Lava from volcano slows its approach to a key highway
KAILUA-KONA, HAWAII >> Rivers of glowing lava oozing from the world's largest volcano shouldn't be able to reach the main highway linking the east and west coasts of Hawaii's Big Island for at least a week, an official said Thursday.
The lava flowing down Mauna Loa has “slowed considerably” since it reached flat ground, Ken Hon, scientist in charge at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, said at a news conference.
The lava is moving 30-40 yards per hour and is 31/2 miles south of Route 200, he said. At that rate, it would be at least a week before it reaches the highway.
“We don't really know which way the lava flow will ultimately go,” Hon said.
Route 200, known as Saddle Road, bisects the island, connecting the cities of Hilo and Kailua-Kona. If it becomes impassable, the alternative is a longer coastal road that adds several hours of driving time.
Lobbyists: Aymara Indigenous women leaders from communities in the Altiplano sit together after meeting with legislators of the plurinational legislative assembly about projects for their villages in La Paz, Bolivia, on Thursday.
Mercosur pact tensions rise as Uruguay seeks trade deal
NEW YORK >> Uruguay applied to join one of Asia's biggest trading pacts, defying its main South American partners who have threatened the nation against seeking an independent trade agenda.
Foreign Minister Francisco Bustillo late on Wednesday submitted Uruguay's request to join the 11-nation Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, known as CPTPP, during a visit to New Zealand. The pact, which includes countries like Australia, Japan, Canada and Mexico, evolved from the Trans-Pacific Partnership after the withdrawal of the U.S. from the alliance and accounts for about 13% of global gross domestic product. The move by the least populated but wealthiest member of Mercosur, as the trade bloc that includes Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay is known, marks a rupture after years of Uruguay seeking a more open approach to international commerce by the group.
Boy, 14, walking with person is fatally shot in the Bronx
NEW YORK >> A 14-year-old boy was fatally shot outside an apartment building in the Bronx on Wednesday night, police said.
The victim, identified as Prince Shabazz, was shot in the chest and taken to St. Barnabas Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to police. They said they were seeking two suspects who had been wearing all black when they attacked Prince, who was walking with another person when he was struck. A relative said the other person was his brother.
On Thursday, blood stained the sidewalk outside of the six-story brick apartment building. Alyssa Lewis, a 19-year-old student who lives on the block, said she was on her way home when the shooting occurred — at around 9:15 p.m., according to police. A neighbor recalled hearing nine shots fired, noting that she stays away from the windows when she hears that alltoo-familiar sound.
Identities of thousands seeking asylum posted in error
WASHINGTON >> Immigration and Customs Enforcement mistakenly released the names and other identifying details of 6,252 migrants seeking protection in the United States this week, the agency said Wednesday. The error raised fears for their safety among advocates for asylum-seekers.
The list, which was posted on the ICE.gov website for several hours Monday and reviewed by The New York Times before it was deleted, contained the migrants' dates of birth, identification numbers, the detention center where they were being held and when they were booked there. Sixty-three Russians were identified. Chinese, Iranians, Mexicans and Venezuelans were among others on the list.
More than 30,000 immigrants are currently held in detention, and a substantial share are seeking asylum after fleeing persecution in their home countries. Asylum-seekers are housed in hundreds of facilities across the country.
China eases virus controls to head off protests
BEIJING >> More Chinese cities eased anti-virus restrictions and police patrolled their streets Thursday as the government tried to defuse public anger over some of the world's most stringent COVID-19 measures and head off more protests.
Following weekend demonstrations at which some crowds made the politically explosive demand that leader Xi Jinping resign, the streets of major cities have been quiet in the face of a crackdown that has been largely out of sight.
Guangzhou in the south, Shijiazhuang in the north, Chengdu in the southwest and other major cities announced they were easing testing requirements and controls on movement. In some areas, markets and bus service reopened. A newspaper reported Beijing, the capital, has begun allowing some people with the virus to isolate at home, avoiding crowded quarantine centers that have prompted complaints.