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Ukraine celebrates Christmas on Dec. 25 for the first time, distancing itself from Russia

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:08 GMT

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Christmas carried more than spiritual weight for many Ukrainians this year as the country newly observed it as a public holiday on Dec. 25 rather than the later date followed in Russia.The change, enacted in legislation signed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in July, reflects both Ukrainians’ dismay with the 22-month-old Russian invasion and their assertion of a national identity.Ukraine is predominantly Orthodox Christian, but the faith is divided between two churches, one of which had long affiliation with the Russian Orthodox Church.The Orthodox Church of Ukraine, which didn’t recognize the authority of the Russian church and had been regarded as schismatic, was granted full recognition in 2019 by the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Orthodoxy’s top authority.The Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which was a branch of the Russian church, announced in 2022 after the start of the Russia-Ukraine war that it was breaking ties with Moscow and considered its...

Harry Rosen, founder of Canadian menswear chain, dies at 92

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:08 GMT

The founder of Canadian men’s clothing retailer Harry Rosen Inc. has died at 92.Harry Rosen opened his first made-to-measure menswear store on Parliament Street in Toronto in 1954 and ran the company for 51 years until his son, Larry Rosen, became chairman and CEO.In a statement, Larry confirmed his father’s passing on Sunday, saying he “willed his business into existence one client at a time” and that “his passion for menswear and fashion was contagious.”An Order of Canada recipient in 2004, Rosen was involved philanthropically in the Canadian Paraplegic Association, Corporate Fund for Breast Cancer, Cancer Care Fund, Mt. Sinai Friends for Life campaign, United Way, CAMH and UHN.While the company bearing his name was known for dressing Canada’s most prominent elite in tailored suits, with 19 stores across Canada, it had expanded in recent years to include a casual wear collection.A posting on Benjamin’s Park Memorial Chapel says Rosen is su...

Mild weather delays opening of popular ice fishing spot in Quebec

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:08 GMT

SAINTE-ANNE-DE-LA-PÉRADE, Que. — Mild weather is delaying the start of the ice fishing season at a popular spot for winter anglers southwest of Quebec City.For 85 years, ice fishing enthusiasts have gathered in the town of Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pérade and set up camp on the Sainte-Anne River, a St-Lawrence River tributary and winter breeding ground for the migratory Atlantic tomcod.The fishing season traditionally begins around Christmas, but temperatures this year have prevented the formation of ice thick enough to safely support the hundreds of fishing cottages that usually dot the waterway. Officials have been watering the river surface for weeks, but on Christmas Day it was still short of the 10-inch ice depth target.“This festive season, we were so excited to bring you a wonderful announcement as a Christmas gift: the imminent opening of our 86th ice fishing season,” the organization that manages local fishing activities, the Association des pourvoyeurs de la rivière Sainte-Anne, w...

Austinite stars in 'Barbie with ASL' to increase the blockbuster’s accessibility

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:08 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) — A deaf Austinite is inviting even more people into Barbie world, as she stars in the blockbuster’s version of the film available in American Sign Language. It’s part of an effort to make Greta Gerwig’s smash hit more accessible to the deaf community and is the first movie available in ASL on Max, formerly known as HBO Max. Austin’s own Leila Hanaumi stars in the “Barbie with ASL” — where she interprets and performs the full two hour movie, taking on the roles of dozens of characters in Barbie. "My hope is that the Barbie movie will set an example and a standard of what accessibility and inclusive experience looks like not just for deaf children, but for adults as well for the community at large," Hanaumi told Nexstar via an interpreter. Born deaf to two deaf parents, Hanaumi said her mother used to sign movies for her in order to enhance her watching experience as a child. She said that closed captioning is helpful, but doesn't have the same ability to t...

Woman hospitalized after brutal attack in Long Beach

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:08 GMT

A woman is recovering from serious injuries after she was attacked by a man in Long Beach early Saturday morning.The incident happened around 4:30 a.m. as Beth Quintana was leaving work in the area of 25th Street and Cedar Avenue. She told police that an unknown man with a knife approached her, demanded her personal property and then assaulted her, according to the Long Beach Police Department.In a GoFundMe campaign, her roommate says Beth suffered a broken nose, a broken finger, a black eye, bruises to her face and a concussion.The suspect fled before officers arrived, police said. Beth was transported to a local hospital for treatment. She was unable to confirm if any of her property was taken, according to police.“Thank you everyone for your prayers,” Beth shared in a Facebook comment. “The guy had a knife but I was able to get it from him. I fought for my life and I made it. I’m not ok but with time I will be.”No description of the suspect was released.The GoFundMe was esta...

