Top African rider Biniam Girmay withdraws from the cycling world championships in Scotland

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 21:57:43 GMT

Top African rider Biniam Girmay withdraws from the cycling world championships in Scotland GLASGOW, Scotland (AP) — Eritrean star rider Biniam Girmay has withdrawn from the cycling world championships in Scotland citing injury, hours after it was reported he and three teammates had been denied visas to enter the U.K.The 23-year-old Girmay, who last year became the first Black African to win a Grand Tour stage at the Giro d’Italia, was seen as a candidate to become Africa’s first world champion in Sunday’s men’s road race on a Classics-style course which could play to his strengths.But his team Intermarche Circus Wanty issued a statement on Wednesday morning which said Girmay would not be able to race following a crash at San Sebastian last weekend.“I’m of course very disappointed to withdraw from the selection for the world championships, which were a main goal for this season since last winter,” Girmay said in the statement. “I had a good feeling after the Tour de France, but my crash in the Clasica San Sebastian caused too severe pain to be able to defend my chanc...

Revisions required after public petitions take issue with Suncor's Clean Air Act permit

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 21:57:43 GMT

Revisions required after public petitions take issue with Suncor's Clean Air Act permit COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (KDVR) — Suncor is being sent back to the drawing board in regard to its Environmental Protection Agency operating permits. In the last few years, Suncor has had a number of troubles from a fire and a flood to reports of high levels of acid gas flaring and tail gas incidents. The EPA issued an order responding to two public petitions objecting to the renewal of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Clean Air Act Title V operating permit for Plant 2. Fired DPS principal responds to termination through letter The petitions voice environmental concerns about the operations at the Suncor refinery in Commerce City. One petition was filed by Earthjustice on behalf of the Elyria and Swansea Neighborhood Association, Cultivando, Colorado Latino Forum, GreenLatinos, Center for Biological Diversity and Sierra Club. The second petition was filed by 350 Colorado. EPA’s action denies 350 Colorado’s petition and partially grants and partially denie...

Mayor Johnston to give update on homelessness state of emergency

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 21:57:43 GMT

Mayor Johnston to give update on homelessness state of emergency DENVER (KDVR) — Wednesday morning, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston will give an update on the ongoing efforts to tackle homelessness in the city.At 10:15 a.m., Johnston is expected to speak at the Denver City and County Building. The mayor’s goal is to help 1,000 people find shelter or housing by the end of 2023.Tuesday, a series of town halls kicked off giving neighbors a chance to weigh in on the issue. Town halls will continue through next Thursday. Denver’s mayor plans to house 1,000 homeless. Will it work? Johnston issued an emergency declaration on July 28 and initiated a partnership with 78 neighborhoods. The new mayor has said addressing homelessness would be a top priority for his administration.The emergency declaration means Denver can receive state and federal funding. Johnston has already launched an emergency action team to help with his goals.

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo names 10-week-old Amur leopard cubs

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 21:57:43 GMT

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo names 10-week-old Amur leopard cubs COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KXRM) — The critically endangered Amur leopard cubs born at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in May finally have names. Meet Basha and Mango!The zoo said the names were picked by generous donors of the zoo. Basha's name is inspired by the name of the lead animal keeper in the Asian Highlands, Basia. Basia and Anya, the cubs' mother, have worked closely together since Anya arrived at CMZoo in 2015, and Basia is a passionate leopard conservationist. CMZoo announces the gender of Amur leopard cubs Mango was named in honor of a beloved domestic cat who inspired the donors' dedication to wildlife. Mango has slightly darker features, a distinct "M" spot pattern across his forehead and more defined lines instead of individual spots on his face. Basha currently has a lighter face than Mango and is slightly bigger than his brother. Basha's keepers have also seen a heart-shaped spot above his right eye. Their size comparisons and spot patterns could change as the boys con...

Brooklyn man who was vogueing at a gas station fatally stabbed in possible anti-gay hate crime, police say

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 21:57:43 GMT

Brooklyn man who was vogueing at a gas station fatally stabbed in possible anti-gay hate crime, police say (CNN) — Police are searching for a 17-year-old they believe is responsible for the stabbing death of a Brooklyn man, a source with knowledge of the investigation told CNN.The 28-year-old man was fatally stabbed at a Brooklyn gas station Saturday night in what police are investigating as a possible anti-gay hate crime, an NYPD spokesperson told CNN.O’Shae Sibley was dancing – vogueing – to a Beyoncé song with friends at the gas station when a group of men approached them and started to shout gay slurs at them, Sibley’s friend Otis Pena said on Facebook Live. The anti-gay slurs eventually led to a dispute, the NYPD spokesperson said.Pena, who witnessed the incident, said the argument escalated and one man stabbed Sibley. Pena said he went to Sibley’s aid and put pressure on his wound. Police said Sibley was stabbed in the torso. He was taken to Maimonides Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, according to police.Sibley was a professional dancer who was featured in several musi...

