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German opposition leader takes aim at migration, but largely rules out working with far right

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:55:24 GMT

BERLIN (AP) — Germany’s conservative opposition leader said Tuesday that large-scale migration is one of the country’s biggest problems and the main reason for a recent surge in support for the far right.But Friedrich Merz ruled out cooperating at the state or national level with the Alternative for Germany party that has overtaken his center-right Christian Democratic Union in polls for three state elections in the east next year — to the alarm of mainstream politicians. One senior security official of Jewish origin told The Associated Press that he would leave the country if the far-right party, known by its German acronym AfD, comes to power in a state election.“The refugee issue will remain the main topic in our society in the coming weeks and months, maybe even in the next years, and that’s why I’m so interested in finding a solution,” Merz said at a news conference with foreign reporters in Berlin.“The sooner the problem is solved, the sooner this...

At least 5 dead after helicopter carrying Mexican tourists crashes near Mount Everest in Nepal

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:55:24 GMT

KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — At least five people were killed after a helicopter carrying Mexican tourists crashed Tuesday near Mount Everest in Nepal, authorities said. One person was missing.The helicopter crashed in the Lamajura area and rescuers had recovered the bodies of five people and were searching for the sixth, said Basanta Bhattarai, the chief government administrator in the area.All five tourists were Mexican nationals and the pilot was Nepalese, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal said in a statement. The Mexicans included two men and three women.The aircraft was returning to the capital Kathmandu on Tuesday morning after bringing the tourists on a sightseeing trip to the world’s highest peak.Weather conditions had caused the helicopter’s planned flight route to be changed, airport official Sagar Kadel said.It is common for flights to be delayed and routes changed during the monsoon season amid heavy rains.The tourist and mountaineering season ended in May with the ...

Small Town Week, Episode 2: What happens to a town when its only ER room closes?

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:55:24 GMT

(This is the second episode of Small Town Week, a five-part series in which we examine big problems facing small communities.)In today’s Big Story Podcast, the strain on Canada’s health-care system has been building for years, but the pandemic dealt the final blow to our already struggling and threadbare system.The permanent closure of the emergency room in Minden, Ont., highlights the dire challenges faced by small communities across Canada. Nowhere has our capacity for care been tested more than in rural areas, where family doctors, nurses, walk-in clinics, and hospitals are scarce.Emily Stonehouse, Editor of The Minden Times, says the closure of the ER has impacted the community as a whole, resulting in people rallying together. “While it’s a challenging and trying topic, it’s humbling to watch an entire community come essentially behind the same cause.”Is Minden’s ER closure just the beginning? What are the consequences for a town when its primary m...

Man killed, woman injured in South Chicago shooting

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:55:24 GMT

CHICAGO — A man was killed and a woman was injured after a shooting in the city's South Chicago neighborhood.According to police, officers responded to the 8500 block of South Kingston around 12:05 a.m. Tuesday and discovered a 32-year-old man shot multiple times. The man was pronounced dead on the scene. The medical examiner has identified him as Bryson Roundtree.Police said a woman was also struck by gunfire on the thigh, but refused treatment on the scene. The woman self-transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where she is listed in good condition. 16-year-old girl critical after shooting in South Shore A witness told police the victims may have been traveling in a vehicle when the shooting happened.There is no one is custody. Area Two Detectives are investigating.

Amazon Prime Day: Deals galore and scam warning

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:55:24 GMT

ST. LOUIS (KTVI) – Amazon Prime Day runs July 11-12 and the e-commerce giant promises more deals than ever before.“What makes this Prime Day different than those in the past is we have more items with great deals than ever,” Andy DiOrio, an Amazon spokesperson, said.Diorio says the company is proud to feature products from locally owned small businesses among its Prime Day offerings.“A small business right here in St. Louis, Lorenzen Candle Co., which has really expanded in reed diffusers, has 60% off their products as well,” he said.Amazon is offering a 30-day free trial for new Prime members with $10 off Prime Day shopping.“A lot of people are now using Prime Day to stock up on everyday essentials,” said Jacob Palmer with BestReviews.com, which is owned by KTVI/KPLR’s parent company Nexstar. These household items are worth stocking up on during Prime Day Diapers, batteries, and trash bags were among the top sellers last year. This year, Amazon will have deep discounts on invit...

