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A new Homeland Security guide aims to help houses of worship protect themselves

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:02:53 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — A new guide from the Department of Homeland Security released Wednesday aims to help churches, synagogues, mosques and other houses of worship protect themselves at a time of heightened tensions in faith-based communities across the country.The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, an arm of Homeland Security, works with faith groups across the country to help them prepare for and prevent targeted violence against their facilities and their members. David Mussington, who’s in charge of infrastructure security at CISA, says the goal of the 16-page document is to give useable information in a format that’s easy to understand. “It’s designed to be clear, to be less jargon-filled and to provide guidance and assistance in getting assistance from us,” Mussington said.The guidance, dubbed “Physical Security Performance Goals for Faith-Based Communities,” outlines how faith groups can better protect themselves: keeping landscaping like hedges trimme...

Edmunds recommends the best all-wheel-drive SUV alternatives

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:02:53 GMT

You can find all-wheel drive on most new SUVs on sale today, and some of the most popular models even come standard with this feature. All-wheel drive can be beneficial for the additional traction it provides on slippery or icy roads, especially when you’re trying to accelerate from a stop or up a hill. But what if you want all-wheel drive without the SUV? After all, SUVs are typically less fuel-efficient and more expensive than a comparably sized sedan or hatchback. Fortunately, there are options for shoppers seeking SUV alternatives with all-wheel drive. Edmunds’ experts have picked five of their favorites. The following prices include destination charges. AFFORDABLE HATCHBACK: 2024 SUBARU IMPREZAOf course, one of the main reasons you may be worried about not having an SUV is storage space. The Subaru Impreza is a nice alternative. Drop the rear seats in the Impreza and you’ll have 56 cubic feet of storage space to work with, which is about what a typical subcompact SUV offers. Th...

Biden will sign an executive order on federal funding for Native Americans

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:02:53 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden will sign an executive order on Wednesday during a tribal nations summit that aims to make it easier for Native Americans to access federal funding and have greater autonomy over how to invest those funds. “Tribal nations still face unacceptable barriers to fully exercising their inherent sovereignty, and really too often that occurs because of the way we are administering federal funding programs,” said Neera Tanden, White House domestic policy adviser. Historically, Tanden said, federal policies attacked Native people’s rights to self-governance and caused lasting economic damage. The Biden administration is working to undo that damage, she said. The order in part creates a clearinghouse for Native American tribes to find and access federal funding, and it requests that federal agencies ensure that funding is accessible and equitable. The order will be unveiled on the first day of an annual summit, when Biden is expected to address...

Trump won't rule out abusing power, seeking retribution if he returns to the White House

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:02:53 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Former President Donald Trump declined to rule out abusing power if he returns to the White House after Fox News Channel host Sean Hannity asked him Tuesday to respond to growing Democratic criticism of his rhetoric.The GOP presidential front-runner has talked about targeting his rivals — referring to them as “vermin” — and vowed to seek retribution if he wins a second term for what he argues are politically motivated prosecutions against him. As Trump has dominated the Republican presidential primary, President Joe Biden has stepped up his own warnings, contending Trump is “ determined to destroy American democracy.” Bannon, Patel say Trump ‘dead serious’ about revenge on media: ‘We’re going to come after you’ “Under no circumstances, you are promising America tonight, you would never abuse power as retribution against anybody?" Hannity asked Trump in the interview taped in Davenport, Iowa.“Except for day one," Trump responded. “I want to close...

5 things to know this Wednesday, December 6

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:02:53 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- We're halfway there, folks. Happy Wednesday! According to Meteorologists Jill Szwed and Kevin Appleby, a lot of people woke up to a coating of snow across the area, making for some slippery commutes. Flurries and isolated light snow are expected throughout the day with colder temperatures. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! New York State Police are advising commuters who use I-88 to find another route on Wednesday after a truck carrying hazardous materials crashed into a ravine. The roadway will be closed in both directions at 6 a.m. between Exit 24 in Duanesburg and Exit 25 in Rotterdam for continued hazmat cleanup. Also, the Route 50 Diner in Ballston Spa has been shut down by New York State. The sign on the door from the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance said the business was seized due to nonpayment of taxes. These stories, and more, are covered in your five things to know this Wednes...

