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Russia: Journalists from ‘unfriendly’ countries banned from showpiece economic gathering

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:13:40 GMT

MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman said Saturday that journalists from countries that Russia regards as unfriendly have been banned from covering this year’s economic forum in St. Petersburg, one of the country’s showpiece events.The move underlines the intensifying animosity between Russia and countries that have imposed sanctions connected to the fighting in Ukraine or that have criticized Moscow.The June 14-17 St. Petersburg International Economic Forum has for decades been Russia’s vehicle for touting its development and seeking investors. Putin’s appearances at the forum have been highly visible and he often used the occasion to hold roundtable discussions with international news executives.“Yes, indeed. It was decided not to accredit media outlets from unfriendly countries to the SPIEF this time,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted as telling state news agency Tass.Russia formally designates scores of countries including the United States, Canad...

Looking Glass: The car did seem to be running a little rough, officer

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:13:40 GMT

A heavily intoxicated man was spotted cruising through a neighborhood in a Murrieta, Calif., in a car missing the front passenger-side tire as well as the entire front bumper, exposing the vehicle’s inner parts. The cops tried to pull him over, but he continued traveling for some time, before stopping in a parking lot. They discovered that he had been involved in two hit-and-run crashes.KEEP HOPE ALIVE!: An 85-year-old man was arrested for shoplifting two packs of condoms from a convenience store in in Gifu City, Japan.I’M STARTING TO THINK THAT DRUGS ARE THE PROBLEM: After getting high on ecstasy, a man and a woman fled from their hotel room in Daytona Beach, Fla., and started running around the parking lot of the Halifax Harbor Marina because they believed that a ghost was chasing them. The man blamed the ecstasy for his “poor choices.”I THOUGHT WE HAD SOMETHING SPECIAL: A man met a woman at The Dirty Rabbit bar in Wynwood, Fla., and took her back to his apartment at 5:30 a.m. whe...

Rock 'n' Roll Marathon runner striding for 'life-saving' cause

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:13:40 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- This weekend, thousands of runners will lace up their shoes for the Rock 'n' Roll San Diego Marathon -- but one runner has his sights on more than just the finish line. Matt Cavanaugh says he's taking strides to raise awareness for kidney donation. The retired U.S. military officer, who's a kidney donor himself, has ran all across the world -- from Antarctica to Chile -- all after giving away one of his kidneys. San Diego prepares for Rock ‘N’ Roll Marathon His next goal: bring this awareness to America's Finest City by completing the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon. His intent is to prove that kidney donors don't have to compromise their own lives in order to save another."It's been one of the best things that I've ever done in my life and what found afterwards is that we only need one kidney to live a full and physical life," said Cavanaugh. "That's why I'm here in San Diego running the marathon, so people know that they can donate a kidney. They can save a life and they ca...

DeSantis, Pence and other GOP 2024 hopefuls, but not Trump, set to appear at Iowa rally

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:13:40 GMT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Eight Republican presidential hopefuls are in Iowa on Saturday to attend a political event hosted by U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst.Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former Vice President Mike Pence are among those scheduled to appear at a rally at the state fairgrounds near Des Moines.Former President Donald Trump, the leading GOP presidential candidate, will be notably absent. He has largely avoided any events that have him sharing the stage with his 2024 rivals.DeSantis, seen as Trump’s chief challenger, has been on a blitz of campaign stops across early-voting states, including Iowa, in recent days as he marked his first week as an official candidate. Pence, who has made frequent trips to Iowa over the past year, is not yet in the race but will launch his long-expected campaign at an event in Des Moines on Wednesday, according to two people familiar with his plans who spoke on condition of anonymity to share details before the official announcement.Pence was the ...

Man City beats Man United 2-1 in FA Cup final to complete second leg of treble bid

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:13:40 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Manchester City’s mission to win a treble of major trophies stayed on track after beating Manchester United 2-1 in the FA Cup final on Saturday, with the first of Ilkay Gundogan’s two goals coming after a record 13 seconds.With City having already retained the Premier League, now only a first-ever Champions League title stands between Pep Guardiola’s team and immortality in English soccer.Gundogan, City’s captain, scored the quickest goal in an FA Cup final — timed by British broadcaster BBC at 12.91 seconds — only for United midfielder Bruno Fernandes to convert a 33rd-minute penalty against the run of play after Jack Grealish was adjudged to have handled the ball.If Gundogan’s opener was probably his best goal for City, his 51st-minute winning goal might be one of his scrappiest as he met a cross from Kevin De Bruyne from a free kick with a left-foot volley that bobbled between two United defenders and past goalkeeper David De Gea.United was looking to protect ...

