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French economy minister defends literary pursuits after criticism over racy novel

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:26 GMT

PARIS — A new novel about legendary pianist Vladimir Horowitz has been the subject of much polemic in French political circles in recent days. The reason? It features an erotic scene and was written by France’s Economy and Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire.Le Maire’s new novel “Fugue Américaine” drew instant criticism and mockery after hitting bookstores last week, including by government opponents who accused the powerful minister of shunning his duties and spending his energy writing literature at a time of economic tension and social unrest. The debate on Le Maire’s side-gig comes amid protests against a controversial pensions reform and as the minister is intensifying efforts to convince Brussels that he can reduce the country’s massive public debt. His pledge didn’t convince ratings agency Fitch, which downgraded France’s credit rating one day after Le Maire published his new novel.Responding to critics, Le Maire cast himself as an...

Zelenskyy denies Ukraine tried to kill Putin in Moscow drone attack

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:26 GMT

Ukraine has denied that it tried to assassinate Russian President Vladimir Putin during an overnight drone attack on his official residence in Moscow.Russia claims it foiled a Ukrainian-backed plot to target Putin — but Kyiv rubbished the Kremlin’s allegations which sparked a storm Wednesday afternoon.“We don’t attack Putin or Moscow. We fight on on our territory. We are defending our villages and cities,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, speaking on a visit to Finland.In an earlier statement, Russia triggered consternation in Ukraine and among its Western allies by accusing Kyiv of trying to bump off Putin. “We consider these actions to be a planned terrorist attack and attempt on the life of the President,” the original Kremlin statement said, adding that Putin was “not injured [and] the schedule of his work has not changed.”The Kremlin did not give any evidence that Ukraine had carried out the attack and POLITICO was un...

Man accused of shooting 3 senior citizens at Alabama church group meeting sentenced to life without parole

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:26 GMT

(CNN) — Robert Findlay Smith, who was accused of shooting and killing three senior citizens at an Alabama church group’s meeting in June 2022, entered a guilty plea Tuesday for the intentional murder of Jane Pounds, Walter Rainey and Sarah Yeager, according to a news release from the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office.Because Smith “intentionally murdered two or more persons,” his charge was capital murder and his only sentencing options were either life without parole or the death penalty, according to the release.“This type of senseless murder of three innocent people is certainly a case our office would typically try in front of a jury and seek the death penalty, however, that was not the wish of the three families in this case,” District Attorney Danny Carr said. “After much discussion, thought and prayer the families were unanimous that they would prefer a plea of Guilty to Capital Murder and a Life Without Paro...

Appellate court denies Adnan Syed’s motion to overturn reinstatement of murder conviction

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:26 GMT

(CNN) — A Maryland appellate court has denied Adnan Syed’s motion to reconsider the reinstatement of his murder conviction Tuesday, according to a court order signed by Chief Judge Gregory Wells.The brief order states it denied the motion “based on an argument not previously raised.”Syed’s attorney, Erica Suter, says they will appeal to Maryland’s Supreme Court.“Appellate courts routinely assess whether an error impacted the underlying proceedings,” Suter said in a statement to CNN. “We are dismayed that the Appellate Court of Maryland opted not to do so here. We will be seeking review in the Supreme Court of Maryland.”Syed spent over two decades behind bars for the 1999 killing of his ex-girlfriend Hae Min Lee and had his case featured in the landmark podcast “Serial,” before his release in September 2022.The Lee family attorney, David Sanford, did not immediately respond to CNN...

Man gets 48 years in prison for arranging family killings

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:26 GMT

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — A Connecticut man has been sentenced to 48 years in prison for orchestrating the stabbing deaths of his stepmother and her mother in a 2020 attack that also wounded his father, in retribution for what he claimed were years of abuse.Charles Dzurenka Jr., 20, apologized and said he deserved the sentence during a hearing in Hartford Superior Court on Tuesday, the Journal Inquirer reported. His girlfriend, Makenzie Bezio, also was sentenced Tuesday to 10 years in prison for conspiring in the attack.Dzurenka’s stepmother, Marianne Dzurenka, 55, and her mother, Sandra Marci, 78, were stabbed multiple times in the Dzurenka’s home in Windsor on May 11, 2020. Dzurenka’s father, Charles Dzurenka Sr., also was stabbed but survived.Prosecutors said the younger Dzurenka, who was 17 at the time of the killings, arranged to have his friend, Terry Brown Jr., kill his father and stepmother, who Dzurenka claimed abused him for years. In exchange...

