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UK lawmakers likely to back a scathing report that slammed Boris Johnson over ‘partygate’

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:25:22 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Britain’s House of Commons is likely Monday to endorse a report that found Boris Johnson lied to lawmakers about lockdown-flouting parties in his office, a humiliating censure that would strip the former prime minister of his lifetime access to Parliament.Lawmakers will debate a report by the Privileges Committee that found Johnson in contempt of Parliament, and are expected to approve its findings. It’s unclear whether there will be a formal vote or whether the report will be approved by acclamation.Johnson responded with fury to the report, branding its conclusions “deranged” and accusing its members of “a protracted political assassination.”But only a handful of his staunchest political allies have said they will vote against the committee’s conclusions, and many Conservatives are likely to skip the debate altogether. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, wary of riling Johnson’s remaining supporters, has not said whether he will attend.Opposition Labour Party leader Keir Sta...

Author Salman Rushdie awarded prestigious German prize for his literary work and resolve

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:25:22 GMT

Writer Salman Rushdie has been awarded a prestigious German prize for his literary work and for his resolve and positive attitude in the face of constant danger, the prize organizers said Monday.The Peace Prize of the German Book Trade said the British-American author would receive the award in Frankfurt on Oct. 22.Rushdie’s writing “combines narrative vision with constant literary innovation, humor and wisdom,” the jury said. “He describes the force with which violent regimes destroy whole societies, but also the indestructibility of the individual’s spirit of resistance.”Last August, Rushdie was stabbed repeatedly while on stage at a literary festival in New York state.“Despite massive physical and psychological consequences that he is still wrestling with, he continues to write — in an imaginative and deeply human way,” the German jury wrote. “We are honoring Salman Rushdie for his resolve, his positive attitude to life and for the fact that he enriches the world with...

Europe defense ministers are holding talks in Paris on how to better defend the continent’s airspace

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:25:22 GMT

PARIS (AP) — Defense ministers and other representatives of about 20 European countries will hold a conference in Paris on Monday on how to better defend Europe’s airspace, a long-divisive issue that takes on new urgency because of Russia’s war in Ukraine.The talks will include anti-drone combat and ballistic missile defense, French organizers said, noting that Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has shown the importance and effectiveness of such equipment. Nuclear weapons deterrence will also be on the agenda.The list of countries taking part in the conference, including the exact number, hasn’t been made public by the French Defense Ministry.With the help of Western weapons and growing experience, Ukraine’s air defense systems have made great strides since the war started last year, saving infrastructure and lives and preventing Russia from achieving air superiority.“There is therefore a need for Europeans to think collectively and strategically about the thr...

Maryland governor says book bans are ‘castrating’ kids

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:25:22 GMT

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) said in an interview that the country's recent string of book bans is “castrating” children. Schools and library systems across the country have been hit by pressure from parents and conservative lawmakers to ban books that contain certain themes, including LGBTQ and African American history and literature.In an interview on MSNBC, host Jen Psaki asked Moore for his thoughts on the recent book bans some have implemented. “I continue hearing people making the argument that we're doing it because we want to we want to prevent our students from having discomfort or guilt,” Moore told Psaki. “Because we don't want our students to be able to really wrestle with these really difficult things in times when they are maturing as individuals and difficult historical points. But the thing I realized and I wanted to speak out about is that's actually not true. It's a guise.” “It's not about making kids feel uncomfortable. It's about telling other kids ...

APD investigating homicide near Rundberg YMCA

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:25:22 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin Police said Monday morning officers launched a homicide investigation after a person died in a wooded area behind a YMCA in North Austin. According to APD, officers were sent to "shoot/stab" call in the 1000 block of West Rundberg Lane just west of North Lamar Boulevard at 3:20 a.m. Austin Travis County EMS said paramedics responded to stabbing call there and pronounced one person dead at the scene. Austin Police had no information on the person who died or any potential suspects in the person's death. Police said via social media at 4:37 a.m., that a Public Information Officer was on the way to give more information. This is a developing story. Stay with KXAN News Today and kxan.com for the latest details.

