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Israeli hostage families call for EU support to get loved ones home

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:02:26 GMT

BRUSSELS — Relatives of Israelis taken hostage in Gaza held up photos of their loved ones at a gathering of hundreds of EU politicians and officials in front of the European Parliament, in a mass show of EU solidarity with Israel on Wednesday.“We are here […] with all of you as one to express our solidarity, to condemn the appalling acts of terror and murder and to demand the immediate release of hostages,” Parliament President Roberta Metsola told those gathered, who included Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Charles Michel and Israel’s Ambassador to the EU Haim Regev. Shira Havron, a 27-year-old Israeli film student who was also present, told POLITICO that 11 members of her family were missing. She lost contact with them at around 9 a.m. on Saturday when militants from Hamas — a Palestinian group designated as a terrorist organization by the EU — attacked their kibbutz near Gaza called Be’eri. The ages of her kidnapped ...

‘They shot a baby’: Hamas attack survivor recounts terror in Israel kibbutz

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:02:26 GMT

As Hamas militants unleashed a campaign of terror across Israel on Saturday, Adi Efrat was one of many Israelis taken captive near the Gaza border.During the hours that followed, armed Hamas terrorists forcibly moved her between houses — often under gunfire — in the kibbutz of Be’eri, located east of the Gaza Strip. At one of these locations, she was witness to their unflinching brutality and left to comfort a distraught woman who said her husband and three-month-old daughter had just been shot dead.In this video, she shares her story.

Bruce Springsteen says ‘monster’ peptic ulcer is ‘rocking’ his internal world

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:02:26 GMT

(CNN) — Bruce Springsteen has offered an update on the stomach ailment that caused him to postpone his tour.The Boss recently opened an episode of his SiriusXM E Street Radio show “From My Home to Yours” by introducing himself as “your favorite rock star with a b***h of a bellyache!”He later thanked his supporters as he grapples with the painful illness.“Let me take a moment and thank my fans affected by our postponed shows for their understanding,” Springsteen said. “I am deeply sorry but this belly thing, despite my ability to laugh at it, has been a monster and is still unfortunately rocking my internal world.”Springsteen, 74, released a statement last month stating that he continued to “recover steadily from peptic ulcer disease over the past few weeks and will continue treatment through the rest of the year on doctor’s advice.”“With this in mind, and out of an abundance of caution, all remaining 2023 tour dates for Bruce Springsteen and The E Stree...

‘Turtleboy’ blogger charged with witness intimidation, conspiracy

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:02:26 GMT

Boston-area blogger Aidan Kearney, aka “Doctor Turtleboy,” has been arrested on charges of witness intimidation in connection with the case of a Mansfield woman accused of killing a Boston police officer.Kearney has arrived at Stoughton District Court where he is due to be arraigned. Video from the scene shows him being ushered into the court in handcuffs by state troopers.Kearney faces six charges of witness intimidation and one count of conspiracy, according to a Stoughton District Court record obtained by the Herald.The case surrounds Karen Read, of Mansfield, who is accused of drunkenly striking her boyfriend of two years, Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe, with her Lexus SUV, during a frigid night of partying in Canton, January 29, 2022.The charges against Kearney, who has crusaded in the case on behalf of Read, follow the release of an extraordinary statement by the Norfolk DA’s office earlier this year.“This will be the first statement of its kind in my dozen years as Norfol...

Baltimore and the Birds: OK, that one hurt | STAFF COMMENTARY

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:02:26 GMT

Ouch.Know someone who seems miserable right now? We mean really, really unhappy, and they showed no signs of pain before, let’s say, Saturday and Sunday and especially Tuesday evening? Is it possible they’ve recently damaged a television screen? Have they stopped wearing certain orange and black attire around the house? Do they mutter words like “sweep” or “stupid Rangers” or “wild card teams have an unfair advantage” without further explanation?Do not panic. This is normal. Well, it’s normal for those who have followed the Baltimore Orioles this season and had their hopes raised by what can best be described as a breakout year only to have them abruptly dashed in recent days.How much fun were the O’s in 2023? They were young. They were playful. They were talented. And they were selfless. It has been an absolute joy to watch Adley and Gunnar, Jorge, Ryan (and Ryan), Austin, Anthony, Cedric and the rest play baseba...

