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In an eyebrow-raising milestone for art and technology, a portrait of British mathematician <keyword id="20716963" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="alan-turing" source="keywords">Alan Turing</keyword>, crafted by none other than Ai-Da — the world’s first <keyword id="23883869" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="humanoid-robot-artist" source="keywords">humanoid robot artist</keyword> — has skyrocketed <keyword id="23524646" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="AI-generated-art" source="keywords">AI-generated art</keyword> into the realm of high-end auctions. The piece, aptly titled A.I. God, fetched a staggering $1,084,800 at Sotheby’s Digital Art Sale, completely blindsiding initial estimates of $180,000. Ai-Da’s robotic fingers just created history, and people are scratching their heads trying to figure out how they feel about it. <h2>Meet Ai-Da</h2>Ai-Da isn’t your average paintbrush-wielding bot. Designed to resemble a human woman complete with expressive eyes and a bob of brown hair, Ai-Da does more than pose as an artist — she acts as a philosophical commentator on the very technology that powers her. Named after Ada Lovelace, the 19th-century mathematician credited as the world’s first computer programmer, Ai-Da’s artistic journey began as a project by Aidan Meller, a modern art expert. With help from AI wizards at Oxford and Birmingham universities, Ai-Da was equipped with tech that allows her to generate artistic ideas through conversations with her human counterparts. The result is a robot that doesn’t just paint but provokes. "The key value of my work is its capacity to serve as a catalyst for dialogue about emerging technologies," Ai-Da remarked at Sotheby’s. Her Turing portrait “with muted tones and broken facial planes” seems to symbolise the caution Turing himself had raised in the 1950s about AI’s future. Turing, a code-breaking legend and early computer scientist, had foreseen both AI’s promise and its potential perils. Ai-Da’s portrayal captures that conflict, mirroring today’s conversation: is AI here to serve us, or are we unwittingly feeding our own "god"? <h2>A moment in art history</h2>With A.I. God being the first artwork by a humanoid robot ever to be sold at auction, many see this sale as the dawn of AI’s full-fledged entry into the art world. Others, however, worry this is the beginning of a dystopian trend that could devalue human-made art. For every admirer of Ai-Da’s skills, there’s a sceptic pondering what this means for artists who pour their human soul into their work. As Aidan Meller sees it, Ai-Da is the ultimate artist for our time. "The greatest artists in history grappled with their period of time," Meller said, "and Ai-Da is perfectly suited to discuss the current developments with technology and its unfolding legacy." Whether we’ll look back on this era as a golden age of innovation or as the point where humans began their creative decline is up for debate. <h2>Public reactions</h2>As A.I. God smashed records, it also smashed open a Pandora’s box of mixed reactions. Art critics and tech enthusiasts are intrigued; social media is ablaze with questions about the role of AI in traditionally human spaces. Many are captivated by Ai-Da’s sophisticated process, which involved her choosing colours, textures, and even the tone of the painting after examining Turing’s photograph. But others are alarmed. If robots can generate million-dollar art, where does that leave human creators? Or, more provocatively, what happens when robots develop their own creative ambitions? The public perception of AI art is one big contradiction. On one hand, there’s an undeniable thrill in seeing a machine paint, compose, or even converse. There’s a fascination with this powerful new tool that seems both thrilling and dangerous. On the other, people worry about the commodification of creativity. In an era where everything is data, will AI art soon be mass-produced? Will human-made art become a quaint relic, like vinyl records or typewriters? Beyond the dollars and digits, Ai-Da’s work represents a fundamental question: what is art, and who — or what — gets to create it? Meller argues that Ai-Da serves as a mirror to our modern age, where every advance in technology is double-edged, carrying both promise and pitfalls. Ai-Da’s Turing portrait has sparked a conversation that won’t die down soon. Are we witnessing the rise of a new artistic epoch, or merely the latest novelty to captivate our tech-obsessed world?

Humanoid robot Ai-Da’s portrait of computer legend Alan Turing fetches over $1 million at an art auction

