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Moscow could return to nuclear arms treaty if US gives up ‘hostile policy,’ Russian official says

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:55:07 GMT

Russia’s decision to leave the last remaining nuclear arms control treaty with the U.S. is “unshakable,” but Moscow could be willing to return if Washington changes its policy on Russia, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Saturday.“Our decision to suspend the START Treaty is unshakable,” Ryabkov said, according to a report by Russian state newswire Ria Novosti. “Our own condition for the return to the full functioning of the treaty is the U.S. abandoning its fundamentally hostile policy towards Russia,” he added.In February, days before the one-year anniversary of Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that the Kremlin was suspending its participation in New START Treaty. The agreement, which came into effect in 2011, caps the number of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and nuclear warheads that the U.S. or Russia can be deploy.On Friday, U.S. National Secur...

India train crash kills over 280, injures 900 in one of nation’s worst rail disasters

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:55:07 GMT

BALASORE, India (AP) — Rescuers found no more survivors in the overturned and mangled wreckage of two passenger trains that derailed in eastern India, killing more than 280 people and injuring hundreds in one of the country’s deadliest rail crashes in decades, officials said Saturday.Chaotic scenes erupted after the derailment on Friday night about 220 kilometers (137 miles) southwest of Kolkata, as rescuers climbed atop the wrecked trains to break open doors and windows using cutting torches. The death toll rose steadily throughout the night. Scores of bodies, covered by white sheets, lay on the ground near the tracks as locals and rescuers raced to help survivors. Army soldiers and air force helicopters joined the effort.“By 10 p.m. (on Friday) we were able to rescue the survivors. After that it was about picking up dead bodies,” Sudhanshu Sarangi, director of Odisha state’s fire and emergency department, told The Associated Press. “This is very, very tragic. I have ne...

Turkey to send commando unit to help quell unrest in Kosovo

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:55:07 GMT

ANKARA (AP) — The Turkish defense ministry announced Saturday it will be sending a commando battalion to northern Kosovo in response to a NATO request for troops to help quell violent unrest.The request came from NATO’s Joint Force Command Naples, the ministry said in a press statement posted on its official Twitter account, and the battalion will join the alliance’s peacekeeping mission in the region, known as KFOR, as a reserve unit. Turkey did not specify how many troops would be going, but NATO announced on Tuesday that it would be sending 700 troops to bolster the force in the area. All the new troops are expected to come from the same country.KFOR currently consists of almost 3,800 troops, including some 350 from Turkey.Violent clashes with ethnic Serbs on Monday left 30 international soldiers — 11 Italians and 19 Hungarians — wounded, including fractures and burns from improvised explosive incendiary devices. The clashes grew out of a confrontation that unfolded earlier after...

1 dead, 2 others in critical condition following Brampton house fire

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:55:07 GMT

One person is dead and two others are in life-threatening condition following an overnight fire in Brampton.Firefighters were called to a home on Jade Crescent in the area of Torbram Road and Williams Parkway just before 11 p.m. Friday night. Peel police said three people were rescued from the home, two adults and one child. Paramedics say they transported three victims to a nearby hospital in critical condition. Police say one of the adults has since been pronounced dead in hospital. The other two victims remain in life-threatening condition. Police did not provide any further details on the ages or genders of the victims.The Office of the Fire Marshal has been called in to investigate.

Israeli military says gunman kills 2 soldiers along Egyptian border

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:55:07 GMT

JERUSALEM (AP) — A shootout in southern Israel along the Egyptian border killed two Israeli soldiers Saturday, the army said, in a rare instance of deadly violence along the frontier.The military said an assailant was in Israeli territory when he opened fire at troops. The soldiers returned fire, killing the gunman.The army said one of the killed soldiers was a woman. It gave no details on the assailant.Criminals sometimes smuggle drugs across the border, while Islamic militant groups are also active in Egypt’s restive north Sinai.Israel and Egypt signed a peace agreement in 1979 and maintain close security ties. Fighting along their shared border is rare.The exchange of fire reportedly took place around the Nitzana border crossing between Israel and Egypt. The crossing is located about 40 kilometers (25 miles) southeast of the point where Israel’s border with Egypt and the Gaza Strip converge. It’s used to import goods from Egypt destined for Israel or the Hamas-ruled Gaza St...

