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India-led alliance set to fund solar projects in Africa in a boost to the energy transition

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:49:36 GMT

BENGALURU, India (AP) — An alliance of nations that push for more solar power worldwide are set to announce nearly $35 million for projects such as mini grids and rooftop installations, mainly in Africa, according to the group’s director general.At the sidelines of the group’s annual meeting in New Delhi on Tuesday, Ajay Mathur said the International Solar Alliance expect a $25 million investment from the Indian government, alongside its own cash injection of $10 million for smaller solar power infrastructure.Officials from 116 nations are discussing how to harness solar power to ramp up clean energy use and reduce reliance on planet-warming fossil fuels at the gathering, which runs until Thursday. The United States, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, as well as more than 30 African countries are members of the ISA. China, the market leader in solar energy, is not yet part of the alliance. India’s power minister and ISA president R. K. Singh said that the alliance’s fu...

3 energy companies compete to build a new nuclear reactor in the Czech Republic

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:49:36 GMT

PRAGUE (AP) — Three energy companies including U.S. Westinghouse, France’s EdF and Korea’s KHNP, have submitted their final bids to build the Czech Republic’s newest reactor at the Dukovany nuclear power station as the country strives to become more energy independent and wean itself of fossil fuels.State-controlled power company CEZ said Tuesday it would assess the bids for the multi-billion-dollar contract before sending its decision to the government for final approval of the winner.The three companies that met Tuesday’s deadline already submitted preliminary bids in November in a tender launched earlier in March 2022 after passing a Czech government security appraisal.The new reactor should become operational by 2036. The winner of the lucrative contract will then have an option to build three more nuclear reactors in the country.Last year, the Czech government excluded Russia’s energy giant Rosatom and China’s CNG from the tender process on security grounds.Prime Minister...

Deaf family grieves father of 4 and beloved community leader who was killed in Maine shootings

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:49:36 GMT

LISBON FALLS, Maine (AP) — Most survivors of the mass shootings that killed 18 people at a Maine bowling alley and a bar attempted to flee when they heard gunfire.But Josh Seal, who is deaf, couldn’t hear the gunfire — though some deaf survivors said they felt startling jolts, his wife said. Seal, an American Sign Language interpreter who translated Maine’s daily COVID-19 briefings during the pandemic, was mortally wounded along with three other deaf people in Lewiston, delivering a blow to the state’s tight-knit deaf community.The 36-year-old father of four deaf children was director of interpreting services for Pine Tree Society, an organization that helps people with disabilities, and he started a camp for deaf kids and teenagers. But most of all, he was a doting, energetic, outgoing father who loved his kids dearly, his wife said.“I want the world to remember him and his passion, his love, his patience, his kindness, his motivation, his zeal for life, his ability to get th...

UN experts call on the Taliban to free 2 women rights defenders from custody in Afghanistan

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:49:36 GMT

ISLAMABAD (AP) — U.N. experts on Tuesday demanded the Taliban immediately release two women rights defenders who have been in detention for more than a month with no reason given for their arrest.The Taliban have barred women from most areas of public life and work and stopped girls from going to school beyond the sixth grade as part of harsh measures they imposed after taking power in 2021, as U.S. and NATO forces were pulling out of Afghanistan following two decades of war. U.N. experts, including the special rapporteur on Afghanistan, Richard Bennett, described the release of Neda Parwan and Zholia Parsi and their family members as an urgent matter. They have not been granted legal representation, charged with a crime or brought before a court. “We are increasingly concerned about their physical and mental wellbeing,” the experts said in a statement. They urged Taliban authorities to demonstrate respect for rights and freedoms and said there was no justification for the det...

Spain’s Crown Princess Leonor turns 18 and is feted as the future queen at a swearing-in ceremony

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:49:36 GMT

MADRID (AP) — The heir to the Spanish throne, Princess Leonor, swore allegiance to her country’s Constitution on her 18th birthday at a gala event on Tuesday that laid the groundwork for her eventual succession as queen when the time comes. The nationally televised ceremony in the lower house of Parliament is understood to symbolize the continuity of Spain’s parliamentary monarchy and the institution’s allegiance to the chamber.Leonor de Borbón Ortiz used the same oath as her father did when he — then prince — turned 18 in 1986, pledging “to faithfully carry out my duties, to keep and uphold the Constitution and the laws and respect the rights of citizens and the autonomous communities and loyalty to the king.”Leonor became crown princess when Felipe VI was proclaimed king on June 19, 2014. Her face has been in the media a lot lately and already the term “Leonormania” is being used, underlining her growing popularity as the modern face of the future monarchy.Tuesday̵...

