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2 Americans appealing convictions for Italian police slaying

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:51 GMT

ROME (AP) — Italy’s highest court on Wednesday was hearing the final appeal of two U.S. citizens convicted in the stabbing death of a police officer during a plainclothes operation in Rome in the summer of 2019.Finnegan Lee Elder, now 23, and Gabriel Natale-Hjorth, now 22, were convicted in May 2021 of slaying the 35-year-old officer, as well as of attempted extortion, resisting a public official and carrying an attack-style knife without just cause.The two men, who were friends back in northern California, were sentenced to life, Italy’s most severe penalty, in the initial trial. An appeals court last year upheld the convictions, but reduced the sentences to 24 years for Elder and 22 years for Natale-Hjorth. The Italian system allows defendants yet another appeal to Italy’s supreme Cassation court.Their lawyers are arguing that there were flaws in the prosecution’s reconstruction of events the night Carabinieri Vice Brigadier Mario Cerceillo Rega was stabbed 11 times near the...

EU eyes more naval visits in disputed South China Sea

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:51 GMT

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The European Union wants to step up its naval visits and possibly engage in joint military training exercises to promote freedom of navigation and respect for international law in the disputed South China Sea, an EU official said Wednesday.EU special envoy to the Indo-Pacific region Richard Tibbels said the 27-nation bloc is also ready to provide satellite surveillance to help countries like the Philippines respond to natural disasters and protect their interests, as tensions pitting China against its smaller neighbors escalate in the disputed waterway.The outreach is part of an EU strategy, unveiled in 2021, to focus its actions in the Indo-Pacific to contribute to regional security amid more intense geo-political competition. The long-term engagement would be grounded on shared values, including a commitment to respect democracy, human rights and the rule of law, Tibbels said. “We really have a strong interest in making sure that freedom of navigation an...

Canadian Press NewsAlert: Home sales drop 40% in February compared with year ago

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:51 GMT

OTTAWA — The Canadian Real Estate Association says homes sales in February dropped 40 per cent compared with a year ago. The drop comes as national home sales rose 2.3 per cent in February compared with January. More coming.The Canadian Press

Austrian police: Possible threat to Vienna places of worship

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:51 GMT

VIENNA (AP) — Austrian police warned Wednesday of a possible “Islamist-motivated attack” in Vienna against churches and other houses of worship, citing undisclosed information received by the country’s intelligence service.Police in Vienna tweeted that they had heightened security in front of certain buildings and increased the presence of officers in the Austrian capital.“There is a nonspecific threat of an assault against churches,” Vienna police tweeted. “As (a) precautionary measure … points of interest have been put under increased guard by regular and special operation police forces.”“If there is a concrete danger for the population at a concrete location, Vienna police will warn immediately via all available channels,” police added.Later on Wednesday, Vienna police clarified in another tweet that the threat warning included not just churches but also other houses of worship.“Our precaution measures don’t exclusively affect Christian churches, but also houses of wo...

WATCH LIVE | Alderman to propose 'Chicago Plow the Sidewalks' pilot program to City Council

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:51 GMT

CHICAGO — A Chicago alderman is expected to propose an ordinance to City Council Wednesday for a pilot municipal sidewalk snow and ice removal program.Alderman Gilbert Villegas will hold a press conference at 9:15 a.m. Wednesday with details on the Chicago Plow The Sidewalks Pilot Program.The intent is to make sure seniors and those with physical disabilities can get out of their homes and to stores for food and other supplies.The alderman wants $750,000 to fund the pilot program.Villegas points to the city of Toronto, which already plows its sidewalks.

