Stars take road win streak into game against the Hurricanes
After two extra nights of extended negotiations in Baku , countries finally gave up on bridging their differences and settled on a “roadmap” that has left nearly all developing countries frustrated , developed nations relieved and the planet, still on a perilous path. Officially, the CoP Presidency may claim progress . The text, which was passed early in the morning, included a commitment to triple public finance for developing countries, raising the goal from $100 billion annually to $300 billion by 2035. In addition, countries pledged to work to scale finance from public and private sources to $1.3 trillion per year by 2035. In the world of international negotiations , it is common for countries to bring maximalist demands — asking for the most optimistic outcomes — only to settle for these being scaled back. However, in this case, the gap between what was demanded and agreed upon is striking: the $300 billion figure represents just 20% of the original demand. While $300 billion a year is no small sum, other meaningful concessions would have made its impact far greater. For example, if the funds were predominantly public finance, facilitating the affordable transfer of technology from developed to developing countries, or supporting investments in infrastructure that could help vulnerable populations in the Global South adapt to climate change. Unfortunately, none was included. Despite decades of scientific progress in developed countries that have rigorously outlined the threat posed by rising carbon emissions, these nations have repeatedly backtracked on their responsibility to support meaningful climate solutions. Moreover, many have failed to discourage developing countries from pursuing fossil-fuel-based development. This shift is likely a reflection of broader geopolitical changes — such as the decline of the globalised world order — and a reduction in public support and political will in the West. As a result, climate action has increasingly been framed within the logic of market competition rather than global solidarity. The recent CoP talks revealed that climate negotiations are now entangled with trade conflicts. In this year’s talks, wordplay and political posturing often took precedence over meaningful action. It is possible that next year, there will be a repeat of the drama surrounding the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, especially with the impending return of a Trump presidency. Next year’s CoP, in Brazil, will be a symbolic return to the country that hosted the 1992 Earth Summit, where the world first recognised that action, not just talk, was needed to tackle global challenges. As the climate crisis grows more urgent, it is time for the world to revisit that commitment and move beyond empty promises to real, transformative action. Published - November 26, 2024 12:30 am IST Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit United Nations (climate change) / public finance / technology (general) / climate change / carbon emissions / trade policy / US PRESIDENTIAL POLLS / Paris Climate Summit COP21 / summit / Brazil
NASA's 2 stuck astronauts face more time in space with return delayed until at least late March“Republicans buy sneakers too.’’ Ideally, that’s all I really want to say about TJ Perenara using the All Blacks haka for political purposes and a variety of players posing with the Tino Rangatiratanga flag, following the team’s 29-11 win over Italy. One person’s unifying force is another’s dividing one and I tend to think an apolitical All Blacks team sits more comfortably with fans and sponsors. Sure, advance all the causes you like in a private capacity, just maybe not when you’re meant to be representing the nation. Basketballer Michael Jordan is credited with the above quote and was criticised at times during his storied career for not overtly adopting political stances. You can’t say the same about Perenara. TJ Perenara. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images) I’ll have to assume the prelude he used for the team haka in Turin was directed at the two thirds of New Zealanders that polling suggests want a debate about the status of the Treaty of Waitangi. After all, despite being the people Perenara was eyeballing on Sunday morning (AEDT), I’m not sure the Italian rugby team has too many treaty obligations towards Maori. I wasn’t going to mention any of this in the wake of the final Test of the All Blacks’ season, given I don’t put too much stock in the pronouncements of public figures. It’s just that both All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson and assistant Jason Ryan have identified a poor mindset and preparation as reasons why the team played beneath themselves against Italy. That can happen when advocating for Maori sovereignty, as Perenara did personally and the team by association, becomes a priority. My other reservation in raising any of this, is a dislike of politics and politicians. But, unfortunately, Perenara made the haka and the All Blacks political when he both chose to adapt it and then explain his reasons for doing so after the match. I’m not sure that helped the All Blacks on Sunday or, more broadly, New Zealand. Reaction to Perenara blurring the line between politics and sport has been for some to throw their arms around the halfback in support and others to declare they’ll never watch the All Blacks again. The haka was already a hot topic here, after MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke led one in Parliament. Equally, that haka and the bill she tore up in disgust, has also become a meme, not least among Manchester United fans who, in the wake of Tottenham’s 4-0 win in the weekend, want Manchester City to tear up the contract they gave to manager Pep Guardiola. In a New Zealand context – no matter how hollow the threats might turn out to be – we don’t want people turning their backs on our national team because of a haka or a flag. Perenara no doubt feels he had right on his side. By the looks of things, he also had the bulk of the team. If you stand on that kind of soapbox before a match, it’s incumbent upon you to then play well. The fact the All Blacks didn’t do that – and offended some fans in the process – sours what was becoming a tolerable season for the team. The All Blacks pose with the Tino Rangatiratanga flag after the test match against Italy in Turin. Is this appropriate? Tell me why/why not in the comments. #ITAvNZL pic.twitter.com/ccqPwG7Mcq They were bad at home against England, then worse against Argentina. They kind of choked against South Africa, then played like headless chooks in their first encounter with Australia. But the bulk of the footy since has been more in keeping with what we’re entitled to expect from the All Blacks side. I say this a bit, but every other team in this country makes do with less so that the All Blacks can have more. The game at community level runs on the smell of an oily rag so that no expense is spared on the All Blacks. Professional teams contract players they can only use sparingly to ensure those players are right for international duty. We all accept the challenges or consequences associated with that because we believe in the greater good. Such is our pride in the men in black and our desire to see them dominate the world stage that we put up with any inconvenience. Unfortunately, there are those who believe the All Blacks thumbed their nose at many in the rugby public on Sunday. That the team decided their vision of a right and just New Zealand had to be given voice, regardless who was insulted in the process. Perenara is a leader. I first dealt with him when he was 16 and those qualities shone through even then. Years later, we discussed how his greatest impact upon this country might come after his playing days had ended. “toitū te tiriti o waitangi” pic.twitter.com/9hVcurHKfs I still believe that to be the case. Sunday, sadly, was premature. Perenara was still an All Black and still representing all of New Zealand, rather than just those with whom he’s philosophically aligned. He’ll have plenty of time to do all that. This just wasn’t the moment.
