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US military leaders head to Israel and will offer advice on shifting to the war’s next phase in Gaza

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 18:13:43 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The top two U.S. military leaders are traveling to Tel Aviv to advise the Israeli government on how to transition from major combat operations against Hamas in Gaza to a more limited and precise campaign — the kind of strategic shift they both have considerable expertise in.Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. CQ Brown served in leadership roles as U.S. airpower and ground forces moved from major combat to lower-intensity counterterrorism operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. But it is not clear how deeply their advice from lessons learned will resonate with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s governmentIsrael is still stinging from the deadliest attack ever on its homefront and has pledged to continue its bombardment of Gaza until Hamas, which orchestrated the Oct. 7 attacks, is fully destroyed.Their trip highlights the increased efforts by the Biden administration to convince Israel that it should scale back its offensive, which has f...

Estranged spouse charged with murder of Newfoundland woman seven years after death

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 18:13:43 GMT

ST. JOHN’S, N.L. — Police have charged the estranged husband of a woman from Newfoundland’s Great Northern Peninsula with first-degree murder in a case that stretches back seven years.Jennifer Hillier-Penney disappeared on Nov. 30, 2016 in St. Anthony, N.L., and the RCMP said today they are still searching for her remains.RCMP Insp. Tracy Edwards said that investigators have collected enough evidence to lay charges against Dean Penney, in what she described as a case of intimate partner violence.Edwards declined to provide information on why the investigation required seven years before charges could be laid, other than to indicate it is a “complex” case. The inspector told reporters that the 50-year-old accused was arrested in Deer Lake, N.L., on Friday in the middle of the day.She said he is expected to make a brief appearance in provincial court today.This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 16The Canadian Press<!– Photo: 2023121...

It’s raining microplastics: Hurricane Larry dropped plastic particles all over N.L.

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 18:13:43 GMT

When hurricane Larry made landfall in Newfoundland and Labrador in 2021, the powerful storm brought heavy rain and wind across the province — and millions of microplastic particles originating from the Atlantic Ocean, researchers from Dalhousie University have found.“So we have a saying … it’s raining cats and dogs,” Tony Walker, a professor in Dalhousie’s school for resource and environmental studies, said in an interview. “But now it’s raining cats and dogs and microplastics.”Larry offered researchers a unique opportunity because the hurricane never flew over land between its formation off the western coast of Africa and its landfall in Canada. The storm, however, passed through a patch of the North Atlantic where thousands of tonnes of rubbish accumulate.“What was important about this hurricane is typically hurricanes kind of pass through the Caribbean and then come up through Florida and the United States, and they probably would h...

Cardinal is convicted of embezzlement in big Vatican financial trial, sentenced to 5 1/2 years

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 18:13:43 GMT

VATICAN CITY (AP) — A Vatican tribunal on Saturday convicted a cardinal of embezzlement and sentenced him to 5 ½ years in prison in one of several verdicts handed down in a complicated financial trial that aired the city state’s dirty laundry and tested its justice system.Cardinal Angelo Becciu, the first cardinal ever prosecuted by the Vatican criminal court, was absolved of several other charges and nine other defendants received a combination of guilty verdicts and acquittals among the nearly 50 charges brought against them during a 2 ½ year trial.Becciu’s lawyer, Fabrizio Viglione, said he respected the sentence but would appeal.Prosecutor Alessandro Diddi said the outcome “showed we were correct.”THIS IS BREAKING NEWS: The previous story is belowA once-powerful cardinal and nine other people learn their fates Saturday when a Vatican tribunal hands down verdicts in a complicated financial trial that has aired the tiny city state's dirty laundry and tested its justice s...

The states that are — and aren't — raising their minimum wages in 2024

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 18:13:43 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — While it seems that inflation is seeming to ease in some categories, the cost of nearly everything is still high. A recent analysis even determined most American households would need to spend an additional $10,000 or even more to afford the same goods and quality of life they had in early 2021. Fortunately for some, more than half the country is set to raise their minimum wage in 2024. The federal minimum wage will remain at $7.25 an hour next year, the same rate that it's been since 2009. Twenty states will remain at that level while another 25 and the District of Columbia will mandate an increase. In most cases, the increases are set to take effect on January 1, 2024. In D.C., for example, the minimum wage is currently $17, higher than any other state. That is expected to increase on July 1 based on the Consumer Price Index for the area. You need up to $15,000 more just to live like you did in 2021, analysis finds Come July, Nevada's minimum wage will increase to ...

