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Syrian insurgents kill at least 9 soldiers in attack in the country’s northwest

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:05:48 GMT

BEIRUT (AP) — Al-Qaida-linked militants attacked an army position in northwest Syria on Friday, killing at least nine government soldiers and wounding others, opposition activists said. There was no immediate word from the government.The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor, said nine soldiers died as well as one of the attackers, who belong to the al-Qaida-linked Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, the strongest insurgent group in northwest Syria. It said 12 soldiers and one HTS member were wounded in the attack.Taher al-Omar, an opposition activist who closely follows HTS, said the attack in the northwestern province of Latakia killed 18 soldiers and several others.The attack came less than a week after insurgents in northwest Syria attacked an army position, killing and wounding more than 30 troops.In another part of north Syria, Turkey-backed opposition gunmen briefly captured the village of Mahsanli, which is controlled by Kurdish fighters. The...

Man arrested after two violent robbery attempts at jewellery stores in North York

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:05:48 GMT

A Toronto man is facing several charges after he allegedly attempted to rob two jewellery stores in North York while brandishing weapons.Police say they responded to a robbery call at a business in the area of Wilson Avenue and Dufferin Street on Aug. 21.It’s alleged a suspect disguised as a construction worker with a toolbox entered the store and pretended he was there to do work.The suspect grabbed an employee and tried to bind their hands with zip-ties before pulling out a hammer and smashing glass display cases and removing jewellery. Police allege the suspect then pulled out a knife and started threatening the store employees.After a struggle, the suspect dropped his toolbox, backpack and knife before fleeing the store without any stolen items.Toronto police responded to a second incident on Thursday at a jewellery store in a mall near Yonge Street and Empress Avenue.It’s alleged the suspect went to the store for a scheduled meeting to buy an expensive watch. While ...

Shooting of a brown bear leaves 2 cubs motherless and sparks outrage in Italy

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:05:48 GMT

ROME (AP) — The slaying of an endangered brown bear near an Italian national park left her two young cubs motherless and sparked outrage in Italy on Friday.Italy’s environment minister and animal rights advocates voiced anger and dismay over the killing of the bear in the mountainous Abruzzo region. Local residents, including families with small children, had often stopped to watch the bear and her cubs during the animal family’s frequent evening excursions through streets near the park.The National Park of Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise described the slain animal, nicknamed Amarena — or Black Cherry in Italian — as one of its most prolific brown bears. Residents coined the name because cherries and black cherries were among the bear’s favorite foods, the Corriere della Sera newspaper said.The man who shot the bear with a rifle Thursday night in the town of San Benedetto dei Marsi told police the animal was on his property and he felt in danger, the Italian news agency ...

Shuttle bus driver, 80, critical after crash at O'Hare Airport

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:05:48 GMT

CHICAGO — An 80-year-old shuttle bus driver is in critical condition after a crash at O'Hare International Airport.The accident happened around 2:15 a.m. Friday in the 0-100 block of West Terminal Street, near Terminal 5.According to police, the man was driving the bus southeast-bound when it struck a light pole and concrete retaining wall. The 80-year-old was ejected through the windshield, police said. Man stabbed while riding on CTA Red Line train: police He was transported to Lutheran General Hospital in critical condition. No passengers were onboard at the time of the crash, according to police.Major Accidents is investigating.

Does the FBI have a file on you? How to find out

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:05:48 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — It’s a common joke to refer to the FBI agent that “lives” in your phone, listening to your conversations and observing your phone usage (this is almost certainly not happening to you, as the FBI uses wiretapping “infrequently and only to combat terrorism and the most serious crimes”). But, it is possible the FBI has a “file” on you. Legally, you are allowed to request whatever information the FBI may have on you thanks to FOIPA: the Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act. Under FOIPA, Americans are entitled to request records from any federal agency. That agency is, in turn, required to release the information requested, unless it meets one of nine exemptions that protect personal privacy, national security, or law enforcement.  It doesn’t say ‘pickles’ on most pickle jars. Why is that? That also entitles you to request information the FBI has on you. To do so, you’ll need to complete a Privacy Act Request, which can be done online or by se...

