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Biden to visit Ireland, mark Good Friday accord anniversary

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:58:20 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden will travel to the United Kingdom and Ireland this month, marking the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday accord, the White House said on Wednesday.The U.S.-brokered Good Friday Agreement helped end sectarian violence in Ireland. Biden will first travel to Belfast, Northern Ireland, which is part of the U.K., from April 11-12 “to mark the tremendous progress since the signing of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement 25 years ago” and to underscore U.S. readiness to support Northern Ireland’s economic potential, the White House said. Biden then will travel to the Republic of Ireland from April 12-14. Signed in 1998, the Good Friday Agreement helped end sectarian violence that had raged for three decades over the issue of Northern Ireland unifying with Ireland or remaining part of the U.K.But it has come under increasing stress following the U.K.’s exit from the European Union. The recent accord known as the Windsor Framework between the U.K. and the ...

Edmunds: Ford Mustang Mach-E vs. Hyundai Ioniq 5

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:58:20 GMT

It’s an exciting time to be in the market for an electric vehicle. There are more EV options than ever before, and your selection isn’t just limited to compact urban runabouts. The 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Ford Mustang Mach-E are two such electric SUVs that deliver plenty of range, comfort and utility without sacrificing the driving experience. The vehicle experts at Edmunds take a closer look at these two top-rated SUVs to see which is the better buy.PERFORMANCE An all-electric SUV was the last thing we would have expected to wear the galloping horse badge, but the Ford Mustang Mach-E definitely lives up to the Mustang name. Available with a single electric motor for rear-wheel drive or dual motors for all-wheel drive, the Mach-E starts with 266 horsepower and can be turned all the way up to 480 horsepower with the hard-charging GT Performance trim. Whichever Mach-E variant you choose, you’ll get an electric car that’s eager to accelerate and feels nimble and engaging for an SUV.Th...

Two workers in life-threatening condition after carbon monoxide leak at North York home

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:58:20 GMT

Two men are fighting for their lives in hospital after a carbon monoxide leak at a home in North York.Police were called to an address in the area of Drewry Avenue and Yonge Street around 7:10 p.m. Tuesday after getting reports of two people unconcious inside a home.Investigators say the two men were doing renovations at the house on Norwin Street. High levels of carbon monoxide were detected in the area when police arrived.The workers were taken to hospital and are in life-threatening condition.There is no word on what caused the leak.

SpaghettiOs releases new flavor aimed at millennials

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:58:20 GMT

(KTLA) -- SpaghettiOs newest flavor caters to childhood nostalgia with a grown-up twist.The Campbell Soup Company on Tuesday announced its collaboration with Frank’s Red Hot on its newest flavor, SpaghettiOs Spicy Original, made with Frank's Red Hot.The unique flavor features O-shaped pasta in tomato and cheese sauce with a mild-medium heat level. Chick-fil-A is bringing back this popular menu item for a limited time SpaghettiOs and Frank's RedHot team up to release a new SpaghettiOs flavor. (The Campbell Soup Company) The new flavor was made with millennials in mind to satisfy their cravings for spicy foods with a meal that represents their childhood. The generational group also makes up one-third of SpaghettiOs total annual sales, according to a news release. Popeyes adds new dessert item to menus nationwide, brings back fan-favorite item "SpaghettiOs and Frank's RedHot each have an undeniable fandom," Mieka Burns, vice president of meals and sauces at the Campbell Soup Compan...

Judy Blume tears into Florida, DeSantis: 'Teachers are under fire, librarians are threatened'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:58:20 GMT

(The Hill) - Author Judy Blume took aim at Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) for banning certain topics in schools and the state after some Florida school districts banned certain books from their shelves, including some of Blume's own. “Teachers are under fire, librarians are threatened,” Blume said at Variety‘s "Power of Women" luncheon on Tuesday. "They are criminalizing teachers and librarians. It’s not just that they’re threatening their jobs, they’re threatening them.""They could go to jail, all because they stand up for the rights of the students they teach. All because they refuse to give in to fear," Blume continued. "I’ve known librarians who have saved lives by handing the right book to the right child at the right time. And for that one kid, finding themselves in a book can be a lifesaver."DeSantis proposed an expansion last month to the state's so-called "Don't Say Gay" bill, which currently bans classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity to studen...