The smartphone industry continuously pushes the boundaries of <keyword id="1658654" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="fast-charging" source="Orion">fast charging</keyword>, with companies launching new and improved charging technologies at an impressive pace. Recently, <keyword id="19985864" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="realme" source="keywords">Realme</keyword> announced a new system, called the 320W SuperSonic charge that can charge a 4,420 mAh battery from 1% to 100% in just 4 minutes and 30 seconds. This raises an important question: Do these fast chargers damage your phone’s battery, or are they totally safe to use? In this article, we'll explore the science behind battery function and the technologies that manufacturers are developing to protect your device's battery. <h2>How does a smartphone battery work?</h2>Smartphone batteries are typically made of lithium-ion or lithium-polymer cells, which operate through chemical reactions. When charging, lithium ions flow from the negative electrode (anode) to the positive electrode (cathode), generating energy that powers the device. Batteries absorb the most energy when they are almost empty. As they are near their full capacity, they absorb less power. This is why smartphone charging slows down once the battery reaches around 80%. With a fast charger, this process happens much faster, but it’s important to note that fast chargers don’t consistently operate at their peak output. The charger only delivers its maximum capacity for a brief period, while the power input adjusts depending on the battery’s current charge level. <h2>Fast charging explained</h2>Fast charging uses higher power levels to recharge a battery more quickly by increasing the voltage or current supplied. Modern fast-charging systems rely on specialised chargers and batteries that can handle the increased power without causing damage. Technologies such as <keyword id="22604355" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="usb-power-delivery" source="keywords">USB Power Delivery</keyword> (USB-PD and Qualcomm <keyword id="24069276" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="quick-charge" source="keywords">Quick Charge</keyword> help regulate power delivery by communicating between the charger and the device, adjusting based on battery capacity and charge level. Fast charging starts quickly when the battery is low, but slows as the battery nears full capacity to prevent overheating and protect battery longevity. <h2>Why Do Batteries Degrade Over Time?</h2>Repeated charging and discharging take a toll on batteries, but the primary factor behind battery degradation is heat. Excessive heat can cause the battery's internal structure to crystallise, reducing its efficiency. This is why the goal of many manufacturers is to minimise heat generation during the charging process. Over the years, companies have developed technologies to reduce heat in the battery and mitigate its negative effects on the overall battery health. While fast charging is convenient, it can degrade the battery over time if not managed properly. The higher power levels generate more heat, accelerating battery wear and reducing capacity over multiple charging cycles. Modern batteries and chargers are equipped with features, such as temperature sensors and power regulation systems, to minimise damage. Although fast charging can shorten battery lifespan when used frequently, devices often slow the charging speed as they approach full capacity to mitigate these effects. As a result, the battery may not last as long as with slower charging, requiring more frequent recharges over time. <h2>Charging technologies over time</h2>Smartphone brands, especially in India, have been at the forefront of charging technology innovations: OnePlus launched <keyword id="24069277" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="warp-charge" source="keywords">Warp Charge</keyword> in 2019 with 30W charging, and now offers solutions up to 150W. Xiaomi introduced <keyword id="24069278" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="hypercharge" source="keywords">HyperCharge</keyword> in 2021 with 120W, and is working on a 300W solution for full charges in under 10 minutes. Oppo debuted SuperVOOC in 2018, starting at 50W, and is aiming for 300W charging. Realme launched Dart Charge in 2020 with 65W and in 2024, showcased 320W SuperSonic charging. Samsung has used <keyword id="24069279" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="adaptive-fast-charging" source="keywords">Adaptive Fast Charging</keyword> since 2014, and now focuses on wireless charging and long-term battery health. <keyword id="19894961" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="apple" source="keywords">Apple</keyword> introduced MagSafe in 2020, prioritising eco-friendly wireless charging advancements. <h2>Consumer perceptions and misconceptions</h2>Many consumers believe fast charging always damages batteries, but modern devices are designed with features to manage heat and voltage, minimising harm. Another common misconception is that using third-party chargers will destroy the battery, but reputable third-party chargers that meet safety standards are safe to use. Some people worry that fast charging is inherently unsafe, but certified chargers follow strict regulations to prevent damage. It’s also often assumed that fast charging continues at high speeds until the battery reaches 100%, but in fact, most systems slow down near full capacity to protect the battery. Lastly, people may believe that all chargers offer fast charging, but fast charging only works with devices and chargers that support the same technology, like USB-PD or Quick Charge. <h2>Best practices for charging</h2>To extend <keyword id="158949" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="battery-life" source="Orion">battery life</keyword>, it’s best to avoid letting your battery drop below 20% or charge above 80% frequently, as extreme charge levels can strain the battery. Always use certified chargers and cables to ensure stable power delivery. Keep your device cool while charging, as excessive heat can cause damage. Avoid heavy usage during charging, as it generates heat. Enable "optimised charging" feature, available on many devices, to regulate charging speed and patterns. If fast charging is necessary, use it sparingly and rely on slower charging for routine use. Finally, unplug the charger once the device is fully charged to prevent unnecessary trickle charging over time. <h2>The future of smartphone batteries</h2>Looking ahead, the future of smartphone batteries includes promising advancements in solid-state and graphene technologies, which could offer faster charging, longer battery life, and higher energy density. Additionally, sodium-ion and lithium-sulphur batteries are being investigated as eco-friendly alternatives. <keyword id="20016522" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="gan" source="keywords">GaN</keyword> (gallium nitride) technology is paving the way for ultra-fast chargers, and wireless and over-the-air charging innovations promise to provide smarter, greener, and more efficient solutions. By understanding how batteries work, the impact of fast charging, and best practices for maintaining battery health, consumers can make informed choices that balance convenience and long-term battery performance.

