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Israel’s prime minister says missing citizen in Iraq is being held by Iran-backed militia

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:57:01 GMT

JERUSALEM (AP) — A dual Israeli-Russian citizen who has been missing in Iraq for months is being held by an Iran-backed militia in Iraq, the office of Israel’s prime minister said Wednesday.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said Elizabeth Tsurkov, who disappeared in late March, is still alive “and we hold Iraq responsible for her safety and well-being.”Tsurkov, who is an academic whose work focuses on the Middle East and specifically war-torn Syria, is an expert on regional affairs and was widely quoted over the years by international media.Netanyahu said she is being held by the Shiite militia Kataeb Hezbollah that is one of Iraq’s most powerful Iran-backed groups. He added that Tsurkov is an academic who visited Iraq on her Russian passport, “at her own initiative pursuant to work on her doctorate and academic research on behalf of Princeton University.”There has been no official comment from Iraq since she went missing but days after her disappearance, a local website re...

Mississippi high court will hear case about appointing judges in majority-Black capital city

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:57:01 GMT

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — The Mississippi Supreme Court will hear an appeal Thursday as some Jackson residents try to revive one of the lawsuits challenging the appointment, rather than the election, of some judges in the capital city — and the top justice will not take part in the hearing.Chief Justice Mike Randolph has recused himself from considering the appeal because he said he does not want to prolong the case.The Jackson residents originally named Randolph as a defendant in the lawsuit because the chief justice is required to appoint five judges, under the law that the suit is trying to block. Randolph objected to being sued, and a chancery court judge removed him as a defendant. In Randolph’s recusal order on the appeal, he wrote Monday that he is neutral about the constitutionality of the law, which is the central issue in the lawsuit.“But absent recusal, the Chief Justice’s participation risks prolonging the ‘circus’ and allowing a sideshow to overshadow the center-ring ...

Quran burnings have Sweden torn between free speech and respecting minorities

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:57:01 GMT

STOCKHOLM (AP) — A Quran burning and a string of requests to approve the destruction of more holy books have left Sweden torn between its commitment to free speech and its respect for religious minorities.The clash of fundamental principles has complicated Sweden’s desire to join NATO, an expansion that gained urgency after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine but needs the approval of all current members. Turkey has blocked Swedish accession since last year, citing reasons including anti-Turkish and anti-Islamic protests in Stockholm.Then, last week, an Iraqi Christian immigrant burned Islam’s holy book outside a Stockholm mosque during the major Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, an act that the man said displayed his feelings about the Quran. The burning triggered widespread condemnation in the Islamic world. And along with similar recent protests by a far-right activist, it sparked a debate in Sweden about the limits of freedom of speech. Now, Swedish police say they have received new...

Updated legislation aims to tackle discrimination in public service: PSC

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:57:01 GMT

OTTAWA — Federal government departments and agencies will now have to evaluate whether their hiring practices are discriminatory as changes to the Public Service Employment Act take effect.Public Service Commission spokeswoman Élodie Roy says the changes will strengthen diversity and inclusion in the federal government workforce.The changes were among several amendments introduced to the act in budget implementation process in 2021 but these changes did not take effect until this week.They require the public service to evaluate how staffing methods, such as interviews and written exams, might discriminate against women, or Black, Indigenous, LGBTQ and disabled people.The Public Service Commission will also have more resources to investigate mistakes or misconduct that affect their hiring processes.Previously amendments took affect that revised the job qualifications for members of equity-seeking groups and ensured permanent residents were given the same hiring preferences as Canadia...

A fiery plane crash in a South Carolina resort town killed all 5 people on board

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:57:01 GMT

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (AP) — Five people are dead after a single-engine plane crashed over the weekend in a South Carolina coastal resort town.Officials said Sunday’s fiery wreck near a golf course in North Myrtle Beach killed all four passengers and the pilot, The Myrtle Beach Sun News reported. The Monday update raised the death toll from initial reports that one person had passed.Tamara Williard, the chief deputy coroner for Horry County, told the newspaper that one person died shortly after being taken to a regional hospital while the others died at the crash. The office did not immediately respond to an email from The Associated Press.The identities of the victims and the cause of the plane’s downfall remain undisclosed. Willard told The Post and Courier that officials are contacting next of kin as “several of these individuals are related and families are from another country.”The Associated Press

3 protesters arrested at Wimbledon after interrupting matches by throwing confetti on court

