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EU faces a cliffhanger climate vote after its parliament emerged deadlocked on a key nature bill

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:40:00 GMT

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union is facing a cliffhanger vote next month that will test its global climate and environmental credentials, after its parliament was again deadlocked on pushing a nature restoration bill onwards on Tuesday. The legislature’s environment committee emerged deadlocked at 44-44 on the plan to beef up the restoration of nature in the 27-nation bloc that was damaged during decades of industrial expansion. It means the full parliament will be asked to reject it. “The fight is not over. We will do our utmost to rally forces throughout the hemicycle behind an ambitious law to the benefit of people and the planet,” said socialist S&D legislator Mohammed Chahim. The parliament’s biggest group, the Christian Democrat EPP, has turned against the plan, arguing it is bad for embattled farmers and puts food security at risk at a time when the war in Ukraine has shown that strategic autonomy on foodstuffs can be essential. The bill is a key part of the...

Un conserje escuchó “alarmas molestas” y apagó un congelador: arruinó 20 años de investigación escolar valorada en US$ 1 millón, dice una demanda

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:40:00 GMT

(CNN) — Un conserje universitario que apagó un congelador después de escuchar múltiples “alarmas molestas” arruinó más de 20 años de investigación, según una demanda presentada contra su empleador por el Instituto Politécnico Rensselaer en norte del estado de Nueva York.El conserje, que no está incluido en la demanda, era un contratista de Daigle Cleaning Systems Inc., que trabajó durante varios meses en 2020 en la universidad privada de investigación en Troy, Nueva York.La escuela busca más de US$ 1 millón en daños y honorarios legales de Daigle Cleaning Systems como resultado del incidente.El congelador del laboratorio contenía más de 20 años de investigación, incluidos cultivos celulares y muestras a los que una “pequeña fluctuación de temperatura de tres grados causaría daños catastróficos”, según la demanda presentada ante la Corte Suprema del condado de Rensselaer.La universidad no cree que el conserje tenga la culpa, sino que culpa a Daigle Cleaning Systems ...

Power pole collapses damaging multiple vehicles in Miramar

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:40:00 GMT

A power pole collapsed and landed on multiple cars in Miramar. The incident took place at 3408 West Lake Place on Tuesday morning, prompting a swift response from local firefighters.No injuries were reported at the time. Collapsed power poles seem to be a recurring problem in this area. Authorities are urging residents to exercise caution and avoid any contact with fallen powerlines, as they may still carry electric current. It is crucial to remember that tampering with or touching these powerlines can lead to severe injuries or even prove fatal.Residents are reminded to report any power pole-related concerns to Florida Power & Light.

BSO investigating after body found on Hillsboro

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:40:00 GMT

Broward Sheriff’s Officers are investigating after a body was found on the beach.The victim was located on the south side of Hillsboro next to the rocks. It appears the victim is deceased and lost a tremendous amount of blood.A BSO marine agent was also on the scene. The identity of the victim is unknown at this time. Please check back on WSVN.com and 7News for more details on this developing story.

What’s next for the Chicago Cubs after their exit from London?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:40:00 GMT

The Chicago Cubs’ Brexit went smoothly after splitting their two-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals in London.The team arrived back in Chicago late Sunday night, then had Monday off to try and shake the jet lag as they prepared for Tuesday’s start of a six-game homestand against the Philadelphia Phillies and Cleveland Guardians.The Athletic called the London Series a “smashing success,” though it was hard to understand how anyone came to that conclusion from watching the games on Fox Sports and ESPN.Both the Cubs and Cardinals were sub-.500 teams who looked the part. Neither game was particularly competitive, and the fielding was lackluster. ESPN botched the names of Cubs players and never corrected themselves. An ESPN pregame show even mispronounced the name of Bruce Sutter, a Hall of Famer who played for both teams during his career.There also was no instant classic moment, like Tim Anderson depositing a walk-off home run into a cornfield in the 20...

