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bmy88. net Early morning fire injures oneJustus McNair's midcourt 3-pointer at the buzzer gives Valparaiso a 76-73 win over Western MichiganBargain-seeking Dunelm shoppers can't stop raving about this 'gorgeous' bedding set that 'washes like a dream'. It was a great price to start with and now you can nab it for even less using a TopCashback deal. Crafted from 100% soft cotton, Dunelm's Portloe Woven Gingham Double Duvet Cover and Pillowcase Set is already one of the more reasonably priced bedding sets on the market at £28.80 down from £36. However, you can get it for £13.30 if you buy it through TopCashback . The website is offering new customers £15 cashback, which means an impressive 54% off the price for new Dunelm customers. Existing Dunelm customers can still benefit from the deal, getting it for £13.55 after cashback. If you are an existing TopCashback member you can shave some money off getting it for £28.30 for new Dunelm customers and £28.55 for existing Dunelm customers. READ MORE: Boots launches huge January sale with 50% off top brands READ MORE: Next shoppers love 'so cosy' £40 fleece they 'wear every day' in winter Available in chic shade Mulberry , perfect for the winter season, these sheets are guaranteed to add a pop of style to any bedroom. Happy customers have been quick to dub the Dunelm collection as perfect for achieving a 'cosy country cottage' vibe, while others have boasted about the plethora of 'compliments' received from overnight guests. More than just aesthetically pleasing, the Portloe line is applauded for being 'soft and breathable', thanks to its 100% washed cotton composition. It also offers the perfect temperature balance, warm yet not overly so, with a linen-like texture that give it a deceptively pricey appearance - all whilst delivering both comfort and an effortlessly stylish look. And for those who loathe the chore of ironing sheets, the 'no-iron' Portloe set might be just what you've been looking for. Fans say it remarkably 'doesn't crease', with one particular shopper noting: "Good quality fabric and lovely shade. Cover does not wrinkle during the night and looks pristine all day everyday. Definitely recommend this duvet cover and pillowcase set." Several Dunelm customers have compared their bedding set to the more expensive Piglet in Bed range range that comes with a £189 price tag for a double. Over the moon, one shopper said: "Absolutely lovely bedding, looks just like the Piglet In Bed linen duvet that I have wanted for ages but couldn't justify the price! Washes like a dream too." Another wrote: "I've been looking for a gingham bedding set like this for so long since seeing adverts for the Piglet ones, these ones are super affordable and look the same. The colour is so pretty with soft fabric, and looks great in my room." It is important to note that while the Dunelm offering is crafted from cotton, the Piglet in Bed version is made of linen which is renowned for its luxurious feel, eco-friendly biodegradability, and long-lasting quality given proper care. Fans of Dunelm's Portloe bedding can't stop stocking up, with one chuffed customer stating 'this is the second set I've bought. Been really pleased with the quality and how well it's kept its colour'. However, some were let down by the colours, with a few shoppers expressing disappointment that real-life hues didn't live up to online images. Highlighting this issue, one customer reported: "It's a beautiful set however the mulberry colour doesn't look anywhere near as vibrant as it does in the photo - more of a grape colour in real life." Echoing this sentiment, another added: "Sorry, but I was a bit disappointed with this product. Great value, good quality but colour looked nothing like the web pic." Other customers have praised the bedding for being 'super soft and feels really high quality'. They also mentioned that it's a 'great addition to any bedroom as it looks more expensive than it is'. Alternatively, if you're looking for a similar style, the Catherine Lansfield Seersucker Gingham Check Double Duvet Cover Set is available on Amazon for £24.98, and the Debenhams Rapport Home Gingham Polycotton Check Polycotton Duvet Set With Pillowcase is priced at £22.05. Get the best of Be in your inbox Be is your home for all things lifestyle - from health and beauty, to work life and parenting, careers and cooking to fashion and features, and everything in between. So to make sure you don't miss out on the things that matter to you, we've created a brand-new newsletter pulling the best of Be's content together twice a week. To sign up, simply enter your email address here and we'll do the rest. For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our Be lifestyle newsletter for all the latest showbiz, fashion, beauty, family features and more.

