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Israel-Hamas war: History, hostage negotiation experts weigh in

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:57 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- More than 1,200 people have died in a bloody conflict between Hamas and Israel after Hamas launched a surprise attack over the weekend. Thousands more have been injured on both sides and roughly 130 people have reportedly been taken captive from Israel and brought into Gaza with the threat of being executed. At least nine Americans have been killed, a State Department spokesperson told The Hill Monday. According to Jeremi Suri -- a professor of history and public affairs at the University of Texas and author on the history of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East -- Hamas was created in the 1980s by Palestinian and other Arab Muslim groups to create an alternative to the Palestinian Liberation Organization. Hamas has a political arm which has governed Gaza for roughly a decade, Suri said. There are around 2 million people living in the strip. Israel declares war, bombards Gaza and battles to dislodge Hamas fighters after surprise attack But the group also has a ...

School funding debate begins Texas' third special session

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:57 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- Lawmakers are back together at the Texas Capitol, but top Republican leaders have never been further apart. Proposals for major new public school funding are competing with the Governor's priority for private school subsidies as legislative leaders trade attacks more hostile than ever.Education funding leads the debate -- both for public schools and private schools. The governor is calling for a universal 'educational freedom' plan that would use state money to subsidize private education expenses, while legislators are also prioritizing major increases to public school funding and teacher pay.The Texas Senate on Monday moved swiftly to advance their school finance package, allocating $5.2 billion in additional school funding in Senate Bill 2.That package includes $400 million for school safety, doubling the minimal funding that came with the legislature's sweeping school safety bill passed in the regular session.Senate Bill 2 also gives every Texas teacher a $3,...

Charges: DNA links man to 2003 sexual assault in St. Paul

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:57 GMT

Nearly 20 years have passed since a woman reported a friend sexually assaulted her inside her truck on St. Paul’s West Side.Now, Ramsey County prosecutors say DNA collected from a sexual assault exam in 2003 matches that of the man whom she accused — and that he’s been charged.Shawn Phillips Skie (Courtesy of the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office)Shawn Phillips Skie, 48, of St. Paul, faces first-degree criminal sexual conduct in connection with the December 2003 assault after charges say his DNA came back this year as a hit through a statewide initiative to analyze a backlog of untested sexual assault kits.“This offender’s actions took a permanent toll on the victim’s spirit and future,” Ramsey County Attorney John Choi said in a Monday statement. “The determination and partnership of the St. Paul police investigators, the BCA lab and the dedicated sexual assault prosecutor in our office made this outcome possible.”A complaint warrant was issued for Skie on Wednesday and he...

Meet the 2023-24 Avalanche: A breakdown of the complete team roster

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:57 GMT

FORWARDS11 Andrew CoglianoAndrew Cogliano (11) of the Colorado Avalanche defends Aliaksei Protas (59) of the Washington Capitals during the first period at Ball Arena in Denver on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)LW | 35 | 5-foot-10 | 179 poundsHe’s been skating in a noncontact jersey during training after suffering two C6 neck fractures in Game 6 against Seattle. Could still play in the opener. Will be a stalwart on the fourth line and penalty kill when he’s in the lineup.20 Ross ColtonColorado Avalanche center Ross Colton, left, puts a shot on Minnesota Wild goalie Jesper Wallstedt in the first period of a preseason NHL hockey game Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)C | 27 | 6-0 | 194A key depth guy for the Lightning the past three years, Colton was added in an NHL draft trade and signed a four-year contract. He’s expected to be the No. 3 center, a problem area last season. Could play on both special teams units.27 Jonath...

Football: CU Buffs star Travis Hunter returns to practice

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:57 GMT

Travis Hunter has returned to the practice field for the Colorado Buffaloes.It’s unclear if the star cornerback/receiver will play, however, when CU hosts Stanford at Folsom Field on Friday (8 p.m., ESPN).Hunter suffered a lacerated liver during the first half of CU’s 43-35 double-overtime win against Colorado State on Sept. 16. He missed the second half of that game and each of the last three full games.During a video posted by Reach The People media, Hunter was seen in some highlights of Monday’s practice. He gave up a long touchdown pass to Omarion Miller, but then later picked off a pass intended for Miller on another deep throw.Hunter has caught 16 passes for 213 yards on offense, while also recording nine tackles, one interception and two pass breakups on defense.Mata honoredSophomore kicker Alejandro Mata was named the Pac-12 special teams player of the week on Monday.Mata went 2-for-2 on field goals, including the game-winning 43-yarder with 12 seconds to play in Saturday’s ...

