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A decade after a sarin gas attack in a Damascus suburb, Syrian survivors lose hope for justice

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:52 GMT

AFRIN, Syria (AP) — One summer night a decade ago, the al-Shami family was woken up by a roaring sound or rockets but it wasn’t followed by the usual explosions. Instead, the family members started having difficulty breathing. Ghiad al-Shami, 26, remembers how everyone tried to run to the rooftop of their apartment building in eastern Ghouta, a Damascus suburb that at the time was held by opposition fighters trying to topple Syrian President Bashar Assad.Al-Shami’s mother, three sisters and two brothers died that night — victims of the Aug. 21, 2013 sarin gas attack that killed hundreds and left thousands of others hurt.Ten years on, al-Shami and other survivors say there has been no accountability for the attack and for the other atrocities committed in Syria during the country’s brutal civil war, now in its 13th year. Over the past year, Assad’s government — accused by the United Nations of repeated chemical weapons attacks on Syrian civilians — has been ab...

Japanese government pledges long-term support for fisheries during Fukushima plant water release

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:52 GMT

TOKYO (AP) — Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Monday promised his government’s full support for fishing communities during the decades-long process to release treated radioactive wastewater from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea.Meeting with fisheries representatives, Kishida promised measures to protect the fishing industry’s reputation until the release ends.Masanobu Sakamoto, head of the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives, reiterated his organization’s opposition to the release. He said members of the fishing community have gained some confidence about the safety of the move, but that they still fear damage to their industry, and welcomed the government pledge for support.“Scientific safety and the sense of safety are different,” Sakamoto said. “Even if it’s safe, reputational damage occurs.”Kishida later told reporters that Sakamoto’s response signaled improved understanding and that key Cabinet ministers will...

Spanish soccer leader’s behavior at Women’s World Cup final provokes angry reaction

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:52 GMT

MADRID (AP) — Moments after Spain won the Women’s World Cup, the man who leads the country’s national soccer federation took some unwanted attention away from the celebrating players.Criticism from the Spanish government and the soccer world rained down Monday on Luis Rubiales for his inappropriate conduct while reveling in Spain’s 1-0 win over England in Sunday’s final in Sydney, Australia.By grabbing his crotch in a victory gesture — seemingly oblivious to 16-year-old Princess Infanta Sofía standing nearby — and then kissing Spain player Jenni Hermoso on the lips during the medal and trophy ceremony on the field, Rubiales’s behavior marred the biggest day for women’s soccer.The kiss was “deeply lamentable,” world players’ union FIFPRO said. The 45-year-old Rubiales led the union’s Spanish affiliate for eight years before being elected to lead the national soccer federation in 2018.In Spain, acting minister for sports and culture Miquel Iceta told public broadcast...

UK police to take no action after investigation into cash-for-honors allegation at king’s charity

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:52 GMT

LONDON (AP) — London police said Monday they would take no action on allegations that people associated with one of King Charles III’s charities offered to help a Saudi billionaire secure a knighthood and British citizenship in return for donations.The Metropolitan Police Service began an investigation into the matter after the Times of London reported that a longtime aide to Charles had suggested the then-Prince of Wales would support a Saudi citizen’s request for the honors in return for up to 1.5 million pounds ($2 million) in donations to the charity, The Prince’s Foundation.The department said it reviewed documents provided by the foundation and the newspaper, and consulted with prosecutors before concluding its investigation.“After careful consideration of the information received as a result of the investigation to date, the Met has concluded that no further action will be taken in this matter,’’ police said in a statement.Charles’ representatives had previously said that he ...

Pakistan hands out cash to Christians who lost homes in rioting over alleged desecration of Quran

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:52 GMT

MULTAN, Pakistan (AP) — Pakistani authorities on Monday handed out thousands of dollars to nearly 100 Christian families whose homes were destroyed or damaged by a Muslim mob angered over an alleged desecration of the Quran last week. The government of caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar said each household was getting 2 million rupees ($6,800) in compensation on Monday. Police said they have arrested dozens more rioters in ongoing raids, bringing the total number of those detained over the attacks in the city of Jaranwala to 160. On Wednesday, hundreds of Muslims went on a rampage over allegations that a Christian man and his friend had desecrated Islam’s holy book. Christians who fled their homes to escape the attackers later returned to a scene of destruction. Many have been living outside since, fearing the burned structures may collapse.The rampage, one of the most destructive in the country’s history, drew nationwide condemnation. Kakar on Monday traveled to the area ...

