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A Thai construction magnate convicted of poaching protected animals gets early release from prison

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:58:21 GMT

BANGKOK (AP) — A Thai construction magnate whose conviction on wildlife poaching charges became a rare example of the rich and influential facing justice in the country was freed Tuesday on parole, two months before his prison term ends, authorities said. Premchai Karnasuta, chairman of Italian-Thai Development Plc, one of Thailand’s top construction firms, was convicted of killing protected animals and illegal possession of weapons when rangers in Thungyai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary in western Thailand came across him and a small party of his employees at a campsite in February 2018. They were found with guns and the carcasses nearby of a rare black panther, a kalij pheasant and a barking deer. The black panther, which is a member of the leopard species, been butchered and its meat cooked up for soup.The sanctuary is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that’s listed for its rare flora and fauna. The Corrections Department said the 69-year-old Premchai was among more than 100 prisoners ge...

Martin Scorsese is still curious – and still awed by the possibilities of cinema

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:58:21 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — A moment from years ago keeps replaying in Martin Scorsese ’s mind.When Akira Kurosawa was given an honorary Academy Award in 1990, the then 80-year-old Japanese filmmaker of “Seven Samurai” and “Ikiru,” in his brief, humble speech, said he hadn’t yet grasped the full essence of cinema.It struck Scorsese, then in post-production on “Goodfellas,” as a curious thing for such a master filmmaker to say. It wasn’t until Scorsese also turned 80 that he began to comprehend Kurosawa’s words. Even now, Scorsese says he’s just realizing the possibilities of cinema.“I’ve lived long enough to be his age and I think I understand now,” Scorsese said in a recent interview. “Because there is no limit. The limit is in yourself. These are just tools, the lights and the camera and that stuff. How much further can you explore who you are?”Scorsese’s lifelong exploration has seemingly only grown deeper and more self-examining with time. In recent years, his films have swelled in sc...

Lawsuit over death of autistic man in a Pittsburgh jail alleges negligence, systemic discrimination

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:58:21 GMT

Eleven days after 57-year-old Anthony Talotta arrived at a Pittsburgh jail, he died from what his family says was a treatable and preventable infection from a foot wound. Talotta, who had autism and developmental disabilities, had been brought to the jail after a fight with a staff member at the group home where he lived.In a federal lawsuit filed Tuesday, Talotta’s family alleges doctors and medical staff at the Allegheny County Jail provided substandard care. The lawsuit claims jail policies prohibiting prisoners with mental illness or developmental disabilities from being housed in the medical unit violate the Americans with Disabilities Act by creating a system that makes it harder for them to get adequate medical care.The lawsuit also notes that at least 17 people died at the medically understaffed jail in a two-and-a-half year timeframe from March 2020 to September 2022, the majority of whom had mental health or chronic medical needs.“This lawsuit is intended not o...

A potential presidential run for Glenn Youngkin would face logistical hurdles and voter skepticism

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:58:21 GMT

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Glenn Youngkin was waving off talk about running for the White House back in 2021, before he’d even made it to the Virginia governor’s mansion.Brad Hobbs, a childhood friend, told The Associated Press at the time that his ultimate goal was to see the Harvard-educated Republican businessman run for president. Hobbs said he brought it up nonstop, even in front of others, which irked Youngkin.“He doesn’t commit to that. He looks at me like, ‘Stop saying it; I don’t want to hear that,’” Hobbs said.Conjecture that Youngkin, who is set to host a major donor retreat Tuesday and Wednesday, might make a late entry into the 2024 presidential race has only grown since his victory nearly two years ago. It could further escalate after next month’s high-stakes legislative elections, where he’s aiming for a GOP sweep. At least some of the recent talk is coming from Republican donors still casting about for yet another alternative to former President Donald Trump.But the 56-yea...

Wisconsin Assembly set to approve $545 million in public dollars for Brewers stadium repairs

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:58:21 GMT

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Wisconsin state Assembly was set Tuesday to approve a Republican-authored plan to spend more than half-a-billion dollars to help cover repairs at the Milwaukee Brewers’ stadium.The team contends that American Family Field’s glass outfield doors, seats and concourses should be replaced and luxury suites and video scoreboard need upgrades. The stadium’s signature retractable roof, fire suppression systems, parking lots, elevators and escalators need work as well. Team officials have hinted the Brewers might leave Milwaukee if they don’t get public assistance for repairs. The Assembly plan calls for the state to contribute $411 million and the city of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County to contribute a combined $135 million. The state money would come in the form of grants. The local contribution would be generated from an existing fee the state Department of Administration charges the city and county for administering local sales taxes. Any ...

