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With hundreds lost in the migrant shipwreck near Greece, identifying the dead is painfully slow

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:16:01 GMT

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Nearly two months after a dilapidated fishing trawler crammed with people heading from Libya to Italy sank in the central Mediterranean, killing hundreds, relatives are still frantically searching for their loved ones among the missing and the dead.Many questions remain about Greek authorities’ response and exactly how and why the boat, carrying an estimated 500-750 people mostly from Pakistan, Syria and Egypt, capsized and sank in the early hours of June 14 in what became one of the deadliest migrant shipwrecks in the Mediterranean.Only 104 people were pulled from the sea alive — all men and boys. Eighty-two bodies, only one of them a woman, were recovered. The rest, including women and children, sank in one of the deepest parts of the Mediterranean. With depths of around 4,000 meters (13,000 feet) in that area, any recovery of the vessel or its victims are all but impossible.Identifying the dead and determining exactly who was on board is a slow, meticu...

South Africa’s former President Jacob Zuma briefly taken to prison then released on remission

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:16:01 GMT

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Former South African President Jacob Zuma was briefly taken to prison and released to correctional supervision Friday, prison officials said. Last month South Africa had deployed the army for security in four provinces amid concerns of unrest over a court decision making his 2021 medical parole invalid. Zuma was admitted to the Estcourt Correctional Centre and released in less than two hours after his remission was processed. Under the remissions process authorized by President Cyril Ramaphosa, almost 9,500 inmates will be released from prison and placed under correctional supervision, said Makhothi Thobakgale, correctional services commissioner.The decision to return Zuma to prison followed a Supreme Court of Appeal judgment that upheld a Gauteng High Court ruling that releasing him from jail on medical parole in 2021 was unlawful and unconstitutional.However, the court left to Thobakgale the decision of whether Zuma should return to jail or have his time under ...

Daily horoscope for August 11, 2023

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:16:01 GMT

Moon Alert: Caution: Avoid spending money or big decisions from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. EDT today (10 a.m. to 4 p.m. PDT). After that, the Moon moves from Gemini into Cancer.Happy Birthday for Friday, Aug. 11, 2023:You’re keenly observant and often seek the truth of something. People listen to you because you speak your mind. This is a wonderful year for you. You’re getting acknowledgement for your past efforts, perhaps through a raise, a promotion, an award or kudos. Well done. Bravo!ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★★In conversation with others, make sure you get your facts straight. Selective hearing might lead to confusion later. Ditto for wishful thinking. Others might choose to deceive you or hide the real truth from you. It’s a tricky day. Tonight: Cocoon.TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★★This is a poor day for major financial transactions and business deals, not only because of the warning in the Moon Alert, but also because in general, there’s confusion and even deceit h...

Commission approves €150 million Italian scheme to support companies in the context of Russia's war against Ukraine

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:16:01 GMT

The European Commission has approved a €150 million Italian scheme to support companies active in the region of Sicily in the context of Russia's war against Ukraine. The scheme was approved under the State Aid Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework, adopted by the Commission on 9 March 2023 to support measures in sectors which are key to accelerate the green transition and reduce fuel dependencies. The new Framework amends and prolongs in part the Temporary Crisis Framework, adopted on 23 March 2022 to enable Member States to support the economy in the context of the current geopolitical crisis, already amended on 20 July 2022 and 28 October 2022.Under the scheme, which goes under the name “Sicilian Energy Bonus”, the aid will take the form of direct grants. The scheme will be open to companies active in Sicily in all sectors with a number of exceptions, such as primary agriculture, fishery and banking. The purpose of the scheme is to compensate eligible beneficiaries for part o...

Four-bedroom home sells for $2.4 million in San Jose

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:16:01 GMT

6587 Jeremie Drive – Google Street ViewThe spacious property located in the 6500 block of Jeremie Drive in San Jose was sold on July 20, 2023. The $2,350,000 purchase price works out to $1,059 per square foot. The house, built in 1967, has an interior space of 2,220 square feet. This two-story house presents a roomy floor plan, featuring four bedrooms and three bathrooms. On the exterior, the house is characterized by the use of wood shake roofing / shingles. Inside, there is a fireplace. Additionally, the home is equipped with a two-car garage, accommodating vehicles and storage needs efficiently. Nestled on a generous 8,040-square-foot lot, the property provides abundant outdoor space including a pool.Additional houses that have recently changed hands close by include:On Tam Oshanter Drive, San Jose, in November 2022, a 1,795-square-foot home was sold for $1,710,000, a price per square foot of $953. The home has 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.A 1,526-square-foot home on the 6600 block...

Maui residents had little warning before flames overtook town. At least 55 people died.

