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Gulf nations Bahrain, Qatar to restore ties after blockade

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:36 GMT

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The Gulf nations of Bahrain and Qatar agreed to restore diplomatic relations late Wednesday.Bahrain had been the last holdout of four Arab nations that imposed a boycott and blockade on Qatar in 2017. They were angered by Qatar’s support for Islamist groups that rose to power in some countries following the 2011 Arab Spring protests, which the other autocratic nations viewed as terrorist organizations.The blockade was lifted at the start of 2021, and Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt have restored ties with Qatar since then, with top leaders paying official visits in recent months.Bahrain and Qatar each issued official statements announcing the decision to restore relations following a meeting between their delegations at the headquarters of the Gulf Cooperation Council, a six-nation bloc of which both are members, in the Saudi capital of Riyadh.The four nations had severed all ties to Qatar, and at the height of the crisis the...

Chicago politicians promise spectacular 2024 DNC

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:36 GMT

CHICAGO — With Chicago's skyline glistening in the background, local Democrats took a victory lap Wednesday after landing the 2024 Democratic National Convention.The campaign to win the convention for Chicago began in late 2021, with Governor JB Pritzker, Senator Tammy Duckworth, and Mayor Lori Lightfoot leading the charge. They promised the selection committee and President Joe Biden — who is expected to be nominated for a second term during festivities — two things: a spectacular showcase and Chicago standing as a shining example of progressive politics. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Chicago selected to host 2024 Democratic National Convention "We're an example of what it looks like when you work to solve the real challenges that working families face every single day," Duckworth said.Outgoing mayor Lori Lightfoot hopes the convention changes the perception some have about Chicago."We have too many things out there in the mouths of pundits and critics who talk about our city in a way that'...

Illinois police investigate nearly 2 dozen school threats Wednesday

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:36 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (KTVI/WGN) — As many as 19 Illinois counties received school threats on Wednesday, in what is being referred to as "swatting," Illinois State Police said in an update Wednesday afternoon.Totaling 21 calls, several Illinois communities across the state received swatting threats, dangerous and illegal fake calls about an active shooter situation, directed toward schools, a spokesperson from Illinois State Police told WGN News. All threats have been unfounded. "The Illinois State Police Statewide Terrorism and Intelligence Center currently has no information concerning credible threats related to school safety. Law enforcement, public safety, and private sector security officials are encouraged to remain vigilant and report all suspicious behavior to local police agencies," the statement read.Chicago and Aurora reported swatting calls on Wednesday, in addition to Rockford and Springfield, according to Nexstar affiliate WTVOSeveral reports of threats and swatting ...

'Harry Potter' TV series and 'Game of Thrones' prequel are a go

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:36 GMT

(AP) - Warner Bros. Discovery is sticking with safe bet franchises that will likely lure viewers, including a “Harry Potter” series and a “Game of Thrones” prequel for its rebranded Max streaming service.Executives touted Max and made original Warner Bros. Discovery programming announcements on Wednesday during a presentation for journalists and investors. The $16-per-month service will be released May 23 in the U.S. and automatically replace the company’s existing HBO Max.The “Harry Potter” series is described as a “faithful retelling” of the books about the boy wizard by J. K Rowling, featuring a new cast.Each season is intended to focus on one of the seven books, though Max anticipates stretching the series to a decade-long run. Sam’s Club offering $10 memberships for limited time Max also announced it has also ordered a “Game of Thrones” prequel called “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight,” set in Westeros 100 years prior to the events of “Game of Thrones." It's b...

'Adopt a Grandparent' helps bring sunshine to seniors

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:36 GMT

MCHENRY COUNTY, Ill. -- Warmer temps are giving gardeners a early lead this Spring and a local organization is getting their hands dirty for those who can't.In McHenry County, hundreds of seniors are about to be "adopted" by local gardeners determined to spread a little sunshine."In 2019, my mom and dad both passed unexpectedly four months apart," Jacci Richards, the founder of the Adopt a Grandparent program said. "I was shocked and heartbroken."With the early morning thaw comes renewal and for Jacci Richards, it comes in the form of a shovel as she found healing in the soil.Planting new seeds to share with those like the parents she lost.She delivered her first bounty to an assisted living facility down the road. That's when a funny thing happened: the more she gave away, the less sadness she felt.It was the beginning of what's now known as the "Adopt a Grandparent" program."It started with one facility with 67 seniors and this year we have five facilities with over 300," Richards...

