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North Korea to allow its citizens abroad to return home, a sign of further easing of pandemic curbs

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:52:20 GMT

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea said Sunday it will allow its citizens staying abroad to return home in line with easing pandemic situations worldwide, as the country slowly eases its draconian coronavirus restrictions. In a brief statement carried by state media, the State Emergency Epidemic Prevention Headquarters said those returning to North Korea will be put in quarantine for a week for “proper medical observation.”The statement didn’t elaborate. But analysts predicted the announcement would lead to the return of North Korean students, workers and others who have had to stay abroad, mostly in China and Russia, because of the pandemic. The workers are a key source of foreign income for the country.North Korea banned tourists, jetted out diplomats and severely curtailed border traffic and trade after the pandemic began. The lockdown has further worsened the North’s chronic economic difficulties and food insecurity. Earlier this month, South Korea’s spy age...

Takeaways from AP’s investigation into sexual harassment and assault at Antarctica’s McMurdo Station

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:52:20 GMT

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand (AP) — Many women who work at McMurdo Station, the main United States research base in Antarctica, say the isolated environment and macho culture have allowed sexual harassment and assault to flourish.The National Science Foundation, which oversees the U.S. Antarctic Program, published a report in 2022 in which 59% of women said they’d experienced harassment or assault while on the ice.But the problem goes beyond the harassment itself, The Associated Press found. In reviewing court records and internal communications, and in interviews with more than a dozen current and former employees, the AP uncovered a pattern of women who said their claims of harassment or assault were minimized by their employers, often leading to them or others being put in further danger.Several Antarctic workers spoke publicly about their experiences to the AP for the first time.GRABBING A HAMMERMechanic Liz Monahon told the AP a man at the base threatened her in 2021, but her empl...

Broncos Preseason Stock Report: Who’s up, who’s down after 41-0 win over Rams

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:52:20 GMT

The third and final stock report of the preseason after the Broncos’ 41-0 win over the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday night. Stock UpJarrett Stidham: Broncos backup Jarrett Stidham’s first drive was surgical. Maybe a work of art. He tore apart the Rams’ secondary, going 6 for 6 with 71 yards before running back Jaleel McLaughlin scored on a 1-yard rushing touchdown. He completed a 21-yard pass to wide receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey on third-and-long before hitting tight end Albert Okwuegbunam for a 17-yard completion.Stidham didn’t stop there. He completed 50-yard pass to rookie wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr., while getting blasted by Rams defenders. Good news, he was OK. Stidham would later cement his legacy game with a 20-yard run, an 8-yard touchdown pass to Okwuegbunam and a 49-yard bomb to wide receiver Brandon Johnson.If there was a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame for preseason performances, Stidham’s jersey and helmet would be on display after throwing for 236 yards and a to...

No. 2 QB Jarrett Stidham sharp, Broncos WRs make their case in runaway victory over Rams in preseason finale

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:52:20 GMT

The Broncos wide receiver room, battered by a series of preseason injuries, is somewhat suddenly a land of opportunity.Several players took their turns trying to stake claim to roster spots, playing time and targets in a 41-0 runaway win for the Broncos in their preseason finale against the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday night at Empower Field.On a night when neither team played its starters, dozens of players competing for roster spots got their turn.Denver No. 2 quarterback Jarrett Stidham found Lil’Jordan Humprey three times on a 6-for-6 opening drive alone. He hit Marvin Mims Jr. for a 51-yard gain on a contested deep post and then beat double coverage again for 49 more to Brandon Johnson later in the half.Tight end Albert Okwuegbunam, considered to be on the roster bubble himself, caught four passes for 46 and a touchdown in the first half. He finished with seven receptions for 109 yards.If the Broncos carry Jerry Jeudy on their roster until he returns from a hamstring injury, th...

6 arrested for Highland Park shoe store robbery

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:52:20 GMT

Six people were arrested for organized robberies targeting a Warehouse Shoe Store (WSS) in Highland Park. The thefts targeting the store located at 6251 York Blvd. happened on Aug. 22-23, according to L.A. County District Attorney George Gascón. WSS is a national retail chain selling casual sneakers, shoes, clothing and accessories.The suspects were identified as:- Abraham Olivares, 25- Raul Palazuelos aka Raul Perez, 18- Joe Hernandez, 24- Henry Thomas, 20- Michonna Metcalf, 30- Trista Manuel, 20On Aug. 22 at around 4 p.m., Olivares and Palazuelos allegedly entered the WSS store aand stole a large amount of shoes and merchandise without paying for it. They fled the scene before police could arrive.On Aug. 23 at around 1 p.m., Thomas, Metcalf and Manuel allegedly entered the store and began grabbing merchandise before stuffing them into large bags. The suspects fled the scene in a getaway car before police could arrive.At the time, officers received information that the suspect...

