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Global chemical weapons watchdog says it found no evidence to back Syrian claim of 2017 gas attack

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:51 GMT

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — The global chemical weapons watchdog said Tuesday it found no evidence to support a claim by Syria that its forces were attacked using toxic gas in 2017.The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons said that its fact-finding mission concluded that “there are no reasonable grounds to determine that chemicals were used as a weapon” in two incidents in July and August 2017 in Massasneh, a village in the central province of Hama.Syria asked the OPCW to investigate after reporting a “mortar attack with poisonous gas” on its army in the town in fighting with rebels.The watchdog sent a team to Syria three times to investigate and interview witnesses but they found no evidence of a gas attack, according to the Fact-Finding Mission report.The fact-finding mission has issued 20 reports covering 73 instances of alleged chemical weapons use in Syria. It has found that chemical weapons were used or likely used in 20 incidents. The mission is not mandated...

Putin says Russia is ‘united as never before’ at meeting of Russia- and China-led security group

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:51 GMT

NEW DELHI (AP) — President Vladimir Putin claimed Tuesday that the Russian people were “united as never before,” as he sought to project confidence in the wake of a short-lived revolt, at a meeting of a rare international organization where he can find a sympathetic audience.The Shanghai Cooperation Organization meeting, hosted via videoconference by India, was Putin’s first multilateral summit since an armed rebellion rattled Russia and comes as he is eager to show that the West has failed to isolate Moscow over its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.The Asian security grouping, founded by Russia and China to counter Western alliances, also welcomed Iran as a new member, bringing its membership to nine nations. Speaking via video link from the Kremlin, Putin praised the organization for “playing an increasingly significant role in international affairs, making a real contribution to maintaining peace and stability, ensuring sustainable economic growth of the participating states, and strengt...

Palestinian attacker wounds 4 in Tel Aviv as Israel presses on with West Bank operation

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:51 GMT

JENIN, West Bank (AP) — A Palestinian man careened his car into pedestrians in Tel Aviv on Tuesday, wounding at least four people, in an attack praised by the Islamist militant group Hamas as a response to Israel’s ongoing military operation in the occupied West Bank. Israeli paramedics said at least four people were wounded when a car careened into pedestrians on a sidewalk in the seaside city. Police spokesman Eli Levi told Kan public radio that the incident was a deliberate attack, and that a civilian shot and killed the driver at the scene.The Hamas militant group praised the attack as “heroic and revenge for the military operation in Jenin.” Israeli media identified the attacker as Hasin Halila, 23, a Palestinian man from a village near the West Bank city of Hebron. The attack came as Israeli troops pressed ahead with their hunt for Palestinian militants and weapons in a West Bank refugee camp, after military bulldozers tore through alleys and thousands of residents fled ...

The leaders of the Netherlands and Luxembourg tell Kosovo and Serbia to normalize ties for EU hopes

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:51 GMT

PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) — The leaders of the Netherlands and Luxembourg on Tuesday said that normalizing ties between Kosovo and Serbia would serve not only regional peace and stability but also their prospects of future integration into the European Union.Prime Ministers Mark Rutte of the Netherlands and Xavier Bettel of Luxembourg were on a trip to Pristina after a visit to Belgrade on Monday.They both called on Kosovo and Serbia to deescalate recent tensions that have threatened to push the Balkan region into instability as Europe faces Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. “We are here to listen. And we are here to try to build these bridges which are sometimes between neighbors. Not that easy to build,” said Bettel, adding “so we have to avoid every new crisis.”Rutte said that “I believe this is necessary not only for peace and stability in the region, but also for the prospects of further EU integration.”Tensions between the two countries flared anew in May after Kosovo police s...

Several robberies reported in Lincoln Park

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:51 GMT

CHICAGO — Chicago police are investigating a string of robberies in the city’s Lincoln Park neighborhood.The robberies took place within 20 minutes early Tuesday.All of the victims told police that someone got out of a SUV and demanded they give up their belongings.Police said the first robbery took place at 12:07 a.m. on the 2000 block of North Howe.Police said a 27-year-old man and 26-year-old woman were approached by two males who exited a white SUV and demanded their belongings.Eight minutes later, a 23-year-old woman was robbed the same way on the 800 block of West Belden.In this instance, police said the victim said one man got out of a silver SUV and took their belongings.Then, three minutes later, police said a 19-year-old woman was in the 2200 block of North Burling when two people approached her after jumping out of silver SUV and took her belongings.Read more: Latest Chicago news headlinesThe last robbery took place at 12:20 a.m. in the 220 block of North Geneva. Police s...

