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Reuse or recycle? Inside Europe’s takeaway tug-of-war

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:29 GMT

One of the nerdiest — and most intense — green lobbying fights comes to a head this week. And it’s all about packaging.From takeaway coffee to fast food, Brussels is hoping to oust a lot of single-use packaging from the EU’s consumption habits — in a threat to several packaging industries. Freaked out by the potential changes to their commercially successful business model, parts of the packaging sector have been hassling EU policymakers for months with their complaints on the draft rules.European Parliament officials, assistants and MEPs say the amount of industry lobby requests is unprecedented. The debate, often backed by contradictory data on both sides, has left lawmakers at a loss and created deep splits within groups.“Sometimes I find it almost unethical because you have some companies lobbying based on reports where the data are not available, are confidential,” Pascal Canfin, who chairs the Parliament’s environment committee, told journalists last week.In an op-e...

Protesters march in Panama against the contract extension for a huge copper mine

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:29 GMT

PANAMA CITY (AP) — Protesters blocked streets across Panama on Monday, demanding the government rescind a contract to continue copper mining in a biodiverse region.Teaching and construction unions led calls against the contract with environmentalists, saying continued development threatens forested land and crucial groundwater just 75 miles (120 kilometers) west of the capital, in the state of Colon.Across Panama City, peaceful protesters handed out fliers, but in some areas on the outskirts of the capital police met protesters with tear gas. In anticipation of the largest marches since a cost of living crisis last July, both the Department of Education and the University of Panama cancelled classes. The government used social media to highlight the “enormous contribution” the mine — Panama’s largest private investment ever — makes to the country’s economy.In March, Panama’s legislature reached an agreement with Canadian mining company First Quantum, allowing its l...

Pham, Gurriel homer, Diamondbacks power past Phillies 5-1 to force NLCS Game 7

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:29 GMT

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Merrill Kelly retired Kyle Schwarber, Trea Turner and Bryce Harper in order in the fifth inning, striking out Schwarber and Harper — October’s biggest home run threats.When the pitcher reached the dugout, manager Torey Lovullo offered a handshake to signal the start was over after 90 pitches. Kelly appeared agitated and gestured with his glove as if to point out he struck out Schwarber and Harper and had much more in the tank.“It kind of just, I think, took me by shock more than anything,” Kelly said.Here might be the real shock — especially in Philly. After losing the first two games of the NL Championship Series, the Arizona Diamondbacks are one win from their first World Series since 2001.Tommy Pham and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. hit back-to-back homers and Kelly struck out eight before his early hook to help Arizona force Game 7 with a 5-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday.The winner of Tuesday night’s game advances to the World Series against...

It's Day 20 with no House speaker, and lower-level names seek Trump's support and race for the gavel

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:29 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — On Day 20 without a House speaker, Republicans found themselves starting over Monday — bumbling ahead with few ideas about who will lead, what they are fighting over and when they will get Congress working again.Republicans gathered late in the evening to hear quick speeches from the congressmen seeking the job, though none has a clear shot at the gavel. Eight candidates are in the running for one speaker after one dropped out. Behind closed doors, they made their elevator pitches to colleagues ahead of internal party voting.Senior-most among the hopefuls is Rep. Tom Emmer of Minnesota, but neither he or the other lower-level Republican lawmakers are expected to quickly secure a majority. Instead he and others are reaching out to Donald Trump for backing ahead of elections to choose a nominee. One, Rep. Dan Meuser of Pennsylvania, dropped out.“They all called asking for support,” said Trump, the Republican front-runner in the 2024 presidential race, who was in New ...

7 dead after more than 150 vehicles crash amid 'super fog' in Louisiana: officials

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:29 GMT

ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH, La. (WGNO) — At least seven people were killed after 158 vehicles crashed in Louisiana as "super fog" hit the area, authorities said. The Louisiana State Police (LSP) and additional first responders are still searching for victims of the massive pileup, which happened around 9 a.m. Monday on Interstate 55 in St. John the Baptist Parish, about 30 miles northwest of New Orleans.Police said 25 people were taken to area hospitals with injuries ranging from minor to critical. Many others sought medical aid on their own, authorities said. Videos from the scene showed a long stretch of mangled and scorched cars on the interstate. Multiple cars were crushed under one another, some also engulfed by flames. One man, named Vernon Banks, said his son was among dozens of drivers involved in the pileup. "He got a gash in his leg," said Banks of his son, Alexander Robinson. "A state trooper patched him up. Shoulder dislocated. Other than that, he's fine."(Courtesy: Ch...

