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Police launch probe into alleged abduction of British teen Alex Batty who went missing 6 years ago

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:00 GMT

LONDON (AP) — A criminal investigation was launched into the alleged abduction of British teenager Alex Batty, who was found last week in France six years after his mother and grandfather took him on a vacation and never returned home, Greater Manchester police said Friday. Batty, 17, returned to Oldham, near Manchester, on Saturday and was reunited with his grandmother — the legal guardian who had made frantic and emotional appeals over the years for his return. A delivery driver found Batty walking along a road in southern France in the middle of the night Dec. 13. The boy told police he had been living a nomadic lifestyle in Spain, Morocco and France with his mother and grandfather as part of a “spiritual community” and decided to leave when his mother talked about going to Finland.Authorities in France said last week that they thought his mother, Melanie Batty, could be in Finland and that his grandfather, David Batty, appeared to have died, but neither of those details seemed c...

What to stream this week: ‘America’s Got Talent: Fantasy League,’ Barbenheimer and ‘Night Court’

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:00 GMT

The return of “Night Court” and new music from the K-pop act TVXQ are some of the new television, movies and music headed to a device near you.Also among the streaming offerings worth your time as selected by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists are a true crime story on Max, a new version of “America’s Got Talent” and a streaming guide to the year’s best films.NEW MOVIES TO STREAM— As the year winds down, most of the movie action is in cinemas. But if you’re not heading out to see “The Color Purple,” “Poor Things” or “Ferrari,” there’s no better time to catch up on some of the year’s best movies. Many of the films that made the top 10 lists of myself and AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr are available in various places to stream.If you haven’t caught up to “Barbie” or “Oppenheimer” yet, you can digitally rent Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster biopic, while Greta Gerwig’s pink-hued phenomenon is streaming on Max. Alexander Pay...

UN health agency cites tenfold increase in reported cases of dengue over the last generation

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:00 GMT

GENEVA (AP) — The U.N. health agency said Friday that reported cases of dengue globally increased tenfold over the last generation, with climate change and the growing spread of virus-carrying mosquitoes partly to blame for transmission that remains mostly prevalent in the Americas.The World Health Organization said reported cases soared to a record 5.2 million in 2019, up from 500,000 in 2000, across 129 countries worldwide, figures that likely understate the actual toll. In January, WHO warned that dengue posed a pandemic threat and was the world’s fastest spreading mosquito-borne disease. While there are vaccines and specially bred mosquitoes containing a bacteria called Wolbachia to fight dengue, there are no specific treatments for the virus once someone becomes infected.This year, more than 5 million cases and over 5,000 dengue-related deaths were reported, WHO said. Changing distribution patterns of the mosquitoes that spread dengue, together with higher rainfall, humidity an...

France completes military withdrawal from Niger, leaving a gap in the terror fight in the Sahel

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:00 GMT

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — France on Friday completed the withdrawal of its troops after they were asked to leave Niger by the country’s new junta, ending years of on-the-ground military support and raising concerns from analysts about a gap in the fight against jihadi violence across the Sahel region of Africa.The last French military aircraft and troops departed Niger by the Dec. 22 deadline set by the junta which severed ties with Paris after the coup in July, the French Army General Staff told The Associated Press by email. France already announced this week that it would close its diplomatic mission in Niger for “an indefinite period.”However, the country would continue to be involved in the Sahel — the vast expanse south of the Sahara Desert which has been a hot spot for violent extremism — although differently, President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday during a visit to a base in Jordan. “I decided on some important reconfigurations,” Macron said. “We will continue to protect our in...

GDP flat for third straight month in Oct. as economy ‘continued to sputter’: StatCan

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:00 GMT

Statistics Canada says the economy flatlined once again, with GDP showing no growth in October for the third straight month.“Canada’s economic engine continued to sputter in the fourth quarter,” said Royce Mendes, Desjardins managing director and head of macro strategy, in a note to clients.“As more households and businesses feel the impacts of higher interest rates in 2024, we expect Canada to fall into at least a mild recession. So while the economy is sputtering now, it might begin rolling backwards early in the new year.”StatCan reported services-producing industries edged 0.1 per cent higher in October, while goods-producing industries were unchanged.It also forecasted that real gross domestic product for November increased 0.1 per cent, with estimated gains in manufacturing, transportation and warehousing, and agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting partially offset by decreases in retail trade.Olivia Cross of Capital Economics said the GDP figures w...

