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Russia, Ukraine extend grain deal to aid world’s poor

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 16:42:21 GMT

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Ukrainian officials said Saturday that an unprecedented wartime deal that allows grain to flow from Ukraine to countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia where hunger is a growing threat and high food prices are pushing more people into poverty has been extended.Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov tweeted that the deal had been extended for 120 days, but Erdogan did not confirm the length. Ukraine, Turkey and the United Nations had been pushing for a 120-day extension while Russia wanted to renew for 60 days. This is the second renewal of separate agreements that Ukraine and Russia signed with the United Nations and Turkey to allow food to leave the Black Sea region after Russia invaded its neighbor more than a year ago. The warring nations are both major global suppliers of wheat, barley, sunflower oil and other affordable food products that developing nations depend on.Russia has complained that ship...

Vatican closes embassy in Nicaragua after Ortega’s crackdown

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 16:42:21 GMT

VATICAN CITY (AP) — The Vatican said Saturday it had closed its embassy in Nicaragua after the country’s government proposed suspending diplomatic relations, the latest episode in a yearslong crackdown on the Catholic Church by the administration of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega.The Vatican’s representative to Managua, Monsignor Marcel Diouf, also left the country Friday, bound for Costa Rica, a Vatican official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.The Vatican action came a week after the Nicaraguan government proposed suspending relations with the Holy See, and a year after Nicaragua forced the papal ambassador at the time to leave. It’s not clear what the proposed suspension would entail in diplomatic terms. The care of the Vatican’s embassy, or nunciature, was entrusted to the Italian government, according to diplomatic conventions, Vatican News, the Holy See’s official media outlet, reported. It said diplomats of the European Union, Germany...

Pakistani police storm home of former PM Khan, arrest 61

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 16:42:21 GMT

LAHORE, Islamabad (AP) — Pakistani police stormed former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s residence in the eastern city of Lahore on Saturday and arrested 61 people amid tear gas and clashes between Khan’s supporters and police, officials said.Senior police officer Suhail Sukhera, who led the operation in an upscale Lahore neighborhood, said police acted to remove a barricade erected by members of Khan’s Tehreek-e-Insaf party and his defiant supporters. He said they blocked the lanes around Khan’s residence with concrete blocks, felled trees, tents and a parked truck. Khan was not in the home, having traveled to Islamabad to appear before a judge to face charges he sold state gifts while in office and hid his assets. The judge postponed that hearing until March 30.Sukhera said baton-wielding Khan supporters attempted to resist police by throwing stones and Molotov cocktails and a man on the roof of Khan’s residence opened fire. At least three police officers were ...

Millions of dead fish wash up amid heat wave in Australia

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 16:42:21 GMT

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Millions of fish have washed up dead in southeastern Australia in what authorities and scientists say is caused by floods and hot weather.The Department of Primary Industries in New South Wales state said the fish deaths coincided with a heat wave that put stress on a system that has experienced extreme conditions from wide-scale flooding.The deaths were likely caused by low oxygen levels as floods recede, a situation made worse by fish needing more oxygen because of the warmer weather, the department said. Residents of the Outback town of Menindee complained of a terrible smell from the dead fish. “We’ve just sort of started to clean up, and then this has happened, and that’s sort of you’re walking around in a dried-up mess and then you’re smelling this putrid smell. It’s a terrible smell and horrible to see all those dead fish,” said Jan Dening, a local. Nature photographer Geoff Looney found huge clusters of dead fish near the main weir in Menindee on T...

Why did it take so long to phase out a toxic pesticide?

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 16:42:21 GMT

Chlorpyrifos is a pesticide that has been shown to have potential dangers for years— yet it’s still being used in Canada right now.Marc Fawcett-Atkinson is a reporter and writer covering food, climate, plastics and the environment for Canada’s National Observer. He joins us to discuss why the government only banned chlorpyrifos recently, and why its use won’t stop entirely until the end of this year.“Our approach is we’re very permissive. We let stuff go on the market, we let stuff be used, and then if it’s proved to be an issue, we’ve put in risk mitigation measures or bans to reduce the harm, as opposed to even before the product goes out.”So what is chlorpyrifos and what’s the risk? What kind of foods is it used on? And why was Canada behind both Europe and the United States in getting rid of it?https://the-big-story-bb309f15.simplecast.com/episodes/why-did-it-take-so-long-to-phase-out-a-toxic-pesticideYou can subscribe to The Big Story podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google and Spoti...

