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US Republican presidential candidates show deep divide over war in Ukraine

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:09:11 GMT

The GOP divide on Ukraine was on full display during the debate, with Vivek Ramaswamy and Ron DeSantis saying they would cut off funding to Kyiv while others defended U.S. aid to the embattled nation.“I find it offensive that we have professional politicians who will make a pilgrimage to Kyiv, to their pope, Zelenskyy, without doing the same for the people in Maui or the south side of Chicago,” he said, referring to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine.DeSantis was more hedging, saying that he would stop aid to Ukraine unless European governments stepped up to “pull their weight.”Those calls to stop Ukraine funding earned applause in the room, but were not shared by all candidates. Nikki Haley accused Ramaswamy of wanting to “hand Ukraine to Russia” and “let China eat Taiwan.”“You are choosing a murderer” over an ally of the U.S., Haley said, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin.“I wish you success on your future career on the boards of Lockheed and Raytheon,” Ramaswamy...

Mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin is presumed dead in a plane crash outside Moscow

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:09:11 GMT

By DASHA LITVINOVA (Associated Press)TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — Mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, who led a brief armed rebellion against the Russian military earlier this year, was presumed dead Wednesday after a plane crash north of Moscow that killed all 10 people on board.Prigozhin was on the plane, according to Russia’s civil aviation agency, which cited the airline. The crash immediately raised suspicions since the fate of the founder of the Wagner private military company has been the subject of intense speculation ever since he mounted the mutiny.At the time, President Vladimir Putin denounced the rebellion as “treason” and a “stab in the back” and vowed to avenge it. But the charges against Prigozhin were soon dropped. The Wagner chief, whose troops were some of the best fighting forces for Russia in Ukraine, was allowed to retreat to Belarus, while reportedly popping up in Russia from time to time.The crash also comes after Russian media ...

Multiple people shot at famous Southern California biker bar

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:09:11 GMT

Multiple people were hurt Wednesday evening after shots rang out at a historic and popular Southern California biker bar.The shooting happened around 7:30 p.m. at Cook’s Corner in Trabuco Canyon in Orange County, according to authorities.Authorities responded after several people were shot at Cook's Corner, a biker bar in Trabuco Canyon on August 23, 2023. (KTLA)Dozens of first responders were called to the popular biker bar, which is located at 19152 Santiago Canyon Rd.The total number of injuries is unclear and police have not said if anyone was killed in the shooting, although helicopter footage showed what appeared to be at least three bodies covered in tarps.Authorities have not released any details about the gunman, or what led up to the shooting.Check back for details on this developing story.

Burglary ring leader sentenced to prison for San Diego County crimes

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:09:11 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- The ringleader of a Los Angeles group involved in a series of San Diego County burglaries that amounted in $500,000 in cash and jewelry was sentenced Tuesday to prison for 45 years and eight months, prosecutors said.Gregory Shively, 41, was convicted in July on 57 criminal counts, including residential burglary, residential burglary in association with a criminal street gang and conspiracy to commit residential burglary in association with a criminal street gang, San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan said in a news release Wednesday. Shively, along with three other defendants, burglarized 38 homes in San Diego County and then returned to Los Angeles County with the stolen property from January 2017 to February 2018, according to the DA. Copycat In-N-Out restaurant in Mexico changes its name Kenneth Ford, 22, was convicted of 13 criminal counts and sentenced to 11 years in state prison in October 2021, while Aerick Splane, 29, was sentenced in 2022 to 14 ye...

Driver killed after crashing into parked car in East County

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:09:11 GMT

RAMONA, Calif. -- A 33-year-old man was killed in a crash Tuesday in Ramona, authorities said.The collision occurred around 8:50 p.m. on B Street, located west of 8th Street, Officer Jared Grieshaber with the California Highway Patrol said in a news release Wednesday.The 33-year-old man driving a blue 1990 Mazda B2600I was traveling westbound on B Street when for unknown reasons the vehicle slammed into a park, unoccupied, silver 2003 Mercedes E320, according to law enforcement. Padres pitcher Robert Suárez ejected after sticky substance check First responders found the Mazda driver unconscious and unresponsive. He was then airlifted to Palomar Medical Center where he died, CHP confirmed.Authorities are investigating if driving under the influence was a factor in the crash.

