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Divisive Thai ex-Prime Minister Thaksin returns from exile as party seeks to form new government

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:55 GMT

BANGKOK (AP) — Divisive ex-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra returned to Thailand on Tuesday after years of self-imposed exile to face criminal charges on the same day that a party affiliated with him plans to start forming a new government.Thaksin has said his decision to return has nothing to do with an expected vote in Parliament later in the day on a candidate from the Pheu Thai party for prime minister. But many believe his arrival is connected to the party’s pursuit of power.Thaksin flew from Singapore in his private jet and landed at Don Mueang International Airport around 9 a.m. local time. Thai broadcasters aired live footage of him walking out of the airport’s private jet terminal with his daughter, key Pheu Thai member Paetongtarn Shinawatra, and greeting his supporters.After walking out, Thaksin placed a flower wreath and prostrated before a portrait of Thailand’s king and queen at the gate of the terminal.Supporters of him gathered outside of the airport hours ahead of ...

Cambodian Parliament approves longtime leader’s son as prime minister as part of generational change

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:55 GMT

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — The son of longtime autocratic Cambodian leader Hun Sen was approved by Parliament on Tuesday as the country’s new prime minister, part of a generational change in top positions in the Southeast Asian nation. Hun Manet, 45, won his first seat in the National Assembly in July elections and takes over from his father, who had been Asia’s longest serving leader with nearly four decades in power, after serving as Cambodia’s army chief. He was approved by lawmakers unanimously and is to be officially sworn in later Tuesday. Even though he’s at the head of a Cabinet made up of about 3/4 new face s, most are the children or are otherwise related to those they are replacing, and experts caution against expecting broad changes in the country where human rights have been under attack and dissent suppressed.“There is not a big difference between the generations in political outlook, including in terms of how open or how competitive politics s...

Unemployment assistance available for Cook County residents impacted by flooding

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:55 GMT

COOK COUNTY, Ill. — More help is now available for Cook County residents who were impacted by flooding in June.The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced Monday that it is now accepting applications for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) for impacted residents in Cook County. The assistance is available as a result of President Biden's disaster declaration last week.According to IDES, people in Cook County whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted by the flooding are eligible to receive up to 26 weeks of DUA benefits, as long as their unemployment continues to be impacted as a result of the disaster. FEMA support arrives in Chicago, provides update for flooding victims Visit the Illinois Department of Employment Security website for more information on available benefits and details on how to apply.The deadline to apply for DUA benefits is September 21, 2023.

Dentist convicted of killing wife on African safari given life sentence, over $15M in penalties

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:55 GMT

DENVER (AP) — As a wealthy dentist convicted of killing his wife at the end of an African safari listened in court, her brother vowed on Monday to move her remains to a place that Larry Rudolph would never discover.Shortly before a judge sentenced Rudolph to life in prison in the 2016 death of Bianca Rudolph, Vincent Finizio also predicted Larry Rudolph would “die alone and unmourned” and that his future grandchildren will never know he existed.“Even Judas would be afraid to be in your company,” Finizio said, referencing the home of Jesus’ traitor — the worst circle of hell imagined by Dante.U.S. District Judge William Martinez also imposed over an estimated $15 million in financial penalties against Rudolph, who was also convicted of mail fraud for cashing in nearly $5 million in insurance policies for his wife as he began a new life with his longtime girlfriend.Rudolph has claimed throughout the case that his wife’s death in the southern African nation of Zambia was an a...

'Now he's a real angel:' South Side community gathers to remember slain 14-year-old boy

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:55 GMT

CHICAGO — Two days after 14-year-old RayJohn Harshaw was killed in a shooting near his South Side home, family, friends and his teachers gathered Monday to honor his life, on what should have been the first day of his freshman year.“He had his bookbag packed y’all," said Athena Harshaw, RayJohn's aunt and legal guardian. "And he couldn’t make it because somebody so ruthless, so evil, so demonic decided to take his life and this hurts man; this isn’t right.”According to the Chicago Police Department, officers were called to the 8700 block of South Cregier Avenue around 6:50 p.m. Saturday evening in the Calumet Heights neighborhood. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 14-year-old boy dead after Calumet Heights shooting ID’d Police found a 14-year-old boy — later identified as RayJohn — who had been shot in the head and chest.RayJohn was initially taken to Comer Children's Hospital in critical condition, but later succumbed to his injuries.“Somebody walked up to him, took his cellphone," Athena Harsh...

