US & World News

Fired Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore reaches plea deal to resolve home invasion case

Former Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore has pleaded no contest to two misdemeanors in a criminal case that arose immediately after he was fired for having an inappropriate relationship with his executive assistant. The deal was struck Friday, on the same day that a judge planned to hear a challenge to Moore’s arrest in December on three charges, including felony home invasion. Those charges were dropped in exchange for Moore pleading no contest to trespassing and malicious use of a telecom device.

Evidence suggests the deadly blast at an Iranian school was likely a US airstrike

Satellite images and videos of an Iranian girls school damaged by large explosions at the start of a U.S.-Israeli airstrike campaign targeting the Islamic Republic indicate a targeted attack from the air hit the building. That's according to military experts who spoke to The Associated Press. Iran says the blast killed at least 165 people, most of them children. The location of the strike, its affiliation to a coastal defense unit of Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard and the tight pattern of the damage suggest a targeted airstrike on the site. Several factors point to a U.S. strike, given the proximity of American forces to the school and focus on missile sites and naval forces in the war.

Russia has provided Iran with information that can help Tehran strike US military, AP sources say

Russia has provided Iran with information that could help Tehran strike American warships, aircraft and other assets in the region. That's according to two officials familiar with U.S. intelligence on the matter. The officials, who were not authorized to comment publicly on the sensitive matter and spoke on the condition of anonymity, cautioned that the U.S. intelligence has not uncovered that Russia is directing Iran what to do with the information. Still, it's the first indication that Moscow has sought to get involved in the war in the week-old war that the U.S. and Israel launched on Iran.

Spacecraft's impact changed asteroid's orbit around the sun in a save-the-Earth test, study finds

A new study has found that an asteroid NASA used for target practice a few years ago was nudged into a slightly different route around the sun. It's the first time that a celestial body's solar orbit was deliberately changed. Scientists reported Friday that the 2022 impact by the Dart spacecraft not only trimmed the asteroid's orbit around its bigger space rock companion, but also around the sun. Researchers say their findings could help divert an incoming killer space rock given enough advance notice. The study was published in Science Advances.

Florida Bar walks back statement on investigation into Halligan, now says there is none

The Florida Bar has walked back what it said was an erroneous earlier statement its representatives had made indicating that it had an open investigation into Lindsey Halligan, a former top federal prosecutor in Virginia. A letter from a bar association representative to an advocacy group that had requested an inquiry into Halligan said that there as an “investigation pending” in response to the group’s complaint. Jennifer Krell Davis, a spokeswoman for the Florida Bar, also said Thursday that there was an “open file” but declined to comment further “as active Florida discipline cases are confidential.” On Friday, Davis issued a new statement saying the Florida Bar wrote a letter to the complainant “erroneously stating” there is a pending Bar investigation Halligan.

For survivors, Rhode Island clergy abuse report brings vindication and renewed demands

A report by Rhode Island’s attorney general detailing decades of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy is giving survivors a sense of vindication while renewing calls for accountability and support. The investigation identified 75 clergy members who sexually abused more than 300 children since 1950, though officials say the true number is likely higher. Survivors say the report confirms what they have long known and exposes years of secrecy within the church. Many are now speaking publicly about the lasting trauma and the struggle to be believed. They are urging church leaders to provide meaningful support for victims, including help paying for therapy and other services.

Storms rip through Oklahoma as even more intense weather is possible Friday across the central US

Severe storms are sweeping across the central U.S., and forecasters warn tornadoes could turn dangerous across several states. On Thursday night, storms ripped through Oklahoma, and video from near the town of Fairview shows a large funnel lit by lightning. Authorities say a 47-year-old woman and her 13-year-old daughter died in a crash that appears to have been tornado-related. Storms could be even more intense Friday, as more than 7 million Americans are at the highest risk of severe weather in an area that includes the metropolitan areas of Kansas City, Missouri; Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Omaha, Nebraska.

For US Muslims, immigration crackdown fears, new war worries and anti-Muslim rhetoric cloud Ramadan

Muslims across the United States are observing Ramadan under rising fears tied to immigration raids, anti-Muslim rhetoric, and war in the Middle East. Community members in places like Paterson, New Jersey, and Minneapolis say many are striving to maintain the Ramadan spirit while grappling with myriad concerns affecting their communities. In Minnesota, an imam says a mosque has canceled communal iftar meals after local businesses took an economic hit from the federal government's immigration crackdown. National groups are sharing know-your-rights guidance for mosque leaders. Leaders also point to harsh anti-Muslim vitriol during the current election season. Even so, many communities keep praying, fasting and supporting one another.

Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks arrested for suspicion of DUI after traffic stop

Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks has been arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence in Scottsdale, Arizona. Police say they conducted a traffic stop in Scottsdale at roughly 1 a.m. Friday and Brooks was arrested after an investigation. He was taken to jail and released following the booking process around 3:30 a.m. The 30-year-old hasn’t played since Feb. 21 because of a fractured left hand. He’s expected to be out until at least late March after having surgery. The Suns say they are aware of the situation and gathering information.

Plenty of hockey talent still available with hours to go before the NHL trade deadline

NHL trade deadline day has arrived with plenty of talented players available in a market where many top teams have already beefed up their lineup for the playoffs. Sellers seem to be in control with prices high and buyers with eyes on making the playoffs or contending for the Stanley Cup weighing a range of options. Vincent Trocheck remains with the New York Rangers, who traded Sam Carrick to Buffalo. Toronto has multiple players on the block. And St. Louis is open for business with almost everyone on its roster gettable at the right cost.

Americans stuck in the Middle East recount finding their way home with little government help

Stranded Americans across the Middle East say they’ve been left to navigate flight cancellations and confusing government guidance on their own. They expressed frustration with the State Department's directions to “depart now” on commercial flights even though much of the airspace across the Gulf remains closed or heavily restricted. Some have reported relying instead on WhatsApp group chats and friends. Since the war began on Feb. 28, about 20,000 Americans have returned safely to the U.S. The State Department said Thursday that nearly all made it out on their own. The White House pushed back on criticism that the U.S. response has been too slow. The first U.S.-organized charter flight departed the region Wednesday.

Shohei Ohtani hits a grand slam at the World Baseball Classic after putting on a show in BP

Shohei Ohtani put on a giant show in batting practice hours before he hit a grand slam in the second inning as Japan hammered Taiwan 13-0 in Pool C at the World Baseball Classic. It was Japan’s first game of four in pool play. Ohtani spoke to the crowd after the game, bowing and tipping his cap. “It was a good game and we got off to a good start, so I think it was all because of your support,” he said to rising applause as he spoke in Japanese. Ohtani’s batting practice thrilled many who had traveled from afar to see him. Ohtani drew major Western star power to Japan for the game, with actor Timothée Chalamet and pop singer Bad Bunny in the stands.

Jarring alarms out, quieter alerts in. New firehouse dispatch systems aim to ease stress

A Connecticut city has joined hundreds of others around the country that have installed new firehouse alarm systems that aim to reduce firefighters' stress when calls come in. Danbury rolled out the new system in September with softer volumes that gradually increase, warm red lighting, display screens and a computerized voice. Officials say it replaces an old system that instantly blared out loud tones that city firefighters found jarring. It also immediately alerts fire stations and the units needed after a call comes in, seconds faster than dispatchers can. Fire department leaders point to research that links gradually increasing alert volume to smaller heart-rate increases.

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