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Biden invites Zelenskyy to the White House amid a stepped-up push for Congress to approve more aid

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 20:11:54 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has invited Ukraine’s leader, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, to the White House on Tuesday as the U.S. administration steps up the pressure on Congress to provide billions more in aid to Kyiv in the war with Russia.The visit is intended “to underscore the United States’ unshakeable commitment to supporting the people of Ukraine as they defend themselves against Russia’s brutal invasion,” the White House said in a statement Sunday. “As Russia ramps up its missile and drone strikes against Ukraine, the leaders will discuss Ukraine’s urgent needs and the vital importance of the United States’ continued support at this critical moment.”Biden has asked Congress for a $110 billion package of wartime funding for Ukraine ($61.4 billion) and Israel, along with other national security priorities. But the request is caught up in a debate over U.S. immigration policy and border security.Earlier, Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday defended the emergency...

Spithill retires from SailGP racing after Aussies finish 2nd to Kiwis in Dubai

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 20:11:54 GMT

Jimmy Spithill announced his retirement from SailGP racing after the Australian catamaran he was helming was edged by trans-Tasman Sea rival New Zealand’s Peter Burling in a photo finish at the Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix on Sunday.Burling poked his 50-foot foiling catamaran across the line just a few feet ahead of the Aussies’ “Flying Roo” after a tense final mark rounding on the Persian Gulf that included Canada’s Phil Robertson drawing a penalty. It was Burling’s first win since the Season 4 opener in Chicago and denied the three-time defending SailGP champion Aussies their first victory.Spithill, subbing while friend and countryman Tom Slingsby is on paternity leave, said he’s retiring from racing to focus on running an Italian team he plans to debut in Season 5 of tech baron Larry Ellison’s global league.“This was my last race as a SailGP athlete. It’s time for me to let fresh young blood into the competition, with the new Italian te...

MDFR: Grass fire near Zoo Miami under control; no injuries reported

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 20:11:54 GMT

Firefighters were able to get the upper hand on a grass fire that sparked near Zoo Miami in Southwest Miami-Dade.Miami-Dade Fire Rescue units responded to the scene of the blaze in the area of Southwest 119th Avenue and 168th Street, just before 1 p.m., Sunday.7News has learned the flames did not affect the zoo.Crews arrived to find about five acres burning. They launched a chopper to drop water on the fire.No injuries have been reported.Firefighters have confirmed the fire is under control. They will continue to monitor the area for hot spots.Please check back on WSVN.com and 7News for more details on this developing story.

BSO searching for 15-year-old girl reported missing from Lauderdale Lakes

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 20:11:54 GMT

Authorities seek the public’s assistance to locate a 15-year-old girl who was reported missing from Lauderdale Lakes.According to the Broward Sheriff’s Office Missing Persons Unit, Ariana Hightower was last seen at around 1:30 p.m. on Saturday near the 3500 block of Northwest 29th Street. Hightower stands 5 feet, 5 inches tall, weighs around 125 pounds, and has burgundy hair and brown eyes. She was last seen riding a purple bicycle with a silver basket on the front. According to Hightower’s family, the teen suffers from mental illness and requires medication.Anyone with information on her whereabouts should contact BSO Detective Chris Blankenship at 954-321-4268 or the BSO non-emergency number, 954-764-4357.

Zelenskyy to meet Biden at the White House  

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 20:11:54 GMT

WASHINGTON — President Biden and Ukraine’s leader, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, will meet at the White House on Tuesday as the U.S. administration steps up the pressure on Congress to provide billions more in aid to Kyiv in its war with Russia.The visit is intended “to underscore the United States’ unshakeable commitment to supporting the people of Ukraine as they defend themselves against Russia’s brutal invasion,” the White House said in a statement Sunday. “As Russia ramps up its missile and drone strikes against Ukraine, the leaders will discuss Ukraine’s urgent needs and the vital importance of the United States’ continued support at this critical moment.”Zelenskyy’s office confirmed that he had accepted Biden’s invitation. He also has been asked to speak to a meeting of all senators.Biden has asked Congress for a $110 billion package of wartime funding for Ukraine ($61.4 billion) and Israel, along with other national se...

