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Indonesian leader takes a test ride on Southeast Asia’s first high-speed railway

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:41 GMT

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesian President Joko Widodo took a test ride Wednesday on Southeast Asia’s first high-speed railway, a key project under China’s Belt and Road infrastructure initiative.The $7.3 billion rail project, funded largely by China, connects the capital, Jakarta, and Bandung, the heavily populated capital of West Java province. It is to begin commercial operations on Oct. 1 and will cut travel time between the two cities from the current three hours to about 40 minutes.The 142.3-kilometer (88.4-mile) railway was constructed by PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia-China, known as PT KCIC, a joint venture between an Indonesian consortium of four state-owned companies and China Railway International Co. Ltd. The joint venture said the trains will be the fastest in Southeast Asia, with speeds of up to 350 kph (217 mph).Widodo toured the railway’s first station, Halim KCBJ in eastern Jakarta, and then rode the made-in-China bullet train to Bandung’s Padalarang station, one of...

EU chief announces major review saying the bloc should grow to over 30 members

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:41 GMT

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union’s chief executive said Wednesday that her services will launch a major series of policy reviews to ensure that the 27-nation bloc can still function properly as it invites in new members in coming years. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that the EU must prepare to grow to more than 30 members. Ukraine, Moldova and countries in the Western Balkans are among those in line.Even at 27 strong, the world’s biggest trading bloc finds it difficult to make some decisions, particularly those requiring unanimous agreement. Hungary and Poland, notably, have come under fire from Brussels for democratic backsliding and they’ve routinely voted against foreign policy and migration decisions.Still, pressure is mounting for Europe to open its doors. Concerns have been raised about Russia’s influence in the Western Balkans, particularly in Serbia and Bosnia. Some countries in the region have waited for years to join and have sometimes seen prog...

USA Today is looking for a 'Taylor Swift reporter'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:41 GMT

(The Hill) - It's a job out of Swifties' wildest dreams: USA Today and The Tennesseean are searching for a "Taylor Swift reporter."As the job posting from their parent company Gannett details, the outlets are specifically seeking an "experienced, video-forward journalist to capture the music and cultural impact of Taylor Swift." "Swift's fanbase has grown to unprecedented heights, and so has the significance of her music and growing legacy," according to the posting. "Seeing both the facts and the fury, the Taylor Swift reporter will identify why the pop star’s influence only expands, what her fanbase stands for in pop culture, and the effect she has across the music and business worlds."Swift, 33, started her musical career in Nashville as a teenager and owns a home there.The Grammy-winning artist, one of the biggest pop stars on the planet, just wrapped up the first North American leg of her sold-out The Eras Tour. She's set to continue touring around the world in the coming month...

Hurricane Lee forecast to make turn Wednesday, brush Bermuda

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:41 GMT

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (WFLA) — Hurricane Lee whipped up waves of more than 15 feet as the Category 3 storm cranked through open waters just north of the Caribbean region.The storm is not expected to make landfall this week, although forecasters said residents of New England and nearby areas should keep a close eye on Lee, which was predicted to slowly turn northward later in the coming days. National Hurricane Center watching 2 hurricanes and 1 disturbance with 80% chance of formation The storm was located about 475 miles south-southwest of Bermuda, according to the National Hurricane Center. It had maximum sustained winds of 115 mph and was moving northwest at 6 mph. A tropical storm warning is in effect for Bermuda. A turn toward the north-northwest is expected later Wednesday. The center said Lee is likely to pass just west of Bermuda on Thursday and Thursday night and be located offshore of the mid-Atlantic states and New England by the end of the week. “Although Lee is expec...

Five simple recipes that are short on budget, big on flavor

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:41 GMT

Affordable meals don’t have to come at the expense of deliciousness. These five dishes feel rich, fresh and sustaining but won’t break the bank.1. Shrimp Fried RiceShrimp fried rice with Yum-Yum sauce. This recipe from Eric Kim is a boon to those who keep their freezers stocked: Frozen shrimp and frozen mixed vegetables (and even frozen leftover rice!) can all work wonders. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews (David Malosh/The New York Times)Inspired by the fire-kissed flavor of Japanese steakhouse and hibachi fare, especially at the Kani House restaurants in Georgia, this quick fried rice dish is a veritable comfort. Frying the shrimp first in oil, just until they’re cooked, and reserving them to add back at the end means they stay tender. Plus, you’re left with the most aromatic shrimp oil in which to fry the rice and vegetables. The shortcut of bagged frozen mixed vegetables comes in handy here, not least because they need only to be thawed by the skillet’s high heat. The yum yum sauce, ...

