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No longer in the days of ‘Baywatch:’ local aquatic centers struggle to staff new lifeguards

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:22 GMT

Staffing struggles have hit many industries across the U.S. — including community pools, which are scrambling to hire lifeguards for the summer season.The American Lifeguard Association, which is based in Vienna, Virginia, says about half of the nation’s 309,000 public pools will be forced to close their doors or reduce hours if more lifeguards aren’t hired and trained this summer. But the pool season has already begun.Cynthia Brown, the aquatic coordinator of the Greenbelt Aquatic Center, told WTOP that, in addition to young adults, she is also reaching out to people who used to be lifeguards and those that have applied in the past and may still be interested.“It’s been very tough. It’s just not a job that people are looking for anymore,” she said. “When we were younger, children looked up to being the lifeguard. We had TV shows; we had ‘Baywatch.’ We had all of these TV shows that made us look like the real hero. And it’s not l...

Estrogen-only pills used as HRT raised blood pressure in study. Experts weigh in

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:22 GMT

(CNN) — People who use estrogen-only pills during menopause were more likely to be diagnosed with high blood pressure than those using patches or creams, a new study found. However, doctors who treat menopause say estrogen-only pills are rarely prescribed for high-risk patients, and the overall benefits of hormone replacement therapy far outweigh the risks for many patients.Hormone replacement therapy, or HRT, can be given as estrogen only, progesterone only or estrogen plus progesterone, to combat symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes, chills, night sweats, sleep problems, mood changes and vaginal dryness and pain during sex. Most of the time, the dual formation uses progestin, a synthetic version of progesterone.People taking estrogen-only pills during menopause were 14% more likely to be diagnosed with high blood pressure than those using estrogen-only patches, the study found. When compared to people using estrogen-only vaginal creams or suppositories, those taking the...

Road blocked off after water main breaks in Pembroke Pines

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:22 GMT

Crews responded to a water main break in Pembroke Pines which has caused a road closure in the area.On Monday morning, the Pembroke Pines Police Department announced in a tweet that Southwest Third Street, between 70th Avenue and 68th Avenue, have been blocked off due to a water main break. The breakage occurred at 6900 S.W. 3rd St. which is causing flooding in the area. Live video footage showed the water bubbling in a significant crack on the street. The local water department was on the scene as they worked to stop the leak.Police officers and fire rescue crews were also on the scene to block off the roadway.Residents in the area may be advised to not drink the tap water as the water could be contaminated. Please check back on WSVN.com and 7News for more details on this developing story.

Miami Lakes Educational Center senior shines as an outstanding student

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:22 GMT

Amidst the pursuit of academic excellence and memorable moments with friends, one senior at Miami Lakes Educational Center stands out as a remarkable student deserving of accolades and more. Melanie Fernandez has proven herself to be a true multitasker, excelling in both her studies and extracurricular endeavors.From engaging in lighthearted activities with her peers to taking on the role of a teaching assistant in the robotics lab, Fernandez demonstrates exceptional dedication to her passions. Notably, she recently showcased an impressive animation during a presentation, captivating her audience with her creative talent.“I’ve always wanted to create things or be a part of something to make a change,” said Fernandez.Already well on her way to success, she boasts an impressive resume filled with multiple internships and published research. She has made significant strides in the field of medicine, focusing on Alzheimer’s disease at the University of Miami. ...

Belgium to probe pro-Ukraine militia using its guns inside Russia, PM says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:22 GMT

BRUSSELS — Belgium is opening an investigation into whether weapons it sent to Ukraine have been used by pro-Ukraine Russian paramilitaries to launch attacks in Russia’s Belgorod region, Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said Monday.“We have asked our intelligence and military services to analyze this,” De Croo told public broadcaster RTBF, after an investigation from the Washington Post released over the weekend showed that members of pro-Ukraine Russian volunteer groups carried Belgian-made SCAR assault rifles during an assault on Russian towns.“We are asking the Ukrainians to clarify the situation,” De Croo said, adding he was not able to confirm the information.“But the rule is clear: Our weapons that are provided to Ukraine are naturally [intended] for defensive purposes of the Ukrainian territory,” De Croo added.In January, Belgium approved its largest military aid package to Ukraine to date, worth €90 million. The package included SCAR...

