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Norway will close its embassy in Mali, citing the security situation

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:17:59 GMT

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Norway announced Thursday that it will close its embassy in Mali, saying the withdrawal of a U.N. peacekeeping force from the West African nation “will have consequences for the security of Norwegian and other diplomatic missions and international organizations.”In June, Mali Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop demanded that U.N. peacekeepers who have been grappling with an Islamic insurgency for more than a decade leave immediately, saying they had failed in their mission. At the end of the month, the U.N. Security Council adopted a resolution terminating the mandate for the U.N. force, known as MINUSMA, and requesting that its withdrawal be completed by the end of the year.Norwegian Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt said the embassy in Bamako, Mali’s capital, will close by the end of the year and Norway will have ”to find other ways to follow up our interests in Mali moving forward.” The diplomatic mission also represents Norway in Burkina Faso, Mauri...

Maine woman pleads guilty in 14-month-old son’s fentanyl death

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:17:59 GMT

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — A Maine woman has pleaded guilty to manslaughter after her 14-month-old son’s fatal overdose, which led to the discovery of $700,000 worth of fentanyl and other drugs.Investigators went to Ashley Malloy’s home after she dialed 911 and her son Karson died in a hospital. They discovered white powder on a blanket and sheet in the bedroom where Karson had been sleeping. An autopsy determined the toddler died of complications from exposure to the powerful opioid fentanyl, law enforcement officials said.Malloy, 22, of Oakland, pleaded guilty Wednesday to drug charges in addition to manslaughter. She will be sentenced later.Her attorney said she didn’t understand the risk to her son, amounting to criminal negligence. The attorney said that others were trafficking drugs and that Malloy was merely an accomplice, not an active participant.State police detectives who searched her apartment found nearly 6 pounds (2.7 kilograms) of fentanyl, more than 3 pounds (1.4 kilogram...

Taylor Swift Eras Tour concert film coming to movie theaters in October

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:17:59 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour is coming to movie theaters.Swift announced Thursday that the concert film “Taylor Swift – The Eras Tour” will open in North American theaters Oct. 13. The theater chain AMC, anticipating high demand from Swift fans, said the film will play at least four times a day Thursday, Fridays, Saturday and Sundays at all of its U.S. locations.“The Eras Tour has been the most meaningful, electric experience of my life so far and I’m overjoyed to tell you that it’ll be coming to the big screen soon,” Swift said on social media channels.Prices will be higher than usual movie tickets. An adult ticket will cost $19.89 ( “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” is coming soon) and a child ticket is priced at $13.13 (seemingly a nod to her favorite number ). Advance sales began Thursday.In an usual move, AMC is also acting as distributor for the film. (“The Eras Tour” will additionally play in other chains.) AMC said in anticipatio...

Intact Financial estimates Q3 catastrophe losses so far at $570 million

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:17:59 GMT

TORONTO — Intact Financial Corp. estimates that its catastrophe losses due to wildfires and other weather events total about $570 million for the third quarter so far.The property and casualty insurance company says the amount comes to about $2.40 per share, but noted the wildfires continue to burn and actual losses may differ from its estimate.Intact says it will issue an update in early October if its catastrophe losses increase materially by the end of the quarter.The insurer noted that the estimated losses relate to a number of events in July and August, none of which met the threshold for reinsurance under its catastrophe reinsurance treaties.This year has seen the worst wildfire season in Canada on record. Intact chief executive Charles Brindamour says employees across Canada are supporting customers by providing confirmation of coverage and funding for additional living expenses, and are on the ground where possible to offer assistance.This report by The Canadian Press was fi...

Former Olympian Alexandra Paul remembered after fatal crash near Barrie

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:17:59 GMT

Whether on the ice, in the courtroom or in her latest role as a new mother, Alexandra Paul brought passion and joy to all she did, those who knew the former Olympic figure skater said as they mourned her death.Paul, 31, died last week in a crash involving seven vehicles in Melancthon Township, west of Barrie, Ont., when a transport truck entered a construction zone and crashed in a line of stopped cars.Police have said Paul’s infant son was with her and was taken to a children’s hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries.Mike Slipchuk, the high-performance director with Skate Canada who had worked with Paul for years, said news of her death has been heartbreaking.Paul was “just a great-all-around person,” he said and will be remembered fondly by all who knew her.“She had an outgoing personality,” he said.“She was very fun to be around and had a very positive impact.”Slipchuk said he first met Paul in 2008 when she was com...

