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DeSantis kicks off presidential campaign in Iowa, calling for ‘revival of American greatness’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:40 GMT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Calling for “a revival of American greatness,” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday kicked off a multistate campaign blitz designed to strengthen his position as former President Donald Trump’s chief Republican rival.In a fiery speech during his first campaign event for the 2024 GOP nomination, he called American decline avoidable and offered himself as its alternative. “Our country is going in the wrong direction. We can see it and we can feel it,” DeSantis told about 500 people in a evangelical Christian church auditorium in suburban Des Moines plastered with red, white and blue signs proclaiming a “Great American Comeback.” Hundreds more watched from an overflow room. DeSantis, who announced his candidacy last week, unveiled a line of attack aimed chiefly at Democratic President Joe Biden. “Our great American comeback starts by sending Joe Biden back to his basement in Delaware,” he said, one of a number of lines that sparked loud cheers ...

3rd man charged in 2002 shooting death of Run-DMC star Jam Master Jay

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:40 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — A third man has been charged in the 2002 shooting death of Run-DMC star Jam Master Jay, prosecutors said Tuesday, marking the latest movement in a case that languished for years.Federal prosecutors in the Eastern District of New York filed a superseding indictment on Tuesday, charging Jay Bryant, 49, in the death of Jason “Jay” Mizell, known professionally as Jam Master Jay. Two other men, Ronald Washington and Karl Jordan Jr., had previously been indicted in August 2020 for the death of Jay. The hip-hop trailblazer was shot in the head in his studio on Oct. 30, 2002. Bryant’s attorney, César de Castro, said in an email that they had just learned of the charges.“Securing an indictment in a secret grand jury, applying an extremely low burden of proof, is one thing. Proving it at trial is another matter,” he said.Bryant, from Queens, was in custody already on unrelated federal drug charges. At the time the other two men were indicted, authorities said Jay’s...

US Border Patrol chief is retiring following end of Title 42 restrictions at US-Mexico border

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:40 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The head of the U.S. Border Patrol is stepping down following major changes at the U.S.-Mexico border that came with the end of Title 42 pandemic restrictions. Chief Raul Ortiz said in a note to staff Tuesday obtained by The Associated Press that he has decided to retire effective June 30. Ortiz has been on the job for 32 years and held many different jobs. “I leave at ease, knowing we have a tremendous uniformed and professional workforce, strong relationships with our union partners, and outstanding leaders who will continue to tirelessly advocate for you each day,” he said in the note. Ortiz took over when asked by Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas after the Biden administration pushed out the former chief, Rodney Scott. Ortiz had planned to retire but didn’t in order to take the helm.The Border Patrol and its 19,000 agents have been under a constant spotlight for years. Under Title 42, migrants were returned over the border and denied the rig...

Guilt-ridden man confesses to landlord’s killing 15 years later, recordings show

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:40 GMT

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Officers found Tony Peralta sitting on a curb not far from a convenience store where he borrowed a cellphone to call 911 and confess to the 2008 killing of his former landlord.Sweating and taking puffs from his cigarette, he told them he’s tired of covering it up, tired of living with the lie and tired of being overwhelmed by guilt. He agreed to take the officers to where he buried the body before standing up and volunteering to be cuffed.Police in the southeastern New Mexico community of Roswell released the 911 recording and nearly an hour of officer body camera video in response to a records request filed by The Associated Press. The May 1 footage shows Peralta repeatedly thanking the officers for picking him up.“I confess, man. I confess. I don’t want to live life anymore without confessing,” he said while sitting in an interview room at police headquarters. The uniformed officers and detectives who talked with Peralta peppered him with quest...

Prosecutors seek pretrial detention without bail in deadly shootout at New Mexico biker rally

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:40 GMT

TAOS, N.M. (AP) — Two men from Texas appeared in court Tuesday to confront drug-possession and firearms-related charges in connection with a deadly shootout at a motorcycle rally in northern New Mexico that left three people dead.Authorities say three men were killed and five people wounded during Saturday’s shootout in the mountain resort town of Red River, where the rally was held. Police say the violence stemmed from a previous altercation in Albuquerque between rival motorcycle gangs known as the Banditos and Waterdogs.Matthew Charles Jackson, 39, of Austin, Texas, entered initial pleas of not guilty to charges of carrying a firearm in a liquor establishment and methamphetamine possession at a state District Court appearance in Taos, a court-appointed defense attorney said. Texas resident Christopher Garcia also appeared in court to plead not guilty to a felony charge of cocaine possession and a misdemeanor charge of tampering with evidence.The Taos-based district attorney...

