U.S. sanctions money lending network to Houthi rebels in Yemen, tied to Iranian oil sales

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:22:34 GMT

U.S. sanctions money lending network to Houthi rebels in Yemen, tied to Iranian oil sales WASHINGTON (AP) — Responding to increased attacks on ships in the southern Red Sea by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, the U.S. announced sanctions against 13 people and firms alleged to be providing tens of millions of dollars from the sale and shipment of Iranian commodities to the Houthis in Yemen.Treasury says that previously sanctioned Houthi and Iranian financial facilitator Sa’id al-Jamal uses a network of exchange houses and firms to help Iranian money reach the country’s militant partners in Yemen.The sanctions block access to U.S. property and bank accounts and prevent the targeted people and companies from doing business with Americans.Money lenders in Lebanon, Turkey and Dubai are listed for assisting al-Jamal, along with shipping firms from Russia to St. Kitts and Nevis, which allegedly move al-Jamal’s Iranian commodity shipments. All people and firms were hit with sanctions Thursday. Brian Nelson, Treasury’s under secretary for terrorism and financial intellig...

Families had long dialogue after Pittsburgh synagogue attack. Now they’ve unveiled a memorial design

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:22:34 GMT

Families had long dialogue after Pittsburgh synagogue attack. Now they’ve unveiled a memorial design PITTSBURGH (AP) — In the years following the deadly 2018 Pittsburgh synagogue attack, relatives of those slain have gone through their own private grief, public memorial services and the trial and death sentence of the perpetrator. They’ve also been deliberating, slowly and methodically, on what kind of permanent memorial should be built to honor their loved ones.They sought counsel from people who had experienced similar, wrenching processes — whether in post-9/11 New York or cities that suffered their own mass shootings.And they visited the Flight 93 National Memorial near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, which marks another terror attack about 70 miles (115 kilometers) from Pittsburgh.It’s been an effort that a growing number of American communities have faced — how to memorialize the victims of a senseless, hate-filled act of violence.For those who lost relatives in the Pittsburgh attack, it was also a unique exercise. They sought a way to honor the simple, devout lives of 11 individu...

Sea otter pup found alone in Alaska has new home at Chicago's Shedd Aquarium

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:22:34 GMT

Sea otter pup found alone in Alaska has new home at Chicago's Shedd Aquarium CHICAGO (AP) — An 8-week-old arrival from Alaska chirps loudly before devouring ice chips in the nursery at Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium.He is Pup EL2306 — proper name to be determined — a northern sea otter who was found alone and malnourished in the remote town of Seldovia in October and taken to the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward. Shedd, one of only a few facilities in the United States with the resources to care for rescued otters, was contacted by the SeaLife Center and the aquarium’s otter team made the cross-country journey with the fluffy brown marine mammal who arrived in Chicago at the end of November.“Caring for a little otter pup is just like caring for an infant,” including round-the-clock feeding, said Lana Gonzalez, a manager of penguins and otter at Shedd. “He also needs to get groomed. Sea otters have a very dense coat — there’s anywhere from a 700,000 to a million hairs per square inch, and that’s what they use to keep themselves warm. They don’t have a thick layer of...

TV's Judge Frank Caprio reveals pancreatic cancer diagnosis

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:22:34 GMT

TV's Judge Frank Caprio reveals pancreatic cancer diagnosis PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Frank Caprio, a retired Rhode Island traffic judge well known to viewers of "Caught in Providence," has announced he has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.Caprio, who turned 87 in November, posted a Facebook video revealing the diagnosis, telling viewers that the news put a damper on his birthday."Quite recently, I was not feeling well and received a medical examination. And the report was not a good one," he said. "I have been diagnosed with cancer of the pancreas, which is an insidious form of cancer." Study: High sugar levels could help pancreatic cancer treatments Caprio is currently getting treatment both in Rhode Island and Massachusetts from a "wonderful" team of doctors, he said."I know this is a long road and I'm fully prepared to fight as hard as I can," he added.Caprio also asked his fans to pray for him, explaining that he believed prayer to be "the most powerful weapon to help me survive this" along with his medical treatment."Just knowin...

Judge grants temporary order in case of woman suing Texas over abortion ban

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:22:34 GMT

Judge grants temporary order in case of woman suing Texas over abortion ban AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- A Travis County judge granted an emergency request to allow a Texas woman to seek an abortion. Judge Maya Guerra Gamble announced the decision after a hearing Thursday morning. Kate Cox, a 31-year-old mother of two young children in Dallas, filed suit against the state last week. Cox is pregnant, and said a screening revealed her baby has full trisomy 18 -- a fatal chromosomal condition causing deformities and growth delays in fetal development. Babies with trisomy 18 are often stillborn or survive for only minutes or days, and their mothers are often at risk of losing the chance to have another child, the petition states.“It is not a matter of if I will have to say goodbye, but when. I do not want to continue the pain and suffering that has plagued this pregnancy," Cox said in a petition to a Travis County district court. "I do not want my baby to arrive in this world only to watch her suffer a heart attack or suffocation. I desperately want the chance to try ...

