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In debt ceiling standoff, COVID era of big spending gives way to new focus on deficit

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:57:46 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — One outcome is clear as Washington reaches for a budget deal in the debt ceiling standoff: The ambitious COVID-19 era of government spending to cope with the pandemic and rebuild is giving way to a new focus on tailored investments and stemming deficits.President Joe Biden has said recouping unspent coronavirus money is “on the table” in budget talks with Congress. While the White House has threatened to veto Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s debt ceiling bill with its “devastating cuts” to federal programs, the administration has signaled a willingness to consider other budget caps.The end result is a turnaround from just a few years ago, when Congress passed and then-president Donald Trump signed the historic $2.2 trillion CARES Act at the start of the public health crisis in 2020. It’s a dramatic realignment even as Biden’s bipartisan infrastructure law and Inflation Reduction Act are now investing billions of dollars into paving streets, shoring up the ...

Pakistan prime minister says those involved in violence of Khan detention will face terrorism trials

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:57:46 GMT

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan’s prime minister said Saturday that authorities would go after those involved in violent protests following the detention of his predecessor, Imran Khan, including prosecution in anti-terrorism courts.Shahbaz Sharif’s warnings were a sign of further escalation in the long-running showdown between the government and Khan, who has the backing of large numbers of supporters.Khan returned to his home in the eastern city of Lahore early Saturday, after a court agreed to shield him from renewed arrest for two weeks. The 70-year-old former cricket star, who was toppled by parliament a year ago, planned to deliver a televised speech from his home later Saturday.The recent chain of events began Tuesday when Khan was dragged out of a courtroom and arrested in the capital of Islamabad. His detention was met by violent protests by his supporters, who torched cars and buildings, including military installations. Hundreds were arrested in the aftermath.Khan w...

Police identify victim of daylight stabbing near Yonge-Dundas Square

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:57:46 GMT

Toronto police have identified the man fatally stabbed near Yonge-Dundas Square on Friday.Just before 2 p.m., emergency crews rushed to the scene in front of The Works, a city-run supervised injection and harm reduction facility located at 277 Victoria St. near Yonge-Dundas Square.Paramedics could be seen administering chest compressions to the victim, who was rushed to hospital in an ambulance.Despite life-saving efforts, the victim was later pronounced dead at the hospital.The victim was identified as 40-year-old Richard Sasaki.In an update from investigators, police said a suspect fled the area on foot, and this person may have been in the area for some time prior to the altercation. It’s also possible the suspect had been interacting with others in the area during that time, police added.The male suspect is described as having a light brown complexion, in his late 20s, around five-foot-ten, with long black hair and black facial hair. He was last seen wearing dark clothing.

US-Mexico border sees orderly crossings as new migration rules take effect

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:57:46 GMT

EL PASO, Texas (AP) — The U.S.-Mexico border was relatively calm as the U.S. ended its pandemic-era immigration restrictions and migrants adapted to new asylum rules and legal pathways meant to discourage illegal crossings.A full day after the rules known as Title 42 were lifted, migrants and government officials on Friday were still assessing the effects of new regulations adopted by President Joe Biden’s administration in hope of stabilizing the Southwest border region and undercutting smugglers who charge migrants to get there.Migrants are now essentially barred from seeking asylum in the U.S. if they did not first apply online or seek protection in the countries they traveled through. Families allowed in as their immigration cases progress will face curfews and GPS monitoring. Those expelled can now be barred from reentry for five years and face possible criminal prosecution.Across the river from El Paso, Texas, in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, many migrants watched their cellphones in...

One dead after reported tornado in south Texas near U.S.-Mexico border

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:57:46 GMT

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (AP) — Authorities say one person is dead following a reported tornado early Saturday morning in south Texas near the U.S.-Mexico border. Port Isabel Police Chief Robert Lopez reported one person killed when the storm struck the unincorporated community of Laguna Heights about 4 a.m. Saturday, said National Weather Service meteorologist Angelica Soria in Brownsville.Police referred questions to the Cameron County Sheriff’s Office, which declined to comment. Cameron County Emergency Management officials did not return a phone call for comment.Soria said a weather service investigator was assessing damage to confirm if the damage and death were caused by a tornado.The storm follows an outbreak of dozens of tornadoes in Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado that caused damage but no reported deaths,The Associated Press

