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A Belgian bishop says the Vatican has for years snubbed pleas to defrock a pedophile ex-colleague

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:11 GMT

BRUSSELS (AP) — A prominent Belgian bishop on Wednesday criticized the Vatican for failing to defrock a former bishop who admitted sexually abusing children, saying it had led to massive frustration with the highest Roman Catholic authorities. Disgraced bishop Roger Vangheluwe, who was brought down by a sexual abuse scandal 13 years ago, became a symbol in Belgium of the Roman Catholic church’s hypocrisy in dealing with abuse in its own ranks. “We, the (Belgian) bishops, have been asking for years for a reaction. The letters are there, the discussions. All noted down in lists. When will we have a reaction? And why don’t we get one?” Johan Bonny, the bishop of Antwerp, said on broadcaster VRT’s website.Vangheluwe shot to international infamy amid disclosures he had sexually abused his young nephew for over a dozen years when he was a priest and later a bishop. He later admitted he also abused a second nephew. The whole time, he made light of his crimes. Reacting to a VRT ...

Shopping for Medicare Advantage: 6 pitfalls to avoid

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:11 GMT

Only 3 in 10 Medicare beneficiaries shop around during open enrollment, according to a 2022 analysis from KFF, a health policy nonprofit — and only 1 in 10 Medicare Advantage enrollees voluntarily switch plans. But a 2020 analysis of Medicare Advantage plan choices by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that more than half of beneficiaries overspent by more than $1,000 due to the plan they selected.Medicare open enrollment is Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, giving people with Medicare a chance to change plans for the upcoming year. Although potential Medicare Advantage enrollees may be swayed by $0 premiums and extra perks like vision and dental coverage, there are more important features to explore when you’re choosing next year’s coverage.Here are some practices to avoid as you shop for Medicare Advantage this fall.1. THINKING MEDICARE ADVANTAGE IS MEDICAREIf you’re considering Medicare Advantage, understand that it’s not the same thing as government-provided Medicare. It offers the...

A 15-year-old girl has died after being stabbed in south London

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:11 GMT

LONDON (AP) — A 15-year-old girl was stabbed to death during Wednesday’s morning rush hour in south London, police said.The Metropolitan Police said officers arrested a teenage boy who may have known the victim in connection with the stabbing. Police were called at around 8:30 a.m. after receiving reports that a girl was stabbed in Croydon, south of London. Multiple police vehicles and land and air ambulances attended, but the girl was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after.A white forensic tent was erected within a police cordon at the scene. London Mayor Sadiq Khan said he was “heartbroken” by the death and expressed sympathy with the girl’s family and local community. Stabbings involving young people are not uncommon in London but it is relatively rare for such incidents to involve girls. Source

¿Jugará Messi en Inter Miami vs Houston Dynamo? Previa, a qué hora y cómo ver en vivo

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:11 GMT

(CNN Español) — La final de la US Open Cup de este miércoles entre el Inter Miami y el Houston Dynamo tiene en la previa una gran incógnita, y no es quién se llevará el título, sino con la presencia o no de Lionel Messi.El delantero y figura del equipo está en duda para lo que será la segunda final en la joven historia del club, tras la lesión que lo sacó a los 37 minutos del primer tiempo del partido frente a Toronto FC hace una semana, y que también lo marginó del clásico frente a Orlando. El “10” no participó del último entrenamiento junto a sus compañeros, aunque el entrenador Gerardo Martino dejó en claro en conferencia de prensa que, si bien su presencia está en duda, lo esperará hasta último momento para saber si lo incluye entre los convocados. De no ser así, se perderá el segundo partido por lesión desde que forma parte del Inter Miami.Messi sale por aparente lesión del partido del Inter Miami contra Toronto FCEl equipo de la Florida viene en plena levantada y va en b...

What Colorado laws go into effect in October?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:11 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — For many, the start of October means the start of the spooky season ahead of Halloween. In Colorado it also means something else, new laws are going into effect.There are seven total laws slated to go into effect on Oct. 1. Failing to obey Colorado’s new roundabout law could cost you $70 FOX31 previously looked into two of the laws -- a change to who gets the right-of-way in roundabouts and a new waiting period for firearm sales.Here are the other laws going into effect on Oct. 1. Opening up liability to the firearm industrySenate Bill 23-168, "Gun Violence Victims' Access to Judicial System," allows victims of gun violence to sue members of the firearm industry for knowingly breaching Colorado law.For purposes of the law, the firearm industry includes people, firms, corporations or entities that manufacture, distribute, import, market or sell firearms or ammunition in the state.Lawsuits can be brought up to five years after the violation of the law or harm occurs....

