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West African leaders meet on Niger but options are few as the military junta defies mediation

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:38:20 GMT

NIAMEY, Niger (AP) — West African heads of state are scheduled to meet Thursday after Niger’s military junta defied their deadline to reinstate the nation’s deposed president, but analysts say the Economic Community of West African States may be running out of options as support fades for a military intervention.As Niger’s junta turns away most efforts at mediation, one analyst asserted that Russian meddling in the country has spiked in the two weeks since mutinous soldiers overthrew democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum, who has refused to step down and is under house arrest.Niger was seen as the last country in the Sahel region south of the Sahara Desert that Western nations could partner with to counter jihadi violence linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group that has killed thousands and displaced millions of people. The international community is scrambling to find a peaceful solution to the country’s leadership crisis.On Wednesday, a Nig...

At least 36 people have died in Hawaii’s Lahaina fire, Maui County reports

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:38:20 GMT

WAILUKU, Hawaii (AP) — At least 36 people have died in Hawaii’s Lahaina fire, Maui County reports.Source

Rockies visit the Dodgers to begin 4-game series

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:38:20 GMT

Colorado Rockies (45-69, fifth in the NL West) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (67-46, first in the NL West)Los Angeles; Thursday, 10:10 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Rockies: Ty Blach (1-1, 4.85 ERA, 1.58 WHIP, 11 strikeouts); Dodgers: Clayton Kershaw (0-0)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Dodgers -348, Rockies +273; over/under is 8 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Los Angeles Dodgers host the Colorado Rockies on Thursday to begin a four-game series.Los Angeles is 34-20 at home and 67-46 overall. The Dodgers have a 56-16 record in games when they scored five or more runs.Colorado is 45-69 overall and 20-39 on the road. Rockies hitters are batting a collective .250, which ranks 10th in the NL.The teams meet Thursday for the sixth time this season. The Dodgers are up 4-1 in the season series.TOP PERFORMERS: Freddie Freeman has 42 doubles, two triples and 23 home runs while hitting .347 for the Dodgers. Mookie Betts is 14-for-41 with four doubles and four home runs over the last 10 games.Ryan McMahon leads ...

Phillies bring 2-1 series advantage over Nationals into game 4

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:38:20 GMT

Washington Nationals (50-65, fifth in the NL East) vs. Philadelphia Phillies (63-52, second in the NL East)Philadelphia; Thursday, 6:40 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Nationals: Patrick Corbin (7-11, 5.10 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 89 strikeouts); Phillies: Aaron Nola (9-8, 4.58 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 147 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Phillies -253, Nationals +208; over/under is 9 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Philadelphia Phillies take a 2-1 lead into the next game of the series against the Washington Nationals.Philadelphia has a 63-52 record overall and a 32-22 record at home. The Phillies have the seventh-ranked team on-base percentage in the NL at .322.Washington is 50-65 overall and 28-31 in road games. The Nationals are 37-13 in games when they out-hit their opponents.Thursday’s game is the 10th time these teams meet this season. The Phillies hold a 5-4 advantage in the season series.TOP PERFORMERS: Bryson Stott has 23 doubles, two triples and 10 home runs for the Phillies. Bryce Harper is ...

Braves bring 2-1 series lead over Pirates into game 4

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:38:20 GMT

Atlanta Braves (72-40, first in the NL East) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (51-63, fourth in the NL Central)Pittsburgh; Thursday, 12:35 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Braves: Bryce Elder (8-3, 3.43 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 92 strikeouts); Pirates: Bailey Falter (0-7, 4.87 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, 30 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Braves -207, Pirates +172; over/under is 10 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Atlanta Braves lead 2-1 in a four-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates.Pittsburgh is 51-63 overall and 27-30 in home games. The Pirates are 39-5 in games when they have more hits than their opponents.Atlanta has a 72-40 record overall and a 35-20 record on the road. The Braves have the highest team on-base percentage in the NL at .342.The teams square off Thursday for the fourth time this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Jack Suwinski leads the Pirates with 21 home runs while slugging .461. Bryan Reynolds is 14-for-38 with a double, four home runs and seven RBI over the past 10 games.Ronald Acuna Jr. has 29 doubles,...

