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

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:32 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 10:54:32 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 10:54:32 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 10:54:32 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 10:54:32 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 10:54:32 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...

Robots take questions at Geneva press conference, say they could be better leaders than humans

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:32 GMT

BERLIN (AP) — Robots told reporters Friday they could be more efficient leaders than humans, but wouldn’t take anyone’s job away and had no intention of rebelling against their creators.Nine AI-enabled humanoid robots sat or stood with their creators at a podium in a Geneva conference center for what the United Nations’ International Telecommunication Union billed as the world’s first news conference featuring humanoid social robots. Among them: Sophia, the first robot innovation ambassador for the U.N. Development Program; Grace, described as the world’s most advanced humanoid health care robot; and Desdemona, a rock star robot. Two, Geminoid and Nadine, closely resembled their makers.The event was part of the AI for Good Global Summit, meant to illustrate how new technology can support the U.N.’s goals for sustainable development.Reporters were asked to speak slowly and clearly when addressing the robots, and were informed that time lags i...

Denver weather: Once again, turbulent afternoon storms could bring heavy rain and hail

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:32 GMT

A partly sunny morning as fog clears, revealing blue skies on Friday across metro Denver will turn turbulent with afternoon thunderstorms bringing rain and possible hail, a pattern expected to repeat on Saturday before temperatures increase on Sunday, according to the National Weather Service.Scattered afternoon and evening storms today. A couple severe storms possible, with the greatest risk area over the Palmer Divide into southern Lincoln County.Cooler than normal temps continue. #COwx pic.twitter.com/m6V6nKUp1P— NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder) July 7, 2023Any heavy rain and hail likely will hit after 3 p.m. and during the evening in the area from Denver south along the Interstate 25 corridor, moving eastward across Colorado’s high plains, weather service forecasters said. Meteorologists estimated the likelihood of rain at 50% on Friday and Saturday.The high temperature in Denver will be 79 degrees on Friday and Saturday, increasing to 86 degrees Sunday, forecasters said. A...

Recent brush fires, coming heat wave ignite concerns in Southern California

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:32 GMT

A pair of overnight brush fires combined with an upcoming heat wave has sparked concern about the possibility of larger wildfires igniting across Southern California.Fire crews responded to a brush fire burning in the hills above Sylmar around 1 a.m. Friday, the Los Angeles Fire Department stated in a news alert. They arrived to find flames burning in medium to heavy brush on both sides of the street near Lopez Canyon Park. A firefighter rushes to douse flames above Sylmar on July 7, 2023. (KTLA)It took about 30 minutes for the firefighters to douse the quarter-acre fire, the Fire Department stated. Debris from fireworks were located along the hillside but it was unclear if they sparked the wildfire. No injuries were reported and no homes were threatened during the incident. Crews tackle large brush fire in Riverside County A fire also ignited late Thursday in Rowland Heights.Crews responded around 11 p.m. to the 18000 block of East Vantage Point Drive.Flames burned dangerously cl...

3 teens arrested for killing pizza deliveryman in Stanton

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:32 GMT

Three teens were arrested Thursday for a shooting that killed a pizza delivery driver in Stanton who was stopping to help an assault victim in 2022.The suspects were identified as Henry Diep Le, 19, from Garden Grove, Adrian Castaneda, 19, and Damian Ivan Mayorga,18, both from Anaheim.The suspects are accused of their involvement in a shooting that killed Juan Cristalinas, 49, a Santa Ana resident and left a 76-year-old man hospitalized, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.On June 28, authorities responded to the 7000 block of Lessue Avenue on a call of unknown trouble.Arriving deputies found both victims lying on the street with gunshot wounds.It was later discovered that Cristalinas was a pizza delivery driver who had stopped driving and hopped out to intervene when the 76-year-old victim was being assaulted by the suspects.Authorities respond to a fatal shooting in Stanton on June 29, 2022. (OnScene.TV)Both men were transported to the hospital where Cristalinas la...