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The US has released an ally of Venezuela’s president in a swap for jailed Americans, the AP learns

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 21:51:11 GMT

MIAMI (AP) — The Biden administration has released a close ally of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a swap for jailed Americans, The Associated Press has learned.Alex Saab, who was arrested on a U.S. warrant for money laundering in 2020, was released from custody Wednesday. In exchange, Maduro will free some, if not all, of the at least 10 U.S. citizens who remain imprisoned in Venezuela, according to a person familiar with the situation who was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.The White House declined to comment.On Friday and again on Monday, two docket entries were filed under seal in the long-dormant criminal case out of federal court in Miami, an indication that a behind-the-scenes deal was in the works.The U.S. has long accused Saab of being a bag man for Maduro. Saab’s release would be seen as a major concession to Maduro, an authoritarian leader who is himself the target of a $15 million U.S. reward for anyone bring...

Standoff unfolds in Miramar neighborhood

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 21:51:11 GMT

A tense situation unfolded in a Miramar neighborhood as a Broward Sheriff’s Office helicopter circled overhead during a standoff. Miramar Fire Rescue responded to an alleged domestic situation at De Soto Drive and Normandy Street on Wednesday morning.7Skyforce’s coverage revealed a child inside a Miramar Police cruiser, receiving aid from fire rescue personnel at the scene. Officers, armed and on alert, indicated a standoff situation.Details of this incident remain unclear as Miramar Police officers continued their investigation. Please check back on WSVN.com and 7News for more details on this developing story.

Rollover crash causes delays on Miami Gardens Drive

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 21:51:11 GMT

A severe crash occurred Wednesday morning on westbound Miami Gardens Drive at Northwest 17th Avenue, leaving a chaotic scene captured by 7Skyforce. Emergency responders and police swarmed the crash site, revealing a rollover accident involving a car at a gas station.Two additional vehicles on the road suffered significant damage. As a result of the crash, delays are anticipated in the westbound lanes of Miami Gardens Drive. Fortunately, eastbound traffic seems to be moving smoothly. Commuters are advised to plan accordingly and expect potential disruptions due to the ongoing emergency response.Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and Miami Gardens Police officers are actively managing the situation.Please check back on WSVN.com and 7News for more details on this developing story.

Rite Aid’s ‘reckless’ use of facial recognition got it banned from using the technology in stores for five years

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 21:51:11 GMT

New York (CNN) — Rite Aid has agreed to a five-year ban from using facial recognition technology after the Federal Trade Commission found that the chain falsely accused customers of crimes and unfairly targeted people of color.The FTC and Rite Aid reached a settlement Tuesday after a complaint accused the chain of using artificial intelligence-based software in hundreds of stores to identify people Rite Aid “deemed likely to engage in shoplifting or other criminal behavior” and kick them out of stores – or prevent them from coming inside.But the imperfect technology led employees to act on false-positive alerts, which wrongly identified customers as criminals. In some cases, the FTC accused Rite Aid employees of publicly accusing people of criminal activity in front of friends, family and strangers. Some customers were wrongly detained and subjected to searches, the FTC said.Rite Aid said in a statement that it’s “pleased to reach an agreement” with the FTC ...

Shrewsbury police looking to ID suspect following multiple breaking and entering cases in town

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 21:51:11 GMT

Police in Shrewsbury say they are working to identify a male suspect sought in connection with a string of breaking and entering cases.Sharing several photos on its Facebook page, the Shrewsbury Police Department said the individual seen on surveillance cameras appeared to be involved in multiple B&E and attempted B&E cases that happened Tuesday around the north section of Boylston Street near Colonial Drive, and Barnard Street.“We also ask residents who live in that area to please review any security camera footage they may have on their property,” Shrewsbury PD stated on Facebook. “If you observe this man, this vehicle, or any other suspicious persons or activity this afternoon, please notify us.”Anyone with information on the incidents or suspect is asked to contact Shrewsbury Police Detective Kyle Amato at 508-841-8457, or at [email protected].

