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Indian opposition leader to avoid prison during appeal

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:49:57 GMT

NEW DELHI (AP) — An Indian court on Monday suspended a two-year prison sentence for Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi as he appeals his criminal conviction for mocking the prime minister’s surname which resulted in his expulsion from Parliament, dealing a huge blow to his Congress party ahead of general elections next year.Gandhi, a fierce critic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his main challenger in the 2024 polls, was ousted after a court sentenced him to two years in prison for defamation for a comment made in a 2019 election speech. The prosecution of Gandhi, the great-grandson of India’s first prime minister and scion of the dynastic Congress party, was widely condemned by opponents of Modi as the latest assault against democracy and free speech by a government seeking to crush dissent. The speed of his removal from Parliament shocked Indian politics. Gandhi appeared in a court in the western state of Gujarat on Monday to file an appeal and was granted bail for th...

Political novice ousts veteran in Montenegro vote

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:49:57 GMT

PODGORICA, Montenegro (AP) — A crushing defeat of Montenegro’s long-time leader Milo Djukanovic in a weekend presidential election heralds his final departure from the small Balkan state’s political scene after more than 30 years in power, analysts said Monday.Economy expert and political novice Jakov Milatovic won the presidential runoff election on Sunday, defeating Djukanaovic who led Montenegro to independence from much larger Serbia in 2006 and to NATO membership in 2017, despite strong opposition from former Slavic ally Russia.Milatovic won around 60% of the vote, according to the reliable independent pollsters. Djukanovic has conceded defeat. First official results are expected later Monday.Milatovic’s victory is believed to reflect voter fatigue with Djukanovic – who has served as president twice and prime minister seven times – as well as disillusionment with established politicians. Although the presidency is largely a ceremonial position in Montenegro, it infl...

Finland set to join NATO on Tuesday

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:49:57 GMT

BRUSSELS (AP) — NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Monday Finland will become the 31st member of the world’s biggest military alliance on Tuesday, prompting a warning from Russia that it would bolster its defenses near their joint border if NATO deploys any troops in its new member.“This is a historic week,” Stoltenberg told reporters on the eve of a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels. “From tomorrow, Finland will be a full member of the alliance.” He said that he hopes Sweden will be able to join NATO in coming months.The former Norwegian prime minister said that on Tuesday afternoon, “we will raise the Finnish flag for the first time here at the NATO headquarters. It will be a good day for Finland’s security, for Nordic security, and for NATO as a whole.”Stoltenberg said that Turkey, the last country to have ratified Finland’s membership, will hand its official texts to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday. Stoltenberg said he would then invite Fi...

Chinese balloon gathered sensitive intelligence despite Biden administration efforts: report

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:49:57 GMT

(The Hill) -- The Chinese surveillance balloon that flew over the U.S. for days before it was shot down off the east coast earlier this year was able to gather intelligence from sensitive military sites, according to a new NBC News report. China received the information collected by the balloon immediately, and was able to control its flight path, NBC News reported, citing two senior U.S. officials and a former senior administration official.The intelligence Beijing was able to access was predominantly from electronic signals, according to the report, and the Biden administration’s work to limit the balloon’s ability to pick up those signals likely prevented much more sensitive intelligence from being gathered.  Seaweed bloom reaches record size: ‘Major beaching events are inevitable’ President Joe Biden ordered the U.S. military to shoot down a Chinese surveillance balloon that had spent days floating across the U.S., prompting concerns about what intel could have been gat...

Infant killed after driver hits family walking on California sidewalk

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:49:57 GMT

(KTLA) -- An 11-month-old child was killed Sunday in California after a driver lost control of his vehicle, hopped a curb and struck a family of three as they were walking on the sidewalk, authorities announced.  The incident occurred around 4:15 p.m. in the Las Flores area of Orange County, according to California Highway Patrol.  Authorities said a 54-year-old San Clemente man was traveling in a 2017 Hyundai Sonata when he left the roadway for an unknown reason and hit the family as they were walking with their child in a stroller on the sidewalk.   Video shows customer at boba tea shop ‘sabotaging’ drink before leaving bad review, store says The couple -- a 34-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman -- and their infant, residents of Rancho Santa Margarita, were taken to the hospital with serious injuries. CHP officials said that despite the efforts of Orange County Fire Authority paramedics, hospital doctors and nurses, the child succumbed to their injuries and wa...

