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Israeli airstrikes surge in Gaza, destroying homes and killing dozens at a time

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:16:22 GMT

RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israel escalated airstrikes across the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, crushing families in the rubble of residential buildings, as health officials said hundreds of Palestinians were killed in the past day and medical facilities were shut down because of bomb damage and lack of power.The massive air bombardment continued through the night as Israeli jets hit sites across Gaza, the Hamas-run Interior Ministry said.The soaring death toll from the bombardment is unprecedented in the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It augurs an even greater loss of life in Gaza once Israeli forces backed by tanks and artillery launch an expected ground offensive aimed at crushing Hamas militants.Gaza’s 2.3 million people have been running out of food, water and medicine since Israel sealed off the territory following the devastating Oct. 7 attack by Hamas on towns in southern Israel.The Gaza Health Ministry, which is run by Hamas, said Israeli airstrikes killed at least 704 p...

Hialeah councilman files lawsuit against mayor over 911 system negligence

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:16:22 GMT

A councilman is taking legal action against the mayor of Hialeah, alleging negligence in the city’s emergency response system. Councilman Bryan Calvo’s lawsuit follows revelations that the city’s 911 system missed over 32,000 calls in the past two years, leaving callers in distress without assistance.In June, Councilman Calvo called for an investigation into the operations of Hialeah’s 911 call center. Despite his calls for transparency, no action was taken to address the issue, prompting him to take legal action against the city’s mayor, Wednesday morning.“I think what’s irresponsible is to try and sweep this under the rug and pretend that it doesn’t exist,” Calvo stated at the press conference in June. “Clearly, something is going on in that department, and we need to get to the bottom of it and we need to find solutions for it.”Over the past several months, Councilman Calvo has cited multiple sources, including a M...

German MEP in running to lead Greens’ EU election campaign

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:16:22 GMT

BRUSSELS — German MEP Terry Reintke is in the running to lead the Greens European election campaign, she announced Wednesday. “I want a Europe that fights for climate justice. A Europe of fair wages and good work. A Europe of freedom and democracy. I want to bring Europeans together to make this happen,” she said. Reintke is already one of two co-presidents of the Greens group in the Parliament. The EU-level party, the European Greens, will field two so-called Spitzenkandidaten, at least one of whom must be a woman, and the membership will elect them in Lyon, France in early February next year. Those who champion the Spitzenkandidaten system, such as the European Greens, argue that it democratizes the EU elections, where 27 countries return MEPs to Brussels and Strasbourg. The informal process suggests that the lead candidate of the largest political group in the Parliament should get first dibs at running the European Commission — however this did not happen l...

Azerbaijan says peace with Armenia is within reach

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:16:22 GMT

Top Azerbaijani officials have rejected claims a new conflict with Armenia is imminent, denying speculation the South Caucasus nation might use force to seize a strategically important transport corridor inside the neighboring country, insisting instead that a lasting peace deal could soon be signed.Following talks with Russian counterparts on Tuesday, Azerbaijan’s foreign minister, Jeyhun Bayramov, said that “there are real chances for the conclusion of a peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia within a short period of time” after Azerbaijan took control of the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh last month in a lightning war.The proposed agreement would end three decades of conflict that has dragged in global powers like Russia, the EU and U.S. — while flying in the face of speculation Azerbaijan could use military force to secure the so-called Zangezur Corridor, an as-yet unrealized road and rail link between mainland Azerbaijan and its exclave, Nakhchivan...

Police investigating after crucifix vandalized at Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:16:22 GMT

Boston police are searching for the person who vandalized an exterior crucifix at the historic Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston overnight.The arms of Jesus on the crucifix were broken and left dangling and video posted online shows someone swinging back and forth from the crucifix, trying to pull it down.A spokesman for the Archdiocese of Boston said, “Unfortunately, the Cathedral experienced vandalism at the exterior crucifix … It’s now in the capable hands of the BPD. The Archdiocese will work with the Cathedral to assess the damage.”The Cathedral of the Holy Cross is the largest Catholic church in New England.This is a developing news story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest details.

