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What a federal debt default could mean for Marylanders: Recession, unpaid workers, loss of benefits

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:34 GMT

This content was republished with permission from WTOP’s news partners at Maryland Matters. Sign up for Maryland Matters’ free email subscription today.Thousands of Marylanders could be out of a paycheck or other benefits if federal leaders fail to reach an agreement to increase the nation’s debt ceiling.Comptroller Brooke Lierman (D). File photo by Bryan P. SearsWith roughly two weeks left before the so-called X Date, lawmakers from both parties are negotiating to avoid defaulting on debt payments. Economists and state leaders warn of unpleasant short-term effects that could become painful long-term if negotiations stall.“A congressional failure to reach an agreement on the debt ceiling would at the very least send negative ripples throughout Maryland’s economy — and possibly far worse,” said Comptroller Brooke Lierman.“Even a short-term breach of the debt ceiling could trigger a recession, while a long-term breach would entail a Great Recession-type s...

Crashes close southbound I-25 in Larimer County on Sunday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:34 GMT

JOHNSTOWN, Colo. (KDVR) -- Multiple crashes closed southbound Interstate 25 near Johnstown Sunday afternoon, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation.The closure was between Colorado Highway 402 and Colorado Highway 60.CDOT said people should expect delays.Traffic cameras showed standstill traffic on the interstate in areas, with some people exiting their vehicles to walk around.Front Range Fire Rescue asked people to avoid the area.Details about the crashes were not available.

Will US send F-16s directly to Ukraine? No final decision yet, White House says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:34 GMT

The U.S. will support a joint international effort to train Ukrainian pilots on modern fighter aircraft — but whether any of those jets will be sent directly from the U.S. to Ukraine is still up in the air, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said Sunday.President Joe Biden announced support for the coalition, which has pledged to train pilots on the long-requested F-16 fighter planes, during the G-7 summit in Japan over the weekend.“I think given the numbers [of F-16s] that are currently available from the stocks of our European allies, and the fact that based on the money Congress has given us, there are so many other priorities for systems to give, it may be that we focus more on third party transfer, but the president has not made a final decision,” Sullivan said Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union,” when asked whether the U.S. would send the aircraft directly to Ukraine.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has long pleaded with Western allies to send the...

Ticker: Zuckerberg fortune up by $44B this year; American Airlines strikes deal with pilots

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:34 GMT

Mark Zuckerberg was all-in on the metaverse last year, willing to spend whatever it took to dominate virtual reality.And it cost him, big time. At one point his wealth fell more than $100 billion from its high — a stunning decline for the millennial who just a few years ago was the world’s third-richest person.So far this year, his focus has been on the physical world — first cost-cutting at his Meta Platforms Inc. and now working on a real-life competitor to Elon Musk’s Twitter.The results appear to be paying off. Zuckerberg’s fortune, which is comprised largely of his Meta stake, has grown by about $44 billion this year, the most of anyone tracked by the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.Even with Meta shares closing down slightly Friday in New York, Zuckerberg’s efficiency pivot has made the stock the second-best performer this year on the S&P 500, soaring more than 100% and pushing his net worth to $89.9 billion.American Airlines strikes deal with pilotsAmerican Airlines has reac...

DeSantis targets judge in Disney spat

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:34 GMT

ORLANDO, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis is asking that a federal judge be disqualified from the First Amendment lawsuit filed by Disney against the Florida governor and his appointees, claiming the jurist’s prior statements in other cases have raised questions about his impartiality on the state’s efforts to take over Disney World’s governing body.DeSantis ‘ attorney filed a motion in federal court in Tallahassee seeking to disqualify Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker from overseeing the lawsuit filed by Disney last month.The lawsuit alleges that DeSantis and his appointees violated the company’s right to free speech, as well as the contracts clause, by taking over the special governing district that previously had been controlled by Disney supporters after Disney opposed Florida legislation that critics have dubbed “Don’t Say Gay.”The Republican governor’s motion was filed after Disney announced that it was scrapping plans to buil...

