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Putin calls for ex-Soviet states to expand their influence and comments on Israel-Hamas war

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:21 GMT

Russian President Vladimir Putin attended a Friday summit of a Moscow-dominated alliance of several ex-Soviet nations and commended the growing cooperation between them despite Western sanctions against Russia.Putin met in Kyrgyzstan’s capital, Bishkek, with the leaders of most fellow members of the Commonwealth of Independent States. He told reporters that economic exchanges between Russia and the alliance’s other nations have increased despite Western threats to punish them for maintaining ties with Moscow.He specifically hailed a new deal on joint air defenses with Kyrgyzstan, saying it would help further bolster military ties. Kyrgyzstan, a member of a Moscow-led security pact, already hosts a Russian air base.At the same time, Putin sought to downplay Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s failure to attend the summit in Bishkek. He noted that Pashinyan has a lot on his plate after Azerbaijan reclaimed control last month of Nagorno-Karabakh, sparking a mass exodu...

NYC lawmaker arrested after bringing a gun to protest at Brooklyn College

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:21 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — A pro-Israel lawmaker in New York City was arrested Friday for bringing a handgun to a student demonstration supporting Palestinians.Inna Vernikov, a Republican member of the City Council, was seen in photos and videos with the butt of a pistol jutting out from her waistband while attending a student protest at Brooklyn College, according to the New York Police Department.She turned herself in on Friday morning, was charged with felony criminal possession of a weapon and released.Vernikov, who obtained a license last month to carry a concealed weapon, surrendered her firearm following the arrest, police said. Under New York law, licensed gun owners may not bring weapons to certain sensitive locations, including protests and school grounds. The state requires people licensed to carry handguns to keep them hidden from public view.Vernikov did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. The phone at her district office in Brooklyn rang unanswered Friday. ...

Suburban man was high on marijuana while striking, killing 81-year-old, prosecutors allege

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:21 GMT

BUFFALO GROVE, Ill. — A suburban man was charged last week for allegedly striking and killing a 81-year-old man earlier this year while high on marijuana.On the night of April 8, police responded to the area of Buffalo Grove Road and Golf View Terrace on the report of a crash involving a pedestrian.At the scene, officers discovered 81-year-old Alex Gorn, of Buffalo Grove, suffering from critical injuries. He later died at the hospital.The driver, 33-year-old Shalmil Naftaliev, of Hoffman Estates, stayed at the scene and was not injured. ‘I’m going to fall’: Northwest Indiana woman accused of letting kids ride on roof of car; daughter injured On Oct. 4, Naftaliev was charged with an aggravated DUI for allegedly being over the legal blood limit for cannabis. He turned himself in, police said. Naftaliev was released and given his next court date of Nov. 3

Officials assessing storm damage in Calumet City

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:21 GMT

CALUMET CITY, Ill. — Residents who suffered damage during last month's severe weather in Calumet City could get some help.President Joe Biden has already issued a disaster declaration for Cook County for the summer storms but Friday’s focus was on the storms that happened in September. Teams with FEMA, the state emergency management, county and local officials went door to door to talk to homeowners in Calumet City. They conducted preliminary damage assessments and gathered information for the governor. FEMA opens Chicago area recovery centers for those affected by summer storms If the governor declares a disaster for the September 16 and 17 storms, then that would get the ball rolling to FEMA and Biden to see if another federal disaster declaration would be issued. This the way for federal assistance for homeowners .From the summer storms, the deadline to apply for relief has been extended through the end of this month. Homeowners who were initially denied can also appeal.Fo...

Why do you need glasses to prevent permanent eye damage during eclipse?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:21 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — We're less than a day away from the first of two solar eclipses over the next few months.On Oct. 14, an annular eclipse will briefly dim the skies over sections of the western U.S. and Central and South America. Viewing the eclipse safely will require some prep on your part, however."(I see) a few patients a year that have either accidentally looked at the sun or were trying to view an eclipse," said Dr. Andrew Neighbors, a Seattle-based optometrist.According to Neighbors, damage caused by looking at the sun during an eclipse is called eclipse blindness or solar retinopathy. This damage may heal over time but could be permanent. Neighbors said there is little that can be medically done to repair this damage.What happens during eclipse blindness?Eclipse blindness appears as a black dot in your vision, Neighbors said."If you've ever seen a car headlight or something like that, it's really bright, and then afterwards, you can kind of see the car headlight. It would be l...

