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Israel’s defense chief travels to Azerbaijan, reaffirming shared opposition to Iran

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:13:35 GMT

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s defense minister visited Azerbaijan on Thursday, seeking to strengthen ties between countries with shared opposition to Iran.Defense Minster Yoav Gallant and Azerbaijani officials agreed to work together to deter threats from Iran, the Israeli Defense Ministry said. Israel views Iran as its archenemy, while Azerbaijan, which borders Iran to the north, also has a rocky relationship with Iran. “We have many shared challenges – in particular the fight against terrorism – which not only threatens national security, but also aims to destabilize the region,” Gallant said in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. “Together, we may further deepen the ties between our countries and strengthen the cooperation between our defense establishments and our forces.”Israel considers Iran to be its greatest threat, citing Iran’s calls for Israel’s destruction and its support of hostile militant groups. It also accuses Iran of trying to develop a nuclear bom...

Thousands protest outside US offices in Tel Aviv, say Netanyahu government is straining relations

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:13:35 GMT

JERUSALEM (AP) — Thousands of protesters gathered outside the main U.S. diplomatic office in Tel Aviv Thursday night, calling upon the U.S. to condemn Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to overhaul the country’s judiciary.The gathering came days after President Joe Biden called members of Netanyahu’s far-right government “extreme” and said that supporters of Israel’s West Bank settlements were “part of the problem.” Netanyahu’s allies, who comprise the most far-right Israeli government ever, have proposed a series of changes to the Israeli legal system aimed at weakening what they say are the excessive powers of unelected judges. The proposed changes include giving Netanyahu’s allies control over the appointment of judges and the power to overturn court decisions they do not support. Protesters say the plan will destroy the country’s fragile system of checks and balances and concentrate power in the hands of Netanyahu and his allies. Protesters, who are now in thei...

ICC prosecutor says he is investigating alleged new war crimes in Sudan’s Darfur region

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:13:35 GMT

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The International Criminal Court prosecutor said Thursday he is investigating alleged new war crimes and crimes against humanity in Sudan’s western Darfur region during the current conflict that has killed and displaced thousands.Karim Khan told the U.N. Security Council that fighting between government forces and the paramilitary Rapid Security Forces has spilled into Darfur where war crimes and crimes against humanity were committed back in 2003. He said the country is now “in peril of allowing history to repeat itself,” Khan said. In 2005, the Security Council referred the situation in Darfur to the ICC and Khan said the court’ still has a mandate under that measure to investigate crimes. He said people in the vast region are living in fear of their lives, in the middle of conflict and with their homes burning. Source

US climate envoy John Kerry spars in heated exchanges with House Republicans ahead of Beijing trip

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:13:35 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. climate envoy John Kerry defended his negotiations with China — and angrily rebuffed what he called a “stupid” lie that he routinely travels by private jet — during a grilling by House Republicans on Thursday before he sets out on his next climate mission to Beijing. Kerry leaves Sunday for meetings with his counterpart, Xie Zhenhua, the first extensive face-to-face climate discussions between the world’s two worst climate polluters after a nearly yearlong hiatus.The questioning in Thursday’s hearing by the Republican-led House Foreign Affairs Committee’s oversight subcommittee underscored the risks for Kerry that rising tensions between the two rival countries will stymie progress in what scientists stress are essential cuts in fossil fuel emissions over this decade.Republicans’ questioning of Kerry on his climate diplomacy at times broke down into challenging the existence of the scientifically established fact of climate change and openly ...

Maryland announces first heat-related death of year

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:13:35 GMT

BALTIMORE (AP) — Maryland announced the first heat-related death of the year in the state on Thursday.A 52-year-old man died in Cecil County, the state’s health department said. “We are very saddened to report our first heat-related death of the season,” said Nilesh Kalyanaraman, Maryland’s deputy secretary for public health services. “As we experience more hot days like today, this tragedy reminds us of how important it is to take every precaution to avoid overheating. Also, be sure to check on family and neighbors who are at risk for heat-related illness.”Temperatures hit the mid to upper 90s in Maryland on Thursday. From May through September, Maryland’s health department monitors temperature conditions and incidents of heat-related illness and death. Source

