Nazareth fifth-grade robotics students were among 32 teams competing at the TCEA Robotics meet. Noah Raef and Xavier Snead made it into the semifinals where they ended a strong day. Braeli Fuller and Brystol Burks came in 15th. Naz High School robotics team member Harrison Meador helped Braeli and Brystol program their robot, Blingles. Drew Bennett and Adalyn O’Connor ranked 13th. Nikki Wethington helped with travel and volunteering. Their first meet, the students learned a lot, worked hard, and are considering hosting an elementary summer robotics camp to pass on what they have learned.
Mexico has failed to satisfy the concerns of the United States over a potential ban on imports of U.S.-grown GMO corn, according to trade offi cials after negotiations in Mexico City on Monday.
“We made it clear today that if this issue is not resolved, we will consider all options, including taking formal steps to enforce our rights under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.”
The ban would take effect in January 2024.
“We appreciate the active engagement between U.S. and Mexican government officials…and the proposed modifi cations to the presidential decree shared by Mexico at the end of 2022,” said U.S. chief agricultural negotiator Doug McKalip and Agriculture Undersecretary Alexis Taylor in a statement. “However, these changes are not sufficient.”
Mexico reportedlyoffered to delay the ban on imports of yellow corn, used in livestock feed, until January 2025, after the expiration of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador’s term of office. Lopez Obrador has been a driving force on the issue.
Mexico’s agriculture minister suggested the delay would be acceptable to the Biden administration. White corn is used in making tortillas, an everyday food in Mexico.
McKalip and Taylor said “Mexico’s proposed approach, which is not grounded in science, still threatens to disrupt billions of dollars in bilateral agricultural trade, cause serious economic harm to U.S. farmers and Mexican livestock producers, and stifle important innovations needed to help producers respond to pressing climate and food security challenges.”
Mexico is one of the biggest customers for U.S. corn, almost all of which is grown from genetically modified seed.
After ministerial-level discussions in mid-December in Washington, the two nations said they hoped to reach a settlement in January.