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Suspected Iran drone kills US worker in Syria; US retaliates

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:10:33 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — A strike Thursday by a suspected Iranian-made drone killed a U.S. contractor and wounded five American troops and another contractor in northeast Syria, the Pentagon said. American forces retaliated soon after with “precision airstrikes” in Syria targeting facilities used by groups affiliated with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, the military said. The strikes threatened to raise tensions Friday across the wider Middle East, which has been in turmoil after the collapse of Iran’s nuclear deal — but has seen nations including the Islamic Republic edge toward détentes in recent days.U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement that the American intelligence community had determined the drone was of Iranian origin, but offered no other immediate evidence to support the claim.“The airstrikes were conducted in response to today’s attack as well as a series of recent attacks against coalition forces in Syria” by groups affiliated with the Revolutio...

Guilty of abetting abortion, Polish woman vows to fight on

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:10:33 GMT

BRUSSELS (AP) — The way Justyna Wydrzyńska sees it, Ania was a victim of domestic violence just like she was. Another child and she’d be trapped. It was 2020. The pandemic lockdowns. Everyone worried that Poland’s borders might close, halting travel and postal services. Looking to help someone she identified with, Wydrzyńska gave Ania the abortion pills she kept on hand for herself. “I just sent the pills, just shared them, because I thought it would be good for her to have this tool and decide whatever she wants (and can) leave without another kid and be able to get free from this violent relationship,” Wydrzyńska told The Associated Press in Brussels on Thursday.“I knew for myself, the moment when I got pregnant again, living with a violent partner, that if I got stuck with another child, I will never (escape) from this marriage,” she said, explaining why she first bought the tablets. “I really see the same story in our lives.”But Poland’s justice system sees the situation differe...

Elderly Ukrainian helicopters pummel Russians from afar

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:10:33 GMT

DONETSK REGION, Ukraine (AP) — Skimming the treetops, three Soviet-era attack helicopters bank and swoop down on a field after an early-morning mission to the front lines in the fight against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.Each day, they might fly three or four sorties, says the commander, whose two-crew Mi-24 helicopter, built about 40 years ago, is older than he is.“We are carrying out combat tasks to destroy enemy vehicles, enemy personnel, we are working with pitch-up attacks from a distance from where the enemy can’t get us with their air defense system,” said the commander, who spoke on condition of anonymity for operational security reasons, in line with military regulations. The conflict in Ukraine is largely an artillery war, with territory being fought for inch by inch under a barrage of shells and missiles. But Ukraine’s aviation capabilities play a significant role in the fight, the pilot said.“The importance of the helicopters is huge,” said the commander, who is part of ...

Zelenskiy visits troops near frontline city of Bakhmut

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:10:33 GMT

President Volodymyr Zeleskiy visited Ukrainian troops near Bakhmut on Wednesday (22 March) and presented medals to those who he described as heroically defending the country's sovereignty.The Ukrainian forces managed to hold out in Bakhmut for eight months despite suffering heavy casualties in one the most bloody battles since Russia’s full-scale invasion thirteen months ago.Social media footage showed Zelenskiy in dark sweatshirt and military trousers handing out awards in combat gear to tired soldiers. It was in what appeared to have been a large warehouse."It is an honor to present awards to our heroes. Zelenskiy, under the video footage, wrote that he wanted to shake hands with them and express gratitude on Telegram.Your fate is so tragic, but so important. He said, "To defend our land and return everything to Ukraine to our children." "I bow down before all the heroes and your close comrades that you lost in the east, as well as throughout this war," he said.Zelenskiy depicted ...

Video captures thieves smashing into Tujunga shop, stealing over $1 million worth of rare items

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:10:33 GMT

A shop owner in Tujunga is devastated after a group of thieves smashed into his store and stole over $1 million worth of rare collectible items.Surveillance video captured the heist as three burglars broke into Kaptain Fish Collectibles on the 6500 block of Foothill Boulevard around 4:52 a.m. on Sunday morning.The thieves were seen backing a truck straight into the store’s front glass windows. As they entered, they grabbed anything they could get their hands on, completely robbing owner Sevag Mazakian of his livelihood.Within five minutes, Mazakian said the thieves got away with over $1 million worth of stolen goods. By the time officers arrived, the suspects were gone.The shop owners are hoping surveillance video will help authorities catch the thieves before they strike another business.Some of the items taken from the shop include, “sealed products with hobby boxes, loose boxes on our shelf, cards, even a signed pair of Kobe Bryant shoes,” said Mazakian. “I’ve been very on e...

Four-bedroom home sells for $2.6 million in San Jose

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:10:33 GMT

1973 Arroyo Seco Drive – Google Street ViewThe spacious property located in the 1900 block of Arroyo Seco Drive in San Jose was sold on Feb. 17, 2023 for $2,630,000, or $917 per square foot. The house built in 1958 has an interior space of 2,869 square feet. The property features four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a garage, and two parking spaces. The unit sits on an 0.3-acre lot.Additional houses have recently been purchased nearby:A 1,985-square-foot home on the 1900 block of Cabana Drive in San Jose sold in July 2022 for $1,850,000, a price per square foot of $932. The home has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.On Dry Creek Road, San Jose, in October 2022, a 2,392-square-foot home was sold for $2,650,000, a price per square foot of $1,108. The home has 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.In August 2022, a 4,071-square-foot home on McBain Avenue in San Jose sold for $3,800,000, a price per square foot of $933. The home has 5 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms. 

