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New Zealand is partnering with BlackRock in aim to reach 100% renewable electricity

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:59:24 GMT

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand’s government said Tuesday it will partner with U.S. investment giant BlackRock in its aim to become one of the first nations in the world to have its electricity grid run entirely from renewable energy. The government said it was helping BlackRock launch a $1.2 billion fund to ramp up investments in wind and solar generation, as well as battery storage and green hydrogen. Some of the investment is expected to come from government-owned companies.New Zealand’s electricity grid already runs off about 82% renewable energy after it damned rivers decades ago to produce hydroelectric power. The government said it aims to reach 100% renewable generation by the end of this decade.The announcement comes two months out from an election, with the government hoping to burnish its green credentials. Critics point out the nation’s overall greenhouse gas emissions have barely budged since the government symbolically declared a climate emergenc...

UN investigator says Eritreans experienced torture and sexual violence during national service

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:59:24 GMT

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Eritrean refugees and asylum-seekers report that during compulsory national service they experienced torture, inhumane or degrading treatment, sexual and gender-based violence, forced labor and abusive conditions, a U.N. independent investigator on human rights said in a report circulated Monday.Mohamed Babiker said Eritrea has a policy of indefinite national service, including a civil service component and a military service component. He said it has ignored numerous calls from human rights bodies to ensure legal limits for the duration of such service and to protect the human rights of all participants.While Eritrea maintains its national service program is “unfairly judged,” Babiker said he continues to receive “numerous and credible reports of grave human rights violation in the context of forced national/military service.”Conscientious objection is not allowed in Eritrea, he said, “and deserters and draft evaders continued to be subjected to arbitrary dete...

CPD seeking to identify Chatham homicide suspects

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:59:24 GMT

CHICAGO — The Chicago Police Department is seeking to identify a group of individuals connected to a homicide that happened in the Chatham neighborhood nearly two weeks ago.Suspect vehicle connected to a Chatham homicide, according to CPD.Photo from gas station security camera footage of three individuals connected to a Chatham homicide, according to CPD.Photo from gas station security camera footage of three individuals connected to a Chatham homicide, according to CPD.Photo from gas station security camera footage of three individuals connected to a Chatham homicide, according to CPD.According to CPD, the homicide happened in the 8600 block of South State Street around 4:10 p.m. on Wednesday, July 26.In a video posted to CPD's YouTube channel, the suspects can be seen pulling into a gas station, riding in a black Dodge Durango with black rims. After driving closely by a silver vehicle, the Durango stops just before pulling back out of the gas station. The driver and two passengers...

Almanac for August 8, 2023

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:59:24 GMT

Austin mayor: Zilker Park Vision Plan 'shelved,' future plans will focus on common goals

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:59:24 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) --- The Zilker Park Vision Plan is not moving forward, according to a newsletter written by Mayor Kirk Watson.The post in the Watson Wire said the plan will not be on the agenda for the Austin City Council meeting Aug. 31 and that there is, "no plan to bring it before the Austin Mayor and Council in the future." PREVIOUS COVERAGE: ‘I have some serious problems with that plan’: Mayor Watson talks future of Zilker Park The plan included three new parking garages, a land bridge over Barton Springs Road, a “welcome plaza” and new hike and bike trails.Previously, Watson spoke with KXAN about his concerns with the plan. "A lot of people and groups worked hard to do something big and positive for our community. And our city staffers have put a lot into this process, as well. I truly appreciate and respect their efforts," the post read. Moving forwardWatson wrote that his recommendation is to table the discussion for now. "We could all benefit from a little time and perspect...

Westlake football powered by historic senior class

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:59:24 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The last time Westlake football took the field for a game, it was their first loss in years. It sure sounds like the Chaparrals are eager to get back in action."This is exactly what we wanted," said Westlake senior Judson Crockett. "We wanted to come out and just get to it. It's been a while."MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxan.com/newslettersWestlake had a strong first day of practice Monday morning that impressed players and coaches alike."Efficient," said Westlake head coach Tony Salazar on his view of the practice. "We were probably five minutes early on the practice schedule. That's the first thing is that our guys know where to go."That loss in the Class 6A-Division I semifinals against Galena Park North Shore broke the Chaps' 54-game win streak. While this year's group is quick to mention they are a new team, that defeat isn't forgotten. After a state loss last s...

