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Averting government shutdown, Congress approves temporary funding through the holidays

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:39 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Ending the threat of a government shutdown until after the holidays, Congress gave final approval Wednesday night to a temporary government funding package that pushes a confrontation over the federal budget into the new year.The Senate met into the night to pass the bill with an overwhelming 87-11 tally and send it to President Joe Biden for his signature one day after it passed the House on an overwhelming bipartisan vote. It provides a funding patch into next year, when the House and Senate will be forced to confront — and somehow overcome — their considerable differences over what funding levels should be. Colorado middle schooler’s racist rant caught on video, raising concern for school violence In the meantime, the bill removes the threat of a government shutdown days before funding would have expired.“This Friday night there will be no government shutdown,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a floor speech ahead of the final vote.The spending pac...

Flight attendants receive surprise Taylor Swift piano serenade from airline captain after Buenos Aires concert rescheduled

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:39 GMT

BUENOS AIRES (WSVN) — Argentina offered more than just work for two American Airlines junior flight attendants who, after missing Taylor Swift’s concert due to a weather-related reschedule, found unexpected solace in a captain’s heartfelt piano serenade.Macarena Gimenez and Micaela Carballo, who are based out of Miami and were in town for a work assignment, were forced to miss Taylor Swift’s concert in Buenos Aires due to a weather-induced reschedule. Despite holding Friday floor tickets, the show moved to Sunday, which was the same day they were supposed to fly out.“We were getting ready, listening to Taylor Swift together in our hotel room, and we go downstairs, we order a taxi, and just as we were about to get into the car, we see that she posted that she had to reschedule due to weather,” said Gimenez.“Outside, it was just hurricanes, tsunami. It was impossible to do a show like that,” said Carballo, “so it was just like, ...

Broward Schools, Broward College cancel Thursday classes amid heavy rainfall, flooding; M-DCPS schools to stay open

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:39 GMT

The relentless rainfall that battered South Florida all day Wednesday led Broward County Public Schools and Broward College to cancel classes on Thursday.Officials confirmed the cancellation of all classes and the closure of district offices in an X post, Wednesday night.“All before and after school activities, events, field trips, sporting events, scheduled meetings, other planned night events and evening classes are also canceled,” the statement from the school district reads.Meanwhile, officials with Miami-Dade County Public Schools said classes will resume as scheduled on Thursday, and all public schools will remain open.Late Wednesday night, officials with Broward College, where classes were canceled on Wednesday, confirmed that all campuses will also be closed on Thursday.A flash flood warning remains in effect for parts of Broward and Miami-Dade counties until 6 a.m. on Thursday.

Scribbles to nibbles: diverse diets, smiles and taste 

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:39 GMT

René Lammers, executive vice president and chief science officer, PepsiCo Witnessing ideas transform from whiteboard scribbling into consumer-favorite food and beverages is the most rewarding aspect of my job. As a scientist, the head of research and development (R&D), and a PepsiCo employee for the past 13 years, I’ve had the privilege of observing the successful launch of quite a few innovative products. But what I’m most proud of right now isn’t about new products — it’s the ways we have found to help improve the nutritional profile of our products.   PepsiCo is one of the largest food and beverage companies in Europe — and around the world — with products available in more than 200 markets, more than 30 crops sourced from over 2.8 million hectares in 60 different countries. Our products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times each day.  We produce a multitude of convenient foods and beverage products under brand names many of you wi...

Paper or plastic — let’s choose wisely

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:39 GMT

Heading into an election year politically dominated by stubborn inflation, regional conflicts and a worsening climate crisis, Europe faces many important decisions. One such decision will be made by members of the European Parliament next week when they vote on the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), a key element of the Von Der Leyen Commission’s Green New Deal agenda.            The PPWR plenary vote represents not just one more procedural step in a legislative process, but a pivotal chance to put science and common sense at the heart of Europe’s circular economy. Make the right decision, and MEPs will boost Europe’s strategic autonomy and economic resilience while meaningfully strengthening its green credentials. Make the wrong decision and we will go backwards on all these fronts, while the tide of plastic pollution across the Continent swells. Will paper be replaced by plastic? | via EPPAPlastic planetThe Comm...

