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Ex-Wagner officer says Kremlin ordered ‘atrocities’ in Ukraine

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:27 GMT

A man claiming to be a former Russian colonel and ex-member of the Wagner paramilitary group who fought in Ukraine and has since defected said he witnessed war crimes and child abductions.Igor Salikov, who says he served in the Russian military and in the Wagner Group (which is funded by the Kremlin) for 25 years, arrived in the Netherlands on Monday to testify about alleged war crimes committed by Moscow during its war on Ukraine before the Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC), Dutch public broadcaster NPO1 reported.“I witnessed atrocities against civilians,” the 60-year-old said during an interview, adding that he saw prisoners of war being abused and executed and children being abducted.“I have seen people from the secret services take large numbers of children without parents across the border into Belarus,” Salikov said.Salikov said those carrying out these alleged war crimes were doing so on the orders of the Russian defense ministry, but also...

Israel strikes south Gaza and raids a hospital in the north as war grinds on with renewed US support

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:27 GMT

RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israeli strikes killed at least 28 Palestinians in southern Gaza and troops raided one of the last functioning hospitals in the north as the country pressed ahead with its offensive against Hamas on Tuesday with renewed backing from the United States, despite rising international alarm.The offensive, launched in response to Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack into Israel, has killed nearly 20,000 Palestinians, displaced some 1.9 million, demolished much of northern Gaza and sparked attacks on U.S. and Israeli targets across the region.Attacks on ships in the Red Sea by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels have led major shipping companies — as well as the oil and gas giant BP — to suspend trade through the vital waterway, prompting the U.S. and its allies to launch a new mission to counter the threat.But after meeting with Israeli officials Monday, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said he was “not here to dictate timelines or terms.” His remarks signaled that ...

Bangladesh minister accuses country’s main opposition party of arson after train fire kills 4

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:27 GMT

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — Bangladesh’s railway minister accused the country’s main opposition party of “arson” and “sabotage” after a fire broke out early Tuesday on a passenger train in the capital killing four people, including a mother and child.“Now, they have targeted a safe means of transport like a train,” said Nurul Islam Sujon, accusing the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, led by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, of resorting to violence and sabotage in the name of anti-government protests to thwart the national election slated for Jan.7 and “create chaos.”Zia’s party — which is boycotting the election — issued a statement denying the accusation. The party has been intermittently enforcing transportation blockades and general strikes demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina who seeks to return to power for a fourth consecutive term.On Tuesday, Shahjahan Sikder, deputy assistant director of the Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defense, said t...

Good news for late holiday shoppers: Retailers are improving their delivery speeds

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:27 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Haven’t ordered any of your holiday gifts yet?Well, you might find solace in discovering some of America’s biggest retailers are working to increase their shipping speeds to please shoppers expecting faster and faster deliveries. Walmart, Target and Amazon are all-in on the shipping wars, a move retail experts say will help them maintain a competitive edge against low-cost Chinese retailers Shein and Temu. For Walmart and Target, their investments are also aimed at narrowing the gap in delivery speed with Amazon, which has set the standard for fast shipping and remains the king of speed. Amazon packages have been arriving at the doors of Prime customers even faster this year under the company’s new distribution model, which divides the country into eight regions and predominantly ships items from warehouses in those areas. The idea, according to Amazon, is to get shipments to travel shorter distances with fewer touchpoints, which helps the company not only speed up d...

Moldova receives additional funding to improve rail infrastructure and advance Solidarity Lanes

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:27 GMT

The European Investment Bank has signed a €41.2 million loan with Moldova, destined to improve internal transport connections as well as to provide long-term economic benefits to the wider region. This loan will be complemented by an EU grant of €12 million. Transport Commissioner Adina Vălean said: “I welcome the signature of this loan that, together with the European Commission contribution of €12 million, will improve rail infrastructure in Moldova. Some 128 kilometres of track on the North-South axis will be renovated, with great benefits for the Moldovan economy. The project will also strengthen the Solidarity Lanes, where Moldova and Romania are the main actors on the Danube Corridor, ensuring the transit of almost 70% of the products exiting Ukraine.” The project will help reduce road congestion and increase environmental sustainability, in accordance with the EU's Global Gateway goals.It will also strengthen the Solidarity Lanes, the alternative transport routes for Ukraine ...

