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Prosecutors investigate Bulgarian soccer federation president in the wake of violent protests

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:52 GMT

SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — Bulgaria’s chief prosecutor launched an investigation Friday into the country’s soccer management, with the focus on the actions of federation president Borislav Mihaylov.The move follows the mass protests that gripped Bulgaria’s capital on Thursday as several thousand soccer fans took to the streets to demand the resignation of Mihaylov. Their fury was fueled by the federation’s decision to play a European Championship qualifying match against Hungary in an empty stadium.In the protests that eventually turned violent, dozens of fans and policemen were injured, some of them seriously. Police detained nearly 40 people.The Bulgarian national team hasn’t qualified for a major tournament in nearly two decades. After the latest two losses to Albania and Lithuania in October, fans called for a nationwide protest, blaming the federation’s leaders for the poor results and calling for their resignations.In previous weeks, soccer fans had been shouting “Resi...

Columbia, Cornell and other colleges face US inquiries over alleged antisemitism and Islamophobia

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:52 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The federal government has opened civil rights investigations into seven schools and universities over allegations of antisemitism or Islamophobia since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war.The list includes three Ivy League institutions — Columbia, Cornell and the University of Pennsylvania — along with Wellesley College in Massachusetts, Lafayette College in Pennsylvania and Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art in New York. It also includes one K-12 system, the Maize Unified School District in Kansas.The Education Department announced the inquiries on Thursday, calling it part of the Biden administration’s effort to take “aggressive action” against discrimination. Schools found to have violated civil rights law can face penalties up to a total loss of federal money, although the vast majority of cases end in voluntary settlements.Schools have a legal duty to act “when students are targeted because they are — or are perceived to be — Jewish, Muslim,...

Pilot suffers minor injuries in small plane crash in southern Maine

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:52 GMT

LIMINGTON, Maine (AP) — A 62-year-old pilot suffered minor injuries when his plane crashed less than a mile from an airport following an engine failure, state police said.The yellow single-engine plane came to a rest nose-down in a thicket of woods Thursday afternoon, and Bradley Marson was walking around the scene when a state trooper located the crash site. Medical personnel evaluated the pilot and he was eventually transported to the hospital for minor injuries. The pilot said he’d just taken off from Limington-Harmon Airport in Limington when his engine cut out. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating.The plane was a kit craft known as a Skyraider II by Flying K Enterprise, according to the FAA. It’s known in the aviation community as an affordable ultralight plane.The Associated Press

EU nations reach major breakthrough to stop shipping plastic waste to poor countries

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:52 GMT

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union made a major breakthrough Friday in efforts to stop sending its plastic trash to poor countries.Under a tentative agreement, the 27 EU countries will no longer be able to export their plastic waste outside the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development club of wealthy countries.The text now needs to be formally approved by both the council representing the EU member states and the EU Parliament to enter into force.Only a third of plastic waste in Europe is recycled, and half of the plastic collected for recycling is exported to be treated in countries outside the EU.“The EU will finally assume responsibility for its plastic waste by banning its export to non-OECD countries,” said Pernille Weiss, the EU Parliament rapporteur. “Once again, we follow our vision that waste is a resource when it is properly managed, but should not in any case be causing harm to the environment or human health.”In addition, plastic waste exports to the 3...

UChicago Medical Center worker robbed steps off campus

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:52 GMT

CHICAGO — A University of Chicago Medical Center worker was robbed at a bus stop steps off campus Friday morning.At around 6 a.m., the employee was standing at a CTA bus stop in the 6000 block of South Cottage Avenue, just steps away from campus.Two suspects approached him from behind, put an object to his back and demanded his wallet, police said.His wallet was stolen and the suspects fled on foot in an unknown directions.No one is in custody.

