Reading archive 2024-09-10

The world is burning an alarming amount of plastic, scientists say: Around 12 percent of all plastic waste produced in cities is burned in the open air.

One of the most potent greenhouse gases is rising faster than ever: Methane emissions from fossil fuels, farms and landfills will make it impossible for the world to maintain a safe climate, scientists say. - "New research from the Global Carbon Project — an international coalition of scientists that seeks to quantify planet-warming emissions — finds that methane levels in the atmosphere are tracking those projected by the worst-case climate scenarios."

D.C. bill seeks more oversight of beleaguered: 911 call center The legislation marks the D.C. Council’s latest attempt to elicit more information from the city’s 911 agency.

How a dropped bag of Cheetos had ‘world changing’ impact on life in a cave: After a visitor dropped the snack in Carlsbad Caverns, the “foreign detritus” sparked mold and microbial growth that disturbed the delicate ecosystem, the park said.

The TVA helped electrify the South — but now its plans are sparking backlash: The Tennessee Valley Authority is coming under fire from energy experts and environmentalists for building gas plants instead of renewables. - "Marilyn Brown, a professor at Georgia Tech who was nominated to the TVA board by President Barack Obama in 2009, and again in 2013, said she was asked to speak with roughly 10 senators before her confirmation, and she recalled being 'hounded' over her longtime advocacy of energy-efficiency measures. Brown added that Sen. Lamar Alexander, a Tennessee Republican who retired in 2021, asked her to oppose any wind projects in his state, and two senators questioned the basis of her concerns about global warming."

Facebook is blocking emergency warnings as wildfires roar through West: The Post has collected more than 40 examples of Facebook removing emergency-related posts during at least 20 wildfires since June. The explanation: “you tried to get likes, follows, shares or video views in a misleading way.”

Elon Musk’s misleading election claims reach millions and alarm election officials: The X billionaire’s false posts about noncitizen voting spur officials to fact-check him, lead to requests to purge voter rolls, and add to worries about threats, election officials say. - "'Musk puts out this malarkey and he says nonsense, uneducated things and he gets corrected,' said Tom Irvine, who for 15 years was the primary outside counsel for elections in Maricopa and defended the county against election challenges following the 2020 presidential election. 'And then he says it again and again and again.'"

U.S. demands IDF change West Bank operations after American’s killing: Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s comments were the strongest yet from a U.S. official after the Israeli military said it was 'highly likely' it 'unintentionally' killed Aysenur Eygi.

As Trump looms, Ukraine turns to its evangelicals to woo the Republicans: Ukraine has the largest evangelical community in Europe and its outreach to Republicans could prove crucial in securing additional American aid.

How one company’s plan to help the planet went off the rails: C-Quest Capital claimed it could improve people’s lives in Africa with cleaner cookstoves. But an investigation by The Post shows it promised more than it could deliver.

Body-cam footage of Tyreek Hill incident shows rapid escalation: The video shows the NFL star being pulled from his car and placed in handcuffs by police.

Sen. Tuberville blocks promotion of Lloyd Austin’s top military aide: Lt. Gen. Ronald Clark was among the defense secretary’s senior staff who, upon learning of his hospitalization, did not immediately notify the White House or Congress.

The irony of the professional tradwife: What I learned from watching too many episodes of “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.”

Penzeys Spices draws backlash — and support — after Kamala Harris visit: The Wisconsin-based spice shop’s owner is an outspoken supporter of liberal policies and no stranger to conservatives’ ire.

Why cities are getting more rainy: A study has found most cities receive significantly more rain than nearby rural regions, an effect that has become more pronounced over the past two decades.

D.C. police release video of officers shooting violence interrupter: D.C. Police Chief Pamela A. Smith declined to comment on whether the officers at the scene followed protocol, saying that would be part of the investigation into the shooting.

What we know about Justin Robinson’s death and the D.C. police shooting video: D.C. police fatally shot Justin Robinson, 26, earlier this month at a McDonald’s in Southeast Washington.

Two District Men Plead Guilty to Charges in Killing of Man in Southeast Washington: Victim Shot in Broad Daylight Near Food Market - "According to the government’s evidence, on Feb. 24, 2016, at about 2:30 p.m., Robinson and the victim, Demetrius Medlay, bumped shoulders and briefly argued at a market in the 3100 block of Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue SE. Robinson drove away, but returned to the area about 10 minutes later. He got out of the car holding a handgun with an extended magazine. While waving the gun, he argued with Mr. Medlay on the sidewalk and then drove off. 

"Robinson stopped the car at the corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and Esther Place SE at about 2:45 p.m. Grover was standing at the corner. Referring to Mr. Medlay, Robinson said, “You can smoke him,” to which Grover replied, 'All right.'"

Looting reported in D.C. after release of police shooting video: The thefts and the destruction of property occurred in Georgetown, City Center and other parts of the city.

As Trump looms, Ukraine turns to its evangelicals to woo the Republicans: Ukraine has the largest evangelical community in Europe and its outreach to Republicans could prove crucial in securing additional American aid. - "In the areas of Ukraine that Russian forces currently occupy, Christian denominations independent of the Russian Orthodox Church are being closed down and oppressed, including Catholics, members of Ukraine’s own Orthodox Church, as well as Evangelicals."