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Alabama inmate executed for the shooting death of man in 1993 robbery

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:24 GMT

ATMORE, Ala. (AP) — An Alabama inmate convicted of killing a man during a 1993 robbery when he was a teenager was executed Thursday by lethal injection.Casey McWhorter, 49, was pronounced dead at 6:56 p.m. at a southwest Alabama prison, authorities said. McWhorter was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death for his role in the robbery and shooting death of Edward Lee Williams, 34, on Feb. 18, 1993.Prosecutors said McWhorter, who was three months past his 18th birthday at the time of the killing, conspired with two younger teenagers, including Williams’ 15-year-old son, to steal money and other items from Williams’ home and then kill him. The jury that convicted McWhorter recommended a death sentence by a vote of 10-2, which a judge, who had the final decision, imposed, according to court records. The younger teens — Edward Lee Williams Jr. and Daniel Miner, who was 16 — were sentenced to life in prison, according to court records.“It’s kind of unfortunate that we had to w...

No. 1 South Carolina, Fulwiley roll to 13th straight win over rival Clemson 109-40

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:24 GMT

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Freshman MiLaysia Fulwiley scored 18 points and Kamilla Cardoso had a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds as No. 1 South Carolina rolled to its 13th straight victory over state rival Clemson 109-40 Thursday night. Oregon transfer Te-Hina Paopao had 14 points with four 3-pointers and the Gamecocks (3-0) used a 28-0 first-half run to win their 43rd straight at home. They have cracked the century mark in scoring in all three wins. It was Dawn Staley’s 200th win in 16 seasons at Colonial Life Arena, a building that was largely empty for women’s hoops before she arrived. Now, the program has led the game in average attendance the past nine seasons and drew 16,007 this past Sunday for the 114-76 victory over No. 20 Maryland. Expect the big crowds to continue with the show these Gamecocks have put on so far. Fulwiley had two flashy plays, a half behind-the-back move before pulling the ball back for a layin, and a full behind-the-back pass to Ashly...

With 6 weeks left, how is Denver's House1000 initiative going?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:24 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — About six weeks remain before Denver's deadline to house 1,000 people before next year.Mayor Mike Johnston announced the effort as soon as he took office, declaring an emergency over homelessness in the city. The mayor's so-called House1000 initiative has seen some progress, but the city still has more than 70% of the way to go. What are the most expensive neighborhoods in Denver? On Thursday, FOX31 asked the city's Homeless Resolution Operations Center for an update."Housing 1,000 unsheltered Denverites before the end of the year is an ambitious goal, but we are well on the path to obtaining the units necessary to meet that goal," a city spokesperson wrote to FOX31's Lisa D'Souza. "As we continue to identify and open more units, we will be able to help more people move indoors over the next 6 weeks."The city had spent around $16.2 million on the initiative as of Thursday, according to the spokesperson. Most of that went toward buying the Best Western hotel to conv...

Local insurance adjuster offers tips to owners of vehicles damaged in severe storms

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:24 GMT

A lot of South Floridians are dealing with waterlogged or damaged vehicles in the wake of severe weather that swept through the region this week. A local insurance adjuster is offering a few words of advice to owners as they weigh their options when it comes to repairs.Concertgoers in Sunrise walked out of the Amerant Bank Arena Wednesday night to find their cars flooded.In Miami’s Brickell section, vehicles of various sizes were left stalled out on the side of the road after going through high water.Speaking with 7News on Thursday, property claims adjuster Alberto Perdomo said the first thing that car owners dealing with a flooded vehicle need to do is check their auto insurance policy.“Making sure that you have the proper coverage before you begin the claim process,” he said.Whether a car was flooded or crushed by a downed tree, owners must have what’s called comprehensive coverage. Insurance companies won’t pay for damages if owners only have collisi...

Stars of ‘Trolls: Band Together’ hit purple carpet at Los Angeles premiere of animated sequel

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:24 GMT

The stars were out in L.A. last night, and I’m not just talking about the ones in the sky! The cast of “Trolls: Band Together” banded together for a night out on the town … and a first look at their new movie.Anna Kendrick (as Queen Poppy, voice): “Come on, guys, it’s time!”Time to hit the red carpet, that is! Or, in this case, the purple one.No trolling here. The cast of “Trolls: Band Together” cleaned up real nice for a special screening of the film in L.A.Anna Kendrick (as Queen Poppy, voice): “I can’t believe this is really happening!”And with a title like that, it’s only fitting to have a little NSYNC reunion. After all, the guys have a new song in the movie.NSYNC: “If you let me show the way, I’m so excited to see you excited.”Joey Fatone: “It was cool. You know, we were asked to be a part of it again. The song fits together with the whole storyline and everything else. It was like,...

