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Is climate change bad for democracy? Future-watchers see threats, and some opportunities

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:28:23 GMT

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Instability driven by climate change could threaten democracies in the future, even though representative governments are best equipped to provide solutions, experts gathered at an annual conference have argued.The Athens Democracy Forum, an event backed by the United Nations, wrapped up in the Greek capital Friday with attention focused on the impact that rising temperatures and extreme weather could have on democratic stability.Princeton University climate scientist Michael Oppenheimer warned that authorities globally are responding too slowly to damage caused by weather disasters despite a rise in their frequency.“As time goes on and on, the interval for recovery is shrinking,” said Oppenheimer, a professor of geosciences and international affairs and director at the Center for Policy Research on Energy and the Environment at Princeton. “We’re in a situation where the services that governments provide – and one of the key services is protection of life and l...

S&P/TSX composite flat, U.S. stock markets mixed

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:28:23 GMT

TORONTO — Canada’s main stock index was essentially flat, while U.S. stock markets were mixed on the final trading day of what has been a difficult month for stock markets.The S&P/TSX composite index was up 1.36 points at 19,592.10.In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was down 43.92 points at 33,622.42. The S&P 500 index was up 15.50 points at 4,315.20, while the Nasdaq composite was up 88.54 points at 13,289.82.The Canadian dollar traded for 73.94 cents US compared with 74.11 cents US on Thursday.The November crude contract was down US$1.02 at US$90.69 per barrel and the November natural gas contract was down a penny at US$2.93 per mmBTU.The December gold contract was down US$4.70 at US$1,873.90 an ounce and the December copper contract was up three cents at US$3.74 a pound.This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 29, 2023.Companies in this story: (TSX:GSPTSE, TSX:CADUSD) The Canadian Press

Brazil’s President Lula enters a hospital to undergo hip replacement surgery

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:28:23 GMT

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was admitted to a hospital Friday to undergo hip replacement surgery, a procedure likely to put a temporary halt to his frequent international trips but otherwise not disrupt his activities.Televised images showed the leftist leader’ s convoy entering the Hospital Sirio-Libanes complex in the capital, Brasilia. After the operation scheduled for Friday morning, Lula, 77, is expected to spend a few days in the hospital and to return to the presidential palace early next week, according to Andrea Cordeiro of the president’s press office.The government said Lula would remain president throughout instead of temporarily passing authority to Vice President Geraldo Alckmin.“The impact of Lula’s surgery will probably be small and should not affect the decision-making process or negotiations in a significant way,” said Paulo Calmon, a political science professor at the University of Brasilia. “It is very likely that Lul...

UAW strikes spread to Chicago, Lansing as 7,000 more workers join the picket line

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:28:23 GMT

DETROIT (AP) — The United Auto Workers union says its two-week strike against Detroit automakers will spread to 7,000 more workers at a Ford plant in Chicago and a General Motors assembly factory near Lansing, Michigan.Union President Shawn Fain told workers on a video appearance Friday that negotiations haven’t broken down but Ford and GM have refused to make meaningful progress. Jeep maker Stellantis was spared from the third round of strikes.The GM plant in Delta Township, near Lansing, makes large crossover SUVs such as the Chevrolet Traverse. A nearby metal parts stamping plant will remain open, Fain said.The Chicago Ford plant makes the Ford Explorer and Explorer Police Interceptors, as well as the Lincoln Aviator SUV. The Explorer interceptor is the nation's top selling police vehicle.“Sadly, despite our willingness to bargain, Ford and GM have refused to make meaningful progress at the table,” Fain said in explaining the two new strike locations.Fain said union bargainers ar...

COPA: Sexual misconduct claims unsubstantiated between officers, migrants; investigation concluded

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:28:23 GMT

CHICAGO — The Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) said Friday they concluded its investigation into sexual misconduct allegations by CPD officers against migrants and they were unsubstantiated.On July 6, COPA said they were made aware of an allegation that a CPD officer at the 10th District had sexual intercourse with an underage migrant — which resulted in her becoming pregnant.Migrants located at the 10th District were relocated to other temporary shelters after the allegations.The agency said a preliminary investigation was started and a similar allegation surfaced at the 19th District.As the a result of the investigation, COPA said Friday that no victim or any witnesses have come forward or been identified.The agency says the case has been closed without findings of misconduct. They have the authority to reopen the case if evidence comes to light, COPA said.

