Ask Amy: A boy reading Judy Blume, and other inspiring tales

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 06:19:01 GMT

Ask Amy: A boy reading Judy Blume, and other inspiring tales Dear Readers: For the past 14 years, I have devoted one December column entirely to the idea of giving books to children on Christmas morning (or whatever wintertime holiday you celebrate).Related ArticlesAdvice | Ask Amy: I swear we will move without her if she can’t get her stuff packed in time Advice | Ask Amy: Could my mother really believe I owe it to her to have children? Advice | Ask Amy: I was surprised by my brother’s advice about my girlfriend. Was he right? Advice | Ask Amy: I’m uncomfortable about my husband’s DNA test request Advice | Ask Amy: He says I’m not small enough to marry I was first inspired by a sweet story I read about historian David McCullough’s childhood, where he and his three brothers would wake up on Christmas morning to a wrapped book, left by Santa on the foot of their beds.I communicated with Mr. McCullough, and from his home in Massachusett...

Harriette Cole: An audience makes my roommate more irritating

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 06:19:01 GMT

Harriette Cole: An audience makes my roommate more irritating DEAR HARRIETTE: I’m currently facing a challenging situation with my roommate. She has a habit of imitating everything I do, which is not only irritating but also seems to escalate into arguments over trivial matters, especially when we have company around.Related ArticlesAdvice | Harriette Cole: He’s finally single, but his ex brainwashed him. How can I get through? Advice | Harriette Cole: How do I tell this nice girl I sent the text by mistake? Advice | Harriette Cole: How far should I go with my Christmas to remember? Advice | Harriette Cole: He hasn’t told his therapist about this big problem Advice | Harriette Cole: My mom’s rule kept me stuck at home for the holiday break I’ve noticed she thrives on debates in front of our friends, making our social gatherings uncomfortable.As the new year approaches, I’m eager to create some distance between us without severing...

The Hamas Terrorist Who Wasn’t

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 06:19:01 GMT

The Hamas Terrorist Who Wasn’t How’s the backyard, Jason? Is there somewhere we can talk?”It was May 20, 2020, at the height of the pandemic, and an FBI SWAT team had raided the house Jason Fong shared with his parents in Orange County, California. Fong, a 24-year-old Chinese American who, until recently, had been a U.S. Marine Corps reservist, sat handcuffed in the back of a police cruiser outside.“Just a couple of chairs at the back table,” he told the Irvine police detective and FBI agent questioning him.Fong led the two lawmen to the backyard, where all three sat at a table near the pool. A body camera worn by FBI Special Agent Thuan Ngo recorded the conversation. Fong, still handcuffed, wore a blue button-down shirt and a white face mask. The family dog wandered around, happily wagging its tail.“How long have you had this dog?” the detective, Michael Moore, asked.“Since I was 16,” Fong answered.Moore read Fong his Miranda rights; Ngo advised him that making a false statement to a federal agent is a felony.“L...

In Israel, the US defense secretary is expected to press for a more targeted approach in Gaza

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 06:19:01 GMT

In Israel, the US defense secretary is expected to press for a more targeted approach in Gaza TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was expected to press Israel to wind down major combat operations in Gaza on a visit Monday, in the latest test of whether the U.S. can leverage its unwavering support for the offensive to blunt its devastating impact on Palestinian civilians.France, the U.K. and Germany — some of Israel’s closest allies — joined global calls for a cease-fire over the weekend, and 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.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted that Israel will keep fighting until it removes Hamas from power, crushes its still-formidable military capabilities and returns the dozens of hostages still held by the group after its Oct. 7 attack, which ignited the war.The U.S. has vetoed calls for a cease-fire at the U.N. and rushed munitions to its close ally while pressing it to...

CSP investigating hit-and-run on Lookout Mountain, 2 cyclists hurt

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 06:19:01 GMT

CSP investigating hit-and-run on Lookout Mountain, 2 cyclists hurt JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. (KDVR) -- Colorado State Patrol is investigating a hit-and-run that happened Saturday afternoon on Lookout Mountain.Investigators said two cyclists were hit, and the driver of a green Ford Mustang fled the scene. The two cyclists were hurt, one with serious and the other with minor injuries. Boulder Police respond to multiple bomb threats at Jewish synagogues CSP said one car slowed down and the green Ford Mustang behind it drove around in the opposite lane to pass it, striking both cyclists.Investigators said the Mustang was later found abandoned, but they have an idea who was responsible."I looked down and I could see there was a blue vehicle and a green vehicle," Paul Mourer said.Mourer was riding past another group of cyclists around a hairpin turn near where it happened."I yelled to them, 'Hey watch out there's some aggressive drivers down there,'" Mourer said.That didn't stop one of those drivers from striking two cyclists on the road, driving toward ...

