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Biden, Colombia’s Petro to meet amid deep policy differences

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:52:37 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is set to host Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Thursday for talks at the White House amid deep differences on U.S. drug policy and Venezuela but a shared desire to deepen cooperation on climate change, migration and energy policy. Petro has sharply criticized U.S.-led efforts to prohibit cocaine, saying at a speech at the United Nations last year that oil consumption promoted by “global powers” is more deadly than cocaine and that the “war on drugs has failed.”As cocaine production in Colombia continues to rise, Petro’s government has been reluctant to eradicate coca fields planted by small farmers. The Colombian president says that he prefers to chase money launderers and large-scale drug traffickers instead of stripping small farmers in isolated areas of their livelihood. This new approach has been criticized by U.S. officials who long have advocated for the eradication of coca fields in Colombia as part of the effort to undermine d...

Bank regulator action on climate change “overdue and now urgent”: audit

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:52:37 GMT

OTTAWA — Canada’s environment commissioner says action by the federal banking regulator on climate change is overdue and now urgent.Commissioner Jerry DeMarco says in an audit released Thursday that it’s encouraging that the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OFSI) both recognizes the risks of climate change to banks and the financial system, and is taking action on the challenge.But he notes that since climate change has only recently become a priority of the regulator, full implementation of the strategy is still years away.DeMarco also says that OFSI’s plan to improve the resilience to climate change of banks and other financial institutions stops short of actually encouraging the transition to a net-zero emissions economy.Among the auditor’s recommendations are that OFSI set clearer guidance about the information banks need to report in their transition plans as a way to avoid greenwashing.The agency agreed with all five of the audito...

Registration closes for Paris Olympics ticket lottery draw

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:52:37 GMT

PARIS (AP) — Online registration for a lottery draw where winners can buy tickets for next year’s Olympic Games in Paris closed on Thursday.Entries for the draw ended at 6 p.m. local time (1600 GMT), and applicants must now wait until early next month to find out if they were successful.After a first phase of ticket sales featuring packages ended March 15, registration for a lottery draw for single tickets began that day.On Thursday, Paris 2024 organizers tweeted a final message at around 3 p.m. to encourage any last-gasp applicants to sign up.They wrote “ cross the line before 18H ” along with a photo of multiple Olympic gold medalist Allyson Felix of the United States crossing the line victoriously at the 2016 Rio Games.Figures on the number of applications, where they were from and other statistics, were not made available Thursday. Details were expected to be provided on Friday.Those successful in the lottery will each receive an allocated time slot for when they can purch...

Roberts asked to testify on court ethics amid Thomas reports

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:52:37 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate Judiciary chairman has invited Chief Justice John Roberts to testify next month on ethical standards at the court, a hearing that would undoubtedly focus on business transactions and travel involving Justice Clarence Thomas.Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., said there has been a “steady stream of revelations” regarding Supreme Court justices “falling short of ethical standards expected of other federal judges.” “The time has come for a new public conversation on ways to restore confidence in the Court’s ethical standards. I invite you to join it, and I look forward to your response,” Durbin wrote in a letter Thursday to the chief justice.Court officials did not immediately reply to a request for comment.In recent weeks, news reports have focused on the purchase by a conservative donor of three properties belonging to Thomas and his family in a transaction worth more than $100,000 that Thomas never reported, according to the nonprofit investigative...

Beach birth: Hawaii blocks some Waikiki sands for seal pup

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:52:37 GMT

HONOLULU (AP) — The birth of an endangered seal at Hawaii’s most popular tourism hubs is highlighting the tension between protecting the islands’ fragile ecosystems and maintaining access to the pristine white sand beaches that attract millions of visitors each year.Hawaii officials this week fenced off a large stretch of a popular Waikiki neighborhood to protect the Hawaiian monk seal, named Kaiwi, and her days-old pup. They are expected to hold a news conference Thursday to remind tourists and local beachgoers of the need to stay far away from the pair. Kaimana Beach is next to a mid-sized hotel and is a favorite swimming and sunbathing spot for locals and visitors. Starting six years ago, Monk seals have occasionally given birth there, setting the stage for conflict between seal mothers and beachgoers.Authorities are taking extra care this spring after a California tourist got too close to a mother-pup pair last year, and was pulled underwater by the mother, leaving cuts on...

