French report says the UK isn’t cooperating enough to curb migrant crossings across the Channel

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:57:01 GMT

French report says the UK isn’t cooperating enough to curb migrant crossings across the Channel PARIS (AP) — The United Kingdom is not sufficiently coordinating with France in efforts to reduce the number of migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats, according to a French report that points to the “uncertain effectiveness” of illegal migration policies.France is “struggling to develop operational cooperation arrangements” with the U.K., according to the report published Thursday by France’s Court of Accounts, a body in charge of auditing the use of public funds, independent from the government and parliament.The report refers in particular to a joint intelligence unit created in 2020 to fight human smuggling and reduce the number of people risking their lives to cross the Channel illegally. In 2022, it helped dismantle seven illegal migration networks.The Court “found that the British don’t provide usable information on the departures of small boats, and give very general, first-level information that has not been counter-checked.”Information on the circ...

Catholic HS in Southwest suburbs faces $1M lawsuit over sexual harassment allegations, according to report

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:57:01 GMT

Catholic HS in Southwest suburbs faces $1M lawsuit over sexual harassment allegations, according to report NEW LENOX, Ill. — According to a report this week, a Catholic high school in Chicago's Southwest suburbs is facing another million-dollar lawsuit over allegations of sexual harassment.The news outlet Patch reported that the father of a former student and hockey player at Providence Catholic High School in New Lenox is suing the school for more than $1 million, claiming his son was bullied and sexually harassed so severely by his former teammates that he attempted suicide.The family says it filed more than 50 complaints with the school, but administrators dismissed the team's behavior. DCFS still failing to find appropriate care for kids, leaving them locked-up, report shows Just a month ago, Providence Catholic agreed to a $2 million settlement with another former student over rape allegations.

Thursday Forecast: Temps in mid 30s with mostly cloudy conditions

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:57:01 GMT

Thursday Forecast: Temps in mid 30s with mostly cloudy conditions CHICAGO — Temperatures in the mid 30s with mostly cloudy conditions. Winds: N 0-5. High: 34. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storms here Mostly cloudy tonight. Winds: SSW 0-5. Low: 28. Skilling: Flurries possible for Chicagoland Friday Forecast: Mostly cloudy Friday. Winds: SE 5-10. High: 36. Snow shower chance Friday night. Scattered snow showers on Saturday.Full forecast details and more at the WGN Weather Center blog

Found: Largest male specimen of the most poisonous spider in the world

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:57:01 GMT

Found: Largest male specimen of the most poisonous spider in the world SYDNEY (AP) — With fangs that could pierce a human fingernail, the largest male specimen of the world's most poisonous arachnid has found a new home at the Australian Reptile Park where it will help save lives after a member of the public discovered it by chance.The deadly Sydney funnel-web spider dubbed “Hercules” was found on the Central Coast, about 50 miles north of Sydney, and was initially given to a local hospital, the Australian Reptile Park said in a statement Thursday.Spider experts from the nearby park retrieved it and soon realized it was the largest male specimen ever received from the public in Australia.The spider measured 7.9 centimeters (3.1 inches) from foot to foot, surpassing the park’s previous record-holder from 2018, the male funnel-web named “Colossus".Sydney funnel-web spiders usually range in length from one to five centimeters, with females being generally larger than their male counterparts but not as deadly. They are predominantly found in forested areas...

Northeast, Mid-Atlantic facing first chance of significant snow in almost two years

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:57:01 GMT

Northeast, Mid-Atlantic facing first chance of significant snow in almost two years (The Hill) -- Some meteorologists are predicting the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions could soon see their biggest winter storms in years."After a record-warm month of December for much of the U.S., January will be a different story, with a colder and more active weather pattern set to hit a large swath of the country through the first two weeks of the year," NBC News' weather experts say.Cities along the East Coast are in the midst of their longest streaks of not having an inch or more of snow in a 24-hour period in years.Christmas, itself, was an unseasonably warm holiday across much of the country, with some regions seeing record-high temperatures from Dec. 21 to 27. But now Washington, D.C.; Philadelphia, and New York City are bracing for significant winter storms. The possible storm system is expected to develop and affect eastern areas from Saturday to Monday.The National Weather Service (NWS) reports that 2023 came in as a record low-snow year for the region. "Confirming wh...

