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Israel and Hamas complete second hostage-prisoner exchange

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:18:43 GMT

Hamas and Israel completed the second stage of a planned hostage-prisoner swap early Sunday after a delay caused by a dispute over the terms of a truce agreement, according to the Israeli military and Qatari government officials.The Israeli Defense Forces said Red Cross representatives transferred the freed hostages to Egypt and then to Israel late Saturday, according to the Associated Press. Early Sunday, Israel began releasing 39 Palestinian prisoners.Qatari foreign ministry spokesperson Dr. Majid bin Mohammed Al Ansari confirmed that the hostage transfer had taken place following uncertainty over the process.“13 Israelis and 4 foreigners were received by ICRC and on their way to Rafah,” Al Ansari wrote in a message posted to X, formerly known as Twitter.Al Ansari had posted earlier in the day that a dispute causing a delay in the hostage transfer had been resolved by Qatari-Egyptian mediators.“After a delay, obstacles to release of prisoners were overcome through Qatari...

Fragile truce in Gaza is back on track after hourslong delay in a second hostage-for-prisoner swap

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:18:43 GMT

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — The tense cease-fire between Israel and Hamas appeared to be back on track early Sunday after the release of a second group of militant-held hostages and Palestinians from Israeli prisons, but the swap followed an hourslong delay that underscored the truce’s fragility.The exchange was delayed Saturday evening after Hamas accused Israel of violating the agreement, which has brought the first significant pause in seven weeks of war marked by the deadliest Israeli-Palestinian violence in decades, vast destruction and displacement across the Gaza Strip, and a hostage crisis that has shaken Israel. The deal seemed at risk of unraveling until Qatar and Egypt, which mediate with Hamas, announced late Saturday that the obstacles to the exchange had been overcome. The militants released 17 hostages, including 13 Israelis, while Israel freed 39 Palestinian prisoners.Thousands of people gathered in central Tel Aviv late Saturday to call for the release of...

Daily horoscope for November 26, 2023

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:18:43 GMT

Moon Alert: Avoid shopping or important decisions from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. EST today (1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. PST). After that, the Moon moves from Taurus into Gemini.Happy Birthday for Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023:You are charismatic and intelligent. You generally excel at anything you choose to do. You are success-oriented and work diligently for your goals. This is a powerful year for you, because you will get acknowledgement for your efforts. Expect a promotion, awards, kudos and acknowledgement from your peers.ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★★Avoid important financial decisions today, especially during the Moon Alert. You might be tempted to buy something luxurious, and later regret it. If you can’t resist temptation, be smart and keep your receipts. Tonight: conversations. This Week: Warm relations with others. Travel, if possible.TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★★★Today you feel friendly toward someone. You might want to expand their point of view about something, or show someone a new way of...

CSU Rams’ bowl hopes extinguished by 51-yard field goal as time expires in Hawaii

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:18:43 GMT

HONOLULU –Colorado State’s bowl hopes made it to the final moments of the 2023 season, only to be extinguished in heartbreaking fashion.Brayden Schager was 30-of-43 passing for 320 yards and a touchdown, and Matthew Shipley kicked a 51-yard field goal as time expired to send Hawaii to a 27-24 victory over CSU on Saturday night.The Rams needed to make one stop to send the game to overtime.Instead, on third-and-3 from the CSU 45, Schager hit Chuuky Hines for an 11-yard gain to set up Shipley’s winner. And with that, Colorado State (5-7, 3-5 Mountain West) was denied a bowl bid for the sixth straight season, and second in a row under head coach Jay Norvell.Colorado State took the opening kickoff and went 75 yards in nine plays to take a 7-0 lead when Justin Marshall scored on a 21-yard run and Jordan Noyes kicked to 22-yard field goal to give the Rams a 10-7 lead with 9:27 remaining in the second quarter. Hawaii (4-8, 2-5) responded with a five-play, 75-yard drive that culm...

Best Video Poker Sites for Real Money (2024): Play Joker Poker, Deuces Wild Games & More

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:18:43 GMT

 Sponsored ContentYou don’t need a stone-cold poker face to win at video poker – but you do need to play the best video poker games for the biggest chance of winning!Maybe also use a strategy or two. Today, we will guide you through the top 10 video poker games and the online casinos where you can play them for real money or free. We will also include a few strategies to help you win a little bit more and lose a little less when playing at sites like Slots.LV.Stick around to learn more!Best Video Poker SitesSlots.LV (Joker Poker 10-Hand): Best overallLucky Red Casino (Mystery Bonus Poker): 400% welcome bonusHighway Casino (Tens Or Better): High bet limits Super Slots (Deuces Wild Gamble): Best for crypto video pokerWild Casino (Triple Card Gamble): Best for fast payoutsCafe Casino (Aces & Faces Multihand): Best bonusesHighroller Casino (Hold’em Poker 3): $8,000 welcome packageBitStarz (Aces and Faces): Exclusive gamesBovada (Jacks Or Better 3-Hand): Biggest jackpotsIg...

