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Ghana votes to abolish the death penalty 30 years after last execution

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 14:56:24 GMT

ACCRA, Ghana (AP) — Ghana’s parliament has voted to abolish the death penalty for all crimes except high treason, formalizing what has been a de facto moratorium on executions for the past three decades.Lawmakers endorsed the proposed amendment to the country’s criminal offense law during a televised session of parliament on Tuesday, in a vote praised by rights advocates. The measure goes now to the president who is expected to sign the bill into law.Under the change, the sentences of 176 death row inmates, including six women would be commuted to life imprisonment.“Ghana is upholding the constitutional and fundamental human right of everyone,” said Enoch Jengre, program officer of Ghana’s Legal Resource Center. “No human being or institution should have the right to take the life of another.”Capital punishment is becoming less common on the African continent. According to the advocacy group World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, 26 African countries had outlawed the practice ou...

WATCH: Fire on New York construction crane causes collapse, multiple people injured

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 14:56:24 GMT

A towering construction crane caught fire high above the west side of Manhattan on Wednesday morning, then lost its long arm, which smashed against a nearby building, dangled and then plummeted to the street as people ran for their lives on the sidewalk below.Four people suffered minor injuries, but no one died, according to New York City Mayor Eric Adams.“As you can see from the debris on the street, this could have been much worse,” the Democrat said, noting that the street at that hour of the morning is often filled with pedestrians, cars and buses.Just watched a crane fall and pummel a building on the other side of the block! #nyc #fire pic.twitter.com/YFyaurRglN— Jimmy ???????? (@jimmy_farring) July 26, 2023The fire atop the 54-story building was reported around 7:25 a.m. Photos and videos posted on social media showed flames bursting from the car of a crane hundreds of feet above 10th Avenue at 41st Street. The crane’s arm, which was carrying a 16-ton load, snapped off a...

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued for parts of Chicago area

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 14:56:24 GMT

CHICAGO — Hot and humid Wednesday with highs in the lower 90s and heat index values that could top out over 100 degrees.  Scattered showers and thunderstorms this afternoon are possible with potentially severe storms. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storm here A list of warnings, watches and advisories below:A Severe Thunderstorm Warning extended into Lake (IL), northern Kane, northern Cook until 9:45 a.m. Storm is moving fast, east at 60 mph. Has a history of producing 60-70mph wind gusts.A Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Waukegan, Arlington Heights and Evanston until 9:45 a.m.A Heat Advisory is in effect starting at 12 p.m. Wednesday through 9 p.m. in the orange counties. (map below) Peak heat indices of 100-105 degrees are expected. Drink plenty of fluids, stay in air conditioning when possible and limit time in sun. Check on relatives and neighbors. Take precautions working and spending time outdoors.Our skies will become mostly clear tonight. It will sta...

Dean's Home Video: 'The Beanie Bubble,' 'The Witcher,' and more

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 14:56:24 GMT

CHICAGO — A movie on the Beanie Baby craze on Apple TV+ along with a fantasy drama series on Netfilx are just a few streaming releases this week.Dean Richards took a look at "The Beanie Bubble" along with "The Witcher" in this week's edition of "Dean's Home Video" on a very warm and humid week in Chicago.Along with those programs, he also featured "Special Ops: Lioness," season 11 of "Futurama," "Twisted Metal," season 2 of "This Fool," "The Golden Boy," and more during the segment.You can watch the full "Dean's Home Video" from the July 26 WGN Morning News in the video above.Love the WGN Morning News? We love you, too. And you can have all the hijinks delivered to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign up and subscribe to our WGN Morning News newsletter.

5 big questions about the 'summer of strikes'

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 14:56:24 GMT

(The Hill) – A tentative deal reached between UPS and its Teamsters-affiliated employees Tuesday has put new focus on unionization efforts and labor policy across corporate America and on Capitol Hill.Surging labor activity across the U.S. is laying the groundwork for the “summer of strikes,” as hundreds of thousands of workers are prepared to hit the picket line.After more than two years of rising prices and corporate profits, workers across major industries are taking a stand for better compensation and working conditions. UPS strike would trigger pandemic-era supply chain issues, expert says In recovery from the pandemic and as a result of high inflation, companies have been raking in record profits (including UPS, which made $11.5 billion in net income in 2022). Yet, as the costs of housing and goods rise, wages haven’t kept up for most workers. Unionized workers are now calling for what they feel is their fair share.Here are five big questions about the strike underway and th...

