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Albanian Parliament legalizes medical cannabis despite harsh opposition

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:40 GMT

TIRANA, Albania (AP) — The Albanian Parliament on Friday legalized cannabis for medical purposes in a country once known as a European crossroads for marijuana trafficking.The Parliament voted 69-23 to allow limited and controlled growth of cannabis plants, a move harshly contested by the opposition.It was not clear how the medical cannabis will be regulated. The government believes that allowing limited production of cannabis can boost tax revenue. Marijuana growing flourished in Albania in the past as drug traffickers exploited a lack of strong governance in the post-Communist country.After coming to power in 2013, the left-wing Socialist Party government of Prime Minister Edi Rama set destroying cannabis plants as a main target.Over the next two years it destroyed millions of cannabis plants with an estimated market value of 7 billion euros ($8.5 billion), more than two-thirds of the country’s annual gross domestic product at that time.In 2014, a police officer was fatally shot d...

Sri Lankan president’s visit to India signals growing economic and energy ties

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:40 GMT

NEW DELHI (AP) — Sri Lanka and India signed a series of energy, development and trade agreements on Friday, signaling growing economic ties between the neighboring countries.Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe arrived in New Delhi a day earlier for the official visit, his first since taking up the top job last year after an economic meltdown forced his predecessor to flee. On Friday, he held talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the two leaders unveiled agreements on technology, renewable energy and greater connectivity designed to deepen bilateral relations between India and Sri Lanka. “My visit to India has provided an opportunity to review our bilateral relationship, leverage the strength of geographical and civilizational links, reinforced trust and confidence for our future prosperity in the modern world,” Wickremesinghe said. Modi said the two leaders adopted a vision to boost their economic cooperation, including strengthening martime, air and energy connec...

Some top US sports leagues have specific anti-hazing policies, others do not

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:40 GMT

The biggest professional sports leagues in the United States have dealt with a smattering of hazing issues over the past decade, ranging from NFL offensive lineman Richie Incognito’s bad behavior to Major League Baseball cracking down on rookies dressing up as women.In response, some of the leagues have crafted dedicated anti-hazing policies, while others haven’t.As Northwestern’s football program faces a barrage of hazing allegations, The Associated Press asked all four major U.S. pro leagues about their anti-hazing policies.Baseball appears to have the most extensive anti-hazing and anti-bullying policy, which was first released in 2016. The NBA said hazing was prohibited in its operations manual. The NFL and NHL don’t appear to have specific guidelines, instead saying they believe any potential hazing issues are covered in personal conduct or anti-discrimination policies.While former Northwestern players say hazing was so rampant in the football program it...

Dome of Hot Air May Expand Northward Into Midwest Next Week—Possible Near 100° in Chicago?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:40 GMT

NORTHWEST UPPER WINDS HOLDING MOST INTENSE SOUTHERN HEAT AT BAY IN CHICAGO FOR NOW—BUT HEAT AND RISING HUMIDITIES COMING NEXT WEEK IF CURRENT FORECAST TRENDS VERIFY—COULD SEE TEMPS SURGING WELL INTO THE 90s, POTENTIALLY FLIRTING WITH 100° WED/THU; IN THE SHORT TERM: THE "NW" UPPER WINDS DUE TO LINGER THROUGH THE WEEKEND AND INTO MONDAY SETTING THE STAGE FOR SCATTERED WEEKEND T-STORM DEVELOPMENTWarm summer temps are to continue in Chicago. But the northwest UPPER AIR FLOW currently in place—and expected to continue through the coming weekend—is to deliver cool temps aloft. Daytime warming beneath this cool air will destabilize the atmosphere, especially this weekend.When meteorologists use the term "destabilize", we refer to an atmosphere in which temps drop more quickly than usual with height. Such a set-up encourages air, once heated in the lower atmosphere, to become buoyant and begin to rise. We'll see the impact of this instability in the formation of cottony summertime cumulus ...

Tornado damage to North Carolina Pfizer plant could worsen drug shortages

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:40 GMT

(The Hill) - A tornado that damaged a Pfizer manufacturing facility in North Carolina is sparking concerns about worsening drug shortages in U.S. hospitals and highlighting the vulnerability of the domestic supply chain.Pfizer said its facility in Rocky Mount, N.C., makes nearly 25 percent of the company's sterile injectable medicines used in U.S. hospitals. It sustained serious damage Wednesday by an EF-3 rated tornado, according to the National Weather Service.Pfizer said it was still assessing the damage to determine the impact on production, but all staff were able to evacuate. "We already have teams on the ground assessing the damage and supporting our colleagues, and we are working urgently to determine the best way to get back online as quickly as possible, while ensuring the safety of our people," CEO Albert Bourla tweeted on Thursday. The site is one of the largest sterile injectable facilities in the world, with more than 1.4 million square feet of manufacturing ...

