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A fire killed nearly every animal at a Florida wildlife center

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:54:41 GMT

MADEIRA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — An early morning fire on Thursday killed nearly all the animals at a wildlife center in Florida, officials said.News outlets reported the fire broke out around 3 a.m. Thursday at the Alligator and Wildlife Discovery Center in Madeira Beach, near St. Petersburg on Florida’s Gulf Coast.“We suffered from a tragic fire last night. Nearly all of the animals are gone. We are devastated,” a post on the wildlife center’s Facebook page said.Sonny Flynn, who owns the center, told WTSP that all of the mammals inside the building died and many of the reptiles were injured. Small mammals, lizards, amphibians, turtles and tortoises, fresh and saltwater marine life, and alligators were among the 250 animals at the center.“They didn’t deserve this. This is my whole life,” Flynn said. “They all have names, they all have personality, I come in every morning and talk to them like Dr. Dolittle.”Flynn said about 95% o...

Biden proclaims NATO alliance ‘more united than ever’ as he celebrates new member Finland

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:54:41 GMT

By SEUNG MIN KIM, CHRIS MEGERIAN and JARI TANNER (Associated Press)HELSINKI (AP) — President Joe Biden said he and other NATO leaders showed the world that the military alliance remains “more united than ever,” as he on Thursday capped off a trip in Europe meant to demonstrate the force of the international coalition against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The allies “understand that this fight is not only a fight for the future of Ukraine,” Biden said, noting that it’s also about sovereignty and security.“At this critical moment in history, this inflection point, the world watching to see, will we do the hard work that matters to forge a better future? Will we stand together, will we stand with one another? Will we stay committed to our course?” Biden said. He said the answer was a “resounding yes.” Earlier Thursday, Biden met with the leaders of other Nordic nations including Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Iceland. Swede...

Two brutal alleged murders head to trial in Boston

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:54:41 GMT

Jury selection has begun in two murder trials at Suffolk Superior Court, one for gunning down a man as he celebrated Father’s Day in a Roxbury park and another for the brutal stabbing of an 18-year-old woman to death in an East Boston parking garage.Parking Garage massacreOn June 15, 2016, construction workers walked to their worksite at a parking garage at 54 Princeton St. in East Boston and came across a horrible sight: a young woman, her face “covered in blood,” lying on top of pieces of wood with one arm over her face, according to Herald reporting at the time.Police would identify the dead woman as Blanca Lainez, 18, who would have turned 19 just two weeks later. An examination of her body and the scene would conclude she had been stabbed 15 times and beaten with a propane tank, according to the Suffolk DA’s office.Prosecutors say her murder occurred between 8:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. the night before, based on security camera footage of Lainez and the suspects.The body was found jus...

Watch Live: Kerry grilled on Climate Office; sparks fly over ‘private jet’ dig

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:54:41 GMT

This could finally be the day Climate boss John Kerry thaws his budget out. To what degree we’ll find out as the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Accountability grills him. Follow along below and stay here for updates and a full report:10 a.m. — Chair Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.) just started the meeting and didn’t hold back on Kerry has “managed to avoid oversight and accountability.”Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.) jumped in next saying global warming will drive up bills and put Americans at risk, taking a softer tone before Kerry speaks.Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) warned Kerry that playing nice with China could prove to be lethal. He’s the chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and is “deeply concerned” about talks with China. “We don’t have to make concessions before we even get to the table.” He added that this all comes as “an American citizen” Mark Swidan of Texas faces death i...

18-year-old accused in deadly attack of homeless man faces judge

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:54:41 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- An 18-year-old accused of killing an elderly homeless man pleaded not guilty in a San Diego courtroom one week after the attack.Daniel Ruben Martin of El Cajon faces one count of murder and faced a judge for the first time Wednesday.San Diego police say Martin and another teen are accused of beating and killing 65-year-old Michael Shook. Shook had been homeless and was found dead in the early morning hours on July 5 in Bonita Cove Park on West Mission Bay Drive.Martin is being held without bail. Brothers found dead inside East County home "It's hard, it's hard to find out the details about how heinous the attack actually was," Michael A. Shook, the victim's son, said.He said he had already been grieving the loss of his father, but when police told him how he died, he was in shock.The victim's son was in the courtroom Wednesday. He shared his father's name and brought more insight to the man he was. He said he grew up in Vista with his mother and father, and his father...

