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Leandro De Niro Rodriguez, grandson of Robert De Niro, dies at 19

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:42 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Leandro De Niro Rodriguez, a grandson of Robert De Niro, has died at 19.His mother, Drena De Niro, announced the news Monday in an Instagram post.“I don’t know how to live without you but I’ll try to go on and spread the love and light that you so made me feel in getting to be your mama,” she wrote. “You were so deeply loved and appreciated and I wish that love alone could have saved you.”Drena De Niro shared Leandro with artist Carlos Mare, who posted black squares sans caption on his Instagram accounts.“I’m deeply distressed by the passing of my beloved grandson Leo. We’re greatly appreciative of the condolences from everyone. We ask that we please be given privacy to grieve our loss of Leo,” Robert De Niro said in a statement.Further details were not immediately available. Messages to a representative for Drena De Niro was not immediately returned.In response to a request to confirm a TMZ report that Leandro was found in a New York apartment, New York City police ...

Israelis protest at international airport against judicial overhaul plan

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:42 GMT

JERUSALEM (AP) — Thousands of Israelis blocked traffic and snarled movement at the country’s main international airport on Monday, the latest mass demonstration over Benjamin Netanyahu’s contentious planned judicial overhaul that has divided the nation.The Netanyahu government’s push to pass several overlapping reforms to the country’s judiciary have plunged Israel into an unprecedented crisis and divided an already highly polarized country. Protesters waving Israel’s blue-and-white national flag and blowing horns blocked the main thoroughfare outside Ben Gurion Airport’s main terminal and demonstrated inside the arrivals hall. Police said officers arrested at least four people for public disturbance. Netanyahu and his ultranationalist and ultra-Orthodox political allies are pressing ahead with plans to pass several contentious changes to Israel’s judicial system after attempts to reach a compromise with opposition lawmakers disintegrated. The planned overhau...

US measure would ban products containing mineral mined with child labor in Congo

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:42 GMT

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — A measure has been introduced in the U.S. House to ban imported products containing minerals critical to electric vehicle batteries but mined through child labor and other abusive conditions in Congo, where China has enormous mining stakes.The bill targets China, which sponsor Republican Rep. Chris Smith of New Jersey says uses forced labor and exploits children to mine cobalt in the impoverished but resource-rich central African country. Congo is the world’s largest producer of cobalt, a mineral used to make lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles, a key pillar of President Joe Biden’s climate plans. China controls the majority of the cobalt mines in Congo, strengthening Beijing’s position in the global supply chain for electric vehicles and other products.“On the backs of trafficked workers and child laborers, the Chinese Communist Party is exploiting the vast cobalt resources of the Democratic Republic of Congo to fuel its economy and global agenda,” Smi...

“A preoccupation with failure.” Why the Titan submersible was doomed from the start

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:42 GMT

HALIFAX — The company behind the submersible that imploded during a recent dive to the Titanic ignored key principles that guide organizations working in high-risk environments, experts in emergency management say.Jack Rozdilsky, a professor at York University in Toronto,  says OceanGate’s business — ferrying paying passengers to the floor of the North Atlantic — could be compared to the immensely risky work of companies that launch space flights, drill for offshore oil, fight wildfires or operate nuclear power plants.“These are high-reliability organizations (HROs) that operate in complex, high-hazard domains for extended periods of time without serious accidents or catastrophic failures,” Rozdilsky, a professor of disaster and emergency management, said in a recent interview. “OceanGate does not appear to have functioned as a high-reliability organization.”The professor cited three key attributes shared by HROs:— They are reluctant to simplify. ...

Peter Hellyer, prolific writer who chronicled the UAE’s rise over nearly five decades, dies at 75

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:42 GMT

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Peter Hellyer, a U.K.-born writer who spent nearly five decades chronicling the history, natural beauty and modern transformation of the United Arab Emirates, has died peacefully at the age of 75, local media reported Monday.Hellyer, who was granted UAE citizenship and awarded the country’s highest civilian honor, helped found the state-run WAM news agency and established its English service. He also helped establish an archaeological group that uncovered several historical sites.“(Hellyer’s) passion and devotion to this land and its people will continue to inspire us to continue his legacy in protecting and preserving our environment, monuments, and ancient history,” UAE Culture Minister Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi wrote on Twitter.Hellyer came to the UAE in 1975 to make a documentary film about Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founder and first president of the federation of seven sheikhdoms.He stayed on to chronicle its dramat...

