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Congressman: US support for aid to Ukraine is ‘overwhelming’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:55:39 GMT

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The head of the U.S. House Intelligence Committee said Monday that there is “overwhelming” support in the United States to continue supplying aid to Ukraine in its fight against Russia, despite vocal opposition from a hard-right faction of his own Republican Party.Rep. Michael Turner of Ohio, the Republican chairman of the committee, which serves as the House’s main body for overseeing American intelligence organizations, spoke alongside three other GOP congressmen during a brief visit to Kyiv.“There are those on the left and on the right who question continued support or the amount of support. That will certainly be part of the debate,” Turner said. “But overwhelmingly, there is support for continuing aid to Ukraine, so that they can continue to fight against this aggression of Russia.”The trip to the Ukrainian capital was the latest effort from top-ranking Republicans in the House, who are laying the groundwork for continued U.S. assistance but facing op...

Abortion clinic ban in Utah challenged by lawsuit

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:55:39 GMT

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Planned Parenthood and ACLU of Utah filed a lawsuit Monday challenging a new Utah law that would ban abortion clinics in the deeply conservative state.The law signed by Republican Gov. Spencer Cox last month would take effect May 3, at which time abortion clinics will not be able to apply to be licensed. It institutes a full ban Jan. 1, 2024. In addition to banning abortion clinics from operating, the law also clarifies the definition of abortion to address liability concerns about how exceptions are worded in state law — a provision Cox called a compromise.Planned Parenthood — which runs three of the four abortion clinics — said Monday afternoon that their interpretation that the law had conflicting provisions would compel them to stop providing abortions at their clinics as of May 3 unless the clinic licensing law was put on hold by the courts.Utah lawmakers have previously said they no longer think the state needs a specific licensing scheme for abortion cli...

First Nations police services say Ottawa’s underfunding amounts to discrimination

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:55:39 GMT

OTTAWA — The association representing all 36 stand-alone First Nations police services in Canada is backing a human rights complaint alleging Ottawa’s “deliberate” underfunding of policing in their communities amounts to discrimination. Jerel Swamp, who leads the First Nations Chiefs of Police Association, says after discussing the complaint launched by the Indigenous Police Chiefs of Ontario — of which he is also a member — the association’s national executive decided to add its support. It also plans to seek intervener status. He said despite assurances from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government that it would enact change and declare Indigenous policing an essential service, nothing has been done.“What we feel is that all First Nation communities in Canada deserve the same public safety and security as every other Canadian takes for granted,” Swamp said in an interview Monday. The complaint filed last week by the nine First Na...

A duo once more, Ben Affleck, Matt Damon come up for ‘Air’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:55:39 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — While Ben Affleck and Matt Damon were writing “The Last Duel,” their first screenplay together since their 1997 breakthrough, “Good Will Hunting,” they noticed that something in their winding and usually separate careers had been missing. “I remember my wife said to me one day: ‘I haven’t heard you laugh like that in 15 years,’” says Damon. “We came out of that experience going: Why aren’t we doing this more often? And getting into your 50s you just go: If we don’t make it a priority, it’s just not going to happen.” Now, more than 25 years after they set out to make it in Hollywood — so entwined that they once shared a bank account — Affleck and Damon are once again a team. Affleck directs and Damon stars in “Air,” the new film about Nike’s courting of Michael Jordan that opens in theaters Wednesday. That film, an Apple TV+ original being released theatrically by MGM, is only part of their new collaboration. It’s the first release from their new production company, A...

Stocks end mixed as jump in oil prices fans inflation fears

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:55:39 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Stock markets around the world were mixed Monday, as a jump in oil prices threatens to add upward pressure on inflation. The S&P 500 gained 15.20 points, or 0.4%, to 4,124.51, though more stocks in the index fell than rose. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 327.00, or 1%, to 33,601.15, while the Nasdaq composite fell 32.45, or 0.3%, to 12,189.45. Oil jumped 6.3% after Saudi Arabia and other crude-producing countries said over the weekend they would cut production. That lifted stocks of energy companies, including a 5.9% rise for Exxon Mobil, 9.9% leap for Marathon Oil and 4.3% gain for BP. While oil’s jump helps energy producers, it also weighs on much of the rest of the market. Beyond raising gasoline prices and other costs for everyone, it also dents one of the main themes that helped stocks rise in this year’s just completed first quarter: that turmoil in the banking system and a continued slowdown in inflation could push the Federal Reserve...

