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Finland considers closing border crossings with Russia to stem an increase in asylum-seekers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:57:32 GMT

HELSINKI (AP) — The government in Finland is considering whether to close some crossing points on the country’s long border with Russia to prevent people from trying to enter without proper documentation, the Nordic nation’s interior minister and prime minister said Tuesday. Interior Minister Mari Rantanen said the number of migrants at Finland’s southeastern border crossings has risen substantially since August due to what the government suspects is a change in Russia’s border policy and enforcement. Finnish and Russian border authorities have for years cooperated in stopping people without the necessary visas or passports before they can attempt to enter either of the two countries. But Russia has started allowing undocumented travelers to access the border zone and enter crossing stations where they can request asylum in Finland, Rantanen said.“It is clear that these people get help to get to the border. This seems like a very conscious decision,” Prime Mi...

More parks, less money: Advocates say Mexico’s new budget doesn’t add up for natural protected areas

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:57:32 GMT

MEXICO CITY (AP) — The administration of Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has rushed to create more protected natural areas at the end of his presidency, but environmentalists accuse it of trying to “greenwash” an image of favoring petroleum in a time of climate change.They note the administration is entering its final year after focusing in its first five on building a giant new oil refinery, propping up the state-owned oil company and legislating against renewable energy producers. And while the government boasts about adding dozens of the new protected areas, it is simultaneously slashing funding for the environmental protection department and reducing the money available to safeguard those areas, the activists say. The new budget for 2024, passed by Mexico’s Congress, cuts funding for the environmental department by $510 million (9 billion pesos) or 11%. It marks the latest cut for López Obrador’s administration, which including the new budget has allocated 35% less...

Germany’s opposition Left Party to dissolve caucus after prominent member launches rival venture

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:57:32 GMT

BERLIN (AP) — Germany’s opposition Left Party said Tuesday it will dissolve its parliamentary caucus next month after prominent party member Sahra Wagenknecht broke away to found a new party with a more nationalist, migration-skeptic agenda.The Left Party emerged in 2005, bringing together ex-communists from eastern Germany with leftists from the west disgruntled by welfare-state cuts. It was a potent opposition force in its early years, but was later plagued by deep internal divisions.In Germany’s 2021 election, it won only 4.9% of the vote and came close to losing almost all its seats in parliament. Its fortunes haven’t improved since, despite the unpopularity of center-left Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government. Wagenknecht and nine other lawmakers quit the Left Party last month. They plan to formally launch a new party in January. Wagenknecht criticizes “unregulated immigration” and some environmentalists’ plans to combat climate change, positions that contrast w...

BBC says 2 more people have come forward to complain about Russell Brand’s behavior

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:57:32 GMT

LONDON (AP) — The BBC said Tuesday two more people have come forward to complain about Russell Brand since the broadcaster launched a review into the actor and comedian’s behavior. The BBC was giving an update to its investigation after British media outlets in September published claims by four women that they were sexually assaulted by Brand between 2006 and 2013, at the height of his fame.Brand, 48, has denied the allegations. The comedian worked as a BBC radio presenter from 2006 to 2008. The broadcaster said it recorded a total of five complaints against Brand, including two people who raised complaints and concerns during the time Brand worked there and again after he left the corporation. Another person made a separate complaint after Brand’s departure, and two further people have come forward since the BBC launched its investigation in September. The broadcaster’s statement from Peter Johnston, its director of editorial complaints, did not specify the natur...

Illegal border crossings into the US drop in October after a 3-month streak of increases

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:57:32 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Illegal border crossings from Mexico fell 14% in October from a month earlier, U.S. authorities said Tuesday, ending a three-month streak of big increases.U.S. officials highlighted the resumption of deportation flights to Venezuela on Oct. 18, shortly after Venezuelans replaced Mexicans as the largest nationality appearing at the border. Customs and Border Protection said Venezuelans were stopped 65% fewer times in the second half of October compared with the second half of September, though that figure includes Venezuelans who made asylum appointments through a mobile app as well as those who crossed the border illegally.Arrests for illegal crossings totaled 188,778 for all nationalities in October, down from 218,763 in September, which was the second-highest month on record. Arrests had more than doubled over the previous three months as migrants and smugglers adjusted to new asylum regulations introduced in May.“We continue to enhance our border security ...

