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Star soprano Anna Netrebko sues Met Opera over its decision to cut ties over Russia-Ukraine war

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:22 GMT

Soprano Anna Netrebko, once among the Metropolitan Opera’s biggest box office draws, sued the company and general manager Peter Gelb on Friday, alleging defamation, breach of contract and other violations related to the institution’s decision to drop her following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.The suit, filed in U.S. District Court in Manhattan, asks for at least $360,000 in damages for lost performance and rehearsal fees. Netrebko claims the Met caused ”severe mental anguish and emotional distress” that included “depression, humiliation, embarrassment, stress and anxiety, and emotional pain and suffering.”The Met dropped the Russian soprano from future engagements shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Gelb had demanded she repudiate Russia President President Vladimir Putin.“Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Met and Peter Gelb have used Anna Netrebko as a scapegoat in their campaign to distance themselves from Russia and to support Ukraine,” the ma...

Armed man who tried to enter a Jewish school in Tennessee fired at a construction worker, police say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:22 GMT

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — A Tennessee man who tried to enter a Jewish school with a gun fired shots at a construction worker there and later pointed his weapon at police before an officer wounded him on a residential street, authorities said Friday.Joel Bowman, 33, went to Margolin Hebrew Academy-Feinstone Yeshiva of the South school in Memphis on Monday and tried to get inside, but he was denied entry, police said on the day of the shooting. Class was not in session, but there were limited staff and construction workers there at the time.In an affidavit made public Friday, police said Bowman — who had attended the school — walked around its exterior and fired two shots at a construction worker, who was not hit. Bowman then fired two more shots outside the school before driving away in a pickup truck, police said. Officers tracked down Bowman a short drive from the school. He exited his truck with a gun in his right hand and pointed the weapon at an officer, who shot him, police said. B...

Seahawks WR Dee Eskridge suspended 6 games for violating personal conduct policy

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:22 GMT

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Dee Eskridge was suspended Friday for the first six games of the regular season for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy.Eskridge will be permitted to participate in all preseason games and practices but will have to leave the team before the start of the regular season. He will be permitted to return to the active roster on Monday, Oct. 23 following Seattle’s Week 7 game vs. Arizona.In a statement, the Seahawks said, “We are aware of the situation involving Dee Eskridge and have followed league and law enforcement protocol.”Eskridge was a second-round pick by Seattle in the 2021 draft, but he has struggled to stay on the field because of injuries. He played in 20 of 34 regular-season games in his two seasons and has a combined 17 receptions and one touchdown. Eskridge was in line to be the No. 4 wide receiver in Seattle’s offense this season after the team drafted Jaxson Smith-Njigba in the first round.___AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nf...

Las emergencias por inundaciones obligan a evacuaciones y rescates acuáticos en todo el sur de EE.UU.

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:22 GMT

(CNN) — Una serie de inundaciones repentinas peligrosas obligó a evacuaciones y rescates acuáticos en algunas zonas del sur de Estados Unidos en la mañana de este viernes, y ahora las lluvias adicionales a lo largo del día podrían empeorar la situación.Algunas de las peores inundaciones ocurrieron en partes del oeste de Kentucky y Tennessee, donde se emitieron múltiples emergencias por inundaciones repentinas este viernes. Las emergencias por inundaciones repentinas son una señal de que los meteorólogos están seguros de que la situación representa un peligro para la vida y son el nivel más alto de advertencia que el Servicio Meteorológico Nacional puede emitir por inundaciones.El Servicio Meteorológico Nacional en Memphis utilizó un lenguaje poco común para describir el riesgo, llamándolo una “situación especialmente peligrosa”. Y, en ese sentido, advirtió a los residentes en lugares como Union City, Tennessee, que buscaran un terreno más alto de inmediato.El aumen...

