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Soccer world waits for Messi’s decision with Al-Hilal, Barcelona and Inter Miami possible options

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 17:28:24 GMT

LONDON (AP) — The soccer world is waiting for Lionel Messi’s decision.The Argentina great, fresh off winning the World Cup in December, is essentially a free agent after bidding adieu to Paris Saint-Germain. The big question now surrounds where he will go next.Things are still up in the air, however, sparking frenzied rumors about the next destination of one of the greatest soccer players in history.There’s the possibility of moving to Saudi Arabia, where attempts to bring in some of soccer’s most high-profile — if aging — stars ratcheted up when the kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund took a majority ownership stake of four of the country’s top clubs. They include Al-Nassr, the team of Cristiano Ronaldo since January; Al-Ittihad, the new team of reigning world player of the year Karim Benzema; and Al-Hilal, the team heavily linked with a move for the 35-year-old Messi.Messi, after all, has already established a relationship with Saudi Arabia by agreeing to a commercial contract w...

Three U.S. biologists win Spanish Asturias award for scientific and technical research

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 17:28:24 GMT

MADRID (AP) — U.S. biologists Jeffrey Gordon, Peter Greenberg and Bonnie Bassler won Spain’s Princess of Asturias Award for Scientific and Technical Research for 2023 on Wednesday. The Princess of Asturias Award jury said the three were chosen for their contributions to research into the essential role of communities of microorganisms in life on earth.The panel said Gordon had “spearheaded the discovery and understanding of the human microbiome,” the vast number and diversity of microorganisms that live in the body and which play essential roles in health.Greenberg and Bassler have been acclaimed for their work in revealing mechanisms of communication between bacteria.The jury said the work of all three was “enabling innovative therapeutic applications and the search for new effective treatments against antibiotic-resistant bacteria.”Gordon is professor in the department of Medicine and Biological Chemistry at Washington University in Saint Louis, Mo.Bassler is chair of Princeton Un...

Global touts updated takes on ‘Matlock,’ ‘Robyn Hood’ as it details fall/winter plans

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 17:28:24 GMT

TORONTO — A modernized take on the Robin Hood legend, a gender-swapped “Matlock” and a show revolving around a “Good Wife” fan favourite are among the highlights of Global’s upcoming TV lineup.Corus’s flagship channel revealed a fall and winter schedule partly anchored by updated takes of past hits, including the CBS reboot of legal classic “Matlock” with Kathy Bates in the titular role, and CBS’s “The Good Wife” spinoff “Elsbeth” starring Carrie Preston.Also on deck is the homegrown series “Robyn Hood,” billed as a “contemporary re-imagining” from acclaimed Canadian music video director and filmmaker Julien Christian Lutz, also known as Director X.The eight-episode, one-hour series stars Jessye Romeo, Nykeem Provo and Ian Matthews.Also coming to Global is the Fox medical drama “Doc,” based on a successful Italian format, the CBS comedy “Poppa’s House” starring Damon Wayans and Damon Wayans Jr., and 90-minute episodes of CBS’s “Survivor,” back with its 45th season.Corus ...

Tim Hortons launching new credit card through mobile rewards app

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 17:28:24 GMT

Tim Hortons is launching a credit card that can be used through its mobile app, the latest move into an increasingly competitive rewards space.Tims Financial is a new division of Tim Hortons that will offer a no-annual-fee Mastercard powered by Neo Financial, the company said in a press release Wednesday.The card will be launched in the coming months, but interested customers can sign up for a waitlist on the Tims Financial website.Customers will be able to earn Tims Rewards Points on most purchases, including on many gas, grocery and transit purchases, and extra points at Tim Hortons restaurants.“There are millions of Canadians who are actively seeking better and accessible financial products,” said Markus Sturm, senior vice president of digital, loyalty and consumer goods at Tim Hortons, which is owned by Restaurant Brands International.The Tims Rewards app already has features like mobile order and scan and pay, making a new payment option the logical next step, said Sturm....

