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UK banking boss apologizes to populist politician Farage over the closure of his account

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:25:14 GMT

LONDON (AP) — The chief executive of U.K. bank NatWest Group apologised Thursday to populist politician Nigel Farage after he complained that his bank account was shut down because the banking group didn’t agree with his political views. Farage, a talk show presenter who supports former leader of the pro-Brexit U.K. Independence Party, said his account with the prestigious private bank Coutts, owned by NatWest Group, was closed down unfairly. He shared documents he obtained from the bank with Mail Online, the Daily Mail tabloid’s online outlet, that allegedly showed bank officials writing that continuing to retain Farage as a customer would be incompatible with its “position as an inclusive organization” given his publicly-held views.The alleged bank documents said Farage was “seen as xenophobic and racist” and “considered by many to be a disingenuous grifter.” They said there was substantial “adverse press” associated with him and discussed the reputational risk to the ...

Crawley blasts 189 as England leads Australia by 67 runs in 4th Ashes test with 6 wickets left

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:25:14 GMT

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Opener Zak Crawley hit a rapid 189 as England dominated the second day of the fourth Ashes test to take a 67-run lead over Australia with six wickets left at stumps on Thursday.England rocketed to 384-4 in 72 overs with a heavy dose of Bazball bravado after Australia was dismissed for 317 in the morning session at Old Trafford after resuming on 299-8. Crawley took England into the lead after just 54.3 overs with a superb flick for six off Mitch Marsh.Australia’s woes continued as England was allowed a couple of overthrows when Australia captain Pat Cummins forgot to back up Steve Smith’s throw from the deep, although it did have some respite when an off-balance Crawley dragged Cameron Green (1-40) on to his stumps. Crawley scored 189 in 182 deliveries, including three sixes and 21 fours, repaying the rock-solid faith England captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum have shown him.The 25-year-old Crawley’s inconsistency has attracted criticism and he a...

Burnes stays hot as Brewers blank Phillies, 4-0

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:25:14 GMT

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Corbin Burnes continued his torrid July, allowing two hits while striking out 10 in eight innings Thursday as the Milwaukee Brewers concluded their six-game road trip with a 4-0 win over the Philadelphia Phillies. Christian Yelich connected on a three-run homer off Philadelphia starter Taijuan Walker in the third inning that would give Burnes the cushion he would need for the afternoon. Yelich finished 3-for-4. Milwaukee went 5-1 on the trip through Cincinnati and Philadelphia- two teams that were hot heading into the All-Star Break. The Brewers began the unofficial second half of the season one-half game behind the Reds for the lead in the National League Central. They now have a 2 1/2 game lead over the Reds. After struggling through June with a 1-1 record and a 4.99 ERA in five starts, Burnes has reverted to the form that saw him win the 2021 National League Cy Young Award. Burnes is 4-0 for the month with a 1.33 ERA and has allowed eight hits combined while s...

5 people hurt after being struck by car in Georgetown hospital parking garage

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:25:14 GMT

Five people are hurt after they were struck by the driver of a car in the parking garage of MedStar Georgetown University Hospital in D.C. Thursday afternoon.All five people are being treated in the hospital’s emergency room, according to D.C. Fire and EMS.EMS first responders were called to the scene in the 3800 block of Reservoir Road NW around 12:45 p.m.Multiple pedestrians struck parking garage at @Georgetown hospital, 3800 Reservoir Rd NW. Currently 5 patients all being treated in the Hospital ER. Driver is also being evaluated. #DCsBravest pic.twitter.com/JNTeKJtxcj— DC Fire and EMS (@dcfireems) July 20, 2023D.C. Fire and EMS spokesman Vito Maggiolo said at a news conference that emergency room personnel witnessed the crash and quickly transported the victims to care.Maggiolo said he and his team are not aware of the patients’ conditions.According to Maggiolo, an off-duty D.C. police officer was also on the scene and helped administer emergency care before the vict...

Here's why your plants are dying

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:25:14 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- The mid-July heat is relentless and a day’s worth of rain isn’t going to save your browning plants.  “In the summer, it's getting hotter, temperatures are rising, the air quality is drier. Keeping your plants hydrated is going to be key,” said Lauren Silver, a plant manager at a trendy plant shop named The Marigold.  How can you protect your garden from Denver’s upcoming storm? Before you give up on your green thumb here are a few of Silver’s tips for reviving your potted plants during some of the hottest days of the summer: 1. Water, water, water Even if the plant is only supposed to be watered once a day, extreme heat calls for exceptional measures. If the leaves are wilting, wrinkly, drooping or curling, Silver said that’s the biggest indicator that the plant needs more water.  But don’t overwater it either. The soil should be moist, not soupy, Silver said. 2. Keep an eye on the sun exposure The sun is more direct in the ...

