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EU urges caution as mercenary revolt raises doubts about Russian president’s grip on power

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 20:16:58 GMT

BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union ministers urged caution Monday after a failed revolt by mercenaries in Russia raised questions about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s grip on power and whether the mercenaries might install themselves just over the border in Belarus.At talks in Luxembourg, some EU foreign ministers likened the short-lived uprising led by Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin to Putin unleashing a Frankenstein’s monster or ghost of his own creation. Several also noted that many questions remain, including Prigozhin’s precise whereabouts and whether he’s taking troops with him. Many seemed to agree that a key response to the crisis in Russia was to help Ukraine draw any possible advantage from the situation.“We are analyzing this carefully,” German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock told reporters. “There are also risks involved, which we are still unable to assess at the moment. For us Europeans, the only thing that matters is to support Ukraine.”EU foreign poli...

The Supreme Court won’t let a North Carolina charter school force girls to wear skirts to school

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 20:16:58 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Monday left in place an appellate ruling barring a North Carolina public charter school from requiring girls to wear skirts to school.The justices declined without comment to hear an appeal from the Charter Day School in the eastern North Carolina town of Leland. A federal appeals court had ruled that the school’s dress code violated students’ constitutional rights.School founder Baker Mitchell had said the dress code was intended to promote “chivalry” by the male students and respect for the female students, according to court documents.The dress code already has been changed to allow girls to wear pants, in line with the lower court ruling.___Follow the AP’s coverage of the U.S. Supreme Court at https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court.The Associated Press

Book Review: ‘The Art Thief’ is an astonishing story that capitalizes on our love of true crime

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 20:16:58 GMT

“The Art Thief: A True Story of Love, Crime, and a Dangerous Obsession” by Michael Finkel (Alfred A. Knopf)What is it about stories of transgression that keep us wanting more of them? Tales of heists, con artists and even murders permeate all corners of society, from Dostoevsky to “Tiger King.”It is this insatiable thirst for accounts of crime – and if based on real events, all the better – that journalist Michael Finkel exploits in “The Art Thief: A True Story of Love, Crime and a Dangerous Obsession.”It recounts the astonishing saga of Stéphane Breitwieser, the notorious art thief who stole hundreds of pieces of art between 1994 and 2001, mostly from museums throughout Europe – a collection which was estimated to be worth around $2 billion.The level of detail Finkel is able to provide, thanks to extensive reporting and hours of interviews with Breitwieser himself, is uncomfortably gripping, as if the reader is watching these events unfold and working as an accomplice to the French...

Toronto FC fires head coach Bob Bradley after team’s struggles

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 20:16:58 GMT

Bob Bradley has been fired as coach of Toronto FC after the club struggled to collect just three wins in 20 league games this season and finds itself just four points from the bottom of the Eastern Conference MLS standings.Assistant coach Mike Sorber was also let go.Bradley, who was hired in November 2021, posted a 14-19-26 (W-D-L) record during his time in charge of the club, which has now gone through three coaches since Greg Vanney left at the end of 2020.The team is winless (two defeats to go with three draws) in its last five games.Terry Dunfield, who was in charge of the club’s U17 academy team, has been appointed interim head coach.Injuries have been a factor this season for the team, but Bradley’s role in its failures was raised by Italian star Federico Bernardeschi after a 1-0 loss to Austin FC on May 20.“We don’t play,” said the Italian star, the fourth-highest paid player in the league at $6.295 million this season, after the 91st-minute loss...

Morgan Wallen donates $100K to help renovate South Chicago baseball field

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 20:16:58 GMT

CHICAGO — Morgan Wallen's foundation donated $100,000 to help revitalize a baseball field in Bessemer Park.Wallen’s donation to the field, the home park of Baker and Bowen High School students, complemented a previous $150,000 donation from Cubs Charities.The $250,000 will help with a fully upgraded diamond with a new backstop, side wings and dugouts — including extended side wings, and will include rehabilitating the playing surface for multiple levels of play.Wallen was in town for two shows at Wrigley Field on Thursday and Friday.Wallen closed out night one at Wrigley Field | Photo Credit: Matthew Paskert“Our mission with the Morgan Wallen Foundation is to support youth programs in the areas of sports and music. We are thrilled to donate $100k to Bessemer Park to give the kids a place to play ball here in South Chicago,” said Wallen. “This donation combined with being back on stage performing for my fans tonight at Wrigley is a true double header for me.” 4th of July celebratio...

