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Sri Lanka deploys troops as the railway workers’ strike worsens

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:48:29 GMT

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Sri Lanka’s government deployed army troops at railroad stations as railway employees continued with their strike that paralyzed train services across the country for a second day Wednesday, a day after two passengers were killed while attempting to travel on a packed train.Tens of thousands of passengers have been greatly inconvenienced because of the strike. Hundreds of scheduled train journeys were canceled on both days and only a few trains operated.Passengers were seen risking their lives to get to school and work on the few trains that were operating, Some people were seen traveling on the roof of train compartments, and many were seen barely hanging on to the footboards while braving rain. Two passengers were killed while traveling on packed trains on Tuesday. One was killed when his head hit an overhead railway bridge when he was traveling on the roof of a compartment while the other succumbed to injuries after he fell down from the train̵...

Bielle-Biarrey setting aside university exams to become France’s youngest Rugby World Cup player

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:48:29 GMT

LILLE, France (AP) — Louis Bielle-Biarrey is supposed to be studying at the moment for university mid-term exams in business management and administration.Studying skills such as collaboration, communication, analytical thinking and problem-solving.But he kind of is — for France at the Rugby World Cup.Bielle-Biarrey will become France’s youngest World Cup player on Thursday when he starts on the wing against Uruguay in Lille. He’ll be 20 years, 87 days, younger by two months than was record-holder Romain Ntamack at the 2019 World Cup.“That’s not going to help us become world champions,” Bielle-Biarrey joked. “Everything’s going so fast, I don’t necessarily realize it.”He’s in the team because he is fast and smart.Damian Penaud and Gabin Villiere are France’s main wings, and Yoram Moefana can cover for them, but Bielle-Biarrey has impressed the coaches since before he joined the extended squad before the Six Nations this year.He got on their radar ...

Coal mine collapses in northern Turkey, trapping miners. At least one miner is taken to hospital

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:48:29 GMT

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — A coal mine collapsed in northern Turkey on Wednesday, and at least one miner was injured and taken to hospital, Turkish media reported. It was unclear how many miners remain trapped. NTV television reported that rescue teams were dispatched to the mine near the town of Eregli, in northern Zonguldak province. The cause of the collapse was not immediately known. Turkey’s worst mine disaster was in 2014, when 301 miners died after a fire erupted inside a coal mine in the town of Soma, in the west of the country. Last year, an explosion in another coal mine in northern Turkey killed 41 people. Source

Armed teenagers wanted in string of metro robberies

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:48:29 GMT

AURORA, Colo. (KDVR) — Police in Aurora and throughout the Denver metro are searching for several armed robbery suspects.Investigators believe they have hit stores in Aurora, Longmont and Thornton. Police said officers are looking for at least three suspects and they are all believed to be teenagers.Armed teens involved in string of robberies at different storesThe Dicks Sporting Goods store at Southlands Mall in Aurora was hit on Aug. 23. Store employees told police that four teenage Latino boys entered the store and left with several items.  Three teenage suspects are wanted in a string of armed robberies around the metro area. (Aurora Police Department)Three teenage suspects are wanted in a string of armed robberies around the metro area. (Aurora Police Department)Three teenage suspects are wanted in a string of armed robberies around the metro area. (Aurora Police Department)Three teenage suspects are wanted in a string of armed robberies around the metro area. (Aurora Police De...

Attorney general warns of student loan scams as payments resume

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:48:29 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — Student loan interest has already started accruing, and by Oct. 1, 40 million Americans will have to start paying their loans once again.  The U.S. Department of Education began a COVID-19 relief program on student loans three years ago. President Joe Biden planned to cancel roughly $400 billion in student loans until the U.S. Supreme Court struck it down in late June.A lot of Americans have not had this payment in their budget for years, and with the promise of forgiveness floating around, this repayment deadline might come as a shock.  5 things to know for student loans starting back up According to a new study by the Chamber of Commerce, Coloradoans carry $27.3 billion in total federal student loan debt, which is an average of $36,169 per borrower - the 15th highest in the nation.    With many people facing these struggles, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser issued a warning to consumers to be vigilant against potential student loan-related scams and fraud. W...