The Metropolitan Museum of Art to return more than a dozen ancient artworks following alleged links to looted art

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 06:19:01 GMT

The Metropolitan Museum of Art to return more than a dozen ancient artworks following alleged links to looted art (CNN) — The Metropolitan Museum of Art will return more than a dozen Southeast Asian sculptures after they were linked to a late art dealer accused of trafficking artifacts looted from the region, according to the museum and the US Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of New York.New York City’s Metropolitan Museum said in a statement it has initiated the return of 14 artworks to Cambodia and two to Thailand that were tied to Douglas Latchford, a British antiquities dealer and leading scholar on Khmer art.Latchford was indicted in 2019 for “orchestrating a multi-year scheme to sell looted Cambodian antiquities on the international art market,” the US attorney’s office said in a statement. The indictment was dismissed following Latchford’s death in 2020.“The Met has been diligently working with Cambodia and the US Attorney’s Office for years to resolve questions regarding these works of art, and new information that arose from this process made it clear that we should init...

Elon Musk’s X hit with first-ever EU probe for failing to curb toxic content

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 06:19:01 GMT

Elon Musk’s X hit with first-ever EU probe for failing to curb toxic content Elon Musk just got an early, unwelcome Christmas present from Europe: the bloc’s first-ever investigation via its new social media rules into X.On Monday, the European Commission opened Digital Services Act (DSA) infringement proceedings into X, formerly known as Twitter, after the billionaire and his company were subjected to repeated claims they were not doing enough to stop disinformation and hate speech from spreading online.The four investigations, which do not constitute wrongdoing and will lead to a monthslong probe, focus on X’s failure to comply with rules to counter illegal content and disinformation as well as rules on transparency on advertising, data access for researchers and the misleading design of its user interface.“The Commission will carefully investigate X’s compliance with the DSA, to ensure European citizens are safeguarded online — as the regulation mandates,” Margrethe Vestager, the Commission’s executive vice president responsible for digi...

Suspect sought by Needham, Stow police taken into custody in Waltham

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 06:19:01 GMT

Suspect sought by Needham, Stow police taken into custody in Waltham A man who Needham and Stow police warned the public may be armed and dangerous on Sunday night was captured and arrested.Joshua Hinds, 45, of Stow, was captured by police in Waltham early Monday morning. He will be booked and is expected to face a number of charges.Hinds allegedly brandished a firearm at an individual known to him and threatened to harm himself and others. This is a developing story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest updates.

Fire lieutenant seriously hurt, home total loss in 3-alarm Falmouth blaze

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 06:19:01 GMT

Fire lieutenant seriously hurt, home total loss in 3-alarm Falmouth blaze A Falmouth Fire Lieutenant was med flighted to Boston Sunday afternoon after sustaining significant injuries falling through the floor of a house while battling a 3-alarm fire. Falmouth Fire responded to report of smoke coming from a home on Rivers Edge Road just after 1:30 p.m. Sunday. After forcing entry to the structure, whose owners were out of state, a lieutenant and two firefighters entered the home, which was under heavy smoke conditions. According to authorities, approximately five feet into the house the lieutenant “fell through a burnt out opening in the floor into the basement” and called out a MAYDAY to seek assistance, which immediately drew personnel to his aid. “Upon entering the smoke-filled basement, personnel conducted an immediate search and were able to locate the firefighter whose personal alerting device was activated to help guide them to the fallen member, Falmouth FD said in a statement. “They were able to quickly remove the Lieutenan...

Quaker Oats recalls dozens of products over foodborne illness risk

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 06:19:01 GMT

Quaker Oats recalls dozens of products over foodborne illness risk New York (CNN) — Quaker Oats on Friday recalled more than 40 granola bar and cereal products because they could be contaminated with salmonella.The affected foods include the classic Chewy granola bar variety pack, the chocolate-covered Chewy Dipps bars, puffed and protein cereals, and even granola bars that are included in some Frito-Lays snack boxes, according to a list reported by the US Food and Drug Administration.“To date, Quaker has received no confirmed reports of illness related to the products covered by this recall,” the FDA said in a news release announcing the recall.The potentially contaminated products have “best by” dates ranging until October 2024 and were sold across all 50 states, as well as Puerto Rico, Guam and Saipan.The Quaker Oats Company, a subsidiary of PepsiCo, has not responded to CNN’s request for comment.Salmonella is a type of bacteria that can be found in animal products, fruits and vegetables, flour, and processed foods like ...