Russian foreign minister visits Cuba, condemns US sanctions

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:52:37 GMT

HAVANA (AP) — Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Thursday condemned U.S. sanctions against Cuba as he visited the island during the last leg of a Latin American tour that took him to Brazil, Nicaragua and Venezuela.Lavrov met with his Cuban counterpart Bruno Rodríguez, kicking off the visit by taking part in a wreath-laying ceremony at a memorial in Havana for Cuban independence hero José Martí.During his visit to the island nation, which for decades was a staunch Moscow ally, Lavrov condemned the American economic sanctions on Cuba, and blasted the U.S. for seeking to impose “its will on the world,” according to a dispatch on the state media outlet Cubadebate.Rodríguez, for his part, rejected what he called the “expansionist aspirations” of NATO and the sanctions imposed on Russia. Lavrov was expected to meet later today with recently reelected President Miguel Díaz-Canel. Cuba has had an extensive relationship with Moscow since the 1960s, when it joined the bloc of so...

Tennessee gun-control push at crossroads as proposal stalls

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:52:37 GMT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Chances are shrinking fast for a key gun-control proposal to make it out of the Tennessee Legislature in the wake of a deadly school shooting, as GOP lawmakers are pushing back against the Republican governor’s proposal to keep firearms away from people who could harm themselves or others faces.Tennessee has become a flashpoint in the nation’s heated debate over gun rights. Two young Black Democratic lawmakers were expelled from the state House for a protest over gun control. The pair has since been reinstated. Pressure to pass gun safety measures has also come from students, parents, politicians and others after last month’s shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville, which killed three children and three adults.“Tennesseans are asking us to set aside politics and personal pride,” Gov. Bill Lee said in a video Wednesday.As of Thursday, the path ahead was unclear.Facing scrutiny over the expulsions and public demands for gun control, Republican lawmak...

UK prime minister weighs deputy’s fate after ‘bully’ probe

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:52:37 GMT

LONDON (AP) — U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Thursday reviewed the findings of a long-awaited investigation into allegations his top deputy bullied government employees, but didn’t make a decision on his fate.An independent employment lawyer issued the report after investigating eight formal complaints that Justice Secretary Dominic Raab had been abusive toward staff during a previous stint in that office and while serving as foreign secretary and Brexit secretary.Raab, who is also deputy prime minister, has denied claims he was overly demanding and belittled and demeaned his staff. He said he “behaved professionally at all times,” but would resign if the bullying complaints were upheld.Sunak’s spokesperson, Max Blain, said the prime minister received the report Thursday morning and was considering the findings to determine if Raab had violated the ministerial code and whether any action — up to dismissal — should be taken. The code of conduct requires ministers to treat p...

CPD Interim Supt. Eric Carter to retire on May 15; same day as Mayor-elect Johnson's swearing-in

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:52:37 GMT

CHICAGO — Chicago police interim Supt. Eric Carter will leave the department on May 15, the same day Brandon Johnson will be sworn in as the city's next mayor.In an email sent to officers, Carter said that he declared his intention to leave the department in late 2022, and reiterated that desire to Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Mayor-elect Johnson. SEE ALSO: Eric Carter selected as CPD’s interim superintendent"Believe me when I say this decision was not an easy one," Carter wrote. "For nearly four decades, I have lived a life of service and sacrifice to our country and to this great city; and I wouldn’t trade these years for anything."A portion of Carter’s message to the Chicago Police Department… pic.twitter.com/7KS92KK7JQ— Ben Bradley (@BenBradleyTV) April 20, 2023Carter, a 30-year veteran of the department, has served as second-in-command of CPD since July 2020.“To the residents of Chicago, law enforcement agencies, clergy, community leaders, and the many organizations w...

FBI looking for additional victims in Chicago man's child porn case; Snapchat names released

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:52:37 GMT

CHICAGO — The FBI's Chicago office is seeking additional victims following a man's indictment for producing child pornography.The FBI alleges Michael Ramos, 46, of Chicago, allegedly used Snapchat to entice minors to produce sexually explicit videos and images.Ramos was charged Thursday with four counts of production of child pornography and one count of possession of an electronic device containing child pornography. Lombard man charged with possession of child pornography Authorities allege Ramos used the following Snapchat user names.michaelramos197myislandmylovedamikeydamikey77lizziedu49young-goddess1tony2toothjhonnybrealfukuall007damikey007crystal_ebkl05tsoulAnyone who thinks they may be a victim can contact the FBI or email [email protected].