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Congo’s president makes campaign stop near conflict zone and blasts Rwanda for backing rebels

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:54 GMT

GOMA, Congo (AP) — A fiery President Felix Tshisekedi rallied thousands of supporters at a stadium in a conflict-stricken eastern region of Congo on Sunday, making one of his final campaign sweeps through the country in the lead-up to elections later this month.Supporters waited hours to hear the first-term president’s speech in a region torn by years of violence between the army and M23 rebels. He directed most of his ire toward President Paul Kagame in neighboring Rwanda rather than his opponents in the Dec. 20 election, where he is vying for a second-term leading the nation of 100 million people.“I promise you that this fight will continue, and we will rid our country of the M23 terrorists, led by their leader Paul Kagame. We are going to put an end to their barbaric reign of terrorism, which has put the Congolese people into mourning,” Tshisekedi said at Afia Stadium in Goma, the capital of North Kivu province.The election has resurfaced long simmering questions abou...

Downpours, high winds prompt weather warnings in Northeast

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:54 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Parts of the northeast were bracing for a stormy night Sunday, with high winds and heavy rains bringing threats of flooding and power outages through the Monday morning commute. Flood watches were in effect in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and southern New England through Monday. The National Weather Service said 3 to 5 inches of rain was expected across parts of Long Island and southern Connecticut, with other areas in line for 2 to 3 inches.Wind gusts of up to 50 mph were forecast, including in New York City, where the Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced a ban on empty tractor-trailers and tandem trucks for 12 hours beginning at 6 p.m. Sunday.New York Mayor Eric Adams activated the city’s flash flood emergency plan.“We’re preparing for heaviest rains and strongest winds Sunday night into Monday morning, which means everyone should take the necessary precautions to protect themselves and their belongings in the event of potential flooding conditions ...

Bronny James makes college debut in loss for USC nearly 5 months after cardiac arrest

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:54 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Bronny James had four points, three rebounds and two assists in his college debut for Southern California on Sunday, coming off the bench nearly five months after he suffered cardiac arrest to play in front of his superstar father LeBron James.The Trojans lost in overtime to Long Beach State, 84-79. James walked off with his deflated teammates and didn’t greet his father who sat courtside.James logged 16 minutes, including starting the five-minute extra session, but he wasn’t a factor then before coming out for the last time. He was 1 of 3 shooting, hitting a 3-pointer in the second half.All of James’ rebounds came on the defensive glass. He also had two steals. James was quick to pass to his teammates, even when it appeared he could have taken a shot.He played six minutes in the first half, when the Trojans led 45-30 at the break. In his second three-minute stint, James made a huge block on Jadon Jones, who was streaking to the basket on a fastb...

North Park restaurant Mee Mah closes after more than 40 years of operation

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:54 GMT

CHICAGO — A family-run restaurant in North Park is closing its doors for good this weekend.Mee Mah, a restaurant known for its Chinese cuisine, announced this week that it would be shutting down on Sunday after more than 40 years of operation. Search underway for driver involved in deadly hit-and-run in Garfield Park In a Facebook post shared on Thursday, Benjamin Wong, whose parents, Bill and Sandy, own the restaurant, announced that they have decided to retire and have chosen to close the restaurant."From the bottom of our hearts, the Wong family and the entire Mee Mah family want to thank you for the years we were able to serve you, get to know you, watch your children grow, and be a part of your lives in so many ways," Wong said in the social media post. Thieves target victims trying to purchase cell phones using Facebook Marketplace Mee Mah, located in the 4000 block of West Peterson Avenue, opened its doors in 1982 and served customers seven days a week.The restaurant sta...

Battles rage across Gaza as Israel indicates it's willing to fight for months or more to beat Hamas

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:54 GMT

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Battles raged across Gaza on Sunday as Israel indicated it was prepared to fight for months or longer to defeat the territory's Hamas rulers, and a key mediator said willingness to discuss a cease-fire was fading.Israel faces international outrage after its military offensive, with diplomatic support and arms from close ally the United States, has killed thousands of Palestinian civilians. About 90% of Gaza's 2.3 million people have been displaced within the besieged territory, where U.N. agencies say there is no safe place to flee.The United States has lent vital support in recent days by vetoing a United Nations Security Council resolution to end the fighting and pushing through an emergency sale of over $100 million worth of tank ammunition to Israel.Russia backed the resolution. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin and expressed dissatisfaction with “anti-Israel positions” taken by Moscow’s...

