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swerte99 casino link At least eight people were killed by Israeli military operations in the northern West Bank around the city of Tulkarem on Tuesday, the Palestinian Health Ministry said, including three people it said were killed by Israeli airstrikes. The Israeli military said it opened fire after militants attacked soldiers, and it was aware of some uninvolved civilians who were harmed in the raid. Elsewhere in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian city of Bethlehem was marking a second somber Christmas Eve under the shadow of the war in Gaza, with most festivities cancelled and crowds of tourists absent. Israel's bombardment and ground invasion in Gaza has killed over 45,000 Palestinians, more than half of them women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between fighters and civilians in its count. Winter is hitting the Gaza Strip and many of the nearly 2 million Palestinians displaced by the devastating 15-month war with Israel are struggling to protect themselves from the wind, cold and rain. The war in Gaza was sparked by Hamas’s attack on southern Israel in October 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and 250 taken hostage by Palestinian militants. Around 100 hostages are still being held in Gaza , although only two thirds are believed to still be alive. Here’s the latest: NUR SHAMS REFUGEE CAMP, West Bank — The Palestinian Health Ministry said at least eight people were killed by Israeli military operations in and around the city of Tulkarem in the northern West Bank on Tuesday. The ministry reported three of the dead were killed by airstrikes. The Israeli military said it opened fire after militants attacked soldiers, and it was aware of some uninvolved civilians who were harmed in the raid. An Associated Press photojournalist captured images of Israeli forces detonating an explosive device planted by Palestinian militants during a raid in the Nur Shams refugee camp. Israel has carried out several large-scale raids in the West Bank since the start of the war in Gaza, ignited by Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel. While airstrikes were once rare in the West Bank, they have grown more common since the outbreak of war as Israeli forces clamp down, saying they aim to prevent attacks on their citizens. Israeli fire has killed at least 800 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank since October 2023, Palestinian health officials say. In that time, Palestinian militants have launched a number of attacks on soldiers at checkpoints and within Israel. SAYDNAYA, Syria — A large crowd of Syrians gathered near a historic monastery in Saydnaya on Christmas Eve to witness the lighting of a towering tree adorned with glowing green lights. Tuesday's celebration offered a rare moment of joy in a city scarred by over a decade of war and an infamous prison , where tens of thousands were held. Families and friends stood beneath the illuminated tree — some wearing Santa hats, others watching from rooftops — while a band played festive music and fireworks lit up the sky “This year is different, there’s happiness, victory and a new birth for Syria and a new birth for Christ,” said Houssam Saadeh, one attendee. Another, Joseph Khabbaz, expressed hope for unity across all sects and religions in Syria, dismissing recent Christmas tree vandalism as “isolated incidents.” Earlier in the afternoon, pilgrims visited the historic Our Lady of Saydnaya Monastery, one of the world’s oldest Christian monasteries, believed to be built in the sixth century. In Homs, a similarly grand Christmas tree was illuminated as security officers patrolled the area to ensure a safe and peaceful gathering, according to Syria’s state media. UNITED NATIONS -- Recent attacks on hospitals in North Gaza, where Israel is carrying out an offensive, are having a devastating impact on Palestinian civilians still in the area, the U.N. humanitarian office says. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs expressed deep concern at reports that the Israeli military entered the Indonesian Hospital on Tuesday, forcing its evacuation. The humanitarian office, known as OCHA, also expressed deep concern at attacks reported in recent days in and around the two other hospitals in North Gaza that are minimally functioning – Al Awda and Kamal Adwan. OCHA said the Israeli siege on Beit Hanoun, Beit Lahia and parts of Jaballiya in North Gaza continued for a 79th day on Tuesday, and while the U.N. and its partners have made 52 attempts to coordinate humanitarian access to besieged areas in December 48 were rejected by Israel. While four missions were approved, OCHA said the U.N. and its partners faced impediments as a result of Israeli military operations and “none of the U.N.-coordinated attempts to access the area have been fully facilitated.” Throughout the Gaza Strip, OCHA said that Israeli authorities facilitated just 40% of requests for humanitarian movements requiring their approval in December. WASHINGTON — A leading global food crisis monitor says deaths from starvation will likely pass famine levels in north Gaza as soon as next month. The U.S.-created Famine Early Warning System Network says that’s because of a near-total Israeli blockade of food and other aid in that part of Gaza. The finding, however, appears to have exposed a rift within the Biden administration over the extent of starvation in northern Gaza. The U.S. ambassador to Israel, Jacob Lew, disputes part of the data used in reaching the conclusion and calls the intensified famine warning “irresponsible.” Northern Gaza has been one of the areas hardest-hit by fighting and Israel’s restrictions on aid throughout its 14-month war with Hamas militants. UNITED NATIONS — Israel’s foreign minister has requested an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council to condemn recent missile and drone attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, and to condemn the group's Iranian allies for allegedly providing the group with weapons. Gideon Saar said in a letter Tuesday to Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield of the United States, which holds the council presidency this month, that the Houthis are violating international law and council resolutions. “This Iranian-backed terrorist group continues to endanger Israel’s and other nations’ security, as well as the freedom of maritime navigation, in flagrant violation of international law,” Saar said. “All of this malign activity is done as part of a broader strategy to destabilize the region.” The U.S. Mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to an email asking when the council meeting will be held. The Houthis have said they launched attacks on shipping in the Red Sea – and on Israel -- with the aim of ending Israel’s devastating air and ground offensive in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli war in Gaza followed Hamas’ deadly October 2023 attacks in southern Israel. TEL AVIV, Israel — An Israeli military investigation has concluded that the presence of troops inadvertently contributed to the deaths of six hostages killed by their Hamas captors in Gaza. The hostages' bodies were discovered in a tunnel in late August, an event that shook Israel and sparked some of the largest anti-war protests since the war began. The investigation found that the six hostages were killed by multiple gunshots from their captors after surviving for nearly 330 days. The Israeli military’s “ground activities in the area, although gradual and cautious, had a circumstantial influence on the terrorists’ decision to murder the six hostages,” the report found. According to the investigation, the Israeli military began operating in the area where the hostages were being held in southern Gaza about two weeks before their discovery, under the assumption that the chances of hostages in the area was medium to low. On August 27, hostage Qaid Farhan Alkadi was found alone in a tunnel , causing the Israeli military to halt operations for 24 hours to determine if there could be other hostages in the area. The military discovered the opening leading to the tunnel where the bodies of the six hostages were located on August 30. A pathological report estimated the six hostages were killed on August 29. The six hostages killed were Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, Ori Danino, and Hersh Goldberg-Polin , whose American-Israeli parents became some of the most recognized spokespeople pleading for the