California to pay $15 million to family of pilot killed in 2020 wildfire crash
According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the accident was caused by a failure in the helicopter's hydraulic system. Moments before the crash, Fournier reportedly radioed air traffic control, warning of hydraulic issues.As reported by the Associated Press, the helicopter had been serviced by Rotorcraft Support, Inc., which has now agreed to the multi-million dollar settlement. Fournier worked for Guardian Helicopters, a private firm that had been hired by Cal Fire for aerial firefighting support.Attorney Andrew Robb, representing the Fournier family, said the lawsuit was aimed to securing justice and accountability. "The Fournier family's lawsuit sought accountability and answers, and this outcome does just that," Robb said. The family has not commented publicly on the settlement.Rotorcraft Support, the business that was charged with maintaining the helicopter, had not returned messages for comment as of Friday.advertisementAs reported by AP, after the crash it took almost four hours for a Fresno County Sheriff's Department search and rescue crew to arrive at the isolated crash site. Fourteen rescuers drove Jeeps through several miles of bumpy terrain in thick smoke before continuing on foot for the last bit.Following the crash, it reportedly took nearly four hours for Fresno County Sheriff's Department search and rescue teams to reach the remote crash site. Fourteen rescuers used Jeeps to navigate rugged terrain through thick smoke before continuing on foot to the wreckage. Once on site, the team respectfully wrapped Fournier's remains in an American flag and carried him from the sceneThe tragic loss of Michael Fournier underscores the dangers firefighting pilots face and highlights the urgent need for strict aircraft safety and maintenance oversight.Also Read: John Cena returns in 'Peacemaker' Season 2 trailer packed With DC Cameos
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Economic Times
20 minutes ago
- Economic Times
Trump calls for release of Tina Peters from prison 'RIGHT NOW'. Who is she?
Tina Peters, 69, served as the county clerk of Mesa County, Colorado, from 2018 to 2023, where she oversaw elections US President Donald Trump has again called for the release of a former election clerk in Colorado who was convicted for her role in breaching election data in a quest to find fraud. The President threatened he would take 'harsh measures' if she was not let out of prison. 'FREE TINA PETERS, a brave and innocent Patriot who has been tortured by Crooked Colorado politicians, including the big Mail-In Ballot supporting the governor of the State,' Trump said on Truth Social. 'Let Tina Peters out of jail, RIGHT NOW. She did nothing wrong, except catching the Democrats cheat in the Election. She is an old woman, and very sick. If she is not released, I am going to take harsh measures!!!' ALSO READ: DC airport on high alert after traveler diagnosed with world's most contagious disease. What steps should you follow? Trump did not specify what those measures would be but has in the past threatened to withhold funding from other states and jurisdictions if they do not align with his policies. Trump has for years spread the disproven claim that the 2020 election was 'rigged' and stolen because of widespread voter fraud. Trump has previously called for Peters' release, in May saying in social media posts that she was an 'innocent Political Prisoner' who was part of a 'Communist persecution by the Radical Left Democrats to cover up their Election crimes and misdeeds in 2020'. Peters, 69, served as the county clerk of Mesa County, Colorado, from 2018 to 2023, where she oversaw elections. In 2021, state officials began investigating Peters after sensitive voting information from Mesa County surfaced online, according to Colorado Public Radio. It was alleged that she provided unauthorized access to voting equipment undergoing a software update to an individual connected to Mike Lindell, the MyPillow CEO, who has argued that the 2020 election was stolen. Peters, herself, was a prominent election denier. ALSO READ: Trump's influential Christian advisor shaping American faith and politics James Dobson dies. Who is he? She was found guilty by a jury in Mesa county in 2024 of seven counts related to misconduct, conspiracy and impersonation, four of which were felony charges. She was sentenced later that year to nine years in prison. Her attorneys had argued for probation instead of prison October 2024, Tina Peters was sentenced to nine years in prison for tampering with voting machines after the 2020 presidential election. A Republican, Peters was convicted last year on most counts against her in the election interference case. ALSO READ: 'Was never able to lose...': Serena Williams' shocking confession on how she shed over 31 pounds after years of struggle Tina Peters, 68, helped breach Mesa County's election computer systems and allowed an unauthorised individual to access voting equipment and election records. She carried out the breach amid unsubstantiated claims that mass voter fraud had caused former President Donald Trump to lose the White House in the last presidential who is 69, was eventually sentenced to nine years behind bars. Trump has in the past championed Peters's cause, and in May he directed the Justice Department to take action to secure her release. Peters did not find evidence of Democrats cheating in the her sentencing hearing, Peters asked the judge for leniency, saying she 'never did anything with malice' and that she believed she was doing right by the people in her county, according to ABC News. 