Hawaii and Major Landholder Named in Lawsuit by Family of Maui Wildfire Victim
Video Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories - Duration: 01:31s - Published
Hawaii and Major Landholder Named in Lawsuit by Family of Maui Wildfire Victim
Hawaii and Major Landholder , Named in Lawsuit by Family , of Maui Wildfire Victim .
A negligence lawsuit has been filed against one
of Hawaii’s largest landowners, Bishop Estate, by the
family of a woman who died in the devastating wildfires.
Last month, 57-year-old Rebecca Rans died
alongside her partner, Doug Gloege, while trying
to flee the inferno that engulfed Lahaina and Kula.
'The Independent' reports that this
is the first lawsuit to name both the
county of Maui and the state of Hawaii.
.
The wildfire, one of the deadliest fires , in the U.S. in over a century, , killed at least 115 people.
.
At the end of August, officials released
a list of 388 people who remain missing,
but many speculate that the number is higher.
On September 4, the father of Rebecca Rans filed
a wrongful death complaint that names the county, the
state, Bishop Estate and utility company Hawaiian Electric.
'The Independent' reports that the Rans family decided to
file the lawsuit after hearing an official tell CBS News that
he did not regret failing to sound sirens to warn residents.
.
I feel like what we’re doing is
not just about my sister, but all
the people who this happened to.
And the people who are still not found, Kathleen Hennricks, Rebecca Rans’ sister, via 'The Independent'.
The Rans family says that if alarms had been
sounded, many lives could have been saved.
'The Independent' reports that the lawsuit also
lists a number of actions that the family claims could have
been taken to stop the fire from seriously escalating.
Joey Graziadei & Kelsey Anderson chat with THR at the 'IF' premiere and say it feels like a "breath of fresh air" to be out and about following 'The Bachelor' season finale. Plus, they dish on visiting Joey's second home, Hawaii, and their thoughts on Jen being the next Bachelorette.
Credit: The Hollywood Reporter Duration: 01:57Published
Phase One Investigative Maui Wildfire Report , to Be Released Next Month.
ABC reports that seven months after deadly
wildfires devastated Maui, an investigative
report will be released on April 17, 2024.
Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez commissioned the
Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI) to conduct an
independent investigation alongside several local agencies.
The first phase of the investigation is meant
to analyze how the disaster unfolded during
the first 24 to 72 hours, as well as its aftermath. .
The report also includes
a comprehensive timeline of events. .
According to the AG's office, the FSRI research
team ran into unexpected delays while
gathering information critical to their review. .
In November of 2023, subpoenas were served to the
Maui Emergency Management Agency, the County
of Maui Department of Public Works and the
County of Maui Department of Water Supply.
Those subpoenas demanded materials relevant
to the investigation, including documents and photos, as well as video and audio recordings.
Being able to review all of the data,
which is extensive, has a tremendous
impact on the comprehensive analysis
of the fire incident and our
recommendations to make Hawaiʻi
a safer place to live, work and play, Steve Kerber, Ph.D., PE, vice president and executive director of FSRI, via ABC.
An analysis of this magnitude cannot be
rushed, and we must allow for the time
needed to make sure this investigation,
based on science, is done correctly, Anne Lopez, Hawaii Attorney General, via ABC.
I am confident that the Phase One
report will provide some answers
to the questions surrounding
the tragic wildfire incident, Anne Lopez, Hawaii Attorney General, via ABC
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Solar Power Breakthrough , Could Bring Clean Energy to, Heavy Manufacturing.
A new solar-powered device may have
reached a breakthrough, generating
temperatures over 1,000 degrees Celsius. .
The breakthrough was detailed in a study
published in the journal 'Device.'.
'The Independent' reports that the development
raises hopes that green energy could be used to
run some of the world's most fossil fuel-intensive
manufacturing processes. .
'The Independent' reports that the development
raises hopes that green energy could be used to
run some of the world's most fossil fuel-intensive
manufacturing processes. .
Using synthetic quartz crystals, the new
proof-of-concept device traps solar energies
at temperatures over 1,000 degrees Celsius. .
The breakthrough could bring clean energy
to carbon-intensive industries like cement,
chemical and metal manufacturing.
These manufacturing industries
alone account for almost a quarter of
the world's total energy consumption.
The new device reportedly relies upon a phenomenon
known as the thermal trap effect to harness the power
of the sun more efficiently than ever achieved before.
Previous research has only managed to
demonstrate the thermal trap effect up
to 170C. Our research showed that solar
thermal trapping works not just at low
temperatures, but well above 1,000C. , Emiliano Casati, Study co-author from ETH Zurich, via 'The Independent'.
This is crucial to show
its potential for real-world
industrial applications, Emiliano Casati, Study co-author from ETH Zurich, via 'The Independent'.
'The Independent' reports that researchers are looking
to optimize the thermal trap effect to find
new applications for the groundbreaking process.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Astronomers Witness , Merger of 2 Black Holes, From the 'Cosmic Dawn'.
'The Independent' reports that NASA's
Webb Space Telescope has made the most
distant detection of merging black holes. .
