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US finds Orbán-Putin love-in ‘troubling’

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:37:18 GMT

U.S. Ambassador to Hungary David Pressman said Friday that Washington was “concerned about Hungary’s relationship with Russia,” adding it finds Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s recent decision to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin “troubling,” according to Reuters.On Wednesday, Pressman faulted Orbán on X (formerly Twitter) for “choosing to stand with a man whose forces are responsible for crimes against humanity in Ukraine, and alone among our Allies.”The previous day, Orbán was seen shaking hands with Putin on the sidelines of a two-day forum marking the 10th anniversary of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, drawing international censure.Since Russia invaded Ukraine last year, Orbán has been criticized for opposing EU initiatives designed to help Kyiv against Moscow. His government maintains closer relations with Russia than other member countries, and is seen as advancing some of Moscow’s aims, including thwarting NATO expansion.Ukraine has...

House Republicans reject Jim Jordan a third time for the speaker’s gavel as opposition deepens

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:37:18 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Rep. Jim Jordan failed badly Friday on a third ballot for the House speaker’s gavel, rejected by even more Republicans from the conservative mainstream who warned the hard-edged ally of Donald Trump that no threats or promises could win their support.The Republicans have no realistic or workable plan to unite the fractured GOP majority, elect a new speaker and return to the work of Congress that has been languishing since hard-liners ousted Kevin McCarthy at the start of the month.In all, Jordan lost 25 Republican colleagues, leaving him far from the majority needed.Ahead of the vote, Jordan showed no signs of stepping aside, insisting at a Capitol press conference: “The American people are hungry for change.”Drawing on his Ohio roots, Jordan, who is popular with the GOP’s right-flank activist base of voters, positioned his long-shot campaign alongside the history of American innovators including the Wright brothers, urging his...

Patriots need to find Demario Douglas more snaps coming off of injury

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:37:18 GMT

FOXBORO — There’s one clear and obvious way the Patriots can potentially improve their league-worst offense: Get rookie wide receiver Demario Douglas on the field more.Extenuating circumstances have kept Douglas from receiving a full slate of snaps six weeks into the season. He fumbled in Week 2 and was benched for the remainder of the Patriots’ Week 2 loss to the Dolphins. Then he was working his way back into earning trust in the offense before leaving the team’s Week 5 loss to the Saints early with a concussion. Douglas missed Week 6 but has returned to practice ahead of the team’s Week 7 matchup against the Bills.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Is the Patriots’ health improving before Sunday’s Bills game? New England Patriots | Patriots mailbag: What changes are coming in the next year? New England Patriots | Callahan: Bills QB Josh Allen has become Bill Belichick-proof New England Patriots | Patriots ...

Lawyer Kenneth Chesebro pleads guilty over efforts to overturn Trump’s 2020 loss in Georgia

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:37:18 GMT

By KATE BRUMBACK (Associated Press)ATLANTA (AP) — Lawyer Kenneth Chesebro pleaded guilty to a felony on Friday just as jury selection was getting underway in his trial on charges accusing him of participating in efforts to overturn Donald Trump’s loss in the 2020 election in Georgia.Chesebro, who was charged alongside Trump and 17 others with violating the state’s anti-racketeering law, pleaded guilty to one felony charge of conspiracy to commit filing false documents in a last-minute deal. His plea came a day after fellow attorney Sidney Powell, who had been scheduled to go to trial alongside him, entered her own guilty plea to six misdemeanor counts.In Chesebro’s case, he was sentenced to five years’ probation and 100 hours of community service and was ordered to pay $5,000 in restitution, write an apology letter to Georgia’s residents and testify truthfully at any related future trial.The two guilty pleas — along with a third for a bail bondsman last month — are major victo...

Is the Patriots’ health improving before Sunday’s Bills game?

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:37:18 GMT

The Patriots were down just three players at Friday’s practice, the last before they will host the Bills on Sunday for a 1 p.m. kickoff.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Patriots mailbag: What changes are coming in the next year? New England Patriots | Callahan: Bills QB Josh Allen has become Bill Belichick-proof New England Patriots | Patriots release 2023 NFL Draft pick, freeing up roster spot New England Patriots | Patriots’ Jabrill Peppers received special attention from Bill Belichick this week New England Patriots | Patriots’ Jalen Mills breaks silence on tweet over lack of playing time Outside linebacker Josh Uche, defensive lineman Keion White and offensive tackle Riley Reiff were absent, indicating they will miss Sunday’s game after sitting out all three practices this week.Tight end Hunter Henry (ankle) and cornerback Jonathan Jones (ankle) were non-participants on ...

