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After day of rest at climate summit, COP28 negotiators turn back to addressing fossil fuels

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:52:09 GMT

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The United Nations climate conference on Friday began its final week with negotiators expected to zoom in on the future of fossil fuels on a dangerously warming planet.“It’s go-time for governments at COP28 this week,” U.N. Climate Chief Simon Stiell said at a press event Friday.Discussions after a first week of pageantry and official visits now become more difficult, particularly when it comes to language calling for the potential phase-out of the use of emission-spewing fossil fuels. Any language along those lines likely will draw the ire of Saudi Arabia, a major oil producer just next door to the United Arab Emirates. The UAE itself also is planning to boost its oil production from 4 million to 5 million barrels of crude oil a day to take advantage of the fossil fuel market before countries potentially shift away from its use.Stiell underlined the challenge ahead if the world doesn’t limit emissions, describing ice shelves melting causing ...

Street closures for Jingle All the Way race this Sunday in DC

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:52:09 GMT

The Jingle All the Way 5K/15K race is coming to the District this Sunday.That means there will be road closures, per D.C. police and U.S. Park Police.These streets will be closed to vehicle traffic by D.C. police from around 6 a.m. to noon:1200 block of Maine Avenue SWMaine Avenue from Interstate 395 westbound to Independence Avenue SWNinth Street Tunnel ramp to Maine Avenue SWSouthbound Potomac River Freeway Split to Route 66 NWTheodore Roosevelt Bridge Ramp to Ohio Drive NWWestbound E Street Expressway ramp to Southbound Potomac River Freeway NWThese streets will be closed to vehicle traffic by U.S. Park Police from around 6 a.m. to noon:15th Street from Constitution Avenue NW to Independence Avenue SW17th Street from Constitution Avenue NW to Independence Avenue SWDaniel Chester French Drive from Independence Avenue to Lincoln Memorial Circle SWEast Basin Drive SWEast and West Potomac parksHomefront Drive SWIndependence Avenue from 14th Street to 23rd Street SWJefferson Drive fro...

Stock market today: World shares rise ahead of a key US jobs report

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:52:09 GMT

HONG KONG (AP) — World shares were mostly up on Friday ahead of a U.S. government jobs report, after Wall Street rose Thursday to snap its first three-day losing streak since Halloween.On Thursday, the S&P 500 climbed 0.8% to 4,585.59. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.2% to 36,117.38, and the Nasdaq composite jumped 1.4% to 14,339.99.The future for the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average both slipped 0.1%.In Friday’s European market, data released on Friday showed a 3.2% inflation rate in Germany for November, marking the fifth consecutive month of decline. The data supports the prediction of upcoming European Central Bank rate cuts.Germany’s DAX edged 0.1% higher to 16,646.88 and the CAC 40 in Paris gained 0.3%, to 7,450.53. Britain’s FTSE 100 was up nearly 0.1% at 7,518.90.In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 index shed 1.7% to 32,307.86, as investors speculated that the Bank of Japan may end its negative interest rate policy.Before meeting Thursday with Prime Ministe...

As Ukraine aid falters in the Senate, Biden signals he’s willing to make a deal on border security

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:52:09 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — As Senate Republicans blocked the advance of tens of billions of dollars in military and economic assistance for Ukraine Wednesday, President Joe Biden berated their tactics as “stunning” and dangerous. Yet he also signaled an openness to what GOP lawmakers ultimately want: border policy changes.Biden at the White House warned of dire consequences for Kyiv — and a “gift” to Russia’s Vladimir Putin – if Congress fails to pass a $110 billion package of wartime funding for Ukraine and Israel as well as other national security priorities. Hours later, Senate Republicans defiantly voted to stop the package from advancing, something that they had threatened to do all week.“They’re willing to literally kneecap Ukraine on the battlefield and damage our national security in the process,” Biden said.But even as he lashed Republicans for their stance, Biden stressed that he is willing to “make significant compromises on the border,” if that’s what it takes to get ...

A new bedtime story voiced by Jimmy Stewart just in time for Christmas, 26 years after his death

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:52:09 GMT

(CNN) — Thanks to generative AI technology, you can now listen to a soothing Christmas bedtime story told by the late legendary actor Jimmy Stewart.Stewart, star of “It’s a Wonderful Life” who died in 1997, is the voice behind a new audio story released Tuesday on the sleep and meditation app Calm. Generative AI helps to imitate Stewart’s distinctive tone, replicated with the approval of the actor’s family and estate, managed by CMG Worldwide.Titled “It’s a Wonderful Sleep Story,” the bedtime tale kicks off on Christmas Eve, giving listeners a festive story as part of Calm’s Sleep Stories. The collection is meant to guide users to bed with calming voices and very few plot points, with Stewart’s story now available to premium Calm subscribers.“We are excited for our Dad to be the voice of Calm’s latest Sleep Story,” said Kelly Stewart Harcourt via a Calm statement to CNN. “It’s amazing what technology can do and wonderful to see Dad’s legacy live on this holiday season in new ways, l...

