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Saudi surge of diplomacy brings Assad, Zelenskyy to Arab summit

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:40 GMT

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Saudi Arabia hosted an Arab League summit on Friday in which Syrian President Bashar Assad was welcomed back after a 12-year suspension and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a surprise visit to rally support against Russia.Russian airstrikes have left a swath of destruction across both countries, but in Syria they came at Assad’s invitation and helped him cling to power through years of grinding civil war. Other Arab states have deepened ties with Moscow while remaining largely neutral on the Ukraine war.The odd pairing of the two leaders in the same forum is the result of a recent flurry of diplomacy by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is pursuing regional rapprochement with the same vigor he previously brought to the kingdom’s confrontation with archrival Iran. In recent months, Saudi Arabia has restored diplomatic ties with Iran, is ending the kingdom’s yearslong war against Iran-backed rebels in Yemen and led the push...

Zimbabwe releases prisoners in amnesty, reducing overcrowding

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:40 GMT

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — Zimbabwe has begun releasing more than 4,000 prisoners under a presidential amnesty that authorities say will help ease congestion in some overcrowded jails.About 800 prisoners were released Friday from the Central Prison and Chikurubi Maximum Prison in the capital, Harare. Jails in other parts of the country began releasing prisoners who qualified for the amnesty on Thursday, said Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services spokeswoman Meya Khanyezi.She said the amnesty would “go a long way in reducing the prison population.” Zimbabwe’s prisons have a capacity of 17,000 but hold more than 20,000 inmates.Former prisoners have in the past complained about overcrowding and other harsh conditions such as a lack of food and proper health care. Amnesty International has previously described the conditions as “deplorable.” The Southern African nation of 15 million people regularly uses the presidential amnesty to decongest prisons.A beneficiary of the latest amnesty...

Milan’s La Scala and Paris Opera commission opera based on Umberto Eco’s “The Name of the Rose”

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:40 GMT

MILAN (AP) — Italian composer Francesco Filidei has been commissioned by Milan’s Teatro alla Scala and the Paris Opera to write a new opera based on Umberto Eco’s most famous novel “The Name of the Rose,” the opera houses announced Friday. The world premiere has already been scheduled, at La Scala on April 27, 2025, conducted by Ingo Metzmacher and starring mezzo-soprano Kate Lindsay and baritone Lucas Meachem. La Scala’s general manager, Dominique Meyer, called the new commission “a very important opera.” “The Name of the Rose” was Eco’s debut novel, a medieval thriller set in a monastery. It catapulted him to international celebrity and was made into a 1986 film starring Sean Connery. Eco died at home in Milan in 2016.Filidei is working on two versions, one in Italian and one in French, the second to premiere at the Paris Opera. The 50-year-old Filidei has composed two previous operas: “Giordano Bruno,” which premiered in Porto, Portugal in 2015 and ...

Man faces judge after leading several police departments on tri-county chase in stolen fire truck

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:40 GMT

A man who stole a Miami-Dade Fire Rescue truck and led police officers on a chaotic chase appeared in front of a judge.On Friday morning, 31-year-old Aljenard Lekambrick was in court after, police said, the crime he committed was a “prime picking” for the suspect as the fire truck he took was being used in a training exercise by MDFR Fire Station 31. A cellphone video from ‘Only In Dade’ captured the moment several police departments went on a tri-county chase. Officials said the pursuit started in Opa Locka after the suspect hit an unoccupied police cruiser.From there, authorities, including Florida Highway Patrol deputies, chased Lekambrick on Interstate 95 in Miami-Dade County, through Broward County, and finally, the pursuit ended in unincorporated Palm Beach County on the Florida Turnpike near Boynton Beach. Lekambrick appeared in the Palm Beach County Bond Court where he appeared to have an attitude. “The facts make this extremely egregious,”...

Russia puts war crimes prosecutor on ‘wanted list’

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:40 GMT

Russia has added Karim Khan, a British prosecutor at the International Criminal Court, on a “wanted” list after the Hague-based court issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Russian independent media outlet Mediazona reported that Khan’s photo and personal information are visible on the Interior Ministry’s database, listed as “wanted on felony charges.”In March, Russia began criminal cases against Khan and three ICC judges on the basis of them having committed “signs of crimes” under Russian law. This includes knowingly accusing an innocent person of a crime in Khan’s case and deliberately unlawful detention in the cases of the judges.The latest move comes two months after the ICC issued arrest warrants for Putin and Russia’s Children’s Rights Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova, considered “allegedly responsible” for the illegal transfer and deportation of children from Ukraine and the occupied territories to Russia d...

