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Qatar becomes a key intermediary in Israel-Hamas war as fate of hostages hangs in the balance

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:28 GMT

JERUSALEM (AP) — The gas-rich nation of Qatar has become a key intermediary over the fate of some 200 hostages held by Hamas militants after their unprecedented attack on Israel, once again putting the small Arabian Peninsula country in the spotlight. The negotiations have also thrust Qatar into a delicate international balancing act as it maintains a relationship with those viewed as militant groups by the West while trying to preserve its close security ties with the United States. Under arrangements stemming from past Hamas cease-fire understandings with Israel, the gas-rich emirate of Qatar has paid the salaries of civil servants in the Gaza Strip, provided direct cash transfers to poor families and offered other kinds of humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza.Qatar has also hosted Hamas’ political office in its capital of Doha for over a decade. Among officials based there is Khaled Mashaal, an exiled Hamas member who survived a 1997 Israeli assassination attempt in Jor...

Pope accepts resignation of bishop of Polish diocese where gay orgy scandal under investigation

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:28 GMT

ROME (AP) — The pope on Tuesday accepted the resignation of a Polish bishop whose diocese has been rocked for weeks by reports of a gay orgy involving a male prostitute in a priest’s apartment.The Vatican didn’t give a reason for why Bishop Grzegorz Kaszak was resigning as head of the diocese of Sosnowiec, in southwestern Poland. At 59, he is several years shy of the normal retirement age of 75.But his diocese has been in the spotlight for over a month after one of his priests was placed under criminal investigation for having allegedly organized a gay orgy at his apartment in Dabrowa Gornicza. Polish media reported that a male prostitute collapsed after overdosing on erectile dysfunction pills.A prosecutor said the priest is suspected of “failing to provide assistance to a person whose life is at risk,” for having allegedly tried to bar police and paramedics from entering the apartment.Three weeks after the scandal erupted, Kaszak issued a statement calling for priests in the dioce...

CAE signs deal to sell health-care business to Madison Industries for $311 million

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:28 GMT

MONTREAL — CAE Inc. has signed a deal sell its health-care business to U.S. company Madison Industries for $311 million.CAE chief executive Marc Parent says the decision better positions the company to secure the many attractive growth opportunities on the horizon in its much larger, core simulation and training markets.While CAE is best known for its flight simulators, the health-care business is focused on training for medical professionals including patient simulators.Parent says the business, which it launched in 2009, is growing under a strong leadership team and has reached a point where the opportunity exists to take it to the next level. He says Madison Industries is well positioned to support the future growth of the business, which will continue to focus on evolving simulation to drive patient safety and quality outcomes.The deal, which is subject to closing conditions, including regulatory approvals, is expected to close before the end of CAE’s 2024 fiscal year.This...

Dean's List features 5 must-see Halloween movies

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:28 GMT

CHICAGO — We're just a week away from Halloween but so many have already been in the spirit for a little while in October.One of the ways in which people do so is by watching their favorite scary movie before the 31st. There have been many horror movies made through the years, but everyone has their favorites.That includes Dean Richards, who decided to pick out five in which he likes to watch every year in late October.That was the subject of the "Dean's List" segment on Tuesday, and you can see those choices from the October 24 morning news in the video above.Get Dean's reviews and A-List interviews delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for Dean's Downloads weekly newsletter. You'll also get his Dean Cooks recipes too!

City of Austin looks to update water lines during I-35 expansion

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:28 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- There are plans to update and increase the water resilience for south Austin residents as part of the I-35 expansion project. As part of the plans to widen the interstate that cuts through Austin, the Texas Department of Transportation, which is heading the project, will have to relocate current water and wastewater lines placed along I-35 between Holly Street and Ben White Boulevard. TXDOT is responsible for funding the relocation effort, but the city of Austin is asking that when the lines are relocated, they are also upgraded. Austin city council voted to enter into an advanced funding agreement with TXDOT to complete the project. Austin Water will be responsible for paying for the "betterments" of the system. What will be different? The lines currently in place now were put there in the 1950s, according to Kevin Koeller, a division manager at Austin Water. In the last 70 years, our technology and population have changed and the water lines will need to reflect t...