What would you do? North Carolina couple finds large amount of money lying on the ground

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:52 GMT

CARY, N.C. (WNCN) – Barb and Jerry Derome were out walking their dog in their North Carolina neighborhood when they came across an envelope lying in the grass."We just went, 'Oh my gosh' and just started counting and counting and then realized, 'Boy, we're really glad we picked it up and opened it,'" Barb Derome said.Who wouldn't be glad to come across more than $1,000 in cash? But Barb Derome said she didn't consider keeping the cash, and instead handed it over to the Cary Police Department."One woman said, 'Bless your soul that you would come in with money,' but I just really feel like that's our commitment and our obligation," Barb Derome said. "It's not our money, and we need to at least make some attempt to find the owner, and if that's not the case, then it'll go to something where it's needed." Have a $2 bill? It could be worth thousands This is not the first time something like this has happened to the Deromes on a walk. Barb Derome said she often spots mail on the ground ...

Off-duty firefighter saves teammate's life during baseball practice

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:52 GMT

WARWICK, R.I. (WPRI) — Doug Barlow never imagined he'd have to save his teammate's life just days after joining a father-son baseball league.Barlow, 26, tells Nexstar's WPRI he didn't hesitate to sign up for the Rhode Island Men's Senior Baseball League when his girlfriend's father asked if he was interested.It was during his second practice with the Rhode Island Red Sox last month that his instincts kicked in.Barlow, who was off duty at the time, was catching when his teammate John Tedder stepped up to the plate. Cannabis worker dies on the job from an asthma attack "He gets a good base hit and makes it to second base," Barlow recalled. "Then a young kid came up and hit an absolute bomb."John was going to score super easy, but it was dark and he couldn't see where the ball was going," he added. "He was on his horse. He was running as fast as he could to home plate."John Tedder and Doug Barlow (Courtesy: Doug Barlow)Barlow said Tedder slowed down after he told him he was going to ...

Dean's A-List Interviews: Actress and comedian Marsha Warfield

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:52 GMT

Actress, comedian and Chicago's very own Marsha Warfield sits down with Dean Richards to reflect on her years of comedy and acting.Get Dean's reviews and A-List interviews delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for Dean's Downloads weekly newsletter. You'll also get his Dean Cooks recipes too!

PHOTOS: Austin community honors fallen APD Officer Jorge Pastore

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:52 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — First responders and the community came together Friday morning to honor Austin Police Senior Officer Jorge Pastore, who was killed in the line of duty last Saturday.A procession traveled across Austin, ending at Circuit of the Americas Boulevard where a public visitation and funeral service would take place at Germania Insurance Amphitheater. WATCH: Funeral, procession for Austin Police Officer Jorge Pastore The public and law enforcement officers lined the procession route, ready to pay their respects to Pastore.Procession carries fallen APD Officer Jorge Pastore along his final patrol through Austin (KXAN photo)Austin Police officers salute as Officer Jorge Pastore’s procession moves past Interstate 35 and St. Johns (KXAN photo/Frank Martinez)Crowds gather to show support during Officer Jorge Pastore’s procession (KXAN photo/Todd Bailey)Crowds gather to show support during Officer Jorge Pastore’s procession (KXAN photo/Todd Bailey)Crowds gather near the Texas C...

Jury deliberates murder sentence for Kaitlin Armstrong

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:52 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Following their guilty verdict Thursday, jurors will now deliberate on a sentence for Kaitlin Armstrong.It took the jury about 2 hours and 15 minutes to return its verdict.Armstrong killed pro cyclist “Mo” Wilson in 2022 while Wilson was in town for a gravel race.  TRIAL RECAP: Both sides present closing arguments in Kaitlin Armstrong murder case Photo of gravel racer Anna Moriah Wilson (Courtesy Linda Guerrette)After Judge Brenda Kennedy read the verdict, both sides called witnesses for the punishment portion of the testimony.For the State, Wilson’s parents, brother and best friend spoke on the victim’s behalf. They all - through tears - spoke to her kindness, grit, determination and athletic prowess. Her family recounted the night they learned she was killed. “She didn’t deserve to die like that,” Karen, Wilson’s mother, said. Wilson's family launched a foundation in her honor with the mission of promoting "healthy living and community building by suppo...