At least 24 people have died in a bus crash in the province of Azilal in central Morocco, authorities say

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 22:10:48 GMT

At least 24 people have died in a bus crash in the province of Azilal in central Morocco, authorities say RABAT, Morocco (AP) — At least 24 people have died in a bus crash in the province of Azilal in central Morocco, authorities say.Source

Environmental protesters bring halt to men’s road race at cycling world championships

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 22:10:48 GMT

Environmental protesters bring halt to men’s road race at cycling world championships GLASGOW, Scotland (AP) — A group of environmental protesters caused the men’s road race at the cycling world championships to be delayed for more than 45 minutes Sunday, and officials near the town of Falkirk said five of the demonstrators had been arrested.The group “This Is Rigged” posted on social media that it was responsible for the protest, which took place about 80 kilometers into the 271-kilometer route from Edinburgh to Glasgow. The UCI, cycling’s world governing body, said in a statement it was “working closely with all relevant authorities to minimize disruption to the race and also to ensure the safety of riders.”The protest interrupted an early breakaway, and the UCI allowed riders to sit in team cars and take in food and drink during the delay. Its president, David Lappartient, was on hand and chatted with several of the riders before the race resumed.“This Is Rigged” says on its website that it is opposed to new fossil fuel projects in Scotland. Some demon...

Dutch cycling star Van der Poel gets up from crash, goes on to win world road race title

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 22:10:48 GMT

Dutch cycling star Van der Poel gets up from crash, goes on to win world road race title Mathieu van der Poel crashed while leading the road race at the world championships, breaking his shoe and tearing his jersey, yet the Dutch cyclist maintained his poise, quickly remounted and pulled away for a remarkable victory Sunday.Van der Poel had been riding with two-time Tour de France winner Tadej Pogačar, one-day specialist Wout van Aert and Mads Pedersen, a former world champion. They pulled back Alberto Bettiol’s solo breakaway, then van der Poel headed off on his own, flying through the rain and over the wet roads to victory in downtown Glasgow, Scotland.“It was one of the biggest goals I had left, and to win it today is amazing,” he said. “I almost completed my career, in my opinion, so for me it’s maybe the biggest victory on the road. I cannot imagine yet riding in the rainbow (jersey) for the next year.”That includes the Paris Olympics, where van der Poel will be among the favorites next summer.Not even a mistake Sunday, when Van der Poel slid his bike i...

Yankees Notebook: Boone says Stanton ‘trying to preserve himself’ after slow jog home

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 22:10:48 GMT

Yankees Notebook: Boone says Stanton ‘trying to preserve himself’ after slow jog home Giancarlo Stanton has never been a burner, yet his slow jog home in Saturday’s game still drew some questions and criticism.The slugger had a hard time getting to the plate in the Yankees’ 3-1 win over the Astros in the third inning. With the game tied, 1-1, and DJ LeMahieu up with two outs, Stanton tried scoring from second base on a single toward the right-center field gap. Third base coach Luis Rojas sent the trotting Stanton home, and he was thrown out by more than a few feet.After the game, Boone said that Stanton, who has been plagued by lower body injuries over the years, is healthy.“Yeah, G’s good,” Boone said Saturday. “I just didn’t think he got a great round on third and got a little careful over there. Look, ball, two outs, hit in the gap like that, you got to take your chances.”With Stanton batting fourth and playing right field on Sunday, Boone answered more questions about the player, whose sprint speed was in the 70th p...

Red Sox notebook: Trevor Story won’t return until Thursday at the earliest

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 22:10:48 GMT

Red Sox notebook: Trevor Story won’t return until Thursday at the earliest No matter how important this week’s games may be, the Red Sox indicated Sunday they won’t rush Trevor Story back until he’s 100% ready.Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Story will use the entirety of his 20-day rehab assignment, which is due to expire on Wednesday. Story is scheduled to play Sunday, sit Monday and play Tuesday and Wednesday for the WooSox, and after that he will return to Boston and the club will assess things from there.Barring any unexpected changes, Story could be activated by Thursday at the earliest.The issue for Story isn’t his surgically repaired elbow, Cora said, but simply bouncing back from game action. Cora said it’s common for players to struggle physically during spring training as they ramp up to regular season form, and Story is still working his way through that process.“It’s just the bounce back, it’s spring training for him so I don’t think it’s the repetitions and all that, it’s how he...

