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Putin claims fighting in southeastern Ukraine has intensified, with Kyiv suffering heavy losses

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:14 GMT

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Fierce fighting raged Thursday in southeastern Ukraine, where a Western official said Kyiv has launched a major push and Russian President Vladimir Putin said “hostilities have intensified significantly.”Battles in recent weeks have taken place on multiple points along the 1,500-kilometer (930-mile) front line as Ukraine wages a counteroffensive with Western-supplied weapons and Western-trained troops against Russian forces who invaded 17 months ago.Putin praised the “heroism” with which Russian soldiers were repelling attacks in the Zaporizhzhia region of the southeast, claiming Moscow’s troops not only destroyed Ukraine’s military equipment but also inflicted heavy losses to Kyiv’s forces.He insisted on state TV Ukraine’s push in the area “wasn’t successful,” although it was not possible to independently verify his report. Putin was in St. Petersburg at a summit of African leaders. Putin has insisted for weeks that Kyiv’s counteroffensive is failing, without p...

India protests China’s issuing of separate visas to Indians from disputed northeastern state

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:14 GMT

NEW DELHI (AP) — India protested on Thursday China’s practice to continue to issue separate visas that are stapled onto passports of Indian citizens from the northeastern Arunachal Pradesh state, which China claims to be part of its South Tibet. Three members of an Indian sports team set to compete at the World University Games this week in China were denied regular visas — which are stamped onto passports — by the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi. Instead, they got their visas stapled to a page in their passports. For India, that presents a problem because if it sends athletes with stapled visas to China, it would imply accepting China’s claim on the territory.There was no immediate comment from Beijing but China has insisted the decision to issue stapled visas does not undermine its position on the disputed territory. “This is unacceptable, and we have lodged our strong protest with the Chinese side reiterating our consistent position on the matter. India reserves the righ...

Far-right activist Ammon Bundy loses Idaho hospital defamation case, must pay millions

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:14 GMT

SALEM, Ore. — Far-right activist Ammon Bundy, who led the takeover of a federal wildlife refuge in Oregon, an associate and three of their groups must pay over $50 million in damages for accusing a hospital of child trafficking and harassing medical staff, a jury has decided.The lawsuit brought by St. Luke’s Regional Health accused Bundy and Diego Rodriguez of making defamatory statements against the hospital and its employees after Rodriguez’s infant grandson was removed from his family for several days and taken to St. Luke’s amid concerns for his health. The emergency room physician, Dr. Rachel Thomas, testified that the 10-month-old baby’s stomach was distended, his eyes were hollow and he was unable to sit up, reminding her of severely malnourished babies she had treated in Haiti, according to the Idaho Statesman newspaper. Police said at the time that medical personnel determined the child was malnourished and had lost weight.Bundy responded by urging his followers to pr...

21 dead and 40 rescued after a wind-tossed boat overturns in the Philippines

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:14 GMT

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — At least 21 people died and 40 others were rescued after a Philippine passenger boat overturned Thursday when it was lashed by strong winds in Laguna Lake southeast of Manila, police said.Police said rescue operations were continuing, but did not immediately provide figures for the total number of people on board the MBCA Aya when it capsized in Rizal province. The boat capsized when its passengers moved to one side of the boat in panic when it was battered by fierce winds about 46 meters (about 150 feet) from Kalinawan village in Binangonan town, the coast guard said.The Rizal provincial police said it immediately launched a search and rescue operation with the help of the coast guard and other local authorities and at that least 40 people were saved but 21 others drowned.“The operation is still ongoing for the possible rescue of other passengers,” the Rizal police said in a statement. It did not provide other details like how many passengers and crewmemb...

Niger’s president vows democracy will prevail after mutinous soldiers detain him and declare a coup

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:14 GMT

NIAMEY, Niger (AP) — Niger’s president defiantly declared Thursday that democracy would prevail, a day after mutinous soldiers detained him and announced they had seized power in a coup over the West African country’s deteriorating security situation.While many people in the capital of Niamey went about their usual business, it remained unclear who was in control of the country and which side the majority might support. A statement tweeted by the army command’s account declared that it would back the coup in order to avoid a “murderous confrontation” that could lead to a “bloodbath.” It was not possible to confirm that the statement was genuine.Meanwhile, President Mohamed Bazoum — who was elected in 2021 in Niger’s first peaceful, democratic transfer of power since its independence from France and is a key ally of the West — appeared to have the backing of several political parties.“The hard-won achievements will be safeguarded. All Nigerians who love democracy and freedom wi...

