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Renowned human rights campaigner Oleg Orlov on trial for “discrediting” Russian military

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:45:28 GMT

MOSCOW (AP) — The co-chair of the Nobel Peace Prize-winning human rights group Memorial, Oleg Orlov, went on trial in Moscow Thursday, charged with “discrediting” the Russian military in his criticism of Russia’s campaign in Ukraine. If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison. Orlov has been fined twice for anti-war pickets, with the new charges based on an article he wrote denouncing Russian aggression in Ukraine.Discrediting the Russian military is a criminal offense under a law adopted after Russia sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022. The law is regularly used against Kremlin critics. Memorial and its supporters have called the trial politically motivated.“Oleg Orlov was brought to the dock solely because of an anti-war article he wrote, denouncing Putin’s Russia as a totalitarian fascist society,” Natalia Zviagina, Amnesty International’s Russia Director, said. “Predictably, the system he described cannot tolerate his need to defend the truth and his refusal to...

UAE’s al-Jaber promises young activists he’ll listen; says nothing about fossil fuel ties

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:45:28 GMT

BONN, Germany (AP) — The United Arab Emirates official tapped to head the next global climate summit pledged Thursday to listen to young people demanding a place at the table when negotiators gather in the Gulf nation this fall, but offered no response to criticism of his links with fossil fuel interests.In his first appearance at a United Nations climate meeting this year, the UAE’s Minister of Industry Sultan al-Jaber said he wants the COP28 summit in Dubai to be “inclusive” and deliver a “game-changing outcome” for international efforts to tackle climate change.“I’m determined to make your participation successful,” he said in a brief speech to delegates from youth activist groups that have been clamoring for leaders to take drastic action against global warming.The comments by al-Jaber in Bonn, Germany, drew a wary response from his audience.“Many people, including children and youth all over the world, are rightly concerned about your ties and links to the fos...

Colorado’s most destructive wildfire caused by embers from old fire, sparks from power line

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:45:28 GMT

FILE - Homes burn as a wildfire rips through a development near Rock Creek Village, Dec. 30, 2021, near Broomfield, Colo. Authorities say they have wrapped up their investigation into what started the most destructive wildfire in Colorado history and will announce their findings on Thursday, June 8, 2023. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)(AP/David Zalubowski) FILE - Homes burn as a wildfire rips through a development near Rock Creek Village, Dec. 30, 2021, near Broomfield, Colo. Authorities say they have wrapped up their investigation into what started the most destructive wildfire in Colorado history and will announce their findings on Thursday, June 8, 2023. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)(AP/David Zalubowski) ...

Teen accused of providing gift cards that he wanted used to support terrorist group

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:45:28 GMT

BOSTON (AP) — An 18-year-old Massachusetts man sent gift cards worth a total of $1,670 to someone he thought was a supporter of the Islamic State group that he intended to be used to fund a war on nonbelievers, federal prosecutors said Thursday.Mateo Ventura, of Wakefield, is scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court in Worcester later Thursday on a charge of knowingly concealing the source of material support or resources to a foreign terrorist organization, the U.S. attorney’s office in Boston said in a statement.An email seeking comment was left with Ventura’s federal public defender.Ventura wanted the gift cards to be sold on the dark web for slightly less than face value with the resulting proceeds to be used to support the Islamic State group, prosecutors said.Between August 2020 and August 2021, Ventura provided about 25 cards with a total face value of $965 to someone he thought was an Islamic State group sympathizer but was actually an undercover FBI agent, acc...

Second lawsuit filed in death of Illinois mom during Florida parasailing trip

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:45:28 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — The family of an Illinois woman killed in a 2022 crash while she and two children were parasailing in the Florida Keys filed a second lawsuit connected to her death this week and reflected on the tragic end to a family vacation about a year ago.Supraja Alaparthi, 33, was killed after being dragged across the water and slamming into a bridge last June while strapped into a parasail. Her husband, Srinivasrao Alaparthi, told reporters Thursday that his family has taken the last year “one day at a time” but misses her dearly. “I can’t help but think that if the people we trusted … had done their jobs, my wife would still be with us today,” he said. “We trusted these companies, but they let us down in the worst possible way.” The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission investigated the crash last year and found the boat captain cut the line holding Alaparthi and the two boys because the parasail was “dragging” in high winds from a sudden summer storm....

