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NoneThe Lawrence Energy Center in Kansas burns coal for electric power. A federal lawsuit filed by 11 Republican attorneys general claims institutional investors BlackRock, Vanguard and State Street committed antitrust violations to lower supply and increase the cost of coal. (Jill Hummels/Kansas Reflector) Major institutional investors have artificially lowered coal production and raised energy costs for consumers in an effort to lower global carbon emissions, a federal lawsuit claims. Republican attorneys general in 11 states, including Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers, filed a joint lawsuit last month against BlackRock, Vanguard and State Street, claiming the organizations’ efforts to pressure coal companies to lower carbon emissions and respond to climate change amount to anti-competitive business practices. All three companies, the lawsuit says, have acquired significant shares in the largest publicly-traded coal companies to coerce their management. “For the past four years, America’s coal producers have been responding not to the price signals of the free market, but to the commands of Larry Fink, BlackRock’s chairman and CEO, and his fellow asset managers,” the lawsuit says. BlackRock is the world’s largest financial asset manager. The case was in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas on behalf of the states of Texas, Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, West Virginia and Wyoming. The case asks the court to find that the companies have violated federal antitrust laws and prohibit them from using their stock holdings in coal companies to limit output. In a statement, State Street called the lawsuit “baseless.” “State Street acts in the long-term financial interests of investors with a focus on enhancing shareholder value,” the company said. “As long-term capital providers, we have a mutual interest in the long-term success of our portfolio companies.” In 2020, Fink wrote in a letter to CEOs that “climate risk is investment risk” and announced efforts to “place sustainability at the center of our investment approach.” He said companies and investors had a meaningful role to play in the transition from fossil fuels and coal to clean energy. The following year, BlackRock, State Street and Vanguard joined the Net Zero Asset Managers Initiative, acknowledging an “urgent need to accelerate the transition towards global net zero emissions” and committing to work to reduce carbon emissions. Black Rock and State Street also signed onto Climate Action 100+, a similar initiative where investors work with companies “on improving climate change governance, cutting emissions and strengthening climate-related financial disclosures. Burning coal produces carbon dioxide, the most prevalent greenhouse gas and a significant drive of climate change, scientists say. It also produces sulfur dioxide, particulates and other emissions that can be harmful to human health. Coal made up 19% of energy-related carbon emissions in 2022 and more than half of emissions from electric power companies, according to the Energy Information Administration . In a press release, Hilgers’ office accused the three companies of weaponizing their shares of the coal market. “Whether it comes from state or federal governments or the private sector,” Hilgers said, “the radical climate agenda harms Nebraskans.” Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey vowed to “not stand idly by while these companies hamper energy production and raise prices for Missouri consumers.” Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita’s office said in a press release that he was “taking further action to stop work corporatists and their left-leaning allies in government from driving up energy costs for hardworking Hoosiers.” “Coal has been the backbone of Indiana’s economic success for decades,” Rokita said. “The demand for electricity has gone up and these (environmental, social and governance) titans are reaping the benefits of these skyrocketed prices by keeping their thumb on production.” And Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird said she would keep “fighting until we take down every cog of the woke machine and protect hardworking families and farmers.” “While Woke Wall Street lines its own pockets,” Bird said, “families and farmers are forced to pay the price.” This article first appeared in the Kansas Reflector , a sister site of the Nebraska Examiner in the States Newsroom network. Originally published on nebraskaexaminer.com , part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange . Get local news delivered to your inbox!

