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Australia welcomes lifting of UNESCO threat to list Great Barrier Reef as World Heritage in danger

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:01:25 GMT

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — The Australian government on Tuesday welcomed a draft UNESCO decision to a lift a threat of downgrading the Great Barrier Reef to an endangered World Heritage site.The U.N. cultural agency and the International Union for Conservation of Nature recommended in November of last year that the world’s largest coral reef system be added to the List of World Heritage in Danger due to threats including rising ocean temperatures.But UNESCO issued an updated a report in Paris on Monday that said it would be appropriate to re-evaluate whether the famed tourist attraction off Australia’s northeast coast fitted the World Heritage in-danger criteria.The report recommended Australia submit a progress report to the World Heritage Committee by February on its commitments to make environmental improvements.The World Heritage Committee will consider the draft recommendation in September.Prime Minister Anthony Albanese took the draft UNESCO decision as a vote of confidence in...

14 workers killed in the collapse of a crane being used to build a bridge in India

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:01:25 GMT

NEW DELHI (AP) — A huge crane collapsed at a highway construction site in western India, killing at least 14 workers, officials said Monday.Television footage showed the collapsed crane on the ground as rescue workers looked for survivors near the site in Thane, a city just outside Mumbai. At least three people who were injured were rushed to a hospital.Press Trust of India reported the crane is used to install precast box girders while building highway and high-speed rail bridges.Indian Prime Minster Narendra Modi expressed his condolences in a message on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.“My deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who are injured,” his office said in a post.The Associated Press

Armored truck robberies on the rise across Chicago area

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:01:25 GMT

Assistant Special Agent in charge of violent crimes Dennaris Coleman, who has been with the FBI for nearly 20 years, says armored truck robberies are on the rise.“It's a crime of opportunity,” he said. “(It can happen) really fast. So if there is a large amount of money taken it is a quick payoff for a short amount of time.”The FBI is offering a $15,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in a case out of Cicero last summer. Just before 6 a.m. on August 12, surveillance video showed an armored vehicle park in the 5800 block of West Roosevelt in front of Lanie's Cafe, a gaming lounge with slots and video poker. The guards arrived to load machines with cash and collect receipts.“As they pulled up, one guard got out and approached the establishment. He was accosted by one of two males who forced him to the ground,” Coleman said. “They also ordered the other male to give them an unknown amount of money.” Both offenders were armed, but didn't fire their weapons. They took of...

Hawthorn Woods, Aqua Illinois hold meeting on boil water advisory from over 4th of July

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:01:25 GMT

HAWTHORN WOODS, Ill. — Village of Hawthorn Woods and Aqua Illinois officials gathered Monday evening to recap what went wrong earlier this month, when a boil advisory left many Lake County residents without safe drinking water for days.The special village board meeting — convened at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Hawthorn Woods — was a chance for residents from impacted areas to speak out on the boil water advisory that left community members without water for nearly six days straight through the Fourth of July holiday."So, we can all hear together what happened," said Dominick DiMaggio, mayor of Hawthorn Woods, on the purpose of the meeting. "Why the break in the main took so long to find, where the leak was discovered, and how [Aqua Illinois] can provide assurances for the future.”Earlier this month, residents told WGN their confidence in the water utility company was waning — and Sunday — questions put forward encompassed a variety of topics, ranging from maintenance to future im...

Man shot during attempted carjacking in Bucktown

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:01:25 GMT

CHICAGO -- A 46-year-old man was shot after refusing to give up his truck during a carjacking Monday night.According to the Chicago Police Department, a 46-year-old man was sitting in his parked pickup truck on the 2000 block of North Hoyne Ave in Chicago's Bucktown neighborhood when two male suspects approached on foot and demanded his vehicle around 8:30 p.m. on Monday. Nearly 40 teens charged after reckless gathering in South Loop: CPD One of the suspects then fired into the truck when the victim refused to give up his truck. The 46-year-old man was shot in the left leg and later transported to a local hospital in good condition.The suspects fled in a silver SUV and are not in custody.The investigation is ongoing.

