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As Pakistan cracks down on illegal migrants, nearly half a million Afghans have left, minister says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:53:58 GMT

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Nearly half a million Afghans who were living in Pakistan without valid documents have returned home in just over two months as part of an ongoing crackdown on foreigners in the country without papers, the caretaker interior minister said Friday.The expulsions are part of a nationwide crackdown by the government in Islamabad that started two months ago. Pakistan insists the campaign is not against Afghans specifically, though they make up most of the foreigners in the country. Pakistan has long hosted about 1.7 million Afghans, most of whom fled during the 1979-1989 Soviet occupation. In addition, more than half a million people fled Afghanistan when the Taliban seized power in August 2021, in the final weeks of U.S. and NATO pullout. At a news conference in Islamabad on Friday, caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti said more than 482,000 Afghans have returned home in the past more than two months, 90% going voluntarily. He said Pakistan has also decided to depo...

Hosting a Party?! In This Economy?!

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:53:58 GMT

In this episode, Sal is getting ready to host family and friends for the holidays but is worried about how much food, drinks and gifts will cost this year.Jordan talks to retail analyst, Bruce Winder, to break down the cost of hosting and find creative ways to save. Then, he talks to financial expert, Kelley Keehn, about how to handle tricky money conversations with your guests.

Thousands of tons of dead sardines wash ashore in northern Japan

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:53:58 GMT

TOKYO (AP) — Thousands of tons of dead sardines have washed up on a beach in northern Japan for unknown reasons, officials said Friday.The sardines and some mackerel washed ashore in Hakodate on Japan’s northernmost main island of Hokkaido on Thursday morning, creating a sliver blanket along a stretch of beach about a kilometer (0.6 mile) long.Local residents said they have never seen anything like it. Some gathered the fish to sell or eat.The town, in a notice posted on its website, urged residents not to consume the fish.Takashi Fujioka, a Hakodate Fisheries Research Institute researcher, said he has heard of similar phenomena before, but it was his first time to see it.He said the fish may have been chased by larger fish, become exhausted due to a lack of oxygen while moving in a densely packed school, and were washed up by the waves. The fish also may have suddenly entered cold waters during their migration, he said.The decomposing fish could lower oxygen levels in the wat...

Man suspected of firing shotgun outside Jewish temple in upstate New York faces federal charges

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:53:58 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — A man arrested for firing a shotgun into the air outside a Jewish temple in upstate New York been federally charged, officials said.Mufid Fawaz Alkhader, who officials say fired the shotgun twice outside a synagogue in Albany on Thursday, has been charged with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, FBI spokesperson Sarah Ruane said in a statement praising the “swift coordination” between federal, state and local law enforcement.Alkhader, 28, is a U.S. citizen who was born in Iraq and lives in Schenectady, which is near Albany. He told officers who questioned him that events in the Middle East “have impacted him,” according to court papers.Alkhader was expected to appear in a federal courtroom in Albany on Friday.No attorney who could speak for Alkhader had been assigned yet Friday morning, and no phone number was listed for him in public records.The episode in New York’s capital city happened on the first night of Hanukkah amid rising fears of anti...

Asian Development Bank approves a $200M loan to debt-stricken Sri Lanka

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:53:58 GMT

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — The Asian Development Bank said Friday that it has approved $200-million concessional loan to debt-stricken Sri Lanka to help stabilize the country’s finance sector following an unprecedented economic crisis that engulfed the Indian Ocean island nation last year.The bank’s announcement comes as Sri Lanka is awaiting International Monetary Fund approval for the second installment of a $2.9-billion bailout package to rescue the country from bankruptcy.The ADB said its Financial Sector Stability and Reforms Program for Sri Lanka includes two subprograms of $200 million each that would help strengthen the stability and governance of the country’s banking sector, and deepen sustainable and inclusive finance, particularly for women-led micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises.“The program’s overarching development objective is fully aligned with the country’s strategy of maintaining finance sector stability, while ensuring that banks are well-positioned f...

Woman charged with attempted arson of Martin Luther King Jr. birthplace in Atlanta

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:53:58 GMT

ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta police have arrested a woman who’s accused of trying to burn down the birth home of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in Atlanta.Officers arrested the 26-year-old woman around 5:45 p.m. Thursday after responding to a report of vandalism in process at the two-story home in the historic Auburn Avenue Historic District, according to a police statement.Police say a preliminary investigation shows the woman had poured gasoline on the property before people at the site stopped her. Her name was not immediately released. She’s charged with second-degree attempted arson and interference with government property. The historic site is now a museum operated by the National Park Service.“Tonight, an unfortunate incident occurred at the birth home of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as an individual attempted to set fire to this historic property,” The King Center said in a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter. “Fortunately, the attempt was unsuccessful, thanks to ...

Chicago officer relieved of police powers after deadly pedestrian accident in River North

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:53:58 GMT

CHICAGO — A Chicago police officer has been relieved of her police powers after a deadly accident in River North.The crash occurred around 12:30 a.m. Thursday in the 300 block of North State Street. Police said the 40-year-old officer was off-duty and driving a white SUV, when she lost control of her vehicle and jumped the curb — striking a 56-year-old woman who was on the sidewalk.The victim sustained trauma to the body and was transported to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.According to an employee at a nearby hotel in the city and several Facebook posts, WGN News has learned that there was a Chicago Police Department holiday party at the House of Blues Wednesday night. It is unclear at this time if the officer attended that party. Pedestrian struck and killed on sidewalk in River North The was issued several citations, including failure to reduce speed, failure to stay in lanes, negligent driving and driving while using her cell phone.According...

How to become a 401(k) millionaire

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:53:58 GMT

New employees start with nothing in their retirement accounts. Reaching the popular goal of $1 million for their golden years seems daunting. But a select percentage reach that magic value every year. What are their secrets?In 1978, the retirement landscape changed with the start of the 401(k) plan. After that, the number of companies offering pension plans decreased. Today, employees are responsible for their own retirement planning and saving.Sadly, the average 401(k) balance by age 65 is just over $200,000. That’s not a lot. It’s nowhere near $1 million.People with little to no personal finance knowledge see this as an insurmountable challenge. However, others have managed to scale that Everest by applying the best strategies for retirement saving. They start by focusing on the factors they can control.Start EarlyThe age at which a person starts contributing to a retirement plan is entirely in their hands. Successful workers who save $1 million ...

Three Texas cities voted among the nation's most underrated winter destinations

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:53:58 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — When you think of a winter destination, you probably think of a ski resort, a mountain lodge or a place to see the Northern Lights — not exactly things Texas is known for.But a new survey finds three Texas cities on the list of most underrated winter destinations in the country.Travel website Family Destinations Guide asked 3,000 Americans to name their favorite destinations that might not immediately come to mind when you hear "winter."Fredericksburg came in at No. 20 on the list, with Jefferson, in East Texas, right behind at No. 21. Gruene, a historic district right outside New Braunfels, ranks at No. 130. Two Central Texas cities named among 'coziest winter towns' in the country Here's what the website had to say about each destination:Fredericksburg: "Nestled in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, this charming town offers a unique blend of German heritage and Texan hospitality. During the winter months, its historic Main Street comes alive with festive decor...

Strong winds, freezing temperatures follow weekend cold front

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:53:58 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 comes 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 temperaturesSpotty 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 li...