Construction is underway on a unique housing development build in Gananoque that uses onsite robotics and is aimed at addressing the affordable housing crisis through innovation and technology. Developed and funded by Horizon Legacy Group as part of the Marco Polo 100 Digital Build Challenge, this project will deliver 26 stacked townhouse units using advanced robotics, automation, and 3D printing technologies integrated with traditional construction methods. The initiative focuses on reducing construction costs to $100 per square foot, providing a model for affordable and sustainable housing. The project has received unanimous approval from the Gananoque planning committee and council, The development features bachelor, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units, designed to meet diverse housing needs. Horizon Legacy Group will act as the designer, developer, construction manager, owner, and operator of the project. With energy-efficient R-30 insulated wall assemblies and all-electric systems, the buildings are designed to reduce energy intensity by 20 per cent and greenhouse gas emissions by 67 per cent, meeting and exceeding Ontario Building Code standards. Proponents say the use of robotics is expected to streamline construction processes, consolidating three trades into one and helping to combat labour shortages. The robotic systems are designed to operate outdoors in Canadian climates, integrating software, hardware, and materials to meet structural and safety requirements. Mayor John Beddows and Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes MPP Steve Clark recently took a site tour. [caption id="attachment_2878035" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Gananoque Mayor John Beddows, second from left, and Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes MPP Steve Clark, at right, recently took a site tour of the Horizon Legacy housing development project in Gananoque.[/caption] “They’re trailblazing using robotics in home construction, to complete projects faster and at less cost,” said Clark. Beddows also praised the project, saying this is a living experiment that refines and improves the approach to address the challenges of input costs and skilled trade shortages. This project is scheduled to be completed by Fall 2025. Keith Dempsey is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of the Brockville Recorder and Times. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.

Stock market today: Wall Street slips to a rare back-to-back loss

UN report shows gender gapsKeurig Dr Pepper Declares Quarterly DividendWASHINGTON — Drivers and airline passengers without reindeer and sleighs better make a dash for it: it's beginning to look like another record for holiday travel in the U.S. The auto club AAA predicts that more than 119 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home between Saturday and New Year’s Day, which would top the previous holiday-season high set in 2019. The two weekends on either side of Christmas look to be some of the most crowded times on the road and at airports. Trade group Airlines for America also foresees record travel , saying it expected U.S. airlines to carry 54 million passengers during a 19-day period that started Thursday and ends Monday, Jan. 6. The number would represent a 6% increase over last year. A government shutdown that could start as soon as Saturday would likely be too close to the holidays to immediately affect flights and airport operations, but that might change if a shutdown dragged on. What will be the busiest travel days? Airlines expect to have their busiest days on Friday and Sunday, and on Dec. 26, Dec. 27 and Dec. 29. Flight traffic is expected to be light on both Christmas Day and New Year's Day. The slowest U.S. air-travel day this year — by a wide margin — was Thanksgiving Day. The Transportation Security Administration expects to screen 40 million passengers over the holidays and through January 2. About 90% of Americans traveling far from home over the holidays will be in cars, according to AAA. “Airline travel is just really high right now, but most people do drive to their destinations, and that is true for every holiday,” AAA spokesperson Aixa Diaz said. Gasoline prices are similar to last year. The nationwide average Thursday was $3.05 a gallon, down from $3.08 a year ago, according to AAA. Charging an electric vehicle averages just under 35 cents per per kilowatt hour, but varies by state. Transportation-data firm INRIX says travel times on the nation’s highways could be up to 30% longer than normal over the holidays, with Sunday expected to see the heaviest traffic. Boston, New York City, Seattle and Washington, D.C., are the metropolitan areas primed for the greatest delays, according to the company. Weather and other wildcards Because the holiday travel period lasts weeks, airports and airlines typically have smaller peak days than they do during the rush around Thanksgiving, but the grind of one hectic day followed by another takes a toll on flight crews. And any hiccups — a winter storm or a computer outage — can snowball into massive disruptions. That is how Southwest Airlines stranded 2 million travelers in December 2022, and Delta Air Lines suffered a smaller but significant meltdown after a worldwide technology outage in July caused by a faulty software update from cybersecurity company CrowdStrike. Many flights during the holidays are sold out, which makes cancellations even more disruptive than during slower periods. That