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Organization of Islamic Cooperation suspends Sweden’s special envoy over desecration of Quran

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:02:21 GMT

BEIRUT (AP) — The Organization of Islamic Cooperation has suspended the status of Sweden’s special envoy over a string of Quran burnings in Stockholm that sparked anger and mass protests in a number of Muslim countries.The organization comprised of 57 Muslim-majority nations said Sunday that the suspension was due to the “ granting by the Swedish authorities of licenses that enabled the repeated abuse of the sanctity of the Holy Quran and Islamic symbols.” The Islamic holy book was burned or defaced during recent public demonstrations in the Swedish capital. An Iraqi man of Christian origin living in Sweden as a self-proclaimed atheist announced plans to burn the Quran in front of the Iraqi Embassy in Stockholm on Thursday. Demonstrators In Iraq stormed the Swedish Embassy and the Iraqi government cut off diplomatic relations with Sweden. In the end, the man in Sweden kicked and stepped on the Islamic holy book but stopped short of setting it ablaze.The Organization of Islamic...

Polls close as Spain awaits results from election that could take the country to the right

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:02:21 GMT

MADRID (AP) — The majority of polls closed Sunday in a general election that could make Spain the latest European Union member to swing to the political right. Polls in Spain’s mainland and the Balearic Islands closed at 6:00 p.m. GMT. Polls on the Canary Islands remained open one more hour due to the archipelago falling in a different time zone. Once they close, the first results from Sunday’s election are expected to come out.Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is trying to win a third consecutive national election since taking power in 2018. But his Socialists and the other party in his leftist coalition took a beating in regional and local elections in May.The mainstream conservative Popular Party led most polling during the campaign and is hoping that its first national victory since 2016 could let candidate Alberto Núñez Feijóo unseat Sánchez. But it may need the help of the far-right Vox party to do so.Such a coalition would return a far-right force to the Spanish government...

Brian Harman unstoppable in drama-free British Open win at Hoylake

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:02:21 GMT

HOYLAKE, England (AP) — Brian Harman turned back every challenge in the British Open, from big names to bad weather, and took his place among major champions Sunday with a victory that was never seriously in doubt at Royal Liverpool.Harman twice responded to a rare bogey with back-to-back birdies, leaving everyone else playing for second. He closed with a 1-under 70, making an 8-foot par putt on the last hole for a six-shot victory.At age 36, he is the oldest first-time major winner since Sergio Garcia was 37 when he won the Masters in 2017.Garcia wasn’t a surprise. Not many would have seen this victory coming at the start of the week. Harman had gone 167 tournaments over six years since his last win in the 2017 Wells Fargo Championship. This is only his third title in his 12 years on the PGA Tour.And then the avid outdoorsman made winning golf’s oldest championship look as easy as shooting fish in a barrel.Masters champion Jon Rahm birdied his last hole for a 70 to make...

'Nature's Ozempic': What is the trendy weight loss supplement?

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:02:21 GMT

(NewsNation) — A plant-derived supplement called berberine is going viral on social media for being a cheaper, natural alternative to Ozempic for those wanting to lose weight. Posts calling it "nature's Ozempic" have racked up millions of views on TikTok as users claim it can help with weight loss. But very little is actually known about berberine's health impacts. What is berberine?Berberine is a bright yellow compound extracted from the stem, roots or bark of various plant species. It is available as a pill or a powder from a range of manufacturers but has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Small studies found berberine can decrease blood glucose and cholesterol, and improve insulin resistance, the Wall Street Journal reported. FAQ: How do Ozempic, weight-loss drugs work? Berberine's possible weight-loss effects may be triggered similarly to the diabetes drug metformin, by improving how cells use insulin, according to Jim Backes, a clinical pharmacist a...

Woman says she was fired after trying to stop shoplifters

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:02:21 GMT

RINCON, Ga. (WSAV) — A woman who was assaulted as she tried to stop three alleged shoplifters from leaving a Georgia Lowe's says she has been fired by the company.According to Rincon Police, on June 25, Takyah Berry, Joseph Berry, and Jarmar Lawton allegedly went into a Lowe's store and loaded multiple items into shopping carts. Police say they then left without paying for the merchandise. Lowe's employee Donna Hansbrough, 68, tried to stop one of the shoplifters by grabbing their shopping cart. Costco crackdown: Can people in my household still use my Costco membership? "I just wanted to get our merchandise," Hansbrough told Nexstar's WSAV last week, adding that it wasn't the first time she'd witnessed shoplifting at the store.Police say that Hansbrough never made physical contact with any of the alleged thieves, only grabbing the cart. According to the sheriff's office, one of the individuals, Joseph Berry, then hit Hansbrough's face three times before leaving.The group was able...

