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Fear of violence looms over a contentious Bangladesh election as polls open

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:04:19 GMT

DHAKA (AP) — Voters in Bangladesh began casting their ballots Sunday as polls opened in an election fraught with violence and a boycott from the main opposition party, paving the way for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Awami League to seize a fourth consecutive term.Authorities said at least 18 arson attacks were reported across the country since late Friday, with 10 of them targeting polling places. Four people died Friday in an arson attack on a passenger train heading toward the capital, Dhaka. The incidents have intensified tensions ahead of the parliamentary elections that the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party and its allied groups said they would shun.Campaigning in the South Asian nation of 169 million has been marred with violence as at least 15 people have been killed in recent months. Hostilities reached a boiling point in late October, after a massive rally in Dhaka by the BNP saw clashes with police. As the election neared, authorities blamed much of the viole...

China sanctions 5 US defense companies in response to US sanctions and arms sales to Taiwan

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:04:19 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — China announced sanctions Sunday on five American defense-related companies in response to U.S. arms sales to Taiwan and U.S sanctions on Chinese companies and individuals.The sanctions will freeze any property the companies have in China and prohibit organizations and individuals in China from doing business with them, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement posted online.The companies are BAE Systems Land and Armament, Alliant Techsystems Operation, AeroVironment, ViaSat and Data Link Solutions. The Foreign Ministry said the U.S. moves harmed China’s sovereignty and security interests, undermined peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and violated the rights and interests of Chinese companies and individuals.“The Chinese government remains unwavering in our resolve to safeguard national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity and protect the lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies and citizens,” the ministry statement said.China regards Taiw...

Biden will give the State of the Union address March 7 in a 'moment of great challenge' for the US

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:04:19 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden will give his annual State of the Union address on March 7. In a letter sent to the White House on Saturday, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., extended the formal invitation for Biden to speak to a joint session of Congress. Johnson said he was inviting Biden “in this moment of great challenge for our country.” On X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, Biden accepted. “Looking forward to it, Mr. Speaker,” the president said. This will be the first State of the Union for Johnson as speaker, who traditionally sits behind the president and to his left during the address to Congress. This year's speech will offer an opportunity for Biden to detail his broader vision and policy priorities as he campaigns for reelection in November.Notably, Biden's address is scheduled for after a pair of critical deadlines to avert a government shutdown.Funding for federal agencies that oversee programs for veterans, and on transportation, housing, ...

Why ACL tears happen more often to female athletes

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:04:19 GMT

Austin (KXAN) — The University of Texas women's basketball team suffered a tough loss last week when key player Rori Harmon tore her ACL during practice, taking her out for the rest of the season. Research suggests the injury is happening more and more to female athletes. Texas point guard Rori Harmon out for season with ACL tear in right knee Harmon issued a statement through the university's announcement about her injury."I'm grateful for the support of my teammates and coaching staff during this difficult time. I also want to thank our medical staff at Texas for taking care of me. I'm heartbroken that I won't be able to play with my teammates this season, but I'm going to support them and be the best teammate I can be. We have big goals for this season and those are not going to change. We are going to come into the gym every day and work hard to achieve those goals. We have the best fans and will play hard for them and for each other."Rori Harmon, University of Texas women's b...

Wild rally late, push Marc-Andre Fleury into tie for second play on career wins list

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:04:19 GMT

COLUMBUS, Ohio — All but dead with under 2 minutes to play, the Wild rallied to beat the Columbus Blue Jackets in overtime, 4-3, and push Marc-Andre Fleury into a tie for second place in career wins by a goaltender.Matt Boldy scored twice, Marcus Johansson tied the game with 1:32 remaining in regulation and Marco Rossie scored in the three-on-three overtime as the Wild snapped a four-game losing streak.Fleury stopped 25 shots for his 551st career win, tying Patrick Roy for the second most all time by an NHL goalie. And he worked overtime for it.Leaving the ice for an extra attacker with Minnesota trailing and less than 2 minutes remaining, Marc-Andre Fleury did an about face and raced back to the net.Columbus center Justin Danforth had gained control of the puck and was racing toward the empty net for what would have been the game-sealing goal when Fleury dove in front of the crease and disrupt his shot.Seconds later, Marcus Johansson scored the tying goal when his backhander trickl...

