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Cyprus gets tough on fan violence at sporting events

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:09:18 GMT

NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — Cyprus’ justice minister on Wednesday unveiled a host of measures to combat fan violence at sporting events, including pre-game drug and alcohol tests, increased body searches and tougher policing.The measures come days after opposing fans at a basketball playoff game between rivals Anorthosis and Apollon fought inside and outside the Tassos Papadopoulos stadium in the capital Nicosia, setting fire to public transport offices outside the venue.Justice minister Anna Koukkides-Procopiou said the government will introduce legal amendments enabling police to administer drug and alcohol tests to suspected users ahead of sporting events.Police will intensify searches of fans entering venues while bans for convicted offenders will be raised to a maximum of 10 years. A dedicated riot squad will be tasked with exclusively policing sporting and other “high-risk” events, while police inspections and oversight of travelling fans will be stepped up.Police arrested three pe...

Mexico: Despite “coup,” Castillo legal president of Peru

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:09:18 GMT

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico’s president said Wednesday that Peru’s ousted president, Pedro Castillo, remains “the legal and legitimate president” of that country and that he was jailed as part of a “coup.” President Andrés Manuel López Obrador also claimed Peru’s current government is “racist” and had jailed Castillo because he is indigenous. The comments were the most forceful indication yet that López Obrador doesn’t recognize current Peruvian President Dina Boluarte. “I maintain that he (Castillo) is the legal and legitimate president,” López Obrador said at his morning press briefing. “He suffered a coup.”“They won’t accept Pedro Castillo because he is from the mountains, he is indigenous,” the president said.Boluarte took office on Dec. 7 after then-President Castillo was removed by Parliament and jailed after trying to dissolve Congress to avoid a vote on his removal from office. Castillo, who was Peru’s first leader from a rural Andean background, was plagued by cor...

Saskatchewan to spend $6 million for some hip and knee surgeries in Calgary

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:09:18 GMT

REGINA — The Saskatchewan government is to spend up to $6 million to send patients to Calgary for hip and knee surgeries. An agreement made public today shows the province is to work with private provider Canadian Surgical Solutions.Health Minister Paul Merriman has said the surgeries are publicly funded but the province won’t pay for someone’s travel expenses should they go to Calgary.Merriman says contracting the Calgary facility is meant to help people get their surgeries done faster.CUPE Local 5430, Saskatchewan’s largest health-care union, says there is little evidence that paying private clinics reduces wait times. The union says the decision will worsen Saskatchewan’s plans to hire and retain health-care employees because some might decide to work for a private clinic. This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 29, 2023.The Canadian Press

Crews work to recover 3 barges that got loose on Ohio River

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:09:18 GMT

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Crews were working Wednesday to remove three remaining barges that got loose on the Ohio River, including one carrying methanol.A total of 10 barges got loose early Tuesday on the river near Louisville, the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet said. Most were recovered, but the U.S Army Corp of Engineers said three were pinned against the McAlpine Locks and Dam and the locks are closed to traffic until the barges are stabilized.One of those barges was carrying 1,400 tons of methanol and was partially submerged, Kentucky officials said.Methanol, also known as wood alcohol, is a colorless liquid that’s flammable and acutely toxic, according to the National Institutes of Health. It’s used as a solvent for paints and plastics and as an ingredient in a wide variety of products.Louisville Metro Emergency Services told news outlets they are monitoring air and water, but “there is zero evidence of a tank breach or any leaks.”The Corps said it was working clos...

Senate votes to ax 20-year-old Iraq act, reclaim war powers

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:09:18 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate voted Wednesday to repeal the resolution that gave a green light for the 2003 invasion of Iraq, a bipartisan effort to return a basic war power to Congress 20 years after an authorization many now view as a mistake.Iraqi deaths are estimated in the hundreds of thousands, and nearly 5,000 U.S. troops were killed in the war after President George W. Bush’s administration falsely claimed that Saddam Hussein was stockpiling weapons of mass destruction. “This body rushed into a war” that had massive consequences, said Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, a Democrat who has pushed for years to repeal the powers. Kaine said the 20th anniversary had “opened a reflective moment where we I think we’re moving in the right direction.” Senators voted 66-30 to repeal the 2002 measure and also the 1991 authorization that sanctioned the U.S.-led Gulf War. If passed by the House, the repeal would not be expected to affect any current military deployments. But lawmakers i...

