US envoys work for new hostage release deal, scale-down of Israel-Hamas war but say no timetable

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 06:34:26 GMT

US envoys work for new hostage release deal, scale-down of Israel-Hamas war but say no timetable TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — The head of the CIA jetted to Europe for talks with Israeli and Qatari officials Monday, sounding out the potential for a deal on a new cease-fire and the release of hostages in Gaza, as the U.S. defense secretary spoke to Israeli military leaders about scaling back major combat operations against Hamas.Still, there was no sign that a shift in the war was imminent after more than two months of devastating bombardment and fighting. Fierce battles raged in northern Gaza, where residents said rescue workers were searching for the dead and the living under buildings flattened by Israeli strikes.Pressure is growing, as France, the U.K. and Germany — some of Israel’s closest allies — joined global calls for a cease-fire over the weekend. Israeli protesters have demanded the government relaunch talks with Hamas on releasing more hostages after three were mistakenly killed by Israeli troops while waving a white flag.U.S. officials have repeatedly expressed concern ab...

WNBA to take its usual month-long break for the Olympics

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 06:34:26 GMT

WNBA to take its usual month-long break for the Olympics NEW YORK (AP) — The WNBA released its schedule on Monday with its usual month-long break for the Olympics.There will be no regular season contests from July 18-Aug. 14 because of the Paris Games.The league’s 28th season will begin on May 14 with eight teams in action, including two-time defending champion Las Vegas, which opens against Phoenix. The Aces and New York Liberty, who met in the WNBA Finals last season, will play three times, with the first meeting on June 15.Teams will once again play 40 games with the regular season ending on Sept. 19. All 12 teams play that day.“We eagerly anticipate tipping off the 2024 season and building on the success of last season, our most-watched in 21 years and a record-setter for social media engagement, digital consumption, All-Star merchandise sales and sports betting,” WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said.“Free agency and the 2024 WNBA Draft are sure to create excitement, and the new format to the Commissioner’s Cup will provide fa...

Serbia’s opposition takes to the streets claiming election fraud in Sunday’s vote

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 06:34:26 GMT

Serbia’s opposition takes to the streets claiming election fraud in Sunday’s vote BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Serbia’s weekend snap election was held in “unjust conditions,” with multiple reports of irregularities, international observers said on Monday, as opponents of populist President Aleksandar Vucic took to the streets claiming the vote was rigged. Political tensions spiked in the Balkan country over the parliamentary and local elections on Sunday. In Belgrade, several thousand people gathered in front of the state election commission headquarters, chanting “thieves,” as opposition leaders moved to lodge formal complaints claiming fraud in the city election. “We have hundreds and hundreds of complaints, said opposition politician Marinika Tepic. She and several other opposition politicians will camp inside the building that’s the seat of the state election commission. “We will stay here for a while.”At one point, protesters broke through a fence surrounding the building and one young woman tried to storm the entrance. Protesters threw eggs, to...

Senators fire coach D.J. Smith, replacing him with Jacques Martin on an interim basis

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 06:34:26 GMT

Senators fire coach D.J. Smith, replacing him with Jacques Martin on an interim basis The Ottawa Senators fired coach D.J. Smith on Monday, replacing him on an interim basis with Jacques Martin and adding Hall of Famer and former captain Daniel Alfredsson to the staff as an assistant.It’s the latest shakeup for the NHL team in Canada’s capital city in three months since owner Michael Andlauer took over. Andlauer quickly hired Steve Staios as president of hockey operations and on Nov. 1 fired longtime general manager Pierre Dorion following a league investigation that caused the Senators to forfeit a first-round draft pick.Staios, now also interim GM, fired Smith 12 days after hiring Martin as senior adviser, which put the 71-year-old coaching veteran as an eye in the sky. Staios said at the time he consulted with Smith on the decision.The Senators have since lost five of six games to fall into last place in the Eastern Conference. Only the Chicago Blackhawks have fewer points than Ottawa’s 22.Martin will be back behind the bench after coaching the S...

Veterans Marcelo and Felipe Melo key to Fluminense beating Al Ahly in Club World Cup semifinal

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 06:34:26 GMT

Veterans Marcelo and Felipe Melo key to Fluminense beating Al Ahly in Club World Cup semifinal JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — The wily guile of defender Marcelo won the penalty that helped send Fluminense’s veteran team to the Club World Cup final after beating Al Ahly 2-0 on Monday.Marcelo’s fine footwork at the edge of the Al Ahly penalty area teased forward Percy Tau into the tackle that sent Jhon Arias to the spot to convert a 71st-minute penalty.Fluminense sealed victory in the 90th, when substitute John Kennedy scored with a curling left-foot shot.Fluminense will play Manchester City or Urawa Red Diamonds for the title on Friday.While Marcelo helped create for the champion of South America at one end, the 40-year-old defender Felipe Melo and 43-year-old goalkeeper Fábio protected at the other.Felipe Melo produced a standout moment of the first half, racing back toward goal to tackle Tau, who was poised to shoot. Felipe Melo rose to his feet and shouted in satisfaction.Fábio’s calm and precise positional sense let him save repeatedly from Al Ahly’s 18 goal attempts.Fluminen...

