Former ESPN personality Jemele Hill has finally made her pronouncement about the 2024 election, and it might surprise you to discover that she thinks Kamala Harris lost because of “racism” and “sexism.” Well, maybe “surprise” isn’t the word since it was predictable that she would ascribe Harris’s loss to racism and sexism because she describes…
China has taken a dramatic step in its ongoing trade conflict with the United States, announcing on Tuesday that it will halt exports of key rare minerals to the U.S. This decision is seen as a direct response to the Biden administration’s recent tightening of restrictions on Chinese access to advanced American technologies, marking a significant escalation in the tech war between the two global superpowers.
The minerals affected by China’s new export ban are essential for high-tech manufacturing, including gallium, germanium, antimony, and various superhard materials. These minerals are crucial in the production of semiconductors, advanced military equipment, and other technologies such as infrared devices and fiber optics. In addition to these, graphite exports will now face stricter scrutiny.
A Deepening Trade Conflict
The export ban follows years of escalating trade tensions between China and the U.S. Over the past few years, the U.S. has implemented higher tariffs and export controls targeting Chinese industries, especially in technology. The Biden administration has continued the policies initiated during the Trump era, further restricting Chinese access to semiconductors and adding more Chinese firms to the U.S. trade blacklist.
China, which controls the production of a vast majority of the world’s critical minerals, has begun to tighten its hold on these resources. According to the United States Geological Survey, China supplies over half of the germanium and a significant portion of gallium used in the U.S. As trade tensions have intensified, Beijing has implemented tighter controls over these resources, including creating legal frameworks to monitor and limit exports.
A Historical Echo: The 2010 Rare Earth Embargo
China’s move to restrict mineral exports to the U.S. echoes its rare earth embargo on Japan in 2010, which was triggered by a territorial dispute. That embargo caused considerable disruption in Japan, forcing the country to find alternative suppliers for these critical materials. Similarly, the U.S. may now find itself scrambling for alternative sources, although its reliance on semi-processed imports from countries like Japan and Germany may offer some cushion.
One mineral in particular, tungsten, could prove especially disruptive. Tungsten is vital for producing armor-piercing ammunition and other military technology. Oliver Friesen, CEO of Guardian Metal Resources, emphasized the challenges of establishing domestic tungsten production, noting that it would take years to set up new mining operations in the U.S.
Economic Fallout and Strategic Repercussions
The immediate impact of China’s export ban could be felt through rising global prices for materials like antimony, which have already doubled in recent months due to tightening supply. The U.S. has not mined gallium since 1987 and has relied on imports from countries like Japan and Germany for its supply. The new restrictions from China are expected to further strain U.S. industries dependent on these minerals, from semiconductors to defense.
However, analysts suggest that China’s actions could backfire. Past restrictions have spurred investments in alternative suppliers. For example, after China’s 2010 embargo, Australia’s Lynas Corporation ramped up its production of rare earth materials, and the U.S. could follow suit by diversifying its sources.
U.S. Response and Growing Economic Tensions
In response to China’s actions, the Biden administration recently expanded tariffs on Chinese goods, including a 25% levy on tungsten. These tariffs are part of broader efforts to reduce U.S. dependence on Chinese materials and technology. Additionally, Washington has imposed stricter curbs on Chinese technology companies, limiting their access to advanced American technology.
China has vehemently criticized these U.S. measures. Lin Jian, a spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, denounced the American actions as “illegal” and damaging to global trade. Chinese industry groups have also issued warnings, advising local companies to reduce reliance on U.S. semiconductor products, citing concerns over their safety and reliability. This could have serious financial implications for American tech giants like Intel and Micron, which already face challenges in the Chinese market.
