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EU puts list of Chinese firms with Russia links on Xi’s table

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:54 GMT

European Council chief Charles Michel warned Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Thursday to immediately deal with “a list of companies” involved in supplying Russia with dual-use goods, indicating that EU countries will soon discuss whether to sanction these entities.Some 13 companies based in China are in the EU’s sights as the bloc seeks to tighten up on leakages of dual-use goods being exported to Russia, which Kyiv and its Western allies say are enabling the war of aggression against Ukraine. Absent adequate assurances from Beijing, EU leaders meeting in Brussels next week may decide to name and shame the companies.“We have identified a list of companies which are suspected to play a role in circumventing our sanctions, and with the occasion … during the summit, we agree that it’s important to go more into the details,” Michel told reporters after summit talks with Xi in Beijing. “We sincerely hope that today we are heard, and then the a...

Suspect arraigned following fatal crash in Waltham that left police officer and utility worker dead

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:54 GMT

A Waltham police officer and a National Grid worker were killed Wednesday in a multi-vehicle crash in Waltham that also injured two other National Grid workers, Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan said. A 54-year-old New Hampshire man was taken into custody in connection with the crash after Ryan said he initially fled the scene, stole a police cruiser at knifepoint and led police on a chase. While investigators continued to comb through the scene on Totten Pond Road past 11 p.m., a procession was also underway carrying the body of the fallen officer from Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Boston.The crash happened near 4 p.m. Speaking in a press conference moments before 11 p.m., Ryan said Peter Simon of Woodsville, New Hampshire had been driving his pickup truck east on Totten Pond Road when he began to make a U-turn. Ryan said Simon struck another vehicle while trying to turn around. She sa...

Suspect arraigned following crash in Waltham that killed police officer and utility worker

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:54 GMT

A New Hampshire man accused of killing a police officer and utility worker in Waltham appeared in court to face numerous charges Thursday morning, including two counts of manslaughter after he allegedly caused a fatal crash and led authorities on a pursuit after stealing a police cruiser.Peter Simon, 54, of Woodsville, New Hampshire, stood in Waltham District Court where he was arraigned on charges of manslaughter as well as armed robbery, hours after a deadly multi-vehicle crash on Totten Pond Road he is accused of causing.According to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, it was around 4 p.m. on Wednesday when Simon drove a pickup truck headed eastbound on the roadway when he began to make a U-turn. District Attorney Marian Ryan said Simon then struck a vehicle while trying to make the turn, before then heading further down Totten Pond Road, soon hitting the Waltham police officer and a National Grid worker. The officer, Paul Tracey, 58, had been working a roadside ...

House to vote on resolution to censure Democratic Rep. Jamaal Bowman over fire alarm incident

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:54 GMT

(CNN) — The House is set to vote on a GOP-led resolution Thursday to censure Democratic Rep. Jamaal Bowman of New York for triggering a fire alarm in a House office building when there was not an emergency.Censure amounts to a significant rebuke of a member of Congress, though it does not carry an explicit penalty beyond a public admonition of a lawmaker and is not as severe as expulsion.Censure is typically a rare move by lawmakers, but Republicans have led efforts to censure two other Democrats since June. Bowman would be the third censured since the GOP took control of the chamber.Bowman was caught on tape pulling a fire alarm in the Cannon House Office Building in late September, shortly before the House was scheduled to vote on a government funding bill. The building was subsequently evacuated. The congressman said following the incident that it had been an accident.“I was trying to get to a door. I thought the alarm would open the door, and I pulled the fire alarm t...

Suspect in crash that killed Waltham officer, utility worker, held without bail

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:54 GMT

A New Hampshire man is being held without bail after allegedly killing a Waltham police officer and National Grid utility worker as he barreled through a construction site on Totten Pond Road before crashing.Peter Simon, 54, of Woodsville, N.H. faced arraignment Thursday morning in Waltham District Court where he was met in the packed courtroom with a crowd of grieving family and a show of solidarity and support from visibly shaken police officers and utility workers.Simon, who had a cut above his eye and an abrasion on his face, was ordered held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing scheduled December 14.The Middlesex DA’s office told the court the state’s intends to argue then that Simon should be locked up before his trial as there is probable cause he committed the actions he’s accused of and that there are “no conditions of pretrial release that would ensure the safety of the community.”Simon faces a slew of charges including two counts of m...

