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Israeli foreign minister makes first visit to Sweden in two decades

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:25:29 GMT

STOCKHOLM (AP) — Israel’s foreign minister on Monday paid a visit to Sweden in a new sign of warming ties between the two nations.Eli Cohen said his visit to Stockholm was the first visit by an Israeli foreign minister to Sweden in 22 years.“We are opening a new page in relations between Israel and Sweden after years in which Sweden took a critical line against Israel,” he said in a statement issued by the Israeli Foreign Ministry. He said his meeting with his Swedish counterpart, Tobias Billstrom, signaled a “change in direction” of ties.Billstrom called the meeting “very good and productive” in a statement on Twitter. “The first one in 20 years, so long overdue,” he added.Sweden’s previous Social Democratic government had a rocky relationship with Israel after recognizing a Palestinian state in 2014, a move that prompted Israel to temporarily recall its ambassador to Sweden. Two years later, Israel said Sweden’s foreign minister at the time was “not welcome” after critical comment...

K’atl’odeeche First Nation, Hay River, N.W.T., order evacuations as wildfire spread

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:25:29 GMT

HAY RIVER, N.W.T. — A First Nation reserve and nearby town in the southern Northwest Territories have been evacuated as a wildfire spreads in the area. K’atl’odeeche First Nation ordered an evacuation Sunday afternoon advising residents to register at the evacuation centre in nearby Hay River.The Town of Hay River then ordered an evacuation at 11 p.m. Sunday. Residents of both communities have been advised to register at the Hay River Community Centre if they need help leaving, or the Yellowknife Multiplex, located about 480 kilometres away.Michael St. Amour, mayor of the neighbouring community of Enterprise, said there was a two-hour wait at the gas station as hundreds of people passed through the hamlet.“We tried to make them as comfortable as possible and give them the direction to go to Yellowknife,” he said.St. Amour said Enterprise has opened its community hall to evacuees and was serving breakfast Monday morning. He said about 300 people are still in t...

Dubai-based professional baseball league announces first franchise, Mumbai Cobras

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:25:29 GMT

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Baseball United, which swung for the sporting history fences by establishing the first professional baseball league in the Middle East and South Asia, announced Monday its first franchise, the Mumbai Cobras.The Cobras are the first of four teams that will be announced in the coming weeks, with the Dubai, United Arab Emirates-based Baseball United poised to host a showcase tournament in November at Dubai International Stadium. The tournament will take place a year after Baseball United was first established.Baseball United’s player pool consists of more than 200 players from more than 30 countries. Of those, 64 players will be selected for the teams. The remaining players will be drafted in anticipation of the organization’s inaugural season starting in the fall of 2024.Baseball United has said several players from the U.S. will play in the league, though it has yet to announce any names.“Major League Baseball is over 150 years old and has so much r...

Oakland A’s reach agreement for potential stadium site on Las Vegas Strip

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:25:29 GMT

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Oakland Athletics have reached an agreement with Bally’s and Gaming & Leisure Properties to build a potential stadium on the Tropicana hotel site along the Las Vegas Strip.Bally’s Corp. made the announcement Monday for a 30,000-seat stadium on the 35-acre site. The project is expected to cost about $1.5 billion, and the A’s are asking for nearly $400 million in public support from the Nevada Legislature, which could vote on a proposal this week.The A’s previously previously signed an agreement to build a stadium also on Tropicana Avenue but on the other side of Interstate 15 that runs alongside the Strip. They were expected to ask the Legislature for $500 million in public funds for the 49-acre site that would have included much more than a stadium.The new agreement is a scaled-down proposal but the location is in closer walking distance for fans who are staying in hotels on the south end of the Strip.“We are excited about the potential to ...

Extended boycott disqualifies 2 GOP senators, 1 independent in Oregon Senate from being reelected

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:25:29 GMT

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Republicans and an independent senator in the Oregon Senate stretched a walkout Monday to 10 days, triggering a new constitutional provision that prohibits lawmakers with 10 or more unexcused absences from being reelected.The walkout that began May 3 has stalled action on hundreds of bills, including on gun control, gender-affirming care and abortion rights, as a deadline threatened to disqualify them from being reelected. Three of the boycotting senators — two Republicans, Sen. Dennis Linthicum and Sen. Daniel Bonham; and an Independent, Sen. Brian Boquist — reached the 10-day limit on Monday, meaning they are automatically disqualified from holding office as a lawmaker for the next four-year terms.The walkout by GOP senators in the Democrat-dominated Legislature has prevented a quorum of the Senate, with two-thirds of members required to be present for the chamber to debate and vote on bills. Republicans have used the tactic in previous years.On Monday, only 16 ...

