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US

Bomb Threats Trigger Evacuations at Columbia, Other Ivy Leagues – NBC New York

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Multiple university buildings were evacuated Sunday for reports of bomb threats on a series of Ivy League campuses, including Columbia, Cornell and Brown.

Text message alerts notified students at each of the campuses in the early afternoon hours to the possible threats and instructions to evacuate from a select number of campus buildings.

Columbia University confirmed it received bomb threats around 2:30 p.m. that triggered a campus-wide alert.

NYPD officers were seen patrolling the campus following the first reports of a possible threat. Police officers swept several buildings before declaring them safe.

Shortly before 5 p.m., school officials said the threats were not deemed credible and evacuated buildings were cleared for reentry.

The threats came two days after a Yale University evacuated a large portion of its campus over bomb threats made through a non-emergency line in New Haven. Police gave the all-clear roughly five hours later, around 7 p.m. Friday.

Cornell University similarly confirmed reports of bomb threats to the campus on Sunday, tweeting an advisory to avoid central campus while officials investigate the threats.

A student at Cornell tweeted video of students evacuating Uris Library on campus.

The Brown Daily Herald, the university’s student-run paper, also tweeted about students receiving text alerts over a bomb threat.

The university released a statement just before 4:30 p.m. confirming evacuations due to a bomb threat made through a phone call.

Law enforcement officials have yet to link any of the threats.



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US

Fire blazes cargo ship containers off British Columbia

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Oct 24 (Reuters) – A fire broke out on Saturday on containers on a cargo ship carrying mining chemicals off British Columbia, and the Canadian Coast Guard said it is working with the U.S. Coast Guard to assess the situation, including environmental hazards.

Sixteen crew members have been evacuated from the MV Zim Kingston, while five remained onboard to fight the fire, the Canadian Coast Guard said in a statement late on Saturday.

Ten containers were currently burning, it said, adding the fire continued to spread but the ship itself was not on fire.

The agency said it was working with its U.S. counterpart to track 40 containers that had fallen overboard, saying they pose a significant risk to mariners.

“Mariners are advised to stay clear of the area. Currently there is no safety risk to people on shore, however the situation will continue to be monitored.”

Video obtained by Reuters showed fire cascading down from the deck of the ship into the water.

The Zim Kingston reported on Friday that it had encountered rough weather west of the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

“This is extremely concerning. The ship and containers are very close to Victoria, BC, and a big storm is forecast to hit tonight. We… are worried this may be yet another environmental disaster,” said David Boudinot, president of Surfrider Foundation Canada, an environmental organization.

Eikon Refinitiv data shows the Maltese-flagged Zim Kingston is managed by Cyprus-based Danaos Shipping Co Ltd.

Reporting by Bhargav Acharya, Chris Helgren and Nur-Azna Sanusi
Editing by Edwina Gibbs and Frances Kerry

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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Entertainment

BTS Leaves Columbia for Universal Music Group in U.S.

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In a surprise move, BTS is exiting its deal with Sony Music’s Columbia Records and Orchard distribution to partner with Universal Music Group, Variety has confirmed. The news was first reported by Billboard; no official announcement has been made.

The licensing deal will be with UMG’s Geffen division, with distribution by INgrooves. BTS via HYBE (formerly Big Hit) was purportedly on a month-to-month contract with The Orchard and need only notify Sony of its intent to switch distributors. It’s unclear if a letter from HYBE has been received.

Although surprising, the move was preceded by the announcement last February of a strategic partnership between UMG and HYBE (formerly Big Hit Entertainment), including a joint-venture label, which in retrospect put the writing on the wall for this development. UMG also distributes BTS in certain other territories, including Japan.

The group had signed with Sony for domestic distribution in 2018. But both HYBE’s Bang Si-hyuk and Scooter Braun, whose Ithaca Holdings was purchased by HYBE this past spring, are known to be close with UMG CEO Lucian Grainge.

While the Billboard report cited an unsatisfactory business relationship between the group and Bang on one side and Columbia chairman and CEO Ron Perry on the other, the label actually played a big role in the group’s breakthrough hits, “Dynamite” and “Butter.” Perry is even a co-writer and co-producer of the latter track, along with a bevy of hitmakers like Alex Bilowitz, Stephen Kirk, Sebastian Garcia, Rob Grimaldi and the group’s RM as well as Jenna Andrews, who received a vocal production credit on the K-pop titans’ global breakthrough song “Dynamite.”

