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After yearslong delay, DEA revokes license of drug distributor over opioid crisis failures

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:28:30 GMT

By JOSHUA GOODMAN and JIM MUSTIAN (Associated Press)The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration stripped one of the nation’s largest drug distributors of its license to sell highly addictive painkillers Friday after determining it failed to flag thousands of suspicious orders at the height of the opioid crisis.The action against Morris & Dickson Co. that threatens to put it out of business came two days after an Associated Press investigation found the DEA allowed the company to keep shipping drugs for nearly four years after a judge recommended the harshest penalty for its “cavalier disregard” of rules aimed at preventing opioid abuse.The DEA acknowledged the time it took to issue its final decision was “longer than typical for the agency” but blamed Morris & Dickson in part for holding up the process by seeking delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its lengthy pursuit of a settlement that the agency said it had considered. The order becomes e...

Orioles unveil new Camden Yards mural inspired by City Connect jerseys and designed by Baltimore artist

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:28:30 GMT

When the Orioles play Friday night for the first time in their newly released City Connect gear, another design that forges a connection with the city will also make its debut: a stadium mural that captures the spirit of Baltimoreans.“I’m a little shocked,” Baltimore artist Shan Wallace, 32, said of the opportunity to collaborate with the Orioles on the mural located on the concourse behind home plate. The new Camden Yards artwork “[pays] homage to…the neighborhoods, the artists, the everyday people who contribute to the brilliance and resilience of the city,” she added.In the mural, scattered among patches of color and darkness, there are depictions of Baltimoreans and their homes, of bicycles and hopscotch games.The unveiling of the newest Birdland Murals series design coincides with the Orioles City Connect campaign, which features jerseys that appear toned-down on the outside but boast a hidden burst of color inside.The mural project, in partn...

15 arrested at Pacific Beach DUI checkpoint

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:28:30 GMT

SAN DIEGO — Fifteen people were arrested at a driving under the influence (DUI)/Driver’s License Checkpoint in Pacific Beach Thursday night, authorities said.The San Diego Police Department said officers conducted the checkpoint 2475 Grand Ave. from 10 p.m. until 3 a.m. Friday. Suspected DUI driver collides with moped rider; man dies During that time, 15 drivers were arrested on suspicion of operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol at or near the checkpoint, authorities confirmed.The identities of those arrested have not been released.According to the police department, 1,208 vehicles traveled through the overnight checkpoint and 755 of them were screened by officers. Authorities say a total of 16 vehicles were impounded.SDPD says these types of checkpoints have been shown to lower DUI deaths and injuries. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), these checkpoints have provided the most effective documented results of any of the DUI...

Man found stabbed at Colinas Del Sol Park

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:28:30 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- A man was found with a stab wound at Colinas Del Sol Park on Thursday, authorities said.According to the San Diego Police Department, an individual was riding a bike through the park shortly before midnight and saw a man who was sitting slumped over. Pedestrian hit by two separate vehicles killed The bike rider approached the man, who police say was 47-years-old, and noticed he was bleeding, promoting him to call police, authorities explained.When officers arrived, SDPD says they noticed the man had been stabbed in the right lower abdomen. He was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The man, whose identity has not been released, told authorities he did not know what happened. There is no suspect information available at this time.San Diego Police Mid City Detectives are investigating the incident. Anyone with information related to the double collision is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.

Rights group: Uyghur student missing in Hong Kong after texting that he was interrogated by police

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:28:30 GMT

HONG KONG (AP) — A Uyghur student has been missing in Hong Kong for more than two weeks since he sent a message saying he was being interrogated by Chinese police at the city’s airport, a human rights group said Friday.Amnesty International said Abuduwaili Abudureheman, who was born in Xinjiang in western China, traveled to Hong Kong from South Korea to visit a friend on May 10 but has not been heard from since he texted his friend about being interrogated after his arrival. “The unknown fate of Abuduwaili Abudureheman is deeply worrying, given the background of crimes against humanity committed against Uyghurs by the Chinese government in Xinjiang, and its ongoing pursuit of Uyghurs who have traveled overseas,” Amnesty International China researcher Alkan Akad said in a statement. He said the student appears to have been detained and interrogated, and that raised questions about the Hong Kong government’s possible involvement in human rights violations committed against...

