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Pope says ‘our hearts are in Bethlehem’ as he presides over the Christmas Eve Mass

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:52:24 GMT

Recalling Jesus’ birth in a stable in Bethlehem, Pope Francis in a Christmas Eve homily said that “the clash of arms even today” prevents Jesus “from finding room in the world.”The pontiff presided Sunday over the evening Mass attended by about 6,500 faithful who took their place amid the splendor of St. Peter’s Basilica behind rows of white-clad prelates.“Our hearts are in Bethlehem, where the Prince of Peace is once more rejected by the futile logic of war, ” the pope said, referring to the war sparked by Hamas’ deadly Oct. 7 rampage and hostage-taking in Israel.As Mass began, a statuette of the Christ child was unveiled before the altar bedecked in greenery and white flowers, and children representing all corners of the globe placed flowers around a gilded throne.Francis, draped in white robes, led the Mass standing at the foot of one of St. Peter’s grand columns.Recalling that Jesus was born during a census meant to reinforce King David’s power, Francis warned against “the...

Teen charged in connection with armed robberies on CTA trains

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:52:24 GMT

CHICAGO — A 16-year-old boy is facing a handful of charges in connection with two armed robberies and an attempted robbery that allegedly occurred on CTA trains in late November.According to Chicago police, the teen is facing several felony charges including armed robbery with a dangerous weapon, aggravated robbery with the indication they were armed with a firearm, attempted armed robbery with a dangerous weapon and criminal sexual abuse by use of force or threat of force. 38 migrants dropped off in Fox River Grove after being told they were in Chicago Authorities say the charges stem from the teen's alleged role in two armed robberies and one attempted robbery that unfolded on CTA trains over the course of two days.Police say the first robbery allegedly occurred around 10:15 p.m. on Nov. 25, when the teen allegedly stole property from a 29-year-old woman inside a train in the 400 block of South Western Avenue on the Near West Side.Authorities say an attempted robbery occurred la...

Blue Ridge Beef recalls kitten, puppy food in 7 states

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:52:24 GMT

(The Hill) -- Pet food company Blue Ridge Beef is recalling several lot numbers of its food for kittens and puppies, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), warning the products are contaminated with salmonella and listeria.The products on the recall list are Kitten Grind (UPC 8 54298 00101 6), Kitten Mix (UPC 8 54298 00143 6) and Puppy Mix (8 54298 00169 6). Honda recalling 2.5M vehicles at risk of stalling The packages in question are all 2 pounds and made of clear plastic. They were distributed between Nov. 14 and Dec. 20, and the lots have use-by dates between N24 1114 and N24 1224.The products were sold primarily in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, North Carolina, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia.After initially announcing the recall earlier this week, Blue Ridge Beef issued an updated list, expanding the number of products it is recalling. The company said the use-by dates can be found on a silver tab at the end of the tubes. Blue Ridge Beef is recalling...

"We are mourning:' Chicago Palestinian Christians reflect on deadly war in Gaza as Christmas nears

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:52:24 GMT

CHICAGO -- While baking cookies and setting up a cave under a Christmas tree is a part of her family's usual traditions, a Palestinian Christan living in Chicago says the holiday can't be celebrated this year as the others.As communities around the world gear up for Christmas celebrations, the Palestinian Christian community in the Chicago says it's hard to be joyous as they mourn the lives of over 20,000 Palestinians killed in Israeli bombardments since Oct. 7. Officials in Bethlehem said Christmas celebrations will be canceled in Jesus’ traditional birthplace due to the Israel-Hamas war and the thousands of Palestinians lives lost.'Kahaf' or cave under Christmas tree, representing where Mary gave birth to JesusPalestinian-Jordanian Marlene, a Chicago-native moved to America in 2001, shortly before 9/11, at just eight years old. Christmas celebrations cancelled in Bethlehem, Jesus’ traditional birthplace due to Israel-Hamas war "It got pretty bad there, my dad said we n...

Mike Nussbaum, prolific Chicago stage actor with film roles including 'Field of Dreams,' dies at 99

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:52:24 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — Mike Nussbaum, reputed as the oldest professional actor in America with a prolific stage career and roles in films including “Field of Dreams” and “Men in Black,” has died. He was 99.He died of old age at his Chicago home on Saturday, just days before his 100th birthday, his daughter, Karen Nussbaum, told The Associated Press.“He was a good father and a good man who raised us to care about other people and respect other people and care about justice,” she said. 1 injured after car crashes into Maine Township home Mike Nussbaum was acknowledged by the Actor’s Equity Association union multiple times in the past several years as the oldest professional actor in the country. When asked about his status as a working nonagenarian over the years, Nussbaum said he simply enjoyed the work.“I am gifted and lucky to still be able to do the thing that is the most fun for me in life,” he told WBEZ Chicago in 2019 when he was 94 years old. “As long as I can do it, I wil...

