W.Waweruis a Jadetimes news reporter covering American News
Source: Wanjiru Waweru
Worcester, Massachusetts – An Inexpensive Residenting Project in Worcester is earning an investment from the State’s department to remove Energy Consumption.
The corporation earned $820,000 on September 18 (Wednesday) in energy profits, decarbonization projects such as heat pumps, solar, insulation, new roofs, and windows.
The project is predicted to reduce energy consumption by 65 to 73%.
"We're really trying to make them just essentially much more efficient and comfortable for our residents,” Tim Gilbert, a real estate development project manager, reported. “At the end of the project, we will install solar PVS, or photovoltaics, with the intent, like I said, that this will just be a much more comfortable, more energy efficient, more financially healthy properties."
The money arrived from the Department of Energy Resources Affordable Housing Decarbonization Grant Program.
Vithanage Erandi Kawshalya Madhushani Jade Times Staff
V.E.K. Madhushani is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Culture.
Image Source: Niko Tavernis
A Diverse Lineup of Thrillers, Dramas, and Blockbusters
As the film industry gears up for the fall season, October 2024 offers a stellar lineup of movies that span various genres, from psychological thrillers to heartwarming dramas. Whether you’re a fan of comic book adaptations, historical epics, or indie gems, there’s something for everyone this month. Here’s a look at 12 of the most anticipated films to watch in October 2024.
Joker: Folie à Deux
The highly anticipated sequel to the 2019 hit Joker returns with Joaquin Phoenix reprising his role as Arthur Fleck. This time, Lady Gaga joins the cast as Harley Quinn, adding to the film’s dark and chaotic energy. Folie à Deux promises to dive even deeper into the fractured mind of Gotham’s most infamous villain, blending psychological drama with musical elements.
Woman of the Hour
Anna Kendrick’s directorial debut, Woman of the Hour, is a riveting drama based on real events. The film tells the story of a young woman who unwittingly finds herself on a 1970s TV dating show, only to realize her date is hiding sinister secrets. Kendrick’s venture into filmmaking is already generating buzz for its tense atmosphere and compelling performances.
The Fall of the House of Usher
This gothic horror film adapts Edgar Allan Poe’s classic tale of a decaying family estate and the eerie events surrounding it. Directed by Mike Flanagan, the movie features haunting visuals and an intense atmosphere that promises to be perfect for the Halloween season.
The Killer
David Fincher’s latest thriller, "The Killer", stars Michael Fassbender as an assassin whose meticulous lifestyle begins to unravel when he starts questioning his own morality. Fans of Fincher’s dark, cerebral storytelling are in for a treat with this highly anticipated crime drama.
Killers of the Flower Moon
Already considered one of the year’s most significant releases, Martin Scorsese’s "Killers of the Flower Moon" continues its run through October. This historical drama stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro, telling the true story of the Osage murders in 1920s Oklahoma.
Beetlejuice 2
Tim Burton’s beloved ghostly character is back in Beetlejuice 2, with Michael Keaton returning to the role. Expect the same quirky, supernatural humor that made the original a classic, along with new additions to the cast that breathe fresh life into the franchise.
Dune: Part Two
Denis Villeneuve’s epic continues with Dune: Part Two, following the journey of Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) as he rises to power on the desert planet Arrakis. With stunning visuals and a sprawling narrative, this sci fi blockbuster is one of the most anticipated films of the year.
Priscilla
Sofia Coppola’s Priscilla tells the story of Priscilla Presley’s life with Elvis. With a focus on their complicated relationship, the film provides an intimate and emotional look at the woman behind the legend, featuring standout performances and Coppola’s signature style.
The Exorcist: Believer
A modern continuation of the classic horror film The Exorcist, this installment brings a new layer of terror to audiences as a fresh case of demonic possession unfolds. Fans of the original will appreciate the chilling callbacks, while newcomers can expect a terrifying standalone experience.
Napoleon
Ridley Scott’s Napoleon stars Joaquin Phoenix in the title role, chronicling the rise and fall of the infamous French military leader. With sweeping battle scenes and a focus on Napoleon’s complex relationship with his wife, Josephine, this historical epic is a must see for fans of grand, character driven storytelling.
A Haunting in Venice
Kenneth Branagh returns as Hercule Poirot in A Haunting in Venice, a mystery thriller set in post WWII Italy. Based on Agatha Christie’s novel Hallowe'en Party, this installment promises suspense, twists, and Branagh’s impeccable portrayal of the iconic detective.
