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UK denies claim its Sudan evacuation hampered German efforts

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:11:34 GMT

LONDON — Foreign Secretary James Cleverly rejected claims the U.K’s evacuation of its diplomats from Sudan hampered Germany’s own bid to get its nationals out of the conflict-hit country.The BBC on Thursday quoted multiple German “political sources” who blamed the U.K.’s attempts to evacuate embassy staff over the weekend for delays Germany experienced as it tried to evacuate its own citizens. The broadcaster said that the Sudanese army initially refused access to the airfield north of Sudanese capital Khartoum after being angered by the unannounced presence of British military forces on the site.In what has been seen as a veiled swipe at the U.K., the BBC quoted German Defense Minister Boris Pistorious as saying British forces involved in the evacuation of diplomats “ignored what the Sudanese had stipulated.”Addressing MPs Thursday, Cleverly said the German government had not raised the issue with London.“It is not my understanding th...

Brian Walshe appears back in court, accused of murdering his wife Ana Walshe. But the whereabouts of her body remain a mystery

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:11:34 GMT

(CNN) — A Massachusetts father accused of killing and dismembering his wife is expected to appear in court Thursday, almost five months after the disappearance of Ana Walshe.Brian Walshe, 48, of Cohasset was indicted by a grand jury last month on charges of murder, misleading a police investigation/obstruction of justice, and improper conveyance of a human body, Norfolk District Attorney Michael W. Morrissey said.“Brian Walshe entered a plea of not guilty to the charge of murder at his Quincy District Court arraignment in January,” Morrissey said in March. “This indictment moves the case to the Norfolk Superior Court, where it will be arraigned.”Prosecutors have not said whether Ana Walshe’s body or remains have been found.The suspect’s defense attorney, Tracy Miner, has suggested the prosecutors’ case was not strong and accused them of leaking evidence to the media before making it available to her.“In my exp...

Trump back in New Hampshire, 1st event since Biden launch

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:11:34 GMT

MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) — Former President Donald Trump is returning to New Hampshire on Thursday for his first campaign appearance since President Joe Biden launched his own reelection bid, heading for a potential 2024 rematch.The appearance in downtown Manchester, expected to be a smaller event than Trump’s typical large rallies, also marks his first return to an early voting state since his legal troubles increased. Earlier this month, he pleaded not guilty in New York to a 34-count felony indictment charging him with a scheme to bury allegations of extramarital affairs that arose during his first White House campaign.Trump is expected to use the event at a hotel to roll out new endorsements for his campaign and speak about the economy and the opioid epidemic, among other subjects.It comes two days after Biden kicked off his own long-expected reelection campaign, presenting himself as he did in 2020 as a buttress against Trump and his M...

Southwest posts record revenue despite holiday meltdown

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:11:34 GMT

(CNN) — Southwest Airlines’ passengers have finally returned to the airline following its winter holiday service meltdown, enabling record revenue during the first quarter.The airline said its bookings in March were strong, allowing revenue to soar 22% to $5.7 billion in the quarter. That was up from year-ago results that were still affected by the surge in Covid cases caused by the Omicron variant, and it was also up from the $5.1 billion it reported in the same period of 2019, a year before the pandemic.The strong demand led to higher fares, as passengers paid 10% more to fly each mile on Southwest during the quarter, compared to a year ago, and 12% more than they were paying in the same period of 2019.It wasn’t all good news: The lingering impact of massive service problems caused Southwest Airlines to report a first-quarter loss, as the airline warned would happen three months ago. Weak bookings in January and February caused a $325 million hit to rev...

US adult cigarette smoking rate hits new all-time low

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:11:34 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. cigarette smoking dropped to another all-time low last year, with 1 in 9 adults saying they were current smokers, according to government survey data released Thursday. Meanwhile, electronic cigarette use rose, to about 1 in 17 adults.The preliminary findings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are based on survey responses from more than 27,000 adults.Cigarette smoking is a risk factor for lung cancer, heart disease and stroke, and it’s long been considered the leading cause of preventable death.In the mid-1960s, 42% of U.S. adults were smokers. The rate has been gradually dropping for decades, due to cigarette taxes, tobacco product price hikes, smoking bans and changes in the social acceptability of lighting up in public.Last year, the percentage of adult smokers dropped to about 11%, down from about 12.5% in 2020 and 2021. The survey findings sometimes are revised after further analysis, and CDC is exp...