'I really am remorseful,' she added. ALSO READ: IRS confirms new $1,400 payment for millions in US: Check eligibility and how much money you will receive Peters pleaded not guilty to all charges in 2022, but a jury convicted her on seven of the 10 counts. Those included three counts of attempting to influence a public servant, one count of conspiracy to commit criminal impersonation, first-degree official misconduct, violation of duty and failing to comply with the secretary of case marked the first time a local election official was prosecuted over a security beach in the 2020 election. Tina Peters became "fixated" on voting problems after the presidential election, prosecutors said.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Did a Russian missile strike hit a US-owned factory in Ukraine with hundreds inside? Here's what reports say
Russian Missile Strike Hits Large Factory in Mukachevo Overnight Live Events US-Owned Factory in Ukraine Targeted Contrary to all efforts to end the war, Russia undertook a massive combined air strike on Ukraine overnight. Hundreds of drones, hypersonic, ballistic, and cruise missiles on civilian and energy infrastructure. One of the missiles struck a major American electronics… — Andrii Sybiha 🇺🇦 (@andrii_sybiha) August 21, 2025 Volodymyr Zelensky Condemns Strike on Civilian Facility Factory Makes Everyday Consumer Goods Massive Russian Attack Hits Multiple Ukrainian Cities FAQs (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel : Russian cruise missiles hit the western Ukrainian city of Mukachevo in Zakarpattia region during the late-night hours of August 21, striking a big civilian factory, as per a Mayor Andrii Baloha said that the cruise missiles hit a massive factory employing thousands of residents in the city and the surrounding district, according to the United24media late-night attack by Russian forces sparked a huge fire, which caused injury to 15 people, though no fatalities were reported, as per the report. Meanwhile, emergency crews have been providing assistance to those who were wounded due to the strike, as per the United24media READ: Apple drops iOS 26 Beta 4 — shiny new features every iPhone and iPad user must try now Head of the Zakarpattia Regional State Administration, Myroslav Biletsky, updated that the number of people injured after the attack had increased to 19 people as of 14:44, according to the City Council Secretary Andrii Hlagoła pointed out that there were about 600 employees present at the plant when the missiles struck suddenly, as per the United24media report. While a mass casualty event was avoided because of the rapid evacuation that could take place due to the designated shelters on the factory grounds, according to the READ: Tech stocks tumble as investors flee — is the AI bubble finally about to burst? Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha highlighted that the Russians targeted an American venture for its strike, as reported by wrote on social media platform X, saying, 'One of the missiles struck a major American electronics manufacturer in our westernmost region, leading to serious damage and casualties. A fully civilian facility that has nothing to do with defense or the military. This is not the first Russian attack on American businesses in Ukraine, after strikes on Boeing offices in Kyiv earlier this year and other attacks. No military logic or necessity, just terror against people, businesses, and normal life in our country,' as quoted in his X Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky condemned Russia's strike, pointing out that Russia purposely targeted a civilian site backed by US investment, according to the United24media wrote on his official social media Telegram page that, 'They used several cruise missiles against an American-owned enterprise in Zakarpattia. It was an ordinary factory producing everyday goods like coffee machines. Yet this, too, is a target for Russia. Very telling. As of now, 15 people have been injured, all of them receiving medical care,' as quoted by United24media factory, which was attacked, specializes in plastic molding and produces components for electronics, coffee makers, printer cartridges, and digital price tags, among other consumer goods, as per the United24media READ: Is it AI or Trump's policies? US sees brutal 140% layoff spike in July, worst surge since early COVID chaos Earlier on August 21, Russia launched a massive overnight barrage against Ukraine, firing drones, cruise missiles, and hypersonic Kinzhal missiles, according to the report. It was one of the largest-scale attacks in recent weeks, per United24media. The strikes triggered nationwide air alerts that began late last night and continued into the early morning hours, with explosions reported in Lviv, Mukachevo, Zaporizhzhia, and several other regions, according to the United24media authorities are continuing to assess the full scale of the damage, as per the reportIt struck a large civilian factory in Mukachevo, in Ukraine's Zakarpattia region, as per the United24media fatalities have been reported so far, as per the United24media report.