Austin pipes leaked enough drinking water in 2022 to fill Lady Bird Lake nearly 3 times

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:55:24 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – From service-line drips to main-line cascades, Austin Water’s pipes leaked more than enough treated water to fill an Olympic-size swimming pool every hour of every day last year.In total, city pipes lost over 6.9 billion gallons of drinkable water in 2022. That’s enough to fill Lady Bird Lake nearly three times, and it’s an increase of more than 400 million gallons compared to the year before, according to water loss audit data obtained from the Texas Water Development Board.While 6.9 billion gallons may seem like a staggering amount of treated water, it’s less than the city’s all-time high of 7.3 billion gallons leaked in 2020. Last year’s leaks were also within a satisfactory range, according to an industry measurement called the “infrastructure leakage index,” which takes into account a utility’s total connections, miles of pipes and water pressure, the city said.Austin Water Utility said some lost water is unavoidable in a system of Austin’s size. Each year the n...

Teen brothers working to pay off Pflugerville ISD students' school lunch debt

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:55:24 GMT

PFLUGERVILLE (KXAN) — As kids get geared up for the start of school next month, many students aren’t able to afford a lunch on campus within the Pflugerville Independent School District.According to Pflugerville ISD, there is currently $126,000 worth of unpaid lunch charges owed to the district. Austin church donating $24K to pay AISD students’ school lunch debt In April, PfISD put in place a policy that any students owing more than $6 in their school lunch account had their main entrée taken away and substituted with a sandwich.This sparked some outrage on social media and embarrassment for certain students.“Kids get made fun of, if they have the cheese sandwich or if they do have the alternative lunch,” John Amador, a junior at Hendrickson High School, explained.With this in mind, he and his brother Maxx decided to lend a helping hand to their fellow students."We saw students get their lunch taken away and given a humiliating alternative lunch,” Maxx said. “We knew we wanted to ...

The Scene Coffee & Cocktails opens in Guilderland

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:55:24 GMT

GUILDERLAND, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Scene Coffee & Cocktails officially opened its doors on Tuesday morning. The shop is located at 1671 Western Avenue in Guilderland. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Owner Mariana Lia, the daughter of Bill Lia of Lia Auto Group, said she wanted to create an “Instagrammable coffee shop.” The Scene does just that with spots for photos and light-up signs that say "This Must Be The Scene" and "Coffee first, Cocktails later." There's also a champagne vending machine.Lia, a Guilderland resident and recent graduate of Siena College, said she researched for two years to create a vision for the restaurant. “We wanted to design a space that you would expect to find in LA or Miami, and make it accessible to everyone here in the Capital Region,” said Lia. Fidens Brewing soft launching Albany taproom The Scene Coffee & Cocktails has opened in Guilderland (photo: Sara Rizzo)The Scene Coffee & Cockta...

'Revolution on the Hudson' to be held Tuesday night

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:55:24 GMT

HALFMOON, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Calling all history buffs! "Revolution on the Hudson" will be held Tuesday night, weather permitting, to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolutionary War and highlight Halfmoon's special role in America's War for Independence. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The event will be at Lighthouse Park on Hudson River Road, RT. 32 in Halfmoon. The park opens at 6 p.m., with the event itself starting at 7 p.m. The event will kick off a speakers series to offer an opportunity to learn about Saratoga's role in the revolution. The event will be hosted in collaboration with the Town of Halfmoon, Saratoga County, and America's Turning Point. The event will also offer hot dogs, hamburgers, and watermelon for attendees to enjoy.

Take an original Saratoga Springs Ghost Tour this summer

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:55:24 GMT

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Explore the haunting history of Canfield Casino by taking an original Saratoga Springs Ghost Tour this summer, hosted by the Saratoga Springs History Museum. The tours are held on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 11 a.m. through July and August. Tickets are available online. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The tour will cover real-life encounters and personal stories of paranormal activity that museum-goers and workers have had. The Canfield Casino, being one of Saratoga Springs' most historic and haunted buildings, was featured on the SyFy Network's show Ghost Hunters in 2010 and was named number four in the top ten of America's Most Terrifying Places on the Travel Channel in 2019. Guests are asked to arrive five minutes before the tour begins. Parking will be available in Congress Park or in the Spring Street public lot. Celebrate Christmas in July with Great Sacandaga Brewing Comp...