JERUSALEM — Israel approved a United States-brokered ceasefire agreement with Lebanon's Hezbollah on Tuesday, setting the stage for an end to nearly 14 months of fighting linked to the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip. In the hours leading up to the Cabinet meeting, Israel carried out its most intense wave of strikes in Beirut and its southern suburbs and issued a record number of evacuation warnings. At least 24 people were killed in strikes across the country, according to local authorities, as Israel signaled it aims to keep pummeling Hezbollah in the final hours before any ceasefire takes hold. Israel's security Cabinet approved the ceasefire agreement late Tuesday after it was presented by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his office said. U.S. President Joe Biden, speaking in Washington, called the agreement “good news” and said his administration would make a renewed push for a ceasefire in Gaza. People are also reading... An Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire would mark the first major step toward ending the regionwide unrest triggered by Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. But it does not address the devastating war in Gaza. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to bring peace to the Middle East, but neither he nor Netanyahu have proposed a postwar solution for the Palestinian territory, where Hamas is still holding dozens of hostages and the conflict is more intractable. Still, any halt to the fighting in Lebanon is expected to reduce the likelihood of war between Israel and Iran, which backs both Hezbollah and Hamas and exchanged direct fire with Israel on two occasions earlier this year. Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike on Dahiyeh, in Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. Bilal Hussein - staff, ASSOCIATED PRESS Israel says it will ‘attack with might’ if Hezbollah breaks truce Netanyahu presented the ceasefire proposal to Cabinet ministers after a televised address in which he listed a series of accomplishments against Israel’s enemies across the region. He said a ceasefire with Hezbollah would further isolate Hamas in Gaza and allow Israel to focus on its main enemy, Iran, which backs both groups. “If Hezbollah breaks the agreement and tries to rearm, we will attack,” he said. “For every violation, we will attack with might.” Netanyahu's office later said Israel appreciated the U.S. efforts in securing the deal but "reserves the right to act against every threat to its security.” It was not immediately clear when the ceasefire would go into effect, and the exact terms of the deal were not released. The deal calls for a two-month initial halt in fighting and would require Hezbollah to end its armed presence in a broad swath of southern Lebanon, while Israeli troops would return to their side of the border. Thousands of additional Lebanese troops and U.N. peacekeepers would deploy in the south, and an international panel headed by the United States would monitor all sides’ compliance. But implementation remains a major question mark. Israel has demanded the right to act should Hezbollah violate its obligations. Lebanese officials have rejected writing that into the proposal. Biden said Israel reserved the right to quickly resume operations in Lebanon if Hezbollah breaks the terms of the truce, but that the deal "was designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities.” Hezbollah has said it accepts the proposal, but a senior official with the group said Tuesday that it had not seen the agreement in its final form. “After reviewing the agreement signed by the enemy government, we will see if there is a match between what we stated and what was agreed upon by the Lebanese officials,” Mahmoud Qamati, deputy chair of Hezbollah’s political council, told the Al Jazeera news network. “We want an end to the aggression, of course, but not at the expense of the sovereignty of the state” of Lebanon, he said. “Any violation of sovereignty is refused.” In this screen grab image from video provide by the Israeli Government Press Office, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu makes a televised statement Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, in Jerusalem, Israel. Uncredited - hogp, ASSOCIATED PRESS Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts Warplanes bombard Beirut and its southern suburbs Even as Israeli, U.S, Lebanese and international officials have expressed growing optimism over a ceasefire, Israel has continued its campaign in Lebanon, which it says aims to cripple Hezbollah’s military capabilities. An Israeli strike on Tuesday leveled a residential building in the central Beirut district of Basta — the second time in recent days warplanes have hit the crowded area near the city’s