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Former Brooklyn resident sentenced to life in prison for aiding Islamic State group as sniper

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:50:32 GMT

New York (AP) — A former New York stock broker who fled his job and family to fight alongside Islamic State militants in Syria, then maintained his allegiance to the extremist group throughout his trial, was sentenced to life in prison on Tuesday. Ruslan Maratovich Asainov, who served as a sniper and instructor for the Islamic militant group at the height of its power, sat grinning in the Brooklyn courtroom, flashing a thumbs-up and stroking his bushy beard as a judge read out the sentencing. His own court-appointed attorney, Susan Kellman, declined to ask for a lighter sentence, noting her client was not interested in distancing himself from the Islamic State fighters in exchange for leniency. “It’s rare that I start my remarks at sentencing by saying I agree with the government,” Kellman said. “This is who he is. This is what he believes, fervently.”Asainov, a 47-year-old U.S. citizen originally born in Kazakhstan, was living in Brooklyn in late 2013 when he abandoned his young da...

Rep. Jim Jordan has lost the first ballot for speaker. Here’s what’s next

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:50:32 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Rep. Jim Jordan faced strong opposition to his House speakership bid Tuesday as more than a dozen Republicans voted against him on a first ballot.It’s second time this Congress that the House has faced multiple rounds of voting for speaker, following the protracted struggle in January, when Kevin McCarthy won the gavel on the 15th attempt. Twenty GOP lawmakers voted for a candidate other than Jordan, as many protested the removal of McCarthy as speaker earlier this month and the process that has unfolded to replace him. Conservatives have been mounting an intense pressure campaign to persuade the final holdouts to support Jordan, but some of his opponents appear even more determined to stop him from becoming speaker. Jordan will need to flip at least 16 Republicans to become speaker, as Democrats are certain to continue backing their own nominee, Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York. Republicans currently control the House 221-212. The House is expected to come...

Republicans reject Rep. Jim Jordan for House speaker on a first ballot, signaling more turmoil ahead

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:50:32 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — More turmoil ahead, Republicans rejected Rep. Jim Jordan for House speaker on a first ballot Tuesday, as an unexpectedly numerous 20 holdouts denied the hard-charging ally of Donald Trump the GOP majority needed to seize the gavel.Additional voting was expected as the House hit a standstill, stuck while Jordan works to shore up support from Republican colleagues to replace the ousted Kevin McCarthy for the job. Reluctant Republicans are refusing to give Jordan their votes, viewing the Ohio congressman as too extreme for the powerful position of House speaker, second in line to the presidency.It’s been two weeks of angry Republican infighting since McCarthy’s sudden removal by hard-liners, who are now within reach of a central seat of U.S. power. The vote for House speaker, once a formality in Congress, has devolved into another bitter showdown for the gavel. Jordan said after the first vote that he was not surprised and expected to do better in the next...

Maren Morris files for divorce from Ryan Hurd, citing music couple’s ‘irreconcilable differences’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:50:32 GMT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Maren Morris has filed for divorce from her husband Ryan Hurd, citing the prominent country music couple’s “irreconcilable differences” after five years of marriage.Morris filed the divorce complaint in Nashville circuit court on Oct. 2, writing that the couple have been separated since that date. They were married in March 2018.Morris and Hurd have one 3-year-old son, Hayes, who has lived with them in Nashville since he was born. According to the filing, Morris and Hurd “are unable to live together successfully as husband and wife and are experiencing irreconcilable differences in their marriage.” Morris also filed proof that she has already completed a parenting seminar generally required in divorce cases.Representatives for Morris and Hurd could not immediately be reached for comment about the divorce filing.The Grammy-award winning Morris, who is from Texas, is best known for platinum country hits like “The Bones,” “My Church” and her 2018 dance hit...

Stock market today: Wall Street drifts and yields rise as U.S. shoppers show they’re still spending

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:50:32 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street drifted to a mixed finish Tuesday following the latest signal that the U.S. economy remains solid, though perhaps too strong for the Federal Reserve’s liking.The S&P 500 edged down by 0.43, which is well less than 0.1%, to 4,373.20 after flipping between small gains and losses through the day. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 13.11 points, or less than 0.1%, to 33,997.65, and the Nasdaq composite fell 34.24, or 0.3%, to 13,533.75.Financial markets have been shaky in recent weeks due to worries about war in the Middle East and its potential impact on oil prices. But those worries have receded a bit to put the focus back on what usually drives the stock market’s long-term movements: where interest rates, the economy and corporate profits are heading.A report on Tuesday showed shoppers spent more at U.S. retailers last month than economists expected. That’s a sign of a healthy economy and likely a result of a still-solid job market, which should he...

