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CBS News
2 days ago
- CBS News
Workers' "racist words" caught on high school graduation live stream, Massachusetts town says
An unknown number of employees were placed on administrative leave after they were allegedly captured on a live stream making racist remarks while setting up for a Massachusetts high school graduation. It happened Friday ahead of the Lynnfield High School graduation. A camera was set up to stream the ceremony for people at home to watch. The feed was rolling with audio and video while town workers could be seen setting up chairs. Lynnfield High School graduation According to a statement by the Lynnfield Town Administrator Robert Dolan and Assistant Town Administrator Robert Curtin, the workers can be heard "using inappropriate and racist words." The remarks were heard by people who were waiting to watch the graduation, the town said. In the statement, the town officials said the employees have been identified and placed on administrative leave, pending a full investigation. "We, as town leaders, stand together in outrage over what has been reported this evening and wish to state emphatically that racist language and behavior has no place in our town and will be dealt with immediately," the statement said. "It is especially regrettable that this incident took place on what is and should be a night to celebrate our incredible seniors. Such incidents, however, must be confronted directly and openly and a full investigation and appropriate action will be taken." Lynnfield School Committee member response The town did not specify how many employees have been placed on leave or identify them. School Committee member Jamie Hayman issued a statement following the incident. "We can't ignore the fact that this incident took place at a school event and students were watching. By now, hundreds of Lynnfield Public Schools students have heard these words. And just as importantly, they are now watching what we do next," Hayman said. "If we treat this only as a personnel issue, we miss a critical opportunity, to lead, to grow, and to teach. We must show our students that their community stands firmly against hate and discrimination." No further information is currently available.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Town employees placed on leave after racist remarks heard on Lynnfield High School grad. livestream
An unknown number of town employees of Lynnfield have been placed on administrative leave after racist language was heard during a livestream of the Lynnfield High School graduation on Friday. In a statement released by Town Administrator Robert J. Dolan and Assistant Town Administrator Robert E. Curtin, they said: At 7 p.m. this evening I was informed that, during a live streaming of the Lynnfield High School graduation, town employees were overheard using inappropriate and racist words. This video and audio feed was seen and heard by people waiting to watch the graduation. The individuals in the video have been identified and I have placed them on administrative leave pending a full investigation of the video and any other evidence. The Select Board, Superintendent of Schools and Police Chief have all been informed of the allegations and we shall begin the investigation immediately. We, as town leaders, stand together in outrage over what has been reported this evening and wish to state emphatically that racist language and behavior has no place in our town and will be dealt with immediately. It is especially regrettable that this incident took place on what is and should be a night to celebrate our incredible seniors. Such incidents, however, must be confronted directly and openly and a full investigation and appropriate action will be taken. Boston 25 has reached out to the Lynnfield Superintendent and Lynnfield School Committee for comment, but has yet to hear back. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
Time of India
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Humanitarian needs remain pressing month after Myanmar's deadly quake
AP file photo BANGKOK: The humanitarian needs of hundreds of thousands of survivors remain desperately pressing a month after Myanmar 's deadly earthquake, compounded by airstrikes that the military government is reportedly carrying out despite ceasefires meant to aid relief efforts during the country's civil war. The 7.7 magnitude March 28 quake hit a wide swath of the country, causing significant damage to six regions and states, including the capital, Naypyitaw. Myanmar's Department of Meteorology and Hydrology reported Monday that there had been 157 aftershocks after the big quake, ranging in magnitude from 2.8 to 7.5. Quake death toll rises State-run MRTV television reported on Sunday the quake's death toll had reached 3,769, with 5,106 people injured and 107 still missing. The earthquake left many areas without power, telephone or cell connections and damaged roads and bridges, in addition to tens of thousands of buildings. In some quake-hit areas, bereaved relatives and friends of the disaster's victims on Monday offered donations to monks, a Buddhist tradition to transfer merit and blessings to the deceased. Military airstrikes continue A report released Monday by the Myanmar Witness project of the London-based Centre for Information Resilience said the group had documented 80 post-quake airstrikes by the military across multiple regions, including 65 after the army declared its unilateral ceasefire on April 2, following similar declarations by its battlefield foes. Myanmar has been in turmoil since the army's 2021 takeover ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, which led to nationwide peaceful protests that escalated into armed resistance, uniting pro-democracy activists and ethnic minority guerrilla groups that have long been fighting for autonomy "Myanmar's population was already on its knees after years of SAC aggression and armed conflict," said Myanmar Witness project director Robert Dolan, referring to the military's ruling State Administration Council. "The layers of suffering are hard to comprehend - we've seen regions wrecked by war and then the earthquake, only to sustain further damage from continued airstrikes." The shadow National Unity Government, the main opposition group coordinating resistance to military rule, said Saturday in a statement that the post-quake bombings "have primarily targeted civilian areas - markets, residential zones, Buddhist monasteries, and Christian churches - resulting in the deaths of over 200 civilians, including at least 24 children, from March 28 to April 19, 2025." The military government hasn't directly commented on the airstrikes, but when it extended its ceasefire on April 22, it reserved the right to respond as "necessary" to certain activities by the resistance forces. Independent evaluation of most war claims by either side is impossible, due to the military's restrictions on reporting and the remoteness of where