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US aid worker kidnapped in Niger released after 6 years

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:16:17 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — An American aid worker who was kidnapped in the West African nation of Niger more than six years ago has been released from custody, the Biden administration said Monday.Jeffrey Woodke was kidnapped from his home in Abalak, Niger, in October 2016 by men who ambushed and killed his guards and forced him at gunpoint into their truck, where he was driven north toward Mali’s border. A senior administration official who briefed reporters Monday on Woodke’s release described the action as the culmination of years of efforts, but declined to say what exactly led to him being freed from captivity or where he is now.The official said no ransom was paid and no concession was made to captors.Eric Tucker, The Associated Press

French journalist kidnapped in Mali in 2021 is freed

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:16:17 GMT

PARIS (AP) — A French journalist held hostage by Islamic extremists for nearly two years in Mali was released Monday, according to media watchdog Reporters Without Borders, which campaigned for his release.Olivier Dubois was kidnapped in April 2021 from northern Mali, a region of the country wracked by jihadi violence linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group.France’s Foreign Ministry did not immediately comment on the news. The conditions of Dubois’ release, including whether it involved a ransom, were not disclosed.“We feel joy and immense relief,” Reporters Without Borders, also known by its French acronym RSF, said in a statement.It thanked French authorities for “having implemented the necessary means to obtain his release,” without elaborating.Dubois’ release came the same day that two kidnapped aid workers with the International Committee of the Red Cross were freed in Mali.Jihadi groups have been abducting hostages for ransom as a way to fund their operations and ...

German pensions to rise again, but slower than inflation

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:16:17 GMT

BERLIN (AP) — German retirees’ pensions will rise significantly this summer for the second consecutive year, the government said Monday, though the increase will still fall short of the current inflation rate.The Labor Ministry said pensions will increase by 4.39% in the former West Germany on July 1 and by 5.86% in the formerly communist east. That will follow increases last year of 5.35% in the west and 6.12% in the east.Rises in German pensions are linked largely to wage developments. Inflation has added to upward pressure on wages; salary negotiations in various sectors lately have seen high demands and in some cases hefty increases.Germany’s annual inflation rate stood at 8.7% in February, unchanged from January.The latest pension increase falls short of that. But it will finally bring pensions in the less prosperous east up to the level of those in the west, which is home to most of Germany’s population, after years of efforts to narrow the gap.The Associated Press

Wall Street holds steady after weekend’s big bank deal

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:16:17 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Most of Wall Street is holding steady Monday after regulators pushed together two huge banks over the weekend to build confidence in the struggling industry. The S&P 500 was 0.4% higher in early trading. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 335 points, or 1.1%, at 32,200, as of 9:57 a.m. Eastern time, while the Nasdaq composite was 0.4% lower.Much of the attention was still on banks, which may be cracking under the pressure of the fastest flurry of hikes to interest rates in decades. Swiss banking giant UBS said Sunday it would buy its rival Credit Suisse for almost $3.25 billion in a deal quickly put together by regulators. Credit Suisse has been battling troubles for years, but they came to a head last week as its stock price tumbled to a record low. Credit Suisse fell another 56% in its first trading after the deal was announced, while UBS rose 2.4% in Switzerland.“Considering that there was none of the long and thorough process for due diligence, it’s to b...

Officials: 2 hurt after shooting at Texas school

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:16:17 GMT

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Two students were injured after a shooting at a Texas high school on Monday and a suspect is in custody, police and school district officials said.The shooting happened on the Lamar High School campus in Arlington outside a school building, news outlets report.The school was placed in lockdown and once that is lifted, students will be released for the day, Arlington Independent School District spokeswoman Anita Foster said in an email. Others, including parents, were urged to stay away from the campus while Arlington Police investigate, she said.The two injured students were receiving medical care, according to the district. Their conditions were not known, the Arlington Fire Department said.Arlington police said the scene was secure in a tweet at 7:21 a.m.Monday was the first day back to class after the district's spring break last week.

