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France arrests Russian oligarch in money-laundering, sanctions probe

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:01:23 GMT

French police detained Russian billionaire oligarch Alexei Kuzmichev on Monday, in an investigation into money laundering, tax fraud and violations of international sanctions.As part of a preliminary probe by France’s anti-corruption office (OCLCIFF), police on Monday carried out multiple searches at several locations in France, including Kuzmichev’s property in Paris, a spokesperson for France’s National Financial Prosecutor’s Office (PNF) confirmed to POLITICO.Kuzmichev was detained Monday and remained in custody on Tuesday.According to French daily Le Monde, Monday’s raids included more than 60 officers and Kuzmichev’s villa in Saint-Tropez was also searched.Kuzmichev, a shareholder of Alfa Group, one of Russia’s largest private investment firms, was sanctioned by the EU along with several other Alfa Group shareholders after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his full-scale invasion of Ukraine last year. The EU considers Kuzmichev “one of the most infl...

Officials urge Halloween revelers in Salem to use public transit, celebrate responsibly

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:01:23 GMT

Tens of thousands of people are set to descend on Salem for Halloween festivities on Tuesday and city officials are urging revelers to take advantage of public transit and celebrate responsibly.Haunted Happenings events, including a hypnosis show, a witches magic circle on the Common, and a fireworks show over the North River run from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.Additional trans have been added between Salem and North Station and Salem and Beverly. The final train to Boston leaves at 10:59 p.m. and the final train to Newburyport leaves at 12:21 a.m.The appeal for safety comes after a man was arraigned in connection with a suspected drunken driving pedestrian crash that left a woman seriously injured and another near-miss involving a suspected drunken driver and a Salem police officer.Stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest updates.

A Weather Trick or a Treat?

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:01:23 GMT

Yes, the chillier air is clearly back in place as the coldest air of the season heads into Southern New England over the next few days. With that said, at least it’ll be dry with some sunshine on this Halloween as a bit of a breeze this morning, gradually subsides this afternoon, leaving little wind in place for the Trick-or-Treaters. Temps run in the mid 40s around sunset (5:39pm) and drop into the mid to upper 30s by 9pm. Overall, a manageable chill thanks to the wind not being that strong. Wednesday is a chilly day overall with highs in the low to mid 40s. A few scattered showers pop-up from time to time with the best chance for them early in the morning, across Southeast Mass. For the rest of the area, it’ll be during the midday/afternoon hours that we track some spotty showers. There’s a lot of chilly air just above the surface, so when the showers get going, temps drop off, even getting cold enough for some wet snow flakes to mix in inland, especially across ...

Editorial: Stop killing the Massachusetts economy, governor

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:01:23 GMT

Gov. Maura Healey and the state Legislature need to stop everything they’re doing and focus on the dismal business tax climate in Massachusetts today!Business is the backbone of our democracy, and neglecting the engine that drives our freedom is irresponsible. Every warning light is blinking, governor, so erase your calendar, roll up your sleeves, and get out your toolbox.The Tax Foundation ranks Massachusetts as the 5th worst state in its Business Tax Climate Index. New Jersey, New York, California, and Connecticut rank lower — but New Hampshire is in the Top 10. That alone should worry Gov. Healey. Last time when drove north it was a quick trip.The sad part is Healey doesn’t seem to care. Neither does Speaker Ron Mariano and state Senate President Karen Spilka. Our Democratic-run government is more adept at knocking down entrepreneurs than helping them out.This Tax Foundation report — showing the Bay State dropping 12 spots in just the past year — sho...

Indonesian police arrest 59 suspected militants over an alleged plot to disrupt 2024 elections

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:01:23 GMT

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesia’s elite counterterrorism police squad arrested at least 59 suspected militants in recent weeks in a nationwide crackdown as the country gears up for elections in 2024, police said Tuesday.The arrests were made in eight provinces since Oct. 2, including 27 suspects who were arrested Friday, said Aswin Siregar, the spokesperson of the squad known as Densus 88. Those arrested believed to have links to banned extremist groups who were allegedly plotting to disrupt next year’s election, he said.Indonesia is the world’s third-largest democracy and the most populous Muslim-majority country. It’s set to vote in simultaneous legislative and presidential elections on Feb. 14. The country has had free and largely peaceful elections since the fall of dictator Suharto in 1998.Siregar said the arrested suspects told investigators during interrogation that “they have planned action to attack security forces to thwart or disrupt next year’s election.”“They ...

