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Economy minister surprises by beating populist in first round of Argentina’s presidential election

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:11:33 GMT

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Economy Minister Sergio Massa surprised Sunday night by finishing on top in the first round of Argentina’s presidential election, reflecting voters’ wariness about handing the presidency to his chief rival, a right-wing populist who upended national politics and pledged to drastically diminish the state.Massa’s victory over Javier Milei, a chainsaw-wielding economist and freshman lawmaker, came despite the fact that on his watch inflation has surged into triple digits, eating away at purchasing power of salaries and boosting poverty. Still, he wasn’t punished. With 98.3% of the votes counted, Massa had 36.7% and Milei was at 30%, meaning the two will go to a November runoff. Most pre-election polls, which have been notoriously unreliable, gave Milei a slight lead and put Massa in second place. Former Security Minister Patricia Bullrich, of the main center-right opposition coalition, finished in third place with 23.8%. Massa has ...

Skeet shooter Vincent Hancock and gymnast Jordan Chiles, U.S. flagbearers in Pan Am Games, win gold

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:11:33 GMT

SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — The two flagbearers for the United States team at the Pan American Games in Chile won gold medals on Sunday.Veteran shooter Vincent Hancock took his third Pan American Games title in skeet shooting, while gymnast Jordan Chiles led the women’s team to the all-round gold in Santiago. The two carried the Star-Spangled Banner during Friday’s opening ceremony at the National Stadium.Hancock, a three-time Olympic gold medalist, defeated Argentina’s Federico Gil. Both missed just one of their first 26 shots, but the American eventually won 57 to 55. The 35-year-old Gil won not only a silver medal, but also a quota spot at the Paris Olympics next year.Peru’s Nicolas Pacheco took the bronze in Santiago’s cloudy afternoon and also secured a place in France since Hancock had already done that at the world championship.Shortly after putting the gold medal around his neck, Hancock went to social media to repost one of his videos in action from May 2022 wi...

Woman rescued from East County cave after spending 16 hours stuck

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:11:33 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- A woman was saved by search and rescue crews after she spent 16 hours stuck in an East County cave, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Office.Crews were called to the "Thunder Canyon Caves" area, which is located near McCain Valley Road in the Boulevard neighborhood, just before 6 p.m. on Saturday, SDSO Lt. Jeffery Ford said in a release.According to Ford, the woman was traversing a narrow opening with a cave in the system when she got stuck in a gap roughly 12 inches wide. Friends that she was traveling with attempted to dislodge her with no success, prompting them to call for help.Deputies with the Sheriff's Rural Division and volunteers with the SDSO Search and Rescue Division responded to the scene. Mutual aid from the state Office of Emergency Services and a cave rescue team with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Office were also requested. Man arrested after barricading himself in Carlsbad motel with sword, gun It took several hours for first responde...

Man arrested after barricading himself in motel with sword, gun

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:11:33 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- A man was arrested Sunday afternoon after barricading himself in a Carlsbad motel room for several hours with a samurai-style sword and firearm, police said.Around 9:41 a.m., officers with the Carlsbad Police Department were dispatched to the Carlsbad Village Inn in response to a report of a person brandishing a sword at paramedics, who were responding to an unrelated medical aid call.Responding officers approached the room where the subject, later identified by authorities as 33-year-old Los Angles County resident Eliot Rauk, was staying to make contact. When they neared the room, Rauk allegedly started yelling through the door and threatened to kill approaching officers, according to CPD Lt. Jason Jackowski. He also reportedly brandished a handgun, which officers saw through the motel room window. Woman on motorcycle dies in hit-and-run Authorities proceeded to evacuate rooms in surrounding areas of the motel and secure a perimeter. The Carlsbad SWAT team and Crisis...

Stock market today: Asian stocks fall as concerns rise over Israel-Hamas war and high yields

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:11:33 GMT

HONG KONG (AP) — Asian shares were lower on Monday as higher risks of broader conflict in the Middle East clouded market sentiment and bond yields further pressured stocks. U.S. futures rose while oil prices fell back.Israel announced its intention on Saturday to step up its attacks on the Gaza Strip in preparation for the next stage of its war on Hamas. Israel’s military spokesman has urged residents of Gaza City to head south in order to ensure their safety.A barrel of benchmark U.S. oil fell 80 cents to $87.30. It has been bouncing around since the latest Hamas-Israel war began, after leaping from $70 to more than $93 during the summer. It slipped 62 cents to settle at $88.75 on Friday. Brent crude, the international standard, slipped 64 cents to $91.52 per barrel.Chinese stocks fell to a 1-year low early Monday as foreign investors sold off holdings. The Shanghai Composite index was down 1%, at 2,954.42. Hong Kong’s markets were closed for a holiday, as were Thailand’...

