Bear mauling prompts large rescue response, hiker in stable condition

Bear mauling prompts large rescue response, hiker in stable condition

A hiker was rescued after reportedly getting attacked by a brown bear along a trail in Alaska, according to the Anchorage Fire Department. On Tuesday at approximately 3 p.m., officials responded to 911 calls from a hiker "reporting they were mauled by a bear and needed help as soon as possible," the fire department said in astatement. The attack occurred about two miles up the Dome Trail in Anchorage, the local police department confirmed to ABC News. The female hiker -- who has not been identified by officials -- reported that she "could not get out" on her own "due to injuries sustained in the mauling," the fire department said. The woman provided directions to her location on the trail and remained on the phone with officials while they scanned the area to locate her, according to police. Firefighters and paramedics responded to the scene, with drones deployed to help find the hiker, according to officials. Once she was located, she was rescued with a helicopter and transported to a local hospital with "what we believe to be non-life-threatening injuries," police said. MORE: 89-year-old man and dog killed in bear attacks in Florida: Officials Police told ABC News the hiker is in stable condition as of Wednesday and that, at this time, they "will not be sharing her name with the public." The brown bear ran off after the incident, the fire department noted in its statement. As of Tuesday night, Alaska Fish & Game was still trying to locate the bear. Officials said hikers in Anchorage are "encouraged to file trip plans with friends or family prior to trekking off into the great outdoors" and recommend people leave a copy of their trip plans underneath their vehicle's windshield. "Information regarding your planned route can be invaluable as we try to locate you in case of an emergency," the fire department said. With both black and brown bears living within the municipality of Anchorage, the local parks and recreation department provides tips to keep in mind while recreating in any park or trail in the area, including to remain in groups, make noise, carry bear spray, leash all dogs and to never run from a bear. "Stop, group up, talk to the bear and let it know you are human," Anchorage Parks and Recreation said on itswebsite. According to theNational Park Service, the majority of bear attacks occur not because the animal is hunting a human, but when it feels threatened or is protecting its young. The only exception is if the bear is "suffering from very severe starvation," the NPS said on its website.

byKonstantin Pynzar

in

July 23, 2025

Bear mauling prompts large rescue response, hiker in stable condition

Bear mauling prompts large rescue response, hiker in stable condition A hiker was rescued after reportedly getting attacked by a brown bear ...

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UN's top court says all countries have to act against climate change. Here are the key takeaways.

UN's top court says all countries have to act against climate change. Here are the key takeaways.

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — The United Nations' top court has issued alandmark advisory opinionon climate change, its 15-black-robed judges weighing in for the first time on what the court's president called "an existential problem of planetary proportions that imperils all forms of life and the very health of our planet." The International Court of Justice's unanimous non-binding opinion, which runs to over 500 pages, was immediately hailed by activists as a turning point in international climate law. After years of lobbying by island nations who fear they coulddisappear under rising sea waters, the U.N. General Assembly asked the court in 2023 to answer two questions: What are countries obliged to do under international law to protect the climate and environment from human-caused greenhouse gas emissions? And what are the legal consequences for governments when their acts, or lack of action, have significantly harmed the climate and environment? Here are some of the key points from the opinion delivered Wednesday. A healthy planet is a basic human right In a simple statement that could have profound legal ramifications, the court said everyone is entitled to a habitable planet. "The human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment is therefore inherent in the enjoyment of other human rights," court President Yuji Iwasawa said during a two-hour hearing. A livable planet is a human right and is part of international customary law, meaning every country is obliged to protect it, not just countries that have signed climate treaties and other agreements. Violating international law A failure to address climate change, the court said, could be a violation of international law. That matters because it applies to all countries and paves the way for legal actions, including states returning to the ICJ to hold each other to account; domestic lawsuits; and investment agreements that have to conform to international law. "With today's authoritative historic ruling, the International Court of Justice has broken with business-as-usual and delivered a historic affirmation: Those suffering the impacts of climate devastation have a right to remedy and full reparation," said Joie Chowdhury, a senior attorney at the Center for International Environmental Law. Payback time? The court ruled that some countries or individuals suffering from the effects of climate change could be eligible for compensation. For climate damage linked to greenhouse gas emissions, "restitution may take the form of reconstructing damaged or destroyed infrastructure, and restoring ecosystems and biodiversity," the court said. If that's not possible, financial compensation could be assessed, though the judges conceded it "may be difficult to calculate, as there is usually a degree of uncertainty with respect to the exact extent of the damage caused." Activists hailed that part of the decision as a historic turning point in their search for justice. "The ICJ's decision brings us closer to a world where governments can no longer turn a blind eye to their legal responsibilities. It affirms a simple truth of climate justice: Those who did the least to fuel this crisis deserve protection, reparations, and a future," said Vishal Prasad, director of Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change. Climate refugees While the court's opinion is far-reaching, no one expects it to immediately solve the problems created by climate change. The judges noted that people may be forced to flee their homes to escape the dangers posed by climate change and countries are obliged to not turn away climate refugees when their lives are endangered. If a country disappears under rising ocean levels, that country doesn't cease to exist, they said. For the Pacific Island nations that pushed for the opinion, the threat is real. Since 1993,sea levels around Vanuatu's shoreshave risen by about 6 millimeters (.24 inches) per year — significantly faster than the global average — and in some areas, tectonic activity has doubled that rate.

byKonstantin Pynzar

in

July 23, 2025

UN's top court says all countries have to act against climate change. Here are the key takeaways.

