Scottish independence at crossroads in testy SNP leader race

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:58:17 GMT

Scottish independence at crossroads in testy SNP leader race LONDON (AP) — The Scottish National Party is finding Nicola Sturgeon a hard act to follow.Scotland’s governing party is holding an acrimonious contest to replace Sturgeon, a leader who came to dominate Scottish politics, but hit an impasse in her fight for independence from the United Kingdom, and divided the party with a transgender rights law.Sturgeon, 52, announced her resignation in February after eight years as party leader and first minster of Scotland’s semi-autonomous government. Three members of the Scottish parliament are running to replace her: Finance Secretary Kate Forbes, 32; Health Secretary Humza Yousaf, 37; and 49-year-old lawmaker Ash Regan. The winner of a vote by SNP members will be announced on March 27.The campaign has cracked open fissures within the party over political strategy, social issues and Sturgeon’s legacy. Critics say a clique around the former first minister wields too much power in the SNP. Those rivals scored a victory when party chief executive ...

17-year-old shot and killed by US Park Police after fleeing traffic stop identified

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:58:17 GMT

17-year-old shot and killed by US Park Police after fleeing traffic stop identified A 17-year-old driver was fatally shot by a U.S. Park Police officer in Northeast D.C. Saturday after he dragged another officer with a stolen car while fleeing the scene, authorities said.A spokesperson with D.C. police identified the driver as Dalaneo Martin, 17, of Northwest, D.C. on Sunday morning.More DC NewsMore Local NewsAccording to U.S. Park Police spokesman Thomas Twiname, around 8:50 a.m., a U.S. Park Police officer responded to a call to assist a D.C. police officer with a stolen car in the area of 34th and Baker Street in Northeast.The officers attempted to detain the driver of the stolen car, but police said Martin attempted to flee the scene in the 300 block of 36th Street NE.The U.S. Park Police officer was “trapped in the vehicle” and was unable to get out of the car.A second U.S. Park Police officer was “dragged” by the car as the Martin attempted to flee the scene. The officer inside the vehicle fired his weapon and shot the teenager, accord...

West Bank attack casts shadow over Israel-Palestinian talks

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:58:17 GMT

West Bank attack casts shadow over Israel-Palestinian talks CAIRO (AP) — Israeli and Palestinian officials were meeting Sunday in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh in a bid to ease tensions between the sides and rein in a spiral of violence ahead of a sensitive holiday period beginning this week. But as the talks continued, Israeli officials said two people were wounded, one seriously, in a West Bank shooting attack that immediately raised questions about the prospects for the new talks.The meeting was the second attempt by the sides, shepherded by regional allies Egypt and Jordan as well as the U.S., to end a year-long spasm of violence that has seen more than 200 Palestinians killed by Israeli fire and more than 40 Israelis or foreigners killed in Palestinian attacks. Whatever progress emerged out of the previous meeting in Jordan late last month, which ended with pledges to de-escalate tensions, was quickly derailed when a new burst of violence erupted on the same day. A Palestinian gunman shot and killed two Israelis in the occ...

Sen. Bennet discusses China threats

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:58:17 GMT

Sen. Bennet discusses China threats DENVER (KWGN) -- The Colorado Republican Party has a new outspoken leader and his next in line talks about the change with "Colorado Point of View"'s Matt Mauro. Rep. Dave Williams is a strong supporter of former President Donald Trump and insists Trump won the 2020 presidential election. One of his ideas in the new position is to let only registered Republicans vote in primary elections.  Colorado GOP selects combative, election-denying new leader “I think if it’s important if you wear the jersey for your party that you get a say in that,” Colorado GOP Vice Chair Priscilla Rahn said. “But that doesn’t mean we’re not going to talk to voters all across Colorado about coming up with solutions to the problems that we’re suffering under democratic policies.”How U.S. could move on after decades of outsourcing from China Mauro discusses China's position with the U.S. and a potential ban on TikTok with Senator Michael Bennet. Bennet talks about how and when the U.S. decided to ...

Manhattan DA says his office won’t tolerate ‘attempts to intimidate’ following Trump posts

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:58:17 GMT

Manhattan DA says his office won’t tolerate ‘attempts to intimidate’ following Trump posts (CNN) — Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg said in an email to staff on Saturday that his office will “not tolerate attempts to intimidate our office or threaten the rule of law in New York.”The email was sent after former President Donald Trump posted on social media that he expects to be arrested in connection with the ongoing investigation by New York prosecutors into a hush money scheme involving adult film actress Stormy Daniels and called on his supporters to protest any such move.Bragg said his office is coordinating with the New York City Police Department and the court to “ensure that any specific or credible threats against the office will be fully investigated and that the proper safeguards are in place so all 1,600 of us have a secure work environment,” according to the email, which was first obtained by Politico.Manhattan district attorney spokesperson Danielle Filson confirmed the contents of the email to...