Iraq’s top court has ruled to remove the country’s parliament speaker. No details are announced

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:57:32 GMT

BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq’s top court ruled Tuesday to terminate the parliament speaker.The Federal Supreme Court said in a statement it decided to terminate Mohamed al-Halbousi’s membership in Parliament along with that of Laith al-Dulaimi. It did not give a reason.Halbousi has been the highest Sunni official in Iraq. Under the country’s sectarian power-sharing system, the parliament speaker is always Sunni, the prime minister Shiite and the president Kurdish.The court decision came against the backdrop of a dispute between Halbousi and Dulaimi, also Sunni. Dulaimi had filed a lawsuit against Halbousi claiming that the speaker had forged Dulaimi’s signature on a resignation letter.Two Iraqi parliamentary officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment on the matter said the court decision cannot be appealed and the parliament will need to elect a new speaker.The legislature will be managed by First Deputy Speaker Mohsen Al-Manda...

Northwest Indiana man allegedly led police on drunken pursuit to get to girlfriend's house

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:57:32 GMT

PORTER COUNTY, Ind. — A Northwest Indiana man allegedly led police on a drunken pursuit early Saturday in an effort to get to his girlfriend's house.At around 5:05 a.m., a Porter County Sheriff's deputy was traveling eastbound on US 30 approaching CR 500 W when they observed a 2007 gray Nissan pass the other direction at the high-rate of speed.The officer activated emergency lights and a police pursuit began.Police said the pursuit reached speeds over 100 miles per hour in front of Deep River Waterpark on US 30.The pursuit stretched further into Lake County and ended near US 30 and Utah Street.The driver, later identified as Andrew Chavez, 23, of Portage Township, was held at gunpoint and placed into custody.According to police documents, Chavez told the officer he was "just trying to go to his girlfriend's house in Crown Point." Group accused of stealing, selling $2M worth of scrap intended for Northwest Indiana steel mill He also told police he drank three alcoholic Monster Ener...

House GOP aims to pass stopgap funding bill over conservative opposition: Live coverage

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:57:32 GMT

House Republicans on Tuesday are set to try to pass a stopgap bill to fund the government into the new year.In a surprise late-night announcement, GOP leaders said they would try to move the continuing resolution (CR) under a fast-track process that will require support from Democrats, an attempt to work around GOP opposition that threatened to tank the bill on a procedural vote.The gambit is sure to draw howls from the party’s right flank, but Democratic leaders have indicated the party could support the substance of the unusual two-part stopgap.Under suspension of the rules, the bill would need two-thirds support to pass the House and head to the Senate.Follow along with live updates below.

Man driving 'Santa's Train' for kids charged with DUI in Tennessee

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:57:32 GMT

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) – A man accused of operating a motorized train for children while under the influence during a Christmas event in Tennessee was arrested over the weekend.Police in Tazewell say Henry Meade, 40, was operating "Santa's Train" at the town's Christmas Tractor Parade — i.e., driving a motorized lawn mower that he was using to pull carts full of children and their families.On Saturday evening, visitors at the event said they saw Moore acting erratically. Local police officers were soon alerted to the man's behavior, according to the Tazewell Police Department.Officers said Meade was unsteady on his feet. A field sobriety test determined he was under the influence, according to an arrest narrative. Meade was taken into custody, and police found a syringe, meth and several other narcotics on his person. When will it feel like winter? NOAA updates holiday season forecast The town's mayor and police chief released a joint statement saying Meade was not hired by the c...

Arby's releases meal inspired by 'Good Burger' movie

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:57:32 GMT

(KTLA) - "Welcome to Good Burger, home of the Good Burger. Can I take your order?"Arby’s, in partnership with Paramount+, is bringing the iconic meal from the 1997 "Good Burger" movie to life. The "Good Burger 2 Meal" consists of Arby’s Deluxe Wagyu Steakhouse Burger, a strawberry shake and fries. Arby’s is bringing the iconic Good Burger meal to life with its latest menu offering. (Arby's) “Many of our guests have such fond memories of watching GOOD BURGER when they were younger, and in many ways, Arby’s evokes a similar sense of nostalgia as a place they grew up going to with family and friends,” Ellen Rose, Arby’s chief marketing officer, said in a statement.The meal, which costs $12.99, is currently available at participating restaurants nationwide for a limited time. Del Taco to debut beef birria ramen, other items at restaurants nationwide Fans of Arby’s and “Good Burger” can also find exclusive merch on the Arby's Shop website. The collection includes a gray crewneck sweats...