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Key suspect in EU corruption case can remove electronic bracelet

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:19:15 GMT

BRUSSELS (AP) — The key suspect at the heart of the corruption scandal that rocked the European Union’s assembly last year no longer has to wear an electronic monitoring bracelet, the Belgian federal prosecutor’s office said Thursday. Former parliament vice president Eva Kaili was under electronic surveillance and house arrest since her release from jail last month while the investigation into the money-for-political favors case continued. The office said in a statement that the probe “no longer requires her detention.”“This release is subject to the usual conditions in such cases,” the statement read. Asked about the new conditions imposed on Kaili and whether she could travel abroad, a spokesperson at the prosecutor’s office said he could not elaborate. The Greek lawmaker was removed as vice president after she was taken into custody late last year on charges of corruption, money laundering and membership in a criminal organization. She denies wrongdoing, her lawyers s...

Sherpa guide who climbed Mount Everest a record 28 times says he’s not ready to retire

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:19:15 GMT

KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — One of the greatest mountain guides said Thursday he’s not ready to retire after climbing Mount Everest for a record 28th time.Nepalese Sherpa Kami Rita reached the 8,849-meter (29,032-foot) summit of the world’s highest mountain on Tuesday, beating his own record less than a week after setting it.“I will continue to climb as long as my body allows,” the 53-year-old guide told reporters after arriving from the mountain at Kathmandu’s airport, where he was given a hero’s welcome by supporters and family members.He said his goal is not to compete for any records but to help his foreign clients scale the mountain.This year’s climbing season is almost over, and his next climb will have to wait until next spring.Kami Rita reached the summit a day after fellow Sherpa guide Pasang Dawa matched his previous record of 27 climbs.A race for the title began with Pasang Dawa climbing the peak for a 26th time on May 14, equaling Kami Rita’s earlier record...

Austin hopes F-16 fight jet training for Ukrainian pilots will begin in coming weeks

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:19:15 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Thursday he hopes that training for Ukrainian pilots on American-made F-16 fighter jets will begin in the coming weeks, bolstering Ukraine in the long run but not necessarily as part of an anticipated spring counteroffensive against Russia.Austin spoke as defense leaders from around the world assembled for a virtual meeting to discuss the ongoing military support for Ukraine. They were expected talk about which countries will provide F-16s, and how and where the pilot training will be done. The officials will also get an update on the war effort from Ukrainian leaders, including preparation for that anticipated counteroffensive and how the allies, who have faced their own stockpile pressures, can continue to support Kyiv’s fight against Russia.“We’re going to have to dig deeper, and we’re going to have to continue to look for creative ways to boost our industrial capability,” Austin said before the military leaders began th...

Texas passes bill to let unlicensed chaplains serve as counselors in schools

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:19:15 GMT

(The Hill) - Texas lawmakers have passed a bill that will allow unlicensed chaplains into schools to serve in school counseling positions. The law, passed in a 84-60 vote in the state House Wednesday, will allow school districts to decide whether they want a chaplain who isn't certified by the state working alongside counselors and mental health services in their schools. The legislation already passed the Texas Senate and now will go to the desk of Gov. Greg Abbott (R), who is likely to sign it into law. The bill allows schools to use a volunteer or employ chaplains “to provide support, services, and programs for students as assigned by the board of trustees of the district or the governing body of the school.”A school district can use funds allocated for school safety and security to support chaplains in their role, the same funds used for other counselors. Schools now have six months to vote on policies to either deny or allow chaplains into their schools. The act ...

Nation's median age jumps to almost 39, while fewer babies born: census

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:19:15 GMT

The United States grew older, faster, last decade.The share of residents 65 or older grew by more than a third from 2010 to 2020 and at the fastest rate of any decade in 130 years, while the share of children declined, according to new figures from the most recent census.The declining percentage of children under age 5 was particularly noteworthy in the figures from the 2020 headcount released Thursday. Combined, the trends mean the median age in the U.S. jumped from 37.2 to 38.8 over the decade.America's two largest age groups propelled the changes: more baby boomers turning 65 or older and millennials who became adults or pushed further into their 20s and early 30s. Also, fewer children were born between 2010 and 2020, according to numbers from the once-a-decade head count of every U.S. resident. The decline stems from women delaying having babies until later in life, in many cases to focus on education and careers, according to experts, who noted that birth rates never recovered ...

10-year-old Ohio girl's abortion prompts discipline hearing against Indiana doctor

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:19:15 GMT

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — An Indiana board is set to hear allegations Thursday that an Indianapolis doctor should face disciplinary action after she spoke publicly about providing an abortion to a 10-year-old rape victim from neighboring Ohio.The Medical Licensing Board’s hearing comes after Indiana's Republican attorney general accused Dr. Caitlin Bernard of violating state law by not reporting the girl’s child abuse to Indiana authorities. She's also accused of breaking federal patient privacy laws by telling a newspaper reporter about the girl’s treatment. Planned Parenthood to cut staff at national level in strategy shift Bernard and her attorneys maintain that the doctor followed Indiana’s child abuse reporting requirements as the girl’s rape was already being investigated by Ohio authorities. Bernard’s lawyers also say she didn’t release any identifying information about the girl that would break privacy laws.The Indianapolis Star cited the girl’s case in a ...

Texas 88th Legislative Session: Which bills died?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:19:15 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- During Texas legislative sessions, thousands of bills are considered, but only a few survive to become law. As of Wednesday, only 10.1% of the bills filed during the session passed. Which bills made it to the governor’s desk? Due to the volume of bills, many never even receive a vote.House Bills 521 and 1744, which would have permitted pregnant women to use the high-occupancy vehicle lane, did not receive floor consideration in the House. Pregnant woman cited for HOV violation says fetus should count as passenger in Texas Bills can die at many other stages in the process. Some of the unsuccessful bills would have:Given a raise to state employees and retirees (HB 136)Reduced penalties for low-level marijuana possession (HB 218)Expanded medical marijuana access (HB 1805)Increased the legal age to buy assault rifles to 21 (HB 2744)Amendment the Texas Constitution to allow wagering on sports (HJR 102)Required public school classrooms to display the 10 commandments ...

Petersburg man arrested, accused of burglary

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:19:15 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A Petersburg man was arrested and is accused of burglary at a multi-dwelling home in Petersburg. Paul Coleman, 61, faces multiple charges. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! On Thursday, May 18, state troopers responded to a multi-dwelling home on State Route 2 in Petersburg for a reported past burglary. Troopers say their investigation found Coleman had entered the home multiple times and stolen several items during the previous week.Coleman allegedly caused damage to the property in order to gain entry. Police say the stolen items have been recovered. Schenectady man pleads guilty to child pornography charges Charges:Second-degree burglaryFourth-degree criminal mischiefPetit larcenyColeman was arrested on Monday and was taken to Brunswick State Police for processing. He was arraigned at the Grafton Town Court and was released on his own recognizance.

Crash on Patroon Island Bridge closes one lane

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:19:15 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- According to 511 NY, a crash on I-90 westbound on the Patroon Island Bridge; near the Albany and Rensselaer County Line, has closed a left lane. Drivers in the area should expect delays. Check out NEWS10's traffic tracker. You can plan your route and see traffic delays in real-time!Stick with News10 as more information regarding this crash becomes available.

Crash on I-90 westbound in Albany cleared

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:19:15 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- According to 511 NY, a crash on I-90 westbound at Exit 6; US 9 in Albany has cleared.Check out NEWS10's traffic tracker. You can plan your route and see traffic delays in real-time!The crash initially shut down two left lanes of five.