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Huge blast at Moscow area factory adds to Russian jitters as new drone attacks are blamed on Ukraine

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:11:18 GMT

TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — An explosion Wednesday on the grounds a factory north of Moscow that makes optical equipment for Russia’s security forces injured 45 people, six of them severely, officials said.The blast occurred at a warehouse storing fireworks, though it was on the grounds of the Zagorsk optics manufacturing plant, according to Andrei Vorobyov, the governor of the region surrounding the Russian capital.Vorobyov said the company had rented out the warehouse for storage, but later claimed the plant itself was mostly producing pyrotechnics. He said the facility “has had nothing to do with optics or mechanics for a long time,” even though the company’s website says it still manufactures those products, as well as medical apparatus.Whatever the cause, the explosion produced a tall plume of black smoke and added to Russian jitters over nighttime drone attacks on Moscow, as well as alarm about smoke over the port of Sevastopol in Crimea on Wednesday.The Zagorsk plant ...

EU leader promises aid and support to flood-ravaged Slovenia during visit

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:11:18 GMT

LJUBLJANA, Slovenia (AP) — European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited Slovenia on Wednesday and promised EU help to the small member state which was ravaged by recent floods that killed at least six people and caused extensive damage.Von der Leyen said after meeting with Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob that they discussed a package of “three components” designed to provide immediate financial aid but also mid and long-term support for reconstruction. “I am here today to let Slovenia and the Slovenian people know that Europe stands by your side,” said von der Leyen, who visited a hard-hit village in northern Slovenia, by the border with Austria, to get a first-hand view of the devastation. Von der Leyen said 100 million euros ($110 million) this year from the EU’s Solidarity Fund and 300 million euros ($3.3 million) in 2024 will be made accessible to Slovenia. Additionally, it can draw from other funds or reprogram existing ones, she added. “A lot of inves...

Is far-right extremism gaining ground in Canada?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:11:18 GMT

In today’s Big Story Podcast, a new report looking at the circumstances that led to the convoy’s arrival in Ottawa (and other places across Canada) in early 2022 found that it stems from a series of events that began in 2015. The movement took years before efforts at forming a convoy and rolling to Ottawa actually came together — and there were several failed tries along the way.Stephanie Carvin is a national security expert and author of Polarization and Ideologically Motivated Violent Extremism in Canada since 2015. She said the pandemic was the perfect catalyst to bring many very different groups on the right together.“Prior to the 2022 convoy … all [the far-right’s] attempts to get a convoy going had never really worked … But if you say, I’m tired of the pandemic, you’re tired of the pandemic, let’s go protest in Ottawa. That’s a much more accessible message.”So what changed during the pandemic? How were far-right Canadians able to band ...

Death investigation underway after 4 shot inside home in Unincorporated Crystal Lake

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:11:18 GMT

UNINCORPORATED CRYSTAL LAKE, Ill — At least four people were shot at a home in Unincorporated Crystal Lake, according to authorities. The shooting happened around 4 a.m. Wednesday on the 5800 block of Plum Road.Upon arrival, deputies and police found four gunshot victims inside a house. At this time, it is unknown if there are any survivors or if the gunman is among the four discovered.It is also unknown if any of the victims lived in the house or their ages. Subway, customers robbed at gunpoint on Chicago’s Southwest Side According to authorities, this is an isolated incident and there is no danger to the public.The McHenry County Sheriff's Office has opened a death investigation.This is a developing story. Check back for details.

Dean's Home Video: Season 6 of 'The Chi' begins

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:11:18 GMT

CHICAGO — A show with a focus on Chicago has started a unique sixth season this week. "The Chi," which focuses on a number of characters who live on the south side of the city, is now streaming the first eight episodes on Showtime/Paramount+. This is the first time that the drama will split a season in half, with the other eight episodes being released at a later date. Dean Richards took a look at that show and many others in this edition of "Dean's Home Video," on Wednesday's WGN Morning News. He also looked at a number of releases on streaming services that have either debuted or will do so before the end of the week. That includes season 3 of "Only Murders in the Building," season 4 of "High School Musical," "Painkiller," season 7 of "Billions," "Heart of Stone," a new season of "Hard Knocks," and more.You can watch this edition of "Dean's Home Video" from the August 9 WGN Morning News in the video above.Get Dean's reviews and A-List interviews delivered right to your inbox. Sign...

Austin nonprofit sells reduced price school and craft supplies for families, teachers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:11:18 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- In a storefront off Wheless Lane in east Austin, customers peruse through thousands of items of gently used materials — ranging from craft kits to school supplies, books to antiques.It's all part of a mission more than a decade in the making, one whose central tenet is simple: divert as much waste from area landfills as possible, all while breathing new life into both everyday and unique materials.Austin Creative Reuse is a concept born from a group of friends in Austin back in 2009, said Jennifer Evans, executive director of ACR. At the time, Evans said she and some friends had heard of reuse centers popping up across the country. RELATED: Austin Creative Reuse receives $66K to support mobile school supply shops "Austin is the perfect place for that," she said. "We have so many creative people and so many green-minded people, who really should have something here and also like that."ACR was established in 2009, and its first physical space for people to visit an...

Ruth's Chris sets tentative opening date in Colonie

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:11:18 GMT

COLONIE, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Ruth’s Chris Steak House will soon be opening in the former Macaroni Grill space at 1 Metro Park Road, right off of Wolf Road in Colonie. According to a press person for the company, the tentative opening date is set for August 28. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The PR person is currently working with the team to see if that has changed or not. The restaurant is also scheduled to have a VIP dinner on August 26 before the official opening.Ruth’s Chris Steak House started out as Chris Steak House in 1965 in New Orleans. After a kitchen fire destroyed Chris Steak House in 1976, owner Ruth Fertel relocated and had to rename the restaurant Ruth’s Chris Steak House. Lebanese restaurant sets opening date in Watervliet after move The Ruth’s Chris menu includes seafood, soup, salad, and a variety of different cuts of steak. You can view the menu on the Ruth’s Chris Steak House website. You can make a reserva...

Missing woman found dead in Thompson Lake

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:11:18 GMT

KNOX, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A 71-year-old Delmar woman who was reported missing to the Bethlehem Police Department on Sunday, was found dead in Thompson Lake on Tuesday, according to the Albany County Sheriff's Office. Deputies have not released the name of the woman at this time. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! On Tuesday, around 4:59 p.m., deputies were called to the area of 106 Nature Center Way in Knox to check on an unoccupied car that had been in the same place since Sunday night. After checking the car's registration, law enforcement learned the registered owner was reported missing to the Bethlehem Police Department on Sunday.After searching the area, deputies say they found the woman unresponsive in Thompson Lake close to the shoreline. Deputies say there are no signs of foul play and a toxicology report and autopsy will be conducted at a later date. This case is still under investigation.

2 people injured in south St. Louis City crash

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:11:18 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Two people were hurt in a crash just after 2:00 a.m. Wednesday.That was on South Grand at Chouteau Avenue. One of the vehicles hit a light pole. Anheuser-Busch selling 8 beer, beverage brands to cannabis company The other driver was seriously injured.

Passenger hospitalized after 2-car crash in the Central West End

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:11:18 GMT

ST. LOUIS - One person was injured in a two-car crash overnight in the Central West End.It happened around 1:00 a.m. at the Kingshighway and Lindell Boulevards. One car spun out onto the sidewalk in front of the Chase Park Plaza hotel. The other driver took off. Bump-and-rob carjackings on the rise, police say EMS personnel evaluated several passengers in the remaining car. One of them was taken to a nearby hospital.