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The US government is eager to restore powers to keep dangerous chemicals out of extremists’ hands

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:11:34 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The government is worried about the safety of chemical facilities across the country after its power to keep dangerous substances out of the hands of extremists lapsed a month ago.The Department of Homeland Security has long had the ability to inspect facilities where chemicals are used or stored to make sure their security systems are in place. And the facilities themselves have been required to vet prospective employees for any terrorism links.But the program, called the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards, expired July 28 after Congress failed to renew it. Homeland Security officials say this left gaping holes in the country’s national security, and they are calling on Congress to act quickly when it returns this week. “The risk that terrorists could access and weaponize the dangerous chemicals produced in these facilities increases by the day,” Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told attendees at the Chemical Security Summit held in nor...

Seoul’s spy agency says Russia has likely proposed North Korea to join three-way drills with China

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:11:34 GMT

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Russia has likely proposed that North Korea participate in three-way naval exercises with China, according to a lawmaker who attended a closed-door briefing with the director of South Korea’s top spy agency Monday.The briefing came days after Russia’s Ambassador to North Korea, Alexander Matsegora, told Russian media that including North Korea in joint military drills between Russia and China “seems appropriate.” Matsegora added it was his own point of view and that he wasn’t aware of any preparations, according to Russia’s Tass news agency.According to lawmaker Yoo Sang-bum, when South Korean National Intelligence Service Director Kim Kyou-hyun was asked about the possibility of such drills, he said Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu likely proposed holding trilateral naval exercises with North Korea and China while meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in July.Kim Jong Un invited Shoigu to a major military parade in Pyongyang in July whi...

Pakistan navy helicopter crashes during a training flight, killing all 3 crew members on board

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:11:34 GMT

QUETTA, Pakistan (AP) — A Pakistan navy helicopter crashed during a routine training flight in southwest Pakistan on Monday, killing all three crew members on board, the navy said.The crash of the Sea King helicopter in Gwadar, a coastal town in southwestern Baluchistan province, was apparently caused by a technical problem, the navy said in a statement.It provided no further details, saying an investigation into the crash has been launched. A video reportedly of the crash posted on social media showed the helicopter turning while apparently trying to regain control and then breaking apart and plunging to the ground.Crashes during training missions are fairly common in Pakistan. Authorities rarely release details of military training crashes and investigation reports are also not made public. In September 2022, an army helicopter crashed during an overnight mission in Baluchistan, killing all six military personnel on board.The Associated Press

Gabon’s military leader is sworn in as head of state after ousting the president last week

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:11:34 GMT

LIBREVILLE, Gabon (AP) — Gabon’s new military leader was sworn in as the head of state Monday less than a week after ousting the president whose family had ruled the Central African nation for more than five decades. Gen. Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, took the oath in the presidential palace in front of a packed, boisterous room of government officials, military and local leaders in Gabon’s capital, Libreville. Oligui is a cousin of the ousted President Ali Bongo Ondimba, served as a bodyguard to his late father and is head of the republican guard, an elite military unit. Speaking to applauds and standing ovations Monday, Oligui said the military had seized power without bloodshed and promised to return power to the people by organizing free, transparent and credible elections. “With the new government, made up of experienced people, we’re going to give everyone a chance to hope,” he said.Sam Mednick And Yves Laurent Goma, The Associated Press

A massive wildfire in northeastern Greece is gradually abating. Over 700 firefighters were deployed

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:11:34 GMT

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — A massive wildfire that decimated vast tracts of forest in northeastern Greece over 17 days was gradually abating on Monday, although hundreds of firefighters were still tackling pockets that continued to burn, the fire department said.Reinforcements were sent over the weekend to the wildfire burning in the Evros region near the border with Turkey, bringing the total number of firefighters to 741, backed by 124 vehicles and two aircraft. The blaze has been blamed for the deaths of 20 people. All are believed to have been migrants who had recently crossed the border.The fire, which broke out on Aug. 19 near the northeastern city of Alexandroupolis and joined with other blazes to form one massive wildfire, had burned more than 93,000 hectares (230,000 acres) of land by Sunday, according to the European Union’s Copernicus Emergency Management Service, making it the largest single blaze to have hit an EU country since records began in 2000.Wildfires are common in G...

