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Ukraine aid faces a stress test as some GOP 2024 presidential candidates balk at continued support

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:45 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — For President Joe Biden, strong backing for Ukraine’s effort to repel Russia’s invasion has been a rare issue where he’s mustered bipartisan support. But this week’s first GOP presidential debate — and recent comments on Ukraine by the 2024 GOP polling leader and former president, Donald Trump — show that unusual unity will face a stress test as the 2024 presidential campaign intensifies and the leading Republican contenders show antipathy toward the American backing of Ukraine.There long has been an isolationist strain in the United States, particularly in the Republican Party, but rarely has it been shared by so many candidates for president. On the debate stage in Milwaukee, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he would make additional U.S. aid “contingent” on European allies increasing contributions. Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy called it “disastrous” that the U.S. government was “protecting against an invasion across somebody else’s border” and argued Ukraine ...

Boston announces new plan to rid city of homeless encampment, get residents help

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:45 GMT

BOSTON (AP) — Police would be given the power to remove tents and other makeshift shelters at a Boston intersection that’s become home to a sprawling encampment for the homeless, many of whom struggle with mental health issues and substance abuse disorder, Mayor Michelle Wu and other city officials announced Friday.The plan also calls for a new short-term shelter for up to 30 people in the area known as Mass and Cass.The encampment at the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard has become a haven for drug use and has become increasingly violent, according to law enforcement.“No one is being served living in a crowded and dangerous encampment, visited by hundreds of people engaged in drug trafficking and violence,” Wu said.The proposal allowing police to remove tents requires city council approval. Wu said she would file an ordinance with the council Monday.No tents would be taken down before the people living in them have been offered adequate hous...

Toronto promising help for refugee claimants sleeping on floor in strip mall units

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:45 GMT

The plight of hundreds of refugees and asylum seekers remains unresolved in Toronto but the city says it is sending some support.Multiple units in a strip mall on Albion Road have been transformed into living quarters where 145 refugees have been sleeping on mattresses on the floor. Pilgrim Feast Tabernacles tells CityNews they’ve spent $200,000, maxing out their personal credit cards to provide basic essentials, like food, shelter and medication to care for asylum seekers, who would otherwise be sleeping on the street.Mayor Olivia Chow expressed her gratitude Friday to the six churches that have taken in and provided shelter to the refugees. Three of the churches have received $50,000 each from the city but she notes “it doesn’t go all the way.”“We are providing some funding to support them so that they can, at least in the short term, manage it,” said Chow. “In two of those churches we are providing six staff to be the liaison with them and we w...

Peacock adored by Las Vegas neighborhood fatally shot by bow and arrow

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:45 GMT

LAS VEGAS (AP) — A beloved Las Vegas neighborhood peacock was killed with a hunter’s bow and arrow, and authorities are trying to find who was behind it.Animal Protection Services officers are investigating the death of Pete the peacock, a pet that belonged to a resident in a gated neighborhood, KVVU-TV reported Thursday.Felicity Carter, a neighbor, told the TV station that she found the bird against a fence with an arrow sticking out of him. She then took him to a veterinarian who specializes in exotic pets. She said the staff rushed to treat him, even looking into getting a blood transfusion from another peacock. They found Pete had actually been shot twice.“This was just such a senseless crime, and I don’t understand how anybody can just be so morbid and just shoot a defenseless animal,” Carter said.Several neighbors say they are heartbroken. They loved to feed the bird or just watch him strut. The neighborhood’s homeowners association sent out an email asking residents to ...

