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EU’s Michel set to visit Ukraine for Maidan commemoration

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:56:56 GMT

European Council President Charles Michel will travel to Kyiv early next week, two people briefed on the trip told POLITICO. Michel will visit Ukraine to commemorate the Maidan protests, which started on November 21, 2013. The protests came after the decision of former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych to pull out of a political and economic association agreement with the EU. Russia blasted the uprising as a Western-fomented “coup” and used it to justify its military action in Ukraine in 2014.The visit comes ahead of the European Council summit in mid-December, where EU leaders will discuss the recommendation of the European Commission to open formal accession negotiations with Ukraine. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited Kyiv just ahead of the announcement, promising Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy continued EU support. A spokesperson for Michel said they could not confirm the visit but that they will be in Berlin in the beginning of next week.

Czechs push for longer exemption from Russia steel sanctions

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:56:56 GMT

The Czech Republic is asking for a longer exemption period for imports from Russian steel company Novolipetsk Steel (NLMK) during Friday’s meeting of EU ambassadors to discuss the next round of sanctions against Moscow, three EU diplomats told POLITICO.The automotive sector is a linchpin for the Czech Republic’s economy, accounting for about 10 percent of national GDP — one of the highest totals in the world. As home to big manufacturers like Volkswagen Group’s Škoda and Hyundai Motor’s Czech subsidiary, it is one of Europe’s leading automotive production and manufacturing hubs.  Manufacturers need steel, which makes up a large proportion of the body and many other components of a car. And NLMK is a crucial supplier: It produces nearly all of its flat and long steel products in Russia, but nearly a quarter of its rolling operations are sited in Europe, closer to its industry customers.Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Brussels has imposed 11 sanctions packages agai...

Ukrainian marines claim multiple bridgeheads across a key Russian strategic barrier

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:56:56 GMT

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine’s marine corps said Friday it has secured multiple bridgeheads on the eastern bank of the Dnieper River in the Kherson region in fighting it described as having left nearly 3,500 Russians killed or wounded and dozens of ammunition depots, tanks, armored vehicles and other weaponry destroyed.The Marine Infantry Command’s claims are the first to come directly from the Ukrainian military about advances across one of Russia’s most significant strategic barriers. Earlier this week, Andriy Yermak, head of the president’s office, confirmed for the first time that Ukraine had established a foothold on the eastern side of the river.The wide river is a natural dividing line along the southern battlefront and Moscow’s forces have used it since leaving the area around the city of Kherson in November 2022 to prevent Ukrainian troops from advancing further toward Russian-annexed Crimea.Western officials with knowledge of intelligence, speaking on condition...

Buy a Car?! In This Economy?!

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:56:56 GMT

In this episode from our podcast partner, In This Economy?!, Suki is in the market for her first car. She would like to purchase an electric vehicle but doesn’t know if she can really afford it.Jordan interviews auto industry expert Lorraine Sommerfeld to better understand current market trends and develop a roadmap for buying a car right now. For the first time in most of our lives, used vehicles are gaining value, not losing it — which creates an incredibly tough market in which to find deals. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be done.

A Swedish hydrofoil ferry seeks to electrify the waterways

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:56:56 GMT

STOCKHOLM (AP) — Many cities around the world see clean and efficient public transport as a crucial way to lower their carbon emissions. For cities with waterways, a high-tech ferry in Sweden could soon set a new standard.Speeding through Stockholm’s archipelago, electric boat maker Candela’s new P-12 vessel barely makes a sound as it glides over a meter (3 feet) above the water. Its developers hope the ferry, which was unveiled this week, will yield a new era of waterborne public transport.“This is a real leap forward,” said Erik Eklund, who is in charge of the commercial vessel division at Candela. “The energy savings we get by going airborne on the foils give us the speed and range we need to make this work on batteries.”The vessel is designed to carry 30 passengers at a maximum speed of 30 knots (56 kph or 35 mph) — considerably faster than other electric passenger ferries. It achieves this with carbon fiber hydrofoil wings that lift the boat out of the water, reducing drag. Can...

F1 off to rough Las Vegas start. Ferrari damaged, fans told to leave before practice ends at 4 a.m.

