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With deadline looming, diplomats seek to extend Gaza truce; more hostages, prisoners are freed

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:08 GMT

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Hamas and Israel released more hostages and prisoners under terms of a fragile cease-fire that held for a fifth day Tuesday as international mediators in Qatar worked to extend the truce. The United States urged Israel to better protect Palestinian civilians in Gaza if it follows through on its promise to resume the war.In the latest swap since the cease-fire began Friday, Israel said 10 of its citizens and two Thai nationals were freed by Hamas and had been returned to Israel. Soon after, Israel released 30 Palestinian prisoners. The truce is due to end after one more exchange Wednesday night.For the first time, Israel and Hamas blamed each other for an exchange of fire between troops and militants in northern Gaza. There was no indication it would endanger the truce, which has enabled humanitarian aid to flow into Gaza.CIA director William Burns and David Barnea, who heads Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency, were in Qatar, a key mediator with Hama...

Fuertes vientos derriban al Árbol Nacional de Navidad

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:08 GMT

Fuertes vientos derribaron el Árbol Nacional de Navidad afuera de la Casa Blanca la tarde del martes. Ráfagas de más de 30 mph causaron que se desplomara el emblemático árbol. El árbol iba a ser encendido el jueves, y el Servicio de Parques Nacionales (NPS, por sus siglas en inglés) dijo que analiza todas las opciones para asegurar que el encendido sea exitoso. El árbol se cayó sobre la 1 p.m., según el NPS. Equipos usaron una grúa para levantarlo para las 6 p.m.El abeto rojo mide 40 pies y viene del Bosque Nacional Monongahela en Virginia del Oeste, y había reemplazado el árbol anterior este mes, de acuerdo al NPS.Source

Denver police investigate fifth outdoor death in 3 days

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:08 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — On Tuesday, police in Denver investigated yet another outdoor death.It was the fifth person to be found dead outdoors since Saturday, when four people were found dead in a 24-hour period. Homes cost below $500K in these Colorado counties On Tuesday, the Denver Police Department was called to the South Platte River, where a body was discovered. A pair of workers told FOX31 they found the body on the embankment.It’s not clear how the person died or how long they had been there. The body was found in an area filled with bushes and trees along the river, not far from West Mississippi Avenue.4 found dead during Denver freezeOver the weekend, four other bodies were discovered. One was at Broadway and Bayaud Avenue, and another deceased person was found in the 1700 Block of Wewatta Street. The other two were found along Colfax Avenue and Alcott Street.The discoveries came as freezing weather with temperatures in the 20s gripped the city. The Denver Department of Public He...

Colorado rental assistance boosted by $30M: Who qualifies?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:08 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — Colorado just boosted its rental assistance fund by tens of millions.On Tuesday, Gov. Jared Polis signed a bill into law that allocates another $30 million for rental assistance. How much will the next TABOR check be? The new allocation brings the total rental assistance funds to $65 million, adding to previously allocated federal funds, according to a release from the Colorado General Assembly Democrats."Rental assistance keeps Coloradans housed, landlords paid and helps combat cycles of poverty, homelessness and family disruption,” state Rep. Leslie Herod said in a statement. "Coloradans need help now, and I’m beyond proud of this legislation that will prevent thousands of evictions across our state."Evictions are on the rise in Colorado, according to court documents. Some 43,899 evictions have been filed this year so far, "threatening the housing of more than 100,000 people across the state," according to Colorado Democrats.How to get rental assistance in Colora...

Book your dinner at ‘Secret Garden’ in Freehand Miami for a private, enchanting holiday meal

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:08 GMT

It’s the holiday season and many restaurants around Miami, are leaning on their popularity to get you to enjoy your holiday meals with them.But, one Miami Beach hidden gem is betting on its “secrecy” to entice you into trading in your ordinary holiday dinner for something extraordinary.If you’re looking to ditch your traditional holiday dinner plans this year for something more unique…Then look no further, than 27 Restaurant.Jr. Gorton: “27 restaurant and bar focuses on creating the ambiance for guests to come along and have this intimate gathering.”Located inside the Freehand Hotel in Miami Beach, the restaurant is offering guests a private dining experience like no other in its “Secret Garden.”Jr. Gorton: “People are able to activate the Secret Garden, where they are provided a private bar staff a private wait staff, and basically, it’s just yours to enjoy.”A low-key and charming quiet area just for you and yo...

Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum marking 250th anniversary of Boston Tea Party with special events

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:08 GMT

Tuesday marked 250 years since the first of three Boston Tea Party ships filled with tea arrived in the city. At the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum, staff celebrated the historic day with several special events as part of a larger slate of events planned around the tea party’s 250th anniversary. Among events, the museum unveiled a famous book it is adding to its collection. “Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral,” written by Ms. Phillis Wheatley was among the cargo and crates of tea on the first ship to arrive back in 1773. Speaking on Tuesday, officials said Wheatley was the first woman of African descent, the first enslaved person and the third woman in America to publish a book of poetry. Officials said they now have the first edition of Wheatley’s book and will feature it in a new pop-up exhibit for one week. Proceeding with anniversary festivities, the Tea Party Museum also honored two of Boston’s most influential revolutionary figures with a cer...

Ohtani possibility looks open as Atkins addresses Blue Jays off-season buzz

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:08 GMT

In the two-plus weeks since the GM Meetings ended rather unceremoniously, the Toronto Blue Jays roster has barely changed, yet there’s still been a steady stream of rumours and speculation about what Canada’s lone MLB team might do next.That’s standard operating procedure this time of year, as everyone from front-office officials to fans knows all too well. Given the Blue Jays’ position as a big-market team intent on winning now and willing to spend, it would be more surprising if they weren’t linked to big names.Still, there’s a big difference between preliminary interest and genuine traction, and Ross Atkins’ comments to the Toronto chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America Tuesday afternoon offered some hints as to what’s real and what’s not. Bo Bichette, for example? Staying put. Trading for a rental? Definitely on the table. And Shohei Ohtani?Actually, let’s start there. So much of the off-season hinges on Ohtani’s decision, not only for interested teams like the B...

Heavy winds knock over Christmas tree in front of White House, but it’s back upright

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:08 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The National Christmas Tree in front of the White House fell down Tuesday afternoon amid high winter winds. The tree, a 40-foot Norway spruce from West Virginia’s Monongahela National Forest, had been planted just two weeks ago on the White House Ellipse, an area known as President’s Park. According to the National Park Service, it fell over around 1 p.m. Tuesday amid heavy wind gusts that reached as high at 46 mph at nearby Reagan National Airport.NPS spokeswoman Jasmine Shanti said in an email that after “replacing a snapped cable,” the tree was back upright by 6 p.m. Tuesday. The lighting of the tree is an annual White House holiday tradition with a countdown and musical performances. This year’s tree is a new one, replacing an older tree that, according to NPS, developed a fungal disease known as “needle cast” that caused its needles to turn brown and fall off. The tree was scheduled to be lit Thursday, but there was no indication from the Whi...

US mediators reject attempt by flight attendants to clear the path for a strike at American Airlines

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:08 GMT

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Federal mediators have rejected a union’s request that could have cleared the way for a year-end strike by flight attendants at American Airlines.The National Mediation Board instead directed the airline and the Association of Professional Flight Attendants to keep negotiating over a new contract.“We look forward to continued negotiations with APFA and reaching an agreement our flight attendants have earned,” American said in a statement Tuesday.Union President Julie Hedrick said in a statement that despite the setback, “we are not backing down. We will intensify our pressure on the company.”Hedrick said American “continues to drag out bargaining with contract proposals that do not address the current economic environment.”Flight attendants voted to authorize a strike and picketed outside American’s headquarters, saying that they have not received raises since 2019. The two sides remain far apart in negotiations. The union seeks raises of 35% fol...

Pedestrians injured after being struck by vehicle in Scarborough

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:08 GMT

Two people have been transported to a local hospital after they were struck and injured by the driver of a vehicle in Scarborough.Toronto police said the incident happened just before 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday in the Pharmacy Avenue and Lawrence Avenue East area in Scarborough’s Wexford neighbourhood.Two pedestrians were struck by a vehicle. The severity of their injuries is unclear.Police said the driver remained at the scene.Two lanes are blocked on Pharmacy Avenue as the investigation continues.