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Muslim-American community leaders express disappointment in President Biden's unwillingness to call for ceasefire in Gaza

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:24:51 GMT

CHICAGO — Chicago is hosting one of the largest Muslim conventions in North America this weekend.Muslim leaders gather every year for the convention, but this year, at the 22nd annual gathering, the focus is on the war between Israel and Hamas and Muslim leaders say President Biden is failing them. 2 injured in early-morning shooting in Wrigleyville Muslim-American leaders from across the country united in the South Loop on Saturday afternoon, just steps away from McCormick Place where a convention gathering tens of thousands of Muslims from all over the world is taking place.Those present expressed disappointment in President Joe Biden's unwillingness to call for a permanent halt to the bombing in Gaza.The "Abandon Biden Movement" was launched on November 1st in Minnesota with a focus on getting swing states like Arizona, Wisconsin and Michigan to drop their support for Biden's 2024 re-election bid.On Saturday, leaders announced that their campaign will expand across all 50 state...

'I feel like the system kind of failed her': Brother of woman killed in front of her 2 children says police missed warning signs

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:24:51 GMT

CHICAGO — A person of interest is in custody on Saturday night in connection with the tragic shooting of a 34-year-old woman who was killed in front of her two children earlier this month. Loved ones say Maria Roque had gone to the police for help a number of times this year seeking protection from her ex, but her life was cut short shortly after she filed an order of protection against her former boyfriend. 2 injured in early-morning shooting in Wrigleyville 34-year-old Andres Roque spoke fondly of his twin sister Maria Roque."She would always call me every day and be like 'Let's do something,'" Andres said.  Maria, a mother of two, wanted to be the best she could be for her children. Her brother said she was very dependable and always smiling."I loved her personality she was amazing," Andres said. As Andres was getting ready for work the morning of Dec. 13th, he got a call he will never forget."I just got this call and it was like my aunt telling me that she got shot," Andr...

1 dead, 1 injured in high-speed crash in Maplewood, State Patrol says

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:24:51 GMT

A motorist was killed early Saturday morning in a one-vehicle crash involving excessive speed in Maplewood.According to the Minnesota State Patrol, a Mitsubishi Eclipse was speeding north on U.S. 61 near County Road C when the driver lost control shortly before 2:30 a.m.The vehicle went out of control and rolled into the right ditch. The driver and lone passenger were both ejected. Neither was wearing a seat belt, the State Patrol noted.The driver was pronounced dead at Regions Hospital in St. Paul. He was identified as Her Vang, 37, of Anchorage, Alaska.The passenger, who was treated at Regions for non-critical injuries, was identified as Ying Thao, 31, also of Anchorage.Road conditions at the time were snowy/icy but alcohol was not a factor in the crash, which remains under investigation by the State Patrol.Related ArticlesCrime & Public Safety | Central Minnesota woman fatally shot; husband arrested Crime & Public Safety | Carlton County man who...

Timberwolves escape with thrilling win over Lakers

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:24:51 GMT

Timberwolves coach Chris Finch made a wise decision in the closing minutes of Saturday’s tilt at Target Center against the Los Angeles Lakers.He put the ball in the hands of Mike Conley.Where else would you want it?Minnesota’s offense stagnated at various points in the game, with Anthony Edwards dribbling the air out of the ball — with some success — and Karl-Anthony Towns simply being out of sorts.That didn’t cut it offensively for the first three and a half quarters, and it certainly wasn’t going to cut it to close out the contest.So Finch instructed the ball to go to Minnesota’s most calm, collected, smart player in Conley, who knocked down a couple key triples and set his teammates up for looks to help seal the door on Minnesota’s 106-104 victory.It didn’t come easy. Minnesota nearly combusted in the closing moments as, up seven with 30 seconds to play, Jaden McDaniels committed an inexcusable foul to give LeBron James an and...

Shop Upper Madison Week to bring Pine Hills business

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:24:51 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -Shop Upper Madison Week is welcoming the new year from December 31 to January 6. The Upper Madison Group is encouraging shoppers to visit Pine Hills’ Madison Avenue as the nearby College of Saint Rose prepares to shut its doors after Spring 2024 and Summer 1 classes.Councilmember, Ginnie Farrell, says this is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the start of 2024 with neighbors. "As our neighborhood changes, we want to make sure our businesses are taken care of. They’re incredible businesses and we want to see them succeed." Siena talks next steps for Saint Rose students The weeklong push comes after the announcement of Saint Rose closing. Councilmembers Owusu Anane and Farrell have since met with the community for ideas on what to do with the campus."Post-Covid, there are some small businesses that have been struggling ever since. Now with the closure of the College of Saint Rose, there are some businesses that are a little bit on the edge about particularl...

