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Today: January 21, 2025
Today: January 21, 2025
The Los Angeles Post

The Los Angeles Post

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World

Griner returns to Mercury lineup after missing three games

Brittney Griner returned to action for the Phoenix Mercury on Saturday night, getting the start in Seattle against the Storm. Griner suffered a hip injury when the Mercury and Seattle met in Phoenix on June 13. She left that game during the second quarter and did not return, and the Storm went on to an 83-69 win. She subsequently missed the next three games, all of them losses. Phoenix also welcomed Diana Taurasi back to the starting lineup on Saturday. She also missed the last three games with a hamstring injury suffered during that same home game

Griner returns to Mercury lineup after missing three games
Political

Trump says US government has 'vital role' opposing abortion, won't say if he backs national ban

Former President Donald Trump said the federal government should play a “vital role” opposing abortion but again failed to provide specifics on what national restrictions he would support if elected to the White House again. Trump’s remarks to a group of influential evangelicals Saturday on the anniversary of the Supreme Court overturning the national right to an abortion stood in contrast to that of his former vice president and 2024 rival Mike Pence. Pence, speaking at the same conference a day earlier, challenged every GOP presidential candidate to support the passage of a national ban on abortions

Trump says US government has 'vital role' opposing abortion, won't say if he backs national ban
World

Dodgers rally to beat Astros 8-7 after Houston reliever Stanek called for balk in 8th

Trailing by two runs in the eighth inning, the Los Angeles Dodgers got help from Houston’s relievers and the umpire. James Outman scored the go-ahead run on a balk by Ryan Stanek and the Dodgers rallied to beat the Astros 8-7 on Saturday for their fourth straight victory. Stanek, his long blond hair flying, was incensed after striking out Michael Busch to end the inning. He turned around to yell and point at second base umpire Junior Valentine, who tossed Stanek. Pitching coach Josh Miller came out to grab Stanek and plate umpire Manny Gonzalez had

Dodgers rally to beat Astros 8-7 after Houston reliever Stanek called for balk in 8th
World

Angels Trout, Drury and Thaiss homer on consecutive pitches in 13-run inning against Rockies

Mike Trout, Brandon Drury and Matt Thaiss of the Angels hit home runs on consecutive pitches to open a 13-run third inning for Los Angeles against the Colorado Rockies on Saturday night. Trout hit a 451-foot homer to center field on a 1-0 pitch from Colorado starter Chase Anderson. Drury hit the next pitch for a 437-foot homer to left center, and Matt Thais followed with a 399-foot homer to right. The Angels went on to score 10 more runs on seven more hits, capped by a two-run homer by Mickey Moniak. The Angels’ 13 runs in

Angels Trout, Drury and Thaiss homer on consecutive pitches in 13-run inning against Rockies
World

Guatemalans to elect a new president after a tumultuous electoral season

Guatemalans voted Sunday to elect a new president and vice president as well as fill all congress seats and hundreds of local posts after one of the most tumultuous electoral seasons in the Central American nation’s recent history. A little more than 9 million people were registered to vote, but many Guatemalans expressed disappointment with their presidential choices after three opposition candidates were excluded by authorities. A large number of null ballots were expected, and experts said it could depress turnout. With none of the 22 presidential candidates polling near the required 50% threshold for winning

Guatemalans to elect a new president after a tumultuous electoral season
Science

With record heat and drought-stricken woods, Spain’s Catalonia faces perfect wildfire conditions

Surveying the hills covered with near bone-dry pines stretching to the Pyrenees in the distance, Asier Larrañaga has reason to be on guard. This part of northeast Spain is, like large swaths of the Mediterranean country, braced for wildfires due to the lethal combination of a prolonged drought, record-high temperatures and increasingly dense woods unable to adapt to a fast-changing climate. Larrañaga is one of the top fire analysts for the firefighters of Catalonia charged with safeguarding the region’s homes and landscapes. While grateful that some desperately needed rain has finally fallen in recent weeks, he

With record heat and drought-stricken woods, Spain’s Catalonia faces perfect wildfire conditions
Arts