Heat and humidity slowly build ahead of a small storm chance

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:36 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Following eight straight days of cooler than normal afternoon high temperatures, south winds return -- and so do heat and humidity.Morning low temperatures remain comfortable Thursday, in the 50s areawide, but daytime highs return to warmer than normal levels topping 80 degrees. By Saturday afternoon, temperatures approach 90 degrees with muggy humidity in place.Clouds increase Friday and Saturday as a storm system passes far to our north, but rain chances remain slim at just 10-20%. There is a "marginal" threat of a strong to severe storm Friday night north of the Austin area. Stay tuned for forecast updates.A low chance of severe storms late Friday afternoon and eveningBehind the system's cool front, temperatures and humidity drop on Sunday. Those participating in the Capitol 10K Sunday morning will find a cool, dry morning with a breezy northeast wind. FIRST WARNING WEATHER: Stay up to date with your Central Texas forecast, sign up for our weather newsletter at k...

Austin FC signs center back Julio Cascante to new contract

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:36 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — He's only been on the field for eight minutes this season due to injury, but center back Julio Cascante has done more than enough in the eyes of Austin FC to earn a new contract.The club announced Tuesday it signed Cascante to a 3-year contract with a team option for a fourth year, potentially keeping the Costa Rican defender in Verde and Black through 2026.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxan.com/newslettersIn the season opener Feb. 25 against St. Louis City FC, Cascante went down with a "severe" groin injury that has made the club scramble to find a solid combination for the back line. At the time of his injury, the club said it would be re-evaluated in eight weeks, and that timetable is up next week.According to the MLS Players Association salary guide, Cascante made $337,500 in guaranteed compensation last year. Those figures are typically updated in the fall on the pl...

N.D. governor signs off on Republican bans on transgender athletes

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:36 GMT

North Dakota’s Republican Gov. Doug Burgum on Tuesday evening signed two transgender athlete bans into law, effectively prohibiting transgender girls and women from joining female sports teams in K-12 and college.Lawmakers in the House and Senate passed the bills with veto-proof majorities this year. If the governor had vetoed the bills or refused to sign them, the bills likely would’ve still become law.Burgum said in a statement that over the past two years, with more than 27,000 students participating in North Dakota high school sports, “there still has not been a single recorded incident of a transgender girl playing or entering the process to even ask to play on a North Dakota girls’ team.”Nevertheless, the Legislature has now “resoundingly determined” that restrictions beyond the current rules for girls’ sports should be codified in state law, he said.Burgum added: “Concerns raised last session about such policies jeopardizing the ability to host regional and ...

Democrat Tammy Baldwin to seek third term representing Wisconsin in U.S. Senate

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:36 GMT

MADISON, Wis. — Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, who spearheaded legislation to protect same-sex and interracial marriages last year, announced on Wednesday that she is seeking a third term in battleground Wisconsin.Baldwin, 60, said in a statement that she intends to continue fighting for the working class and families struggling with inflation, as well as opposing Wisconsin’s abortion ban.No Republicans have announced they are running for Baldwin’s seat, which will be critical for Democrats to hold if they want to maintain control of the Senate.The state’s Democratic Party chair, Ben Wikler, celebrated Baldwin’s announcement, saying, “No one works harder for Wisconsin families than Tammy Baldwin.” He said there was “a reason so many Republican politicians are hiding under a rug instead of running for U.S. Senate: They know that Wisconsinites trust Tammy Baldwin.”Baldwin won her first local race at age 24 and in 1998 won a seat in the U.S. House to become the f...

Parents spend frantic hours outside school after hoax threats

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:36 GMT

GRANITE CITY, Ill. – Hoax threats at schools across Illinois on Wednesday brought panic to parents and students. FOX 2 was amid the frantic scene in Granite City.Though we now know no one was hurt after a false alarm, you might never know it, based on what it looked like on Nameoki Road between 10 a.m. and noon Wednesday.From the air, video captured by Bommarito Automotive Group SkyFOX showed the tremendous police response surrounding both Granite City High School and Coolidge Junior High. Hundreds of parents lined the road across the street, waiting for answers.“It’s been hectic. You don’t know what’s going on over there,” said Vivian O’Brian, a student’s grandmother. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News SIGN UP NOW From the ground, you could see families ...