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US sanctions Iran-backed militia members in Iraq conducting strikes against American forces

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:04:54 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. on Friday imposed sanctions on six people affiliated with the Iranian-backed Iraqi militia Kataeb Hezbollah, which is accused of being behind a spate of recent attacks against U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria following the October 7 attacks by Hamas against Israel. Included in the sanctions are the militia’s foreign affairs chief, a member of its governing council, its military commander and a media spokesman. The sanctions block access to U.S. property and bank accounts and prevent the targeted people and companies from doing business with Americans.A spate of drone attacks hit U.S. bases in Iraq as recently as Friday, as regional tensions have flared up following the bloody war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Two U.S. defense officials confirmed three additional attacks on U.S. military facilities in Iraq and Syria on Friday, bringing the total number of attacks on U.S. and coalition military facilities in Iraq and Syria to at least 60. Th...

‘Very grateful for things:’ Woman who escaped Gaza appreciative of life in Canada

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:04:54 GMT

MISSISSAUGA — Rana Nassrawi has been appreciating the little things lately. After getting trapped in Gaza amid the Israel-Hamas war and narrowly dodging airstrikes with her two young sons, the 43-year-old Ontario woman says even being able to easily access clean drinking water now that she’s back home has her feeling grateful. “Nobody can go through what I’ve been through and never get changed. You will be very grateful for things you (took for) granted,” Nassrawi said in an interview at her home in a quiet neighbourhood in Mississauga, Ont.“The water you just open, wash your hands. You flush after you use the toilet … this was a very big issue for us in Gaza.”Nassrawi and her two sons – aged five and seven – were among the first cohort of Canadians who were able to evacuate from the besieged Palestinian territory since the war began on Oct. 7.Since getting back home last week, Nassrawi says just being able to fall asleep in relative quite, ...

Logan Airport ‘not an appropriate place’ for migrants arriving daily, Massport CEO says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:04:54 GMT

BOSTON (AP) — About 20 to 25 migrants are arriving daily at Boston’s Logan Airport, the head of the airport operator said Friday, with some seen camping out temporarily in baggage claim and elsewhere before trying to find a spot in the state’s overburdened shelter system.But Massport interim CEO Ed Freni told reporters that the airport is “not an appropriate place” for migrants to stay, even as some were seen sleeping at the facility as the state grapples with the shelter crisis. “When they come to Logan we meet them and we try to assist them, but we have to emphasize that Logan is not an appropriate place to house people,” Freni told reporters. The airport works with partners to transport the migrants to welcome centers and is looking to “other solutions in the future,” Freni said.This week, Massachusetts lawmakers did not approve $250 million in emergency aid for the shelter system.Massachusetts’ emergency shelter system hit a state-imposed limit of 7,500 familie...

Man shot and killed near CTA Howard Red Line Station ID'd

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:04:54 GMT

CHICAGO — A man was shot and killed near the CTA Howard Red Line Thursday, hours after a nearby CTA train crash left dozens injured. The deadly shooting victim was identified as 30-year-old Kenneth Sandy. NTSB investigating CTA crash that injured 38; Yellow Line remains suspended Friday Around 1:50 p.m. Thursday, officers responded to the 1600 block of W. Howard St. in Chicago's Roger Park neighborhood following reports that a verbal altercation turned physical. According to police, Sandy was shot in the stomach by an unknown offender who fled the scene. An investigation is ongoing. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines Anyone with information may leave an anonymous tip at cpdtip.com.

Ed Burke trial: Defense gets spotlight in opening statements Friday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:04:54 GMT

CHICAGO — Opening statements continue Friday in the Ed Burke federal corruption trial.On Thursday, prosecutors opened the trial by laying out what they called a "pattern of corruption."Defense attorneys began mounting a case that will paint a completely different picture of the once powerful alderman.Burke's defense attorney Chris Gair began his opening statement Thursday evening describing Burke as an "old school, hard working" public servant whose only goal was to help voters and businesses thrive.Prosecutors described him as an "extortionist" who is accused of "shaking down" business owners and institutions by withholding permits and blocking other actions from his position as finance committee chairman until they paid his law firm.Burke is facing 14 federal charges including racketeering, bribery and extortion. He's being tried along with his former chief of staff Peter Andrews and Portage Park developer Charles Cui.Lawyers for Andrews and Cui will deliver their opening statemen...

