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Wednesday, December 25, 2024 Royal Caribbean has announced further cancellations of scheduled stops in San Juan, Puerto Rico, by its flagship cruise ship Symphony of the Seas. This comes as the capital city’s port continues to face extensive construction delays, leaving travelers disappointed and sparking growing frustration among cruisers. The cancellations affect itineraries for December 28, 2024, and January 12, 2025, as the pier remains unable to accommodate larger vessels. The Symphony of the Seas, one of the largest cruise ships in the world at 228,081 gross registered tons, was originally slated to visit San Juan as part of its Caribbean voyages. However, due to months of ongoing construction at the pier, Royal Caribbean has been forced to make significant changes to its planned itineraries, impacting passengers who were eagerly anticipating their stops in Puerto Rico. Affected travelers were notified of the itinerary changes via email. In these communications, Royal Caribbean cited construction delays as the primary reason for the disruption. The company expressed regret over the inconvenience and emphasized that they were working diligently to provide alternative destinations that would still deliver memorable experiences for their guests. For the December 28, 2024, sailing, passengers received notification of the itinerary change earlier this month. The revised schedule replaces the San Juan stop with alternate ports, though specific details on the substituted destinations vary depending on the itinerary. Similarly, the January 12, 2025, voyage will no longer include a stop in San Juan, with other Caribbean locations being added to the itinerary as replacements. Royal Caribbean’s email to cruisers highlighted the importance of maintaining a high-quality experience despite the changes. The company stated that the inability to dock in San Juan was beyond their control due to delays in the port’s redevelopment efforts. The email reassured passengers that every effort was being made to provide exciting alternatives, though it acknowledged the disappointment caused by missing the Puerto Rican capital. The ongoing construction at San Juan’s port has created a ripple effect across the cruise industry, particularly for larger ships in the Oasis class. These vessels, including Symphony of the Seas, require specific docking infrastructure due to their size and capacity. The construction project, initially expected to be completed earlier this year, has faced multiple setbacks, leaving the port authority unable to accommodate larger cruise ships. While San Juan remains a popular destination for Caribbean cruises, these delays have impacted its reputation as a reliable port of call. The city’s vibrant culture, historic landmarks, and local attractions make it a sought-after stop for cruise passengers. However, the inability to host some of the world’s largest ships has highlighted the importance of completing the construction project in a timely manner to restore confidence among cruise operators and travelers alike. News of the cancellations has been met with disappointment and frustration among passengers who had been looking forward to visiting San Juan. Many travelers took to social media to express their dissatisfaction with the itinerary changes, while others voiced concerns over the lack of a clear timeline for the pier’s completion. Royal Caribbean’s decision to remove San Juan from these itineraries reflects a broader trend of cruise lines prioritizing operational efficiency and guest satisfaction amid unforeseen challenges. While the company has emphasized its commitment to transparency and communication, the situation underscores the complexities of managing large-scale cruise operations in regions undergoing infrastructure upgrades. The ongoing delays in San Juan’s port construction have broader implications for Caribbean tourism. As one of the region’s most popular cruise destinations, Puerto Rico plays a vital role in attracting international travelers and supporting local economies. The inability to accommodate larger ships like the Symphony of the Seas not only impacts cruise operators but also affects local businesses that rely on the influx of tourists. Puerto Rico’s government and tourism officials have acknowledged the importance of resolving the construction delays and have pledged to expedite the completion of the pier project. However, with no clear timeline yet provided, stakeholders are left navigating the uncertainty of when the port will once again be fully operational. Royal Caribbean has reiterated its commitment to delivering exceptional experiences