2 arrested in Serbia suspected of smuggling Cubans to Spain as part of an international crime group

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 06:36:30 GMT

2 arrested in Serbia suspected of smuggling Cubans to Spain as part of an international crime group BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Serbian police said Monday they have arrested two people suspected of helping smuggling Cubans toward Spain as part of an international crime group.The two Serbian citizens were arrested in a monthslong investigation in cooperation with Spain, the Interpol and Europol, police said in a statement. They said 18 more suspects have been arrested in Spain. The suspects in Serbia are accused of organizing the illegal transfer of at least 53 people to neighboring countries — North Macedonia or Bosnia — and on to Spain, said the statement. Serbia, a southeastern European nation located on the Balkan peninsula, is at the heart of a key land route for migrants trying to reach European Union.The country in April revoked a visa-free travel arrangement with Cuba following reports of Cubans moving on toward Spain and other EU countries after first coming to Serbia as tourists. Serbia also imposed visas earlier this year for the citizens of Burundi, Tunisia and India for th...

India’s Parliament rocked by protests for a third day over ethnic violence in remote state

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 06:36:30 GMT

India’s Parliament rocked by protests for a third day over ethnic violence in remote state NEW DELHI (AP) — India’s Parliament was disrupted for a third day Monday by opposition protests over ethnic clashes in a remote northeastern state in which more than 130 people have been killed since May.Opposition lawmakers carried placards and chanted slogans outside the Parliament building as they demanded a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the violence in Manipur state before a debate on the issue.Last week, Modi broke more than two months of public silence over the ethnic clashes, telling reporters that mob assaults on two women who were paraded naked were unforgivable, but he did not refer directly to the larger violence.His comments came after a video showing the assaults sparked widespread outrage on social media despite the internet being largely blocked and journalists being locked out in the state. It shows two naked women surrounded by scores of young men who grope their genitals and drag them to a field.The video was emblematic of the near-civil war ...

At least 16 shot, 6 fatally, in weekend shootings across Chicago over weekend

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 06:36:30 GMT

At least 16 shot, 6 fatally, in weekend shootings across Chicago over weekend CHICAGO — At least 16 people were shot, six fatally, due to gun violence in Chicago since Friday night. According to police, the shootings took place from the Loop, all the way down to the West Pullman Neighborhood with the victims ages ranging from 16 to 50.Police reposed to a call of a person shot in Little Village around 1:25 a.m. Sunday morning and found a man with a gunshot wound to the head inside of a flipped over vehicle. He was transported to Mount Sinai Hospital in critical condition and later died of his injuries.Community activist Andrew Holmes said he and his team has been assisting impacted families. Here's a breakdown of what we know from each shooting, in chronological order, beginning late Friday night:1200 Block of West 81st Street (Auburn Gresham) - Friday, around 10:15 p.m.According to CPD, a 16-year-old boy, who had been shot multiple times in the chest, was discovered on the sidewalk and taken to Comer Children's Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.Pol...

Gene therapy eyedrops restore boy's sight. Similar treatments could help millions

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 06:36:30 GMT

Gene therapy eyedrops restore boy's sight. Similar treatments could help millions MIAMI (AP) — Dr. Alfonso Sabater pulled up two photos of Antonio Vento Carvajal’s eyes. One showed cloudy scars covering both eyeballs. The other, taken after months of gene therapy given through eyedrops, revealed no scarring on either eye.Antonio, who's been legally blind for much of his 14 years, can see again.The teen was born with dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, a rare genetic condition that causes blisters all over his body and in his eyes. But his skin improved when he joined a clinical trial to test the world’s first topical gene therapy. That gave Sabater an idea: What if it could be adapted for Antonio's eyes?Dr. Alfonso Sabater, left, examines Antonio Vento Carvajal's eyes accompanied by his mother, Yunielkys Carvajal, right, Thursday, July 6, 2023, at University of Miami Health System's Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami. Antonio, who spent much of his life legally blind, can see again after months of gene therapy delivered with eyedrops. (AP Photo/Wilfredo...

Key drug-pricing bill capping insulin costs faces hurdles in Congress

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 06:36:30 GMT

Key drug-pricing bill capping insulin costs faces hurdles in Congress (The Hill) - Major drug-pricing legislation to cap the cost of insulin is in danger of slipping to the fall, where it risks getting lost amid fights over appropriations bills, abortion and a potential government shutdown. The legislation is a priority for Democrats, and Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said earlier this month that he was hoping to combine the insulin bill and legislation reforming the pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) industry into a package that could get bipartisan support and a vote before the end of summer. In a press conference earlier this month, he said passing an insulin bill was a “very, very high priority.”But with just a week left before lawmakers leave town for August, there’s a lot on the agenda, and time is a precious resource.Senate lawmakers last week began taking up their version of the annual defense policy bill. The House pushed through a highly controversial and partisan version just more than a week ago, and senators intend to start nego...