Deal on border at center of war aid talks

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 20:11:54 GMT

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden is taking a more active role in Senate negotiations over changes to the immigration system that Republicans are demanding in exchange for providing money to Ukraine in its fight against Russia and Israel for the war with Hamas.The Democratic president has said he is willing to make “significant compromises on the border” as Republicans block the wartime aid in Congress. The White House is expected to get more involved in talks this week as the impasse over changes to border policy has deepened and the funds remaining for Ukraine have dwindled.“It’s time to cut a deal that both sides can agree to,” Biden’s budget director, Shalanda Young, said Sunday on CBS’ “Face the Nation.”Republicans say the record numbers of migrants crossing the southern border pose a security threat because authorities cannot adequately screen all the migrants and that those who enter the United States are straining the coun...

A 50-year-old Greek woman was mauled to death by neighbor’s 3 dogs. The dogs’ owner arrested

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 20:11:54 GMT

THESSALONIKI, Greece (AP) — Three shepherd dogs escaped from their yard and fatally mauled a 50-year-old Greek woman in her garden Sunday, police said.The attack took place at around 2 p.m. in the village of Neochorouda, about 16 kilometers (10 miles) northwest of the northern city of Thessaloniki, Greece’s second largest.The dogs had escaped through a hole in their owners’ fence about 80 meters (260 feet) away and ran to the woman’s garden, where she was working, police said.A man, who police said is deaf-mute, was assisting the woman with the gardening but was far from her at the moment of attack and could not hear her screams. Neighbors ran to assist the woman and pried the dogs away from her, but she was severely mauled and bleeding profusely. First responders who came to the scene shortly after with an ambulance confirmed her death, police said.The 37-year-old dog owner was arrested and will face a prosecutor Monday morning. The dogs are being held in a kennel...

Students and lawmakers gather at Philadelphia temple to denounce antisemitism

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 20:11:54 GMT

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Students, lawmakers and religious leaders joined forces Sunday at a temple in Philadelphia to strongly denounce antisemitism on college campuses and in their communities.The gathering at Congregation Rodeph Shalom came one day after University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill resigned amid criticism over her testimony at a congressional hearing. Magill was unable to say under repeated questioning that calls on campus for the genocide of Jews would violate the school’s conduct policy.“I have seen Pennsylvanians take actions big and small, and both matter, to combat antisemitism,” Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, said at the event. “I’ve seen it here in Philadelphia where students raised their voices, where students made sure they were heard in the halls of power at their university, and leadership was held accountable.”Similar sentiments were voiced by U.S. Sen. Bob Casey Jr., a fellow Democrat, and student speakers from Harvard and Penn. Harvard President Claud...

Man charged with attempted murder in springtime Mississauga shooting

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 20:11:54 GMT

A 25-year-old man is facing an attempted murder charge after a Durham man was injured in a shooting this past spring in Mississauga.Peel police say the suspect was involved in a drive-by-style shooting in the area of Matheson Boulevard East and Satellite Drive in the early morning hours of May 29, 2023.A 27-year-old man from Durham suffered injuries that were considered non-life threatening after he was struck in the leg.On Dec. 9, police charged Jathusan Akilan from York Region with attempted murder, discharging a firearm with intent to wound, maim or disfigure and unauthorized possession of a firearm.

No. 3 NC State vs. Liberty women’s game interrupted by leaky roof from heavy rain

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 20:11:54 GMT

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A wet court caused by a leaky roof resulted in an interruption of No. 3 North Carolina State’s women’s basketball game with Liberty on Sunday.The game was stopped prior to the start of the fourth quarter with unbeaten N.C. State holding a 60-47 lead at Reynolds Coliseum, its on-campus venue.Heavy rains fell prior to and during the game.The wet floor was near midcourt in front of the scorer’s table. A large trash container was collecting some water, while towels were placed on the floor.Both teams were allowed to warm-up at the respective baskets during the break.The game resumed after about a 20-minute pause.This is N.C. State’s final home game until Jan. 4 vs. Florida State.___Get alerts and updates on AP Top 25 basketball throughout the season. Sign up here.___AP women’s college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketballBob Sutton, The Associated Press