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Reformist Thai party, thwarted from forming new government, seeks law change to limit Senate’s power

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:17:44 GMT

BANGKOK (AP) — The political party that captured first place in Thailand’s general election two months ago only to see the country’s unelected Senators block its expectations of taking power announced Friday it’s fighting back — and seeking to change the law to take away the Senate’s de facto veto over who can form a new government.After the surprise May 14 victory of the progressive Move Forward Party, it assembled an eight-party coalition that together had captured 312 seats, a clear majority in the House of Representatives. On that basis, it has the right to try to form a new government, and on Thursday sought to have party leader, 42-year-old businessman-turned politician Pita Limjaroenrat, named prime minister.Selection of a new prime minister requires winning a majority of votes in a joint sitting of the lower house and the 250-seat Senate, meaning a total of at least 376 votes. The process was enshrined in the 2017 Constitution, which was drafted and implemented by the ...

Subtropical storm Don forms in open Atlantic waters and becomes the fifth named storm of the year

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:17:44 GMT

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Subtropical storm Don formed in open Atlantic waters on Friday, posing no threat to land, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.The storm had maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 kph) and was moving north at six mph (nine kph). It was located about 1,165 miles (1,875 kilometers) west-southwest of the Azores, a cluster of islands west of Portugal.Don is the fifth named storm to form this year. It’s forecast to turn east on Sunday and weaken in upcoming days.A subtropical storm tends to have a wide zone of strong winds farther from its center compared with a tropical storm, which generates heavier rains, according to the U.S. National Weather Service.The Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June 1 to Nov. 30.The Associated Press

Dutch voters will go to the polls on Nov. 22 after the fall of Mark Rutte’s coalition

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:17:44 GMT

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Dutch voters will go to the polls on in an early general election on Nov. 22, the caretaker government announced Friday, a week after Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s four-party coalition quit over its failure to agree a package of measures to rein in migration.The vote for the 150 seats in the lower chamber of parliament will usher in a new generation of leaders after key members of Rutte’s fourth governing coalition announced they would leave politics.Rutte, the Netherlands’ longest-serving premier, signalled the end of an era when he said Monday he would leave politics once a new coalition has been installed after the elections. That is a process that can take months of negotiations between potential coalition members.Rutte was followed by Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra and Finance Minister Sigrid Kaag, once tipped as a potential first ever female prime minister of the Netherlands. Kaag said this week she was leaving politics because of the impact on her...

Kevin Spacey denies that crotch-grabbing was his ‘trademark’ pickup move

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:17:44 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Kevin Spacey denied that grabbing men by the crotch was his “trademark” pickup move as he got increasingly testy under questioning Friday by the prosecutor who accused him of sexually assaulting four men.In a heated exchange that required the intervention of the judge, Spacey was asked about allegations he had grabbed a man backstage at a charity event in a theater.“Absolute bollocks!” Spacey replied to titters from the gallery in the packed courtroom.“Yes, because that’s exactly where you did grab him,” Prosecutor Christine Agnew snapped back.“Really?” Spacey said as he looked up at Justice Mark Wall. “Did he accuse me of grabbing his bollocks?”Someone said, “Yes,” and Wall told him to answer the question. “I did not,” Spacey said.Spacey was in the witness box for a second day in Southwark Crown Court, his final chance to convince jurors that he never assaulted anyone in a case that could affect whether he’s able to make a comeback after sexual...

Man found fatally stabbed at baseball diamond in Uptown: CPD

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:17:44 GMT

CHICAGO -- Police are investigating an incident where a body was found at a baseball diamond near Marine Drive and Montrose Friday morning. According to police, a 64-year-old man was found unresponsive near the 4400 block of Nort Marine Drive around 5:30 a.m. with stab wounds to the head and neck. The man was pronounced dead on the scene. The baseball diamond is located just west of DuSable Lake Shore Drive and the area is currently blocked off by police for investigation. There is currently no one in custody and police are investigating the incident. Man shot, critically wounded during armed robbery at Bucktown liquor store WGN is actively following this incident and will update as more information is recovered.

