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Pope Francis blasts the weapons industry as he makes a Christmas appeal for peace in the world

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:29 GMT

ROME (AP) — Pope Francis on Monday blasted the weapons industry and its “instruments of death” that fuel wars as he made a Christmas Day appeal for peace in the world and in particular between Israel and the Palestinians.Speaking from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica to the throngs of people below, Francis said he grieved the “abominable attack” of Hamas against southern Israel on Oct. 7 and called for the release of hostages. And he begged for an end to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and the “appalling harvest of innocent civilians” as he called for humanitarian aid to reach those in need.Francis devoted his Christmas Day blessing to a call for peace in the world, noting that the biblical story of the birth of Christ in Bethlehem sent a message of peace. But he said that Bethlehem “is a place of sorrow and silence” this year.Francis’ annual “Urbi et Orbi” (“To the City and the World”) speech typically offers a lament of all the misery facing the world, and this ye...

Ask Amy: All hail the toy kitchen!

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:29 GMT

Dear Readers: A recent question from “Wondering Parents” raised the topic of giving “gender stereotypical” toys to children. (Wondering Parents were admonished for wanting to give a toy kitchen set to their daughter for Christmas.)This question — and my response — brought on a huge response from readers reminiscing about and praising the qualities of toy kitchens. (Who knew?)On this day when so many children are exploring the outer limits of their own capacities for joyful play, here is a sampling of those responses.Dear Amy: More than 30 years ago, our son wanted a toy kitchen for Christmas. My husband was against it (he thought it was a “girl toy” ).Ironically, a grocery store was giving a toy kitchen away. My son won it!He played with that kitchen for years. He is now an incredible chef and loves his craft.Let children play!— ColleenDear Amy: I have two boys — ages six and three — who show every sign of loving gender-typical toys like cars and trucks.They also l...

Analysis: Dolphins quiet critics with comeback win over Dallas, extending Cowboys’ road failures

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:29 GMT

On Football analyzes the biggest topics in the NFL from week to week. For more On Football analysis, head here.___The Dolphins finally defeated a winning team. The Cowboys still can’t beat winning teams on the road.One streak ended and another was extended in the NFL’s biggest game Sunday.It mattered more for Miami.The Dolphins (11-4) have been haunted this season by their failures against playoff-caliber teams. They lost to Buffalo, Philadelphia and Kansas City before rallying for a 22-20 victory over Dallas on Jason Sanders’ fifth field goal of the game as time expired.Tired of hearing about it, coach Mike McDaniel said he told players he gave them clearance to use an expletive to tell off reporters who mention that losing record leading into the game against Dallas.The victory quieted the critics.“I think it’s really hard to ignore the noise, so to speak, or not hear it,” McDaniel said. “I think you’re going to hear it. And so it’s impossible for people not to know all the things...

Texas State makes bowl debut in First Responder Bowl. Rice seeks 1st winning season since 2014

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:29 GMT

First Responder Bowl: Texas State (7-5, Sun Belt) vs. Rice (6-6, American Athletic), Dec. 26, 5:30 p.m. EST (ESPN) Line: Texas State by 5 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.Series record: Tied 2-2.WHAT’S AT STAKE?Texas State is playing in its first bowl game since moving up to the FBS level in 2012. The Bobcats are guaranteed only their second winning record in that span — they finished 7-5 in 2014, but didn’t get a bowl invitation that season. Rice has to win for its first winning season since 2014. The Owls are in a bowl for the second year in a row, but lost the LendingTree Bowl for a 5-8 record. KEY MATCHUPTexas State’s versatile offense against Rice defense. Led by running back Ismail Mahdi (1,209 yards rushing, 10 TDs) and quarterback T.J. Finley (3,287 yards passing with 24 TDs), the Bobcats are 10th nationally with 470.8 total yards per game and have had three 50-point games The Owls allow 370.1 total yards per game, which ranks 55th. PLAYERS TO WATCHTexas Stat...

Miles de migrantes se suman a caravana rumbo a EE.UU.

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:29 GMT

(CNN) — Miles de migrantes abandonaron Tapachula, en el sur de México, este domingo, realizando un largo viaje a pie hacia Estados Unidos. Los organizadores llaman a la caravana el “Éxodo de la pobreza”.Muchos de los migrantes son de América Central y del Sur, así como del Caribe, Cuba y Haití.Uno de los organizadores, Luis Villagrán, dijo a los periodistas que están huyendo de lo “inhumano” y que “la única esperanza de esta gente es salir, llamar la atención y decir que estamos vivos. Lo único que queremos es trabajar”. Lo único que queremos son documentos para salir adelante”, añadió Villagrán.Benigno Sánchez, un migrante cubano, dijo a CNN: “Tenemos miedo de hablar… Tenemos necesidades económicas. Tenemos un sueño, trabajar honestamente. ¿Qué les puedo decir? Desafortunadamente, vivimos en un gobierno corrupto”.En medio de su caminata, Aida Peña, salvadoreña, dijo a CNN que como recompensa por el sacrificio que est...

