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Aid organization says US nurse and daughter freed after abduction in Haiti are healthy and unharmed

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:57:17 GMT

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — A U.S. nurse and her young daughter who were kidnapped in Haiti in late July and released this week were not harmed and are healthy, an aid organization said Thursday.The announcement allayed concerns about the state of Alix Dorsainvil and her daughter. Violent gangs in Haiti are known for mistreating and sometimes raping those they abduct, often holding victims for months and demanding multiple ransoms.“Alix is a remarkably resilient woman whose walk with God guides her deep love for her family and her passionate commitment to the Haitian people,” said El Roi Haiti, the Christian group founded by Dorsainvil’s husband.It also thanked U.S. authorities for working “tirelessly behind the scenes” and credited a faith-based global security ministry with providing consultants that helped lead to the Aug. 8 release of Dorsainvil and her daughter.“God demonstrated His loving kindness through both private and public sector partners and resourc...

50 defining moments in hip-hop history

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:57:17 GMT

By Karu F. Daniels, Brian Niemietz, Tim Balk and Amber Garrett, New York Daily NewsWhile it’s impossible to distill a history as rich as hip-hop’s down to just 50 defining moments, here are many of the music’s game-changing artists and achievements over the past 50 years:Aug. 11, 1973: 1520 Sedgwick Ave. in the Bronx earns its place in history as the birthplace of hip-hop when DJ Kool Herc (Clive Campbell) and his sister Cindy throw a back-to-school party in their building’s community room.Community center in ground floor of apartment building 1520 Sedgwick Avenue is recognized as official birthplace of Hip Hop on August 16, 2007 in Bronx Borough of New York City. (Peter Kramer/Getty Images)Nov. 12, 1976: Afrika Bambaataa makes his DJ debut at a party at the Bronx River Community Center, spinning vinyl on a sound system his mom gave him as a graduation present.July 13, 1977: During a two-day New York City blackout, inner city youth reportedly break into local electronics stores acro...

Maui wildfire: Before and after photos show devastation

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:57:17 GMT

Wildfires fueled by a dry summer and strong winds from a passing hurricane killed 36 people and destroyed hundreds of homes and other buildings on the Hawaiian island of Maui, in the deadliest blaze in the U.S. in years.MAP: Maui wildfires burning in Lahaina and upcountryRescuers searched Thursday through the leveled, ashen homes and businesses of Lahaina, which dates to the 1700s, is the biggest town on the west side of the island and has long been a favorite destination of tourists.Firefighters are still battling blazes on the island and local officials are preparing to evacuate thousands of visitors and residents in need of shelter.Acting Gov. Sylvia Luke is discouraging travelers from coming to Maui, saying that right now, it’s “not a safe place to be.”This combination of satellite images provided by Maxar Technologies shows an overview of Lahaina Square on Maui, Hawaii, on June 25, 2023, left, and an overview of the same area on Wednesday, Aug. 9, following a wildfire tha...

Orioles place Danny Coulombe, club’s top left-handed reliever, on injured list with left biceps tendonitis

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:57:17 GMT

After allowing five runs in back-to-back losses to the Houston Astros, the Orioles’ third-best reliever is heading to the injured list.Danny Coulombe, the best left-hander in Baltimore’s bullpen, was placed on the 15-day injured list Wednesday morning with biceps tendonitis, the Orioles announced before their matinee against the Astros. The IL stint is retroactive to Aug. 9. Right-hander Joey Krehbiel was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk to replace Coulombe on the 26-man roster.Coulombe was a nondescript addition at the end of spring training when the Orioles acquired him from the Minnesota Twins for cash considerations. But the veteran lefty has turned out to be one of manager Brandon Hyde’s most trusted relievers, often pitching in high-leverage situations before the All-Star duo of Yennier Cano and Félix Bautista. In 39 innings — Coulombe’s most in a season since 2017 — the 33-year-old has a 2.77 ERA with 48 strikeouts.While he hasn’t ...

5 killed when RV blows tire, crashes head-on into tractor-trailer

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:57:17 GMT

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. (AP) — A recreational vehicle blew a tire on an interstate highway in Pennsylvania, crossed the median and collided head-on with a tractor-trailer, killing four people in the RV and the truck driver, authorities said.The crash occurred around 8:50 p.m. Wednesday on northbound Interstate 81 near Chambersburg, in south-central Pennsylvania, state police said. The RV, which was heading south and towing a trailer, crossed a grassy median after the tire blew and struck the truck, which was towing double trailers.Four people in the RV and the truck driver were all pronounced dead at the scene, and no other injuries were reported. Those killed in the RV were identified as Donald Molander, Kimberly Molander, Miranda Molander and Dane Molander, all of Middletown, Pennsylvania. The truck driver was identified as James Shade, of Martinsburg, West Virginia.The stretch of road was shut down for nearly 10 hours as authorities investigated, and residual delays continued Thursday ...

