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Neighbors Ukraine and Romania sign accord to boost Kyiv’s grain exports through Romanian territory

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:40:50 GMT

BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Ukraine and neighboring Romania signed an agreement Friday to work together to boost Kyiv’s export of grain through Romania after Moscow broke off a key wartime shipping agreement that allowed safe passage through the Black Sea.The accord was signed during a trip by Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal to the Romanian capital, Bucharest, for talks with his Romanian counterpart Marcel Ciolacu. The two leaders discussed ways to ramp up the war-torn nation’s key grain exports, and improve infrastructure for transportation across river, rail, road, sea, including at border crossings. Ukraine’s economy is heavily dependent on farming, and its grain is crucial for world supplies of wheat, barley, and sunflower oil.Ciolacu told a news conference after the meeting that he hopes Romania can transport more than 60% of Ukraine’s grain exports. He also noted the “ambitious” target to double the transport of Ukrainian grain through Romania that was set last week...

A woman interrupts a Quran-burning protest in Sweden by spraying activist with a fire extinguisher

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:40:50 GMT

STOCKHOLM (AP) — Swedish police detained a woman Friday who sprayed an anti-Islam activist with a fire extinguisher as he staged a Quran-burning protest outside the Iranian Embassy in Stockholm.Video of the scene showed the woman rushing up to Salwan Momika and spraying white powder toward him before she was intercepted by plainclothes police officers who led her away. Momika, who appeared stunned but unhurt, then resumed his demonstration, which had been authorized by police.Police spokeswoman Towe Hägg said the woman, who was not identified by police, was detained on suspicion of disturbing public order and violence against a police officer.Momika, a refugee from Iraq, has desecrated the Quran in a series of anti-Islam protests that have caused anger in many Muslim countries. Swedish police have allowed his demonstrations, citing freedom of speech while filing preliminary hate speech charges against him.Prosecutors are investigating whether his actions are permissible under Sweden...

Study: One-third of Americans have a tattoo

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:40:50 GMT

Look at the person to your left. Look at the person to your right. Odds are one of you have at least one tattoo.A new Pew Research Center survey shows sporting some ink has become broadly accepted among Americans in recent decades. What's more, it's a trend which seems to span fairly evenly across a variety of demographics. NOAA releases fall weather predictions for Chicago, Illinois The survey found 32% of adults have a tattoo with 22% have more than one. This can be roughly compared to a 2010 survey which showed 23% of adults had a tattoo, however it can't be a direct comparison because of noted changes to the center's survey mode.As for who is most likely to have a tattoo, the survey broke down their results by: gender, race and ethnicity, age, education, income, religion, and sexual orientation. Those demographics were further broken down by likelihood to have one tattoo versus more than one tattoo. Though the combined percentages show a decent amount of variance, single tatto...

Northwestern provides update on Ryan Field renovation plans

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:40:50 GMT

EVANSTON, Ill. — Despite the fact that controversy is surrounding the stadium's main tenant, Northwestern isn't going to pause its plans for Ryan Field.They will, however, make a few changes in hopes of earning more support from the Evanston community.In a letter to the Northwestern community late Thursday night, president Michael Schill announced that the school is moving forward with its $800 million renovation of its football stadium. While mindful of the current hazing allegations and lawsuits that surround the Wildcats' football program, the school believes it's best to move forward with the project with a few changes. Pat Fitzgerald will work with another football team this fall "The redevelopment of Ryan Field is a generational decision that is tied directly to our commitment as a founding member of the Big Ten, and our commitment to our student-athletes," said Schill in the letter. "The rapidly decaying condition of Ryan Field will require a major investment by the Univers...

The average income is up more than 30% in some cities: Where does yours rank?

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:40:50 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — Despite the rising inflation the U.S. has faced in recent years, the average annual income has grown by just 3%, Census Bureau data shows. But according to a new analysis by SmartAsset, the median household income grew nearly 10 times as much in some cities. The personal finance website reviewed Census Bureau data from the nation’s 124 largest cities to determine income changes between 2019 and 2021. Nearly one-third of the cities reported double-digit rates of income growth while the majority saw single-digit rates of growth, the lowest being 0.27%.  Inspectors find bed bugs at several Las Vegas Strip hotels Only two cities, located on opposite sides of the country, saw the median income grow by more than 30%: San Bernardino, California (31.35%) and Huntsville, Alabama (30.21%). While San Bernardino had a higher percentage growth, the median income in Huntsville is much higher: as of 2021, Huntsville’s median income is $70,757, nearly $5,000 higher than...

