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Russia’s Lavrov declares at security talks that his country’s goals in Ukraine are unchanged

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:24:09 GMT

SKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov delivered a blunt message to Western leaders Friday and declared at an international security conference that his government was not prepared to “review its goals” in Ukraine. “We aren’t seeing any signals from Kyiv or its masters about their readiness to seek any kind of political settlement,” Lavrov told reporters while attending an Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe conference in North Macedonia.“We see no reason to review our goals,” he said.North Macedonia, which joined NATO in 2020, waived a flight ban on Russian officials so Lavrov could attend the two-day meeting of the OSCE’s Ministerial Council, prompting the top diplomats of Ukraine, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to skip the event in protest.U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken made a brief stop in North Macedonia’s capital, Skopje, before Lavrov arrived.Participants at the meeting accused Moscow of undermining the OSCE with its...

Investec South African Open Championship Scores

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:24:09 GMT

FridayAt Blair Atholl Golf & Equestrian EstateJohannesburgPurse: $1.5 millionYardage: 8,233; Par: 72Second RoundJesper Svensson, Sweden68-67—135Casey Jarvis, South Africa66-70—136Joakim Lagergren, Sweden65-71—136Matteo Manassero, Italy68-68—136Frederic Lacroix, France69-68—137David Ravetto, France68-69—137Ryan Van Velzen, South Africa72-65—137Oliver Bekker, South Africa71-67—138Louis De Jager, South Africa67-71—138Hennie Du Plessis, South Africa68-70—138Romain Langasque, France69-69—138Matti Schmid, Germany70-68—138Andy Sullivan, England67-72—139Darius Van Driel, Netherlands69-70—139Jacques De Villiers, South Africa69-71—140Hunter Epson, United States72-68—140Darren Fichardt, South Africa70-70—140Ross Fisher, England71-69—140Sebastian Friedrichsen, Denmark69-71—140Deon Germishuys, South Africa69-71—140Jeong-Weon Ko, France72-68—140Francesco Laporta, Italy69-71—140Renato Paratore, Italy69-71—140Jovan Rebula, South Africa67-73—140Jayden Trey Schaper, South Africa70-70—140Nick Bach...

Live updates | Israeli strikes kill dozens across Gaza as cease-fire ends, health officials say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:24:09 GMT

Israeli strikes on houses and buildings across the Gaza Strip have killed dozens of people, according to health officials there, as fighting resumed on Friday just minutes after a temporary cease-fire deal ended.Israel accused Hamas of having violated the truce between the warring sides, while Hamas blamed Israel, saying it declined offers to free more hostages. Mediator Qatar said efforts are ongoing to renew the truce, under which Israel paused most military activity in Gaza and freed Palestinian prisoners, primarily women and teenagers, in exchange for the release of hostages held by Hamas.Over 100 hostages were freed during the truce, most of whom appear physically well but shaken. Israel says 115 adult men, 20 women and two children are still held captive. Weeks of Israeli bombardment and a ground campaign have left more than three-quarters of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents uprooted and homeless, leading to a humanitarian crisis. More than 13,300 Palestinians have been kill...

European gymnastics federation rejects return of athletes from Russia and Belarus to competition

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:24:09 GMT

SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — The governing body of gymnastics in Europe voted against allowing Russian and Belarusian gymnasts to return to international competitions, calling into question how they could qualify for next year’s Olympics.The International Gymnastics Federation is allowing Russians and Belarusians to return as “individual neutral athletes” without national symbols from Jan. 1, in line with the International Olympic Committee’s recommendations. However, European Gymnastics said its members voted Friday not to comply with that plan.“The General Assembly of European Gymnastics has voted against allowing athletes and officials from Russia and Belarus to return to official European Gymnastics competitions from 1 January 2024 onwards, thus not following the FIG decision,” it said in a statement.The FIG told The Associated Press in an emailed statement that it “takes note of the decision” by European Gymnastics.“Although this may have an impact on Olympic qualification through co...

Measures to ban slaughterhouses, fur sales in Denver will be on 2024 ballot

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:24:09 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — New measures that could ban slaughterhouses and the sale of fur will be on Denver's 2024 ballot. The City and County of Denver confirmed that as of Nov. 27, the citizen-led initiatives received enough signatures to make it onto the 2024 ballot. Banning slaughterhousesThe ballot measure is known as the Prohibition of Slaughterhouses. Denver leaders seek to change threshold for warming shelters on cold nights In 2024, Denver voters will be asked the following question:"Shall the voters of the City and County of Denver adopt an ordinance prohibiting slaughterhouses, and, in connection, beginning January 1, 2026, prohibiting the construction, maintenance, or use of slaughterhouses within the City; and requiring the City to prioritize residents whose employment is affected by the ordinance in workforce training or employment assistance programs?"Prohibition of Slaughterhouses approved ballot questionThe measure was introduced by Pro-Animal Future, a movement that works ...

