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Republicans want to pair border security with aid for Ukraine. Here’s why that makes a deal so tough

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:55:21 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — As Congress returns to session this week, lawmakers will be trying to forge an agreement on sending a new round of wartime assistance to Ukraine. But to succeed, they will have to find agreement on an issue that has confounded them for decades.Republicans in both chambers of Congress have made clear that they will not support additional aid for Ukraine unless it is paired with border security measures to help manage the influx of migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border. Their demand has injected one of the most contentious issues in American politics into a foreign policy debate that was already difficult. Time is short for a deal. A small, bipartisan group in the Senate is taking the lead and working to find a narrow compromise that can overcome a likely filibuster by winning 60 votes. But even if they can reach a modest agreement, there is no guarantee it would pass the House, where Republicans are insisting on wholesale changes to U.S. border and immigration policies...

Montreal music venues call for rule changes as noise complaints choke industry

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:55:21 GMT

Montreal bar and live music venue Turbo Haüs is doing everything it can to mitigate noise and be a good neighbour, says co-owner Sergio Da Silva.The punk rock institution moved in 2018 from a mostly residential neighbourhood to the lively downtown theatre district known as the Quartier des Spectacles. It spent thousands of dollars soundproofing the new space and pays an extra $3,200 in rent each month to keep the two apartments above it empty. So a warning from the city last week to reduce noise came as a shock.“Nice to know it’s illegal to have des spectacles in the … Quartier des Spectacles,” Turbo Haüs lamented in a widely circulated social media post alongside a screenshot of the city notice, which threatens fines of up to $12,000.“It’s a bit surprising and pretty frustrating to be honest,” Da Silva said in a recent interview.He’s one of several club owners calling on Montreal to update noise bylaws and development rules to better protec...

Pope Francis says he has lung inflammation but will go to Dubai this week for climate conference

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:55:21 GMT

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis on Sunday revealed that he has a lung inflammation but will go later this week to Dubai to address the climate change conference. Francis skipped his weekly Sunday appearance at a window overlooking St. Peter’s Square, a day after the Vatican said he was suffering from a mild flu. Instead, Francis gave the traditional noon blessing in an appearance televised live from the chapel in the Vatican hotel where he lives. “Brothers and sisters, happy Sunday. Today I cannot appear at the window because I have this problem of inflammation of the lungs,” Francis said. The pontiff, whose 87th birthday is next month, added that a priest, sitting beside him, would read out his day’s reflections for him. In those comments, Francis said he was going to the United Arab Emirates for the COP28 gathering on climate change and that he would deliver his speech, as scheduled, on Saturday to the participants. He described the climate change problem as a s...

South Korea, Japan and China agree to resume trilateral leaders’ summit, but without specific date

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:55:21 GMT

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Meeting for the first time in about four years, the top diplomats from South Korea, Japan and China agreed Sunday to revive cooperation among the Asian neighbors and resume their leaders’ trilateral summit — but without a specific timing. Closely linked economically and culturally with one another, the three countries together account for about 25% of the global gross domestic product. But efforts to boost cooperation have often hit a snag because of a mix of issues including historical disputes stemming from Japan’s wartime aggression and the strategic competition between China and the United States.“We three ministers agreed to restore and normalize three-nation cooperation at an early date,” South Korean Foreign Minister told reporters after his meeting with Japan’s Yoko Kamikawa and China’s Wang Yi in Busan, South Korea. Park said the three ministers affirmed an earlier agreement by lower-level officials to restart the summit “at the earliest mutually c...

Special needs Texans waiting on improved services after education bill fails

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:55:21 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- Amy Litzinger's educational journey was harder than most.She doesn't write with her hands, move with her feet, or live independently of dedicated caregivers — daily challenges of a life with quadriplegic cerebral palsy. She has, however, thrived throughout her life. Excelling in class and on stage, earning her college degree, and working the halls of the Texas Capitol are all proud accomplishments her diagnosis could not deter."It has been something that I've lived with and thrived with since I've been in education," she said. "Your diagnosis doesn't always define your potential."Litzinger credits her success to the support of abundant special education services — the public school paraprofessionals who helped her become a gifted and talented student in advanced placement courses, the family and friends determined to help her accomplish anything her able-bodied classmates could. She worries, however, that today's special needs students are not getting that same h...

