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Biden’s reelection bid faces vulnerabilities in wake of special counsel appointment

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:29:17 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — As he gears up for reelection, President Joe Biden is already facing questions about his ability to convince voters that the economy is performing well. There’s skepticism about the 80-year-old president’s ability to manage a second term. And on Friday, Biden faced a fresh setback when Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed a special counsel to probe his son, Hunter.Biden’s challenges pale in comparison to his predecessor and possible future rival, Donald Trump, who is facing three criminal indictments, with additional charges expected soon. But the appointment of the special counsel was nonetheless a reminder of the vulnerabilities facing Biden as he wages another election campaign in a deeply uncertain political climate.There was little immediate sign that Garland’s decision meaningfully changed Biden’s standing within his party. If anything, it underscored the unprecedented nature of the next election. Rather than a battle of idea...

A mudslide kills at least 2 in China while rain from Khanun cancels some trains in the northeast

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:29:17 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — A mudslide caused by torrential rains killed at least two people on the outskirts of Xi’an in western China, an official news agency said Saturday, while some trains in the northeast were canceled as a powerful storm lashed the region.Rescuers were looking for 16 missing people following Friday evening’s mudslide in the village of Luanzhen, the Xinhua News Agency said. It said roads, bridges and power supplies were damaged.Parts of China suffer heavy rains and flooding every summer, but this year has been unusually severe in some areas, while other regions struggle with drought that is damaging crops.Elsewhere, some train services in Shenyang, the biggest city in China’s northeast, and surrounding Liaoning province were suspended starting Saturday evening due to heavy rains caused by the remnants of Khanun, state TV reported. Khanun pummeled parts of Japan as a typhoon before weakening over the Korean Peninsula on its way to China.Some 23,000 people ...

How Vivek Ramaswamy is pushing – delicately – to win over Trump supporters

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:29:17 GMT

VAIL, Iowa (AP) — Republican presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy was more than 40 minutes into a town hall in rural Iowa when a woman in the crowd posed a pointed question. Or perhaps it was a suggestion. “I know you want to be president,” she said. “But would you consider being Trump’s vice president?”The query drew light laughter from attendees and a lengthy response from Ramaswamy. (The short answer: No.) It also highlighted the central challenge facing the wealthy entrepreneur, who has risen from little-known newcomer to as high as third in some Republican primary polls since joining the race nearly six months ago. While voters are increasingly interested in Ramaswamy, it’s former President Donald Trump who continues to be many conservatives’ favorite. With the first Republican primary debate in just over a week and the leadoff Iowa caucus five months away, he is delicately working to convince more voters that he could be their nominee and — as much as h...

Savannah considers Black people and women for city square to replace name of slavery advocate

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:29:17 GMT

SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — photos time-released to move at 12:01 a.m. Saturday RPRB101-102.Nine months after leaders of Georgia’s oldest city stripped the name of a pro-slavery U.S. vice president from one of its public squares, nominees being considered for the green space’s new name include a Black woman who taught formerly enslaved people to read and write.Susie King Taylor, who started a school for Black children and adults on the Georgia coast in 1862 with support from occupying Union soldiers, is among the finalists recommended for an honor Savannah hasn’t bestowed in 140 years: choosing a name to adorn one of the historic squares that are among the city’s signature features.A pair of citizen advisory panels has submitted six names for Savannah’s city council to consider for a scheduled Aug. 24 vote on a new name for the square. In a big break with the city’s past, none of the finalists are white men. Instead, the nominees are four Black people — ...

Legal experts question judge’s order telling Southwest lawyers to get religious-liberty training

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:29:17 GMT

A federal judge has set off a debate among legal scholars by ordering lawyers for Southwest Airlines to undergo “religious-liberty training” by a conservative Christian legal group.Critics say that if the judge believes such training is necessary, he should have found a less polarizing group to conduct it.U.S. District Judge Brantley Starr made the decision after ruling that Southwest was in contempt of court for defying a previous order he issued in a case involving a flight attendant who said she was fired for expressing her opposition to abortion. She sued Southwest and won.Starr, nominated to the bench by former President Donald Trump, said Southwest didn’t understand federal protections for religious freedom. So this week, he ordered three of the airline’s lawyers to undergo religious-liberty training. And he said that the Alliance Defending Freedom, or ADF, “is particularly well-suited” to do the training.The group has gained attention — and high-profile cour...

