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Putin promises no-cost Russian grain shipments to 6 African countries

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:42:08 GMT

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin told leaders and officials from most African countries Thursday that his nation is making full efforts to avert a global food crisis despite concerns that its withdrawal from a deal allowing grain shipments from Ukraine will cause price spikes.Putin spoke at the opening session of a two-day Russia-Africa summit attended by a sharply lower number of African heads of state and government compared with a previous summit in 2019. While discussing the halted Black Sea grain deal, he promised large no-cost shipments of grain to six African countries. “Our country will continue supporting needy states and regions, in particular, with its humanitarian deliveries. We seek to actively participate in building a fairer system of distribution of resources. We are taking maximum efforts to avert a global food crisis,” Putin said.“I have already said that our country can replace Ukrainian grain, both on a commercial basis and as ...

Biden looks to provide relief from extreme heat as record high temperatures persist across the US

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:42:08 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — With heat waves spreading across the United States, President Joe Biden on Thursday plans to unveil new steps to protect workers, improve weather forecasts and make drinking water more accessible, the White House says.The announcement comes as nearly 40% of the U.S. population faces heat advisories, according to the National Weather Service. High temperatures have already scorched the Southwest this month, and more heat is expected in the Midwest and the Northeast in the coming days. Washington won’t be spared, and the heat index could reach 110 on Friday. It’s a worldwide problem, and scientists calculate that July will be the hottest month on record.Biden’s plans represent an effort to address the immediate effects of climate change as he faces pressure from fellow Democrats and labor groups to do more to safeguard vulnerable populations. The steps supplement his long-term agenda for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and deploying clean energy t...

1 person critically injured in Leslieville stabbing; suspect arrested

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:42:08 GMT

One person has been rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries after a stabbing in Leslieville.Toronto police responded to the area of Dundas Street East and Coxwell Avenue at 10:20 a.m. on Thursday for reports of a stabbing.Police say one person is in custody.No further details have been released at this time.More to come. Developing story.STABBING:Dundas St. E & Coxwell Ave10:20 am– reports of a stabbing– police o/s– 1 transported to hospital with life-threatening injuries @TorontoMedics– 1 person in custodyGO#1745566^av— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) July 27, 2023

Iowa state senator was participating in annual bike ride when he was arrested, lawyer says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:42:08 GMT

An Iowa state senator was participating, not interfering, in a statewide bike ride when he was arrested and charged with a simple misdemeanor, his attorney said.Sen. Adrian Dickey of Packwood, Iowa, was taken into custody Monday afternoon. A $300 bond was posted the same day, and a court hearing is set for August 8, according to court filings.Dickey said in a statement to the Des Moines Register that he was “absolutely innocent of the charge filed against me.”Dickey’s attorney, Matt Schultz, told the newspaper that Dickey was not part of the group that was blocking the road.“Sen. Dickey was riding in RAGBRAI earlier this week. He and his team took an alternate route that led them to a place where several hundred people were blocking a road,” Schultz said in a statement. “Sen. Dickey and his team were trying to get through the party of people and onto the bike trail, when a misunderstanding occurred between the senator and a sheriff’s deputy.”Sac County Sgt. Jonathan Meyer said...

Qatar Airways posts a $1.2 billion profit over the last fiscal year when it hosted FIFA World Cup

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:42:08 GMT

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Qatar Airways said Thursday it earned a profit of $1.2 billion over the last fiscal year, boosted in part by the small Arabian Peninsula country’s hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Qatar Airways, like other carriers in Gulf Arab nations, relies on the country’s location to ferry passengers between the East and West. Its earned revenue of $20.9 billion over the year is up from $14.4 billion the year before. Those figures stand in contrast to the $4.1 billion loss it suffered in the 2021 fiscal year amid the coronavirus pandemic and the grounding of its fleet. Qatar Airways’ profit of $1.2 billion is down slightly from $1.5 billion last fiscal year. Part of that came from a spike in operating expenses, particularly in jet fuels as energy prices rose after the grip of the pandemic loosened and air travel resumed. Qatar Airways received a $3 billion infusion from the government during the pandemic to keep it afloat. “As the global travel ...

