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Journalists in Gaza wrestle with issues of survival in addition to getting stories out

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:53 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — A limited number of journalists in Gaza are trying to report on the war with Israel while facing the same problems as the besieged Palestinian population there — wondering where to live, where to get food and water, and how to stay safe.The aftermath of Tuesday’s explosion that killed hundreds at a Gaza City hospital is the latest example of how that reality hinders the world’s ability to get a full picture of what is happening to the Palestinian population In Gaza.Outside journalists have been unable to enter Gaza since the Hamas attack in Israel on Oct. 7. The sole entry point for journalists, Israel’s Erez crossing, was attacked in the rampage and remains closed. A handful of news organizations had maintained a regular presence with bureaus there, including The Associated Press, the BBC, Reuters, Agence France-Presse and Al-Jazeera, with a network of stringers helping others.Israel’s order to Palestinians to evacuate the northern part of Ga...

Teen reaches $1.9 million settlement after officer shot him in gun battle with bank robbery suspect

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:53 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — A teenager who was shot and wounded during a 2019 shootout between suburban Chicago police and a bank robbery suspect inside a music school has reached a $1.9 million settlement with the city of Des Plaines.Rylan Wilder signed off this week on the settlement, nearly four years after a bullet fired by Des Plaines Officer James Armstrong tore a hole through his left arm, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.Armstrong was chasing an armed man who had shot another officer after a bank robbery in Des Plaines when the suspect ran into Upbeat Music & Arts on Chicago’s Northwest Side. Armstrong followed him inside, shooting and killing him. In the process, he also accidentally shot Wilder, who was 15 and working as an intern at the school.The bullet that hit the crook of Wilder’s left elbow destroyed an artery, shredded a nerve and obliterated bone, threatening his guitar-playing dreams.Wilder’s parents sued in Cook County circuit court, alleging that the officer...

Fewer Californians are moving to Texas, but more are going to Florida and Arizona

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:53 GMT

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — The number of former Californians who became Texans dropped slightly last year, but some of that slack was picked up by Arizona and Florida, which saw their tallies of ex-Californians grow, according to new state-to-state migration figures released Thursday.The flow of Californians to Texas has marked the largest state-to-state movement in the U.S. for the past two years, but it decreased from more than 107,000 people in 2021 to more than 102,000 residents in 2022, as real estate in Texas’ largest cities has grown more expensive. In Florida, meanwhile, the number of former Californians went from more than 37,000 people in 2021 to more than 50,000 people in 2022, and in Arizona, it went from more than 69,000 people to 74,000 people during that same time period.California had a net loss of more than 113,000 residents last year, a number that would have been much higher if not for people moving to the state from other countries and a natural increase from mor...

GOP opposition builds to empowering McHenry as temporary Speaker: Live coverage

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:53 GMT

Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) will back a resolution to empower Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) as he continues to work to shore up support for his Speaker bid — but GOP opposition to the idea is building.The Ohio Republican failed to win the gavel on the second ballot Wednesday, losing even more Republicans than on the first ballot Tuesday. That — combined with the war in Israel and looming shutdown deadline — prompted increased chatter about granting McHenry temporary power to move legislation.It's not clear yet when such a resolution could come to the floor, or what Democrats would do once it does.Follow along with live updates below.

Alderwoman physically attacked during migrant site construction protest in Brighton Park: Mayor's office

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:53 GMT

CHICAGO -- During a protest against the construction site of a tent camp meant to house newly arrived migrants in Brighton Park Thursday, the mayor's office says Alderwoman Julia Ramirez was physically attacked. The owner of the site located near the intersection of 38th Street and California, the Sanches Group, submitted an application with the city when proposals were released to identify potential properties to house newly arrived migrants. During the protest, Ramirez was chased by people demanding answers and she was then escorted out by police.According to the mayor's office, Ramirez was a victim of a physical attack by area residents and released a statement: "Any violent act against an elected official in our city is unacceptable and must be condemned in the strongest terms. My office and the Chicago Police Department are currently investigating this incident, and we will provide updates as they become available.” Residents upset by the plan mentioned feelings ...

