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France’s Macron to draft bill legalizing end-of-life options

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:22 GMT

PARIS (AP) — New legislation to be drafted this year will address end-of-life options, French President Emmanuel Macron said Monday, following the release of a report indicating that most French citizens support legalizing medically assisted suicide and euthanasia. In a speech at the Elysee presidential palace, Macron vowed to “move forward toward a French model regarding end-of-life options.”Macron’s move follows a report released Sunday indicating that a large majority from among a panel composed of 184 randomly selected citizens support “active assistance in dying.” The report concluded that French law is currently “not adapted” to end-of-life issues and must evolve. It offers different options involving legalizing assisted suicide and euthanasia. Medically assisted suicide involves patients taking, of their own free will, a lethal drink or medication that has been prescribed by a doctor to those who meet certain criteria. Euthanasia involves doctors or other health practit...

Leader of Egypt on surprise visit to Saudi Arabia

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:22 GMT

CAIRO (AP) — The leaders of Egypt and Saudi Arabia have met in the kingdom, officials said Monday. It’s the first visit by top officials in months as Egypt battles a domestic economic crisis. President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto leader of Saudi Arabia, held talks late Sunday that focused on ties between the two heavyweights, according to Egyptian presidential spokesman Ahmed Fahmy.Fahmy said in a statement that the two leaders “affirmed mutual concern for promoting common cooperation in all fields.” They also agreed to continue “coordination and consultation” on regional and international topics, he added.The statement did not give further details. The meeting came as el-Sissi’s government is struggling to overcome an economic crisis blamed on the war in Europe, but what critics say is resulting from mismanagement of the economy. The two heavy powers are also both seeking to mend their frayed ties with other regional powers, ...

UK teachers reject government pay offer amid labor unrest

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:22 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Teachers in England rejected the government’s latest pay offer on Monday, raising the specter of more strikes and further disruptions for parents and children as double-digit inflation sparks labor unrest across the country.News that teachers had voted to reject the offer came as U.K. passport workers kicked off a five-week strike that threatens to cause headaches for travelers ahead of the summer holiday season. Immediately after announcing the results of the ballot, the National Education Union scheduled one-day strikes for April 27 and May 2.The walkouts are the latest in a wave of strikes that has disrupted Britons’ lives for months. Public-sector workers including doctors, train and bus drivers, airport baggage handlers, border officers and postal workers are demanding pay increases to keep pace with inflation, which stands at 10.4%.A cost-of-living crisis fueled by sharp rises in food and energy prices following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has left many struggli...

MASTERS ’23: 20 years after protests, women still look ahead

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:22 GMT

AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — It started with a letter that Martha Burk figured would never see the light of day. When she mentioned the all-male membership at Augusta National, the National Council of Women’s Organization didn’t even vote on whether to take action.“It was a very casual conversation at the end of a board meeting,” Burk said in a recent interview. “I had found out about this club and said I was thinking about writing a letter. Everyone said, ‘Fine, write the letter.’ I never expected my letter to go anywhere. I thought in a few years I might have followed up with a phone call.”There was no need.Hootie Johnson, the chairman of Augusta National, wrote a three-sentence reply to her that club matters were private. The next day he issued a scathing, 932-word statement to the media that defended the rights of a private club and said a woman joining Augusta National would be on the club’s timetable and “not at the point of a bayonet.”So began the biggest controversy...

Women’s NCAA Tournament features plethora of March Madness

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:22 GMT

DALLAS (AP) — This year’s record-breaking women’s NCAA Tournament featured breakout stars, upsets and capped off with the flamboyant Kim Mulkey leading LSU to its first basketball championship.Mulkey’s unforgettable outfits were just one of several memorable moments. There was Caitlin Clark’s 40-point triple-double in the Elite Eight game, the drama of South Carolina’s quest to complete the latest undefeated season and two No. 1 seeds being knock off before the Sweet 16.It led to the highest attendance ever in the tournament’s history to go along with stellar TV ratings in every round. The timing couldn’t be better for the sport. It all could lead to women’s basketball getting a separate TV deal when the contract expires next summer.Here’s a look at some of the top moments from the tournament:FIERY FASHIONISTAMulkey is never hard to miss on the sideline with her feisty approach and reactions to referees and her players. The coach’s flamboyant attire takes her presence to a different...

