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European telescope launched to hunt for clues to universe’s darkest secrets

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:22:30 GMT

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — A European space telescope blasted off Saturday on a quest to explore the mysterious and invisible realm known as the dark universe.SpaceX launched the European Space Agency’s Euclid observatory toward its ultimate destination 1 million miles (1.5 million kilometers) away, the Webb Space Telescope’s neighborhood. It will take a month to get there and another two months before it starts its ambitious six-year survey this fall.Named for antiquity’s Greek mathematician, Euclid will scour billions of galaxies covering more than one-third of the sky. By pinpointing the location and shape of galaxies up to 10 billion light-years away — almost all the way back to the cosmos-creating Big Bang — scientists hope to glean insight into the dark energy and dark matter that make up most of the universe and keep it expanding.Scientists understand only 5 percent of the universe: stars, planets, us. The rest is “still a mystery and an enigma, a huge frontier in mode...

Russian attacks in Ukraine leave 3 killed, 17 wounded. Spain highlights European support for Kyiv

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:22:30 GMT

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian officials reported more civilian casualties from Russian shelling in the country’s east and south on Saturday, as Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez began a visit to Kyiv as a show of continuing support from Madrid and the European Union for Ukraine’s fight to dislodge invading Russian forces.In an address to Ukraine’s parliament that received several standing ovations, Sánchez said, “We’ll be with you as long as it takes.”“I am here to express the firm determination of the European (Union) and Europe against the illegal and unjustified Russian aggression to Ukraine,” he said on the day that Spain took over the six-month rotating presidency of the 27-nation EU.At a later news conference with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Sanchez announced Spain would deliver more heavy weaponry to Ukraine including four Leopard tanks and armored personnel carriers, as well as a portable field hospital. He also said Spain will provide an additional 55 million e...

Russian media watchdog blacklists outlets linked to Wagner mercenary chief

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:22:30 GMT

Russia’s media watchdog blacklisted at least five media outlets affiliated with Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin and blocked their websites in Russia. The move came after Wagner fighters took control of a Russian military headquarters and advanced on Moscow in what appears to have been an attempted insurrection.As of Saturday, websites of the RIA FAN news agency and four online news portals controlled by Prigozhin’s Patriot media holding company “People’s News”, “Neva News”, “Politics Today” and “Economy Today” — were listed on a register of blacklisted sites maintained by the communications watchdog, Roskomnadzor. Unconfirmed reports in Russian news outlets Friday claimed that Prigozhin himself had ordered a shut down of St. Petersburg-based Patriot. Prigozhin has not directly confirmed or denied the reports. Patriot, founded in 2019 to bring together Prigozhin’s media and internet assets, included the Internet Research Agency, the so-called “troll farm” l...

US forest managers urge revelers to swap fireworks for Silly String, but some say not so fast

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:22:30 GMT

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Smokey Bear said it best: “Only you can prevent wildfires.”Following in the footsteps of their famous mascot, U.S. Forest Service managers in the drought-stricken Southwest are urging people to swap their fireworks this Fourth of July for glow sticks, noisemakers and cans of red, white and blue Silly String. Not so fast, say some environmentalists. While it’s worth encouraging folks not to use fireworks amid escalating wildfire danger, they say it’s kind of silly that federal land managers would suggest using aerosol cans of sticky party string out in nature. The advice began to pop up in recent weeks, with regional forest officials and the New Mexico State Forestry Division pumping out public service announcements offering alternatives aimed at curbing human-sparked blazes.They used a template that echoed similar advice from the National Fire Protection Association and even American Red Cross chapters in others states.“These are alternatives for...

Prime Minister Trudeau strikes optimistic tone in annual Canada Day message

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:22:30 GMT

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is striking an optimistic tone in his annual Canada Day message.He says Canada is the envy of the world, and we should all be proud to be Canadian.“Wherever our flag flies, it’s recognized as a symbol of democracy, of freedom, and of hope,” Trudeau said. “It represents the values we all hold dear. And it is a promise. A promise of a country where newcomers are welcomed with open arms, where differences are celebrated and diversity is embraced, a country where you’re free to be who you are and love whom you love, where everyone has a real and fair chance at success, and a country where we acknowledge historical wrongs and learn from the past in order to build a better future – for everyone.”Trudeau noted that Canada has withstood incredible challenges throughout its history and it will continue to do so by “staying true to our values.”“We are from far and wide, but united we are 40 million strong – and there is no challenge ...

