California Wildfire Threatens Giant Sequoias in Yosemite National Park
Video Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories - Duration: 01:31s - Published
California Wildfire Threatens Giant Sequoias in Yosemite National Park
California Wildfire , Threatens Giant Sequoias , in Yosemite National Park.
'The Guardian' reports that Yosemite National
Park has been partially closed as firefighters
work to contain a massive wildfire.
The Washburn fire has now spread across
60 acres near Mariposa Grove on
the southern portion of the national park.
The area is home to, over 500 mature , giant sequoias.
.
The Mariposa Grove is closed
until further notice.
All other areas
of Yosemite national park are open, Yosemite National Park statement, via Facebook.
The last time the California
national park was forced to close
in the summer was in 1988.
Every single one of our national parks
is suffering from the effects of climate
change, from record-breaking wildfires
and droughts to rising sea levels and
the destruction of cultural resources, Stephanie Kodish, director of the climate change
program at the National Parks Conservation
Association, via 'The Guardian'.
Every single one of our national parks
is suffering from the effects of climate
change, from record-breaking wildfires
and droughts to rising sea levels and
the destruction of cultural resources, Stephanie Kodish, director of the climate change
program at the National Parks Conservation
Association, via 'The Guardian'.
The news comes after the Supreme Court
restricted the Environmental Protection Agency's
(EPA) ability to regulate greenhouse gas emissions.
The June ruling determined that the EPA
could not phase out coal-fired energy generation without authorization from Congress.
The ruling casts doubt about the Biden
administration's goal of cutting U.S.
emissions in half by the end of the decade.
The Supreme Court’s decision is a blow
to years of efforts to clear the air
in our national parks and protect
their visitors, wildlife and water, Stephanie Kodish, director of the climate change
program at the National Parks Conservation
Association, via 'The Guardian'
Harvey Weinstein’s Rape Conviction , Is Overturned.
New York's Court of Appeals
overturned the movie mogul's 2020 rape conviction by a vote of 4-3 on April 25.
According to the appeals court, trial judge James Burke "prejudiced Weinstein with 'egregious' improper rulings," AP reports. .
For example, he let women bring forth allegations against Weinstein that he wasn't charged with.
The action was an "abuse of judicial discretion," the appeals court said. .
Without question, this is appalling,
shameful, repulsive conduct that
could only diminish defendant’s
character before the jury, New York's Court of Appeals, via AP.
Although this conviction has been overturned, the 72-year-old will remain in prison due to a separate 2022 rape conviction in Los Angeles.
His lawyers have chosen to
appeal that conviction as well. .
Jennifer Bonjean, who helped free Bill Cosby from
prison, issued a statement about the development.
Jennifer Bonjean, who helped free Bill Cosby from
prison, issued a statement about the development.
A jury was told in California that
he was convicted in another
state for rape ... turns out he
shouldn’t have been convicted
and it wasn’t a fair conviction… , Jennifer Bonjean, Harvey Weinstein's attorney, via AP.
It interfered with his
presumption of innocence in
a significant way in California, Jennifer Bonjean, Harvey Weinstein's attorney, via AP.
On April 25, prosecutors said that "the legal issues identified by the New York Court of Appeal are
not present in the Los Angeles County Case.".
The Manhattan district attorney's office
said they will "do everything in our power to
retry this case, and remain steadfast in our commitment to survivors of sexual assault."
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Chris Pine's got the California surfer look down ... a style he seemingly raided from the set of his new movie "Poolman," and seems comfortable keeping long.. TMZ.com
Google Fires More Staffers , Following Protests Over , $1.2 Billion Israel Deal.
Google Fires More Staffers , Following Protests Over , $1.2 Billion Israel Deal.
'The Independent' reports that Google has fired at least
20 more workers following protests over the company
supplying Israel with technology amid the Gaza war.
'The Independent' reports that Google has fired at least
20 more workers following protests over the company
supplying Israel with technology amid the Gaza war.
A group representing the fired
workers said the total number of staff
terminated for protesting is now over 50. .
Internal turmoil at the tech giant revolves around
'Project Nimbus,' a 2021 contract for both Google and
Amazon to provide the Israeli government with technology. .
Internal turmoil at the tech giant revolves around
'Project Nimbus,' a 2021 contract for both Google and
Amazon to provide the Israeli government with technology. .
The $1.2 billion contract includes
cloud computing and artificial
intelligence services. .
The $1.2 billion contract includes
cloud computing and artificial
intelligence services. .
Last week, workers held sit-in
protests at Google's offices in both
New York and Sunnyvale, California.
