To save the climate, change the game for petrostates

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:20:54 GMT

To save the climate, change the game for petrostates Daniel Litvin is the founder of Critical Resource and a visiting senior fellow at the Grantham Research Institute at LSE. He is the author of “Empires of Profit: Commerce, Conquest and Corporate Responsibility.” He writes here in a personal capacity.The 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP28, has ended with what its host, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), described as an “historic” agreement — but what many activists feel is a whimper.Calling on countries to “contribute” to “transitioning away from fossil fuels,” the agreement is a step forward compared to previous U.N. summits. But with no imminent death knell sounded for fossil fuels as some had hoped, it is still far from a hard and fast commitment.Oil, gas and coal currently supply some 80 percent of the world’s energy. If the world is to keep within the threshold of 1.5 degrees Celsius of warming, their use likely needs to be cut swiftly and radically. And while COP28 saw the unveiling of positive initiatives on ren...

Bruins win wild one on Long Island, 5-4, in shootout

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:20:54 GMT

Bruins win wild one on Long Island, 5-4, in shootout The Bruins may not be a great team, especially with the way they’re currently constituted. But they do battle as well as any team on most nights. And they did so yet again on Friday, earning a 5-4 win against the New York Islanders.Playing catch-up all night, the B’s tied the Islanders late in the third period and then killed off a phantom David Pastrnak tripping call with 17 seconds left in regulation. After a scoreless overtime, Charlie Coyle and Pastrnak scored in the shootout to lift the B’s to victory at UBS Arena.Pastrnak scored the walk-off goal, pulling the puck behind him and ripping off a wrister to send the B’s back to Boston with three out of four points on the two-game roadie.It was one of the wilder nights of the season.The B’s had erased a two-goal deficit with two quick ones late in the second period, but the Islanders regained their lead on a third-period power play at 5:06. With time running down on Kevin Shattenkirk’s tripping p...

Ontario English elementary teachers vote in favour of 4-year agreement

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:20:54 GMT

Ontario English elementary teachers vote in favour of 4-year agreement Strike action at the province’s public elementary schools has been taken off the table.Members of the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario (ETFO) voted 90 per cent in favour of accepting the central agreement with the Ford government.The term of the four-year central agreement is from Sept. 1, 2022, to Aug. 31, 2026. Ratification from the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA) is required for the agreement to take effect, and their vote is scheduled for next week.  In a statement, ETFO President Karen Brown said, “While this round of bargaining was exceptionally lengthy and difficult, ETFO members stood firm in the face of cuts, pressed for improvements to working and learning conditions, and won.”“This agreement is proof that the legal bargaining process works when it’s allowed to unfold as intended. I want to thank members for their strength, resistance and persistence,” Brown added.Lecce praises new deal as other unions ba...

3 men arrested following robbery in Scarborough, SIU notified

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:20:54 GMT

3 men arrested following robbery in Scarborough, SIU notified Ontario’s police watchdog has been notified after three men robbed a store, fled in a vehicle and became involved in an interaction with a responding Toronto police officer.Authorities reported a robbery in the Sheppard Avenue East and Kennedy Road area at around 5:15 p.m. on Friday.Toronto police said three men robbed a store and fled in a vehicle, which was located in the Plunkett Road and Millwick Drive area in North York.It’s alleged that the suspects’ vehicle rammed into a police cruiser, leading to an officer discharging their firearm. No injuries were reported.Police said three men are in custody, and a firearm was recovered.The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has been notified and will take carriage of the case.The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of officials that may have resulted in death, serious injury, sexual assault and/or the discharge of a firearm at a person.

‘General Hospital’ wins 5 trophies, Susan Lucci honored at 50th annual Daytime Emmys

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:20:54 GMT

‘General Hospital’ wins 5 trophies, Susan Lucci honored at 50th annual Daytime Emmys LOS ANGELES (AP) — “General Hospital” won five trophies, including four for acting, at the Daytime Emmy Awards on Friday night.The late Sonya Eddy won for her 16-year role as no-nonsense head nurse Epiphany Johnson on the venerable ABC show. She died last December at age 55 from an infection after surgery.Robert Gossett, who plays Marshall Ashford, claimed the supporting actor trophy. He also won last year in the guest performer category for the same role. Eden McCoy won for outstanding younger performer as Josslyn Jacks. The 20-year-old actor debuted on “General Hospital” in 2015. Her mother, Natasha McCoy, died of cancer in November.“This is for and because of my mother,” McCoy said. “It’s not lost on me what an absolute privilege it is to be able to do something, not only I like to do but love to do for a living, and I love what I do. It’s really easy to be grateful on nights like this, but I am grateful every day.”Alley Mills, best-known for her role as the mother on...