Starbucks half-off drinks on Thursdays: Here's how

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:54 GMT

(WJW) - Tis' the season for warm holiday drinks, and each Thursday in December Starbucks customers can enjoy a sip of their favorite festive goodness for half the price. CVS customers might save money on prescriptions next year — here’s why Customers just need to be a Starbucks Rewards Member to cash in on the deal.According to the coffee giant's app, customers who join before noon on Wednesdays (or have already joined) can get half-off a drink on Thursdays between noon and 6 p.m. Win free, local ice cream for life Customers are limited to one drink per member per week.Cheers to the holidays!

Oceanside council fails to come to consensus on formal flag policy

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:54 GMT

OCEANSIDE, Calif. -- The City of Oceanside was slated to discuss passing an official flag policy that would limit the city to flying only the United States flag, the California flag, City of Oceanside flag, and the POW/MIA flag. All four of the flags are currently flown at city hall.Similar flag discussions have taken place across the county throughout the last year and while they are not typically explicitly about the pride flag, a lot of the opposition to these policies has come from the LGBTQ community. US Coast Guard offloads thousands of pounds of drugs seized in eastern Pacific Ocean "This is divisive, and it should not happen," said local Steven Burrell.There were strong opinions from the public both for and against the proposed flag policy in Oceanside Wednesday evening."The American flag is a good representation for all Americans. If you think you need more, you're narcissistic and maybe you’re not American," said local Patrick Higuera.After the city received a request to...

Sierra Leone ex-president is called in for questioning over attacks officials say was a failed coup

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:54 GMT

FREETOWN, Sierra Leone (AP) — A former president of Sierra Leone has been called in for questioning by police over recent attacks that officials say was a failed coup, an official said Thursday.The police summoned ex-President Ernest Bai Koroma to its headquarters “for questioning on the failed attempted coup” toward the end of last month, Information Minister Cherno Bah said in a statement. Koroma’s summons follows the earlier arrest of his former security aide.Dozens of gunmen launched a brazen attack on Nov. 26 in the West African nation’s capital of Freetown during which they broke into Sierra Leone’s key armory and into a prison where the majority of the more than 2,000 inmates were freed.At least 18 members of the security forces were killed during the clashes, while more than 50 suspects — including military officers — have been arrested so far.Among those arrested was Amadu Koita, who worked as a security guard for Koroma until 2018 when the former president left...

Last sentencings are on docket in 2020 plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:54 GMT

BELLAIRE, Mich. (AP) — A judge will hand down the final sentences Thursday in a plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, capping a remarkable investigation that broke into public view on the eve of the 2020 presidential election but produced mixed results in court.Shawn Fix and Brian Higgins pleaded guilty earlier this year in northern Michigan’s Antrim County, the location of Whitmer’s second home.They were not key figures in the investigation. But Higgins, a resident of Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, acknowledged he went on a night ride on Whitmer’s road with a camera rigged to his pickup truck. He pleaded guilty to attempting to provide material support for terrorism.Fix pleaded guilty to providing material support. The suburban Detroit man admitted he assisted plot leader Adam Fox pinpoint Whitmer’s address for an earlier drive. Prosecutors said they also had other evidence against Fix.Whitmer, a Democrat, was targeted as part of a broad effort by anti...

Men wanted in Yorkdale Mall jewellery store robbery used pepper spray during heist: police

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:54 GMT

Toronto police are searching for four men believed to be behind a brazen, smash-and-grab robbery at a jewellery store in Yorkdale Mall, with authorities noting one of the perpetrators used pepper spray during the heist.Officers were called to Yorkdale Mall around 8:45 p.m. on Tuesday for reports of a robbery in progress.It is alleged that three male suspects entered the Cartier store, and a fourth man remained outside as a lookout. Police said one suspect allegedly produced a can of pepper spray and discharged it inside as the other two suspects began to smash the glass display cases with hammers and made off with a large quantity of jewellery. The four men then fled in a vehicle. Related: Officer stabbed after intervening in daytime robbery attempt at Scarborough Best Buy The robbery occurred while the mall was still open, closing at 9:30 p.m. on weeknights. Yorkdale said in a statement that no employees or customers were injured.Toronto Fire noted officials respon...