Desperate people dig out dead and injured from quakes that killed over 2,000 in Afghanistan

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:54:33 GMT

Desperate people dig out dead and injured from quakes that killed over 2,000 in Afghanistan ISLAMABAD (AP) — Men dug through rubble with their bare hands and shovels in western Afghanistan Sunday in desperate attempts to pull victims from the wreckage left by powerful earthquakes that killed at least 2,000 people.Entire villages were flattened, bodies were trapped under collapsed houses and locals waited for help without even shovels to dig people out.Living and dead, victims were trapped under rubble, their faces grey with dust. A government spokesman said Sunday that hundreds were still trapped, more than 1,000 hurt and more than 1,300 homes destroyed.“Most people were shocked … some couldn’t even talk. But there were others who couldn’t stop crying and shouting,” photographer Omid Haqjoo, who visited four villages Sunday, told The Associated Press by phone from Afghanistan’s fourth largest city, Herat.Saturday’s magnitude 6.3 earthquake hit a densely populated area near Herat. It was followed by strong aftershocks.A Taliban government spokesman on Sunday provided ...

Columbus Day weather clear but chilly, more of the same to come

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:54:33 GMT

Columbus Day weather clear but chilly, more of the same to come Aside from a slight chance of showers Tuesday, the region should see clear but seasonally chilly weather through most of the week — but there is potential rain in the weekend forecast, according to the National Weather Service.The last vestiges of Tropical Storm Philippe passing through Maine this weekend will leave a chance of rain in its wake, according to Allan Dunham, a meteorologist with the NWS.“It’s a weak cold front extending from (Philippe),” Dunham said. That front will leave “about a 30% chance of rain” behind it according to the meteorologist.Those enjoying the day off while the federal government observes Columbus Day will get nice weather Monday, according to the NWS. The temperature will only reach the low 60s, but there won’t be much wind and the sun will be shining through most of the day, Dunham said.It will be chilly overnight Monday, with temps falling into the upper-40s and clouds rolling in.Those clouds will bring a 30% chance of rain on Tuesday, Du...

Powerball jackpot continues to near record with $1.5B jackpot

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:54:33 GMT

Powerball jackpot continues to near record with $1.5B jackpot The Powerball jackpot continues to climb, with the prize for Monday’s drawing estimated at a whopping $1.55B.The grand prize increase follows another Saturday night drawing without a winner. The winning numbers were 47, 54, 57, 60, 65 and red Powerball 19.Two $1 million prize winners were sold Saturday for matching all 5 numbers without a Powerball match. Those tickets were sold at A.L. Prime Energy on Bridge Street in Dracut and at a Stop & Shop in West Springfield.Lottery officials announced that the drawing’s estimated cash prize is $679.8M. Monday’s jackpot would also be the largest winner sold in Massachusetts, with the current record set at $758.7M back in August 2023.There have been 34 Powerball drawings since a jackpot was last hit in July with a $1.08B prize. The record for the most consecutive lottery drawings without a jackpot winner was set in 2021 and 2022.An estimated $1.55B jackpot is the fourth-highest grand prize in U.S. lottery history and the third-highest Pow...

Airlines cancel flights from San Diego International Airport to Tel Aviv

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:54:33 GMT

Airlines cancel flights from San Diego International Airport to Tel Aviv SAN DIEGO -- Airlines have started to cancel flights from San Diego International Airport to Tel Aviv amid the ongoing conflict in Israel.United has suspended operations from the Israeli capital until "conditions allow them to resume," the airlines confirmed in a statement to FOX 5. Meanwhile, Delta has also canceled all flights to Tel Aviv into this week, an airline spokesperson said. The airline added that they will be monitoring the situation and "make adjustments accordingly.""Customers impacted by canceled flights or who want to change their TLV ticket should check their Delta app, visit Delta.com or call Delta reservations to make adjustments,” the company continued in their statement.FOX 5 has reached out to other airlines with scheduled flights from San Diego International Airport to Tel Aviv and is waiting to hear back.Over the last day, several airlines have also worked with the U.S. government to bring back travelers to the U.S. after the attack began, including one that ...

Live updates | Israel taking 'significant military steps' in response to Hamas attack

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:54:33 GMT

Live updates | Israel taking 'significant military steps' in response to Hamas attack Israel says it has brought in special forces to try to wrest control of four sites from Hamas fighters more than 24 hours after the militant group launched its unprecedented incursion into Israel.Earlier Sunday, Israel formally declared war and gave the green light for “significant military steps” to retaliate against Hamas for the surprise attack. The Israeli military tried to crush fighters still in southern towns and intensified its bombardment of the Gaza Strip. More than 1,000 people have been killed and thousands wounded on both sides.The fighting continued in several locations Monday morning. UN SECURITY COUNCIL MEETS, TAKES NO ACTION ON US DEMANDThe U.N. Security Council held an emergency meeting behind closed doors Sunday but took no immediate action on a demand from the United States that all 15 members strongly condemn “these heinous terrorist attacks committed by Hamas."U.S. deputy ambassador Robert Wood said after the meeting that “a good number of countries," but not a...