It goes like this: A high-powered career woman returns to a small town where she unexpectedly reconnects with a man with a heart of gold. Together, they embark on a quest — maybe to save a family farm, a struggling business or even each other. As love blossoms and tough choices are made, all set against a magical holiday backdrop, the story wraps up with a happy ending and a renewed sense of purpose.Sound familiar? It’s the formula for almost every holiday movie on the Hallmark Channel or Lifetime network — and it’s almost always sure to deliver.“People love holiday movies because they’re predictable, they’re positive and they make us feel good,” Makana Chock, a media psychology researcher and professor at Syracuse University, told Yahoo Entertainment, noting that they may even stimulate the release of feel-good chemicals like dopamine and oxytocin.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNewsletter: The YodelTrusted news and daily delights, right in your inboxSee for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories.Beyond the surface-level joy, however, these movies also tap into a “fundamental need for belonging,” media psychologist Pamela Rutledge told Yahoo Entertainment. Such predictability “creates expectations of a safe emotional space” during the holiday season.But how did these made-for-TV movies become synonymous with the holidays? Let’s take a closer look.The roots of a genreBefore Hallmark was known for its holiday movies, it was (and remains to be) a humble greeting card company founded in 1910 by Joyce C. Hall.Building on its legacy of nostalgia and togetherness, the company ventured into television in 1951 with Amahl and the Night Visitors, an opera sponsored by Hallmark for a Christmas Eve broadcast. It became the first of many specials under the Hallmark Hall of Fame banner, cementing the company’s place in holiday entertainment.AdvertisementAdvertisementBy the 1990s, Hallmark had earned a reputation for its original holiday content, centering mostly on characters rediscovering community and purpose through the magic of the Christmas season — a formula that became a staple for many of its holiday films.From top left: Actors Judd Nelson, Lauren Holly, Nick Stabile, George Wallace and Ed Gale on the set of Santa Jr. in 2002. The movie was the first original holiday film for the Hallmark Channel. (Hallmark Media)The launch of the Hallmark Channel in 2001, followed by its “Countdown to Christmas” marathon in 2009, marked a turning point for the company as it began dominating the holiday movie scene, beginning with the channel’s first original holiday movie, Santa Jr., in 2002. Lifetime joined the trend in 2012 with the network’s “It’s a Wonderful Lifetime” lineup, which solidified the channels as go-to destinations for holiday entertainment.”Audiences resonate deeply with the way Hallmark captures the essence of the holiday spirit,” Samantha DiPippo, senior vice president of programming at Hallmark Media, told Yahoo Entertainment of its holiday films. “It’s a tradition that brings people together in so many meaningful ways.”And yes, the demand is still high. Last year alone, the Hallmark Channel released 31 original holiday movies — plus an additional nine for the “Miracles of Christmas” lineup on its sister channel Hallmark Movies & Mysteries — two of which debuted to roughly 3 million viewers in its network release, per Forbes.What makes a traditional holiday movie?According to Chock, a classic holiday movie plot centers on a main character (often an outsider either by choice or circumstance) who “initially rejects or is rejected by a group, whether that’s family or a community.” As a result, “they may reject Christmas itself. Or they may love it, but they’re celebrating it all alone.”AdvertisementAdvertisementIn the process of the film, the main character is “welcomed back into a group,” usually with the help of a charming love interest and a picturesque setting. By the end, love flourishes, justice is restored and the lead character finds belonging.Anuja Joshi and Benjamin Hollingsworth star in Hallmark’s Christmas With the Singhs. (Syd Wong/Hallmark Media)Of course, not every story is the same. A New York Times analysis found that while plotlines differed, most holiday movies released by Hallmark and Lifetime between 2017 and 2023 shared familiar tropes, designed to create a world that feels both safe and aspirational — small towns, Christmas Eve festivities, struggling businesses and even the occasional baking competition.Casting also plays a key role. Familiar faces like Lacey Chabert, Tatyana Ali and Candace Cameron Bure, known for their wholesome relatability, have appeared in dozens of Christmas films for the Hallmark Channel and are synonymous with the genre.Male actors like Andrew W. Walker, Corey Sevier and others have also starred in numerous films for the Hallmark Channel and Lifetime, adding a comforting sense of continuity for viewers.’Hallmark is for everyone’ While these movies have captured hearts, they’ve also faced criticism for their lack of diversity.AdvertisementAdvertisementAccording to the New York Times, 18% of Hallmark movies released between 2017 and 23 featured nonwhite stars on the posters, compared to 44% of those released by Lifetime. In recent years, however, the networks have made strides by introducing LGBTQ couples, interracial relationships and stories centered on underrepresented communities.In 2020, Hallmark aired its first movie featuring a same-sex couple, The Christmas House. Two years later, it