TSX composite posts small gain Tuesday, U.S. stock markets mixed

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:50:32 GMT

TORONTO — Strength in base metals and battery metals stocks helped Canada’s main stock index eke out a small gain Tuesday, while U.S. stock markets were mixed on the heels of a report on retail sales.In Canada, the latest data on inflation showed more of a slowdown than analysts expected as headline inflation dipped to 3.8 per cent in September. Meanwhile in the U.S., fresh retail sales data came in stronger than anticipated.The S&P/TSX composite index closed up 72.00 points at 19,692.80.In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 13.11 points at 33,997.65. The S&P 500 index was down 0.43 points at 4,373.20,while the Nasdaq composite was down 34.24 points at 13,533.75.Markets on both sides of the border on Tuesday reflected uncertainty about the future when it comes to interest rates, earnings and consumer health, said Adelaide Chiu, portfolio manager, vice-president and head of responsible investing at NEI Investments. While the U.S. banks recently kicked off...

Emergency crews respond to home explosion in DeKalb County

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:50:32 GMT

DEKALB COUNTY, Ill. — Emergency crews are on the scene after a home explosion in DeKalb County on Tuesday afternoon.SkyCam9 was over the scene in the 5800 block of Goble Road around 3:16 p.m. where debris could be seen scattered and smoke was billowing from the scene. Crews from the Paw Paw Fire Protection District, who is working the scene, confirmed to WGN-TV News that the home exploded. Vigil to be held Tuesday for 6-year-old boy fatally stabbed in apparent hate crime Currently, it is unclear what led to the explosion or if anyone was injured.This is a developing story, stay with WGN News for the latest updates.

Illinoisans are the worst tippers in the US: study

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:50:32 GMT

CHICAGO — When it comes to Midwest hospitality toward tipped workers, a new study shows Illinoisans aren't footing the bill. According to a USA TODAY study, Illinois residents are the worst tippers in America. Examining tips nationwide over two weeks, Illinoisans tipped an average of 14.22%. For example, the report showed that Illinois tippers would pay about $85.66 for a $75 bill (before tax) based on the state's tipping average.The national average for tippers in the US is 17.94%SEE ALSO: Chicago suburb Aurora named one of the safest cities in the USState (Worst tippers in the US)PercentageIllinois14.22%Mississippi14.98%South Carolina 15.13%New Mexico15.32%Tennessee15.40%According to a USA TODAY study, Illinois residents are the worst tippers in America.The study, conducted from Sept. 11-25, found that California residents tipped the most, averaging 22.69%Millennials were found to be the best tippers in the country, averaging 18.18%. In contrast, the Silent Generation (adults born...

Bears sign another quarterback this week

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:50:32 GMT

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — With Justin Fields' status for this week and perhaps longer up in the air due to an injury, the Bears are adding another quarterback to their roster. Trace McSorley is coming to Chicago to do what he's mostly done since entering the league four years ago. The Bears have confirmed the signing of quarterback Trace McSorley to the practice squad. .He would live the third quarterback should Justin Fields continue to miss time with a right thumb injury..@WGNNews pic.twitter.com/YTUzOScp2v— Larry Hawley (@HawleySports) October 17, 2023The Bears confirmed on Tuesday afternoon that they've reached a deal for the signal caller to join their practice squad. This comes as Fields is dealing with a thumb injury that he suffered in the third quarter of the Bears' loss to the Vikings on Sunday at Soldier Field. On Monday, head coach Matt Eberflus said that the starting quarterback is doubtful as the team waits for the swelling around the thumb to reduce. That means McSorl...

Chicago man arrested after attacking Nebraska officer with knife

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:50:32 GMT

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska police officer and a Chicago man were both injured during a confrontation on a bus in front of about 20 people early Tuesday after the man refused to get off and pulled a knife, authorities said.Officers were called to the Lincoln bus depot around 12:15 a.m. Tuesday because the 27-year-old Chicago man who didn't have a ticket or money for the fare to Iowa, acting Lincoln Police Chief Michon Morrow said.The man pulled a knife and lunged at one of the officers in the back of the bus, striking him in the neck, police said. Morrow said the man refused several commands to drop the knife before reaching for the officer's gun. At that point, another officer fired and wounded him once. Emergency crews respond to home explosion in DeKalb County Morrow said the situation could have easily been much worse, but fortunately no one else was hurt and the injured officer and suspect are both expected to live.“I’m very proud of our officers and the quick actions tha...