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SpaceX mission carrying former NASA astronaut, three paying customers departs space station

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 20:52:28 GMT

(CNN) — A SpaceX capsule carrying a decorated former NASA astronaut and three paying customers departed from the International Space Station at 11:05 a.m. ET on Tuesday, kicking off the final leg of a historic weeklong mission for the crew.The Crew Dragon spacecraft is expected to splash down off Florida’s coast around 11:04 p.m. ET Tuesday.After launching from Florida on May 21, the crew spent about 16 hours aboard the Crew Dragon capsule as it maneuvered toward the space station, which orbits about 250 miles (400 kilometers) above Earth.Axiom Mission 2, or AX-2, was put together by the Houston-based company Axiom Space and marks the second all-private mission to the orbiting outpost, meaning commercial companies, rather than a government agency, have been overseeing its execution.The mission was also a milestone in the history of spaceflight as stem cell researcher Rayyanah Barnawi became the first woman from Saudi Arabia to travel to space.The AX-2 missio...

Christie allies launch super PAC ahead of expected 2024 run

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 20:52:28 GMT

(CNN) — Allies of former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie have formed a super PAC to support an expected Republican presidential bid, two sources familiar with the plans tell CNN.The outside group, Tell It Like It Is, has launched a website boosting Christie’s candidacy and encouraging his presence on the GOP debate stage, saying it would “ensure our party engages in the robust, direct, truth-telling conversation we need to start winning again.”The website lists Republican National Committee member Bill Palatucci, former US Sen. Jeff Chiesa and former US Rep. Susan Brooks as members of the group’s leadership team.Details of the super PAC were first reported by The New York Times.The New Jersey Republican sees himself as the only serious GOP candidate willing to take on former President Donald Trump and someone who could appeal to enough independents to beat President Joe Biden in the general election, CNN has previously reported.“He feels really good, he’...

Mayor: 5 unaccounted for including 2 likely in wreckage of collapsed Iowa apartment building

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 20:52:28 GMT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Five people remain unaccounted for, including two people whose remains may be in a pile of rubble at the site of a partially collapsed apartment building, officials of the city of Davenport, Iowa, said Tuesday.Mayor Mike Matson confirmed the numbers at a news conference following criticism that the city was moving too quickly toward demolishing the building before making sure that no one is still inside. Protests erupted after a woman was rescued Monday night, hours after the city ordered the demolition to begin as early as Tuesday.A family member of one of the missing people also spoke, pleading with people to understand that authorities want to bring the remains of the six-story building down in a controlled way without dumping more material onto the rubble pile.The building is “unstable and continues to worsen as time progresses,” Fire Marshal James Morris said. “It’s the opinion of the structural engineer that any additional search operations in the area ...

Teens hospitalized after accident in abandoned building at Rhode Island state park

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 20:52:28 GMT

NEWPORT, R.I. (AP) — Four boys were injured when one climbed onto the roof of an abandoned building that collapsed at a Rhode Island state park, officials said.A section of the roof of a former stable collapsed under the boy’s weight Monday at Brenton Point State Park in Newport, the state Department of Environmental Management said in a statement. The boy and a 2-by-4-foot (0.5-by-1-meter) slab of concrete fell about 25 feet (8 meters) onto others who were inside the building.Two of the victims, ages 15 and 16, were taken to a local hospital. Another, age 15, was brought to another hospital by helicopter. A fourth boy, 12, was treated at the scene and released.The department said it installed fencing around the building more than 10 years ago and has prohibited entry to it for safety reasons. There also are “No trespassing signs” at the property.The building is known as “The Bells,” part of an abandoned mansion, most of which had been removed.

3 takeaways from Liam Hendriks’ comeback game and ‘uncharted waters’ for the Chicago White Sox

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 20:52:28 GMT

Three takeaways from Liam Hendriks’ big night on the South Side for the Chicago White Sox.1. The White Sox provided Hendriks with a closer-like entrance in the eighth inning of his emotional return to the mound Monday night at Sox Park.The strobe lights were in full effect. The video boards were all-Liam. The walk-in music, an EDM version of Queen’s “We Will Rock You,” was turned up to 11.Only one thing was missing. The Sox trailed the Los Angeles Angels 4-3, so it wasn’t a save situation.Manager Pedro Grifol said before the game Hendriks would not be used as a closer to get his feet wet in his first game back. Hendriks did just that, showing glimpses of himself while also allowing a pair of runs and making the Sox comeback attempt more difficult in a 6-4 loss.Now that his feet have officially been drenched, will Hendriks move back into the role he’s most comfortable in — and the one the Sox need to fill if they intend on actually contending...

