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India says it’s firm on Canada reducing diplomatic staff in the country but sets no deadline

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:55:59 GMT

NEW DELHI (AP) — India said Thursday it has set no deadline so far but remains determined to reduce Canada’s diplomatic presence in the South Asian country amid a confrontation over Canadian accusations that India may have been involved in the killing of a Sikh separatist leader in suburban Vancouver.New Delhi has dismissed the accusations as absurd.India’s External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi told reporters at a news conference on Thursday that the two countries are discussing “modalities on achieving” parity as to the levels of diplomatic representation. “I wouldn’t like to get into details of the conversation,” he said.Earlier this week, a Canadian official said India has told Canada to remove 41 of its 62 diplomats in the country.Bagchi did not reply when asked whether Canada has provided credible evidence to back up its accusations but only reiterated New Delhi’s stand that it is open to look into “anything relevant and specific” that Ca...

Bangladesh gets first uranium shipment from Russia for its Moscow-built nuclear power plant

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:55:59 GMT

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — Bangladesh on Thursday received the first uranium shipment from Russia to fuel the country’s only nuclear power plant, still under construction by Moscow. Once finished, the plant is expected to boost Bangladesh’s national grid and help the South Asian nation’s growing economy. The Rooppur power plant will produce 2,400 megawatts of electricity — powering about 15 million households — when the twin-unit facility goes fully online. The plant is being constructed by Rosatom, Russia’s state nuclear energy corporation. Moscow has funded the construction with a $11.38 billion loan, to be repaid over two decades, starting from 2027.Once Rooppur starts production, Bangladesh will join more than 30 countries that run nuclear power reactors. The uranium, which arrived in Bangladesh late last month, was handed over to the authorities at a ceremony in Ishwardi, where the plant is located, in the northern district of Pabna on Thursday. Bangladesh’s Pri...

Drone attacks in Syria kill and wound officers and civilians at a military ceremony

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:55:59 GMT

BEIRUT (AP) — A drone attack Thursday struck a packed graduating ceremony for military officers in the Syrian city of Homs, killing an unspecified number of civilians and military personnel and wounding dozens of others, Syrian state television reported.Syria’s military said in a statement that drones laden with explosives targeted the ceremony as it came to an end. They accused insurgents “backed by known international forces” for the attack, and said that some of the wounded were in critical condition, including women and children.They didn’t specify the number of casualties and didn’t accuse anyone in particular of carrying out the deadly strike. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.However, Britain-based opposition war monitor the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that seven officers were killed, and another 20 were wounded. They added that among the personnel at the ceremony was Syria’s defense minister.The Syrian military in...

After biting incidents, Biden's dog Commander is no longer at White House

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:55:59 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden’s dog, Commander, is “not presently on the White House campus” following a series of biting incidents involving White House staff and U.S. Secret Service officers, a spokesperson for first lady Jill Biden said late Wednesday.Elizabeth Alexander, the first lady’s communications director, said Biden and his wife care deeply about the safety of White House staff and those who protect them every day.“They remain grateful for the patience and support of the U.S. Secret Service and all involved, as they continue to work through solutions,” she said in an emailed statement, adding, “Commander is not presently on the White House campus while next steps are evaluated.”President Joe Biden's dog Commander, a German shepherd, sits at the Truman balcony of the White House, Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)Alexander did not say where the dog was sent. The 2-year-old German shepherd was last seen Saturday on an u...

Dean's Throwback Thursday A-List Interview: William Friedkin ahead of "The Exorcist: Believer"

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:55:59 GMT

Check out Dean's Throwback A-List Interview with film director WIlliam Friedkin ahead of the new "The Exorcist: Believer."Get Dean's reviews and A-List interviews delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for Dean's Downloads weekly newsletter. You'll also get his Dean Cooks recipes too!

