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US Navy sails first drone through Mideast’s Strait of Hormuz

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:40:48 GMT

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The U.S. Navy sailed its first drone boat through the strategic Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, a crucial waterway for global energy supplies where American sailors often faces tense encounters with Iranian forces. The trip by the L3 Harris Arabian Fox MAST-13, a 13-meter (41-foot) speedboat carrying sensors and cameras, drew the attention of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, but took place without incident, said Navy spokesman Cmdr. Timothy Hawkins. Two U.S. Coast Guard cutters, the USCGC Charles Moulthrope and USCGC John Scheuerman, accompanied the drone. The trip saw the drone safely pass with the accompanying ships through the strait, a busy waterway between Iran and Oman which at its narrowest is just 33 kilometers (21 miles) wide. A fifth of all oil traded passes through the strait, which connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman. “The Iranians observed the unmanned surface vessel transiting the strait in accordance with international law,...

UN: India’s population will be world’s largest by mid-year

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:40:48 GMT

NEW DELHI (AP) — India is on track to become the world’s most populous nation, surpassing China by 2.9 million people by mid-2023, according to data released by the United Nations on Wednesday.The South Asian country will have an estimated 1.4286 billion people against China’s 1.4257 billion by the middle of the year, according to U.N. projections. Demographers say the limits of population data make it impossible to calculate an exact date.China has had the world’s largest population since at least 1950, the year United Nations population data began. Both China and India have more than 1.4 billion people, and combined they make up more than a third of the world’s 8 billion people.Not long ago, India wasn’t expected to become most populous until later this decade. But the timing has been sped up by a drop in China’s fertility rate, with families having fewer children.Today, China has an aging population with stagnant growth despite the government retreating from its...

Luxembourg stands up for LGBT rights, chastises Hungary

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:40:48 GMT

BRUSSELS (AP) — Luxembourg’s openly gay prime minister used the dais of the European Union’s parliament on Wednesday to stand up for LGBT rights in the 27-nation bloc and chastised member state Hungary, which wants to curtail addressing the issue of homosexuality at school and in the media.“If there’s anyone in this house who thinks that you’ve become a homosexual by watching the television or listening to a song, then you’ve not understood anything. The most difficult (thing) for a homosexual is to accept themselves,” Bettel told legislators at Wednesday’s plenary session in Strasbourg, France.Bettel has often spoken about his sexuality and for two years already, he has been especially critical of Hungary.He already came out against Budapest in 2021 when a law was approved to prohibit sharing content on homosexuality or sex reassignment to people under 18 in school sex education programs, films or advertisements.The EU has accused populist Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán of c...

Glencore open to improving Teck offer, but shareholders must reject plan to split

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:40:48 GMT

VANCOUVER — Glencore says it is willing to consider making improvements to its offer to acquire Teck Resources Ltd., but the Swiss company says shareholders of the Canadian miner must first reject a plan to separate its base metals and steelmaking coal businesses.In an open letter to Teck shareholders, Glencore CEO Gary Nagle says he believes that any such improvements are best considered following engagement by the Teck board of directors.Teck’s board has rejected Glencore’s unsolicited takeover offer that would see shareholders receive a stake in a combined metals company as well as a choice of cash or shares in a company that would hold their merged coal assets. The proposal represented a 20 per cent premium when it was first made.Instead, Teck is pursuing a plan it announced in February to split up its metal and steelmaking coal businesses into two companies, Teck Metals and Elk Valley Resources.The proposal will be voted on by shareholders on April 26. However, Glen...

In memoir, former Cuomo aide says ‘nothing goes unaddressed’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:40:48 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — A memoir from the top aide to former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo during the deadliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic, and an investigation that concluded he sexually harassed 11 women, will come out in the fall. Union Square & Co. will release “What’s Left Unsaid: My Life at the Center of Power, Politics, and Crisis,” on Oct. 24.Melissa DeRosa was secretary to the governor from 2017 until she resigned in August 2021, just before Cuomo announced his own resignation. She was the first woman to hold the powerful position — and was known for appearing at the governor’s side during his daily pandemic briefings, occasionally answering reporters’ detailed policy questions.She was among Cuomo’s chief defenders, and a lightning rod for critics of how the administration handled the pandemic and harassment allegations against the governor. Cuomo has denied those allegations.In a phone interview this week, DeRosa described the book as a chance for her to reflec...

