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Environmental groups urge regulators to shut down California reactor over safety, testing concerns

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:21 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Environmental groups called on federal regulators Thursday to immediately shut down one of two reactors at California’s last nuclear power plant until tests can be conducted on critical machinery they believe could fail and cause a catastrophe.Friends of the Earth and Mothers for Peace said in a petition filed with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission that tests and inspections have been delayed for nearly 20 years on the pressure vessel in the Unit 1 reactor at the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant, midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Instead, the groups argue, operator Pacific Gas & Electric has relied on data from similar reactor vessels to justify continued operations at Diablo Canyon, while dismissing indications that the steel wall in Unit 1 might be deteriorating from sustained exposure to radiation and is becoming susceptible to cracking, a condition technically known as embrittlement.“We will not sit idly by while PG&E cuts corners on Unit ...

Annie Lennox plans to fundraise and entertain at Rotary event in Italy. She does not plan to retire

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:21 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Annie Lennox is not retiring.Though her partner in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band Eurythmics Dave Stewart recently posted that Lennox “ won’t be touring anymore ” and would not be part of the “Sweet Dreams 40th Anniversary Tour” this fall, the “Here Comes the Rain Again” singer told The Associated Press that she will continue to perform, especially at events that support causes she is passionate about and her own nonprofit work.“I’m not retiring from anything,” Lennox said. “I’m just stepping back because I spent decades on the road. And at the age of 68, I’m very fortunate in that I can do sort of one-off appearances now and then. But I think when it comes to an actual tour where you have like 73-date commitments night after night and traveling on the road, it’s incredibly intense. It’s arduous.”Instead, Lennox plans on performing at more events like “ Time for Change,” a fundraiser for numerous nonprofits, including Rotary International’s End Polio Now initiat...

Israel’s Netanyahu is to meet Elon Musk. Their sit-down comes as X faces antisemitism controversy

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:21 GMT

JERUSALEM (AP) — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet billionaire businessman Elon Musk during a trip to the United States next week, the Israeli leader’s office said Thursday.Netanyahu’s office said their meeting, which is scheduled for Monday, will include discussions about artificial intelligence. It comes at a time when Musk is facing accusations of tolerating antisemitic messages on his social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.The Anti-Defamation League, a prominent Jewish civil-rights organization, has accused Musk of allowing antisemitism and hate speech to spread on X. Its director, Jonathan Greenblatt, said Musk had “amplified” the messages of neo-Nazis and white supremacists who want to ban the league by engaging with them recently on X.In a Sept. 4 post, Musk claimed that the league was “trying to kill this platform by falsely accusing it & me of being anti-Semitic.” In other posts, he said the league was responsible for a 60% drop in reve...

Lemur on the loose! Video shows police chasing critter that escaped in Missouri

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:21 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) — Bounding through a darkened city park, a lemur managed to stay one step ahead of police officers armed only with a large towel. Bodycam video shows the two officers’ attempts to nab the speedy little primate, which made a dash for freedom Tuesday in Springfield, Missouri.“We see the tail,” one officer says with a chuckle as he tries to get closer. Not giving up easily, the lemur raises its distinctive black-and-white banded tail and dashes away. It sprints and weaves through a parking lot, down a sidewalk, across grass and around trees. Eventually the officer tosses the towel like a net, but the lemur slips out and darts away.“Dang it!” the officer exclaims, as a few civilians help try to corral the critter.Finally, another officer is able to grab the lemur and hold it still as his partner gently gets it “snuggled up” in the towel, the Springfield Police Department said in a Facebook post. The animal’s owners had reported it missing, the departmen...

Drew Barrymore stalking suspect trespasses at fashion show looking for Emma Watson, police say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:21 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — A man accused of repeatedly stalking celebrities has been arrested for barging into a dressing room at a New York City fashion show and screaming that he wanted to marry actor Emma Watson, authorities said.Chad Michael Busto, who was arrested last month after a run-in with Drew Barrymore, pleaded not guilty Saturday to criminal trespass and disorderly conduct charges in the incident last week at the Ralph Lauren show at the Brooklyn Navy Yard.Busto, 43, was released without bail. His next court date is Oct. 2. A message seeking comment was left with a lawyer listed for him on court records.According to prosecutors, Busto entered the fashion show dressing room Friday night and screamed: “I want to marry Emma Watson. Let me speak to Emma Watson. Let me take a photo with Emma Watson.”Busto did not have permission to be at the fashion show, became irate when he was asked to leave and refused to do so, police said. The outburst disrupted preparations for the event, part o...

