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German court convicts a Russian man of plotting to kill an exiled Chechen dissident

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:00:53 GMT

BERLIN (AP) — A German court on Thursday convicted a Russian man of plotting the murder of an exiled Chechen dissident on orders from a cousin of the Russian republic’s Moscow-backed strongman leader, Ramzan Kadyrov.The Munich state court sentenced the defendant, whom it identified only as Valid D. in line with German privacy rules, to 10 years in prison and also ordered the confiscation of his car. He was convicted of agreeing to commit murder, preparing a serious act of violence and violations of weapons laws.Judges found that a cousin of Kadyrov tasked him with killing an opponent who lives in Germany, Mokhmad Abdurakhmanov. They said the aim was to silence Abdurakhmanov’s elder brother, a prominent opponent of the Chechen government who lives in Sweden and had already been targeted there.The court found that the killing was ordered between March and June 2020, German news agency dpa reported. A court statement said that the defendant tasked another Chechen man, who t...

No injuries reported in train derailment, partial rail bridge collapse in South Dakota town

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:00:53 GMT

NORTH SIOUX CITY, S.D. (AP) — No injuries or hazardous spills have been reported in a train derailment in a southeastern South Dakota town that also saw a rail bridge partially collapse.The derailment happened shortly before 4 p.m. Wednesday in North Sioux City, the Union County Emergency Management office said in social media posts. Nineteen cars derailed as the train traveled over the rail bridge, which partially collapsed. It’s unclear whether the collapse caused the derailment or happened because of the derailment.Of the derailed cars, 14 were empty hopper cars and five were loaded with ethanol, officials said. None of the derailed ethanol cars were leaking following the derailment, officials said.North Sioux City is a town of about 3,000 people that lies just across the state border from Sioux City, Iowa.Television station KTIV reported that the derailed train was operated by D & I Railroad, based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. A message left Thursday for the railroad ...

Norway will close its embassy in Mali, citing the security situation

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:00:53 GMT

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Norway announced Thursday that it will close its embassy in Mali, saying the withdrawal of a U.N. peacekeeping force from the West African nation “will have consequences for the security of Norwegian and other diplomatic missions and international organizations.”In June, Mali Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop demanded that U.N. peacekeepers who have been grappling with an Islamic insurgency for more than a decade leave immediately, saying they had failed in their mission. At the end of the month, the U.N. Security Council adopted a resolution terminating the mandate for the U.N. force, known as MINUSMA, and requesting that its withdrawal be completed by the end of the year.Norwegian Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt said the embassy in Bamako, Mali’s capital, will close by the end of the year and Norway will have ”to find other ways to follow up our interests in Mali moving forward.” The diplomatic mission also represents Norway in Burkina Faso, Mauri...

Maine woman pleads guilty in 14-month-old son’s fentanyl death

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:00:53 GMT

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — A Maine woman has pleaded guilty to manslaughter after her 14-month-old son’s fatal overdose, which led to the discovery of $700,000 worth of fentanyl and other drugs.Investigators went to Ashley Malloy’s home after she dialed 911 and her son Karson died in a hospital. They discovered white powder on a blanket and sheet in the bedroom where Karson had been sleeping. An autopsy determined the toddler died of complications from exposure to the powerful opioid fentanyl, law enforcement officials said.Malloy, 22, of Oakland, pleaded guilty Wednesday to drug charges in addition to manslaughter. She will be sentenced later.Her attorney said she didn’t understand the risk to her son, amounting to criminal negligence. The attorney said that others were trafficking drugs and that Malloy was merely an accomplice, not an active participant.State police detectives who searched her apartment found nearly 6 pounds (2.7 kilograms) of fentanyl, more than 3 pounds (1.4 kilogram...

Taylor Swift Eras Tour concert film coming to movie theaters in October

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:00:53 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour is coming to movie theaters.Swift announced Thursday that the concert film “Taylor Swift – The Eras Tour” will open in North American theaters Oct. 13. The theater chain AMC, anticipating high demand from Swift fans, said the film will play at least four times a day Thursday, Fridays, Saturday and Sundays at all of its U.S. locations.“The Eras Tour has been the most meaningful, electric experience of my life so far and I’m overjoyed to tell you that it’ll be coming to the big screen soon,” Swift said on social media channels.Prices will be higher than usual movie tickets. An adult ticket will cost $19.89 ( “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” is coming soon) and a child ticket is priced at $13.13 (seemingly a nod to her favorite number ). Advance sales began Thursday.In an usual move, AMC is also acting as distributor for the film. (“The Eras Tour” will additionally play in other chains.) AMC said in anticipatio...

