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The Dutch government has taken another step toward donating 18 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:28 GMT

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — The Dutch government announced Friday it is preparing to give 18 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, in a boost for the embattled nation that is growing increasingly anxious about aid from its Western allies.The Dutch defense minister, Kajsa Ollongren, sent a letter to parliament outlining the plan to donate the sophisticated jets that was first unveiled in the summer.Friday’s decision is a significant step toward sending the planes into the skies over Ukraine, but did not say when they will be delivered.The government said the move “allows personnel and budget to be allocated to prepare the devices” to be sent to Ukraine. “With F-16s, Ukraine can better defend itself against Russian attacks,” Ollongren said in a statement. She added that the planes are “extremely important because the ongoing Russian aggression shows no sign of ending. That is why we are continuing unabated with our support for Ukraine.”Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited a...

Man found sleeping behind wheel on Toronto road arrested for impaired driving

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:28 GMT

Provincial police are reminding people not to drink and drive over the holiday season after a driver was found sleeping behind the wheel in the middle of a Toronto road.In a post on X, Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) say officers found a man sleeping in an SUV on Keele Street near Highway 401.A photo from OPP shows two police vehicles boxing in the SUV in a live lane of the roadway.Police say the driver was arrested and charged with impaired driving after he was found to have double the legal limit of alcohol.#TorontoOPP located a male sleeping behind the wheel on Keele Street near #Hwy401 in #Toronto. Male arrested for Impaired Operation. Blood Alcohol Concentration more than twice the legal limit. Charged with #ImpairedOperation #Over80 #Dontdrinkanddrive ^yb pic.twitter.com/losZL5MJTX— OPP Highway Safety Division (@OPP_HSD) December 22, 2023

GDP unchanged for third straight month in October: Statistics Canada

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:28 GMT

OTTAWA — Statistics Canada says the economy remained flat in October for the third straight month as services-producing industries edged 0.1 per cent higher, while goods-producing industries were unchanged.It also forecasts that real gross domestic product for November increased 0.1 per cent, with estimated gains in manufacturing, transportation and warehousing, and agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting partially offset by decreases in retail trade.StatCan says that for October, the manufacturing sector declined 0.6 per cent and wholesale trade contracted 0.7 per cent, while retail trade grew 1.2 per cent and mining, quarrying and oil and gas extraction saw a one per cent gain.It says the transportation and warehousing sector declined 0.2 per cent in October as the St. Lawrence Seaway strike decreased activity in some transportation subsectors.That included a 3.7 per cent contraction in water transportation, which was down for the first time since the B.C. port strike in July, ...

19-year-old critical after car hits light pole on Southwest Side

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:28 GMT

CHICAGO — A 19-year-old woman is in critical condition following a crash Thursday on the Southwest Side.Authorities responded to the 2700 block of South Western just after 10 p.m. on the report of a crash.A Honda sedan, driven by a 20-year-old man, swerved into traffic and struck a light pole. A 19-year-old woman, who was a passenger, was transported to Mt. Sinai in critical condition.The driver and three other passengers refused care on the scene.

USDA issues permit for Santa's reindeer to *legally* enter the US

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:28 GMT

(WPHL) - Christmas is nearly here and children everywhere are getting excited for Santa Claus and his reindeer to make their way across the country to deliver presents. Luckily for Mr. Claus, he will have no issues flying into the U.S. this Christmas. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a transit permit to Mr. Claus to allow his reindeer to enter and exit the United States between the hours of 6 p.m. on December 24, 2023, and 6 a.m. on December 25, 2023, the department wrote in a news release issued Thursday."USDA is delighted to grant Mr. Claus and his reindeer a special permit to enter the United States, ensuring a seamless journey for the joy they bring each holiday season," said Jenny Lester Moffitt, Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs. "We extend a warm welcome to Mr. Claus and recognize the vital role of U.S. milk and cookies in fueling his festive flight." What is the Festivus, the holid...