Party and protest mix as LGBTQ+ pride parades kick off from New York to San Francisco

Some of the world’s biggest celebrations of LGBTQ+ pride are set to kick off Sunday, with thousands expected to march in New York, San Francisco and other North American cities in parades that will be part party, part protest. Entertainers and activists, drag performers and transgender advocates are among the grand marshals in parades embracing a unity message this year, as new laws targeting the LGBTQ+ community take effect in several U.S. states. The parades and marches are among a range of events the roughly 400 Pride organizations across the U.S. are holding this year, with

Party and protest mix as LGBTQ+ pride parades kick off from New York to San Francisco
World

Tired of what she says is oppression, woman in Zimbabwe challenges a law banning sex toys

Sitabile Dewa was content with her sex life when she was married, but after her divorce, she found her prospects for erotic pleasure rather bleak. In socially conservative Zimbabwe, divorced women and single mothers are often cast as undesirable partners for men, and in her frustration Dewa decided she wanted to use sex toys. The problem is sex toys are against the law in Zimbabwe. “I should not be deprived of self-exploration and indulgence in self-gratification,” said Dewa, 35. Part of Zimbabwe’s “censorship and entertainments control” law makes the importation or possession of sex toys illegal

Tired of what she says is oppression, woman in Zimbabwe challenges a law banning sex toys
World

Vazquez's 88th-minute goal gives US 1-1 draw against Jamaica in CONCACAF Gold Cup opener

Brandon Vazquez scored in the 88th minute, and the No. 13 United States gained a 1-1 draw against 63rd-ranked Jamaica on Saturday night to avoid what would have been the Americans’ first loss in a CONCACAF Gold Cup opener. Damion Lowe put the Reggae Boyz ahead with a 13th-minute goal. The defending champion U.S. came back when Jesús Ferreira’s cross hit off defender Dexter Lembikisa to Vazquez, who scored with a right-foot shot from 7 yards for his second international goal. Lowe got his third goal in 53 international appearances, beating goalkeeper Matt Turner with a header

Vazquez's 88th-minute goal gives US 1-1 draw against Jamaica in CONCACAF Gold Cup opener
World

Greeks vote in second general election in 5 weeks and conservative party is favored to win majority

Greeks headed to the polls for the second time in less than two months on Sunday, with the conservative party in power a strong favorite to win with a wide majority after a campaign focused on economic growth and security. The vote is overshadowed by a major shipwreck just over a week ago that left hundreds of migrants dead or missing off the coast of western Greece. But the disaster is unlikely to significantly affect the overall outcome as Greeks are expected to focus on domestic economic issues. Conservative leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis, 55, is eyeing a

Greeks vote in second general election in 5 weeks and conservative party is favored to win majority
World

Angels have a 13-run inning and set franchise records for runs and hits in 25-1 rout of Rockies

Mike Trout, Brandon Drury and Matt Thaiss hit homers on consecutive pitches to open a 13-run third inning and Mickey Moniak capped it win a two-run homer in the Los Angeles Angels’ record-setting 25-1 rout of the Colorado Rockies on Saturday night. The Angels set franchise marks for runs and hits (28) in a game and tied team records for runs and homers with their huge third inning. David Fletcher hit a three-run homer to cap an eight-run fourth as the Angels scored 21 runs on 17 hits in the third and fourth innings combined, sending 27

Angels have a 13-run inning and set franchise records for runs and hits in 25-1 rout of Rockies
Political

As fuel taxes plummet, states weigh charging by the mile instead of the tank

Evan Burroughs has spent eight years touting the virtues of an Oregon pilot program charging motorists by the distance their vehicle travels rather than the gas it guzzles, yet his own mother still hasn’t bought in. Margaret Burroughs, 85, said she has no intention of inserting a tracking device on her Nissan Murano to record the miles she drives to get groceries or attend needlepoint meetings. She figures it’s far less hassle to just pay at the pump, as Americans have done for more than a century. “It’s probably a good thing, but on top of

As fuel taxes plummet, states weigh charging by the mile instead of the tank
Arts

