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Palestinian prisoners start to be released and Israeli hostages return to Israel, military says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:00 GMT

KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israel began releasing 39 Palestinian prisoners on Sunday following Hamas’ release of 13 Israelis and four foreigners in the second round of swaps under a cease-fire deal, the Israeli military said, after the militant group initially delayed the exchange for several hours and claimed that Israel had violated the terms of a truce deal.The Israeli military said the released hostages, including four Thais, had been transferred to Israel. They were being taken to hospitals for observation and to be reunited with their families.Hamas released a video showing the hostages appearing shaken but mostly in good physical condition as masked militants led them to Red Cross vehicles headed out of Gaza. Some of the hostages waved goodbye to the militants as they headed out of the besieged enclave.Nurhan Awad received a hero’s welcome by hundreds of people at the Qalandia refugee camp near Jerusalem when she arrived shortly after her release. The woma...

Coastal storm Sunday night

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:00 GMT

Although the weekend will end dry, we are tracking a storm Sunday night that will bring some rain and wind to the area. Prior to the storms arrival, Sunday will feature mostly sunny skies and temps in the 40s by noontime. During the afternoon, clouds will move in from the south, with showers to follow into the late evening. Heavy rain and wind move in overnight, with gusts up to 40mph for the Cape & Islands and up to 1in of rain area-wide. The storm wraps up around 7am Monday, with breezy and cooler conditions taking over Monday afternoon.

5 things to watch in the Chicago Bears-Minnesota Vikings game — plus our Week 12 predictions

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:00 GMT

The Chicago Bears face the Minnesota Vikings for the second time this season Monday night at U.S. Bank Stadium.The Vikings won the first meeting 19-13 after Bears quarterback Justin Fields was knocked out of the game with a dislocated thumb. Now Fields is back to make his second start since the injury, and the Vikings (6-5) are trying to make a playoff push without starting quarterback Kirk Cousins.As kickoff approaches, here’s our snapshot look at the game.Player in the spotlightVikings quarterback Josh DobbsDobbs rightfully captured national interest as he jumped in during an injury crisis to help the Vikings win two of their last three games despite spending little time with the team.After starting eight games for the Arizona Cardinals earlier this season, Dobbs joined the Vikings via trade Oct. 31 as they looked to fill the void left when Cousins went down with an Achilles injury.The next Sunday, Dobbs — a seventh-year NFL veteran who majored in aerospace engineering...

Massachusetts National Guard teaming up with state, nonprofits to provide winter clothing to migrants

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:00 GMT

The youngest children living in the state’s overburdened emergency housing system are set to receive bundles of warm clothing from the National Guard this week as the weather turns cold in the region.The National Guard in partnership with the state Department of Early Education and Care and several nonprofits will be distributing winter clothing and gear along with learning supplies to shelters starting Monday and through the end of the calendar year.Officials expect the effort to serve roughly 94 hotel sites and 71 traditional shelters and scattered sites, reaching 9,000 children whom they say “experienced toxic levels of stress during migration” and are in “desperate need for essential items and core health and human services.”Of the 7,500 families in temporary shelters across the state, officials estimate the population of children younger than 5, or younger than school-age, to be around 5,000.The partnership, also comprising Neighborhood Villages, Cradles 2 Crayons and Horizons ...

Annual Palestinian American gathering in Tinley Park takes on new meaning

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:00 GMT

TINLEY PARK, Ill. — An annual gathering of Palestinian Americans is underway in Tinley Park this weekend, but this year's convention is taking on a new meaning.For more than a decade, the American Muslims for Palestine (AMP) Convention has brought thousands of Palestinians together for a weekend to connect and organize, but now it has become a much-needed space for them to collectively process their emotions toward the ongoing war."A lot of us want to feel connected to what's going on because we have family members that are there, we're closely connected to the cause," Marwa Sammi, who attended Saturday's convention, said. For more coverage of the Israel and Hamas Conflict, click here The conflict in Israel and Gaza has brought grief and pain to a handful of families including, Sammi's.Sammi, who has been attending the convention since its inception 16 years ago, said the timing for the annual event could not have happened at a more crucial moment."Being in the community here and ...

