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Mark Drakeford, Welsh first minister, to quit parliament at next election

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:31 GMT

LONDON — Mark Drakeford will leave the Senedd at the next election in 2026, the Welsh first minister has confirmed. In a question and answer session with the Welsh parliament’s presiding officer Elin Jones, Drakeford said it is “important to have a refresh” at the top of Welsh politics. Drakeford has served as the first minister of Wales’ devolved government and leader of the Welsh Labour Party since December 2018. He has previously said he would quit as first minister during the current term of parliament, but on Wednesday he confirmed his plan to quit the Welsh parliament altogether. He is yet to set a date for his resignation as first minister, though he is expected to step down next year.“I think it is difficult for those who will be doing the work in the future to have people like me sitting behind them,” Drakeford said. “I’m not going to be a member of the Senedd after 2026 but I am not going to step back from the debate or stop ...

Russian ‘revenge’ mission: Ukraine braces as Kremlin steps up attacks on recaptured areas

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:31 GMT

KYIV — Russia is intensifying its attacks in Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region as it aims to retake territory which it lost during Ukraine’s stunning counteroffensive last fall. With Ukraine now pushing on the southern front, where Kyiv has liberated settlements and destroyed Russian logistics, the Kremlin’s invading forces are heavily targeting Kupiansk, an important logistics hub in the Kharkiv region.The renewed Russian offensive comes as fighting in Ukraine’s east is heavily bogged down in a war of attrition, with both sides struggling to make big gains. Ukraine’s counteroffensives faces heavily fortified Russian positions, as Moscow’s forces learn lessons from a total wipeout last September when Ukraine stormed the Kharkiv region. And amid the grinding stalemate in the south and east, the Kremlin’s troops are pivoting to a major assault in the northeast. “Russians are aiming to retake the Kharkiv region to take revenge for ...

Wildfires tearing through Hawaii have killed at least 36 people. Follow live updates

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:31 GMT

By REBECCA BOONE (Associated Press)Follow live updates about 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.The death toll from wildfires in Hawaii rose to at least 36, according to a statement from Maui County on Wednesday night. Wildfires, whipped by strong winds from Hurricane Dora passing far to the south, took the island of Maui by surprise, leaving behind burned-out cars on once busy streets and smoking piles of rubble where historic buildings had stood. Flames roared throughout the night, forcing adu...

Wildfires tearing through parts of Hawaii have killed at least 36 people. Follow live updates

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:31 GMT

Follow live updates about 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.At least 36 people have died in fires on Maui in Hawaii, county reportsThe death toll from wildfires in Hawaii rose to at least 36, according to a statement from Maui County on Wednesday night. Wildfires, whipped by strong winds from Hurricane Dora passing far to the south, took the island of Maui by surprise, leaving behind burned-out cars on once busy streets and smoking piles of rubble where historic buildings had stood. Flames roar...

Israeli forces kill a Palestinian militant in the West Bank, the latest death in a wave of violence

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:31 GMT

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian militant in the occupied West Bank on Thursday, the latest death in an unabating wave of violence to grip the region.The death brings the number of Palestinians killed in the West Bank this year to 168, according to a tally by The Associated Press. It happened amid soaring tensions surrounding Israel’s continuing raids into Palestinian areas in the territory and after the release to house arrest of a Jewish settler accused of involvement in the killing last week of a 19-year-old Palestinian man.In the latest violence, the Palestinian Health Ministry said Thursday that Israeli troops killed Amir Ahmed Khalifa, 27, in the West Bank town of Zawata, north of the city Nablus. The area has been a flashpoint for fighting between Israeli forces and Palestinians.The Israeli military said a gunman opened fire at soldiers operating in the Nablus area and they shot back. At least 27 people have died in Palestinian attack...