downtown. At least seven people were killed and 37 wounded, according to Lebanon's Health Ministry. Strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs killed at least one person and wounded 13, it said. Three people were killed in a separate strike in Beirut and three in a strike on a Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon. Lebanese state media said another 10 people were killed in the eastern Baalbek province. Israel says it targets Hezbollah fighters and their infrastructure. Israel also struck a building in Beirut's bustling commercial district of Hamra for the first time, hitting a site that is around 400 meters (yards) from Lebanon’s Central Bank. There were no reports of casualties. The Israeli military said it struck targets in Beirut and other areas linked to Hezbollah's financial arm. The evacuation warnings covered many areas, including parts of Beirut that previously have not been targeted. The warnings, coupled with fear that Israel was ratcheting up attacks before a ceasefire, sent residents fleeing. Traffic was gridlocked, and some cars had mattresses tied to them. Dozens of people, some wearing their pajamas, gathered in a central square, huddling under blankets or standing around fires as Israeli drones buzzed loudly overhead. Hezbollah, meanwhile, kept up its rocket fire, triggering air raid sirens across northern Israel. Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee issued evacuation warnings for 20 buildings in Beirut's southern suburbs, where Hezbollah has a major presence, as well as a warning for the southern town of Naqoura where the U.N. peacekeeping mission, UNIFIL, is headquartered. UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti told The Associated Press that peacekeepers will not evacuate. A police bomb squad officer inspects the site where a rocket fired from Lebanon landed in a backyard in Kiryat Shmona, northern Israel, Tuesday Nov. 26, 2024. Leo Correa - staff, ASSOCIATED PRESS Israeli forces reach Litani River in southern Lebanon The Israeli military also said its ground troops clashed with Hezbollah forces and destroyed rocket launchers in the Slouqi area on the eastern end of the Litani River, a few kilometers (miles) from the Israeli border. Under the ceasefire deal, Hezbollah would be required to move its forces north of the Litani, which in some places is about 30 kilometers (20 miles) north of the border. Hezbollah began firing into northern Israel, saying it was showing support for the Palestinians, a day after Hamas carried out its Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, triggering the Gaza war. Israel returned fire on Hezbollah, and the two sides have been exchanging barrages ever since. Israel escalated its campaign of bombardment in mid-September and later sent troops into Lebanon, vowing to put an end to Hezbollah fire so tens of thousands of evacuated Israelis could return to their homes. More than 3,760 people have been killed by Israeli fire in Lebanon the past 13 months, many of them civilians, according to Lebanese health officials. The bombardment has driven 1.2 million people from their homes. Israel says it has killed more than 2,000 Hezbollah members. Hezbollah fire has forced some 50,000 Israelis to evacuate in the country’s north, and its rockets have reached as far south in Israel as Tel Aviv. At least 75 people have been killed, more than half of them civilians. More than 50 Israeli soldiers have died in the ground offensive in Lebanon. Chehayeb and Mroue reported from Beirut. Associated Press reporters Lujain Jo and Sally Abou AlJoud in Beirut contributed. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox!BIG TEN THIS WEEK( MENAFN - Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) By Al-Anoud Al-Munawar KUWAIT, Nov 30 (KUNA) -- As attention shifts to the opening session of the 45th Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit in Kuwait on Sunday, it is notable that seven individuals have held the position of Secretary-General since the councilآ's establishment in 1981. Kuwaiti Abdullah Bishara served as Secretary-General from 1981 to 1993, followed by UAEآ's Fahim Al-Qasimi (1993-1996), Saudi Jamil Al-Hejailan (1996-2002), Qatarآ's Abdulrahman Al-Attiyah (2002-2011), Bahrainآ's Abdullatif Al-Zayani (2011-2020), Kuwaiti Nayef Al-Hajraf (2020-2023), and the current Secretary-General is Kuwaiti Jassem Al-Budaiwi, who took office in 2023. The GCC, established according to a proposal by the late Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, seeks to achieve coordination, integration, and cooperation among its member states across various fields, with the aim of promoting unity and strengthening ties, particularly in the economic, financial, social, health, and media fields. Headquartered in Riyadh, the GCC is a regional organization focused on political, economic, military, and security cooperation among its six member states, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman. (end) ahm MENAFN30112024000071011013ID1108941929 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Larry Wilson: On climate change, Trump is no King Canute