Boston police seek public’s help in locating teenager last seen on 5/17

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:40 GMT

The Boston Police Department is requesting the public’s help in finding a 16-year-old boy from East Boston who has “alluded to potentially harming himself.”Authorities have issued a “Missing Person Alert” for Matthew Johnson, who was last seen around 8 a.m. on Wednesday, May 17, in the area of 59 Trustman Terrace.Boston PD said the teenager was believed to be wearing a black hat with “white designs all over,” a black hoodie with an anime character on the front, as well as khaki-colored pants and “possibly black and green Nike sneakers.”In addition to having a height of 5’09, authorities say he may also be carrying a green and grey backpack with him.Johnson is said to frequent Noyes playground and the Paris Street park and gym, and could be in or around Andrew Station.Anyone with information on the teenager’s whereabouts is asked to contact 911 or Boston PD’s A-7 Detectives at 617-343-4234.Those wishing to provid...

Home Showcase: Updated Salem home spacious, bright

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:40 GMT

So you want something turnkey, tons of updates, even more parking, great location, and space for outdoor entertaining?It’s not impossible. In fact, it might be 17 Verdon Street in Salem. This classic 1960s Colonial already has all the upgrades homeowners look for when they’re trying to avoid future headaches and expenses. We’re talking new windows, siding, a spiffy kitchen, plus a heat pump and air-conditioning.Unlike some older Colonials, 17 Verdon has a breezy, open layout that works perfectly for entertaining and keeping an eye on little ones running around. Combining kitchen, dining, and living room — in addition to a plus family room with a fireplace feature — the home’s main level features gleaming floors, recessed lighting, and tons of natural light. An eat-in kitchen with cabinet and counter space galore enjoys stainless steel appliances and island with a breakfast for casual dining.Four bedrooms share a bath on the home’s second level, offering up lots of flexibility for gr...

Debt limit talks in standstill as Republicans, White House face ‘real differences’

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:40 GMT

By KEVIN FREKING, LISA MASCARO and ZEKE MILLER (Associated Press)WASHINGTON (AP) — Debt limit talks came to an abrupt standstill Friday after Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said it’s time to “pause” negotiations, and a White House official acknowledged there are “real differences” that are making talks difficult.McCarthy said resolution to the standoff is “easy,” if only President Joe Biden would agree to some spending cuts Republicans are demanding. It is unclear when negotiations would resume. “We’ve got to get movement by the White House and we don’t have any movement yet,” McCarthy, R-Calif., told reporters at the Capitol. “So, yeah, we’ve got to pause.” A White House official who was granted anonymity Friday to discuss the private conversations said there are “real differences” between the parties on the budget issues and further “talks will be difficult.”T...

Ontario police investigating after kitten thrown from car window onto highway

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:40 GMT

Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is investigating after a kitten was thrown from a car window onto a busy provincial highway.OPP Highway Safety Division said the kitten was reportedly thrown out of a car on the eastbound portion of Highway 403 near Waterdown around 10:45 a.m. on Friday. The young cat, which appears to have lost an eye, is being treated and cared for by a local veterinarian.Police are trying to determine whether the cat was thrown from the window by its owner or if it was a stray.Anyone with information is being asked to contact Burlington OPP at 905-681-2511.This kitten that was reportedly thrown out of a car on EB #Hwy403/Waterdown around 10:45am this morning? Anyone with info call #BurlingtonOPP 905-681-2511.Kitten is at a veterinarian being treated right now. ^ks pic.twitter.com/T6u5dFNtGs— OPP Highway Safety Division (@OPP_HSD) May 19, 2023

Disney World’s “Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser” hotel to close

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:40 GMT

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — No more premium stay in a galaxy far, far away: Disney World’s “Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser” hotel is making its last voyage at the end of September.The hotel at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida opened in March 2022 and lets guests create and live out “Star Wars” immersive adventures. It costs nearly $5,000 per couple for a two-night stay.“This premium, boutique experience gave us the opportunity to try new things on a smaller scale of 100 rooms, and as we prepare for its final voyage, we will take what we’ve learned to create future experiences that can reach more of our guests and fans,” a company spokesperson said in a statement Friday. Disney said on the hotel’s website that new bookings are “temporarily paused” but will resume May 26 for available voyages through Sept. 28-30.The company said it would reach out to guests who booked stays for that time or later to discuss alternatives.The Associated Press