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Russia wants allies, so it’s hosting an Africa summit. Food security and Wagner group top the agenda

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:44:32 GMT

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — As Russia seeks more allies during its invasion of Ukraine, longtime U.S. security partner Kenya might not be an obvious choice. But hours after Russia terminated a deal to keep grain flowing from Ukraine, Moscow’s ambassador saw an opening to appeal to one of the African countries that would feel the effects the most.In an opinion piece for two of Kenya’s largest newspapers, Ambassador Dmitry Maksimychev blamed the United States and the European Union for the deal’s collapse, asserting they had “used every trick” to keep Russian grain and fertilizer from the global markets.“Now, my dear Kenyan friends, you know the whole truth about who is weaponizing food,” he wrote.It’s the kind of brash outreach expected this week at the second Russia-Africa Summit. Grain supplies are in question. The future of the Wagner military group is, too. It’s a notable time for Russia to host nearly 50 African countries that rely heavily on Moscow for agricultural ...

Israeli doctors reveal Netanyahu’s heart problem only after implanting pacemaker

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:44:32 GMT

JERUSALEM (AP) — After undergoing emergency surgery to implant a pacemaker, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, 73, made a video appearance from a hospital near Tel Aviv. Wearing a crisp dark suit, he grinned and declared energetically that he felt “great, as you can see.”But the Sunday photo-op failed to reassure Israelis, who were shocked to learn the same day that their longest-serving prime minister had concealed a long-known heart problem. The admission was a stark contrast to the image of a fully healthy, energetic leader that Netanyahu has gone to great lengths to bolster. A week after a fainting spell, Netanyahu was urgently fitted with a pacemaker to control his heartbeat. Only then did staff at the Sheba Medical Center reveal Sunday night that Netanyahu has for years experienced a condition that can cause irregular heartbeats.Until Sunday, the cardiologists had publicly played down concerns, saying the prime minister was dehydrated and describing his heartbeat as “c...

Ontario rolls out programs to boost health staffing

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:44:32 GMT

Ontario Health Minister Sylvia Jones says the province is starting three programs aimed at bolstering staffing in the health-care sector.A $40-million fund to encourage health-care providers to better connect patients to services, a program to allow internationally trained physicians to work more quickly, and a nursing mentor program were all previously announced but are now launching.The announcement comes as hospitals across the province grapple with a shortage of nurses that has led to dozens of temporary ER closures – the arbitrator who set hospital nurses’ new contract says there are 9,000 registered nurse vacancies.Related: Ontario boosts pediatric health care funding by $330M a yearThe Models of Care Innovation Fund will give funding to hospitals, family health teams and other health organizations for projects to allow faster access to care and boost health-care worker capacity, such as a staffing pool between hospitals and virtual peer support for ER doctors in rural a...

Authorities search for grizzly bear that killed woman near Yellowstone National Park

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:44:32 GMT

WEST YELLOWSTONE, Montana (AP) — Authorities searched Monday for a grizzly bear that attacked and killed a woman on a trail west of Yellowstone National Park along the Montana-Idaho border.The attack happened Saturday morning only a few hundred yards (meters) from a trailhead and private campground. There was no sign that the bear, which was traveling with at least one cub, tried to eat the victim, who appears to have been jogging when she was fatally mauled, said Morgan Jacobsen with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.Authorities could not say for certain whether the victim was preyed upon or whether it was a chance encounter as she traveled alone in a wooded area frequented by grizzly and black bears.A hiker found her body along the trail at around 8 a.m. Saturday. The victim’s name has not been released. She was wearing running shoes and did not have bear spray, a deterrent that wildlife experts recommend people carry in areas frequented by bears.“This person was likely out for a m...

Authorities probing why police dog was deployed on man who was surrendering

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:44:32 GMT

CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio (AP) — An investigation has been launched into why an Ohio officer allowed his police dog to attack a truck driver who was surrendering with his hands raised, despite State Highway Patrol troopers urging the officer to hold the dog back.The lengthy pursuit on July 4 and the ensuing attack were captured on a police body camera. Authorities said the chase began on state highway 35, when officers tried to stop a commercial semitruck that was missing a mud flap and had failed to stop for an inspection.State troopers were called in to help with the chase, authorities said. The driver, Jadarrius Rose, 23, of Memphis, Tennessee, who is Black, initially refused to get out of the truck and later defied directives to get on the ground, according to a Ohio State Highway Patrol incident report.“The suspect failed to stop for marked patrol units with lights and sirens activated,” the report said. He eventually got on his knees and raised his hands in the air.The body cam video ...