Russia strike kills at least 6 al-Qaida militants in Syria, medical officials, war monitor say

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:40:00 GMT

IDLIB, Syria (AP) — A Russian airstrike Tuesday targeted a military post of a group linked to al-Qaida in northwest Syria killing at least six militants, medical officials and a war monitor said.The airstrike on the Jabal al-Zawiya area in the northwestern province of Idlib came two days after another airstrike on a busy vegetable market in the same province killed at least nine people.The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor, said the Tuesday morning airstrike killed eight militants and wounded other members of the al-Qaida-linked Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS.Medical officials in the area said the strike killed six militants and wounded others.It is not uncommon to have conflicting figures of casualties in the aftermath of airstrikes on Idlib province, the last remaining rebel stronghold in war-torn Syria. Russia joined the war in September 2015, helping tip the balance of power in favor of President Bashar Assad in the 12-year conflict that ...

California’s new budget covers $32 billion deficit without touching reserves

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:40:00 GMT

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Democrats who control the state Legislature agreed late Monday on how to spend $310.8 billion over the next year, endorsing a plan that covers a nearly $32 billion budget deficit without raiding the state’s savings account.The nation’s most populous state has had combined budget surpluses of well over $100 billion in the past few years, using that money to greatly expand government.But this year, revenues slowed as inflation soared and the stock market struggled. California gets most of its revenue from taxes paid by the wealthy, making it more vulnerable to changes in the economy than other states. Last month, the Newsom administration estimated the state’s spending would exceed revenues by over $30 billion. The budget, which lawmakers are scheduled to vote on this week, covers that deficit by cutting some spending — about $8 billion — while delaying other spending and shifting some expenses to other f...

Italy looks for man seen in viral video carving names into Rome’s almost 2,000-year-old Colosseum

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:40:00 GMT

ROME (AP) — Italy’s culture and tourism ministers have vowed to find and punish a tourist who was filmed carving his name and that of his apparent girlfriend in the wall of the Colosseum in Rome, a crime that resulted in hefty fines in the past.Video of the incident went viral on social media. The message reading “Ivan+Haley 23” appeared on the Colosseum at a time when residents already were complaining about hordes of tourists flooding the Eternal City in record numbers this season.Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano called the writing carved into the almost 2,000-year-old Flavian Ampitheater “serious, undignified and a sign of great incivility.” He said he hoped the culprits would be found “and punished according to our laws.”Italian news agency ANSA noted that the incident marked the fourth time this year that such graffiti was reported at the Colosseum. It said whoever was responsible for the latest episode risked $15,000 in fines and up to five years in prison. Tourism Ministe...

Kevin Spacey is about to stand trial in London on sex charges. Here’s what to know

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:40:00 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Double Academy Award-winner Kevin Spacey, whose stellar acting career was derailed by sex assault allegations, goes on trial in London this week, accused of sexual offenses against four men in Britain.WHAT IS HE ACCUSED OF?Spacey, 63, faces a dozen charges, including of sexual assault, indecent assault and causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent.The actor, charged under his full name of Kevin Spacey Fowler, has pleaded not guilty to all 12 counts, which relate to alleged incidents between 2001 and 2013.At an earlier hearing, Spacey’s lawyer said the actor “strenuously denies” the charges. The attorney said Spacey would face the U.K. court to establish his innocence and “proceed with his life.”His trial before a jury at Southwark Crown Court opens Wednesday and is scheduled to last for four weeks. WHY IS THE TRIAL IN BRITAIN?Spacey spent more than a decade living in Britain, where he was artistic director of the Old Vic Theatre from 200...

New Zealand Prime Minister Hipkins visits China to boost economic ties

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:40:00 GMT

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins discussed his country’s interest in boosting economic ties with China during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Tuesday.Hipkins said the focus of his meeting with Xi was to “reaffirm our close economic relationship by supporting businesses (to) renew their connections with Chinese counterparts and helping grow new ones to support New Zealand’s economic recovery.” Hipkins is on a five-day visit to China, his first since becoming prime minister in January, along with a business delegation representing areas including tourism and education.Before starting his visit, he described New Zealand’s relationship with China as a “critical part of our economic recovery.”New Zealand officially entered a recession this month after its economy contracted for two consecutive quarters. Officials say China is key to three of New Zealand’s engines for post-pandemic economic recovery: exports, tourism and education.Ch...