Gophers football: Star safety signee Koi Perich wins MVP of All-American Bowl

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:04:19 GMT

Koi Perich showed why the safety from Esko, Minn., was so coveted in the 2024 recruiting class on Saturday.The four-star recruit, who signed with the Gophers over Ohio State and many others, made an interception, blocked a punt and won MVP honors at the All-American Bowl in San Antonio.Perich also broke up two passes and had a tackle for lost yards for the West team in its 31-28 win over the East squad in the premier annual showcase game for high school players.Perich, the top-ranked player from the state of Minnesota, showed great range and athleticism in the middle of the field to adjust to a deep pass and make a diving interception.4 S and Minnesota commit Koi Perich, the Class of 2024's No. 1 player in Minnesota, with the INT near the goal line to halt a drive in the All-American Bowl pic.twitter.com/vslkoFDU8Q— 247Sports (@247Sports) January 6, 2024 Perich was joined by two other Gophers signees in the all-star game: offensive lineman Brett Carroll of Olathe, Kan...

Keeler: Avalanche still goaltender (or two) away from another Stanley Cup

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:04:19 GMT

If Ivan Prosvetov hoists a Stanley Cup in Burgundy & Blue, I’ll shave my head. And my chest. Not necessarily in that order.“We’ll see, we’ll talk about that,” coach Jared Bednar told reporters Saturday when asked about his goaltending options after the Avalanche’s hair-pulling, maddening 8-4 matinee loss to the Florida Panthers, the defending Cup runners-up.“We’re in a stretch (where) there (are) no easy games coming up. There (are) no easy games, period. But especially the stretch we’re in, like that’s only two (down) of the top opponents we’re going to face. We’ve got another four straight with the top opponents of the league. So (Alexandar Georgiev’s) played nine in a row, played in (Saturday’s) game, (which) makes it 10. So we’ll see.”We’ve seen enough, Coach.Bednar’s Avs have now given up at least eight goals in a home game twice since Nov. 11. That’s already as...

Grandfather killed by stolen vehicle suspects in South Los Angeles

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:04:19 GMT

Loved ones are grieving after a grandfather was struck and killed by stolen vehicle suspects as they sped through the streets of South Los Angeles. Family and friends of the victim, Alberto Castaneda, 72, are devastated as the suspects remain at large. "I never thought I was going to be here doing this interview,” said Martha Correa, the victim’s daughter. "He died alone and he was just thrown. He died right there [on the street].”On Jan. 3, Alberto was using the crosswalk at the intersection of West Adams Boulevard and Main Street at around 6:30 p.m.As he crosses the street, suddenly, a speeding vehicle plows directly into Alberto, knocking him to the ground before driving away. Alberto Castaneda in a family photo.Alberto Castaneda, 72, worked as a sewing machine operator in L.A.'s Fashion District. (Castaneda Family)Stolen vehicle suspects seen fleeing the destroyed car while holding a balloon typically used for inhaling nitrous oxide on Jan. 3, 2024. Photos of the scene wher...

Sharks’ skid continues as slow start proves fatal in loss to Toronto Maple Leafs

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:04:19 GMT

SAN JOSE – The toughest part for the San Jose Sharks right now isn’t that they’re on an 11-game losing streak.It’s that this is already their second such skid of the season, and they’re not even halfway through the year.The Sharks fell behind by two goals after two periods and were unable to recover in what became a 4-1 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday before an announced sellout crowd of 17,435 at SAP Center.The Sharks (9-28-3) allowed a power play goal to Mitch Marner in the first period and an even-strength marker to Calle Jarnkrok near the end of the second that turned into the game-winner.Mikael Granlund scored for San Jose with 8:03 left in regulation time to cut Toronto’s lead to 3-1, but William Nylander scored his second goal of the third period with 3:32 to go to seal the Maple Leafs win, as ex-Sharks goalie Martin Jones made 23 saves.Goalie Mackenzie Blackwood had another solid performance with 30 saves, although there were hiccups. Marner’s shot from near the ...

Johnson’s 26 lead Southern Illinois over Illinois State 71-64

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:04:19 GMT

NORMAL, Ill. (AP) — Xavier Johnson’s 26 points helped Southern Illinois defeat Illinois State 71-64 on Saturday night.Johnson also contributed five rebounds and nine assists for the Salukis (11-4, 3-1 Missouri Valley Conference). Trent Brown scored 20 points while going 7 of 10 (6 for 7 from 3-point range). Jarrett Hensley shot 2 of 3 from the field and 4 for 4 from the foul line to finish with nine points, while adding three blocks.The Redbirds (8-7, 2-2) were led by Myles Foster, who posted 17 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Kendall Lewis added 16 points and eight rebounds for Illinois State. In addition, Dalton Banks finished with 11 points.___The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.Source