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Muslims in Asia begin marking holy month of Ramadan

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:44 GMT

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Islamic authorities in Indonesia said the first day of Ramadan will begin Thursday, as millions of faithful in the world’s most-populous Muslim-majority country began marking the holy month with fasting and prayers. Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas on Wednesday evening declared that Islamic astronomy observers teams from several of the country’s regions had sighted the crescent moon, the official start of Ramadan. Shortly after, worshippers flooded mosques to offer evening prayers.Muslim authorities in Saudi Arabia and several other Middle Eastern countries said earlier that Ramadan in their region will begin Thursday based on the expected sighting of the crescent moon.Clerics across the Mideast said the moon was not visible Tuesday night, meaning it will almost certainly appear the following evening. During Ramadan, Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, and sexual intercourse from sunrise until sunset. Even a tiny sip of water...

Boris Johnson facing high-stakes grilling over ‘partygate’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:44 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Former U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson began testifying on Wednesday to a crucial hearing on whether he misled Parliament about lockdown parties.Johnson denies deliberately lying, but if found to have done so, he could face suspension or even lose his seat in Parliament.He told the committee that the rule-breaking events were wrong and “I bitterly regret it,” but added: “hand on heart, that I did not lie to the House.”Johnson is being questioned by the House of Commons standards committee over his statements about rule-breaking parties in government buildings during the coronavirus pandemic.Johnson acknowledges that his insistence that the rules were followed at all times turned out to be untrue. But he says he never “knowingly or recklessly” misled Parliament.THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.LONDON (AP) — Boris Johnson is back where he likes to be: at the center of attention. But he’s not so happy about the reason.Britain’s form...

Los Angeles strike highlights paltry US school worker pay

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:44 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Bus drivers shuttle America’s children to schools where cafeteria workers feed them and teacher aides assist students who need the most help.And their pay is notoriously low. School support staffers earn, on average, about $25,000 a year in Los Angeles, barely enough to get by in one of the most expensive cities in America.The pay is a driving factor behind a three-day strike that has shut down the entire Los Angeles school system and put a spotlight on the paltry pay of support staff that serves as the backbone of schools nationwide.Even outside pricey California, the school gigs often don’t pay enough to live on. Arthur Anderson, a school worker in Virginia, says it’s a shame it took a walkout to draw attention to the longstanding problem, but he hopes it helps.“People are so frustrated. We all are,” said Anderson, a teacher’s assistant in the Chesapeake Public School System where he has worked for 30 years and makes $32,000. He works three other part-time job...

Son charged with killing Wisconsin cheese owners; journal detailing their 'elimination' found

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:44 GMT

WOLF RIVER, Wis. (WFRV) - A man from Winnebago County, Wisconsin is charged with killing both of his parents after they were found dead in their home early Saturday morning.According to a criminal complaint obtained by Local 5, 25-year-old Erik Metzig is facing two counts of intentional homicide after allegedly killing his parents. On March 18 around 5:15 a.m., a 911 call to Winnebago County came in where the caller hung up. Deputies went to the address of the scene to check on the welfare of the residents. The residents of the home operated Union Star Cheese on Cty RD. II. So deputies responded to Union Star Cheese but were unable to find either of the residents. A witness said the two should be home, and after walking through the residence, both were found covered in blankets with bags over their heads. The complaint says the victims died from apparent gunshot wounds. The witness said that Erik was living with his parents and should be home, but his...

Activist giving away prime rib in Englewood Saturday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:44 GMT

CHICAGO — A community activist is giving away several units of prime rib and other sides Saturday in Englewood.Activist Michael Airhart, from Taste for The Homeless, is partnering with Mariano's to give away 520 units of prime rib and roast beef, five-pound bags of potatoes and 2,200 pot pies.They will be giving out the food Saturday at 11 a.m. near the intersection of 63rd and Ashland. ALDI launching clothing Wednesday for $10 or less The Taste for The Homeless' mission is to provide services to uplift the homeless on the street and those living in shelters to become contributing citizens by providing hot food, clothing, hygiene items and social services.

