Month: February 2022

Fire Breaks Out at German Residential Complex, 3 Injured

BERLIN—A huge fire broke out in an apartment building in the western German city of Essen early Monday, and three people were taken to a hospital after inhaling smoke, authorities said. The fire service said that about 100 people were evacuated from the building, roughly the number of people who lived there, news agency dpa…


These Four-Ingredient Pizza Pockets Might Just Be Better Than the Store-Bought Version

All it took was a single bite of these cheesy pizza pockets to feel a flood of nostalgia. If Hot Pockets were as much of a staple in your childhood as they were in mine, this four-ingredient recipe will be right up your alley. These days, I skip the frozen store-bought box for a super-simple…


Euro Gains, Dollar Eases on Potential Biden-Putin Summit

LONDON—The euro rallied and the dollar retreated on Monday as investors pulled capital away from safe havens after President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed in principle to meet to discuss the crisis in Ukraine. The euro rose 0.5 percent to $1.1376 after losing some ground in early trade while the dollar index…


US Embassy Warns Americans of Possible Terrorist Attacks in Russia

The U.S. embassy in Moscow on Feb. 20 issued a security alert warning American nationals of possible terrorist attacks at public places in the country amid ongoing tension along the border with Ukraine. The embassy, citing media sources said, “There have been threats of attacks against shopping centers, railway, and metro stations, and other public gathering places in major urban…


Police Arrest 494 People in California in Week-Long Joint Human Trafficking Sting Operation

Nearly 500 people have been arrested in California in a human trafficking sting operation that took place ahead of the Super Bowl, authorities announced on Feb. 15. Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva shared the results of the week-long campaign, dubbed “Operation Reclaim and Rebuild,” in a press conference, stating that the statewide operation had “met with…


Oil Rises as Tight Market Looks to Russian-Western Diplomacy

LONDON—Oil prices rose slightly on Monday as fresh diplomatic efforts to resolve the Ukraine crisis provided some relief from supply concerns that have kept oil prices near $100 a barrel. Brent crude futures rose 25 cents, or 0.3 percent, to $93.79 a barrel at 1000 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures rose 35…


‘Shock of a Lifetime’: Mom Gives Birth to Natural Quadruplets With 1 in 700,000 Odds

A Georgia mom who thought she was preparing for her second baby got the shock of her life when an eight-week ultrasound revealed rare, naturally-conceived quadruplets. The quads, born at 28 weeks, are now 5 months old and thriving. Madison Collier of Marietta reflected, “I never thought it’d be me, but I really love it.”…


World Shares Mixed as Investors Eye Ukraine, Inflation

BANGKOK—World shares were mixed Monday as investors watched for developments in Ukraine after Russia rescinded earlier pledges to pull tens of thousands of its troops away from Ukraine’s northern border. U.S. markets will be closed for a holiday but futures were higher. Shares rose in early European trading but fell in most Asian markets. The…


Cancelling Richard Gere

Commentary Remember Richard Gere? I certainly do. He was a huge star in the 1990s, playing memorable roles in such movies as “Pretty Woman,” “American Gigolo” and, last I recall, “Unfaithful.” Then, Gere largely disappeared. I noticed this, but never wondered why. Now I know. Gere got cancelled by Hollywood because of his criticism of…


Hospitalizations of Children Dropped During COVID-19 Pandemic: Study

Hospitalizations among children during the COVID-19 pandemic declined, according to a study published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), but those who were hospitalized were mostly due to the coronavirus. The study diagnosed children up to the age of 17 years, splitting them into three groups of 0–4, 5–11, and 12–17…