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Mystery of African elephants dropping dead unraveled by scientists

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:32:31 GMT

(CNN) — The cause of mysterious mass deaths of African elephants has finally been unraveled — and scientists who authored a new report say that the outbreaks could be more likely to occur amid conditions created by the ongoing climate crisis.Thirty-five African elephants in northwestern Zimbabwe dropped dead under baffling circumstances between late August and November 2020. Eleven of the massive herd animals died within a 24-hour period.“They died over a very narrow window. That’s one of the most enigmatic parts of the whole puzzle. That many animals dying quite close together but not right next to each other over such a narrow space of time. It’s really to my mind, rather unique, certainly in this part of the world,” said Dr. Chris Foggin, a veterinarian at Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust in Zimbabwe, who is a coauthor of the study on the cause of the deaths.Earlier that same year, about 350 elephants in neighboring northern Botswana also had died suddenly over t...

Medicare expands the roster of available mental health professionals

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:32:31 GMT

Judith Graham | (TNS) KFF Health NewsLynn Cooper was going through an awful time. After losing her job in 2019, she became deeply depressed. Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and her anxiety went through the roof. Then her cherished therapist — a marriage and family counselor — told Cooper she couldn’t see her once Cooper turned 65 and joined Medicare.“I was stunned,” said Cooper, who lives in Pittsburgh and depends on counseling to maintain her psychological balance. “I’ve always had the best health insurance a person could have. Then I turned 65 and went on Medicare, and suddenly I had trouble getting mental health services.”The issue: For decades, Medicare has covered only services provided by psychiatrists, psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, and psychiatric nurses. But with rising demand and many people willing to pay privately for care, 45% of psychiatrists and 54% of psychologists don’t participate in the program. Citing low payments and bureaucratic hassles, more ...

Former Bears coach Mike Ditka lists Streeterville condo for nearly $600,000

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:32:31 GMT

Hall of Fame former Chicago Bears head coach Mike Ditka and his wife, Diana, have placed their longtime two-bedroom, 1,904-square-foot condominium on the 39th floor of a Streeterville high-rise on the market for $599,900.Known as “Iron Mike,” Ditka, 84, was a six-time All-Pro tight end for the Bears. He later was the team’s head coach from 1982 until 1992, during which he led the Bears to their only Super Bowl victory ever, in 1986. Ditka maintained a presence in the Chicago area even after his time as the Bears’ head coach came to an end, as he kept a house in Bannockburn until selling it in 1997.Also in 1997, Ditka lent his name to a Magnificent Mile steakhouse — the first of several that eventually would open — in which he was an investor. After Ditka’s second and final head coaching stint, with the New Orleans Saints, concluded in early 2000, he and his wife resumed being area homeowners, paying $700,000 several months later for their St...

WATCH: Is it a meteor? A UFO? Nope, it is the Navy

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:32:31 GMT

SAN DIEGO — San Diegans might have seen some mysterious lights in the sky Sunday night, with some even taking to social media to speculate if it was a UFO or an unusual meteor shower.As spectacular as that would have been, the lights over the sky were actually the U.S. Navy Parachute Team "Leap Frogs" commuting to Snapdragon Stadium to the cheer on the San Diego Wave FC during the National Women's Soccer League semifinal match.The parachute team gave a heads up to San Diegans Sunday afternoon that they would be jumping into the game just before kickoff in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.Holding flares, the team dropped into the stadium, lighting the trail in the sky that some may have seen from other parts of the city. Padres’ Tatis Jr., Kim win first Gold Glove awards Video of the jump from FOX 5 viewers who caught a glimpse of the display outside Snapdragon Stadium can be seen in the player below. While the San Diego-based parachuting team served as an epic ope...

Broadcast, audio companies will be eligible for Pulitzer Prizes, for work on digital sites

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:32:31 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — The Pulitzer Prizes, considered the premier award for print journalists, are opening eligibility to broadcast and audio companies that also offer digital news sites.But the work these companies can submit for prize consideration must primarily be written journalism, the Columbia University-based Pulitzer Prize Board said on Monday.Broadcast news outlets were historically prohibited from entering work in the Pulitzer competition because they produced little text-based journalism. Other competitions, like the Emmys and the duPont-Columbia Awards, honor broadcast journalism.But television and audio companies like CNN, NPR and broadcasters like ABC, CBS and NBC have robust digital sites.“There’s no such thing as newspaper and broadcast anymore,” said Brian Carovillano, senior vice president and head of news standards at NBC News. “We’re all digital news operations. We’re all operating on multiple platforms.”He noted that The New York Times, considered p...