Gearing up for Cat’s Meow Auction on Sunday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:41 GMT

CATSKILL, N.Y. (NEWS10) - A litter of 65 cats are looking for their forever homes! Preparations are underway for the Cat’s Meow Auction on Sunday that raises funds to support local programs, causes and artists in the Catskill area. Off the Beaten Path: Cat’n Around Catskill The cat statues in Catskill were on display this summer for the 17th anniversary of the beloved art event called Cat’n Around Catskill. The live auction takes place Sunday, Sept. 17 at Historic Catskill Point, beginning with a reception hour from 1- 2 p.m. and the auction kicking off at 2 p.m. sharp. The bidding starts at 500 dollars.For tickets and to see this year's kitties, visit their website.

Stranded hiker rescued in Ulster County

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:41 GMT

SHANDAKEN, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A stranded hiker from Brooklyn was rescued in Ulster County on Saturday. According to the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), the hiker underestimated her planned trip on the Burroughs Range Trail. Get the latest news, weather, and sports delivered right to your inbox! Multiple forest rangers responded to the Burroughs Range Trail around 6:10 p.m. for reports of a stranded hiker. The DEC says the hiker did not have a light source or enough food. Once rangers found her, they provided her with food, hydration, and a headlamp.Rangers walked the hiker back to the trailhead. Resources were cleared at 9:49 p.m.

Berkshire Museum's 'Festival of Trees' starting in November

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:41 GMT

PITTSFIELD, Mass. (NEWS10) -- Berkshire Museum's annual Festival of Trees will return starting on Wednesday, November 18, and end on Sunday, January 7. This year's theme for the festival will be "Nostalgia," which complements the museum’s three-part 120th anniversary exhibition series that will explore the history of the museum since its inception in 1903. Get the latest news, weather, and sports delivered right to your inbox! To celebrate the Festival of Trees: Nostalgia, the museum will host a preview party on Friday, November 17. The party will feature special guest and award-winning songwriter, Paul Williams.Those interested in becoming a participant or sponsor can contact [email protected] or go to their website. The full sponsorship packet is also available online. The museum is located at 39 South Street downtown in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Essex County resident airlifted to hospital after crash “As the Berkshire Museum rebounds from the events of the last fe...

Ask Amy: Teenage girl worries about her sex life

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:41 GMT

Dear Amy: I’m a 16-year-old girl.I just started my junior year of high school. I’m doing a pretty good job so far.My dilemma is that I’m worried that I’ll never lose my virginity in my 20s because I don’t have “experience” yet.And whenever I read about people saying that they don’t want to be with anyone if they’re a virgin, it makes me feel even worse.I’ve never been kissed, and I’ve never had a boyfriend, so whenever I think about it, I get upset and my mind starts to spiral.Sometimes, with the way things are going now with dating I think I’ll never find someone without wearing revealing clothing or hooking up with every guy I meet.I know that you’ll probably say, “Just focus on school.” Which I am trying to do since I’m aiming to get all A’s my junior year.But for me, when you don’t have any relationship experience and you don’t want to settle, just to lose your virginity t...

Infrastructure for alternative fuels: €352 million in EU funding for low- or zero-emission transport projects

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:41 GMT

The Commission has announced the 26 projects from 12 member states that will receive funding for the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure along the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). This funding amounts to around €352 million in the form of EU grants under the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility (AFIF), under the umbrella of the Connecting Facility in Europe (MIE) (Connecting Europe Facility), with additional capital from financial institutions to increase the impact of investments. These projects will accelerate the creation of the comprehensive network of alternative fueling infrastructure necessary for the widespread use of low- or zero-emission vehicles in all modes of transportation. Today's decision constitutes the second round of AFIF funding for 2023; in March 2023, 189 million euros had already been allocated. Transport Commissioner Adina Vălean said: “The numerous applications for AFIF funding we have received highlight the transport sector's intere...