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From Madrid: How Spain’s election could impact its EU presidency

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:47:50 GMT

Listen on Spotify Apple Music Google Play EN_Google_Podcasts_Badge Created with Sketch. Stitcher .st0{fill:#EB8A23;} .st1{fill:#FAC617;} .st2{fill:#612368;} .st3{fill:#3792C4;} .st4{fill:#C33727;} Acast This week’s EU Confidential comes to you from Madrid as Spain takes over the six-month presidency of the Council of the European Union. Spain’s stint in the rotating chair has been overshadowed ...

Russian jets harass US drones over Syria

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:47:50 GMT

(CNN) — Three Russian fighter jets intercepted three US Air Force drones in northeastern Syria on Wednesday morning local time, according to the senior commander in charge of Air Force operations in the Middle East.Air Force Lt. Gen Alex Grynkewich described the Russian maneuver against the MQ-9 Reaper drones – which officials said were monitoring ISIS targets in Syria – as “unsafe and unprofessional.”US Central Command released video of the incident, which shows the jets releasing parachute flares in front of the drones, ostensibly to block their view.“Against established norms and protocols, the Russian jets dropped multiple parachute flares in front of the drones, forcing our aircraft to conduct evasive maneuvers,” Grynkewich said. “Additionally, one Russian pilot positioned their aircraft in front of an MQ-9 and engaged afterburner, thereby reducing the operator’s ability to safely operate the aircraft.”Both the US and Russia are operating in Syria; the US as part...

Man faces murder charge, accused of killing mother in Hudson, NH

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:47:50 GMT

A Hudson, New Hampshire man has been charged with second degree murder in connection with the death of a 57-year-old woman in Hudson Wednesday night, officials announced. State and local officials, in a joint statement from the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office said police first responded to a report of a disturbance at a home on Shoal Creek Road around 9:45 p.m. On scene, officials said police found Christine DeGiacomo “suffering from a traumatic injury.”Officials said DeGiacomo was taken to a hospital where she was pronounced dead.Officials confirmed Thursday morning that they were investigating DeGiacomo’s death, describing it as “suspicious.” In an update, officials said Grant DeGiacomo, 26, had been charged. “Mr. Grant DeGiacomo is charged with recklessly causing the death of Christine DeGiacomo under circumstances manifesting an extreme indifference to the value of human life by repeatedly striking her head,” officials said. An autopsy is expected for...

Trump valet pleads not guilty to charges he helped ex-president hide classified documents

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:47:50 GMT

Donald Trump’s personal valet finally appeared in a Miami federal court on Thursday morning, with his newly hired Florida-based lawyer, and pleaded not guilty to six charges involving retention of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach.Waltine Nauta, 40, had been expected by Chief U.S. Magistrate Edwin Torres to appear in Miami June 27 with a local lawyer to represent him in court. But Trump’s only co-defendant in the case failed to appear because his flight out of Newark, New Jersey, was canceled. He also had not retained a South Florida area lawyer to represent him as local court rules require.Nauta walked into court about 10:20 a.m. Thursday amid a phlanx of reporters and in the company of his Washington, D.C.-based attorney Stanley Woodward Jr. and his new Florida-based attorney Sasha Dadan.They both said they would represent him through the trial.Dadan, 34, is part of the Dadan Law Firm, which operates out of three cities: Fort Pierce, West Palm Beach and ...

Don't you dare ask for the manager at Karen's Diner in San Diego

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:47:50 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- A popular immersive dining experience is making its debut in San Diego for one weekend only next month. Karen's Diner -- a popup dinner and entertainment happening that's making tour stops in cities across America -- will be serving up juicy burgers with a side of sass for date night goers looking to shake things up.Event organizers say customers can expect "great food and a hefty sprinkle of bad attitude" from the diner staff, making for an "unforgettable experience." Free food distributions available throughout summer in San Diego This unique environment is said to bring in the laughs while fueling banter in what could be a great "break the ice" first date or total surprise to a someone you want to take off guard. "Don't expect special treatment at this diner because it's all about Karen, and she won't be taking any of your nonsense," said an event organizer. "Have some fun and wind the staff up to unleash your inner 'Karen' and see their full 'Karen' potential."Th...

