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Threat of US credit downgrade looms over debt ceiling talks

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:45:39 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — With one of three major rating agencies warning that America’s AAA credit is at risk, the stakes are growing in the standoff in Washington over raising the nation’s debt limit.On Wednesday night, the rating agency Fitch put the nation’s credit on “Rating Watch Negative,” which amounts to a warning that it might downgrade the U.S. credit as a result of the impasse. The government reached the $31.4 trillion debt limit in January, and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has resorted to “extraordinary measures’’ since then to keep paying the bills. But Yellen has warned that Treasury will likely run out of money to meet all its obligations as soon as June 1, which is being described as the “X-date.”In a statement, Fitch said, “We believe risks have risen that the debt limit will not be raised or suspended before the X-date and consequently that the government could begin to miss payments on some of its obligations.”At the same time, Fitch characterized the likelihood...

Calls for unity dominate Africa Day celebrations

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:45:39 GMT

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Calls for unity dominated Thursday’s 60th anniversary celebrations for the continent-wide organization preceding the African Union (AU) that represented 55 member states. But critics say the AU has become a paper tiger where there’s plenty of talk, but not much much real clout to enforce its mandate. Africa Day events across the continent honored the founding of the AU’s predecessor – The Organization of African Unity (OAU) — whose original purpose was to fight colonialism before evolving in 2002 to incorporate the aims of defending it’s members sovereignty and independence as well as encouraging their socio-economic integration. In Addis Ababa where the AU is seated, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed underscored that unity is “no more a catchphrase but a means of survival” in an increasingly complex world. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa echoed Abiy, appealing for unity and to “uphold the bonds that frame our desti...

Former Mozambique finance minister loses last appeal, set for extradition to US over $2B scandal

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:45:39 GMT

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Nearly five years after he was arrested at a South African airport, Mozambique’s former finance minister has lost a last-ditch court appeal and faces extradition to the United States over a $2 billion corruption scandal related to loans to Mozambican state-owned companies.U.S. prosecutors allege that Manuel Chang, Mozambique’s finance minister from 2005 to 2015, was involved in a scheme that ultimately defrauded American and international investors. The huge sums of money leant by international banks to Mozambique — and guaranteed by the Mozambique government — were meant for a series of maritime projects but disappeared in bribes, kickbacks and other illegal payments, it’s alleged.Chang is accused of receiving about $17 million in bribes in the “hidden debts” scandal. He was indicted in the Eastern District Court of New York in 2018.The more than $2 billion was meant to be for the purchase of naval vessels, the building and maintenance of shipy...

St. John’s was a ‘safe’ spot for Tina Turner, and Newfoundlanders remember her fondly

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:45:39 GMT

ST. JOHN’S, N.L. — Tina Turner is being remembered in Newfoundland and Labrador for her kindness, her connection with the province, and for the series of unforgettable shows she played in St. John’s to kick off the North American tour for her biggest album.Geoff Meeker says the province had never seen anything like the four shows Turner and her band played at Memorial Stadium in 1985 to launch the North American tour for “Private Dancer.”Meeker was a 28-year-old writer and editor with The Herald magazine at the time, and he says Turner was kind and gracious when he interviewed her or took photos of her at the events she attended in the city. He said in an interview that Turner and her band arrived about a week before the shows and that she told local media she felt at ease walking around the city.Newfoundlander Marit Stiles, then 15, says she was crushed when she couldn’t get tickets — but she says she was babysitting near the stadium during one show an...

'Burn after reading' letter: Brian Laundrie's mother offered shovel, garbage bags to dispose of body if needed

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:45:39 GMT

VENICE, Fla. (WFLA) — Brian Laundrie's mother, Roberta, offered her son a shovel and garbage bags if he needed to dispose of a body, according to the letter obtained by Gabby Petito's family after a judge's ruling Wednesday in Florida.The infamous "burn after reading" letter, which had become a focal point of the civil lawsuit filed by Petito's family against the Laundries and their attorney Steven Bertolino, was released to WFLA by the Petito family Wednesday evening. The release comes after Judge Danielle Brewer denied a motion of protection against the letter's inclusion in the discovery process as the two families head to a civil trial next year. What happened to Gabby Petito? Here is a transcript of the letter:"I just want you to remember I will always love you, and I know you will always love me. You are my boy. Nothing can make me stop loving you, nothing will or could ever divide us no matter what we do, or where we go or what we say - we will always love each other. If yo...