The announcement of the deal between UMG and HYBE said it would see the two companies working together to “increase opportunities for artists through innovation and technology, whilst expanding the global reach of K-pop music and culture around the world.” The partnership includes a newly created label that will operate from Los Angeles and will work closely alongside teams from Big Hit America, Geffen Records and UMG to launch the project. It also clearly was a precursor for the BTS deal.

BTS’ latest single, “My Universe,” a collaboration with the group Coldplay, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was the sixth time for BTS to top the chart — all six occasions coming since September 2020. “My Universe” came out via Coldplay’s label, Parlophone/Atlantic, part of Warner Music Group.

Although the group finally canceled the oft-postponed North American leg of its Map of the World tour, BTS is poised to rejoin the world of stadium shows, having recently put four shows at L.A. SoFi Stadium on sale, scheduled for for Nov. 27-28 and Dec. 1-2. 

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Science

A woman in British Columbia was asleep in her bed when a meteorite crash landed on her pillow

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When you wish upon a shooting star, make sure to include “don’t crash into my house” in the fine print.

A woman in Canada was peacefully asleep when a meteorite crashed through her roof and landed right on her pillow.

Victoria News reports how Ruth Hamilton—who lives in a the town called Golden in the province of British Columbia—was catching some Zs while others in the area were captivated by a meteorite streaming through the night sky.

Her attention was soon drawn to the meteorite as well, however, as she suddenly felt a bunch of debris on her face causing her to wake up, startled, only to find a big hole in her ceiling and a space rock on her pillow.

NDTV continues to report how Hamilton then proceeded to call 911, who responded to the scene and checked out whether or not the rock could have come from some nearby construction. They confirmed that that wasn’t the case, and thereby deduced was the meteorite that had given the rest of Golden residents such a show earlier.

“I was shaking and scared when it happened, I thought someone had jumped in or it was a gun or something,” said Hamilton of the incident afterward. “It’s almost a relief when we realized it could only have fallen out of the sky.”

And a relief it was, as CBC notes how the meteorite had just missed Hamilton’s head by a few inches.

Experts at Western University in London, Ontario later confirmed that the rock had assuredly come from space.

  • ‘Extraordinary’ radio waves from the heart of the Milky Way discovered by scientists

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US

State executes Ernest Lee Johnson for Columbia triple murder; state releases last offender statement

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Watch a post-execution news conference in the player below.

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The state executed Ernest Lee Johnson on Tuesday, 25 years after he killed three gas station workers and following a last-ditch effort by his lawyers to save him, The Associated Press reported.

The execution came after the U.S. Supreme Court issued a one-sentence order Tuesday afternoon, saying “The application for stay of execution of sentence of death presented to Justice Kavanaugh and by him referred to the Court is denied. The petition for a writ of certiorari is denied.”

Johnson died from an injection of pentobarbital at 6:11 p.m. at the state prison in Bonne Terre. He could be seen mouthing the words “I love you” to family members, according to an ABC 17 News reporter who witnessed the execution. Johnson’s breathing became labored as the drug took effect. Then Johnson appeared to go to sleep.

The state of Missouri has released Ernest Johnson’s last statement. Johnson wrote it on Oct. 4.

The Missouri Department of Corrections held a press conference after Johnson was put to death.

The spokesperson for the Missouri Department of Corrections said there was no victim statement and then gave a timeline of the execution.

  • 5:16 p.m. – The Department of Corrections reported all petitions were denied and the execution sequence could begin
  • 5:41 p.m. – witnesses were moved into viewing area
  • 6:00 p.m. – The Missouri Attorney General’s office reported there were no legal impediments in the execution of Johnson
  • 6:01 p.m. – Gov. Parson’s office said to proceed
  • 6:02 p.m. – The drugs were administered to Johnson
  • 6:05 p.m. – The 5 minute timer was set
  • 6:11 p.m. – Johnson was pronounced dead

Johnson was scheduled to be executed at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the state prison in Bonne Terre. His attorneys, advocates and death penalty opponents have argued for years that Johnson has an intellectual disability, making his execution unconstitutional. In addition to low IQ scores, Johnson had fetal alcohol syndrome and lost brain tissue when a benign tumor was removed 13 years ago.