West Nile virus is more of a threat this year than previous years, experts say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:22 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- Mosquitoes are more prevalent this year than they have been in the past, and so is West Nile virus.Dr. Daniel Pastula, an infectious disease specialist at UCHealth, said there is an increased risk of contracting the virus this year due to extra rainfall and moisture creating the ideal breeding grounds for the blood-sucking pests. This year’s first human death from West Nile virus confirmed in Weld County Last year, there were 206 confirmed cases in Colorado, causing 20 deaths, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. That means the virus was deadly for nearly 10% of Coloradans who were confirmed infected.Yet, public health officials say that less than 1% of those infected will develop serious, sometimes fatal symptoms. Eric Aakko, the Weld County health department spokesperson, told FOX31 that it's hard to tell just how deadly it is because research shows that the majority of people infected do not show symptoms."We don't have a way o...

Which states have minimum age requirements for gun purchases?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:22 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- Starting Aug. 7, people who are under the age of 21 will not be able to buy any firearms in the state of Colorado. This new law was signed in April and makes purchasing a gun when you’re under 21 years old punishable by up to one year in jail or a $1,000 fine. Anyone who sells or transfers a firearm to someone under 21 could be punished with up to 18 months in jail or a $5,000 fine. Gun owners group suing Polis, state over new laws Federal law already restricts anyone under 21 from buying handguns, but a Virginia federal judge ruled that law unconstitutional in May. Colorado's new law also faces legal challenges. The Rocky Mountain Gun Owners Group is suing Gov. Jared Polis' administration over the law and filed a temporary restraining order over it on Aug. 4. Whether or not the law stands, Colorado is one of 22 states with a law that bars gun sales to people under 21. These include California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Mary...

2023 Florida Python Challenge underway in Everglades

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:22 GMT

The hunt is on for an invasive species in the Florida Everglades.The 2023 Florida Python Challenge is now underway through Aug. 13.This conservation effort allows participants the opportunity to help protect the Everglades and the animals that live there from the invasive Burmese python and get paid for their catches.The snakes have been known to prey on state wildlife like marsh rabbits, deer and even alligators.

Homestead Police seek public’s help in locating missing 15-year-old

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:22 GMT

The Homestead Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a 15-year-old boy who went missing from the Waterstone Community in Homestead.Ja Ir Richard Alexander was last seen on August 3 at 9:00 PM. He is described as being 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighing 130 pounds.Authorities are urging anyone with information regarding Alexander’s whereabouts to come forward and assist in the search effort.

DeSantis seeks to fundraise off Orlando Magic donation controversy and criticism from NBA players’ union

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:22 GMT

(CNN) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ campaign is seeking to raise money off criticism by the NBA players’ union of an Orlando Magic donation to a super PAC that supports his presidential bid.In a text message Friday, the Republican’s presidential campaign said it appeared that the NBA had taken a “break from protesting our anthem and bending the knee to Communist China to chirp about Gov. DeSantis.”“Under his presidency, America will NEVER bend the knee to China,” it added. The fundraising text included the National Basketball Players’ Association statement Thursday that slammed the team’s financial support for the pro-DeSantis super PAC.The association called the $50,000 donation from the team to the DeSantis-aligned super PAC Never Back Down “alarming given recent comments and policies of its beneficiary.”“NBA governors, players and personnel have the right to express their personal political views, including through donations and statements,” the players’ association said in&n...

Storms to Sun

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:22 GMT

This evening we’re tracking scattered showers and storms rolling through New England. The key word here is scattered, not every town will see a storm, however any storm that does develop has the potential to be strong or severe — especially north and west of Boston. It doesn’t mean every storm will but we’ll have to watch the radar this evening. We have a severe thunderstorm watch in effect until 8pm but that may need to be extended if the storms keep the strong to severe potential. We’ll have storms past 8pm, the question is if they are likely to reach severe limits or not.In general, the storms will weaken as they move south and east. The risk of strong or severe storm is more likely in the yellow shaded area (level 2 of 5 on the severe weather scale). Then down to a 1 of 5 for those inside of 495, with no severe storms expected in southeastern Massachusetts or the Cape.Any storm that does become severe will be for either gusty wind or large hail. In ...