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Demario Douglas one of the 4 Patriots most important to beating Washington

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:31:23 GMT

By idling at the NFL’s trade deadline this week, the Patriots sent a message to their roster: we’re riding with you the rest of the way.At 2-6, it’s all but certain the Pats won’t turn their season around in time for a playoff run, but a few young players could shape the remainder of this campaign. Whether that means finishing close to .500 or making a case for playing time in 2024 and beyond remains to be seen. But it all starts Sunday.From the roster, these are the four Patriots most pivotal to a win over the Commanders.WR Demario DouglasThe Patriots’ new leading receiver played a career-high 41 snaps last week. Don’t be surprised to see Douglas surpass that against Washington.The Commanders rank second-worst in the league at defending opponents’ No. 1 receivers by DVOA. They field a young secondary with tall, long cornerbacks that could struggle against Douglas’ elite quickness. The sixth-round rookie is by far the Pats’ best ...

A glance at some of Nepal’s deadliest earthquakes

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:31:23 GMT

KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — A magnitude 5.6 earthquake shook northwestern Nepal just before midnight Friday, killing at least 138 people with dozens more injured. Officials said the death toll was expected to rise as rescuers searched the Himalayan villages where communication was cut off.Earthquakes are common in mountainous Nepal. Here are some of the strongest in recent history:— July 29, 1980: At least 200 die and thousands are injured after a 6.5 magnitude earthquake hits Nepal-India border. — Aug. 20, 1988: The Himalayan nation’s capital is rocked by a 6.9 quake, killing at least 1,000 people and injuring thousands.— April 25, 2015: A 7.8 magnitude earthquake kills some 9,000 people, the worst in Nepal’s history, and damages about 1 million structures. The previous deadliest earthquake that struck the region was in 1934 with over 8,000 fatalities. — May 12, 2015: One among about two dozen aftershocks of the April 25 earthquake kills over 200 people and injures more than 2000...

Iranians mark the anniversary of the 1979 US embassy takeover while calling for a ceasefire in Gaza

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:31:23 GMT

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Thousands of Iranians gathered on the streets Saturday to mark the anniversary of the 1979 takeover of the U.S. embassy in Tehran, chanting “Death to America” and “Death to Israel” while condemning Washington’s support of Israel as it strikes the Gaza Strip as part of its war against Hamas.The rally — which was called for by the state — came as the Israel-Hamas war entered its fourth week. About 1,400 people in Israel were killed and over 240 taken hostage after Hamas’ surprise attack on Oct.7. The Israeli retaliatory operation has killed over 9,000 people in the Gaza Strip. People assembled outside the former U.S. embassy in Tehran, with some burning American and Israeli flags.Protesters stomped on images of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Joe Biden. Others carried banners calling the U.S., “Great Satan.” The banner on the main podium read: “We trample America under our feet.” Parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, addres...

Clocks to ‘fall back’ Sunday as daylight time ends for most Canadians

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:31:23 GMT

Most Canadians will be turning their clocks back by an hour early Sunday morning.Daylight time, which allows people to enjoy an extra hour of daylight at the end of the day, ends tomorrow morning and transitions to standard time in most provinces and territories.The change means darkness will arrive earlier in the evening, but it will be lighter earlier in the morning except for in Yukon and most of Saskatchewan, where clocks stay put year-round.Cities like Mississauga are reminding drivers, pedestrians and cyclists to be alert on the roads during and after the shift back to standard time.While seasonal time changes are linked to health complications like headaches and heart problems, Toronto-based veterinary behaviourist Karen Van Haaften says our pets can feel the effects too.She says that’s because their schedules are closely linked to their owners’ daily routines, meaning their feeding, exercise and medication schedules will be delivered an hour later than usual when...

Invasive crayfish confirmed in Minnesota for first time

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:31:23 GMT

Signal crayfish, an invasive nonnative freshwater crustacean species, have been found in a western Minnesota lake, according to the state Department of Natural Resources.The DNR said Friday that this is the first confirmation of signal crayfish in Minnesota waters.A commercial harvester trapped two of the crayfish in Lake Winona, adjacent to Alexandria in Douglas County. Since then, the harvester found eight additional signal crayfish in the lake. The DNR set traps but was unable to find any other crayfish. Out of the 10 the harvester caught, there was one female out of the 10 and there was no evidence of reproduction, meaning no eggs or juveniles were found.“Signal crayfish are larger and more aggressive than Minnesota crayfish and the invasive rusty crayfish,” the DNR said in a statement. “They eat aquatic plants, detritus, fish eggs, smaller crayfish species and other beneficial native invertebrates. Signal crayfish might outcompete native species for food and h...

