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Bulgaria dismantles a Soviet army monument that has dominated the Sofia skyline since 1954

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:21:07 GMT

SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — Bulgaria on Wednesday began dismantling a monument to the army of the Soviet Union that dominated the skyline of the capital, Sofia, for nearly 70 years and was widely seen as a symbol of Russia’s influence in the Balkan country.The monument was erected in 1954 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Soviet forces entering Bulgaria, which had been allied with Nazi Germany in World War II. Their arrival in 1944 marked the beginning of 45 years of hardline Communist rule. Following the collapse of communism in 1989, the local council in Sofia voted to remove the monument, but successive governments shied away from taking the final step.On Wednesday, following years of heated debate, workers began to dismantle the 45-meter-high (147-foot) installation, removing the figures at the top, which showed a Soviet soldier holding an automatic rifle, a woman with her child, and a worker.Vyara Todeva, regional governor of Sofia, said that for 70 years the monument was never...

Safer eyedrops will require new FDA powers and resources, experts say

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:21:07 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — When you buy eyedrops at a U.S. store, you might assume you’re getting a product made in a clean, well-maintained factory that’s passed muster with health regulators.But repeated recalls involving over-the-counter drops are drawing new attention to just how little U.S. officials know about the conditions at some manufacturing plants on the other side of the world — and the limited tools they have to intervene when there’s a problem.The Food and Drug Administration is asking Congress for new powers, including the ability to mandate drug recalls and require eyedrop makers to undergo inspections before shipping products to the U.S. But experts say those capabilities will do little without more staff and resources for foreign inspections, which were a challenge even before the COVID-19 pandemic forced regulators to skip thousands of visits.“The FDA is not getting its job done in terms of drug quality assurance inspections abroad,” said David Ridley of Duke ...

Wartime Palestinian poll shows surge in Hamas support, close to 90% want US-backed Abbas to resign

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:21:07 GMT

RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) — A wartime opinion poll among Palestinians published Wednesday shows a rise in support for Hamas, even in the devastated Gaza Strip, and an overwhelming rejection of Western-backed President Mahmoud Abbas, with nearly 90% saying he must resign.The findings by a Palestinian pollster signal more difficulties ahead for the Biden administration’s postwar vision for Gaza and raise questions about Israel’s stated goal of ending Hamas’ military and governing capabilities.Washington has called for the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority, currently led by Abbas, to eventually assume control of Gaza and run both territories as a precursor to statehood. U.S. officials have said the PA must be revitalized, without letting on whether this would mean leadership changes. The PA administers pockets of the Israeli-occupied West Bank and has governed Gaza until a takeover by Hamas militants in 2007. The Palestinians have not held elections since 2006 when...

Analysis: At COP28, Sultan al-Jaber got what the UAE wanted. Others leave it wanting much more

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:21:07 GMT

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — As the United Nations COP28 climate summit ended Wednesday, Sultan al-Jaber walked out with what the United Arab Emirates wanted all along — the prestige of hosting negotiations that got the world to agree to transition away from fossil fuels while still being able to pump ever-more oil.That left some wanting much more from the two weeks of talks, even as many praised its historic accord. But it no longer will matter to the state oil company chief executive and renewable energy advocate who embodies many of the traits that have propelled this young nation into the global spotlight.Al-Jaber, who as president of COP28 facilitated the negotiations, faced criticism and scrutiny from the moment he took the position due to his oil ties. He tried to disarm critics among the delegates through an Emirati tradition, at one point convening a “majlis,” or a traditional ruler’s sitting room to listen to concerns that he said he wanted not to have be...

