Russian authorities detain a hard-liner who accused Putin of weakness in Ukraine
A prominent Russian hard-liner who accused President Vladimir Putin of weakness and indecision in Ukraine has been detained on charges of extremism, a signal the Kremlin has toughened its approach with hawkish critics after last month’s abortive rebellion by the Wagner mercenary company
1970-01-01 08:00
Why was Robin Williams rejected for 'Harry Potter'? Actor wasn't invited for auditions despite wanting to play Rubeus Hagrid
He had a particular desire for the role of Rubeus Hagrid, the beloved half-giant gamekeeper and Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts
1970-01-01 08:00
Ukrainian air defenses in Odesa outgunned as Russia targets global grain supply
Ukraine has been struggling to repel a wave of Russian strikes against the southern city of Odesa, its air defenses unable to cope with the types of missiles that Moscow has used to pummel the region this week.
1970-01-01 08:00
Brook and Stokes add to Australia's agony in fourth Test
Harry Brook and Ben Stokes hit fifties as England stepped up their run-spree in the must-win fourth Test against Australia...
1970-01-01 08:00
England extends lead over Australia to 189 runs in 4th Ashes test
England extended its lead over Australia to 189 runs with two wickets left at lunch on the third day of the fourth Ashes test with a declaration likely to be imminent
1970-01-01 08:00
Alcaraz finding it 'tough to believe' he's Wimbledon champion
Carlos Alcaraz said Friday he finds it "tough to believe" he is Wimbledon champion as the Spaniard prepares to play the Hopman Cup mixed team tournament in France...
1970-01-01 08:00
'Get him!': Witness recalls US soldier's dash to North Korea
When a member of a tour group visiting the Demilitarized Zone on South Korea's border suddenly sprinted away from the pack, a US soldier shouted: "Get...
1970-01-01 08:00
Alabama man executed following pause on lethal injections
Alabama executed a man on Friday for the 2001 beating death of a woman as the state resumed lethal injections after failed executions prompted the governor to order an internal review of procedures. James Barber, 64, was pronounced dead at 1:56 a.m. after receiving a lethal injection at a south Alabama prison. "Justice has been served. This morning, James Barber was put to death for the terrible crime he committed over two decades ago: the especially heinous, atrocious, and cruel murder of Dorothy Epps," Attorney General Steve Marshall said in a statement. Barber was convicted and sentenced to death for the 2001 beating death of Epps. Prosecutors said Barber, a handyman, confessed to killing the 75-year-old with a claw hammer and fleeing with her purse. Jurors voted 11-1 to recommend a death sentence, which a judge imposed. Before he was put to death, Barber told his family he loved them and apologized to Epps' family. "I want to tell the Epps' family I love them. I'm sorry for what happened," Barber said. "No words would fit how I feel." Barber said he wanted to tell the governor "and the people in this room that I forgive you for what you are about to do." It was the first execution carried out in Alabama this year after the state halted executions in November. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey announced a pause on executions to conduct an internal review of procedures. The move came after the state halted two lethal injections because of difficulties inserting IVs into the condemned men's veins. Attorneys for inmate Alan Miller said prison staff poked him with needles for more than an hour as they unsuccessfully tried to connect an IV line during Miller's aborted execution in September, at one point leaving him hanging vertically on a gurney. State officials called off the November execution of Kenneth Eugene Smith after they were unsuccessful in connecting the second of two required lines. Advocacy groups claimed a third execution, carried out after a delay because of IV problems, also was botched, a claim the state has disputed. Barber's execution came hours after Oklahoma executed Jemaine Cannon for stabbing a Tulsa woman to death with a butcher knife in 1995 after his escape from a prison work center. Alabama's governor announced in February that the state was resuming executions. Alabama Corrections Commissioner John Hamm said prison system had added to its pool of medical professionals, ordered new equipment and conducted additional rehearsals. The last-minute legal battle centered on Alabama's ability to obtain intravenous access in past executions. Barber's attorneys unsuccessfully asked the courts to block the execution, saying the state has a pattern of failing "to carry out a lethal injection execution in a constitutional manner." The state wrote in legal filings that it was using different IV team members. The state also changed the deadline to carry out the execution from midnight to 6 a.m. to give more time for preparations and to carry out last-minute appeals. Alabama Corrections Commissioner John Hamm said the two intravenous lines were connected to Barber with "three sticks in six minutes." The Supreme Court denied Barber's request for a stay without comment. Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote a dissent from the decision that was joined by Justice Elena Kagan and Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. She said the court was allowing "Alabama to experiment again with a human life." "The Eighth Amendment demands more than the State's word that this time will be different. The Court should not allow Alabama to test the efficacy of its internal review by using Barber as its 'guinea pig,'" Sotomayor wrote. The Alabama attorney general's office had urged the Supreme Court to let the execution proceed. The state wrote that the previous executions were called off because of a "confluence of events including health issues specific to the individual inmates and last-minute litigation brought by the inmates that dramatically shortened the window for ADOC officials to conduct the executions." In the hours leading up to the scheduled execution, Barber had 22 visitors and two phone calls and ate a final meal, a prison spokesperson said. After his last words, Barber spoke with a spiritual adviser who accompanied him into the death chamber. As the drugs were administered, Barber's eyes closed and his abdomen pulsed several times. His breathing slowed until it was no longer visible.
1970-01-01 08:00
Japan's top financial diplomat signals chance of BOJ policy tweaks
By Tetsushi Kajimoto TOKYO Japan's top financial diplomat on Friday suggested the central bank may tweak its approach
1970-01-01 08:00
Some critics see Trump's behavior as un-Christian. His conservative Christian backers see a hero
For eight years, Donald Trump has managed to secure the support of many evangelical and conservative Christians despite behavior that has often seemed at odds with teachings espoused by Christ in the Gospels
1970-01-01 08:00
What is Johnny Depp's self-portrait worth? Actor unveils 'Five' as he opens up about 'dark and confusing' period in his life
Prints of Johnny Depp's self portrait 'Five' is on sale from Thursday, July 20 to Tuesday, August 1
1970-01-01 08:00
5 dream scenarios for Eagles in 2023 season
The Philadelphia Eagles were one quarter away from another Super Bowl. What does a successful 2023 season look like?The Philadelphia Eagles were the best team in the best division in football last season. Jalen Hurts made the jump from promising young quarterback to MVP candidate, A.J. Brown cem...
1970-01-01 08:00