Still haven’t bought holiday gifts? Retailers have a sale for you

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:00 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Retailers are stepping up sales and other enticements in the final days before Christmas to lure shoppers who’ve been waiting for the best deals, or who didn’t have the time or the urge to wrap up gift-buying early.Incentives to spend last minute are an extension of ongoing efforts by stores to keep shoppers engaged, an effort that began as early as October this year. Some retailers have put goods on clearance racks and shelves before the holiday to lure bargain hunters. Michaels, the arts and crafts chain, trimmed prices on holiday trees by up to 75% on Dec. 15, cuts that would typically arrive the day after Christmas.“I think this is a more challenging year than if you looked across the last decade of Christmases,” said Amanda Rassi, senior vice president and chief marketing officer at Michaels. “But overall, we’re happy with how it’s come in.”There had been rising concern among retailers leading up to the holiday about the willingness of Americans to s...

Dean's Weekender: 'It's A Wonderful Life,' the Grinch, 'A Christmas Carol' and 2 versions of 'The Nutcracker' highlight the Christmas weekend

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:00 GMT

WGN’s Dean Richards previews events happening in and around Chicago for the Christmas weekend.Holiday-themed productions, of course, pack the scene. Those include the American Blues Theatre's 21st annual production of "It's A Wonderful Life," Cadillac Palace Theatre's "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," Goodman Theatre's "A Christmas Carol" and two versions of "The Nutcracker," a jazz production at the Auditorium Theatre called "Sugar Hill: Ellington Strayhorn Nutcracker" and Joffrey Ballet's production at Lyric Opera House. Dean’s Review: ‘It’s A Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!’ Dean’s Reviews: ‘Boop:’ The Betty Boop Musical Additionally, "Boop: The Betty Boop Musical" wraps up its run in Chicago on Sunday at the CIBC Theatre before going to Broadway next year.Get Dean’s reviews and A-List interviews delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for Dean’s Downloads weekly newsletter. You’ll also get his Dean Cooks recipes too!

Biden to pardon certain marijuana offenses, commute sentences of 11 nonviolent drug offenders

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:00 GMT

(The Hill) - President Biden will commute the sentences of 11 individuals serving jail sentences for nonviolent drug offenses Friday, and he will sign a proclamation to pardon certain marijuana offenses.The proclamation will pardon offenses for marijuana use and possession on certain federal lands. Biden in October 2022 announced pardons for thousands of individuals who had been convicted of simple marijuana possession under federal law.“Just as no one should be in a federal prison solely due to the use or possession of marijuana, no one should be in a local jail or state prison for that reason, either,” Biden said in a statement. “That’s why I continue to urge Governors to do the same with regard to state offenses and applaud those who have since taken action.”In addition, Biden intends to commute the sentences of 11 nonviolent offenders in his latest use of clemency power. Each of the individuals are serving what the White House called disproportionately long sentences for nonviol...

Calls grow for a ceasefire in Gaza

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) - The White House says it's hoping a temporary ceasefire deal happens soon, this comes as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza grows more dire by the day.Negotiators are struggling to find a plan to pause the fighting that both sides will agree on."There is an immense amount of suffering inside Gaza," said National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby.Israel says it will only agree to limited humanitarian pauses until all hostages are released.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the goal to defeat Hamas still remains.Thursday, the U.N.  reported more than 570,000 people inside Gaza are facing a catastrophic food crisis.International groups like the World Food Programme say a ceasefire is the only way to stop the suffering.

Two sisters sue City of Austin, APD officer after mother's fatal crash

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) --- Two sisters are suing the City of Austin and an Austin Police officer after a crash killed their mom. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Family sues City, APD officer in a wrongful death lawsuit following crash with officer Maria Casillas Reyes, 43, died at the scene of the crash on June 30 in the 13000 block of N. U.S. Highway 183 northbound after a collision with an on-duty APD officer, Alyssa Preuss, who was driving a marked patrol car. Preuss was injured in the crash and was taken to the hospital for treatment but has since been released, according to APD.Reyes' daughters, Ana and Breana Casillas, filed a vehicle collision and wrongful death lawsuit and are seeking $1 million in damages.'Never going to be the same'For many, the holidays are a time for loved ones to come together. But for the Casillas family, the person they love the most won't be there this year. "New Year's, Christmas-- anything coming forward is never going to be the same," Breana said.A police offic...