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Ukrainian missile strikes headquarters of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, building smolders

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:04:00 GMT

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine struck the headquarters of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet in a missile attack Friday that left a serviceman missing and the main building smoldering, according to military officials on both sides of the war and images from the scene in Crimea.The Russian Defense Ministry initially said one servicemember was killed but then issued a subsequent statement saying he was missing following the attack in the port city of Sevastopol.The Crimean Peninsula, which Russia illegally annexed from Ukraine in 2014, has been a frequent target since Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a full-scale invasion of Ukraine almost 19 months ago. Crimea has served as the key hub supporting Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. Sevastopol, the main base of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet since the 19th century, has had a particular importance for navy operations since the start of the invasion of Ukraine.Ukraine has increasingly targeted naval facilities in Crimea in recent weeks while the brunt ...

Strikes against automakers spread to 38 locations in 20 states, Stellantis and GM are targeted

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:04:00 GMT

The president of the United Auto Workers said Friday the union will expand its strike against major automakers by walking out of 38 General Motors and Stellantis facilities in 20 states. The UAW on Friday targeted distribution centers, not production plants. The three strikes that began at plants Ford, GM and Stellantis plants one week ago will go on, the union said. Ford was spared additional strikes because the company has met some of the union’s demands during negotiations over the past week, said UAW President Shawn Fain.The union is pointing to the companies’ huge recent profits as it seeks wage increases of 36% over four years. The companies have offered a little over half that amount. The UAW has other demands, including a 32-hour work week for 40 hours of pay and a restoration of traditional pension plans for newer workers.The companies say they can’t afford to meet the union’s demands because they need to invest profits in a costly transition from gas-powered cars to electr...

White House rejects reports of tension with Canada over India interference allegation

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:04:00 GMT

WASHINGTON — The White House is pushing back against reports that Canada-U.S. relations are straining under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s seismic allegation that the government of India was involved in the killing of a Canadian citizen. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan says the U.S. shares Canada’s “deep concerns” and denies any suggestion of a wedge between the two countries. Recent U.S. efforts to woo India as an economic and geopolitical ally have fuelled speculation that the White House was hedging its bets with its neighbour and vital trading partner. Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent Sikh leader and avowed separatist the Indian government viewed as a terrorist, was killed outside a B.C. temple in June. A Canadian official told The Associated Press that the allegation of India’s involvement is based on surveillance of Indian diplomats in Canada, including intelligence provided by a major ally. The official said the communications involved ...

Sen. Menendez, wife indicted on bribe charges as probe finds $100,000 in gold bars, prosecutors say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:04:00 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey and his wife were indicted Friday on charges that they took bribes of cash, gold bars and a luxury car for a range of corrupt acts, including having the Democrat use his influence over foreign affairs to benefit the authoritarian government of Egypt.A search of the couple’s home turned up $100,000 in gold bars and $480,000 in hidden cash, said prosecutors, who announced the charges against the 69-year-old Democrat nearly six years after an earlier criminal case against him ended with a deadlocked jury.The latest indictment is unrelated to the earlier charges that alleged Menendez accepted lavish gifts to pressure government officials on behalf of a Florida doctor.The Senate Historical Office says Menendez appears to be the first sitting senator in U.S. history to have been indicted on two unrelated criminal allegations. Menendez faces reelection next year in a bid to extend his three-decade career in Washington as Democrats ...

US ambassador to Japan calls Chinese ban on Japanese seafood ‘economic coercion’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:04:00 GMT

TOKYO (AP) — U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel accused China on Friday of using “economic coercion” against Japan by banning imports of Japanese seafood in response to the release of treated wastewater from the damaged Fukushima nuclear plant into the ocean, while Chinese boats continue to fish off Japan’s coasts.“Economic coercion is the most persistent and pernicious tool in their economic toolbox,” Emanuel said in a speech Friday in Tokyo, calling China’s ban on Japanese seafood the latest example.China is the biggest market for Japanese seafood, and the ban has badly hurt Japan’s fishing industry.“China is engaged right now in fishing in Japan’s economic waters while they are simultaneously engaged in the unilateral embargo on Japan’s fish,” Emanuel said. He said China’s intention is to isolate Japan.Japan began gradually releasing treated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima plant into the sea on Aug. 24. The water has accumulated at the plant since it w...

