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China sends its youngest-ever crew to space as it seeks to put astronauts on moon before 2030

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:48 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — China launched its youngest-ever crew for its orbiting space station on Thursday as it seeks to put astronauts on the moon before 2030. The Shenzhou 17 spacecraft lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on the edge of the Gobi Desert in northwestern China atop a Long March 2-F rocket at 11:14 a.m. (0314 GMT) According to the China Manned Space Agency, the average age of the three-member crew is the youngest since the launch of the space station construction mission, state broadcaster CCTV earlier reported. Their average age is 38, state media China Daily said.Beijing is pursuing plans to place astronauts on the moon before the end of the decade amid a rivalry with the U.S. for reaching new milestones in outer space. This reflects the competition for influence between the world’s two largest economies in the technology, military and diplomatic fields. The trio — Tang Hongbo, Tang Shengjie and Jiang Xinlin — will replace a crew that has been on the sta...

Averted disaster on Horizon Air flight renews scrutiny on mental health of those in the cockpit

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:48 GMT

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — What authorities describe as an off-duty pilot’s attempt to shut down the engines of a Horizon Air flight with more than 80 people on board has renewed attention on the mental fitness of those allowed in the cockpit.Joseph Emerson, 44, had been flying passengers himself just three days before police said he tried to engage an emergency fire suppression system while catching a ride from Washington state to San Francisco on Sunday in the extra seat behind the pilot and first officer on Flight 2059. He was subdued by the flight crew, and the plane landed safely in Portland, Oregon.Emerson, who has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder charges, told police after his arrest that he’d had a nervous breakdown, had been struggling with depression and the recent death of a friend, and hadn’t slept for 40 hours, according to charging documents.Emerson also said he had taken psychedelic mushrooms for the first time about 48 hours earlier. It’s not...

Dozens of union workers arrested on Las Vegas Strip for blocking traffic as thousands rally

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:48 GMT

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Thousands of hotel workers fighting for new union contracts rallied on the Las Vegas Strip on Wednesday evening, halting rush-hour traffic before dozens were arrested for sitting in the street. The stepped-up labor unrest aimed to draw attention to negotiations with three major casino companies.Seated in two separate circles, workers in red T-shirts blocked cars in both directions for roughly 30 minutes as the sun sank in the west, casting golden rays across one of the most recognizable stretches of the Strip near the Bellagio fountain, the Eiffel Tower replica and Caesars Palace. Police officers with zip ties eventually started taking protesters into custody, leading them to a white police bus with flashing red and blue lights.Las Vegas police said 58 people were cited for assembling to disturb the peace, a misdemeanor.“The event was peaceful,” Lt. Mark Lourenco said via text message.The Culinary Workers Union overwhelmingly voted last month to authorize a strike i...

Firearms instructor treated at mental health facility is person of interest in Maine shooting: cops

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:48 GMT

LEWISTON, Maine (AP) — The man identified as a person of interest in a mass killing in Maine is a firearms instructor trained by the military and was recently committed to a mental health facility, according to a state police bulletin.The police intelligence bulletin, reviewed by The Associated Press, was being circulated to law enforcement officials on Wednesday night after the shootings that left at least 16 people dead.The bulletin says the man, Robert Card, had been trained as a firearms instructor at a U.S. Army Reserve training facility in Maine. The document says Card had been committed to a mental health facility for two weeks in the summer of 2023. It did not provide specific details about his treatment or condition.The document also said Card had reported hearing voices and had threatened to carry out a shooting at the military training base in Saco, Maine.Card was being sought by police as a person of interest in Wednesday’s shootings. A telephone number listed for Card i...

Chicago Police Memorial Foundation annual dinner honor active, fallen officers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:48 GMT

CHICAGO -- The Chicago Police Memorial Foundation held their annual event on Wednesday honoring officers who swore to serve and protect and those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in 2023.The Chicago Police Memorial Foundation also presented the highest civilian honor and recognized 17 officers for their distinguished service.At their annual dinner, the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation presented the highest honor, the valor award to officers Aréanah Preston and Andres Vasquez Lasso, both were shot and killed in 2023.For the first time, the foundation presented 17 distinguished service awards to the officers who bravely responded to and investigated the homicides of officer Preseton and Vasquez Lasso.This includes Area Two Homicide detectives who helped bring justice in the may slaying of Officer Preston. Their investigation identified four offenders who were later located, arrested, and charged.Also honored in that award were 8th district officers who demonstrated acts of bravery, l...

