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Iraq opens an investigation into the kidnapping of a missing Israeli-Russian academic

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:12:14 GMT

BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq opened an investigation into the case of a dual Israeli-Russian academic who has been missing in Iraq since March, a government spokesman said Friday.Bassem al-Awadi’s comments were the first official Iraqi statements since Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said Wednesday that Elizabeth Tsurkov is still alive “and we hold Iraq responsible for her safety and well-being.”Netanyahu said Tsurkov is being held by the Shiite group Kataeb Hezbollah, or Hezbollah Brigades, a powerful Iran-backed group that the U.S. government listed as a terrorist organization in 2009.Tsurkov, whose work focuses on the Middle East, and specifically war-torn Syria, is an expert on regional affairs and has been widely quoted over the years by international media. Tsurkov last tweeted on March 21.Tsurkov, who is pursuing a doctorate at Princeton University, is a fellow at the Washington-based think tank New Lines Institute.“Due to the ongoing official investigations into th...

Germany, Austria issue warning to elderly and infirm as heatwave rolls in

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:12:14 GMT

BERLIN (AP) — The German government on Friday warned the elderly, people with health conditions, pregnant women and parents with young children to seek out cool places amid forecasts for a sharp rise in temperatures over the weekend.The country’s weather agency, DWD, predicted the mercury could rise to 35 Celsius (95 Fahrenheit) with high humidity particularly in the west of the country Saturday. The heat will spread eastward by Sunday, reaching highs of 37C (99F), it said.Germany’s Health Ministry urged people to stay indoors, consume enough liquids and avoid strenuous activity, particularly during the day. Austria, where temperatures are expected to reach 35C on Monday, advertised a free hotline for people to get tips on how to cope with the heat.The southern state of Carinthia activated a heat protection plan for more than 900 care homes, hospitals and other sites to identify people who might be particularly vulnerable to high temperatures.Each year, thousands of peop...

Poland starts observances of WWII massacres by Ukrainians that have marred neighborly ties

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:12:14 GMT

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Poland’s prime minister and Catholic church leaders opened several days of observances Friday to honor victims of World War II massacres of tens of thousands of Poles by Ukrainian nationalists, which have marred the tightening strategic relations between the neighboring nations. “We can say that for many years this has been an unhealed wound in Polish-Ukrainian relations,” said Rafal Bochenek, the spokesperson for Poland’s ruling right-wing party. “We would expect truth to be told and things to be called by their proper name,” Bochenek said. Poland says the 1943-44 massacre of some 100,000 Poles by Ukrainian nationalists was genocide. Entire villages were burned down and all their inhabitants killed by nationalists and their helpers who sought to establish an independent Ukraine state. The killings took place in Volhynia and in other regions of what was then eastern Poland under Nazi German and then Soviet occupation, and which are now in west...

What to stream this weekend: Taylor Swift, ‘Lincoln Lawyer,’ ‘Biosphere’ and ‘Wham!’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:12:14 GMT

Taylor Swift’s rerecording of her “Speak Now” and survivalist Bear Grylls taking Bradley Cooper and Rita Ora into the wild are among the new television, movies, music and games headed to a device near you.Among the offerings worth your time as selected by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists are the sci-fi comedy ”Biosphere” starring Sterling K. Brown and Mark Duplass, and a new spin-off series starring Luann de Lesseps and Sonja Morgan from “The Real Housewives of New York City.”NEW MOVIES TO STREAM— Sterling K. Brown and Mark Duplass are the last two men on Earth in the not-too-distant-future sci-fi comedy ”Biosphere,” available in theaters and on demand on Friday from IFC. John DeFore in The Hollywood Reporter wrote that it’s “a mysterious and hilarious pic that really can’t be discussed much without saying things a prospective viewer would be better off not hearing.” “Biosphere” is the directorial debut of Mel Elsyn, who co-wrote the script with Duplass.— If Par...

US priest who runs outreach for LGBTQ+ Catholics tapped by pope to join major Vatican gathering

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:12:14 GMT

ROME (AP) — An American Jesuit who runs outreach ministry for LGBTQ Catholics was been tapped by Pope Francis on Friday to be among participants at a major Vatican gathering of bishops and laypeople later this year. The Vatican unveiled the names of bishops, priests, nuns and laypersons who will take part in the weeks-long meeting that the pope has called for in October. Among those chosen is the Rev. James Martin, who has long been a prominent advocate of greater inclusion of the LGBTQ community in the Catholic church. Official Catholic teaching considers any sexual act outside of marriage between a man and a woman sinful. Ahead of the gathering, known as a synod, there was an unprecedented canvassing of Catholics worldwide, which found that the faithful want to see concrete steps to promote women to decision-making posts as well as a “radical inclusion” of the LGBTQ+ community in the Church.After the pope, in an interview with The Associated Press in January, decried as “unjust” l...

