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EU evacuates diplomatic staff from Sudan

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:32:15 GMT

The EU evacuated its embassy staff in Sudan amid ongoing bloody battles between rival military factions in the African country.Twenty diplomats from the bloc’s mission in Khartoum have been repatriated to Europe, the EU’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell told reporters Monday on his way into an EU foreign ministers’ meeting in Luxembourg.He added: “Many more European Union citizens and others are already out of Sudan. I cannot give you the concrete figure — it is more than 1,000 people for sure.”The EU’s Ambassador Aidan O’Hara, who was assaulted last week in his official residence by armed men wearing military uniforms, left Khartoum but remained in Sudan.“The captain is the last one leaving the ship,” Borrell said.Several European foreign ministers thanked the French government for coordinating the evacuation of foreign citizens from Sudan.French military planes evacuated 388 people to Djibouti, according to a note from the foreign ministry Monday morning.

Driver in deadly Hingham Apple store crash to be arraigned on upgraded charges of assault, second-degree murder

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:32:15 GMT

The driver whose SUV crashed into an Apple store in Hingham in November, killing one person and injuring 22 others, will be arraigned on additional charges on Monday.Bradley Rein, 53, of Hingham, will be arraigned in Plymouth Superior Court on additional charges including second-degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon.Rein was arrested after his 2019 Toyota 4Runner crashed into the store’s front window in Hingham. The victim who died was identified as Kevin Bradley, 65, of New Jersey.7NEWS legal analyst Tom Hoopes says if the case goes to trial, prosecutors will have to prove that Rein acted intentionally, but not necessarily his intent. “The real question I think they’re going to have to deal with is did he just lose control of the car for some reason that you can’t really fault him for,” Hoopes said. Rein told investigators that his foot became stuck on the accelerator and he lost control. Rein’s attorney described the crash as a horrific a...

State police investigating after pedestrian struck, seriously injured in Dorchester

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:32:15 GMT

State police are investigating after a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle at the intersection of Gallivan Boulevard and Dorchester Avenue in Dorchester on Sunday night, officials said.Troopers responding to a reported pedestrian crash around 9:35 p.m. found a victim suffering from life-threatening injuries, according to state police.Investigators were focused on a white van that was damaged in the crash. No additional information has been released.

Boston Police sound alarm on new round of scams impacting seniors: ‘Don’t give out your personal information’

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:32:15 GMT

As seasons are changing, scammers are changing with them — as police release another set of warning signs for elderly residents in particular to watch out for.“Spring brings the increased solicitation by international travelers offering residents home improvement work,” Boston Police said in a recent community alert. “In past years, Boston residents have paid tens of thousands of dollars for masonry, driveway, paving, chimney, basement, roofing and fence repair; only to be left with worse damage or little to no improvement.”The “Paving Contractor” or “Home Improvement” scams may look like door-to-door solicitation for building work with classic warning signs — offering unrealistic discounts, putting pressure on buyers and asking for checks to individuals instead of companies. The scams escalate from $1,500 paving or masonry repair to tens of thousands of dollars of “foundational damage,” the BPD notice said.Thes...

Ravens draft preview: Whether it’s safety or slot corner, there are opportunities in the secondary

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:32:15 GMT

The countdown to the NFL draft is underway.The first round begins Thursday in Kansas City, but until then, the Ravens have plenty to figure out. Most notably, their contract stalemate with star quarterback Lamar Jackson, who has requested a trade while under the $32.4 million nonexclusive franchise tag. If he gets his wish, the Ravens’ draft could look a lot different.Baltimore owns five picks: Nos. 22 (first round), 86 (third round), 124 (fourth round), 157 (fifth round) and 199 (sixth round). A blockbuster deal for Jackson would significantly increase the size of that haul, but the Ravens are guaranteed at least one additional first-rounder this year if Jackson signs an offer with another team before the draft and Baltimore declines to match it.Ahead of the draft, The Baltimore Sun has examined which players at each position of need (quarterback, wide receiver, cornerback, defensive line, edge rusher and offensive line) could be available in the early, middle and late rounds...