Steady weekend weather with rain chances midweek

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:31:23 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- A nice weekend is ahead for this time of year. We will have a good amount of clouds around today and temperatures will climb to the mid-60s. We could maybe see a few sprinkles this evening into tonight with a weak front. Cloudy through the evening, with gradual clearing overnight. Patchy fog may develop. Sunday morning could start with that patchy fog and then become partly cloudy. Sunday will be a bit warmer, with highs in the upper 60s to near 70.The forecast is looking mainly dry, with rain chances increasing a little for late Wednesday.

Last chance to vote in-person for ward 5, precincts 14 and 18 absentee ballots

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:31:23 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Attention to voters in Ward 5, precincts 14 and 18: If you intend to cast an absentee ballot for the upcoming November 7th special election, you have the option to vote in person today. You can visit the Board of Election Commissioners, located at 300 N Tucker, between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. today. However, please note that if you were planning to mail in your absentee ballot application, the deadline for that has already passed, so mailing it in is no longer an option. This pertains to the Gardenside subdivision Special Business District special election. Monday is the final day for in-person absentee voting. Tuesday is, of course, Election Day. If you reside in that district, your vote will determine whether to renew and continue a tax on all real property in the district for the tax years 2023 through 2027. Don't forget to bring your photo ID; it's a requirement for voting. 

St. Louis fatal shooting leaves one dead, one injured

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:31:23 GMT

ST. LOUIS – A shooting incident is currently under investigation by the local authorities after happening overnight near downtown St. Louis. The incident took place shortly after 3 a.m. earlier today. The scene of the incident was on Francis St., situated just off MLK Drive, approximately one mile north of the Fox Theater. One of the victims sustained a gunshot wound to the head and died. The second individual, who was shot in the arm, is reported to be in stable condition this morning. Homicide detectives are actively involved in the investigation of this incident. If you possess any information related to this case and wish to maintain your anonymity, you are encouraged to reach out to Crime Stoppers at 1-866-371-TIPS.  

This Florida school district banned cellphones. Here’s what happened.

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:31:23 GMT

ORLANDO, Fla. — One afternoon in late September, hundreds of students at Timber Creek High School in Orlando poured into the campus’s sprawling central courtyard to hang out and eat lunch. For members of an extremely online generation, their activities were decidedly analog.Dozens sat in small groups, animatedly talking with one another. Others played pickleball on makeshift lunchtime courts. There was not a cellphone in sight — and that was no accident.In May, Florida passed a law requiring public school districts to impose rules barring student cellphone use during class time. This fall, Orange County Public Schools — which includes Timber Creek High — went even further, barring students from using cellphones during the entire school day.In interviews, a dozen Orange County parents and students all said they supported the no-phone rules during class. But they objected to their district’s stricter, daylong ban.Parents said their children should be able to contact ...

Main arguments in 14th Amendment case against Donald Trump wrap, with decision likely weeks away

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:31:23 GMT

The trial examining whether former President Donald Trump is qualified for Colorado’s 2024 ballot has ended — sort of.The primary arguments wrapped up late Friday afternoon, with each side having spent the week trotting out dueling experts, congressmen and witnesses to the storming of the U.S. Capitol. At issue: Did the Jan. 6, 2021, attack rise to the level of an insurrection, and was Trump culpable enough that he’s disqualified from the ballot under the 14th Amendment?Denver District Court Judge Sarah B. Wallace’s answer to that question is still likely weeks away. The judge has scheduled formal closing remarks for Nov. 15, with her decision to come after that. And with such high stakes, the case may work its way to the Colorado and U.S. supreme courts.The weeklong hearing was nonetheless the first of its kind, though parallel well-backed efforts are underway elsewhere. The Colorado lawsuit was brought by a group of unaffiliated and Republican voters in the state backed by t...