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Russia says Ukraine is launching major attacks; Kyiv accuses Moscow of misinformation

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:12:42 GMT

By SUSIE BLANN (Associated Press)KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian forces were making a major effort to punch through Russian defensive lines in southeast Ukraine for a second day, a Moscow-installed official said Monday as Russia’s Defense Ministry declared that it had foiled an assault in an illegally annexed region of the invaded country. Kyiv authorities suggested the attack reports were a Russian misinformation ruse as the Ukrainian military prepares for a widely anticipated counteroffensive. Vladimir Rogov, an official in the Russia-backed administration of Ukraine’s partly occupied Zaporizhzhia province, said that fighting resumed on its border with the eastern Donetsk region on Monday after Russian defenses beat back a Ukrainian advance the previous day.“The enemy threw an even bigger force into the attack than yesterday (Sunday),” and the new attempt to break through the front line was “more large-scale and organized,” Rogov said, addi...

Stock market today: Wall Street drifts in early trading as oil rises

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:12:42 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks are drifting to begin what could be a quiet stretch following several weeks of gains and fireworks. The S&P 500 was up 0.1% in early trading Monday. The benchmark index is coming off its best week since March. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 27 points, or 0.1%, and the Nasdaq composite was up 0.1%. Some of the sharpest action was in the oil market, where crude rose 2% after Saudi Arabia said it would cut back production in hopes of boosting its price. Exxon Mobil and Chevron both rose at least 1%. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.Wall Street is relatively flat Monday following last week’s last surge propelled by U.S. jobs data that raised new questions about if or when a recession might arrive. Futures for the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average are essentially unchanged heading into a week with little new data expected from major U.S. corporations or economic indicators from Washington. Ener...

Saudi Arabian soccer league to get more state funding from policy backed by crown prince MBS

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:12:42 GMT

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo is already in Saudi Arabia. Karim Benzema looks sure to be next. And as the oil-rich kingdom pursues Lionel Messi as well, it is making sure that money continues to flow into the domestic soccer league.Saudi Arabia on Monday made its already obvious intentions in world soccer even clearer by announcing a “privatization project” for companies to spend more on clubs — part of the Vision 2030 national development policy promoted by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is also prime minister. Saudi public sector organizations also will be encouraged to invest in sports with teams in the national soccer league a top priority.“The Saudi Pro League … will be supported in its ambition to be amongst the top 10 leagues in the world,” the state-owned Saudi Press Agency said in a news release.Ronaldo has been the headline attraction so far, joining the Al Nassr club in January on a reported salary of $200 million a year.Benzema’s move to join...

As India grieves train crash that killed 275, relatives try to identify bodies of loved ones

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:12:42 GMT

BHUBANESWAR, India (AP) — Families of the victims of India’s deadliest train crash in decades filled a hospital in Bhubaneswar city on Monday to try to identify the bodies of relatives, as railway officials recommended a criminal probe of the crash that killed 275 people.Distraught relatives of passengers killed in the crash Friday lined up outside the eastern city’s All India Institute of Medical Sciences. Meanwhile, survivors being treated in hospitals said they are still trying to make sense of the horrific disaster.Outside the hospital, two large screens cycled through photos of the bodies, the faces so bloodied and charred that they were hardly recognizable.Each body had a number assigned to it, and relatives stood near the screen and watched as the photos changed, looking for details like clothing for clues.Many of the people said they spent days on desperate journeys from neighboring states, traveling on multiple trains, buses or rented cars to identify and claim bodies, a pr...

Man, 30, fatally shot while standing in South Side alley

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:12:42 GMT

CHICAGO — A 30-year-old man was fatally shot on the city's South Side.The shooting happened just after 3 a.m. Monday in the 800 block of East 45th Street. Police said the 30-year-old man was standing in an alley when a vehicle approached and someone inside fire multiple shots at the man. Woman killed, 6 injured in shooting at memorial gathering on West Side The man was shot several times in the upper torso and transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center in critical condition, where he later died.No one is in custody. Area One detectives are investigating.

