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Navigating the mental health epidemic: Challenges and solutions for a connected world

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:24 GMT

Today, we are confronted with the alarming threat of mental health disorders and a growing social divide worldwide. Shockingly, one out of every eight individuals on the planet is affected by some form of mental health issue, and tragically, every 40 seconds, someone takes their own life, writes Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar (pictured).An increasing number of individuals are experiencing feelings of being lost, lonely, or invisible. People are becoming more disconnected from one another, as well as from their own inner selves. This leads to heightened stress on an individual's nervous system, which can ultimately lead to a downward spiral of discontent, depression, and even suicidal ideations. Such a negative outlook on life only serves to contribute to further societal polarization and violence.As the world oscillates between extremes of aggression and depression, the growing impact of this endemic is causing widespread socio-economic disruptions. The challenges have only intensifie...

LAPD volunteer identified, recovering after being swarmed by bees in Encino

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:24 GMT

A Los Angeles Police Department volunteer is on the mend and recovering in the hospital after he was attacked by a swarm of bees in Encino Monday.The volunteer identified only as "Gary" was stung anywhere from 50-100 times as he tried to help with traffic control in a residential neighborhood that was actively being terrorized by a swarm of aggressive bees.Gary is an Air Force veteran who has been an LAPD volunteer for nearly 18 years. The terrifying attack happened around 5 p.m. on the 17100 block of West Adlon Road. "It was gut-wrenching," said his son, Daniel, who watched the events unfold on live TV. "I couldn't even believe it. It looked so painful. It’s easy to criticize after the fact, but at the time, I'm sure everyone was doing the best they can or was not sure what to do, but it was just horrible. I was yelling at the screen going, ‘Why aren’t people helping? This is ridiculous. Go out, please help.’"The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to the scene for a report ...

Athletics tie it on Ryan Noda’s grand slam in seventh, win it in 12th against Diamondbacks

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:24 GMT

OAKLAND — The Athletics tied it in the seventh inning on a two-out grand slam from Ryan Noda and Esteury Ruiz singled home a run in the 12th for a 9-8 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks at the Coliseum before what was left of a crowd of 3,261.Austin Pruitt (1-1) was the winning pitcher with three scoreless innings of relief despite the presence of a free lead runner. Scott McGough (1-1) took the loss for Arizona. matching Pruitt until the 12th.Ruiz lined a one-hopper off Nick Ahmed with one out, bringing in Ramon Laureano with the winning run.Laureano opened the inning at second and after Shea Langeliers struck out, Jace Peterson was walked intentionally. Nick Allen then reached on an infield single to load the bases, and a Ahmed couldn’t field a smash by Ruiz, allowing the game-winning run to sore.Allen and Laureano also had solo home runs for the A’s, the first for Allen and the fourth for Laureano. For Arizona, Christian Walker hit a two-run shot in the first (hi...

Noda hits tying grand slam in 7th, A’s beat Diamondbacks 9-8 in 12 innings

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:24 GMT

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Ryan Noda hit a tying grand slam in the seventh inning, Esteury Ruiz drove in the winning run with an infield single that bounced off Arizona shortstop Nick Ahmed in the 12th and the Oakland Athletics beat the Diamondbacks 9-8 on Tuesday night.The A’s came back from deficits of 2-0 and 8-4, winning on a walkoff hit for the second time in five days. Austin Pruitt (1-1) pitched the final three innings for the victory.“We just keep coming in every day believing that we can beat anybody who comes out on that field against us,” Noda said.Both teams wasted scoring opportunities late.Arizona had two on in the eighth and one on in the 11th but couldn’t cash in. The A’s had two on in the 10th and 11th but also failed to score.With Ramón Laureano starting the 12th at second base, Scott McGough (0-4) struck out Shea Langeliers before an intentional walk to Jace Peterson. Nick Allen, who homered in the fourth, then reached on an infield single before Ruiz’s winner in fron...

Muere un veterano del ejército estadounidense en una “descarga” de artillería rusa en Bakhmut

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:24 GMT

(CNN) — Un soldado retirado de las Fuerzas Especiales del Ejército de Estados Unidos fue identificado como el ciudadano estadounidense muerto por la artillería rusa esta semana en la asediada ciudad de Bakhmut, según un amigo cercano y el fundador de un grupo sin ánimo de lucro que trabaja en Ucrania.El sargento retirado Nicholas Maimer se encontraba en un edificio de Bakhmut que se derrumbó tras ser alcanzado por fuego de artillería, según el teniente coronel retirado Perry Blackburn, fundador de la organización sin ánimo de lucro AFGFree, con la que Maimer trabajaba en Ucrania.Los ucranianos que estaban con Maimer creían que había quedado atrapado en el edificio derrumbado o que había muerto por una “andanada” de fuego de artillería ruso, dijo Blackburn.“Llegaron a la posición en la que estaban, la artillería empezó a entrar con fuerza y el edificio empezó a derrumbarse. Fue entonces cuando la mayoría de los estadounidenses y ucranianos que estaban allí pud...