Miniature therapy horses help children with disabilities at private movie screening

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:00 GMT

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — Families of children with disabilities got to connect with each other and miniature horses at a private movie screening in the northwest suburbs Saturday.Non-profit Mane in Heaven hosts inclusion events for children with disabilities and their families. President Dina Morgan said they do these events so families can enjoy quality time together."Our mission is connecting people with miniature horses to promote empathy, kindness and overall wellbeing," Morgan said. Morgan said she grew up with horses and animals her entire life and recognizes how amazing miniature therapy horses can be and how people can connect with them. "It’s hard if you have a child with a special need or complex medical need. Sometimes, it's hard to do a movie or special event so, this is an event we have for them," Morgan said.The events happen on a regular basis, allowing families to spend quality time together, along with the animals, before a private screening of the new Disney movie 'Wish...

Northwestern beats Illinois 45-43, ends Illini's bowl hopes

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:00 GMT

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Ben Bryant completed 24 of 32 passes for 234 yards and two touchdowns and also ran for a score, and Cam Johnson caught seven passes for 124 yards and a touchdown to lead Northwestern to a 45-43 victory over Illinois on Saturday, ending the Illini’s hopes for a bowl berth.John Paddock completed 24 of 34 passes for 334 yards and three touchdowns, all to Casey Washington, and Reggie Love III ran for 106 yards for Illinois. Washington had nine catches for 218 yards.It was the fourth win in five games for the bowl-bound Wildcats (7-5, 5-4 Big Ten Conference) while Illinois (5-7, 3-6) lost its fourth of seven home games.Two fourth-quarter turnovers that resulted in two Northwestern touchdowns in nine seconds hurt Illinois before the Illini made the game close on a 1-yard touchdown pass from Paddock to Washington and an 80-yard pass from Paddock to Washington with 55 seconds left.A two-point conversion try after the second Paddock-to-Washington TD was no good.Bryant ...

Red Cross bus carrying freed Palestinian prisoners arrives in West Bank town

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:00 GMT

AL BIREH, West Bank (AP) — A bus carrying nearly three dozen Palestinian prisoners released by Israel arrived in the West Bank early Sunday, following Hamas' release of 13 Israelis and four foreigners in the second round of swaps under a cease-fire deal.Hundreds of people greeted the International Committee of the Red Cross bus as it arrived in Al Bireh. Crowds chanted “God is great” as the bus arrived, and several young men stood on the roof of the vehicle. Many in the crowd held Hamas flags and chanted pro-Hamas slogans.The Israeli military said the hostages released by Hamas, including four Thais, had been transferred to Israel and were to be reunited with their families.Hamas released a video showing the hostages appearing shaken but mostly in good physical condition as masked militants led them to Red Cross vehicles headed out of Gaza. Some of the hostages waved goodbye to the militants as they headed out of the besieged enclave.Nurhan Awad received a hero’s welcome by hundreds...

Weekend Break: Lincoln Square Small Business Saturday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:00 GMT

CHICAGO — On this edition of Weekend Break, WGN's Courtney Spinelli takes you to the Lincoln Square neighborhood to survey some of the local shops and discover what Small Business Saturday is all about!

Second wave of hostages on way to Egypt, Israeli official says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:00 GMT

(The Hill) — A second group of hostages released by Hamas amid it's short-term truce with Israel are on their way to Egypt, according to an Israeli official.The Israeli military said 17 hostages in total were released — including 13 Israeli and four Thai hostages."The released hostages' convoy is currently making its way through Egypt to the meeting point at Kerem Shalom," the official said. "Security representatives will verify the list at the meeting point with the released hostages.""The families of the hostages are being updated by IDF representatives with the latest available information," they said. ‘Fake elector’ probes in 2020 swing states could spell more trouble for Trump Qatar and Egypt have served Israel and Hamas as key negotiators in the exchange amid the four-day pause in fighting. The latest movement comes after the militant group delayed the release for hours, claiming Israel had violated the terms of the agreement. Hamas alleged Israel did not send the amount of ...