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At least 10 Thai hostages released by Hamas

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:04:24 GMT

BANGKOK (AP) — Hamas freed at least 10 Thai nationals seized in the group’s surprise attack on southern Israel last month and held until hostages went free on Friday.Thai Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara wrote online that he was “overjoyed.”He had traveled more than three weeks ago to Egypt and Qatar to seek their help in obtaining the hostages’ freedom. Thais were the biggest single group of foreigners taken hostage.Thailand did not release the kidnapped people’s names or conditions, but thanked Qatar, Israel, Egypt, Iran, Malaysia and the International Committee of the Red Cross.“It is our deep hope that all remaining hostages will be taken care of, and will be safely released at the earliest opportunity,” the Thai Foreign Ministry said.Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin was the first Thai official to post news of the release, writing on the X social media platform, formerly known as Twitter, that 12 had been freed. The spokesman for the Qatari foreign ministry, Majed ...

Feds providing $7M to Peel Region for asylum seekers reception centre

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:04:24 GMT

The federal government has announced it will be providing $7 million to Peel Region to open a reception centre and shelter for asylum seekers.It comes after an asylum seeker was found dead in a tent outside a former shelter in Mississauga last week. It’s unknown how the man died.The centre will be operated in partnership with community organizations and will provide streamlined services to support asylum claimants.Kamal Khera, the Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities, made the announcement on behalf of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Minister Marc Miller.“It will prevent another tragedy like the one we saw last week from occurring again. Reality is this will save lives,” said Khera.Khera added she hopes relieve the pressures on other shelters in the area. Currently, in Peel Region, the shelter capacity is at 300 per cent, and 68 per cent of those requiring space are asylum seekers from various African countries. P...

The vital question may linger forever: Did Oscar Pistorius know he was shooting at his girlfriend?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:04:24 GMT

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — In the decade since Oscar Pistorius pulled the trigger four times on his 9mm pistol, firing into the head and body of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp as she stood inside a locked toilet cubicle in his home, the vital question has still never been answered: Did the world-famous Olympic runner know he was shooting at and killing his girlfriend that Valentine’s Day in 2013?Pistorius has always claimed that he didn’t, that he mistook her for an intruder in his home. Steenkamp’s family believes he intended to shoot the 29-year-old model and law graduate after becoming enraged in a nighttime argument.Only Pistorius really knows for sure what he did, and he may be the only person who ever will.The lasting twist of Pistorius’ case, which shocked and riveted millions and was back in the spotlight Friday when he was granted parole, is that even his conviction for murder didn’t provide an answer to the lingering question.Pistorius’ ...

Woman believed to be girlfriend of suspect in Colorado property shooting is also arrested

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:04:24 GMT

DENVER (AP) — A woman believed to be the girlfriend of a man suspected of killing three people and wounding a fourth in a property dispute in rural Colorado is also being held in connection with the shooting.The arrest of Nancy Rae Medina-Kochis, 50, in New Mexico was announced Thursday by the Custer County Sheriff’s Office in Colorado. It said she is suspected of being an accessory to a crime, pending the continued investigation into Monday’s shooting, which killed Robert Geers, 63, his wife Beth Wade Geers, 73, and James Daulton, 58, near Westcliffe, Colorado, about 77 miles (124 kilometers) southwest of Colorado Springs. Daulton’s wife, Patty Daulton, was also wounded.According to court documents, their neighbor, Hanme Clark, yelled about trespassing and then started shooting while Robert Geers was talking to a surveyor.Clark was arrested on Tuesday near Albuquerque, New Mexico, after about 25 hours on the run. Medina-Kochis was with him at the time and is belie...

Putin’s first prime minister and later his opponent has been added to Russia’s ‘foreign agent’ list

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:04:24 GMT

MOSCOW (AP) — Russia’s Justice Ministry on Friday added Mikhail Kasyanov, who was President Vladimir Putin’s first prime minister but then became one of his opponents, to its register of “foreign agents.”Russian law allows for figures and organizations receiving money or support from outside the country to be designated as foreign agents, a term whose pejorative connotations could undermine the designee’s credibility. The law, which has been extensively used against opposition figures and independent news media, also requires material published by a designee to carry a prominent disclaimer stating that it comes from a foreign agent. The ministry’s website says Kasyanov “took part in the creation and dissemination of messages and materials of foreign agents to an unlimited circle of people, disseminated false information about the decisions taken by public authorities of the Russian Federation and the policies pursued by them” and “opposed the special military...

