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Austrian government plans cap on rent increases to cushion the impact of inflation

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:04:29 GMT

BERLIN (AP) — The government of Austria presented a series of measures Wednesday to counter the impact of inflation, including a three-year cap on rent increases for many apartments and a freeze on fees to use highways.The package foresees a 5% cap on annual rent increases in 2024-2026 even if inflation is higher than that. According to the government, the cap will prevent hikes of some 15% next year in some public housing.Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler said the limit would benefit 1.2 million housing contracts in the country of some 9 million people, the Austria Press Agency reported. Kogler’s Green party said that number represents three-quarters of all rental contracts, according to the news agency.Austria’s annual inflation rate stood at 7% in July.The government’s package also caps the cost of the sticker that cars must have to use Austria’s highways at 96 euros ($104) per year, rather than increasing it with inflation. The price for a “climate ticket” that all...

Rubiales crisis hangs over European soccer ahead of gala award ceremony in Monaco

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:04:29 GMT

The governing body of European soccer heads to its annual awards gala on Thursday in Monaco amid turmoil created by its vice president from Spain.Luis Rubiales won’t be at the high-end ceremony in Monte Carlo where the awards for best player and coach will be made because he has been suspended by FIFA, the sport’s ultimate governing body. Spain could sweep the prizes for women’s soccer.FIFA suspended Rubiales, who is both the president of the Spanish soccer federation and a vice president at European soccer body UEFA, for at least 90 days while it investigates the kiss he forced on Women’s World Cup winner Jenni Hermoso and the ongoing fallout from his overall conduct at the final in Sydney, Australia.UEFA has stayed publicly silent in the 10 days since Rubiales provoked a furor in Spain and elsewhere, later fueled by his defiant refusal to resign.Even after FIFA formally opened a disciplinary case on Thursday, UEFA did not say if it had taken action against Rubiales, wh...

Britain’s top diplomat visits China for the first time in 5 years with hopes of stabilizing ties

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:04:29 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — Britain’s top diplomat, James Cleverly, began a long-awaited visit to China on Wednesday as the two countries attempt to stabilize their ties that have frayed badly in recent years. The trip is the first by a U.K. foreign secretary to China in more than five years, underscoring the downturn in relations over Beijing’s curbing of civil liberties in Hong Kong, a former British colony, abuses against Muslim minorities in the Xinjiang region, China’s support for Russia and Britain’s close security ties with the United States. Cleverly met first with Vice President Han Zheng, who said the visit will “further promote the sound and stable development of bilateral relations.” The British official said it was important to “avoid misunderstandings” in relations between the U.K. and China.“It is important that countries like ours meet and speak face to face on regular occasions to enhance understanding, to avoid misunderstanding and to address the challenges and differences of o...

A multi-truck crash involving hazardous materials kills 2 on German highway

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:04:29 GMT

BERLIN (AP) — Crashes involving multiple trucks, including one transporting hazardous materials and another carrying tanks of nitrous oxide, killed two people on a highway in Germany, according to German news agency dpa. The chain of collisions happened Tuesday by a construction site on the A2 highway near the city of Magdeburg. The truck with the hazardous materials crashed into three other trucks and then a fifth truck loaded with the high-pressure tanks crashed into the other four, dpa said Wednesday. A fire quickly developed, and the flames spread from the truck with the nitrous oxide containers to the one with the hazardous materials. It was not immediately clear what kind of materials the latter was transporting, but authorities said toxic substances were released. Several explosions were reported, and nearby residents were asked to stay home with their windows closed to avoid exposure to the fumes. Authorities established a safety perimeter with a 650-meter (711-yard) radius ...

What makes Idalia so potent? Intensely warm water that acts like rocket fuel

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:04:29 GMT

Feeding on some of the hottest water on the planet, Hurricane Idalia is rapidly strengthening as it bears down on Florida and the rest of the Gulf Coast. It’s been happening a lot lately.“It’s 88, 89 degrees (31, 32 degrees Celsius) over where the storm’s going to be tracking, so that’s effectively rocket fuel for the storm,” said Colorado State University hurricane researcher Phil Klotzbach. “It’s basically all systems go for the storm to intensify.” LIVE: Hurricane Idalia at Category 4 strength That water “is absurdly warm and to see those values over the entire northeast Gulf is surreal,” said University of Miami hurricane researcher Brian McNoldy.Hurricanes get their energy from warm water. Idalia is at an all-you-can-eat buffet.Vehicles sit in a flooded street caused by Hurricane Idalia passing offshore on August 30, 2023 in St. Petersburg, Florida. Hurricane Idalia is hitting the Big Bend area of Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)“What makes this so tough and so dan...

