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Syria’s Assad arrives in Saudi Arabia for regional summit, sealing his return to the Arab fold

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:41 GMT

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Syrian President Bashar Assad arrived on Thursday in Saudi Arabia to attend a regional summit that is expected to seal Syria’s return to the Arab fold, marking his first visit to the oil-rich kingdom since Syria’s conflict began in 2011.Assad’s attendance at the Arab League summit, which starts Friday, is a major step in normalizing relations following a 12-year suspension which saw the embattled leader turn toward non-Arab allies Iran and Russia to maintain his grip on power. The 22-member league, which is convening in the Saudi city of Jeddah, recently reinstated Syria and is now poised to welcome Assad, once viewed as a regional pariah, back into its ranks. The Syrian president was officially invited to attend the summit last week. Assad appeared relaxed and cheerful as he descended onto the tarmac, where he was greeted by Prince Badr bin Sultan, deputy governor of the shrine city Mecca, along with Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul ...

Police: Arrest in NY over death of man pushed onto Baltimore subway tracks

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:41 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — A man accused of pushing another man onto the tracks at a Baltimore subway station, electrocuting him, has been arrested in New York, police said.Investigators found Joseph White, 39, of Baltimore at a hotel in the South Ozone Park neighborhood of Queens on Wednesday and arrested him, police said in a news release. White will be charged with first-degree murder after he is extradited to Baltimore, police said.White pushed Christopher Foster onto the subway tracks at the Shot Tower station in downtown Baltimore on April 12, police said.Detectives called to the station that day found medics rendering aid to Foster, who died on the scene. Their investigation revealed Foster had been standing near the edge of the platform when he was pushed from behind, fell onto the tracks and was electrocuted, police said.It was not immediately clear whether White had an attorney who could speak on his behalf.The Associated Press

Man charged with killing 5-year-old who was found dead in suitcase 9 years ago

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:41 GMT

WORCESTER, Mass. (AP) — The man charged with murder in the death of 5-year-old Jeremiah Oliver, whose body was found in a suitcase beside a Massachusetts highway in 2014, pleaded not guilty at his arraignment on Thursday and was held without bail.Alberto Sierra Jr., 32, was the former boyfriend of Jeremiah's mother and was arrested on Wednesday, according to the office of Worcester District Attorney Joseph Early Jr.An email seeking comment was left with Sierra's attorney.Jeremiah’s body was found in April 2014 along Interstate 190 in Sterling, about an hour west of Boston. But the boy was last seen alive in September 2013, and was not reported missing until December of that year.The case shocked the state, with even then-Gov. Deval Patrick saying he was trying to “keep my own rage in check.” The boy's death also led to three employees of the state's child welfare agency getting fired, and spurred reforms at the agency.Jeremiah's family, which lived in Fitchburg at the time, was bein...

17-year-old girl missing from Northwest Side considered high risk, police say

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:41 GMT

CHICAGO — A 17-year-old girl from the Northwest Side is missing and considered high risk, Chicago police said Thursday. Lena Alducom was last seen around 12:30 a.m. Thursday in the 6100 block of N. Kedvale Ave in Chicago’s Forest Glen neighborhood. According to police, the teen was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, gray jogging pants, and without shoes. Boy, 13, missing out of Englewood may be in need of medical attention Alducom stands 4-foot-9 inches and weighs 99 pounds. She has brown eyes and black hair. Anyone with information should call police at (312) 746-6554.

Chicago's 'My House Music Festival' lineup revealed

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:41 GMT

CHICAGO — The lineup for the city's 8th annual "My House Musical Festival" has been released.The two-day electronic music fest is coming to Chicago's Harrison Park, 1824 South Wood Street, on August 12-13. The event will include headliners such as DJs Armand Van Helden, Derrick Carter, Bad Boy Bill, Joeski, Marshall Jefferson, and DJ Spen.The festival is also bringing back its silent disco, which gives festival-goers a unique personal dance party experience to enjoy with their headphones.“We’re thrilled to be bringing My House Music Festival back to Pilsen for its 8th year,” says Alexandra Castro, Marketing Director for Tribú Presents. “Chicago has always been a hub for house music, and this festival is a celebration of that legacy. We want to continue to honor and pay tribute to the pioneers of house music and the impact that they’ve had on music culture worldwide. We are proud to create an inclusive and welcoming space for all music lovers to come together...

