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Trump vows ‘to confront’ rape accuser from golf course in Ireland

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:24 GMT

DUBLIN – Donald Trump might not testify in a New York civil trial against a woman who has accused him of rape – but was happy to brand her a “disgrace” Thursday while golfing at his course in Ireland.The former U.S. president hopped off a golf cart to tell reporters he was flying back to New York later Thursday – and launched a four-minute diatribe against his accuser, author E. Jean Carroll. She is suing him over an alleged 1996 attack and for defamation.When asked by reporters whether he was willing to face cross-examination in the New York courtroom, Trump – who has provided only a taped deposition and won’t be required to testify unless he chooses to do so – left open the possibility. His New York legal team has ruled out the prospect.“I’m going to go back [to New York] and I’m going to confront this woman. This woman is a disgrace,” said Trump, who repeatedly declined to call Carroll by her name and insisted he has “no idea who she is.”Trump had been expected only to be videoed...

These popular board games are getting revamped for older adults

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:24 GMT

(CNN) — The maker of iconic board games like Scrabble and The Game of Life is retooling these classic games so that aging doesn’t get in the way of older adults continuing to enjoy them.Hasbro, in partnership with Ageless Innovation (a licensee of Hasbro brands), on Thursday unveiled new versions of Scrabble, Trivial Pursuit and The Game of Life. Each game has been reimagined to make the play experience more appealing and easier for seniors.Tweaks to the board games feature several age-inclusive components, said Ted Fischer, co-founder and CEO of Ageless Innovation, which specializes in developing toys for elderly consumers.Changes include bigger play pieces that are easier to grasp, larger wording on the boards and refreshed content that is more relatable to an older demographic.The new Scrabble Bingo 3-in-1 edition (priced at $40) has three games — the classic word game of Scrabble, Scrabble Bingo and Scrabble Pass. All three games have bigger letter tiles to hold and ...

Four Proud Boys members found guilty of seditious conspiracy

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:24 GMT

 (CNN) — Four members of the far-right Proud Boys have been found guilty of seditious conspiracy by a jury in Washington, DC, for their role to forcibly prevent the peaceful transfer of power from then-President Donald Trump to Joe Biden after the 2020 election.Defendants Ethan Nordean, Joseph Biggs, Zachary Rehl, Enrique Tarrio and Dominic Pezzola face a range of charges, including three separate conspiracy charges, obstructing the Electoral College vote and tampering with evidence.The verdict marks the third time that prosecutors have secured convictions for seditious conspiracy in the Justice Department’s historic prosecution of those who breached the Capitol that day.The jury was unable to reach a verdict on the seditious conspiracy charge against Pezzola, as well as several other counts against all five defendants. The judge instructed them to continue deliberations.During the trial, using messages and videos posted by the defendants and other members of the gr...

Animal Rescue League takes in hundreds of pet rodents surrendered by Boston-area pet store

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:24 GMT

The Animal Rescue League of Boston now has an abundance of pet mice, hamsters, and rats – as well as one chinchilla – after a pet store surrendered the rodents, according to the group.The ARL announced it received over 360 of the small mammals last week after a large animal surrender involving an unnamed Boston-area pet shop.Image provided by the Animal Rescue League of BostonIn a news release, the ARL said that it’s been seeing an increase in the number of surrender requests involving pet rodents or “pocket pets,” and that other animal welfare organizations in Massachusetts had been noticing the trend, as well.One factor behind the rise – mix-ups at pet stores resulting in accidental breeding pairs.“Some of the small animals being brought to ARL were accidentally bred after being mis-sexed at pet stores,” the ARL stated. “Most small animals have large litters and short gestation periods, resulting in two pets becoming many more ...

Ex-Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio guilty of Jan. 6 sedition plot

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:24 GMT

By MICHAEL KUNZELMAN, LINDSAY WHITEHURST and ALANNA DURKIN RICHER (Associated Press)WASHINGTON (AP) — Former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio and three other members of the far-right extremist group were convicted Thursday of a plot to attack the U.S. Capitol in a desperate bid to keep Donald Trump in power after the Republican lost the 2020 presidential election.A jury in Washington, D.C., found Tarrio guilty of seditious conspiracy after hearing from dozens of witnesses over more than three months in one of the most serious cases brought in the stunning attack that unfolded on Jan. 6, 2021, as the world watched on live TV.Tarrio was also convicted of obstructing Congress’ certification of President Joe Biden’s electoral victory and obstructing law enforcement as well as two other conspiracy charges. He was cleared of an assault charge stemming from a co-defendant who stole an officer’s riot shield. It’s a significant milestone for the Justice Departme...