Mullen star Jordan Leslie, a Dartmouth football commit, intent on making Mustangs basketball relevant again

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:55:21 GMT

Jordan Leslie is ready to empty his basketball tank, because he knows there’s no hardcourt left ahead of him after this winter.The Mullen multi-sport star was one of the top scorers in Class 6A last year at 22.7 points per game. Now this winter, he finds himself headed to play college ball… only in a different sport than the one he always envisioned himself in at the next level.Leslie is committed to play football at Dartmouth. It was a 40-year decision over a four-year one: Leslie believes the educational opportunities, networking and doors opened at an Ivy League institution far outweigh the Division II interest he was receiving in hoops.“I’m still trying to bring (these emotions) in, and control them, and harness them in my play,” Leslie said. “Ever since my freshman year I thought for sure I’d be playing college basketball. And choosing between football and basketball was tough. So this is new to me to have the feeling of a season where,...

30 Colorado high school boys basketball players to watch in 2023-24 CHSAA season

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:55:21 GMT

A look at 30 Colorado high school boys basketball players to keep an eye on during the 2023-24 CHSAA season.*Siraaj Ali, jr., G, Overland: A volume scorer who’s at his best attacking defenses off the dribble, the 5-foot-10 guard turned in a breakout sophomore campaign with averages of 18.1 points, 3.3 assists and 2.1 steals per game. After anpther offseason of growth, another leap could be next.Maurice Austin, sr., PG, Pueblo South: The reigning 5A player of the year tilts the court with a seemingly limitless reservoir of energy, blowing up opponents’ sets on one end as a defensive pest (5.3 spg) and picking them apart on the other as a scorer (27.2 ppg) and facilitator (5.3 apg). Already at 1,509 career points entering this season, 2,000 appears inevitable.Garrett Barger, jr., C, Eaglecrest: A crafty, efficient finisher around the basket, the 6-foot-9 Barger (12.3 ppg, 8.4 rpg) helped lead the Raptors to the Sweet 16 as an underclassman. With fellow junior LaDavian King as a runnin...

30 Colorado high school girls basketball players to watch in 2023-24 CHSAA season

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:55:21 GMT

A look at 30 Colorado high school girls basketball players to keep an eye on during the 2023-24 CHSAA season.*Damara Allen, sr., G, Cherokee Trail: A UTSA commit and returning 6A all-state selection, the 5-foot-10 fourth-year varsity guard (11.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 2.4 spg, 2.0 apg) has grown along with a C.T. program looking to make serious noise after posting a breakout 19-win season.Ryanne Bahnsen-Price, jr., G/F, Roosevelt: A key figure alongside sophomore Kyla Hollier in the Rough Riders’ suffocating defense (2.3 spg, 0.9 bpg) and focal point of their offensive attack (14.0 ppg, 3.5 apg), the 6-foot all-state returnee has the defending 5A champions talking dynasty.Sofia Baldessari, sr., G/F, Douglas County: The 6-foot-2 wing joined Douglas County prior to her junior season and promptly turned in an all-state caliber campaign (20.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 2.3 spg) that powered Huskies’ first winning season in more than 17 years.Tori Baker, jr., G, Highlands Ranch: An young Eagles roster led by ...

Could Broncos’ red zone demons ruin their playoff aspirations? Only if nothing changes: “There’s no excuse to not get it done”

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:55:21 GMT

Courtland Sutton didn’t need a crystal ball to know what came next as he went in motion against Green Bay.The veteran wide receiver crossed the offensive formation to the left and settled briefly in the slot, creating a bunch with tight end Adam Trautman and receiver Marvin Mims, Jr. to his outside.On the snap, Sutton let both of them clear across his face, worked his way up the left sideline and, voila, found himself all alone thanks to the traffic they created.Tried-and-true concept. Clean execution. Easy throw from Russell Wilson for an 18-yard touchdown.Red zone clinic.If only it was always — or even usually — that simple.Instead, capitalizing in the red zone has been a chore for the Broncos even as they’ve turned their season around over the past month.Paradoxically, it’s been a chore, particularly during the team’s four-game winning streak.They’re officially 7-of-18 over the past four games. They’ve been charged with multiple red zone failures each in wins against ...

Me & My Car: 1931 Ford Model A in Dublin a masterpiece hot rod

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:55:21 GMT

The world of hot rods dates back to the 1920s and ’30s, when young guys would soup up Model A and Model T Fords in their garages. Each year, Ford seemed to crank out new cars faster and cheaper, making used Model A and T cars available at bargain prices.Related ArticlesLocal News | Me & My Car: East Bay owner’s ’63 Volvo with him through thick and thin Local News | Me & My Car: Oakland man’s ’92 Allanté one of Cadillac’s unique models Local News | Me & My Car: Pleasanton man owns first-, last-generation Thunderbirds In the Midwest, former horse racing tracks became popular to race mostly old Ford cars. These speedsters were just stripped-down stock models without lights or license plates. Sometimes custom bodies were used to class the race up a little, but the basic body only required bucket seats, a tool box and a fuel tank.Soon there were bigger engines and better transmissions as well...