Boris Johnson’s aide-turned-enemy Dominic Cummings set to testify at UK COVID-19 inquiry

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:01:23 GMT

LONDON (AP) — A former top aide who has accused ex-Prime Minister Boris Johnson of being unfit for office is scheduled to testify Tuesday at Britain’s public inquiry into the COVID-19 pandemic.Dominic Cummings, who was the prime minister’s chief adviser during the first months of the pandemic in 2020, follows other aides who have painted a picture of Johnson as a leader who was distracted and indecisive during the country’s biggest peacetime crisis.On Monday, former principal private secretary Martin Reynolds acknowledged there had been a “systemic failure” to prepare for the pandemic and said Johnson blew ”hot and cold” on key issues and hesitated to make important decisions.Another ex-aide, Imran Shafi, alleged that Johnson had asked at a meeting before lockdown was imposed in March 2020, why the economy was being destroyed “for people who will die anyway soon.”Cummings has also claimed Johnson was reluctant to impose lockdowns because he said the virus was primarily killing...

Victorious Springboks arrive back to a heroes’ welcome in South Africa

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:01:23 GMT

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — World rugby champions South Africa arrived back in the country on Tuesday to a heroes’ welcome following a feat that saw them defend their title after beating New Zealand 11-12 in France over the weekend.Thousands of Springboks supporters braved the cold and wet weather to gather at O.R. Tambo International Airport to welcome the squad, the first nation to lift the World Cup on four occasions.The crowds went into a frenzy as captain Siya Kolisi entered the arrivals terminal hoisting the Webb Ellis trophy surrounded by the rest of his teammates.It was a colourful affair, with many donning their green and gold Springboks jerseys, waving South African flags and holding up placards bearing congratulatory messages for the squad.Supporters wearing Springbok jerseys or any South African colours were allowed to travel for free on the Gautrain train service to the airport, where traffic leading to the main terminals was jammed throughout the morning.A South African Police...

Biden administration takes on JetBlue as its fight against industry consolidation goes to court

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:01:23 GMT

The Biden administration’s fight against consolidation in the airline industry will be tested Tuesday with lawyers for JetBlue Airways and the Justice Department squaring off in court Tuesday.The administration is suing to block JetBlue’s proposed $3.8 billion acquisition of Spirit Airlines. The trial in federal district court in Boston could reshape the market for low-cost airlines — Spirit is by far the nation’s biggest budget carrier, and it will disappear if JetBlue wins the case.The Justice Department is fresh off victory in a previous lawsuit that killed a partnership between JetBlue and American Airlines. JetBlue isn’t exactly the sort of behemoth that comes to mind when imagining a defendant in an antitrust case. It is the sixth-largest U.S. airline by revenue, and it is trying to buy the seventh-biggest. If it swallows Spirit, JetBlue will leapfrog Alaska Airlines but still control less than 10% of the U.S. air-travel market. It would remain far smaller than American,...

Costumes, candy and a chilly forecast: Halloween is here

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:01:23 GMT

Halloween is here and there’s a chill in the air with low single-digit temperatures in store in time for trick-or-treating.Here in the GTA, kids and their adult companions will may need to add some extra layers to their costumes as they head out for candy this evening. CityNews 680 meteorologist Jill Taylor says the trick-or-treat time forecast will see temperatures hovering around 3 C, while the wind could make it feel as cold as -4.“Dress warm,” Taylor said. “It’s just a very light wind, but enough to give us that raw kind of feeling as you’re heading out with the kids. You will definitely need the extra layers under, or over top of your costume.”Things will likely stay dry but there is the outside chance of a flew furries during the evening hours. More on the Toronto forecast can be found here. Half of Canadian households plan to participate in Halloween this year, according to a new poll. The Maru Public Opinion survey said th...

Germany’s highest court overturns a reform that allowed for new trials after acquittals

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:01:23 GMT

BERLIN (AP) — Germany’s highest court on Tuesday overturned a reform to the country’s criminal code that allowed for people who have been acquitted to be put on trial again for the same crime if new evidence emerged that could secure their conviction for murder or other serious crimes.The Federal Constitutional Court declared the change, which took effect in December 2021, null and void after considering a challenge by a man who was acquitted of raping and killing a 17-year-old girl in the 1980s and faced new proceedings after an examination of DNA traces.It found that the provision violated both a constitutional clause that precludes anyone being “punished for the same crime more than once” and a ban on applying the law retroactively.The 2021 provision stated that proceedings already closed with a final judgement can be reopened “if new facts or evidence are produced which, independently or in connection with evidence which was previously taken, establish cogent reasons...