Utility truck wanted after bicyclist seriously injured in Lincoln Park

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:17:44 GMT

CHICAGO — Police released a picture following a hit-and-run of a bicyclist Tuesday in Lincoln Park.Just after 11:50 a.m., a 28-year-old woman on a bicycle was crossing the street in the 2700 block of North Lincoln Avenue.At some point, the woman was struck by a white and black utility truck hauling a trailer. The vehicle was last seen traveling westbound on Diversey. Alert issued after 23 armed robberies on North, NW Sides The woman suffered serious injuries, police said.Anyone with information can call CPD at 312-745-4521.

Man shot while leaving CTA Orange Line station

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:17:44 GMT

CHICAGO — A 36-year-old man was critically injured after being shot near a CTA Orange Line stop on the city's Southwest Side.The shooting happened around 11:50 p.m. Thursday in the 4900 block of South Western Avenue. Police said the man was exiting the station when he was approached by a man with a gun.The man fired shots at the victim, shooting him twice in the abdomen. The victim was transported to Mount Sinai Hospital in critical condition. According to police, the offender fled the scene in a vehicle which was curbed by Chicago police moments later. Man shot, critically wounded during armed robbery at Bucktown liquor store The man was placed in custody and a weapon was recovered from the vehicle.Area detectives continue to investigate the incident.

Biden administration announces $39 billion in student debt relief for 804,000 borrowers

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:17:44 GMT

(The Hill) -- The Biden administration has announced that it will provide $39 billion in total student debt relief for 804,000 borrowers, its latest step since President Joe Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan was struck down by the Supreme Court. The Education Department said Friday that the relief is being provided on income-driven repayment plans, in which the federal government cancels remaining balances for the borrower after they have made their payments for 20 or 25 years. The department said the "fixes" will more accurately count monthly payments that qualify under the plans, and it will notify borrowers who are eligible for the relief in the upcoming days. The Supreme Court struck down Biden’s plan to give $10,000 of student debt relief to low- and middle-income borrowers and up to $20,000 for Pell Grant recipients in a 6-3 decision last month. The majority found that Congress had not directly authorized the president to forgive debts worth in aggregate hundreds of b...

MoPac Service Road reopens after ruptured gas line shuts lanes down

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:17:44 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – A portion of the northbound MoPac Service Road in southwest Austin has reopened after lanes were closed for several hours while crews repaired a ruptured gas line. According to APD, a construction crew hit the gas line off the Service Road between Ben Garza Road and U.S. 290. The call was reported as a hazmat call to Austin Fire just after 2 a.m. APD said crews were focused on the northbound Service Road in front of the Marquis at Barton Trails. Police closed the service road of Northbound MoPac from Ben Garza Road almost to Highway 290. Earlier, police told KXAN people had reported the smell of gas in the area. KXAN has reached out to Austin Fire and Texas Gas Service for more information and will update when we get more.

65% of Americans are playing video games, according to new report

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:17:44 GMT

(KXAN) -- A new report explores how many Americans play video games and why.  “Sixty-five percent of Americans are playing games today, that's more than 212 million Americans,” said Stanley Pierre-Louis, the president and CEO of Entertainment Software Association, or ESA. The ESA report found 76% of parents play video games with their children.“We think there are a few reasons behind that," said Pierre-Louis. “First and foremost, it allows parents to see what's happening in their household and understand what's behind the game but beyond parents are finding that games have educational benefits, as well as social emotional skills, whether it's learning about teamwork, or collaboration, or even building empathy as you play with other players.”Online video gaming has been a concern for some parents with advocates pushing for safety features against predators and scammers.Pierre-Louis said safety is a top concern for ESA as well. “One of the most important things we do is provide tools ...