Miami-Dade Police seek public’s help in locating missing 61-year-old woman

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:11 GMT

Miami-Dade Police are urgently seeking the public’s assistance in locating a 61-year-old woman who has gone missing. Yvette Fussell was last seen on Monday, September 18 at around 8 a.m. in the 8000 block of Northwest 12th Court in Northwest Miami-Dade. Fussell stands at 5 feet, 2 inches and weighs 120 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair.Authorities are concerned for her well-being and she may be in need of services.If you have any information regarding Yvette Fussell’s whereabouts, please contact the Miami-Dade Police immediately.

Azerbaijan arrests the former head of separatist government after recapturing Nagorno-Karabakh

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:11 GMT

YEREVAN, Armenia (AP) — Azerbaijan said it arrested the former head of Nagorno-Karabakh’s separatist government as he tried to cross into Armenia on Wednesday, following Azerbaijan’s 24-hour blitz last week to reclaim control of the enclave.The arrest of Ruben Vardanyan was announced by Azerbaijan’s border guard service. It appears to reflect Azerbaijan’s intention to quickly and forcefully enforce its grip on the region after the military offensive that has prompted a rapid exodus of tens of thousands of ethnic Armenians.Vardanyan, a billionaire businessman who made his fortune in Russia where he owned a major investment bank, moved to Nagorno-Karabakh in 2022 and served as the head the regional government for several months before stepping down earlier this year.Azerbaijan’s border guard service said Vardanyan was escorted to the country’s capital of Baku and handed over to “the relevant state bodies” that will decide his fate. It posted a picture of Vardanyan held by ...

Sen. Bob Menendez arrives at court to answer to bribery case charges as he rejects calls to resign

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:11 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez on Wednesday arrived at a courthouse where he’s due to answer to charges that he used his powerful post to secretly advance Egyptian interests and do favors for New Jersey businessmen in exchange for bribes of cash and gold bars.The New Jersey Democrat will make his first appearance in a federal court in Manhattan amid growing calls from colleagues that he resign from Congress. Menendez and his wife, who is also charged in the case, said nothing Wednesday morning as they arrived at the lower Manhattan courthouse. A defiant Menendez — who was forced to step down as chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee after the indictment was brought last week — says allegations that he abused his power to line his own pockets are baseless. He has said he’s confident he will be exonerated and has no intention of leaving the Senate.It’s the second corruption case in a decade against Menendez, whose last trial involving different allegatio...

Germany increases border patrols along migrant ‘smuggling routes’ to Poland and Czech Republic

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:11 GMT

BERLIN (AP) — Germany announced Wednesday it will increase police patrols along “smuggling routes” on the border with Poland the Czech Republic in an effort to prevent more migrants from entering the country.The new measures would begin immediately, said Interior Minister Nancy Faeser. The announcement came a day after police raids in Germany found more than 100 Syrian citizens inside apartments searched in connection with a smuggling ring. Faeser did not offer any details on how many more border police officers would be deployed but stressed that no fixed border checks would be installed as Germany has been doing along the border with Austria since 2015. In order to introduce such controls, Germany would have to notify the European Commission.German Finance Minister Christian Lindner wrote later on Wednesday on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter, that his ministry would support the increased border control with additional customs officers.“Border controls are to be intensifi...

US allows Israeli citizens to travel to US visa-free as Israel joins a select group of countries

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:11 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration is admitting Israel into a select group of countries whose citizens are allowed to travel to the United States without getting a visa in advance.The decision announced Wednesday comes despite Washington’s concerns about the Israeli government’s treatment of Palestinian Americans and marks a major accomplishment for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has sparred frequently with the Biden administration.Under the waiver program, Israelis will be able to travel to the U.S. for business or leisure purposes for up to 90 days without a visa simply by registering with the Electronic System for Travel Authorization. But even if they are authorized to travel under that system, U.S. officials at the airport can still bar them from entering the country.Israel had been facing a Saturday deadline, the end of the U.S. government’s budget year, to gain admission to the program without having to requalify for eligibility next year.The Dep...