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Can Nikki Haley take a big step forward? What to watch during the Republican debate

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:41:26 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Five Republicans will appear on stage Wednesday night in Miami for the GOP’s third presidential primary debate. The group is the smallest to qualify for the debate stage so far, but it’s unclear whether the increased airtime for the shrinking group will fundamentally change the 2024 Republican presidential nomination fight. Donald Trump remains the overwhelming front-runner in the race. He has decided to skip this debate, as he has the first two, citing his big polling advantage. Almost exactly one year after he launched his 2024 campaign, a clear Trump alternative has yet to emerge.Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who was expected to fill that role earlier in the year, is stuck in a fierce fight for second place. He’s betting that a strong debate performance — two days after winning the endorsement of Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds — will help convince a skeptical GOP that he has fully recovered from his early stumbles. Nikki Haley, the former United Nations amb...

Third GOP debate will focus on Israel and foreign policy, but also on who could beat Donald Trump

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:41:26 GMT

MIAMI (AP) — Foreign policy and the Israel-Hamas war are expected to be prominent in Wednesday’s third Republican primary debate, as a narrowing field of candidates seeks to cut into Donald Trump’s lead without being able to challenge the former president in person.Trump will again skip the debate in Miami, instead holding a rally in a nearby suburb. He says he won’t participate due to his large lead in national and early state polls.With voting set to start in leadoff Iowa in January, no one has thus far been able to shake Trump’s dominance of the Republican primary. Many of the candidates have gone after each other hoping to break out as a viable alternative to the former president, emphasizing their differences on foreign policy but also ripping Trump for his criticisms of the Israeli prime minister and claims that a group attacking Israel was “very smart.”Republican strategist David Kochel, who has advised several past presidential campaigns, said despite Trump...

CMA Awards set to honor country’s superstars and emerging acts and pay tribute to Jimmy Buffett

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:41:26 GMT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The CMA Awards are back Wednesday to honor the top artists in country music, with Lainey Wilson, Jelly Roll, Ashley McBryde and Morgan Wallen among the acts hitting the stage.Wilson is the leading nominee for the second year in a row, competing for entertainer of the year along with Carrie Underwood, Chris Stapleton, Morgan Wallen and Luke Combs.Stapleton, Dan + Shay and the War and Treaty are among the performers scheduled to take the stage at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. The show airs live on ABC beginning at 8 p.m. Eastern and will stream the next day on Hulu.Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning will host the ceremony, which will feature a musical tribute to the late singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett.Wilson is up for nine awards, including her collaborations with HARDY (“Wait in the Truck”) and Jelly Roll (“Save Me.”) Rapper-turned-singer Jelly Roll, who earlier this year topped the CMT Music Awards, has five nominations, including best new arti...

India bars protests that support the Palestinians. Analysts say a pro-Israel shift helps at home

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:41:26 GMT

SRINAGAR, India (AP) — From Western capitals to Muslim states, protest rallies over the Israel-Hamas war have made headlines. But one place known for its vocal pro-Palestinian stance has been conspicuously quiet: Indian-controlled Kashmir.Indian authorities have barred any solidarity protest in Muslim-majority Kashmir and asked Muslim preachers not to mention the conflict in their sermons, residents and religious leaders told The Associated Press.The restrictions are part of India’s efforts to curb any form of protest that could turn into demands for ending New Delhi’s rule in the disputed region. They also reflect a shift in India’s foreign policy under populist Prime Minister Narendra Modi away from its long-held support for the Palestinians, analysts say.India has long walked a tightrope between the warring sides, with historically close ties to both. While India strongly condemned the Oct. 7 attack by the militant group Hamas and expressed solidarity with Israe...

Americans divided over Israel response to Hamas attacks, AP-NORC poll shows

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:41:26 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans have become more likely to describe Israel as an ally that shares U.S. interests and values since the war with Hamas began, but they’re divided over whether Israel has gone too far in its response to last month’s attack, according to a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.The survey, which was conducted from Nov. 2 to 6, also reveals skepticism among Democrats toward Israel, which could present a challenge for President Joe Biden as he tries to balance support for the country’s defense and his party’s shifting priorities.The result is a rather muddled picture that presents few easy options for the White House as it keeps one eye on public opinion with an election year on the horizon.“It’s just so complicated,” said Carolyn Reyes, a 36-year-old Democrat in New York. “And I will not even pretend to understand the complicated nature of the relationship between the United States and Israel.”During an August po...

