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Women’s voices being heard at Vatican’s big meeting on church’s future, nun says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:50:29 GMT

ROME (AP) — A prominent Irish nun said Monday that women’s voices are being heard at Pope Francis’ big meeting on the future of the Catholic Church, and said delegates are also acknowledging the hurt caused by the church’s position on homosexuality.Sister Patricia Murray, executive secretary of the main umbrella group of women’s religious orders, provided an update on the status of discussions halfway through the Vatican’s nearly month-long synod, or meeting.Francis called the gathering to press his vision for a church that is more inclusive and welcoming, where ordinary Catholics have a greater say in decision making than the all-male priestly hierarchy. A central theme has been the role of women in church governance, but other hot button issues are also on the agenda, including acceptance for LGBTQ+ Catholics and priestly celibacy.Murray is one of the 54 women granted the right to vote for the first time at a synod. She was also elected to the commission that will draft the synthe...

EU leaders will meet to deal with the fallout in Europe from the Israel-Hamas war

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:50:29 GMT

BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union leaders will hold an emergency summit on Tuesday as concern mounts that the war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas could fuel inter-communal tensions in Europe and bring more refugees in search of sanctuary.The leaders will also attempt to restore some order after a series of social media messages, statements and visits by EU officials sowed confusion about the 27-nation bloc’s intentions after Hamas attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, triggering a new war in Gaza.More than 4,000 people have been killed in Israel and Gaza since Hamas launched its bloody rampage and almost 200 Israelis, including children, were taken hostage. Rallies in support of both sides have been held around Europe. Some have been banned.“The conflict could have major security consequences for our societies,” EU Council President Charles Michel said on Monday as he announced the video summit. The meeting will also focus on getting aid to civilians and working w...

Montreal mayor joins mayors of New York, Paris on UN sustainability advisory group

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:50:29 GMT

Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante has joined a new United Nations group to help local and regional governments implement the organization’s sustainable development plan.The Advisory Group on Local and Regional Governments consists of 20 elected officials from five continents.Members include the mayors of New York City, London and Paris.The UN says the group will find ways to improve collaboration between cities, regions, national governments and international organizations, and make recommendations ahead of a 2024 summit.Plante says in a news release that her participation will allow Montreal to learn from other cities on how to minimize the impacts of climate change.UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has told the group that the UN wants to hear the perspectives of local and regional authorities about how to make multi-country organizations more effective. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 16, 2023. The Canadian Press

MUST-WATCH: Living the upper-class life with Frasier Crane

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:50:29 GMT

A reboot of one of the most famous sitcoms of all time has entered the MUST-WATCH Top 10! But will it rise to the top spot, or could it go to a legal drama starring two Oscar-winning actors? Perhaps a new miniseries from the modern master of horror? You’ll have to keep reading to find out!Lessons in ChemistryWhere to watch: Apple TV+Let’s start this week off with some historical fiction!Lessons in Chemistry is a new miniseries based on the book of the same name by Bonnie Garmus. It stars Brie Larson (from Room and Captain Marvel) as a lab tech working in the 1960s. She’s fired from her job and not sure how to proceed with her life, but that all changes when she’s given a opportunity to host a cooking show on television. She uses this opportunity to educate her viewers about cuisine, chemistry, and how women exist in the world. This show also stars Lewis Pullman (from Top Gun: Maverick), Aja Naomi King (from How to Get Away with Murder) and Stephanie Koenig (f...

1 dead after being hit by dump truck in midtown Toronto

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:50:29 GMT

Toronto police say a pedestrian died after being hit by a dump truck on Monday.Authorities were called to the Davisville Avenue and Mount Pleasant Road area just after 10:30 a.m. for reports of someone being struck by a vehicle.The pedestrian was reportedly riding a mobility scooter when they were hit by a dump truck. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. An age and gender were not immediately provided, but Toronto Paramedics said the pedestrian was an elderly person.The intersection will be closed for the investigation.COLLISION:Davisville Av + Mount Pleasant10:41 a.m.– Dump truck struck a person– Reports the person was on a mobility scooter– Police are on scene with @TorontoMedics– They have life-threatening injuries– Intersection is closed for investigation @TTCnotices#GO2403703^lb— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) October 16, 2023

What happens to your body when you sneeze?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:50:29 GMT

