- Kyrgyzstan opens rare probe into glacier destruction
- European Mediterranean states discuss Middle East, migration
- Djokovic proves staying power as progresses to Shanghai semi-finals
- Hurricane Milton leaves at least 16 dead as Florida cleans up
- Britain face 'ultimate challenge' in America's Cup duel with New Zealand
- Lebanon calls for 'immediate' ceasefire in Israel-Hezbollah war
- Nihon Hidankyo: Japan's A-bomb survivors awarded Nobel
- Thunberg leads pro-Palestinian, climate protest in Milan
- Boat captain rescued clinging to cooler in Gulf of Mexico after storm Milton
- Tears, warnings after Japan atomic survivors group win Nobel
- 'Unspeakable horror': the attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
- Stock markets diverge before China weekend briefing
- Christian villagers 'trapped' in south Lebanon crossfire
- Sabalenka sets up Gauff showdown in Wuhan semis
- EU questions shopping app Temu over illegal products risk
- Kim Sei-young holds lead with late birdies at LPGA Shanghai
- Toulouse welcome Dupont 'boost' as Olympic star returns to Top 14
- Japanese atomic bomb survivor group Nihon Hidankyo wins Nobel Peace Prize
- Deadly Israeli strike on Beirut likely targeted Hezbollah security chief
- Bangladesh Islamist chief backs crimes against humanity trial for ex-PM
- Everest climber's remains believed found after 100 years
- 20 Pakistan coal miners shot dead in attack
- Clashes on South China Sea, Ukraine dominate Asia summit
- Han Kang's books sell out in South Korea after Nobel win
- Zelensky meets Pope, Scholz as whirlwind Europe tour ends
- Hello Hallyu: why is South Korean culture sweeping the globe?
- UK economy rebounds in August in boost to new govt
- Voice of Japan's beloved robot cat 'Doraemon' dies
- Shanghai markets sink ahead of briefing on mixed day for Asia
- Investors, analysts eye bigger China stimulus at Saturday briefing
- 20 Pakistan coal miners shot dead in attack: police
- Blinken condemns China's 'increasingly dangerous' sea moves
- Toyota returns to Formula One as Haas partner
- EU chief says China must 'adapt its behaviour' to solve trade row
- Musk unveils robotaxi, pledges it 'before 2027'
- Lynx rally, stun Liberty in overtime in WNBA Finals opener
- Pogacar hunting 'perfect' season finale with Coppi's Il Lombardia record
- 'Soul of old Baghdad': city centre sees timid revival
- Kittle at the double as Niners hold off Seahawks
- At least 11 dead in Florida but Hurricane Milton not as bad as feared
- Yankees advance in MLB playoffs as Guardians stay alive
- Asian markets mixed after Wall St drop, Shanghai dips before briefing
- Automaker Stellantis says CEO will retire in 2026
- Musk's promised robotaxi unveil delayed
- Kamada says Japan can close in on World Cup place against Australia
- On US coast, wind power foes embrace 'Save the Whales' argument
- Renewables revolt in Sardinia, Italy's coal-fired island
- Argentina held, Brazil leave it late in 2026 World Cup qualifiers
- Obama blasts 'crazy' Trump in first rally for Harris
- 2024 Nobel Peace Prize, a plea in favour of world order?
Boat captain rescued clinging to cooler in Gulf of Mexico after storm Milton
A fishing boat captain left clinging to a cooler in the Gulf of Mexico off Florida in the wake of Hurricane Milton has been rescued, the US Coast Guard said.
A Coast Guard helicopter crew rescued the captain Thursday, about 30 miles (48 kilometers) from Longboat Key, and brought him to a Tampa hospital for treatment, the military branch said in a statement.
"This man survived in a nightmare scenario for even the most experienced mariner," Dana Grady, the US Coast Guard's Sector St. Petersburg command center chief, said in a statement.
"To understand the severity of the hurricane conditions, we estimate he experienced approximately 75-90 mph (120-145 kph) winds, 20-25 foot seas, for an extended period of time to include overnight," Grady said.
"He survived because of a life jacket, his emergency position indicating locator beacon, and a cooler."
The man was the captain of a fishing vessel that broke down on Monday along Florida’s Gulf coast.
He and a crew member were rescued by a Coast Guard aircrew and the boat was left at sea while salvage arrangements were made.
But early Wednesday, the captain returned to the stricken vessel to attempt repairs, and the boat's owner reported him unaccounted for as the monster storm approached.
When reached by radio, the captain told the Coast Guard the rudder had been compromised while returning to port, leaving him stranded.
Authorities lost contact with him later in the day, just hours before Milton made landfall as an "extremely dangerous" Category 3 hurricane.
Approximately 19 hours later, wearing a life jacket and clinging to the cooler, the captain was rescued Thursday by a Coast Guard helicopter crew -- for the second time this week.
L.Harper--AMWN