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Ramadan starts in Mideast amid high costs, hopes for peace

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:59 GMT

KHARTOUM, Sudan (AP) — Hundreds of millions of Muslims began the first daily fast of Ramadan on Thursday, as parts of the Middle East approached crucial junctures in high-stakes peace negotiations during the holy month, traditionally a time of reconciliationIn Sudan, parties are wrangling over how the country will usher in a civilian government following 17 months of military rule. In Yemen, diplomats are pushing for a lasting truce, following the recent rapprochement between regional powerhouses Iran and Saudi Arabia which have been locked in a proxy war there for eight years.During Ramadan, observant Muslims abstain from food and water from dawn to dusk, before gathering with family and friends for indulgent nighttime meals. According to Islam, fasting draws the faithful closer to God and reminds them of the suffering of the poor.In Khartoum, Sudan’s capital, families prepare culinary delights weeks in advance to mark the break of the fast each evening, a meal known as iftar. For ...

Prince William thanks Poland for generosity to Ukrainians

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:59 GMT

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Britain’s Prince William paid tribute on Thursday to Poles who lost their lives in past wars, and expressed gratitude to the nation for what it is doing today to provide humanitarian and military support to Ukraine.The heir to the throne’s visit to Poland underscores Britain’s support for both Ukraine and Poland, an ally on the front line of efforts to help refugees displaced by Russia’s war and to assist the Ukrainian military in fighting off the invasion.William laid a wreath in Poland’s national colors, white and red, at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and bowed his head solemnly. The memorial honors Poles who lost their lives in wars including World War II, when Polish and British soldiers were allies.A note on the wreath that he left read: “In memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice.”He later headed to the presidential palace for a meeting with President Andrzej Duda, who has been a prominent ally of Ukrainian President Vol...

EU leaders set to endorse joint ammo purchases for Ukraine

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:59 GMT

BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union leaders were poised Thursday to endorse a plan for sending Ukraine 1 million rounds of artillery ammunition within the next 12 months to help the country counter Russia’s invasion forces.EU foreign and defense ministers approved the plan for a fast-track purchasing procedure earlier this week, and the leaders of the bloc’s 27 member nations will give it their political blessing at a summit in Brussels, according to several senior EU diplomats. They spoke anonymously under EU practices ahead of summits.With Ukraine facing ammunition shortages after more than a year of fighting, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas brought to the table last month the idea of the EU setting up a joint purchasing plan similar to the one devised during the coronavirus pandemic to buy vaccines. “What is critical is sending ammunition to Ukraine fast, because that might bring a change in this war,” Kallas said as she arrived at the summit.Under the plan, the European Def...

German unions call for wide-ranging transport strike Monday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:59 GMT

BERLIN (AP) — German unions are calling on thousands of workers across the country’s transport system to stage a one-day strike on Monday that is expected to bring widespread disruption to planes, trains and local transit.The ver.di service workers’ union and the EVG union, which represents many railway workers, announced the 24-hour walkout in a joint appearance Thursday that come as employees in many sectors have been seeking hefty raises to reflect persistently high inflation.Ver.di chairman Frank Werneke said that his union is calling for 120,000 workers to walk out. Those will include security and ground workers at all German airports except Berlin, local transit employees in seven of Germany’s 16 states, harbor employees and workers on highways — the latter a measure that Werneke said is likely to affect some tunnels.“This strike day will have a massive effect — we are aware of this and it is also necessary,” Werneke said. He added that it’s important t...

Japan’s winning WBC team drops in on Prime Minister Kishida

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:59 GMT

TOKYO (AP) — Prime Minister Fumio Kishida might have had his most enjoyable day in office on Thursday when Japan’s winning World Baseball Classic team paid a visit.Kishida was beaming when a gold medal from the winning team was placed around his neck, and he also received a large card in a frame containing each player’s signature.“To all the members of Samurai Japan, congratulations on your victory in the WBC,” Kishida said, thanking them for their courtesy visit to his office after their long flight back from the United States.Japan finished undefeated — only the second team to do that in the World Baseball Classic — after beating the United States 3-2 in the deciding game.“I thank you for giving tremendous courage and energy to all of Japan. Your huge achievement was possible because the power of each individual and the power of the team as a whole were combined, and I sincerely appreciated it,” Kishida said.Players wore suits — not baseball uniforms — and posed for ph...

