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European Union to press the leaders of Serbia and Kosovo to set decades of enmity behind them

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:15 GMT

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union is set to ramp up pressure on Serbia and Kosovo to normalize their relations by enlisting the leaders of three heavyweight member countries and senior officials to make a major push to get the former war foes to set aside decades of differences.Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Prime Minister Albin Kurti distrust each other and are not likely to meet face to face. But they are due to hold talks separately with the leaders of France, Germany and Italy, plus the two EU officials supervising a stuttering “dialogue” between them.The meetings in Brussels come on the sidelines of an EU summit. Fears are high of a resumption of the violence that characterized their ties during a 1998-99 war and since Kosovo unilaterally broke away from Serbia in 2008. Belgrade still considers Kosovo a Serbian province and has never recognized its independence. Both Kosovo and Serbia want to join the EU, but they’ve been warned that they must sort out their difference...

Swedish court acquits Russian-born businessman of spying for Moscow

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:15 GMT

STOCKHOLM (AP) — A Russian-born Swedish businessman was acquitted on Thursday of collecting information for Russia’s military intelligence service, the GRU, for almost a decade.Sergey Skvortsov, 60, had been accused of “ gross illegal intelligence activities against Sweden and against a foreign power,” namely the United States.The Stockholm District Court said Skvortsov had largely acted in the way prosecutors alleged and that advanced technology was acquired and delivered to Russia.But the court said in its verdict “that the business (was) only intended for the procurement of technology from the West and not aimed at obtaining information concerning Sweden or the United States that may constitute espionage.”Judge Jakob Hedenmo said in a statement that the prosecutor was unable to prove that Skvortsov was involved in espionage.Skvortsov was arrested in November together with his wife in a predawn operation in Nacka, outside Stockholm. Swedish media reported that elite police r...

List: Mass killings in the United States since January

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:15 GMT

The latest mass killing in the U.S. happened Wednesday night in Lewiston, Maine, when a man opened fire at a bowling alley and a bar, killing at least 16 people, two law enforcement officials told The Associated Press. Dozens of people were also wounded.The alert for Lewiston was made shortly after 8 p.m. as the sheriff’s office reported that law enforcement agencies were investigating “two active shooter events.”The man identified as a person of interest in a mass killing in Maine is a firearms instructor trained by the military and was recently committed to a mental health facility, according to a state police bulletin.The shooting was the country's 36th mass killing this year, according to a database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University. At least 188 people have died in those killings, which are defined as incidents in which four or more people have died within a 24-hour period, not including the killer — the same ...

'It hurts us,' Tension on House floor stalls debate on border bill; bill later passes House

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:15 GMT

Editor's note: The article is updated to show that the House passed House Bill 4 overnight Wednesday.AUSTIN (KXAN) - The Texas House passed border security legislation overnight Wednesday after tension among Democrats and Republicans in the Texas House reached a boiling point Wednesday evening amid debate. The House approved HB 4, which would create a Class B misdemeanor for anyone to enter Texas illegally. House Democrats filed dozens of amendments to the bill. With 47 amendments filed, Republican House members pushed through a motion to cut off additional amendments to the bill.Rep. Cody Harris (R-Palestine) filed the motion. Rep. Armando Walle (D-Houston) voiced his frustration to Harris. Several lawmakers gathered around the two men, as Walle spoke loudly and forcefully."Y'all don't understand the (*expletive*) that y'all do hurts our community. It hurts us personally, bro," Walle said."It hurts, it hurts us to our (*expletive*) core and y'all don't understand that y'all don...

Our 2023 guide to the best burgers in the Twin Cities

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:15 GMT

It’s burger time!As the weather grows chillier and we’re craving comfort foods, a burger is often the answer to what we want for dinner.Every time we compile this annual guide, we think that the burger pinnacle has been reached — that there could not possibly be more amazing Twin Cities versions of pattied meat and cheese to explore.And every year, chefs, restaurants and food truck owners prove us wrong. The only thing greater than our culinary community’s commitment to creating the best burgers in the nation is your voracious appetite for them.This year, the double-smash trend is still going strong, but a few new burgers are bucking the trend. I have to say, I’m here for it, mostly because if you’re not careful, a smash burger gets overcooked and dry. In fact, one of my favorite new entries is a single, loosely pattied burger — from a Korean restaurant. Trust me.As usual, we didn’t limit our “research” to newbies — there are a few new entries from restaurants that...

