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Putin continues his blitz round of Mideast diplomacy by hosting the Iranian president

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:55:31 GMT

MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted Iran’s president Thursday as part of a blitz round of Middle East diplomacy that also included visits to United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia in efforts to raise Moscow’s profile as a power broker in the region.Putin has cast the Israel-Hamas war as a failure of U.S. diplomacy and suggested Moscow could be a mediator, thanks to its friendly ties with both Israel and the Palestinians.“It’s very important for us to exchange views of the situation in the region, particularly regarding the Palestinian situation,” Putin said as he welcomed Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi at the start of their talks in Moscow.Raisi emphasized the need to quickly stop the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip, declaring that “a child is killed there every 10 minutes.” “It’s not just a regional issue, it’s an issue for the entire humankind,” he told Putin, adding that “it’s necessary to find a quick solution.”Iran, which has been a staunch support...

Texas judge grants pregnant woman permission to get an abortion despite state’s ban

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:55:31 GMT

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A Texas judge on Thursday granted a pregnant woman permission to obtain an abortion in an unprecedented challenge to the state’s ban that took effect after Roe v. Wade was overturned last year.It was unclear how quickly or whether Kate Cox, a 31-year-old mother of two from the Dallas area, will be able to obtain an abortion. State District Judge Maya Guerra Gamble, an elected Democrat, said she would grant a temporary restraining order that would allow Cox to have an abortion. That decision is likely to be appealed by the state.Cox is 20 weeks pregnant and doctors say her fetus has a fatal diagnosis. Her attorneys told Gamble that Cox went to an emergency room this week for a fourth time since her pregnancy. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below. Texas’ strict abortion ban will face an unprecedented test Thursday, when a judge considers a request for an emergency court order that would allow a pregnant woman whose fetus has a fat...

Texas judge grants pregnant woman permission to have an abortion in rare challenge to ban; state likely to appeal

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:55:31 GMT

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas judge grants pregnant woman permission to have an abortion in rare challenge to ban; state likely to appeal.Source

UAW says over 1,000 workers at VW plant in Tennessee have signed cards seeking union representation

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:55:31 GMT

DETROIT (AP) — More than 1,000 workers at Volkswagen’s Tennessee factory have signed cards authorizing a vote on representation by the United Auto Workers, the first plant in the nation to reach that milestone in the UAW’s quest to organize more than a dozen nonunion factories.The union says in a statement Thursday that the VW workers signed on in less than a week. The factory in Chattanooga employs about 3,800 people who make the VW ID.4 electric vehicle and the Atlas family of gas-powered SUVs. It could become the first test of the union’s strategy to simultaneously try to organize the nonunion plants. The UAW statement says workers have complained about mistreatment by management including mandatory overtime on Saturdays, and they are seeking higher pay. A message was left Thursday seeking comment from VW.In November, VW gave workers an 11% pay raise at the plant. The raises came after UAW members ratified new contracts with Detroit automakers. The union says VW...

A China, EU summit exposes divisions over Ukraine, trade and subsidies

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:55:31 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — The leaders of China and the European Union held talks Thursday that focused on their disputes over trade, subsidies and a deep divide over the war in Ukraine. Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Beijing with the two European presidents, Ursula von der Leyen from the EU Commission and Charles Michel from the EU Council. The European Union is calling on China to improve market access to address an annual trade imbalance of more than $200 billion between the two sides. China is unhappy with an EU investigation into subsides for electric vehicles and possible EU restrictions on technology exports. The EU has urged China to use its influence with Russia to help bring an end to the Ukraine conflict. Von der Leyen said the two sides need to manage their differences responsibly.“China is the EU’s most important trading partner,” she said in opening remarks posted on the commission’s website. “But there are clear imbalances and differences that we must address.”Xi said ...

