NATION & WORLD WATCH

Groundhog doesn’t see his shadow, predicting early spring

PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. – It may be hard to believe as a large swath of the U.S. thaws out from a bitter polar vortex, but spring is coming early, according to handlers for some of the country’s most famous prognosticating groundhogs. Just before 7:30 a.m. Saturday, Punxsutawney Phil emerged from his burrow in western Pennsylvania at sunrise and didn’t see his shadow. Nearly the same series of events unfolded about 300 miles to the east, where Staten Island Chuck’s handlers also revealed the same prediction.

New Mexico State Police: Pair arrested after pursuit, gunfire

ALMOGORDO, N.M. – Two Alamogordo men were arrested after a SUV fled from a Border Patrol checkpoint and shots were exchanged with police. No injuries were reported from the incident late Thursday night which began at the checkpoint on U.S. 70 and continued into the Alamogordo city limits. The New Mexico State Police said LaBruce Powell, 35, was arrested on suspicion of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and Travis Powell, 31. was arrested on suspicion of aggravated fleeing a law enforcement officer.

Iranian TV: Attack on paramilitary base kills one, wounds five

TEHRAN, Iran – Iranian state TV reported that an attack on a Basij paramilitary base has left one dead and five others wounded in the southeastern town of Nikshahr. Authorities did not provide details about the nature of Saturday’s assault and no group immediately claimed responsibility. The Basij is affiliated with Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guard. The attack happened during the morning flag raising, the semi-official Fars news agency reported.Last week, a bombing injured three policemen in Zahedan, the provincial capital.

Central African Republic,

14 armed groups reach peace deal

JOHANNESBURG – A peace deal was reached between the Central African Republic government and 14 armed groups after their first-ever direct dialogue aimed at ending years of conflict, the United Nations and African Union announced on Saturday. Details of the deal were not immediately available. Talks began Jan. 24 in Sudan’s capital, Khartoum. “I am determined to work with the president and his government to address the concerns of our brothers who took up arms,” said cabinet director Firmin Ngrebada, according to the U.N.