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Medway family speaks out after returning home from Gaza

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:24 GMT

Members of a Medway family previously trapped in Gaza spoke on television for the first time Wednesday since they returned to the US. Abood Okal, his wife and their young son had been visiting relatives in Gaza when Hamas launched its surprise, deadly terror attack on Israel on Oct. 7. After fighting broke out and after several failed attempts to escape to safety, the family were finally able to get through the Rafah Crossing and into Egypt last week. The family then heading back to Logan Airport Monday night. Okal and his wife, Wafaa Abuzayda, spoke to CNN’s Anderson Cooper on Wednesday about the experience, with Okal saying “nothing is worse than being inside of Gaza right now.”“If you’re not dying from the airstrikes or shelling, you’re at high risk of dying from dehydration and lack of food,” Okal said.Okal said he remembers hearing the sounds of rockets launching near 6 a.m. on Oct. 7. “It was unclear at the beginning but then, in a couple hours, as the news rolled out on...

Solve It 7: Direct Deposit Detour

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:24 GMT

When their flight was delayed, a Salem family put in a claim to get some cash back. But when their money took a detour, their next destination was Solve It 7. Brandon Gunnoe has the story.Jeff and his family are frequent flyers to Europe.“My wife is from Germany, and we try to go about once a year, we have three kids, and we want them to see their grandparents, show them around Europe,” Jeff said.Last year they booked a flight from Boston to Germany.“When we got to the airport, there was going to be a three-hour delay, at least,” Jeff said. Being a savvy traveler, Jeff knew about something called European Regulation 261.“I think a lot of people don’t know about it,” Jeff said. It allows passengers on certain airlines flying to, from, or within Europe to turn some delays into dollars.  “I was like, well, we’re gonna get something for this,” Jeff said. Jeff filed a claim and it was approved.“We&...

SAG-AFTRA reaches tentative deal with Hollywood studios to end actors’ strike

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:24 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Hollywood’s actors union reached a tentative deal with studios Wednesday to end its strike, ending months of labor strife that ground the film and television industries to a historic halt.The three-year contract agreement must be approved by votes from the union’s board and its members in the coming days, but the leadership declared that the strike will end at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday.At nearly four months, it was by far the longest strike ever for film and television actors.More than 60,000 members of the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Performers went on strike July 14, joining screenwriters who had walked off the job more than two months earlier. It was the first time the two unions had been on strike together since 1960. Studios chose to negotiate with the writers first, striking a deal that their leadership marked as a major win and bringing their strike to an end on Sept. 26.The terms of t...

Massachusetts House approves funding for emergency shelters amid migrant crisis

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:24 GMT

The House made the first legislative foray into the state’s slow-burning emergency shelter system crisis Wednesday, approving $250 million and a list of specific requirements for the Healey administration as part of a larger budget bill that also addresses a slew of Beacon Hill loose ends and completes the accounting for the budget year that ended in June.The long-awaited supplemental budget bill was adopted after little debate on a roll call vote of 133-25 just before 6 p.m. Senate leaders said that branch will take up its own version of the bill in “short order,” and then House and Senate Democrats will have to iron out any differences before sending a final version to Gov. Maura Healey’s desk.“This $2.8 billion supplemental budget will close the books on the fiscal year 2023. With a net cost to the commonwealth of $1.69 billion, this legislation will allow us to end FY23 in a balanced and fiscally responsible manner. A majority of the items...

Celtics’ late comeback bid falls short against 76ers in second consecutive loss

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:24 GMT

Unbelievably, the Celtics had a chance. Looking lethargic for nearly 48 minutes, and trailing by as many as 14, they had a look to tie it. A really good look. Derrick White found Kristaps Porzingis deep beyond the 3-point line. The big man pump faked. Then he stepped into a wide-open 3-pointer.It grazed off the front rim.Too little, too late.The Celtics were down 104-90 with two minutes to go before engineering a furious comeback. They reeled off a 10-0 run in less than a minute and then trailed by three on that final play. But it wasn’t enough. Too many turnovers. Too many bad shots. Too much bad defense. The Celtics were too out of sorts. It took too long for them to wake up and they were unable to overcome their struggles in a frustrating 106-103 loss to the 76ers in Philadelphia.After looking sharp and winning in different ways to start 5-0, the Celtics have hit their first road bump of the season and their first test of adversity. They were unable to respond after the first los...

