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Florida sees fewer manatee starvation deaths as feeding ends

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:35:45 GMT

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The effort to feed thousands of pounds of lettuce to starving manatees in Florida manatees officially ended for the winter season Wednesday, as deaths of the marine mammals appear to be slowing despite the long-term threat of pollution to their main food source, seagrass.State and federal wildlife officials said during an online news conference that just under 400,000 pounds (181,000 kilograms) of lettuce was provided to hundreds of manatees at a warmwater power plant site along the east coast where they typically gather for the winter.It was the second year of the experimental feeding program that was launched because of the deaths of at least 1,100 manatees in 2021, which was by far the most ever recorded. All told, more than 2,000 manatees have died mostly of starvation from January 2021 through March 10 of this year, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.The pace of manatee deaths seems to have slowed. Thus far this s...

UN watchdog ditches Ukrainian nuclear plant safety zone scheme

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:35:45 GMT

The head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog today abandoned the idea of creating a safety and security zone around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine.Since September, Rafael Mariano Grossi, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, has been pushing Ukraine and Russia to agree on putting the nuclear plant off limits from the ongoing military conflict.“Initially we have been focusing on the possibility of establishing a well-determined zone around the plant,” he told reporters during a visit at the plant today. “Now the concept is evolving, refocusing more on the protection itself, the things that should be avoided … rather than on territorial aspects which pose certain problems.”At the core of the new concept is the principle that “a nuclear power plant should not be attacked, under any circumstances, or should not be used to attack others,” or be used as a military base or to store heavy weapons, the IAE...

East Falmouth man claims $1M prize after buying scratch ticket in Buzzards Bay, Mass.

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:35:45 GMT

A man from East Falmouth scratched out a $1 million prize after buying a winning instant ticket in Buzzards Bay, Mass.Luciano Bastos won big after buying a “2,000,000 50X Cashword” ticket, according to the Massachusetts State Lottery.Lottery officials said when claiming his prize, Bastos opted for the cash option, receiving a one-time payment of $650,000 (before taxes).Officials said the winning ticket was sold at an Express Mart on Mac Arthur Boulevard in Buzzards Bay, Mass.The Mobil gas station convenience store will receive a $10,000 bonus for selling the ticket as a result.According to the state lottery’s website, the odds of winning the $2,000,000 50X Cashword’s second biggest prize are 1 in 2,520,000.

Rob DiLoreto resigns as head football at Everett

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:35:45 GMT

Surprising news to come out of the Greater Boston League as Everett football coach Rob DiLoreto tendered his resignation after three seasons. Under his watch, the Crimson Tide went 21-3, won three GBL titles and advanced to the Division 1 state quarterfinals last season.As for reasons for DiLoreto leaving his dream job, he stated in his resignation letter to the Boston Herald that circumstances over the past few months led him to conclude that he couldn’t continue as head coach. He went on speak about his love for Everett.“I was truly honored and forever grateful to be able to live out my childhood dream of coaching for the high school that I attended in the city Igrew up in and love so much,” DiLoreto said. “The Everett Football Family will always be in my heart. I extend a special thanks to my Everett players whom I love with all my heart. Players, the respect and love we shared with each other was very, very special to me and I commend you for your dedication as student-ath...

Ron Berler: Living with regret and former Cubs pitcher Oscar Zamora’s glove

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:35:45 GMT

Oscar Zamora was a relief pitcher for the Chicago Cubs in the mid-1970s. He wasn’t very good, to put it kindly. During his Wrigley Field tenure, Cubs fans would serenade him as he exited the game, often in mid-inning after having surrendered a blizzard of runs. Here is a sample verse, sung to the tune of the long-ago Dean Martin hit “That’s Amore.”When the pitch is so fatThat the ball hits the bat,That’s Zamora!From the press box where I sometimes sat, he seemed to accept the razzing with equanimity, as if he agreed it was deserved. I was a young reporter at the time, and after games, I’d pass him in the clubhouse as he was dressing quietly at his locker, while I sought out one or another of his more prominent teammates. Zamora pitched for the Cubs for parts of three seasons, and I can’t remember ever interviewing him for a story or even stopping to chat. He was one in that category — an interchangeable part, a minor actor who wouldn&#...