UN's top court says all countries have to act against climate change. Here are the key takeaways. THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — The Unit...

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Venezuelan makeup artist returns home, describes torture during El Salvador detention

Venezuelan makeup artist returns home, describes torture during El Salvador detention

CAPACHO, Venezuela (Reuters) -A makeup artist who became the face of more than 250 Venezuelan migrants deported by the U.S. to El Salvador's most notorious prison arrived home to his family on Wednesday after what he described as "an encounter with torture and death." Andry Hernandez, 32, and the other detainees returned to Venezuela on Friday as part of a prisoner exchange,  after spending four months in El Salvador's CECOT prison, where they and the Venezuelan government allege they were beaten, shot with rubber projectiles, held in dark cells, and served rotten food. "Many of our fellows have wounds from the nightsticks; they have fractured ribs, fractured fingers and toes, marks from the handcuffs, others have marks on their chests, on their face ... from the projectiles," Hernandez told journalists at his home in Capacho, near the Colombian border. U.S. President Donald Trump invoked the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to deport the men, who his government accuses of being members of the Tren de Aragua gang, without normal immigration procedures. The deportations sparked a legal battle led by civil rights groups. Families and lawyers of many of the men have denied they have gang ties. Hernandez, detained at the U.S.-Mexico border during the Biden administration, had an active asylum case when he was deported to CECOT. His case was widely covered in the media. Advocates in the U.S. have voiced concerns that Hernandez, who is gay, faces risks in Venezuela due to LGBTQ persecution. The U.S. alleged Tren de Aragua membership based on his tattoos: crowns on his wrists that read "mom" and "dad." Hernandez denied the allegation. In a video broadcast on state television on Monday, Hernandez alleged sexual abuse by the guards at CECOT, and Venezuela's attorney general has said his office will investigate El Salvador President Nayib Bukele over alleged abuses. Bukele's office has not responded to requests for comment on the alleged torture. White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson has referred allegations of mistreatment to El Salvador's government, while the U.S. Department of Homeland Security dismissed the allegations of abuse on Tuesday, calling the men "criminal, illegal gang members." Reuters was not able to immediately confirm the abuse allegations. Hernandez's parents, Felipe Hernandez and Alexi Romero, have been anxiously awaiting his return since Tuesday, when he called to say he was on the way from Caracas, some 820 kilometers (510 miles) away. Hernandez said he was most happy to see them and his brother, but was also touched to find out that friends and family held vigils on his behalf and campaigned for his return. "It fills me with so much peace, so much comfort, so much tranquility that I was never alone, from day one. There were many people who worried for me," he said. (Reporting by Tathiana Ortiz in Capacho, additional reporting by Kristina Cooke in San FranciscoWriting by Julia Symmes CobbEditing by Rod Nickel)

byKonstantin Pynzar

in

July 23, 2025

Venezuelan makeup artist returns home, describes torture during El Salvador detention

Venezuelan makeup artist returns home, describes torture during El Salvador detention CAPACHO, Venezuela (Reuters) -A makeup artist who beca...

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After much speculation, Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham announce 'Buckingham Nicks' reissue

After much speculation, Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham announce 'Buckingham Nicks' reissue

