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Turkish President Erdogan heads to a runoff election that will decide who leads a key NATO country

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 09:18:21 GMT

By SUZAN FRASER and ZEYNEP BILGINSOY (Associated Press)ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkish election officials said Monday that in two weeks conservative President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will face his main rival in a runoff that will decide who leads a country struggling with sky-high inflation as it plays a key role in the Middle East and in NATO expansion.The May 28 second round of presidential elections following Sunday’s vote will allow Turkey to decide if the nation remains under the increasingly authoritarian president’s firm grip for a third decade, or if it can embark on the more democratic course that Kemal Kilicdaroglu has claimed he can deliver.The vote shows how polarized Turkey has become, many voters said. “I am not happy at all,” voter Suzan Devletsah said. “I worry about the future of Turkey.” Erdogan faced electoral headwinds due to a cost-of-living crisis and criticism over the government’s response to a devastating February e...

New Chicago mayor pledges commitment to progressive strategy, asks for unity

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 09:18:21 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson began his first term of office Monday, asking Chicagoans to set aside deep differences, confront challenges together and build “a city that works for everyone.”Johnson, 47, whose victory was touted by progressives as evidence that bold stances lead to victory, must immediately confront an influx of migrants in desperate need of shelter, pressure to build support among skeptical business leaders, and summer months that historically bring a spike in violent crime. His first term leading the nation’s third-largest city will test the former union organizer’s ability to turn his proposals into solutions for stubborn problems worsened by the coronavirus pandemic, including public safety, economic growth and housing affordability. “Let’s show the world, Chicago, where our heart is,” Johnson said in his inaugural address before a cheering crowd. “Let’s build a Chicago that is the economic marvel of our the state, the Midwe...

Wisconsin judge allows for lawsuit against fake Trump electors to proceed

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 09:18:21 GMT

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A Wisconsin judge on Monday refused to break up a lawsuit filed against 10 fake electors for former President Donald Trump and two of his attorneys, saying the case could proceed in the county where it was filed.The lawsuit seeks $2.4 million from the fake electors and their attorneys, alleging they were part of a conspiracy by Trump and his allies to overturn his loss in the 2020 presidential race. It also seeks to disqualify the Republicans from ever serving as electors again.Fake electors met in Wisconsin and other battleground states where Trump was defeated in 2020, attempting to cast ballots for the former president even though he lost. Republicans who participated in Wisconsin said they were trying to preserve Trump’s legal standing in case courts overturned his defeat.Nine of the 10 fake electors in Wisconsin, and one of Trump’s attorneys, argued that the lawsuit against them was wrongly filed in Dane County Circuit Court. Since none of them lived ...

South African army general in Moscow days after country accused of sending weapons to Russia

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 09:18:21 GMT

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — Russia’s top army general and his South African counterpart discussed “military cooperation” while meeting Monday in Moscow, the Russian Defense Ministry said. The announcement came hours after South African President Cyril Ramaphosa denied accusations by the United States that his country was siding with Russia in the war in Ukraine and had sent weapons to help it.Gen. Oleg Salyukov, the commander of Russia’s ground forces, met the chief of South Africa’s army, Lt. Gen. Lawrence Mbatha, at Russia’s general command headquarters in Moscow, the Russian ministry said.“The sides discussed issues of military cooperation and the implementation of projects geared to enhance the combat readiness of the two countries’ armies,” the ministry said in a statement. “The meeting between the military commanders yielded agreements on the further expansion of cooperation between the land forces in various areas.”The Defense Ministry said a ...

Biden is just ‘pop’ at granddaughter Maisy Biden’s graduation from the University of Pennsylvania

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 09:18:21 GMT

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Joe Biden took a brief break from being president on Monday to focus on being “pop,” attending his granddaughter Maisy Biden’s graduation from the University of Pennsylvania.Maisy is the youngest daughter of Hunter Biden and his former wife, Kathleen Buhle, who both attended the ceremony. Also present were Maisy’s older sisters, Naomi and Finnegan, first lady Jill Biden, and the Bidens’ daughter, Ashley Biden. Before the commencement, some students waved at the president and took photos. He waved back and pumped his fist. But other than that, Biden was just another face in the crowd, albeit a very recognizable one. The family sat stage left, apart from the rest of the audience.Idina Menzel, the actress and singer, delivered the commencement address, even belting out a few lines of a song from the musical “Rent.”After the ceremony, Biden and his family went to a lunch at a Vietnamese restaurant. Chris Megerian, The Associated Press

