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President Macron says France will end its military presence in Niger, pull its ambassador after coup

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:44 GMT

PARIS (AP) — President Emmanuel Macron announced Sunday that France will end its military presence in Niger and pull its ambassador out of the country after its democratically elected president was deposed in a coup.The announcement is a significant, if predicted, blow to France’s policy in Africa, after French troops pulled out of neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso in recent years after coups there. France had stationed thousands of troops in the Sahel region at the request of African leaders to fight jihadist groups.France has maintained some 1,500 troops in Niger since the July coup, and had repeatedly refused an order by the new junta for its ambassador to leave, saying that France didn’t recognize the coup leaders as legitimate.Tensions between France and Niger, a former French colony, have mounted in recent weeks, and Macron said recently that diplomats were surviving on military rations as they holed up in the embassy.In an interview with France-2 television, Macron said...

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signs bills to enhance the state’s protections for LGBTQ+ people

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:44 GMT

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed several bills Saturday aimed at bolstering the state’s protections for LGBTQ+ people, a day after issuing a controversial veto that was criticized by advocates.The new laws include legislation that focuses on support for LGBTQ+ youth. One law sets timelines for required cultural competency training for public school teachers and staff, while another creates an advisory task force to determine the needs of LGBTQ+ students and help advance supportive initiatives. A third requires families to show that they can and are willing to meet the needs of a child in foster care regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. “California is proud to have some of the most robust laws in the nation when it comes to protecting and supporting our LGBTQ+ community, and we’re committed to the ongoing work to create safer, more inclusive spaces for all Californians,” Newsom said in a statement. “These measures will help pro...

‘Expend4bles’ opens with epic flop while ‘Nun 2’ claims top spot again at the box office

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:44 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Sylvester Stallone and Jason Statham weren’t enough to save “ Expend4bles ” from a debut box office flop. The fourth installment suffered the action-packed franchise’s worst opening weekend while “ The Nun 2 ” took home the top spot for a third straight week, data firm Comscore reported on Sunday.The Lionsgate and Millennium’s film, also known as “Expendables 4,” pulled in a mediocre $8.3 million for the big-budget project. It starred several popular names, including Stallone, Statham, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Megan Fox and Dolph Lundgren. It’s been nearly a decade since the franchise released a film, which opened with $15.8 million and eventually grossed $214 million globally.But times have certainly changed, as the film barely placed second behind “The Nun 2,” a horror movie that earned $8.4 million in its first week. It’s been a solid start for that Warner Bros.’ project — a spinoff from the lucrative “Conjuring”...

Video shows deputy slamming girl to the ground in Southern California

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:44 GMT

(KTLA) – A teen girl was hospitalized after being thrown to the ground by a sheriff’s deputy during a violent brawl in San Bernardino County, California, Friday night.Authorities responded to a large fight that erupted during a football game at Victor Valley High School around 6:28 p.m., according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.It all started when the first deputy to arrive discovered multiple fights were taking place at the time. Pepper balls were shot into the crowd in an effort to disperse the group. The move, however, was not effective and the crowds began heading toward the deputy, officials said.As additional deputies arrived, another pepper ball round was launched at the group. That’s when 16-year-old Faith Jeffers grabbed the pepper ball launcher from the deputy, the sheriff's department said. During the struggle, the deputy allegedly picked up Jeffers and body slammed her to the ground, her family said.A teen girl is hospitalized after being thrown t...

Worker dies while preparing for Formula 1 race on Las Vegas Strip: sources

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:44 GMT

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) -- A man is dead after he became injured while setting up for the upcoming Formula 1 race in Las Vegas, sources tell Nexstar's KLAS.Around 11:30 a.m. Saturday, officers were called to Las Vegas Boulevard after a worker was injured. Police said that a man sustained a "major laceration to the neck" while working at the Bellagio Fountains.The man was taken to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Here’s what you can’t see on the Las Vegas Strip as F1 construction continues The Occupational Safety and Health Administration will be investigating the incident, police said. No other details have been released at this time.Construction has been underway in front of the Bellagio as crews build the grandstands. The fountains will soon be blocked from view, according to renderings released in February. F1's Las Vegas Grand Prix will be held November 16-18. Earlier this year, a contractor was killed while setting up for the NASCAR Chicago Street Race. He was r...

