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India cuts rice exports, triggering panic-buying of food staple by some Indian expats in the US

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:11 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Chatter on one of Prabha Rao’s WhatsApp groups exploded last week when India announced that it was severely curtailing some rice exports to the rest of the world, triggering worry among the Indian diaspora in the United States that access to a food staple from home might soon be cut off.As in any crisis situation — think bottled water and toilet paper— some rushed to supermarkets to stock up, stacking carts with bags and bags of rice. In some places, lines formed outside some stores as panic buying ensued.But Rao, who lives near Syracuse, New York, was reassured when the proprietor of her Indian market sent out an email to customers to let them know there was no need to worry: There was an ample supply of rice.At least for now.An earlier than expected El Niño brought drier, warmer weather in some parts of Asia and is expected to harm rice production. But in some parts of India, where the monsoon season was especially brutal, flooding destroyed some crops, addin...

Lightning strike believed to be start of apartment fire in Oakbrook Terrace

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:11 GMT

OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill. — Several people are displaced after an apartment fire early Saturday morning in Oakbrook Terrace.Ken Kovarik, the fire marshal for the York Center Fire Protection District, said the fire was believed to be caused by lightning from the storms overnight. Man unresponsive after being pulled from pond in Bensenville The DuPage County Arson Task Force is investigating.While an official cause of the fire hasn't been determined, Kovarik said the preliminary cause is believed to be the storms.“It’s all wood construction, so you have wood truss ceiling and wood truss floors, so once the fire starts going, there’s really not much," Kovarik said. "It can overrun the fire sprinkler system.”No civilians were injured.At least three firefighters were taken to a local hospital for heat exhaustion. They were treated and have since been released.

Is it 'Bags' or 'Cornhole'? Official governing body tries to settle the debate

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:11 GMT

(WFRV) - It may have many names, but depending on where you live, it only has one. "Cornhole" or "Bags" has been in the middle of discussions when it comes to what the popular bag toss game is called.The American Cornhole Association (ACA) wanted to settle the debate about what the popular game is called. In addition to having it on its website, the ACA also posted on its Facebook page. Why are people drinking borax cleaning powder on TikTok? The Facebook post had nearly 600 engagements, and the results painted an interesting picture. A map with the results showed how different parts of the country have different names for the game. Nearly 79% of the answers were "cornhole," while just over 21% were "bags." There was also a percentage for "bean bag toss." Most of the answers for "bags" came from the Midwest. But outside of the Midwest, answers were dominated by "cornhole." Your vintage Barbie dolls might be worth a pretty penny — if you have the right ones Regardless of what the...

APD officers stop kidnapping attempt in north Austin

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:11 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Five officers with the Austin Police Department were able to stop a kidnapping attempt Tuesday, according to APD.A child told an employee at a north Austin store she had been kidnapped, and the kidnappers were still in the building.Officers responded to an urgent check welfare call in the 8000 block of Shoal Creek Boulevard.APD said Officer Cody Carr and Officer Callie Wolfe arrived on the scene and based on the information provided in the 911 call, multiple suspects were found inside a vehicle in the parking lot.According to police, the officers detained the suspects involved and requested additional officers to assist them. APD said Officer Rachel Stahlke and Officer Julian Vasquez arrived shortly after.An additional suspect was found inside the store, according to APD.Officer Omer Ahmad also responded to the scene and assisted with detaining the suspects, according to APD.According to police, one suspect was arrested, and charges were pending on the others.“These ...

Senator Cornyn launches bipartisan effort to increase access to lifesaving fentanyl test strips

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:11 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Five U.S. Senators, including Senator John Cornyn, R-Texas, introduced a bill to decriminalize testing strips that detect fentanyl and xylazine, in order to slow the growing number of deaths from overdoses in the U.S. Overdose deaths have been on the rise in the U.S. in recent years, many of them from the powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl, per CDC data. People use fentanyl knowingly, but others may accidentally consume it with other substances, such as cocaine and counterfeit pills, adulterated with fentanyl. Because fentanyl is so powerful, a very small amount can be lethal. MORE: Xylazine, a sometimes deadly animal tranquilizer, detected in Texas supply The senators say this legislation, the Fentanyl Safe Testing and Overdose Prevention Act, would help prevent overdose deaths by allowing people who use drugs to know if they have been mixed with fentanyl or xylazine. “Fentanyl is ravaging Texas communities, and poisonings among children and teenagers have sk...

