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Press freedom group says Taliban court has freed a French-Afghan journalist held for 284 days

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:34 GMT

PARIS (AP) — A Taliban court in Afghanistan has released a French-Afghan journalist held for 284 days and cleared him of espionage and other charges, Reporters Without Borders said Wednesday.The press freedom group said it is now working to quickly reunite Mortaza Behboudi with his wife, Alexandra, in Paris.“It is the end of a painful ordeal,” said Christophe Deloire, the group’s secretary general.Behboudi was arrested on Jan. 7, two days after he arrived in Afghanistan as part of a reporting assignment. Behboudi was awarded the Bayeux Prize for War Correspondents last year for a series of reports about life in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime.The Associated Press

Elephant dies at St. Louis Zoo shortly after her herd became agitated from a dog running loose

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:34 GMT

ST. LOUIS (AP) — A female Asian elephant at the St. Louis Zoo died shortly after her herd became agitated from a small dog running loose, zoo officials said.Rani (pronounced Rahn-ee) died Friday at age 27. The zoo announced her death on Tuesday.“We are absolutely devastated. We ask for the community’s thoughts and support during this difficult time,” zoo Director Michael Macek said in a news release. “Our team of professional animal care experts did everything possible, but we couldn’t save Rani.”A small, unleashed dog was seen running in a non-public area near the Elephant Barn Friday afternoon. Elephant care workers were trying to contain the dog, but an elephant outside the barn became agitated and was moved inside, the zoo said.Rani was already inside the barn, eating, and didn’t see the dog. But members of the elephant care team “observed Rani become agitated in reaction to the vocalizations from the herd. They saw Rani circle and vocalize, all within a very brief period,...

Italy suspends open border with Slovenia, citing increased terror threat as Mideast violence spikes

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:34 GMT

MILAN (AP) — Italy on Wednesday announced it will suspend an open-border agreement with neighboring Slovenia, citing an increased threat of terrorism in Europe due to violence in the Middle East.Premier Giorgia Meloni’s far-right-led government said authorities in the northeastern border region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia had identified 16,000 people so far this year who had entered Italy illegally across the Slovenian border, the last stop on the Balkan route that some migrants take to enter western Europe. That is in addition to the 140,000 migrant arrivals in Italy by sea, an increase of 85% over 2022.The government said in a statement that the Interior Ministry’s anti-terrorism committee was looking into the situation, which “confirms the necessity of” reinforcing Italy’s border.Italy said it would resume border controls starting Oct. 21 for 10 days.Italy and Slovenia are among 26 countries that belong to the Schengen area, the world’s largest free travel zo...

Nebraska governor faces backlash for comments on reporter’s nationality

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:34 GMT

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen is facing backlash after comments he made about the Chinese nationality of a reporter whose story cited environmental concerns at farms owned by the governor.Flatwater Free Press reporter Yanqi Xu wrote a story in September revealing that 16 of Pillen’s farms recorded nitrate levels at least five times higher than what is considered safe to drink. Consuming high levels of nitrate has been linked to health problems such as thyroid disease, birth defects and cancer, according to the report.Pillen, a Republican, was asked on a radio show days later about the story.“No. 1, I didn’t read it. And I won’t,” Pillen said. “No. 2, all you got to do is look at the author. The author is from communist China. What more do you need to know?”In a column posted Tuesday, Flatwater Free Press Executive Director Matt Wynn wrote that the governor’s comments infuriated him as an employer and saddened him as a believer in democracy and a free pres...

Multiple issues facing court ahead of October hearings in Delphi case

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:34 GMT

After a whirlwind month of court filings and reports of an evidence leak, a judge will convene a hearing Thursday in the Delphi murder case.Richard Allen is charged with two counts of murder in the February 2017 deaths of Abby Williams and Libby German near the Monon High Bridge in Delphi. Delphi murder suspect’s next hearing to be held in different county Indiana State Police announced Allen’s arrest nearly a year ago. The key piece of evidence is an unspent bullet found at the crime scene that prosecutors claim was ejected from a handgun owned by Allen.The case is scheduled to go to trial in January 2024, but Thursday’s hearing could provide some insight into whether it will be able to proceed on schedule.13-year-old Abby Williams and 14-year-old Libby German. (Credit: Family)Last week, Special Judge Fran Gull called for the Oct. 19 hearing in Allen County, saying the purpose of the proceeding was to discuss an upcoming Oct. 31 hearing and “other matters which have recently aris...

