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Blinken says US is ready to respond to escalation or targeting of US forces during Israel-Hamas war

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:54 GMT

REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. (AP) — Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Sunday the United States expects the Israel-Hamas war to escalate through involvement by proxies of Iran and asserted that the Biden administration is prepared to respond if American personnel or armed forces become the target of any such hostilities.“This is not what we want, not what we’re looking for. We don’t want escalation,” Blinken said. “We don’t want to see our forces or our personnel come under fire. But if that happens, we’re ready for it.”Blinken’s warning came as Israel’s military response to a deadly Oct. 7 attack by Hamas on civilians in communities in southern Israel entered its third week. Israeli warplanes struck targets across Gaza overnight and into Sunday, as well as two airports in Syria and a mosque in the occupied West Bank allegedly used by militants as the war threatened to engulf more of the Middle East. Israel has traded fire with Lebanon’s Hezboll...

Swift bests Scorsese at box office, but ‘Killers of the Flower Moon” opens strongly

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:54 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — In a movie match-up almost as unlikely as “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer,” Martin Scorsese took on Taylor Swift in cinemas over the weekend. And while the box office belonged for a second time to “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour,” Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon” got off to a strong start in Apple Studios’ first major theatrical gambit.After a record-breaking opening weekend of $92.8 million, “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” took in an estimated $31 million over the weekend from 3,855 locations, according to AMC Theaters. In an unconventional deal, the theater chain is distributing Swift’s concert film, and playing it only Thursdays through Sundays.Most Swifties rushed to see the film on opening weekend, when a large percent of sales were driven by advance ticketing. Sales dropped a steep 67% in its second weekend, potentially signifying that “The Eras Tour” was predominantly an opening-weekend phenomenon.But “The Eras Tour” has still proved to be a movie event unlike any...

European cities see vigils to oppose antisemitism and rallies seeking relief for Gaza

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:54 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Thousands of people joined vigils in Berlin and London on Sunday to oppose antisemitism and support Israel, while in Paris and other cities, thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators demanded a cease-fire and relief for people in the besieged Gaza Strip.Some of those who gathered in front of Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate carried Israeli flags or posters with photos of some of the more than 200 people seized by Hamas as hostages during the militants’ deadly Oct. 7 incursion into Israel.“It is unbearable that Jews are living in fear again today — in our country of all places,” President Frank-Walter Steinmeier told the crowd, estimated at 20,000 by organizers and 10,000 by police. “Every single attack on Jews, on Jewish institutions is a disgrace for Germany. Every single attack fills me with shame and anger.”Earlier, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz inaugurated a new synagogue in the eastern city of Dessau and said he was “outraged” by the upsurge in antisemitism since ...

Teen killed in four-wheeler crash in Northwest Indiana

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:54 GMT

NEW PRARIE, Ind. — A 14-year-old is dead after striking an object at a high rate of speed while they were driving an off-road vehicle Saturday afternoon in LaPorte County, according to conservation officers.The crash happened around 4:30 p.m. in the 3900 block of North County Road 350 East in New Prarie. 2 injured after shooting in Walgreens on North Side: CPD According to Indiana Conservation Officers, the teen was driving a four-wheeler on private property when they hit something.The teen was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, conservation officers said.The LaPorte County Coroner's Office hasn't identified the teen.The crash is still under investigation.

Does chicken soup really help when you’re sick?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:54 GMT

(The Conversation) - Preparing a bowl of chicken soup for a loved one when they’re sick has been a common practice throughout the world for centuries. Today, generations from virtually every culture swear to the benefits of chicken soup. In the U.S., the dish is typically made with noodles, but different cultures prepare the soothing remedy their own way.Chicken soup as a therapy can be traced back to 60 A.D. and Pedanius Dioscorides, an army surgeon who served under the Roman emperor Nero, and whose five-volume medical encyclopedia was consulted by early healers for more than a millennium. But the origins of chicken soup go back thousands of years earlier, to ancient China.So, with cold and flu season in full swing, it’s worth asking: Is there any science to back the belief that it helps? Or does chicken soup serve as just a comforting placebo, that is, providing psychological benefit while we’re sick, without an actual therapeutic benefit?As a registered dietitian a...