Dear Abby: I’m sure it’s the bride who made this hurtful decision

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:27 GMT

DEAR ABBY: My son and his fiancee are getting married next month. They’re calling it an elopement. They have been telling everyone when and where the wedding is, but they are not formally inviting anyone.Related ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: My sister doesn’t know it, but my husband’s demand is non-negotiable Advice | Dear Abby: I’m not sure I can spend the rest of my life with babyman in tow Advice | Dear Abby: I can’t believe my wife thinks it’s normal how she lives Advice | Dear Abby: My wife’s snubbing of my parents could cost me a lot of money Advice | Dear Abby: This is my family’s pronunciation, and the correction is hurtful I have come to terms with that. I realize the day is about them, not me. However, this is my only child, and I have always dreamed about being part of this milestone in his life.I’m sure this is his fiancee’s choice and...

Backlund scores short-handed goal in 3rd period as Flames beat Panthers 3-1

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:27 GMT

CALGARY, Alberta (AP) — Mikael Backlund scored a tiebreaking short-handed goal early in the third period, Jacob Markstrom stopped 34 shots, and the Calgary Flames beat the Florida Panthers 3-1 on Monday night.Martin Pospisil and Blake Coleman also scored to help Calgary improve to 2-0-2 in their last four games.Sam Reinhart had a power-play goal for Florida, and Anthony Stolarz had 21 saves. The Panthers finished a five-game trip at 2-3-0.Tied 1-1 in the third, the Flames’ dangerous penalty kill came through shortly after failing to connect on a power play. Attempting to enter the Flames zone, Reinhart turned the puck over to Noah Hanifin, who sprung Backlund on a breakaway. With Reinhart chasing him, Backlund went to his backhand and lifted a high shot, glove-side over Stolarz at 3:31 for his seventh goal of the season.“Hanny made a really good read, really good play, and then I saw a chance to go and he made a really nice pass and I took off,” Backlund said. “Tight game, you...

Domas Narcevicius, who is Lithuanian, plays that way for Stagg. And after a little slump? ‘I feel like I’m back.’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:27 GMT

Domas Narcevicius, a third generation Lithuanian, said he’s full of “that European blood” as a basketball player for Stagg. If you watch the NBA, well, you know that’s a good thing.The junior forward has been playing the sport since age 4, learning the skills and the fundamentals along with other Lithuanian youngsters in a program based in Lemont.“Playing there helped me develop an IQ for the game,” Narcevicius said. “I see the game differently sometimes. I love this sport. I love the culture — the people.“A lot of good things come from it.”Narcevicius had the goods Monday night for the visiting Chargers, scoring a game-high 19 points to go with five rebounds and a steal in a 63-59 win over T.F. South in Lansing.Stagg (10-2) played four games in seven days, and Narcevicius wasn’t happy with the way the stretch started. He said he had a rough week on the court, and it was getting to him.“It was in my head,”...

In the news today: Thousands without power across Atlantic Canada due to strong winds

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:27 GMT

Here is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to bring you up to speed on what you need to know today…Heavy winds knock out power on East CoastMore than 100,000 people were without power in New Brunswick heading into today along with nearly 70,000 people in Nova Scotia as strong winds battered Canada’s East Coast.Environment Canada issued a wind warning for counties throughout Nova Scotia, with maximum expected wind gusts of nearly 100 kilometres an hour. The intense winds are expected to diminish later into the morning.Electric-vehicle sales mandate coming todayEnvironment Minister Steven Guilbeault will outline today the details of his plan to eventually phase out the sale of gas-powered vehicles in Canada.The electric-vehicle sales mandate regulations will be published later this week.They will set a course to require auto manufacturers to ensure at least one-fifth of the vehicles they offer for sale in 2026 are fully electric or plug-in hybrids.That ...

Far from home, Indigenous students face challenges getting education but there’s hope

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:27 GMT

NESKANTAGA FIRST NATION AND THUNDER BAY, ONT. — Charla Moonias lost her friends, her language and the connection to her culture after she left her northern Ontario First Nation at 14 years old to go to school hundreds of kilometres away.There was little support available as she struggled with addictions, tried to cope with the suicides of friends and family and grappled with poor mental health. She was eventually able to graduate – an achievement she’s incredibly proud of – but her experience left her determined to help other Indigenous youth like her. Now, at 26, Moonias works at an organization that’s among a number of institutions trying to support Indigenous teenagers through what can be a fraught period far from home. Such efforts are needed, parents, students and educators say, to allow students from remote First Nations a good chance at a successful high school experience. “I was just getting into powwows and dancing – I danced in a regalia for the first tim...