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Italy’s blue crab invasion: If you can’t beat ’em, eat ’em

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:10:07 GMT

Marcello Ross is a freelance journalist specializing in the environment and science.FERRARA, Italy — The sun was just coming up over the Sacca di Goro lagoon in the northern region of Emilia-Romagna, when Marco Bellan and his wife Barbara hauled in a net teeming with squirming sea creatures — just not the kind they’re used to.In the shallow waters of this expansive inlet, where the Po River drains into the Adriatic Sea, fishermen catch clams for Italy’s signature dish “spaghetti alle vongole” (spaghetti with clams), alongside mussels and oysters. But this year, an unexpected — and decidedly unwelcome — addition joined the mix: blue crabs.And this invasive interloper isn’t only harming the viability of the local economy — there are roughly 3,000 family-run fishing businesses in the area— it’s also posing a threat to the global supply of clams.Originally from the bays and estuaries of the North Atlantic coast of the United States, the blue crab has crossed to the Mediterran...

Benelux battle: How 3 ex-PMs could end up jostling for jobs

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:10:07 GMT

Small countries sometimes have the biggest ambitions. After a decade leading the Grand Duchy, with a population of just 650,000, Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel faces an uncertain future. Polls suggest he’s battling against the odds in this weekend’s general election, with the Christian Social People’s Party (CSV) on track to kick Bettel’s liberals out of government.  If he does lose the election, he will join a crowded field of newly unemployed ex-leaders and other potential candidates competing for some of the biggest jobs in European Union politics. Many of them come, like Bettel, from the small group of neighboring countries known as Benelux (Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg).  The three Benelux countries were among the EU’s six founding member countries. They have long enjoyed what some would say is an outsized influence over the way the bloc is run in the decades since it was formed, including taking on many of those prized positio...

How to watch Germany’s state elections like a pro

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:10:07 GMT

NÜRNBERG — Germans in Bavaria and Hesse will head to the polls on Sunday in state elections serving as a bellwether of the national mood during a time of rising angst over issues like the economy, migration and the fallout of the war in Ukraine.Bavaria is Germany’s second-most populous state, and Hesse is home to Frankfurt, the country’s financial center and one of its biggest metropolitan areas. Some 20 million people, about one-quarter of the country’s population, live in these states. The election results ought to give us a better sense of just how much angst Germans are feeling across the country.It’s not looking good for the three parties that comprise Germany’s ruling coalition on the federal level — German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s center-left Social Democrats (SPD), the Greens, and the liberal Free Democrats (FDP). The Christian Democrats (CDU) and far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) have been trying to cast the state elections as a referendum on the ruling coalition. It’...

Police investigating after bible, altar burned at vandalized East Bridgewater church

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:10:07 GMT

Authorities in East Bridgewater are investigating after a church near the center of town was vandalized on Friday.Officials with the East Bridgewater police and fire departments say “one or more people” appeared to enter the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church at 210 Central St. sometime during the middle of the day, and proceeded to attempt burning objects while apparently taking food from the pantry.Images shared by the police department showed that a bible as well as the church’s altar were damaged by fire. Officials added that there was also evidence suggesting whoever was responsible tried putting the flames out with both a fire extinguisher and a water jug from a nearby water dispenser.“Investigators believe the suspect or suspects attempted to douse the fire with the water, then used the fire extinguisher when that failed,” a news release stated.Police and firefighters found the scene after being called to the church around 3:40 p.m., after t...

Halloween parade back on for Northborough elementary students after school officials reverse course

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:10:07 GMT

School officials in Northborough say a traditional Halloween parade will be back in-school, following feedback received from parents and locals.Gregory Martineau, Superintendent of Schools for The Public Schools of Northborough and Southborough, announced on Friday that after he and principals reviewed emails from the school community, the school district would reverse course on a decision to alter the Halloween parade for elementary students.On Tuesday, parents said they received an email from the district saying Halloween costumes would not be allowed during the school day and that if students wanted to participate in a parade, they would have to do it away from school property.A day later, parents expressed opposition at a virtual school committee.“I don’t understand why it’s being taken away from my son, I don’t understand the reasons behind it,” said Edward Reiss, a parent who spoke during the meeting on Wednesday.At the same meeting, the chair of ...

