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House votes to declassify info about origins of COVID-19

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:37 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House voted unanimously Friday to declassify U.S. intelligence information about the origins of COVID-19, a sweeping show of bipartisan support near the third anniversary of the start of the deadly pandemic.The 419-0 vote was final approval of the bill, sending it to President Joe Biden’s desk to be signed into law.Debate was brief and to the point: Americans have questions about how the deadly virus started and what can be done to prevent future outbreaks. The order to declassify focused on intelligence related to China’s Wuhan Institute of Virology, citing “potential links” between the research that was done there and the outbreak of COVID-19. U.S. intelligence agencies are divided over whether a lab leak or a spillover from animals is the likely source of the virus.Experts say the true origin of the coronavirus pandemic may not be known for many years — if ever.Lisa Mascaro, The Associated Press

Grossi set for second term at helm of UN nuclear watchdog

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:37 GMT

VIENNA (AP) — The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency is set for another four-year term at the helm of the U.N. nuclear watchdog as it grapples with monitoring Iran’s nuclear activities and tries to shore up the safety of power plants in Ukraine.The IAEA said that its 35-nation board of governors on Friday reappointed Argentine diplomat Rafael Mariano Grossi by acclamation for a second term as the organization’s director-general, beginning in early December.The annual meeting of the IAEA’s 176 member countries, the general conference, will have to sign off formally on the reappointment when it meets in September.Grossi said in a statement that he was “deeply honored” by the board’s unanimous decision.“It comes at a time when we face many major challenges and I’m fully committed to continue to do everything in my power to implement the IAEA’s crucial mission in support of global peace and development,” he said. Grossi took charge of the Vienna...

DeSantis makes long-anticipated 1st Iowa trip ahead of 2024

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:37 GMT

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is in Iowa on Friday to introduce himself to an expectant audience of Republicans, making a long-awaited visit ahead of a likely 2024 presidential bid.DeSantis’ planned appearances in Davenport and Des Moines mark his first trip to the leadoff voting state and come as anticipation over his expected White House campaign has been building. With the Iowa caucuses less than a year away, Republicans in the state are ready to take a harder look at DeSantis, a top-tier presidential prospect viewed as a rival to former President Donald Trump.“A lot of people are excited with DeSantis — people that I talk to. There has been so much talk. The expectations are really high for him,” said Emma Aquino-Nemecek, an eastern Iowa county Republican committee member who is curious about DeSantis but feels deep loyalty to Trump.DeSantis is scheduled to appear with Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds on Friday morning in Davenport and that evening in Des Moines t...

Michigan State shooter’s note says he felt hated, rejected

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:37 GMT

A man who fatally shot three students and wounded five others on the Michigan State University campus left a note describing himself as being “hated,” “a loner” and an “outcast.”Anthony McRae, 43, also wrote “I’m tired of being rejected,” in the note, which was dated the day before the Feb. 13 shooting and released Friday by police.“They made me who I’m am today a killer,” the note read. “I’m a person,” and “They hate me why? why? why? why?”McRae, who lived in nearby Lansing, had no apparent connection to the East Lansing school. The rampage began about 8 p.m. on Feb. 13 when shots were fired inside a classroom at Berkey Hall on the north end of campus. Police believe McRae then walked into the nearby student union building firing more shots.The campus was placed on an hourslong lockdown, which ended when McRae shot himself in an industrial area about 4 miles (6.4 kilometers) from campus.The note was found in his pocket.“There’s a group of us, 20 of us and I’m the ...

Kenya jails 7 foreigners for life over drug trafficking

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:37 GMT

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Six Pakistanis and one Iranian national who were found guilty of trafficking heroin via the Indian Ocean to Kenya’s coastal city of Mombasa have been sentenced to life in prison.The foreigners have been in custody since 2014 when they were arrested and charged with trafficking heroin worth 1.3 billion Kenya shillings ($10 million).Each of the convicts will also be fined 3.9 billion Kenya shillings, the Mombasa court said Friday. They all have a right to appeal to the higher court.The seven were crew members of a ship Amin Darya, also known as Al Noor, and were arrested while on board while the ship was at sea. The ship was destroyed in an operation that was supervised by then President Uhuru Kenyatta, who reiterated the country’s strict stance against drug trafficking.During the trial, the foreigners accused police of tampering with evidence after the ship was destroyed before the case was concluded. The magistrate, however, said the court was satisfied with th...