Volodymyr Zelensky ’s suggestion that Ukraine could temporarily cede territory to Russia in exchange for joining Nato would mark a “major concession” to Vladimir Putin , the UK’s former ambassador to Russia has said. In a significant development on the route to a potential ceasefire after 33 months of conflict, the Ukrainian president indicated for the first time that Kyiv could accept Russian control over some of its territory in order to end the “hot phase of the war”. With Moscow appearing to ramp up its push for territory in Ukraine’s east ahead of Donald Trump’s return to the White House in January, Mr Zelensky told Sky News that peace could be struck if territory he controls is taken “under the Nato umbrella”, allowing him to negotiate the return of the rest later “in a diplomatic way”. Praising Mr Zelensky as “playing a very sophisticated game”, Sir Tony Brenton – who served as ambassador to Russia between 2004 and 2008 – told the broadcaster: “He knows that Trump is about to descend on him and on Russia. He is already arranging to have something to offer Trump. “What he is suggesting in many ways is bringing us much closer to the obvious target area which is a freeze in the fighting where the lines actually currently are and then an eventual negotiation about who retains which bit of territory, and then security guarantees for Ukraine in the course of that ceasefire.” Warning that Nato membership for Ukraine is “frankly going to be very, very difficult”, he said that Mr Zelensky’s statement that he is prepared to see a ceasefire and then negotiate the return of Russian-occupied territory in Ukraine over the longer term would be viewed by Mr Putin as a concession. “That is actually quite a major concession, because the longer term could be a very long time indeed,” he said, adding: “[Putin] will say to himself, ‘ah, they are feeling weak, I can press for more’. That is a danger if we go into this.” The Russian president is currently “keeping his cards very close to his chest” in terms of his views on how to end the conflict, which he believes he is winning, said Sir Tony. Moscow’s troops have been making steady gains in Ukraine’s east – but at a cost of incurring potentially record casualties . But if such a deal were to be struck, both Kyiv and its allies would be able to present it as a victory in securing “a free democratic Ukraine linked to the West”, Sir Tony said. In further remarks to Sky News, the UK’s former representative to Nato, Sir Adam Thomson, said that Mr Zelensky was merely suggesting “agreement to disagree over who owns a chunk of Ukraine currently owned by Russia”, with Moscow being given merely “a de facto control that could change at some future stage through diplomacy”. Sir Adam said: “Putin would have seized some territory, he would have done it at extraordinary cost – billions and billions of dollars, two new Nato members already, a thousand or more Russian soldiers being killed or wounded every day at the moment. “It’s in that sense a compromise. He’s got some territory under his control, it’s not recognised, and it’s an outcome that means he’s lost the rest of Ukraine and alienated Europe for a generation.” Throughout the conflict, Mr Zelensky has never said he would cede any occupied Ukrainian territory to Russia, including Crimea, which Russia occupied in February 2014. In September 2022, Russia unilaterally declared its annexation of areas in and around the Ukrainian oblasts of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia despite not controlling all of those territories. Yet war analysts say Russia has been gaining territory in recent weeks on Ukraine’s eastern front at the fastest pace since the early days of the war, as both Moscow and Kyiv look ahead to Mr Trump’s return to the White House in January. The US president-elect has claimed he could end the war “in a day”. Historian Dr Mark Galeotti, author of Forged in War: A Military History of Russia , said Mr Zelensky’s comments in part likely reflect “the unfolding political and military realities, as the Russians continue to advance and Donald Trump's shadow looms over everything”. “But I think it may also be Zelensky's attempt to, in effect, call the West's bluff,” Dr Galeotti told The Independent . “Actually getting all Nato’s 32 members to agree to a quick membership would be very difficult, but in effect he is asking, ‘if not the Article 5 security guarantee, what else could be offered?’” Mr Zelensky’s ex-foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba said earlier this week that it was inconceivable that he could sign a deal surrendering territory, telling Politico : “The Russians keep the Donbas, they keep Crimea, no Nato membership. Can Zelensky sign? He cannot because of the Constitution. And because it will be the end of Zelensky politically.” Last month, Mr Zelensky unveiled his “victory plan” , which calls for Ukraine’s unconditional accession to Nato, a refusal to trade Ukraine’s territories currently occupied by Russian forces, and the continuation of the Ukrainian incursion into Russia’s Kursk region.
