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EU court annuls approval of French pandemic aid to Air France and Air France-KLM

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:08 GMT

BRUSSELS (AP) — Low-cost airlines Ryanair and Malta Air won a court case Wednesday against the European Union’s decision to approve billions of euros in state aid by the French government to Air France and holding company Air France-KLM during the COVID-19 pandemic.Ryanair has filed several court challenges against measures introduced by EU countries to help some airlines weather the fallout of coronavirus restrictions.The bloc’s 27 members must seek approval from the European Commission, the EU’s executive branch, when granting financial support to companies. Many countries across Europe did so to help keep their airlines afloat during the pandemic.Back in 2020, French authorities notified the European Commission of an aid measure of 7 billion euros ($7.67 billion), which was supposed to benefit Air France solely, to the exclusion of all the other companies in the Air France-KLM group. A year later, France told the European Commission about plans for 4-billion-eur...

Dutch bank ING says it is accelerating its shift away from funding fossil fuels after COP28 deal

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:08 GMT

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Dutch bank ING announced Wednesday that it is accelerating its phasing out of funding for oil and gas exploration and production activities while it increases financing for renewable energy.ING has faced fierce criticism from Dutch climate activists for its funding of fossil fuel companies.The ING announcement came a week after nearly 200 countries at the COP28 climate meeting in Dubai agreed to move away from planet-warming fossil fuels in a document that critics said contained significant loopholes.ING said its loans to oil and gas exploration and production activities will be cut by 35% by 2030 and 10 years later “the financed emissions linked to our portfolio will be reduced to zero.” Meanwhile, the bank said, it will raise financing of renewable power generation to 7.5 billion euros ($8.2 billion) annually by 2025 from 2.5 billion euros ($2.7 billion) in 2022.“The world needs energy, but still too much of that is coming from fossil fuels,” IN...

News helicopter crashes in New Jersey forest, killing pilot and photographer, TV station says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:08 GMT

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A news helicopter has crashed in a forest in New Jersey, killing both the pilot and photographer on board, the television station said.“A pilot and a photographer from our news team were in the helicopter when it went down while returning from an assignment at the Jersey Shore” on Tuesday night, WPVI-TV in Philadelphia reported. “Both crew members were killed.”The station did not release their names pending notification of family members. “Our hearts are just broken for these men. They’re broken for their families,” reporter Katherine Scott said Wednesday morning, reporting from near the scene of the crash.The crash happened sometime after 8 p.m. in woods in Wharton State Forest, in Hammonton, New Jersey, the station said.“New Jersey State Police troopers were able to locate the crash site on the ground. It is very hard to access due to its location in the woods,” the station said.It’s unclear what caused the crash, the station said.WPVI-TV reported t...

How to manage holiday spending when you're buried under student loan debt

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:08 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — For Nicole Plauché and her family, Christmas is the time of the year where they can use their preferred love language: gift giving. This year, however, Plauché is worried about how much she can afford to spend on gifts. Her main struggle? Student loan payments.“It just doesn't leave much room for anything outside of just basic necessities,” said Plauché, a 23-year old tech sales manager from Dallas, Texas.Marisa Johnson, 26, has approximately $145,000 in student loan debt from both her bachelor's and master's degrees. Since the COVID-era payment pause ended in October, she's been paying back $300 a month while she waits to see if she'll be enrolled in a new income-driven repayment plan.Nicole Plauché, 23, poses for a photo at her family's home in Highland Village, Texas, Friday, Dec. 15, 2023. Plauché graduated from college last year with a business degree and is navigating how to manage holiday spending while paying student loan debt. (AP Photo/LM Otero)Be...

States trashing tons of masks and pandemic gear as huge stockpiles linger and expire

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:08 GMT

When the coronavirus pandemic took hold in an unprepared U.S., states scrambled for masks and other protective gear.Three years later, as the grips of the pandemic have loosened, many states are now trying to deal with an excess of protective gear, ditching their supplies in droves.With expiration dates passing and few requests to tap into its stockpile, Ohio auctioned off 393,000 gowns for just $2,451 and ended up throwing away another 7.2 million, along with expired masks, gloves and other materials. The now expiring supplies had cost about $29 million in federal money.Boxes of personal protection equipment maintained by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services are shown stacked in a warehouse in Jefferson City, Mo., on Dec. 1, 2023. (Brad Bashore/Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services via AP)A similar reckoning is happening around the country. Items are aging, and as a deadline to allocate federal COVID-19 cash approaches next year, states must decide how ...

