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Opinion: For Iraqis like me, U.S. invasion brought daily devastation

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:49:59 GMT

In March 2003, I was in my second year at the University of Baghdad, studying engineering. The United States invaded Iraq and my dormitory emptied out, as we all returned home and waited to see what would happen.In my hometown of Basra, we watched U.S.-led coalition troops surging into the city. Yet people still couldn’t believe it — that longtime dictator Saddam Hussein was gone. For it to be real, we had to wait for Baghdad to fall and only once we saw that on television did we trust this new reality. On our screens, a coalition-run TV channel called al-Hurriya, or “Freedom” in Arabic, broadcast the iconic scene of Hussein’s statue in Baghdad being demolished and the bronze face covered by an American flag.Two decades on, we have learned that spectacle was mere propaganda, and that freedom cannot be imposed by an occupying force. And all these years later, I’m still struck by this contrast: The magnitude of what Iraqis lost — and continue to lose — and how vivid our memories are o...

California Army Master Sgt. who died in parachute accident to be welcomed home

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:49:59 GMT

Master Sgt. Michael Ty Kettenhofen was the tie that held those around him together, his brother said.Whether it was his four siblings, his parents, his friends or his Army brothers in the elite Golden Knights parachute team, the 37-year-old Orange native was the kind of person people clung to.“He was that kind of human being,” said Garrett Campbell, Kettenhofen’s older brother. “He was literally friends with everyone. If you weren’t friends with him, you just hadn’t met him yet.”Kettenhofen, 37, died on March 13 in a parachute training accident on a Florida air reserve base. Community members are being encouraged to join those whose lives he touched in lining the streets from the Ontario Airport to a Menifee funeral home with American flags on Thursday, March 23, to welcome home the 18-year active duty Army soldier who will be buried on Monday at the Riverside National Cemetery, where his grandparents are buried, with full military honors.Kettenhofen graduated from Orange High Schoo...

Argentina-born Retegui could start for Italy against England

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:49:59 GMT

MILAN (AP) — When Italy and England kick off their European Championship qualifying campaign against each other on Thursday, some of the spotlight will be on a player from Argentina.Forward Mateo Retegui has been called up for the first time by Italy coach Roberto Mancini, reigniting a debate in the country about selecting foreign-born players for the national team.Retegui was born in Argentina and has spent his entire playing career in the South American country, representing it internationally at Under-19 and Under-20 level. But he has never played for the senior national team and has Italian citizenship through his maternal grandmother.Instead of opting to wait for his chance to play for the World Cup winners, the 23-year-old Retegui has responded to the call of the Azzurri, who didn’t even qualify for last year’s tournament.“We had been following him for some time, he has quality and is a young, bright boy,” Mancini said. “We didn’t think he would say yes, we hope that he can be...

Proposed heavyweight fight between Fury-Usyk appears off

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:49:59 GMT

LONDON (AP) — The proposed fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk to become the first undisputed world heavyweight champion since 2000 appears to be off.Usyk’s promoter, Alex Krassyuk, said Wednesday the Ukrainian’s team ended negotiations because Fury was “putting so many obstacles in front of making the deal.”Usyk, the WBA, WBO and IBF champion, went on social media last week to accept Fury’s terms for a proposed April 29 fight in London, notably a 70-30 split of earnings from the bout in favor of the WBC titleholder.They were given a deadline of April 1 by the WBA to officially agree to a deal, otherwise Usyk would be ordered to undertake a mandatory title defense.“There was a feeling that after Usyk accepted 70-30, Tyson Fury started to think he can put a saddle on his neck and start riding Usyk as much as he can. It is not right,” Krassyuk told British broadcaster talkSPORT.“Usyk accepted the 70-30 split. He was so loyal and he was so willing to make this...

Ollie’s Bargain Outlet: Fiscal Q4 Earnings Snapshot

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:49:59 GMT

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Holdings Inc. (OLLI) on Wednesday reported fiscal fourth-quarter earnings of $53.1 million.On a per-share basis, the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania-based company said it had net income of 85 cents. Earnings, adjusted for non-recurring gains, were 84 cents per share.The results topped Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of seven analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of 80 cents per share.The retailer posted revenue of $549.8 million in the period, also exceeding Street forecasts. Six analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $542.9 million.For the year, the company reported profit of $102.8 million, or $1.64 per share. Revenue was reported as $1.83 billion.Ollie’s Bargain Outlet expects full-year earnings in the range of $2.49 to $2.58 per share, with revenue in the range of $2.04 billion to $2.06 billion._____This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsi...

