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In South Florida stops, Israelis who say Hamas killed or kidnapped their loved ones tell their stories

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:48:16 GMT

A group of people who escaped a nightmare in Israel shared their stories during a South Florida stop, saying they’ve lost family members and are still waiting on some of their loved ones to be released by Hamas.U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., hosted the group at her office in Plantation, Saturday. They’re all family members of hostages held by Hamas.“My own family that hid out, my mother was murdered by Hamas,” said Or Gat.Gat was speaking on behalf of his sister, Carmel Gat, and his brother’s wife, Yarden Roman Gat. He said they were all snatched from Kibbutz Be’eri.Surveillance video showed the Hamas terrorists before they unleashed their brutal attacks four weeks ago.Gat said he saw video of his mother kidnapped, and then of her lifeless body. He hopes his visit can reach the right ears to bring his loved ones home safely.“Powerful and influential people in the U.S. that can be in the position to decide and to help,” he ...

SW Miami-Dade father accused in son’s fatal shooting faces 2nd-degree murder charge

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:48:16 GMT

A father is facing a murder charge after being accused of triggering tragedy at his Southwest Miami-Dade home.David Contreras is facing a charge of second-degree murder with a weapon after, police said, he shot and killed his son, Eric Contreras, who was in in 20s, then called 911 to report it.“It’s pretty scary for something like this to be happening. It’s a very quiet street, quiet neighborhood,” said area resident Jaime Stramondo.According to Miami-Dade Police, the shooting took place in the area of Southwest 84th Ave and 107th Street, at around 2 p.m. on Friday.First responders arrived to find Eric dead near the door of his home.“Speechless. It’s the way I could put it, just to hear about it,” said area resident Jacob Billings.“It’s devastating, it’s heartbreaking for everybody, it’s scary,” said Stramondo.Detectives kept the area blocked off all day and into the night as they investigated the shooting.It remains unclear whether or not officers have responded to the home of this...

Around the world, the left is tearing itself apart over Israel

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:48:16 GMT

When Hamas attackers killed 1,400 civilians in a series of horrifying raids on October 7, politicians across the West voiced their shock and pledged their backing for Israel. But as the Gaza conflict has unfolded, with Israeli forces killing thousands of Palestinians, that political consensus has fractured. And across the West, it is politicians on the left of the political spectrum who are struggling the most. In the U.S., Joe Biden is under pressure from Muslim voters who see his staunch support for Israel as a betrayal. In the U.K., Keir Starmer — who is on course to become the next Labour prime minister — is facing his gravest test so far amid bitter disputes within his party. In Spain, Pedro Sánchez is trying to cling to power by forming a left-leaning coalition. And in the Netherlands, the war has thrown the left-wing alliance’s campaign into disarray, ahead of an election later this month. So far there have been two crucial points of tension dividing the left: ...

Bedard scores and Mrazek makes 38 saves as Blackhawks beat Panthers 5-2

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:48:16 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — Connor Bedard scored in the second period and Philipp Kurashev had a goal and two assists, helping the Chicago Blackhawks beat the Florida Panthers 5-2 on Saturday night.Nick Foligno, Nikita Zaitsev and Taylor Hall scored in the first for Chicago, which was coming off an ugly 8-1 loss at Arizona on Monday. Petr Mrazek made 38 saves.It was the first goal of the season for Zaitsev and Taylor Hall, who was activated from injured reserve after being sidelined by a left shoulder injury. Hall, the first overall pick in the 2010 draft, was acquired in a June trade with Boston.Chicago (4-6-0) won its first home game in three tries this season.Florida's Oliver Ekman-Larsson scored on a screened power-play shot 6:33 into the third, ending Mrazek's bid for his first shutout since April 2021. Matthew Tkachuk tucked in a rebound at 12:29 but Chicago held on. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines Carter Verhaeghe assisted on both Florida goals. Anthony Stolarz m...

Saturday Forecast: Mostly clear & chilly

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:48:16 GMT

Saturday Night: Mostly clear & chilly. WSW 5-10 mph. Low: 39, cooler outlying areas.Sunday: Increasing clouds, breezy & chance of late-day showers. SW 10-20, G35 mph. High near 60Chicago Weather | Tom Skilling and the WGN Weather Center's Forecast (wgntv.com)Extended outlook calls for a chance of Monday morning showers, mostly cloudy skies and highs in the mild mid 60s. Cooler for Tue/Wed with highs back in the seasonal 50s with some rain at times.  

