Former EU environment chief warns against backsliding on climate crisis

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Virginijus Sinkevičius, a former environment commissioner, criticises bloc’s decision to delay deforestation law

A former EU environment commissioner has warned against backsliding on the protection of nature and the battle against the climate crisis after the bloc decided to delay its landmark deforestation law.

Virginijus Sinkevičius, the Lithuanian MEP and a vice-president of the European parliament’s Green group, said he disagreed with the decision to amend the deforestation law in order to give companies a year of extra time to ensure their products are not implicated in the felling of trees.

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Xi Jinping, China’s Leader, Nods to Economic Challenges – The New York Times

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  1. Xi Jinping, China’s Leader, Nods to Economic Challenges  The New York Times
  2. China’s Xi Jinping Nods to ‘External Uncertainties’ in New Year’s Speech  The Wall Street Journal
  3. Xi says China's annexation of Taiwan can't be stopped  UPI News
  4. "No One Can Stop...": China's Xi Jinping Ends 2024 With A Threat To Taiwan  NDTV
  5. Xi Jinping signals growth is priority in speech acknowledging China’s strains  Financial Times
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More than 50% of Puerto Rico customers remain without power after massive outage – CNN

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  1. More than 50% of Puerto Rico customers remain without power after massive outage  CNN
  2. Puerto Rico Power Outages Plunge Many Into Darkness on New Year’s Eve  The New York Times
  3. Half of Puerto Rico starts the new year in the dark after massive power outage  NBC News
  4. Puerto Rico Power Outage Leaves Almost Entire Island in Dark  Bloomberg
  5. Biden speaks to Puerto Rico Gov, Energy Secretary about power outages  The Hill
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Two dead in accidents at popular Queensland swimming spots over new year period

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Woman dies in tubing accident near Toowomba, while another drowns scuba diving near Wave Break Island on the Gold Coast

A woman has died in a New Year’s Day scuba diving accident at a popular Gold Coast swimming spot.

Meanwhile, another woman was found dead on Wednesday after an extensive search following a water tubing accident north-west of Brisbane on New Year’s Eve.

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In photos: New Year’s celebrations in U.S. and around the world – Axios

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  1. In photos: New Year's celebrations in U.S. and around the world  Axios
  2. New Year’s Eve 2025: Photos of Celebrations Around the World  The New York Times
  3. What's open and closed on New Year's Day 2025? Hours and details for stores, restaurants, more  USA TODAY
  4. 2025: How the world rang in the new year  WBAL TV Baltimore
  5. Cities across the globe wrap up 2024, ring in new year with celebrations  Fox News
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UN says Israeli attacks pushing Gaza healthcare to total collapse – BBC.com

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  1. UN says Israeli attacks pushing Gaza healthcare to total collapse  BBC.com
  2. Gaza official says hundreds of health workers detained by Israel  The Washington Post
  3. Even 'Good Israelis' Are Part of the Broad Circle of Tacit Consent to War Crimes  Haaretz
  4. Israel raid empties northern Gaza’s last functioning major hospital of all patients and detains its director  CNN
  5. Gaza hospitals on ‘brink of total collapse’ from Israel attacks: UN  Al Jazeera English
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Instead of partying, thousands turn New Year celebration into anti-government protest in Serbia – The Associated Press

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  1. Instead of partying, thousands turn New Year celebration into anti-government protest in Serbia  The Associated Press
  2. Serbia’s prosecutor charges 13 in a deadly canopy fall that fueled mass protests  The Associated Press
  3. Serbia charges 13 in railway station tragedy, critics allege cover-up  POLITICO Europe
  4. Serbian prosecutors indict 13 over deadly canopy collapse that sparked mass protests  Euronews
  5. Serbia indicts 13 for railway station awning collapse  Reuters
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Police praise mostly well-behaved NYE revellers despite firework-related blazes

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Melbourne and Sydney fires brought under control, including in Tempe, and stabbings reported in Guildford and the Mornington Peninsula

New Year’s Eve revellers have largely been praised for their behaviour at Australia’s biggest fireworks shows, while officers were kept busy with outbursts of trouble around local fireworks.

