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ExxonMobil appeals ruling by Guyanese court in oil spill insurance coverage

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

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AP) — American oil giant ExxonMobil said Friday it had appealed a recent Guyanese court ruling forcing it to set aside hundreds of millions of dollars in the event of a major oil spill off the coast of Guyana.The company said in a statement that the court had failed to consider that Exxon and consortium partners Hess Corporation and China National Overseas Offshore Corporation have the “undoubted ability” to meet their financial obligations in the event of a spill at their operationThe consortium is operating the prolific Stabroek Block near the southeastern border with Suriname.In the ruling two weeks ago, Guyana’s high court ordered the local environmental agency to obtain independent liability insurance from Exxon’s subsidiary Esso Exploration and Production Limited. It also sought an unlimited guarantee from its parent company in the case of damage caused by operations in the South American country.Rights activists and environmentalists fear that a spil...

Stock market today: Wall Street’s best week since March stalls amid debt worries

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

NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street’s best week since March ran out of steam Friday as worries rose about the U.S. government’s efforts to avoid a potentially disastrous default on its debt.The S&P 500 slipped 6.07 points, or 0.1%, to 4,191.98. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 109.28, or 0.3%, to 33,426.63, while the Nasdaq composite gave up 30.94, or 0.2%, to 12,657.90.Despite its weak Friday, the S&P 500 still managed to break out of a long, listless stretch where it failed to move by 1%, up or down, for six straight weeks. It gained 1.6%, with much of the strength earlier in the week coming on rising hopes that Washington can avoid a debt default.Democrats and Republicans are facing down a June 1 deadline, which is when the U.S. government could run out of cash to pay its bills, unless Congress allows it to borrow more. A default on its debt would likely mean a recession for the economy, which has economists and investors both widely expecting a deal to be made.But some of t...

$200,000 bail set for Detroit clerk who locked door before customers were shot

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

DETROIT (AP) — A Detroit gas station clerk may have panicked when he locked a door to stop a possible theft before a man shot three bystanders, but he didn’t commit a crime, his lawyer said Friday.A magistrate set bond at $200,000 for Al-Hassan Aiyash, 22, who is charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of a customer. He is accused of being grossly negligent by locking the door when a man tried to leave the gas station with items worth less than $4.A man was killed and two more were wounded on May 6. Samuel McCray, 27, has been charged with murder and other crimes.Aiyash’s attorney said it’s “really not fair” to set a high bond while prosecutors present an uncommon legal theory.“He was doing his job,” Jamil Khuja told the judge. “Did he panic and act inappropriately in a way? Maybe, but that’s the best they can argue here.”McCray tried to leave the gas station without paying for items when an electronic purchase didn’t work, according to polic...

4th death, more vision loss cases linked to tainted eyedrops

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

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. health officials reported another death and several more cases of vision loss from illnesses linked to eyedrops tainted with a drug-resistant bacteria.The bacteria has infected 81 people, including four who died and 14 who lost vision, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday. That’s up from three deaths and eight cases of vision loss reported in March. The CDC also said four people have undergone surgery to remove an eyeball due to the infections.The outbreak is considered particularly worrisome because the bacteria driving it — Pseudomonas aeruginosa — is resistant to standard antibiotics.Investigators say most of the patients had used certain brands of eyedrops, and products from EzriCare and Delsam Pharma were recalled in February. At least seven patients were diagnosed after the recall.After the recall, U.S. health inspectors visited the plant in India that made the eyedrops and uncovered problems with how the drops were made and tested, i...

Cubs' Friday moves include saying goodbye to a veteran player

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

PHILADELPHIA — As the Cubs look to snap a five-game losing streak in their final series of a nine-game road trip, they've made a number of moves on their roster.That includes saying goodbye to one of the veteran players they acquired before the season. On Friday, the team announced that first baseman Eric Hosmer has been designated for assignment after 31 games with the club. This comes as he was hitting .230 with three doubles, two homers, and 14 RBI as both a first baseman and designated hitter. Hosmer, a four-time Gold Glove winner and a 2016 AL All-Star with the Royals, was signed to a one-year deal this past winter.That was just one of a few moves made by the club ahead of the three-game series with the Phillies as Nico Hoerner was reinstated off the 10-day IL. He'd gone on the list with a left hamstring strain last week but has returned to the lineup quickly. Unfortunately, another starter, outfielder Cody Bellinger, is headed to the 10-day IL with a left knee contusion. He su...

