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What’s in store for skywatchers this fall? Planets galore and the moon’s shadow

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:53:29 GMT

If you are an early-riser, the fall predawn sky is a delight to see.The stars of winter — Orion the Hunter, Gemini the Twins and the brightest star in the night sky, Sirius — are all currently on full display. Add to that the brilliant planet Venus and elusive Mercury and you have a skywatcher’s dream.Venus is unmistakable in the eastern sky around 4:30 a.m. EDT and will climb higher in the D.C. region’s skies in the weeks to come.Mercury becomes visible in the east in the brightening predawn sky around 6 a.m. It really helps to have a clear horizon and binoculars to help in locating Mercury. Mercury will brighten a bit and remain visible until the end of September.Between higher Venus and lower Mercury is the bright star Regulus in Leo the Lion. They form a very nice diagonal line from Mercury to Venus.Mercury, bottom, leads to the star Regulus and brilliant Venus. (WTOP/Greg Redfern)Right after it gets dark, the planet Saturn is visible in the southeast, and the moon will ke...

Seahawks could be without standout young CB Riq Woolen for matchup with Panthers

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:53:29 GMT

RENTON, Wash. (AP) — The Seattle Seahawks may be without starting cornerback Riq Woolen for Sunday’s game against Carolina as he deals with a chest injury.Seattle coach Pete Carroll said Wednesday that Woolen was “pretty sore” and would need to make significant strides in his recovery to be ready to face the Panthers.Woolen was injured in the first half of Seattle’s 37-31 overtime win over Detroit. Rookie first-round pick Devon Witherspoon stepped in at left cornerback and played the majority of the game in Woolen’s place.To add depth in the secondary, the Seahawks signed veteran Artie Burns off the practice squad to the active roster. Burns had been an elevation from the practice squad for each of the first two games.The Seahawks also placed rookie defensive lineman Mike Morris on injured reserve. He will need season-ending shoulder surgery. Morris aggravated a previous shoulder injury in the season opener and recovery from the surgery will take several months.Another injury concer...

Son menos pero más selectivas e intensas las violaciones a los Derechos Humanos del Gobierno de Venezuela, reporta una misión de la ONU

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:53:29 GMT

(CNN Español) — Al menos 58 personas fueron detenidas arbitrariamente en Venezuela entre enero de 2020 y agosto de 2023, concluyó la Misión de Determinación de los Hechos sobre Venezuela del Consejo de Derechos Humanos de las Naciones Unidas.De acuerdo con el cuarto informe que la Misión presentó este miércoles en Ginebra, esos casos incluyen la detención arbitraria de líderes sindicales, defensores de Derechos Humanos, miembros de organizaciones no gubernamentales, periodistas, miembros de partidos de oposición y otras personas que expresaron críticas contra el Gobierno.Si bien el informe señala que en general hubo una disminución de acusaciones en comparación con los reportes anteriores, la misión enfatiza que la tendencia en cuanto a violaciones de Derechos Humanos y otros crímenes debe entenderse en relación con las consecuencias de la pandemia de covid-19.“En 2020, con el inicio de la pandemia de covid-19, se marcó el fin de las protestas masivas convocadas por los ...

No dream return for Sociedad in Champions League as Martínez scores late to rescue draw for Inter

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:53:29 GMT

SAN SEBASTIAN, Spain (AP) — Lautaro Martínez’s scoring streak continued as he helped Inter Milan snatch a 1-1 draw at Real Sociedad on Wednesday and prevent what would have been a dream return to the Champions League for the Spanish side.Brais Méndez’s early goal looked set to see Sociedad mark its first match back among Europe’s elite in a decade with an impressive win over last season’s runner-up.And the 36,000 Sociedad fans in the stands were reveling in the occasion as their team played with relentless intensity, excitement and eagerness to dominate its more illustrious opponent. But in the end it was made to pay for its profligacy as Martínez pounced with three minutes remaining, netting his sixth goal of the fledgling season.“I’m not satisfied because we did not play well, we didn’t do what we had planned,” Martínez told Amazon Prime. “We started the first half badly, we were in a lot of difficulties so we have to improve a lot.“It was important not to lose because the group w...

How Loudoun Co. is changing the way it teaches young learners to read

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:53:29 GMT

In the summer of 2021, some teachers in Loudoun County, Virginia, reported major gaps in students’ skills after pandemic-induced school closures.At the same time, a significant amount of research detailing the benefits of the Science of Reading, a literacy approach that emphasizes phonics, was released.Before the 2021-22 school year started, first grade teachers at Catoctin Elementary School in Leesburg spent hours collaborating to determine how to best meet students’ needs, according to Jennifer Hartmann, the school-based instructional facilitator, and created a plan for how to approach teaching reading.Kindergarten, first and second grade teachers were “astounded” by the progress students had made after the switch to a phonics program, Hartmann said. Last spring, the school reported a 15% decrease in students flagged by the county’s diagnostic literacy assessment, compared to fall 2021.Now, all Loudoun County elementary schools are using University of...