An appreciation: How Norman Lear changed television — and with it American life — in the 1970s

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:55:31 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — In many American living rooms, the 1960s didn’t really begin until Jan. 12, 1971.That was the night the comedy “All in the Family” debuted, almost instantly changing television and American society with it. Creator Norman Lear, who died at age 101 on Tuesday, was the man behind that transformation.The series introduced the brash bigot Archie Bunker, his “dingbat” wife Edith, his feminist daughter Gloria and his liberal son-in-law Mike “Meathead” Stivic. From their house in the New York City borough of Queens, they co-existed loudly and watched the world spin uncontrollably.Archie Bunker, portrayed by Carroll O’Connor, embodied the “American Way” — as most middle-aged white Americans understood it at the time — and watched in confused exasperation as “others” redefined it.Coming out of a tumultuous decade of fundamental change, and smack in the middle of a contentious war overseas, these realities were hardly foreign to most Americans. They just rarely saw...

Journey, Def Leppard announce tour, stop in Colorado

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:55:31 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — Two of rock music's biggest bands are teaming up and going on a stadium tour in 2024.Rock legends Journey and Def Leppard will be hitting the stage together for a co-headlining tour. Def Leppard announced the tour on X Thursday morning saying the two bands will head to 23 cities.Of those cities, Denver will be the last show of this iconic tour. On Sept. 8, 2024, Journey and Def Leppard will be performing at Coors Field.Fans of the American and English rock bands can jam out to hits like “Don’t Stop Believin’" and “Pour Some Sugar on Me” below the lights of the Colorado Rockies home stadium. Tribute band recreates the Beatles’ 1964 Red Rocks show Journey consists of Neal Schon, Jonathan Cain, Deen Castronovo, Arnel Pineda, Jason Derlatka and Todd Jensen.Def Leppard consists of Rick Savage, Joe Elliott, Rick Allen, Phil Collen and Vivian Campbell.To see this once-in-a-lifetime show, fans must register for presale. On the tour's website, fans can register for early ac...

Miami Dolphins extend OL Austin Jackson through 2026 season

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:55:31 GMT

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — The Miami Dolphins have agreed to a three-year contract extension with offensive lineman Austin Jackson, locking in the former first-round pick until 2026.Miami selected Jackson with the 18th pick out of Southern California in 2020, originally to play left tackle. He has also played right guard and moved to right tackle last season.Jackson is having a breakout season despite a slow start to his career, mostly because of injuries. An ankle injury early last season caused him to miss all but two games, despite showing promise and improvement.Jackson has started every game this year on an offensive line that has dealt with a plethora of injuries. Miami has started eight different offensive line combinations this season, but Jackson has been consistent as quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s blind side protector.According to Pro Football Focus, Jackson was the highest rated right tackle in the NFL in Week 13, when the Dolphins rushed for 123 yards in a 45-15 win over ...

CNN to host two GOP presidential primary debates in 2024

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:55:31 GMT

By CNN Staff(CNN) — CNN will host two Republican presidential primary debates next month in Iowa and New Hampshire – states that hold the first contests in the race for the 2024 GOP nomination, the network announced Thursday.The events will provide Republican voters an opportunity to hear the governing philosophies of the leading candidates seeking to challenge the likely Democratic presidential nominee, President Joe Biden, in November.The first debate will take place on January 10 at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, less than a week before Iowa caucusgoers weigh in on the Republican presidential race. The second debate will be January 21 at St. Anselm College in Goffstown, New Hampshire.To qualify for participation in the Iowa debate, candidates must receive at least 10% in three separate national and/or Iowa polls of Republican caucusgoers or primary voters that meet CNN’s standards for...

Tampa teen faces murder charge in mass shooting on Halloween weekend

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:55:31 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — A 14-year-old boy has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of a 20-year-old during a Halloween weekend mass shooting that left two people dead and 16 injured in Tampa’s Ybor City, officials said.“This defendant is a perfect example of why we must take a strong stance against juvenile gun violence in our community,” Hillsborough State Attorney Suzy Lopez said during a Wednesday night news conference announcing the charges.The teen is also charged with attempted aggravated battery and attempted murder in connection to the shooting, Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw said. He said bullets and shell casings connected the teen to the 20-year-old victim, Harrison Boonstoppel.The shooting happened after an argument broke out between two groups in the early morning hours of Oct. 29 as people were celebrating Halloween in one of Tampa’s entertainment districts.Later that day, detectives arrested Tyrell Stephen Phillips, 22, who was charged with second-degre...