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US sanctions Russian intelligence-linked group over efforts to destabilize pro-Western Moldova

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 20:50:10 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. imposed sanctions Monday on a group of people linked to Russian intelligence who it said had helped the Kremlin destabilize Moldova’s democratically elected, pro-Western government through protests in the Moldovan capital earlier this year.The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control designated seven members of a group linked to a sanctioned Moldovan oligarch, Ilan Shor, who fled Moldova in 2019 to evade a string of corruption charges and has since lived in Israel, where he was born. Shor, 36, is also the leader of Moldova’s Moscow-friendly Shor Party, which has held recurring anti-government protests since last fall. The protesters have demanded that the government fully subsidize citizens’ winter energy bills during a cost-of-living crisis and “not involve the country in war.” They also have called for Moldovan President Maia Sandu to step down.“These actors are a part of Russia’s global information operations that have also tar...

Mississippi harms free speech by requiring state permits before protests, lawsuit says

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 20:50:10 GMT

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — A new Mississippi law will restrict free speech by requiring people to obtain permission from state law enforcement officials for any protest near the statehouse, Governor’s Mansion or other state government buildings in the capital city of Jackson, according to a lawsuit that seeks to block the mandate from taking effect July 1.“Those who peacefully protest without state government authorization and who are charged with crimes for doing so may be prosecuted and sentenced to prison. This chills protected speech,” said the lawsuit filed on behalf of the Mississippi Poor People’s Campaign and several other organizations.The federal lawsuit was filed Thursday against the two people authorized to issue permits for protests or other events in parts of the majority-Black city: Mississippi Department of Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell and the chief of the state-run Capitol Police department, Bo Luckey.“These two officials, both white men, wil...

Britain’s Princess Eugenie gives birth to second son

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 20:50:10 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Britain’s Princess Eugenie has given birth to a baby boy, Buckingham Palace announced Monday. Eugenie, the niece of King Charles III, and her husband, Jack Brooksbank, welcomed their son, Ernest George Ronnie Brooksbank, on May 30th. The baby, who weighed 7 pounds 1 ounce, is the couple’s second child. The couple’s eldest child, two-year-old August, is now a big brother.“He is named after his great great great Grandfather George, his Grandpa George and my Grandpa Ronald,” the princess said on her Instagram page. “Augie is loving being a big brother already.”Eugenie, 33, is the younger daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah, Duchess of York. The child is 13th in line to the throne.The new parents uploaded one photo of the infant wearing a blue and white stocking cap and another of August gently touching his brother’s head. The Associated Press

B.C.’s Eby says Asia trade mission that omitted China helps prepare for ‘the worst’

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 20:50:10 GMT

British Columbia Premier David Eby is wrapping up an Asian trade mission that omitted China and instead focused on Japan, South Korea and Singapore, a move Eby said was to guard against “the worst” happening in the region.Eby said the trip is part of an effort to grow trade and reduce the risks that come with international uncertainties, including those surrounding China, B.C.’s second-largest trade partner.The premier and his delegation have met, so far, with a range of businesses including a large Japanese rental housing company looking to break into the Canadian market.“Right now we see the tensions caused by the war in Ukraine, and sanctions on Russia, the relationship between the U.S. and China, Canada and China, and the volatility of international relationships,” Eby said in a phone interview from Singapore. “And it’s very obvious to me and to many British Columbians that being dependent on one or two major trading partners disproporti...

Waukegan woman dead after rollover crash, ejected from car

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 20:50:10 GMT

WAUKEGAN, Ill. -- A driver is dead after a vehicle rolled over several times and ejected a passenger Monday afternoon. Police identified the victim as a 31-year-old Waukegan resident. According to witnesses on the scene, the vehicle was traveling at a high speed northbound on Green Bay Road when it crossed into the southbound lanes and back into the northbound lanes.Police stated that the vehicle travelled off the roadways and rolled over several times. ‘Was hit 25 times’: Mother wants justice after 16-year-old son gunned down in Joliet Waukegan Fire Department attempted life-saving measures on the woman before transporting her to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead. A passenger in the vehicle, a 50-year-old woman from Waukegan, was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.Waukegan police located 8.8 grams of what they tested to be heroin in the car. The reason for the vehicle losing control is unknown.There was no other information provided.

