Nearly 45,000 animals have died as a result of a toxic train crash this month in an Ohio town, environmental officials have said. The figure from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources updates the initial estimate of 3,500 animals dead after the 3 February derailment. The toll was all recorded within a 5-mile (8km) radius of the crash site, officials said. Clean-up efforts continue in East Palestine amid a federal inquiry. A total of 38 cars derailed in the crash, 11 of which were carrying hazardous materials. Residents later reported…
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Florida TV journalist shot dead while reporting at the murder scene, suspect arrested
A Florida reporter who was fatally shot on the job after the suspect in an earlier shooting returned to the crime scene, authorities say, has been identified as Dylan Lyons of Spectrum News 13 in Orlando. Lyons, a 24-year-old Philadelphia native, and another Spectrum News 13 employee, photojournalist Jesse Walden, were shot around 4 p.m. Wednesday while covering the homicide of a woman in Pine Hills, just outside Orlando. Walden was critically injured but survived, Orange County Sheriff John Mina said. “You know Dylan was a reporter I work with…
Read MoreKevin McCarthy elected U.S. House Speaker in vote 15 after chaotic week
After four days of gruelling ballots, Kevin McCarthy flipped more than a dozen conservative holdouts to become supporters Republican leader Kevin McCarthy was elected as U.S. House speaker on a historic post-midnight 15th ballot early on January 7 overcoming holdouts from his own ranks and floor tensions that boiled over after a chaotic week that tested the new GOP majority’s ability to govern. My father always told me, it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish,” Mr. McCarthy told cheering fellow Republicans. Eager to confront President Joe Biden and…
Read MoreZelensky visits US in first trip abroad after Russian invasion
After landing in the United States on Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met US President Joe Biden at the White House. Zelensky, wearing green colored cargo pants and sweatshirt rather than a suit, was driven to the White House where Biden, joined by his wife Jill, met him. Biden then escorted him past doors where guards held the US and Ukrainian flags. This is Zelensky’s first trip outside his homeland since it was invaded 300 days ago by Russia. Zelensky’s meeting with Biden at the White House comes ahead of…
Read MoreBrittney Griner released from Russian prison in exchange for arms dealer Viktor Bout
Russia has freed Brittney Griner in exchange for the release of Viktor Bout. An excerpt of Today, Explained’s episode about the swap, originally published on August 9, follows. “I never meant to hurt anybody,” Brittney Griner told a Russian judge during her sentencing hearing last week. “I made an honest mistake. And I hope that, in your ruling, that it doesn’t end my life here.” Griner’s been in the custody of Russian authorities since February 17 when she was detained at a Moscow airport by customs officials who say she…
Read MoreColorado Springs suspect formally charged with 305 counts in Club Q shooting
The suspected gunman accused of killing five people in a mass shooting at an LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado Springs, Colorado, last month has been formally charged with 305 counts, including charges of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, assault and bias-motivated crimes causing bodily injury. Aldrich – whose attorneys say identifies as nonbinary and uses they/them pronouns – faces up to life in prison without parole if convicted on the first-degree murder charges, Allen said in a news conference after Tuesday’s hearing. “When you file 305 counts in a case, that…
Read MoreHere’s what we know about California 2022 election results
Updated Dec. 6, 4 p.m. From the race for governor to who will represent the Sacramento region in the state Legislature, California voters were asked to make the call on a number of key offices in the 2022 midterm elections. Here’s a look at what we know about results in some of the major races in the state as of Tuesday afternoon. Results for most races may not be finalized for several days as mail-in ballots continue to arrive in county elections offices for processing. Here is information about how…
Read MoreColorado Springs shooting: Everything we know about rampage that killed five and injured 18 at LGBTQ club
A gunman killed five people and injured 18 others during a mass shooting inside a LGBT+ nightclub in Colorado Springs on Saturday. The attack has devastated Club Q, which has operated as safe haven for the city’s LGBT+ community since it opened 21 years ago. “Our [prayers] and thoughts are with all the victims and their families and friends,” according to a post on the club’s Facebook page. “We thank the quick reactions of heroic customers that subdued the gunman and ended this hate attack.” Suspect Anderson Lee Aldrich, 22,…
Read MoreWhite house releases G20 Bali Leaders’ Declaration
Bali, Indonesia, 15-16 November 2022 1. Fourteen years ago, the Leaders of the G20 met for the first time, facing the most severe financial crisis in our generation. We recognized, as large global economies, that collectively we carry responsibilities and that our cooperation was necessary to global economic recovery, to tackle global challenges, and lay a foundation for strong, sustainable, balanced, and inclusive growth. We designated the G20 the premier forum for global economic cooperation, and today we reaffirm our commitment to cooperate as we, once again, address serious global…
Read MoreNancy Pelosi lands in Taiwan, defies China
Taipei, August 2 US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi arrived in Taiwan on Tuesday night despite threats from Beijing of serious consequences, becoming the highest-ranking American official to visit the self-ruled island claimed by China in 25 years. Voices support The visit honours America’s commitment to supporting Taiwan’s vibrant democracy. Nancy Pelosi, US House Speaker Pelosi’s visit has triggered increased tension between China and the US. China claims Taiwan as part of its territory, to be annexed by force, if necessary, and views visits by foreign government officials as…
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