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Presidential centers from Hoover to Bush and Obama unite to warn of fragile state of US democracy

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:07:25 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Concern for U.S. democracy amid deep national polarization has prompted the entities supporting 13 presidential libraries dating back to Herbert Hoover to call for a recommitment to the country’s bedrock principles, including the rule of law and respecting a diversity of beliefs.The statement released Thursday, the first time the libraries have joined to make such a public declaration, said Americans have a strong interest in supporting democratic movements and human rights around the world because “free societies elsewhere contribute to our own security and prosperity here at home.”“But that interest,” it said, “is undermined when others see our own house in disarray.”The joint message from presidential centers, foundations and institutes emphasized the need for compassion, tolerance and pluralism while urging Americans to respect democratic institutions and uphold secure and accessible elections.The statement noted that “debate and disagreement”...

Michigan Democrats are lining up to replace Republican Rep. John James in his battleground district

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:07:25 GMT

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — A battleground House race in Michigan that national Democrats are keying in on to help them flip the chamber in 2024 is growing increasingly crowded with an announcement Thursday by Carl Marlinga that he’ll again challenge Republican U.S. Rep. John James for the seat. Marlinga’s 2024 campaign in Michigan’s 10th Congressional District, which was announced in a news release provided to The Associated Press, comes after the Democrat lost last year by half a percentage point to James, who had a significant fundraising advantage. In seeking the rematch with James in the suburban district north of Detroit, Marlinga is hoping to extend his party’s recent winning streak in Michigan. Democrats have taken control of the governor’s office and both chambers of the Legislature for the first time in decades, though they fell 1,600 votes short of claiming the 10th District in 2022.National Democrats have already said they will target the GOP-held...

Gabon’s junta says deposed president is ‘freed’ and can travel on a medical trip

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:07:25 GMT

LIBREVILLE, Gabon (AP) — Gabon’s ousted President Ali Bongo Ondimba, who has been under house arrest since he was deposed last week, is free Thursday and can embark on a medical trip, the country’s new military leaders said.Ondimba is “free to move given his state of health,” Col. Ulrich Manfoumbi, spokesman for the transition committee, said on state television a day earlier. “He can, if he wishes, go abroad to carry out his medical checks.” The ousted president’s health was not immediately clear. He had suffered a stroke in late 2018 that kept him from his duties for months. Local television Gabon24 broadcast a meeting late Wednesday between Ondimba and Abdou Barry, head of the UN Office for Central Africa. “I found him in good health,” Barry said on his meeting with the ousted president.The 64-year-old was on Aug. 30 toppled from power amid a resurgence of coups in parts of Africa and shortly after he was declared the winner of a disputed election that would hav...

More than 800 people rescued from floodwaters in Greece after severe rainstorms

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:07:25 GMT

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — More than 800 people have been rescued over the past two days from floods in Greece, the fire department said Thursday, after severe rainstorms turned streets into raging torrents, hurling cars into the sea and washing away roads.The rainstorms have also hit neighboring Bulgaria and Turkey, leaving 14 people dead in the three countries, including three people in Greece.Fire department spokesperson Vasilis Vathrakogiannis said swift water rescue specialists and divers from the department’s disaster response units, as well as the army, were participating in rescue efforts and were trying to reach remote areas despite roads having been washed away.The flooding follows on the heels of devastating wildfires that destroyed vast tracts of forest and farmland, burned homes and left more than 20 people dead.The flooding on Thursday was concentrated mainly in the central towns of Karditsa, where people were reportedly seeking safety from rising water levels on the roofs ...

China will send delegation to North Korea to celebrate its founding as the nations foster ties

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:07:25 GMT

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A Chinese delegation led by Vice Premier Liu Guozhong will visit North Korea to participate in celebrations for its 75th founding anniversary, which is on Saturday, the North’s state media said Thursday. The report came amid speculation that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is preparing to visit Russia soon for a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin that could focus on North Korean arms sales to refill Russian reserves drained by its war on Ukraine.The North’s official Korean Central News Agency said the visit by Liu’s delegation comes at the invitation of North Korea’s ruling Workers’ Party. It didn’t specify the events the Chinese officials would participate in or whether they would meet Kim.North Korea didn’t immediately say whether a Russian delegation was also invited for the celebrations, which are expected to be highlighted by a parade of North Korean militia units. A U.S. official said Monday that Washington expects Kim to make a...

