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North Korean arms for Russia probably wouldn’t make a big difference in the Ukraine war, Milley says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:19:25 GMT

OSLO, Norway (AP) — North Korea may be able to boost Russia’s supply of artillery munitions for the war in Ukraine, but that is not likely to make a big difference, the top American military officer said as he arrived in Norway for NATO meetings that began Saturday and will focus in part on the conflict.U.S. Army Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the recent meeting in Russia between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin will probably lead North Korea to provide Soviet-era 152 mm artillery rounds to Moscow. But he said it was not yet clear how many or how soon.“Would it have a huge difference? I’m skeptical of that,” Milley told reporters traveling with him. He said that while he does not want to play down the weapons assistance too much, “I doubt that it would be decisive.”Foreign governments and experts have speculated that Kim will likely supply ammunition to Russia in exchange for receiving advanced weapons or...

Hundreds protest against the Malaysian government after deputy premier’s graft charges were dropped

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:19:25 GMT

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Hundreds of people staged an anti-government rally Saturday in the Malaysian capital, accusing Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of helping his key ally escape prosecution in exchange for political support.Prosecutors unexpectedly dropped 47 corruption charges against Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi on Sept. 4, late in the process of his trail. The court approved the application for dismissal but refused to grant Zahid a full acquittal, which means he can be recharged. Speakers addressing the crowd Saturday in Kuala Lumpur accused Anwar’s government of interfering with the case to let Zahid off the hook in return for political support. Some protesters in the opposition-backed rally wore white shirts emblazoned with the words “Fight Corruption.” They marched in the city center chanting, “Charge Zahid,” “Reform is dead” and “Down with Anwar.” Protester Muhamed Yahya said there was a “hidden hand at work” that led to the charges against Zahid being dro...

Erdogan says Turkey may part ways with the EU. He implied the country could ends its membership bid

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:19:25 GMT

ISTANBUL (AP) — President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Saturday that Turkey may part ways with the European Union, implying that the country is thinking about ending its bid to join the 27-nation bloc.“The EU is making efforts to sever ties with Turkey,” he told reporters before departing for the 78th U.N. General Assembly in New York.“We will evaluate the situation, and if needed we will part ways with the EU.”He was responding to a question about a recent report adopted by the European Parliament, which stated “the accession process cannot resume under the current circumstances, and calls on EU to explore ‘a parallel and realistic framework’ for EU-Türkiye relations.”Turkey applied to join the European Union in 1999, and accession talks began in 2005. Accession negotiations were frozen in 2018 because of “democratic backsliding,” according to the European Parliament.Erdogan’s statement on Saturday came more than a week after Turkey’s foreign minister affirmed his country’...

Supply problems and insurance issues make popular weight-loss drugs hard to get

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:19:25 GMT

When she prescribes the popular weight-loss drug Wegovy, Dr. Angela Fitch sends patients on a quest she likens to “The Hunger Games.”They will have to call drugstores over several days to find one with the properly sized first dose. Then they’ll do that again for their second dose, and probably the third. And that’s only if the patient has insurance or the means to afford a drug that can cost more than $1,300 a month.“This is not for the weak-willed,” said Fitch, who is president of the Obesity Medicine Association and also consults for drugmakers. Supply problems and insurance complications have made it difficult for people to start — and stay on — Wegovy and similar medications that are transforming obesity treatment, according to doctors and patients around the country. They say getting the high-demand, injectable drugs requires persistence and a fair amount of luck.People starting on Wegovy have to take injections of gradually increasing strength before they reach th...

2 critical after shooting in Palatine: Police

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:19:25 GMT

PALATINE, Ill. -- Two individuals are in critical condition after a shooting in Palatine Friday night, police said. Officers responded to a call of a person shot int he 1800 block of Green Lane North and found two victims with life threatening gunshot wounds. ‘He left a huge impact’: Students shocked after assistant principal killed in shooting in Loop high-rise Palatine police is investigating the incident and WGN will update as more information is recovered.

