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Israel’s Supreme Court strikes down a key component of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s judicial overhaul

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:59:24 GMT

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s Supreme Court strikes down a key component of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s judicial overhaul.Source

Australia advances to United Cup quarterfinals with a 2-1 win over defending champion US

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:59:24 GMT

PERTH, Australia (AP) — Host Australia advanced to the quarterfinals of the United Cup on Monday with a 2-1 victory over defending champion United States.Matthew Ebden and Storm Hunter combined effectively in the decisive mixed doubles match to beat Jessica Pegula and Rajeev Ram 6-3, 6-1 in Perth and ensured that Australia finished top of Group C in the 18-country mixed-teams event with the Americans second.“This means everything,” Hunter said. “It is a dream come true. Playing in front of the home crowd and playing with Matty, a Perth local, it is a dream come true to win and go into the quarterfinals at home.”Alex de Minaur had provided Australia with a 1-0 lead by beating Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-2 but Pegula responded by defeating Ajla Tomljanovic 7-6 (6), 6-3 to make it 1-1.No. 1-ranked Iga Swiatek led Poland into the quarterfinals, winning both her singles and doubles matches in Perth while France kept its hopes alive with a thrilling 2-1 win over Germany in Sydney.Swiatek needed t...

Woman found fatally shot in hotel room on New Year’s Day — DC’s first homicide of 2024

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:59:24 GMT

D.C. police began investigating what could be the first shooting of 2024 at the Embassy Suites Hotel located across from the Friendship Heights Metro Station on Jan. 1, 2024. (WTOP/Ivy Lyons) D.C. police began investigating what could be the first shooting of 2024 at the Embassy Suites Hotel located across from the Friendship Heights Metro Station on Jan. 1, 2024. (WTOP/Ivy Lyons) A woman suffering from fatal gunshot wounds, who was found inside a Northwest D.C. hotel room not long after midnight on New Year’s, is believed to be the District’s first homicide victim of 2024.The woman’s death comes as the District ended 2023 with its highest number of killings in more than two decades.D.C. police s...

Doug J.J. Peters, a popular former lawmaker, dies at age 60

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:59:24 GMT

Former Sen. Doug J.J. Peters (D-Prince George’s). (Maryland Matters/Danielle Gaines) Former Sen. Doug J.J. Peters (D-Prince George’s). (Maryland Matters/Danielle Gaines) Doug J.J. Peters, an influential former state senator who was popular among Democrats and Republicans, died Saturday. He was 60.In a statement, the family of the former senator said he died as the result of complications from multiple myeloma.“He was a tremendous public servant, and a remarkable businessman. More than anything, he was our rock, our north star,” the Peters family said in a statement.Born in 1963, Peters attended Springbrook High School in Silver Spring. He later attended the University of Maryland where he earned a bach...

Ontarian RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley say they’re thrilled to join Toronto Raptors

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:59:24 GMT

TORONTO — RJ Barrett woke up in an Indianapolis hotel room, ready to play the Pacers with the New York Knicks. But when he checked his phone he thought he was still dreaming because he’d been traded to his hometown Toronto Raptors.“My initial reaction was like, ‘what’s going on?’ I just woke up to it,” said a smiling Barrett. “I was immediately happy.“I grew up a Raptors fan all my life. So to come here and put this jersey on, it’s going to be great.”Barrett, from Mississauga, Ont., and guard Immanuel Quickley had their first morning shootaround with the Raptors on Monday, two days after they were traded to Toronto from the Knicks.Even two days after the deal was made official, Barrett was still bubbling with excitement.“Really, really happy, really excited to be here. I’m thankful and blessed,” said Barrett at a post-practice news conference. “There’s so many things I want to say, but it...

Zapatista indigenous rebel movement marks 30 years since its armed uprising in southern Mexico

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:59:24 GMT

OCOSINGO, Mexico (AP) — Members and supporters of the Zapatista indigenous rebel movement celebrated the 30th anniversary of their brief armed uprising in southern Mexico on Monday even as their social base erodes and violence spurred by drug cartels encroaches on their territory.Hundreds gathered in the remote community of Dolores Hidalgo in the preceding days to mark the occasion. Some 1,500 young Zapatistas donning uniforms — black balaclavas, green caps and red kerchiefs — stood in formation listening to speeches early Monday.Subcommander Moises — his nom de guerre — called for the Zapatistas to continue organizing themselves to fight to maintain their autonomy, freedom and democracy.“We’re alone, like 30 years ago, because alone we have found the new path that we are going to follow,” Moises said. He noted the continuing need to defend their communities from violence. “We don’t need to kill soldiers and bad governments, but if they come we’re going to defend ourselves.”In Novem...

