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Greece safely evacuates 48 migrants from inflatable boat off Lesbos island; vessel sinks

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:23:50 GMT

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greek authorities said Sunday they had safely rescued 48 migrants from a rudderless inflatable boat off the island of Lesbos, close to the Turkish coast.A coast guard vessel on patrol off the island sighted the boat Sunday morning, the Greek coast guard said in a communique.The crew “carried out the safe evacuation and rescue of 48 foreigners, who were transported to the port of Mytilene,” the island’s capital, the coast guard said.“Three of those rescued were picked up by an ambulance and taken to the General Hospital of Mytilene for the provision of first aid, where they remain hospitalized,” it added.The coast guard did not mention the ethnicities of the migrants, but a YouTube video it released shows most of them are Africans.The packed inflatable vessel sank, the coast guard said.Greece has seen a rise in migrant arrivals from Turkey, mostly by sea, in recent weeks amid more clement summer sailing conditions.The Associated Press

Media observers worry about impact of Métro Média closure on Quebec’s local democracy

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:23:50 GMT

MONTREAL — Media observers say the abrupt closure of Quebec newspaper publisher Métro Média will end news coverage of local government in parts of the province’s two largest cities.Andrew Mulé, Métro Média’s president and CEO, announced the immediate suspension of operations at the company’s more than 30 hyperlocal publications late Friday afternoon. Patrick White, a journalism professor at the Université du Québec à Montréal, says the closure is bad news for local democracy.He says the company’s reporters were the only journalists covering many of the borough councils, which deliver a wide range of municipal services — in Quebec City and Montreal. Mulé blamed the closure on a Montreal municipal bylaw that requires people to opt-in to receive bags containing printed flyers, which was the primary distribution method for the company’s printed newspapers.Métro Média employed around 100 people. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 13, ...

Chicago firefighter making 'steady improvement' after mayday call at Northwest Side house fire

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:23:50 GMT

CHICAGO — A firefighter who was seriously injured Friday battling a house fire on Chicago's Northwest Side is making steady improvement, according to the fire department.On Sunday, the department said the firefighter is still in serious but stable condition at Loyola Medical Center. 3 firefighters injured following Northwest Side house fire The firefighter was transported there after a fire in the 8300 block of West Balmoral Avenue in the city's Norwood Park neighborhood. This is not far from Chicago's O'Hare International Airport.Two other firefighters were also injured in the fire and taken to a local hospital in fair condition.The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Weekend Break: Malibu Barbie Café

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:23:50 GMT

CHICAGO — A themed experiential restaurant in Chicago is inviting fans of all ages to experience Mattel's iconic brand like never before.The Malibu Barbie Café in the West Loop is transporting guests back to 1970s Malibu, California in a space drenched in a sea of bright colors and retro charm. Weekend Break: Paranormal Cirque “All of your five senses are going to be engaged here. You’re going to see, smell, drink, taste, hear everything Barbie and imagine that you yourself, are Barbie, the moment you walk through the doors,” Michael Corrigan, Spokesperson for Bucket Listers and the Malibu Barbie Café, said.The café, located near South Racine Avenue and West Gladys Avenue, opened on June 7th and will stay open until October 15th. Weekend Break: Chicago Dogs The pop-up experience is packed with social media-worthy moments and offers guests food, drinks, roller skating, photo opportunities and more.“If you’re not posting it on Instagram, did you really do it?” Corrigan said.Ticket...

'Never seen anything like it': Wildlife photographer captures photo of alligator launching out of water

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:23:50 GMT

SARASOTA, Fla. (WFLA) – While on a photography trip at a Florida state park earlier this year, wildlife photographer Tim Smith captured a stunning picture of an alligator launching itself. "I have lived in Florida for almost 50 years, and I have never seen anything like it, nor have I found anything quite like it on the internet," Smith told Nexstar's WFLA. Back in April, Smith ventured to Myakka River State Park in Sarasota with a woman who was a ranger at the park for 10 years. The ranger also said she had never seen anything like it, according to Smith.Courtesy of Tim Smith As for what prompted the alligator to launch itself? Smith said the animal seemed to be reacting to a school of fish that got stirred up in the water.According to Experience Kissimmee, alligators can leap up to five feet out of the water to snag their dinner. They do it by pushing up with their tails.On April 18, Smith posted the amazing photo on a Myakka River State Park Facebook group. Since then, the snapsh...

