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Reformist Thai party is excluded from coalition to form the next government, runner-up party says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 21:15:37 GMT

BANGKOK (AP) — The progressive political party that won the most seats in Thailand’s general election has been excluded from a coalition to form the next government, its former ally said Wednesday. Conservative lawmakers strongly oppose the party over its proposed reform of a law banning criticism of the country’s monarchy.Thailand has struggled for nearly three months to form a government and select a new leader since its election in May. Move Forward Party, the surprise winner, pulled together an eight-party coalition with 312 seats in the 500-member House. However, under the military-enacted constitution, confirming a new prime minister requires a majority vote by both the elected House and the 250-member Senate, which was appointed by a previous military government.An initial bid last month by Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat fell short by more than 50 votes, largely because only 13 senators backed him. His second attempt the following week was blocked by a procedural...

Russian drone strikes on Ukraine’s Odesa region cause fires at a port near the Romanian border

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 21:15:37 GMT

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian forces hit port infrastructure in southern Ukraine with drones close to the border with NATO member Romania, the Ukrainian military and prosecutor-general’s office said Wednesday, damaging a grain elevator and causing a huge fire at facilities that transport the country’s crucial grain exports.Since leaving a deal that allowed Ukraine to export grain to world markets through the city of Odesa, Russia has hammered the country’s ports with strikes. In the past two weeks, dozens of drones and missile attacks have targeted the port of Odesa and the region’s river ports, which are being used as alternative routes.The prosecutor-general’s office said the overnight strikes hit in the area of the Danube River that forms part of the Ukraine-Romania border. It didn’t immediately give further details. Video obtained by The Associated Press showed explosions and a large fire in the distance on the Danube, captured by fishermen in ...

Editorial Roundup: Florida

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 21:15:37 GMT

Palm Beach Post. July 29, 2023. Editorial: Florida undermines public education with absurd slavery ‘standard’Bad enough that Florida already has a reputation for the bizarre, insane and unseemly. But what now passes for state leadership in K-12 and higher education seems determined to push the ludicrous envelope even further. The new standard for teaching slavery is just the latest in a long line of initiatives that have hurt public education.From making it easy for individuals to ban books, to diverting more public money to unregulated private schools, from thwarting teachers’ unions to restricting college faculty protections like tenure, from curtailing classroom discussion on race, gender and sexual identity to restricting bathroom use by transgender students — state leaders are de-valuing what’s left of a good Florida education. Chipping away at the state’s public school and university infrastructure in the name of cheap, short-term political gains — like elections — has consequ...

Labor unions across Nigeria protest against soaring cost of living under new president

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 21:15:37 GMT

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Labor unions marched across Nigeria on Wednesday to protest the soaring cost of living under the West African nation’s new president, with calls for the government to improve social welfare interventions to reduce hardship.The unions, made up of government workers, said the economic incentives announced this week by Nigerian President Bola Tinubu to ease hardship were not enough. They also accused him of failing to act quickly to cushion the effect of some of his policies, including the suspension of decadeslong, costly subsidies that have more than doubled the price of gas, causing a spike in prices for food and most other commodities.Tinubu on May 29 scrapped the subsidy that cost the government 4.39 trillion naira ($5.07 billion) while new leadership of the country’s central bank ended the yearslong regime of multiple exchange rates for the local naira currency, allowing the rate to be determined by market forces.Both moves aimed to boost government finances...

How much time do you need for an international layover?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 21:15:37 GMT

Most airlines recommend arriving at least two hours before domestic flights and at least three hours before international flights. But do you need that much time for connections between international flights?Layovers of just 30 minutes can be feasible for domestic flights, especially at small airports where the next flight might be just one gate over. But international layovers are typically far more complicated, and even two hours can be insufficient. Here’s how to book flights with an international layover, and how much time you really need.WAYS TO BOOK A FLIGHT WITH AN INTERNATIONAL LAYOVERLet’s say you’re flying from Houston to Hanoi, Vietnam. There might be no direct flights between those two cities, but you could get there via layover.The most common, least risky way to book international flights necessitating a layover is by searching for flights between your departure and arrival cities. Even with no nonstops available, the airline automatically determines your layover and p...

