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Hamas releases third group of hostages as part of truce deal, while Netanyahu visits Gaza

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:11:38 GMT

By WAFAA SHURAFA and SAMY MAGDY (Associated Press)JERUSALEM (AP) — The fragile cease-fire between Israel and Hamas was back on track Sunday as the militants freed 17 more hostages, including 14 Israelis, in a third set of releases under a four-day cease-fire deal.Red Cross representatives transferred the hostages out of Gaza. Some were handed over directly to Israel, while others left through Egypt. Israel’s army said one was airlifted directly to an Israeli hospital.The Israeli hostages ranged in age from 4 to 84 and included Abigail Edan, a 4-year-old girl whose parents were killed in the Hamas attack that started the war on Oct. 7. In all, nine children ages 17 and younger were on the list, according to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office.Separately, Hamas said it had released one of the Russian hostages it was holding, “in response to the efforts of Russian President Vladimir Putin” and as a show of appreciation for Moscow’s pos...

San Diego ranked worst US city for parking availability: study

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:11:38 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Finding a parking spot in San Diego can be challenging and also pricey. According to a new study, America's Finest City has the worst parking availability in the country and is among the most expensive for monthly parking. With the high cost of living between rent, housing, groceries and healthcare, researchers at car subscription company FINN compared the most populated cities in the U.S. to determine which spots are breaking the bank and causing headaches for drivers. Hoodmaps San Diego: This crowdsourced map stereotypes cities FINN used Spot Hero to take the lowest price of monthly parking for each city, removing any cities that didn’t have parking available or less than two parking options. For the starting date, FINN used Oct. 1, 2023.Researchers then used the filters for each city to note down the available parking amenities for each of the vehicle parks. From there, they counted the number of "excellent" rated vehicle parks in each city. Vehicle ...

Turned down for a loan, business owners look to family and even crowdsourcing to get money to grow

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:11:38 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Among the many challenges small businesses face as they try to grow these days, getting a loan is right near the top.Banks big and small have tightened lending standards as the Federal Reserve hiked up interest rates the past two years. The collapse of three regional banks this spring and the possibility of stricter regulations have likely made some banks more cautious as well.So, business owners are having to make sacrifices, from turning to crowdsourcing instead of lenders, borrowing from family or friends, or simply forgoing expansion plans that would have been funded by more capital.According to the Federal Reserve, which surveys senior bank loan officers quarterly, about 49% of banks said they had tightened lending standards for small firms – those with less than $50 million in annual sales – during the July to September quarter, up from 22% in the same period last year. Loan officers cited an increasingly uncertain economic outlook as one reason for the tighten...

Are any cities in Illinois the best place to retire?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:11:38 GMT

(WJW) — If you're looking to retire, and do so on a budget, it may be hard to know where to live to get the most bang for your buck. A new analysis by the personal finance site GOBankingRates suggests a northeastern Ohio city may be just the place for you. GOBankingRates reviewed multiple U.S. cities based on their population and costs of living to find the 15 best for those looking to retire on a budget of $2,500 a month. It was Akron, Ohio, that ranked as the best place to retire, the analysis found. Man had no car, no furniture, but died with a big secret, leaving his N.H. town millions "No, it doesn't have the warm climes and white-sand beaches of Florida, but it does have an average monthly mortgage of just $699," reads an article from Travel + Leisure, published Monday.With other estimated costs like health care and groceries added in, a retiree would pay on average $2,361 per month to live there, according to GOBankingRates. It wasn't the least expensive city on the list, ...

Where it will cost most to heat your home this winter

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:11:38 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – A holiday gift is coming early this year. The average winter heating bill is expected to drop, according to projections by the Energy Information Administration (EIA). After a large spike in heating prices (and basically everything else) last year, Americans are getting some relief from rising costs. The EIA attributes the estimated 20% drop in winter heating prices to a large supply of natural gas and expected mild winter temperatures, among other factors. But even with drops across the board, residents of many states are still expected to fork over more than $100 a month to keep their homes toasty. Personal finance site MoneyGeek analyzed the EIA data to determine which states are likely to see the highest monthly heating bill come winter. It’s the first El Niño winter in 5 years. What will be different? Illinois residents are the unlucky winners who land at the top of the list. The average monthly natural gas bill this winter is expected to be $133. If it's any con...

