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G7 finance ministers tackle global economic challenges as Yellen seeks to reassure on debt standoff

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:29 GMT

NIIGATA, Japan (AP) — The financial leaders of the Group of Seven wealthy nations will meet in Japan beginning Thursday as a standoff over the U.S. debt ceiling looms as one of the biggest potential threats to the global economy. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said one of her priorities in Niigata, a port city on the Japan Sea coast, would be to emphasize the importance of resolving the standoff over the national debt. “I will underscore the importance of Congress acting to resolve the debt limit to maintain America’s economic leadership and protect the global economy,” Yellen said in a tweet Thursday. Yellen also is bound to be seeking to reassure her counterparts over recent bank failures that have raised worries over risks for the global financial system. The finance ministers and central bank governors are meeting for three days ahead of a G-7 summit later this month in Hiroshima. President Joe Biden said Wednesday that he and congressional leaders had a “productive” meeting Tu...

South Korea to lift quarantine mandate for COVID-19 and end testing recommendation for travelers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:29 GMT

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea will drop its COVID-19 quarantine requirements and end testing recommendations for international arrivals starting next month after the World Health Organization declared the end of the global health emergency.In lowering the coronavirus alert level from “critical” to plainly “alert” starting June 1, health authorities will also lift mask mandates in pharmacies and small clinics but will continue require mask wearing in large hospitals and long-term care facilities and other medical venues with high infection risks. The decision was announced during a meeting attended by President Yoon Suk Yeol, where he thanked the country’s medical workers and said it was “delightful that people are getting their normal lives back after three and a half years.”He said his government will take steps to improve the country’s capacity to deal with future pandemics, including providing stronger support for vaccine developments and expanding international cooperati...

Cook County Sheriff's deputy de-deputized after daughter brings gun to school

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:29 GMT

RICHTON PARK, Ill. — A Cook County sheriff's deputy has been de-deputized after her daughter brought a gun to school Wednesday morning.According to Richton Park police chief Demitrous Cook, several schools in Richton Park went on lockdown Wednesday morning after a 10-year-old girl, who attends Neil A. Armstrong Elementary School, brought a gun with her to class.Around 8:30 a.m., Cook said students told an adult at the school they saw a girl with a gun. That's when the staff member approached the child, retrieved a loaded 9mm handgun, and locked the weapon up until police arrived.Cook said the 10-year-old girl's mother is an officer with the Cook County Sheriff's Office, but said he believes the gun the girl brought to school was her mother's personal gun. Lincoln Park homeowner looks for answers after receiving nearly $7,000 water bill "The child was not taken into custody," Cook said. "We took the child to the hospital for evaluation. We have not talked to the child yet, we're go...

Suspect in Natalee Holloway disappearance will be sent from Peru to US to face fraud charges

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:29 GMT

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Peru’s government will allow the extradition to the United States of the prime suspect in the unsolved 2005 disappearance of American student Natalee Holloway on the Dutch Caribbean Island of Aruba, bringing her family hope there will be justice in the case.Dutch citizen Joran van der Sloot will face trial for alleged extortion and wire fraud, charges stemming from the Holloway case. The Peruvian Embassy in Washington told The Associated Press on Wednesday the executive order allows for his temporary extradition.Holloway, who lived in suburban Birmingham, Alabama, was 18 when she was last seen during a trip with classmates to Aruba. Her mysterious disappearance after a night with friends at a nightclub sparked years of news coverage, particularly in the tabloid and true-crime media.Holloway’s body was never found, and no charges were filed against van der Sloot in the case. A judge later declared Holloway dead.A grand jury in Alabama in 2010 indicted van der Sloot...

Austin FC gets first-ever U.S. Open Cup victory 2-0 over New Mexico United

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:29 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin FC picked up its first-ever victory in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup with a 2-0 win over New Mexico United on Wednesday at Q2 Stadium.After falling in their first-ever U.S. Open Cup match last year 2-1 to San Antonio FC, Verde and Black righted the ship in the tournament and advanced to the Round of 16 with the win. They'll find out who they play and where on Thursday. The game will be in two weeks, and that'll add to an already-hectic May schedule of 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/newslettersRodney Redes and Maxi Urruti provided the offense, and it's the third consecutive match across all competitions that Austin FC has scored at least two goals."It was a good example of what we've been building off in the past few matches," Austin FC head coach Josh Wolff said. "We created a lot of chances, got some goals and it was good to see Rodney contribute and...