A rested flock was set to return to the ice after the holiday break as the Ducks geared up to dive headlong into a back-to-back set at home that would see them opposed by the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday and the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday. After last Sunday’s dramatic comeback against Utah HC capped a spurt of three wins in four games, a competitive effort in Vegas in their fourth game in six nights fell short against the Pacific Division-pacing Golden Knights on Monday. In a game where shots on goal, shot attempts and other possession metrics were roughly even, the Ducks’ 0-for-4 performance on the power play loomed large. That was especially true since it was part of a broader stretch that has seen them go 1-for-19 while also allowing their only two five-on-four goals this season, including one against Vegas. They’ve been outscored narrowly overall, 16-14, in the five games they’ve played during that span. “We’ve got to get the power play going. That has been sputtering along,” Coach Greg Cronin told reporters. “When you do get power-play goals, it actually generates some offensive confidence, five-on-five. There’s a lot of frustration on the bench when they don’t score, particularly when we’re not getting a lot of chances and the other team’s getting shorthanded goals and shorthanded chances.” The Ducks were also shorthanded on Sunday in a different fashion, as they lost forward Brock McGinn (lower-body) and goalie John Gibson (upper-body) early in Vegas. Per Derek Lee of The Hockey News, neither player practiced on Saturday, though the Ducks said that Gibson’s absence was related to a separate illness as opposed to his upper-body injury. McGinn should be considered doubtful while Gibson and Lukáš Dostál might still split the two upcoming matches as planned initially. The first of those two games will pit the Ducks against Philadelphia, which has spent much of the year attempting to overcome a six-game winless slump that followed its season opener. Though they’ve cobbled together a pair of four-wins-in-five-games surges, the Flyers most recently lost four of five, surrendering 28 goals in those five outings. Travis Konecny, who signed an eight-year contract worth $70 million over the summer, leads the Flyers in scoring with 41 points. Matvei Michkov remained the frontrunner in the Calder Trophy race, though San Jose’s Macklin Celebrini has become an increasingly formidable challenger while Montreal’s Lane Hutson has emerged as a dark horse. Edmonton has won 11 of its past 13 contests to catapult itself in the standings. As recently as Dec. 5, the Oilers sat fifth in the Pacific, but they’ve since leapfrogged three teams –– the Kings, Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks –– to situate themselves directly behind Vegas. Related Articles Anaheim Ducks | Ducks can’t solve Golden Knights, who complete season sweep Anaheim Ducks | Mason McTavish delivers shootout win for Ducks in Utah Anaheim Ducks | Ducks and dads hit the road for games against Utah and Vegas Anaheim Ducks | Ducks start strong but fall to Avalanche Anaheim Ducks | Ducks and their surging trio welcome Colorado and its Big 3 That has also pushed their megastars, Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid, up the Art Ross Trophy leaderboard. Draisaitl’s 52 points tied him with Colorado’s Mikko Rantanen for second in the NHL entering Friday’s action while McDavid, who missed three games due to injury earlier this season, had 49 points to place him sixth in the league. Philadelphia at Ducks When: 1 p.m. Saturday Where: Honda Center How to watch: Victory+, KCOP (Ch. 13) Edmonton at Ducks When: 1 p.m. Sunday Where: Honda Center How to watch: Victory+, KCOP (Ch. 13)
