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Hungary will not agree to starting EU membership talks with Ukraine, minister says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:23 GMT

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Hungary will not support any European Union proposal to begin talks on making Ukraine a member of the bloc, a government minister said Thursday.Gergely Gulyas, the chief of staff to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, said at a news conference in Budapest that it was premature to begin formal talks with Kyiv on the war-ravaged country joining the EU, and that Hungary would not consent to opening the discussions when EU leaders meet in mid-December. “We are dealing with a completely premature proposal,” Gulyas said, adding that Hungary “cannot contribute to a common decision” on inviting Ukraine to begin the process of joining the bloc. Earlier this month, the EU’s executive arm recommended allowing Ukraine to open membership talks once it addresses governance issues that include corruption, lobbying concerns, and restrictions that might prevent national minorities from studying and reading in their own languages.But unanimity among all EU memb...

Applications for jobless benefits up modestly, but continuing claims reach highest level in 2 years

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:23 GMT

Slightly more Americans filed for jobless claims last week, but the overall number of people in the U.S. collecting unemployment benefits rose to its highest level in two years.Applications for unemployment benefits rose by 7,000 to 218,000 for the week ending Nov. 25, the Labor Department reported Thursday. However, 1.93 million people were collecting unemployment benefits the week that ended Nov. 18, about 86,000 more than the previous week and the most in two years. Continuing claims have risen in nine of the past 10 weeks.Jobless claim applications are seen as representative of the number of layoffs in a given week.Analysts say the continuing claims are rising because many of those who are already unemployed may now be having a harder time finding new work.And while the labor market remains strong, some softness is beginning to show.Hiring has slowed from the breakneck pace of 2021 and 2022 when the economy rebounded from the COVID-19 recession. Employers added a record 606,000 ...

Russia’s foreign minister faces Western critics at security meeting and walks out after speech

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:23 GMT

SKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov faced Western critics while attending international security talks Thursday in Northern Macedonia, where he blamed “NATO’s reckless expansion to the East” for war returning to Europe.Lavrov arrived in Skopje to attend meetings hosted by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. The diplomats of several OSCE member nations, including Ukraine, boycotted the event due to Lavrov’s planned attendance amid Russia’s war in Ukraine. The Russian foreign minister spoke for 15 minutes before walking out of the meetings. He blamed what he described as Western tolerance of the “ruling neo-Nazi regime in Kyiv” for the war that started with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.“The very existence of Russians and their decisive contribution to the history of Ukraine are denied,” Lavrov said. “There are plenty of facts. The OSCE and its relevant institutions are silent.”Russian President Vladimi...

6 people, including firefighter injured after West Chicago apartment building fire

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:23 GMT

CHICAGO -- A fire in an apartment complex in West Chicago sent a firefighter and six other people to the hospital. The fire happened near the 800 Block of Burr Oak Circle around 1 a.m. The Fire Chief said the injuries are minor and the firefighter is being treated for exhaustion. When will thousands of students get bus service? CPS has few answers A report said some people jumped from the second and third floors to escape. Families who live in the building are now displaced. Fire crews are still trying to figure out what caused the fire. WGN is actively investigating the incident and will update as more information is provided.

'I'm going to shoot you': 3 teens in custody after attempted carjacking in Oak Park

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:23 GMT

OAK PARK, Ill. — A man was threatened with a traffic cone and a possible gun Wednesday afternoon during an attempted carjacking in Oak Park.Just before 4:15 p.m., a man parked his vehicle on Flournoy, just east of Taylor, and began to walk home. He was then approached by four juveniles. "Hey sir, sir, give me your key!" was shouted at the man, officials said.The man refused and then he was threatened.“I’m going to shoot you. Shoot him! Shoot him!” was then shouted at the man, according to authorities. Suburban man accused of attacking driver, strangling good Samaritan after ramming car into traffic A juvenile then picked up a traffic cone and threatened him.Once 911 was called, the group fled. Three of the four suspects were taken into custody.

Couple charged after allegedly using kids to steal nearly 1K in merchandise from Oak Brook Macy’s 

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:23 GMT

OAK BROOK, Ill. — A Macy's in Oak Brook was once again the target of theft, with Du Page County prosecutors saying Wednesday that the latest incident involved a Chicago-area couple allegedly enlisting their kids to commit the crime.Angelo Almaraz, 26, of Chicago, and his girlfriend Thalia Morales, 32, of Hammond are both charged with one felony count of burglary and one count of felony count of retail theft. SEE ALSO: 2 men accused of stealing over $750 worth of merchandise from Oak Brook Macy’sAccording to prosecutors, around 5:45 p.m. Monday, Nov. 27, Almaraz and Morales entered the suburban department store located at 1 Oakbrook Center with four children.Angelo AlmarazThalia MoralesProsecutors allege that the group went to the children's section with the two eldest children, one of whom officials said was 13. The two allegedly began selecting items and handing them to Almaraz and Morales, who then placed them in Nordstrom Rack bags they brought.Prosecutors say the group ran away ...

Dean's A-List Interviews: Carey Mulligan and Bradley Cooper in 'Maestro'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:23 GMT

Check out Dean's A-List Interviews with Carey Mulligan and Bradley Cooper in the new film Maestro.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!

Kraft launches plant-based 'NotMac&Cheese'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:23 GMT

Kraft Macaroni and … Fava Beans?The Kraft Heinz Co. said Wednesday it’s bringing dairy-free macaroni and cheese to the U.S. for the first time. The company said the new recipe has the same creamy texture and flavor of its beloved 85-year-old original Mac & Cheese but replaces dairy with ingredients like fava bean protein and coconut oil powder.Kraft Heinz began selling vegan macaroni and cheese in Australia in 2021, but this will be the first time it's been sold in the U.S. (Photo: Business Wire)The plant-based Kraft NotMac&Cheese, which will be rolled out to U.S. stores over the next few months, was developed in collaboration with Not Co., a Chicago startup that makes plant-based milk, burgers and other products.Kraft Heinz, which is based in Pittsburgh and Chicago, formed a joint venture with Not Co. last year. The joint venture, called The Kraft Heinz Not Co., has already released non-dairy cheese slices and mayonnaise in the U.S. It plans to add more products and begin i...

Teenager identified by APD as person killed in southeast Austin day before Thanksgiving

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:23 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department has identified the victim of a homicide in southeast Austin the day before Thanksgiving. Last Wednesday around 12:37 p.m., APD responded to a disturbance call near the intersection of Deer Run Drive and Blue Dawn Trail where they located Alexander Jaimes, 17, with a gunshot wound. Police took Jaimes to a hospital, where he later died. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Police investigating southeast Austin death Wednesday Detectives with the homicide unit and crime scene specialists responded to process the scene.APD said in a release that the investigation determined Jaimes and a female suspect had argued then fought physically, which ended with the suspect shooting Jaimes. No arrest has been made at this time and the investigation is ongoing. The suspect was known to the victim and APD said there is no ongoing threat to the community.

Traffic Alert: Part of HWY 290 closed near Dripping Springs

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:23 GMT

HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Emergency responders in Hays County responded to a multi-vehicle collision Thursday morning off Highway 290 in Drippings Springs.Hays County officials said the incident occurred near Headwaters Boulevard.“All eastbound lanes are shut down and only one lane open westbound,” officials said.Due to the collision, officials asked drivers to avoid the area.This is a developing story. Check back with KXAN for updates.