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Millions pledged for oil transfer from tanker off Yemen

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:22 GMT

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Donors pledged an additional $5.6 million Thursday that will enable the United Nations to start transferring more than 1 million barrels of crude oil from a rusting tanker off the coast of war-torn Yemen that poses a major environmental threat, but the U.N. said nearly $24 million is still needed to offload all the oil. A large vessel called the Nautica, which was purchased by the U.N. Development Program in March to take on the oil from the FSO Safer, is expected to arrive in the region in the coming days and the transfer operation is expected to start before the end of the month, U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said.The UNDP said Egypt, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, South Korea, the United Kingdom and private company Octavia Energy and its subsidiary Calvalley Petroleum announced pledges totaling almost $8 million, of which $5.6 million represents new funding.With the new pledges, the U.N. has now raised $105.2 million for the operation to remove...

House members debate drastically changed land-use bill

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:22 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — The fates of many of the controversial bills from this year's Colorado legislative session were decided before this final week, with the session to end on May 8.A major piece of legislation that changed yet again during the final week is the land use bill. It is a proposal the governor rolled out in March that had cities speaking out against it in the name of local control. Senators removed zoning requirements originally proposed in hopes of easing concerns about local control, but House members made a move to put some of those provisions back into the bill. Bill would raise prosecution age from 10 years old "Friends, Colorado has a problem when it comes to housing. We do not have enough of it, and this isn't just a problem in my district but it's a problem in all of my colleagues' districts across the General Assembly," bill sponsor Rep. Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora, said at a news conference announcing the changes on Tuesday.Everyone seems to agree on the issue: Colorado...

One Championship lands in Broomfield with debut US show

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:22 GMT

DENVER (AP) — One Championship finally makes its U.S. debut Friday night, and the martial arts promotion believes more stateside shows are in its near future.One is holding a Fight Night headlined by former UFC champion Demetrious Johnson at the 1st Bank Center in Broomfield, Colorado, just outside Denver. The multidisciplinary show is the culmination of a lengthy quest by the Singapore-based promotion to crack the U.S. market with live events.“We really want to take the U.S. by storm,” One Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong said. “We really just want to excite and delight and surprise the fans. American fans have never seen anything like this, whether it’s production value, whether it’s all these different martial arts, the very best of the best.” Porn industry group sues over age verification law One Championship has carved out a solid spot in the MMA world with its popular shows across Asia, but the promotion has been attempting to enter North America with live events for more ...

'Star Wars' fan recreates movie props as a passion

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:22 GMT

LOVELAND, Colo. (KDVR) — Long ago, in a land far away — California — one of the most successful movie franchises in U.S. history was born. Episode 4 of the "Star Wars" trilogy played 46 years ago this month to packed theaters across America.In another land, just north of Denver — Loveland — a dedicated "Star Wars" fan turned his passion into a full-time job.To say Cal Pierce is a fan of "Star Wars" would be an understatement. "As a kid, it was an escape. You know, a place for fantasy to go join Luke Skywalker on his adventures," Pierce said. The 4th is strong at these free ‘Star Wars’ events around Denver That is why Pierce created Far Away Creations in 2005. "I had experience in working on the film 'Fanboys.' I got to be there for a weekend and help with the theoretical George Lucas prop room and supply pieces for that," Pierce said.'Star Wars' gear created to exact specsHeadgear, uniforms, equipment — all lovingly made to the exact specifications as the originals.The Pierce fami...

Outdoor Colorado: Remote-control 4x4s are big fun

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:22 GMT

BOULDER, Colo. (KDVR) — Remote-controlled trucks, RCs for short, have been increasingly popular with hobbyists and fans of four-wheel drive vehicles. Unlike the real thing, an operator can execute daring moves in these vehicles and not get hurt.For more than 20 years, Vinny Indolini has been racing RC cars. His favorite place to race is the Colorado outdoors. United plans to hire 15,000, including 2,300 in Denver "The appeal of it is that you’re out here in Mother Nature, which is really nice like today. It’s a gorgeous day. We get a little cloud cover from time to time, but that means you’re not baking all day long," Indolini said.Indolini said his favorite person to do this with is his wife, Stacee, who never raced RCs before they met."We had just started dating and he asked me to come out to Wheel Park with him, and I used his Rustler to bash with," she said. “After that, I was like, ‘OK, I can’t get into this.'"These four-wheel-drive remote-control trucks are agile, and portab...