Brighton frustrated in goalless draw with BrentfordReport: Chargers expect WR Ladd McConkey, LB Khalil Mack to play vs. RavensPeninsula residents who love skateboarding but don’t want to brave the cold winter weather are in luck — a new indoor skate park will soon be coming to Newport News. City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a permit to operate a skateboard ramp in a 5,000-square-foot suite in the Warwick Denbigh Shopping Center at 14347 Warwick Blvd. City residents Ebony and Vincent Nickens hope to launch the new Westgate Indoor Skatepark business by February or March. Westgate Indoor Skatepark touts itself on social media as “the ultimate indoor skate park where skaters of all levels can ride, practice, and improve their skills year-round.” According to Ebony Nickens, the skatepark will have ramps, rails, a restroom, a snack area and a seating area with couches and TVs. One of the conditions of the permit is that there can be no more than 20 skaters on the floor at any time. Ebony Nickens said people could either use a $14 daily pass or a $125 monthly membership to skate at the facility. Ebony Nickens said her son and his best friend love to skate. But the place they skated in Hampton, Mekos Skatepark , closed down about two years ago. That inspired them to make the leap and open their own facility. “So we always wanted to open up one on this side, so they can skate indoors, especially when it’s cold,” Ebony Nickens said. The proposed hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and Sunday. The hours will be 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Ebony Nickens said she and her husband also hope to be able to occasionally host outdoor events in the parking lot. However, she noted that would have to be coordinated with the shopping center’s owners. Newport News Senior Planner Saul Gleiser told the Planning Commission earlier this month there are currently no indoor skateboard ramps within the city and the new business would provide a safe venue for skateboarders to enjoy the sport. He added that the skateboard park will complement the nearby DW Center’s entertainment activities making the commercial area “a family entertainment destination within the city.” He said the park will not have any more impact on nearby residential uses than the current shopping center uses. Josh Janney, joshua.janney@virginiamedia.com Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Click to share on X (Opens in new window) Most Popular Fire crews begin extinguishing underground fire at Williamsburg Premium Outlets Fire crews begin extinguishing underground fire at Williamsburg Premium Outlets Underground fire at Williamsburg Premium Outlets extinguished Underground fire at Williamsburg Premium Outlets extinguished New restaurant owner keeps tradition of serving community Thanksgiving feast in Hampton New restaurant owner keeps tradition of serving community Thanksgiving feast in Hampton Newport News council to consider banning guns from government buildings Newport News council to consider banning guns from government buildings 757Teamz football live scoreboard: 5 region championship games slated for tonight 757Teamz football live scoreboard: 5 region championship games slated for tonight Let it burn: Days-old underground fire at Williamsburg outlet mall could smolder for a week Let it burn: Days-old underground fire at Williamsburg outlet mall could smolder for a week In era of NIL and transfer portal, coaches accept reality of tampering as ‘unacceptable acceptable practice’ In era of NIL and transfer portal, coaches accept reality of tampering as ‘unacceptable acceptable practice’ High school scoreboard: Maury, Oscar Smith capture football region championships High school scoreboard: Maury, Oscar Smith capture football region championships UVA and Virginia Tech meet in a Commonwealth Cup with higher stakes this season UVA and Virginia Tech meet in a Commonwealth Cup with higher stakes this season How the way we travel has changed since the pandemic How the way we travel has changed since the pandemic Trending Nationally What to watch: ‘Senna,’ ‘Little Secret’ offer made-to-order holiday home viewing ‘Beatles ’64’ captures the Fab Four charming a grieving nation How to use up every one of your Thanksgiving leftovers Crazy cleaning fees have caused once-loyal Airbnb travelers to consider hotels Why did the chicken with a broken wing cross a Chicago road? To be rescued, it turns out
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Anxiety about money, gun violence and hate crimes ranked high on list of American's concerns Limiting your news consumption may help ease stress and anxiety More than before, Americans surveyed say they'll make mental health resolutions for 2025 FRIDAY, Dec. 27, 2024 (HealthDay News) -- Should you cut back on doom scrolling in 2025? Worries about money, gun violence and hate crimes ranked high among many people's lists of worries at the end of 2024, according to a poll that is part of American Psychiatric Association (APA) Healthy Minds Monthly opinion poll series. The survey included 2200 U.S. adults. Reducing news consumption may be beneficial for your mental health , experts say. "If current events seem overwhelming it may be time to limit your news consumption,” Dr. Marketa Wills , medical director of