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Silvio Berlusconi’s death draws tributes, even from critics, in Italy and beyond

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:03:10 GMT

ROME (AP) — Adored, scorned, impossible to ignore in life, former Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi in death drew tributes even from his critics, and ever more lavish praise from admirers, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, as well as prayers from Pope Francis. Following word of Berlusconi’s death on Monday in a Milan hospital, where he was being treated for chronic leukemia, reaction poured in from around the world, from national leaders to announcers who burst into tears on one of his television networks, for the populist three-time premier and media mogul.Here are some of the reactions:— In a condolence telegram, Putin hailed Berlusconi as a “patriarch” of Italian politics and a true patriot who had improved Italy’s standing on the world stage. “I have always sincerely admired his wisdom, his ability to make balanced, far-sighted decisions even in the most difficult situations,” Putin said in the telegram released by the Kremlin. “During each of our meetings,...

Jury finds electric utility PacifiCorp liable in devastating Oregon wildfires

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:03:10 GMT

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A jury in Oregon has found electric utility PacifiCorp responsible for causing devastating fires during Labor Day 2020 in a civil lawsuit.The jury returned its decision Monday, saying the utility should be held financially liable for homes destroyed in the blaze. The jury awarded millions of dollars each to 17 homeowners who sued PacifiCorp a month after the fires, with most receiving $4.5 million and some $3 million for emotional distress.The jury also applied its liability finding to a larger class including the owners of nearly 2,500 properties damaged in the fires, which could push the price tag for damages to more than $1 billion. Those damages will be determined later.There has been no official cause determined for the 2020 Labor Day fires that killed nine people, burned more than 1,875 square miles (4,856 square kilometers) in Oregon and destroyed upward of 5,000 homes and structures. The blazes together were one of the worst natural disaster’s in Oregon...

Tom Holland describes ‘The Crowded Room’ as his ‘hardest’ and ‘most-rewarding’ job so far

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:03:10 GMT

The words “Tom Holland” and “spoilers” can immediately illicit snickering. There are compilation videos on YouTube of the “Spider-Man ” star accidentally revealing too much about the Marvel Cinematic Universe. His slip-ups and near-giveaways have become a running joke among his co-stars and filmmakers. The actor found himself in familiar territory with his new twisty, surprise-laden series “The Crowded Room,” now streaming on Apple TV+ — and says by comparison, keeping quiet about Marvel is a piece of cake.“With Marvel… it’s all about the villain, the costume, the locations, the end result. They’re relatively easy to keep those things a secret,” said Holland in a recent interview. “I know that sounds stupid coming from me because I spoil everything, but with ‘The Crowded Room’ there are so many twists and turns in this show that people won’t be expecting. It really is a puzzle.”The limited-series takes place in 1970s New York with Holland as Danny, a young man arrested i...

$2M insurance policy in effect for Hawaii coral reefs in time for hurricane season

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:03:10 GMT

HONOLULU (AP) — An environmental group has a $2 million insurance policy on Hawaii’s coral reefs, which is in effect in time for a busier hurricane season that could damage the vital natural resources that are increasingly under threat from climate change. In announcing the policy purchase last year, The Nature Conservancy said it was the first-ever coral reef insurance policy in the United States. The policy, issued by insurance firm Munich Re, is triggered at windspeeds of 57 mph (92 kph) if sufficiently close to reefs and can provide payouts up to a maximum of $2 million to allow rapid reef repair and restoration after storm damage. The warmer Pacific has forecasters expecting a “near-to-above normal” hurricane season from June to November for waters around Hawaii, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center. That amounts to four to seven tropical cyclones in the region, but fewer could actually come ashore in the islands.The cost of the insurance policy is roughly $1...

‘We lost too many children’: Ukrainian heart doctor says admission to NATO is urgent

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:03:10 GMT

KYIV, Ukraine — A Ukrainian doctor who was forced to treat open-heart surgery patients in a bomb shelter last year says he’s grateful for the assistance his country has received from Canada.But Dr. Igor Mokryk, the head of cardiac surgery at the Heart Institute of Kyiv, says the best medicine would be to have Canada’s backing on Ukraine joining NATO. In an interview with The Canadian Press at his office in Kyiv on Monday, he said he would have loved to have spoken with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau when he made a surprise visit to the city on the weekend.During his visit, Trudeau promised more weapons and fighter-pilot training but stopped short of fully supporting Ukraine becoming a NATO member.“In the conversations around NATO, we’ve always been very, very clear that we absolutely think Ukraine should join NATO when the conditions are right for it,” the prime minister said.But Mokryk, 49, said the conditions are already right and it should have happen...