Enormous Lebanon bologna sandwich unveiled at Pennsylvania community fair

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:42:08 GMT

LEBANON, Pa. (AP) — An enormous Lebanon bologna sandwich billed as one of the world’s largest has been unveiled at a central Pennsylvania fair.The 150-foot-long (45.7-meters-long) sandwich was created Tuesday night at the Lebanon Area Fair by a large crew of volunteers known as the “Bologna Security.” Lebanon bologna is known for its distinct smoked and tangy flavor.Every footlong “bite” was sponsored at $100 per foot. The money was donated to Lebanon County Christian Ministries and their efforts to help people dealing with food insecurity in the Lebanon Valley.Pennlive reports that Bologna Security used 600 slices of provolone cheese and 1,200 slices of half-sweet and original Seltzer’s Lebanon Bologna to create 900 sandwiches, or six sandwiches per foot. Fairgoers had a chance to enjoy the sandwich for free Tuesday night.Lebanon is 72 miles (about 116 kilometers) northwest of Philadelphia.The Associated Press

CEO of royal banker Coutts resigns amid furor over closure of politician Nigel Farage’s account

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:42:08 GMT

LONDON (AP) — The chief executive of Coutts Bank, long known as the bankers for Britain’s royal family and nobility, has stepped down amid the furor surrounding populist politician Nigel Farage’s complaints that his account was closed because of his political views.CEO Peter Flavel’s resignation came just a day after Coutts owner NatWest Group parted ways with its CEO, Alison Rose, the first woman to head one of Britain’s four big banks. Rose left after acknowledging that she had discussed Farage’s personal details with a journalist.“In the handling of Mr. Farage’s case we have fallen below the bank’s high standards of personal service,” Flavel said in a statement. “As CEO of Coutts it is right that I bear ultimate responsibility for this, which is why I am stepping down.”The controversy began two weeks ago when Farage, a right-wing talk show presenter and former leader of the pro-Brexit U.K. Independence Party, said Coutts had improperly closed his account because it disagree...

Republican senator calls out Canada’s ‘feeble commitment’ on NATO spending

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:42:08 GMT

WASHINGTON — Canada is again in the U.S. spotlight for what one Republican senator is calling its “feeble commitment” to defence spending. Alaska Sen. Dan Sullivan called out the Liberal government’s commitment to NATO during a confirmation hearing Wednesday for the next Norad commander. Sullivan cited a Wall Street Journal editorial earlier this month that described Canada as a free rider on the global military alliance. The country has a history of falling well short of NATO’s agreed-upon spending target of two per cent of GDP. And a Washington Post report in April said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has privately conceded that Canada, where defence spending is at around 1.3 per cent, would never meet NATO’s threshold. U.S. Air Force Lt.-Gen. Gregory Guillot, President Joe Biden’s nominee to take over the continental aerospace defence system, promised Sullivan he would press Canada to meet the target. “Americans get frustrated when our alli...

UK government’s routine housing of unaccompanied child migrants in hotels ruled unlawful

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:42:08 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Britain’s government acted unlawfully when it routinely housed newly arrived unaccompanied child asylum seekers in hotels, the High Court ruled Thursday. A child protection charity brought legal action against Britain’s Home Office and local authorities in Kent, on England’s southern coast, over their treatment of unaccompanied migrant children, saying the temporary housing arrangements deny the youngsters the statutory child protection safeguards to which they are entitled. Justice Martin Chamberlain ruled that authorities breached legal duties of care owed to all children who require looking after, irrespective of their immigration status. “Ensuring the safety and welfare of children with no adult to look after them is among the most fundamental duties of any civilized state,” the judge said. Every Child Protected Against Trafficking, or ECPAT, the charity that brought the lawsuit, said hundreds of children had gone missing, with many potentia...

Stock market today: Wall Street rises as economy keeps growing and profits keep rising

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:42:08 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks are rising Thursday following fatter-than-expected profit reports from big companies and the latest signals that the economy continues to defy predictions for a recession.The S&P 500 was 0.6% higher in morning trading after touching its highest level in nearly 16 months. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 72 points, or 0.2%, at 35,592, as of 10:30 a.m. Eastern time, and on track for a 14th straight gain. The Nasdaq composite, meanwhile, was leading the market with a gain of 0.9% following a strong profit report from Meta Platforms.Earnings rose more for Meta, which owns Instagram and WhatsApp in addition to Facebook, than analysts expected after its services attracted additional active members. Meta is one of Wall Street’s most influential stocks because of its massive size, and it rose 6.9%.McDonald’s was helping to prop up the Dow after it easily topped analysts’ forecasts for profits during the spring. Its sales grew worldwide, and its stock rose 1...