the APA, said. “While we like to stay informed, the news can also impact our mental health, and being mindful of that impact is important," Wells said in a news release. According to the APA's research, American adults have remained most anxious about the economy and gun violence throughout 2024. Looking ahead to 2025, more than 1/3 of Americans surveyed (33%) say they will make mental health-related New Year’s resolutions, which is a 5% increase from last year. In fact, the increase is the highest result the APA has collected since it began asking the question in 2021. As usual, many people report that they will pledge to be more physically active in 2025; other resolutions focus on participating in mentally healthy activities. Spend more time in nature (46%) Meditation (44%) Focus on spirituality (37%) Take a social media break (30%) Journaling (29%) “A new year brings with it new opportunities but also renewed concerns about the very important issues that impact our lives,” Wills said, adding that “any time of the year, mental health matters. Staying mindful of how we’re doing while taking active steps to care for ourselves is a terrific resolution.” More information The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has more on stress and anxiety management. SOURCE: American Psychiatric Association (APA), news release, Dec. 13, 2024; APA, press release, Dec. 18, 2024 If you make resolutions, consider starting or re-starting a practice that will nurture your mental health, such as meditating or taking a break from social media.US homelessness up 18% as affordable housing remains out of reach for many people Federal officials say the United States saw an 18.1% increase in homelessness, a dramatic rise driven mostly by a lack of affordable housing as well as devastating natural disasters and a surge of migrants in several parts of the country. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development said that federally required tallies taken across the country in January found that more than 770,000 people were counted as homeless. That increase comes on top of a 12% increase in 2023, which HUD blamed on soaring rents and the end of pandemic assistance. Among the most concerning trends was a nearly 40% rise in family homelessness. An online debate over foreign workers in tech shows tensions in Trump's political coalition WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — An online spat between factions of Donald Trump’s supporters over immigration and the tech industry has thrown internal divisions in the president-elect’s political movement into public display. The argument previews fissures and contradictory views his coalition could bring to the White House. The rift laid bare tensions between the newest flank of Trump’s movement — that is, wealthy members of the tech world who want more highly skilled workers in their industry — and people in Trump’s Make America Great Again base who championed his hardline immigration policies. A 9th telecoms firm has been hit by a massive Chinese espionage campaign, the White House says WASHINGTON (AP) — A top White House official says a ninth U.S. telecoms firm has been confirmed to have been hacked as part of a sprawling Chinese espionage campaign that gave officials in Beijing access to private texts and phone conversations of an unknown number of Americans. Administration officials said this month that at least eight telecommunications companies, as well as dozens of nations, had been affected by the Chinese hacking blitz known as Salt Typhoon. But Anne Neuberger, a deputy national security adviser, said Friday that a ninth victim had been identified after the administration released guidance to companies about how to hunt for Chinese culprits in their networks. Israeli troops burn northern Gaza hospital after forcibly removing staff and patients, officials say DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Gaza's Health Ministry says Israeli troops have stormed one of the last hospitals operating in the territory's north on Friday and forced many of the staff and patients outside. Then they had to remove their clothes in winter weather. It was the latest assault on Kamal Adwan Hospital. Parts of it were set on fire. Staff say it has been hit multiple times in the past three months by Israeli troops waging an offensive against Hamas fighters in surrounding neighborhoods. Israel's military says Hamas uses the hospital as a base. It did not provide evidence, and hospital officials have denied it. Azerbaijani and U.S. officials suggest plane that crashed may have been hit by weapons fire U.S. and Azerbaijani officials have said weapons fire may have brought down an Azerbaijani airliner that crashed on Wednesday, killing 38 people. The statements from Rashad Nabiyev and White House national security