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First Post
3 hours ago
- First Post
The real-life story behind Hulu's new mini-series ‘The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox'
If true-crime dramas interest you, try Hulu's new mini-series, 'The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox'. It brings to life the shocking tale of American student Amanda Knox, who was wrongfully convicted for the murder of her housemate Meredith Kercher in Italy Amanda Knox went from being a kid in Seattle to being convicted for a brutal murder in Italy and gaining the world's attention. Now, there's a mini-series on her on Hulu. File image/Reuters In November 2007, American student Amanda Knox made headlines around the world when she was arrested and put on trial for allegedly killing her roommate in Italy. Now, nearly two decades later, she making headlines again, but this time, it's for Hulu's limited series The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox. The eight-episode series, starring Grace Van Patten as Knox, which dropped on August 20 has created significant buzz around the world. After all, the story that inspires the series was the perfect tabloid story — beautiful young American; a brutal murder in a picturesque Italian town and tales of sex games and occult rituals. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But who exactly is Amanda Knox? What was the case against her? The life of Amanda Knox Knox was born in America's Seattle in 1987 to parents — mother Edda Mellas, a math teacher from Germany, and father Curt Knox, a finance executive at Macy's. At the age of 20, then studying in the University of Washington, she applied to spend an academic year abroad, opting for the picturesque Italian college town of Perugia. She soon makes her way to Perugia and rents a room in a cottage along with three other roommates, including Meredith Kercher, a British exchange student from the University of Leeds. Shortly after she reached Italy, Knox met Italian Raffaele Sollecito at a classical music concert, and they started dating. The 23-year-old Italian computer engineering student's apartment was a short walk from the girls' flat. On November 1, however, a chain of events occurred that changed Knox's life irreversibly. Her roommate, Kercher, was found dead in her bedroom in the apartment that they shared. According to the Italian police, her body was partially clothed, with her throat cut. She was stabbed multiple times and was sexually assaulted. The Italian police escort Amanda Knox after she was arrested for the murder of British student Meredith Kercher, her flatmate in Italy. File image/AFP When the Italian authorities questioned Knox, she revealed to them that she had the spent the night at her boyfriend's house and when she returned, she found the home door ajar and drops of blood on the bathroom mat. Following this, the Italian police took her in for interrogation. In a January 2025 report for The Atlantic, she described the questioning as 'the most terrifying experience of my life'. 'I was 20 years old, and was questioned for more than 53 hours over a five-day period in a language I was only just learning to speak. The night of Meredith's murder, I had stayed with Raffaele Sollecito, a young man I'd just started dating. But no matter how many times I said that, the police refused to believe me,' she wrote. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD She reveals in that same essay that as a result of sleep deprivation and the lies she was fed by the police, she signed papers that claimed that she was in the house when Kercher was stabbed. She even confessed that it was Patrick Lumumba, who owned the bar where Knox worked part-time, killed Kercher. 'I recanted only a few hours later, but it didn't matter,' Knox wrote. 