Trump traveling to Florida as court appearance approaches in classified docs case

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:03:10 GMT

 Donald Trump traveled to Florida on Monday ahead of a history-making federal court appearance this week on dozens of felony charges accusing him of illegally hoarding classified documents and thwarting the Justice Department's efforts to get them back.Trump’s Tuesday afternoon appearance in Miami will mark his second time since April facing a judge on criminal charges. But unlike a New York case some legal analysts derided as relatively trivial, the Justice Department’s first prosecution of a former president concerns conduct that prosecutors say jeopardized national security, with Espionage Act charges carrying the prospect of a significant prison sentence.Ahead of his court date, he and his allies have been escalating efforts to undermine the criminal case against him and drum up protests. He's ratcheted up the rhetoric against the Justice Department special counsel who filed the case, calling Jack Smith “deranged" as he repeated without an...

Just after returning, Liam Hendriks will be out of the White Sox bullpen for a bit

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:03:10 GMT

CHICAGO — It was a difficult weekend for the White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field, and it was equally frustrating for their team's closer.Just two weeks after his return to the club after beating cancer, Liam Hendriks won't be taking the field for a couple of weeks. The White Sox announce that closer Liam Hendriks has been placed on the 15-day IL with right elbow inflammation after pitching in five games since his return to the team after beating cancer..Pitcher Tanner Banks has been recalled from Charlotte..@WGNNews pic.twitter.com/C0c3IRVgDA— Larry Hawley (@HawleySports) June 11, 2023The pitcher, who beat non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in the first half of 2023, was placed on the 15-day IL on Sunday as he deals with right elbow inflammation. This came just two days after he picked up the victory in the White Sox 2-1 triumph over the Marlins on Friday. General manager Rick Hahn told reporters on Sunday that Hendriks's injury is similar to one that landed him on the IL in June & Jul...

Ride Metra to and from Ravinia this summer for free

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:03:10 GMT

CHICAGO — Need a ride to Ravinia this summer? Metra has you covered.For the third year in a row, a concert ticket for the music venue will cover your travel costs on the Metra Union Pacific North Line.According to Metra, all concertgoers need to do is show the conductor their ticket or e-ticket and their rides to and from Ravinia Music Festival are free.“This partnership is just one more way we can serve our customers,” said Metra CEO/Executive Director Jim Derwinski. Ravinia Festival tickets for 2023 concerts on sale Monday Metra said it will increase the number of trains stopping at the Ravinia gates for weekend shows starting June 17.The Ravinia 2023 concert lineup includes over 50 artists and over 100 concerts including the annual summer residency of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra with Chief Conductor Marin Alsop.Charlie Puth, Ne-Yo, Natalia Lafourcade, Boyz II Men, Maria Schneider Orchestra are among the many artists making their debut at this year’s festival.The festival's ...

First non-binary actors win Tony Awards 

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:03:10 GMT

(The Hill) -- Broadway performs Alex Newell and J. Harrison Ghee became the first openly nonbinary actors to win Tony Awards on Sunday evening.  “Thank you for seeing me, Broadway. I should not be up here as a queer, nonbinary, fat, Black little baby from Massachusetts,” Newell said in their acceptance speech for best featured actor in a musical. “And to anyone that thinks that they can’t do it, I’m going to look you dead in your face that you can do anything you put your mind to.” Newell won for their performance as Lulu in the musical “Shucked,” a comedy that hit the stage in March. Ghee later won the award for best leading actor in “Some Like it Hot,” a musical that is based on the famous 1959 film.   Tonys presenter mocks DeSantis: ‘The current grand wizard’ of Florida Composer Toby Marlow of “Six” became the first nonbinary person to receive a Tony Award last year.  Like other award shows, the Tonys uses gendered categories for best actor and best actress awa...

Fox News's Turley: Trump could face 'terminal sentence' if DOJ proves even one count

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:03:10 GMT

(The Hill) – Fox News legal analyst Jonathan Turley says former President Trump could die in prison if convicted on just one count after being indicted by the Justice Department last week on dozens of charges related to his handling of classified documents. “The problem is, he's got to run the table — he's 76 years old,” Turley, a former opinion contributor for The Hill, said of Trump during an appearance on Fox News. “All the government has to do is stick the landing on one count, and he could have a terminal sentence. You're talking about crimes that have a 10- or 20-year period as a maximum.”Turley said the evidence laid out against Trump in the indictment revealed last week is "quite strong." Trump tops DeSantis by 38 points in new poll after news of indictment "Now, we have not heard their other side. Generally, the indictments are a lot stronger on the day they are issued than on the next day, so they may be able to knock down some of these issues,” Turley said. “But some ...