for its passengers, even in the face of unforeseen challenges. The company has assured affected travelers that they will receive updates on any further changes and that efforts are being made to minimize disruptions to their vacations. In addition to revising itineraries, Royal Caribbean has also taken steps to enhance onboard activities and entertainment options for guests. These measures aim to ensure that passengers continue to enjoy a world-class cruising experience despite the alterations to their travel plans. As construction continues at San Juan’s port, the focus remains on finding solutions that will allow larger cruise ships to dock in the capital city once again. For now, travelers and cruise operators alike will need to adapt to the ongoing disruptions while awaiting updates on the project’s progress. Royal Caribbean’s decision to cancel additional visits to San Juan serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in coordinating large-scale travel operations. While the situation has posed challenges, it also highlights the resilience of the travel industry and its ability to adapt to changing circumstances. In the meantime, cruisers are encouraged to stay informed about itinerary changes and to remain flexible as the cruise line works to provide memorable alternatives. The hope is that once the construction project is completed, San Juan will regain its status as a premier destination for Caribbean cruises, welcoming travelers from around the world to experience its rich culture and vibrant attractions.BACK IN TIMEThe United Arab Emirates has achieved a significant milestone by securing the fifth position in the Quality Infrastructure for Sustainable Development (QI4SD) Index, an ascent of six places from its previous ranking. The index, first launched by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) in June 2022, placed the UAE in the 'L' group, alongside countries such as Switzerland, South Africa, Singapore, and Finland. A comprehensive framework, the QI4SD Index evaluates the readiness of national quality infrastructure (QI) systems to advance sustainable development goals. The UAE's rapid growth in this index is a testament to the foresight of its leaders, highlighted by substantial improvements driven by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) and its stakeholders in areas such as regulations, standards, and market surveillance. This recognition reaffirms international trust in the UAE's Quality Infrastructure, pivotal for economic diversification and supply chain resilience. Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, emphasized that this achievement aligns with Operation 300bn, a robust strategy aiming to enhance industrial investments and facilitate trade by eliminating technical obstacles. (With inputs from agencies.)Chances are if your favorite show felt different over the years, a showrunner shift occurred at some point behind the scenes. Law & Order: Organized Crime attempted to solidify itself as a successful spinoff of Law & Order: SVU but instead it has continued to make headlines for numerous showrunners exiting the series. The police procedural, which premiered in 2021 on NBC, stars Christopher Meloni as Elliot Stabler, reprising his role from SVU. By the time the show was renewed for its fifth season — and moved to Peacock — it had gone through seven showrunner changes. No official statement was made about the numerous swaps in the writers’ room. Meanwhile, The Handmaid’s Tale became a household name with Bruce Miller at the helm. The hit series then faced a shakeup right before its sixth and final season when Miller stepped down as showrunner. He remained a writer and executive producer but passed on his duties to executive producers Eric Tuchman and Yahlin Chang . “We are ending our show on our own creative terms,” he told Entertainment Weekly in 2022 before his departure. “Do I know what happens in season 6? Yes, I did think about the stuff that happens in season 6 for a while.” Keep scrolling for more shows with significant showrunner swaps: When Stabler got his own show in 2020, Matt Olmstead took on the role of showrunner but ultimately stepped down later that year. He was replaced by Ilene Chaiken , who remained on the show for one season before Barry O’Brien took over. Bryan Goluboff became the showrunner for season 3 but left after three months. He was replaced by Sean Jablonski , who left due to “creative differences” and David Graziano took over for the final episodes of the season. After Law & Order: Organized Crime was renewed for a fourth season, John Shiban was brought on as the newest showrunner but he didn’t stick around and Olmstead was