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Vandals strike Montgomery Co. synagogue’s menorah on first day of Hanukkah, rabbi says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:34 GMT

Members of a Montgomery County, Maryland, synagogue jumped into action to repair a bent menorah that they said was vandalized, hours before the first light was set to be lit for Hanukkah.Rabbi Bentzy Stolik said it happened Thursday at the Chabad of Olney — which has been located on 17320 Georgia Avenue for around 10 yeas.Stolik said the group hung a “Happy Hanukkah” sign on the menorah in the afternoon and around 4 p.m. he began receiving phone calls reporting that something was up.“I rushed over and was very distraught and disappointed, it was very clear that the menorah was vandalized,” Stolik said.The menorah was “bent” and knocked over, but the rabbi said help arrived soon after to repair the menorah in time for the first lighting.“Some handy individuals managed to be able to get this thing up standing again and we have a temporary fix,” Stolik said.Montgomery County police were on the scene and a spokesperson told WTOP the depart...

Journalists’ rights group counts 94 media workers killed this year, most of them in Gaza

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:34 GMT

BRUSSELS (AP) — A leading organization representing journalists worldwide expressed deep concern Friday at the number of media professionals killed around the globe doing their jobs in 2023, with Israel’s war with Hamas claiming more journalists than any conflict in over 30 years.In its annual count of media worker deaths, the International Federation of Journalists said 94 journalists had been killed so far this year and almost 400 others had been imprisoned.The figure for deaths is up from 67 in the same period of 2022 — including 12 killed in Ukraine — and double the total of 47 recorded for the whole of 2021. The group called for better protection for media workers and for their attackers to be held to account.“The imperative for a new global standard for the protection of journalists and effective international enforcement has never been greater,” said IFJ President Dominique Pradalié.The group said 68 journalists had been killed covering the Israeli-Hamas war since Hamas attac...

R&B trio SWV performs at MGM National Harbor

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:34 GMT

They remain one of the top-selling female groups of all time, selling over 25 million records worldwide.This Sunday, the beloved R&B vocal trio SWV (Sisters with Voices) — made up of Cheryl “Coko” Gamble, Tamara “Taj” George and Leanne “Lelee” Lyons — will be performing live at MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland.“I’m excited about the show on Sunday,” Lyons told WTOP. “D.C. always gives us a good time, that’s one of our biggest markets, the DMV area, and we’re just so excited that we’re able to do it on our own at this particular moment, so this show is very special for us. … It’s a celebration. They have this saying, ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,’ so we’re going to give you so many throwback songs, some album cuts, as well as all of the hits.”Formed in New York City in the late 80s, the trio burst onto the scene with its breakthrough album “I...

Taiwan says it spotted a Chinese surveillance balloon as the island’s election nears

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:34 GMT

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Taiwan’s Defense Ministry says it spotted a Chinese surveillance balloon in the Taiwan Strait along with a large-scale movement of military aircraft and ships.The ministry said the balloon passed southwest of the northern port city of Keelung on Thursday night, then continued east before disappearing, possibly into the Pacific Ocean.There seemed to be some uncertainty about whether the balloon was operated by the People’s Liberation Army, the military branch of China’s ruling Communist Party. The ministry referred to it both as a ”PLA surveillance balloon” and as “PRC’s balloon,” using the acronym for the People’s Republic of China, China’s official name. A Defense Ministry spokesperson said they had no additional information.The incident came just over a month before Taiwan is to hold elections for president and the legislature and raises questions about possible Chinese efforts to influence the vote.China’s Defense Mi...

Cone leads Cal against Butler after 26-point game

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:34 GMT

California Golden Bears (3-5) at Butler Bulldogs (7-2)Indianapolis; Saturday, 12 p.m. ESTBOTTOM LINE: Cal visits the Butler Bulldogs after Jalen Cole scored 26 points in Cal’s 84-69 win against the Santa Clara Broncos.The Bulldogs are 5-0 in home games. Butler is third in the Big East scoring 82.1 points while shooting 48.1% from the field.The Golden Bears play their first true road game after going 3-5 to begin the season. Cal averages 74.6 points and has outscored opponents by 1.7 points per game.Butler’s average of 8.0 made 3-pointers per game this season is just 0.5 more made shots on average than the 7.5 per game Cal gives up. Cal has shot at a 43.5% rate from the field this season, 3.4 percentage points greater than the 40.1% shooting opponents of Butler have averaged.TOP PERFORMERS: Pierre Brooks is shooting 50.9% and averaging 16.9 points for the Bulldogs. DJ Davis is averaging 11.9 points for Butler.Jaylon Tyson is averaging 20.4 points, 8.6 rebounds and 3.1 ass...

VMI hosts American after Watkins’ 20-point game

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:34 GMT

American Eagles (4-6) at VMI Keydets (2-7)Lexington, Virginia; Saturday, 1 p.m. ESTBOTTOM LINE: VMI faces the American Eagles after Brennan Watkins scored 20 points in VMI’s 75-71 loss to the Presbyterian Blue Hose.The Keydets have gone 2-1 at home. VMI leads the SoCon with 28.4 defensive rebounds per game led by Taeshaud Jackson averaging 8.0.The Eagles are 0-5 on the road. American is seventh in the Patriot League allowing 74.7 points while holding opponents to 48.1% shooting.VMI’s average of 7.3 made 3-pointers per game is 1.7 fewer made shots on average than the 9.0 per game American gives up. American has shot at a 44.0% clip from the field this season, 3.9 percentage points greater than the 40.1% shooting opponents of VMI have averaged.TOP PERFORMERS: Watkins is scoring 14.6 points per game and averaging 1.7 rebounds for the Keydets. Koree Cotton is averaging 13.6 points and 4.0 rebounds while shooting 44.6% for VMI.Geoff Sprouse averages 2.4 made 3-pointers per ga...