More than a million people swarmed the main vantage points around Sydney harbour and hundreds of thousands of Melbourne partygoers were treated to a fireworks and laser spectacular.

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Taiwan president says he welcomes exchanges with China – The Jerusalem Post

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  1. Taiwan president says he welcomes exchanges with China  The Jerusalem Post
  2. Taiwan president welcomes exchanges with China as Xi says no one can stop 'reunification'  NBC News
  3. Taiwan’s Lai Vows to Show Determination to Fight as China Looms  Bloomberg
  4. New Taiwanese boardgame offers chance to battle Chinese invasion  The Guardian
  5. President Lai delivers 2025 New Year’s Address-News releases-News & activities  Office of the President Republic of China(Taiwan)
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‘We’re dying from the cold’: Displaced Palestinians battle winter in Gaza – CNN

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  1. ‘We’re dying from the cold’: Displaced Palestinians battle winter in Gaza  CNN
  2. Why is hypothermia killing Gaza’s children?  Al Jazeera English
  3. Video. In central Gaza, rain floods the tents of displaced Palestinians  Euronews
  4. 5 Babies Die From the Cold in Gaza as Temperatures Drop  The New York Times
  5. Rainstorms uproot Gaza tents, leave children 'freezing and hungry'  Middle East Eye
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Putin Declares ‘Everything Will Be Fine’ Despite Russia’s Growing Challenges – The New York Times

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  1. Putin Declares ‘Everything Will Be Fine’ Despite Russia’s Growing Challenges  The New York Times
  2. 'We still have a lot to decide': Putin's New Year speech celebrates 25 years in power, maintains silence  The Times of India
  3. New Year Address to the Nation  President of Russia
  4. In New Year’s address, Putin says Russia has met ‘difficult challenges’ with strength, assures ‘everything will turn out well’  Meduza
  5. Putin Hails Achievements in New Year’s Speech Marking Quarter Century in Power  Kyiv Post
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All the 1 January changes in Australia: Centrelink increases, import bans and pay rises

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Bigger Austudy and carer allowance payments, higher Medicare safety net thresholds and mandatory corporate reporting on climate also in 1 Jan changes

With the new year comes new policies, laws, taxes and reforms. Here’s everything to know about changes on 1 January, 2025 that could affect you.

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Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, December 31, 2024 – Institute for the Study of War

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  1. Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, December 31, 2024  Institute for the Study of War
  2. Ukraine: How the war shifted in 2024  Fox News
  3. Russia Advanced Nearly 4,000 Km2 In Ukraine In 2024: AFP Analysis Of ISW  Barron's
  4. OPINION: Dark Clouds or Silver Linings? What the Experts Say at the End of 2024.  Kyiv Post
  5. Ukraine ends year battered, with Russian troops pushing north, east, and south  Kyiv Independent
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Man pushed in front of New York City subway train injured but alive, police say

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The incident occurred in the heart of Manhattan and a man has been taken into custody, but charges are yet to be filed

A man waiting for the subway in Manhattan was pushed in front of an oncoming train on Tuesday afternoon, but survived with injuries to his leg and head, according to the New York police department.

The apparent attack comes less than two weeks after a woman died after being set on fire on a stationary train in New York, an act of violence that horrified the city.

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How the wars of 2024 brought together rivals and created new enemies – BBC.com

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  1. How the wars of 2024 brought together rivals and created new enemies  BBC.com
  2. How Russia, China, and other world countries viewed 2024’s standout moments  Semafor
  3. 2024 by the numbers: From victims of war to a warming planet  POLITICO Europe
  4. Ten Most Significant World Events in 2024  Council on Foreign Relations
  5. Retrospective: The top 10 news stories that defined 2024  FRANCE 24 English
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