Isolated weekend storms amid ongoing heatwave

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:40 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Today is expected to be our 6th-straight day of meeting or matching the daily record, a mark we've only reached in Austin once before.Afternoon highs will return to the low 100s in most areas today. Austin's forecast high of 105° is likely to tie the record we set just last year. Mainly sunny skies, dry conditions and muggy conditions can be expected areawide.In case you missed it: Austin set an all-time record for number of consecutive days with highs of 105°+. The streak is now at 11 days, but we may drop below that magical number by the end of this weekend.Heat Advisories have been extended through Friday at 8 p.m. These heat alerts will likely be further extended into the weekend and beyond. Excessive Heat Warnings have been dropped (for now).Heat Advisory in effect for most of the area until 8 p.m. FridaySlim rain chances return for the weekend, but only a few will be lucky enough to see rain. Isolated storms are possible late Saturday and Sunday as a boundary ...

Local teaching-supply nonprofit finds permanent home

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:40 GMT

SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) -- The Teacher Reuse, a non-profit dedicated to providing free teaching supplies to Central Texas educators, found a new permanent storefront in San Marcos after months of searching. The store is holding its grand reopening on Saturday. The non-profit was kicked out of its original spot after the start of the previous school year, and since then its founder had been moving supplies from her own personal garage to a storage unit in Buda. PREVIOUS: Local non-profit looking for storefront before new school year The organization's founder, Shelly O'Donnell, said the city of San Marcos reached out to her about a new home. The city gave O'Donnell a building that was not being used, and even gave her extra space because the amount of supplies it had could not fit in just one building. "We are very thankful to the city of San Marcos," O'Donell said. "We want teachers to come here first before they go to the big chain stores and buy things we already have sitting ...

Debate erupts as Francis Howell School Board votes on fate of anti-racism resolution

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:40 GMT

O'Fallon, Mo -- Controversy erupted within the Francis Howell School District as a result of actions taken by the school board, which have the potential to lead to the expiration of an anti-racism resolution within the district. The setting for this unfolding situation was the Francis Howell School District headquarters located off Highway K, where the school board convened for a crucial vote the previous night. The resolution in question, which had garnered much attention and debate, could soon reach its end if the board's decision stands.Opponents of the board's action were vocal in expressing their concerns, arguing that allowing the resolution to expire would send the wrong message. They gathered outside the district headquarters with signs that clearly conveyed their stance on the matter. According to their perspective, the resolution played a crucial role in supporting students from diverse backgrounds and committing the board to speak out against racism, discrimination, and s...

Weekend forecast: cooler temperatures and chance of showers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:40 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- Friday morning greeted the residents with a much nicer feeling as the intense humidity had finally dissipated. The day began with a watchful eye on spots of fog and increasing clouds. In the southernmost counties, the forecast called for a cloudy day with occasional showers, while temperatures were expected to reach the low 80s.As the evening rolled in, the skies cleared once more, providing a tranquil and comfortable overnight experience. Wake-up temperatures were expected to be in the pleasant 60s. Saturday promised to be a sunny and enjoyable day for July, with highs reaching the mid-80s. There was a slight chance of a shower or storm later in the evening as a cold front approached, but most areas were likely to remain dry.Sunday would see a further climb in temperatures to the mid- to upper 80s, accompanied by the possibility of an afternoon storm. Nonetheless, much of the day was anticipated to be rain-free and sunny.Looking ahead to the next work week, the heat wa...

Ask Amy: Broken romance also breaks friendship

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:40 GMT

Dear Amy: I was in a four-year relationship that ended last year. We weathered the pandemic together and had good times, but I didn’t believe we were a good romantic match. She was emotionally fragile and dealt with depression when we first met, but she was her very best self when we were together.We moved in together much too soon.My former partner and I broke up amicably and I had every intention to stay friends with her. However, a romance began to blossom between myself and a mutual friend.I understand my former partner’s pain. I never wanted to hurt her.I moved on with the other person. I’ve thought about building a family with her and have posted about this online.Now my former partner is incredibly hurt. I just hate that it had to end this way. Honestly, sometimes I think I should sacrifice my own happiness for hers because I feel so guilty now.Recently her friends have been watching my Instagram. I’m sure they will report back to her that I’ve moved in with my girlfriend.Doe...