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From Houthis to Hezbollah, a look at the Iran-allied groups rallying to arms around Middle East

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:12 GMT

Missiles, rockets and drones struck targets around the Middle East this week as the United States, Israel and others clashed with Iran-allied militant groups — with attacks hitting in vital Red Sea shipping lanes, along Israeli-Lebanon borders emptied by fleeing residents and around the region’s crowded capitals and U.S. military installations.Together, Israel and its U.S. allies were facing two realities they knew all too well going into the war in Gaza: The Gaza-based Hamas militant group is far from alone as it battles for its survival. And by launching an all-out campaign to eliminate Hamas as a fighting force, Israeli and American leaders also are confronting simultaneous attacks from a strengthening defensive alliance of other armed militant groups linked with Hamas and Iran. This week, the risk of being drawn into a wider, more chaotic and deadlier conflict with an array of regional enemies loomed large. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and other senior Biden administr...

UN humanitarian chief calls Gaza ‘uninhabitable’ 3 months into Israel-Hamas war

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:12 GMT

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. humanitarian chief described Gaza on Friday as “uninhabitable” three months into Israel’s war with Hamas, warning that famine was looming and a public health disaster unfolding.In a grim assessment of the devastating impact of Israel’s military response to the horrific Hamas attacks on Oct. 7, Martin Griffiths said that Gaza’s 2.3 million people face “daily threats to their very existence” while the world just watches. He said tens of thousands of people, mostly women and children, have been killed or injured, families are sleeping in the open as temperatures plummet, and areas where Palestinians were told to relocate have been bombed.“People are facing the highest levels of food insecurity ever recorded (and) famine is around the corner,” Griffiths said. The few partially functioning hospitals are overwhelmed and critically short of supplies, medical facilities are under relentless attack, infectious diseases are spreading, and amidst the ...

Documentary series highlights South Asian wedding industry in Toronto

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:12 GMT

A documentary series highlighting the South Asian wedding industry here in Toronto is back to share more of their story.The show follows a bridal shop called Chandan Fashion run by the Singh family in Toronto’s Little India for almost 40 years. “Bollywed” focuses on the lives on Chandan, Roop, Sarab, Chandni and Kuki, as well as their customers.“It’s a family show about my dad, my mom, my wife and my sister and we all work in the family business together and kind of what that dynamic is to have our generation run our business our way and then my dad and mom’s generation that run it a very different way,” Chandan Singh, who runs the marketing department.Bollywed’s second season chronicles the Singh family as they open a new store in Brampton.“The two co-creators Gurjeet and Carolyn … they’re the ones that came up with the concept of the show,” explained Singh.“They approached me at a wedding show and said, ‘...

Civil rights lawsuit filed over 2022 Philadelphia fire that killed 9 children and 3 adults

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:12 GMT

Families of the 12 people killed in a Philadelphia row house fire that began in a Christmas tree two years ago sued a pair of city agencies Friday, claiming unsafe conditions on the property violated the victims’ civil rights.The federal lawsuit against the Philadelphia Housing Authority and the city’s Department of Human Services, and various officials of the agencies, alleges that the housing authority knew the four-bedroom apartment it owns in a brick duplex was overcrowded and unsafe. Specifically, they allege that it lacked a fire escape, smoke detectors and other fire safety features. Mayor Cherelle Parker’s spokesperson, Joe Grace, declined comment because the matter is in active litigation. Messages seeking comment were left Friday with spokespeople with the Philadelphia Housing Authority. During two visits to the home in December 2021, a month before the fire, a Human Services social worker noticed the smoke detectors were inoperable, the lawsuit says, but did n...

Cubs claim catcher off waivers from Rockies, sign pitcher to minor league contract

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:12 GMT

CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs claimed a catcher off waivers from the Colorado Rockies Friday, while also signing a pitcher to a minor league contract that has an invite to major league spring training.The Cubs claimed 28-year-old catcher Brian Serven off waivers from the Rockies.Serven appeared in 11 games with Colorado in 2023, batting .130 (3-for-23) with one double and one RBI. The backstop had two stints on the injured list, May 30-June 6 and July 31-Sept. 26, with a concussion and a left thumb sprain, respectively. In 38 games with Triple-A Albuquerque last year, he hit .199 (30-for-151) with five doubles, five home runs and 20 RBI.Serven made his major league debut with the Rockies on May 18, 2022, and played 62 games that season, hitting .203 in 187 at-bats with four doubles, one triple, six home runs, 16 RBI and 19 runs scored. His first two career major league hits came via the long ball on May 21, 2022, in his second career game.In seven minor league seasons with Colorado, Se...