‘Real Housewives of Miami’ stars hit FLA Arena court for star-studded Wooshi World Celebrity Basketball Classic

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:22 GMT

Miami Race Week is here, and there are celebrity sightings all around town. The FLA Arena in Sunrise was packed with stars last night for Wooshi World Celebrity Basketball Classic, and they put on a slam-dunk show.Johnny G: “Wooshi is a digital influencer. Miami needed Wooshi to bring out some positive energy, and last night we launched him. Wow, was it on fire last night.”The first-ever “Wooshi World Celebrity Basketball Classic” brought out two star-studded teams, and they both showed off some game moves.Larsa Pippen was there and hit the red carpet.Larsa Pippen: I feel great. I feel like I’m super excited. I’m really looking forward to see my girlfriends play basketball.”And her co-stars from “The Real Housewives of Miami” also came game ready.Alexia Echevarria: “I have my Jordans on. I came to play”Guerdy Abraira: “I just came to slay.”Marysol Patton: “I’ve never been, I mean have you ever ...

One More Dry Day

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:22 GMT

One more dry day before showers and storms return for the weekend.Its been absolutely gorgeous thanks to a weak front that moved in unnoticed last to reinforce the dry, hot and low humidity across South Florida. However, nice changes like this one will come to an end soon. This is due to the return of an ocean breeze starting Friday, so minor changes happen throughout the day. Friday will feature sunny skies, highs in the upper 80’s and dry conditions.This weekend the chance for rain will go up to a 30% on Saturday and 40% on Sunday and more moisture will be available for activity to develop. Also, rip current risk is increasing this weekend along the East coast.Have a wonderful evening South Florida and make it a safe one! Vivian GonzalezMeteorologist, AMS Certified WSVN Channel 7

US Education Secretary Cardona takes part in roundtable discussion in Miami Gardens

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:22 GMT

U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona praised efforts in South Florida to help students during a local stop.Cardona on Thursday visited William Turner Technical Arts High School and Skyway Elementary in Miami Gardens.He was accompanied by U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson, D-Fla., and Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Jose Dotres.They also participated in a roundtable discussion about a number of topics in education.“I’m just proud to see the great work that’s happening here, in Miami-Dade and in Florida, supporting students and wrapping their arms around students,” he said, “not only in the mentorship program, which is amazing — I’d like to thank the congresswoman for that — but also, in the program I saw at the high school, at Turner Tech, where students have career options.”Cardona was also named an honorary member of the 5000 Role Models mentoring program.

Buckle up for Racing Fan Fest at Wynwood Markeplace as Formula 1 racing returns to South Florida

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:22 GMT

Buckle up because Formula 1 weekend is upon us. If you weren’t able to get tickets or just want to have little extra boost of fun, then better make your way to Racing Fan Fest at Wynwood Marketplace where you can watch the race and fuel up on a good time with the family. Formula One racing is back in the 305. But if you can’t make it to the Miami Grand Prix, you can fuel up on all the fun at Racing Fan Fest.Sarah Porter: “Racing Fan Fest is the biggest off the track racing event in Miami that celebrates all thing fast, fun, and racing.”This year, they’re bringing back the Red Bull Fan Zone.Sarah Porter: “You can engage in the pitstop challenge with your friends and view all the Red Bull memorabilia and racing artifacts.”Got a need for speed? Then get behind the wheel and see if you can cut is as a race car driver.Sarah Porter: “We have racing simulators on site, which are going to be fun for all ages, and get ready to race all your fri...

Emergency crews locate body of worker killed in explosion at Newburyport chemical plant

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:22 GMT

One person was killed and several others were injured when a massive explosion tore through a chemical plant in Newburyport early Thursday morning, fire officials said.As an investigation continues, the family of the person who was killed is mourning and public officials have spoken out, noting a series of past safety incidents at the same facility. Firefighters from multiple communities responded to what grew to be a seven-alarm fire Thursday, after multiple reports of an explosion just before 1 a.m.Crews said an industrial-sized vat from inside the building was launched 30 feet because of the explosion and was found in the parking lot as crews arrived.Officials said four injured workers were taken to the hospital, where they were treated and released. One remained missing.In an update, officials said they located the missing worker’s body around 5:30 p.m.Surveillance video from nearby cameras captured the explosion, showing a massive, bright fireball that launched flames and...