is especially true for smaller budget airlines that have fewer flights and fewer options for rebooking passengers. Only the largest airlines, including American, Delta and United, have “interline agreements” that let them put stranded customers on another carrier's flights. This will be the first holiday season since a Transportation Department rule took effect that requires airlines to give customers an automatic cash refund for a canceled or significantly delayed flight. Most air travelers were already eligible for refunds, but they often had to request them. Passengers still can ask to get rebooked, which is often a better option than a refund during peak travel periods. That's because finding a last-minute flight on another airline yourself tends to be very expensive. “When they rebook you, they will pay for the fare difference. If my flight to visit grandma that I booked six months ago for $200 gets canceled, and I turn around and book a flight four hours from now for $400, I have to pay that difference,” said Sally French, a travel expert at consumer-affairs company Nerdwallet. People traveling on budget airlines with fewer flights and no partnerships with other carriers may face a difficult choice in the event of a canceled flight . “They will put you on the next outgoing Spirit or Frontier flight, but that could be a while from now. Sometimes waiting three days for that next flight is not going to work for you," and paying more to rebook on a big airline might be worthwhile, French said. Some airlines are taking advantage of a provision in the new Transportation Department rule that defined a significant delay as three hours for a domestic flight and six hours for an international flight. According to Brett Snyder, who runs the Cranky Flyer website, airlines that previously issued refunds for shorter delays — Delta, United and JetBlue, for example — are now using the government standard. Delayed flights increase the risk that bags will get lost. Passengers who get separated from their bags should report it to the airline and ask what the airline will cover. Links to the customer-service plans of major U.S. airlines are at the bottom of this page . Would a government shutdown affect flights and airports? A government shutdown could occur if Congress doesn’t pass a funding bill with a midnight Friday deadline . Most TSA workers at airports, air traffic controllers and customs agents are considered essential and would be required to work without pay in the event of a shutdown. More uncompensated workers might call out sick the longer a shutdown lasts, which could lead to longer security lines and other delays. That appeared to be the case several weeks into a government shutdown that started in December 2019. "While our personnel have prepared to handle high volumes of travelers and ensure safe travel, an extended shutdown could mean longer wait times at airports,” TSA spokesman Carter Langston said in a statement. AAA advises travelers to “continue with their holiday plans, even if the shutdown materializes,” spokesperson Diaz said. “Airport operations will continue as normal, but perhaps run a bit slower than usual, so travelers should be aware of that.” Planning ahead for 2025 Airline fares were up 4.7% in November, compared with a year earlier, according to U.S. government figures. But early 2025 is a good time to start planning next year's trips, including for spring breaks and summer vacations. “Because travel is so popular, you're not going to find anything that feels very rock-bottom, but January and February are great times to plan for March, April and May,” Laura Motta, an editor at travel-guide publisher Lonely Planet, said. “If you want to go to Paris in the spring, you need to be thinking about that in January." ___ AP Reporters Mae Anderson in Nashville, Tennessee, and Mike Pesoli in Washington, D.C., contributed to this report.

Join the Bison Media Zone crew as they hear reaction from coaches and players from today's FCS Playoff matchup between NDSU and Abilene Christian University. The press conference will begin roughly 15 minutes after the game ends. You can watch it below: (Please refresh this page if the video is not showing correctly.)

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stock indexes drifted lower Tuesday in the runup to the highlight of the week for the market, the latest update on inflation that’s coming on Wednesday. The S&P 500 dipped 0.3%, a day after pulling back from its latest all-time high . They’re the first back-to-back losses for the index in nearly a month, as momentum slows following a big rally that has it on track for one of its best years of the millennium . Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

