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In Israel’s call for mass evacuation, Palestinians hear echoes of their original catastrophic exodus

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:26 GMT

JERUSALEM (AP) — In Israel’s call for the evacuation of half of Gaza’s population, many Palestinians fear a repeat of the most traumatic event in their tortured history, their mass exodus from what is now Israel during the 1948 war surrounding its creation.Palestinians refer to it as the Nakba, or “catastrophe.” An estimated 700,000 Palestinians, a majority of the prewar population, fled or were expelled from what is now Israel in the months before and during the war, in which Jewish fighters fended off an attack by several Arab states.The Palestinians packed their belongings, piling into cars, trucks and donkey carts. Many locked their doors and took their keys with them, expecting to return when the war ended.Seventy-five years later, they have not been allowed back. Emptied towns were renamed, villages were demolished, homes reclaimed by forests in Israeli nature reserves.Israel refused to allow the Palestinians to return, because it would threaten the Jewish ma...

Pennsylvania seeks to expand public awareness of its Indigenous culture and history

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:26 GMT

BETHLEHEM, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania’s absence of federally recognized tribal nations means there’s been an incomplete picture of its Native American culture and history, officials said Friday as they announced a grant-funded program designed to change that.The Pennsylvania Tourism Office, in partnership with Lehigh University’s Institute for Indigenous Studies and with input from federally recognized tribes, will develop a plan to highlight the state’s Indigenous stories, culture and history through a grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission.Pennsylvania is behind other states in its consideration of Indigenous culture and history, compared with Midwestern states, said Jason Hale, a researcher from the Institute for Indigenous Studies, Lehigh University. Hale is from the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation near Mayetta, Kansas.The grant will allow them to change that. “It comes right under the mission of what we do to connect and to help Indigenous tribal nat...

Sharon Stone says health issues slowed her acting career so she’s expressing herself through paint

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:26 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — During the pandemic, a friend sent Sharon Stone a paint-by-numbers set to keep her busy, a gesture that has led to a new path of creative expression for the actor. Known best for roles in films like “Casino” and “Basic Instinct,” Stone has discovered a love of painting and launched a show of her giant canvases at the C. Parker Gallery in Greenwich, Connecticut, this week.Stone got frustrated staying within the lines and colors in that first paint set and started creating her own abstract paintings using acrylic on canvas. Over the past several years she has carved out studio space in her home where she works both inside and outside and says she loves it because she always needs to be moving.The show, titled “Welcome to My Garden” is only her second outing and features 19 of her brightly colored works. Stone, 65 and the mother to three sons, recently spoke with The Associated Press about artistic inspiration, battling health issues and whether she will act again. Answ...

A teacher is dead and 3 people are wounded after a France stabbing attack that echoes a 2020 killing

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:26 GMT

ARRAS, France (AP) — A man of Chechen origin who was under surveillance by French security services over suspected Islamic radicalization stabbed a teacher to death at his former high school and critically wounded three other people Friday in northern France, authorities said. The attack was being investigated by anti-terror prosecutors amid soaring global tensions over the war between Israel and Hamas. It also happened almost three years after another teacher, Samuel Paty, was beheaded by a radicalized Chechen near a Paris area school.President Emmanuel Macron said France had been “hit once again by the barbarity of Islamist terrorism.”“Nearly three years to the day after the assassination of Samuel Paty, terrorism has hit a school again and in a context that we’re all aware of,” Macron said at the site of the attack in Arras, a city 115 miles (185 kilometers) north of Paris.A colleague and a fellow teacher identified the dead educator as Dominique Bernard, a French language teache...

Israel's Netanyahu vows to 'destroy' Hamas, says Gaza offensive still in early stages

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:26 GMT

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to destroy Hamas as the army prepares for an expected ground invasion of the Gaza Strip.Netanyahu delivered the threat in a nationally televised address late Friday.Israel has been pounding Gaza with airstrikes since Hamas militants carried out an unprecedented cross-border attack last Saturday, killing over 1,300 people in a brutal rampage. Early Friday, Israel ordered half of Gaza’s population to evacuate their homes.“This is just the beginning,” Netanyahu said. “We will end this war stronger than ever.”“We will destroy Hamas,” he added, saying Israel has widespread international support for the operation.THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.JERUSALEM (AP) — Palestinians fled in a mass exodus from northern Gaza Friday after Israel’s military told some 1 million people to evacuate toward the southern part of the besieged territory, an unprecedented order ahead of an expected ground inva...

