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Not so fast on electric cars, says UK’s business minister

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:52:38 GMT

LONDON — Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch is hoping to persuade Cabinet colleagues to soften new rules on electric cars, as the row over Britain’s net-zero targets rumbles on.U.K. automakers could be hit with fines of up to £15,000 per car if they miss production goals on electric vehicles (EVs) next year. But Badenoch — a Conservative rising star often talked about in Westminster as a future leader of the party — has taken up the issue with fellow ministers. It comes after a concerted lobbying effort by industry figures concerned that the U.K. isn’t ready to go electric.The levy will be applied to manufacturers unless at least 22 percent of vehicles rolling out of their factories are electric by the start of 2024.The U.K. automotive industry argues, however, that the targets need to be watered down because the government has not made enough progress installing EV charge points or beefing up the electricity grid, both necessary to spur consumer demand.The chair...

Fire damages house in Chelsea

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:52:38 GMT

Emergency crews responded in Chelsea Monday night after a fire broke out in a home on Clinton Street. Firefighters were spotted still on scene after 10 p.m., where the fire left a section of the home charred. Officials said everyone, including a pet bunny, made it out of the house safely. The cause of the fire remained under investigation as of Monday night.

Frustrated after another loss, Yankees remain inactive on the trade block

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:52:38 GMT

With the Yankees fresh off another loss and the trade deadline less than 24 hours away, the word “f—k” boomed beyond the parts of the team’s clubhouse that are visible to reporters.The face behind the voice couldn’t be seen, but the swear underscored the frustrations the Yankees have been feeling. Monday’s series-opener against the Rays, a 5-1 defeat, dropped the team to 55-51 and 3.5 games out of the third Wild Card spot.“It’s a broken record: we gotta be better,” Aaron Boone said after his team recorded three hits and struck out 12 times. “Gotta be better. It doesn’t get any easier. We’ve dug ourselves a hole, and if we don’t play at a high level, we gotta get there. We’re working our asses off to do it, and that’s all we can keep doing.”While the Yankees have been shoveling, other teams have been upgrading. That includes two division rivals in possession of Wild Card positions, the Ray...

Chicago Cubs acquire third baseman Jeimer Candelario from Washington Nationals for two prospects, trade Nelson Velázquez

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:52:38 GMT

The Cubs have made their first trade deadline moves.The organization acquired infielder Jeimer Candelario and a cash consideration from the Washington Nationals two prospects, left-hander DJ Herz and infielder Kevin Made, before Monday’s game.The switch-hitting Candelario gives the Cubs much-needed power as the best rental bat available on the trade market. In 99 games with the Nationals this year, Candelario, who is a free agent after the season, has hit 30 doubles and 16 home runs with a 128 OPS+.Although Candelario has predominately played third base during his eight big-league seasons, he’s also started 60 games at first base, most recently for the Tigers in 2020. His defensive flexibility at the corner infield spots can help the Cubs’ two weakest offensive positions.The Cubs have especially struggled with quality production at first base. Five players have been used there this year, combining for minus-2.7 Wins Above Replacement with Trey Mancini owning a team...

Orioles bullpen holds on behind Kyle Gibson’s quality start for 4-2 win over Blue Jays in final game before trade deadline

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:52:38 GMT

Much like with the approaching trade deadline, the Orioles had numerous options to upgrade their rotation this offseason. Monday’s series opener at the Rogers Centre pitted one of the two they ended up with against one of the many they missed out on.Working into the seventh inning for his third straight quality start, Baltimore’s Kyle Gibson outpitched Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Chris Bassitt as the Orioles won, 4-2, in their final game before Tuesday’s 6 p.m. trade deadline. Over three straight outings on the road against playoff contenders, Gibson has posted a 3.00 ERA with 18 strikeouts against three walks.Almost eight months after signing Gibson to a one-year, $10 million contract, the Orioles are still looking to improve their starting rotation, and as was the case this offseason, they’ve seen numerous possibilities pass them by. Bassitt was among this winter’s available starting pitchers, inking a three-year, $63 million contract with Toronto....

