Russian defense chief warns against provoking ‘dirty bomb’
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia’s defense chief has alleged that Ukraine was plotting a “provocation” involving a radioactive device, a stark claim that has been firmly denied by Ukrainian and British officials amid rising tensions as Moscow is trying to stem Ukrainian advances in the south. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu made the allegations in phone calls Sunday with his counterparts in the United States, Britain, France and Turkey. The Russian Defense Ministry said Shoigu expressed concern about “possible Ukrainian provocations involving a ‘dirty bomb’, a device that uses explosives to disperse radioactive waste. It does not have the devastating effect from a nuclear explosion, but it could expose large areas to radioactive contamination.
Iran releases footage of prison fire, adding to mystery
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran has released security footage it says came from its infamous Evin prison the night a fire broke out that killed at least eight inmates. The images shared on Sunday represent the government’s efforts to clarify its narrative amid growing international pressure. But the quick previews only added to the mystery. Also on Sunday, Iran’s civilian nuclear arm acknowledged a cyberattack. The events come as Iran faces sustained national unrest, first sparked by the September 16 death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman in police custody. On Sunday, Iran’s main teachers’ association reported that sit-ins had canceled classes in several schools across the country to protest the government’s crackdown on student protesters.
AP Top 25: LSU returns to No. 18 ahead of ‘Bama visit
LSU reentered the Associated Press College Football poll at No. 18 and at No. 25, South Carolina earned a ranking for the first time in four seasons. The top six teams in the AP Top 25 retained their spots after winning and not playing last weekend. Georgia is No. 1 for the third straight week, with No. 2 Ohio State gaining ground after beating Iowa. The Bulldogs, who were inactive, received 31 first-place votes and 1,530 points. The Buckeyes got 18 first-place votes and 1,513 points. Tennessee No. 3 received 13 first-place votes. Michigan’s No. 4, Clemson’s No. 5 and Alabama’s No. 6 also retained their spots.
US military reports ‘barricade situation’ at base outside DC
FORT BELVOIR, Va. (AP) — U.S. military officials say a “barricade situation” has drawn the FBI and other law enforcement agencies to a base outside the national capital. The official Twitter account for Fort Belvoir in northern Virginia tweeted that its law enforcement officials, local police and FBI responded to “a barricade situation” on Sunday morning. The base said in its statement that the situation was ongoing and that it could not comment further. The base did not provide any other details, except to say that some of the doors to the facility remained open. Fort Belvoir is located about 20 miles from Washington.
Militants attack a hotel in the Somali port city of Kismayo
MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — Police say gunmen stormed a hotel in the center of the Somali port city of Kismayo, shortly after a car packed with explosives exploded outside the gates. the hotel. Officials said the gunmen were still inside the Tawakal Hotel and security forces were on the scene. The attack began when a car driven by a suicide bomber slammed into the hotel’s front door and then exploded, police officer Abshir Omar told The Associated Press by phone. A number of small businesses along the street were destroyed. There was no word on the casualties. The extremist Islamist group al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the attack.
Report: Salman Rushdie lives, but loses sight of his eyes and hands
NEW YORK (AP) — Salman Rushdie’s agent says the author lost sight in one eye and the use of one hand while recovering from a stroke by a man who s was rushed to the stage at a literary event in August in Western New York. Andrew Wylie told Spanish newspaper El Pais in an article published on Saturday that Rushdie suffered three serious neck injuries and 15 chest and torso injuries in the attack which injured his eye and left one hand unfit. A 24-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to the Aug. 12 attack as Rushdie was ushered into Chautauqua Institution.
‘Black Adam,’ starring Dwayne Johnson, debuts with $67 million
NEW YORK (AP) — Warner Bros. “Black Adam” opened with around $67 million, according to studio estimates on Sunday, giving Dwayne Johnson his biggest box office weekend as a leading man and launching the DC Comics character qu he spent a decade bringing to the big screen. “Black Adam” was a $200 million bid to upset the balance of power in a DC Extended Universe dominated by Wonder Woman, Superman, and Batman. The $67 million debut is a far cry from that stratosphere, even with Johnson’s sizable draw in his first superhero movie. “Ticket to Paradise,” the Bali rom-com starring Julia Roberts and George Clooney, proved clever counter-programming. It debuted with $16.3 million, well above recent sales for romantic comedies.
Parade suspect’s court antics won’t help appeal, experts say
MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Legal experts say the antics of a Wisconsin man accused of killing six people while driving his SUV in a Christmas parade last year won’t help him win an appeal. Darrell Brooks faces 76 counts in the Nov. 21 parade crash in Waukesha, including six counts of homicide. He is representing himself at trial. Every day, he argues with Judge Jennifer Dorow, refuses to acknowledge his own name or state jurisdiction, and mutters that the proceedings are unfair. Legal observers say that if he is convicted, none of this will help him on appeal. They say Dorow treated him fairly and meticulously recorded the proceedings.
Skydiver dies in Tennessee high school football pre-game jump
JONESBOROUGH, Tenn. (AP) – Officials say a skydiver died after he crash-landed from a pre-game jump at a Tennessee high school football stadium. In a statement, Washington County Schools Superintendent Jerry Boyd said the diver jumped Friday at David Crockett High School Football Stadium in Jonesborough. David Crockett was facing Daniel Boone High School in nearby Gray. Jump TN, a Greeneville company, told media in a statement that the man worked with the company and had performed more than 1,500 jumps. The company said observers and witnesses did not notice anything unusual about the jump or its parachute deployment. Authorities have yet to release the identity of the paratrooper.
Cheney: Jan. 6 panel won’t accept Trump’s live TV testimony
WASHINGTON (AP) — The House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack says it will not consider letting Donald Trump testify live on television about the direct role congressional investigators say he played in the bid to overturn the 2020 election. The committee has taken the extraordinary step of subpoenaing the former president and is demanding his sworn testimony next month. To avoid a lengthy legal battle, Trump reportedly told associates he could consider complying with the subpoena if he could answer questions live. But Rep. Liz Cheney, the committee’s vice chair, said the committee would not allow Trump’s testimony to turn into a “food fight.” She says the committee will take action if he does not comply.
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