Coalition forces in Iraq hurt in string of drone attacks

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:16:42 GMT

Coalition forces in Iraq hurt in string of drone attacks By Abby Sewell, Tara Copp and Qassim Abdul-Zahra | Associated PressBEIRUT — Coalition forces were slightly injured in Iraq in a spate of drone attacks over the last 24 hours at U.S. bases in Iraq as regional tensions flare following the deadly bombing of a hospital in Gaza.Two drones targeted a base in western Iraq used by U.S. forces and one drone targeted a base in northern Iraq. U.S. forces intercepted all three, destroying two but only damaging the third, which led to minor injuries among coalition forces at the western base, according to a statement Wednesday by U.S. Central Command.“In this moment of heightened alert, we are vigilantly monitoring the situation in Iraq and the region. U.S. forces will defend U.S. and coalition forces against any threat,” Central Command said in the release.Iranian-backed militias in Iraq have threatened to attack U.S. facilities there because of American support for Israel.The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of Iranian...

Man killed in Pescadero beach cliff crash identified

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:16:42 GMT

Man killed in Pescadero beach cliff crash identified (KRON) -- A Santa Cruz County man who was killed in a harrowing cliff crash at Pescadero State Beach last week was identified by his family. Nicolas Laron Vargas, 29, of Watsonville, was a backseat passenger inside a Kia when the car went off Highway 1, plunged over a beach cliff, and landed 100 feet below in the ocean on October 12.The Kia was partially submerged in the water due to the ocean's high tide, the California Highway Patrol said. Madeline St. Pierre, 22, of Arcata, Calif., was behind the wheel of the Kia when it crashed at 9:55 p.m., according to the California Highway Patrol. St. Pierre and her front seat passenger, 22-year-old Elyse Pickart of Arcata, Calif., were transported to Stanford Medical Center. Vargas was pronounced deceased by San Mateo County Fire paramedics at 10:20 p.m. His parents wrote on a GoFundMe page, "In the late hours of October 12th, our worst nightmare became reality as we received the devastating news of Nick’s sudden passing."St. Pierre suffere...

Over $130K of property stolen from rental car parked in San Mateo

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:16:42 GMT

Over $130K of property stolen from rental car parked in San Mateo (KRON) -- Two suspects were arrested Tuesday after an auto burglary in San Mateo, the San Mateo Police Department said. The alleged burglary happened Monday around 8:09 p.m. on the 100 block of East 4th Avenue.A rental car was parked when witnesses saw a suspect break into the car's window and steal a purse, according to police. The suspect then fled the scene in a gray minivan, which police were able to obtain the license plate for. Bay Area Heat Advisory begins, high surf expected Over $130,000 worth of property was stolen from the rental car. The victim said luggage that had electronic devices and jewelry inside, which were valued at over six figures, was also stolen.Two suspects connected to the car burglary were arrested the following day in Menlo Park, with assistance from the local police department. The suspects were identified as 42-year-old San Francisco resident Antonio Taylor and 28-year-old Oakland resident Njeri Harambe.Both were booked into San Mateo County Ja...

Wisconsin Senate gives final approval to bill banning gender-affirming care for minors

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:16:42 GMT

Wisconsin Senate gives final approval to bill banning gender-affirming care for minors MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Gender-affirming surgery and other care for minors would be banned in Wisconsin under a Republican-sponsored bill that won final approval in the GOP-controlled Legislature on Tuesday.Democratic Gov. Tony Evers has vowed to veto the measure that drew dozens of people in opposition to a hearing at the Capitol earlier this month. The Assembly passed the rapidly moving bill last week and the Senate passed it Tuesday. Democrats were united against it in both the Assembly and Senate, but didn’t have the votes to stop it. The bill would ban gender-affirming surgeries, which are rare, as well as all forms of gender-affirming care for minors in Wisconsin, including puberty blockers and hormone treatment using estrogen and testosterone. “This bill is nothing short of cruel,” Democratic Sen. Mark Spreitzer said during debate. He questioned why the Senate was taking it up given Evers’ vow to veto it. “Stop hurting LGBTQ kids.”Democrats and other bill oppon...

