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An independent inquiry opens into the alleged unlawful killings by UK special forces in Afghanistan

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:48 GMT

LONDON (AP) — An independent inquiry opened Monday to examine claims that British special forces murdered dozens of Afghan men during counterinsurgency operations in Afghanistan a decade ago, as well as allegations that authorities subsequently covered up the alleged illegal activity or failed to investigate it properly.The inquiry, which opened at the Royal Courts of Justice in London, focuses on alleged unlawful killings that took place during night raids carried out by elite military units in the war-torn nation between 2010 and 2013. Families of those killed say they were innocent and unarmed civilians, and called on the inquiry to unearth the truth. In one case, family members allege that nine men were shot in their beds during a raid. The British military has said that soldiers were acting in self-defense. The investigation is expected to hear submissions on behalf of the families of 33 people, including eight children, who were allegedly killed by special forces.“Let there be...

Airlines halt flights in and out of Israel after a massive attack by Hamas ignites heavy fighting

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:48 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Major airlines have suspended flights in and out of Israel after the nation declared war following a massive attack by Hamas. Israel hit more than 1,000 targets in Gaza and Palestinian militants continued firing barrages of rockets, setting off air raid sirens in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Video posted online appeared to show a plume of smoke near a terminal at Ben Gurion International Airport.Scores of arriving and departing flights at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion airport were canceled or delayed, according to the airport’s online flight board.American Airlines, United Airlines and Delta Air Lines suspended service as the U.S. State Department issued travel advisories for the region citing potential for terrorism and civil unrest. American suspended service to Tel Aviv through Friday. The airline said that it has issued a travel alert providing additional flexibility for customers whose travel plans are impacted. “We continue to monitor the situation with safety and security ...

Stock market today: Oil prices and defense stocks climb as Middle East violence rattles markets

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:48 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Oil prices are climbing, and stocks are slipping Monday as violence in the Middle East injects more unease into financial markets worldwide.The S&P 500 was 0.2% lower in its first trading since Hamas launched a surprise attack over the weekend against Israel, which then formally declared war. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 26 points, or 0.1%, as of 9:45 a.m. Eastern time, and the Nasdaq composite was 0.7% lower.The area under conflict is not home to major oil production, but fears that the fighting could spill into the politics around the crude market sent a barrel of U.S. oil up 3.9% to $85.96. Brent crude, the international standard, rose 3.5% to $87.57 per barrel.One potential outcome is that the Israel-Hamas fighting could lead to a slowdown in Iranian oil exports, which have been growing this year, according to Barclays energy analyst Amarpreet Singh.It could also hurt the possibility of a potential improvement in relations between Israel and Saud...

EU Commission suspends ‘all payments immediately’ to the Palestinians following the Hamas attack

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:48 GMT

BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi said Monday the bloc is suspending “all payments immediately” to the Palestinians because of what he called the “scale of terror and brutality” during the attacks of Hamas against Israel.The surprise announcement by Varhelyi came just hours after EU officials stressed that no EU money whatsoever was going to Hamas in the first place and that contacts had been frozen for 16 years. The EU considers Hamas a terror group.Queries about what the move entailed and whether it would hit all humanitarian aid to Palestinians were not immediately answered. Varhelyi said that “as the biggest donor of the Palestinians, the European Commission is putting its full development portfolio under review,” which he said amounted to 691 million euros. It was not immediately clear what funds were included and excluded.Varhelyi said that the measures include that “all payments (be) immediately suspended. All projects put under review. All new budge...

Activists call for protected bike lanes for cyclist safety

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:48 GMT

CHICAGO -- Activists took the streets of Chicago advocating that the city's streets are not safe for bikers. The group gathered near Halsted Street and created a human bike lane because the painted bike lane is not enough, they said.Organizers of the event said protected bike lanes are from Milwaukee Avenue to Agustus boulevard and should be prioritized on Halsted Avenue as well. Kiptum sets world marathon record in Chicago in 2:00:35, breaking Kipchoge’s mark "So many cyclists, pedestrians and Chicagoans have been killed this year and previous years and we think they're preventable and we want the city to install safety infrastructure to protect the lives of all Chicagoans," Rony Islam from Bike Grid Now!Bike Grid Now! is a group calling for 10 percent of Chicago streets to be designated as part of a grid with 10 miles per hour street limit.

