Palm Desert

Texas, refineries urged to plan storm shutdowns to cut pollution

Texas environment regulators should coordinate shutdowns of oil refineries and other petrochemical plants during major storms to avoid big releases of air pollution like during last year's Hurricane Harvey, a report said on Thursday. A year ago Harvey dumped more than 60 inches (1.5 meters) of rain on southeastern Texas, halting refineries that produce a quarter of U.S. fuel and damaging infrastructure. Texas industry, including refineries and petrochemical plants, released an extra 8.3 million pounds (3.8 million kg) of air pollutants including cancer-causing benzene, during Harvey, said the report by the Washington-based Environmental Integrity Project.

Judge orders Keystone XL pipeline review in setback for Trump

A federal judge in Montana on Wednesday ordered the U.S. State Department to do a full environmental review of a revised route for the Keystone XL crude oil pipeline, a move that could delay the project and prove a setback for the Trump administration. For more than a decade, environmentalists, tribal groups, and ranchers have fought the $8-billion, 1,180-mile (1,900-km) pipeline to carry heavy crude to Steele City in Nebraska from Canada's oilsands in Alberta. U.S. District Court Judge Brian Morris ruled for the Indigenous Environmental Network and other plaintiffs, ordering the review of a revised pipeline route through Nebraska to supplement one the department did on the original path in 2014.

Newspaper editorials across U.S. rebuke Trump for attacks on media

The Boston Globe organized the editorial push, which was joined by the New York Times and a number of smaller newspapers, including some in states that Trump won during the 2016 presidential election. A representative for the White House could not immediately be reached for comment on the editorials.

Colorado baker in case of Supreme Court sues state over 'persecution'

Jack Phillips, owner of Masterpiece Cakeshop in the city of Lakewood, accuses Colorado’s Civil Rights Commission of violating his constitutional rights to free speech, freedom of religion, equal protection and due process, according to the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Denver on Tuesday. “This lawsuit is necessary to stop Colorado’s continuing persecution of Phillips,” the written complaint alleges. Also named in the lawsuit are Governor John Hickenlooper and Cynthia Coffman, the state attorney general.

White House cannot shield information on transgender military ban: judge

The decision on Tuesday by U.S. Magistrate Judge A. David Copperthite came in a lawsuit by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf more than one dozen transgender people serving or who want to serve in the military. Copperthite declined to decide whether President Donald Trump deserved a protective order for his own communications, pending a ruling on whether to dismiss Trump as a defendant. Andy Reuss, a spokesman for the U.S. Department of Justice, declined to comment.

New Mexico compound member in U.S. illegally over 20 years: government

A Haitian woman who was charged with child abuse at a New Mexico compound has been taken into custody by immigration authorities after living in the United States illegally for over 20 years, immigration officials said on Wednesday. Jany Leveille, 35, was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Taos County, New Mexico, on Tuesday and must appear before a judge to resolve her immigration status, according to a statement by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. "Leveille has been unlawfully present in the U.S. for more than 20 years after overstaying the validity of her non-immigrant visitor visa," according to an ICE statement.

U.S. and Mexico to set up joint team to fight drug cartels

The announcement of a fresh effort at co-operation on security issues comes at a time of strained relations between the two neighboring countries and around four months before President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, a left-leaning nationalist, is due to take power in Mexico. Lopez Obrador has vowed to shake up Mexico's war on drug cartels and wants to rewrite the rules, aides have said, suggesting negotiated peace and amnesties rather than a hardline strategy that critics say has only perpetuated violence. "We are sure the next president of the republic will be willing to collaborate in the fight against organized crime," Felipe de Jesus Munoz Vazquez, Mexico's deputy attorney general for the specialized investigation of federal crimes unit, told a joint U.S.-Mexican news conference in Chicago.

Ex-NYC union head convicted of taking bribe to invest in fund

A former head of New York City's correction officers' union was found guilty on Wednesday of accepting a bribe to steer union money to now-defunct hedge fund Platinum Partners for investing. Norman Seabrook, a leader of the Correction Officers' Benevolent Association for two decades, was convicted by a Manhattan federal jury of fraud and conspiracy after his second trial on the charges. U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein set Seabrook's sentencing for Nov. 30.

