Headline News from The Associated Press
AP Headline News - Feb 27 2024 20:00 (EST)
"AP News I'm Ben Thomas" After reports, some Western countries may be considering sending troops to Ukraine, military heavyweights Germany and Poland have affirmed that they will not be. Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned against such ideas, saying, "Those who not only express such thoughts but even allow them in their heads should use these heads for more rational thoughts, safer for Europe." Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said any NATO combat troops in Ukraine would create an inevitable conflict between Russia and the alliance. Moscow's warning came a day after French President Emmanuel Macron said that sending in Western ground troops should not be ruled out in the future. "I'm Karen Shamas." Russia's crackdown continues. A Moscow court has sentenced a veteran human rights advocate who spoke out against the war in Ukraine to two years, six months in prison. He was taken directly into custody from the courtroom. Israel and Hamas are playing down any imminent breakthrough in ceasefire talks. This after President Biden said Israel has agreed to pawns its offensive during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan if a deal is reached to release hostages. In the U.S., the killing of a Georgia nursing student has become an issue in the presidential campaign. The suspect is a Venezuelan man who entered the U.S. illegally and was allowed to stay to pursue his immigration case. The AP's Jeff Ami reports the DA is appointing a special prosecutor. "The district attorney in Athens has been under a lot of political pressure because she is seen as ineffective. She's also been under political pressure because she is politically liberal. Politics in Athens, Clark County is very liberal, but there are many nearby areas that are Republican and there is a lot of strife." Consumer confidence has slipped this month, that according to the conference board, and Macy's says it will close 150 unproductive stores over the next three years, while upgrading its remaining 350. This is AP News. Fighting in hockey. Dave Ferry reports it's less these days, but not going away. There have been 219 fights this season through Sunday, and compare that to the 789 fights during the 20-0-3-0-4 regular season. Canucks head coach Rick Tackett collected 440 goals and 952 points from 1984 through 2002, but he also logged almost 3,000 penalty minutes. Tackett says there's still room for the occasional fight. "The stage fighting and all that stuff, that doesn't work anymore. But there is a time on place for it." While Avalanche tough guy Curtis McDermott feels fighting prevents stick-in fractions. "There's a place in me that keeps teams on this stand, keeps me months, well." Blues forward Braden Shen says the threat of a bout causes players to think twice before taking liberties with an opponent. "You know, if this is a run-around to make a big hit, you're going to know that sometimes you're going to have to deal with consequences." I'm Dave Ferry. And I'm Ben Thomas, AP News. Thanks for listening.