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California town of Paradise deploys warning sirens as 5-year anniversary of deadly fire approaches

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:25:31 GMT

PARADISE, Calif. (AP) — California residents driven from their homes by one of the deadliest wildfires in recent history had one request before they would rebuild in the small mountain town of Paradise: warning sirens to bolster town emergency systems that failed some people before the fast-moving inferno that killed 85.Town officials started testing the new sirens this summer after installation began in spring and as the five-year anniversary of the wildfire that wiped out much of the community approaches this November. There will eventually be 21 sirens erected throughout town that will emit one minute of loud, Hi-Lo warning sounds followed by evacuation instructions.“If you’re going to come back to town, if you’re going to be part of Paradise again, what would make you feel secure and happy and wanting to come back? What do you need?” Paradise Mayor Greg Bolin recalled asking residents after the fire. “Number one on that list was a warning system.”Tests of the sirens ...

Maui fire survivors are confronting huge mental health hurdles, many while still living in shelters

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:25:31 GMT

KIHEI, Hawaii (AP) — The evacuation center at the South Maui Community Park Gymnasium is now Anne Landon’s safe space. She has a cot and access to food, water, showers, books and even puzzles that bring people together to pass the evening hours.But all it took was a strong wind gust for her to be immediately transported back to the terrifying moment a deadly fire overtook her senior apartment complex in Lahaina last week.“It’s a trigger,” she said. “The wind was so horrible during that fire.”Mental health experts are working in Maui to help people who survived the deadliest fire in the U.S. in more than a century make sense of what they endured. While many are still in a state of shock, others are starting to feel overcome with anxiety and post-traumatic stress that experts say could be long-lasting.Landon, 70, has twice sought help in recent days to help her cope with anxiety. One psychologist she spoke with at an evacuation shelter taught her special breathing techniques to bring ...

China’s government tries to defuse economic fears after real estate developer’s debt struggle

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:25:31 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — China’s government is trying to reassure jittery homebuyers after a major real estate developer missed a payment on its multibillion-dollar debt, reviving fears about the industry’s shaky finances and their impact on the struggling Chinese economy.There is no indication Country Garden’s problems might spread beyond China, which seals off its financial system from global capital flows, economists say. But they highlight the industry’s struggle under pressure from the ruling Communist Party to reduce soaring debt that is seen as an economic threat. That has bankrupted hundreds of small developers and depressed China’s economic growth.The Country Garden episode has echoes of Evergrande Group, which is trying to restructure more than $340 billion owed to banks and bondholders. Fears of a possible Evergrande default in 2021 rattled global markets, but they eased after the Chinese central bank said its problems were contained and Beijing would keep credit markets functionin...

The European Parliament is open for visitors! 

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:25:31 GMT

Visit the centre of European democracy, the place where decisions affecting the whole EU are made.Visit the ParlamentariumThe Parlamentarium in Brussels is Europe’s largest parliamentary visitors centre. It hosts a cinema where you can get a 360° view of Europe and the European Parliament. Discover how the Parliament works, how laws are made and why European politics matter. An interactive floor map takes visitors on a virtual tour around the EU, featuring more than 100 stories highlighting the diversity of the bloc.Parlamentarium is open seven days a week and entrance is free of charge. It is fully accessible for visitors with disabilities.Book a visit to the Parlamentarium.Make a tour at the House of European historyWant more? In The House of European History a permanent exhibition guides visitors through European history, from Europe’s origins and evolution, to the descent into war and search for a better life. Workshops and learning resources allow students to engage with Europe...

Police may carry new nonlethal device on L.A. Metro system

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:25:31 GMT

The Los Angeles Police Commission has given the police department approval to use a special nonlethal device on Metro trains and buses. If approved by Metro, officers would carry the BolaWrap, a handheld device that fires a lasso-like cord that wraps around a person’s legs or waist. The wraps are equipped with hooks that are supposed to sink into clothing and restrict a person’s ability to move until police can detain them.  The device was introduced in 2019 as a less than lethal way of dealing with people in mental distress, as a way to avoid hurting people, but being able to restrain them, officials said.  LAPD officers in Hollywood and the Central Division have not used the bola launcher that much in the last few years, but Chief Michel Moore wants to change that and give the device to officers who patrol the Metro’s buses and trains as part of a year-long pilot program.  Officials with the police department met with Metro Wednesday afternoon in order to ...

