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Libya’s prime minister rejects normalization with Israel following secret meeting of ministers

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:34 GMT

CAIRO (AP) — One of Libya’s rival prime ministers rejected Thursday the prospect of normalizing relations with Israel days after news broke of a secret meeting between the countries’ two foreign ministers.Last Sunday, the Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen publicly announced that he and Libya’s foreign minister had held a private meeting in Rome the previous week, the first ever between top diplomats from both countries. The next day, Libya’s Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah suspended Foreign Minister Najla Mangoush and launched investigation into the meeting. It is illegal to normalize ties with Israel under a 1957 law in Libya, which has long been hostile toward Israel and supportive of the Palestinians. “We affirm our rejection of any form of normalization,” Dbeibah said during a televised ministerial meeting on Thursday evening. “Long live Libya, long live Palestine, and long live the Palestinian cause in all of our hearts,” he remarked.Israel’s Foreign Minis...

Poland and South Korea plan to hold joint military exercises in Poland soon

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:34 GMT

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Poland and South Korea plan to hold joint military exercises in Poland soon to show the effectiveness of Korean equipment in the Polish armed forces, defense ministers for the two countries said Thursday.Poland’s Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak and South Korea’s Defense Minister Lee Jong-Sup held talks in Warsaw on security and support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s aggression, as well as on further cooperation in the armaments sector.Blaszczak said that a joint exercise called Autumn Fire would soon be held by Poland’s armed forces, using recently purchased South Korean armaments. He also said that steps are being taken to allow for some of the equipment made in Korea to be produced in Poland.Poland is purchasing tens of billions of dollars worth of weapons and military equipment from South Korea as it upgrades its defense potential with concern rising because of the war in neighboring Ukraine. The new equipment is also replacing that...

X, formerly known as Twitter, will collect user biometric data, job and education history

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:34 GMT

(The Hill) -- X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, will begin collecting biometric data and information on users’ employment and education history starting next month, according to the site’s updated privacy policy.“Based on your consent, we may collect and use your biometric information for safety, security, and identification purposes,” X said in the new privacy policy, set to go into effect on Sept. 29.The social media platform told Bloomberg Law that the biometric data collection is for X Premium users, or those who pay for the platform’s subscription service, to allow for an additional layer of verification.X did not specify what biometric data it plans to collect. However, such data can include facial images, fingerprints and iris patterns. The new addition to X’s privacy policy comes as the company faces a proposed class action lawsuit in Illinois over allegations that it collected biometric information on users without providing advance notice or obtaining their c...

New nyala calf debuts at Brookfield Zoo

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:34 GMT

BROOKFIELD, Ill. — The Brookfield Zoo has welcomed a new member to its antelope family. For the second time in less than a year, Brookfield Zoo’s nyalas — Zola and Hamilton — are parents to a calf. The 14-pound male calf was born on Tuesday, Aug. 29. He'll join two other siblings, nearly 3-year-old Leah and 9-month-old Zuri. Critically endangered African antelope born at Brookfield Zoo In the next 14 months, the male calf, which is twice the size of the female, will develop its adult coloring, which will include a shaggy dark brown to slate gray coat with diminished body stripes, long hairs along its underparts, and a mane of thick black long hairs and yellow-tipped spiraled horns. A male nyala calf born at Brookfield Zoo on August 29 can been seen in the antelopes’ habitat with his mom and other members of the herd. (Photo: Lynette Kleisner/CZS-Brookfield Zoo)A male nyala calf born at Brookfield Zoo on August 29 can been seen in the antelopes’ habitat with his mom and ...

Idalia leaves shredded homes, roads blocked in Florida and Georgia

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:34 GMT

HORSESHOE BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Tropical Storm Idalia headed out to sea Thursday after thrashing parts of Florida and Georgia with punishing rains and destructive winds, leaving residents to begin the arduous process of clearing fallen trees, restoring electricity and picking through the debris of devastated homes.Thus far, authorities have confirmed one death, that of a man hit by a falling tree in Georgia. As many as a half-million customers were without power at one point in Florida and Georgia as the storm ripped down utility poles. Tropical Storm Jose forms in Atlantic, NHC monitoring 2 other disturbances After pounding Florida, Idalia swung east, flooding many of South Carolina’s beaches and leaving some in the state and North Carolina without power before heading back into the Atlantic Ocean. Forecasters said the weakened storm should continue heading away from the U.S. for several days, although officials in Bermuda warned that Idalia could hit the island ...