The president of a Japanese boy band company resigns and apologizes for late uncle’s sex abuse

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:07:25 GMT

TOKYO (AP) — A powerful Japanese entertainment company tarnished by sexual assault allegations against its late founder appointed one of its stars as its new president Thursday after the previous chief resigned and apologized for the abuse young clients suffered over decades.Julie Keiko Fujishima announced she was stepping down as president of Johnny & Associates, the talent agency founded by her late uncle, Johnny Kitagawa. She said the alleged sex abuse had really happened and that she would stay on the company’s board to see through a victim compensation program.“This is what my uncle committed, and as a niece, I want to take responsibility,” Fujishima said solemnly. Noriyuki Higashiyama, a member of a boy group called Shonentai, said he was retiring as an actor and singer to become the new president of Johnny & Associates, a role that will include overseeing compensation for men who were assaulted as children. “A horrendous crime has been committed,” Higashiyama to...

Hurricane Lee to rapidly intensify, expected to become major hurricane by Friday

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:07:25 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Hurricane Lee is expected to become a major hurricane by Friday, according to the National Hurricane Center.Lee is moving toward the west-northwest near 14 mph and will continue in that direction through Friday. The storm is located about 965 miles east of the Northern Leeward Islands.The NHC said the storm's winds are near 80 mph, with higher gusts. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 15 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 90 miles. Flamingo rescued after Hurricane Idalia nicknamed ‘Peaches’ Rapid intensification is expected to begin later Thursday, the NHC said."While Hurricane Lee's strength remained unchanged overnight, it is expected to start intensifying today. It could be a major hurricane as soon as tomorrow," said WFLA meteorologist Leigh Spann. "The short-term forecast takes the system north of the Caribbean Islands, but the critical turn to the north is still days away. Until it makes that turn to the nor...

3 sailors safe after sharks nearly sink catamaran on round-the-world trip

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:07:25 GMT

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Three round-the-world sailors reached land safely Thursday after sharks nearly sank their catamaran in the Coral Sea.Both of the inflatable hulls on their 9-meter (30-foot) boat were damaged in several attacks by what were thought to be cookiecutter sharks — a small species not considered dangerous to people. Aerial photos of the men's rescue showed major damage to the boat, which was nearly submerged and a front section of one hull was completely missing.In this photo provided by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, a partially submerged catamaran is shown during a rescue of 3 sailors in the Coral Sea, Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023. Three sailors from Russia and France were rescued on Wednesday after the inflatable catamaran they were trying to navigate from Vanuatu to Australia came under attack from sharks, authorities said. (Australian Maritime Safety Authority via AP)The Australian Maritime Safety Authority coordinated the rescue of the two Russian an...

With ‘community-supported bake’ boxes, cottage bakery Milly’s Kitchen Madness sweetens Stillwater one scone at a time

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:07:25 GMT

Sarah Millfelt pulled a pink cloth off a tray of desserts, with a magician-like flourish.She poured some coffee into a quirky handmade mug. Her three small dogs — Rancho Cucamonga, Trixie Pearl and Stanley Tucci — bustled around our chairs as we sat down in her backyard.“Chill,” she said to them, smiling. “This is big for mommy!”After 20 years at the Minneapolis arts organization Northern Clay Center — eight as its director — Millfelt launched Milly’s Kitchen Madness & Bakes three years ago. Customers can buy subscriptions for weekly dessert boxes, like community-supported agriculture programs that support local farmers. She’s a licensed cottage baker; everything is made in her home kitchen in Stillwater.Millfelt herself is magnetic and irreverent, and her simple and extraordinary desserts speak for themselves. Her lemon scones, impossibly soft and airy, will ruin you for all other scones. Her chocolate chip cookies have a salty nuttiness that provides a backbone other cookies d...

Send us your organization’s booya information

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:07:25 GMT

It’s hard to believe that it’s almost that time again, but as summer ends, booya time begins.Does your organization host an event centering around this thick, rich stew? If so, send your information, including time, date, place, offerings and prices, to [email protected] and we’ll list it in the Pioneer Press.Related ArticlesRestaurants, Food and Drink | It’s booya time! Here’s where to get your bowl of this thick, rich stew Restaurants, Food and Drink | ‘Arla Mae’s Booya Wagon’: New musical includes Ann Kim stew samples Restaurants, Food and Drink | A booya hooray: St. Paul cousins ready to savor the season’s stews again Restaurants, Food and Drink | Want to make your own booya? Here’s how