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US intelligence assessment: Wagner chief’s plane crashed after intentionally caused explosion

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:46:05 GMT

By Emma Burrows and Aamer Madhani  | Associated PressWASHINGTON — A preliminary U.S. intelligence assessment concluded that the plane crash presumed to have killed Russian mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin was intentionally caused by an explosion, U.S. and Western officials said Thursday as Russian President Vladimir Putin eulogized the man who staged the biggest challenge to his 23-year rule.One of the officials said the initial assessment determined it was “very likely” Prigozhin was targeted and that the explosion falls in line with Putin’s “long history of trying to silence his critics.”The officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment, did not offer any details on what caused the explosion, which was believed to have also killed several of Prigozhin’s lieutenants to avenge a mutiny that challenged the Russian leader’s authority.U.S. officials had no information to suggest a surface-to-air missile was launched against the p...

National Cinema Day: Major theater chains offering $4 tickets for 1 day only

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:46:05 GMT

NEW YORK (WPIX/NEXSTAR) – The Cinema Foundation has announced plans for its second annual National Cinema Day on Aug. 27, and moviegoers can join in the celebration with deep discounts on movie tickets at theaters across the country.More than 3,000 locations across the U.S. are said to be participating in the promotion, offering viewers the chance to attend showings of blockbuster films or indie releases at just $4 or less. Why are movie theater snacks so expensive? “We look forward to gathering at the movies and celebrating an exciting slate of new releases and classics, from beloved family favorites and outrageous comedies to thought-provoking dramas and thrilling adventures," said Cinema Foundation president Jackie Brenneman in a statement obtained by Variety. "There’s something for everyone.”Those interested in heading to the theaters on Sunday can visit the National Cinema Day for a list of available films and showtimes in their area. A wide selection of movies — including ...

San Francisco police defend how officers arrest unsheltered residents

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:46:05 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- The San Francisco Police Department released new data about how its officers use force against unsheltered people in the city. The data was released in response to an article published by the San Francisco Standard Thursday that shone a glaring spotlight on who SFPD officers most frequently use force against.The Standard wrote, "Over a recent five-year period, nearly a third of all people whom San Francisco police used force against had something in common. (They) were experiencing homelessness." The Standard obtained the use-of-force data first through filing a public records request.SFPD fired back with a lengthy explanation behind the data. SFPD Sgt. Kathryn Winters wrote, "In response to a report in the SF Standard ... the SFPD is setting the record straight. SFPD officers received 174,176 homeless-related calls from dispatchers between 2017 and 2022. Only 43 of those cases resulted in a use of force after the individual either assaulted or resisted polic...

Bay Area air quality advisory issued for Friday due to wildfire smoke

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:46:05 GMT

(BCN) -- The Bay Area Air Quality Management District has issued an air quality advisory for Friday because of wildfire smoke from fires elsewhere in Northern California. The air district says Bay Area residents may see smoky or hazy skies or smell smoke, but the pollution levels are not expected to exceed federal health standards or prompt a Spare the Air alert. Scientists solve deep-sea ‘Octopus Garden’ mystery off California coast The smoke is from the Smith River Complex fire near the California-Oregon border and other fires in Northern California, according to the district. Air quality advisories were also issued for Sunday through Wednesday this week. Anyone who smells smoke is recommended to stay inside with windows and doors closed and should set air conditioning units and car vent systems to re-circulate to prevent outside air from moving inside, air district officials said. People can check the latest air quality readings in their area by visiting http://baaqmd.gov/h...

South Carolina State’s longtime coach Pough to retire after this season

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:46:05 GMT

ORANGEBURG, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina State football coach Oliver “Buddy” Pough said he’s retiring after his 22nd season with the school. Pough, whose 146 victories are the most in school history, announced his decision Thursday, two days before his Bulldogs start the season at the MEAC-SWAC Challenge against Jackson State in Atlanta. Pough told his team he wanted them to know before the season began. “No one is running me off. It’s my decision,” he said before practice. “When you have done something for 47 years, it’s a bit tough to give it up. But it’s time.” Pough has coached South Carolina State since 2002 and has a 146-87 overall mark at the Football Championship Subdivision school. Pough was an assistant coach for Lou Holtz at South Carolina when he took over his alma mater from Willie Jeffries in 2002. Pough was named the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference coach of the year twice and has led the program to 15 winning seasons and four appearances in the F...