Keanu Reeves shares statement on passing of 'John Wick' co-star Lance Reddick

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 16:42:21 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – Keanu Reeves, who shared the screen with late actor Lance Reddick in four installments of the “John Wick” film franchise, said he was “heartbroken” upon learning of Reddick’s passing on Friday, according to a statement obtained by Variety.Reeves, along with “John Wick” director Chad Stahelski, said they are dedicating the upcoming fourth film to Reddick, whom they will “miss dearly.”“We are deeply saddened and heartbroken at the loss of our beloved friend and colleague Lance Reddick,” Reeves and Stahelski wrote, in part, in a joint statement shared with Variety. “He was the consummate professional and a joy to work with. Our love and prayers are with his wife Stephanie, his children, family and friends.”Keanu Reeves and Lance Reddick are photographed after a 2014 screening of "John Wick" in Los Angeles. Reddick, who passed Friday, was perhaps best known for his roles in "The Wire" and the "John Wick" franchise. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) ‘Baffling beyond bel...

Ranch dressing wouldn't exist without plumbers, MSG and the Alaska Territory

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 16:42:21 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – Ranch dressing may have been popularized at a California ranch, but it was enjoyed by hungry Alaskan plumbers long before any “ranch” figured into the story.Steven Henson, the Nebraska native who created ranch dressing, invented the now-ubiquitous condiment after moving to Anchorage in 1949 and taking a job as a plumbing contractor in the Alaskan bush, according to a biography of Henson published in the Santa Barbara Independent. Henson concocted the recipe for what would later be dubbed “ranch” dressing somewhat out of necessity, the outlet reported, after taking on a secondary role in the kitchen while “trying to keep his hungry work crews happy.”"It's tough to feed men up in those bush jobs,” Henson once remarked in an interview with the Los Angeles Times, according to an archived article cited by Tedium. “If they don't like something, they're as likely to throw it at the cook as they are to walk out cursing. I had to come up with something to keep them happy," he add...

Will you see the solar eclipse? NASA map shows 'path of totality' across US in 2024

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 16:42:21 GMT

(KRQE/NEXSTAR) – NASA has released a detailed map showing the paths for the 2023 annular eclipse and the 2024 total solar eclipse. It's not too early to start planning where you want to be for one of the most awe-inspiring natural phenomenons the world has to offer.On October 14, 2023, an annular solar eclipse will cross western and southern regions of the U.S. During an annular eclipse, the moon passes between the sun and Earth, creating a "ring of fire" effect. Planet Palooza: When 5 planets will be visible in the night sky The following year, some U.S. residents will be treated to a total eclipse, when the moon completely blocks the face of the sun, darkening one's surroundings into a dawn- or dusk-like state for several minutes.The total eclipse path, on Apr. 8, 2024, goes from Texas to Maine.(Using observations from different NASA missions, this map shows where the Moon’s shadow will cross the U.S. during the 2023 annular solar eclipse and 2024 total solar eclipse. The map w...

Classic character to appear at Disneyland nearly 100 years after his cartoon debut

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 16:42:21 GMT

(KTLA) – A Disney character older than Mickey Mouse and Oswald the Rabbit is making his debut at Disneyland.Pete, the cat-like cartoon character created by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks in 1925, will be posing for photos and greeting guests when Mickey’s Toontown reopens at Disneyland Park on March 19. Pete’s debut at Disneyland marks the first time the character has appeared at any Disney theme park. For the first time at any Disney park, Pete makes appearances as he causes mischief around the neighborhood at Mickey’s Toontown at Disneyland Park at Mickey’s Toontown. (Sean Teegarden/Disneyland Resort)Pete has had several names and personalities throughout the years, but the costumed character debuting on Sunday is modeled after perhaps the most familiar version from Disney's animated "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse" series.The character first appeared in the 1925 short film collection “Alice Comedies” before showing up in “Steamboat Wille” alongside Mickey Mouse in 1928. “Steamboat Willie,” me...

Can you buy a car without a license?

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 16:42:21 GMT

(iSeeCars) -- A valid driver’s license is required in order to drive a car, but do you need one to buy a car? The answer is no. However, it does make the car-buying process a little more difficult. Here’s how to buy a car without a license:Reasons for Buying a Car Without a LicenseIt may seem counterintuitive to purchase a car without a license, but there are many scenarios where someone may choose to purchase a car without a driver’s license. Some possible scenarios include:You are planning on getting your license, and you see your dream car before you become a licensed driver.You are gifting a car to a family member or a friend. In this case, you will have to put the car title in the person’s name to whom you are gifting the car.You are a business owner and need a vehicle for business purposes. You are unable to drive and purchase the vehicle for a caregiver or nanny.A caregiver will be driving the car because you are unable to drive because of a disability. You are a ca...