Hundreds of migrants moved to Daley College amid housing crisis

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:13:40 GMT

CHICAGO — Over 4,500 are staying at 10 city-run shelters and several hundred are still waiting for space to open up. The city plans to move migrants into Richard J. Daley College Saturday. The city will house about 400 migrants in three buildings at the college including the gym. Only families with children under the age of 18 will stay at the college.About 400 migrants were moved to Wilbur Wright College on the Northwest Side last week. Officials says that it is ideal because the city already owns the building so rent payment is not required. Bears say Arlington Park no longer ‘singular focus’ for new stadium About 300 people who live near Daley College gathered for a community meeting Thursday to discuss the city's plan. Some people expressed support for the plan while others showed pushback. Mayor Lori Lightfoot issued an emergency declaration response to the migrant crisis. The divided city council recently voted to spend $51 million to help migrants. More than 10,000 migrant...

Soul Shop: Ministering to those impacted by suicide

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:13:40 GMT

CHICAGO -- Tamora Rutledge from the 'Soul Shop' joins WGN Weekend Morning News to share more on the organization's mission to create space and use faith to bring awareness to mental health, specifically in the Black community.Love the WGN Morning News? We love you, too. And you can have all the hijinks delivered to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign up and subscribe to our WGN Morning News newsletter.

Tennessee law restricting drag performances ruled unconstitutional by federal judge

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:13:40 GMT

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WREG) – A federal judge has ruled that Tennessee's restrictions on drag performances is unconstitutional after a Memphis organization challenged the law, according to court documents. This comes after Friends of George's, an LGBTQ theatre company in Memphis, filed a lawsuit after the bill was signed into law by Gov. Bill Lee on March 2. DeSantis signs bills targeting drag shows, transgender kids, pronouns The bill did not explicitly call out "drag shows" in its language, but changed the definition of "adult cabaret" in Tennessee's law to include "adult-oriented performances that are harmful to minors," with "male or female impersonators" falling under the category of "adult cabaret" among topless dancers, go-go dancers, exotic dancers, and strippers. Before the law was set to go into effect in April, a federal judge granted a temporary restraining order blocking enforcement of the law. At the time, the judge agreed with Friends of George's, finding it was "likely ...

Texas becomes largest state to ban gender-affirming care for minors

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:13:40 GMT

(The Hill) – Texas became the largest state to ban gender-affirming care for minors on Friday after Gov. Greg Abbott (R) signed a bill into law.The law, which will take effect on Sept. 1, will prohibit health care providers from prescribing hormones or puberty blockers to minors or performing surgeries to help with their gender transition. It includes an exception for youth currently receiving hormones or puberty blockers and those that have attended 12 or more sessions of mental health counseling over a period of at least six months before they began treatment. But, it also requires that they be gradually taken off them “in a manner that is safe and medically appropriate.” Medical providers who are convicted of violating the law could have their license revoked. With Abbott’s signature, Texas joins 18 other states that have banned medication and surgical gender-affirming care for transgender minors, according to the Movement Advancement Project, which tracks state la...

100 'deadliest days' for teen drivers underway, AAA says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:13:40 GMT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – The 100 "deadliest days" for younger drivers are underway, according to AAA.It’s the time period between Memorial Day and Labor Day that teen drivers are most vulnerable on the roads, with 30% of deaths involving teen drivers nationwide occurring within those 100 days.“Summer is historically a dangerous time for teen drivers,” Megan Cooper, a spokesperson for AAA, said in a statement issued this past week.New teen drivers are three times more likely to be involved in a deadly crash compared to adults, AAA reported. Crashes are also the leading cause of death for teens 16 to 19. ’80s pop sensation Tiffany involved in crash on Nashville highway: ‘Extremely lucky’ “Now that school is out, teens will spend more time on the road, often driving with friends at odd hours of the day and night. Because of their inexperience, teens are more susceptible to dangerous driving behaviors — like speeding, driving distracted, and not wearing a safety belt," said Cooper. I...