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European soccer body UEFA’s handling of Russia and Rubiales invites scrutiny on values and process

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:25:52 GMT

GENEVA (AP) — A reputation built over decades that European soccer body UEFA is the good guy compared to FIFA as a cartoon caricature villain is being tested in this tough season for off-field politics.The perception dates back at least 25 years when UEFA president Lennart Johansson lost to Sepp Blatter in a FIFA leadership election where stories swirled of alleged $50,000 payments to some voters.In recent years, UEFA and its president since 2016, Aleksander Čeferin, were praised for blocking projects — a secretive $25 billion deal for new global competitions, biennial World Cup, European Super League — either pushed by FIFA or discreetly supported by its president Gianni Infantino.Now UEFA values are being questioned on issues where FIFA has publicly stood firm — Russia and Luis Rubiales, the now-ousted Spanish soccer federation president.“I am sad,” veteran former UEFA official Lars-Christer Olsson told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. “I think UEFA stood for somethi...

Polish opposition leader Donald Tusk says change ‘is inevitable’ as election supporters rally

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:25:52 GMT

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Opposition leader Donald Tusk told supporters that political “change for the better is inevitable” in Poland as he opened a massive march Sunday to try to boost his political coalition’s chances of unseating the country’s conservative government in an upcoming parliamentary election. “No one can stop this force; this giant has awoken,” Tusk told huge crowds gathered in the center of Warsaw two weeks before the Oct. 15 election. “Let no one among the ruling team have any illusions: This change for the better is inevitable.”His Civic Coalition is vowing to mend ties with the European Union, which has had strained relations with Poland during the eight years the Law and Justice party has governed the country. Tusk spent five years as president of the European Council after serving seven years as Poland’s prime minister.The four-party coalition also has pledged to pursue more tolerant policies than the nationalist government led by Law and ...

Investigation continues into deadly central Illinois truck crash that caused toxic chemical leak

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:25:52 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Authorities resumed their investigation Sunday of a central Illinois truck crash that killed five people, injured five others and prompted an evacuation for hundreds of residents after a toxic chemical leak. The tanker truck, which was carrying caustic anhydrous ammonia, was drained and moved to a “secure location” for a National Transportation Safety Board investigation, authorities said late Saturday as residents were allowed to return to their homes in the Teutopolis area. NTSB authorities planned a news conference Sunday. “Testing has indicated that the danger from the anhydrous ammonia has dissipated,” Teutopolis Assistant Fire Chief Joe Holomy said late Saturday. A semitruck carrying caustic anhydrous ammonia toppled about 9:25 p.m. Friday in Teutopolis, spilling more than half its 7,500-gallon (28,390-liter) load, according to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. Teutopolis is about 110 miles (177 kilometers) northeast of St. Louis. Eff...

European Parliament president backs UN naming an envoy to help restart Cyprus peace talks

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:25:52 GMT

NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — The president of the European Parliament said Sunday she has conveyed the legislative body’s support for the appointment of a United Nations envoy to evaluate the chances of resuming stalemated talks to reunify ethnically divided Cyprus.Roberta Metsola said she personally communicated the position of the European Union’s legislature to U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York last month. Metsola said she told Guterres that Europe “would never be complete as long as Cyprus remains divided.”“This is not just a Cyprus question, but it is a European question,” she said after talks with the island nation’s President Nikos Christodoulides.Metsola also attended a military parade Sunday to mark the 63rd anniversary of Cyprus’ independence from British colonial rule.Christodoulides told reporters Sunday that consultations continue on the appointment of a U.N. envoy. He has made resuming reunification talks with breakaway Turkish Cypriots a focal ...

Jailed Maldives’ ex-president transferred to house arrest after his party candidate wins presidency

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:25:52 GMT

MALE, Maldives (AP) — Jailed former Maldives President Abdulla Yameen was transferred from prison to house arrest on Sunday, fulfilling the campaign promise of his party candidate who won the presidential election runoff. Yameen is serving a prison term for bribery and money laundering during his presidency from 2013 to 2018. His transfer has been ordered by outgoing President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih at the request of President-Elect Mohamed Muiz. Muiz will be taking oath on Nov. 17. The elections commission on Sunday released the formal results of Saturday’s runoff, which showed 54.04% of the vote for Muiz with Solih receiving 45.96%. The first round took place earlier in September with none of the eight candidates securing more than 50%.The election was perceived a virtual referendum on which regional power — China or India — would have the biggest influence on the Indian Ocean archipelago state located strategically along a key East-West shipping route. Muiz, considered pro-C...

PHOTOS: Sphere in Las Vegas opens its doors for first time

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:25:52 GMT

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Celebrities, Las Vegas City officials, and fans all came together Friday night to see the newest addition to the Las Vegas skyline, Sphere, open its doors for the first time. Irish rock band U2 took the stage for a sold-out concert on Friday for the first show in their UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere residency. The band has more than two dozen performances scheduled through Dec. 16 with ticket prices ranging from $400 to $1,450. Celebrities from all corners including actors Aaron Paul, Adam Scott, Bryan Cranston, Dakota Fanning, musician Diplo, boxing legend Oscar De La Hoya, and more made an appearance for the inaugural event. Madison Square Garden Chairman James Dolan arrives to opening night of Sphere in Las Vegas on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (Justin Walker / KLAS)Actor and comedian Adam Scott at the opening of Sphere in Las Vegas on Sept. 29, 2023 (KLAS)Actor Luke Wilson at the opening of Sphere in Las Vegas on Sept. 29, 2023 (KLAS)Actor and television host Mario...

Paul Lisnek on government shutdown passing, GOP debate, & more

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:25:52 GMT

WGN Political Analyst Paul Lisnek joined WGN Weekend Morning News to discuss the aftermath of the government shutdown threat passes.Love the WGN Morning News? We love you, too. And you can have all the hijinks delivered to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign up and subscribe to our WGN Morning News newsletter.

Kevin Powell from WGN Radio joins Weekend Morning News on Bears

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:25:52 GMT

Kevin Powell from WGN Radio joins Weekend Morning News to discuss the Bears future.Love the WGN Morning News? We love you, too. And you can have all the hijinks delivered to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign up and subscribe to our WGN Morning News newsletter.

SNAP food stamp eligibility is changing: Do you qualify now?

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:25:52 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – Starting Oct. 1, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is raising its income limits, meaning people who previously weren't eligible to receive grocery assistance may now qualify.A family of four, for example, used to be cut off if they made more than $3,007 per month. Now, they can make $3,250 and still qualify for government help covering food staples. As the price of groceries is expected to keep rising into 2024, the monthly allotment of benefits is also going up in an attempt to keep up with inflation. SNAP benefits are increasing Oct. 1: Here’s how much If you're not sure if you qualify, the USDA Food and Nutrition Service suggests you check with your state's program. While SNAP is a federal program, each state operates its own version, and may have different or expanded eligibility requirements than what is outlined below. (You can see a state-by-state directory of resources here.)There are three different ways to evaluate if you're eligible for SNA...

Sunday Brunch: Strawberry matcha sandwiches with Yokocho

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:25:52 GMT

Join WGN Weekend Morning News with Tamir Chuluunbaatar from Yokocho to make Strawberry matcha sandwiches.