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Hamas appears to have practiced border assault in plain sight

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:31:22 GMT

By Michael Biesecker and Sarah El Deeb | Associated PressLess than a month before Hamas fighters blew through Israel’s high-tech “Iron Wall” and launched an attack that would leave more than 1,200 Israelis dead, they practiced in a very public dress rehearsal.A slickly produced two-minute propaganda video posted to social media by Hamas on Sept. 12 shows fighters using explosives to blast through a replica of the border gate, sweep in on pickup trucks and then move building by building through a full-scale reconstruction of an Israeli town, firing automatic weapons at human-silhouetted paper targets.The Islamic militant group’s live-fire exercise dubbed operation “Strong Pillar” also had militants in body armor and combat fatigues carrying out operations that included the destruction of mock-ups of the wall’s concrete towers and a communications antenna, just as they would do for real in the deadly attack last Saturday.While Israel’s h...

Letters: More than gaming | Helping police | Who benefits? | Dumping Trump | Hurting democracy

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:31:22 GMT

Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.Lottery is morethan gaming onlyRe: “Powerball ticket sold in Kern County wins $1.76 billion jackpot” (Oct. 11).The recent Powerball jackpot, reaching $1.76 billion, undeniably captured public attention and excitement. The article rightly celebrates the life-changing impact this windfall will have on the fortunate winners and highlights the shared optimism that lotteries like these bring to millions.I believe such events, beyond their entertainment value, significantly contribute to public initiatives, enhancing education and social services. I think people should recognize the broader implications of supporting lotteries. Beyond individual fortunes, these games serve as vital revenue streams for essential public services.My appeal is for the public to consider how their participation in lotteries can be a force for good, enabling continued contributions to societal progress. Let’s view ...

Warriors notebook: Why rookie Brandin Podziemski has Steph Curry’s attention in practices

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:31:22 GMT

LOS ANGELES — Steph Curry is one of a handful of Warriors pointing to rookie Brandin Podziemski as a standout so far in training camp.“BP really has been showing how much he understands the game of basketball at a young age and how confident he is in himself and that shows every time he steps on the floor,” Curry said at shootaround in Los Angeles on Friday before the Warriors’ preseason game against the Lakers. “That’s a nice surprise.”Curry praised Podziemski, the No. 19 overall pick from Santa Clara, for his ability to stick out among a roster full of superstars.“You expect Klay (Thompson) to ball, you expect (Kevon Looney) to do what he does, you expect (Andrew Wiggins) to come back and assert his dominance on both sides of the floor,” he said. “All the guys we know, you don’t take it for granted, but you expect them to do what they do. I’ll add myself to that.”A poor scoring and shooting performance i...

6 arrested after thieves use wagon in SF Walgreens theft: police

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:31:22 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- Six people were arrested in connection to a theft on Wednesday at a San Francisco Walgreens, the San Francisco Police Department said in a press release. The theft happened around 6:37 p.m. in the Walgreens located at 965 Geneva Ave. Eight suspects with masks rushed into the store pulling a wagon-like cart, SFPD said. The suspects then began to fill their bags with Walgreens merchandise. 2 arrested in SF Dior store smash-and-grab "They grabbed everything they can get their arms around," SFPD Chief Bill Scott said in a news conference Friday. "They tried to run out that store with the property."Shortly after, officers made contact with the suspects as they left the store. A foot chase ensued, and police were able to detain several people in the process.Six of eight suspects were arrested, according to SFPD. They were arrested on felony charges of burglary, conspiracy and organized retail theft. Two suspects related to this theft remain at large. "The other t...

Denver man's family members taken hostage by Hamas

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:31:22 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- A Denver man's family members, who were visiting Israel, were taken hostage Saturday by Hamas.Ben Raanan spoke with FOX31 and said his family was on a call with President Joe Biden on Friday, confirming the kidnapping. Latest: Palestinians flee northern Gaza after Israel orders 1 million to evacuate as ground attack looms His 17-year-old sister, Natali Raanan, and her mother, Judith Tai Raanan, from Evanston, Illinois, were visiting relatives in Israel in Nahal Oz, near Gaza, when the attacks began, according to WGN-TV. Natali Raanan was taken hostage by Hamas on a trip to Israel, her brother Ben said. (Credit: Ben Raanan)Raanan's father told WGN-TV the two had not been heard from in days, with family members worrying they were among those being held hostage by the Palestinian militant group. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox Hamas and other militants in Gaza have said over 130 soldiers and civilians captured from inside Israel w...