Parliament is falling down — MPs prepare to order a patch up job

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:24 GMT

LONDON — A major program of works to restore the U.K. parliament is under threat, with MPs invited to consider an alternative approach of “patch and mend.”  Longstanding plans for a massive refurbishment of the Palace of Westminster have been hit by a series of setbacks and delays over the five years since MPs approved proposals to temporarily vacate the building while essential works were carried out.Much of the landmark palace dates back to the 19th century — although parts are considerably older — yet it has not been properly refurbished since before World War II. The National Audit Office and other expert bodies warn the risks posed by fire and falling masonry are growing.The project has been in limbo for the past three years with MPs divided over two main options: a “full decant” of MPs into temporary accommodation while work is carried out, versus some form of “continued presence” on the parliamentary debate.The estimated cost of full decant has risen from £4 billion, whe...

The accounting error that could kill Germany’s coalition

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:24 GMT

BERLIN — When Germany’s Social Democrats formed a three-way coalition with the Greens and the conservative Free Democrats in 2021, they sold the unconventional alliance as a progressive ménage à trois that would transform German politics.Two years later, it looks more like a clusterfuck.The government’s disarray was on full display after Germany’s highest court ruled Wednesday that the centerpiece of the alliance’s environmental strategy — a plan to repurpose €60 billion left over from an emergency COVID-19 fund to finance the coalition’s climate agenda — was unconstitutional.The decision blew a massive hole through the middle of the coalition’s signature legislative agenda, in particular a plan to remake the German economy root and branch by weaning it off of fossil fuels. If the parties fail to find a new way to finance those plans, the coalition itself could quickly collapse, some analysts warn. “If you want to put a fine point on it, you could say that this coalition is ba...

Berlin braces for Erdoğan’s anti-Israel vitriol

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:24 GMT

BERLIN — For German leaders, it’s never easy when Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan comes to town. This time, things could hardly be more difficult.Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war, Erdoğan has made it exceedingly clear on whose side he stands. He has referred to Hamas, designated a terrorist organization by the European Union and the United States, as a “liberation group” that is “waging a battle to protect its lands and people.” He has called Israel, by contrast, a “terror state” and accused it of embracing “fascism.”Addressing his parliamentary group this week, Erdoğan added a note of menace: “Israel,” he said, “your end is near.”On Friday Erdoğan will arrive for an official visit in Berlin, where he’ll meet with Chancellor Olaf Scholz and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. The talks are likely to be intensely pained.After an initial attempt to play a diplomatic and mediating role in the war, Erdoğan has flipped to become one of the most vociferous backers of Hamas...

The problems of political namesakes and how to perform plastic surgery on Putin

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:24 GMT

Welcome to Declassified, a weekly humor column.We’ve reached the ‘what’s going on with Vladimir Putin’s cheeks?’ stage of Russia’s war on Ukraine. Rumors about the Russian president’s health have been swirling for a long time, with the Kremlin having to repeatedly deny that he’s dead. (Putin’s not a laugh-a-minute kind of guy so when he does go he’s unlikely to copy comedy legend Spike Milligan’s famous epitaph: “I told you I was ill.”)The latest round of claims about Putin’s health involves his puffy cheeks, with suggestions that he’s either been attacked by a swarm of bees or has been using whatever “butt filler” is (no, you Google that on your work computer!). Imagine being Putin’s plastic surgeon and having to make a man not exactly known for his movie-star good looks — earlier this year it was reported that a group of Russian lawyers was planning a lawsuit against Ha...

Azerbaijan can become a constructive player in the Caucasus

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:24 GMT

Janusz Bugajski is a senior fellow at the Jamestown Foundation. His latest book is titled “Failed State: A Guide to Russia’s Rupture.”Not all wars have to end in disaster alone. In fact, some can create conditions for more durable regional stability.After Azerbaijan regained its occupied territories in a military offensive this September, following three decades of armed conflict with Armenia, the world is faced with the possibility of the country becoming a constructive player in the South Caucasus. However, in order to succeed, such a transformation would require much more coordinated involvement from the United States and the European Union.The first priority, of course,  would be to forge a comprehensive peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan, with both parties vowing to recognize each other’s territorial integrity. The U.S., EU and Turkey must lead this mediation process, as they would directly benefit from such a settlement, which could foster security links and econ...