hostages’ release, including addressing the Democratic National Convention days before their son’s killing. “The investigation published tonight proves once again that the return of all hostages will only be possible through a deal,” the Hostages Families Forum said in response to the investigation. “Every passing moment puts the hostages’ lives in immediate danger.” JERUSALEM — The Israeli negotiating team working on a ceasefire returned from Qatar to Israel on Tuesday, the prime minister’s office said, after what it called “a significant week” of talks. After months of deadlock, the U.S., Qatar and Egypt resumed their mediation efforts in recent weeks and reported greater willingness by the warring sides to reach a deal. According to Egyptian and Hamas officials, the proposed agreement would take place in phases and include a halt in fighting, an exchange of captive Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, and a surge in aid to the besieged Gaza Strip. Israel says Hamas is holding 100 hostages, over one-third of whom are believed to be dead. On Monday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there was “some progress” in efforts to reach a deal, but added he did not know how long it would take. CAIRO — Israeli soldiers took control of a hospital in isolated northern Gaza after forcing all the patients and most of the doctors to leave, the Palestinian Health Ministry said Tuesday. Some of the patients had to walk to another hospital while others were driven by paramedics, according to Health Ministry spokesperson Zaher al-Wahidi. He did not specify how many patients had evacuated. The Israeli military confirmed its troops had entered the Indonesian Hospital in the town of Jabaliya as part of an operation searching for Hamas fighters. The army later said its soldiers had left the hospital. The military said it had assisted with evacuating the patients and had not ordered the hospital closed. However, al-Wahidi said only one doctor and maintenance person were left behind. The Indonesian Hospital is one of three hospitals left largely inaccessible in the northernmost part of Gaza because Israel has imposed a tight siege there since launching an offensive in early October. The Israeli army said Tuesday’s operation at the Indonesian Hospital came after militants carried out attacks from the hospital for the past month, including launching anti-tank missiles and planting explosive devices in the surrounding area. The Health Ministry accused Israel of “besieging and directly targeting” the three hospitals in northern Gaza. Hussam Abu Safiya, the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, said Israeli drones detonated explosives near the hospital and that 20 people were wounded, including five medical staff. The Israeli military declined to comment on the operation around the hospital. DAMASCUS — Scores of Syrian Christians protested in the capital Damascus on Tuesday, demanding greater protections for their religious minority after a Christmas tree was set on fire in the city of Hama a day earlier. Many of the insurgents who now rule Syria are jihadis, although Ahmad al-Sharaa, the leader of the main rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, has renounced longtime ties to al-Qaida and spent years depicting himself as a champion of pluralism and tolerance. It remains unclear who set the Christmas tree on fire Monday, which was condemned by a representative of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham who visited the town and addressed the community. “This act was committed by people who are not Syrian, and they will be punished beyond your expectations," the HTS representative said in a video widely shared on social media. "The Christmas tree will be fully restored by this evening.” On Tuesday, protesters marched through the streets of Bab Touma in Damascus, shouting slogans against foreign fighters and carrying large wooden crosses. “We demand that Syria be for all Syrians. We want a voice in the future of our country,” said Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II of the Syriac Orthodox Church as he addressed the crowd in a church courtyard, assuring them of Christians’ rights in Syria. Since HTS led a swift offensive that overthrew President Bashar Assad earlier this month, Syria’s minority communities have been on edge, uncertain of how they will be treated under the emerging rebel-led government. “We are here to demand a democratic and free government for one people and one nation,” another protester said. “We stand united — Muslims and Christians. No to sectarianism.” DOHA — Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said that ceasefire negotiations to end the war in Gaza were ongoing in Doha in cooperation with Egyptian, Qatari, and American mediators. “We will not leave any door unopened in pursuit of reaching an agreement,” said Majid al-Ansari, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Tuesday. Al Ansari added that rumors the ceasefire would be reached before Christmas are “speculation.” The ceasefire negotiations come at a time when winter is hitting the Gaza Strip and many of the nearly 2 million Palestinians displaced by the devastating 15-month war with Israel are struggling to protect themselves from the wind, cold and rain. Families of the approximately 100 hostages who have been held for 445 days in Gaza are also worried their loved ones will not survive another winter. In a press conference, al-Ansari also called on the international community to lift sanctions on Syria as quickly as possible on Tuesday. “The reason was the crimes of the previous regime, and that regime, with all of its authority, is no longer in place, therefor the causes for these sanctions no longer exist today,” he said. DAMASCUS, Syria — American journalist Austin Tice is believed to be still alive, according to the head of an international aid group. Nizar Zakka, who runs the Hostage Aid Worldwide organization, said there has never been any proof that Tice, who has been missing since 2012, is dead. Zakka told reporters in Damascus on Tuesday that Tice was alive in January and being held by the authorities of ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad. He added that U.S. President Joe Biden said in August that Tice was alive. Zakka said he believes Tice was transferred between security agencies over the past 12 years, including in an area where Iranian-backed fighters were operating. Asked if it was possible Tice had been taken out of the country, Zakka said Assad most likely kept him in Syria as a potential bargaining chip. Biden said Dec. 8 that his administration believed Tice was alive and was committed to bringing him home, although he also acknowledged that “we have no direct evidence” of his status. TEL AVIV, Israel — Hannah Katzir, an Israeli woman who was taken hostage on Oct. 7, 2023, and freed in a brief ceasefire last year, has died. She was 78. The Hostages Families Forum, a group representing the families of people taken captive, confirmed the death Tuesday but did not disclose the cause. Her daughter, Carmit Palty Katzir, said in a statement that her mother’s “heart could not withstand the terrible suffering since Oct. 7.” Katzir’s husband, Rami, was killed during the attack by militants who raided their home in Kibbutz Nir Oz. Her son Elad was also kidnapped and his body was recovered in April by the Israeli military, who said he had been killed in captivity. She spent 49 days in captivity and was freed in late November 2023. Shortly after Katzir was freed, her daughter told Israeli media that she had been hospitalized with heart issues attributed to “difficult conditions and starvation” while she was held captive. TEL AVIV, Israel — Israel's military said the projectile was intercepted before crossing into Israeli territory, but it set off air raid sirens overnight in the country's populous central area, sending residents looking for cover. Israel’s rescue service Magen David Adom said a 60-year-old woman was seriously wounded after being hurt on her way to a protected space. There was no immediate comment from Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. It was the third time in a week that fire from Yemen set off sirens in Israel. On Saturday, a missile slammed into a playground in Tel Aviv, injuring 16, after Israel’s air defense system failed to intercept it. Earlier last week, Israeli jets struck Yemen’s rebel-held capital and a port city, killing nine. Israel said the strikes were in response to previous Houthi attacks.