'I was coerced into signing the statements and then charged with criminal slander for doing so. (The police, who did not record the interrogation as they were supposed to, deny that I was hit or pressured into making these statements.)' Arrest and trial of Amanda Knox On November 6, 2007, Knox, Sollecito and Lumumba were arrested. However, Lumumba was released two weeks later after customers at his bar proved he had been serving drinks that night. But Knox and Sollecito were charged with murder and went on trial. In the initial trial spanning from January to December 2009, prosecutors claimed Knox and her boyfriend murdered Kercher because she wouldn't participate in a group sex game. Lead prosecutor Giuliano Mignini said, 'Amanda had the chance to retaliate against a girl who was serious and quiet. She had harboured hatred for Meredith, and that was the time when it could explode. The time had come to take revenge on that smug girl.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In December 2009, US student Amanda Knox, was found guilty of killing British student Meredith Kercher in 2007 and sent to prison for 26 years. Knox's then-boyfriend and co-defendant Raffaele Sollecito was also found guilty and imprisoned for 25 years. File image/AFP At the end of the trial, both of them were found guilty with Knox receiving a 26-year prison sentence. Both served four years in an Italian prison before being found innocent in 2011 by an eight-member jury. Following this, Knox returned to the US. But her legal woes were far from over. In March 2013, a retrial was ordered after prosecutors appealed that crucial DNA evidence had been left out, and the case was sent back to an appeals court in Florence. And a year later, she and Sollecito were convicted again of Kercher's murder. Knox remained in the US and was sentenced in absentia to 28-and-a-half years in prison, while Sollecito was sentenced to 25 years. In 2015, Knox's and Sollecito's murder convictions were once again overturned by Italy's highest court in a retrial. In a statement, Knox said: 'I am tremendously relieved and grateful for the decision of the Supreme Court of Italy. The knowledge of my innocence has given me strength in the darkest times of this ordeal.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Amanda Knox talks to the press surrounded by family outside her mother's home in Seattle after Italy's top court annulled her conviction for the 2007 murder of British student Meredith Kercher. File image/Reuters Media trial of 'Foxy Knoxy' While Knox was embroiled in one legal battle after another, it was not her only suffering. As she faced court, she also faced a media trial, which depicted her in very poor light. She was often referred to as 'Foxy Knoxy' with the media painting her as some femme fatale. Journalists scoured her online profiles to dig up anything on her; they even dug up a picture of her posing with a vintage machine gun at a museum that she had uploaded to her Myspace page. Many tabloids and news media outlets villified Amanda Knox during the course of her trial. She was referred to as Foxy Knoxy and made to look like some femme fatale. Image Courtesy: X They portrayed her as promiscuous woman motivated by extreme thrills and sexual conquests. The media ran photos of the couple kissing outside the house while they waited for the police to arrive. They even ran headlines such as 'Orgy of death; Amanda was a drugged up tart'. Even CCTV screenshots of her and Sollecito buying lingerie were published across newspapers and news channels in Italy. After her final exoneration, Knox recalled the sensationalism around her case, saying, 'It was impossible for me to have a fair trial,' adding that in the eyes of many she had become 'the dirty, psychopathic, man-eating Foxy Knoxy'. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD US' Amanda Knox with her husband Christopher Robinson (L) at the courthouse in Florence. File image/AFP Knox's path to redemption Today, Knox lives in the US with her husband, Christopher Robinson, and their children — daughter Eureka Muse Knox-Robinson and son Echo. She has written two memoirs on her experiences, 2013's Waiting to Be Heard and 2025's Free: My Search for Meaning. There's also been a Netflix documentary titled Amanda Knox and a docuseries she hosts, talking to women about being publicly shamed. And now comes the Hulu series, _The Twisted Tale of Amanda Kno_x where she is the producer. According to her website, she advocates for wrongfully incarcerated people and is involved with multiple organisations fighting for criminal justice reform. With inputs from agencies
