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Libya floods: Europe promises help, with thousands dead and missing

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:58:19 GMT

Ten thousand people are missing and more than 2,000 are estimated to be dead in Libya, after a storm caused unprecedented flooding in the country’s northeastern region.Storm Daniel swept through the northeast of Libya over the weekend, bringing extreme rainfall and inundating several cities in its wake, including Al-Bayda, Al-Marj, Soussa and parts of Benghazi.In the eastern coastal city of Derna, entire neighborhoods disappeared and hundreds of people are estimated to be dead after the rain caused the collapse of two dams, according to the World Meteorological Organization.Italy and France are among the European countries to have pledged aid and assistance, amid death and destruction on a catastrophic scale in the North African country, which has been the point of origin for many crossings by undocumented migrants trying to enter Europe. Tamer Ramadan, head of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies delegation in Libya, said that about 10,000 peop...

Former MassLive editor to serve as communications head for Healey’s new housing secretariat

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:58:19 GMT

A former top editor at the online news publication MassLive started Tuesday as the head of communications for the state’s secretariat focused on housing, which has found itself at the center of an emergency shelter crisis.Noah Bombard, who worked at MassLive for the past nine years, will report to former Worcester City Manager Ed Augustus, who Gov. Maura Healey tapped earlier this year to lead the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities.The housing department has found itself at the forefront of the state’s efforts to combat suffocating housing costs and manage an influx of migrants that have helped to push an overburdened shelter system into crisis.Bombard worked his last day at MassLive on Aug. 25. He said leading the outlet’s news department “was an absolute joy and the highlight of my 26 year journalism career.”“It was gonna take something pretty important to pull me away from that,” he told the Herald. “It was clear to...

Can the Chicago Cubs bullpen step up without closer Adbert Alzolay? ‘We’ll match them up as best as possible.’

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:58:19 GMT

A weeklong break to rest Adbert Alzolay and his balky arm had ideally been exactly what the Chicago Cubs closer needed to be set for the final three weeks of the regular season.Instead, Alzolay landed on the 15-day injured list Monday with a right forearm strain. The move was retroactive to Sunday, setting up his earliest return for Sept. 25 ahead of the Cubs’ final six games.“I don’t think he felt like he can really help us right now, and that’s concerning,” manager David Ross said. “When you feel that way as a competitor, you want to go out there and compete. It’s hard to compete with the role he’s in at 75%. So making sure he’s healthy and being able to compete the highest level is a real priority for him and us and protecting him.”Alzolay’s forearm had been bothering him for a few weeks. He was able to manage it and continue to pitch, but throwing in back-to-back games Friday and Saturday following seven days betw...

Healey facing increased criticism over migrant crisis

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:58:19 GMT

A top Democrat who helped lead a series of legislative oversight hearings on the Baker administration’s COVID-19 response criticized Gov. Maura Healey for not using typical emergency supports or coordination tools to manage Massachusetts’ shelter crisis.Rep. William Driscoll, a fourth-term Democrat from Milton, said the state has reached a point “where a pivot is necessary and overdue.” More than 6,200 families are in an emergency shelter system that is propped up on stilts by a vast net of hotels and motels — a structure that is contributing to a $45 million monthly tab.Related Articles Former MassLive editor to serve as communications head for Healey’s new housing secretariat House lawmakers rip Healey for lack of communication on migrants Gov. Healey activates National Guard to help emergency shelter hotels without providers A unified command structure supported and facilitated day-to-day by experienced staff needs ...

Bruins release ‘Historic 100’

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:58:19 GMT

With the puck drop for the Bruins 100th season just a month away, the club released its All-Centennial Team, 100 of the club’s most legendary players of the century as voted on by a panel of media members, historians and members of the hockey community.Of all the eras represented, the Stanley Cup teams of 1970 and ’72 flashed brightest, with 18 members of those teams on the list.The most recent run of success was also well represented with 17 players dating back from the 2011 Cup winners to the present, including current Bruins Brad Marchand, Milan Lucic, David Pastrnak and Charlie McAvoy.The list will be narrowed down to the top 20 players – 12 forwards, six defensemen and two goalies – for the Centennial Team, which will be revealed at the club’s Centennial Gala on Oct. 12….The B’s also released their rookie camp roster on Tuesday. The rookies will work out at Warrior Ice Arena on Wednesday (10:45 a.m.) and Thursday (9:30 a.m.) before jetting to Buffa...