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Morning Joe makes bold Trump prediction after cozying up to president-elect in Mar-a-Lago Follow DailyMail.com's politics live blog for all the latest news and updates By ALEX HAMMER FOR DAILYMAIL.COM Published: 22:04 GMT, 2 December 2024 | Updated: 22:15 GMT, 2 December 2024 e-mail 19 View comments The hosts of MSNBC's Morning Joe have predicted that Kash Patel's new nomination as FBI director 'is not going to end well' - while airing hope it follows in the footsteps of the scandal surrounding almost-AG Matt Gaetz . The remarks came during a heavily-editorialized rant from married broadcasters Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, who just weeks ago flew to Mar-a-Lago to meet with President-elect Donald Trump . His choice of a 44-year old former federal prosecutor who served during his first term went on to earn the couple's wrath - mostly because of his promotion of radical conspiracy theories and his calls for revenge against those opposed to his old boss. To illustrate those points, Scarborough, 61, demanded one clip be played several times - as it showed Patel promising to 'come after' Trump opponents during the Republican's looming second term. The footage was taken from a 2023 interview with former Trump advisor Steve Bannon , where Patel says: 'We've got to put in all-American patriots top to bottom. We will go out and find the conspirators not just in government, but in the media. 'We're going to come after the people in the media who lied about American citizens, who helped Joe Biden rig presidential elections,' he added, repeating unproven allegations of voter fraud. 'We're going to come after you,' he continues. 'Whether it's criminally or civilly, we'll figure that out. But yeah, we're putting you all on notice.' After playing the exchange once, and again, and then a third time, an incredulous Scarborough engaged in a blow-up to be remembered. Scroll down for video: The hosts of MSNBC's Morning Joe - married anchors Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski - on Monday have predicted that Kash Patel's new nomination as FBI director 'is not going to end well', while airing hope it follows in the footsteps of the scandal surrounding Matt Gaetz His choice of a 44-year-old former federal prosecutor who served during Trump's first term went on to earn the couple's wrath - mostly because of his promotion of conspiracy theories and his calls for revenge against those opposed to his old boss. Patel is seen at a Trump rally in October 'This is not only bad for the men and women who run the FBI,' he said. 'This is not only bad for the rule of law. 'This is not only bad for the First Amendment. This is not only bad for the United States of America. This is bad for Donald Trump. This is bad for the Trump administration.' 'This is not going to end well,' Scarborough continued. 'I think the best case scenario for everybody is that Kash Patel - and this talk of Kash Patel - ends like the Matt Gaetz's nomination ended because this will not go well for anybody.' This comes as Donald Trump's choice of Kash Patel for director of the FBI sent shockwaves throughout DC. Former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe went into complete meltdown Sunday as he whined that Patel would spearhead a campaign of 'retribution.' McCabe, who backed the Russian interference investigation into Trump, claimed that Patel - a Trump loyalist - would use the FBI to further the president-elect's political agenda and crackdown on his enemies. His rant on CNN went viral as people were stunned by the apparent hypocrisy in his criticism of Patel, while he has previously made wild claims that Trump was a Russian 'asset.' Trump said on Saturday he wanted Patel, a former National Security official and loyalist, to lead the FBI, signaling an intent to drive out the bureau's current director, Christopher Wray. The remarks came during a heavily-editorialized rant from married broadcasters Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, who just weeks ago flew to Mar-a-Lago to meet with President-elect Donald Trump. Trump said on Saturday he wanted Patel to lead the FBI Patel, who during Trump's first term advised both the director of national intelligence and the secretary of defense, has previously called for stripping the FBI of its intelligence-gathering role and purging its ranks of any employee who refuses to support Trump's agenda. Patel has previously called for stripping the FBI of its intelligence-gathering role and purging its ranks of any employee who refuses to support Trump's agenda. McCabe said the move 'can only possibly be a plan to disrupt, to dismantle, to distract the FBI and to possibly use it as a tool for the President's political agenda.' FBI Donald Trump Matt Gaetz Share or comment on this article: Morning Joe makes bold Trump prediction after cozying up to president-elect in Mar-a-Lago e-mail Add comment'Went far too soon': Olympic snowboarder Sophie Hediger killed in avalanche in SwitzerlandFACT FOCUS: Vermont ruling does not say schools can vaccinate children without parental consent

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FACT FOCUS: Vermont ruling does not say schools can vaccinate children without parental consent

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'Amarillo' Steve, the Dems hate to see you goPune: Election officials dismissed the opposition's claims about EVM battery levels impacting the counting of votes. They said a 99% battery charge has no bearing on the counting process. "The battery voltage and capacity have no connection to counting operations or EVM integrity ," an Election Commission of India official said. Senior Election Commission of India officials told TOI that battery percentage displays are for technical monitoring and cannot influence vote recording or counting accuracy. IPL 2025 mega auction IPL Auction 2025: Who got whom IPL 2025 Auction: Updated Full Team Squads Many political leaders raised the issue of EVM battery levels on Saturday. Actor Swara Bhaskar on Saturday alleged EVM manipulation, claiming that the battery levels of the machines remained at 99% the entire day after her husband Fahad Ahmed's electoral loss. She was among the many political leaders from the opposition who raised issues with EVMs. The ECI said that such allegations lack technical basis as the battery indicator is solely an administrative feature. In earlier interactions, the commission said that the EVMs use alkaline batteries providing a stable power source for EVMs to work even in remote areas without electricity. Each EVM control unit has a power pack of single-use alkaline batteries with a shelf life of five years. The VVPATs also use non-rechargeable alkaline cells as their power source, and VVPATs have 30 such cells. Each control unit of the EVM is equipped with a 7.5 or 8-volt battery pack for smooth operations. The display unit of the EVM shows a 99% charge as long as the electric potential of the battery remains between 7.4 volts and 8 volts, where EVMs operate optimally. If the battery level falls below 7.4 volts, the EVM display automatically adjusts to show the actual percentage of charge remaining. Poll officials explained that as long as the battery provides power within this range, it indicates that the system is functioning at 99% capacity, but it doesn't show how much charge remains. The battery lifespan in EVMs depends on how the machines are used.Rubicon Organics Announces C$10,000,000 Secured Credit Facilities

