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Biden tells Pacific islands leaders that he hears their warnings about climate change and will act

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:41:00 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Monday told leaders from the 18-member Pacific Islands Forum that he has heard their warnings about the impact of climate change on their region and that his administration is committed to helping them meet the challenge. Pacific islands leaders gathered Monday for the start of a two-day Washington summit. Many have been critical of rich countries for not doing enough to control climate change despite being responsible for much of the problem, and for profiting from loans provided to vulnerable nations to mitigate the effects.At the summit’s start, Biden said that his administration is requesting Congress approve $200 million in new assistance for the region, including financing to help the islands prepare for climate and natural hazards and improve infrastructure. Biden has put a premium on improving ties in the Pacific amid rising U.S. concern about China’s growing military and economic influence.“I want you to know I hear you, the people i...

Amazon opening 2 operations facilities in Virginia Beach, creating over 1,000 jobs, Youngkin says

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:41:00 GMT

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Two new Amazon operations facilities are coming to Virginia Beach, expected to eventually employ over 1,000 people, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Monday. The retailer will establish a robotics fulfillment center expected to launch in 2025 and a delivery station expected to be running in time for the 2024 holiday season, the Republican governor’s office said in a news release. The new facilities will be Amazon’s 14th fulfillment and sorting center in Virginia and the 17th delivery station. The company, which has a headquarters in Arlington, has invested more than $109 billion in Virginia since 2010, including infrastructure and employee compensation, Youngkin’s office said. “Amazon’s cutting-edge fulfillment centers generate major capital investment and thousands of jobs and strengthen Virginia’s position as a logistics industry leader on the East Coast,” Youngkin said in a statement. “We see Amazon’s expanding footprint impacting econo...

Diversity and inclusion celebrated in Milan with refrain: Make more space for color, curves

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:41:00 GMT

MILAN (AP) — More curvy models than ever showed up on Milan runways this season, due mostly to a single show by Brazilian designer Karoline Vitto, while designers of color showcased their work at collateral events meant to promote their visibility in the backrooms of Italian fashion.Wherever diversity and inclusion were being celebrated during Milan Fashion Week, which ended Sunday, there was one underlying refrain: Make more space. CURVY MODELS GET OUTING AT KAROLINE VITTO“We made history! It was incredible,’’ world-renown curvy model Ashley Graham gushed as she embraced London-based Vitto after Sunday’s show. Plus-size models like Graham, Precious Lee and Paloma Elsesser are often the only curvy models on fashion runways for any given show, but for Vitto’s preview Graham led an entire cast of models ranging in size from UK 10 to UK 24 (US 6 to US 20). Vogue Business reported in March that just .06% of 9,137 Fall-Winter 2023-24 looks across 219 shows in four fashion cities fe...

AP Interview: Jennifer Granholm says US aims to create nuclear fusion facility within 10 years

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:41:00 GMT

VIENNA (AP) — U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said Monday that nuclear fusion is a pioneering technology and the Biden administration wants to harness it as part of the transition to clean energy.As part of its energy agenda, the Biden administration wants to create a commercial nuclear fusion facility within 10 years, Granholm said in a wide-ranging interview with The Associated Press in Vienna.Fusion works by pressing hydrogen atoms into each other with such force that they combine into helium, releasing enormous amounts of energy and heat. Unlike other nuclear reactions, it doesn’t create radioactive waste. Proponents of nuclear fusion hope it could one day displace fossil fuels and other traditional energy sources. But producing carbon-free energy that powers homes and businesses from fusion is still decades away.“It’s not out of the realm of possibility” that the U.S. could achieve Biden’s “decadal vision of commercial fusion,” Granholm said. A successful nuclear ...

Manslaughter charges thrown out in Michigan prisoner’s death

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:41:00 GMT

MUNISING, Mich. (AP) — A judge dismissed charges Monday against six people in the death of a Michigan prisoner who lost 50 pounds over two weeks and died of dehydration while being restrained in 2019.There was evidence of a lack of proper care for Jonathan Lancaster but not enough to send two former prison officials and four nurses to trial for involuntary manslaughter, Alger County Judge Charles Nebel said.Lancaster’s life already was in peril when he was moved to an observation cell at the Alger prison and died three days later, the judge said.“This is not the end for us,” Lancaster’s sister, Danielle Dunn, said. “We will fight for an appeal and continue to advocate for other families like ours as well as current incarcerated citizens.”Lancaster, 38, was in prison for robbery and gun crimes in the Detroit area. He had a history of mental illness and showed symptoms while at Alger, including paranoia, anxiety, loss of appetite and insomnia, his family said.N...

