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American ambassador to Russia visits jailed reporter Gershkovich, says he’s in good health

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:24 GMT

MOSCOW (AP) — U.S. Ambassador to Russia Lynne Tracy on Monday made her third visit to Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who has been behind bars in Russia since March on charges of espionage.Tracy last visited Gershkovich in early July. “Ambassador Tracy said that Evan appears in good health and remains strong, despite his very challenging circumstances. Embassy officials will continue to provide all appropriate support to Evan and his family. And we expect Russian authorities to provide continued consular access,” said State Department spokesman Vedant Patel.“Once again, we call on the Russian Federation to immediately release Evan Gershkovich, as well as fellow, wrongfully detained, US citizen, Paul Whelan,” he said. Whelan was arrested in 2018 and in 2020 was sentenced to 16 years in prison for espionage. A 31-year-old U.S. citizen, Gershkovich was arrested in the city of Yekaterinburg while on a reporting trip to Russia.He and his employer denied the allegations, an...

Indiana teen who shot teacher and student at a middle school in 2018 is ordered to treatment center

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:24 GMT

NOBLESVILLE, Ind. (AP) — A teenager who opened fire at a central Indiana middle school in 2018, wounding another student and a teacher, should go to a residential treatment center, a judge ordered Monday. Hamilton Superior Court Judge Michael A. Casati ordered that the now-18-year-old be held in the Hamilton County Juvenile Service Center for 120 days while a probation department finds a suitable secure residential facility for him, news outlets reported. “The juvenile is a risk to the community,” Casati said in a five-page order. A hearing has been scheduled for Oct. 4 to determine where he will be placed. He will be held in the facility for at least a year. The judge ordered him to appear for a permanency hearing in June 2024. Under Indiana law, he can be detained as a juvenile until the day before he turns 22. The teenager, who was 13 at the time of the shooting, had been detained since shortly after he opened fire at Noblesville West Middle School in May 2018. He shot a seventh-...

Germany’s foreign minister delayed in Abu Dhabi after technical problem forces plane to turn back

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:24 GMT

BERLIN (AP) — Germany’s foreign minister had to spend hours waiting in Abu Dhabi on Monday after a technical problem on her government plane — the latest in a succession of such incidents — forced it to return to the airport in the Emirati capital rather than continue to Australia.Annalena Baerbock had been due to arrive in Canberra on Monday night, to star her visit to Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. But her German air force Airbus A340 had to return to Abu Dhabi after a refueling stop because of “a mechanical problem with the landing flaps,” ministry spokesman Sebastian Fischer wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.The pilot noticed the problem minutes after the plane took off from Abu Dhabi, and landed it again safely two hours later, after dumping some 80 tons of fuel, German news agency dpa reported.The German air force said later Monday that it had carried out a test flight without problems and the aircraft would fly on to Sydney later in the evening. Fischer confirmed ...

19th century Victorian home for sale in Elgin; only the 2nd time in its history

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:24 GMT

ELGIN, Ill. — A historical Victorian home in Elgin is on the market for only the second time since its 1889 construction.Credit: Naomi CampbellThe mansion at 214 S. State Street was built by Dr. Ora Pelton and kept by his family until 1955 when it was sold to the Izzo family who owns it to this day. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 for its "architectural significance." Here's a portion of the application submitted to put it on the registry:"It was 1889 when Dr. Ora A. Pelton, Sr., a highly esteemed physician in both Elgin and Kane County, commissioned contractor and architect Gilbert M. Turnbull to design and construct a residence at 214 South State Street. Turnbull designed many significant structures in Elgin... The Izzo-Pelton house appears to be one of the few existing examples of elaborate wood ornamentation designed by this local architect."The primary home features three levels of Victorian-era design with eight bedrooms, three full bathrooms ...

16-year-old killed in shooting in Highland Park ID'd

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:24 GMT

HIGHLAND PARK, Ill. — A teen is dead after a shooting in Highland Park on Sunday, according to police.Highland Park officers say the deadly shooting happened around 11:30 a.m. in the 2300 block of Green Bay Road.The victim, a 16-year-old boy from Highwood, was taken to the hospital where he was later pronounced dead. The Lake County Coroner’s Office identified the victim as Omar Diaz. According to police, the shooting appears to have been targeted and witnesses described the offender as a man dressed in all black riding a bicycle. Man hospitalized after attempted carjacking, shooting in Loop Prior to the shooting, police say the victim was likely walking on the sidewalk when they were approached by the shooter. They then spoke briefly before the victim was shot.Police say it was originally believed that the person responsible fled on a bicycle, however, officers now believe the offender fled the scene on foot.Heavy police presence near Chicago and Green Bay in Highland Park. Polic...

