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Liz Weston: Should you rent in retirement?

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:11:41 GMT

Some people rent in retirement because they don’t have much choice; they can’t afford to own homes. But financial planners say renting can make more sense than owning in some circumstances, even for retirees who can afford the costs of homeownership.Renting offers flexibility as well as freedom from all the chores and expenses of maintaining a home. Renting also may provide built-in communities for socializing, as well as accessible housing features such as one-floor living, which can help people age in place. People who are “house rich and cash poor” can sell their homes and use the equity to fund a more comfortable lifestyle.“While retirees often don’t want to rent, it can be a smarter decision for a number of reasons,” says certified financial planner Lisa A.K. Kirchenbauer of Arlington, Virginia.CONSIDER RENTING IF YOU’RE IN TRANSITIONIf you’re moving to a new area, financial planners often recommend renting first to get a better feel for the advantages and disadvantages of vari...

South Africans demonstrate and call for president to resign

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:11:41 GMT

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — South African police on Monday monitored protests by the country’s leftist Economic Freedom Fighters party, which is demanding the resignation of President Cyril Ramaphosa.The party urged all South Africans to participate in a national shutdown but there was limited response in most of the country’s major cities.At least 87 people were arrested for public violence and related offences by Monday, police said.“At least 24,300 tires have been confiscated by law enforcement agencies. These were tires that were strategically placed for acts of criminality,” said police spokeswoman Athlenda Mathe.Some protest marches were noted in various areas including Alexandra and Tembisa townships, east of Johannesburg.Several roads leading to the center of the eastern suburb Kempton Park were closed as protesters marched to voice their grievances.“All South Africans should be protesting with us right now because loadshedding (power cuts) is affecting all of us. The government mus...

High-speed chase of stolen vehicle led to fatal crash in Etobicoke: police

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:11:41 GMT

A crash in Etobicoke over the weekend that left a male driver dead was likely the result of a high-speed chase involving a stolen vehicle.Police tell CityNews a woman had her SUV stolen early Sunday morning after she attended a bank on College Street near Spadina Avenue and left the vehicle running outside.Investigators say the woman exited the bank and got into the passenger seat of a black Ford F150 that was being driven by her boyfriend. While the two were talking in the truck a man got into the running silver SUV and drove away.The pair in the pickup truck chased the stolen vehicle through city streets and ended up on Dundas Street in Etobicoke. The vehicles were travelling westbound on Dundas approaching Islington Avenue when both lost control on the icy roads while rounding a curve.Police say the stolen SUV struck a tree and went through a fence into the backyard of a home. The 37-year-old driver of the stolen vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene.The pickup truck struck a ...

EU hosts fundraising meeting for Turkey, Syria after quake

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:11:41 GMT

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union and its international partners gathered in Brussels Monday seeking to raise money for Turkey and Syria in the aftermath of the earthquake that devastated parts of both countries last month.The magnitude 7.8 earthquake on Feb. 6 killed more than 52,000 people — the vast majority in Turkey. More than 200,000 buildings in Turkey either collapsed or were severely damaged.The International Rescue Committee, an aid group responding to humanitarian crises, said the situation in the region remains critical and urged donors to ensure that the U.N.’s appeal for Turkey and Syria — calling for $1 billion and $397 million respectively — is fully funded.“The people affected by this devastating earthquake are relying on donors meeting in Brussels to step up this week,” said Tanya Evans, the IRC’s Country Director in Syria. “They need to ensure that funding is available for life-saving items including food, shelter, warm clothes and clean water, as well as s...

2 fatally shot on Chicago's South Side

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:11:41 GMT

CHICAGO —  Police are searching for suspects after two people were shot multiple times and killed on Chicago's South Side.According to police, a 42-year-old and 33-year-old man around 11:53 p.m. Sunday in the 7000 block of King Drive.The 42-year-old was shot multiple times and was transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.The 33-year-old man was also shot multiple times and attempted to self-transport to the hospital, but came to a stop after striking a vehicle in the 5500 block of South Wentworth.Police said the 33-year-old was transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. 2 dead after being trapped in building fire: Vernon Hills police The vehicle that was struck by the shooting victim's car was occupied by a man and woman who sustained minor injuries. Both were transported to a local hospital in good condition.No one is in custody. Area One Detectives are investigating.This is a developing s...