Intact Financial estimates Q3 catastrophe losses so far at $570 million

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:00:53 GMT

TORONTO — Intact Financial Corp. estimates that its catastrophe losses due to wildfires and other weather events total about $570 million for the third quarter so far.The property and casualty insurance company says the amount comes to about $2.40 per share, but noted the wildfires continue to burn and actual losses may differ from its estimate.Intact says it will issue an update in early October if its catastrophe losses increase materially by the end of the quarter.The insurer noted that the estimated losses relate to a number of events in July and August, none of which met the threshold for reinsurance under its catastrophe reinsurance treaties.This year has seen the worst wildfire season in Canada on record. Intact chief executive Charles Brindamour says employees across Canada are supporting customers by providing confirmation of coverage and funding for additional living expenses, and are on the ground where possible to offer assistance.This report by The Canadian Press was fi...

Former Olympian Alexandra Paul remembered after fatal crash near Barrie

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:00:53 GMT

Whether on the ice, in the courtroom or in her latest role as a new mother, Alexandra Paul brought passion and joy to all she did, those who knew the former Olympic figure skater said as they mourned her death.Paul, 31, died last week in a crash involving seven vehicles in Melancthon Township, west of Barrie, Ont., when a transport truck entered a construction zone and crashed in a line of stopped cars.Police have said Paul’s infant son was with her and was taken to a children’s hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries.Mike Slipchuk, the high-performance director with Skate Canada who had worked with Paul for years, said news of her death has been heartbreaking.Paul was “just a great-all-around person,” he said and will be remembered fondly by all who knew her.“She had an outgoing personality,” he said.“She was very fun to be around and had a very positive impact.”Slipchuk said he first met Paul in 2008 when she was com...

One person dead after car struck pole, burst into flames in York Region

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:00:53 GMT

One person is dead after a single-vehicle crash in York Region.Emergency crews responded to a collision around 4:30 a.m. on Davis Drive in East Gwillimbury after a car struck a pole and ended up in a ditch.Police say the vehicle was fully engulfed in flames when officers arrived. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene.There is no word on the cause of the crash.Davis Drive is closed between Highway 48 and York-Durham Line for the investigation.UPDATE: MVC FATAL– at 4:38 a.m. we responded to a single vehicle into a pole – the vehicle was fully engulfed when crews arrived – the single occupant of the vehicle is sadly deceased– davis dr is closed between hwy 48 and york/durham line for the investigation— York Regional Police (@YRP) August 31, 2023

Photos: Hurricane Idalia damage

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:00:53 GMT

PERRY, Fla. (AP) — Hurricane Idalia tore into Florida at the speed of a fast-moving train Wednesday, splitting trees in half, ripping roofs off hotels and turning small cars into boats before sweeping into Georgia and South Carolina as a still-powerful storm that flooded roadways and sent residents running for higher ground.A storm-damaged gas station is reflected in a puddle after Hurricane Idalia crossed the state on August 30, 2023 in Perry, Florida. The storm made landfall at Keaton Beach, Florida as a category 3 hurricane. (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images)Pick up trucks and debris lie strewn in a canal in Horseshoe Beach, Fla., after the passage of Hurricane Idalia, Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)Jewell Baggett stands beside a Christmas decoration she recovered from the wreckage of her mother’s home, as she searches for anything salvageable from the trailer home her grandfather had acquired in 1973 and built multiple additions on to over the ...

Man charged after finding bag filled with nearly $5,000 in parking lot

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:00:53 GMT

TRUMBULL, Conn. (WJW) — A man found a bag of cash in a Connecticut parking lot in May, and rather than leaving it or turning it in, he spent the money, police said. On Friday, 56-year-old Robert Withington turned himself in to Trumbull Police. He is accused of stealing bills that turned out to be nearly $5,000 in town tax receipt funds. He was charged with third-degree larceny and reportedly admitted to police he believed "he had no obligation to return the bag to its rightful owner."This month's charge came after a long police investigation into the whereabouts of the missing money. A local tax collector office employee had reportedly been on their way to deposit money at a bank, but when they arrived, they couldn't find the money bag. Police said the bag was "clearly marked with the bank’s insignia" and contained several documents identifying the town of Trumbull as the owner. Video: Cleveland safety director pulled over in city car in late-night traffic stop Through search wa...