Florida school opens for class with new security after massacre

Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, doubled its campus security detail to 18, including three armed uniformed sheriff's deputies. The school's 3,300 students wore new identification badges as they funneled through three entrances at the sprawling 45-acre campus. School administrators considered and then opted against requiring students to use see-through backpacks or installing metal detectors, finding it would be too difficult to screen all students each morning before class.

Lightning storms mass over California, Oregon as wildfires blaze

The clouds carried little rain and offered little chance of a break from the bone-dry conditions plaguing the region, the National Weather Service said. Elsewhere, crews made slow but steady progress against wildfires including one, called the Mendocino Complex, which has become largest in California's history and killed one firefighter from Utah on Monday. Emergency crews had managed to set up containment lines around almost two thirds the fire which has raged through the southern end of the Mendocino National Forest, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) said.

Turkish court rejects U.S. pastor's appeal, upper court yet to rule: lawyer

One Turkish court has rejected an American Christian pastor's appeal to be released from house arrest and for his travel ban to be lifted, but an upper court is yet to rule on the appeal, his lawyer told Reuters on Wednesday. Evangelical pastor Andrew Brunson is standing trial in Turkey over terrorism charges.

Mayor of Washington D.C. joins El Salvador town to celebrate migration milestone

Far from U.S. President Donald Trump's crackdown on illegal immigration, the people of a small coastal town in El Salvador on Tuesday celebrated half a century of their links to Washington D.C. - joined by the capital's mayor. Sigfredo Chavez and Elba Salinas, along with their two sons, were the first migrants from Intipuca to make the long journey to the United States in 1967, ending up in Washington D.C. and paving the way for thousands of people from their town who would follow, local officials said.

New Mexico judge gets death threats after granting bail to Muslim compound members

A New Mexico judge received death threats and Islamophobic abuse on Tuesday a day after she granted bail to five Muslims charged with child abuse and accused of training children at their compound to carry out attacks, court officials said. Police raided the compound in Taos County on Aug. 3 following a tip-off that children held there were starving. In an order published on Tuesday, district Judge Sarah Backus said prosecutors had produced evidence that was "troubling and unusual" but failed to show the defendants abused the children and were a threat to society if released on bail.

Midwest battleground states tap candidates for midterm elections

Wisconsin Republicans tapped state senator Leah Vukmir to battle incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, according to an Associated Press projection, after a bruising primary that could hamper her chances in November. Trump was the first Republican presidential candidate to win Wisconsin in 32 years and he narrowly lost to Democrat Hillary Clinton in Minnesota.

In first, transgender woman wins Democratic nomination for Vermont governor

"I think Vermont is a beacon of hope for the rest of the country," Hallquist said during an interview with Reuters. "This is what I call expanding our moral compass and that is what I think it represents." The contest comes at a time of uncertainty for transgender rights, which expanded under the administration of Democratic President Barack Obama. Transgender candidates are hoping to build on the breakthrough year of 2017, when at least 10 won office across the country at levels ranging from state legislator to zoning (town planning) board - the most ever recorded.

Ford to invest $740 million in Detroit train station, city development project

Ford aims to turn the building into a campus of offices for up to 5,000 tech workers and software engineers focused on self-driving vehicles and ancillary technologies and services. The second largest U.S. automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, about 10 miles from Detroit, announced the project in June, but had not previously disclosed costs until a community meeting on Tuesday. The company said Tuesday in a statement it is "working with federal, state and local economic development groups and officials, seeking at least $250 million in tax or other incentives to support the development of the five Corktown sites Ford has purchased." Ford said total investment in the development of the train station and developing 45 acres of vacant land will cost approximately $740 million over the next four years.

U.S. lawsuit over photos at U.S.-Mexico border crossings is revived

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Pasadena, California, ruled 3-0 that a lower court judge acted too hastily in dismissing Ray Askins' and Christian Ramirez's First Amendment claims against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection officials. It faulted the judge for deciding in a "conclusory fashion" that the case should be dismissed because of the government's "extremely compelling interest" in border security and general interest in protecting U.S. territorial sovereignty. While reasonable restrictions on speech might be justified, "it is the government's burden to prove that these specific restrictions are the least restrictive means available to further its compelling interest," Circuit Judge Jay Bybee wrote for the appeals court.

