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The Taliban are entrenched in Afghanistan after 2 years of rule. Women and girls pay the price

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:10:53 GMT

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — The Taliban have settled in as rulers of Afghanistan, two years after they seized power as U.S. and NATO forces withdrew from the country following two decades of war. The Taliban face no significant opposition that could topple them. They have avoided internal divisions by falling in line behind their ideologically unbending leader. They have kept a struggling economy afloat, in part by holding investment talks with capital-rich regional countries, even as the international community withholds formal recognition. They have improved domestic security through crackdowns on armed groups such as the Islamic State, and say they are fighting corruption and opium production.But it’s their slew of bans on Afghan girls and women that dominated the Taliban’s second year in charge. They barred them from parks, gyms, universities, and jobs at nongovernmental groups and the United Nations – all in the space of a few months – allegedly because they weren’t wearing prope...

What to stream this week: ‘The Monkey King,’ Stand Up to Cancer, ‘No Hard Feelings,’ new Madden game

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:10:53 GMT

Jennifer Lawrence’s R-rated comedy “No Hard Feelings” and the more family friendly animated movie “The Monkey King” from director Stephen Chow are among the new television, movies, music and games headed to a device near youAmong the offerings worth your time as selected by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists are a Harlan Coben TV adaptation with a young protagonist, Irish singer-songwriter Hozier’s third studio album and sweet Marcie, the introverted member of the “Peanuts” gang gets a special, “Snoopy Presents: One-of-a-Kind Marcie.”NEW MOVIES TO STREAM— Parents looking for fresh animated offerings should rejoice that Netflix has a new film from Stephen Chow, the actor and producer known for “Kung Fu Hustle” and “Shaolin Soccer,” in “The Monkey King” streaming Friday, Aug. 18. Jimmy O. Yang of “Silicon Valley” and “Crazy Rich Asians” voices said Monkey King, born from a stone with magical powers and a big ego and who is on a quest for immortality. A young human g...

Today in History: August 14, McVeigh sentenced to death

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:10:53 GMT

Today in HistoryToday is Monday, Aug. 14, the 226th day of 2023. There are 139 days left in the year.Today’s Highlight in History:On Aug. 14, 1945, President Harry S. Truman announced that Imperial Japan had surrendered unconditionally, ending World War II.On this date: In 1848, the Oregon Territory was created.In 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law.In 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill issued the Atlantic Charter, a statement of principles that renounced aggression.In 1947, Pakistan became independent of British rule.In 1948, the Summer Olympics in London, the first held since 1936, ended.In 1973, U.S. bombing of Cambodia came to a halt.In 1980, actor-model Dorothy Stratten was shot to death at age 20 by her estranged husband and manager, Paul Snider, who then killed himself.In 1994, Ilich Ramirez Sanchez, the terrorist known as “Carlos the Jackal,” was captured by French agents in Sudan.In 19...

Cedric Mullins robs tying home run, hits winning one in Orioles’ 5-3 win over Mariners in 10 innings

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:10:53 GMT

Cedric Mullins leaped at the center field wall, extending his gloved right hand beyond it. He fell to the dirt on the warning track, uncertainty still hanging over a packed T-Mobile Park.Then, Mullins rose to his feet and emphatically swung his left arm, letting the stadium know he in fact robbed what would have been a game-tying home run for the second out of Sunday’s ninth inning.Two pitches after Mullins’ sensational catch denied Ty France, Seattle Mariners right fielder Dominic Canzone evened the game with a solo shot, but that simply provided the opportunity for more heroics from Mullins, who blasted a go-ahead, two-run home run in the 10th to carry Baltimore to a 5-3 victory.“There’s always that scenario of what’s better, robbing a home run or hitting one,” Mullins said. “But to do [both] basically within an inning is pretty cool.”Mullins wasn’t in the Orioles’ starting lineup for Sunday’s series finale, his thi...

Maui officials and scientists warn that after the flames flicker out, toxic particles will remain

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:10:53 GMT

LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) — When flames swept through western Maui, engulfing the town of Lahaina, residents saw toxic fumes spewing into the air as burning homes, pipes and cars combusted, transforming rubber, metal and plastic into poisonous, particulate matter-filled smoke.Retired mailman and Vietnam veteran Thomas Leonard heard a boom as a propane tank at a nearby home exploded, leaving a cloud that looked like “a gigantic mushroom” in its wake.Thirty-seven year old Mike Cicchino, who grew up on Maui, said he could tell how close the flames were based on how far away cars sounded as their gas tanks erupted. He and his family sought refuge in the ocean across a knee-high sea wall and as he helped others onto the rocks, his rib cage ached, his eyes were nearly swollen shut and he vomited.“It was like a war,” Cicchino said.About 46,000 residents and visitors have flown out of West Maui since the devastation became clear last week, according to the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Officials are...

