As per the information received from the Ministry of Power, 271 EV public charging stations are installed in Chhattisgarh. Published: December 21, 2024 12:37 AM IST By Edited by As many as 25,202 public charging stations for electric vehicles (EVs) have been installed in the country to date, the government said on Friday. Karnataka leads with 5,765 EV public charging stations, followed by Maharashtra at 3,728 and Uttar Pradesh at 1,989, Minister of State for Heavy Industries and Steel, Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma, told the Rajya Sabha in a written reply. As per the information received from the Ministry of Power, 271 EV public charging stations are installed in Chhattisgarh. The Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) has been promoting the adoption of EVs in India. On September 29, 2024, the ministry notified the PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) scheme to accelerate EV adoption, establish charging infrastructure and foster the development of the EV manufacturing ecosystem in the country. The scheme has a budget of Rs 10,900 crore for a two-year period. Of the total allocated budget, Rs 2,000 crore has been kept for the installation of EV public charging stations (EVPCS). The Ministry of Power also issued “Guidelines for Installation and Operation of Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure-2024” on September 17, outlining standards and protocols to create connected & interoperable EV charging infrastructure networks in the country. Charging infrastructure requirements depend upon the composition of electric vehicles, running patterns, terrain & geography, urbanisation patterns, the technology of EVs and the technology of charging equipment. “Since all these factors are still evolving, there is no global consensus on the number of charging points required for a certain number of EVs,” the minister said. As per the Vahan portal of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the total registered electric two-wheelers in the country now stands at 28,55,015, with electric four-wheelers at 2,57,169 (as on December 4). Meanwhile, the EV charging market in the country is projected to reach $3.7 billion by 2030, led by increasing adoption. Battery swapping, particularly for two- and three-wheelers, is emerging as a popular solution in India, with major auto companies investing in battery-swapping technologies to make EVs more affordable and accessible. For breaking news and live news updates, like us on or follow us on and . Read more on Latest on . TopicsTrump’s lawyers rebuff DA’s idea for upholding his hush money conviction, calling it ‘absurd’

“Finest Cultural Gifts From China” Cultural And Tourism Trade Promotion Activity (Special Session For Leisure Journey) Held In Sanya, Hainan'Tis the (deals) season! Walmart is kicking Black Friday off early with up to 70% off , which means, if you're a parent (or know and love a tiny human) it's the perfect time to grab toys and games for the holiday season. From the latest video games to must-have toys from Lego and Little Tikes, check out a few of the goodies you can grab on sale now! 1. A Harry Potter LEGO set for the Potterheads who want to live out their Hogwarts dream, but their letter seems to have gotten lost in the mail. Promising review: "This set was AWESOME... We are Harry Potter fans here in our house. The kids loved putting it together and playing with a little bit. It's going on the shelf as one of our collections soon. As always, Walmart had the best price, over $20 [at the regular non-sale price]. Thanks Walmart. We appreciate that." — Wendell Price: $45 (originally $79.99) 2. A 25-piece three-story farmhouse-style dollhouse complete with chic furniture and a cute bunny character. Suitable for ages 3+, they can even change the bunny's clothes and play with the house open or closed. Promising review: "I was very pleased and the four year old recipient was very excited. I liked the carrying case design, and was helpful with the many pieces." — Vondia Price: $25 (originally $49.97) 3. Flybar's bumper car ride in a sweet pink Minnie Mouse design. It has dual joyride steering, an adjustable safety belt, and a maximum speed of 1MPH for the ultimate safety-conscious ride. The whole design is so cool, but my favorite part? The snazzy flashing lights above the wheels. Promising review: "Bought this bumper car as a birthday present for my daughter, she just turned 4 and she loves the thing. It's great quality. The lights are really cool and bright; you can't turn off the lights, but they stay on if the car is on. But it's the perfect indoor toy not too loud either. The bumper guard is great and doesn't damage any furniture. Highly recommend so glad I bought this on sale. The pink is a Barbie pink and the Minnie Mouse theme makes it so much better. Recommend for sure." — LakerFanatic Price: $69 (originally $99) 4. Jenga , the stackable game that's fun for all the family. The most suspenseful five seconds in life HAS to be when you're removing a block and the tower starts to wobble. Promising review: "This game is a classic. This particular set was smooth and fun. My two year old has found the fun of this game. Although it says 6, this is a game that doesn't divide the readers and nonreaders. Or the mathematical and not. My older son is always wondering how my two year old avoids knocking over the tower. It helps them learn patience. But my favorite is to watch the reactions that follow the tower collapse." — Disco13 Price: $9.97 (originally $15.99) 5. A remote-controlled fast toy car to give them a taste of F1 without *actually* competing. This