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Spanish judge releases fugitive Catalan Euro MP

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:15:00 GMT

Madrid (AP) — A Spanish Supreme Court judge on Wednesday ordered the release of Clara Ponsatí, a Euro MP and a former regional Catalan government Cabinet member who fled Spain five years ago after a failed independence bid for Catalonia. Ponsatí, who is a member of the Together for Catalonia party, was released after being detained a day earlier when she entered Spain and held a press conference in Barcelona. She faces charges of disobeying the law for helping stage Catalonia´s illegal independence referendum in 2017. Hours after her release, Ponsatí flew to Brussel for a European Parliament meeting but must appear before court on April 24 and be constantly trackable by Spanish authorities. If convicted of disobeying explicit court injunctions not to proceed with the breakaway referendum, Ponsatí could face a fine and be barred from public office for up to two years but will not face prison.She previously faced charges of sedition, which would have meant time in prison, but a recent...

Germany’s high court orders amendment of child marriage ban

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:15:00 GMT

BERLIN (AP) — Germany’s constitutional court ruled Wednesday that a law banning child marriages needs to be amended because it removes the possibility of continuing a marriage once both spouses become adults. The German government passed the law in 2017 with the stated purpose of protecting girls who were married abroad. A large number of refugees from Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan arrived in Germany in 2015.The Federal Constitutional Court said marriages of individuals under age 16 conducted in other countries still may be declared null and void without an examination of the circumstances of the case. But the justices said there should be a way for such unions to remain legal if both people have since reached adulthood. The court also ruled that the law needs to be amended to provide for spousal support after a divorce.The court instructed the government and lawmakers to revise the law by mid-2024.The Associated Press

Sweden summons Russian envoy over ‘retaliation’ remark

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:15:00 GMT

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Sweden’s Foreign ministry on Wednesday summoned the Russian ambassador after Moscow’s diplomatic mission to Stockholm posted on its website that the Scandinavian country would become a “legitimate target for Russia’s retaliatory measures” if it joins NATO. Foreign Minister Tobias Billström decried what he called an ”obvious attempt at influence.” Billström told Swedish news agency TT that the country’s security policy is determined by its government and no one else. It’s unclear when the Russian ambassador will appear at the Foreign Ministry.In May, Sweden and neighboring Finland angered Moscow after jointly applying for NATO membership, abandoning decades of non-alignment in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Sweden’s bid has stalled due to opposition from Turkey whose president has said his country wouldn’t ratify membership before disputes between Ankara and Stockholm are resolved. The Turkish government has accused Sweden ...

Reparations for Black Californians could top $800 billion

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:15:00 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — It could cost California more than $800 billion to compensate Black residents for generations of over-policing, disproportionate incarceration and housing discrimination, economists have told a state panel considering reparations.The preliminary estimate is more than 2.5 times California’s $300 billion annual budget, and does not include a recommended $1 million per older Black resident for health disparities that have shortened their average life span. Nor does the figure count compensating people for property unjustly taken by the government or devaluing Black businesses, two other harms the task force says the state perpetuated. Black residents may not receive cash payments anytime soon, if ever, because the state may never adopt the economists’ calculations. The reparations task force is scheduled to discuss the numbers Wednesday and can vote to adopt the suggestions or come up with its own figures. The proposed number comes from a consulting tea...

Woman found shot to death in Chatham alley

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:15:00 GMT

CHICAGO — A woman was shot and killed early Wednesday in Chicago’s Chatham neighborhood neighborhood.According to police, officers responded to a Shotspotter alert in an alley in the 7900 block of South Vincennes around 1 a.m.Officers located the woman who was unresponsive. She was taken to the emergency room with multiple gunshot wounds. She was pronounced dead at the hospital.Read more: Latest Chicago news headlinesShe has not been identified.No one is in custody.Police are investigating.

