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Iran: Jail terms for those behind downing of Ukraine flight

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:52 GMT

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — An Iranian court has sentenced an air defense commander allegedly responsible for the deadly downing of a passenger plane amid Iran-U.S. tensions several years ago, a state news agency reported Sunday.Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard mistakenly shot down the Ukraine International Airlines flight in January 2020. The missile strike killed all 176 people on board and came as Tehran and Washington teetered on the brink of war.The Guards commander who officials purport ordered the strike was sentenced to 13 years in prison, the official judiciary news outlet said.Mizan said the commander did not follow protocols in the moments leading up to the shooting down of the plane. The commander was ordered to pay fines to families of victims, the report added.Mizan said the court also sentenced two personnel allegedly involved in running the surface-to-air missile system Tor M-1 to one year in prison each.After a lengthy series of hearings, the court sen...

At least 33 people killed by gunmen in northwest Nigeria

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:52 GMT

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Gunmen have attacked a village in northwest Nigeria and killed at least 33 people, a local official said Sunday.More than 35 houses were destroyed in the violence in Runji, which is in the state of Kaduna, said Francis Zimbo, chairman of the Zangon Kataf area where the massacre took place. Zimbo provided the number of fatalities, but state authorities wouldn’t comment on the number of people killed.“Troops had a fierce encounter with the attackers and are still in the general area,” said Samuel Aruwan, the state commissioner of security.No group has claimed responsibility for the killings. However, gangs of bandits have been accused of being responsible for attacks in the region, which includes the kidnapping for ransom and killing of civilians. Earlier this month, gunmen kidnapped 10 students about a half-hour drive by car from where Saturday’s attack occurred.Nigeria’s government is still struggling to quell the violence in the country’s nor...

Germany backs EU-Indonesia trade pact to curb China reliance

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:52 GMT

BERLIN (AP) — German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Sunday that he will press for a trade agreement between the European Union and Indonesia as part of his country’s efforts to reduce its reliance on China for crucial raw materials.Speaking at the opening of the annual Hannover trade fair, Scholz told Indonesian President Joko Widodo that a trade deal between Southeast Asia’s most populous nation and the 27-nation bloc would create an economic area with 700 million people.“I am working to finally get this agreement across the finish line,” Scholz said of the negotiations between Jakarta and Brussels, which have been ongoing since 2016.The German leader said he was similarly hopeful about talks between the EU and the Mercosur bloc in South America, Mexico, Australia, Kenya and India. “Here too, a whole new dynamic has emerged in recent months,” he said, adding that such agreements were necessary to help countries reduce their dependence on particular markets.Germany is parti...

Restaurant service fees on the rise: Here's how to spot them

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:52 GMT

(WTAJ) — Inflation isn't the only thing driving up your tab. As restaurant and service industries see shrinking margins, some are charging more service fees to customers. According to Investopedia, you are charged a service fee as a way for the seller to collect payment for a service or product. Many companies, including restaurants, banks, and hotels, include them at checkout.When talking about restaurant-related service fees in particular, it's often a percentage of the total bill that's tacked on to the total charges. In some cases, it's a way to ensure staff is paid a gratuity, and customers aren't required or expected to add a tip on top of the service fee. But the service fee won't necessarily go straight to the person who served you. A good way to think of it is tips are for the server or the person that directly did a service for you. Service fees are for for the whole business, and there is no guarantee that collected service fees are going to a specific person like a tip w...

Wild star Kirill Kaprizov starting to feel like himself again

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:52 GMT

Kirill Kaprizov didn’t feel like himself. He wasn’t shy about that.Asked how he felt like he played last week in his return to the Wild lineup, the star forward wasn’t exactly pleased with his performance.“It was a tough start,” he said. “I hope to be better.”The fact that Kaprizov played in any capacity was a win for the Wild. Some thought he might miss the rest of the regular season after suffering a lower-body injury in a March 8 game against Winnipeg.Not the case as Kaprizov came back sooner than expected. He played against the St. Louis Blues a week and a half ago, logging 20 minutes, 26 seconds. He followed that up by playing against the Jets a few days later, logging 22 minutes, 13 seconds against Jets.“I’m really glad I played,” he said. “It was really important for me to get the rust off.”That should help as the Wild prepare for their first-round playoff series against the Dallas Stars. Game 1 is in Dal...

