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War-crimes warrant on Putin complicates Ukraine peace effort

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:25 GMT

THE HAGUE, Netherlands  — An international arrest warrant for President Vladimir Putin raises the prospect of the man whose country invaded Ukraine facing justice, but it complicates efforts to end that war in peace talks.Both justice and peace appear to be only remote possibilities today, and the conflicting relationship between the two is a quandary at the heart of a March 17 decision by the International Criminal Court to seek the Russian leader’s arrest.Judges in The Hague found “reasonable grounds to believe” that Putin and his commissioner for children’s rights were responsible for war crimes, specifically the unlawful deportation and unlawful transfer of children from occupied areas of Ukraine to Russia.As unlikely as Putin sitting in a Hague courtroom seems now, other leaders have faced justice in international courts.Former Serbian strongman Slobodan Milosevic, a driving force behind the Balkan wars of the 1990s, went on trial for war crimes, includi...

32 dead as tornadoes torment from Arkansas to Delaware

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:25 GMT

WYNNE, Ark. (AP) — Residents across a wide swath of the U.S. raced Sunday to assess the destruction from fierce storms that spawned possibly dozens of tornadoes from the South and the Midwest into the Northeast, killing at least 32 people.The storms tore a path through the Arkansas capital and also collapsed the roof of a packed concert venue in Illinois, stunning people throughout the region with the scope of the damage. The number of deaths continued to grow Sunday.“While we are still assessing the full extent of the damage, we know families across America are mourning the loss of loved ones, desperately waiting for news of others fighting for their lives, and sorting through the rubble of their homes and businesses,” President Joe Biden said in a statement.Biden earlier declared broad areas of the country major disaster areas, making federal resources and financial aid available for recovery.Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders in Arkansas, where at least five people were kill...

Novice politician Jakov Milatovic wins Montenegro presidency

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:25 GMT

PODGORICA, Montenegro (AP) — Economy expert and political novice Jakov Milatovic won the presidential runoff election in Montenegro on Sunday, defeating the pro-Western incumbent who has been in power for more than three decades in the small NATO member nation in Europe, the candidates and polls said. Milatovic, who is backed by Montenegro’s governing majority, won around 60% in the vote Sunday while Milo Djukanovic won around 40%, according to predictions released by the usually reliable Center for Monitoring and Research and based on vote sample.In a victory speech, Milatovic described the moment as “historic” and promised to help lead Montenegro into the European Union during his five-year term in office. “Tonight is the night that we waited for the past 30 years,” said Milatovic, blasting Djukanovic as the “last dictator in Europe.”“We want to deal with issues that are of vital importance: the rule of law, economy and European integration,” said Milatovic. “We are le...

Russia to put nukes near Belarus’ western border, envoy says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:25 GMT

TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — Russian tactical nuclear weapons will be deployed close to Belarus’ borders with NATO neighbors, the Russian ambassador to Belarus said Sunday amid simmering tensions between Russia and the West over Moscow’s war in Ukraine.Ambassador Boris Gryzlov’s comment followed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent statement about plans to station tactical nuclear weapons on the territory of Russia’s neighbor and ally. The announcement marked another attempt by the Russian leader to dangle the nuclear threat to discourage the West from supporting Ukraine.Putin has said that construction of storage facilities for tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus will be complete by July 1 and added that Russia has helped modernize Belarusian warplanes to make them capable of carrying nuclear weapons.The two neighbors have an agreement envisioning close economic, political and military ties. Russia used Belarusian territory as a staging ground for inva...

About 25 train cars derail in Montana, no injuries reported

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:25 GMT

PARADISE, Mont. (AP) — About 25 train cars derailed Sunday in northwestern Montana, with no injuries or evacuations reported, authorities said.The cars, which are not believed to be carrying anything hazardous, derailed near the town of Paradise along the Clark Fork River, said Bill Brown, a dispatcher with the Sanders County Sheriff’s Office. Firefighters and representatives of Montana Rail Link, a railroad that operates in Montana and Idaho, were responding and investigating what the cars were carrying, he said. Photos posted on social media show some of the cars appearing to dip just into the river.Montana’s U.S. Sens. Steve Daines and Jon Tester said in separate tweets that they were monitoring the derailment and were in touch with local officials.Federal regulators and members of Congress are urging railroads to do more to prevent derailments after recent fiery wrecks involving hazardous chemicals in Ohio and Minnesota prompted evacuations.The Associated Press

