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European nations back system to calculate damage Russia caused in Ukraine

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:02 GMT

REYKJAVIK, Iceland (AP) — More than 40 countries at a summit of European leaders have backed a system to estimate the damage Russia is causing during the war in Ukraine, in the hopes Moscow can be forced to compensate victims and help rebuild the nation once the conflict is over.The Russian invasion of Ukraine was the dominant topic during the meeting in the Icelandic capital, Reykjavík, where delegations from Council of Europe member states discussed how the continent’s preeminent human rights organization could support Kyiv.France, Germany and the United Kingdom are among the countries that have signed on to the most tangible outcome of the meeting: a new office to set up a register of damages which will allow victims of the war to report the harm they have suffered.German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called the register of damages “a significant contribution to international efforts to hold Russia to account for the consequences of its brutal actions.” Ten countries of the 46-member in...

Why Hyundai and Kia have everyone else playing catch-up

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:02 GMT

In the past few years, Hyundai and Kia vehicles have skyrocketed to the top of Edmunds’ rankings in some of the most popular vehicle segments. For example, you’ll find a Hyundai or Kia in the top spots for three-row midsize SUVs, midsize sedans, and multiple categories of electric vehicles. This changing of the guard can come as a surprise for car shoppers expecting to see more familiar brands like Chevrolet, Ford, Honda and Toyota.This success isn’t attributable to one single factor, such as short-lived marketing schemes like rock-bottom pricing or unsustainable rebates. Let’s take a closer look at what these sister South Korean automakers are doing well and where they’re still coming up short.DISTINCTIVE DESIGNFirst impressions matter, and this holds true when people are shopping for a new vehicle. Hyundai and Kia clearly recognize the importance of standing out in a crowd. Whether it’s a family-friendly SUV with three rows of seating or an electric SUV on the technological cuttin...

Trudeau in South Korea warns of growing authoritarianism

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:02 GMT

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says authoritarianism is gaining ground in an address to South Korean National Assembly Wednesday morning.The prime minister is in Seoul for his first official visit to South Korea and as Canada vies to strengthen ties between the two countries, and become “the best of friends.”In his address, he says “antagonistic countries” are taking advantage of economic interdependence to their own geopolitical advantage.Trudeau’s visit to South Korea follows on commitments from both countries to strengthen economic and military ties to counterbalance the influence of China.Trudeau went on to tell parliamentarians the “world is facing a moment of uncertainty” as countries recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, while economic anxiety and climate change add stress to people’s lives.He argued Canada and South Korea can be partners in addressing climate change, which he says is also a way to safeguard against geopolitical instability and build more resilient economies.Can...

South Korean, Canadian leaders vow cooperation on clean energy, North Korea threat

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:02 GMT

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — The leaders of South Korea and Canada on Wednesday vowed to strengthen their security and economic cooperation to address challenges posed by North Korea and expand Canadian supplies of minerals crucial to South Korea’s technology industry as they held a summit in Seoul.The meeting between South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau came before they travel to Japan for the weekend’s Group of Seven meetings, where geopolitical uncertainties worsened by Russia’s war on Ukraine, China’s regional assertiveness and North Korea’s nuclear ambitions are expected to drive discussions. In a joint statement issued after the meeting, the leaders condemned North Korea’s growing nuclear weapons and ballistic missile program and urged Pyongyang to return to U.S.-led denuclearization talks, which have stalled since 2019 over disagreements related to international sanctions imposed on the North.Trudeau, the fist Canadian leader to visit S...

39 missing after Chinese fishing boat capsizes in the middle of the Indian Ocean

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:02 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — Several ships and aircraft searched Wednesday for 39 people reported missing after a Chinese fishing boat capsized in the middle of the Indian Ocean.Chinese state broadcaster CCTV said the accident happened around 3 a.m. Tuesday. The report said the crew includes 17 from China, 17 from Indonesia and five from the Philippines. Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Li Qiang have ordered Chinese diplomats abroad, as well as the agriculture and transportation ministries, to assist in the search for survivors. “All-out efforts” must be made in the rescue operation, Xi was quoted as saying by the official Xinhua News Agency. Li ordered unspecified measures to “reduce casualties and strengthen safety management of fishing vessels at sea to ensure safe maritime transport and production,” Xinhua said. No word was given on the cause of the capsizing. Australia, Indonesia and the Philippines have also expressed their willingness to join in the search. Indonesia’s Na...