McConnell 'medically clear,' says Capitol doctor 

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:34 GMT

The Capitol attending physician on Thursday said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is “medically clear to continue with his schedule as planned,” after he appeared to freeze up while taking questions from reporters Wednesday.Brian Monahan, the attending physician, said he consulted with McConnell and conferred with the GOP leader’s neurology team. He said occasional lightheadedness, which a McConnell spokesperson said the senator experienced following Wednesday’s episode, "is not uncommon in concussion recovery and can also be expected as a result of dehydration.”McConnell was hospitalized in March after falling at a private dinner. He suffered a concussion and a minor rib fracture.“I have consulted with Leader McConnell and conferred with his neurology team. After evaluating yesterday’s incident, I have informed Leader McConnell that he is medically clear to continue with his schedule as planned. Occasional lightheadedness is not uncommon in concussion recovery and can...

Getting to a UT football game: How much does it cost?

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:34 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Getting to kickoff for Texas Longhorns football may be a little smoother this season, with construction closures wrapped up on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard at the Texas Capitol Complex.However, traffic is still inevitable around the UT campus during home games.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxan.com/newslettersKXAN Traffic Anchor Erica Brennes breaks down what you can expect and how much it will cost to get to the game.This year, you'll notice something different about MLK Jr. Boulevard, and hopefully better.Capitol Mall construction closed and shifted lanes last year at Congress Avenue, but not this football season. There are still closures east and west of the Capitol Mall, but not on MLK Jr. Boulevard.Let's discuss getting to and from the game, and your options for how much it will cost.Parking for Texas gamesIf you plan to drive yourself, there are multiple state...

'Tremendous honor': Robin Henderson approved as APD interim chief by city council

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:34 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin City Council on Thursday unanimously approved Robin Henderson as the Austin Police Department's new interim police chief. Henderson spoke exclusively with KXAN photographer Ed Zavala after the council's approval. She talked about APD staffing levels and recruitment efforts, public safety and downtown safety, and her priorities as interim chief. Watch the interview in the above video player. She said it's a "tremendous honor, privilege and pleasure" to take over as APD's interim chief. Henderson has served with APD for 26 years, most recently as chief of staff to Chief Joseph Chacon, who announced his retirement last week. Henderson will begin serving as interim police chief effective the first week of September until a search for a permanent chief is completed, according to the city. APD Chief Joseph Chacon to retire; chief of staff named as interim police chief Henderson was named as the assistant police chief in 2020, then in 2021 promoted ...

2 arrested in shooting on St. Paul’s Raspberry Island that killed 20-year-old man

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:34 GMT

Police have arrested two men in a shooting on St. Paul’s Raspberry Island that killed a 20-year-old man about two weeks ago.Homicide investigators served a search warrant at an apartment in the 6200 block of Shingle Creek Parkway in Brooklyn Center Wednesday. They took two men into custody at the apartment — a 24-year-old from St. Paul and a 23-year-old from Maplewood — on suspicion of murder.On Aug. 14 about 9 p.m., police were called to Raspberry Island, the Mississippi River park across from downtown St. Paul, on a report of a shooting. There had been a large group gathered, an altercation and shots fired, police said at the time.Marcus Anthony Baker Jr., of St. Paul, was shot. He was taken to Regions Hospital and pronounced dead that night.Police said Thursday the investigation is ongoing and investigators plan to forward the case to the Ramsey County attorney’s office for charging consideration. Related ArticlesCrime & Public Safety | 2 se...

Pruyn House to host Old Fashioned Sunday event

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:34 GMT

LATHAM, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Friends of Pruyn House announced they will be presenting their annual Old Fashioned Sunday. The event is scheduled for September 10 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! The day of family fun will feature old-time craft demonstrations, a wide variety of local vendors, costumed re-enactments, live music from the Tri-County Banjo Band, and several activities for children, such as pony rides, baby animal petting and an art show. The historic house, which was built between 1825 and 1830, will also be open for touring.“Our Historic Pruyn House is filled with history and there is no better way to honor that than through Old-Fashioned Sunday. This annual event will celebrate our heritage and history in the form of tours, music, and entertainment. Additionally, I would like to thank the Friends of the Pruyn House for continuing this annual event.” said Colonie Town Supervisor Peter G. Crummey. New...