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Putin meets with China’s defense minister in Moscow

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:12:46 GMT

MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin met with China’s defense minister on Sunday, underscoring Beijing’s strengthening engagement with Moscow, with which it has largely aligned its foreign policy in an attempt to diminish the influence of the United States and other Western democracies.Putin and Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu met with Gen. Li Shangfu less than a month after Chinese leader Xi Jinping held a three-day state visit to Moscow.China has refused to criticize Russia’s military actions in Ukraine and blames the United States and NATO for provoking Moscow. But China’s foreign minister said last week that China wouldn’t be helping Russia with weapons, as the U.S. and other Western allies have feared.Officially, China remains neutral in the Ukraine conflict. However, Xi’s trip emphasized how China is increasingly becoming the senior partner in the relationship as it provides Russia with political cover and an economic lifeline du...

Kerry: No rolling back clean energy transition

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:12:46 GMT

SAPPORO, Japan — So much has been invested in clean energy that there can be no rolling back of moves to end carbon emissions, U.S. climate envoy John Kerry said Sunday.Kerry noted that if countries deliver on promises to phase out polluting fossil fuels, the world can limit average global warming to 1.7 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit), better than the worst case scenarios but still above the current limit of 1.5 C global warming above pre-industrial levels.“We’re in a very different place than where we were a year ago, let alone two and three years ago,” Kerry said in an interview.“But we’re not doing everything we said we’d do,” he said, after attending a meeting of energy and environment ministers of the Group of Seven wealthy nations. “A lot of countries need to step up including ours to reduce emissions faster, deploy renewables faster, bring new technologies online faster all of that has to happen.”Kerry said the G...

Wind advisories could be blowing their way towards San Diego, again

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:12:46 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- The weekend started with low clouds that lingered from the beaches to the western valleys, but the National Weather Service San Diego says those clouds should eventually clear inland.This may be the calm dim before some gusty conditions as weather officials predict a low pressure system that could take hold of the region on Sunday, also spreading cooling temperatures further inland. San Diego among cities where inflation is increasing the most: study NWS says west winds are expected to sweep through the county, especially across the mountains and deserts. According to weather officials, wind advisories may be needed on Monday and Tuesday. This is expected is start on Monday afternoon and may continue into Wednesday before gradually decreasing. Despite predicted winds, NWS says precipitation is not expected to reach this far south. There could, however, be a deepened marine layer resulting in more clouds and cooler weather through midweek. Looking ahead, weather offici...

PMO paint protester charged; group IDs her as topless Junos stage crasher

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:12:46 GMT

Ottawa police say two people have been charged with mischief after a woman threw paint at the prime minister’s office and chained herself to the building Saturday.Police haven’t confirmed the identities of the people arrested, but a climate change advocacy group has identified the woman as the same person who walked on the Juno Awards stage while topless.On2Ottawa has posted photos and video to its Twitter account of the woman tossing a bucket of what appears to be pink paint on the entranceway, then posing topless for a photo next to a sign saying, “Demand climate action now!”Casey Hatherly, who goes by the name Ever, came to national attention last month when she hopped on the Junos stage while Avril Lavigne was introducing a performance.She was topless and messages written on her upper body included “land back” and “save the Greenbelt,” referring to Ontario’s decision last year to open a protected area of land for housing. She...

Ortiz reflects on speech given after Boston Marathon bombing

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:12:46 GMT

BOSTON (AP) — David Ortiz knows that what he said at the first game at Fenway Park after the Boston Marathon bombing had an impact — in Boston and around the world.Ortiz and many of his 2013 World Series champion teammates were honored Sunday in Boston before the Red Sox played the Los Angeles Angels. He’ll also be the grand marshal for this year’s marathon, which will be run Monday morning. Ten years ago, two bombs detonated near the finish line of the Boston Marathon, killing three people and injuring nearly 300. Five days later, the Red Sox played a home game, at Fenway, where Ortiz stood in front of the pitcher’s mound and said: “This is our (expletive) city. And nobody’s gonna dictate our freedom. Stay strong.”The Red Sox took off after that moment and went on to win the World Series.“You know what, 10 years later I can tell you about the impact of what I say (had),” Ortiz said Sunday. “To be honest with you, I’m so proud it was taken that way. You don’t know, sometimes s...