ANÁLISIS | La contraofensiva de Ucrania puede ser dolorosa. Pero su éxito es vital para la seguridad europea

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:53:29 GMT

(CNN) —  En los sótanos de Orikhiv, las tropas ucranianas no se mueven de los muros. Aunque están bajo tierra, las potentes bombas rusas que caen a diario podrían derrumbar todo lo que hay sobre ellos, por lo que los bordes de su mundo subterráneo son más seguros.Piensa en este riesgo, y en los hombres y mujeres que lo soportan cada noche, cuando oigas hablar de los avances de la contraofensiva ucraniana. Es lenta, peligrosa, sangrienta y más dura de lo que nadie esperaba. Pero no nos equivoquemos: quizá sea el momento más importante para la seguridad europea desde la caída del Muro de Berlín, o incluso desde 1945.Las fuerzas ucranianas no están ni de lejos donde esperaban estar a medida que se acerca el otoño boreal. Los meses de verano en torno a Robotyne, al sur de Orikhiv, y al norte de Mariúpol, han estado marcados por un espantoso arrastrarse sobre hectáreas de campos minados, con las tropas luchando durante semanas por minúsculos asentamientos que pueden contarse en cal...

Trial begins for Aurora officers in Elijah McClain's death

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:53:29 GMT

BRIGHTON, Colo. (AP) — The trial of two Aurora police officers opened Wednesday in the killing of Elijah McClain, a Black man put in a neck hold and injected with a powerful sedative whose 2019 death later became a rallying cry for nationwide protests and spurred police reform in Colorado.It's the first of several trials stemming from the death of McClain, and lawyers for the two sides are expected to paint contrasting pictures of the deadly struggle between the officers and the 23-year-old massage therapist. McClain was stopped by police in the city of Aurora while walking home from a convenience store carrying only a plastic bag and his phone. Man arrested in deadly double shooting on Welton Street One question jurors could be asked to decide is whether it was lawful for officers Randy Roedema and Jason Rosenblatt to detain and use force against McClain, who a 911 caller reported as suspicious. If prosecutors can convince jurors the stop was unjustified, that would undermine any...

Denver weather: A dry and warm stretch ahead

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:53:29 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — Temperatures reached the 80s again in Denver weather, which is slightly above our average high in the upper 70s. The trend for more warm afternoon readings will continue for a few more days before more seasonal temperatures arrive over the weekend according to Pinpoint Weather, Colorado’s Most Accurate Forecast.Forecast highs across metro Denver from Pinpoint WeatherWeather tonight: A few showers then clearingA shower or two may slip off the foothills and move across the eastern plains early this evening. There could be some lightning and wind as those storms pass. Otherwise, skies will clear overnight as the wind turns light. Temperatures will be chilly in the Colorado high country and cool across metro Denver and the Front Range. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up for alerts from the Pinpoint Weather team Overnight lows across Colorado by Thursday morningWeather tomorrow: Another dry and warm dayYour Thursday will start off with plenty of sunshine followed by some passin...

Homestead Senior High football player left paralyzed after game injury receives outpouring of support from family, friends

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:53:29 GMT

A South Florida high school student athlete with dreams of playing professional football is receiving an outpouring of support from the community one week after an accident on the field left him paralyzed.The saying “God, family, football” is exactly how Homestead Bronco player Frederick Climpson lives his life. Although the 10th grader is an incomplete quadriplegic and is not able to breathe on his own, no one is giving up hope.The teen’s love for football runs deep. He’s been suiting up and stepping on the field since he was just 6 years old.His sister, Asia Climpson, spoke with 7News on Wednesday.“He’s a laid-back, chill person. He loves football, he loves to talk about it and play it,” she said.Affectionately nicknamed “Cheeks,” the Homestead Senior High School student is seen most days with a bright smile on his face and football in hand.Climpson’s passion for the game landed him a spot on the junior varsity football t...

R House in Wynwood reaches settlement with state in drag brunch controversy

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:53:29 GMT

A popular restaurant in Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood has reached a settlement with the state in a drag show controversy.R House has agreed to pay a $10,000 fine, but there is no admission of guilt.State officials accused the business, located along the 2700 block of Northwest Second Avenue, of putting on drag brunch shows while children were present.However, an investigation found no unlawful sexually explicit content in the performances, which are now open only to guests 18 and older.