Speed vs. Longevity: The impact of fast charging on your smartphone battery life

State-owned <keyword id="20039950" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bharat-Petroleum-Corporation" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Bharat Petroleum Corporation" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="Bharat Petroleum Corporation">Bharat Petroleum Corporation</keyword> plans to invest Rs 1.7 lakh crore over the next five years to grow its core oil refining and fuel marketing business as well as in 'future big bets' of <keyword id="20115883" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="petrochemicals" source="keywords">petrochemicals</keyword> and <keyword id="19895435" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="green-energy" source="keywords">green energy</keyword>, its chairman G Krishnakumar has said. At present, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (<keyword id="19908646" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="BPCL" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="BPCL" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="BPCL">BPCL</keyword>) owns about 14 per cent of India's oil <keyword id="20064251" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="refining-capacity" source="keywords">refining capacity</keyword> and about a quarter of the fuel retailing network. It plans to grow these businesses while foraying into newer areas. The firm is now implementing the first phase of a multi-decade aspirational journey in the form of '<keyword id="22826627" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="project-Aspire" source="keywords">Project Aspire</keyword>' - its five-year strategic framework that is based on two fundamental pillars - 'Nurturing the Core' and 'Investing in Future Big Bets', he said in the company's latest annual report. "Our mid-term strategy is on a continuum. While we remain committed to growing our core businesses, which include refining and marketing <keyword id="20037698" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="petroleum-products" source="keywords">petroleum products</keyword> and upstream, we are equally focused on our big bets comprising petrochemicals, gas, green energy, non-fuel retail, and digital. "Project Aspire, with a planned capex outlay of around Rs 1.70 lakh crore over five years, will enable us to create long-term value for our stakeholders while preserving our planet for future generations," he said. "A cornerstone of our long-term strategy, Project Aspire, with a Rs 1.70 trillion investment, marks the initial phase of our multi-decade odyssey to shape the energy of tomorrow. This, coupled with our robust balance sheet, fuels our ambition to lead the <keyword id="19951336" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="energy-transition" source="keywords">energy transition</keyword>." The company is targeting net zero carbon emissions from its operations by 2040. "BPCL has drawn a net-zero roadmap, which encompasses renewable power, green hydrogen, compressed biogas, carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS), efficiency improvement and the offsets procurements. This would require a phased capital outlay of approximately Rs 1 lakh crore till 2040, and the company is geared for the same," he said. The firm's bet on continuing investing in core businesses is based on the premise that India's booming economy will drive a 4-5 per cent annual increase in energy demand and petroleum product consumption. Also, the demand for major petrochemical products is expected to rise by 7-8 per cent annually. "This presents a strategic opportunity to expand refining capacity alongside the development of integrated petrochemical complexes," he said. BPCL is implementing new petrochemical projects at two of its three oil refineries. A Rs 49,000 crore ethylene cracker project is being implemented at the Bina refinery in Madhya Pradesh, alongside raising oil refining capacity from the current 7.8 million tonnes to 11 million tonnes annually by 2029. A polypropylene project is being set up at Kochi refinery in Kerala by 2027. "To meet the anticipated demand beyond our planned expansions in Bina and Kochi, we are actively evaluating options for setting up additional integrated refining and petrochemical capacities within the next 5-7 years," Krishnakumar said without disclosing either the investments or the location of such a project. Andhra Pradesh is being speculated as the likely site after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's BJP and regional party TDP stormed to power in the state in recently concluded assembly elections. TDP has been demanding the implementation of a refinery-cum-petrochemical complex that was promised as part of the package when the state was split more than a decade back. "Our investment in the petrochemical project is consistent with our aspiration of becoming a dominant player in India's petrochemical growth story," Krishnakumar said. On energy transition, he said BPCL is targeting to build 2 gigawatts (GW) of <keyword id="19895602" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="renewable-energy" source="keywords">renewable energy</keyword> capacity by 2025 and 10 GW by 2035. "We are investing nearly Rs 1,000 crore to establish two 50 MW captive wind power plants in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, which will support our refineries in Mumbai and Bina." The firm is also investing around Rs 300 crore in 72 MWp of solar project in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. "Concomitantly, we are executing green hydrogen projects aligned with the National Green Hydrogen Mission. These projects include a 5 MW electrolyser plant at Bina refinery and a green hydrogen refuelling station with an indigenously developed electrolyser at Kochi," he noted. BPCL, he said, is committed to supporting the transition to electric mobility through a robust and accessible charging infrastructure. The company has installed over 3,000 charging stations, including fast chargers for cars and two-wheelers. 900 fast chargers are installed across 120 highway corridors, which helps address the range, discovery and time anxiety of electric vehicle (EV) owners. "Over the next five years, we aim to install 4-wheeler fast chargers at approximately 6,000 retail outlets across 400 highway corridors, prioritising high-traffic corridors like the Golden Quadrilateral and N-S/E-W highways," he said. On biofuels, he said BPCL sells petrol with 20 per cent ethanol blend at 4,279 out of its over 22,000 petrol pumps. It is also building compressed biogas plants using municipal solid waste to make gas that can be used as CNG in automobiles. The firm is also exploring partnerships in the arena. "These combined efforts, along with the upcoming commissioning of a bio-ethanol refinery, positions BPCL as a key player in India's transition to a greener fuel mix, creating a robust ecosystem for the adoption of cleaner fuels across the country," he added. BPCL is establishing a corporate venture capital fund to invest directly in promising startups. "In order to thrive in this complex and challenging business landscape, we will leverage our agility and focus on operational excellence to ensure continued success. Safety and reliability will remain our top priorities, guiding all our actions. We are committed to upholding the highest standards of corporate governance," he added. He said the energy sector of India stands at an inflection point. "The nation has an ambitious vision of becoming a USD 30 trillion developed economy by 2047. 'Viksit Bharat @2047' will necessitate an almost fourfold increase in primary energy demand." India's exponential growth trajectory will propel it to a pivotal role in the global energy market, accounting for roughly 12 per cent of world energy consumption by 2047. "The key strategic objectives for India in the energy sector will entail significant expansion in refining capacities, raising the share of gas in the energy basket from about 6 per cent to 15 per cent, establishing leadership in petrochemical exports, and sharply reducing energy imports from current levels of 47 per cent to below 25 per cent by 2030 and to zero by 2047," he said. India is targeting 500 GW of non-fossil fuel energy capacity, sourcing half of its energy needs from renewables, reducing carbon emissions by 1 billion tonnes and lowering carbon intensity by 45 per cent by 2030 with the ultimate goal of net-zero emissions by 2070. "Building on its strong Indian energy presence, BPCL aspires to meet 7-10 per cent of the nation's primary energy demand by 2047," he said.

