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DUP leader preps party for move back into Belfast power-sharing

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:32 GMT

BELFAST — Jeffrey Donaldson can give the impression of being one of those statues of the Virgin Mary that, back in the 1980s, kneeling crowds of devout Irish Catholics convinced themselves were moving. Stare at something long enough and even the most immovable object can appear to move.This could turn out to be another trick of the eye. But it looks like Sir Jeffrey the Immaculate is finally moving, two years after he launched his confrontation with the U.K. government over the post-Brexit trade rules for Northern Ireland and one year after the collapse of its power-sharing government atop the hill at Stormont.His leader’s speech Saturday to the Democratic Unionist Party faithful did attempt to keep all options open. He restated his willingness to keep saying no to the Windsor Framework, the compromise struck by the U.K. and the EU in February that seeks to simplify and reduce the level of checks and restrictions on goods flowing into Northern Ireland from the rest of the U.K. —&nbs...

Rishi Sunak’s government quietly revives plan for China trade talks

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:32 GMT

LONDON — Rishi Sunak’s government is quietly drawing up plans to hold key trade talks with China for the first time in five years.Whitehall is examining several options for strengthening economic ties with China, including the revival of ministerial trade talks, according to two U.K. government officials briefed on the discussions. One option being looked at is convening the U.K.-China joint economic and trade committee (JETCO) for the first time since 2018, both officials said. They were granted anonymity to disclose private discussions.The JETCO is a forum attended by ministers and senior company representatives and effectively signals two countries’ desire to boost trade. It often comes hand-in-hand with mini export deals.The plans are likely to trigger a backlash from some Tory MPs who oppose closer economic ties with China. Liz Truss, the former U.K. prime minister, warned Sunak to keep these specific talks on ice in a speech in Taiwan last spring. One of the senior U.K. offici...

Column: How bad is Justin Fields’ hand injury? After another loss, what does it mean for the Chicago Bears’ direction?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:32 GMT

For those desperately seeking positives from the Chicago Bears’ latest loss — a 19-13 clunker against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field — the Sunday X-rays taken on quarterback Justin Fields’ throwing hand came back negative.So there’s that, right?No broken bones. No extreme dread that Fields’ availability for the rest of the season could be in jeopardy.In fact, Bears coach Matt Eberflus said Fields expressed a desire to return after he landed funny on his right hand while taking a third-quarter sack. Fields first went to the bench grimacing, then retreated to the blue medical tent on the sideline, then went back toward the locker room for those in-stadium X-rays.Fields wanted back in. “He just couldn’t grip the ball to throw it,” Eberflus said.According to a report from Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer, Fields dislocated his right thumb on his fall. Thus, the quarterback’s day was done. And eventually so were t...

Queen + Adam Lambert = a killer collab

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:32 GMT

Adam Lambert strikes a pose atop a spinning motorcycle that’s half Harley-Davidson, half disco ball singing “Bicycle Race.”Lambert is at peak Glambert. He’s cheeky, charming, swagger stuffed in leather, and absolutely crushing an insanely difficult song to cover on stage Sunday at the TD Garden in front of a packed house.Adam Lambert is very good at his job. And at the same time, no one can replace Freddie Mercury. And everyone knows this. Especially Adam Lambert.The thing is Brian May and Roger Taylor are still perfect — note for note perfect! —  at their jobs, even at 76 and 74, respectively.Rock has entered an interesting, odd phase. John Mayer can stand in for Jerry Garcia with members of the Grateful Dead. Axl Rose can fill in for Brian Johnson in AC/DC. Eagles tour with Glenn Frey’s kid, Phil Collins tours with his own kid playing his drum parts, Michael Sweet of Stryper actually logged time singing for Boston.What are we to do? Scream “cash grab?” Skip the show? M...

How Patriots’ Jabrill Peppers avoided flag on big hit on Davante Adams

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:32 GMT

LAS VEGAS — Safety Jabrill Peppers made one of the best plays of the Patriots season when he annihilated Davante Adams as the Raiders wide receiver was trying to corral a pass.The @JabrillPeppers force, the Tavai INT. : #NEvsLV on CBS pic.twitter.com/sX1leAzkSm— New England Patriots (@Patriots) October 15, 2023Peppers’ spear dislodged the ball, which landed in linebacker Jahlani Tavai’s arms for an interception. Peppers has been fined for unnecessary roughness this season, but this play — a massive collision — was not penalized.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Patriots took odd approach to pregame warmups with backup QB New England Patriots | Mac Jones, offense cost Patriots again with late-game failures at Las Vegas New England Patriots | How Patriots’ Mac Jones, DeVante Parker reacted to momentous late-game drop New England Patriots | Callahan: It’s time for the Patriots to start selling ...