Leave the baby deer alone, park service says

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 20:16:58 GMT

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – The National Park Service is asking summer park visitors not to touch any seemingly unattended baby deer no matter how cute they may be. While fawns can sometimes appear abandoned, the NPS says, the mother doe is likely foraging nearby.“Please do not approach or touch these fawns, they are very likely not abandoned,” the NPS wrote on Crater Lake National Park’s Facebook Page. Their mother has temporarily left her offspring, probably to find food, but will return. Let them be, and mother and child will soon be reunited.”A deer pictured alone on the side of a roadway in 2023 was later photographed reuniting with its mother. (NPS)A baby deer follows its mother (NPS)Baby deer are often found along the roadside following winters with heavy snowpack — similar to the snowpack accumulated in Oregon and around much of the western U.S. this year. While it may be tempting to approach these roadside critters, the NPS is asking the public to keep a safe distance from the ...

Dean's A-List Interviews: Jason Biggs reminisces about the time he stripped down to nothin' in the WGN halls

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 20:16:58 GMT

Check out Dean's A-List Interviews where he sits down with "American Pie" star Jason Biggs on his new endeavors -- a pie business.Get Dean's reviews and A-List interviews delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for Dean's Downloads weekly newsletter. You'll also get his Dean Cooks recipes too!

LIVE: City holds press conference amid 'dangerous heat conditions'

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 20:16:58 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin city leaders will hold a press conference Monday morning to share "important health and safety information" as temperatures are expected to climb well past 100° again today.A Heat Advisory has been issued for Travis County Monday, and the KXAN First Warning Weather Team forecasts excessive heat to last at least until the end of the month.Mayor Kirk Watson will lead the 10 a.m. press conference. He'll be joined by Ken Snipes, director of Austin Homeland Security and Emergency Management; Dr. Desmar Walkes, Austin-Travis County Health Authority; Stuart Reilly, interim general manager of Austin Energy, and Austin-Travis County EMS Asst. Chief Wesley Hopkins.Speakers will share efforts to help residents keep cool, as well as energy conservation information.KXAN will stream this morning's press conference in this story at 10 a.m.

New law strikes down juvenile curfews in Texas cities and counties

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 20:16:58 GMT

LUBBOCK, Texas — In mid-May, police in Lubbock began a "directed enforcement" juvenile curfew program. But only 22 days later, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill to stop it.House Bill 1819 takes effect on Sept. 1. It forbids Texas cities and counties from enforcing a curfew "to regulate the movements or actions of persons younger than 18 years of age." Emergency management curfews can still be imposed under a different section of state law. When do passed bills become law in Texas? An internet search revealed several Texas cities have juvenile curfew ordinances including Dallas, San Antonio, San Marcos, Allen and Leander. Austin dropped its curfew in 2017. Houston eliminated its daytime curfew in 2019. Waco repealed a curfew years ago, and Fort Worth allowed its curfew ordinance to expire in early 2023."Our intention is to do the best we can for the rest of the summer because there is some effectiveness," Lubbock Mayor Tray Payne said. "I think it can be a deterrent to crime."Pa...

SP: Drunk driver struck trees with son in the car

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 20:16:58 GMT

MORIAH, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A South Glens Falls man was arrested on Saturday, June 17, for aggravated DWI with his 7-year-old son in the car, according to the New York State Police. Daniel Breeyear, 42, faces several charges. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! On Saturday, June 17, state police responded to State Route 9N in Moriah for a car off the roadway. Police say an investigation determined that Breeyear was driving with his 7-year-old son south on State Route 9N in a Chevrolet Truck. State Police say Breeyear struck multiple trees while leaving the roadway. No one was injured in the incident. PFD: Church steeple fire started due to lightning strike While interviewing Breeyear, police say they smelt the odor of an alcoholic beverage. Troopers administered SFSTs which Breeyear allegedly failed. He was arrested and taken to Lewis State Police for processing. Charges:DWIFirst-degree aggravated DWI with a childEndangering th...