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Actor Mark Margolis, murderous drug kingpin on ‘Breaking Bad’ and ‘Better Call Saul,’ dies at 83

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:50:31 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Veteran character actor Mark Margolis, who had a breakout role as a mobster in “Scarface” and became best known for playing vindictive former drug kingpin Hector Salamanca in TV’s “Breaking Bad” and then in the prequel “Better Call Saul,” has died at age 83.The actor died on Thursday at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City following a short illness, according to a statement from his son, Morgan Margolis.Margolis was nominated for an Emmy in 2012 for “Breaking Bad,” for outstanding guest actor, as Hector, the elderly don of his drug clan who was unable to speak or walk due to a stroke. Much of his character’s backstory later played out on “Better Call Saul,” the prequel in which he guest-starred from 2016 to 2022. Margolis has said he based his portrayal of the drug kingpin partly on his own experience caring for a relative who had suffered a stroke.On social media, many shared scenes of murderous Hector “Tio” Salamanca — and his explosive demise — who communic...

Initially delayed, the ‘Barbie’ movie is now set to be released in the United Arab Emirates

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:50:31 GMT

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The United Arab Emirates has approved the release of the “Barbie” movie after a three-week delay over possible content issues.UAE officials didn’t explain the screening delay, which has also occurred in other Arab nations. The film is now set to screen on Aug. 10, according to a tweet by Vox Cinemas, a regional cinema company. “The UAE Media Council has granted the Barbie movie the approval to be screened in the UAE’s licensed cinemas after completing the necessary procedures in line with the standards of media content and the UAE age classification,” the council announced late Thursday.The movie’s inclusion of a transgender actress in one of the Barbie roles and other messaging on LGBTQ+ issues could be an issue in Arab countries with Muslim majorities that consider homosexuality and transgender identity to be contrary to Islamic religious beliefs.The movie about the world-famous doll stars Margot Robbie in the titular role and Ryan Gosling ...

Supreme Court won’t block a ruling favoring a Native American man cited for speeding in Tulsa

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:50:31 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Friday left in place a lower court ruling that invalidated a speeding ticket against a Native American man in Tulsa, Oklahoma, because the city is located within the boundaries of an Indian reservation.The justices rejected an emergency appeal by Tulsa to block the ruling while the legal case continues. The order is the latest consequence of the high court’s landmark 2020 decision that found that much of eastern Oklahoma, including Tulsa, remains an Indian reservation.Justin Hooper, a citizen of the Choctaw Nation, was cited for speeding in 2018 by Tulsa police in a part of the city within the historic boundaries of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. He paid a $150 fine for the ticket, but filed a lawsuit after the Supreme Court’s ruling in McGirt v. Oklahoma. He argued that the city did not have jurisdiction because his offense was committed by a Native American in Indian Country. A municipal court and a federal district court judge both sided...

Star soprano Anna Netrebko sues Met Opera over its decision to cut ties over Russia-Ukraine war

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:50:31 GMT

Soprano Anna Netrebko, once among the Metropolitan Opera’s biggest box office draws, sued the company and general manager Peter Gelb on Friday, alleging defamation, breach of contract and other violations related to the institution’s decision to drop her following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.The suit, filed in U.S. District Court in Manhattan, asks for at least $360,000 in damages for lost performance and rehearsal fees. Netrebko claims the Met caused ”severe mental anguish and emotional distress” that included “depression, humiliation, embarrassment, stress and anxiety, and emotional pain and suffering.”The Met dropped the Russian soprano from future engagements shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Gelb had demanded she repudiate Russia President President Vladimir Putin.“Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Met and Peter Gelb have used Anna Netrebko as a scapegoat in their campaign to distance themselves from Russia and to support Ukraine,” the ma...

Armed man who tried to enter a Jewish school in Tennessee fired at a construction worker, police say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:50:31 GMT

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — A Tennessee man who tried to enter a Jewish school with a gun fired shots at a construction worker there and later pointed his weapon at police before an officer wounded him on a residential street, authorities said Friday.Joel Bowman, 33, went to Margolin Hebrew Academy-Feinstone Yeshiva of the South school in Memphis on Monday and tried to get inside, but he was denied entry, police said on the day of the shooting. Class was not in session, but there were limited staff and construction workers there at the time.In an affidavit made public Friday, police said Bowman — who had attended the school — walked around its exterior and fired two shots at a construction worker, who was not hit. Bowman then fired two more shots outside the school before driving away in a pickup truck, police said. Officers tracked down Bowman a short drive from the school. He exited his truck with a gun in his right hand and pointed the weapon at an officer, who shot him, police said. B...