BPCL planning Rs 1.7 lakh crore spend to expand core business, new energy foray over next five years

<keyword id="19923700" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tata-Power" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Tata Power" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Tata Power">Tata Power</keyword> on Tuesday said it has logged 31 per cent rise in consolidated net profit at Rs 1,189 crore, compared to the year-ago period, on back of operational efficiency. "At Rs 1,189 crore, growing 31 per cent YoY (year-on-year), the company reported its highest ever and 19th consecutive quarter of PAT growth on the back of strong operational performance and execution excellence across all its businesses of generation, transmission &amp; distribution, and renewables," Tata Power said in a statement. According to the statement, these businesses contributed 84 per cent of the PAT (net profit) in Q1FY25, compared to 72 per cent in the same period in FY24. The statement showed that the consolidated net profit before exceptional items was Rs 906 crore in the quarter ended June 30, 2023. The company's revenue rose 12 per cent YoY to a record high of Rs 16,810 crore (from Rs 15,003 crore in Q1 FY24), and EBITDA grew 11 per cent to Rs 3,350 crore in the reported quarter (from Rs 3,005 crore in Q1 FY24). EBITDA refers to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. "All our businesses have grown profitably on the back of operational efficiency, execution excellence, and sustained business momentum," said Praveer Sinha, CEO and Managing Director, Tata Power. He informed that the planned capex for this financial year is Rs 20,000 crore and the company is committed to adopting and leading the new and emerging clean energy technologies, including pumped hydro projects, hydropower projects in Bhutan, and opportunities to develop small modular nuclear reactors as the government policy evolves. The company has recorded a capex investment of Rs 4,000 crore in Q1FY25. It has a clean and green installed capacity of 6.1 GW as of Q1FY25, accounting for 41 per cent of the capacity, with another 5.3 GW under execution. The combined order pipeline for utility-scale EPC and solar rooftop, including group captive, is Rs 15,500 crore. Tata Power is poised to garner 20 per cent market share in the residential rooftop segment on the back of its new solar manufacturing facility and strong pan-India channel partner network, it said. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/webstories/unicommerce-esolutions-ipo-price-band-to-risk-factors-all-you-need-to-know/slidelist/112307438.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/webstories/unicommerce-esolutions-ipo-price-band-to-risk-factors-all-you-need-to-know/slidelist/112307438.cms" target="_blank">Unicommerce eSolutions IPO – Price band to risk factors, all you need to know</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/electric-two-wheeler-sales-cross-the-1-lakh-mark-after-four-months-ola-electric-leads-the-market/articleshow/112288793.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/electric-two-wheeler-sales-cross-the-1-lakh-mark-after-four-months-ola-electric-leads-the-market/articleshow/112288793.cms" target="_blank">Electric two-wheeler sales cross the 1 lakh mark after four months, Ola Electric leads the market</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/sports/news/neeraj-chopras-paris-olympics-journey-to-begin-with-qualification-round-today-top-rivals-to-look-out-for/articleshow/112311760.cms">Neeraj Chopra qualifies for finals with a first throw of 89.34m – top rivals to look out for</a>

Tata Power net profit up 31% to ₹1,189 crore in June quarter

New Delhi, The Union <keyword id="19901283" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="cabinet" source="keywords">Cabinet</keyword>, chaired by Prime Minister <keyword id="19895781" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="narendra-modi" source="keywords">Narendra Modi</keyword>, on Thursday approved the establishment of three semiconductor fabrication (fab) units that will start construction within the next 100 days and generate direct employment of 20,000 advanced technology jobs and nearly 60,000 indirect jobs. The semiconductor fab with 50,000 wafers per month capacity will be set up by Tata Electronics Private Ltd (TEPL) in partnership with Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp (PSMC), Taiwan, in Dholera, Gujarat. This fab will be constructed with an investment of Rs 91,000 crore, said Union IT Minister <keyword id="19904138" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ashwini-vaishnaw" source="keywords">Ashwini Vaishnaw</keyword>. This fab will cover high-performance compute chips with 28 nm technology, and power management chips for electric vehicles (EVs), telecom, defence, automotive, consumer electronics, display, power electronics, etc, according to the government. Another semiconductor assembly, testing, monitoring, and packing (ATMP) unit with a capacity of 48 million per day by Tata Semiconductor Assembly and Test Pvt Ltd (TSAT) in Morigaon, Assam, will be set up with an investment of Rs 27,000 crore. TSAT semiconductor is developing indigenous advanced semiconductor packaging technologies including flip chip and ISIP (integrated system in package) technologies. It will cover sectors like automotive, electric vehicles, consumer electronics, telecom and mobile phones, etc, according to the government. The third semiconductor ATMP unit for specialised chips will be set up by <keyword id="20541983" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="cg-power" source="keywords">CG Power</keyword>, in partnership with Renesas Electronics Corporation, Japan and <keyword id="20776317" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="stars-microelectronics" source="keywords">Stars Microelectronics</keyword>, Thailand in Sanand, Gujarat. "This unit with a capacity of 15 million per day will be set up with an investment of Rs 7,600 crore," the Centre said. The CG power semiconductor unit will manufacture chips for consumer, industrial, automotive, and power applications. Within a very short time, the India Semiconductor Mission has achieved four big successes. With these units, the semiconductor ecosystem will get established in India. India already has deep capabilities in chip design. With these units, the country will develop capabilities in chip fabrication. Advanced packaging technologies will be indigenously developed in India with Thursday's announcement. These units will accelerate employment creation in downstream automotive, electronics manufacturing, telecom manufacturing, industrial manufacturing, and other semiconductor consuming industries. The 'Programme for Development of Semiconductors and Display Manufacturing Ecosystem' in India was notified in 2021 with a total outlay of Rs 76,000 crore. In June last year, the Cabinet had approved the proposal of US-based Micron for setting up a semiconductor unit in Sanand, Gujarat. Construction of this unit is progressing at a rapid pace and a robust semiconductor ecosystem is emerging near the unit.

