Monthly Archives: <span>July 2021</span>

Couple Charged in California Fire Sparked by Gender Reveal

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (AP) — A couple whose gender reveal ceremony sparked a Southern California wildfire that killed a firefighter last year were charged with involuntary manslaughter, authorities announced Tuesday. Refugio Manuel Jimenez Jr. and Angela Renee Jimenez pleaded not …

Justices Deal Blow to Outdated Claims of Child Sexual Abuse

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania’s high court on Wednesday dealt a blow to victims of child sexual abuse, throwing out a lawsuit by a woman whose lower court legal victory had given hope to others with similarly outdated claims who’d …

Saudi Aramco Facing $50M Cyber Extortion Over Leaked Data

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Saudi Arabia’s state oil giant acknowledged Wednesday that leaked data from the company — files now apparently being used in a cyber-extortion attempt involving a $50 million ransom demand — likely came from one …

China Blasts Dam to Divert Floods That Killed at Least 25

BEIJING (AP) — China’s military has blasted a dam to release floodwaters threatening one of its most heavily populated provinces, as the death toll in widespread flooding rose to at least 25. The dam operation was carried out late Tuesday …

Aon Says Natural Disaster Insured Losses for First Half of Year Hit 10-Year High

LONDON — Insured losses from natural disasters hit a 10-year high of $42 billion in the first half of 2021, with the biggest loss related to extreme cold in the United States in February, insurance broker Aon said on Wednesday. …

11th Circuit Affirms Condo Tower Hurricane Damage Award That Disappointed Both Sides

The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a jury verdict that found an insurer liable for $2.6 million in damages to a Miami condominium tower caused by Hurricane Irma, rejecting arguments made in appeals filed by parties on both sides …

Drugmakers, Pharmacies Next Targets for US Opioid Settlements

NEW YORK — With a $26 billion nationwide settlement in sight over claims that the three largest U.S. drug distributors and Johnson & Johnson helped fuel a nationwide opioid epidemic, state and local governments will soon turn their attention to …

Heavy Flooding Hits Central China; Subways Inundated

BEIJING (AP)– Heavy flooding has hit central China following unusually heavy rains, with the subway system in the city of Zhengzhou inundated with rushing water. Just to the north, the famed Shaolin Temple known for its Buddhist monks’ mastery of …

Extreme Weather Fuels Oregon Wildfires; Outside Help Sought

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The threat of thunderstorms and lightning has prompted officials in fire-ravaged Oregon to ask for help from outside the Pacific Northwest to prepare for additional blazes as many resources are already devoted to a massive forest …

US Probes Overheating Brakes That Cause Fires in 500K Semis

DETROIT (AP) — US highway safety regulators have opened an investigation into about a half-million semis with brakes that can catch fire. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says in documents posted on its website Tuesday that it has 11 …