The British Columbia Hockey League hosted a special board of governors meeting this week to discuss ways to deal with the recent NCAA eligibility change, but one thing they didn't discuss was rejoining Hockey Canada. The league has seen a number of players depart the league this month for the Canadian Hockey League – or other major junior leagues – due to the NCAA's ruling on Nov. 7 that players suiting up in any of the three CHL leagues could continue on at the NCAA level. Prior to that decision, those who played in the CHL were not able to play at the NCAA level due to those leagues being considered semi-professional. The BCHL left Hockey Canada in 2023 and became an independent league. The mission at that time was to create a world-class junior league for players seeking NCAA and U Sports scholarships. It allowed the BCHL to recruit from a larger pool of players, as under Hockey Canada they could not recruit as heavily from other provinces and parts of the world. The BCHL also stated in 2023 that all player fees would be eliminated by the 2024-25 season. The BCHL's Board of Governors met on Wednesday to discuss league strategic planning in the ever-changing junior hockey landscape. "We are committed to providing the best path for young athletes to develop into NCAA Division I hockey players." DETAILS: https://t.co/KcKYcAZKFX pic.twitter.com/hbEASeKNwz According to Jesse Adamson, the director of communications for the BCHL, discussions about linking back with Hockey Canada are not on the table. "Being an independent league puts us in a much better situation to handle this change as it gives our league the autonomy to make regulation changes to adapt to the new landscape," he told Black Press Media. "Our governors are still very happy with the decision to become independent." The BCHL issed a press release on Friday morning (Nov. 22), stating that only a small percentage of players have left the league and other players have been brought in to replace them. They also reiterated that the BCHL has always been about player choice. Unlike the CHL, the BCHL does not hold a draft or tell players where to play. Players are recruited and can choose their own destination from the start of their junior hockey career. "There’s no doubt that this rule change has altered the landscape of junior hockey, but as our league has always done, we will adapt to the new regulations and continue to thrive,” stated BCHL commissioner Steven Cocker. "We will always be in favour of athletes doing what they think is best for their development.” BCHL board chairman Richard Murphy said he believes that, despite the changing landscape, the BCHL is still the best path for players to develop into NCAA Division I hockey players. He added that the league will continue to produce college-bound athletes for years to come. The release stated that the BCHL’s mandate going forward remains: unity and growth, players' choice, academics, independence, and meeting the needs of its athletes and of NCAA Division I programs. The BCHL also posted an FAQ following the meeting with more information. The FAQ states that the league has had multiple meetings with NCAA Division I programs and conferences and they all feel that this decision will not make the BCHL irrelevant. The FAQ added that the BCHL's high academic standards also makes players from the league more easy to recruit into the NCAA. The Chilliwack Chiefs have lost six players since the decision , with the West Kelowna Warriors and Penticton Vees both losing two. The Vees put out a statement on Friday (Nov. 22) after losing forward Casey Brown and defenceman Julien Wasmer to the CHL. “Casey came to us with a personal issue. He felt being closer to his family would be best and we fully support and respect his decision. We wish him all the best in Moose Jaw," said Fred Harbinson, Vees president, general manager and head coach "We are a few weeks away from getting two 20-year-old defencemen back from injury, and coupled with the outstanding play of our two young defencemen, Julien understood his role was going to be reduced. He looked for an opportunity with another team, rather than compete for a more favourable spot on our roster." Our roster now sits at 23 players after the departures of Casey Brown and Julien Wasmer. Click the link below for a statement from President, General Manager & Head Coach Fred Harbinson. Other players who have moved on since the decision include: Lukas McCloskey (Vernon Vipers), Robin Benoit (Sherwood Park Crusaders), Linden Burrett (Cowichan Valley Capitals), Thomas Belzil (Powell River Kings) and Liam Beamish (Salmon Arm Silverbacks).Social media users are misrepresenting a Vermont Supreme Court ruling , claiming that it gives schools permission to vaccinate children even if their parents do not consent. The ruling addressed a lawsuit filed by Dario and Shujen Politella against Windham Southeast School District and state officials over the mistaken vaccination of their child against COVID-19 in 2021, when he was 6 years old. A lower court had dismissed the original complaint, as well as an amended version. An appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court was filed on Nov. 19. But the ruling by Vermont's high court is not as far-reaching as some online have claimed. In reality, it concluded that anyone protected under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act, or PREP, Act is immune to state lawsuits. Here's a closer look at the facts. CLAIM: The Vermont Supreme Court ruled that schools can vaccinate children against their parents' wishes. THE FACTS: The claim stems from a July 26 ruling by the Vermont Supreme Court, which found that anyone protected by the PREP Act is immune to state lawsuits, including the officials named in the Politella's suit. The ruling does not authorize schools to vaccinate children at their discretion. According to the lawsuit, the Politella's son — referred to as L.P. — was given one dose of the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination clinic held at Academy School in Brattleboro even though his father, Dario, told the school's assistant principal a few days before that his son was not to receive a vaccination. In what officials described as a mistake, L.P. was removed from class and had a “handwritten label” put on his shirt with the name and date of birth of another student, L.K., who had already been vaccinated that day. L.P. was then vaccinated. Ultimately, the Vermont Supreme Court ruled that officials involved in the case could not be sued. “We conclude that the PREP Act immunizes every defendant in this case and this fact alone is enough to dismiss the case,” the Vermont Supreme Court's ruling reads. “We conclude that when the