car is suitable for all terrains and is water resistant. Promising review: "Got it as a gift for hubs, and he loved it!!! the RC CAR is super fast, quality isn't bad! i highly recommend it. Love how it has a spare battery! super fun to play with." — Tashia Price: $79.99 (originally $104) 6. A double basketball goal game that's pretty similar to those you find in the arcade but never seem to get the chance to play on because EVERYONE wants to play on them. Promising review: "We love it because it became fun for the whole family. It's durable and it lasts! I love the fact that it comes with 6 inflatable basketballs!" — Edrica Price: $36.99 (originally $159.99) 7. Super Mario: Odyssey for Nintendo Switch — the game involves exploring colorful 3D kingdoms and mastering new moves such as cap throw, cap jump, and capture. Promising review : "This particular purchase was a Christmas gift for my niece who is 20-some years younger than myself. I have also played this game as I have my own Switch. I have played Nintendo games for many years. My niece and her husband enjoyed this game, just as I did. You really cannot go wrong with a Nintendo title. This game is a must." — Kimber Price: $30 (originally $59.99) 8. And for the super Super Mario fans, a wireless controller for Nintendo Switch designed with a stunning themed graphic. Price: $35 (originally $59) 9. A Little Tikes pretend refrigerator to teach them the art of having a wonderfully organized fridge. This one even comes with an ice dispenser! Promising review: "I bought it for my granddaughter's 1st bday and both my grandkids love it! Mom said they begin their morning playing with!!" — Jamie Price: $25 (originally $50.99) 10. Marvel's Spider-Man 2 for PlayStation 5 that will immerse themselves in the wonderful world of Peter Parker. Available as a single-player game, players have the option to switch between several characters during gameplay. Promising review: "My first Spider-Man game in the Sony eco, it doesn't disappoint in the least bit. It is a rollercoaster. The action is fluid and heavy with cinematic elements during combat that really delivers. This is one if not the best 3rd person action game for PS5 in my opinion. 10/10." — D Price: $30 (originally $69.99) 11. UNO Flip! , the fan-fave card game with a fun little twist. Play the flip card and allllll the double-sided cards will have to be turned over. Oooh, the drama! Promising review: "I was introduced to the game by my granddaughter. We played the game several times and it was great and fun every time. We liked it so much, we bought our own." — Larry Price: $5.99 (originally $18.50) 12. A wireless gaming headset that is compatible with many different gaming devices like PS5, PS4, Xbox, and desktop. Promising review: "We ordered 2 of these, a headset for our son to play Fortnite so he can stay connected with his friends and a set for Mom to use on work conference calls. They work great for both! I like the headset because they block out background noise effectively so I can hear my conference call and block out my son's energetic Fortnite talk!" — Mr Price: $20 (originally $39.95; available in eight colors) 13. The multi-award-winning Catan , a strategy board game that involves harvesting and trading resources. It's suitable for ages 10+ and can be played with 3-4 people. Promising review: "I wasn't sure about this game at first, but after having tried it with with my family, I enjoyed it so much, we ended up buying it as gifts for everyone else we could think of who would enjoy it and had the people to play with. This is a great game for anyone who likes strategic games or just a fun time to be had with friends or family. =)" — SunnyDodds Price: $25 (originally $49) 14. EA Sports College Football 25 for the sports lovers who have an Xbox Series X. The fast-paced game is the perfect way to bring the football field home this winter. Promising review: "My husband has been waiting for this to be released for YEARS, and he counted down the days to the release date (only for it to be delivered late). He claims it was well worth the wait. He said the graphics are amazing and look very life-like. He says it's way better than his Madden games, and he loves how up-to-date team rosters are. This was a definite “win”!" — Jennifer Price: $30 (originally $69.99) 15. A Hot Wheels City Mega Car Wash because who else ~loved~ a visit to the car wash as a kid? With cool color-changing features, this no-mess set is basically an extreme version of your regular car wash. Promising review: "Bought for my grandson. It's his new favorite thing." — V Price: $20 (originally $44.97) 16. A 10-in-one game table so you can switch out the game depending on your mood. From hockey to football to shuffleboard to ping pong, this table has it all. Promising review: "I love how sturdy this product is. It is a Christmas gift for my niece and nephew, they are going to be so excited when they see this, can't wait." — Char Price: $129.99+ (originally $345.99; available in two colors) 17. A Dungeons & Dragons Clue for making every D&D lover in your life supremely happy. Promising review: "Purchased for my boyfriend. Huge dungeons and dragons fan. He loved it. Definitely suggest for fans." — Cheri Price: $32 (originally $49.99) 18. Throw Throw Burrito , a dodgeball-meets-card game that's the best of both worlds. Don't worry, the burritos are super squishy so you can throw them at your great-grandpa without feeling bad. Promising review: "Wonderful game! Purchased as a family game night option and it's sooooo fun with my young kids! My 4 year old even made up his own game with the