10 weird things about Texas that you didn't know!

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:11 GMT

DALLAS (KDAF) — These ten weird and wonderful facts about Texas showcase the state's unique blend of quirkiness and charm. From giant cowboy boots to mysterious lights and unusual museums, Texas never fails to surprise and delight visitors with its eccentric attractions.1. The World's Largest Cowboy Boots: Located in San Antonio, Texas, these gigantic cowboy boots stand at a staggering 35 feet tall. A quirky attraction, they serve as a reminder of Texas' deep-rooted cowboy culture.2. The Marfa Lights: In the town of Marfa, Texas, mysterious lights appear in the night sky, seemingly floating and flickering. Despite extensive research, the source of these lights remains unknown, leaving scientists and locals puzzled.3. The Cadillac Ranch: Just outside Amarillo, Texas, lies an unusual art installation known as the Cadillac Ranch. Ten half-buried, graffiti-covered Cadillac cars stand in a row, creating a unique and bizarre visual spectacle.4. The Bat Bridge: In Austin, Texas, the Congre...

Swimming: Lakeville star Regan Smith wins fourth medal at world championships

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:11 GMT

Regan Smith of Lakeville added a fourth medal — and third silver — to her tally at the World Championships in Japan with a second-place finish in the 200-meter backstroke.Smith swam the race in 2 minutes, 4.94 seconds. The race marks the second time she has hit the 2:04 mark in her career. Australia’s Kaylee McKeown won the race with a time of 2:03.85.“The silver medal means a lot. Having the opportunity to be here, competing internationally again in the 200 backstroke, is something, for a while, I never thought I would get to do again,” Smith said in a release. “It means a lot that I got to be here. … It’s always a pleasure to come home with a medal for Team USA.”Smith also won silver medals in the 50- and 100-meter backstroke races, while placing third in the 200-meter butterfly.The 21-year-old is gearing up for her likely second Olympics appearance next summer in France.Related ArticlesOlympics | Lakeville star swimmer Regan Smith bu...

Hundreds lose power in Troy outage

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:11 GMT

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Hundreds of people lost power in Troy on July 29, according to National Grid's outage map. Just under 1,000 customers were reportedly effected. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The cause of the outage remains unknown. Estimated restoration times are currently between 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

LIVE: Severe storms intensify in St. Louis metro

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:11 GMT

ST. LOUIS - A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is in effect through at least 4 p.m. Saturday for St. Louis and St. Charles counties, plus many nearby areas. If you are in the path of a severe thunderstorm warning, seek shelter immediately. While thunderstorms and some rain chances are the main threats, there is also the potential for damaging winds up to 70 mph. There is also strong potential for downed trees and powerlines. As severe storms roll through the area, much of area remains under a severe thunderstorm watch. That includes: St. Louis City, St. Louis County, Madison, St. Clair, St. Charles, Jefferson, Boone, Franklin, St. Francois, Adams, Macoupin, Cole, Jersey, Randolph, Marion, Callaway, Lincoln, Monroe, Audrain, Pike, Greene, Warren, Pike, Gasconade, Crawford, Moniteau, Montgomery, Brown, Washington, Madison, Ste. Genevieve, Lewis, Osage, Ralls, Monroe, Shelby, Iron, Knox, Calhoun, Calhoun, Reynolds. The Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect until July 29 at 7:00 p.m. Stay t...

Kickin’ It with Kiz: Sean Payton will need to drink something stronger than two lattes if he can’t put stop to the losing in Broncos Country

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:00:11 GMT

I don’t think we signed Sean Payton as Broncos coach to tickle our bellies.Gerard, can handle the truthKiz: Payton was hired to kick keisters. He doesn’t dance. So when the new Broncos coach told his handpicked media confidant, Jarrett Bell of USA Today, “Everything I heard about last season, we’re doing the opposite,” it was no accident. Nor was saying Nathaniel Hackett destroyed any chance the team had for success with what “might have been one of the worst coaching jobs in the history of the NFL.” And I had no problem with putting the organization on blast. I had a problem with Payton apologizing for his hot take, backtracking and calling his blunt honesty a mistake to be blamed on two lattes he consumed before the interview. That’s all well and good. But Payton is going to need something stronger to drink than coffee if he can’t end the Broncos’ misery against Kansas City.Naming names was a low blow and classless, but Payton ...