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Pope Francis has a hospital checkup after coming down with the flu

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:23 GMT

ROME (AP) — Pope Francis went to the hospital Saturday for tests after he came down with the flu, but the results ruled out any respiratory problems, the Vatican said.Francis, who had part of one lung removed as a young man, underwent a CAT scan, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said.The test at Rome’s Gemelli hospital, where Francis was treated for a respiratory infection earlier this year, was done to rule out any possible respiratory problems and came back negative, Bruni said in a statement.Earlier Saturday, the Vatican said the pope had canceled his audiences because of the flu.Francis is due to travel on Friday to Dubai for the COP28 conference on climate change. Bruni provided no information about any change in his plans and in fact the Vatican on Saturday gave new details about his itinerary, suggesting the trip was still on.The pope will turn 87 next month. When asked about his health in a recent interview — after setbacks that included abdominal surgery just a few months ago...

Hamas is set to exchange more hostages for Palestinian prisoners

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:23 GMT

KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Hamas was preparing to release more than a dozen hostages Saturday for several dozen Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, part of an exchange on the second day of a cease-fire that has allowed critical humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip and given civilians their first respite after seven weeks of war.While uncertainty remained around the details of the exchange, there was optimism, too, amid the scenes of joyous families reuniting on both sides. On the first day of the four-day cease-fire, Hamas released 24 of the about 240 hostages taken during its Oct. 7 attack on Israel that triggered the war, and Israel freed 39 Palestinians from prison. Those freed in Gaza were 13 Israelis, 10 Thais and a Filipino.On Saturday, Hamas provided mediators Egypt and Qatar with a list of 14 hostages to be released, and it has been passed to Israel, according to a Egyptian official speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not permitted to talk about details o...

Elon Musk's Bastrop 'town' gets bodega, salon

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:23 GMT

BASTROP, Texas (KXAN) – Elon Musk's new "town" in Bastrop County for employees of two of his companies now has a bodega, salon, and pub coming soon. The Boring Company partnered with Lennar Corp., one of the nation’s largest homebuilders, in 2022 to build 110 subdivisions in a project codenamed “Project Amazing.” The Wall Street Journal reported in March that Musk was planning to create a town near a SpaceX industrial site and the Boring Company’s  Bastrop headquarters.  MORE: New homes for Elon Musk’s workforce planned in Bastrop County Musk posted to his platform X, formerly Twitter, after the WSJ article was published, calling it “false.” Hyperloop Plaza, near Space X and the new development, now has several amenities, which are reportedly open to the public, and merchandising branding the community space.The Bastrop community has had a mixed reaction to Musk's presence in the low-key Austin suburb. Much of the concern from the community has to do with Musk's Bor...

'Small Business Saturday' is today

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:23 GMT

WACO, Texas (FOX 44) -- Small businesses start with one person and a dream, and for many small businesses, the busy season started Friday."We absolutely love this time of year because we do get to see so much more traffic than we see normally during the beginning parts of the year," Spice Village owner Jennifer Wilson said.As heavyweight retailers dominate sales on Black Friday, Small Business Saturday is a day that helps the little guys compete with big box competitors."Kohl's has the same thing over and over again. Whereas nearly every day, the shop owners here bring out different things," Spice Village employee Natalie said.Small Business Saturday aims to remind consumers they play a key role in helping their local economy thrive."It's also just supporting local small businesses, which I love doing," Natalie said.Saturday marked the 14th anniversary of the shop's small movement. Natalie said shopping at small businesses is a one-of-a-kind experience."Shopping at small businesses,...

Albany woman reported missing

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:23 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- 21-year-old Azalea Gardner, of Albany, has been reported missing. Azalea is approximately 5'2" and weighs roughly 125 pounds, with pink hair and blue eyes. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Azalea Gardner (APD)Azalea was reportedly last seen on November 22 around 4 p.m. in the area of Morton Avenue and South Pearl Street in downtown Albany. Police say she was last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans and black boots.Anyone with information regarding her whereabouts is asked to contact the Albany Police Department’s Detective Division at (518)462-8039.

