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3-acre grass fire burns in Walnut Creek

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:29:42 GMT

(KRON) -- The Contra Costa Fire Protection District responded to a three-acre grass fire Tuesday night. The fire is in the area of 1900 Whitecliff Way in Walnut Creek. Officials believe it was started by fireworks. At 10:18 p.m., officials tweeted that forward progress on the fire had been stopped. There were no evacuations necessary and no structures were threatened. The public is asked to avoid the area to allow access to fire crews.

Autoridades mexicanas realizan otro arresto en el secuestro de estadounidenses en Matamoros

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:29:42 GMT

(CNN) — Las autoridades mexicanas detuvieron a una persona más en relación con el secuestro de cuatro estadounidenses en Matamoros, México, a principios de este año.La Procuraduría General de Justicia del estado mexicano de Tamaulipas anunció este lunes en Twitter la detención de José Ángel “H”.#FGJT_Informa El Agente del Ministerio Público, adscrito a la #UECS, obtuvo vinculación a proceso en contra de José Ángel “H” por el delito de Secuestro Agravado, registrado el 03 de marzo de 2023, en la colonia Modelo en #Matamoros, #Tamaulipas. #NoImpunidad pic.twitter.com/7dhQP7vtNf— Fiscalía General de Justicia de Tamaulipas (@FGJ_Tam) July 4, 2023Cuatro estadounidenses fueron secuestrados en Matamoros el 3 de marzo. LaTavia Washington McGee y Eric Williams sobrevivieron al secuestro, mientras que Shaeed Woodard y Zindell Brown fueron asesinados.Antes de esta última detención, las autoridades mexicanas habían arrestado al menos a seis personas en el caso del ...

MLS record crowd of 82,110 at the Rose Bowl sees Riqui Puig lead Galaxy to 2-1 win over LAFC

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:29:42 GMT

PASADENA, Calif. (AP) — Riqui Puig had a goal and an assist as the LA Galaxy defeated Los Angeles Football Club 2-1 Tuesday night before an MLS single-game record crowd 82,110 at the Rose Bowl.The 18th edition of the LA rivalry known as El Trafico broke the previous record of 74,479, which was set last year when Charlotte FC played its first home game against the Galaxy. It was originally scheduled for Feb. 25 as the showcase game on the first day of the MLS regular season. It was postponed though due to heavy rain and wind in Southern California. Puig assisted on Tyler Boyd’s goal in the 26th minute and then had the go-ahead score in the 73rd minute for the Galaxy, who are unbeaten in their last six matches with two wins and four ties.LAFC’s goal came from Ilie Sanchez in the 57th minute. The defending MLS Cup champions have dropped three straight and five of their last seven.Douglas Costa was near midfield when he sent a pass up the left side, where Boyd chased it down...

Fireworks prompt Code Purple, ‘Hazardous’ air quality alerts for part of DC region

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:29:42 GMT

The National Mall fireworks show attracted thousands to D.C. and lit up the Tuesday night sky in a beautiful display, but it also left lingering smoke and triggered air quality alerts.“Code Purple” air spread into Prince George’s County, Maryland, on Tuesday night. “Code Red” air stretched across more of Southern Maryland and into Fairfax and Arlington counties and the city of Alexandria in Virginia, according to AirNow.Here’s a chart explaining the Air Quality Index and its corresponding alerts:At least part of D.C. reached “Hazardous” levels of air pollution, which is the most serious alert in the Air Quality Index. (Courtesy AirNow.gov)“We’re looking at some very unhealthy levels across parts of our area. There’s no fireworks display that was bigger than what was happening over D.C., and with the winds being out of the west and southwest, we’re seeing some of the fine particle pollutants being carried into No...

Sunak hits back at net zero critics

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:29:42 GMT

Presented by SSE By CHARLIE COOPER and RUSSELL HARGRAVE PRESENTED BY View in your browser or listen to audioSNEAK PEEK— Rishi Sunak isn’t worried about the U.K. falling behind the EU and the U.S. on green investment. So that’s fine.— The global hydrogen race is hotting up — and British businesses don’t want the U.K. to miss out.— Outgoing CCC Chair John Gummer is speaking to a Lords committee today. We have a few more choice insights from our interview with him.Good Wednesday morning and welcome to POLITICO Pro Morning Energy and Climate UK. If you are not already a Pro subscriber and would like a free trial of this newsletter, sign up here.DRIVING THE DAYWHAT RISHI DID NEXT: The PM was up before the Liaison Committee Tuesday afternoon — the so-called super group of senior MPs — where he was grilled on the U.K.’s green goals and net zero leadership. Environmental Audit Committee Chair Philip Dunne was questioner-in-...