Florida school officials apologize for assembly singling out Black students about low test scores

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:46:05 GMT

BUNNELL, Fla. (AP) — Florida school district officials apologized Thursday for an elementary school assembly in which Black students were singled out for a presentation on low test scores.Officials at Flagler County’s school district in northeastern Florida said at a news conference that the assembly at Bunnell Elementary School was a “horrible, horrific mistake” that shouldn’t have happened, and that the school’s principle has been put on paid administrative leave pending an investigation.“The Flagler School Board does not support segregation,” said Cheryl Massaro, the school board’s chair.Bunnell Elementary staff members last Friday pulled Black fourth- and fifth-graders out of their regularly scheduled activities to attend a PowerPoint presentation about low standardized test scores. The presentation led by two Black teachers noted that Black students had underperformed on standardized tests for the past three years. They also discussed how students with h...

Brazil’s Bolsonaro leaves hospital after routine health checks

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:46:05 GMT

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has left the Sao Paulo hospital where he underwent a series of routine medical exams, his aide said Thursday.Bolsonaro was admitted to Vila Nova Star Hospital in Sao Paulo on Wednesday “to assess his clinical condition,” especially in the digestive system, his close aide Fabio Wajngarten said on his official account on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. Bolsonaro is now heading back to the capital, Brasilia, Wajngarten said.Bolsonaro has undergone several surgeries since he was stabbed in his abdomen on the campaign trail ahead of the 2018 presidential election. The former right wing leader left office at the end of 2022, after losing a reelection bid against leftist Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.Bolsonaro is under mounting pressure, targeted by several investigations for activities while he was president, and in relation to a rampage by his supporters in the national capital after he left office.Source

World Series MVP Stephen Strasburg has decided to retire, AP source says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:46:05 GMT

FILE - Washington Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg throws live batting practice in a drizzle during the team's spring training baseball workout March 15, 2022, in West Palm Beach, Fla. Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg has decided to announce his retirement, ending a career that began as a No. 1 draft pick, included 2019 World Series MVP honors and was derailed by injuries, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Thursday because Strasburg has not spoken publicly about his plans. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)(AP/Sue Ogrocki) FILE - Washington Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg throws live batting practice in a drizzle during the team's spring training baseball workout March 15, ...

Cart crash delays Lyles race at world championships and leaves Jamaica’s Hudson with blurry vision

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:46:05 GMT

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — A collision involving a cart carrying Noah Lyles and his opponents in the 200-meter semifinals at world championships Thursday sent glass shards flying into the right eye of Jamaica’s Andrew Hudson, forcing him to race with blurred vision. An aerial video taken outside the stadium shows the cart carrying the athletes cruising down a sidewalk to bring the athletes to the warm-up room near the track. An oncoming cart hits the athletes’ cart and a volunteer tumbles out of the first cart. The video then shifts to inside the cart where Hudson is pressing his fingers against his right eye. He was cleared to compete, but after finishing fifth, said he couldn’t really see. “I can’t see out of my right eye, but I’m OK,” Hudson said after the race. “The doctor flushed out some shards of glass.”He said he was heading back to the medical room to make sure there wasn’t any further damage. World Athletics said the volunteer was “fine.”L...

Biden policy allowing migrants from 4 countries into the US is praised during Texas trial

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:46:05 GMT

HOUSTON (AP) — During a trial Thursday on the fate of a key portion of President Joe Biden’s immigration policy that allows a limited number of people from Central America and the Caribbean to enter the U.S. on humanitarian grounds, an American sponsoring one of the migrants in the program praised its economic benefits and credited it as a way to reciprocate kindness to a friend in need.Under the humanitarian parole program, up to 30,000 people are being allowed each month to enter the U.S. from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela. Texas is leading a lawsuit filed by 21 Republican-leaning states to stop the program, arguing the Biden administration has overreached its authority. The federal government and immigrant rights groups are defending the program, saying it’s been successful at reducing migration and a humanitarian crisis on the southwest border and has provided a safe pathway to the U.S. for desperate migrants who would otherwise be paying human smugglers and bogging down ...