PAY ATTENTION: Follow our WhatsApp channel to never miss out on the news that matters to you! Donald Trump weighed in Saturday in a bitter debate dividing his traditional supporters and tech barrons like Elon Musk, saying that he backs a special visa program that helps highly skilled workers enter the country. "I've always liked the (H1-B) visas, I have always been in favor of the visas, that's why we have them" at Trump-owned facilities, the president-elect told the New York Post in his first public comments on the matter since it flared up this week. An angry back-and-forth, largely between Silicon Valley's Musk and traditional anti-immigration Trump backers, has erupted in fiery fashion , with Musk even vowing to "go to war" over the issue. Trump's insistent calls for sharp curbs on immigration were central to his election victory in November over President Joe Biden . He has vowed to deport all undocumented immigrants and limit legal immigration. But tech entrepreneurs like Tesla's Musk -- as well as Vivek Ramaswamy, who with Musk is to co-chair a government cost-cutting panel under Trump -- say the United States produces too few highly skilled graduates, and they fervently champion the H1-B program. Read also Political turmoil shakes South Korea's economy Musk, who himself migrated from South Africa on an H1-B, posted Thursday on his X platform that luring elite engineering talent from abroad was "essential for America to keep winning." PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Instagram - get the most important news directly in your favourite app! Adding acrimony to the debate was a post from Ramaswamy, the son of immigrants from India, who deplored an "American culture" that he said venerates mediocrity, adding that the United States risks having "our asses handed to us by China." That angered several prominent conservatives who were backing Trump long before Musk noisily joined their cause this year, going on to pump more than $250 million into the Republican's campaign. "Looking forward to the inevitable divorce between President Trump and Big Tech," said Laura Loomer, a far-right MAGA figure known for her conspiracy theories, who often flew with Trump on his campaign plane. "We have to protect President Trump from the technocrats." She and others said Trump should be promoting American workers and further limiting immigration. Read also US panel could not reach consensus on US-Japan steel deal: Nippon 'MAGA civil war' Musk, who had already infuriated some Republicans after leading an online campaign that helped tank a bipartisan budget deal last week, fired back at his critics. Posting on X, the social media site he owns, he warned of a "MAGA civil war." Musk bluntly swore at one critic, adding that "I will go to war on this issue." That, in turn, drew a volley from Trump strategist Steve Bannon, who wrote on the Gettr platform that the H1-B program brings in migrants who are essentially "indentured servants" working for less than American citizens would. In a striking jab at Trump's close friend Musk, Bannon called the Tesla CEO a "toddler." Some of Trump's original backers say they fear he is falling under the sway of big donors from the tech world like Musk and drifting away from his campaign promises. It was not immediately clear whether Trump's remarks might soothe the intraparty strife, which has exposed just how contentious changing the immigration system might be once he takes office in January. PAY ATTENTION: Сheck out news that is picked exactly for YOU ➡️ find the “Recommended for you” block on the home page and enjoy! Source: AFP

Trailblazing model Dayle Haddon dies from suspected carbon monoxide poisoningUnai Emery feels confidence returning after Aston Villa end winless runNone

Paris Jackson, daughter of the late Michael Jackson , has announced her engagement to her bandmate and music producer Justin Long, affectionately known as "Blue." The 26-year-old model and musician revealed the exciting news on Instagram Friday, sharing a heartfelt post and montage of moments together to mark Justin’s birthday. "Happy birthday my sweet blue," Paris wrote. "Doing life with you these last years has been an indescribable whirlwind and I couldn’t dream of anyone more perfect for me to do it all with. Thank you for letting me be yours. I love you." While Paris didn’t disclose when or where the proposal happened, she has been seen wearing her engagement ring since September. The couple, who started dating in 2022, have been inseparable, with Justin frequently supporting Paris behind the scenes at her shows. Justin, a California-based producer, mixer, and music engineer, has worked with artists such as 5 Seconds of Summer, Nickel Creek, and Grace Potter. His LinkedIn profile highlights over a decade of experience in the music industry, noting achievements like producing tracks that reached #1 on iTunes in 20 countries. Justin is also the creator of Dayly, a personal habit tracker and journal app. Paris’s engagement comes after a series of high-profile relationships. She previously dated bandmate Gabriel Glenn, describing their 2021 breakup as "the deepest heartbreak I ever experienced." Speaking about it on Red Table Talk, she said, "It was the most intense I've felt so far and the most intense betrayal I felt so far and experienced. It’s definitely closed me off to that; I'm very careful with who I spend time with now. Over the years, Paris has been romantically linked to TOWIE star Tom Kilbey, drummer Michael Snoddy, and actor Cara Delevingne. In 2020, she opened up about her sexuality, sharing that she mainly dated women before meeting Justin. "I thought I’d end up marrying a chick," Paris revealed in her Facebook Watch series Unfiltered: Paris Jackson and Gabriel Glenn. "I’ve dated more women than men. Been with more chicks. It has nothing to do with what’s in your pants; it’s literally like, what are you like as a person?" She added, "Never thought I’d end up with a dude." Reflecting on her late father’s support, Paris said Michael Jackson "felt the energy" when she was young. "He would tease me the same way he’d tease my brothers, like, ‘You got yourself a girlfriend!’" Fans have flooded social media with congratulations, celebrating Paris and Justin as they prepare for this exciting new chapter together.

