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Israel designates a safe zone in Gaza. Palestinians and aid groups say it offers little relief

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:30:25 GMT

Palestinians mourn relatives killed in the Israeli bombardment on Rafah, Gaza Strip, Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023. AP Photo/Hatem Ali)(AP/Hatem Ali) Palestinians mourn relatives killed in the Israeli bombardment on Rafah, Gaza Strip, Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023. AP Photo/Hatem Ali)(AP/Hatem Ali) MUWASI, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israel has designated a small slice of mostly undeveloped land along Gaza’s Mediterranean coast as a safe zone — a place where waves of people fleeing the war can find protection from airstrikes and receive humanitarian supplies for their families.The reality? The area of Muwasi is a makeshift tent camp where thousands of dazed Palestinians live in squalid conditions in scattered farm fields and waterl...

Bailey Zappe throws for 3 TDs, Patriots damage Steelers’ playoff hopes with 21-18 win

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:30:25 GMT

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The wins used to come so easy and so often for David Andrews early in his career with the New England Patriots, the veteran center barely noticed them.That hasn’t been the case in 2023. Not with the franchise enduring its worst season in nearly a quarter century and with potentially seismic changes looming.So yeah, there was a sense of relief after a 21-18 win over Pittsburgh on Thursday night, a throwback of sorts to the Patriots’ many big wins over their longtime AFC rival, albeit with far lesser stakes.The offense that’s looked lost for a month gained some momentum behind Bailey Zappe’s three touchdown passes. The defense got the stops when necessary and New England (3-10) ended a five-game losing streak while damaging Pittsburgh’s increasingly brittle playoff hopes.“No one has quit in this locker room,” said Andrews, a two-time Super Bowl champion. “We’re fighting, we’re working. We’re trying to get better. ...

Another win for oil states? Azerbaijan gets boost in bid to host next climate talks.

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:30:25 GMT

Petrostates could be on a streak for hosting international climate talks.Oil-rich Azerbaijan got a surprise boost Thursday in its bid to hold next year’s COP29 when Armenia, a country it has warred with on and off for decades, dropped its own aspirations to host the talks — and endorsed its adversary’s candidacy.The extraordinary turn of events could add to a pattern of nations that produce oil and natural gas running the annual talks on how nations should respond to the Earth’s warming, whose major cause is the burning of fossil fuels. The talks occurring this week are based in the United Arab Emirates, one of the world’s largest oil producers, a year after negotiations in Egypt led to a final text favorable to continued gas production.Brazil, which has South America’s second-largest oil reserves, is favored to host COP30 in 2025.Azerbaijan and Armenia — which have fought for control of contested territory since the dissolution of the Soviet Union — issued a joint st...

Hunter Biden charged with nine criminal counts for allegedly failing to pay taxes

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:30:25 GMT

A federal grand jury in California has indicted Hunter Biden on nine charges, including three felonies, for failing to pay his taxes, understating his income and exaggerating his expenses on tax returns between 2016 and 2019.With separate criminal charges against him pending in Delaware for illegally possessing a gun, the president’s son could face two criminal trials next year as his father runs for reelection against Donald Trump, who himself is facing four criminal cases.The Hunter Biden cases were brought by special counsel David Weiss, the Delaware prosecutor who has long supervised the federal probe into the president’s son.The new charges include tax evasion, filing false returns, failure to file returns on time, and failing to pay federal taxes. They carry a maximum possible prison term of 17 years, although defendants typically get shorter sentences under federal guidelines.Each of the tax charges accuses Biden of acting “willfully,” something his defense is ...

Hundreds gather for Hanukkah celebration near SDSU

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:30:25 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Several hundred people gathered Thursday night for the lighting of the new menorah the Chabad House near SDSU to celebrate the first day of Hanukkah.The old menorah was vandalized earlier this year for the third time in two years. With the help of fundraising and engineering, a new 1,500-pound structure was built that stands 20 feet tall. The Rally for Light was broadcast live during a livestream hosted by The Times of Israel. Menorah lightings in Australia, France and New York were also broadcasted live.  “We believe in the power of good,” Rabbi Chalom said. “No matter how dark it is, people see hope.”  City of San Diego moves forward with plan for De Anza Cove At 6:50 p.m., the menorah was lit. Attendees sang, prayed and cheered as the menorah reflected blue.  “It releases hope, joy and prosperity,” said King Cohen, who brought his children to the event.  Thursday marked 60 days since the attack on Israel. The event symbolized unity and resi...