Live updates | Israel taking ‘significant military steps’ in response to Hamas attack

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:54:33 GMT

Live updates | Israel taking ‘significant military steps’ in response to Hamas attack Israel says it has brought in special forces to try to wrest control of four sites from Hamas fighters more than 24 hours after the militant group launched its unprecedented incursion into Israel.Earlier Sunday, Israel formally declared war and gave the green light for “significant military steps” to retaliate against Hamas for the surprise attack. The Israeli military tried to crush fighters still in southern towns and intensified its bombardment of the Gaza Strip. More than 1,000 people have been killed and thousands wounded on both sides.The fighting continued in several locations Monday morning. UN SECURITY COUNCIL MEETS, TAKES NO ACTION ON US DEMANDThe U.N. Security Council held an emergency meeting behind closed doors Sunday but took no immediate action on a demand from the United States that all 15 members strongly condemn “these heinous terrorist attacks committed by Hamas.”U.S. deputy ambassador Robert Wood said after the meeting that “a good number of countries,̶...

California Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoes bill to make free condoms available for high school students

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:54:33 GMT

California Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoes bill to make free condoms available for high school students SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom rejected a bill on Sunday that would have made free condoms available all public high school students, arguing it was too expensive for a state with a budget deficit of more than $30 billion.California had about 1.9 million high school students enrolled in more than 4,000 schools last year, according to the California Department of Education.“This bill would create an unfunded mandate to public schools that should be considered in the annual budget process,” Newsom wrote in a message explaining why he vetoed the bill, known as Senate bill 541.The bill would have required all public schools that have grades nine through 12 to make condoms available for free to all students. It would have required public schools with grades seven through 12 to allow condoms to be made available as part of educational or public health programs.And it would have made it illegal for retailers to refuse to sell condoms to youth.State Sen. Caroline Men...

American Airlines pilot union calls for stopping flights to Israel, citing declaration of war

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:54:33 GMT

American Airlines pilot union calls for stopping flights to Israel, citing declaration of war NEW YORK (AP) — The pilots’ union for American Airlines has directed its members to refuse to fly to Israel, citing the ongoing war between Israel and the Palestinians in Gaza. Union President Ed Sicher said in an email to members that the company’s pilots should not fly to Israel until they “can be reasonably assured of the region’s safety and security.”The email cites the most recent advisory from the U.S. State Department, which warns that the current situation in Israel “continues to be unpredictable,” and that mortar and rocket fire can take place any time without warning, putting aircraft in danger. “It is not prudent or appropriate to knowingly put our flight crews and passengers in harm’s way by maintaining flights into a war zone,” Sicher said. Israel formally declared war Sunday as it bombarded the Gaza strip with airstrikes in retaliation for a major surprise attack by Hamas.The declaration came a day after an unprecedented incursion by Hamas fight...

High-risk offender at large, last seen in Vaughan

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:54:33 GMT

High-risk offender at large, last seen in Vaughan York police’s Criminal Investigations Bureau are seeking the public’s assistance finding a man who is unlawfully at large after breaching a court order, who was last seen in Vaughan.Neal Bowie is considered a high-risk violent offender, and was last seen about 1:30 p.m. on Sunday in the area of Major Mackenzie Drive West and Jane Street in Vaughan.He failed to return to his group following a daytime outing, and police are actively seeking his whereabouts.If seen, police say do not approach, and call 9-1-1 immediately.

Israeli, Palestinian supporters rally in Chicago as Israel declares war after Hamas attack

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:54:33 GMT

Israeli, Palestinian supporters rally in Chicago as Israel declares war after Hamas attack NEW YORK (AP) — Supporters of Israel and backers of the Palestinian cause held competing rallies in several American cities Sunday over the conflict that has killed hundreds and wounded thousands in the Middle East.In New York City, a skirmish broke out between opposing demonstrators near the United Nations compound after a large group of Palestinian supporters rallied in Times Square. Palestinian Americans protested outside the Israeli consulates in Atlanta and Chicago. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi led a Jewish community gathering to support Israel at a synagogue in San Francisco. Israel declares war and bombards Gaza as fighting rages for second day after Hamas attack The demonstrations and involvement of American political leaders show the far-reaching ramifications of a conflict that's already prompted the U.S. to order naval forces deployed to the Eastern Mediterranean, ready to assist Israel. Here's what reaction around the country has looked like:CHICAGOPalestinian Am...