Colorado gun control bills progress; semi-auto ban unlikely

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:40:48 GMT

DENVER (AP) — Months after the state’s latest mass shooting, Colorado’s Democratic-controlled Legislature has passed a package of gun control measures that are expected to be signed by the state’s governor and more closely align it with the liberal strongholds of California and New York. The proposals include strengthening red flag laws, raising the firearm purchasing age to 21, opening the gun industry up to legal liability and installing a three-day waiting period after buying a gun.A measure set to be debated Wednesday that would implement a sweeping ban on semi-automatic firearms faces much stiffer odds and illustrates that even Democratic-controlled statehouses don’t have free rein on overhauling laws rooted deep in American culture. Hundreds of people have signed up to testify at the proposal’s first hearing in what is expected to be a passionate hearing with a mix of gun owners opposing the measure and supporters campaigning to reduce gun violenc...

How to ease your kids into estate planning

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:40:48 GMT

When parents talk with their kids at the dinner table, estate planning probably doesn’t come up. But considering we aren’t immortal, it should. It’s worth having age-appropriate conversations to introduce children to the idea of estate planning. As children grow older, parents can provide more specifics about their plans and eventually assist their children in developing their own plans as adults.RUN THEM THROUGH YOUR ESTATE PLANIf you have an estate plan in place, consider running your children through it so they have an idea of what’s included in one. Camelia Ruffin , an estate planning attorney and founder of The Ruffin Firm in Douglasville, Georgia, suggests parents do a very basic outline, which includes telling children what each document is and what it’s used for.Talking through your estate plan also gives your children a chance to know important information such as who you’ve chosen as estate executive or administrator — the person who manages your estate after you die — and...

Wednesday Forecast: Highs in mid 70s with a wide range of temps

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:40:48 GMT

CHICAGO — Mostly cloudy Wednesday with a 30% storm chance. A wide range in temperatures (cooler N & NE). Winds: ESE 10-15 G25. High: 76. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storm here TONIGHT: Mostly cloudy, slight storm chance, S 5-15. 62TOMORROW: Mostly cloudy, thunderstorms likely, SSW 15-20 G30. 73

Balloon release held in memory of girl, 14, shot and killed on West Side

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:40:48 GMT

CHICAGO — Family and friends gathered in Austin to remember 14-year-old Charity Johnson Tuesday, honoring her memory with a balloon release."That was my best friend and I don't know how I'm going to live," said Charity's mother at the event.The event was a gathering filled with pain and tears as the community hopes the person responsible for her death comes forward."You took something from me, you took my seed," said Felisa Johnson, Charity's grandmother. "I thank God for the 14 years that I had with her." PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 14-year-old girl shot, 50-year-old woman stabbed following dispute on West Side: police Police said Charity was shot and a 50-year-old woman was stabbed following what they described as an argument in the 0-100 block of North Lorel Avenue last Monday, April 10.After spending a week in the hospital in critical condition, Charity succumbed to her injuries yesterday.Police have no one in custody as Area Four detectives continue to investigate.If you or someone yo...

H-E-B opening convenience store in Georgetown

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:40:48 GMT

LEANDER, Texas (KXAN) – H-E-B will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday for its newest convenience store. The H-E-B Fresh Bites will be part of the Georgetown H-E-B at the corner of Highway 29 and Ronald Reagan Boulevard. The ribbon-cutting will happen from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30, signaling the opening of H-E-B's fourth convenience store in the Austin area. The other three convenience store locations are below:2512 E. Riverside Dr., Austin3780 Gattis School Rd., Round Rock5008 Gattis School Rd., HuttoThe new convenience store will be located at 19344 Ronald W. Reagan Blvd. in Georgetown.