Geoff Bennett:
Meantime, both sides say the release of six living hostages ranging from 22 to 40 years old will proceed tomorrow as planned. They’re expected to be exchanged for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
Israel also said today that it’s surging troops to the Israeli occupied West Bank after three empty buses exploded near Tel Aviv yesterday in an apparent attempted terrorist attack. No injuries were reported.
Doctors in Rome say Pope Francis is not out of danger, but that his medical condition is not life-threatening. That assessment came in their first in-person update since the 88-year-old pontiff was admitted to the hospital a week ago with bronchitis. The pope’s continued stay has raised questions about whether he would resign. Doctors say Pope Francis will remain hospitalized at least through next week.
On Wall Street today, markets plunged to end the week amid worries over a slowing economy. The Dow Jones industrial average sank nearly 750 points for its worst fall of the year. The Nasdaq dropped more than 400 points. The S&P 500 also ended sharply lower on the day.
And they say revenge is a dish best served cold. Last night, though, it was served on ice. Canada beat the U.S. 3-2 in an overtime thriller to win the inaugural 4 Nations Face-Off hockey tournament. The victory comes as relations between the two countries remains frosty amid Donald Trump’s tariff plan and comments about making Canada the 51st state.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau after the game wrote: “You can’t take our country and you can’t take our game.” Team USA has not beaten Canada in an international final or championship series since 1996.
And the New York Yankees are ditching a nearly-five-decade rule on facial hair. Owner Hal Steinbrenner announced today that players can now sport beards so long as they are — quote — “well-groomed.” Steinbrenner is the son of the late George Steinbrenner, who banned long hair and beards back in 1976, though mustaches were still OK.
The younger Steinbrenner today admitted that the policy for today’s generation is outdated, adding that he’d hate to lose out on good players because they didn’t want to play under such restrictions.
