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Errant All Blacks wing Tele’a proves a point in World Cup semifinal after axing

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:11:47 GMT

PARIS (AP) — Punished one week, punisher the next.New Zealand winger Mark Tele’a responded to being dropped for the Rugby World Cup quarterfinals with a powerful performance in their semifinal thrashing of Argentina on Friday.Tele’a didn’t score a point in the All Blacks’ 44-6 win, unlike fellow wing Will Jordan who scored three tries, but Tele’a was even more outstanding.His willingness to work, especially around the ruck, ability to get over the gainline and crack the Pumas defense bagged him a brilliant outing in an All Blacks career less than a year old.“Mark was strong in the close-quarter areas and defended really well,” New Zealand coach Ian Foster said.Tele’a had a point to prove after he was axed from the team last week for breaking curfew. The All Blacks weren’t willing to overlook what they called a minor breach of protocol ahead of a monumental quarterfinal with Ireland they were tipped to lose, and made a statement about their princip...

Thousands in Muslim countries and beyond demonstrate over Israeli airstrikes

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:11:47 GMT

Thousands of people in Muslim countries and beyond held demonstrations Friday in solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. They called for an end to Israel’s blockade and airstrikes following a brutal incursion into southern Israel by fighters from the Hamas militant group that rules Gaza.Demonstrators headed to Israeli military checkpoints after Friday prayers in the West Bank and gathered in Iraq at the country’s border crossing with Jordan; in Jordan itself; in locations across Egypt; in Turkey’s capital Ankara and its most populous city of Istanbul; and in Indonesia, Malaysia, Morocco and South Africa.A Tuesday night explosion at a Gaza City hospital tending to wounded Palestinians and residents seeking shelter was a prominent theme in some of the demonstrations. The cause of the blast at al-Ahli Hospital has not been determined.U.S. assessments said the explosion was not caused by an Israeli airstrike, as the Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza initially r...

Las precampañas de las elecciones generales en México comienzan en un mes: ¿qué significa?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:11:47 GMT

(CNN Español) — Las precampañas rumbo a las elecciones generales en México comienzan dentro de un mes, el 20 de noviembre, de acuerdo con lo que resolvió el Instituto Nacional Electoral (INE).El INE anunció la decisión tras una sentencia del Tribunal Electoral del Poder Judicial de la Federación (TEPJF), que le había ordenado ajustar la fecha que originalmente había fijado el Instituto, que era el 5 de noviembre.Este periodo, que se extenderá hasta el 18 de enero, por ley está establecido para que los partidos políticos tengan contiendas internas para definir sus candidaturas.Sin embargo, según analistas consultados por CNN, esta vez la precampaña será “peculiar” porque las dos principales coaliciones, la encabezada por el oficialista Morena y la que conforman los partidos Acción Nacional (PAN), Revolucionario Institucional (PRI) y de la Revolución Democrática (PRD), decidieron con anticipación quienes serán sus candidatas a la presidencia.La coalición PRI-PAN-PRD —denominada ...

Hamas releases US hostages with Denver ties

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:11:47 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- A Denver man's family members who were visiting Israel and taken hostage by Hamas on Oct. 7 have been released, according to the Office of Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.Ben Raanan's 17-year-old sister, Natali Raanan, and her mother, Judith Tai Raanan, from Evanston, Illinois, were reportedly released on "humanitarian grounds" following a mediation effort from Qatar. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox Natali's father, Uri Raanan, spoke with the media on Friday night. He said he spoke with her and Judith, his ex-wife, earlier in the day."She sounds very good, she looks very good, she was very happy, and she's waiting to come home," he said.He said Judith had a scratch but said she was OK.Uri Raanan said he learned about their release when their photo was released on television. He said he later got a phone call from the Israel Defense Forces and soon was able to speak with his daughter.He said he hopes to see both Natali ...

Referred Question 2P: Denver voters to decide on extension of preschool tax

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:11:47 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — As ballots hit mailboxes, FOX31 is breaking down what voters will be deciding on.For the third time this year, ballots are going out in Denver. This time around, Denver voters will weigh in on school board candidates and one ballot question: 2P. What is Prop II? Voters to decide on preschool and nicotine taxes Following voter approval in 2006, people in Denver have been paying a 0.15% sales tax for Denver's preschool program to lessen the costs for families."We have served 65,000 4-year-olds in Denver since our inception," said Elisa Holguín, Denver Preschool Program CEO. "We've provided them with tuition support at a very high level. Our average tuition support is $850 per month, because the cost of preschool is high. The average cost of preschool is $12,000 per year. Parents need help. They can't afford to pay for that."Voters approved an extension of the program in 2014, but that extension is set to run out in 2026 unless voters approve a permanent extension thi...

