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New caucus in Congress condemns poisoning of Iranian girls

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:37:37 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — A new bipartisan caucus in Congress is condemning the Iranian government over the recent poisoning of school girls in the country, amplifying the growing criticism in Washington against the Islamic Republic and its disregard for human rights. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, announced the formation of the Iranian Women Congressional Caucus with the support of nearly 20 Republican and Democratic members of the House. It’s just the latest example of U.S. officials denouncing the treatment of women by the Iranian government since nationwide protests first erupted over the Sept. 16 death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini while in the custody of Iran’s morality police. Amini was accused of violating Iran’s strict dress code for women by wearing her headscarf improperly. Those protests, which mark one of the biggest challenges to Iran’s theocracy since the 1979 revolution, have continued for months. More than 500 people have been killed in demonstrations, according to hu...

US moves military assets to Djibouti for possible Sudan evac

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:37:37 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon is moving military assets to a Naval base in the tiny Gulf of Aden nation of Djibouti to prepare for the possible evacuation of U.S. Embassy personnel from Sudan.Two Biden administration officials say the deployments to Camp Lemmonier in Djibouti are necessary because of the current uncertain situation in Sudan, where fighting is raging between two warring factions..The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to describe the administration’s planning for a potential evacuation. That planning got underway in earnest on Monday after a U.S. Embassy convoy was attacked in Khartoum, the Sudanese capital.In a statement Thursday, the Pentagon said it will deploy “additional capabilities” to the region to potentially help facilitate an evacuation of embassy personnel from Sudan if required, but provided no details, and did not state the location.Security conditions in Khartoum and elsewhere have thus far prevented the State Department from implementing a so-...

Cámara Baja revoca ley para enmendar la reforma policial de DC

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:37:37 GMT

La Cámara de Representantes, liderada por los republicanos, votó el miércoles a favor de revocar la ley de enmienda sobre la reforma policial del distrito. La Cámara votó 229-189 sobre la medida, llamada resolución de desaprobación, lo que marca la tercera vez este año que los republicanos de la Cámara buscan anular la legislación local de DC, con algo de ayuda demócrata, alegando que los funcionarios han sido blandos con el crimen. Sin embargo, es poco probable que la pieza legislativa avance en el Senado liderado por los demócratas, y el presidente Joe Biden ha prometido vetarlo.Los republicanos siguieron adelante, diciendo que el escrutinio del Congreso de las leyes del Distrito se ha retrasado mucho. Comité de la Cámara aprueba proyecto para anular la reforma policial de DC Biden vetaría bloqueo a cambios en el Código Penal de DC Líderes de DC testificarán en audiencia de la Cámara Baja sobre una posible reforma...

Mortgage rates rise: 30-year climbs to 6.39%

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:37:37 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. mortgage rates rose this week for the first time in more than a month, at least a temporary setback for would-be home buyers and a housing market already reeling from more than a year of interest-rate hikes by the Federal Reserve.Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday that that average fixed-rate 30-year mortgage edged up to 6.39% from 6.27% the week before. A year ago, the average rate was 5.11%.The average rate on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages, popular with those refinancing their homes, also rose — to 5.76% from 5.54% a week earlier.The Fed, responding to a surge in inflation that last year hit a four-decade high, has raised its benchmark interest rate nine times in just over a year. Mortgage rates surged — to a two-decade high of 7.08% last fall. But rates had fallen five straight weeks before the upturn this week.Higher borrowing costs have taken a toll on the housing market. The National Association of Realtors reported Thursday that sales of existing U...

Dutch envoy quoted saying ‘Ukrainians also Russians’ quits

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:37:37 GMT

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — A veteran diplomat who was appointed less than three weeks ago to promote Dutch involvement in the reconstruction of Ukraine has quit over remarks he made — reportedly about Russia — in a new book, the government announced Thursday.The Dutch foreign ministry said that Ron van Dartel would step down with immediate effect. Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Liesje Schreinemacher “respects the decision and has accepted his resignation,” the ministry said in a statement.Van Dartel, a former Dutch ambassador to Serbia, Poland and Russia, quit over comments he made to the author of a new book. Dutch broadcaster RTL reported that they include him saying “Ukrainians are also Russians. We must not forget that. That is the reality.”The ministry said Van Dartel’s comments were made before his appointment earlier this month, but only published after he took up his new role.Van Dartel “has realized that he can no longer function credibly with the...

