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US vetoes UN resolution demanding cease-fire in Gaza war

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:52 GMT

By Edith M. Lederer | Associated PressUNITED NATIONS — The United States vetoed a United Nations resolution Friday backed by almost all other Security Council members and dozens of other nations demanding an immediate humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza. Supporters called it a terrible day and warned of more civilian deaths and destruction as the war goes into its third month.The vote in the 15-member council was 13-1, with the United Kingdom abstaining. The United States’ isolated stand reflected a growing fracture between Washington and some of its closest allies over Israel’s monthslong bombardment of Gaza. France and Japan were among those supporting the call for a cease-fire.In a vain effort to press the Biden administration to drop its opposition to calling for a halt to the fighting, the foreign ministers of Egypt, Jordan, the Palestinian Authority, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey were all in Washington on Friday. But their meeting with Secretary of State Antony Blinke...

Thousands pay tribute to Pogues singer Shane MacGowan

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:52 GMT

By Jill Lawless | Associated PressLONDON — Thousands of people lined the streets of Dublin on Friday to say goodbye to The Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan as his coffin wound through the Irish capital before a small-town funeral attended by family, neighbors and friends including Johnny Depp and Nick Cave.MacGowan died Nov. 30 at the age of 65 after a lifetime of drinking, carousing and writing songs that fused Irish traditional music with the spirit of punk.He became an Irish cultural icon, and Ireland’s President Michael D. Higgins was among hundreds of people who packed St. Mary of the Rosary Church in the town of Nenagh for the funeral Mass.Mourners at the service, in MacGowan’s ancestral home county of Tipperary some 100 miles (160 kilometers) southwest of Dublin, included former Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams and Irish actor Aidan Gillen, who both gave readings. There was also a recorded reading from Bono of U2. Depp, a friend of the musician, was among those who help...

San Jose, San Francisco rank last in 'housing happiness' study

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:52 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- The two most populated cities in the Bay Area -- San Francisco and San Jose -- ranked dead last, and second-to-last in a new study on "housing happiness" of homeowners. The nationwide study by allstarhome.com used American Housing Survey data to analyze where Americans have made the best return on their housing investments, and the worst. Homeowners rated local attitudes about their homes and neighborhoods overall. Median home values were compared to homeowners' rankings. The study found that people who live in San Francisco and San Jose pay the most for their "housing happiness," with high average costs of homes and low happiness scores.The top reasons why Americans dislike their neighborhoods are "weird people, homes too close together, rude people, and noisy people," the study states. (Data courtesy allstarhome.com) On the opposite end of the spectrum, Detroit, Rochester, and Birmingham ranked #1, #2 and #3 for "best bang for your buck." Happiness wi...

DC says Empower rideshare is in violation of city law

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:52 GMT

D.C.-area residents have another alternative to Uber or Lyft — it’s called Empower.The Virginia-based company claims to be “transforming the gig economy” by providing drivers with 100% of their earnings from riders’ fares.“We provide software and support services to drivers who want to build and run their own businesses,” Empower CEO Joshua Sear told WTOP.Sear’s company is a third-party vendor that lets drivers set their own rates and be paid directly in-app by riders.“In exchange, drivers pay Empower a subscription fee, which is significantly less than Uber/Lyft are withholding from drivers in taking over 40% of the fare on average from each ride,” the company says on its website. “Empower takes ZERO commission from rides.”Riders can access the service through the company’s app.But, according to D.C.’s Department of For-Hire Vehicles, Empower has refused to register with the department to operate in...

Live updates | UN resolution demanding immediate cease-fire in Gaza fails

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:52 GMT

The United States vetoed a United Nations resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza, where Israeli troops rounded up Palestinian men in the northern part of the territory for interrogation, seeking Hamas militants. The U.N. vote came after Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for the first time invoked Article 99 of the U.N. Charter, which enables a U.N. chief to raise threats he sees to international peace and security. He warned of a “humanitarian catastrophe” in Gaza.U.S. Deputy Ambassador Robert Wood said halting military action would allow Hamas to continue to rule Gaza and “only plant the seeds for the next war.”Around 1,200 people have died on the Israeli side, mainly civilians killed during Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack that triggered the war. The Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said the death toll in the territory has surpassed 17,400, with more than 46,000 wounded. The ministry does not differentiate between civilian and combatant deaths, but said 70% of the...

