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Taiwan’s presidential candidates will hold a televised debate as the race heats up

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:35:40 GMT

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — The three candidates running in next month’s Taiwanese presidential election will hold a televised debate on Dec. 30 as the race heats up under pressure from China. The outcome of the Jan. 13 election could have a major effect on relations between China and the United States, which is bound by its own laws to provide Taiwan with the weapons it needs to defend itself and to regard threats to the self-governing island as a matter of “grave concern.” Differences over Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory, are a major flashpoint in U.S.-China relations. The debate will feature current Vice President William Lai of the Democratic Progressive Party; Hou Yu-ih, a local government leader representing the main opposition Nationalist Party, or KMT; and former Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je, of the smaller Taiwan People’s Party. Lai, whose party favors the status quo of de-facto independence, is favored to win the election, ensuring that tensions with China will l...

The UK says it has paid Rwanda $300 million for a blocked asylum deal. No flights have taken off

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:35:40 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was under pressure Friday to explain why Britain has paid Rwanda 240 million pounds ($300 million) as part of a blocked asylum plan, without a single person being sent to the East African country.The total is almost twice the 140 million pounds that Britain previously said it had handed to the Rwandan government under a deal struck in April 2022. Under the agreement, migrants who reach Britain across the English Channel would be sent to Rwanda, where their asylum claims would be processed and, if successful, they would stay.The plan was challenged in U.K. courts, and no flights to Rwanda have taken off. Last month, Britain’s Supreme Court ruled the policy was illegal because Rwanda isn’t a safe country for refugees.Despite the ruling and the mounting cost, Sunak has pledged to press on with the plan.The Home Office said it had paid a further 100 million pounds to Rwanda in the 2023-24 financial year and expects to hand over 50 million pounds ...

Jon Rahm is leaving for LIV Golf and what it means for both sides

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:35:40 GMT

Jon Rahm has been saying that he plays golf for history and for legacy, not for money. And now he’s playing for the Saudi-funded LIV Golf League in a shocking departure from the PGA Tour.A week of speculation on social media ended with Rahm in a jacket — not the green jacket he won at the Master this year but a black letterman’s jacket with LIV Golf across the front — as he discussed reasons for bolting during an appearance on Fox News.“I think the innovation and the vision of LIV Golf is what pushed me over to at least give it a chance and hear the pitch,” Rahm said in an interview with LIV broadcaster David Feherty. “Ultimately, it ended up being what I wanted to hear.”How much? Rahm wasn’t sharing details, but it’s a lot. Various reports put it in the neighborhood of $500 million, which includes equity in his new team. Consider the entire prize fund on the PGA Tour in 2023 was about $460 million.This creates as many questions as answers, from who Rahm brin...

21st annual WGN Morning News drive-thru toy drive, presented by AARP Chicago, to be held Friday, December 8

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:35:40 GMT

The WGN Morning News Drive-Thru Toy Drive will be celebrating its 21st year!  On Friday, December 8 from 5am – 10am, viewers are invited to drive up and drop off a new, unwrapped toy at the WGN-TV Studios, located at 2501 W. Bradley Place in Chicago (near Addison & Western).  Toy donations will be accepted December 7-10th at participating Jewel-Osco locations.  This year’s toy drive will benefit Christmas in the Wards and Off the Street Club.MONETARY DONATIONS ARE ALSO WELCOME! Via WGN-TV Family Charities, a McCormick Foundation fund, all donations will be matched at 50 cents on the dollar.  With WGN-TV and the Foundation paying all campaign and administrative expenses, 100% of all donations, plus the match, are granted to qualified nonprofit organizations.  WGN-TV will accept financial donations through December 31, 2023.TO MAKE A FINANCIAL DONATION - Viewers are encouraged to donate at:https://www.mccormickfoundation.org/partnerships/wgn-toy-drive/Tex...

Friday Forecast: Increasing clouds, mid 50s

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:35:40 GMT

Friday: Increasing clouds, mainly cloudy, SSW 10-15 G30. High: 56Friday Night: Cloudy, rain showers, warm, S 5-10 G20. Low: 45Saturday: Mainly cloudy, AM rain showers, slight daytime chances, dropping afternoon temps, WSW 10-15 G25. High: 51Chicago Weather | Tom Skilling and the WGN Weather Center's Forecast (wgntv.com)

Trump's vow to only be a dictator on 'day one' feeds worry over his authoritarian rhetoric

