Vatican orders investigation into Catholic clerics linked to abuse, Swiss Bishops’ Conference says

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 18:46:03 GMT

Vatican orders investigation into Catholic clerics linked to abuse, Swiss Bishops’ Conference says BERLIN (AP) — The Vatican has ordered an investigation into high-ranking Catholic clerics in Switzerland in connection with sexual abuse, the Swiss Bishops’ Conference said on Sunday.The group said in a statement that there were allegations against several active and retired bishops as well as other clergy for their handling of abuse cases. Specifically, they are accused of covering up abuse cases. There are also accusations that some committed sexual assaults themselves in the past.“There are accusations against some of them of having committed sexual assaults themselves in the past,” it said.According to the bishops’ conference, the Vatican received a letter with the allegations in May and subsequently appointed Swiss Bishop Joseph Bonnemain to head a preliminary investigation in June. Bonnemain has a history of investigating sexual assaults around the church, the statement said.Father Nicolas Betticher, a priest at the Bruder Klaus church in the Swiss capital Bern, co...

Shock and worry among Moroccan Canadians after deadly earthquake

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 18:46:03 GMT

Shock and worry among Moroccan Canadians after deadly earthquake In the nearly two days since a deadly earthquake killed more than 2,000 people in Morocco, Montreal’s Café Amistad has become a gathering place for people seeking answers, or at least support.As news of the deadly quake trickled in on Friday, Chorfi Zouhir kept his shop open late into the night, as customers stayed glued to news channels and tried frantically to call home. “Everything was upside down,” he said in an interview Sunday. “We were looking for information at any price.”Zouhir said many people spent the early hours trying to get through on the phone to relatives, desperate to know if they were OK. He said initially, the death toll was reported to be in the dozens, then the hundreds. By the time he woke up Saturday morning, “it was multiplying,” he said.His own family in Casablanca are safe, but he’s shocked by the tragedy that struck his country. He said he’s also been deeply touched by how many people of all background...

Man survives 5 days trapped in California ravine after crash

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 18:46:03 GMT

Man survives 5 days trapped in California ravine after crash (KTLA) - Detailing his emotions after being trapped for five days at the bottom of a California ravine, Calvin Smith said he "kept asking God, 'Please don't let me die out here. Please don't let me die out here.'"Smith, 68, who crashed his truck into a steep ravine last month, recalled the terrifying ordeal to Nexstar's KTLA.Calvin said he was driving to his Ridgecrest home on August 29 when his truck suddenly went over an embankment and fell down about 100 feet into a grassy ravine below.He was ejected out of the window during the impact and suffered a broken back and ribs. Unable to move, he lay there, praying he would soon be found. Escaped murderer has changed appearance, slipped out of search areas: Pennsylvania authorities “I was terrified,” Calvin recalled. “It was ice cold at night and burning hot during the daytime.”A Southern California man who crashed his truck into a steep ravine recalls the terrifying ordeal and miraculously surviving five days without food or water o...

Kroger, Albertsons to sell over 400 stores in 17 states for merger, pending fed approval

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 18:46:03 GMT

Kroger, Albertsons to sell over 400 stores in 17 states for merger, pending fed approval PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – A big shake-up is headed for grocery shoppers as Kroger and Albertsons announced their plan to possibly sell 413 grocery stores across 17 states and the District of Columbia.The sale, which includes other assets and is valued at $1.9 billion, is intended to help create a clear path for the merger with antitrust regulators reviewing the deal. The grocery chains say it’s an effort to compete with Walmart, Amazon, and other major companies.Kroger and Albertsons agreed to merge last October after the former bid $20 billion for the latter. As part of the deal, Kroger would also assume $4.7 billion of Albertsons’ debt. However, the move will require federal approval, meaning the closures could take months. Officials say a decision may not be made until 2024. Aldi to buy 400 Winn-Dixie, Harveys Supermarkets If accepted, Kroger would sell more than 400 of its current stores and Albertsons locations to C&S Wholesale Grocers, a company that supplies independent g...

