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Researchers hope undersea work yields new information on 1994 Baltic Sea ferry disaster

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:11 GMT

HELSINKI (AP) — A research vessel carrying investigators from Sweden and Estonia was scheduled to arrive Wednesday at the Baltic Sea site where a passenger ferry sank almost 30 years ago to conduct underwater studies that might produce new information about one of Europe’s deadliest maritime disasters.Representatives of the Estonian Safety Investigation Bureau and the Swedish Accident Investigation Authority plan to study the wreckage of the M/S Estonia in cooperation with Finnish authorities over the next eight days.The ferry sank in heavy seas on Sept. 28, 1994, killing 852 people, most of them Swedes and Estonians. The ferry was traveling from Estonia’s capital, Tallinn, to Stockholm when it sank about 30 minutes after an initial distress call. Only 137 people survived. Among other activities, the investigators plan to collect bedrock samples from the bottom of the sea near the wreckage site, film the ferry’s car deck and retrieve the vessel’s bow ramp from the seabed. They...

Israeli president tells Congress his country is committed to democracy but concedes ‘painful debate’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:11 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Israeli President Isaac Herzog sought to reassure Congress on Wednesday about the state of Israel’s democracy and the strength of the U.S.-Israel relationship, acknowledging “heated and painful debate” at home and criticism abroad over actions of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s hardline government.Herzog, whose post in Israel is largely symbolic, became the second Israeli president, after his father, Chaim Herzog, to address Congress. While his speech officially marked modern Israel’s celebration of its 75th year, he also indirectly addressed unease in the Biden administration and among Democratic lawmakers over the Netanyahu government’s planned sweeping overhaul of Israel’s judicial system, expanded Jewish settlement in the occupied West Bank and other matters.The divide was reflected in his audience. While lawmakers repeatedly rose to their feet in thundering applause of Herzog’s recounting of Israel’s founding, a handful ...

Judge rejects Trump’s bid to move hush money case to federal court

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:11 GMT

(The Hill) -- A judge on Wednesday rejected former President Donald Trump’s bid to move his hush money criminal case to federal court, ruling that the allegations are not connected to Trump’s role as president.U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein, a Clinton appointee, granted Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s (D) office’s request to keep the case in New York state court.Trump had argued the case must be moved to federal court because he was being prosecuted for an act under the color of his office as president and that Bragg’s prosecution was politically motivated.Manhattan prosecutors charged Trump with 34 counts of falsifying business records, accusing him of making a series of false entries as he reimbursed his then-fixer, Michael Cohen, in part to conceal a $130,000 hush payment that Cohen made to adult film star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 presidential election. Trump pleaded not guilty.The former president’s lawyers argued that Trump hired Cohen to handle his per...

‘Is watching a movie crossing the picket line?’ and other Hollywood strike fan questions answered

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:11 GMT

You watch movies. You watch TV. And now you're wondering how the dual Hollywood strikes — a pitched battle with actors and writers on one side, and studios and streaming services on the other — will affect you. We have answers.Do the strikes mean “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” aren't coming out?They — and all other summer releases — are still on track! Many flashy premieres have been canceled, however, or dramatically scaled down.Am I crossing the picket line by seeing one of those movies?No, the unions have not asked fans to boycott productions, and are quick to make that explicit. Instead, the guilds have asked supporters who aren't members to post on social media and donate to community funds. These notable movies, TV shows are on hold because of the actors strike Should I cancel Netflix, MAX or the 16 other streaming services I subscribe to if I want to show support?Nope, there's been no consumer boycott of any kind called yet. Some guild members have said watching their programs ...

Feds launch probe after 16-year-old boy dies at Mississippi poultry plant

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:11 GMT

(The Hill) -- Federal authorities confirmed Tuesday that they are investigating the death of a 16-year-old boy at a poultry plant in Mississippi.The Department of Labor’s Occupational Health and Safety Administration and Wage and Hour Division have both “opened inspections” at the Mar-Jac Poultry plant in Hattiesburg in the wake of the Friday incident, according to a DOL spokesperson. The victim has been identified as Duvan Tomas Perez, originally from Guatemala, by local authorities and a family member, according to NBC News, which noted that workers under the age of 18 are not allowed to work in poultry plants for safety reasons.Forrest County Deputy Coroner Lisa Klem told NBC that Perez’s death was due to equipment at the plant, and that his autopsy results will be released Wednesday. Delta flight canceled after passengers suffer heat illnesses amid triple-digit temps in Las Vegas A fellow worker at the plant, on duty at the time of the incident, reportedly said he heard Per...