Fathers embrace their inner 'Swiftie Dad' on Day 3 of Taylor Swift in Chicago

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:12:42 GMT

CHICAGO — The final day of Taylor Swift's three-day stop in Chicago for her Eras tour is here, and some dads were just as excited as their daughters to see the pop star perform.Keith Bullock, aka 'Swiftie Dad.'"The girls grew up listening to the music and so did we," said Keith Bullock, flanked by his two daughters while wearing a 'Swiftie Dad' t-shirt outside of Soldier Field. "We're here to celebrate that, and Taylor Swift's music often brings us together anytime a new album comes out." PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Businesses, fans excited for Taylor Swift in Chicago this weekend Steven Pasquantonio, another father among the T-Swiftie army at Soldier Field Sunday, was wearing a t-shirt custom-made by his daughters, and said they aren't the only ones who enjoy Taylor Swift's music.Steven Pasquantonio, proud Swiftie dad."I enjoy it! I've been listening to her for years with them," Pasquantonio said. "They're teenagers now and they started listening ten years ago when they were just coming i...

Mayor Johnson attends first Chicago Police Department graduation ceremony

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:12:42 GMT

CHICAGO — Three recent Chicago Police Department (CPD) recruit classes will be honored with a graduation ceremony Monday which Mayor Brandon Johnson plans to attend.The ceremony is being held for Recruit Classes 22-6, 22-7, and 22-8, and will also recognize "recently promoted command staff, sergeants, detectives, and field training officers," according to a release from CPD. 4 restaurants robbed within 30 minutes on North Side Also in attendance will be CPD Interim Superintendent Fred Waller.Johnson's campaign platform for public safety and police reforms included making "CPD more efficient" and "strengthening police accountability" among other efforts. Monday's graduating recruits began their training under the prior mayoral administration.It is unclear if Johnson will speak at the graduation. If he does, WGN plans to livestream his comments within this story which would likely begin shortly after 10 a.m.

Americans are waiting longer and longer to get married

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:12:42 GMT

(The Hill) - Americans aren’t marrying young anymore.The share of U.S. adults who are married by age 21 sank from about one-third in 1980 to 6 percent in 2021, Pew Research reports. The share who tie the knot by 25 plunged from nearly two-thirds to 22 percent.Young adults have come to view marriage as a capstone event: Couples used to marry and build a life together. Now, they build the life first.“There’s a longer checklist of items you need to complete before you’re considered marriageable,” said Susan Brown, professor of sociology and director of the Center for Family and Demographic Research at Bowling Green State University.“You need to get a quote-unquote real job. You need to be living independently,” she said. “All of these milestones take time to achieve, and as we all know, many people aren’t ever going to achieve them.”Young marrieds are a vanishing breed. In 1980, the average American male married at 25, the average woman at 22, U.S. Census data show. Today, the average ...

Schenectady's Mexican Radio closes after 9 years

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:12:42 GMT

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Mexican Radio, a Mexican restaurant located at 325 State Street in Schenectady, has permanently closed its doors after nine years. The restaurant made the announcement in a Facebook post on June 3. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! "To our mucho appreciated fans, we are sorry to announce that Mexican Radio Schenectady is permanently closed. Muchissimas Gracias for the [love] and support these past nine years. It meant and will always mean the world to us," read the post.Owner Lori Selden said she decided to close the restaurant so she could retire. "At this point in our lives, we just want to relax," said Sheldon. Rice noodle, ramen restaurant opening in Guilderland Sheldon has been in this business for over 30 years when the original Mexican Radio opened in Manhattan in 1996. "The restaurant industry has changed dramatically over the past three decades," said Sheldon.In 2003, Mexican Radio ope...

WCSO responds to fatal Kingsbury motorcycle crash

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:12:42 GMT

KINGSBURY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Washington County Sheriff's Office responded to a fatal motorcycle crash in the town of Kingsbury on Thursday around 7:06 p.m. Deputies say 20-year-old Alex Vega, of South Glens Falls, was taken to Glens Falls Hospital and later succumbed to injuries sustained in the crash. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Deputies say the motorcycle was the only vehicle involved in the crash, happening on State Route 149 just east of the County Route 43 intersection. Once they arrived on the scene, deputies found the motorcycle off the road down an embankment. Deputies say Vega was traveling west on State Route 149 with two other motorcyclists, and as he rounded a bend in the roadway, he lost control of the motorcycle. From there, Vega went off the side of the roadway and was thrown from the bike. WCSO responds to fatal Hebron motorcycle crash Vega later succumbed to injuries sustained in the crash. A port...