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Congo’s elections face enormous logistical problems sparking concerns about the vote’s credibility

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:10 GMT

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Congo’s president says he has confidence Wednesday’s vote will be rolled out credibly, as tensions mount that a severe lack of electoral preparation could throw the conflict-riddled nation into disarray.“We must stop scaring people,” President Felix Tshisekedi told The Associated Press. “We’ll be going (to the polls) with complete confidence until there’s evidence to the contrary.” Some 44 million people — almost half the population — are expected to vote for Congo’s next president Wednesday in the country’s fourth election since civil and regional wars ended in the early 2000s. Yet the election is facing enormous logistical problems sparking concern it could impact its credibility, say locals and Congo experts. Thousands of polling stations might not have the materials they need upping the chances of contested results. Initial fears of unrest surrounding the elections stemmed from the opposition rejecting the vote because of...

Big shot of colder air brings scattered snow showers, but the blast of cold won't last as temps back to the 40s mid-week and close to 50 degrees by Christmas Eve

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:10 GMT

Monday's snow showers are expected to produce little to no accumulation in the Chicago area, but there is some potential for a burst or two of heavier snow showers or squalls.  So, what is a snow squall?Snow squalls are often associated with strong cold fronts, like the one we're seeing to start the week.  Squalls are fast-moving and last less than an hour or two but can lead to sudden white-out conditions and rapidly falling temperatures that can produce slick roads.  Snow squalls might only produce minor accumulations but can cause localized extreme impacts on travel.  Even though squalls typically produce an inch of snow or less, gusty winds, falling temperatures, and reductions in visibility can create extremely dangerous conditions for motorists. 7 DAY OUTLOOK: We're getting a blast of colder weather—but this round looks to be relatively brief for the season. Snow showers look likely for the cold front that moves through tomorrow as well. Minor to no accumulation is expect...

Press statement by the President of the European Council Charles Michel

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:10 GMT

Following the first day of the European Council meeting, President Michel (pictured) made the following statement: "The MFF (Multiannual financial framework) Revision as set out in the document below, in all its components and priorities – i.e. support for Ukraine, migration and the external dimension (Headings 4 and 6), strategic technologies for Europe platform, NGEU (NextGenerationEU) interest payments, special instruments, new own resources and elements that reduce the impact on national budgets - is firmly supported by 26 Heads of State or Governments. We will revert early next year."Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027 Negotiating BoxVisit the meeting page

Family of man fatally gunned down criticize first responders

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:10 GMT

While authorities are still searching for a gunman that opened fire at a Willowbrook shopping plaza on Friday, killing one man and wounding four others, the family of the victim who died is speaking out.  Los Angeles County deputies received calls of an assault with a deadly weapon on the 200 block of East El Segundo Boulevard at around 2:23 p.m. Arriving deputies found the victim, identified by family as 32-year-old Rahson Jerrel Bradford, suffering from a gunshot wound to his upper torso. He was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. The 32-year-old's family spoke with KTLA Sunday and criticized the response of both L.A. County Sheriff’s deputies and paramedics.  “For the police, I feel like they’ve been negligent,” Kayana Bradford, one of the victim’s sisters, said. “They’ve given us no information. We still haven’t been able to see our brother.”  Quanika Bradford, another sister of the victim, said her brother was pleading wit...

Driver at large in Oakland hit-and-run involving multiple vehicles

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:10 GMT

(KRON) -- The driver of a hit-in-run crash Sunday afternoon in Oakland fled the scene before police arrival, the Oakland Police Department said. The multi-vehicle crash happened around 4:15 p.m. at 98th Avenue and Birch Street.The suspect vehicle hit at least two other vehicles, according to OPD. The occupants of the suspect vehicle ran away before officers arrived. Video from the scene of the crash can be viewed in the media player above. All westbound lanes blocked after fatal crash on Richmond-San Rafael Bridge Medical crews treated the victims at the scene, OPD said. No other information was immediately available. OPD says anyone with information is asked to contact the department's traffic investigation team at 510-777-8570.