Activists furious Democratic leaders haven’t denounced plan to check every ‘Stop Cop City’ signature

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:45 GMT

ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia activists against a proposed police and firefighting training center have called on Democratic senators to denounce Atlanta’s plan to check every signature on a petition to put the issue to voters. A “line-by-line review” would ensure the signatures match what officials have on file, said officials in the Democratic-led city, drawing praise from the head of the Georgia Republican Party, condemnation from voting rights groups, but silence from the state’s Democratic senators, who for years have railed against GOP-imposed voter restrictions.That silence has enraged “Stop Cop City” activists, who say they’ve collected more than 100,000 signatures. They warned Georgia’s Democratic Party that it is turning its back on some of its most engaged members — people who knocked on doors to help Joe Biden narrowly win the battleground state in 2020 and will be asked to do the same thing next year.“It’s just been crickets,” said Amelia Weltner, a 34-...

Logan Square Farmer’s Market back on after brief cancellation

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:45 GMT

CHICAGO — The popular Logan Square Farmer’s Market, known for attracting large crowds every Sunday, is back this weekend after being canceled due to overcrowding. Vendors received an email about the reopening Thursday night. Logan Square Chamber of Commerce confirmed the market's return in a statement Friday morning. The farmer’s market runs from mid-May through the end of October and stretches along Logan Boulevard from Milwaukee Avenue and Whipple Street. More than 66,000 Illinoisans can expect a check from the state’s Unclaimed Property program Ald. Daniel La Spata (1st Ward), who represents Logan Square, said the initial cancelation was due to traffic safety concerns for vendors and customers. Organizers noted that crowds swelled this year, but the city denied a plan to shut down more streets to accommodate gatherers.“When we have that much car traffic that close to thousands of guests, 100 plus vendors, there is a lack of safety there,” La Spata told WGN News on Thursday. “We...

Thousands of veterans' disability claims delayed, some for years

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:45 GMT

(NewsNation) — About 32,000 veterans have had disability claims submitted through the Veterans Affairs website delayed because of a technical issue.A spokesperson for the Department of Veterans Affairs told NewsNation that some of these claims go back to 2018. "Specifically, these claims were not automatically routed for processing once submitted, leading to a delay for these veterans," Terrence Hayes, VA press secretary, said in an emailed statement to NewsNation.Claims were delayed after a technical issue with the integration of two systems on the VA.gov website. Hayes said this affected about one-half of 1% of all claims submitted. According to Hayes, the Department of Veterans Affairs implemented a solution in February "shortly after" the issue was discovered. Cold case breakthrough: New lead in AC/DC manager’s death Military.com, which first reported on this story, said that affected veterans began receiving letters this month notifying them that their claims may not have be...

PHOTOS: Classic boat show sails to Lake George

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:45 GMT

HAGUE, N.Y. (NEWS10) - On Friday, the Hague town dock was busy with boats that have spent decades or more on the waters of Lake George. An annual boat show that has showcased classic and historic boats on the lake for decades spent the morning at a new location at the north end of the lake - just in time for the rain to stop. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! "We are thrilled," said Sally Becker of the Adirondack chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society, which holds the annual Adirondack Wooden and Classic Boat Show. "The dock is full. We've got a really large population of foot traffic coming through, and one of our members is even giving boat rides. People are really thrilled about that."The Adirondack Wooden and Classic Boat Show spans two days on the waters of Lake George. Between Friday and Saturday, over 80 specialty boats are being showcased, from antiques and classics to newer models, all categorized by age.The Adi...

Albany Police investigating former water department employee

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:45 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Albany Police Department is conducting an investigation into the resource misuse of the city's Lead Service Replacement Program by a former employee of the Albany Water Department. Mayor Kathy Sheehan has ordered an immediate review of all lead service replacement grants, and police are investigating the alleged financial misconduct of the former employee. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call the Albany Police Department Detective's Office at (518)462-8039.

Man dies after being shot and set on fire in Cahokia Heights

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:45 GMT

CAHOKIA HEIGHTS, Ill. -- The Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis is investigating a death in Cahokia Heights. A man was shot multiple times and set on fire Thursday in the 5800 block of Pocket Road.Do you have any information about this crime? Call Major Case Squad investigators at 618-332-4260 or 618-332-4277. You can also call Crime Stoppers to remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward at 1-866-371-8477.