Biden looks to provide relief from extreme heat as record temperatures persist across US

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:14 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — With millions of Americans facing broiling heat across the Southwest, President Joe Biden on Thursday plans to announce new steps to protect workers, improve weather forecasts and make drinking water more accessible, the White House says.The announcement comes as nearly 40% of the U.S. population faces heat advisories, according to the National Weather Service, and high temperatures are expected to spread in the coming days to Midwest and Northeast. Biden will be joined by the leaders of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre described the heat wave as “a difficult time” and said Biden was treating climate change with “the urgency it requires.”The Democratic president is directing the Department of Labor to increase inspections of potentially dangerous workplaces such as farms and construction sites. He also wants heightened enforcement of heat safety viol...

Man critical after Oak Park building fire

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:14 GMT

OAK PARK, Ill. — One person is in the hospital after a building caught fire in Oak Park early Wednesday evening.According to Oak Park Village officials, the Oak Park Fire and Police Departments were called to the 200 block of South Maple Avenue on reports of a fire with collapsed wall sections at a multi-level, multi-unit building.“I started hearing people say call 911, glass, I thought it was maybe a car accident," said Ethan Colchamiro, who lives in the building. "But as soon as I walked outside, I could just see plumes of smoke building up."Officials said a man was transported in critical condition to Loyola University Medical Center.The Red Cross did come to assist neighbors in the area. At least 12 people have been displaced from the blast, and village officials are working with the Red Cross to provide them accommodations in the meantime. ‘Muddy’ the blue police dog statue stolen, CPD says There is no reported cause of the fire yet. WGN is actively investigating the incident...

Lindsey Horan revenge goal helps US eke out draw against Netherlands in Women's World Cup

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:14 GMT

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — When the United States was desperate for a spark, Lindsey Horan channeled her anger into a much-needed goal to keep the Americans unbeaten at the Women’s World Cup. Horan was fuming after she was knocked over by Danielle van de Donk in the second half of Thursday's rematch of the 2019 women's final, when the United States beat the Netherlands to win their second consecutive World Cup title. She got her revenge minutes after the tackle in a sequence that included Horan cursing about van de Donk before shoving her, as well. The two trash-talked and were separated by a referee before Horan scored the game-saving goal for the United States. Horan scored on a well-timed header off a corner kick from Rose Lavelle in the 62nd minute to give the Americans the goal they needed to sneak out a 1-1 draw with the Netherlands. The United States remained unbeaten in 19 consecutive matches. “I don’t think you ever want to get me mad because I don’t react in a good way...

List: Cooling centers in Chicago

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:14 GMT

CHICAGO — Chicago could see the hottest weather of the summer this week. Tom Skilling reports heat indices could reach or exceed 100-degrees as steamy weather settles in. Tom Skilling: Hottest weather of the season on the way — and storms too The City of Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications is advising residents to be prepared for the hot weather.Cooling Centers Open in ChicagoThe city's six community service centers are activated. The are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. all week. Englewood Center – 1140 W. 79th Street  Garfield Center – 10 S. Kedzie Ave. (24 Hours) King Center – 4314 S. Cottage Grove  North Area Center – 845 W. Wilson Ave.  South Chicago Center – 8650 S. Commercial Ave.  Trina Davila Center – 4312 W. North Ave.  During hours of operation, residents can also find relief in one of the City’s Chicago Public Library locations and Chicago Park District fieldhouses as well as splash pads located throughout the city.Full forecast...

Woman, 43, critical after being shot while at red light on South Side

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:14 GMT

CHICAGO — A 43-year-old woman is in critical condition after being shot while at a red light on the city's South Side.The shooting happened around 9:20 p.m. Wednesday in the 6300 block of South Wentworth in the Greater Grand Crossing neighborhood.Police said the woman was stopped at a red light when a man exited a black Ford sedan and fired shots. The woman suffered gunshot wounds to the neck and face. Man critical after Oak Park building fire The woman was transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center in critical condition.No one is in custody. Area One detectives are investigating.