WEST MOSUL BATTLE DEADLY FOR IRAQIS

mosul, iraq» As Iraqi forces pushed into southwestern Mosul, four Islamic State fighters moved into Omar Khudair’s home and took up positions on the roof.

The 17-year-old, his parents and siblings took cover in his aunt’s house next door, and for the next half hour they huddled in a back room as the battle raged overhead. Then the airstrikes came, blowing up a cluster of houses, killing not only the fighters, but 18 members of Khudair’s extended family. The teen was one of the few to survive, left covered in burns and shrapnel wounds.

The fight for the western half of Mosul could the deadliest yet for civilians. Iraqi forces have increasingly turned to airstrikes and artillery to clear heavily populated, dense urban terrain, and residents running out of food and supplies are fleeing their homes at higher rates than previously seen in the Mosul operation.

More than 750 civilians have been killed or wounded since the fight for western Mosul began a month ago, front-line medics say, a number they expect to spike as Iraqi forces push into the old city.

Cinco de Mayo festival canceled amid fears of an ICE raid B

philadelphia» Every year, hundreds of people would transform a lot in south Philadelphia into a frenetic re-enactment of their ancestors’ glory: the great battle of May 5, 1862, when the Mexican army defeated French invaders. But this year, there won’t be any celebrating.

After immigration raids across the country and reports of White House deportation plans, Philadelphia’s largest Cinco de Mayo celebration has been canceled.

Even Mayor Jim Kenney was bummed. “I’m devastated to hear that ICE has had such a chilling effect that Philadelphians no longer feel comfortable engaging in this public celebration,” he said.

Croc attacks Aussie who jumped into river on dare

B brisbane, australia» A teen who was attacked by a crocodile after jumping into an infested river on a dare is recovering from serious wounds to his arm. Eighteen-year-old Lee de Paauw was at a hostel in the northern Queensland town of Innisfail around 2:30 a.m. on Sunday when he started bragging that he could swim in the river, a known habitat for aggressive saltwater crocodiles. Seconds after jumping into the water, a crocodile latched onto him.

Wife says Campbell can no longer play guitar

B nashville» Glen Campbell’s wife says Alzheimer’s disease has robbed the 80-year-old singer’s ability to play guitar. But Kim Campbell said her husband occasionally breaks into a solo air guitar routine, which she says is “kind of fun.”

“Beauty and the Beast” roars with $170 million debut B

hollywood» Disney’s live-action “Beauty” was a beast at the box office, opening with an estimated $170 million in North American ticket sales. “Beauty and the Beast” blew past the previous record-holder for G- or PGrated releases, according to studio estimates Sunday. Last year, Disney’s PG-rated “Finding Dory” debuted with $135 million.

“Kong: Skull Island,” slid to second place with $28.9 million in its second week.