federal PREP Act immunizes a defendant, the PREP Act bars all state-law claims against that defendant as a matter of law.” The PREP Act , enacted by Congress in 2005, authorizes the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to issue a declaration in the event of a public health emergency providing immunity from liability for activities related to medical countermeasures, such as the administration of a vaccine, except in cases of “willful misconduct" that result in “death or serious physical injury.” A declaration against COVID-19 was issued on March 17, 2020. It is set to expire on Dec. 31. Federals suits claiming willful misconduct are filed in Washington. Social media users described the Vermont Supreme Court's ruling as having consequences beyond what it actually says. “The Vermont Supreme Court has ruled that schools can force-vaccinate children for Covid against the wishes of their parents,” reads one X post that had been liked and shared approximately 16,600 times as of Tuesday. “The high court ruled on a case involving a 6-year-old boy who was forced to take a Covid mRNA injection by his school. However, his family had explicitly stated that they didn't want their child to receive the ‘vaccines.’” Other users alleged that the ruling gives schools permission to give students any vaccine without parental consent, not just ones for COVID-19. Rod Smolla, president of the Vermont Law and Graduate School and an expert on constitutional law, told The Associated Press that the ruling “merely holds that the federal statute at issue, the PREP Act, preempts state lawsuits in cases in which officials mistakenly administer a vaccination without consent.” “Nothing in the Vermont Supreme Court opinion states that school officials can vaccinate a child against the instructions of the parent,” he wrote in an email. Asked whether the claims spreading online have any merit, Ronald Ferrara, an attorney representing the Politellas, told the AP that although the ruling doesn't say schools can vaccinate students regardless of parental consent, officials could interpret it to mean that they could get away with doing so under the PREP Act, at least when it comes to COVID-19 vaccines. He explained that the U.S. Supreme Court appeal seeks to clarify whether the Vermont Supreme Court interpreted the PREP Act beyond what Congress intended. “The Politella’s fundamental liberty interest to decide whether their son should receive elective medical treatment was denied by agents of the State and School,” he wrote in an email to the AP. “The Vermont Court misconstrues the scope of PREP Act immunity (which is conditioned upon informed consent for medical treatments unapproved by FDA), to cover this denial of rights and its underlying battery.” Ferrara added that he was not aware of the claims spreading online, but that he “can understand how lay people may conflate the court's mistaken grant of immunity for misconduct as tantamount to blessing such misconduct.” John Klar, who also represents the Politellas, went a step further, telling the AP that the Vermont Supreme Court ruling means that “as a matter of law” schools can get away with vaccinating students without parental consent and that parents can only sue on the federal level if death or serious bodily injury results. — Find AP Fact Checks here: https://apnews.com/APFactCheck . By Melissa Goldin, The Associated Press

NoneNoneDALLAS — Week 12 has arrived, and for the Dallas Cowboys that means their first of two contests with the much-improved Washington Commanders. This isn’t the normal meeting between the two division mates that we’ve grown accustomed to around this time of the year. Instead of Dallas looking to bully their most storied division rival, it’s the Commanders who are near the top of the standings in the NFC East with the Cowboys trying to pull off the upset. The roles have been reversed in 2024 with Dallas facing an uphill battle, fighting for a win. The game also brings back a familiar face as former Dallas defensive coordinator Dan Quinn faces his old team after helping to flip the script in Washington. After flirting with other head coaching gigs in previous offseasons, Quinn took the job he said coveted, turning around the Commanders. Through 11 weeks of his initial season in D.C., Quinn’s done just that. A new coaching regime has the Commanders at 7-4 and currently holding a playoff spot. Here are some of the other strengths and weaknesses for the Cowboys’ Week 12 opponent: Strength: Jayden Daniels Last April, the Commanders selected Daniels with the second pick overall, and they might’ve finally found their long-term quarterback. Daniels has turned out to be everything that the franchise had hoped for in his rookie season and is a big part of their turnaround. The strength of Daniels was said to be his athletic ability, but he’s also been ahead of the curve as a passer. The rookie has only thrown for 10 scores, but he’s been efficient when he’s been tasked with making plays with his arm, ranking inside the Top 10 in the league in both completion percentage and yards per attempt. This is Jayden Daniels’ world, and we’re just living in it pic.twitter.com/D13iaDoaIw As expected, Daniels has also been impressive with his legs, rushing for close to 482 yards and has four touchdowns on the ground. Daniels has the second most rushing yards for a QB this season, trailing only Baltimore Ravens signal-caller Lamar Jackson. His ability to escape the pocket and extend plays has made defending him a nightmare, something that wears down defenses. The Cowboys haven’t fared well against mobile QBs over the last few years, and haven’t had a good time of it this year either, and now they’ll be going up against one of the best. Weakness: Passing defense Despite giving up just under 185 yards per game through the air, Washington is a defense that struggles to slow down opposing passing attacks. The Commanders’ secondary hasn’t been able to keep offenses out of the end zone through the air, allowing 17 passing touchdowns. A talent deficiency in the secondary appears to be an issue, which is why Washington traded for former New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore. However, Lattimore still hasn’t played for the Commanders and is questionable for the matchup with a hamstring injury. The Commanders’ secondary has just four interceptions on the season, which gives them a 17-4 TD-Int. ratio. If given time to get the ball out, the Cowboys should be able to throw the ball against Quinn’s uncharacteristically questionable secondary. Strength: Running game The Commanders’ rushing attack is more than just Daniels, it includes three running backs who are playing at a high level, and that’s bad news for Dallas. Starting RB Brian Robinson has been one of the more efficient runners in the league, rushing for seven scores in just eight games. That ties the veteran RB for 10th in the league in rushing touchdowns, despite missing three games. Veteran RB Austin Ekeler has also fit in well in his first year with the Commanders, running for over five yards per carry and adding four touchdowns. When Robinson’s been