Creator of popular Catan board game, Klaus Teuber, dies at 70

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:58:20 GMT

Klaus Teuber, creator of the hugely popular Catan board game in which players compete to build settlements on a fictional island, has died after a brief illness, according to a family statement. He was 70.The board game, originally called The Settlers of Catan when introduced in 1995 and based on a set of hexagonal tiles, has sold tens of millions of copies and is available in more than 40 languages. It has spawned dozens of spinoffs and new editions, including electronic versions, not to mention products related to the game.“It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that the Teuber family announces their beloved husband and father Klaus Teuber passed away at the age of 70 on April 1, 2023 after a short and serious illness,” said the statement posted on the German-language Catan website. The family requested privacy. Brandon Johnson wins Chicago mayor’s race A statement from the Catan studio team on social media noted that “While Klaus’ contributions to the board gaming industry ...

High fire danger follows early morning storms

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:58:20 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A line of storms pushing across our area this morning is bringing brief heavy rain, frequent lightning and a risk of small hail to parts of Central Texas.LIVE RADAR UPDATED April forecast increases chances for rain These storms have the potential to impact your morning drive - be sure to factor in extra time to navigate wet roads.This cold front clears the area by early afternoon, leaving gusty winds and lower humidity in its wake. A Red Flag Warning for very high fire danger is in place, for parts of the Hill Country and the I-35 corridor.Red Flag Warning in effect until 4PM WednesdayRain returns to much of the area Thursday and Friday as temperatures continue to drop. North winds, clouds and rain keep high temperatures in the 50s, and some areas east of I-35 may see minor flash flooding.While areas east of I-35 are nearly guaranteed beneficial rainfall, rain amounts are less certain in the Hill Country. We expect a tight rainfall gradient of less than 1 inch ove...

Community meeting held on Barton Springs Bridge project

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:58:20 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin Public Works held a community meeting Tuesday night to update the public about the future of the bridge over Barton Springs Road near Zilker Park. In 2020, Austinites approved funding to evaluate the bridge so the city staff could begin working on plans to improve the existing structure. The approval came a couple of years after the structure was ranked among the top five bridges in Austin in the most need of rehabilitation.According to Austin Public Works, the bridge ultimately needs to be fixed or replaced to ensure the safety of pedestrians and, of course, improve the flow of traffic over the bridge.“I’m sure y’all have been down there on ACL weekend, and it’s a narrow point that is difficult for pedestrians and cars to interact,” Eric Bailey, Assistant Director for Austin Public Works, said in November.There are a few options the city is considering, but all the plans fall under two categories: rehabilitate or complete replacement.Though nothing...

Recipe: Homemade strawberry-filled toaster pastries

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:58:20 GMT

Is there any more memorable and cherished taste from childhood than a Pop-Tart?The sugary toaster pastries have been an iconic grab-and-go breakfast food since Kellogg Co. introduced them in the 1960s, probably because they taste more like a dessert than a healthy way to start your day.I rarely had them as a child because they were considered “junk food” and continued that as a mom. My kids only ate them on special occasions like birthday party sleep-overs and vacations.They’re even more of a guilty pleasure when you make them from scratch. The fruity filling is encased in a flaky pastry dough with real butter instead of a mass-produced dough sweetened with high fructose corn syrup, dextrose and soybean and palm oil.This recipe comes from Pittsburgh-based recipe developer Michelle Lettrich, the voice behind the food blog Brown Eyed Baker. It’s a winner because it’s relatively easy for even non-bakers to follow and the end result is incredibly tasty.The ...

David French: The rule of law now depends on Republicans

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:58:20 GMT

“Probably not the best time to give up your AR-15. And I think most people know that.”With those words, spoken the night The New York Times broke the news that a Manhattan grand jury indicted Donald Trump, Fox News host Tucker Carlson signaled the next, dangerous phase of the Trumpist assault on the rule of law. We began to watch a replay of the circumstances that led to the violent assault on the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.It continued. Former Fox News host Glenn Beck told Carlson that he predicted that by 2025, America would be “at war,” “we’ll have a currency collapse, and we will live in a virtual police state.” The Bill of Rights is “gone,” Beck said.Vivek Ramaswamy, a Republican businessman and presidential candidate, put out a video statement saying that America is “skating on thin ice as a country right now” and that “we may be heading on our way to a national divorce.”Perhaps the most disturbing reaction came from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is polling second to Trump in pr...