Reds score go-ahead run on 11th-inning balk, capping wild 8-7 win over the Diamondbacks

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:52:20 GMT

PHOENIX (AP) — TJ Friedl enjoyed an easy trot home for what proved to be the winning run in the 11th inning after a two-out, two-strike balk.It was a bizarre way to cap a bizarre game, but the Cincinnati leadoff hitter said that’s just how it goes when two teams are battling for playoff position in the dog days of August.Friedl scored on Nabil Crismatt’s balk, Lucas Sims closed for his third save of the season, and Cincinnati overcame an early four-run deficit — along with shaking off the sting of blowing a three-run lead in the 10th — to beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 8-7 on Saturday night.“We’re going to fight for every inch, and we know they are, too,” Friedl said. “That’s just the game we’re playing right now. We’re trying to scratch runs together any way we can and they are, too. That’s a huge, huge win for us.”Cincinnati snapped Arizona’s six-game winning streak, which was tied for its longest of the season. The D-backs took...

Dynamo end long skid against Real Salt Lake with 3-0 victory

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:52:20 GMT

SANDY, Utah (AP) — Corey Baird and defender Daniel Steres scored first-half goals to guide Houston to a 3-0 victory over Real Salt Lake on Saturday night, snapping the Dynamo’s 11-match winless streak in the series and ending RSL’s nine-match unbeaten run.Baird scored his fifth goal of the season to give Houston (10-10-5) the lead in the 9th minute. Defender Brad Smith notched an assist.Steres found the net in the 29th minute when he took a pass from Héctor Herrera and scored for the first time this season. Adalberto Carrasquilla scored off an assist from Ibrahim Aliyu in the 75th minute to complete the scoring with his second netter of the campaign.Steve Clark finished with one save to earn his 10th clean sheet of the season for the Dynamo, one behind league leader Stefan Frei of the Seattle Sounders.Gavin Beaver saved one shot for Real Salt Lake (10-8-7), which had gone 5-0-6 in its club-record run against Houston. It was the Dynamo’s longest winless streak again...

McLaughlin, Stidham lead the Broncos past the mistake-prone Rams 41-0 in preseason finale

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:52:20 GMT

DENVER (AP) — Undrafted rookie Jaleel McLaughlin scored his fourth touchdown of the preseason and tight end Albert Okwuegbunam caught seven passes for 109 yards and a TD, leading the Denver Broncos to a 41-0 blowout of the Los Angeles Rams in the teams’ preseason closer Saturday night.Jarrett Stidham directed Denver to scores on its first five drives. Wearing white uniforms at home for the first time in 20 years, the Broncos built a 27-0 halftime lead after lighting up their mammoth new scoreboard, the gemstone of a $100 million offseason stadium upgrade. The game marked the Broncos’ first taste of success under coach Sean Payton, who grumbled over last-minute one-point exhibition losses at Arizona and San Francisco.The Rams (0-3) sat Matthew Stafford and several other starters the entire preseason.The Broncos (1-2) sat Russell Wilson and most of their starters, too. Wilson’s one TD toss of the preseason went to Jerry Jeudy, who is expected to miss several weeks af...

Mayfield shines in final tuneup for regular season; Buccaneers hold off Ravens 26-20

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:52:20 GMT

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Anthony Brown passes during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)(AP/Chris O'Meara) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Anthony Brown passes during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)(AP/Chris O'Meara) TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Baker Mayfield looked comfortable in his final tuneup as Tampa Bay’s new starting quarterback, throwing a touchdown pass while playing less than a quarter in the Buccaneers’ 26-20 preseason-closing victory over the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday night.Mayfield...

Cowboys have wanted a developmental QB for years. That’s why they couldn’t pass on Trey Lance

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:52:20 GMT

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Trey Lance gives the Dallas Cowboys the developmental quarterback they’ve sought for years, and owner/general manager Jerry Jones didn’t feel the need for Dak Prescott’s approval to make the move.The Cowboys acquired Lance for a fourth-round draft pick in a trade with San Francisco on Friday, a day before the preseason finale against the Las Vegas Raiders. Lance wasn’t expected to join the club before the Raiders game.“He gives us an opportunity to do what we would always like to be doing,” Jones said. “It would be ideal with Dak to have a young, prospective, developing quarterback that could just be in the room.”The 49ers fielded offers for Lance after announcing that the 2021 No. 3 overall pick had lost the competition with Sam Darnold to be Brock Purdy’s backup. Jones said the Cowboys pounced.“We felt good about him with the evaluation we had for him at the draft,” Jones said. “We felt good about what we’ve seen, tape that he’...