NEW YORK (AP) — They're not going their own way anymore. After much speculation, Fleetwood Mac'sStevie NicksandLindsey Buckinghamannounced Wednesday the reissue of "Buckingham Nicks," more than 50 years after the release of their only full-length album as a duo. Since its initial release in 1973, "Buckingham Nicks" has never been reissued and is not currently available on streaming platforms. The remastered version arrives Sept. 19 via Rhino Records' high-fidelity series and was sourced from the original analog master tapes. The album will also receive a CD and digital release for the first time, and the opening track, "Crying in the Night," was available to stream Wednesday. Buckingham and Nicks were in their early to mid-20s during the making of their album. "It was a very natural thing, from the beginning," Nicks says in the re-release's liner notes, written by music journalist David Fricke. Despite their relative inexperience, "it stands up in a way you would hope it would, by these two kids who were pretty young to be doing that work," Buckingham says, according to the announcement release. The reissue announcement was foreshadowed by cryptic Instagram posts last week. Both Nicks and Buckingham shared handwritten lyrics to their official social media accounts. "And if you go forward…" Nicks posted, a line from their song "Frozen Love," which appears on "Buckingham Nicks." "I'll meet you there," Buckingham shared, completing the lyric. In 2011, Buckinghamtold Uncutthat he and Nicks had "every intention of putting that album back out and possibly even doing something along with it, but I can't put any specifics on that." In 2013, on the album's 40th anniversary, Fleetwood Mac released "Extended Play," their first new studio material since 2003's "Say You Will." The four-track collection featured a song titled "Without You," which had been originally slated for "Buckingham Nicks." The reissued version of "Buckingham Nicks" features the same album cover as the original, despite Nicks' public dissatisfaction with the photograph, telling classic rock magazine MOJO that she "felt like a rat in a trap" during the shoot. "I'm actually quite prudish. So when they suggested they shoot Lindsey and I nude I could not have been more terrified if you'd asked me to jump off a speeding train," Nickstold MOJOin 2013. "Lindsey was like, 'Oh, come on — this is art. Don't be a child!' I thought, 'Who are you? Don't you know me?'" "Buckingham Nicks" was released one year before they joined Fleetwood Mac, and was met with little commercial success. But it did attract the attention of Mick Fleetwood, who invited Buckingham to join Fleetwood Mac. Buckingham in turn insisted Nicks come, too. The two, then a couple,became the central faces,voices and songwriters of the group for the four decades that followed. The pair's tumultuous relationship appeared across the band's discography: She wrote "Dreams" about him. He wrote "Go Your Own Way" about her. Infamously, they broke up while writing the 1977 hit album "Rumours." Footage of Nicks staring down Buckingham 20 years later during a performance of "Silver Springs" routinely goes viral ("You'll never get away from the sound of the woman that loves you," Nicks and Buckingham sing in unison, at one point, holding each other's gaze.) Buckingham left the band in 1987, returning in 1996. The last time the band reunited, however, for a 2018-2019 tour, the rest of the memberskicked Buckingham out,and as a result,he sued them.He claimed he was told five days after the group appeared at Radio City Music Hall that the band would tour without him. He says he would have been paid at least $12 million for his share of the proceeds. Later that year, Buckingham said they had settled the lawsuit. Both Buckingham and Nicks have also released reams of solo music. Some fans had theorized that Nicks and Buckingham were teasing a Fleetwood Mac reunion, which would have been the first since thedeath of vocalist, songwriter and keyboard player Christine McViein 2022. Last year,Nicks toldMOJO that without McVie, "there is no chance of putting Fleetwood Mac back together in any way."

byKonstantin Pynzar

in

July 23, 2025

After much speculation, Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham announce 'Buckingham Nicks' reissue

After much speculation, Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham announce 'Buckingham Nicks' reissue NEW YORK (AP) — They're not goin...

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“Shallow Hal” Actor Rene Kirby, Who Had Spina Bifida, Dies at 70

"Shallow Hal" Actor Rene Kirby, Who Had Spina Bifida, Dies at 70

20th Century Fox Rene Kirby, an actor and gymnast best known for his role inShallow Hal, has died. He was 70. His brother Jon Kirby confirmed the news to local Vermont publicationSeven Days, revealing his sibling, who was born with spina bifida, had esophagus, kidney and bladder issues. Rene died on July 11 at the University of Vermont Medical Center, per the outlet, with Jon revealing that his brother had been hospitalized for two months with the above issues as well as infections. Remembering Rene, Jon — who lived two houses down from his brother, in Burlington, Vermont — toldSeven Days, "He just showed me that there's no limitations on what anyone can do." One quote he will always remember from Rene? " 'You don't have to stand up to stand out, " said Jon, who is the youngest of seven siblings, while Rene was the second-born. Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories. 20th Century Fox Rene was born to Don and Janet Kirby in Burlington, and according toSeven Days, was often seen riding his three-wheeled bike around town up until fall 2024. He made waves as Walt in the 2001 comedyShallow Hal, oppositeJack BlackandGwyneth Paltrow, where he had scenes with Black, 55, andJason Alexander. Two years later, Rene appeared as Phil Rupp in anotherFarrelly brothersmovie:Stuck on You, which starredMatt DamonandGreg Kinnear. His final screen role was in a 2005 episode ofCarnivàle. Aside from his film and TV roles and past in gymnastics (the latter of which earned him state titles in high school, according toSeven Days), Rene was also a swimmer, skier and carpenter, and worked for IBM for two decades, his brother Jon told the outlet. Rene and Jon's sister, Cheryl St. Amour, toldSeven Daysthat Rene had beaten throat cancer, but his larynx had been removed as part of the treatment, so he lost his ability to talk a few years ago. He is predeceased by his father and survived by his mother and six siblings, perSeven Days. Read the original article onPeople

byKonstantin Pynzar

in

July 23, 2025

“Shallow Hal” Actor Rene Kirby, Who Had Spina Bifida, Dies at 70

"Shallow Hal" Actor Rene Kirby, Who Had Spina Bifida, Dies at 70 20th Century Fox Rene Kirby, an actor and gymnast best known for ...

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