Australian leader criticizes Hong Kong’s attempt to arrest 2 activists who now live in Australia

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:29:42 GMT

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Wednesday criticized Hong Kong authorities over their pursuit of two pro-democracy activists who live in Australia.Hong Kong’s leader said Tuesday that eight pro-democracy activists who now live in the United States, Britain, Canada and Australia will be pursued for life for alleged national security offenses, dismissing criticism that the move to have them arrested was a dangerous precedent.Albanese said his government was concerned and disappointed by Hong Kong authorities issuing arrest warrants for Australian citizen Kevin Yam and Australian permanent resident Ted Hui.“I am of course disappointed. I’ve said we’ll cooperate with China where we can. But we will disagree where we must. And we do disagree with China with these actions,” Albanese told Australian Broadcasting Corp.The U.S. and British governments also criticized the move, taking issue with the extraterritorial application of Hong Kong’s Nat...

China accuses US of turning Taiwan into a powder keg with its latest sales to self-governing island

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:29:42 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — China’s Defense Ministry accused the United States of turning Taiwan into a powder keg Wednesday with its latest sales of military equipment to the self-governing island democracy worth a total of $440.2 million. The U.S. State Department approved of the sale of 30 mm ammunition and related equipment, along with spare parts for Taiwan’s vehicles, small arms, combat weapon systems, and logistical support items. Defense Ministry spokesperson Col. Tan Kefei responded that “the U.S. ignores China’s core concerns, crudely interferes in China’s internal affairs, and deliberately escalates tensions across the Taiwan Strait.”China claims Taiwan as its own territory to be conquered by force if necessary and Tan said “stern representations” had been lodged with the U.S. “This is tantamount to accelerating the transformation of Taiwan into a ‘powder keg’ and pushing the Taiwanese people into the abyss of disaster,” he said in a statement carried on the mi...

Two months after Charles III’s coronation, Scotland hosts its own event to honor the new monarch

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:29:42 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Two months after the lavish coronation of King Charles III at Westminster Abbey in London, Scotland is set to host its own event to mark the new monarch’s accession to the throne.While Charles and Queen Camilla won’t be crowned a second time Wednesday in Edinburgh, the festivities will include a crown, horse-drawn carriages, mounted cavalry and a flyover by the Red Arrows, the Royal Air Force’s aerobatic display team, as Scotland celebrates its unique relationship with the monarchy.The focal point of the event is a service of thanksgiving at St. Giles’ Cathedral, where Charles will be presented with the Scottish Honors — the crown, scepter and sword of state once used to crown Scotland’s kings and queens. The Stone of Destiny, an important symbol of Scottish identity, will also be moved to the cathedral for the festivities.The presence of these icons of Scotland’s nationhood is a mark of respect for a country that is fiercely proud of its history and where the desire o...

US citizenship test changes are coming, raising concerns for those with low English skills

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:29:42 GMT

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The U.S. citizenship test is being updated, and some immigrants and advocates worry the changes will hurt test-takers with lower levels of English proficiency. The naturalization test is one of the final steps toward citizenship — a monthslong process that requires legal permanent residency for years before applying.Many are still shaken after former Republican President Donald Trump’s administration changed the test in 2020, making it longer and more difficult to pass. Within months, Democratic President Joe Biden took office and signed an executive order aimed at eliminating barriers to citizenship. In that spirit, the citizenship test was changed back to its previous version, which was last updated in 2008.In December, U.S. authorities said the test was due for an update after 15 years. The new version is expected late next year. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services proposes that the new test adds a speaking section to assess English skills. An officer...

Colorado Rapids’ game versus Portland Timbers postponed due to severe weather

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:29:42 GMT

COMMERCE CITY — The fireworks were readied at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. Much like the soccer game, neither lit off.For the second time in the last three games, the Colorado Rapids’ game was postponed due to weather, this time, after one half of play was completed against the Portland Timbers with what was widely expected to be the largest crowd of the season inside the stadium at the team’s annual “4thFest.”A June 21 game against Vancouver was also called off and re-scheduled for Sept. 27. With another home game this Saturday, the grounds crew will be able to keep the pitch in shape thanks to modern turf and drainage system techniques.At 7:42 p.m., a severe weather warning was announced and DSGP was delayed for the first time and soon after, the stadium was battered by multiple bands of wind, rain and lightning.Hey, @BianchiWeather, is this considered a deluge? I think so. Dick’s Sporting Goods Park is absolutely getting dumped on. #Rapids96 #CO...