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Internet, phone networks collapse in Gaza, threatening to worsen humanitarian crisis

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:00 GMT

By NAJIB JOBAIN and KAREEM CHEHAYEB (Associated Press)KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Internet and telephone services collapsed across the Gaza Strip on Thursday for lack of fuel, the main Palestinian provider said, bringing a potentially long-term communications blackout even as Israel signaled its offensive could next target the south of the territory, where most of the population has taken refuge.Meanwhile, Israeli troops for a second day searched Shifa Hospital in the north for traces of Hamas. They displayed guns they say were found hidden in one building, but have yet to release any evidence of the central Hamas command center that Israel has said is concealed beneath the complex. Hamas and staff at the hospital, Gaza’s largest, deny the allegations. Hamas has been designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, Canada and the European Union.The communications breakdown threatens to worsen the severe humanitarian crisis in southern Gaza, where Israeli airstri...

98.5’s Jim Murray is ‘100% not interested’ in Toucher and Rich job opening; Mike Felger ‘stunned’ that Shertenlieb left

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:00 GMT

A 98.5 The Sports Hub fan favorite who had been floated as a possible replacement for host Rich Shertenlieb on “Toucher and Rich” is adamant that he won’t be switching to the “miserable” morning hours.Jim Murray, also known as “Big Jim,” says he’s “comfortable and happy” in the afternoons as the third chair on “Felger and Mazz.”So even if Beasley Media Group offered Murray double the money for him to fill the Shertenlieb role in the mornings, Big Jim says he would pass.On Wednesday, Murray was asked if he was in the running for the open “Toucher and Rich” role, and if he would start waking up at 3:30 a.m.“I’ve had a conversation with my agent about it. I told him I’m 100% not interested,” Murray said on Facebook Live during the “Off-Air Show” with Mike Felger.“Why not?” Felger asked.“I’m comfortable with where I’m at,” Big Jim re...

California authorities arrest man in death of Jewish demonstrator

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:00 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — California authorities have arrested a man in connection with the death of a Jewish protester during demonstrations over the Israel-Hamas war.The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office said the 50-year-old suspect was arrested Thursday and will be booked into jail in the investigation of involuntary manslaughter — the unintentional killing of another person. The district attorney will decide whether there is enough evidence to bring a formal charge.Paul Kessler, 69, died early Nov. 6 at a hospital following a Nov. 5 confrontation with a pro-Palestinian demonstrator in Thousand Oaks, a suburb northwest of Los Angeles. Sheriff Jim Fryhoff said subsequently that that deputies determined Kessler had fallen backward and struck his head on the ground. The pro-Palestinian demonstrator stayed at the scene and told deputies he had called 911, Fryhoff said.Authorities did not say in a news release why an arrest was warranted. They are still seeking more video evi...

Rep. George Santos won’t seek reelection after scathing ethics report cites evidence of lawbreaking

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:00 GMT

By KEVIN FREKING (Associated Press)WASHINGTON (AP) — The House Ethics committee in a scathing report Thursday said it has amassed “overwhelming evidence” of lawbreaking by Rep. George Santos of New York that has been sent to the Justice Department, concluding flatly that the Republican “cannot be trusted” after a monthslong investigation into his conduct.Shortly after the panel’s report was released, Santos blasted it as a “politicized smear” in a tweet on X but said that he would not be seeking reelection to a second term. The panel said that Santos knowingly caused his campaign committee to file false or incomplete reports with the Federal Election Commission; used campaign funds for personal purposes; and engaged in violations of the Ethics in Government Act as it relates to financial disclosure statements filed with the House.Santos has maintained his innocence and had long refused to resign despite calls from many of his colleague...

Homeowner shoots burglary suspect in North County

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:00 GMT

VISTA, Calif. -- A homeowner in North County shot a burglar shortly before 5 a.m. Thursday morning, authorities confirmed to FOX 5.The San Diego County Sheriff's Department said the homicide unit was called to the scene at a residence located on 1700 Block of York Drive in Vista. Responding deputies rendered first-aid to the suspect who was then transported to a local hospital. The condition of that individual is unknown at this time. Pilot killed in small plane crash near Torrey Pines Neighbors to the resident involved in the shooting told FOX 5 he appeared visibly shaken following the encounter.Details surrounding the incident are limited at this time.This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

