
By Melina Walling, The Associated Press BAKU, Azerbaijan — In the wee hours Sunday at the United Nations climate talks, countries from around the world reached an agreement on how rich countries can cough up the funds to support poor countries in the face of climate change. It’s a far-from-perfect arrangement, with many parties still deeply unsatisfied but some hopeful that the deal will be a step in the right direction. World Resources Institute president and CEO Ani Dasgupta called it “an important down payment toward a safer, more equitable future,” but added that the poorest and most vulnerable nations are “rightfully disappointed that wealthier countries didn’t put more money on the table when billions of people’s lives are at stake.” The summit was supposed to end on Friday evening but negotiations spiraled on through early Sunday. With countries on opposite ends of a massive chasm, tensions ran high as delegations tried to close the gap in expectations. Here’s how they got there: Rich countries have agreed to pool together at least $300 billion a year by 2035. It’s not near the full amount of $1.3 trillion that developing countries were asking for, and that experts said was needed. But delegations more optimistic about the agreement said this deal is headed in the right direction, with hopes that more money flows in the future. The text included a call for all parties to work together using “all public and private sources” to get closer to the $1.3 trillion per year goal by 2035. That means also pushing for international mega-banks, funded by taxpayer dollars, to help foot the bill. And it means, hopefully, that companies and private investors will follow suit on channeling cash toward climate action. The agreement is also a critical step toward helping countries on the receiving end create more ambitious targets to limit or cut emissions of heat-trapping gases that are due early next year. It’s part of the plan to keep cutting pollution with new targets every five years, which the world agreed to at the U.N. talks in Paris in 2015. The Paris agreement set the system of regular ratcheting up climate fighting ambition as away to keep warming under 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels. The world is already at 1.3 degrees Celsius (2.3 degrees Fahrenheit) and carbon emissions keep rising. The deal decided in Baku replaces a previous agreement from 15 years ago that charged rich nations $100 billion a year to help the developing world with climate finance. The new number has similar aims: it will go toward the developing world’s long laundry list of to-dos to prepare for a warming world and keep it from getting hotter. That includes paying for the transition to clean energy and away from fossil fuels. Countries need funds to build up the infrastructure needed to deploy technologies like wind and solar power on a large scale. Communities hard-hit by extreme weather also want money to adapt and prepare for events like floods, typhoons and fires. Funds could go toward improving farming practices to make them more resilient to weather extremes, to building houses differently with storms in mind, to helping people move from the hardest-hit areas and to help leaders improve emergency plans and aid in the wake of disasters. The Philippines, for example, has been hammered by six major storms in less than a month , bringing to millions of people howling wind, massive storm surges and catastrophic damage to residences, infrastructure and farmland. “Family farmers need to be financed,” said Esther Penunia of the Asian Farmers Association. She described how many have already had to deal with millions of dollars of storm damage, some of which includes trees that won’t again bear fruit for months or years, or animals that die, wiping out a main source of income. “If you think of a rice farmer who depends on his or her one hectare farm, rice land, ducks, chickens, vegetables, and it was inundated, there was nothing to harvest,” she said. The ending of COP29 is “reflective of the harder geopolitical terrain the world finds itself in,” said Li Shuo of the Asia Society. He cited Trump’s recent victory in the US — with his promises to pull the country out of the Paris Agreement — as one reason why the relationship between China and the EU will be more consequential for global climate politics moving forward. Developing nations also faced some difficulties agreeing in the final hours, with one Latin American delegation member saying that their group didn’t feel properly consulted when small island states had last-minute meetings to try to break through to a deal. Negotiators from across the developing world took different tacks on the deal until they finally agreed to compromise. Meanwhile, activists ramped up the pressure: many urged negotiators to stay strong and asserted that no deal would be better than a bad deal. But ultimately the desire for a deal won out. Some also pointed to the host country as a reason for the struggle. Mohamed Adow, director of climate and energy think tank Power Shift Africa, said Friday that “this COP presidency is one of the worst in recent memory,” calling it “one of the most poorly led and chaotic COP meetings ever.” The presidency said in a statement, “Every hour of the day, we have pulled people together. Every inch of the way, we have pushed for the highest common denominator. We have faced geopolitical headwinds and made every effort to be an honest broker for all sides.” Shuo retains hope that the opportunities offered by a green economy “make inaction self-defeating” for countries around the world, regardless of their stance on the decision. But it remains to be seen whether the UN talks can deliver more ambition next year. In the meantime, “this COP process needs to recover from Baku,” Shuo said. Associated Press reporters Seth Borenstein and Sibi Arasu contributed to this report. The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org . 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Trending News Today Live Updates on December 24, 2024 : Chicago Pizzeria delights dogs with walk-up 'Treat window' decorated for ChristmasKATIE Price has shown the love of the stage runs in the family as she welcomed son Harvey Price on stage with her at her pantomime show. Katie Price, who is currently starring as a wicked step-sister in a pantomime production of Cinderella, shared a clip of Harvey dancing on stage next to her on social media. 