Hawaii governor: Crews could find '10 to 20 people a day' until searches end

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:24 GMT

(The Hill) – Hawaii Gov. Josh Green (D) said that rescue crews could find “10 to 20 people a day” until they’re finished with ongoing searches for causalities in the aftermath of the Maui wildfires. In an interview with “CBS Mornings” that aired Monday, Green said that there is a grim expectation that rescue crews will find more causalities from the natural disaster. "There are more fatalities that will come," Green told CBS Mornings  co-anchor Tony Dokoupil.  "The fire was so hot that what we find is the tragic finding that you would imagine, as though a fire has come through, and it's hard to recognize anybody." Maui wildfire relief: Is it better to donate now or wait? Green, who has been Hawaii’s governor since 2022, told Dokoupil that residents of Lahaina, a historic town that took the brunt of the wildfire, have either escaped or perished. Green added that officials are prepared to receive more tragic stories from the natural disaster. “They will find 10 t...

Maui wildfire relief: Is it better to donate now or wait?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:24 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — The destruction and suffering caused by the Maui wildfires in Hawaii prompted many to immediately look for ways to help.However, experts say immediate donations may not be the most useful following a natural disaster like the Maui wildfires. They suggest standing by a week or two until needs are assessed and support lines have been established. But they know that some people will not be able to wait. HOW TO DONATE: Malama Maui Here’s what you need to know about getting your donations to the people you are trying to help.There are so many solicitiations to help the people of Hawaii. What groups should get priority right now?Experts recommend donating to nonprofits based on Hawaii that have provided rapid response services in the past.Hawai’i Community Foundation has raised more than $17 million as of Friday for its Maui Strong Fund, which is “providing financial resources that can be deployed quickly.” Though the foundation says its support will evolv...

'Future of world-class health care': UT-Austin Medical Center planned at Erwin Center site

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:24 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Downtown Austin will be home to a new medical center, University of Texas-Austin leaders and Gov. Greg Abbott said during a press conference Monday. UT unveiled plans for the University of Texas at Austin Medical Center, which will be built at the site of the Frank Erwin Center. As part of the UT-Austin Medical Center, a second hospital tower will hold the new UT-Austin Specialty University Hospital. The UT MD Anderson Hospital will be administered and operated by MD Anderson staff."We will bring the world's No. 1 cancer hospital to Central Texas and build on UT-Austin's reputation for excellence in the success of the Dell Medical School and UT Health Austin," UT System Board Chairman Kevin P. Eltife said.Eltife called the new medical center "the future of world-class health care."UT said it will invest $2.5 billion for the construction of the medical center.UT unveiled plans for the University of Texas at Austin Medical Center, which will be built at the site of the...

Gov. Abbott issues wildfire disaster declaration in 191 counties across Texas

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:24 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Gov. Greg Abbott has issued a disaster declaration in 191 counties across Texas in response to "widespread wildfire activity" throughout the state.Abbott said the declaration allows a surge of additional resources to be deployed to the affected counties."As we continue to respond to wildfire conditions across the state, Texas is ready to provide any additional resources and aid to impacted communities," Abbott said in a press release Monday. "I commend the bravery and service of the hundreds of emergency personnel and firefighters who have swiftly responded to the wildfires to protect their fellow Texans and communities. Texans are encouraged to remain weather-aware and heed the guidance of state and local officials." MAP: More than 2,800 acres have burned in Central Texas wildfires this year The map below shows the 191 counties in red where a disaster has been declared.According to the governor's office, the Texas A&M Forest Service, the Texas Emerge...

Affidavit: Witnesses say man shot, killed coworker after argument

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:24 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- An arrest affidavit obtained by KXAN details witness statements about what led to a deadly shooting in southeast Austin last week. Jorge Flores-Duran, 60, was arrested last week and faces a murder charge in connection with the shooting death of Isaias Martinez, 54. 60-year-old arrested in deadly southeast Austin shooting According to the Austin Police Department, Flores-Duran during an interview with investigators admitted to shooting Martinez during an argument.Two witnesses spoke to police about what happened. Both witnesses worked with Duran and Martinez, according to the affidavit. According to the affidavit, Duran was working for one of the witnesses on his property doing mechanical work. He also lived in a small shed-like structure on the property. Martinez and the other witness worked on the property as well. One of the witnesses, who knew Duran for 15 years, said Duran was living on the property because he had "always been aggressive toward others and due...