Dave Matthews rails against gun violence: 'No one is coming for your guns'

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

(The Hill) — Musician Dave Matthews says lawmakers have been able to convince the nation that the public is “powerless” against gun violence and that the “vulnerability of innocent people in this country is a sacrifice we have to make if we want to be truly American.”“It’s so mind bogglingly cruel. It’s insanity,” the Dave Matthews Band frontman said in an interview with USA Today, published Friday.“I have no idea how people can stand up and say it’s ‘not guns’ and ‘it’s not the [National Rifle Association,]’ it’s just mental health. And then do nothing to address the fact that from the ‘80s we’ve closed every mental health institution we can in this country,” added the 56-year-old songwriter, promoting his band’s latest album, “Walk Around the Moon." ‘Good guys with guns’ – do they help stop shooters? Here’s what data says Noting that he has “many” friends who are gun owners, Matthews said, “But all of them would also agree that they prefer a person can’t go into a scho...

NASA announces Blue Origin as new partner to work on moon lander for Artemis V mission

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

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) - NASA Administrator Bill Nelson revealed on Friday that Blue Origin, the aerospace company owned by Jeff Bezos, has been selected as the second company to develop a moon lander for the highly anticipated Artemis V mission to the Moon in 2029."The great adventure of humankind pressing out into the cosmos is here," Nelson said. "Our partnership will only add to this golden age of human space flight."NASA has awarded Blue Origin a $3.4 billion contract as part of a $7 billion project to construct the moon lander for the fifth Artemis mission."Blue Origin is contributing well north of $3.4 billion as part of this effort," Blue Origin Vice President John Couluris said.This collaboration follows a similar partnership between NASA and SpaceX, which was awarded a contract in 2021 to provide the vehicle for the first and second scheduled Moon landings. NASA views the involvement of multiple partners as a means to enhance competition and ensure regular lunar landings."Th...

The most popular dog names of 2023 in Illinois

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

You've done everything on your checklist. Got pet insurance and found a great, affordable veterinarian. Didn't forget to puppy-proof the house and scanned high and low for the best quality dog food. Just one thing's missing: What will you name your new furry family member?In the past century, man's best friend has had various popular names. Spike, Fido, and Buddy are classic names. But what if you're looking for something more unique? Or, you want to give them a classic name, like Charlie? Whatever you choose to call your puppy pal, you want to make sure it's just right.What's in a name, you might ask? Sometimes, what you see is what you get. Other times, it's quite the complete opposite. According to the PetHelpful, the ideal dog name should be kept to one to two syllables. Why? You'll get your puppy's attention faster. Another helpful tip: give your furry friend a name you won't get tired of repeating.Wag! ranked the 50 most popular dog names in Illinois based on its use...

Starbucks rolling out new ice cubes, dividing customers

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

(WJW) — Starbucks is changing its ice cubes, and not everyone is happy about it. According to an email from a Starbucks spokesperson, stores will be getting the new machines that make nugget ice after customer testing as part of a multi-year rollout. Customers who have tried the different ice during testing had a "resoundingly positive response," according to the statement. Target recalls nearly 5 million Threshold candles due to burn hazard But a post on Reddit sparked some intense debate. Some said the new smaller and more dense ice cubes will melt faster than the regular, ruining the taste of the drinks.One poster wrote: "Normally this ice IS IT!!!! But I worry that they will melt too fast in iced espresso drinks."Another said: "I used this ice when our machine broke, you are right. The ice is not dense enough to not simply melt even in iced tea drinks."Others don't mind the change. One poster wrote: "Higher surface area means it cools your drink to the ice's temperature faster...

Severe Thunderstorm Watch in the Hill Country, where flooding is also possible tonight

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

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Severe thunderstorms and flash flooding are most likely in the Hill Country Friday night into early Saturday morning, but rain and thunderstorms will also be possible in the Austin area.A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for the entire Hill Country, but not currently the Austin Metro area, until 10 p.m. Friday night. Large hail and strong, damaging wind gusts are the main threats.Storms are developing now in the Hill Country and may produce hail and damaging wind gusts in a few communities this evening and tonight.Heavy rain is also likely in the Hill Country as storms continue overnight, with a 2 out of 4 risk of flash flooding near the Highland Lakes -- welcome news for the low lake levels, but potentially dangerous for low water crossings. Flash flood risk: 2 out of 4A few isolated storms begin to develop in the Hill Country late afternoon / early eveningStorms grow in coverage and intensity Friday evening and night INVESTIGATION: LCRA didn't plan for cli...