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Czech lawmakers vote to tighten conflict of interest legislation in snub to former populist PM Babis

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:51 GMT

PRAGUE (AP) — Lawmakers in the lower house of the Czech Parliament agreed on Friday to tighten the country’s conflict of interest legislation to ban politicians from owning media, in a direct snub to former populist Prime Minister Andrej Babis.In the 200-seat house, lawmakers voted 85-79 to amend the current law and prohibit media ownership for members of Parliament, the government and the president.Babis’ centrist opposition ANO (YES) movement vehemently protested the move and threatened to challenge it at the Constitutional Court. Babis was not present for the vote but later said he was not planning to leave politics for now.The amendment still requires the approval of the upper house, the Senate, where the governing coalition has a comfortable majority, and then presidential approval.Babis, one of the country’s richest people, was required by law to transfer ownership of his businesses to two trust funds in February 2017. That included two nationwide newspapers and a popula...

Film composer Hans Zimmer proposes to his partner on London stage, prompts raucous audience response

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:51 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Hans Zimmer, the two-time Academy Award-winning composer, proposed to his partner on stage in London, prompting raucous applause from the audience.As his performance at the O2 arena was drawing to a close Thursday evening, the 65-year-old German asked his partner to join him on stage — and then proceeded to declare his love. Addressing her directly he said: “Why did I bring you up here? I was going to ask you something really important. Did you lock the back door? Is the milk in the fridge? Do we have any sorbet in the freezer?”And then, he got to the point: “Will you marry me?”The couple embraced and the audience erupted into applause after she appeared to accept.A spokesperson for Zimmer confirmed that he had proposed to his partner, whose name and age were not provided.Zimmer’s fans were treated to an array of music he has composed for hit films over the past few decades, including “Gladiator,” “The Dark Knight” and “Inception.”He was joined onstage with...

We live with lots of noise. What’s that doing to us?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:51 GMT

In today’s Big Story Podcast, if you live in even a small city, you probably find yourself constantly surrounded by noise. Most of us learn to filter it out as we go about our daily lives, but that doesn’t make us immune to its effects.Bojan Furst, who wrote about noise for The Walrus, says that new research indicates that noise in our environment can have negative long-term impacts on human health. “People who are already experiencing health impacts because of their social determinants of health, their income, their employment, on top of that, also experience additional health risks because they live in neighbourhoods that are noisier than better off neighbourhoods,” says Furst.When the pandemic put a temporary pause on human activity, it gave researchers an opportunity to observe the extent to which the sounds we generate affect not just our own health and wellbeing, but the environment around us. So whether it’s the rumble of cars and trucks, the hum of modern applian...

Man, woman shot in Austin by man standing behind car: Police

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:51 GMT

CHICAGO -- A man and a woman are in serious condition after they were shot in Austin Thursday night.According to police, a 22-year-old man and woman were sitting in a car near the 4700 block of West Jackson Boulevard around 11:52 p.m. when an unidentified man shot in their direction while standing behind the car. Police said the woman was struck multiple times on the back and the man was also struck on the back. Des Plaines police release bodycam video of officer-involved shooting The two were transported to Mount Sinai Hospital in serious condition. There is no one in custody and police are investigating the incident.

Dean's Weekender: Damon Wayans Jr., Winnetka Music Festival and more

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:51 GMT

Check out Dean's Weekender for the top events coming to the Chicagoland area this weekend.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!

Dean's Reviews: 'The Flash,' 'The Blackening,' and more

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:51 GMT

Check out Dean's reviews for the latest on the latest films coming to theaters.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!

Schizophrenia and nausea drugs recalled after labeling mix-up

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:51 GMT

LA VERGNE, Tenn. (WRIC) – The Harvard Drug Group has recalled a single lot of the drugs Dronabinol and Ziprasidone Hydrochloride after labels on the two drugs were mixed up. During the distribution process, it was discovered that cartons labeled as Ziprasidone Hydrochloride actually contained packages labeled as and containing Dronabinol, according to the Food and Drug Administration.Ziprasidone Hydrochloride is used for the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, while Dronabinol is frequently used to treat nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite in chemotherapy and AIDS patients. Strawberry products sold in 32 states recalled over Hepatitis A risks Patients who mistakenly take a dose of Dronabinol instead of Ziprasidone Hydrochloride can experience worsening symptoms of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, including agitation, aggression, delirium and self-harm. Older people may be "particularly at risk.""Taking an unexpected dose of Dronabinol may cause mental and cognit...

The best days to fly around the Fourth of July

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:51 GMT

(NerdWallet) - If Memorial Day 2023 was any indication, travelers should brace for big Fourth of July crowds at airports. On the Friday of Memorial Day weekend, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screened roughly 2.7 million people at U.S. airports, the highest checkpoint volume thus far in 2023.And summer travel is only just getting started. In 2019, the Friday before Memorial Day was the third-busiest day at U.S. airports for the entire year, losing only to the Sunday after Thanksgiving and the Sunday after July Fourth. This may indicate that airports could be even busier around Independence Day than Memorial Day weekend.Making Fourth of July travel predictions is tricky this year because the holiday falls midweek, on a Tuesday. Some folks may take Monday off to enjoy a long weekend, while others may save their vacation time for a different holiday.With that in mind, here’s some guidance around booking July Fourth weekend air travel and how you might be able to avoid...

FOUND: Man missing from North Side found

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:51 GMT

CHICAGO -- A 58-year-old man who was missing since Monday has been found. The man was reported missing from the 1300 block of West Winona Street on Chicago's North Side on Monday, June 12. Search underway for missing elderly man who may need medical attention

Survey: Many companies unprepared for pregnancy protections

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:51 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – A recent survey of large companies found many were not prepared for a new law requiring protections for pregnant workers. According to the AbsenceSoft survey of companies with more than 5,000 employees, 43% said they were not familiar or only somewhat familiar with the Pregnant Worker's Fairness Act. 50% of employers said their human resources department was "either not at all prepared or only just starting to prepare" for PWFA which goes into effect June 27. 72% of employers told the survey they anticipated an increase in accommodation requests related to pregnancy. According to AbsenceSoft, most large companies are prepared to accommodate pregnant workers with job modifications and flexible hours but only 44% were prepared to offer reduced standing and lifting, 38% were prepared to offer additional break times, and 37% were prepared to offer remote or hybrid work. According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission website, the law "requires covered employers ...