Gilberto Celestino feeling comfortable again with Saints after thumb injury

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:29:17 GMT

After a rookie season in 2022 that saw him lead the Twins with 119 outfield appearances, Gilberto Celestino arrived at spring training this year eager to prove he belonged in the conversation in a crowded outfield.That all changed on March 2, when the 24-year-old Celestino suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb on a headfirst slide. He’s been battling to get back to the player he knows he can be ever since.Surgery and rehabilitation landed him on the 60-day injured list, and following a brief rehab stint in Class A he joined the Saints on June 18. A premier defensive center fielder, Celestino only recently has felt comfortable at the plate.He delivered a key two-run double in the Saints’ win over Louisville Thursday night, which followed the recently completed road trip that saw him go 4 for 12 and draw four walks.“Every day my preparation is getting better and better,” said Celestino through an interpreter, Saints pitching coach Cibney Bello, prior to the Saint...

SF Giants’ offense falls flat in Bruce Bochy Oracle Park return

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:29:17 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO — Bruce Bochy’s tribute video and accompanying standing ovation with a “Bochy” chant were the only sounds disrupting and otherwise quiet first five innings to open this series between the Giants and Texas Rangers.Then two loud pops came in the sixth inning. Back-to-back home runs from Nathaniel Lowe and Mitch Garver off an otherwise steady Ross Stripling gave the Rangers a 2-1 win on Friday night at Oracle Park.The Giants returned home from a 1-4 road trip with series losses to the Oakland A’s and Los Angeles Angels needing desperately for their anemic offense to rise from the ashes against the first-place Rangers. But they remained quiet against Jon Gray, who plowed through the lineup.Since Joc Pederson’s single in he second inning, Gray had retired 11 straight batters until Patrick Bailey’s two-out single in the fifth inning. He retired the next seven, too, to finish seven scoreless innings with two hits, seven strikeouts and...

Redwood City: Drug deal ends in double shooting

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:29:17 GMT

REDWOOD CITY – Two men were shot and injured in a drug deal gone wrong Thursday in Redwood City, according to authorities.The shooting was reported in the area of the Veterans Memorial Senior Center, the Redwood City Police Department said in a statement. Officers arrived to find the men suffering from gunshot wounds.The men were taken to a trauma center and were expected to survive their injuries.Preliminary information suggested the shooting was the “result of a failed narcotics sales transaction,” police said, adding that there was no ongoing threat to the public.Police did not announce any arrests Friday.“Thus far, not all persons involved in this incident have been forthcoming with law enforcement investigators about details of what occurred,” police said in the statement.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Man charged with 15 felonies in East Bay burglary spree targeting businesses Crime and Public Safety | Man arrested after spray painting Naz...

Eat and pet your way through the Montgomery Co. Agricultural Fair as it returns for its 74th year

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:29:17 GMT

The annual Montgomery County Agricultural Fair is back!Doors opened 3 p.m. Friday afternoon and thousands excitedly walked through the gates to kick off nine straight days of family-friendly fun.The Maryland fair features a massive row of all types of food, endless games, rides, main stage areas with feature attractions and a whole section reserved for interacting with local farm animals.Now in its 74th year, Montgomery County’s feature event drew visitors from far and wide — who all raved about the time they were having.“We traveled all the way from Baltimore, so it’s our first time at the fair!” Graysen Levy said. She was there with friends and colleagues to participate in Friday’s featured attraction, the Chesapeake Dock Dogs contest — a dock jumping contest for man’s best friend.“You can see dogs of different breeds jump into water,” Levy explained. “They do different types of disciplines: How high, how far, and how fast!”“We secured a second ...

Bruce Bochy returns to San Francisco to face former club, Rangers beat Giants 2-1

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:29:17 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Nathaniel Lowe homered with two outs in the sixth for the Rangers to break up a scoreless game, Mitch Garver connected one pitch later and Texas manager Bruce Bochy beat his former San Francisco Giants 2-1 on Friday night as they welcomed him back with love and fanfare.Jon Gray (8-5) struck out seven and didn’t walk a batter while allowing two hits over seven scoreless innings as AL West-leading Texas notched the best 116-game record in franchise history by improving to 69-47.Lowe’s 14th drive of the year splashed into McCovey Cove beyond the wall in right field, the 163rd home run to reach the water in ballpark history, 61st by an opponent and fourth by a Rangers player — first since Shin-Soo Shoo on Aug. 2, 2020.During pregame introductions, Bochy received a warm standing ovation and emerged from the dugout with waves and a tip of his cap in appreciation. Fans in the crowd of 35,689 chanted “Bochy! Bochy!”In the middle of the third inning, the Gian...