Johnson’s lawyers renewed those arguments in a brief filed Monday with the Supreme Court. They claim Johnson’s intellectual disability is well-established, that courts who rejected Johnson’s appeals have misapplied precedent and that Missouri’s jury instructions on intellectual disabilities are “flawed.”

“This is not a close case,” attorneys argue in legal documents. “Ernest Johnson is intellectually disabled. To permit the State of Missouri to execute Mr. Johnson undermines this Court’s authority, and precedent and would represent a fundamental miscarriage of justice.”

Johnson was sentenced to death in 1995 after the 1994 killings of Mary Bratcher, Fred Jones and Mable Scruggs — workers at a Casey’s General Store. Authorities say Johnson used a hammer and screwdriver in the brutal murders.

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson said Monday that the state plans to move forward with plans to execute Johnson by lethal injection.

Protests took place across the state Tuesday to pressure the state to stop the execution. The ACLU of Missouri said the execution is “an endorsement of a racist and vengeful criminal legal system with no interest in judicatory integrity.”

Check back for updates to this developing story and watch ABC 17 News at 5 and 6.

Boone / Columbia / Crime / Email Alert – Breaking News / Homicide / Local News / Missouri / Top Stories / Video

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World

Lytton, British Columbia: A Canadian village has been ordered to evacuate due to wildfires

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Mayor Jan Polderman issued the evacuation order late Wednesday, according to a news release from the Village of Lytton. “All residents are advised to leave the community and go to a safe location,” it said.

Lytton, which is located about 195 miles east of Vancouver, has a population of 249 residents.
“It’s dire. The whole town is on fire,” Polderman told CBC News. “It took, like, a whole 15 minutes from the first sign of smoke to, all of a sudden, there being fire everywhere.”

“At the First Nation band office, the fire was a wall about three, four feet high coming up to the fence line. I drove through town, and it was just smoke, flames, the wires were down,” Polderman told the Canadian broadcast network.

DriveBC, which provides information on driving conditions in the province, is reporting that two wildfires have closed highways to the north and south of Lytton.
Temperatures in Lytton climbed to 121° F (49.5° C) on Tuesday, the highest temperature ever recorded in Canada. It was the third day in a row that records were smashed in the area, according to ECCC Weather British Columbia.
Several fires were burning across British Columbia from the Fraser River Valley to the Okanogan, according to the BC Wildfire Service.
The extreme temperatures have had devastating impact on the province as more the 230 deaths have been reported in British Columbia since Friday, officials said Tuesday.

The province’s chief coroner called it an “unprecedented time.”

“Since the onset of the heat wave late last week, the BC Coroners Service has experienced a significant increase in deaths reported where it is suspected that extreme heat has been contributory,” Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe said in a statement.



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World

Canada heat wave: More than 230 deaths reported in British Columbia amid historic heat wave

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“Since the onset of the heat wave late last week, the BC Coroners Service has experienced a significant increase in deaths reported where it is suspected that extreme heat has been contributory,” Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe said in a statement.

The coroner’s service normally receives about 130 death reports over a four-day period. From Friday through Monday, at least 233 deaths were reported, the chief coroner said, adding “this number will increase as data continues to be updated.”

Coroners are now gathering information to determine the cause and manner of deaths and whether heat played a role, the statement said.

“Environmental heat exposure can lead to severe or fatal results, particularly in older people, infants and young children and those with chronic illnesses,” the statement added.

Authorities earlier in the day reported a spike in sudden deaths for Vancouver and nearby Burnaby and Surrey.

Officers have responded to more than 65 sudden deaths since the heat wave began on Friday, Vancouver police said. “Today alone, officers had responded to 20 sudden deaths as of 1:45 p.m., with more than a dozen others waiting for police to be dispatched,” the department said in a statement

Heat-related deaths have depleted front-line resources and severely delayed response times, officials said.

“We’ve never experienced anything like this heat in Vancouver,” media relations Officer Sgt. Steve Addison said during a press conference.

Readings in downtown Vancouver were 98.6 degrees on Saturday, 99.5 on Sunday and 101.5 on Monday.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police have responded to 35 sudden deaths in nearby Surrey since Monday, media relations officer Cst. Sarbjit K. Sangha told CNN.

