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Israeli military seizes broader control of northern Gaza and captures key government buildings

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:39:22 GMT

KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — The Israeli military seized broader control of northern Gaza on Tuesday, including capturing the territory’s legislature building and its police headquarters, in gains that carried high symbolic value in the country’s quest to crush the ruling Hamas militant group.Meanwhile, Palestinian authorities called for a cease-fire to evacuate three dozen newborns and other patients trapped inside Gaza’s biggest hospital as Israeli forces battled Hamas in the streets just outside.Inside some of the captured buildings, soldiers held up the Israeli flag and military flags in celebration. In a nationally televised news conference, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Hamas had “lost control” of northern Gaza and that Israel made significant gains in Gaza City.But asked about the time frame for the war, Gallant said: “We’re talking about long months, not a day or two.”One Israeli commander in Gaza, identified only as Lt. Col. Gilad, said in a video that hi...

Pac-12 championship game race winds down to 4 remaining contenders

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:39:22 GMT

The Pac-12 is winding down to the finish of what may be its final football season before most of its members leave for other conferences next season.With two weeks left, the race for spots in the conference title game in Las Vegas on Dec. 1 is down to four teams. A look at the contenders:WASHINGTONThe fifth-ranked Huskies (10-0, 7-0 Pac-12) have not only been the class of the league, they’re still in the mix for a spot in the College Football Playoff.Washington, fifth in the CFP rankings, has passed every test so far with one of the nation’s best offenses. The Huskies survived an early showdown with No. 6 Oregon, pulling out a 36-33 win on Oct. 14, and have won consecutive games against ranked opponents the past two weeks. Washington beat then-No. 24 Southern California and knocked off No. 16 Utah last week. Led by Heisman Trophy candidate Michael Penix Jr., the Huskies have the nation’s top passing offense at 378 yards per game and are sixth in total offense, aver...

House passes bill to avert government shutdown as GOP Speaker Johnson relies on Democratic support for temporary funding

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:39:22 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — House passes bill to avert government shutdown as GOP Speaker Johnson relies on Democratic support for temporary funding.Source

Crime spree killer sentenced to decades in prison

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:39:22 GMT

ARAPAHOE COUNTY, Colo. (KDVR) — A man convicted of killing a father in front of his 6-year-old son during a crime spree two years ago was sentenced Tuesday in front of the surviving​ victims.FOX31 was in the courtroom for the sentencing of Andrew Jacobs, who reached a plea deal in the mid-afternoon crime spree on Nov. 10, 2021. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox Back in 2021, the Aurora Police Department said one man — Jacobs — was charged with eight carjackings, one attempted carjacking, two home invasions, one burglary and one homicide, all in a two-hour crime spree.In the midst, he took the life of Carlos Julio Albarracin, whose 6-year-old son witnessed it all.Jacobs was sentenced to 85 years for second-degree murder, a class two felony, along with two counts of aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon and some sentence enhancers.Carlos Julio Albarracin, 34, was shot during a carjacking on Iowa Street on Nov. 10, 2021. His 6-year-old son witnessed...

New businesses coming to Denver International Airport

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:39:22 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- The city council approved several businesses to start operating new locations at Denver International Airport.Most of the restaurants and shops approved already have locations in other parts of the airport and will be adding more:Chick-fil-A in the C concourseCrú Food and Wine Bar in the B concourseDunkin' Donuts in the C concourseEinstein Bros. Bagels in the B concourseHigh Land Mercantile in the A and B concoursesInMotion in the B concourseJamba Juice in the C concourseOut West in the C concoursePour La France in the A concourseStarbucks in the B concourse Woody Bakery in the C concourse Avoid this highway in Colorado during Thanksgiving weekend, AAA says Starbucks already has three locations in the airport, making the new addition the company's fourth. Jamba Juice and Einstein Bros. Bagels also both have two locations each.There will be two new businesses without other locations opening at DIA:Bodega DEN in the A and C concoursesJohnson & Murphy shoe store ...