VIDEO: UT unveils new burnt orange stadium lights

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:23:50 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — In just a few weeks, the Texas Longhorns take on Rice University to open the 2023-24 football season, but when the first night game comes to Darrell K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium, you might notice something brand new.On Thursday, The University of Texas at Austin’s athletics department gave a preview of what the new burnt orange stadium lights would look like.UT Athletics Director Chris Del Conte posted a video on social media showcasing DKR bathed in a burnt orange glow.“Doesn’t that look Purdy,” Del Conte said.The first night kickoff is set for Sept. 16 against Wyoming.

How hot is it in Austin? Hot enough for cookies!

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:23:50 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A KXAN viewer said she conducted an experiment this week just to see how hot it really was in Austin.Jennifer Grube, a resident in northwest Austin, said it was hot enough to bake cookies on her car’s dashboard.The cookie experiment begins shortly after noon (Courtesy Jennifer Grube)Cookie edges begin to get crispy around 3:45 p.m. (Courtesy Jennifer Grube)A look at the finished product by 4:45 p.m. Freshly (car) baked cookies anyone? (Courtesy Jennifer Grube)“Started at 12:30 pm. After an hour I flattened them with the back of a spoon, by 3:45 the flattened cookies had baked edges but raw centers. By 4:45 pm they were done and crispy,” Grube said in a ReportIt sent to KXAN.She also said the ones that were thicker to start with were easier to remove from the baking pan than the thinner ones.This story came from a ReportIt story tip. Send your own story ideas to [email protected] or through KXAN's contact page.

Saranac Lake woman charged with murder

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:23:50 GMT

INDIAN LAKE, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A Saranac Lake woman has been arrested in connection to a homicide investigation, according to state police. Ann Favro, 57, has been charged with second-degree murder. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! On August 12 at 8:12 p.m., police responded to Big Brook Road in Indian Lake for a report of shots fired. Upon arrival, troopers located David Chenier, 32, of Indian Lake, who was found deceased. Following a traffic stop in the area, police took Favro into custody. She was arraigned in the Town of Indian Lake Court and remanded to the Hamilton County Jail. Cohoes Police investigating homicide Police stated that an autopsy will be conducted at Glens Falls Hospital at an undetermined date. The investigation remains ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to contact state police at (518)873-2750.

2-time NBA champion, Lakers legend Pau Gasol inducted into NBA Hall of Fame 

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:23:50 GMT

Yet another legendary Los Angeles Laker has been inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame. Pau Gasol, who played seven seasons with the Lakers and won two championships alongside the late Kobe Bryant, was inducted in a ceremony on Saturday night, where he expressed gratitude for his fans and paid respect to Kobe and his daughter Gianna, who passed away tragically in a helicopter crash in 2020. “[Kobe] just wanted to make sure that right away, firsthand, I got the message,” Gasol said at Saturday night’s induction ceremony. “He said ‘Welcome to the team, I’m happy you’re here, now let’s go win a championship together.'” “I wouldn’t be here without you brother,” he continued. “I wish more than anything that you and Gigi were here today with us.” The six-time All Star also played for the Vancouver/Memphis Grizzlies, Chicago Bulls, San Antonio Spurs and Milwaukee Bucks during his 18-year career in the NBA, where he was the Rookie of the Year in 2002, becoming the first non-American ...

Map: One part of California drinks more than others, study finds

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:23:50 GMT

You may have an idea of how much alcohol your community drinks. There may even be a certain sense of pride regarding how much or how little that is. But recently released data helps illustrate which areas in the U.S. are prone to excessive drinking and those that aren’t. Earlier this year, the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute released its 2023 County Health Rankings and Roadmaps report, which is meant to raise awareness about factors that can impact health outcomes and disparities nationwide.Researchers use numerous data points to determine the length and quality of life on a state-by-state basis. Among those factors is alcohol use, including reported excessive drinking. To determine the rates of excessive drinking per state, researchers used self-reported data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance system. For the 2023 report, the University of Wisconsin used data from 2020 — the first year of the COVID pand...