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The death toll from an Israeli airstrike in central Gaza rises to 106, Palestinian officials say

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:25 GMT

CAIRO (AP) — Palestinian medical officials say the death toll from an Israeli airstrike in central Gaza has risen to 106.The announcement makes the Sunday night airstrike in the Maghazi refugee camp among the deadliest in Israel’s air campaign in Gaza, launched on Oct. 7 in response to a deadly cross-border attack by Hamas militants.Hospital officials initially said 68 people had died. On Monday, first responders retrieved more than three dozen additional bodies that were taken to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital in Deir al-Balah. Hospital records seen by The Associated Press listed 106 deaths.The Israeli military says the incident is under review.THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.CAIRO (AP) — Egypt has put forward an ambitious, initial proposal to end the Israel-Hamas war with a cease-fire, a phased hostage release and the creation of a Palestinian government of experts who would administer the Gaza Strip and occupied West Bank, a senior Egyptian official...

Residents displaced after house goes up in flames on Christmas Eve in Ashland

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:25 GMT

Ashland firefighters battled a Christmas Eve house fire that sent a large plume of smoke billowing into the sky.The department shared a photo from the scene on Sherborne Circle on their Facebook page.Everyone was able to make it out of the home safely but the home was a total loss.The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Man suffers serious injuries from stabbing in Jane and Weston area

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:25 GMT

A man has suffered serious injuries from a stabbing in the Jane Street and Weston Road area on Monday morning.Police responded to a call at approximately 12:16 a.m., and a male victim in his 30’s with stab wounds was transported to hospital via emergency run.The victim has serious but non-life threatening injuries.The suspect is still outstanding and an investigation is ongoing.

Shipping firm Maersk says it’s preparing for resumption of Red Sea voyages after attacks from Yemen

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:25 GMT

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Shipping firm Maersk says that it’s preparing to allow vessels to resume sailing through the Red Sea, thanks to the start of a U.S.-led multinational naval operation to protect shipping from attacks by Houthi rebels in Yemen. Houthi attacks have led to a major disruption of shipping through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea, one of the most important arteries for trade in oil, natural gas, grain and consumer goods between Europe and Asia. Maersk said in a statement Sunday that “we have received confirmation that the previously announced multi-national security initiative Operation Prosperity Guardian (OPG) has now been set up and deployed to allow maritime commerce to pass through the Red Sea-Gulf of Aden and once again return to using the Suez Canal as a gateway between Asia and Europe. ”The company said it was working on plans for the first vessels to make the journey “and for this to happen as soon as operationally possible.”The Houthis are Iranian-ba...

Ukraine says it shot down Russian fighter jets and drones as the country officially marks Christmas

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:25 GMT

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine’s air force on Monday reported that it shot down two Russian fighter jets during the night along with two cruise missiles and 28 Shahed-type drones.The report said the attacks were aimed at southern and central regions of Ukraine, but that no casualties were immediately known. It said that 31 drones were launched in all, but details of what the three that weren’t intercepted may have struck weren’t given.A summary from the Ukrainian presidential office said that one civilian was killed and at least four wounded in Russian attacks over the previous 24 hours. The death occurred in the town of Chornobaivka in the Kherson region, which is partly under Russian control and experiences daily fighting.Ukraine observed Christmas on Monday, the first time the country has officially marked the holiday on Dec. 25 rather than the Jan. 7 date followed by some Orthodox countries, including Russia.President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed legislation in July to m...

Serbia police detain at least 38 people as opposition plans more protests against election results

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:25 GMT

BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Serbian police said Monday they have detained at least 38 people who took part in a protest against reported widespread irregularities during a recent general ballot that declared the governing populists as winners of the parliamentary and local councils’ elections. Opposition group Serbia Against Violence has been staging protests since the Dec. 17 elections, saying there has been election fraud, particularly in the capital, Belgrade. Some politicians began a hunger strike. On Sunday evening, hundreds of protesters tried to enter Belgrade’s city council, breaking windows, before riot police pushed them back using tear gas, pepper spray and batons. Senior police official Ivica Ivkovic told reporters that those detained were facing charges of inciting violent change of constitutional order — in reference to attempting to overthrow the government — and violent behavior. He added that eight officers were injured, several of them seriously. The opposi...

Pope Francis denounces the weapons industry as he makes a Christmas appeal for peace in the world

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:25 GMT

ROME (AP) — Pope Francis on Monday blasted the weapons industry and its “instruments of death” that fuel wars as he made a Christmas Day appeal for peace in the world and in particular between Israel and the Palestinians.Speaking from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica to the throngs of people below, Francis said he grieved the “abominable attack” of Hamas against southern Israel on Oct. 7 and called for the release of hostages. And he begged for an end to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and the “appalling harvest of innocent civilians” as he called for humanitarian aid to reach those in need.Francis devoted his Christmas Day blessing to a call for peace in the world, noting that the biblical story of the birth of Christ in Bethlehem sent a message of peace. But he said that Bethlehem “is a place of sorrow and silence” this year.Francis’ annual “Urbi et Orbi” (“To the City and the World”) speech typically offers a lament of all the misery facing the world, and this ye...

Driver, passenger of scooter critical after car crash on NW Side

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:25 GMT

CHICAGO -- A driver and passenger of a scooter are injured after a vehicle crash on the Northwest Side overnight, police said.According to police, the crash happened near the corner of Belden and Cicero in the Belmont Craigin neighborhood around 12:45 a.m.The male driver of the scooter and a male passenger were headed northbound on Cicero when they hit the side of a gray sedan that was travelling westbound. Man shot after pulling knife during fight at Red Line station Both the driver of the scooter and passenger were injured and taken to Stroger Hospital in critical condition. Police said the driver of the vehicle was not injured and refused treatment from EMS.Citations are pending and police have not said who was at faith in the crash.

How Austin's 'lakes' got their names

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:25 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – With its dazzling views, miles of lush trails and recreational activities that allow folks to escape the summer heat, Lady Bird Lake is a true oasis nestled beneath the gleaming towers of Austin’s downtown. If you’re like me, when you first moved to Austin, you may have wondered to yourself, “But is it called 'Lady Bird Lake' or 'Town Lake?' And is it even a lake?” If you’re still confused, here is some historical context on how the “lakes” in Austin were formed and named. MORE: Things you may not know about historic Barton Springs Lake Austin Before we had any lakes in Austin, there was only the Colorado River. That changed in 1893 when a dam was built and formed Lake Austin, which at the time was referred to as Lake McDonald.“It was named after [John McDonald], the mayor who really was seen as being an impetus for getting the dam going,” said Sarah Marshall, who works with the Historic Preservation and Tourism Program for the Austin Parks and Recreation...

A bright week to end the year

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:25 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Merry Christmas from David, Jim, Kristen, Nick, Sean, and me. We hope you have a good day celebrating with family and friends.The second of two cold fronts has passed through Central Texas leaving a cold northwest to north wind. After highs that made it to the low 70s yesterday, today's daytime maximum temperatures won't get out of the 50s.Rain was plentiful on Sunday with most of our reporting stations recording more than one inch. The highest daily rain total was at a gauge in Burnet where 2.99" was measured.A record rain was measured at Austin Bergstrom International Airport where 1.66" was recorded, easily breaking the former record of 1.48" set in 1975. Camp Mabry recorded 1.28" Sunday adding to the rains Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. In all, 1.89" was measured during that four-day period.Some of the higher four-day rain totals:3.26" Burnet2.87" Round Rock2.79" Georgetown2.52" Giddings2.46" Hamilton Creek near Marble FallsToday will be partly cloudy with thos...