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Extreme weather, guilt tipping and, yes, Barbie: We’re over you, 2023

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:23 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — All things Barbie, going pantless, humungo Stanley Cup bottles and pressure tipping. There’s plenty from 2023 to leave behind come the new year.Extreme weather hit historic heights. Fakeness took a huge turn with the rise of AI. The rudeness epidemic continued with the help of FaceTime. Here’s a less than all-inclusive list of what we’re over as we look ahead to 2024:BARBIE, TAKE A HIKEBarbiecore, aka all things hot pink and playful and hyper-feminine, has been around since the dawn of Paris Hilton and Britney Spears. Pierpaolo Piccioli at Valentino added some high-fashion oomph in 2022 with a buzzy Barbie pink collection. And there’s Nicki Minaj, of course, and her army of fans dubbed the Barbz.Then along came Barbenheimer and bam! July 2023 was nuts with the conflation of the films “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer.” They shared an opening weekend. Big Barbie (and “Oppenheimer”) money was made. It was fun. We needed that feel-good frenzy. Now, pleas...

Coup leader Guy Philippe repatriated to Haiti as many question his next role in country in upheaval

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:23 GMT

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Notorious coup leader Guy Philippe returned to Haiti on Thursday after the U.S. government repatriated him, sparking concerns that his presence could unleash further upheaval in a country already reeling from gang violence and political instability.It wasn’t clear what role, if any, Philippe expected to play upon his return to Haiti, which is under siege by gangs that grew extremely powerful in the political vacuum created by the July 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse.“One would have to wait and see what his return means, if anything at all,” Alex Dupuy, a Haiti-born sociologist and former professor at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut, said in an interview. “He’s not going to be necessarily the principal actor in the drama that’s going on in Haiti and the awful political situation.”Philippe’s attorney, Jean Joseph Louicher, confirmed to The Associated Press that Philippe arrived in the capital of Port-au-Prince on Thursday...

Cristiano Ronaldo faces $1B class-action lawsuit after promoting for Binance NFTs

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:23 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Portuguese soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo has been hit with class-action lawsuit seeking at least $1 billion in damages for his role in promoting cryptocurrency-related “non-fungible tokens,” or NFTs, issued by the beleaguered cryptocurrency exchange Binance. The lawsuit filed in federal court in the Southern District of Florida Monday alleges that Ronaldo’s promotion of Binance was “deceptive and unlawful.” Binance’s partnership with high-profile figures like Ronaldo, the plaintiffs claim, led them into costly and unsafe investments.“Evidence now reveals that Binance’s fraud was only able to reach such heights through the offer and sale of unregistered securities, with the willing help and assistance of some of the wealthiest, powerful and recognized organizations and celebrities across the globe—just like Defendant Ronaldo,” the suit reads.Representatives for Ronaldo declined to comment Thursday. Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange...

Elderly man critically injured after being struck by vehicle in North York

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:23 GMT

An elderly man is fighting for his life in hospital after being struck by a vehicle in North York. Police were called to the intersection of Jane Street and Maple Leaf Drive around 10 a.m. for reports someone had been struck.Paramedics transported a man via emergency run to a nearby hospital with life-threatening injuries.Police say the driver involved in the incident remained on the scene.

Israel says two more hostages have been released from Gaza strip

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:23 GMT

JERUSALEM (AP) — The Israeli military said Thursday that two Israeli hostages were released from captivity in the Gaza Strip.In a statement, the army said the Red Cross had transferred the two women to Israeli forces. They were to be taken to an Israeli military base.The two hostages are among a larger group of Israelis expected to be released Thursday as part of the latest extension of a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas. Israel was to free some 30 Palestinian prisoners later Thursday. Freed Israeli hostage said they were fed well and ‘OK,’ Hamas leader assured no harm THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel and Hamas agreed at the last minute Thursday to extend their cease-fire in Gaza by another day to allow more hostages and prisoners to be released. But any further renewal of the truce, now in its seventh day, could prove more daunting since Hamas is expected to set a higher price for many of the remaining hostages....