Cloudy, light snow possible before temps bounce back

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:15:00 GMT

Wednesday is set to be cloudy with some light snow possible in parts of the Chicago area.Clouds will decrease as the day goes on, NNW 10-15 G25. High of 39 Interactive Radar: Track showers and storm here Wednesday night will be mostly clear. NNE 0-5. Low of 24Thursday will see increasing clouds with a chance of rain later in the day. SSE 5-10 G20. High of 52 and low of 48

WATCH: 33 swimmers were harassing dolphins, Hawaii authorities say

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:15:00 GMT

HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii authorities on Tuesday say they have referred 33 people to U.S. law enforcement after the group allegedly harassed a pod of wild dolphins in waters off the Big Island.It's against federal law to swim within 50 yards (45 meters) of spinner dolphins in Hawaii’s nearshore waters. The prohibition went into effect in 2021 amid concerns that so many tourists were swimming with dolphins that the nocturnal animals weren’t getting the rest they need during the day to be able to forage for food at night.In this photo provided by the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, department enforcement officers speak to swimmers in Honaunau, Hawaii, March 26, 2023, after the swimmers allegedly harassed a pod of wild spinner dolphins. (Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources via AP)In this photo provided by the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, department enforcement officers speak to swimmers in Honaunau, Hawaii, March 26, 2023, after t...

Low rain chances continue as temperatures warm late week

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:15:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Today will be the coolest day of the next 7 as temperatures struggle to get out of the 60s in most areas.A few of us could see a few pockets of light rain and drizzle this morning, but drier conditions and mostly cloudy skies are expected for the vast majority of us through the day today.Through the overnight hours, low clouds, fog and light rain will filter in from the south. This will leave us with another day of gray skies tomorrow, but will also bring warmer and more humid afternoon conditions.We are tracking another storm system moving out of the Rockies late-week, set to produce a large severe weather outbreak in the Plains. The latest severe storm outlooks from the Storm Prediction Center do not show a severe storm threat for central Texas.Severe weather outbreak expected Friday in the Mississippi ValleySaturday is the annual ABC Kite Festival from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Zilker Park. The forecast is for mainly dry weather under a partly cloudy sky with comforta...

Marble Falls woman provides free journey to recovery for those dealing with drug addictions

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:15:00 GMT

We asked you to tell us about inspiring women in your life. We went through hundreds of nominations in our Remarkable Women contest. Now, we’re sharing our finalists’ stories.MARBLE FALLS, Texas (KXAN) — In a quiet Marble Falls neighborhood just a few streets away from downtown, sits a small, nondescript home that has become an epicenter of change. Paula Mays smiles with friend at event. (Courtesy: Paula Mays)As wind chimes sway softly in the breeze, visitors immediately feel a sense of calm outside the home surrounded by signs about love, patience and kindness. Similar messages of hope and reassurance are posted inside the house, laying the foundation for the story of Open Door Recovery House and its founder, Paula Mays. “If we would love and encourage each other, walk beside each other, and not judge or throw stones — this world would be such a better place,” Mays said. That’s part of the mission at Open Door, a faith-based, sober-living hom...

Round Rock changing public transit with mobility-on-demand service

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:15:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The city of Round Rock approved a contract with an on-demand taxi service -- zTrip -- to provide people with a more flexible form of public transit than the traditional bus line. The five-year contract, worth $6,258,565.60, will be paid from the city's general fund and from federal funding. Previous coverage: Changes to paratransit service coming to Round Rock in June How it works The zTrip service acts very similarly to how other rideshare apps, like Uber and Lyft, work. Riders can hail a ride by using either an app, online, or via phone. The taxi service will give someone a nearby "virtual bus stop" to meet their ride, which they could share with other people. The taxi service will then drop you off within blocks of your final destination. The service will add to the already existing fixed-bus line that runs through the city. Fares will cost anywhere between $3-$5 and the rides are ADA compliant, meaning they will provide curb-to-curb rides for those with a dis...