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Germany’s Scholz urges EU to reform, strike migrants deal

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:21 GMT

BERLIN (AP) — German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called Tuesday for the European Union to address the political, economic and strategic challenges it faces by embracing a series of reforms, including pooling its defense procurement efforts, forging new trade deals and setting aside long-running disputes over migration from outside the bloc.Speaking to lawmakers in the European Parliament, he said strengthening the EU’s military, technological sovereignty and independent sources of crucial commodities would boost the bloc’s ties with its closest partner, the United States.Scholz said it was important for the EU to keep its promise toward prospective members such as the Western Balkans countries, while ensuring they undertake the necessary reforms to be able to join the bloc.Efforts to rebuild Ukraine, another aspiring EU member, will need “political and financial capital over the long term,” he said, adding that a prosperous and democratic Ukraine would be the strongest counterpoint to Ru...

First wild koalas caught and vaccinated against chlamydia

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:21 GMT

Australian scientists have begun vaccinating wild koalas against chlamydia in an ambitious field trial in New South Wales.The aim is to test a method for protecting the beloved marsupials against a widespread disease that causes blindness, infertility and death.“It’s killing koalas because they become so sick they can’t climb trees to get food, or escape predators, and females can become infertile,” said Samuel Phillips, a microbiologist at the University of the Sunshine Coast who helped to develop the vaccine.The scientists’ initial goal is to catch, vaccinate and monitor around half of the koala population in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales — that means vaccinating around 50 animals.The safety and effectiveness of the single-shot vaccine, which has been designed specifically for koalas, has previously been tested by vaccinating a few hundred koalas brought to wildlife rescue centers for other afflictions.A koala eats gum leaves at a koala park in Sydney, Australia, F...

Scattered storms leading up to weekend flooding risk

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:21 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Keep the umbrella on standby - rain chances return daily through the week and weekend.Today will feature scattered storms and heavy showers beginning as early as late morning and lasting through evening. Areas east of I-35 will are favored for the heaviest rain and maybe a strong storm or two, but today's severe risk is much lower than what we've seen previously.Tuesday's flood risk: 1-2 out of 4Wednesday will look similar with scattered storms still possible as our first storm system departs. By Thursday, Central Texas will sit in between storms with slightly less coverage of rain activity.Wednesday's flood risk: 1 out of 4 in Hill Country, 2 out of 4 for most of Austin-metro & eastern counties, 3 out of 4 in Fayette CountyA larger, more powerful storm system approaches the state late this week then stalls through Mother's Day weekend, leading to a higher likelihood of periodic heavy rain and storms that will be capable of flash flooding.While the timeline of h...

Austin Water hits milestone in water meter exchange program

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:21 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Water installed 125,000 new digital water meters as part of a project to replace all analog meters across the city. This mark is the halfway point in the project to replace the 250,000 analog meters. Austin Water officials said meter replacements have been made equitably throughout all districts of the city and the utility is on track to finish the $95 million project by the start of 2025. Going digital in water infrastructure The utility started replacing analog meters in 2020 and hit its latest milestone in mid-April. The digital meters are meant to update the utility's infrastructure while also providing customers with an up-to-date look at their water consumption. Customers can now use the My ATX Water portal to track their monthly, daily, and hourly water consumption. The new portal can alert people when their water consumption is pushing them into a new tiered rate in the bill structure, which would create a higher water bill. This way there are no surp...

Georgetown Police sign 30X30 Pledge to advance women in the force

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:21 GMT

GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) – The Georgetown Police Department said Monday it joined more than 285 police agencies, including the Austin Police Department, in pledging to "improve the representation and experiences of women in law enforcement".GPD said it signed the National 30X30 Pledge, which according to the department, helps agencies "assess the current state of a department with regard to gender equity, identify factors that may be driving any disparities, and develop and implement strategies and solutions to eliminate barriers and advance women in policing."The Pledge comes from the 30x30 Initiative which, according to the announcement, is a coalition of police leaders, researchers and professional organizations who have joined together to advance the representation and experiences of women in all ranks of policing across the United States. The 30x30 Initiative is affiliated with the Policing Project at NYU School of Law and the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Execu...