DNC to project ‘GOP Clown Show’ display near Capitol on Monday night

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:29 GMT

The Democratic National Committee (DNC) will project a display near the U.S. Capitol on Monday night to bash House Republicans for going 20 days without a Speaker of the House.The graphic will project on the National Gallery of Art East Building at 8 p.m. and aims to call out “the chaotic House Republicans for dragging on their clown show instead of delivering for the American people,” the DNC first told The Hill. You can see the video that will be projected here.The building is located near the Capitol, facing Pennsylvania Avenue NW between 4th and 3rd Streets.The graphic, first shared with The Hill, includes a photograph of Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), who led the Republicans’ move to oust former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), with the title “Welcome to the GOP clown show” under it. Another graphic will display clown icons and “20 days without a Speaker.”“Americans want strong and steady leadership, not this never-ending MAGA circus. Instead of honking at each othe...

Haley rises, closes in on DeSantis in new 2024 poll

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:29 GMT

Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley appears to be a rising threat to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis as the two fight to be the top alternative to former President Trump in the 2024 GOP primary, according to a new survey. The USA Today/Suffolk poll taken last week has Haley garnering 11 percent support among likely Republican voters, about 1 percentage point below DeSantis's 12.3 percent support. Trump maintains a commanding lead at just less than 58 percent.The numbers spell bad news for DeSantis, who has mostly maintained his second-place spot in GOP primary polling. Haley's support is up from her 4.49 percent standing when USA Today/Suffolk conducted the same poll in June. The Florida governor, however, has taken a steep dip after garnering 22.86 percent support in June. The GOP rivals' campaigns have spent recent days sparring on foreign policy, specifically over the possibility of the U.S. receiving refugees from Gaza. DeSantis accused Haley of trying to be "politically correct" on th...

City of Kyle Mayor candidates discuss growth, infrastructure

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:29 GMT

KYLE, Texas (KXAN) --- There are four candidates vying for the position as mayor of the City of Kyle. It's a place that's listed as the third fastest growing city in the country according to the U.S. census. RELATED COVERAGE: Texas continues to top the charts with fastest-growing cities The current mayor is challenged by a current city council member, a former city council member and a retired engineer.On the ballot are: Yvonne Flores-CaleTravis Mitchell Robert FergusonLinda TenorioDealing with growthIn a place that's expanding so fast, keeping up with infrastructure is top of mind for the candidates. Current Kyle Mayor Travis Mitchell said he'd prioritize road projects. "My third and final term is all about completing the infrastructure projects that we have on our books," Mitchell said. "We just passed a historic $294 million roads bond. It's important that the people who put that project together, see it through to completion."While others like retired engineer, Robert Ferguson...

Two St. David's HealthCare facilities ranked in nation's top 100 hospitals

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:29 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Among several St. David's HealthCare facilities, two Austin locations were ranked in the nation's 100 top hospitals, according to analysis provided by PINC AI.St. David's Medical Center, which also includes the Heart Hospital of Austin and St. David's Georgetown Hospital, ranked at No. 1, according to a news release from St. David's. St. David's North Austin Medical Center ranked No. 2.Two St. David's Medical Center Hospitals were ranked in the nation's top 100 hospitals in an analysis provided by PINC AI | Courtesy St. David's HealthcareTwo St. David's Medical Center Hospitals were ranked in the nation's top 100 hospitals in an analysis provided by PINC AI | Courtesy St. David's Healthcare“St. David’s HealthCare is honored to receive these distinguished recognitions, which start with the dedication of our doctors, nurses and staff,” David Huffstutler, president and chief executive officer of St. David's HealthCare, said in the release. “We are committed to providin...

Minnesota native Don Laughlin, resort-casino owner and architect behind Nevada town, is dead at 92

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:29 GMT

LAUGHLIN, Nev. — Donald “Don” J. Laughlin, a resort owner and the namesake of a southern Nevada town that he turned into a tourist destination, has died. He was 92.Laughlin died Sunday at his penthouse home at the Riverside Resort Hotel & Casino in Laughlin, Diana Fuchs, the resort’s marketing director, said Monday. He died of natural causes.Family and other relatives had been with Laughlin for several days before his death.“Don … in true Don Laughlin spirit, was still trying to make them laugh with his jokes,” Fuchs said in an email to The Associated Press.Laughlin is credited as the architect behind the transformation of an area of dirt and weeds 100 miles (161 kilometers) south of Las Vegas into a thriving alternative to Sin City.“When we came here there was a dirt road in here and you had to come in by way of the dam,” Laughlin told the Las Vegas Review-Journal in 2016 while celebrating the resort’s 50th anniversary. “If it rained, you couldn’t get here.”Si...