The protests were organized by the group
No Tech For Apartheid, who said that 30 workers
were fired following the initial sit-in. .
According to Jane Chung, a spokeswoman for
No Tech For Apartheid, Google has now fired
"over 20" more workers, “including non-participating
bystanders during last week’s protests.”.
Google’s aims are clear:
the corporation is attempting
to quash dissent, silence
its workers, and reassert
its power over them, Jane Chung, a spokeswoman for No Tech For Apartheid, via 'The Independent'.
In its attempts to do so,
Google has decided to
unceremoniously, and
without due process,
upend the livelihoods of
over 50 of its own workers, Jane Chung, a spokeswoman for No Tech For Apartheid, via 'The Independent'.
In its attempts to do so,
Google has decided to
unceremoniously, and
without due process,
upend the livelihoods of
over 50 of its own workers, Jane Chung, a spokeswoman for No Tech For Apartheid, via 'The Independent'.
Google has disputed the group's claims,
stressing that the company carefully found that, “every single one of those whose employment
was terminated was personally and definitively
involved in disruptive activity inside our buildings.”
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
California was definitely hit with a few good April showers this year ... but as the warmer weather washes over the West Coast, we are bubbling up some of.. TMZ.com
How Did '4/20' Become
a Holiday for Weed?.
One common theory is that it stems
from a California criminal code for
those who distribute the drug.
According to CNN, California's 420 code is actually for obstructing entry on public land.
The state's medical marijuana
program was created from a bill
with the number 420.
Oaksterdam Cannabis Museum's Chris Conrad
says "4/20" started as a code in
Marin County, California, at San Rafael High School.
In the 1970s, a group called
"The Waldos" would get together at
4:20 PM to smoke pot.
The time of the day was convenient as it
was right after school ended with
no parental supervision just yet.
"4/20" became a code word that allowed
them to notify each other in front of
unsuspecting parents.
From there, the phrase likely
spread across the country
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:02Published
The deaths of the Reading terror attack victims were "probably avoidable" and contributed to by the failings of multiple agencies, an inquest has found.
Friends James Furlong, 36, Joseph Ritchie-Bennett, 39, and David Wails, 49, were stabbed to death by Khairi Saadallah, now 29, in Forbury Gardens on 20 June 2020.
Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Royal biographer Hugo Vickers said the King's return to duties is a sign he is "on the way to recovery." Buckingham Palace confirmed today that His Majesty The King will shortly return to public-facing duties after a period of treatment and recuperation following his recent cancer diagnosis. "I think the most difficult thing for him was he was really getting into his stride as head of state and he was doing so much and then suddenly he was confined to base. We'll be very pleased to see him and he'll be delighted to be out and about again," Mr Vickers added. Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
The world’s first personalised mRNA cancer jab for melanoma – which also has the potential to stop lung, bladder and kidney cancer – is being tested in British patients. Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Former Post Office boss Angela van den Bogerd has left the Post Office inquiry after her second day of giving evidence. Ms van den Bogerd, who held numerous positions at the Post Office during her 35-year career, opened her evidence yesterday by saying she is "truly sorry" for the "devastation" caused to wrongly convicted sub-postmasters.
Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Scotland’s first minister Humza Yousaf is battling for his political survival after a chaotic 24 hours which saw him end the SNP’s governing partnership with the Greens on Thursday. This was followed a couple of hours later by the Scottish Conservatives putting forward a motion of no confidence in the first minister. The motion was backed by Scottish Labour, the Scottish Lib Dems and, crucially, the Greens, who just 24 hours earlier were close cabinet colleagues. It leaves Mr Yousaf potentially having to rely on Alex Salmond’s Alba Party, and their one MSP Ash Regan, to survive a no-confidence vote. Report by Jonesia. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Joe Biden's opening up about his mental health struggles ... saying he once considered taking his own life in one particularly low moment -- but, his kids saved.. TMZ.com
Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Friday as he wrapped up a three-day visit to China dominated by contentious issues and warnings from his hosts of another “downward spiral” in relations. The two met Friday afternoon local time at the Great Hall of the People, an ornate and cavernous building next to Tiananmen Square. Blinken told Xi that President Joe Biden had sent him to China to “seek to deepen areas of cooperation as well as to responsibly manage the differences that we have.” Xi noted that this year is the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States and China, and said the two countries “should be partners rather than adversaries.”
#BlinkenXiMeeting #ChinaUSRelations #DiplomaticTalks #GlobalIssues #BilateralRelations #ForeignPolicy #Diplomacy #InternationalRelations #USChinaDialogue #XiJinpingMeeting
~HT.97~PR.152~ED.155~
Kim Kardashian went back to the White House to advocate for criminal justice reform -- only here, it was with Biden's camp ... proving she's loyal to the cause,.. TMZ.com
EPA Announces First-Ever Regulations , for PFAS in Drinking Water.
