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EXCLUSIVE: American prisoner in Russia calls on Biden to do more to secure his release

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:22:31 GMT

On Christmas Eve, the phone rang at 5:58 a.m. The call rolled to voicemail. The voice on the message was very familiar, even though he and this reporter had never spoken before.Calm, polite and quietly desperate, the voice said, “My name is Paul Whelan. I’m a U.S. citizen being held hostage by the Russian government. I’d like to speak to you about that.”Hours later, he called again with another message — an urgent one for President Joe Biden.“Mr. President,” he said, “you promised to bring me home. I’m still here. There has to be more that you can do to secure my release.”Whelan, who on Dec. 28 will have been in Russian custody for five years, was not speaking generally about the President’s team.“The concern that I have,” he said, “is that diplomatic efforts have failed and not enough is being done to secure my release from the very top.”A message for President BidenHe believes a lack of direct action by Mr. Biden, himself, is the reason he’s still in a Russian la...

Fort Lauderdale firefighters battle blaze as 2 trailers ignite

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:22:31 GMT

Firefighters responded to a distress call as two trailers erupted in flames early Monday in a Fort Lauderdale neighborhood. Crews worked to extinguish the fire that broke out just after 4:30 a.m. on Northwest 68th Street and First Lane.Officials said that a second trailer, located a few blocks away, also succumbed to the blaze, resulting in a total loss. Additional firefighting units were mobilized to the scene as the fire persisted, occasionally reigniting.As of now, there is no information on the number of people displaced or any injuries resulting from the fire. The cause of the incident is currently under investigation.

BSO grants special day to young survivor of West Park explosion

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:22:31 GMT

The Broward Sheriff’s Office orchestrated a special day for 8-year-old Rodensky Belval, reuniting him with the firefighters who played a role in saving him and his family from an unthinkable tragedy.Last Tuesday, disaster struck the Belval family when their home on Southwest 20th Street in West Park exploded while they were inside. Miraculously, Rodensky and his family survived the catastrophic incident. An ongoing investigation seeks to uncover the cause of the blast.In a touching reunion, the Broward Sheriff’s Office treated Rodensky to a day filled with joy, gifts, and quality time with the firefighters who bravely responded to the emergency. The gesture aimed to bring comfort and happiness to the young survivor and his family after the traumatic event. An investigation into the cause of the explosion continues.

Fans at Hard Rock Stadium express excitement before Dolphins win

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:22:31 GMT

In a festive clash at Hard Rock Stadium, the Miami Dolphins secured a triumphant win just in time for Christmas, but the atmosphere was electric at Hard Rock Stadium as Dolphins and Cowboys enthusiasts showed their excitement before the game. Tailgating festivities added to the spectacle, with fans expressing their die-hard allegiance to their respective teams.The Christmas Eve game drew fans not just from across Florida but from across the country. Mike Spina, a Cowboys Fan, mentioned bringing his whole family to celebrate the occasion.“We skip Jersey for the Christmas Eve Seventh fishes. We’re here tonight to celebrate,” said Spina. While Jeff Dunn, a dedicated Dolphins supporter, expressed his commitment. “We fly down here for every Miami Dolphin game,” said Dunn.When asked why they were spending Christmas Eve at the game, one man said, “This is it. This is the ultimate gift. I mean you’re at Hard Rock Stadium — Dolphins, Cowboys. H...

The death toll from an Israeli airstrike in central Gaza rises to 106, Palestinian officials say

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:22:31 GMT

CAIRO (AP) — Palestinian medical officials say the death toll from an Israeli airstrike in central Gaza has risen to 106.The announcement makes the Sunday night airstrike in the Maghazi refugee camp among the deadliest in Israel’s air campaign in Gaza, launched on Oct. 7 in response to a deadly cross-border attack by Hamas militants.Hospital officials initially said 68 people had died. On Monday, first responders retrieved more than three dozen additional bodies that were taken to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital in Deir al-Balah. Hospital records seen by The Associated Press listed 106 deaths.The Israeli military says the incident is under review.THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.CAIRO (AP) — Egypt has put forward an ambitious, initial proposal to end the Israel-Hamas war with a cease-fire, a phased hostage release and the creation of a Palestinian government of experts who would administer the Gaza Strip and occupied West Bank, a senior Egyptian official...

Residents displaced after house goes up in flames on Christmas Eve in Ashland

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:22:31 GMT

Ashland firefighters battled a Christmas Eve house fire that sent a large plume of smoke billowing into the sky.The department shared a photo from the scene on Sherborne Circle on their Facebook page.Everyone was able to make it out of the home safely but the home was a total loss.The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Man suffers serious injuries from stabbing in Jane and Weston area

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:22:31 GMT

A man has suffered serious injuries from a stabbing in the Jane Street and Weston Road area on Monday morning.Police responded to a call at approximately 12:16 a.m., and a male victim in his 30’s with stab wounds was transported to hospital via emergency run.The victim has serious but non-life threatening injuries.The suspect is still outstanding and an investigation is ongoing.

Shipping firm Maersk says it’s preparing for resumption of Red Sea voyages after attacks from Yemen

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:22:31 GMT

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Shipping firm Maersk says that it’s preparing to allow vessels to resume sailing through the Red Sea, thanks to the start of a U.S.-led multinational naval operation to protect shipping from attacks by Houthi rebels in Yemen. Houthi attacks have led to a major disruption of shipping through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea, one of the most important arteries for trade in oil, natural gas, grain and consumer goods between Europe and Asia. Maersk said in a statement Sunday that “we have received confirmation that the previously announced multi-national security initiative Operation Prosperity Guardian (OPG) has now been set up and deployed to allow maritime commerce to pass through the Red Sea-Gulf of Aden and once again return to using the Suez Canal as a gateway between Asia and Europe. ”The company said it was working on plans for the first vessels to make the journey “and for this to happen as soon as operationally possible.”The Houthis are Iranian-ba...

Ukraine says it shot down Russian fighter jets and drones as the country officially marks Christmas

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:22:31 GMT

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine’s air force on Monday reported that it shot down two Russian fighter jets during the night along with two cruise missiles and 28 Shahed-type drones.The report said the attacks were aimed at southern and central regions of Ukraine, but that no casualties were immediately known. It said that 31 drones were launched in all, but details of what the three that weren’t intercepted may have struck weren’t given.A summary from the Ukrainian presidential office said that one civilian was killed and at least four wounded in Russian attacks over the previous 24 hours. The death occurred in the town of Chornobaivka in the Kherson region, which is partly under Russian control and experiences daily fighting.Ukraine observed Christmas on Monday, the first time the country has officially marked the holiday on Dec. 25 rather than the Jan. 7 date followed by some Orthodox countries, including Russia.President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed legislation in July to m...

Serbia police detain at least 38 people as opposition plans more protests against election results

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:22:31 GMT

BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Serbian police said Monday they have detained at least 38 people who took part in a protest against reported widespread irregularities during a recent general ballot that declared the governing populists as winners of the parliamentary and local councils’ elections. Opposition group Serbia Against Violence has been staging protests since the Dec. 17 elections, saying there has been election fraud, particularly in the capital, Belgrade. Some politicians began a hunger strike. On Sunday evening, hundreds of protesters tried to enter Belgrade’s city council, breaking windows, before riot police pushed them back using tear gas, pepper spray and batons. Senior police official Ivica Ivkovic told reporters that those detained were facing charges of inciting violent change of constitutional order — in reference to attempting to overthrow the government — and violent behavior. He added that eight officers were injured, several of them seriously. The opposi...