio
Euronews
05-06-2025
- Health
- Euronews
Forever chemicals: Brussels' mission to clean up Europe's water
The European Commission plans to launch a vast operation to clean up PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances), also known as "forever chemicals" in water through the creation of public-private partnerships. These were the conclusions of the European Water Resilience Strategy, adopted on Wednesday in Brussels. In 2022, out of 1,300 monitoring sites in Europe, 59% of rivers, 35% of lakes and 73% of coastal waters exceeded the environmental quality standard for perfluorooctanesulphonic acid (PFOS), a type of PFAS, according to the European Environment Agency (EEA). In Europe, only 37% of surface waters are in good or very good ecological health and 29% have achieved good chemical status, according to the agency. Environmental associations, which are campaigning for a ban on PFAS at the source, are denouncing this as a "missed opportunity". "We expected to see more ambition to reduce pollution at the source," said Angeliki Lyssimachou, head of science and policy at the Pesticide Action Network (PAN) Europe. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances are dubbed "forever chemicals" because they don't easily break down in the environment and accumulate in humans and animals over time. Health costs are estimated at €52 to €84 billion a year and some of the chemicals have been classified as carcinogenic. These chemical compounds are non-stick, waterproof and resistant to high temperatures. They are also present in many everyday items such as non-stick frying pans, fire-fighting foams and medical devices. Jessika Roswall, the European Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resilience said she was in favour of banning PFAS in consumer products such as cosmetics and food packaging. However, she stressed that it would be difficult to ban all PFASs, as some do not yet have an effective alternative. "The problem is that we need PFASs for many different products. For example, medical products like inhalers (...) or many things for which there is no substitution. In terms of the ecological transition, semiconductors, digitisation or the defence industry," Roswall told Euronews. In a leaked document, the Commission's estimated range for the annual cost of PFAS decontamination in Europe was wide, at anywhere from €5 all the way to €100 billion. For the water sector alone, the cost could increase to up to €18 billion annually for drinking water treatment. For some pollutants, such as TFA (trifluoroacetic acid, a type of PFAS), the clean-up is not so simple. "According to the water companies, it's a very expensive process that involves extracting all the minerals from the water and adding them back. At the end of the day, you're going to lose a lot of water," says Angeliki Lyssimachou. "So you're going to consume a lot more energy. The Commission wants to apply the "polluter pays" principle and reserve public funding for sites where it has not been possible to identify who is responsible. The European Water Resilience Strategy aims to restore the water cycle and ensure access to clean, affordable water at a time when Europe is facing extreme weather events such as floods and droughts. 34% of the EU is affected by water shortages. "Water is life. Water resilience is essential for our citizens, our farmers, the environment and businesses. The Commission's Water Resilience Strategy sets out the path towards a sustainable, resilient, smart and competitive water economy. We must act now to protect this resource," said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in a statement. The European action plan also includes raising awareness for these issues through public debates, increasing European funding for infrastructure modernisation, supporting digitisation through the EU's Copernicus Earth observation programme, and supporting innovation.
