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13 Israeli hostages, 4 foreigners released from captivity in the Gaza Strip, Israeli military says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:44 GMT

KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Hamas released 13 Israelis and four foreigners late Saturday in the second round of swaps under a cease-fire deal, the Israeli military said, after the militant group initially delayed the exchange for several hours and claimed that Israel had violated the terms of a truce deal.The army said Red Cross representatives transferred the freed hostages, including four Thais, to Egypt late Saturday. They were to be transferred to Israel later in the evening.Israel was to free 39 Palestinians later Saturday as part of the deal that ultimately went through after international mediation efforts.The last-minute delay had created a tense standoff on the second day of what’s meant to be a four-day cease-fire. By nightfall, as the hostages should have emerged from Gaza, Hamas alleged that the aid deliveries permitted by Israel fell short of what was promised and that not enough of it was reaching northern Gaza — the focus of Israel’s ground of...

Northeast Regionals: Westford’s Paul Bergeron, Jack Graffeo qualify for nationals

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:44 GMT

Paul Bergeron went to the starting line of Saturday’s Foot Locker Northeast Regionals feeling about as bad as he has all fall. The Westford Academy standout’s lingering back pain was still there and his ankle throbbed after turning it on Friday.The Stanford-bound senior showed his unwavering toughness as he ran with the leaders throughout the 3.1-mile course at Franklin Park and ultimately finished a strong third for the second consecutive year in 15 minutes, 2 seconds in the record-breaking Marty Liquori Championship Race.The race was a quick one in chilly, sunsplashed conditions as Ryan Pajak of Pennsylvania broke former Oliver Ames great Andy Powell’s course record by a second in 14:51. Defending champion Drew Griffith of Pennsylvania was just seconds back in 14:54.Bergeron, along with teammate Jack Graffeo, qualified for the national championships that will be held at Balboa Park in San Diego on Dec. 9. Graffeo was a solid eighth in 15:11 in his debut at Frankl...

Boston firefighters battled Dorchester fire that struck 6 alarms, engulfed 2 homes

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:44 GMT

Boston firefighters are battling a blaze that has engulfed at least two houses in Dorchester, reaching 6-alarm status.“A 6th alarm has been ordered as companies continue to battle the intense flames and try to stop the fire from spreading to more homes,” the Boston Fire Department tweeted at 4:20 p.m. following other tweets that described the scene: “Thick black smoke fills the sky as the fire continues to burn.”The department first noted the fire in the rear of 21 Ellington St. in Dorchester about 20 minutes earlier in a tweet that noted the fire had jumped to the neighboring home at 19 Ellington St. and that the department had struck two alarms.The intensity of the situation quickly escalated over the intervening minutes, rising to 6 alarms at 4:20 p.m.Ten minutes later, at 4:30 p.m., the department stated the fire had been knocked down.Reporter Flint McColgan contributed to this report. This is a developing story.Courtesy/Boston Fire DepartmentBoston firef...

Patriots release backup QB before Giants game

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:44 GMT

The Patriots waived third-string quarterback Will Grier on Saturday to make room for offensive lineman Conor McDermott on the 53-man roster.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Four Patriots players to watch Week 12 vs. Giants include underrated defender New England Patriots | NFL notes: Why Patriots players see 3 future head coaches on staff besides Jerod Mayo New England Patriots | Patriots-Giants preview: How Bill Belichick and Mac Jones can end their losing streak New England Patriots | Bailey Zappe says players don’t know which Patriots QB will start New England Patriots | Patriots-Giants injury report: Trent Brown among 7 Patriots questionable, none out Grier served as the team’s third-string quarterback ever since he signed to the active roster on Sept. 22. He did not see any game action with the Patriots. His release leaves Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe as the Patriots’ only avai...

Star skipper Jimmy Spithill to start an Italian team following his departure from US SailGP Team

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:44 GMT

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Star skipper Jimmy Spithill said he plans to start a new Italian team following his departure from the United States SailGP team in tech titan Larry Ellison’s global league.Spithill said he couldn’t disclose any specifics about the U.S. team other than a new group is bringing in its own CEO and driver, the roles Spithill held since taking over Team USA in SailGP’s second season.It’s been known in sailing circles since late July that a private American group is looking to buy Team USA, which has been owned by the league. An announcement is expected within the next few days.“I leave it in as good a shape as I could,” Spithill told The Associated Press from Sardinia, where he is preparing for his second straight America’s Cup as co-helmsman of Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team. “If I look at when I started it, what I built and how I’m leaving it, it’s basically qualified for the final right now, having just won the last event, giving them a te...

