HOUSTON (AP) — Researchers are uncertain about the environmental impact of toxic chemicals used to extinguish a three-day blaze at a Houston-area petrochemical storage facility after some leaked into a busy commercial waterway. The fire at the Intercontinental Terminals Company facility in Deer Park began in a naphtha tank March 17, igniting other tanks at the plant and sending plumes of thick, black smoke over the area. The fire and resulting air pollution forced the closure of roads, schools and the Houston Shipping Channel. It triggered air quality warnings but caused no injuries. Foam used to control the spread of the fire was inadvertently released into the channel when a containment wall failed. Researchers with the Galveston Bay Foundation and Texas A&M Superfund Research Center spent months collecting and analyzing water samples from the channel and uncovered traces of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAs, the Houston Chronicle reported. PFAs … [Read more...] about Texas petrochemical plant fire environmental impact unclear
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Honolulu seeks to reopen war memorial as saltwater pool
HONOLULU (AP) — Honolulu officials say they want to remake a deteriorating war memorial facility into an open circulation, saltwater pool. The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported Sunday that the city designated the plan as a preferred option for redeveloping the site of the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium. The facility opened in 1927 as a monument to Hawaii residents who served during World War I, but closed in 1979 due to disrepair. The city designated the plan as a preferred option in a final environmental impact statement released to the public Friday. The statement estimates a construction price of $31.8 million, including management and engineering costs. The study proposes annual operational costs of $967,000 covering maintenance, supplies and a staff of 15 personnel. The city council must approve a special use permit and funding. ___ Information from: Honolulu Star-Advertiser, http://www.staradvertiser.com … [Read more...] about Honolulu seeks to reopen war memorial as saltwater pool
UK avoids recession but economy growing at near decade lows
Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sajid Javid, looks at new build homes during a visit to the Woodgate Housing Estate, near Crawley, southern England, Monday Nov. 11, 2019. The British economy avoided falling into recession in the third quarter of the year, as the Office for National Statistics said Monday that the economy grew by a quarterly rate of 0.3 percent. (Steve Parsons/PA via AP) less Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sajid Javid, looks at new build homes during a visit to the Woodgate Housing Estate, near Crawley, southern England, Monday Nov. 11, 2019. The British economy avoided ... more Photo: Steve Parsons, AP Photo: Steve Parsons, AP Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Image 1 of 1 Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sajid Javid, looks at new build homes during a visit to … [Read more...] about UK avoids recession but economy growing at near decade lows
NY Rep. Peter King retiring, presenting Dems with new target
FILE - In this May 21, 2019, file photo, Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., arrives for a classified members-only briefing on Iran on Capitol Hill in Washington. King announced Monday, Nov. 11, 2019, he will not seek reelection in 2020. The 14-term Republican congressman said in a Facebook post that his commute was a main factor in his decision, saying he wants "flexibility to spend more time" with his children and grandchildren. less FILE - In this May 21, 2019, file photo, Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., arrives for a classified members-only briefing on Iran on Capitol Hill in Washington. King announced Monday, Nov. 11, 2019, he will not seek ... more Photo: Patrick Semansky, AP Photo: Patrick Semansky, AP Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Image 1 of 3 FILE - In this May 21, 2019, file photo, Rep. Peter King, … [Read more...] about NY Rep. Peter King retiring, presenting Dems with new target
Briton who helped found Syria’s White Helmets dead in Turkey
Police forensic officials work at the site after former British army officer who helped found the "White Helmets" volunteer organization in Syria, James Le Mesurier's body was found in Istanbul, early Monday Nov. 11, 2019. Turkish officials and news reports said Monday that Le Mesurier's body was found near his home in Istanbul's Beyoglu district by worshippers on their way to a mosque to pray. less Police forensic officials work at the site after former British army officer who helped found the "White Helmets" volunteer organization in Syria, James Le Mesurier's body was found in Istanbul, early Monday ... more Photo: Emrah Gurel, AP Photo: Emrah Gurel, AP Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Image 1 of 3 Police forensic officials work at the site after former British army officer who helped found … [Read more...] about Briton who helped found Syria’s White Helmets dead in Turkey