Police: Shooting outside hookah lounge leaves 1 dead, 4 hurt

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:22 GMT

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (AP) — One person was killed and four others were wounded in a shooting in the parking lot of a North Carolina hookah lounge, police said.The shooting happened shortly before 11 p.m. Sunday at the V Luxx Hookah Lounge, the Fayetteville Police Department said in a statement posted on Facebook.A male victim died at the scene and four adults were transported to a hospital, including one listed in critical condition and three with minor injuries, police said.An initial investigation found an “altercation” inside the lounge led to a shooting in the parking lot, police said.The Associated Press

Chicago White Sox move up start time of home opener Monday against San Francisco Giants

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:22 GMT

CHICAGO — The Chicago White Sox announced Sunday afternoon that the start time of their regular season home opener against the San Francisco Giants on Monday will be moved up one hour.According to a press release from the team, the start time will be moved from 3:10 p.m. CST to 2:10 p.m. CST to accommodate a forecast of inclement weather coming into the Chicago-area. White Sox make history, end streaks in Opening Night win Parking lots will open three hours before the game, with gates to Guaranteed Rate Field opening for fans at 12:30 p.m. CST. Pregame festivities and introductions will now begin at 1:30 p.m. CST.

Here's where Trump's other ongoing legal cases stand

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:22 GMT

(The Hill) - The Manhattan District Attorney's history-making decision to indict former President Trump last week only marks the first possible charges against Trump, who faces myriad ongoing legal challenges. Since leaving the White House, Trump has been in the center of legal cases related to his time in office, his actions after leaving office, and his business dealings. Last Thursday, he became the first president — current or former — to be indicted on criminal charges, in relation to his alleged involvement in a hush-money payment made to adult-film star Stormy Daniels to cover up an alleged affair. Though the exact charges Trump is facing in Manhattan will remain under seal until his arraignment on Tuesday, legal experts have said the case pales in comparison to the other legal challenges the former president is facing. Here's where those other cases stand ahead of his arraignment. Georgia probe into election interferenceFulton County District Attorney Fani Willis opened...

Snoop Dogg steps in at last second during WrestleMania, wins match

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:22 GMT

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Leave it to Snoop Dogg to emerge as the Most Valuable Performer of WrestleMania 39.During a weekend that saw World Wrestling Entertainment set a two-night attendance record for their signature event, rumors of a possible sale and Roman Reigns remaining the undisputed champion, the iconic rapper stepped up in an emergency.Snoop Dogg was co-hosting a segment between matches on Sunday at SoFi Stadium with wrestler Mike “The Miz” Mizanin when he goaded Mizanin into an impromptu match with Shane McMahon, who made his appearance at a WWE event for the first time in 14 months. McMahon and Mizanin traded punches before McMahon tore his quad when he did a leapfrog maneuver while trying to avoid Mizanin. Here’s where Trump’s other ongoing legal cases stand Doctors checked on McMahon before he was helped out of the ring. Snoop Dogg then came back into the ring to continue the match, as he punched “The Miz” twice, then stole a page from “The Rock” and landed a people’...

Austin ISD to discuss possible appeal of TEA conservatorship Monday night

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:22 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Members of the Austin Independent School District Board of Trustees are set to meet Monday night to talk about whether to appeal a state plan to implement a conservatorship over AISD's special education programs. The district said the public can submit recorded comments for Monday night's meeting between 7:45 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday. The district said there will not be public comment during the meeting itself. RELATED: TEA plans to implement conservator team for Austin ISD special education department The Texas Education Agency announced the conservatorship plan March 31, because it said AISD hasn’t done enough to help its students with special needs.According to AISD, the district has until April 17 to appeal the decision. What's next after TEA conservatorship announcement? Interim Superintendent Matias Segura and AISD School Board President Arati Singh said the administration and board are considering an appeal.