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An Ohio election that revolves around abortion rights is fueled by national groups and money

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:31:32 GMT

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Supporters of a ballot question in Ohio that would make it harder to change the state constitution and could determine the fate of abortion rights there say a yes vote will provide a “defense against out-of-state meddling.”Opponents argue that a yes vote would give “special interests the winning advantage.”But an analysis of campaign finance data shows that as both sides lambast out-of-state interests, they are largely funded by such donors. Even outside of the official coalitions for and against the measure, money, celebrity and influence from afar are fueling much of the last-ditch campaigning and misinformation about the measure, known as Issue 1, on Tuesday’s ballot.The coalition supporting the measure, called Protect Our Constitution, is funded almost entirely by billionaire Illinois business owner Richard Uihlein, who contributed $4 million of the campaign’s $4.8 million, according to campaign filings. The campaign’s largest Ohio-based d...

Lebanese helicopters to join Greek and Jordanian aircraft to help Cyprus fight a forest fire

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:31:32 GMT

NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — Lebanon is sending two helicopters to join Greek and Jordanian aircraft in helping European Union member Cyprus fight a blaze that has scorched miles of mountainous terrain, an official said Monday.Cyprus Foreign Ministry spokesman Theodoros Gotsis told The Associated Press that neighboring Lebanon is expected to send a pair of choppers as the wildfire continues to reignite on several fronts. Two Greek Canadair aircraft have been dispatched to help douse the fire in the mountains about 11 miles (17 kilometers) north of the coastal town of Limassol. Jordan is sending three aircraft of its own, including two Super Puma helicopters and a Russian-made Mi26 helicopter. The multinational effort is battling a blaze that has scorched as much as 4 square miles (10 square kilometers) of land. Environment Ministry Secretary Andreas Gregoriou, who is coordinating firefighting efforts, told state-run Cyprus News Agency that talks are ongoing with Israel for additional air ...

Philippines summons Chinese ambassador over water cannon incident in disputed South China Sea

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:31:32 GMT

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The Philippine government summoned China’s ambassador on Monday and presented a strongly worded diplomatic protest over the Chinese coast guard’s use of water cannons in a weekend confrontation with Philippine vessels in the disputed South China Sea, officials said.The tense hours-long standoff occurred Saturday near Second Thomas Shoal, which has been occupied for decades by Philippine forces stationed onboard a rusting, grounded navy ship but is also claimed by China. It was the latest flareup in long-seething territorial conflicts in the South China Sea involving China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei.The United States, the European Union, Australia and Japan expressed support to the Philippines and concern over the Chinese actions. Washington renewed a warning that it is obliged to defend its longtime treaty ally if Philippine public vessels and forces come under armed attack, including in the South China Sea.Philippine coas...

As ambassadors seek answers from Poilievre, Tory caucus offers foreign policy hints

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:31:32 GMT

OTTAWA — Ambassadors around Ottawa are looking for clues to decipher the Conservative Party’s foreign policy, as leader Pierre Poilievre offers few hints of how he’d approach the world stage as prime minister.In Ottawa, diplomats at several embassies describe feeling uncertain about whether Conservatives would stick to global climate commitments and continue staunchly supporting Ukraine. They would only speak about the matter if they were not directly identified, citing the risk of compromising diplomatic relations.Poilievre “is trying to establish his domestic economic narrative, and leaving heavy lifting on the foreign-policy side to others,” said Garry Keller, vice-president of lobby firm StrategyCorp.Keller, who was chief of staff to former Conservative foreign minister John Baird, said it’s common for embassies to seek out party leaders of all stripes, and for opposition leaders to be harder to reach until an election is imminent.Canadians don̵...

Sri Lanka air force plane crashes killing two trainee pilots onboard

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:31:32 GMT

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — A Sri Lankan aircraft crashed Monday morning killing the two trainee pilots onboard, the country’s air force spokesman said.The Chinese-built PT-6 plane crashed during a training session after taking off from the air force academy in the China Bay base in the eastern city of Trincomalee which is about 260 kilometers (165 miles) east of the capital Colombo, according to air force spokesman Group Captain Dushan Wijesinghe.He said the bodies of the two pilots were recovered.Wijesinghe did not elaborate on what caused the crash but said air force commander Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa has appointed a special investigation committee to probe the incident.Sri Lanka uses the PT-6 planes mainly to train new pilots. The air force runs the academy at the China Bay base, a former British air base that came under attack during World War II.Sri Lanka is a former British colony that gained independence in 1948.Bharatha Mallawarachi, The Associated Press

Engineers partially restore rail service after train derailed in southern Pakistan, killing 30

