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House Republicans start making their case for President Biden impeachment inquiry at first hearing

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:57 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — After insisting for months that they have the grounds to launch impeachment proceedings against President Joe Biden, House Republicans on Thursday opened their first formal hearing to make the case to the public, their colleagues and skeptics in the Senate.The chairmen of the Oversight, Judiciary, and Ways and Means committees are using the first hearing of their impeachment inquiry to review the constitutional and legal questions surrounding their investigation of Biden. They are trying to show what they say are links to his son Hunter’s overseas businesses, though they have yet to produce hard evidence of any serious wrongdoing. Rep. James Comer, R-Ky, the Oversight chairman, said in opening remarks the lawmakers have “a mountain of evidence” that will show that the elder Biden “abused his public office for his family’s financial gain.It’s a high-stakes opening act for Republicans as they begin a process that can lead to the ultimate penalty for a pre...

Israel reopens the main Gaza crossing for Palestinian laborers and tensions ease

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:57 GMT

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israel reopened a main crossing with the Gaza Strip on Thursday, easing tensions and allowing thousands of Palestinian laborers to enter the country for the first time since it was sealed earlier this month. The opening of the crossing was a sign of de-escalation after two weeks of violent protests along Gaza’s frontier with Israel, where Palestinian demonstrators have thrown explosives and rocks and launched incendiary balloons that have sparked fires in Israeli farmland. The outbreak of protests came as the Hamas militant group that rules Gaza, cash-strapped as its financial crisis worsens, slashed the salaries of its civil servants by nearly half this month. Political analysts have described the protests at the separation fence as an attempt by Hamas to wring concessions from Israel and the militant group’s financial patron, Qatar. Hamas insists that it never called for the protests, though it gave the rallies tacit consent. In response to...

A fire breaks out for the second time at a car battery factory run by Iran’s Defense Ministry

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:57 GMT

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — A fire broke out Thursday at a car battery factory owned by Iran’s Defense Ministry for the second time in less than a week, state media reported.No one was injured in the blaze, which erupted in an area where plastic waste is stored, state TV said. Iranian news outlets circulated photos and video footage of a column of black smoke rising into the sky north of the capital, Tehran.Iran’s regular military and its paramilitary Revolutionary Guard operate several factories across the country, many of which produce civilian goods.Iran has seen a series of fires and other mishaps in its military facilities over the years, and often accuses its archenemy Israel of sabotage. Last month, Iran said Israel tried to sabotage its ballistic missile program through faulty foreign parts that could explode.Iran has been under heavy Western sanctions for several years that prevent it from importing a range of machinery and replacement parts, forcing it to build its own...

Kari Lake, prominent Trump supporter and election denier, will launch US Senate campaign in Arizona

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:57 GMT

PHOENIX (AP) — Republican Kari Lake, a Donald Trump ally who has refused to acknowledge her loss in last year’s race for Arizona governor, will soon launch her campaign for the U.S. Senate seat held by independent Kyrsten Sinema, a senior adviser said Thursday.Lake’s entrance in one of next year’s top Senate contests likely complicates Republican efforts to nominate candidates with a broader appeal after a disappointing showing for the party in last year’s midterms. She will enter the race as the front-runner for the GOP nomination. Caroline Wren, a senior adviser to Lake, confirmed that she will open her campaign with an Oct. 10 rally. The Wall Street Journal first reported the news.A charismatic former television anchor who is well known in the Phoenix market, Lake built an enthusiastic following among Republicans with her unflinching support for Trump and her steadfast promotion of false claims of election fraud. Lake’s star power stretches far beyon...

Police search for next of kin after woman found dead in Toronto

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:57 GMT

Toronto police are hoping to speak with the next of kin of a woman who died earlier this month at a residence in the Oakdale-Beverly Heights neighbourhood.Investigators say on Sept. 1., Danielle Wagner, 40, was found dead at her residence in the Jane Street and Wilson Avenue area.A spokesperson said police have been unable to locate next of kin to inform them of her passing, and authorities are seeking information regarding her family.Toronto police did not disclose how the woman died.Anyone with information is asked to contact investigators.

