Celtic punk band Dropkick Murphys heading to Brookings this October

Associated Press
Another woman takes over a top job at the Vatican, this time running the city state administration
Another woman is taking over a top management job in the Vatican: Sister Raffaella Petrini, an Italian nun, was named Saturday as president of the Vatican City State, making her essentially the governor of the 44-hectare (108-acre) territory in Rome that is home to the Catholic Church. Petrini had previously been the secretary general of the Vatican administration, which among other things is responsible for the functioning of the Vatican Museums, a major source of revenue for the Holy See. Pope Francis had previously announced Petrini’s promotion, part of his effort to place women in decision-making roles in the Vatican to serve as models for the rest of the church.
AFP
UN chief warns against regional war over DR Congo at Africa summit
UN chief Antonio Guterres on Saturday demanded that the Democratic Republic of Congo's "territorial integrity" be respected and a regional war avoided, at an African summit the day after Rwandan-backed fighters seized a second DRC provincial capital.And the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC must be respected."
CNN
Zelensky warns that Trump meeting Putin first would be ‘dangerous’
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that his US counterpart Donald Trump meeting Russian leader Vladimir Putin before him would be “dangerous,” as he admitted he had no guarantees from Trump that he would be first in line in peace talks.
Associated Press
Pope spends quiet first night in hospital, continues drug therapy and reads papers, Vatican says
Pope Francis slept well during a quiet first night in the hospital after being admitted with a respiratory tract infection, and was up eating and reading Saturday, the Vatican said. Francis, 88, ate breakfast Saturday morning and read the newspapers while continuing his drug therapy, spokesman Matteo Bruni said. Francis was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on Friday after a weeklong bout of bronchitis worsened.
Reuters
Trump offered them a buyout. Here's why they took it
Some of the 75,000 U.S. federal workers who the Office of Personnel Management says accepted a resignation buyout offer were ready to retire anyway. Many bristled at Donald Trump's description of the civil service as bloated and ineffective, saying in interviews with Reuters over recent days that they were proud of their government work and felt a responsibility to the American people. The Trump administration, which is pursuing various strategies to cut the civilian workforce of 2.3 million, including wide-ranging firings, had promised to pay workers who voluntarily left their jobs through September 30.
Associated Press
Legislative immunity is a privilege in most states. A speeding ticket could change that in Arizona
When a police officer gave state Sen. Mark Finchem a speeding ticket, the Arizona Republican didn't need to worry about the consequences. Legislative immunity exists in most states and allows lawmakers to brush aside lawsuits and low-level infractions like traffic tickets. In 2019, a politician in West Virginia invoked immunity after having a violent outburst.
USA TODAY
Winter's back: Freezing cold in midwest and blizzard fears in Northeast
Meteorologists are not yet sure how bad a brewing storm will be — some models signal a brewing blizzard in the Northeast.
USA TODAY
A futuristic-looking solar energy plant is doomed
Solar panels have gotten so cheap that the plant, born of an old attempt at harnessing the power of the sun, appears to be obsolete.
CNN
Here’s what helped thwart a potential Valentine’s Day school shooting in Indiana
A call to an anonymous tip line set off a chain of events that helped thwart a potential Valentine’s Day mass shooting in Indiana, authorities say.
Associated Press
White South Africans gather in support of Trump and his claims that they are victims of racism
Some white South Africans showed support for President Donald Trump on Saturday and gathered at the U.S. Embassy in Pretoria to claim they are victims of racism by their own government. Hundreds of protesters held placards that read “Thank God for President Trump” and displayed other messages criticizing what they see as racist laws instituted by the South African government that discriminate against the white minority. Many were from the Afrikaner community that Trump focused on in an executive order a week ago that cut aid and assistance to the Black-led South African government.
CBS News
American-Israeli among 3 hostages freed by Hamas in latest exchange
Hamas released dual U.S.-Israeli national Sagui Dekel-Chen along with two other hostages as the Gaza ceasefire remained on track after a tense week.
Reuters
Germany's Scholz rebukes Vance, defends Europe's stance on hate speech and far right
MUNICH (Reuters) -German Chancellor Olaf Scholz delivered a strong rebuke on Saturday to U.S. Vice President JD Vance's attack on Europe's stance toward hate speech and the far right, saying it was not right for others to tell Germany and Europe what to do. Vance lambasted European leaders on Friday, the first day of the Munich Security Conference, accusing them of censoring free speech and criticising German mainstream parties' "firewall" against the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).
TODAY
The many meanings of pink, from its rosy roots to modern-day pop culture status
What is the meaning and symbolism of the color pink? What it means for your personality if it's your favorite color and spiritual meaning, especially in relationships.
TODAY
What does purple mean besides royalty? Color experts spill the tea
What is the meaning and symbolism of the color purple? The psychological and spiritual meaning of purple being your favorite color.
USA TODAY
Uncertainty of Trump 2.0 takes some college presidents back to pandemic times
The first few weeks of the Trump presidency have left some college leaders reminded of the uncertainty they felt during the early days of COVID-19.
USA TODAY
Biden's focus on confirming judges reshaped courts as Democrats challenge Trump agenda
Courts have become Democrats' best chance of thwarting President Donald Trump's efforts to significantly downsize and reshape the federal government.
USA TODAY
Is Presidents Day a federal holiday? Will government offices be closed? Here's what to know
Here's what to know about whether government offices will be open or closed on Presidents Day 2025.
TODAY
Nature, energy, envy and more: What the color green really means
What does the color green mean? What it means for your personality if you love green, how it shows up pin home and relationships, life, love and symbolism.
TODAY
Do you know all the meanings of red? Color pros weigh in
The color red has a rich history, according to art history professors, marketers and designers. It's associated with love, confidence, fertility and much more.
TODAY
If blue is your favorite color, here's what it says about you
The color blue can signify tranquility, masculinity, spirituality, security and even sadness, according to color experts. Learn more about its meaning here.

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