US military complains of unsafe, aggressive move by Chinese fighter jet

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:40 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military said Tuesday that a Chinese fighter jet flew aggressively close to a U.S. reconnaissance aircraft over the South China Sea, forcing the American pilot to fly through the turbulent wake.The Chinese J-16 fighter pilot “flew directly in front of the nose of the RC-135,” which was conducting routine operations in international airspace last Friday, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said in a statement. It called the Chinese move an “ unnecessarily aggressive maneuver.”U.S. defense leaders have complained that China’s military has become significantly more aggressive over the past five years, intercepting U.S. aircraft and ships in the region. And tensions with China have only grown in recent months over Washington’s military support and sales of defensive weapons to self-governing Taiwan, China’s assertions of sovereignty to the contested South China Sea and its flying of a suspected spy balloon over the U.S. In a further sign of the tensions, China sai...

Nevada Republican governor approves abortion protections in rare cross-party move

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:40 GMT

CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) — Nevada’s Joe Lombardo on Tuesday became one of the first Republican governors to enshrine protections for out-of-state abortion patients and in-state providers, adding the western swing state to the list of those passing new laws to solidify their status as safe havens for people seeking abortions.The legislation codifies an existing executive order from former Gov. Steve Sisolak last year — who lost reelection to Lombardo — that bars state agencies from assisting in out-of-state investigations that could lead to the prosecution of abortion patients who travel to Nevada. It also ensures medical boards and commissions that oversee medical licenses do not discipline or disqualify doctors who provide abortions. Lombardo, who describes himself as pro-life and cites his Catholic faith, said on the campaign trail that he would respect the will of voters who codified abortion rights up to 24 weeks in a 1990 referendum vote. He was the only Republican to defea...

UN extends arms embargo on South Sudan over protests from world’s newest nation and 5 abstentions

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:40 GMT

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — A divided U.N. Security Council extended an arms embargo on South Sudan Tuesday over protests from the world’s newest nation and abstentions from Russia, China and the council’s three African nations sympathetic to its demands that sanctions be lifted.The 10-0 vote with five abstentions on the U.S.-drafted resolution was the same as the vote on the previous sanctions resolution adopted last May.In a report to the Security Council earlier this month, U.N. experts monitoring the arms embargo and a travel ban and asset freeze on targeted individuals said South Sudan is facing violent clashes and increasing disillusionment and frustration as it struggles to implement the most challenging provisions of a fragile 2018 power-sharing agreement.They pointed to difficulties integrating rival military forces, drafting a new constitution and preparing for the country’s first election as an independent nation in December 2024, they said.The resolution welcomes “encour...

Florida art dealer gets 2 years, 3 months in Warhol forgery scheme

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:40 GMT

FORT PIERCE, Fla. (AP) — A South Florida art dealer was sentenced Tuesday to two years and three months in federal prison in connection with a scheme involving the sale of fake Andy Warhol paintings.Daniel Elie Bouaziz, 69, was sentenced in Fort Pierce federal court, according to court records. He pleaded guilty in February to a single count of money laundering, while prosecutors agreed to drop 16 other counts related to fraud and embezzlement. Bouaziz was fined $15,000, and a restitution hearing is scheduled for Aug. 16.Prosecutors said Bouaziz, the owner of Danieli Fine Art and Galerie Danieli in Palm Beach County, sold counterfeit artworks to a customer in October 2021 including pieces purportedly by Warhol. Bouaziz told the customer that the pieces, which he was selling for between $75,000 and $240,000, were authentic originals and that some were signed by the artist, investigators said.Officials said the customer gave Bouaziz a $200,000 down payment that was deposited into Boua...

Get a free donut on National Donut Day at Dunkin'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:40 GMT

(WSYR) -- In anticipation for National Donut Day, on Friday, June 2, Dunkin' is reminding its donut fans that they can get a free donut during this celebration.Last year, some missed out on their free donut, so Dunkin' is sounding the alarm early so everyone can have their free donut, and here's how. Dunkin’ adding ‘adored’ seasonal drink to year-round menu after 10 years On National Donut Day, Dunkin' goers can enjoy a classic donut of their choice -- whether it be a classic glazed donut, a creamy Boston creme, or a fun strawberry frosted donut with sprinkles -- with a beverage purchase.Photo provided by Dunkin'Photo provided by Dunkin'“Friends don’t let friends miss out on free donuts,” said Jill McVicar Nelson, Chief Marketing Officer, Dunkin’. “This June, we’re rallying donut fans nationwide to end donut FOMO for good. So gather your friends, grab your favorite donut on us, and indulge in the sweet delight of National Donut Day!”  Dunkin' customers can purchase their...