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Protesters demand that Japan save 1000s of trees by revising a design plan for a popular Tokyo park

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:14 GMT

TOKYO (AP) — Protesters in Tokyo formed a human chain Sunday to demand the government save thousands of trees by revising its plan to redevelop a popular downtown park.Demonstrators, many wearing green shirts and holding up signs saying, “Save Jingu Gaien,” demanded the Education Ministry take action even though the landowner is one of its agencies.Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike approved the plan in February, a move that would allow developers — real estate company Mitsui Fudosan, Meiji Jingu shrine, Itochu Corp. and the ministry-affiliate Japan Sports Council — to build a pair of 200-meter (650-foot) skyscrapers and an 80-meter (260-foot) tower. That would require cutting down nearly 3,000 trees at Jingu Gaien, one of Tokyo’s most historic and beloved green areas. The plan would also raze and rebuild a historic baseball stadium where Babe Ruth played and change a rugby field to one with artificial grass. Also at stake are the well-known 150 gingko trees lining a century-old pr...

Gunmen kill a member of Iran’s paramilitary force and wound 3 others on protest anniversary

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:14 GMT

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Gunmen opened fire on a group of paramilitary forces in southern Iran, killing one of them and wounding another three, state media reported Sunday.Local media did not give a motive for Saturday’s attack, which occurred on the anniversary of the death while in police custody of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini and the outbreak of nationwide protests. It was unclear if the attack was linked to the anniversary.The official IRNA news agency said the attack targeting members of the paramilitary Basij occurred late Saturday in the town of Nourabad, some 630 kilometers (390 miles) south of the capital, Tehran.In a separate incident, a man was shot and wounded by security forces near the city of Saqqez, in Iran’s western Kurdish region. IRNA said he was shot after entering an area under military restrictions, without elaborating on his condition. The Kurdish rights group Hengaw had earlier reported that he was in critical condition, while the semi-offic...

Climate activists spray Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate with orange paint

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:14 GMT

BERLIN (AP) — German climate activists sprayed orange paint onto Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate on Sunday morning to urge the German government to take more urgent action against climate change.Members of the group the Last Generation used fire extinguishers filled with paint to spray all six columns of the popular landmark in Germany’s capital. The group’s priorities include getting Germany to stop using all fossil fuels by 2030 and take short-term measures, including imposing a general speed limit of 100 kilometers per hour (62 mph) on highways, to cut emissions more quickly.“The protest makes it clear: It is time for a political change,” the group said in a statement. “Away from fossil fuels — towards fairness.”Police cordoned off the area surrounding Brandenburg Gate and confirmed that they detained 14 activists affiliated with the Last Generation.The group best known for its protests in which activists glue themselves to roads and block traffic plays a provocative and polarizi...

Fire engulfs an 18-story tower block in Sudan’s capital as rival forces battle for the 6th month

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:14 GMT

CAIRO (AP) — An 18-story building in the center of Sudan’s capital was engulfed in flames Sunday as fighting between the military and a rival paramilitary force enters its sixth month.The Greater Nile Petroleum Oil Company Tower, situated in the center of Khartoum, caught fire early Sunday during clashes between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces, according to Sudanese media.It’s unclear how the fire started or if anyone was killed.Online footage of the blaze showed clouds of dark smoke rising from the burnt-out glass-paneled tower, one of the tallest buildings in the Sudanese capital.Sudan has been rocked by violence since mid-April, when tensions between the country’s military, led by Gen. Abdel Fattah Burhan, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, commanded by Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, burst into open fighting.The conflict has reduced Khartoum to an urban warzone. In the Greater Khartoum area, RSF troops have commandeered civilian homes and turned th...

Sunday Forecast: Flood Advisory until 9 a.m., clouds decrease

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:14 GMT

Sunday: Flood Advisory until 9a. AM rain tapers then decreasing clouds. N 5-10 mph late. High: 66NWS Chicago stated a Flash Flood Warning is in effect in Cook County until 1:30 p.m. Saturday.Chicago Area Radar | WGN TVSunday Night: Partly to mostly cloudy skies. Slight chance of showers. N 5-10 mph. Low: 54 Monday: A chance of showers early then partly sunny. NNE 5-10 mph. High: 69Extended outlook calls for partly sunny skies on Tuesday with a chance of showers in the afternoon. More sunshine for Wed/Thu/Fri. The last days of summer will feel like summer with highs for several days in a row near 80. Fall begins with the equinox on Saturday. Chicago Weather | Tom Skilling and the WGN Weather Center's Forecast (wgntv.com)

