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Live updates | Hamas and Israel free more hostages and prisoners as deadline to extend truce nears

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:52:22 GMT

Ten Israeli women and children and four Thai nationals held captive in Gaza were freed by Hamas, and Israel followed with the release of a group of Palestinian prisoners Thursday. It was the latest exchange of hostages for prisoners under a temporary cease-fire in the Gaza war. Two Russian-Israeli women were also freed by Hamas in a separate release.International mediators are working to extend a cease-fire that’s just a few hours from expiring. Israel has agreed to extend the truce by one day for every 10 militant-held hostages who are freed. The cease-fire, which was originally set to expire on Monday, has paused the deadliest fighting between Israel and Palestinians in decades.Israel has vowed to resume the war in an effort to end Hamas’ 16-year rule of Gaza, but it’s facing mounting international pressure to extend the truce and spare southern Gaza a devastating ground offensive like the one that has demolished much of the north.Roughly 240 hostages were captur...

Jokic’s triple-double lifts Nuggets past Rockets 134-124 in Murray’s return

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:52:22 GMT

DENVER (AP) — Nikola Jokic had 32 points, 15 assists and 10 rebounds, Michael Porter Jr. scored a season-high 30 points and the Denver Nuggets rolled past the Houston Rockets 134-124 on Wednesday night in Jamal Murray’s return from a hamstring injury.Murray scored 16 points after missing Denver’s past 11 games. After starting 6-1 with Murray available, the Nuggets were just 6-5 without their point guard. It was the third consecutive win for the NBA champion Nuggets, who had lost four of five before their current streak.Jokic, who was sidelined with a lower back injury in a win Monday at the Los Angeles Clippers, recorded his seventh triple-double of the season. Entering the night, all other NBA players had combined for just eight triple-doubles.Denver had lost twice to the Rockets in November, including a 19-point loss in Houston five days earlier. The Nuggets improved their NBA-best home record to 9-0 while dropping the Rockets to 0-7 on the road.While Murray returned, Denver...

Gordon scores 16 as UT Arlington knocks off Abilene Christian 86-71

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:52:22 GMT

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — DaJuan Gordon had 16 points in UT Arlington’s 86-71 win against Abilene Christian on Wednesday night in a Western Athletic Conference opener.Gordon also added five assists and four steals for the Mavericks (4-3). Brandyn Talbot scored 14 points while going 5 of 8 (4 for 6 from 3-point range). Akili Vining shot 5 for 9 (2 for 4 from 3-point range) and 2 of 3 from the free throw line to finish with 14 points.Hunter Jack Madden led the way for the Wildcats (3-4) with 19 points, seven assists and three steals. Airion Simmons added 17 points for Abilene Christian. In addition, Ali Abdou Dibba had 14 points, seven rebounds and two steals.___The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.Source

Raptors end Suns’ winning streak at 7, spoiling Kevin Durant’s return

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:52:22 GMT

TORONTO (AP) — Scottie Barnes scored 12 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter, Pascal Siakam finished with 22 and the Toronto Raptors beat Phoenix 112-105 on Wednesday night to end the Suns’ winning streak at seven.Kevin Durant scored 11 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter for Phoenix after missing two games because of a sore foot, while fellow star Devin Booker had only eight points. The Suns lost for the first time since a Nov. 12 loss at home against Oklahoma City.Durant made 11 of 30 attempts and shot 2 for 8 from beyond the arc. He has scored 30 or more points in six straight games, the longest active streak in the NBA.“I don’t feel like I’m ever out of rhythm,” Durant said. “I just missed shots.”Booker hobbled to the bench early in the second half after stepping on Dennis Schroder’s foot, but was able to return.“I don’t know if it got stiffer but I wasn’t going to spend the rest of the night trying to beat people off the dribble,” Booker said.Booker, who beat New York on S...