5 things to know this Thursday, October 26

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:15 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- One more day until Friday. Happy Thursday! According to Meteorologists Jill Swed and Matt Mackie, we can expect mid to upper 70s for most on both Thursday and Friday afternoons. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The search for Jeffrey Dickinson has ended after deputies say he turned himself in just before midnight on Wednesday. Multiple agencies were searching for Dickinson Wednesday as he was considered armed and dangerous in the Salem area. Also, Vermont State Police are investigating two separate cases of bodies found in the woods. Investigators were at the scene Wednesday in the town of Eden. These stories, and more, are covered in your five things to know this Thursday morning. 1. Deputies: Salem manhunt suspect turns himself inThe search for Jeffrey Dickinson has ended after deputies say he turned himself in just before midnight on Wednesday. Multiple agencies were searching for ...

Ask Amy: A large loan outlasts the lender

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:15 GMT

Dear Amy: My husband “George” lent our friend “Steve” $60,000.George died several months after the loan was made.Steve then ran into some hard times.He has repaid $30,000, with a commitment to repay the remaining amount.It’s been two years now, with no mention of making a payment.Steve is back on his feet and has been able to take several nice vacations. Any suggestions on how to nicely bring up the debt owed?We have many mutual friends, so I haven’t/can’t discuss this with anyone.I am on a fixed income and would appreciate the payment and would also like to keep the friendship.— LenderDear Lender: Keeping the friendship is very much up to the person who owes you money. As it is, your friendship is compromised because you are both avoiding discussing the money he owes your husband’s estate.Given the large amount owed, I assume you have an agreement on paper.Related ArticlesAsk Amy | Ask Amy: Photoshop can’t “fix” this awkward picture Ask Amy |...

Status of the artist: Improve working conditions of artists and cultural workers 

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:15 GMT

MEPs have adopted a proposal for an EU framework to improve the living and working conditions for cultural and creative workers, EMPL.In a draft legislative initiative, adopted by 43 votes to five and three abstentions, MEPs highlight the precarious working conditions and uncertain legal status for artists and other professionals in the cultural and creative sectors (CCS) in several European countries, and request legislative tools to address the issue.MEPs say the work of CCS professionals is often characterised by high cross-border mobility, while at the same time there is no easy portability of their social security entitlements.. They also stress that the gaps between national social systems, national definitions of artists and other rules create unfair conditions.The legislative initiativeThe report calls for the creation of a legal EU framework to improve the social and professional conditions in the CCS. This framework would include:- a directive on decent working conditions ...

Brock Purdy concussion: A look at Darnold’s backup history and the 49ers’ reserve QB performance under Shanahan

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:15 GMT

Brock Purdy is in the NFL’s concussion protocol and the 49ers may again have to turn to their backup quarterback, who is Sam Darnold this season.Darnold arrived in the offseason after Jimmy Garoppolo, the No. 2 last season, left for the Raiders in free agency as the 49ers picked Brock Purdy, last year’s third-stringer, as their new starter.The quarterback injury carousel is not a device unfamiliar around the league, but the 49ers’ version brings particular intrigue because of its history: Steve Young supplanted Joe Montana; Colin Kaepernick took over for Alex Smith; and Purdy replaced Garoppolo and Trey Lance.So, what can fans expect if Purdy is unable to start Sunday’s game against the Bengals?The 49ers have been positive since training camp about Darnold learning coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense, but there isn’t much to parse from this regular season: He is 1-of-1 passing for 1 yard. In the preseason, he was 22-of-33 for 282 yards, two touchdowns a...

BYU faces 3rd consecutive Big 12 backup QB at No. 7 Texas. OSU’s Gordon goes for another 100

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:15 GMT

Things to watch in the Big 12 Conference in Week 9:GAME OF THE WEEKBYU (5-2, 2-2 Big 12) at No. 7 Texas (6-1, 3-1). The Longhorns are coming off a shaky performance and starting quarterback Quinn Ewers is recovering from a sprained throwing shoulder. That sets up BYU to face an opponent’s backup quarterback for the third game in a row. Texas still controls its path to the Big 12 championship game, and potentially the College Football Playoff if it can avoid a second loss. The Longhorns led 21-0 early last week and held on for a 31-24 win after Houston’s fourth-down incompletion with a minute left from the Texas 10.That came right after a contested spot that coach Dana Holgorsen called “horrible.” Ewers got hurt after taking a hit on a scramble in the third quarter of that game, and Maalik Murphy is expected to start in his place Saturday. BYU last week won 27-14 over a Texas Tech team using its third quarterback, Jake Strong. That came after a 44-11 loss at TCU with backup QB ...