China boosts German business optimism, but challenges ahead

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:32:15 GMT

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — A key measure of German business optimism rose in April for the seventh month in a row amid lower natural gas prices and the reopening of the Chinese economy after COVID-19 restrictions.The Munich-based IFO institute’s confidence index went up to 93.6 from 93.2 in March. Analysts said Monday that the move was positive but did not erase the headwinds facing Europe’s largest economy as it struggles to avoid sliding into recession. Consumers are still holding back due to rampant inflation and energy prices still are high, even after utilities found new sources of gas after Russia cut off most of its supply to Europe after the invasion of Ukraine. “Looking beyond the first quarter and particularly looking into the second half of the year, the German economy will continue its flirtation with recession,” Carsten Brzeski, global head of macro at ING bank, said in an emailed analysis. The International Monetary Fund forecasts a 0.1% decline in gross domestic produc...

Palestinians: Israeli troops kill man in West Bank raid

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:32:15 GMT

RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) — Israeli forces operating in a refugee camp in the occupied West Bank shot and killed a Palestinian man on Monday, a Palestinian official said, the latest bloodshed in a yearlong wave of violence that has gripped the region.The governor of Jericho, Jihad Abu al-Asal, told Palestinian media that the man, Suleiman Ayesh, was fatally shot in the Aqabat Jaber refugee camp in the central West Bank, which has repeatedly been the scene of fighting between Israeli troops and Palestinians in recent months. Abu al-Asal did not disclose the man’s age and there was no immediate comment from the Palestinian Health Ministry.The Israeli military said it was operating in the area when two suspects were spotted fleeing. Soldiers opened fire and struck at least one of the suspects.The violence comes as Israel is set to mark its Memorial Day for fallen soldiers and victims of militant attacks, beginning at sundown on Monday, followed by its 75th Independence Day the fol...

Drones attack Sevastopol, crashed drone found near Moscow

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:32:15 GMT

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian-appointed authorities in Crimea said the military fended off a Ukrainian strike on the port of Sevastopol on Monday, while a drone was also reportedly found in a forest near Moscow — attacks that come as Ukraine is believed to be preparing for a major counteroffensive.The Moscow-appointed head of the port city of Sevastopol in Crimea, Mikhail Razvozhayev, said the military destroyed a Ukrainian sea drone that attempted to attack the harbor in the early hours. He said another drone blew up without inflicting any damage.The attack was the latest in a series of attempted strikes on Sevastopol, the main naval base in Crimea that Russia illegally annexed in 2014. Ukrainian authorities didn’t immediately comment on Monday’s strikes. After previous attacks on Sevastopol and other areas, Ukrainian officials stopped short of openly claiming responsibility but emphasized the country’s right to strike any target in response to the Russian aggression.Rus...

‘Dancing With the Stars’ judge Len Goodman dies at 78

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:32:15 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Len Goodman, the urbane, long-serving judge on “Dancing with the Stars” and “Strictly Come Dancing,” has died, his agent said Monday. He was 78.Agent Jackie Gill said Goodman “passed away peacefully,” without giving a cause.A former dancer and British champion, Goodman was a judge on “Strictly Come Dancing” for 12 years from its launch on the BBC in 2004. The ballroom dancing competition, which pairs celebrities with professional dance partners, has become one of the network’s most popular shows.Goodman was head judge on the U.S. version of the show, “Dancing With the Stars,” for 15 years until his retirement in November. BBC director-general Tim Davie said Goodman was “a wonderful, warm entertainer who was adored by millions. He appealed to all ages and felt like a member of everyone’s family. Len was at the very heart of ‘Strictly’s success. He will be hugely missed by the public and his many friends and family.”Goodman was also a recipient of the Carl Alan Award in ...

China affirms ex-Soviet nations’ sovereignty after uproar

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:32:15 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — The Chinese government said Monday it respects the sovereignty of former Soviet Union republics after Beijing’s ambassador to France caused an uproar in Europe by saying they aren’t sovereign nations.The governments of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania rejected Ambassador Lu Shaye’s comment to a French broadcaster. While answering a question about the status of Crimea, which Russia seized from Ukraine in 2014, Lu said there was no agreement to “solidify their status as a sovereign country.”Beijing declared it had a “no-limits friendship” with Moscow before its 2022 invasion of Ukraine but has tried to appear neutral, calling for a cease-fire and peace talks. China has repeated Russian justifications for the invasion.“China respects the sovereign status of the former soviet countries after the dissolution of the Soviet Union,” said foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning. Mao said Beijing’s position is “consistent and clear” but gave no indication whether LuR...