By NICOLE WINFIELD Associated Press VATICAN CITY (AP) — Lawyers for a once-powerful cardinal have accused Vatican prosecutors of being “prisoners to their completely shattered theory” in closing arguments of a trial that has raised fundamental questions about the rule of law in the city state. Attorneys for Cardinal Angelo Becciu told the court the
Continue ReadingCNN By John Miller, Elizabeth Wolfe and Celina Tebor, CNN (CNN) — Investigators believe a New York husband and wife were the two people killed in a car that crashed and exploded at a US-Canada border crossing near Niagara Falls, law enforcement sources said, and the FBI sees no link to terrorism. Alarms were raised from
Continue ReadingSOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Some losses are disappointing. Others are so head-scratching people start asking questions. Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman learned that lesson the hard way last fall when his team suffered such an inexplicable loss to Stanford that fans and analysts openly wondered if Freeman was the right man for the job.
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The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is kicking off its 31st Annual ‘WildLights’ exhibit Wednesday night. The zoo will be transformed into a dazzling Winter Wonderland with installations throughout the park featuring more than 3 million lights. You’ll be able to see the park’s 30 foot Christmas Tree and light displays including a picture perfect
Continue ReadingBy MJ Lee, Alex Marquardt, Jennifer Hansler, Sam Fossum and Tim Lister, CNN Washington (CNN) — US officials have a working list of 10 hostages that they believe are likely to be released from Gaza on day one, a source familiar told CNN. It was not clear whether any of the three American hostages –
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Editor’s Note: A previous version of this article included a link for residents to apply for FEMA disaster assistance. Our reporting has since been updated to include that California’s request for a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration included Public Assistance for rebuilding critical public infrastructure but does not include Individual Assistance. Many Coachella Valley residents who
Continue ReadingCNN By Simone McCarthy, Rob Picheta, David Shortell, Oren Liebermann and Kaitlan Collins, CNN (CNN) — Israel and Hamas have reached a deal for a four-day pause in fighting and the release of at least 50 women and children held hostage in Gaza, marking a major diplomatic breakthrough nearly seven weeks after the start of
Continue ReadingBy The Associated Press NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (AP) — A vehicle exploded at a checkpoint on the American side of a U.S.-Canada bridge in Niagara Falls Wednesday, prompting the closing of four border crossings in the area, authorities said. There was no immediate information on whether anyone was injured or on the cause of the
Continue ReadingBOSTON (AP) — A former college track and field coach accused of setting up sham social media and email accounts in an attempt to trick women into sending him nude or semi-nude photos of themselves has pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston. Prosecutors say 30-year-old Steve Waithe, of Chicago, pleaded guilty Tuesday to 12
Continue ReadingBy Alex Leeds Matthews, Amy O’Kruk and Annette Choi, CNN (CNN) — There have been four school shootings in the United States so far this year, as of February 7. Two were on college campuses, and two were on K-12 school grounds. The incidents left one person dead and at least five other victims injured,
Continue ReadingBy JARI TANNER Associated Press HELSINKI (AP) — Finnish border guards and soldiers have begun erecting barriers including concrete obstacles topped with barbed-wire at some crossing points on the Nordic country’s lengthy border with Russia. Finnish authorities said Wednesday it’s to better control an influx of migrants. Finland said later it will close three more
Continue ReadingBy The Associated Press NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (AP) — A border crossing between the U.S. and Canada has been closed after a vehicle exploded at a checkpoint on a bridge near Niagara Falls. The FBI’s field office in Buffalo said in a statement that it was investigating the explosion on the Rainbow Bridge, which connects
Continue ReadingBy LINDSEY BAHR AP Film Writer The Student Academy Awards may not be as glitzy or high profile as the Oscars, but in its 50 years it has proven to be a vital launching ground for emerging filmmakers. Inclusion and access may sound like recent buzzwords, but the film academy has been striving to break
Continue ReadingBy EMILY WAGSTER PETTUS Associated Press JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi prosecutors have dismissed indictments against a man in the shooting death of a former state lawmaker and the earlier burning of a building. They say they need more time to investigate. The murder and arson charges against Billy Lamar Brooks were dismissed without prejudice.
Continue ReadingBy DAMIAN J. TROISE and ALEX VEIGA AP Business Writers Stocks rose on Wall Street Wednesday, led by big gains in travel-related companies as energy prices drop. The S&P 500 rose 0.4% and remains on track for a modest gain in a holiday-shortened week ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday in the U.S. The benchmark index
Continue ReadingPHILADELPHIA (AP) — Philadelphia police are investigating a shooting that left two men dead and five wounded, but no arrests have been made. Authorities said Wednesday the two men who died were Philadelphians Roger Marquez and Leon Pierre, ages 31 and 38. The others are between the ages of 19 and 30 and are considered
Continue ReadingNEW YORK (AP) — Oscar-winning actor Susan Sarandon and “Scream” star Melissa Barrera were each dropped by Hollywood companies after making comments on the Israel-Hamas war that some deemed antisemitic. Spyglass Media Group, the production company behind the upcoming “Scream VII,” acknowledged Barrera’s exit from the horror franchise. The Mexican-born actress, who starred in “In
Continue ReadingBALTIMORE (AP) — The Maryland Attorney General has suspended a member of the state’s new commission aimed at addressing hate crimes after she posted on social media criticizing the recent actions of Israel in Gaza. Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown said his office only recently learned about the social media posts of Zainab Chaudry, who
Continue ReadingBy DEE-ANN DURBIN AP Business Writer The late crush of holiday travelers picked up steam Wednesday, with about 2.7 million people expected to board flights and millions more planning to drive or take the train to Thanksgiving celebrations. Airline officials say they are confident they can avoid the kind of massive disruptions that have marred
Continue ReadingBy HYUNG-JIN KIM Associated Press SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea said North Korea fired a ballistic missile toward the sea but the launch likely failed Wednesday night, hours after Seoul said it would resume front-line aerial surveillance in response to the North’s spy satellite launch. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said in
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