Head of human smuggling plot gets 10 years after family of 4 froze to death on US-Canada border
FERGUS FALLS, Minn. (AP) — More than three years after a family of four from India froze to death while trying to enter the U.S. along a remote stretch of the Canadian border in a blizzard, the convicted ringleader of an international human smuggling plot was sentenced in Minnesota on Wednesday to 10 years in prison.
Federal prosecutors had recommended nearly 20 years for Harshkumar Ramanlal Patel, and nearly 11 years for the driver who was supposed to pick them up, Steve Anthony Shand. Shand also was to be sentenced Wednesday.
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The Province
20 minutes ago
- The Province
Ukraine destroys more than 40 Russian bombers in bold strike deep inside enemy territory
A Ukrainian officials said drones were released remotely from wooden mobile houses that were transported on trucks inside Russia Published Jun 01, 2025 • 3 minute read In this image taken from video released June 1, 2025, by a source in the Ukrainian Security Service shows a Ukrainian drone striking Russian planes deep in Russia's territory. Photo by Source in the Ukrainian Security Service via AP / AP Ukrainian drones hit several Russian strategic airfields, including a military base deep in eastern Siberia, while Moscow launched one of its longest drone and missile attacks against Kyiv, escalating tensions ahead of crucial peace talks this week. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors More than 40 aircraft, including the Tu-95 and Tu-22 M3 long-range bombers capable of deploying conventional and nuclear weapons as well as the A-50, are reported to have been damaged in the operation on Sunday, an official in Ukraine's Security Service said on condition of anonymity as the details are not public. Ukraine's Security Service chief, Vasyl Malyuk, led the operation, and losses are assessed to be around US$2 billion, the person said. Drones were released remotely from wooden mobile houses that were transported on trucks inside Russian territory, according to the official. Russia's Defence Ministry confirmed in a Telegram statement attacks at five military airbases across the nation from the Far East and eastern Siberia to locations just several hundred miles from Moscow. Authorities claimed, however, that only 'a few aircraft units' were damaged at two military bases, in the Murmansk and Irkutsk regions. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The attacks 'were repelled at the Ivanovo, Ryazan and the Amur regions,' the ministry said. Bloomberg couldn't independently verify either side's claims. Earlier on Sunday, Ukraine came under one of the longest barrages from Russian missiles and drones, with air sirens lasting for more then nine hours. At least 12 people were killed in a strike on a military training center, prompting Ukraine Ground Forces Commander Mykhaylo Drapatyi to announce his decision to resign due to the casualties. Read More The incidents occurred just as Moscow and Kyiv prepare to send delegations to Turkey for a second round of peace talks on Monday. The opening round on May 16 — the first in more than three years — ended with a prisoner exchange agreement and discussions on a potential ceasefire. So far, Russia has not signalled if the attacks may affect the talks. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Sunday confirmed Defence Minister Rustem Umerov will lead a delegation to Istanbul to discuss issues including a full and unconditional ceasefire, release of prisoners and the return of abducted children. The delegations should also discuss the prospects of a high-level meeting as key issues can only be resolved by leaders, Zelenskiy added. Separately, Russia's main investigating authority on Sunday initiated criminal probes after two bridges blew up in regions bordering Ukraine, crushing passing trains that caused at least seven fatalities and widespread injury. Authorities have classified the incidents as 'terrorist attacks,' the country's Investigative Committee spokeswoman Svetlana Petrenko said in comments broadcast by state TV channel Rossiya 24. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. A section of the road bridge in the Bryansk region, which borders Ukraine, struck a passenger train en route to Moscow shortly before midnight on Saturday, the regional governor, Alexander Bogomaz, said in a Telegram post. The number of injured stands at over 70, he said. Specialists working at the scene after a road bridge collapsed onto a railway line Sunday in Russia's Bryansk region. Russia is treating this attack and a similar one as acts of terrorism. Photo by HANDOUT / RUSSIAN EMERGENCY MINISTRY/AFP v Hours later, a similar incident occurred in Kursk, which also borders Ukraine. There, a railway bridge collapsed as a freight train was passing, Governor Alexander Khinshtein said. The engine crew was hospitalized. It's unclear whether there is a connection between the two. Russia's government, including Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, has been notified of the two incidents, state news agency Tass reported, citing Transportation Ministry head Roman Starovoit. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Ukraine has so far made no official comment on the bridge incidents. However, Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Ukrainian Center for Countering Propaganda, said on Sunday the Kremlin may be 'preparing the ground for disruption of the talks,' adding it's not the first time Russia conducts 'false-flag' attacks. 'Ukraine has no motive to disrupt the Istanbul summit. On the contrary, Ukraine agreed to a ceasefire long ago,' Kovalenko said in a Telegram post. Meanwhile, Ukraine's Military Intelligence Service said a military train exploded in the Zaporizhzhia region, which is partially occupied by Russia, without giving details on how the blast occurred. The explosion disrupted logistics between the area and the Crimea peninsula, annexed by Russia in 2014, the service said. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here. Vancouver Canucks Sports Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Whitecaps News
Toronto Star
2 hours ago
- Toronto Star
Israel says 3 soldiers killed in Gaza in deadliest attack on its forces since a truce ended in March
KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — The Israeli military said Tuesday that three of its soldiers were killed in the Gaza Strip, in what appeared to be the deadliest attack on Israel's forces since it ended a ceasefire with Hamas in March. The military said the three soldiers, all in their early 20s, fell during combat in northern Gaza on Monday, without providing details. Israeli media reported that they were killed in an explosion in the Jabaliya area.
Toronto Star
2 hours ago
- Toronto Star
Suspect planned to kill all in group he called ‘Zionist,' but appeared to have second thoughts
BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — A man in Boulder disguised as a gardener who wounded 12 people in an attack on a group holding their weekly demonstration for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza had planned to kill them all but appeared to have second thoughts, according to authorities. Mohamed Sabry Soliman had 18 Molotov cocktails but threw just two during Sunday's attack in which he yelled 'Free Palestine,' police said. He didn't carry out his full plan 'because he got scared and had never hurt anyone before,' police wrote in an affidavit.
