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China denies hidden motives after hosting Iran-Saudi talks

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:24 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — After hosting talks at which Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed to reestablish diplomatic relations, China said Saturday it has no hidden motives and isn’t trying to fill any “vacuum” in the Middle East. The agreement announced Friday to reestablish Iran-Saudi ties and reopen embassies after seven years was seen as a major diplomatic victory for China, as Gulf Arab states perceive the United States as reducing its presence in the Middle East.The Foreign Ministry quoted an unidentified spokesperson as saying China “pursues no selfish interest whatsoever” and opposes geopolitical competition in the region. China will continue to support Mideast countries in “resolving differences through dialogue and consultation to jointly promote lasting peace and stability,” the spokesperson said. “We respect the stature of Middle East countries as the masters of this region and oppose geopolitical competition in the Middle East,” said the statement posted on the Foreign Ministry’s w...

UK: Russian advance in Bakhmut could come with heavy losses

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:24 GMT

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian forces have made progress in the front-line hotspot of Bakhmut, a key target of Moscow’s monthslong campaign in eastern Ukraine that has resulted in staggering casualties, but their assault will be difficult to sustain without further harsh losses, U.K. military officials said in an assessment Saturday.The U.K. defense ministry said in the latest of its regular Twitter updates that units from the Kremlin-controlled paramilitary Wagner Group have captured most of eastern Bakhmut, with a river flowing through the city center now marking the front line. However, the update added, it will be “highly challenging” for Wagner forces to push ahead, as Ukraine has destroyed key bridges over the river, while Ukrainian sniper fire from fortified buildings further west has made the thin strip of open ground in the center “a killing zone.” At the same time, Ukrainian troops and supply lines in the mining city remain vulnerable to “continued Russian attempts to outfla...

Quebec truckers worry problems at auto board will force them to park their rigs

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:24 GMT

MONTREAL — As frustrated motorists continue to deal with long lineups at Quebec’s automobile insurance board, truck drivers are worried that they won’t be able to leave the province come April 1.The provincial auto insurance board has been dealing with lengthy lineups at many of its service centres since introducing a new online portal on Feb. 20, which users have had trouble accessing due to an authentication issue.Richard Pellerin, a self-employed truck driver based in the province’s Mauricie region, said that if he does not receive his renewed registration he will have to park his rig. Truck drivers who transport goods outside Quebec have to be registered under what is known as the International Registration Plan.“This issue at the auto insurance board affects us all, but specifically for our industry, it’s really the registrations that directly impact us, which expires on March 31 for all of us,” Pellerin said in an interview. The new website ...

Woman fatally stabbed on CTA platform in Loop: Police

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:24 GMT

CHICAGO — A woman is dead after being stabbed in the chest on a CTA platform in the Loop early Saturday morning. According to police, the 26-year-old woman was standing on the Washington/Wabash platform at the 200 block of South Wabash Avenue around 1:26 a.m. when a man stabbed her multiple times in the chest, abdomen and left arm. COPA reports officer-involved shooting in Lincoln Park She was transported to Stroger Hospital in critical condition was pronounced dead shortly after.There is currently no one in custody and police are investigating the incident.

What musicians would you like to see in Austin?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:24 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN)-- What musicians, bands and performers would you like to see in Austin? KXAN did a social media callout asking for your opinion, the answers did not disappoint.There were a few artists in various genres people mentioned on Facebook that show Austin's diverse taste in music.One particular band mentioned in the social post officially made an announcement it was coming to Austin in a news release Tuesday.KISSLegendary rock band KISS will spend one of its final shows rocking out at Austin’s Moody Center, the band announced in its tour schedule. KISS to play Austin’s Moody Center in band’s final 50 shows KISS will kick off the North American leg of its final tour playing at the Moody Center on Oct. 29, per the schedule. The KISS Army presale is scheduled for 10 a.m. CT March 6, with a public sale slated to begin at 10 a.m. CT on March 10.Tool, A Perfect Circle and PusciferTo stay on the topic with rock bands, in general, some other bands mentioned were Tool, A Perfect Cir...