‘Young and respected’: Ontario police dog dies after ingesting drugs in line of duty

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:47:50 GMT

A police dog in southwestern Ontario has died after ingesting drugs during an investigation.The Woodstock Police Service said Taz accompanied responding officers to assist the Stratford Police Service with a drug-related investigation on July 3, 2023.Investigators said Taz and another Police Service Dog (PSD) named Striker appeared to ingest drugs at the scene. Narcan was administered, and Taz and Striker were rushed to a local veterinary clinic in Woodstock, Ont.Officers said Taz did not survive. Striker remained at the clinic under observation but is doing better and has returned home.Police confirmed that the individuals involved in the drug investigation and Taz’s death were arrested and charged.Line of Duty Death – PSD TazWOODSTOCK, ON (July 5, 2023) – It is with great sadness the Woodstock Police Service reports the line of duty death of Police Service Dog (PSD) Taz.Full release: https://t.co/TpB6GT2zIc pic.twitter.com/TF394nBjpw— Woodstock Police Service (@Woodsto...

Ricky Martin, Jwan Yosef announce divorce after 6 years of marriage

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:47:50 GMT

Ricky Martin and Jwan Yosef are divorcing after nearly six years of marriage, the couple announced Thursday.“For some time, we have considered transforming our relationship, and it is after careful consideration that we have decided to end our marriage with love, respect and dignity for our children,” the couple wrote in an Instagram post, shared in Spanish on Martin’s profile and in English on Yosef’s.Martin’s publicity team confirmed the accuracy of the post to The Associated Press. No other details were provided. People magazine first reported the news.Martin, singer of such Spanish-language and English-language hits like “Livin’ la Vida Loca,” “She Bangs,” “La copa de la vida” and “Vente pa’ ca,” has won two Grammys and four Latin Grammys and also acted. Yosef is a Swedish artist of Syrian origin.“Our greatest desire now is to continue having a healthy family dynamic and a relationship centered on our genuine friendship as we continue the joint upbringing of our children,” Marti...

A Palestinian gunman kills an Israeli in the West Bank, a day after Israel’s military raid in area

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:47:50 GMT

JERUSALEM (AP) — A Palestinian man on Thursday opened fire near an Israeli settlement in the occupied West Bank, killing one Israeli, a day after Israeli forces withdrew from the largest military operation in the West Bank in two decades. The attacker was shot and killed by Israeli forces, the army said.The shooting came on the heels of the Israeli withdrawal from the nearby Jenin refugee camp after a two-day offensive meant to crack down on Palestinian militants. The operation destroyed the camp’s narrow roads and alleyways, sent thousands of people fleeing their homes and killed 12 Palestinians. One Israeli soldier also was killed.Thursday’s shooting near the West Bank settlement of Kedumim raised questions about the effectiveness of the Israeli raid, which came after nearly a year and a half of Israeli-Palestinian bloodshed in the West Bank. It also could prompt calls from members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right government for additional military incu...

Turkey and Sweden fail to end their NATO membership standoff. Their leaders will try again on Monday

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:47:50 GMT

BRUSSELS (AP) — Sweden and Turkey made some progress in talks aimed at overcoming President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s objections to the Nordic country joining NATO, but gaps still remain in their positions and their leaders will meet next week to discuss them, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Thursday.NATO had hoped the problems would be resolved before its July 11-12 summit in Lithuania. Sweden’s entry would be a symbolically powerful moment and the latest indication that Russia’s war in Ukraine is driving countries to join the alliance. Those hopes have been all but dashed.Stoltenberg told reporters after the meeting that he, Erdogan and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson would hold talks in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius on Monday — on the eve of the summit — in an effort “to bridge the gap we still see.”“We all agreed that we have made good progress. We all agreed that the full membership of Sweden is in the security interests of all allies, and we all want to concl...

Kirk Howard, founder of publishing house Dundurn Press, dies at 90

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:47:50 GMT

TORONTO — Kirk Howard, founder of the quintessentially Canadian publishing house Dundurn Press, has died. The publisher confirms Howard died on June 30 at age 90. Howard established Dundurn Press in 1972 and remained at its helm for 47 years, before selling it in 2019.Dundurn Press started as a publisher of books on Canadian history, but expanded over the decades.Among its notable releases are the series “Amanda Doucette Mysteries” and “Inspector Green” by Barbara Fradkin and two works by Steve Paikin: “Bill Davis: Nation Builder, and Not So Bland After All” and “Paikin and the Premiers.”Howard also served at various times as president of the Association of Canadian Publishers and the Ontario Book Publishers Organization, as well as treasurer of Livres Canada Books.In 2019, he was invested into the Order of Canada. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 6, 2023.The Canadian Press