out, it’s been Ekeler keeping the running game on track and Washington’s offense hasn’t skipped a beat. Third-string back Jeremy McNichols has also gotten opportunities to carry the ball and has cashed in with four touchdowns while averaging almost five yards per carry as well. Including Daniels gives the Commanders a scary rushing attack. Their offense ranks sixth in the league in rushing at 148 yards per game, and they’re tied for the NFL lead in touchdowns on the ground with 19. Washington is the only team in the league to have at least four players with four or more rushing scores. The Commanders are the only team in the NFL that has at least four players with at least four rushing touchdowns on the year (Daniels, Robinson, Ekeler, McNichols). Dallas' defense has allowed an NFL high 18 rushing scores. Not a great matchup. Dallas’ defense is one of the worst in the league against the run which makes this a poor matchup on paper. Weakness: Rushing defense As strong as the Commanders are running the ball, they’re just as poor at defending the run. Washington’s defense is slightly better than the Cowboys’ unit, ranking 30th in the league while giving up over 150 yards per game on the ground. They’ve also allowed 13 rushing touchdowns on the year, including three in their last outing, a loss to the Eagles. A bad rushing defense is one of the reasons that the Commanders aren’t worse against the pass as teams can simply move the ball without having to throw. Washington also sports a run defense that also struggles as the game goes on. The Commanders have allowed seven of those rushing touchdowns in the fourth quarter, a sign that teams have been effectively wearing them down. If the Cowboys can stay in the game, they should be able to have some success in the fourth quarter while utilizing running back Rico Dowdle more than they have in the last few weeks. Strength: Pass rush In what shouldn’t be considered a shock, Quinn has dramatically improved the Commanders’ pass rush. Joe Whitt was plucked by Quinn from the Cowboys to be Washington’s defensive coordinator, and the duo has their defense ranked eighth in sacks. With 29 on the season, they are on pace to surpass the totals from the last four years. The pass rush is led by two offseason acquisitions, former Cowboys edge rusher Dante Fowler, who has 8.5 sacks, good for fourth in the league, and linebacker Frankie Luvu, who has seven. Another former Cowboy, defensive end Dorance Armstrong, is third on the team with three sacks. Washington doesn’t look like one of the more formidable pass rushing teams in the league on paper, and the Cowboys’ offensive line won’t have to deal with a singular dominant pass rushing threat like they have for most of the year. However, injuries are likely to force head coach Mike McCarthy into playing some backups on the OL, which isn’t a recipe for success. Do you think the Cowboys can shock former coach Quinn and the Commanders? Share your predictions with Ben on X (formerly Twitter) @BenGrimaldi . Related Articles Washington Commanders Dan Quinn reflects on his time as Cowboys defensive coordinator with both appreciation and regret 5 things to watch for in the Dallas Cowboys' Week 12 matchup against Washington Commanders Will Daniel Jones be a Dallas Cowboy after being released by the New York Giants?

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Stanford misinformation expert admits his chatbot use led to misinformation in sworn federal court filingAnnual blood donation camp heldLOS ANGELES (AP) — Two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell says it was a really easy decision to sign with the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers and the presence of three-time MVP Shohei Ohtani played a part, too. Snell was introduced Tuesday at Dodger Stadium accompanied by his agent Scott Boras. The left-hander finalized a $182 million, five-year contract last Saturday. “It was really easy just cause me and Haeley wanted to live here, it’s something we’ve been talking about for a while,” Snell said, referring to his girlfriend. “Then you look at the team. You look at what they’ve built, what they’re doing. It’s just something you want to be a part of.” Last month, Snell opted out of his deal with San Francisco to become a free agent for the second consecutive offseason after he was slowed by injuries during his lone year with the San Francisco Giants. Snell gets a $52 million signing bonus, payable on Jan. 25, and annual salaries of $26 million, of which $13.2 million each year will be deferred . Because Snell is a Washington state resident, the signing bonus will not be subject to California income tax. “It just played out the way that people around me felt comfortable with, I felt comfortable with, they felt comfortable with,” Snell said. “We talked and found something that could work for both of us. You want your worth, you want your respect, and you want enough time to where you can really make a name for yourself. I've made a name for myself outside of LA, but I'm going to be invested.” Two-way star Ohtani, who signed a record $700 million, 10-year deal a year ago, had a historic first season with the Dodgers. He helped them win the franchise's eighth World Series while playing only as designated hitter and became MVP in the National League for the first time after twice winning the award while in the American League. “It helps with him in the lineup for sure. That’s big motivation,” Snell said. “You want to be around players like that when you’re trying to be one of the best in the game. Yeah, it played a big part.” Snell joins Ohtani and fellow Japanese right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto atop Los Angeles’ rotation. All-Star Tyler Glasnow will be back after having his first season in LA derailed by a sprained elbow. Ohtani didn’t pitch this year while recovering from right elbow surgery but is expected back on the mound in 2025. The rest of the rotation includes Tony Gonsolin, Landon Knack, Dustin May, Bobby Miller and Emmet Sheehan. “I pitched on six-man, five-man, four-man rotations,” Snell said. “I'm good with it all as long as we have a plan, we'll execute it.” Snell, who turns 32 on Wednesday, went 5-3 with a 3.12 ERA in 20 starts this year, throwing a no-hitter at Cincinnati on Aug. 2 for one of only 16 individual shutouts in the major leagues this season. He struck out 145 and walked 44 in 104 innings. He was sidelined between April 19 and May 22 by a strained left adductor and between June 2 and July 9 by a strained left groin. Snell won Cy Young Awards in 2018 with Tampa Bay and 2023 with San Diego. He is 76-58 with a 3.19 ERA in nine seasons with the Rays (2016-20), Padres (2021-23) and Giants. He has known Andrew Friedman, Dodgers president of baseball operations, since he was 18. In the aftermath of winning the World Series and discussing how the Dodgers could repeat next year, Friedman said, “All conversations kept coming back to Blake.” “Usually in major league free agency, you're buying the backside of a guy's career, the accomplishments that they have had,” he said. “With Blake, one thing that's really exciting for us is, as much success as he's had, we feel like there's more in there." Snell was 2-2 against the Dodgers in his career. “We couldn’t beat him, so we’re going to have him join us,” Friedman said. .___ AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

