District attorney defends the qualifications of a prosecutor hired in Trump’s Georgia election case

ATLANTA (AP) — Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis on Sunday defended the qualifications of a special prosecutor she hired for her case against Donald Trump and others over efforts to overturn the 2020 election in Georgia after a defense lawyer accused Willis of professional impropriety.

In her first public remarks since the accusation was made in a court filing, Willis offered a vigorous defense of her leadership of the office and pushed back against critics. She was received warmly by the congregation of Big Bethel AME Church as she spoke at


Fatalities reported in small plane crash with 3 people aboard in rural Massachusetts

BOSTON (AP) — A small plane carrying three people crashed in a remote, wooded area of Massachusetts on Sunday morning, authorities said.

Police reported multiple fatalities.

The twin-engine Beechcraft Baron 55 crashed near Leyden, Massachusetts, with three people on board, the Federal Aviation Administration said.

Massachusetts State Police Trooper and spokesperson James D. DeAngelis said multiple agencies were notified of the crash in the Leyden Wildlife Management Area near Greenfield at around 11:45 a.m.

“Responders located multiple occupants


Trump is endorsed by a former rival, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, ahead of the Iowa caucuses

INDIANOLA, Iowa (AP) — North Dakota Gov. endorsed ‘s comeback bid for the White House Sunday ahead of the , a month after he for the Republican nomination.

Burgum appeared on stage with the former president at a rally in Indianola, where he heaped praise for Trump.

“I’ve had an opportunity to have a front-row seat,” Burgum said. “I’ve seen President Trump and what he’s been able to do. I’ve seen it as a business leader


No joke: Feds are banning humorous electronic messages on highways

PHOENIX (AP) — It’s no joke. A federal agency is discouraging humorous and quirky messages that could distract or confuse drivers on highways and freeways across the country.

The Federal Highway Administration recently released an updated that spells out how signs and other traffic control devices are regulated. In it, the agency strongly recommends against overhead electronic signs with obscure meanings, references to pop culture or those intended to be funny.

Rather, signs should be “simple, direct, brief, legible and clear,” when relaying


Asian Cup holds moment’s silence for Israel-Gaza war victims ahead of Palestinian team’s game

AL-RAYYAN, Qatar (AP) — A moment of silence was observed and then shouts of “free Palestine” rang out ahead of the Asian Cup game between on Sunday.

As the Israel-Hamas war reached the both teams lined up in the center of the field at Education City Stadium and an announcement asked for silence “in memory of the lives tragically lost as a result of the ongoing situation in Palestine.”

A hush fell across the stadium in the city of Al-Rayyan in Qatar before the pro


Quebec’s common front unionized workers to begin voting on new deal with province

About 420,000 unionized public sector workers will begin voting Monday on an agreement in principle reached with the Quebec government over a new collective deal.

The workers, who are part of the so-called “common front” of four major provincial unions that represent education and health care workers, have until Feb. 19 to weigh in on the agreement.

Union presidents have said in recent days they were comfortable with the agreement reached with the province last month  and know their members are eager to see


Indian Ocean island of Reunion braces for ‘very dangerous’ storm packing hurricane-strength winds

PARIS (AP) — Authorities urged residents on the French Indian Ocean island of Reunion to shelter indoors Sunday as a powerful storm bore down packing hurricane-force winds.

Forecaster Meteo France issued a code red cyclone alert for the storm, named Belal, and said it was expected to be “very dangerous.”

“Be careful, stay at home,” French President Emmanuel Macron posted on social media.

Meteo France forecast “a strong probability” the heart of the storm could pass directly over or close to the island


Man wanted after assaulting TTC streetcar driver

Police are looking for a suspect after a TTC driver was assaulted in the east-end of the city last December.

Investigators say a man boarded the 503 Kingston Road streetcar at the Bingham Loop at Victoria Park Avenue around 10:30 a.m. on December 21, 2023.

Police say the driver and the passenger became involved in an argument and the man assaulted the TTC operator before fleeing the scene on foot.

The man is described as six feet tall with a heavy


Iowa principal who risked his life to protect students during a high school shooting has died

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa principal who put himself in harm’s way to protect students during earlier this month died Sunday, a funeral home confirmed.

Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home & Crematory confirmed the death of Perry High School Principal Dan Marburger after the family announced it on a GoFundMe page.

Marburger during the Jan. 4 attack, which began in the school’s cafeteria as students were gathering for breakfast before class. An 11-year-old middle school student was killed in the shooting


Ilya Samsonov will start for Maple Leafs against Red Wings

Ilya Samsonov will make his first start in goal since Dec. 29 when the Maple Leafs host the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday night.

Head coach Sheldon Keefe made the announcement after morning meetings, after refusing to reveal his starter when asked on Saturday.

Samsonov has had a difficult season, posting an .862 save percentage and 3.94 goals-against average, to go with a 5-2-6 record in 15 games. His last four outings were all losses and saw him allow