Cabinet approves 3 semiconductor fab units, to generate 80,000 jobs

Washington, DC [US], July 25 (ANI): US President <keyword id="19919748" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="joe-biden" source="keywords">Joe Biden</keyword> emphasised that he has decided to pass the torch to a <keyword id="20165679" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="new-generation" source="keywords">new generation</keyword>, adding that his decision to step aside from his campaign is a matter of democracy. Addressing the nation from the Oval Office, the first since he announced his withdrawal from the <keyword id="19952061" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="2024-election" source="keywords">2024 election</keyword> race and endorsed <keyword id="20307089" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kamala-Harris" source="keywords">Kamala Harris</keyword> as the Democratic Party nominee as the country's president, Biden said that this is the best way to unite our nation. "I've decided the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation. That's the best way to unite our nation. You know, there is a time and a place for long years of experience in public life. There's also a time and a place for new voices, fresh voices, yes, younger voices and that time and place is now," he said. Oval Office addresses have historically been serious moments for presidents to speak to the <keyword id="22480143" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="American-people" source="keywords">American people</keyword> at times of national crisis or to make major policy announcements. Biden, who returned to the White House on Tuesday after testing negative for COVID-19, addressed his decision to step aside from his campaign and said that he was framing the 2024 election as a choice "between moving forward and backwards, between hope and hate" and casting his decision as a matter of democracy. "My fellow Americans, it has been the privilege of my life to serve this nation for over 50 years. Nowhere else on earth could a kid with a stutter from modest beginnings in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and Claymont, Delaware, one day sit behind the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office as president of the <keyword id="19900781" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="United-States" source="keywords">United States</keyword>," the US President said. Biden recalled the extraordinary American presidents, including <keyword id="22258578" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="thomas-jefferson" source="keywords">Thomas Jefferson</keyword>, Abraham Lincoln and Franklin Roosevelt. "In this sacred space, I'm surrounded by portraits of extraordinary American presidents. Thomas Jefferson wrote the immortal words that guide this nation. George Washington showed us that presidents are not kings. Abraham Lincoln, who implored us to reject malice, and Franklin Roosevelt, who inspired us to reject fear, I revere this office, but I love my country more," Biden said. The US President added that in defence of democracy, which is at stake, it is more important than any title. "It's been the honour of my life to serve as your president. But in defence of democracy, which is at stake and is more important than any title. I draw strength and I find joy in working for the American people," he said. "This sacred task of perfecting our union is not about me. It is about you. Your families. Your futures. It is about 'we, the people," he added. "We are a great nation because we are good people. When you elected me to this office, I promised to always level with you, to tell you the truth. The truth, the sacred cause of this country, is larger than any one of us," he said. "We must unite to protect it." Biden further noted that now, in just a few months, the Americans will choose the course of America's future. He also championed his vice president, who's now taking his place on the ticket, and said that he has made his choice and has made his views known. Calling the US Vice President tough and capable, Biden said, "I would like to thank our great vice president, Kamala Harris. She's experienced. She's tough, and she's capable. She's been an incredible partner to me and a leader for our country. Now the choice is up to you, the American people." The Republican presidential candidate, Donald Trump, meanwhile, said at a rally that Kamala Harris was a "radical left lunatic". As he was concluding his speech, he said that the choice of president is "up to you, the American people." "When Ben Franklin was asked, as he emerged from the convention going on, whether the founders had given America a monarchy or a Republic, Franklin's response was: a republic, if you can keep it...whether we keep our republic, is now in your hands," he said. While Biden did not mention Donald Trump by name, he tried to draw a clear contrast with the former president, whose ambition led him to claim victory in an election he did not win four years ago. Biden said that in America, kings and dictators do not rule, the people do, adding that history is now in the hands of the American people. "The great thing about America is, here, kings and dictators do not rule," Biden said. "The people do. History is in your hands, the idea of America lies in your hands." "The great thing about America is, here, kings and dictators do not rule. The people do. History is in your hands. The power is in your hands. The idea of America lies in your hands. You just have to keep the faith, keep the faith and remember who we are--we're the United States of America, and there is simply nothing, nothing beyond our capacity. We do it together," he said. Further, Biden also highlighted that over the next six months, he will be focused on his job as US President. "Over the next six months, I will be focused on doing my job as president. That means I will continue to lower costs for hard-working families and grow our economy. I will keep defending our personal freedoms and our civil rights, from the right to vote to the right to choose." The US presidential election will take place on November 5, and Biden is seeking re-election to the post as the Democratic Party nominee. After his June 27 debate with Republican candidate Donald Trump, Democrats put pressure on him to withdraw from the race. Following this, on July 21, Biden formally announced that he was abandoning plans for a second term in office and endorsed his running mate, Vice President Kamala Harris for the election. Meanwhile, Harris has quickly consolidated support among Democrats and has already secured the backing of enough delegates to be the likely Democratic nominee.