burritos and has had hours of fun. " — Ashley Price: $10 (originally $24.99) 19. A Star Wars lightsaber so they can step into their favorite franchise without even entering a galaxy far, far away. Promising review: "Disney park quality for a fraction of the cost! A great option for the at-home 'battles'." — JMM Price: $10 (originally $24.97) 20. Twister , the classic board game that'll leave the whole family practicing their best contortionist impressions holiday season. Promising review: "I've been playing this game since 1980! Now our grandchildren are playing! They love it. What a hoit when their cousins came over. I appreciate the quality mat, spinner and box to store being a nice quailty. So many games quality has gone down hill big time! Not Twister! Awesome!" — Walmart Customer Price: $10 (originally $17.97) You, watching your kiddos open all their new toys knowing you got them on sale at Walmart : Need ingredients for all your new recipes? Shop each recipe directly through the app, or check out Walmart’s grocery selection to get veggies, meat, seafood, and more delivered right to your door. Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.

Football season is in full swing, and Arsenal and Chelsea fans were recently treated to an exhilarating watch party, courtesy of Chivas Regal, the official whisky sponsor of Arsenal FC. The event was charged with excitement, from the thrill of the first goal to the final whistle—an unforgettable way to kickstart the week for everyone in attendance. Creating a signature experience for fans across Nigeria, the watch parties were hosted in Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Abuja. The highly anticipated clash between Arsenal and Chelsea sparked even more excitement, especially since Arsenal had claimed a sweeping 5-0 victory in their last encounter. Fans couldn’t help but wonder: who would emerge victorious this time? The match kept viewers on the edge of their seats. Arsenal took the lead with the first goal by Martinelli at the 60-minute mark, but Chelsea’s Pedro Neto soon leveled the playing field with an equalizing shot. Despite strong contributions from both teams, the game ended in a 1-1 tie, leaving Chelsea and Arsenal trailing Liverpool and Manchester City in the league standings. The halftime break kept spirits high with engaging activities, including football trivia and ball toss games that rewarded participants with exclusive Chivas-branded merchandise. The event featured notable personalities such as media host Ehiz Dada Boy, actor Efa Iwara, sports enthusiast Pooja, and influencer Excel Joab, creating an evening of lively camaraderie. Chivas promises even more surprises as the season unfolds, leaving fans eager for the next watch party’s exciting moments.

Snow plow crews to be dispatched early Tuesday night in Columbia for Wednesday snowBonnie Chapman revealed the secret behind her 60-pound weight loss. The 25-year-old daughter of the Duane “Dog the Bounty Hunter” Chapman got candid about shedding weight with the help of Tirezepatide , an injectable medication, during an interview with E! News published Sunday. “I’ve been trying to lose weight since I was probably 18 years old,” she said. “And it was just very frustrating to constantly be trying, constantly be putting in the work.” Bonnie explained that she’s been on different diets, including the Mediterranean and Paleo, but nothing has worked for her. “I needed something that would show me results,” she added, sharing she was first prescribed Ozempic but it made her nauseous. The former TV personality reflected on starting Tirezepatide last December, saying she lost 10 pounds within two weeks. “At first, I didn’t really notice the changes,” Bonnie said. “I’m stepping on a scale and I’m seeing the numbers go down, but I’m looking at myself and I’m like, ‘Where do I see it?’ “And then I would be told, like, ‘You used to have a little bit more of something at the top of your stomach, and it’s flattened out.'” The Hawaii native reflected on going from 196 pounds to her goal weight of 130 pounds, saying, “I’m not going to lie, I cried a couple times because I was like, wow, this is what I wanted my entire life.” Bonnie said the weight-loss drug has helped curb her appetite and allowed her to build better eating habits. “Once I started to see that I was getting full a lot less quickly, I was able to actually eat half a portion of my meal,” she said. “Even if I go a week or two without taking it, I’m able to eat less portions.” The social media influencer — who is now 126 pounds — said she tries to limit eating sushi and sweets to only a few times a month to avoid gaining weight. She also learned how to control her emotional eating habits after her mom, Beth Chapman, passed away from throat cancer in 2019 and her Virginia rental property burned down in April 2023. Now, Bonnie enjoys homemade kale chips as a snack and usually gets full with a handful or two. “The last time I really felt good was when I was probably in high school,” she said. “And I was like, if I can get to this weight, then I’ll be happy. And I was ecstatic when I reached that goal. I just felt like I was finally me again.” Earlier this month, Bonnie took to Instagram to open up about her weight loss and her diagnosis with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) as a teenager, which made her weight difficult to manage. PCOS is a hormonal condition that can cause irregular menstrual periods, acne, excess hair growth, obesity and infertility, per Cleveland Clinic . In addition to using Tirezepatide, she thanked Morph Fitness for helping her achieve her goals.