Ethiopia and residents say the military has recaptured key areas in the Amhara region from militia

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:31 GMT

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Ethiopia’s government and residents say the country’s military recaptured several areas in the embattled Amhara region from local militia fighters as details of dozens of civilian deaths began to emerge from the region amid an internet shutdown.The military reclaimed control of six towns, including the regional capital, Bahir Dar, and Amhara’s second-largest town, Gondar, according to a government statement issued Wednesday night. The statement said a curfew was imposed in those areas but flights were set to resume.The federal government declared a state of emergency in Amhara on Friday after regional authorities lost control and asked for help. The violence erupted over attempts by Ethiopia’s federal government to disband Amhara regional forces after the end of a two-year conflict in the neighboring Tigray region. Amhara forces and militia fought alongside Ethiopia’s military in that conflict.Residents told The Associated Press there was fierce fig...

Fans in India rejoice as superstar actor Rajinikanth’s latest movie hits theaters

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:31 GMT

MUMBAI, India (AP) — Fans of an Indian movie star with a cult following thronged movie theaters and celebrated with dancing and prayers as his latest film hit screens on Thursday.Hundreds of avid supporters of Rajinikanth, one of India’s biggest movie superstars, carried photo cutouts and flower garlands as they made their way to a theater in Mumbai to watch his latest film “Jailer.” The first screening began at 6 a.m. local time.When Rajinikanth appeared on screen, the theater stopped the movie for a minute as fans danced and cheered, rejoicing in his return after a period of two years.Popular movie stars are treated like gods in India, often worshipped like deities by their fans.Rajinikanth is one of Asia’s highest-paid actors, known for his superhero stunts. He enjoys a devoted fan base that cuts across generations and even continents. His films have broken box-office records in India and in countries like Malaysia and the United Kingdom, both of which have large Tamil-spea...

Poland plans to deploy 10,000 troops to its border with Belarus

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:31 GMT

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Poland’s defense minister said Thursday that the country intends to put 10,000 soldiers along its border with Belarus. The statement comes as Warsaw worries about the presence of Russian-linked mercenaries in Belarus and migrants trying to cross the border.Meanwhile, the Polish military announced that it was carrying out a search in the area near the border with Belarus for fuse lost from a missile, but said it poses no threat because “the detonator has built-in protections.” It said the fuse was lost during “intensive activities using specialized equipment to ensure security.”“On Tuesday, after the end of combat flights, one of the helicopters carrying out a patrol in the border area was found to have no fuse in one of the missiles. The flight was carried out along the border strip and did not take place over built-up areas,” the military said in a statement.The military appealed to locals to alert police if they see it.In an interview on state rad...

China expands the number of countries for travel by its big-spending tourists

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:31 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — China has increased the number of countries that its big-spending tourists can visit by more than 70 following the lifting of its last COVID-19 travel restrictions.The decision comes as international flights to and from the country gradually return to their pre-pandemic levels. China implemented strict lockdowns and draconian travel controls within the country and closed its borders almost entirely after the virus was first detected in the central city of Wuhan in late 2019. Those restrictions began to be lifted late last year, but the government has been hesitant to resume issuing passports and allowing in foreign tourists, as well as giving its citizens the ability to travel abroad. The expanded options for travel began on Thursday.“The government agencies in charge will provide businesses in the tourism sector with the necessary guidance for the implementation,” the Foreign Ministry said. “At this moment, we would like to remind all outbound tourists to...

At least 36 dead on Maui as fires burn through Hawaii, county reports

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:31 GMT

WAILUKU, Hawaii (AP) — Several thousand Hawaii residents raced to escape homes on Maui as the Lahaina fire swept across the island, killing at least 36 people and burning parts of a centuries-old town.The fire took the island of Maui by surprise, leaving behind burned-out cars on once busy streets and smoking piles of rubble where historic buildings had stood. Flames roared throughout the night, forcing adults and children to dive into the ocean for safety.Maui county announced the updated death toll on its website late Wednesday, writing that no other details were currently available on the deaths. County officials said more than 270 structures, including an iconic 120-year-old building on Front Street, have been either damaged or destroyed; much of the destruction has been in the historic town of Lahaina.The hall of historic Waiola Church in Lahaina and nearby Lahaina Hongwanji Mission are engulfed in flames along Wainee Street on Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023, in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Matthe...