President Biden says best way forward is to pass torch to new generation, saving US democracy in people's hands

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday announced a cut in customs duty on minerals such as lithium, copper and cobalt, which are critical for nuclear energy, renewable and other sectors, to give a fillip to the energy transition. In her budget speech in Lok Sabha, Sitharaman recalled that in the interim budget she had announced a strategy to sustain high and more resource-efficient economic growth, along with energy security in terms of availability, accessibility and affordability. "We will bring out a policy document on appropriate energy transition pathways that balances the imperatives of employment, growth and environmental sustainability," she said. Noting that minerals such as lithium, copper, cobalt and rare earth elements are critical for sectors like nuclear energy, <keyword id="19895602" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="renewable-energy" source="keywords">renewable energy</keyword>, space, defence, telecommunications, and high-tech electronics, she proposed to fully exempt customs duties on 25 critical minerals and reduce BCD (basic customs duty) on two of them. This will provide a major fillip to the processing and refining of such minerals and help secure their availability for these strategic and important sectors, she said. She stated that energy transition is critical in the fight against climate change. To support energy transition, she proposed to expand the list of exempted capital goods for use in the manufacture of solar cells and panels in the country. Further, she stated that in view of sufficient domestic manufacturing capacity of solar glass and tinned copper interconnect, I propose not to extend the exemption of customs duties provided to them. Noting that steel and copper are important raw materials and to reduce their cost of production, she proposed to remove the BCD on ferro nickel and blister copper. "I am also continuing with nil BCD on ferrous scrap and nickel cathode and concessional BCD of 2.5 per cent on copper scrap," she said. About the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, which was rolled out earlier this year, he informed the House that in line with the announcement in the interim budget, PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana has been launched to install rooftop solar plants to enable 1 crore households obtain free electricity up to 300 units every month. The scheme has generated remarkable response with more than 1.28 crore registrations and 14 lakh applications, and we will further encourage it, he stated. She further stated that a policy for promoting pumped storage projects will be brought out for electricity storage and facilitating smooth integration of the growing share of renewable energy with its variable &amp; intermittent nature in the overall energy mix. She stated that nuclear energy is expected to form a very significant part of the energy mix for Viksit Bharat. Towards that pursuit, our government will partner with the private sector for setting up Bharat Small Reactors; research &amp; development of Bharat Small Modular Reactor and research &amp; development of newer technologies for nuclear energy, she informed the House. The R&amp;D funding announced in the interim budget will be made available for this sector, she added. The development of indigenous technology for Advanced Ultra Super Critical (AUSC) <keyword id="20421620" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="thermal-power" source="keywords">thermal power</keyword> plants with much higher efficiency has been completed, she informed the House. A joint venture between NTPC and BHEL will set up a full-scale 800 MW commercial plant using AUSC technology and the government will provide the required fiscal support, she added. Moving forward, the development of indigenous capacity for the production of high-grade steel and other advanced metallurgy materials for these plants will result in strong spin-off benefits for the economy, she pointed out. A roadmap for moving the 'hard to abate' industries from 'energy efficiency' targets to 'emission targets' will be formulated, she stated adding that appropriate regulations for the transition of these industries from the current 'Perform, Achieve and Trade' mode to 'Indian Carbon Market' mode will be put in place. She further stated that an investment-grade energy audit of traditional micro and small industries in 60 clusters, including brass and ceramic, will be facilitated. Financial support will be provided for shifting them to cleaner forms of energy and implementation of energy efficiency measures. The scheme will be replicated in another 100 clusters in the next phase, she stated. Gaurav Kedia, Chairman, Indian Biogas Association said that the <keyword id="19908389" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Union-Budget" source="keywords">Union Budget</keyword> 2024 has unveiled a roadmap towards a sustainable and resilient India, with agriculture and energy security at its core. It is anticipated that these initiatives will catalyze the growth of the biogas industry, leading to increased rural employment, reduced carbon emissions, and improved soil health, he stated. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/budget/news/budget-2024-25-changes-to-tax-slabs-increased-standard-deduction-and-other-changes-to-direct-taxation/articleshow/111951205.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/budget/news/budget-2024-25-changes-to-tax-slabs-increased-standard-deduction-and-other-changes-to-direct-taxation/articleshow/111951205.cms" target="_blank">Budget 2024-25 – Changes to tax slabs, increased standard deduction and other changes to direct taxation</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/expectations-from-union-budget-2024-25-how-will-this-budget-impact-you/articleshow/111946291.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/expectations-from-union-budget-2024-25-how-will-this-budget-impact-you/articleshow/111946291.cms" target="_blank">Union Budget 2024-25: How will this budget impact you?</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/budget/news/budget-2024-record-allocation-of-rs-1-48-lakh-crore-for-education-employment-and-skilling/articleshow/111951228.cms">Budget 2024: Record allocation of Rs 1.48 lakh crore for education, employment and skilling!</a>

