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Caribbean leaders seeking discounted oil criticize US sanctions against Venezuela

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:59:01 GMT

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AP) — Caribbean leaders on Friday denounced U.S. economic sanctions against oil-rich Venezuela, saying they’ve been forced to buy costlier petroleum elsewhere as they struggle with tight budgets.Members of a Caribbean trade bloc known as Caricom called for removal of the sanctions, which prevent them from purchasing oil at a discounted rate as part of a deal with Venezuela known as Petrocaribe.“We in the Caribbean are suffering immensely,” Dominica Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said at the close of a three-day Caricom conference on Wednesday. “People should be allowed to go about their lives, especially in these difficult times.”Both Skerrit and Keith Rowley, prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago, said the issue was raised with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken when he met with Caribbean leaders this week at the conference in Trinidad.The Petrocaribe deal that began in 2015 and was recently revived allows Caribbean nations to pay 60% of oil purchases with...

Fatal fire still burns on cargo ship in New Jersey, raising questions about response capability

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:59:01 GMT

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — A cargo ship burned for a third day Friday at a New Jersey port after the fire claimed the lives of two firefighters and exposed gaps in the ability of fire crews to respond to emergencies on hulking container ships.Crews shot jets of water into the Italian-flagged Grande Costa d’Avorio docked in Newark as flames flared periodically from the section of the ship where hundreds of vehicles were loaded onto multiple decks.The Coast Guard and other officials were set to hold a news conference later Friday to give an update on the situation.Newark firefighters Augusto “Augie” Acabou and Wayne “Bear” Brooks Jr. died fighting the blaze that broke out Wednesday night on the 10th floor of the ship. The fire quickly reached the 11th and 12th floors as firefighters were forced to retreat in the intense heat. Five other firefighters were injured. Newark Fire Chief Rufus Jackson said the department had trained on ships before, but not the specific kind of cargo vessel t...

Florida judge to murder suspect on run for 40 years: “You knew you were running from something.”

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:59:01 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — A judge in Florida has ordered a 65-year-old California fugitive held without bond in connection with the death of a woman nearly 40 years ago.Donald Santini was arrested by U.S. marshals in California last month, and extradited to Florida. He had used at least 13 aliases over the years. Santini was the last person seen with 33-year-old Cynthia “Cindy” Ruth Wood. The arrest warrant said a medical examiner determined she had been strangled, and Santini’s fingerprints were found on her body.“You being on the run for almost 40 years is a consciousness of guilt. You knew you were running from something,” Judge Catherine Catlin told Santini during a hearing in Tampa on Thursday. Photos taken in the courtroom showed Santini weeping before the judge denied bond.Wood’s stepdaughter, Denise Kozer told the Tampa Bay Times she’s hoping to find closure in a case that resulted in “total devastation” for her family.Back in 1984, Santini was known as Charles Michael ...

Pat Fitzgerald gets a suspension after Northwestern hazing investigation

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:59:01 GMT

EVANSTON, Ill. — The conclusion of an investigation into hazing allegations within the Northwestern University football program has brought changes along with punishment for its leader.On Friday, it was announced that head coach Pat Fitzgerald will be suspended for two weeks without pay after the investigation found "evidence to corroborate claims made by an anonymous whistleblower regarding hazing activities and events." The investigation was launched in December 2022 and was led by Maggie Hickey of ArentFox Schiff, a former inspector general of Illinois. In the report, she said that the anonymous whistleblower's claims against the program were "largely supported by the evidence."Fitzgerald will begin serving that suspension immediately, which would make him available for the start of Wildcats training camp later this summer. “I was very disappointed when I heard about the allegations of hazing on our football team,” said Fitzgerald in a statement released by Northwestern Universi...

Taylor Swift releases 'Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)': What to listen for

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:59:01 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — In 2010, newly anointed as a Grammy winner, Taylor Swift released “Speak Now,” her third studio album and her first without a single songwriting collaboration.Her 2006 self-titled debut and 2008’s “Fearless” had inspired both acclaim and criticism for her bold bridges and keen lyricism — these are masterful country-pop songs, critics argued, but surely a teen idol wasn’t responsible for them. Swift proved her detractors wrong on “Speak Now,” an album that arrived just before her pivot from country’s youngest hope to pop’s freshest voice.The album served as a close document of her nascent fame and future career ambitions, and now, 13 years on, it's back. “Speak Now (Taylor's Version),” released Friday, is the third release of the six albums Swift plans to re-record. The "Taylor's Version" albums, instigated by music manager Scooter Braun's sale of her early catalog, represent Swift's effort to control her own songs and how they're used...