Saints QB Derek Carr clears concussion protocol, could play vs. Panthers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:52 GMT

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Saints quarterback Derek Carr cleared the concussion protocol on Friday evening, increasing the liklelihood that he’ll start on Sunday against the Carolina Panthers.Carr, who left New Orleans’ 33-28 loss to Detroit last week with a concussion as well as shoulder and rib injuries, was listed as questionable on Friday’s injury report.However, he participated — at least on a limited basis — in every practice this week.“I have felt better, but I’m doing great,” Carr, who was concussed twice in 22 days, said after clearing the protocol.“I don’t really have any concerns,” Carr added. “Our doctors and the non-affiliated doctor said everything was perfect.”Carr’s injury came after he’d been booed repeatedly by the Superdome crowd when taking the field, starting in pre-game warmups and throughout much of last Sunday’s game.Aided by an interception on Carr’s first pass of the game, the Lions raced to a 21-0 l...

Braves get David Fletcher and Max Stassi from Angels for Evan White and Tyler Thomas

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:52 GMT

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves obtained infielder David Fletcher and catcher Max Stassi from the Los Angeles Angels on Friday for infielder Evan White and left-hander Tyler Thomas.Fletcher, 29, hit .247 with two homers and 12 RBIs in 33 games with the Angels this season and batted .331 with four homers and 38 RBIs in 85 games at Triple-A Salt Lake. An Orange County native, he has a .277 batting average with 16 homers and 168 RBIs in parts of six seasons with the Angels.Fletcher is owed $14 million as part of a $26 million, five-year contract, a deal that calls for him to receive $6 million next year and $6.5 million in 2025 and includes a $1.5 million buyout of a 2026 team option.Stassi, 32, did not play this season. He strained his left hip in spring training, and the team said on Sept. 9 that while he was capable of resuming baseball activities, he would miss the rest of the season because of a serious family medical issue.Stassi has a .212 career average with 41 homers and 128...

Doak Walker Award Winners

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:52 GMT

Winners of the Doak Walker Award for the outstanding college running back, sponsored by the Southern Methodist Athletic Forum:2023_Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State2022_Bijan Robinson, Texas2021_Kenneth Walker III, Michigan State2020_Najee Harris, Alabama2019_Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin2018_Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin2017_Bryce Love, Stanford2016_D’Onte Foreman, Texas2015_Derrick Henry, Alabama2014_Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin2013_Andre Williams, Boston College2012_Montee Ball, Wisconsin2011_Trent Richardson, Alabama2010_LaMichael James, Oregon2009_Toby Gerhart, Stanford2008_Shonn Greene, Iowa2007_Darren McFadden, Arkansas2006_Darren McFadden, Arkansas2005_Reggie Bush, Southern California2004_Cedric Benson, Texas2003_Chris Perry, Michigan2002_Larry Johnson, Penn State2001_Luke Staley, BYU2000_LaDainian Tomlinson, TCU1999_Ron Dayne, Wisconsin1998_Ricky Williams, Texas1997_Ricky Williams, Texas1996_Byron Hanspard, Texas Tech1995_Eddie George, Ohio State1994_Rashaan Salaam, Colorado1993_...

Cavs guard Max Strus returns to Miami and picks up an Emmy award

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:52 GMT

MIAMI (AP) — Max Strus didn’t win a Larry O’Brien Trophy during his time in Miami.He won an Emmy instead.Strus, who left the Heat for the Cleveland Cavaliers last summer as a free agent, received his Emmy statuette for being part of a show detailing his path to the NBA and Miami.The program called “Inside the Heat — Max Strus” was one of two in the “Sports Program — Post-Produced or Edited Series” division that earned Emmy wins for the Heat at the Suncoast Regional Emmy Awards show last weekend; a show centered on Heat executive vice president and general manager Andy Elisburg also won.“We really enjoyed our time with Max and his family,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “We got to know his family really well.”Strus joked this week that he didn’t know if Miami would do a red-carpet welcome as part of his Emmy prize. He settled for a small ceremony about an hour before Friday’s game — and yes, he made a speech.“Never thought I would have gotten one of these,” Strus told the Bally Spor...

John Mackey Award Winners

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:52 GMT

(Outstanding Tight End)2000 — Tim Stratton, Purdue2001 — Daniel Graham, Colorado2002 — Dallas Clark, Iowa2003 — Kellen Winslow II, Miami2004 — Heath Miller, Virginia2005 — Marcedes Lewis, UCLA2006 — Matt Spaeth , Minnesota2007 — Fred Davis, Southern Cal2008 — Chase Coffman, Missouri2009 — Aaron Hernandez, Florida2010 — D. J. Williams, Arkansas2011 — Dwayne Allen, Clemson2012 — Tyler Eifert, Notre Dame2013 — Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Washington2014 — Nick O’Leary, Florida State2015 — Hunter Henry, Arkansas2016 — Jake Butt, Michigan2017 — Mark Andrews, Oklahoma2018 — T.J. Hockenson, Iowa2019 — Harrison Bryant, Florida Atlantic2020 — Kyle Pitts, Florida2021 — Trey McBride, Colorado State2022 — Brock Bowers, Georgia2023 — Brock Bowers, GeorgiaSource