(WHTM) – Everyone has experienced a sneeze — whether it's from allergies, an illness or just a random one that seemed to appear out of nowhere. But have you ever wondered what happens to your body during that split-second sneeze? A sneeze, by definition, is a sudden, forceful, uncontrolled burst of air through the nose and mouth. According to the Library of Congress, a sneeze begins with a sensation similar to a tickle inside the nerve endings of your nose. These nerve endings send a signal to your brain to tell it that it needs to get rid of something that is irritating the lining of the nose. The summer COVID surge is finally waning. Is a winter wave coming soon? After the signal is sent, you end up taking a deep breath and holding it, while the pressure inside your lungs builds. You then close your eyes, your tongue presses against the roof of your mouth and you let a huge breath out of both your mouth and your nose. All of the above happens within a split second. The speed of...

Temps to reach upper 60s mid-week. A look at the season's average first freeze

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:50:29 GMT

Here's a look at when our region sees its first freeze (32º or lower) compared to other parts of the country.  This week is when we see the first freeze on Average at O'Hare - official date Oct. 19For the outlying counties, (north, west or south/southeast) the average freeze is somewhere between Oct. 11-20. Notice in the map below, the city's heat island and lakeside locations which helps keep that first average freeze at bay until October 27-November 5.So far this year, the lowest we've dropped to at O'Hare is 42º on both Oct. 10 and Oct. 11.  There's nothing in the 7-day forecast that signals a drop to freezing at O'Hare either.The record for Chicago's earliest autumn freeze is Sept. 22, 1995 (32º) and the record latest fall freeze is Nov. 24, 1931 (30º). Last year our first freeze occurred on Nov. 11, 2022  (32º)Those leaf bags will get a lot heavier after the leaves soak up the moisture. This may encourage people to rake their leaves when they are dry, even if that mea...

Austin's Diagon Alley house not on display this Halloween

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:50:29 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will return to south Austin in 2024.Diagon Alley Austin has created elaborate decorations and displays for years, transforming their home into the Hogwarts Castle. Traditionally, the family finishes the display before Halloween and keeps it up through Christmas.Last year, the family hosted an abbreviated display season, erecting the Hogwarts Castle and decorations after Halloween to enjoy spending more time with their son before he left for college.Joel Pace began the tradition back in 2017 as a way to cheer up his wife after she was diagnosed with breast cancer. From there, the display has expanded and allows people to drive by or walk over for a quick visit.Despite the display's absence this holiday season, the Paces teased an even grander show come 2024. "We are taking a year off to do a little reimagination of what the display might look like in 2024," the Paces posted on Jan. 1.

Here's what is in ACL's lost and found after Weekend Two

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:50:29 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The 2023 Austin City Limits Music Festival has come to an end. After six days of concerts, the festival's lost and found has filled with many lost phones, IDs, credit cards, glasses and other belongings. PREVIOUS: Here’s what was lost, found after ACL Weekend One As of Monday morning, there were 30 phones, over 20 wallets, 80 IDs, over 130 credit cards and over 30 keys turned in, according to the online lost and found tracker.Other items listed online were jewelry items, bags and clothing. A full gallery of found items is online. Some items are identified only by last name, such as IDs and credit cards.The lost and found tent is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday. The post-festival lost and found is at the Guest Services HQ on William Barton Drive.An ACL spokesperson said people can claim items online and the festival will work to reunite the items with its owner for up to 60 days after ACL. The online lost-and-found system allows attendees to search for thei...

Six key questions about the Israel-Hamas war and America's role

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:50:29 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The United States has vowed to stand with Israel as the war with Hamas carries on, however, foreign affairs experts say the Biden Administration does not want a larger international conflict. Hundreds attend Israel, Palestine rallies at Texas Capitol The risk of expanding the war primarily comes from Iran, a U.S. adversary. On Monday Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Iran and Hezbollah not to “test us” in the north.In Gaza, constant attacks from the air have displaced more than a million people. Many have fled to the Rafah Crossing at the southern border with Egypt to try and escape the fighting. Gaza’s hospitals near breaking point as Israeli invasion looms With an expected ground invasion of Gaza City still expected, KXAN talked with University of Texas Professor and Former Senior CIA Officer Paul Pope about key questions related to America's role in the war. What message is the U.S. trying to send by sending diplomats and aircraft carriers to t...