5 Katie Price was joined on stage by son Harvey Price during one of her Cinderella performances Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk 5 Katie Price has a close bond with her eldest son Harvey, who is now 22 years old Credit: katie-pricey/Snapchat The clip, shared to Instagram Stories, was captioned by proud mum Katie as she wrote: "I just love my @officialharveyprice". The clip, originally filmed by a fan in the audience, shows Katie alongside her co-star Kerry Katona as the pantomime performed their final number. Harvey, who has several health conditions including Prader-Willi syndrome, danced alongside his mum to Wizzard's Christmas hit 'I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday'. The video comes as it's been revealed that Katie will be raking in £50,000 for her performances in the pantomime at Northwich Memorial Court in Cheshire. More on Katie Price CRYPTIC KATIE Katie Price shares cryptic post about ‘trust' after JJ Slater split rumours salon date Katie Price reunites with JJ Slater to get Botox amid split rumours An insider recently told us: "Katie knows her worth and she won't take a penny less. Despite everything she's a shrewd negotiator and her name still has some pull when it comes to booking gigs. "The panto organisers are thrilled with the response to Katie and Kerry being in the show so far and in their eyes it's money well spent." With Katie and her pal Kerry Katona confirmed for the panto shows, the theatre show broke box office records for ticket sales when they went on sale in September. A statement on the official Instagram for the theatre read: "Since our casting news broke earlier this evening, we have sold the highest number of tickets that we’ve ever sold in a single day during our last 14 years in Northwich!" Most read in Celebrity 999 DRAMA Blaze engulfs Scots shop as fire crews scramble to scene and flats evacuated VAX HORROR Striken Scots 'gaslit' by health bosses after complications from Covid vaccine 'SAD NEWS' 'Genuinely gutted' cry locals as popular Scots eatery announces sudden closure PARKING MAD AA reveals Scots shopping centre one of the worst in the UK for parking charges In March, the former glamour model was declared bankrupt for a second time over an unpaid tax bill of £761,994.05. Katie Price reveals heartbreaking way son Harvey deals with fame as she reveals he can’t go anywhere without being recognised Mum-of-five Katie was declared bankrupt in 2019, after it was revealed that she owed £3.2 million to creditors, as well as HMRC, her mortgage company and various small businesses. Katie was also served an eviction notice from her Mucky Mansion following her second bankruptcy. The demand for payment was made by HMRC last October. Katie was due to give evidence about her finances at the High Court but failed to turn up - holidaying in Cyprus with her new man JJ Slater instead. Her Mucky Mansion was a bomb site for years after it was burgled, flooded and swamped by an overflowing septic tank. She finally moved out at the end of May and is now renting a four-bed mansion in Sussex. 5 Harvey has several conditions including Prader-Willi syndrome Credit: Instagram 5 Katie Price is said to be earning £50,000 for being involved in the Cinderella pantomime Credit: Instagram/katieprice 5 Katie Price has been starring as a wicked step-sister alongside close pal Kerry Katona Credit: instagram
With 18 private jets flying into Montego Bay last Monday alone, Jamaica continues to build on its growing allure as a high-end destination, according Senior Advisor and Strategist in the Ministry of Tourism, Delano Seiveright. From luxurious villas to renowned hotels to rustic lodgings, Jamaica is hosting Hollywood stars, celebrated entertainers, TV personalities, at least one former prominent world leader, other high-ranking politicians from the US and other nations, and some global business tycoons, he said in a release on Saturday. Seiveright declined to disclose specific names for confidentiality reasons. However, British actor Idris Elba and American rapper Young Miami are among the celebrities who have shared highlights of their vacation on the island on social media. Tourism Minister, Edmund Bartlett, noted that Jamaica’s tourism story is one of “remarkable resilience and triumph.” “From the unprecedented challenge of the pandemic, when our industry ground to a complete halt, we’ve orchestrated one of the most extraordinary recoveries in global tourism history”, he said in the release. This year’s celebrity influx follows a stellar lineup of A-listers who chose Jamaica recently. Visitors over the last year and a half included rap star 2Chainz, actress Angelina Jolie, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his family, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, and Hollywood legends Michael Douglas, Catherine Zeta-Jones, John Amos, and Tracee Ellis Ross. Adding to the roster, Nigerian Afrobeat sensation Burna Boy and American music icons Dua Lipa, Cardi B, Offset, Rick Ross, Omarion, and Chance the Rapper also joined the ranks of those who have embraced Jamaica as their preferred vacation spot.Indore (Madhya Pradesh): India has taken stringent steps to regulate the fintech industry as per Financial Action Task Force's recommendations for tackling money laundering and terror financing, said Vivek Aggrawal, additional secretary, revenue department, Government of India. “India is among the few countries that are working on FATF recommendations to regulate the fintech industry,” he said during the ongoing 41st plenary meeting of the Eurasian Group in Indore. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has also issued separate guidelines to regulate payment aggregators and payment gateways, he added. Agrawal is attending the five-day EAG meeting as the head of the India delegation. He is also the director of the financial intelligence unit (FIU) in India. He said it is now mandatory for virtual asset service providers (VASPs) in the country to register themselves with the FIU. "The development of financial technology is crucial for the growth of digital payment systems but especially in view of the threats of money laundering and terrorist financing, the development of this technology has its own challenges as misuse of technology can lead to criminals committing cybercrimes and financial frauds anonymously," he said. The finance ministry official said India's fintech industry is currently leading the world. "We want regulation to be done in such a way that it does not hamper the growth of the industry, enhances ease of doing business and the country remains a global hub of digital technology," he said. Before briefing the media, Agrawal attended a workshop organised by EAG and Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG). Chairman EAG at the workshop on 'Innovation Finance', Yuri Chikhanchin, and APG co-chair Mitsutoshi Kajikawa also attended. According to officials, about 200 foreign and 60 Indian delegates are participating in the EAG meeting, which will go on till November 29. These include representatives from the International Monetary Fund and the Asian Development Bank, he said.