Wave Life Sciences: Q4 Earnings Snapshot

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:49:59 GMT

SINGAPORE (AP) — SINGAPORE (AP) — Wave Life Sciences Pte. Ltd. (WVE) on Wednesday reported a loss of $43.7 million in its fourth quarter.On a per-share basis, the Singapore-based company said it had a loss of 47 cents.The results missed Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of five analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for a loss of 42 cents per share.The biopharmaceutical company posted revenue of $1.2 million in the period, which also did not meet Street forecasts. Four analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $2.3 million.For the year, the company reported a loss of $161.8 million, or $2.05 per share. Revenue was reported as $3.6 million._____This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on WVE at https://www.zacks.com/ap/WVESource

Maryland treasurer asks for patience, staffing and budget, in fixing beleaguered college savings plan

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:49:59 GMT

This content was republished with permission from WTOP’s news partners at Maryland Matters. Sign up for Maryland Matters’ free email subscription today.Maryland Treasurer Dereck Davis told a House Committee he is committed to revamping the state’s troubled college savings plan. The fix, which includes ending the prepaid college fund, likely will require additional manpower and technology upgrades. Treasurer Dereck Davis. (Courtesy Danielle E. Gaines)“It is impossible to accurately assess what resources the state treasurer’s office requires in the short term,” Davis (D) told members of the House Appropriations Committee. The state’s prepaid college trust program will ultimately be revamped. Two bills — Senate Bill 959 and House Bill 1290 — would transfer responsibility for the Maryland 529 college tuition program to the State Treasurer’s office. The bills would end a prepaid college plan. The legislation also end the board that oversees the plan and move oversight into th...

Mother of slain DPD officer needs help in fight against cancer

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:49:59 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — The mother of a fallen Denver Police Department officer is in need of help.Dorothy Hollis is the mother of Celena Hollis. Celena, a seven-year Denver Police officer, was killed in the line of duty at a jazz festival in June of 2012.“I think about it every day,” Dorothy said. “I miss my child.”Now, Dorothy, a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, is fighting for her life battling uterine cancer. Pueblo mom shot twice, survived attempted carjacking The cancer has affected her eyesight.“Just praying and asking the community to pray with me so that I can regain my sight," Dorothy said.Dorothy begins round three of chemotherapy later this month. Dan Andrews, a member of the Denver Police Department, has started a GoFundMe page. If you would like to donate, you can do so on the site.Celena served as the president of the Denver Police Department Black Police Officers Organization and was a resident of Denver.

Parent, 2 children injured in roof avalanche at Purgatory Ski Resort

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:49:59 GMT

DURANGO, Colo. (KDVR) — Last week, three people were caught in a roof slide at one of the Purgatory Ski Resort condos, and more high avalanche danger continues Wednesday. The slide happened last Thursday around 6 p.m., and the heavy snow fell from the roof of a Purgatory Ski Resort condo and struck a parent and two children.  The extent of their injuries has not been made public, but all three were flown by aircraft to medical facilities.   How much snowfall did Denver get this winter? This roof slide is classified as an avalanche and the Pinpoint Weather team continues to forecast high avalanche danger Wednesday and through the weekend.  It's spring break, so if you have plans to visit the high country, you have to be careful of the conditions out there.  The mountains have picked up more snow than usual this season. Purgatory has had 338 inches so far and will get more Wednesday and Thursday.  We love the snow for our snowpack and especially since we were so dry last year, but t...

Man runs at officers with knives, killed in shooting

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:49:59 GMT

MONTE VISTA, Colo. (KXRM) — A man died in Monte Vista on Tuesday after he allegedly rushed officers with knives and officers fired a Taser and shots at him, according to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.The CBI said two members of the Monte Vista Police Department responded around 12:35 p.m. to a home in the 1200 block of South Broadway Street for a welfare check. Mother of slain DPD officer needs help in fight against cancer Shortly after officers arrived, a man reportedly jumped out a window of the home, armed with two knives, and immediately ran toward the officers while swinging the weapons.CBI confirmed that a Taser was used on the suspect, and officers also fired shots at him outside the home. The suspect, an 18-year-old Monte Vista man, was later pronounced dead at the scene. Body camera footage courtesy of Colorado Bureau of InvestigationCBI said neither officer was injured by the knives, however, one officer did sustain minor injuries during the incident. Denver p...