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🖕🤬 MEPs rage as migrant shipwreck session descends into chaos

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:56:32 GMT

BRUSSELS — Tempers flared in the European Parliament on Tuesday as a conservative lawmaker accused a socialist of giving the middle finger during a session about a migrant shipwreck off the Italian coast.In a hearing with the Parliament’s home affairs committee, the EU’s border defense agency Frontex and Italy’s coast guard rejected accusations that they did not do enough to avert 94 migrant drownings a few hundred meters off the coast of Calabria, Italy in February.Frontex chief Hans Leijtens said that he immediately informed the Italian authorities about the migrant boat and forwarded them details on its speed, location and infrared images as per standard practice.  “Our plane continued the surveillance until it had to return to base due to fuel shortage,” Leijtens told EU lawmakers. The Frontex boss stressed that they could not issue an emergency alert because the migrant boat was not in danger at the time.“If we know today what we knew then I think we will not do different,...

Firefighting foam contaminates public water for about 9,000 in Maine

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:56:32 GMT

WATERVILLE, Maine (AP) — Firefighting foam used in battling a fatal fire in an apartment building entered the public water system, prompting the water district to order thousands of residents not to drink the water.The do-not-drink order went into effect Monday for about 9,000 Kennebec Water District customers in Waterville, Winslow, Benton, Fairfield and Vassalboro. Testing was being conducted Tuesday to determine whether the water is safe to drink.“While the extent of the contamination is unclear, out of an abundance of caution, Kennebec Water District is issuing a system-wide Do Not Drink Order,” the water district announced Monday.Firefighting foam entered the public water distribution system as firefighters battled a blaze in an apartment building for seniors. One person was killed and several others were injured Monday.Water samples that were taken Tuesday morning were being delivered to a lab in southern Maine for analysis. Officials hoped to be able to provide an update by d...

Report: Antisemitism, White Supremacy On Rise In Mass.

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:56:32 GMT

As antisemitic attacks and white supremacist activity escalate in Massachusetts, the Anti-Defamation League is imploring Beacon Hill policymakers to pass legislation to crack down on hate crimes and online harassment.Massachusetts logged the country’s sixth highest rate of antisemitic harassment, vandalism and assault in 2022, according to a a new report from the ADL Center on Extremism. There were 152 antisemitic incidents last year, compared to 108 in the prior year, marking a 41 percent rise.Some 71 cities and towns experienced at least one antisemitic incident in 2022, compared to 54 in 2021.Trailing only Texas, Massachusetts recorded the second highest number of white supremacist propaganda incidents last year, the report found. The distribution of white supremacist propaganda increased by 71 percent from 2021 and 2022 — rising from 272 instances to 465 — largely attributed to groups like Patriot Front, the Nationalist Social Club and the Goyim Defen...

Nearly half a million PowerXL waffle irons recalled after users burned

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:56:32 GMT

MIAMI (WFOR) — A recall has been issued for more than 450,000 waffle irons branded PowerXL.The Consumer Product Safety Commission said the “Stuffed Wafflizer” waffle makers have burned some users when hot batter or stuffing was “expelled” while in use.There have been 44 reported incidents including 34 burn injuries with three requiring medical attention.The recall involves PowerXL Model ESWM02 (five inch model) and Model ESWM03 (seven inch model) Stuffed Wafflizer waffle makers. They were sold in 11 colors and have the PowerXL logo on the top of the waffle maker. The model numbers and date codes are printed on a tag attached to the power cord, with all date codes included in this recall.The waffle irons were sold at Walmart, Kohls, Big Lots, BJ’s Wholesale Club, Best Buy, The Home Depot, Target, Sam’s Club and other home goods stores nationwide and online at QVC.com, walmart.com, kohls.com and other websites from July 202...

Kraft Singles are getting a major makeover

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:56:32 GMT

New York (CNN) — Kraft is fixing one of the biggest complaints about its cheese slices: the packaging.The company’s Kraft Singles are getting a a major makeover, with not only “easier to open individual wrapping” but also a refreshed logo and new packaging design. It’s the product’s first redesign in five years.The goal of the revamp is to address the No. 1 complaint from customers, which has been the “inability to easily open the clear wrapper,” Kraft said in a release. The redesigned flap on each slice adds more texture and makes it easier to find, and it’s also thicker and sturdier so it can be opened without tearing.The exterior packaging features a larger, slightly redesigned logo as well as “simple and bold typography.” Kraft is also putting more emphasis on the cheese not having artificial flavors, colors or preservatives, and it’s adding a new graphic that says “made with real dairy.”Kraft Singles is getting a makeover. Credit: Kraft SinglesThe redesigned wrappers ...