DETROIT — In the waning days of President Joe Biden’s administration, the government’s highway safety agency is proposing voluntary safety guidelines for self-driving vehicles. But a rule from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration putting the plan in place won’t be approved before the end of Biden’s term in January and likely will be left to whoever runs the agency under Republican Donald Trump. Tesla CEO Elon Musk, whom Trump has named to co-lead a “Department of Government Efficiency” to cut costs and regulations, has floated the idea of him helping to develop safety standards for self-driving vehicles — even though the standards would affect Tesla’s automated driving systems. At present there are no federal regulations that specifically govern autonomous vehicles, and any regulation is left to states. However, self-driving vehicles must meet broad federal safety standards that cover all passenger vehicles. Under the agency’s proposal, released on Friday, automakers and autonomous vehicle companies could enroll in a program that would require safety plans and some data reporting for autonomous vehicles operating on public roads. To apply companies would have to have independent assessments of their automated vehicle safety processes, and there would be requirements to report crashes and other problems with the vehicles. Companies would have to give NHTSA information and data on the safety of the design, development and operations of the vehicles. The agency would decide whether to accept companies into the program. But auto safety advocates say the plan falls short of needed regulation for self-driving vehicles. For instance, it doesn’t set specific performance standards set for the vehicles such as numbers and types of of sensors or whether the vehicles can see objects in low-visibility conditions, they said. “This is a big bunch of nothing,” said Missy Cummings, director of the autonomy and robotics center at George Mason University and a former safety adviser to NHTSA. “It’ll be more of a completely useless paperwork drill where the companies swear they’re doing the right thing.” Michael Brooks, executive director of the nonprofit Center for Auto Safety, said one of the few good things about the plan is that companies will have to report data on crashes and other problems. There have been reports that the Trump administration may want to scrap a NHTSA order that now requires autonomous vehicle companies to report crashes to the agency so it can collect data. A message was left Friday seeking comment from the Trump transition team on crash reporting requirements. Brooks said the incoming administration probably will want to put out its own version of the guidelines. NHTSA will seek public comment on the plan for about 60 days, then the plan would have to wind its way through the federal regulatory process, which can take months or even years. The agency said it believes the plan can accelerate learning about autonomous vehicles as well as work toward future regulations. “It is important that ADS (Automated Driving System) technology be deployed in a manner that protects the public from unreasonable safety risk while at the same time allowing for responsible development of this technology, which has the potential to advance safety,” the proposed rule says. The agency concedes that in the future, there may be a need for NHTSA to set minimum standards for self driving vehicle performance that are similar to mandatory safety standards that govern human-driven cars. But the agency says it now doesn’t have data and metrics to support those standards. The voluntary plan would help gather those, the proposal said.

