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The FBI director warns about threats to Americans from those inspired by the Hamas attack on Israel

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:55:44 GMT

By LINDSAY WHITEHURST (Associated Press)FBI Director Christopher Wray warned on Tuesday that Hamas’ rampage inside Israel could inspire violence in the U.S., telling lawmakers that multiple foreign extremist groups have called for attacks against Americans and the West in recent weeks.“We assess that the actions of Hamas and its allies will serve as an inspiration the likes of which we haven’t seen since ISIS launched its so-called caliphate years ago,” Wray said, using an acronym for the Islamic State group.In his testimony before the Senate Homeland Security Committee, Wray gave his most detailed and ominous assessment of potential threats to the U.S. since the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas on Israeli soldiers and civilians. His reference to the Islamic State, a reminder of when the FBI scrambled to disrupt hastily developed plots of violence by people inspired by the group’s ascendancy, underscores the bureau’s concerns that the current Middle East co...

Kids return to school and trick-or-treat as Maine community starts to heal from mass shooting

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:55:44 GMT

By DAVID SHARP (Associated Press)LEWISTON, Maine (AP) — Children returned to schools and went trick-or-treating on Tuesday as the community of Lewiston tried to return to normal after sheltering indoors for days while authorities hunted for the man responsible for the deadliest mass shooting in Maine’s history.Hundreds of students were back in class at Lewiston High School, petting therapy dogs and signing a large banner that read “Lewiston Strong” — the community’s new motto. Days earlier, the campus had been transformed into a law enforcement command post with three helicopters utilizing the athletic fields and 300 vehicles filling the parking lot.“Today’s going to be hard,” said Superintendent Jake Langlais. “But I think there’s strength in gathering, in unity, in getting back together.”Jayden Sands, a 15-year-old sophomore, said one of his football coaches lost four friends, one of his best friends lost a fr...

Maine mass shooter's troubling behavior raised concerns for months, documents show

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:55:44 GMT

Authorities publicly identified Robert Card as a person of interest about four hours after he shot and killed 18 people and wounded 13 others during attacks last week at a bowling alley and bar in Lewiston, Maine. But Card, who was found dead two days after his rampage, had been well known to law enforcement for months. Here's a look at some of the interactions he had with sheriff's deputies, his family and members of his Army Reserve unit, as gleaned from statements made by authorities and documents they released:MAY:On May 3, Card’s 18-year-old son and ex-wife told a school resource officer in Topsham, about 15 miles (25 kilometers) southeast of Lewiston, that they were growing concerned about his deteriorating mental health. A Sagadahoc County sheriff's deputy met with the son and ex-wife that day and the son said that around last January, his father started claiming that people around him were saying derogatory things about him. He said his father had become angry and paranoid, ...

Halton police offering cash reward to locate man wanted for seriously injuring officer

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:55:44 GMT

Halton police are offering a cash reward for information into the whereabouts of a man wanted for seriously injuring an officer during a traffic stop in the summer.Investigators said a Halton Regional Police Service officer was conducting a traffic stop on Plains Road East in Burlington during the early morning hours of July 22, 2023.The officer formed grounds to arrest a male driver under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Police said a violent struggle with the man ensued, resulting in the responding officer sustaining serious but non-life-threatening injuries.The suspect, identified as 31-year-old Matthew Flannigan, fled the scene at a high rate of speed. The officer has since been released from the hospital. Related: Man wanted for injuring Halton police officer in ‘violent struggle’ during traffic stop Flannigan is wanted on several charges, including assaulting a peace officer, causing bodily harm and dangerous operation. He’s also want...

Centerra Gold sees earnings rise in third quarter, bringing in US$60.6 million

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:55:44 GMT

TORONTO — Centerra Gold Inc. says it earned US$60.6 million in the third quarter, up from a loss of $33.9 million a year earlier. The Toronto-based company says revenues for the quarter ended Sept. 30 were US$343.9 million, up from US$179 million during the same quarter last year. Earnings from mine operations rose to US$114.6 million from US$32.6 million. The company reaffirmed its gold production guidance for the rest of the year. President and CEO Paul Tomory says the company expects to generate significant free cash flow in the fourth quarter. Centerra declared a quarterly dividend of seven cents per share. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 31, 2023.Companies in this story: (TSX:CG)The Canadian Press

Robert De Niro lashes out at former assistant who sued him, shouting: ‘Shame on you!’