Pornhub owner to pay $1.8M and accept independent monitor to resolve sex trafficking-related charge

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:28 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — The owner of Pornhub, one of the world’s largest adult content websites, has admitted to profiting from sex trafficking and agreed to make payments to women whose videos were posted without their consent, federal prosecutors in New York announced Thursday.Aylo Holdings, the website’s parent company, reached a deferred prosecution agreement to resolve a charge of engaging in unlawful monetary transactions involving sex trafficking proceeds, according to the office of Breon Peace, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York.The deal calls for the Montreal-based company to pay more than $1.8 million to the U.S. government, as well as make separate payments to the individual women harmed by the trafficking. It also requires appointment of an independent monitor for three years, after which the charges will be dismissed.“It is our hope that this resolution, which includes certain agreed payments to the women whose images were posted on the company’s platf...

Dodgers sign Japanese star Yoshinobu Yamamoto to historic contract, according to reports

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:28 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Prized free-agent pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto and the Los Angeles Dodgers have agreed to a $325 million, 12-year contract, according to multiple reports.Yamamoto is set to join Japanese countryman Shohei Ohtani with the Dodgers, who signed the two-way superstar to a record $700 million, 10-year deal last week.The Dodgers did not confirm the agreement with Yamamoto on Thursday night. MLB.com and ESPN were among the outlets citing anonymous sources in reporting the deal.The New York Yankees and New York Mets were among the many clubs that pursued Yamamoto. Nearly 70% of MLB players polled choose same city for possible expansion team It's the third major pitching coup for the NL West champion Dodgers this offseason. In addition to Ohtani, the team signed right-hander Tyler Glasnow to a $136.5 million, five-year contract after he was traded from the Tampa Bay Rays to Los Angeles.Ohtani made a video pitch to Glasnow to join him in Hollywood.“It was important to Shohei...

VIDEO: Austin police officers cleared from indictments share story for first time

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:28 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Sergeant Joshua Blake and Detective Christopher Irwin used the word "shocked" to describe how they felt when they received news of their indictments related to actions taken during the May 2020 protests following the deaths of George Floyd in Minneapolis and Michael Ramos in Austin. They were two of the group of 19 officers indicted by a grand jury in February 2022 on charges of aggravated assault by a public servant. Twenty-one officers total would be indicted related to the 2020 protests in Austin, which responding officers said became "riotous."Earlier this month, District Attorney José Garza announced that his office dropped 17 of those indictments. Blake and Irwin were on that list. DA Garza ‘stands by’ dropping police indictments, asking for federal review of APD protest actions "It's been a whirlwind of emotions," said Irwin. "A constant dark cloud looming over myself and my family."The District Attorney's office is still pursuing charges against four offic...

Wet weekend weather ahead of breezy Christmas Day

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:28 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Don't put away the rain gear just yet - more waves of rain expected between now and midday Sunday.After days spinning off the West Coast, our next weather-maker finally makes its way onshore southern California today and begins its trek northeast. Although the storm will not pass directly overhead, it'll stay close enough to send out a few disturbances ahead of it and drag a cold front through our area this weekend.Today: Cloudy to mainly cloudy skies with periods of light rain. Highs: mid-to upper 60sSaturday: Cloudy through the day with a few showers in the morning becoming more widespread late afternoon into the evening. Highs: upper 60sSaturday evening - Sunday morning: Heavier rain and thunderstorms likely as a cold front approaches from the west. Although no flooding or severe weather is expected, some ponding could occur.Sunday: Rain and storms to start the day but clearing midday behind cold front. Breezy, dry and mainly clear by evening.Gusty winds follow S...

Politics, family dynamics, money are top stressors this holiday, American Psychiatric Association says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:28 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A new poll from the American Psychiatric Association found 44% of adults are most excited about seeing family and friends during the holidays, but it’s still stressing them out.“Believe it or not 50% or more of Americans believe they're more stressed this holiday season than they were this time last year,” said Rawle Andrews, the Executive Director of the American Psychiatric Association Foundation.The poll found one in four were worried about discussing politics, about a third were worried about challenging family dynamics and more than half of Americans are worried about affording a holiday gift.“Folks don't feel like they can afford the holidays,” said Andrews.The factors people most stressed about were finding the perfect gift, having enough when feeding guests visiting over the holidays and trying to figure out if you have enough money to do it all.“These pocketbook issues around a perfect holiday, there's no such thing,” he adds. “But these are the things that...