BET Awards return Sunday night, celebrating 50 years of hip-hop

The BET Awards return Sunday night, with a performance-filled show that promises to celebrate 50 years of hip-hop. The show, which takes place at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, will feature a tribute to hip-hop’s most significant moments, as curated by Kid Capri. Patti Labelle will also pay tribute to the late Tina Turner. The show begins at 8 p.m. EDT and will be broadcast on BET, BET HER and numerous Paramount channels including Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon and VH1. It was also livestream on BET.com Drake leads the nominations, with seven: He’s up for

BET Awards return Sunday night, celebrating 50 years of hip-hop
Arts

BET Awards return Sunday night, celebrating 50 years of hip-hop

The BET Awards return Sunday night, with a performance-filled show that promises to celebrate 50 years of hip-hop. The show, which takes place at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, will feature a tribute to hip-hop’s most significant moments, as curated by Kid Capri. Patti Labelle will also pay tribute to the late Tina Turner. The show begins at 8 p.m. EDT and will be broadcast on BET, BET HER and numerous Paramount channels including Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon and VH1. It was also livestream on BET.com Drake leads the nominations, with seven: He’s up for

BET Awards return Sunday night, celebrating 50 years of hip-hop
World

Russian mercenary leader's exile ends revolt but leaves questions about Putin's power

The greatest challenge to Russian President Vladimir Putin in his more than two decades in power fizzled out after the rebellious mercenary commander who ordered his troops to march on Moscow abruptly reached a deal with the Kremlin to go into exile and sounded the retreat. The brief revolt, though, exposed vulnerabilities among Russian government forces, with Wagner Group soldiers under the command of Yevgeny Prigozhin able to move unimpeded into the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don and advance hundreds of kilometers (miles) toward Moscow. The Russian military scrambled to defend Russia’s capital. Under the deal announced Saturday by Kremlin spokesman

Russian mercenary leader's exile ends revolt but leaves questions about Putin's power
World

Gunmen shoot and kill Sikh man in Pakistan's northwest, police say

Gunmen shot and killed a member of Pakistan’s minority Sikh community in an overnight attack in the northwestern city of Peshawar, police said Sunday. Gauher Khan, a local officer, said the attack on Manmohan Singh, 35, looks like a targeted killing. A police investigation continues, Khan said, into the motive. Khan said the assailants opened fire at Singh while he was returning home from a suburban area. The assailants fled the scene. It’s the third attack on a Sikh community member this year in Pakistan. Last month, assailants gunned down Sardar Singh in a drive-by shooting

Gunmen shoot and kill Sikh man in Pakistan's northwest, police say
World

EXPLAINER: What is the Hajj pilgrimage and what does it mean for Muslims?

Over 2 million Muslims will take part in this week’s Hajj pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, as one of the world’s largest religious gatherings returns to full capacity following years of coronavirus restrictions. The Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, and all Muslims are required to undertake it at least once in their lives if they are physically and financially able to do so. For the pilgrims, it is a profound spiritual experience that wipes away sins, brings them closer to God and highlights Muslim unity. For

EXPLAINER: What is the Hajj pilgrimage and what does it mean for Muslims?
Arts

Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan to testify at Netanyahu's corruption trial as a prosecution witness

Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan will testify Sunday at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption trial to answer questions about an alleged “supply line” of champagne and cigars funneled to the Israeli leader and his wife said to have been in exchange for help with Milchan’s personal and business needs. Milchan, who will appear by videoconference from Brighton, England, near where he is based, is a key witness whose testimony is essential for prosecutors who are trying to prove that Netanyahu committed fraud and breach of trust in one of three cases brought against him. Prosecutors hope Milchan’s

Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan to testify at Netanyahu's corruption trial as a prosecution witness
World

Italy might stop hiring foreign museum directors. The head of Milan's Brera hopes to leave his mark

The British-Canadian director of Milan’s Brera Gallery was hired in 2015 after the Italian government launched reforms that for the first time brought in foreign museum directors. His eight-year tenure is ending as Premier Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing administration seeks to again reserve top cultural jobs for Italians. Admirers have credited James Bradburne, a 67-year-old architect who has run five cultural institutions in five countries, with revolutionizing the museum that Napoleon intended to make “the Louvre of Italy” and fill with paintings from his Italian campaigns when he expanded his French empire. Bradburne had each of the 38

