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Sweden calls for vigilance abroad after Quran desecrations and protests

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:43 GMT

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — A senior Swedish official said Monday Swedes abroad and businesses linked to Sweden“should observe increased vigilance and caution,” following recent Quran burnings in the country and protests in the Muslim world.Henrik Landerholm, Sweden’s National Security Adviser, said there are signs of “a heightened threat” to the country and to Swedish interests abroad, adding the security situation has worsened.In a statement, Landerholm said that “representatives of terrorist groups have called for attacks against Sweden. States and other actors have helped amplify such messages.” He said Sweden has gone from being considered a “legitimate” target to being a “priority” target. The statement did not identify those involved.Landerholm said there also were ”indications” that groups are planning other acts against Swedish interests abroad, and cited the storming of Sweden’s Embassy in Baghdad last month and an attempted attack on the diplomatic mission in B...

Poland’s government wants to ask voters loaded questions on border security as part of election

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:43 GMT

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Poland’s government said Monday it wants to ask voters whether they want dismantled a recently-built border wall that blocks unauthorized migration from Belarus.The loaded question is one of four the right-wing ruling party wants to ask in a referendum it intends to hold alongside the Oct. 15 parliamentary elections. The Law and Justice party is intent on winning an unprecedented third term in the elections. Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak said on social media that the question will ask: “Do you support the pulling down of the barrier on the border on the Polish Republic with the Republic of Belarus?”The government built the wall last year and substantially reduced the inflow of Middle East and African migrants across that border. Poland and European Union authorities view the inflow as an effort by Russia’s ally Belarus to generate turmoil in Poland and other European countries. Poland has also reinforced military troops along that border due to Belar...

Typhoon approaches western Japan, threatening to bring heavy rain and high winds during holiday week

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:43 GMT

TOKYO (AP) — A powerful typhoon was approaching Japan’s main archipelago of Honshu on Monday, threatening to hit large areas of western and central Japan with heavy rain and high winds, as many people were traveling for a Buddhist holiday week.Typhoon Lan was packing winds of up to 126 kph (78 mph) as it headed northwest over the Pacific Ocean south of Cape Shionomisaki in the central Japanese prefecture of Wakayama, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. The typhoon is expected to make landfall on Tuesday morning, cut across the region and veer east toward Hokkaido over waters between Japan and the Korean Peninsula, the JMA said.The typhoon, arriving in the middle of the Bon Buddhist holiday week, is expected to affect many Japanese traveling to visit their families and relatives, as transportation and event operators in the typhoon’s predicted path have decided to suspend services through Tuesday. Central Japan Railway Co. said Shinkansen “bullet” train operations bet...

Potential severe storms Monday; Flood Watch issued

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:43 GMT

CHICAGO — Mostly cloudy Monday with rain at times and isolated thunderstorms. Some could be strong to severe. Winds: ESE/WNW 5-15 mph. High: 75.A Flood Watch is issued for Cook, Lake, DuPage and McHenry counties from 10 a.m. until midnight. Mostly cloudy tonight with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Winds: NNE 5-10 mph. Low: 62. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storm here Tuesday Forecast: A few lingering showers and thunderstorms then decreasing clouds. Winds: NNE/SW 5-10 mph. High 77.Extended outlook calls for more sunshine and temps back into the lower 80s on Wednesday and a bit muggier. Chance of showers/t'storms again on Thursday with warmer and sunnier weather expected for Friday into the weekend with highs getting close to 90. Full forecast details and more at the WGN Weather Center blog

Weak front brings lower humidity, spot storms

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:43 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As many school districts return to the classroom this week, teachers and students will want to prepare for hot recesses and bus stop pick-ups.Afternoon highs will climb to the upper 90s and low 100s areawide today. Austin's forecast high of 106° will mark our 36th consecutive day of triple digits and our 54th for the year.A subtle shift in the high pressure system above will allow a weak "cold" front to slide in late day. Although we expect a negligible difference in temperatures, this boundary will help spark a few isolated, late-day storms and bring a drop in humidity behind it.As our high briefly strengthens again late week, temperatures spike to daily records (107° Thursday).Stay with KXAN and the First Warning Weather team for updates as the heat drags on. Austin Interactive Weather Stats (2023) KXAN Summer Fan Drive continuesStaying cool is paramount in this heat wave but many of your fellow citizens still have a difficult time doing so. Consider supporting ...

