China and the US pledge to step up climate efforts ahead of Biden-Xi summit and UN meeting

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 22:23:04 GMT

China and the US pledge to step up climate efforts ahead of Biden-Xi summit and UN meeting BEIJING (AP) — China and the U.S. have pledged to accelerate their efforts to address climate change ahead of a major U.N. meeting on the issue, making a commitment to take steps to reduce emissions of methane and other greenhouse gases besides carbon dioxide.The joint announcement came on the eve of a summit between Presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping that is aimed at stabilizing the rocky U.S.-China relationship.Cooperation between the world’s two biggest emitters of greenhouse gases is considered vital to the success of the U.N. climate talks opening in two weeks in Dubai. It wasn’t clear earlier this year whether the two governments would cooperate, given a sharp deterioration in ties over other issues including technology, Taiwan and Russia’s war in Ukraine.Both countries “are aware of the important role they play” and “will work together … to rise up to one of the greatest challenges of our time,” they said in a statement released Wednesday in Beijing a...

No Canadians appear in today’s list of approved names for Rafah border crossing

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 22:23:04 GMT

No Canadians appear in today’s list of approved names for Rafah border crossing No more Canadians have been approved to leave the Gaza Strip on Wednesday via the Rafah border crossing into Egypt, as hundreds of people connected to Canada continue to wait for help to leave.A total of 356 Canadians, permanent residents and family members have been able to leave the besieged Palestinian territory so far.No one connected to Canada had been cleared to leave on Tuesday, and the last group of 10 people made it across on Monday. Israel continues to wage war on Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, in retaliation for militants’ attacks on Israeli civilians on Oct. 7.Global Affairs Canada said in a statement to media late Tuesday afternoon that the Canadian government is in touch with 390 people who are still in Gaza.People who cross over are allowed to stay in Egypt for a maximum of three days, and Canadian officials are waiting on the Egyptian side of the border to help with travel, accommodation, food and basic necessities. This report by The Canadian Press was ...

Nuggets rally in fourth quarter to escape Clippers in in-season tournament after Paul George’s excellent game

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 22:23:04 GMT

Nuggets rally in fourth quarter to escape Clippers in in-season tournament after Paul George’s excellent game In a building where nobody seems to defeat Nikola Jokic, much less outplay him, Paul George and the new-look Clippers came as close as anyone has this young season.In one of the most physical, intense games so far of their title defense, the Nuggets escaped the Clippers, 111-108, with a 17-5 run to erase a seven-point deficit in the fourth quarter.Jokic finished with 32 points, 16 rebounds and nine assists but was contained to those numbers on 8-of-23 shooting thanks to a variety of coverages Los Angeles threw at him, culminating in smaller matchups down the stretch such as P.J. Tucker. The constant was physicality — the Clippers seemed content to send Jokic to the line if necessary in order to prevent him from having his way in the post. He didn’t score a field goal in the second half until midway through the fourth quarter, and he committed a costly turnover in the last 30 seconds that allowed Los Angeles to cut the lead to 109-108.George wedgied a would-be tying 3-poi...

Commission receives Finland's first payment request under the Recovery and Resilience Facility

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 22:23:04 GMT

Commission receives Finland's first payment request under the Recovery and Resilience Facility Finland's first payment request relates to 20 milestones, for a total amount of €198 million in grants.They cover several reforms related to the green transition, continuous learning and social, health care and rescue services, as well as calls for investments on green transition, research, development and investment (RDI), and the cultural and creative sectors. Payments under the RRF are performance-based and contingent on Finland implementing the investments and reforms outlined in its recovery and resilience plan.The Commission will now assess the request, and will then send its preliminary assessment of Finland's fulfilment of the milestones required for this payment to the Council's Economic and Financial Committee. More information on the process of the payment requests under the RRF is available in this Q&A. More information on the Finnish recovery and resilience plan is available here. 

Globe Theater Cancels Upcoming Events, May Be Closing Permanently

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 22:23:04 GMT

Globe Theater Cancels Upcoming Events, May Be Closing Permanently The Globe Theater in downtown Los Angeles has abruptly canceled its upcoming shows and is believed to be closing permanently.Wrestle Prestige, an independent professional wrestling promotion that hosts events regularly at the Globe, let its fans know there would be a change in its December “Combat Princess” show, citing the theater’s sudden and possibly permanent closure.“We were notified today that the Globe Theater in Los Angeles will be closing for good, immediately,” Wrestle Prestige wrote in an online post. “Over the next few days, we will work on moving the event and will update everyone accordingly.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Prestige Wrestling (@wrestleprestige)Similarly, the theater was slated to host the “Electroton Rave” on Friday, Nov. 17, but the event’s coordinators announced it would be moved to The Catch One on West Pico Boulevard.The Globe Theater domain is no longer in service,...