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:31:32 GMT

MULTAN, Pakistan (AP) — Authorities in southern Pakistan partially restored passenger rail service on Monday after a passenger train derailed, killing at least 30 people, officials said, as funerals began for the victims.Aqeel Ahmed Qureshi, a doctor at a hospital in the district of Nawabshah in Sindh province, said 27 bodies of the victims had been handed over to their relatives, while three bodies were yet to be identified. Dozens of injured people were still being treated at the hospital, while mourners took the bodies of some of the victims to their hometowns after holding their funerals in Nawabshah, police said.The latest development came hours after Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafiq said engineers had opened a probe into the train accident.“Unfortunately,” he told reporters, “we don’t have enough funds to properly maintain our aging railway tracks, and yesterday’s train crash apparently took place because of it.”The deadly crash happened on Sunday when 10...

Simone Biles is trying to enjoy the moment after a two-year break. Olympic talk can wait

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:31:32 GMT

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. (AP) — Simone Biles is well aware of how the drill goes. She's lived it. Multiple times at this point.Whenever the gymnastics star goes to work, the questions about the Olympics come, no matter where the Games fall on the calendar.“It's just like when you get married (and) they ask when you're having a baby,” said Biles, who married Green Bay Packers safety Jonathan Owens in April.So it's telling that while Biles talked for a good 15 minutes on Saturday night after her electric victory at the U.S. Classic — the 26-year-old's first meet since her 2021 Tokyo Games was interrupted by a bout with “ the twisties ” — the words “Paris” and “2024” didn't escape her lips.Simone Biles talks to the members of the media affter the U.S. Classic gymnastics competition Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023, in Hoffman Estates, Ill. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)“I’m in a really good spot and who knows,” she said. “I’m not going to think so far ahead.”For now, she's making it a point to enjoy “the li...

Silver Alert issued for 88-year-old Williamson County man last seen in northwest Austin

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:31:32 GMT

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- A Silver Alert was issued early Monday morning for an 88-year-old man who has a diagnosed cognitive impairment and was last seen overnight in northwest Austin. Hongxiang Wang was last seen at 1:02 a.m. in the 12800 block of Sherbourne Street in Austin, according to the Williamson County Sheriff's Office. That area is just north of Anderson Mill Road and east of Hwy 183. Wang is an 88-year-old Asian man and is described as 5'5" in height, 160 lbs, has gray hair, brown eyes, and was last seen wearing a multi-colored plaid shirt and gray pajama-like pants. Law enforcement officials believe Wang's disappearance poses a threat to his health and safety.If you have any information regarding Hongxiang Wang, contact the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office at 512-864-8282.

Another week of high heat, elevated fire danger

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:31:32 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The headlines remain the same this week: hot, dry and vulnerable to wildfires.Afternoon highs will return to the low 100s for the majority of the area. This will mark Austin's 31st day in a row of 100° or hotter. Mainly sunny skies and dry conditions can be expected areawide, with enough humidity to keep heat index values ~10° above air temperatures east of I-35. BLOG: When will 100º days end in Austin? An Excessive Heat Warning and Heat Advisory are in effect 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. today for dangerously hot temperatures. Afternoon highs will top out between 100°-105° with heat index values up to 113°.Heat alerts reissued MondayA Red Flag Warning has also been reissued, in effect 12 p.m. to 11 p.m. for most of Central Texas. High to very high fire danger will allow for wildfires to grow rapidly if sparked.Red Flag Warning reissued MondayMonday's wildfire dangerIncreasing humidity takes us to new levels of uncomfortable later this week... and despite the idea of it help...

Pick from 10- to 75-mile rides at Bridge the Valley Bike Rally

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:31:32 GMT

More than 600 bicyclists turned out last year for the second-annual Bridge the Valley Bike Rally, which starts and ends in downtown Stillwater.This year, organizers are hoping even more cyclists show up at the Aug. 13 event, which includes a series of rides designed for all ages and skills. Riders can choose from 10-, 25-, 45- and 70-mile loops on paved blacktop or an “epic 75-mile loop on gravel,” said Mark Fisher, chairman of the public image committee of Stillwater Sunrise Rotary Club, which is helping organize the Bridge the Valley Bike Rally. “We call that the ‘Gravel Challenge.'”Each rider who signs up for the Bridge the Valley Bike Rally receives an “I Biked the Bridges” sticker. This year’s race will be Aug. 13, 2023. (Courtesy of Bridge the Valley Bike Rally)There will be fully stocked rest stops and maintenance and support on all rides; there also will be live bands and food trucks, he said.When a rider registers, they will g...