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As Israeli military retaliates, Palestinians say civilians are paying the price in strikes on Gaza

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:54:21 GMT

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — Hallways filled with screaming voices. A terrible stench in the air. Wounded people streaming through the doors. Lifeless bodies and bags of body parts arriving in bedsheets. The scene at Shifa Hospital was a grisly reflection of the chaos around it. Even as workers mopped up blood and relatives rushed children with shrapnel wounds into surgery, explosions thundered in central Gaza City.Over the last five days, Israeli warplanes have pummeled the blockaded strip with an intensity that its war-weary residents had never experienced. The airstrikes have killed over 1,100 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Officials have not said how many civilians are among the dead, but aid workers warn that Israel’s decision to impose a “complete siege” on the crowded enclave of 2.3 million people is spawning a humanitarian catastrophe that touches nearly every one of them. The airstrikes have transformed lively neighborhoods into wastelands of rub...

Mexican official says military obstructs probe into human rights abuses during country’s ‘dirty war’

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:54:21 GMT

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Decades after Mexico’s “dirty war,” the military has obstructed a government investigation into human rights abuses, the official heading the probe said Wednesday. Alejandro Encinas Rodríguez, deputy minister for human rights, said at a news conference that investigators withdrew last month after discovering military officials were hiding, altering and destroying documents. Encinas said some officials’ actions clearly violated a presidential decree granting investigators unfettered access to records.Asked if individual officials might face criminal charges, he said: “We are investigating this. As soon as we have some clear indication and evidence, of course we will proceed.” The Ministry of National Defense did not respond to an email from The Associated Press asking for comment.The inquiry was established under the Mexican human rights department’s commission for truth in October 2021 to investigate human rights violations during the “dirty war” again...

Air Canada pilot’s ‘unacceptable’ posts against Israel result in job loss

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:54:21 GMT

MONTREAL — An Air Canada pilot who the airline says made “unacceptable posts” about Israel after deadly attacks on that country over the weekend no longer works there.On Tuesday afternoon, the group StopAntisemitism.org shared Instagram posts allegedly made by the man, whom it identified as a pilot at the carrier. The posts allegedly depict the man wearing Palestinian colours — overtop his flight uniform in one photo — holding signs reading “Isr*el Hitler is proud of you” and showing an Israeli flag dumped in a garbage can above the caption, “Keep the world clean.”On Saturday, the militant group Hamas launched surprise incursions across the Israeli border from Gaza, killing civilians and precipitating a widening conflict that has already claimed more than 2,200 lives.By Wednesday, Israel had ramped up its retaliation against Hamas and launched more missiles at the Gaza Strip, where fears of a humanitarian disaster mounted as the bombardment levelled neighbourhoods and a ...

The Supreme Court signals support for a Republican-leaning congressional district in South Carolina

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:54:21 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Wednesday seemed likely to preserve the Republican hold on a South Carolina congressional district against a claim that it treats Black voters unfairly. The outcome could shape the fight for partisan control of the House of Representatives.The court’s six conservative justices signaled skepticism with a lower court ruling that ordered South Carolina to redraw a coastal district that is held by Republican Rep. Nancy Mace.Chief Justice John Roberts said a ruling for Black voters who challenged the district “would be breaking new ground in our voting rights jurisprudence.”When Mace first won election in 2020, she edged Democratic incumbent Rep. Joe Cunningham by 1%, under 5,400 votes. In 2022, following redistricting driven by the 2020 census results, Mace won reelection by 14%. She is one of eight Republicans who voted to oust Kevin McCarthy as House speaker.With Republicans holding a thin margin in the U.S. House, the loss or gain of one s...

After a hard fight to clear militants, Israeli soldiers find a scene of destruction, slain children

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:54:21 GMT

KIBBUTZ BE’ERI, Israel (AP) — Trudging down a cul-de-sac turned to rubble, an Israeli army commander stopped in front of one scorched home, its front wall blown wide open. Look at what Hamas militants have done, he said, to this close-knit community that only days ago brimmed with life.“Children in the same room and someone came and killed them all. Fifteen girls and teenagers, they put (them) in the same room, threw in a hand grenade and it’s over,” Major Gen. Itai Veruv said. ’This is a massacre. It’s a pogrom,” he said, recalling the brutal attacks on Jews in Eastern Europe in the 19th and early 20th century.The Israeli military led a group of journalists, including an Associated Press reporter, on a tour of this village a few miles from Israel’s fortified border with Gaza on Wednesday, following an extended battle to retake it from militants. Before Israeli forces prevailed, the attackers killed more than 100 residents, Israeli officials said.Be’eri, a settlement of a litt...

