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Experts at odds over result of UN climate talks in Dubai; ‘Historic,’ ‘pipsqueak’ or something else?

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:53:58 GMT

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The climate negotiations that just finished in Dubai hit upon the essence of compromise, finding common language that nearly 200 countries accepted, at times grudgingly.For the first time in nearly three decades of such talks, the final agreement mentioned fossil fuels — coal, oil and natural gas — as the cause of climate change and said the world needs to be “transitioning away” from them. But it did not use the words “phase out,” sought by advocates and more than 100 countries who argued it would provide sharper direction for the world to move quickly toward renewable energies that don’t produce the greenhouse gas emissions that heat the planet. For an agreement so steeped in compromise, what experts thought of it, including what impact it could have in the years to come, was as polarizing as can be. The Associated Press asked 23 different delegates, analysts, scientists and activists where they would rank COP28 among all climate conf...

Fed keeps rates steady; Dow Jones hits record high

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:53:58 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – Fed Chair Jerome Powell spoke at a press conference Wednesday after the Federal Reserve decided to keep interest rates at 5.25% for the third consecutive month.“We are seeing, you know, strong growth that appears to be moderating.” Powell said. “We're seeing a labor market that is coming back into balance by so many measures and we're seeing inflation making real progress. These are the things we've been wanting to see.”The central bank has steadily raised rates to combat inflation dating all the way back to March 2022.“It's really good to see the progress that we're making. We just need to see more,” Powell warned.The Fed’s goal of 2% inflation may prove to be elusive, partially due to November’s job report claiming 3.7% unemployment. The report last week is a remarkable feat given the 6.3% figure in January 2020.This movement could push inflation back up, as businesses will need to raise wages to retain workers. That wage boost will give many Americans more ...

Cats prey on hundreds of threatened, endangered species, are among 'most problematic' animals, study finds

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:53:58 GMT

(The Hill) – Cats prey on hundreds of threatened, endangered species, with scientists categorizing felines as part of the most "problematic invasive species in the world," according to a new study. In an assessment of the diet of 533 free-ranging cats — both owned and unowned cats with access to the outdoors — researchers found a total of 2,084 species eaten by cats, of which 347, or 16.65%, fall into the category of "conservation concern." This includes species listed near threatened, threatened, or extinct on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.In the study, published Tuesday in the journal Nature Communications, researchers from several universities, including Auburn and Cornell, said cats have a "generalist diet" and described them as "opportunistic predators and obligate carnivores." As a result of certain physiological demands in cats, the species are known to hunt for a wide variety of animals. In total, cats eat 981 bird species, followed by 463 species of reptiles, 431 ...

AI-generated anchors to debut on news network in 2024

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:53:58 GMT

(NewsNation) — No, it's not science fiction — digital news anchors could be on your TV screen starting next year. Channel 1, which is set for "full launch" in 2024, says it will be the world's first AI-powered news network. The goal is to give each viewer a personalized broadcast. However, the idea has many journalists worried about their future in the news industry. Pope, once a victim of AI-generated imagery, calls for treaty to regulate artificial intelligence The AI avatars will be created from a scan of a real person with a digitally generated voice. Then the AI-generated humans — made to look real — will report the news, though devoid of any real emotion. The founder of the news channel said they are aiming to "get out in front and create a responsible use of technology."But plenty of people are already sounding off, raising concerns about journalistic integrity."I think I'm aging myself by saying I think all of this is so weird. You know the metaverse and artificial intell...

Baseball legend Larry Doby posthumously honored with Congressional Gold Medal

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:53:58 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – Lawmakers posthumously honored Baseball Hall of Famer Larry Doby with the Congressional Gold Medal on Wednesday afternoon. His son, Larry Doby Jr., accepted the medal on his behalf. “He’s normally recognized only for what he did on the field, but this kind of says he was a pretty good guy off the field, and he helped advance his country and he would be extremely proud and humbled by this honor,” Doby Jr. said during the ceremony. Doby was the first Black player in the American League and the second Black player to break baseball’s color barrier. He made his debut with the Cleveland Indians and was a seven-time All-Star.  “Larry Doby endured because of his unshakeable courage, because of his incredible character,” Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) said. The ceremony was held on what would’ve been Doby’s 100th birthday. He died on June 18, 2003, at 79 years old. The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian award that is given in the...

Dean's A-List Interviews: Jasmine Amy Rogers and Jerry Mitchell for 'Boop: The Betty Boop Musical'

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:53:58 GMT

Check out Dean's A-List Interviews with Jasamine Amy Rogers and Jerry Mitchel for 'Boop: The Betty Boop Musical.'Get Dean's reviews and A-List interviews delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for Dean's Downloads weekly newsletter. You'll also get his Dean Cooks recipes too!

House authorizes impeachment inquiry

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:53:58 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) - House republicans are rallying behind an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden but the president and his son are pushing back against the allegations.The impeachment inquiry is now officially authorized because of a House vote where the entire republican conference supported it.Ohio Republican Jim Jordan of Ohio said, "The House has now spoken."In a key moment for the controversial impeachment investigation all House republicans voted to formalize the inquiry into President Biden while all democrats opposed it.This stupid, blundering investigation is keeping us from getting any real work done for the people of America," said Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md).Republicans insist they have found evidence of corruption from the Biden family, and they say formalizing the inquiry gives them more authority to investigate further."We think it will help us get those key individuals in to speak to us in a more timely fashion and get us the documents that Mr. Comer has bee...

Dean's A-List Interviews: Timothée Chalamet in 'Wonka'

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:53:58 GMT

Dean Richards sits down with Timothée Chalamet at the 'Wonka' premiere in London to talk more about the film hitting theaters Friday.Get Dean's reviews and A-List interviews delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for Dean's Downloads weekly newsletter. You'll also get his Dean Cooks recipes too!

Dirt has yet to turn on Leander Springs lagoon project as deadline approaches

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:53:58 GMT

LEANDER, Texas (Austin Business Journal) -- One of the most alluring projects planned in the region remains in question as deadlines to develop it are fast approaching and little progress has been seen.In October 2020, Leander officials announced a public-private partnership to build the billion-dollar Leander Springs project that would be anchored by a 4-acre lagoon, up to 1,600 multifamily units, a hotel and more than 1 million square feet of commercial space. Developers have secured incentives and final zoning approval for the project about a 35-minute drive from downtown Austin, but the 78-acre plot of land remains undeveloped.Now, the clock is ticking for Leander Springs LLC, which is controlled by Austin-based iLand Development Group, to bring the lagoon to life, based on contractual obligations.Read the full story at Austin Business Journal.

Weekend Watch: Trail of Lights, Marble Falls Walkway of Lights & more

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:53:58 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — If anyone's looking to get into the holiday spirit, then there are plenty of fun events to check out this weekend throughout the Austin area. Meteorologist Sean Kelly shares some of the festive things for people of all ages to see in Central Texas, and here are a few of those options: FORECAST: Friday’s cold front brings rain then wind Holiday light show at Mozart's Coffee Roasters in west Austin. Marble Falls Walkway of Lights at Lakeside Park, 305 Buena Vista Drive. Trail of Lights in south Austin's Zilker Park. Holiday pop-up bars for adults throughout Austin. During a live-streamed conversation, Kelly also discussed what's in store for this weekend's weather to get everyone ready for the fun ahead.