Summer Steam & Storms

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 21:57:43 GMT

Summer Steam & Storms Another muggy and rainy day expected across South Florida with the highest chance for rain in the afternoon/evening for interior portions of the region. Flooding is the primary threat. However, the Summer steam and storm chance is set to continue through the upcoming weekend. Today in the Tropics Showers and storms remain disorganized with an area of low pressure Southeast of Bermuda. Conditions are becoming less favorable for development. It has a low chance to form during the next few days.Have a wonderful day South Florida and make it a safe one! Vivian GonzalezMeteorologist, AMS Certified WSVN Channel 7

Château Breton! French commissioner has bought a castle

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 21:57:43 GMT

Château Breton! French commissioner has bought a castle Thierry Breton, the internal market commissioner, has bought a castle in the French countryside, his team told POLITICO on Wednesday, confirming local media reports.Located in the verdant central French village of Gargilesse-Dampierre — ranked among the prettiest places in France — along the Creuse river, Gargilesse Castle was built by the Counts of Gargilesse in the 8th century.Breton purchased the building from a local painter, Annick Thévenin, who had bought the castle in 1998 to use as an art gallery. Breton is not planning to live there, his team said, and intends to keep it as a cultural space.According to local daily Le Berry Républicain, the French commissioner discreetly carried out the purchase several months ago for an undisclosed amount.“I continue to manage the château, to receive the public, to host exhibitions, that’s Mr. Breton’s wish,” Thévenin told the local outlet.Contacted by POLITICO, Breton’s Cabinet confirmed he had inde...

Toyota unveils the retro-styled return of the Land Cruiser

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 21:57:43 GMT

Toyota unveils the retro-styled return of the Land Cruiser New York (CNN) — Just three years after being discontinued in North America, the Toyota Land Cruiser is coming back — with an all-new, retro-styled design. Besides the classic looks, the new Land Cruiser will also have a more accessible price than before.It follows a trend toward more off-road capability in new vehicles and a major upsurge in interest in classic truck-like SUVs. In 2021, Ford brought back its Bronco off-road SUV to capitalize on interest in that classic brand. The Toyota Land Cruiser has its own similarly passionate fan base.The new Land Cruiser is slightly smaller than the previous version, last sold in the United States in the 2021 model year. That version was closely related to the Lexus LX luxury SUV and was fairly opulent for a Toyota, with a starting price of over $80,000. Prices for the new Land Cruiser will start at around $55,000, further underscoring the model’s roots as a rugged off-roader rather than a comfortable errand-runner. ...

USDA Makes Federal Help Available to Mass. Farmers

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 21:57:43 GMT

USDA Makes Federal Help Available to Mass. Farmers Bay State farmers whose crops were destroyed in recent floods can now apply for low-interest loans and refinance existing loans, after the U.S. Department of Agriculture designated parts of the state primary natural disaster areas on Tuesday. The disaster declaration allows farms affected by excessive rain from July 9 through July 16 to get federal loan support, and to tap into the Emergency Conservation Program, a cost-sharing program for debris and clean-up costs related to natural disasters, according to a release from Gov. Maura Healey’s office. The seven Massachusetts counties designated as primary natural disaster areas are Berkshire, Bristol, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, Norfolk and Worcester. Contiguous counties are also eligible, including Dukes, Middlesex, Plymouth and Suffolk. The state’s Department of Agricultural Resources estimated that about 2,000 acres of crops worth at least $15 million were lost due to the mid-July flooding, affecting at least 75 Massa...

Mansfield PD seek driver responsible for hit-and-run crash that injured bicyclist

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 21:57:43 GMT

Mansfield PD seek driver responsible for hit-and-run crash that injured bicyclist Police in Mansfield are asking for the public’s assistance as they work to identify a driver who struck a bicyclist and did not stop.The Mansfield Police Department said it was around 10:50 a.m. on Tuesday when officers were called to the area of 900 Maple Street for a 911 call stating a bicyclist had been hit.Police and the Mansfield Fire Department responded and located the bike rider, who had what officials considered non-life-threatening injuries.Additional officers and police detectives were then called in after authorities determined the driver responsible never stopped after the crash.A witness told police the vehicle in question was a white pickup truck that was heading westbound while towing a “landscape-style trailer” when it hit the cyclist.“The witness, who approached the area traveling eastbound, noticed the trailer because it was swaying from side to side in such a way that it appeared to not be properly attached,” the department stated on...