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Poland reverts to historic name for Russia’s Kaliningrad

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:21 GMT

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Poland is reverting to using its historical name for Kaliningrad, the Russian city and administrative region that sits on its border. From now on, it will be designated on Polish maps as Krolewiec, based on the recommendation of the government commission for geographic names abroad. The Kremlin has reacted angrily: spokesperson Dmitry Peskov called it a “process bordering on insanity,” going beyond Russophobia.The city, formerly known as Koenigsberg, was ceded from Germany to the Soviet Union after the Second World War. In 1946 it was renamed Kaliningrad, after Mikhail Kalinin, one of the leaders of the Bolshevik revolution. The Polish authorities point out that Kalinin was one of six Soviet officials who ordered the execution of more than 21,000 Polish prisoners of war at Katyn and elsewhere in 1940. They said the current name was artificial, lacking any connection to the city or the region, but the centuries-old name of Krolewiec was part of Poland’s cultural...

Is Becky Hammon the best candidate to be the Toronto Raptors’ new head coach?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:21 GMT

The phrase ‘winning the press conference’ is a kind of multi-purpose slight: it diminishes the people holding the press conference and the subject of it also.It speaks to bells and whistles, sizzle without steak, style over substance and whatever metaphor you might what to choose when it comes to hype trains running downhill, no brakes.Had it been their goal, the Toronto Raptors could have conceivably knocked the proverbial press conference out of the park had they chosen this week to announce that WNBA legend Becky Hammon as their next head coach.Imagine: just as the WNBA gets set to hold the first exhibition game in Canada at Scotiabank Arena on Saturday, one of the most female-forward organizations in sports introduces a trailblazer in a critical role, crossing a barrier that seemed insurmountable even a few years ago.Even in the ever more cluttered space of sports, media, and entertainment, you would have to think it would be a breakthrough moment for the Raptors, wo...

Celebrity bidding war for Ottawa Senators could be a boon for the franchise: experts

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:21 GMT

A celebrity bidding war for a minority ownership stake in the NHL’s Ottawa Senators stands to lift the team’s profile to new heights, while serving as a safe way for stars to park their money.Experts say that while some hockey fans may be surprised to see names such as Ryan Reynolds, Snoop Dogg and reportedly The Weeknd throw their hats into the ring, the opportunity to own one of just 32 NHL teams doesn’t come around often.Associate professor of sport management at Brock University Michael Naraine says having one of the celebrities involved in the Senators would give the eastern Ontario franchise new exposure in non-traditional markets.Reynolds, who has been attached to a bid worth more than US$1 billion led by real estate developer Remington Group, has expressed interest in creating a television series about the team similar to his production company’s hit reality show, “Welcome to Wrexham,” about the Welsh soccer team the actor co-owns.The board of directo...

4 charged with murder of CPD officer Aréanah Preston

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:21 GMT

CHICAGO — Three men and a juvenile have been charged with first-degree murder in the slaying of 24-year-old Chicago police officer Aréanah Preston.Trevor Breeland, 19, Joseph Brooks, 19, Jaquan Bucannon, 18, and a 16-year-old have all been charged with first-degree murder. CPD said the 16-year-old will be tried as an adult.Interim Supt. Eric Carter said the group was responsible for several robberies and motor vehicle thefts prior to the shooting."She was a beloved daughter, sister and friend who wanted to make a difference in this world," Carter said during a Wednesday morning news conference.On early Saturday morning, Preston had just returned from a shift in the 5th District when she was shot in the 8100 block of South Blackstone Avenue at around 1:42 a.m. According an analysis of police radio traffic and sources, she was found at around 2:15 a.m. by a traffic officer. At the time of the shooting, authorities were made aware of a ShotSpotter alert.At around 2:02 a.m., Preston's A...

Royal Caribbean passenger accused of hiding camera in public bathroom on cruise ship

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:21 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – The Federal Bureau of Investigation arrested a cruise passenger last week for allegedly hiding a camera in a public bathroom on a Royal Caribbean ship that departed Florida in late April.Investigators said they believe Jeremy Froias targeted cruise ship passengers between April 30 and May 1, who may have used the public bathroom on the aft of the Harmony of the Seas' top deck between the "Flow Rider" surfing simulator and a bar.The FBI said passengers who used that bathroom may have been video-recorded by Froias. Family loses toy elephant with son’s ashes during Disney World vacation The Harmony of the Seas ship departed Miami on April 29, visiting ports in St. Maarten, Puerto Rico and the Bahamas before returning to Miami on Saturday, May 6.In a statement provided to Nexstar, a representative for Royal Caribbean said the company could not provide detailed comments on an "active case.""We are aware of an incident that occurred on board  Harmony of the Seas' Ap...