Blackhawks pull an 'upset' on Tuesday at the United Center

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:51 GMT

CHICAGO - The term is more often reserved for college sports than in the professional ranks, especially during the regular season.But it is proper to use the term "upset" when referring to what the Blackhawks were able to pull off Tuesday night.The NHL-leading Bruins, the only team in the league at the moment with over 100 points, couldn't get past a rebuilding squad that has been near the bottom of the standings the entire season. A strong finish led by one of the young prospects helped the Blackhawks to a 6-3 "upset" win over Boston in arguably one of the best triumphs of the season for the very young team. It's the 23rd win of the season for Luke Richardson's squad while the Bruins have lost back-to-back games in regulation for the first time this season.So how did this happen? Well, Taylor Raddysh had a lot to do with it. The prospect, who was acquired in the Brandon Hagel trade at the 2022 NHL deadline, registered his first career hat trick, and did so all in the final 20 minut...

Honda recalling 500,000 vehicles to fix seat belts

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:51 GMT

DETROIT (AP) — Honda is recalling a half-million vehicles in the U.S. and Canada because the front seat belts may not latch properly.The recall covers some of the the automaker's top-selling models including the 2017 through 2020 CR-V, the 2018 and 2019 Accord, the 2018 through 2020 Odyssey and the 2019 Insight. Also included is the Acura RDX from the 2019 and 2020 model years.Honda says in documents posted Wednesday by U.S. safety regulators that the surface coating on the channel for the buckle can deteriorate over time. The release button can shrink against the channel at lower temperatures, increasing friction and stopping the buckle from latching. Here are the most and least disaster-prone states If the buckle doesn't latch, a driver or passenger may not be restrained in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.Honda says it has no reports of injuries caused by the problem.Dealers will replace the front seat belt buckle release buttons or the buckle assemblies if needed. Owners...

'Tiger King' announces 2024 presidential bid

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:51 GMT

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) -- The "Tiger King"' is throwing his hat in the ring for president.Joseph Maldonado-Passage, better known as "Joe Exotic" or the "Tiger King," is currently serving a 21-year federal sentence after being convicted on multiple charges. He said he isn't going to let that stop him from running for the nation's top office.Maldonado-Passage launched a new campaign website, with a personal message: "Thank you for your interest in my Campaign. Yes, I know I am in Federal Prison and you might think this is a joke but it's not. It is my Constitutional right to do this even from here."FILE – In this Aug. 28, 2013, file photo, Joseph Maldonado-Passage, also known as Joe Exotic, answers a question during an interview at the zoo he runs in Wynnewood, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)"So put aside that I am gay, that I am in prison for now, that I used drugs in the past, that I had more then one boyfriend at once and that Carole hates my guts. This all has not a thing to do w...

1 killed in early morning apartment fire in Ottawa

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:51 GMT

OTTAWA, Ill. — One person was killed in an apartment building fire in Ottawa early Wednesday morning.The fire department was called to a report of visible smoke and flames from a five-unit building located in the 100 block of West Campbell street around 2:15 a.m.Upon arrival, firefighters found fire showing from a door and window of a downstairs unit. Crews entered the structure and found heavy fire in the kitchen extending in the bedroom and living room areas. A search was conducted and an unresponsive person was found in the living room. According to fire officials, the person was removed and transported to OSF St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, where they were pronounced dead. The person's identity has not yet been released. Officials said the fire appears to be accidental and is under investigation.

Here are the most and least disaster-prone states

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:51 GMT

(The Hill) – Wildfires and drought in California, hurricanes and flooding in Florida and power outages in Texas have rendered all three states distinctly less livable in recent years. People still flock to Florida and Texas, drawn by low taxes and warmth. (California, not so much.) But climate change is on everyone’s minds, and dire dispatches about fires and floods dominate the daily news cycle. “The data actually shows that some of the fastest-growing cities are some of those that are at the greatest risk of disasters,” said Diane Vuković, disaster-preparedness expert at Primal Survivor, a popular “prepper” website.  A recent Census Bureau list of the 15 fastest-growing cities includes three each in Texas and Florida. Yet, climate change has posited a new idea in American culture: Parts of the United States may not be habitable for much longer.  “I don’t know if I would say that there are places that are fundamentally unsafe, but I would say that ther...