Ask Amy: Friend wants bestie to leave boyfriend

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:02:53 GMT

Dear Amy: I hate my best friend’s boyfriend.I met my “Shari” in high school. We have been inseparable ever since. Back then, she was outgoing, radiated confidence, was down to earth, and nothing ever bothered her.Since she began her relationship with “Stephan,” she is a completely different person.She is unsure of herself, has no confidence, and she now has frequent anxiety attacks. I attribute all of this to Stephan. She complains about him a lot.When I first met him, I was in his corner, but the more I hung out with him, the more red flags I saw. He isn’t motivated, has no goals, and is an alcoholic. Shari also noticed all of these things.Stephan got so drunk the night before my wedding that he forgot to drop off the liquor and food at the venue for the next day.At the wedding, he got drunk and left right after dinner. Later, Shari went to the hotel room she paid for and found that she wasn’t able to get in.Stephan had put the security lock on the door so not eve...

Almost €21 million in European Solidarity Funds awarded to the Marche region in Italy to repair damages caused by the severe flooding in 2022

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:02:53 GMT

The Commission has approved €20.9 million from the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) to support the Marche region in Italy in addressing the extensive damages caused by the rainfall and floods in September 2022.Cohesion and Reforms Commissioner Elisa Ferreira (pictured) said: “Once again, the Solidarity Fund is there to help the Italian authorities to repair, restore, and recover after the floods in 2022. We stand shoulder to shoulder with Italy and the Italian citizens. Thanks to Cohesion Policy, we can help countries overcome the effects of unprecedented climate crises – whose frequency and severity is on the rise.”The provinces of Pesaro-Urbino, Ancona, and Macerata in the Marche region of Italy were affected by intense rainfall in September 2022, resulting in widespread flooding. The flooding tragically cost the lives of people, and damaged key infrastructure and public and private buildings. It also saw three rivers overflow and flood the surrounding areas. The overall area...

President Tokayev Strengthens Investment Council Powers to Boost Economic Growth

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:02:53 GMT

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has signed a landmark decree on Dec. 4 regarding measures to increase the efficiency of attracting investment into Kazakhstan’s economy and accelerating economic growth, reported the Akorda press service. The decree outlines a comprehensive plan to empower the Investment Promotion Council (Investment Headquarters) with unprecedented authority.As stipulated in the decree, the Investment Promotion Council will have the power to make binding decisions on both central and local government bodies and entities in the quasi-public sector. Additionally, the Council is empowered to develop temporary regulatory legal acts with the force of law, supplementing the government’s efforts to create a conducive environment for investment.According to Kazinform, this decree is a continuation of President Tokayev’s economic policy, as outlined in his state-of-the-nation address in September. This policy focuses on economic reforms, diversification, transparent ta...

Leaked Amazon memo shows efforts to shape public opinion on warehouses, critics say

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:02:53 GMT

Inland Empire lawmakers and a warehouse worker advocacy group are condemning what the group says is a leaked memo that details Amazon’s efforts to buy influence through charitable donations and oppose legislation deemed hostile to the global retailer’s interests.The eight-page memo also reveals Amazon’s plans to no longer donate to the Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture of the Riverside Art Museum over a display of artwork showing an Amazon facility ablaze.And it describes Perris’ mayor as “an influential elected leader that we have cultivated” while noting reluctance by some local politicians to accept Amazon’s campaign donations.The Ontario-based Warehouse Worker Resource Center, which seeks to improve warehouse working conditions, released the memo, which it says came from a source it can’t publicly reveal. The Southern California News Group was unable to independently confirm the memo’s authenticity. View this document on Scribd“In Amazon’s leaked memo, they deta...

Bridge: Dec. 6, 2023

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:02:53 GMT

Cy the Cynic is a confirmed bachelor. He says the only drawback to living single is that it’s always his turn to do the dishes.Cy also complains that when he plays in my club’s penny game, he gets no help on defense; his partners always do the wrong thing.As today’s West, Cy led the jack of spades against 3NT. East took the ace and returned the queen, and South played low. When East next led the queen of diamonds, South won in dummy and let the queen of clubs ride. He ended with an overtrick.DISCARD“I’m getting too old to play this game alone,” Cy growled to me. “My partner should play the queen on the first spade. Declarer would have to take his king; for all he knew, I’d led from A-J-10-9-x. Then when he led the queen of clubs, I could duck, and on the next club partner could discard his ace of spades.”Cy was asking a lot of his partner, which isn’t unusual for Cy. I wonder what Cy would have said if East played the queen...