Two gigantic black holes and the galaxies that they stood
at the center of merged together just 740 million years
after the universe was formed in the Big Bang.
One of the black holes is a staggering 50 million
times larger than our Sun, and the other
is believed to be a similar gigantic size. .
Astronomers have long wondered how supermassive black holes are so big. .
Lead author Hannah Ubler of the University of Cambridge
says the findings suggest that mergers like this ancient
example show how black holes are able to grow so rapidly.
According to Ubler, the latest Webb
discovery also suggests that black holes
have been merging since the "cosmic dawn.".
Massive black holes
have been shaping
the evolution of galaxies
from the very beginning, Hannah Ubler, lead author from the University
of Cambridge, via 'The Independent'.
In 2021, NASA launched Webb, intended
to replace the Hubble Space Telescope.
Webb is the largest and most powerful
observatory ever launched into space. .
The joint U.S.-European project surveys
the universe from a vantage point located
about 1 million miles away from Earth.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Boeing Faces, Potential Criminal Charges , Following String of Incidents.
'The Independent' reports that federal officials have
issued a warning to Boeing regarding possible criminal charges due to the airliner's failure to improve safety. .
The government-issued warning comes after
a series of incidents, including two 737 Max
jet crashes within a five-month span. .
One crash occurred in Indonesia in
2018 and another took place in Ethiopia in 2019.
A total of 346 people were
killed in the two crashes.
Following those two crashes,
Boeing agreed to pay $2.5 billion and
make a number of safety improvements.
Feds now accuse Boeing of violating that deal and
claim the company could face further prosecution
following a series of incidents in recent months.
In January, an Alaska Airlines Boeing
737 MAX 9 had a door plug
blow off mid-flight. .
That incident resulted in the FAA
ordering all 171 MAX 9 jets be grounded
while the agency investigated the incident. .
For failing to fulfill completely the terms
of and obligations under the [deferred
prosecution agreement], Boeing is subject
to prosecution by the United States for
any federal criminal violation of which
the United States has knowledge, Department of Justice lawyers
letter to a federal judge, via 'The Independent'.
'The Independent' reports that a number of whistleblowers
have accused Boeing of cutting corners when it comes to
quality and expertise in exchange for short-term profit.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
5 Tips, for Beginner Cyclists .
1. Safety first.
Look for a helmet that is
lightweight and comfortable.
Safety features like MIPS, multi-directional impact protection system, help protect you from different types of impact. .
2. Be aware of the
traffic environment
and road conditions.
Find a cycling guide to brush up on
road safety awareness, basic road
positioning, observation and anticipation.
3. Download a cycling app. .
A cycling app
can help you
optimize your trip.
'The Independent' recommends Bike Hub
Journey Planner which offers spoken
instructions, multiple routes and a
number of other handy features. .
4. Basic maintenance
is essential.
Most importantly, check
the tire pressure, brake lines,
brake pads and oil the chain. .
A local bike service center
can always help you. .
5. Find a cycling club. .
Finding other experienced cyclists
to ride with is a great way to become
a more competent rider. .
It's time to
hit the road.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
McDonald's Posts , Disappointing Q1 Results , Amid Ongoing Boycotts.
'The Independent' reports that McDonald's posted weaker-
than-expected results in the first quarter of 2024, as a result
of a boycott over the company's perceived support for Israel. .
'The Independent' reports that McDonald's posted weaker-
than-expected results in the first quarter of 2024, as a result
of a boycott over the company's perceived support for Israel. .
According to McDonald's, higher sales in the
United States helped the fast-food giant overcome
weakness in markets where the brand is being boycotted.
According to McDonald's, higher sales in the
United States helped the fast-food giant overcome
weakness in markets where the brand is being boycotted.
The company saw same-store sales rise by
1.9% worldwide between January and March,
below the Wall Street forecast of 2.1%.
Increased menu pricing and delivery demand
saw same-store sales in the U.S. increase by 2.5%.
In international markets, sales fell
by 0.2% for the first time since 2020.
Despite this, McDonald's said the company's revenue
increased 5% to reach $6.17 billion, while net income went
up 7% to $1.93 billion, in-line with Wall Street estimates.
'The Independent' reports that Muslim-majority
markets like Indonesia, Malaysia and the Middle East
have been boycotting McDonald's for months.
The boycotts started after a McDonald's franchise in
Israel announced in October that it would provide free
meals for Israeli troops amid the ongoing war in Gaza.
In the months since then, the company has tried to limit
the fallout by taking over all 225 McDonald's in the country
with the purchase of Alyonal Limited, its Israeli franchise.
Our hearts remain with
the communities and families
impacted by the war in the Middle East.
We abhor violence of any kind and
firmly stand against hate speech,
and we will always proudly
open our doors to everyone, McDonald's statement, via 'The Indepndent'.
Our hearts remain with
the communities and families
impacted by the war in the Middle East.
We abhor violence of any kind and
firmly stand against hate speech,
and we will always proudly
open our doors to everyone, McDonald's statement, via 'The Indepndent'
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published