TGI Fridays chicken bites recalled due to plastic pieces

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 18:13:43 GMT

VAN BUREN, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Over 26,000 pounds of TGI Fridays chicken bites have been recalled due to plastic pieces being found, the USDA announced on Friday.The 15-ounce boxes of "TGI FRIDAYS BONELESS CHICKEN BITES HONEY BBQ CHICKEN" that are being recalled were produced on October 3, 2023, at Simmons Prepared Foods in Van Buren.The recalled item features:Best by date of December 26, 2024Lot code KL3K03Establishment number P-20287 located inside the USDA mark of inspectionThese boxes were shipped to retail locations nationwide, according to the USDA.(Courtesy: USDA)(Courtesy: USDA)(Courtesy: USDA)(Courtesy: USDA)The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) was notified by a firm after they received complaints about clear, hard plastic being found under the breading of the chicken bites.The FSIS says they are concerned that the product may be in consumers' freezers. Those who have the product are urged to not eat them and return them to the place of purchase or throw them...

Ty Chandler gets start for Vikings with Alexander Mattison ruled out

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 18:13:43 GMT

CINCINNATI — Vikings running back Ty Chandler took the biggest handoff of his life on Saturday afternoon at Paycor Stadium.After serving as the backup for the past couple of months, Chandler got his chance as the starter for the Vikings against the Bengals. It seemed to be trending in this direction this week with fellow running back Alexander Mattison nursing an ankle injury.Though he has been working his way toward more playing time, this is the first time Chandler has served as the leadback.It will be interesting to see how the Vikings decide to distribute the reps behind Chandler. The depth chart suggests the kick returner Kene Nwangwu should get some carries as the next man up. There’s also a good chance chance the fullback C.J. Ham takes on a bigger role in the offense.The other inactives for the Vikings included right tackle Brian O’Neill, receiver Jalen Nailor, safety Lewis Cine, left guard Chris Reed, tight end Nick Muse, and quarterback Josh Dobbs, who wi...

Gifts for Guns hopes to create safer streets in Albany

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 18:13:43 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — On Saturday, Victory Christian Church and the Albany County District Attorney’s office had their annual Gifts for Guns event in Albany. For over a decade, Pastor Charlie Muller of Victory Christian Church in Albany has been advocating against gun violence to help create safer streets for residents and especially families. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! “I’m gonna include 30 years of working in the inner city,” Muller said. “Because we’ve gained trust over the years with the kids. I’ve got so many stories of a young kid coming in at Christmas and turning in a handgun.”According to organizers, December is one of the busiest times for the church since they also distribute hundreds of gifts for local children in need.But Pastor Charlie said there is also a need for safer streets since the violence has only gotten worse in the area around Quail Street within the last few years. Organizers say they have been able to c...

Denver Zoo elephant Jake is becoming a long-distance father

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 18:13:43 GMT

One of Denver Zoo’s Asian elephants will become a first-time father sometime in the next year, zoo officials announced this week.Jake, a 14-year-old Asian elephant, helped to artificially inseminate Jade, a 17-year-old Asian elephant that lives at the Saint Louis Zoo, according to a post from the Denver Zoo on Instagram.Jake’s semen was collected at the Denver Zoo and sent to St. Louis to impregnate Jade, according to zoo officials.Jade is now 10 months pregnant with her first calf and is due in late 2024 or early 2025.Related ArticlesNews | Denver-based paleontologist broke new ground with advanced understanding of dinosaur behavior News | Boulder County bighorn sheep was single, ready to mingle … and stuck on a roof News | The wolves are coming to Colorado, and the state has stockpiled explosives and deterrents. How are ranchers preparing? News | Opinion: Out-of-state hunters aren’t the problem. Here̵...

Kobe Bryant video helped bring Ohtani to Dodgers

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 18:13:43 GMT

A 2017 video recorded by Lakers legend Kobe Bryant helped bring slugging and pitching sensation Shohei Ohtani to the Los Angeles Dodgers, ESPN reported.Bryant filmed the minute-long video when the Dodgers first tried to recruit Ohtani, but the Japanese star signed with the Los Angeles Angeles before the team could show it to him.This time around, the Dodgers pulled out the video and it apparently had an impact on Ohtani. “This was one of the highlights of the meeting … strong and touching message,” Ohtani told ESPN.In the video, Bryant urges Ohtani to come to the Dodgers, saying Los Angeles is the city of champions and the best place to win a championship, ESPN’s Jeff Passan said.Passan described Ohtani as being "awe-struck" by hearing Kobe mention his name.