White Sox make Maldonado signing official, designate infielder for assignment

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:12 GMT

CHICAGO — The Chicago White Sox have officially agreed to terms on a contract with catcher Martín Maldonado, and have designated an infielder for assignment, according to a release from the team Friday.Maldonado's contract is valued at one-year/$4.25 million. Under terms of the agreement, Maldonado will receive $4 million in 2024, with a $4-million club option for 2025 that includes a $250,000 buyout.Maldonado, 37, hit .191/.258/.348 with 12 doubles, a career-high tying 15 home runs, 36 RBI and 33 runs scored over 116 games with the Houston Astros last season. He tied for the American League lead with 116 starts at catcher, which included catching his third career no-hitter on Aug. 1, 2023 versus the Cleveland Guardians when he was behind the dish to catch Framber Valdez. His 3.91 catcher’s ERA ranked sixth in Major League Baseball last season as well. Chris Flexen could earn $1 million in bonuses for innings as part of White Sox contract A 6-foot, 225-pound native of Toa Alta, P...

LaVine and Vucevic set to return from injuries when Bulls host Hornets

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:12 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic are set to return to the Chicago Bulls’ rotation after being sidelined because of injuries.Both two-time All-Stars said they will come off the bench and be on minutes restrictions when the Bulls host Charlotte on Friday.LaVine, averaging 21 points, has missed the past 17 games because of inflammation in his right foot. Chicago was 10-7 in that span.Vucevic, averaging 16.7 points and 10.4 rebounds, has missed the past five games with a strained left adductor. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines The Bulls were 11th in the Eastern Conference at 15-21 entering Friday’s game. They had lost two in a row.

Video shows earthquake rattle Southern California home, startling dog

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:12 GMT

(KTLA) – Hundreds of thousands, if not millions of people, were jolted by a magnitude 4.2 earthquake that struck Southern California Friday morning.Among them: Ernesto and Jeanie Moreira of North Fontana.The couple shared security camera footage from inside their living room, which recorded the quake shaking their Christmas tree, holiday decorations and furniture – and frightening their dog, Coco. These were the most on-time US airlines, airports of 2023: report “He was so scared,” Ernesto told Nexstar's KTLA.North Fontana is only about two miles from the quake’s epicenter in the San Gabriel Mountains, so the Moreira’s home likely bore the full brunt of its force.No damage was reported to their home, or any other property across the Los Angeles area, and no injuries were reported, officials said. Latest California Earthquakes - Interactive Map The temblor, which struck at 10:55 a.m. local time, sent shockwaves across Southern California and was felt not only by residents in the ...

Search underway after string of arsons on North Side

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:12 GMT

CHICAGO — Police are asking for help as they look to identify the man responsible for an arson string on the city's North Side.According to Chicago police, the fires were all set over a period of about two hours on Wednesday afternoon in Andersonville and Lincoln Square.Police say during each incident, the person responsible set fire to a trash receptacle located in an alley. About 87,000 massage guns recalled due to fire, burn risks Police notified the public about the arson string in a press release sent out on Thursday. Chicago police provided the following timeline of Wednesday's fires: 5100 block of North Clark Street in Andersonville on Jan. 3 at 4:28 p.m. 2400 block of West Carmen Avenue in Lincoln Square on Jan. 3 at 5:34 p.m. 2100 block of West Foster Avenue in Lincoln Square on Jan. 3 at 6:06 p.m. 2000 Block of West Berwyn Avenue in Lincoln Square on Jan. 3 at 6:17 p.m. 2200 Block of West Berwyn Avenue in Lincoln Square on Jan. 3 at 6:25 p.m.&nbs...

Free Week celebration of Austin's local music scene returns for 21st year

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:12 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Red River Culture District's annual Free Week returns Friday and Saturday nights, with 11 venues hosting dozens of local musical acts and performers, all entirely free to the public. Austin Free Week 2024 lineup Die Spitz guitarist Ellie Livingston performs on stage at Stubbs during Free Week 2023. (Courtesy Red River Cultural District/Renee Dominguez)RRCD, an Austin-based nonprofit, tells KXAN that the event is a "rare opportunity" to attend shows at the city's "iconic" music venues for free.Nicole Klepadlo, Red River Cultural District's interim executive director, calls Free Week a "for locals, by locals" event."What Free Week intends to do is be a celebration of what has made Austin such an iconic destination — Music is part of our fabric, it's part of our economy," Klepadlo said. "It's really an opportunity to check out potentially a band that you've never heard of, check out some genres that you've never heard of, maybe step foot into a venue that you've never...