Denver announces micro-community location, nixes other proposed site

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:31:22 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- Denver announced Friday it will not move forward with one of the 11 proposed micro-community sites and confirmed the location of a second site in the city.In August, Mayor Mike Johnston announced the preliminary list of 11 potential sites that would provide short-term housing for people experiencing homelessness. The micro-communities are part of the mayor's House1000 initiative, which aims to house 1,000 people by the end of the year. Denver Mayor Johnston announces 11 potential short-term housing sites After a community information meeting on Thursday, the city announced Friday it would move forward with one of the proposed micro-communities at 1375 N. Elati St. Another proposed site at 1151 N. Bannock St. has been nixed."Due to additional complexities at 1151 Bannock St., we are not moving forward with the Bannock site at this time. We are grateful for the residents who expressed interest in finding another alternate site in District 10 and we will continue to ...

Aurora renames street section to honor first African American firefighter

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:31:22 GMT

AURORA, Colo. (KDVR) -- The City of Aurora announced Friday that a portion of East 16th Avenue will be renamed in honor of Aurora Fire Rescue's first African American firefighter.An honorary street sign reading Ruben Sims Jr. Ave. will be placed between Florence Street and Emporia Street near the fire rescue's historic Fire Station No. 1, according to a press release. Photos: Blankets of snow bring out vibrant fall colors “This honorary street sign celebrates this extraordinary icon for diversity within the fire department and the city of Aurora," Aurora Mayor Pro Tem Curtis Gardner said in a release.Ruben Lewis Sims Jr. joined the fire rescue team in 1977 and served as a firefighter and an engineer until he retired in 1997.Sims attended junior high and high school in Denver. He played the clarinet throughout his youth and went to the Berklee College of Music.An honorary street sign reading Ruben Sims Jr. Ave. was placed between Florence Street and Emporia Street near th...

Eric Roberts attends premiere of horror short ‘Hammer’ at MDC’s Koubek Cultural Arts Center

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:31:22 GMT

There’s no shortage of spooky movies premiering this Halloween season. We have one more to add to your watch list, starring Eric Roberts. It’s called “Hammer.”The short film premiered at the Miami Dade College’s Koubek Cultural Arts Center this week.Deco caught up with the film’s director, Orlando Cicilia III, and hammered out the details, as well as Eric Roberts himself, who spoke about why centers like this are important.Orlando Cicilia III: “You’re going to see a great movie, a great performance by Eric Roberts, and an overall thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat.”Eric Roberts: “Art comes last, art is the most precious, art is the most fragile, and art is the most fun. We all need this kind of centers to help find our artists.”You can catch the gory horror flick, streaming now on hammer-movie.com/watch.

BSO searching for 26-year-old man reported missing from Lauderdale Lakes

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:31:22 GMT

Authorities seek the public’s help in their search for a man who was reported missing from Lauderdale Lakes.According to the Broward Sheriff’s Office Missing Persons Unit, 26-year-old Duby Lorsirs was last seen along the 3700 block of West Oakland Park Boulevard, at around 8 a.m., Thursday.Detectives said Lorsirs stands 6 feet tall, weighs around 170 pounds, and has black hair and brown eyes.Lorsirs’ family told investigators that he experiences mental illness.Officials urge anyone with information on his whereabouts should contact BSO Missing Persons Detective Erica Chace at 352-578-1611 or the BSO non-emergency number at 954-764-HELP (4357).

South Florida man from Gaza mourns 21 family members killed in airstrike, seeks information on brother

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:31:22 GMT

A South Florida man says he is desperate to hear from his brother in the Middle East after Israeli airstrikes claimed the lives of nearly two dozen loved ones.Cellphone video from inside Gaza captured the chaos after a bomb went off earlier this week.The ongoing violence in on the mind of Abd B., who spoke with 7News about the toll that the conflict has taken on him.“How have I been living in the last six days? In constant fear, in constant sadness, in constant worry that one morning I will wake up and lose yet another [family member],” he said.Abd, a South Florida resident who was born and raised in Gaza City, said many of the loved ones who perished as a result of the airstrikes were children.He said he first learned about it on the news.“I saw my family named on the news, the family name, and then the description of the street. I was crying before I even called,” he said.Video showed his relatives’ home reduced to rubble.“In the last six days a...