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El Nino is threatening rice crops while grain supplies already are squeezed by the war in Ukraine

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:31 GMT

NEW DELHI (AP) — Warmer, drier weather because of an earlier than usual El Nino is expected to hamper rice production across Asia, hitting global food security in a world still reeling from the impacts of the war in Ukraine.An El Nino is a natural, temporary and occasional warming of part of the Pacific that shifts global weather patterns, and climate change is making them stronger. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced this one in June, a month or two earlier than it usually does. This gives it time to grow. Scientists say there’s a one in four chance it will expand to supersized levels.That’s bad news for rice farmers, particularly in Asia where 90% of the world’s rice is grown and eaten, since a strong El Nino typically means less rainfall for the thirsty crop.Past El Ninos have resulted in extreme weather, ranging from drought to floods.There are already “alarm bells,” said Abdullah Mamun, a research analyst at the International Food Policy Re...

High times in Thailand: New weed laws draw tourists from across Asia

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:31 GMT

BANGKOK (AP) — A Japanese tourist reaches into a baggie of cannabis he’s just bought in a central Bangkok weed shop, pulling out a gram of buds to chop down in a small black grinder, before rolling them neatly into a joint.Only the slight spillage onto the smoking lounge’s table — and his cough as he lights up and inhales deeply — betray the fact that until two weeks ago, he’d never tried marijuana.Most Asian nations have strict drug laws with harsh penalties, and Thailand’s de facto legalization of marijuana last year has brought a wave of tourists from the region like the visitor from Japan, intrigued by the lure of the forbidden leaf.“I was curious about how I would feel after smoking,” said the 42-year-old tourist who spoke on condition that his name not be used, for fear his experimentation in Bangkok could lead to legal issues at home.“I wonder why Japan bans it?” he pondered. “I wanted to try it.”Even as more countries around the world legalize marijuana, Thailand...

LA County sheriff says deputy punching baby-holding mother in the face was ‘completely unacceptable’

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:31 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — For the second time in a week, the Los Angeles County sheriff decried the use of force by deputies in the Antelope Valley after the Sheriff’s Department released video on Wednesday of a deputy punching a woman twice in the face as she held her baby.The edited video from body camera footage shows the July 2022 encounter during a traffic stop in Palmdale, northeast of Los Angeles.At a news conference, Sheriff Robert Luna said he found the punching “completely unacceptable” and has sent the case to the county district attorney’s office, which will decide whether to file criminal charges against the deputy. The FBI also was alerted, Luna said.Luna said the deputy, whom he didn’t name, has been taken off field duty. Last week, Luna said two deputies had been pulled from field duty after video surfaced of a deputy in neighboring Lancaster violently tackling a woman while she filmed a man being handcuffed, then pepper-spraying her in the face on June 24...

UN says raging conflict in Sudan has displaced over 3 million people. UK sanctions warring sides

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:31 GMT

CAIRO (AP) — A raging conflict in Sudan has driven more than 3 million people from their homes, including over 700,000 who fled to neighboring countries, the U.N. said Wednesday. The United Kingdom announced sanctions on the warring factions, amid growing concerns the country is sliding into a “full-scale civil war.”Sudan has plunged into chaos since mid-April when monthslong tensions between the military and its rival, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, exploded into open fighting in the capital, Khartoum, and elsewhere across the northeastern African nation.The conflict derailed Sudanese hopes of restoring the country’s fragile transition to democracy, which had begun after a popular uprising forced the military’s removal of longtime dictator Omar al-Bashir in April 2019. A coup, led by the military and RSF, disrupted the democratic transition in October 2021.More than 2.4 million people have fled their homes to safer areas inside the country, according to the International Or...

Here are Wednesday's winning numbers for the estimated $750M Powerball jackpot

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:31 GMT

(NEXSTAR) - After yet another drawing without a winner on Monday, the Powerball jackpot reached an estimated $750 million ahead of Wednesday's drawing. Should a ticket (or tickets) match the winning numbers drawn below, this could be the sixth-largest Powerball jackpot in history.The winning numbers drawn Wednesday were: 23, 35, 45, 66, 67, and red Powerball 20. The Power Play multiplier was 3X.Before the drawing, officials estimated the jackpot to be $750 million. It decreased slightly during the day, coming in at an estimated $746.3 million at the time of the drawing. Didn’t win the Powerball jackpot? You may still have won money. Here’s how The Powerball jackpot hasn't been hit since mid-April when a ticket sold in Ohio matched the winning numbers for a $252.6 million prize.If the jackpot isn't hit Wednesday, it will likely eclipse the only other Powerball jackpot won this year — a prize worth $754.6 million, the fifth-largest in Powerball history. The winner, a Washington woma...