brought back to finish up the scripts as an executive producer. When the show was first in development, Chaiken was meant to run the show but Showtime passed on the pilot. Miller became the official showrunner once Hulu picked up the series and remained at the helm until the final season. Miller stepped down in order to focus on adapting The Testaments and Tuchman and Chang were named co-showrunners for the sixth and final season. After Netflix announced a reimagined live-action remake of Avatar , creators Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko were named as showrunners. They departed the series in 2020 due to creative differences and Albert Kim came onboard instead. Kim stepped down after the show was renewed and Christine Boylan and Jabbar Raisani became showrunners for the second and third seasons. The Fox sitcom, which starred Mayim Bialik , hired Darlene Hunt as a showrunner, which lasted for one season until Alissa Neubauer took over. Jim Patterson and Maria Ferrari were announced as the new showrunners for the third season, which turned out to be the show’s last. Amy B. Harris was originally set to be the showrunner in 2016 but stepped down after Designated Survivor was officially picked up. Jon Harmon Feldman replaced Harris until Jeff Melvoin came on to supervise the second half of the first season. From there, writer Keith Eisner took over until the show was canceled on ABC. Netflix revived the series, which paved the way for Neal Baer to be named showrunner. The post-apocalyptic series premiered in 2010 with Frank Darabont at the helm. He departed after one season and Glen Mazzara took over until season 3. Scott M. Gimple was promoted to showrunner for four seasons until he became Chief Content Officer of the entire Walking Dead franchise and Angela Kang replaced him in the writers’ room. The political series was created by Aaron Sorkin in 1999 and he remained with the show until the fifth season. After his departure, John Wells remained the sole executive producer and showrunner until the 2006 series finale. Considering how long Grey’s Anatomy has been on the air , it makes sense that there have been some changes behind the scenes. Shonda Rhimes was the original showrunner for five seasons until Krista Vernoff joined her at the helm. One season later, Rhimes was began working alongside Tony Phelan and Joan Rater and the pair remained in charge when Rhimes stepped down to focus on other projects. From seasons 11 to 13, Stacy Mckee and William Harper were the showrunners before Mckee left and Vernoff returned. Vernoff was subsequently the sole showrunner from seasons 16 to 19 until Meg Marinis took over. Before Supernatural was picked up by The CW, creator Eric Kripke was developing the show for nearly 10 years. He remained as the showrunner until season 6, which is when Sera Gamble took over. Jeremy Carver was the sole showrunner from seasons 8 to 11 before turning control over to Robert Singer and Andrew Dabb for the remainder of its run. Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino were at the helm until failed contract negotiations caused them to leave after six seasons. David Rosenthal took over for the seventh and final season but ultimately it wasn’t the same. Sherman-Palladino ultimately returned for the four-part miniseries revival Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life . Greg Daniels developed the show and served as the showrunner for the first four seasons before leaving for Parks and Recreation . Paul Lieberstein and Jennifer Celotta were named the showrunners for season 5 but Celotta left the series one season later. Lieberstein stayed on for the following two seasons then briefly left to work on a potential spinoff. Daniels returned as showrunner for the ninth and final season. You have successfully subscribed. By signing up, I agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy and to receive emails from Us Weekly Check our latest news in Google News Check our latest news in Apple News After basing the script on his experiences, Dan Harmon was the showrunner for four seasons. He was briefly replaced by writers David Guarascio and Moses Port before returning one year later. Created by Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David , Seinfeld was run by David for seven seasons. His exit led to Seinfeld — who also starred on the show — to take over for two more years until the 1998 series finale. Kevin Williamson left after the first season to focus on another show, which meant Alex Gansa became the new showrunner. A production shutdown — due to the cast’s frustration with the story lines — led to Gansa being replaced by Greg Berlanti in season 3.