Miami Marlins honor U.S. veterans with 8th annual Thanksgiving luncheon

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:39:22 GMT

The Miami Marlins paid a special tribute to U.S. veterans by hosting the 8th Annual Veterans Thanksgiving Luncheon at LoanDepot Park this afternoon.Miami-Dade County police chiefs took on the role of servers, offering meals to over 300 military veterans and active-duty members.“We’re here today celebrating all the veterans in the area, commemorating, getting together, having some food, running into veterans we hadn’t seen in some years. I came to this the last two years in a row, and it’s always been wonderful,” said Veteran James Haritos. The Marlins organize this event annually as a gesture of gratitude to veterans for their service, bringing the community together ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.

Andover teachers, school committee reach deal to end strike

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:39:22 GMT

Students are set to head back to class Wednesday after teachers and school committee negotiators in Andover reached a deal to end the teachers’ five-day strike, officials said.Parties agreed on a new contract late Tuesday afternoon. Their deal came after union members voted to authorize a strike on Friday of last week. The strike vote, in turn, followed months of negotiations between the Andover Education Association and the Andover School Committee. “The AEA is ecstatic to announce that we have come to an agreement and the strike is OVER!” the Andover Education Association said in its statement on social media moments after 5 p.m. The education association said all educators and students will return to school on Wednesday. The Andover School Committee confirmed a deal was in place.“We cannot begin to thank the Andover community enough for their support,” the education association said. “We cannot wait to see our students in school tomorrow!”Andover School Committee Chair...

Plymouth family returns home after spending weeks stuck in Gaza

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:39:22 GMT

A family from Plymouth is finally home after they were stranded in Gaza for weeks due to the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.The family landed at Logan Airport Tuesday afternoon and shared their story. “You don’t know if you’re going to make it or not,” said Hazem Shafai. The Shafai family embraced in emotional hugs as they stepped foot back in the United States. Speaking with reporters, Shafai said the family would probably still be in Gaza “if they didn’t put the effort into getting us out.”Shafai, his wife Sanaa and their three children had been visiting family in Gaza when the war between Israel and Hamas broke out in October. “We basically woke up around 6 o’clock to rockets and iron domes,” Hazem Shafai said. “We were right in the middle of it. It’s a scary thought. Scary feeling.” On the ground in Gaza, the Shafai family said, fresh water and food isn’t available. The family said civilians are starving. “It’s hard,” Hazem said. “It’s difficu...

Speaker goes to Dems to avert shutdown

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:39:22 GMT

WASHINGTON — The House voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to prevent a government shutdown after new Republican Speaker Mike Johnson was forced to reach across the aisle to Democrats when hard-right conservatives revolted against his plan.Johnson’s proposal to temporarily fund the government into the new year passed on a bipartisan 336-95 tally, but 93 Republicans voted against it. It was the first time the new speaker had to force vital legislation through the House, and he showed a willingness to leave his right-flank Republicans behind and work with Democrats — the same political move that cost the last House speaker, Kevin McCarthy, his job just weeks ago.This time, Johnson of Louisiana appeared on track for a temporarily better outcome. His approach, which the Senate is expected to approve by week’s end, effectively pushes a final showdown over government funding to the new year.“Making sure that government stays in operation is a matter of conscience for all of us....

Piping plovers popping in Massachusetts: Researchers identify record year for the bird species

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:39:22 GMT

Piping plovers are alive and well in Massachusetts.Long classified a federally threatened species, the small, stocky shorebirds are bouncing back, with more nesting on Bay State beaches this year than ever before, according to a Mass Audubon report released Tuesday.Mass Audubon has researched, monitored and protected vulnerable beach-nesting birds, including the piping plover, with hundreds of partners under its coastal waterbird program for more than 35 years.This year, researchers identified around 1,145 breeding pairs nesting in the state, a massive increase of roughly 500% from the fewer than 200 in 1986, when the program began, officials highlighted.“While Piping Plovers remain a federally threatened species, this season’s data shows that these iconic birds are making real progress toward recovery in Massachusetts,” officials stated.Some controversy has followed steps taken to protect the piping plover.After a three-year, $31.2 million renovation, the Curley Community Center in...