Man fatally stabbed outside of liquor store; suspect remains on the loose 

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:23 GMT

Police in South Los Angeles are searching for a suspect connected to a fatal stabbing outside a liquor store. According to the Los Angeles Police Department, the stabbing occurred around 11:20 p.m. Friday night near Lucky Liquor on South Main Street in South L.A.’s Florence neighborhood. Responding officers found the male victim with a stab wound outside the store. He was transported to a nearby hospital where he later died. Surveillance footage shows the victim walking out of the store with a female friend moments before he was stabbed. (RMGNews)Surveillance footage shows the victim walking out of the store with a female friend moments before he was stabbed. (RMGNews)Surveillance footage shows the victim walking out of the store with a female friend moments before he was stabbed. (RMGNews)Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect and victim were involved in a confrontation that escalated into the fatal stabbing, police said.  6 detained after shooting at North...

The “Tired Terpene” — A Beginner’s Guide To Linalool

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:23 GMT

Read the original article about Linalool at Real Tested CBD.Cannabinoids give cannabis its unique effects, but they aren’t responsible for this plant’s unique scent. The aromas you pick up when you smell a batch of hemp flowers are related to compounds called “terpenes.” Although terpenes aren’t unique to the cannabis plant, they play a central role in giving each strain its flavor profile. Plus, many researchers believe terpenes may contribute to each CBD hemp strain’s distinctive effects.While scientists are still discovering new terpenes in cannabis strains, a few “primary terpenes” appear in many cannabis hybrids. For instance, linalool is commonly found in many popular hemp flowers. Most often, when customers see high linalool percentages in their CBD extract, they could safely bet on a “soothing” experience. This floral terpene has a strong reputation for inducing relaxing effects that may make it a perfect fit for nighttime relief.Shining A Light On Linalool — What CBD Fans S...

The law behind the last-minute sex abuse claims against high-profile men like Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, NY Mayor Eric Adams

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:23 GMT

Molly Crane-Newman | New York Daily NewsThe final day to file time-barred sex abuse claims under the Adult Survivors Act saw a down-to-the-wire spike of high-profile filings Thursday that swept in rap mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs for the second time in a week, more cases against Robert Hadden — and reached Mayor Adams himself.Adams late Wednesday became the latest in a long list of public figures sued under the legislation in a lawsuit accusing him of sexually assaulting a former colleague, whom the Daily News is not naming, in 1993. Adams strenuously denies the alleged attack, details of which have not yet been disclosed.TOPSHOT – New York Mayor Eric Adams speaks during his weekly press conference at New York City Hall on November 14, 2023. FBI agents seized the New York mayor’s cell phones and other devices, his campaign lawyer said 10 November, 2023, in an apparent escalation of a federal investigation into campaign fundraising. The seizure appears to be part of a corruption investig...

Former Republican assemblymember hit with $100,000 fine from state political watchdog

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:23 GMT

Former Orange County Assemblymember Bill Brough has been fined $100,000 by the state Fair Political Practices Commission for misusing campaign funds and then failing to make payments toward a lesser penalty imposed earlier this year.Bill Brough (Photo courtesy of Bill Brough) Brough, a Republican from Dana Point, agreed to pay a $47,000 penalty to settle the matter in April, made a single payment of $7,500 and then stopped responding to efforts by the FPPC and his own attorney to collect the rest, according to filings in the FPPC’s case.Their investigation found that Brough, from February 2017 to March 2020, misused $17,303 in campaign funds for personal purposes and did not properly keep receipts for another $68,586 in spending.Brough, a former Dana Point councilmember who served in the Assembly from 2016 until 2020, could not be reached for comment. In 2020, he denied any wrongdoing through his attorney and called the probe “retaliation” for his support of politically unfavor...

Christmas party at California Taco Bell turned in night of debauchery in 2022, lawsuit claims

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:23 GMT

A Christmas party at a Taco Bell in San Pedro descended into an alcohol-fueled night of debauchery in 2022, with one employee engaged in sex with his wife in front of others while his wife was seen kissing the restaurant supervisor and another woman, alleges a lawsuit filed by a former cashier.Alana Bechiom, who worked for Taco Bell less than a year, said in the lawsuit filed last week in Los Angeles Superior Court that she endured threats and vandalism from co-workers for reporting what happened and was so overcome with stress and anxiety that she resigned days later.Bechiom, who is seeking unspecified damages, is suing Taco Bell Corp.; Alvarado Restaurant Group, a Colorado company that owns the San Pedro restaurant franchise; and former supervisor Lidia Ruiz.Officials with Taco Bell and Alvarado Restaurant Group did not respond to phone calls and emails seeking comment. Attorneys for Bechiom could not be reached for comment.The lawsuit alleges Ruiz organized the Christmas party on...