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Former Albanian prime minister says he’s charged with corruption and money laundering in land deal

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 17:30:57 GMT

TIRANA, Albania (AP) — Albania’s former prime minister Sali Berisha said Saturday that prosecutors charged him with corruption and money laundering in connection with a land deal involving a Tirana property.Berisha, 79, said the prosecutor’s office in charge of cases against senior officials or major cases, ordered him not to leave the country. Berisha also said his son-in-law, 50-year-old Jamarber Malltezi, was arrested on the same charges at the Tirana International airport. Berisha said both he and Malltezi are innocent.“On these charges I declare that they are absolutely without any basis and purely and fully political accusations from (current prime minister) Edi Rama,” he said at a news conference late Saturday.Rama did not immediately respond to Berisha’s claim. The Special Prosecution Against Corruption and Organized Crime office alleges that Berisha’s son-in-law exploited Berisha’s position as prime minister to privatize land in Tirana owned by the c...

Demonstration causing traffic delays near Gardiner Expressway

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 17:30:57 GMT

There are traffic delays downtown Toronto due to a reported demonstration called the “National March for Gaza” that began at the U.S. Consulate on University Avenue.The demonstration initially blocked University Avenue between Wellington Street West and Front Street, that moved towards the Gardiner Expressway, shutting down part of Lake Shore Boulevard.Demonstrators have since moved eastbound on Bremner Boulevard.Demonstrators are on the roadway and Toronto police advise motorists to use caution in the area, expect traffic delays and consider alternate routes.The final Toronto FC game of the season at BMO Field has been delayed by 20 minutes due to the traffic.???? Update: Due to transportation issues, the match between Toronto FC and Orlando City, originally slated to kick off at 6:00 p.m. ET, will now begin at 6:20 p.m. ET.#TORvORL | #TFCLive pic.twitter.com/v9IBdGnSie— Toronto FC (@TorontoFC) October 21, 2023Westbound 509 and 510 TTC streetcars on Queens Quay he...

A Detroit synagogue president was fatally stabbed outside her home. Police don’t have a motive

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 17:30:57 GMT

DETROIT (AP) — A Detroit synagogue president was found stabbed to death outside her home Saturday, police said. The motive wasn’t known.Emergency medical personnel declared the woman, identified in a statement from Mayor Mike Duggan as Samantha Woll, dead at the scene, Cpl. Dan Donakowski said.“While at the scene, police officers observed a trail of blood leading officers to the victim’s residence, which is where the crime is believed to have occurred,” Donakowski said.Woll, 40, had led the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue since 2022 and was a former aide to Democratic Rep. Elissa Slotkin and campaign staffer for Attorney General Dana Nessel, the Detroit Free Press reported.Police have not identified a possible motive and are investigating, the Free Press reported.Police found Woll around 6:30 a.m. after someone called to alert them of a person lying on the ground unresponsive, the Free Press reported.Nessel issued a statement on X, formerly Twitter, saying she was “shocked, sad...

President of Detroit synagogue found dead outside of home

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 17:30:57 GMT

(The Hill) — The president of a Detroit synagogue was found stabbed to death outside of her home on Saturday, police said.Detroit Police said Samantha Woll was found dead outside of her home by a passerby at about 6:30 a.m. Saturday. Officers found a “trail of blood” leading to the inside of Woll’s home, where they said they believe the crime occurred.Woll, who led the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue, was a former staffer for Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) and senior staffer for Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s campaign last year. Bolton suggests Hamas release of US hostages was simple a delay tactic Police have not identified a potential motive for the killing, they said.“I and all of Team Slotkin is heartbroken at this news,” Slotkin said in a Facebook post on Saturday. “Sam worked for me from nearly the moment I became a Congresswoman, helping us set up the office & helping to lead it for my full first term.”“My heart aches that we have lost someone so dedicated to ser...

'It's therapeutic' Event features art produced by people at risk of homelessness

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 17:30:57 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) –  A nonprofit that provides studio space to people experiencing homelessness is hosting its 31st annual art show this Saturday and Sunday at the Blue Genie Art Bazaar in central Austin. Art From The Streets sells thousands of pieces created by artists at risk of homelessness. 95% of the money earned in the show goes directly back to the artists. “They work all year, they paint all year, they create all year, and then we're able to offer this amazing collection of work,” said Kelley Worden, executive director of the nonprofit. “They get an amazing amount of self-assurance and validation.”“They're very anxious to be here. But they love being able to talk [and] express their feelings [of] how they feel about their work,” Worden continued. Clients attending Art From The Streets are concurrently working on getting their basic needs met – like food, services and housing. Worden said coming to the studio offers folks a reprieve and a creative outlet.“It's ther...