One person dead after car struck pole, burst into flames in York Region

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:17:59 GMT

One person is dead after a single-vehicle crash in York Region.Emergency crews responded to a collision around 4:30 a.m. on Davis Drive in East Gwillimbury after a car struck a pole and ended up in a ditch.Police say the vehicle was fully engulfed in flames when officers arrived. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene.There is no word on the cause of the crash.Davis Drive is closed between Highway 48 and York-Durham Line for the investigation.UPDATE: MVC FATAL– at 4:38 a.m. we responded to a single vehicle into a pole – the vehicle was fully engulfed when crews arrived – the single occupant of the vehicle is sadly deceased– davis dr is closed between hwy 48 and york/durham line for the investigation— York Regional Police (@YRP) August 31, 2023

Photos: Hurricane Idalia damage

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:17:59 GMT

PERRY, Fla. (AP) — Hurricane Idalia tore into Florida at the speed of a fast-moving train Wednesday, splitting trees in half, ripping roofs off hotels and turning small cars into boats before sweeping into Georgia and South Carolina as a still-powerful storm that flooded roadways and sent residents running for higher ground.A storm-damaged gas station is reflected in a puddle after Hurricane Idalia crossed the state on August 30, 2023 in Perry, Florida. The storm made landfall at Keaton Beach, Florida as a category 3 hurricane. (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images)Pick up trucks and debris lie strewn in a canal in Horseshoe Beach, Fla., after the passage of Hurricane Idalia, Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)Jewell Baggett stands beside a Christmas decoration she recovered from the wreckage of her mother’s home, as she searches for anything salvageable from the trailer home her grandfather had acquired in 1973 and built multiple additions on to over the ...

Man charged after finding bag filled with nearly $5,000 in parking lot

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:17:59 GMT

TRUMBULL, Conn. (WJW) — A man found a bag of cash in a Connecticut parking lot in May, and rather than leaving it or turning it in, he spent the money, police said. On Friday, 56-year-old Robert Withington turned himself in to Trumbull Police. He is accused of stealing bills that turned out to be nearly $5,000 in town tax receipt funds. He was charged with third-degree larceny and reportedly admitted to police he believed "he had no obligation to return the bag to its rightful owner."This month's charge came after a long police investigation into the whereabouts of the missing money. A local tax collector office employee had reportedly been on their way to deposit money at a bank, but when they arrived, they couldn't find the money bag. Police said the bag was "clearly marked with the bank’s insignia" and contained several documents identifying the town of Trumbull as the owner. Video: Cleveland safety director pulled over in city car in late-night traffic stop Through search wa...

'They wanted us to know he was dying': Bowie HS football player overheats, rushed to ER after game

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:17:59 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A senior football player at Bowie High School almost died from a heat stroke after the first game of the season, his mom told KXAN.On Wednesday, things were somewhat back to normal for Justice Trumpler and his family, just days after he was rushed the the emergency room.Justice Trumpler rushed to hospital after heat illness. (Photo by: Jennifer Norman-Wolfe)Justice Trumpler rushed to hospital after heat illness. (Photo by: Jennifer Norman-Wolfe)"He started to say his head felt like it was going to explode," Jennifer Norman-Wolfe, Trumpler's mother, said. Trumpler is a senior left-center lineman on the Bulldogs football team. On a 104-degree day — the game went into overtime. Trumpler wasn't playing his best, and Norman-Wolfe said their family noticed. "A couple times he tried to stay on his feet so that he could stay in the game and just couldn't and fell over," Norman-Wolfe said. At home after the game, he got worse. After a CT scan, Trumpler's mom said doctors told...

TSA dogs speed up security lines at AUS

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:17:59 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin-Bergstrom International Airport often sees long lines. When it comes to slowed security lines, much of this can be credited to staffing shortages within the Transportation Security Administration. How to check TSA wait times before flying out of Austin’s airport However, help has come in the form of furry four-legged friends.David Heinzig works for TSA as a canine handler at Austin’s Airport."When I showed up and we were short-staffed, the lines were out the door pretty much every day,” he said. Now, we've got them pretty well handled."His dog, Vinny, allows for a faster flow of traffic while strengthening security.Each day, the three-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer is tasked with sniffing out explosives in luggage or on passengers within the Barbara Jordan Terminal. Austin airport braces for possible record-breaking Labor Day weekend travel "He can search people, as well as stationary objects,” Heinzig said. “He can detect minute traces of whateve...