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EU takes aim at countries helping Russia to avoid sanctions

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:36:21 GMT

Brussels (AP) — A top European Union official on Tuesday urged the 27 member nations to take trade measures against countries that help the Kremlin to circumvent the bloc’s sanctions against Russia. During a visit to Kyiv, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the measures – which would set a new precedent for EU action – should be part of a fresh round of Russia sanctions which the member countries are discussing.“We recently see a growth of highly unusual trade flows through the European Union and certain third countries. These goods then end up in Russia,” von der Leyen said, standing alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.She did not name the countries, but EU officials have raised concerns about certain flows of goods through China and Iran for some time.“If we see that goods are going from the European Union to third countries and then end up in Russia, we could propose to the member states to sanction those goods,” von der Leyen told r...

Top Spanish court considers far-right challenge to LGBT law

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:36:21 GMT

MADRID (AP) — Spain’s Constitutional Court said Tuesday it would consider a legal challenge lodged by the far-right Vox party against a new law extending rights for transgender teenagers and encouraging tolerance for sexual diversity in schools.The wide-ranging LGBT rights law passed in February allows any Spanish citizen over 16 years to change their legally registered gender without medical supervision. Minors aged 12-13 still need a judge’s authorization, while those between 14 and 16 must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians. Previously, transgender people needed a diagnosis by several doctors of gender dysphoria.The Constitutional Court issued a statement confirming it had considered a legal brief lodged by Vox lawmakers and would analyze alleged violations of parental rights, the right to religious expression, freedom of speech and equality of all citizens before the law.Vox said the recent legislation, which was promoted by the far-left United We Can party...

Louisiana man accused of shooting girl playing hide and seek in head

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:36:21 GMT

STARKS, La. (AP) — A Louisiana man has been charged with aggravated assault and battery after shooting at children who had been playing hide and seek outside his home, striking a 14-year-old girl, officials said.The girl suffered a gunshot wound to the back of the head early Sunday, and was taken to a hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening, the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office said in a statement posted on social media Monday.Investigators learned that several children were playing hide and seek in the Starks neighborhood and were hiding on the neighbor’s property. Family loses toy elephant with son’s ashes during Disney World vacation David Doyle, 58, told detectives that he got his gun when he saw shadows outside his home and shot at people he saw running away, unknowingly hitting the girl, officials said.It's the latest in a series of recent shootings sparked by seemingly trivial circumstances.Doyle was arrested and charged with aggra...

Walt Disney World making changes to reservation system, bringing back dining plans next year

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:36:21 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Walt Disney World announced Monday that it is making changes to its reservation system and bringing back dining plans next year.Guests who purchase a date-based ticket will no longer have to make a reservation starting Jan. 9, 2024. Family loses toy elephant with son’s ashes during Disney World vacation Next year, the theme park will offer "good-to-go days" for annual passholders and cast members. Both groups will be able to visit the park on select days without needing a park reservation.Currently, annual passholders do not need to have a reservation if they visit the theme parks after 2 p.m. except on Saturdays and Sundays at Magic Kingdom.The theme park also released good news for those interested in the park's dining plan. Guests who purchase a vacation package will be able to add the dining package to their reservation starting Jan. 9, 2024.Disney said guests will be able to choose from two options: Disney Quick Service Dining Plan or the Disney Dining P...

A special day for one Cubs fan at Wrigley Field

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:36:21 GMT

CHICAGO — One of the best moments at Wrigley Field this past weekend didn't happen between the lines. Instead, it featured a unique opportunity for a cancer survivor ahead of the Cubs' series against the Marlins. As part of an Advocate Health Care program, ten-year-old Flynn McGuire from Yorkville got to have a unique moment at the Friendly Confines on Friday as he was the honorary bat kid for the afternoon. He's a patient of Advocate Health since having to undergo a craniotomy to remove a large brain tumor on September 25, 2013, just after his first birthday. Since then, he's recovered well and goes in for occasional surveillance imaging. During his day at Wrigley Field, McGuire was joined by his family on the field for an opportunity to visit the Cubs' dugout and meet a few of the players. Given his own No. 23 jersey, Flynn was also featured on the videoboard along with a segment on the game broadcast. Larry Hawley featured McGuire in this edition of the "Random Hawlight" on WGN N...

