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Israeli official says talks continuing, hostage release won’t take place before Friday

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:56:00 GMT

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s national security adviser says a planned hostage-for-prisoner swap with Hamas has been delayed until at least Friday.In a statement released late Wednesday, Tzachi Hanegbi said that contacts on the deal were continuing. “The release will begin according to the original agreement between the parties, and not before Friday,” he said.The swap was to take place as part of a four-day truce in the war in Gaza expected to begin on Thursday.Hanegbi gave no explanation for the delay, and it was not immediately clear when the cease-fire might begin.The surprise announcement came after Israel and Hamas earlier Wednesday agreed to a four-day cease-fire — a diplomatic breakthrough that would free dozens of hostages held by militants as well as Palestinians imprisoned in Israel, and bring a large influx of aid to the besieged territory.The truce raised hopes of eventually winding down the war, which was triggered by Hamas’ Oct. 7 deadly...

NY governor says no sign of terrorism in car crash, explosion at Rainbow Bridge border crossing

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:56:00 GMT

NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (AP) — A vehicle speeding toward a U.S.-Canada bridge from the American side crashed and exploded at a checkpoint in Niagara Falls on Wednesday, killing two people and prompting the closing of border crossings in the area, authorities said. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said there was “no indication of a terrorist attack.”Much remained unclear about the crash, which investigators were working to understand. Hochul said it wasn’t clear whether the driver was intentionally heading for the Rainbow Bridge across the Niagara River when the vehicle hit a median and flew into the air.“Based on what we know at this moment,” she said, “there is no sign of terrorist activity in this crash.”—WATCH: Officials provide update after explosion at Rainbow Bridge border crossing—It prompted the closing of four border crossings and raised concerns on both sides of the border. The White House said President Joe Biden was “closely following developments,” and Can...

Patriots’ Trent Brown has explicit message for his haters

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:56:00 GMT

FOXBORO — If you don’t believe that Trent Brown is performing well for the Patriots, then the 6-foot-8, 370-pound offensive tackle has an explicit message for you.“(Expletive) ’em,” Brown said Wednesday in the Patriots’ locker room. “Honestly. Truly.”Brown spoke to multiple reporters in the locker room Tuesday, and some Patriots fans on social media took umbrage with one of Brown’s comments saying he’s been the team’s best offensive player.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Patriots-Giants injury report: Trent Brown among 8 Patriots limited Wednesday, Saquon Barkley sits New England Patriots | Patriots missing 1 wide receiver at Wednesday practice before Giants game New England Patriots | Mac Jones’ plan is to be Patriots’ starting quarterback vs. Giants New England Patriots | Callahan: The Patriots can beat the Giants without a quarterback Sunday New...

What's the forecast for Thanksgiving?

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:56:00 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Southern California will be showing off for Thanksgiving visitors with warm weather this holiday.Santa Ana winds have died down significantly as of Wednesday afternoon, but the lingering offshore pattern is keeping temperatures above average.There will be a transition to onshore flow for Thursday and Friday thanks to a low-pressure system to our north. This will cause some increasing clouds, slightly cooler weather and periods of drizzle into the weekend. These major retail stores will be closed on Thanksgiving Daytime highs for Turkey Day at the coast will top out in the upper 60s, inland areas reaching the low 70s, mountains in the mid 60s and deserts in the upper 70s.Gusty westerly winds will pick up for the inland valleys and will peak in the afternoon for Thanksgiving and Friday.Some drizzle is possible at times after your Thanksgiving meal, with higher chances overnight into early parts of Friday. Very light accumulations are expected with this system, right now...

Georgia Supreme Court ruling prevents GOP-backed commission from beginning to discipline prosecutors

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:56:00 GMT

ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia’s state Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to approve rules for a new commission to discipline and remove state prosecutors, meaning the commission can’t begin operating.Some Republicans in Georgia want the new commission to discipline or remove Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis for winning indictments of former President Donald Trump and 18 others.In an unsigned order, justices said they have “grave doubts” about their ability to regulate the duties of district attorneys beyond the practice of law. They said that because lawmakers hadn’t expressly ordered justices to act, they were refusing to rule one way or the other.“If district attorneys exercise judicial power, our regulation of the exercise of that power may well be within our inherent power as the head of the Judicial Branch,” justices wrote. “But if district attorneys exercise only executive power, our regulation of the exercise of that power would likely be beyond th...

