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American detained in Russia a ‘brave, committed’ journalist

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:23 GMT

Working as a journalist in Moscow seemed a natural fit for Evan Gershkovich, the son of immigrants from the Soviet Union who grew up speaking Russian at home in Princeton, N.J.After he graduated in 2014 from Bowdoin College, one of the country’s most selective schools, however, “it took me awhile to figure out that journalism was the career for me,” he said in a 2020 interview on the school’s website.Now Russia’s Federal Security Service says the 31-year-old American reporter for The Wall Street Journal has been arrested on charges of espionage. The FSB, the country’s top security agency and successor to the KGB, said Gershkovich was collecting information on an enterprise of the military-industrial complex.The Journal denied the allegations and demanded his release.Sarah Conly, a retired philosophy professor at Bowdoin, recalled that Gershkovich was unafraid to speak up while other students hung back.“He was lively and outspoken and not afraid to express his views...

Turkey’s parliament ratifies Finland’s membership in NATO

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:23 GMT

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey’s parliament on Thursday ratified Finland’s application to join NATO, lifting the last hurdle in the way of the Nordic country’s long-delayed accession into the Western military alliance.All 276 lawmakers present voted in favor of Finland’s bid, days after Hungary’s parliament also endorsed Helsinki’s accession. Alarmed by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine a year ago, Finland and Sweden abandoned their decades-long policy of nonalignment and applied to join the alliance. Full unanimity is required to admit new members into the 30-member alliance, and Turkey and Hungary were the last two NATO members to ratify Finland’s accession.Sweden’s bid to join the alliance, meanwhile, has been left hanging, with both Turkey and Hungary holding out on giving it the green light despite expressing support for NATO’s expansion.Turkey’s government accuses Sweden of being too lenient toward groups it deems to be terrorist organizations and security threats, including militant...

Braves lose Max Fried on opening day, beat Nationals 7-2

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:23 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Atlanta Braves overcame the early exit of NL Cy Young Award runner-up Max Fried because of a bad leg Thursday with four hits by Travis d’Arnaud and three errors by Washington shortstop CJ Abrams during a 7-2 victory over the Nationals on a sunny, chilly opening day.The temperature was 45 degrees at first pitch, players from both teams lost balls in the bright daylight, and there were a total of five errors. Designated hitter d’Arnaud capped his afternoon with a two-run double in the ninth and Austin Riley walked three times — once with the bases loaded — for Atlanta, which is coming off five NL East titles in a row. Washington finished last in the division each of the past three years. Fried allowed one run before departing with a strained left hamstring after wincing as he he ran to cover first base for the initial out of the fourth inning. Manager Brian Snitker said Fried will miss a start and probably head to the 10-day injured list.“I’m go...

Ecuador police deactivate explosive device taped to guard

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:23 GMT

QUITO, Ecuador (AP) — Police successfully deactivated a vest-like explosive device Thursday that an unknown number of people allegedly had taped to the chest of a security guard at a jewelry store in Ecuador’s main port city.The guard was uninjured. Authorities would question him to try to locate any suspects, said Francesco Tabacchi, governor of the state of Guayas, which includes the city of Guayaquil.Authorities did not provide additional details, including a possible motive. Local news outlets showed traffic in the area was interrupted while the guard, wearing a white shirt and dark pants, walked nervously with what appeared to be sticks of dynamite on his chest.Police tweeted a video showing an officer in a bomb disposal suit and the security guard no longer carrying the device, which was detonated nearby without incident.The event was followed minute by minute through social media and local news outlets. Source

Trump indicted in Stormy Daniels hush money case

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:23 GMT

Former President Trump was indicted on criminal charges in New York on Thursday for his role in organizing hush money payments made to an adult film star during his 2016 campaign.The history-making indictment marks the first time a president has been charged in a criminal matter and comes as several law enforcement entities are investigating Trump’s conduct in numerous probes.The charges laid out in the indictment remain unclear.Trump will be arraigned next week, according to a source close to the former president, appearing in court so the charges against him can be read aloud.The indictment, which remains under seal, follows an investigation by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg (D) that centered on a $130,000 payment fixer Michael Cohen made to adult film star Stormy Daniels shortly before the election.More on Trump indictment from The Hill:Trump lashes out at indictment, says he’s ‘completely innocent’READ: Trump’s response to indictment in hush money case‘It’s embarrassing...

