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5 things to know about the Hamas militant group’s unprecedented attack on Israel

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:34:48 GMT

JERUSALEM (AP) — Without warning on Saturday, Gaza’s militant Hamas rulers attacked Israel by air, land and sea. Millions of Israelis in the country’s south awoke to the searing sound of incoming rockets and the inevitable thud of impact. Air raid sirens wailed as far north as Tel Aviv. Israel’s anti-rocket interceptors thundered in Jerusalem. And in an unprecedented escalation, armed Hamas fighters blew up parts of Israel’s highly fortified separation fence and strode into Israeli communities along the Gaza frontier, terrorizing residents and trading fire with Israeli soldiers. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his far-right allies were scrambling to respond to the rapidly changing events. Within just nine hours, some 40 Israelis and nearly 200 Palestinians were confirmed dead, with the numbers expected to rise.Here are some key takeaways from the multi-pronged attack that has suddenly plunged Israel into war.ISRAEL CAUGHT UNAWARE The shock that ...

An Egyptian appeals court upholds a 6-month sentence against a fierce government critic

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:34:48 GMT

CAIRO (AP) — An Egyptian appeals court on Saturday upheld a six-month prison sentence for a fierce government critic who was convicted of defamation last month in a case that stemmed from an online spat.Hisham Kassem, who is a leading official with the Free Current, a coalition of mostly liberal parties, was convicted of insulting and defaming Kamal Abu Eita, a former labor minister and opposition figure. He was also convicted of verbally assaulting a police officer.Kassem was sentenced last month to six months in prison and fined 20,000 Egyptian pounds (around $647), according to Hossam Bahgat, head of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, which represents Kassem before the court.He appealed the sentence at the court of appeals which confirmed the verdict on Saturday, Bahgat said.Kassem, who for decades ran a series of news outlets that helped keep alive pockets of independent free press in Egypt, was arrested in August after prosecutors questioned him about accusations leve...

Atkins calls Schneider’s decision to pull Berrios ‘courageous’, says manager will be back in 2024

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:34:48 GMT

Toronto Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins says manager John Schneider made the decision to pull starting pitcher Jose Berrios in Toronto’s playoff-ending loss to the Minnesota Twins.Berrios was taken out of the scoreless game after a leadoff walk in the fourth inning. The right-hander had thrown only 47 pitches and had struck out five batters before being replaced by lefty Yusei Kikuchi.The Twins went on to win the game 2-0, eliminating the Jays from the American League wild-card series in two straight games.During a season-ending address at Rogers Centre on Saturday, Atkins admitted that he was surprised by the move and threw cold water on a theory that the decision was influenced by the Jays’ front office.The Blue Jays’ general manager praised Schneider’s decision to pull Berrios as “courageous” and stated that it was not the reason Toronto lost the game.Atkins also confirmed that Schneider will return to manage the team in 2024 but that cha...

Rioter who attacked Capitol with tomahawk and threw makeshift weapons at police gets 7 years in prison

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:34:48 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — A Texas man who attacked the U.S. Capitol with a metal tomahawk — and is now the face of a website selling merchandise portraying jailed rioters as “political prisoners” — was sentenced Friday to seven years behind bars.Shane Jenkins, 46, tried to smash a Capitol window with his tomahawk during the Jan. 6, 2021, siege. He also repeatedly threw makeshift weapons at police officers, hurling a desk drawer, a flagpole, a metal walking stick and a wooden pole with a spear-like point. Cohen on Trump fraud trial: ‘There’s no way for him to escape this’ A website touts Jenkins as the founder of a group that seeks to “shed light on the January 6th defendants and the treatment they have faced from the government.” The website sells T-shirts, hoodies, hats, tote bags and other merchandise with Jan. 6-themed slogans, including “Free the J6 political prisoners” and “Want my vote? Help the J6ers.” Another shirt for sale features former President Donald Trump's mugshot over the...

Invasive stink bugs are back: What to do about them

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:34:48 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — While you may be enjoying some of the best features of fall — the changing leaves, pumpkin-spiced everything, cooler temperatures — you may also be dealing with an unwelcomed guest. The brown marmorated stink bug. Aptly named, the invasive stink bug has already been found in much of the U.S., and is now trying to find its way into homes nationwide before winter sets in. It has been here since first being discovered in Pennsylvania — much like another invasive species officials are asking people to kill — in the mid-1990s, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. As of 2021, the stink bug had been reported in every state but Alaska, South Dakota, and Wyoming.  Smelly, invasive stink bugs could get worse, study suggests Despite its wide reach, the bug has more severely impacted states along the east and west coasts, as well as into the Midwest. Central states, stretching from Montana and North Dakota south to New Mexico, Texas, and Louisiana have ...