OpenAI boss downplays fears ChatGPT maker could leave Europe over AI rules

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:28:30 GMT

LONDON (AP) — OpenAI CEO Sam Altman on Friday downplayed worries that the ChatGPT maker could exit the European Union if it can’t comply with the bloc’s strict new artificial intelligence rules, coming after a top official rebuked him for comments raising such a possibility. Altman is traveling through Europe as part of a world tour to meet with officials and promote his AI company, which has unleashed a frenzy around the globe. At a stop this week in London, he said OpenAI might leave if the artificial intelligence rules that the EU is drawing up are too tough. That triggered a pointed reply on social media from European Commissioner Thierry Breton, accusing the company of blackmail. Breton, who’s charge of digital policy, linked to a Financial Times article quoting Altman saying that OpenAI “will try to comply, but if we can’t comply we will cease operating.”Altman sought to calm the waters a day later, tweeting: “very productive week of conversations in europe a...

Céline Dion cancels European concerts ‘until I’m really ready to be back on stage’

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:28:30 GMT

Céline Dion has canceled all her scheduled tour dates through April 2024 as she continues treatment for a rare neurological disorder.“I’m so sorry to disappoint all of you once again,” the singer said in a statement on social media. “I’m working really hard to build back my strength, but touring can be very difficult even when you’re 100%. It’s not fair to you to keep postponing the shows, and even though it breaks my heart, it’s best that we cancel everything now until I’m really ready to be back on stage again.A total of 42 European dates have been canceled, including stops in the Netherlands, France, Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Poland, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Croatia, Germany, Hungary, Austria, England, Scotland and Ireland.Earlier this year, Dion said stiff person syndrome was causing spasms that affect her ability to walk and sing.“Unfortunately, the spasms affect every aspect of my daily life, sometimes causing difficulties when I walk and...

Stock market today: Tech leads more gains in early trading on Wall Street

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:28:30 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks rose in morning trading on Wall Street Friday, led by more gains in technology stocks as another chipmaker reported strong demand related to artificial intelligence.The S&P 500 rose 0.7%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 240 points, or 0.7%, at 33,003 as of 10:08 a.m. Eastern and the Nasdaq rose 1%.Technology stocks were the doing much of the heavy lifting for the benchmark S&P 500. Marvell Technology surged 25% after the chipmaker said it expects AI revenue in fiscal 2024 to at least double from the prior year. That follows Thursday’s report from fellow chipmaker Nvidia, which gave a big forecast for upcoming sales related to AI.Wall Street remains focused on Washington and ongoing negotiations for a deal to lift the U.S. government’s debt ceiling and avert a potentially calamitous default. Officials said President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy were narrowing in on a two-year budget deal that could open the door to lifting the nation...

Fire still burning at Montreal heritage building that once housed monastery

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:28:30 GMT

MONTREAL — A major fire at a Montreal heritage building that broke out Thursday evening was still not out as of early today.The fire broke out just before 5 p.m. at the Monastère du Bon-Pasteur, a 19th century former monastery, and quickly became a five-alarm blaze requiring the intervention of 150 firefighters.The building located in the heart of downtown Montreal was built in 1846 and retained its religious vocation until the 1960s.It was formally recognized as a heritage site in 1979 and now serves as a multiservice centre that includes a residence for seniors, a housing cooperative, a daycare centre and condominiums.The chapel, located in the center of the complex, is now a concert hall that is part of the city’s cultural centre network. Environment Canada has issued a special bulletin for poor air quality due to the smoke created by the fire.This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 26, 2023.The Canadian Press

Russia offers support to Somalian army in fight against terrorist groups

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:28:30 GMT

MOSCOW (AP) — Russia is ready to supply Somalia’s army with military equipment in its war against terrorism, Russia’s foreign minister said Friday.Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov made the offer after talks with his Somali counterpart Abshir Omar Jama in Moscow.Russia’s top diplomat said Moscow reaffirmed its readiness to meet the material needs of the Somalian army in its fight against extremists that remain on Somalian territory including al-Shabaab and al-Qaeda.”The offer further underscores Russia’s growing interest in the African continent upstaging the west in countries facing conflict.Currently, Russian mercenaries Wagner are present in the Central African Republic, Mali, Mozambique and Libya.Somalia has faced numerous attacks from al-Qaida’s East Africa affiliate group, al-Shabab and recently the government embarked on what has been described as the most significant offensive against the al-Shabab extremist group in more than a decade.The extremist gr...