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Iraq scrambles to contain fighting between US troops and Iran-backed groups, fearing Gaza spillover

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:29:18 GMT

BAGHDAD (AP) — Dozens of attacks on U.S. military facilities by Iran-backed factions in Iraq over the past two months have forced the government in Baghdad to perform a balancing act that is becoming more difficult by the day.A rocket attack on the sprawling U.S. Embassy in Baghdad on Friday marked a further escalation as Iraqi officials scramble to contain the ripple effects of the Israel-Hamas war.Iran holds considerable sway in Iraq and a coalition of Iran-backed groups brought Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani to power in October 2022. But at the same time, there are some 2,000 U.S. forces stationed in Iraq under an agreement with Baghdad, mainly to counter the extremist Islamic State group. Baghdad also relies heavily on Washington’s sanctions waivers to buy electricity from Iran, and since the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003, Iraq’s foreign currency reserves have been housed at the U.S. Federal Reserve, giving the Americans significant control over Iraq’s supply of do...

Liz Weston: Investing for retirement – Why you might want to reconsider that 403(b)

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:29:18 GMT

Like many other educators, high school science teacher Robert Curtiss of Dearborn, Michigan, thought he was doing the right thing by investing in his school district’s 403(b) retirement plan. Then federal regulators charged the company handling Curtiss’ investments with fraud.In July 2022, the Securities and Exchange Commission said Equitable Financial Life Insurance Co. had misled investors — mostly public school employees — about what their investments cost. Equitable often issued quarterly statements showing $0 in fees, when in reality the expenses were much higher, according to the SEC. Equitable agreed to pay a $50 million civil penalty to harmed investors.After hearing about the fine, Curtiss learned that his retirement investments were costing him two to three times what a typical 401(k) investor would pay. Getting his money out would cost even more: the investments, known as variable annuities, had surrender charges of 5% to 6%.“I felt so frustrated,” Curtiss says. “If I wou...

Carpentersville teen missing for 1-week; family offering $1,000 reward

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:29:18 GMT

CARPENTERSVILLE, Ill — The search intensifies for a missing teenager from Carpentersville one-week after she disappeared.Brissa Romero, 17, has been missing since Monday of last week. The teen was headed to a bowling alley in Vernon Hills for a holiday party, but never made it back home.Police describe her as being five-feet tall and weighing around 115 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes.Brissa's 2008 gray Nissan Rogue was last seen near the corner of Route 45 and Milwaukee Avenue in Vernon Hills.Carpenterville police are hoping that a black coyote sticker, located near her vehicle's license plate, will help locate her SUV.The teen's family is offering $1,000 reward for information that can lead to her return home.

Monday Forecast: Temps in upper 30s with mostly cloudy conditions

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:29:18 GMT

CHICAGO — Decreasing clouds and seasonal temps. Winds: WSW 5-10 mph. High: 37. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storms here Mostly clear tonight, a bit breezy with steady overnight temps. Winds: SSW 5-15. Low 30.Tuesday Forecast: Partly to mostly sunny. Winds: W 5-10 mph. High near 40.Extended outlook calls for temp to get into the mid 40s with lots of sunshine Wed/Thu. Increasing clouds on Friday with highs in the mid to upper 40s. A chance of showers late Friday into Saturday with temps this coming weekend about ten degrees above normal. Full forecast details and more at the WGN Weather Center blog

18 companies cut ties with Sean Combs' business venture in wake of sexual assault allegations

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:29:18 GMT

(The Hill) -- Eighteen companies shared that they have cut ties with a business venture created by Hip Hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs amid the slew of sexual assault allegations against the music legend. The companies confirmed with Rolling Stone Magazine on Sunday that they severed business relationships with Combs’ recently launched platform Empower Global. Empower Global, founded by Combs in 2021, is an immersive e-commerce, digital marketplace offering products from Black-owned businesses around the world. The platform is said to “elevate the Black economy by creating opportunities for Black entrepreneurs to build and scale successful businesses” for consumers. Luxury bag, eyewear, and apparel company House of Takura founder Annette Njau told the magazine that she cut ties with Empower Global after learning of Casandra Ventura’s – better known as R&B singer Cassie – lawsuit against Combs. “We take the allegations against Mr. Combs very seriously and find su...

