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Israel and Hamas agree to extend truce for two more days, and to free more hostages and prisoners

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:22 GMT

By TIA GOLDENBERG and SAMY MAGDY (Associated Press)TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel and Hamas agreed to extend their cease-fire for two more days past Monday, the Qatari government said, bringing the prospect of a longer halt to their deadliest and most destructive war and further exchanges of militant-held hostages for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.The announcement, made by Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majid Al Ansary in a post on X, came on the final day of the original four-day truce between the warring sides. A fourth swap of hostages for prisoners under that deal was expected later Monday.Israel has said it would extend the cease-fire by one day for every 10 additional hostages released. After the announcement by Qatar — a key mediator in the conflict, along with the United States and Egypt — Hamas confirmed it had agreed to a two-day extension “under the same terms.” Hamas has been designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, Canada and the European Unio...

Texas governor skydives for first time alongside 106-year-old World War II veteran

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:22 GMT

FENTRESS, Texas (AP) — Add this to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott ‘s high ambitions: Parachuting from a plane. The three-term Republican governor skydived Monday for the first time, completing a tandem jump from about 8,000 feet (2,400 meters) above the suburbs between Austin and San Antonio. He was joined on the plane by 106-year-old World War II veteran Al Blaschke, who jumped separately.Blaschke is a previous Guinness World Records title holder for oldest tandem skydive. Last month, a 104-year-old Chicago woman skydived in an effort to become the new record holder. She died a week after her jump. Abbott said skydiving has crossed his mind before. “The most shocking sensation is when you immediately exit the plane, and you’re just in freefall,” Abbott told reporters after landing.Abbott, 66, uses a wheelchair and has been paralyzed from the waist down since a tree fell on him as a young law school student. He joked to reporters after the jump that his biggest fear was realized...

Alberta government expected to reveal sovereignty act plans

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:22 GMT

EDMONTON — Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is expected to reveal plans for invoking her government’s sovereignty act.A motion is to be tabled in the legislature today.Smith said Saturday during her provincewide radio call-in program that people will get to “see the architecture” of how the sovereignty act would be used.The act, which the government says allows the province to reject federal laws or regulations when it thinks they cause harm to Alberta, was passed by the United Conservative Party government last year.Smith said on the radio show that she’s “had it” with federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault over clean energy regulations. She said Alberta won’t put electricity providers at risk of going to jail if they don’t meet what she called Ottawa’s “unachievable” targets.This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 27, 2023.  The Canadian Press

Google will start deleting ‘inactive’ accounts in December. Here’s what you need to know

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:22 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Have a Google account you haven’t used in a while? If you want to keep it from disappearing, you should sign in before the end of the week.Under Google’s updated inactive account policy, which the tech giant announced back in May, accounts that haven’t been used in at least two years could be deleted. Accounts deemed inactive could be erased beginning Friday.If you have an account that’s deemed “inactive” and at risk for deletion, you should receive notices from Google sent to the email affiliated with that account and its recovery address (if one exits). But if you’re still catching up on this new policy — and want to ensure that your content on Google Drive, Docs, Gmail and more is saved — here’s what you need to know.WHY IS GOOGLE DELETING INACTIVE ACCOUNTS?In May’s announcement, Google credited its inactive account update to security issues.Accounts that haven’t been used for a long time are more likely to be compromised, the c...

Putin signs Russia’s largest national budget, bolstering military spending

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:22 GMT

MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday signed a national budget for the next three years that increases spending by around 25% and reportedly devotes a record amount to defense as the the country’s military operation in Ukraine drags on. The budget foresees spending in 2024 of 36.6 trillion rubles ($415 billion) with an expected deficit of 1.595 trillion rubles ($9.5 billion).After the budget was passed by the lower house of the parliament, Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin said it was developed specifically to fund the military and to mitigate the impact of international sanctions imposed after Russia sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022.Record low unemployment, higher wages and targeted social spending should help the Kremlin ride out the domestic impact of pivoting the economy toward the military, but could pose a problem in the long term, analysts say. Part of the Russian budget is secret as the Kremlin tries to conceal its military plans and sidestep scrut...