40 percent of US climate emissions attributed to richest households: study

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:40:50 GMT

(The Hill) - The wealthiest tenth of U.S. households are the source of 40 percent of national greenhouse gas emissions, according to research published in the journal PLOS Climate. Researchers, led by Jared Starr of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, analyzed three decades of household income data from 1990 to 2019.They found that during this period, the bottom 90 percent of households’ share of emissions has fallen, while the top 10 percent’s share has increased. The wealthiest 1 percent of households were responsible for between 15 percent and 17 percent of emissions. Starr and colleagues analyzed emissions associated with businesses owned by the households they analyzed, but also factored in revenues relating to their investments. For the top 10 percent, investment income makes up a large share of those households’ emissions — between 38 percent and 42 percent in the case of the wealthiest 10 percent. “The investment piece makes up an increasing sh...

Photos: UT students 'Mooov In' for 2023-24 school year

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:40:50 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Get your "horns" ready, Longhorns! Friday is the University of Texas at Austin's official "Mooov-In" day, marking the start of the 2023-24 school year. During Mooov-In, students go to a predetermined check-in location to pick up their room keys before moving their belongings into their respective residence halls, according to UT's website. President of UT Austin visits new students during Mooov-In 2023 (KXAN Photo/Todd Bailey)UT Mooov-In 2023 (KXAN Photo/Kristen Currie)UT Mooov-In 2023 (KXAN Photo/Todd Bailey)UT Mooov-In 2023 (KXAN Photo/Kristen Currie) UT Mooov-In 2023 (KXAN Photo/Todd Bailey)UT Mooov-In 2023 (KXAN Photo/Kristen Currie) UT Mooov-In 2023 (KXAN Photo/Kristen Currie) President of UT Austin visits new students during Mooov-In 2023 (KXAN Photo/Todd Bailey)KXAN's Kristen Currie was at UT Friday morning talking to students about the day. Students can find a full Mooov-In guide online where frequently asked questions are lis...

Boil water notice issued for Brushy Creek MUD customers

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:40:50 GMT

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Complaints about a loss of pressure in two neighborhoods led to the Brushy Creek Municipal Utility District issuing a boil water notice for all of its customers. According to a news release Friday morning, the district advised people to bring any water they'd like to consume to a rolling boil and then keep it going for two minutes before anyone drinks it, washes their hands or face and brushes their teeth. Thursday was the third-hottest day ever recorded in Austin Brushy Creek MUD shared the boil notice came "out of an abundance of caution" after people reported a loss of water pressure at their homes in the Highland Horizon and the Enclave at Highland Horizon neighborhoods. However, the district noted its water towers remain full or close to that level, and its distribution system "has no indication of a pressure loss." "When it is no longer necessary to boil the water, the public water system officials will notify customers that the water is saf...

The Loop 2023 Fantasy Football Preview: Our non-favorites

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:40:50 GMT

For a franchise whose 21st century resume has been defined by a Butt Fumble, the New York Jets’ trade for Aaron Rodgers is a really big deal.New York Jets’ quarterback Aaron Rodgers poses for a picture after a news conference at the Jets’ training facility in Florham Park, N.J., Wednesday, April 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)Fifty-five years after the Jets’ one shining moment of Super Bowl III, they have their best quarterback since a guy named Broadway Joe was busy guaranteeing victory.While the Green Bay icon will certainly be a huge upgrade from the likes of Zach Wilson, Mike White and Joe Flacco, there is no guarantee that Pat McAfee’s pal will lead any fantasy league teams to championships.Rodgers, along with the Packers, had a significant dropoff in 2022 coming off back-to-back MVP seasons. He posted his worst numbers since 2017, when the Vikings’ Anthony Barr sacked most of his season.Despite the overflowing Hard Knocks-fueled Gotham hype, Rodgers is no longer a ...

Parts of Quaker Road to close for work in Queensbury

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:40:50 GMT

QUEENSBURY, N.Y. (NEWS10) - A section of Quaker Road near the road into Hudson Falls is set to be closed over the next several evenings for road work. The closure is taking place in order for contractors to do resurfacing work, as part of a larger rehabilitation project by the town. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The portion of Quaker Road between Ridge Road and Quaker Ridge Boulevard will be closed from 8 to 11 p.m. every evening from Sunday, Aug. 20, to Thursday, Aug, 24. Meanwhile, Quaker Road between Ridge Road and Dix Avenue will be closed from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. those same days. Those looking to access the parts of Queensbury around the affected stretch of road should keep detour routes in mind. The Quaker Ridge Walmart is the only affected business scheduled to remain open during the impacted hours. Visitors will be able to access the store using Dix Avenue. Those planning to use Quaker Road during the overnight closure...