'AlertCalifornia' live cams to provide more insight into natural disasters

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:24 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- UC San Diego is launching a new public safety program that utilizes over 1000 camera sensors across the Golden State. UCSD said ALERTCalifornia, which was rolled out Wednesday, will provide tools to prepare for, respond to and recover from natural disasters like wildfires, landslides, floods and more. Officials explained that this program manages "pan-tilt-zoom wildfire monitoring cameras" and sensor arrays that will collect data and real-time information to help advise public safety. A rare sight to see: ‘Scrippshenge’ sunset awes San Diego Scientists will analyze the data to gain a better understanding of the long-term impacts natural disasters have on air quality, water quality, soil quality and human health in California, UCSD said. “The program will spawn invaluable research and mitigation plans that will increase the state’s resiliency towards the new extreme fire risk,” said Neal Driscoll, director of ALERTCalifornia and geoscientist at UCSD's Scripps Instituti...

Man dies after being placed in a chokehold by a subway rider

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:24 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — The choking death of a man with apparent mental illness in the New York subway was setting off powerful reactions Thursday, with some calling the chokehold a homicide and others defending the passenger’s action as a defense against disorder. New York has become one of the nation’s safest cities but the emotional responses recalled the metropolis of decades ago, when residents felt besieged by crime and fatal vigilantism made national headlines. Manhattan prosecutors promised a “rigorous” investigation into whether to bring criminal charges in the death of the Black man, who was tackled by fellow passengers and put in a fatal chokehold by a white man who was been described as a Marine veteran.Jordan Neely, 30, died Monday after an early-afternoon confrontation aboard a train beneath Manhattan. He had been in apparent mental distress and shouting at fellow passengers when another rider wrapped his arm around his neck and pinned him on the floor. Two other p...

‘A massive tragedy’: Driver charged as community mourns girl killed in Burlington hit-and-run

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:24 GMT

A small memorial is growing outside a Burlington school where an eight-year-old girl was struck and killed in a hit and run.Emergency crews were called to the scene at Central Public School on Wednesday evening. Halton police say the girl was struck in the driveway as she entered the school for a theatre event.“What took place last night is a massive tragedy,” said a visibly emotional Halton police Const. Ryan Anderson in an update on Thursday morning. “It’s just horrible.”The White SUV that struck the girl did not stop and the driver fled the area. Anderson confirmed the 21-year-old driver who was arrested a short time after the incident has been charged with failure to remain.Investigators are still trying to determine the exact cause of the collision.“The community is impacted by this, our officers and first responders as well,” said Anderson. “It’s not hard to empathize with the family and put themselves in their position....

Biden issues order setting path for sanctions in Sudan

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:24 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden signed an executive order on Thursday setting the path to sanction individuals involved in the recent violence in Sudan that’s left hundreds dead and thrown the African nation into chaos.Biden said in a statement that his order will “hold individuals responsible for threatening the peace, security, and stability of Sudan; undermining Sudan’s democratic transition; using violence against civilians; or committing serious human rights abuses.”The Democratic president said the violence taking place in Sudan is “a tragedy — and it is a betrayal of the Sudanese people’s clear demand for civilian government and a transition to democracy.” “I join the peace-loving people of Sudan and leaders around the world in calling for a durable ceasefire between the belligerent parties,” Biden said. Sudan’s fighting broke out April 15 between two commanders who just 18 months earlier jointly orchestrated a military coup to derail the nation’s transition...

Goddaughter of King Charles shares insider’s experience of the new monarch

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:24 GMT

The UK and the Commonwealth are preparing to welcome a new king, Charles III, who its citizens have watched since his birth. The trials and tribulations of his life have played out in the public eye, but still, there’s a side only the family knows.India Hicks has been connected to Charles for her entire life. As a descendant of the Mountbatten family, her grandfather Lord Mountbatten was the uncle of the Prince Phillip, last Viceroy in India, and was involved in the upbringing of King Charles.Earl Louis Mountbatten, great uncle of Prince Charles, who was especially close and confided in him. Here they are in conversation about their common passion for polo. THE CANADIAN PRESS King Charles was also her godfather. The 55-year-old is now an entrepreneur, author and designer. Hicks sat down with Lisa LaFlamme to reflect on what he was truly like behind the spotlight.“He’s always been there. The day I was christened, he was there holding me, through to confirmation...