Monday Forecast: Temps near 50, breezy with isolated sprinkles

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:11:41 GMT

The Monday forecast is looking near 50 with breezes and isolated showers. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storm here Spring officially starts Monday at 4:24 pm. Partly sunny skies today with highs near normal in the uppers 40s. Expect some breezy winds and a chance for a few isolated sprinkles this afternoon.Full forecast details at the WGN Weather CenterWe’ll continue a warming trend through midweek with highs into the upper 50s by Wednesday. Rain moves into the forecast late Tuesday into Wednesday, lingering into Thursday. 

McCarthy calls for no protests or violence over potential Trump arrest

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:11:41 GMT

ORLANDO, Fla. (The Hill) – House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) sought to tamp down former President Donald Trump’s call for protests in response to a possible arrest of the president in connection to a Manhattan District Attorney investigation.“I don't think people should protest this stuff,” McCarthy said in a press conference at the House GOP issues retreat on Sunday when asked about Trump's statement.McCarthy suggested that Trump was calling for others to “educate people about what's going on.”“He's not talking in a harmful way,” McCarthy said. “Nobody should harm one another … And this is why you should really make law equal because if that was the case, nothing would happen.”“If was this to happen, we want calmness out there,” McCarthy said, calling for no “violence or harm.” Trump’s potential arrest hangs over Capitol Hill Trump said on Truth Social on Saturday that he could be arrested on Tuesday in connection with the Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg’s investigation into a h...

Willie Cager, UTEP basketball legend, dead at 81

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:11:41 GMT

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) - Willie Cager, a member of the 1965-66 Texas Western national championship winning team, died at the age of 81 on Sunday morning, according to his family.Memorial services for Willie Cager are still pending. But it would be so cool to see him honored the way he deserves, maybe at Memorial Gym or the Haskins Center. Hard to quantify his impact/how many lives he touched. He is beloved in El Paso. https://t.co/Ym5oECyw3D— Colin Deaver (@ColinDeaverTV) March 20, 2023Cager’s death came on the exact date Texas Western defeated Kentucky, 72-65, in the 1966 NCAA men’s college basketball championship game 57 years ago.Cager was part of the 1966 Texas Western squad that made history. Hall of Fame coach Don Haskins put out an all-Black starting five in the NCAA Championship game against Kentucky. It was the first time five Black players started in a NCAA title game.Cager, a sophomore at the time, was one of the five Black starters in the championship game. Cager s...

APD opens homicide investigation after man found dead following house fire

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:11:41 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Police launched a homicide investigation after a man died following a house fire late Sunday night.According to APD, 911 got a call at 10:53 p.m. about someone possibly trapped in a house that was on fire in the 9000 block of Meridian Oaks Lane. That is just east of Interstate 35 and west of Slaughter Lane. APD said police and fire crews arrived at 11 p.m. and were able to put the fire out. While searching the home, AFD crews found a man in his 30s with "obvious signs of trauma incompatible with life" and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to APD. Austin Police said another man was inside the home at the time of the fire. APD said they believe that man was a witness and called 911. APD said he is doing okay and is not in custody but is speaking with investigators. Austin Fire Department arson investigators and APD homicide detectives spoke with witnesses overnight. APD said it's investigating the incident as a homicide because of the "unusua...

How does 'tip creeping' affect Texans?

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:11:41 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – The advent of new software that allows consumers to tap their phones and cards at the register instead of paying with cash has undoubtedly made the mad dash to the cafe or market a little easier – especially those of us frequently losing credit cards. But using this type of software – such as Square and Toast – can also make consumers feel “guilted” into leaving a larger tip than they may otherwise offer. Some have dubbed this new phenomenon “tip creeping.”Toast recently released data on its quarter four 2022 sales, which puts Texas toward the bottom of the list of states with the most generous tippers. Granted, the difference between the “most” generous tipping state and the "least" generous tipping state is only a couple of percentage points. Though the variance is not so pronounced, Kelsey Erickson Streufert from the Texas Restaurant Society said Texas consumers are feeling the effects of tip creeping. “We're seeing some tipping fatigue out there. A...