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French judges file charges against ex-President Nicolas Sarkozy in a case linked to Libya

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:24:26 GMT

PARIS (AP) — French investigative judges filed preliminary charges on Friday against former President Nicolas Sarkozy for his alleged involvement in an attempt to mislead magistrates in order to clear him in a case regarding the suspected illegal financing from Libya of his 2007 presidential campaign.The preliminary charges accuse Sarkozy of “benefitting from corruptly influencing a witness” and “participating in a criminal association” in order “to mislead the magistrates in charge of the judicial investigation into suspicions of Libyan financing of his election campaign,” according to a statement from the financial prosecutors’ office.Sarkozy has denied any involvement. His lawyers said in a statement Friday that the ex-president is “determined to assert his rights, establish the truth and defend his honor.”Under French law, preliminary charges mean there is reason to suspect a crime has been committed, but it allows magistrates more time to investigate before deciding...

Prosecutor won’t seek charges against troopers in killing of ‘Cop City’ activist near Atlanta

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:24:26 GMT

ATLANTA (AP) — The use of deadly force by Georgia state troopers who shot and killed an activist at the site of a planned police and firefighter training center near Atlanta was “objectively reasonable” and no charges will be sought against them, a prosecutor said Friday.Opponents, who derisively refer to the planned center as “Cop City,” had occupied an 85-acre (34-hectare) tract of forest that is being developed for the massive facility. It is there that Manuel Paez Teran was killed.Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney George Christian announced his decision not to pursue charges in a news release. He was appointed to review the Georgia Bureau of Investigation file on the Jan. 18 shooting of Paez Terán after DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston recused herself from the case.State troopers were part of an “enforcement operation” at the site when they encountered Paez Terán, who was known as Tortuguita. When the activist refused to come out of a tent, the troop...

Turkish warplanes hit Kurdish militia targets in northern Syria after US downed Turkish armed drone

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:24:26 GMT

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkish warplanes have carried out airstrikes on sites believed to be used by a U.S.-backed Kurdish militia in northern Syria, after the U.S. military shot down an armed Turkish drone that came within 500 meters (yards) of American troops, officials said Friday.A Turkish defense ministry statement said the Turkish jets targeted some 30 sites in the Tal Rifat, Jazeera and Derik regions, destroying caves, bunkers, shelters and warehouses. Ankara said the locations were used by Kurdistan Workers’ Party, PKK, a designated terrorist group behind a decadeslong insurgency in Turkey — as well as its allies from a Kurdish militia in Syria, known as People’s Defense Units, or YPG.The YPG is part of Syrian Kurdish-led forces — known as the Syrian Democratic Forces — backed by the United States. The Syrian Kurdish fighters have been close U.S. allies in the war against the militants from the Islamic State group.Turkey has been carrying out strikes on Kurdish targets in Ira...

Bears trade Chase Claypool to the Dolphins, reports say

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:24:26 GMT

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — In the end, Chase Claypool's time with the Bears ended up lasting less than a year.Per multiple reports, the first from Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the team is trading the wide receiver to the Dolphins. He will go to Miami along with a 2025 seventh round pick while the Bears will get a 2025 sixth round pick.The team has yet to confirm the move. This move comes after Claypool was inactive the last two games and was told to stay away from the team this past week as the Bears prepared for the Commanders. The Friday before the Broncos game, the receiver had been critical of his usage in the Bears' offense.Check back with WGNTV.com for more on this story.

Putin suggests hand grenade fragments, cocaine found in crash that killed Wagner chief

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:24:26 GMT

(The Hill) – Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday said fragments of a hand grenade were found in the victims who died in a deadly August plane crash that killed 10 people, including Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin.Putin said the crash investigation was not yet complete, but there was no "external influence on the aircraft."Speaking at a foreign policy think tank forum in the Russian city of Sochi, Putin also said cocaine and "lots of cash" were found near the debris of the plane.The Kremlin has denied any role in the plane crash but said in late August that "deliberate wrongdoing" was likely behind it. Russian President Vladimir Putin is seen at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Russia, Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023. This week, Putin suggested that fragments of a hand grenade were found in the victims who died in a deadly August plane crash that killed 10 people, including Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin. (Pavel Bednyakov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)The...

