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Blinken, senior diplomats seek G7 unity on Israel-Hamas war and other global crises

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 13:25:57 GMT

TOKYO (AP) — The Group of 7 leading industrial democracies worked to forge a unified stance on the Israel-Hamas war at intensive meetings in Tokyo on Wednesday, with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and other senior diplomats looking to contain a worsening humanitarian crisis and stop a spillover of fighting into the wider Middle East.The second and final day of the G7 Foreign Minister talks intersects with a flurry of global crises. While the devastating monthlong conflict in Gaza and the humanitarian suffering that has followed Israel’s response to the deadly Oct. 7 Hamas attack lead the agenda, the envoys are also dealing with Russia’s war in Ukraine, North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs and China’s growing aggression in territorial disputes with its neighbors. Blinken, who arrived in Tokyo after a whirlwind tour of the Middle East, said it’s crucial to find a unified stance on the war in Israel, similar to what diplomats have done over Ukraine and other major issues...

October obliterated temperature records, virtually guaranteeing 2023 will be hottest year on record

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 13:25:57 GMT

This October was the hottest on record globally, 1.7 degrees Celsius (3.1 degrees Fahrenheit) warmer than the pre-industrial average for the month — and the fifth straight month with such a mark in what will now almost certainly be the warmest year ever recorded.October was a whopping 0.4 degrees Celsius (0.7 degrees Fahrenheit) warmer than the previous record for the month in 2019, surprising even Samantha Burgess, deputy director of the Copernicus Climate Change Service, the European climate agency that routinely publishes monthly bulletins observing global surface air and sea temperatures, among other data.“The amount that we’re smashing records by is shocking,” Burgess said.After the cumulative warming of these past several months, it’s virtually guaranteed that 2023 will be the hottest year on record, according to Copernicus.Scientists monitor climate variables to gain an understanding of how our planet is evolving as a result of human-generated greenhouse gas emissions. A warm...

North Korea threatens to respond to anti-Pyongyang propaganda leaflets with a ‘shower of shells’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 13:25:57 GMT

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea on Wednesday criticized rival South Korea for removing a law that banned private activists from sending anti-Pyongyang propaganda leaflets to the North, insisting that such activities amount to psychological warfare and threatening to respond with a “shower of shells.”The statement published by North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency was the first time state media commented on the decision by South Korea’s Constitutional Court in September to invalidate a 2020 law that criminalized leafletting. The decision was based on concerns that it excessively restricted free speech.The ruling came in response to a complaint filed by North Korean defector-activists in the South. They included Park Sang-hak, who has been a frequent target of North Korean government anger for his yearslong campaign of flying leaflets across the border with giant balloons.North Korea is extremely sensitive about any outside attempt to undermine leadership of authorit...

Democrats win on abortion rights and other highlights from Tuesday’s elections

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 13:25:57 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — There was plenty in the early results of Tuesday’s off-year election to make Democrats happy, but it shouldn’t be enough to make them feel secure heading into next year’s presidential election.Abortion rights supporters won an Ohio ballot measure and the Democratic governor of beet-red Kentucky held onto his office by campaigning on reproductive rights and painting his opponent as extremist on abortion.The off-year elections have major implications for both of those states and provide a snapshot of American politics heading into 2024. But two big names — Joe Biden and Donald Trump — weren’t on the ballot.Here are some key results from Tuesday’s voting.ABORTION REMAINS POTENT FOR DEMOCRATSDemocrats notched two early wins Tuesday night in Kentucky and Ohio, both states that voted for Trump in 2020. In both states, abortion was the main issue.In Kentucky, Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear was reelected in a state that Trump had won by 26 percentage ...

Claims of political targeting spark drama in Dolton

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 13:25:57 GMT

DOLTON, Ill — It’s a town in turmoil. Village Board meetings erupt into chaos amid allegations of misspending and harassment. And lawsuits accuse officials of targeting political opponents.It’s becoming a regular occurrence in south suburban Dolton.It seems no one agrees on who to blame, though many concede it’s the residents and business owners who are suffering.“It’s all a very big abuse of power,” Stephanie Wiedeman, director of the Dolton Park District, said. Take the case of Lawrence Gardner. The Dolton truckyard owner claims he’s been repeatedly harassed for not supporting Mayor Tiffany Henyard.“I’m suffering,” Gardner said. “They destroyed my trucking company. They shut my store down.”Gardner said the village wrongly revoked his business license. Village records, however, show he’s been accused of throwing illegal parties.Where his allegations are concerned, he’s not alone.Others in town share similar stories of alleged retaliation for not backing Henyard, a former trustee wh...

