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American, 72, Pleads Guilty in Russia to Fighting for Ukraine

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Stephen James Hubbard, a 72-year-old U.S. citizen, pleaded guilty on Monday in a Moscow court to charges of mercenary activity, admitting he received payment to fight for Ukraine against Russia, according to the Russian state news agency RIA.

“Yes, I agree with the indictment,” RIA quoted Hubbard as saying in court.

Hubbard, who was placed in pre-trial detention last week for six months, faces a potential sentence of seven to 15 years if convicted.

According to a prosecutor cited by RIA, Hubbard signed a contract with a Ukrainian territorial defense unit in the central city of Izyum at the onset of the conflict in February 2022. The prosecution alleges he was promised $1,000 a month and provided with training, weapons, and ammunition. Russian soldiers reportedly detained Hubbard on April 2 of that year.

However, Hubbard’s sister, Patricia Fox, refuted these claims in an interview with Reuters. “He is so non-military,” Fox said. “He never had a gun, owned a gun, done any of that…He’s more of a pacifist.”

Fox described her brother as a long-time English teacher who had worked abroad for decades, including in Japan and Cyprus. She stated that Hubbard had moved to Ukraine in 2014 and lived there for a time with a woman, surviving on a small pension.

The U.S. Embassy in Moscow has not yet commented on the case.

Hubbard’s situation highlights the complexities surrounding foreign involvement in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. He is one of at least 10 Americans currently detained in Russia, despite a major prisoner swap between Russia and the West on August 1 that freed three Americans and dozens of others.

As the case proceeds, it raises questions about the treatment of foreign nationals caught in the crossfire of international conflicts and the diplomatic challenges in securing their release.

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Arsenal’s Arteta Praises Luis Enrique Ahead of PSG Champions League Clash

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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta lauded Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique on Monday, ahead of their highly anticipated Champions League match at Emirates Stadium.

The fixture, set for Tuesday, marks the second round of games in the revamped competition and brings together two of Europe’s most prominent clubs.

Arteta, who recently expressed admiration for Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola, spoke warmly of Enrique, another influential Spanish coach. The two share a history dating back to their time at Barcelona in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

“I am a huge admirer of him,” Arteta said during a pre-match press conference. “I remember his personality, huge character, huge energy, very supportive of his young players. What I love about him is that wherever he has been, as a player or as a manager, his fingerprints are all over the place.”

Arteta emphasized Enrique’s impact on PSG, stating, “You can see it’s his team. You can see PSG is his team.”

The Arsenal manager highlighted Enrique’s “unbelievable power” and approach to life and profession as sources of inspiration. “It’s something to really look at and I learnt a lot of things from him,” Arteta added.

PSG enters the match leading the French league with five wins and a draw from six games. They began their Champions League campaign with a narrow 1-0 victory over Girona, secured by a 90th-minute own goal.

Arsenal, meanwhile, started their Champions League journey with a 0-0 draw at Atalanta. Arteta confirmed that the fitness of fullbacks Ben White and Riccardo Calafiori would be assessed on Monday.

The match presents a significant test for both teams’ European ambitions. Arsenal, returning to the Champions League after a six-year absence, aims to make a statement against the French champions.

As the soccer world turns its attention to this marquee matchup, the mutual respect between Arteta and Enrique adds an intriguing subplot to what promises to be a tactically rich encounter.

World Cup Winner Antoine Griezmann Retires from French National Team

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Antoine Griezmann, a key figure in France’s 2018 World Cup victory, announced his retirement from international soccer on Monday, ending a decorated 10-year career with the national team.

The 33-year-old Atletico Madrid forward, known affectionately as “Grizou,” made the surprise announcement via social media, catching many in the soccer world off guard.

“It’s with a heart full of memories that I close this chapter of my life,” Griezmann wrote on Instagram. “Thank you for this wonderful tricolor adventure and see you soon.”

Griezmann’s international career spanned 137 matches for France, during which he scored 44 goals, placing him fourth on the country’s all-time scoring list behind Olivier Giroud, Thierry Henry, and Kylian Mbappe. Only Hugo Lloris and Lilian Thuram have more caps for Les Bleus.

France national team coach Didier Deschamps praised Griezmann’s contributions, saying, “Antoine was and will remain a monument to French football, one of the greatest players in its history.” Deschamps highlighted Griezmann’s “selflessness that is rare among attacking players.”