So much so that F1 and Formula One Management could have a decision to grant the General Motors-backed entry a spot as the 11th team on the grid in the coming weeks. Dan Towriss, now the majority owner of the Andretti organization, was at the Las Vegas Grand Prix on Thursday scoping his chances of entering the top motorsports series in the world. So was the FBI, allegedly, as part of a Department of Justice investigation into why F1 denied the Andretti organization expansion into the series. F1 currently has 10 teams that field 20 cars and only one — the organization owned by California businessman Gene Haas — is an American team. Las Vegas marks the third race this season in the United States, more than any other country, as F1 has exploded in American popularity over the last five years. Even so, Andretti could not get approval from F1 to enter the series. But, the situation changed in September when Andretti scaled back his role with his namesake organization. Now with Towriss in charge, talks have amplified, even though it is not clear what the name of an Andretti-less F1 team would even be. Cadillac would do the engines — but says it won't be ready until 2028 — which means a 2026 Towriss-led F1 team would be GM branded but with a partner engine supplier. Most of the existing teams have been largely opposed to an 11th team entering F1, citing a dilution in prize money and the massive expenses they've already committed to the series. But, Andretti among others believed the teams' position was personal in that they simply didn't like Andretti, who ran 13 races in the 1993 season. His father, Mario, is the 1978 F1 world champion. The Andretti application had already been approved by the FIA, which is F1's ruling body, but later denied by F1 itself. F1 promised to revisit the issue once General Motors had an engine ready to compete. The existing 10 F1 teams have no actual vote or say in if the grid is expanded, which Mercedes boss Toto Wolff reiterated Thursday when The Associated Press asked why the sudden chance of acceptance in a potential 11th team. "We have an obligation, a statutory obligation as directors, to present the standpoint that is the best for our company and for our employees, and we've done that," Wolff said. "I think if a team can add to the championship, particularly if GM decides to come in as a team owner, that is a different story. "And as long as it is creative, that means we're growing the popularity of the sport, we're growing the revenue of the sport, then no team will be ever against it. So I'm putting my hope in there." Wolff has been eager to hear from Towriss directly on what the plans for the organization are now that Andretti has a smaller role. "No one from Andretti or Andretti Global or whatever the name will be has ever spoken to me a single sentence in presentation of what the creative part is," he said. "But they don't need to because the teams don't decide. It is the commercial rights holder, with the FIA, we have no say. If I want to be invited to a party and go to the party, I'm sitting down at the table and telling who I am and why I'm really good fun and sitting here and everybody will enjoy my presence. "That hasn't happened, but you know, that's now my personal point of view, not a professional, because there's nothing we can do, nothing we can say," Wolff continued. "And I don't know the people. I've obviously spoken to Mario. I didn't speak to his son. I didn't speak to any other people that are behind that. I don't know who they are. So I know GM, GM is great." Fred Vasseur, team principal at Ferrari, said he's not opposed to another team if it adds value to F1. "The discussion is between FIA, the team, and FOM. It's not our choice," he said. "For sure, as Toto said, that if it's good for the sport, good for the show, good for the business, and adds value on the sporting side, that we are all OK."

Oklahoma Democrats mourn Fred Harris, former US senator and presidential candidateThe Philippines VP publicly threatens to have the president assassinated

Helldivers 2 director says the new Illuminate update is for the most hardcore players: "You can’t match everyone’s needs"SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A Department of Homeland Security agent who the FBI says conspired with another agent to sell an illicit drug known as “bath salts” pleaded not guilty to a drug distribution conspiracy charge Friday in federal court. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A Department of Homeland Security agent who the FBI says conspired with another agent to sell an illicit drug known as “bath salts” pleaded not guilty to a drug distribution conspiracy charge Friday in federal court. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A Department of Homeland Security agent who the FBI says conspired with another agent to sell an illicit drug known as “bath salts” pleaded not guilty to a drug distribution conspiracy charge Friday in federal court. A grand jury in Salt Lake City brought the criminal charge against Special Agent David Cole of the Homeland Security Investigations unit earlier this week. The indictment alleges that Cole abused his position as a federal law enforcement agent to obtain and sell drugs for profit. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Cole took drugs that had been seized as evidence, telling colleagues he was using them for legitimate investigations, and instead sold them to a confidential informant who resold the drugs for profit on the streets of Utah, according to the indictment. The informant, who has a lengthy criminal history, had been recruited by federal agents to work for them upon his release from prison. But in addition to conducting controlled buys from suspected drug dealers as directed by investigators, the informant said he was compelled by Cole and another agent to also engage in illegal sales. The investigation began after the informant’s defense attorney contacted the U.S. Attorney in Utah in October to report that agents had required him to engage in potentially illegal acts dating from last spring to early December. Details of drug sales offered by the informant were confirmed through surveillance and other sources, the FBI said. Cole and the second agent — identified in court documents only as “Person A” — profited up to $300,000 from the illegal scheme, according to an FBI affidavit filed in the case. FBI spokesperson Sandra Barker said Friday that “Person A” had not been arrested or charged, but the investigation was ongoing. Cole, 50, of South Jordan, Utah, entered the courtroom Friday handcuffed and hunched over, wearing a white and gray, striped jumpsuit. U.S. Magistrate Judge Dustin Pead accepted Cole’s not guilty plea and scheduled a trial for the week of Feb. 24. Federal officials say Cole’s indictment sends a message that officers who break the law and undermine the public’s trust in law enforcement will be prosecuted. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. “A drug dealer who carries a badge is still a drug dealer — and one who has violated an oath to uphold the law and protect the public,” said Nicole Argentieri, head of the U.S. Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “No one is above the law.” Special Agent Shohini Sinha, who leads the FBI’s Salt Lake City field office, said Cole’s alleged actions helped fuel an already devastating drug crisis. Ingestion of synthetic bath salts, also known as Alpha-PVP or cathinone, can lead to bizarre behavior such as paranoia and extreme strength, according to authorities who say it’s similar to methamphetamine, cocaine or ecstasy. They are unrelated to actual bathing products. Cole’s attorney, Alexander Ramos, has declined to directly address the criminal allegations but said his client has a strong reputation within the federal law enforcement community. Ramos did not immediately respond Friday to emails seeking comment on the not guilty plea. The Homeland Security Investigations department where Cole worked conducts federal criminal investigations into the illegal movement of people, goods, money, weapons, drugs and sensitive technology into, out of and across the U.S. Cole and the second agent had their credentials suspended but have not been fired, according to court documents. Advertisement Advertisement