Northern lights: Illinois among states that have a chance at seeing the auroras Thursday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:23 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — Multiple states have a chance at seeing the northern lights Thursday and into Friday, all thanks to an active bout of space weather. NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center upgraded its geomagnetic storm watch for Friday, noting that multiple coronal mass ejections, or CMEs, are expected to impact Earth in the coming days. With three CMEs already inbound and a fourth expected, forecasters upgraded the storm watch Wednesday evening to a G3 (on a strength scale of 1 to 5). What causes the northern lights? We get to see the northern lights when space weather -- like CMEs and the geomagnetic storms associated with them -- impact Earth. CMEs are explosions of plasma and magnetic material from the sun that can impact navigation, communication and radio signals on Earth. They’re also able to cause auroras by creating currents in Earth’s magnetic fields that send particles to the North and South Poles, which then interact with oxygen and nitrogen, according to NASA...

Daryl Hall accuses John Oates of 'ultimate partnership betrayal'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:23 GMT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Daryl Hall has accused his longtime music partner John Oates of committing the “ultimate partnership betrayal” by planning to sell his share of the Hall & Oates duo's joint venture without the other's permission, Hall said in a court declaration supporting his lawsuit to keep the transaction paused.In the declaration filed Wednesday in a Nashville chancery court, Hall also lamented the deterioration of his relationship with and trust in his musical partner of more than a half-century. The joint venture in question includes Hall & Oates trademarks, personal name and likeness rights, record royalty income and website and social media assets, the declaration states.In his own court filing later Wednesday, Oates said that he was disappointed in Hall’s “inflammatory, outlandish, and inaccurate statements about me,” and argued that he had been trying for some time to enhance their business partnership.A judge has issued a temporarily restraining order ...

More hostages released in Gaza as ceasefire extended

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:23 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) - Just minutes before the six-day ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was to expire, the truce was extended by at least one more day.Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in Israel for a third visit since the Oct. 7 terror attack.A second American-Israeli citizen has been released from captivity in Gaza.The White House is hoping more Americans will be freed now that the pause has been extended into a seventh day."From Day 1, we have been focused relentlessly on trying to secure the release of hostages from Gaza and from the Humas," he said. Palestinian Vermont shooting victim: ‘I’m not safe in America’ On Thursday, Hamas handed off a sixth group of hostages. Among them was one American-Israeli woman, Liat Beinin.President Joe Biden confirmed the news, "Things are moving well, she will soon be home with her three children."But ultimately, Israel promises to resume fighting to take out Hamas."There is no chance that we won't resume the fighting until the en...

Heated throws and blankets recalled due to fire and thermal burn hazards

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:23 GMT

Heated throws and blankets, sold at stores such as L.L. Bean, Target and Macy's, have been recalled due to fire and thermal burn hazards.Berkshire Blanket & Home Co. said their brand electric throws and blankets may overheat, posing fire and burn hazards. They are sold at many stores including L.L. Bean, Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) stores, and online at berkshireblanket.com, amazon.com, target.com, macys.com and qvc.com.The blankets are sold in a variety of colors and patterns, including blue, cream, gray, hummus, striped blue and snowflake. The heated throws and blankets are controlled by a white cord with a white digital controller unit. The model numbers impacted can be found here. Consumers should immediately stop using the blankets and contact Berkshire Blanket & Home Co. for a full refund. For more information, go to: www.cpsc.gov

Traffic Alert: 11 injured, including Hays Co. sheriff's deputy in crash on Hwy 290

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:23 GMT

HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — At least 11 people were injured, including a Sheriff's deputy, following a multi-vehicle collision in Hays County Thursday morning that involved an 18-wheeler, according to the Hays County Sheriff's Office.Emergency responders said the collision occurred off Highway 290 in Drippings Springs near Headwaters Boulevard.“All eastbound lanes are shut down and only one lane open westbound,” Hays County officials said.According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, the crash occurred at approximately 8:15 a.m., and it involved six vehicles.DPS confirmed the Sheriff's deputy involved in the crash was taken to the hospital.Texas DPS said it would take over as the lead investigator for the incident. Due to the collision, officials asked drivers to avoid the area.This is a developing story. Check back with KXAN for updates.