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Israeli forces bombard central Gaza in apparent move to expand ground offensive. Telecoms out again

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:16 GMT

By NAJIB JOBAIN, WAFAA SHURAFA and SAMY MAGDY (Associated Press)RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israeli forces bombarded Palestinian refugee camps in central Gaza and issued orders telling residents to evacuate Tuesday, signs that the military plans to expand its ground offensive into another part of the besieged territory. Gaza’s main telecom provider, Paltel, announced another “complete interruption” of services.A potential new battle zone threatens new destruction in a war that Israel’s military has said will last for “many months” as it vows to crush the ruling Hamas group after its Oct. 7 attack. Israeli forces have been engaged in heavy urban fighting in northern Gaza and the southern city of Khan Younis, driving Palestinians into ever-smaller areas in search of refuge. Hamas has been designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, Canada and the European Union.Despite international pressure for a cease-fire and U.S. calls for fewer civilian casualties, Israeli Pri...

Bill Belichick gives extensive answer on Bailey Zappe’s improvements with Patriots

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:16 GMT

There are sudden signs of positivity for the Patriots at quarterback.The Patriots still might not have their quarterback of the future on their current roster, but Bailey Zappe certainly didn’t look out of place under center in Sunday’s 26-23 win over the Broncos.Zappe’s 88.9 PFF grade was the highest mark for a Patriots quarterback since Mac Jones received an 89.9 grade two years ago in Week 17 of the 2021 season. Zappe was 25-of-33 for 256 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. He was strip-sacked on the first Patriots offensive play of the game but that was his only turnover-worthy play. Additionally, he had three big-time throws and his adjusted completion percentage was 87.1%.Overall, head coach Bill Belichick was impressed with Zappe’s play and showered him with praise Tuesday morning on WEEI’s “The Greg Hill Show.”Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | What has impressed Bill Belichick most about Patriots budding s...

Sweden moves one step closer to NATO membership after Turkish parliamentary committee gives approval

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:16 GMT

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — The Turkish Parliament’s foreign affairs committee gave its consent to Sweden’s bid to join NATO on Tuesday, drawing the previously non-aligned Nordic country closer to membership in the Western military alliance.Sweden’s accession protocol will now need to be approved in the general assembly for the last stage of the legislative process in Turkey. No date has been set.Turkey, a NATO member, has delayed ratifying Sweden’s application for more than a year, accusing the country of being too lenient toward groups that Ankara regards as threats to its security, including Kurdish militants and members of a network that Ankara blames for a failed coup in 2016.Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan earlier this month threw up another obstacle by openly linking ratification of Sweden’s NATO membership to the U.S. Congress’ approval of a Turkish request to purchase 40 new F-16 fighter jets and kits to modernize Turkey’s ex...

Stoughton man arrested for daytime shooting that left Rhode Islander injured

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:16 GMT

Stoughton police arrested an 18-year-old man over the weekend for allegedly shooting a Rhode Island man he had arranged to meet.Marc Francois of Stoughton is facing a litany of charges after a daytime shooting on Saturday, including assault and battery with a firearm, carrying a firearm without a license, armed robbery, and possession of a large capacity feeding device, according to law enforcement.Police received a call for shots fired on Central Street and Greenwood Avenue and started to search for a suspect. Francois was located near a condominium complex and a firearm was recovered, police said.After calling area hospitals, police said they learned a man had self-admitted to Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro with a gunshot wound.“It was determined that this individual was shot in Stoughton,” police said. “The investigation remains active and ongoing, however information obtained during the investigation suggests that this was not a random act of violence and that there is no...

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene targeted by failed Christmas swatting attempt

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:16 GMT

By HANNAH SCHOENBAUM (Associated Press)Republican U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene was the target of a swatting attempt at her Georgia residence on Christmas morning, the congresswoman and local police said, marking the latest instance of someone calling in a fake emergency to draw armed officers or SWAT teams to her home.The Rome Police Department quickly verified that the call was a hoax and did not send officers to the house, department spokesperson Kelly Madden said.“I was just swatted. This is like the 8th time. On Christmas with my family here. My local police are the GREATEST and shouldn’t have to deal with this,” Greene wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter.A man in New York called the Georgia suicide hotline just before 11 a.m. Monday, claiming that he had shot his girlfriend at Greene’s home and was going to kill himself next, Madden said. The call was quickly transferred to police when suicide hotline responders recognized the Georgia congresswoma...

