Palestinian militants fire rocket toward Jerusalem
Nov 20th, 2012 - International News
JERUSALEM (AP) — Palestinian militants have fired a rocket toward Jerusalem, causing an explosion moments after air raid sirens sounded across the city.
The sound of today's blast could be heard in the distance from downtown Jerusalem.
A police spokesman says the rocket apparently did not reach the city and authorities are searching for the blast site.
It's the second rocket attack aimed at Jerusalem since a round of fighting broke out between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza last Wednesday. Jerusalem, nearly 80 kilometers (50 miles) from Gaza, is the most distant city the militants have targeted.
The rocket attack occurred as diplomats are trying to work out a cease-fire.
A man identified as the most elusive top military commander of Hamas is urging the group's fighters to keep up attacks on Israel.
Mohammed Deif, seriously wounded in an Israeli airstrike in 2003, says Hamas "must invest all resources to uproot this aggressor from our land," a reference to Israel.
He was speaking from hiding on Hamas-run TV and radio.
Deif is one of the founders of the Hamas military wing and was its top commander until he was wounded in 2003. He was replaced as by Ahmed Jabari, who was assassinated by Israel last week in the opening salvo of its latest Gaza offensive.
The speaker on TV and radio was introduced as Deif, and a Gaza reporter said the speaker sounded like Deif.
President Barack Obama is sending Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton to the Middle East to help mediate an end to the bloody conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.
Israel has been firing rockets into the Gaza Strip in an attempt to end months of rocket fire out of the Hamas-ruled territory.
Clinton has been with Obama in Cambodia for the Southeast Asia Summit.
Iran says Palestinians in the Gaza Strip should be "equipped" to defend themselves against Israel.
But a Foreign Ministry spokesman refuses to comment on Israeli allegations that Iran is already sending arms to Gaza, which has been under Israel's attack since last week in retaliation for rockets fired by Hamas into Israel.
At least 113 Palestinians have been killed — nearly half of them civilians.
Iran is a major supporter of the militant groups such as Islamic Jihad and Hamas, which controls Gaza.
The spokesman also says Israel should be put on trial for war crimes over the latest offensive.
Iran has previously denied it had directly supplied Hamas with Iranian-made Fajr-5 missiles that have hit near Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
Local News
Local News RSS
Calvin College cuts 22 faculty, staff positions
May 24th, 2013 - Local News
— Calvin College is cutting 22 faculty and staff positions as the Christian liberal arts school looks to cut long-term expenses and its 2013-14 budget.
The staffing reductions were done through lay...
32 new charter schools plan to open in Michigan
May 23rd, 2013 - Local News
— Officials say 32 new charter schools plan to open this fall in Michigan.
The Detroit News and The Flint Journal report many of the schools will be in urban areas where charter schools are alrea...
Read More Local News
State News
State News RSS
Michigan panel OKs 3 pct. raise for K-12 schools
May 24th, 2013 - State News
— Michigan's public schools would get about 3 percent more and it's community colleges and universities about 2 percent more in overall funding next fiscal year under measures nearing final approval...
Mich. lawmaker seeks to make small business office
May 23rd, 2013 - State News
— A Michigan lawmaker wants to create a new state office with the goal of helping small businesses get started and thrive.
Democratic Rep. Collene Lamonte of Montague introduced a bill this week ...
Read More State News
National News
National News RSS
I-5 bridge collapse caused by truck hitting span
May 24th, 2013 - National News
— The Washington State Patrol chief says the Interstate 5 bridge collapse into the Skagit (SKA'-jiht) River at Mount Vernon was caused by an oversize truck.
Chief John Batiste told an overnight ...
First OK funeral today
May 23rd, 2013 - National News
— The first of the funerals is scheduled today following the deadly tornado in Moore, Okla.
It will be for 9-year-old Antonia Candelaria, one of seven children who died at a destroyed elementary...
Read More National News
International News
International News RSS
Syria govt to take part in peace conference
May 24th, 2013 - International News
— Russia's foreign ministry says the Syrian government has agreed to a conference on the country's future proposed by Russia and the United States.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevic...
UK emergency committee meets after attack
May 23rd, 2013 - International News
— The British government's emergency committee has met today after yesterday's attack by two men near London's military barracks.
An active duty British soldier was killed. One of the attackers ...
Read More International News
Sports News
Sports News RSS
Red Wings top Blackhawks 2-0, take 3-1 series lead
May 24th, 2013 - Sports News
— Jakub Kindl scored on a power play in the second period, Daniel Cleary had an empty-net goal and Jimmy Howard made 27 saves to help the Detroit Red Wings hold on for a 2-0 victory over the Chicago...
Cabrera, Tigers down Indians 11-7 on rainy night
May 23rd, 2013 - Sports News
— Justin Verlander overcame a rocky start and rain delay to get his fifth win and Miguel Cabrera hit another homer as the Detroit Tigers beat the Cleveland Indians 11-7 on Wednesday night, sweeping ...
Read More Sports News
Health News
Health News RSS
FDA will investigate added caffeine in foods
Apr 30th, 2013 - Health News
— Looking for a new way to get that jolt of caffeine energy? Food companies are betting snacks like potato chips, jelly beans and gum with a caffeinated kick could be just the answer.
The Food an...
New Diabetes Drug Treats Disease Differently
Apr 1st, 2013 - Health News
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Food and Drug Administration says it has approved a first-of-a-kind diabetes drug from Johnson & Johnson that uses a new method to lower blood sugar.
The agency cleared J&J'...