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Kenya’s president lifts 6-year logging ban to create jobs. Environmentalists are concerned

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:03:48 GMT

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Kenyan President William Ruto has lifted a six-year ban on logging over the concerns of environmentalists. The president said Sunday it was “foolish” to have mature trees rotting in forests while local industries lacked timber.“This is why we have decided to open up the forest and harvest timber so that we can create jobs for our youth,” he said.Ruto became Kenya’s president in September. In 2018, while serving as deputy president, he announced a government ban on logging to protect water catchment areas and avert a looming drought.His administration’s first budget imposed a tax on all imported timber products, a move aimed at encouraging local manufacturing.Last year, he launched a plan to plant 15 billion trees in Kenya over 10 years as a way to combat climate change.During an address last month at the Global Citizen Festival in Paris, Ruto said his country was leading the way on taking action to prevent global warming. Green Africa Foundation Exe...

Hong Kong police offer rewards for arrests of 8 overseas pro-democracy activists

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:03:48 GMT

HONG KONG (AP) — Hong Kong police on Monday accused eight self-exiled pro-democracy activists of violating the territory’s harsh National Security Law and offered rewards of 1 million Hong Kong dollars ($127,600) each for information leading to their arrests.The rewards are the first for suspects accused of violating the Beijing-imposed legislation since it took effect in June 2020. It outlaws subversion, secession, collusion with foreign forces and terrorism.The eight activists are former pro-democracy lawmakers Nathan Law, Ted Hui and Dennis Kwok, lawyer Kevin Yam, unionist Mung Siu-tat and activists Finn Lau, Anna Kwok and Elmer Yuen, police announced at a news conference.They are currently living in the U.S., Britain, Canada and Australia after some were earlier accused of various other offenses.Steven Li, chief superintendent of the police’s National Security Department, said arrest warrants have been issued for the eight under the National Security Law. He acknowle...

15-year-old girl among 2 killed in Little Village shooting; man in custody

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:03:48 GMT

CHICAGO — A man is in custody following a deadly shooting in the city's Little Village neighborhood.The shooting happened around 12:15 a.m. Monday in the 2600 block of South Millard. Police said officers responded to shots fired at a residence and found three people struck by gunfire.According to police, a 15-year-old girl was shot in the face and transported to Mount Sinai Hospital where she was pronounced dead. A 48-year-old woman was shot multiple times in the torso and pronounced on the scene. The medical examiner has identified her as Karina Gonzalez. New law allows police to fly drones over public gatherings An 18-year-old boy was shot in the ankle and transported to Mount Sinai Hospital in fair condition.Police said a man was placed into custody at the scene. Charges are pending.The circumstances surrounding the shooting are unclear at this time. A weapon was recovered and Area Four Detectives are investigating.

CTA, Metra resume train services after high standing water, poor track conditions

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:03:48 GMT

Metra and the CTA both announced train services have been temporarily suspended in certain areas in and around Chicago Sunday due to poor track conditions.According to Metra, UPW trains will not operate between Chicago and Oak Park due to high standing water, while trains will not depart from Chicago and only operate from Oak Park to Elburn.Metra Officials urge those affected to seek alternate transportation.According to the CTA, Blue Line train service has been temporarily suspended between their UIC Halsted and Kedzie stops due to poor track conditions. Man in custody after ramming vehicle onto NASCAR Street Race course Metra and the CTA have not announced a timetable for service to return to affected train lines.

CPD: 13-year-old girl missing from Humboldt Park safely located

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:03:48 GMT

CHICAGO — A girl missing from Humboldt Park was safely located.

Why are rip currents dangerous?

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:03:48 GMT

(WHTM) – With the Fourth of July holiday weekend upon us, some people may be heading to the ocean and beaches to celebrate. But before heading to the beach, revelers might want to take a moment to check out the conditions of the local surf, to help minimize any risk of getting stuck in a rip current while swimming.According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a rip current is a strong narrow seaward channel of water that flows away from the beach and often extends through the breaker zone where waves are formed.Sometimes incorrectly called a rip tide, a rip current can form at any beach with breaking waves and can quickly sweep away even the strongest swimmer.They form, for the most part, in regions with less wave-breaking, or where waves are stuck between regions with larger wave breaks. You can see a rip current as a darker, narrow gap in the line of breaking waves. Rip currents are very fast, moving at speeds of up to 8 feet per second. A usual rip curr...

Ever wondered how vinyl records are made? Austin's only record-pressing plant showed us

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:03:48 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The demand for vinyl records has been surging over the last several years, reaching a peak last year. Vinyl records can be found anywhere, and their sales surpassed CD sales last year for the first time since the 80s, a report from the the Recording Industry Association of America highlighted. If you visited the Austin Record Convention in May, you probably saw that demand at play firsthand. Nathan Hanners, the convention's director, said it was one of the largest conventions in its history. MORE: Vinyl records have made a major comeback, and the Austin Record Convention has felt it But have you ever thought all the way back to the beginning of vinyl records and wondered 'how are records made?' Austin's only vinyl pressing plant, Gold Rush Vinyl, walked KXAN through the answer to that question. Gold Rush was at the record convention in May, selling bouquets of plastic-looking flowers and telling table visitors about their business. Flower bouquet made from unused...

5 things to know this Monday, July 3

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:03:48 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Happy Monday! With Independence Day on our heels, Meteorologist Jill Szwed says the unsettled weather isn't over yet. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Troy police are investigating two incidents that happened over the weekend, one-shots fired, the other a homicide. Also, Hudson Police are investigating a stabbing that took place in the area of North 5th Street on Sunday. These stories, and more, are covered in your five things to know this Monday morning. 1. Troy police investigating homicideThe Troy Police Department is currently investigating a fatal shooting in the area of 102nd and 2nd Avenue. According to Troy Police, a male victim died.2. Hudson Police investigating stabbingThe Hudson Police Department is investigating a stabbing that took place around 5:42 p.m. on Sunday in the area of North 5th Street. Police say a 35-year-old man was stabbed in the chest and was taken by Greenport Rescue Sq...

Belleville police acvtively monitoring consumer firework use during holiday

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:03:48 GMT

BELLEVILLE, Ill. - The city of Belleville is reminding locals that consumer fireworks are illegal within the state of Illinois. Ameren customers still without power in Missouri and Illinois after weekend storms Belleville has its own ordinances against fireworks. Police there shared they will be actively monitoring and enforcing fireworks violations, which means a citation for anyone who is caught.

MetroLink experiencing delays Monday morning

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:03:48 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Some MetroLink riders may run into delays Monday morning.MetroLink is not operating between the Delmar Loop and Central West End stations becuase of a mechanical issue. Shuttle buses are transporting passengers between the Delmar Loop, Forest Park-DeBaliviere and Central West End stations. Ameren customers still without power in Missouri and Illinois after weekend storms People traveling through the area may experience delays of up to an hour.