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Investigation update: Officials to review findings in Champlain Towers South collapse

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:00 GMT

Over two years have passed since the tragic collapse of Champlain Towers South in Surfside and the officials overseeing the investigation are preparing to provide an update on their findings. On Thursday, investigators are scheduled to review the progress of their inquiry into the devastating incident, emphasizing that this review is focused on “fact-finding” rather than assigning blame.The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is set to host a meeting to shed more light on the factors that led to the fatal collapse. During this meeting, officials will examine the current status of the investigation into the partial collapse of the condominium building in Surfside. Importantly, NIST clarifies that their goal is to gather factual information and their findings are not intended to apportion fault.As of now, only preliminary information can be released, with no final conclusions drawn.This development unfolds in the context of plans to construct a new buildi...

Abortions have increased significantly in states that border those with bans, new analysis finds

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:00 GMT

(CNN) — Abortions have increased substantially in states where they remains legal post-Dobbs, according to a new analysis. The increases have been particularly significant in states bordering others with bans, suggesting widespread travel for care.The Guttmacher Institute, a research and policy organization focused on sexual and reproductive health that supports abortion rights, launched a new dashboard Thursday that estimates the number of abortions provided in the United States each month. The estimates are based on a regular survey of a core set of providers and broadened to the state level using a model that also factors in historical trends. The latest findings compare the number of abortions provided in the first half of 2023 to a comparable period in 2020.New Mexico and Wyoming had the largest increase in abortions, with more than three times as many provided in the first half of 2023 compared with 2020. The number of abortions also more than doubled in Kansas and South Carol...

Chinese hack of Microsoft engineer led to breach of US officials’ emails, company says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:00 GMT

(CNN) — The Chinese hackers who breached senior US officials’ emails in May and June were able to do so by first stealing sensitive data from a Microsoft engineer, the company revealed Wednesday.Multiple mishaps, including the crash of an internal Microsoft system in April 2021 and the hack of the engineer, gave the Chinese hackers coveted access to a cryptographic key that was later used to break into the US officials’ email accounts, the tech giant said in a blog post.The statement sheds new light on a cyber-espionage campaign that has caused a furor in Washington. The hackers had breached the email accounts of US Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, in advance of Raimondo’s trip to China.Republican Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska, who has been critical of the Chinese government, said he was also breached by the hackers..Chinese government officials have responded to the hacking allegations by accusing the US government of conducting cyberattacks aga...

Rollover crash on southbound Florida Turnpike in Cutler Bay causes traffic delays

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:00 GMT

A rollover crash involving a truck carrying dirt has disrupted traffic on the southbound lanes of the Florida Turnpike near Southwest 216th Street in Cutler Bay. The incident, reported via @TotalTrafficMIA, occurred on Thursday, leading to significant delays in both southbound and northbound directions.According to initial reports, the truck rollover has resulted in the blocking of multiple southbound lanes, with only one right shoulder open to traffic. This restriction has caused extensive traffic congestion, including northbound onlooker delays. Around 7:30 a.m., traffic cameras captured the severity of the incident, showing road closures in the vicinity. The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) has been contacted to obtain additional information regarding the incident. In the meantime, motorists are urged to exercise caution while navigating the area and to seek alternative routes if possible to avoid the ongoing traffic congestion caused by this incident. Please check back on WSVN.com ...

Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary pied in the face on Brussels visit

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:00 GMT

Pie in the sky? More like pie in the face.Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary had cream pies smashed into his face on Thursday as he stood outside the European Commission’s HQ in Brussels.The low-cost airline chief was in Brussels to announce his firm’s winter schedule and to deliver a petition addressed to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to protect so-called overflights in Europe (EU rules prevent airlines from flying over countries when local air traffic control staff are on strike).Standing next to a cardboard cutout of von der Leyen, O’Leary was struck by pies from two women. “Welcome in Belgium!” said one of them, later adding: “Stop the pollution of your fucking planes.”It was not clear if the pie-throwers were part of a climate action group.O’Leary laughed off the incident, saying he had never had “such a warm welcome.”“Unfortunately, they were environmentalists and the cream was artificial. I invite the passengers to come to Ireland, ...

Interpol fights for survival on its 100th birthday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:00 GMT

LYON, France — A century after it was founded, the world’s only global crime-fighting organization faces an existential question: Does the world still need it?Rising geopolitical tensions including between the United States and Russia and China are challenging the agency’s operating model, which relies on voluntary information-sharing among its members’ police forces. Add to that persistent claims that its famed Red Notice alert system is subject to political manipulation and accusations of complicity in torture against Interpol’s Emirati president, Ahmed Naser Al-Raisi, and the crime-fighting organization faces a perfect storm.In an interview with POLITICO, Interpol Secretary General Jürgen Stock said the institution faces numerous difficulties, including over its funding situation. But he argued an agency that spans the globe is needed now more than ever amid international child sexual abuse, environmental crime and mafia groups like Italy’s ‘Ndr...

‘Europe’s got a problem’ — Drug violence grips Belgium’s second city

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:00 GMT

ANTWERP, Belgium — When Lucas first heard the deafening blast, it sounded like a car had just crashed into his house.It quickly became clear, as he and his neighbors gathered outside in the middle of the February night, that the pizza shop across the street had been bombed — another chapter in the drug war plaguing Belgium’s second-largest city.The police arrived on the scene with a rehearsed precision that was both reassuring and deeply unsettling. “Are we already at a point where responding to this has become a routine job for emergency services?” asked Lucas, who asked to be identified only by his first name.Home to Europe’s second-largest cargo port, Antwerp has become a major entry point for drugs, especially cocaine coming from Latin America, and the turf wars have spilled into its streets. In 2022, there were 81 drug-related shootings and explosions in Antwerp, according to numbers shared by the city with POLITICO, and another 25 in the first five months of ...

Fitchburg police searching for vehicle involved in hit-and-run that seriously injured pedestrian

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:00 GMT

Fitchburg police are turning to the public for help as they search for a vehicle in connection with a hit-and-run that left a pedestrian with serious injuries.The crash occurred around 7:45 p.m. Sunday night in front of 7 Westminster St. The vehicle being sought is a silver four-door sedan with significant front-end damage. Anyone with information is urged to call Fitchburg police at 978-345-4355.

Police investigating after 19-year-old woman fatally shot in Lowell

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:00 GMT

An investigation is underway in Lowell after a 19-year-old woman was fatally shot overnight, officials said.The woman was shot on Howard Street, according to the Essex District Attorney’s Office.No arrests have been made.No additional information was immediately available.https://twitter.com/scooperon7/status/1699759820683747697This is a developing news story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest details.

4 observations from the Chicago Cubs, including a mic’d up Cody Bellinger and the Christopher Morel conundrum

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:00 GMT

Riding a wave that has yet to crest, the Chicago Cubs swept the San Francisco Giants to solidify their spot in the wild-card chase while moving up on the Milwaukee Brewers.Every game matters, and every moment is magnified from here on out.Here are four observations from the Cubs scene.1. Talk-show debate“This is good,” Cody Bellinger said. “This is a lot going on. A lot going on.”Bellinger was mic’d up by Marquee Sports Network in the top of the third inning of Tuesday’s 11-8 Cubs win over the Giants. The wind was blowing out and Bellinger was playing center field and talking to Boog Sciambi and Joe Girardi on the broadcast.Then came a technology malfunction during a question from Taylor McGregor on his friendship with Joc Pederson. Bellinger said he couldn’t hear anything, just as Pederson launched a line shot toward him in center.“Right at ya,” Sciambi told Bellinger, who fielded the ball after it bounced near the base of the w...