Gophers’ self destruction led to Hawkeyes important first-half touchdown

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 17:30:57 GMT

IOWA CITY, Iowa — The Gophers continually fell apart at the end of the first half against the Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday.Minnesota was flagged four times as Iowa was able to go 46 yards to take a 10-3 lead at the break.“As undisciplined as we’ve ever been,” P.J. Fleck said at halftime on KFAN.The Gophers average only three penalties per game this season, which is one of the lowest rates in the country. A lack of flags have been a standard under Fleck.On third and four with three minutes left in the half, the Gophers had wrapped up Iowa quarterback Deacon Hill for a no gain, but defensive end Danny Striggow was flagged for a face masking penalty.Later on in the series, the Gophers had a pass interference penalty on cornerback Justin Walley on a second down. Iowa got a first down.On the next play, defensive end Jah Joyner was flagged for offside at the 6-yard line. Iowa got a first down at the 3.Then on third down at the 1, Tyler Nubin was flagged for unsportsmanlike cond...

Revolving door for Gophers running backs vs. Hawkeyes

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 17:30:57 GMT

IOWA CITY, Iowa — Gophers running back Darius Taylor came back from a two-game absence to play against Iowa at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday afternoon, but fellow tailback Zach Evans was injured before half and didn’t return.Taylor, three-time Big Ten freshman of the week, rushed for 532 yards and four touchdowns this season, but missed the last two games with a leg injury suffered late in the loss to Northwestern.Evans wasn’t the only Gopher tailback to go down with injury. The U listed senior Bryce Williams as out for the season with an undisclosed injury. Williams, a sixth-year senior, has rushed for 123 yards and one touchdown this season.Linebacker Cody Lindenberg (leg) had been listed as questionable for a fourth straight week, but did not return to game action. He has missed all seven games this season.Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck had said this week that Lindenberg was “closer” to a return to the field and Lindenberg participated in some pregame drills, but didn...

How many malls are still open around the St. Louis area?

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 17:30:57 GMT

ST. LOUIS - One of the St. Louis region's oldest-standing shopping malls, South County Center, celebrates its 60th anniversary this weekend. To reach that point is a remarkable achievement. Traditional shopping malls have embraced uncertainty in the 21st century with the rise of online shopping and changes in consumer preferences. Forbes estimates that the United States was home to around 2,500 US shopping malls during their peak popularity in the 1980s. As of 2023, that number has dwindled down to 700. Some industry experts believe another 100-200 shopping malls will close for good over the next decade. The Greater St. Louis Area has said goodbye to several malls over the last decade-plus, but a select few within Missouri and Illinois are still thriving. For those still in business, location, trendy goods and community engagement are essential. How many malls are still open around the St. Louis metropolitan area? Let's take a closer look...Alton Square MallOpened: 1978Municipality:...

Broncos put TE Greg Dulcich back on injured reserve with hamstring issue, activate OLB Baron Browning from PUP

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 17:30:57 GMT

The Broncos on Saturday made official what’s been clear all week.Baron Browning is back.The Denver outside linebacker was activated from the physically unable to perform list and will make his season debut Sunday against Green Bay, according to the NFL’s transaction wire.Browning has missed the first six games while recovering from offseason knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus.Browning was careful Friday not to say categorically that he would play against the Packers, but he spoke at length about how much he’d enjoyed being back at practice and working on his craft with his teammates. Now, he’s set to return to game action, too.Browning was a full participant all week in practice, signaling his imminent return.Of course, the third-year player out of Ohio State won’t see a full set of repetitions. Head coach Sean Payton said Friday that Browning would be on a “pitch count” whenever he did return. So he’ll work into what’s been ...

18th annual Taste of Soul festival attracts thousands to Leimert Park 

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 17:30:57 GMT

Thousands of participants descended on Leimert Park on Saturday for the 18th annual Taste of Soul family festival. The free, all-day event runs from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Crenshaw Boulevard between Stocker Street and Obama Boulevard and includes live performances, job and networking opportunities and local food vendors.  Billy from ‘Saw X’ crashes KTLA 5 Weekend Morning News Free parking and shuttle service is available at Crenshaw High School and Dorsey High School. For more information, visit the Taste of Soul website.