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US working for release of more American hostages from Hamas after 2 are freed

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:55:06 GMT

Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday said U.S. efforts to secure the release of further hostages were ongoing after Hamas freed two Americans kidnapped in the group’s surprise attack on Israel.The two hostages, identified as Judith Tai Raanan and Natalie Shoshana Raanan, were kidnapped from Kibbutz Nahal Oz, a small village near the Israeli border with Gaza that Hamas militants attacked in the initial wave of Oct. 7 violence.After being held in Gaza for nearly two weeks, the two hostages were released and met by Israeli military personnel at the territory’s border, according to a statement from the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office.“The urgent work to free every single American, to free all other hostages, continues, as does our work to secure the safe passage out of Gaza for the Americans that are trapped there,” Blinken said in a State Department briefing.Ten additional Americans remain unaccounted for, Blinken said, some of whom are held hostage alongside another 200 people ...

Former UK defense chief warns big EU countries won’t keep NATO spending pledge

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:55:06 GMT

RIGA — Ben Wallace used his first international appearance since stepping down as Britain’s defense secretary to launch an attack on “some pretty big countries in Europe,” warning they won’t stick to their defence spending promises.Speaking virtually at the Riga Conference in Latvia, a security-focused event, Wallace advised the Baltic countries to pressure their rich European partners to actually spend 2 percent of their GDP on defense. He warned that the political will to beef up such expenditures — fostered in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine — could be losing momentum.“There are some pretty big countries in Europe who I don’t think will maintain 2 percent in the long run, and I think there’ll be a number of pledges that won’t be made either or matched by even 2030,” Wallace said, responding to a question about the top priorities facing NATO countries.He added: “I already see the language among some of the ...

Westminster escapes Liberty’s upset bid with 21-17 win in Ravens RISE High School Football Showdown;

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:55:06 GMT

With Carroll County taking center stage during the Ravens RISE High School Football Showdown, Liberty and Westminster received pregame speeches from Ravens receivers as Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman spent time with the players before Friday night’s showdown.“I told them to cherish it,” Flowers, who spoke to the Lions, said. “When you grow up, these are the memories that are going to be with you forever. Some of those guys will be your friends for life.”Bateman shared similar sentiments with the Owls as the entire team quickly huddled around the 2021 first-round pick.“I told them this time goes fast,” he said. “My whole senior year was incredible. We won a lot of games and made it pretty far. You never forget that.”Players on both teams won’t forget the back-and-forth action Friday night as they brought a playoff-like intensity to one of the final games of the regular season. Ultimately, the Owls pulled away, 21-17, with la...

Pakistan’s thrice-elected, self-exiled former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif returns home ahead of vote

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:55:06 GMT

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan’s thrice-elected former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was returning home Saturday on a special flight from Dubai, ending four years of self-imposed exile in London as he seeks to win the support of voters ahead of parliamentary elections due in January.Sharif is expected to address a massive homecoming rally in the eastern city of Lahore later Saturday and his return comes as Pakistan experiences deepening political turmoil and one of its worst economic crises.“Today I am going to Pakistan after four years and I am feeling very happy with the grace of Allah,” Sharif told reporters before leaving for Islamabad from Dubai. He had arrived in the United Arab Emirates on Friday from Saudi Arabia after traveling there last week from London.He said he wished the situation in the country had improved in his absence. He left Pakistan in 2019, two years after he stepped down after being convicted in a graft case.He said Pakistan’s economy and politica...

Egypt-Gaza border crossing opens, letting desperately needed aid flow to Palestinians

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:55:06 GMT

RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — The border crossing between Egypt and Gaza opened on Saturday to let desperately needed aid flow to Palestinians running short of food, medicine and water in the territory that is under an Israeli siege.More than 200 trucks carrying roughly 3,000 tons of aid, which had been positioned near the crossing for days, began heading into Gaza.Israel blockaded the territory and launched waves of punishing airstrikes following the Oct. 7 rampage by Hamas militants on towns in southern Israel.Many in Gaza, reduced to eating one meal a day and without enough water to drink, are waiting desperately for the aid. Hospital workers were also in urgent need of medical supplies and fuel for their generators as they treat huge numbers of people wounded in the bombings. Hundreds of foreign passport holders also waited to cross from Gaza to Egypt to escape the conflict.The opening came hours after Hamas released an American woman and her teenage daughter, the first of some 200 c...

