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Spain approves €2 billion package to alleviate drought impact

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:00:55 GMT

The Spanish government approved measures on Thursday valued at more than €2 billion to mitigate the impact of a prolonged drought that’s clobbering the country’s agricultural sector.“Spain is a country used to facing droughts, but climate change means that we must prepare for more frequent and severe periods like the current one,” said Ecological Transition Minister Teresa Ribera. “We need anticipation, structural and emergency measures.”The new measures come as the country goes into campaign mode ahead of regional and municipal elections on May 28, in which the impact of the drought is set to be a key issue. A number of other EU countries also are currently bracing for a repeat of last year’s bone-dry summer, or worse, with about a quarter of the Continent’s territory under drought warning or alert. The vast majority of Spain’s new package, some €1.4 billion, will be used to build new water infrastructure, boost the reuse of urb...

EPA proposes new rules that would dramatically slash planet-warming pollution from power plants

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:00:55 GMT

(CNN) — The Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday will propose one of its most highly anticipated climate rules to date, compelling nearly all US power plants that generate the nation’s electricity to capture or otherwise slash their planet-warming fossil fuel emissions.The rules would apply to the nation’s fleet of existing and new power plants that run on coal and natural gas — two major fossil fuels, which are the root cause of the climate crisis. The Biden administration’s proposal would push utilities to outfit many power plants with costly carbon capture technology or add clean hydrogen fuel to reduce their emissions.Unlike the Obama-era Clean Power Plan, which faced fierce opposition that rose to the Supreme Court, the proposed rules will leave it to individual utilities to choose how to meet the emissions standards — which will ultimately be implemented and enforce...

‘Sesame Street’ welcomes its first Filipino muppet

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:00:55 GMT

(CNN) — There’s a new kid on the block.“Sesame Street” recently introduced TJ, its first Filipino muppet, on a segment with Kal Penn. TJ and his friend Ji-Young, a Korean American muppet who debuted in 2021, talk to the actor about the word of the day: confidence.Confidence, Penn explained, is “when you believe in yourself and your abilities, or in the abilities of others.” TJ marvels at Grover’s confidence as he attempts to jump over the Sesame Street sign while riding a unicycle and balancing a tall stack of books. And when Penn shares with TJ and Ji-Young that he leans on others when he doesn’t feel confident, TJ opens up about his own experiences.“I’m learning Tagalog. It’s a language my Filipino family speaks and I have confidence because I can always ask my lola for help when I don’t know a word,” TJ says.The character of TJ is voiced by puppeteer and performer Yinan Shentu and cr...

Jacklyn Zeman, beloved ‘General Hospital’ star, dead at 70

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:00:55 GMT

(CNN) — Jacklyn Zeman, who starred on the soap opera “General Hospital” for more than four decades portraying Bobbie Spencer, has died, the show’s executive producer, Frank Valentini, announced on Wednesday.She was 70.“Jackie will be greatly missed, but her positive spirit will always live on with our cast and crew. We send our heartfelt sympathy to her loved ones, friends and family,” Valentini wrote in a social media post.Zeman first joined the cast of the long-running daytime drama in 1977, according to Imdb.“She leaves behind a lasting legacy for her Emmy-nominated portrayal of the bad girl turned heroine and will always be remembered for her kind heart and radiant spirit,” read a post from the “General Hospital” Twitter account. “We are devastated by the news of her passing, and send our deepest condolences to Jackie’s family, friends and loved ones.”Born in Englewood, New Jersey, ...

Cillian Murphy says fans are ‘underwhelmed’ when they meet him

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:00:55 GMT

(CNN) — Cillian Murphy has appeared in some of the biggest movies and television shows of the 21st century, taking on a range of critically-acclaimed and cinematic roles, from “Peaky Blinders” boss Thomas Shelby to “Batman” villain Scarecrow. Yet the Irish actor has revealed that fans are actually “underwhelmed” when they meet him.Speaking in a rare and wide-ranging interview with Rolling Stone UK for its latest issue, released Thursday, Murphy opens up about his uneasiness with fame and being in the spotlight.“I don’t really partake. I don’t go out. I’m just at home mostly, or with my friends, unless I have a film to promote. I don’t like being photographed by people. I find that offensive,” Murphy said.The 46-year-old believes his fans are underwhelmed at his lack of “charisma” and “swagger.”“I think it’s the Tommy Shelby thing. People expect this m...