San Diego Starbucks workers join nationwide strike on 'Red Cup Day'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:00 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Starbucks’ annual "Red Cup Day" may be accompanied with long wait times Thursday, instead of holiday cheer.Thousands of workers, including some in San Diego, are planning to strike while demanding the coffee giant comes to the bargaining table in regards to staffing and scheduling concerns. The Workers United union proclaimed the day as the "Red Cup Rebellion," choosing the date because it's one of Starbucks' busiest days of the year. Annually, those who order a holiday drink of this day receive a reusable cup. Homeowner shoots suspected burglar in North County As part of the strike, workers are demanding that Starbucks turn off mobile ordering on future promotion days. Workers have said promotion days "add another layer of stress" due to claims of understaffing. “Business at this location (Hillcrest) has continued to grow, yet we still have partners losing hours and have to deal with understaffed shifts," said Saïx Campbell, a shift supervisor at the Starbucks locate...

Thousands of Starbucks workers go on a one-day strike

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:00 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Workers at more than 200 U.S. Starbucks walked off the job Thursday in what organizers said was the largest strike yet in the two-year-old effort to unionize the company’s stores.The Workers United union chose Starbucks’ annual Red Cup Day to stage the walkout since it’s usually one of the busiest days of the year. Starbucks expects to give away thousands of reusable cups Thursday to customers who order holiday drinks.The union said it was expecting more than 5,000 workers to take part in its “Red Cup Rebellion.” Workers were expected to picket for part of the day and visit non-union stores the rest of the day, the union said. Around 30 stores also staged walkouts on Wednesday.Edwin Palmasolis, a Starbucks employee for more than two years, joined the picket line Thursday in front of his New York store. His store voted to unionize last year, but so far Starbucks and the union haven’t started bargaining. A contract would help improve working conditions at h...

Belarus human rights activist goes on hunger strike in latest protest against Lukashenko government

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:00 GMT

TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — A human rights activist in Belarus on Thursday began a hunger strike inside prison in the latest protest against the repressive government of Alexander Lukashenko, a rights organization said.The Belarusian human rights organization Viasna said Aliaksandar Vaitseshyk went on hunger strike in the city of Baranavichy, in western Belarus, after being sentenced to 15 days of administrative arrest.He was convicted on charges of “distributing extremist materials,” a charge which Belarus authorities have frequently used to detain activists in recent years.Belarus was rocked by mass protests during Alexander Lukashenko’s disputed election in 2020, which the opposition and the West condemned as fraudulent. Since then Belarusian authorities have detained more than 35,000 people, many of whom have reportedly been tortured while in custody.Vaitseshyk was detained on Nov. 9 by armed men near his home on the same day 10 opposition activists were also detained, Viasna said. ...

Woman, 37, charged with murder in case of missing Richmond Hill man

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:00 GMT

A 37-year-old woman is facing a murder charge in the death of a missing Richmond Hill man. Police say 30-year-old Kevin Bonada Rosas was last seen at his home on Elmwood Avenue on June 21, 2018. He was reported missing by his family five days later.His disappearance was deemed suspicious and in April 2021 the homicide unit began investigating. On June 5 this year, human remains were found buried in the yard of the man’s home on Elmwood Avenue and a forensic examination concluded them to be the remains of Rosas. The cause of death has not been released. Anoshirvan Shirizadeh of Richmond Hill has been charged with second-degree murder.

S&P/TSX composite index down in late-morning trading, U.S. stocks also lower

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:00 GMT

TORONTO — Canada’s main stock index was down in late-morning trading, as losses in the base metal and energy stocks helped lead the way lower and U.S. stock markets also fell.The S&P/TSX composite index was down 74.82 points at 19,983.07.In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was down 141.40 points at 34,849.81. The S&P 500 index was down 12.03 points at 4,490.85, while the Nasdaq composite was down 50.28 points at 14,053.56.The Canadian dollar traded for 72.73 cents US compared with 73.13 cents US on Wednesday.The January crude oil contract was down US$3.08 at US$73.71 per barrel and the December natural gas contract was down 11 cents at US$3.08 per mmBTU.The December gold contract was up US$25.50 at US$1,989.80 an ounce and the December copper contract was down two cents at US$3.70 a pound.This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 16, 2023.Companies in this story: (TSX:GSPTSE, TSX:CADUSD) The Canadian Press