A chilly Halloween ahead of Wednesday morning freeze

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:49:36 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Following a week of wet weather in the area, dry sunshine returns for the rest of the week starting Tuesday. But clear skies will set the table for the first autumn freeze for some communities -- coming two to three weeks ahead of schedule.Freeze Warnings are in effectFollowing a top-5 coldest Halloween Day on record in Austin with highs in the 50s, trick-or-treaters will need a jacket with their costume Tuesday evening. Expect chilly temperatures and north winds blowing at 10-15 miles per hour.Forecast for Halloween eveningOnce winds relax a bit more Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, this appears to be our coldest morning of the week. While temperatures in Central Austin are not expected to dip to freezing, some colder suburbs and many rural communities will record their first freeze of the season. Take steps to protect:PetsPipesPlantsPeopleForecast low temperatures Wednesday morning BLOG: First freeze of fall possible on Wednesday A warming trend resumes late...

Abbott has highest approval rating among state's leaders; Paxton's numbers improve in latest poll

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:49:36 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Gov. Greg Abbott is the most popular state leader in Texas according to a new poll, while Attorney General Ken Paxton and Speaker of the House Dade Phelan are both underwater in approval ratings.The new poll, by the University of Texas/Texas Politics Project, surveyed 1,200 registered voters between Oct. 5 and 17.Of the four main state leaders — Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Phelan and Paxton — Abbott has the highest approval rating, at 49%, nine points higher than the 40% who say they disapprove of the job he is doing as governor.The nine-point margin is the best approval rating Abbott has seen since June 2020. Just two months ago, the margin was zero, with 45% of voters approving and 45% disapproving.Abbott previously hit an approval rating high in both October 2019 and April 2020, with a margin of 24 points. His low point came in August 2021, when his approval margin fell to -9 points.Patrick has also seen a marked improvement over the past two months, with 40% of...

NYSIG: Jail employee submitted forged doctor's notes

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:49:36 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- An employee of the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision has admitted to submitting over two dozen forged doctor's notes to falsely obtain sick leave benefits, according to New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang. Kathleen Baeder, of Essex County, pleaded guilty to attempted criminal possession of a forged instrument. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! According to the Offices of the Inspector General, an investigation found from October 21, 2021, to February 2, 2022, Baeder submitted 28 forged doctor's notes to the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision as an employee at Adirondack Correctional Facility. The forged notes extended Baeder's sick leave over a four-month period, receiving over $4,500 in benefits she wasn't entitled to.Baeder received five years of probation and was ordered to pay $4,593 in restitution.“This case serves as an important reminder of ...

Crews responding to thrift store fire in Fairview Heights, Illinois

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:49:36 GMT

FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, Ill. - Emergency crews are at the scene of a thrift store fire Tuesday morning.Our Bommarito Automotive Group SkyFOX helicopter is flying over the area at 'Savers,' located on the 10000 block of Lincoln Trail, where the building is fully engulfed by the flames. Surveillance cameras capture dramatic images of Central West End attack Firefighters are continuing to respond. The cause of the fire has not yet been reported. So far, no injuries have been revealed. FOX 2 will update this story with more information as it becomes available.

Family-friendly Halloween events in the metro area

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:49:36 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Trick-or-treaters will be out Tuesday night in full force despite the cold weather.We want everyone to have a great time this Halloween, but a reminder to drivers: make sure you keep an eye out for kids wandering the streets in their costumes. If you're still looking for something to do, here's a look at some of the events you and your family might want to check out:In Francis Park in south St. Louis, there will be a Halloween musical costume parade. People will march from Tamm Avenue to Nottingham. Everyone is welcome, even pets. The parade kicks off at 5:30 p.m.The Maplewood Fire Department is hosting its annual drive-through Halloween event from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. There will be plenty of music, blow-up decorations, and, of course, candy. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News ...