List shows all 2024 federal holidays to help you manage your vacation days

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:11:38 GMT

NEW YORK (WPIX) – With the year almost over, you might be thinking: When should I plan my vacations in 2024 so that I can cash in on an extended weekend?There are only two federal holidays left in 2023. But knowing when those designated days are in 2024 could help you plan for the future.If a holiday falls on a Saturday, then the Friday before will be treated as a federal holiday, according to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. The same applies if a holiday falls on a Sunday; the following Monday will be treated as a federal holiday. Does your smartphone expire? Sort of Here's the last federal holiday of 2023:Christmas Day on Monday, Dec. 25Be aware: Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve are not considered federal holidays.Here are the federal holidays in 2024:New Year's Day on Monday, Jan. 1Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday on Monday, Jan. 15Presidents' Day (also known as Washington's birthday) on Monday, Feb. 19Memorial Day on Monday, May 27Juneteenth on Wednesday, June 19Indep...

Israel and Hamas complete second day of swaps

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:11:38 GMT

AL BIREH, West Bank (AP) — Hamas on Saturday released 17 hostages, including 13 Israelis, from captivity in the Gaza Strip, while Israel freed 39 Palestinians in the latest stage of a four-day cease-fire.The late-night exchange was held up for several hours after Hamas accused Israel of violating the agreement. The delay underscored the fragility of the cease-fire, which has halted a war that has shocked and shaken Israel, caused widespread destruction across the Gaza Strip, and threatened to unleash wider fighting across the region.The war erupted on Oct. 7, when Hamas in Gaza burst across the border into southern Israel, that left at least 1,200 people dead and abducting some 240 others, including, women, children and older people. Israel immediately declared war, carrying out weeks of airstrikes and bombings that have killed over 13,300 Palestinians dead. Roughly two-thirds of those killed in Gaza have been women and children.The cease-fire is the first extended break in fighting...

The Loop Fantasy Football Update Week 12: Last-minute moves

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:11:38 GMT

UPDATE: 10:04 a.m. SundayThe news this morning regarding B and C level running backs. Houston’s Dameon Pierce and Tampa Bay’s Rachaad White have been cleared to play today, according to ESPN. But Chicago’s D’Onta Foreman is considered doubtful to face the Vikings on Monday night.Other notables reportedly ready to go include Baltimore WRs Odell Ceckham Jr. and Zay Flowers, Arizona WR Marquise Brown and Rams tight end Gerald Everett.UPDATE: 11:44 a.m. Saturday Some Thanksgiving weekend updates while we bask in the warm glow of our 4-0 start against the spread to Week 12:>> Rams RB Kyren Williams is expected back against Arizona, which will remove any scant value remaining for Royce Freeman or Zach Evans.>> Tampa Bay RB Rachaad White is now considered questionable due to a knee injury, which would likely mean a whole lot more throwing for Bucs QB Baker Mayfield against Indy.>> Houston WR Noah Brown will miss another game, proving he might have been jinxed by being nam...

SFD battles fire at Holyrood House apartments

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:11:38 GMT

SCOTIA, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Scotia Fire Department responded to a fire at the Holyrood House apartments on Fifth Street on November 25. The fire occurred around 4:16 p.m. on Saturday, and no injuries were reported. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Firefighters were able to contain the flames to one apartment on the fifth floor. Residents sheltered in place while the floor was ventilated, while everyone on the fourth and sixth floors were relocated by fire personnel to a ground level community room. After the building was ventilated, residents were allowed back into their apartments, except for the occupant of the apartment that the fire was in, who was displaced. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Police searching for man missing out of Selkirk

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:11:38 GMT

SELKIRK, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Bethlehem Police Department announced they are searching for a man missing out of Selkirk. Richard Ryther, 71, has not been seen since November 24. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Richard was last seen near his home at 800 River Road in Selkirk around 2 p.m. on Friday. He was last known to be wearing dark pants, a white plaid shirt and black sneakers, while carrying a black lunch box and a walking stick. The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information regarding Richard's whereabouts is asked to contact the Bethlehem Police Department at (518)439-9973.