Belgian police arrest 8 in fresh mafia raids

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:22 GMT

Belgian police conducted new raids Monday against the ‘Ndrangheta, a mafia organization from the southern Italian region of Calabria. “I can announce to you today that the federal prosecutor’s office today has carried out new searches in our country,” Belgian Justice Minister Vincent Van Quickenborne told reporters at the sidelines of an event to fight drug-related violence in Antwerp, adding that it’s the “second operation” by Belgium against the ‘Ndrangheta. An earlier mega raid was carried out in May against the mafia organization which, according to Van Quickenborne, accounts for 80 percent of the cocaine imported to Europe. Eight people were arrested during the most recent searches across Belgium, the federal prosecutor’s office confirmed in a follow-up press release. They are preliminarily charged with drug trafficking and crime organization. Weapons, drugs, money and luxury goods were also seized during the raids, Van Quic...

EU extends import curbs on Ukrainian grain: diplomats

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:22 GMT

The EU executive is set to announce the extension until mid-September of temporary import curbs on Ukrainian grain and oilseeds that were due to expire Monday, three EU diplomats said on Monday. “The Commission has informed Member States of their proposal to that effect this morning,” one of the diplomats said. “Since the Commission has the authority to do so, effectively this will be in place from tomorrow.”The bans were imposed in April by a group of frontline EU countries, led by Poland, in an attempt to clear a supply glut that has built up in the wake of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine last year and subsequent blockade of its Black Sea ports. Brussels retroactively ratified the curbs last month. ”It’s completely understandable that the Commission does not want to jeopardize the possibilities for grain exports from Ukraine at this stage. At the same time one wonders about the precedent it’s set by rewarding a unilateral trade blockade by some member states with a be...

Keir Starmer: Speak up if you’ve got Labour harassment complaints

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:22 GMT

Keir Starmer urged anyone with allegations of sexual harassment against Labour politicians to “come forward,” as the party deals with the fallout from a series of misconduct claims.The U.K. opposition leader was speaking in Somerset days after the suspension of MP Gareth Davies.Davies lost the Labour whip pending an investigation after POLITICO reported on allegations he subjected five younger female colleagues to unwanted sexual attention. Davies has said he does not “recognize” the allegations, adding: “If I have inadvertently caused offence to anyone, then I am naturally sorry.”The long-serving MP’s suspension has prompted renewed soul-searching in the party over the way it deals with such complaints. A review of Labour’s internal processes has already been ordered by General Secretary David Evans.Speaking to reporters Monday, Starmer said he was “obviously concerned about any allegations of this nature, whether that’s in the Labour Party, in p...

Wagner’s feud with Russian army escalates amid reports of not-so-friendly fire

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:22 GMT

The feud between the mercenaries of the Kremlin-connected Wagner Group and the ordinary Russian army appears to be escalating, amid reports of exchanges of friendly fire.Russian soldiers shot at Wagner paramilitaries near Bakhmut — the eastern Ukrainian town which has seen brutal attritional battles for territory — destroying a truck, the mercenary group claimed Sunday evening.In response, Wagner claimed to have detained the commander of the Russian army’s 72nd brigade, on Monday releasing a video of him appearing to confess to giving the order to fire on the mercenaries’ vehicle, claiming he did so while drunk because he personally disliked the group. The officer, who introduced himself as Lieutenant-Colonel Roman Gennadievich Venivitin, appeared to have been roughed up by his captors.The video came after Wagner released a statement, signed by a “commander” of the group, stating that he had received information that members of the official Russian army ...

State trooper rescues baby deer in Holyoke

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:22 GMT

A Massachusetts state trooper rescued a baby deer that was found in a busy roadway in Holyoke over the weekend.Trooper Timothy Martin stopped on his way home from work to assist motorists who were trying to corral the deer and keep it from being struck by traffic on I-91. The fawn was later returned to its mother.