Pope discusses health, the ditched peace prayer in Fatima and LGBTQ+ Catholics in airborne briefing

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 22:51:05 GMT

Pope discusses health, the ditched peace prayer in Fatima and LGBTQ+ Catholics in airborne briefing ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE (AP) — Pope Francis said Sunday his recovery from his latest abdominal surgery is going well and stressed that he ditched speeches during his five-day trip to Portugal and spoke off-the-cuff not because he was tired or feeling unwell, but to better communicate with young people.Francis was asked about his health en route home from Lisbon, where he presided over World Youth Day festival. It was his first trip since he was hospitalized in June for nine days following last-minute surgery to repair an abdominal hernia and remove intestinal scar tissue.The trip, which came during a heat wave that sent temperatures to 40 degrees C (104F) in Lisbon, was notable because the 86-year-old pontiff deviated so often from his speeches, homilies and even prayers, which are usually drafted months in advance and crafted with specific events and audiences in mind.One of the most notable deviations was a prayer for peace that Francis was supposed to have delivered in the Portugu...

Pedestrian seriously injured after being struck by police car

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 22:51:05 GMT

Pedestrian seriously injured after being struck by police car A pedestrian has suffered serious injuries after being struck by a police car at a west end park.Toronto police said the incident occurred at the south end of Earlscourt Park, near Davenport Road and Lansdowne Avenue around 2 p.m. Sunday. “The pedestrian has been transported to the hospital via emergency run,” police tweeted. “Injuries are serious.”Police indicated that the incident is unrelated to demonstrations taking place at the park. Nine people were injured during a number of violent clashes between participants and protesters at the Festival Eritrean on Saturday and protesters tied up traffic in the area of St. Clair Avenue West and Caledonia Road for several hours. It’s uncertain at this point if the province’s Special Investigations Unit will be called in to investigate.The SIU investigates the conduct of officials that may have resulted in death, serious injury, sexual assault and/or the discharge of a firearm at a person.

Ukraine replaces Soviet hammer and sickle with trident on towering Kyiv monument

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 22:51:05 GMT

Ukraine replaces Soviet hammer and sickle with trident on towering Kyiv monument KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The towering Mother Ukraine statue in Kyiv — one of the nation’s most recognizable landmarks — lost its hammer-and-sickle symbol on Sunday as officials replaced the Soviet-era emblem with the country’s trident coat of arms.The move is part of a wider shift to reclaim Ukraine’s cultural identity from the Communist past amid Russia’s ongoing invasion.Erected in 1981 as part of a larger complex housing the national World War II museum, the 200-foot (61-meter) Mother Ukraine monument stands on the right bank of the Dnieper River in Kyiv, facing eastward toward Moscow.Created in the image of a fearless female warrior, the statue holds a sword and a shield.But now, instead of the hammer-and-sickle emblem, the shield features the Ukrainian tryzub, the trident that was adopted as the coat of arms of independent Ukraine on Feb. 19, 1992.Workers began removing the old emblem in late July, but poor weather and ongoing air raids delayed the work. The completed sculpture wil...

Daimler Truck finance chief dies in “tragic incident,” company says

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 22:51:05 GMT

Daimler Truck finance chief dies in “tragic incident,” company says The chief financial officer of Daimler Truck has died in a “tragic incident,” the company said Sunday.Jochen Goetz, 52, died Saturday, according to a company statement that didn’t specify what happened to him.Goetz spent more than three decades working at the Daimler Group, the Stuttgart, Germany-based automotive giant best known as the maker of Mercedes-Benz luxury cars. The company said Sunday he was “decisively responsible for the successful spin-off” in 2021 of Daimler’s truck division, which is the world’s largest maker of trucks, from the rest of the company that renamed itself Mercedes-Benz Group AG.“The death of Jochen Goetz is a tremendous loss for Daimler Truck, both personally and professionally,” said a statement from Martin Daum, chairman of the company’s board of management, of which Goetz was also a member.The Associated Press

Are you being fooled by food delivery ghost kitchens?