Three-bedroom home in Saratoga sells for $2.6 million

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:08 GMT

18269 Clemson Avenue – Google Street ViewThe property located in the 18200 block of Clemson Avenue in Saratoga was sold on Dec. 6, 2023. The $2,600,000 purchase price works out to $1,923 per square foot. The house, built in 1955, has an interior space of 1,352 square feet. The layout of this single-story house includes three bedrooms and two baths. Inside, a fireplace adds character to the home. In addition, the home features a one-car garage.Additional houses have recently been purchased nearby:In October 2022, a 1,948-square-foot home on Purdue Drive in Saratoga sold for $2,600,000, a price per square foot of $1,335. The home has 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.On Purdue Drive, Saratoga, in July 2023, a 1,956-square-foot home was sold for $3,160,000, a price per square foot of $1,616. The home has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.A 1,723-square-foot home on the 18300 block of Clemson Avenue in Saratoga sold in June 2023, for $2,600,500, a price per square foot of $1,509. The home has 3 bedro...

Christmas morning fire in San Leandro apartment building displaces three people

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:08 GMT

ALAMEDA COUNTY — Two elderly residents and a neighbor were displaced by a fire that broke out on the first floor of a San Leandro apartment building on Christmas morning, authorities said.The fire was reported around 6 a.m. Sunday inside the complex at 14550 East 14th Street, Alameda County Fire Department officials wrote on social media. It spread into the building’s center hallway.As of 7:15 a.m., the blaze had been contained. No one was injured.The American Red Cross has been dispatched to help the victims of the fire, according to county fire officials.The Alameda County Fire Department responded to a fire that broke out early on Christmas Day. (Courtesy of Alameda County Fire Department) 

Salvation Army holds its Christmas meal program

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:08 GMT

(KRON) – The Salvation Army hosted its annual Christmas meal delivery program for hundreds of San Francisco residents. The Salvation Army provides a hot meal and holiday cheer for those who may not be able to leave their home because of age or illness. ‘Ebony Alerts’ debut in January to draw attention to missing women and children of color Hundreds of volunteers assisted in this program. The meals were put together by recent graduates hired from the Salvation Army Culinary Academy. This year's traditional Christmas meal includes turkey breast, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, fresh roasted vegetables, juice, and dessert.Volunteers say this event is all about spreading joy.

El papa Francisco pide un alto el fuego en Gaza y la liberación de los rehenes en su mensaje de Navidad

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:08 GMT

(CNN) — El papa Francisco utilizó su mensaje del Día de Navidad para instar a un alto el fuego y emitir una súplica por el fin de la guerra entre Israel y Hamas.“Recemos por la paz en Palestina e Israel”, dijo el pontífice de 87 años, describiendo la guerra como “un viaje sin rumbo, una derrota sin vencedores, una locura inexcusable” en su mensaje de Navidad “Urbi et Orbi”.Urbi et Orbi —que en latín significa “a la ciudad [de Roma] y al mundo”— es un discurso y bendición papal que se pronuncia en ocasiones importantes.El papa vuelve a implorar el fin de los conflictos internacionales en su mensaje de Navidad“Pido el fin de las operaciones militares con su espantosa cosecha de víctimas civiles inocentes, y pido una solución a la desesperada situación humanitaria mediante una apertura al suministro de ayuda humanitaria”, dijo desde el balcón de la Basílica de San Pedro en la ciudad del Vaticano.Francisco pidió la libera...

Arizona’s Jayden de Laura to enter transfer portal after losing starting job to Fifita

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:08 GMT

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Arizona quarterback Jayden de Laura will enter the transfer portal after being supplanted as the starter by Noah Fifita.De Laura said in a social media post on Monday that he will remain with the Wildcats through Thursday’s Alamo Bowl.“On Friday, college football made a decision to allow a second undergraduate transfer,” de Laura posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. “I appreciate my time at the University of Arizona, but the opportunity to return as a starter my final year of college, while also getting my degree, is something I must explore.”Arizona made a big splash in 2022 by signing de Laura after he threw for more than 3,500 yards and 28 touchdowns in two seasons for Washington State. He had an immediate impact for the Wildcats, throwing for 3,685 yards and 25 touchdowns with 13 interceptions last season.De Laura opened 2023 as Arizona’s starter but suffered an ankle injury against Stanford in the fourth game of the season. Fifita played so w...