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:56:56 GMT

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Las Vegas Grand Prix had a bumpy opening when the first practice of the $500 million Formula One race was halted nine minutes into the session Thursday night because Carlos Sainz Jr. ran over a water valve cover that badly damaged his Ferrari. It caused the first practice to be aborted, a delay of 2 1/2 hours before second practice for track repairs, and all spectators were removed from viewing areas ahead of the 90-minute session that ended at 4 a.m. local time — the deadline for F1 to return the roads to Las Vegas commuters. “I am very sorry for the fans that this happened, but I believe we will be able to put on a great race,” said Red Bull driver Sergio Perez. The FIA said Sainz hit the concrete frame around the cover moments after cars took to the track in the hyped return to Las Vegas. After Sainz came to a stop and was examining his damaged car, the governing body ordered all cars off track so it could inspect the entire circuit. Multiple drainage covers ...

Russian lawmakers approve a budget with a record amount devoted to defense spending

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:56:56 GMT

LONDON (AP) — The lower house of Russia’s parliament, the State Duma, approved a federal budget Friday that increases spending by around 25% in 2024 and devotes a record amount to defense.The budget for 2024-2026 was developed specifically to fund the Russian military and to mitigate the impact of “17,500 sanctions” on Russia, State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin said. Under the spending plan, the country’s largest ever, defense spending is expected to overtake social spending next year for the first time in modern Russian history. The development comes as the Kremlin is eager to shore up support for President Vladimir Putin before a March presidential election. Record low unemployment, higher wages and targeted social spending should help the Kremlin ride out the domestic impact of pivoting the economy to a war footing but could pose a problem in the long term, analysts say. The budget “is about getting the war sorted in Ukraine and about being ready for a military confront...

NTSB investigating CTA crash that injured 38; Yellow Line remains suspended Friday

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:56:56 GMT

CHICAGO — The CTA Yellow Line remains suspended Friday morning after a CTA train crashed into a snow plow Thursday on the city's North Side.According to police, a Yellow Line train was traveling south around 10:35 a.m. near the 7500 block of North Paulina Street when it collided with a rail-mounted snow-removal equipment in the Howard Rail Yard.The Chicago Fire Department reports 38 people were injured and at least 23 were taken to local hospitals — including four children and seven CTA employees. The train operator was among three people who suffered critical injuries. Fifteen people refused treatment at the scene. Just hours after the crash, a man who was onboard the second train filed a lawsuit.The lawyers — Simmons and Joseph T. Murphy — said 52-year-old Cleon Hawkins was seated in the second car of the Yellow Line train when the collision sent him flying into one of the metal poles in the car, injuring his shoulder and leg.The CTA has not yet responded to the lawsuit....

Sox trade Bummer to Atlanta, get former all-star in return

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:56:56 GMT

CHICAGO — The Chicago White Sox traded relief pitcher Aaron Bummer to the Atlanta Braves late Thursday night in exchange for a package of players that includes a former all-star pitcher and a Naperville native.According to a press release from the team, the White Sox received 2019 all-Star pitcher Michael Soroka, along with pitchers Jared Shuster, Riley Gowens, and infielders Nicky Lopez and Braden Shewmake.Soroka, a 6-foot-5, 225 pound left-handed pitcher, spent most of the 2023 season with the Triple A Gwinnett Stripers, going 4-4 with a 3.41 ERA and 92 strikeouts over 17 starts. At the major league level with Atlanta in 2023, Soroka went 2-2 with a 6.40 ERA and 29 strikeouts over seven games, six of which were starts.Soroka has gone 17-8 with a 3.32 ERA and 200 strikeouts across 44 games over parts of four seasons with the Braves, including a 13-4, 2.68 ERA campaign his rookie year in Atlanta, when he finished second in National League Rookie of the Year voting and made the NL Al...

Friday Forecast: Temps in upper 40s with decreasing clouds

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:56:56 GMT

CHICAGO — Morning showers Friday with decreasing clouds. Winds: N 5-15 G25. 48 (afternoon temp). Temperatures will drop around 40 degrees by 5 p.m. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storms here Mainly clear tonight. Winds: WSW 5-10. Low: 31.Saturday Forecast: Mainly sunny, WSW 5-15 G20. High: 53.Full forecast details and more at the WGN Weather Center blog