Jackson Mahomes arrested on sexual battery charge

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:26 GMT

Jackson Mahomes — the influencer brother of NFL star quarterback Patrick Mahomes — was arrested for alleged aggravated sexual battery.Records from the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office in Kansas indicate the 22-year-old internet celebrity was booked shortly before 8 a.m. Wednesday.According to the Kansas City Star, police have been investigating a Feb. 25 incident where Mahomes allegedly shoved a waiter, then forcibly kissed the owner of a restaurant-lounge he and a handful of friends visited on a Saturday night. The Star said it viewed surveillance video seeming to show Mahomes grabbing the 40-year-old restaurateur by her throat and attempting to kiss her. She believed he’d been drinking.Mahomes and the restaurant owner were reportedly in her office discussing a kerfuffle between the suspect and a 19-year-old server he allegedly shoved.An attorney for Mahomes said in March there was “substantial evidence” refuting claims against his client. Bail wa...

Moran, MacGregor poised to take Boston-based House seats

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:26 GMT

Democrats John Moran and Bill MacGregor are slated to represent parts of Boston on Beacon Hill following their special election primary wins Tuesday — in races that featured no Republican or independent candidates to fill two vacant House seats.Moran, who ran uncontested and with Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s endorsement, won the 9th Suffolk District seat with 1,751 votes — or nearly 86% of all ballots cast — according to unofficial election results on the city’s website. A South End resident and housing advocate, Moran ran to replace Jon Santiago, who resigned in February to become secretary of the Executive Office of Veterans’ Services.“I like to say I became an ‘accidental activist’ but deep down, it’s always been in my heart to serve and I look forward to being your champion on Beacon Hill,” Moran said in his victory speech, as he vowed to focus on the housing crisis, mental health and the addiction “epidemic,&...

Anthony Volpe embraces being a pest on the bases

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:26 GMT

Anthony Volpe is a pain in the ass on the bases.Those aren’t his words, but it’s certainly a description he’s earned throughout his young pro career. And while the soft-spoken speedster may portray his running in a different light, the Yankees’ rookie shortstop has no issue with his skills being framed that way.“Definitely. Yeah, 100%,” Volpe told the Daily News through laughter when asked if he’s proud of that reputation. “I’d like to think it adds a lot of value to the team.”Indeed, it has.Volpe is a perfect 10-for-10 on stolen base attempts to begin his major league career after swiping two bags in the eighth inning of the Yankees’ Tuesday win over the Guardians. He also homered in the game to get the Yankees on the board, but his fast feet helped the team’s struggling offense add an insurance run and garnered praise from Aaron Boone afterward.“He’s one of the best I’ve ever seen,” the...

Patrick Mahomes’ brother charged with sexual battery

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:26 GMT

KANSAS CTY, Mo. (AP) — The brother of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was booked into jail Wednesday on aggravated sexual battery charges over an alleged altercation at a restaurant in late February.Jackson Mahomes, 22, was charged Tuesday with three counts of aggravated sexual battery and one count of battery, online court records show. He was being held on $100,000 bond and was due to make an initial court appearance Wednesday afternoon. Under his bond conditions, he won’t be allowed to discuss his case publicly once he’s released.The probable cause affidavit in the case was not immediately available. But The Kansas City Star reported that police previously confirmed they were investigating a Feb. 25 incident involving Jackson Mahomes at an Overland Park restaurant.Jackson Mahomes’ attorney, Brandan Joseph Davies, didn’t immediately respond to an Associated Press phone message left Wednesday seeking comment. But he released a statement in March, wh...

Canada pledges $71 million in aid for Sudan, South Sudan and Central African Republic

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:26 GMT

OTTAWA — International Development Minister Harjit Sajjan is announcing $71 million in humanitarian aid for Sudan and two neighbouring countries that are dealing with a large number of refugees in the wake of a violent crisis.Sajjan says the funds will flow through agencies of the United Nations and the Red Cross as well as non-governmental organizations to provide basic food, water and health services.Nearly $31 million will go toward Sudan, while slightly more will be sent to South Sudan, which seceded from that country in 2011.Canada will also send $10 million to the Central African Republic, as part of funds that will flow to at least 14 groups ranging from the World Food Programme to Doctors Without Borders.Sajjan says the funding is flexibly structured so groups can scale up existing programs to meet huge flows of people fleeing a devastating escalation in violence that started in Sudan on April 15.He is making the announcement alongside his parliamentary secretary Anita Vande...