Biden administration picks Maryland for new FBI headquarters

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:24 GMT

By LINDSAY WHITEHURST and BRIAN WITTE (Associated Press)WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration has chosen a location for a new FBI headquarters in Maryland, the General Services Administration confirmed Wednesday, as the suburban Washington location was selected over nearby Virginia following a sharp competition between the two states.The site is planned for Greenbelt, about 13 miles (20 kilometers) northeast of Washington.“GSA looks forward to building the FBI a state-of-the-art headquarters campus in Greenbelt to advance their critical mission for years to come,” Robin Carnahan, the GSA administrator, said. “Thank you to everyone at GSA, DOJ, FBI, Congress, and others who helped reach this important milestone after a comprehensive, multi-year effort.”The GSA also noted that Greenbelt was determined to be the best site because it came at the lowest cost to taxpayers, provided the greatest transportation access to FBI employees and visitors, and gav...

Suspect posed as trick-or-treater still wanted in deadly 1995 Halloween Escondido shooting

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:24 GMT

ESCONDIDO, Calif. -- Authorities are asking for the public's help in a 1995 Escondido Halloween shooting that resulted in the death of a 30-year-old man.The shooting occurred on Oct. 31, 1995, around 10:25 p.m. at 1228 S. Upas Street, the San Diego County Crime Stoppers, along with the Escondido Police Department, said in a news release Wednesday.Phoutone "Taun" Lothirath's son Eddy answered the door to the suspect, who was posed as a trick-or-treater, when the man with a bandana partially covering his face entered the home as Eddy turned around to grab candy from the table, according to investigators. The suspect then demanded Eddy to go to the back of the house while Taun Lothirath was killed after being shot multiple times in the chest and back. These San Diego-area cities among fastest-growing wealthy suburbs in US: study A witness saw the suspect leave the residence courtyard and run to an alley, where a dark blue or black import vehicle, similar to a Toyota, drove away from ...

Pacific leaders to meet on beautiful island to discuss climate change and other regional concerns

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:24 GMT

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — A group of South Pacific leaders was due to travel to the stunning island of Aitutaki on Thursday to discuss climate change and other regional concerns. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was among the leaders who traveled to the Cook Islands this week for the annual Pacific Islands Forum. The forum culminates in a leaders’ retreat Friday on Aitutaki, a beautiful island renowned for its picturesque lagoon.Among other Pacific concerns is Japan’s decision to release wastewater from a nuclear power plant that was crippled by a 2011 tsunami. The wastewater is radioactive but has been treated and diluted. Albanese told reporters that Australia had gotten a positive reception in a region where climate change looms as an existential threat for many low-lying islands. “There’s a recognition that my government is committed to climate action and that we’re playing a positive role, not just with our commitment to reduce our emissions by 43% by...

Ex-CIA officer accused of sexually abusing dozens of women pleads guilty to charges

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:24 GMT

WASHINGTON (WDVM/AP) -- A former CIA officer accused of drugging and sexually abusing women in multiple countries pleaded guilty Tuesday to federal charges, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Brian Jeffrey Raymond pleaded guilty to four of 25 criminal counts including sexual abuse, coercion and transportation of obscene material. 8 dead in South Texas following fiery crash involving suspected human smuggler Prosecutors said Raymond kept nearly 500 videos and photographs he took of naked, unconscious women, including many in which he can be seen opening their eyelids, groping or straddling them. The images date to 2006 and track much of Raymond’s career, with victims in Mexico, Peru and other countries.The DOJ said that Raymond tried to delete the pictures and videos after learning about the criminal investigation. The CIA has publicly condemned Raymond's crimes, and CIA Director William Burns in May launched a series of reforms to streamline claims, support victims and m...

State volleyball: Unseeded Stillwater drops first two sets, storms back to upset Rogers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:24 GMT

Unseeded Stillwater lost its first two sets against third-seeded Rogers but stormed back to win their Class 4A state volleyball quarterfinal in five sets Wednesday at the Xcel Energy Center.The 21-25, 18-25, 25-20, 27-25, 17-15 victory advanced the Ponies to an 11 a.m. Thursday semifinal matchup against No. 2-seeded New Prague, which defeated Minnetonka in four sets.Things did not look good for the Ponies right away. With their backs against the wall, the Ponies tightened up their defense and went on to pull off the improbable reverse sweep.Stillwater coach Sara Baumgard said that even though things might’ve looked bleak, the comeback and upset were not a surprise to her and shouldn’t be to anyone.“What a comeback, but it’s not a shock at all,” she said. “It may be a shock to the fans, but this is the M.O. of this team. That’s how we got to the section finals, was a reverse sweep. The grit, the perseverance, the mental toughness of this team is hands down the best I’ve coached...