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We’re drunk on oil and gas, need to ‘phase-out’ fossil fuels, Markey says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:44:39 GMT

Any agreement for fighting the negative impacts of a changing climate to emerge from the international summit currently being held in Dubai must include a plan to “phase out” the use of fossil fuels but nevertheless may not, according to the Bay State’s junior U.S. Senator.U.S. Senator Ed Markey, speaking from the COP28 summit in the United Arab Emirates, warned that efforts to mitigate climate change have met stiff resistance from the countries and companies producing the products thought to be responsible for the problem.“Young people of the world should be very afraid that OPEC and global oil and gas companies are working to water down this report. OPEC and the oil companies, right now, are trying to whitewash the crisis that has been created by fossil fuels and U.S. companies are part of this as well,” he said.COP28 is a meeting of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, a yearly gathering of the world’s powers where they examine their progre...

NWS issues flood watch through Monday evening, with dry days to follow

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:44:39 GMT

Rain overnight Sunday will persist through the morning and leave the region under a flood watch that lasts into Monday evening, according to the National Weather Service.The otherwise dry work week will require a rain coat to start, with the potential for thunderstorms and wind strong enough to send inflatable holiday decorations tumbling, NWS Meteorologist Alan Dunham told the Herald.“We do have a flood watch in effect through Monday evening because of the runoff from all the rain we’re going to get tonight and tomorrow morning,” Dunham said.According to the weather service, the storm systems could leave more than two inches of rain behind and the wind could gust upwards of 45 mph at times, with stronger winds expected south of the city and around the Cape and islands. Any loose holiday decorations are at risk of being dislodged and should be secured if possible, Dunham said.“But by afternoon it will become mostly sunny,” he said.Despite the sun arriving after noon, temperatures on...

Roslindale parking policies in play

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:44:39 GMT

A Boston transportation official has concerns about the precedent that could be set if Roslindale Village implemented a parking benefit district, a concept that directs a portion of parking meter fees back into neighborhood improvements.City Councilor Ricardo Arroyo, in the last month of his tenure, put forth the proposal for the pilot to be inserted in the busy commercial area in his district to help it fund beautification projects and other efforts.If the pilot program is established, it could then be implemented in other districts, according to Arroyo, who learned of the concept from Roslindale Village Main Streets representatives.Parking benefit districts capture a portion of meter revenue that can then either be reinvested in the area the meters are located, or consolidated and distributed equally to all districts, said Matt Warfield, Boston Transportation Department’s director of new mobility and curb management.For districts to work on their own, meter fees need to be high en...

Manchin teases possible third-party run

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:44:39 GMT

WASHINGTON — Sen. Joe Manchin used a weekend Washington roast to tease a potential third-party run for the White House, joking that the nation could use someone slightly younger than the leading contenders.Speaking Saturday night during the Gridiron Club’s winter dinner, Manchin said the country could benefit from a younger leader than President Joe Biden or the 2024 GOP frontrunner, former President Donald Trump.“With all due respect, the president is 81 years old. Donald Trump is 77,” said Machin, a West Virginia Democrat who announced last month he would not run for reelection in 2024. “I truly believe the American people are ready to pass the torch to a new generation, somebody younger. I’d say maybe someone close to 76 that doesn’t look a day over 70.”The retiring lawmaker is 76.Manchin previously indicated he could potentially launch a run for the White House, saying in an NBC “Meet the Press” interview in November that he ...

‘A very sad day’: Anger, frustration as tree removal begins at Ontario Place

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:44:39 GMT

Anger and frustration at Ontario Place, one day after work began to remove trees from the site as part of the Ford government’s redevelopment plan.Critics of the province’s plan for the reimagined waterfront park say they are shocked by the lack of care and transparency taking place. Video posted to social media shows an excavator ripping branches off of trees as part of the demolition process started on Saturday.Today, the Conservatives began cutting down trees at #OntarioPlace. This is just the beginning of the destruction planned by the Ford government. This mega-spa is an attack on taxpayers, the environment, and our democratic rights. #ONpoli #OntarioPlaceForAll pic.twitter.com/2LZQDUzAlu— Chris Glover (@chrisgloverndp) December 10, 2023“Nobody was aware this was going to take place, they hacked the trees down with an excavator,” said Norm Di Pasquale, the co-chair of the advocacy group Ontario Place for All. “So imagine this excavator rippin...