Dear Abby: My sister met a British guy, and now she’s a mouse

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:18:43 GMT

DEAR ABBY: My sister “Maddy” and I were best friends. She was a great sister to all of us growing up. She was a successful career woman and helped many in our family.Related ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: My husband says he can’t wear his wedding ring to the office Advice | Dear Abby: All these women want to date me, and I don’t know what to do Advice | Dear Abby: How can I get my wife to give my car keys back? Advice | Dear Abby: I’m dreading talking to this girl’s parents about the cheek situation Advice | Dear Abby: I’m on the verge of blowing up at my boss over my unofficial duties She met a British guy online, got married and moved to the U.K. When they visited us, we noticed Maddy had become a different person. She had lost her decisive personality and had become a docile, “can’t go anywhere without my husband” individual. She couldn’t ...

Miramonte airs it out in NCS Division V championship victory: “It’s awesome, just awesome”

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:18:43 GMT

LAFAYETTE – Miramonte, which all season relied on a tough running game and relentless defense to grind out victories, opened up the playbook in the Matadors’ 42-20 NCS Division V championship victory over visiting St. Bernard’s. Sophomore Carson Blair aired it out against the visitors from Eureka, throwing for four touchdowns, two to sophomore Andrew Bjornson and another pair to Jack Quinnild, who caught his ninth and 10th touchdowns of the season to help give Miramonte its first section title since 2013. “It’s awesome, just awesome,” Miramonte coach Jack Schram said. “The guys did an unbelievable job.”LAFAYETTE – Miramonte guard Harry Smith (58) celebrates with Andrew Bjornson (18) after Bjornson caught a touchdown in the first half. Miramonte and St. Bernard’s-Eureka played in the North Coast Section Division V high school football championship at Acalanes High School in Lafayette, Calif. on Nov. 25, 2023 (Joseph Dycus/Bay Area News Group) Playing at nearby ...

No comeback this time: Christopher falls to Soquel in CCS Division IV final

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:18:43 GMT

SAN JOSE – After two straight successful comebacks against higher-seeded opponents, Christopher’s playoff run came to an end in the Central Coast Section Division II championship game Saturday night.The eighth-seeded Cougars were stymied by an outstanding defensive effort and lost to second-seeded Soquel 28-0 at San Jose City College.“We’ve faced Live Oak, Mitty, Menlo. We’ve faced some great football teams all year. This, by far and away, is the best football team we’ve seen,” said Christopher coach Darren Yafai, who is stepping down after three seasons as the Cougars’ coach. “We’ve never seen … as ferocious a pass rush. They don’t need to blitz at all. Their front four is incredible.”The Knights (11-2) sacked Christopher quarterback Jaxen Robinson four times and limited the Cougars (11-2) to 102 total yards. They also caused three turnovers.Soquel coach Dwight Lowery pointed out his defense’s play, as his team won the first CCS football title in school history.Soquel head co...

McClymonds celebrates retiring coach Michael Peters with Silver Bowl victory

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:18:43 GMT

OAKLAND — The party at McClymonds High School, one celebrating the career of longtime coach Michael Peters, began long before the Warriors won their 13th consecutive Silver Bowl with a 56-0 victory over Oakland Tech on Saturday night. The entire day, starting in the early afternoon with girls flag football playoffs and championships, was an opportunity for visitors and well-wishers to congratulate the man who has won four state titles, six NorCal crowns and 11 section championships with the Oakland school. Peters, 55, announced two weeks ago that he was stepping down after the season. “I got a chance to coach at the place I went to school at, and fortunately we had a great time,” said Peters, who graduated from McClymonds in 1986 and began his coaching career at Mack as an assistant in 1992. “I couldn’t ask for anything better. I had a great group of coaches and kids.”OAKLAND – McClymonds coach MIchael Peters looks towards his assistants in the first quarter. McClymonds ...

Sierra Leone declares nationwide curfew after gunmen attack military barracks in the capital

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:18:43 GMT

FREETOWN, Sierra Leone (AP) (AP) — Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio declared a nationwide curfew Sunday after gunmen attacked military barracks in the West African nation’s capital, raising fears of a breakdown of order amid a surge of coups in the region.The unidentified gunmen attacked a military armory within the barracks in the capital, Freetown, early morning, Bio said in a statement posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, adding that they were driven back by security forces and “calm has been restored.”“As the combined team of our Security Forces continue to root out the remnant of the fleeing renegades, a nationwide curfew has been declared and citizens are encouraged to stay indoors,” he wrote.Bio was reelected for a second term in June in a disputed vote in which the main opposition party accused Sierra Leone’s electoral commission of conspiring with his party to rig the results.It was the country’s fifth presidential election since the end of a brutal 11-yea...