A fire at the Canadian High Commission in Nigeria has killed 2 workers repairing generators

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:32:31 GMT

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — A fire at the Canadian High Commission in Nigeria’s capital killed two people and injured two others, the local emergency services said Monday.The fire broke out in the morning while workers were servicing generators, said Nkechi Isa, spokeswoman for the State Emergency Management Agency in Abuja. The two killed were Nigerian maintenance workers, she said.“The fire occurred when the tank of diesel in the generator house containing 2,000 liters exploded,” Isa said.Two maintenance workers were being treated for severe burns, she said.Nigerian President Bola Tinubu mourned the victims and offered the Canadian government his government’s full support, his office said in a statement.Associated Press, The Associated Press

Military investigates member of supply ship unit over alleged harmful comments

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:32:31 GMT

OTTAWA — The Defence Department says a disciplinary investigation is underway following complaints a member of the unit attached to naval supply ship MV Asterix made harmful and inappropriate comments toward subordinates.The department also says the leadership of the vessel decided to bring another member home after an alleged interaction may have breached professional standards.Department spokeswoman Andrée-Anne Poulin provided few details but said the incident did not occur while the member was on duty.Poulin noted it marks the second Canadian Armed Forces member to be repatriated from Naval Replenishment Unit Asterix since the start of the ship’s deployment in the Indo-Pacific region. Poulin said an investigation into the latest case is ongoing.She said it would be inappropriate to provide further comment.This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 6, 2023.The Canadian Press<!– Photo: 20231106141140-654941a50923190c54b7c8afjpeg.jpg, Caption: The Defe...

Israel, Hamas conflict causes surge of discrimination, B.C. rights commissioner says

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:32:31 GMT

VANCOUVER — British Columbia’s human rights commissioner says the devastating events in and around the Gaza Strip are causing a surge of discrimination and violence targeting Jewish and Muslim people. Kasari Govender says in a statement that she is deeply concerned about the rising number of hate incidents and she’s calling for immediate and sustained action to address and prevent further proliferation. Govender says Vancouver police alone have reported 18 hate incidents aimed at the Jewish community, while the National Council of Canadian Muslims has said the last few weeks have been the worst in decades for Islamophobia reports. She says the latest surge follows a wave of discrimination this fall against trans and gender diverse people, which came after a dramatic rise in hate during the COVID-19 pandemic. Govender says while hate isn’t new, it will rise during times of crisis in society and be amplified by the spread of misinformation if no concerted action is t...

‘Priscilla’ stars Cailee Spaeny and Jacob Elordi on trust, Sofia and souvenirs

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:32:31 GMT

As a child of the South, actor Cailee Spaeny grew up steeped in Graceland mythology, memorabilia and Elvis Presley tunes.Her mother loved Elvis and it wasn’t unusual for a trip to that famous house in Memphis, Tennessee, to count as a family vacation. Priscilla Presley was of course part of that. But Spaeny would find there was much more than she’d ever known when she got the opportunity to play her in Sofia Coppola ’s new film, “Priscilla,” now in theaters nationwide.“I had no idea about her side of the story and what her experience was growing up in Graceland,” Spaeny said in a recent interview.The film is based on Presley’s 1985 memoir “Elvis and Me,” a diary-like account of her years with the King. She recounts meeting him at 14 in Wiesbaden, Germany, and moving to Graceland not too long after, where she finished high school. She talks about her unconventional hours, staying up all night with Elvis and trying to stay awake in school the next day. She details how he dictated her ...

OMERS pension plan acquires five per cent indirect stake in MLSE

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:32:31 GMT

TORONTO — The OMERS pension plan has acquired a five per cent indirect stake in Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment for US$400 million.The investment comes through a 20 per cent direct stake in Kilmer Sports Inc., which is owned by MLSE chairman Larry Tanenbaum.“I’ve always seen myself as a steward of a public trust, working in service to the fans and the public to build Canada’s most iconic sports teams and win championships,” Tanenbaum said Monday in a release. “Now with this investment by OMERS, I’m thrilled to be sharing this public trust with over 600,000 hard-working Ontarians.”Kilmer owns 25 per cent of MLSE, the parent company of the National Hockey League’s Toronto Maple Leafs, National Basketball Association’s Toronto Raptors, Toronto FC of Major League Soccer, the Canadian Football League’s Toronto Argonauts and several development teams.Upon closing, Tanenbaum will retain an 80 per cent stake in Kilmer. OMERS will be a financia...