City of Round Rock launches new online conservation dashboard

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:55 GMT

ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) -- The City of Round Rock launched a new online dashboard that allows the community to see how their conservation efforts are contributing to regional water-saving goals, according to the city's website.The online dashboard will also inform city leaders of whether more restrictions are required to meet those goals, the website said.This comes after the call from the city's raw water providers urging residents to reduce water consumption due to ongoing dry conditions.According to the city, the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) announced it has entered Stage 2 of its drought response. LCRA provides raw water from Lake Travis to the city, as well as other nearby cities.Furthermore, the LCRA asked the city to cut back water use by 10-20% and implement mandatory water restrictions, the website said. In a similar fashion, the Brazos River Authority enacted a Stage 2 Drought Warning for lakes Georgetown and Stillhouse Hollow earlier this month, according to the...

Longhorns Xavier Worthy, Kelvin Banks Jr. named AP preseason All-Americans

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:55 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Two Texas Longhorns were named to the Associated Press Preseason All-America Team, the organization announced Monday.Junior wide receiver Xavier Worthy and sophomore offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. were both named to the second team. It's Worthy's second time being selected as a preseason All-American and Banks' first time.See the entire AP Preseason All-America TeamIt's another preseason honor of many for Worthy this year. He has been named to watch lists for the Maxwell Award, Paul Horning Award, Biletnikoff Award, Walter Camp Player of the Year and the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award. Worthy was also the only unanimous selection to the preseason All-Big 12 team and was also named a preseason All-American by the Walter Camp Football Foundation, Phil Steele and Athlon Sports.Banks was named a Freshman All-American last year by the Football Writers Association of America after starting all 13 games at left tackle for the Longhorns. He was a semifinalist for the Shau...

Unhoused struggling to stay cool during heatwave

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:55 GMT

ST. LOUIS – Many St. Louisans are struggling to escape the heat. The unhoused, in particular, are having a rough go of it in this heatwave.Mary Harder says she’s unable to get into homeless shelters because of her constant companion.“I have service animals. She’s fully-registered,” she said.Harder says she’s on the street, trying her best to survive the heat with her dog.“I have a cooler full of ice and water. Other than that, I’m staying in the shade,” she said.On Monday, Harder and others who are unhoused received a helping hand from Affinia Healthcare. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News SIGN UP NOW Affinia went to 14 locations in north St. Louis, south St. Louis, and north St. Louis County, handing out water and other toiletries. They also provided...

Excessive heat doesn't deter Forest Park visitors

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:55 GMT

ST. LOUIS – A heatwave moving across the bi-state area could not keep folks from getting outside."Ninety-five or 101 (degrees), it all feels the same,” Forest Park golfer Mark Harless said on Monday.Golf leagues at Forest Park are in full swing through the near triple-digit temperatures."Starting to question my sanity for doing so, but yeah, we are going to go after it," Harless said.Eager Beyoncé fans also braved the heat outside the The Dome at America's Center on Monday. Cool Down St. Louis founder warns of extreme heat dangers "I decided to stand out in the heat because I thought it would be cheaper, but it turns out it's not,” Meigan Woods said.Temperatures well into the 90s Monday as we face an excessive heat warning throughout the week, making for a less-than-busy golf course."I'm going to say half of (the golf league members) checked out," Harless said. "Maybe my wife thinks I should have, but I didn't."At the Saint Louis Zoo, animals are doing what they can to stay cool."...

Firefighters battle huge blaze at salvage yard, extreme temperatures

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:55 GMT

MADISON, Ill. – Firefighters have a tough job no matter the weather, but when the heat and humidity reach these extreme levels, it can make even the smallest fire feel like an inferno.Departments from all over southern Illinois sent crews, equipment, and water to the scene of a massive blaze Sunday into Monday at 111 Salvage off Illinois Route 111 in Madison, Illinois. The extra bodies were needed not just because of the size of the fire, but also because of the extreme heat.The fire broke out late Sunday and burned through the night. Fires like this in weather like this are an especially dangerous combination, according to Jason Wilson, Shift Commander with the Granite City Fire Department. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News SIGN UP NOW His departmen...