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Oklahoma man at the center of a tribal sovereignty ruling reaches plea agreement with prosecutors

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:18:32 GMT

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The Oklahoma man at the center of a landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling on tribal sovereignty has reached a plea agreement with federal prosecutors less than a week before he was to go to trial, according to court documents.Jimcy McGirt, 75, pleaded guilty Tuesday before a federal magistrate in U.S. District Court in Muskogee to one count of aggravated sexual abuse in Indian Country in exchange for a 30-year prison sentence with credit for time served.McGirt has served more than 26 years in prison since his initial conviction in state court.McGirt said in the signed document that he entered the plea “because I am guilty and do not believe I am innocent, I wish to plead guilty.”U.S. Attorney Christopher Wilson said in a statement that the federal judge would still need to approve the plea deal following a presentence investigation by the court.“McGirt will remain in the custody of the United States Marshal until the sentencing hearing, at which time the court will...

A grantmaker is betting a TV show for teen girls can help narrow the STEM gender gap

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:18:32 GMT

Dallas philanthropist Lyda Hill has devoted much of her giving to tackling social problems through science. Her Lyda Hill Philanthropies supports museums, basic research, and programs like National Geographic Explorers.Over the last few years, the grantmaker also has ventured into media production: financing and helping develop a TV series, “Mission Unstoppable,” aimed at girls aged 13 to 17, which features women succeeding in science, technology, engineering, and math, or STEM, careers.The CBS series — which is one part entertainment and one part feminist career inspiration — has averaged a million broadcast viewers in its first two seasons and has been nominated for multiple Emmy awards. It’s also part of a growing recognition in the philanthropic community that TV shows, feature films, podcasts, and other media projects are powerful tools to reach new audiences and shift entrenched narratives, what insiders call “narrative change.” Since 2009, grantmakers have given at least $2.1...

‘A master of storytelling’ – Reaction to the death of pioneering TV figure Norman Lear

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:18:32 GMT

A collection of reactions to the death of Norman Lear, the writer, director and producer who revolutionized prime time television, who died Tuesday night at 101.“I loved Norman Lear with all my heart. He was my second father. Sending my love to Lyn and the whole Lear family.” — Rob Reiner, via X, formerly Twitter.“A master of storytelling and a healer through his shows! He is what all of showbiz should be aspiring to. He is the consummate creative producer we have long abandoned in the industry.” — John Leguizamo, via X.“My Goat. What a life. Rest well, Norman Lear.” — Quinta Brunson, via X.“Anyone who ever had a chance to say something pointed or political in an American television entertainment owes Norman Lear their adoration and awe. He saw what was possible in that vacuous glowing box and, almost singularly, he made it so.” — David Simon, via X.The Associated Press

US files war crime charges against Russians accused of torturing an American in the Ukraine invasion

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:18:32 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department on Wednesday said it has filed war crime charges against four members of the Russian military accused of abducting and torturing an American during the invasion of Ukraine in a case that’s the first of its kind. The case marks the first prosecution against Russians in connection with atrocities during their war against Ukraine and is the first war crimes case involving the victimization of an American, officials said.“The Justice Department and the American people have a long memory,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said in announcing the case. “We will not forget the atrocities in Ukraine. And we will never stop working to bring those responsible to justice.”The four Russians are identified as members of the Russian armed forces or its proxy units. Two of them are described as senior officers. None of the four is in custody.The Russians are accused of kidnapping the American from his home in a Ukrainian village in 2022. The American w...

Provincial police open probe into child’s death at home daycare northeast of Montreal

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:18:32 GMT

MONTREAL — Quebec provincial police are investigating the death of a toddler who was found injured at a daycare in a residence near Montreal.Police say the toddler was discovered on Tuesday with serious injuries at a home in L’Assomption, Que., about 50 kilometres northeast of Montreal.The child died in hospital later that day.Police say its unclear whether a criminal act occurred and that they’ve made no arrests so far.The unit that investigates crimes against people has opened a probe into the death of the child, who was less than three years old.An autopsy has been ordered to determine the cause of death.This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 6, 2023.The Canadian Press

Virginia state art museum returns 44 pieces authorities determined were stolen or looted