A new Blackhawks era is underway - already with some Connor Bedard excitement

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:21 GMT

Dave Melton of Second City Hockey joins "9 Good Minutes" to talk about the start of the Blackhawks 2023-2024 season & the first games for No. 1 overall pick Connor Bedard.CHICAGO — It's a very, very small sample size, but already there have been some rave reviews about the play of the Blackhawks' No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft.After all, Connor Bedard got two major firsts out of the way in his first two games with the franchise, while also showing a few glimpses of what could be to come. But, again, it's just two games, and the hope is that the center will continue to grow his game to reach his full potential as the face of a new era of Blackhawks' hockey.Yet there are other things that fans should be looking at as the team takes another step towards building a winner. Bedard is one of the early pieces to a new core that can try to repeat the success that the 2010s team enjoyed thanks in big part to talent that came up from within the organization. Kevin Korchinski, th...

Texas Senate gives final approval to ban on COVID-19 vaccine mandates for private employers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:21 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — At the end of a marathon 15-hour day Thursday, the Texas Senate voted along party lines to approve legislation that bans COVID-19 vaccine mandates for private employers, though the author carved out a slight caveat on how some of the rules will apply to hospitals and health care facilities in the state. Senate Bill 7, introduced by Republican Sen. Mayes Middleton of Galveston, passed on a vote of 19-12 Thursday evening, sending it to the Texas House of Representatives for further consideration. The legislation would bar employers from adopting or enforcing a mandate "requiring an employee, contractor, applicant for employment, or applicant for a contract position to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment or a contract position." Senate passes plan to let Texas parents use public funds to pay for private schools Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick released a statement applauding the Senate's decision. "The passage of SB 7 will return medical freedom to Texans ...

Israeli, Palestinian rallies at Texas Capitol this Sunday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:21 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Two groups have rallies planned at the Texas Capitol this Sunday surrounding the events of the Israel-Hamas war.The Austin branch of the Israeli-American Council will host a rally from 12 to 3 p.m. The Palestine Solidarity Committee, a student organization at UT Austin, will host its rally starting at 3 p.m., according to the group's social media accounts. As war continues to rage in Israel, the Texas Department of Public Safety said at this time it is not aware of any specific and credible threats to Texas but wants the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity.Austin Mayor Kirk Watson said the city is on "high alert."“We have not received any information to believe that a threat is imminent here in Austin. However, our Austin Police and Homeland Security & Emergency Management departments are on high alert to help prevent and respond to any act of violence that may be attempted,” the mayor said Thursday. City of Austin on high alert as...

Abbott urges school choice supporters to 'not be like UT Football' in final push

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:21 GMT

Austin (Nexstar) — Governor Greg Abbott said supporters of school choice are close to their goal at the Capitol. But Thursday night, he urged backers to avoid mimicking the Texas Longhorns in the final push for the legislation. Abbott spoke at Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF) 2023 Parent Empowerment Leadership Summit dinner, about an hour after the Texas Senate gave preliminary approval to a bill to allow parents to use public funds to pay for private education. Senate passes plan to let Texas parents use public funds to pay for private schools "We are on the one-yard line, a good place to be," Abbott said.Abbott referenced Texas Football's play calling in Texas's 30-34 loss to Oklahoma in 2023's edition of the Red River Rivalry. He referenced UT's lack of success at the one-yard line as a metaphor to illustrate the current risk, even with success seeming close."UT took four downs from the one-yard line, and — because of strategies, decision making, and maybe execution — they...

Where and when to see peak fall colors in Texas in 2023

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:21 GMT

Editor's Note: The above video shows when you can see fall colors across the U.S.TEXAS (KAMR/KCIT) — As communities around Texas welcome the autumn season with an array of festivals and excitement for the upcoming holidays, they're also looking forward to cooler weather and scouting out the best view of vibrant fall foliage. However, as noted by the 2023 fall foliage forecast by Smoky Mountains National Park, autumn colors will touch Texas treetops over the course of multiple months and won't start to peak until November. Much like seasonal allergies, the timing for when Texans will be able to fully appreciate the leaves changing will depend on where exactly they are in the vast regions of the Lone Star State.Here's a look at where Texans and travelers alike can get some of the best views of fall foliage in 2023, and when to time their trip to do so. Big Bend Country and Panhandle-Plains | Nov. 6 - Nov.18While the westernmost and northernmost tips of Texas are expected to see the le...