FM cuts customs duty on minerals critical for energy transition

<ul class="summary-list"><li>US renewable energy, electric vehicle sales, and overall green investments hit records in 2023.</li><li>Offshore wind faltered due to high interest rates and supply chain delays.</li></ul>High interest rates and volatile global supply chains didn't stop the US green-energy transition from reaching new heights in 2023. A record amount of renewable energy, led by solar, was added to the grid. Customers bought nearly 1.5 million electric vehicles, a 50% jump over the previous year. Investments in getting the power and transportation sectors, among others, off fossil fuels hit a record $303 billion, <a target="_blank" href="https://l.businessinsider.com/u/click?_t=c8e10479a20f45bba5aad6c5f6fbb009&amp;_m=38d38cf7535847f5821d0d9083351c5b&amp;_e=fzNgJ7vRYzUM3i56253qqFiylNnFi1s_f25ie2pNvT9hb1iGLqm5GIJ0vRdD22jVkFW5l2GSkOk3r81EWtPcbnwZAzrf6Al5En6kXSHAyc1v0G2QK4uEAhVv4A28qLL4garl3tk0hTqWcZyr45SO8-MpHZupRSEiIXn2edrcY8E1mf8EM1Nv__vzaD5UffsAUJdMc_U3GMKzSScbtzv8OaON7LQDAZZyd8_mOVhdrS1sXCOYAzaM0hnCYG0mk_Nqbe5Of-8IgZCFR36_-uuI-iBke24dqc8nOviIguUUh7ECmfeQ3ZGqOlcktcVBqfP7XcDJDt44JspzHFr_3x4z4RYmm7HojnkG4Q5t8qlBKOpS9K2jgtfQz_u7XhUL7kbe">an analysis by BloombergNEF</a> found.The US was the second-largest investor in the energy transition in 2023, after China, Tom Rowlands-Rees, BloombergNEF's head of North America research, told reporters during a briefing. The race to clean up the global economy is becoming competitive because other countries also hit record levels of investment. Japan was a notable exception."We really can't afford to not be having a record year, just to keep pace with this rapid transformation," Rowlands-Rees said. Yet the global investment of $1.8 trillion still isn't enough to cut greenhouse-gas emissions to nearly zero by 2050 — a goal countries agreed to in order to curb the climate crisis. Financing needs to more than double to $4.8 trillion a year, <a target="_blank" href="https://l.businessinsider.com/u/click?_t=c8e10479a20f45bba5aad6c5f6fbb009&amp;_m=38d38cf7535847f5821d0d9083351c5b&amp;_e=fzNgJ7vRYzUM3i56253qqNc0m2-ZGdaiU-mGjCf90qTi4Y25AnHlWqWXQRZmaWx1tNVUt6ZCALA0BUAKcnQ9DnHF3PHOVIeuNRj4QJu7eHZ-46P7JdbD-S0r6XQAFV3XQ04ppGKCrH3VKMWhxKgOJX-wQqbXxyYnO1ar7GOb4k2LT85-8_W5Y_DzqGIkdFmtZGLN6kJv8gnq5v6wtOv8TnrDhWDwzB4APGI9ghXqkUBuVb7Cl5JfrYhOIXY__PRlkNX5RyLUK1dCttY7Avw8F7ofogufpuku1--BMyTMT3E6rqE5ifN4tWasORdQLQVpxC2udbXqJt0Uc9sGk0LIBiSQWAnIsSk9Wqrq7m6FgrknMc4WlZyiF_dIiDwYboOAbdMCmY1Y3pMOkUlhxWI1D4tHGVWUs6cCKdHr4YbEZg78pX_icsssY5XacgsyYQWLPdXHzQ4yA1YeUZ0iOlVRaZwPMjdkt00AjqEkb8viw_wIwMMmRqnfjjcbMPP8p32M">BloombergNEF found</a> in a separate report earlier this year.Here are three main takeaways from the US: <h2>Solar shined, wind faltered, and gas was still king</h2>BloombergNEF found that large-scale solar farms and rooftop panels were built at a record clip in 2023. A flood of solar panels imported from Southeast Asia helped meet demand, in part because the Biden administration waived tariffs on those imports.It was the opposite story for wind power. Companies either canceled or are trying to renegotiate more than half of all the new offshore-wind capacity that was planned in 2023. Developers cited high interest rates and supply-chain delays. These challenges remain this year, but East Coast states, including New York and Massachusetts, are still awarding new contracts. Solar, wind, and nuclear — which don't produce emissions — are taking a larger share of the energy pie. They generated a record 41% of US power in 2023. But natural gas is still the largest source and set its own record last year. Rowlands-Rees said that falling gas prices made it the cheapest form of energy in 2023."This is why things like the tax credits in the Inflation Reduction Act are important, because you see that otherwise, wind and solar are on a real roller coaster of economic competitiveness," he said.<h2>Industry has quickly become a top polluter</h2>In 2023, for the first time, the US industrial sector that refines oil and makes materials such as cement, iron, steel, chemicals, and paper became a larger polluter than the power sector, according to BloombergNEF.The power sector, as recently as 2016, was the top emitter. Its emissions dropped by 40% in less than two decades, largely by switching from coal to natural gas. That means transportation and industry are now the top two polluters. A lot of money is pouring into electrifying cars and transit — industry, not so much. "We have our own equation, which is electrification, plus digitization, plus automation equals sustainability," Jeannie Salo, the vice president of government relations at Schneider Electric, told reporters. "Those are the fundamental things that get you there for industrial decarbonization."<h2>Solar and EV-battery plants take off</h2>The Inflation Reduction Act aimed to reshore renewable energy manufacturing to the US through big tax breaks. Companies have responded with 104 new projects totaling $123 billion in investment. EV-battery and solar plants are dominating the planned growth, with 34 projects announced in each sector, according to BloombergNEF's tally.Georgia and North Carolina are the top sites for new plants. North Carolina got $15.4 billion just from Toyota, which is building up its battery manufacturing in the state.This article is part of Business Insider's weekly newsletter on sustainability. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="c-link" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/subscription/newsletter/insider-sustainability">Sign up here</a>.