'Barbie' takes box office crown while 'Oppenheimer' soars in historic weekend

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 06:36:30 GMT

'Barbie' takes box office crown while 'Oppenheimer' soars in historic weekend “Barbenheimer ” didn’t just work – it spun box office gold. The social media-fueled fusion of Greta Gerwig’s “ Barbie ” and Christopher Nolan’s “ Oppenheimer ” brought moviegoers back to the theaters in record numbers this weekend, vastly outperforming projections and giving a glimmer of hope to the lagging exhibition business, amid the sobering backdrop of strikes.Warner Bros.’ “Barbie” claimed the top spot with a massive $155 million in ticket sales from North American theaters from 4,243 locations, surpassing “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” (as well as every Marvel movie this year) as the biggest opening of the year and breaking the first weekend record for a film directed by a woman. Universal’s “Oppenheimer" also soared past expectations, taking in $80.5 million from 3,610 theaters in the U.S. and Canada, marking Nolan’s biggest non-Batman debut and one of the best-ever starts for an R-rated biographical drama.This combination of images shows Margot Robbie in a scene from "Barbie...

Splash pad malfunctioning at Pease Park

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 06:36:30 GMT

Splash pad malfunctioning at Pease Park AUSTIN (KXAN) -- An unknown issue has kept the splash pad at Pease Park turned off for the majority of the summer season, according to the interim CEO of the Pease Park Conservancy. A controller that monitors the water quality at the splash pad is falsely reading the water pH and the ORP (oxidation reduction potential), which is then automatically shutting off the splash pad. The park has tried replacing the controller, probes that monitor the water, and the problem is still happening. "As much fun as splash pads are, we have to ensure that the water quality is safe at all times. Until we can diagnose and figure out what the issue is with the controller, the reality is we can't ensure the water is safe," Chuck Smith, the interim CEO of the Pease Park Conservancy, said. State regulations for splash pads Splash pads must follow rules in order to ensure the water is safe for children. A splash pad system must have a controller that constantly monitors the water quality, automatically ...

Kyle to break ground on playground and splash pads

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 06:36:30 GMT

Kyle to break ground on playground and splash pads KYLE, Texas (KXAN) – The City of Kyle will hold groundbreaking ceremonies on a playground and two splash pads this week. The city's Parks and Recreation Department will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for the Lake Kyle Park Inclusive Playground at 9 a.m. Monday at 700 Lehman Rd. The city said visitors will be able to see renderings of what the new playground will look like and the features it will have. City staff will be present so residents can ask any questions they may have. 20 new restaurants and retail storms coming to Kyle According to the announcement, the playground is estimated to be completed by September 2023. On Thursday, the city will hold groundbreaking ceremonies for the Steeplechase Park Splash Pad at 9 a.m. at 295 Hallie Dr. and the Gregg-Clarke Park Splash Pad at 10 a.m. at 1231 W. Center St. The city said the Steeplechase Park Splash Pad will be 2,300-square-feet and will have a giant dumping bucket, a two-headed sunflower, t...

98.3 TRY Social Dilemma: Do you think this is cheating?

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 06:36:30 GMT

98.3 TRY Social Dilemma: Do you think this is cheating? ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Today's 98.3 TRY Social Dilemma came from Barry, and it's about cheating. Here's his email: Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Hi Jaime. Let me start by saying I love my wife, and I believe she loves me. That being said, we have been having the same argument for a year now. My wife has a good friend who is a man. I know him, he's a nice guy. I don't believe he has any desire to be with my wife. He's been with other people on and off for the past few years. That being said, they always make plans to go out together. Sometimes, she thinks of him first before asking me if it's something I want to do. Most of the time it isn't, and she probably knows that, but still, don't you think I should always be her first ask for anything that involves something she specifically wants to do, whether it's a hike, or a concert or a dinner? Or am I being too controlling? My feelings get hurt, and sometimes I think she enjoy...

5 things to know this Monday, July 24

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 06:36:30 GMT

5 things to know this Monday, July 24 ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Happy Monday! Per Meteorologist Jill Szwed, humidity levels will be back up today, as well as chances for storms. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Albany Police are investigating a homicide that took place on Morton Avenue Saturday evening. Meanwhile, a graduate from Mohonasen High School is going viral for the inspirational speech he gave at his graduation ceremony. These stories, and more, are covered in your five things to know this Monday morning. 1. Albany police investigating Morton Avenue homicideThe Albany Police Department announced they are investigating a homicide. The incident occurred on Saturday evening on Morton Avenue.2. U.S. Attorney opposes NXIVM leader’s 3rd motion for new trialThe U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York is asking the court to shut down former NXIVM cult leader Keith Raniere’s third motion for a new trial, calling it “untimely and meritless.”3. Firefighter h...