Man found dead next to his car in downtown Palo Alto

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:25:31 GMT

PALO ALTO – A man was found dead next to his parked car Wednesday morning in downtown Palo Alto, according to police.Officers did not find any evidence that a crime had occurred and there were no obvious signs of foul play, the Palo Alto Police Department said in a news release.A passerby made the discovery around 6:25 a.m. in the 600 block of Waverley Street. The body was on the ground between a legally parked green 2021 Dodge Challenger and the sidewalk, police said, adding that the sports car belonged to the man.Palo Alto firefighters went to the scene and confirmed the person was dead, police said.The Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office will continue the investigation into how the man died, according to police. The coroner’s office will also release the man’s identity once it is confirmed and his next of kin is identified.Anyone with information related to the case can contact the police department at 650-329-2413. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call or t...

East Oakland residents concerned following drive-by shooting

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:25:31 GMT

OAKLAND, Calif. (KRON) – People living in an East Oakland neighborhood say police are ignoring their concerns about crime. One woman shared video of shell casings found in the street the morning after a drive-by shooting.She says she called police, but she doesn’t think officers ever showed up. Not only were there casings, but there’s also video where you can hear and see the gunshots ringing out.The woman who is trying to raise awareness about this says the crime terrorized her neighborhood and there was practically no response from police. She says it feels like her area of East Oakland is often being forgotten. Suspect in custody after San Jose police officer shot responding to family disturbance The video is grainy but the sound is unmistakable -- a barrage of gunshots ringing out on 100th Avenue between Cherry and Plymouth Streets Monday night.The next morning, residents found shell casings all over the street – even after police told them they found nothing the night before....

Emeryville police continue to search for person of interest connected to homicide

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:25:31 GMT

(KRON) -- The Emeryville Police Department continues to search for a person of interest connected to a May homicide. The shooting happened in the area of 41st Street and San Pablo Avenue on May 26 at about 11:38 p.m. A man in his 30s was shot and killed. Suspect in custody after San Jose police officer shot responding to family disturbance Police released video on Wednesday of a person of interest who police say was in the area at the time of the shooting. An image of that person can be seen above. EPD is asking anyone who can identify the person to get in contact with the department at (510) 596-3700.

China’s Xi calls for patience as Communist Party tries to reverse economic slump

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:25:31 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — Chinese leader Xi Jinping has called for patience in a speech released as the ruling Communist Party tries to reverse a deepening economic slump and said Western countries are “increasingly in trouble” because of their materialism and “spiritual poverty.”Xi’s speech was published by Qiushi, the party’s top theoretical journal, hours after data Tuesday showed consumer and factory activity weakened further in July despite official promises to support struggling entrepreneurs. The government skipped giving an update on a politically sensitive spike in unemployment among young people.Xi, the country’s most powerful leader in decades, called for China to “build a socialist ideology with strong cohesion” and to focus on long-term goals of improving education, health care and food supplies for China’s 1.4 billion people instead of only pursuing short-term material wealth.Since taking power in 2012, Xi has called for restoring the ruling party’s role as an economic and ...

Braves complete sweep as Yankees end brutal road trip with sub-.500 record

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:25:31 GMT

ATLANTA — The Yankees wrapped up an abysmal road trip in fitting fashion on Wednesday, as the Braves completed a sweep with a 2-0 victory at Truist Park.Atlanta, baseball’s best team, scored the only runs of the game in the second inning when Eddie Rosario crushed a two-run shot for his second home run of the series. The blast came after Marcell Ozuna doubled.While Ozuna’s two-bagger was well-struck to right field at 102.1 miles per hour, the ball had a catch probability of 70%. Giancarlo Stanton, limited in his mobility but playing the field with Aaron Judge DHing, could not come up with it.Those were the only runs Randy Vásquez and the Yankees allowed against a stacked offense, but the rookie right-hander lasted just 3.1 innings. Vásquez walked three, including two in the fourth, and struck out three over 60 pitches before Michael King took his place on the mound.King, whom the Yankees would like to stretch out if possible, struck out three and walked o...