Can the Bears end 2 more losing streaks on Sunday?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:26 GMT

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Fans of the Bears were able to breathe a sigh of relief after the team ended their 14-game losing streak against the Commanders on October 5.But as they approach Sunday's game against the Vikings at Soldier Field, there are still two more they'd like to end. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)The first is a losing streak against their opponents in the NFC North, which actually goes back longer than the team's 11-month overall skid they ended last week. Right now, the team has a ten-game losing streak against the division, with their last win coming against the Lions on Thanksgiving Day in 2021 when Andy Dalton led the team to victory. The Bears loss their final three division games of that season, then all six in a 3-14 campaign in 2022.This season, the Bears dropped their season opener to the Packers 38-20 at Soldier Field, putting that streak into the double digits.(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)Speaking of the Bears' home stadium, it's been over a year s...

Abbott urges school choice supporters to not be like UT football in final push

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:26 GMT

Editor's Note: The above video is KXAN's previous coverage after the Texas Senate approved SB 1, on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023.Austin (Nexstar) — Gov. Greg Abbott said supporters of school choice are close to their goal at the Capitol. But Thursday night, he urged backers to avoid mimicking the Texas Longhorns in the final push for the legislation. Abbott spoke at Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF) 2023 Parent Empowerment Leadership Summit dinner, about an hour after the Texas Senate gave preliminary approval to a bill to allow parents to use public funds to pay for private education. Senate passes plan to let Texas parents use public funds to pay for private schools "We are on the one-yard line, a good place to be," Abbott said.Abbott referenced Texas football's play calling in Texas's 34-30 loss to Oklahoma in last week's Red River Rivalry. He referenced UT's lack of success at the one-yard line as a metaphor to illustrate the current risk, even with success seeming close."UT to...

Breezes increase as the humidity decreases

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:26 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A cold front will move across Central Texas during the afternoon. The first effect of the front will be an increase in gusty winds with speeds of 15 to 20+ mph expected.The second effect will be the drop in the dew points/relative humidity. Temperatures will eventually start to cool but not before reaching some upper 80s to low 90s during the mid- to late-afternoon.Clouds will be clearing during the afternoon after the front has passed. Look for a mostly clear sky this evening. Sunshine and fair-weather clouds are part of tomorrow's forecast with most highs in the mid/upper 70s to a few around 80° to 82°.That will be followed by three days of highs in the 70s before the 80s return on Wednesday when the winds return from the south. Coldest mornings next week will be Monday and Tuesday with several morning minimums in the 40s.The next chance of rain will come Thursday as another cold front heads to the area.Annular solar eclipse SaturdayThe weather looks great for loc...

Capital Region Restaurant Rundown: October 9-13

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:26 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The restaurant industry is ever-changing with restaurants opening, closing, relocating, or just doing their thing. Here’s a recap of the latest Capital Region restaurant news, October 9 through 13. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Adirondack Winery sets its goal for breast cancerEvery year, Adirondack Winery in Queensbury puts on pink and raises money, glass by glass, for breast cancer awareness and research. This month, the winery hopes to raise $20,000 for its 11th annual Drink Pink Fundraiser.New tavern opening on Central Ave in ColonieSeptember’s Too, a revival of the former September’s night club, is opening at the same location in Colonie. The tavern is having its grand opening weekend from October 13 to 15.New cocktail lounge opening in Glens FallsThe Golden Monkey Lounge, an elevated cocktail bar, is opening at 58 South Street in Glens Falls. The lounge is set to have its soft opening on Friday, ...

Things to do in the North Country this weekend: Oct. 13-15

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:26 GMT

GLENS FALLS, N.Y. (NEWS10) - This weekend, October events and Halloween fun are joined by Oktoberfest celebrations and outdoor flea markets. It's cold outside, but not too cold to get out into the Adirondacks. Here's what's happening from Glens Falls north into the Adirondacks on the weekend of Oct. 13 to 15. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Fort AnnBooTown Halloween HauntEvery Saturday and Sunday in OctoberHaunted cemetery of scares and creepy clowns, with an interactive zombie huntBooTown, 11225 Route 149$20 per personUpstate Misfits Comedy ShowcaseSaturday, Oct. 14, 9 p.m.Comedy night featuring Sam Holder, Mike Bernat, Kay Goutos, Shawn Barnes, J. Connolly, Will Johnson, and Gene CenateThe Trap, 5 Buttermilk Falls Road, Fort Ann$10 admissionFort EdwardLocktoberfestSaturday, Oct. 14, noon - 5 p.m.Kids activities, live music, food trucks, beer tent, local farmsCanal Street Marketplace, 63 Canal St., Fort EdwardSpooktacular Book...