If your frozen turkey weighs this much, take it out of the freezer today

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:04:54 GMT

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) -- If you purchased a frozen turkey for your Thanksgiving meal, preparation needs to begin days ahead of time. Depending on the size, some turkeys can take days to thaw. If your frozen turkey is over 20 pounds, the Friday before Thanksgiving is the best day to take it out of the freezer to thaw in the refrigerator before cooking.Safely Thawing a TurkeySimply removing a turkey from the freezer and setting it on the counter is NOT a safe way to defrost a Thanksgiving bird. While the inside remains frozen, the outside of the turkey will quickly enter the “danger zone” between 40 and 140 degrees, where foodborne bacteria can quickly multiply. A turkey can enter this “danger zone” after sitting on the counter for just two hours.There are three safe ways to defrost a turkey. The following are recommendations from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to thaw your Thanksgiving turkey and avoid foodborne illness.Thawing in the RefrigeratorAllow appr...

LIVE: 'Pastore was always all-in': Crowds, law enforcement honor fallen Austin Police Officer Jorge Pastore

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:04:54 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Police Officer Jorge “George” Pastore, who died in the line of duty Nov. 11, was honored in Austin Friday morning.Law enforcement began setting up for the funeral procession at 7 a.m., and all vehicles equipped with emergency lights and sirens were invited to join. The procession for Pastore’s final patrol began at 8 a.m. MAP: Funeral procession route for fallen Austin Police officer People were encouraged to line the route of the procession to show support.The Austin Police Department said public visitation would be from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and the funeral service was from 11 a.m. to noon at the Germania Insurance Amphitheater, located at 9201 Circuit of the Americas Boulevard.Austin Police officer salutes as Officer Jorge Pastore’s procession moves past Interstate 35 and St. Johns (KXAN photo/Frank Martinez)Procession carries fallen APD Officer Jorge Pastore along his final patrol through Austin (KXAN photo)Crowds gather to show support during Office...

APD officer injured after being hit by stolen vehicle Friday morning

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:04:54 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — An Austin Police Department officer was injured Friday morning after they were hit by a stolen vehicle. According to APD, officers were patrolling the 7200 block of Hart Lane just before 7 a.m. when they came across the stolen vehicle. As officers approached, the driver accelerated and hit one of the officers, police said. The officer was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The incident happened off MoPac, close to the area where first responders gathered to begin the funeral procession for fallen APD officer Jorge Pastore, who was killed in the line of duty last weekend.

House Republicans to move to kill education savings accounts in school finance bill

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:04:54 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) — As a tense Texas House prepares to debate a massive $36 billion school finance plan on Friday morning, rural House Republicans have filed an amendment to strip the controversial provision that would establish education savings accounts (ESAs).State Rep. John Raney, a College Station Republican and longtime opponent of any school voucher plan, has proposed the amendment to eliminate the entire section of the bill that would establish ESAs. About 15 other Republicans signed onto that amendment, setting it up for success if all Democrats vote for it.Lawmakers expect a relatively short day should that amendment pass. If the House passes a bill without education savings accounts, it would be dead on arrival in the Senate, and Gov. Greg Abbott has said he would veto it. RELATED: School voucher bill to reach Texas House floor Friday for potentially pivotal vote Even before the debate began, House Bill 1 attracted criticism from both the strongest liberals and staunches...

Body of second missing Minnesota canoeist is recovered in northwestern Wisconsin

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:04:54 GMT

After more than two weeks of searching, crews have found the body of a second southern Minnesota man who went missing while canoeing in northwestern Wisconsin last month.The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said the body of 27-year-old Andrew DeRock was found Wednesday afternoon in the Minong Flowage in Douglas County.DeRock and 26-year-old Ryan Busch — both of New Ulm — had gone missing on Oct. 28 after their canoe capsized. Searchers found Busch’s body last week.The sheriff’s office said that weather conditions at the time of the incident were not considered a factor in the canoe capsizing, as conditions were calm and clear at the time.Authorities said weather conditions and underwater obstacles did hinder search efforts over the past couple of weeks. The search involved multiple agencies from across the region, including the St. Louis County Rescue Squad from Minnesota.Douglas County Sheriff Matt Izzard also acknowledged local businesses and residents in the Wascott, Wis., a...