A Wet Monday. Several rounds of showers and thunderstorms; Heavy Rains Possible

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:10:53 GMT

10 A.M. MONDAY3 P.M. MONDAY5 P.M. MONDAYFORECAST RAINFALL TOTALS Through 4:30 A.M. TuesdayWGN weekly climate report:  Wrapping up the second week of August. It was one that was quite close to seasonal norms. Our high temp last Sunday on the 6th was the chilliest afternoon we've seen at O'Hare since July 2nd. Only one day so far this month at or above 90 degrees on the 3rd. So far this year we've seen a baker's dozen of days 90 or warmer at Midway Int'l and 14 at O'Hare. In a typical summer, we'd see about 4 days at or above 90. While July was a super soaker of a month this year— it did help take a big bite our of this spring's severe drought conditions. So far this month we're behind normal rainfall by about an inch and a half. But drought conditions as determined and released weekly by the US Department of Agriculture have been improving for most of northeastern Illinois and NW Indiana. Some pockets of severe drought continue for the northwest corner of McHenry County and northern ...

European Globalization Adjustment Fund helped 13,000 dismissed workers to re-train and find new jobs

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:10:53 GMT

According to the 2021-2022 activity report of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers (EGF) published today by the Commission, during the period of reference the EU allocated €51.8 million from the EGF to help over 13,000 displaced workers and self-employed people retrain and find a job.The Commission received requests from nine member states (Belgium, Germany, Estonia, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Netherlands, and Finland), with EGF funding mobilized in all 14 instances where support was requested.The largest numbers of affected workers were active in the air transport and automotive sector, followed by the warehousing and support activities for transportation sector. Most workers who received support lost their jobs due to the economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.The measures co-funded by the EGF were instrumental to help them re-train, for instance in digital skills, prepare for new employment opportunities through mentoring, career guidance an...

Thieves caught on camera robbing Nike store in East Los Angeles

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:10:53 GMT

Video posted to the Citizen App on Sunday appears to show several people brazenly stealing merchandise from a crowded Nike store in East Los Angeles.  Officials with the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed that a call about the broad daylight theft at the Nike Community Store located 4585 Whittier Blvd. came in just after 5:30 p.m. At least one of the suspects is seen carrying a trash bag filled with boxes. At one point, he drops the bag and quickly puts the items that spilled out back into it before following two other suspects out of the store. Police said that three suspects, described as a Black male and two Black females, made off without about $1,000 in merchandise. So far, all three are still at-large.  One of three suspects caught on video stealing merchandise from a Nike store in East L.A. on Aug. 13, 2023. (Citizen App)This theft comes on the heels of a mob of thieves caught on video swarming a Nordstrom in Canoga Park Saturday, clearing out much of the store...

Javier Milei, el más votado en Argentina: el análisis de Oppenheimer y O’Donnell

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:10:53 GMT

(CNN Español) — No sin sorpresas, las elecciones primarias abiertas, simultáneas y obligatorias (PASO) empiezan a dejar las claves del año electoral en Argentina. En diálogo con CNN, Andrés Oppenheimer y María O’Donnell analizan los primeros resultados.Javier Milei se consolida como el precandidato más votado del país, superando las expectativas, y su espacio político, La Libertad Avanza, encabeza la lista a nivel nacional. En Juntos por el Cambio, la segunda fuerza con mayor cantidad de sufragios, define su tensa interna partidaria a favor de Patricia Bullrich, que logra dejar afuera de la contienda a Horacio Rodríguez Larreta. Por último, tal como se esperaba, Sergio Massa gana el liderazgo de Unión por la Patria, pero el espacio kirchnerista queda afuera de los dos partidos más votados.Algunos analistas consideran las PASO como una gran encuesta de cara a las elecciones de octubre. De esta manera, se organiza el escenario nacional.“Esta es una paliza descomunal al gob...

This Week in Business: TJX Cos., Walmart report earnings, July retail sales data

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:10:53 GMT

RETAIL RECAPThe Commerce Department issues its July retail sales report on Tuesday morning.In June, Americans increased their spending as inflation eased in many areas. Retail sales rose 0.2% from May to June, following a revised 0.5% increase the previous month. Shoppers increased spending at electronic stores and furniture and home furnishings stores after a recent pullback. Online sales also had a solid increase. Spending has been volatile this year after surging nearly 3% in January. Analysts forecast that spending rose 0.4% from June to July.Retail sales, monthly percent change, seasonally adjusted:Feb.: -0.7March -0.9April 0.4May: 0.5June: 0.2July (est.): 0.4Source: FactSetTJX COS.TJX reports its second-quarter earnings before markets open Wednesday.Analysts forecast that the Massachusetts company earned 76 cents per share in the period on $12.4 billion in sales. In the same period a year ago, the operator of T.J. Maxx and Marshalls department stores beat analyst targets by po...