Boston doctors perform historic heart transplant after the organ was transported 2,506 miles from Alaska: ‘Monumental case’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:56:32 GMT

Boston doctors recently performed a historic heart transplant after the life-saving organ was transported 2,506 miles from Alaska to Massachusetts, according to officials.The successful surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital set a new record for the longest distance a donor heart has traveled for transplant surgery via an ice preservation system, the surgical director of MGH’s Heart Transplant Program told the Herald.“It’s exciting to think we can now use more hearts from farther away, and better match those hearts with people who need them,” said David D’Alessandro, the surgical director of the Heart Transplant Program.In the past, a 4- to 6-hour window has been considered a reasonably safe time for transporting a heart in a traditional ice cooler.“Before, we would have never considered getting a heart from Alaska because 9 hours has been dangerous,” D’Alessandro said.But now, more geographic possibilities have opened up for farthe...

Carlsbad High assistant principal shares opposition to district 'diversity, equity, inclusion' efforts

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:56:32 GMT

CARLSBAD, Calif. -- Comments made by an assistant principal at Carlsbad High School going against the district’s efforts to be more diverse and inclusive are catching criticism.“I feel like he just kind of showed who he was and that he’s really not for all students,” said Jennifer Hemberger, a Carlsbad Unified parent.Parents, students and educators in support of the LGBTQ+ community responded to the comments by coming together outside district headquarters Monday, holding a rally for love.Carlsbad High School Assistant Principal Ethan Williams is being criticized for what he said at The Mission Church last Friday night, where he helped host a gathering to prepare for the district’s upcoming discussions on diversity, equity and inclusion.Audio from that gathering was shared with FOX 5 and in it a pastor and Williams can be heard speaking for about one hour.“It's not because we are bigoted, it's not because we are afraid of trans people, it's not because of any of that. We love them a...

Man wanted for throwing hot coffee at Tim Horton’s employee: Police

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:56:32 GMT

Toronto police are searching for a suspect who allegedly threw hot coffee at a Tim Horton’s employee in North York.Officers were called to a Tim Horton’s location near Sheppard Avenue and Highway 404 around 4:30 a.m. on Thursday.Investigators say a suspect walked up to the drive-thru at the store and got into an argument with a work because he wasn’t in a vehicle. Police say the employee allowed the suspect to make a purchase in an attempt to de-escalate the situation.When the suspect received the coffee he ordered, he allegedly threw it at the victim, causing severe burns to her arm and back. The suspect fled the area on foot.Police have released a photo of the suspect in hopes someone will be able to identify him. Anyone with information is asked to contact police.

Climate protesters dragged from Shell shareholder meeting as they rush stage

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:56:32 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Climate change protesters were dragged away as they tried to storm the stage at Shell’s shareholder meeting Tuesday, while activist investors added pressure with a resolution demanding the global oil and gas giant beef up its emissions strategy. Shell Chairman Andrew Mackenzie could not start the meeting for more than an hour as dozens of protesters stood up, chanting and singing “Shut down Shell” and “Go to hell, Shell.” Several who tried to run onto the stage were stopped and carried out of the room by security guards at a London’s ExCel conference center.The activists, including members of Greenpeace and Extinction Rebellion, say Shell and other fossil fuel firms are making record profits at the cost of the environment. Shell reported a record $39.9 billion profit for 2022. Fossil fuel companies have posted bumper earnings as global oil and natural gas prices soared after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, driving up inflation and helping create a cost-...

Stock market today: Wall Street opens lower as deal on raising debt limit remains elusive

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:56:32 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks are slipping on Wall Street as the U.S. government creeps closer to the edge of a potentially disastrous default on its debt. The S&P 500 was 0.4% lower early Tuesday, in the first trading after President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy closed a meeting late Monday that they called productive but ended with no deal. Washington is facing a deadline as early as June 1. The stock market has remained resilient, but a worry on Wall Street is that Washington may not feel enough urgency to act until markets shake enough to show the stakes. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.Wall Street dipped modestly early Tuesday after talks in Washington on government debt ended with no deal to avoid a default.S&P 500 futures were off less than 0.2% before the bell, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average inched down about 0.1%.“The resumption of debt ceiling negotiations spurred some hopes despite distinct risks of brinksmanship and...