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:18:32 GMT

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia’s state-run fine arts museum has begun the process of returning 44 pieces of ancient art to their countries of origin after law enforcement officials presented the institution with what it called “irrefutable evidence” that the works had been stolen or looted. The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts announced in a news release Tuesday that it had “safely delivered” the pieces to the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office in New York, which it said had conducted an inquiry into the artworks as part of a broader investigation, along with the Department of Homeland Security. The DA’s office will facilitate the return of the objects to Italy, Egypt and Turkey, according to the Richmond museum. “The clear and compelling evidence presented to VMFA left no doubt that the museum does not hold clear title for these 44 works of ancient art,” Michael R. Taylor, the museum’s chief curator and deputy director for art and education, said in a statement...

Decades after Europe, turning blades send first commercial wind power onto US grid

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:18:32 GMT

NEW LONDON, Conn. (AP) — Off the coast of eastern Long Island, an 800-foot tall turbine has begun sending electricity onto the U.S. grid from what’s set to be the country’s first commercial offshore wind farm.It’s a milestone many years in the making and at the same time a modest advance in what experts say needs to be a major buildout of this type of clean electricity to address climate change.Danish wind energy developer Ørsted and the utility Eversource announced Wednesday the first electricity from what will be a 12-turbine wind farm called South Fork Wind 35 miles (56 kilometers) east of Montauk Point, New York. It will be New York’s first offshore wind farm.Ørsted and Eversource planned to meet Wednesday with New York officials to celebrate this “first power” milestone, in East Hampton, New York, where the wind farm connects to the onshore electric grid. They say the achievement builds a foundation for other large U.S. offshore wind farms that will follow. So far, ...

Google ups the stakes in AI race with Gemini, a technology trained to behave more like humans

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:18:32 GMT

Google took its next leap in artificial intelligence Wednesday with the launch of project Gemini, an AI model trained to behave in human-like ways that’s likely to intensify the debate about the technology’s potential promise and perils.The rollout will unfold in phases, with less sophisticated versions of Gemini called “Nano” and “Pro” being immediately incorporated into Google’s AI-powered chatbot Bard and its Pixel 8 Pro smartphone.With Gemini providing a helping hand, Google promises Bard will become more intuitive and better at tasks that involve planning. On the Pixel 8 Pro, Gemini will be able to quickly summarize recordings made on the device and provide automatic replies on messaging services, starting with WhatsApp, according to Google.Gemini’s biggest advances won’t come until early next year when its Ultra model will be used to launch “Bard Advanced,” a juiced-up version of the chatbot that initially will only be offered to a test audience. The AI...

Albania’s opposition speaks up at the Constitutional Court against ratifying migrant deal with Italy

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:18:32 GMT

TIRANA, Albania (AP) — The opposition in Albania on Wednesday spoke up at the Constitutional Court against the ratification of a contentious deal the government has signed with Italy to jointly process some asylum applications of migrants arriving in Italy by sea.Last month, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni announced a five-year deal in which Albania agreed to temporarily shelter up to 3,000 migrants per month — up to 36,000 migrants a year — while Rome fast-tracks their requests for asylum in Italy.Rama considers the deal as a gesture of reciprocation to Italy, which in 1991 welcomed thousands of Albanians fleeing poverty after the fall of communism.The Albanian government’s draft law will be debated Dec. 21 and voted on in the 140-seat parliament, where Rama’s governing Socialists have 74 seats.In a letter to the court, the opposition said it wants parliament to suspend the ratification, asserting that it runs counter to the constitution and ...

4th GOP debate airs tonight

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:18:32 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) - Four qualifying presidential candidates will face each other again, but the GOP’s lead contender will be nowhere near the debate stage.Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, former U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley, and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy will face off at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.“We've been preparing for days and days. We've had an entire team here working on all the research for weeks,” said debate moderator Elizabeth Vargas. She points out its one of the candidates’ final chances to pitch themselves to a national audience before January’s Iowa caucus.Looming above all four candidates on stage, former president Donald Trump, the GOP’s leading contender for the presidential nomination, who is again skipping a presidential debate, meaning more focus on those present.Debate moderator Megan Kelly says, “Fewer candidates mean much higher stakes they're not going to be able to give 30 second answers and mo...