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FBI: 1 person fatally shot during multiday hostage rescue

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:49:21 GMT

HOUSTON (AP) — One person was fatally shot during a hostage rescue on Thursday in Houston, according to the FBI.FBI agents had been part of a multiday law enforcement operation to rescue a group of hostages, the agency’s Houston office said in a statement.“All the hostages have been safely rescued, no FBI agents are injured, and one individual is deceased,” according to the statement.The shooting took place early Thursday morning in north Houston.The FBI declined to say how many agents were involved or where the shooting took place. A large police presence was seen late Thursday morning at a motel.The FBI said it was assisting the Waller County Sheriff’s Office in the rescue operation but declined to provide more information on the number of hostages or what led to the shooting.“There is no threat to public safety at this time,” the FBI said. The sheriff’s office in Waller County, located northwest of Houston, referred all calls to the county’s district attorney’s office.Waller Coun...

Trudeau mulls response to ‘appalling and abhorrent’ Uganda LGBTQ death-penalty bill

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:49:21 GMT

OTTAWA, Kan. — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is calling on Uganda to repeal legislation the East African country passed this week to bring in a death penalty targeting members of the LGBTQ community.The legislation prescribes the death penalty for the offence of “aggravated homosexuality,” such as having sex while being HIV positive, and life imprisonment for homosexuality, as well as jail terms of up to 20 years for those promoting LGBTQ rights.Trudeau says he wants to “condemn in the absolute strongest terms the despicable law put forward by the Ugandan government” and that Ottawa “stands against” it.The prime minister says he’s considering options to support the LGBTQ community in Uganda, and that all world leaders — especially fellow members of the Commonwealth — should condemn the “appalling and abhorrent” legislation.Washington has urged Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni to block the legislation passed by lawmakers on Tuesd...

No red carpet? French unrest impacts King Charles III’s trip

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:49:21 GMT

PARIS (AP) — Unrest in France is tarnishing the sheen of King Charles III’s first overseas trip as monarch, with striking workers literally refusing to roll out a red carpet amid pension reform protests and calls for the visit to be canceled altogether.The British king is scheduled to undertake the trip beginning Sunday on behalf of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s government, which hoped a glamorous royal tour would underscore efforts to rebuild Anglo-French ties that were frayed by the U.K.’s decision to leave the European Union.But anger over French President Emmanuel Macron’s resolve to increase the retirement age by two years are clouding what was meant to be a show of bonhomie and friendship. Instead, Charles’ visit is being seen as an unnecessary display of hereditary privilege.“It’s very bad timing. Normally the French would welcome a British king. But in this moment, people protesting are on high alert for any sign of privilege and wealth,” Paris-based w...

Here are the countries that have bans on TikTok

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:49:21 GMT

LONDON (AP) — A growing number of countries in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific have banned the popular video-sharing app TikTok from government devices as privacy and cybersecurity concerns increase. A handful have prohibited the app altogether.The company’s CEO faced a grilling Thursday from U.S. lawmakers. TikTok, which is owned by the Chinese technology company Bytedance, has long maintained that it does not share data with the Chinese government. The company points to a project its carrying out to store U.S. user data in the U.S., which it says will put it out China’s reach. It also disputes accusations it collects more user data than other social media companies, and insists that it is run independently by its own management. But many governments remain cautious about the platform and its ties to China. Here are the places that have implemented partial or total bans on TikTok:AFGHANISTANAfghanistan’s Taliban leadership banned TikTok and the game PUBG in 2022 ...

IL Secretary of State awards law enforcement $21M to combat carjacking

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:49:21 GMT

CHICAGO — Car thefts and car jackings continue to trend in the wrong direction with its steady rise. Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias awarded law enforcement in Illinois $21 million dollars to help turn that trend around. Car thefts and carjackings continue to be a problem nationwide with its initial peak at the beginning of the pandemic. Earlier this month, using statistics collection by the National Insurance Crime Bureau, the Chicago Tribune reported auto thefts in Chicago is up 55 percent in 2022 compared to the year before, making Chicago the top city of car thefts last year. Police: 21-year-old Navy sailor missing in Waukegan Six agencies will split the sum including the Chicago Police Department which will receive $1.5 million. The Illinois State Police are set to receive the largest amount, totaling $10.2 million, which Director Brendan Kelly stated will be used, in part, to purchase mobile plate readers and replace two airplanes.Chicago police have been making progre...