Idalia now dangerous Category 4 hurricane with 'catastrophic' storm surge

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:04:29 GMT

(NEXSTAR) - Hurricane Idalia became a Category 4 hurricane before its landfall in Florida Wednesday morning, according to the National Hurricane Center.Per the 5 a.m. update, Idalia was 60 miles southwest of Cedar Key and about 90 miles south of Tallahassee. LIVE TRACK: Hurricane Idalia at Category 4 strength Florida residents living in vulnerable coastal areas were ordered to pack up and leave as Hurricane Idalia gained strength in the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, and authorities warned of a “catastrophic storm surge and destructive winds” when the storm moves ashore Wednesday morning.Idalia had maximum sustained winds of 130 mph and was moving north-northeast at 18 mph.(NOAA)Hurricane-force winds are said to be extending 25 miles out from the center. Tropical-storm-force winds were reported outward up to 160 miles from the center of the hurricane.The NHC said the hurricane’s center is expected to hit the Big Bend coast Wednesday morning. Afterward, it will continue to...

5 things to know this Wednesday, August 30

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:04:29 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Happy Wednesday! According to Meteorologist Jill Szwed, we can expect the day to dry up after a wet, rainy start. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! Law enforcement and emergency crews responded to a train vs. vehicle accident in the Town of Halfmoon Tuesday evening. Meanwhile, Tricia Fitzpatrick, a 75-year-old battling stage four lung cancer, is hoping someone will come forward after her ring went missing while at a Glenville nursing home. These stories, and more, are covered in your five things to know this Wednesday morning. 1. Emergency crews respond to train vs. vehicle accident in HalfmoonLaw enforcement and emergency crews are responding to a train vs. vehicle accident in the Town of Halfmoon.2. Elderly cancer patient searching for stolen ringA senior citizen, stricken with terminal cancer at a Glenville nursing home, is hoping that someone, somewhere, with any information on her stolen sentimental ring — t...

Jon Poppe ushering in a new chapter of Union football

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:04:29 GMT

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- 2023 marks a new chapter in the Union College football program: new season, new head coach and a new nickname. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! First-year head coach Jon Poppe and the now-Union Garnet Chargers are closing in on Saturday's season opener; hoping to build on a 6-4 2022 campaign.That record doesn't tell the whole story of last year, however. Union finished top-three in the Liberty League in both offensive and defensive scoring average during conference play. And three of their four losses were by one score, including a three-point home defeat to league champion Ithaca.This season will be far from a rebuild year for Poppe, the former secondary and special teams coach for Harvard University. The Garnet Chargers return fifth-year signal caller Donovan Pacatte, and their top five tacklers on defense.With all that veteran leadership, Poppe believes the team is prepared to bring a new "F.I.G.H.T" to t...

ValleyCats come unraveled late against Miners, dropping game one of final regular season home series

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:04:29 GMT

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Tri-City ValleyCats (53-37) were defeated 8-2 by the Sussex County Miners (50-40) on Tuesday at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium after the defense faltered in the seventh. Despite the loss, since the Québec Capitales won 3-2 over the New York Boulders on Tuesday; the ‘Cats magic number to clinch their first playoff berth since 2018 is down to five. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! Sussex County opened the scoring in the second. Garrison Bryant walked Juan Santana. Gavin Stupienski singled, and Santana went to second. Jason Agresti found the outfield grass with a single to plate Santana, and provide the Miners with a 1-0 lead.Tri-City took the lead in the second. Tanner Smith singled off Mark Moclair. Connor Bagnieski reached on an error from Gavin Stupienski, and Smith went to second. Pavin Parks tied the game with an RBI single, and Bagnieski went to third. Cito Culver drove in Bagnieski with a single to provide the Va...

Mergers: Commission clears the acquisition of Wasco by Rexel

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:04:29 GMT

The European Commission has approved under the EU Merger Regulation the acquisition of Wasco Group B.V. (“Wasco”), based in the Netherlands, by Rexel Développement S.A.S (“Rexel”), based in France. Wasco specializes in the distribution to professional customers of products and services related to electrical systems. Rexel is mainly active as a distributor of sanitary and air conditioning products as well as spare parts. Rexel also offers related products such as tools. The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would not raise competition concerns, given its very limited impact on the structure of the market. The transaction was reviewed under the simplified merger control procedure.