Commission sets out new EU road map of priority measures to fight organized crime and drug-trafficking

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:11:33 GMT

The Commission is adopting an EU road map to step up the fight against drug trafficking and criminal networks, building on the legislative and operational initiatives put forward so far. The drugs trade is one of the most significant security threats faced by the EU today. Seizures of cocaine in the EU are hitting record levels, with 303 tonnes seized in 2021 alone. The activities of criminal networks have evolved in their scale, sophistication, and violent consequences.Fighting organized crime and drug trafficking is a priority for the European Union, its member states, and its international partners. We must address the threats we face together; this is why the Commission proposes to the European Parliament and the Council to fully endorse the priority actions and medium to long-term measures set out in the Roadmap.  Stepping up EU's targeted responseRecent achievements in the EU's fight against criminal networks show that the EU is on the right track in responding to these emergi...

Family, friends remember Pepperdine students killed in crash

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:11:33 GMT

Through prayer, song and personal memories, Pepperdine University said goodbye on Sunday to four students who were killed in last week's devastating crash in Malibu.A memorial service was held on campus that was attended by the families of Niamh Rolston, Peyton Stewart, Asha Weir and Deslyn Williams, along with sorority sisters and members of the greater campus community.“Niamh and I are always side by side. These last few days I keep looking to my left and expecting to see her there,” Alpha Phi sorority member Aubrey Lewis said, fighting back tears.“I admired Deslyn’s confidence more than anything. She knew what she wanted and always executed it so perfectly,” another friend recalled.Vinita Weir, mother of Malibu crash victim Asha Weir, speaks at a memorial at Pepperdine University on Oct. 22, 2023. (Pepperdine University)Niamh Rolston, Peyton Stewart, Asha Weir and Deslyn Williams died when authorities say a speeding driver hit them on the Pacific Coast Highway roughly four miles ...

L.A. police respond to shooting in Skid Row

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:11:33 GMT

At least two people were hospitalized after a shooting in downtown Los Angeles’ Skid Row neighborhood Sunday evening.According to Los Angeles Police, officers responded to 521 S. San Pedro Street around 8 a.m. where they found a 60-year-old man suffering from a gunshot wound. Another male victim was transported to a hospital by a “private party,” LAPD said.Their conditions were not released.Crime scene tape surrounded the entrance to a Wesley Health Center facility and traffic was blocked in the area, a video posted to Citizen showed.No suspect information was available.Many streets in the area are lined with homeless encampments.

Mad Max starting ALCS Game 7 for Rangers at Houston, just as he did for Nats in 2019 World Series

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:11:33 GMT

HOUSTON (AP) — Max Scherzer is set to pitch another Game 7 in Houston with visiting teams undefeated in the series.This time, Mad Max will be trying to win a pennant for the Texas Rangers. Scherzer will start the deciding game of the AL Championship Series on Monday night. It comes four years after the three-time Cy Young Award winner started Game 7 of the World Series for Washington as the Nationals beat the Astros at Minute Maid Park in the only best-of-seven postseason series that went the distance without the home team winning a single game.The Rangers, after losing all three of their ALCS games at home, forced Game 7 with a 9-2 win on Sunday night. Texas also won Games 1 and 2 in Houston. Scherzer was the loser in Game 3 in Arlington on Wednesday night, when he returned after missing just more than a month with a right shoulder strain. The 39-year-old right-hander allowed five runs and five hits while throwing 63 pitches over four innings, but finished strong by striking out th...

Former Estonia army chief boosts Europe’s defense industry

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:11:33 GMT

Presented by ASD By LAURA KAYALI with JOSHUA POSANER and CALEB LARSON PRESENTED BY View in your browser or listen to audioSNEAK PEEK— The former chief of Estonia’s defense forces, now an MEP, is working on how to help Europe’s defense industry. — France wants its security and defense think tanks to become more influential. — Germany wants to make its armed forces more attractive for women amid recruitment challenges. Good morning, and welcome to Morning Defense. Tips to [email protected], [email protected] and [email protected] or follow us at @joshposaner, @LauKaya and @calebmlarson .DRIVING THE DAYESTONIAN LAWMAKER WANTS EU DEFENSE PLAN: The EU needs a well-funded strategy for its defense industry to ensure that small- and medium-sized firms can access major contracts, according to Riho Terras, an Estonian MEP from the European People’s Party who used to run the B...