Federal government releases new draft regulations on clean electricity

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:57:17 GMT

OTTAWA — Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault released draft regulations Thursday that are designed to clean Canada’s electricity grid in an affordable way by 2035.The regulations would drive up the cost of energy slightly, but federal officials say that would be offset by the savings expected to come from moving away from fossil fuels. The government has set a target of making the electricity grid net-zero by 2035, and the regulationsare meant to help guide the way.Environment and Climate Change Canada estimates the national average household energy bill will increase by $35 to $61 per year if the regulations are adopted, but by 2040, only two per cent of that increase will come as a result of the regulations.The government plans to cover up to half of the cost of the regulations through tax credits, low-cost financing and other funds, which could mean even less cost is passed onto consumers, Guilbeault said at a press conference in Toronto. The minister also said he expect...

Quebecor’s Freedom Mobile purchase pushes it to big earnings gains

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:57:17 GMT

MONTREAL — Quebecor Inc. says its purchase of Freedom Mobile drove a big boost in earnings last quarter as the company added more than 1.8 million customers through the acquisition.The Montreal-based telecommunications company reported that net income climbed 10 per cent to $171.3 million in the three months ended June 30 from $156.3 million in the same period a year earlier.Quebecor said revenues in its second quarter jumped 25 per cent to $1.40 billion from $1.12 billion the year before. On an adjusted basis, income from continuing operations rose to 79 cents per share last quarter compared to 68 cents per share a year prior, beating analyst expectations of 72 cents per share.In early April, Quebecor’s Videotron entered the national wireless market through its purchase of Freedom Mobile from Shaw Communications Inc., a condition of Rogers Communications Inc.’s acquisition of Shaw imposed to ease competition concerns surrounding the merger.The vast majority of the compa...

Indigenous people in northeast Nicaragua say armed settlers are pushing them off their land

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:57:17 GMT

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Indigenous communities in northeast Nicaragua are under growing pressure from armed assailants who use kidnappings and killings to push people off their land, according to community leaders, advocates and a regional human rights court.A leader of the Mayangna people, who spoke on condition of anonymity out of fear of reprisals from the government of President Daniel Ortega, said his people suffer “a continuous colonization” from the land invaders. The attackers, referred to locally as “colonos,” occupy their land to engage in commercial agriculture, ranching and timber harvesting.The Mayangna, along with the Miskito, occupy Nicaragua’s northeast region along the Caribbean Sea, living primarily in the vast tropical forest of the Bosawas Biosphere Reserve.The Mayangna leader accused Ortega’s government of protecting the settlers. “The colonos come and forcibly settle in our territories, where our way of life is: the hunting, fishing and rotational agriculture,...

Another Threshold candle recall? Target recalls 2.2 million products over burn and laceration risks

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:57:17 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — It’s time to check your candle supply again. According to a Thursday notice from federal regulators, Target is recalling 2.2. million candles due to laceration and burn hazards.The recall impacts Threshold-branded glass jar candles sold in multiple sizes and various scents — including frosted vanilla cupcake, rose petal & lotus, blue agave & cactcus and pumpkin spice, among others. According to Thursday’s notice published by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the jars of these candles can break during use, risking burns and lacerations. Target has received 19 reports of candle jars breaking or cracking during use for this recall, the CPSC said, resulting in one minor injury.Consumers with the recalled Threshold products should “should immediately stop using” them, Thursday’s notice said. The candles can be returned to any Target store or by mail for a full refund.The products under recall can be identified by size, scent and item numbers...

Quebec power utility studies possible reopening of Gentilly-2 nuclear reactor

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:57:17 GMT

MONTREAL — Quebec’s hydroelectric utility says it is studying whether to reopen the province’s only nuclear power generating station.Hydro-Québec says that as demand for electricity rises in the province, it is looking into restarting the Gentilly-2 reactor in Bécancour, Que., on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River about halfway between Montreal and Quebec City.The Hydro-Québec facility was shut down in 2012 by the provincial government after it reached the end of its service life and needed refurbishment.But the utility says it would be “irresponsible” to exclude nuclear power as an option for meeting the growing energy needs of the province, adding that it is studying the current state of the facility.Hydro-Québec says the utility’s new president and CEO, Michael Sabia, has affirmed his openness to different options for generating power in light of the strong demand.Gentilly-2 opened in 1983, operating with a CANDU reactor designed to produce up...