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Orsted wants out of $300M forfeiture for scrapped New Jersey offshore wind farms

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:10:13 GMT

OCEAN CITY, N.J. (AP) — Offshore wind power company Orsted is trying to get out of a $300 million guarantee it agreed to pay New Jersey in the event it failed to build its first wind farm off the state’s coast.Last Tuesday, the Danish firm scrapped its Ocean Wind I and II projects in southern New Jersey, saying the projects were no longer financially feasible. The company cited supply chain issues, inflation and a failure to gain enough government tax credits.The next day, Orsted wrote to the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, saying it was withdrawing from an agreement it signed with the state under which it would forfeit the money if it did not build Ocean Wind I.The company said it was doing so because the board had not taken final action to approve the agreement.“The Board has not issued a final approval of the Compliance Filing,” Orsted wrote in a letter to the utilities board, saying it was withdrawing from the agreement “due to changed circumstances.”The company said...

Albania agrees to temporarily house migrants who reach Italy while their asylum bids are processed

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:10:13 GMT

ROME (AP) — Albania agreed Monday to give temporary shelter to some of the thousands of migrants who reach Italian shores while their asylum bids are being processed, offering its neighbor across the Adriatic Sea some relief in managing some of the arrivals. The groundbreaking initiative was announced after Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni met in Rome with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama. Italy will pay for the construction of two centers in Albania which can hold up to 3,000 migrants at a time, under the deal. Children and pregnant women will be excluded from the plan. If Italy rejects the asylum bids, Albania would deport the migrants. Albania would also provide external security for the two centers, which would be under Italian jurisdiction, Meloni told reporters.Meloni said if asylum applications are swiftly processed, as many as 36,000 migrants could be sent for processing on Albanian territory annually. That could help relieve chronic overcrowding at initial asylum processing c...

Reports: Cubs hiring Craig Counsell to replace David Ross as manager

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:10:13 GMT

CHICAGO — Longtime Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell will be heading down I-94 to take over the reigns of the Chicago Cubs from David Ross, according to multiple reports.Counsell, 53, has managed the Brewers since 2015.David Ross was hired in late 2019 after World Series champion Joe Maddon was not brought back following a division collapse to the Cardinals.Toward the end of October, Counsell was granted permission by the Brewers to interview for multiple teams — with many connecting him to the Mets. New York hired Yankees bench coach Carlos Mendoza Monday morning and MLB insiders then said Counsell is expected to be hired by a team with a current manager.Ross, a 2016 World Series champion who hit a home run in Game 7, was 264-284 in four seasons on the North Side.The 46-year-old signed a contract extension last year through the 2024 season with an option for 2025.WGN News will update this story once more information becomes available.

Chicago police officer shot and wounded on South Side

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:10:13 GMT

CHICAGO — A Chicago police officer was shot and wounded Monday on the city's South Side.According to authorities, a suspect is in custody.The shooting happened around 12 p.m. in the 7310 block of South Dante Avenue in the Grand Cross neighborhood.The Chicago Fire Department confirms an officer was shot in the arm and transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.The fire department said a civilian was also transported to the same hospital in extremely critical condition with a gunshot wound. 11-year-old girl shot while inside home on South Side This is a developing story. Check back for details.

Rescues made in extra-alarm fire on South Side

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:10:13 GMT

CHICAGO — Fire crews were on the scene of an extra-alarm fire in the city's Oakland neighborhood Monday morning.According to fire officials, the fire was caused by careless use of smoking materials.The three-alarm fire broke out around 7 a.m. on the seventh floor of an apartment high-rise in the 3500 block of South Cottage Grove. Residents were sent running down the stairs to evacuate the building.About 150 fire crews reponded to the scene. An EMS Plan 2 was called for additional ambulances as some residents were evaluated for smoke inhalation and transported to nearby hospitals.Emergency crews on the scene rescued at least two people, pulling them out of their apartment windows.Warming buses are being brought to the scene for displaced residents.Residents said more than 100 people live in the building, a majority of those people being seniors. It is unknown when they will be allowed back into their homes.

