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Scientists successfully replicate historic nuclear fusion breakthrough three times

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:19:44 GMT

(CNN) — Scientists in California shooting nearly 200 lasers at a cylinder holding a fuel capsule the size of a peppercorn have taken another step in the quest for fusion energy, which, if mastered, could provide the world with a near-limitless source of clean power.Last year on a December morning, scientists at the National Ignition Facility at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California (LLNL) managed, in a world first, to produce a nuclear fusion reaction that released more energy than it used, in a process called “ignition.”Now they say they have successfully replicated ignition at least three times this year, according to a December report from the LLNL. This marks another significant step in what could one day be an important solution to the global climate crisis, driven primarily by the burning of fossil fuels.For decades, scientists have attempted to harness fusion energy, essentially recreating the power of the sun on Earth.After making their historic net energy...

New Bedford man arrested in violent armed home invasion in Taunton that left man shot

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:19:44 GMT

A 22-year-old New Bedford man is facing an armed assault with intent to murder charge in connection with a violent armed home invasion in Taunton on Friday evening that left a man hospitalized with a gunshot wound to the leg, officials said.Joshua Manuel Deleon is facing charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery, assault with a dangerous weapon, armed assault with intent to murder, possessing a firearm during a felony, home invasion, possessing ammunition without an FID card, using body armor during a felony, possessing a firearm with a defaced serial number, and discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling, according to Taunton Police Chief Edward J. Walsh.Officers responding to a 911 call from a home on Newcomb Place found two men struggling on the ground, with one on top of the other, according to police.One man was taken to the hospital with an apparent gunshot wound to the leg.Deleon, who was also injured, was placed under arrest.An inve...

Israel strikes 2 homes, killing more than 90 Palestinians

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:19:44 GMT

More than 90 Palestinians, including dozens from an extended family, were killed in Israeli airstrikes on two homes in Gaza, rescuers and hospital officials said Saturday, a day after the U.N. chief warned that nowhere is safe in the territory and that Israel’s offensive creates “massive obstacles” to distribution of humanitarian aid.U.S. President Joe Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday, calling it a long and private conversation a day after the Biden administration again shielded Israel in the diplomatic arena. On Friday, the U.N. Security Council adopted a watered-down resolution that calls for immediately speeding up aid deliveries to desperate civilians in Gaza, but not for a cease-fire.“I did not ask for a cease-fire,” Biden said of the call. Netanyahu’s office said the prime minister “made clear that Israel would continue the war until achieving all its goals.”Also Saturday, the Israeli military said troops arrested hundreds of alleged milit...

Santa delivers presents to South Boston kids by water taxi (Photos)

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:19:44 GMT

Who says Santa needs reindeer to deliver Christmas presents?Jolly Old St. Nick made an early visit to South Boston and presented three-dozen children there with toys. And he did it all by water taxi!The good ship Alice stood in for Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer on Friday when it pulled up to the St. Regis Residences in South Boston’s Seaport District Friday to bring a little early Christmas cheer to the children of the South Boston Neighborhood House — more commonly called “The Ollie.”The 122-year-old Southie institution says it is helping more than 430 families to provide them with over 1,200 holiday gifts for kids this year, which it said Thursday was the “highest demand for The Ollie’s help over the years!”At around 11 a.m., the children were delighted with presents, hot chocolate and cookies, holiday games and taking part in a selection of Christmas carols.But Santa wasn’t the only famous presence there for the occasion. Blades from Bos...

Study suggests reindeer vision evolved to spot favorite food

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:19:44 GMT

Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer may have millions of carrots set out for him on Christmas Eve, but what about the rest of the year?Finding food in a cold, barren landscape is challenging, but researchers from Dartmouth College in New Hampshire and the University of St. Andrews in Scotland report that reindeer eyes may have evolved to allow them to easily spot their preferred meal.It’s further evidence that while reindeer are famous for pulling Santa’s sleigh, it’s their vision that really sets them apart, says Nathaniel Dominy, a Dartmouth anthropology professor and co-author of a recent study published in the journal i-Perception.“They’ve been sort of obscure and unheralded in the annals of visual neuroscience, but they’re having their moment because they have a really fascinating visual system,” he said in an interview.Scientists have known for years that mirror-like tissue in reindeer eyes changes color from a greenish gold in the summer to vivid blue in the winter, a proces...