Chinese diplomats oppose US military presence in Philippines

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:59 GMT

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Chinese diplomats expressed their strong opposition to an expanded United States military presence in the Philippines in closed-door talks with their Filipino counterparts Thursday in Manila, a Filipino official said, underscoring the intense U.S.-China rivalry in the region.The Philippine official, who attended the meeting, told The Associated Press about China’s intense objections on condition of anonymity for lack of authority to discuss what transpired at the start of the two-day talks. The Filipino diplomats responded by saying the decision to allow an expanded American military presence was in their national interest and would boost Philippine capability to respond to natural disasters, the official said, suggesting it was not aimed at China. Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong and Philippine Foreign Undersecretary Theresa Lazaro led the talks aimed at assessing overall relations between the two sides amid thorny issues, including Beijing...

Californians eager for sunnier days after relentless winter

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:59 GMT

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Californians are tired. Tired of the rain, tired of the snow, tired of stormy weather and the cold, relentlessly gray skies that have clouded the Golden State nearly nonstop since late December.With spring now underway, the state’s 39 million residents are hopeful for sunnier days ahead. But this week’s atmospheric river — the 12th such storm here since late December — had other plans.The powerful systems dump huge amounts of rain and snow as they bring massive plumes of Pacific moisture into California. They have already wreaked havoc across the state, with a death toll rising as communities dig out and floodwaters recede. High winds toppled trees, snowfall stranded mountain communities and storm surges inundated coastal towns with no end in sight.Californians initially welcomed the precipitation and chilly temperatures after a record-hot summer and yearslong drought that included the driest January through March on record in 2022. But the atmospheric r...

Woman charged with attempted murder after woman seriously injured

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:59 GMT

CHICAGO — A woman was arrested and charged after a woman was seriously battered on the city's West Side in November.According to police, 30-year-old Ashley Gallion is facing a felony count of attempted first-degree murder. 18-year-old man charged in crash that killed elderly woman, injured family members on North Side Police reports state that Gallion was arrested in the 7600 block of South Cicero Avenue Wednesday and was positively identified as the woman who seriously battered another woman near the 2200 block of South Pulaski Road November 25. Gallion is set for bond court Thursday.

Boy, 15, faces multiple felonies for attempted murder

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:59 GMT

CHICAGO — A 15-year-old boy is facing multiple felonies after a man was robbed and shot in the leg on the city's South Side in February.The 15-year-old boy is facing three felonies of attempted first-degree murder, aggravated battery and robbery with firearm.According to police, the boy was arrested in the 1100 block of South Hamilton Avenue Wednesday and positively identified as one of the individuals who robbed a 32-year-old man at gunpoint in the 10900 block of South Vernon Avenue before opening fire and shooting him in the leg. Woman charged with attempted murder after woman seriously injured Police say the boy was placed into custody and charged accordingly.There is no additional information at this time.

Dongfeng claims world's first passenger cars with in-wheel motors

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:10:59 GMT

Chinese automaker Dongfeng has launched a production model with in-wheel motors from supplier Protean Electric.In press releases, Protean claims the Dongfeng Fengshen E70 is the "world's first fully homologated passenger car" equipped with two ProteanDrive in-wheel motors. A conventional inboard motor drives the front wheels, while the in-wheel motors power the rear wheels, enabling all-wheel drive. Each rear in-wheel motor produces 104 hp and 922 lb-ft of torque. Voyah ZhuiguangAccording to Protean, Dongfeng has found that this configuration is lighter than a conventional all-wheel-drive EV setup. The companies also claim a 50% increase in storage space, a 0-62 mph time 42% quicker, and 18% higher cornering speeds thanks to the torque-vectoring capability of the in-wheel motors. Protean also claims increased efficiency, and 83 fewer parts than a comparable inboard motor setup.The initial batch of Dongfeng Fengshen E70 sedans are undergoing "fleet trials" in China, according to Prot...