American tourist arrested for smashing ancient Roman statues at museum in Israel

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:24:26 GMT

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli police have arrested an American tourist at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem after he hurled works of art to the floor, defacing two second-century Roman statues.The vandalism late Thursday raised questions about the safety of Israel's priceless collections and stirred concern about a rise in attacks on cultural heritage in Jerusalem.Police identified the suspect as a radical 40-year-old Jewish American tourist and said initial questioning suggested he smashed the statues because he considered them “to be idolatrous and contrary to the Torah.”The man's lawyer, Nick Kaufman, denied that he had acted out of religious fanaticism.Instead, Kaufman said, the tourist was suffering from a mental disorder that psychiatrists have labeled the Jerusalem syndrome. The condition — a form of disorientation believed to be induced by the religious magnetism of the city, which is sacred to Christians, Jews and Muslims — is said to cause foreign pilgrims to believe the...

Crocs cowboy boots? Yes, they're now a thing

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:24:26 GMT

(WJW) - Crocs, the foam clog known for its distinctive appearance but super comfy quality, is stepping out on an all-new venture.Yes, there is now a Crocs Classic Cowboy Boot.The boot that is now trending on Google is "one of the most widely requested Crocs shoe designs in brand history," according to a press release.According to the company, the new design is made of a high-shine croc-embossed texture, with of course, a bold Western look. (Crocs)"The boot is embellished with unique metallic Jibbitz™ charms and a first-of-its-kind spin-able spur charm attached to the backstrap of the shoe. On the rivet detail, the iconic black and white Crocs logo of Duke, the brand's beloved crocodile mascot, has gone country, sporting his very own cowboy hat," said the release. What caused deaths of thousands of birds The cost of the new look will set you back $120 and isn't available just yet. The company says the Crocs Classic Cowboy Boot will hit Crocs.com on Oct. 23, which also happens to be...

Ring offering $1M for proof of 'extraterrestrial life' caught on camera

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:24:26 GMT

Related video above: Crowded skies: Military pilot's first-hand UFO encounter(WJW) - Looking to make $1 million? All you have to do is capture proof on your Ring camera that extraterrestrial life exists.Ring announced the contest on social media, saying it is part of the home security company's "million dollar search for extraterrestrials." ‘Savannah Bananas’ coming to Progressive Field next year To win the grand prize, you must provide unaltered scientific evidence of an extraterrestrial lifeform. "Whether it’s a video of an extraterrestrial walking (or flying?) up your driveway and asking for directions or an unidentifiable lifeform exhibiting unusual and extraordinary behavior in your backyard—submit your best footage!" Ring said in a blog post on Wednesday.The company says video submissions will be reviewed by an expert.Ring camera owners who don't find a real extraterrestrial can still participate, though. Everyone is welcome to submit videos in their best alien costumes for...

PHOTOS: Removal of Barton Springs tree 'Flo'

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:24:26 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The removal process for a beloved landmark at Barton Springs Pool began this week. The Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) said a leaning tree known as "Flo" needed to be removed due to ongoing structural defects combined with a confirmed diagnosis of brittle cinder fungus. PARD said the fungus has no cure and would cause the tree to fail, creating "a life safety hazard." PAST STORY | Group pitches last-chance plan to save historic Barton Springs tree Flo Removal was scheduled for Thursday. As of Friday morning, overhanging parts of the tree were already cut off and removed, leaving behind the main trunk. Barton Springs Pool tree, known as Flo, removed. (KXAN Photo/Todd Bailey) Barton Springs Pool tree, known as Flo, removed. (KXAN Photo/Todd Bailey) Barton Springs Pool tree, known as Flo, removed. (KXAN Photo/Todd Bailey) Barton Springs Pool tree, known as Flo, removed. (KXAN Photo/Todd Bailey) Barton Springs Pool tree, known as Flo, removed. (KXAN Photo...

With opioid use on the rise, experts warn so is Hepatitis C, stress need for testing

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:24:26 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- One recovering addict is hoping the Austin advocates handing out the Narcan at the Austin City Limit Music Festival will ask one important question, “have you been tested for hepatitis C?”Devin Lyall is stressing the importance of hepatitis testing after contracting the disease.“I encourage anyone who's providing services to individuals seeking recovery, or people who use drugs to encourage testing for every single person that walks through the door," Lyall said. Naloxone to be handed out for free at ACL music festival for the first time “I became addicted to opioids after an ankle surgery where I was prescribed opioids for pain. And I ended up eventually -- due to forming the disease of addiction -- becoming an IV drug user."Lyall is now the founder of a nationally recognized drug recovery group and said she has been cured of the disease thanks to treatment.“Hepatitis C is number one, known as a silent disease. Many times people don't have symptoms and too much ...