New species of shark discovered in Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:34 GMT

CAVE CITY, Ky. (WDKY) — Researchers discovered a new shark species in a layer of rock at Mammoth Cave National Park.On Wednesday, the park announced the petal-toothed shark was found inside the Ste. Genevieve Formation rock layer at the park. The new species, the petalodont or strigilodus tollesonae, is described as having several small spoon-like teeth.“We are excited to finally announce the discovery of our first new shark species at Mammoth Cave on NFD (National Fossil Day),” said Superintendent Barclay Trimble. “Teams of geologists, paleontologist, park staff, and volunteers have been hard at work deep inside the cave identifying and collecting fossils since the paleontological resources inventory began in 2019. Their important research allows us to better understand the scope, significance, distribution, and management issues associated with the fossil record found within Mammoth Cave.” 5 repeat toy finalists for Hall of Fame to get yet another chance at winning Mammoth ...

San Marcos settles lawsuit over law enforcement response to 2020 'Trump Train' incident

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:34 GMT

SAN MARCOS, Texas (The Texas Tribune) -- San Marcos police officers and professional staff must receive training on responding to political violence and voter intimidation and ways to develop community trust as part of a legal settlement approved Tuesday over a 2020 incident in which a caravan of Trump supporters were accused of harassing a Biden campaign bus as it drove on Interstate 35.The city will also pay $175,000 to four individuals on the bus: former state Sen. Wendy Davis, who was running for Congress at the time; former Biden campaign staffer David Gins; campaign volunteer Eric Cervini; and bus driver Timothy Holloway. They accused San Marcos law enforcement in a 2021 lawsuit of ignoring multiple requests for a police escort as they traveled on I-35 from San Antonio to Austin days before the 2020 presidential election. They said they were surrounded by the Trump supporters who allegedly drove dangerously close to the bus while honking and shouting, forcing it to slow t...

Twins position breakdown: starting pitching

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:34 GMT

After acquiring Pablo López in January via trade, the Twins headed into the 2023 season believing they had assembled a strong starting pitching staff with enough depth to sustain them even with inevitable injuries along the way.They were proven correct.The Twins were carried to a division title in large part by their starting pitching, which had a collective 3.82 earned-run average, a mark that was second in the major leagues and first in the American League. López and Sonny Gray, both all-stars this year, topped a rotation that was one of the Twins’ best in recent memory.2023 RECAPThe Twins came into spring training with six starting pitchers — López, Gray, Joe Ryan, Tyler Mahle, Kenta Maeda and Bailey Ober — competing for five spots in the rotation.Ober was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul to begin the year, but he wasn’t there long — April injuries on consecutive days to Maeda and Mahle opened the door for Ober and rookie Louie Varland to step into the rotation. Mahle’s injury wound...

Albany County: Over 6K tickets issued for passing stopped school buses in 2023

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:34 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- National School Bus Safety Week runs from October 16 to 20. The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) uses the week to remind drivers to stop and wait when they encounter a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing and stop sign extended.  Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! "Illegally passing school buses is a chronic problem in our state that puts students in serious danger," said DMV Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder. “Parents should not have to fear for their children’s safety because of a driver’s reckless behavior."In the Capital Region, school buses in some districts have equipped stop-arm cameras to catch drivers that pass the stopped buses. However, those cameras do not always deter cars from illegally passing the school buses. Albany County ramping up efforts for school bus safety In Albany County, the South Colonie Central School District, Bethlehem Central School District, and...

Pittsfield Police seek help identifying suspect accused of using stolen credit card

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:34 GMT

PITTSFIELD, Mass. (NEWS10) -- The Pittsfield Police Department is seeking public assistance in a stolen credit card fraud case. According to the police, an unknown male used a stolen credit card at a local jewelry store. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The Westfield Police Department and Southwick Police Department are attempting to identify the same suspect for similar crimes. Anyone with information is asked to message the Pittsfield Police Facebook page.