Western Wisconsin collision kills Waseca girl, 12, as family returns home from relative’s funeral

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:59:24 GMT

WASECA, Minn. — A Waseca family was left devastated after a fatal two-vehicle collision in western Wisconsin as they returned home from a funeral.Jocelynn Passon, 12, died Friday in the Pepin County collision, which left her parents and 8-year-old brother injured. The driver of the other vehicle involved also died.The crash occurred at about 2:40 p.m. Friday. The Passon family was returning from a relative’s funeral when a Pontiac Grand Prix crossed into the westbound lanes of U.S. 10 and struck the family’s Chevrolet Silverado head-on, Pepin County Chief Sheriff’s Deputy Matt Roesler reported.Steve Passon, who was driving, and his wife, Jessica, were both injured, and son Drake, 8, was hurt as well. Jocelynn was declared dead at the scene, as was the driver of the other car, Ethan R. Whitwam, 18, of Durand, Wis.Jessica Passon pulled her children from the family’s burning pickup truck. And bystanders pulled Steve Passon from the front seat.Law enforcement is ...

Twins pounce on Tigers lefty, cruise to fifth straight win

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:59:24 GMT

DETROIT — Trouble against lefties?Not these Twins.The Twins, the worst team in the major leagues against southpaws, have begun rewriting a season-long narrative. Monday, that meant jumping all over lefty starter Joey Wentz, scoring eight runs in the first three innings of the game to cruise to a 9-3 win. That victory was the Twins’ fifth straight, making this winning streak the longest of their season.It came in a game that was never really in doubt. Leadoff hitter Donovan Solano shot the first pitch of the game into center field for a double. Carlos Correa brought him home with a two-bagger of his own, and the Twins were off to the races.Catcher Ryan Jeffers continued his hot streak with a three-run blast, giving starter Pablo López a four-run lead before he even toed the rubber. Before López came out for his second inning of work, he had a seven-run lead. He had Correa to thank for that. Correa’s 13th home run of the season was a ball hit to the opposite field that just kept carry...

Injunction blocks NY cannabis dispensary licensing

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:59:24 GMT

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — A New York State Supreme Court judge issued an order Monday, temporarily blocking the Office of Cannabis Management's efforts to distribute and process cannabis dispensary licenses.The injunction was granted after a group of veterans filed a lawsuit claiming the Conditional Adult Use Cannabis Retail dispensary application program violates the 2019 Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act, which says the state must implement an equity plan. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! "Individuals like service-disabled veterans, who are also social equity applicants, who should be prioritized under the MRTA - the marijuana regulation taxation act -  the plaintiffs are arguing that they’ve been harmed by being left out of this first mover's advantage," said Fatima Afia, Attorney at Rudick Law Group.The injunction granted Monday prevents the OCM from granting new conditional adult-use recreational dispensary licenses...

Endangered Person Advisory issued for Florissant teen

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:59:24 GMT

FLORISSANT, Mo. – The St. Louis County Police Department issued an endangered person advisory early Monday evening for a missing Florissant teenager.According to the advisory, the incident occurred just after 7 p.m. in the 3500 block of Sugar Crest Drive.The advisory says Kamille West is diagnosed with numerous medical conditions, including schizophrenia and psychosis, and has the mental capacity of a young child. West made threats to a parent before leaving their home.West is described as a Black female, standing 5’2” and weighing 115 pounds, with black hair, brown eyes, and a dark complexion. She’s wearing a black t-shirt with gold, blue jean shorts, and pink Nike shoes.Anyone with information on West’s whereabouts is asked to dial 911 to reach their nearest law enforcement agency, or call the St. Louis County Police Department at 314-355-1200.