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India bars protests that support the Palestinians. Analysts say a pro-Israel shift helps at home

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:53 GMT

SRINAGAR, India (AP) — From Western capitals to Muslim states, protest rallies over the Israel-Hamas war have made headlines. But one place known for its vocal pro-Palestinian stance has been conspicuously quiet: Indian-controlled Kashmir.Indian authorities have barred any solidarity protest in Muslim-majority Kashmir and asked Muslim preachers not to mention the conflict in their sermons, residents and religious leaders told The Associated Press.The restrictions are part of India’s efforts to curb any form of protest that could turn into demands for ending New Delhi’s rule in the disputed region. They also reflect a shift in India’s foreign policy under populist Prime Minister Narendra Modi away from its long-held support for the Palestinians, analysts say.India has long walked a tightrope between the warring sides, with historically close ties to both. While India strongly condemned the Oct. 7 attack by the militant group Hamas and expressed solidarity with Israe...

Americans divided over Israel response to Hamas attacks, AP-NORC poll shows

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:53 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans have become more likely to describe Israel as an ally that shares U.S. interests and values since the war with Hamas began, but they’re divided over whether Israel has gone too far in its response to last month’s attack, according to a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.The survey, which was conducted from Nov. 2 to 6, also reveals skepticism among Democrats toward Israel, which could present a challenge for President Joe Biden as he tries to balance support for the country’s defense and his party’s shifting priorities.The result is a rather muddled picture that presents few easy options for the White House as it keeps one eye on public opinion with an election year on the horizon.“It’s just so complicated,” said Carolyn Reyes, a 36-year-old Democrat in New York. “And I will not even pretend to understand the complicated nature of the relationship between the United States and Israel.”During an August po...

Two residents in the tiny Caribbean island of Barbuda fight government in land rights case

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:53 GMT

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — When Hurricane Irma slammed into the tiny Caribbean island of Barbuda as a powerful Category 5 storm in 2017, the government temporarily evacuated the entire population of some 1,600.Even before many of them had trickled back, U.S. developers were allowed in and given permission to build an airport and luxury resort, a project that has angered islanders and that the U.N. warns is a danger to a wetland and other fragile environments. Barbudans have been waging largely unsuccessful legal fights against the project. But two islanders are to appear Wednesday before the London-based Privy Council, hoping to win a ruling that will lead to local communities having the right to protect pristine lands coveted by foreign investors amid the climate crisis.The Privy Council, which is the final court of appeal for the twin-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda, is being asked whether Jacklyn Frank, a former member of Barbuda’s local governing council, and scient...

Patrick Dempsey named Sexiest Man Alive by People magazine

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:53 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — He’s not just “McDreamy” anymore — Patrick Dempsey is now also People magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive.The “Grey’s Anatomy” star and race car driver takes the mantle from “Captain America” star Chris Evans, who was 2022’s selection. The pick was revealed on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” Tuesday night. “I’ve always been the bridesmaid!” Dempsey, 57, told the magazine about his initial reaction. “I’d completely forgotten about it and never even contemplated being in this position. So my ego is good.”The actor stars in the upcoming Michael Mann film “Ferrari.” He told The Associated Press last year that he did all the driving himself, calling it “the best role I’ve ever had.”Dempsey has driven in several professional races, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and is part of the Wright Motorsports racing team, according to its website.Dempsey said his three children are bound to tease him about his People magazine selection and “pick on me and fi...

Voters elect four to St. Paul school board, incumbent Ellis loses seat

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:53 GMT

Two incumbents were on the ballot for St. Paul school board Tuesday night, but unofficial election results indicate only one will return this January.With 86 of 86 precincts reporting Tuesday night, newcomer Carlo Franco had 21% of the vote. Incumbent Chauntyll Allen followed with 19%, and newcomers Yusef Carrillo and Erica Valliant appeared to have clinched seats with roughly 17% support each.The four Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party endorsed candidates ended up getting the most votes of the seven candidates on the ballot. Four seats were up for election.Zuki Ellis, who has served on the St. Paul Public Schools Board of Education since being elected in 2015, appears to have lost her seat. She had about 14% of the vote late Tuesday.The two other candidates were in single digit levels of support, with Gita Rijal Zeitler at 8% and Abdi Omer at 4%.Ellis was elected to the school board in 2015 and challenged incumbent Sen. Sandy Pappas, a St. Paul DFLer, in a 2022 primary. Ellis did not re...

