The UK government is in a face-off with the House of Lords over its contentious migration bill

Published Thu, 28 Mar 2024 09:10:44 GMT

The UK government is in a face-off with the House of Lords over its contentious migration bill LONDON (AP) — The U.K. government watered down some parts of its controversial immigration legislation on Tuesday in a bid to get the bill through Parliament, but stuck by other measures, setting off a new tussle with opponents.The Illegal Migration Bill, once passed, would require officials to detain and deport people who cross the English Channel to Britain in small boatsThe Conservative government has pledged to “stop the boats” — a reference to the overcrowded dinghies and other small craft that cross from northern France carrying migrants who hope to live in the U.K. More than 45,000 people arrived in Britain by crossing the Channel in this way in 2022; several died in the attempt.The bill has been approved by the House of Commons, where the governing Conservatives have a majority, but faced strong opposition in the unelected House of Lords, which has the power to amend but not block legislation.The Lords sent the bill back to the House of Commons with 20 amendments removing so...

Did you know Colorado has one of the world's best drum corps?

Published Thu, 28 Mar 2024 09:10:44 GMT

Did you know Colorado has one of the world's best drum corps? DENVER (KDVR) — The Nuggets secured their championship, the Broncos are practicing for the season, and the Rockies, unfortunately, have the third-most losses in the MLB this season. But there is another local competitive group you can cheer on this summer.Few people know that Colorado has a World Class drum and bugle corps in what's known as "Marching Music's Major League." The league is called Drum Corps International, or DCI, and the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps from Denver are one of the best groups in the world. No ‘Taygating’ without tickets at Eras Tour this weekend The Blue Knights were formed in 1958 by local television stars Fred and Fae Taylor. According to the corps website, they have been especially successful since 2004, when the DCI World Championship was held at Invesco Field at Mile High.There were 22,000 people watching that year as the Blue Knights returned to the finals. The corps has been in the top 12 every year since then, except their first season back ...

Woman accused of stealing exotic monkey, marine life from 3 different pet stores bonds out of jail

Published Thu, 28 Mar 2024 09:10:44 GMT

Woman accused of stealing exotic monkey, marine life from 3 different pet stores bonds out of jail A woman accused of stealing a marmoset monkey and exotic marine life from three different pet stores has bonded out of jail. On Tuesday, Milena Wood, 53, did not say a word about the missing monkey. She spent the night behind bars after police tracked her down and arrested her Monday evening. Pepe the marmoset is still nowhere to be found.“The monkey has a very good possibility of still being alive,” Lazaro Sardinas said.Sardinas, who is with Robert’s Pet Shop, told 7News that investigators who searched Wood’s home gave him hope. “They found evidence of the cage where it was kept, the food it was fed,” he said.Pepe was swiped from his cage inside the pet shop at Redland Market Village last Friday. A woman was caught on camera reaching into the cage and then took off. Two businesses that sell sea life, saw her face on TV and sent the video to 7News of the same lady, who two weeks earlier, was reaching into aquariums and took expensive co...

Police search for suspect accused of stealing $150K worth of merchandise from consignment store in Weston

Published Thu, 28 Mar 2024 09:10:44 GMT

Police search for suspect accused of stealing $150K worth of merchandise from consignment store in Weston Police are on the search for a suspect accused of stealing designer purses worth tens of thousands of dollars. Surveillance cameras captured the thief swiping high-end luxury bags and accessories from Season 2 Consign LLC, located at 2900 Glades Circle, Monday night. “It was very devastating,” said Alex Caban, director of operations at Season 2 Consign. “This is our home, right? And we felt very violated,” she continued. The small business contained accessories from brands like Hermes, Fendi, Louis Vuitton, Gucci and other upscale brands. “We’re not a retail store, so we don’t have people coming in and out, they wouldn’t even know our suite number,” said Alex Caban, director of operations at Season 2 Consign. “It just seemed intentional.”The bag bandit used a flashlight to make his way through the business and went straight to the merchandise room. The suspect then kicked down the door and got away with more than $150,000 in merchandise. “T...

Booker T. Washington High School athletes gifted CPR and first aid training kit

Published Thu, 28 Mar 2024 09:10:44 GMT

Booker T. Washington High School athletes gifted CPR and first aid training kit A South Florida high school football team received a gift that could mean the difference between life and death.The American Heart Association teamed up with Baptist Health and provided young athletes at Booker T. Washington High School with a CPR and first aid training kit for youth sports.The kit is packed with everything needed to train up to 20 people in sports related injuries and medical emergencies of the heart.“The kit will enable them for years to come to teach their student athletes how to respond to recognize a sudden cardiac arrest, and perhaps save a life in the future,” said Dr. Eli Friedman, director of sports cardiology at Baptist Health. The state of the art kit also includes a CPR dummy and portable defibrillator.