Key posts 5.37am PM defends his response to antisemitism amid Coalition criticism 5.28am Minister defends PM over reports he was heckled at synagogue Hide key posts Posts area Latest 1 of 2 Oldest Go to latest Pinned post from 5.50am Government claims Cross River Rail cost has more than tripled, foreshadowing lengthy delays By Felicity Caldwell The new LNP government claims Cross River Rail will cost more than $17 billion and not be ready until 2029. Labor had promised Cross River Rail would be delivered with a budget of $5.4 billion, with most construction finished by 2025 and passenger services starting in 2026. But the LNP says when finished, the tunnel must be independently certified by the National Safety Regulator, which would take at least two years, and also pointed the finger at lost workdays due to industrial action. The government says $5 billion was “hidden” and included integration works to connect the tunnel with the existing rail network, stabling to park the trains, a new signalling system, buses to carry passengers while stations and tracks were being built, and additional maintenance equipment. But opposition transport spokesman Bart Mellish accused Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg of “cooking the books”. “No government, business or person has included the cost of maintenance for the life of an asset when calculating the cost to build the project,” he said. Loading “It’s also concerning that the new government isn’t committed to a 2026 opening of the project. “Also, adding the cost of buses to be used across the whole of south-east Queensland to the project is also laughable.” Latest posts Latest posts 6.39am ‘It costs nothing to show respect’: PM slams Dutton’s flag pledge By Josefine Ganko Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s pledge not to stand in front of Indigenous flags at press conferences is evidence that Dutton is “always looking for division”. “It costs nothing to show respect,” Albanese told ABC’s RN Breakfast. “The flags were designated way back in 1995, it’s up to [Dutton] to explain why he has chosen to attempt to make this an issue.” Loading Indigenous leader Thomas Mayo, one of the key proponents of the Yes vote in the Voice to parliament referendum, also joined RN to discuss the issue. He said the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags, which Albanese had stood in front of since his election in 2022, were “important to us”. “We are in a country that tried to erase us and make us disappear, it’s a symbol that we are still here, and we exist,” he said. He said the move was a distraction from the Coalition’s lack of solutions for Australians who were struggling. “This is what Peter Dutton does, it’s his style of politics,” Mayo said, accusing the opposition leader of “punching down on Indigenous Australians”. “We accept that people voted no [in the referendum], but continuing to pretend we don’t exist by not standing in front of the flag, I don’t think that’s the kind of leader Australians want.” 6.19am Logan swimmers watched over by AI By Catherine Strohfeldt In a first for the state, Logan City Council has rolled out AI-powered surveillance systems at a town pool to safeguard against drowning. The technology at Gould Adams Park Aquatic Centre uses cameras focused on the pool to identify signs of struggle in the water, then sends real-time alerts on smart watches worn by lifeguards. Mayor Jon Raven said the alert system would give “greater peace of mind” to swimmers. “For those in our community who can’t swim or are not confident in the water – this could help save someone’s life,” he said. “While there’s no replacement for adequate supervision from parents, caregivers and lifeguards, this technology will be an extra layer of safety around pools.” The council said the cameras only detected generic behaviours, and could not capture facial or body imagery. It expected to continue rolling out the technology to other pools it managed across the next few years. 6.06am LNP blocks Labor move for more time to consider key youth justice bill changes By Matt Dennien Debate has kicked off in Queensland parliament over the government’s youth justice bill, with Labor trying – and failing – to have key parts delayed until early next year. Shadow attorney-general Meaghan Scanlon moved opposition amendments after the dinner break last night to address many stakeholders’ concerns about consultation lasting just days, and adverse outcomes. The amendments, voted down by the LNP and Katter’s Australian Party, would have returned more than a dozen clauses for “full and proper examination” by a committee. “While we acknowledge the outcome of the election and the policy that was taken to it by the LNP, that policy was in slogan and infancy form at best,” Scanlon said. Attorney-General Deb Frecklington accused Labor of simply trying to delay the laws and “laughing about victims ... about the people of Queensland who want to be safe in their homes over Christmas”. “All they want to do with this amendment is say to the people of Queensland, ‘Be afraid over Christmas. Be afraid on Boxing Day.’” Debate resumes today, with the bill set to pass by 5.30pm on Thursday with what Frecklington described as “technical amendments”, yet to be detailed, she would introduce to “strengthen and clarify the bill”. Advertisement 5.37am PM defends his response to antisemitism amid Coalition criticism By Josefine Ganko Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has delivered an extended defence of his response to antisemitism, in the wake of the terror attack on the Adass Israel synagogue in Melbourne on Friday, and the vandalism in Sydney this morning. Facing criticism from the Coalition, including Liberal senator Jane Hume’s accusation that he had “emboldened and enabled” antisemtic crimes”, the prime minister detailed his initial response to the Adass synagogue firebombing. [On Friday], I’d been briefed by the AFP. I’d rung in to ... ABC Melbourne and responded publicly. We put out a statement. I’d spoken to Josh Burns, I’d spoken to Mr Spiegelman. I’d spoken to other Jewish community leaders as well. I visited a synagogue in Perth. On Saturday evening, we received a request for additional security funding, because the $20 million we had provided was almost expended. On Sunday