China and Russia are increasing their military collaboration, Japan’s foreign minister warns

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:57:46 GMT

STOCKHOLM (AP) — Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi expressed concern Saturday about Russian and Chinese military cooperation in Asia and said the security situation in Europe and the Indo-Pacific region was indivisible since Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.Speaking at a meeting of European and Indo-Pacific foreign ministers in Sweden, Hayashi said Russia’s war in Ukraine had “shaken the very foundation of the international order” and must face a united response by the international community.“Otherwise, similar challenges will arise in other regions and the existing order which has underpinned our peace and prosperity could be fundamentally overturned,” Hayashi said.Japan firmly backs Ukraine in the war but China says it remains neutral while declaring a ”no limits” relationship with Moscow and blaming the U.S. and NATO for provoking the conflict. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visited the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, in March at the same time as Chinese Preside...

What happens to cars, items left at airports? Sometimes, they're auctioned off

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:57:46 GMT

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) – Cars, laptops, jewelry, headphones (lots of headphones) and much more abandoned items found at Virginia's Norfolk International Airport are being auctioned off this week. An online auction held earlier this week offered nearly 200 different lots. Items included lost and found from the TSA that were bunched together in different themes, including nine Alex and Ani charm bracelets, various charms and trinkets with a $50 Hobby Lobby card, a Mickey Mouse boogie board, a flag/poster commemorating the Kansas City, Missouri, unit of the Buffalo Soldiers and even a Huffy bicycle. There were also random airport surplus items, like computer monitors, printers, and numerous cushioned ottomans. The cars for auction were all driven to the airport and abandoned, and have Carfax reports, auctioneers say. Luggage damaged, delayed, or lost while flying? What to do Among the top-selling items were a set of eight cushioned ottomans and a 2002 Toyota Corolla, both of which sold...

Daniel Penny charged with manslaughter in NYC chokehold death of Jordan Neely

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:57:46 GMT

NEW YORK (WPIX) – Daniel Penny was arraigned Friday in connection with the death of Jordan Neely, after Penny was filmed placing Neely in a chokehold for several minutes on an NYC subway train last week.Penny was walked into the courtroom shortly after 12 p.m. for his arraignment on a charge of manslaughter in the second degree. He did not enter a plea. Prosecutors said they are seeking a grand jury indictment.The judge set Penny's bond at $100,000, and Penny was freed pending trial. He must surrender his passport within 48 hours and he cannot leave New York without prior approval. Why wasn't Penny immediately arrested in Neely's death? Penny, a 24-year-old former Marine, appeared in court hours after turning himself in at a police station, after prosecutors said they were charging him in the May 1 death of Neely.Inside the courtroom, Penny faced straight ahead, his hands still cuffed. He spoke softly, offering one-word answers to Judge Kevin McGrath as his lawyer, Steve Raiser, p...

Several one- to two-inch rain totals since late Friday night

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:57:46 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Central Texas finally got the kind of rain event it's been thirsting for with several reporting locations from the Hill Country to our eastern counties receiving a helping of one- to two-inch amounts. Several reporting stations in the Hill Country benefited from many two-inch rain totals. The highest rain total? That would be 3.42" at North Grape Creek near Johnson City. CENTRAL TEXAS RAIN TOTALS There could be some minor flooding of low-lying and flood-prone areas until 11 a.m. for most of our eastern counties. NEW BLOG: HOW TO PREPARE FOR FLASH FLOODING The biggest severe threat experienced as some intense lightning. There were no reports of hail nor any damaging winds.All of Central Texas remains under a Flood Watch until at least 8:00 this evening. More rain is in the forecast not just for today for for tomorrow and on through the rest of the week. Flood Watch until 8:00 Saturday eveningToday's forecast calls for a 80% chance of additional showers and thunde...

Lightning causes 4 residential fires throughout Austin area

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:57:46 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Fire Department said it responded to four structure fires caused by lightning strikes Saturday between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m.Firefighters said those fires happened in the 2500 block of Tivoli Drive in Cedar Park, the 9700 block of Rainlily Lane, the 10000 block of Austral Road and the 7900 block of West Rim Drive in Austin.Fire crews remained on the scene of the Rain Lily Lane fire so that they could monitor hot spots. They said the lightning caused extensive issues with the electrical systems in the home and a fire between floors. AFD said two adults were displaced.