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EU issues muted response to Greek migrant shipwreck

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 22:32:02 GMT

BRUSSELS — The European Commission brushed aside pressure from international organizations to launch an independent probe into the conduct of the Greek authorities in what some are calling the worst tragedy ever in the Mediterranean Sea.Public scrutiny turned its focus on the Greek coast guard in the shipwreck last Wednesday off the coast of Pylos, Greece, which officially claimed the lives of almost 80 migrants and left 500 missing, according to the U.N.’s migration and refugee agencies. “We take note that the [Greek] public prosecutor has started an investigation on this incident, and it is very important to ensure a thorough and transparent investigation” by allowing Greece to carry forward its own inquiry, said the EU’s home affairs spokesperson Anitta Hipper during a daily media briefing on Monday. The Hellenic Coast Guard defended itself by saying those aboard were refusing assistance.In a statement Friday, The United Nation’s refugee and migration agencies, UNHCR a...

Off-duty firefighters commended for rescuing woman from burning car in East Kingston, NH

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 22:32:02 GMT

Both an off-duty firefighter from East Kingston, New Hampshire, and another from Chelmsford, Mass., are being credited with pulling a woman from a burning car shortly before the vehicle exploded.East Kingston Fire Chief Ed Warren said the incident happened Saturday afternoon and involved a Dodge Challenger that crashed into a utility pole and burst into flames sometime before 3:30 p.m.According to a news release, moments before the crash, the Dodge nearly struck a vehicle belonging to off-duty East Kingston firefighter Robert Bishop, who was driving home when he was nearly hit head-on.The fire chief said Bishop snapped into action after witnessing the car crash and immediately left his vehicle to assist the driver. While doing so, Warren said another off-duty firefighter passing by, Josh Abbott of Chelmsford FD, jumped in to assist.Together, the two freed the driver as the car filled with smoke, and were able to remove her before the Dodge “exploded and became fully engulfed.&...

Parents should take children’s stomach pain more seriously, poll suggests

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 22:32:02 GMT

(CNN) — One in six parents say their child complains of tummy aches at least once a month, according to a national poll by C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital at University of Michigan Health.While 1 in 3 parents surveyed are confident that they can identify whether the belly pain is serious, parents do not always seek professional advice when these complaints become regular.Based on 1,081 responses from parents of children ages 3 to 10, the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health found that 2 in 5 parents who report monthly belly pain for their child have not discussed the issue with a pediatrician.“Our poll suggests that despite benefits of seeking professional help, parents may not always consult with a doctor when determining whether belly pain is a sign of something serious and how to relieve it,” said Dr. Susan Woolford, Mott Poll codirector and Mott pediatrician.It can be difficult to know if stomach pain is a short-term issue or cause for concern as t...

Black bear sightings in Massachusetts: South Shore bear roaming Cohasset, police help ‘furry friend’

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 22:32:02 GMT

The black bear sightings continue across eastern Massachusetts, as a South Shore bear roamed through Cohasset on Monday while police helped “our furry friend.”It’s that time of the year when black bears are most active in the region, leading to more reports from the public. Recently, a bear was spotted running through Newton, and a bear was seen in Arlington before heading to a Lexington farm.On Monday, Cohasset Police reported that a well-known regional bear — known as the South Shore bear — was making its way through town.“Interesting day so far…Our officers helped with safe passage through #Cohasset for our furry friend,” police wrote on social media, showing an officer blocking a road with the bear in front of the cruiser.“He made his way through Border St., South Main St., 100 Pond St., Clay Spring, CJC Hwy, Stop and Shop, Chittenden Lane, Fairoaks, #Dunkin Donuts, #CHOPS, Rose Hill, King Street, and was last seen on North M...

Column: Chicago Cubs need to ensure Kyle Hendricks never wears another team’s jersey

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 22:32:02 GMT

Starting pitching could be the difference in a division such as the National League Central, in which no team really stands out.And in spite of all their faults, the Chicago Cubs have consistently shown they have a rotation that stacks up with the best, especially if Kyle Hendricks continues to pitch like the Hendricks of old.Hendricks earned his second straight win Friday in a 10-3 romp over the Baltimore Orioles, leaving with a one-run lead after five innings and watching the offense pour it on against the Orioles bullpen.In his first start since taking a no-hitter into the eighth inning against the San Francisco Giants, Hendricks allowed two runs on five hits in an 88-pitch outing.“Seeing the results like that definitely builds confidence,” Hendricks said of his no-hit bid. “Before that I’ve been feeling really good, feeling like I’ve been making a lot of pitches. My fastball has been down at the bottom, which is different than the last couple years,...