Pope to visit Mongolia at end of summer in visit rich in geopolitical significance

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:55:07 GMT

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis is traveling to Mongolia at the end of the summer, a visit that will be a first for a pontiff and one rich in geopolitical significance given its proximity to Russia and China.The Vatican on Saturday confirmed the Aug. 31-Sept. 4 trip to the landlocked U.S-allied country sandwiched between Russia and China, two countries popes have never visited.The visit comes as Francis is trying to toe a diplomatic line in his relations with both countries: With Moscow, Francis is seeking an opening for a peace envoy to nudge Russia and Ukraine to negotiations to end the war. With China, the Vatican has seen its landmark 2018 accord over bishop nominations violated, with Beijing making unilateral decisions.Francis will be ministering to a tiny Christian community in Mongolia, part of his focus on visiting far-flung Catholics on the peripheries of the church’s main centers of influence. According to statistics by the Catholic nonprofit Aid to the Church in Need, Mo...

Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum highlights dinosaurs, European influence

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:55:07 GMT

CANYON, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) — Nestled on the campus of West Texas A&M University in Canyon is a museum that tells the rich history of the High Plains region: the Panhandle Plains Historical Museum."Our local history involves a global perspective," said Renea Dauntes, Research Assistant and Archivist for the museum. "We were taught, many of us, about cattle and livestock and that it was formative in this region. Something that isn't always talked about is the influence of European countries on this region." Caldwell Zoo offers animal encounters with penguins, giraffes Although the High Plains can tend to feel isolated from the rest of the world at times, much of that European influence, Dauntes explained, was evident in places like the famous XIT ranch."We know that their syndicate — a lot of the funding came from England and we have actual ranch owners that came from Scotland and Ireland, and they were a big part of what formed our area," Dauntes explained.The museum also tells ...

Stillwater: Have a great idea? You could get $10,000 to make it happen.

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:55:07 GMT

The Stillwater Area Community Foundation is once again accepting applications for its annual Great Idea Competition.The foundation will award up to $10,000 to a person, organization or business from the Stillwater area that is prepared to undertake a civic-minded project and needs funding to make it happen.Last year, the Cimarron Community Farm was the winner for its free summer youth program, “Growing Youth, Growing Food.”Other past Great Idea winners include: “Wild River Journey,” a program from Wild Rivers Conservancy to bring more than 500 students onto the St. Croix River via paddle boat field trips; Friends of Fairy Falls, Power of the St. Croix Utility Box Mural Project, Beautification of the Stillwater Stairs, River City Sculpture Tour, Pollinator Friendly Alliance of Stillwater and Friends of Stillwater Area Dog Park.Guidelines for the Great Idea contest are “intentionally vague to encourage creativity,” foundation officials said. “The selection committee ...

Excitement builds as 'Enjoy Illinois 300' NASCAR Cup series race draws near

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:55:07 GMT

MADISON, Ill -- With just one day remaining until the "Enjoy Illinois 300" at the World Wide Technology Raceway, anticipation is high as the NASCAR Cup Series race prepares to welcome a massive crowd. Remarkably, for the second consecutive time, the event is completely sold out, ensuring that the once-empty stands will soon be filled with enthusiastic fans. As attendees make their way to the venue, they can rest assured that there are certain items they are allowed to bring in: closed non-alcoholic beverages and a small soft cooler.The grandstand seats, accommodating 1,200 people, along with numerous hospitality suite areas, will be bustling with activity come Sunday. While tickets for Saturday's NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Toyota 200 are still available, it's important to note that there will be no walk-up ticket options or general admission. All tickets can be acquired through Ticketmaster. Furthermore, in addition to the thrilling NASCAR Cup Series qualifying, the Confluence Mu...

Near record highs and isolated showers forecasted for weekend

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:55:07 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- Today, temperatures reached near record highs, soaring into the mid 90s, just a few degrees shy of the previous record of 96 set back in 2011. Fortunately, the humidity remained relatively low, with dewpoints in the 50s, alleviating any potential discomfort. As we move into the night, the warmth persists, with overnight lows in the 60s. Despite the continuing heat on Sunday, the day promises some relief as clouds gradually gather throughout, bringing along with them a chance of scattered showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening. Looking ahead to the work week, temperatures are expected to drop back down to the more comfortable 80s.