Women’s basketball: Four CU Buffs receive preseason All-Pac-12 honors

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:57 GMT

BOULDER,CO SEPTEMBER 29:Jaylyn Sherrod during CU Boulder Women’s basketball practice on September 29, 2023.(Cliff Grassmick/Staff Photographer)Colorado seniors Quay Miller and Jaylyn Sherrod were named to the preseason All-Pac-12 team for women’s basketball, while two other Buffaloes received honorable mention.The Pac-12 announced the preseason honors on Monday.In addition to Miller and Sherrod, Frida Formann and Aaronette Vonleh both received honorable mention.Miller and Sherrod were both first-team All-Pac-12 performers last year in leading the Buffaloes to a third-place finish. Sherrod averaged 11.3 points, 5.1 assists, 3.1 rebounds and 2.4 steals per game, while also earning Pac-12 all-defensive team honors. Miller averaged 13.1 points and 8.9 rebounds last season.Vonleh finished second on the team in scoring (12.2 per game) and rebounds (4.5 per game) last year, while Formann averaged 12.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists.“I am excited that several of our players were...

Top 5 Entrepreneurs to follow in 2023

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:57 GMT

1. Jacques du ToitJacques du Toit, known as an “Entrepreneur, Real Estate Investor & Early Retirement Expert,” has a story worth sharing. His journey from a childhood gardening service at the age of 8 to his current status as a multifaceted entrepreneur is nothing short of inspirational. At just 35 years old, Jacques is poised to achieve financial independence by 38, a goal he’s been working relentlessly towards since he was 18.His diverse portfolio of ventures includes Airbnb properties in Cape Town and Bloemfontein, real estate holdings in South Africa, IT consulting, real estate-related courses, and a successful online bookstore which has been operational since 2009. He’s also a passionate Bitcoin advocate and has recently ventured into mining.Jacques has also built a personal brand centered around personal finance, with a niche focused on helping ordinary individuals retire earlier than they ever imagined. Through coaching, content creation, free reso...

Laifen SE High-Speed Hair Dryer – A Perfect Blend of Efficiency and Portability

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:57 GMT

In the world of hair care, the Laifen SE High-Speed Hair Dryer has emerged as a game-changer. This innovative product has garnered attention for its exceptional performance and sleek design, making it a must-have for beauty enthusiasts.Upon receiving the Laifen SE High-Speed Hair Dryer, I was immediately captivated by its elegant packaging. Unboxing it felt like unwrapping a luxurious gift, setting the stage for a remarkable experience.Furthermore, the Laifen SE High-Speed Hair Dryer boasts a sleek and ergonomic design. Its matte finish and vibrant color options add a touch of sophistication to any beauty routine. The dryer’s compact size makes it travel-friendly, allowing me to maintain my desired hairstyle wherever I go.That’s great to hear! The LED light ring on the Laifen SE hair dryer is a helpful feature that allows you to easily identify the temperature setting you’re using. This ensures that you can select the appropriate level of heat for your hair without...

Save up to 90% on your favorite brands – Hypeloot makes it possible!

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:57 GMT

Keeping up with the trends in the realm of luxury goods can sometimes be a challenge. It can feel quite unsatisfying to invest all your hard earned money into one luxury item only to see others effortlessly flaunting outfits from your favorite brands. If you’re wasting both your time and money saving up for a big purchase, why not explore Hypeloot?Hypeloot is a shopping platform that offers users the opportunity to purchase mystery boxes filled with luxury items. Not only is the platform enjoyable and user friendly, signing up is also a breeze. You can choose to create an account for free by connecting through Google, Twitter or Facebook or simply using your email address. Once you’ve completed the verification process you’ll receive a promo box right away. At Hypeloot, our aim is to reward you with your beloved brands.After verifying your account, the next step involves filling it with credits. Accumulating Hypeloot credits is easy—you can earn them by playing gam...

Professional dancer and serial entrepreneur Mackenzie Martin’s mission to make dance a source for inclusive community

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:57 GMT

Mackenzie Martin, the founder of five different creative companies, is working to make professional dancers feel more valued. The industry has a tradition of underpaying, criticizing, and pitting professional dancers against one another, and Mackenzie wants this phenomenon to end. While not all of her business ventures are focused on dance, her mission as a business owner is to create safe spaces for dancers to feel respected and supported in their pursuits.Hailing from Oklahoma, Mackenzie Martin has always had a passion for creation and dance. Since she was three, she was inspired to translate her wildest dreams into concrete projects that let her discover what fulfills her and what impact she wants to leave on the world. She has been able to apply her skills as a choreographer, teacher, and entrepreneur on many different projects since relocating to Los Angeles and finding her niche.Mackenzie owns five companies that each serve a purpose for her mission as a business owner and pr...