In the end, it all made perfect sense for the Heat: From chaos to clarity in a tale of the unexpected

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:11:34 GMT

It would be overly simplistic to say that out of the chaos order has been restored for the Miami Heat.Because they’re still without Tyler Herro and Victor Oladipo. They’re again a series underdog as the road team as they move on to the second round against the New York Knicks. They still are as reliant on their leading man as much as any team still standing in the NBA playoffs.But now, after a stunning five-game first-round elimination of the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks while playing as a No. 8 seed, it all makes sense,– The 54 clutch games during the regular season, those when the margin was within five points in the final five minutes.– The addition of Kevin Love ahead of the buyout deadline.– The decision to rest 37-year-old Kyle Lowry for a month to ease the knee pain.– The refusal to quit on the undrafted, unheralded supporting players such as Gabe Vincent, Max Strus, Duncan Robinson and Caleb Martin.– The insistence that there remained ...

Prime’s ‘Citadel’ spy series expensive & entertaining

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:11:34 GMT

“Citadel” begins with an inverted camera shot, suggesting to viewers they are in for a disorienting ride.The expensive and reasonably entertaining new science-fiction-tinged spy series from Prime Video — debuting with its first two episodes this week, before releasing its four remaining first-season installments weekly — continues to suggest this after flipping to the standard orientation.Executive produced by Hollywood heavyweights Joe and Anthony Russo, “Citadel” places us aboard a passenger train, on which we meet two agents of the series’ namesake global spy agency, Richard Madden’s Mason Kane and Priyanka Chopra Jonas’ Nadia Sinh. They exchange some flirtatious banter, as well as a kiss to maintain their cover, before he excuses himself to fight another man in a restroom and she corners their target at a nearby table.“What are you, CIA?” the man asks her. “MI6?”“Do I look like a woman who plays for the minor leagues?” Nadia responds.In fact, he knows full well that she’s Citade...

Rainy and cold: Toronto, GTA long-term forecast looks bleak as May arrives

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:11:34 GMT

After one of the darkest winters in Canadian history, the early spring forecast in Toronto and the GTA leaves much to be desired as below-seasonal temperatures and rain appear to be the story as May begins.It will be a chilly start to May across southern Ontario and the Golden Horseshoe, with temperatures more typical of early April and late March. Heavy rain will hit Toronto on Friday, with 15-20 mm expected to fall by the weekend’s arrival.You might want to keep your weekend plans to indoor activities as Saturday is shaping up to be a wash. There’s currently a 90 per cent chance of rain, with 10-15 mm expected in the city and wind gusts reaching up to 54 km/h.The same goes for Sunday; though rain showers will be lighter, 15 mm could fall by Monday.CityNews weather graphic. Photo: CityNews Toronto.Regarding weekend temperatures, Saturday and Sunday’s daytime will hover around 11 C — well below the historical average for the end of April, which is around 16 C...

Iran navy seizes Marshall Islands oil tanker in Gulf of Oman

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:11:34 GMT

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran’s navy seized a Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman on Thursday amid wider tensions over Tehran’s nuclear program, the latest-such capture in a waterway crucial for global energy supplies.The Navy’s Mideast-based 5th Fleet identified the vessel as the Advantage Sweet. Satellite tracking data for the vessel from MarineTraffic.com showed it in the Gulf of Oman just north of Oman’s capital, Muscat, on Thursday afternoon. It had just come from Kuwait and listed its destination as Houston, Texas.The Advantage Sweet issued a distress call at 1:15 p.m. while in international waters as Iran seized the vessel, the Navy said. “Iran’s actions are contrary to international law and disruptive to regional security and stability,” the 5th Fleet said in a statement. “Iran should immediately release the oil tanker.”The Navy initially said Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard seized the vessel, bu...

Take Our Kids to Work Day retools at 30 as work has changed

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:11:34 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — At Michigan State University, children of employees can spend Thursday seeing what it’s like to staff a dairy farm, work in sports or plant a tree at the school’s first in-person Take Our Kids to Work Day since the pandemic began. Some 1,500 employees and kids have registered and the university has invited staff to bring any child in their life to explore the campus.“This is a way that people can see each other and meet their families, show off MSU, which is designated a family friendly university,” said Jaimie Hutchison, director of the university’s WorkLife Office. “It also allows people to see what others do across campus and have more pride in the institution that they work for.” MSU’s plans recall the roots of Take Our Kids to Work Day, which celebrates its 30th anniversary on Thursday. This year, Take Our Daughters And Sons To Work Foundation, the nonprofit that promotes the day, hopes more organizations remind people of the import...