Dutch election winner Geert Wilders is an anti-Islam firebrand known as the Dutch Donald Trump

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:56:00 GMT

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — He’s been called the Dutch Donald Trump. He’s been threatened with death countless times by Islamic extremists, convicted of insulting Moroccans and Britain once banned him from entering the country.Now Geert Wilders has won a massive victory in a Dutch election and is in pole position to form the next ruling coalition and possibly become the Netherlands’ next prime minister.An exit poll revealing his landslide appeared to take even 60-year-old political veteran Wilders by surprise.In his first reaction, posted in a video on X, formerly Twitter, he spread his arms wide, put his face in his hands and said simply “35!” — the number of seats an exit poll forecast his Party for Freedom, or PVV, won in the 150-seat lower house of parliament.Wilders, with his fiery tongue has long been one of the Netherlands’ best-known lawmakers at home and abroad. His populist policies and shock of peroxide blond hair have drawn comparisons with Trump.But,...

Hudson’s Bay owner makes US$340 million from North American real estate sales

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:56:00 GMT

NEW YORK — The company that owns Hudson’s Bay says it completed real estate transactions in Canada and the U.S. resulting in a gain of around US$340 million. HBC LP,  which also owns Saks Fifth Avenue and Saks OFF 5th, says in a statement that it’s the owner and developer of a North American real-estate portfolio totalling approximately US$7 billion. The historic retailer announced layoffs twice this year as it said the retail sector is navigating significant pressures. In 2018, when the company was still publicly traded, investors challenged it to sell some of its substantial real estate holdings. In recent years, the company has introduced several initiatives such as a revamped loyalty program, partnerships with Forever 21 and MEC, and the revival of discount chain Zellers. Earlier this year, the company shut two of its Alberta department stores, saying the decision reflected changes in the market as well as its vision for the future. This report by The Canadian Press ...

Five border crossing facts to know in the wake of Rainbow Bridge explosion

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:56:00 GMT

A car explosion on the American side of the Rainbow Bridge border crossing in Niagara Falls left two people dead on Wednesday and put authorities in both countries on high alert. Here are five facts about border crossings in the region: FOUR LAND CROSSINGS: The Rainbow Bridge is one of four land border crossings in the Niagara region connecting Ontario and New York state. The three other land crossings – the Queenston Lewiston Bridge, the Peace Bridge and the trusted-traveller Whirlpool Rapids Bridge – were closed for several hours after the explosion but reopened later on Wednesday. RAINBOW BRIDGE A TOURIST HUB: Commercial vehicles are not allowed to use the Rainbow Bridge, making it popular with tourists. About 6,000 vehicles cross the Rainbow Bridge each day, according to the U.S. Federal Highway Administration’s National Bridge Inventory. The bridge, constructed in 1941, is just over 439 metres long and connects the New York state and Ontario sides of the Niagara Falls. FOOT TRA...

Ceremony for Les Cowboys Fringants singer Karl Tremblay next week in Montreal

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:56:00 GMT

MONTREAL — Quebecers will get a chance to say goodbye to beloved folk-rock singer Karl Tremblay during a ceremony next week in Montreal.Quebec Premier François Legault announced today that the lead singer of Les Cowboys Fringants will be honoured at a tribute event at the Bell Centre on Tuesday.Tremblay died last week at age 47 after a long illness with prostate cancer. His death prompted a wave of grief and affection for Tremblay and the band, who have been mainstays of the province’s music scene for more than 25 years.Legault also announced the creation of an online condolence book and said the legislature flag will be lowered to half-mast the day of the ceremony.The non-religious event will begin at 7 p.m., with passes available to the public beginning Thursday.This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 22, 2023.The Canadian Press

Walmart shooter who injured 4 in Ohio may have been motivated by racial extremism, FBI says

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:56:00 GMT

A gunman who opened fire inside a Walmart in Ohio and wounded four people before killing himself may have been motivated by racist extremism, the FBI said Wednesday. Four shoppers — two Black women, a white woman and a white man — were wounded in the attack at the Walmart in Beavercreek, a suburb of Dayton, just days before Thanksgiving, the FBI said. Evidence, including journal writings, show the shooting may have been at least partially inspired by racially violent extremist ideology, according to the FBI. The shooter, identified as 20-year-old Benjamin Charles Jones, of Dayton, entered the store Monday night, carrying a Hi-Point 45-caliber Carbine long gun, police said. He shot an undetermined number of rounds, leaving injured victims throughout the building, before turning the weapon on himself, authorities said.Attempts by The Associated Press to reach relatives of Jones were unsuccessful.Police said on Tuesday that three of the victims were in stable condition at area hospital...