Fisher-Price recalling thousands of Thomas & Friends toys over choking risk

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:53 GMT

(WHTM) – Fisher-Price is recalling about 21,000 Thomas & Friends train car toys due to a choking hazard.A small plastic piece with a high-powered magnet inside can loosen or detach, possibly causing a child to choke or even swallow the magnet, according to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission.The recall involves about 21,000 of the Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway Troublesome Truck & Crates and Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway Troublesome Truck & Paint toys in the U.S. Around 400 more were sold in Canada. Protein powder recalled over potential plastic contamination The Truck & Crates toys (model number HBJ89) are black and gray with brown crates as cargo, while the Truck & Paint toys (model number HBJ90) are gray and black with gray paint cans as cargo.The magnets are used to attach the affected toys to compatible Thomas & Friends train toys. The train cars have faces on them that look like the characters from "Thomas & Friends"...

Giant puppet to visit Austin on cross-country journey raising awareness about immigration

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:53 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A giant, 12-foot puppet known as "Little Amal" is making a stop in Austin Friday as part of a cross-country journey. Little Amal is a puppet of a 10-year-old Syrian refugee. She has been journeying across the United States this fall, visiting key places in America’s history to raise awareness about immigration and migration, the Associated Press reported. Little Amal, a 12-foot puppet of a Syrian refugee, will travel the US Little Amal has become a global symbol of human rights and refugees, her website states. Since 2021, she has traveled over 6,000 miles to 14 different countries. Her latest journey, which started on Sept. 7, is taking her 11,000 miles across the United States and Mexico in "one of the largest free public festivals ever created," according to her website. Before her journey concludes Nov. 26, she'll make a stop in Austin. Amal will be at Huston-Tillotson University Friday, Oct. 20, starting at 5 p.m., in partnership with Interfaith Action of Ce...

$59 million bond proposition on the ballot for Williamson County parks

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:53 GMT

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — One part of a two-proposition bond election for Williamson County voters will determine if $59 million will be allocated for improvements to the county's parks, expo centers, and shared-use path projects.Proposition B of the November 7 bond election would fund the purchase of parkland for the county, facility developments to Berry Springs Park and Preserve, Twin Lakes Park, and the Williamson County Expo Center.The bond election will also bring a $825 million road bond before voters. Proposition A names 38 proposed road projects throughout the county that vary from right-of-way acquisition to designing and construction. $800 million Williamson County road bond on November ballot KXAN Traffic Anchor Erica Brennes spoke with Williamson County about the road bond last week.Connie Odom, Williamson County communications director, said many of these projects are related to the county's fast-growing population.“And in certain cases, then they can bypass ...

Rep. McCaul: 'We have to prepare for' U.S. troops on ground in Middle East

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:53 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- House Foreign Affairs Chairman Michael McCaul told Nexstar on Wednesday his committee has been asked to consider an Authorization for Use of Military Force relating to the Israel-Hamas war, opening the possibility that American troops may again fight in the Middle East if the war attracts more adversaries through the region."I would not want to see that at all," Rep. McCaul said. "I prefer not see any of our troops on the ground. However, if it escalates to out of control, that's always a contingency that we have to prepare for."Rep. McCaul stressed the urgent need he sees for more U.S. aid for allies facing war and threats overseas, including Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan, as well as border security legislation to address threats on the southern border.He urged the House of Representatives to unite behind a leader, as any pending aid requests remain paralyzed while House Republicans struggle to elect a Speaker."It's a very dangerous game to play politically. We ne...

Will Canada commit to ending tuberculosis?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:53 GMT

While there has been a reduction in Tuberculosis (TB) diagnoses in 2020 and 2021, this apparent decline does not signify a shrinking TB problem as mentioned in the recent report of the World Health Organization. Instead, it points to a concerning issue – a growing population of undiagnosed and untreated individuals, leading to an alarming rise in TB-related death.Among the estimated 10.6 million people affected by TB annually, a staggering 4.2 million are left unaccounted for by healthcare systems. This means they do not receive both diagnosis and essential care.Fortunately, there is part of a solution at hand. By ensuring equitable access to non-sputum-based diagnostic tests in TB-affected regions, there is an opportunity to prevent countless cases from remaining untreated.To make this vision a reality, it’s imperative that Canada actively participates in the United Nations High-Level Meeting on TB. Furthermore, if Canada commits an impactful 0.15 per cent of its annual resea...