Trump’s lawyers rebuff DA’s idea for upholding his hush money conviction, calling it ‘absurd’

F1 closer to approving expanded grid for GM entryBy MELINA WALLING Associated Press BAKU, Azerbaijan (AP) — In the wee hours Sunday at the United Nations climate talks, countries from around the world reached an agreement on how rich countries can cough up the funds to support poor countries in the face of climate change. It’s a far-from-perfect arrangement, with many parties still deeply unsatisfied but some hopeful that the deal will be a step in the right direction. World Resources Institute president and CEO Ani Dasgupta called it “an important down payment toward a safer, more equitable future,” but added that the poorest and most vulnerable nations are “rightfully disappointed that wealthier countries didn’t put more money on the table when billions of people’s lives are at stake.” The summit was supposed to end on Friday evening but negotiations spiraled on through early Sunday. With countries on opposite ends of a massive chasm, tensions ran high as delegations tried to close the gap in expectations. Here’s how they got there: What was the finance deal agreed at climate talks? Rich countries have agreed to pool together at least $300 billion a year by 2035. It’s not near the full amount of $1.3 trillion that developing countries were asking for, and that experts said was needed. But delegations more optimistic about the agreement said this deal is headed in the right direction, with hopes that more money flows in the future. The text included a call for all parties to work together using “all public and private sources” to get closer to the $1.3 trillion per year goal by 2035. That means also pushing for international mega-banks, funded by taxpayer dollars, to help foot the bill. And it means, hopefully, that companies and private investors will follow suit on channeling cash toward climate action. The agreement is also a critical step toward helping countries on the receiving end create more ambitious targets to limit or cut emissions of heat-trapping gases that are due early next year. It’s part of the plan to keep cutting pollution with new targets every five years, which the world agreed to at the U.N. talks in Paris in 2015. The Paris agreement set the system of regular ratcheting up climate fighting ambition as away to keep warming under 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels. The world is already at 1.3 degrees Celsius (2.3 degrees Fahrenheit) and carbon emissions keep rising. What will the money be spent on? The deal decided in Baku replaces a previous agreement from 15 years ago that charged rich nations $100 billion a year to help the developing world with climate finance. The new number has similar aims: it will go toward the developing world’s long laundry list of to-dos to prepare for a warming world and keep it from getting hotter. That includes paying for the transition to clean energy and away from fossil fuels. Countries need funds to build up the infrastructure needed to deploy technologies like wind and solar power on a large scale. Communities hard-hit by extreme weather also want money to adapt and prepare for events like floods, typhoons and fires. Funds could go toward improving farming practices to make them more resilient to weather extremes, to building houses differently with storms in mind, to helping people move from the hardest-hit areas and to help leaders improve emergency plans and aid in the wake of disasters. The Philippines, for example, has been hammered by six major storms in less than a month, bringing to millions of people howling wind, massive storm surges and catastrophic damage to residences, infrastructure and farmland. “Family farmers need to be financed,” said Esther Penunia of the Asian Farmers Association. She described how many have already had to deal with millions of dollars of storm damage, some of which includes trees that won’t again bear fruit for months or years, or animals that die, wiping out a main source of income. “If you think of a rice farmer who depends on his or her one hectare farm, rice land, ducks, chickens, vegetables, and it was inundated, there was nothing to harvest,” she said. Why was it so hard to get a deal? Election results around the world that herald a change in climate leadership, a few key players with motive to stall the talks and a disorganized host country all led to a final crunch that left few happy with a flawed compromise. The ending of COP29 is “reflective of the harder geopolitical terrain the world finds itself in,” said Li Shuo of the Asia Society. He cited Trump’s recent victory in the US — with his promises to pull the country out of the Paris Agreement — as one reason why the relationship between China and the EU will be more consequential for global climate politics moving forward. Developing nations also faced some difficulties agreeing in the final hours, with one Latin American delegation member saying that their group didn’t feel properly consulted when small island states had last-minute meetings to try to break through to a deal. Negotiators from across the developing world took different tacks on the deal until they finally agreed to compromise. Meanwhile, activists ramped up the pressure: many urged negotiators to stay strong and asserted that no deal would be better than a bad deal. But ultimately the desire for a deal won out. Some also pointed to the host country as a reason for the struggle. Mohamed Adow, director of climate and energy think tank Power Shift Africa, said Friday that “this COP presidency is one of the worst in recent memory,” calling it “one of the most poorly led and chaotic COP meetings ever.” The presidency said in a statement, “Every hour of the day, we have pulled people together. Every inch of the way, we have pushed for the highest common denominator. We have faced geopolitical headwinds and made every effort to be an honest broker for all sides.” Shuo retains hope that the opportunities offered by a green economy “make inaction self-defeating” for countries around the world, regardless of their stance on the decision. But it remains to be seen whether the UN talks can deliver more ambition next year. In the meantime, “this COP process needs to recover from Baku,” Shuo said.