PHOTOS: Dianne Feinstein's career throughout the years

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:28:23 GMT

(The Hill) -- Sept. 28, 1971: Dianne Feinstein stands at San Francisco City Hall in San Francisco, California. She was the first female president of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. (Bettmann Archive/Getty Images)Nov. 27, 1978: Feinstein, president of the board of supervisors, sits next to Supervisor Carol Ruth Silver to hold a press conference following the killing of Mayor George Moscone and supervisor Harvey Milk. Feinstein, Moscone's designated successor, was in her office a few feet away from the shootings. "I heard shots. I heard three," said Feinstein. (Bettmann/ Getty Images)Nov. 28, 1979: Then-San Francisco Mayor Dianne Feinstein carries a candle as she leads an estimated 15,000 marchers also carrying candles during a march in memory of slain Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk in San Francisco. In the background is a sign that says "Gay Love is Gay Power." Feinstein served as mayor from 1978 to 1988. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)Dec. 11, 1979: Feinstein emerge...

Aerosmith postpones farewell tour over Steven Tyler's fractured larynx

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:28:23 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – Aerosmith has postponed their "Peace Out" farewell tour after doctors discovered Steven Tyler's vocal chord damage was more severe than originally thought. In a Facebook post Friday, the band said they were forced to push their upcoming shows to "sometime in 2024" after doctors confirmed the singer fractured his larynx. Aerosmith initially postponed their September dates after Tyler suffered vocal chord damage during a performance, resulting in bleeding. The tour was then scheduled to begin in Tampa on Oct. 11. From left: Tom Hamilton, Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, John Douglas and Brad Whitford of Aerosmith perform on Sept. 8, 2022, at Fenway Park in Boston. (Photo by Winslow Townson/Invision/AP, file)"He is receiving the best medical treatment available to ensure his recovery is swift, but given the nature of a fracture, he is being told patience is essential," Aerosmith wrote in Friday's statement.Tickets will be honored for the rescheduled tour dates, the band sa...

Drone shows jaw-dropping moment shark chases stingrays off Florida coast

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:28:23 GMT

ANNA MARIA ISLAND, Fla. (WFLA) -- Drone operator Justin Nadeau captured what he says felt like a "National Geographic scene" off the coast of Florida last week.On Sept. 22, Nadeau went to Anna Maria Island to make a YouTube video of dolphins or sharks swimming around, something he typically sees in the area. However, this time was different.Nadeau had been filming a shark around 9:30 a.m. when he turned his drone around and captured a shocking sight – hundreds of stingrays being chased by a shark. See it: Massive roughtail stingray caught in the Long Island Sound "I turned the drone around and was shocked when I saw all the rays so close to the shore," Nadeau said. "My first initial reaction was 'holy wow.' I've never seen so many before.""After circling them for a bit, I noticed a shark right on the outside of them closing in. I immediately focused on the shark, hoping it was going to go in for the attack! Luckily for me, I got to witness it all happen live….felt like a National ...

AFD finds woman dead while responding to west Austin grass fire

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:28:23 GMT

Note: The above video shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for Friday, Sept. 29, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) — A woman was found dead in west Austin in an area where a grass fire burned Friday morning.The Austin Fire Department said firefighters found a body while responding to a grass fire in the 3600 block of Mesa Drive, which is in the Northwest Hills area. -->AFD responded to the scene shortly after 5 a.m.Arson investigators are at the scene. They have not determined if the body of the person found is connected to the start of the fire.

Whistleblower lawsuit against Ken Paxton can move forward in real court, Supreme Court rules

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:28:23 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Whistleblowers suing Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton for wrongful termination will move forward with their lawsuit in a Travis County court, the Texas Supreme Court ruled Friday, lifting a procedural pause and extending Paxton's legal troubles past his impeachment trial.The ruling is a blow to Paxton, whose office came to a $3.3 million settlement agreement with four top officials who claimed Paxton fired them in retaliation for reporting him to the FBI on allegations of bribery and abuse of office in 2020.The Supreme Court's decision comes just four days after the whistleblowers asked them to send their lawsuit back to Travis County. ‘We are not going away’: Paxton whistleblowers announce next steps in legal fight Lead plaintiff Blake Brickman told Nexstar the trial will allow them to compel Paxton to testify, unlike in the Senate's impeachment trial in which Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick prevented them from calling Paxton to the stand."He will not answer questions. H...