morning, less than 24 hours later, I responded with support for $32.5 million of additional funding.” He continued that on Monday the National Security Committee met, and the authorities formally declared the firebombing an act of terrorism. The AFP operation Avalite was then formed and announced at a press conference. Albanese also pointed to other responses including the “landmark” ban on the Nazi salute and hate symbols, and the appointment of Jillian Segal as the special envoy to combat antisemitism. “We criminalised doxxing, something that was called for, but which unfortunately, the opposition voted against,” Albanese said. “We now have legislation before the parliament to criminalise hate speech, including the urging or threatening, of course, or violence against other individuals or groups because of who they are and what their beliefs are.” 5.34am Finding hot coffee baby attacker ‘may well be a slow burn’ By William Davis Bringing the man believed to have seriously scalded a Brisbane baby with hot coffee to justice will likely be a “slow burn” after he escaped to an unknown country. The suspect reportedly came up behind a young mother at Hanlon Park in Stones Corner about midday on August 27, and tipped the contents of a Thermos on her nine-month-old boy before running away. Loading Four days later – and just hours before investigators say they confirmed his identity – the man flew out of Sydney Airport to an unknown country. “That remains an active investigation, so you know that may well be a slow burn,” Queensland Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski told Brisbane Times yesterday. When asked for a rough time frame, he said it would be inappropriate to comment. “I can’t speculate on that. It’ll depend on the offender and our ability to identify, locate and bring him back to justice.” 5.28am Minister defends PM over reports he was heckled at synagogue By Josefine Ganko Labor Minister Clare O’Neil says reports that claimed the prime minister was heckled on his visit to the Adass synagogue in Melbourne on Tuesday were overblown. In an interview on Seven’s Sunrise , it was put to O’Neil that people yelled phrases at Anthony Albanese including “You’re late” and “Nice day for tennis,” referring to the tennis match Albanese played in Perth the day after the firebombing of the synagogue. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited the Adass Israel synagogue on Tuesday. Credit: Justin McManus “I’d just say I saw some of the reporting of that, I think, you know, some of those people weren’t even from that local community,” O’Neil said. “I was actually at the Adass synagogue a little bit later that afternoon speaking to members of the community. People were grateful that the prime minister was there, they were pleased to have him there and of course to see him make that commitment to help rebuild the synagogue there and to invest to try to rescue those sacred Torahs that have been damaged in the fire.” Loading O’Neil said that while she was “sure there angry and upset people”, she did not think that was the “universal experience of having the PM there”. “The PM, in my view, has shown real leadership, he’s come to the synagogue, done the things people want a prime minister to do, he has made that commitment to rebuild the synagogue, has set up this task force to show we’re cracking down on any of this behaviour.” Advertisement 5.21am ‘An outrage’: PM condemns ‘another antisemitic attack’ By Josefine Ganko Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has responded to the antisemitic vandalism in Sydney’s east, the second time the suburb of Woollahra has been targeted in a month. Albanese said the incident was an “outrage” and “another antisemitic attack”. He said he would be briefed by the Australian Federal Police’s Operation Avalite, the task force that was assembled this week in response to the Adass Israel Synagogue terror attack in Melbourne on Friday. “I stand with the Jewish community and unequivocally condemn this attack. There is no place for hatred or antisemitism in our community.” Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke also posted a statement to X, calling the attack an “abhorrent attempt to intimidate our Jewish community”. “It will not be successful,” Burke wrote. 5.14am A wet Wednesday on the cards Don’t forget your umbrella today – the Bureau of Meteorology predicts more rain across Brisbane, this morning and this afternoon, following the downpour late yesterday, although it should be clearing by this evening. The top temperature isn’t expected to hit 30 degrees – warmer days are ahead, however. 4.53am This morning’s headlines at a glance Here are the stories making the rounds beyond Brisbane this morning: The organisers of alternative music festival Good Things have been accused of ignoring allegations of sexual assault, harassment and anti-social behaviour – including men groping women, filming up girls’ skirts, and abusing those who turned down their advances. A group of Australian women who underwent hysterectomies after reporting severe side-effects from a permanent sterilisation device has lost a class action against pharmaceutical giant Bayer , with a judge noting that chronic pelvic pain was common for many women. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called out the influence of News Corp’s alleged bias, warning colleagues during a cabinet meeting that Rupert Murdoch’s media empire was openly working to back Opposition Leader Peter Dutton . ‘An insult to the intelligence of the American people’: The alleged shooter of a CEO in the US has broken his silence after his arrest. Tourists at the famous monkey forest in Bali have been crushed to death by falling branches . New York prosecutors have filed a murder charge against Luigi Mangione, 26. In the hours since his apprehension, his baffling journey from star student to murder suspect has begun to come into focus. Latest 1 of 2 Oldest Latest Oldest Most Viewed in National LoadingKALAMAZOO, Mich. (AP) — Freshman Justus McNair made a 3-pointer from midcourt just before the final buzzer to cap Valparaiso's game-closing 29-4 run and the Beacons knocked off Western Michigan 76-73 on Friday. Valpo trailed 69-47 with 6:51 remaining. Tied at 73-all, Western Michigan's Donovan Williams came up short on a 3-pointer from the corner and McNair grabbed the rebound with about four seconds left before racing the other way for a one-footed runner at the horn. Cooper Schwieger scored 17 of his 19 points in the second half for the Beacons (6-5). Jefferson Monegro scored 13 points while going 4 of 15 from the floor, including 0 for 3 from 3-point range, and 5 for 9 from the line. McNair had 13 points and went 5 of 7 from the field (2 for 4 from 3-point range). Chansey Willis Jr. finished with 16 points, seven rebounds and seven assists for the Broncos (3-8). Owen Lobsinger added 14 points for Western Michigan. Brandon Muntu finished with 12 points. Monegro scored eight points in the first half and Valparaiso went into halftime trailing 42-26. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

ex-trainer warned not to stray too close to the sun ahead of his UFC 311 bout with after the American threw a bottle of water at his opponent, vowing that Dagestanis never start trouble but they will finish it. The incident came during media duties in Las Vegas ahead of the MMA fight on January 18 as when the 39-year-old, who faces challenged the Russian-born rival to "pull up" before launching the missile at him. Security then had to get involved to break away from the lightweight champion and social media exploded with discourse, leading to to get involved with his thoughts as he sent an ominous warning to the Californian about Dagestani culture. " , to me, is the same thing. You know he does his thing. He does [this] gangster-type stuff," said via YouTube. "He's had beef with team for many years. I don't know if that beef will be ever settled. I don't think anything of it. "My Dagestanis, they won't start it. But they definitely will swarm in on him, all of them. They are all that way. They're a band of brothers, You attack one, you attack them all, and they don't - they're not going to take kindly to anything like that." is known for his successful coaching of fighters from the Dagestan region, located within Russian borders, with being the 54-year-old's most high-profile names from the region. He also trains who is a Bellator lightweight champion at the age of 26, as well as who also competes in Bellator's lightweight division and holds a 24-4-1 record so he is well educated in Dagestani values and psychology. When is UFC 311? UFC 311 will take place at the Inuit Dome in Inglewood, California, on January 18, 2025 as , five years on from their first meeting. to defend the bantamweight championship, in the only other title clash of the night from a mammoth 14 fights in total.Israel strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen's capital, and WHO chief says he was 'meters' away DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Houthi rebels in Yemen say Israeli airstrikes have targeted the rebel-held capital of Sanaa and the port city of Hodeida. The World Health Organization’s director-general says the bombardment occurred as he was about to board a flight in Sanaa, injuring a crew member. The strikes on Thursday followed several days of Houthi launches setting off sirens in Israel. Israel's military says it attacked infrastructure used by the Houthis at the international airport in Sanaa, power stations and ports. It came a day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that “the Houthis, too, will learn what Hamas and Hezbollah and Assad’s regime and others learned.” Trump has pressed for voting changes. GOP majorities in Congress will try to make that happen ATLANTA (AP) — Republicans in Congress plan to move quickly in their effort to overhaul the nation’s voting procedures, seeing an opportunity with control of the White House and both chambers of Congress. They want to push through long-sought changes such as voter ID and proof-of-citizenship requirements. They say the measures are needed to restore public confidence in elections. That's after an erosion of trust that Democrats note has been fueled by false claims from Donald Trump and his allies of widespread fraud in the 2020 election. Democrats say they are willing to work with the GOP but want any changes to make it easier, not harder, to vote. Americans are exhausted by political news. TV ratings and a new AP-NORC poll show they're tuning out NEW YORK (AP) — A lot of Americans, after an intense presidential election campaign, are looking for a break in political news. That's evident in cable television news ratings and a poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. The poll found nearly two-thirds of Americans saying they've found the need recently to cut down on their consumption of political and government news. That's particularly true among Democrats following President-elect Donald Trump's