26-year-old man struck and killed by Metra train in Buffalo Grove

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:42 GMT

BUFFALO GROVE, Ill. — A 26-year-old man was struck and killed by a Metra train in Buffalo Grove Monday morning.Buffalo Grove police said the accident happened around 7:40 a.m. at the Prairie View Metra Station, located at 2701 Main Street. Officers and firefighters responded to the scene for the report of a person struck.Upon arrival, emergency crews located a 26-year-old man, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Swimming at Evanston beaches closed due to elevated E. coli levels Metra Police is conducting an investigation.

Transgender woman applying to compete in Miss Venezuela pageant

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:42 GMT

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuelan’s enthusiasm for beauty pageants is unparalleled, and Miss Venezuela — the crown jewel of them all — may be the only event able to unite the deeply divided country. Once a year, class, race and politics are put aside as the South American nation tunes in to see who will represent Venezuela on the global stage.Behind the cheers and claps for the women vying for the coveted title is a deeply conservative society with little to no tolerance for any defiance of heteronormative standards. Sofia Salomón is ready to challenge that.The influencer and Instagram model has applied to take part in this year’s Miss Venezuela contest. If accepted, she will be the first transgender woman to participate.Sofia Salomon holds her dog Barbie at home in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, May 30, 2023. The influencer and Instagram model has applied to take part in this year’s Miss Venezuela contest. If accepted, she will be the first transgender woman to participate. (...

Man on South Side arrested after 17-year-old critically wounded in Joliet

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:42 GMT

CHICAGO — A man was arrested on the South Side Saturday night in connection to the shooting of a 17-year-old boy in Joliet.Earlier in the night, officers responded to a residence in the 900 block of Shiloh Court just after 8:30 p.m. on the report of a person shot.Officers located a 17-year-old boy who sustained two gunshot wounds. He was transported to Ascension St. Joseph Medical Center in critical condition.The boy was then airlifted to Stroger Hospital in Chicago.During the investigation, police allege that Nathaniel Jakes, 19, of Joliet was driving a Dodge Durango that fled the scene. Officers pursued the vehicle, but were unable to stop it.Illinois State Police later told Joliet police that the vehicle was involved in a crash near 71st Street and Racine in Chicago. Jakes was arrested and transported back to Joliet. Firework explodes on suburban man’s face; critical condition He is facing charges of aggravated battery with a firearm, aggravated fleeing and eluding a peace offi...

Injuries reported in multi-vehicle rollover crash on Hwy 290

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:42 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for July 3, 2023AUSTIN (KXAN) -- At least three people were transported to a hospital after a major, multi-vehicle rollover crash in east Austin on US Highway 290. Austin Travis County EMS said on Twitter at 9:38 a.m. medics were responding to a rollover crash in the 9800 block of Hwy 290 eastbound. That's near Harris Branch Parkway. Two to three vehicles were involved, according to ATCEMS. Medics transported three adults to Dell Seton. Two of them were declared trauma alerts with potentially serious injuries, and one had non-life-threatening injuries. Drivers should avoid the area if possible. This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

AARP report looks at what can hurt and help your brain health

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:42 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for July 3, 2023AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A new report from the AARP's Global Council on Brain Health found societal, political, and environmental factors can all have an impact on cognitive decline. While the report encourages people to live healthy lifestyles, they say people too often face barriers related to government policy, health care, and culture itself preventing them from taking the steps necessary. Scientific research, technology, city planning, healthcare, and employers all have a role in improving brain health and cognitive resistance.The report said failing to do so will have "economic and social costs."KXAN talked with AARP Policy and Brain Health Senior Vice President Sarah Lock about the report and possible solutions. Tom Miller: Your new report says that brain health decline isn't inevitable as we get older, but what are some of the things that do lead to that cognitive decline?Sarah Lock: The Global Cou...