New Bedford man arrested for fatal shooting in state forest

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 22:10:48 GMT

New Bedford man arrested for fatal shooting in state forest A New Bedford man was arrested Saturday after allegedly shooting a man in Myles Standish State Forest on July 12, Plymouth County DA Timothy Cruz announced Sunday.The suspect, John Geovanni Pires Monteiro Macedo, 20, was located and arrested by Massachusetts State Police and New Bedford Police at 3:55 p.m. Saturday, the DA’s office said in a release.Around 2:40 p.m. on July 12, Plymouth police received several reports of a shooting in the state forest, the release said.Upon arrival, officers found a male victim — later identified as Robert Aponte-Flores, 25, of New Bedford — suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, the release said. Aponte-Flores was transported to Beth Israel Deaconess-Plymouth Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.Multiple witnesses told State Police and Plymouth officers an altercation took place at the picnic area of the park between the victim and Monteiro Macedo, the release said, leading police to obtain a warrant for the suspect’s arr...

Jonathan Jones among 5 starters missing at Patriots training camp Sunday

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 22:10:48 GMT

Jonathan Jones among 5 starters missing at Patriots training camp Sunday FOXBORO — After their second off day of training camp, the Patriots are far from being at full strength.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | NFL notes: Is Bill Belichick embracing sports science at Patriots training camp? New England Patriots | What we’ve learned about Patriots’ rookies so far in training camp New England Patriots | Patriots training camp Day 10: Tyquan Thornton returns, kicking battle continues during in-stadium practice New England Patriots | Patriots’ Jack Jones breaks silence on arrest, departure from practice New England Patriots | Patriots, LB Matt Judon agree to reworked contract with more guaranteed money Five starters were missing for Sunday’s non-padded practice, including cornerback Jonathan Jones, center David Andrews and special teams captain Matthew Slater. Jones and Slater sat out Friday’s light, in-stadium practice. Andrews is missing...

Conservative groups sue to block Biden plan canceling $39 billion in student loans

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 22:10:48 GMT

Conservative groups sue to block Biden plan canceling $39 billion in student loans Two conservative groups are asking a federal court to block the Biden administration’s plan to cancel $39 billion in student loans for more than 800,000 borrowers.In a lawsuit filed Friday in Michigan, the groups argue that the administration overstepped its power when it announced the forgiveness in July, just weeks after the Supreme Court struck down a broader cancellation plan pushed by President Joe Biden.It asks a judge to rule the cancellation illegal and stop the Education Department from carrying it out while the case is decided. The suit was filed by the New Civil Liberties Alliance on behalf of the Mackinac Center for Public Policy and the Cato Institute.The Education Department called the suit “a desperate attempt from right wing special interests to keep hundreds of thousands of borrowers in debt.”“We are not going to back down or give an inch when it comes to defending working families,” the department said in a statement.It’s part of a wave of legal challenges Re...

Delayed passengers growl after a bear escapes from crate in cargo hold of an Iraqi plane in Dubai

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 22:10:48 GMT

Delayed passengers growl after a bear escapes from crate in cargo hold of an Iraqi plane in Dubai BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq’s prime minister has ordered an investigation into how a bear escaped from its crate in the cargo hold of an Iraqi aircraft as it was due to depart from Dubai airport, leaving passengers disgruntled over the delay and causing a stir on social media. Iraqi Airways said it wasn’t to blame for the bear’s escape and that the aircraft’s crew worked with authorities in the United Arab Emirates, which dispatched specialists to sedate the animal and remove it from the plane.A video clip circulating on social media showed the plane’s captain apologizing to passengers for Friday’s takeoff delay because of the bear’s escape from its crate in the cargo hold. Iraqi Airways said Saturday that procedures to transport the bear were carried out in accordance with the law and with procedures and standards approved by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).The airline said the bear was being flown from Baghdad to Dubai. But a person s...

Woman found dead on Phoenix-area hike, authorities say it may be heat related

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 22:10:48 GMT

Woman found dead on Phoenix-area hike, authorities say it may be heat related PHOENIX (AP) — An Oregon woman who went missing on a hike in north Phoenix has been found dead and it appears to be heat-related, according to authorities.Phoenix Fire Department officials said Jessica Christine Lindstrom, 34, went hiking around 8:30 a.m. Friday and was declared missing about nine hours later by Phoenix police.Fire Department Capt. Scott Douglas said drones and technical rescue teams were used during a five-hour search before Lindstrom’s body was found on a remote trail on the north side of the Deem Hills Recreation Area.Douglas said it will be up to the Maricopa County Office of the Medical Examiner to determine a cause of death, but preliminary information suggests Lindstrom was overcome by the heat while hiking.“Unfortunately, Ms. Lindstrom was in town from Oregon, where it doesn’t get this hot,” Douglas said.Authorities said Lindstrom, who formerly lived in the Phoenix suburb of Peoria, was a registered nurse in Oregon and was visiting family.Maricopa County, th...