Firearms instructor is person of interest in Maine shooting: cops

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:48 GMT

LEWISTON, Maine (AP) — The man identified as a person of interest in a mass killing in Maine is a firearms instructor trained by the military and was recently committed to a mental health facility, according to a state police bulletin.The police intelligence bulletin, reviewed by The Associated Press, was being circulated to law enforcement officials on Wednesday night. At least 16 dead in Maine shooting and suspect at large: officials The bulletin says the man, Robert Card, had been trained as a firearms instructor at a U.S. Army Reserve training facility in Maine. The document says Card had been committed to a mental health facility for two weeks in the summer of 2023. The Lewiston Police Department identified Robert Card as a person of interest in a mass shooting at a bowling alley and a bar in Lewiston, Maine, on Oct. 25, 2023. (The Lewiston Police Department)The Lewiston Police Department also shared photos of a possible suspect involved in "two active shooter events" in Lewi...

'It hurts us,' Tension on House floor stalls debate on border bill

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:48 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Tension among Democrats and Republicans in the Texas House reached a boiling point Wednesday evening amid debate over border security legislation. The House took up HB 4, which would create a Class B misdemeanor for anyone to enter Texas illegally. House Democrats filed dozens of amendments to the bill. With 47 amendments filed, Republican House members pushed through a motion to cut off additional amendments to the bill.Rep. Cody Harris (R-Palestine) filed the motion. Rep. Armando Walle (D-Houston) voiced his frustration to Harris. Several lawmakers gathered around the two men, as Walle spoke loudly and forcefully."Y'all don't understand the (*expletive*) that y'all do hurts our community. It hurts us personally, bro," Walle said."It hurts, it hurts us to our (*expletive*) core and y'all don't understand that y'all don't live in our (*expletive*) skin."After the tense moments on the floor, the House stood at ease shortly before 7 p.m.Debate on the legislati...

Taylor ISD names the new superintendent finalist

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:48 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -– The Taylor ISD School Board has named Dr. Jennifer Garcia-Edwardsen as the finalist for the new superintendent, the school district announced on social media.Garcia-Edwardsen has served in education for over two decades. She has a doctorate in School Improvement from Texas State University.Her tenure includes her roles as the Chief of Schools at Newbraunfauls ISD, the Deputy Academic Officer at Hays CISD, and a teacher, assistant principal and principal in Del Valle ISD. Taylor ISD President Marco Ortiz said Garcia-Edwardsen is a great fit for the district. “We believe Dr. Garcia-Edwardsen’s strong instructional leadership and high expectations will help every student achieve their unique potential. We are excited for the future of our district and community,” Ortiz said. Garcia-Edwardsen said she looks forward to working with Taylor ISD and the community to improve educational experiences for students. “I am truly thrilled and profoundly thankful for the oppor...

Police investigating two bodies found in Vermont woods

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:48 GMT

EDEN, Vt. (NEWS10) -- Vermont State Police are investigating two separate cases of bodies found in the woods. Investigators were at the scene Wednesday in the town of Eden.One body was found Wednesday morning, and the other was found in the afternoon. The two have not been identified. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The discovery comes amid the search for two missing men from western Massachusetts, including one from Pittsfield. Jahim Solomon and Eric White, both 21, went missing while traveling through Vermont.Police said they disappeared under suspicious circumstances."We have some suspects in mind, but again, we also have a lot of persons of interest," VSP Criminal Division Commander Maj. Dan Trudeau said. "It can be hard to define what a person of interest is. You may think it's one thing; I may think it's a different thing. It depends on the type of case, too. But there are people we certainly want to talk to. There's a nu...

Deadly fire at senior apartment complex in Cahokia Heights

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:48 GMT

CAHOKIA HEIGHTS, Ill. - The City of Cahokia Heights is working with the Red Cross to house and provide relief to more than 50 displaced residents following a five-alarm fire at a senior apartment complex Wednesday afternoon.According to the Camp Jackson Fire Department, one person died, and five others were injured as a result of the fire.The fire started around 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Touchette Elderly Apartments on Bond Avenue. Camp Jackson Fire Chief Chris Davis said more than 40 firefighters from 12 nearby departments responded. First responders were able to rescue more than 50 people from inside the building. Multiple people reported dead, injured in Maine shootings Davis said the five injured residents were treated at the Touchette Regional Hospital, which is right next door to the apartment complex. They're expected to be okay. Davis said the fire happening at a senior apartment building presented its own set of challenges."We had to start plucking people out of their ap...