Congo’s president makes campaign stop near conflict zone and blasts Rwanda for backing rebels

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:44:39 GMT

GOMA, Congo (AP) — A fiery President Felix Tshisekedi rallied thousands of supporters at a stadium in a conflict-stricken eastern region of Congo on Sunday, making one of his final campaign sweeps through the country in the lead-up to elections later this month.Supporters waited hours to hear the first-term president’s speech in a region torn by years of violence between the army and M23 rebels. He directed most of his ire toward President Paul Kagame in neighboring Rwanda rather than his opponents in the Dec. 20 election, where he is vying for a second-term leading the nation of 100 million people.“I promise you that this fight will continue, and we will rid our country of the M23 terrorists, led by their leader Paul Kagame. We are going to put an end to their barbaric reign of terrorism, which has put the Congolese people into mourning,” Tshisekedi said at Afia Stadium in Goma, the capital of North Kivu province.The election has resurfaced long simmering questions abou...

Downpours, high winds prompt weather warnings in Northeast

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:44:39 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Parts of the northeast were bracing for a stormy night Sunday, with high winds and heavy rains bringing threats of flooding and power outages through the Monday morning commute. Flood watches were in effect in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and southern New England through Monday. The National Weather Service said 3 to 5 inches of rain was expected across parts of Long Island and southern Connecticut, with other areas in line for 2 to 3 inches.Wind gusts of up to 50 mph were forecast, including in New York City, where the Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced a ban on empty tractor-trailers and tandem trucks for 12 hours beginning at 6 p.m. Sunday.New York Mayor Eric Adams activated the city’s flash flood emergency plan.“We’re preparing for heaviest rains and strongest winds Sunday night into Monday morning, which means everyone should take the necessary precautions to protect themselves and their belongings in the event of potential flooding conditions ...

Bronny James makes college debut in loss for USC nearly 5 months after cardiac arrest

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:44:39 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Bronny James had four points, three rebounds and two assists in his college debut for Southern California on Sunday, coming off the bench nearly five months after he suffered cardiac arrest to play in front of his superstar father LeBron James.The Trojans lost in overtime to Long Beach State, 84-79. James walked off with his deflated teammates and didn’t greet his father who sat courtside.James logged 16 minutes, including starting the five-minute extra session, but he wasn’t a factor then before coming out for the last time. He was 1 of 3 shooting, hitting a 3-pointer in the second half.All of James’ rebounds came on the defensive glass. He also had two steals. James was quick to pass to his teammates, even when it appeared he could have taken a shot.He played six minutes in the first half, when the Trojans led 45-30 at the break. In his second three-minute stint, James made a huge block on Jadon Jones, who was streaking to the basket on a fastb...

North Park restaurant Mee Mah closes after more than 40 years of operation

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:44:39 GMT

CHICAGO — A family-run restaurant in North Park is closing its doors for good this weekend.Mee Mah, a restaurant known for its Chinese cuisine, announced this week that it would be shutting down on Sunday after more than 40 years of operation. Search underway for driver involved in deadly hit-and-run in Garfield Park In a Facebook post shared on Thursday, Benjamin Wong, whose parents, Bill and Sandy, own the restaurant, announced that they have decided to retire and have chosen to close the restaurant."From the bottom of our hearts, the Wong family and the entire Mee Mah family want to thank you for the years we were able to serve you, get to know you, watch your children grow, and be a part of your lives in so many ways," Wong said in the social media post. Thieves target victims trying to purchase cell phones using Facebook Marketplace Mee Mah, located in the 4000 block of West Peterson Avenue, opened its doors in 1982 and served customers seven days a week.The restaurant sta...

Battles rage across Gaza as Israel indicates it's willing to fight for months or more to beat Hamas

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:44:39 GMT

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Battles raged across Gaza on Sunday as Israel indicated it was prepared to fight for months or longer to defeat the territory's Hamas rulers, and a key mediator said willingness to discuss a cease-fire was fading.Israel faces international outrage after its military offensive, with diplomatic support and arms from close ally the United States, has killed thousands of Palestinian civilians. About 90% of Gaza's 2.3 million people have been displaced within the besieged territory, where U.N. agencies say there is no safe place to flee.The United States has lent vital support in recent days by vetoing a United Nations Security Council resolution to end the fighting and pushing through an emergency sale of over $100 million worth of tank ammunition to Israel.Russia backed the resolution. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin and expressed dissatisfaction with “anti-Israel positions” taken by Moscow’s...