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Hamas attacked Israel and Netanyahu says his country is ‘at war.’ Follow live updates

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:40:15 GMT

The militant Hamas rulers of the Gaza Strip have carried out an unprecedented, multi-front attack on Israel, firing thousands of rockets as dozens of Hamas fighters infiltrated the heavily fortified border in several locations and catching the country off-guard on a major holiday. Israel says at least 22 people have died.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared Israel was “at war” and called for a mass mobilization of army reserves. The invasion revived memories of the 1973 war practically 50 years to the day.Follow our live updates.At least 462 people receiving medical treatmentThe Soroka Medical Center in the southern Israeli city of Beersheba said it was treating at least 280 casualties, with 60 in serious condition. The Barzilai Hospital in Ashkelon, near Gaza, said it was treating 182 wounded people, including 12 in critical condition.There was no official comment on casualties in Gaza, but Associated Press reporters witnessed the funerals of 15 people who were killed and saw...

Police searching for suspect in deadly shooting in Vermont

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:40:15 GMT

A search continued in Vermont Friday for the person responsible for a deadly shooting on a rail trail, state police said. Vermont State Police in a statement said police first responded around 4:30 p.m. Thursday to the trail near South Street in Castleton. Responding troopers soon found 77-year-old Honoree Fleming dead at the scene, police said.State police said a witness told investigators they saw a “possible suspect” walking north toward the Vermont State University campus in Castleton after they heard gunshots. The witness described the possible suspect as a white male standing approximately 5’10” with short, dark-colored hair, according to police. Police said the person was last seen wearing a dark gray t-shirt and carrying a black backpack. Vermont State Police in their latest statement Friday said the suspect in this incident is considered “armed and dangerous” and asked anyone with information to contact investigators.While the police investigation continued, ...

Rare manatee that visited Rhode Island found dead offshore

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:40:15 GMT

PORTSMOUTH, R.I. (AP) — A manatee that made a rare visit to Rhode Island has been found dead offshore, bringing a sad end to the marine mammal’s curious appearance in New England.The West Indian manatee is a gentle, plant-eating giant sometimes known as a sea cow that normally lives in the warmer waters of the Southeastern states and the Caribbean. They can weigh as much as 1,200 pounds (550 kilograms) and can live as long as 65 years.The Rhode Island animal was first seen in early September and was the first one observed in the state since around 2010, said Sarah Callan, manager of the animal rescue program at Mystic Aquarium.The animal was found dead between Prudence Island and Hog Island on Thursday afternoon, Callan said. The manatee was in an advanced state of decomposition and it won’t be possible to determine a cause of death, Callan said.“We are all so saddened,” Callan said.The cold waters of New England in fall aren’t suitable for manatees, Callan said. I...

NFL notes: The Patriots have failed Mac Jones, but need him to save them anyway

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:40:15 GMT

The worst loss of the Bill Belichick era fell squarely on Mac Jones.Two of his turnovers led directly to 15 Cowboys points last weekend. The Pats scored three. That was it.Here’s what’s happened since.Jones’ performance eroded the faith certain members of the organization had in their quarterback, according to Boston Sports Journal. In a mid-week interview, Julian Edelman blasted Jones and claimed he’s not developing fast enough for the Patriots’ liking. Michael Lombardi, a former Patriots executive and longtime Bill Belichick confidant, ripped Jones for having a sweet tooth for turnovers and lacking any ability to lead his team to a comeback win.Bottom line: it was a bad week to be Mac Jones.On Wednesday, Jones admitted he tried to play outside the structure of Bill O’Brien’s system against the Cowboys. Translation: he forced the issue.Why would Jones force the issue? Well, he has to.Jones’ failures are not mutually exclusive from O&#...

Hamas kills 22 in unprecedented, wide-ranging incursion into Israel. Netanyahu says 'we are at war'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:40:15 GMT

JERUSALEM (AP) — The ruling Hamas militant group in the Gaza Strip carried out an unprecedented attack on Israel at daybreak Saturday, firing thousands of rockets as dozens of fighters infiltrated the heavily fortified border in several locations by air, land and sea, catching the country off guard on a major holiday. Several hours after the invasion began, Hamas militants were still fighting gunbattles inside several Israeli communities in a surprising show of strength that shook the country. Israel’s national rescue service said at least 22 people have been killed and hundreds wounded, making it the deadliest attack in Israel in years.The Soroka Medical Center in the southern Israeli city of Beersheba said it was treating at least 280 casualties, with 60 in serious condition. The Barzilai Hospital in Ashkelon, near Gaza, said it was treating 182 wounded people, including 12 in critical condition.There was no official comment on casualties in Gaza, but Associated Press reporters wi...