Chicago Bears 2023 schedule: Latest leaks before tonight’s official NFL announcement at 7 p.m.

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:00:55 GMT

The Chicago Bears will announce the dates and times of their 2023 games at 7 p.m. Thursday as part of the NFL’s schedule release.Bears single-game tickets and executive suites for home games at Soldier Field will go on sale after the announcement. A presale for season ticket holders and fans on the season ticket priority list will begin at 7 p.m., followed by sales to the public at 8:30 at chicagobears.com/tickets.The Bears know their home and road opponents in 2023.Along with playing home and away NFC North games against the Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings, the Bears will host the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders and Arizona Cardinals.The Bears will go on the road to play the Kansas City Chiefs, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Los Angeles Chargers, Washington Commanders and Cleveland Browns.The NFL will air its schedule release show at 7 p.m. on NFL Network. The league announced its five international games...

Bus driver strike ends in Marlboro

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:00:55 GMT

After a three-day strike, Marlboro bus drivers and the transportation company reached a contract deal Wednesday evening and kids were back on their normal buses Thursday morning.“I am happy to report that the bus driver strike has ended,” Marlboro Superintendent Mary Murphy wrote in a Facebook post just before 6 p.m. Wednesday. “Full bus service will resume immediately.”The drivers, represented by Teamsters Local 170, went on strike Monday following months of stalled contract negotiations.The union stated it was looking for significant wage increases, especially targeting lower paid positions like minibus drivers and bus monitors, along with healthcare and retirement benefits.Details of the contract agreement were not immediately released Thursday morning.Nearby Framingham and Westboro, which receive school bus service through NRT and have drivers represented by Teamsters Local 170, also came close to striking this week.Framingham reached a contract Sunday ni...

Patriots 2023 schedule: Home opener set against NFC East power

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:00:55 GMT

The Patriots will have no time to waste entering a critical 2023 season.Their Week 1 opponent may be the toughest on their schedule.The Pats will open next season at home against the Eagles, according to sources. Philadelphia is coming off a Super Bowl appearance, having lost a 38-35 thriller to the reigning champion Chiefs last February. The Eagles went 14-3 during the regular season en route to the No. 1 seed in the NFC.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Tom Brady returning for Patriots’ 2023 home opener New England Patriots | Patriots sign CB Tae Hayes, cut practice-squad wide receiver New England Patriots | Patriots 2023 schedule: NFL announces opponent, date and time for Germany game New England Patriots | New Patriots free-agent addition explains team ‘really wanted’ him New England Patriots | Patriots linebacker reacts to Aaron Rodgers joining the Jets This offseason, Philade...

A new film sheds light on the history of Black players in the NBA, but doesn’t tell the whole story | GUEST COMMENTARY

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:00:55 GMT

Most Americans are familiar with how Major League Baseball was integrated, the 76th anniversary of which was recently observed. Jackie Robinson broke the color line in 1947, and before then Black players had to play in the Negro Leagues.But what about pro basketball? Who was the first African American in the NBA, and when did he join?A recently released film, “Sweetwater,” sheds light on this previously little-known chapter in professional sports history. It’s an important story and a good film, recognizing former New York Knick Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton as the trailblazer he was for African American players in the NBA. But like many Hollywood tales, it doesn’t tell the whole story.On May 24, 1950, Clifton signed a contract with the Knicks. While the film and elsewhere have identified him as the first Black player to sign an NBA contract, many sources say that distinction actually belongs to Harold Hunter, who signed with the Washington Capitols a ...

Jimmy Butler ready for 48 minutes and confident about eliminating Knicks in Game 6: ‘We’ll win’

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:00:55 GMT

Jimmy Butler seems confident the Heat will eliminate the Knicks on Friday — especially if he never leaves the court.“If [coach Erik Spoelstra] tells me to play 48 minutes, I’ll be suited and booted and ready to do that,” Butler said. “And we’ll win.”The delivery made “we’ll win” feel more like a throwaway than a guarantee from Miami’s best player, but it certainly continued Butler’s theme of assuredness in his postgame presser. For the first time in these playoffs, he was decidedly outplayed by an opponent, Jalen Brunson, who actually played all 48 minutes in Wednesday’s Game 5 and kept New York’s heart beating for at least a couple more days.Now some of the pressure shifts back to the Heat, which needs to win at home on Friday night to avoid a Game 7 on the road.“I don’t ever think losing is encouraging,” Butler said. “I hope that the only way is up from here. So we will be b...