Heat alerts extended as extreme heat continues

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:25:22 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Not a whole lot of good news from the Weather Dept. as triple digit heat continues today... and tomorrow... and the next day... and the next. BLOG: If June is this hot, what comes in July? Extreme heat continuesAfternoon highs will exceed 100° in most areas again this afternoon. The continuation of high heat and humidity will mean another day of Excessive Heat Warnings (two more days, at that) across Central Texas.Excessive Heat Warning in effect until Tuesday 9 p.m.High temperatures should peak Tuesday when we should get close to 106º again with oppressive humidity. A subtle temperature drop and slight humidity drop brings some relief later in the week.StormsThe severe weather threat has likely ended as severe storms in Gillespie County have moved out of the area and additional redevelopment elsewhere appears unlikely.Low risk of severe storms Monday evening Expert: Texas heatwave 'driven by climate change' Aside from Monday, our next chance for isolated storms...

Even without governor signing, 'dead suspect loophole' will finally close

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:25:22 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- On Sept. 1, Texas' controversial "dead suspect loophole" will finally close, ending a years-long effort to increase transparency when it comes to police records. However, the measure to bring about that change will go into effect without Republican Gov. Greg Abbott's signature.House Bill 30 revises an exemption to the Texas Public Information Act, which gave law enforcement discretion to withhold records in closed criminal cases where a suspect does not go through the court process, including when that person dies. Under the new law, records will no longer be allowed to be kept secret from the public just because a suspect is dead. Law enforcement personnel records related to an incident, however, will remain sealed. EXPLORE: 'DENIED' KXAN investigates the impact of Texas' "dead suspect loophole" Winding path to the governorFollowing Sunday's midnight deadline for Abbott to sign or veto bills from the regular legislative session -- which wrapped three weeks earlie...

Juneteenth closures in Georgetown

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:25:22 GMT

GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) – The City of Georgetown will close many of its offices Monday in observance of Juneteenth. The city said there will be normal solid waste and recycling collection on Monday.Closed City Offices:Animal Shelter, 110 Walden DriveArt Center, 816 S. Main St.City Hall, 808 Martin Luther King Jr. St.Council and Courts Building (including Municipal Court), 510 W. Ninth St.Georgetown Municipal Complex, 300-1 Industrial Ave.Grace Heritage Center, 817 S. Main St.Parks and Recreation Administration, 1101 N. College St.Planning Department, 809 Martin Luther King Jr. St.Public Library, 402 W. Eighth St.Public Safety Operations and Training Center, Police Records, and Fire Support Services offices, 3500 D.B. Wood RoadRecreation Center, 1003 N. Austin Ave.Tennis Center, 400 Serenada DriveVisitors Center, 103 W. Seventh St.Open City Offices:Airport Terminal, 500 Terminal DriveGarey Park, 6450 RM 2243, will be open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.Collection Station, 250 W.L. Walden Drive, wi...

Which City of Austin offices, facilities are closed for Juneteenth?

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:25:22 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – The City of Austin announced Thursday several administrative offices and public facilities will close in observance of the Juneteenth holiday on Monday. Austin Parks and RecreationCity of Austin Recreation Centers, Senior Centers, Museums and Cultural Centers will be closed on Monday. City parks, playgrounds, tennis centers, and golf courses will be open for their regularly scheduled hours on Monday.Austin Resource RecoveryAustin Resource Recovery administrative offices will be closed on Monday. Curbside services will not be affected by the Juneteenth holiday and the Recycle & Reuse Drop-off Center will be open by appointment only. View your collection schedule here.Austin UtilitiesUtility Customer Service Centers (walk-in branches) and Utility Contact Center (call center) will be closed on Monday. Utility bill payments can be made here. Other ways to pay can be found here.Austin Public HealthAustin Public Health testing and vac...

Info meetings set on potential Stillwater schools bond referendum, Lake Elmo and Bayport buildings

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:25:22 GMT

The Stillwater Area Public School District is considering a $175 million bond referendum to fund construction projects to address growth in the southern and central part of the district and improve safety at schools throughout the district.Recent projections show that the district’s K-12 enrollment will grow by more than 300 students in the next 5 years, and by nearly 1,000 students in the next 10 years, said Carissa Keister, the district’s chief of staff and executive director of strategic communications.“That is extraordinary (growth) for us,” she said. “We’ve been in a stable but slight decline over the past few years, so this is a pretty significant increase.”The proposed bond referendum would help the district add capacity in the communities serving Andersen Elementary in Bayport and Lake Elmo Elementary, the two oldest schools in the district, and construct additional classroom space and a new gymnasium at Oak-Land Middle School in Lake Elmo. It also would be used for sa...