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Ukraine claims responsibility for killing a Russia-backed official in Luhansk by a car bomb

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:50 GMT

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine’s intelligence agency claimed responsibility for a car bombing Wednesday that killed a member of the Russia-backed authority in the illegally annexed Luhansk region.Mikhail Filiponenko was a member of the local legislature and previously served as police chief. He had survived a car bombing on Feb. 21, 2022, three days before Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.Local officials announced Filiponenko’s death.Filiponenko had organized and participated in the torture of prisoners of war and civilians, the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense said on Telegram.It said that the killing was a warning that “traitors to Ukraine and collaborators with terrorist Russia in temporarily occupied territories … will receive just retribution! The hunt continues!”The agency said that members of the resistance movement helped carry out the killing.Russia-backed insurgents declared a separatist Luhansk People’s Republic in 2014 and fought Ukr...

Israeli military tour of northern Gaza reveals ravaged buildings, toppled trees, former weapons lab

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:50 GMT

INSIDE THE GAZA STRIP (AP) — An Israeli tank rolls across a sandy moonscape, surrounded by rubble. Damaged buildings are visible in every direction. Toppled trees lie along the Mediterranean shoreline. The Israeli military escorted international journalists into the northern Gaza Strip on Wednesday, giving them a glimpse of the aftermath of 12 days of heavy fighting in the area.Israel has been at war against Gaza’s Hamas rulers since the Islamic militant group carried out a bloody cross-border attack on Oct. 7, killing over 1,400 people, mostly civilians, and kidnapping more than 240 others. Israel responded with weeks of intense airstrikes before launching a ground operation on Oct. 27.“It’s been a long two weeks of fighting,” said Lt. Col. Ido, whose last name was withheld under military guidelines. “We’ve lost some soldiers.”The initial focus of the operation was northern Gaza, near the Israeli border, before troops moved in on Gaza City, which Israel says is the center of ...

Police probe shooting at downtown Toronto parking garage

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:50 GMT

Toronto police are investigating a shooting at an indoor parking garage near Yonge Street and Gerrard Street East on Wednesday night that’s reportedly injured one person.Officers were called to the garage at around 7:17 p.m.Police say paramedics have attended, but there’s no information on the victim’s injuries at this point.No suspect descriptions have been provided.SHOOTINGYonge St/Gerrard St E (7:17 pm)– reports there is one victim– paramedics on the way– limited info at this time– more info to follow#GO2592783 ^vk— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) November 9, 2023More to come

Police say they have dozens of tips about missing B.C. sex offender Randall Hopley

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:50 GMT

VANCOUVER — Police in Vancouver say they’ve received dozens of tips about the whereabouts of escaped sex offender Randall Hopley, who left a halfway house on Saturday and remains at large. The VPD also released updated images of Hopley showing what he was wearing the day he went missing, including “distinctive” dark blue running shoes, a black baseball hat, black pants and a fanny pack. Const. Tania Visintin says police believe he is deliberately evading capture and may have found a rural or isolated place to hide.Police say Hopley, 58, removed an ankle monitor and didn’t return to his halfway house on Nov. 4 in what they believe was an attempt to avoid a trial on Monday for allegedly breaching conditions of his release.In a statement, the Vancouver Police Department says 18 officers are on the case and have reviewed 40 tips about possible sightings in Vancouver, Richmond, North Vancouver, and as far away as Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast. Police, wh...

Striking actors reach tentative agreement with Hollywood studios

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:50 GMT

Hollywood’s actors union reached a tentative deal with studios Wednesday to end its strike, bringing a close to months of labor strife that ground the entertainment industry to a historic halt.The three-year contract agreement must be approved by votes from the union’s board and its members in the coming days, but the leadership declared that the strike will end at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday.At nearly four months, it was by far the longest strike ever for film and television actors.More than 60,000 members of the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Performers went on strike July 14, joining screenwriters who had walked off the job more than two months earlier. It was the first time the two unions had been on strike together since 1960. Studios chose to negotiate with the writers first, striking a deal that their leadership marked as a major win and bringing their strike to an end on Sept. 26.The terms of the agreement were not immediately released. SAG-AFTRA ...

