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Respiratory virus activity is high and rising across the United States, CDC data shows

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:48 GMT

(CNN) — As seasonal virus activity surges across the United States, experts stress the importance of preventive measures – such as masking and vaccination – and the value of treatment for those who do get sick.Tens of thousands of people have been admitted to hospitals for respiratory illness each week this season. During the week ending December 23, there were more than 29,000 patients admitted with Covid-19, about 15,000 admitted with the flu and thousands more with respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, according to data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Nationally, Covid-19 levels in wastewater, a leading measure of viral transmission, are very high – higher than they were at this time last year in every region, CDC data shows. Weekly emergency department visits rose 12%, and hospitalizations jumped about 17% in the most recent week.And while Covid-19 remains the leading driver of respiratory virus hospitalizations, flu activity is rising rapidly. Th...

Leatherback turtle found stranded on South Beach rescued and released into ocean

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:48 GMT

Mojo, a Leatherback Turtle, has found his way back to the ocean just in time for the new year after being discovered stranded on South Beach last Friday.Several agencies collaborated in the rescue operation, transporting Mojo to the Turtle Hospital in the Florida Keys. Following a day of dedicated treatment, Mojo successfully passed his swim test on Saturday night, signaling his readiness to return to the open waters.Mojo was released into the ocean near Marathon a day later, just in time for 2024.

Miami-Dade Transit resumes fares after temporary free ride period

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:48 GMT

Commuters in Miami-Dade will no longer enjoy free rides on public transportation as regular fares have returned.The fare-free period, initiated in November, was part of the launch of the Better Bus Network, aiming to enhance transit services across the county.The initiative involved a redesign of the transit system, which included the elimination of certain routes and the reworking of others. Over a thousand bus stops were removed to streamline services and facilitate faster arrivals at the remaining 6,000 stops.

Overall Quiet Work Week

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:48 GMT

If a short work week wasn’t enough to look forward to this week, then maybe adding a nice stretch of quiet weather will do the trick. We started with clouds this morning and gradually eroded them and brought back sunshine for the afternoon. The mostly sunny to partly cloudy sky will continue for the next few days. Temperatures will be a bit warmer for Tuesday and Wednesday, climbing to the lower 40s. Typical highs are now in the upper 30s.By Thursday we’ll add clouds to the mix and with the clouds, a widely isolated rain or snow shower is possible. We’re essentially being split by two storm systems. One has moisture and one has cold air, but the timing and proximity is off to give us any significant precipitation. As they pass by, one to our north and one to our south, they may give us a spot rain or snow shower but that’s all. The bigger system to watch is on the way for the weekend…. stay tuned for more on that one!

Meet the new Boston City Council: Photo Gallery

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:48 GMT

A new year, a new Boston City Council. All the councilors were sworn in today at an event that brought tears to a few eyes.Boston, MA – Henry Santana and Sharon Durkan wipe away tears as they listen to family tributes as City Council members are sworn in during a ceremony at Faneuil Hall. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)Boston, MA – Sharon Durkan wipes away a tear as she listens to family tributes as City Council members are sworn in during a ceremony at Faneuil Hall. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)Boston, MA – City Council members are sworn in during a ceremony at Faneuil Hall. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)Boston, MA – City Council members process in to be sworn in during a ceremony at Faneuil Hall. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)Boston, MA – Reginald Reed Jr plays God Bless America as City Council members are sworn in during a ceremony at Faneuil Hall. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)Boston, MA – Henry Santana gets a hug after City Council members are sworn in during a ...

Israel is pulling thousands of troops from Gaza in a possible precursor to a scaled-back offensive

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:48 GMT

By JOSEF FEDERMAN, WAFAA SHURAFA and SAMY MAGDY (Associated Press)JERUSALEM (AP) — The Israeli military confirmed Monday that it was pulling thousands of troops out of the Gaza Strip, a step that could clear the way for a new long-term phase of lower-intensity fighting against the Hamas militant group.The confirmation of the planned troop drawdown came the same day that Israel’s Supreme Court struck down a key component of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s contentious judicial overhaul plan.While the plan is not directly connected to the war effort, it was the source of deep divisions inside Israel and had threatened the military’s readiness before the Oct. 7 Hamas attack that triggered the ongoing war.Politicians warned against reigniting those divisions and harming the national unity that has prevailed throughout the Israel-Hamas war.Netanyahu has vowed to press ahead with the military offensive until Hamas is crushed and the more than 100 hostages still ...

Company issues national recall for hypoallergenic infant formula

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:48 GMT

OTTAWA — A national recall has been issued for a brand of hypoallergenic infant formula over concerns it may be contaminated with a bacteria.An advisory from Health Canada says the Enfamil brand Nutramigen A+ LGG Hypoallergenic formula is being recalled by the company over concerns it may be contaminated with Cronobacter sakazakii.The notice says the bacteria is not commonly linked to human illness but can cause serious or fatal bloodstream and central nervous system infections.It has also been associated with severe intestinal infection and blood poisoning, especially in newborns.Health Canada says there have been no reported illnesses associated with the formula but batches with an expiry date of Jan. 1, 2025, involving the 561 gram containers should not be consumed or sold.It says the Canadian Food Inspection Agency is investigating, which could lead to the recall of other products.This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 1, 2024.The Canadian Press

Toronto subway e-bike fire highlights dangers of incidents involving lithium-ion batteries

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:48 GMT

Dramatic videos and phone footage of a fire in a Toronto subway car Sunday afternoon after an e-bike and its battery ignited is raising further questions about the safety of lithium-ion batteries.CityNews spoke with John, a commuter who asked to be identified by his first name, about the fire. He said he was on the westbound TTC train as it pulled into Sheppard-Yonge station at around 3 p.m. John said he captured a video showing smoke and small flames before an e-bike fully caught on fire.“One of the guys’ e-bikes just started to make noise … it kind of sounded like a flare and then smoke came out, a couple of seconds later, fire came out,” John said, noting it smelled like a bonfire with a plastic bag tossed in.“People evacuated pretty quickly. Some people fell on the floor and hurt their faces, but I don’t think they had serious injuries.”He said he saw the owner of the bike try to respond to the fire. Officials later said the man suffered...

A crash on a New York City parkway leaves 5 dead

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:48 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Five people died when the car they were in crashed on a New York City parkway Monday morning, police said.The Mazda was heading north on the Cross Island Parkway in the borough of Queens when it collided with another vehicle just before 6 a.m. The five people in the car were pronounced dead at the crash scene near the Whitestone Bridge, according to the New York Police Department. Photos from the scene show the car overturned on the roadway.The driver of the other vehicle was hospitalized in stable condition.Police did not immediately identify the five people who were killed.An investigation into the crash was continuing.The Associated Press

Police in Kenya suspect a man was attacked by a lion while riding a motorcycle

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:48 GMT

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Police in Kenya on Monday recovered the body of a man believed to have been attacked by a lion while he was riding a motorcycle near a national reserve in the south of the country.Police were notified by community members of an abandoned motorcycle along a road near the Marere forested area near the Shimba Hills National Reserve.Officers saw lion footprints that led from the motorcycle to a thicket where they found the remains of an unknown dead man, according to a police report.The lion population was declining in Kenya just over a decade ago, primarily due to human-wildlife conflict. The government listed lions as endangered, with an estimated population of 2,000 in 2010. A more recent survey put the number at 2,489.___AP Africa news: https://apnews.com/hub/africaThe Associated Press