What to know before the Holiday Bowl and parade: Road closures, parking

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:16 GMT

SAN DIEGO — With the passing of Christmas, San Diegans are gearing up for another local tradition: the Holiday Bowl and Holiday Bowl Parade.City officials are estimating that over 35,000 people will flock to downtown for the annual college football event and extended festivities this Wednesday.The Holiday Bowl parade kicks off the day at 10 a.m. along the Embarcadero, featuring balloons, floats and world-class marching bands. Then, at 5 p.m., the Louisville Cardinals (ACC) and USC Trojans (Pac-12) will meet in Petco Park for the bowl, followed by the KGB Sky Show.The stadium's gates will be open at 3 p.m. for fans headed to the Holiday Bowl game. The first 10,000 fans who enter the gate will be given one-day park tickets for SeaWorld San Diego, so those going may want to get to the stadium early. Holiday travel in full swing across San Diego Whether you are attending or live in the area, here is everything you need to know about the upcoming Holiday Bowl festivities — from road cl...

This San Diego County bakery represents California on Yelp's best holiday desserts list

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:16 GMT

BONITA, Calif. -- A San Diego County bakery is representing California on a new Yelp list of best holiday desserts across the country. The fresh fruit strudel at Hans & Harry’s Bakery in Bonita, California, has made the list put together by Yelp of best holiday desserts you can find in each state. More freebies from Starbucks? Yes, please Maybe you're traveling and want to check out a new dessert in another state, or maybe you live locally or are traveling to San Diego County for the holidays, Yelp's "Crumbs Across America: A state-by-state guide to the best holiday desserts" list features a holiday dessert in every state across the country. Other bakeries featured along the West Coast: Candy Cane Crunch Brownie at Fairytale Brownies Phoenix, Arizona; Cranberry Cream Cheese Loaf at Freed’s Bakery in Las Vegas, Nevada;Pumpkin Custard Pie at Lee’s Bakery & Kitchen in Honolulu, Hawaii; Chocolate Pecan Pie at Snohomish Pie Company in Mountlake Terrace, Washington; Snowball Co...

What to do with old Christmas trees in San Diego

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:16 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Christmas trees are lit up, presents are under the tree and you may still be doing some last minute shopping. The holiday season is in full swing as we head into Christmas Eve this weekend. Although you may not be thinking just yet about what to do with your tree after the holidays, the City of San Diego is, and is ready to accept Christmas trees part of its recycling program. ‘Tis the season: What to do this holiday season in San Diego County Whether you're one of those who keeps your tree up for weeks after the holidays or maybe you take it down the next day or right after New Year's Day, you can recycle real Christmas trees for free in San Diego through the end of January. The City of San Diego will kick off its 50th annual Christmas Tree Recycling Program starting the day after Christmas (Dec. 26). Where is Santa? Here’s how to track him City of San Diego residents can drop off real Christmas trees to one of 16 locations through Jan. 23, 2024:Carmel Valle...

SIU investigating death of man in Lakefield

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:16 GMT

The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating the death of a 40-year-old man on Tuesday morning in Lakefield.Preliminary information suggests that at approximately 1:30 a.m., a woman contacted Peterborough police to report that her son was in distress at an apartment on Queen Street in Lakefield.Upon arrival, an officer saw the man holding a baseball bat outside of the apartment. The man struck the officer with the bat, then went back inside the apartment.Additional officers arrived on scene, and attempted to communicate with the man to no avail. Officers breached the apartment door and located the man in the kitchen in medical distress.Officers and emergency medics provided first aid, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene.Three investigators and one forensic investigator have been assigned to the case. The SIU asks anyone with information about the investigation, including video or photos, to contact them.

As social media guardrails fade and AI deepfakes go mainstream, experts warn of impact on elections

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:16 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Nearly three years after rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol, the false election conspiracy theories that drove the violent attack remain prevalent on social media and cable news: suitcases filled with ballots, late-night ballot dumps, dead people voting.Experts warn it will likely be worse in the coming presidential election contest. The safeguards that attempted to counter the bogus claims the last time are eroding, while the tools and systems that create and spread them are only getting stronger.Many Americans, egged on by former President Donald Trump, have continued to push the unsupported idea that elections throughout the U.S. can’t be trusted. A majority of Republicans (57%) believe Democrat Joe Biden was not legitimately elected president.Meanwhile, generative artificial intelligence tools have made it far cheaper and easier to spread the kind of misinformation that can mislead voters and potentially influence elections. And social media companies that once inv...