Ongoing heat, dry weather fueling high wildfire risk

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 21:15:37 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Extreme heat and fire weather concerns will remain the focus of the discussion for the next several days.For the 26th day in a row and 42nd time this year, afternoon highs will return to the triple digits in Austin. Today's forecast high of 107° is also likely to tie the record we set in 2011. Due to the extreme heat, an Excessive Heat Warning and Heat Advisory continue areawide.In addition to the heat, fire danger is prompting Red Flag Warnings to be issued. Breezy conditions, low humidity (<30%) and ongoing drought will allow rapid growth of a wildfire if one were to ignite. Please be mindful of all outdoor activities.Red Flag Warning in effect 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. WednesdayHigh to very high fire danger across Central Texas Wednesday BLOG: Forget the heat: Here's when cooler air usually comes PREVIOUS OUTLOOK FOR AUGUST 2023 Austin Interactive Weather Stats (2023) Staying cool is paramount in this heat wave but many of your fellow citizens still have a dif...

Free pharmacy assisting uninsured Austinites

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 21:15:37 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Millions of Texans don’t have health insurance. For many, the treatments and medications can get expensive.People are often left with a tough decision between buying medications for chronic illnesses or paying to put food on the table for their families.In Austin, help is here with a volunteer organization expanding its free pharmacy for uninsured residents.Since June, the St. Vincent de Paul Pharmacy of Texas has been filling prescriptions for free for those in need.Michael Willard is the executive director of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Central Texas."With the pharmacy program, we're delivering lifesaving medications to you at your door,” he said.“You don't have to spend that money. Instead, you can now spend it on food for your family or paying your rent and utility bills."In the Greater Austin area, the charitable pharmacy has already served between 40-50 people while fulfilling over 150 prescriptions.Marci Roe is the executive director of the Volunteer...

Stephen L. Carter: Indicted populists have a history of staying in office

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 21:15:37 GMT

Even as more indictments of former President Donald Trump loom, 2024 voters may be leaning his way. Many recent polls have the former president running even with President Joe Biden or taking the lead. Trump’s ability to weather his legal storms has led to comparisons with other politicians who have run for office, often successfully, in the midst of legal troubles. The comparisons matter — but what’s most important for understanding the current moment is the dynamic that links the many examples: us-versus-them.Let’s start at the top. Many people know the story of Boston Mayor James Curley, so popular among the voters that in the 1940s he ran the city for five months from a federal penitentiary. Trump had barely taken office when the comparisons to Curley began. As the former president’s legal difficulties have mounted, they’ve come creeping back. Small wonder. Curley, an ardent New Dealer, was thoroughly corrupt, but whenever another investigatio...

5 things to know this Wednesday, August 2

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 21:15:37 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- It is Wednesday, my dudes. We're halfway to Friday. Per Meteorologist Rob Lindenmuth, we can expect similar weather as we had Tuesday. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Saratoga Springs City Council passed an amendment to its firearms ordinance on Tuesday night. Officials say it was necessary because the ordinance has not been updated since the 1970s. Meanwhile, the former bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, Howard Hubbard, has gotten married. In a letter, Hubbard said he fell in love with a woman, and they decided to marry in a civil ceremony in July. These stories, and more, are covered in your five things to know this Wednesday morning. 1. Saratoga Springs passes amendment to firearms ordinanceSaratoga Springs City Council passed an amendment to its firearms ordinance on Tuesday night. Officials say it was necessary because the ordinance has not been updated since the 1970s.2. Albany rente...

Flood watch in effect Wednesday with highs around 80, heavy rainfall continues Thursday morning

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 21:15:37 GMT

St. Louis weather from Meteorologist Angela Hutti:ST. LOUIS - We are tracking thunderstorms with heavy rainfall Wednesday morning. The heaviest rain is expected along and west of the Mississippi River. Flash flooding is possible as thunderstorms will train or move repeatedly over similar areas. This is most likely to occur in the most western counties and that is where a Flood Watch is in effect. It stretches from Montgomery County south to Reynolds County.  St. Louis radar: See a map of current weather here There will likely be a lull in the heavy rain Wednesday afternoon and evening, but spot showers may linger. Temperatures will top out around 80.  Another round of heavy rain is expected then of Wednesday evening into the overnight hours. This round of wet could start with some strong to severe storms with damaging wind gusts and large hail the main threats. These storms will bring additional heavy rainfall to the area into Thursday morning.