James Patterson awards $500 bonuses to 600 employees at independent bookstores

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:21:07 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Six hundred employees at independent bookstores — from Chapter One in Victoria, Minnesota, to The Cloak & Dagger in Princeton, New Jersey — will be receiving $500 holiday bonuses from author James Patterson. Employees were able to nominate themselves, or be recommended by store owners, managers, peers, community members and others. “I’ve said this before, but I can’t say it enough — booksellers save lives,” Patterson said in a statement Wednesday. “What they do is crucial, especially right now. I’m happy to be able to acknowledge them and their hard work this holiday season.”One of the world’s most popular and prolific writers, Patterson has given millions of dollars to booksellers, librarians and teachers. In 2015, the same year he began awarding employee bonuses, he was presented an honorary National Book Award for “Outstanding Service to the America Literary Community.”Patterson has even co-authored a tribute book, “The Secret Lives of Booksellers ...

Toronto vs. Uber, and the future of rideshares 

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:21:07 GMT

In today’s Big Story Podcast, it started as a way to earn a few extra bucks on the side — or at least that’s how Uber was pitched to potential drivers when it came to Canada in 2014. But now for many it’s way to (try to) earn a living, one that’s been getting tougher for years, and streets become crowded with empty Ubers hunting their next fares. Related: Uber taking Toronto to court, alleging move to cap rideshare vehicles is ‘illegal’ Uber, Lyft warn of higher costs, long wait times as Toronto moves to cap drivers Thorben Wieditz is an urban geographer and the co-founder of MetStrat, a research and campaign firm that specializes in public interest campaigns, including RideFairTO (Read his piece in Ricochet). “We know that Uber cars are circulating empty about 48 per cent of the time. This contributes to added vehicle kilometers traveled in the city of Toronto,” said Wieditz. That’s one of many reasons Toronto plac...

A volcano on Hawaii’s Big Island is sacred to spiritual practitioners and treasured by astronomers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:21:07 GMT

MAUNA KEA, Hawaii (AP) — Shane Palacat-Nelsen’s voice drops to a reverent tone as he tells the story of the snow goddess Poliahu who Native Hawaiians believe inhabits the summit of Mauna Kea, the highest point in Hawaii. The tale speaks of a chief who yearned to court Poliahu but was stopped by her attendants guarding the sacred mountain top — the abode of the gods and cradle of creation.Today, this sublime summit on Hawaii’s Big Island is also treasured by astronomers as a portal to finding answers to the universe’s many mysteries, creating varied — and sometimes incompatible — views on what’s best for Mauna Kea’s future. The chief was eventually granted access on the condition that he stepped only on the same set of footprints left by the attendant escorting him up and down, said Palacat-Nelsen. He says it’s a metaphor for why Mauna Kea must be protected from further human intrusion, pollution and erosion.“You do not go up the sacred mountain unless you are called. You do not go u...

Kishida says he regrets a ruling party funds scandal and will work on partial changes to his Cabinet

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:21:07 GMT

TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Wednesday announced plans to replace some of his Cabinet ministers to address public criticism and distrust over his governing party’s widening slush funds scandal that has shaken his grip on power.The scandal mostly involves the Liberal Democratic Party’s largest and most powerful faction formerly led by assassinated ex-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Its key members, including those in top Cabinet and party posts, were suspected of systematically failing to report several hundred million yen (several million dollars) in funds in possible violation of campaign and election laws, media reports say. The money is alleged to have gone into unmonitored slush funds.The scandal and a purge of Abe’s faction, which was key to Kishida’s own future, could stir a power struggle within the party ahead of a key leadership vote in September, even though Kishida doesn’t have to call a parliamentary election nearly two more years. The grip on power of...

Wednesday Forecast: Temps in low 40s with mostly sunny conditions

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:21:07 GMT

CHICAGO — Mostly sunny conditions Wednesday. Winds: WSW 5-10. High: 40. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storms here Clear conditions tonight. Winds: WSW 0-5. Low: 27.Thursday Forecast: Mainly sunny. Winds: WSW 5-10 G15. High: 47.Full forecast details and more at the WGN Weather Center blog

Dean’s Home Video: The Family Plan, Finestkind, The Crown: Season 6-Part 2 and more

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:21:07 GMT

WGN Entertainment Reporter Dean Richards has this week’s home video picks.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!