“While the causes of death has not yet been determined in each of these cases, we can confirm that Surrey RCMP is responding to a higher than usual number of deaths since the beginning of the extreme weather conditions,” Sangha said.

In the city of Burnaby, police responded to more than 34 sudden death calls since Monday, with heat believed to be a contributing factor in the majority of the deaths, according to a release from RCMP.

“We are seeing this weather can be deadly for vulnerable members of our community, especially the elderly and those with underlying health issues. It is imperative we check on one another during this extreme heat,” Cpl. Mike Kalanj with Burnaby RCMP said.

Many of the deceased have been senior citizens, RCMP said, and police are urging people to check on loved ones and neighbors as the heat wave bringing record-breaking temperatures to the region continues.

The RCMP in Surrey is encouraging all residents, especially the elderly, to take precautions to protect themselves from heat injuries.

Lytton, British Columbia, registered 117.5 degrees on Monday — the highest temperature ever recorded in Canada, and around 48 degrees above what’s normal for this time of year.

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World

Gov. McMaster lifts mask requirement for restaurants, state building

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South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster issued an executive order Friday lifting the mask requirement in restaurants and state government buildings.Despite lifting the requirement, the new executive order still recommends masks be worn in restaurants.It also allows state agencies to begin the process of bringing remaining state employees back to the workplace on a full-time basis. “Now that the majority of South Carolinians are eligible to receive the vaccine, and infections and hospitalizations have dropped significantly, state agency heads may safely bring back the last group of state employees working remotely,” said Gov. Henry McMaster. The South Carolina Senate Democratic Caucus released the following statement about the governor’s decision:“We are incredibly disappointed to see that Governor McMaster has rescinded mask requirements for restaurants, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to sicken and kill South Carolinians. In order to score political points, he is racing to strip away what few safeguards were in place to protect our state. Under the false guise of protecting personal liberties, which were never being violated, he is making reckless decisions. This is no way to lead in a time of crisis. “Rescinding mask requirements in restaurants is in direct opposition to CDC guidelines, and studies have proven that dining out is one of the quickest ways the coronavirus can spread. To say that patrons and employees no longer have to wear face coverings simply encourages that spread. To date, DHEC reports that in our state over 500,000 have been infected and over 8,000 have died from this virus. The Governor continues to ignore scientific evidence, ignore the opinions of healthcare professionals, and put South Carolinians in grave danger.”

COLUMBIA, S.C. —

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster issued an executive order Friday lifting the mask requirement in restaurants and state government buildings.

Despite lifting the requirement, the new executive order still recommends masks be worn in restaurants.

It also allows state agencies to begin the process of bringing remaining state employees back to the workplace on a full-time basis.

“Now that the majority of South Carolinians are eligible to receive the vaccine, and infections and hospitalizations have dropped significantly, state agency heads may safely bring back the last group of state employees working remotely,” said Gov. Henry McMaster.

The South Carolina Senate Democratic Caucus released the following statement about the governor’s decision:

“We are incredibly disappointed to see that Governor McMaster has rescinded mask requirements for restaurants, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to sicken and kill South Carolinians. In order to score political points, he is racing to strip away what few safeguards were in place to protect our state. Under the false guise of protecting personal liberties, which were never being violated, he is making reckless decisions. This is no way to lead in a time of crisis.

“Rescinding mask requirements in restaurants is in direct opposition to CDC guidelines, and studies have proven that dining out is one of the quickest ways the coronavirus can spread. To say that patrons and employees no longer have to wear face coverings simply encourages that spread. To date, DHEC reports that in our state over 500,000 have been infected and over 8,000 have died from this virus. The Governor continues to ignore scientific evidence, ignore the opinions of healthcare professionals, and put South Carolinians in grave danger.”

