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Letters to the editor (mega edition!) Herald readers sound off on top issues

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:36 GMT

Migrant influxKudos to the Boston Herald for pointing out the issue of migrants pouring into our large cities.  The Bay State and New York City’s “right to shelter laws” are getting well advertised and passed through word of mouth. NYC Mayor Eric Adams believes that housing unlimited migrants will “destroy the city.” Governor Kathy Hochul has even stated that the constant  flow of immigrants is “unsustainable.” Up here in our “sanctuary” state, Governor Maura Healey is trying to figure out where to place unhoused or homeless people when there aren’t any places left to go. Homeless advocates have filed a lawsuit forcing her to find beds that don’t exist and do it quickly.When these so-called housing reforms and court orders came about  40 years ago, they clearly didn’t anticipate the destruction of our border control and the ongoing flow of migrants pouring into the Commonwealth and other communities across Ameri...

Prince William arrives in Singapore for annual Earthshot Prize award, the first to be held in Asia

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:36 GMT

SINGAPORE (AP) — Prince William arrived Sunday in Singapore for the annual Earthshot Prize awards, the first to be held in Asia, to support environmental innovators with solutions to battle climate change and save the planet. Upon his arrival, dozens of people waving British flags welcomed him with loud cheers. William, 41, shook hands, signed autographs and sportingly took selfies with many of them during a walkabout.“It’s fantastic to be back in Singapore for this year’s Earthshot Prize ceremony, after eleven years,” he said in a statement upon landing. “Singapore’s bold vision to be a leader for environmental innovation sets the standard for others to follow.”“He has this charm,” said Johanes Mario, a Singaporean welcoming William at the airport. “He really fights for … the climate. I believe this is really a good cause for the future of our generation,” he added.At Singapore’s Changi Airport and before greeting the crowd, William stood on an upper floor f...

Afghans fleeing Pakistan lack shelter, food, and warmth once they cross the border, aid groups say

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:36 GMT

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Afghans fleeing Pakistan to avoid arrest and deportation are sleeping in the open, without proper shelter, food, drinking water and toilets once they cross the border to their homeland, aid agencies said Sunday.Hundreds of thousands of Afghans have left Pakistan in recent weeks as authorities pursue foreigners they say are in the country illegally, going door-to-door to check migrants’ documentation. Pakistan set Oct.31 as a deadline to leave the country or else they’d be arrested as part of a new anti-migrant crackdown.Afghans leave Pakistan from two main border crossings, Torkham and Chaman. The Taliban have set up camps on the other side for people to stay in while they wait to be moved to their place of origin in Afghanistan. Aid agencies said Torkham has no proper shelter. There is limited access to drinking water, no heating source other than open fires, no lighting, and no toilets. There is open defecation and poor hygiene. U.N. agencies and aid groups ...

Russia says it test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile from a new nuclear submarine

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:36 GMT

MOSCOW (AP) — The Russian military on Sunday reported a successful test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile designed to carry nuclear warheads from a new nuclear submarine. The report comes as tensions are soaring between Russia and the West over the fighting in Ukraine. Adding to those tensions, President Vladimir Putin last week signed a bill revoking Russia’s ratification of a global nuclear test ban in a move that Moscow said was needed to establish parity with the United States.The Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement that the Imperator Alexander III strategic missile cruiser fired the Bulava missile from an underwater position in Russia’s northern White Sea, and hit a target in the far-eastern region of Kamchatka. It wasn’t immediately clear from the statement when the test launch occurred. The Imperator Alexander III is one of the new Borei-class nuclear submarines that carry 16 Bulava missiles each and are intended to serve as the core naval c...

Dozens of unoccupied homes on fire in Vaughan

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:36 GMT

Firefighters are battling a massive fire that has engulfed three dozen structures in Vaughan.York police tell CityNews between 30 and 40 unoccupied units under construction are on fire in the area of Highway 27 and Rutherford Road.As many as 12 fire trucks are on the scene battling the blaze. Fire officials say a number of the homes are completely engulfed and are not likely salvageableMultiple homes in the area have been evacuated as a precaution.No injuries have been reported thus far.Listen to CityNews 680 for the latest.

First Nations seek salmon return to Columbia Basin in new treaty with U.S.

