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Renowned British talk show host Michael Parkinson dies at age 88

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:42:29 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Michael Parkinson, the renowned British broadcaster who interviewed some of the world’s most famous celebrities of the 20th century from Muhammad Ali to Miss Piggy, has died. He was 88.His family said in a statement to the BBC on Thursday that Parkinson died “peacefully at home last night” after a brief illness.After training and working as a journalist, Parkinson got his big television break in 1971 when the BBC offered him his own eponymous talk show. Hosting “Parkinson” over three spells through to 2007, he earned his status as Britain’s talk show king by putting his guests at ease, drawing out insights others could not. Flirty, funny and serious by turns, he would spar with his guests, rather than seeking anecdotes, although those were welcome when they came. Over four animated interviews with the great heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali, Parkinson knew he had met his match. “I’m not going to argue with you,” Parky told him during one animat...

‘What a special place to be in.’ Triathletes swim in the Seine ahead of Paris Olympics

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:42:29 GMT

PARIS (AP) — The world’s top female triathletes rushed forward into the Seine on Thursday as the famous river’s improved water quality allowed a race to take place in a key test event ahead of next year’s Paris Olympics.It comes after a previous test had to be canceled this month because of poor water quality.Paris Olympic organizers, the city’s authorities and World Triathlon praised the victory of British competitor Beth Potter in the women’s race.“She thus becomes the first athlete to win a sporting competition after swimming in the Seine since 2012,” they said in a joint statement.The triathlon event takes place through Sunday in the heart of the French capital, with the swimming portion of the race starting from the bottom of the spectacular 19th century Alexandre III bridge and its golden statues. The bike and run laps go through some of the most prestigious neighborhoods of the capital city, including down the Champs-Elysees. Fans can attend the event for fr...

More than 60 Senegalese migrants feared dead on monthlong voyage to Spain

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:42:29 GMT

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — More than 60 migrants are feared dead after a Spanish fishing vessel rescued a boat off the Atlantic archipelago of Cape Verde that originally had more than 100 people aboard, authorities and migrant advocates said Thursday. Seven bodies were found on the boat and an estimated 56 people are missing at sea and presumed dead, said International Organization for Migration spokesperson Safa Msehli. According to Senegal’s foreign affairs ministry, 38 people were rescued earlier in the week near Cape Verde, about 620 kilometers (385 miles) off the coast of West Africa. The Spanish migration advocacy group Walking Borders said the vessel was a large fishing boat, called a pirogue, which had left Senegal on July 10.Families in Fass Boye, a seaside town 145 kilometers (90 miles) north of the capital, Dakar, reached out to Walking Borders on July 20 after 10 days without hearing from loved ones on the boat, group founder Helena Maleno Garzón said.Cheikh Awa Boye, preside...

Russia fines Google $32,000 for videos about the conflict in Ukraine

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:42:29 GMT

MOSCOW (AP) — A Russian court on Thursday imposed a 3-million-ruble ($32,000) fine on Google for failing to delete allegedly false information about the conflict in Ukraine.The move by a magistrate’s court follows similar actions in early August against Apple and the Wikimedia Foundation that hosts Wikipedia.According to Russian news reports, the court found that the YouTube video service, which is owned by Google, was guilty of not deleting videos with incorrect information about the conflict — which Russia characterizes as a “special military operation”. Google was also found guilty of not removing videos that suggested ways of gaining entry to facilities which are not open to minors, news agencies said, without specifying what kind of facilities were involved. In Russia, a magistrate’s court typically handles administrative violations and low-level criminal cases.Since sending troops into Ukraine in February 2022, Russia has enacted an array of measures to punish any critic...

What new lending regulations mean for small-business owners

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:42:29 GMT

The U.S. Small Business Administration and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau each issued new rules earlier this year that aim to expand funding access for small-business owners, especially those in underserved communities.As of Aug. 1, 2023, updates to the SBA’s rules will allow for new, nonbank lenders to offer SBA 7(a) loans, as well as update restrictive lending criteria. And starting in 2024, the CFPB will begin requiring lenders to provide the public with transparent data on small-business owner loan applications. Here’s what this means for business owners.ADDITIONAL NONBANK SBA LENDERSSmall business lending companies, or SBLCs, are nonbank institutions — such as financial technology companies and alternative lenders — that are authorized to fund SBA loans. SBLC licenses have been limited to 14 since the early 1980s, but the SBA has now added three additional licenses.The goal of this change is to encourage more lenders to offer SBA-backed loans and thereby reach more small-...

