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US lawmakers visiting The Hague say Russian President Putin is committing genocide in Ukraine

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:44:24 GMT

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Members of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee said Wednesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin is committing genocide in Ukraine. Their comments came a day before they were scheduled to meet with the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court.The ICC in March issued an international arrest warrant for Putin for war crimes, accusing him of personal responsibility for the abductions of children from Ukraine. However, it has not yet charged him with any other offenses committed by Russian forces since their invasion of Ukraine more than 18 months ago.The committee’s chairman, Rep. Michael McCaul, a Texas Republican, told reporters during a visit to The Hague that Putin “tried to erase a culture, a people and a religion, and that is the definition of genocide.”Another member of the committee, Anne Wagner, a Montana Republican, agreed, speaking of the “crimes against humanity, the downright genocide that this man has per...

Text of the Bank of Canada’s latest interest rate decision

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:44:24 GMT

OTTAWA — The Bank of Canada kept its key interest rate target on hold at five per cent Wednesday. Here is the text of the central bank’s decision: The Bank of Canada today held its target for the overnight rate at five per cent, with the Bank Rate at 5.25 per cent and the deposit rate at five per cent. The Bank is also continuing its policy of quantitative tightening.Inflation in advanced economies has continued to come down, but with measures of core inflation still elevated, major central banks remain focused on restoring price stability. Global growth slowed in the second quarter of 2023, largely reflecting a significant deceleration in China. With ongoing weakness in the property sector undermining confidence, growth prospects in China have diminished. In the United States, growth was stronger than expected, led by robust consumer spending. In Europe, strength in the service sector supported growth, offsetting an ongoing contraction in manufacturing. Global bond yields hav...

A Myanmar journalist gets a 20-year sentence for reporting on cyclone’s aftermath, news site says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:44:24 GMT

BANGKOK (AP) — A court in Myanmar sentenced a photojournalist for an underground news agency to 20 years in prison with hard labor for his coverage of a deadly May cyclone’s aftermath, the media organization said Wednesday.The sentence given Sai Zaw Thaike, a photographer for the independent online news service Myanmar Now, appeared to be the most severe for any journalist detained since the military overthrew the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021.The press freedom group Reporters Without Borders said in April that Myanmar is the world’s second- biggest jailer of journalists, behind only China. The country ranks near the bottom of the group’s 2023 World Press Freedom Index, placing 176th out of 180 countries.Myanmar Now, which operates underground, reported that a military tribunal tried, convicted and sentenced Sai Zaw Thaike, 40, during the first court hearing since he was detained in the western state of Rakhine.The proceedings took place inside ...

Dozens of chickens, birds die in suburban barn fire

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:44:24 GMT

MCHENRY COUNTY, Ill. — Dozens of chickens and birds died Saturday in a large fire at a suburban barn.Just after 12:40 a.m., authorities were dispatched to the 9100 block of McConnell Road, located in unincorporated Woodstock, on the report of structure fire.At the scene firefighters observed a heavy fire and smoke showing from a barn on the rear of the property.The fire was considered under control by 1:04 a.m.Courtesy Woodstock Fire/RescueCourtesy Woodstock Fire/RescueCourtesy Woodstock Fire/RescueThe barn, approximately 35 feet by 40 feet in size, housed dozens of chickens and various birds.Nearly all of them perished in the fire, authorities said. Police: Motorcyclist weaving in traffic crashes, dies in suburbs The fire is not believed to be suspicious in nature. A small garage attached to the northern side of the barn was completely destroyed.

Pet food company issues recall on dog food over salmonella concerns

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:44:24 GMT

A pet food company has issued a voluntary recall over salmonella concerns.Mid America Pet Food is recalling one lot of Victor Super Premium Dog Food. The affected product was only sold in 5-pound bags. The company said the food has potential to be contaminated. The affected product was only sold in 5-pound bags. The affected product consists of 644 cases sold in 5-pound bags with lot code 1000016385 with Best By Date 4/30/2024.  More information on latest recalls here No human or pet illnesses have been reported to date, the FDA said.More information at on the FDA.org's website

'Shower orange' and 'mountweazel' among new terms officially added to Dictionary.com

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:44:24 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – Just when we think we’ve got a handle on the English language, Dictionary.com comes along and legitimizes terms like “shower orange” and “mountweazel.”As part of its continuing (and Sisyphean) efforts to keep up with today’s vernacular, Dictionary.com has officially added 566 new terms to the site, adopting words and phrases made popular thanks to technology, personal identity, climate change and, of course, the kids on social media.The site also adopted hundreds of new definitions for existing words, while revising the definitions of thousands of others.“Not only do we have to strive our best to keep up with language at the inexorable, unceasing pace of change in the form of adding new words, but we also have to update old definitions that are out of date or add new senses of existing words,” John Kelly, the vice president of editorial at Dictionary.com, explains in a statement shared with Nexstar. “On top of that, you can think of an online dictionary as a gigantic, co...