On April 10, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it is issuing a country-wide regulation to limit the amount of "forever chemicals" in drinking water, CBS News reports.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are commonly found in the air, water and soil.
According to the EPA, there is no amount of exposure to PFAS that is considered safe.
They can be found in everything from
nonstick cookware to cleaning and personal
care products. But there's no doubt that
many of these chemicals can be harmful
to our health and our environment, EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan, via statement.
Exposure to PFAS has been linked to reproductive
problems, developmental delays, low birth weight,
immune system issues, high cholesterol, cardiovascular
issues and some cancers, CBS News reports. .
Public water utilities will now be required to
"test for six different types of PFAS chemicals"
in drinking water, CBS News reports.
The agency estimates that the new requirement will lower exposure to
PFAS for about 100 million people. .
Drinking water contaminated with
PFAS has plagued communities
across this country for too long, EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan, via statement.
$1 billion will be made available to help states
and territories comply with the new standards.
Those funds are part of a $9 billion investment generated by the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
President Biden believes that
everyone deserves access to clean,
safe drinking water, and he is
delivering on that promise, Brenda Mallory, Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, via statement
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
EPA Takes Aim at, US Chemical Emissions, That Are Likely Carcinogens.
'The Independent' reports that over 200 chemical
plants in the United States will be required
to reduce toxic emissions under a new rule. .
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
released the new rule regarding toxic
emissions likely to cause cancer on April 9.
The rule is meant to deliver critical health protections
for communities faced with industrial pollution from
dangerous chemicals, such as chloroprene and ethyl oxide.
The rule will significantly reduce
emissions from the Denka Performance
Elastomer facility in LaPlace, Louisiana.
The facility is the largest producer of
chloroprene emissions in the U.S., according
to EPA Administrator Michael Regan.
Every community in this country
deserves to breathe clean air.
That’s why I took the Journey
to Justice tour to communities
like St. John the Baptist Parish,
where residents have borne
the brunt of toxic air for far too long, Michael Regan, EPA Administrator, via 'The Independent'.
We promised to listen to folks that
are suffering from pollution and act
to protect them. Today we deliver
on that promise with strong final
standards to slash pollution,
reduce cancer risk and ensure
cleaner air for nearby communities, Michael Regan, EPA Administrator, via 'The Independent'.
According to officials, the changes
are meant to reduce ethylene oxide and
chloroprene emissions in the U.S. by nearly 80%.
'The Independent' reports that the rule updates
several regulations on chemical plant emissions
that have not been altered in nearly 20 years.
The EPA said that the new rule will reduce a total of over
6,200 tons of toxic air pollutants annually in an effort
to address health risks in neighboring communities
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
EPA Issues Ambitious, New Rules Aimed at , Cutting Carbon Emissions.
On March 20, the Biden administration
announced new rules regarding
automobile emissions standards.
On March 20, the Biden administration
announced new rules regarding
automobile emissions standards.
NBC reports that officials have called the
new regulations the most ambitious plan to
reduce emissions from passenger vehicles.
NBC reports that officials have called the
new regulations the most ambitious plan to
reduce emissions from passenger vehicles.
The new rules include scaled back
tailpipe limits requested by the
Environmental Protection Agency last April. .
The new rules include scaled back
tailpipe limits requested by the
Environmental Protection Agency last April. .
The new rules come amid slowing
sales of electric vehicles, a critical part
of the plan to meet the new standards.
The new rules come amid slowing
sales of electric vehicles, a critical part
of the plan to meet the new standards.
Last April, the auto industry cited
lower sales growth in its objection
to the EPA's strict standards. .
According to the EPA, the industry
could meet the limits if 56% of new
vehicle sales are electric by 2032.
According to the EPA, the industry
could meet the limits if 56% of new
vehicle sales are electric by 2032.
The EPA plan also called for at least 13% of plug-in
hybrids or other partially-electric cars, in addition
to more efficient gasoline-powered vehicles. .
The EPA's proposed standards would
avoid over 7 billion tons of planet-warming
carbon emissions over the next 30 years. .
The EPA's new rules apply
to model years 2027 to 2032.
The Biden administration's new rules
are set to ramp up to nearly meet
the EPA's limits by 2032.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
A fierce and fast-moving wildfire erupted near Yosemite National Park quickly spreading over 1,600 acres.
The aggressivity of the blaze has prompted the evacuation of thousands of people and the..