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Israeli military says it is striking targets in the Gaza Strip as air raid sirens sound in Jerusalem

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:31:32 GMT

JERUSALEM (AP) — The Israeli military says it is striking targets in the Gaza Strip as air raid sirens sounded in Jerusalem after the Hamas militant group announced a new operation against Israel. The sounds of at least three explosions could be heard as Israel deployed anti-rocket defenses.The attack on Jerusalem is considered a major escalation by Israel.Earlier, the leader of Hamas’ military wing said over 5,000 rockets were fired into Israel.THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.___JERUSALEM (AP) — Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip on Saturday carried out what appeared to be an unprecedented infiltration into southern Israel, prompting Israel to order residents across the region to remain indoors. The infiltration took place as militants fired dozens of rockets into Israel.The Israeli military said “a number of terrorists have infiltrated into Israeli territory.” It gave no further details, but amateur videos posted on social media sh...

A 5.9-magnitude earthquake shakes southern Mexico but without immediate reports of damage

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:31:32 GMT

A 5.9-magnitude earthquake shook southern Mexico Friday night, setting off alarms as far away as Mexico City, but without immediate reports of damage.The U.S. Geological Survey said the earthquake occurred shortly after 11 p.m. local time near the town of Matias Romero in the southern state of Oaxaca. It was at a depth of 67 miles (108 kilometers).Oaxaca state’s civil defense agency said it was monitoring for reports of damage.Strong shaking was felt in Oaxaca’s capital. The temblor triggered seismic alarms in Mexico City, driving residents into the streets, but in most areas shaking was not felt.The Associated Press

One winning ticket sold for Friday’s $50 million Lotto Max jackpot

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:31:32 GMT

TORONTO — Someone in Quebec is waking up $50 million richer.A single winning ticket was drawn for Friday’s Lotto Max jackpot.But there were no Maxmillion winners of the two available $1 million prizes.The jackpot for the next draw on Oct. 10 will be an estimated $12 million.The Canadian Press

Powerball jackpot is up to $1.4 billion after 33 drawings without a winner

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:31:32 GMT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An estimated $1.4 billion Powerball jackpot that has been growing since July will be on the line Saturday night.The jackpot is the world’s fifth-largest lottery prize after rolling over for 33 consecutive drawings, since the last time someone claimed the top prize on July 19. That streak trails the record of 41 draws set in 2021 and 2022.The scarcity of Powerball jackpot winners reflects the game’s daunting odds of 1 in 292.2 million.The $1.4 billion prize is for a sole winner who is paid through an annuity, with annual checks over 30 years. Most jackpot winners opt for cash, which for Saturday night’s drawing would be an estimated $614 million.Powerball is played in 45 states as well as Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.The Associated Press

Biden faces more criticism about the US-Mexico border, one of his biggest problems heading into 2024

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:31:32 GMT

MIAMI (AP) — The ad sounds like something out of the GOP 2024 playbook, trumpeting a senator’s work with Republicans to crack down on the flow of fentanyl and other illegal drugs into the U.S., getting tough on Chinese interests helping smugglers, and noting how he “wrote a bill signed by Donald Trump to increase funding for Border Patrol.”It’s actually a commercial for Sen. Sherrod Brown, an Ohio Democrat facing a tough reelection fight that will help decide control of the Senate. “Ohioans trust Sherrod Brown to keep us safe,” says the narrator of the ad, sponsored by the Democrat-aligned Duty and Country PAC. His campaign declined to comment.The message is one more indication of the political and security challenges the U.S.-Mexico border has presented for President Joe Biden. Some Democrats across the country are distancing themselves from the White House, and polls indicate widespread frustration with Biden’s handling of immigration and the border, creating a major liabili...

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta brings colorful displays to the New Mexico sky

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:31:32 GMT

The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is ready to bring colorful displays to the New Mexico sky. The event is scheduled to start at sunrise on Saturday with a drone light show and mass ascension of hot air balloons. Over nine days, local residents and visitors are expected to be treated to a cavalcade of colorful and special-shaped balloons.The annual gathering has become a major economic driver for the state’s biggest city. The Rio Grande river and nearby mountains provide spectacular backdrops to the fiesta that began with a few pilots launching 13 balloons from an open lot near a shopping center on what was the edge of Albuquerque in 1972. The fiesta has morphed into one of the most photographed events in the world, now based at Balloon Fiesta Park. Balloon designs have featured cartoon animals, Star Wars characters and even the polar bear found on Klondike bars. “But they’re still all about the basics,” said fiesta director Sam Parks, who flies a globe-style balloon model...

