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Zelenskyy meets in Rome with Italy’s premier before talks with pope

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:19:20 GMT

ROME (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Rome on Saturday for talks with Italian officials and Pope Francis, who has said the Vatican has launched a behind-the-scenes initiative to try to end the war launched last year by Russia.“Today in Rome,″ Zelenskyy tweeted. ”I’m meeting with President of Italy Sergio Mattarella, Prime Minister of Italy @GiorgiaMeloni and the Pope @Pontifex. An important visit for approaching victory of Ukraine! ”When Zelenskyy arrived at a military airfield at Rome’s Ciampino airport, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani was on hand to greet him. Tajani told reporters that Italy will continue to support Ukraine “360 degrees” and press for a just peace, one that safeguards Ukraine’s independence. Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni staunchly backs military and other aid for Ukraine. But while her far-right Brothers of Italy party fiercely champions the principle of national sovereignty, Meloni has had to contend with leaders of ...

Pakistani army says raid on militants in southwest leaves 7 troops, 6 militants, civilian dead

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:19:20 GMT

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan (AP) — A raid on militants in Pakistan’s southwest in response to an earlier attack on soldiers left seven troops, six militants and a civilian dead, the army said Saturday. The operation continued for two days after a group of militants attacked a camp of soldiers in the Qila Saifullah district of northern Balochistan province early Friday. The militants also held hostage three families, including women and children, at the residential area of the army camp, the army said.No group immediately claimed responsibility for that attack. A statement by the military’s media wing said seven soldiers, six militants and a civilian were killed in the ensuing raid. A woman was also wounded during the operation.“The … operation involved a hostage rescue operation as well to save three families on a residential block. The terrorists did not even spare children of their horrendous approach,” it said.The army said intelligence follow-up was in progress to trace the...

How this era of the Toronto Maple Leafs came to an end

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:19:20 GMT

This is how it ends.With four straight home losses in Toronto and controversy-sharing shifts with uncertainty.With Coke bottles and rally towels littering the ice and cuss words cutting the air.With John Tavares and Auston Matthews — $22.64 million worth of all-star centremen — combining for 50 shots and zero goals in the most important playoff series of their lives.With Matthew Tkachuk (who didn’t score either) walking tall to the winners’ podium, holding a jalapeno salmon roll in one hand and a game sheet in the other. With Tkachuk chirping the Maple Leafs fans who chanted “We want Florida!” only to eat their words like a Sam Bennett shoulder. And with the Florida Panthers’ team shop dropping a mock T-shirt after Nick Cousins freezes the clock in a 3-2 overtime win.This is how it ends, the first Toronto Maple Leafs’ second-round appearance in 19 years.With Matt Murray, Kyle Dubas’s boldest off-season swing, wearing the ballcap, then walking quie...

Campaigning in Turkey’s pivotal elections nearing end

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:19:20 GMT

ISTANBUL (AP) — Turkish politicians were holding final rallies in the last hours of campaigning on Saturday, the eve of pivotal presidential and parliamentary elections that could significantly shape the NATO member’s future.President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is facing the toughest challenge ever in his two decades of power, was speaking at neighborhood rallies in Istanbul, Turkey’s biggest city.His challenger — Kemal Kilicdaroglu of the pro-secular, center-left Republican People’s Party who is the joint candidate of six opposition parties — held his final rally in the capital, Ankara, on Friday under pouring rain.On Friday, Erdogan dismissed speculation that he wouldn’t cede power if he lost by calling the question “very ridiculous.” In an interview with a dozen Turkish broadcasters, Erdogan said he came to power through democracy and would act in line with the democratic process. “If our nation decides to make such a different decision, we will do exactly what’s requi...

Man shot in apartment building lobby on South Side

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:19:20 GMT

CHICAGO — A man is dead after he was shot in the lobby of an apartment building in Dearborn Homes on the South Side Saturday morning, police said.According to police, a 30-year-old man was standing in the lobby of a residential hotel near the 2700 block of South State Street around 2:43 a.m. when he got into a verbal altercation with an unknown man who produced a handgun and shot him. Youth football coach shot, killed outside Chicago home while taking his daughter to school Police said the man suffered a gunshot wound to the left side of the torso and was transported to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in critical condition where he was later pronounced dead. There is currently no one in custody and police are investigating the incident.