Colfax Avenue near large Aurora fire will stay closed indefinitely

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 06:34:26 GMT

Colfax Avenue near large Aurora fire will stay closed indefinitely DENVER (KDVR) -- The intersection of Colfax Avenue and Peoria Street in Aurora will stay closed for the foreseeable future as crews continue to fight hotspots from Saturday's five-alarm fire.The intersection was first closed by the Aurora Police Department to assist Aurora Fire Rescue with the fire, which broke out around 12:48 p.m. Saturday.AFR said that the bare wood in the under-construction apartment building is what continues to catch fire and create new hotspots for crews to put out.AFR said there was no timeline on when the intersection may reopen or when the investigation will be able to begin. Local family warns others after dog was dragged off porch by pack of coyotes However, AFR anticipated that crews would have to fight the emerging hotspots for at least another day or two after Monday.

Boulder police shoot, kill woman carrying replica gun

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 06:34:26 GMT

Boulder police shoot, kill woman carrying replica gun DENVER (KDVR) -- The Boulder Police Department held a press conference Monday to address an officer-involved shooting that occurred Sunday, Dec. 17.The shooting took place near the North Boulder Recreation Center, 3170 Broadway St.Boulder Police Department Deputy Chief Ron Gosage and 20th Judicial District Attorney Michael Dougherty spoke about the shooting and the events leading up to it.According to police, two officers fired at a woman who had been trespassed from the recreation center about an hour before the encounter with police. She was carrying a replica Beretta pistol, and police shared that she had barricaded herself in the recreation center bathroom at 3:13 p.m. 1 arrested in connection to Broomfield homicide investigation The woman died on scene and her identity and cause of death will be shared by the Boulder County Coroner's Office.Police provide timeline of shootingAccording to Gosage, the initial 911 call came from a man who was approached by a woman with a gun as ...

Which Colorado towns have the highest income?

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 06:34:26 GMT

Which Colorado towns have the highest income? DENVER (KDVR) -- The median household income in Colorado was $87,598 as of 2022, but that only shows a picture of the state as a whole.There are several areas where people make, on average, a vastly different amount, and most of these areas are located in and around the Denver metro. Rent expected to drop in Denver, other cities as markets near ‘oversupply’: real estate report Towns with the highest incomeAll of the towns with the top median income were located in the Denver metro area:Cherry Hills Village - $250,000+ (mean income of $486,405)Columbine Valley - $250,000+ (mean income of $379,990)Bow Mar - $215,714 (mean income of $331,295)Castle Pines - $189,280 (mean income of $216,166)Foxfield - $168,125 (mean income of $207,626)The Census data did not have an exact amount for median household income for two of the towns, only pinning it as being over $250,000. However, the data pins the mean household income in Cherry Hills Village as being $486,405, which would make it the hig...

New traffic pattern for drivers on westbound I-95 set to launch Thursday

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 06:34:26 GMT

New traffic pattern for drivers on westbound    I-95 set to launch Thursday Drivers on a busy South Florida highway are getting ready to make a shift as commuting may become easier and faster than ever beforeStarting Thursday, Dec. 21, there will be a new traffic pattern on westbound I-395. Drivers heading north on I-95 will now exit to the right. Drivers looking to continue on SR-836 or I-95 South will keep straight. “After they pass Biscayne Boulevard, they will be diverted on the new I-395 westbound bridges. From there, they’ll still be able to access I-95 north or south or continue onto westbound 836,” said FDOT Miami’s Oscar GonzalezOfficials said the new permanent ramp that is located on North Miami Avenue will also be opened. The changes are signs of progress of a major overhaul on one of the busiest interchanges in Miami-Dade County. The nearly $900M project that was initially slated to last five years will now be completed by late 2027. The traffic shifts along with the overnight road closures on I-95 that drivers have been ...

2 teenagers in stable condition after being shot in SW Miami-Dade; shooter remains at large

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 06:34:26 GMT

2 teenagers in stable condition after being shot in SW Miami-Dade; shooter remains at large Two teenagers are in stable condition after, police said, they came under fire in Southwest Miami-Dade.The teens, ages 14 and 15, were airlifted to hospital on Saturday after a shooting took place at Southwest 211th Street and 120th Avenue in the Goulds section.Investigators said the victims were walking when a car pulled up beside them and someone inside opened fire. “When our officers arrived, they located two victims suffering from gunshot wounds,” said Miami-Dade Police Detective Andre Martin. “Those two victims were transported by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue to HCA Kendall Trauma Center where they are being treated for their wounds.”The teens were shot in what was described as drive-by shooting.“The motive for this shooting incident is unknown. Our detectives are working to piece that together,” Martin said. As of Monday afternoon, police have not released a description of the vehicle that was involved in the shooting.If you have any information o...