Biden disapproval rating hits highest mark of presidency: poll

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:44 GMT

(The Hill) – President Biden’s disapproval rating hit the highest mark of his presidency in a new poll that also showed support by essential voting blocs is slipping.Biden’s disapproval rating ticked up to 56 percent, with 41 percent saying they approve. The survey also shows support for Biden slipping with voters aged 18-24, who reported a 46 percent approval rating; Latinos, who reported 43 percent; and independents — who will be key to deciding the general election — at 36 percent.The NBC News poll released Sunday continues the trend of showing an overwhelming majority of voters expressing concern about Biden as well as his likely 2024 general election opponent, former President Trump. But Trump’s lead in the GOP primary has also surged ahead of a crowded field of opponents; he is leading by 43 points despite a myriad of legal troubles in the form of four state and federal criminal indictments. Trump was the first choice among national Republican primary voters at ...

Albany man arrested on drug charges following pursuit

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:44 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- An Albany man has been arrested on drug charges following a pursuit with police, according to the Albany County Sheriff's Office. Phillip Williams, 46, is facing multiple charges. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! On September 23, police conducted a traffic stop in Albany for vehicle and traffic law violations. Upon interviewing the driver, identified as Williams, deputies discovered that Williams was driving with a suspended license. After being asked to exit the vehicle, Williams reportedly fled the scene, and after being pursued by police, eventually crashed into a residence in the area of Livingston Avenue and North Manning Boulevard. He was then take into custody, and found to be in possession of a quantity of cocaine, MDMA and ketamine. Three arrested in Queensbury on larceny charges Williams was transported to Albany Medical Center to be treated for minor injuries stemming from the crash, where...

Dolphins 63, Broncos 13: Miami sets franchise record for most points in a game

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:44 GMT

Can the Broncos break their slow 0-2 start and win their first game in the Sean Payton era? Stick here for live updates and analysis as Denver takes on the Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.Live updatesFourth-quarter updatesChosen one (1:58 p.m.): Mike White finds Robbie Chosen, who beats Pat Surtain II, for a 68-yard touchdown. Miami 63, Denver 13 with 9:05 to go. — Joe NguyenAnother three-and-out (1:56 p.m.): Three plays for 7 yards for the Broncos’ latest drive. It results in another Riley Dixon punt. — Joe NguyenGame (1:50 p.m.): The Dolphins have gone to their backup quarterback, which means that only one Miami possession with Tua Tagovailoa failed to result in points, and none in a punt. Unbelievable. — Matt SchubertMike Purcell down (1:49 p.m.): When it rains, it pours. Broncos defensive tackle Mike Purcell is being helped off the field. — Joe NguyenThree and out (1:45 p.m.): Not a good drive by the offense. — Joe NguyenMc...

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signs bills to enhance the state's protections for LGBTQ+ people

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:44 GMT

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed several bills Saturday aimed at bolstering the state's protections for LGBTQ+ people, a day after issuing a controversial veto that was criticized by advocates.The new laws include legislation that focuses on support for LGBTQ+ youth. One law sets timelines for required cultural competency training for public school teachers and staff, while another creates an advisory task force to determine the needs of LGBTQ+ students and help advance supportive initiatives. A third requires families to show that they can and are willing to meet the needs of a child in foster care regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. “California is proud to have some of the most robust laws in the nation when it comes to protecting and supporting our LGBTQ+ community, and we’re committed to the ongoing work to create safer, more inclusive spaces for all Californians,” Newsom said in a statement. “These measures will help protect v...

Tax deadline nearing for most Californians

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:44 GMT

The tax extension California residents in certain counties received due to the severe winter weather that plagued the state last year is quickly approaching.Californians who have yet to file their taxes have until Oct. 16 to do so, which is a few weeks away.The tax extension also applies to Californians who need to file federal business tax returns or make tax payments. Angelenos who make $70,000 a year are still considered ‘low-income’ Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the tax extension in March.“As communities across the state continue recovering from the damage caused by the winter storms, California is working swiftly to help recovering Californians get back on their feet,” Newsom said in a statement. “The state is aligning with the Biden Administration and extending the tax filing deadline in addition to the tax relief announced earlier this year.”Here is a list of the California counties that are eligible for the filing extension:AlamedaAlpineAmadorButteCalaverasColusaContra Costa...