Russia aims to obtain more attack drones from Iran after depleting stockpile, White House says

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 09:18:21 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House on Monday said Russia is looking to buy additional advanced attack drones from Iran for use in its war against Ukraine after using up most of the 400 drones it had previously purchased from Tehran.The Biden administration last year publicized satellite imagery and intelligence findings that it said indicated Iran sold hundreds of attack drones to Russia. And for months, officials have said the United States believed Iran was considering selling hundreds of ballistic missiles to Russia, but Washington did not have evidence a deal was consummated.“Iran also continues to provide Russia with one-way attack UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles). Since August, Iran has provided Russia with more than 400 UAVs primarily of the Shahed variety,” White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said. “Russia has expended most of these UAVs, using them to target Ukrainian critical infrastructure inside Ukraine. By providing Russia with these UAVs, Iran has ...

Israeli foreign minister makes first visit to Sweden in two decades

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 09:18:21 GMT

STOCKHOLM (AP) — Israel’s foreign minister on Monday paid a visit to Sweden in a new sign of warming ties between the two nations.Eli Cohen said his visit to Stockholm was the first visit by an Israeli foreign minister to Sweden in 22 years.“We are opening a new page in relations between Israel and Sweden after years in which Sweden took a critical line against Israel,” he said in a statement issued by the Israeli Foreign Ministry. He said his meeting with his Swedish counterpart, Tobias Billstrom, signaled a “change in direction” of ties.Billstrom called the meeting “very good and productive” in a statement on Twitter. “The first one in 20 years, so long overdue,” he added.Sweden’s previous Social Democratic government had a rocky relationship with Israel after recognizing a Palestinian state in 2014, a move that prompted Israel to temporarily recall its ambassador to Sweden. Two years later, Israel said Sweden’s foreign minister at the time was “not welcome” after critical comment...

K’atl’odeeche First Nation, Hay River, N.W.T., order evacuations as wildfire spread

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 09:18:21 GMT

HAY RIVER, N.W.T. — A First Nation reserve and nearby town in the southern Northwest Territories have been evacuated as a wildfire spreads in the area. K’atl’odeeche First Nation ordered an evacuation Sunday afternoon advising residents to register at the evacuation centre in nearby Hay River.The Town of Hay River then ordered an evacuation at 11 p.m. Sunday. Residents of both communities have been advised to register at the Hay River Community Centre if they need help leaving, or the Yellowknife Multiplex, located about 480 kilometres away.Michael St. Amour, mayor of the neighbouring community of Enterprise, said there was a two-hour wait at the gas station as hundreds of people passed through the hamlet.“We tried to make them as comfortable as possible and give them the direction to go to Yellowknife,” he said.St. Amour said Enterprise has opened its community hall to evacuees and was serving breakfast Monday morning. He said about 300 people are still in t...

Dubai-based professional baseball league announces first franchise, Mumbai Cobras

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 09:18:21 GMT

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Baseball United, which swung for the sporting history fences by establishing the first professional baseball league in the Middle East and South Asia, announced Monday its first franchise, the Mumbai Cobras.The Cobras are the first of four teams that will be announced in the coming weeks, with the Dubai, United Arab Emirates-based Baseball United poised to host a showcase tournament in November at Dubai International Stadium. The tournament will take place a year after Baseball United was first established.Baseball United’s player pool consists of more than 200 players from more than 30 countries. Of those, 64 players will be selected for the teams. The remaining players will be drafted in anticipation of the organization’s inaugural season starting in the fall of 2024.Baseball United has said several players from the U.S. will play in the league, though it has yet to announce any names.“Major League Baseball is over 150 years old and has so much r...

Oakland A’s reach agreement for potential stadium site on Las Vegas Strip

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 09:18:21 GMT

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Oakland Athletics have reached an agreement with Bally’s and Gaming & Leisure Properties to build a potential stadium on the Tropicana hotel site along the Las Vegas Strip.Bally’s Corp. made the announcement Monday for a 30,000-seat stadium on the 35-acre site. The project is expected to cost about $1.5 billion, and the A’s are asking for nearly $400 million in public support from the Nevada Legislature, which could vote on a proposal this week.The A’s previously previously signed an agreement to build a stadium also on Tropicana Avenue but on the other side of Interstate 15 that runs alongside the Strip. They were expected to ask the Legislature for $500 million in public funds for the 49-acre site that would have included much more than a stadium.The new agreement is a scaled-down proposal but the location is in closer walking distance for fans who are staying in hotels on the south end of the Strip.“We are excited about the potential to ...