Boyfriend arrested after Northern California sheriff’s deputy found dead at her home

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:32 GMT

CRESCENT CITY, Calif. (AP) — A Northern California sheriff’s deputy was found dead in her home and her boyfriend was later arrested arrested in Oregon on suspicion of killing her, authorities said. The body of Deputy Deanna Esmaeel was discovered Thursday at the residence in coastal Crescent City, California, the Del Norte County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. An arrest warrant was issued for Daniel James Walter, who was last seen near Esmaeel’s house on the day of the killing. Authorities in Curry County, Oregon, found Walter’s black Mazda sedan on Friday and he was arrested a short time later, officials said.Sheriff’s officials didn’t say if the 54-year-old suspect had an attorney and contact information for Walter could not be found on Sunday. Esmaeel was the mother of actor Marty York, best known for a role in the 1993 movie “The Sandlot.” Esmaeel had worked as an animal trainer on film sets for decades before making the change to law e...

Mark Goddard, who played Don West on ‘Lost in Space,’ dies at 87

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:32 GMT

Mark Goddard, an actor best known for playing Major Don West in the 1960s television show “Lost in Space,” has died. He was 87.He died Tuesday in Hingham, Massachusetts, of pulmonary fibrosis, his son told John The New York Times.Bill Mumy, who played Will Robinson on “Lost In Space,” wrote a tribute to his “beloved friend and brother” for 59 years on Facebook. Mumy said he spoke to Goddard on his birthday in July and realized he’d likely never see or speak to him again.“Mark was a truly fine actor. Naturally gifted as well as trained. I know he sometimes felt constricted by the campy frame that LIS constrained him within, but he also embraced and loved it,” Mumy wrote. “There’s a part of me that envisions him having a martini in Heaven right now with Jonathan Harris, Kevin Burns, Guy Williams and other comrades who left this world of woe before him.”In the show, which ran from 1965 to 1968 on CBS, Goddard’s character was the pilot of the Jupiter 2 carrying the Robinson family on a ...

Putin’s visit to Beijing underscores China’s economic and diplomatic support for Russia

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:32 GMT

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to meet this week with Chinese leaders in Beijing on a visit that underscores China’s economic and diplomatic support for Moscow during its war in Ukraine. The two countries have forged an informal alliance against the United States and other democratic nations that’s now complicated by the Israel-Hamas war. China has sought to balance its ties with Israel with its economic relations with Iran and Syria, which are strongly backed by Russia. Putin’s visit is also a show of support for Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s signature Belt and Road drive to build infrastructure and expand China’s overseas influence. The Russian leader will be among the highest profile guests at a gathering marking the 10th anniversary of Xi’s announcement of the policy, which has laden countries such as Zambia and Sri Lanka with heavy debt after they signed contracts with Chinese companies to build roads, airports and other public work...

Woman stabbed while inside Logan Square business

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:32 GMT

CHICAGO — A woman was hospitalized on Sunday after she was stabbed while inside of a business on the city's Northwest Side, police say. According to Chicago police, the stabbing happened around 6 p.m. at a laundromat in the 2200 block of North Milwaukee Avenue in Logan Square.Police say the 25-year-old woman was inside the business when a man entered and pulled out a knife before stabbing the victim in the chest and both legs. Police say the person responsible then fled southbound on Milwaukee. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines Following the stabbing the woman was taken to the hospital in critical condition. Currently, it is unclear what led to the stabbing and police say an investigation is underway.Anyone with information is asked to call CPD Area Five Detectives at 312-746-6554 or dial 911. Tips for police can also be filed at CPDtip.com. Tips can be left anonymously.

Book ban attempts on the rise in Minnesota schools

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:32 GMT

Bloomington’s monthly school board listening sessions are usually sedate, Monday night affairs in a room at the district educational services center. At most, a handful of people typically show up to ask questions or raise concerns.The past few sessions, however, have been very different. Crowds have been bigger, prompting the board to open the auditorium to accommodate hundreds of residents. A single question is increasingly on the minds of those who want to talk: Which books should the district allow on school library shelves?Board members in Minnesota and across the nation have long fielded questions about individual books. Observers, though, say what used to be occasional concerns about a single book from a parent or two have morphed into confrontations with groups and parents coming in with long lists of titles they see as inappropriate.An online petition circulating in Bloomington has raised questions about at least 29 books in the district’s elementary, middle and high school...