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RT France declared bankrupt by French court

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:07 GMT

PARIS — A French commercial court has officially declared Kremlin-backed media outlet RT France bankrupt, the company’s President Xenia Fedorova announced on Friday. “The court of Nanterre took the decision to put RT France in liquidation — a media that has not pleased [French President] Emmanuel Macron since its launch and, which was sanctioned by the EU a year ago as a precautionary measure because of the conflict in Ukraine,” Fedorova tweeted Friday evening. In March last year, the EU banned Russian government-funded media like Sputnik and RT, formerly known as Russia Today, from broadcasting in Europe after Russia launched its full-scale war on Ukraine. The sanctions, however, didn’t prevent the outlets from producing content. In the past year, the Russian channel continued to produce, publish and broadcast material, increasingly targeted at a francophone audience in African countries such as Mali and Burkina Faso. Earlier this year, the Fr...

San Diego wants to cut 90% of natural gas from all buildings by 2035

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:07 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- The City of San Diego laid out an ambitious plan to slash natural gas usage by 90% by 2035 in all buildings. The big question now is how much will it cost? As of right now, the price tag for the plan is still to be determined.Haney Hong, CEO of the San Diego County Taxpayers Association, says the process needs to be a bit more transparent to the public.“What are the impacts of the little guy and little gal when all these plans get implemented," Hong said.City officials are looking at San Diego-owned municipal buildings such as libraries, recreation centers and city buildings to better understand the potential costs of phasing out natural gas. But as of right now, there’s no exact price tag on the ambitious plan. California Lottery players win $1 million each from scratcher games While Hong praised the city for its efforts, he says impacts of this plan on the public need to be part of the planning process."How is this going to affect mom and dad, grandma and grandpa w...

Biden’s ancestral hometowns prepare warm Irish welcome

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:07 GMT

BALLINA, Ireland (AP) — Joe Blewitt is just about the busiest man in Ballina. His phone rings constantly with calls from locals and the world’s media as he prepares to welcome a relative — U.S. President Joe Biden.Biden is scheduled to travel to Ireland next week, with a stop in Ballina, the town from which one of his great-great grandfathers left for the United States in 1850. Blewitt, a distant cousin who first met Biden when he came to town as vice president in 2016, said the U.S. leader pledged to return once he’d won the presidency.“He said, ‘I’m going to come back into Ballina.’ And sure to God he’s going to come back into Ballina,” Blewitt said. “His Irish roots are really deep in his heart.”The 43-year-old plumber was among Biden relations invited to the White House for St. Patrick’s Day last month. He says it was a “surreal” experience that included a half-hour private meeting with the president.“He’s a people person. He loves meeting the Irish people,” said Ble...

China flies fighter jets near Taiwan after leader’s US trip

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:07 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — China sent warships and dozens of fighter jets toward Taiwan on Saturday, the Taiwanese government said, in retaliation for a meeting between the U.S. House of Representatives speaker and the president of the self-ruled island democracy claimed by Beijing as part of its territory.The Chinese military announced the start of three-day “combat readiness patrols” as a warning to Taiwanese who want to make the island’s de facto independence permanent. The People’s Liberation Army gave no indication whether they might include a repeat of previous exercises with missiles fired into the sea, which disrupted shipping and airline flights.Speaker Kevin McCarthy held talks with President Tsai Ing-wen on Thursday in California, adding to a series of foreign lawmakers who have met Tsai to show support in the face of Chinese intimidation. Beijing responded Friday by imposing a travel ban and financial sanctions against American groups and individuals associated with Tsai’s U.S...

In Africa’s Okavango, oil drilling disrupts locals, nature

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:07 GMT

MOMBASA, Kenya (AP) — Gobonamang Kgetho has a deep affection for Africa’s largest inland delta, the Okavango. It is his home.The water and wildlife-rich lands is fed by rivers in the Angolan highlands that flow into northern Botswana before draining into Namibia’s Kalahari Desert sands. Several Indigenous and local communities and a vast array of species including African elephants, black rhinos and cheetahs live among the vibrant marshlands. Much of the surrounding region is also teeming with wildlife.Fisher Kgetho hails from Botswana’s Wayei community and relies on his pole and dug-out canoe to skirt around the marshes looking for fish. But things have changed in recent years — in the delta and across the country.“The fish sizes have shrunk, and stocks are declining,” Kgetho, whose life and livelihood depends on the health of the ecosystem, told The Associated Press. “The rivers draining into the delta have less volumes of water.”Drilling for oil exploration, as well as human-caus...

Man escapes standoff inside West Hollywood apartment after shooting neighbor through wall: LASD

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:07 GMT

A man who allegedly shot his neighbor through a wall in a West Hollywood apartment on Friday has escaped and is on the run after a day-long standoff.The suspect was identified as Joshua Findley, 31, by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. He is described as a Hispanic man standing 6 feet tall, weighing 210 pounds with brown eyes and black hair. He has tattoos on his face, neck, arms and legs.Findley is considered armed and dangerous, authorities said. He also resides in the luxury apartment complex where the shooting took place.Suspect Joshua Findley in photos from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. The incident was reported around 8:15 a.m. at The Dylan Apartments on the 7100 block of Santa Monica Boulevard in response to a noise complaint, officials said. A woman in her 50s was transported to a hospital with two gunshot wounds — one to her neck and one to her leg, said LASD. The injuries were not life-threatening. The woman was believed to be alone in her kitchen...