How to uncover and address your teen’s money fears

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 17:28:24 GMT

Rumor has it teenagers only worry about their phones and their friends. But what if they worry about money, too?Research from the 2022 Junior Achievement Teens & Personal Finance Survey found that over 54% of teens feel unprepared for their financial futures. One way parents could help their kids feel more prepared is by addressing their money fears.UNCOVER YOUR TEEN’S MONEY FEARSThere are several ways to learn about your teen’s money fears, but a good place to start is by looking at yours.“(Parents) have to look at their own issues because what you bring to the table is what your kids are going to pick up, even if you tell them to do the opposite,” says Michele Paiva, a Downingtown, Pennsylvania-based licensed psychotherapist whose work focuses on trauma recovery, and financial education and therapy.Get introspective about what your feelings about money are and how that might show up in your home. For instance, if you’re always arguing with your partner about their or your spen...

A look at Pope Francis’ health over the years

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 17:28:24 GMT

By The Associated Press (AP) — Pope Francis has had three hospitalizations since he was elected pope in 2013, and underwent major surgery as a young man to have part of one lung removed. In between, the 86-year-old pontiff has suffered from bouts of sciatica, or nerve pain, that have made walking and standing difficult. More recently, he strained his knee ligaments and had a small fracture in one knee that have forced him to use a wheelchair and walker for over a year.Francis has a personal physician, Dr. Roberto Bernabei, who is an internist and geriatric specialist at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Rome. He also has a personal nurse, Massimiliano Strappetti, an employee of the Vatican health system whom Francis credited with saving his life when Strappetti diagnosed the 2021 intestinal problem. In 2022, Francis named Strappetti his “personal health care assistant.” Strappetti and Bernabei usually join Francis on his foreign trips.Here’s a look at the health of the ...

4 women critical after crash involving semi on South Side

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 17:28:24 GMT

CHICAGO — Four women are in critical condition after a crash involving a semi truck on the city's South Side.The crash occurred around 2:30 a.m. Wednesday in the 7900 block of South Pulaski. According to police, the driver was traveling northbound at a high-rate of speed, ran a red light and collided with a semi.Three women were transported to Advocate Christ Medical Center and a fourth woman was transported to Mount Sinai Hospital — all in critical condition.The Chicago Fire Department said the women had to be extracted from the vehicle. Police pursuit ends at River Oaks Shopping Center after suspects flee into mall The semi driver was uninjured. An investigation is underway.

Pence calls for ‘different leadership’ in 2024 launch video

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 17:28:24 GMT

Former Vice President Mike Pence formally launched his 2024 presidential campaign on Wednesday, releasing a video that made the broad case for his candidacy amid an increasingly crowded Republican primary field.In a nearly-three minute video, titled “Best Days,” Pence made no direct mention of former President Trump, nor is the former president featured on screen. Instead, the former vice president narrates a video that offers a brief personal history of his family and government service and argues that the country should turn the page on President Biden without returning to Trump.“We can turn this country around. But different times call for different leadership. Today, our party and our country need a leader who will appeal, as Lincoln said, to the better angels of our nature,” Pence said in the video.“I have long believed to whom much is given much will be required. My family and I have been blessed beyond measure with opportunities to serve this nation. And it would be easy to s...

Wednesday Forecast: Temps in mid 70s with mostly sunny conditions

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 17:28:24 GMT

CHICAGO — Temperatures in mid-70s Wednesday with mostly cloudy conditions and morning showers possible. Winds: N 5-15 G20. High: 75/68. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storm here Mainly clear tonight. Winds: N 5-15 G25. Low: 54.Thursday Forecast: Sunny conditions. Winds: NNE 5-10 G15. High: 74/67.Full forecast details and more at the WGN Weather Center blog

LGBTQ+ kids, students of color feel less safe at school amid conservative restrictions

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 17:28:24 GMT

NOLENSVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The first encounter with racism that Harmony Kennedy can remember came in elementary school. On a playground, a girl picked up a leaf and said she wanted to “clean the dirt” from Harmony’s skin.In sixth grade, a boy dropped trash on the floor and told her to pick it up, “because you’re a slave.” She was stunned — no one had ever said anything like that to her before.As protests for racial justice broke out in 2020, white students at her Tennessee high school kneeled in the hallways and chanted, “Black lives matter!” in mocking tones. As she saw the students receive light punishments, she grew increasingly frustrated.So when Tennessee began passing legislation that could limit the discussion and teaching of Black history, gender identity and race in the classroom, to Harmony, it felt like a gut punch — as if the adults were signaling this kind of ignorant behavior was acceptable.“When I heard they were removing African American history, banning LGBTQ, I almo...