Monday Forecast: Temps near 70 with sunny conditions

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:25:29 GMT

CHICAGO — Partly sunny Monday with cooler conditions lakeside. Winds: NE 5-10. High: 67/58. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storm here Mostly cloudy tonight with a chance for showers south. Low: 51.Tuesday Forecast: Mostly cloudy, temp drop late day. (pneumonia front possible). Winds: W 5-15 G20. High: 80.Full forecast details and more at the WGN Weather Center blog

Motorcyclist, 60, dead after car crash in Des Plaines

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:25:29 GMT

DES PLAINES, Ill. — A 60-year-old man is dead after he was struck by a vehicle while driving a motorcycle in Des Plaines Saturday evening. Police said that John E. Lawson was driving a motorcycle and turning left onto Golf Road westbound from Rand Road when he was struck by a kia traveling southeast on Rand Road. According to police reports, the boy who was the driver of the kia was transported to hospital, along with a passenger, with non-life-threatening injuries. Chicago off-duty officer, 33, found dead inside her home on West Side Lawson was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead. Investigators are determining the cause of the crash. There is no further information provided.

Travis County cautions of ongoing jury duty fraud calls

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:25:29 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for May 15, 2023.TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- The Travis County Sheriff's Office is forewarning residents of ongoing fraudulent callers posing as county officials and seeking payments for missed jury duty appearances.An Austin reddit post that gained traction over the weekend cautioned of callers pretending to be a lieutenant or other TCSO member. Per the post, some residents were receiving phone calls claiming there was a warrant for their arrest for missing a jury duty date, as well as emailing signed notices of warrants and case numbers to appear legitimate.A TCSO spokesperson confirmed the department has received reports of these latest fraudulent attempts, adding it's been an issue the department has dealt with for several years now. ICYMI: Austin to use Marshalling Yard as homeless shelter, doubling up at existing shelters "[They] will use the names of TCSO officers for several weeks, then use the names ...

Two days with rain followed by a few days with more sunshine

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:25:29 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Showers and thunderstorms are increasing in number and coverage this afternoon. These thunderstorms should remain below severe criteria although there will be a lightning threat to go along with heavy downpours.A section of northern San Saba County will be under a Flood Advisory until 3 p.m. Heavy rain may produce some arroyo and small stream flooding.There will be a flood threat this afternoon/evening as a few thunderstorms could produce heavy rain. Today's flood risk area slight for much of our area.Much of Central Texas has a slight risk of flooding todayShowers and thunderstorms will last into the evening. The loss of daytime heating brings an end to the rain until Tuesday. Tuesday's weather features another round of showers and thunderstorms with a lower flood threat risk for much of the southern half of the viewing area. ‘Potentially significant’ El Niño to begin by summe Tuesday flood risk: 1 out of 4 The showers and thunderstorms will be scattered in natur...

Texas A&M Forest Service lowers Wildland Fire Preparedness level after rain

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:25:29 GMT

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KXAN) -- The Texas A&M Forest Service on Monday lowered the Wildland Fire Preparedness Level. The level was lowered to a Level 1 after continued rainfall and "a significant decrease in wildfire activity across the state," the service said in a tweet. ‘We need every drop’: Central Texas farmers hopeful after storms amid drought Additionally, all aircraft have been released from the state.According to the service, Level 1 means "minimal drought and normal fuel moisture allow local resources to suppress wildfires without issue. Fire activity is minimal." What is Texas’ Wildland Fire Preparedness Level? The Wildland Preparedness Level had been raised to Level 2 in late February due to the potential threat of increased wildfire activity at the time. According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, Preparedness Levels are “planning assumptions dictated by fuel and weather conditions, current and expected wildfire activity and suppression resource ...