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Hezbollah, Israel trade heavy cross-border fire as Blinken seeks to prevent regional escalation

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:14 GMT

By BASSEM MROUE, SAMY MAGDY and NAJIB JOBAIN (Associated Press)BEIRUT (AP) — Israel and Lebanon-based Hezbollah traded fire Saturday in one of the heaviest days of cross-border fighting in recent weeks, a day after the militia’s leader urged retaliation for the targeted killing, presumably by Israel, of a top Hamas leader in Lebanon’s capital.Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said that if his group didn’t strike back for the killing Tuesday of Saleh Arouri, Hamas’ deputy political leader, all of Lebanon would be vulnerable to Israeli attacks.With the risk of regional escalation while the war between Israel and Hamas rages on, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken kicked off an urgent Middle East diplomatic tour, his fourth since the Israel-Hamas war erupted three months ago. “It is absolutely necessary to avoid Lebanon being dragged into a regional conflict,” the European Union’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, said in Bei...

'Adorable' tiny cat living at the Utah zoo is one of the deadliest in the world

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:14 GMT

Gaia, a small cat from a species native to Africa, is the newest resident of the Small Animal Building at Utah's Hogle Zoo. And for the sake of all the other "small animals" in that building, let's hope Gaia never gets loose from her enclosure.The species that Gaia belongs to — the black-footed cat — is among the smallest (and arguably the cutest) cat species on the planet. But it's also considered the deadliest, being an extremely cunning species with an incredibly successful hunting rate. Alaska Airlines grounding all Boeing 737 MAX-9s after hole blows open in cabin "We kind of joke that they're very adorable, but they are wild animals," said Rachael Eames, a representative for the Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake City.A small black-footed cat is seen in a South African veld. (Getty Images)The black-footed cat is estimated to have a successful kill rate of 60%, according to researchers and experts cited in the 2018 PBS miniseries "Super Cats" — and she's not all that picky about her diet,...

Does California need a state crustacean? Healdsburg Assembly member authors bill to urge Dungeness crabs

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:14 GMT

A new bill introduced Friday would designate Dungeness crab as California’s state crustacean.Jim Wood Introduced by Assemblymember Jim Wood with North Coast State Sen. Mike McGuire as the principal co-author, the bill purports to give the humble decapods official respect as a scuttling tentpole of the state’s fishing industry. In Humboldt County, crabbing is a significant economic boon to many fishermen, though recently, they have had little to “shell”-ebrate. Annual delays to crabbing season, smaller hauls and ongoing price negotiations with fish distribution companies present ongoing struggles pinching local fishermen.“The Dungeness crab is an iconic crustacean in California and one that has made a significant contribution to the economies of coastal communities in California and to those in the commercial fishing industry,” said Assemblymember Jim Wood (D-Healdsburg) in an email to the Times-Standard. “We need to recognize the importance of the Dungeness crab to our state, t...

The Kalen DeBoer hire: Could Jen Cohen’s brilliant move resonate across the industry and create opportunities for women?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:14 GMT

Two years later, the specifics remain murky. What was her strategy? Did she have an archetype in mind? Where did she turn for advice? And above all, why him?But on this point, there is no mystery: Former Washington athletic director Jen Cohen’s decision to hire Kalen DeBoer in late November 2021 was a stroke of genius.In two seasons, DeBoer has turned the staggering program into an undefeated dynamo on the brink of a national championship. He is 25-2 overall, has won 21 consecutive games and was recently named Associated Press Coach of the Year.So shrewd was Cohen’s move, in fact, that we’re left wondering about the broader implications in a male-dominated industry: Could it lead to more opportunities for women to run Power Five athletic departments?“Do I think it will help open doors? Absolutely,” said Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in Sports and a former small-college basketball coach. “It helps amplify the story that women can lead.“Football is driving realignment — i...

Hayward resident arrested for allegedly stealing over $7k from Colma business

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:14 GMT

(KRON) – A 29-year-old Hayward resident was arrested for alleged theft on Dec. 29, the Colma Police Department announced on Friday. Colma officers received an automated license plate reader notification in the area of Colma Boulevard and Junipero Serra Boulevard of a vehicle that was associated with a male suspect who committed numerous grand thefts at 12:20 p.m. on Dec. 29.  Man arrested after police chase for alleged vehicle theft Officers responded to the area and located the vehicle parked in the parking lot of a business in the unit block of Colma Boulevard. Subsequently, the officer contacted the business’ loss prevention officer who confirmed the man was inside of the establishment. The loss prevention officer also verified the man was the same person who committed multiple thefts. According to the police investigation, the suspect had stolen approximately $7,059.35 of merchandise from the business. Allegedly, the suspect is also responsible for similar grand thef...

