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Sudan fighting is driving country to collapse and millions face a ‘humanitarian calamity’, UN says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:51 GMT

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Nearly four months of brutal fighting is driving Sudan to collapse with millions of people trapped in a “humanitarian calamity” and the possibility of a new ethnic conflict spilling into the region, U.N. officials said Wednesday.The dire briefings to the U.N. Security Council by Assistant Secretary-General Martha Pobee and the U.N. humanitarian agency’s operations director, Edem Wosornu, painted a grim picture of escalating clashes and no sign of an end to the conflict, which the government said in June had killed more than 3,000 people. No figures have been released since then.Wosornu said the country’s descent into “a full-blown humanitarian catastrophe” has only deepened with more than 4 million people fleeing their homes and over 20 million — more than half the population — facing “high levels of food insecurity,” or serious hunger.The fighting pits forces loyal to top army Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan against the paramilitary forces commanded by his rival, Gen...

Hawaii officials prepare for thousands of people displaced by fires. Follow along for live updates

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:51 GMT

Follow along for live updates of 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. OFFICIALS PREPARE FOR THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE DISPLACED BY FIRESOfficials are preparing the Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu to accommodate up to 4,000 people displaced by the wildfires that swept across parts of Maui. James Tokioka, director of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, said the center is not just for tourists, but also for locals. “Local people have lost everything,” he said. “They’ve lost ...

Man charged in sexual assaults near Toronto’s Dufferin Mall

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:51 GMT

A man is facing charges following alleged sexual assaults in Toronto’s Dufferin Grove neighbourhood, and police believe there may be more victims.Toronto police responded to a call for a sexual assault in the Dufferin Street and Bloor Street West area around 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 2.It’s alleged a man approached a woman while she was walking across Dufferin Street. He sexually assaulted the woman and fled the area.Toronto police responded to another sexual assault call in the Dufferin Street and Bloor Street West area around 4 p.m. on Saturday, August 5.In a similar incident, investigators said a man approached a woman while she was walking in the Dufferin Mall parking lot. He then sexually assaulted the woman and fled the area.Toronto police arrested the suspect on Wednesday. He was identified as 48-year-old Carlos Palmer of Toronto. He’s facing two counts of sexual assault.He’s expected to appear in court on Thursday morning.

Motorcyclist killed in Brampton crash

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:51 GMT

Peel regional police say a motorcyclist is dead after a two-vehicle crash in Brampton on Wednesday.Emergency crews were called to the Goreway Drive and Auction Lane area at around 4:44 p.m. The motorcyclist, an adult male, was pronounced dead at the scene.The driver of the vehicle remained on scene. There’s no word at this point on possible charges. Police are advising drivers to avoid the area and seek alternate routes.

Elmhurst community hosts watch party for team on verge of Little League World Series

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:51 GMT

ELMHURST, Ill. — The boys from Elmhurst Little League are one step away from making it to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania — and on Wednesday — the local community organized a watch party for their game against New Albany, Ohio.Friends, family, and local supporters of the team gathered at Doc's Victory Pub in Elmhurst to watch their favorite Little Leaguers play, while the team itself prepared to take the field in Whitestown, Indiana, where they are playing for a regional championship."We all have confidence in our boys," said Margaret Wente, a parent of a player on the team. "This group of boys is good and they work so hard. They play well together."This is the first time Elmhurst Little League has made it to a Little League regional championship, where they are representing the state of Illinois in the Great Lakes Regionals. More on Elmhurst's journey: Elmhurst baseball team on the brink of Little League World Series If Elmhurst wins their matchup aga...

What's expected out of Justin Fields in Bears' preseason opener?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:51 GMT

LAKE FOREST, Ill. - There are usually two main questions that are presented to a head coach ahead of a preseason opener: How much will the starters play and will the starting quarterback take the field? Matt Eberflus had an answer when it came to the Bears' signal caller on Wednesday. "Yes," said the head coach when asked if Justin Fields will play against the Titans in the team's preseason opener on Saturday at Noon at Soldier Field.How much time he'll see, along with the rest of the starters, is still being sorted out as the Bears still have another practice before the contest with Tennessee. Ebeflus said they'll have a discussion about how many reps each player will play in the contest, and that's the case for Fields as well. So what is Eberflus looking for out of the quarterback when he steps on the field for the first time in a game situation this season, even if it is just an exhibition contest?"When you're looking at the quarterback position, the operation No. 1," said Eberfl...

Disney+ to begin cracking down on password sharing, CEO says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:51 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — Following in the footsteps of Netflix and Costco, Disney will soon begin cracking down on account sharing on its streaming service, the company's CEO announced Wednesday. In a move to "drive monetization," CEO Bob Iger said the password-sharing crackdown for Disney+ will begin in 2024, The Wrap and CNBC reported, citing the company's third-quarter earnings call. “We are actively exploring ways to address account sharing and the best options for paying subscribers to share their accounts with friends and family,” Iger said, adding that changes will come to subscriber agreements later this year. He explained that account sharing is "significant." Netflix could introduce ads later this year: report The announcement comes as Disney+ reports another drop in subscribers — it's the second quarter in a row the streaming service has shed viewers. Disney will also be raising prices for its ad-free versions of Disney+ and Hulu. In October, the Disney+ version will rise to $14 wh...

Biden touts climate efforts on tour of western United States

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:51 GMT

WASHINGTON (Nexstar) – President Biden is touring western states, touting his administration's accomplishments addressing climate change and announcing new actions as well.In New Mexico on Wednesday, President Biden and allies such as New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham lauded the administration's accomplishments in fighting climate change.“We can be climate leaders for the world,” Lujan Grisham said. The governor highlighted the administration making “the largest investment in clean energy jobs…because this president had the courage to make it a reality.”The president says companies are making major investments in green energy projects across the country in states like New Mexico, Colorado and New York.“CS Wind broke ground on what will be the world's largest wind tunnel manufacturing plant,” Biden added. “Every one of these companies has pointed to the clean energy law that we originated, and I signed as the reason for making these investments.”While visiting Arizona on Tue...

Pentagon: 'US will stand with Ukraine as long as it takes'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:51 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — The Pentagon on Wednesday doubled down on its support for Ukraine as it confronts new challenges in the Russian invasion."We knew this was going to be a tough fight," Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh said. "The United States is going to continue to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes."Ukraine's counteroffensive is struggling to retake significant territory held by Russian forces. But Singh said the Pentagon is confident in the weapons and training it has provided to the Ukrainian army.At the same time, a June Pew Research survey found a growing number of Americans, especially Republicans, are losing patience with the war. Forty-four percent of Republicans said the U.S. was giving too much aid to Ukraine, four percentage points more than in January."Americans want to know what the plan is," U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., said. "They want to know, is this going to be a 10-year thing, is this a two-year thing?"She said Congress must attempt to provi...

Homes evacuated for 15-acre brush fire near Pflugerville

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:51 GMT

PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) — Some homes have been evacuated Wednesday as emergency crews respond to a 15-acre brush fire off Jesse Bohls Road near Pflugerville. ‘Home ignition zone’ inspections can help with wildfires Travis County Emergency Services District No. 2, the Manor Fire Department, STAR Flight and the Texas A&M Forest Service are working to contain the fire, Travis County ESD No. 2 Fire Chief Nick Perkins said.Homes on Scoria Drive and Elk Horn Drive were evacuated as a precaution, according to Travis County ESD No. 2.This story will be updated as more information becomes available.