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Health

First known case of COVID-19 UK variant found in South Carolina, health officials say

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The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) announced Saturday the detection of one case associated with the SARS-CoV-2 variant that first emerged in the United Kingdom. Viruses are constantly changing, and the new versions are called variants. Variants are closely monitored for their ability to spread faster or cause more disease. South Carolina public health officials were notified late Friday by MAKO Medical Laboratory of a South Carolina sample that was determined to be the B.1.1.7 variant first identified in the United Kingdom. Experts agree that existing vaccines work to protect us from this variant, even if we don’t know just how effective they are. At this time, there’s no conclusive evidence to prove that the B.1.1.7 variant causes more severe illness.“The arrival of the second SARS-CoV-2 variant in our state is a yet another important reminder to all South Carolinians that the fight against this deadly virus is far from over,” said Dr. Brannon Traxler, DHEC Interim Public Health Director. “While more COVID-19 vaccines are on the way, supplies are still very limited. We must all remain dedicated to the fight by doing the right things to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our communities.”The case, an adult from the Pee Dee region, has an international travel history. To protect their privacy, no further information will be released.The B.1.1.7 variant has been identified in many countries and in 30 states with 434 total cases having been reported in the U.S. as of 7 p.m. Friday. Earlier this week, DHEC announced that two cases of a variant first discovered in South Africa had been reported in South Carolina. Both variants first detected in the United Kingdom and South Africa spread easier and quicker than most SARS-CoV-2 variants.The three significant variants being spread in the world currently, originally from the United Kingdom, South Africa and Brazil, emerged independently from each other and have different characteristics. Most variants do not change how the virus behaves and many disappear.“We know that viruses mutate to live and live to mutate,” Dr. Traxler said. “That’s why it’s critical that we vaccinate as many people as quickly as possible and each of us do our part by wearing a mask, staying 6 feet apart, avoiding crowds, washing our hands, getting tested often, and when it’s our time, getting vaccinated. Science tells us that these actions work to prevent the spread of the virus, no matter the strain.”DHEC, in coordination with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, will continue to watch out for COVID-19 variants. Public health officials will provide more information as it becomes available. Safe and effective vaccines and following public health guidance are how to win the fight against COVID-19. For more information about the COVID-19 vaccine go to scdhec.gov/vaxfacts. For the latest information about COVID-19, go to scdhec.gov/COVID19.

COLUMBIA, S.C. —

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) announced Saturday the detection of one case associated with the SARS-CoV-2 variant that first emerged in the United Kingdom.

Viruses are constantly changing, and the new versions are called variants. Variants are closely monitored for their ability to spread faster or cause more disease. South Carolina public health officials were notified late Friday by MAKO Medical Laboratory of a South Carolina sample that was determined to be the B.1.1.7 variant first identified in the United Kingdom.

Experts agree that existing vaccines work to protect us from this variant, even if we don’t know just how effective they are. At this time, there’s no conclusive evidence to prove that the B.1.1.7 variant causes more severe illness.

“The arrival of the second SARS-CoV-2 variant in our state is a yet another important reminder to all South Carolinians that the fight against this deadly virus is far from over,” said Dr. Brannon Traxler, DHEC Interim Public Health Director. “While more COVID-19 vaccines are on the way, supplies are still very limited. We must all remain dedicated to the fight by doing the right things to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our communities.”

The case, an adult from the Pee Dee region, has an international travel history. To protect their privacy, no further information will be released.

The B.1.1.7 variant has been identified in many countries and in 30 states with 434 total cases having been reported in the U.S. as of 7 p.m. Friday. Earlier this week, DHEC announced that two cases of a variant first discovered in South Africa had been reported in South Carolina. Both variants first detected in the United Kingdom and South Africa spread easier and quicker than most SARS-CoV-2 variants.

The three significant variants being spread in the world currently, originally from the United Kingdom, South Africa and Brazil, emerged independently from each other and have different characteristics. Most variants do not change how the virus behaves and many disappear.

“We know that viruses mutate to live and live to mutate,” Dr. Traxler said. “That’s why it’s critical that we vaccinate as many people as quickly as possible and each of us do our part by wearing a mask, staying 6 feet apart, avoiding crowds, washing our hands, getting tested often, and when it’s our time, getting vaccinated. Science tells us that these actions work to prevent the spread of the virus, no matter the strain.”

DHEC, in coordination with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, will continue to watch out for COVID-19 variants. Public health officials will provide more information as it becomes available.

Safe and effective vaccines and following public health guidance are how to win the fight against COVID-19. For more information about the COVID-19 vaccine go to scdhec.gov/vaxfacts. For the latest information about COVID-19, go to scdhec.gov/COVID19.

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