Hurricane Norma forms off Mexico’s Pacific coast, could hit Mexican resorts at Los Cabos

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:16:42 GMT

Hurricane Norma forms off Mexico’s Pacific coast, could hit Mexican resorts at Los Cabos MEXICO CITY (AP) — Hurricane Norma formed off Mexico’s Pacific coast Wednesday and is heading toward Los Cabos, at the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula. The U.S. National Hurricane Center said Norma became a hurricane Wednesday with top sustained winds of 80 mph (130 kph).Norma is forecast to reach Los Cabos, made up of the twin resorts of San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas, by Sunday with hurricane force winds. The center said Norma could strengthen briefly to as much as 115 mph (180 kph) before weakening somewhat. On Wednesday afternoon, the center of the storm was located about 520 miles (835 kilometers) south-southeast of Cabo San Lucas, and was moving north at 8 mph (13 kph).Source

Synovus: Q3 Earnings Snapshot

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:16:42 GMT

Synovus: Q3 Earnings Snapshot COLUMBUS, Ga. (AP) — COLUMBUS, Ga. (AP) — Synovus Financial Corp. (SNV) on Wednesday reported third-quarter net income of $97.1 million.The bank, based in Columbus, Georgia, said it had earnings of 60 cents per share. Earnings, adjusted for one-time gains and costs, were 84 cents per share.The results did not meet Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of eight analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of 86 cents per share.The holding company for Synovus Bank posted revenue of $893.2 million in the period. Its revenue net of interest expense was $550.3 million, beating Street forecasts. Seven analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $542.5 million._____This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on SNV at https://www.zacks.com/ap/SNVSource

Phil Mickelson claims more players want to jump to Saudi-backed LIV Golf

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:16:42 GMT

Phil Mickelson claims more players want to jump to Saudi-backed LIV Golf Phil Mickelson sounded confident as ever Wednesday that more PGA Tour and European tour players would jump to Saudi-funded LIV Golf next year, even as the league was denied in its bid to get world ranking points.“Do I think that? No. I know that’s going to happen,” Mickelson said at Trump Doral near Miami, site of the season-ending team championship.“When players look at LIV, they are wanting to be a part of it,” he said. “Everybody here is happy and enjoying what we are doing and enjoying the team aspect of it and enjoying each other and the camaraderie and enjoying playing golf globally and all the benefits that come with playing this tour.”Mickelson was viewed as the chief recruiter even before LIV Golf began in June 2022.LIV picked up several premier players for its inaugural season, such as Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau and eventually Cameron Smith a month after he won the British Open.The rebel league this year added Brendan Steele, Danny Lee, Sebastian M...

James Harden skips 76ers practice, leaving coach Nick Nurse unsure of what comes next

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:16:42 GMT

James Harden skips 76ers practice, leaving coach Nick Nurse unsure of what comes next CAMDEN, N.J. (AP) — Philadelphia 76ers coach Nick Nurse said he had no explanation for why James Harden skipped practice on Wednesday but planned to proceed as if the disgruntled guard will play in the preseason finale.“If he’s here, we go; if he’s not here, we go,” Nurse told reporters at the 76ers’ New Jersey complex.Harden has yet to play in the preseason. He did attend training camp and continued to practice with the 76ers in the wake of his offseason trade demand. Harden said last week his fractured relationship with team president Daryl Morey could not be repaired — comparing it to a broken marriage — and said over the summer that he could not play for the 76ers.Part of Harden’s complaint stems from his belief he should have earned a long-term contract with the Sixers after last season. It never came, thus the trade demand.Harden, who was evasive last week about the status of his trade demand, said he could try to play in the Sixers’ preseason finale on Frida...

Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey practiced Wednesday for first time since knee surgery

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:16:42 GMT

Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey practiced Wednesday for first time since knee surgery MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — The Miami Dolphins defense will get a boost soon with the return of All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey.Ramsey, whom the Dolphins acquired in an offseason trade with the Los Angeles Rams, practiced Wednesday for the first time since suffering a knee injury early in training camp.Coach Mike McDaniel said Ramsey will not take the field when Miami faces Philadelphia on Sunday night as the team eases him back into action.“He is as confident as one can be before his first practice,” McDaniel said ahead of Wednesday’s session, “and all of the stuff that he’s done in terms of all the work with the strength staff and the training staff, it’s the exact way that you would expect Jalen Ramsey to be.”Ramsey has missed the first six games of the season after undergoing surgery in July to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. Early reports estimated that he would be sidelined until at least December, but Ramsey vowed that he would beat any suggested timeline for return.“...

Protected: Start your home weatherization journey with a free home energy conservation kit

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:16:42 GMT

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