Off-duty pilot steps in to help land Southwest flight after pilot becomes 'incapacitated'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:49:21 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – An off-duty pilot was on the right flight at the right time Wednesday after the plane's pilot suffered a medical emergency. Southwest Airlines Flight 6013 had just departed from Las Vegas when one of the pilots required medical attention, the airlines told USA Today and NBC. Additional details about the pilot's health issue weren't available. As heard in recordings obtained by LiveATC, a member of the flight crew can be heard saying the pilot had stomach pain before they "fainted or became incapacitated." The pilot "came back" after about a minute, someone says in the archived recording, and had been taken to the back of the plane. Ambulance and departing plane come within 173 feet: ‘Significant potential for collision’ Thankfully, a pilot from another airline was among the passengers on Wednesday's Southwest flight. That pilot then stepped into the flight deck and helped with radio communication while the second Southwest pilot flew the plane back to Las Vegas.Federa...

The top barbecue joint in every state, according to Yelp

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:49:21 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – Make no bones about it: Barbecue is one of America’s favorite cuisines.Barbecue, however, is also the subject of some of the most heated debates among foodies. What qualifies as “barbecue” in one region of the country might not pass in another, seeing as some folks might prefer baby-back ribs over St. Louis-style, or the flavors of mesquite over hickory. And don’t even get started on the sauces.The best barbecue, therefore, is truly in the taste buds of the beholder.With that in mind, it’s perhaps easier to set aside any preconceived notions and enjoy some regional styles of barbecue — even if it’s not exactly one's preferred style. To help determine where some of the most finger-lickin’ examples can be found, the analysts at Yelp have compiled a list of the platform’s top-rated barbecue joints in every state, based on the recommendations from its user community. It should be noted, though, that Yelp’s findings are also based on the “total volume” of reviews for each bar...

Dean Richards chats with the stars of TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:49:21 GMT

Zurin VillanuevaAri GrooverGarrett TurnerEvent:TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL – Presented by Broadway In ChicagoPlaying now through April 2 at The James M. Nederlander Theatre (24 W. Randolph St., Chicago) Tickets can be purchased at http://www.broadwayinchicago.comhttps://tinaonbroadway.com/

DeSantis proposes expansion of law criticized as 'Don't Say Gay'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:49:21 GMT

(The Hill) - Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’s (R) administration is proposing an expansion of a law — dubbed “Don’t Say Gay” — that prohibits classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity to all grades in the state.The proposal to expand the ban on classroom instruction on the topics was proposed by the state Education Department, and would ban such lessons in grades 4-12, unless it is expressly required by state academic standards or part of a reproductive health course which a parent has the option to opt out of. The current law prohibits the teaching to students in pre-K to third grade.The proposal would not need legislative approval and is set to be voted on by the state Board of Education next month, according to the Associated Press, setting up a possible extension of a law that has drawn applause from conservatives but has been criticized as a move that stifles free speech and targets the LGBTQ community. DeSantis has tapped into cultural issues, including q...

Amber Alert issued for 13-year-old last seen in Azle, near Fort Worth

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:49:21 GMT

AZLE, Texas (KXAN) -- An Amber Alert was issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety Thursday for a 13-year-old last seen in a town near the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Aubree Trainer was last seen Wednesday at 7:15 p.m. in the 1000 block of Boyd Road in Azle, Texas, which is about 17 miles northwest of Fort Worth. Trainer is described as:5'4"103 lbsBrown hairGreen eyesLast seen wearing glasses, a black t-shirt with 'Tupac' written in print, tie-dye pants, white slide shoes, and her hair in a bunTrainer was seen traveling with an unknown suspect in a white panel van with unknown license plates, pictured below. Anyone with information should call 911.Aubree Trainer was last seen in this van, with an unknown suspect, on Wednesday at 7:15 p.m. in the 1000 block of Boyd Road in Azle, Texas. (Photo: Texas DPS)Aubree Trainer was last seen in this van, with an unknown suspect, on Wednesday at 7:15 p.m. in the 1000 block of Boyd Road in Azle, Texas. (Photo: Texas DPS)Call 817-444-3221 to re...