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5 things to know this Wednesday, December 6

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:04 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- We're halfway there, folks. Happy Wednesday! According to Meteorologists Jill Szwed and Kevin Appleby, a lot of people woke up to a coating of snow across the area, making for some slippery commutes. Flurries and isolated light snow are expected throughout the day with colder temperatures. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! New York State Police are advising commuters who use I-88 to find another route on Wednesday after a truck carrying hazardous materials crashed into a ravine. The roadway will be closed in both directions at 6 a.m. between Exit 24 in Duanesburg and Exit 25 in Rotterdam for continued hazmat cleanup. Also, the Route 50 Diner in Ballston Spa has been shut down by New York State. The sign on the door from the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance said the business was seized due to nonpayment of taxes. These stories, and more, are covered in your five things to know this Wednes...

Ask Amy: Friend wants bestie to leave boyfriend

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:04 GMT

Dear Amy: I hate my best friend’s boyfriend.I met my “Shari” in high school. We have been inseparable ever since. Back then, she was outgoing, radiated confidence, was down to earth, and nothing ever bothered her.Since she began her relationship with “Stephan,” she is a completely different person.She is unsure of herself, has no confidence, and she now has frequent anxiety attacks. I attribute all of this to Stephan. She complains about him a lot.When I first met him, I was in his corner, but the more I hung out with him, the more red flags I saw. He isn’t motivated, has no goals, and is an alcoholic. Shari also noticed all of these things.Stephan got so drunk the night before my wedding that he forgot to drop off the liquor and food at the venue for the next day.At the wedding, he got drunk and left right after dinner. Later, Shari went to the hotel room she paid for and found that she wasn’t able to get in.Stephan had put the security lock on the door so not eve...

Almost €21 million in European Solidarity Funds awarded to the Marche region in Italy to repair damages caused by the severe flooding in 2022

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:04 GMT

The Commission has approved €20.9 million from the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) to support the Marche region in Italy in addressing the extensive damages caused by the rainfall and floods in September 2022.Cohesion and Reforms Commissioner Elisa Ferreira (pictured) said: “Once again, the Solidarity Fund is there to help the Italian authorities to repair, restore, and recover after the floods in 2022. We stand shoulder to shoulder with Italy and the Italian citizens. Thanks to Cohesion Policy, we can help countries overcome the effects of unprecedented climate crises – whose frequency and severity is on the rise.”The provinces of Pesaro-Urbino, Ancona, and Macerata in the Marche region of Italy were affected by intense rainfall in September 2022, resulting in widespread flooding. The flooding tragically cost the lives of people, and damaged key infrastructure and public and private buildings. It also saw three rivers overflow and flood the surrounding areas. The overall area...

President Tokayev Strengthens Investment Council Powers to Boost Economic Growth

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:04 GMT

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has signed a landmark decree on Dec. 4 regarding measures to increase the efficiency of attracting investment into Kazakhstan’s economy and accelerating economic growth, reported the Akorda press service. The decree outlines a comprehensive plan to empower the Investment Promotion Council (Investment Headquarters) with unprecedented authority.As stipulated in the decree, the Investment Promotion Council will have the power to make binding decisions on both central and local government bodies and entities in the quasi-public sector. Additionally, the Council is empowered to develop temporary regulatory legal acts with the force of law, supplementing the government’s efforts to create a conducive environment for investment.According to Kazinform, this decree is a continuation of President Tokayev’s economic policy, as outlined in his state-of-the-nation address in September. This policy focuses on economic reforms, diversification, transparent ta...

Leaked Amazon memo shows efforts to shape public opinion on warehouses, critics say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:04 GMT

Inland Empire lawmakers and a warehouse worker advocacy group are condemning what the group says is a leaked memo that details Amazon’s efforts to buy influence through charitable donations and oppose legislation deemed hostile to the global retailer’s interests.The eight-page memo also reveals Amazon’s plans to no longer donate to the Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture of the Riverside Art Museum over a display of artwork showing an Amazon facility ablaze.And it describes Perris’ mayor as “an influential elected leader that we have cultivated” while noting reluctance by some local politicians to accept Amazon’s campaign donations.The Ontario-based Warehouse Worker Resource Center, which seeks to improve warehouse working conditions, released the memo, which it says came from a source it can’t publicly reveal. The Southern California News Group was unable to independently confirm the memo’s authenticity. View this document on Scribd“In Amazon’s leaked memo, they deta...