GM to invest $500 million at plant that makes large SUVs in Arlington, Texas

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:45:28 GMT

DETROIT (AP) — General Motors said Thursday that it will sink more than $500 million into its Arlington, Texas, assembly plant to get ready for the next generation of big SUVs with internal-combustion engines.The company said the plant will get new equipment for metal stamping, the body shop and general assembly. No new jobs will be created by the investment at the plant, but GM said it expects to keep the current workforce of over 5,200 people. They make the Cadillac Escalade, GMC Yukon and Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban.GM wouldn’t say when the next generation of the SUVs will go on sale. The company said the investment is contingent on reaching incentive agreements with local governments.The company has pledged to sell only electric passenger vehicles by 2035, but it also plans to keep making internal combustion vehicles as long as they’re selling. Earlier this week the company said it would invest nearly $1 billion at two plants in Flint, Michigan, which make GM’...

Unseeded Karolina Muchova beats No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka at the French Open for 1st Grand Slam final

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:45:28 GMT

PARIS (AP) — As it is, Karolina Muchova was the unseeded, unexpected participant in the French Open semifinals.And then, dealing with cramping legs nearly three hours into the match, she was just one point from losing to No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka, who entered Thursday with a 12-0 Grand Slam record in 2023, including an Australian Open title.Muchova somehow worked her way out of that difficult situation, grabbing the last five games against an error-prone Sabalenka for a 7-6 (5), 6-7 (5), 7-5 victory at Roland Garros to reach her first major final at the last place she expected.“A roller coaster,” Muchova said.It was tough to decide which was more stunning: that Sabalenka lost — or the way she lost.“I just tried to keep fighting and it worked,” Muchova said. “I really don’t know what happened.”Well, here are the basics: Sabalenka held a match point while ahead 5-2 in the third set, but Muchova erased that with a forehand winner. That began a run in which Muchova collected 20 of the last ...

Payments in minor league lawsuit settlement held up by appeal over legal fees

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:45:28 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Payments to minor leaguers in the $185 million settlement by Major League Baseball of a suit alleging violations of federal minimum wage laws are being held up over an appeal filed by four objectors to the attorneys fees specified in the deal.Former minor leaguers Daniel Concepcion, Anthony Garcia, Sidney Duprey Conde, and Aldemar Burgos are challenging the settlement filed with the court last July that was approved by U.S. Magistrate Judge Joseph C. Spero in March. They want $6.5 million of the $55.5 million in attorneys fees reallocated to a certain class of player and asked the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to decide in their favor.Spero ruled Wednesday the objectors have 45 days to submit to depositions with the lawyers who filed the suit.“Objectors’ counsel has repeatedly made the frivolous assertion that the appeal will not delay implementation of the settlement agreement — a gross misrepresentation of the terms of the settlement agreement that may als...

Why criminal charges won't be filed for Marshall Fire causes

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:45:28 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- A little over 17 months after the Marshall Fire devastated communities across Boulder County, investigators released that there were two likely causes.Those combined causes were: Embers from a residential burn that was started on Dec. 24, 2021, as well as hot particles that were likely discharged from an Xcel Energy power line 2,000 feet away. Marshall Fire caused by residential burn and Xcel power line, sheriff says However, it was also announced that no criminal charges will be filed for either of the causes. Insufficient or no evidence of crimes in either likely causeDistrict Attorney Michael Dougherty stressed that lack of evidence was the main reason charges were not filed."The law and ethical rules for prosecutors require us to only file charges when there's evidence of a crime," he said, "and when that evidence can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law." Local leaders discuss Marshall Fire response and next steps Dougherty also went into t...

Watch: Full news conference announcing cause of Marshall Fire

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:45:28 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — The cause of Colorado's most destructive wildfire was determined to be two separate fires that combined to make the Marshall Fire, Boulder County Sheriff Curtis Johnson said Thursday at a news conference. Full story: Marshall Fire caused by residential burn and Xcel power line, sheriff says The results of the investigation were announced by Johnson and Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty.Embers from an extinguished residential burn on property owned by the religious group Twelve Tribes reignited and combined with a second fire likely caused by a damaged Xcel power line, Johnson said.At the conclusion of the investigation, the district attorney's office decided there will be no charges filed for the cause of the fire. There is no evidence a crime was committed, Dougherty said.