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Hamas surprise attack out of Gaza stuns Israel and leaves at least 200 dead in fighting, retaliation

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:44:19 GMT

JERUSALEM (AP) — Backed by a barrage of rockets, dozens of Hamas militants broke out of the blockaded Gaza Strip and into nearby Israeli towns, killing dozens and abducting others in an unprecedented surprise early morning attack during a major Jewish holiday Saturday. A stunned Israel launched airstrikes in Gaza, with its prime minister saying the country is now at war with Hamas and vowing to inflict an “unprecedented price.”In an assault of startling breadth, Hamas gunmen rolled into as many as 22 locations outside the Gaza Strip, including towns and other communities as far as 15 miles (24 kilometers) from the Gaza border. In some places, they roamed for hours, gunning down civilians and soldiers as Israel’s military scrambled to muster a response. Gunbattles continued well after nightfall, and militants held hostages in standoffs in two towns.Israel’s national rescue service said at least 200 people were killed and 1,100 wounded, making it the deadliest attack in...

Walgreens walkout: Your pharmacy might be closed next week

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:44:19 GMT

New York (CNN) — Employees at two of the largest drugstore chains in the United States say harsh working conditions make it difficult to safely fill prescriptions, which could put the health of their customers at risk. Now, they’re demanding change by staging a series of walkouts across the country.Pharmacy employees at some Walgreens stores, including pharmacists, technicians and support staff, are planning a walkout between October 9-11, an organizer, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of retribution from the chain, confirmed to CNN. Some employees plan to walk out for just one day, while others expect to shutter their pharmacies for all three days.Employees at more than 500 of America’s approximately 9,000 Walgreens stores across the United States have expressed interest and solidarity, a Walgreens pharmacy employee and walkout organizer said, though fewer will likely end up participating.CNN spoke to employees at three Walgreens stores in three states who said they plan...

Bruins make three more cuts

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:44:19 GMT

As we inch toward Wednesday’s season opener, an unpleasant but inevitable reality set for three Bruin hopefuls on Saturday.The B’s put three players on waivers — defenseman Jakub Zboril and forwards Oskar Steen and Jesper Boqvist.“Today’s a hard day. It just is,” coach Jim Montgomery told reporters after the B’s practice at Warrior Ice Arena. “Everyone knows you’ve got to get down to a number at a certain point, so that’s why I didn’t particularly love practice.”The B’s currently have 24 signed players in camp, plus Danton Heine, who is still in camp on a tryout agrremt. There is a 23-man roster limit.Surviving the latest rounds of cuts were prospects John Beecher, a center, and defenseman Mason Lohrei, both of whom had good camps, though both could be sent down to Providence without waivers. Forward A.J. Greer, who would have to clear waivers, is also still in camp.Defenseman Ian Mitchell, obtained from the Blackhawks in the Tay...

Ticker: Powerball jackpot is up to $1.4 billion after 33 drawings without a winner

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:44:19 GMT

An estimated $1.4 billion Powerball jackpot that has been growing since July will be on the line Saturday night.The jackpot is the world’s fifth-largest lottery prize after rolling over for 33 consecutive drawings, since the last time someone claimed the top prize on July 19. That streak trails the record of 41 draws set in 2021 and 2022.The scarcity of Powerball jackpot winners reflects the game’s daunting odds of 1 in 292.2 million.The $1.4 billion prize is for a sole winner who is paid through an annuity, with annual checks over 30 years. Most jackpot winners opt for cash, which for Saturday night’s drawing would be an estimated $614 million.Powerball is played in 45 states as well as Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.Wall Street leaps after eventually finding things to like in nuanced jobs reportWall Street rallied in a whipsaw Friday and erased its morning losses after looking deeper into the nuances of a surprisingly strong report on the U.S. job market...

Here’s what’s in the tax relief bill Healey signed into law

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:44:19 GMT

Gov. Maura Healey signed a $1 billion-a-year tax relief bill that advocates argue is the most significant tax reform in Massachusetts in more than two decades.The law will cost the state $561 million in fiscal year 2023 and $1 billion a year starting in fiscal year 2027. It includes cuts to the short-term capital gains tax and boosts to multiple housing-related initiatives like the rental dedication.Lawmakers worked in changes to a range of tax credits to the law. Here’s what’s in the new law.Rental DeductionThe rental deduction cap was increased from $3,000 to $4,000, a change lawmakers said would help roughly 800,000 renters across the state as prices increase.Children and DependentsLawmakers increased the tax credit for a dependent child, disabled adult, or senior from $180 to $310 for the 2023 tax year, and then to $440 in tax year 2024 and beyond. The child and dependent cap was eliminated.“This expanded credit, which will benefit more than 565,000 families, w...

