Heavy fighting in Gaza’s Rafah keeps aid crossings closed, sends civilians fleeing
RAFAH, Gaza Strip — A United Nations official says heavy fighting between Israeli troops and Palestinian militants on the outskirts of the southern Gaza city of Rafah has left crucial nearby aid crossings inaccessible and caused over 100,000 people to flee north. Israel’s plans for a full-scale invasion of Rafah appear to be on hold for now. The United States is deeply opposed to that and is stepping up pressure by threatening to withhold arms. But even the more limited incursion launched earlier this week threatens to worsen Gaza’s humanitarian catastrophe. Heavy fighting was also underway in northern Gaza, where Hamas appears to have once again regrouped in an area where Israel had already launched punishing assaults.
Airman shot by deputy doted on little sister and aimed to buy mom a house
FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. — The family of the U.S. Air Force airman shot and killed by a deputy in Florida says he was devoted to improving the lives of a younger sister, brother and his mom. An Okaloosa County sheriff’s deputy shot 23-year-old Roger Fortson on May 3 in Fort Walton Beach. Fortson was originally from Atlanta but was living in the Florida Panhandle while serving at nearby Hurlburt Field. His mom, Chantemekki Fortson, said her son wanted to buy her a home and be a role model for his 16-year-old brother. In the Air Force, Roger Fortson rose to the rank of senior airman and received a distinction for service during combat.
Shunned for centuries, Vodou grows powerful as Haitians seek solace from unrelenting gang violence
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Shunned publicly by politicians and intellectuals for centuries, Vodou is transforming into a more powerful and accepted religion across Haiti, where its believers were once persecuted. Vodou believers are seeking solace and protection from violent gangs that have killed, raped and kidnapped thousands in recent years. Amid the spiraling chaos, a growing number of Haitians are praying more or visiting Vodou priests known as “oungans” for urgent requests ranging from locating loved ones who were kidnapped to finding critical medication needed to keep someone alive.
‘Where’s Ronald Greene’s justice?’:
SHREVEPORT, La. — Ronald Greene’s deadly arrest on a rural Louisiana roadside in 2019 sparked outrage after The Associated Press published long-suppressed body-camera video showing white state troopers stunning, beating and dragging the Black motorist as he wailed, “I’m scared!” Yet five years on, a federal investigation into the case remains open with no end in sight. Mona Hardin is Greene’s mother. She says she feels angry that other major civil rights cases from that period — including George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery — have long ago been prosecuted. She asks, “Where’s Ronald Greene’s justice?” A Justice Department spokesperson says only that the probe remains ongoing.
Bob Ross’ legacy lives on in new series
When Bob Ross died of complications from cancer in 1995, he had completed about half of the paintings he planned to teach from in a 32 season of “The Joy of Painting.” In the new series “The Joy of Painting with Nicholas Hankins: Bob Ross’ Unfinished Season,” a certified Bob Ross instructor recreates those works demonstrating wet-on-wet oil painting in 30 minutes. Hankins has the blessing of Joan Kowalski, president of Bob Ross, Inc. Her parents and Ross co-founded the company together.
Kowalski believes Ross would be proud of the new show and their efforts to keep his legacy alive.
Most Popular
Comments / 0