LIVE: Daniel Perry to be sentenced for murder in 2020 shooting at downtown Austin protest

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:36:21 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Daniel Perry, who was convicted last month of murdering Garrett Foster during a Black Lives Matter protest in downtown Austin in 2020, is set to be sentenced Tuesday at 9 a.m. Daniel Perry found guilty of murder in protester’s death During Perry's trial, a jury was presented evidence including police body camera footage after the incident, interview footage of Perry in the Austin Police Headquarters interrogation room, 3D renderings of how close Foster was to Perry’s car, 911 calls, cell phone records, witness video, photos and more.Over the span of eight days, the jury heard testimony from nearly 40 witnesses: Protesters, Foster’s fiancé, police officers, and the lead detective who investigated the case.After deliberating for around 15 hours, a group of 12 jurors found Perry guilty of murder on April 8. Perry was found not guilty for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.A day after Perry’s conviction, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott called for his pardon, saying in a&...

'Today I Am' campaign aims to help military veterans take care of their mental health

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:36:21 GMT

(KXAN) -- In 2020, there were 6,146 Veteran suicides, or average of 16.8 per day, according to the latest research from the 2022 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report. The Department of Veteran Affairs says there is help with a new campaign it calls ‘Today I Am.’“A lot of veterans are struggling,” said Dr. Christopher Loftis, a licensed psychologist and the National Director for VA/DoD Mental Health Collaboration. “It's a difficult time when they leave the military or sometimes it's just the stress of a relationship breaking up, a career change, retirement, all different reasons why veterans might be struggling,” Loftis explained. Hundreds of veterans have shared messages online of how important it is to take care of their mental health.“With this campaign, we're really hoping that by showing the videos of veterans from all different service areas, all different service branches, all different kinds of backgrounds and identities, that veterans will find someone that they...

Austin tourism expected to stay steady, despite possible economic recession

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:36:21 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Tourism has taken off in Austin.According to Visit Austin, travelers spent $8.2 billion in 2022. That generated $837 million in local taxes, saving the average household $917 annually.At the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, passenger traffic growth this March was up 6.52% compared to March of 2022. With 1,941,044 departing passengers, March of 2023 was the fifth busiest month on record at AUS. March was the 5th-busiest month in Austin airport history Only five months into 2023, Visit Austin President and CEO Tom Noonan says the city is on pace for a record-setting year for tourism.Even with the possibility of an economic recession, he believes that Austin is in a prime position to attract a wide variety of visitors."So many destinations are good at one or two things, they might be good at business travel, they might be a leisure destination,” Noonan said.“We have them all, including festivals and major sporting events. While we may get hit by a recession, at...

ROK Eatery in Schmidt Rathskeller changing concepts to tacos and cocktails

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:36:21 GMT

ROK Eatery in the Schmidt Brewing Rathskeller building is changing concepts from Nordic and Japanese cuisine to a casual bar featuring tacos and cocktails.In a news release, owner Travis Wycislak said there are three reasons for the change: The rising costs of ingredients, uncertainty surrounding the restaurant’s lease and “long-term expenses.”The uncertainty surrounding its lease is due to the fact that the Rathskeller building is in foreclosure and will be auctioned off this month.The restaurant will keep its name. More than the menu will change, too — there will be more live music, QR code ordering (table service will still be offered at the bar) and Sunday special events with rotating food concepts. There will be “affordable drinks with elevated options,” too. The restaurant’s dog-friendly patio will continue to operate.Changes will go into effect May 17.ROK Eatery: 882 W. Seventh St., St. Paul; 651-528-7273; rokeatery.comRelated ArticlesRestaurants, Food and D...

Thurman Thomas speaking at PAL Breakfast of Champions

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:36:21 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Hall of Fame running back and Buffalo Bills' legend Thurman Thomas will deliver a keynote address at the Albany Police Athletic League (PAL) Breakfast of Champions, taking place on Wednesday from 7:15 to 9:15 a.m. The breakfast is taking place at the Desmond Albany Crowne Plaza Hotel, and tickets for the event can be purchased online. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The event looks to honor the champions who help support PAL every year. Members to be honored include Arielle King as an Alumni Hall of Fame Inductee, Honorable Kelly Kimbrough as an Honorary Lifetime Member Recognition, Kaweeda Adams as a community supporter, John Phillips and John Queenan as community advocates, and more. Thomas played 13 seasons in the NFL, 12 with the Buffalo Bills. He would win the MVP Award in 1991, beating out Bills' teammate and quarterback Jim Kelly, and earn Offensive Player of the Year honors as well. Thomas ...