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Twenty years on, reflection and regret on 2002 Iraq war vote

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:14 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Michigan Sen. Debbie Stabenow was sitting in Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld’s conference room at the Pentagon, listening to him make the case that Saddam Hussein was hiding weapons of mass destruction.At some point in the presentation — one of many lawmaker briefings by President George W. Bush’s administration ahead of the October 2002 votes to authorize force in Iraq — military leaders showed an image of trucks in the country that they believed could be carrying weapons materials. But the case sounded thin, and Stabenow, then just a freshman senator, noticed the date on the photo was months old.“There was not enough information to persuade me that they in fact had any connection with what happened on Sept. 11, or that there was justification to attack,” Stabenow said in a recent interview, referring to the 2001 attacks that were one part of the Bush administration’s underlying argument for the Iraq invasion.“I really thought about the young men and women that ...

DeSantis team welcomes contrast with Trump ‘chaos’ candidacy

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:14 GMT

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Jim McKee is standing at the end of a line that snakes through five aisles of fiction inside the Books-A-Million store in Florida’s capital city.He is smiling because in a matter of minutes, the book he’s holding will be signed by its author, Ron DeSantis, the Republican governor who McKee believes should be the nation’s next president. But as a former Donald Trump loyalist, the 44-year-old Tallahassee attorney almost whispers when he first says it out loud.“Personally, I’d rather see DeSantis win the Republican primary than Trump,” McKee says softly, having to repeat himself to be heard. His voice soon grows louder.“Trump has upset so many people,” McKee says. “DeSantis is more palatable. He has a good story to tell.”Indeed, conversations throughout Tallahassee’s book stores, conference rooms, state house offices and sports bars reveal that DeSantis’ allies are gaining confidence as Trump’s legal woes mount. The former president faces a possible indictment ...

Harris to meet Ghana’s president as she begins Africa trip

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:14 GMT

ACCRA, Ghana (AP) — U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris will meet Monday with Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo, a show of support for the West African leader who is facing rising discontent over inflation and fresh concerns about regional security.Harris is just beginning a weeklong trip to the continent that will also take her to Tanzania and Zambia, part of a concerted effort to broaden U.S. outreach at a time when China and Russia have entrenched interests of their own in Africa.Akufo-Addo oversaw one of the world’s fast-growing economies before the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the cost of food and other necessities has been skyrocketing, and the country is facing a debt crisis as it struggles to make payments. In addition, sporadic fighting has increased in Ghana’s north, which borders the more tumultuous nation of Burkina Faso and the Sahel, a region where local offshoots of al-Qaida and the Islamic State group have been operating. “Ghana is experiencing a very tough momen...

Black, Hispanic investors struggle with faith in crypto

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:14 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — A software developer twice invested his savings in cryptocurrencies, only to lose it all. But he still promotes it to the Black community and would like to get back in himself. A recent college graduate and a single mom are dabbling hopefully in bitcoin after attending a crypto workshop sponsored by rapper Jay-Z at the public housing complex where the hip-hop star grew up. But a former executive at a cryptocurrency exchange feels disillusioned by the false promise of crypto helping her family in Ethiopia’s war-torn Tigray region. All were drawn by the idea of crypto as a pathway to wealth-building outside of traditional financial systems with a long history of racial discrimination and indifference to the needs of low-income communities. But crypto’s meltdown over the past year has dealt a blow to that narrative, fueling a debate between those who continue to believe in its future and skeptics who say misleading advertising and celebrity-fueled hype have drawn ...

Timberwolves re-insert themselves into discussion for top-six seed in West with win over Warriors

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:14 GMT

Kyle Anderson has been Minnesota’s clutch king all season, directing the offense with precision in key moments.But it was what Anderson did on the defensive end late Sunday that sealed the deal on a massive victory and put Minnesota firmly in the race for a top-six seed in the Western Conference.With Minnesota down one in the final 20 seconds Sunday in San Francisco, the Timberwolves were seemingly trying to commit a pair of fouls to put the Warriors on the free-throw line. But no calls came, setting up a bit of a scramble drill. Golden State got the ball out to an open Draymond Green near midcourt. Green collected the pass and tried to quickly redirect the ball to Klay Thompson.One problem: Anderson’s long paw was in the way.Anderson caught a piece of the ball, collected the steal and made his way down the floor in transition to set up a 2-on-2 fast break. Green and Klay Thompson sagged into the paint, and Anderson passed over to Karl-Anthony Towns.Towns struggled from ...