Ukrainian grain inflow triggers protests in Poland, Bulgaria

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:09:18 GMT

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Poland’s agriculture minister promised financial support from the government and the European Union and easier rules for constructing grain storage as he met Wednesday with farmers angered by falling grain prices.Farmers in Poland blame the drop in prices on the market glut from the inflow of huge amounts of Ukrainian produce that was supposed to go to Africa and the Middle East. Bulgarian farmers also staged a border protest Wednesday over the issue.Poland and other countries in the region have offered to help transit Ukraine grain to third country markets after Russia blocked traditional routes when it invaded Ukraine 13 months ago. The European Union, which borders Ukraine, has waived customs duties and import quotas to facilitate the transport — also through Romania and Bulgaria — to markets that had counted on the deliveries.But farmers in transit countries say the promised out-channels are not working as planned. As a result, they argue, the grain stays, ...

Quebec police conduct anti-drug trafficking raids targeting Hells Angels, Mafia

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:09:18 GMT

MONTREAL — Several police forces across Quebec are participating in joint anti-drug trafficking raids across the province targeting members of the Hells Angels and the Mafia.Police say they are conducting eight operations, including in Montreal, Laval and Estérel, in Quebec’s Laurentians region.Provincial police Sgt. Audrey-Anne Bilodeau wouldn’t say whose residences are being searched but said they involved important figures in the province’s organized crime world.The raids are being conducted by a mixed police force that focuses on organized crime.Bilodeau says police are targeting a cocaine trafficking network.She says police aren’t planning any arrests today but are searching for evidence that could lead to arrests. “Some people in this network are influential people, including members of the Hells Angels and other less influential people, but who are still involved in this drug trafficking network, which we wanted to put an end to,” Bilodeau ...

'Go big and go home' adoption event waives fees for dogs over 30 pounds

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:09:18 GMT

CHICAGO — With large dogs having to wait months to get adopted, The Anti-Cruelty Society is waiving fees for furry friends over 30 pounds.The "Go Big And Go Home' event begins on Saturday and runs through April 8. They have 45 dogs available at their main shelter, located at 510 N. LaSalle St., and their PetSmart shelter, located at 1101 S. Canal St.Back in December, WGN News spoke with the Anti-Cruelty Society and they described a "firehouse" situation with about double the amount of in-take requests compared to adoptions."It's been a wild few months," spokesperson Lydia Krupinski said. "We have seen some relief the last couple of weeks, but overall the trend has continued."For puppies and small dogs, they are typically in and out. For bigger dogs though, the situation has led to chronic overcrowding."A large dog's average length of stay is 88 days and we don't have time limits," Krupinski said. "But we know the faster they get out of here, the better for them."One of the adoptable...

Why are flags at half-staff Wednesday?

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:09:18 GMT

Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct the date of Biden's proclamation.TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — President Joe Biden ordered U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff Wednesday at all public buildings, grounds and military installations.The White House issued the proclamation Monday "as a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violence perpetrated on March 27, 2023, in Nashville, Tennessee."Three children and three adults were killed at a small, private Christian school just south of downtown Nashville on Monday after a transgender shooter opened fire inside the building containing about 200 students, police said. Surveillance video shows shooter enter Nashville school The victims were identified as Cynthia Peak, 61; Katherine Koonce, 60; Mike Hill, 61; and Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs, and William Kinney, all age 9. Police officers also killed the suspect, identified as 28-year-old Audrey Hale, a former student of the school. Police said Hale had two “...

Chicago man exonerated after spending 28 years in prison

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:09:18 GMT

CHICAGO — A 46-year-old man has had his wrongful conviction of double murder officially overturned after spending 28 years behind bars.David Wright was first arrested in Aug. 1994 for killing his friends Tyrone Rockett and Robert Smith, according to a release from his attorneys. It goes on to state, in "his petition for post-conviction relief, no physical evidence linked him to the murders, nor did any eyewitness witness identify him as being the perpetrator. Instead, in a story that has become all too common, Mr. Wright was convicted based on statements – a false “confession” – he signed following a grueling, abusive 14-hour interrogation by Chicago Police Detectives James Cassidy, Kenneth Boudreau, and John Halloran." Several 7-Elevens robbed across Chicago in last 3 days WGN plans to livestream a press conference following his official exoneration hearing within this story. More details of his case will be added later today.