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Germany freezes spending as budget crisis deepens

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:11:32 GMT

BERLIN — Germany’s finance ministry has imposed a spending freeze on all federal ministries, deepening a budget crisis that has rocked the ruling coalition since a bombshell ruling by the country’s top court last week.The finance ministry decision, which halts most new spending authorizations, followed a ruling by the constitutional court last week that blew a €60 billion hole in the government’s coffers. The government is now bracing for the potential of far wider financial implications stemming from the ruling that may limit its ability to draw money from a variety of special funds that have been established to circumvent the country’s debt brake, which restricts the federal deficit to 0.35 percent of GDP, except in times of emergency.In a letter to all ministries, State Secretary Werner Gatzer said the finance ministry is freezing spending “in order to avoid further upfront burdens on future financial years.” The step does not impact t...

Canton votes to hire independent investigator to examine police department

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:11:32 GMT

Canton voted to authorize an investigation and audit of its police department at a special town meeting Monday night.The special town meeting was called after residents organized to express concerns about transparency in the department.Authorized by Monday’s vote, a committee comprised of two members of both the select board and the police department, two representatives of the citizen organizers who called for the vote, and three town residents will work to hire an independent investigator to look into department operations.

MBCA announces latest class of inductees into the State Baseball Hall of Fame

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:11:32 GMT

The Massachusetts Baseball Coaches Association (MBCA) announced the latest inductees into its Hall of Fame.The group consists of Charlie Eppinger (St. John’s Shrewsbury), Kirk Fredericks (Lincoln-Sudbury and Wellesley), John O’Brien (Lynnfield) and Steve Wilson (Harwich and Monomoy).The annual MBCA Clinic and Convention is being held Friday and Saturday, January 26-27 at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel in Wakefield. he Hall of Banquet and Induction Ceremony will be held on Saturday, January 27 at the Four Points Sheraton Ballroom. Social Reception is at 5:30 p.m. and dinner is served at 6:30 p.m.Ticket information is available on the MBCA website at massbca.com. No tickets will be sold at the door.

UN warns food aid for 1.4 million refugees in Chad could end over limited funding

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:11:32 GMT

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Food assistance to 1.4 million refugees in Chad who fled the conflict in parts of the Sahel could end because of limited funding, the United Nations food agency warned Tuesday.Most of the refugees escaped the war in Sudan and crossed into Chad in the last six months in numbers not seen in the last 20 years, the U.N.’s World Food Program said in a statement. “This forgotten crisis has metastasized as the world’s eyes are on other emergencies … We cannot let the world stand and allow our life-saving operations grind to a halt in Chad,” said Pierre Honnorat, WFP’s country director in Chad.Sudan plunged into conflict in April when long-simmering tensions escalated between the country’s military and the rival Rapid Support Forces, resulting in the death of more than 5,000 people and displacement of at least 5.2 million people amid reports of mass killings, rapes, and widespread destruction, according to the U.N.Many of the displaced found their way to neighboring Ch...

NATO head says violence in Kosovo unacceptable while calling for constructive dialogue with Serbia

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:11:32 GMT

BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Tuesday that the recent violent outbreaks in Kosovo were unacceptable and perpetrators must be brought to justice.“I count on all sides to reduce tensions and to refrain from escalatory actions,” he said during a visit to Serbia’s capital Belgrade, after his stops in Bosnia and Kosovo, on the second day of his trip in Western Balkans, Stoltenberg’s trip reflects Western concerns over the stability of the volatile Balkan region that went through a series of wars in the 1990s. Serbia and Kosovo witnessed a spike in tension following two violent incidents in May and September as the war raged in Ukraine. Western allies fear Russia could try to spur Balkan trouble to avert attention from its aggression on Ukraine.In May, Serb demonstrators in northern Kosovo clashed with NATO peacekeeping troops. In September, a Kosovo policeman and three Serb gunmen were killed in a shootout after about 30 masked men opene...

