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UN confirms sexual spread of mpox in Congo for the 1st time as country sees a record outbreak

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:10:20 GMT

LONDON (AP) — The World Health Organization said it has confirmed sexual transmission of mpox in Congo for the first time as the country’s experiences its biggest-ever outbreak, a worrying development that African scientists warn could make it more difficult to stop the disease.In a statement issued late Thursday, the U.N. health agency said a resident of Belgium traveled to Congo in March and tested positive for mpox, or monkeypox, shortly afterward. WHO said the individual “identified himself as a man who has sexual relations with other men” and that he had gone to several underground clubs for gay and bisexual men. Among his sexual contacts, five later tested positive for mpox, WHO said. “This is the first definitive proof of sexual transmission of monkeypox in Africa,” Oyewale Tomori, a Nigerian virologist who sits on several WHO advisory groups, said. “The idea that this kind of transmission could not be happening here has now been debunked.”Mpox has been endemic in...

Formula One team McLaren extends engine deal with provider Mercedes until 2030

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:10:20 GMT

WOKING, England (AP) — The McLaren Formula One team will continue using Mercedes engines until 2030 after extending its contract on Friday.Mercedes started supplying engines to McLaren again in 2021 and the existing contract was until the end of 2025. They had previously worked together from 1995-2014.“Mercedes-Benz have been a brilliant and reliable partner of the McLaren Formula One team,” McLaren CEO Zak Brown said. “The extension signifies the confidence that our shareholders and the wider team have in their powertrains and the direction we’re taking with them into the new era of regulations ahead.”Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo won the Italian GP driving for McLaren in 2021. He is the last driver to win for McLaren, but the team has done well this season with Lando Norris securing seven podium finishes. Oscar Piastri has also impressed in his debut season.McLaren was fourth in the constructors’ standings heading into the final race at the Abu Dhabi GP on Sunday,...

Live updates: Snow falls on Black Friday throughout the metro

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:10:20 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- Denver weather will have light snow showers lingering through Friday, making it a Pinpoint Weather Alert Day.If you're heading to the stores for Black Friday, be careful on the roads. The roads will be slick and filled with traffic, car accidents and closures.Get real-time updates from FOX31 and the Pinpoint Weather team in the live blog below, and on TV, watch for the latest updates on FOX31 and Channel 2. Denver weather: Pinpoint Weather Alert Day for snow and cold

New app allows restaurants to combat food waste by offering surplus food that would to customers at affordable price

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:10:20 GMT

They call themselves “Waste Warriors,” rescuing unused and uneaten food from South Florida restaurants.And as 7’s Karen Hensel shows, it’s a way you can score some cheap eats.Restaurants are everywhere in South Florida, serving up plate after plate of fabulous food. But a lot of it never makes it to the table.Mohammad Farraj/Talkin’ Tacos: “We estimate anywhere between 2 to 5% of revenues could have been from food waste.”Mohammad Farraj is one of the owners of Talkin’ Tacos. It opened in 2020 as a food truck and quickly expanded.Mohammad Farraj: “We’re now all over South Florida and also Jacksonville, Atlanta, with plans to open up more locations across the country.”And each of those locations ends up with wasted food at the end of the day.Mohammad Farraj: “You get it all the time. Customers order food, they’ll cancel their orders. But you have food that’s been made already.”Typically the meal ...

Black Friday Forecast

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:10:20 GMT

South Florida a front is lifting North and a minor disturbance has flared up in the Gulf, this will increase our coverage of clouds and potential to see scattered showers today. Best chance after 2pm. A chance continues for Saturday with fewer clouds throughout the day and pattern looking drier for Sunday. However, another weak “cool” front will be moving in early next week. Models are not in agreement on the timing and strength of the next “cool” front, but they have been insisting at changes. Based on the latest suite of models, we are looking at a slight chance of showers ahead between Monday and Tuesday as it crosses through. A slight dip in degrees is possible as high pressure builds over the Gulf Coast states bringing a shot of cooler air by midweek. Temperatures could be in the low 60’s to start. Stay tuned! Have a wonderful and safe weekend South Florida!Vivian GonzalezMeteorologist, AMS Certified WSVN Channel 7

