Three Things for March 1
1. At least 36 dead, scores injured as trains collide in Greece
At least 36 people were killed when a passenger train traveling from Athens to Thessaloniki collided with a freight train on Tuesday, Feb. 28, in Tempi, Greece which is close to the city of Larissa.
The train, carrying over 350 passengers on it, changed lanes and switched onto a cargo track where it collided head-on with the freight train, according to the ERT.
“As you understand this is a terrifying process for parents and relatives who are here. We will help them as much as we can,” said Greek Health Minister Thanos Plevris, speaking outside the hospital in Larissa.
Among the 36 dead, there are 66 people being treated for their injuries in the hospital as well as six in the intensive care unit. Recovery efforts are in progress within the first carriages of the train, and the Greek Fire Service expects the death toll to rise.
For updates on the collision click here.
2. Severe weather breaks out across the United States
The United States is experiencing a surge of severe weather storms from snow in southern California to extreme winds in the Oklahoma and Texas regions.
Michigan will be experiencing severe ice storms for a second week in a row, with most of the damage from the prior week still not cleared. This storm is also headed to the New England area, with schools in Hartford, Connecticut and Providence, Rhode Island already closing in anticipation for the winter storm.
Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas were struck with wind storms containing hail and rain. Almost 175 storms have been recorded for the area and nine tornadoes were reported on Monday, Feb. 27. Only injuries and property damage have been reported as of now.
Snow is set to keep falling in west coast states, and the power lines can not keep up. Over 55,000 power outages have been reported from California as of Monday.
Along with these severe storms, southern states are set to receive summer levels of heat, with states such as Florida and Texas seeing temperatures into the 90s.
For more information, read here.
3. Malaysian reptile enthusiast opens reptile cafe
Yap Ming Yang, a Malaysian citizen who has an interest in herpetology, the study of reptiles, has opened Malaysia’s first reptile cafe on the outskirts of the nation's capital, Kuala Lumpur.
Similar to the concept of a cat or dog cafe, those who visit are able to sit down and interact with animals such as snakes and lizards while they eat and drink. Yap has cultivated this environment to try and give these reptiles the same perception as the common household animals.
“People only care about furry animals, cats, dogs, but people always leave out reptiles and snakes,” said Yap. “So I hope showing the public how interesting (they) are, we can cause them to have a better outlook on reptiles and less loved animals.”
For more information, read here.