Stream Realty starts planning for hotel, residential tower on 6th Street

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:01:25 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- An ordinance went into effect Monday that allows Stream Realty — which owns dozens of properties on Sixth Street — to build up to 140 feet high between Neches and Sabine streets. Previously, developers could not build higher than 45 feet on the historic strip.Stream is now working on plans to build a 150-to-160-room hotel and a 10-floor residential tower in the area, according to the Austin Business Journal, a KXAN media partner. "On Sixth Street, there's not a lot going on during the day," Richard Suttle, Stream's attorney for the project, said. "The goal is to bring back restaurants, music venues, office buildings, hotels. Places people want to go during the day. Because as everybody knows, activity tends to discourage bad behavior."Marc Roppolo, who opened Roppolo's Pizzeria on Sixth Street in 1990, said he's seen some safety improvements downtown, "but there's still a lot of work to do."He said he wants to see Sixth Street "the way it used to be.""Very safe... a...

No injuries after alleged HAZMAT situation in Albany

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:01:25 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- An investigation is underway after HAZMAT crews were called to check out the scene at the Board of Elections office in Albany. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Officials responded to a call for a suspicious package just after 4:30 p.m. Monday on North Pearl Street. When paramedics arrived on scene, they found a letter inside a box. Several employees were evaluated for health concerns, but no one was sent to the hospital. Crews did not find any evidence of chemical contamination. The investigation into where the letter came from is ongoing.

Jennings will tow cars from driveways without warrants – sometimes

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:01:25 GMT

JENNINGS, Mo. - It appears the city of Jennings will continue to tow cars from private property without a search warrant, but there may be instances where a judge will weigh in prior to the tow.City Attorney Sam Alton agreed to discuss the towing of vehicles from private property. He calls it a difficult situation.Alton said as complaints are filed about vehicles, the city inspector investigates to determine if there's a public safety hazard."The inspector's next move would be to issue some type of notice or a warning," Alton said. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News SIGN UP NOW Alton said if there's an immediate risk, a warning notice is sent but the city typically does not get an administrative search warrant from the municipal judge to tow a vehicle fr...

St. Charles County Council tabled vote on tall tree subdivision proposal

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:01:25 GMT

ST. CHARLES, Mo. - The St. Charles County Council pushed back voting on the Tall Tree subdivision proposal on Monday. Hundreds of residents showed up at the St. Charles Family Arena to push back against the proposal."This high-density housing is just going to ruin Fox Haven and several other subdivision's home values," said Tom Regan.The current Tall Tree proposal calls for 452 homes on 298 acres of land. Hundreds of residents let their elected officials know the current proposal is something they don't want."It's going to overcrowd the roads, overcrowd the schools, eventually raise the taxes," Regan said. "It will lower the property values. Houses that close together. It will set a precedence for down Highway D." Pee-wee Herman star Paul Reubens dies at age 70 after cancer fight Council members let their constituents know their voices were being heard during Monday's meeting, when the council was originally scheduled to vote on the subdivision."We feel it was a very successful me...

Many gather to see the corpse flower at Missouri Botanical Garden

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:01:25 GMT

ST. LOUIS - From far and wide, young and old, with lines stretching out the door. Cameras are ready to grab the perfect picture, all looking for a closeup of a smelly flower."As we've been talking that plants been doing things,” said Emily Colletti, a horticulturist with the Missouri Botanical Garden. "They kind of pass gas."The plant's notoriety brings in guests for the sights and those just there for the smell."Right now, you can see the flies flying around, so there must be some kind of scent,” Colletti said.The corpse flower known as Octavia bloomed Sunday at 10:30 p.m. to a crowd of guests releasing its silent but deadly smell."Because they are endangered, because it doesn't happen very often, Because they're just very unique in themselves and very big. That's why they come to see it,” Colletti said. Pee-wee Herman star Paul Reubens dies at age 70 after cancer fight The plant blooms only once every one to two years keeping its burnt sunrise bloom for about 24 hours....