New head of Massachusetts Municipal Association views shelter crisis as top priority

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:44:19 GMT

The new executive director of the association representing cities and towns across Massachusetts said an influx of migrants and the need to provide them emergency shelter is one of the most pressing issues facing municipalities.A month into the role, Massachusetts Municipal Association Executive Director Adam Chapdelaine said creating a conduit between the Healey administration and local officials to find locations to prop up the state’s emergency shelter system is one his top priorities.As migrants arrive in Massachusetts, the Healey administration has turned to a net of hotels and motels to expand emergency shelter capacity beyond the already full traditional sites. Municipal officials have expressed frustration with what they say is oftentimes last minute communication from state officials.But Chapdelaine said he has helped set up bi-weekly virtual briefings for municipal officials, shared local leaders’ contact information with state officials, and tried to stay in close touch w...

Boston College QB Castellanos rushes for four TDs in a win at Army

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:44:19 GMT

Quarterback Thomas Castellanos scored his fourth rushing touchdown with 25 seconds remaining to lift Boston College to a 27-24 victory over Army on a stormy Saturday afternoon at Michie Stadium.BC improved to 3-3 and enters the bye week with two straight victories and first on the road. BC resumes ACC play at Georgia Tech on Oct. 21.Castellanos, a sophomore transfer from Central Florida, carried the ball 31 times for 142 yards behind a committed offensive line that maintained its discipline despite the adverse weather conditions.Army quarterback Bryson Dailey rushed for 99 yards and threw for 105 more and a touchdown. BC outgained Army 299-161 in rushing yards and had 19 first downs to 12 for the Cadets.“This is a hard team to game plan for, it is very different and then the rain made us both one-dimensional running the football,” said BC coach Jeff Hafley. “We shrunk the game plan and we dummied it down to play fast and stay on our assignments and our players made plays.”The BC def...

2 people transported to hospital due to fire in Rosedale

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:44:19 GMT

Two people have been transported to hospital after a fire in the Yonge and Church Streets area of Rosedale on Saturday.Police responded to reports at approximately 3:13 p.m. of a fire on the 12th floor of a building. An e-bike reportedly caught on fire.On scene two adult patients were assessed on for smoke inhalation before being transported to hospital with minor injuries.Police remain on scene as Yonge Street is closed in both directions from Aylmer Avenue to Davenport Road.

California governor vetoes bill that would have banned caste discrimination

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:44:19 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill Saturday that would have made California the first U.S. state to outlaw caste-based discrimination.Caste is a division of people related to birth or descent. Those at the lowest strata of the caste system, known as Dalits, have been pushing for legal protections in California and beyond. They say it is necessary to protect them from bias in housing, education and in the tech sector — where they hold key roles.Earlier this year, Seattle became the first U.S. city to add caste to its anti-discrimination laws. On Sept. 28, Fresno became the second U.S. city and the first in California to prohibit discrimination based on caste by adding caste and indigeneity to its municipal code.In his message Newsom called the bill “unnecessary,” explaining that California “already prohibits discrimination based on sex , race, color , religion, ancestry, national origin, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and other characteristics, and s...

Judge’s order cancels event that would have blocked sole entrance to a Kansas abortion clinic

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:44:19 GMT

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A demonstration planned by a Roman Catholic diocese in Kansas that would have blocked the only entrance to a Wichita abortion clinic on Saturday was canceled after a judge put a hold on the city permit that would have allowed it. Earlier this year, the Catholic Diocese of Wichita was granted a permit through the city’s Parks and Recreation and police departments to close the street in front of the Trust Women clinic, the Wichita Eagle reported. The diocese had planned to hold a “Mass for Life” demonstration Saturday morning that would have blocked the entrance to the clinic while leaving open the entrance to another clinic on the street that seeks to dissuade people from getting abortions. A judge on Friday granted a request for a temporary restraining order until the Wichita City Council holds a hearing to address objections to the street closure from the Trust Women clinic and another nearby business. The clinic is normally closed for business on Saturda...