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Protests at UN climate talks, from ceasefire calls to detainees, see ‘shocking level of censorship’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:24 GMT

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Activists designated Saturday a day of protest at the COP28 summit in Dubai. But the rules of the game in the tightly controlled United Arab Emirates at the site supervised by the United Nations meant sharp restrictions on what demonstrators could say, where they could walk and what their signs could portray.At times, the controls bordered on the absurd. A small group of demonstrators protesting the detention of activists — one from Egypt and two from the UAE — were not allowed to hold up signs bearing their names. A late afternoon demonstration of around 500 people, the largest seen at the climate conference, couldn’t go beyond the U.N.-governed Blue Zone in this autocratic nation. And their calls for a cease-fire in the war in the Gaza Strip couldn’t actually name the states involved. “It is a shocking level of censorship in a space that had been guaranteed to have basic freedoms protected like freedom of expression, assembly and asso...

Tensions are soaring between Guyana and Venezuela over a territorial dispute. Here’s what to know

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:24 GMT

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — A century-old territorial dispute deepened by the discovery of oil is boiling over between neighbors Guyana and Venezuela. Steeped in patriotism, the Venezuelan government is seizing on the fight to boost support ahead of a presidential election among a population fed up with a decade-long crisis that has pushed many into poverty.Venezuelans on Sunday approved a referendum to claim sovereignty over Essequibo, a mineral-rich territory that accounts for two-thirds of Guyana and lies near big offshore oil deposits. Military confrontation appears unlikely for now, but several countries have echoed Guyana’s concerns over an annexation by its neighbor to the west.These are some of the key aspects of the growing dispute:WHY IS THE BORDER UNDER DISPUTE?Venezuela says it was the victim of a land theft conspiracy in 1899, when Guyana was a British colony and arbitrators from Britain, Russia and the United States decided the boundary. The U.S. represented Venezuela in...

14 dead in clash between criminal gang and villagers in central Mexico

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:24 GMT

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Fourteen people were killed in a clash Friday between gunmen from a criminal gang and residents of a small farming community in central Mexico, authorities said. Four people were left wounded and two more missing. Dramatic video of the fight posted on social media showed villagers in cowboy hats with sickles and hunting rifles chasing down suspected gang members amid bursts of automatic gunfire.Police in the State of Mexico, which abuts Mexico City, said the clash occurred in the hamlet of Texcaltitlan, about 80 miles (130 kilometers) southwest of the capital. State police said 11 of the dead were members of the criminal gang, while three were village residents. Police did not identify the gang, but the violent Familia Michoacana drug cartel has been dominant in that area for a decade.The video appeared to show the attackers wore military-style uniforms, some with helmets. Villagers apparently set their bodies and vehicles on fire.Local media said Familia Michoaca...

Es mamá y tiene tatuajes: conoce a la nueva Miss Venezuela

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:24 GMT

Caracas – La docente Ileana Márquez, coronada el jueves como la nueva Miss Venezuela, resaltó este viernes la importancia de haberse convertido en la primera madre en competir y triunfar en el popular concurso, del que han salido siete ganadoras del Miss Universo y seis del Miss Mundo.En su primera rueda de prensa como reina de belleza, la profesora de 27 años citó a la estadounidense Mary Jackson, la matemática afroamericana que abrió paso a las mujeres negras en la NASA, para destacar que “ser el primero es importante”, así como “aprovechar las oportunidades”.“Se les abren puertas a todas aquellas mujeres que en algún momento pasaron por la situación que yo pasé hace 11 años (cuando tuvo a su hija Guadalupe), pero que no se detengan y sigan luchando, que se preparen. Todo en esta vida se trata de la educación, de tener la convicción de que puedes lograr las metas”, expuso. En fotos: así lucía Sheynnis Palacios antes de ganar ...

Patriots lose veteran LB again to Dolphins

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:24 GMT

The Dolphins signed veteran linebacker Calvin Munson off the Patriots’ practice squad Saturday.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Source: Patriots lose offensive coach with 4 games left New England Patriots | Patriots release hybrid RB/WR to make room for ex-Eagles linebacker New England Patriots | Bill Belichick opens up about what Army-Navy Game at Gillette Stadium means to him New England Patriots | Bailey Zappe’s impressive win still not enough for Bill Belichick to name him Patriots future starting QB New England Patriots | Patriots teammate defends JuJu Smith-Schuster after breakout game The Pats elevated Munson for three games this season. He recorded one tackle over 11 defensive snaps and 25 on special teams. Since 2018, Munson has spent his career bouncing between New England and Miami, both on the teams’ active rosters and practice squad.Munson, 28, has made seven starts in 46 c...