Italy might stop hiring foreign museum directors. The head of Milan's Brera hopes to leave his mark
World

Taliban leader claims women are provided with a 'comfortable and prosperous life' in Afghanistan

The supreme leader of the Taliban released a message Sunday claiming that his government has taken the necessary steps for the betterment of women’s lives in Afghanistan, where women are banned from public life and work and girls’ education is severely curtailed. The statement from Hibatullah Akhundzada was made public ahead of the Eid al-Adha holiday, which will be celebrated later this week in Afghanistan and other Islamic countries. Akhundzada, an Islamic scholar, rarely appears in public or leaves the Taliban heartland in Afghanistan’s southern Kandahar province. He surrounds himself with other religious scholars and allies who

Taliban leader claims women are provided with a 'comfortable and prosperous life' in Afghanistan
World

Live Updates | Aftermath of Russian mercenary chief's armed rebellion

The latest on the aftermath of the armed rebellion declared by Russian mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin: —— There are still no reports of mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin arriving in Belarus after he reached a deal with the Kremlin to go into exile and ended his rebellion. Many other questions remained unanswered on Sunday morning, including whether Prigozhin would be joined in exile by any of his Wagner Group’s troops and what role, if any, he might have there. Prigozhin, who sent out a series of audio and video updates during his revolt, has gone silent since the Kremlin announced that

Live Updates | Aftermath of Russian mercenary chief's armed rebellion
World

Belarus deal to take in leader of Russian rebellion puts him in an even more repressive nation

Russian mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin was notorious for unbridled and profane challenges to authority even before the attempted rebellion that he mounted Saturday. The reported agreement for him to go into exile in Belarus would place him in a country where such behavior is even less acceptable than in his homeland. Prigozhin on Sunday was uncharacteristically silent as his Wagner private army forces pulled back from Russian cities after a Kremlin announcement that he agreed to depart for Belarus; it remains unclear whether he’s actually there. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko reportedly negotiated the deal. But Prigozhin’s maverick ways are at

Belarus deal to take in leader of Russian rebellion puts him in an even more repressive nation
Political

GOP state legislatures seek greater control over state and local election offices

Lawmakers in several Republican-led states have been looking to exert more authority over state and local election offices, claiming new powers that Democrats warn could be used to target left-leaning counties in future elections. The moves range from requiring legislative approval of court settlements in election-related lawsuits to creating paths for taking over local election offices. In North Carolina, a Republican proposal working its way through the General Assembly would change the composition of state and county election boards and give lawmakers sole authority to appoint board members. Republican lawmakers in Texas recently approved legislation that not

GOP state legislatures seek greater control over state and local election offices
World

At least three dead and five injured at early morning shootings in Kansas City, Missouri

At least three people have been found dead, and at least five others are thought to be injured, police in Missouri said while investigating two shootings with multiple victims in the same area of Kansas City early Sunday morning. Officers were called to the intersection of 57th Street and Prospect Avenue just after 4:30 a.m. where they found three shooting victims — two men and one women — dead in a parking lot and in the street, Kansas City Police Department spokesperson Jake Becchina said in an email. Police were told that five other shooting

At least three dead and five injured at early morning shootings in Kansas City, Missouri
World

When wealthy adventurers take huge risks, who should foot the bill for rescue attempts?

When millionaire Steve Fossett’s plane went missing over the Nevada range in 2007, the swashbuckling adventurer had already been the subject of two prior emergency rescue operations thousands of miles apart. And that prompted a prickly question: After a sweeping search for the wealthy risktaker ended, who should foot the bill? In recent days, the massive hunt for a submersible vehicle lost during a north Atlantic descent to explore the wreckage of the Titanic has refocused attention on that conundrum. And with rescuers and the public fixated first on saving and then on mourning those aboard, it has again made

When wealthy adventurers take huge risks, who should foot the bill for rescue attempts?

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