Libya’s eastern government holds conference on reconstruction of coastal city destroyed by floods

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:02:24 GMT

Libya’s eastern government holds conference on reconstruction of coastal city destroyed by floods CAIRO (AP) — An international conference on reconstruction of one of Libya’s coastal cities, decimated in a fatal flood in September, began Wednesday, one of Libya’s rival governments announced.In the early hours of Sept. 11, two dilapidated dams in the mountains above the eastern city of Derna collapsed, sending floodwaters roaring down the Wadi Derna river and through the city center, sweeping away entire city blocks. Government officials and aid agencies have given estimated death tolls ranging from more than 4,000 to over 11,000.The two-day conference marks a tentative step toward the rebuilding of the city, with a total of 400 participants convening in Derna on Wednesday and in Benghazi on Thursday, Libya’s eastern government said. Most of the attendees are representatives from international delegations or companies specializing in infrastructure development and housing, the government said in an online statement.The oil rich country has been divided between rival g...

Bulgaria expels Russian journalist as an alleged threat to national security

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:02:24 GMT

Bulgaria expels Russian journalist as an alleged threat to national security SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — Bulgaria has expelled a Russian journalist for allegedly engaging in activities that pose a threat to the country’s national security, authorities said Wednesday.The State Agency for National Security said Alexander Gatsak, a correspondent for Russian state-run newspaper Rossiyskaya Gazeta, was stripped of his residency rights and barred from entering Bulgaria and other European Union member nation.The agency said Gatsak was summoned Sept. 29 to receive the expulsion order at the Interior Ministry migration office, but he did not show up and instead took refuge inside the Russian Embassy in Bulgaria’s capital, Sofia.The agency said in a statement that it sought the assistance of the Foreign Ministry and the journalist left Bulgaria on Wednesday. The statement did not elaborate on Gatsak’s alleged activities but said his removal was carried out in strict compliance with European democratic norms and values.“The agency’s actions are aimed at pr...

Trump tells judge in fraud case to leave his children alone

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:02:24 GMT

Trump tells judge in fraud case to leave his children alone (The Hill) - Former President Trump wrote a social media post Wednesday railing against the judge overseeing his New York civil fraud case and told him to leave his children alone. He also argued that there is enough evidence for the case to be thrown out.“This Rigged Trial, brought by the Racist New York State A.G. Letitia James before Trump and developer Hating Judge, Arthur Engoron, which should have never been brought in that the so-called STAR WITNESS, SleazeBag Lawyer (for many people) Michael Cohen, admitted last week on the stand that he LIED,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, referencing his former personal lawyer.“Therefore, on that fact alone, this Fake Case should be dismissed,” he added.The former president claimed in his post that the financial statements from his businesses were actually lower than the true value — contrary to some of the testimony presented in the trial. He also reiterated the defense’s argument that there was a "disclaimer clause" on the statements and ...

North Dakota woman accused of fatally poisoning boyfriend over $30 million inheritance

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:02:24 GMT

North Dakota woman accused of fatally poisoning boyfriend over $30 million inheritance MINOT, ND (KXNET) – A woman accused of fatally poisoning her boyfriend in North Dakota may have been hoping to steal his sizeable inheritance, according to new details.Ina Thea Kenoyer, 47, was arrested Monday and charged with Class AA felony murder in connection with the September death of a 51-year-old Minot man.An arrest affidavit indicated that the boyfriend, identified by Minot police as Steven Edward Riley Jr., was in line to inherit over $30 million and was planning to leave Kenoyer, whom he had been dating for about 10 years.On Sept. 3, Riley had planned to meet a lawyer at an airport to finalize the transaction, according to the affidavit. Kenoyer and many of the man's friends accompanied him to the airport, but friends began to notice his health rapidly decline and him acting as though he were drunk despite not drinking any alcohol, the documents said. He also experienced stomach pain and began having trouble walking.Friends say they tried to get Riley medical treatment, b...

What's Brad Underwood looking forward to from Illinois basketball in 2023-2024

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:02:24 GMT

What's Brad Underwood looking forward to from Illinois basketball in 2023-2024 CHICAGO — Over the past few seasons, he's helped return the program to the top of the Big Ten conference. In 2021, Illinois won the Big Ten Men's Basketball tournament and then next year got a share of the regular season championship for the first time since 2005. After the program missed the NCAA Tournament for nearly a decade, they've gone to the "Big Dance" the last three seasons. Now Brad Underwood is hoping Illinois takes its next step toward the program's first national championship with a deep run in the NCAA Tournament, something that's escaped the Illini so far in his tenure at the school.That journey in 2023-2024 included an exhibition game win over No. 1 Kansas on Sunday, but really begins on Monday when they open the season against Eastern Illinois at the State Farm Center. Before that happens, Underwood joined GN Sports to talk about what's ahead for the team with Jarrett Payton. You can watch that conversation from the October 31 show in the video above.