Instrumental rock band Violectric to bring blend of classical and contemporary styles to Pompano Beach Cultural Arts Center

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:11:47 GMT

There’s classical music, and then there’s pop music. Two different styles with two different fan bases … but don’t tell that to Violectric. The instrumental group is mixing the two genres and bringing their special sound to SoFlo.The hits of The Who, Fleetwood Mac and Bruce Springsteen. Their music and hits from other legendary artists are coming together in a new light, thanks to Violectric.Michelle Jones: “Violectric is a string rock band, it’s all instrumental, and there are no vocals, no guitars. Everything is covered by one of the people you see in this picture.”Their repertoire is constantly expanding from suggestions by the players — and the fans who listen to them.Michelle Jones: “A lot of it comes from the band members — they say, ‘Ooh, I think we should play this song,’ ‘OK, let’s play that song’ — and then some of it comes from the audience. We love hearing from our fans.”...

‘Nip/Tuck’ star AnnaLynne McCord portrays mass shooting suspect in crime drama ‘Condition of Return’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:11:47 GMT

You know the old saying, be careful what you wish for? Do you ever wonder if we should be careful? Well, after getting a peek at “Condition of Return,” you may want to think long and hard about what you’re willing to give up in order to get what you want.Character in “Condition of Return”: “This is often the greeting we hear before Mass. It comes from – uh…”“Nip/Tuck’s” AnnaLynne McCord, goes from Christ-loving woman to committing a horrible crime in “Condition of Return.”Dean Cain (as Dr. Donald Thomas): “Mike Staffer called.”Farah White (as Faye Thomas): “Is it about that church shooting?”Larry S. White (as Agent Molcheck): “What makes a person do something like that?”Even though the case seems cut and dried, there are more layers to her character Eve’s story.AnnaLynne McCord: “The symbolism is rich, and I loved that. It was really, actually, one of t...

American mother and daughter taken hostage by Hamas released as humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:11:47 GMT

(CNN) — Hamas released two American hostages, Judith Tai Raanan and her 17-year-old daughter, Natalie Raanan, on Friday nearly two weeks after launching a deadly attack in Israel and abducting around 200 people.The US citizens were handed over at the border with Gaza and are now in the care of the Israel Defense Forces, IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari said on Friday. They are currently on their way to an Israeli military base to be reunited with family, according to the office for Israel’s prime minister.The Raanans are from Chicago and had been visiting relatives in Nahal Oz, a farming community in southern Israel, when they were taken hostage on October 7, according to their family.During the attack, Hamas militants killed more than 1,400 people, including civilians and soldiers, according to Israeli authorities. It was the most deadly attack by militants in Israel’s 75-year history and revealed a staggering intelligence failure by the country’s security forces.Israel has sinc...

Riders forced to walk on tracks, take shuttles after electrical problems shut down service on part of Green Line

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:11:47 GMT

Dozens of riders needed to walk along the tracks of the brand new Green Line Extension Friday after electrical problems shut down service along both the Union Station and Medford/Tufts branches of the Green Line. Regular service had resumed with some residual delays as of around 7:30 p.m. Still, the issue came as another blow to the MBTA which just this week announced the same branches are in need of major repairs. “It’s frustrating,” said T rider Rick Jones. The MBTA first announced delays on the Green Line in a post on X around 3:45 p.m.The T did not say what exactly went wrong with the overhead electrical system, only saying the delays were the result of a train with a pantograph problem near Lechmere station.In an update shortly after 4 p.m., the T said shuttle buses were replacing service between North Station and Union Square station as well as between North Station and the Medford/Tufts station. During the disruption, some riders waited for more than an ho...

Spotted lanternfly infestation confirmed in Wellesley 

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:11:47 GMT

Officials have asked residents to be on the lookout after an infestation of the invasive spotted lanternfly was confirmed in Wellesley. The town of Wellesley in a statement Wednesday said the infestation was documented near Carisbrooke Reservation in town. In Wellesley and beyond, both state and local officials are now asking individuals to report any additional infestations.“Snap a picture of it, send it our way, we’re always happy to look at things and help people identify them,” said Dr. Elizabeth Barnes of the state Department of Agricultural Resources.“I usually say, as soon as you see it, get a picture,” Barnes said. “Don’t try and get closer because you might startle it. Just get that picture immediately.”The spotted lanternfly is identifiable by spots on its upper wings and red markings on its underside. The insect was first introduced to the US in 2014 and can seriously damage local agriculture as it feeds on more than 100 species of plants. While falling tem...