NYSP: Driver strikes police cruiser in chase, causes $10K in damage

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:28 GMT

EAST GREENBUSH, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- An Albany man was arrested after a months-long investigation into a cop-involved car chase that happened in July. Daniel Hammon, 36, faces multiple charges. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! On July 25, around 4:17 p.m., state police assisted the Albany County Sheriff's Office in response to a wrong-way driver on I-90. Police say Hammon intentionally struck a marked law enforcement car involved in the pursuit, causing more than $10,000 worth of damages.ChargesSecond-degree criminal mischiefSecond-degree attempted assault NYSP conduct underage drinking detail in Saratoga County Hammon was arrested and produced by the Albany County Correctional Facility where he was held on additional charges from this incident. He was processed by Schodack State Police and was arraigned at the East Greenbush Town Court. He was then returned to the Albany County Correctional Facility.

Proud to Serve: Kate Freshman of Florissant Valley Fire District creates 'Fire Up STL,' receives $500 and our Proud to Serve award

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:28 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Kate Freshman grew up in a firehouse with her dad but dreamed of becoming a meteorologist!  She took a ride along with her dad one day and a new dream was planted. Kate works for the Florissant Valley Fire Protection District as an EMS and firefighter and realized quickly that there were not many females in the industry. So she got to work, first as a volunteer with 'Camp Fury,' a summer camp that gives teen females hands-on experience and insight into a career as a first responder.  She then created 'Fire Up STL,' a recruiting weekend in St. Louis for females ages 18 to 40. The recruitment event gives prospective candidates an opportunity to try the basic skills that firefighters and EMS use to see if they might feel compelled to join the industry. The weekend includes climbing the ladder, conducting search and rescues, and using the tools necessary if someone needs to be cut out of a vehicle or home. In addition to her full-time job, creating Fire U...

'Halloween' executive producer explains franchise's staying power

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:28 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Do you love the 'Halloween' movies? You're not alone if you do.The iconic film franchise is celebrating a huge milestone. This year marks 45 years since the original film opened, not too far from Kansas City. Ryan Freimann, an executive producer of the Halloween film franchise, spoke with FOX 2's Ty Hawkins about the very first release of the film. Rigazzi’s sold to local ownership group The two also discussed why they believe the franchise has so much staying power. The first film was released on Saturday, October 24, 1978.

Hit-and-run turns into shooting investigation, police say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:28 GMT

A hit-and-run call in South L.A. led to authorities to open a shooting investigation early Tuesday morning. According to Los Angeles Police Department officials, the initial call of a vehicle colliding with a pedestrian came in just before 4 a.m. near the intersection of 84th Street and Western Avenue in Manchester Square. When Los Angeles City Fire Department first responders arrived on scene, they called for LAPD units upon discovering a victim with a gunshot wound, preliminary information from police indicates.   Fiery rollover crash halts traffic on 101 Freeway The call was then changed to a shooting investigation, LAPD said. Police responding to a hit-and-run call quickly shifted their focus to a shooting investigation. (KTLA)Officers remained on scene as of 6 a.m. Tuesday conducting an investigation. No suspect description has been released by authorities. Nancy Fontan contributed to this report.

JR Cruise Minds His P and Q

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:28 GMT

JR Cruise Minds His P and Q: L.A. rapper J.R. Cruise has release new single and video “P&Q,” a song he describes as a West Coast anthem.“‘P&Q’ is about putting in the practice it takes behind the scenes to win,” he said.The stylish black & white video sees Cruise performing the song in a sparse room with a live band, while a lady (Camryn Taylor) ballet dances.“After a three-year hiatus, ‘P&Q’ serves as an ode to one who steps up and rises to the occasion when it’s all on the line,” reads the press release. “It’s all about being resilient, regardless if you slip or fall. The song begins with an inspiring 70s-driven sample, produced by Mario Luciano, Ashton McCreight, Jay Millian, and Leon Mcquay, that fuses into a classic West Coast beat.”“With cosigns by G PERICO, Hit-Boy, PHABO, and more, J.R Cruise presents a slice of West Coast life through his authentic, real-life stories,” it continues. R...