Michigan city investigates salon owner’s online comments about gender identity

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:13:35 GMT

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — A northern Michigan city is investigating after a local hair salon owner posted on social media that anyone identifying as other than a man or a woman is not welcome at her business.Christine Geiger’s online posts have drawn criticism from Traverse City’s mayor and other officials, who said they were looking into whether she was violating a municipal anti-discrimination ordinance.Demonstrators chanted and carried signs Wednesday outside the business, Studio 8 Hair Lab — Education & Beauty Supply.In an Associated Press interview, Geiger stood by her posts and said small business owners should be free to serve whomever they wish.“I just don’t want the woke dollar. … I’d rather not be as busy than to have to do services that I don’t agree with.”A post last weekend on the salon’s Facebook page, which is no longer available, read, “If a human identifies as anything other than a man/woman please seek services at a local pet groomer. You ar...

Police: Man charged with lewd conduct sent inappropriate texts to Flanagan High School senior he photographed

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:13:35 GMT

A man was arrested by Pembroke Pines Police after allegedly engaging in inappropriate behavior after he was hired to take senior class photos at Flanagan High School. The suspect, identified as Ayo Thegenus, is accused of sending inappropriate messages to one of the students, leading to charges being filed against him.The suspect appeared before a judge earlier Thursday.“I do find probable cause for that charge,” said the judge.According to the arrest affidavit, in February of 2020, Thegenus, who was then 28 years old, was a photographer with Nick’s Photo Studio hired by Flanagan High School to capture senior photos. However, his professional responsibilities took a disturbing turn when he allegedly developed an infatuation with one of the students he photographed.“He took advantage of his employment as a photographer with this particular high school to obtain and use a student’s information to contact and solicit that student,” said Assistant Sta...

Shots fired at Wilton Manors residence, suspect sought

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:13:35 GMT

The Wilton Manors Police Department is seeking the community’s help in identifying a suspect who allegedly fired multiple rounds at a home. The incident occurred early Saturday morning along the 100 block of NE 30th Court in Wilton Manors.According to authorities, at approximately 3:00 am, an individual depicted in a photo released by the police fired approximately twelve rounds during the incident. However, one round penetrated the bathroom window of an occupied home.Fortunately, no injuries were reported. The police department has described the suspect as a black male, around 30 years old, with afro-style hair. The individual was reportedly wearing an orange polo-style shirt and was barefoot at the time of the incident. The suspect is believed to be armed and in possession of a semi-automatic 9mm black handgun.If you have any information on this crime, call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a...

Conservatives feud with the postal service, as Spain votes by mail in record numbers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:13:35 GMT

MADRID — Spain’s conservatives have a new boogeyman: The postal service. Ahead of next weekend’s national election, post offices across the country have been mobbed by voters seeking to sign up for mail-in balloting before the deadline for that option expires this Thursday. Spain’s center-right Popular Party, however, isn’t happy — and is accusing the postal service of meddling in the election. According to Correos, the state-owned postal service, a whopping 94,000 Spaniards filed for mail-in voting on Wednesday. Madrid resident Alejandro Rodríguez, who is registered to vote in his hometown of Las Palmas in the Canary Islands, was one of them.“I waited until the last moment, more because of laziness than anything else,” he admitted sheepishly. “But fortunately it was all super straightforward: I came extra early, at 8:30 in the morning, and there was barely any line so I was done within 15 minutes.”It’s the first time that Spain ...

12-year-old boy killed in Mattapan shooting

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:13:35 GMT

Authorities say a 12-year-old boy was shot and killed in Mattapan Thursday afternoon.Boston police said first responders were first called to the area of 35 Fessenden St. just after 2 p.m. for a report of a shooting. Authorities originally said a victim was located there and transported to a hospital.In a news conference held later in the afternoon, city officials said the victim was a 12-year-old child who had died as a result of the shooting. “Clearly this is an unnecessary death, it appears, of a young person in our city,” said Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox. “We’re doing all we can to combat gun violence but I implore folks – if you have guns in your homes, particularly illegal or whatever, turn them into us, let us know what we can do to take those off your hands. These guns on the street cause damage – simple as that.”Details on the circumstances of the shooting have not yet been released, though while taking questions towards ...