Barbra Streisand says she called Tim Cook about Siri mispronouncing her name

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:10:13 GMT

(The Hill) -- Barbra Streisand says after discovering that the iPhone’s Siri was mispronouncing her name, she went straight to the top with her concerns.“I said my name isn’t with a ‘z’ — it’s Streisand, like sand on the beach,” the legendary singer said in a Sunday interview with the BBC after learning that Apple devices weren’t reading the name correctly.“Now, how simple can you get? Sand on the beach,” the 81-year-old “Funny Girl” star repeated.“I decided, how do I change this?” the performer wondered aloud while promoting her new memoir “My Name is Barbra.”“I like solving problems,” Streisand continued. Danny DeVito jokes that Schwarzenegger ‘should have done “Twins 2” instead of becoming governor’ “I figured I better call… the head of Apple, [CEO] Tim Cook,” she said.“And he had Siri change the pronunciation of my name to be correct,” Streisand said with a grin.“That's one perk of fame,” she contended.The BBC’s Mark Savage asked Siri a question about Streisand to test ...

Police seek man suspected in armed robbery of convenience store in Wadsworth

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:10:13 GMT

WADSWORTH, Ill. — Police in Wadsworth are looking for a man who allegedly robbed a convenience store at gunpoint overnight.Around 3:40 a.m., authorities responded to the Loves Travel/Truck Stop in the 43100 block of North Route 41, Wadsworth following reports of an armed robbery.According to police, the man entered the store, approached a clerk and displayed a firearm before demanding money. The suspect removed money from the register.SEE ALSO: FBI searching for Lombard bank robbery suspect with possible skin disorderThe male suspect was possibly in his 40s and was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with an American flag, camouflage pants, and boots.  Police offer warning after early-morning carjackings on Far North Side Anyone with information is asked to call Lake County Sheriff’s Detectives at (847) 377-4000 or leave an anonymous tip with Lake County CrimeStoppers.

Sarkisian: Ewers throwing in practice, now 'day-to-day' recovering from shoulder injury

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:10:13 GMT

Editor's Note: The above video is KXAN Sports' instant analysis following Texas' 33-30 win over Kansas State on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian upgraded Quinn Ewers' injury designation to "day-to-day" during his weekly press conference Monday.Ewers has been out since the fourth quarter of the Oct. 21 game against Houston with an injury to his throwing shoulder, missing games against BYU and Kansas State. The past two weeks, Sarkisian said Ewers has been "week-to-week," but he recently started throwing in practice. Instant Analysis: Unpacking a wild Longhorns win "I have to continue to see how he feels," Sarkisian said. "I can give my assessment on the capability to operate the offense, but ultimately, it's how he feels. We'll navigate this week and see."Sarkisian lauded the play of backup Maalik Murphy even with the rough patches he had in the 33-30 overtime win over Kansas State. Sarkisian said Murphy had a "really good practice,"...

Using llamas to stabilize the soil

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:10:13 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Climate change is causing glaciers to melt rapidly around the world. This melting is causing the land left to become dangerous and unstable. Scientists at the University of Texas at Austin did research on this topic in partnership with institutions in Peru.It is not only the melting creating dangerous soils but also land rushes for mining and drainage of acid rock that foster a disrespect for local land rights. Bring on the llamas. Yes, llamas. Llamas brought onto this land, when managed by local herders, were helping to stabilize the soils and the ecosystem formation. There is also faster plant succession, something that occurs over time.The researchers at UT worked with a group called Llama 2000 Asociación. The soil in Peru that was exposed by glacial melting was found to be low in proper and needed nutrients. Here's what they did. They worked at the exposed edge of the Uruasharaju glacier in the Cordillera Blanca. In this area they created 925-square-meter-plots....

Local organization offers swim classes for children with autism

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:10:13 GMT

DELMAR, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A local non-profit organization is offering swim lessons for children diagnosed with autism. The Autism Society Greater Hudson Region will hold the four classes at Bethlehem Middle School on December 3, 10, 17, and 30. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The whole pool will be rented out, and every child will have their own instructor. Classes will run from 2 to 3 p.m. Space is limited. The four classes in the December session cost $100 total. Checks and money orders should be paid to the order of Autism Society Greater Hudson Region - ASGHR. Email Mary Kavaney at [email protected] to reserve a spot.