Biden faces tough battle to secure $105 billion for Ukraine, Israel, the border and more

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:37:18 GMT

By CHRIS MEGERIAN and MARY CLARE JALONICK (Associated Press)WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House on Friday released a sweeping set of proposals to bolster Israel and Ukraine in the midst of two wars as well as invest more in domestic defense manufacturing, humanitarian assistance and managing the influx of migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border.The total cost of the supplemental funding request was pegged at just over $105 billion. President Joe Biden hopes Congress will move urgently on the legislation, and he made the case for deepening U.S. support for its allies during a rare Oval Office address on Thursday night.The Democratic president’s plans faces some immediate complications on Capitol Hill. The House is at a standstill, unable to pass legislation, as the Republican majority struggle to choose a new speaker, and it could also get bogged down in a divided Senate where some Republicans want to add additional border policies to the measure.But Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a ...

Illinois government employee fired after posting antisemitic comments on social media

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:37:18 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — An employee with the Illinois comptroller’s office has been fired after she posted vulgar antisemitic comments on social media during an exchange about the latest Israel-Hamas war.A spokesperson for Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza said in a statement Thursday that the employee was “immediately fired” after she admitted to some of the posts.“Comptroller Mendoza has zero tolerance for anti-semitism or hate speech,” Mendoza spokesperson Abdon Pallasch said in the statement, which does not name the employee. The vulgar comments were part of an Instagram exchange of insults with another user, who then publicly posted the exchange on their account, the Chicago Tribune reported.Pallasch said in Thursday’s statement that the exchange was posted midday Thursday and also posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.Social media postings identified the employee as Sarah Chowdhury, who worked as a legal counsel for the comptroller’s office.Chowdhury, rea...

Pro-Palestinian rally outside of Freeland’s office shuts down section of Bloor Street

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:37:18 GMT

A pro-Palestinian rally outside the constituency office of Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland has blocked Bloor Street in both directions at Spadina.The protesters are calling on Freeland and the federal government to do more to help the people in Gaza.DEMONSTRATIONBloor Street West/Spadina– taken over the roadway– traffic blocked in all direction#GO2436061 ^vkhttps://t.co/ORS2Y3hd55— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) October 20, 2023It’s not clear how long the clousre will last.More to come

Crombie uses strong mayor powers to override decision on building of fourplexes in Mississauga

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:37:18 GMT

Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie has used her strong mayor powers to override a decision by city council and allow the building of fourplexes on low-rise residential lots.Crombie says the move is about increasing the supply of housing and helping families with another affordable alternative when it comes to living in the city. “Given the scale and urgency of the housing crisis, it is critical that leadership at all levels of government work together,” Crombie said in a statement on Friday.“It is one of many ways we are working to build the ‘missing middle’ in our city and communicate to residents that Mississauga is tackling the housing crisis.”The directive also ensures that Mississauga will be eligible for $120 million in funding from the federal government for housing and community infrastructure. Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Sean Fraser had indicated the city’s application for funding was in doubt without a firm commitment to building fourplexe...

Nigerians remember those killed or detained in the 2020 protests against police brutality

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:37:18 GMT

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Many Nigerians on Friday remembered the victims of the historic protests against police brutality which took place three years ago, with Amnesty International reporting that at least 15 of the protesters are still being detained illegally.In October 2020, thousands of Nigerians staged nationwide protests to kick against the abuses of the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad, or SARS. In the economic hub of Lagos, security forces opened fire on demonstrators, prompting global condemnation. A government-commissioned inquiry described the shooting and resultant deaths as a massacre.At least 15 protesters arrested three years ago are still held in Lagos prisons, the majority without trial and some being tortured, Amnesty International’s Nigeria office said in a statement listing the names of the victims.In Lagos, a small group of people held a rally to demand justice for victims of police brutality. “Nobody is going to be happy when you are unjustly killing peo...