Mother outraged after daughter left inside daycare transportation van

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:20:54 GMT

Mother outraged after daughter left inside daycare transportation van CHICAGO — A mother says she is outraged after her young daughter had to walk for miles after she was left inside a daycare transportation van.Police say the daycare employee who drove the van is now facing charges and an investigation is underway. It all started when Arturia Edwards went to pick up her daughter Eva from a local park district on Wednesday afternoon, but when she got there, Eva wasn't there.  Man in custody after chase ends in crash in Waukegan The two finally reunited at the Oak Lawn Police Department, but not before Eva embarked on a terrifying journey all alone. "It was scary," Eva Bailey, a 9-year-old Chicago Public Schools third-grade student, said. According to Edwards, Eva had to walk four-and-a-half miles in search of help on Wednesday, after the driver of Eva's afterschool van, which is operated by "New Knowledge Learning Center" in the 8400 block of South Kedzie, stopped at home and left her in the van, instead of taking her to a local park....

Rare Italian vase sells for over $100K at Chicago auction house

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:20:54 GMT

Rare Italian vase sells for over $100K at Chicago auction house CHICAGO — A Chicago auction house just sold a rare piece of art for over $100,000 after a woman bought it at a thrift store in Virginia."A solid piece of glass, that I could tell," said Jessica Vincent of the priceless vase she bought. "It was iredized, it was beautiful."Vincent spotted this colorful vase while browsing the Goodwill store in Hanover County, Virginia. Vincent said she's an avid thrifter who visits different stores where ever she travels.She said she knew this vase was special the moment she laid eyes on it."I took it to the register and the lady looked at it and she said '$3.99,' and I said, 'yes, thank you,'" Vincent said. "I took it home and immediately started to research what I could about the mark."Vincent contacted Richard Wright who runs an auction house on Chicago's West Side."She reached out, sent an email to my auction house," Wright said. "As soon as I saw this rare piece of glass, I immediately called her on her cell phone and she told me the back story a...

Vigil honors third anniversary of Jason Landry disappearance

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:20:54 GMT

Vigil honors third anniversary of Jason Landry disappearance LULING, Texas (KXAN) — Family, friends and volunteers gathered near the site where missing college student Jason Landry's car was found three years ago. They lit candles and prayed in his honor, rekindling their hope and efforts to find him. Texas Attorney General releases update in Jason Landry disappearance Landry was last seen on Dec. 13, 2020. His car was discovered the next day but Landry was nowhere to be found.Since then, numerous searches from law enforcement and volunteers have scoured the area Landry is believed to have been last.In November, the Texas Attorney General's Office gave an update on Jason's case. It said the office's Cold Case and Missing Persons Unit had reviewed the case, finding that all potential leads identified so far were thoroughly checked over.The AG's Office said the investigation into Landry's case is ongoing.At the candlelit vigil Friday evening, Kent Landry, Jason's father, said more searches will resume this weekend. He said the last three year...

Armadillo Christmas Bazaar kicks off at Palmer Events Center

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:20:54 GMT

Armadillo Christmas Bazaar kicks off at Palmer Events Center AUSTIN (KXAN) -- An Austin holiday tradition is back as the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar kicked off Friday at the Palmer Events Center in south Austin.For nearly five decades, the annual event has offered people a chance to listen to live music and shop at the same time.Nearly 200 artists working with all mediums have set up shop at the events centers Friday to offer up unique gifts."You have the live music, you have a bar. You can walk around, you have the cocktail-- the Lonestar and Titos-- and then you have local artists," said Mychal Mitchell with Myona Handcrafted Books.The annual event has been around for 48 seasons and began as a way to get people selling their art on the drag inside during the cold Christmas season.The event is open until 9:30 p.m. daily as of Friday through Dec. 23.

Student band performs for travelers at train station

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:20:54 GMT

Student band performs for travelers at train station RENSSELAER, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Students from Columbia High School and CDTA partnered for a holiday concert on Friday morning. The student band played from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the Joseph Bruno Rail Station. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! The band consists of the high school brass and saxophone ensemble, chamber singers and chamber orchestra. Officials with CDTA said they see a steady increase of travelers during the holiday season and wanted to boost holiday cheer.The students will perform again on Friday, Dec. 22.