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LOS ANGELES (AP) — Londynn Jones scored 15 points, making all five of her 3-pointers, and fifth-ranked UCLA stunned No. 1 South Carolina 77-62 on Sunday, ending the Gamecocks’ overall 43-game winning streak and their run of 33 consecutive road victories. The Gamecocks (5-1) lost for the first time since April 2023, when Caitlin Clark and Iowa beat them in the NCAA Tournament national semifinals. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get the latest sports news delivered right to your inbox six days a week.
Buchanan scores 28 off the bench, Boise State downs South Dakota State 83-82“Barbenheimer” was a phenomenon impossible to manufacture. But, more than a year later, that hasn’t stopped people from trying to make “Glicked” — or even “Babyratu” — happen. The counterprogramming of “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” in July 2023 hit a nerve culturally and had the receipts to back it up. Unlike so many things that begin as memes, it transcended its online beginnings. Instead of an either-or, the two movies ultimately complemented and boosted one another at the box office. This combination of images shows promotional art for "Gladiator II," left, and "Wicked." And ever since, moviegoers, marketers and meme makers have been trying to recreate that moment, searching the movie release schedule for odd mashups and sending candidates off into the social media void. Most attempts have fizzled (sorry, “Saw Patrol” ). This weekend is perhaps the closest approximation yet as the Broadway musical adaptation “Wicked” opens Friday against the chest-thumping sword-and-sandals epic “Gladiator II.” Two big studio releases (Universal and Paramount), with one-name titles, opposite tones and aesthetics and big blockbuster energy — it was already halfway there before the name game began: “Wickiator,” “Wadiator,” “Gladwick” and even the eyebrow raising “Gladicked” have all been suggested. “'Glicked' rolls off the tongue a little bit more,” actor Fred Hechinger said at the New York screening of “Gladiator II” this week. “I think we should all band around ‘Glicked.’ It gets too confusing if you have four or five different names for it.” As with “Barbenheimer," as reductive as it might seem, “Glicked” also has the male/female divide that make the fan art extra silly. One is pink and bright and awash in sparkles, tulle, Broadway bangers and brand tie-ins; The other is all sweat and sand, blood and bulging muscles. Both films topped Fandango’s most anticipated holiday movie survey, where 65% of respondents said that they were interested in the “Glicked” double feature. Theaters big and small are also pulling out the stops with movie-themed tie-ins. B&B Theaters will have Roman guards tearing tickets at some locations and Maximus popcorn tubs. Marcus Theaters is doing Oz photo ops and friendship bracelet-making. Alamo Drafthouse is leaning into the singalong aspect (beware, though, not all theaters are embracing this) and the punny drinks like “Defying Gravi-Tea.” This image released by Universal Pictures shows Cynthia Erivo, left, and Ariana Grande in a scene from the film "Wicked." “Rather than it being in competition, I think they’re in conversation,” “Gladiator II” star Paul Mescal said. “This industry needs a shot in the arm. Those films gave it last year. We hope to do it this year.” And the hope is that audiences will flock to theaters to be part of this moment as well. It's a sorely needed influx of could-be blockbusters into a marketplace that's still at an 11% deficit from last year and down 27.2% from 2019, according to data from Comscore. “Competition is good for the marketplace. It’s good for consumers,” said Michael O'Leary, the president and CEO of the National Association of Theatre Owners. “Having two great movies coming out at the same time is simply a multiplier effect.” “Glicked” is currently tracking for a combined North American debut in the $165 million range, with “Wicked” forecast to earn around $100 million (up from the $80 million estimates a few weeks ago) and “Gladiator II” pegged for the $65 million range. “Barbenheimer” shattered its projections last July. Going into that weekend, “Barbie” had been pegged for $90 million and “Oppenheimer” around $40 million. Ultimately, they brought in a combined $244 million in that first outing, and nearly $2.4 billion by the end of their runs. It’s possible “Glicked” will exceed expectations, too. And it has the advantage of another behemoth coming close behind: “Moana 2,” which opens just five days later on the Wednesday before the Thanksgiving holiday. “Glickedana” triple feature anyone? This image released by Paramount Pictures shows Pedro Pascal, left, and