Man identified in deadly auto-ped crash in Round Rock

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:21 GMT

ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) – Round Rock Police said Monday a man died after being hit by a vehicle on Saturday night in Round Rock. According to police, officers were called to East Palm Valley Boulevard just west of A.W. Grimes Boulevard near the HEB around 9:05 p.m. for a report of a man in the road. Police said first responders gave CPR but the man died at the scene. According to police, a vehicle had hit the man as he was walking. Police said the driver stayed behind and cooperated with them. Police identified the man who died as Thomas Byrd, 69, from Round Rock.

Off the Beaten Path: Balet Flowers and Design

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:21 GMT

MALTA, N.Y. (NEWS10) - Mother’s Day is this Sunday! If you’re looking to surprise a loved one with something special, Balet Flowers and Design in Malta is sprouting with ideas. Off the Beaten Path: Sweet Mimi’s Café & Bakery On Earth Day, Suzanne Balet Haight opened the doors on their new flower and arts barn which features work by local artisans, her handmade pottery and ceramics, and a special area for classes and demonstrations.On Earth Day, Suzanne opened the doors on their new flower and arts barn.Balet Flowers and Design is located at 5041 Nelson Ave Ext. in Malta. For hours of operation, visit their website or call 518-584-8555.

98.3 TRY Social Dilemma: Is It Rude To Not Eat Your Own Birthday Cake?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:21 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Today's 98.3 TRY Social Dilemma came from Allen and it's about birthday cake. Here's his email:Hi Jaime. My family and I seem to be in a bit of an argument right now and apparently I'm the cause of it. Last week was my birthday. My family had a small party for me with neighbors and some family members. It was great. My wife and the kids made me a very nice cake. However, I have been working on eating healthy so during the party I didn't eat any of the cake. Everyone who had some said it was great. But my wife and kids got really annoyed with me for not having any of it. They said it was rude of me not to eat it, especially knowing how much time and energy they put into making it just right. I told them I didn't think it was a big deal because everyone else enjoyed it. What do you think? Was I rude to not eat any of the cake? I thought I was being healthy. Thanks for the help. Allen Well, I think Allen should have had just a little piece of the cake. He didn'...

Ask Amy: Successful sister ponders her family obligation

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:21 GMT

Dear Amy: My question is about family obligations — both financial and emotional. My sister and I are both in our 70s and retired.She has made life choices that have left her alone and out of money with serious health issues. She has had multiple marriages that failed. She quit working at a young age (30s) due to health concerns.I believe our mother supported her for years before (my mother’s) death in 2003. We live 1,000 miles apart.She has children who live near her: one who has not had contact with her in a decade and one who helps only when she feels she has to.I have been married for over 40 years; we both worked hard for decades and have a reasonable retirement that may or may not last as long as we live.My sister has often expressed how she needs money, without actually asking for it. I have given her about $1,000 over this past year. I send cash gifts for holidays and birthdays, but I’m sure that is nowhere near what she needs.She has recently asked me to exit her life...

Italy calls for clearer apology from France over migration 'insult'

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:21 GMT

Antonio Tajani, Italy's foreign minister, said that Rome was not satisfied with the apologies given by Paris following a French minister's accusation of Rome mishandling the influx migrants.In an interview, Tajani, a member of the conservative Forza Italia Party, said that "clearer words were needed"."I hope the French government will change its position, and that an apology is issued that contrasts the positions taken by the Minister of the Interior. I will gladly accept them."Gerald Darmanin, the French interior minister, said that Giorgia Melons right-wing prime minister was "unable to resolve the migration problems for which she had been elected". Darmanin said that Meloni "lied" to voters about her ability to end the migrant crises.Tajani cancelled his visit to Paris in the last moment on Thursday (4 May) as a protest against what he deemed an "insult" towards Italy.On Friday (5 May), the French government's spokesperson Olivier Veran tried to diffuse tensions by telling CNews ...