Giuliani to face Georgia poll workers as defamation case heads to trial

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:54 GMT

(The Hill) -- While counting the results of Georgia's 2020 election, Fulton County poll worker Ruby Freeman passed her daughter, another poll worker named Shaye Moss, a ginger mint.  But longtime Trump ally Rudy Giuliani claimed a video of that interaction showed evidence of election fraud against former President Trump — proof of the mother-daughter pair passing a USB drive between them to scan ballots hidden in suitcases under tables at Atlanta’s State Farm Arena, according to a report by Georgia’s State Election Board.  In the months that followed, the poll workers were subjected to a barrage of threats stemming from Giuliani’s baseless accusations. “I've lost my sense of security, all because a group of people — starting with Number 45 and his ally Rudy Giuliani — decided to scapegoat me and my daughter, Shaye, to push their own lies about how the presidential election was stolen,” Freeman said in a deposition with the House Jan. 6 committee.   Trump revers...

First Warning: Wettest weather since October due late this week

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:54 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — While the focus early in the week will be the freeze concerns for most of Central Texas on Monday morning, we're looking ahead to the middle and end of the week for our wettest weather for more than six weeks.A slow moving storm system approaching from the west will gradually bring rain chances eastward through the end of the work week. While changes can be expected, this storm has been consistently trending wetter the last few days.It hasn't rained in Austin in more than 10 days and we haven't had more than an inch of rain fall in one day at Camp Mabry since October 26.As things stand now the rain will be slow to progress eastward with rain chances mostly confined to the Hill Country on Wednesday. Rain spreads a little more on Thursday and by Friday most of us should be in for a widespread soaking. Saturday should be a drying day with some lingering morning showers wrapping up into the afternoon.Rain chances this weekRainfall amountsExactly how much rain we get will...

Freeze Warning Monday morning

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:54 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A Freeze Warning is in effect nearly areawide for what could be Central Texas' first widespread freeze of the season.Freeze Warning for most of Central Texas Monday morning.Areas under the warning including Austin should protect pets, pipes, plants and people. Some of the coldest temperatures are expected east of I-35 closer to the center of the cold high pressure system. Light south winds may return overnight west of I-35, actually leading to warmer temperatures in the Hill Country.Monday morning lowsSoutherly wind will warm temperatures into the 60s on a sunny Monday.After reaching medium/high levels on Saturday, cedar pollen has dropped a bit. The 24-hour average cedar count is back in the low category, but has occasionally been bouncing into the medium category on Sunday. Mold has dropped a bit, but remains in the medium category. Sunday's 24-hour average pollen countLate-week rainA slow-moving storm system will bring increasing clouds on Tuesday and slowly incr...

Gophers add big Indiana transfer running back Trent Howland in portal

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:54 GMT

The Gophers football program needed an immediate infusion at running back coming out of this season. It came in the form of Indiana transfer Trent Howland on Sunday.“New crib. Let’s row,” he wrote in Instagram caption to pictures of him in a Minnesota jersey while visiting the U this weekend.For the Hoosiers in 2023, Howland rushed for 354 yards on 75 carries and two touchdowns.The Gophers recruited Howland out of high school in Juliet, Ill., and pursued him again since the portal opened on Monday. He will have two years of eligibility for the U.At 6-foot-3 and 240 pounds, Howland will be a complement to returning to-be sophomore Darius Taylor next season.The Gophers needed reinforcements. Sean Tyler exits after his senior season concludes in the Quick Lane Bowl on Dec. 26. Two other tailbacks entered the transfer portal in Zach Evans, the fourth-leading rusher in 2023, and Marquese Williams who didn’t play in his true freshman season.Howland played in nine games in 2022 and moved t...

Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson leaves game against Raiders, taken to local hospital out of precaution

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:54 GMT

LAS VEGAS — Justin Jefferson’s highly anticipated return for the Vikings did not last long.The star receiver left the Vikings’ game on Sunday afternoon at Allegiant Stadium after absorbing a hard hit directly to the back. He was ruled out with a chest injury and taken to a local hospital out of precaution while the game between the Vikings and Raiders was still going. There were no immediate updates from the team other than that.The chest injury occurred after Jefferson hauled in a high pass from quarterback Josh Dobbs. He leapt to make the grab and immediately got tackled by Raiders safety Marcus Epps in the open field. After quickly popping up, Jefferson got checked out in the medical tent, then walked to the locker room alongside trainers.Related ArticlesMinnesota Vikings | Ed Ingram ruled out with hip injury, Blake Brandel set to start for Vikings Minnesota Vikings | Charley Walters: Dobbs still gives Vikings their best chance to win M...