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Extremist Israel Cabinet minister visits sensitive Jerusalem holy site

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 01:20:25 GMT

JERUSALEM (AP) — An extremist Israeli Cabinet minister visited a sensitive Jerusalem holy site on Sunday at a time of heightened tensions with the Palestinians.The visit by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, his second known visit since becoming a member of Israel’s most right-leaning government ever, was likely to draw condemnations from the Palestinians and elsewhere in the Muslim world.“I am happy to come up to the Temple Mount, the most important place for the Israeli people,” Ben-Gvir said in a statement following the visit. He praised the police presence at the site, saying it “proves who is in charge in Jerusalem.”The visit comes days after Israelis marked Jerusalem Day, which celebrates Israel’s capturing of east Jerusalem in the 1967 Mideast war. Flag-waving nationalists marched through the main Palestinian thoroughfare in Jerusalem’s Old City, some singing racist anti-Arab chants, while hundreds of Jews visited the sensitive hilltop shrine.The hilltop site is the ...

Trudeau asserts continued support for Ukraine as G7 leaders’ summit concludes

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 01:20:25 GMT

HIROSHIMA, Japan — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Ukraine would not be standing today if allies were not there to support it when Russian troops invaded early last year — and countries pushing for a ceasefire must recognize Russia is squarely to blame.Trudeau told reporters after attending the G7 leaders’ summit in Hiroshima, Japan, that the Canadian military will continue to provide support training to Ukraine’s forces and may also endeavour to train Ukrainian pilots. His comments come after the United States announced it will allow allies to send American-made fighter jets to support Ukraine’s war effort. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy joined the G7 leaders on Saturday after they slapped fresh sanctions on Russia, and met with Trudeau Sunday morning. Trudeau says Russia’s reckless nuclear rhetoric, along with threats from North Korea and uncertainty around Iran, have brought home the need to remember the dangers of nuclear proliferation. He als...

Ukrainian president meets with world leaders at G7 as Russia claims a key victory in the war

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 01:20:25 GMT

HIROSHIMA, Japan (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy huddled with some of his biggest backers at the Group of Seven meeting in Hiroshima on Sunday, hoping to add to the momentum for his country’s war effort even as Russia claimed a symbolic victory on the battlefield. The Ukrainian leader’s in-person appearance during the final day of the summit underscored the centrality of the war for the bloc of rich democracies. It also stole much of the limelight from many of the other priorities, ranging from security challenges in Asia and outreach to the developing world, that the leaders focused on at the three-day gathering. Zelenskyy was holding two major rounds of meetings Sunday, one with G7 leaders only and a second with the group and a host of invited guests including India, South Korea and Brazil. He also held one-on-one talks with several of the leaders, including U.S. President Joe Biden.Biden on Sunday announced a new military aid package for Ukraine during ...

Byron Buxton leaves early with tightness around knee as Twins oust Angels

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 01:20:25 GMT

ANAHEIM, Calif. — There was plenty for the Twins to like on Saturday, a game they established control in early.There was some early offense and aggressive baserunning, putting the Twins up by three before Louie Varland even stepped foot on the mound. There was yet another solid start from the rookie, who pitched five-plus innings, giving up a pair of runs. There was a nice effort from Jovani Moran, who bailed Varland out of a two-on, no-out jam in the sixth inning, and a trio of other relievers, who kept the Angels scoreless.And also, this: Byron Buxton left Saturday night’s game with tightness around his right knee, the same one that was surgically repaired last year.Buxton had a busy night on the basepaths in the Twins’ 6-2 win on Saturday, helping contribute to the Twins’ big first inning by beating out what would have been a double play and going from first to third twice.“He’s been all over the place lately. He’s been playing extraordinarily hard, taking extra bases beating out...

Zelenskyy: ‘Bakhmut is only in our hearts’ after Ukraine loses control of destroyed city to Russia

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 01:20:25 GMT

By SUSIE BLANN and ZEKE MILLER (Associated Press)KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Sunday that Bakhmut was “only in our hearts,” hours after Russia’s defense ministry reported that forces of the Wagner private army, with the support of Russian troops, had seized the city in eastern Ukraine. Speaking alongside President Joe Biden at the Group of Seven summit in Hiroshima, Japan, Zelenskyy said he believed the city had fallen, but added: “You have to understand that there is nothing,” saying of the Russians, “They destroyed everything.”“For today, Bakhmut is only in our hearts,” he said. “There is nothing in this place.”The Russian ministry statement on the Telegram channel came about eight hours after a similar claim by Wagner head Yevgeny Prigozhin. Ukrainian authorities at that time said fighting for Bakhmut was continuing.The eight-month battle for the city in eastern Ukraine is...

Inside Nuggets’ crucial Game 3 stretch that pushed Lakers to the edge: “Are we going to survive?”