St. Patrick's parade marches through downtown St. Louis today

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:24 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- The St. Patrick's Day parade is happening in Downtown St. Louis today. An estimated 250,000 people are expected to pack the streets.This will be the 54th annual St. Patrick's Day Parade. And kicking off the festivities is the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade Run. See more St. Louis area St. Patrick’s Day parades It's a tradition that welcomes more than 5,000 runners on a 5-mile course downtown. The run begins at 9 a.m. The parade begins at 12:00 p.m. at 20th and Market and then travels east on Market, to its conclusion at Broadway and Clark.At this year's run, you will be able to donate a portion of your registration fee to four local charities: The Backstoppers, Inc., St. Patrick's Center, Kids Rock Cancer, and Atlas Public Schools. Top story: St. Louis fire chief warns railroads to hand over life-saving supplies In 2020, organizers had to pivot at the last minute to a virtual run because of the pandemic. In 2021, they were able to hold a 500-person live 5K run alo...

Rain is expected in St. Louis Saturday afternoon

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:24 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- A cold, dry start this morning.  The rain moves by the afternoon and will continue through tonight.  Around .50” of rainfall in St. Louis. St. Louis radar: See a map of current weather here Daylight Saving time starts Sunday at 2 a.m.  Dry tomorrow, cool and breezy. Highs in the 40s. Temps will stay in the 40s through early next week. Warmer temps by Wednesday. Highs in the 50s. A chance of rain on Thursday, with temperatures reaching near 60 degrees.

Rockies’ German Marquez searching for missing fastball in quest for All-Star return

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:24 GMT

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — When German Marquez is on, there’s a swagger to his game. He glowers at hitters.The right-hander can unleash a sizzling 97 mph fastball that sets hitters up for a knuckle curve that leaves them muttering as they trudge back to the dugout. Marquez practically smacks his lips waiting for his next victim.But last season, the Rockies’ right-hander mislocated his fastball and misplaced his mojo, his swagger replaced by chagrin.In a game against Texas in late August at Coors Field, Marquez gave up six runs on eight hits over six innings, leaving him with an unsightly 5.22 ERA. “A game like this is frickin’ frustrating,” he said at the time.For Marquez, an All-Star in 2021, there were far too many “frickin’ frustrating” games last season. Though he improved some in the second half his 4.95 ERA was the highest of his six full seasons in the majors, his 7.43 strikeouts per nine innings were the lowest, and the 30 home runs h...

Opinion: Suit keeps telling the truth about Fox News. It’s not pretty

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:24 GMT

With each new revelation from filings in the $1.6 billion defamation suit against Fox News, the dimensions of the hole the network is in become clearer.It’s deep.In more typical defamation cases, the plaintiff’s beef is with a negligent or unscrupulous reporter or editor, or perhaps a flawed system of fact-checking or other guardrails. Dominion Voting Systems’ case against Fox is unique in that the evidence increasingly depicts a thoroughly corrupt organization undertaking a systematic effort to spread lies and influence elections.The latest motions from Dominion capture Fox Chairman Rupert Murdoch and star host Tucker Carlson, among others, disparaging Donald Trump. As it turns out, their actual view of the president they tirelessly championed is that he is a destructive lunatic.Carlson was blunt, texting at one point, “I hate him passionately.” Of Trump’s presidency, he said, “We’re all pretending we’ve got a lot to show for it, because admitting what a disaster it’s been is too t...

Mathews: Schwarzenegger still must guard his ballot successes

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:24 GMT

Running for office in California is tough, but temporary. You win or you lose, and life goes on.Sponsoring a ballot initiative is forever.That lesson hit me while interviewing former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger during a global forum on direct democracy last week in Mexico.Californians elected Schwarzenegger governor 20 years ago. His second term concluded in 2010. But he is still governing us, for two reasons: First, because he is a famously relentless person. Second, because he has been among the most prolific backers of ballot initiatives in the history of our state.Getting voters to enact your ballot initiative is only the beginning. Every election brings new ballot initiatives that might affect or even cancel your ballot initiative.So, you must defend it.The best-known example of this is Proposition 13. Today, 45 years after its passage and 37 years after the death of its sponsor, Howard Jarvis, there is still a Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association to protect the initiative and it...