victory, although a significant number of Republicans and independents feel the same way. Cable networks MSNBC and CNN are really seeing a slump. That's also happened in years past for networks that particularly appeal to supporters of one candidate. Israel's plan to double the number of settlers in the Golan Heights is met with conflicting emotions EIN ZIVAN, Golan Heights (AP) — Earlier this month, Syrian leader Bashar Assad was ousted after nearly 25 years in power. Within hours, Israeli tanks rolled into the Golan Heights' demilitarized buffer zone in Syria created as part of a 1974 ceasefire between the countries. Days later, the Israeli government approved a plan to double the population of settlers in the Golan Heights. Israel seized the mountainous region from Syria in 1967, and most of the world considers it occupied Syrian territory. In the towns and kibbutzim of Israeli-controlled Golan, the news has been met with a mixture of skepticism, excitement and shock. Previous attempts to encourage more settlement in the Golan have received a lukewarm response. How the stock market defied expectations again this year, by the numbers NEW YORK (AP) — What a wonderful year 2024 has been for investors. U.S. stocks ripped higher and carried the S&P 500 to records as the economy kept growing and the Federal Reserve began cutting interest rates. The benchmark index posted its first back-to-back annual gains of more than 20% since 1998. The year featured many familiar winners, such as Big Tech, which got even bigger as their stock prices kept growing. But it wasn’t just Apple, Nvidia and the like. Bitcoin and gold surged and “Roaring Kitty” reappeared to briefly reignite the meme stock craze. 6,000 inmates escape from a high-security prison in Mozambique amid post-election violence MAPUTO, Mozambique. (AP) — Mozambique’s police chief has said that at least 6,000 inmates have escaped from a high-security prison in the capital on Christmas Day after a rebellion, as widespread post-election riots and violence continue to engulf the country. The police chief Bernardino Rafael said 33 prisoners died and 15 others were injured during a confrontation with the security forces. The escape from the Maputo Central Prison, located 14 km southwest of the capital, started around midday Wednesday after “agitation” by a “group of subversive protesters” nearby, Rafael said, adding that prisoners at the facility snatched weapons from prison warders and started freeing other detainees. Holiday shoppers increased spending by 3.8% despite higher prices New data shows holiday sales rose this year even as Americans wrestled with still high prices in many grocery necessities and other financial worries. According to Mastercard SpendingPulse, holiday sales from the beginning of November through Christmas Eve climbed 3.8%, a faster pace than the 3.1% increase from a year earlier. The measure tracks all kinds of payments including cash and debit cards. This year, retailers were even more under the gun to get shoppers in to buy early and in bulk since there were five fewer days between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Mastercard SpendingPulse says the last five days of the season accounted for 10% of the spending. Sales of clothing, electronics and Jewelry rose. What is known about a plane crash in Kazakhstan that killed 38 of 67 people on board The crash of an Azerbaijani airliner in Kazakhstan has killed 38 of 67 people on board. Azerbaijan Airlines’ Embraer 190 was en route from Azerbaijani capital Baku to the Russian city of Grozny in the North Caucasus on Wednesday when it was diverted for reasons that aren’t fully clear yet. It crashed while making an attempt to land in Aktau in Kazakhstan after flying east across the Caspian Sea. Officials in Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Russia haven't commented on a possible cause of the crash pending an official investigation. Some commentators pointed out holes in the plane's tail section pictured after the crash as a sign that it could have been fired upon by air defense systems. Pope brings Holy Year and prayers for better future to Rome prison, a 'cathedral of pain and hope' ROME (AP) — Pope Francis is bringing his Holy Year to Rome’s main prison. Francis traveled to Rebibbia prison Thursday on a frigid morning. He knocked on the door to the chapel and walked across the threshold. It was reenacting the gesture he performed at St. Peter’s Basilica two nights earlier on Christmas Eve. The opening of the Basilica's Holy Door officially kicked off the Jubilee year. It's a church tradition dating to 1300 that nowadays occurs every 25 years and involves the faithful coming to Rome on pilgrimages. About 32 million people are expected in Rome in 2025. Why this Mexican American woman played a vital role in the US sacramental peyote trade MIRANDO CITY, Texas (AP) — Amada Cardenas, a Mexican American woman who lived in the tiny border town of Mirando City in South Texas, played an important role in the history of the peyote trade. She and her husband were the first federally licensed peyote dealers who harvested and sold the sacramental plant to followers of the Native American Church in the 1930s. After her husband's death in 1967, Cardenas continued to welcome generations of Native American Church members to her home until her death in 2005, just before her 101st birthday.Global Times: 2024 Yearender: China's space sector soars to new heights, setting new goals

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