Manor ISD filling staffing shortages with international teachers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:43 GMT

MANOR (KXAN) — School starts today for thousands of students enrolled in the Manor Independent School District.Similar to what we’ve witnessed all across the country, the school district has struggled with staffing shortages.Manor ISD currently has 200 openings, 81 of which are teacher vacancies. Hoping to fill this void with experience from overseas, the district has 89 international teachers. MORE: Manor ISD starts school with 89 international teachers helping staff classrooms With 400 teachers working within Manor ISD, this group represents almost a quarter of the total teaching body.Pedro Vasquez is a Spanish teacher at Decker Middle School. The Columbian native says this program is solving staffing shortages while showcasing cultural diversity.“We are glad to share our culture, knowledge and passion to learn,” Vasquez said. “We are very happy to be here to teach, help, learn and grow.”Most of these teachers are working on J-1 visas and coming from countries such as Columbia, ...

AFD contains brush fire near I-35 and Stassney

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:43 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Austin Fire Department said Sunday night crews contained a brush fire in south Austin to a half-acre in size. According to an AFD post at 11:27 p.m., the fire originated in an encampment. AFD said the fire burned near Interstate 35 and Stassney Lane. Austin Fire crews fight fire in south Austin on Aug. 14. (Courtesy; Austin Fire)Austin Fire crews fight fire in south Austin on Aug. 14. (Courtesy; Austin Fire)KXAN requested more information about the fire from Austin Fire and will update when we get more.

5 things to know this Monday, August 14

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:43 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- It's the beginning of another work week. Happy Monday! According to Meteorologist Jill Szwed, we'll start to see more clouds with the sunshine drifting away as the day goes on. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The Cohoes Police Department announced they are investigating a fatal shooting that took place on August 11. Meanwhile, Schenectady County extended the State of Emergency related to asylum seekers coming to the area for another five days on Sunday unless extended sooner. These stories, and more, are covered in your five things to know this Monday morning. 1. Cohoes Police investigating homicideThe Cohoes Police Department announced they are investigating a fatal shooting that took place on August 11. The victim, Shieer Leggett, of Albany, succumbed to injuries sustained in the incident, according to police.2. Schenectady County extends State of EmergencySchenectady County extended the State of Eme...

Gov. Mike Parson set to sign I-70 expansion bill today

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:43 GMT

ST. CHARLES COUNTY, Mo. - Drivers will soon see at least three lanes on Interstate 70 across the entire state of Missouri.The new legislation will expand I-70 across the entire state to at least three lanes. Governor Mike Parson introduced the plan earlier this year, and he'll be in Foristell Monday for a ceremonial signing of House Bill 4.The project will start in Wentzville. The work is expected to ease congestion on the heavily traveled interstate between St. Louis and Kansas City. It's a 200-mile stretch of I-70 that'll start in St. Charles County and go all the way to Blue Springs, which is just outside K-C.The bill Governor Parson will sign is a nearly $3 billion plan to expand the stretch of I-70 from two lanes to three. A lot of stretches of I-70 in more rural areas are only two lanes right now. Safety questions arise as unidentified man drowns at familiar scene Back when the governor first pushed for this project, he was asking for $860 million from the state. However, st...

East St. Louis School District 189 starts new school year today

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:43 GMT

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. - Back to school in the St. Louis area starts Monday morning with two Illinois districts beginning the new school year, including East St. Louis School District 189.All is still quiet in the area now, but that will change a little later Monday morning when students arrive and learning begins. Back to school welcome signs are up, and there are some balloons inside the school as well. The bell officially rings for the start of school here at 7:30 a.m. School district officials told FOX 2 that when the students arrive they will receive warm welcomes by people including volunteers from area churches, fraternities, and sorties. ‘It’s a monster!’ Teen catches 108-pound catfish near Spanish Lake We're told about 1,110 students are attendants at the school. East St. Louis Sr. High School has a new principal this year in Dr. Brittany Green. Green served a number of years as principal of the Wyvetter Younge School of Excellence and has won multiple awards for her leader...