SH-71 westbound near AUS closed for several hours after deadly crash; Airport traffic impacted

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:55:59 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A person died after a rollover crash on State Highway 71 near Austin-Bergstrom International Airport Thursday morning. Austin-Travis County EMS said on social media at 5:07 a.m. that medics pronounced an adult patient dead on the scene. The westbound lanes of the highway are shut down near Brandt Drive due to the crash. Drivers should expect delays or choose alternate routes. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, or AUS, said on social media traffic exiting the airport is backed up, causing back-ups for those dropping off travelers as well. AUS suggested drivers give themselves extra time to make it to the airport. REAL-TIME TRAFFIC MAP The Austin Police Department said it was a single-vehicle crash, and the driver of the vehicle was the person who died. This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Kali Uchis no longer performing at ACL 2023; Major Lazer added to Weekend 1 lineup

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:55:59 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin City Limits music festival begins Friday, but last-minute adjustments are being made to the lineup.Kali Uchis, a R&B/soul singer-songwriter, said she would no longer be performing at ACL. Major Lazer was added to the time slot Uchis was originally slated for during Weekend One, according to a social media post from ACL Festival. What to know before attending the 2023 Austin City Limits Music Festival In a social media post, Uchis said her Wednesday show in El Paso would be the final stop on her “Red Moon in Venus” tour.“Austin I will not be going to ACL,” Uchis said.ACL Festival confirmed in a post on X that Uchis would not be performing. According to the original lineup, Uchis was slated to perform each Friday at 6:10 p.m. during weekends one and two.In another post on X, ACL Festival announced Major Lazer would take the American Express stage at 6:10 p.m. on Friday during the first weekend. Major Lazer is an EDM and DJ trio consisting of Diplo and...

Letters: EVs? Why not push hybrids, for which technology and infrastructure already exists?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:55:59 GMT

Hybrids for nowAppreciated the column on electric vehicles and the difficulties of transitioning to them that no one wants to talk about (“What we need to hear, but won’t hear, about America’s transition to electric vehicles,” Sept. 25). The problems that jumped off the page for me were those involving the charging of an EV car. Right at this moment, according to the article, 88% of the charging stations available to the public require between four and 10 hours to charge an EV car. At this moment, I can drive into a gas station and fill up my car in about five minutes leaving that pump ready for the next driver. Many of your larger stations can accommodate 18 cars or more at one time. The gas station could process 864 cars in the same time that 18 charging stations process 18 EV cars and that’s at the best case scenario of having an EV car charged in only 4 hours.You could charge your car at home but consider the cost of the charger at about $1,000 R...

Inside the new Crumbl Cookies in Clifton Park

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:55:59 GMT

CLIFTON PARK, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Crumbl Cookies in Clifton Park has its soft opening on Thursday and its grand opening on Friday and Saturday. NEWS10 got a look inside the cookie shop before it opened. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Each week, Crumbl’s menu rotates to include four to five specialty flavors, but the Chocolate Chunk cookie always stays on the menu. For opening weekend, the cookies are Caramel Apple, Dark Dream, Peanut Butter Munch, Chocolate Green Mint, and Oatmeal Mallow Sandwich.Store owner Brelynn Bromley is excited to open up her second location in the Capital Region. She also operates the Latham location which opened in March. Bromley wants Crumbl stores throughout the area and after Clifton Park gets up and running, she may think about opening more locations. Voorheesville eatery closing its doors after 5 years You can check out photos of the Clifton Park store below. The cookies pictured are sized for cat...

Moreau Lake State Park reopening after investigation

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:55:59 GMT

MOREAU, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Moreau Lake State Park in Moreau will reopen Thursday after closing due to the missing 9-year-old kidnapping investigation. The park will be reopening with more park rangers, increased park police, and New York State Police patrols, as well as newly installed security cameras. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! In consultation with Park Police, the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) will conduct a thorough review of the kidnapping as the investigation develops. OPRHP will continue to identify areas where the agency can improve the safety of the park and create enjoyable, recreational, and interpretive opportunities for all New York State residents and visitors. “State Parks are a source of relaxation and recreation for so many people, and we are committed to ensuring that sense of tranquility and trust for our patrons,” said State Parks Commissioner Erik Kulleseid. “We thank ...