What it costs to live on the new, convenient Metro lineCPKC exceeded grain revenue limit: Canadian Transportation Agency OTTAWA — The Canadian Transportation Agency says Canadian Pacific Kansas City Railway Co. exceeded its maximum grain revenue entitlements for the 2023 to 2024 crop year. The agency says CPKC's revenue was $1.8 million above its entitlement of $869. Canadian Press Dec 24, 2024 11:21 AM Dec 24, 2024 11:35 AM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message The Canadian Transportation Agency says Canadian Pacific Kansas City Railway Co. exceeded its maximum grain revenue entitlements for the 2023 to 2024 crop year.Locomotives are shown at the CPKC railyard in Calgary, Alta., Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh OTTAWA — The Canadian Transportation Agency says Canadian Pacific Kansas City Railway Co. exceeded its maximum grain revenue entitlements for the 2023 to 2024 crop year. The agency says CPKC's revenue was $1.8 million above its entitlement of $869.89 million. It says the railway must pay the excess, plus a five per cent penalty of $91,204, to the Western Grains Research Foundation. The agency says Canadian National Railway Co. was $34.3 million below its entitlement of $1.248 billion. It says the 2023 to 2024 crop year saw a 3.5 per cent decrease in volumes from the previous year to 43.7 million tonnes, mainly because of lower crop exports. The system that sets the maximum grain revenue for the two railways in 2000 replaced a previous system that set the maximum rates railways could charge shippers. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 24, 2024. The Canadian Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message More National Business S&P/TSX composite up on shorter Christmas Eve session, U.S. markets also rise Dec 24, 2024 10:56 AM Stock market today: Wall Street rallies ahead of Christmas Dec 24, 2024 10:12 AM YVR janitors suspend strike escalation after tentative deal Dec 24, 2024 9:30 AM Featured Flyer
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The 40+ best Black Friday PlayStation 5 deals 2024: Deals available nowWith their win over the New England Patriots , the Los Angeles Chargers clinched a spot playoff in the upcoming NFL postseason. While that is worth celebrating, they also lost starting free safety Elijah Molden , who suffered a broken fibula in the win. Molden will miss the remainder of the Chargers 2024 campaign. Elijah Molden Ruled Out For Chargers Playoff Run Molden emerged as a valuable asset to the Chargers’ defense under the guidance of head coach Jim Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Jesse Minter. Thrust into a starting role, Molden demonstrated versatility and playmaking ability. His addition via trade shortly before the season allowed Minter to move Derwin James to various positions on the field and became a critical member of the team as Alohi Gilman struggled to stay healthy. Molden combined for 71 tackles, including two for loss. In coverage he allowed just 18 receptions on 27 targets for 173 yards, amounting to a 44.8 NFL passer rating. He also picked off three passes and recovered two fumbles. Molden missed Week 16 with a knee injury and was questionable to play against the Patriots with the same ailment. New addition Eddie Jackson and veteran Tony Jefferson filled in for Molden once he left the game. The Chargers have found their secondary bare due to injuries. Gilman is now on the injured reserve along with Asante Samuel Jr., Marcus Maye, and Eli Apple. This has forced the team to rely heavily on rookie fifth-rounders, Tarheeb Still and Cam Hart. While the young duo has played admirably, their level of competition is about to take a big leap in the tougher direction as they embark on their playoff run. They will likely play the Buffalo Bills or the Baltimore Ravens in the Wild Card round. This article first appeared on LAFB Network and was syndicated with permission.Advertisement 2 This advertisement has not loaded yet.
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Linebacker Jonathon Cooper, defensive tackle Malcolm Roach, and running back Blake Watson are getting an extra sting from the Denver Broncos' Week 16 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Each player has received a fine from the game, just hours before their critical Week 17 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. The NFL hit Watson with $4,463 for lowering his helmet during a first quarter run. Watson got the first offensive touches of his career against the Chargers, rushing for 10 yards on four carries and catching one pass for 13 yards. Roach was fined $11,255 for taunting in the second quarter. He finished the game with two tackles. Lastly, Cooper will pay $12,668 for committing a horse collar tackle, which he was penalized 15 yards for. Cooper didn't record an official tackle during the game, but did get a pass defensed and a quarterback hit. This is Cooper's second fine of the season , the first coming back in Week 14 for a hit to the head on Cleveland Browns' quarterback Jameis Winston. Watson, Roach, and Cooper will have to put these incidents out of their minds as they take on the Bengals with the opportunity to clinch a playoff berth with a victory. Watson is heading back to the bench with the return of Jaleel McLaughlin, but Roach and Cooper will continue to contribute for Denver's defense. Cooper in particularly needs to make some adjustments to prevent fines from continuing to pile up on him. This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.Photo: DriveBC screenshot This Highway 3A webcam view uses a pixelated mask to avoid showing private property. A new view of some of the region’s roadways will be coming to a highway camera near you in 2025. New technology that helped add 22 new cameras in 2024 will be delivering 37 more views to help people travel more safely, especially