City Council approves shifting control of ambulance services to San Diego Fire-Rescue

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:52:38 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- San Diego City Council voted unanimously to amend its contract with ambulance service provider Falck during Monday's city council meeting.San Diego Fire-Rescue will take control of handling the ambulance services under these changes.Chief Colin Stowell said during the meeting this "will be much more sustainable and an improved system for our city."The changes allow the city more flexibility and control over ambulance services within San Diego, and transition to an alliance model.This comes after Falck had come under fire for long response times, short staffing and failing to meet the minimum standards based on their contract with the city. In November, the city gave Falck until January to turn it around or face changes with their contract with the city.Falck was the city's exclusive ambulance provider, but was subcontracting work with Ambulance Medical Response (AMR) to help fill staffing gaps. Under the amendment passed Monday, the city will contract with AMR directly,...

Driver who hit 6 migrant workers in North Carolina Walmart parking lot turns himself in to police

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:52:38 GMT

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A North Carolina man who drove his car into a group of migrant workers in a Walmart parking lot, injuring six men, turned himself in to police Monday night.Daniel Gonzalez, 68, of Hickory, surrendered at the Lincolnton Police Department with several relatives by his side, the department said in statement. His family members told detectives that Gonzalez had hit the gas pedal accidentally while trying to park his car and left the scene in a panic.Gonzalez had rammed his SUV into a group of 20-30 migrant workers who were waiting Sunday morning to board a shuttle bus that travels to and from a nearby farm. An original statement from the police department earlier Monday said detectives believed the assault was intentional. Maj. Brian Greene, interim chief of the Lincolnton Police Department, said the driver’s motives are still under investigation, and that police are considering the new evidence.Officers recovered the black sport utility vehicle involved in th...

Trump’s campaign finances are strained as legal peril mounts

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:52:38 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump’s political operation entered the second half of the year in a strained financial position with its bank account drained by tens of millions of dollars that were directed toward defending the former president from mounting legal challenges as he seeks the White House again.Trump took in over $53 million since the start of 2023, records show, a period in which his two criminal indictments in Florida and New York were turned into a rallying cry that made his fundraising soar. The Republican presidential front-runner burned through at least $42.8 million this year, however, much of it used to cover costs related to the mounting legal peril faced by Trump, his aides and other allies, leaving him with $31.8 million cash on hand.New campaign finance disclosures made public ahead of Monday night’s filing deadline showed Trump’s network of political committees spent roughly $25 million on legal fees. But according to a person familiar with the situ...

Stock market today: Asian benchmarks boosted by Wall Street’s latest winning month

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:52:38 GMT

TOKYO (AP) — Asian shares mostly rose Tuesday, boosted by market optimism set off by a Wall Street rally despite lingering worries about inflation and regional growth. Investors were also watching for the policy decision by the Reserve Bank of Australia. Some forecasters are expecting a hike, but analysts at ING Economics said that wasn’t likely. “With the RBA keen not to overdo the tightening, it seems unnecessary to hike today when in all likelihood the macro signals for hiking will look much stronger at the September meeting,” said Robert Carnell, Asia-Pacific regional head of research. Japan’s Nikkei 225 surged 0.7% in morning trading to 33,418.53. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 gained nearly 0.4% to 7,436.70. South Korea’s Kospi jumped 1.3% to 2,667.03. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng was little changed, edging down less than 0.1% to 20,068.66, while the Shanghai Composite shed 0.1% to 3,286.34. Wall Street closed out its latest winning month, with the S&P ...

Australia welcomes lifting of UNESCO threat to list Great Barrier Reef as World Heritage in danger

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:52:38 GMT

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — The Australian government on Tuesday welcomed a draft UNESCO decision to a lift a threat of downgrading the Great Barrier Reef to an endangered World Heritage site.The U.N. cultural agency and the International Union for Conservation of Nature recommended in November of last year that the world’s largest coral reef system be added to the List of World Heritage in Danger due to threats including rising ocean temperatures.But UNESCO issued an updated a report in Paris on Monday that said it would be appropriate to re-evaluate whether the famed tourist attraction off Australia’s northeast coast fitted the World Heritage in-danger criteria.The report recommended Australia submit a progress report to the World Heritage Committee by February on its commitments to make environmental improvements.The World Heritage Committee will consider the draft recommendation in September.Prime Minister Anthony Albanese took the draft UNESCO decision as a vote of confidence in...