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German Cabinet approves a lower 2024 budget as it eyes a return to financial ‘normality’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:25:44 GMT

BERLIN (AP) — Germany’s Cabinet on Wednesday approved a draft 2024 budget that foresees lower spending, with defense among the exceptions, as Europe’s biggest economy sticks to rules limiting borrowing that were suspended during the coronavirus pandemic.The government’s plan calls for spending of 445.7 billion euros ($486 billion), down 6.4% from the 476.3 billion euros it expects to spend this year.Defense spending is set to rise by 1.7 billion euros to some 51.8 billion euros, some way short of what the defense minister initially sought. Germany plans to reach a NATO target of spending 2% of gross domestic product on defense next year, a measure on which it has long fallen short, with help from a special 100 billion-euro fund set up to modernize the German military after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Berlin aims to meet the target via its regular budget later this decade.“Security, economic prosperity and industrial fitness for the future, climate neutralit...

Sean “Diddy” Combs’ dispute with Diageo deepens as court unseals business details

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:25:44 GMT

Rapper, producer and entrepreneur Sean “Diddy” Combs is asking the New York Supreme Court to enforce a 2021 agreement that requires spirits seller Diageo to treat his DeLeon tequila brand “at least as favorably” as its other tequila brands.Combs signed and agreement with Diageo – which owns more than 200 brands including Guinness beer and Tanqueray gin – after what he says were years of neglect for DeLeon, a brand he established with the London company in 2013.Combs’ lawsuit against Diageo was filed in May. But many details, including the 2021 agreement, were redacted at the time. On Wednesday, those details were released after Judge Joel Cohen ruled that Diageo could keep only limited portions confidential.Combs says Diageo’s treatment of DeLeon worsened after it bought two competing tequila brands: Don Julio in 2014 and Casamigos in 2017. Combs, who is Black, says Diageo positioned his tequila as an inferior “urban” brand and limited its distribution. Diageo has ...

‘It could happen again’: Lac-Mégantic demands better rail safety ahead of disaster’s anniversary

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:25:44 GMT

A decade after a runaway train carrying crude oil derailed and exploded in Lac-Mégantic, killing 47 people, some say there has not been enough progress in rail safety.The southeastern Quebec town is set to mark the 10-year anniversary of the July 6, 2013, tragedy with a series of sombre commemorations. The disaster in the rural town of 6,000 in the Eastern Townships of Quebec was Canada’s deadliest railway accident in over a century.A coalition of citizens who have advocated for better rail safety say their voices are not being heard.“It’s really frustrating… We don’t feel that our authorities protect us,” said Gilbert Carette, a coalition member who has been living in Lac-Mégantic for 36 years. We are raising the red flag that this place is dangerous. It’s a daily combat.”“I do believe frankly and sadly that it could happen again.”Some Lac-Mégantic residents are even taking it upon themselves to inspect the rails.Trains continue to pass through the town day and night, down the same...

Layover, cramped seating, security lines: A day with players on a WNBA commercial flight

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:25:44 GMT

Breanna Stewart knew where she wanted to go. Someone was in her way. During games, that’s not a problem for the WNBA MVP. While boarding a commercial flight, it’s a bit trickier.On a recent connecting flight carrying the New York Liberty from Atlanta to Las Vegas, Stewart had to ask a man in the aisle seat to get up briefly so she could contort her 6-foot-4 frame through the row before settling in her window seat as the passengers in line behind her patiently waited. The man politely complied, perhaps unaware that one of the best players in the women’s game would be sharing his overhead bin space for the next four hours.Such is how it works for WNBA players. When flying, they’re just like everybody else.Unlike NBA teams that charter flights, WNBA teams primarily fly commercial per the collective bargaining agreement. The league has said it would cost about $25 million to charter for the entire season or approximately $2 million per team. The Associated Press traveled last week...

Robbery suspect shot by concealed carry holder on North Side

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:25:44 GMT

CHICAGO — A robbery suspect was shot early Wednesday morning in West Ridge by a concealed carry holder.Just after 3:30 a.m., police said three men, ages 26, 33 and 31 were standing near their vehicle when they were approached by a man displaying a gun.The man demanded the men's property. At some point, the 26-year-old man, who has a concealed carry licenses, shot the robbery suspect multiple times. The man was transported to St. Francis in critical condition. Woman critical after being shot while in passenger seat on North Side No other injuries were reported.