Distrust in America: Small mistakes, deep fear — and gunfire

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:37:37 GMT

In suburban Detroit, it was a lost 14-year-old looking for directions. In Kansas City, it was a 16-year-old who went to the wrong house to pick up his younger brothers. There was the 12-year-old rummaging around in a yard in small-town Alabama, the 20-year-old woman who found herself in the wrong driveway in upstate New York and the cheerleader who got into the wrong car in Texas.All of them, and dozens more across America, were met by gunfire. Some were injured, some killed.In a nation where strangers are all too often seen as threats and fear has been politicized, honest mistakes and simple acts like going to the wrong address or car in a parking lot, or even just ringing the wrong doorbell, can seem like a fateful question of trust. It is a tension not lost on Jae Moyer, who was at a rally at the Kansas City police headquarters Tuesday, demanding a U.S. Department of Justice investigation into the shooting of Ralph Yarl, the Black teenager shot last week when he went to the door ...

Lawyer who spat on anti-racism protester in 2020 convicted

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:37:37 GMT

MILWAUKEE (AP) — A white lawyer was convicted for spitting on a Black high school student during a 2020 anti-racism march in a Milwaukee suburb.A jury reached the verdict Wednesday in the trial of Stephanie Rapkin, 67, of Shorewood, Wisconsin, finding her guilty of misdemeanor disorderly conduct.Rapkin faces sentencing for the misdemeanor charge later this week and is charged separately with a felony assault on a police officer who arrested her at her home the day after the spitting incident.In June of 2020, Rapkin showed up at the protest in Shorewood and parked her car in the street, blocking the anti-racism march that was one of thousands held around the U.S. in the wake of the murder of George Floyd by a police officer.When protesters approached her to urge her to move her car, video shows Rapkin spitting on Eric Lucas, then a 17-year-old junior at Shorewood High School. Lucas had helped organize and lead the march. According to the criminal complaint, Rapkin told an investigati...

Browns enter another NFL draft with needs, without top picks

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:37:37 GMT

CLEVELAND (AP) — For the Cleveland Browns, being on the clock in this year’s NFL draft will again require extra patience.They’ll spend Day One on the sideline watching.Just as they did during the playoffs.After mortgaging their future in the controversial trade last year for quarterback Deshaun Watson, the Browns don’t have a first- or second-round pick. They aren’t scheduled to make their initial selection until the third round at No. 74, unless general manager Andrew Berry gets antsy and makes a move.It’s not an ideal situation for a team that underachieved last season, finishing 7-10 and last in the AFC North. But the Browns put themselves in this spot by banking on Watson, handing him $230 million guaranteed.Berry has been aggressive in past drafts, sliding up, dropping back and free-wheeling with Cleveland’s draft assets. But following a successful offseason in free agency devoted to filling numerous holes on defense, it’s more likely t...

Westamerica: Q1 Earnings Snapshot

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:37:37 GMT

SAN RAFAEL, Calif. (AP) — SAN RAFAEL, Calif. (AP) — Westamerica Bancorp (WABC) on Thursday reported net income of $40.5 million in its first quarter.The bank, based in San Rafael, California, said it had earnings of $1.51 per share. Earnings, adjusted for non-recurring gains, came to $1.47 per share.The holding company for Westamerica Bank posted revenue of $80.2 million in the period. Its revenue net of interest expense was $79.7 million, which missed Street forecasts._____This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on WABC at https://www.zacks.com/ap/WABCSource

Jets have holes to fill in draft while they wait for Rodgers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:37:37 GMT

The New York Jets head into the NFL draft still anticipating Aaron Rodgers will be their quarterback this season.When a deal with the Green Bay Packers will finally be completed is anyone’s guess. And so is how much it will cost the Jets.New York currently holds the No. 13 overall selection and back-to-back picks — Nos. 42 and 43 — in the second round to lead off their draft. A trade for Rodgers before or during the draft could result in the Jets parting ways with at least one of those picks.Rodgers said during an appearance last month on “The Pat McAfee Show” on YouTube and Sirius XM his intention is to play for the Jets this season. Weeks of discussions, negotiations and lots of waiting have followed as the sides continue to work out the parameters of a deal.During an appearance on WFAN’s “Boomer and Gio Live” event earlier this month, New York general manager Joe Douglas fueled optimism for the Jets and their fans when he was asked by Boomer Esiason if Rodgers will, i...