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Oman says a prisoner swap between Belgium and Iran is underway

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 21:42:24 GMT

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Oman said Friday a prisoner swap between Belgium and Iran was underway. The announcement by Oman state television did not identify the prisoners being swapped. However, Iran has been wanting Belgium to return a diplomat convicted of planning a bombing in France, while Belgium has been seeking the release of an aid worker held by Iran. “Those released were transferred from Tehran and Brussels to Muscat today, Friday, in preparation for their return to their countries,” the Omani report said. “The sultanate of Oman appreciated the high positive spirit that prevailed in the talks in Muscat between the Iranian and Belgian sides, and their keenness to settle this humanitarian issue.”Iranian state media did not immediately acknowledge Oman’s comments. The Belgian Foreign Ministry referred questions to the Belgian prime minister’s office, which could not be immediately reached. In January, Iran sentenced a Belgian aid worker named Olivier Vand...

Saudi, U.S report better adherence to Sudan ceasefire by warring forces after days of fighting

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 21:42:24 GMT

CAIRO (AP) — Saudi Arabia and the U.S. said Friday the warring sides in Sudan’s conflict are adhering better to a week-long ceasefire following days of sporadic fighting.The truce, brokered by Riyadh and Washington, went into effect Monday, but fighting continued in Khartoum and the western Darfur region. Particularly intense clashes flared up on Wednesday, the two countries said in a joint statement.The conflict in Sudan erupted in mid-April after months of escalating tensions between the military, led by Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces, a powerful paramilitary commanded by Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. The conflict has killed at least 863 civilians, including at least 190 children, according to the most recent numbers from the Sudanese Doctors’ Syndicate.The week-long ceasefire is the seventh attempt at a truce after the others were violated. A new cross-party committee tasked with monitoring potential violations observed Wednesday the “use of artillery ...

Woman killed in overnight two-vehicle crash in Brampton

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 21:42:24 GMT

A woman is dead following an overnight collision between a jeep and a minivan in Brampton.Officers responded to a crash at the intersection of Bramalea Road and Sandalwood Parkway just after 2 a.m. Friday.Police tell CityNews a Honda Odyssey and a Jeep Wrangler collided in the intersection. The Jeep rolled over onto its roof as a result of the impact.A woman inside the Jeep was pronounced dead at the scene. Another woman was taken to hospital in stable condition.There is no word on what caused the crash.Police say the intersection will remain closed for several hours for the investigation and cleanup.

Spain takes action against racism after Vinícius case but punishing fans remains a challenge

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 21:42:24 GMT

MADRID (AP) — The attention brought by the latest case of abuse against Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior has taken Spain to what could be a turning point in the fight against racism in soccer.Never before had local authorities acted so quickly to take action against fans who insulted players, and never before had soccer officials sanctioned a club so harshly for their fans’ racist behavior.Things have clearly changed since Vinícius threw the spotlight on Spain by pointing a finger, literally, at those who racially abused him last weekend in Valencia. But some of the challenges that existed before Vinícius’ case stirred Spain into action are still in place, especially when it comes to punishing fans criminally for their abuse.No one has ever gone to trial in Spain for racially abusing a player, and despite the unprecedented attention prompted by the recent Vinícius case, it may not be easy to get fans to start paying for their actions in court.Similar cases of abuse like the one f...

Stock market today: World markets higher as US government debt talks said to make headway

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 21:42:24 GMT

World markets were mostly higher Friday, lifted by optimism that Congress and the president will strike a deal to unlock a vote for lifting the U.S. government’s debt ceiling and avert a potentially calamitous default.U.S. futures and oil prices were little changed. Officials said President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy were narrowing in on a two-year budget deal that could unlock a vote for lifting the nation’s debt ceiling. The Democratic president and Republican speaker hope to strike a budget compromise this weekend. A two-year deal would raise the debt limit for that time, past the 2024 presidential election. As their price for raising the legal debt limit, Republicans have been demanding spending cuts the Democrats oppose. Germany’s DAX slipped 0.1% to 15,785.97 while the CAC 40 in Paris was up just over 1 point at 7,231.25. Britain’s FTSE 100 was also little changed, gaining 2 points to 7,573.21. On Wall Street, the futures for the Dow Jones Industria...