At least 36 people have died on Maui as fires burn through Hawaii, county reports

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:38:20 GMT

WAILUKU, Hawaii (AP) — Several thousand Hawaii residents raced to escape homes on Maui as the Lahaina fire swept across the island, killing at least 36 people and burning parts of a centuries-old town.The fire took the island of Maui by surprise, leaving behind burned-out cars on once busy streets and smoking piles of rubble where historic buildings had stood. Flames roared throughout the night, forcing adults and children to dive into the ocean for safety.Maui county announced the updated death toll on its website late Wednesday, writing that no other details were currently available on the deaths. Officials said earlier that 271 structures were damaged or destroyed and dozens of people injured.On Wednesday, Maui crews continued to battle blazes in several places on the island. Authorities urged visitors to stay away.Lahaina residents Kamuela Kawaakoa and Iiulia Yasso described a harrowing escape under smoke-filled skies Tuesday afternoon. The couple and their 6-year-old son got ba...

Mark Drakeford, Welsh first minister, to quit parliament at next election

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:38:20 GMT

LONDON — Mark Drakeford will leave the Senedd at the next election in 2026, the Welsh first minister has confirmed. In a question and answer session with the Welsh parliament’s presiding officer Elin Jones, Drakeford said it is “important to have a refresh” at the top of Welsh politics. Drakeford has served as the first minister of Wales’ devolved government and leader of the Welsh Labour Party since December 2018. He has previously said he would quit as first minister during the current term of parliament, but on Wednesday he confirmed his plan to quit the Welsh parliament altogether. He is yet to set a date for his resignation as first minister, though he is expected to step down next year.“I think it is difficult for those who will be doing the work in the future to have people like me sitting behind them,” Drakeford said. “I’m not going to be a member of the Senedd after 2026 but I am not going to step back from the debate or stop ...

Russian ‘revenge’ mission: Ukraine braces as Kremlin steps up attacks on recaptured areas

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:38:20 GMT

KYIV — Russia is intensifying its attacks in Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region as it aims to retake territory which it lost during Ukraine’s stunning counteroffensive last fall. With Ukraine now pushing on the southern front, where Kyiv has liberated settlements and destroyed Russian logistics, the Kremlin’s invading forces are heavily targeting Kupiansk, an important logistics hub in the Kharkiv region.The renewed Russian offensive comes as fighting in Ukraine’s east is heavily bogged down in a war of attrition, with both sides struggling to make big gains. Ukraine’s counteroffensives faces heavily fortified Russian positions, as Moscow’s forces learn lessons from a total wipeout last September when Ukraine stormed the Kharkiv region. And amid the grinding stalemate in the south and east, the Kremlin’s troops are pivoting to a major assault in the northeast. “Russians are aiming to retake the Kharkiv region to take revenge for ...

Wildfires tearing through Hawaii have killed at least 36 people. Follow live updates

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:38:20 GMT

By REBECCA BOONE (Associated Press)Follow live updates about wildfires that are racing across part of Maui in Hawaii, destroying sections of a historic town on the island and forcing some to flee to the relative safety of the ocean, where the Coast Guard rescued them. The fires forced evacuations in some areas, including the popular tourist spot of Lahaina Town. The National Weather Service says Hurricane Dora, which is passing south of the island chain at a safe distance, was partly to blame for strong winds driving the flames, knocking out power and grounding firefighting helicopters.The death toll from wildfires in Hawaii rose to at least 36, according to a statement from Maui County on Wednesday night. Wildfires, whipped by strong winds from Hurricane Dora passing far to the south, took the island of Maui by surprise, leaving behind burned-out cars on once busy streets and smoking piles of rubble where historic buildings had stood. Flames roared throughout the night, forcing adu...

Wildfires tearing through parts of Hawaii have killed at least 36 people. Follow live updates

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:38:20 GMT

Follow live updates about wildfires that are racing across part of Maui in Hawaii, destroying sections of a historic town on the island and forcing some to flee to the relative safety of the ocean, where the Coast Guard rescued them. The fires forced evacuations in some areas, including the popular tourist spot of Lahaina Town. The National Weather Service says Hurricane Dora, which is passing south of the island chain at a safe distance, was partly to blame for strong winds driving the flames, knocking out power and grounding firefighting helicopters.At least 36 people have died in fires on Maui in Hawaii, county reportsThe death toll from wildfires in Hawaii rose to at least 36, according to a statement from Maui County on Wednesday night. Wildfires, whipped by strong winds from Hurricane Dora passing far to the south, took the island of Maui by surprise, leaving behind burned-out cars on once busy streets and smoking piles of rubble where historic buildings had stood. Flames roar...