Woman critical after being shot while in passenger seat on North Side

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:25:44 GMT

CHICAGO — A woman is in critical condition after she was shot while in the passenger seat of a vehicle on the North Side early Wednesday.At around 1 a.m., police said a 21-year-old woman was traveling in the 5500 block of North Campbell when she was shot in the chest.The woman was transported to Swedish Hospital in critical condition. 19-year-old man shot, killed in Wadsworth No suspects are in custody.

Massachusetts woman, stuck in swamp for 3 days, found alive after hikers hear screaming

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:25:44 GMT

STOUGHTON, Massachusetts (WJW) – A Massachusetts woman who was reported missing last week has been found alive at a state park, local officials said Tuesday.Emma Tetewsky, 31, had gotten stuck in a "swamp-like" area at Borderland State Park and remained there for "at least three days," police said.Tetewsky was found Tuesday by hikers who heard her screaming for help.The hikers, unable to free Tetewsky themselves, contacted police, who deployed ATVs to rescue her.“Emma was conscious and alert and she was taken by ambulance to a local hospital for observation,” police said in a Facebook post. Impressed much? Shania Twain falls during concert but recovers quickly Tetewsky was last seen by residents in Stoughton, Massachusetts, on Monday, June 26. Her family reported her missing the following day.Tetewsky did not have a cell phone or money with her at the time.“The public never gave up hope that she would be located safely. She could not have been located without the public’s help,” p...

CapMetro rail service temporarily suspended for maintenance

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:25:44 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for July 5, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- CapMetro's MetroRail service will be suspended Wednesday through July 14 as part of planned maintenance along the rail line.Special event MetroRail service will resume on July 15 for the Austin FC game at Q2 Stadium.A portion of Braker Lane will also be closed at the railroad crossing from July 7-12 as CapMetro crews continue work at McKalla Station. Businesses along the roadway will be available for access.CapMetro released a map of eastbound and westbound traffic detours for drivers navigating the area during the temporary road closure.A portion of Braker Lane will be closed from July 7-12 as CapMetro does rail maintenance work on its Red Line. (Courtesy: CapMetro)MetroRail riders seeking alternative transit resources can use the following services from Rail stations to head downtown.Leander: Shuttle Route 454, Route 985 Leander/Lakeline DirectLakeline: Shuttle Route 454, Route 9...

Harvey Young: Critics of affirmative action won a Supreme Court victory. But diversity unquestionably matters

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:25:44 GMT

The campaign against affirmative action has reduced the complicated process of college admissions to a simple and highly inaccurate sound bite: Black and brown students are being admitted over higher-achieving white and Asian American applicants. Ascribed a flawed essence, affirmative action has become easier to reject.In recent years, there has been an increase in state-level ballot initiatives to prohibit the consideration of race in the college application review process. And, of course, there have been the legal challenges with judicial decisions more closely tracking with the shift in public opinion away from inclusion. Last week, the Supreme Court in a 6-3 decision held that Harvard University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s efforts to create a diverse class violates the 14th Amendment’s equal protection clause. In short, a majority of the court determined that it was time for affirmative action to end.Affirmative action, at its core, encourag...

2 dead after car crashes into house in Columbia County

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:25:44 GMT

LIVINGSTON, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- According to the New York State Police, two people died after a Tesla driving at a high rate of speed crashed into a house in Livingston on Thursday. Peter Lasher, 81, was found deceased inside the home, and police currently cannot positively identify the driver, who also perished. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Around 1:00 a.m., troopers responded to a home in Livingston for a structure fire with two reported occupants. Police say one was able to escape the flames before first responders arrived and was later taken to Albany Medical Center. The second, Peter Lasher, was found dead inside the residence.As firefighters extinguished the flames, a car which struck the house was found with a single occupant. An initial investigation of the crash showed a 2022 Tesla Model X was driving fast southbound on State Route 9 and left the roadway. 2 dead after July 4th Columbia County crash Per police, t...