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:16:01 GMT

LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) — Maui residents who desperately escaped flames, some on foot, asked why Hawaii’s famous emergency warning system didn’t alert them as fires raced toward their homes.Hawaii emergency management records show no indication that warning sirens were triggered before a devastating wildfire killed at least 55 people and wiped out a historic town, officials confirmed Thursday.Hawaii boasts what the state describes as the largest integrated outdoor all-hazard public safety warning system in the world, with about 400 sirens positioned across the island chain. But many of Lahaina’s survivors said in interviews at evacuation centers that they didn’t hear any sirens and only realized they were in danger when they saw flames or heard explosions nearby.Thomas Leonard, a 70-year-old retired mailman from Lahaina, didn’t know about the fire until he smelled smoke. Power and cell phone service had both gone out earlier that day, leaving the town with no real-time information abou...

Spain edges Netherlands 2-1 in extra time to reach Women’s World Cup semifinals for the first time

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:16:01 GMT

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Jorge Vilda was more interested in the aftermath back in Spain if his team won its Women’s World Cup quarterfinal than he was about a rattling 5.0 magnitude earthquake that shook Wellington an hour before kickoff against Netherlands.Salma Paralluelo was unshaken by the tremblor or the high-pressure stakes, scoring late in extra time Friday to give Spain a 2-1 victory and a place in the Women’s World Cup semifinals for the first time.“We were so concentrated,” Spain coach Vilda said, recalling how his team prepared for the game even as the ground shook. “Yes, it was a middle (moderate) shake, an earthquake, but not today. The earthquake was the victory of Spain.”The 19-year-old Paralluelo started the match on the bench for the first time at this World Cup and made her entry just in time to make history. Spain dominated a scoreless first half and 2019 finalist Netherlands had a penalty scrubbed out by the VAR in the 62nd minute after a tussle...

UBS ends rescue packages from Swiss gov’t that paved way for Credit Suisse takeover

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:16:01 GMT

GENEVA (AP) — UBS said Friday it has shut down rescue packages agreed with Swiss authorities that made available up to 200 billion Swiss francs (about $230 billion) to help shepherd through its takeover of ailing rival Credit Suisse and avert an international banking crisis.The Zurich-based banking giant, which completed the takeover on June 12, said it had moved to “voluntarily terminate” rescue programs that aimed to help mop up billions of losses and provide liquidity to the banks as they moved forward on the complex deal.UBS said it had repaid 50 billion francs in loans from the Swiss National Bank and 100 billion francs in liquidity support from the Swiss government, while ending a 9 billion franc “loss protection agreement” with the government. In total, UBS also paid some 730 million francs in commitment fees and risk premiums to Swiss authorities, comprised of 200 million to the government and 530 million to the national bank.Swiss authorities and UBS announced the has...

Los Angeles hosts Atlanta following Ogwumike’s 20-point showing

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:16:01 GMT

Atlanta Dream (15-13, 9-8 Eastern Conference) at Los Angeles Sparks (11-18, 6-10 Western Conference)Los Angeles; Saturday, 7:30 p.m. EDTBOTTOM LINE: Los Angeles takes on the Atlanta Dream after Nneka Ogwumike scored 20 points in the Los Angeles Sparks’ 87-80 win against the Indiana Fever.The Sparks are 7-8 on their home court. Los Angeles ranks second in the Western Conference in team defense, allowing 81.6 points while holding opponents to 46.1% shooting.The Dream are 7-8 on the road. Atlanta has a 0-2 record in games decided by less than 4 points.The teams play for the third time this season. The Dream won the last meeting 90-79 on July 6. Allisha Gray scored 23 points to help lead the Dream to the victory.TOP PERFORMERS: Jordin Canada is averaging 13.3 points, six assists and 1.9 steals for the Sparks. Ogwumike is averaging 19.8 points, 9.1 rebounds and 1.6 steals over the last 10 games for Los Angeles.Cheyenne Parker is averaging 14 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.5 blocks for ...

Killing of Ecuador candidate deepens country’s sense of vulnerability to crime

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:16:01 GMT

MEXICO CITY (AP) — The brazen assassination of Ecuadorian presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio at a crowded political rally Wednesday night deepened the country’s sense of vulnerability to the crime that’s spread across the country in recent years. After multiple threats for his stance against drug trafficking and corruption, Villavicencio was under the watch of police and private security guards. His shooting death has focused global attention on his country’s wave of violent deaths, which began about three years ago, and the connection between organized crime and other powerful interests there.HOW WAS VILLAVICENCIO THREATENED? He said during his campaign that he and his team he had been threatened by the Ecuadorian criminal group known as Los Choneros and their leader Alias Fito, whom Villavicencio linked to Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel. Villavicencio said popular support would protect him, “You’re my bulletproof vest. I don’t need one. You&...