Federal officials order grounding of Boeing 737 Max 9 jetliners after a plane suffers a blowout

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:14 GMT

Federal officials on Saturday ordered the immediate grounding of Boeing 737 Max 9 jetliners until they are inspected after an Alaska Airlines plane suffered a blowout that left a gaping hole in the side of the fuselage.The required inspections will take around four to eight hours per aircraft and will affect about 171 airplanes worldwide.An Alaska Airlines jetliner blew out a window and a portion of its fuselage shortly after takeoff three miles above Oregon late Friday, creating a gaping hole that forced the pilots to make an emergency landing as its 174 passengers and six crew members donned oxygen masks.No one was seriously hurt as the depressurized plane returned safely to Portland International Airport about 20 minutes after it had departed, but the airline grounded its 65 Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft until they can be inspected. The National Transportation Safety Board said Saturday it will also investigate. Passenger Evan Smith said a boy and his mother were sitting in the row w...

San Jose safe parking for homeless residents delayed

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:14 GMT

(BCN) -- San Jose is spending nearly $2 million to lease land it has yet to use for homeless people living in their vehicles--and councilmembers, residents and advocates want things done quicker.Land at 1300 Berryessa Road has sat vacant since last July. The city agreed to lease the 6.3-acre parcel at $1.7 million annually for at least 10 years to build a safe parking site for unhoused residents living in their cars and RVs. But instead of quickly breaking ground to develop the site and get the people living in their vehicles off busy streets, San Jose has only designed the lot. The city is still months away from construction. Moraga murder-suicide victim identified San Jose Councilmember David Cohen, who represents North San Jose where the land is located, said he is "incredibly frustrated.""The current pace is unacceptable," Cohen told San Jose Spotlight. "It seems (the city) is moving the needle in the wrong direction... But, again, this is an important enough issue that we nee...

Biden will give the State of the Union address March 7 in a ‘moment of great challenge’ for the US

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:14 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden will give his annual State of the Union address on March 7. In a letter sent to the White House on Saturday, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., extended the formal invitation for Biden to speak to a joint session of Congress. Johnson said he was inviting Biden “in this moment of great challenge for our country.” On X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, Biden accepted. “Looking forward to it, Mr. Speaker,” the president said. This will be the first State of the Union for Johnson as speaker, who traditionally sits behind the president and to his left during the address to Congress. This year’s speech will offer an opportunity for Biden to detail his broader vision and policy priorities as he campaigns for reelection in November.Notably, Biden’s address is scheduled for after a pair of critical deadlines to avert a government shutdown.Funding for federal agencies that oversee programs for veterans, and on transportatio...

Howie Carr: Massachusetts has a worse record than Bill Belichick

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:14 GMT

As miserable a season as the New England Patriots have endured, do you realize that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has been doing even worse?The difference is, tomorrow the Patsies can fire their bust-out coach, lock down the second or third pick in the NFL draft and begin the long rebuilding process.Where does the state of Massachusetts go for a make-over?Even Harvard University is in better shape, if only because those modern-day Know Nothings are sitting on a $50-billion endowment that they can use to continue their relentless dumbing down of the entire school, from top to bottom, into a cesspool of Third World identity politics.This week the state Department of Revenue (DOR) quietly announced that revenue projections in November had fallen short — for the sixth month in a row. The hackerama hasn’t reached its numbers since the new fiscal year started July 1.In total, six monthly shortfalls in a row — even Bill Belichick in his twilight went 1-5 in the first half-dozen games t...

Revolution acquire 6-foot-5 goalkeeper Henrich Ravas

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:14 GMT

The New England Revolution addressed their most glaring player personnel deficiency on Saturday with the signing of goalkeeper Henrich Ravas.Ravas was acquired from the Polish club Widzew Lodz for an undisclosed fee and signed to an MLS contract through the 2026 season with a team option for 2027. Ravas, 26, is a rangy 6-5, 192-pound native of Senica, Slovakia and he will occupy an international roster spot in 2024.Ravas appeared in 61 games over three seasons for Widzew Lodz and in 161 in seven professional seasons. He is also a member of the Slovakia National team.“Henrich Ravas is an experienced goalkeeper who has performed well over his three seasons in Poland, showing progress each year to develop into one of the league’s best shot stoppers,” said Revolution Sporting Director Curt Onalfo. “His physical traits and top flight European experience should allow for a seamless transition to MLS.”The void at the Revolution’s back end was created when Serbian Djordje Petrovic, a 2023 M...