Man being sued over Mississippi welfare spending files his own suit against the governor

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:54:21 GMT

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — One of the people being sued by the Mississippi Department of Human Services over allegations of misspending welfare money has filed a separate lawsuit against Gov. Tate Reeves, saying the Republican is trying to protect political allies including a former governor.Austin Garrett Smith filed the suit Wednesday and described himself in court papers as “politically powerless.” Smith’s suit says Reeves should sue Republican former Gov. Phil Bryant, who was in office when prosecutors say money that was supposed to help some of the poorest people in the U.S. was instead spent on projects pushed by wealthy and well connected people.“Reeves has actively shifted the focus of the MDHS lawsuit away from Bryant, despite overwhelming evidence of Bryant’s involvement,” Smith’s attorney, Jim Waide, wrote.Reeves press secretary Shelby Wilcher said in response to questions about Smith’s lawsuit: “The State of Mississippi is fighting to claw back every s...

Train car derails in Elk Grove Village, striking building

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:54:21 GMT

ELK GROVE VILLAGE, Ill. — No injuries were reported following a train derailment Wednesday in suburban Elk Grove Village. Just before 4:40 p.m., emergency crews alerted the public of their response in the area of the 1200 block of Kirk St.For reasons unknown at this time, one of the train's cars veered off the track and crashed into a nearby building. Elk Grove Village police added the train was not carrying any hazardous materials. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines SkyCam9 flew above the scene.

City spending rises, as does skepticism, amid Johnson's first budget address

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:54:21 GMT

CHICAGO — With budget season underway, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is increasing city spending by $236 million. While the city leader does so without raising taxes, City Council members are skeptical.Johnson called his first budget proposal a down payment on his progressive agenda. Rather than pursue $1 billion in investments, as he promised on the campaign trail, the mayor is taking a more modest approach – closing a projected $538 million gap while holding the line on property taxes. "My budget team and department heads have been hard at work developing a plan that not only closes the budget gap but makes strategic investments in people and communities," Johnson said Wednesday. Restraining order filed against Chicago to block Amundsen Park Fieldhouse migrant shelter The mayor has proposed money for youth employment - 4,000 more opportunities for summer jobs - bringing the total to 28,000. Johnson also wants $250 million in homelessness support, additional funds for the city’s ...

Sam's Club cuts membership to $15 before the holidays

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:54:21 GMT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (WDAF) — Sam's Club has cut the price of its annual membership by 70%, just in time for the holidays. The standard Sam's Club membership is currently only $15 for the first year. It's normally $50.Meanwhile, the Plus membership, which offers free shipping and other perks, is currently $55 for the first year, compared to its usual $110 price. Judge gives $725M Facebook settlement final approval Sam's Club said this is the best Plus membership offer of the year. "We’re offering an incredible value with our October membership promotion by giving shoppers access to our Plus membership at its lowest price of the year just in time for the holiday shopping season," Scott Ludwig, Sam's Club vice president of membership, said in a release.But you'll have to act fast. The sale only lasts until Sunday, Oct. 15. Customers can snag the deal online here or in store. Sam's Club is also currently holding a "Super Savings Event" online -- just as Amazon holds its Prime Days....

'Emotionless answers': Parents of Gabby Petito react to the Laundries' depositions

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:54:21 GMT

VENICE, Fla. (WFLA) — The second day of depositions with Brian Laundrie's parents was filled with more tension and more revelations about the aftermath of Gabby Petito's death."We learned a lot in the last two days that we didn't know before," said attorney Pat Reilly.Roberta Laundrie, Brian's mother, was questioned by Reilly on Wednesday in Venice, Florida, ahead of the civil trial slated for May. Brian's father, Christopher Laundrie, was deposed Tuesday. ‘Gut-wrenching’: Parents of Gabby Petito, Brian Laundrie meet for first time since Petito’s murder Questions were said to surround the infamous “burn after reading” letter that Roberta purportedly wrote Brian. In the letter, she allegedly offered her son a shovel and garbage bags if he needed to dispose of a body."There is pure evil in this world," said Nichole Schmidt, Gabby's mother, after listening to Roberta's deposition over Zoom. "I have witnessed it firsthand."Joe Petito, Gabby's father, said the Laundries refused to loo...