The summer of wildfire smoke was only the beginning

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 18:46:03 GMT

The summer of wildfire smoke was only the beginning (The Conversation) - Canada’s seemingly endless wildfires in 2023 introduced millions of people across North America to the health hazards of wildfire smoke. While Western states have contended with smoky fire seasons for years, the air quality alerts across the U.S. Midwest and Northeast this summer reached levels never seen there before.The smoke left the air so unhealthy in Philadelphia on June 7, 2023, that the Phillies-Detroit Tigers Major League Baseball game was postponed. That same week, New York City residents hunkered down indoors for several days as a smoky haze hung over the city, turning the skies orange and exposing millions of people to the worst air quality in the world.Smoke also drifted into the Midwest, triggering the highest air quality index levels in the Chicago area in at least 24 years, forcing the cancellation of numerous summer activities and leaving residents with raspy voices. In several states, people woke up to smoky skies day after ...

Quinn Ewers named Walter Camp Offensive Player of the Week following Alabama win

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 18:46:03 GMT

Quinn Ewers named Walter Camp Offensive Player of the Week following Alabama win AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers earned national recognition after helping lead the Longhorns to a 34-24 win over Alabama on Saturday.Ewers was named the Walter Camp Foundation Offensive Player of the Week, the organization announced Sunday. He's the ninth Texas player to be honored with the weekly award since 2004. Instant Analysis: Texas picks up historic victory in the Steve Sarkisian era Ewers completed 24 of 38 passes for 349 yards and three touchdowns, two of which came in the fourth quarter, to vault Texas into the national spotlight and snap Alabama's 21-game home winning streak.Bijan Robinson was the last Longhorn to win the award in 2021. Colt McCoy won the award six times spanning the 2006-09 seasons.The win at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa was the first nonconference road win over an AP top-3 team in Texas program history.

Man arrested in Albany on weapon charges

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 18:46:03 GMT

Man arrested in Albany on weapon charges ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A man in Albany has been arrested following an investigation into a confrontation on First Street, according to police. Algun Inman, 34, is facing multiple charges. Get the latest news, weather, and sports delivered right to your inbox! On September 10 at 12:15 a.m., police responded to the 500 block of First Street following reports of a group fighting. Upon arrival, officers observed Inman to be in possession of a 9mm handgun. Inman was taken into custody and charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, three counts of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, and fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property. He was arraigned in the Albany City Criminal Court and remanded to the Albany County Jail.

Rotterdam to host Hamburg Street Festival

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 18:46:03 GMT

Rotterdam to host Hamburg Street Festival ROTTERDAM, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The town of Rotterdam will be hosting their inaugural Hamburg Street Festival. The event is scheduled for September 16. Get the latest news, weather, and sports delivered right to your inbox! The festival will feature live music, games, activities and presentations, as well as food, arts and crafts from dozens of local businesses. The event will also host appearances by Representative Paul Tonko, State Senator Neil Breslin and Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara."Our communities thrive because of its people – how we connect, how we work together, and how we help each other out. The inaugural Hamburg Street Festival will serve to keep us connected and thriving for years to come!" said Representative Tonko. Castle of Terror coming to Schenectady Armory “I’m thrilled to support my hometown of Rotterdam's inaugural Hamburg Street Festival.” said Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara. “The theme of 'Celebrating Summer to the Fullest' will come to life with a fantast...

Child hospitalized after being shot in north St. Louis County

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 18:46:03 GMT

Child hospitalized after being shot in north St. Louis County ST. LOUIS COUNTY – Police responded to a child being shot on Saturday, September 9, at 6 p.m. The child, a two-year-old, was taken to an area hospital with an apparent gunshot wound to the hand.A preliminary investigation suggests that the incident occurred in north St. Louis County. The victim's mother reported hearing gunfire as they were walking up the steps to a residence. She noticed her daughter's hand was injured and immediately drove her to an area hospital for treatment. The investigation is ongoing.

St. Louis county carjacking, suspects flee in stolen Honda Pilot

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 18:46:03 GMT

St. Louis county carjacking, suspects flee in stolen Honda Pilot ST. LOUIS COUNTY – Police responded to a carjacking on Saturday around 4:20 p.m.The victim, a 30-year-old man, was sitting in his parked vehicle when two suspects entered through the rear driver's side door. One of the suspects held a black firearm to the victim's head and demanded that he "Go."The victim exited the vehicle, allowing the second suspect to take the driver's seat, and the suspects fled in the victim's 2004 silver Honda Pilot. The investigation is ongoing.