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Traffic deaths declined 3.3% in the first half of the year, but Fed officials see more work ahead

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:27 GMT

Traffic fatalities dropped 3.3% in the first half of the year compared with the prior-year period, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The agency said Thursday that an estimated 19,515 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes in the first half of 2023. There were 20,190 fatalities in the first half of 2022.Fatalities fell in the first and second quarters of 2023. That marks five straight quarter the figure has declined.The NHTSA estimates a there was a drop in fatalities in 29 states, while 21 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia, are projected to have experienced increases. “While we are encouraged to see traffic fatalities continue to decline from the height of the pandemic, there’s still significantly more work to be done,” NHTSA Acting Administrator Ann Carlson said. “NHTSA is addressing traffic safety in many ways, including new rulemakings for lifesaving vehicle technologies and increased Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding for s...

Italy’s leader signs deal with industry to lower prices of essentials like food for 3 months

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:27 GMT

MILAN (AP) — Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni launched a pact Thursday with Italian industry aimed at keeping prices down on a range of essential goods, including food, personal care and baby items, which consumer advocates said could mean billions in savings for families.The experimental program runs from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31 and involves 32 associations that have agreed to discount or maintain a ceiling on the prices of particular items during the three-month period.“I think this is the first time that the entire Italian system, from food production to general consumer products, signed a pact with the government to keep prices in the shopping cart under control, to help families, especially those in difficulty,” Meloni said.The Assountenti consumer group praised the project, calculating potential savings at 4 billion euros ($4.22 billion), but said there were many unknowns, including exactly which products are included.The industry players include supermarket chains, small retail...

16-year-old boy arrested in England over the ‘deliberate’ felling of a famous tree at Hadrian’s Wall

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:27 GMT

LONDON (AP) — A 16-year-old boy was arrested Thursday in northern England in connection with what authorities described as the “deliberate” felling of a famous tree that had stood for nearly 200 years next to the Roman landmark Hadrian’s Wall.Thousands of visitors each year walk along Hadrian’s Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that guarded the Roman Empire’s northwestern frontier. Many have paused to admire and photograph the tree at Sycamore Gap, a beloved icon of the landscape that was made famous when it appeared in Kevin Costner’s 1991 film “Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves.”Photographs from the scene on early Thursday showed that the tree was cut down near the base of its trunk, with the rest of it lying on its side.Northumbria Police said the teen was arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage. He was in police custody and assisting officers with their inquiries, the force said.“The tree is a world-renowned landmark and the vandalism has caused understan...

Liverpool owner FSG announces minority investment by New York equity firm

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:27 GMT

LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — New York-based investment firm Dynasty Equity has bought a minority stake in Liverpool, the Premier League club said Thursday.Fenway Sports Group (FSG), which owns the six-time European Cup champions, said last year that it was open to selling shares, leading to speculation about a potential buyout. Liverpool did not disclose financial details of the deal, or how big of a share Dynasty was acquiring, but British media reported that the firm was injecting at least $100 million into the club.“Our long-term commitment to Liverpool remains as strong as ever,” FSG president Mike Gordon said in a statement. “We have always said that if there is an investment partner that is right for Liverpool then we would pursue the opportunity to help ensure the club’s long-term financial resiliency and future growth.”Liverpool said the the investment would “primarily” be used to pay down bank debt, which was incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as capital expenses o...

Toronto police arrest suspect in face-slashing incident

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:27 GMT

A Toronto man is facing charges after he allegedly slashed another man’s face in the city’s east end.Officers were called to the Coxwell Avenue and Strathmore Boulevard area on Thursday, September 13, at around 10 p.m. for reports of an injury.Police say two men became involved in an altercation, and one of them slashed the other’s face with a weapon.The victim was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.On Wednesday, police arrested Jemar Allen, 35.He faces 10 total charges, including aggravated assault, assault with a weapon, and carrying a concealed weapon.