Vatican: Pope Francis goes to hospital, cancels audiences

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:35:45 GMT

By NICOLE WINFIELD (Associated Press)VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis went to a Rome hospital on Wednesday and canceled his audiences for the next two days to undergo previously scheduled tests, the Vatican said.The Vatican provided no details, including how long the 86-year-old pope would remain at Gemelli University Hospital, where he underwent surgery in 2021. But his audiences through Friday were canceled, raising questions about Francis’ participation during the Vatican’s Holy Week activities starting Sunday.“The Holy Father has been at Gemelli since this afternoon for some previously scheduled checkups,” the Vatican said in a one-line statement from spokesman Matteo Bruni.Francis appeared in relatively good form during his regularly scheduled general audience Wednesday, though he grimaced strongly while getting into and out of the “popemobile.” The purpose of the medical tests wasn’t immediately clear. Francis had part of one lun...

Meet the scouts who put Anthony Volpe on his path to pinstripes

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:35:45 GMT

“Volpe’s on deck.”Matt Hyde, a Northeast area scout for the Yankees, used to send that text to his colleagues, crosscheckers and superiors whenever Anthony Volpe stepped to the plate. The messages, which began during a tournament in Jupiter, Fla. during the Fall of Volpe’s senior year of high school, also included the name or number of whatever field his game took place on.They served as an alert: Something exciting is about to happen. Get your butts over here.“It was almost like, ‘Oh shit, here we go,’” Damon Oppenheimer, the Yankees’ director of amateur scouting, told the Daily News of the running gag. “It got to be comical actually because I was so persistent with it,” Hyde added.By this point, the Yankees were already well acquainted with their future shortstop — Volpe, 21, will start on Opening Day against the Giants — thanks in large part to Hyde, his first connection to the club.He began coaching Vo...

3 signs it’s time to break up with your car insurance company

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:35:45 GMT

Sometimes, it pays to be a loyal customer. Airline miles, loyalty reward points, anniversary freebies, the coveted platinum membership tier — all of these incentives are designed to keep you committed to your favorite brands. But loyalty is typically a one-way street when it comes to car insurance.“Insurance companies are there to make money,” says Michael DeLong, a research and advocacy associate for the nonprofit Consumer Federation of America. “They’re not your friend, despite the cute mascots they have.” DeLong advises not to hesitate to shop around for better deals because, in most cases, your insurance company isn’t loyal to you.However, only 26% of vehicle owners in the United States say they shop for car insurance at least once a year, according to a 2023 NerdWallet survey.Here are three signs it’s time to swipe left on your current car insurance company.1. When your rates go upIt’s normal to pay more for things over time — tax...

Fletcher admits affair but denies allegations in lawsuit

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:35:45 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- San Diego County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher said Wednesday he and his wife are being sued for millions of dollars.In a statement released Wednesday, Fletcher's attorney said that a former colleague with whom Fletcher said he had consensual interactions with is attempting to obtain a significant amount of money from the couple. Fletcher is married to former Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez.His attorney, Danielle Hultenius Moore, says the allegations in the lawsuit, which were not disclosed in the statement, are false. Moore went on to claim the woman pursued her client."...Their interactions were consensual and Mr. Fletcher does not and never had authority over her employment. We will aggressively fight this issue in court and the full record will show the truth.”In his statement, Fletcher admitted he made a "terrible mistake" and violated the trust and loyalty of his marriage. His full comments on the matter can be found here. Supervisor Nathan Fletcher to seek care for ...

Cyprus gets tough on fan violence at sporting events

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:35:45 GMT

NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — Cyprus’ justice minister on Wednesday unveiled a host of measures to combat fan violence at sporting events, including pre-game drug and alcohol tests, increased body searches and tougher policing.The measures come days after opposing fans at a basketball playoff game between rivals Anorthosis and Apollon fought inside and outside the Tassos Papadopoulos stadium in the capital Nicosia, setting fire to public transport offices outside the venue.Justice minister Anna Koukkides-Procopiou said the government will introduce legal amendments enabling police to administer drug and alcohol tests to suspected users ahead of sporting events.Police will intensify searches of fans entering venues while bans for convicted offenders will be raised to a maximum of 10 years. A dedicated riot squad will be tasked with exclusively policing sporting and other “high-risk” events, while police inspections and oversight of travelling fans will be stepped up.Police arrested three pe...