NoneArticle content The one thing people will never say about outgoing Metrolinx CEO Phil Verster is that he got the trains to run on time. In the case of the Eglinton-Crosstown, he didn’t get them to run at all. The failed transit boss has resigned from Metrolinx, effective Dec. 16, but he should have his office access card revoked immediately and never be allowed back into headquarters again. They should have kicked this guy off the train a long time ago. This Eglinton-Crosstown debacle is one of the biggest political boondoggles in Ontario’s history. And while there may be many to blame, the biggest blame goes to Verster, who made millions of dollars in the key job and delivered nothing. He resigned Monday, the Doug Ford government has confirmed. Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Don't have an account? Create Account Recommended Videos The embattled transit boss has been under fire during the past year as Metrolinx struggles to open the much-delayed Eglinton-Crosstown light rapid transit way. Now comes word the man who has been the provincial agency’s leader for the past seven years will be leaving the organization. It was two years too late. “Today, the Ontario government named Michael Lindsay as the new interim-president and chief executive officer of Metrolinx, effective as early as Dec. 16, 2024,” said a Government of Ontario news release. “Mr. Lindsay has been given a clear mandate, with opening Eglinton Crosstown as his top priority.” The release quoted Ford as saying, “I have given Michael a clear mandate to open Eglinton Crosstown as soon as it is safe to do so. That is his top priority.” Can he possibly do any worse? While “Verster informed the Board of Directors that he has accepted a new position and will be moving on as early as Dec. 16, 2024” they should have fired him — not be thanking him. “I want to thank Phil for his many years of service to Ontario,” said Ford. “Phil led and supported explosive growth in transit construction, including the largest expansion of public transit in North America. The transportation landscape in Ontario will be permanently better because of his contributions.” Mayor Olivia Chow added: “I want to thank outgoing CEO Phil Verster for seven years of dedication to public transit and serving the people of Ontario. The priority for the next CEO must be getting transit projects completed and open because we share the same goal – getting Toronto moving.” Transit riders, residents or commuters on Eglinton are not thankful. Meanwhile, the Ontario government says “the Metrolinx Board of Directors will soon begin a search for a permanent president and chief executive officer.” Hopefully none of the same people who brought in Verster or kept him on with a raise, are involved in that search. As Global News reported last week, the CEO position receives a car allowance, even though the news outlet reported that sources said Verster does not own a car. There needs to be a review. Late Toronto mayor Rob Ford, who started this project with then-premier Dalton McGuinty almost 15 years ago, would be rolling in his grave over this disastrous money pit of a project. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Your Midday Sun will soon be in your inbox. We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again Green Party Deputy Leader Aislinn Clancy said, “under Phil Verster’s tenure, Metrolinx has made mistake after mistake and cost our province billions. His decade of delays has impacted millions of residents and businesses, whose tax dollars have been paying his million-dollar salary while LRT stations on Eglinton sit empty.” She also said Ford has been “propping up Metrolinx’s failures for six years now” and “his government needs to step up with a credible plan to regain public trust, starting by increasing oversight of Metrolinx so we don’t repeat this same pattern again.” In January 2023, The Toronto Sun’s Brian Lilley raised concerns about the more than $838,000-a-year salary Verster was earning. He managed to stay on two more years. And the Eglinton-Crosstown is still not open. News of his departure reportedly came as a surprise. On Friday, Verster told media Metrolinx was looking to open the 19-kilometre LRT along Eglinton Ave. sometime next year. “We’re excited to keep on moving the commissioning of the Eglinton Crosstown LRT forward towards an opening date in the new year,” said Verster. If this comes true, it will be five years late. Verster said “95% to 96%” of the appropriate tests have been run but there was a “software” problem that was slowing things down. Whatever. Excuse after excuse. Needless to say, some on Toronto council are sure relieved to hear about Verster’s pending departure. In a follow up JJ has a message for ⁦ @Metrolinx ⁩ ⁦ @MayorOliviaChow ⁩ and ⁦ @fordnation ⁩ pic.twitter.com/6Osnr4Ygik “Mission accomplished,” said Councillor Brad Bradford, who went to X in 2023 to say that “for too long, Toronto has been jerked around by other levels of government” and “Metrolinx has let our city down far too many times and Torontonians have had it.” In that X post, Bradford added, “I am calling on the provincial government to fire the CEO of Metrolinx Phil Verster and reign in this rogue agency once and for all.” Perhaps now, there is some light at the end of the very long and slow tunnel. Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information. Toronto Public Library apologizes after lost child denied help 'HELL TO PAY': Trump demands immediate release of Oct. 7 hostages British woman faces two years in prison for having sex with dog Maple Leafs defence playing a hurtin' tune with Jake McCabe out HOT TOPICS: Worrisome issues loom for feel-good Toronto Raptors 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4 © 2024 Toronto Sun, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. All rights reserved. Unauthorized distribution, transmission or republication strictly prohibited. This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here . By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy . You've reached the 20 article limit. You can manage saved articles in your account. and save up to 100 articles! Looks like you've reached your saved article limit! You can manage your saved articles in your account and clicking the X located at the bottom right of the article.'Wicked' and 'Gladiator' make gravity-defying theater debuts NEW YORK (AP) — “Wicked” and “Gladiator II” have debuted in theaters with a combined $270 million in ticket sales. Their worldwide performance breathed fresh life into global box office results that have struggled lately. Together the films turned the moviegoing weekend into one of the busiest of the year. Jon M. Chu’s lavish big-budget musical “Wicked,” starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, debuted with $114 million domestically and $164.2 million globally. Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator II” is a sequel to his 2000 best picture-winning original and launched with $55.5 million in ticket sales. “Moana 2” is being released Wednesday, so it looks like Hollywood might be looking at historic sales over the Thanksgiving holiday. Verstappen captures 4th F1 championship after Mercedes sweep of Las Vegas Grand Prix LAS VEGAS (AP) — Max Verstappen cruised to a fourth consecutive Formula 1 championship Saturday night by finishing fifth in the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Verstappen needed only to finish ahead of Lando Norris of McLaren to give Red Bull a fourth straight driver championship. The Dutchman started fifth but was already up to second by the 10th lap around the street circuit that includes the famed Las Vegas Strip. Norris, who had to score at least three points more than Verstappen to extend the championship fight, finished sixth. The race was won by George Russell who was followed by Lewis Hamilton in the first 1-2 sweep for the Mercedes drivers since 2022. Dartmouth sorority, two members of fraternity face charges after student who attended party drowned HANOVER, N.H. (AP) — A sorority at Dartmouth College and two members of a fraternity faces charges related to the death of a student who drowned after attending an off-campus party. The Hanover, New Hampshire police department, where Dartmouth is located, said Friday that Alpha Phi was charged with one count of facilitating an underage alcohol house. Two members of the Beta Alpha Omega face a charge of providing alcohol to a person under 21. Won Jang, 20, of Middletown, Delaware, had attended an off-campus party in July hosted by Alpha Phi sorority. Police said the alcohol was provided by Beta Alpha Omega. Tens of thousands of Spaniards protest housing crunch and high rents in Barcelona BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Tens of thousands of Spaniards are marching in downtown Barcelona to protest the skyrocketing cost of renting an apartment in the popular tourist destination. Protesters cut off traffic on main avenues in the city center, holding up homemade signs in Spanish reading “Fewer apartments for investing and more homes for living." The lack of affordable housing has become one of the leading concerns for the southern European Union country, mirroring the housing crunch across many parts of the world, including the United States. The average rent for Spain has doubled in the last decade. In cities like Barcelona, rental prices have also been driven up by short-term renters including tourists. Jason Kelce's wife announces she is pregnant with the couple's fourth child Former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce's wife is announcing she's pregnant with the couple's fourth child. Kylie Kelce posted a photo on Instagram on Friday of the couple's three young daughters reacting to the news. The oldest daughter, Wyatt, appears to be cupping her head in shock. The middle daughter, Ellioette, is smiling. The youngest, Bennett, is in tears. A caption attached to the photo reads: “I feel like we captured a very accurate representation of how each of the girls feel about getting another sister. At least Ellie, mom and dad are on the same page!” Israeli-Moldovan rabbi living in UAE is missing. Israeli officials fear he may have been kidnapped DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — An Israeli-Moldovan rabbi living in the United Arab Emirates has gone missing, with Israeli authorities raising the suspicion he may have been kidnapped as tensions remain high with Iran. The Israeli prime minister’s office said that Zvi Kogan has been missing since noon Thursday. It said that against the backdrop of information that this was a terrorist incident, an extensive investigation has been opened in the country. Emirati officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment Saturday. State-run media in the UAE, an autocratic federation of seven sheikhdoms on the Arabian Peninsula and home to Abu Dhabi and Dubai, did not immediately report the incident. Alyssa Nakken, first full-time female coach in MLB history, leaving Giants to join Guardians CLEVELAND (AP) — Alyssa Nakken, the first woman to coach in an MLB game, is leaving the San Francisco Giants to join the Cleveland Guardians. Nakken made history in 2022 when she took over as first-base coach following an ejection. A former college softball star at Sacramento State, Nakken joined the Giants in 2014 and was promoted to a spot on manager Gabe Kapler’s staff in 2020, becoming the majors’ first full-time female coach. Nakken has been hired as an assistant director within player development for the Guardians, who won the AL Central last season under first-year manager Stephen Vogt. Nakken, 34, will work with former Giants coaches Craig Albernaz and Kai Correa. Officer kills pet dog mistaken for a coyote in Massachusetts town. The owner says it was unnecessary An animal control officer shot and killed a pet dog in a Massachusetts town after mistaking it for a coyote in an incident local police are describing as a sad mix-up. Police in Northbridge, Massachusetts, say the shooting happened on Tuesday after police received a call of a report of a coyote in a residential backyard. Police say the animal control officer went into the woods to look for the coyote and found what they thought was the animal in a threatening position and shot it. The incident happened as communities around Massachusetts and the country have dealt with an uptick in interactions between coyotes and people. Kendrick Lamar surprises with new album 'GNX' LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kendrick Lamar gave music listeners an early holiday present with a new album. The Grammy winner released his sixth studio album “GNX” on Friday. The 12-track project is the rapper’s first release since 2022’s “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers.” Lamar’s new album comes just months after his rap battle with Drake. The rap megastar will headline February's Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show in New Orleans. The 37-year-old has experienced massive success since his debut album “good kid, m.A.A.d city” in 2012. Since then, he’s accumulated 17 Grammy wins and became the first non-classical, non-jazz musician to win a Pulitzer Prize. NBA memo to players urges increased vigilance regarding home security following break-ins MIAMI (AP) — The NBA is urging its players to take additional precautions to secure their homes following reports of recent high-profile burglaries of dwellings owned by Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis and Kansas City Chiefs teammates Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. In a memo sent to team officials, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press, the NBA revealed that the FBI has connected some burglaries to “transnational South American Theft Groups” that are “reportedly well-organized, sophisticated rings that incorporate advanced techniques and technologies, including pre-surveillance, drones, and signal jamming devices.”