MUST-WATCH: The king of monkeys journeys into the Top 10

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:52 GMT

One of the most famous ancient stories from China has entered the MUST-WATCH Top 10! But will this king reign supreme, or could it go to the return of Jesus Christ? Perhaps the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll? You’ll have to keep reading to find out!Harlan Coben’s ShelterWhere to watch: Prime VideoLet’s start off with some mystery!Abby Corrigan, Jaden Michael, and Adrian Greensmith in Harlan Coben’s Shelter, courtesy of Amazon Studios.Shelter is a new series based on the Mickey Bolitar books by Harlan Coben. It stars Jaden Michael (from Colin in Black & White) as Mickey, who moves to a new town with his mom after his father’s death. He notices that a girl eventually disappears, and he decides to figure out where she’s gone. Finding no help from any adults around him, he teams up with some fellow students to solve this mystery. This show also stars Constance Zimmer (from House of Cards), Abby Corrigan (from Castle Rock) and Sage Linder (from ...

Mayor Johnson visits Chicago Public Schools ahead of new school year

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:52 GMT

CHICAGO -- Mayor Brandon Johnson plans to visit three Chicago Public Schools Monday morning ahead of a new school year, swearing in six new school board members. Johnson plans to visit a Garfield Park elementary school that CPS considered closing more than a decade ago. This will also be the earliest start to the school year for the district's more than 3,000 students. Traditionally, kids did not return until after Labor Day. The Board of Education approved a new calendar year that is more closely aligned with the schedules of suburban school districts and local colleges. New challenges include helping migrant children learn English and help them navigate the trauma of making their journey to the U.S.CPS estimates an additional 3,000 migrant children with many of them still living in migrant shelters and police stations. Aerial performances on display over Lake Michigan for annual Chicago Air and Water Show Funding for bilingual education will be increased by $15 million and other...

'Just take me to jail, man': Troopers seize over 562 grams worth of drugs during traffic stop

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:52 GMT

POLK COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — A driver was arrested during a traffic stop after more than 562 grams worth of drugs was found in his car, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. When 47-year-old Geoffrey Dale Coffman was pulled over Thursday for driving 68 mph in a 60mph zone, the FHP trooper was hit with a strong smell of marijuana. The trooper called for backup and they searched the vehicle. Coffman said he had marijuana in his car and a valid medical marijuana identification card. 18-year-old college student killed in Polk County wrong-way crash Troopers found a black and blue duffel bag that had multiple clear plastic bags containing green leafy substances, seven orange round pills, psilocybin mushrooms, an unlabeled pill bottle containing white round pills, and rectangular pills that were broken up into smaller pieces.Florida Highway PatrolTroopers also found a black scale with leftover leafy green substance on it, multiple glass containers containing THC oils, multiple clear Z...

Tipping etiquette and norms are in flux − here’s how you can avoid feeling flustered or ripped off

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:52 GMT

(The Conversation) - Tipping has gotten more complicated – and awkward – in North America.The ever-growing list of situations in which you might be invited to tip includes buying a smoothie, paying an electrician, getting a beer from a flight attendant and making a political donation.Should you always tip when someone suggests it? If yes, how do you calculate the right amount? And if you don’t, are you being stingy?As marketing professors who specialize in customer interactions, we’re researching how digital payment technologies have changed how and when customers tip. Our research suggests that asking for tips before service and suggesting tip amounts that are too high can frustrate customers and be bad for business.What’s newU.S. customers historically tipped people they assumed were earning most of their income via tips, such as restaurant servers earning less than the minimum wage. In the early 2010s, a wide range of businesses started processing pu...

APD Chief Joseph Chacon to retire; chief of staff named as interim police chief

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:52 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Police Chief Joseph Chacon is stepping away from the Austin Police Department after 25 years with the department and two years serving as its leader. The City of Austin said in a press release Chacon on Monday morning notified Interim City Manager Jesús Garza, the Mayor, Council, and his team at APD, of his intent to retire effective the first week of September of this year. “Chief Chacon has certainly made an impressive mark on the City with his effort to move the police department in new directions,” said Interim City Manager Jesús Garza.  “We will miss his leadership and dedication but are confident that the team he leaves behind will be able to further the great efforts he started.”Chacon said working at APD has been "the privilege of my life. Being the Chief of Police is something that I never thought would have been possible, and it has been the pinnacle of my career," he said. APD Chief of Staff Robin Henderson will step in as Interim Police...