Por ausencia de Biden, Australia cancela la cumbre de líderes del Quad

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:24 GMT

SIDNEY, Australia – El primer ministro de Australia, Anthony Albanese, anunció este miércoles la cancelación de la cumbre de seguridad de los líderes del Quad, que integran Australia, India, Estados Unidos y Japón, por la ausencia de última hora del presidente estadounidense, Joe Biden.“La reunión de los líderes del Quad no se celebrará en Sidney la próxima semana”, dijo Albanese en rueda de prensa sobre esta cumbre programa para el próximo miércoles.La decisión se da horas después de que la Casa Blanca anunciara que Biden regresará a Estados Unidos el domingo tras asistir a la cumbre de G7 que se celebra en Japón, debido a que tiene que negociar el techo de la deuda en su país.La cancelación de viaje de Biden obligó a posponer la cita donde se iba a reunir en la ciudad australiana con Albanese y sus homólogos Fumio Kishida y Narendra Modi, primeros ministros de Japón e India, respectivamente, en la cumbre del Diálogo Cuadrilateral de Seguridad (Quad, siglas en ing...

Australia rules out Quad summit going ahead in Sydney without Biden, but Modi still plans visit

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:24 GMT

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has ruled out a so-called Quad summit taking place in Sydney without President Joe Biden, saying the four leaders will talk at the Group of Seven meeting this weekend in Japan. Albanese said Wednesday he understands why Biden pulled out of the summit to focus on debt limit talks in Washington since they are crucial to the economy. The summit including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida had been scheduled for May 24. “The blocking and the disruption that’s occurring in domestic politics in the United States, with the debt ceiling issue, means that, because that has to be solved prior to 1st June — otherwise there are quite drastic consequences for the U.S. economy, which will flow on to the global economy — he understandably has had to make that decision,” Albanese told reporters.Biden “expressed very much his disappointment” at being unable to come to the Sydney summit an...

Right groups call on Pakistan not to try ‘arsonists’ from political protests in military courts

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:24 GMT

ISLAMABAD (AP) — A leading international rights group and a local watchdog are calling on Pakistan not to try civilians who were involved in recent anti-government protests before military courts.Amnesty International and Human Rights Commission of Pakistan issued separate statements late Tuesday, saying they were alarmed by the government’s plan to bring supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan who clashed with police and rioted across the country to trial under military rules. Military trials in Pakistan are usually held behind closed doors, depriving civilians of some of their basic rights, including contracting a lawyer of their choice. A wave of violence engulfed Pakistan’s capital and other urban areas following the dramatic arrest of Khan — now opposition leader — from a courtroom in Islamabad on Tuesday last week. Angry Khan supporters torched buildings and vehicles and attacked police and military personnel and facilities. The clashes killed 10 people; aut...

3 dead as heavy rains in northern Italy burst riverbanks, flood towns

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:24 GMT

ROME (AP) — Officials in northern Italy warned residents to get to higher ground Wednesday amid fears that rain-swollen rivers would again burst their banks, after flooding killed at least three people and forced the evacuation of some 5,000.The mayor of the city of Cesena, Enzo Lattuca, posted a video early Wednesday on Facebook to warn that continued heavy rains in the Emilia-Romagna region could again flood the Savio river and smaller tributaries. He urged residents to move to upper floors of their homes and avoid riverbanks, and announced the closure to traffic of some bridges and streets after heavy flooding sent rivers of mud sloshing through town.“The situation could again become critical,” he said. “We cannot in any way lower our guard.”Civil Protection Minister Nello Musemeci confirmed three people had been killed and some 5,000 people evacuated.The deputy chief of the agency, Titti Postiglione, said the rescue operations for those needing emergency evacuations were particu...

Smart ball technology to be trialed at rugby’s U20 world championship

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:24 GMT

World Rugby will trial smart ball technology at the under-20 world championship in South Africa next month, assisting officials in getting more accuracy about lineouts, potential forward passes and whether the ball has crossed the try line.The trial comes after match officials expressed a desire for innovations to be explored to support accurate and quick decision-making. There are no plans for the technology to be implemented at the Rugby World Cup in France in September and October, but could offer a glimpse into the future of the game.The smart ball will be tracked in 3D and in real time, with beacons positioned around the field to determine the exact position of the ball up to 20 times per second and provide immediate feedback on every kick, pass and throw.The technology will ensure lineouts are taken from the spot the ball left the field of play and provide instantaneous feedback about whether a lineout throw is straight by measuring the angle from release to the moment it̵...