Beverage Options for Your Next Tailgate Party

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:45:39 GMT

For the perfect tailgate party, you need friends and family, food and the drinks. We've got the drinks covered for you today and here to get us started is bottles up owner Melissa Zeman.3164 N. Broadwaybottlesupchicago.com(773) 362-4999Instagram @bottles_up_chicagoFacebook @BottlesUpChicagoDaytime Chicago airs weekdays on WGN from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.

NASCAR makes another big Chicago Street Race announcement Thursday

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:45:39 GMT

CHICAGO — The event is just a little over a month away, but NASCAR continues to make major announcements when it comes to their event in downtown Chicago in early July. As it has a few times, it concerns more support they've gotten to stage the first stock car street race in the city's history..@NASCARChicago announces a third founding partner for this July’s races in the city..Xfinity officially joins McDonalds and Blue Cross-Blue Shield of Illinois for the event..@WGNNews pic.twitter.com/fHOPSJibb3— Larry Hawley (@HawleySports) May 25, 2023NASCAR announced that Xfinity will be the third founding partner for the Chicago Street Race, which will be held in The Loop on Saturday, July 1 and Sunday, July 2. They will join with McDonald's and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, who joined the race earlier this year. The telecommunications company has been the sponsor of NASCAR's second-tier series since 2015, which will be featured on July 1 in The Loop 121 that will go off at ...

Murder trial for Austin police officer to begin Thursday afternoon

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:45:39 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for May 25, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Opening statements are set to begin Thursday afternoon for the trial of an Austin police officer accused of murder in a 2020 deadly shooting, according to attorneys familiar with the case. Christopher Taylor, 31, shot and killed Mike Ramos on April 24, 2020. Officers responded to an apartment complex on South Pleasant Valley Road after a 911 call reported someone dealing drugs in a car. According to previous reports from APD, the caller also stated the man had a gun. Jurors still needed in trial of Austin police officer accused of murder Police told Ramos to get out of the car when they got to the scene. Ramos did, and the situation escalated from there, resulting in an officer hitting Ramos with a non-lethal bean bag round. Body camera video shows Ramos get back into the car after that and shut the door. He then tried to drive away from the parking spot, and you can hear three g...

Man treks 21 miles for Uvalde massacre victims

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:45:39 GMT

BELL COUNTY, Texas (KWKT) — One year ago Wednesday at 11:33 a.m., shooter Salvador Ramos entered the Robb Elementary School campus in Uvalde.Now, the father and sole participant is walking the 21 miles in honor of the lives lost in the massacre. Daniel Chapin, shares his sentiments in a moment of silence for the victims.Chapin laid out flags with the names of the victims written on them and placed them in the ground this morning. He used each one as a mile marker throughout his trek."We've got to stop doing this. We've got to stop burying our children. We've got to stop dividing ourselves in this issue. Some of us are standing and yelling on city hall and other people are sitting in their homes doing nothing," says Chapin. The walk started off Main Street near Temple City Hall and other participants slowly joined along the way. Eventually finishing at the 3C Cowboy Fellowship Church in Salado.Although the walk ends today, the fight for ending school violence continues on."You hear a...

Halfmoon spray park opening Memorial Day Weekend

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:45:39 GMT

HALFMOON, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Town of Halfmoon spray park will be open for the summer starting this Memorial Day Weekend, officially opening Saturday. The park is open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., except for weekdays from June 26 to August 4. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The spray park is located at 162 NY-236 in Clifton Park. It will close on October 1. “The spray park is one of our most popular amenities and a sign that summer has arrived in Halfmoon," said Halfmoon Town Supervisor Kevin Tollisen. "We invite families to come and experience the joy of playing in the water and cooling off on a hot day. Our Town is proud to offer this wonderful facility for our community to enjoy.”