Mounds View sales tax increase faces strong opposition on election night

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:53 GMT

A ballot question that proposed a tax increase in the city of Mounds View was rejected by voters.City Question 1 would have authorized the city to imposes a temporary sales and finance tax of 1.5 percent to fund the expansion of the Mounds View Community Center and to create a regional sports facility and recreation center.The proposal was rejected by roughly 64 percent of voters Tuesday.The tax would have been authorized for a maximum of 20 years.Related ArticlesElections | St. Anthony-New Brighton school voters approve levy referendums Elections | St. Paul man sentenced for drive-by shootings, including one that grazed school staffer Elections | Motorist receives nearly 9-year prison sentence for high-speed crash in Arden Hills that killed physician Elections | Second suspect in robbery, murder of St. Paul man also charged with earlier robbery, kidnapping Elections | Voters in the St. Anthony-New Brighton S...

Returning mayor and two political newcomers elected in St. Paul Park

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:53 GMT

Voters in St. Paul Park elected a new mayor and two new council members on Tuesday, including one by just 13 votes.Former mayor and state Rep. Keith Franke ran unopposed for mayor and received 95 percent of the vote. Mayor Sandi Dingle, who had served in the position since 2017, announced earlier this year that she was retiring.St. Paul Park Mayor Sandi Dingle, left, is retiring at the end of 2023. Former mayor and former state Rep. Keith Franke ran unopposed on Tuesday for the position. (Courtesy photos)Franke, 52, served as mayor from 2012 to 2016 before serving in the state House of Representatives as a Republican from 2016-2018 and from 2021-2022. He is the owner of Park Café and Franke’s Corner Bar in St. Paul Park.Seven candidates ran for the two open positions on the council. Incumbents Jeff Haggerty and Tim Jones were on the ballot, but it was political newcomers Tim Conrad and Charlene Whitbred Hemmingson who prevailed.Conrad, who runs the Cars in the Park car show, receive...

John Youngquist wins Denver school board’s at-large seat; incumbents Scott Baldermann and Charmaine Lindsay ousted

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:53 GMT

John Youngquist, a former East High School principal, trounced ex-Tattered Cover CEO Kwame Spearman in the race for the open at-large seat on the Denver school board Tuesday night in an election that cost two incumbents their seats. Youngquist held a 36-percentage-point lead over Spearman in the citywide race for the seat being vacated by board Vice President Auon’tai Anderson, as of the latest results at 10 p.m. Tuesday. And in two district races, challengers Kimberlee Sia and Marlene De La Rosa defeated incumbents Scott Baldermann and Charmaine Lindsay, respectively, by significant margins. “We feel pretty positive about the results. People are ready for an experienced group of leaders,”  Youngquist said Tuesday night, adding, “The families, the community is looking for change on the board.”The three candidates who now will join Denver Public Schools’ Board of Education were backed by Denver Families Action, a deep-pocketed political group with ...

Victims of Tesla road rage driver unhappy with attacker's prison sentence

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:53 GMT

Several women who were attacked by an enraged, pipe-wielding Tesla driver say they're frustrated with Los Angeles County prosecutors for not being involved in the plea deal.Nathaniel Radimak’s "reign of terror" escalated in late 2022 and early 2023 before he was identified and eventually arrested. Prosecutors, however, say he had been terrorizing drivers for years."He immediately exited his vehicle with a crowbar in his hand, visibly enraged, ran towards my car and repeatedly struck my car with a crowbar," one of Radimak's victims, Beth Lamprecht, said at a news conference Tuesday.Prosecutors say Radimak also threatened to attack a woman at a storage facility in Atwater Village and threatened to assault a 74-year-old woman outside a doctor's office in Glendale.Nathaniel Radimak is seen getting out of a Tesla SUV and attacking a victim with a large pipe along the 2 Freeway on Jan. 11, 2023. (DroneZone_LA)Nathaniel Radimak is seen getting out of a Tesla SUV and attacking a victim with...

New theory emerges in actor Alan Ruck’s Hollywood pizza shop crash

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:53 GMT

The crash involving “Succession” and “Ferris Bueller” actor Alan Ruck may have been related to his electric pickup truck's high-tech features, law enforcement sources tell TMZ.Ruck, 67, was stopped behind another car at the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and La Brea Avenue on Halloween night when his Rivian R1T suddenly lunged forward and hit the car in front of him.His truck then careened across lanes of traffic, hitting another vehicle before slamming into the wall of Raffalo’s Pizza.No one inside the restaurant was hurt and no one was seriously hurt in any of the vehicles.Actor Alan Ruck's Rivian collided with the back of a car in Hollywood and eventually slammed into the wall of a pizza restaurant. Oct. 31, 2023. Actor Alan Ruck's Rivian collided with the back of a car in Hollywood and eventually slammed into the wall of a pizza restaurant. Oct. 31, 2023. Actor Alan Ruck's Rivian collided with the back of a car in Hollywood and eventually slammed into the wall of a pizza re...