Griezmann’s international achievements include:

– 2018 FIFA World Cup winner

– 2016 European Championship runner-up and Player of the Tournament

– 2021 UEFA Nations League winner

His versatility and work rate made him a crucial component of the French squad, contributing not just in attack but also in defensive duties.

The timing of Griezmann’s retirement has raised eyebrows, coming after France’s semifinal exit in the 2024 European Championship and with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon. His final appearance for France was as a substitute in a 2-0 Nations League victory over Belgium in September.

Griezmann’s decision comes after he was passed over for the national team captaincy in favor of Mbappe following Hugo Lloris’ retirement. While acknowledging this as a difficult moment, Griezmann expressed gratitude to Deschamps in his retirement message.

The forward’s departure marks the end of an era for French football and opens opportunities for younger talent to step into his role. As France looks ahead to future tournaments, the national team will need to adapt to the absence of one of its most influential players of the past decade.

Griezmann continues his club career with Atletico Madrid, where he is the all-time leading scorer. His current contract with the Spanish club runs until 2026.

Russia Intensifies Drone Attacks on Ukraine, Targeting 11 Regions

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Russia launched a widespread aerial assault on Ukraine, targeting 11 regions with missiles and drones in the 33rd consecutive night of attacks, the Ukrainian air force reported Monday. The barrage set a new monthly record for drone strikes.

In Kyiv, residents endured a five-hour drone attack, with multiple explosions and machine gun fire heard throughout the night as air defenses worked to repel the assault. No casualties were reported in the capital or elsewhere, though Governor Vitalii Kim of the southern Mykolaiv region said a “critical infrastructure object” caught fire without providing further details.

“This escalation in drone warfare marks a significant shift in Russian tactics,” said a Ukrainian military analyst who requested anonymity due to security concerns. “The increased use of Shahed drones allows for sustained pressure on Ukrainian cities at a lower cost than traditional missile strikes.”

Russian forces launched over 1,300 Shahed drones at Ukraine in September alone, the highest number of drone attacks in a single month since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022.

Ukraine has also bolstered its drone capabilities, developing new models for battlefield use and long-range strikes within Russia. Russian officials reported shooting down more than 100 Ukrainian drones on Sunday.

Amid the escalating drone war, Russian President Vladimir Putin released a video Monday marking the second anniversary of Russia’s claimed annexation of four Ukrainian territories. Putin accused the West of turning Ukraine into “a military base aimed at Russia” and asserted that businesses in the occupied areas are being “actively restored.”

The international community widely denounced the 2022 referendums in Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia as illegitimate. Russia also annexed Crimea in 2014, a move not recognized by most nations.

AP

Britain Closes Last Coal-Fired Power Plant, Ending 142-Year Era

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Britain’s last coal-fired power station closed on Monday, marking the end of 142 years of coal-generated electricity in the country that pioneered the Industrial Revolution.

The Ratcliffe-on-Soar plant in central England completed its final shift at midnight, concluding over five decades of operation. This closure makes the United Kingdom the first G7 nation to phase out coal power entirely.

“When I started my career 36 years ago, none of us imagined a future without coal generation in our lifetimes,” said plant manager Peter O’Grady, describing the closure as “an emotional day.”

Energy Minister Michael Shanks hailed the event as a milestone, stating, “The era of coal might be ending, but a new age of good energy jobs for our country is just beginning.”

The plant’s owner, Uniper, reported that many of the 170 remaining employees will stay on during a two-year decommissioning process.

Britain’s transition away from coal has been rapid, in 1990, coal provided about 80% of the country’s electricity, by 2012, this had fallen to 39%, and in 2023, coal accounted for just 1% of power generation.

Currently, more than half of Britain’s electricity comes from renewable sources such as wind and solar power, with the remainder from natural gas and nuclear energy.

The closure of Ratcliffe-on-Soar coincides with the shutdown of the last blast furnace at the Port Talbot steelworks in Wales, resulting in nearly 2,000 job losses. Tata Steel, the plant’s owner, plans to replace the coal-dependent blast furnace with a cleaner electric furnace.

These closures mark significant shifts in Britain’s industrial landscape and energy policy, reflecting the country’s commitment to renewable energy sources and reduced carbon emissions.

The U.K. government aims to generate all of Britain’s energy from renewable sources by 2030, a goal that now seems more attainable with the end of coal-fired power generation.