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:36 GMT

First Nations groups on the Canadian side of the Columbia River Basin are adamant that salmon runs that have long been blocked by dams in the United States must be restored, potentially in a renewed river treaty between the two countries.But experts say possible solutions — such as “salmon cannons” that suck fish through a pipe and shoot them out upstream and over obstacles — are all costly and potentially limited in their effectiveness.Representatives from the Ktunaxa and Syilx Okanagan nations say they continue to bring up salmon restoration in negotiations for a modern Columbia River Treaty and will not stop until a solution can be reached within or outside a new agreement.The U.S.-Canada treaty regulates the cross-border Columbia River to prevent flooding and generate hydro power. A key component of the 62-year-old treaty is set to expire in September 2024, lending urgency to the ongoing talks.“I think what we are doing in the fight to bring salmon back is vita...

Many vets in Canada facing extreme burnout, declining mental health

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:36 GMT

Veterinarians in Canada say they are experiencing extreme burnout and plummeting mental health due to staff shortages, a booming number of animal patients and the round-the-clock stress of the job.Neil Pothier, a veterinarian since 1985 who runs an animal hospital in Digby, N.S., said caring for animals has never been easy, but it’s a job he’s always loved.“But now, all day long, people are talking about burnout and thinking of quitting,” Pothier said following a meeting with veterinarians from across Nova Scotia. “We are struggling to try and make it.”Pothier said the increased workload, which in many rural areas comes with on-call emergency care 24 hours a day, is resulting in severe stress and exhaustion that has worsened over time. “People are just at the point where they don’t know what to do. And there is already a high suicide rate in the country in our profession, which is terrifying.”Survey data compiled in 2020 suggests that veterinarians in Canada were f...

Patchy morning fog gives way to sunny skies and mild temps

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:36 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- The city woke up to some patchy fog this morning. This will mix out a bit later this morning. We have another mild day on tap, with highs climbing to the upper 60s and plenty of sunshine. Temperatures overnight dip into the 50s with partly cloudy skies. The warming trend continues Monday through Wednesday, where highs will reach the upper 70s and get close to some records.  A front comes through Wednesday night and will bring some rain chances and drop temperatures back to normal.

WATCH: Brenton Doyle’s top nine web gems from 2023 season

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:36 GMT

Rockies Gold Glove finalist Brenton Doyle packed his rookie season with brilliant plays and finished with 19 Defensive Runs Saved, the sixth-most among all position players in the majors and most of any center fielder in baseball:Ranking the top nine plays for the Rockies’ No. 9:No. 9: Routine dive, Aug. 15, Coors FieldFor most center fielders, it was a highlight-reel play. For Doyle, it was business as usual. In the eighth, he sprinted to shallow right-center, dove and robbed Arizona’s Gabriel Moreno of a bloop single to notch the third out of the inning. Colorado reliever Matt Koch saluted from the mound.No. 8: Surprise, surprise! Sept. 12, Coors FieldThe Cubs’ Cody Bellinger cracked a line drive to right-center in the first inning and coasted into second base with what he thought was a double. Maybe he forgot about Doyle’s arm. Whatever the case, Doyle scooped up the ball and threw a strike to shortstop Alan Trejo, who tagged out a shocked Bellinger. Color...

Broncos Journal: Predicting how Denver’s final nine games will play out

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:36 GMT

The Broncos are not done yet.Denver won two straight games before the bye week, leading to the decision to stand pat at the trade deadline and attempt to make a postseason push in the second half. The Broncos have a 5% chance of making the playoffs, according to the New York Times, so the odds are slim.Since Denver (3-5) plans to fight until the bitter end, let’s try to predict how the rest of the season could play out.at Buffalo Bills (Nov. 13)Let’s get wild. The Broncos are motivated, and the week off shouldn’t take away that fire. Buffalo is 2-2 in its last four games, while each matchup has been decided by six points or fewer. The Bills have not been the best at defending the run, allowing 122 yards per game. Denver will pound the football, and the defense will force Bills quarterback Josh Allen to throw a couple of interceptions. Prediction: Winvs. Minnesota Vikings (Nov. 19)The Vikings have won three straight after starting the season at 1-4. But they recently lost quarterback...