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Business Highlights: Ruling protects Sacklers from lawsuits; AI extinction risk warning

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:52 GMT

Ruling clears way for Purdue Pharma to settle opioid claims, protect Sacklers from lawsuitsA federal court ruling has cleared the way for OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma to settle thousands of legal claims over the toll of opioids. A three-judge panel of the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New York on Tuesday overturned a lower court’s 2021 ruling that found bankruptcy courts did not have the authority to protect members of the Sackler family who own the company and who have not filed for bankruptcy protection from lawsuits. The concept is at the heart of Purdue’s plan to settle thousands of lawsuits in a deal that would include $5.5 billion to $6 billion from Sackler family members.___The easiest way to get a $7,500 tax credit for an electric vehicle? Consider leasing.DETROIT (AP) — Thanks to a boost from the government, leasing — not buying — is becoming the most affordable way to get your hands on an electric vehicle. Last year’s Inflation Reduction Act provided a federal tax ...

UN: Staggering 15.3 million Syrians, nearly 70% of population, need aid

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:52 GMT

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — For the first time in Syria’s 12-year war, people in every district are experiencing some degree of “humanitarian stress,” and a staggering 15.3 million — nearly 70% of the population — need humanitarian aid, the United Nations said Tuesday.A U.N. appeal for $5.4 billion to help over 14 million people in Syria is less than 10% funded and the U.N. World Food Program has warned that without additional money, 2.5 million people are at risk of losing food or cash assistance from July.The dire humanitarian situation, compounded by the February earthquake that devastated the rebel-held northwest, was spelled out to the Security Council by the U.N. humanitarian office’s deputy operations director Ghada Mudawi.The Syrian people “are more and more reliant on humanitarian assistance as basic services and critical infrastructure are on the brink of collapse,” she said.Mudawi urged generous pledges and the swift release of funds at a European Union hosted conference ...

Police search for hit-and-run driver in Broomfield neighborhood

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:52 GMT

BROOMFIELD, Colo. (KDVR) — Police are searching for a suspect who was allegedly involved in a car crash in the Willow Run neighborhood near Broomfield. Broomfield Police are warning residents in the Willow Run neighborhood, which is just east of Willow Park, about police activity in the area. BPD said a man was allegedly involved in a car crash with another vehicle at Zuni and 128th and then ran from the scene. Police are now looking for that suspect. He is described as White or Hispanic man In his 20s Has black curly hairWearing tan pants and white tank topAccording to BPD, officers set up a perimeter that included one home and searched the area with the help of a K-9 unit, but have not been able to locate the suspect. Officers are continuing to investigate and are reviewing surveillance footage. If you see anyone matching this description, you are urged to call 911 immediately. Everyone else is asked to avoid the area while police search.

Can you vote while in jail in Colorado?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:52 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- The Denver Sheriff's Department is bringing in-person voting to inmates for the mayoral run-off election.For the first time in 12 years, Denver voters got the chance to elect a new mayor. Without a candidate having more than 50% of the votes in their favor, the race has moved to a run-off election to happen on June 6 with the top two candidates — Kelly Brough and Mike Johnston.A press release from the Denver Sheriff's Office said that inmates in Denver jails will be able to cast their ballots in person for the mayoral run-off election Wednesday at the Van Cise-Simonet Detention Center and Thursday at the Denver County Jail.The Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition is encouraging eligible voters, behind bars or not, to register and vote.Which inmates are eligible to vote?Even though inmates have restricted freedoms, some people behind bars can still make their voices heard and vote.People who are currently in jail awaiting trial, on bond, or are incarcerated ser...

Former Plantation Mayor Lynn Stoner arrested; accused of official misconduct, falsifying record

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:52 GMT

Former mayor Lynn Stoner turned herself into a Broward jail Tuesday morning.The former mayor of Plantation will plead not guilty to charges of official misconduct and falsifying a record.Authorities said Stoner had a medical emergency during the booking process and was taken to the hospital.The booking process will continue once the 70-year-old returns from the hospital.