‘We are at war’: Hamas kills 22 in unprecedented, wide-ranging incursion into Israel

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:40:15 GMT

The ruling Hamas militant group in the Gaza Strip carried out an unprecedented attack on Israel at daybreak Saturday, firing thousands of rockets as dozens of fighters infiltrated the heavily fortified border in several locations by air, land and sea, catching the country off guard on a major holiday.Several hours after the invasion began, Hamas militants were still fighting gunbattles inside several Israeli communities in a surprising show of strength that shook the country. Israel’s national rescue service said at least 22 people have been killed and hundreds wounded, making it the deadliest attack in Israel in years.The Soroka Medical Center in the southern Israeli city of Beersheba said it was treating at least 280 casualties, with 60 in serious condition. The Barzilai Hospital in Ashkelon, near Gaza, said it was treating 182 wounded people, including 12 in critical condition.There was no official comment on casualties in Gaza, but Associated Press reporters witnessed the funera...

Kendrick Lamar plays abbreviated set at ACL Friday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:40:15 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- After an announcement saying Kendrick Lamar's performance at Austin City Limits was delayed due to plane issues, an update from ACL said he will now play an abbreviated set.After delays to Kendrick Lamar's performance at the Austin City Limits, the festival said he will now play an abbreviated set. | Haley Cihock/KXAN NewsLamar was supposed to perform at 8:40 p.m., but now he will perform the set at 9:45 p.m., according to ACL.Lamar is set to perform on Weekend Two of the festival and is scheduled for the same time at 8:40 p.m., according to the ACL website.

Mexico denies producing fentanyl; Texas Republicans baffled

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:40:15 GMT

EL PASO, Texas (Border Report) – It was a summit meant to show solidarity in finding multinational solutions to the migrant crisis at the U.S. border and the fentanyl epidemic spreading through North America. But between talking points about agreements and praises for the partners, an apparent contradiction emerged after Thursday’s meeting of Biden administration cabinet members and Mexican officials in Mexico City.“We are going to advance prevention on drug trafficking, especially fentanyl, with action and awareness campaigns. And we will also address the causes of violence through universal programs so the population, especially the youth, will have growth opportunities,” Mexican Public Safety Secretary Rosa Icela Rodriguez Velazquez said at the post-summit press conference.“So we can also come to the deepest causes of economic growth and the trafficking of chemical precursors. Remember that Mexico is not a producer of fentanyl. Mexico is a country of transit. In Mexico, we have n...

Will Medicare Part B premiums go up again in 2024?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:40:15 GMT

Next year’s Medicare Part B premiums are expected to be announced soon and there is speculation that coverage of another pricey new Alzheimer’s medication could cause monthly costs to go up, echoing what occurred in 2022.Leqembi received full approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in July, becoming the second drug of its kind to hit the market after Aduhelm. The drug comes with an annual cost of $26,500.While only approved for patients with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia who are also confirmed to have a brain plaque called amyloid, the pharmaceutical industry expects Leqembi to be popular.While the medication is not a cure for Alzheimer’s disease, Leqembi is the first drug to demonstrate clinical benefits to patients by slowing down the progression of the disease. This is accomplished by targeting and reducing amyloid plaque in the brain, the buildup of which is linked to cognitive decline.Leqembi’s manufacturer Eisai estimates about 100,000 people will be ...

Northern Minnesota tree-planting project is building better forests for deer

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:40:15 GMT

Deer need two kinds of habitat to survive the snowiest winters in northeastern Minnesota, food and cover, and without both kinds, deer numbers tend to dwindle — just as they have for the past decade.While there usually is enough food, namely aspen browse from recently logged-off areas, the amount of winter cover for deer has been shrinking, in some areas alarmingly fast.A deer is dusted with snow while nibbling on balsam boughs in Duluth, Minn. on March 1, 2023. Dense forests of conifers — cedars, balsam, spruce and pines — are critical habitat for white-tailed deer to survive winter in northeastern Minnesota, especially with a trend toward heavier snow winters over the past decade. The evergreen trees keep snow off the ground, allow easier travel and can even keep deer warmer than the open forest. (Dan Williamson / Forum News Service)That’s the assessment of several Minnesota Department of Natural Resources wildlife biologists past and present, and it’s the reason behind a growing ...