Bodycam video shows police arresting Plantation High football player accused of shooting 2 teens

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:25:14 GMT

Newly released bodycam video shows police arresting a high school football star who’s accused of shooting two teens.Sixteen-year-old Tarrell Greene was arrested on Fort Lauderdale Beach on Memorial Day.The incident happened during an altercation outside of a restaurant near the sand.According to Fort Lauderdale Police, Greene fired a gun, which injured two people.Investigators said Green then took off running toward the Intracoastal Waterway.“All units hold your perimeter point, hold your perimeter point,” said an officer.Greene did not get far and was taken into custody just a few blocks away. He was handcuffed and put into the back of a cruiser.Police said student athlete admitted to firing the gun.Now, the teen with a bright football future is facing two felonies and several years in prison.Just days before the shooting, Greene, a defensive tackle at Plantation High School, took to Twitter to share the news that he’d received a scholarship offer from Alabama. H...

Fort Lauderdale issues no swim advisory for portion of Stranahan River due to ruptured sewer line

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:25:14 GMT

The City of Fort Lauderdale has issued a precautionary advisory to avoid water-related recreational activities in a portion of the Stranahan River.The advisory, issued Thursday, stems from a ruptured sewer line near Seabreeze Boulevard and Mayan Drive.The boundaries of the impacted areas are as follows:North: Mercedes DriveSouth: Barbara DriveWest: Southeast 25 AvenueEast: Holiday Drive / South Ocean LaneThe water activities that should be avoided within these listed areas are swimming, fishing, jet-skiing, paddleboarding, kayaking, canoeing or engaging in any other water-related activities.The damaged sewer line has been repaired, but officials are waiting on water test results before lifting the advisory.For more information, please contact the City of Fort Lauderdale’s 24-hour Customer Service Center by calling 954-828-8000.

Hungary doesn’t want €20B fund for Ukraine military — for now

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:25:14 GMT

Hungary is emerging as the biggest hurdle for the EU’s attempt to set up a long-term fund of up to €20 billion to keep Ukraine’s military stocked. The plan, first reported by POLITICO earlier this week, was on the agenda for the first time Thursday as foreign ministers met in Brussels. The proposal would set aside at least €5 billion a year for the next four years to help cover the costs of EU countries buying and donating weapons for Ukraine and training Ukraine’s forces.But during the meeting, Hungary — which has argued Ukraine should stop fighting — said it would object to the fund until Ukraine removes a controversial Hungarian bank, OTP, from its “war sponsors” list. Until then, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said his country will not authorize more money for the EU’s so-called European Peace Facility — the ironically named fund Brussels has been using to subsidize weapons shipments to Ukraine. “We ca...

Russia’s Wagner mercenaries launch joint training with Belarusian military near Poland’s border

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:25:14 GMT

MOSCOW (AP) — Mercenaries from Russian military company Wagner launched joint drills with the Belarusian military on Thursday, almost a month after their short-lived rebellion against Moscow. Poland built up troops on its border with Belarus in response to the war games.The maneuvers followed a pledge by Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin to help protect Belarus from a potential incursion and to bolster its military. The Belarusian Defense Ministry said the weeklong drills would take place at a firing range near Brest, a city on the Polish border.A video released Wednesday appeared to show Prigozhin for the first time since he led last month’s mutiny. The recording shows him telling his troops that before deploying to Africa, they would spend some time in Belarus providing training to help “make the Belarusian army the second strongest army in the world.”Before the abortive rebellion led by Prigozhin, Wagner mercenaries fought alongside Russ...

Few Storms Friday, Wonderful Weekend

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:25:14 GMT

We had to wait quite a while for a day like today but we finally got it! Sunshine, no smoke, low humidity, and warm temperatures… it was beautiful today! Unfortunately tomorrow isn’t quite as nice. That doesn’t mean it’s terrible, but it’s not a repeat of today. We’ll have more clouds tomorrow and higher humidity back. Some of us will deal with storms in the afternoon, but others will stay dry until late in the evening.Storms will move in west to east but VERY SLOWLY. So the farther west you are, the more likely storms will be in the afternoon and evening. By 4pm you can see storms popping up across southern New Hampshire and Worcester County, but they don’t really make it to Boston and the 95 corridor until after 10pm!That’ll make it’s way out overnight and set up a wonderful weekend! Sun will return, humidity will drop, and temperatures will stay warm. There’s a small (10%) chance of a shower on Saturday but I wouldn̵...