The first 2024 Republican presidential debate is in the books. Here’s what happened

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:09:11 GMT

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Follow along for live updates on the first 2024 Republican presidential debate. The field’s early front-runner, Donald Trump, skipped the event and conducted an interview with Tucker Carlson instead.What to know— GOP candidates tangle in Milwaukee as they vie to be the leading alternative to Trump — The key moments from Wednesday night’s debate — Trump attacks rivals in online interview with Tucker Carlson while skipping debate — Trump’s decision to back out tests Fox News’ ability to pivot again — The GOP presidential debate puts the spotlight on swing-state WisconsinBurgum says he stood on one leg behind podium after injuryThe North Dakota governor wasn’t going to let a basketball injury ruin his debate night.Doug Burgum told reporters after Wednesday night’s debate in Milwaukee that he ended up rupturing his Achilles tendon, despite initially thinking it might have only been a tear.He hurt his leg playing basketball on Tuesday and said he ...

Trump praises Jan. 6 crowd, repeats election lies in online interview while skipping GOP debate

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:09:11 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump skipped the debate stage typically relished by presidential candidates on Wednesday and instead appeared in an online interview peppered with his election lies, attacks on his rivals and lavish praise for the crowd of supporters he spoke to before they stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Trump, who has repeatedly brushed aside democratic norms and embraced the inflammatory throughout his political career, said he was sitting out the first Republican presidential debate in Milwaukee because his poll numbers showed him far ahead of his rivals. Instead, he used a pre-recorded interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson to make his case that everyone but him is irrelevant.In the most inflammatory exchange, Trump seemed to indulge a suggestion from Carlson that Trump’s political opponents might try to end his life.“They’re savage animals. They are people that are sick. Really sick. You have great people in the Democrat Party, you have great peopl...

Stock market today: Asian shares mostly rise after Wall Street rally

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:09:11 GMT

TOKYO (AP) — Asian shares mostly rose Thursday after Wall Street rallied to its best day since June after pressures from the bond market relaxed a bit. Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 gained 0.4% in morning trading to 32,146.33. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 added 0.4% to 7,178.10. South Korea’s Kospi jumped 1.0% to 2,531.45. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng surged 1.1% to 18,041.53, while the Shanghai Composite slid 0.1% to 3,074.78. A major event of the week for markets is a speech later in the day by U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. He is speaking at a Jackson Hole, Wyoming, event that’s been the setting for major policy announcements by the Fed in the past.The hope among traders has been that the Fed has already hiked rates for the final time this cycle and that it will begin cutting rates early next year. But such hopes have been diminishing with each stronger-than-expected report on the economy that’s come in recently.“Shares in Asia appear set to make gains, ...

In Japan’s neighbors, fear and frustration are being shared over radioactive water release

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:09:11 GMT

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Seoul office worker Kim Mijeong says she intends to stop eating seafood, as she deeply mistrusts the safety of Japan’s release of treated radioactive wastewater into the sea from its crippled nuclear power plant.“We should absolutely cut back on our consumption of seafood. Actually, we can’t eat it,” Kim said. “I can’t accept the Japanese plan because it’s too unilateral and is proceeding without countermeasures.”The International Atomic Energy Agency and many foreign experts already assessed the water discharge will cause negligible impact on the environment and human health. But ahead of the discharge of the wastewater starting Thursday, public fears and frustrations were being shared in its Asian neighbors, where many still bear strong resentment against Japan’s wartime aggression.China summoned Japan’s ambassador in Beijing earlier this week to register its complaints, and a government spokesperson called the discharge plan “extremely selfish and ...

Prince Harry to return to the UK on the eve of first anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s death

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:09:11 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Prince Harry is expected to return to the United Kingdom next month to attend a charity awards ceremony on the eve of the first anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s death, the charity WellChild said Thursday.Harry, a long-time patron of U.K. charity WellChild, will attend its annual awards ceremony in London on Sept. 7 to mark the achievements of seriously ill young people. He is not expected to be joined by his wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex.The royal withdrew from the same charity awards ceremony last year, which took place on Sept. 8, the day that Elizabeth, his grandmother, died. She died at Balmoral, her beloved Scottish country estate, at 96 years old after reigning for 70 years. Harry, who had flown in from the United States, flew to Scotland to be with other members of the royal family. King Charles III and Queen Camilla are expected to mark the anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s death privately at Balmoral. WellChild supports children and young peopl...