Trump lashes out at indictment, says he's 'completely innocent'

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:23 GMT

Former President Trump lashed out on Thursday after he was indicted in an alleged hush money scheme, maintaining his innocence and accusing Democrats and law enforcement officials of “weaponizing our justice system to punish a political opponent.”“This is Political Persecution and Election Interference at the highest level in history,” Trump said in a statement. “From the time I came down the golden escalator at Trump Tower, and even before I was sworn in as your President of the United States, the Radical Left Democrats - the enemy of the hard-working men and women of this Country - have been engaged in a Witch-Hunt to destroy the Make America Great Again movement.”“The Democrats have lied, cheated and stolen in their obsession with trying to ‘Get Trump,’ but now they’ve done the unthinkable – indicting a completely innocent person in an act of blatant Election Interference,” he added.The former president's comments came within minutes of reports that a grand jury in Manhattan had ...

Donald Trump indicted: Colorado elected leaders react

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:23 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- Donald Trump was indicted Thursday, according to his lawyer, making him the first former U.S. president charged with a crime.The indictment is for the Republican's alleged role in organizing hush money payments made to an adult film star during his 2016 campaign, according to a source familiar with the proceedings. Trump indicted in Stormy Daniels hush money case Colorado voters have elected leaders from both sides of the aisle, and their statements will be added below as they become available.Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO6)“Today is a somber day for our nation. Former President Trump’s indictment reminds us that no one is above the law and that we are all afforded due process and equal protection under the law."As we see this process unfold, I hope Americans can find faith in our judicial system and take heart in knowing justice benefits us all.”Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO3)"BREAKING: Trump has been indicted! This is another political witch hunt targeting the people’s Pres...

Aurora community center raising funds for halal beef for Muslim families

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:23 GMT

AURORA, Colo. (KDVR) -- The Village Exchange Center is trying to get funds together to help those of the Islamic faith for Ramadan.The community center has been serving immigrant and refugee families in Aurora since 2017. Its main recourse is being “the village pantry,” which provides food to those communities. The center is working toward buying an entire halal cow to feed those of the Islamic faith it helps. Frankie Angulo-Olaiz, the director of programs and operations said, “we provide ingredients to make a meal and because of their dietary restrictions they also want to live and eat healthy and part of our work at the Village Exchange Center is health equity, so that’s part of our be able to access culturally appropriate foods is really important to them and to us.” Injured dog found after possible coyote attack in Boulder, officials looking for owner Halal, which means it is permitted under Islamic law, comes during Ramadan when those of the Islamic faith celebrate prayer, re...

DPS board president: Anderson violated several board policies

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:23 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- The Denver Public Schools Board of Education president said Vice President and Director-At-Large Auon’tai Anderson violated numerous board policies, according to a memo sent on Wednesday. Xóchitl Gaytán, board president and district 2 director, cited several violations in the correspondence including disclosing private information, misrepresenting the board and breaking the chain of command.Gaytán claims Anderson divulged information that came out in the executive session behind closed doors. "Specifically, naming the Mayor’s private communication with the Superintendentregarding the creation of an Executive Order to address school safety," the memo reads. Gaytán said in the memo that due to Anderson's actions, the board is now subject to at least two CORA (Colorado Open Records Act) requests as of Monday. Petition for DPS board to resign or face recall election Anderson is also accused of misrepresenting the board by not prefacing in a press conference and media...

Abroad and in US, indictments and prosecutions of leaders are not uncommon

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:23 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- They may be historical for an ex-president, but by no means are indictments and prosecutions unheard of for U.S. federal leaders or for national executives worldwide. Former President Trump was indicted on criminal charges in New York on Thursday for his role in organizing hush money payments made to an adult film star during his 2016 campaign, according to a source familiar with the proceedings.The history-making indictment marks the first time a president has been charged in a criminal matter and comes as several law enforcement entities are investigating Trump’s conduct in numerous probes. Trump indicted in Stormy Daniels hush money case World leaders have been charged and/or convicted of everything from coups to sex with minors to corruption in the last 15 years alone -- these include former Bolivian Interim President Jeanine Anez, former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, former French President Ni...