Student violence, bullying focus of legislative interim meetingsArt tug-of-war

Arguments over whether Luigi Mangione is a 'hero' offer glimpse into unusual American moment

Trump’s lawyers rebuff DA’s idea for upholding his hush money conviction, calling it ‘absurd’Stock market today: Wall Street slips to a rare back-to-back lossTORONTO , Dec. 20, 2024 /CNW/ - TD Asset Management Inc. ("TDAM") today announced the final annual 2024 reinvested distributions for certain TD Exchange-Traded Funds listed below (the "TD ETFs"). These annual reinvested distributions generally represent realized capital gains within the TD ETFs. Cash distributions for December 2024 will be distributed and reported separately. Unitholders of record as of December 31, 2024 will receive a notional distribution at year-end representing realized capital gains within the TD ETFs for the 2024 tax year. A notional distribution is when the units from a reinvested distribution are immediately consolidated with the units held prior to the distribution and the number of units held after the distribution is identical to the number of units held before the distribution. The actual taxable amounts of reinvested and cash distributions for 2024, including the tax characteristics of the distributions, will be reported to brokers via CDS Clearing and Depository Services within the first 60 days of 2025. Details of the per-unit reinvested distribution are as follows: Fund Name Fund Ticker Final Annual Reinvested Distribution ($) TD Balanced ETF Portfolio TBAL 0.11446 TD Target 2025 Investment Grade Bond ETF TBCE - TD Target 2026 Investment Grade Bond ETF TBCF - TD Target 2027 Investment Grade Bond ETF TBCG 0.00508 TD Canadian Bank Dividend Index ETF TBNK - TD Target 2025 U.S. Investment Grade Bond ETF TBUE.U 0.02146 TD Target 2026 U.S. Investment Grade Bond ETF TBUF.U 0.08291 TD Canadian Long Term Federal Bond ETF TCLB - TD Q Canadian Low Volatility ETF TCLV - TD Conservative ETF Portfolio TCON - TD Select Short Term Corporate Bond Ladder ETF TCSB - TD Cash Management ETF TCSH - TD Canadian Aggregate Bond Index ETF TDB - TD Global Healthcare Leaders Index ETF TDOC 0.22558 TD Global Healthcare Leaders Index ETF - USD Units TDOC.U 0.12710 TD Global Technology Leaders Index ETF TEC - TD Global Technology Leaders Index ETF - USD Units TEC.U - TD Global Technology Innovators Index ETF TECI - TD Global Technology Leaders CAD Hedged Index ETF TECX - TD Active Global Enhanced Dividend ETF TGED 1.56612 TD Active Global Enhanced Dividend ETF - USD Units TGED.U 0.81125 TD Active Global Income ETF TGFI - TD Active Global Equity Growth ETF TGGR - TD Active Global Real Estate Equity ETF TGRE - TD Growth ETF Portfolio TGRO 0.22168 TD International Equity CAD Hedged Index ETF THE 0.07475 TD U.S. Equity CAD Hedged Index ETF THU - TD Q International Equity Low Volatility ETF TILV 0.12800 TD Active Global Infrastructure Equity ETF TINF - TD International Equity Index ETF TPE - TD Active Preferred Share ETF TPRF - TD U.S. Equity Index ETF TPU 0.29623 TD U.S. Equity Index ETF - USD Units TPU.U 0.14759 TD Q Canadian Dividend ETF TQCD 0.52526 TD Q Global Dividend ETF TQGD 0.81940 TD Q U.S. Small-Mid Cap Equity ETF TQSM 0.59600 TD Canadian Equity Index ETF TTP 0.16014 TD Active U.S. Enhanced Dividend ETF TUED 2.80680 TD Active U.S. Enhanced Dividend ETF - USD Units TUED.U 1.32429 TD Active U.S. Enhanced Dividend CAD Hedged ETF TUEX 1.88954 TD Active U.S. High Yield Bond ETF TUHY - TD U.S. Long Term Treasury Bond ETF TULB - TD Q U.S. Low Volatility ETF TULV - TD Select U.S. Short Term Corporate Bond Ladder ETF TUSB - TD Select U.S. Short Term Corporate Bond Ladder ETF – USD Units TUSB.U - For more information regarding the TD ETFs, visit TDAssetManagement.com. Commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with investments in exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Please read the prospectus and ETF Facts before investing. ETFs are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. ETF units are bought and sold at market price on a stock exchange and brokerage commissions will reduce returns. TD Canadian Bank Dividend Index ETF, TD Canadian Aggregate Bond Index ETF, TD Canadian Equity Index ETF, TD U.S. Equity Index ETF, TD U.S. Equity CAD Hedged Index ETF, TD International Equity Index ETF, TD International Equity CAD Hedged Index ETF, TD Global Healthcare Leaders Index ETF, TD Global Technology Leaders Index ETF, TD Global Technology Leaders CAD Hedged Index ETF and TD Global Technology Innovators Index ETF (the "TD ETFs") are not sponsored, promoted, sold or supported in any other manner by Solactive AG nor does Solactive AG offer any express or implicit guarantee or assurance either with regard to the results of using the Indices (as defined below) and/or any trade mark(s) associated with the Indices or the price of the Indices at any time or in any other respect. The Solactive Canadian Bank Dividend Index (CA NTR), Solactive Canadian Select Universe Bond Index, Solactive Canada Broad Market Index (CA NTR), Solactive US Large Cap CAD Index (CA NTR), Solactive US Large Cap Hedged to CAD Index (CA NTR), Solactive GBS Developed Markets ex North America Large & Mid Cap CAD Index (CA NTR), Solactive GBS Developed Markets ex North America Large & Mid Cap Hedged to CAD Index (CA NTR), Solactive Global Healthcare Leaders Index (CA NTR), Solactive Global Technology Leaders Index (CA NTR), Solactive Global Technology Leaders Hedged to CAD Index (CA NTR) and Solactive Global Technology Innovators Index (CA NTR)) (the "Indices") are calculated and published by Solactive AG. Solactive AG uses its best efforts to ensure that the Indices are calculated correctly. Irrespective of its obligations towards the Issuer, Solactive AG has no obligation to point out errors in the Indices to third parties including but not limited to investors and/or financial intermediaries of the TD ETFs. Neither publication of the Index by Solactive AG nor the licensing of the Indices or any trade mark(s) associated with the Indices for the purpose of use in connection with the TD ETFs constitutes a recommendation by Solactive AG to invest capital in said TD ETFs nor does it in any way represent an assurance or opinion of Solactive AG with regard to any investment in the TD ETFs. TD ETFs are managed by TD Asset Management Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Toronto-Dominion Bank. TD Bank Group means The Toronto-Dominion Bank and its affiliates, who provide deposit, investment, loan, securities, trust, insurance and other products or services. ®The TD logo and other TD trademarks are the property of The Toronto-Dominion Bank or its subsidiaries. About TD Asset Management Inc. TD Asset Management Inc. ("TDAM"), a member of TD Bank Group, is a North American investment management firm. TDAM offers investment solutions to corporations, pension funds, endowments, foundations and individual investors. Additionally, TDAM manages assets on behalf of almost 2 million retail investors and offers a broadly diversified suite of investment solutions including mutual funds, professionally managed portfolios and corporate class funds. Asset management businesses at TD manage $479 billion in assets. Aggregate statistics are as of September 30, 2024 for TDAM and Epoch Investment Partners, Inc. TDAM operates in Canada and Epoch Investment Partners, Inc. operates in the United States . Both entities are affiliates and are wholly-owned subsidiaries of The Toronto-Dominion Bank. SOURCE TD Asset Management Inc. View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/December2024/20/c6368.html © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.