Blinken calls for release of WSJ reporter in call with Russian foreign minister

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:45:10 GMT

Blinken calls for release of WSJ reporter in call with Russian foreign minister Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, the State Department said Sunday, calling for the release of Evan Gershkovich, the Wall Street Journal reporter who was arrested in Russia on Thursday on espionage charges.Blinken “conveyed the United States’ grave concern over Russia’s unacceptable detention of a U.S. citizen journalist,” and called for Gershkovich’s immediate release, State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel said in a statement.The call between Blinken and Lavrov marks a rare communication between high-level U.S. and Russian officials amid tension over Russia’s war in Ukraine. Gershkovich’s detention is the most high-profile arrest of a U.S. citizen since the war began, though WNBA star Brittney Griner was arrested days before Russia launched its invasion. She has since been released.The Wall Street Journal has denied the charges and demanded Gershkovich’s release.“Evan is a member of the free press who right up until he was arr...

High speed pursuit ends in crash; 18-year-old driver arrested

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:45:10 GMT

High speed pursuit ends in crash; 18-year-old driver arrested SAN DIEGO -- An 18-year-old driver led law enforcement on a high speed pursuit that stretched over two counties, authorities said.The Riverside Sheriff's Department told the San Diego Sheriff's Department to "be on the lookout" for a stolen white 2023 Kia Forte they were pursing southbound on Interstate 15, SDSO stated in a news release Sunday. According to the department, Riverside authorities reported they had lost sight of the vehicle shortly before midnight Saturday. 2 arrested at DUI checkpoint in Chula Vista A short time later, deputies from the Fallbrook Station located the stolen Kia travelling south on I-15 at Mission Road without its lights illuminated, SDSO said. Authorities say deputies initiated a traffic enforcement stop and the driver failed to yield, prompting a traffic pursuit.  The Kia continued southbound on I-15 at speeds up to 110 mph, the department noted.The pursuit led deputies through the city of Escondido and then westbound on Highway 78, officials said. ...

2 arrested at DUI checkpoint in Chula Vista

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:45:10 GMT

2 arrested at DUI checkpoint in Chula Vista CHULA VISTA, Calif. — Two people were arrested at a driving under the influence (DUI)/Driver’s License Checkpoint in Chula Vista Saturday, authorities said.The Chula Vista Police Department said officers conducted the checkpoint in the 600 block of E Street from 6 p.m. to midnight. How to remove unwanted graffiti from your property for free During that time, two drivers were arrested on suspicion of operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The identities of those arrested have not been released.The department said 2205 vehicles traveled through the checkpoint on Saturday and 980 of them were screened by officers. A total of 26 citations were issued and six vehicles were impounded.According to authorities, the DUI checkpoint location was selected based on reported incidents of impaired driving-related crashes in the area. Driver shot during robbery attempt; suspects have not been located The department said the primary purpose of DUI checkpoints are to p...

Protests held in Kosovo to support ex-war leaders on trial

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:45:10 GMT

Protests held in Kosovo to support ex-war leaders on trial PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) — Thousands of people took to the streets in Kosovo on Sunday holding signs and chanting slogans in support of former guerilla leaders on trial for their alleged roles in atrocities during the 1998-99 war for independence from Serbia.Filling the main squares of the capital Pristina, demonstrators held photos of Hashim Thaci, who resigned as Kosovo’s president in 2020 to face war crimes and other charges including murder, torture and persecution — charges he denies. Thaci’s trial begins Monday in the Kosovo Specialist Chambers, which is based in the Netherlands but is part of Kosovo’s legal system. An international prosecutor indicted Thaci and three other ex-guerilla leaders on 10 charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes for their leadership role in the Kosovo Liberation Army. The defendants have pleaded not guilty.Thaci and the others served in the Kosovo Liberation Army before rising to political prominence in the conflict’s aftermath.All...

Explosion in Russian cafe kills military blogger

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:45:10 GMT

Explosion in Russian cafe kills military blogger ST PETERSBURG, Russia (AP) — An explosion tore through a cafe in the Russian city of St. Petersburg on Sunday, and preliminary reports suggested a prominent military blogger was killed and more than a dozen people were injured.Russian news reports said blogger Vladlen Tatarsky was killed and 15 people were hurt in the explosion at the “Street Bar” cafe in Russia’s second largest city. The reports did not mention any claim of responsibility or provide details of what they called an “explosive device” carried by a cafe visitor.Russia media and military bloggers said Tatarsky was meeting with members of the public and that a woman presented him with a statuette that apparently exploded.The building’s facade was reportedly damaged.Various fires and explosions have occurred in Russia since the fighting in Ukraine began Feb. 24, 2022, without any clear indication of a connection to the conflict.The Associated Press

