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Congolese Nobel laureate kicks off presidential campaign with a promise to end violence, corruption

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:39 GMT

GOMA, Congo (AP) — Congolese Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dr. Denis Mukwege kicked off his campaign for president in next month’s election on Saturday, promising to tackle corruption and the violent conflict ravaging communities in the country’s east.The 68-year-old renowned medical doctor told a crowd of supporters in Bukavu city in the eastern South Kivu province that he would also end famine in Congo, a richly endowed but impoverished country battling high rates of poverty and hunger.“This is the pillar of the work we are going to do to give back to the Congolese people their dignity and their value,” Mukwege told at least 2,000 people gathered in Bukavu, his hometown.Mukwege was named the joint winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2018 for his work in supporting victims of sexual violence in the fighting in Congo through the Panzi Hospital he founded. He is known for his yearslong activism in the country, surviving an assassination attempt in 2012 and facing death threats.Mukw...

Smith says she’ll reveal details next week on threat to invoke sovereignty act

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:39 GMT

EDMONTON — Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she will reveal details next week on her threat to invoke her government’s sovereignty act over federal clean energy regulations.Smith told her provincewide radio call-in show on Saturday that she’s “had it” with federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault, saying he “doesn’t care about the constitution” and noting Ottawa has recently lost two court cases dealing with disputes over federal-provincial jurisdiction.The Alberta Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act, which Smith’s government passed last year, would allow the province to reject federal laws or regulations when the province thinks they cause harm to Alberta. It has not been tested in court.Last month, Smith laid out conditions under which her government would enact portions of the law.She told reporters an “aggressive” cap on oil and gas emissions including methane, a cap on emissions from fertilizer use or a 203...

Male soccer players in Italy put red marks on faces in campaign to eliminate violence against women

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:39 GMT

ROME (AP) — Players and coaches across the top men’s soccer league in Italy had red marks painted on their faces to promote a campaign for the elimination of violence against women on Saturday.The initiative coincided with rallies across Italy to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, just as an Italian man suspected of killing his ex-girlfriend was extradited from Germany.The slaying of 22-year-old university student Giulia Cecchettin, allegedly at the hands of her former boyfriend, sparked outrage across Italy, where on average one woman is killed every three days.Players and coaches in the Serie A league had the red marks on their cheeks and the initiative will continue for matches on Sunday and Monday.The slogan for the initiative translated to “a red card against violence.”___AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/SoccerThe Associated Press

Flight data recorder recovered from US Navy plane that overshot the runway near Honolulu

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:39 GMT

KANEOHE, Hawaii (AP) — The flight data recorder of a large U.S. Navy plane that overshot a runway and ended up in the water near Honolulu this week has been recovered as the military continues to plan for the aircraft’s removal.The Navy’s Aircraft Mishap Board is investigating on scene at Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe Bay, trying to determine the cause of the accident and any contributing factors, the Navy said Friday in a statement.Sailors from a mobile diving and salvage unit retrieved the data recorder Thursday and conducted a hydrographic survey to assess the P-8A plane’s structural integrity.The survey also assessed the coral and marine environment around the plane, which will aid them in minimizing impact during its removal, the Navy said.Kaneohe Bay residents have expressed concerns about possible coral reef damage and other potential harm from fuel or other chemicals in the area, which is about 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) from an ancient fishing point.The Navy sai...

Three Venezuelan migrants charged with theft from west suburban Kohl's

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:39 GMT

WHEATON, Ill. — Three Venezuelan migrants staying in Waukegan were charged Saturday after allegedly stealing merchandise from a west suburban Kohl's on Black Friday, according to the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office (DCSAO).Ilys Mary Ledesma Zapata, Christian Johan Saavedra-Omona and Braud Pineda Avendano were each charged with one count of burglary and one count of retail theft, both of which are felonies.According to the DCSAO, Ledesma Zapata, Saavedra-Omona and Avendano are alleged to have entered the Kohl's found at 303 South Route 83 in Elmhurst around 1:01 p.m. Friday, where they picked out multiple clothing items and left without paying for them. Later in the day, the trio was alleged to have re-entered the store and stole more clothing items, after which they were detained by officers with the Elmhurst Police Department.DCSAO officials also said the stolen merchandise was alleged to be worth $504 in value and that Ledesma Zapata was in possession of a large magnet use...