Americans on both sides of the aisle want congressional term limits

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:05:48 GMT

(NewsNation) — An overwhelming majority of Americans on both sides of the aisle want term limits for members of Congress.That's the takeaway from a University of Maryland poll earlier this year that found 83% of voters support amending the constitution to establish term limits — including 86% of Republicans and 80% of Democrats.The survey also measured which arguments — both for and against the change — voters found persuasive."I would say the most significant factor here is this perception that Congress is not responsive to the people — that Congress has become too comfortable, too safe," said Steven Kull, a political psychologist and director of the Program for Public Consultation at the University of Maryland. Term limits are back in the spotlight after Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell appeared to freeze up for the second time in a little over a month Wednesday. The incident led Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., to declare McConnell "not fit for office."McConnell, who turned ...

$1M Powerball ticket sold in Chicago

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:05:48 GMT

CHICAGO — A Powerball ticket worth $1 million was sold at a Chicago store this week.The winning ticket was sold at UnCork It, located at 393 East Illinois Street, and matched all five numbers.The numbers are: 4-13-35-61-69. Related: Can a Mega Millions jackpot winner remain anonymous in Illinois? As for the shop, Illinois Lottery said is a third-generation family-owned business that’s been in business since 1928.The next Powerball drawing is this Saturday, September 2 at 9:59 p.m (CT). The jackpot is an estimated $420 million.

Kristen's Classroom: Types of clouds

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:05:48 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Clouds take on the form of all shapes and sizes - some fluffy, others wispy, and the mean ones - tall and dark. We can use clouds to help tell us what kind of weather to expect that day.In today's episode of "Kristen's Classroom," Meteorologist Kristen Currie discusses various cloud types and the weather they're associated with. AT-HOME EXPERIMENT:Supplies needed:cotton ballsglue stickglitter glue (optional)markerpaperApply glue to the paper, and use the examples in the video to make different cloud types using the cotton balls. Use a gray marker or glitter glue to color the bottom of clouds capable of precipitation.

Samsung announces $3.7 million commitment to UT for semiconductor ecosystem

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:05:48 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Samsung Austin Semiconductor on Friday morning announced a $3.7 million investment to the University of Texas for Central Texas' semiconductor ecosystem. Samsung said in a social media post the money will "bolster semiconductor ecosystem in Central Texas." The announcement was made during UT's Semiconductor Day, which is a full day of open forums bringing together industry leaders, academia, government officials and students to discuss the semiconductor industry, innovative research being done on campus, and the opportunity for Texas to continue its leadership in semiconductor manufacturing, according to a release.According to UT, the partnership includes funds for recruiting and supporting undergraduate and graduate students to study semiconductor manufacturing in the Cockrell School of Engineering and other majors across UT, as well as research and development support and upgrades to lab facilities. UT said in a release the partnership will "elevate UT’s semicondu...

Loons set to bring in Caden Clark from RB Leipzig

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:05:48 GMT

Minnesota United has wanted Caden Clark for years and the Medina, Minn., midfielder will soon be on his way to his hometown club.Clark has been an RB Leipzig player in the German Bundesliga since 2022, but will go on loan to Danish second-division side Vendsyssel FF until the end of 2023.Then Clark will join MNUFC for the 2024 season, a source confirmed to the Pioneer Press that MNUFC and Clark have agreed to terms and are still awaiting a singed transfer from Leipzig. The transfer fee has not been shared.Clark has been training with MNUFC since last week.This story will be updated. It was first reported by Manuel Veth of Forbes and Transfermarkt.Related ArticlesSoccer | Emanuel Reynoso ties Darwin Quintero as Loons leading scorer in 3-0 win Soccer | U.S. men’s national team shares intriguing roster for St. Paul friendly in September Soccer | Loons likely to be without Bongi Hlongwane for ‘important’ game against last-plac...