Favorite quick weeknight recipes from 2023

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:08 GMT

We’ve just published our list of the 50 most popular recipes of 2023, and I’d like to compliment you on your excellent taste. The tinto de verano! Dumpling tomato salad with chile crisp vinaigrette! Mochiko chicken! Cacio e pepe and white lasagna! And the banana pudding from Magnolia Bakery in New York, which I think far outshines its famous cupcakes.I’ve picked five recipes from the list to feature, dishes I feel are particularly good for a fast dinner.1. Gochujang Buttered NoodlesGochujang Buttered Noodles. These garlicky, buttery noodles are perfect for when you need a stellar pantry meal lickety-split. Food Stylist: Barrett Washburne. (James Ransom/The New York Times)These garlicky, buttery noodles are perfect for when you need a stellar pantry meal lickety-split. A packet of fresh or even instant ramen speeds up the meal prep and is ideal when cooking for one (see Tips). Honey and sherry vinegar round out gochujang’s deep heat into a mellowness that’s at once sweet, savory and ...

Sneak peek: Highland Popcorn, which employs people with disabilities, is set to open early next year

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:08 GMT

A new nonprofit popcorn shop is getting ready to open in Highland Park next year.Highland Popcorn is set to open late January or early February in the Highland Village Plaza shopping center, with both a retail storefront and a wholesale component to package products for stores like the nearby Lunds & Byerlys. They’ll have butter popcorn, cheese corn, caramel corn and seasonal flavors like peppermint crunch, plus cookies and sodas.The store’s workforce will be predominantly people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, said founder Shamus O’Meara.(If you don’t know O’Meara, perhaps you know his son Conor, or at least his voice: The 25-year-old hosts a local radio show called “Conor’s Corner,” on which he talks about sports and life with autism and chats with guests ranging from Vikings player Justin Jefferson to St. Paul City Council member Chris Tolbert.)Although popcorn can be a grab-and-go product, Highland Popcorn is meant to be a space to hang out, O’Meara s...

18-year-old tried fleeing police, arrested with loaded handgun

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:08 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- An 18-year-old was arrested on Tuesday for possessing a loaded handgun near Central Avenue and Lexington Avenue in Albany. Shaimeek Nesmith, of Albany, faces several charges. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! On Tuesday, around 9:21 a.m., Albany County Sheriff's Office members were conducting an investigation near Central Avenue and Lexington Avenue in Albany. Deputies approached an 18-year-old they believed to have a handgun.Deputies approached the man, later identified as Nesmith, and say he fled on foot. He was apprehended after a short chase and was found to have a loaded .22 caliber Ruger Security Six handgun. Schenectady Police investigating Steuben Street shooting Charges:Second-degree criminal possession of a weaponFourth-degree criminal possession of a weaponSecond-degree obstructing governmental administrationNesmith will be arraigned in Albany City Court on Wednesday.

Broadview donates $380K to help fight food insecurity

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:08 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Food banks around New York State received some additional funding on Tuesday. Broadview Federal Credit Union donated more than $380,000 to 46 organizations.The money is going to food banks, shelters and other nonprofits that fight food insecurity. It comes as food banks serve more families than they did a few years ago and face rising costs. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! "In 2022 and 2021, we were spending about $2,500 per month on food, whereas now, in 2023, we're spending between $3,500 and $4,500 a month on food," Hope 7 Community Center Exec. Dir. Margaret Elliott said.Broadview held a ceremonial check presentation Tuesday morning before delivering individual checks to each of the recipients. Checks were given to nonprofit organizations in the Capital Region, Southern Tier, Central, and Western New York. CAPITAL REGIONCapital City Rescue MissionSouth End Children's CaféCity Mission of SchenectadyBethesda H...

Ask Amy: Friend of abused woman steps away

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:08 GMT

Dear Amy: “Christy” and I have been friends for more than 25 years.Christy married an abusive monster, and after 15 years of her crying to me and then going back to him, I stepped away for a few years.I told her that I believed he would kill her, and if I couldn’t convince her to leave, I had to leave because I couldn’t watch.A few years ago, she told me about the horrible effects of his abuse, which led to hospitalizations and eventually brain surgery for an issue related to his abuse.I brought her into my home for a month, nursed her through the miraculous, frightening surgery, and then she went BACK to him.I stepped away for another three years.She reached out a year ago and told me they had divorced.I went for a visit, and she admitted she’d lied, saying that they had agreed not to divorce, “So, if he dies first, I’ll get his military retirement benefit.”I told her she was nuts, but if she wasn’t sleeping with him, and if she never, ever again calle...