Britney Spears responds to being struck by NBA star's security guard

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:12:14 GMT

(KTLA) – Britney Spears is speaking out after she was struck by an NBA star's security guard. Spears took to social media to release a statement after she was allegedly assaulted by a member of Victor Wembanyama's security team while in Las Vegas on Wednesday night. "Traumatic experiences are not new to me and I have had my fair share of them," her statement started. "I was not prepared for what happened to me last night."She then explained her side of the story."I recognized an athlete in my hotel lobby as I was heading to dinner. I later went to a restaurant at a different hotel and saw him again. I decided to approach him and congratulate him on his success. It was really loud, so I tapped him on the shoulder to get his attention. I am aware of the player's statement where he mentions 'I grabbed him from behind,' but I simply tapped him on the shoulder.""His security then back-handed me in the face without looking back, in front of a crowd," she continued. "Nearly knocking me dow...

The coolest spots on Austin's Hike and Bike Trail to beat the heat

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:12:14 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- If you are one of the 5 million visitors who hit the hike and bike trail around Lady Bird Lake every year, then you are likely looking for the best spots on the trail to cool off.“The best place to sit down, cool off and get away from the heat is under Mopac bridge at Lou Neff Point,” said Jonatan Salinas the Ecological Restoration Coordinator with The Trail Conservancy.Part of Salinas’ job is to make sure the 10-mile trail has enough areas and amenities to keep people safe in the heat.“It is very, very important. If there's no areas for individuals to rest and cool off that can lead to a lot of heat-related illnesses,” said Salinas.That’s why he recommends cooling off in the water on kayaks and paddleboards but says there is a right way to get to the lake.“It's best to enter the lake at a formal access point to not cause any further erosion around the trail,” said Salinas.Austin high boat ramp, Auditorium Shores and of course, the Festival Beach boat ramp are all s...

07/07/2023: Heat and storms this afternoon

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:12:14 GMT

The latest Storm Tracker Forecast from Meteorologist Jill Szwed.Happy Friday! Yesterday was sweltering - a number of spots battled triple digit feels like temperatures. Hopefully you were able to find a way to stay cool.No Heat Advisory today, but you should still be cautious. We are going for an official heat wave today with the third 90-degree days in a row. Feels like temperatures will peak in the low to mid 90s.The past two days have produced some pop-up downpours and storms. Today's storm chances will be more organized with an approaching cold front. Isolated storms could turn severe with damaging winds and flooding downpours between 2 PM and 8 PM.Saturday remains the better of the weekend. It won't be quite as hot with only pop-up storm chances. The heat wave will break with highs tomorrow in the upper 80s; so it's still going to be a little toasty. Our next system arrives Sunday afternoon. Widespread heavy rainfall with isolated flooding issues are expected. One to two inches...

Alzheimer's Association of Northeastern NY celebrates FDA approval of new drug

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:12:14 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Leqembi, an IV drug, is for patients with mild dementia and other symptoms that are caused by early Alzheimer's Disease. The drug is revolutionary for people with the disease and is the first to slow the cognitive decline caused by Alzheimer's. “I’ve waited for the day when we had a treatment that actually targeted one of the causes of Alzheimer’s Disease, and so we’re here," Beth Smith-Boivin, Executive Director of the Alzheimer's Association of Northeastern New York, said. "I’ve heard from so many families that any amount of additional time where they can be well and live in that early stage is so critical to them, so important to them.”  Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The drug received conditional approval from the Federal Drug Administration in January, but as of Jul. 6, 2023 its now fully approved, paving the way for insurance plans and Medicare to cover the treatments. Smith-Boivin said ...

Call overload led to lack of ambulances during Fourth of July

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:12:14 GMT

ST. LOUIS - FOX 2 has uncovered new evidence that highlights the significant impact of fireworks on St. Louis.The St. Louis Fire Department’s workload over the 24 hours from the morning of the Fourth of July to the morning of the fifth is soaring.At one point, the department was so overrun with calls that there was no ambulance for a critically injured teenager.“There’s a ripple effect that I would like people to consider,” said Capt. Garon Mosby of the St. Louis Fire Department.On July 5, around 12:45 a.m., in the 1200 block of Hebert in north St. Louis, a roof caught fire from fireworks. It would be one of 610 fire department responses in those 24 hours.St. Louis firefighters and paramedics know the deluge is coming every year. Mayor refuses to talk about expired tags until he gets 25 push-ups “The root word of fireworks is ‘fire’,” Mosby said standing next to a burned-up car and garage in the 8600 block of Oriole. The fire started on the roof just before midnight, almost certai...