Kenya raises alarm as flooding death toll rises to 76, with thousands marooned by worsening rains

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:22 GMT

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — The Kenyan government on Monday urged people living in flood-prone areas to relocate to higher ground as heavy rains and flash floods continued to wreak havoc across East Africa.At least 76 people have died and 40,000 displaced from their homes since the rains began pounding the country in October. President William Ruto convened an emergency cabinet meeting on Monday and said 38 of Kenya’s 47 counties had been affected by floods and mudslides made worse by the El Niño phenomenon.State House spokesperson Hussein Mohammed also noted “disease outbreaks, destruction of infrastructure and property as well as prolonged power outages” across Kenya and the region.The worst affected areas are the coastal cities of Mombasa and Malindi and the northern Kenya region which borders Somalia, also hit hard by flooding.In Kenya’s Garissa town, thousands of people have been displaced after their homes were swept away.“All roads are destroyed. I don’t even know where...

Brhett Vickery to join WGN Morning News as traffic reporter

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:22 GMT

CHICAGO — WGN News has hired Brhett Vickery as traffic reporter. Vickery will join WGN Morning News on December 11, according to Dominick Stasi, WGN-TV news director.  She replaces Sarah Jindra, who is now co-host of the new WGN afternoon show, “Spotlight Chicago.”“With her background in morning news and versatility in reporting, we’re excited to welcome Brhett to our ‘must watch’ WGN Morning News,” commented Stasi.  “Brhett has a passion for helping others and will help our morning viewers as they get out the door.”Before joining WGN-TV, Vickery spent nearly three years as a reporter for Fox6 News in Milwaukee, first as morning reporter for “Weekend WakeUp,” and most recently joining the weekday news team.  Prior to Fox6, she spent nearly two years as a multimedia journalist at WSET-TV in Lynchburg, Virginia.  Vickery got her start in Chicago while at NBC Sports Chicago as an intern, working on events such as Chicago Cubs and White Sox games and the Chicago Bulls NBA...

Monday Forecast: Cold with flurries, temps in upper 20s

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:22 GMT

CHICAGO — Cold conditions Monday and mostly cloudy. Winds: W 10-15 G25. High: 27. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storms here Mostly clear tonight. Winds: WNW 10-15 G20. Low: 15.Tuesday Forecast: Mostly sunny conditions. Winds: WNW 5-10 G15. High: 25.Full forecast details and more at the WGN Weather Center blog

Suspect in shooting of 3 men of Palestinian descent in Vermont pleads not guilty

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:22 GMT

Jason J. Eaton (Burlington Police Department)(WFFF) - A man pleaded not guilty to attempted murder Monday in connection with the weekend shooting of three college students of Palestinian descent in Vermont — an attack that is being investigated as a possible hate crime.Jason J. Eaton, 48, was arrested Sunday, a day after the shooting outside his apartment building near the University of Vermont campus. He appeared in court by video from jail, speaking only to confirm his identity. His attorney entered pleas of not guilty on his behalf, and a judge ordered him held without bail pending a hearing that likely will be held in the next few days.Attorney General Merrick Garland said the Justice Department is investigating whether the shooting was a hate crime. The FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are assisting Vermont authorities in the investigation.There has been a sharp increase in threats directed against Jewish, Muslim, and Arab communities across the U...

16-year-old boy shot in drive-by on West Side

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:22 GMT

CHICAGO — A 16-year-old boy was shot during a drive-by on the city's West Side.The shooting happened around 9:40 a.m. Monday in the 1200 block of South Albany in the North Lawndale neighborhood.Police said the 16-year-old boy was walking when a black SUV, possibly a Ford Explorer, approached and someone inside fired shots.The teen was shot in the hand and thigh. He was transported to Mount Sinai Hospital in good condition. According to police, the offending vehicle fled eastbound, then northbound on Sacramento. UChicago issues alert after armed robbery near campus No one is in custody. Area Four Detectives are investigating.