Lakeland mom of 7 graduates as class valedictorian

Published Thu, 28 Mar 2024 09:10:44 GMT

Lakeland mom of 7 graduates as class valedictorian LAKELAND, Florida (WFTS) — On July 7, 2023 — Ashley Payne gave a Valedictorian speech in front of a crowded auditorium in Lakeland.The 35-year-old mother was also her high school Valedictorian.But when you hear her story, you realize these two achievements are just bookends to an incredible journey that started after high school graduation.“I wasn’t able to continue because I immediately got a pulmonary embolism which is not something that an 18-year-old usually gets,” she said.Sidelined from school because of her health Payne came back home to focus on her family.In 2019, more than 10 years after a wedding and five kids later — she said felt healthy enough to try again.And again, she was met with tragedy.“My mother, who was my greatest cheerleader through everything she ended up passing away,” she said.But at her lowest — Payne said words written on a sticky note from the heart of her daughter Lorelai Payne kept her going.“Aim for the moon,...

Local students spend two weeks at sea with Boston-based nonprofit

Published Thu, 28 Mar 2024 09:10:44 GMT

Local students spend two weeks at sea with Boston-based nonprofit Eighteen students from Boston International Newcomers Academy recently sailed back into Boston Harbor after a once-in-a-lifetime voyage. The students sailed with the Boston-based nonprofit World Ocean School, spending two weeks aboard the Denis Sullivan ship. Together, the students lived like sailors and worked alongside the ship’s crew to keep the vessel up and running. “They stand watch,” said World Ocean SchooL Executive Director Eden Leonard. “They steer the ship. They do all the chores.”Leonard said students learned navigation, ways to tie knots, and more. “[M]eanwhile, they’re building community amongst themselves,” Leonard said. All of the students on the voyage are new immigrants to the US. On their trip, their destination was Ellis Island — the first stop for millions of immigrants in years past.“These students all recently immigrated here to the US,” Leonard said. “They’ve been in the country only a yea...

Healey Takes Court To Give Summer Nights A Bounce

Published Thu, 28 Mar 2024 09:10:44 GMT

Healey Takes Court To Give Summer Nights A Bounce The sounds of basketballs hitting the pavement, loud pop music and stomping feet marked the kickoff of this year’s summer programming meant to give young people a fun and safe place to go at night.Under a beating sun in Hyde Park on Tuesday morning, Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll shot hoops with kids and members of community organizations that receive funding through the state for the programming.The Department of Conservation’s “Summer Nights Program,” now in its ninth year, is expanding its reach, Healey said.“There’s really nothing more important than looking after the health and wellbeing of our young people working together to make sure that they have opportunities, that they have safe neighborhoods, that they have healthy lives,” Healey said, standing on the basketball court at Francis D. Martini Memorial Shell Park in Boston.The Summer Nights Program provides recreational and education opportunities for people ages 13 to ...

Officials showcase upgrades at Gillette Stadium

Published Thu, 28 Mar 2024 09:10:44 GMT

Officials showcase upgrades at Gillette Stadium Crews at Gillette Stadium recently showed off some of the facility’s big changes ahead of the upcoming Patriots season, showcasing amenities ranging from a new massive screen at the stadium to changes to Gillette’s popular lighthouse.Now 21-years-old, Gillette Stadium is nearing the end of a massive $250 million renovation project. Stadium officials opened the doors on Tuesday, holding a walkthrough of the nearly completed construction site. Officials provided details on upgrades that include a new and enhanced 22-story lighthouse, a 360-degree observation deck and a high-resolution scoreboard. Sixty feet tall and 360 feet wide, the scoreboard is the largest outdoor video board in the country. This year, Gillette will also have new premium space, added and improved concession locations and new restrooms. The main attraction, though, will be the video board, which is equivalent to half an acre in total surface area.“It is going to allow us to not just show one continuo...

Swampscott police looking to ID suspect behind attempted bank robbery

Published Thu, 28 Mar 2024 09:10:44 GMT

Swampscott police looking to ID suspect behind attempted bank robbery Police in Swampscott are asking for the public’s help as they work to identify a man who attempted to rob a bank on Paradise Road.The Swampscott Police Department said it was just after 8 a.m. on Monday, July 10, when the suspect entered a Salem 5 Bank and approached a teller, handing them a note that allegedly demanded money.According to officials, the teller proceeded to not give the suspect any cash, leading to him collecting the note and fleeing the scene through the Swampscott Mall parking lot, heading towards Essex Street.Police described the suspect as a white male who appeared to be in his mid- to late-50s and had blonde facial hair and green/blue eyes. Swampscott PD also shared several images of the suspect on Facebook that were taken from a surveillance camera.Anyone with information on the incident or the suspect is asked to contact the police department at (781) 595-1111.