Driver killed in overnight crash in Encinitas

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 21:51:11 GMT

ENCINITAS, Calif. -- One person was pronounced dead at the scene of a crash in Encinitas Tuesday night, the San Diego Sheriff's Department confirmed to FOX 5. The incident occurred around 11:40 p.m. when the driver of a white van reportedly hit a street light and retaining wall on the 500 block of Via Cantrebia, authorities explained. Carlsbad homes targeted in recent burglaries The driver died from their injuries at the scene. Their identity has not been released at this time. This was a single vehicle collision, authorities said. No other injuries were reported in connection to this incident.The sheriff's department is investigating. Anyone with information related to this crash is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at (619) 235-8477.

Lawsuit alleges Wisconsin Bar Association minority program is unconstitutional

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 21:51:11 GMT

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A conservative law firm filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday alleging that the State Bar of Wisconsin’s “diversity clerkship program” unconstitutionally discriminates based on race. The program offers summer internships for first-year law school students at top law firms, private companies and government offices. Past participants have included Alliant Energy, Froedrert Health, the Kohler Co., the city of Madison, the Wisconsin Department of Justice and the state Department of Corrections. The lawsuit is the latest of its kind to be filed across the country targeting diversity, equity and inclusion programs in the private and public sectors after the U.S. Supreme Court in June struck down affirmative action in college admissions, declaring that race cannot be a factor.The Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty filed the latest lawsuit targeting the bar association’s internship program. It argues that the bar is violating the equal protection rights of ...

AP photos reveal intensity, insecurity and inequality in 2023 as world altered by climate change

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 21:51:11 GMT

Punishing heat that hovered and hung on much longer than usual. Flash floods that washed away large swaths of land and life. And wildfires that burned much of the year, leaving a wake of smoke and charred earth.The toll of disasters propelled by climate change in 2023 can be tallied with numbers — thousands of people dead, millions of others who lost jobs, homes and hope, and tens of billions of dollars sheared off economies.But numbers can’t reflect the way climate change is experienced — the intensity, the insecurity and the inequality that people on Earth are living. Associated Press photographers around the world captured moments in 2023 that collectively tell that story, one of a changing world.INTENSITYIn so many skies, there was smoke, seen in the distance and breathed up close. From Canada to Greece to Hawaii, wildfires raged, consuming land while the flames fanned a thick haze that traveled around the globe. So intense were the wildfires in Canada that they released several...

AP’s top music documentaries of 2023: Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, WHAM! and more – and where to watch

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 21:51:11 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Looking for something to watch this holiday season? While Barbenheimer is enticing, 2023 was a great year for documentaries — particularly music documentaries, with titles that span the biggest names in the biz to considered studies of small, independent music communities. So, hand us the remote: Here are some of The Associated Press’ favorite music documentaries of the year — in no particular order — along with where to find them.“Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé”Was there ever a question of this film’s placement on this list? “Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé” chronicles the superstar’s 39-city world tour and the blood, sweat and tears required to make the larger-than-life production happen. It’s a welcome peek behind the curtain, spearheaded by one of music’s great perfectionists. And while Bey has been largely mysterious over the last decade — interviews are a rarity — here, she is a master of giving her audience just enough access, including a f...

Orlando Magic rename arena Kia Center, ending 13-year run as Amway Center

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 21:51:11 GMT

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — The Orlando Magic rebranded their arena as Kia Center on Wednesday, a change that ends the building’s 13-year run of being known as Amway Center.The transition to the new name has been underway for some time; by the unveiling Wednesday morning, the Kia logo was already in place on one of the banners that hangs over the court, plus on the basket stanchions. Security workers had new vests with the logo and employees were being given new swipe access cards with the building’s new name.Terms of the new naming rights deal were not disclosed; the deal with Amway, when originally announced, was worth about $4 million per year. The first event under the new name is a game between the Magic and Miami Heat on Wednesday night.“The Orlando Magic and Kia America have been proud partners for several years and we share in the excitement of Kia’s success and growth,” Magic CEO Alex Martins said. “We look forward to our expanded partnership which allows Kia to drive its brand fo...