Dairy Queen celebrates first day of spring with 'Free Cone Day'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:16:17 GMT

(WXIN) -- There’s no better way to put winter behind you and look forward to spring than by having an ice cream cone.You can get a free one at participating Dairy Queen locations on Monday, March 20, as DQ celebrates its annual “Free Cone Day” to mark the first day of spring.“We like to think of Free Cone Day as the beginning of our favorite season – treat season!” Maria Hokanson, executive vice president, marketing at ADQ, said in a statement. There’s a hidden image on Toblerone chocolate bars: Can you spot it? Customers can get a free small vanilla cone – what DQ called its "iconic curl you crave" – with no purchase necessary. "All you have to do is show up and order!" the company said on its website.The promotion, which first launched in 2014, is available all day while supplies last and is good for one cone per person.Dairy Queen said you can get them at participating “U.S. non-mall locations.” It may not be available on delivery or mobile orders.

Dollar Tree pauses egg sales as prices climb

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:16:17 GMT

(The Hill) -- Dollar Tree has announced it will stop selling eggs in its stores, according to Reuters, as the price of everyday food continues to surge due to ongoing inflation hitting grocery shoppers. The discount retailer is a major destination for shoppers throughout the United States and Canada, many of whom often shop on a budget and rely on its cheap prices for everyday grocery products. According to Reuters, Dollar Tree anticipates restocking its egg inventory in all stores later this year.  Egg prices finally fell in February, but will they stay that way? The retailer also announced back in 2021 that it would increase its prices from $1 to $1.25, as it planned to reintroduce some products in its stores that were discontinued due to the $1 restrictions. Amid already soaring prices, egg costs hit a record high in January due to an outbreak of bird flu, but fell 6.7 percent last month, according to Labor Department data. Now, with Easter around the...

Elgin breaks ground on new police station to replace 102-year-old building

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:16:17 GMT

ELGIN, Texas (KXAN) -- The city of Elgin will break ground Monday on a brand new police station as the department gets ready to expand its staff to match the rapid growth of the city. This will be the city's first police-designated building in its history. The new police headquarters will replace the century-old building the department is currently occupying. Time for an upgrade The current Elgin police headquarters is located right on Depot Street in the city's historic downtown district, and the building is really historic. Police Chief Chris Noble said the building served many purposes in its 102-year history. It was a feed store and Noble believes it also was used by the Elgin Courier, the local newspaper in town. "It's not a police station," Noble said with a smile and a chuckle. The building ran into some serious problems during the winter freeze in 2021 that affected so many in Central Texas. Noble said the walls started leaking water and holes started to appear in the side o...

Austin City Council could explore burying power lines after February storm

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:16:17 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — After the February ice storm led to millions of damaged trees and hundreds of thousands of Austinites without power, city officials could pursue burying power lines.Austin City Council will consider the measure at its March 23 council meeting. If approved, the city will conduct a feasibility study and develop a long-term plan to prioritize the conversions "for high-priority uses and areas without new construction opportunities." Key infrastructures that could receive those upgrades include:Critical infrastructure such as water, wastewater facilitiesHealth and safety infrastructure, including hospitals and nursing homesEmergency response infrastructure, including police, fire and emergency medical service stationsEmergency shelter locations, resilience hubsAreas with "a history of frequent electric service disruption or high maintenance cost"Consideration of community equity, historically underserved communitiesHigh wildfire risk areasAreas with tree canopy risks, cri...

New gift shop with boba tea opens in Berkshire County

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:16:17 GMT

ADAMS, Mass. (NEWS10) -- 57ParkStreet, a new boba tea and gift shop, opened in Adams, Massachusetts on March 17. Owners Lea King and Wayne Gelinas also own Wigwam Western Summit, a resort, café and gift shop in North Adams. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! 57ParkStreet sells gifts and souvenirs including custom Adams and other Berkshire County clothing, accessories and postcards, baked goods, local art, boba tea and more. The boba tea offerings include milk tea, fruit tea, and slushies. Smoothies, hot drinks and other beverages are also available.The ribbon cutting ceremony for the shop will take place on Friday, March 24 at 11 a.m. The shop, located at 57 Park Street, is currently open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.