Man dies after being found shot multiple times in alley on West Side

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:42:29 GMT

CHICAGO — A man has died after being found unresponsive with multiple gunshot wounds on the city's West Side.Police said officers responded to a person shot to the 2700 block of West Wilcox around 10:20 p.m. Wednesday. Upon arrival, a man, believed to be in his 40s, was found unresponsive in an alley.According to police, the man sustained six gunshot wounds to the torso. He was transported to Mount Sinai Hospital in critical condition where he was pronounced dead. CPD: 2 critical after shooting outside funeral home No one is in custody. Area Four detectives are investigating.

Maui fires: Schools reopening, traffic resuming in signs of recovery

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:42:29 GMT

LAHAINA, Hawaii (NEXSTAR) — Public schools on Maui started the process of reopening and traffic resumed on a major road in signs of recovery a week after wildfires demolished a historic town and killed at least 111 people, while the head of the island's emergency agency said he had “no regret” that sirens weren't sounded to warn people about the onrushing flames.At least three schools untouched by flames in Lahaina, where entire neighborhoods were reduced to ash, were still being assessed after sustaining wind damage, Hawaii Department of Education superintendent Keith Hayashi said. Maui boat captain details rescue of two children during fire “There’s still a lot of work to do, but overall the campuses and classrooms are in good condition structurally, which is encouraging,” Hayashi said in a video update. “We know the recovery effort is still in the early stages, and we continue to grieve the many lives lost.”Maui County confirmed the death toll increased to 111. T...

Amber Alert issued for 2-year-old missing from Beaumont

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:42:29 GMT

BEAUMONT, Texas (KXAN) -- An Amber Alert was issued overnight for a 2-year-old boy from Beaumont. The Beaumont Police Department is searching for Braylon Harris, a Black 2-year-old boy who is described as 2'11" with brown hair, brown eyes, and was last seen with braids in his hair. His clothing was unknown. Braylon Harris (Photo: Texas Department of Public Safety)Police are looking for Georgiann Randall in connection to Harris's abduction. Randall is described as a Black, 29-year-old woman who is 5'7" and 110 lbs with black hair and brown eyes. Georgiann Randall (Photo: Texas Department of Public Safety)Randall believed to be driving a grey SUV with an unknown license plate number. She was last seen in Beaumont. Police believe Harris is in grave or immediate danger. If you have information regarding this abduction, call the Beaumont Police Department at 409--880-3865.

Back to school: Online safety tips you should know about

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:42:29 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As any proud parent would be, there's a moment of celebration when you send your child on to their next milestone for the next school year. But as things get back into gear, what are some online safety tips to help keep you and your family safe?The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has multiple articles with tips on sharing back-to-school photos of your children and back-to-school internet safety tips.Sharing back-to-school photosAs you share those precious back-to-school photos, the BBB wants to remind parents to be cautious about what you share.Photo tipsAvoid sharing personal details about your child. Back-to-school photos often involve kids holding a board with their full name, age, height, as well as other details. People or predators could use this information to commit identity theft or earn your child’s trust, the BBB said. Leave off information about kids' schools. Even sharing the name of your child’s school, teacher, or grade leve...

Police ask for tips to find baby taken by mom’s former boyfriend in St. Paul

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:42:29 GMT

St. Paul police are asking for tips after they say a woman’s former boyfriend took her 6-month-old baby.The infant, My’Air, was last seen Monday when Nichlis Kruse drove away with him, police announced early Thursday. He left in a black 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe with Minnesota license plate HGK499.“Kruse sent a threatening message on the night of Aug. 16 to My’Air’s mother and we are concerned for the welfare of My’Air,” police wrote in an alert on social media, which described My’Air as an endangered baby.Police asked anyone with information about the infant, Kruse or the Tahoe to call police at 911 or 651-291-1111. Related ArticlesCrime & Public Safety | Two charged in shooting undercover Minneapolis police officer Crime & Public Safety | Police ID man killed on Raspberry Island as St. Paul 20-year-old Crime & Public Safety | 14 more members of Minneapolis gangs are charged in federal violent crime ini...