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Palestinian boy mauled to death by lion in private Gaza zoo

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:47 GMT

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — A Palestinian boy was mauled to death by a lion in a private zoo in the Gaza Strip on Monday, according to the coastal territory’s police force, run by the militant Hamas group. Police officers said 6-year-old Hamada Iqtiet had climbed the fence in the zoo in the southern Gaza town of Khan Younis, and reached an opening in the cage before the lion mauled him. An investigation was underway, they said.The boy’s family disputed the account, saying Hamada — who was visiting the Asdaa Park with his mother and other family members, according to relatives — had only reached an outer fence, where the lion was standing, when he was attacked.It was the first known fatality from animals kept at private zoos in the crowded and impoverished Palestinian territory. Gaza has several small private zoos where animals are kept in deplorable conditions. The animals have suffered from repeated fighting between Israel and Gaza’s Hamas rulers, neglect, starvation a...

Judge blocks Missouri rule that would limit transgender care

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:47 GMT

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri judge on Monday temporarily blocked a first-of-its-kind rule that would restrict access to gender-affirming health care to children and adults, just hours before it was set to take effect.St. Louis County Circuit Judge Ellen Ribaudo issued a temporary restraining order blocking enforcement of Republican Attorney General Andrew Bailey’s emergency rule until a lawsuit challenging it is resolved.In her ruling, Ribaudo wrote that those suing to block the ruling from taking effect “will be subjected to immediate and irreparable loss, damage or injury if the Attorney General is permitted to enforce the Emergency Rule, and its broad, sweeping provisions were implemented without further fact-finding or evidence.”She wrote that patients “are at high risk of having their medical care interrupted for an unknown length of time; once the Rule goes into effect, they may lose access to medical care through their current providers until such time as the provider can ...

Democratic Sen. Cardin of Maryland announces retirement

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:47 GMT

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin of Maryland announced Monday that he will not seek reelection at the end of his third term in 2024, triggering what is likely to be a highly competitive primary to replace him in the blue-leaning state.“I am proud of all I have done for Maryland. I have given my heart and soul to our great state, and I thank Marylanders for trusting me as your representative for all these years,” the 79-year-old said in a statement. Cardin has served in the Senate since 2006 when he won a seat to replace retiring Democrat Paul Sarbanes. Before that, he was a congressman who represented a large part of Baltimore and several nearby suburbs, winning his first U.S. House race in 1986.During his tenure in the Senate, Cardin has been a leader in health care, retirement security, the environment and fiscal issues. The senator has also been a leading advocate for clean water and the Chesapeake Bay, the nation’s largest estuary, which flows through his h...

US House speaker in Knesset amid fraught US-Israel ties

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:47 GMT

JERUSALEM (AP) — The U.S. House speaker addressed Israel’s parliament on Monday, a rare honor awarded to the highest-ranking Republican in U.S. politics at a time of fraught relations between Israel’s government and Democratic President Joe Biden.Speaker Kevin McCarthy and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu portrayed the speech as a nod to bipartisan U.S. support for Israel as it marks 75 years since its creation. Critics say the platform given to McCarthy — he’s only the second House speaker to address the Knesset, after Newt Gingrich in 1998 — is a pointed jab at Biden.McCarthy spoke to the Knesset, greeted by frequent applause and a standing ovation, as lawmakers returned from a month-long recess. They are expected to resume the fight over a contentious plan, promoted by the most right-wing government in Israel’s history, to overhaul the judiciary. The plan has split Israelis and drawn a rare public rebuke from Biden. Amid the tensions, Biden has so far denied Netany...