Israeli military: Palestinian man killed after alleged stabbing attempt in West Bank settlement

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 21:42:24 GMT

JERUSALEM (AP) — A Palestinian man was shot and killed on Friday after infiltrating a Jewish settlement in the occupied West Bank, the Israeli army said.In a statement, the military said the man tried to stab a resident in the Tene Omarim settlement and was shot by an armed civilian. It said the infiltration had set off an alarm and soldiers were scanning the area. The Palestinian Health ministry confirmed the death but gave no further details.The settlement is located near Hebron, a flashpoint city in the southern West Bank that is a frequent site of friction between Palestinian residents and Jewish settlers.The incident occurred as Jews were celebrating Shavuot, a festival marking the day that Jews believe the Torah was given to Moses on Mount Sinai in Egypt.It was the latest in more than a year-long spate of violence in the West Bank. During that time, Israel has expanded near-nightly military raids throughout the area in response to an increase in Palestinian attacks. At least 1...

Weekend need to know: Doors Open Toronto, motionball Marathon of Sport; road/TTC closures

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 21:42:24 GMT

Doors Open returns to Toronto for the weekend, alongside the annual motionball Marathon of Sport event and a premier Call of Duty League tournament in the city.There are no scheduled subway closures this weekend but there are some platform reductions on Line 1 and a late opening on Line 2. There are also some new and ongoing road closures. Scroll below for those details.Here’s what’s going on this weekend:Top eventsDoors Open TorontoDoors Open weekend is back in Toronto. The annual event encourages people to check out well-known buildings and spaces in the city while learning about the city’s history for free.This year’s theme is called “City of Sound.”The theme focuses on how music and sound has helped shape the city with a program featuring performances, walking tours and insightful talks.The free, weekend-long celebration of architecture and public space will feature more than 150 sites for people to explore.Here are a few famous buildings and events...

Three dead, others missing after dinghy carrying migrants overturns near Greek holiday island

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 21:42:24 GMT

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Three people have died and up to 12 others are missing after a dinghy carrying migrants overturned near the Greek resort island of Mykonos, officials said.The incident in the Aegean Sea occurred early Friday. The search involving two rescue helicopter along with coast guard and private vessels was launched after two men, a Palestinian and a Syrian, swam to rocks near the shore and were spotted by authorities.The bodies of two adult women and an adult man were recovered at sea several hours later.Coast Guard spokesman Nikos Kokkalas said moderate winds were prevailing in the search area, adding that the incident occurred at around 6 a.m. off the northeast shore of Mykonos. The island is more than 150 kilometers (95 miles) from the closest point on the Turkish coast. Smugglers based in Turkey have frequently chosen open sea routes in recent years to try to avoid the heavily patrolled waters of the eastern Aegean where several large Greek islands lie close to the ...

APD: One man stabbed on Cap Metro Bus; one person in custody

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 21:42:24 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin Police said a man was stabbed on a Cap Metro bus Thursday night in south Austin. Police said one person is in custody. According to APD, the stabbing was reported at 10:46 p.m. at South Congress Avenue and College Avenue. That is just north of Oltorf Street.According to Austin-Travis County EMS, paramedics took two patients to the hospital, one with serious injury, the second with non-life threatening injury. In April, Austin Police said a man was detained after stabbing a driver on a CapMetro bus in downtown Austin. Police said the woman was taken to the hospital with a non-life threatening injury, and CapMetro confirmed she was released.

Man dies after being hit by vehicle on Ben White

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 21:42:24 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin Police said Friday a man died after being hit a vehicle on the eastbound service road of West Ben White Boulevard in south Austin. The crash happened near the intersection of West Ben White and Banister Lane just before 1 a.m., according to APD.Austin Police said the eastbound service road of West Ben White was closed from Banister Lane to James Casey Street and the 1st St exit ramp from US Highway 290 was closed while police investigate.Police said the man was on or crossed the service road illegally when he was hit. The driver stayed at the scene and was cooperating with authorities, according to police. The driver did not face charges, APD said. According to Austin-Travis County EMS, paramedics performed CPR and "extensive resuscitative efforts" but the adult patient died at the scene.