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Paper or plastic — let’s choose wisely

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:11:48 GMT

Heading into an election year politically dominated by stubborn inflation, regional conflicts and a worsening climate crisis, Europe faces many important decisions. One such decision will be made by members of the European Parliament next week when they vote on the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), a key element of the Von Der Leyen Commission’s Green New Deal agenda.            The PPWR plenary vote represents not just one more procedural step in a legislative process, but a pivotal chance to put science and common sense at the heart of Europe’s circular economy. Make the right decision, and MEPs will boost Europe’s strategic autonomy and economic resilience while meaningfully strengthening its green credentials. Make the wrong decision and we will go backwards on all these fronts, while the tide of plastic pollution across the Continent swells. Will paper be replaced by plastic? | via EPPAPlastic planetThe Comm...

Al Horford’s big night propels shorthanded Celtics over 76ers for fourth straight win

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:11:48 GMT

Al Horford has not been as impactful as usual to start this season. For the first time in his career, the veteran big man accepted a bench role among a talented roster. He has played fewer minutes. Through the Celtics’ first 10 games, he was slumping from 3-point range.But with the Celtics shorthanded for the first time this season, they needed Horford – among others – to step up. The 37-year-old proceeded to turn back the clock again.With Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis both out for the first time this season, Horford slid back into the starting lineup and had his best game of the season. Down two starters, Horford and the rest of his teammates stepped up. The Celtics received contributions from everywhere on the roster as they figured out a way to leave Philadelphia with a win, avenging last week’s loss to the 76ers with a 117-107 victory on Wednesday night.Jayson Tatum led the way with 29 points as the Celtics won their fourth consecutive game. But it wouldn’t have been possi...

Indian rescuers prepare to drill to reach 40 workers trapped in a collapse tunnel since weekend

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:11:48 GMT

LUCKNOW, India (AP) — Rescuers in northern India supplied food and medicine to 40 construction workers on Thursday as officials prepared to start drilling through the rubble to reach the men who have been trapped since a portion of the tunnel they were working on collapsed over the weekend. Rescuers planned to insert wide steel pipes to create a passage to free the workers trapped since early Sunday in the mountainous Uttarakhand state. A drilling machine was assembled after three Indian air force transport aircraft flew its parts in from New Delhi on Wednesday.The workers are being provided with cashew nuts, peanuts, soaked and roasted chickpeas, popcorn, and medicines every two hours, said Devendra Patwal, a disaster management relief official.Some complained of fever and body aches on Wednesday, but there has been no deterioration in their condition, he said.Yogesh, who uses one name. cut short his Diwali celebrations and rushed to the collapsed tunnel when he learned that his br...

Japan’s exports grow better than expected as auto shipments climb

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:11:48 GMT

TOKYO (AP) — Japan reported Thursday that its exports increased by 1.6% in October from a year earlier, as auto and ship shipments rose. Government data showed exports to the rest of Asia fell, while exports to the U.S. and Europe surged. Japanese imports fell 12.5% to 9.8 trillion yen ($64 billion), mainly due to lower costs for oil, gas and coal. Shipments of computer parts and cereal also were lower, while steel imports surged. With exports at 9.15 trillion yen ($60.5 billion) The trade deficit for October shrank by 70% a year earlier to 662.5 billion yen ($4.4 billion). October marked the second straight month of export growth, but the climb slowed from 4.3% in September. That could be bad news for the world’s third largest economy, which heavily depends on export manufacturing to drive growth. Economists polled by data provider FactSet had expected exports to rise by 1.5%.“Exports helped drive stronger growth in the first half of this year, but now that the export recovery has ...

Police and protesters clash outside Democratic HQ during demonstration over Israel-Hamas war

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:11:48 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Police and protesters clashed outside Democratic National Committee headquarters on Wednesday night during a demonstration for a cease-fire in the war between Israel and Hamas, the latest reflection of boiling tensions over the bloody conflict. Scores of Democratic representatives and candidates, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, were inside the building for a campaign reception when it was interrupted by chanting outside. Protesters said they wanted to block entrances and exits to force politicians to encounter their candlelight vigil and their calls for an end to the fighting. Many of them wore black shirts saying “Cease Fire Now.”However, the situation swiftly devolved. U.S. Capitol Police said about 150 people were “illegally and violently protesting” in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington. But protesters blamed police for the violence, saying officers rushed them without warning. “It is shameful the way that nonviolent protesters and mem...