Yankees know A’s fans are hurting after years spent in Montreal and Oakland

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 22:32:02 GMT

Brad Wilkerson remembers feeling “pretty emotional” on Sept. 29, 2004.That day, Major League Baseball announced that the former outfielder and first baseman’s Expos were moving to Washington, D.C. after years of dysfunction. That same night, Wilkerson and teammates played their final game in Montreal in front of 31,395 devastated fans.The Expos, who became the Nationals in 2005, went out with a whimper that evening, losing to the Marlins, 9-1. But the real goodbyes came after the game, when Wilkerson and his peers stayed at Olympic Stadium an extra two hours so that they could thank and interact with the people their franchise was leaving behind.“I think the people in Montreal, they respected me for that,” Wilkerson, now an assistant Yankees hitting coach, told the Daily News. “But it was tough, going around and seeing everybody [and them saying], ‘We wish you could stay,’ that kind of stuff. It was a tough last day.”It appears t...

The future of automated flight may be closer than you think

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 22:32:02 GMT

In Robert Rose’s vision for the future, we are currently on the cusp of a dramatic transformation of human mobility. A veteran of Tesla and Space-X, Rose’s new company, Reliable Robotics, is now working to fully automate flight.A May demonstration at Travis Air Force base, where an automated plane took off and landed without human assistance, is proof that that future may not be so distant.We spoke with Rose about Reliable Robotics’ work, and what comes next.Q: Can you tell us a little about your background?A: I’m a software engineer by training. I worked at a bunch of different places in my career–most notably, I ran the flight software team at SpaceX. I also ran the autopilot program at Tesla Motors back in the early days. I shipped the first version of autopilot on the Model S.I started Reliable Robotics back in 2017 with a former colleague from SpaceX. His background is hardware and electrical systems engineering. We’re trying to bring more advanced levels of automation and safe...

1 dead, nearly 2 dozen injured after multiple tornadoes sweep through Mississippi

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 22:32:02 GMT

By MICHAEL GOLDBERG (Associated Press/Report for America)JACKSON, MISS. (AP) — Multiple tornadoes swept through Mississippi overnight, killing one and injuring nearly two dozen, officials said Monday. State emergency workers were still working with counties to assess the damage from storms in which high temperatures and hail in some areas accompanied tornadoes. The death and injuries were reported by officials in eastern Mississippi’s Jasper County. The small, rural town of Louin bore the brunt of the damage. Drone footage and photos showed wide expanses of debris-covered terrain, decimated homes and mangled trees. At least one person was lifted from the wreckage in a stretcher. Most of the people injured in Jasper County, including the person who died, were transported to the South Central Regional Medical Center in Laurel between 2 and 3 a.m., said Becky Collins, a spokeswoman for the facility. About 20 people had bruises and cuts. Most were in stable condition Monday ...

Padres fans set new record for sellout games at Petco Park

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 22:32:02 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Padres fans have really showed up for their team this year, setting a new Petco Park record for the number of game sellouts just three months into the season.This weekend, Petco Park hit their 27th and 28th sellout games this season, with two packed crowds at the final games of the homestand series against the Tampa Bay Rays.The previous franchise record was 26 sellouts in the downtown stadium, set just last year."Thank you to America's Finest fans for being the best in all of baseball," the Padres said in a tweet Saturday announcing the new record.The Padres took their 2-0 victory Saturday in front of a crowd of about 43,180 people, marking the franchise's 27th sellout for the 2023. Another 44,404 people were in attendance at Sunday's 5-4 win against the Rays, bringing the tally of sellouts up to 28. Still swinging: 90-year-old softball player continues playing in local league Just three months into the season, the team has only had nine games with attendance under t...

Roughly 100 letters with suspicious white powder sent to Kansas lawmakers, officials

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 22:32:02 GMT

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — About 100 letters containing suspicious white powder have been sent to lawmakers and other public officials across Kansas, officials said.No injuries have been reported, according to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. It had counted more than 30 letters as of late Friday afternoon and increased the tally to 100 as of Sunday. In a Facebook post Sunday, the bureau said preliminary tests on the substance were negative for common dangerous toxins. In emails sent to legislators and obtained by The Topeka Capital-Journal, Tom Day, director of Legislative Administrative Services, said the Kansas Highway Patrol had informed his office of the letters, which contain a return address of either Kansas City or Topeka.The letters were sent to legislators at their homes and have been turned over to the KBI and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Day wrote.The Associated Press