Kyle's Pie in the Sky 2023 live music lineup announced

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:11 GMT

KYLE, Texas (KXAN) — Austin may be the Live Music Capital, but a trip 20 miles south on Interstate 35 will take you to another capital. Kyle is the official, trademarked Pie Capital of Texas, and it celebrates that title every year with its Pie in the Sky Hot Air Balloon Festival.The festival this year will take place on Friday, Sept. 1, and Saturday, Sept. 2, at Lake Kyle Park. There will be live music, a mini carnival, tethered hot air balloon rides, hot air balloon glows, a vendor market, food and drinks, a 3.14-mile walk/run, a "Tiny Tot PIEathalon" for kids, a pie-eating contest, a Pi Recital Contest, fireworks and more, according to the city. Live music performances begin at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, then at 3 p.m. on Saturday. A schedule of performances is below: Friday, Sept. 1: 5:30-7 p.m. - Guy Forsyth 8-9 p.m. - Del Castillo 9:30-10:30 p.m - Roger Creager Saturday, Sept. 2:  3-4 p.m. - Destiny Navairo featuring Raulito 4:30-5:30 p.m. - Las Fenix 6-7:30 p.m. - Los Texmaniacs fe...

Reigning PGA Tour Rookie of the Year, World No. 18 Cameron Young commits to 3M Open

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:11 GMT

The 3M Open added its second top-20 player in the world to its field, with the tournament announcing the commitment of Cameron Young to next week’s field.Young is the No. 18 player in the world and the reigning PGA Tour Rookie of the Year. He had five top-three finishes last season, with two of those coming in majors.This season hasn’t yet proved as fruitful for the 26-year-old long-ball hitter. Heading into this week’s Open Championship, Young has managed just one top-30 showing in his last eight starts. That was his most recent start, though, when Young finished in a tie for sixth at the John Deere Classic.That was a start Young made in hopes of finding his form and improving his FedExCup playoff standing. He may have similar motivation for teeing it up in Blaine next week. He currently finds himself in 46th place in the season-long standings.While the top 70 players after the Wyndham Championship, which is played in the first weekend in August, will reach the pl...

New contract rewards Albany police with salary raises

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:11 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A new contract for Albany police officers and detectives has been ratified. Mayor Kathy Sheehan, Police Chief Eric Hawkins, and Police Benevolent Association President Michael Delano announced the overwhelming ratification on Wednesday. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! "This agreement accomplishes an important goal of keeping our experienced police officers here with the City and helps make the Department more attractive as we recruit new officers, especially with an upcoming Civil Service Exam scheduled for September," said Chief Hawkins. "With the national trend of fewer young people entering law enforcement, it is critical that we maintain our trained and talented members of the Albany Police Department to protect and serve the residents of the City.”The new contract guarantees a 2% across-the-board salary increase through 2026. The contract also provides a 14% compensation increase over four years.

Albany homicide suspect convicted of second-degree murder

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:11 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The suspect connected to a fatal shooting in January 2021 was convicted of second-degree murder on Wednesday morning. Nicholas Higgins, 30, was also convicted of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Higgins was accused of intentionally causing the death of Uizaie Brigman on January 11, 2021. Brigman was found inside a vehicle on Hamilton Street with a gunshot wound. He was treated by emergency medical personnel but was pronounced deceased at the scene. Sentencing is scheduled for September 1. Higgins faces 25 years to life in prison.

Hollywood strike questions answered

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:11 GMT

HOLLYWOOD (AP) — You watch movies. You watch TV. And now you're wondering how the dual Hollywood strikes—a pitched battle with actors and writers on one side, and studios and streaming services on the other—will affect you. We have answers. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Are “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” still coming out? They—and all other summer releases—are still on track! Many flashy premieres have been canceled, however, or dramatically scaled down.Am I crossing the picket line by seeing one of those movies?No, the unions have not asked fans to boycott productions, and are quick to make that explicit. Instead, the guilds have asked supporters who aren't members to post on social media and donate to community funds. Albany home to unscripted productions during SAG-AFTRA & WGA strikes Ezra Knight, fourth from left, SAG-AFTRA union New York local president, uses a bullhorn to address striking writers and actors on a p...