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Blackwater founder and 4 others on trial in Austria over export of modified crop-spraying planes

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:04 GMT

BERLIN (AP) — Five people including the founder of the Blackwater security firm went on trial in Austria on Thursday, accused of exporting two crop-spraying aircraft that were allegedly refitted for military purposes without required permits.The trial in Wiener Neustadt, south of Vienna, stems from an investigation into a local company, Airborne Technologies GmbH, which fits out aircraft with sensors and other equipment.Prosecutors say that two Ayres Thrush agricultural aircraft were equipped with armor, extra tanks and a special camera that could be used for marking and illuminating targets. They say one was sent to Malta in 2014 with Kenya as its declared destination and landed in troubled South Sudan, while the other was sent to Bulgaria in 2015.The defendants are accused of violating Austria’s law on war material by exporting such equipment without permission. One of the defendants, an Australian pilot, is accused of flying the two planes across Austria’s borders, wh...

Walmart attracts more shoppers seeking to cut spending in Q3, but muted expectations spook investors

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:04 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Walmart extended its streak of strong quarterly gains heading into the holiday season as its low prices attract shoppers looking for deals in a tough economic environment.The company, based in Bentonville, Arkansas, reported better-than-expected financial results for the period. It upped its annual outlook, though it was slightly below what analysts expected. Shares fell nearly 3% in premarket trading.The nation’s largest retailer is among the first batch of major U.S. retailers to report quarterly results. Industry analysts are dissecting the data, seeking to shed more light on how consumers are feeling as the holiday approaches.Shoppers have remained resilient, propped up by a strong labor market and steady wages. That’s confounded economists, Federal Reserve officials and seems at times at odds with the sour sentiments that Americans themselves have expressed in opinion polls. But higher prices on food and other necessities, though easing, as well as h...

2 men charged in armed carjacking of family in Beverly neighborhood

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:04 GMT

CHICAGO — Two men have been charged in an armed robbery in the city's Beverly neighborhood.Damarri Conner, 20, and Kenneth Merritt, 26, both face one felony count of vehicular hijacking and two felony counts of armed robbery. Connor also faces three misdeameanor counts of resisting an officer.Police said the incident happened on Nov. 2 in the 9300 Block of South Pleasant Avenue. A 46-year-old woman and her 12-year-old daughter were arriving home from a volleyball open gym when she was targeted by Conner and Merritt. ‘They’re absolutely fearless’: Beverly family targeted by car thieves twice in under 2 weeks According to police, the two men held the victim up at gunpoint and pushed her to the ground before demanding car keys. The woman's 46-year-old husband came out of the house and the men took their vehicle.The incident was caught on surveillance video. Man dies after being attacked near House of Blues Police said Connor and Merritt were arrested Tuesday after they made off wit...

Legendary NASCAR broadcaster Ken Squier dead at 88: Report

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:04 GMT

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WJZY) – The motorsports world is mourning the loss of longtime NASCAR broadcaster Ken Squier after a close friend announced his death Thursday morning.Squier, who worked at CBS Sports covering NASCAR for many years, reportedly died in Vermont at age 88."Ken earned his wings last night at 8:20 PM ET, surrounded by his incredible, loving family," Sirius/XM NASCAR Radio host Dave Moody wrote on X (formerly Twitter). "I grieve for the loss of my dear friend and lifelong mentor, but rejoice in the fact that his pain and struggle are over." Winston Cup Museum announces closure due to financial concerns NASCAR great Dale Earnhardt Jr. also posted about the broadcaster's death on social media."Ken Squier was there when Nascar was introduced to the rest of the world in 1979 for the Daytona 500," Earnhardt said on X. Earnhardt said Squier significantly impacted NASCAR."I’m convinced that race would have not had its lasting impact had Ken not been our lead narrator," he said...

Trump signals he's out for revenge in second term

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:04 GMT

Former President Trump told his supporters earlier this year he would be their “retribution” if reelected.He told supporters last week he would direct the Justice Department (DOJ) to investigate “every Marxist prosecutor in America.”And Trump over the weekend vowed to “root out … the radical-left thugs that live like vermin within the confines of our country.”Trump’s own words have made increasingly clear how fixated he is on revenge and targeting his perceived enemies if he wins a second term in the White House next November. The former president has openly mused in recent days that his own indictment has “released the genie out of the box” and would allow him to weaponize the government against his opponents.His comments have raised alarms among critics, some of whom fear a second Trump administration will lack some of the guardrails that existed during his first four years in office.“His policies are not centered around improving the lives of his supporters or Americans in genera...