Missing 15-year-old girl in Little Village

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:44 GMT

CHICAGO — A 15-year-old girl from the city's Little Village neighborhood has been missing for six days, according to community organizers.Azreya Lomeli was last seen walking in the neighborhood nearly one week ago. Her family, along with members of Las Valientas, plan to hold a press conference Wednesday morning to raise awareness and seek a meeting with Chicago Police Department Area 4 detectives.According to the group, Lomeli is the fourth young lady to go missing in Little Village so far in 2023.Most recently, 21-year-old Rosa Chacon, who had been missing since January, was found dead in a laundry cart one week ago. Family remembers Chicago woman found dead in laundry cart WGN plans to livestream the press conference within this story beginning at approximately 10 a.m.

Dean’s Home Video: Lucky Hank, Rabbit Hole, Yellowjackets Season 2 — and more

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:44 GMT

WGN Entertainment Reporter Dean Richards previews all the new shows and movies released this week in today's edition of “Dean’s Home Video."Get Dean's reviews and A-List interviews delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for Dean's Downloads weekly newsletter. You'll also get his Dean Cooks recipes too!

Willie Nelson to be honored with prestigious Texas award and new endowment

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:44 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Willie Nelson will soon add another award to his trophy case.The LBJ Foundation will present its most prestigious honor, the LBJ Liberty & Justice for All Award, to Willie Nelson in May."A lifelong advocate for farmers, alleviating food insecurity, and support of rural communities, Nelson embodies President Lyndon Baines Johnson's commitment to public service, particularly in the areas of farming and food security," the foundation said about Nelson in a media release Wednesday.Nelson will be honored with a gala dinner at the LBJ Presidential Library on May 12. Proceeds from the gala will benefit the newly established "Willie Nelson Endowment for Uplifting Rural Communities" at the LBJ School of Public Affairs. The endowment, a part of The University of Texas at Austin, will fund research and student fellowships. According to the school, it will focus on sustainable agriculture, eliminating hunger, resilient energy, sustainable water, and natural disaster recovery...

Austin-based startup helps hire retail workers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:44 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- There's a good chance you or someone you know has worked in retail.But one of the industry's biggest issues is an ongoing labor shortage.Here in Austin, one startup is trying to fill that gap and give workers full control over their time. Reflex allows people to pick up a shifts where they want and when they want.As Austin springs forward toward a busy tourist season, the retail industry has struggled with staffing."You have to work tough hours, you have to work on weekends, you have to work holiday times." Mike Meyers, Reflex's CEO said. "So what's happened is a lot of retailers are struggling with the so-called labor shortage."With this in mind, Meyers founded Reflex, an online platform connecting retailers to reliable workers."There's actually a lot of people that want to work in retail, they just don't want to work in retail the way they always have, and what they want is flexibility," Meyers explained. His company tailors toward brick-and-mortar retail, giving ...

Workers at St. Paul Starbucks location part of national strike Wednesday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:44 GMT

Workers at a St. Paul Starbucks are on strike on Wednesday, part of a national walkout taking place at more than 100 stores nationwide.The workers are picketing outside the store, located at 300 Snelling Ave. S., until 11 a.m. Wednesday.The strike comes a day before the company’s annual shareholder meeting.The workers’ demands include “basic rights like livable wages with consistent scheduling, safe and respectful workplaces, and the right to organize free from fear and intimidation,” according to a news release from Starbucks Workers United.Strikes are also planned at two other Twin Cities Starbucks on Silver Lake Road in St. Anthony and at 47th and Cedar Avenue in Minneapolis.We are currently seeking a response from Starbucks and have a reporter headed to the picket line in St. Paul; this report will be updated.Related ArticlesLocal News | After woman killed in stabbing in St. Paul, police arrest her husband Local News | Minnesota...