Somber anniversary: Highland Park marks one year since July Fourth mass shooting

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:51 GMT

HIGHLAND PARK, Ill.  — Tuesday marks one year since the mass shooting at the Highland Park Fourth of July parade.There are several events planned to mark the somber anniversary.The day will kick off with a remembrance ceremony outside Highland Park's city hall at 10 a.m.As part of that ceremony, there will be a moment of silence at 10:14, the exact moment gunshots rang out. More: Grief lingers one year after Highland Park Fourth of July shooting Seven people were killed and 48 injured in the mass shooting.After the remembrance ceremony, there will be a community walk and a musical performance in honor of the victims.The day's events will wrap up with a drone show.WGN News will carry the ceremony during special live coverage beginning at 10 a.m.

Stars of 'Joy Ride' on film's all star, all Asian cast

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:51 GMT

"Joy Ride" is the new buzzed-about bad girl comedy featuring an all star, all Asian lead cast.The film follows a group of friends on a business trip that takes a wild turn.Comedian and actress Sabrina Wu talked about what it's like to be part of such a boundary breaking film.Get Dean's reviews and A-List interviews delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for Dean's Downloads weekly newsletter. You'll also get his Dean Cooks recipes too!

Austin weather history: The hottest, coldest and wettest Fourth of Julys

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:51 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — What kind of weather does Austin typically see on the Fourth of July?A high of 95, a low of 74 and about 0.06" of rain. But what about the extremes?The National Weather Service has weather data for Austin dating back to the 1890s.KXAN dug through the archives to find the hottest, coldest and wettest Fourth of Julys in history.Austin has hit 100° a total of 12 times on July 4. Camp Mabry, Austin's official weather reporting site, got to 104° on the Fourth of July in 2009, making it the hottest in recorded history.On the other end, two Fourth of Julys failed to reach 80°.The high temperature in both 1976 and 1985 was 79°, making them the coolest in history.And what about low temperatures? In 1924, Austin dropped to a low of 59° on the Fourth of July, making it the coldest in recorded history.The rest of the top 10 coldest Fourth of Julys all saw temperatures at or below 70°.July is statistically one of the driest months of the year. In a typical July, Austin gets about...

Austin Symphony holds concert and firework show

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:51 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Symphony is hosting the H-E-B Austin Symphony July 4th concert and firework show on Auditorium Shores Tuesday night, open and free to the public. Here's what you need to know if you are planning to attend the event, which involves music from the Austin Symphony, food and drinks, and a firework show with the Austin skyline as the backdrop. Schedule of events According to the Austin Symphony website, the event will open to the public starting at 5 p.m. at the Long Center for the Performing Arts, with performances on the newly 3D-printed pavilion. The performers are scheduled below: 5:00 pm to 5:30 pm - Anna Macias Fiddlers6:00 pm to 6:30 pm – Lurleen Ladd7:00 pm to 7:30 pm – Austin SoundwavesThe main event will begin at 8:00 p.m. with fireworks expected to begin at 9:30 p.m. What to bring and what not to bring The city of Austin has provided a list of things you can and cannot bring with you to the event on its website. The city advises people to ...

Best thrifting spots in Austin, according to KXAN viewers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:54:51 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Ready to "pop some tags" a la Macklemore? Austin has a number of local thrift shops with one-of-a-kind finds, in addition to larger thrift shops like Goodwill Central Texas stores and The Salvation Army Family Stores. KXAN asked y'all on Facebook and Twitter where you thrift in Central Texas. Here are some of your responses: Assistance League Shop: 4901 Burnet Road, AustinAustin Creative Reuse: 2005 Wheless Lane, AustinAustin Pets Alive! Thrift Shop5801 Burnet Road, Austin1409 W. Oltorf St., Austin5102 Clarkson Ave., AustinBits & Pieces: 4107 Hwy. 71, BastropDoubletake Austin: 6318 Burnet Road, AustinGather & Co: 13500 Galleria Circle, Ste. D1-102, Bee CaveHabitat for Humanity ReStore500 W. Ben White Blvd., Austin2521 S. Interstate 35, San Marcos13804 N. US-183, AustinThrift Center: 101 S. First Street, AustinThrift Land: 512 W. Stassney Lane, Ste. 107A, AustinThrift Town: 5700 Manchaca Road, Ste. 240, AustinTop Drawer Thrift: 4902 Burnet Road, AustinTreasure...