Grizzlies’ Brooks insist hit was ‘unintentional’ in wake of $35K NBA fine for shoving Heat cameraman

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:58:17 GMT

Grizzlies’ Brooks insist hit was ‘unintentional’ in wake of $35K NBA fine for shoving Heat cameraman In the wake of a $35,000 fine for what the NBA deemed “the unsportsmanlike act of shoving a camera person” during Wednesday night’s loss to the Miami Heat at Miami-Dade Arena, Memphis Grizzlies guard Dillon Brooks said the act was unintentional.Addressing the incident for the first time when the Grizzlies hosted the Golden State Warriors on Saturday night, Brooks said he planned to reach out to the cameraman who is a fixture at Heat home games, working as an independent contractor for Bally Sports.“It was unintentional,” Brooks said of the incident that appeared otherwise, as he unsuccessfully scrambled at the midcourt sideline to keep a ball from going out of bounds. “I was running full speed. I didn’t mean to hurt him in any way possible. I’m not that type of person.“I’m going to give him a call tomorrow to check on him and see how he is.”Brooks did not mention whether he would appeal the fine. Brooks, 27, is in the...

Tommy Kahnle unsure of next steps: ‘I’m sick of rehabbing’

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:58:17 GMT

Tommy Kahnle unsure of next steps: ‘I’m sick of rehabbing’ TAMPA — After throwing on Thursday and Saturday, Tommy Kahnle is no closer to returning.The right-handed Yankees reliever has been dealing with bicep tendinitis. He’s endured pain and discomfort there in the past, as recently as 2018.“Haven’t felt that good, so not sure what the next steps are,” Kahnle said Sunday morning at the Yankees’ spring training complex. “But I know we’re regrouping today and figuring out where we’re going from there.“I know that it’s the same spot and it just hasn’t cleared up yet. So I’m just gonna buy time and I’ll be back when I’m ready.”Kahnle didn’t have an updated timeline for his recovery, nor did he know if he’ll need to undergo more tests. Aaron Boone, meanwhile, acknowledged that the pitcher’s rehab has been delayed.“It slows his clock a little bit until he can throw, bounce back and keep building,” the manager said Saturda...

Governor Newsom to speak on state issues in San Diego

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:58:17 GMT

Governor Newsom to speak on state issues in San Diego SAN DIEGO -- California Governor Gavin Newsom is stopping in San Diego on Sunday as part of his four-city tour to address state issues.On Thursday in Sacramento, Newsom announced plans to address California's homelessness crisis. The governor said the state will spend around $30 million to build 1,200 small homes across the state in 2023. Newsom to start California tour with homelessness proposal County officials confirmed 150 of those tiny homes will be built in the San Diego region.On Saturday in Los Angeles, the governor touted a plan to lower the cost of insulin. "We had an idea, they put the legislation into practice and now we are implementing it," Newsom stated. "A hundred million dollars we set aside, $50 million to do a manufacturing headquarters here in California. This $50 million will be established in a framework where there will be manufacturing outside the state, but for the benefit of the state."Ahead of his stop in America's Finest City, the governor made also mad...

UK aims to send migrants to Rwanda in months if courts agree

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:58:17 GMT

UK aims to send migrants to Rwanda in months if courts agree KIGALI, Rwanda (AP) — Britain’s government said Sunday that it could start deporting asylum-seekers to Rwanda in the next few months — but only if U.K. courts rule that the controversial policy is legal.The Home Office said it was aiming to start flights “before the summer,” as Home Secretary Suella Braverman visited the east African country to reinforce the Conservative government’s commitment to the plan.In the Rwandan capital, Kigali, she met with President Paul Kagame and Foreign Minister Vincent Biruta, visited accommodation intended to house deportees from the U.K. and laid a brick at another housing development for migrants.“I have thoroughly enjoyed seeing firsthand the rich opportunities this country can provide to relocated people through our partnership,” Braverman said.Biruta said Rwanda would offer migrants “the opportunity to build new lives in a safe, secure place through accommodation, education and vocational training.” The U.K. and Rwanda struck a deal almost...

Croatian authorities destroy World War II anti-ship mine

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:58:17 GMT

Croatian authorities destroy World War II anti-ship mine ZAGREB, Croatia (AP) — Croatian authorities on Sunday destroyed a huge anti-ship mine from World War II that was buried in the seabed near a key northern Adriatic Sea port.Local authorities in the port of Rijeka sounded emergency sirens early on Sunday to mark the start of the operation. They earlier had evacuated parts of the city while also halting all traffic to secure the area during the removal of the bomb with 690 kilograms (1,500-pounds) of explosives. Officials said that the mine, which was first discovered last June, was positioned too close to the city and that it had to be moved further away before emergency teams could perform the controlled detonation.Videos released by Croatian police after the operation was completed on Sunday showed the mine at the bottom of the sea, and divers strapping it up so it could be moved. Another video showed a huge explosion further away, sending seawater high up in the air.Police officer Nenad Krasny said the mine was very dangerous and c...