Annual Waukegan Polar Bear Plunge draws big crowd to raise money for a great cause

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:59:24 GMT

WAUKEGAN, Ill. — Hundreds of people went freezing for a great reason Monday morning in Waukegan.Some hearty souls rang in 2024 by participating in the 25th annual Waukegan Polar Bear Plunge at Municipal Beach, and they did it while raising money for the Special Recreation Services of Northern Lake County.For short, SRSNLC provides community therapeutic recreation to people with disabilities in the Waukegan and Zion Park Districts. Those participating in Monday's annual Polar Bear Plunge were happy to freeze a little to raise money so people with disabilities can take part in camps, athletics, health and fitness programs and more.“It’s a great cause," Waukegan Park District Board of Commissioners President Jeremiah Johnson said. "Even if it is a bit of a chilly day. It’s worth it in the end, for sure.”Each year, according to organizers, the Polar Bear Plunge raises at least $20,000.“What I will say with our community is, we have the greatest heart," Waukegan Mayor Ann Taylor said.But...

Photos, video: Japan tells people not to go home after series of earthquakes

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:59:24 GMT

TOKYO (AP) — Japan dropped its highest-level tsunami alert, issued following a series of major earthquakes on Monday, but told residents of coastal areas not to return to their homes as deadly waves could still come.The quakes, the largest of which had a magnitude of 7.6, started a fire and collapsed buildings on the west coast of Japan’s main island, Honshu. It was unclear how many people might have been killed or hurt.The Japan Meteorological Agency reported more than a dozen quakes in the Japan Sea off the coast of Ishikawa and nearby prefectures shortly after 4 p.m.At least six homes were damaged by the quakes, with people trapped inside, government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi said. A fire broke out in Wajima city, Ishikawa Prefecture, and electricity was out for more than 30,000 households, he said.A bookshelf falls at a home in Nagaoka, Niigata prefecture, Japan Sunday, Jan. 1, 2024, following an earthquake. Japan issued tsunami alerts Monday after a series of strong quakes in...

'Literally taking the plunge': Couple marries at Barton Springs' New Year polar plunge

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:59:24 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — For Janeen Bailey and Steve Smith, Monday marked the start of a new chapter as they — literally — plunged into marriage, wedding at Barton Springs Pool's annual polar bear plunge.Their wedding came decades in the making of their love story: The pair, onetime sweethearts in College Station back in the mid-1980s, broke up after their lives went in different directions. Back in 2015, Smith said he was newly single and trying for a new start in life when he decided to participate in the plunge. PAST COVERAGE: ‘Will you take the plunge with me?’ Couple engaged at Polar Plunge Janeen, not knowing where Steve even lived at that point, said she decided to do her first polar plunge that same day. And the rest, as they say, is history."I'm standing down there, ready to start a wild, crazy year, waiting to jump in the pool, and I hear 'Steve! Steve!'" Smith recounted. "I turned around, and we've pretty much been together ever since."It became a tradition for Bailey and Smith ...

Rash of shootings overnight in St. Paul leaves one man dead, one man injured and a 10-year-old in critical condition

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:59:24 GMT

At least three shootings in St. Paul overnight have left one man dead, another man with life-threatening injuries and a boy in critical condition, authorities said.The first shooting was late Sunday, New Year’s Eve, and two more followed shortly after the calendar turned to the new year, including one fatal shooting.Shortly before midnight, someone fired gunshots into a home in the 700 block of Sherburne Avenue and struck a 10-year-old boy, according to St. Paul police Sgt. Mike Ernster. Preliminary information indicates the shooter fired from outside the home and that it was not a random shooting; police believe the home was targeted.The boy was taken to Regions Hospital by St. Paul fire medics. Police said the boy is expected to survive, noting that his injuries were critical but he was in stable condition Monday morning.Shortly after midnight, officers responded to several 911 calls about gunshots on the 1100 block of Payne Avenue.They found a man with life-threatening inju...