Here are the 'Colors of the Year' for 2024 from Pantone and Sherwin-Williams

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:22:34 GMT

Here are the 'Colors of the Year' for 2024 from Pantone and Sherwin-Williams AUSTIN (KXAN) — "Peach Fuzz captures our desire to nurture ourselves and others."That's how Pantone describes it's 'Color of the Year' for 2024 — Peach Fuzz 13-1023.Peach Fuzz is "a velvety gentle peach tone whose all-embracing spirit enriches mind, body and soul," the company said on its website."In seeking a hue that echoes our innate yearning for closeness and connection, we chose a color radiant with warmth and modern elegance," said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. "A shade that resonates with compassion, offers a tactile embrace and effortlessly bridges the youthful with the timeless."Pantone has selected a Color of the Year since 2000. Two colors were chosen in both 2016 and 2021. Here’s a look at the previous winners:Pantone says "anything and everything taking place in our culture" can influence their Color of the Year selection.The company says its global team of color experts "comb the world looking for new color influences" each year, ...

Bakery relocating, opening storefront in Latham

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:22:34 GMT

Bakery relocating, opening storefront in Latham LATHAM, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Sweet Elevation Bakery is opening up a physical storefront in Latham. Owner Jennifer Gates said the bakery is set to officially open its doors at 356 Troy Schenectady Road on Monday, December 11. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Gates started Sweet Elevation Bakery during the pandemic in 2020 on Corporate Woods Boulevard in Colonie. At that time, she did have a walk-in storefront offering baked goods and cafe items, but since many people were working from home, Gates transitioned to a custom order bakery."As our lease was expiring at the end of the year, it was apparent that the building wasn't getting occupied like it was pre-COVID and I really wanted to bring back a storefront," Gates told NEWS10. Grand opening for Hudson theater after name change, renovations The new storefront will be stocked with cupcakes, cakes, bars, cookies, French macarons, eclairs, petit fours, cake pops, pies, and cookies, a...

Comedian Jared Freid to perform at Albany Funny Bone

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:22:34 GMT

Comedian Jared Freid to perform at Albany Funny Bone ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Albany Funny Bone will be hosting multiple performances by comedian Jared Freid. The shows are scheduled for December 15 and 16. Saint Rose students protest college closure, demand answers Best known for his standup, Freid released his first Netflix comedy special "37 & Single" in August. He is the host of the "JTrain Podcast" and was also the host of NBC's "How Low Will You Go: Snapchat". Freid will perform a total of three shows. The performance on Friday will be held at 7:30 p.m., while the shows on Saturday are set for 7 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. Kevin Hart to perform at the Palace Theatre The Funny Bone is located on the second floor of Crossgates Mall. You can buy Jared Freid tickets online by visiting the venue's website.

Ex-boyfriend convicted for August 2022 murder of Kirkwood woman

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:22:34 GMT

Ex-boyfriend convicted for August 2022 murder of Kirkwood woman ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. -- A grand jury has now found the ex-boyfriend responsible for the murder of a Kirkwood woman in August 2022.Todd Wilbert, 56, has been found guilty of the murder of Elizabeth Gill on December 6. Gill was killed at her home in Kirkwood on August 13, 2022. Wilbert waited on her back patio drinking wine, entered her home without permission, and then shot her two times at approximately 10:15 p.m.Prior to the shooting, Gill called 911 to ask for help and reported a man in her home pointing a gun at her. The police dispatcher heard a man’s voice in the background during the call and, eventually, a gunshot. Alderman proposes open-carry trigger law in St. Louis When police arrived at the home, they found Gill dead inside and recovered two bullet casings. Officers located Wilbert next door, lying on a cement pad. He was allegedly inebriated and had a firearm within reach.A police spokesperson said Wilbert admitted to a homicide detective that he had called Gill to as...

See smoke? Control burn at Queeny Park, Thursday

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:22:34 GMT

See smoke? Control burn at Queeny Park, Thursday ST. LOUIS COUNTY – The St. Louis County Park’s Forestry Division will conduct a controlled burn at Queeny Park today at 11 a.m.The controlled burn is scheduled at 550 Weidman Road on December 12, and Jason Pratte, the St. Louis County Parks Forestry Manager, will be at the location and available to answer questions.There will be a fire briefing at 11 a.m. to go over plans for the controlled burn and safety precautions, with the burn to follow.The smoke from the controlled burn at Queeny Park may affect the Greensfelder Recreation Complex and the Tails & Trails Dog Park. Also, the adjacent trail to the burn will be closed.A controlled burn not only helps promote native grasses and flowers and controls invasive species, but it also contributes to nutrient cycling by returning nutrients to the soil in the form of ash. This can stimulate new growth and improve the overall health of the ecosystem.Controlled burns also help prepare the ground for the regeneration of certain tree speci...