Overturned tanker truck prompts lane closure on I-5

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:02:26 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- A tanker truck overturned Wednesday morning off southbound Interstate 5, prompting a lane closure.According to Caltrans San Diego, the truck tipped over south of the Aliso Creek rest area shortly before 6:45 a.m. after the driver pulled off a nonexistent shoulder too far. Crash on SR-75 in Pauma Valley prompts rescue operation No other vehicles were involved in the incident, and no injuries were reported.Caltrans says the tanker carrying three fuels -- regular, diesel and unleaded -- was not at full capacity at the time of the incident. Officials say there will be a hard closure of the right lane in the area for a few hours while crews work to clear the scene.

Judge to allow Ottawa residents to testify in ‘Freedom Convoy’ organizers’ trial

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:02:26 GMT

OTTAWA — The presiding judge in the criminal trial of two “Freedom Convoy” organizers ruled Wednesday that eight local Ottawa residents will be allowed to testify.Tamara Lich and Chris Barber are facing charges related to their roles in organizing the protest that brought thousands of big-rig trucks to Ottawalast year, where demonstrators remained for three weeks.Lich’s lawyer Lawrence Greenspon asked the judge not to let the locals testify, arguing their testimony would be irrelevant.Lich and Barber have already signed admissions that the actions of certain individuals who participated in the protest interfered with public transit and the lawful use and enjoyment of property and businesses.Justice Heather Perkins-McVey says the defence cannot force the Crown to accept the admissions, and will allow the witnesses to be heard.To bar the locals from taking the stand would “unfairly or irreparably cause damage” to the Crown’s discretion to call evide...

Biden says the FTC’s proposed ban on junk fees will help families and ‘honest’ businesses

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:02:26 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Trade Commission on Wednesday proposed a rule to ban any hidden and bogus junk fees, which can mask the total cost of concert tickets, hotel rooms and utility bills.President Joe Biden has made the removal of these fees a priority of his administration. The Democrat’s effort has led to a legislative push and a spate of initiatives aimed at helping consumers. Administration officials have said these additional costs can inflate prices and waste people’s time.“These junk fees may not matter to the wealthy, but they sure matter to working folks in homes like the one I grew up in,” Biden said in remarks at the White House Rose Garden.The president added that junk fees also make it “harder for honest businesses who are trying to do the right thing.” He noted that the crackdown is part of a broader effort that has included cooperation between the government and companies including Airbnb, Live Nation, Ticketmaster and SeatGeek.The FTC proposal is ...

The number of US citizens killed in the Israel-Hamas war rises to 22

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:02:26 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of U.S. citizens confirmed to have been killed in the Israel-Hamas war has risen to 22, the State Department said Wednesday.That’s an increase from the 14 who’d been confirmed dead one day earlier.‘We have to be crystal clear. There is no justification for terrorism,” President Joe Biden told reporters Wednesday. “The United States has Israel’s back and we’re going to be working on this through the day and beyond.’Matthew Lee, The Associated Press

Former Slovak president convicted of tax fraud, receives a fine and suspended sentence

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:02:26 GMT

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP) — A court in Slovakia found Wednesday former President Andrej Kiska guilty of tax fraud and gave him a two-year suspended sentence.The county court in the city of Poprad also handed him a fine of 15,000 euros (about $16,000).The verdict is not final and his legal team said he planned to appeal it. Kiska, 60, had pleaded not guilty. The case dates back to 2014 when Kiska was running for president. At the time, he was a successful businessman-turned-philanthropist and a political newcomer.According to the court, Kiska illegally included tax receipts from the presidential campaign in the books of his KTAG family company.Such activities were not part of the firm’s business.KTAG through Kiska’s associate Eduard Kuckovsky then claimed a tax return worth more than 155,000 euros (about $165,000). Kuckovsky also received a suspended sentence and a fine.At the time, Kiska beat then populist Prime Minister Robert Fico in the race to become the country’s president for ...