Summertime, the livin’ is easy, and so are these perfect picnic recipes

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 20:52:28 GMT

By Carla Vigos, Laguna Woods GlobeSummertime brings outdoor eating, parties, graduations, Father’s Day and Fourth of July celebrations.I took a trip to Greece about 10 years ago. Kalamata olives, lemons and olive oils were in abundance in the foods I enjoyed. This inspired me to make a simple non-mayonnaise potato salad safe for outdoor parties.Secondly, previously I wasn’t a fan of turnips, but this easy recipe changed my mind. I plated them both on a beautiful dish I had bought in Corfu. Opa!For questions, email [email protected] Potato SaladINGREDIENTS2 lbs. unpeeled red potatoes cut into chunks, boiled till cooked but still firm1/2 medium red onion, halved and sliced into thin half moons1 green onion, thinly chopped24 pitted Kalamata olives, sliced into quarters2 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh dill2 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh oregano1/4 cup olive oil1 Tbsp. red wine vinegar4 Tbsp. lemon juice1 tsp. kosher salt1/2 tsp. pepper1/2 tsp. Cavender’s Greek Seasoning (optional)DIRECTI...

MIAA state rugby tournament pairings

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 20:52:28 GMT

BOYS RUGBY PAIRINGSDIVISION 1SEEDS: 1. Belmont (5-0); 2. St. John’s Prep (3-1-1); 3. Xaverian (4-2); 4. BC High (2-2-1)SEMIFINALS – TBABC High at BelmontXaverian at St. John’s PrepFINAL – TBABCH/Belmont vs. Xaverian/SJPDIVISION 2SEEDS: 1. Algonquin (5-2); 2. Hanover (7-0); 3. Weymouth (6-1); 4. Catholic Memorial (4-3); 5. Blue Hills (4-2); 6. Braintree (5-2); 7. Chelmsford (4-3)QUARTERFINALS – TBABlue Hills at Catholic MemorialBraintree at WeymouthChelmsford at HanoverSEMIFINALS – TBABH/CM at AlgonquinBraintree/Weymouth vs. Chelmsford/HanoverFINAL – TBASemifinal winners GIRLS RUGBY PAIRINGSDIVISION 1SEEDS: 1. Belmont (7-0); 2. Lincoln-Sudbury (4-3); 3. Brookline (3-4); 4. Weymouth (4-3)SEMIFINALS – TBABrookline at Lincoln-SudburyWeymouth at BelmontFINAL – TBABrookline/L-S vs. Weymouth/Belmont   

See the images of North Korea’s launch pad activity as it prepares its first spy satellite

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 20:52:28 GMT

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea said Tuesday it would launch its first military spy satellite in June and described space-based reconnaissance as crucial for monitoring U.S. “reckless” military exercises with South Korea.The statement came a day after North Korea notified Japan’s coast guard that the launch, sometime between May 31 and June 11, might affect waters in the Yellow Sea, East China Sea and east of the Philippines’ Luzon Island. Japan’s defense minister warned its forces to shoot down the satellite or debris if any entered Japanese territory, and its coast guard issued a safety warning for ships that would be in the affected seas during the expected launch, citing a risk of falling debris. While North Korea’s rivals have condemned the country’s planned launch as a banned test of ballistic missile technology, it’s less clear whether the satellite itself is advanced enough to support the North’s stated goals of tracking and monitoring U.S. and South Korean...

NATO to send 700 more troops to Kosovo to help quell violent protests

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 20:52:28 GMT

OSLO, Norway (AP) — NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Tuesday that the military organization has sent 700 more troops to Kosovo to help quell violent protests and has put another battalion on standby in case the riots spread.“We have decided to deploy 700 more troops from the operational reserve force for Western Balkans and to put an additional battalion of reserve forces on high readiness so they can also be deployed if needed. These are prudent steps,” Stoltenberg told reporters in Oslo, after talks with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store. A battalion typically ranges from 300 to around 1,000 troops.Stoltenberg condemned the violence in Kosovo, saying that “such attacks are unacceptable and must stop.” He warned that NATO troops “will take all necessary actions to maintain a safe and secure environment for all citizens in Kosovo.”He urged both sides to take steps to deescalate, refrain from “further irresponsible behavior,” and to return to EU-backed talks on im...

Canadian Afghan advisers take government to court over alleged discrimination

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 20:52:28 GMT

OTTAWA — Two Canadians who served the military in Afghanistan are suing the federal government over alleged discrimination for failing to rescue their family members from the Taliban. The federal government recently created a program to ensure the families of Canadians who served as language and cultural advisers in Afghanistan are brought to safety.But the criteria is so restrictive it doesn’t apply to some family members who were threatened because of their connection to Canada’s military efforts before the Taliban takeover in August 2021. In their lawsuit, the advisers compare the plight of their family members to that of Ukrainians, who were offered an unlimited number of temporary visas to flee the Russian invasion and work or study in Canada.Lawyer Nicholas Pope says Ukrainians have been offered better immigration benefits, even though the Afghans he represents are facing just as much danger. The federal government hasn’t yet responded to the court filing, bu...