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Iraq

Police & Fire
Heartbreaking Video Of Iraqi Shiite Hostage, Princeton Student Elizabeth Tsurkov Surfaces Heartbreaking Video Of Iraqi Shiite Hostage, Princeton Student Elizabeth Tsurkov Surfaces
Heartbreaking Video Of Iraqi Shiite Hostage, Princeton Student Elizabeth Tsurkov Surfaces A newly posted video suggests that a Princeton University doctoral student kidnapped in Iraq last March is alive. Elizabeth Tsurkov, a citizen of both Russia and Israel, was abducted while doing work for the Ivy League school, according to a July statement from Benjamin Netanyahu's office. The Iran Observer posted the unauthenticated video clip on X on Monday, Nov. 13 claiming Tsurkov is an operative with Mossad — the national intelligence agency of Israel. "I worked for the Mossad and CIA," a translation of the video reads. Israeli Elizabeth Tsurkov, kidnapped in Iraq 7 months ago, …

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by Jon Craig
Police & Fire
Princeton Doctoral Student Held Hostage In Iraq, Israeli Officials Say Princeton Doctoral Student Held Hostage In Iraq, Israeli Officials Say
Princeton Doctoral Student Held Hostage In Iraq, Israeli Officials Say A Princeton doctoral student missing for several months is being held hostage in Iraq, Israeli officials said. Elizabeth Tsurkov, a citizen of both Russia and Israel, was abducted in March while doing work for the Ivy League school, according to a statement from Benjamin Netanyahu's office. The 36-year-old was abducted by members of the Shiite group Kataeb Hezbollah, a radical Iran-backed militia group, Netanyahu's office said. Tsurkov had just walked out of a cafe in Iraqi capital Baghdad when she was abducted, the New York Times says citing the researcher's family.  Also a fellow at Wa…

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
NJ Firefighter Brian Letrent Dies Suddenly, 34 NJ Firefighter Brian Letrent Dies Suddenly, 34
NJ Firefighter Brian Letrent Dies Suddenly, 34 The Bayville Fire Department is mourning the loss of one of their own. Brian Letrent died suddenly of a medical condition on Wednesday, June 21, according to his obituary. He was 34 years old. A Toms River native, Brian was raised in Bayville and was a 2007 graduate of Central Regional High School. He enlisted in the US Army right after graduation and was deployed to Iraq for six months. From Mayor Carmen Amato. Our heartfelt condolences are with Brian Letrent and his family during this difficult time.... Posted by Berkeley Township on Thursday, June 22, 2023 Brian worked as a mechan…

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by Cecilia Levine
Politics
Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop Runs For NJ Governor Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop Runs For NJ Governor
Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop Runs For NJ Governor Steven Fulop is officially throwing his hat in the ring. The Jersey City mayor announced on Tuesday, April 11 that he will be seeking the Democratic nomination for governor in 2025. Gov. Phil Murphy is term limited and cannot seek re-election. "My career has always been guided by a strong desire to take on difficult challenges and find solutions that help improve peoples’ lives," Fulop said in a press release.  "I’ve never backed down from a fight before, and I’m ready to work hard for all the people of our great state to deliver the results New Jersey deserves." Following the Sept. …

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by Sam Barron
News
Widow Who Fell Victim To $39K Romance Scam 'Forgot How Good It Felt To Be Loved' Widow Who Fell Victim To $39K Romance Scam 'Forgot How Good It Felt To Be Loved'
Widow Who Fell Victim To $39K Romance Scam 'Forgot How Good It Felt To Be Loved' After losing her life savings to an internet romance scam, one Pennsylvania senior is speaking out to protect others from falling victim.  Kate Kleinert of Glenolden had been widowed for 12 years and had stopped looking for love when she received a Facebook friend request in August 2020, she wrote to a US Senate committee last year.  The man said he was a doctor named Tony Richard, and quickly struck up a friendship with Kate based on mutual interests, she said.  "We started talking on the phone through an app he had me download," Kate told Senators. "He told me he was …

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by Mac Bullock
Obituaries
‘Passionate, Dedicated’ Toms River Father Of 5, Iraq Army Veteran Dies Suddenly, 38 ‘Passionate, Dedicated’ Toms River Father Of 5, Iraq Army Veteran Dies Suddenly, 38
‘Passionate, Dedicated’ Toms River Father Of 5, Iraq Army Veteran Dies Suddenly, 38 Kindhearted, passionate, and dedicated Toms River father of five and Iraq army veteran John Czajkowski died unexpectedly on Thursday, Sept. 1. He was 38. Born in Secaucus, John spent most of his life living in Toms River, his obituary says. John was remembered as a loving and caring father who always put others before himself. John also served in Iraq in the United States Army and was honorably discharged as a sergeant. He leaves behind his brother, Christopher Czajkowski; his sister, Alyshia Perez; his Fiancé, Jenalee Blackshaw; his five children, Arianna, Ava, Santino, Giuliana, and Ni…

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by Valerie Musson
News
'Invincible' Harrison Firefighter Who Served In US Marines, Law Enforcement Dies 'Invincible' Harrison Firefighter Who Served In US Marines, Law Enforcement Dies
'Invincible' Harrison Firefighter Who Served In US Marines, Law Enforcement Dies Vincent Doffont spent much of his life serving and protecting his country as a U.S. Marine and, later, his community in Hudson County as a sheriff's officer, police officer and firefighter. Doffont, 37, died suddenly this weekend, leaving those who knew him in shock and profound grief. "He was one of the hardest men I have ever met," wrote friend Blake Upton. "I always thought of him as invincible." Doffont, indeed, seemed indestructible as a football running back, defensive back and placekicked for the St. Mary's High School Gaels from 1999 through 2002. He was praised for his "speed, s…

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by Jerry DeMarco
News
Jersey Shore HS Teacher, Iraq War Vet Documenting Breast Cancer Battle On Instagram Jersey Shore HS Teacher, Iraq War Vet Documenting Breast Cancer Battle On Instagram
Jersey Shore HS Teacher, Iraq War Vet Documenting Breast Cancer Battle On Instagram A New Jersey high school teacher and Gulf War veteran who is battling breast cancer is taking to social media to spread hope. Sandy Jessop, of Wall, served alongside her now-husband, Christian Jessop, during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004, then deployed again to Iraq in 2008. The couple share three children together and are both high school teachers. About one year into the COVID-19 pandemic, Sandy -- a teacher at Freehold Regional High School -- was diagnosed with breast cancer. "It was confirmed I have breast cancer on Saturday," she wrote in an Instagram post. "I expect a long hard r…

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by Jon Craig & Cecilia Levine
News
Last US Solider To Leave Afghanistan Is Pennsylvania Native Last US Solider To Leave Afghanistan Is Pennsylvania Native
Last US Solider To Leave Afghanistan Is Pennsylvania Native A distinguished US Army major general who graduated from Harvard University, was deployed 18 times and worked in the Pentagon is the last US solder to leave Afghanistan after a 20-year occupation. Oh yeah, Maj. Gen. Christopher T. Donahue hails from Franklin County, PA. The last American soldier to leave Afghanistan: Maj. Gen. Chris Donahue, commanding general of the @82ndABNDiv, @18airbornecorps boards an @usairforce C-17 on August 30th, 2021, ending the U.S. mission in Kabul. pic.twitter.com/j5fPx4iv6a — Department of Defense 🇺🇸 (@DeptofDefense) August 30, 2021 The commanding general…

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by Jillian Pikora