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Nicaraguan government seizes highly regarded university from Jesuits

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:57:10 GMT

MEXICO CITY (AP) — The Jesuits announced Wednesday that Nicaragua’s government has confiscated the University of Central America in Nicaragua, one of the region’s most highly regarded colleges.It was the latest in a series of expulsions, closures and confiscations by the regime of President Daniel Ortega targeting the Roman Catholic Church and opposition figures. The order, known as the Society of Jesus, said the government seized all the university’s property, buildings and bank accounts. It quoted the government as claiming the university “operated as a center of terrorism.” The Jesuits say the accusation is unfounded.“With this confiscation, the Ortega government has buried the freedom of thought in Nicaragua,” said María Asunción Moreno, who was a professor at the university until she was forced into exile in 2021.In April, the Vatican closed its embassy in Nicaragua after the country’s government proposed suspending diplomatic relations.Two congregations of nu...

16 downtown Denver office buildings considered for housing conversions

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:57:10 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- Downtown Denver could have a new feel in a few years if the city's analysis of office buildings that could be converted into housing is followed.The study found 21 buildings that are considered "good candidates" for conversion based on walkability, natural light, parking, building age and potential unit count. This was later narrowed down to 16 by the architecture firm Gensler, which the city partnered with for this project. Downtown Denver only has a little more than half its pre-COVID foot traffic The funding for the study came from the American Rescue Plan Act, which was passed by Congress in 2021 as a COVID-19 economic stimulus bill. “If the top 16 buildings from Denver’s analysis were converted to residential uses, this could add over 5,000 units to our downtown neighborhood,” said Jon Gambrill, managing director of Gensler’s Denver office, in a news release. “This would also convert upwards of 4.3 million square feet of office space to new resident...

Rockies legend Todd Helton honored with jersey giveaway this weekend

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:57:10 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- This weekend at the Colorado Rockies game against the Chicago White Sox, 17,000 lucky fans will be gifted a Todd Helton jersey.Helton was the first baseman for the Colorado Rockies for 17 years and garnered some pretty impressive statistics as the Rockies franchise leader in games, hits, home runs and RBI's. Colorado Rockies first baseman Todd Helton misses Hall of Fame nod again He earned a spot on the All-Star team five times and won several awards including four Silver Sluggers and three Golden Gloves to name a few.In the 2,247 games played in his career, Helton cranked a total of 369 home runs and finished with a .316 batting average. He retired in 2013, and his jersey number, 17, became the first to ever be retired in the Rockies franchise in 2014. For several years, Helton has been eligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame but has fallen short. Earlier this year, he missed the mark by just 11 votes.This Saturday, the first 17,000 fans to enter Coors Field will ...

Denver buys Central Park motel to convert into housing for homeless

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:57:10 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — Denver has bought another motel that will be converted into housing for the homeless.Mayor Mike Johnston made the announcement in a Wednesday news conference. Johnston has been giving regular updates on homelessness since he took office and declared a state of emergency over the issue. Where do Denver restaurants get their seafood? The Stay Inn, in the Central Park neighborhood, will have 100 new units of housing for people, the mayor said. Johnston thanked U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette for her efforts to get federal funding for the $9 million conversion project. DeGette's office has said the federal contribution was $2 million.The conversion project has been in the works for years. Located just southwest of Interstate 70 and Peoria Street, Denver leaders have said the Stay Inn will be converted to offer supportive housing with services on site.Denver City Council approved the purchase in January. The city has said most rooms in the four-story hotel were updated recently...

Jamal Murray won't be able to play for Canada at World Cup

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:57:10 GMT

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Jamal Murray of the NBA champion Denver Nuggets announced Wednesday that he will not play for Canada in the World Cup, citing a need for ongoing recovery after a long season.Murray was in camp with the Canadian team earlier this month, but he did not accompany the team to Germany and Spain for its exhibition games that will precede the World Cup while weighing his options. Rockies legend Todd Helton honored with jersey giveaway this weekend “When I came into training camp, I wanted to see how my body would respond after a long and demanding season and if I would be physically able to compete at the highest level required for the World Cup,” Murray said in a statement distributed by Canada Basketball. “In consultation with medical staff and the team, it is clear that additional recovery is required, and I have made the difficult decision to not participate in the tournament.”Murray said he still considers it “a dream of mine to represent Canad...

