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A Georgia redistricting trial begins with a clash over what federal law requires for Black voters

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:14:39 GMT

ATLANTA (AP) — Challengers to Georgia’s voting district maps told a federal judge Tuesday that the state is legally required to provide more political opportunities to Black voters, while the state suggested plaintiffs are trying to impose illegal racial gerrymanders of congressional and legislative districts.Opening statements began in what’s expected to be a two-week trial. If the challengers win, Democrats could gain one of Georgia’s 14 U.S. House seats, as well as multiple state Senate and state House seats.The case is a part of a wave of litigation progressing after the U.S. Supreme Court earlier this year stood behind its interpretation of the Voting Rights Act, rejecting Alabama’s challenge to the law. Section 2 of the federal law says voting district lines can’t result in discrimination against minority voters, who must be given a chance to elect candidates of their choosing. A three-judge panel ruled Tuesday that Alabama’s attempts to redraw its cong...

Aid group official warns the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine risks becoming “normalized”

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:14:39 GMT

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — A major aid group is concerned that there is not enough international attention given to Ukraine and is bracing for fewer donations used to finance operations in the battle-scarred country, its president warned on Tuesday.The head of the International Rescue Committee, David Miliband said, his central concern is that the 19-month war and the resulting humanitarian crisis caused by Russia’s invasion and continued attacks on civilian infrastructure are becoming “normalized” by the international community while the needs brought about by the war show no signs of diminishing, he said. “We know that the 2022 figures for humanitarian aid in Ukraine are not going to be repeated,” he told the Associated Press. Miliband said they don’t expect the donations received from Europe and North America last year to be matched. The IRC received $40 million in funding for Ukraine operations in 2022. In 2023, the aid group received almost less than half of that sum, wit...

Toy poodle ‘Pinot’ stolen from parked car in Toronto’s east end: police

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:14:39 GMT

Toronto police are searching for a seven-year-old toy poodle allegedly stolen from a parked car in the city’s Riverdale neighbourhood over the weekend.Officers were called to a Green P parking lot in the area of Broadview Avenue and Erindale Avenue near Danforth Avenue on Sunday, Sept. 3.Police say a dog was inside a black fabric carrier crate in the vehicle, when around 8:20-8:50 p.m. a suspect broke into the vehicle and removed the dog and the crate, and the fled in an unknown direction with the dog.The dog, known as ‘Pinot,’ is brown in colour, and at the time was wearing an orange collar with a flower charm and a pink harness.Anyone with information on the dog’s whereabouts can call police.

Train service between Montreal, New York poised to resume after summer shutdown

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:14:39 GMT

MONTREAL — Amtrak says it aims to relaunch passenger train service between Montreal and New York City next week, a route that typically carries more than 100,000 travellers per year.However, the American rail giant says it still needs to work out several operational details before the Sept. 11 planned restart.Amtrak announced in late June it would halt service on the Canadian National Railway Co. line due to speed restrictions prompted by summer heat, which can cause kinks in the steel tracks.It has cited what it called an inconsistent application of CN’s heat order policy, which limited trains to 16 km/h on some stretches during hot days and left passengers delayed for up to four hours.CN has pointed the finger right back, saying Amtrak failed to pay for maintenance that would have allowed upgrades to the track, which could then withstand the soaring summer temperatures.Amtrak says it has been in discussion with CN and New York state’s transportation department on vario...

Life could change again for iPhone users worldwide

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:14:39 GMT

(KTLA) — iPhone users worldwide are bracing for another major change when Apple unveils the iPhone 15 next week.Thanks to the European Union, Apple has been forced to ditch its propriety Lightning connectors and adopt USB-C as a standard for charging and data transfers, numerous tech publications are reporting.The company is expected to formally announce the switch, along with other iPhone updates, on Sept. 12.The EU has mandated that all manufacturers adopt a common charging connection by 2024. The rule, which was adopted in 2022, applies to mobile phones, tablets, e-readers, mice, keyboards, GPS devices, headphones, digital cameras, handheld video gaming consoles and portable speakers.The Lightning connection was first launched in 2012."A lot of people were worried and annoyed that they had to buy all new cords and accessories when Apple made the changeover from the 30-pin dock connector to the Lightning port,” app developer Johan Alexander told Lifewire. “Users eve...