March Muttness success

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:14 GMT

ESPERANCE, N.Y.(NEWS10) - With all the madness that March brings a first of its kind has emerged. The March Muttness in Esperance is now becoming a popular event.Helderberg Meadworks was the place to be Sunday afternoon where the underdogs are the stars of the show. A one-of-a-kind benefit now becoming a staple in the meadery’s operations. Former students remember old Doane Stuart school Owner Peter Voelker says there are leashes attached to his heart when it comes to rescues and tells NEWS10 why he helps.“We are animal lovers. I have two rescue dogs myself,” said Voelker.Hundreds of folks enjoyed live music, drinks and meet and greets with their perspective furry family member.“With all the people that showed up we had a way better turn out than we had ever expected,” said Voelker. 9th annual Dustin Mele memorial concert to raise awareness for suicide prevention Jessica Pyle, events coordinator says the event is geared at raising awareness and funds for pets in need at two capi...

March Madness: pair in Final Four, Monday settles last 2

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:14 GMT

By The Associated PressMarch Madness has reached the Elite Eight! And unlike in the men’s bracket, two No. 1 seeds are still playing in the women’s bracket. Perennial contender UConn saw its streak of 14 straight Final Fours end, but there’s plenty of intrigue and sharpshooters left in the tourney. LSU has completed its rapid rise with Kim Mulkey, reaching the Final Four in its second season under the former Baylor coach. The Tigers are in the Final Four for the first time in 15 years after beating Miami 54-42. And what about Iowa’s Caitlin Clark? The star of the No. 2 seed Hawkeyes put on quite a show in Seattle, finishing with 41 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds in a 97-83 win over fifth-seeded Louisville. Iowa is in the Final Four for the first time in 30 years. Here is what to know:GAMES TO WATCHNo. 1 South Carolina (35-0) vs No. 2 Maryland (28-6), Monday, 7 p.m. EDT.The Terrapins are next in the barrel against the defending champion Gamecocks, and it&#...

Los Angeles man arrested for alleged sexual assault of 9-year-old girl at Orange County library

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:14 GMT

A 53-year-old man from Los Angeles was arrested for the alleged sexual assault of a 9-year-old girl at an Orange County Public Library, authorities announced on Sunday.  The assault occurred on the evening of Mar. 21 at the Heritage Park Regional Branch library, located 14361 Yale Avenue, in Irvine, according to an Irvine Police Department news release. Police said the suspect, identified as Christopher Eduard, approached the 9-year-old victim, who was at the library with her mother, while she was in the children’s section. “He engaged the victim by asking her to help him film a video,” the release stated. “Eduard gave the victim his cell phone and held cue cards for her to read aloud. During the incident, Eduard exposed himself and assaulted the 9-year-old.”  Detectives accessed surveillance video in the area and were able to locate a vehicle associated with the 53-year-old. After additional follow-up, detectives were able to identify Eduard and arrest him near ...

Anthony Volpe wins Yankees’ opening day shortstop job

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:14 GMT

Anthony Volpe is getting an opportunity to live a lifelong dream.The 21-year-old who grew up idolizing Hall of Famer Derek Jeter will be the New York Yankees’ opening day shortstop after winning the job in spring training.Manager Aaron Boone, general manager Brian Cashman, hitting coach Dillon Lawson and bench coach Carlos Mendoza delivered the news after Sunday’s 6-2 Grapefruit League win over the Toronto Blue Jays.The Yankees open the regular season at home Thursday against the San Francisco Giants.Volpe, who lived in Manhattan as a child before moving to nearby New Jersey, shared the news with his parents and other family members at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida.“It was pretty emotional,” Volpe said. “It was just an unbelievable moment to share with them.”Rated one of baseball’s best prospects, Volpe is hitting .314 with three homers, five RBIs and a .417 on-base percentage in 17 spring training games. He won the starting shortstop job over Oswald Peraza and ho...

Vanisova’s OT goal seals Toronto Isobel Cup; beats Minnesota

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:14 GMT

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Tereza Vanisova scored 4:23 into overtime, and the Premier Hockey Federation’s Isobel Cup is heading to Canada for the first time in its eight-year history following the Toronto Six’s 4-3 win over the Minnesota Whitecaps on Sunday night.The Six won the title while making their first championship game appearance in three seasons of existence. And they reached the Isobel Cup final by winning their final two games to beat the Connecticut Whale 2-1 in a best-of-three semifinal series. Playing three aside, Vanisova set up her own goal by out-muscling Liz Schepers in the right corner to force a turnover. Vanisova then drove alone to the net and lifted a shot over goalie Amanda Leveille’s left shoulder to secure the first Isobel Cup final to not feature one of the seven-team PHF’s original four franchises.Vanisova, a member of the Czech national women’s team, joined Boston Pride captain Jillian Dempsey in becoming just the second player to win three career Isobel ...