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Wagner chief Prigozhin was on plane that crashed in Russia, aviation agency says

…“An investigation has been launched into the crash of the Embraer aircraft, which occurred tonight in the Tver region,” the Federal Air Transport Agency said in a statement, according to the official state news agency TASS. “According to the list of passengers, among them is the name and surname of Yevgeny Prigozhin.”

There were seven passengers and three crew members on board the private Embraer jet when it crashed near the village of Kuzhenkino, in the Tver region, on Wednesday, according to the Russian Ministry of Emergency Services. All on board were killed, according to preliminary information, the ministry said, adding that they “are conducting search operations.”…

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China's Xi vows to support Cuba in defending its national sovereignty

BEIJING, Aug 24 (Reuters) - China's President Xi Jinping has pledged to support Cuba's defence of its national sovereignty, opposing foreign interference and a U.S. economic blockade, and will expand strategic coordination with Havana.

Xi made the remarks in a meeting with Cuba President Miguel Diaz-Canel on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg on Wednesday, according to a statement from the Chinese foreign ministry on Thursday.

"China highly appreciates Cuba's consistent firm support for China on issues involving China's core interests, and will continue to firmly support Cuba in defending its national sovereignty, opposing foreign interference and blockade, and doing its best to provide support for Cuba's economic and social development," Xi said at the meeting, according to the release.

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BREAKING: Fulton judge sets October trial date for Trump defendant

A Fulton County Superior Court Judge on Thursday set an Oct. 23 trial date for one of the 19 defendants in Georgia’s sweeping election subversion case.

In a day of fast-moving developments, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis proposed the new, aggressive start date for the 41-count racketeering trial in response to Kenneth Chesebro’s motion seeking a speedy trial. Judge Scott McAfee weighed in a few hours later setting the trial date Willis wanted but ruling it would apply only to Chesebro, a Trump-affiliated attorney who was indicted for his work helping assemble a slate of “alternate” Republican electors in Georgia.

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4 arrested in kidnapping of Michigan newborn twins

Four suspects have been arrested for allegedly kidnapping two newborn twins from a hotel in Livonia, Michigan on Sunday, according to police.

The twin boys, Montana and Matthew Bridges, then-14 days old, “were the subject of an Amber Alert” on Monday, the Livonia Police Department said in a statement on Tuesday. Police added that the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office will review the case.

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Community members attend public meeting on proposed affordable housing development

Leaders at New Beginning Christian Church are asking to rezone a 10-acre stretch of land to allow up to 180 affordable homes for seniors and families in northern New Hanover County.

The development would be built next to the church’s campus off Blue Clay Road.

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New Hanover Co. Schools implementing new safety protocols

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, N.C. (WECT) - As students and teachers get ready to head back to the classroom, there’s one thing that leaders with the district hope students and their families aren’t worried about this year: safety.

Chuck Silverstein is the Executive Director of Safety for New Hanover County Schools. He worked in law enforcement for 27 years before stepping into this role with the school district.

And now he’s helping roll out new safety protocols in all of the district’s elementary, middle, and high schools.

“So, in the past, we really had two protocols. One was a shelter in place, and the other was a lockdown. And everything kind of had to fit into one of those two categories. And through looking at the way we did things, and the way schools are run, in today’s day and age, everything didn’t fit into either one of those categories sometimes,” Silverstein said.

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Quick Local Roundups

• Communities in Schools works to organize school supplies from Stuff the Bus

• Riverwalk improvement plan underway to prevent future flooding

• Father of NFL cornerback Caleb Farley killed in explosion at North Carolina home in Mooresville, NC

• Riverwalk improvement plan underway to prevent future flooding

• Pender County approves $6-million land purchase for new K-8 school

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Along Cape Fear River, Local Developers Planning Two Major Upscale Projects

Wilmington-based developers revealed Tuesday they want to build two separate upscale communities along the Cape Fear River.

Officials with Cape Fear Development, an affiliate of Cape Fear Commercial, stated in a news release that rezoning applications for two waterfront sites will be submitted to the city of Wilmington for review.

The company is applying to rezone 7.4 acres of former industrial land directly south of the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge and a portion of a separate 40.4-acre site, currently occupied by Watermark Marina at 4114 River Road. Efforts to find out more about the future of the marina were not immediately successful Tuesday.

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Tired of your kids monkeying around at home?

Bring them to Giggles for a little playtime. We've got the perfect space for little monkeys! Check us out at Giggles Drop In Childcare in Wilmington, NC!