Man arrested after Mansfield fatal shooting is facing gun charges

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:34 GMT

The 22-year-old man arrested after this weekend’s deadly shooting in Mansfield is now facing gun charges, according to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office.William O’Brien, of Manchester-By-The-Sea, was detained on Saturday during the initial investigation into the homicide of 23-year-old Samuel Waters, of Mansfield.O’Brien has been charged with carrying an illegal firearm and carrying a loaded illegal firearm. He will be arraigned on these charges Monday morning in Attleboro District Court.Related ArticlesCrime & Public Safety | Man, 23, gunned down in Mansfield Crime & Public Safety | Defense attorneys in Karen Read case point to others they say are culpable in death of John O’Keefe Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the DA’s office, Homicide Unit prosecutors and Mansfield Police continue to investigate the Saturday morning homicide.The Southeastern Massachusetts Regional Emergency ...

Little Mermaid-inspired tea party to capture 'essence of underwater world'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:34 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- A Little Mermaid-inspired tea party is set to be hosted at a San Diego hotel next month and will feature an array of experiences.The Enchanted Tea Under the Sea event will take place downtown at The Westgate Hotel on Saturday, June 3 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Rescued loggerhead sea turtle thriving after 3D-printed shell brace Guests are encouraged to dress up for the occasion, which will be held the hotel's Versailles Ballroom. Tea or hot chocolate will be served with house-made pastries, tea sandwiches and luxurious desserts.Here's a sneak peek of tea party desserts to be served. (Photo by Sandy Huffaker/The Westgate Hotel)Event organizers say the "magical afternoon" will include entertainment complete with songs, a princess oath and photo-ops that will capture a fairy tale come true.But that's not all -- event organizers say there will also be a special appearance from Ariel herself. The tea party will have communal table seating and event organizers expla...

Shootout at Baja California car rally leaves 10 dead, 10 wounded

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:34 GMT

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Authorities say they are investigating an apparent gunfight at an off-road vehicle rally in Mexico’s Baja California state that left 10 people dead and another 10 wounded.Videos posted on social media showed heavy shooting at the rally in an area of Ensenada and at least three bodies lying on the ground.The shooting, which took place early Saturday afternoon, provoked an intense mobilization of units of the army, navy, and state and local police.Baja California officials say gunmen in one vehicle opened fire on people and vehicles at the rally. State prosecutor Ricardo Iván Carpio said that vehicle was found to have “perforations from gunshots and traces of blood inside.”The state prosecutor’s office said there was evidence of crossfire suggesting it was a confrontation between members of organized crime groups.Baja California, across the border from California, is experience intense cartel activity.The Associated Press

Biden, McCarthy to meet Monday for debt ceiling talks as default deadline looms

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:34 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden will meet in person Monday with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy about averting an economy-wrecking federal default, and the Republican leader expressed cautious optimism about a possible debt ceiling compromise as Washington races to raise America’s borrowing limit before the funds could be depleted early next month.The leaders spoke by phone Sunday while the president was returning home on Air Force One after the Group of Seven summit in Japan. McCarthy, R-Calif., told reporters at the Capitol that the call was “productive” and that the on-again, off-again negotiations between his staff and White House representatives would resume in the evening.Both sides have said progress was being made but that they remain far apart, and talks had lapsed for part of the weekend. Biden’s Treasury Department has said it could run out of cash as soon as June 1, and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Sunday, “I think that that’s a hard deadline.”McCarthy s...

Greek elections: Conservative party of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis leads with wide margin

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:34 GMT

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his conservative party led Greece’s election by a wide margin Sunday, according to partial official results. But a new electoral law means he will struggle to form a government without seeking coalition partners, and a second election is likely. Partial results from 40% of polling stations counted showed Mitsotakis’ New Democracy party with 41% of the vote, with his main rival, Alexis Tsipras and his left-wing Syriza party, trailing with 20%. If borne out by full results, Sunday’s showing would be a major disappointment for Syriza, and a better-than-expected performance for New Democracy. Even with partial results, New Democracy was celebrating its strong showing. “(The exit polls) show a clear victory for New Democracy and a clear renewal of the mandate to continue the major changes sought by Greek society,” said government spokesman Akis Skertsos. Sunday’s election is Greece’s first since its economy ceased b...