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:35:40 GMT

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — As Donald Trump faces growing scrutiny over his increasingly authoritarian and violent rhetoric, Fox News host Sean Hannity gave his longtime friend a chance to assure the American people that he wouldn't abuse power or seek retribution if he wins a second term.But instead of offering a perfunctory answer brushing off the warnings, Trump stoked the fire.“Except for day one,” the GOP front-runner said Tuesday night before a live audience in Davenport, Iowa. “I want to close the border, and I want to drill, drill, drill."And in case anyone missed it, he reenacted the exchange.“We love this guy,” Trump said of Hannity. “He says, ‘You’re not going to be a dictator, are you?’ I said: ‘No, no, no, other than day one. We’re closing the border, and we’re drilling, drilling, drilling. After that, I’m not a dictator.’”Former President Donald Trump sits at the defense table while waiting for proceedings to begin in his civil business f...

Chronic fatigue syndrome more common than past studies suggest, CDC says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:35:40 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Health officials on Friday released the first nationally representative estimate of how many U.S. adults have chronic fatigue syndrome: 3.3 million.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's number is larger than previous studies have suggested, and is likely boosted by some of the patients with long COVID. The condition clearly "is not a rare illness,” said the CDC's Dr. Elizabeth Unger, one of the report's co-authors.Chronic fatigue is characterized by at least six months of severe exhaustion not helped by bed rest. Patients also report pain, brain fog and other symptoms that can get worse after exercise, work or other activity. There is no cure, and no blood test or scan to enable a quick diagnosis.Doctors have not been able to pin down a cause, although research suggests it is a body's prolonged overreaction to an infection or other jolt to the immune system.The condition rose to prominence nearly 40 years ago, when clusters of cases were rep...

Foxes at Huston-Tillotson University could face 'extinction' student project reveals

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:35:40 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Wild grey foxes are a common sight on Huston-Tillotson University's campus in East Austin. A recent student revealed that their days may be numbered. A warming climate and development in the area could drive these foxes from their home and possibly to "extinction.""We realized that there is actually a significant correlation between temperature and fox behavior.," said Nerisha Pillay, a senior in assistant professor Jason Ikpatt's biology class. Pillay and other students, including junior Ckyra Anthony, conducted a four-week study of the campus' foxes using cameras set up outside their dens. Footage revealed that the foxes were spending more time inside their dens and less foraging during the warmer months.Ipkatt said he was surprised by the results. As a small class project, they rarely get statistically significant data."I was so excited when the students called me over and saw oh, there actually is a statistically significant correlation between an environmental v...

Strong winds, near-freezing temperatures follow weekend cold front

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:35:40 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Spring-like warmth to finish the work week, but don't get too comfortable. A strong cold front brings BIG changes to our weekend forecast.This morning's low clouds, patchy fog and spots of mist/drizzle will gradually fade into partly to mostly sunny sky this afternoon. While starting the day mild in the 60s, this afternoon will be even better with temperatures soaring well into the 70s. Breezy winds out of the south will increase both humidity and warmth through the day.Following today's warm weather, a harsh reminder as to what time of year it is courtesy of a strong weekend cold front.Weekend cold frontWHAT: Strong Pacific cold frontWHEN: Hill Country - 8AM-11AM / Austin-metro - 10AM-2PM / Eastern counties - 1PM-4PM IMPACTS: Gusty north winds, low rain chance and cooler temperatures.Spotty rain showers are possible along and ahead of the cold front, mainly over the I-35 corridor eastward Saturday morning and early afternoon. Rainfall accumulation looks very light ...

Morning Report news quiz for the week of Dec. 3

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:35:40 GMT

How closely did you follow the local news this week?Take our quiz and find out!(Answers at the bottom)SundayThe theft of copper wires has been an issue in St. Paul. Now copper theft is expanding beyond street lights to include:A. Copper gutters on homes and businessesB. Copper yard and garden ornamentsC. Copper telephone wiresMondayMetro Transit began issuing fines for fare-skipping on Monday. How much is a fine for a first time offense?A. $15B. $35C. $55TuesdayA business that has been located on Grand Avenue for years will close in early 2024, it was announced this week.Which business is leaving St. Paul?A. Pottery BarnB. Cafe LatteC. Red Balloon BookshopWednesdayMembers of the State Emblems Redesign Commission on Tuesday voted to adopt a new state seal design centered around one of Minnesota’s state symbols:A. Pink Lady’s Slipper flowerB. LoonC. Honeycrisp appleThursdayJ.W. Hulme has closed. What was it known for making here in St. Paul?A. ChocolateB. Vinyl wraps.C. Leather ...