Nine hurt as gas explosion levels Denver building

DENVER (Reuters) - Nine people were injured, one critically, on Tuesday when a natural gas explosion leveled a Denver apartment building, a fire department spokesman said.

Pennsylvania report details decades of sexual abuse by priests

An 884-page report made public by Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro after a two-year investigation contained graphic examples of children being groomed and sexually abused by clergymen. It was largely based on documents from secret archives kept by the dioceses, including handwritten confessions by priests, he said.

Yosemite reopens its valley, as flames and smoke linger

The reopening of Yosemite Valley, by far the most heavily touristed area of the park, came as firefighters continued to make slow, steady progress containing the last hot spots of the Ferguson Fire, which erupted July 13 at the edge of Yosemite. The blaze, one of the largest of dozens that have burned across California this summer, has charred nearly 97,000 acres around the park's northwestern corner, but fire crews have carved containment lines around 86 percent of its perimeter. The road into Yosemite Valley was reopened on Tuesday for the first time since July 25, along with two highways into the park.

Puerto Rico utility completes restoration 10 months after Maria

In a message on twitter, the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) said it had restored power to the last customer that was still offline, a family in Ponce, on the island's southern side. Hurricane Maria devastated the island last September and the bankrupt utility struggled to restore service to its customers.

Boy, 11, hacks into replica U.S. vote website in minutes at convention

(Reuters) - An 11-year-old boy managed to hack into a replica of Florida's election results website in 10 minutes and change names and tallies during a hackers convention, organizers said, stoking concerns about security ahead of nationwide votes. The boy was the quickest of 35 children, ages 6 to 17, who all eventually hacked into copies of the websites of six swing states during the three-day Def Con security convention over the weekend, the event said on Twitter on Tuesday. The National Association of Secretaries of State - who are responsible for tallying votes - said it welcomed the convention's efforts.

Evacuations, rescues as 'historic' floods hit northeastern U.S.

(Reuters) - New Jersey declared a partial state of emergency on Tuesday as forecasts for further heavy rainfall posed new danger in parts of that state, New York and Pennsylvania, where rescuers hauled people from waterways, flooded cars and homes. Following several days of torrential rain throughout the northeastern United States, the National Weather Service issued new warnings for flooding in areas around Binghamton, New York, near the Pennsylvania border, and in New Jersey.

Nebraska carries out its first execution since 1997

Carey Moore, 60, was put to death at the Nebraska State Penitentiary in Lincoln, a state official told local media at the site. The execution also marked the first time Nebraska has used a lethal injection to kill an inmate since the death penalty was reinstated by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1976.

Southwest to allow only dogs, cats as emotional support animals

(Reuters) - Southwest Airlines Co would limit emotional support animals to only dogs and cats on its flights and will allow one per passenger, the U.S. airline said on Tuesday as it updated its service animal policies. The emotional support animal must remain in a carrier or be on a leash at all times, Southwest said, adding that customers traveling with pets will need to present a complete letter from a medical doctor or licensed mental health professional on the day of the departure. Airlines have started to tighten policies to fly animals on growing concerns about passengers bringing aboard exotic pets that could pose a safety risk.

China angered at new U.S. defense act, to assess content

China's complaints about the act come as the world's two biggest economies engage in an increasingly bitter fight over trade, levying tariffs on each others' products. U.S. President Donald Trump signed a $716-billion defense policy act on Monday that authorizes military spending and waters down controls on U.S. government contracts with China's ZTE Corp and Huawei Technologies Co Ltd . The National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, strengthens the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), which reviews proposals to determine if they threaten national security.

New Mexico family believed dead boy's spirit would lead attacks: prosecutors

A 3-year-old boy found buried at a New Mexico desert compound died in a ritual to "cast out demonic spirits," but his extended family believed he would "return as Jesus" to identify "corrupt" targets for them to attack, prosecutors said in court on Monday. Prosecutors' account of an exorcism-like ritual, allegations of weapons training for children and references to martyrdom and conspiracy were aimed at persuading a judge to deny bond for the five adults charged with child abuse in the case. Defense attorneys said prosecutors sought to criminalize their clients for being African-Americans of Muslim faith.