Disney developing live-action ‘Moana’ with Dwayne Johnson

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:55:39 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — “Moana” will be the latest Walt Disney Co. animation to get the live-action treatment, and at least one star is coming back. Disney chief executive Bob Iger announced a live-action “Moana” remake is in development Monday in a call with investors. The production is in the early stages — no director has been announced — but Dwayne Johnson is set to return as the demigod Maui. “This story is my culture, and this story is emblematic of our people’s grace and warrior strength,” said Johnson. “I wear this culture proudly on my skin and in my soul, and this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reunite with Maui, inspired by the mana and spirit of my late grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivia, is one that runs very deep for me.”Drawn from Polynesian myths and buoyed by songs from Lin-Manuel Miranda, “Moana” was a massive hit for Disney in 2016, grossing $643.3 million worldwide. Auli‘i Cravalho, who voiced Moana in the original, is to be an executive producer on the live-action ...

Millionaire minted through Illinois Lotto win

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:55:39 GMT

ILLINOIS — It's no April Fool's, someone in Illinois won $1 million through the April 1 Lotto drawing.The winning ticket was purchased online and matched all six numbers, 10 - 19 - 25 - 30 - 33 - 37, of the Lotto Million 2 draw. Another round of severe weather possible Tuesday for Chicago area Illinois' "Lotto" game was revamped in 2021 with the addition of two drawings, providing three total chances to become a millionaire with every $2 ticket purchased. The actual jackpot can only be won in the first draw, however the two subsequent draws come with a $1 million payout for matching all six numbers.Lotto is only played in Illinois with drawings three times per week on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

Liam Hendriks gives White Sox fans great news at home opener

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:55:39 GMT

CHICAGO — There is one player on the White Sox who is noticeably absent from the team's home opener, but he was there in spirit and video on Monday.When Liam Hendriks had the chance to address the crowd briefly at Guaranteed Rate Field, he had good news.Thunderstruck is blasting and a welcome message from Liam Hendriks. We’re ready for baseball here at Guaranteed Rate. @whitesox pic.twitter.com/56lARyZXvm— Kaitlin Sharkey (@KRoseSharkey) April 3, 2023The closer, who is battling non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, announced that he underwent his last treatment for the disease on a video that was aired on the scoreboard at the ballpark ahead of the team's first game at home in 2023 against the Giants. ‘Incredibly genuine’: How Liam Hendriks & family have helped the Lymphoma Research Foundation "Happy Opening Day, White Sox fans. Just want to let you know I'm starting my last round of chemo today, so I'll see you guys on the south side soon. Play ball!," said Hendriks in the recorded ...

'General Hospital' turns 60: A behind-the-scenes look

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:55:39 GMT

ABC’s “General Hospital” marks its 60th anniversary this week, making it the longest-running scripted show currently in production on American television.The soap is marking the milestone with a fan favorite storyline, the Nurses Ball, a gala that raises money for charity. This week the residents of the fictional city of Port Charles dress to the nines and walk a red carpet. In a guest appearance, Chandra Wilson of “Grey’s Anatomy” plays fashion editor Sydney Val Jean.“She’s a big fan of the show,” said executive producer Frank Valentini of Wilson. “She taped all the scenes on the red carpet and was working at ‘Grey’s’ the same day. I’m just so crazy about her.”Valentini is pumped about this year's musical performances too, as a number of the cast can sing and dance. Which names are most commonly used in song titles? “Some of the numbers are some of the best things we’ve ever done, and we’ve done some really good stuff.”While viewers enjoy the ball as it plays out this week, ...

St. Paul gymnast Suni Lee says kidney issue prematurely ended collegiate career

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:55:39 GMT

St. Paul native Suni Lee revealed on Monday via social media that a kidney issue is the cause for her missing multiple gymnastics meets over the past month. She posted a personal statement on Twitter in which she explained the situation.pic.twitter.com/N3itqSKu6A— Sunisa lee (@sunisalee_) April 3, 2023“For my safety, my medical team did not clear me to train and compete over the last few weeks,” Lee wrote. “I am blessed and thankful to be working with the best specialized medical team to treat and manage my diagnosis. My focus this time is my health and recovery.”Many have wondered why exactly Lee has not been competing for the Auburn women’s gymnastic team as of late. She notably missed the NCAA Regional in Los Angeles over the weekend, meaning she cannot qualify for the NCAA Championships.After becoming a household name by winning the gold medal in the all-around competition at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Lee took her talents to Auburn to...