Highest-rated free things to do in Illinois, according to Tripadvisor

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:19:20 GMT

Whether for the weekend around town or to add to your out-of-town itinerary, free things to do are good. With the ever-rising costs of gas and food, the idea of disposable income can feel like a distant fantasy.The cost-of-living continues to rise across the country, forcing each dollar earned to stretch further. While vacations are undoubtedly beneficial for mental health, maintaining savings, paying down debts amid inflation, and regular expenses likely take precedence. But, not everything enjoyable has to come at a high price. In fact, there's probably a roster of completely free things to do in your current area.Think about the most common entries on a vacation getaway itinerary: Sight-seeing, touring landmarks, or completing a nature walk. Or, maybe you're just aiming to relax and want some peace and quiet. See how many music festivals are within a 1-hour drive of Chicago The truth is: Whether you're a history buff or aching to dip your toes in some cool water,...

LIVE BLOG: Severe weather moves through Central Texas with increased risk of flash flooding

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:19:20 GMT

(KXAN) — Severe storms began to move through parts of Central Texas late Friday and are expected to continue through Sunday with an increased risk of flash flooding.According to projections, the main concerns would be large hail and damaging winds coming ahead of heavy and widespread rain. KXAN First Warning Weather According to the KXAN First Warning Weather team, rainfall rates could exceed 2″ per hour.A Flood Watch was issued for all of Central Texas beginning 7 p.m. Friday through 8 p.m. Saturday with the potential to get extended into Sunday. A Flood Watch means conditions are favorable for flash flooding or stream, creek or river flooding during the watch period.Weather ResourcesHow to talk to your kids about severe weatherWatches vs Warnings: Understanding how a storm is madeTraffic mapLive Central Texas radarCentral Texas rainfall totalsDownload KXAN Weather AppSign up for KXAN daily forecast newsletter and severe weather alerts newsletterView a live blog of the severe we...

Police identify man killed in single-vehicle crash on I-35 Service Road in north Austin

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:19:20 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Police have identified a 41-year-old man who was killed in a single-vehicle crash on the I-35 Service Road in north Austin last Saturday. The crash happened shortly before 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 6 in the 13200 block of North IH 35 Service Road northbound. The Austin Police Department responded to the single-vehicle crash, which involved an SUV driven by Lucas Barth, 41.Barth was taken to a local hospital, where he later died.This incident is being investigated as Austin's 33rd fatal crash of 2023, resulting in 33 fatalities for the year.  Anyone with any information should contact APD's Vehicular Homicide unit at 512-974-8111. You may submit your tip anonymously through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program by visiting austincrimestoppers.org or calling 512-472-8477.

Austin police release second video of suspects in deadly September stabbing downtown

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:19:20 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department has released another surveillance video of suspects officers believe are connected to a deadly stabbing that happened in downtown Austin last fall. It happened near East Sixth Street and Brazos Street on Sunday, September 4, 2022, at approximately 2:34 a.m. PREVIOUS: Man killed in downtown Austin stabbing identified; video released of suspects At 2:30 a.m., the man, later identified by police as D’Andre Isaiah Day, 27, flagged down an officer in the entertainment district and asked for medical help. The officer saw Day was “bleeding profusely” from the stomach area. Austin-Travis County EMS transported Day to the hospital where he died.An investigation found Day and a friend were in a fight with three other unknown men. One of the three men stabbed Day, according to APD. Officers believe this was an isolated incident and a random meeting.APD is still searching for the suspects involved. The department days after the incident released s...

Sainted: Recognition for Teacher of the Year finalists is well deserved

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:19:20 GMT

SaintedNegative news often leads but not so with the “Teacher of the Year” story. Four of the best teachers in Minnesota teach in our St. Paul Public Schools.The people who shape our children’s lives often demonstrate committed service and receive only modest pay. The recognition is well deserved.In addition to “Teacher of the Year” Michael Houston of Harding, the other three finalists from St. Paul this year are Sorcha Nix, Open World Learning; Molly Keenan, Harding, and Fathimath Eliza Rasheed, Global Arts Plus.That’s good news for everyone in St. Paul.Al Oertwig, former school board member/chair, St. Paul Schools SaintedSainted: Adult dance studios: Four Seasons Dance Mpls; Cinema Ballroom St. PaulComing out of isolation has not been difficult for us because we dance.Twenty-five years ago we decided to find a fun way to exercise.We are now seniors, and continue to attend Argentine Tango classes at Four Seasons and traditional Ballroom and ...