Unbiased headline news for Wednesday February 14, 2024 – Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra of Thailand is set to be released from prison, as confirmed by the nation’s justice minister. This development comes just months after his imprisonment upon returning to the country from 15 years of self-imposed exile this summer.
Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong stated on Tuesday that Thaksin, aged 74, is among the 930 inmates whose parole applications have been approved, as reported by the Bangkok Post. According to Tawee, Thaksin qualifies for parole due to his age, serious illnesses, and having served over six months of his one-year sentence.
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Officials report progress in negotiations between Israel and Hamas toward another cease-fire and hostage-release deal. Talks persist as Israel contemplates expanding its offensive to Gaza’s southern edge, where around 1.4 million Palestinians have sought refuge.
Discussions continue in Egypt following an Israeli forces operation in Rafah, resulting in the rescue of two captives but also claiming the lives of at least 74 Palestinians, according to local health officials. The potential escalation raises concerns about the impact on the densely populated southern region.
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A massive landslide struck a gold mine in eastern Turkey, trapping a minimum of nine workers underground, according to officials.
The Copler mine, near the town of Ilic in Turkey’s mountainous Erzincan province, experienced the landslide around 2:30 p.m. A worker nearby captured footage showing a significant wave of earth rushing down a gully, engulfing everything in its path. As of now, nine workers remain unaccounted for, with fears that they are buried beneath the ground, stated Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya.
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South Korea’s military reports detecting North Korea firing multiple cruise missiles into waters off its northeastern coast, marking its fifth test of such weapons since January.
The exact number of missiles fired and their distance were not immediately disclosed by South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff. Both South Korea and U.S. intelligence agencies are conducting a detailed analysis of the launches, which represent the sixth missile-launch event by North Korea this year.
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A murder suspect, wanted in the fatal shooting of a Tennessee deputy, has been apprehended following a nearly weeklong manhunt, authorities confirmed.
Kenneth DeHart was detained in Knoxville on Tuesday, with the Blount County Sheriff’s Office sharing a photo of a significant police presence outside a residence. The 42-year-old fugitive faced first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder charges in connection with the shooting of two Blount County deputies last Thursday.
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The Georgia Association of Educators and two educators filed a lawsuit against Cobb County School officials on Tuesday, alleging education “censorship” due to two bills restricting certain topics teachers can address in the classroom.
The Protecting Students First Act, enacted in 2022, prohibits educators from expressing “personal political beliefs” regarding “divisive concepts.” These concepts, defined by a list, involve topics such as race, unconscious bias, racial privilege, and the role of racism in American history. Supporters argue the bills give parents a greater say in their children’s education.
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A suspect has been arrested and charged in connection with the theft and destruction of a statue of baseball legend Jackie Robinson, stolen from a Kansas park last month, authorities announced.
The statue disappeared from McAdams Park in Wichita on Jan. 25, with only Robinson’s feet remaining. Pieces of the statue were found on Jan. 30 in a burning trash can in Garvey Park. The suspect in the incident, 45-year-old Ricky Alderete, faces felony theft and aggravated criminal damage to property charges, according to the Sedgwick County district attorney.
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Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc. issued a voluntary recall of a “limited number” of Dole-branded and private label salad kits due to potential cross-contamination with cheeses recalled for possible listeria contamination.
The recall, posted on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Dole’s websites, states that the salad kits were processed on the same line as a cheese product from Rizo-Lopez Foods. Customers and retailers with questions regarding the recall can contact the Dole Consumer Response Center at 800-356-3111.