Carver ends 17-year losing streak to Cohasset in overtime classic

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:10:07 GMT

CARVER – Over three hours, four quarters, and an overtime – Carver will bask in every second.The Crusaders were able to end a 17-year losing streak at the hands of Cohasset and stunned the Skippers in a come-from-behind 42-36 overtime victory to remain undefeated.The contest was the first South Shore League Tobin Division game for each team and set the tone for the rest of the season as Carver claimed the top spot early on.Carver (5-0; 1-0) trailed by 15 headed into the fourth quarter before Tyler Lennox hit Robbie Anderson for a 29-yard touchdown pass with 6:29 left in regulation. After Derek Lopes hauled in the two-point conversion, the score ended 36-36 in regulation.Carver only yielded 4.5 points per game entering Friday but showed up when needed as it was able to limit the first overtime series for Cohasset to a 24-yard chip-shot field goal.It was Carver’s turn and after Lennox had two incompletions in the end zone, he went back to the bread and butter as he found Anderson on a...

Milton defense stands tall in hard-hitting 10-9 win over Needham

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:10:07 GMT

MILTON – While Milton is often known for its prolific offense, Friday night its defense told the story.Ferris Collins came through with a crucial interception at the goal line while Milton’s defense forced four turnovers as the Wildcats knocked off previously-unbeaten Needham, 10-9, on Friday night at Brooks Field.Milton held Needham to just 1-of-5 inside the red zone.“Our defense showed what they are made of tonight,” Milton coach Steve Dembowski said. “It was pretty impressive what they did.”Needham (4-1) entered the fourth quarter trailing 10-0 but trimmed the deficit to a field goal when Griffin Carr fired a 13-yard touchdown pass to Spencer Chapman with 8:38 remaining. After the Rockets defense forced a three and out, they had a pair of opportunities to go for the game-winning drive.Their first attempt made its way inside the Needham 25-yard line largely due to a pair of receptions by Chapman. On third down and six, Collins came through with ...

Police arrest man behind series of sexual assaults across Toronto

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:10:07 GMT

A man has been arrested and charged for allegedly sexually assaulting as many as four victims across Toronto, all occurring within the week.Toronto police were notified of the first sexual assault on Monday just after 9:30 a.m. in the Danforth Avenue and Glebemount Avenue area.Hours later, just before noon, authorities were notified of a second sexual assault in the King Street West and Shaw Street area in King Street Village.On Tuesday, officers were called to the Brunswick Avenue and Sussex Avenue area in Harbord Village just before 10 p.m. for a third alleged sexual assault.On Thursday, the same man is believed to have sexually assaulted a fourth victim at approximately 8:30 a.m. in the Pape Avenue and Danforth Avenue area.Police arrested the male suspect later that morning. He was identified as 36-year-old Lonelle Price of no fixed address.Price faces four counts of sexual assault and sexual assault causing bodily harm. He was expected to appear in court on Thursday.

Plane hit by bus while taxiing at O’Hare International Airport

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:10:07 GMT

CHICAGO — Passengers headed for Dayton, Ohio, faced delays on Friday evening after their plane was hit by a bus at Chicago's O’Hare International Airport, according to officials from American Airlines.According to the airline, an American Eagle flight 6209, operated by Air Wisconsin Airlines, was hit by an employee bus while the plane was taxiing at the airport. ‘She’s with you every step of the way’: A Chicago Marathon runner honors mother, raises awareness for suicide prevention According to officials, six people on the bus were taken to a local hospital for evaluation. Nobody aboard the aircraft was injured in the collision.Airline officials say the plane was taken out of commission following the crash and everyone onboard was put on another flight headed for Dayton.Currently, it is unclear what led to the crash.

Police investigate after woman sexually assaulted in Loop

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:10:07 GMT

CHICAGO — Officers are investigating a sexual assault after a woman was found lying in the hallway of a building in Chicago's Loop.According to Chicago police, the victim, a 28-year-old woman, was found asleep in the hallway of a building in the 100 block of East Wacker Drive around 12:30 a.m. on Friday morning. See the progress of the Arlington Park demolition After the victim was woken up by officers, she told police that she was suffering from abdominal pain and was taken to the hospital. Chicago police have not made any arrests in connection to the sexual assault and investigation by Area Three detectives is underway.Anyone with information can leave a tip for police at CPDtip.com. Tips can be left anonymously.