Zero-carbon energy generated a record 41% of US power in 2023

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Google is ready to go nuclear in the name of AI.</li><li>The search giant has struck a deal to bring new nuclear plants online to power its AI data centers.</li></ul>The energy demands of the data centers behind the generative AI boom are proving so great that they're pushing Big Tech firms into an unfamiliar position: becoming long-term customers to the nuclear industry.Google became the first tech giant to broker a deal for entirely new nuclear power plants after it <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://blog.google/outreach-initiatives/sustainability/google-kairos-power-nuclear-energy-agreement/?utm_source=tw&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_campaign=og&amp;utm_content=&amp;utm_term=">unveiled a partnership with industry firm Kairos Power</a> on Monday. The deal will see the startup build "multiple" small modular nuclear reactors for the search giant.The first of these reactors — which includes the one Kairos began constructing in East Tennessee in July — is set to be online by 2030. The others should be ready by 2035 and will enable up to 500 megawatts of "new 24/7 carbon-free power" to US electricity grids. Assuming continuous operation and average consumption levels, that's enough to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.carboncollective.co/sustainable-investing/gigawatt-gw">power about 438,000 US households</a> for one year.Google CEO Sundar Pichai hinted earlier this month that this was coming after <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/google-considering-nuclear-power-energy-hungry-ai-data-centers-2024-10">he said in an interview</a> that his company was "evaluating technologies like small modular nuclear reactors."<div type="image" title="Sundar Pichai speaking." height="2824" width="4071" msid="114258507" hostid="261" sizebytes="346004"></div>While deal terms have not been disclosed, the significance of the arrangement is hard to overstate — and not just because the US has brought only three nuclear reactors online over the past two decades.AI is pivoting Google and its rivals toward nuclear power as they signal the need for a new solution to the tech world's growing energy problem.<h2 id="cf443968-561f-498c-b239-87db8db26b6d">Generative AI strains the energy sector</h2>Big Tech companies are racing to build smarter AI, but this requires a lot of energy.Announcing the Kairos deal, Michael Terrell, senior director of energy and climate operations at Google, noted that the grid "needs new electricity sources" to support the energy needs of AI technologies the search giant is now heavily invested in.Google revealed just how energy-intensive its AI push has been earlier this year. Its <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.gstatic.com/gumdrop/sustainability/google-2024-environmental-report.pdf">annual environmental report</a>, published in July, showed its emissions had risen 13% year-on-year in 2023, driven by "increased data center energy consumption and supply chain emissions."That 86-page report didn't mention nuclear power, bar a single endnote. It shows that Google's Kairos deal is a sign that it is now ready to consider all options in its search for a supply of clean electricity to its data centers.That's particularly important as it looks to build smarter versions of its AI model, Gemini. Ethan Mollick, a professor at Wharton, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://x.com/emollick/status/1846172006376419691">noted on X</a> that the Google-Kairos deal "increases the odds that we will see AI models scale through at least 3 more generations/orders of magnitude (post GPT-5) to 2030." Others have recognized this, too. Since OpenAI <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-chat-gpt-2023-1">launched ChatGPT</a> in late 2022, the world's biggest tech companies have been forced to confront the fact that staying competitive in generative AI will require vast supplies of clean energy.By one estimate, a search request on OpenAI's buzzy chatbot <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.goldmansachs.com/insights/articles/AI-poised-to-drive-160-increase-in-power-demand">demands around 10 times as much electricity</a> as a general Google search. The large language models behind it make the computing power in data centers buzz and whirr intensively to produce cogent responses.While solar and wind power offer clean means of electricity generation, some in the tech industry have suggested that they are not enough to meet the demands of AI.For instance, Meta's chief AI scientist, Yann LeCun, said <a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/ylecun/status/1837875035270263014">last month</a> that AI data centers would have to be built next to nuclear power plants as, in his view, they can produce the continuous "gigawatt-scale, low-cost, low-emission electricity" needed."The advantage is that there is no need for expensive and wasteful long-distance distribution infrastructure," he wrote on X while suggesting solar and wind are "nice" but neither simple nor cheap.<h2 id="5a41f8b3-f715-466a-9f86-890e9c5348b6">Microsoft's nuclear moves </h2>Google rival Microsoft signaled interest in nuclear power in September after it struck a 20-year power supply agreement with Constellation — an agreement that would see the Baltimore-based energy company <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/three-mile-island-nuclear-plant-reopens-power-microsoft-ai-push-2024-9">reopen the nuclear plant on Three Mile Island.</a>The Island's second unit was shut down in 1979 after it became the site of the most serious nuclear meltdown on US soil, so the move from Microsoft to turn to the site is significant — even if it is reviving the island's first unit as opposed to the first one. It is expected to come online by 2028 and provide over 800 megawatts of power, about enough to keep a small-to-mid-sized city running.In March, Amazon bought a data center in Pennsylvania from Talen Energy for $650 million, which is powered by the nuclear Susquehanna Steam Electric Station.Meanwhile, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/the-scope-of-sam-altmans-future-ai-empire-open-ai-2024-3">OpenAI boss Sam Altman said at Davos</a> earlier this year that an energy "breakthrough" driven by greater investment in nuclear fusion would be needed to accelerate future AI developments. Altman invested $375 million in a personal capacity into fusion power company Helion Energy in 2021.The prospect of the energy source taking on a greater role in Big Tech's operations becomes even more significant when considering the nuclear industry's decades of stagnation due to delayed projects.That doesn't seem like a deterrent, however. Big Tech firms look all in on AI. Expect them to be all in on energy sources that keep the technology ticking.

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