UN warns Gaza blockade could force it to sharply cut relief operations as bombings rise

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:16:22 GMT

RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — The U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees warned Wednesday that without immediate deliveries of fuel it will soon have to sharply cut back relief operations across the Gaza Strip, which has been blockaded and hit by devastating Israeli airstrikes since Hamas militants launched an attack on Israel more than two weeks ago.The warning came as hospitals in Gaza struggled to treat masses of wounded with dwindling resources, and health officials in the Hamas-ruled territory said the death toll was soaring as Israeli jets continued striking the territory overnight into Wednesday.The Israeli military said its strikes had killed militants and destroyed tunnels, command centers, weapons storehouses and other military targets, which it has accused Hamas of hiding among Gaza’s civilian population. Gaza-based militants have been launching unrelenting rocket barrages into Israel since the conflict started.The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry said the airstrikes kil...

Teen accused of making threats against Chelsea school

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:16:22 GMT

A 14-year-old is facing a criminal charge after police say he threatened to shoot up Shore Educational Collaborative in Chelsea following a fight with another student.The teen is also accused of making another threat the next day and posting a post to social media featuring guns.He’s been charged with making a bomb threat and has been ordered to stay at home, where he is being monitored with GPS.

Ravens film study: Rookie WR Zay Flowers joins Ja’Marr Chase with historic start — and continues to get open

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:16:22 GMT

Before Sunday’s game against the Lions, Ravens rookie wide receiver Zay Flowers and second-year Detroit defensive quality control coach Wayne Blair shared a hug and took a picture together on the field at M&T Bank Stadium. Blair was an assistant coach for the first three years of Flowers’ high school career at NSU University School in Davie, Florida, and this was the first opportunity the two had to catch up since they made their way to the NFL.Once the game started, Blair saw plenty more of Flowers, who had four catches for 75 yards in Baltimore’s 38-6 blowout win.Flowers’ performance was also historic. He became just the second receiver since 1970 to tally at least 50 yards from scrimmage in each of his first seven games in the league. The other? Cincinnati Bengals star and 2021 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Ja’Marr Chase.How has Flowers gotten off to such a fast start?There are layers to the answer — from obvious talent and speed, to his...

OBF: For these Celtics, it’s Banner 18 or bust

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:16:22 GMT

Last season, the Celtics had “Unfin18hed Business.”This season, it’s “Banner 18 . . . Or Else.”“Wait Until Next Year?”Not this time.The 2023-24 Celtics are the Tom Brady-in-his-prime Patriots.The expectation shared by everyone within the reach of Mike Gorman’s voice is universal: Anything less than a title equates to failure, shame and humiliation.Doc Rivers had “ubuntu.”Atmospheric anticipation has carried Joe Mazzulla’s Celtics toward “seppuku.”Metaphorically, anyway.If the Celtics aren’t going to win 16 games this postseason, they might as well move the franchise to Las Vegas during the All-Star Break and spare us another stress-filled springtime.The Celtics have done everything this offseason within their authority to build a team they believe will, er must, snag Banner 18.Wyc Grousbeck gave Brad Stevens the Green Team’s American Express Black card. Stevens spent lavishly on Jaylen Brown’s max contract, an extension for Kristaps Porziņģis, and Jrue Holiday’s moving expenses.Stev...

Tuesday’s high school roundup/scores: Molly Driscoll (3 goals) powers Watertown to another win

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:16:22 GMT

In Middlesex League field hockey action, Molly Driscoll finished with three goals as Watertown (16-0) blanked Stoneham, 5-0.Ava Goodwin recorded a hat trick to lead Reading to a 4-0 victory over Arlington.In South Coast Conference action, Karissa Albin and Emily Carr both finished with a hat trick while Tatum Swanson added three assists to lead Somerset Berkley (15-0-1) to a 10-1 win over Case. Megan Smith’s goal for Case was the 100th of her career.Alivia Barnes finished off two goals, while Quinn Jordan and Sadie Clarkin each added a goal with an assist as Sandwich (15-0-1) beat Cohasset, 5-0, for the South Shore League title.Avery Johnsen scored twice and Makenna Metcalf scored the eventual game-winner for Falmouth in a 3-2 nonleague win over Notre Dame Academy of Hingham. … Erin Cottam erupted for seven goals, powering Oliver Ames to an 8-0 win over Weymouth.In the CMADA Tournament Class A quarterfinals, Julianna Casucci and Amelia Blood each tallied a pair of goals to lead Uxbr...