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Release of Hamas hostages has gotten closer, Biden aide says

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:37 GMT

A deal for Hamas to release hostages taken during its Oct. 7 attack on Israel may be the closest yet and would require a multiday pause in the fighting in Gaza, U.S. Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer said.“We are closer than we have been in quite some time, maybe closer than we have been since the beginning of this process to getting this deal done,” Finer said Sunday in an interview with NBC’s Meet the Press. Negotiations “have clearly reached a very sensitive stage” after “significant progress” in recent days and hours, he said on ABC’s This Week.“We think it is possible, but it’s not done yet,” Finer told NBC. A prisoner exchange involving Israel is among the topics being discussed, he said.President Joe Biden has backed Israel in opposing a cease-fire with Hamas, which rules Gaza and has been designated a terrorist group by the U.S. and the European Union. In contrast, a pause lasting multiple days would be necessary to allow hostages to be safely moved out of the battl...

Week 11 updates: LB Tremaine Edmunds is active for the Chicago Bears today vs. the Detroit Lions

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:37 GMT

The 3-7 Chicago Bears will play the 7-2 Detroit Lions at Ford Field in a Week 11 matchup. Here’s what you need to know before kickoff Sunday (noon, Fox-32).Inactives announcedBears linebacker Tremaine Edmunds will return Sunday against the Lions after a two-game absence.Edmunds is active for the game at Ford Field after recovering from a knee injury.He is one of three players returning from injuries, including quarterback Justin Fields. The Bears announced Wednesday that Fields would start after a four-game absence due to a thumb injury. Running back Khalil Herbert also is active after missing five games while on injured reserve with a high ankle sprain.Running back D’Onta Foreman is active after battling an ankle injury during the week of practice, and linebacker Jack Sanborn will play after recovering from an ankle injury and an illness.The Bears previously declared linebacker Noah Sewell out with a knee injury.Wide receiver Velus Jones Jr., offensive lineman Ja’...

Ticker: Hat worn by Napoleon fetches $1.6M; Golden Globes find new home at CBS

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:37 GMT

A faded and cracked felt hat worn by Napoléon Bonaparte fetched $1.6 million at an auction Sunday of the French emperor’s belongingsYes, $1.6 million.The signature broad, black hat — one of a handful still in existence that Napoléon wore when he ruled 19th century France and waged war in Europe — was initially valued at $650,000-870,000. It was the centerpiece of Sunday’s auction in Fontainebleau of memorabilia collected by a French industrialist who died last year.But the bidding quickly jumped higher and higher until Jean Pierre Osenat, president of the Osenat auction house, designated the winner.”We are at 1.5 million (euros) for Napoleon’s hat … for this major symbol of the Napoleonic epoch,” he said. The name of the winning bidder was not released.Golden Globes find new home at CBSThe Golden Globes have found a new broadcast home at CBS after the troubled awards show lost its longtime home at NBC and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association wa...

5 takeaways from the Chicago Bulls’ win over the Miami Heat, including a 4th-quarter comeback and another slow start

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:37 GMT

The Chicago Bulls ended a three-game losing streak Saturday night with a 102-97 comeback win over the Miami Heat.After going down by 21 points in the first quarter, the Bulls took their first lead with 51 seconds left. The comeback was a galvanizing result for the Bulls after they failed to pull off similar come-from-behind finishes in two games against the Orlando Magic earlier in the week.Here are five takeaways from the game.1. The Bulls had their slowest start of the season.They entered Saturday’s game eager to break out of a trend of slow starts in their last three losses. Instead they got off to their worst start of the season.Boos echoed around the United Center when the Heat took a 20-1 lead, then grew louder when DeMar DeRozan was called for an offensive foul in transition on the ensuing play. Zach LaVine made the Bulls’ first field goal seven minutes into the game. By that point, the Heat were up 22-1.The comeback win somewhat dulled the frustration of falling ...

‘Hunger Games’ prequel tops box office

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:37 GMT

“The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes” topped the North American box office in its first weekend in theaters with $44 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday.It was a busy weekend at the multiplex, leading into the often lucrative Thanksgiving corridor. And while there was plenty to choose from at the buffet, not everything could be a hit. Audiences had “The Marvels,” which plummeted a record 78% in its second weekend, as well as the nationwide debuts of the family-friendly “Trolls World Tour,” Taika Waititi’s soccer comedy “Next Goal Wins” and the R-rated slasher “Thanksgiving” all in wide release.“The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes” is an interesting case study for a franchise that’s been dormant for 8 years and is testing the waters for a new era. Its $44 million from 3,776 locations, including 1,610 premium screens, marks a low for films carrying “T...