NYC construction crane catches fire, collapses into street; injuries reported

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 14:56:24 GMT

MIDTOWN, Manhattan (WPIX) — Multiple injuries have been reported after a crane caught fire and collapsed in Manhattan on Wednesday morning, officials saidThe four-alarm blaze happened at 550 Tenth Ave. between 40th and 41st streets in Hell’s Kitchen at around 7:30 a.m., FDNY officials said. The fire was under control by around 9 a.m.The crane was atop a vacant building that had been under construction, according to the FDNY.Video footage shows the crane on fire atop the building before a piece of the structure breaks off and collapses into a building across the street. The debris from the collision then falls into the streets below as pedestrians take cover.At least four civilians and one firefighter were reported injured. Vehicle accident at Fort Bliss leaves 1 soldier dead, 5 injured Traffic near the Lincoln Tunnel was backed up on Wednesday morning as a result of the accident, according to the Port Authority. Officials said motorists should avoid the area between Tenth and Elev...

U.S. Rep. Greg Casar stages 'thirst strike' to advocate for federally mandated water breaks in extreme heat

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 14:56:24 GMT

AUSTIN (Texas Tribune) -- As outdoor workers in Texas battle extreme heat, U.S. Rep. Greg Casar, D-Austin, launched a daylong “thirst strike” in Washington, D.C., as he pushes for a federal workplace standard that would mandate water breaks for people whose jobs require them to work in the heat.“It’s challenging and it’s hot, but it’s not as hot as it is in Texas,” Casar said as he kicked off the event, during which he’ll forgo water for eight hours.On Tuesday morning, Casar was joined on the steps of the U.S. Capitol by other lawmakers, labor union members and activists.Many held up posters that read: “Working shouldn’t be a death sentence,” “Water breaks = basic rights” and “People over profit.”There are no federal or state standards that specifically protect workers from heat stress. And a recently passed Texas law will soon bar cities and counties from mandating that private employers offer paid water breaks. House Bill 2127 limits Texas cities and counties from creating rules t...

'Does no one care?' Vietnam veteran buried in 'abandoned' Black cemetery in Central Texas

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 14:56:24 GMT

FAYETTE COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — There's a historic Black cemetery just outside of La Grange in Fayette County that some feel has essentially been abandoned.It's where a Vietnam veteran Donnell Phillips was laid to rest alongside others. Phillips is from Smithville, according to records. Donnell Phillips, Vietnam veteran from SmithsvilleDonnell Phillips' headstoneDonnell Phillips' headstoneThe Mt. Olive African Methodist-Episcopal cemetery is just off Highway 71 on a dead-end road.It's easy to miss, if not for a small sign and American flag. Cathy Kubicek said she left the flag so she could remember where the cemetery is, and she's now on a personal mission to improve its conditions. "Is it just because it's an old African American cemetery — does nobody care?" Phillips said. "It hurts my heart."Tombstones are chained behind a gate and barbed-wired fence, and the cemetery grounds are rugged and untrimmed. Kubicek went looking for the cemetery after watching the movie "We Are Soldiers...

'You have to prepare for it.' Austin cardiologist talks Bronny James' sudden cardiac arrest

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 14:56:24 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) –  A family spokesperson announced Tuesday that LeBron James’ 18-year-old son, LeBron “Bronny” James, is recovering after a sudden cardiac arrest. An Austin interventional cardiologist at the Institute for Cardiovascular Health said that while a sudden cardiac arrest in someone this young is fairly rare, it is something that people surrounding sports and playing them should be aware of. “When it does happen, the availability of certain resources is really a life and death consideration. And so it's not common, but it's something that we see among both young athletes, teenage athletes, as well as adult and even professional athletes,” said Dr. Peter Monteleone, who is also an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine at Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin.There are several reasons why a sudden cardiac arrest can occur. Monteleone said one way it might happen in a younger person is when there is an underlying genetic cardiovasc...

Eighth mosquito trap tests positive for West Nile in Williamson County

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 14:56:24 GMT

GEORGETOWN (KXAN) – Williamson County authorities said Tuesday a sample of mosquitoes collected in the Brushy Creek Municipal Utility District tested positive for West Nile virus. This marks the eighth reported West Nile virus positive trap in the county in 2023, according to the Williamson County and Cities Health District (WCCHD). It said no human cases of West Nile virus have been reported in Williamson County so far. WCCHD said the positive sample was collected from a trap site near Cat Hollow Park near Liberty Walk Drive and O'Connor Drive on July 20. The district said it was indicated in lab results received on Tuesday from the Texas Department of State Health Services lab in Austin. How to keep mosquitoes away: Tips from Texans, pest control experts WCCHD said the trap is part of the enhanced mosquito surveillance occurring in the Brushy Creek MUD. This is the third week in a row that a trap has tested positive in that area. Symptoms of infection may include fever, he...