As Britain moves forward in its energy transition, the focus shifts to expanding renewable infrastructure and addressing the economic impacts on communities historically dependent on coal and steel industries.

AP

Israel Strikes Set Houthi Targets, Oil Tankers on Fire

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Israeli forces launched airstrikes on Houthi rebel targets in Yemen on Sunday, hitting oil storage facilities and causing massive explosions, in retaliation for recent missile attacks on Israel.

Footage verified by independent sources shows a large fireball erupting at a port facility, followed by thick black smoke and secondary explosions. Local media reported four deaths and 33 injuries, though these figures have not been independently confirmed.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the strikes targeted “power plants and a port, which are used to import oil” and transfer Iranian weapons. The operation, involving fighter jets, refueling planes, and surveillance aircraft, hit targets approximately 1,800 kilometers (1,118 miles) from Israel.

“This action is in response to recent rocket launches by Houthi militants towards Israeli territory,” an IDF spokesperson said, speaking on condition of anonymity due to military protocols.

The Houthi attacks included a ballistic missile aimed at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, which was intercepted outside Israeli airspace. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plane had landed 35 minutes before air raid sirens sounded.

Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi vowed that the recent death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah “will not be in vain,” linking the Yemen conflict to the broader tensions in the region.

This escalation follows Israel’s intensified campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon, which culminated in the reported killing of Nasrallah on Friday night. The IDF claimed that over 80 bombs were used in the strike on Nasrallah’s underground bunker in Beirut, also killing at least 20 other Hezbollah militants.

Israeli Airstrikes Kill 45 in Lebanon, Tensions Escalate After Hezbollah Leader’s Death

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Israeli airstrikes killed at least 45 people in Lebanon on Sunday, including 24 in a single attack on two buildings near Sidon, as tensions escalated following the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported.

The strikes on Ain al-Delb, east of Sidon, were captured on video verified by The Associated Press. Footage showed one strike causing a massive plume of smoke, followed by a second strike that caused an adjacent building to sway and collapse.

In a separate incident, the Health Ministry reported that Israeli strikes in the northern Baalbek Hermel province killed 21 people and injured at least 47.

These attacks come in the wake of Friday’s airstrike in Beirut that killed Nasrallah, dealing a significant blow to Hezbollah’s leadership. Israel has intensified its military campaign against the Iran-backed group, killing several top commanders in recent days.

“We’ve lost the leader who gave us strength and faith,” said Sophia Blanche Rouillard, a Lebanese Christian woman in Beirut, reflecting the sentiment of Nasrallah’s supporters.

The escalating conflict has raised fears of a wider regional war. Israel’s Defense Minister is discussing expanding the offensive, while Hezbollah has vowed to continue rocket attacks into Israel until the Gaza offensive ends.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that over 1,000 Lebanese have been killed and 6,000 wounded in the past two weeks, with a million people displaced. The ministry did not specify how many casualties were civilians.

The United Nations World Food Program has initiated an emergency operation to provide food for those affected by the conflict.

Israel’s military reported striking dozens of targets, including launchers and weapons stores, while its navy intercepted projectiles from Lebanon and the Red Sea.

Diplomatic efforts for a ceasefire continue, with the United States urging a peaceful resolution. “We believe that a diplomatic path is the right course,” said White House national security spokesperson John Kirby.

Iran, Hezbollah’s main backer, called for a UN Security Council meeting on Israel’s actions. Sources told Reuters that Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was moved to a secure location following Nasrallah’s death.

How Mariah Carey’s Sister Dies Without Fulfilling Father’s Last Wish for Reconciliation

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Alison Carey, the estranged sister of pop superstar Mariah Carey, died in late August at age 63 without reconciling with her famous sibling, failing to fulfill their late father’s wish for a reunion.

David Baker, described as Alison’s only friend and companion, was present when she passed away just after midnight in her small apartment in Coxsackie, New York. Baker told The U.S. Sun that Alison had been receiving hospice care at home in her final weeks.

“Two days earlier I told her I would never forget her, that I loved her and that she would always have a place in my heart,” Baker said. “In a barely audible voice she said ‘I love you.’ Those were her last words.”

In a strange coincidence, Alison died on the same day as her estranged mother, Patricia. Mariah Carey released a statement expressing heartbreak over both deaths, but Baker questioned the sincerity of the singer’s grief, noting that she could have reached out to her sister before her passing.