Free COVID-19 tests are now available for order from the US government

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:41:00 GMT

Covid-19 antigen home tests indicating a positive result are photographed in New York, April 5. The Biden administration has announced that it is providing $600 million in funding to produce new at-home Covid-19 tests and is restarting a website allowing Americans to again order up to four free tests per household. Covid-19 antigen home tests indicating a positive result are photographed in New York, April 5. The Biden administration has announced that it is providing $600 million in funding to produce new at-home Covid-19 tests and is restarting a website allowing Americans to again order up to four free tests per household. (CNN) — Covid-19 tests are now available to be ordered for free from the US government.St...

Protecting quarterback Sam Howell is a major issue moving forward for the Washington Commanders

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:41:00 GMT

Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell passes against the Denver Broncos in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)(AP/Jack Dempsey) Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell passes against the Denver Broncos in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)(AP/Jack Dempsey) Sam Howell on Sunday became just the sixth quarterback since the Super Bowl era began and the first since Warren Moon in 1995 to get sacked nine times and throw four interceptions.The interceptions are on Howell, and the second-year pro could probably get rid of the ball quicker. But the Washington Commanders’ biggest i...

Fatal Florida train crash highlights dangers of private, unguarded crossings that exist across US

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:41:00 GMT

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The weekend crash between a train and an SUV that killed six people in Florida happened at a private road crossing where little more than a sign or two is required — no crossing gates, no flashing lights, no warning sound.The Federal Railroad Administration reports there are more than 80,000 such crossings in the U.S. and has recommended installation of uniform, easy-to-understand warning signs, though officials often have no jurisdiction over the private crossings. Over a 10-year period ending in 2017 there were 3,427 accidents at private crossings, about 14% of the national total during that span, according to the agency.Another one happened Saturday night at a crossing near Plant City, Florida, east of Tampa. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said that just before 7 p.m., a Cadillac Escalade driven by Jose G. Hernandez, 52, crossed the tracks into the path of a CSX train going 55 mph (88 kph).Hernandez died Sunday at a hospit...

Emergency meeting held with Miami city officials after slab of building falls on street during demolition in Brickell 

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:41:00 GMT

City leaders in Miami are searching for answers after a building demolition caused chaos on the street. According to the City of Miami Fire Rescue, a slab of a building that was being demolished tumbled to the ground in the area of Brickell Avenue and Seventh Street, at around 2:40 p.m., Saturday.The work within the site was paused pending a meeting between city officials and those responding, Monday morningAs of Monday afternoon, there has been no word on what occurred during the meeting with city officials. 7News reached out to Pompano Beach-based construction company Alpha Wrecking, who are handling the building’s demolition. The company has not responded to 7News. The developers of the project, Swire Properties, released the following statement that reads as follows, “The incident is under investigation. We’re grateful that there were no injuries or significant property damage. Safety is our absolute top priority. The site has been secured and work is stopped ...

2 people face charges in connection with alleged illegal dental operation out of Milford convenience store

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:41:00 GMT

Two people are facing charges after Milford police said they uncovered an illegal dentist office operating out of the back of a local convenience store. Milford police announced charges in the case on Saturday following what police described as an “extensive investigation” involving both the Milford Police Department and the Milford Board of Health. Milford’s police chief later discussed the case on Monday, asking anyone who visited the dentist office to come forward to get checked out.“My big concern is sepsis (and) infection,” said Police Chief Robbie Tusino.Milford police said the dentist office in question was located at the Alternativa Convenience Store on Main Street. One man, Juan Hermida Munoz, allegedly operated the dentist office within the store without a license, providing services including examinations, tooth extractions, anesthetics and cleanings, according to police. Munoz was subsequently summonsed to court charges including unauthorized practice of m...