Reactions to the death of Rosalynn Carter, former first lady and global humanitarian

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:37 GMT

ATLANTA (AP) — Reactions to the death of Rosalynn Carter, former first lady and global humanitarian:___Former President George W. Bush called Carter a woman of dignity and strength. “There was no greater advocate of President Carter, and their partnership set a wonderful example of loyalty and fidelity. She leaves behind an important legacy in her work to destigmatize mental health. We join our fellow citizens in sending our condolences to President Carter and their family,” Bush said in a statement with former first lady Laura Bush.___U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff of Georgia said Carter would be remembered for her compassionate nature and passion for women’s rights, human rights and mental health reform. “The State of Georgia and the United States are better places because of Rosalynn Carter,” Ossoff said in a statement. “I join all Georgians and Americans in mourning her loss. May Rosalynn Carter’s memory be a blessing.”___Former first lady Melania Trump said Carter leaves behind a m...

Escaped llama safely corralled by OPP after wandering onto GTA highway

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:37 GMT

An escaped llama has been corralled and safely returned home after it made its way onto a busy GTA highway.Callers to the CityNews 680 traffic centre reported seeing a llama in lives lanes of traffic on Highway 400 in York Region on Sunday morning. The animal was spotted around 10:30 a.m. in the northbound lanes near King Road.Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) posted to social media a few hours later, saying officers and members of the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) were able to corral the animal.OPP say the owner of the animal was contacted and the llama was safely removed from the highway.Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) helped corral an escaped llama that had wandered onto Highway 400 near King Road on Nov. 19, 2023. (Photo: OPP)Police are urging motorists to slow down if they happen to spot an animals on the highway.“See alpacas go slow doesn’t have the same ring as see snow go slow,” reads the OPP post on X. “But h...

NFC North-leading Lions rally from 12-point deficit late to beat Bears 31-26 on Montgomery's TD run

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:37 GMT

DETROIT (AP) — David Montgomery's go-ahead 1-yard touchdown run with 29 seconds left against his former team lifted the Detroit Lions to a 31-26 comeback victory over Justin Fields and the Chicago Bears on Sunday.The NFC North-leading Lions (8-2) overcame four turnovers, including Jared Goff's season-high three interceptions, and a 12-point deficit over the last 3:06 to rally for the win.Detroit has its best record through 10 games since 1962, giving the franchise a shot to win a division title for the first time in three decades.The Bears (3-8) blew chances to win consecutive games for the first time in nearly two years.Fields mostly played well in his first game in a month, but slightly overthrew Tyler Scott on a deep pass late in the game. He also fumbled on his last snap when Aidan Hutchinson sacked him and the football went out of the end zone for a safety.Field, who was out with a dislocated right thumb, threw a 39-yard touchdown pass to DJ Moore late in the third quarter. Cai...

31 premature babies are evacuated from Gaza's largest hospital, but scores of trauma patients remain

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:37 GMT

KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Health officials said 31 premature babies in “extremely critical condition” were transferred safely Sunday from Gaza 's main hospital and will go to Egypt, while over 250 patients with severely infected wounds and other urgent conditions remained stranded days after Israeli forces entered the compound to look for Hamas operations there.The plight of the babies, along with Israeli claims against Shifa Hospital, have become potent symbols in the devastating war between Israel and Hamas. An Israeli offensive has taken a heavy toll on Palestinian civilians, while Israel has accused Hamas of using Shifa and other hospitals as headquarters for military operations.The newborns from the hospital, where power was cut and supplies ran out while Israeli forces battled Palestinian militants outside, were receiving urgent care in the southern Gaza city of Rafah. They had dehydration, hypothermia and sepsis in some cases, said Mohamed Zaqout, director of Gaza hospit...

Lions rally from 12-point deficit late to beat Bears 31-26

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:37 GMT

DETROIT — David Montgomery's go-ahead 1-yard touchdown run with 29 seconds left against his former team lifted the Detroit Lions to a 31-26 comeback victory over Justin Fields and the Chicago Bears on Sunday.The NFC North-leading Lions (8-2) overcame four turnovers, including Jared Goff's season-high three interceptions, and a 12-point deficit over the last 3:06 to rally for the win.Detroit has its best record through 10 games since 1962, giving the franchise a shot to win a division title for the first time in three decades.The Bears (3-8) blew chances to win consecutive games for the first time in nearly two years.Fields mostly played well in his first game in a month, but slightly overthrew Tyler Scott on a deep pass late in the game. He also fumbled on his last snap when Aidan Hutchinson sacked him and the football went out of the end zone for a safety.Field, who was out with a dislocated right thumb, threw a 39-yard touchdown pass to DJ Moore late in the third quarter. Cairo Sa...