Source: Patriots lose offensive coach with 4 games left

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:24 GMT

Patriots wide receivers coach Ross Douglas is leaving to join the offensive staff at Syracuse, per a source.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Patriots release hybrid RB/WR to make room for ex-Eagles linebacker New England Patriots | Bill Belichick opens up about what Army-Navy Game at Gillette Stadium means to him New England Patriots | Bailey Zappe’s impressive win still not enough for Bill Belichick to name him Patriots future starting QB New England Patriots | Patriots teammate defends JuJu Smith-Schuster after breakout game New England Patriots | Ezekiel Elliott draws unique praise out of Bill Belichick after Patriots win Douglas is expected to coach receivers and add responsibility in the offense under new Syracuse coach Fran Brown, a source said. Douglas leaves with four games left in the Patriots’ season. He originally joined the organization as a defensive quality control coach in 2021...

A pregnant Texas woman asked a court for permission to get an abortion, despite a ban. What’s next?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:24 GMT

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Kate Cox, a mother of two in Texas, became pregnant again in August but soon after learned devasting news: Her baby has a fatal condition and is likely to either be stillborn or die shortly after birth.The tragic circumstances have thrust Cox, 31, into the center of an unprecedented challenge over abortion bans that have altered the landscape for women in the U.S. A Texas judge gave Cox permission this week to receive an abortion, but the state’s highest court put that decision on hold Friday night. Whether Cox, who is 20 weeks pregnant, can legally receive an abortion under narrow exceptions to the state’s ban is now in limbo while the Texas Supreme Court considers her case. The court, which is made up of nine Republican justices, gave no timetable on when it might rule.Her lawsuit is believed to be the first since Roe v. Wade was overturned last year asking a court for permission to get an abortion. A pregnant Kentucky woman has since filed a simil...

Wisconsin university regents reject deal with Republicans to reduce diversity positions

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:24 GMT

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The regents of Universities of Wisconsin narrowly voted Saturday to reject a deal with Republican lawmakers to freeze hiring for diversity positions, drop an affirmative action faculty hiring program at UW-Madison and create a position at the flagship campus focused on conservative thought.The regents voted 9-8 during an emergency meeting to reject the deal reached Friday after being brokered by Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos.“I don’t like this precedent,” Regent Dana Wachs said during the meeting. “We need to make this a welcoming environment.”Conservatives have long criticized the UW system as a bastion of liberalism. Democrats have accused Republicans of holding employees hostage by blocking pay raises. They argue that diversity initiatives enhance the collegiate experience and play a crucial role in identifying promising students who grew up with fewer resources. The fight in Wisconsin reflects a broader cultural battle playing out across the na...

The State Department OKs the sale of tank ammunition to Israel in a deal bypassing Congress’ review

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:24 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Going around Congress, the Biden administration said Saturday it has approved the emergency sale to Israel of nearly 14,000 rounds of tank ammunition worth more than $106 million as Israel intensifies its military operations in the southern Gaza Strip.The move comes as President Joe Biden’s request for a nearly $106 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel and other national security is languishing in Congress, caught up in a debate over U.S. immigration policy and border security. Some Democratic lawmakers have spoken of making the proposed $14.3 billion in American assistance to its Mideast ally contingent on concrete steps by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to reduce civilian casualties in Gaza during the war with Hamas.The State Department said it had notified Congress of the sale late Friday after Secretary of State Antony Blinken determined “an emergency exists that requires the immediate sale” of the munitions in the U.S. national...

Quebec man charged with 2nd-degree murder after toddler’s death

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:24 GMT

MONTREAL — A 34-year-old Quebec man has been charged with second-degree murder after the death of a toddler who was found severely injured at a home daycare northeast of Montreal.Tomy Carranza Ladry appeared by video conference in a Montreal courtroom Saturday morning from Joliette, Que., where he is being detained. He was formally accused of causing the 18-month-old’s death between Dec. 4 and 5.However, Carranza Ladry’s case was postponed to Dec. 14, when he is expected to appear in court in Joliette.Earlier this week, police responded to a call about a child with serious injuries at a home daycare in L’Assomption, Que.The toddler died hours later in hospital.This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 9, 2023.The Canadian Press