Missouri judge temporarily blocks rule that would limit access to gender-affirming care for transgender kids and adults

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:47 GMT

CLAYTON, Mo. (AP) — Missouri judge temporarily blocks rule that would limit access to gender-affirming care for transgender kids and adults.Source

Golden Beach Police officer released from hospital after being shot during Hollywood car theft chase

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:47 GMT

A Golden Beach Police officer was released from the hospital Monday after he was shot during a car theft chase. The recovery process continues for Golden Beach Police Sgt. Joseph Bautista after he came under fire over the weekend.The suspects were caught and appeared in court Sunday.Jordan Christophe is facing several charges, which includes attempted felony murder.This all started early Saturday morning when police picked up on a stolen car.“Eastbound Sunny Isles Boulevard and Collins, units looking for a 2015 grey Nissan Altima,” an officer said on Broadcastify police scanner.A chase then started, with backup coming from different agencies that were involved.“The suspects bailed out of the car, and it was during that foot pursuit, that a Golden Beach sergeant was shot twice in the arm,” said Hollywood Police Spokeswoman Deanna Bettineschi.Police eventually captured the shooting suspect, Christophe, and another man, Marvens DeClasse, who’s being charge...

Growing search for Texas gunman who killed 5 enters 3rd day

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:47 GMT

CLEVELAND, Texas (AP) — The search in Texas for a gunman who fatally shot five neighbors with an AR-style rifle entered a third day Monday after authorities over the weekend widened a dragnet near Houston and appealed to the public for tips on the killer’s whereabouts.On Monday afternoon, authorities in neighboring Montgomery County told residents to stay inside “out of an abundance of caution” near an area that had a heavy police presence following a possible sighting of the suspect. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office said they had no confirmation the person was 38-year-old Francisco Oropeza.Oropeza, has been at large since the shooting just before midnight Friday in the rural town of Cleveland. By Sunday evening, authorities said more than 250 officers from multiple jurisdictions had joined the manhunt, and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott put up $50,000 in reward money for tips leading to Oropeza’s capture.“I can tell you right now, we have zero leads,” James Sm...

State police wrangle two equines horsing around on Route 88 in Westport

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:47 GMT

A pair of horses are back home after taking a trot onto Route 88 in Westport Monday morning, according to Massachusetts State Police.On social media, the MSP said it just before 8 a.m. when two horses were able to get loose from their stable and make their way onto the roadway.Authorities said the State Police Troop D Community Action Team, members of the Dartmouth Barracks, and an MSP Mounted Unit responded and were able to wrangle the animals.Several photos of the operation were shared on Facebook and Twitter, including a shot of Trooper Alex Boswell, who authorities said was able to get a rope onto one of the horses and helped escort them back home with their owner.

Vanessa Bryant shares sweet posts on Gigi’s 17th birthday: ‘Love you and miss you so much’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:47 GMT

Vanessa Bryant shared several sweet photos of her and Kobe Bryant’s daughter Gianna, who would have turned 17 on Monday.The Instagram images showed Gianna with family members including her mother and two of her sisters. One photo showed a smiling Gianna riding a merry-go-round.“Happy 17th birthday, baby girl,” Vanessa captioned her first post. “I love you and miss you so much, sweet Angel.”Gianna — whose nickname was Gigi — was 13 when she and Kobe Bryant were killed in a January 2020 helicopter crash on their way to her basketball game. Seven others also died in the crash in Calabasas, Calif.Gigi was the second eldest of Kobe and Vanessa’s four daughters.“We love you to the moon and back infinity +1,” Vanessa captioned another post Monday. “Forever & Always.”Kobe, who was 41, married Vanessa in 2001. He won five championships in 20 NBA seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers. The 2008 NBA MVP made 18 All-Star t...

Ravens decline linebacker Patrick Queen’s fifth-year option, making him a free agent after 2023 season

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:47 GMT

Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta declined to discuss linebacker Patrick Queen’s fifth-year option during the NFL last week, but by Monday the team had made up its mind.Baltimore is declining Queen’s option, his agent confirmed to The Baltimore Sun, meaning that the 23-year-old will be a free agent after this season.The Ravens had until Tuesday to make a decision on the option, which would have cost $12.77 million.With $100 million already tied up in fellow linebacker Roquan Smith, who will carry a $9 million cap hit this year, $13.5 million in 2024, $22.5 million in 2025 and $27.5 million in 2026 and 2027, that would have tied up a lot of money for two linebackers.“Patrick is, in my mind, one of the better [inside] linebackers in the league,” DeCosta said Friday. “He’s smart, he works his butt off, he has a bright future. I think he’s a Pro Bowl linebacker in the making.”It just won’t be with the Ravens beyond this season.The ...