NoneMicrochip Technology Inc. stock rises Tuesday, outperforms marketA year into her leadership, the head of the Ontario Liberal Party, Bonnie Crombie, is starting to pitch her vision for the province — while working to distance herself from her beleaguered counterpart in Ottawa. As speculation of an early election call swirls through the halls of Queen's Park, the former mayor of Mississauga has been out making major promises to Ontarians. In recent months, she's become a more consistent presence outside the doors of the provincial legislature, facing the daily barrage of questions from reporters alongside other opposition leaders and MPPs. On social media, Crombie is calling herself a "new type" and "different kind" of Liberal, describing herself as a centrist. At her first leaders dinner Tuesday — which raised $1.65 million for the party — she drew a clear line between herself and Justin Trudeau. "I'm not here to tell the Prime Minister how to do his job, but I promise you I will tell him when I think he's wrong. Like on the carbon tax, he's wrong," Crombie told the crowd at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. "I think it's important for all Liberals in Ontario to hear that it's OK for us to be different." WATCH | Bonnie Crombie speaks to Metro Morning: Ontario Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie on winning a seat in a possible early election 1 month ago Duration 10:57 As Ontario's legislature resumes this week, Metro Morning host David Common spoke with Ontario Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie about where her party stands ahead of a potential early provincial election call. Crombie has made significant announcements in recent weeks. On Nov. 12, she announced her government would cut the income tax rate for middle class families. And on Dec. 2 she promised the Liberals would find everyone in the province a family doctor in four years — telling Ontarians not to re-elect her if she didn't. The party has more to come on its plans regarding public safety, housing and affordability, according to a member of the Liberal campaign team not authorized to speak publicly about strategy, but health care is the main issue they plan to fight the election on. Opposing carbon tax part of politics: former cabinet minister says Crombie's attempt to distance herself from one of Ottawa's most frequently criticized policies comes after Doug Ford and his party have worked tirelessly to do the opposite. "As we say, Bonnie Crombie is the queen of the carbon tax," Premier Doug Ford said in late October, when announcing his government would be providing everyone with $200 cheques. During question period on Thursday, conservative MPPs said the phrase "Trudeau-Crombie carbon tax" 15 times. "I think there's a feeling that the price of admission to being taken seriously in Canadian politics these days is opposing the carbon tax," said John Milloy, a former Liberal cabinet minister who served as MPP for Kitchener-Centre from 2003 to 2014 who now directs the Centre for Public Ethics at Martin Luther University College. Bonnie Crombie, centre, is pictured after winning the Ontario Liberal leadership race on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, in Toronto. (Patrick Morrell/CBC) While Milloy said he doesn't necessarily agree with the strategy, it seems to be accepted wisdom that a candidate has to say they won't impose a carbon tax if they're elected. "The problem with the carbon tax being this price of admission is that becomes the story," he said. "The story is that she's distanced herself from the Prime Minister. That's not the message that the leader of the Ontario Liberal party should be giving." Ford's PCs, Crombie's Liberals attack each other in new ads Ontario Liberals announce tax cuts for middle class families as part of election platform Milloy said that news distracts from the real issues that the party is working to solve. "Stuff that's not particularly sexy but really important right now," he said. Party focusing on 'team Bonnie' Ashley Csanady, a vice-president with McMillan Vantage and a former Liberal staffer, said after a year in the role Crombie is focusing on what type of leader she wants to be. "That's moving to a place where we're focused more as a party on the basics of what people need in their life," Csanady said. "What she's really trying to do is bring forward real ideas and real solutions for real people." She said it's a strategic choice to emphasize "team Bonnie" instead of "a big capital L Liberal brand." 3 million Ontarians at risk of losing family doctor to retirement, provincial Liberals say Bonnie Crombie promises Ontario Liberals would find everyone a family doctor in 4 years Crombie's declaration that she's a centrist, in a province with a moderate political culture, helps differentiate the party from the New Democratic Party, said Jacob Robbins-Kanter, an associate professor at Bishop's University. "I think she is authentically a centrist. That's her record as mayor of Mississauga. Those are her beliefs," he said. "There's maybe what seems like a space or an opening for the centrist party to say, 'I'm not like the more extreme parties on either side.' Whereas usually the risk is that you can get squeezed out."