Two residents in the tiny Caribbean island of Barbuda fight government in land rights case

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:41:26 GMT

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — When Hurricane Irma slammed into the tiny Caribbean island of Barbuda as a powerful Category 5 storm in 2017, the government temporarily evacuated the entire population of some 1,600.Even before many of them had trickled back, U.S. developers were allowed in and given permission to build an airport and luxury resort, a project that has angered islanders and that the U.N. warns is a danger to a wetland and other fragile environments. Barbudans have been waging largely unsuccessful legal fights against the project. But two islanders are to appear Wednesday before the London-based Privy Council, hoping to win a ruling that will lead to local communities having the right to protect pristine lands coveted by foreign investors amid the climate crisis.The Privy Council, which is the final court of appeal for the twin-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda, is being asked whether Jacklyn Frank, a former member of Barbuda’s local governing council, and scient...

Patrick Dempsey named Sexiest Man Alive by People magazine

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:41:26 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — He’s not just “McDreamy” anymore — Patrick Dempsey is now also People magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive.The “Grey’s Anatomy” star and race car driver takes the mantle from “Captain America” star Chris Evans, who was 2022’s selection. The pick was revealed on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” Tuesday night. “I’ve always been the bridesmaid!” Dempsey, 57, told the magazine about his initial reaction. “I’d completely forgotten about it and never even contemplated being in this position. So my ego is good.”The actor stars in the upcoming Michael Mann film “Ferrari.” He told The Associated Press last year that he did all the driving himself, calling it “the best role I’ve ever had.”Dempsey has driven in several professional races, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and is part of the Wright Motorsports racing team, according to its website.Dempsey said his three children are bound to tease him about his People magazine selection and “pick on me and fi...

Voters elect four to St. Paul school board, incumbent Ellis loses seat

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:41:26 GMT

Two incumbents were on the ballot for St. Paul school board Tuesday night, but unofficial election results indicate only one will return this January.With 86 of 86 precincts reporting Tuesday night, newcomer Carlo Franco had 21% of the vote. Incumbent Chauntyll Allen followed with 19%, and newcomers Yusef Carrillo and Erica Valliant appeared to have clinched seats with roughly 17% support each.The four Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party endorsed candidates ended up getting the most votes of the seven candidates on the ballot. Four seats were up for election.Zuki Ellis, who has served on the St. Paul Public Schools Board of Education since being elected in 2015, appears to have lost her seat. She had about 14% of the vote late Tuesday.The two other candidates were in single digit levels of support, with Gita Rijal Zeitler at 8% and Abdi Omer at 4%.Ellis was elected to the school board in 2015 and challenged incumbent Sen. Sandy Pappas, a St. Paul DFLer, in a 2022 primary. Ellis did not re...

Mounds View sales tax increase faces strong opposition on election night

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:41:26 GMT

A ballot question that proposed a tax increase in the city of Mounds View was rejected by voters.City Question 1 would have authorized the city to imposes a temporary sales and finance tax of 1.5 percent to fund the expansion of the Mounds View Community Center and to create a regional sports facility and recreation center.The proposal was rejected by roughly 64 percent of voters Tuesday.The tax would have been authorized for a maximum of 20 years.Related ArticlesElections | St. Anthony-New Brighton school voters approve levy referendums Elections | St. Paul man sentenced for drive-by shootings, including one that grazed school staffer Elections | Motorist receives nearly 9-year prison sentence for high-speed crash in Arden Hills that killed physician Elections | Second suspect in robbery, murder of St. Paul man also charged with earlier robbery, kidnapping Elections | Voters in the St. Anthony-New Brighton S...

Returning mayor and two political newcomers elected in St. Paul Park

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:41:26 GMT

Voters in St. Paul Park elected a new mayor and two new council members on Tuesday, including one by just 13 votes.Former mayor and state Rep. Keith Franke ran unopposed for mayor and received 95 percent of the vote. Mayor Sandi Dingle, who had served in the position since 2017, announced earlier this year that she was retiring.St. Paul Park Mayor Sandi Dingle, left, is retiring at the end of 2023. Former mayor and former state Rep. Keith Franke ran unopposed on Tuesday for the position. (Courtesy photos)Franke, 52, served as mayor from 2012 to 2016 before serving in the state House of Representatives as a Republican from 2016-2018 and from 2021-2022. He is the owner of Park Café and Franke’s Corner Bar in St. Paul Park.Seven candidates ran for the two open positions on the council. Incumbents Jeff Haggerty and Tim Jones were on the ballot, but it was political newcomers Tim Conrad and Charlene Whitbred Hemmingson who prevailed.Conrad, who runs the Cars in the Park car show, receive...