Houston Cougars and Miami Hurricanes play in Sweet 16

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:10:33 GMT

Miami Hurricanes (27-7, 15-5 ACC) vs. Houston Cougars (33-3, 17-1 AAC)Kansas City, Missouri; Friday, 7:15 p.m. EDTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Houston -7.5; over/under is 138BOTTOM LINE: The No. 2 Houston Cougars square off against the No. 16 Miami Hurricanes in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Tournament.The Cougars have gone 17-1 against AAC opponents, with a 16-2 record in non-conference play. Houston is fourth in the AAC with 14.7 assists per game led by Jamal Shead averaging 5.4.The Hurricanes are 15-5 in ACC play. Miami (FL) is 5-4 in games decided by less than 4 points.TOP PERFORMERS: Shead is averaging 10.4 points, 5.4 assists and 1.8 steals for the Cougars. Marcus Sasser is averaging 16.9 points, 3.1 assists and 1.6 steals over the past 10 games for Houston.Isaiah Wong is averaging 16.1 points and 3.3 assists for the Hurricanes. Jordan Miller is averaging 15.8 points over the last 10 games for Miami (FL).LAST 10 GAMES: Cougars: 9-1, averaging 72.5 points, 35.4 rebounds, 13.8 ass...

Creighton Bluejays and Princeton Tigers play in Sweet 16

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:10:33 GMT

Princeton Tigers (23-8, 10-4 Ivy League) vs. Creighton Bluejays (23-12, 14-6 Big East)Louisville, Kentucky; Friday, 9 p.m. EDTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Creighton -10; over/under is 140.5BOTTOM LINE: The Creighton Bluejays take on the Princeton Tigers in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Tournament.The Bluejays are 14-6 against Big East opponents and 9-6 in non-conference play. Creighton averages 76.7 points and has outscored opponents by 8.2 points per game.The Tigers are 10-4 in Ivy League play. Princeton is second in the Ivy League with 8.8 offensive rebounds per game led by Caden Pierce averaging 2.2.TOP PERFORMERS: Baylor Scheierman is shooting 35.5% from beyond the arc with 2.3 made 3-pointers per game for the Bluejays, while averaging 12.5 points, 8.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists. Ryan Kalkbrenner is shooting 69.8% and averaging 17.3 points over the past 10 games for Creighton.Tosan Evbuomwan is averaging 14.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.7 assists for the Tigers. Ryan Langborg is aver...

Kansas State Wildcats square off against the Florida Atlantic Owls in Elite 8

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:10:33 GMT

Florida Atlantic Owls (34-3, 18-2 C-USA) vs. Kansas State Wildcats (26-9, 11-7 Big 12)New York; Saturday, 6:09 p.m. EDTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Kansas State -2; over/under is 144.5BOTTOM LINE: The No. 15 Kansas State Wildcats and No. 25 Florida Atlantic Owls play in the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight.The Wildcats are 11-7 against Big 12 opponents and 15-2 in non-conference play. Kansas State ranks ninth in the Big 12 with 8.5 offensive rebounds per game led by Nae’Qwan Tomlin averaging 2.2.The Owls are 18-2 in C-USA play. Florida Atlantic is second in C-USA with 14.6 assists per game led by Nicholas Boyd averaging 2.6.TOP PERFORMERS: Markquis Nowell is averaging 17.2 points, 8.1 assists and 2.5 steals for the Wildcats. Keyontae Johnson is averaging 17.8 points over the last 10 games for Kansas State.Vladislav Goldin is averaging 10.2 points and 6.4 rebounds for the Owls. Alijah Martin is averaging 2.0 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for Florida Atlantic.LAST 10 GAMES: Wild...

Texas and Xavier play in the Sweet 16

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:10:33 GMT

Xavier Musketeers (27-9, 15-5 Big East) vs. Texas Longhorns (28-8, 12-6 Big 12)Kansas City, Missouri; Friday, 9:45 p.m. EDTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Texas -4.5; over/under is 149BOTTOM LINE: The No. 5 Texas Longhorns and No. 13 Xavier Musketeers meet in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16.The Longhorns’ record in Big 12 games is 12-6, and their record is 16-2 against non-conference opponents. Texas leads the Big 12 averaging 77.7 points and is shooting 47.1%.The Musketeers’ record in Big East games is 15-5. Xavier has a 5-5 record in games decided by 3 points or fewer.TOP PERFORMERS: Timmy Allen is averaging 10.3 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.5 assists for the Longhorns. Jabari Rice is averaging 2.3 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for Texas.Souley Boum is shooting 44.2% and averaging 16.5 points for the Musketeers. Colby Jones is averaging 15.1 points over the last 10 games for Xavier.LAST 10 GAMES: Longhorns: 8-2, averaging 73.1 points, 31.9 rebounds, 15.9 assists, 7.8 ste...