during winter, according to DriveBC. In addition to 36 cameras across B.C., the Paulson Summit on Highway 3 will be receiving a new camera: a west view on the summit with a remote camera that shares the site with new weather sensors, “leading to a more efficient and reliable system,” noted a press release from DriveBC. “It is off grid because there are no available cellular or land line networks, and no power nearby,” it stated. The system uses solar power and transmits the weather data and camera images by satellite. “This Paulson setup will be a model for installing future similarly remote cameras,” it read. Across the camera-verse People checking traffic and weather conditions when planning trips on the province's roads can access a total of 503 cameras on the DriveBC webcam network. The webcams deliver 1,037 views of current road conditions. “Where technically feasible, ministry crews strategically locate the webcams throughout B.C. based on needs identified by residents, contractors or weather experts,” it was noted in the release. This year's annual network expansion also includes the locations of: Highway 1 at 216 Street, with west and east views in a growing region along the busy Highway 1 corridor in Langley; Highway 14 at West Shore Parkway, with north, west and east views, as one component of the completed Highway 14 corridor improvements program between Langford and Sooke; and Pine Pass on Highway 97 at the access road to Powder King Mountain Resort region with a north view is a new camera that replaced one that had gone offline after its components failed and replacements were no longer available. Protecting privacy Many DriveBC cameras are pan-tilt-zoom cameras that can deliver several views from a single position. For example, on the Lower Mainland, many intersection cameras provide images of four or more positions. The DriveBC cameras also protect privacy. In addition to providing information about weather, road and traffic conditions, DriveBC has links to information about border delays, inland ferries, ongoing construction projects and tips for how to drive safely in winter conditions. Fishing for feedback DriveBC is accepting public feedback on its redesigned web portal to replace the existing website next year. The new site will include a simplified map, clearer event notification, new advisory features and better mobile usability.If attending the Las Vegas Grand Prix at the pit building is not in the budget this year, don’t despair. Locals and tourists next year will have a variety of more affordable experiences next year when F1 is expected to offer the space to the public for various experiences during non-race days. F1 will debut three immersive experiences, in partnership with exhibition creator Round Room Live at Grand Prix Plaza, on the 39-acre space that includes the pit building and surrounding land, located on the northeast corner of Harmon Avenue and Koval Lane. “The opening of Grand Prix Plaza’s year-round, consumer-facing programming will enable Formula 1 to engage with visitors to the Valley and residents alike in new and exciting ways,” Renee Wilm, CEO of Las Vegas Grand Prix, Inc., said in a statement. “Our commitment to the Las Vegas community runs deep, and we could not be happier to bring this collection of unique and immersive experiences to the destination.” Many more features to come Fans next year will be able to participate in F1-inspired karting, dubbed F1 Driving, around a part of the Las Vegas Grand Prix Circuit, which is one-third of a mile in length, that includes 31 turns. The karts will feature DRS technology, engine sounds and an LED steering wheel display. F1 X is an immersive exhibit that will give die-hard fans and those new to the sport the ability to interact with the sport in three parts: learn, create and experience. Learn includes a crash course of the sport, teams and cars, with race artifacts and F1 cars. Create is an immersive experience that will allow fans to build their dream F1 car, including livery, for photo opportunities. Experience gives guests the chance to have the full race experience including racing for the fastest pit stop, creating a pit strategy and virtually racing on their custom Las Vegas Grand Prix Circuit in a 4D experience. Next year’s offerings also will include the F1 Hub where guests can compete against each other in F1 racing simulators, dine on casual food and purchase grand prix and F1 merchandise. Fans can sign up for updates and priority access to the events once they are available for purchase at www.grandprixplaza.com . Private events also an option Outside of the interactive experiences, spaces across the three-story pit building and its rooftop and Grand Prix Plaza will be available to book for private events. The spaces include the Turn 1 lounge, the Cool Down Room and GPP Garage. Turn 1 lounge features a sleek F1-inspired aesthetic that is available for gatherings, small and large, with a backdrop only available in Las Vegas. The Cool Down Room uses high-performance materials such as carbon fiber, chrome and polished concrete, giving the space a sleek feel. The space features a center bar, multiple screens to view live or past races and access to put lane for photo opportunities. GPP Garage is a multifunctional area that give event planners flexibility to use the space for a variety of events. It includes indoor and outdoor space and views of the F1 Drive track. “As F1 continues to grow in popularity in new regions and demographics, we recognized the opportunity to create an immersive touch point in North America all year long,” Emily Prazer, chief commercial officer for F1 and Las Vegas Grand Prix, Inc., said in a statement. “The programming planned for 2025 will build excitement around the sport through educational and interactive experiences and ultimately help to expand F1’s presence in Las Vegas and in the U.S. more broadly.”