The sisters’ father, Alfred Roy Carey, had expressed a dying wish in 2002 for his daughters to reconcile. Mariah acknowledged this in her 2020 memoir, “The Meaning of Mariah Carey,” referring to Alison as her “ex-sister.”

Alison’s life was marked by struggles with drug addiction, homelessness, health issues, and allegations of sexual abuse. In 2018, she claimed in an interview with The Sun that she had been taken to occult gatherings as a child and sexually abused.

Baker described Alison as “an extremely intelligent and sensitive soul,” contrary to public perceptions of her as a “hapless drug addict.” He said he had spent the past nine years supporting Alison through various health crises.

The relationship between Mariah and Alison had been strained for years. In her memoir, Mariah made several allegations against her siblings, including claims that Alison had drugged her with valium and attempted to exploit her sexually. Alison denied these accusations up until her death.

Both Alison and the sisters’ brother, Morgan, filed lawsuits against Mariah following the book’s release. Morgan’s lawsuit remains active, with a judge recently ordering depositions from both parties by January 2025.

As of now, it remains unclear whether a funeral or memorial service has been held for Alison. Baker expressed uncertainty about the fate of her remains and any plans for commemoration.

Major Fire at Georgia Chemical Lab Prompts Mass Evacuations

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A massive fire at a chemical laboratory in Conyers, Georgia, has forced thousands of residents to evacuate and prompted a shelter-in-place order for others on Sunday, as authorities battle to contain the blaze amid hazardous smoke.

The fire broke out at BioLab, a facility that manufactures pool and spa treatment products, on Old Covington Highway around 5 a.m. EST, according to the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office. The incident reportedly began when a malfunctioning sprinkler system sprayed water on a reactive chemical, causing an explosion.

“It’s burning pretty good. We’re trying to get that under control, but at the same time we’re also trying to get the traffic under control,” said Rockdale County Sheriff Eric Levett.

Authorities have issued an evacuation order for the area between Sigman Road and I-20. The Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency has implemented a shelter-in-place order for residents in the north half of the county.

Rockdale County Fire Chief Marian McDaniel warned of the situation’s volatility: “Any event, the wind shift, this thing can change really quickly. But once again, shelter in place, windows and doors closed.”

The fire has caused significant disruptions, with Interstate 20 closed in both directions between Salem Road and Turner Hill. Local church services have been advised to cancel or end immediately. Several evacuation sites have been established, including JP Carr Gym and Scout Camp in Covington.

Meteorologist Brad Nitz reported that the fire is being detected on Smoketracker, with southwest winds blowing smoke into neighboring Walton County.

BioLab representatives stated that all employees are accounted for with no injuries reported. “Our team is on the scene, working with first responders and local authorities to assess and contain the situation,” a company spokesperson said.

Broncos’ Tyler Badie Collapses on Sideline, Stretchered Off Field

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Denver Broncos running back Tyler Badie collapsed on the sideline and was stretchered off the field during Sunday’s game against the New York Jets, causing a temporary delay in play.

Badie, 24, initially walked off the field under his own power after a hard hit from Jets linebacker Quincy Williams on a screen pass. The play resulted in a fumble, which the Jets recovered.

Shortly after reaching the sideline, Badie collapsed, prompting immediate medical attention. He was stabilized and taken off the field on a stretcher as the game was paused.

The Broncos later announced that Badie was ruled out for the remainder of the game with a back injury. Following Denver’s victory over the Jets, Broncos head coach Sean Payton told reporters he had “no update” on Badie’s status or whether the player would travel back with the team.

“We’re obviously very concerned about Tyler,” Payton said. “Our medical team is evaluating him, and we’ll provide more information as it becomes available.”

Badie, a former standout at the University of Missouri, was leading the Broncos in rushing yards among running backs coming into Sunday’s game. He was recently promoted from the practice squad to the 53-man roster.

The incident has raised questions about player safety and the NFL’s protocols for handling on-field injuries. The league’s concussion protocols have been under increased scrutiny in recent years, though it’s unclear if Badie’s collapse was related to a head injury.

As the Broncos await further information on Badie’s condition, the team will likely need to adjust its running back rotation for upcoming games.

Badie was a sixth-round pick by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2022 NFL draft before joining the Broncos’ practice squad.

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