Paul Mescal in a scene from "Gladiator II." “These are 10 important days,” O'Leary said. “It’s going to show the moviegoing audience that there’s a lot of compelling stuff out there for them to see.” There are infinite caveats to the imperfect comparison to “Barbenheimer,” as well. “Wicked” is a “Part One.” Musicals carry their own baggage with moviegoers, even those based on wildly successful productions (ahem, “Cats”). “Gladiator II” got a head start and opened internationally last weekend. In fact, in the U.K. it played alongside “Paddington in Peru,” where that double was pegged “Gladdington.” “Gladiator” reviews, while positive, are a little more divided than the others. And neither directors Ridley Scott nor Jon M. Chu has the built-in box office cache that Christopher Nolan’s name alone carries at the moment. The new films also cost more than “Barbie” ($145 million) and “Oppenheimer” ($100 million). According to reports, “Gladiator II” had a $250 million price tag; “Wicked” reportedly cost $150 million to produce (and that does not include the cost of the second film, due next year). The narrative, though, has shifted away from “who will win the weekend.” Earlier this year, Chu told The Associated Press that he loves that this is a moment where “we can root for all movies all the time.” Close behind are a bevy of Christmas releases with double feature potential, but those feel a little more niche. There’s the remake of “Nosferatu,” the Nicole Kidman kink pic “Babygirl” and the Bob Dylan biopic “A Complete Unknown.” The internet can’t even seem to decide on its angle for that batch of contenders, and none exactly screams blockbuster. Sometimes the joy is just in the game, however. Some are sticking with the one-name mashup (“Babyratu”); others are suggesting that the fact that two of the movies feature real-life exes (Timothée Chalamet and Lily-Rose Depp) is enough reason for a double feature. And getting people talking is half the battle. When in doubt, or lacking a catchy name, there’s always the default: “This is my Barbenheimer.” Associated Press journalist John Carucci and Film Writer Jake Coyle contributed reporting. Last summer, Malibu's iconic blonde faced off against Cillian Murphy and the hydrogen bomb in the unforgettable "Barbenheimer" double feature. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. 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WOLF Hall has returned to BBC One, but only two episodes into its second season and it's been heavily criticised. Yet actually the BBC drama doesn't deserve the flack it's getting. Viewers have said it's "too slow" or that it's "boring" as they crave drama and excitement. Yet from the brutal execution scenes of Anne Boleyn to the chess-like power play from Cromwell around King Henry VIII, this is the reality of Tudor Britain and it certainly wasn't pretty. When Anne Boleyn's beheading aired at the beginning of episode one of the new series, viewers claimed they were 'traumatised' by the blood and gore. Yet it's a beheading so I don't know why viewers were expecting anything less than a brutal death. Boleyn's death might have come from a French swordsman who did it quickly but there was always going to be blood and it was never going to be a clean death. The reality is that despite this being a drama based off Hilary Mantle's historical fiction, the Tudor times were still a dark part of history. That means romps, sexual tension and growing romances don't really have a place here. If you're looking for soft moments, sweet glances between lovers and falling in love then look to Bridgerton or another period drama, because Wolf Hall isn't it. It's a masterclass in political power play with the stoic Mark Rylance leading the way. The man's eyebrows can say more than a whole scene of dialogue, and he's portraying the quick thinking mind of Cromwell expertly. Cromwell was ultimately the orchestra of Henry's split from Catharine of Aragon, his set up with Boleyn and then the next marriage to quiet Jane Seymour. There were no sword fights, daring duels or explosive rows, but ultimately smart moves, political alliances and engineered conversations was how Cromwell created the Tudor history we know about. As a Tudor history fan and someone who has been eagerly awaiting the second series of Wolf Hall the minute the first ended, this second season hasn't left me disappointed. In fact if anything I'm more in awe of how the drama is retelling the Hilary Mantle historical fiction and how its developing the Tudor court on screen. When I find myself craving a romance I'll look to the next season of Bridgerton or the romance in series like Sanditon or Outlander.No. 23 Alabama women beat Alabama State 83-33 at Emerald Coast Classic