Congolese Nobel laureate kicks off presidential campaign with a promise to end violence, corruption

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:44 GMT

GOMA, Congo (AP) — Congolese Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dr. Denis Mukwege kicked off his campaign for president in next month’s election on Saturday, promising to tackle corruption and the violent conflict ravaging communities in the country’s east.The 68-year-old renowned medical doctor told a crowd of supporters in Bukavu city in the eastern South Kivu province that he would also end famine in Congo, a richly endowed but impoverished country battling high rates of poverty and hunger.“This is the pillar of the work we are going to do to give back to the Congolese people their dignity and their value,” Mukwege told at least 2,000 people gathered in Bukavu, his hometown.Mukwege was named the joint winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2018 for his work in supporting victims of sexual violence in the fighting in Congo through the Panzi Hospital he founded. He is known for his yearslong activism in the country, surviving an assassination attempt in 2012 and facing death threats.Mukw...

Smith says she’ll reveal details next week on threat to invoke sovereignty act

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:44 GMT

EDMONTON — Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she will reveal details next week on her threat to invoke her government’s sovereignty act over federal clean energy regulations.Smith told her provincewide radio call-in show on Saturday that she’s “had it” with federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault, saying he “doesn’t care about the constitution” and noting Ottawa has recently lost two court cases dealing with disputes over federal-provincial jurisdiction.The Alberta Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act, which Smith’s government passed last year, would allow the province to reject federal laws or regulations when the province thinks they cause harm to Alberta. It has not been tested in court.Last month, Smith laid out conditions under which her government would enact portions of the law.She told reporters an “aggressive” cap on oil and gas emissions including methane, a cap on emissions from fertilizer use or a 203...

Male soccer players in Italy put red marks on faces in campaign to eliminate violence against women

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:44 GMT

ROME (AP) — Players and coaches across the top men’s soccer league in Italy had red marks painted on their faces to promote a campaign for the elimination of violence against women on Saturday.The initiative coincided with rallies across Italy to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, just as an Italian man suspected of killing his ex-girlfriend was extradited from Germany.The slaying of 22-year-old university student Giulia Cecchettin, allegedly at the hands of her former boyfriend, sparked outrage across Italy, where on average one woman is killed every three days.Players and coaches in the Serie A league had the red marks on their cheeks and the initiative will continue for matches on Sunday and Monday.The slogan for the initiative translated to “a red card against violence.”___AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/SoccerThe Associated Press

Flight data recorder recovered from US Navy plane that overshot the runway near Honolulu

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:44 GMT

KANEOHE, Hawaii (AP) — The flight data recorder of a large U.S. Navy plane that overshot a runway and ended up in the water near Honolulu this week has been recovered as the military continues to plan for the aircraft’s removal.The Navy’s Aircraft Mishap Board is investigating on scene at Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe Bay, trying to determine the cause of the accident and any contributing factors, the Navy said Friday in a statement.Sailors from a mobile diving and salvage unit retrieved the data recorder Thursday and conducted a hydrographic survey to assess the P-8A plane’s structural integrity.The survey also assessed the coral and marine environment around the plane, which will aid them in minimizing impact during its removal, the Navy said.Kaneohe Bay residents have expressed concerns about possible coral reef damage and other potential harm from fuel or other chemicals in the area, which is about 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) from an ancient fishing point.The Navy sai...

Three Venezuelan migrants charged with theft from west suburban Kohl's

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:44 GMT

WHEATON, Ill. — Three Venezuelan migrants staying in Waukegan were charged Saturday after allegedly stealing merchandise from a west suburban Kohl's on Black Friday, according to the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office (DCSAO).Ilys Mary Ledesma Zapata, Christian Johan Saavedra-Omona and Braud Pineda Avendano were each charged with one count of burglary and one count of retail theft, both of which are felonies.According to the DCSAO, Ledesma Zapata, Saavedra-Omona and Avendano are alleged to have entered the Kohl's found at 303 South Route 83 in Elmhurst around 1:01 p.m. Friday, where they picked out multiple clothing items and left without paying for them. Later in the day, the trio was alleged to have re-entered the store and stole more clothing items, after which they were detained by officers with the Elmhurst Police Department.DCSAO officials also said the stolen merchandise was alleged to be worth $504 in value and that Ledesma Zapata was in possession of a large magnet use...