The Marvels
Marvel fans can look forward to The Marvels, a superhero team up film that brings together Captain Marvel (Brie Larson), Ms. Marvel (Iman Vellani), and Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris). With thrilling action sequences and intergalactic adventures, this is one of the most exciting superhero films of the year.
A Month of Cinematic Delights
October 2024 is packed with must watch films across a wide range of genres. Whether you’re into superhero flicks, psychological thrillers, or historical epics, these 12 films offer something for every moviegoer. Grab your popcorn and get ready for an exciting month at the cinema!
C. Janith is a Jadetimes news reporter covering science and geopolitics.
A significant increase in financing, at both the national and international levels, is vital to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by the 2030 deadline. To this end, the international community must both deliver debt relief to developing countries and expand their access to affordable finance.
PARIS – The just-concluded United Nations Summit of the Future in New York, and next year’s Second World Summit for Social Development, aim to “chart a path toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and responding to emerging challenges and opportunities.” But the question of how to finance the necessary investments – particularly at a time when many countries are weighed down by debt – stalks global discussions.
The world is more complicated than it was a decade ago, when the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which sets out the 17 SDGs and their 169 targets, was drafted. When the Agenda was approved in January 2016, we had not yet faced the COVID-19 pandemic, war had not engulfed Ukraine or Gaza, and the United States and China were not at loggerheads.
Today, the world economy is more fragmented, geopolitical tensions are higher, and multilateralism is sputtering. Moreover, the number of people living in poverty has increased: in 2020-23, an estimated 165 million people, mostly in developing countries, fell below the World Bank’s poverty line ($3.65 per day at purchasing power parity).
Meanwhile, many countries’ debt burdens have become less manageable, after governments were forced to increase public spending in response to the pandemic and the subsequent cost-of-living crisis. Today, only 27 developing countries – 18% of the total – are not burdened with excessive debt. The rest are struggling with debt overhang, which undermines economic growth and development, and raises the risk of an eventual default. The International Monetary Fund estimates the debt-burden threshold for low-income countries is between 35% and 70% of GDP, after which debt can become unmanageable.
When debt-servicing costs are high, countries often end up making big sacrifices to stay solvent. For example, they might tap foreign-exchange reserves, thereby weakening their ability to respond to future crises, or reallocate resources from critical areas – such as education, health, and social protection – to keep up with their payments. In low-income countries, interest payments are now 2.3 times larger than spending on social assistance, and 1.4 times larger than domestic health expenditures, on average. They amount to 60% of spending on education.
A country that is reducing social spending to service its debts – despite the increase in poverty that will inevitably follow – is unlikely to be able to make long-term investments in sustainable development. And yet, as the UN and other multilateral organizations have made clear, a significant increase in financing, at both the national and international levels, is a prerequisite for achieving the SDGs by the 2030 deadline.
Thus, it is urgent to offer relief to countries that face debt distress. Governments should not have to choose between servicing their debts and taking care of their citizens, and today’s debts should not act as a drag on the future. Countries’ ability to manage their debt should be assessed against a broader range of indicators – human, social, and environmental, not just financial. Where debt relief, debt restructuring, or both is in order, it must be implemented quickly and efficiently as part of a comprehensive debt-management strategy, possibly making use of instruments like debt-for-climate swaps, which commit the debtor government to invest the savings from debt relief in climate adaptation or mitigation.
But debt relief alone is not enough. If developing countries are to achieve the SDGs, they will need new sources of funding. So far, multilateral development banks have taken the lead on this front. As a recent OECD report shows, in 2012-20, outflows from the World Bank Group increased by 72%, and outflows from other MDBs soared by 155%. In 2021-22, total MDB outflows rose by another 22%.
This trend is set to continue. Earlier this year, ten MDBs estimated that they could collectively expand their lending headroom by an additional $300-400 billion over the next decade. But this would mean an increase of just $40 billion more per year – far less than the $260 billion per year that the G20 Independent Expert Group estimates will be needed to meet the SDGs.
To address the sustainable-development imperative, the MDBs will have to persuade their member states to increase their own contributions by amounts proportionate to the scale of the challenges ahead. Other multilateral organizations, such as the UN, as well as non-governmental donors and the private sector, must also ramp up their support.
Multilateral efforts should aim both to tackle existing debt and to expand access to affordable finance in the future, using a variety of instruments, including concessional loans, green and blue bonds, and grants. And policy measures must be coordinated at the international level. Otherwise, we stand little chance of achieving the SDGs by the 2030 deadline, with devastating consequences for people and the planet.