Would you eat lab-grown pork to save the environment?

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:49:57 GMT

CHICAGO (NewsNation) — The process of "growing meat" — made in a lab from a single animal cell — looks a lot like making cotton candy.Tiny white flecks spin in a red liquid feeding their growth, clumping together over time until there’s enough muscle tissue to create a steak, chicken nuggets or, in the case of Clever Carnivore, a Chicago-style sausage. “It’s full circle: (Chicago’s history) being the meat packing capital, the Stockyards, and bringing that back in a sustainable, eco-friendly, cruelty-free way,” said Ray Copley, a biomedical engineer who manages the startup’s cell line development.Clever Carnivore is one of a handful of startups working to grow meat that is identical on a cellular level to farm-raised meat — without the need to raise livestock.Proponents say that compared to traditional meat, this “cultivated meat” could cut down greenhouse gas emissions by 87%, and reduce supply chain volatility that has wreaked havoc on food prices in recent years. It uses...

Old Doane Stuart school demolition complete, city offering reward for information

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:49:57 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The City of Albany is asking for your help finding answers to who caused the fire and destruction of the old Doane Stuart school building.The City and Crime Stoppers are offering $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of individuals responsible for the fire. The cause of the fire remains undetermined. The Albany Fire Investigation Unit ruled out several causes including electric, gas and spontaneous combustion. They believe the fire was started by a person, but have not determined whether it was accidental or intentional. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Mayor Kathy Sheehan said in a statement: “While our fire investigation continues, I urge anyone with information to reach out to Crime Stoppers today. We hope this significant reward will prompt anyone with information to come forward and help the Albany Fire and Police Departments continue their investigation.”While the city wo...

Annual Albany Tulip Festival dates announced

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:49:57 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The annual Albany Tulip Festival will take place on Saturday, May 13, and Sunday, May 14 in Washington Park. The Tulip Queen Coronation Ceremony will be held at the Washington Park Lakehouse Stage on Saturday, with Yoga Fest sponsored by the Hot Yoga Spot taking place on Sunday. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! According to the City of Albany Office of Cultural Affairs, the Tulip Festival is rooted in Albany's Dutch Heritage. Nearly one hundred artisans will be selling handmade crafts, and the event will include food trucks, a fine arts show, a KidZone family fun destination, three stages for live entertainment, and over 248,000 tulips in 175 different varieties.Since it began in 1949, the Mother's Day weekend celebration has become one of the Northeast's biggest early events. The festival is free and open to the public.

Summer job help open now around Lake George area

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:49:57 GMT

WARREN COUNTY, N.Y. (ountry/summer-job-help-open-now-around-lake-george-area/) - Once the snow melts and the sun comes out, summer is on minds all around Lake George, Queensbury and Glens Falls. Students interested in getting a summer job can get help getting placed once again this year, with some help from Warren County. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The Summer Youth Employment Program comes back this summer, courtesy of the county Department of Workforce Development. The program offers local youth between the ages of 14 and 20 the chance to get connected with a summer workplace, and some new experiences.“The Warren County Summer Youth Employment Program is extremely important for our youth, as it allows them to get work experience while also helping businesses and organizations around Warren County in a tight labor market," said county Board of Supervisors Chairman Kevin Geraghty. "The Town of Warrensburg has had great ...

Clifton Park holding first-ever restaurant week

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:49:57 GMT

CLIFTON PARK, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Town of Clifton Park and the Southern Saratoga Chamber are hosting its first ever Clifton Park Restaurant Week. The event takes place from Monday, April 24 to Sunday, April 30. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Participating restaurants will be offering breakfast and/or lunch specials for $15, as well as dinner specials for $25 or $35 per person. You can look at the menu specials for each restaurant on the Discover Clifton Park website.Participating restaurantsAntipasto’s Wine Bar & Bistro BARE Blends Clifton Park Pizza Kcaffe La Fiesta Mocha Lisa’s Caffe Pasta Pane Peddlers Bar and Bistro Ravenswood Rusty Nail Sake Bon Spice Malabar Sushi Prime 88 The Flats Restaurant and Tavern