$10K reward offered in deadly shooting of pastor's grandson

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:44:32 GMT

CHICAGO — At least 16 people were shot — and six killed — over the weekend, the youngest being 16-year-old Rashaun Hood, grandson of South Side reverend and community activist Robin Hood."‘Tiny Man’ as we called him, Rashaun is his name, always was short in stature even when he was little," Hood told WGN Sunday. "Good kid … On the basketball team, baseball team. Just an all around high school kid."According to the Chicago Police Department, a 16-year-old boy who had been shot multiple times in the chest, was discovered on the sidewalk in the 1200 block of West 81st Street around 10:15 p.m. Friday. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 6 dead, 14 injured in reported shootings in Chicago over weekend First responders took him to Comer Children's Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.According to Reverend Hood, who has spent more than 20 years advocating for an end to gun violence across the South Side, Friday night hit too close to home when his grandson became one of the latest casualties of t...

Jury in Kevin Spacey's sexual assault trial ends 1st day of deliberations in London

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:44:32 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Jurors in the sexual assault trial of Kevin Spacey adjourned Monday after deliberating for 2.5 hours without reaching a verdict on allegations by four men that date back two decades.Spacey, 63, has pleaded not guilty to nine charges, including multiple counts of sexual assault and one count of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent.The jury of nine men and three women heard testimony over three weeks in Southwark Crown Court before starting their deliberations, which were scheduled to resume Tuesday morning.Spacey's defense lawyer said during closing arguments last week that three of the men are liars and he suggested jurors should not convict the Oscar winner for making a “clumsy pass” at a fourth man.The prosecutor called Spacey a “sexual bully” who took advantage of his power as a major celebrity and took what he wanted when he wanted it. The acts alleged between 2001 and 2013 range from unwanted touching to aggressive crotch-grabb...

Weather extremes: Austin's hottest and coldest temperatures ever recorded

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:44:32 GMT

Editor's Note: The video above shows the latest from the KXAN First Warning Weather team.AUSTIN (KXAN) — At KXAN, we're keeping track of Austin's weather extremes.Have you ever wondered what the hottest temperature ever recorded in Austin is? What about the longest stretch of below-freezing temperatures? The answers are all below!Click here to see Austin's rain and snow records.We have created several interactive charts to help break down Austin’s weather records. Scroll down to explore all the data, or jump to a specific question using these links:What is the hottest temperature ever recorded in Austin?What is the hottest month on record in Austin?What is the most 100° days Austin has had in a single year?What is the most 100° days Austin has seen in a row?What is the most 105° days Austin has seen in a row?What are the earliest and latest 100° days on record in Austin?What is the longest period Austin has stayed above 80°?What is the coldest temperature ever recorded in Austin?Wha...

Why you should buy your solar eclipse glasses early for next year's event

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:44:32 GMT

Editor's Note: The above video is previous KXAN coverage of Central Texas communities preparing for the total solar eclipse.AUSTIN (KXAN) — On April 8, 2024, the Texas Hill Country will be in a prime viewing area for a total solar eclipse, which is anticipated to bring in thousands of tourists and visitors to the region. Total solar eclipses happen approximately every 18 months somewhere on the planet, leading visitors to the path of totality — a prime viewing spot where the eclipse is at its darkest for the longest period of time. Eclipse chasers plan to travel south for April 8 total solar eclipse With the Texas Hill Country poised in the path of totality, many Central Texans will be itching to get a glimpse of the phenomenon right from their neck of the woods. But leading experts caution people to plan in advance to get their hands on a pair of solar eclipse glasses before they sell out.The Farmers' Almanac is selling certified solar eclipse glasses, with a limited number avail...

Review: Guthrie’s ‘Shane’ is a better version of a classic Western

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:44:32 GMT

It’s been said that if you took every film ever made about “The Old West” and played them end to end, that cinematic marathon would last longer than the period of American history it portrays. So it would be understandable if you heard the Guthrie Theater is staging a Western and wondered what they could possibly say with it that hasn’t been said before.And yet Karen Zacarias’ new adaptation of “Shane” manages to pay homage to the resilient tropes of the genre and still put a fresh lens on the familiar story. And when I say familiar: Even if you’ve never read Jack Schaefer’s 1946 novel or seen the 1953 film regarded as one of a handful of Hollywood’s greatest Westerns, you can see the plot of “Shane” unfolding from a mile away.But the playwright nevertheless makes it a well-spun yarn and something of a tribute to storytelling itself. And this co-production of the Guthrie and Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park (directed by that company’s head honcho, Blake Robison) is a richly entertai...