My problem is not being able to turn new relationships into meaningful friendships. I have met many wonderful people but have a problem getting close with anyone. Any suggestions? — Feeling Isolated Dear Isolated: I know it doesn’t feel like it, but you’re not alone. Many adults struggle to make the deep connections they want, especially later in life or in new communities. I turned to my friend and friendship expert Anna Goldfarb, author of “Modern Friendship: How to Nurture Our Most Valued Connections.” Here’s what she advises: “One of the best strategies for deepening a friendship is to provide what researchers call social identity support, which is seeing your friends for all the roles they play in their life: their race, class, gender and religion. This could look like asking to try their favorite dishes they grew up eating, including them in your cultural traditions and signaling that you’d like to be a part of theirs, too. “Another strategy is to recruit an accountability buddy. Identify a meaningful goal you both want to achieve — moving your body more, learning how to knit, watching every Matt Damon movie in chronological order — whatever floats your boat. Your friendship will deepen as you cheer on one another because you’re more invested in your successes.” Goldfarb told me, and I agree, that you’re off to a great start. So, you should congratulate yourself on making the effort and for continuing to try. It’s not always easy or as straightforward as we’d like, but you’re on the right path. Dear Eric: I enjoy your column and would like to make a comment regarding the letter from “Game Off” regarding her frustrations with her 10-year-old grandnephew who plays video games while on family vacation. I agree family time is important, and, in her own home, she should negotiate something with her niece so she can spend time with her grandnephew during visits. However, she’s completely out of touch regarding gaming. Many colleges now have competitive gaming teams supported by computing and graphic design faculty and they operate out of the athletics department just like other teams — it’s called “esports” and is becoming a big business. Her grandnephew may be headed to a successful career down the road through gaming. — Game Time Dear Game Time: You’re right, it’s all about balance. The letter writer can and should communicate her needs and wants regarding family visits. But she should also remain open to parenting choices that may not be what she would do in a similar circumstance. Additionally, while moderation is important when making decisions about gaming, you’re correct that it’s a growing and sometimes lucrative field of study and competition. The first esports college scholarship was given out in 2014 and there are currently more than 250 varsity-level esports programs across the United States and Canada, per the National Association of Collegiate Esports.Walking Barcode Market Analysis By Top Keyplayers - PayPal Holdings Inc., Square Inc., Ingenico Group S.A., NCR Corp., Samsung ElectronicsCo.Ltd., Panasonic Corp., Verifone Systems Inc., PAX Technology Inc., Toshiba Teccorp., First Data Corp.Weekly Horoscope Aquarius, Dec 29- Jan 4, 2025 predicts a progressive week
Investing.com -- Morgan Stanley upgraded its view on consumer finance stocks to "attractive" given positive fundamentals and a friendlier regulatory environment. Key drivers include easing inflation, lower unemployment, and stable lending standards. Delinquencies, which slowed significantly in 2024, are expected to decline further in 2025. EPS growth for the sector is projected at 15%, marking the fastest pace in four years. The brokerage highlighted lighter regulatory pressure under a GOP-controlled government. Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) predicts the CFPB’s proposed late fee rule may not pass, boosting earnings for companies like Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF) and Bread Financial. Morgan Stanley upgraded to Synchrony to “overweight” from “underweight,” raising target price on the stock to $82 from $40. While Bread Financial was upgraded to “overweight” from “underweight,” taking target up to $76 from $35, adding that late fees are about 20-25% of BFH revenues. A $8 late fee cap implementation would have represented a material forward earnings hit without offsets. However, the lower likelihood of rule survival at this point rebalances the bull-bear skew for 2025 and beyond. MS analyst said they now expect late fee rule to either roll back or fail to make it past the courts. The rule has been stuck in the courts for 9 months now, and faces a high bar to make it past the conservative-dominated courts, including the Fifth Circuit and Supreme Court. Loan growth, however, remains a concern. Consumer lending is slowing, with card loan growth expected to stabilize at 3%-4% by mid-2025. The note flagged potential risks, including higher valuations and uncertainty over credit quality improvements. Yet, analysts remain optimistic about deregulation beneficiaries and firms with EPS catalysts in the next year. Related Articles Morgan Stanley boosts consumer finance outlook for 2025 UK's Starmer asks regulators to prioritise economic growth, Sky reports Investing.com's stocks of the week
OneMedNet Announces Receipt of Nasdaq Notice Regarding Delayed Form 10-Q