WATCH LIVE: President Biden delivers remarks as Israeli media say Hamas has released Israeli hostages

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:04:24 GMT

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israeli media say the Hamas militant group has released the first batch of hostages under a cease-fire deal Friday, including 13 Israelis who have been held in the Gaza Strip for nearly seven weeks.The media cited Israeli security officials.Twelve Thai nationals were also released, according to Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin.In all, 50 captives are set to be freed during a four-day truce.Israel is set to free 150 Palestinians over the next four days, as part of the deal. Thirty-nine prisoners are to be freed Friday. Israel allows for temporary ceasefire, setting stage for release of some hostages and more aid to Gaza

US job growth is expected to slow in 2024. Here’s what you can do now

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:04:24 GMT

(The Hill) — The US is still enjoying one of the best jobs markets in its labor history, but here’s a heads-up: there are signs of change around the corner.According to Goldman Sachs, the current pace of job growth is around 175,000 per month, but they expect it to slow to 100,000 in the second half of 2024. JP Morgan is on the same page – it predicts that job growth is expected to soften in 2024.And the most official source, the US Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, tells us that job growth slowed in October, after the economy added fewer jobs in August and September than expected. What to know about the ‘Make Amazon Pay’ strike campaign All of it promises a slowdown in labor market momentum, news that is considered to be “Fed-friendly”: good for the economy. But what does it mean for workers?The cards are not as stacked in your favor as they were 12 months ago, and wage growth is also slowing, so the springboard from your current role into a better one may not be ...

Police identify pedestrian killed in fatal crash

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:04:24 GMT

COLONIE, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Colonie Police have released the identity of the pedestrian killed in the fatal crash on Tuesday evening. Mark Schimmer, 67, was transported to the Albany Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The crash took place just after 6 p.m. in the area of Central Avenue and Mountain View Avenue. Police say Schimmer was pushing a shopping cart, wearing dark clothing, and was not near a crosswalk or traffic signal at the time of the accident. Rain and snow made visibility poor, and the driver did not see him until after the collision. The driver immediately stopped and contacted 911.Colonie Police say Schimmer's current address is unavailable, but they received assistance from the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office in Arizona. Investigations are ongoing, but speed and intoxication are not contributing factors. No charges are pending.

Capital Roots opening fresh food market in Troy

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:04:24 GMT

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- In December 2021, Capital Roots broke ground on its expanded market and food hub. Now, the Good Food Market, sponsored by CDPHP, is getting ready to open. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The market is set to officially open on Tuesday, November 28. According to Capital Roots, the Good Food Market offers local, farm-fresh food and goods for an affordable price. Items include fruits, vegetables, breads, meats, eggs, cheeses and more. "We understand the importance of affordable, nutritious food for every household, and that’s why we have carefully curated our selection to offer you the best prices without compromising on quality," said Capital Roots. Amsterdam pizzeria reopens in new location Capital Roots is a non-profit organization that works to bring healthy food to the Capital Region by organizing community gardens, providing healthy food access, offering nutritional and horticultural education and co...

Smoke bombs apparently set off, red paint spilled outside AIPAC President’s Brentwood home 

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:04:24 GMT

Smoke bombs were apparently set off outside the home of the President of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) on Thursday. Video circulating on social media shows a group of around a dozen protestors holding what appear to be smoke bombs and blaring sirens in the street outside of Michael Tuchin’s Brentwood home on Thanksgiving day. The video, posted by the account StopAntisemitism, was taken by a woman shouting towards her father, who was trying to break up the demonstration, to avoid physical confrontation. At the end of the video, he was seen carrying an American flag towards the group. Another video posted by StopAntisemitism shows what appears to be fake blood and fake dead babies in Tuchin’s driveway.  Israel-Hamas truce begins, and dozens of hostages and prisoners freed The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed that officers were dispatched to the 11900 block of Foxboro Drive around 10:45 a.m. Thursday after protestors "appeared......