Arlington turns on the power (play) to nip BC High, 4-3

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:19:44 GMT

BOSTON – Arlington boys hockey head coach John Messuri figures his team is so young and inexperienced, it’s best not to even focus on its record and to instead put attention toward just improving.But Saturday afternoon at UMass Boston, the No. 14 Spy Ponders (4-0) got the best of both worlds by beating No. 8 BC High, 4-3, for its toughest win amid an undefeated start.The Eagles (0-3) opened their season against MIAA competition by rallying from a two-goal deficit to force a tie game heading into the closing minutes of the third period. Evan Jones’ go-ahead goal from the point with 1:43 left to play ultimately saved the win for Arlington.“We got some breaks and bounces and we got contributions from everybody, but we’re still a work in progress,” Messuri said. “It was good that we could keep up with the pace. BC High plays so fast, that (conference) plays so fast. … For a lot of them, a lot of that first period they had never seen anything like that before. I thought our D handled it....

Man facing several charges following robbery, assault of woman in Mississauga

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:19:44 GMT

A 36-year-old Mississauga man is facing several charges following a robbery and assault of a sex worker last weekend.Peel police say the man met the woman at a Mississauga hotel for a pre-arranged appointment on Dec. 16. Following their interaction, the man requested additional services and when the woman declined, he became upset.“Despite having his money returned, the accused proceeded to assault the victim and held her against her will when she tried to escape,” police said in a release.After the woman screamed for help, the man fled taking some of her belongings in the process.Police say the woman did not sustain any serious physical injuries.On Dec. 22, police arrested David Piperni of Mississauga and charged him with robbery, forcible confinement, uttering threats and two counts of failing to comply with bail conditions.Police say at the time of his arrest Piperni was out on bail for similar offences.Investigators believe there may be other victims and are encourag...

Hawaii announces first recipients of student loan payment program for health care workers

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:19:44 GMT

HONOLULU (AP) — The state has announced the first recipients of a program aimed at helping medical professionals pay off student loans in exchange for a two-year commitment to provide care in Hawaii.Gov. Josh Green on Friday thanked state lawmakers for providing $30 million to fund the program. An additional $5 million contribution came from Lynn and Marc Benioff to pay student loans for health care workers specifically on Hawaii island, where the Benioffs have a home, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported. Marc Benioff is co-founder, chairman and CEO of Salesforce and owns Time magazine.Green, who is also a doctor, plans to solicit similar contributions from potential benefactors to help pay off more student loans. He wants the Hawaii Healthcare Education Loan Repayment Program to become a national model. The state said each of 492 health care workers will have up to $100,000 in loans paid as part of the first round of the program. Health care workers who get their loans paid off a...

Woman wanted in violent assault in Danforth neighbourhood

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:19:44 GMT

Toronto police are looking to identify a woman wanted in connection with a violent assault in the city’s Danforth neighbourhood.Investigators say a man in his 20s was inside a Circle K store at a gas station in the area of Greenwood and Danforth Avenues when a woman he did not know assaulted him with a sharp object just after midnight on Dec. 23.He managed to flee the scene and call police before he was taken to a nearby hospital to be treated for non-life threatening injuries.The woman is described as being approximately 30 years of age, five-foot-nine, 165 pounds with short black hair. She was last seen wearing a dark hoodie with a white Reebok logo, blue jeans and brown boots.Anyone with information is asked to contact police.

University researchers confirm fire-generated tornado over B.C. lake in viral video

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:19:44 GMT

LONDON, Ont. — Researchers at Western University say they’ve confirmed that a fire-generated tornado occurred in British Columbia this summer after a video of the “rarely observed” event went viral back in August. In a blog post, researchers from the university’s Northern Tornadoes Project say they began an extensive investigation after the video was posted showing an “intense vortex” over Gun Lake in southwest B.C. during a “raging nighttime wildfire.” They say the investigation was very careful because it’s the first case of a fire-generated tornado recorded by the research team at the Northern Tornadoes Project. The post says the investigation involved the help of witnesses, and they were able to pinpoint the time and location of the fire tornado on Gun Lake’s north shore around 4:45 a.m. on Aug. 18. Researchers say terminology around the phenomenon is “still developing,” but clarified that the Gun Lake occur...