3 parade spectators hurt after driver crashes into them along Bakersfield Christmas Parade route: BPD

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:30:25 GMT

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) -- The start of the Bakersfield Christmas Parade was delayed Thursday after three paradegoers were struck and seriously injured by a driver along the parade route at 21st and H streets in downtown Bakersfield. Police said alcohol was a factor with the driver in the crash that injured three people. The suspected driver was not identified by police but was described as a 72-year-old man. He was taken into custody at the scene.Emergency crews were called to the area of 21st and H streets for a report of a collision and multiple people that were struck at around 5:30 p.m. The area was part of the parade route for the scheduled Bakersfield Christmas Parade. WATCH: 2023 Bakersfield Christmas Parade In a release late Thursday, the Bakersfield Police Department said officers who were in the area for the parade heard the truck accelerating and saw that the vehicle struck three people. The victims were described by police as men -- a 21-year-old, a 42-year-old and...

United Kingdom joins Horizon Europe programme

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:30:25 GMT

As of 1 January 2024, the United Kingdom becomes an associated country to Horizon Europe. Its researchers will be able to participate in this research and innovation programme of the EU on the same terms as researchers from other associated countries and will have access to Horizon Europe funding.Today, the final step towards this was completed - the EU-UK Specialised Committee on Participation in Union Programmes adopted the political agreement on United Kingdom's association to Horizon Europe and to the Copernicus component of the Space Programme.The UK's association to Horizon Europe will deepen the EU's relationship with the UK in research and innovation, bringing together research communities to tackle global challenges such as climate change, digital transformation and health.The association Protocol adopted by the Committee is an integral part of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement. The UK will contribute around €2.43 billion per year on average to the EU budget for its...

Suspects stole thousands of dollars worth of items from Camarillo shopping mall

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:30:25 GMT

A group of suspects were arrested after allegedly stealing thousands of dollars worth of merchandise from a Camarillo mall.The suspects were identified as Oxnard residents:-Carlos Hernandez, 25-Moises Lopez, 22-Roberto Gomez, 30On Nov. 27, deputies attempted to pull over the suspects’ vehicle for an equipment violation. Hernandez and Lopez were inside the car and refused to yield, leading officers on a pursuit, according to the Ventura County Sheriff's Office.During the chase, the suspects ran multiple stop signs, drove at dangerous speeds and recklessly darted across lanes. They eventually got caught in heavy traffic and were unable to escape.As the car stopped, the passenger, Hernandez, hopped out and began running towards the Camarillo Premium Outlets mall.The driver, Lopez, remained at the scene and was taken into custody. During a search of the suspects’ car, officers discovered a large amount of stolen merchandise from nearby retailers. Many articles of clothing were found wit...

Police block access to Pleasant Hill neighborhood

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:30:25 GMT

PLEASANT HILL — Police on Thursday night blocked vehicles from entering or leaving Pleasant Hill’s Sherman Acres neighborhood.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Two arrested in connection with downtown Walnut Creek robbery, pistol-whipping Crime and Public Safety | Oakland: Man charged with killing ex-girlfriend’s brother after allegedly showing up armed with knife, pipe Crime and Public Safety | Man charged in deadly East Bay house party shooting Crime and Public Safety | East Bay pastor charged with 16 counts in four-victim child molestation case Crime and Public Safety | East Bay family party leads to attempted murder charges for one attendee In addition, the eastbound and westbound directions of Monument Boulevard were closed to traffic, the Pleasant Hill Police Department said in an alert just after 8 p.m. Thursday.The closure followed an earlier alert advising residents in the neighbor...

Nemec scores 1st goal of career and Schmid makes 37 saves as Devils top Kraken 2-1

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:30:25 GMT

SEATTLE (AP) — Simon Nemec scored his first career goal midway through the second period, Akira Schmid made 16 of his 37 saves in the third and the New Jersey Devils beat the skidding Seattle Kraken 2-1 on Thursday night for their fifth victory in six games.Nemec, the No. 2 pick in the 2022 draft, made his debut last week at home against San Jose and had two assists in his first game. His first goal was largely due to the play made by Jesper Bratt carrying the puck after Seattle was unable to clear its defensive zone. Bratt circled behind the net and allowed Nemec to slide unmarked into the slot, where he beat Philipp Grubauer into an open side.It was Bratt’s 19th assist of the season.Ondrej Palat scored his fourth goal late in the first period to give New Jersey the early lead. Schmid rebounded nicely after giving up five goals on 17 shots in his previous game against San Jose.Schmid was peppered for a big chunk of the third and came up with several big stops. He robbed Jared McCan...