The meaning behind Pantone’s Color of the Year 2024

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:52:09 GMT

(CNN) — If we could visualize the year ahead, what color would it be? The abstract thought is an annual consideration for the experts at the Pantone Color Institute, who trawl through high-fashion runways, interior design trends, pop culture moments and human psychology to make their pick.According to their research, the shade that will come to define 2024 is “Peach Fuzz” — a light, fruity tone that conjures peace and serenity. “We’re going through a lot of turmoil in our lives, and we have a need for a color that’s nurturing,” Pantone color specialist Leatrice Eisman told CNN over video call. “It’s a warm and cozy shade. And it’s very tactile. We feel that at a time like this, tactility is really important — to touch other people and gather them into our homes.”Peach tones have been a fixture of the Spring-Summer 2024 runways, particularly in Milan with Italian houses such as Gucci, Jil Sander and Sportmax leading the way. At the Oscars Vanity Fair Afterparty in March, Hilary ...

Woman shot, killed in car in Brockton

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:52:09 GMT

Massachusetts State Police and the Brockton Police Department are investigating a homicide that took place early Friday.Brockton patrol officers were called to Nason Street shortly after midnight after receiving a report of a person shot in their car.Heavy police presence was seen at the location of the shooting, as was a shattered window in the driver’s side of a vehicle. A female in the car was confirmed deceased.Investigation into this incident is ongoing. Anyone with information on the individual responsible for the shooting or any other pertinent information is asked to call Brockton Police Detectives at 508-941-0200.

Healey Deflects When Asked About Legislative Pace

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:52:09 GMT

The current moment demands “urgent action like never before,” the governor said Thursday, but she again brushed off the suggestion that the glacial pace of Beacon Hill legislating complicates state attempts to swiftly act on issues like housing, affordability and more.Most of Gov. Maura Healey’s agenda rests in the hands of the Legislature, including her massive housing bill, the economic development plan her administration filed this week, her plan to leverage interest on state savings to attract federal grants, and more. On WBUR’s “Radio Boston” Thursday, she did not take the bait when host Tiziana Dearing asked if the Legislature was “an actual impediment” to addressing the economy and competitiveness.“Well, I’m proud of the things that we were able to get done this year. You know, as I look back, and it’s a time of reflection to a certain extent, as I look back on the year, I mean, the budget that we passed that I...

Jon Rahm leaving PGA Tour for LIV Golf

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:52:09 GMT

(CNN) — Jon Rahm, currently ranked No. 3 in the world and the reigning Masters champion, is poised to leave the PGA Tour for the Saudi-backed LIV Golf series.“I am proud to join LIV Golf and be part of something new that is bringing growth to the sport,” Rahm said in a statement on Thursday. “I have no doubt that this is a great opportunity for me and my family and am very excited for the future.”Rahm will make his debut with LIV Golf next season, with the first tournament teeing off February 2-4, 2024, at LIV Golf Mayakoba in Mexico. As part of the three-year, $300 million deal, Rahm will have an ownership stake in a new LIV Golf team, according to ESPN, citing unnamed sources.“It’s not an easy decision because I’ve had a really successful career and I’ve been really happy,” Rahm said in an interview with Fox News.“But there’s a lot of things that LIV Golf has to offer that were very, very enticing, starting with team golf. Being part of a team is something that’s be...

Major donor calls on UPenn president to resign for disastrous testimony on antisemitism, threatening $100 million gift

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:52:09 GMT

New York (CNN) — The walls appear to be caving in on the University of Pennsylvania’s president, Liz Magill, who faces scathing criticism over her performance at a House hearing earlier this week.Prominent donor Ross Stevens threatened to claw back a $100 million donation. The university’s board of trustees held an emergency meeting Thursday. And the powerful Wharton Board of Advisors that leads the university’s prominent business school called for a leadership change at the university.Magill remained president after the hastily arranged board gathering concluded Thursday, a source familiar with the proceedings told CNN. But Magill faced a rebellion from Wharton’s Board of Advisors, and a growing coalition of donors, politicians and business leaders who denounced her testimony.During Tuesday’s House hearing, Magill, along with the presidents of Harvard and MIT, did not explicitly say that calling for the genocide of Jews would necessarily violate their code ...