How Texas compares to the cost of living in Europe

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:54 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Everything is bigger in Texas, including the cost of living, at least when compared to Europe, according to a recent data study.“While the Euro has long been more valuable than the American dollar, the cost of living in the United States is significantly higher than across Europe on average,” the study said.SmartAsset, a financial technology company, looked at the cost of living in each U.S. state and compared the numbers to the 38 countries in Europe.The study said each state was compared to the most similar European country. The cost of living was based on data for basic monthly costs for a single adult in 2023, according to SmartAsset.Here is how Texas compared.According to the study, Finland and Texas shared a similar cost of living.“The median cost of living in Texas is $2,555 per month, which is most comparable to the basic costs of Finland ($2,527),” the study said.Like the Lone Star State, Utah, Delaware and Minnesota also were closely similar to Finland’s co...

Project Connect seeks applicants to guide anti-displacement, equity efforts

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:54 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — With the first investment light rail route for Project Connect approved, the Austin Transit Partnership is seeking volunteers to help guide anti-displacement and equity matters as part of the transit entity's community advisory committee.ATP is accepting applications through Nov. 17 to serve on the board. The committee is responsible for helping shape and oversee displacement prevention efforts, design principles to support people of all abilities, relay and aid in any community questions on design and construction efforts along with community involvement opportunities.Courtney Chavez, the senior vice president of equity and community partnerships at ATP, told KXAN the 11 community members who have sat on the inaugural committee helped focus on equity concepts like land use and housing development along the project corridor."[The CAC was] directly involved in the conversations around the changes to the initial light rail implementation plan and provided their own adv...

Chicago Bears vs. Las Vegas Raiders: Everything you need to know about the Week 7 game before kickoff

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:54 GMT

The 1-5 Chicago Bears will play the 3-3 Las Vegas Raiders at Soldier Field in a Week 7 matchup. Here’s what you need to know before kickoff (noon, FOX).‘I’ve pretty much beat every odd that there was for me’Five years ago, Tyson Bagent was beginning his collegiate career at Division II Shepherd, in Shepherdstown, W.Va., his local university and the alma mater of his parents. He had received just two Division I FCS offers — and no FBS offers — despite leading his high school team to two state championships.Less than six months ago, he went unselected in the NFL draft despite a record-breaking collegiate career and solid performance at the Senior Bowl.Seven weeks ago, after a strong training camp and preseason, he beat out veteran PJ Walker to make the Bears roster despite entering camp as the fourth quarterback.Now, on Sunday when he takes the field against the Raiders, Bagent will become just the fourth undrafted rookie quarterback since 1990 to s...

Business People: Target Corp. announces two key executive retirements

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:54 GMT

OF NOTEJohn MulliganTarget Corp., Minneapolis, announced the retirements of John Mulligan, executive vice president and chief operating officer, effective February 2024, and Laysha Ward, executive vice president and chief external engagement officer. The company also announced that Matt Zabel has been named chief corporate affairs officer and Kiera Fernandez has been promoted to executive vice president and chief community impact and equity officer. In 2014, Mulligan served as interim president and CEO of Target.AGRICULTURESyngenta, a Switzerland-based global provider of agricultural products and services with operations in Minnesota, announced the appointment of Jeff Rowe as chief executive officer effective Jan.1, and Hengde Qin as chief financial officer, effective Dec 1. Rowe currently is president, Syngenta Crop Protection, the company’s largest business unit. Its Minnesota operations stem from its acquisitions of seed producers Golden Harvest and Northrup-King. … T...

Motorcyclist and good Samaritan killed in Newfield crash

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:54 GMT

NEWFIELD, N.Y. (WETM) -- Two men were hit and killed by a vehicle in Newfield on Friday night after one of them crashed his motorcycle and the other man stopped to help him. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! According to the New York State Police Department, Patrick Robinson, 42, of Ithaca, and Mathew J. Poplawski, 34, of Schenectady, were hit by a vehicle on the 2500 block of Elmira Road (state Route 13) at about 9:35 p.m. on Oct. 20. Both men were pronounced dead at the scene.Police say Robinson lost control of his motorcycle on the wet roads, and his motorcycle was lying down when Poplawski stopped to help him. While Poplawski was assisting Robinson, the men were hit by a vehicle that was being driven by a 57-year-old Illinois man. Schenectady Police investigating State Street homicide The driver of the vehicle is cooperating with the New York State Police Department, and alcohol does not appear to be a factor in the crash....