Author: admin@primenews

A new draft of the centerpiece agreement at the COP28 climate summit in Dubai makes an unprecedented mention of transitioning away from fossil fuels, in what some experts are welcoming as the beginning of the end of the fossil fuel era. But it does not call for the world to “phase out” coal, oil and gas — as more than 100 countries had hoped — and includes “loopholes” that would allow for their continued use, even beyond 2050. The draft, which could continue to be debated, calls on countries to “contribute” collectively to global efforts to reduce climate pollution in a way that…

Amazon, Target and Walmart have voluntarily stopped selling water beads marketed for children after government officials, lawmakers and public health professionals called for a ban on the toys. Water beads are tiny balls made out of extremely absorbent polymer material. When exposed to liquid, they can expand to 100 times their initial size and weight, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Because they can grow inside the body once ingested, these toys pose immense health risks to young children, say experts. And, because they’re mostly made up of water, typical X-rays often do not pick them up. In a…

Imagine if the Beatles broke up at the height of their fame to join the army. That’s what the members of BTS, the world’s biggest pop band, are doing right now. On Tuesday, lead vocalist Jung Kook joined the rest of his K-pop band members and enlisted for military service – a requirement of all able-bodied South Korean men aged 18-28. Just four weeks ago, he was riding the high of his crossover solo career in New York. He blew the socks off Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon with a scintillating Michael Jackson-esque song and dance. The following night he…

Argentina’s new government says it will weaken the value of its currency by more than 50% against the US dollar. It is part of the “economic shock therapy” that President Javier Milei says the country needs to fix its worst crisis in decades. Economy Minister Luis Caputo also announced deep cuts to public spending. They include a reduction in fuel and transport subsidies and the freezing spending on some major government contracts and advertising. Mr Caputo said he had inherited the worst economic legacy in Argentina’s history and he was taking steps to avoid hyperinflation. “We are going to be…

Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja has been warned against showing an on-field message in support of Palestinians at a Test match against Pakistan. The batter had planned to wear shoes bearing the words “all lives are equal” and “freedom is a human right”. Australia’s cricket authority has said Khawaja must abide by international rules prohibiting “personal messages”. Captain Pat Cummins has expressed support for his teammate but said he would now not wear the shoes. Khawaja was spotted sporting the shoes earlier this week while training for the upcoming Test in Perth and has previously shared social media posts expressing support…

Dove soap and Hellmann’s mayonnaise maker Unilever is being investigated over its environmental claims, amid concerns shoppers are being misled. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) says Unilever may be overstating how “green” certain products are. Unilever makes household names such as Cif, Dove and the deodorant brand Lynx. The consumer giant said it was “surprised and disappointed” with the announcement and refuted its claims were “in any way misleading”. But the CMA said certain statements and language used by Unilever on some of its products “appear vague and broad” and “may mislead shoppers”. The watchdog also said some product…

Tata’s Port Talbot plant may have to “give up” on making new steel, according to the firm behind a green steel plant. A boss at H2 Green Steel in Sweden said the UK lacked the conditions for a switch to hydrogen-powered furnaces and should focus on recycled steel instead. Kajsa Ryttberg-Wallgren warned the UK steel industry risked a “slow death” if not. A Tata spokesman said it was committed to greener steelmaking in the UK. An announcement has been expected for some time on the Port Talbot plant’s decarbonisation plans. Unions previously said Tata intended to close both blast furnaces…

Serbia’s president, Aleksandar Vucic, may not be standing in Sunday’s parliamentary elections himself. But his image and name are front and centre of his party’s campaign. His ostensibly pro-EU but ideologically elusive Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) have enjoyed a series of victories since they first took office in 2012. While he is no longer officially the party’s leader, President Vucic has been the dominant figure in Serbian politics for the past decade. And the election campaign reflects that. “All of the [opposition parties], the only programme that they have to offer is: ‘Aleksandar Vucic is bad, he’s a tyrant, he’s…

US President Joe Biden has said Israel is starting to lose global support over its “indiscriminate bombing” of Gaza. His comments, made to donors at a fundraising event on Tuesday, marked his strongest criticism yet of Israel’s leadership. Mr Biden has offered unwavering public support to the country since Hamas launched its attacks on 7 October. And while he reiterated that Israel could count on US backing, he issued a direct warning to its government. “Israel’s security can rest on the United States, but right now it has more than the United States. It has the European Union, it has…

Andre Braugher, the star of Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Homicide: Life on the Street, Men of a Certain Age and Glory has died at the age of 61. The American actor’s death was confirmed by his agents, who said that it came after a brief illness. Braugher often portrayed a police officer during his career, performing both in dramatic and comedic roles. Born in Chicago, he graduated from Stanford University before attending The Juilliard School for drama. Braugher played a Union soldier who joins an all African American regiment in the 1989 film Glory – a film which won a best supporting…