Trump signs defense policy bill with watered-down China measures

U.S. President Donald Trump signed a $716 billion defense policy bill on Monday that authorizes military spending and includes watered-down controls on U.S. government contracts with China's ZTE Corp and Huawei Technologies Co Ltd. Trump signed the law at the U.S. Army's Fort Drum base in upstate New York on his way back to Washington after a 12-day working vacation at his golf club in New Jersey. The bill was named for one of Trump's political critics, the ailing U.S. Senator John McCain of Arizona, but he did not mention McCain's name.

Boy at New Mexico compound died in ritual ceremony, prosecutors say

Authorities found the remains at a ramshackle compound north of Taos where 11 other children were found alive but malnourished in a raid on the site 10 days ago. The prosecutor said during a court hearing for five adults arrested on charges of abusing the 11 children that they had been trained to use weapons and defend the compound in the event of an FBI raid. The adults, including three women who police said were the mothers of the 11 children, were charged with 11 counts of felony child abuse.

Florida man charged in 'stand your ground' shooting

The suspect, Michael Drejka of Clearwater, was taken into custody on Monday, the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said in a statement. “We did our own investigation," said Bernie McCabe, the state attorney for Pinellas and Pasco Counties who filed the charges in explaining his decision to prosecute. The law, which removes legal responsibility to retreat from a dangerous situation, was cited as a factor in the fatal 2012 shooting of unarmed black teenager Trayvon Martin by a volunteer neighborhood watch captain who was eventually acquitted.

Firefighters gain on major California blazes as heat wave breaks

A break in the sizzling heat wave that has baked California for much of the summer gave firefighters a chance to attack a string of major wildfires burning across the state that have killed eight people and destroyed thousands of homes. The cooler temperatures came during a two-day tour of devastated neighborhoods by U.S. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke and U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue. Zinke told local KRCR-TV during the visit that the intensity of this year's fire season showed the need for clearing underbrush and removing dead trees.

Washington white nationalist rally sputters in sea of counterprotesters

A large police presence kept the two sides separated in Lafayette Square, in front of the White House. After two hours and a few speeches, the "Unite the Right 2" rally ended early when it began to rain and two police vans took the demonstrators back to Virginia. Sunday's events, while tense at times, were a far cry from the street brawls that broke out in downtown Charlottesville a year ago, when a local woman was killed by a man who drove his car into a crowd of counterprotesters.

Washington white nationalist rally sputters in sea of counterprotesters

A large police presence kept the two sides separated in Lafayette Square, in front of the White House. After two hours and a few speeches, the "Unite the Right 2" rally ended early when it began to rain and two police vans took the demonstrators back to Virginia. Sunday's events, while tense at times, were a far cry from the street brawls that broke out in downtown Charlottesville a year ago, when a local woman was killed by a man who drove his car into a crowd of counterprotesters.

Smoke gets in your eyes: wildfires sting California park tourism

For the past two weeks, a wildfire has forced much of Yosemite National Park in California to close, with smoke blanketing its famous rock formations and clouding the summer travel season for one of the largest tourism economies tied to a U.S. park. Steven Anker, 53, has seen business decrease by 80 percent at his Priest Station Café in nearby Groveland."People come to Yosemite to see the outdoors. Wildfires burning in the U.S. West have scorched 5.6 million acres (2.3 million hectares) this year, including parts of other national forests, the National Interagency Fire Center said on its website.

NASA launches probe to go deep into Sun's scorching atmosphere

The craft will endure extreme heat while zooming through the solar corona to study the Sun's outer atmosphere that gives rise to the solar winds. It is set to fly into the Sun's corona within 3.8 million miles (6.1 million km) of the solar surface, seven times closer than any other spacecraft. The corona gives rise to the solar wind, a continuous flow of charged particles that permeates the solar system and can cause havoc with communications technology on Earth.