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Hamas’s attack on Israel: 2 victims with Canadian ties laid to rest

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:55:30 GMT

Two victims with ties to Canada who were killed in Hamas’s attacks on Israel were remembered fondly by relatives on Wednesday, who called for the world to recognize the brutality of what happened. Tiferet Lapidot, 22, was formally identified by authorities on Monday, more than a week after she died at a music festival near the Gaza Strip border, where Hamas’s attack began on Oct. 7. Her family had thought she was among those being held hostage.“She was like a daughter for me,” said Harel Lapidot, her uncle. “And the funeral was horrible, the taking (of) a happy girl, helping, loving.”Tiferet Lapidot was an Israeli citizen whose father has roots in Saskatchewan. In an interview Wednesday, a Montreal-based relative described Lapidot as charismatic and compassionate.Oran Zlotnik said Lapidot had taught in Africa and had lived in Australia. Zlotnik said she had returned to Israel for the holidays and was a few days shy of her 23rd birthday.“...

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says league still needs to hire more minority head coaches

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:55:30 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the league still needs to hire more minority head coaches.The latest rule change was aimed at increasing opportunities.Owners voted Tuesday to push in-person head coaching interviews back one more week until after all divisional playoff games have been completed to slow down the hiring process.”(Diversity, equity, inclusion) has received more attention in our owners’ meetings than probably any subject we have been discussing in the last five years, and I think that focus has been helpful to the clubs as well as to all of us,” Goodell said Wednesday after the conclusion of the league’s fall meetings. “Our understanding of the priorities, the need to do this and how we do it better. I know the focus is on head coaches, we understand that, but we’re focused on the entire league. How do we continue to have diversity be a part of our league and make us better?“And we reported on the broader diversity numbers both at the league level and...

US eases oil, gas and gold sanctions on Venezuela after electoral roadmap signed

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:55:30 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — In response to Venezuela’s government and a faction of its opposition formally agreeing to work together to reach a series of basic conditions for the next presidential election, the U.S. agreed Wednesday to temporarily suspend some sanctions on the country’s oil, gas and gold sectors. Tuesday’s agreement between President Nicolás Maduro’s administration and the Unitary Platform came just days before the opposition holds a primary to pick its candidate for the 2024 presidential election.The U.S. Treasury issued a six-month general license that would temporarily authorize transactions involving Venezuela’s oil and gas sector, another that authorizes dealings with Minerven — the state-owned gold mining company — and it removed the secondary trading ban on certain Venezuelan sovereign bonds. The ban on trading in the primary Venezuelan bond market remains in place, Treasury says. Brian E. Nelson, Treasury’s under secretary for terrorism and fin...

For more than 20 years, 'Story Time Cop' brings joy to kids in Naperville

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:55:30 GMT

NAPERVILLE, Ill. — For more than two decades, a familiar squad car has been parked outside Naperville's downtown public library, and a veteran police police officer has been perched inside, reading stories to kids from across Naperville.One of officer Matt Fletcher's first jobs on the force with the Naperville Police Department was to monitor the parking situation around the local library. Fletcher said it wasn't the most exciting assignment, but one that led to what he said is now his favorite part of the job.Story time.At the beginning of every shift, Fletcher grabs the essentials for every police officer off to active duty around town. "My safety vest in my locker, shotgun shells, ammunition," Fletcher said of the daily checklist of things to grab from his locker at the station before heading out on patrol.But there's something not so standard that he makes sure to bring with him every Friday morning."... and then I have children's books, which I get a lot of ribbing about," Flet...

Permits granted for Google to renovate Thompson Center

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:55:30 GMT

CHICAGO -- Google has been granted the permits they need to renovate Chicago's Thompson Center in the city's Loop.The Chicago Department of Buildings granted Google the renovation permits on Friday, Oct. 13. The tech company plans on making the Thompson Center their new headquarters.Google bought Thompson Center in July 2022 for $105 million.According to the Chicago Sun Times, the plans are to remove the metal and glass exterior of the building and demolish the atrium of the Thompson Center. The classic blue and salmon color scheme of the former state government building will be changed. ORIGINAL: Google buys Thompson Center The Thompson Center, a hulking all-glass building designed by Helmut Jahn, opened in 1985 as the State of Illinois Center. It was renamed in 1993 for James “Big Jim” Thompson, who served as governor from 1977-91.Google plans on housing 2,000 employees at their new headquarters at the Thompson Center.The project is expected to cost $6 million. Google said last ...