spokesman John Kirby on Friday raised pressure on Russia. Officials in Moscow have said a drone attack was underway in the region that the Azerbaijan Airlines flight was destined for but have not addressed statements from aviation experts who blamed the crash on Russian air defenses responding to a Ukrainian attack. The plane was flying from Azerbaijan’s capital of Baku to Chechnya on Wednesday when it crashed, killing 38 people and leaving all 29 survivors injured. Court rules Georgia lawmakers can subpoena Fani Willis for information related to her Trump case ATLANTA (AP) — A judge has ruled that the Georgia state Senate can subpoena Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. It's part of a inquiry into whether Willis has engaged in misconduct during her prosecution of President-elect Donald Trump. But Fulton County Superior Court Judge Shukura Ingram is giving Willis the chance to contest whether lawmakers’ demands are overly broad before Willis responds. A Republican-led committee was formed earlier this year and sent subpoenas to Willis in August seeking to compel her to testify during its September meeting and to produce scores of documents. Willis argued that the committee didn’t have the power to subpoena her. In states that ban abortion, social safety net programs often fail families MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee has a nearly total abortion ban and a porous safety net for mothers and young children. GOP state leaders in Tennessee and other states that banned abortion after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022 argue that they are bolstering services for families. Recent research and an analysis by The Associated Press has found that from the time a Tennessee woman gets pregnant, she faces greater obstacles to a healthy pregnancy, a healthy child and a financially stable family life than the average American mom. Maryland sues maker of Gore-Tex over pollution from toxic 'forever chemicals' Maryland is suing the company that produces the waterproof material Gore-Tex. State officials say the company's leaders kept using so-called “forever chemicals” long after learning about serious health risks. The federal complaint alleges Delaware-based W.L. Gore & Associates polluted the air and water around 13 facilities in northeastern Maryland with chemicals that have been linked to certain cancers, reproductive issues and high cholesterol. They’re nearly indestructible and can build up in various environments, including the human body. The company stopped using the harmful chemicals in 2014 and says it’s working with state regulators on testing and cleanup efforts. Man indicted in burning death of woman inside a New York City subway train, prosecutors say NEW YORK (AP) — The man accused of burning a woman to death inside a New York City subway train has been indicted on state charges. A prosecutor announced Sebastian Zapeta’s indictment at a court hearing Friday. The development comes days after Zapeta’s arrest and subsequent police questioning in which they say he identified himself in photos and surveillance video showing the fire being lit. The indictment will be under seal until Jan. 7. He remains jailed. Federal immigration officials say the 33-year-old Zapeta is from Guatemala and entered the U.S. illegally. Authorities are continuing to work to identify the victim. Alex Ovechkin is on track to break Wayne Gretzky's NHL career goals record Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals is chasing the NHL career goals record of 894 held by Wayne Gretzky. Ovechkin entered the season 42 goals short of breaking a record that long seemed unapproachable. He is set to play again Saturday at the Toronto Maple Leafs after missing more than a month with a broken left fibula. Ovechkin was on pace to get to 895 sometime in February before getting injured. At 868, he his 27 goals away from passing Gretzky.The Cincinnati Bearcats men's basketball team has gotten off to a fast start this season in more ways than one. The No. 16 Bearcats have raced to a 5-0 record while outscoring their opponents by more than 31 points per game, with just one team (Northern Kentucky) coming within 16 points. Cincinnati is averaging a robust 87 points per game with one of the more efficient offenses in college basketball. Cincinnati will look to continue that hot streak when it plays host to Alabama State in nonconference action Wednesday evening. Cincinnati has punished opposing defenses in a variety of ways this season. Despite being the No. 14 offense in the nation in Ken Pomeroy's efficiency ratings, the Bearcats aren't among the nation's leaders in pace. Still, they take advantage of those opportunities when they are there. "Us playing fast is something we want to do," Cincinnati forward Dillon Mitchell said. "When I was being