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What is Hamas? The group that rules the Gaza Strip has fought several rounds of war with Israel

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:28:43 GMT

BEIRUT (AP) — Hamas, which has ruled the Gaza Strip since 2007, launched an attack inside Israel over the weekend, killing hundreds and taking others hostage. Its unprecedented breach of the border sent fighters inside border communities and military installations, shocked Israel and its allies, and raised questions about the group’s capabilities and strategy. WHAT IS HAMAS? The group was founded in 1987 by Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, a Palestinian refugee living in Gaza, during the first intifada, or uprising, which was marked by widespread protests against Israel’s occupation. Hamas is the Arabic acronym for the Islamic Resistance Movement, and a recognition of the group’s roots and early ties to one of the Sunni world’s most prominent groups, the Muslim Brotherhood, founded in Egypt in the 1920s. The group has vowed to annihilate Israel and has been responsible for many suicide bombings and other deadly attacks on civilians and Israeli soldiers. The U.S. State Department has designated ...

Palestinians gather in Toronto for rally, more demonstrations expected across Canada

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:28:43 GMT

TORONTO — Pro-Palestinian demonstrators spilled onto downtown Toronto streets and marched toward the Israeli consulate in Toronto on Thanksgiving Day, following a weekend of deadly fighting in the Middle East.Protesters gathered at Nathan Phillips Square in front of Toronto city hall on Monday afternoon, many draped in or waving Palestinian flags as the crowd chanted, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,”in a demonstration that was denounced by the city’s mayor. One sign read, “Occupation is a crime, resistance is a response.”The gathering came after Hamas militants out of Gaza launched an attack on Israel on Saturday, firing thousands of rockets and sending dozens of fighters to infiltrate the heavily fortified border by air, land and sea. The attack has been called the deadliest on Israel in years, with the incursion and counteroffensive killing hundreds on both sides and injuring thousands more. In the war’s third day, Israel was...

It’s now a 2-person Mississippi governor’s race, but independent’s name still appears on ballots

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:28:43 GMT

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — An independent candidate running a low-budget campaign for Mississippi governor said Monday she is dropping out and endorsing Democratic nominee Brandon Presley as he tries to unseat Republican incumbent Tate Reeves.But Gwendolyn Gray’s decision was announced more than two weeks after absentee voting had already begun, with ballots that list her along with Reeves and Presley.Gray’s name will appear on the remaining absentee ballots and on the ballots that people cast on Election Day, Nov. 7, meaning that people can still vote for her.“Once ballots are printed, it is what it is,” said Elizabeth Holbert Jonson, spokesperson for Secretary of State Michael Watson, the state’s top elections official.In a statement released by the Presley campaign, Gray said she agrees with his pledge to invest in public education and to expand Medicaid to people who work in jobs that provide modest wages and no private health insurance.“I trust Brandon Presley beca...

Chef and TV personality Michael Chiarello dies at 61 after being treated for allergic reaction

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:28:43 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Michael Chiarello, a chef known for his Italian-inspired Californian restaurants who won an Emmy Award for best host for “Easy Entertaining With Michael Chiarello” and appeared on Bravo’s “Top Chef” and “Top Chef Masters,” has died. He was 61.Chiarello died Friday at Queen of the Valley Medical Center in Napa due to an allergic reaction that resulted in anaphylactic shock, according to Chiarello’s restaurant group Gruppo Chiarello. He had been at the hospital receiving treatment for the allergic reaction over the past week. Details on how he developed the allergic reaction were not immediately available. “We deeply mourn the loss of our beloved patriarch Michael. His culinary brilliance, boundless creativity, and unwavering commitment to family were at the core of his being,” the restaurant group said in a statement.Chiarello, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in New York, opened his first restaurant at just 22 — Toby’s, in Miami. He would go on t...

Emergency crews respond after home explodes in Woodstock

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:28:43 GMT

WOODSTOCK, Ill. — Emergency crews were called to the scene of a home explosion in the northwest suburbs on Monday afternoon.Debris and smoke from the home could be seen overhead by WGN TV's Skycam 9 which was over the scene in Woodstock near North Tryon Street and Lincoln Avenue at around 3:40 p.m.Woodstock Fire and Rescue officials confirmed the explosion on Monday afternoon.In a post on made on Facebook at 2 p.m. on Monday, Woodstock Fire and Rescue officials said that crews were working a natural gas leak in an area along North Tryon Street between Washington Street and West Judd Street. Crews closed the road while working in the area. In the post, officials said St. Mary's Catholic Church, which is across the street from the home, was evacuated and surrounding homes were advised to shelter in place. "The safety of the public and every family we serve is our No. 1 value. Nicor Gas crews are onsite working with first responders to safely secure the...

