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Morocco welcomes the annual meeting of the IMF and World Bank a month after its deadly earthquake

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 08:23:18 GMT

MARRAKECH, Morocco (AP) — Less than a two-hour drive from where families sleep in tents and earthquake rubble remain in piles, the world’s most powerful financial institutions are gathering for a week of discussions on economic challenges during times of war, inequality and climate change.The International Monetary Fund and World Bank decided in 2018 to host their annual meeting in Marrakech, Morocco, bringing the affair to the African continent for the first time in 50 years.Their original timeline was delayed by the pandemic, but the meeting beginning Monday arrives at an apropos time. After a devastating earthquake last month killed nearly 3,000 and wreaked $11.7 billion in damages, both officials and civil society groups are eagerly anticipating discussions about how to promote economic resiliency in light of natural disaster.“In no other area is the need for international cooperation as evident as in addressing the existential threat of climate change. The world has a res...

Broncos’ third-quarter struggles emerge again in loss to Jets

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 08:23:18 GMT

If insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results, Broncos Country must be losing its mind.The Broncos have won the coin toss in five straight games to start the season and deferred to receive the second-half kick each time. And each time, they’ve come away with zero points.On Sunday against the New York Jets, the Broncos opened the third quarter with a 13-8 lead and the offense promptly went three-and-out. Rookie running back Jaleel McLaughlin was stopped for a 2-yard gain. Quarterback Russell Wilson threw an incomplete pass. Then Wilson was sacked on third-and-long.On the Jets’ next offensive snap, running back Breece Hall, who abused the Broncos all game, burst through a massive hole and cruised into the end zone for a 72-yard touchdown to take a 15-13 lead.In the 31-21 loss at Empower Field at Mile High, everything that’s plagued the Broncos during its 1-4 start was on display. Denver’s offensive struggles in the third quarter was one ...

Jewish community, local leaders attend vigil for war-torn Israel

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 08:23:18 GMT

Many in the Los Angeles Jewish community, along with some local leaders, came together Sunday night at Stephen Wise Temple in Bel Air to pray for peace after the deadly surprise attack in Israel by Hamas fighters that wounded thousands and led to the deaths of more than 1,100 people, including United States citizens.  “We’re gathering for support, we’re gathering to raise funds and we’re gathering to demand the rest of the world show solidarity with the people in the state of Israel,” Rabbi Noah Farks, President and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, told KTLA’s Carlos Saucedo.  L.A. Mayor Karen Bass seen at Stephen Wise Temple in Bel Air on Oct. 8, 2023, where a vigil was held in support of Israel. (KTLA)Israel formally declared war and gave the green light for “significant military steps” to retaliate against Hamas on Sunday, prompting those at the temple this evening to pray for the lives already lost and for those held captive in a war that is likely to drag ou...

How 49ers tight end George Kittle turned back the clock with a three-touchdown game

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 08:23:18 GMT

SANTA CLARA –There was a time when most of George Kittle’s highlights included clips of him steamrolling defensive backs and dragging linebackers as he fought for extra yards.There was none of that on Sunday night, and yet Kittle found a different way to create his first career three-touchdown game as the 49ers rolled to a 42-10 win over the Dallas Cowboys.Kittle, who turns 30 on Monday, proved that he can still fly.All three times he scored, Kittle outpaced the defense with his legs, twice bursting through the seams of the Cowboys’ defense while the other score, which came on a reverse flea-flicker, gave Kittle a chance to race past a cornerback on the sideline.Three catches, three scores: the first time in his career he did that.“I saw (former 49ers tight end Vernon Davis) before the game and he told me to score three to tie his record, so I was like, ‘fine, Vern, I’ll do it,’” Kittle joked afterwards.The happy-go-lucky tight end has been just as eager to block for the...

Kurtenbach: The 49ers didn’t just beat the Cowboys. They broke them

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 08:23:18 GMT

SANTA CLARA — The 49ers didn’t just beat the Dallas Cowboys Sunday night.They broke them.The Niners’ victory was so comprehensive, so physically and mentally dominant, so inevitable going into the final 20 minutes of the game, that the Cowboys decided they were done for the evening well before the final whistle blew.And the 49ers didn’t take the hint. They were merciless in their finish.As the Cowboys’ effort waned, particularly on defense, in the second half, San Francisco remained in sixth gear, even with its backups and third-string players in the game, scoring six touchdowns in total.Sometimes in football, the final score isn’t indicative of the true nature of the contest.There was no lie in the 49ers’ 42-10 win. Quarterback Brock Purdy threw for four touchdowns, George Kittle caught three, Christian McCaffrey and Kyle Juszczyk added two more and the 49ers’ defense created four turnovers (including three interceptions of Dak Prescott) an...

