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Syria’s Assad to head to China as Beijing boosts its reach in the Middle East

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:46 GMT

DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Syria’s President Bashar Assad will head to China later this week in his first visit to Beijing since the start of his country’s 12-year conflict during which China has been one of his main backers, his office said Tuesday.China has been expanding its reach in the Middle East after mediating a deal in March between Saudi Arabia and Iran, and it continues to support Assad in the Syrian conflict, which has killed half a million people and left large parts of the nation in ruins.China could play a major role in the future in Syria’s reconstruction, which is expected to cost tens of billions of dollars. Syria last year joined China’s Belt and Road Initiative in which Beijing expands its influence in developing regions through infrastructure projects.Assad’s office said the Syrian leader was invited by Chinese President Xi JInping for a summit and will head Thursday to Beijing along with a high-ranking Syrian delegation.Syria’s worsening economic crisis...

Israel shuts down main crossing with Gaza after outbreak of border violence

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:46 GMT

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israel has barred entry to thousands of Palestinian laborers from the Gaza Strip following an eruption of violent protests that have escalated tensions along the volatile frontier.The string of protests — disrupting weeks of calm at the separation fence — comes during a sensitive holiday season in Israel that began with the Jewish new year last week and continues through the Sukkot festival next week. During Sukkot, large numbers of Jews are expected to visit Jerusalem’s most sensitive holy site, revered by Jews as the Temple Mount and Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary. The compound, home to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, is often a focal point for violence.Over the last week, dozens of Palestinians — burning tires and hurling explosive devices at Israeli soldiers — have streamed toward the fence separating Israel from Gaza, which has been under an Israeli-Egyptian blockade since 2007. Israel says the blockade is needed to prevent the ruling Hamas militant group...

Biden to exhort world leaders to stand up to Russia, warns not to allow Ukraine ‘to be carved up’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:46 GMT

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — President Joe Biden will use his annual address before the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday to make a robust case that the world must remain united in defending Ukraine against Russian aggression, warning that no nation can be secure if “we allow Ukraine to be carved up.” The U.S. president will call on world leaders to not allow support for Ukraine to diminish, arguing that Russia is counting on countries to grow tired of prolonged conflict in Kyiv which will “allow it to brutalize Ukraine without consequence.”“But I ask you this: If we abandon the core principles of the U.N. Charter to appease an aggressor, can any member state feel confident that they are protected?” Biden plans to say in his address, according to excerpts released by the White House. “If we allow Ukraine to be carved up, is the independence of any nation secure?The answer, Biden will say, is no. “We must stand up to this naked aggression today to deter other would-be aggressors ...

Boebert breaks it off with 'Beetlejuice' date after headlines over her behavior at performance

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:46 GMT

(The Hill) - Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) says she’s scrapping any more romantic outings after getting booted out of a “Beetlejuice” performance, exclaiming, “All future date nights have been canceled.”The Colorado Republican, along with a male companion, was escorted out of a Denver theater last week for vaping, singing and “causing a disturbance” during a performance of “Beetlejuice.” The incident was first reported by The Denver Post.A Boebert spokesperson initially denied that the lawmaker had been vaping, before video surfaced showing her doing so at the theater.Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., a member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, leaves the chamber after the Republican-controlled House voted along party lines to censure Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., one of the most outspoken critics of former President Donald Trump, for comments he made several years ago about investigations into Trump's ties to Russia, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, June 21, 2023...

Remember late folk singer Roger Whittaker

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:46 GMT

CHICAGO — The music world is mourning the death of a singer and songwriter who had a connection to WGN-TV almost 40 years ago.Roger Whittaker, a well-known folk singer and songwriter, died at the age of 87 on September 13, his family announced on his official Facebook page on Monday."His life, artistry and legacy has meant so much to so many all over the world. We are thankful that the gift of his music remains with us," was posted on the announcement of his death on the social media platform.He earned over 250 silver, gold, and platinum awards in a career that started in the early 1960s and continued through the 2010s. Whittaker is remembered for hits like 'Wind Beneath My Wings." "Durham Town (The Leavin')," "New World in the Morning," and "The Last Farewell."Viewers of WGN-TV might remember the last song since it was used for station ID's from 1977-1981.One thing that he was also known for was his ability to whistle during his performances for audiences throughout his 50-year per...