Are we in a 'silent depression'? TikTokers claim 2023 economy is worse than Great Depression

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:29:18 GMT

(WGN Radio) – Inflation is easing, unemployment is relatively low, and the stock market looks strong, economics experts say. So why does it still feel so bad?A host of TikTokers have coined a name for it: "silent depression." They say the economy is bad – just as bad as it was during the Great Depression – but no one is acknowledging it. One viral video compares 1930 prices with today's, claiming the average home back then cost $3,900, a car was $600 and rent was $18 a month. Meanwhile, the average salary was $1,300, the TikToker says. Are you owed money from the $3 million Credit Karma settlement? Today, those prices are all obviously much, much higher: $436,000 for a house, $48,000 for a new car, and about $2,000 a month for rent. Meanwhile, the average person is making $56,000, he says. (The Bureau of Labor Statistics puts that figure slightly higher at about $58,000 for someone working full time. The U.S. Census Bureau put the median household income last year at ar...

Dean’s A-List Interviews: Olivia Coleman, Keegan-Michael Key on 'Wonka'

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:29:18 GMT

WGN Entertainment Reporter Dean Richards talks to actors Olivia Coleman and Keegan-Michael Key on 'Wonka.'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!

Widespread rain expected late week

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:29:18 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- We'll start the work week with sunny and dry skies... but we're expected to finish it much differently.Temperatures near or below freezing this morning will jump pretty quickly as the sun rises. Afternoon highs will warm into the low to mid-60s -- average for this time of year. Similar weather is expected tomorrow, the main difference being increasing clouds through the day.Mid-to late week rainA slow-moving storm system will approach the state from the west, bringing the opportunity for rain beginning midweek. The wettest weather appears to arrive Friday, when the heaviest rain since October is possible.First Warning: impactful rain event late this weekRainfall totals will range anywhere from 1"-3" -- welcome news for low lake levels and the ongoing drought. Check with the First Warning Weather team for updates through the week as the storm approaches.Rainfall projections through the end of this weekend Winter Weather Outlook: What a strong El Niño could mean for...

Top 10 items for a top-tier Texas holiday gift basket

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:29:18 GMT

AMARILLO, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) - Everything's bigger in Texas - including an enthusiasm for themed gifts. Whether it be for an office party or a family gathering, holiday gift baskets are reliable ways to compile smaller, often tasty, treats and gifts aimed at a general theme or a specific person's interests. However, while bombast and the love of festive fun can be greater in Texas, that also means a longer list of options for people aiming to make a basket themed for the Lone Star State; it can be difficult to know where to start. Viewers weighed in on what they think an official Texas-themed holiday gift basket should include and used those responses to help compile a list of 10 popular options for consideration.Beef JerkyBeef, barbecue and leather are all iconic products (and smells) for the Lone Star State, which combine to form one of the most commonly loved snacks in the state: Beef jerky. Traditionally, beef jerky is made from meat cut into thin strips that are dried, dehydrate...

12/11/2023: Sloppy & snowy morning

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:29:18 GMT

The latest Storm Tracker Forecast from Meteorologist Jill Szwed.Happy Monday! We made it through the drenching rain. The switch to wet snow continues this morning. Heads up as you head out the door, roads will be sloppy to say the least.Widespread wintry weather - including a rain/snow mix near the Hudson River - continues through mid-morning. Snow will not only accumulate but also limit visibility during your morning commute. There are some big fat flakes out there. Accumulations will wildly vary on either side of the Hudson Valley. The valley floor may only pick up an inch or two of slush. A short drive away totals will jump considerably. The western hill towns and the Rensselaer plateau will end up with more than half a foot.Phase 3 of this storm is the wind. Gusts will kick up close to 40 mph this afternoon. The stronger winds will also stir up scattered snow showers, especially west of the Capital Region. Any additional accumulations will be light.Skies will start clearing and ...