Johnson's new migrant plan includes 60-day limit in shelters, dedicated entry point for asylum seekers

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:11:48 GMT

CHICAGO — Chicago has a new plan in the migrant crisis. In a news conference announcement following the passage of his first budget, Mayor Brandon Johnson unveiled some changes for the new arrivals Wednesday."Above all, we are treating our new neighbors with compassion because it is the humane thing to do," Johnson said. "Because with support they can become productive members of our communities, contributing to our economy, our culture and our society."The first bus carrying migrants arrived in Chicago on Aug. 31, 2022. Since then, more than 20,000 people, many from Venezuela, have arrived."We've got people sleeping on floors and outside, our police districts have been overwhelmed since the very beginning of our mission," Johnson said.Johnson said the new plan will give migrants a 60-day limit in city-run shelters and that there will be a dedicated entry point for the asylum seekers. According to Johnson, this will all be part of an expedited plan to process migrants and get them o...

Zach LaVine answers questions on trade rumors

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:11:48 GMT

CHICAGO — Chicago Bulls guard Zach Lavine answered questions surrounding trade rumor speculations ahead of the Bulls game against the Orlando Magic Wednesday.Here's a transcription of Lavine's back and forth with media:Introductory question:"People talk, you know. I've been in trade talks for a long time. So, I understand the situation and the news is broken it's always a big thing. It's not the first or last time it's going to happen with my name.""As of right now, I'm excited to still put this jersey on and go out and play, get this win tonight."Do you want to be elsewhere?:"If we need to talk about that at a different time, right now isn't really the time to talk about that … if something comes later on, that'll be the time to talk about it."On Lavine's relationship with the Bulls front office, "somebody must not believe in this product, right?":"I think it's a combination of things where, if you're in a losing situation when you're not winning games, people are frustrated — from...

Timberwolves blown out by Phoenix to end seven-game win streak

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:11:48 GMT

The Timberwolves have been on the good end of rest advantages this season, facing a number of opponents who were on the second night of back to backs.Such was the case in wins over Miami and Golden State (Atlanta was on the second half of one, as well, but that didn’t go so well for the Wolves).But Minnesota found itself on the flip side of the equation Wednesday, playing in Phoenix one night after playing in San Francisco. And it did not go well.The Timberwolves looked lifeless en route to being trounced 133-115 by the Suns, a loss that snapped Minnesota’s seven-game winning streak.“We didn’t answer the bell very well. Just a little flat,” Timberwolves coach Chris Finch told reporters. “And when we did find moments here and there, we couldn’t sustain it.”Minnesota sports the NBA’s top defense, which suffocates opponents on a nightly basis. But it lacked any vigor Wednesday. Phoenix (5-6) got open looks seemingly every possession...

Saratoga Police welcome K-9 Lepa

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:11:48 GMT

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) -K-9 Lepa joining the explosive detection team of the Saratoga Springs Police Department. The German Shorthaired Pointer and her handler, Dean Gaetano, are becoming good friends.The two are working together after six weeks of intense training. "We’ll be a lot more busy now as well as a lot more responsibilities. All these events that we do here in Saratoga," said the patrol officer. Mohawk Hudson Humane Society overfilled with dogs The team is getting ready to retire Mo, their senior K-9. The black lab was a busy pup in his time, serving at concerts and the busy track seasons year after year."The working life of our dogs is between eight and ten years. They did their time; they served the community. It’s great to have them go into retirement and enjoy the time that they have left," explained Lieutenant, Paul Veitch. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The department brought in K-9 Axel, demonstrati...

Congress passes bill to avert government shutdown

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:11:48 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Ending the threat of a government shutdown until after the holidays, Congress gave final approval Wednesday night to a temporary government funding package that pushes a confrontation over the federal budget into the new year.The Senate met into the night to pass the bill with an overwhelming 87-11 tally and send it to President Joe Biden for his signature one day after it passed the House on an overwhelming bipartisan vote. It provides a funding patch into next year, when the House and Senate will be forced to confront — and somehow overcome — their considerable differences over what funding levels should be.In the meantime, the bill removes the threat of a government shutdown days before funding would have expired.“This Friday night there will be no government shutdown,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a floor speech ahead of the final vote.The spending package keeps government funding at current levels for roughly two more months while a long-term p...