Woman buys first home, wins $1M a week later from scratch-off bought at North Carolina gas station

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:21 GMT

GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP) - One week after closing on a house for the first time, Patricia Simmons, of Greensboro, North Carolina, bought a scratch-off ticket that won her $1 million, according to an NC Education Lottery news release. “I just stared at it,” Simmons said. “It was unreal to see that.”Simmons, an in-home aide, said that as a first-time homeowner, she initially had concerns about paying a mortgage every month. Now her win will help pay for her new house. Democrats have sinking feeling: Trump could beat Biden She bought her winning $30 Millionaire Maker ticket from Fairway One Stop on South Elm Eugene Street in Greensboro.“I’ve been in shock ever since,” she said. “I’m just numb.”Simmons said her husband didn’t believe her when she called to tell him the news.“He said, ‘Tricia, you’re playing,’” she said. “He wanted to see the ticket.” George Santos in custody on 13 federal charges When Simmons arrived at lottery headquarters Monday, she had a decision to make. She co...

LIVE: CPD updates on investigation into officer's killing

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:21 GMT

Breaking Update: Police announced charges in the fatal shooting of Chicago police officer Areanah Preston Wednesday.Three men and a juvenile have been charged with first-degree murder in the slaying of the 24-year-old Chicago police officer.Full updates here. Previous StoryCHICAGO — A vigil was held at the Chicago Police Department's 5th District Tuesday in remembrance of officer Areanah Preston, who was shot and killed outside her Avalon Park home early Saturday morning.According to police, Preston had just returned home from her shift when she was shot in the 8100 block of South Blackstone Avenue at around 1:42 a.m.Police said an officer administered medical aid before Preston was taken to a local hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead.Preston was set to graduate with a master's degree in Law from Loyola University Chicago Saturday, with dreams one day of joining the FBI to further a career investigating sex crimes, according to Loyola Law Prof...

Daniel Perry sentenced to 25 years in protester murder, defense prepares for appeal

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:21 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Daniel Perry was sentenced to 25 years in prison after being convicted of the 2020 shooting death of a protester, and will receive credit for the time he's already served.The 147th District Court Judge Clifford A. Brown determined Perry's sentence Tuesday. On Monday he heard attorneys bring forth their final witnesses and closing arguments during Perry's sentencing hearing. The prosecution requested a minimum of 25 years, while the defense argued for 10. “Hard work, service and sacrifice deserves our honor and it deserves to be respected,” Brown said, referring to the jury’s decision finding Perry guilty of murder.Perry, a former Army sergeant, was convicted on April 7 of murdering Air Force veteran and protester Garrett Foster during a Black Lives Matter demonstration in downtown Austin in 2020. Both the state and the defense did everything they could to appeal to Brown's emotions before he decided how long Perry will spend behind bars."While we had hoped for a sent...

Girl, 3, critically injured in fall from 4th-story window of St. Paul apartment

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:21 GMT

A 3-year-old girl was critically injured in a fall from a fourth-story window Tuesday night in St. Paul’s Highland Park, according to police.Preliminary information showed children had been playing on a bed that was pushed against a wall near the window of an apartment, though the girl was alone in the room when she accidentally fell, said Sgt. Mike Ernster, a police spokesman.Officers who responded to the 1700 block of Graham Avenue just before 9:30 p.m. found good Samaritans caring for the girl, who was unconscious, but breathing, Ernster said. A window screen was lying nearby.Paramedics transported the girl to the hospital and the police investigation continues.Windows are among the top five “hidden” hazards in a home, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The non-profit Safe Kids Worldwide offers these tips: Install window guards; open windows from the top instead of the bottom, if possible; move furniture away from windows.Related ArticlesCrime & P...

Twins shake up roster by optioning slumping Jose Miranda to Saints; Kyle Farmer returns from IL

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:21 GMT

Twins manager Rocco Baldelli talked of making adjustments to his roster after yet another poor performance from the slumping offense on Tuesday night. On Wednesday morning, the Twins made one big change, optioning starting third baseman Jose Miranda to Triple-A St. Paul, where they hope the 24-year-old will have a chance to reset.After a solid rookie season, Miranda has hit just .220 with a .275 on-base percentage, a .318 slugging percentage and three home runs in 35 games. His 66 OPS+ is a mark that is 34 percent less than the league average for hitter. In the month of May, he is 3 for 25 (.120). That was coupled with some subpar defense at third base.Miranda got off to a slow start in the majors last season, as well, hitting .164 in his first 19 games. That prompted the Twins to option him to St. Paul, though his stay was brief — the very same day, Royce Lewis was called up, crashed into a wall and tore his anterior cruciate ligament, prompting the Twins to bring Miranda back.Upon...