Two wanted after break and enter in Ted Reeve Drive and Gerrard Street East area

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:45:10 GMT

Two wanted after break and enter in Ted Reeve Drive and Gerrard Street East area Toronto police are looking for two suspects who were involved in a break and enter in the Ted Reeve Drive and Gerrard Street East area on Mar. 15.Police responded to a call at approximately 4:51 p.m. after two male suspects entered a residence in the area. One suspect entered from the back of the house while the second suspect stood by the front door.The first suspect then exited the house with multiple valuable items and both suspects fled on foot. The homeowner was present at the time of the break and enter but was not harmed during the incident.The first suspect is described as male, approximately 5’9″, medium build, wearing a blue winter coat, black shoes, a dark coloured toque and a blue medical mask.The second suspect is described as male, approximately 5’9″, medium build, wearing a blue winter coat, dark pants, dark shoes with white soles, a blue and white toque, and carrying a black backpack.

Tesla sales rise 36% in first quarter, following price cuts

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:45:10 GMT

Tesla sales rise 36% in first quarter, following price cuts DETROIT (AP) — Tesla’s first-quarter vehicle sales rose 36% after the company cut prices twice in a bid to stimulate demand.The electric car, SUV and heavy truck maker said it delivered 422,875 vehicles worldwide from January to March, up from just over 310,000 a year ago. But the increase fell short of analyst estimates of 432,000 for the quarter, according to FactSet.Tesla cut prices in early March on its more expensive models, the S and X, by $5,000 to as much as $10,000. In January it slashed the sticker numbers on several versions of its EVs, making some eligible for a U.S. $7,500 federal tax credit. Some versions of the top-selling Model Y small SUV saw price trims of nearly 20%, and the base price of the Model 3 small car was dropped by 6%.Analysts are watching to see if the price drops cut into the company’s profit and margins per vehicle. The company says it will release first-quarter after the markets close on April 19.Tom Krisher, The Associated Press

What causes hiccups and how can you get rid of them?

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:45:10 GMT

What causes hiccups and how can you get rid of them? (The Conversation) - We all get hiccups from time to time, and sometimes they just won’t seem to go away.Hiccups are involuntary contractions of the diaphragm – the muscle separating your chest from your abdomen, which plays a key role in breathing – followed by a sudden closure of the vocal cords.The medical term for hiccups is singultus. This derives from the Latin word singult which means “to catch ones breath while sobbing”.For most of us, hiccups are annoying and don’t last that long. But for some people, they can be persistent, lasting more than two days.The good news is, there are simple ways to alleviate regular hiccups – and treatments for when they persist.What causes hiccups?Hiccups are caused by a reflex arc: a neuromotor pathway that translates a sensation into a physical response. The sensations in this arc come from the brain, ear, nose and throat, diaphragm and organs in the chest and abdomen.The sensation signals travel to a part o...

$50K Powerball ticket sold at a Queensbury Hannaford

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:45:10 GMT

$50K Powerball ticket sold at a Queensbury Hannaford QUEENSBURY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- One lucky Hannaford customer purchased a $50,000 winning Powerball ticket at the Quaker Road location in Queensbury. The ticket was from Saturday's drawing. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The winning Powerball numbers were 11, 19, 21, 29, 52, and with Powerball being 17. The winning numbers for the Powerball game are drawn from a field of one to 69. The Powerball number is drawn from a separate field of one to 26. New York Lottery contributed $3.6B in the 2021-2022 fiscal year to help support education in New York State. New Yorkers struggling with a gambling addiction or know someone who is can find help by calling the State's toll-free, confidential HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (467369). Standard text rates may apply.

Deputies: Trio flees police driving 119 MPH

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:45:10 GMT

Deputies: Trio flees police driving 119 MPH QUEENSBURY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Three residents were arrested on Sunday after fleeing police while driving 119 miles per hour and eventually crashing, according to the Warren County Sheriff's Office. Joseph Millington (33, Diamond Point), Matthew Harris (53, Greenwich), and Taylor Ruddy (22, Middle Grove) each face charges. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Deputies say on Sunday, a Warren County Sheriff's Patrol Officer saw a 2015 Chevrolet Corvette on Luzerne Road in Queensbury driving 119 miles per hour. Deputies say the driver, later identified as Millington, did not pull over after. Deputies also say the car continued on West Mountain Road and eventually crashed on Bonner Drive. Police did not report any injuries as a result of the crash. Millington Charges:Seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance (two counts)Second-degree aggravated unlicensed operationThird-degree unlawful fleeing police officer in a m...