Jodie Comer, Paul Mescal take acting gold at Olivier Awards

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:25 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Screen stars Paul Mescal and Jodie Comer scored prizes at London’s Olivier Awards on Sunday for their first-ever West End stage roles, while a stage adaptation of Japanese animated classic “My Neighbor Totoro” won six trophies.Irish actor Mescal – an Academy Award acting nominee this year for “Aftersun” – was named best actor in a play for his turn as the brutish Stanley Kowalski in “A Streetcar Named Desire” at the Almeida Theatre. Anjana Vasan won the best supporting actress award for playing Stella in Tennessee Williams’ scorching drama, which was named best revival.Mescal, 27, said his rapid success “doesn’t feel real.”“But it’s kind of happening at such a rate that there is no time to stop and think, ‘This is a phenomenal feeling,'” he said.Liverpool-born Comer, 30, won the best actress in a play award for the one-person show “Prima Facie,” which she is taking to Broadway later this month. Suzie Miller’s drama about a lawyer dealing with the afte...

Winners of the London stage 2023 Olivier Awards

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:25 GMT

LONDON (AP) — The winners of the 2023 Olivier Awards, handed out Sunday for achievement in London theater, opera and dance:New Play: “Prima Facie”New Musical: “Standing at the Sky’s Edge”New Comedy: “My Neighbor Totoro”Family Show: “Hey Duggee The Live Theater Show”Revival: “A Streetcar Named Desire”Musical Revival: “Oklahoma!”Actress-Play: Jodie Comer, “Prima Facie”Actor-Play: Paul Mescal, “A Streetcar Named Desire”Actress-Musical: Katie Brayben, “Tammy FayeActor-Musical: Arthur Darvill, “Oklahoma!”Supporting Actor-Play: Will Keen, “Patriots”Supporting Actress-Play: Anjana Vasan, “A Streetcar Named Desire”Supporting Actress-Musical: Beverley Knight, “Sylvia”Supporting Actor-Musical: Zubin Varla, “Tammy Faye”Director: Phelim McDermott, “My Neighbor Totoro”Original score or new orchestrations: Richard Hawley and Tom Deering, “Standing at the Sky’s Edge”Theater Choreography: Matt Cole, “Newsies”New Opera Production: “Alcina” at the Royal OperaOutstanding Achievement in Opera: William ...

Chicago White Sox move up start time of home opener tomorrow against San Francisco Giants

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:25 GMT

CHICAGO — The Chicago White Sox announced Sunday afternoon that the start time of their regular season home opener against the San Francisco Giants on Monday will be moved up one hour.According to a press release from the team, the start time will be moved from 3:10 p.m. CST to 2:10 p.m. CST to accommodate a forecast of inclement weather coming into the Chicago-area. White Sox make history, end streaks in Opening Night win Parking lots will open three hours before the game, with gates to Guaranteed Rate Field opening for fans at 12:30 p.m. CST. Pregame festivities and introductions will now begin at 1:30 p.m. CST.

What is Illinois' favorite ‘so-bad-it’s-good’ movie?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:25 GMT

ILLINOIS (WMBD) – Does Illinois have a favorite “bad” movie? One study has the answer.To determine the answer, CenturyLink, a telecommunications company, compiled a list of the lowest-ranked movies of all time using data from IMBd and Rotten Tomatoes. After that, the company analyzed data from Google Trends to figure out which low-rated movie was most googled in each state, picking out the top 15 movies.Those 15 movies included:“Cats” (2019)“Crossroads” (2002)“Catwoman” (2004) “365 Days” (2020)“Jack & Jill” (2011)“Slender Man” (2018)“Steel” (1997)“Bratz: The Movie” (2007)“Epic Movie” (2007) “The Room” (2003) “Barb Wire” (1996) “Captain America” (1990) “Gigli” (2003) “Glitter” (2001) “Disaster Movie” (2008)The study found that Illinois’ favorite “bad” movie was “Catwoman.” The movie tied for second most searched in the study with “Crossroads” and “365 Days.” RELATED: What is Illinois’ favorite movie from the 2000s? Additionally, the movie made...

How to get free Ben & Jerry's ice cream on Monday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:25 GMT

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio (WJW) — Dairy Queen isn't the only ice cream spot hooking up customers with sweet deals this spring. After a pandemic hiatus, Vermont's own Ben & Jerry's is bringing back its Free Cone Day this Monday to thank their supporters. 85-cent Blizzards at Dairy Queen? Here’s how to get one Ben & Jerry's held its first Free Cone Day in 1979 following its first year in business. It wasn't until 1993 that all Scoop Shops in the U.S. celebrated the fan-favorite day on the same date. The goal this year is to serve more than one million scoops to their fans around the world. Chick-fil-A changes mind, won’t discontinue longtime menu item The free cones are being given out at participating Scoop Shops nationwide. You can find your nearest participating spot here. Free ice cream will be available between noon and 8 p.m. local time at all locations. There's no limit to how many times you can get in line to try a flavor of your choice, but always remember to pac...