Austin man describes 'life-changing treatment' through medical cannabis

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:04 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — September 11, 2001 is a day Shawn Collins will never forget."I saw the second tower collapse and it was like a movie,” he said. “I was so freaked out, people were collapsing on the street, screaming and running into each other."More than two decades later, living in Austin, Collins was still suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Look inside a Texas medical cannabis facility as lawmakers move to expand access Flashbacks from the tragic day prevented him from sleeping while causing severe emotional distress."I knew it was unhealthy to be drinking alcohol like a fish,” he said. “I thought at some point these thoughts were going to calm down in my head and everything was going to get back to normal."Back in 2021, the Texas Compassionate Use Program expanded to include those with PTSD.With this in mind, Collins’ therapist recommended medical cannabis as a treatment."I felt so at peace that night and slept well,” he said. “Usually I'd have very disrupted sleep o...

Police investigating Orange County rollover crash on I-84

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:04 GMT

DEERPARK, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- State Police are investigating a multi-car rollover crash that happened on I-84 in the town of Deerpark. Police say someone driving the wrong way entered the eastbound lane and struck a car head-on. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Police say someone driving a 2017 GMC Sierra entered I-84 driving west in the eastbound lane when they struck a Dodge Durango head-on, then struck a Jeep Grand Cherokee, causing the Sierra to roll over, landing on its side in both lanes. The driver of the Sierra was extricated and taken to Westchester Medical Center via medivac. The driver of the Durango and the driver of the Grand Cherokee were taken to Garnet Regional Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries. 5 things to know this Thursday, November 16 Police are still investigating this crash.

Congress approves temporary funding and pushes the fight over the federal budget into the new year

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:04 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Ending the threat of a government shutdown until after the holidays, Congress gave final approval to a temporary government funding package that pushes a confrontation over the federal budget into the new year.The Senate met into Wednesday night to pass the bill with an 87-11 tally and send it to President Joe Biden for his signature one day after it passed the House on an overwhelming bipartisan vote. It provides a funding patch into next year, when the House and Senate will be forced to confront — and somehow overcome — their considerable differences over what funding levels should be.In the meantime, the bill removes the threat of a government shutdown days before funding would have expired.“This year, there will be no government shutdown,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said at a news conference after the bill's passage.The spending package keeps government funding at current levels for roughly two more months while a long-term package is negotiated. It s...

47th annual 'Great American Smokeout' today

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:04 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Thinking about quitting smoking? Well, you could start on Thursday with thousands of other Americans. Thursday is the 47th annual 'Great American Smokeout.' A day to take your first steps towards quitting smoking. The initiative is held every third Thursday in November.  St. Louis police warn of surge in carjackings and break-ins It initially focused on cigarettes, cigars, and pipe smoking, but now includes all forms of tobacco products and vaping. The American Cancer Society started the Great American Smokeout. The organization says smoking is still the number one cause of preventable death and illness in the world. Resources to help you quit smoking can be found on the American Cancer Society's website.

Letters: Coloradans with student loans can make better choices, too

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:04 GMT

Loan forgiveness too taxingRe: “Student loans: Coloradans grapple with resumption of payments,” Nov. 13 news storyWhile I understand that many are grappling with student loans (including some of my own family members), what I do not understand is why those with loans feel like it is alright that their loans are forgiven carte blanche and someone else’s taxes will pay for their mistake in getting the loan in the first place. Where is the personal responsibility? Many would appear to have some other options but choose not to exercise those options. For example, living in Boulder — with its high cost of living — might not be the best option for someone struggling with student loans.Mike Conkey, ThorntonTaxpayers should be the priorityRe: “Dems working OT to reduce taxes — no, hell hasn’t frozen over,” Nov. 15 editorialWater, water everywhere, but for some, not a drop to drink. Yes, Proposition HH failed. Voters saw through it and rejected it. I...