College men’s hockey: Gophers settle for tie in Duluth

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:48:16 GMT

DULUTH – The Minnesota Gophers headed home from Amsoil Arena on Satuday night still looking for their first win in the Twin Ports in more than a decade, but generally feeling good about their game.Goals by Jimmy Snuggerud, Aaron Huglen and Jaxon Nelson helped the Gophers twice rally from one-goal deficits and forge a 3-3 tie at Minnesota Duluth on Saturday night.Justen Close had 27 saves for the Gophers (4-3-1), who surrendered a third period lead, survived an overtime power play by the Bulldogs (3-3-3), then had their own overtime man-advantage but could not get the game-winner.“For the most part I liked everything we did, except we took a couple dumb penalties,” said Gophers coach Bob Motzko. “It’s the second time this year we’ve taken unnecessary penalties that have gotten us in trouble. We had 50 shots. They had a nice push at the start, we withstood it, but you make mistakes like that, Duluth played very hard tonight and those are mistakes that cost you.”Two Bulldogs scored in ...

Men’s hockey: St. Thomas scores 6-1 win over Northern Michigan that was anything but comfortable

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:48:16 GMT

In the end, it was a one-sided affair, with St. Thomas earning a 6-1 victory over Northern Michigan on Saturday at St. Thomas Ice Arena to complete the weekend sweep.But the Tommies, who beat the Wildcats 4-2 on Friday, were challenged along the way and showed some character in improving to 4-5-1 overall and 2-2 in the CCHA.Leading 2-0 early in the second period, the Tommies failed to capitalize on a five-minute power play, knowing that a goal —or two — would have put them in control of the game.Instead, Northern Michigan cut the Tommies’ lead to 2-1 at 13:19 when Grant Slukynsky got behind the St. Thomas defense and beat goaltender Jake Sibell from in tight. Momentum in the game had shifted, but it didn’t last long.A pair of St. Thomas goals in the next two minutes, seven seconds provided the answer head coach Rico Blasi was looking for.Fifth-year senior Luke Manning banged in his own rebound off a scramble in front at 14:41 for his second goal of the game before Lucas Wahlin score...

Nuggets use third-quarter burst to crush Bulls, finishing perfect back-to-back after Jamal Murray exits with hamstring tightness

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:48:16 GMT

For two quarters, the sleepy, sloppy basketball game being played at Ball Arena on Saturday looked like a meeting of two teams playing a back-to-back. In the third quarter, it looked like one team got a day’s worth of rest during halftime.The Nuggets went 12-deep into their bench across the first three quarters and crushed the visiting Chicago Bulls 123-101, but not before Jamal Murray exited the game with right hamstring tightness 50 seconds into the second quarter. Murray, who played 39 minutes Friday night against the Mavericks, did not return.Nikola Jokic led Denver (6-1) with 28 points, 16 rebounds and nine assists. Michael Porter Jr. heated up from the perimeter in the second half, finishing with 27 points, and Aaron Gordon added a 15-point, 12-rebound double-double. He was often the most lively Nuggets starter on the court during a foul-filled, subpar first half. Denver trailed 53-51 at the break but started the second half on an 18-2 run to bury the Bulls (2-5). Out of...

West Hollywood thief allegedly stole actress Lily Collins' wedding ring: TMZ

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:48:16 GMT

A wanted West Hollywood thief is allegedly responsible for stealing the wedding and engagement rings of actress Lily Collins, TMZ reports.Collins is best known for her starring role on the hit Netflix series, "Emily in Paris."The suspect, Andreea Catalina Rosca, 34, also known as “Nicole Morri,” is wanted for at least two burglaries where she stole jewelry and credit cards out of lockers at a hotel spa and yoga studio, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Rosca was identified by authorities to TMZ as the thief who reportedly escaped with Collins’ jewelry while the actress was relaxing at a hotel spa in May.Collins had reportedly placed her personal items inside a spa locker, including her wedding band, engagement ring, and several electronics.Andreea Catalina Rosca, also known as Nicole Morri, is known to travel the country committing thefts, authorities said. (LASD)PARIS, FRANCE - DECEMBER 06: Stephen Brown, Kate Walsh, William Abadie, Samuel Arnold, Philippine...

Prep football: Bay Area running back sets a section record after 413-yard day

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:48:16 GMT

Mt. Diablo running back Hershel Turner ended Saturday on top of the North Coast Section record books after running for 413 yards and five touchdowns on 23 carries in a 55-40 victory over Berean Christian.The total gives Turner 2,957 rushing yards and 42 touchdowns on 161 carries, moving the senior past the previous regular-season record of 2,623 set by Salesian’s Jahvid Best in 2006, according to the Cal-Hi Sports record book.Olito Thompson of Concord rushed for 3,488 yards counting playoffs in 2011, setting the combined regular and postseason record.Mt. Diablo coach Fetuao Mua told the Bay Area News Group on Saturday night that the team had a statistician keep track of Turner’s numbers Saturday.“He was 200 yards away from the NCS record, and he got that in the second quarter,”  Mua said. “He was so anxious, and I told him to relax, and let the game come to him.”Mua said he knew Turner was primed for a big day after a second-quarter 80-yard touchdown got called back because of...