Deaths from toxic air on the rise as EU battles to tackle pollution

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:10:20 GMT

An increasing number of people are dying from toxic air in Europe despite the EU’s efforts to clamp down on pollution.Air pollution killed more people in 2021 than it did in 2020 and remains the top environmental health risk to people, according to a new data analysis by the European Environmental Agency (EEA) published Friday. Toxic air contributes to a number of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, such as diabetes, asthma, lung cancer and stroke, the report says.Despite the recent increase in deaths, the EU remains on track to achieve its goals set in the Zero Pollution Action Plan, which is part of the Green Deal, the EEA boss said at a press conference Friday. The action plan commits the EU to reduce deaths associated with fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution by at least 55 percent by 2030 compared to 2005 levels. It has so far achieved a 41 percent cut.Still, Leena Ylä-Mononen, the executive director of the EEA, warned that “if we want to deliver on the ambition...

Shoppers across Mass. hit the stores for Black Friday deals

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:10:20 GMT

Shoppers across Massachusetts lined up in the cold Friday morning to be sure they were among the first take advantage of Black Friday deals.At the Wrentham Outlets, people could be seen lined up outside the stores early Friday morning as they prepared to open for crowds. At South Shore Plaza in Braintree, the building was slowly filling with shoppers around 8 a.m.Experts say crowds are not as big as they have been in years past, due in part to higher prices because of inflation and deals offered to shoppers online.Their advice to shoppers includes searching for the best coupons, using old gift cards, and compare prices among retailers online.Stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest Black Friday news.

The surprising emergence of Brandon Stephens as the Ravens’ top cornerback: ‘I love the island’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:10:20 GMT

It was summertime and jobs were up for grabs in Owings Mills. Would third-year Ravens defensive back Brandon Stephens take over the nickel cornerback role or end up at safety as coach John Harbaugh initially planned?It turned out neither, of course, and last week’s performance by Stephens in a Thursday night win over the Cincinnati Bengals was only the latest example of why his move to the outside has turned out better than even Baltimore could have expected.With three-time Pro Bowl selection Marlon Humphrey out with a calf injury, the 25-year-old onetime college running back lined up against one of the NFL’s best wide receivers, Ja’Marr Chase, on 22 of 35 routes, including in press coverage on 15 of those routes, according to Next Gen Stats. Chase was targeted just three times when Stephens was the nearest defender and finished with one catch for 2 yards, including a meaningless touchdown with 1:12 remaining in the Ravens’ 34-20 win.“Corner is my type ...

10 things that didn’t go as planned for Patriots this season

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:10:20 GMT

It’s hard to believe at this point, but there was once hope for this 2-8 Patriots team.The 2023 Patriots faced a difficult schedule in a seemingly loaded AFC East, but there was reason for optimism after Bill Belichick made significant changes to his coaching staff over the offseason.Instead, the Patriots have hit rock bottom this season, and Belichick’s future with the team seems tenuous. So, let’s recap everything that has not gone according to plan through 11 weeks.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | What makes Matthew Slater an ‘honorary’ Patriots offensive lineman? New England Patriots | Patriots mailbag: Explaining intrigue around third-string QB Will Grier New England Patriots | Callahan: 7 reasons for Patriots fans to be thankful for in a lost season New England Patriots | Thanksgiving: A time for football, awkward conversations at dinner table New England Patriots | P...

Statistics Canada says retail sales increase 0.6% to $$66.5 billion in September

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:10:20 GMT

OTTAWA — Statistics Canada says retail sales rose 0.6 per cent to $66.5 billion in September led by increases at motor vehicle and parts dealers.The agency also says its early estimates suggest retail sales increased 0.8 per cent in October, though it cautioned the estimates would be revised.For September, sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers rose 1.5 per cent, led by a 2.4 per cent gain in sales at new car dealers, while used car dealers saw a two per cent drop.Statistics Canada says core retail sales — which exclude gasoline stations, fuel vendors and motor vehicle and parts dealers — fell 0.3 per cent in September.Sales at food and beverage retailers fell 0.4 per cent, while sales at sporting goods, hobby, musical instrument, book and miscellaneous retailers dropped 1.6 per cent.In volume terms, overall retail sales increased 0.3 per cent in September.This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 24, 2023.The Canadian Press