King Charles III’s annual Christmas message from Buckingham Palace to include sustainable touches

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:29 GMT

LONDON (AP) — King Charles III will give his second Christmas message from Buckingham Palace in front of a live tree decorated with sustainable ornaments.The message to be broadcast at 3 p.m. on Monday will be the king’s second holiday address since he ascended the throne but the first since his coronation in May. The natural decorations adorning the tree were made from wood, dried oranges, brown glass, pine cones and paper. The tree will later be replanted, the palace says.Charles has promoted environmental causes, such as protecting wildlife and combating climate change long before it became popular, throughout much of his life. He spoke at the beginning of the month at the U.N.’s COP28 climate summit in Dubai. Last year, in his first Christmas message as monarch, Charles evoked memories of his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, and paid tribute to the “selfless dedication” of Britain’s public service workers. Many of those workers spent much of the past year in a fight ...

1 persona muerta y 3 personas heridas en tiroteo en un centro comercial de Nochebuena en Colorado, dice la policía

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:29 GMT

(CNN) — Una persona murió a causa de una herida de bala y otras tres resultaron heridas en un centro comercial en Colorado el domingo mientras los visitantes terminaban sus compras navideñas de último momento, dijo la policía.Después de que estalló una pelea entre dos grupos, se hicieron disparos, según el Departamento de Policía de Colorado Springs, y los agentes respondieron alrededor de las 4:30 p.m.Un hombre fue hallado muerto en el Citadel Mall, y otros dos hombres “que sufrían al menos una herida de bala cada uno” fueron trasladados a hospitales locales en estado grave, dijo la policía en una publicación en X, antes conocido como Twitter.Según la policía, una mujer también fue trasladada al hospital con heridas leves.El centro comercial ha sido “limpiado y cerrado”, dijo el departamento de policía en X. “No se conoce ninguna amenaza para la comunidad en este momento”.Varias personas fueron detenidas, dijo la policía.The-CNN-Wire™ & © 2023 Cable...

EXCLUSIVE: American prisoner in Russia calls on Biden to do more to secure his release

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:29 GMT

On Christmas Eve, the phone rang at 5:58 a.m. The call rolled to voicemail. The voice on the message was very familiar, even though he and this reporter had never spoken before.Calm, polite and quietly desperate, the voice said, “My name is Paul Whelan. I’m a U.S. citizen being held hostage by the Russian government. I’d like to speak to you about that.”Hours later, he called again with another message — an urgent one for President Joe Biden.“Mr. President,” he said, “you promised to bring me home. I’m still here. There has to be more that you can do to secure my release.”Whelan, who on Dec. 28 will have been in Russian custody for five years, was not speaking generally about the President’s team.“The concern that I have,” he said, “is that diplomatic efforts have failed and not enough is being done to secure my release from the very top.”A message for President BidenHe believes a lack of direct action by Mr. Biden, himself, is the reason he’s still in a Russian la...

Fort Lauderdale firefighters battle blaze as 2 trailers ignite

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:29 GMT

Firefighters responded to a distress call as two trailers erupted in flames early Monday in a Fort Lauderdale neighborhood. Crews worked to extinguish the fire that broke out just after 4:30 a.m. on Northwest 68th Street and First Lane.Officials said that a second trailer, located a few blocks away, also succumbed to the blaze, resulting in a total loss. Additional firefighting units were mobilized to the scene as the fire persisted, occasionally reigniting.As of now, there is no information on the number of people displaced or any injuries resulting from the fire. The cause of the incident is currently under investigation.

BSO grants special day to young survivor of West Park explosion

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:29 GMT

The Broward Sheriff’s Office orchestrated a special day for 8-year-old Rodensky Belval, reuniting him with the firefighters who played a role in saving him and his family from an unthinkable tragedy.Last Tuesday, disaster struck the Belval family when their home on Southwest 20th Street in West Park exploded while they were inside. Miraculously, Rodensky and his family survived the catastrophic incident. An ongoing investigation seeks to uncover the cause of the blast.In a touching reunion, the Broward Sheriff’s Office treated Rodensky to a day filled with joy, gifts, and quality time with the firefighters who bravely responded to the emergency. The gesture aimed to bring comfort and happiness to the young survivor and his family after the traumatic event. An investigation into the cause of the explosion continues.