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Biden to meet with pope’s Ukraine peace envoy, with the plight of children top of cardinal’s agenda

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:58:24 GMT

ROME (AP) — President Joe Biden will meet with Pope Francis’ peace envoy on Tuesday as part of the Holy See’s peace and humanitarian initiatives for Ukraine, the White House and Vatican said Monday.Cardinal Matteo Zuppi’s visit to Washington, which lasts through Wednesday, follows his recent mission to Moscow and an earlier stop in Kyiv, where he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre confirmed Biden would meet with Zuppi on Tuesday to “discuss the widespread suffering caused by Russia’s brutal war in Ukraine.” In a statement, she said they would also “discuss efforts by the United States and Holy See to provide humanitarian aid to those affected, and the Papal See’s focus on repatriating Ukrainian children forcibly deported by Russian officials.”Zuppi is a veteran of the Catholic Church’s peace initiatives and has been tasked by Francis to try to find “paths of peace” between the warring sides.In...

Judge strikes down law allowing Tennessee attorney general to argue certain death penalty cases

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:58:24 GMT

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Republican lawmakers violated the Tennessee Constitution when they passed a law this spring giving the state attorney general more authority to argue certain death penalty cases, according to a judge’s ruling Monday.The new law allows the attorney general to step in and take over post-conviction capital cases. But Shelby County Judge Paula Skahan said that’s unconstitutional because it removes the power of the locally elected district attorney to argue them. The state attorney general is an appointed position, not elected.The office of Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti said it will appeal Monday’s decision, which affects death row inmate Larry McKay’s motion for another trial based on new evidence. Some attorneys and Democratic lawmakers say the new law targeted progressive district attorneys who have expressed reluctance to pursue the death penalty. Attorneys for inmates fear the state could use the law to argue against considering DNA evide...

After heat wave, wildfires force thousands to flee seaside resorts outside Greek capital

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:58:24 GMT

LOUTRAKI, Greece (AP) — Wildfires outside Athens forced thousands to flee seaside resorts, closed highways and gutted vacation homes Monday, as high winds pushed flames through hillside scrub and pine forests parched by days of extreme heat. Authorities issued evacuation orders for at least six seaside communities as two major wildfires edged closer to summer resort towns and gusts of wind hit 70 kph (45 mph). The army, police special forces and volunteer rescuers freed retirees from their homes, rescued horses from a stable, and helped monks flee a monastery threatened by the flames. Before nightfall, water-dropping planes and helicopters tackled the flames near Lagonisi, some 40 kilometers (25 miles) southeast of the capital. The second large wildfire broke out in a wooded area near the resort town of Loutraki, some 90 kilometers (55 miles) west of Athens, where a children’s summer camp and rehabilitation center for seniors were evacuated, local officials said.Fire Service s...

Digital publication fights CRA finding that it does not produce ‘original news’

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:58:24 GMT

OTTAWA — A digital publication is asking the Federal Court to review a decision by the Canada Revenue Agency that prevents it from accessing incentives for journalism.The Academic Journalism Society, which runs The Conversation Canada, is seeking a judicial review of the agency’s decision after an advisory board found it did not engage in the production of original news content.In a court filing submitted last week, the publication rejects the agency’s conclusion that it’s not a qualified Canadian journalism organization — a designation that allows it to claim a journalism tax credit. “We were just a bit surprised,” said Scott White, The Conversation Canada’s CEO and editor in chief.“We actually thought it should have been a bit of a no-brainer.”The Academic Journalism Society said its authors conduct firsthand reporting through independent research. The claim said The Conversation’s authors are academics who collaborate with edi...

A St. Louis area police officer is charged with kidnapping and beating a man until his jaw broke

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:58:24 GMT

ST. LOUIS (AP) — A suburban St. Louis police officer charged with assault and kidnapping for allegedly beating a man until his jaw broke was arrested Monday, St. Louis County police said. The charges stem from a July 4 arrest that Northwoods officer Samuel Davis made without informing dispatchers or writing a report, according to the probable cause statement. St. Louis County police said Davis, 26, handcuffed a man, then turned off his own body camera before driving him to a secluded spot outside the north St. Louis town. Davis then pepper-sprayed the man, beat him with a baton and told him not to return to Northwoods.A witness called 911 after finding the bloodied man. Police said the victim’s jaw was broken, among other serious injuries. St. Louis Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell issued a warrant for Davis’ arrest Friday, and police arrested him Monday in Fayetteville, North Carolina. “These actions put a black eye on all law enforcement officer who are doing their job...