Gun violence against San Diego police officers trending high compared to recent years

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:58:19 GMT

SAN DIEGO — Data from the San Diego Police Department shows an increase in violence against police officers. In 2023, the city has reported double the number of violent encounters against officers when compared to years prior. Gun-related violence toward officers in the City of San Diego is at a 5 year high; only adding to the daunting reality most officers face the moment they put on their uniform. "If these folks are willing to shoot a police officer, they’re certainly willing to shoot at regular people too," shared Sgt. Jared Wilson, president of the San Diego Police Officers Association. In August, police exchanged gunfire with a 43-year-old gunman after finding an elderly woman and a dog lying unresponsive in a residential driveway. Point Loma middle school parents continue to raise concerns over safety on campus “Numerous officers were shot at," said Wilson. "The suspect who just murdered his mother was armed with an assault rifle." This marked the fourth incident in the mo...

9/11 ceremony held at USS Midway Museum

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:58:19 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Hundreds gathered Monday on the flight deck of USS Midway Museum to remember and honor those who perished on Sept. 11, 2001.  “This was the worst attack on U.S. soil. We need to remember this day to honor and respect those that serve and those that perished,” retired FDNY Drew Kinash said. He’s in San Diego to represent those who responded to the World Trade Center terrorist attacks.Attendees sat through an unusually heavy rain and wind for September in San Diego.  The annual event comprised of ‘FDNY retirees of San Diego,’ the USS Midway Museum, San Diego Fire & Rescue Department, National City FD, SDFF Emerald Society and the Wounded Warrior Project all paying tribute our fallen heroes and keeping the promise to “Never Forget.”  Don Miner is a retired National City Battalion Chief who’s been involved in the USS Midway's 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony every year. “We all just kind of watched in disbelief and we knew it was never going to be the same. We saw the building...

A cruise ship with 206 people onboard has run aground in Greenland

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:58:19 GMT

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — A Bahamas-flagged Norwegian cruise ship with 206 passengers and crew has run aground in northwestern Greenland, authorities said Tuesday, adding that no one on board was in danger and no damage has been reported.“Our units are far away, and the weather can be very unfavorable,” said Cmdr. Brian Jensen of the Joint Arctic Command.The closest Danish navy ship was about 1.200 nautical miles (more than 2,000 kilometers or 1,380 miles) away, he said, adding it was heading to the site and could be expected at the grounded ship as soon as Friday. Jensen said in a statement there is no immediate danger to human life or the environment, but that officials “take this incident very seriously.”The 104.4-meter (343-foot) long and 18-meter (60 foot) wide ship ran aground on Monday in Alpefjord in the Northeast Greenland National Park. It’s the world’s largest and most northerly national park and is known for icebergs and the musk oxen that roam the coast.The...

Escaped Pennsylvania inmate stole gun, fled homeowner’s gunfire and remains at large, police say

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:58:19 GMT

Escaped murderer Danelo Souza Cavalcante stole a rifle from a garage and fled a homeowner’s gunfire, authorities said Tuesday as police closed roads in suburban Philadelphia, told residents to lock their doors and set up a new search area in the nearly 2-week-old manhunt.Cavalcante entered the open garage late Monday in the search area northwest of Philadelphia, stole a .22-caliber rifle and ammunition, and fled when the homeowner who was in the garage drew a pistol and shot at him several times, Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens said at a news conference Tuesday morning.The developments came in the days after Cavalcante slipped out of an earlier search area to the south in Chester County, stole a dairy delivery truck, and went to the homes of onetime work associates in what police say is Cavalcante’s desperate quest for help.About 500 law enforcement personnel are now searching or guarding an 8- to 10-square mile area in a different part of Chester County...

Health Canada approves updated Moderna vaccine for COVID-19

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:58:19 GMT

OTTAWA — Health Canada has authorized the use of an updated Moderna vaccine for COVID-19 for all Canadians over the age of six months.The new vaccine targets the XBB.1.5 variant of the virus that causes COVID-19.The decision, posted on the Health Canada website this morning, says the vaccine can be given in a single dose to everyone five and older. For children between six months and four years of age, one dose is recommended for those previously vaccinated against COVID-19.For children in that age group who have not been vaccinated, two doses is recommended.When Moderna submitted a request for approval for the vaccine in June the company said it anticipated having supplies available for Canada in the fall.This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 12, 2023.The Canadian Press