premiered The Holiday Sitter, the first to have an LGBTQ couple as its leads. Both movies starred LGBTQ actor Jonathan Bailey. Lifetime followed suit in 2020 with the premiere of The Christmas Setup, the first LGBTQ-themed holiday film in the network’s history.Chock credits the shift to “a desire to appeal to a younger demographic that is not only more accepting, but actually has greater expectations” when it comes to representation.DiPippo insisted that when it comes to holiday love stories, “Hallmark is for everyone.”AdvertisementAdvertisement”We want all our viewers to see themselves and their love stories reflected in our programming,” she told Yahoo, noting that Hallmark aims to produce content that “reflects a wide variety of cultural backgrounds, perspectives and lifestyles in the form of storytelling.”Jonathan Bennett and Brad Harder in the Hallmark Channel’s The Christmas House. (Luba Popovic/Crown Media)Not everyone has embraced these changes, however. Great American Family, a newer competitor led by former Hallmark executive Bill Abbott, positioned itself as a faith-forward alternative.In 2022, actress Bure, who left the Hallmark umbrella to become chief creative officer for Great American Family, said the network would keep “traditional marriage at the core” of its holiday offerings — a view that Abbott later dismissed.“Holidays are for everyone,” acknowledged Rutledge, who stressed that changes reflecting more inclusivity were necessary to address a “growing demand from audiences for stories that reflect the real world.”The evolution continuesAs streaming platforms like Netflix and Hulu have entered the holiday movie space with hits like Happiest Season (2020) and this year’s Hot Frosty and The Merry Gentlemen, Chock said the genre has evolved to include edgier humor but still retains its core themes of love, redemption and “being part of a family.”From left to right: Hector David Jr., Marc Anthony Samuel, Chad Michael Murray and Colt Prattes in a scene from Netflix’s The Merry Gentlemen. (Katrina Marcinowski/Netflix)Not to mention, streaming services have an “incredible amount of personalized data” that’s utilized to better understand what appeals to certain demographics, she said. This allows streamers to develop a more targeted strategy when creating new stories for the holiday season.AdvertisementAdvertisementHallmark has evolved to include its first holiday limited scripted series Holidazed and Mistloetoe Murders as well as its first-ever reality competition series, Finding Mr. Christmas, all of which are debuting this season on Hallmark+.“You’re seeing changes in how holiday movies are approached,” said Chock. “We’re even seeing more holiday movies that involve Santa getting a little sexy. I mean, when did Santa become a sex symbol?”
On Tuesday, Meta Platforms Inc META announced plans to seek proposals from nuclear energy developers to accomplish its artificial intelligence innovation and sustainability goals.
The artificial intelligence frenzy has been pivotal in the accelerated adoption of nuclear energy as a power source, prompting big tech firms to indulge in nuclear energy-related projects to generate power for their ongoing AI development initiatives, Reuters reports.
The parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and Threads is eyeing 1-4 gigawatts (GW) of new nuclear generation capacity in the U.S. starting in the early 2030s.
Also Read: Meta Platforms Talks Political Misinformation, Content Moderation In Latest Blog
The company emphasized the importance of electric grids expanding and adopting new sources of reliable, clean, and renewable energy to drive the technologies that will build the future of human connection, including the next wave of AI innovation.
According to Reuters, Meta Platforms expects nuclear energy to support the growth needs of the electric grids that power its data centers and the communities around them.
Meanwhile, Amazon.Com Inc AMZN cloud unit Amazon Web Services tapped with Dominion Energy, Inc D to develop a small modular reactor near Dominion’s existing North Anna nuclear power station. In October, Amazon committed over $500 million in nuclear power across three projects from Virginia to Washington state. AWS expects the new SMRs to add a minimum of 300 megawatts of power to the Virginia region.
Alphabet Inc GOOG GOOGL Google forged a deal with Kairos Power to buy power via SMRs, enabling up to 500 MW of new carbon-free power to U.S. electricity grids.
Microsoft Inc MSFT engaged Constellation Energy Corp CEG to reopen Pennsylvania’s Three Mile Island nuclear plant. Microsoft agreed to exclusively purchase the plant’s energy for two decades.
Meta Platforms stock has surged over 77% year-to-date. Bank of America, Rosenblatt, Goldman Sachs, and Needham analysts projected upside for the stock fueled by Llama and Meta AI. Meta’s AI investments drove the 20% revenue growth and have the potential for upside despite higher capex, as per the analysts.
Price Action: META stock was down 0.77% at $608.75 at last check Wednesday.
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Spain’s new system for registering traveller information descended into chaos on its first day, causing widespread disruption, according to one hotelier. The system has already faced unanimous criticism after proving to be “problematic,” causing issues for the travel agency sector. Pedro Fiol, president of the Aviba Balearic Association of Travel Agencies, warns that the failures…
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