At least 37 dead after stampede at military stadium in Republic of Congo during recruitment event

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:11:32 GMT

BRAZZAVILLE, Republic of Congo (AP) — A stampede at a military stadium has left at least 37 people dead in Republic of Congo after large crowds of young people responded to a recruitment appeal, authorities said Tuesday.Public prosecutor Oko Ngakala said that an investigation would be launched and questioned why the event was still going on at midnight.Brandon Tsetou, a young graduate who escaped the suffocation, said he had been lined up in front of Ornado stadium since Monday morning. “According to the organisers, it was the last day. That’s why many of us decided to wait until late into the night, hoping to register,” he told The Associated Press. “Some were so impatient that they had to force their way in, causing a stampede that left a number of people dead or injured, which we deplore.”Long lines have formed outside recruitment centers each day over the past week as young people have sought to join the army, one of the few institutions offering work in Republic of Congo. As ma...

US, UK and Norway urge South Sudan to pull troops from oil-rich region of Abyei amid violence

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:11:32 GMT

JUBA, South Sudan (AP) — The U.S., Norway, and the UK are urging the government of South Sudan to withdraw its troops from the disputed region of Abyei amid violence in which at least 27 people have been killed in recent days. “We renew our calls upon the transitional government (of South Sudan) to urgently withdraw its troops in line with its commitments” as part of the deal for South Sudan’s independence in 2011, their embassies in South Sudan said in a statement Monday. Inter-communal and cross-border clashes have escalated since South Sudan deployed its troops to Abyei in March. The statement cited concern over “ongoing violence” in Abyei’s Rumameer county, as well as Twic county in South Sudan’s Warrap state. South Sudanese troops in Abyei increase the presence of weapons there, threatening the region’s demilitarized status, it said. Oil-rich Abyei is claimed by both Sudan and South Sudan.At least 27 people have been killed and 20 others wounded in...

Millennial Money: How to set good money examples for kids

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:11:32 GMT

Kids notice everything, whether you think they’re paying attention or not. They repeat the curse words you blurt out when you step on a toy, and spill your embarrassing family secrets to their friends.From a surprisingly early age, the kids in your life also notice money: who has it, who doesn’t, and how your household handles it compared to other people. They overhear arguments and pick up on stress. With every financial decision, you set an example. “You are a mirror and your kid is a sponge,” says Jordan Wexler, co-founder and CEO of EarlyBird, a registered investment advisory company where parents can open custodial and college savings accounts for their kids.So, no pressure, but modeling positive money behavior for all the kids in your life is important, whether you’re a parent, relative or close family friend. It starts with figuring out your own approach to money, and then providing age-appropriate lessons.ESTABLISH YOUR HOUSEHOLD VALUESIt’s hard to teach another person how t...

Evanston City Council votes to move forward with Ryan Field rebuild

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:11:32 GMT

BREAKING NEWS: Evanston City Council votes to move forward with Ryan Field rebuild.This is a developing story. Check back for details. EVANSTON, Ill. -- Evanston may finally decide on the future of Northwestern's Ryan Field Monday night.A special meeting of the Evanston City Council was held Monday for an all important vote of the redesign of Ryan Field.Northwestern University wants to rebuild their almost century old football stadium, Ryan Field, which would cost an estimated $800 million.The university also want to host six concerts a year and other events at the new venue, which would require to be rezoned. But, a lot of people in the area are not on board the plan after citing problems such as noise and traffic congestion. Stadium Showdown: Will Evanston City Council block Northwestern’s plan for Ryan Field concerts? To get the greenlight, Northwestern has put forth a package of concessions originally valued at around $100 million over 10 years. But, the university dug a littl...

Tuesday Forecast: Temps in mid 40s with steady morning rain

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:11:32 GMT

CHICAGO — Steady morning rain Tuesday with cloudy conditions. Winds: NNW 10-15 G25. High: 44. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storms here Decreasing clouds tonight with partly cloudy conditions. Slight chance of lake effect rain. Winds: NNW 10-15 G25. Low: 34.Wednesday Forecast: Mostly cloudy, slight AM rain chc NW IN, WSW 5-10 G20. High: 44.Full forecast details and more at the WGN Weather Center blog