WATCH: Police lieutenant pulls unconscious driver from burning truck

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:44:24 GMT

SALISBURY, N.C. (WGN) — Police in North Carolina have released dramatic bodycam footage showing an officer’s rescue of an unresponsive driver from a burning truck after a fiery crash.According to the Salisbury Police Department, Lt. Corey Brooks had been responding to a separate incident shortly before 9 p.m. on Aug. 8 when he saw a tractor-trailer hit the retaining wall on Interstate 85 and catch fire. Hundreds of asylum seekers temporarily living at O’Hare International Airport The SPD said Brooks ran “without hesitation” to the truck’s cab and found the driver unconscious. After calling for help, Brooks pulled the driver from his seat and over the passenger side, then through the door. Another unidentified driver helped the lieutenant carry the driver across two lanes of traffic as the flames quickly engulfed the truck’s cabin.The driver regained consciousness as fire and EMS arrived. He was able to walk on his own to the ambulance and was taken to a local hospital, police said...

Gary Busey accused of hit-and-run in Malibu; victim shares footage appearing to back up claim

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:44:24 GMT

(KTLA) – Actor Gary Busey is reportedly under investigation for an alleged hit-and-run along the Pacific Coast Highway in California. As reported by Entertainment Weekly, a driver filed a police report claiming Busey, 79, crashed into her back bumper while exiting a Malibu shopping center last Wednesday. He then drove away, she said.The case is being investigated by the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station. A spokesperson for the station confirmed to EW that Busey was specifically named in the hit-and-run report filed last week.Gary Busey appears at the Entertainment Studios' Daytime Emmy and series launch party for "Mr. Box Office" in Los Angeles on June 19, 2012. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File)TMZ also posted a video, recorded by the alleged victim, that shows her chasing down and confronting "The Buddy Holly Story" actor after the collision."You hit my car," she shouts at Busey, who turns to look at her. "I need your information. Sir! You hit my car!"The woman told TM...

Dean shares his recipe for Greek Spinach Pie

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:44:24 GMT

WGN Entertainment Reporter Dean Richards shares his recipe for Spanakopita — a Greek Spinach Pie.Ingredients:12 tablespoons unsalted butter (a stick and a half)2medium leeks (about 1½ pounds), white and pale-green parts only, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced crosswise (about 3 cups)6 garlic cloves, choppedKosher salt and black pepper1½ pounds fresh baby spinach¾ cup chopped fresh parsley leaves½ cup chopped fresh dill½ cup freshly grated Parmesan2 teaspoons lemon zest, plus 2 teaspoons juice (from 1 large lemon)Pinch of ground nutmeg2 large eggs, beaten6 ounces feta cheese in brine, drained and crumbled (about 1½ cups feta.  I prefer Dodoni brand)8 sheets phyllo dough.   #4 thickness but any thickness will work, thawed, laid flat on a sheet pan and loosely covered with a towel Dean shares recipes featuring fresh tomatoes Directions: Step 1:In a large (preferably 10-inch) cast-iron skillet, melt 3 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add the leeks and ga...

Shenendehowa focusing on student support for new school year

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:44:24 GMT

CLIFTON PARK, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Shenendehowa Central School District kicking off their first day of classes Sept. 6.; Dr. Oliver Robinson, Superintendent for the district, said this year represents a renewed focus on how they can support their students. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! “Yesterday we had a superintendent’s conference day and the term I spoke about was “US,” Robinson said. "Unequivocally supportive. Each person makes such a difference in the life of a child and that’s our responsibility, our obligation.”That unequivocal student support is something the district hopes will make a difference as they focus on getting back to true normalcy and enhancing the student experience. “Obviously we have the academic side which is the learning in the classroom," Ron Agostinoni, high school Principal, said. "But, just as important is what happens outside the classroom, making sure it’s a positive experience making sure they have good da...