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The Taliban have detained 18 staff, including a foreigner, from an Afghanistan-based NGO, it says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:10 GMT

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — The Taliban have detained 18 staffers, including a foreigner, from a nongovernmental organization based in Afghanistan, the nonprofit group said Friday. NGOs have come under greater scrutiny since the Taliban seized control of the country two years ago. The Taliban introduced harsh measures and barred Afghan women from education beyond the sixth grade as well as from public life and work, including working for NGOs. A U.S. watchdog reported earlier this year that the Taliban are harassing NGOs operating in the country.The International Assistance Mission said 18 of its staff were taken away by the Taliban on two separate occasions this month from the NGO’s office in central Ghor province. The 18 detained were taken to Kabul, the group said.“We are unaware of the circumstances that led to these incidents and have not been advised of the reason for the detention of our staff members,” it said in a statement. “The well-being and security of our colleague...

Kim Jong Un arrives at city near Vladivostok where he’s expected to visit Russia’s Pacific fleet

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:10 GMT

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un arrived Saturday at a Russian city near the far eastern port of Vladivostok where he’s expected to see Russia’s Pacific Fleet.The visit follows Kim’s talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Vostochny spaceport on Wednesday and his visit Friday to an aircraft-making plant in Komsomolsk-on-Amur. The U.S. and it allies are concerned that Kim’s visit is focused on providing Moscow with weapons for its war in Ukraine in a possible arms-for-technology deal. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was to travel to the far eastern port city of Vladivostok to see Russia’s Pacific fleet, while his official media back home said Saturday that he was “deeply impressed” by a factory producing the most advanced Russian warplanes.Kim’s trip to Russia, highlighted by a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, has sparked Western concerns about an arms allia...

One in hospital after stabbing near Christie Pitts

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:10 GMT

One person has been transported to hospital after a stabbing in the Bloor Street and Christie Pitts Park area on Friday night.At approximately 9:40 pm police responded to reports of a stabbing. Once on scene police confirmed the stabbing and located one male victim was on Bloor Street, the north side adjacent to Christie Pitts Park, with stab wounds. The victim was transported to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.The suspect is still outstanding but there is no suspect information.Anyone with information is being asked to contact police.

Husband & wife bring taste of Bolivia to Aurora

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:10 GMT

AURORA – It’s a first of its kind not only in the area but in the state of Illinois, an authentic Bolivian restaurant. Husband and wife duo, Oscar and Alice Butron are bringing what they describe as a new concept of flavors from South America through their dishes at Alice’s Corner.They started in farmers' markets 10 years ago and were finally able to open their storefront last year along Restaurant Row in Downtown Aurora, at 37 West New York Street.  Excitement abound in Chicago for Mexican Independence celebrations It’s their golden brown, perfectly formed, generously stuffed empanadas that gave their business its booming popularity when they began selling at the Aurora Farmers Market and the French Market in Downtown Geneva. Oscar walks us through the process while explaining how it was all a side gig for him and Alice while she worked in a factory, and he managed a fast-food restaurant for 25 years.  While empanadas can be found around the world, especially ...

Paul Lisnek on Biden impeachment, Chicago fiscal budget, & more

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:10 GMT

WGN Political Analyst Paul Lisnek joined WGN Evening News to discuss several big stories from the week.The topics include the latest on President Joe Biden impeachment, City of Chicago budget, Hunter Biden indictments, and much more.Read more: Latest Chicago news headlinesTune in on Sunday's for WGN-TV Political Report with Paul Lisnek.

CLEAT endorses Sen. Ted Cruz for reelection

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:10 GMT

HOUSTON (KXAN) -- On Friday, the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas (CLEAT) endorsed Sen. Ted Cruz for reelection, according to a news release from Cruz's office.CLEAT is the largest police officers union in Texas, the largest provider of legal services for Texas law enforcement officers, as well as the state's largest alliance of local police officer associations, the release said. There are more than 26,00 members across the state."At a time when officers face increased hostility from anti law enforcement hate groups attempting to defund and destroy policing, political persecution from the highest levels of government and continual false legal charges from local DA's, we need a fighter like Senator Cruz to stand up for us in the United States Senate. As the largest police union in Texas, we strongly endorse and support Senator Cruz," Marvin Ryals, CLEAT President, said.I am incredibly proud to receive the endorsement of CLEAT. For over a decade, I have fought for the r...

911 lines back in service in Hays County

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:10 GMT

The video above is previous coverage on Sept. 14.HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- On Friday, the Hays County Sheriff's Office said 911 lines were back up and running.Shortly before 8:40 p.m., HCSO sent a notification to the community in Hays County saying the 911 service was back.HCSO previously said Thursday the 911 service was out due to a cut line.

Royce Lewis does it again — rookie’s grand slam lifts Twins to victory

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:10 GMT

CHICAGO —  It’s almost become predictable at this point. The bases are loaded. Royce Lewis steps to the plate.What does he do?Well, he hits a grand slam, of course.Lewis — or better yet Mr. Grand Slam — did it again on Friday, blasting his fourth of the season and fifth of his young career. The rookie’s early home run helped guide the Twins to a 10-2 win over the Chicago White Sox on Friday night at Guaranteed Rate Field.At the end of a five-pitch at-bat, Lewis unleashed on a center-cut fastball from White Sox starter Jesse Scholtens, sending it over the wall in left field. It was his fourth grand slam in his past 18 games and fifth in his 66-game career. In the process, he set a single-season Twins record for the most grand slams in a year.His second-inning home run gave the Twins control of the game early and staked starting pitcher Bailey Ober and the Twins to a lead that they would not relinquish.The Twins took advantage of some exceptionally poor defense an inning later, with C...

Eden Prairie man, 27, suspected of fatally suffocating brother, 7

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:10 GMT

An Eden Prairie man is jailed on suspicion of second-degree murder in the death of his 7-year-old brother. Police say the child appears to have been suffocated.Eden Prairie police went to a home on Lee Drive around 10 p.m. Tuesday after a man called 911 and told the dispatcher that he’d been hearing voices, hallucinating and not taking his medications, and that he was scared because he “just did something” to someone else “for the greater good.”According to a search warrant for the home filed in Hennepin County District Court, officers met the man, 27, outside his house, where he raised his hands and told police that he wanted to turn himself in.Inside the house, police found two sleeping children who were unharmed. But a third child, whom the Hennepin County Medical Examiner identified as Abdullahi Adod Gelle, had no pulse and was not breathing.Police, firefighters and paramedics attempted lifesaving measures on Abdullahi, but doctors at M Health Fairview Hospital in Edina la...

High school football: Lakeville South finds a way to stun rival Lakeville North at end

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:10 GMT

Lakeville South found a way Friday night.Trailing for large chunks of the contest and easily downed in time of possession, the Cougars simply made all the big plays when they were required.Down 21-14 late, the Cougars marched down the field for a game-tying touchdown drive, capped by a 14-yard run from Bo Bokman. The drive featured a 16-yard completion on 4th and 12 from Gaven Dean to Bokman to keep the Cougars’ hopes alive. Bokman’s score knotted the game 21-21 with 63 seconds to play, seemingly sending the game to overtime.But the Panthers fumbled the snap on the first play of their ensuing possession, giving the Cougars the ball in the red zone. Lakeville South cashed in with a 31-yard field goal off the foot of Jack Kimmel as the clock hit zero to win 24-21 and improve to 3-0 on the season.The Panthers dominated the line of scrimmage from the game’s outset, particularly offensively, as three hard runs often resulted in first downs. Still, that clear advantage w...