Karen Allen on one last hurrah as Marion Ravenwood in ‘Indiana Jones: Dial of Destiny’

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:22:30 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Indiana Jones. Karen Allen always knew he’d come walking back through her door. Since 1981’s “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” Allen has been only a sporadic presence in the subsequent sequels. But the glow of the freckled, big-eyed actor who so memorably played Marion Ravenwood has only grown stronger over time.Indiana Jones may be one of the movies’ most iconic characters, but he’s always needed a good foil. It was Kate Capshaw and Ke Huy Quan in “Temple of Doom” and Sean Connery in “The Last Crusade.” Yet none could top, or out drink, Allen’s Marion, a wisecracking, naturalistic beauty and swashbuckling heir to screwball legends like Katharine Hepburn and Irene Dunne.Allen’s place in the latest and last “Indiana Jones,” the just-released “Dial of Destiny,” has long been a mystery. Now that the movie is in theaters — spoiler alert — we can finally let the cat out of the bag. Allen returns. And while her role isn’...

2 teens injured after shooting in Grand Crossing overnight

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:22:30 GMT

CHCICAGO -- Two teenagers are injured after a shooting that took place in the city's Grand Crossing neighborhood overnight, police said. According to police the two boys were walking outside near the 40 block of West 75th Street around 2:45 a.m. when a grey truck approached and an unknown individual fired shots from the vehicle. Man charged for officer impersonation, battery of teen girls: Park Ridge police A 15-year-old boy sustained a gunshot wound to the leg and was transported to Comer Children's Hospital in good condition. Another 16-year-old boy sustained a gunshot wound to the right arm and was transported to University of Chicago Medical Center in good condition.There is currently no one in custody and police are investigating the incident.

Trader Joe's once offered delivery. Why did they stop?

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:22:30 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – In 2023, you can get just about anything delivered straight to your door. But a bag of Trader Joe's groceries? No chance. The popular grocery chain doesn't sell any of its products online — not even gift cards — and doesn't work with any third-party delivery services, like Instacart. But that wasn't always the case. A small subset of Trader Joe's shoppers used to be able to have their groceries delivered. The company offered delivery at its New York City locations up until March 2019. Trader Joe’s addresses ‘conspiratorial theories’ about its small parking lots "When we originally introduced delivery, we had one store on 14th Street in Manhattan, options for outside delivery services were limited and ride-sharing meant hopping into a taxi with someone else," the company said in a statement to Supermarket News. "Today, there are seven Trader Joe’s stores across Manhattan, with more on the way, and services for transporting food and people abound."Trader Joe's stop...

California 'bridge house' sells for $180K over asking price

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:22:30 GMT

(KTLA) – A unique home in Los Angeles County that captured the interest of California homebuyers — and started a wider conversation about the high cost of getting into the real estate market — has found a new owner.The home, located in Alhambra, was popular among home-seekers because of its modest (for California) price of $250,000. But it also made nationwide headlines due to its location: It's built into the side of a bridge that overlooks a drainage ditch. A one-of-a-kind real estate listing in Alhambra captured the attention of hundreds of prospective buyers after hitting the market in May 2023. (Douglas Lee Real Estate)The home isn't visible on Google Maps. The single-family residence is actually below street-level, accessible by a staircase that descends to the front door. Inside, visitors will find one bedroom and one bathroom within its 462-square-feet of living space.Douglas Lee, the listing agent, called it the strangest property he's ever had. "I've heard ideas for everyt...

Not as many 100-degree days forecast for July

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:22:30 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — June ended Friday with the one day where a new record high was set. The 102° high broke the previous record of 101° first set in 1980 and tied in 2018. It capped the heatwave that gripped the region during the second half of the month during which the average high temperature was 102.26°.There were 15 days in the month where the high was 100° and higher, six fewer than in 2022. In addition to the record set on the 30th, there were three other records tied. A heatwave ended JuneRain was scarce during what is, on average, the third wettest month in Austin. The monthly normal is 3.68". This June? Only 1.16", a deficit of 2.52".Another month of below-normal rainfallWe know at least one statistic starting July. There likely won't be as many triple-digit highs this July as there were in 2022 when 29 days had maximums at or above 100°, nine of which resulted in records. July temperatures by some numbersJuly is this area's 2nd warmest month with an average temperature of 85...