Jacksonville State Gamecocks to take on the UIC Flames Friday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:34 GMT

UIC Flames (5-3, 0-1 MVC) at Jacksonville State Gamecocks (4-5)Jacksonville, Alabama; Friday, 7 p.m. ESTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Gamecocks -1.5; over/under is 131BOTTOM LINE: Jacksonville State plays UIC in a matchup of Division 1 Division teams.The Gamecocks have gone 2-2 in home games. Jacksonville State is the CUSA leader with 10.9 offensive rebounds per game led by Brad Lewis averaging 6.0.The Flames are 1-1 on the road. UIC ranks sixth in the MVC with 14.8 assists per game led by Christian Jones averaging 5.0.Jacksonville State averages 5.7 made 3-pointers per game, 1.2 more made shots than the 4.5 per game UIC gives up. UIC scores 12.2 more points per game (74.4) than Jacksonville State gives up (62.2).TOP PERFORMERS: KyKy Tandy is scoring 18.3 points per game and averaging 2.2 rebounds for the Gamecocks. Quincy Clark is averaging 11.1 points and 2.6 rebounds while shooting 50.6% for Jacksonville State.Isaiah Rivera is averaging 16 points for the Flames. Toby Okani is averagin...

Charlotte visits No. 22 Duke after Roach’s 20-point showing

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:34 GMT

Charlotte 49ers (5-3) at Duke Blue Devils (5-3, 0-1 ACC)Durham, North Carolina; Saturday, 2:15 p.m. ESTBOTTOM LINE: No. 22 Duke hosts the Charlotte 49ers after Jeremy Roach scored 20 points in Duke’s 72-68 loss to the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.The Blue Devils have gone 4-1 in home games. Duke averages 80.9 points while outscoring opponents by 13.8 points per game.The 49ers play their first true road game after going 5-3 with a 1-2 record in neutral-site games to begin the season. Charlotte ranks sixth in the AAC shooting 32.6% from 3-point range.Duke averages 80.9 points, 19.0 more per game than the 61.9 Charlotte gives up. Charlotte has shot at a 47.1% rate from the field this season, 4.5 percentage points higher than the 42.6% shooting opponents of Duke have averaged.TOP PERFORMERS: Kyle Filipowski is scoring 18.9 points per game and averaging 8.4 rebounds for the Blue Devils. Roach is averaging 13.9 points and 2.4 rebounds while shooting 48.8% for Duke.Lu’Cye Patter...

Stafford leads Valparaiso against Virginia Tech after 23-point game

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:34 GMT

Valparaiso Beacons (4-5, 0-2 MVC) at Virginia Tech Hokies (6-3, 1-0 ACC)Blacksburg, Virginia; Saturday, 12 p.m. ESTBOTTOM LINE: Valparaiso visits the Virginia Tech Hokies after Isaiah Stafford scored 23 points in Valparaiso’s 71-67 loss to the Central Michigan Chippewas.The Hokies are 4-0 on their home court. Virginia Tech is 6-3 against opponents over .500.The Beacons are 0-3 on the road. Valparaiso has a 2-3 record in games decided by 10 or more points.Virginia Tech averages 7.2 made 3-pointers per game, 1.0 more made shot than the 6.2 per game Valparaiso allows. Valparaiso’s 39.6% shooting percentage from the field this season is 3.8 percentage points lower than Virginia Tech has given up to its opponents (43.4%).TOP PERFORMERS: Lynn Kidd is scoring 15.1 points per game with 7.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists for the Hokies. Hunter Cattoor is averaging 14.6 points and 2.8 rebounds while shooting 41.9% for Virginia Tech.Stafford is shooting 37.6% and averaging 18.8 points fo...

Ajayi, Pepperdine Waves to host Pope, UCSD Tritons

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:34 GMT

UCSD Tritons (5-4) at Pepperdine Waves (4-7)Malibu, California; Saturday, 9 p.m. ESTBOTTOM LINE: UCSD heads to Pepperdine for a Division 1 Division matchup Saturday.The Waves have gone 4-2 in home games. Pepperdine is eighth in the WCC in rebounding with 30.9 rebounds. Michael Ajayi leads the Waves with 10.0 boards.The Tritons are 0-2 on the road. UCSD ranks third in the Big West shooting 34.3% from 3-point range.Pepperdine scores 72.5 points per game, 2.8 more points than the 69.7 UCSD gives up. UCSD’s 46.1% shooting percentage from the field this season is 3.0 percentage points lower than Pepperdine has given up to its opponents (49.1%).TOP PERFORMERS: Ajayi is averaging 17.6 points and 10 rebounds for the Waves. Houston Mallette is averaging 16.8 points over the past 10 games for Pepperdine.Bryce Pope is shooting 42.4% and averaging 17.9 points for the Tritons. Francis Nwaokorie is averaging 14.2 points for UCSD.___The Associated Press created this story using technology pr...