Investigation underway after woman carjacked outside home on Far South Side

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 13:25:57 GMT

CHICAGO — An investigation is underway after a robbery and carjacking on the city's Far South Side last week, police say.According to Chicago police, it all unfolded just before 9 p.m. on Thursday in the 9300 Block of South Pleasant Avenue in the city's Beverly neighborhood.  Chicago crime experts offer tips on how to avoid carjackings, minimize harm Police say a 46-year-old woman and a 12-year-old girl were exiting a black Audi A7 in the area when they were approached by two men on foot. The two men then held the victims up at gunpoint and pushed the older woman to the ground before demanding her car keys.According to police, the two men then took the victim's belongings and fled the scene in the stolen car, heading eastbound. Neither of the victims were injured in the robbery and carjacking and police say no arrests have been made.  Tips from Chicago crime experts on how to avoid robberies, minimize harm Anyone with information that could help authorities in the...

Lockport freshman to be bused to another high school due to campus repairs

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 13:25:57 GMT

LOCKPORT, Ill. -- Freshman at Lockport High School will be bused to a different building days after an old, plaster ceiling collapsed at the schools Central Campus.Students from Lockport Central have attended classes online for the past several days, which some students and administrators said is not sustainable. But repairs to the current building are expected to take longer than originally thought.The Lockport Township High School Board of Education held an emergency meeting on Tuesday to discuss the decisions made surrounding the challenges posed by facility usage at Central Campus and how it will impact school operations.On Friday, Superintendent Robert McBride issued a letter to parents updating parents that the Central Campus will remain closed following a plaster ceiling collapsing on the third floor. The historic Lockport Central High School was built in 1909. ORIGINAL: Students evacuated after partial ceiling collapse at Lockport Township HS The temporary option discussed...

Brighton Park residents voice opposition to migrant camp in 12th Ward

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 13:25:57 GMT

CHICAGO — Brighton Park residents were fired up Tuesday evening, voicing their displeasure at a public meeting over City plans to set up a temporary migrant camp in the 12th Ward.According to City officials, a temporary camp that could house as many as 2,000 migrants is on the cards for a site near West 38th Street and South California Avenue to get folks into temporary, warm locations as winter fast approaches.Although the site is officially located in the 12th Ward, 15th Ward Alderman Raymond Lopez said his residents will be affected too."Brighton Park is represented by the 12th and the 15th ward," Lopez said. "I have no impact on the decision, but [residents] should have the opportunity to publicize their concerns or, in writing, we’ve had over 200 email responses already to this location." Keeping yourself safe: Chicago crime experts offer tips on how to avoid carjackings, minimize harm Dozens took to the mic at the meeting, where most emphasized they are not against migrants ...

House GOP attempts to cut Buttigieg salary to $1 via spending bill

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 13:25:57 GMT

(The Hill) -- House Republicans moved to reduce Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg’s salary to $1, as lawmakers debate spending bills ahead of the government funding deadline next week.The salary cut for Buttigieg was put forth by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) and adopted by voice vote as an amendment to the 2024 Transpiration and Housing and Urban Development spending bill.“Pete Buttigieg doesn’t do his job. It’s all about fake photo ops and taxpayer-funded private jet trip to accept LGBTQ awards for him,” Green posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. “I’m happy my amendment passed, but he doesn’t deserve a single penny.”The underlying bill needs to be approved by the full House and is unlikely to be approved by the Senate. Ohio passes Issue 1 ballot measure enshrining abortion protections The Holman Rule — which gives members the ability to propose amendments for appropriations bills that decrease the salaries for specific federal workers or programs to $...

KXAN projects voters approve $500 million bond for Travis County roads and parks

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 13:25:57 GMT

TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) – Travis County residents approved two bonds worth $509 million, helping to fund park and roadway projects across the region, according to KXAN projections. Travis County officials said the bond will support growth and improve safety in the region. This is the largest bond package to ever be approved by voters in the county's history. ELECTION DAY BLOG: Texans vote on 14 state constitutional amendments, local propositions "I think the statement that the voters of Travis County have made is that they understand we need to invest in our future," Travis County Judge Andy Brown said. "That's what they did today and over the last two weeks is make sure that Travis County is going to be a beautiful place for years and years to come – for my kids and future generations to enjoy the parks and the safe roads and all the great things that Travis County has to offer," Brown continued. Proposition A costs $233 million and funds ten roadway capacity projects across ...