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:57:01 GMT

WIMBLEDON, England (AP) — Grigor Dimitrov was about to serve at Wimbledon when two environmental activists jumped out of the stands at Court 18 and disrupted his match by scattering orange confetti and puzzle pieces on the grass. His initial instinct Wednesday? Get involved and try to stop them.“But then I also realized,” the three-time Grand Slam semifinalist said, “that’s not my place to do that.”Instead, security guards hauled away the woman and man wearing T-shirts from Just Stop Oil — an organization that wants the British government to stop new oil, gas and coal projects — and the two were arrested “on suspicion of aggravated trespass and criminal damage,” according to the All England Club.The next contest on that same court, best known as the site of John Isner’s 2010 victory over Nicolas Mahut in the longest match in tennis history, was also interrupted by another man from that same environmental group. He was corralled by two security guards and was arrested, too, the...

belVita breakfast sandwiches recalled after allergic reactions

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:57:01 GMT

(KSNW/NEXSTAR) — Several belVita breakfast sandwich products sold across the U.S. are being recalled due to the possibility they may contain undeclared peanuts, a known allergen.Mondelēz Global LLC, which owns belVita, says the recall is the result of cross-contact on a manufacturing line.People with allergies or severe sensitivities to peanuts may be at risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume the affected items. Mondelēz Global LLC, which owns belVita, says there have been three unconfirmed reports of possible allergic reactions so far. Here are the 10 most expensive places to buy a home The recall is limited to the belVita Breakfast Sandwich products listed in the grid below, available at retail stores nationwide. ProductUPC codeBest When Used By DatebelVita Breakfast Sandwich,Dark Chocolate Creme(8.8 oz carton)0 44000 04328 5Dates before and including Feb. 25, 2024(Located on top flap of carton)belVita Breakfast Sandwich,Dark Chocolate C...

MedWatch Daily Digest: Iron deficiency in young women & 'Dirty Dozen' list

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:57:01 GMT

For Wednesday, July 5, WGN’s Jackie Bange has the latest on new medical information, including: More Coverage: WGN's Medical Watch 1-in-4-girls, women have iron deficiencyA survey carried out by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that of the 3,500 females ages 12 to 21 they polled, 40% had low iron. Iron is a critical mineral that helps red blood cells carry oxygen through the body. Symptoms of having an iron deficiency include brain fog, fatigue, lightheadedness, and shortness of breath. Foods listed by the CDC as having good iron levels include red meat, seafood, beans and dark leafy vegetables. 2023 'Dirty Dozen' list The Environmental Working Group is out with its annual 'Dirty Dozen' list of fruits and vegetables and there are some new additions. Strawberries are still at the top of the list, meaning they're the item most tainted with pesticide residue. Spinach is in second place and kale is holding on to its third place spot. But new to the list this year a...

CPD, OEMC, city agencies to hold news conference on partnership for safety

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:57:01 GMT

CHICAGO — Over 50 people were shot in Chicago over the July Fourth weekend, police said.Chicago police said 57 people were shot from 6 p.m. Friday through 11:59 p.m. Tuesday.Eight people died in those shootings. A ninth person died from blunt force trauma.The Chicago Police Department, the Office of Emergency Management and Communications and the Mayor’s Office of Community Safety plan to hold a news conference Wednesday at 1 p.m. to “highlight the citywide partnership.”WGN News plans to stream that news conference live.

Illinois trooper fatally shoots man suspected in 2 shootings in Iowa

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:57:01 GMT

DANVILLE, Ill. (AP) — A man who was shot and killed by an Illinois trooper was a suspect in two shootings in Iowa, police said Wednesday.Randy A. Jackson, 39, shot and wounded a man and woman in Clinton, Iowa, which is just across the Illinois state border, authorities said. The man, who was shot Sunday night, is recovering from non-life-threatening wounds. The condition of the woman, who was shot several times and was taken to a hospital early Monday, wasn’t immediately available. Road shut down after Elmhurst deadly crash Just before 8 p.m. Monday, Illinois troopers and officers from several agencies joined a chase of Jackson’s vehicle near Danville, which is in eastern Illinois near the state’s border with Indiana. The car ended up on a county road and officers found Jackson in a detached garage of a home, according to Illinois State Police.Read more: Latest Chicago news headlinesDuring a standoff, Jackson “refused to comply” and a trooper shot him, the state police said in a n...