Is it true? City says misinformation spreading about Zilker Park Vision Plan

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:29 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Social media posts and a website claiming Zilker Park and Barton Springs could move into private ownership are causing quite the stir.Councilmember Paige Ellis says her office has received dozens of emails from constituents over the misinformation regarding management of Zilker Park.One social media post states that Zilker Park and Barton Springs are being moved into the hands of Live Nation."We don't have a scenario like that in the plan," said Ricardo Soliz, Division Manager for City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department. "This park will continue to be operated and managed by the parks department."On May 22, the final plan for the Zilker Park Vision Plan will be presented in a public meeting to the PARD board.SaveZilker.org states that management could be given to an umbrella non-profit and away from public input and accountability. New parking meters, price increase in effect at Zilker Park In a statement the person who created the Safe Zilker Park Instagram...

Senator breaks records after casting 70,000th consecutive vote in Texas Senate

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:29 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- On Wednesday, Sen. Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo) cast her 70,000th consecutive vote in the Texas Senate, which marked an unparalleled statewide and nationwide record, according to a news release from Senatorial District 21. Zaffirini has never missed a vote in the Texas Senate since her swearing-in in 1987, the release said."That is unbelievable," Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said as he presented her with a commemorative gavel. Additionally, the Senate Ladies Club presented her with a bouquet of flowers.Zaffirini's legislative accomplishments are numerous and varied, according to the release. She has passed more than 1,200 bills by working across the aisle and bridging divides, the release said. Meet the Texas senator who’s never missed a floor vote "Every vote counts, and I take my responsibility to cast each one seriously" Zaffirini said. "I will continue to work hard on behalf of my constituents and to represent them to the best of my ability."During the current session,...

New technology allows 911 operators to get first-hand view of an emergency

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:29 GMT

GASCONADE COUNTY, Mo. - New technology using your cell phone's camera is helping 911 dispatchers get a first-hand view of an emergency before first responders get to the scene."Scenario is you're sitting in a closet, you can't speak, you're hiding from someone," said Dawn Humphrey, a Gasconade County dispatcher. She said that's where Prepared Live can come in handy. "We can put eyes on the situation, versus just listening to it and hearing what's happening. We can actually see what's happening," Humphrey said. Circuit Attorney refuses charges to woman arrested in Cherokee St. shooting A link sent from dispatch gives them a live view of the situation around you. "The screen is blank; you don't know that it's being recorded... No one else will know that you're doing a recording at the time," Humphrey said.Cell phone text messaging isn't new technology, but sending a simple text to 911 might not be an option depending on where you live. "If you text, you'll actual...

Local business shuts down citing lack of protection after back-to-back shootings on Cherokee Street

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:29 GMT

ST. LOUIS - One of the suspects arrested for Saturday’s shooting on Cherokee Street has been released from jail with no charges.One business owner caught up in the violence voiced her frustration and is now taking steps to protect her staff and customers.On Friday night, two men were shot in front of a business meant for healing."It's a safe space for beautiful souls to seek refuges and heal spiritually, and they broke our boundary,” said Brittany Morris, the owner of Love Goddess Healing Oasis.She set up a GoFundMe to raise money to buy bullet-proof windows."There have been multiple fights, shootouts, robberies, murders, and other acts of violence that have occurred at this bar and spilled over to my business, leaving us with damages and fearing for our lives," Morris said. Circuit Attorney refuses charges to woman arrested in Cherokee St. shooting Until then, she is shutting down her business. Almost 24 hours later, down the street during the popular Cinco de Mayo Festival, an a...

Organized crime ring that set up shop in St. Charles targeted small towns

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:29 GMT

ST. CHARLES, Mo. - News first broke last month about the St. Charles arrest of Romanian jewel thieves, but newly released court documents explain the magnitude of the organized crime operation. The court documents also offered a few surprises involving the group that was hiding in plain sight.It’s hard to believe the ring settled on St. Charles, specifically North 3rd Street, in a short-term rental. The operation is believed to be on such a massive scale that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is involved. Before the bust, police warned people around the country about a group of young Romanians targeting small towns. The men and women range in age from their late 20s to early 30s. One of their reported targets was Miramar Beach, Florida, where they reportedly got away with more than $1 million in jewelry in December 2022.At the end of April, the suspects drove to St. Charles, where they reportedly rented the home on North 3rd Street. Court records indicated seven suspects iden...