CTA looking for bus operators, mechanics in Friday career fair

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:37 GMT

CHICAGO — The Chicago Transit Authority is looking for bus operators and mechanics during a career fair Friday.The career fair is being held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at CTA's headquarters — located at 567 W. Lake St.Starting hourly-rates for a bus mechanic are $40.59 and the starting rate for a bus operator is $28.99. ‘She was only 25’: Woman trying to find family of Chicago artist from 1952 To register, click here.

Crib bumpers recalled for violating federal ban

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:37 GMT

INDIANAPOLIS (WXIN) – Baby crib bumpers sold online are being recalled because they violate a federal ban.The Consumer Product Safety Commission said the recall involves NO1 and NO2 baby crib bumpers sold on Aliexpress.com and Temu.com from November 2022 through January 2023. The NO1 crib bumpers are white and gray and have a cloud pattern. The NO2 crib bumpers are white.Photo//CPSCPhoto//CPSCThe recall was initiated because they violate the federal crib bumper ban. The ban was put in place because infants can suffocate if they roll or move on the crib bumper in a position that obstructs breathing. “The use of padded crib bumpers poses an unnecessary threat to the health and safety of infants everywhere, there is no reason the sale of these items should continue,” Sen. Rob Portman said in a press release.  Crib bumper ban: Products blamed in baby deaths can no longer be sold Anyone with the recalled crib bumpers should cut the tie strings and send Meiling Hou a...

Chicago reaches $23M settlement with JUUL over youth marketing claims

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:37 GMT

CHICAGO — The City of Chicago announced Friday that a $23.8 million settlement has been reached with JUUL Labs regarding claims they marketed their products to juveniles.The agreement resolves a lawsuit brought by Chicago officials in May 2020. In it, they alleged JUUL violated ordinances by engaging in a marketing campaign that targeted minors and sold products without implementing strict age verification requirements.According to the settlement, JUUL has agreed to pay Chicago $2.8M within 30 days of the execution of the agreement. The city would receive an additional $21M payment later this year and may potentially receive up to $750,000 additional, court-awarded payments. PAWS Chicago teams up with Rick Bayless to increase adoptions “E-cigarette businesses cannot be allowed to come in our city and boost their profits at the expense of minors. The use of any tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, among youth is a serious public health concern — to CDPH and parents across Chic...

Mental health money for Chicago and Illinois schools

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:37 GMT

CHICAGO — Fourteen million dollars in new federal funding is on its way to Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and the Illinois State Board of Education.U.S. Senator Dick Durbin is scheduled to unveil the details of the funding alongside CPS CEO Pedro Martinez at a Friday event. Northwest Side high school students walkout over gun safety concerns According to a press release from Durbin's office, the federal dollars are for "trauma-informed care and mental health personnel in schools," and were approved through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.This post will be updated following the event. Check back later for additional details.

People found living in tunnel under Colorado highway flyover

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:37 GMT

WHEAT RIDGE, Colo. (KDVR) — Police say they found people living in a tunnel beneath a highway flyover in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, and now the state is working to clean out the encampment.The Wheat Ridge Police Department released a video showing cluttered conditions inside the tunnel, located under the Highway 58 flyover at Interstate 70. Police said an officer found the encampment after spotting someone climbing into the tunnel. Delays continue after homeless camp found in Oregon tunnel "It turns out people have been trespassing, living there and storing excessive amounts of trash and property throughout the length of the flyover," the department said in a release.In the video released Thursday, officers navigate through piles of boxes and other clutter, alongside hanging clothes, canned goods and other pantry items lined up on a table.People were found living in a tunnel under the Highway 58 flyover in Wheat Ridge (Credit: Wheat Ridge Police Department)The Colorado Department of T...