Donald Trump returns to his civil fraud trial, but star witness Michael Cohen won’t be there

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:58:21 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Former President Donald Trump returned to a New York City courthouse Tuesday to be a spectator at the civil fraud trial that threatens to disrupt his real estate empire, renewing his claims that the case is a baseless and politically targeted distraction from his 2024 campaign. After attending the trial’s first three days earlier this month, the Republican front-runner initially planned a return to coincide with testimony by Michael Cohen, his attorney turned foe. But Cohen’s planned appearance on the witness stand was delayed until at least next week.New York Attorney General Letitia James’ lawsuit against Trump alleges that he and his company deceived banks, insurers and others by massively overvaluing his assets and inflating his net worth in paperwork used in making deals and securing financing. Trump denies any wrongdoing, says his assets were actually undervalued and maintains that disclaimers on the financial statements amounted to telling banks an...

18-year-old moped rider critically hurt in Vaughan crash; police seeking witnesses

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:58:21 GMT

Police in York Region are appealing to witnesses after a crash in Vaughan that left a young moped rider with critical injuries.Emergency crews responded to the collision at the intersection of Dufferin Street and Draper Boulevard, south of Centre Street, around 3:45 p.m. Monday.Police say a grey Ford Focus was travelling northbound on Dufferin and attempted to turn left onto Draper when it collided with a Yamaha moped that was travelling southbound.The 18-year-old male driver of the moped was rushed to hospital with critical injuries. He remains in hospital in critical condition.The driver of the Ford, a 60-year-old woman, remained at the scene and was not injured, according to police.Police are asking any witnesses, including a taxi driver who they say told officers he may have dashcam footage, to come forward.“The (taxi) driver advised officers that he had dashcam footage but left before providing it,” York Regional Police said in a release. “Investigators are ap...

Sweden players take overnight flight home and return to clubs after deadly shooting in Belgium

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:58:21 GMT

BRUSSELS (AP) — Sweden players returned to their clubs Tuesday after taking an overnight flight home from Brussels following the suspension of their European Championship qualifier against Belgium at halftime because a gunman killed two Swedish nationals before kickoff.European soccer governing body UEFA said a moment of silence will be observed at all Euro 2024 qualifiers on Tuesday to honor the Brussels victims.It remained unclear whether the Belgium-Sweden match would be completed at a later date. UEFA said it was too early to make any decision and that “further communication will be made in due course.” Belgium and Austria have qualified from Group F for the tournament to be held in Germany next year but both teams can still win the group. The Sweden squad went directly to the airport and flew back home once they were allowed to leave King Baudouin Stadium, which was locked down for 2 1/2 hours for security reasons before officials began an evacuation process around midnight loc...

Man's body mistaken for Halloween prop; lawn mowed around him

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:58:21 GMT

CHINA GROVE, N.C. (WJZY) -- A North Carolina family is upset after their loved one’s body was mistaken for a Halloween decoration and left outside for days. Robert Owens’ body was found in China Grove. His family discovered that a lawncare worker mowed around his near-naked body, thinking it was a prop. A day later, someone else made the gruesome discovery.“Don't know how you can do that,” said Owens’ sister, Haley Shue. “Mow right beside someone and assume that they're Halloween decorations at a house no one lives at.”The last time the family saw Owens was Sunday, Oct. 1. It wasn't until a week later that police found him down a long driveway off of Shue Road in China Grove. He had little clothing on and was face down in the grass outside a home that, family says, has been empty for quite some time.“My grandmother has lived off of Shue Road for 40+ years,” Shue said, “and he's never been to this house. He's never known of this house this far off the road. He's never been back here....

Who are the Americans killed in Israel?

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:58:21 GMT

(NewsNation) —  At least 30 Americans have been killed in Israel since Hamas launched a surprise terror attack earlier this month, according to the U.S. State Department.That number has gone up in recent days as officials continue to investigate the full scale of Hamas' brutal surprise assault on Oct. 7. The U.S. is currently aware of 13 missing citizens, officials said Sunday. It's unclear how many, if any, U.S. citizens have died in Gaza.Here's what we know about the Americans who have been killed.Deborah MatiasA 50-year-old Missouri native, Matias died while shielding her 16-year-old son from gunshots, according to her father, Illan Troen. He was on the phone with Matias when Hamas terrorists attacked the family's home."The last words from her was that 'I hear glass breaking, they're speaking in Arabic and I hear shots,'" Troen told MSNBC.Matias' husband, Shlomi, also died in the attack, Troen said. Thanks to his parents, the couple's 16-year-old son, Rotem, survived. Hayim ...