No. 3 Michigan beats No. 2 Ohio State 30-24 for 3rd straight win in rivalry

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:39 GMT

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — With Jim Harbaugh nowhere in sight and a scandal hanging over their heads, J.J. McCarthy and No. 3 Michigan stared down No. 2 Ohio State and ran the school's win streak against the Buckeyes to three games with a 30-24 victory on Saturday in maybe the most consequential game in the history of the storied rivalry.Michigan's Rod Moore intercepted Kyle McCord's wobbly pass intended for All-American Marvin Harrison Jr. at the Wolverines' 21-yard line with 25 seconds left, setting off a wild celebration on the home team's sideline.McCarthy took a knee, Michigan fans poured over the brick walls of The Big House and onto the field and the Wolverines (12-0, 9-0) were off to their third straight Big Ten title game.In a season of high expectations that now has a championship-or-bust feel, Michigan is a victory away from a third consecutive College Football Playoff appearance. For coach Ryan Day and the Buckeyes (11-1, 8-1), it’s another year of lamenting a loss in the m...

Police warn resident on West, Northwest sides after string of armed robberies

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:39 GMT

CHICAGO — Police are offering a warning to residents on the city's West and Northwest sides after an hours-long string of armed robberies that carried into the evening hours on Friday. According to Chicago police, the robberies happened between 4 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. across several neighborhoods. Tips from Chicago crime experts on how to avoid robberies, minimize harm Officers say during each robbery, three men with guns exited a black Nissan Altima and held victims up at gunpoint while demanding wallets, cell phones, purses and money. Police say during two of the robberies, victims were hit and in another robbery, one of the victims was shot. Authorities have not provided an update on the condition of the victim who was shot during one of the robberies. According to police, the individuals responsible are believed to be between 18 and 25 years of age and police say they all stood between 5-foot-11 and 6 feet tall and weighed between 180 and 190 pounds.  Three Venezuela...

Romney says any Democrat would be 'an upgrade' over Trump in 2024

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:39 GMT

(The Hill) — Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) signaled that nearly any candidate in the 2024 field, of either party, would be an “upgrade” over another term for former President Trump.In a CBS interview with Norah O’Donnell on Friday, the retiring senator solidified his reputation as a stalwart anti-Trump Republican, saying he would support “anybody” over Trump.“I'd be happy to support virtually any one of the Republicans — maybe not Vivek [Ramaswamy] — but the others that are running would be acceptable to me, and I'd be happy to vote for them,” the retiring senator said Friday in an interview with CBS's Norah O’Donnell.“I'd be happy to vote for a number of the Democrats too,” he continued. “It would be an upgrade, in my opinion, from Donald Trump and perhaps also from Joe Biden.”Romney announced in September that he will not seek reelection, sparking a wave of gloating insults from Trump and his allies.“Mitt Romney, sometimes referred to as Pierre Delecto, will not be seeking a second te...

A Westlake win sets up another Battle of the Lakes, but can the Chaps slow Laredo United down?

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:39 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — No. 3 Westlake takes on Laredo United in the 6A Division I regional semifinals Saturday at the Alamodome, and a win will set up another Battle of the Lakes in the regional final next week against Lake Travis.The Chaparrals (12-0) will have to slow down the Longhorns' prolific passing attack in order to advance in the playoffs. The Longhorns (10-2) have two receivers with more than 1,000 receiving yards, senior Christian Saldana and junior Alek Leven, and a quarterback that slings it around the yard like one of the best in Texas. Atzel Chavez Jr. is No. 5 in Texas with 3,638 yards and 38 touchdowns against 11 interceptions. Texas high school football regional semifinal playoff scores for Friday, Nov. 24 Westlake counters with one of the best running backs in the state, senior Jack Kayser. He rushed for 165 yards on 34 carries with three touchdowns in last week's win over San Antonio Reagan and needs nine yards to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark for the third consecutive...

Holiday movie preview: Sweet symphony of Oscar hopefuls, family fare

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:39 GMT

If you write about movies, this is the time of year when you write A LOT about movies, and they’ll continue to snowball into theaters and onto streaming services through the end of the year.There will be time to breathe in January.Now, though, as the fall rush gives way to the early-winter avalanche, we offer this look at much of what’s coming, from Academy Award hopefuls to fanciful films the studios hope will appeal to your whole family around the holidays. (As always, dates are subject to change.)“Leo” — Nov. 21 — Netflix: Adam Sandler’s latest film for the streaming giant is an animated tale set during the last year of elementary school — as seen from the eyes of the class pet. Sandler (“Hotel Transylvania”) voices the titular 74-year-old lizard, who’s been stuck for decades in a Florida classroom with a likewise glassed-in turtle (voiced by Bill Burr). When Leo learns he has but one year to live, he plots his great escape.“G...