many incidents take place. Agencies warn of dire living conditions UN agencies and other humanitarian organisations, meanwhile, stress that living conditions remain dire for earthquake survivors. They note that even before the earthquake, the civil war had displaced more than 3 million people and left nearly 20 million in need. "Critical needs remain for safe shelter, clean water and sanitation, physical and mental health care, comprehensive protection services and cash assistance," the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said Friday in its latest situation report. Many who lost their homes are still in makeshift tents with little to protect them from pre-monsoon storms ahead of the months-long rainy season, which normally begins in May, humanitarian services say. "The delay in removing earthquake debris is increasing the risk of vector-borne diseases, as stagnant water and poor sanitation create breeding grounds for disease-carrying insects," said the UN report. "Limited access to safe drinking water and clean sanitation poses a significant threat of waterborne diseases, compounded by the absence of rapid diagnostic tests, which delays the detection of potential outbreaks." The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said in a report released Monday that displaced people were living outdoors in temperatures of up to forty degrees Celsius, with an overwhelming fear of further aftershocks. Reconstruction starts In Naypyitaw, the damaged buildings of the labour and foreign ministries have been demolished for new construction, said a resident who asked not to be named for security reasons. Debris at markets and schools has been cleaned by municipal workers, while thousands of people, who lost their homes, were still living under tarpaulin sheets, he said. He said that he was told that the departments and offices of several ministries will be temporarily relocated to Yangon, the country's former capital and largest city, until their offices can be rebuilt.
Asharq Al-Awsat
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Humanitarian Needs Remain Pressing a Month After Myanmar's Deadly Quake
The humanitarian needs of hundreds of thousands of survivors remain desperately pressing a month after Myanmar's deadly earthquake, compounded by airstrikes that the military government is reportedly carrying out despite ceasefires meant to aid relief efforts during the country's civil war. The 7.7 magnitude March 28 quake hit a wide swath of the country, causing significant damage to six regions and states, including the capital, Naypyitaw. Myanmar's Department of Meteorology and Hydrology reported Monday there had been 157 aftershocks after the big quake, ranging in magnitude from 2.8 to 7.5. State-run MRTV television reported on Sunday the quake's death toll had reached 3,769, with 5,106 people injured and 107 still missing. The earthquake left many areas without power, telephone or cell connections and damaged roads and bridges, in addition to tens of thousands of buildings. In some quake-hit areas, bereaved relatives and friends of the disaster's victims on Monday offered donations to monks, a Buddhist tradition to transfer merit and blessings to the deceased. A report released Monday by the Myanmar Witness project of the London-based Centre for Information Resilience said the group had documented 80 post-quake airstrikes by the military across multiple regions, including 65 after the army declared its unilateral ceasefire on April 2, following similar declarations by its battlefield foes. Myanmar has been in turmoil since the army's 2021 takeover ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, which led to nationwide peaceful protests that escalated into armed resistance, uniting pro-democracy activists and ethnic minority guerrilla groups that have long been fighting for autonomy 'Myanmar's population was already on its knees after years of SAC aggression and armed conflict,' said Myanmar Witness project director Robert Dolan, referring to the military's ruling State Administration Council. 'The layers of suffering are hard to comprehend — we've seen regions wrecked by war and then the earthquake, only to sustain further damage from continued airstrikes.' The shadow National Unity Government, the main opposition group coordinating resistance to military rule, said Saturday in a statement that the post-quake bombings 'have primarily targeted civilian areas — markets, residential zones, Buddhist monasteries, and Christian churches — resulting in the deaths of over 200 civilians, including at least 24 children, from March 28 to April 19, 2025.' The military government hasn't directly commented on the airstrikes, but when it extended its ceasefire on April 22, it reserved the right to respond as 'necessary' to certain activities by the resistance forces. Independent evaluation of most war claims by either side is impossible, due to the military's restrictions on reporting and the remoteness of where many incidents take place. Dire living conditions UN agencies and other humanitarian organizations, meanwhile, stress that living conditions remain dire for earthquake survivors. They note that even before the earthquake, the civil war had displaced more than 3 million people and left nearly 20 million in need. 'Critical needs remain for safe shelter, clean water and sanitation, physical and mental health care, comprehensive protection services and cash assistance,' the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said Friday in its latest situation report. Many who lost their homes are still in makeshift tents with little to protect them from pre-monsoon storms ahead of the months-long rainy season, which normally begins in May, humanitarian services say. 'The delay in removing earthquake debris is increasing the risk of vector-borne diseases, as stagnant water and poor sanitation create breeding grounds for disease-carrying insects,' said the UN report. 'Limited access to safe drinking water and clean sanitation poses a significant threat of waterborne diseases, compounded by the absence of rapid diagnostic tests, which delays the detection of potential outbreaks." The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said in a report released Monday that displaced people were living outdoors in temperatures of up to forty degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), with an overwhelming fear of further aftershocks. Reconstruction starts In Naypyitaw, the damaged buildings of the labor and foreign ministries have been demolished for new construction, said a resident who asked not to be named for security reasons. Debris at markets and schools has been cleaned by municipal workers, while thousands of people, who lost their homes, were still living under tarpaulin sheets, he said. He said that he was told that the departments and offices of several ministries will be temporarily relocated to Yangon, the country's former capital and largest city, until their offices can be rebuilt.