UN nuclear chief says nuclear energy must be part of the equation to tackle climate change

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:50 GMT

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Nuclear energy must be part of the equation to tackle climate change, the U.N. nuclear chief said Wednesday. Climate-warming hydrocarbons still supply more than 80% of the world’s energy, even after the trillions of dollars spent in the green transition of the past 20 years, Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency told the U.N. General Assembly.Over a quarter of the electricity from nuclear power is low-carbon electricity and global carbon dioxide emissions would be considerably higher without nuclear power, Grossi said.Carbon dioxide is released when fossil fuels such as oil, coal or natural gas are burned for power. In the atmosphere, the gas traps heat and contributes to the warming of the climate. More than 400 nuclear reactors in over 30 countries are supplying global electricity, and Grossi said more than 50 are under construction and many countries are extending their existing nuclear programs. But “nuclear power’s share...

Michigan responds to Big Ten, saying commissioner doesn’t have discipline authority, AP sources say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:50 GMT

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — The University of Michigan warned Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti about overstepping his authority and rushing to judgment, insisting Wednesday that he cannot discipline coach Jim Harbaugh under the conference’s sportsmanship policy for an alleged sign-stealing scheme that has rocked college football.Parts of the blistering 10-page letter sent to Petitti were shared with The Associated Press by two people who have seen it and spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized by the school to disclose its contents.The letter is Michigan’s response to the Big Ten’s notification of potential discipline of Harbaugh’s undefeated second-ranked team, which is among the favorites to win the national championship.Yahoo Sports first reported the contents of Michigan’s response.Michigan’s letter said the Big Ten cannot take action if a formal decision has not been made about whether rules were violated, one of the people said.The schoo...

CPD: 16-year-old boy in hospital after Garfield Park shooting

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:50 GMT

CHICAGO — A 16-year-old boy is in the hospital after a shooting in the Garfield Park neighborhood early Wednesday evening, according to the Chicago Police Department.Police said officers were sent to the 4300 block of West Adams Street around 4:45 p.m., where a 16-year-old male victim was on the street when he was shot in the groin by an unknown offender.The 16-year-old boy was then taken from the scene to Stroger Hospital in serious condition. Former CTA clerk sentenced to prison after stealing $356,000 in retirement plan funds Police have no one in custody, as Area Four detectives continue to investigate.Anyone with information that can help lead CPD toward making an arrest and conviction in the investigation of this incident can file anonymous tips online at cpdtip.com.

SAG-AFTRA, studios agree to tentative deal to end strike: reports

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:50 GMT

(KTLA) — The union representing hundreds of film and television actors has agreed in principle to a deal with the motion picture studios, signaling the coming end of a four-month strike that brought the industry to a standstill.According to the Los Angeles Times, the SAG-AFTRA negotiating committee approved a tentative deal with the major film studios Wednesday. The three-year contract agreement must be approved by votes from the union’s board and its members in the coming days, but the leadership declared the strike will end at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday.Details of the contract have not been released yet, but the Times reports it includes increased pay for members, increased residual payments related to streaming content, and better health and pension benefits. The studios and Hollywood’s actors union also appear to have come to an agreement regarding the use of artificial intelligence in the creation of media, a major sticking point throughout the duration of negotiations.SAG-AFTRA sa...

Husband of Austin High School orchestra director dies after October fire

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:50 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A man who was injured in a fire that happened at Austin High School last month died on Thursday, according to a GoFundMe that continues raising funds for victims involved.Sam Herrera was the husband of orchestra director Ana Maria Solis-Herrera, the fundraiser said. 3 burned at Austin High School after fuel tanks catch fire Organizers of the pages said he died surrounded by his family. Herrera and two others were burned outside Austin High School in the concessions area for a “Monster Concert & Carnival” fundraiser event.According to the Austin Fire Department, the fire was caused by "accidental flash fire from gasoline."