Carlos Correa stars against former team as Twins beat Astros 6-2 in Game 2 to tie ALDS

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 08:23:18 GMT

HOUSTON (AP) — Carlos Correa was back at Minute Maid Park, starring in the playoffs like he had so many times before.Only this time he was wearing a different uniform.Correa had three hits and three RBIs and Pablo López pitched seven shutout innings, helping the Minnesota Twins beat the Houston Astros 6-2 on Sunday night in Game 2 of their AL Division Series.Kyle Farmer hit a two-run homer for the Twins, who bounced back nicely after losing 6-4 in the series opener on Saturday night.Game 3 of the best-of-five series is Tuesday at Minnesota. Correa, an October star for so many years in Houston, is back in the playoffs after Minnesota stumbled last year in his first season with the Twins. And he is relishing his return to his favorite time of the year.“It worked as motivation for me to, one, never miss it again and, two, be in the spotlight once again and be able to deliver for my team and feel that passion and love that I feel for this game and for winning,” Correa said. Correa hit a...

Brock Purdy throws 4 TD passes to lead the 49ers past the Cowboys 42-10

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 08:23:18 GMT

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Brock Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers quickly turned the biggest challenge of their young season into a laugher.Purdy threw three of his four touchdown passes to George Kittle, San Francisco’s defense hounded Dak Prescott all night and the 49ers extended their dominance over the Dallas Cowboys with a 42-10 victory Sunday.“It felt good, especially going against the No. 1 defense in the league,” star left tackle Trent Williams said. “Obviously, that’s a big test for Week 5 of the year. I think we pass that test with flying colors. But we’re going to get tested again.”The Niners (5-0) knocked the Cowboys out of the playoffs in tight games the past two seasons, adding intrigue to this early season matchup between perceived contenders.The rematch wasn’t even close.The Niners led 14-0 before the Cowboys got their initial first down of the night and were never really threatened on the way to matching a franchise record with their 15th straight regul...

US Senate Majority Leader Schumer criticizes China for not supporting Israel after Hamas attack

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 08:23:18 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — U.S. Senate Majority Leader Schumer criticized China on Monday and told Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi that he was very disappointed by China’s statement on the recent Hamas attack because it didn’t show any sympathy or support for Israel.Schumer is leading a delegation of six senators to China this week. The delegation, which includes three Democrats and three Republicans, is the first visit by U.S. lawmakers since 2019 and comes at a time of growing attacks on China in Congress as America contends with the rise of China as a global power.“I urge you and the Chinese people to stand with the Israeli people and condemn these cowardly and vicious attacks,” said Schumer. A Chinese Foreign Ministry statement on Sunday called on both sides to exercise restraint and immediately end the hostilities — but made no mention of the unprecedented Hamas surprise attack early Saturday that has left more than 1,100 dead in fighting so far and thousands wounded on both s...

What to know as Israel declares war, bombards Gaza Strip after unprecedented Hamas attack

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 08:23:18 GMT

JERUSALEM (AP) — Fighting continued in southern Israel early Monday after the government declared war and intensified its bombardment of the Gaza Strip in retaliation for a major surprise attack by Hamas. Special forces soldiers were brought in to try to retake four Israeli sites held by Hamas following its unprecedented weekend incursion, which officials said involved as many as 1,000 fighters. The militants blew through a fortified border fence and gunned down civilians and soldiers in Israeli communities along the Gaza frontier during a Jewish holiday. The rampage included an assault on a crowded music festival where authorities had removed about 260 bodies by Sunday.Israel struck back with airstrikes including one that flattened a 14-story tower that held Hamas offices. At least 700 people were reported killed in Israel and more than 400 in Gaza. Thousands were wounded and some 123,000 displaced people in Gaza were in shelters, the U.N. said.Here are some key takeaways from the ...

Luxembourg’s coalition under Bettel collapses due to Green losses in tight elections

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 08:23:18 GMT

Luxembourg’s three-party coalition led by liberal Prime Minister Xavier Bettel lost its decade-long hold on power in tight parliamentary elections, mostly because of a poor showing by the Green party, according to election results early Monday.Bettel’s DP liberal party surged from 12 to 14 seats in the 60-seat house in Sunday’s elections and the socialist LSAP also added a seat to reach 11. But the fall of the Greens from nine to four seats meant that the coalition falls just short of the numbers needed for a continued five-year stint in government.The Christian Democrat CSV remains the biggest single party in parliament with 21 seats and will be the power broker to form the next government.Ten years ago, Bettel succeeded Jean-Claude Juncker, the Christian Democrat who had been Europe’s longest serving democratically elected leader at the time. The CSV Christian Democrats have been left uncharacteristically on the sidelines for the past 10 years, despite being the single...