Two dead after van goes off a road and hits a tree in St. Paul early Sunday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:52 GMT

Two males died in a high-speed crash after their van struck a tree in St. Paul early Sunday, authorities said.The single vehicle accident was reported near West Seventh and South Home streets shortly after 4:30 a.m., Sgt. Mike Ernster said.Officers found a Dodge Caravan that went off the road and hit the tree. The occupants were unresponsive. Paramedics pronounced them dead at the scene.It was not known Sunday morning whether the victims were adults or juveniles, according to Ernster.A preliminary investigation found that the van was speeding westbound on West Seventh when it veered into the opposite lane, left the road and hit the tree.Related ArticlesCrime & Public Safety | Sheriff’s deputy dead, 2 other officers injured in gunfight during domestic call in western Minnesota Crime & Public Safety | Man stabbed multiple times at Lake Elmo home on Saturday afternoon Crime & Public Safety | Driver dies on I-35 in Lakeville a...

UAlbany men's lacrosse returns to win column, nixing NJIT

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:52 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The University at Albany men’s lacrosse bounced back from last weekend's disappointing road loss to Bryant with a six-goal victory over visiting NJIT Saturday on Bob Ford Field. The Great Danes were fueled by a five-point performance from senior attack Jack Pucci.  Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Key Stats Jack Pucci scored four goals and added one assist Peter Salit scored one goal and recorded three assists Eleven Great Danes scored at least one point UAlbany outshot NJIT 51-31 Head Coach Scott Marr: “Today was a great day for lacrosse.  Hosting the 4 The Future Foundation and the CityLax clinic beforehand, and having Lyle back on campus, and Jeremy and Hiana also is just great for lacrosse and great for this area.  I was really proud of that.  Our school did a great job, and Mark Benson and his staff really worked together with us on tha...

Thompson brothers hold 4 The Future Foundation clinic at UAlbany

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:52 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Saturday was an exciting day for lacrosse fans in the Capital Region. Former University at Albany legend Lyle Thompson was in town with his brothers Jeremy and Jerome "Hiana" Thompson. They held an "Albany Community Day" as part of their 4 The Future Foundation. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The afternoon began with a CityLax clinic at UAlbany's Fallon Field for young lacrosse players in the area as part of the foundation's mission to give back to the community, and foster the aspirations of young athletes, while showing them the importance of an active and healthy lifestyle.After the clinic, all three brothers signed autographs for fans ahead of the UAlbany men's lacrosse game against NJIT. FireWolves flustered by Lyle Thompson’s Swarm Jordyn Marr, daughter of UAlbany men's lacrosse head coach Scott Marr and former member of the Great Danes women's team, serves as the foundation's operations man...

Denver man killed inside RV at Park-N-Ride, sheriff’s office says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:52 GMT

A 57-year-old Denver man was found shot to death inside an RV at a Jefferson County Park-N-Ride lot Friday afternoon, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.Deputies discovered Matthew Hire’s body around 3:45 p.m. Friday in the Woolly Mammoth parking lot off U.S. 40 near Interstate 70 and Morrison Road, the sheriff’s office said in a news release Sunday.A deputy on a routine patrol noticed the parked RV’s door swinging open and investigated, discovering Hire’s body inside, the news release said.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Sulfuric acid spill at Coors canning plant in west metro Denver forces evacuation of workers Crime and Public Safety | Denver police shoot suspect at Clement Park near Littleton Crime and Public Safety | Bear Fire evacuation orders have been lifted for Golden Gate Canyon area Crime and Public Safety | All Hogback fire pre-evacuation warnings lifted aro...

LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers take on Memphis Grizzlies in NBA Playoffs round 1

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:52 GMT

LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers are back in the NBA postseason, and the league's all-time leading scorer couldn't be more ready.James and the Lakers missed last year's playoffs, and Phoenix bounced the then-defending champs in just six games in 2021. These Lakers had to win 10 of their final 12 and rally from 15 down to beat Minnesota in overtime Tuesday night to clinch the No. 7 seed.Asked about facing the second-seeded Memphis Grizzlies in the first-round of the Western Conference playoffs, James started ticking off the roster, calling two-time All-Star guard Ja Morant: “obviously the head of the snake.”James even mentioned Luke Kennard, Memphis' big trade deadline acquisition who led the NBA by making 49.4% of his 3-pointers this season. Kennard is also a fellow Ohio native who broke James' career scoring record in high school.“Obviously, I haven't thought about Memphis one minute," James said to laughter.The franchises haven't faced each other in the postseason until now...