Police appeal for witnesses after woman found lying on Ajax road in critical condition

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:04:00 GMT

Police are asking for witnesses to come forward after a woman was found in critical condition on a road in Ajax earlier this week.Officers were called to the intersection of Kingston Road and Harwood Avenue around 5 a.m. Wednesday after getting reports of someone lying in the roadway.A 57-year-old woman was found with severe head injuries. She was rushed to hospital where she remains in life-threatening condition.Investigators are asking any witnesses or people with dashcam footage of the area to contact Durham Regional Police. Police say tipsters may be eligible for a $2,000 reward.The investigation is ongoing.

The fall equinox is here. What does that mean?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:04:00 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Fall is in the air — officially.The equinox arrives on Saturday, marking the start of the fall season for the Northern Hemisphere.But what does that actually mean? Here’s what to know about how we split up the year using the Earth’s orbit.WHAT IS THE EQUINOX?As the Earth travels around the sun, it does so at an angle.For most of the year, the Earth’s axis is tilted either toward or away from the sun. That means the sun’s warmth and light fall unequally on the northern and southern halves of the planet.During the equinox, the Earth’s axis and its orbit line up so that both hemispheres get an equal amount of sunlight.The word equinox comes from two Latin words meaning equal and night. That’s because on the equinox, day and night last almost the same amount of time — though one may get a few extra minutes, depending on where you are on the planet.The Northern Hemisphere’s spring — or vernal — equinox can land between March 19 and 21, depending on the year. I...

Puerto Rico National Guard helps fight large landfill fire in US Virgin Islands

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:04:00 GMT

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Puerto Rico’s National Guard was deployed to help fight a large fire at a landfill in the U.S Virgin Islands that has been burning for more than a week and which has forced schools and businesses to close, officials said Friday.Helicopters swooped down to gather seawater and help battle the blaze at the Bovoni landfill on the island of St. Thomas, which prompted U.S. Virgin Islands Gov. Albert Bryan to declare a state of emergency this week.Puerto Rico’s National Guard said it supplied 60,000 gallons (227,000 liters) of water during its mission. Meanwhile, the U.S. Virgin Islands National Guard dropped more than 11,000 gallons (41,600 liters) of water on the fire.The Virgin Islands Daily News, a local newspaper, reported that the fire began spontaneously on Sept. 14 in an area of mulched vegetation that was collected after hurricanes Irma and Maria struck the region in 2017.Officials have told residents near the landfill to stay indoors, and have warned ...

UAW strike expands to GM, Stellantis plants in suburbs

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:04:00 GMT

CHICAGO — The president of the United Auto Workers said Friday the union will expand its strike against major automakers by walking out of 38 General Motors and Stellantis plants in 20 states, including here in Illinois.Among the Chicago area plants that are striking is the Stellantis facility in Naperville and the GM facility in Bolingbrook.Ford was spared additional strikes because the company has met some of the union’s demands during negotiations over the past week, said UAW President Shawn Fain.This is a developing story. Check back for details.Earlier story:More auto plants could close Friday as United Auto Workers threaten to expand their strike.Currently the strike has rolled out to three assembly plants in Michigan, Ohio and Missouri.Chicago area members who are part of UAW Local 551 have not been called to strike yet, but they say they are ready if needed.Members of UAW Local 551 manufacture SUV's, like the Ford Explorer.On Thursday, fellow union members rallied in harmony...

Tons of fish left to rot at shuttered seafood market in Missouri; locals complain of 'disgusting' stench

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:04:00 GMT

UNIVERSITY CITY, Mo. (KTVI) – Some residents living near the shuttered Seafood City supermarket in University City, Missouri, recently began noticing a pungent odor permeating the air — an odor stemming from the thousands of pounds of fish that were left behind to rot when the market closed in March.“This is disgusting and irresponsible, and there's no excuse for it,” Lolita Paiwonsky, a former customer, said."We were wondering if it was something in the sewer or something," University City resident Constanza Scharfenberg added. Shark found on bank of landlocked Idaho river; official offers possible explanation Concerned locals initially contacted University City officials as the smell became worse over time. Building inspectors confirmed Seafood City as the source, discovering tons of fish that had been left behind in freezers that were no longer running.After the discovery, city officials immediately contacted the California-based property owner of the public health hazard posed...