Bridge: Dec. 6, 2023

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:04 GMT

Cy the Cynic is a confirmed bachelor. He says the only drawback to living single is that it’s always his turn to do the dishes.Cy also complains that when he plays in my club’s penny game, he gets no help on defense; his partners always do the wrong thing.As today’s West, Cy led the jack of spades against 3NT. East took the ace and returned the queen, and South played low. When East next led the queen of diamonds, South won in dummy and let the queen of clubs ride. He ended with an overtrick.DISCARD“I’m getting too old to play this game alone,” Cy growled to me. “My partner should play the queen on the first spade. Declarer would have to take his king; for all he knew, I’d led from A-J-10-9-x. Then when he led the queen of clubs, I could duck, and on the next club partner could discard his ace of spades.”Cy was asking a lot of his partner, which isn’t unusual for Cy. I wonder what Cy would have said if East played the queen...

As U.S.-Funded Wars Rage in Israel and Ukraine, Pentagon Watchdog Warns of Military Failures

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:04 GMT

As calls grow in Congress to condition aid to Israel and halt funding to Ukraine altogether, the Department of Defense’s Office of Inspector General issued a report that details widespread failures in the Pentagon’s operations. In a semiannual report to Congress, the watchdog found a breakdown in the process to provide care for sexual assault survivors, damaged artillery earmarked for Ukraine, and continued failures to monitor the Defense Department’s single most expensive program, the scandal-ridden F-35 fighter jet. Taken together, the inspector general’s findings paint a picture of a sprawling military-industrial complex that, while providing billions in aid to foreign militaries, has failed to solve long-standing issues that result in extreme levels of taxpayer waste. “While we constantly hear from DOD officials and politicians backed by major weapons manufacturers that an ever increasing military budget is essential for our national security, the inspector general’s office...

Iran says it sent a capsule capable of carrying animals into orbit as it prepares for human missions

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:04 GMT

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran said Wednesday it sent a capsule into orbit capable of carrying animals as it prepares for human missions in coming years. A report by the official IRNA news agency quoted Telecommunications Minister Isa Zarepour as saying the capsule was launched 130 kilometers (80 miles) into orbit. Zarepour said the launch of the 500-kilogram (1,000-pound) capsule is aimed at sending Iranian astronauts to space in coming years. He did not say if any animals were in the capsule.He told state TV that Iran plans to send astronauts into space by 2029 after further tests involving animals. State TV showed footage of a rocket named Salman carrying the capsule.Iran occasionally announces successful launches of satellites and other space crafts. In September, Iran said it sent a data-collecting satellite into space. In 2013, Iran said it sent a monkey into space and returned it successfully.Reports said the country’s Defense Ministry built and launched the Salman rocket while the...

Arsenal’s slew of late winners highlights resilience and boosts belief in Premier League title bid

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:04 GMT

They say little should be read into the Community Shield, the traditional curtain-raiser to the English soccer season.Maybe this year is an exception.Back in early August, Arsenal scored an equalizer through Leandro Trossard in the 101st minute in regulation time and went on to beat Manchester City in a penalty shootout at Wembley Stadium.Aside from winning a piece of silverware, it was hailed by Arsenal’s players as a statement victory — despite the uncompetitive nature of the fixture.“The mental block is gone,” goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale said that day, a reference to his team stumbling late in last season’s Premier League title race and finishing behind City.Well, maybe they are right.And that’s not just because Arsenal woke up Wednesday to a five-point lead in the Premier League. It’s because of how the team has got there.Scoring late goals — a trait demonstrating resilience and character — has become the norm for Arsenal. Dare it be said, it’s a sign of a champion team.Just in th...

Biden, White House support Indigenous lacrosse team for 2028 Olympics

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:04 GMT

President Joe Biden is pushing to allow the Indigenous nation that invented lacrosse to play under its own flag when the sport returns to the Olympics in 2028.Biden’s position, being announced Wednesday at the White House Tribal Nations Summit, is a request for the International Olympic Committee to allow the Haudenosaunee Nationals to compete as its own team at the Los Angeles Games.That would require the IOC to make an exception to a rule that permits teams playing only as part of an official national Olympic committee to compete in the Olympics. The Haudenosaunee have competed as their own team at a number of international events since 1990.“We’re hopeful the IOC will see it our way, as well,” Tom Perez, the White House senior adviser and director of intergovernmental affairs, told The Associated Press. “If we’re successful, it won’t simply be the flag of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy that marches in the Olympics, it will be the flag of Indigenous pe...