Live updates | Aid starts moving into the Gaza Strip after 2 weeks of war

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:55:06 GMT

Aid deliveries have begun moving into the besieged Gaza Strip, two weeks after the militant group Hamas rampaged through southern Israel and Israel responded with airstrikes.Israel says Hamas has freed two American hostages who had been held in Gaza since the war began Oct. 7. Israeli airstrikes continued to hit southern Gaza, an area swollen by civilians who fled there from the north on Israeli instructions. The war, which is in its 15th day on Saturday, is the deadliest of five Gaza wars for both sides. The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry said Friday that 4,137 Palestinians have been killed and more than 13,000 others wounded.More than 1,400 people in Israel have been killed, mostly in the initial attack on Oct. 7 when Hamas militants stormed into Israel. In addition, 203 people were believed captured by Hamas during the incursion and taken into Gaza, the Israeli military has said. Currently:1. The Rafah border crossing has opened to allow aid deliveries in to Gaza.2. Egypt is host...

Dear Abby: I’ve been told to shut up about this sweet woman’s risky behavior

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:55:06 GMT

DEAR ABBY: My mother-in-law is a sweet retired teacher. She lives an active life volunteering at her local Boys and Girls Club and keeping up with her friends.Related ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: My neighbor doesn’t know what my camera captures every morning Advice | Dear Abby: I’m hurt he didn’t make time for me amid his family crisis Advice | Dear Abby: She stages these embarrassing displays, and I can’t deal with it anymore Advice | Dear Abby: He’s just a little boy, but he’s already on the wrong path. What can I do? Advice | Dear Abby: I have a wedding dress and a man I love, but I’m ready to scrap everything The issue is, her mobility and her memory are in decline, and she and her family are in denial about it.She still drives and has recently had several fender-benders. She also admitted to getting lost on her way home from the store and needing to call her ...

Marco Jones dominates as San Ramon Valley beats California in EBAL showdown: ‘Sometimes, you just have to win ugly’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:55:06 GMT

SAN RAMON – San Ramon Valley’s Marco Jones is listed as a linebacker on the Wolves’ roster, and as a four-star prospect on college recruiting websites.But against Cal High, the 6-foot-4 junior looked like a five-star at running-back, safety and wide receiver too in San Ramon Valley’s 14-0 victory on Friday night, scoring both of SRV’s touchdowns while blanketing the entire field on defense with his athleticism.San Ramon Valley had six days to process its grueling 33-27 overtime loss to De La Salle, a game where SRV authored a 15-point comeback in the final four minutes to put itself in a position to snap De La Salle’s 31-year section winning streak.Jones said it didn’t take long for the team to move on from the defeat, and that he was ready to prepare for a talented new opponent in Cal High.“It feels good to get it out of the way,” Jones said, with quarterback Luke Baker adding, “We knew it was kind of a trap game, and tried to mentally battle through that.”While the normally ...

Daily horoscope for October 21, 2023

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:55:06 GMT

Moon Alert: Avoid shopping and important decisions from 10:45 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. PDT today. After that, the Moon moves from Capricorn into Aquarius.Happy Birthday for Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023:You are eloquent, charming, talented and intelligent. You are also impulsive, dramatic and always happy to be noticed. This is a slower paced year for you. It’s OK to rest and rejuvenate yourself. Focus on friendships and close partnerships that benefit you. Choose people who have your back.ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★★★Look for ways to boost your income today, especially related to your job, because they do exist. Job related travel is also likely. However, a conversation with a parent, boss or member of the police will be intense, probably too intense. You might want to avoid this. Tonight: Friendships.TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★★★You feel the need for a change of pace today. However, you might get involved with intense religious or philosophical discussions with someone that perhaps revea...

Invitation Concert Solidarity with Israel - Monday 23 10 2023

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:55:06 GMT

SLAVONIC EUROPE presents  Solidarity with IsraelIt's a pleasure to invite you to this concert. Let us give our sign of solidarity and enjoy great music.  Info & Register hereMonday 23 10 2023 - Cercle Royal Gaulois - Brussels