Al Horford’s big night propels shorthanded Celtics over 76ers for fourth straight win

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:39 GMT

Al Horford has not been as impactful as usual to start this season. For the first time in his career, the veteran big man accepted a bench role among a talented roster. He has played fewer minutes. Through the Celtics’ first 10 games, he was slumping from 3-point range.But with the Celtics shorthanded for the first time this season, they needed Horford – among others – to step up. The 37-year-old proceeded to turn back the clock again.With Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis both out for the first time this season, Horford slid back into the starting lineup and had his best game of the season. Down two starters, Horford and the rest of his teammates stepped up. The Celtics received contributions from everywhere on the roster as they figured out a way to leave Philadelphia with a win, avenging last week’s loss to the 76ers with a 117-107 victory on Wednesday night.Jayson Tatum led the way with 29 points as the Celtics won their fourth consecutive game. But it wouldn’t have been possi...

Indian rescuers prepare to drill to reach 40 workers trapped in a collapse tunnel since weekend

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:39 GMT

LUCKNOW, India (AP) — Rescuers in northern India supplied food and medicine to 40 construction workers on Thursday as officials prepared to start drilling through the rubble to reach the men who have been trapped since a portion of the tunnel they were working on collapsed over the weekend. Rescuers planned to insert wide steel pipes to create a passage to free the workers trapped since early Sunday in the mountainous Uttarakhand state. A drilling machine was assembled after three Indian air force transport aircraft flew its parts in from New Delhi on Wednesday.The workers are being provided with cashew nuts, peanuts, soaked and roasted chickpeas, popcorn, and medicines every two hours, said Devendra Patwal, a disaster management relief official.Some complained of fever and body aches on Wednesday, but there has been no deterioration in their condition, he said.Yogesh, who uses one name. cut short his Diwali celebrations and rushed to the collapsed tunnel when he learned that his br...

Japan’s exports grow better than expected as auto shipments climb

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:39 GMT

TOKYO (AP) — Japan reported Thursday that its exports increased by 1.6% in October from a year earlier, as auto and ship shipments rose. Government data showed exports to the rest of Asia fell, while exports to the U.S. and Europe surged. Japanese imports fell 12.5% to 9.8 trillion yen ($64 billion), mainly due to lower costs for oil, gas and coal. Shipments of computer parts and cereal also were lower, while steel imports surged. With exports at 9.15 trillion yen ($60.5 billion) The trade deficit for October shrank by 70% a year earlier to 662.5 billion yen ($4.4 billion). October marked the second straight month of export growth, but the climb slowed from 4.3% in September. That could be bad news for the world’s third largest economy, which heavily depends on export manufacturing to drive growth. Economists polled by data provider FactSet had expected exports to rise by 1.5%.“Exports helped drive stronger growth in the first half of this year, but now that the export recovery has ...

Police and protesters clash outside Democratic HQ during demonstration over Israel-Hamas war

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:39 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Police and protesters clashed outside Democratic National Committee headquarters on Wednesday night during a demonstration for a cease-fire in the war between Israel and Hamas, the latest reflection of boiling tensions over the bloody conflict. Scores of Democratic representatives and candidates, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, were inside the building for a campaign reception when it was interrupted by chanting outside. Protesters said they wanted to block entrances and exits to force politicians to encounter their candlelight vigil and their calls for an end to the fighting. Many of them wore black shirts saying “Cease Fire Now.”However, the situation swiftly devolved. U.S. Capitol Police said about 150 people were “illegally and violently protesting” in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington. But protesters blamed police for the violence, saying officers rushed them without warning. “It is shameful the way that nonviolent protesters and mem...

Johnson's new migrant plan includes 60-day limit in shelters, dedicated entry point for asylum seekers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:39 GMT

CHICAGO — Chicago has a new plan in the migrant crisis. In a news conference announcement following the passage of his first budget, Mayor Brandon Johnson unveiled some changes for the new arrivals Wednesday."Above all, we are treating our new neighbors with compassion because it is the humane thing to do," Johnson said. "Because with support they can become productive members of our communities, contributing to our economy, our culture and our society."The first bus carrying migrants arrived in Chicago on Aug. 31, 2022. Since then, more than 20,000 people, many from Venezuela, have arrived."We've got people sleeping on floors and outside, our police districts have been overwhelmed since the very beginning of our mission," Johnson said.Johnson said the new plan will give migrants a 60-day limit in city-run shelters and that there will be a dedicated entry point for the asylum seekers. According to Johnson, this will all be part of an expedited plan to process migrants and get them o...