Liz Weston: 3 ways to reduce taxes on social security

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:11:34 GMT

Social Security benefits were once tax-free. That changed in 1983, when Congress decided to tax a portion of benefits for the highest-income recipients.Back then, fewer than 10% of beneficiaries were affected. Lawmakers failed to update the law to account for inflation, however, so today most Social Security beneficiaries have to pay federal income tax on at least some of their benefits, says Ted Sarenski, author of American Institute of CPA’s “Guide to Social Security Planning.”There are a few ways to reduce that tax bite, however, especially if you can plan ahead.HOW SOCIAL SECURITY TAXES WORKSocial Security taxes are based on your annual “combined income.” Combined income comprises:●Your adjusted gross income, which includes your earnings, investment income, retirement plan withdrawals and other taxable income.●Any nontaxable interest you receive, such as interest on municipal bonds.●One half of your Social Security benefits.For couples filing a joint return, a combined income be...

Community meeting scheduled on plan to house migrants at Greektown hostel

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:11:34 GMT

CHICAGO — A community meeting is expected this week regarding Chicago's plan to temporarily house migrants at a hostel in the city’s Greektown neighborhood.Bill Conway, the alderman in the city’s 34th Ward alderman, says people who are seeking asylum will be moved into the Parthenon Guest House Friday.The community meeting is Wednesday at the Merit School of Music.In a letter to his ward, Conway said representatives from the police department, the Department of Family and Support Services, and the mayor’s office will be in attendance at the meeting.“Though this is not my choice and I’m disappointed at the short notice of this plan, I understand our responsibility as a welcoming city to work together given the present situation,” the letter stated.Conway told the Chicago Sun-Times up to 190 migrants are expected to stay at the shelter through next June with the possibility of an extension.The hostel has been used to house migrants before.

2 dogs presumed dead in house fire in eastern Travis County

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:11:34 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Two dogs were presumed to have died in a house fire in eastern Travis County early Monday morning, according to the Austin Fire Department. The fire was reported at 12:08 a.m. Firefighters from Austin Fire and Travis County Fire Rescue worked the fire on Dalton Lane, AFD posted at 1 a.m. The area is east of Highway 183 and north of State Highway 71. When crews arrived, the structure was on fire, Austin Fire said, and fire had spread to the grass and a surrounding vehicle. Fire destroys home in eastern Travis County early Monday morning. (Photo courtesy: Austin Fire Department)AFD posted at 2:23 a.m. that the fire was out. "All occupants accounted for safe however 2 dogs are presumed deceased", AFD said. Over the holiday weekend, Austin Fire responded to another house fire where two dogs also died.Two vehicles and a home that burned in Monday's fire are considered a total loss, according to the department. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

A comprehensive guide to Ken Paxton's impeachment trial

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:11:34 GMT

Editor's Note: The above video explains the Ken Paxton impeachment trial rules.AUSTIN (Nexstar) — The historic impeachment trial of suspended Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton begins at the Texas Capitol Tuesday morning. Here is a comprehensive breakdown of what you need to know and how we got here.How will the impeachment trial work?When the House of Representatives voted to impeach Paxton, they adopted 20 articles of impeachment. Senators will vote on 16 of those 20 articles of impeachment when the trial begins Tuesday at 9 a.m. in the Senate chamber. READ MORE: What do the 20 Articles of Impeachment against Ken Paxton mean? The trial will be held publicly, beginning with votes on pre-trial motions. Paxton’s attorneys have requested the Senate dismiss all of the articles of impeachment. If Lt. Governor Dan Patrick — presiding officer of the trial — decides to grant that motion, senators will vote on whether to dismiss individual articles. A majority of senators would have to agr...

Robotics students get boost following $2.3M grant from Texas Workforce Commission

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:11:34 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) - A new multi-million dollar grant is giving Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) students across the state a little extra help this year. The Texas Workforce Commission recently gave $2.5 million in grants to various STEM programs in Texas."It's probably been the largest amount we've given out," said Albert Trevino III, Commissioner Representing Labor for the Texas Workforce Commission.The money goes to programs like FIRST in Texas, a UIL robotics competition for pre-kindergarten through high school students. The program received $700,000 as part of the grant. This is the eighth year they have been given money by the TWC."This funding is very instrumental in making sure that we have a level playing field in our robotics program as far as those underserved teams versus our affluent teams," FIRST in Texas' Executive Director Jason Arms said."It's a win-win for the state," Trevino said. "The students are getting to learn this high-in-demand field and t...