Northvolt to build $7B battery factory near Montreal, includes government money

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:27 GMT

MONTREAL — Swedish manufacturer Northvolt says it will build a $7 billion gigafactory for electric vehicle batteries near Montreal that it says will represent the largest private investment in Quebec’s history.The 170-hectare site in McMasterville and Saint-Basile-le-Grand, Que., will have initial capacity to produce about 30 gigawatthours of annual cell manufacturing when it goes into production in 2026.The company says the plant is expected to employ up to 3,000 people.It says it plans to later double the production capacity, but did not say how much it expects the expansion to cost.The plant is being developed with funding from the Government of Canada and Government of Quebec.It says the plant site will also include facilities for cathode active material production and battery recycling.This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 28, 2023.The Canadian Press

18-year-old charged after attempting to carjack elderly man, 81, in Vaughan

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:27 GMT

An 18-year-old is facing charges after he allegedly attempted to carjack an elderly man who had been trying to sell his vehicle online.York Regional Police said on Aug. 28, 2023, the suspect responded to an ad for the victim’s silver Lexus SUV in Vaughan. After the two met in person, the victim offered to take the suspect on a test drive.It’s alleged that when they returned, the suspect attempted to grab the keys and struggled with the elderly man, causing him to fall to the ground.The suspect was able to steal the victim’s cell phone before fleeing on foot, but the carjacking was unsuccessful. The elderly victim suffered minor injuries.Authorities identified the suspect, and on Tuesday, he was arrested after being observed driving a stolen vehicle.Police said 18-year-old Muhannad Abdullah Alzahrani of Markham was charged with robbery and possession of property obtained by crime of over $5,000.

EU struggles to update asylum laws three years on from a sweeping reform. And the clock is ticking

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:27 GMT

BRUSSELS (AP) — Three years after unveiling a plan for sweeping reform of the European Union’s outdated asylum rules, government ministers struggled on Thursday to overcome yet another obstacle to putting the new system in place, fueling doubt as to whether it will ever see the light of day.The New Pact on Migration and Asylum was touted as the answer to the EU’s migration woes when it was made public in September 2020. The 27-nation bloc’s old rules collapsed in 2015 after well over 1 million people arrived in Europe without authorization. Most were fleeing war in Syria or Iraq.But little progress was made on the pact as the member states bickered over which country should take charge of migrants when they arrive and whether other countries should be obligated to help.That riddle was solved, at least temporarily, in June. The plan is held up now over a “crisis regulation” laying out extraordinary measures that could be taken in the event of a massive, unforeseen movement of migrant...

Person with gun breaks into migrant shelter in Gage Park: police

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:27 GMT

CHICAGO — Police are investigating after a person with a gun broke into a shelter housing migrants in the city's Gage Park neighborhood.The incident happened around 2:15 a.m. Thursday on the 2400 block of West 55th Street. According to police, a 37-year-old victim told officers that an unknown offender broke into the migrant shelter with a firearm.Police said when the offender was confronted, he fled on foot in an unknown direction. Hundreds of employees at CSL Behring in Bradley on strike No injuries were reported. No one is in custody. Area One Detectives are investigating.

First Warning: Coolest stretch since May on the way

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:27 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Since the beginning of June we've only had highs in the 80s six times and never for a full week. Mostly it's been triple digits or 90s and well above normal.Our luck may change soon as increasing signs of a cooler and wetter trend look set to kick in by the time we begin the second week of October.As a trough of low pressure tracks from the western states eastward and our current high pressure retreats, we may get our strongest cold front in a while to bring longer-lasting temperature relief.Arriving cold front next weekThe European Ensemble temperature forecast for Austin takes highs out of the 90s beginning next Thursday, Oct. 5, and keeps them there through at least mid-October.EURO Ensemble Austin Temp Forecast (Weatherbell)The GFS (American) computer model has the same date (Oct. 5) for the beginning of 80s but isn't quite as cool as the EURO for the week that follows.GFS (American) Model Ensemble Austin Temps (Weatherbell)Both models suggest at least a week of ...