How much does it cost to tint car windows?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:34:48 GMT

(iSeeCars) -- Tinted windows aren’t just for aesthetics. They serve several functions that include blocking dangerous UV rays to protect passengers and reduce wear on the car’s interior materials, adding increased privacy, and keeping a car cool. What’s more is that the tinting film can act in the same manner as safety glass, keeping the window from spraying shards everywhere in the event of an accident. There are many types of window tint available, and with varying material types, the cost can vary widely. If any of the above benefits of window tinting have piqued your interest, here’s a look at what it costs to tint your car’s windows and what options are available.What is Car Window Tinting?Car window tinting is the procedure that adds a tinted transparent film or coating to the inside of a car’s windows. The thickness of the window tint and the material varies. If a window tint is too dark, it can hinder visibility, particularly at night. That’s why each state has different law...

Round Rock police look for missing shooting victim; suspect in custody

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:34:48 GMT

ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — Round Rock police are asking for help finding an aggravated assault victim whose car was found Friday. Police are looking for Cedar Park resident Shawn Joseph, 30, whose whereabouts are unknown, RRPD said. His car was found Friday in the Walmart parking lot on East Palm Valley Boulevard in Round Rock, according to RRPD. Officers found the car in response to a suspicious vehicle call and confirmed the car belonged to Joseph. RRPD said investigators believe Joseph was shot Thursday evening in the parking lot and taken from the scene by a suspect. Police said the suspect, 31-year-old Royce Loggins, was arrested and charged with aggravated assault in connection to the shooting of Joseph. Loggins is in the North Richland Hills Detention Center until he is extradited to Williamson County.RRPD said the suspect and victim knew each other, and this was an isolated incident. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Todd Spradlin at 512-671-2853.

City will apply for federal $10 million affordable housing grant

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:34:48 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – The City of Austin Housing Department announced it is applying for $10 million in federal funds, which, if selected, will go towards implementing housing policy plans, improving housing strategies and producing more affordable housing. The city is applying for the funds through the Pathways Removing Obstacles (PRO) to Housing Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).“By offering this grant opportunity, HUD recognizes that communities across the U.S. are suffering from a lack of affordable housing and housing production isn’t meeting demand,” said Rosie Truelove, director for the Austin housing department, in a release. “Here in Austin, supply constraints are increasing housing costs, reducing affordability over the long term. Our proposed activities will integrate more funding for our equitable housing initiatives to create affordable units and stretch our efforts to affirmatively further fair housing,” she continued. The federa...

Wild extend Ryan Hartman for three years, $12 million

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:34:48 GMT

Wild general manager Bill Guerin all but promised he would extend the contract of center Ryan Hartman this fall, and it became official on Saturday when the team announced the sides agreed to a three-year, $12 million contract.The deal will begin paying the team’s No. 1 center $4 million a year starting next season and through 2026-27.Guerin has now extended the contracts of three key forwards whose deals were set to expire after this season. Mats Zuccarello (two years, $8.25 million) and Marcus Foligno (four years, $16 million) agreed to deals on Sept. 29.All three players approached Guerin separately about staying in Minnesota past this season.Hartman is playing on the last of a three-year extension paying him $1.7 million a year, a bargain considering his production and the role he plays between Zuccarello and young star Kirill Kaprizov. In 2021-22, Hartman had a career-high 34 goals and 65 points before cooling off last season with 15 goals and 37 points.“He’s a great player,” K...

The Loop Fantasy Football Update Week 5: Rams’ Kupp ready to runneth over

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:34:48 GMT

UPDATE: 12:00 p.m. SaturdayIt has taken a while, but one of the biggest stars in the fantasy football universe is about to take flight again.Super Bowl LVI Most Valuable Player Cooper Kupp is expected to make his 2023 debut about 11 months after a season-ending ankle injury.The Los Angeles Rams will now have their top receiver to pair with the league’s top rookie, Puka Nacua. Should be fun for QB Matthew Stafford.Also expected to return Sunday is Indy RB Jonathan Taylor, who has been both injured and disgruntled. For at least this week he’ll be sharing the work with Zack Moss.Las Vegas QB Jimmy Garoppolo has been cleared from the concussion protocol and will play Sunday against the Packers. The opposite is true for 49ers RB Elijah Mitchell, who will miss the Sunday night showdown with Dallas.Giants RB Saquon Barkley is still a big question mark as they head to Miami, and Detroit WR Amon-Ra St Brown is considered very doubtful to take the field against Carolina.ORIGINAL POST: 11:06 a...