Surfers speak out after South Carolina man bitten on face by shark in New Smyrna Beach

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:48:29 GMT

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. (WSVN) — A 38-year-old man from South Carolina had an encounter with a shark in New Smyrna Beach that left him with a face bite. On Wednesday, the waters were teeming with surfers was they rode the waves that had been amplified by Hurricane Lee’s presence in the Atlantic. Daniel Hanson, an experienced surfer, reflected on the risks of sharing the ocean with sharks. “They’re just critters looking for food, you know? Like me and you. And when you go in the water, you enter the food chain,” he said. The incident occurred around 8 a.m. in the New Smyrna Beach Inlet Jetty region when aerial footage revealed the presence of several sharks in the vicinity. Despite the known risks, surfers like Hanson are undeterred. “I’ve had them swim right by me,” he said. “Bull sharks swim right by me. They’re really oblivious to you.”Shark bites in the area are typically injuries to hands or feet, often a result of...

Von der Leyen’s State of the Union speech in 5 charts

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:48:29 GMT

The European Union has survived — and thrived — in the past five years and is ready for the next challenge: artificial intelligence.That’s one of the prominent messages Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivered in her annual State of the Union address — the last such speech ahead of the looming European election in 2024, and thus possibly in her career as leader of the EU executive.Since her 2019 speech as president-elect, Ursula von der Leyen has stewarded the EU through a pandemic, economic crisis and a war on European soil. With EU elections now only eight months away, this year’s speech focused on the Commission’s work over the course of its mandate, with von der Leyen claiming a 90 percent success rate in delivering on political guidelines she presented in 2019 (although this figure has been contested.)Looking to the future, the speech paid more attention than previous years to the impact of artificial intelligence and technology on the European Unio...

Escaped Pennsylvania killer Danelo Cavalcante was surrounded by tactical teams moments before a police dog subdued him

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:48:29 GMT

(CNN) — Escaped Pennsylvania inmate Danelo Cavalcante is in custody, Pennsylvania State Police announced Wednesday morning, ending a two-week long manhunt for the convicted killer that drew hundreds of law enforcement officials to the area and left the surrounding community gripped with fear.“This is a message from Pennsylvania State Police. The search for Danelo Cavalcante is over. The subject is now in custody,” a reverse 911 call sent to area residents said.Video from CNN affiliate KYW shows Cavalcante in handcuffs, being escorted into the back of an armored Special Response Team vehicle, flanked by more than a dozen law enforcement officials, most carrying rifles. Cavalcante was wearing dark pants and an Eagles hoodie; officers eventually cut his shirt with scissors and examined the tattoo on his back.Live updates: Escaped killer is in custodyTactical teams on the ground zeroed in on Cavalcante after an aircraft picked up a heat signal in the search peri...

Bill Belichick cagey with injury updates on three offensive starters

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:48:29 GMT

FOXBORO — The Patriots lost in Week 1 to the Eagles, but things could have gone a lot worse with the state of their offensive line.Starting guards Cole Strange and Mike Onwenu both were inactive Sunday, and rookies Atonio Mafi and Sidy Sow started in their place. Mafi was experienced at his left guard spot, having played there for most of the summer. Sow, who posted up at right guard, had played right tackle all of training camp and preseason.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Source: Patriots signing ex-Eagles, Saints QB to practice squad New England Patriots | Patriots rookie Marte Mapu doesn’t know what position he’ll play, so he learned them all New England Patriots | Patriots WR Kayshon Boutte moving past 4th-down error with this advice New England Patriots | Patriots WR coach explains JuJu Smith-Schuster’s smaller-than-expected role in Week 1 New England Patriots | Patriots O...

Source: Patriots signing ex-Eagles, Saints QB to practice squad

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:48:29 GMT

The Patriots are signing quarterback Ian Book to their practice squad, according to a source.Book worked out with the team on Wednesday.The 6-foot, 206-pound QB was selected by the Saints in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft out of Notre Dame. He most recently was with the Eagles.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Patriots rookie Marte Mapu doesn’t know what position he’ll play, so he learned them all New England Patriots | Patriots WR Kayshon Boutte moving past 4th-down error with this advice New England Patriots | Patriots WR coach explains JuJu Smith-Schuster’s smaller-than-expected role in Week 1 New England Patriots | Patriots OC Bill O’Brien encouraged after ‘productive day’ of film review with Mac Jones New England Patriots | Patriots coaches react to Jets QB Aaron Rodgers’ ‘unfortunate’ season-ending injury The Patriots needed a third...