Universal has revealed that Christopher Nolan’s next film will adapt the Greek epic The Odyssey as an “action epic.” Universal Pictures announced on Twitter on Monday that Nolan’s next film, his first since Oppenheimer , will adapt the classic story attributed to Homer as a “mythic action epic.” The studio wrote: “Christopher Nolan’s next film The Odyssey is a mythic action epic shot across the world using brand new IMAX film technology. The film brings Homer’s foundational saga to IMAX film screens for the first time and opens in theaters everywhere on July 17, 2026.” The film is set to star Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Anne Hathaway, Lupita Nyong’o, Charlize Theron, and Robert Pattinson, with a production start date set for early 2025 and a July 17th, 2026 release date set. It is not yet known which role each of the actors will play. The Odyssey is one of the most famous Greek epics and tells the story of Odysseus as he attempts to journey home after the Trojan War. Along the way, Odysseus and his crew encounter a number of mythical creatures including the Cyclops, Sirens, the sorceress Circe, the monster Scylla and the whirlpool Charybdis, and many other obstacles during the 10-year journey. The poem is one of the oldest works of literature still widely read by modern audiences. Oppenheimer was Nolan’s first film under his deal with Universal and was a massive critical and commercial hit with $976.8 million worldwide and seven Academy Award wins including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Cillian Murphy), and Best Supporting Actor (Robert Downey Jr).
NoneBOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — 2024 was a brutal year for the Amazon rainforest, with rampant wildfires and extreme drought ravaging large parts of a biome that’s a critical counterweight to climate change. A warming climate fed drought that in turn fed the worst year for fires since 2005. And those fires contributed to deforestation, with authorities suspecting some fires were set to more easily clear land to run cattle. The Amazon is twice the size of India and sprawls across eight countries and one territory, storing vast amounts of carbon dioxide that would otherwise warm the planet. It has about 20% of the world’s fresh water and astounding biodiversity, including 16,000 known tree species. But governments have historically viewed it as an area to be exploited, with little regard for sustainability or the rights of its Indigenous peoples, and experts say exploitation by individuals and organized crime is rising at alarming rates. “The fires and drought experienced in 2024 across the Amazon rainforest could be ominous indicators that we are reaching the long-feared ecological tipping point,” said Andrew Miller, advocacy director at Amazon Watch, an organization that works to protect the rainforest. “Humanity’s window of opportunity to reverse this trend is shrinking, but still open.” There were some bright spots. The level of Amazonian forest loss fell in both Brazil and Colombia. And nations gathered for the annual United Nations conference on biodiversity agreed to give Indigenous peoples more say in nature conservation decisions. “If the Amazon rainforest is to avoid the tipping point, Indigenous people will have been a determinant factor,” Miller said. Wildfires and extreme drought Forest loss in Brazil’s Amazon — home to the largest swath of this rainforest — dropped 30.6% compared to the previous year, the lowest level of destruction in nine years. The improvement under leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva contrasted with deforestation that hit a 15-year high under Lula’s predecessor, far-right leader Jair Bolsonaro, who prioritized agribusiness expansion over forest protection and weakened environmental agencies. In July, Colombia reported historic lows in deforestation in 2023, driven by a drop in environmental destruction. The country’s environment minister Susana Muhamad warned that 2024’s figures may not be as promising as a significant rise in deforestation had already been recorded by July due to dry weather caused by El Nino, a weather phenomenon that warms the central Pacific. Illegal economies continue to drive deforestation in the Andean nation. “It’s impossible to overlook the threat posed by organized crime and the economies they control to Amazon conservation,” said Bram Ebus, a consultant for Crisis Group in Latin America. “Illegal gold mining is expanding rapidly, driven by soaring global prices, and the revenues