2 stabbed during Mexican Independence Day celebration in downtown: CPD

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:14 GMT

CHICAGO -- A teen and 19-year-old were stabbed after a physical altercation ensued during the Mexican Independence Day celebration that took the streets in downtown Saturday night.Police said that the two individuals were on a sidewalk near the 300 block of North State Street around 12:20 a.m. when a witness said an argument ensued with another group of individuals. Homicide investigation underway after mother of former-NFL player found dead in creek The argument turned physical in which the 19-year-old was stabbed in the back and the 15-year-old boy sustained a laceration to the torso. The victims were transported to Northwestern memorial Hospital in fair condition. There is currently no one in custody and police are investigating the incident.

Indy man charged after woman shot on North Side: CPD

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:14 GMT

CHICAGO -- An Indianapolis man is facing felony charges after a 20-year-old woman was shot and injured in Albany Park. Gregory Mulkey, of Indianapolis, is facing several felony charges of aggravated battery, possession of a controlled substance and misdemeanor charges for possessing a firearm without a valid FOID card. 2 stabbed during Mexican Independence Day celebration in downtown: CPD Police said the 33-year-old man was arrested Friday evening and identified as the man who shot and injured a 20-year-old woman in the 3700 block of West Leland Avenue 30 minutes earlier.Mulkey was placed into custody and charged accordingly.

Bright weather with limited rain chances to end summer

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:14 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Today is going to be bright and dry with afternoon highs reaching the upper 80s to low 90s. North winds will keep the air comfortable with the morning humidity lowering during the day.Today's normal highs is 91° CENTRAL TEXAS RAINFALL TOTALS A period of bright and mainly dry weather begins today. No rain is forecast today through Tuesday. A storm system developing well north of Central Texas could provide a minor impact for the local forecast with a few isolated showers and thunderstorms from Wednesday to Saturday. For now, the chance of any measured precipitation will be 10%.A mainly dry forecast today through SaturdayAfternoon highs will warm to the low to mid 90s all of next week.The Autumnal Equinox is Saturday at 1:49 a.m. The first day of autumn will be warmer than normal (90°) with a forecast of low to mid 90s. NEW BLOG: Peak Atlantic hurricane season is here, what’s next? Post-Tropical Cyclone Lee did make landfall Saturday afternoon with maximum sustain...

Georgetown finds new water source, but relief is years away

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:14 GMT

LIBERTY HILL, Texas (KXAN) — Dustin Baxter's front yard is scorched yellow and dried out other than a few green patches. "We managed to keep all the stuff right around our house alive by hand-watering," Baxter said. "It's hard to say if the if the lawn will come back, we'll probably end up losing quite a bit of our landscape."Homeowners in the western portion of Georgetown's service area are limited to only hand-watering. (KXAN Photo/Arezow Doost) Baxter has been limited to only hand-watering since July. His neighborhood and others are under stage 3 water restrictions and on the western edge of Georgetown's service area. The city extended water restrictions because of the drought and supply challenges. "We have continued high demand for water in our water district, as well as we've had some issues with getting contracted water. And then having some of our capital improvement projects that were planned to be online this summer had not...

PHOTOS: St. Louis Renaissance Festival returns for its 25th year

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:14 GMT

WENTZVILLE, Mo – The St. Louis Renaissance Festival is back, kicking off five weekends of fun. The festival runs from September 16 to October 22 and has a 25-year history. It's a family-friendly event where visitors can enjoy volunteers and vendors dressed in period clothing, jousting demonstrations, and even petting zoos. While parking is free, there is an admission fee.The ‘lore’ of the renfaire is that when you arrive, you are stepping into the village of Petite Lyon. Petite Lyon is under the rule of 13 Counts from the city of Lyon. They've extended invitations to travelers, entertainers, sellers, and skilled craftsmen from all over the country to create a special and memorable festival. This year marks the celebration of 25 years of fun and excitement.By Liz DowellBy Liz DowellBy Liz DowellBy Liz DowellBy Liz DowellBy Liz DowellBy Liz DowellBy Liz DowellBy Liz DowellBy Liz DowellBy Liz DowellBy Liz DowellBy Liz DowellBy Liz DowellBy Liz DowellBy Liz DowellBy Liz DowellBy Liz Dow...