Biden to deliver primetime address Thursday on Israel, Ukraine wars

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:55:30 GMT

(The Hill) -- President Biden will address the nation on Thursday about the wars in Ukraine and the conflict between Israel and Hamas in a primetime speech from the Oval Office.The White House announced Biden will "address the nation to discuss our response to Hamas’ terrorist attacks against Israel and Russia’s ongoing brutal war against Ukraine." The speech will take place at 8 p.m. ET. The timing of the speech underscores the consequential nature of both conflicts to U.S. interests, and it comes on the heels of Biden's trip to Israel to show support for the Jewish state and broker a deal to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.It also comes as the White House prepares to send a supplemental funding request to Congress seeking aid for both Israel and Ukraine. The total ask could reportedly amount to roughly $100 billion, also including funding for Taiwan and U.S. border security. Biden warns Israel not to repeat mistakes of US response after 9/11 Biden traveled to Israel Wednesday ...

Nadav Ziv: Hamas’ barbarity broke my heart. Some of my friends are breaking it a second time

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:55:30 GMT

Since Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7, I’ve stumbled between nausea, anger, grief and numbness. The barbarity inches closer. My sister’s classmate from high school lost a family member. My cousin’s best friend lost her brother. A student who graduated from my high school last year is missing.My Facebook feed alternates between pleas for information and funeral announcements.Picture after picture. Grandchildren and grandparents. Youthful smiles and serene wisdom.Have you seen this person?Please help me find …It is with a heavy heart that we share…I see one woman, probably younger than me, shatter during a television interview. Hamas terrorists posted a video of her slain grandmother, blood pooling on the floor, from her grandma’s own Facebook account.I worry I have not yet learned the worst of what has already happened. I worry that worse is yet to come. Amid my cascading heartbreak, I see my Jewish and Israeli friends and family share thei...

Averill Park CSD to offer free meals to all students

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:55:30 GMT

AVERILL PARK, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A local school district will soon provide free breakfast and lunch to all of its students. Free meals in the Averill Park Central School District begin on Nov. 1. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The U.S. Department of Agriculture is loosening guidelines so more schools can offer free meals to more students. Supporters said it helps reduce the stigma surrounding free meals and ensure kids don't attend class on an empty stomach.Anyone with questions is asked to contact Jennifer Radigan, the Shared Food Services Program Specialist at (518) 464-5106.

Bethlehem voters approve auditorium renovation project

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:55:30 GMT

BETHLEHEM, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A project to renovate the Bethlehem Middle School auditorium can move forward after voters approved a capital project. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The district said about 80 percent of voters agreed to use $4.6 million in capital reserve funds to make upgrades. The current auditorium is more than 90 years old.Changes include a new sound system, new lighting, new seats and more. Construction is expected to start in January.

8 Colorado high school football games to watch in Week 9

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:55:30 GMT

CLASS 5ANo. 10 Regis Jesuit (4-4) vs. No. 9 Legend (6-2)When/where: 7 p.m. Thursday at EchoPark StadiumLast meeting: Regis Jesuit 26, vs. Legend 11, Oct. 21, 2022A week after handing Pine Creek its first loss, Legend hosts a Regis Jesuit team in search of a marquee win of its own. Legend turned in a dominant defensive effort in its win over Creek, holding the Eagles to 28 yards rushing while totaling 11 tackles for loss. Junior RB Jaden Lawrence (118 carries, 814 yards) continued his emergence in the win, piling up 190 yards on 26 carries — his fourth game over 100 yards this fall. The Raiders are coming off a defensive gem of their own (six sacks in a 51-0 win over Chaparral), but the degree of difficulty goes up a notch against the Titans.No. 3 Arapahoe (7-1) vs. No. 1 Cherry Creek (8-0)When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at Stutler BowlLast meeting: Cherry Creek 42, at Arapahoe 7, Oct. 21, 2022With two weeks left in the regular season, this highly anticipated Centennial League showdo...