CPD deem River North restaurant 'danger to public' after 8 shot outside

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:28:43 GMT

CHICAGO -- A day after a gun fight left multiple people injured, a River North restaurant and bar has been ordered to closer their doors.Blüm Restaurant & Bar, located on the 300 block of West Erie Street in Chicago's River North neighborhood, has been issued a summary closure following a shooting that left eight people hospitalized early Sunday morning, according to the Chicago Police Department. ORIGINAL: 8 injured after River North shooting The CPD issued the summary closure after determining Blüm Restaurant & Bar presents a danger to the public.Early Sunday morning, a gunman opened fire outside Blüm Restaurant & Bar before another individual returned fire leaving eight people injured with at least four with critical injuries.The investigation is ongoing.In a letter, the 42nd Ward expressed Blüm Restaurant & Bar has been linked to prior shootings and have tried to get this establishment shut down for years.River North residents say that shootings are becoming mo...

At least 11 Americans killed in surprise attacks against Israel, Biden says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:28:43 GMT

JERUSALEM (AP) - Israel increased airstrikes on the Gaza Strip and sealed it off from food, fuel, and other supplies in retaliation for a bloody incursion by Hamas militants, as the war's death toll rose to nearly 1,600 on both sides. Hamas also escalated on Monday, pledging to kill captured Israelis if attacks targeted civilians without warnings.At least 11 U.S. citizens have been confirmed dead in the surprise Hamas attacks, U.S. President Joe Biden said Wednesday.Biden also said the U.S. government believes it is “likely” that Americans are among those currently being held hostage by Hamas militants, while other U.S. citizens are still unaccounted for after the deadly assault.“My heart goes out to every family impacted by the horrible events of the past few days,” Biden said in a statement. “The pain these families have endured, the enormity of their loss, and the agony of those still awaiting information is unfathomable.”He stressed that the State Department is offering assistan...

Parental interactions help make kids more social — and more

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:28:43 GMT

Medical Watch Digest for October 9Making Kids More SocialThere is a simple way to make kids more social and it all has to do with parental interactions.Young children who are close to their parents are more likely to grow up more pro-social.University of Cambridge researchers studied 10,000 kids to determine the long term impact of the earliest relationships and future mental health.Young people who had warm and loving relationships with their parents at age three had fewer mental health problems during early childhood and adolescence and also displayed socially desirable behaviors like empathy, helpfulness, generosity and volunteering.Running Away from DepressionIt may be possible to run away from depression.Researchers from the European College of Neuro Psycho Pharmacology wanted to see if exercise could rival anti-depressants for relieving symptoms in those suffering with depression and anxiety.They found not only did exercise relieve depression, it provided physical benefits and...

Magnitude 4.0 earthquake among 5 reported in Texas

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:28:43 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- At least five earthquakes occurred in Texas on Monday, one of them was reported at a 4.0 magnitude, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) website.The 4.0 magnitude earthquake happened in Nordheim, which is southeast of San Antonio. Another one occurred about 30 miles west of Nordheim in Falls City. That earthquake was reported as a magnitude 3.5, according to USGS. Magnitude 4.0 earthquake reported in South Texas Back in September, a magnitude 4.0 earthquake was reported near Falls City.A magnitude 2.9 earthquake occurred in Mentone, which is located east of El Paso. The last two earthquakes occurred in West Texas in Scurry County, according to USGS. The first one was a magnitude 3.0, and the second was a magnitude 2.9. MAP: What’s the strongest earthquake ever recorded in Texas? Texas’ strongest earthquake in history struck around 5:40 a.m. on Aug. 16, 1931. The magnitude 5.8 earthquake was centered about 7.5 miles southwest of Valentine, a sm...

Passing rain showers for some areas on Tuesday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:28:43 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Tropical moisture from two tropical storms in the Pacific and a low pressure system in the Gulf of Mexico is forecast to move into southeast Texas Tuesday and Wednesday, bringing cloudy skies locally with a few passing, light rain showers.There is higher than normal uncertainty in how much rain ends up falling in our area depending on where the tropical moisture ends up, but we currently expect a 50% chance of light rain Tuesday and early Wednesday with rain totals generally under 0.25".Rain showers should be most numerous from early Tuesday afternoon through Tuesday evening.Dry weather is forecast from Thursday as a dry cold front sets up to our north. That front is expected to breeze through early Friday, dropping temperatures and humidity for ACL weekend two.Music fans may be able to pull off the impossible and have a second consecutive wonderful autumn weekend at Zilker Park with highs in the 70s and low humidity. Annular solar eclipse Saturday, Oct. 14The weath...