Storm Elias slams into a city in central Greece, filling homes with mud and knocking out power

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:57 GMT

VOLOS, Greece (AP) — A second powerful storm in less than a month hammered parts of central Greece on Thursday, sweeping away roads, smashing bridges and flooding thousands of homes.The storm — called Elias — caused extensive flooding in the central city of Volos and left hundreds stranded in nearby mountain villages. The fire service carried out multiple rescues and evacuations, authorities said. Rescuers were also searching a mountainous area for the pilot of a private helicopter that went missing in the bad weather . “All of Volos has turned into a lake,” Volos Mayor Achilleas Beos told state television. “People’s lives are in danger. Even I remained trapped, and 80% of the city is without power. … I don’t know where God found so much water. It’s like the story of Noah’s Ark.”Bad weather earlier this month struck the same area, killing 16 people, and causing more than 2 billion euros ($2.1 billion) in damage to farms and infrastructure.Military and municipal crews scrambled to fl...

Man critical after shooting on Red Line platform

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:57 GMT

CHICAGO — A man is in critical condition after he was shot on a CTA Red Line platform overnight. Police were called to the Garfield Red Line stop around midnight Thursday. According to a CTA spokesperson, video shows an argument between two groups that escalated into a shooting on the platform.The man was transported to University of Chicago Medical Center where he is listed in critical condition. The Red Line train was shut down between 63rd and 95th street. Police issue restroom alert after body piercing operation discovered in Northwest Indiana school CTA told WGN the Red Line trains will now operate on the same track between 79th and Garfield but did not give any details on the incident. There was no additional information provided and police are investigating the incident.No one is in custody.

'It's amazing': Chicago day care focuses on teaching sign language

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:57 GMT

CHICAGO — A day care in Bucktown has been using sign language to amplify communication skills in infants and toddlers.The Learning Experience, located in the 2600 block of North Jones Street, starts teaching American Sign Language to infants as early as 6 weeks old."Everything has to do with repetition," said teacher Jessica Zaragoza. "The more frequently the teachers are doing it, they start picking up everything we do, everything we role model in the classrooms, they starting picking up and doing at home. So why not teach them sign language if it’s an easier way for them to communicate with us?"Obviously, 6-week-old infants are not going to pick up ASL right away, but since babies are "sponges," the signs come easier for them later on."We start very simple like 'milk' and 'mom and dad,'" Zaragoza told WGN News. "You don't see it automatically, but over time they start signing and we start seeing their fine motor skills develop."Toddlers aren't known as the best for conflict resolu...

See the Haunted Houses in the Chicago area in 2023

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:57 GMT

CHICAGO - It's that time of year when everyone will dare to be scared - and we've got a few places that can help you find that Halloween spirit.WGN News Now has come up with a list of Haunted Houses in the Chicagoland area that are slated to be opened in late September or early October. 64 Fall Festivals and events coming to Chicagoland this autumn Here are some of the places we've found that you can visit over the 2023 Halloween season.Chicago Nightmare on Clark StreetBamboo Club - 3505 North Clark Street, ChicagoOpen through Oct. 31WebsiteThe Catacombs 6143 W. Irving Park Road, ChicagoOct. 6 - Oct. 29WebsiteNorth SuburbsDungeon of Doom600 29th Street, ZionSept. 29 - Nov. 4WebsiteScream Scene4701 Oakton Street, SkokieOct. 6 - Nov. 4WebsiteFright Fest Six Flags Great America - 1 Great America Parkway, GurneeNow until Oct. 31WebsiteNorthwest SuburbsRealm of Terror421 W. Rollins Road, Round Lake BeachSept. 29 - Oct. 29WebsiteEvil Intentions900 Grace St, ElginSept. 29 - Oct. 31Websit...

California city becomes first in nation to recognize legal rights of nonhuman animals

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:57 GMT

(KTLA) - The California city of Ojai is now the first city in America to recognize the legal rights of a nonhuman animal. The Ojai City Council voted to adopt the ordinance introduced by Councilmember Leslie Rule (District 1) and developed with the Nonhuman Rights Project (NhRP) by a vote of 4-1 on Tuesday night. The ordinance defines and protects elephants’ rights to liberty, NhRP said in a press release. “It’s indisputable that elephants suffer when deprived of their freedom and that animal welfare laws can’t end their suffering,” said NhRP Director of Government Relations and Campaigns Courtney Fern. “For elephants and the nonhuman animal rights movement, we are proud to support this first-of-its-kind ordinance and we commend the Ojai City Council for standing up for what is necessary and just.”  California official submits proposal to have new national monument near Joshua Tree National Park Elephants have been found to be quite similar to humans; they are ...