recruited here, that was something Coach (Wes) Miller wanted to do. "There could be games where we're not making shots or something is off, but one thing is we're gonna push the ball, play hard and play fast. That's something he preaches. We'll be in shape and get rebounds." Mitchell is fresh off a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds in Cincinnati's 81-58 road win at Georgia Tech Saturday. He is one of four Bearcats to average double figures in scoring this season. That balance was on display once again against the Yellow Jackets, with Connor Hickman and Jizzle James also scoring 14 points each and Simas Lukosius contributing 12 points. In that game, Cincinnati sank 51.6 percent of its shots while regularly getting out into transition with 16 fastbreak points, while winning the rebounding battle 36-29. "Any time you get a road win over a quality, Power 4 team, you're gonna feel good about it," Miller said. "I was pleased with our effort." Lukosius is scoring 16.6 points per game, while James is at 14.0 points, followed by Mitchell at 12.4, while he also grabs a team-best 8.6 rebounds. Alabama State (3-3) has a tough task ahead, especially when considering its 97-78 loss at Akron Sunday, which ended a three-game winning streak. The Hornets allowed the Zips to shoot 46.4 percent from the field and were 53-32 in the rebounding battle. Alabama State gave up a season high in points, after playing the likes of LSU and UNLV earlier this season. Akron standout Nate Johnson lit up Alabama State for 25 points, as the game got away from the Hornets in the second half to keep them winless in true road games. Alabama leading scorers CJ Hines and TJ Madlock still got theirs against Akron, scoring 19 and 17 points, respectively. They were joined in double figures by reserve Tyler Mack (18 points), but recent history says they'll need more help to keep up with the Bearcats. Hines leads the Hornets with 15.7 points per game, while Madlock contributes 14.5 points. In previous Akron Basketball Classic wins last week against Omaha and Lamar, Alabama State featured at least four double-digit scorers in each game. --Field Level Media
LEVERKUSEN, Germany :Bayer Leverkusen got their Champions League campaign back on track with a 5-0 home win over RB Salzburg on Tuesday, with Florian Wirtz scoring twice and the visitors having goalkeeper Alexander Schlager to thank for avoiding an even bigger defeat. Leverkusen's return to winning ways, after they were beaten 4-0 at Liverpool and drew 1-1 with Brest, moves them on to 10 points while Salzburg remain on three points after suffering their fourth defeat in five matches. The home side raced into an early lead with Wirtz scoring from the penalty spot in the eighth minute and Alejandro Grimaldo netting from a free kick three minutes later. Wirtz scored again on the half-hour as Leverkusen threatened to run riot and Patrik Schick added a fourth goal 16 minutes after the break before Aleix Garcia rounded off the win 18 minutes from time. Xabi Alonso's side could easily have been further out of sight at halftime as the Germans found it far too easy to find their way into the Salzburg area. The game was two minutes old when Wirtz signalled the danger, twisting and turning in the area before getting a shot away which the keeper got a hand to. It took a penalty to open the scoring, with Salzburg's Samson Baidoo punished for a handball, and Wirtz sending keeper Schlager the wrong way. They doubled their lead when a foul on Wirtz just outside the area led to the free kick and Schlager could only stand and watch as Grimaldo's strike sailed into the opposite corner. Wirtz then scored his fifth goal in five games in the competition when he collected Grimaldo's pass on the edge of the area before dribbling past two defenders and sending his low shot into the far corner. Schlager pulled off saves from Grimaldo, Jeremie Frimpong, Exequiel Palacios and Granit Xhaka and Salzburg manager Pep Lijnders probably felt relieved when he took a glance at the scoreboard before walking off at the break. Leverkusen's intensity dropped a little after the restart but it was still all too simple to create chances and when Frimpong sent a perfect ball into the area Schick had the simplest of tap-ins. Alonso began to make changes, and it was one of the substitutes Aleix Garcia who got on the end of a Wirtz cross to send a powerful shot into the net to finish off the scoring. Up next for Leverkusen is another home game when they face Inter Milan while Salzburg host Paris St Germain.With rookie QB Penix showing poise in starting debut, the Falcons again control their playoff hopesThe best snowboard bindings to raise your game on the slopesSymbotic (NASDAQ:SYM) Given New $35.00 Price Target at Needham & Company LLC
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