Pilot and 2 passengers identified as victims of small plane crash in Oregon

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:10 GMT

INDEPENDENCE, Ore. (AP) — A small plane crashed into power lines in Oregon late Saturday afternoon and killed the pilot and two passengers, police said.Polk County emergency services received the report of the single engine plane crash in Independence around 4:55 p.m., the Independence Police Department said in a statement posted Saturday on social media.Authorities on Sunday identified the deceased as the pilot, 35-year-old Mohammad Hussain Musawi of Independence, and two passengers, Mohammad Bashir Safdari, 35, of Independence and Ali Jan Ferdawsi, 29, of Salem, Oregon.The airplane’s owner was not on board and there were no other passengers, police said.“My heart goes out to the deceased and the pain their families are experiencing,” Independence Chief Robert Mason said in a statement. “Our entire department mourns with you during this time.”The plane was traveling in heavy fog from McMinnville, Oregon, to the Independence State Airport, police said in an updated state...

Todo parece más caro, entonces, ¿por qué un televisor nuevo y grande es más barato que nunca?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:10 GMT

(CNN) — En marzo de 1973, el fabricante de productos electrónicos RCA Corporation promocionó su “nuevo televisor en color de bajo precio” en el New York Times. El costo fue de $379.95 para un modelo de 15 pulgadas, el equivalente a un derroche de $2,694.32 en dólares actuales.En estos días, en una era de inflación superior al promedio, puede parecer que todo, desde alimentos hasta automóviles nuevos se hayan vuelto más caro. Pero un elemento básico de la sala de estar logró desafiar el aumento de los precios e incluso se volvió menos costoso con el tiempo: la televisión. Hoy en día, puedes conseguir un televisor de 32 pulgadas (más del doble del tamaño de un televisor RCA de 1973) por menos de 100 dólares.¿Los fabricantes de televisores bajaron los precios por la bondad de sus corazones? Difícilmente.Varios factores contribuyeron al abaratamiento de los televisores, algunos de ellos relacionados con la fabricación y otros más relacionados con el marketing. Hay una mayor compe...

North Korea conducts first long-range missile test in months, likely firing a solid-fueled weapon

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:10 GMT

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea on Monday conducted its first intercontinental ballistic missile test in five months, likely launching a developmental, more agile weapon, as it vows strong responses against U.S. and South Korean moves to boost their nuclear deterrence plans.The South Korean government described the missile tested as a solid-fueled weapon, a likely reference to the North’s road-mobile Hwasong-18 ICBM whose built-in solid propellants make its launch more difficult for adversaries to detect than liquid-fueled weapons. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un previously called the Hwasong-18 the most powerful weapon of his nuclear forces.South Korea’s military said the North Korean missile flew about 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) before landing in the waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan. It said the missile was launched on an elevated angle, an apparent attempt to avoid neighboring countries. Japanese lawmaker Masahisa Sato, citing Japan’s Defens...

Jags’ Lawrence lands in concussion protocol after mistake-prone, 23-7 home loss to Ravens

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:10 GMT

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) fumbles the ball as Baltimore Ravens cornerback Arthur Maulet (10) closes in during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023, in Jacksonville, Fla. Maulet recovered the ball on the play. (AP Photo/John Raoux)(AP/John Raoux) Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) fumbles the ball as Baltimore Ravens cornerback Arthur Maulet (10) closes in during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023, in Jacksonville, Fla. Maulet recovered the ball on the play. (AP Photo/John Raoux)(AP/John Raoux) JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Trevor Lawrence will have to wait a few days, at the very least, to address his latest debacle.Lawren...

This Week in Business: Consumer confidence, home sales, inflation update

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:10 GMT

Confidence checkThe Conference Board delivers its latest monthly snapshot of U.S. consumer confidence on Wednesday.Analysts expect that Americans’ confidence increased in December from November. Consumer spending accounts for around 70% of U.S. economic activity, so economists pay close attention to gauge how it may affect the broader economy. Rising consumer confidence would bode well for the ongoing holiday shopping season.Consumer confidence, by month:July 114.0Aug. 108.7Sept. 104.3Oct. 99.1Nov. 102.0Dec. (est.) 104.9Source: FactSetHome salesThe National Association of Realtors on Wednesday reports data on home sales in November.Analysts forecast that sales of previously occupied homes fell for the sixth month in a row amid high mortgage rates and a dearth of properties for sale. Homes sales slumped in October to their slowest pace in more than 13 years while home prices kept climbing.Existing home sales, in millions, seasonally adjusted annual rate:June: 4.16July: 4.07Aug.: 4.04...