Rally held Monday against migrant shelter at Amundsen Park 

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:48 GMT

CHICAGO — The Amundsen Park advisory council and neighbors will rally Monday in protest of plans to use the park's fieldhouse as a migrant shelter.The city plans to house 200 people at the park, near Austin and Naragansett in the Galewood neighborhood, for at least six months. This would move community-based programs to other locations.The city said it needs the space to relieve the large number of migrants at police stations.The facility would be the city’s 22nd migrant shelter. Conversion of West Side park into migrant shelter leaves youth football team in the dark Govenor JB Pritzker is pleading with Washington DC for more help.

CNN reporter takes cover in ditch during report from Israel

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:48 GMT

(The Hill) -- CNN reporter Clarissa Ward was forced to take cover in a ditch on Monday as she reported from the ground in Israel amid the ongoing clash with Hamas militants. "So forgive me. I have a slightly inelegant position, but we have just had a massive barrage of rockets coming in here, not too far from us. So we have had to take shelter here by the roadside," Ward said breathing heavily on CNN's air while lying on her side on the ground. "We’re just about five minutes away. Gaza is in that direction. We can hear now a lot of jets in the sky. We can also hear the Iron Dome intercepting a number of those rockets as they were whizzing overhead and making impact in that direction, not too far from here." Booker, forced to shelter with staff in Jerusalem, says he’s ‘shaken’ from Hamas attacks Ward said the area she was reporting from is "Ground Zero for this entire operation of carnage," that broke out in Gaza over the weekend. "Hamas militants came on a pickup truck. This w...

Eclipse Tips: Why you need glasses to prevent permanent eye damage during an eclipse

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:48 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — We're just days away from the first of two solar eclipses to pass over Central Texas over the next few months.On Oct. 14, an annular eclipse will cross the state from northwest to southeast, peaking over Austin at 11:54 a.m. Viewing the eclipse safely will require some prep on your part."(I see) a few patients a year that have either accidentally looked at the sun or were trying to view an eclipse," said Dr. Andrew Neighbors, a Seattle-based optometrist.According to Neighbors, damage caused by looking at the sun during an eclipse is called eclipse blindness or solar retinopathy. This damage may heal over time but could be permanent. Neighbors says there is little that can be medically done to repair this damage.What happens during eclipse blindness?Neighbors says eclipse blindness appears as a black dot in your vision."If you've ever seen a car headlight or something like that, it's really bright, and then afterwards, you can kind of see the car headlight. It would b...

Special election for legislative seat including Mendota Heights attracts six candidates

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:48 GMT

Six candidates have filed for the open 52B state House of Representatives seat following the resignation of Rep. Ruth Richardson in September.A primary will be held on Nov. 16 and a special election Dec. 5 for the seat which represents Mendota Heights and Eagan in Dakota County.Richardson, who was first elected in 2018, represented the district before stepping down after being selected to lead Planned Parenthood North Central States. Gov. Tim Walz has called for a special election to fill the seat.Four DFLers have file to run for the open seat. They are Bianca Virnig, an Eagan resident serving on the city’s school board; Chris Whitfield, also an Eagan resident; Cynthia Callais, of Mendota Heights, who serves on the board of Pro-Choice Minnesota; and Jay Miller, of Mendota Heights.Also, Cynthia Lonnquist, of Mendota Heights, is running as a Republican. Charles Kuchlenz, of Eagan, is running as a Libertarian.A special election will be held on Dec. 5 to ensure Richardson’s ...

Brick Church Road in Brunswick closed due to accident

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:48 GMT

BRUNSWICK, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Brick Church Road in Brunswick is currently closed between Moon Lawn Road and State Route 7. Crews are on the scene attempting to remove an overturned commercial vehicle. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! New York State Police expect the closure to remain in place for approximately two hours. Motorists should find alternate routes until the road reopens.