Suspect in custody after SWAT called to northeast Austin hotel

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:57:01 GMT

Suspect in custody after SWAT called to northeast Austin hotel AUSTIN (KXAN) – A suspect was taken into custody Thursday morning after the Austin Police Department had to call the SWAT team out to a hotel in northeast Austin. An APD public information officer said during a briefing that police received a 911 call around 1:46 a.m. reporting a domestic disturbance in a hotel room at the Homewood Suites on Center Lake Drive. The caller also reported there were guns and knives in the room. That area is between West Parmer Lane and McAllen Pass off Interstate 35 in northeast Austin. APD arrived at the scene around 1:51 a.m. The suspect refused to open the door. APD said a woman could be heard from inside the room saying police were not needed, but officers attempted contact for about 20 minutes before backing away. APD's SWAT team responds to scene on Center Lake Drive, off Parmer Lane in North Austin, early the morning of Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024. (KXAN Photo/Todd Bailey) APD's SWAT team responds to scene on Center Lake Drive, off Parmer Lane in Nort...

Two opportunities for rain in 7-day forecast

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:57:01 GMT

Two opportunities for rain in 7-day forecast AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Our next round of rain arrives tonight... with another to follow next week.Our next weather-maker will continue trekking west through the Desert Southwest today before moving into the Texas Panhandle tonight. Out ahead of this storm, mainly cloudy skies will stretch over our area with light rain beginning to develop by evening.Rain chances grow overnight with widespread rain expected tonight into the early morning hours Friday. Majority of the rain will fall as drizzle with only light accumulations expected (less than 0.25"). Widespread light rain expected Thursday night into early Friday morningGenerally light rainfall accumulations expected by Friday morningBy late Friday morning, sunshine will begin to take over. Mainly sunny skies, mild afternoons and cold mornings will carry us through the weekend.Another storm system is pegged to approach us from the west on Monday. Parts of our eastern counties are already highlighted in a risk for severe storms Monday aftern...

5 things to know this Thursday, January 4

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:57:01 GMT

5 things to know this Thursday, January 4 ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- One more day until the first work week of 2024 is complete. Happy Thursday! According to Meteorologist Jill Szwed, the morning flurries won't last all day, as they'll wrap up by lunchtime as a cold front will find its way through the area. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! On Wednesday evening, Albany Police Chief Eric Hawkins and Mayor Kathy Sheehan held a press conference regarding the reported shooting on Hudson Avenue. Meanwhile, the New York State Capitol is back to business as usual. Wednesday marked the start of the 2024 legislative session. These stories, and more, are covered in your five things to know this Thursday morning. 1. Albany suspect killed in shootout with Troopers on I-87On Wednesday evening, Albany Police Chief Eric Hawkins and Mayor Kathy Sheehan held a press conference regarding the reported shooting on Hudson Avenue.2. Lawmakers return to Albany for the legislative sessionThe Ne...

Man shot outside north St. Louis gas station, police investigating

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:57:01 GMT

Man shot outside north St. Louis gas station, police investigating ST. LOUIS - St. Louis Police are searching for a shooter Thursday morning after someone shot a man at a north St. Louis gas station. Police do expect the man who was shot in this case to survive, but his injuries are significant. At this hour, the investigation into what exactly happened is still ongoing.This all unfolded about 12:30 a.m. Police told FOX 2 that an adult male was shot outside of a gas station at St. Louis Avenue and Vandeventer in the Greater Ville neighborhood of north city.Authorities told FOX 2 that the victim ran away after he was shot. We're told someone called 911 after seeing the wounded victim walking down the street; authorities then responded and found the victim. He was rushed to a hospital for treatment. Missouri expecting two rounds of winter weather The police added that the man was shot in the stomach and was not conscious when he was discovered. However, he was breathing. Police also shared that the case is being handled at the district level and ho...

Gov. Mike Parson hosting final prayer breakfast today

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:57:01 GMT

Gov. Mike Parson hosting final prayer breakfast today JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Governor Mike Parson hosts his final prayer breakfast for state lawmakers Thursday.The annual interfaith event is at 7:00 a.m. Thursday at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Jefferson City. State lawmakers met for a prayer service Wednesday morning before the start of the 2024 legislative session. Missouri expecting two rounds of winter weather With more than a dozen legislators running for higher office, priorities like education reform, changes to the initiative petition process, and expanding access to childcare could face challenges in finding bipartisan approval.