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Officials: US providing Ukraine $2.6 billion in military aid

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:26:34 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. will send Ukraine about $500 million in ammunition and equipment and will spend more than $2 billion to buy an array of munitions, radar and other weapons in the future, U.S. officials said, as the Ukrainian troops prepare for a spring offensive against Russian forces.The ammunition rounds, along with grenade launchers and vehicles, will be taken from military stockpiles so they can be in the war zone quickly, the officials said.The $2.1 billion in longer-term aid, which is being provided under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, will buy missiles for the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System, or NASAMS, as well as radar and other weapons, according to the officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the aid had not yet been announced. An announcement is expected as soon as Tuesday.The new weapons and funding come as Russia has continued to bombard Ukraine with long-range missiles and the hotly contested battle for the easte...

Suspect in attack that killed military blogger to face court

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:26:34 GMT

A woman suspected of involvement in a bombing at a St. Petersburg cafe that killed a Russian military blogger is set to face a court hearing in the Russian capital Tuesday that will set terms for her pre-trial detention.Vladlen Tatarsky, 40, an ardent supporter of the war in Ukraine who filed daily reports on the fighting from the front lines, was killed Sunday as he led a discussion at the riverside cafe in the historic heart of St. Petersburg, Russia’s second-largest city. Russian authorities described the bombing as an act of terrorism and blamed Ukrainian intelligence agencies for orchestrating the attack.Police arrested 26-year-old St. Petersburg resident Darya Trepova, who was seen on video moments before the blast presenting Tatarsky with a statuette that is believed to have contained explosives.The Interior Ministry released a video in which Trepova told a police officer that she brought the bust to the cafe. When asked who gave it to her, she said she would explain later. T...

As it turns 25, N Ireland’s Good Friday Agreement explained

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:26:34 GMT

BELFAST, Northern Ireland (AP) — It has been 25 years since the striking of the Good Friday Agreement, the landmark peace accord that ended three decades of violence in Northern Ireland, a period known as “the Troubles.”The anniversary is being marked with celebration that peace has endured, but concern about entrenched divisions and political instability. And the specter of violence has not wholly disappeared – last month U.K. intelligence services raised the terrorism threat level for Northern Ireland from “substantial” to “severe.”Here’s a look at the accord and how it came about:WHAT WERE THE TROUBLES?When Ireland, long dominated by its bigger neighbor Britain, became a self-governing Roman Catholic-majority country a century ago, a six-county region in the north with a Protestant majority remained part of the United Kingdom. Northern Ireland was split between two main communities: nationalists — most of them Catholic — who desired union with the rest of Ireland, and largely Pro...

Biden to meet with experts on AI ‘risks and opportunities’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:26:34 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Tuesday will meet with his council of advisers on science and technology about the “ risks and opportunities ” that rapid advancements in artificial intelligence development pose for individual users and national security.The White House said the Democratic president would use the AI meeting to “discuss the importance of protecting rights and safety to ensure responsible innovation and appropriate safeguards” and to reiterate his call for Congress to pass legislation to protect children and curtail data collection by technology companies.Artificial intelligence burst to the forefront in the national conversation after the release of the popular ChatGPT AI chatbot, which helped spark a race among tech giants to unveil similar tools, while raising ethical and societal concerns from the powerful technology. The council, known as PCAST, is composed of science, engineering, technology and medical experts and is co-chaired by the Cabinet-rank...

NY judge rules no video cameras in court during Trump's arraignment: reports

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:26:34 GMT

(The Hill) - New York Judge Juan Merchan ruled on Monday night that a handful of photographers will be allowed to take pictures in the courtroom where former President Trump will be arraigned on Tuesday, but he will not allow video cameras, according to reports. Merchan issued his ruling after Trump's legal team argued against having cameras in the court room, saying that it would create a "circus-like" atmosphere. The decision, reported by ABC News and MSNBC's Rachel Maddow, said that five still photographers would be allowed in the courtroom for several minutes before being vacated from the room."That this indictment involves a matter of monumental significance cannot possibly be disputed. Never in the history of the United States has a sitting or past President been indicted on criminal charges," Merchan wrote in the decision, as reported by ABC. The decision also reportedly stated that no electronic devices would be allowed in the main or overflow courtrooms. Trump is expected ...

UConn wins March Madness with 76-59 smothering of San Diego State

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:26:34 GMT

HOUSTON (AP) — After six games and 240 minutes of pure dominance that ran through March, then part of April, it finally became clear there was only one thing that could stop the UConn Huskies.The final buzzer.The team from Storrs, Connecticut, topped off one of the most impressive March Madness runs in history Monday night, clamping down early, then breaking things open late to bring home its fifth national title with a 76-59 victory over San Diego State. NY judge rules no video cameras in court during Trump’s arraignment: reports “We knew we were the best team in the tournament going in, and we just had to play to our level,” said Dan Hurley, who joined Jim Calhoun and Kevin Ollie as the third coach to lead UConn to a title.UConn's lanky star forward, Adama Sanogo, won Most Outstanding Player honors, finishing with 17 points and 10 rebounds in the final. Tristen Newton also had a double-double with 19 points and 10 boards.The Huskies (31-8) became the fifth team since the br...

Castleton Bridge lane closures for Tuesday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:26:34 GMT

SELKIRK, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- According to the New York State Thruway Authority, all eastbound lanes of the Castleton Bridge and exit 21A will be closed on Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Westbound traffic will not be impacted by this closure. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Eastbound traffic will be able to access the Berkshire Spur by taking exit 23 (I-787) to I-90 East.

Andre Jackson helps UConn to 5th National Championship

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:26:34 GMT

HOUSTON, Texas (NEWS10) -- Amsterdam native Andre Jackson is a national champion. The Albany Academy graduate helped the University of Connecticut win its' fifth national title on Monday night, as the Huskies took down San Diego State 76-59. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Jackson tallied three points, six assists, three rebounds and two steals in the championship win. The junior captain made a number of impact plays that did not show up in the box score. Jackson averaged 6.7 points, 6.8 assists, and 5.5 rebounds per game throughout the NCAA Tournament. UConn started its' March Madness run with two wins over Iona and Saint Mary's at MVP Arena. They won every game by double digits.

Columbia rolls past CBA in Suburban Council opener

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:26:34 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Suburban Council baseball season had it's opening day on Monday. Christian Brothers Academy got their season started at home against Columbia. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The Blue Devils jumped out to a 3-0 lead after the first inning. They added to it in the second inning, as Andrew Gabriel laced an RBI double to left to make it 4-0. The Brothers bounced back in the third, drawing a pair of bases loaded walks to make it 4-2. Pitcher Elias Conway got those two runs right back in the bottom of the frame with a two run blast. Columbia rolled from there, on their way to a 10-4 season-opening win. Gabriel notched 4 RBI in the win, while Conway struck out 6 in 3 innings of work.

Albany native Dion Lewis making an impact at UAlbany

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:26:34 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The UAlbany offense has added championship experience to the sideline. Albany native Dion Lewis is one of the new faces in the program as the assistant running backs coach. Head coach Greg Gattuso believes adding Lewis to the mix will bode well for the run game. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! “He brings a wealth of experience to them, and you know sometimes it's nice to have a guy thats done it at a high level around to not just listen to their coach, but he’s now wanting to get into the profession and give back, and I think this is a great opportunity for him, so we’re really glad to have him.”Lewis and Gattuso go back to their days at the University of Pittsburgh. Since then, Lewis has finished a 10-year NFL career, winning Super Bowl 51 with the New England Patriots. Now, he wants to help the players reach their potential.“I tell them to go out there and have fun and that I’m here to help," Lewi...