Texas A&M-Commerce defeats Dallas Christian 100-48

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:52:22 GMT

COMMERCE, Texas (AP) — Jerome Brewer Jr. had 18 points in Texas A&M-Commerce’s 100-48 victory over Dallas Christian on Wednesday night.Brewer was 7 of 9 shooting and 4 of 4 from the free throw line for the Lions (4-5). Kalen Williams scored 17 points while shooting 6 for 7 (2 for 3 from 3-point range) and 3 of 3 from the free throw line, and added five assists. Evan Phelps had 11 points and was 4 of 6 shooting (3 for 5 from 3-point range).Ny’gel Boozer finished with 11 points for the Crusaders. Nick Lancit added six points for Dallas Christian. In addition, Yuot Gai had five points.___The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.Source

Cal Baptist takes down Southern Utah 91-66

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:52:22 GMT

CEDAR CITY, Utah (AP) — Scotty Washington had 21 points in Cal Baptist’s 91-66 victory over Southern Utah on Wednesday night.Washington was 6 of 10 shooting, including 6 for 8 from 3-point range, and went 3 for 4 from the line for the Lancers (6-1, 1-0 Western Athletic Conference). Blondeau Tchoukuiengo was 6 of 9 shooting, including 1 for 3 from 3-point range, and went 3 for 5 from the line to add 16 points. Brantly Stevenson shot 6 for 10, including 2 for 5 from beyond the arc to finish with 15 points.Dominique Ford led the way for the Thunderbirds (2-4, 0-1) with 16 points. Prophet Johnson added 15 points and six rebounds for Southern Utah. Parsa Fallah also had 14 points and seven rebounds.NEXT UPCal Baptist plays Wednesday against Utah Tech at home, and Southern Utah visits Seattle U on Saturday.___The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.Source

Williams’ 18 lead Tarleton State over Stephen F. Austin 68-66

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:52:22 GMT

HUNTSVILLE, Texas (AP) — Lue Williams scored 18 points as Tarleton State beat Stephen F. Austin 68-66 on Wednesday night in a Western Athletic Conference opener.Williams also contributed nine rebounds for the Texans (5-2). Kiandre Gaddy scored 15 points while going 7 of 9 and 1 of 3 from the free throw line, and added eight rebounds. Jakorie Smith had 14 points and was 4 of 14 shooting, including 1 for 5 from 3-point range, and went 5 for 6 from the line.The Lumberjacks (4-3) were led by Frank Staine, who recorded 13 points. Stephen F. Austin also got 12 points and seven rebounds from Nana Antwi-Boasiako. In addition, Chrishawn Christmas had eight points and eight rebounds.___The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.Source

Georgetown takes down Merrimack 69-67

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:52:22 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Wayne Bristol Jr.’s 14 points helped Georgetown defeat Merrimack 69-67 on Wednesday night.Bristol added three blocks for the Hoyas (5-2). Supreme Cook scored 12 points and added 12 rebounds. Jayden Epps had 11 points and was 3 of 7 shooting, including 2 for 3 from 3-point range, and went 3 for 4 from the line.Jordan Derkack finished with 22 points, seven rebounds and three steals for the Warriors (3-5). Adam Clark added 11 points and three steals for Merrimack. Samba Diallo also had nine points and six rebounds.___The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.Source

Henry Kissinger, secretary of state under Nixon and Ford, dies at 100

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:52:22 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, the diplomat with the thick glasses and gravelly voice who dominated foreign policy as the United States extricated itself from Vietnam and broke down barriers with China, died Wednesday, his consulting firm said. He was 100. With his gruff yet commanding presence and behind-the-scenes manipulation of power, Kissinger exerted uncommon influence on global affairs under Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, earning both vilification and the Nobel Peace Prize. Decades later, his name still provoked impassioned debate over foreign policy landmarks long past. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox Kissinger’s power grew during the turmoil of Watergate, when the politically attuned diplomat assumed a role akin to co-president to the weakened Nixon. “No doubt my vanity was piqued,” Kissinger later wrote of his expanding influence. “But the dominant emotion was a premonition of catastrophe.” A Je...

Truce in Israel-Hamas war extended by a day, minutes before it was set to expire

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:52:22 GMT

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel and Hamas on Thursday agreed to extend a temporary truce by another day minutes before it was set to expire, said Qatar, which has been mediating between the two sides.Negotiations on extending it came down to the wire, with last-minute disagreements over the hostages to be freed by Hamas in exchange for another day of a halt in fighting.Word of the extension came just as the truce was to expire at 7 a.m. (0500 GMT) Thursday. The Qatari Foreign Ministry said the truce was being extended under the same terms as in the past, under which Hamas has released 10 Israeli hostages per day in exchange for the release of 30 Palestinian prisoners.The announcement followed a last-minute standoff earlier Thursday, with Hamas saying Israel had rejected a proposed list that included seven living captives and the remains of three who the group said were killed in previous Israeli airstrikes. Israel later said Hamas submitted an improved list, paving the way for the extension...