90s with sunshine ahead of severe storm risk Friday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:41 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Hot and dry conditions courtesy of sinking air overhead will cause concerns for air quality today.An Air Quality Alert is in effect for the I-35 corridor + Bastrop and Caldwell Counties for elevated ground-level ozone. Consider limiting how much you drive and turning your thermostat up a couple of degrees to conserve energy.Afternoon highs will top 90° again this afternoon with mostly sunny and dry skies areawide. IN-DEPTH: Despite the current heat, temperatures this May are running nearly 6° cooler than May 2022, which ended up being the hottest May on record.Friday storm systemWe are tracking a low pressure system and cold front arriving Friday evening that will bring a chance of severe thunderstorms, then cooler weather over the weekend.Slight risk (2 out of 5) for severe storms late FridayStorms look most likely after 5 p.m. Friday from Austin through the Hill Country, and may persist in some areas until after midnight. Large hail and damaging winds appear most ...

Groups to file lawsuit over Texas bill that bans transgender youth health care

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:41 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Several legal groups announced Thursday that they're planning to file a lawsuit over a Texas bill that will ban transgender minors from getting gender-related healthcare. Senate Bill 14 passed the Senate with a 19-12 vote Wednesday, sending the bill to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk to be signed into law. MORE: Bill banning puberty blockers, hormone treatments for trans kids sent to Texas governor LGBTQ+ legal advocate groups Lambda Legal, the American Civil Liberties Union, the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas, and Transgender Law Center said in a press release they're pledging to file a lawsuit against the "sweeping" legislation. The groups said the bill bans transgender youth from accessing "medically necessary care.""[The bill] bans the only evidence-based care for gender dysphoria for transgender people under 18 and aims to strip doctors of their medical licenses for providing their patients with the care they know to be medically necessary," the releas...

Austin lowering speed limits on these North Lamar Boulevard sections

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:41 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Drivers along North Lamar Boulevard should keep their eyes peeled for lower speed limits in the near future.Austin City Council voted Thursday to approve modifications to speed limits within four segments along the North Lamar Boulevard corridor.Currently, North Lamar Boulevard from Parmer Lane to Braker Lane features 50 miles-per-hour speeds under city code. On the books now is a 35 miles-per-hour speed limit between Oak Brook Drive and Little Oak Drive, near Brentwood Christian School.North Lamar Boulevard Speed Limit ChangesDownloadFollowing council action, North Lamar Boulevard from Parmer Lane to just north of Oakbrook Drive will reduce to 45 miles per hour, while Oakbrook Drive to Braker Lane will drop to 40 miles per hour. Near Brentwood Christian School, the speed will decrease to 30 miles per hour between Oak Brook Drive and Little Oak Drive.As of now, North Lamar Boulevard near West Yager Lane and the Not Your Ordinary School Charter School is listed at 35...

Extreme heat in Austin is shortening our 'mosquito season'

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:41 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — With recent heavy rain and warming spring temperatures over the past week, there has been a noticeable jump in the amount of mosquito activity in and around Central Texas. How to keep mosquitoes away: Tips from Texans, pest control experts But a new analysis from our partners over at Climate Central show some surprising results for Central Texas. The duration of our 'mosquito season' here in Austin, Texas is (on average) actually shortening, not increasing.What's to blame for a shortening 'mosquito season'? Extreme heat. Central Texas is simply becoming too hot during our summer months. According to Climate Central, "Most of the 61 locations that experienced a decrease in mosquito days since 1979 are in the South, where summer temperatures may frequently exceed the upper range (95°F) for suitable mosquito conditions in this analysis".Mosquitos love climates that are warm and humid. You may notice more mosquito activity in your neighborhood when temperatures are clo...

Third man sentenced in connection with 2019 north Austin murder

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:41 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A third man was convicted and sentenced in connection with a May 2019 murder Tuesday, according to Travis County court documents.On Tuesday, a judge sentenced 26-year-old Timothy Bowie to 35 years on a murder charge and 10 years on an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge, according to court documents.Records showed Bowie pleaded guilty to the two charges April 18, and as part of the plea deal, there was a maximum sentence of 40 years.Bowie was arrested along with two others in connection to the murder of 28-year-old Jannerra Williams at a north Austin hotel in May 2019. PAST COVERAGE:Two arrested, face murder charges in connection with north Austin hotel shootingThird suspect identified in connection with north Austin hotel fatal shootingMan pleads guilty to May 2019 murder at north Austin hotelMan who faced 40 years for 2019 north Austin murder sentenced to 15Man receives 40 years for 2019 murder, second conviction in caseRoosevelt Haynes III and...