14-year-old boy shot and killed near Hillcrest HS ID'd: Police

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:19:25 GMT

COUNTRY CLUB HILLS, Ill. -- A 14-year-old boy who was fatally shot near Hillcrest High School Friday night has been identified by the medical examiner's office. The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office identified the boy as 14-year-old Marshawn Mitchell from Hazel Crest, Illinois. Officers responded to shots fired at the high school near the 17000 block of Pulaski Road around 9 p.m. of shots fired. 2 critical after shooting in Palatine: Police Police found a male victim with gunshot wounds. He was transported to a local hospital for life-threatening injuries and was pronounced dead at 9:40 p.m.The Hillcrest Haws Football team posted a statement on their Facebook page:"We are all saddened by the events that happened tonight after our Homecoming Football Game against Oak Forest. There is an active investigation by all the appropriate authorities! We are praying for all involved! Please pray for our staff and students who have been affected by this unfortunate, senseless act of vio...

What are the Jewish High Holy Days?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:19:25 GMT

(The Conversation) - In this time of year, Jewish people observe the High Holy Days in the month of Tishrei in the Jewish calendar, usually in September and October. These holidays commemorate concepts such as renewal, forgiveness, freedom and joy.As a scholar of the Bible and the ancient world, I am continually impressed with how the history of these festivals offers consolation and encourages people toward living well, even during uncertain and troubled times.What are the High Holy Days?Of the two main High Holy Days, also called the High Holidays, the first is Rosh Hashanah, or the New Year celebration. It is one of two new year celebrations in Judaism, the other being Passover in the spring.The second High Holiday is Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement.In addition to the main Holy Days, there are other celebrations that occur as part of the festival season. One is Sukkot, or the Festival of the Booths, during which meals and rituals take place in a “sukk...

More thunderstorms today

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:19:25 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Mason and San Saba Counties will be under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 11 a.m. At this time there is no severe weather in these counties.Possible severe storms this morning in San Saba and Mason CountiesTwo rounds of showers and thunderstorms will add to to the rain the area has received in the past week. There will be a few showers and thunderstorms for the Hill Country this morning.A much better chance of showers and thunderstorms arrives this afternoon with the potential for heavy downpours. This round of precipitation makes it to the Hill Country between 1 and 2 p.m. Storms on the interstate late this afternoonThe rain and storms march east to the interstate between 4 and 5 p.m. Off they go to the east between 6 and 8 p.m. The Weather Prediction Center has a Marginal flash flood threat for much of our viewing area. Marginal flood riskThe Storm Prediction Center also has a Slight Risk for severe weather from I-35 to the Hill Country. The main threats come fr...

New Minnesota law lets anyone use crossbows for archery deer season

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:19:25 GMT

Minnesota’s archery deer season starts Saturday, Sept. 16, and, for the first time, anyone who wants to hunt with a crossbow can use one.Legislators last spring changed the state law, which previously limited crossbow use during archery season only to people over age 60 or who had a physical impairment that would prevent them from using a traditional bow.Minnesota Department of Natural Resources officials will be monitoring crossbow use over three seasons and are then required to report back to lawmakers on whether the expansion causes any major issues.The law allowing crossbows for everyone sunsets, or ends, after three years, after which point the Legislature would have to reapprove it to keep it going.If other states that have allowed unlimited crossbow use are any example, tens of thousands of Minnesota hunters are expected to eventually pick up and use crossbows for their archery season deer hunting over the next three seasons. And it’s not hard to see why. Crossbows are more l...

Colorado employers ramp up hiring in August, easing fears of a slowdown

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:19:25 GMT

Colorado employers ramped up hiring in August, but it wasn’t enough to keep the state’s unemployment rate from rising above 3% for the first time in 15 months.Colorado’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate rose from 2.9% in July to 3.1% in August, and the number of unemployed workers rose by 4,700 last month. The U.S. unemployment rate rose from 3.5% to 3.8% over the same period.The state added a net 5,600 new nonfarm jobs last month, with the private sector adding 9,100 jobs and government employers shed 3,500 jobs on a seasonally adjusted basis.July’s job gains, which initially came in at an anemic 800, were revised sharply higher to a gain of 3,400.“The resiliency of the labor market may mean that Colorado will avoid a recession or significant downturn. That is great news as we head into the fourth quarter in a couple of weeks,” said Broomfield economist Gary Horvath in an email.Senior state labor economist Ryan Gedney said in a news call Fri...