MUST-WATCH: Beefs, Bears, and Impossible Missions

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:58:24 GMT

Tom Cruise’s latest group of insane stunts has entered the MUST-WATCH! But will it reign from the top spot or could it go to a classic mainstay of summer? Perhaps the latest summer tv sensation? You’ll have to keep reading to find out!The Summer I Turned Pretty (Season 2)Where to watch: Prime VideoLet’s start off with some summer love!The second season of the Summer I Turned Pretty is out now! When we last left Belly (played by Lola Tung) she had found herself in a love triangle with two of her best friends, the brothers Conrad (played by Christopher Briney from Dalíland) and Jeremiah (played by Gavin Casalegno from Noah). As their mother’s cancer is worsening, can the three find themselves being friendly again? Or will summer love get in the way? This show also stars Rachel Blanchard (from Peep Show), Alfredo Narciso (from the Two Princes), and Colin Ferguson (from Eureka).You can watch this show on Prime Video now!Unknown: Cave of BonesWhere to watch: Netfl...

Blinken urges Congress to act on delayed ambassadorial nominations

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:58:24 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday urged the Senate to move forward with votes on more than 60 diplomatic nominations, including 38 ambassadors, that have been stalled due to objections by individual lawmakers. In a letter to all 100 senators and in public comments, Blinken said delays in confirmation votes for these nominees constitute a national security risk. Blinken said 35 of the 38 ambassadorial nominees are career foreign service officers who have served in both Republican and Democratic administrations.“Vacant posts have a long-term negative impact on U.S. national security, including our ability to reassure allies and partners, and counter diplomatic efforts by our adversaries,” Blinken wrote in the letter. In particular he pointed to China and Russia as the main beneficiaries of Senate inaction.Blinken singled out Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky as the main impediment. Paul has put a blanket hold on all State Department nominees, citing the...

How Jewell Loyd's parents inspired her record-breaking WNBA All-Star Game performance

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:58:24 GMT

LAS VEGAS — It was a historic weekend for a native of the Chicago area as the best in the WNBA took the floor in Las Vegas. For Jewell Loyd, it was actually a way to make her parent's big day a little extra special. The Lincolnwood native and former Niles West standout scored a WNBA All-Star Game record 31 points for the team being led by Breanna Stewart, helping them to the 143-127 win over Team A'ja Wilson at Michelob Ultra Arena on Saturday night. Loyd was 10-22 from the field with all her made field goals coming from behind the three-point line, where she went 10-21. It was enough to earn her the game's Most Valuable Player Award as she lifted up the new and much bigger trophy after the contest.So what motivated this big performance?"I think I played hard because my parents didn't have a gift for their anniversary, so I think this will be acceptable," said Loyd. "I hope it is. So it was more so to kind of gift for my parents."It's the first MVP award for Loyd in her fifth-consec...

How Benjamin Franklin laid groundwork for the US dollar by foiling early counterfeiters

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:58:24 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Benjamin Franklin was so busy as an inventor, publisher, diplomat and U.S. founding father that it’s easy to lose track of his accomplishments.Add one more to the roster: his early work in printing colonial paper currency designed to counter a constant threat of counterfeiting.Franklin was an early innovator of printing techniques that used colored threads, watermarks and imprints of natural objects such as leaves to make it far harder for others to create knockoffs of the paper bills he printed. A team at Notre Dame University has shed new light on his methods via advanced scanning techniques that reveal some of Franklin’s methods in greater detail — along the way, also providing one more reason Franklin appears on the $100 bill.The new research, published Monday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, describes data gathered with techniques such as spectroscopy, which uses laser light to identify particular elements in test samples, and electro...

Sam's Club announces $20 membership for teachers – here's how to get one

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:58:24 GMT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (WDAF) – Sam’s Club has announced a new membership deal for educators before the next school year.The retailer is offering a limited-time membership offer for teachers and administrators that gives them 60% off a standard Sam's Club membership, making the membership $20.The membership offer starts Monday, July 17 and runs through Tuesday, Aug. 15. Should you push over these stacks of rocks? Here’s what NPS says you should do You can redeem the offer online or in person at Sam's Club stores. To qualify, you have to be a new member and work as a state-licensed/certified teacher, principal, assistant principal or school employee at a school that is pre-K through 12th grade. The deal also covers college and university professors. Vice President of Membership at Sam’s Club Scott Ludwig said the company hopes that this new membership option helps teachers save money while getting their classrooms student ready.“We know that educators continue to dip into their own walle...