Drake hit by phone thrown during 1st show of It's All a Blur tour

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:59:01 GMT

(KTLA) – "Hotline Bling"? More like hotline fling. Drake is the latest artist to be struck by an object thrown by a fan while performing on stage. This happened Wednesday night during the rapper's first show of his It's All a Blur tour, which opened at the United Center in Chicago. Drake fans upset at Ticketmaster over ticket prices for the rapper’s It’s All A Blur Tour As the former "Degrassi" star sang a slowed-down version of Ginuwine's "So Anxious," a phone came flying from the crowd. It looked like Drake almost caught it, but it ended up hitting his hand and flying off the stage.Video of the incident was captured on social media. This dangerous practice by fans has been making headlines recently. Bebe Rexha had to get stitches after a fan chucked a phone at her face during a concert in New York City. Kelsea Ballerini was also hit by what was believed to be a bracelet during a performance in Idaho. While she wasn't hurt, Pink was also performing when a fan tossed their dead m...

At least 18 hospitalized after tour bus hits MTA bus in New York: FDNY

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:59:01 GMT

MANHATTAN, N.Y. (WPIX) -- A Metropolitan Transportation Authority bus and a double-decker tour bus collided in Manhattan on Thursday evening, sending a number of passengers to the hospital.The New York City Fire Department (FDNY) said 18 people were taken to hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries. Around 63 other people were being evaluated for possible injuries."I see this bus barreling towards us, smashes into the side of our bus. For a second, I thought I was in a movie, didn't think it was real until I saw the glass, I saw the people screaming, I saw the blood," MTA bus passenger Ishrak Jahan told WPIX. "I immediately went into 'Is everyone alright, is everyone good?' [Then I] called 911." Fire still burning on cargo ship that killed 2 firefighters in New Jersey Fern Parker recorded the rescue from her apartment window."They put the ladder up, the tour people couldn't get down the steps, so they had to rescue them by taking them down the ladder," Parker said.The MTA to...

Mysterious flying creature terrorizing Oklahoma family at night

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:59:01 GMT

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – An Oklahoma City woman says she's being terrorized by a flying creature that continues to bang on the door of her back porch, causing her family to wake in a fright."It's really frightening when you hear the bang," Carol Dillin told Nexstar's KFOR. OKCFD unveils new safe haven baby box Identifying and stopping the flying creature from hitting Dillin's back door has become her obsession over the past month. She said it's been tormenting her family at night, even with all of her lights out and her changes to make the porch not-so-friendly to flying foes."There's an owl there, an owl there," she said, pointing to two large, fake bird statues designed to scare off birds. "And then here's Harry," she said, pointing at a fake skeleton in a flannel shirt. "He's supposed to be a scarecrow, but nobody's afraid of him."Carol Dillon has used owl decoys and even a scarecrow to try to ward off the flying nuisance. (Courtesy of Carol Dillin)Dillin has set off bug bombs, u...

'Movies Under the Stars' event in Cobleskill

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:59:01 GMT

COBLESKILL, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Grab your popcorn! Friday night, the Middleburgh Advantage program will be hosting a "Movies Under the Stars" event, rain or shine, at the Middleburgh Elementary School, starting at 7 p.m. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Movies will start screening when it's dark out. Local vendors will be on-site, and games and activities will be held before the film. A family-friendly film will be played, and guests are asked to bring their own chairs or blanket. If it rains, the event will be moved indoors.Donations will be accepted. Anyone with further questions can call (518) 429-4429.

Corinth winery plants new roots in Lake George

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:59:01 GMT

LAKE GEORGE, N.Y. (NEWS10) - A Corinth-based winery is ending its 13-year run at its original home, and is making a move to the Queen of American Lakes. Ledge Rock Hill Winery cut the ribbon on its new location on Saturday, July 1. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Ledge Rock Hill uses New York grapes and a variety of fruit infusions to craft its line of wines. On Saturday, the winery showed off its new location at 1776 Route 9 in the town of Lake George, on a stretch between Lake George Expedition Park and the Adirondack Outlet Mall. The opening came with festivities including live music, tastings, giveaways, and food trucks.“Ledge Rock Hill Winery is incredibly excited to celebrate our Grand Opening," said co-owners Kevin, Will, and Connor Morgan. "We have moved from our 'winery in the woods' location in Corinth to beautiful Lake George. Come to our tasting room and sample our varieties of dry and sweet wines, listen to liv...