Michigan State and USC square off in first round of NCAA Tournament

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:07 GMT

USC Trojans (22-10, 14-6 Pac-12) vs. Michigan State Spartans (19-12, 11-8 Big Ten)Columbus, Ohio; Friday, 12:15 p.m. EDTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Michigan State -1.5; over/under is 137.5BOTTOM LINE: The Michigan State Spartans play in the first round of the NCAA Tournament against the USC Trojans.The Spartans are 11-8 against Big Ten opponents and 8-4 in non-conference play. Michigan State averages 70.2 points while outscoring opponents by 2.8 points per game.The Trojans are 14-6 against Pac-12 teams. USC averages 72.8 points and has outscored opponents by 5.5 points per game.TOP PERFORMERS: Tyson Walker is scoring 14.6 points per game and averaging 2.5 rebounds for the Spartans. Joey Hauser is averaging 15.4 points and 5.6 rebounds over the last 10 games for Michigan State.Boogie Ellis is scoring 18.0 points per game and averaging 3.7 rebounds for the Trojans. Drew Peterson is averaging 13.2 points and 5.7 rebounds over the last 10 games for USC.LAST 10 GAMES: Spartans: 5-5, averag...

Phillies face the Reds with 1-0 series lead

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:07 GMT

Cincinnati Reds (3-3) vs. Philadelphia Phillies (2-5)Philadelphia; Saturday, 4:05 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Reds: Nick Lodolo (0-0); Phillies: Bailey Falter (0-0)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Phillies -142, Reds +121; over/under is 8 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Philadelphia Phillies take a 1-0 advantage into the latest game of the series against the Cincinnati Reds.Philadelphia had an 87-75 record overall and a 47-34 record at home last season. The Phillies averaged 3.0 extra base hits per game, including 1.3 home runs.Cincinnati went 62-100 overall and 29-52 on the road a season ago. The Reds pitching staff put up a 4.86 ERA collectively last season while averaging 9.0 strikeouts and 3.9 walks per nine innings.INJURIES: Phillies: Darick Hall: 10-Day IL (thumb), Josh Harrison: day-to-day (ankle), Noah Song: 15-Day IL (back), Cristopher Sanchez: 15-Day IL (left tricep), Bryce Harper: 10-Day IL (elbow), Rafael Marchan: 60-Day IL (hand), Nick Nelson: 15-Day IL (hamstring), Ranger Suarez: 15-...

Atlanta Braves play the San Diego Padres Saturday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:07 GMT

San Diego Padres (4-4) vs. Atlanta Braves (6-2)Atlanta; Saturday, 7:20 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Padres: Michael Wacha (0-0); Braves: Charlie Morton (0-0)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Braves -164, Padres +140; over/under is 8 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Atlanta Braves host the San Diego Padres on Saturday.Atlanta went 101-61 overall and 55-26 in home games last season. The Braves scored 4.9 runs per game in the 2022 season while allowing 3.8.San Diego went 89-73 overall and 45-36 on the road a season ago. The Padres averaged 8.1 hits per game last season and totaled 153 home runs.INJURIES: Braves: Michael Harris II: 10-Day IL (back), Collin McHugh: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Max Fried: 15-Day IL (left hamstring), Huascar Ynoa: 60-Day IL (elbow), Kolby Allard: 60-Day IL (oblique), Tyler Matzek: 60-Day IL (elbow), Kyle Wright: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Raisel Iglesias: 15-Day IL (shoulder)Padres: Joe Musgrove: 15-Day IL (toe), Robert Suarez: 15-Day IL (elbow), Adam Engel: 10-Day IL (hamstring), ...

Colorado Rockies play the Washington Nationals Saturday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:07 GMT

Washington Nationals (2-6) vs. Colorado Rockies (3-5)Denver; Saturday, 8:10 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Nationals: Trevor Williams (0-0); Rockies: Austin Gomber (0-0)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Rockies -141, Nationals +119; over/under is 10 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Colorado Rockies host the Washington Nationals on Saturday.Colorado had a 68-94 record overall and a 41-40 record at home last season. The Rockies averaged 8.7 hits per game last season and totaled 149 home runs.Washington had a 55-107 record overall and a 29-52 record on the road last season. The Nationals averaged 8.3 hits per game in the 2022 season with 2.5 extra base hits per game.INJURIES: Rockies: Daniel Bard: 15-Day IL (anxiety), Randal Grichuk: 10-Day IL (hernia), Antonio Senzatela: 15-Day IL (knee), Lucas Gilbreath: 60-Day IL (elbow), Tyler Kinley: 60-Day IL (elbow), Brendan Rodgers: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Sean Bouchard: 60-Day IL (biceps), Ryan Rolison: 60-Day IL (shoulder)Nationals: Luis Garcia: day-to-day (ha...