San Jose Sharks’ third-period lead disappears before sparse SAP Center crowd

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 22:23:04 GMT

San Jose Sharks’ third-period lead disappears before sparse SAP Center crowd SAN JOSE – Like a game of whack-a-mole, as soon as the San Jose Sharks take steps to address one problem, another one always seems to pop up.The Sharks have spent hours — on the ice and in the video room — trying to squeeze some more production out of their often lifeless power play, which had become one of the least effective units in the NHL.The Sharks made strides in that area Tuesday against Florida, but their penalty kill was once again problematic, allowing two goals in what became a 5-3 loss to the Panthers before another sparse mid-week crowd at SAP Center.Tomas Hertl and Luke Kunin scored third-period goals 70 seconds apart, one on a power play and the other on a delayed penalty, to take a 4-3 lead with 12:39 left in regulation time.But a Marc-Edouard Vlasic tripping penalty preceded a Carter Verhaeghe power-play goal with 9:54 left in regulation time. Kevin Stenlund then scored just 63 seconds later at even strength on a shot from the point as the Panthers took...

Thomas, Sobel spark Sacred Heart over Holy Cross 84-77

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 22:23:04 GMT

Thomas, Sobel spark Sacred Heart over Holy Cross 84-77 WORCESTER, Mass. (AP) — Tanner Thomas scored 21 points, Alex Sobel added a double-double and Sacred Heart beat Holy Cross 84-77 on Tuesday night.Thomas hit 7 of 14 shots with four 3-pointers for the Pioneers (2-1). Sobel finished with 15 points and 13 rebounds. Kyle McGee had 11 points and four assists, while Joey Reilly scored 10 with three steals.Caleb Kenny and Joe Octave both totaled 20 points and seven rebounds to lead the Crusaders (1-2). Will Batchelder added 18 points and four assists. Freshman Joe Nugent pitched in with 11 points and six boards.___Get poll alerts and updates on AP Top 25 basketball throughout the season. Sign up here___AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketballSource

Green ejected for headlock, Thompson, McDaniels tossed after scuffle in Timberwolves-Warriors game

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 22:23:04 GMT

Green ejected for headlock, Thompson, McDaniels tossed after scuffle in Timberwolves-Warriors game SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Draymond Green was ejected after putting Rudy Gobert in a headlock and two other players were thrown out after an altercation early in the Minnesota Timberwolves’ 104-101 win over the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night.“Not much to say,” Gobert said. “That’s just clown behavior.”The game was still scoreless and not even two minutes had elapsed when Golden State’s Klay Thompson and Minnesota’s Jaden McDaniels got in a shoving match near midcourt following a Timberwolves possession. Gobert stepped in and grabbed hold of Thompson before Green rushed in and pulled Gobert away from behind with his arm around the center’s neck.Thompson’s jersey was ripped during the scuffle, which led to Green’s second ejection of the season and two free throws for Gobert.Golden State coach Steve Kerr said McDaniels instigated the altercation and Thompson should not have been ejected.“He’s running up the floor, and the guy grabs his jersey...

Townsend scores 20 to lead Oakland over Bowling Green 81-62

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 22:23:04 GMT

Townsend scores 20 to lead Oakland over Bowling Green 81-62 ROCHESTER, Mich. (AP) — Trey Townsend scored 20 points to lead Oakland to an 81-62 victory over Bowling Green on Tuesday night.Townsend made 8 of 16 shots for the Golden Grizzlies (1-2), adding four assists and three steals. Jack Gohlke totaled 14 points and seven rebounds. DQ Cole came off the bench to score 12 on 4-for-4 shooting from 3-point range. Rocket Watts pitched in with 10 points, four rebounds and three assists.Jason Spurgin finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds to pace the Falcons (2-1). Sam Towns had 10 points and nine rebounds off the bench.___Get poll alerts and updates on AP Top 25 basketball throughout the season. Sign up here___AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketballSource

Nikola Jokic scores 32, Nuggets win 111-108 to keep the Clippers winless with James Harden

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 22:23:04 GMT

Nikola Jokic scores 32, Nuggets win 111-108 to keep the Clippers winless with James Harden DENVER (AP) — Nikola Jokic had 32 points, 16 rebounds and nine assists, and the Denver Nuggets beat Los Angeles 111-108 in an NBA In-Season Tournament game on Tuesday night, keeping the Clippers winless since acquiring James Harden last month.Jokic was perfect on 14 free throw attempts, including two with 13 seconds left that helped the Nuggets hold off the Clippers’ comeback try.Los Angeles has lost five straight with Harden, who was acquired on Oct. 30, and six in a row overall despite the 34-year-old guard’s best game with his new team since arriving from Philadelphia.“I kept reiterating, I didn’t have a training camp or a preseason, so kind of learning on the fly,” Harden said. “Also getting myself into James Harden shape. Tonight was definitely another step in the right direction and just keep improving.”Harden scored 21 points and Paul George tied a season high with 35 points as Los Angeles fell to 0-2 in West Group B play.“I thought we played great. It’s tough, the adversity ...