Arctic front tonight makes for a cold and breezy Christmas Day

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:52:24 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- We had the best of both worlds today with heavy and beneficial rain in the morning giving way to warm sunshine in the afternoon pushing highs into the 70s. Most areas got 0.5"-1.5" since midnight. Check rainfall totals where you are at the link below. We'll be dry the rest of the day and the week ahead. CENTRAL TEXAS RAIN TOTALS An arctic cold front arrives overnight bringing gusty winds and much colder temperatures. Winds will gust 20-30 mph and temperatures will drop through the night with lows Christmas morning in the low 40s and upper 30s. Wind gusts Christmas morningDespite sunshine and high clouds, we'll find highs Christmas Day only reach the mid to upper 50s.Christmas forecastThe wind will back off late in the day tomorrow setting us up for an even colder night Monday night into Tuesday morning.A widespread freeze is expected to start the day on Tuesday, but it seems Austin will avoid a freeze this time.Some may freeze Tuesday morningWe'll have lots of su...

Texas Longhorns allow transferring players to stay with program during Sugar Bowl prep

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:52:24 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The college football landscape is rapidly changing, and if teams and programs don't adapt, they risk being left behind. Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian is typically at the front of the line in those situations and made a big philosophical shift in response to the transfer portal.As the Longhorns prepare for the Sugar Bowl and potentially the CFP National Championship Game, the rest of the college football world still keeps spinning at a ridiculous pace — much of it fueled by the free agency-style player movement due to the portal. Players have until Jan. 2 to enter their names into the transfer portal, leaving those who are on teams with bowl games in a situation that "sucks," Sarkisian said. Texas Longhorns’ 2024 recruiting class jumps to No. 3 after early signing period "They put in a lot of hard work, and since January they've been busting their tails with the team," Sarkisian said. "They committed a lot to the program, and for them to not be able to ...

Bah humbug! Vikings cede NFC North crown to Lions in 30-24 loss on Christmas Eve

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:52:24 GMT

No longer are the Vikings the kings of the NFC North. That title now belongs to the Detroit Lions.As much as star receiver Justin Jefferson tried to will the Vikings to a Christmas Miracle, it wasn’t enough in a 30-24 loss to the Lions on Sunday afternoon at U.S. Bank Stadium. Fittingly, the game ended with quarterback Nick Mullens throwing his fourth interception of the day.With a chance to give the Vikings the lead in the final minute, Mullens couldn’t get enough mustard on a pass to Jefferson near the goal line. That allowed safety Ifeatu Melifonwu to swoop in at the last moment for an interception that helped the Lions capture their first division title in 30 years.The game started with the Lions’ dominant 14-play, 75-yard drive during which they kept the Vikings completely on their heels. It culminated with running back David Montgomery finding the end zone to put Detroit up 7-0.Fortunately for the Vikings, they responded with an impressive drive of their own,...

Sheriff's department releases images of MetroLink armed robbery suspect

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:52:24 GMT

BELLEVILLE, Ill. – The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying a suspect and person of interest in connection with multiple armed robberies and attacks involving a firearm that happened at MetroLink locations.In each of the crimes, the sheriff’s department claims the description of the suspect has remained consistent, leading investigators to believe the suspect is the same individual.The first armed robbery happened on Dec. 20 at 7 p.m. Deputies met with a victim who claimed a man on a westbound train approached him, displayed a handgun, and took personal items and money from him before departing the train. City officials saw bodycam footage after police SUV crashed into bar – Source On Dec. 21 around 10:30 p.m., deputies met with another victim who reported a similar robbery.Around 11:50 p.m. on Dec. 23, deputies received word that a man had been shot at the Belleville MetroLink Station. The victim’s injury was not life-threatening an...

Shohei Ohtani gives teammate’s wife new Porsche as thank you for jersey number 

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:52:24 GMT

Shohei Ohtani made headlines when he announced he was signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers, and while many fixated on the zeros in his contract, another number needed to be focused on. The number on the back of his jersey, that is. After Ohtani announced he would test free agency after multiple unsuccessful seasons with the Los Angeles Angels, a leaguewide scramble for the superstar two-way player began. Fans from across the country campaigned for Ohtani to sign for their club, but one woman – a fellow MLB player’s wife – may have had the best pitch for the two-time American League MVP.  Dodgers officially introduce Shohei Ohtani Dodgers pitcher Joe Kelly’s wife Ashley started her “#Ohtake17” campaign in the hopes that it would catch Ohtani’s attention. “Take 17” refers to the number worn by her husband during his time in L.A.; not only did Ashley say that Ohtani could have Joe’s jersey number if he signed with the Dodgers, but she even joked in an Instagr...