Bill Clinton and other dignitaries gather to remember Bill Richardson during funeral Mass

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:21 GMT

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Political allies, Native American leaders and people touched by Bill Richardson’s work to free Americans imprisoned abroad gathered Thursday for a funeral Mass to honor a man known for his innate political skills, soaring ambition and ability to both clash and reconcile with rivals.Former U.S. President Bill Clinton was among those paying homage to Richardson during a Mass at Santa Fe’s downtown Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi. Richardson served as U.N. ambassador and energy secretary under the Clinton administration. Clinton and Richardson’s widow, Barbara, followed the casket into the cathedral. Relatives of some of the political prisoners whom Richardson sought to free as well as Interior Secretary Deb Haaland were also in attendance.Despite Richardson’s longstanding friendship with the Clintons, they had a falling out after he dropped out of the 2008 presidential race and endorsed Barack Obama over Hillary Clinton. Still, the Clintons expr...

Moroccans whose homes were destroyed by last week’s earthquake face daunting rebuilding decisions

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:21 GMT

AMIZMIZ, Morocco (AP) — The building where Naima Ait Brahim Ouali lived in a third-story apartment with her five children was one of many that were destroyed by the earthquake that killed nearly 3,000 people in Morocco last week.A house cleaner, she and her daughter fell down the stairs as the quake tore off the building’s top floor and laid waste to much of the rest of their neighborhood in the town of Amizmiz, near the epicenter.Like children in many parts of the world, Ait Brahim Quali’s youngest had just started their school year. Now, relocated with the rest of the Sourejdid neighborhood to a tent city in the town center, fear sets in at around 11 p.m. each night — the time the earthquake happened last Friday.“They saw death,” she said of her children, who range in age from 10 to 25. One of her daughters now has nightmares.The displaced family is one of many in Morocco wondering what their future holds, particularly as autumn approaches and the nights get colder. Th...

Woman who killed 3-year-old daughter and left her on ballfield is sentenced to 30 years

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:21 GMT

DOVER, Del. (AP) — A Delaware woman who pleaded guilty to killing her 3-year-old daughter and leaving her burned remains on a softball field was sentenced Thursday to 30 years in prison.Kristie Haas, 31, pleaded guilty earlier this year to murder by abuse or neglect and abuse of a corpse in the death of Emma Grace Cole, who prosecutors say endured a life of starvation and torture.“I’m sorry for all the hurt that I inflicted and the pain that I caused,” said Haas, who also pleaded guilty to endangering the welfare of a child for her mistreatment of Emma’s half-siblings.Haas faced a minimum mandatory prison term of 15 years, and a possible life sentence, but Superior Court Judge Noel Primos imposed the 30-year sentence that was recommended by prosecutors and defense attorneys.“I cannot presume to comprehend the grief and the anguish that Emma’s family members here today have been put through because of Ms. Haas’ actions,” Primos said. The judge agreed with prosecutors that Haas deser...

This fall TV season, there’s no new ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ or ‘Law & Order.’ Here’s what’s coming instead

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:21 GMT

Sorry “Abbott Elementary” and “Grey’s Anatomy” fans — there won’t be new episodes airing anytime soon.Some viewers may be unaware, but striking screenwriters and actors have brought production to a screeching halt, including on many popular shows like “Law & Order” and “1923.” So fans will have to wait to find out if Janine and Gregory can really be just friends on “Abbott” or if Kim Raver’s Dr. Teddy Altman survives after collapsing on “Grey’s.” But there’s plenty of new characters and familiar faces heading to screens via already-completed shows that are ready to air.Some creative programming — including shows imported from other countries, competition series and the broadcast arrival of the Paramount Network hit “Yellowstone” — will round-out gaps in the TV schedule.Here’s a sampling of notable shows debuting in the strike-challenged season ahead:NEW SHOWS ADAPTED FROM BOOKSBooks remain popular inspiration for Hollywood. “ The Other Black G...

23 people sent to hospital after tent collapse in Bedford Park

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:21 GMT

BEDFORD PARK, Ill. -- 23 people were sent to the hospital after a tent collapsed at the Cintas Bedford Park location Thursday afternoon, police said. Bedford Park police said the tent collapsed near the Cintas Beford Park location near the 5600 block of West 73rd Street this afternoon. Bedford Park Fire Department said 23 people were transported to different area hospitals for minor injuries.WGN is actively following this incident and will update as more information was recovered.