Former Denver Post building to be sold, turned into city courts

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:24:09 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — The City of Denver plans to buy the former Denver Post building on Colfax.FOX31 obtained an outline from Denver's Department of Finance that explains the city's agreement to pay $88.5 million for the building, located at 101 W. Colfax Ave. The building is being sold by Kayan, LLC. The city currently owns 50% of the building, or five floors, totaling 144,988 square feet. It has been leasing the space since 2016. Now, the city wants to acquire the entire building to meet future space needs. According to the city, the building would house district, county, probate and juvenile courts. It also plans to use the building to give dedicated space to nonprofits and judicial advocate services.Currently, the courts have been housed in undesignated spaces in other city buildings. Mayor’s office to close 2 more homeless encampments, move hundreds indoors By 2040, the city expects to need approximately 280,000 square feet to accommodate court staff.The city said the former Denv...

Northglenn police catch driver going 63 mph in school zone

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:24:09 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — Northglenn police are urging drivers to slow down, especially in school zones, after officers cited a driver for going 40 mph over the speed limit.On Thursday, the Northglenn Police Department tweeted a simple message in all caps, "SLOW DOWN!"According to the tweet, officers cited two separate drivers for excessive speeds. Truck kills man in wheelchair crossing busy Denver intersection In one photo, Northglenn officers cited a driver for going 63 mph in a school zone that had a speed limit of 20 mph.In another photo, police cited a driver going 81 mph in a 25 mph zone. Most school zone speed limits range from a minimum of 20 mph during school hours, which is usually around 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.According to the Colorado General Assembly, drivers can be fined between $35-$200 for speeding between 1-24 mph over the speed limit.However, in both these cases, the driver could be given jail time. Police investigating ‘likely homicide’ in Commerce City The Colorado General A...

Passenger describes calm response as Portugal-bound flight turns back mid-air due to cracked windshield

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:24:09 GMT

A TAP Air Portugal flight from Miami to Europe faced a mid-air scare compelling it to return to Miami International Airport after a cracked windshield was discovered. Kathleen Leach, one of the passengers, shared her experience, emphasizing the calm demeanor of the flight crew during the incident.Leach recalled the moment when, mid-air near Bermuda, an announcement informed passengers of the decision to turn around due to the cracked windshield. “I kept an eye on the flight attendants. They were not stressed or anything. They were very calm and kept everyone calm, so that made me feel good,” said Leach.Videos from 7SkyForce showed the cracked windshield in the cockpit. While the turnaround caused inconvenience for passengers, many expressed relief that the incident was not any worse.Passengers, including Leach, have been rebooked on a subsequent flight scheduled for 4:40 p.m. on Friday. The airline aims for a smooth departure without further complications.

Illinois appeals court affirms actor Jussie Smollett’s convictions and jail sentence

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:24:09 GMT

An appeals court upheld the disorderly conduct convictions Friday of actor Jussie Smollett, who was accused of staging a racist, homophobic attack against himself in 2019 and then lying about it to Chicago police.Smollett, who appeared in the TV show “Empire,” challenged the role of a special prosecutor, jury selection, evidence and many other aspects of the case. But all were turned aside in a 2-1 opinion from the Illinois Appellate Court.Smollett had reported to police that he was the victim of a racist and homophobic attack by two men wearing ski masks. The manhunt for the attackers soon turned into an investigation of Smollett himself, leading to his arrest on charges he had orchestrated the attack.Authorities said he paid two men whom he knew from work on “Empire.”A jury convicted Smollett in 2021 on five felony counts of disorderly conduct, a charge that can be filed in Illinois when a person lies to police.He now will have to finish a 150-day stint in jail that was part of hi...

PREVIEW: Chargers and Herbert stumble into New England to find a Patriots team with even more problems

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:24:09 GMT

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — At least the Los Angeles Chargers don’t have to worry about who should play quarterback.The New England Patriots are still trying to figure out who’ll be the starting signal caller Sunday against Justin Herbert and the Chargers. And they’re hoping it’s the same guy who finishes the game.In each of the last two games – and four times this season – 2021 first-round draft pick Mac Jones has been pulled in favor of backup Bailey Zappe. Zappe was a bit better in the 10-7 loss to the New York Giants last week, but he also threw loss-clinching interceptions in back-to-back games. The Patriots (2-9) also have Will Grier hanging around, and rookie Malik Cunningham on the practice squad.“They’re trying to get the best guy out there for their team,” Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. said. “We just need to be ready for whatever they come with.”New England coach Bill Belichick said he won’t announce a starter in advance, maintaining the secretive approach he r...