Norway’s ailing king celebrates Constitution Day as thousands of flag-waving children cheer

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:02 GMT

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Norway’s King Harald V, who was released from a hospital earlier this week, appeared Wednesday on the royal castle’s balcony to salute the thousands of children marching by as the Scandinavian country celebrated its Constitution Day.Cheering and shouting, waving blue-white-red Norwegian flags, kindergarten and school students marched in front of the royal palace where Harald, 86, and his wife, Queen Sonja, sat and waved back to the vast crowd, many of whom wore traditional costumes.Elsewhere in Oslo, the chairman of the Ukrainian parliament, Ruslan Stefanchuk, who was visiting his Norwegian counterpart, stood on another balcony and waved at a cheering flag-waving crowd, saying he hoped that “we as soon as possible can celebrate like this in Ukraine.”The holiday marks the day the country commemorates the signing of the 1814 Constitution of Norway. Earlier in the day, Harald’s son and heir to the throne, Crown Prince Haakon, and his wife, Crown Princes...

Funeral services Wednesday for slain CPD officer Aréanah Preston

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:02 GMT

CHICAGO — Funeral services will be held Wednesday for fallen Chicago Police Officer Aréanah Preston.Visitation took place at the Blake-Lamb Funeral Home, located at 4727 W. 103rd St in Oak Lawn, Tuesday afternoon.The 24-year-old officer had just returned from a shift in the 5th District when she was shot and killed on the 8100 block of South Blackstone Avenue. Four suspects have been charged in her fatal shooting. Fallen CPD Officer Aréanah Preston honored at Loyola graduation Preston earned her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Illinois State University and joined CPD three years ago.Preston's mother told WGN she was a smart and driven woman who was looking forward to her graduating with her master's from Loyola University. On Saturday, Loyola posthumously awarded Preston's degree to her mother.Her law enforcement colleagues said she was brave and compassionate. Preston's last arrestee, taken into custody just hours before her death, reportedly wept when they heard ...

She killed the man raping her. Now she faces 6 years in prison

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:02 GMT

MEXICO CITY (AP) — A Mexican woman who killed a man defending herself when he attacked and raped her in 2021 was sentenced to more than six years in prison, a decision her legal defense called “discriminatory” and vowed to appeal Tuesday.The ruling against Roxana Ruiz spurred anger from experts and feminist groups who said it speaks to the depth of gender-based violence and Mexico’s poor record of bringing perpetrators of sexual violence to justice.“It would be a bad precedent if this sentence were to hold. It’s sending the message to women that, you know what, the law says you can defend yourself, but only to a point,” said Ángel Carrera, her defense lawyer. “He raped you, but you don’t have the right to do anything.”The Associated Press does not normally identify sexual assault victims, but Ruiz has given her permission to be identified and participates in public demonstrations led by activists who support her. Five takeaways from elections in Kentucky, Pennsylvania and Florida ...

No Social Security checks, job cuts: How consumers could be hurt if the government defaults

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:02 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — All the hand-wringing in Washington over raising the debt limit can seem far removed from the lives of everyday Americans, but they could end up facing huge consequences.Millions of people in the U.S. rely on benefits that could go unpaid and services that could be disrupted, or halted altogether, if the government can't pay its bills for an extended period.If the economy tanked due to default, more than 8 million people could lose their jobs, government officials estimate. Millions of Social Security beneficiaries, veterans and military families could lose their monthly payments. Vital federal services including border and air traffic control could be disrupted if workers can't get their government paychecks. GOP, Democrats ready blame game for debt ceiling failure The economy could nosedive into a recession.President Joe Biden and the top congressional leaders from both parties met at the White House on Tuesday to try to resolve it all, their second s...

Warming trend leading up to late week severe risk

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:02 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- After dodging downpours the last several days, drier skies and sunshine will take over the next couple of afternoons.Mainly sunny skies will stretch areawide today with rain chances less than 10%. Afternoon highs will warm near to above average today and tomorrow, with most areas in the upper 80s to low 90s.Wednesday afternoon forecast high temperaturesFriday looks to be the hottest day of the week ahead our next cold front. This front will spark scattered storms and showers, some of which could be severe late Friday afternoon through evening. Primary threats look to be large hail and damaging winds.Slight risk (2 out of 5) for severe storms late FridayThe front passes out of the area Saturday morning leaving a breezy north wind and keeping weekend temperatures cooler and more comfortable. A few showers and thunderstorms will remain possible this weekend into early next week. ‘Potentially significant’ El Niño to begin by summer FIRST WARNING WEATHER: Stay up to da...