La Mesa moves forward in proposal to keep guns locked away when owners aren't home

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:54:41 GMT

LA MESA, Calif. -- In La Mesa, City Council voted to advance a draft ordinance that would add requirements for gun owners there. If passed, residents would have to keep firearms locked away or disabled when leaving their home. Councilmember Jack Shu sponsored the draft ordinance and said the move could prevent further crime or suicide. “When you leave the home, the gun is no longer in your possession, no longer in your control, let’s get it safe," Shu said. La Mesa could join other cities like San Diego, Solana Beach and Encinitas which already have this ordinance in place. However, while some are in favor, it's raising opposition. “I shouldn't have to go back to the house looking for my gun and unlocking my guns in order to protect myself," gun owner Ryan Bramley said. Hundreds rally in downtown after UCSD students, alum arrested The proposal was originally shut down 15 months back, but Tuesday's city council meeting brought about changes, ending in a 3 to 2 vote in favor of the...

Little Blue Penguins celebrate anniversary at Birch Aquarium with 'fish cakes'

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:54:41 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- The first anniversary of the Beyster Family Little Blue Penguins exhibit was celebrated at the Birch Aquarium Wednesday with "fish cakes” and beach balls.  Visitors have been given the opportunity to be immersed in the world of Little Blue Penguins for a full year now after the exhibit opened on July 12, 2022.According to a Birch Aquarium representative Beth Chee, this marked the biggest addition to the the public outreach center in 30 years. California black bear cubs rescued after mother found dead "Guests from all over the country have enjoyed the opportunity to to see the world’s smallest penguins in person, especially fan favorites Azulito, Cornelius, Nero, Persimmon (aka Percy) and Reka," said Chee.The Beyster Family Little Blue Penguins exhibit showcases the world’s smallest penguins on their journey from hatchlings to adults, as explained on the aquarium's information page.At less than 12 inches tall and only weighing between two and 3 pounds, these ...

UK government offers millions of public sector workers pay hikes to end strikes

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:54:41 GMT

LONDON (AP) — The British government offered millions of public sector workers pay raises Thursday in a bid to end an array of strikes that have crippled trains, health care and other services for more than a year amid the biggest cost-of-living crisis in generations.On the day that tens of thousands of doctors in Britain’s state-funded health service launched a five-day walkout, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak accepted pay recommendations from independent review bodies. But he insisted that there would be no more discussions with unions.Like other nations in Europe, Britain has faced disruptive strikes as workers, from teachers to train drivers and nurses, have pressed for pay that keeps pace with a sharp increase in consumer prices. Also Thursday, major train strike across Italy stranded tourists and commuters.“Today’s offer is final,” Sunak said. “There will be no more talks on pay. We will not negotiate again on this year’s settlements, and no amount of strikes will...

First Amendment group sues Texas Governor and others over the state’s TikTok ban on official devices

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:54:41 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — A First Amendment group sued Texas Governor Greg Abbott and others on Thursday over the state’s TikTok ban on official devices, arguing the prohibition – which extends to public universities – is unconstitutional and impedes academic freedom. The complaint was filed by The Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University, a free speech group in New York that’s suing on behalf a coalition of academics and researchers who study technology’s impact on society. The lawsuit said the state’s decision to restrict access to TikTok on official devices, as well as on personal devices used to conduct state business, is comprising teaching and research. And more specifically, it said it was “seriously impeding” faculty pursuing research into the app – including research that could illuminate or counter concerns about TikTok.Critics of TikTok have claimed the popular social media app, owned by Chinese parent company ByteDance, could push pro-Beijing propaganda on its...

ChatGPT-maker OpenAI signs deal with AP to license news stories

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:54:41 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — ChatGPT-maker OpenAI and The Associated Press said Thursday that they’ve made a deal for the artificial intelligence company to license AP’s archive of news stories.“The arrangement sees OpenAI licensing part of AP’s text archive, while AP will leverage OpenAI’s technology and product expertise,” the two organizations said in a joint statement. The price of the deal was not disclosed. “Both organizations will benefit from each other’s established expertise in their respective industries, and believe in the responsible creation and use of these AI systems,” the statement said.The two companies said they are also examining “potential use cases for generative AI in news products and services,” though didn’t give specifics.The Associated Press