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 01:20:25 GMT

LOS ANGELES — Strahinja and Nemanja Jokic waved their hands like they wanted to buy a round for every sour Laker fan in the building.After Nikola, their younger brother, was whistled for a questionable foul on Anthony Davis less than five minutes into the third quarter, the Jokic brothers were the first people in the arena eager to see Nuggets coach Michael Malone challenge the foul call.Their vigorous, vehement pleas would’ve been enough to make most coaches cower.Up 68-63 with 7:24 left in the third quarter of Saturday’s Game 3, even Jokic called for his coach to review what would become his fourth foul of the night. The challenge was unsuccessful, and Jokic zipped his hoodie up as his animated brothers, seated next to Jokic’s wife, screamed and shouted from their seats directly behind Denver’s bench.What followed was the most crucial stretch of the game, and the primary reason the Nuggets hung on 119-108, pushing the Lakers to the brink of a humbling season-ending sweep in ...

Thousands evacuated from Rose Bowl music festival due to severe thunderstorm

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 01:20:25 GMT

Thousands of concertgoers were evacuated from the Rose Bowl on Saturday night due to an unexpected thunderstorm.The Cruel World Music Festival featured headliners such as Iggy Pop, Siouxsie, Billy Idol and more. Event organizers stopped the concert during Iggy Pop's performance and ordered everyone out after lightning was spotted near the venue."Due to severe weather, please exit the event site and move to your vehicles or protected areas outside of the event site for safety,” officials Tweeted. “The festival has been postponed until further notice. Please evacuate the festival site immediately. Use the nearest emergency exits.”Thousands were evacuated during The Cruel World Music Festival at the Rose Bowl due to a severe thunderstorm warning on May 20, 2023. (@AlbertPBJ)"We are tracking a strong thunderstorm moving southwest from near Mt. Wilson to between Pasadena and Monrovia," according to the National Weather Service. "This storm may produce strong gusty winds, heavy downpours,...

Alhambra's Lai Lai Ballroom celebrates AAPI Heritage Month, promotes healing and joy

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 01:20:25 GMT

Alhambra’s Lai Lai Ballroom celebrated Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month with a free celebratory dance event on Saturday.The Alhambra ballroom is where the gunman responsible for killing 11 people in a nearby Monterey Park dance hall, was disarmed by 26-year-old Brandon Tsay on Jan. 21.Saturday's event celebrated the resilience of a community amid tragedy while also honoring the diversity and courage of Alhambra and Monterey Park.Co-hosted by the Tsay Family and Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California, the free event featured live performances, dancing, kids’ activities, food, a DJ and more.“I really think that this event here today is to rekindle the joys and the festivities of dance culture,” said Brandon Tsay, whose family operates the Lai Lai Ballroom and Studio.Tsay welcomed crowds to the ballroom on Saturday for a festive afternoon. KTLA 5 News celebrates Asian American & Pacific Islander Month “They don’t want Lai Lai Studio to only be remembe...

NCS playoff roundup: Pinole Valley softball gets help from unexpected places

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 01:20:25 GMT

SoftballDivision IIIPinole Valley 1, San Marin 0On a team headlined, rightfully so, by senior pitcher Kailani Tatro, it was two unheralded freshman who were the difference in Pinole Valley’s 1-0 victory over visiting San Marin in the North Coast Section Division III semifinal. Freshman Gabriella Ornelas doubled in the bottom of the sixth inning, notching Pinole Valley’s first hit of the night. Driving her pinch-runner Jordan Mendoza in was fellow first-year player Jazabella Cabrera. That was all the offense the Spartans would get, not that they needed any more that that with Tatro locked in against the visitors. The senior got her 26th victory of the season after striking out 11, allowing just two hits, and walking none. Pinole Valley, now 26-1, had enjoyed a bye through the first round as the No. 1 seed. The Spartans will play No. 4 Albany, a rival from the Tri-County Athletic League Rock Division, on Wednesday for a spot in the section championship. Division IVDel Norte 12, St. Pa...

Hallan muerta a Madeleine Pantoja, reportada desaparecida en Texas hace más de una semana

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 01:20:25 GMT

(CNN) — Una mujer de 20 años que estuvo desaparecida durante más de una semana en el oeste de Texas fue encontrada muerta el sábado, y un hombre fue detenido en relación con su homicidio, dijo la policía.Madeline Pantoja fue reportada como desaparecida el 11 de mayo. Su coche y su móvil habían quedado en casa, informó el Departamento de Policía de Midland.Su desaparición puso en marcha una búsqueda que duró varios días y en la que participaron varias fuerzas del orden.Sus restos fueron encontrados en una zona rural al sureste de los límites de la ciudad nueve días después de que se denunciara, anunció la policía el sábado.Horas después del hallazgo, Mario Juan Chacon Jr., de 24 años, fue detenido como presunto autor de la muerte de Pantoja, según la policía de Midland.Está detenido sin fianza desde el sábado por la noche en la cárcel del condado de Midland, dijo la policía. CNN está trabajando para determinar si Chacón tiene un abogado.Las autoridades dieron pocos detalles el ...