Robin's list of the ten most followed Instagram accounts in the world

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:46 GMT

CHICAGO — There are over two billion people who are on the social media platform that features a variety of pictures and videos from around the world.But there are a few accounts on Instagram that simply get more attention than the others, whether it's based on the fame of the account holder or the content they post. Robin Baumgarten, a user of the social media platform herself, decided to find out who has the most users in the world as of this week. It's an array of stars of screen and sport whose followers number well into the millions and command plenty of attention on Instagram. You can see who Robin found to have the most followers during this edition of "The List" on September 19's WGN Morning News in the video above.Love the WGN Morning News? We love you, too. And you can have all the hijinks delivered to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign up and subscribe to our WGN Morning News newsletter.

Ex 'Drug Czar' talks FDA action against e-cigs, Texas law that punishes kids for vaping

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:46 GMT

(KXAN) -- Earlier this year, the U.S Food and Drug Administration announced it would crack down on the illegal sale of disposable e-cigarettes.“The FDA has started the process but sadly, what I'm concerned about are the number of kids that are dying until the FDA takes more aggressive action,” said Jim Carroll, the former director of the National Drug Control Policy.As “Drug Czar,” Carroll served as the principal advisor to former President Trump on drug policy for three years.“The Government needs to get these devices, not only off the shelves of stores, but they need to block these disposable vaping devices coming from China, from even getting into our country.”A recent analysis from the Associated Press found thousands of vapes are entering the U.S illegally.Carroll warned that some of the disposable vapes may contain the dangerous opioid fentanyl. “These disposable vaping devices, if they're coming into the country illegally, we have no earthly idea what's going on. Not only is ...

Ranked: Best colleges in the Capital Region for 2024

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:46 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- U.S. News & World Report has released its 2024 Best Colleges rankings. Colleges are ranked in different categories with the main ones being National Universities, National Liberal Arts Colleges, Regional Universities, and Regional Colleges. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! In the Albany area, 10 schools made any of these lists. Two colleges were left unranked: The Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, and Maria College. These U.S. News rankings do not include community colleges.Here are the best colleges in the Capital Region.10. SUNY Empire State CollegeSUNY Empire State CollegeRanked 152-167 in Regional Universities North, 55-58 in Top Public Schools, 402 in Nursing, and 146 in Top Performers on Social MobilityLocated in Saratoga SpringsPublicTuition and fees: $17,540 (out-of-state), $7,630 (in-state)Undergraduate enrollment: 7,7359. The College of Saint RoseRanked 119 in Regional Univers...

AG's Office investigating fatal Fulton County officer-involved shooting

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:46 GMT

JOHNSTOWN, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The New York Attorney General's Office is investigating the fatal officer-involved shooting from Johnstown on Sunday. State Police say 28-year-old Nathan Wood was shot and killed by a Johnstown police officer after police say he tried to attack the officer with a hammer. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Police say around 6 a.m. on Sunday, Wood entered a home on Washington Street without permission. When the property owner who lives in the downstairs apartment told him to leave, Wood allegedly struck the victim multiple times with a hammer.Upon the arrival of Johnstown Police, Wood was confronted by an officer, but failed to follow police commands and reportedly proceeded to strike the officer with the hammer. The officer then discharged their firearm, striking Wood. Police say they recovered two hammers at the scene. WCSO: Lake George man arrested after driving stolen U-Haul Wood was taken to ...

Gas prices up more than 10 cents overnight, topping $6 per gallon in L.A. area

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:46 GMT

On Monday, rising gas prices neared an average of $6 per gallon in the Los Angeles area.It only took one more day for that benchmark to be eclipsed.On Tuesday, the average price of a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline was nearly $6.03 in the L.A. area, according to AAA.That's about 11 cents higher than Monday's $5.92.Gas prices also rose statewide, though not by as much as they did in the Southland.The state average price is $5.76, up about 7 cents from $5.69 on Monday.Nationally, however, gas prices actually dipped about a tenth of a cent, remaining right around $3.88 per gallon.Even with the higher prices in L.A. Tuesday morning, the all-time record for average gas price remains the $6.49 recorded last year on Oct. 5, 2022.