Pan-Seared Branzino with Bilbaina Sauce / Mareva 1939, Miami Beach

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:57:10 GMT

A traditional Spanish sauce gives seafood dishes an extra kick. That’s what’s cooking, as we grab a Bite with Belkys.The Chef: Sergio ChamizoThe Restaurant: Mareva 1939, Miami BeachThe Dish: Pan-Seared Branzino with Bilbaina SauceIngredients:Bilbaina sauce:2 cloves of garlic6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil2 tbsp sherry vinegar6 ea piquillo peppers2 tbsp chopped parsleyBranzino filetsPotato cream:4 ea whole Idaho potato1 1/4 cups ml milk2 tbs butterSalt & nutmegMethod of Preparation:Peel potatoes and dice them. Place potatoes with salt and cover with water. Bring the water to a boil and simmer until the potatoes are cooked.15-20 minutes. Drain potatoes and pass them through a kitchen mill.Place potatoes in a new pot and add the hot milk with butter and a touch of nutmeg.Thinly slice garlic cloves. In a pan, add the garlic and extra virgin olive oil. Cook until garlic is golden in color. Add sherry vinegar, sliced piquillo peppers and parsley. Simmer for 1 minute and add ...

Operation Outdoor Freedom empowers disabled veterans with underwater lobster dive

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:57:10 GMT

Disabled veterans from across Florida gathered for the seventh annual lobster dive trip organized by Operation Outdoor Freedom, a program dedicated to providing veterans with outdoor and underwater experiences to alleviate the challenges they face due to combat-related issues. The event took place in Fort Lauderdale, where veterans engaged in lobster hunting and formed a bond of friendship.The veterans, some of whom have lost comrades over the years, found solace and connection in this shared experience. “When I’m underwater, that’s my happy space. I’m calm and relaxed and I know it’s the same for all these guys too,” said Brian Bonhe, one of the participating veterans. The dive was particularly significant as it was named after Marine Corps veteran Damon Zigler. “That’s what the event was for, it was for guys like him,” said Alex Esteban, one of the participating veterans. “To keep him away from himself.”The dive was also dedicated to John ...

Orlando debuts self-driving shuttle that will whisk passengers around downtown

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:57:10 GMT

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — There is going to be a new way to get around downtown Orlando, Florida, and it’s not going to require any human drivers.Starting later this month, an electric, self-driving shuttle will whisk passengers around a 1-mile (1.6 km) loop in the downtown area for no charge, Orlando officials said Wednesday.The eight-passenger shuttle service is part of a six-month trial for the central Florida city. Transportation planners hope to use data gathered from the pilot program to guide the city’s future transportation strategy.“With the expansion of autonomous vehicle shuttles into our neighborhoods, we can converge cutting-edge technology with new mobility solutions to further redefine the way our community moves,” Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said.The autonomous shuttle service is operated by Beep Inc., an Orlando-based company that already operates a similar service in a planned community near Orlando International Airport.

Patriots left tackle Trent Brown feeling “great” in return to practice field

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:57:10 GMT

GREEN BAY, Wisc. — The Patriots have got one starter back on their offensive line, and it’s a big one — literally and figureatively.Left tackle Trent Brown was a full participant in practice Wednesday in Green Bay for joint practices with the Packers. The Patriots had missed Brown for most of the first two weeks of training camp as he dealt with a nagging injury.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Patriots already excited about ‘special things’ Ezekiel Elliott can bring New England Patriots | Callahan: How Ezekiel Elliott will make life easy on Patriots’ best, most pivotal players New England Patriots | Patriots 53-man roster projection: Does Malik Cunningham make the cut? New England Patriots | Patriots cut two players to create room for recent signings New England Patriots | Patriots ‘hopeful’ TE Mike Gesicki can return for Week 1 after shoulder injury ...

Mets Notebook: Edwin Diaz throws off mound but too early to talk a late-season return

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:57:10 GMT

Edwin Diaz threw off a mound Wednesday morning at Citi Field for what is believed to be the first time since tearing his right patellar tendon in March. It’s a key step in his rehab process, but that doesn’t mean the Mets closer is nearing a return.Throwing off a mound is one of the benchmarks that Diaz has to meet, but doing it once is only a start. The 29-year-old right-hander still has a ways to go before he can return to competitive action.However, the Mets have not yet decided about bringing back Diaz this season, should he be healthy enough to pitch. Manager Buck Showalter was able to watch Diaz throw from the bullpen cameras and talked with him in the clubhouse later on, but has not involved himself too much in the closer’s rehab. Showalter said it’s too soon for him to be concerned about whether or not he will return to action this season.“It’s a ways off,” Showalter said. “I haven’t gotten into the decision-making for th...