Top 6 counties to raise a family in Illinois are in Chicago metro

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:14:39 GMT

(STACKER) — A ranking of the best counties in Illinois to raise a family puts the entire Chicago metro among the top choices.Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to raise a family in Illinois using data from Niche. Niche ranks counties based on a variety of factors including cost of living, schools, health care, recreation, and weather. How Chicago gas prices have changed since the 70s Of the top 30 counties, the top 6 are found around Chicago. They are:DuPageLakeKaneKendallWillCookSee the full list, and the detailed breakdown below showing the stats which back-up the rankings.Among the full list are counties which boast some of the top schools and fun, family-friendly activities for every season. Keep reading to explore the best counties to raise a family. Maybe you'll find one that suits your brood.#30. Boone County, Illinois- Population: 53,592- Median home value: $163,200 (82% own)- Median rent: $974 (18% own)- Median household income: $74,076- Top public schools: Belv...

United flights allowed to take off after systemwide outage

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:14:39 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – United Airlines flights were briefly stuck on the tarmac Tuesday due to a "systemwide technology issue," the company said on social media. All flights scheduled to take off were being held at their departure airports, the airline said at 12:38 p.m. Central Time. Flights that were already airborne were allowed to remain in the air and continue toward their planned destinations.Flights were allowed to resume taking off around 12:50 p.m., the Federal Aviation Administration said on X, the social media platform formally known as Twitter. No more details on the reason for the outage were given. This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Where Illinois falls among best and worst states for securing concert tickets

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:14:39 GMT

(The Hill) -- Hoping for a coveted concert ticket in Rhode Island? Good luck!A new ranking has revealed where people will certainly struggle most to get tickets to popular concerts, and Rhode Island is the worst of the worst.The ranking, created by JustGamblers, judged each state on the number of venues across 20 of this year’s biggest tours, venue capacity, how often a performer stops in each state and local ticket demand."Each venue’s capacity was then scaled against the state’s population to establish where fans are most likely to get access, while ticket demand is based on the volume of Google searches made for the most in-demand tours in each state," the company said in its analysis of the results. Here are the best and worst places to retire: survey California residents and visitors are most in luck, with the Golden State boasting the best likelihood of securing tickets.This year has featured a number of high-profile acts touring the country, including Beyoncé, Taylor Swift ...

Officer-involved shooting investigation underway in Buda

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:14:39 GMT

Editor's Note: The above video shows the scene of the investigation into an officer-involved shooting in Buda Sept. 5.BUDA, Texas (KXAN) – The Texas Department of Public Safety is investigating after officers from the Hays County Sheriff's Office and Buda Police Department were involved in a shooting in Buda this morning. According to a release from HCSO, a Buda police officer made a traffic stop just before 4 a.m. in the 15000 block of the Interstate 35 service road, near the McDonalds and Chevron at the Main Street crossing.The person in the vehicle got out and allegedly pointed a firearm at the Buda PD officer, who then fired at the person, according to HCSO. The officer called for assistance and began chasing the person on foot, and more gunfire was exchange, the release said. HCSO deputies responded to the scene, and they and the Buda officer located the person shortly after. HCSO deputies engaged with him and also discharged their firearms. According to HCSO, the person was st...

ERCOT issues weather watch for Wednesday through Friday, expects 'higher electrical demand'

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:14:39 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Texas’ main electric grid operator, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), has issued a weather watch for Wednesday through Friday. ERCOT said in a social media post Tuesday the watch was issued due to "forecasted higher temperatures, higher electrical demand, & the potential for lower reserves." Understanding ERCOT’s emergency alert levels The council, at this time, has not issued a conservation request and said grid conditions are expected to be normal. Grid conditions can be monitored online through the “Texas Advisory and Notification System,” or TXANS, system. ERCOT also said it will post daily updates on social media during a weather watch.