28-04-2025
- Politics
Humanitarian needs remain pressing a month after Myanmar's deadly quake
BANGKOK -- The humanitarian needs of hundreds of thousands of survivors remain desperately pressing a month after Myanmar's deadly earthquake, compounded by airstrikes that the military government is reportedly carrying out despite ceasefires meant to aid relief efforts during the country's civil war. The 7.7 magnitude March 28 quake hit a wide swath of the country, causing significant damage to six regions and states, including the capital, Naypyitaw. Myanmar's Department of Meteorology and Hydrology reported Monday there had been 157 aftershocks after the big quake, ranging in magnitude from 2.8 to 7.5. State-run MRTV television reported on Sunday the quake's death toll had reached 3,769, with 5,106 people injured and 107 still missing. The earthquake left many areas without power, telephone or cell connections and damaged roads and bridges, in addition to tens of thousands of buildings. In some quake-hit areas, bereaved relatives and friends of the disaster's victims on Monday offered donations to monks, a Buddhist tradition to transfer merit and blessings to the deceased. A report released Monday by the Myanmar Witness project of the London-based Centre for Information Resilience said the group had documented 80 post-quake airstrikes by the military across multiple regions, including 65 after the army declared its unilateral ceasefire on April 2, following similar declarations by its battlefield foes. Myanmar has been in turmoil since the army's 2021 takeover ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, which led to nationwide peaceful protests that escalated into armed resistance, uniting pro-democracy activists and ethnic minority guerrilla groups that have long been fighting for autonomy 'Myanmar's population was already on its knees after years of SAC aggression and armed conflict,' said Myanmar Witness project director Robert Dolan, referring to the military's ruling State Administration Council. 'The layers of suffering are hard to comprehend — we've seen regions wrecked by war and then the earthquake, only to sustain further damage from continued airstrikes.' The shadow National Unity Government, the main opposition group coordinating resistance to military rule, said Saturday in a statement that the post-quake bombings 'have primarily targeted civilian areas — markets, residential zones, Buddhist monasteries, and Christian churches — resulting in the deaths of over 200 civilians, including at least 24 children, from March 28 to April 19, 2025.' The military government hasn't directly commented on the airstrikes, but when it extended its ceasefire on April 22, it reserved the right to respond as 'necessary' to certain activities by the resistance forces. Independent evaluation of most war claims by either side is impossible, due to the military's restrictions on reporting and the remoteness of where many incidents take place. U.N. agencies and other humanitarian organizations, meanwhile, stress that living conditions remain dire for earthquake survivors. They note that even before the earthquake, the civil war had displaced more than 3 million people and left nearly 20 million in need. 'Critical needs remain for safe shelter, clean water and sanitation, physical and mental health care, comprehensive protection services and cash assistance,' the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said Friday in its latest situation report. Many who lost their homes are still in makeshift tents with little to protect them from pre-monsoon storms ahead of the months-long rainy season, which normally begins in May, humanitarian services say. 'The delay in removing earthquake debris is increasing the risk of vector-borne diseases, as stagnant water and poor sanitation create breeding grounds for disease-carrying insects,' said the U.N. report. 'Limited access to safe drinking water and clean sanitation poses a significant threat of waterborne diseases, compounded by the absence of rapid diagnostic tests, which delays the detection of potential outbreaks." The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said in a report released Monday that displaced people were living outdoors in temperatures of up to forty degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), with an overwhelming fear of further aftershocks. In Naypyitaw, the damaged buildings of the labor and foreign ministries have been demolished for new construction, said a resident who asked not to be named for security reasons. Debris at markets and schools has been cleaned by municipal workers, while thousands of people, who lost their homes, were still living under tarpaulin sheets, he said. He said that he was told that the departments and offices of several ministries will be temporarily relocated to Yangon, the country's former capital and largest city, until their offices can be rebuilt.