Is traffic speed really still enforced by aircraft?

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:02:21 GMT

(NEXSTAR) - You probably grew up spotting the signs from the backseat of your car on family road trips: "Speed enforced by aircraft." As a kid, the idea may have sounded high-tech and intimidating. As an adult, it probably seems more costly and impractical. So do the patrols still happen?The short answer is yes, some units across the country say they still patrol by aircraft, but technological improvements and cost considerations have limited air enforcement. The California Highway Patrol recently explained how their unit works, in an effort to dispel anyone who may have thought a helicopter was about to touch down on the highway next to them. "CHP fixed-wing airplanes will partner with CHP ground units. Several patrol cars will be staged at a specific location along the right-hand shoulder of the freeway waiting for communication from CHP Air. The aircraft uses markings along the right-hand shoulder to mark and measure distance. After factoring in a math equation, which determines ...

Man allegedly stole truck at gunpoint, hit police K-9 during chase, North Carolina officers say

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:02:21 GMT

CARY, N.C. (WNCN) — Police in Cary, North Carolina, say they are looking for a man who stole a truck from a car dealership at gunpoint and led multiple agencies on a chase, hitting one of their K-9s while trying to get away.At about 6:30 p.m. Friday, officers said they were called to the Rick Hendricks dealership on US-64 about a motor vehicle theft.Upon an initial investigation, they said a man entered the dealership to inquire about test-driving a Ford truck.During the test drive, police said the man took out a gun, told the salesman to get out of the truck, and drove away. Detectives were able to track the vehicle to a location in Raleigh, according to the Cary Police Department. Raleigh Police were able to quickly find the truck. At that point, officers said the suspect fled again and returned to the Cary area. NFL player’s father charged in bald eagle’s shooting death: report Detectives said they found the truck at Bliss Convenience Store and ca...

Man accused of Austin synagogue arson pleads guilty to 2 charges

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:02:21 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man accused in the 2021 arson of an Austin synagogue pleaded guilty to two charges.According to court documents filed April 21, Franklin Barrett Sechriest pleaded guilty to arson and hate crime damage to a religious property. RELATED: Arson investigators respond to fire started outside central Austin synagogue In October 2021, arson investigators responded to a fire that started on the ground outside of a synagogue in central Austin.Court documents stated Sechriest “through the use and attempted use of fire, intentionally defaced, damaged, and destroyed, and attempted to deface, damage, and destroy religious real property, that is, Congregation Beth Israel, a synagogue located in Austin, Texas, because of the race and ethnic characteristics of any individual associated with that religious property.” RELATED: Texas State student accused of setting fire to Austin synagogue arrested Sechriest previously faced a charge for the use of fire to commit a federal felony...

Continuing traditions at the Saratoga County Fair

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:02:21 GMT

BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Sunday may be the last day for the Saratoga County Fair, but it is just the beginning for these kids who decided to get involved in the annual cow competition.Olivia Sloane says she also loves volunteering to help her family’s farm and the other farmers.“You know and help people, and you can make new friends and all of that,” she said.But of course, the competition was all about one favorite farm animal... Cows! Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Dozens of cows were competing for several ribbons. At the same time, others were just up for the challenge of leading and showcasing casing cows.But no matter how many ribbons each cow won, it’s clear that these competitions are also about family traditions. Crystal Sloane says these events are essential for her family to learn responsibility and how to be responsible farmers. She has been doing this for 20 years.“I did this when I was a kid. So for me, it is...

Live updates | McIlroy’s winless streak at majors continues after lackluster finish at British Open

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:02:21 GMT

HOYLAKE, England (AP) — Rory McIlroy will go yet another year without winning a major.McIlroy couldn’t keep his early run going in the final round of the British Open, finishing at 3-under 68 for the day and 6 under for the tournament.He went into the clubhouse in a tie for fifth, five shots back from leader Brian Harman.McIlroy hasn’t won in the last 34 majors he played since winning the 2014 PGA Championship.It had been a promising start for McIlroy at Royal Liverpool, with three birdies in a row on the third, fourth and fifth holes to get him within five shots of the lead in a tie for second. He had started the day in a tie for 11th, nine shots off the lead.McIlroy made two other birdies on the back nine, including at the par-3 17th, but also had two bogeys and never really contended.___— Harman builds a 5-shot lead at British Open— Jon Rahm sets Hoylake record with 63 to give himself a chance — Younger brother of U.S. Open champion Matt Fitzpa...