Vigil held for Manhattan Beach officer killed in 405 Freeway crash

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:31:32 GMT

A vigil was held Friday night to honor a Manhattan Beach motorcycle officer who was killed in a multi-vehicle crash on the 405 Freeway in Carson.Hundreds of loved ones and community members gathered at the Manhattan Beach Civic Center Plaza to remember fallen officer Chad Swanson, 35.The deadly crash, which involved four vehicles, occurred on Oct. 4 around 5:15 a.m. on the northbound 405 Freeway near East Del Amo Boulevard, according to the California Highway Patrol. During the crash, Swanson was struck and ejected off his motorbike, authorities said. He was taken to a local hospital where he later died.Swanson had been with the Manhattan Beach Police Department for 13 years. Colleagues from Manhattan Beach police shared stories about Swanson who was a loving husband and father to three young boys.“He left such a deep and profound impression on us all that it would be impossible to let him fade,” said Officer Donovan Torres, Swanson’s colleague.Officer Chad Swanson. EOW photo p...

Cook’s Corner shooting survivor reacts to police body cam video

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:31:32 GMT

Newly released police cam video from the deadly mass shooting at Cook’s Corner in Trabuco Canyon shows the tense gun battle to stop the shooter. Three people were killed and six others wounded when retired Ventura Police Sgt. John Snowling opened fire inside and outside the bar on Aug. 23.  Cook’s Corner reopens after deadly mass shooting A victim of the mass shooting who survived is speaking out after seeing the police body cam video for the first time. "I was hit with a 38,” said Mike Bertuccini, a Cook’s Corner shooting survivor. “It went through my side, went through my left lung, my diaphragm, hit my liver, and went into my stomach."Bertuccini recalls being just a few feet from the gunman when he stormed out of the bar with two handguns after shooting his estranged wife and her friends and then firing into the patio crowd. "I remember when I got hit it felt like somebody punched me,” Bertuccini remembered. “But when I turned and looked and he was just standing there...

Millard’s return to Pleasanton ‘surreal’ as Monte Vista dominates: ‘It was bittersweet’

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:31:32 GMT

PLEASANTON – Johnny Millard was equal parts elated and somber after Monte Vista’s 41-14 victory at Foothill.The Monte Vista coach, whose team needed to snap a two-game skid and did so behind Julian McMahan’s 169 yards and three touchdowns, was thrilled to see his team physically dominate the Falcons at the line of scrimmage.But the Pleasanton native, who starred at the local school in the late-2000’s and later coached under Greg Haubner, took little joy in routing old friends on Foothill’s homecoming night.“It was bittersweet,” Millard said after his first game at Foothill since taking the Monte Vista coaching job in 2022. “These are my boys, and I love them to death. But when you look across the field, and it’s just surreal.”“Those guys are my family.”Monte Vista head coach Johnny Millard, in white shirt with headset, watches his team take on the Foothill Falcons during the first quarter of a high school football game, Friday, Oct. 6, 2023 in Pleasanton, Calif. (D. Ross Camer...

The Marco Show: San Ramon Valley’s two-way star does it all in rout of Clayton Valley

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:31:32 GMT

CONCORD — Marco Jones had that look about him all week, the look of someone ready to make a huge impact on game day.The two-way San Ramon Valley standout did it all Friday night. He had a huge tackle for loss on a key third-down play in the second quarter when the game was tight. He caught two touchdown passes, including one between two defenders. He had a strip sack in the second half.“He came to play tonight, for sure,” SRV coach Aaron Becker said. “He’s remarkable. I knew his mindset was right from Monday through the whole of practice.”With quarterback Luke Baker on target once again, the Wolves broke open the score in the second half and went on to beat Clayton Valley Charter 35-7 in an East Bay Athletic League Mountain Division opener for both teams.The victory improved San Ramon Valley’s record to 6-0. Clayton Valley fell to 2-4.Baker finished 20 of 24 passing for 334 yards and four touchdowns as SRV cleared its final hurdle before nex...