Three-vehicle collision in McCowan Road and Lawrence Avenue area

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:12:46 GMT

Three vehicles have been involved in a crash in the McCowan Road and Lawrence Avenue area.COLLISION:McCowan Rd & Lawrence Ave2:29pm– 3 vehicle collision– police are responding – injuries are unknown – delays in the area– consider alternate routes#GO841668^se— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) April 16, 2023Police are responding to the incident and injuries are unknown.Delays are expected in the area.

Spain’s leader apologizes to victims of sexual consent law

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:12:46 GMT

MADRID (AP) — Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on Sunday apologized to the victims of a government-sponsored sexual freedom law passed last October that was aimed at increasing protection for women, but inadvertently allowed hundreds of convicted sex offenders to have their sentences reduced.The legislation, known as the “only yes means yes” law, is set to undergo reform this coming week to address the legal loophole, following months of debate in the country and tension between the two left-wing coalition partners in the government — the majority Socialist party and Unidas Podemos, the junior party that sponsored the law.“No lawmaker, even those who voted against this law, is in favor of reducing sentences. Therefore, I apologize to the victims and we will find a solution to these unintended effects, because it is the best way to defend the law itself,” Sánchez said in an interview with local media on the sidelines of a campaign event for the upcoming regional elections i...

VIDEO: Rapper E-40 escorted out of NBA playoff game between Kings, Warriors

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:12:46 GMT

(KRON) - Rapper E-40 was escorted out of the Golden 1 Center by security during the first playoff game between the Golden State Warriors and the Sacramento Kings on Saturday night in an incident he referred to as "racial bias."In a video obtained by Nexstar's KRON, the rapper, clad in a gold chain, diamond earrings and sunglasses, had both hands held behind his back at one point as he was leaving the arena. Fans clad in Kings colors smiled and waved as E-40 was escorted out. Some fans pulled out their phones and took videos of the chaos as boos can be heard from the crowd. Kings take 1-0 lead in thrilling Game1 victory over Warriors E-40 was reportedly standing during a significant portion of the game, which appeared to block some of the guests sitting behind him. Several people complained to arena officials; E-40 was warned, but the standing reportedly continued. E-40 told KRON he was heckled in "disrespectful" ways throughout the game. During the fourth quarter, he turned aroun...

Did you pay to file taxes? IRS being pushed to create free, electronic system for all

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:12:46 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — It’s that time of year when throngs of taxpayers are buckling down to file their income tax returns before Tuesday’s filing deadline. Many often pay to use software from private companies such as Intuit and H&R Block.Almost one-quarter of Americans wait until the last minute to file their taxes.There could be a new, free option in future years. The IRS has been tasked with looking into how to create a government-operated electronic free-file tax return system for all. But that doesn’t sit well with the big tax-prep companies.The idea has been batted around and hotly debated for a long time. Congress now has directed the IRS to report in on how such a system might work.The order came as part of the $80 billion infusion of money for the tax agency over the next 10 years under the Democrats' flagship climate and health care measure, known as the Inflation Reduction Act, that President Joe Biden signed last summer. It gave the IRS nine mont...

Travis County investigating overnight homicide

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:12:46 GMT

TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- The Travis County Sheriff's Office said it was investigating a homicide reported in the northeastern part of the county early Sunday morning.Deputies responded to a domestic disturbance call just after midnight Sunday morning. The call originated in the 19400 block of Wearyall Hill Lane, located in Pflugerville.Once arrived, deputies found the body of a woman in her 40s who had suffered from a gunshot wound, per a TCSO release. Deputies also found a man in his 40s in critical condition after having sustained a gunshot wound. He was taken to an area hospital, per the release.The investigation is ongoing, with TCSO officials noting "evidence indicates this was an isolated incident and there is no danger to the public."