of illicit economies often surpass state budgets allocated to combat them.” In Brazil, large swaths of the rainforest were draped in smoke in August from fires raging across the Amazon, Cerrado savannah, Pantanal wetland and the state of Sao Paulo. Fires are traditionally used for deforestation and for managing pastures, and those man-made blazes were largely responsible for igniting the wildfires. For a second year, the Amazon River fell to desperate lows , leading some countries to declare a state of emergency and distribute food and water to struggling residents. The situation was most critical in Brazil, where one of the Amazon River’s main tributaries dropped to its lowest level ever recorded. Cesar Ipenza, an environmental lawyer who lives in the heart of the Peruvian Amazon, said he believes people are becoming increasingly aware of the Amazon’s fundamental role “for the survival of society as a whole.” But, like Miller, he worries about a “point of no return of Amazon destruction.” It was the worst year for Amazon fires since 2005, according to nonprofit Rainforest Foundation US. Between January and October, an area larger than the state of Iowa — 37.42 million acres, or about 15.1 million hectares of Brazil’s Amazon — burned. Bolivia had a record number of fires in the first ten months of the year. “Forest fires have become a constant, especially in the summer months and require particular attention from the authorities who don’t how to deal with or respond to them,” Ipenza said. Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, and Guyana also saw a surge in fires this year. Indigenous voices and rights made headway in 2024 The United Nations conference on biodiversity — this year known as COP16 — was hosted by Colombia. The meetings put the Amazon in the spotlight and a historic agreement was made to give Indigenous groups more of a voice on nature conservation decisions , a development that builds on a growing movement to recognize Indigenous people’s role in protecting land and combating climate change. Both Ebus and Miller saw promise in the appointment of Martin von Hildebrand as the new secretary general for the Amazon Treaty Cooperation Organization, announced during COP16. “As an expert on Amazon communities, he will need to align governments for joint conservation efforts. If the political will is there, international backers will step forward to finance new strategies to protect the world’s largest tropical rainforest,” Ebus said. Ebus said Amazon countries need to cooperate more, whether in law enforcement, deploying joint emergency teams to combat forest fires, or providing health care in remote Amazon borderlands. But they need help from the wider world, he said. “The well-being of the Amazon is a shared global responsibility, as consumer demand worldwide fuels the trade in commodities that finance violence and environmental destruction,” he said. Next year marks a critical moment for the Amazon, as Belém do Pará in northern Brazil hosts the first United Nations COP in the region that will focus on climate. “Leaders from Amazon countries have a chance to showcase strategies and demand tangible support,” Ebus said. ___ 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 .Iran lifts ban on Google Play and WhatsAppNone
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LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — Austin Ekeler was concussed in the final minute of the Washington Commanders’ loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday and taken to a hospital for further evaluation. Coach Dan Quinn said he and general manager Adam Peters got to visit with Ekeler before he went to the hospital. A team spokesperson said the decision to transport Ekeler was made out of an abundance of caution. Ekeler, 29, was injured when he was tackled by Damone Clark and Nick Vigil on a kickoff return with 9 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Ekeler remained down on the field for some time being attended to by medical personnel, and players from each team knelt around him with their helmets off. Lineman Andrew Wylie was also concussed and fellow running back Brian Robinson Jr. sprained an ankle in Washington’s third consecutive defeat. Ekeler is in his first season with the Commanders after spending his first nine years in the NFL with the Los Angeles Chargers. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nflInsurgents reach gates of Syria’s capital, threatening to upend decades of Assad ruleNecessary steps to regulate AI