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:55:44 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Actor Robert De Niro shouted “Shame on you!” as he testified Tuesday in a New York courtroom, directing the comments toward his former executive assistant and vice president who is seeking millions of dollars after accusing her former boss of being abusive.Graham Chase Robinson watched with her lawyers while De Niro’s anger built as attorney Andrew Macurdy pelted him with some tabloid-style accusations his client made about De Niro’s behavior toward Robinson as she served his needs, large and small, from 2008 until several months into 2019.Robinson, 41, seeks $12 million in damages for emotional distress and reputational harm that she claims has left her jobless and unable to recover from the trauma of her job. She was being paid $300,000 annually when she quit, frustrated by her interactions with De Niro’s girlfriend and the effect she believed it was having on the actor.The jury is also considering evidence pertaining to a lawsuit De Niro filed ag...

UN body debates proposed regulations amid pressure to allow deep-sea mining

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:55:44 GMT

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Members of a U.N. body charged with protecting deep international waters met Tuesday to negotiate details of a proposed regulatory framework amid pressure to allow companies and countries to mine minerals from the ocean bed.The nearly two-week meeting of the International Seabed Authority began Monday in Jamaica but was soon interrupted by a 5.4 magnitude earthquake that struck the island and forced organizers to cancel activities for the day. The quake prompted delegates from at least six countries to leave Jamaica, including Panama, Switzerland and New Zealand, all of which support a moratorium on deep-sea mining.The meeting resumed Tuesday after scientists and environmental groups praised the United Kingdom for joining nearly two dozen other countries calling for a ban or moratorium on deep-sea mining.“We’re hoping it creates a sense of positive peer pressure for states sitting on the fence,” said Jessica Battle with the nonprofit World Wide Fund For ...

Canada joins U.S., U.K. on sanctions targeting arms sales to Myanmar military junta

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:55:44 GMT

OTTAWA — Canada is joining the United States and the United Kingdom in sanctioning dozens of people and entities linked to Myanmar’s military regime.The new sanctions target 39 people and 22 entities that Ottawa accuses of helping the military junta since it overthrew civilian rule in February 2021.The Myanmar military has been accused in recent months of conducting deadly airstrikes against civilians, such as at an April gathering of an opposition movement and in early October at a displaced-persons camp.Ottawa says peer countries are trying to end the sale and transfer of arms to the military regime, which stands accused of mass arsons, razing villages, arbitrary detentions and torture.The Monday announcement also expands Canadian prohibitions on the export, sale and shipment of aviation fuel to the regime that governs Myanmar, the country formerly known as Burma.Ottawa says the new sanctions are meant to complement regional efforts by the Association of Southeast Asian Nati...

Travellers vent as WestJet announces baggage, seat selection fee hikes in November

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:55:44 GMT

Making flying even more expensive right before the busy holiday travel season is a sure way to tick off travellers.WestJet found that out on Tuesday, when it announced new increases to existing bag and seat selection fees that will come into effect on November 7.The airline says first, second and excess bags paid via an airport agent will cost flyers an additional $10.“This $10 only applies to tickets purchased on or after November 7, 2023,” WestJet said in a release.“Any guests with tickets purchased on November 6, 2023, or prior can self-identify with an agent to avoid the additional $10. This additional amount will not apply to guests with bookings that are inhibited from self-serve check-in.”WestJet added that guests with Econo or EconoFlex fares “will now pay a fee for seat selection during check-in if they choose a Preferred or Emergency Exit row seat.”“Preferred seats provide additional legroom and are located at the front of the econ...

Nevada’s Republican governor criticizes the state GOP holding a caucus despite a separate primary

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:55:44 GMT

RENO, Nev. (AP) — Nevada Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo ripped his state party’s plan to hold a caucus despite a primary election occurring two days prior, a split that some state GOP officials warn could confuse voters in a key early nomination state.Speaking on the “Nevada Newsmakers” podcast episode, which aired Tuesday, Lombardo echoed widespread concerns about the parallel election processes, mainly that it would cause confusion and prove arduous for Republican voters in the western swing state. He specifically criticized a rule adopted by the state party that bars any candidate who runs in the presidential primary from participating in the caucus. “I think that’s unacceptable for the voters and the understanding of how things should be done,” Lombardo said.The other main concern among many Republicans — including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis — is that the caucus rules would tilt the nominating process in Trump’s favor. Chairman Michael McDonald, who was a fake elector f...