60 years later, new documentary colorizes JFK's final hours

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:02:24 GMT

60 years later, new documentary colorizes JFK's final hours DALLAS (The Hill) — Nearly 60 years after his shocking death on a November day in Dallas, Texas, the story of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination is being newly told in vivid color by some of the figures who lived through it. The aim of “JFK: One Day in America,” says producer Charlotte Rodrigues about the three-part series premiering Sunday on National Geographic and streaming the following day on Hulu and Disney+, is to experience the moments in time leading up to and following Kennedy’s death by seeing it “through [witnesses’] eyes in a very visceral and a very emotional way.” The documentary, from the same team that created the Emmy Award-winning “One Day in America” franchise focused on the Sep. 11, 2001, terror attacks, utilizes archival footage from 1963 that was colorized for the first time. “We wanted to be able to present the theories and the subject matter to a younger audience and bring it to life in a different way that hadn't been seen before,” said Ale...

Opening statements of Kaitlin Armstrong murder trial in Texas

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:02:24 GMT

Opening statements of Kaitlin Armstrong murder trial in Texas AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The murder trial for Kaitlin Armstrong began Wednesday shortly after 9 a.m. CT. Armstrong is accused of shooting and killing up-and-coming professional cyclist Anna Moriah "Mo" Wilson in May 2022. TIMELINE: Ahead of Kaitlin Armstrong’s trial, a look back at pro-cyclist murder case Cameras are allowed inside the courtroom for opening statements, closing arguments and the verdict, but not during witness testimony. Even though cameras are not allowed inside during testimony, KXAN's Brianna Hollis will be inside the courtroom and will update this story throughout the trial with the latest information. Follow her live on social media below.KAITLIN ARMSTRONG TRIAL: Media has just been let into the courtroom. Opening statements are set to begin at 9 a.m. I will be live tweeting on this thread. @KXAN_News pic.twitter.com/muJ2xkJSzr— Brianna Hollis (@BriHollisNEWS) November 1, 2023Members of the media entering court for the opening statements of the Kaitlin Armstron...

Opening statements of Kaitlin Armstrong murder trial

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:02:24 GMT

Opening statements of Kaitlin Armstrong murder trial AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The murder trial for Kaitlin Armstrong began Wednesday at 9 a.m. Armstrong is accused of shooting and killing up-and-coming professional cyclist Anna Moriah "Mo" Wilson in May 2022. TIMELINE: Ahead of Kaitlin Armstrong’s trial, a look back at pro-cyclist murder case Cameras are allowed inside the courtroom only for opening statements, closing arguments and the verdict, but not during witness testimony. Even though cameras are not allowed inside during testimony, KXAN's Brianna Hollis will be inside the courtroom and will update this story throughout the trial with the latest information. Follow her live on social media below.KAITLIN ARMSTRONG TRIAL: Media has just been let into the courtroom. Opening statements are set to begin at 9 a.m. I will be live tweeting on this thread. @KXAN_News pic.twitter.com/muJ2xkJSzr— Brianna Hollis (@BriHollisNEWS) November 1, 2023 Members of the media entering court for the opening statements of the Kaitlin Armstrong murder ...

Hays County applies for grant to check 460+ neighborhoods for wildfire risk

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:02:24 GMT

Hays County applies for grant to check 460+ neighborhoods for wildfire risk HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) --- Hays County is taking steps toward assessing every neighborhood in the county for wildfire risk.The Hays County Commissioners Court recently approved applying for the United States Department of Agriculture's Community Wildfire Defense Grant program for funds to complete 469 subdivision-level wildfire risk assessments.The county said the risk assessments must be done in order for the county to update and receive state approval on the Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP). This comes following a busy wildfire season in Hays County. Hundreds of acres burned and one home was destroyed in a series of fires over the summer. RELATED COVERAGE: Estimated 400-acre Oak Grove wildfire fully contained; 1 home destroyed "This plan will actually be instrumental in creating a much better mitigation efforts for the county," said Hays County Director of Emergency Services Mike Jones.469 neighborhoods to be assessedJones said there is currently no state-approved CW...

What could separate Texas in Big 12 football race

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:02:24 GMT

What could separate Texas in Big 12 football race AUSTIN (KXAN) - The Big 12 was viewed by many as top-heavy and a tier below some of the other power-five conferences early in the season. Now in November, the depth of the conference looks pretty impressive.Texas is 4-1 in conference which is good for first. Well. First, along with four other teams. Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Iowa State and Kansas State are all 4-1 as well.With a month to go in the season, Longhorns senior offensive lineman Christian Jones calls it, 'Championship November.' It begins this week with seventh-ranked Texas hosting No. 23 Kansas State at 11:00 a.m.We asked Jones and three of his teammates what could separate Texas from the pack during their final four games. Their answers are below.Christian Jones (Senior OL)"I think it's our versatility in finding a way to win. Not just being one dimensional. Having special teams, offense and defense all playing complimentary. Playing hard, playing physical and knowing that our best is good enough to go against everyone ...