Apple’s newest headache: An app that upended its control over messaging

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:24:51 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO — For years, Ben Black’s phone annoyed his family. It was the only Android device in a family message group with eight iPhones. Because of him, videos and photos would arrive in low resolution and there would be green bubbles of text amid bubbles of blue.But a new app called Beeper Mini gave him the ability to change that.Black, 25, used the app to create an account for Apple’s messaging service, iMessage, with his Google Pixel phone number. For the first time, every message the family exchanged had a blue bubble and members were able to use perks like emoji and animations.Since it was introduced Dec. 5, Beeper Mini has quickly become a headache and potential antitrust problem for Apple. It has poked a hole in Apple’s messaging system, while critics say it has demonstrated how Apple bullies potential competitors.Apple was caught by surprise when Beeper Mini gave Android devices access to its modern, iPhone-only service. Less than a week after Beeper Mini’s launch...

My not-so-perfect holiday shopping excursion with AI chatbots

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:24:51 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO — To help with my holiday shopping this year, I recently turned to a new personal assistant online. “I’m looking for a Christmas present for my mother, who spends long hours working,” I typed. “Is there something she can use in her office every day?”“Of course!” came the instant reply. “Does your mother have any specific preferences or needs for her office? For example, does she need organization tools, desk accessories, or something to help her relax during breaks?”So began my conversation with Shop AI, a new chatbot from Shopify, an e-commerce marketplace. Over 10 minutes, Shop AI and I engaged in a question-and-answer session. I told the chatbot my budget and more about my mother, such as her need to alleviate back pain. Shop AI also asked me about my mother’s preferred design and color for an office chair.More people may eventually replicate this kind of shopping experience. A year after ChatGPT debuted, retailers around the world have started rolling out cha...

1 killed at South Los Angeles Metro station; suspect at large

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:24:51 GMT

A suspect remains on the run after a man was shot to death at a Metro platform in South Los Angeles Saturday.Los Angeles police responded to reports of a shooting at Slauson Avenue and Crenshaw Boulevard around 12:45 p.m.The victim, identified only as a man between 35-45 years old, was walking with another person toward the Hyde Park station. Suddenly, a male suspect took out a handgun and fired at the victim, police said. The suspect fled the scene before LAPD arrived. Officers found the victim with a gunshot wound on his back. He was transported to a hospital where he later died from his injuries.A man was fatally shot at the Hyde Park K-Line Metro Station in South L.A. on Dec. 30, 2023. (KTLA)A man was fatally shot at the Hyde Park K-Line Metro Station in South L.A. on Dec. 30, 2023. (KTLA)A man was fatally shot at the Hyde Park K-Line Metro Station in South L.A. on Dec. 30, 2023. (Citizen)A man was fatally shot at the Hyde Park K-Line Metro Station in South L.A. on Dec. 30, 2023...

New California laws taking effect in 2024

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:24:51 GMT

As always, the start of a new year means new laws are taking effect in California. In 2024, Californians will see new rules governing issues ranging from camping to cannabis to cruising.First, there's Senate Bill 2, which establishes new measures for concealed carry firearm permit holders. SB 2 limits where firearms can be carried, such as schools, government buildings and public transit, and requires CCW applicants to be 21 years old, have previous firearm training and pass background checks."If you have a record of domestic abuse, you shouldn't have a gun. If you're on social media threatening the lives of people, you shouldn't have a gun," said the bill's author, State Sen. Anthony Portantino (D-Burbank).The law was supposed to take effect on January 1, but was blocked by a U.S. District Judge, meaning the law will make its way to federal court and likely the US Supreme Court for a decision.In the fight against fentanyl, lawmakers passed Assembly Bill 701, which enhances punishme...

Warriors have no answer for Luka Doncic in loss to Dallas Mavericks

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:24:51 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO — The Warriors had no answers for Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks on either end, dropping their third consecutive game 132-122 on Saturday night.Doncic, an MVP hopeful, eased into a 39-point game shooting 14-of-29 from the field and 10 assists with no Warriors defender able to offer much resistance.Offensively, the Warriors snagged on cold first-half shooting nights from Steph Curry and Klay Thompson. Curry and Chris Paul fueled a second-half push that wasn’t enough to overcome Mavericks lead that lasted all but the game’s opening seconds. Curry finished with 25 points and scored 13 of his points in the second half. Paul finished with 24 points shooting 9-of-14 from the field and 6-of-9 from 3.Thompson, who finished 1-for-11 from the field, sat out during crunch time in place of a closing lineup featuring Andrew Wiggins, Jonathan Kuminga, Trayce Jackson-Davis, Curry and Paul.The Warriors’ homestand continues in the new year against the Orla...