BSO search for missing 15-year-old girl in Deerfield Beach

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:52 GMT

The Broward Sheriff’s Office Missing Persons Unit is seeking the public’s help in finding a missing 15-year-old girl.Haley Acosta was last seen at around 12:30 p.m. in the 1000 block of Southeast Fourth Avenue, Thursday.She was last seen wearing a black shirt and gray sweatpantsAcosta stands at about 5 feet, 2 inches tall, weighs about 120 pounds, has brown hair with blue eyes.Anyone with information on Acosta’s whereabouts is urged to contact BSO Detective Leonard Charla at 954-321-4274 or the BSO non-emergency number at 954-764-HELP (4357).

Son of former Mass. Governor Charlie Baker cuts deal in OUI case

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:52 GMT

The son of former Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker has cut a deal after he was arrested for operating under the influence in Lynnfield earlier this month. Andrew “AJ” Baker was arrested by state police on Route 128 on May 13. In court on May 15, prosecutors said Baker told police he was driving home from Salem, where he had been golfing and drinking. Peabody police officers who responded said they saw signs Baker was intoxicated. According to a police report, a breathalyzer also showed Baker’s blood alcohol content was .15 — nearly twice the legal limit in Massachusetts.Dashcam video from another driver separately showed what state police said was Baker, 29, on the road in his car. The car was seen hitting a curb and nearly going off the road. At one point, the car also swerved into oncoming traffic. Under the terms of the deal approved by prosecutors and a judge on Tuesday, Baker will receive one year of probation. He will also lose his license for 45 days and be...

Supermodel Chanel Iman and NFL player Davon Godchaux get engaged in Italy

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:52 GMT

Supermodel Chanel Iman and New England Patriots player Davon Godchaux announced their engagement Tuesday.The couple shared several snaps from a picturesque trip to Italy that culminated in Godchaux getting down on one knee.“The blessings keep pouring, grateful for this new chapter and soon to be married and a forever to go,” Iman wrote in her Instagram post.The former Victoria’s Secret angel, 32, and the veteran NFL defensive lineman, 28, went public with their relationship in April 2022. Earlier this month, the duo announced they’re expecting their first child together.Iman said she thought the trip to Italy was simply to celebrate their baby. But Godchaux had something else planned.“First of all, I can’t even lie I was nervous ahh hell,” he wrote on Instagram. “I never thought I would be getting down on one knee but LOVE will make you do some amazing things in life! Chanel I love you so much and I wouldn’t have rather spend thi...

Jet skier who was missing after boat collision on Massachusetts river is found dead: Mass State Police

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:52 GMT

The jet skier who collided with a boat on the Connecticut River over the weekend was found dead on Tuesday, according to Massachusetts State Police.Carlos Lopez was located in the river, a short distance from the Easthampton site where he collided with a boat on Sunday evening.Massachusetts Environmental Police officers were using an underwater “Remotely Operated Vehicle” during the search for Lopez, and they saw an area of interest in the river.“Troopers from the Massachusetts State Police Underwater Recovery Team dove onto the area observed by the ROV and located Mr. Lopez’s body,” a State Police spokesperson said in a statement.The divers recovered his body at a depth of about 15 feet — an estimated 150 feet from the shore.The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner took custody of the dead body. The collision remains under investigation by the State Police Detective Unit for Hampshire and Franklin counties.Related ArticlesCrime & Public Safet...

AI-powered humanoid works the crowd at tech show

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:52 GMT

LONDON — Ameca can speak French, Chinese or dozens of other languages, instantly compose a poem or sketch a cat on request. Ask for a smile, and you’ll get a clenched grin on her rubbery blue face.Ameca is a humanoid robot powered by generative artificial intelligence that gives it the ability to respond to questions and commands and interact with people. It’s one of hundreds of robots on display this week at the International Conference on Robotics and Automation, or ICRA, in London, where visitors got a glimpse at the future.The event is sort of the Olympics of the robot world, where student teams compete in a host of challenges including robot cooking and autonomous driving contests, academics present their research and startups show off their latest technology.It comes as scientists and tech industry leaders, including executives at Microsoft and Google, warned Tuesday about the perils of artificial intelligence to mankind, saying “mitigating the risk of extinc...