Chicago police sergeant on trial for pinning teen to the ground in Park Ridge

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 20:50:10 GMT

PARK RIDGE, Ill. — A bench trial is underway Monday for a Chicago police sergeant who pinned a teenager to the ground last year in Park Ridge.Michael Vitellaro is charged with felony official misconduct and aggravated battery. Video of the incident captured the officer, who was off-duty at the time, with his knee on a teen's back as the boy is lying facedown on the sidewalk in front of the Starbucks at 100 South Northwest Highway. Chicago cop charged after video shows him pinning down teen in front of Park Ridge Starbucks Nicole Nieves says her son, Josh, was moving what appeared to be an abandoned bike out of the way when the encounter occurred. The sergeant accused Josh of trying to steal that bike, which belonged to the officer’s son. Nieves said her son had his own bike with him.Vitellaro, a 22-year veteran of the Chicago Police Department, was relieved of his police powers.

Loyola Medicine donates ambulance, medical supplies to Ukraine

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 20:50:10 GMT

EVANSTON, Ill. — An ambulance donated by Loyola Medicine to Ukraine, covered with signatures and messages of support, was blessed ahead of being shipped overseas. On Monday, Archbishop of Chicago Cardinal Blase J. Cupich joined Loyola Medicine leaders, Serhiy Koledov, Consul General of Ukraine in Chicago, and elected officials at a press conference to bless the ambulance and mark the beginning of its long journey to Ukraine. SEE ALSO: Blinken warns Ukraine cease-fire now would result in ‘Potemkin peace,’ legitimizing Russian invasionLoyola gave the medical emergency vehicle a tune-up and filled it with stretchers and additional EMS supplies. 'US Ambulances for Ukraine' will deliver the vehicle to the frontlines of war-torn Ukraine. "We are beyond excited and grateful to be helping those in Ukraine," said Tim Prokop CCEMT-P, operations manager for Loyola Medicine Transport.Read more: Latest Chicago news headlinesSince March 2022, U.S. Ambulances for Ukraine has facilitated the donati...

The secret summer lives of American schools

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 20:50:10 GMT

(The Hill) – Every summer, America’s tens of thousands of public schools undergo a transformation as regular but radical as any in nature. Emptied of their students and staff, many hibernate. But others transform.Public school buildings take up around 2 million acres of land, according to the nonprofit Trust for Public Land, often in the middle of communities where they are most accessible. And in the summertime lull, they play host to everything from water parks to church services.“This year, we're going to have a Minecraft coding camp in our building,” Crystal Thorpe, the principal of Fishers Junior High School in Fishers, Ind., told The Hill, adding that her campus will also be used for basketball, volleyball and orchestra camps.   See a paw print sticker on a mailbox? Why you shouldn’t remove it Camps and summer school classes are indeed both highly popular options. Research group Think Impact found more than 3.3 million students went to summer school in 2020 to either retake ...

Dad Fest returning to Albany on June 18

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 20:50:10 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- In celebration of Father's Day, The City of Albany and Air Force Reserve are hosting Dad Fest at the Washington Park Parade Grounds on June 18. The event is free, and features a classic car show presented by Park Albany, live music, and more! Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! In case of inclement weather, Dad Fest will be postponed until June 25. The schedule of events is:10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Class Car Show presented by Park AlbanyThe inner roads of Washington Park will be lined with hundreds of cars. 20% of registration goes towards the Henry Johnson Vet House of Albany.12:00 - 1:00 p.m. The Gentlemen of Soul LSM1:30 - 2:30 p.m. ERIE3 - 4 p.m. Mixed Roots4:30 - 6 p.m. Yesterday - The Beatles TributeFor more information on Dad Fest, visit www.albanyevents.org or contact (518) 434-2032. For information about the car show and to register your vehicle, click here.

Columbia County native to compete on 'Jeopardy!'

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 20:50:10 GMT

CHATHAM, N.Y. (NEWS10) --  Columbia County native Kristine Rembach is set to appear on "Jeopardy!" on June 7. You can check your local listings to watch Rembach compete at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Rembach grew up in Valatie and Ghent and graduated from Chatham High School. She went to college in Boston and then went to law school in Washington D.C. She now lives in Germany. "Being on Jeopardy was a lifelong bucket list item after watching it every day with my family while growing up," said Rembach. "So happy it actually happened!" Albany woman places second on Jeopardy! Although the episode has already been taped, you'll have to tune in on Wednesday to see how Rembach fairs. Mayim Bialik will be hosting the episode.