Seahawks WR Dee Eskridge suspended 6 games for violating personal conduct policy

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:50:31 GMT

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Dee Eskridge was suspended Friday for the first six games of the regular season for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy.Eskridge will be permitted to participate in all preseason games and practices but will have to leave the team before the start of the regular season. He will be permitted to return to the active roster on Monday, Oct. 23 following Seattle’s Week 7 game vs. Arizona.In a statement, the Seahawks said, “We are aware of the situation involving Dee Eskridge and have followed league and law enforcement protocol.”Eskridge was a second-round pick by Seattle in the 2021 draft, but he has struggled to stay on the field because of injuries. He played in 20 of 34 regular-season games in his two seasons and has a combined 17 receptions and one touchdown. Eskridge was in line to be the No. 4 wide receiver in Seattle’s offense this season after the team drafted Jaxson Smith-Njigba in the first round.___AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nf...

Las emergencias por inundaciones obligan a evacuaciones y rescates acuáticos en todo el sur de EE.UU.

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:50:31 GMT

(CNN) — Una serie de inundaciones repentinas peligrosas obligó a evacuaciones y rescates acuáticos en algunas zonas del sur de Estados Unidos en la mañana de este viernes, y ahora las lluvias adicionales a lo largo del día podrían empeorar la situación.Algunas de las peores inundaciones ocurrieron en partes del oeste de Kentucky y Tennessee, donde se emitieron múltiples emergencias por inundaciones repentinas este viernes. Las emergencias por inundaciones repentinas son una señal de que los meteorólogos están seguros de que la situación representa un peligro para la vida y son el nivel más alto de advertencia que el Servicio Meteorológico Nacional puede emitir por inundaciones.El Servicio Meteorológico Nacional en Memphis utilizó un lenguaje poco común para describir el riesgo, llamándolo una “situación especialmente peligrosa”. Y, en ese sentido, advirtió a los residentes en lugares como Union City, Tennessee, que buscaran un terreno más alto de inmediato.El aumen...

West Nile virus is more of a threat this year than previous years, experts say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:50:31 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- Mosquitoes are more prevalent this year than they have been in the past, and so is West Nile virus.Dr. Daniel Pastula, an infectious disease specialist at UCHealth, said there is an increased risk of contracting the virus this year due to extra rainfall and moisture creating the ideal breeding grounds for the blood-sucking pests. This year’s first human death from West Nile virus confirmed in Weld County Last year, there were 206 confirmed cases in Colorado, causing 20 deaths, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. That means the virus was deadly for nearly 10% of Coloradans who were confirmed infected.Yet, public health officials say that less than 1% of those infected will develop serious, sometimes fatal symptoms. Eric Aakko, the Weld County health department spokesperson, told FOX31 that it's hard to tell just how deadly it is because research shows that the majority of people infected do not show symptoms."We don't have a way o...

Which states have minimum age requirements for gun purchases?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:50:31 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- Starting Aug. 7, people who are under the age of 21 will not be able to buy any firearms in the state of Colorado. This new law was signed in April and makes purchasing a gun when you’re under 21 years old punishable by up to one year in jail or a $1,000 fine. Anyone who sells or transfers a firearm to someone under 21 could be punished with up to 18 months in jail or a $5,000 fine. Gun owners group suing Polis, state over new laws Federal law already restricts anyone under 21 from buying handguns, but a Virginia federal judge ruled that law unconstitutional in May. Colorado's new law also faces legal challenges. The Rocky Mountain Gun Owners Group is suing Gov. Jared Polis' administration over the law and filed a temporary restraining order over it on Aug. 4. Whether or not the law stands, Colorado is one of 22 states with a law that bars gun sales to people under 21. These include California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Mary...

2023 Florida Python Challenge underway in Everglades

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:50:31 GMT

The hunt is on for an invasive species in the Florida Everglades.The 2023 Florida Python Challenge is now underway through Aug. 13.This conservation effort allows participants the opportunity to help protect the Everglades and the animals that live there from the invasive Burmese python and get paid for their catches.The snakes have been known to prey on state wildlife like marsh rabbits, deer and even alligators.