Body recovered from Hudson River in Troy

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:31 GMT

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A body pulled from the Hudson River in Troy on Wednesday. Police said the body was found near Madison Pier around 1 p.m. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Police are still in the early stages of the investigation. They said they do not know the victim's identity or how the person ended up in the river.

Southern Illinois woman living with needle in spine; seeks help at Barnes

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:31 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Amy Garrison lives on a quiet farm with her husband in southern Illinois. She enjoys the peace and quiet of Fayette County, but is living in constant pain.Garrison said a portion of an epidural needle is stuck in her spine. She said it was nearly 20 years ago when she gave birth at a naval hospital in Florida. Garrison said an anesthesiologist at that hospital broke off the needle in her spine and never told her what happened.“I’m just tired of hurting,” she said. The needle was not discovered until years later. Garrison filed a lawsuit, but a judge dismissed her case. Garrison’s story generated national headlines at the time.“Every day, I take medicine just so I can get through the day,” she said. 3 killed, several injured in Greyhound bus crash Garrison consulted with her co-workers and friends and decided to turn to Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis for help. She asked doctors to remove the needle, even though Garrison was told risks include possible paralysis.“I ...

Pavement blowup on I-44 in Missouri renews concerns  

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:31 GMT

FENTON, Mo. - A small section of westbound Interstate 44 that raised and buckled in Phelps County was visible in a picture that the Doolittle Rural Fire Protection District shared on Tuesday.The phenomenon is known as a blowup.The busted pavement was in the far-left westbound lane, between the Doolittle and Sugartree exits. The extreme heat is believed to be a contributing factor. Some residents said it’s happened along that stretch of I-44 before.“That’s really dangerous,” said Jadwin Korman, a Phelps County resident. “That can cause a lot of problems.”One area resident said a similar situation resulted in multiple drivers experiencing flat tires last year. John Mozeliak reflects on Cardinals’ nightmare season, insists ‘changes have to happen’ MoDOT made temporary repairs Tuesday, and traffic is back to normal. A spokesperson said a more permanent fix is in the future. Even though some residents insist the area appears to be prone to blowups, MoDOT insists the phenomenon is not u...

Truckers say parking shortage risks everyone’s safety

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:31 GMT

ST. LOUIS – A triple fatal Greyhound bus crash in Highland, Illinois, is now under federal investigation. The passenger bus crashed into three parked big rigs on an exit ramp heading to the area.Patrick Kennedy, a 35-year veteran trucker, who says he passed the crash, believes investigators will find a lack of truck parking partly to blame.“I’ve seen it before,” he said. “People park crazy. They’re out of hours.”Federal regulations mandate how long truckers can drive.“So, they just stop and they’ll park anywhere,” Kennedy said. “They’ll be sticking out in a lane and trucks come by and they’re overtired and driving all night. They slam into them.” 3 killed, several injured in Greyhound bus crash Another driver said he often finds nowhere to rest.“Chucky” of Nash Transport said, “Sometimes, truck stops be too overcrowded to where we kind of making up parking spots, because we really need our rest, and we can’t drive.”A 2019 U.S. Department of Transportation survey found 98% of truck...

Lawmaker to review law 'in-depth' after cars with expired tags towed from driveways

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:31 GMT

ST. LOUIS, Mo. - A top Missouri lawmaker plans to review a state law that two north St. Louis County municipalities are using to tow vehicles from private property.State Rep. David Evans (R-District 154), chairman of the Missouri House Judiciary Committee, said state law requires basic due process rights be met before government seizure and forfeiture of personal property.In Jennings, St. Louis County police officers stopped the city from towing a truck parked in a private driveway that the city's Building Division claimed to be in violation of the city's code.Mayor Gary Johnson said the truck was a safety hazard, but refused to answer whether the city requested a warrant.Robert Cotton Sr., who owns the truck with expired tags, said he hasn't driven it in several years due to mechanical issues. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News ...