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 22:51:05 GMT

Are you being fooled by food delivery ghost kitchens? FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) — With food delivery on the rise, it seems like there are twice as many restaurants on delivery apps than actual restaurants in your area. You may not even recognize the names of some of them. Why? It turns out, those restaurants you don't recognize are likely not actual restaurants. Instead, they may be ghost kitchens, which are delivery-only options based inside another restaurant's kitchen. In some cases, the "restaurant" may actually be a group of chefs cooking food in a hub for multiple other "restaurants."While ghost kitchens were around before the COVID pandemic, they became more common over the last few years, according to Eater. There are some associated with celebrities, like YouTuber MrBeast and "Jersey Shore" star Pauly D, and others that are a pseudonym for restaurants you know. So how can you tell? One of the easiest ways is to check the address of the location. Food delivery fees add up. Who keeps the money from all those surcharges? Take, f...

Almanacs predict cold, wet winter — but can you trust them?

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 22:51:05 GMT

Almanacs predict cold, wet winter — but can you trust them? (NEXSTAR) — While it’s still summer nationwide, and many states are grappling with record heat, some are already looking ahead to winter. And if you’re tired of the heat, the forecasting from the Farmers’ Almanac and the Old Farmer’s Almanac is looking good for you. But can you really trust the extended forecasts from the almanacs?Like many things, “there are those who believe [them] and those who don’t,” Rich Segal, meteorologist at Nexstar’s KXAN explains. If you’re unfamiliar, the Farmers’ Almanac and the Old Farmer’s Almanac are periodicals that share information on gardening, forecasts for skywatchers, and the widely enjoyed extended forecasts. These forecasts are often released well in advance of the months they cover. The Farmers’ Almanac recently released its winter forecast for 2023-24, while the Old Farmer’s Almanac will do the same in about three weeks.  Majority of states will see a hot August, forecast predicts: Will you be impacted? Both publicati...

Lower Colorado River Authority selects constructor of new power plant

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 22:51:05 GMT

Lower Colorado River Authority selects constructor of new power plant AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) chose Minnesota-based Fagen, Inc. to lead engineering, procurement and construction work on LCRA's upcoming "peaking" power plant.The plant is set to be built near Maxwell in Caldwell County. The natural gas-fired plant is expected to provide roughly 190 megawatts of dispatchable power to the Texas power grid, per an LCRA release.For context, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas said one megawatt can power approximately 200 homes during peak demand times, the release said.Construction is slated to begin later this summer, with the plant anticipated to be operable come 2025. RELATED: Why the LCRA power plant being built in Caldwell County isn’t like other plants The new peaker plant "will be able to ramp up and shut down in minutes to supply power to Texans quickly and efficiently," the release added.“We are pleased to be working with Fagen, Inc. on our new plant, which will add much-needed, cost-effective dispatchable ...

Route 5 eastbound near Amsterdam reopens

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 22:51:05 GMT

Route 5 eastbound near Amsterdam reopens AMSTERDAM, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- State Route 5 near Amsterdam is now open east and west bound after a train derailment in Cranesville caused the closure of the road on August 4. Traffic is reduced to one lane at the site of the derailment. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Route 5 westbound was able to reopen early in the afternoon on Friday. The investigation into the derailment remains ongoing, as do the cleanup efforts. Check out NEWS10's traffic tracker. You can plan your route and see traffic delays in real-time!

Shots fired at Hollywood Casino, woman arrested

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 22:51:05 GMT

Shots fired at Hollywood Casino, woman arrested ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – A woman is in custody after shots were fired inside the Hollywood Casino Sunday afternoon.According to Officer Terry Mancusi, a spokesperson for the Maryland Heights Police Department, the shooting happened just before noon.Maryland Heights officers arrived to assist the St. Charles County Police Department.A source with the Maryland Heights PD says a woman fired shots into the ceiling of the casino. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News SIGN UP NOW Locals visiting the casino Sunday afternoon were shocked to learn of the incident, many not even realizing it happened while they were inside.The suspect was arrested without further incident.Police said several calls were made referencing the same individual for driving erratically outsi...

Tornado Watch issued for bi-state until 10 p.m.

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 22:51:05 GMT

Tornado Watch issued for bi-state until 10 p.m. ST. LOUIS - The National Weather Service issued a tornado watch Sunday for the bi-state region.The watch will be in effect until 10 p.m. and covers 17 counties in southern Illinois and eight counties in eastern Missouri. St. Louis radar: See a map of current weather here Illinois countiesAdamsBondBrownCalhounClintonFayetteGreeneJerseyMacoupinMadisonMarionMonroeMontgomeryPikeRandolphSt. ClairWashingtonMissouri countiesLewisLincolnMarionPikeRallsSt. CharlesSt. LouisSt. Louis City