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US frees ally of Venezuela president in exchange for 10 Americans, fugitive contractor 'Fat Leonard'

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 22:45:27 GMT

MIAMI (AP) — The United States freed a close ally of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in exchange for the release of 10 Americans imprisoned in the South American country and the extradition of a fugitive defense contractor known as “Fat Leonard” who is at the center of a massive Pentagon bribery scandal, the Biden administration announced Wednesday.The deal represents the U.S. government’s boldest bid to improve relations with the major oil-producing nation and extract concessions from the self-proclaimed socialist leader. The largest release of American prisoners in Venezuela's history comes weeks after the Biden administration agreed to suspend some sanctions, following a commitment by Maduro and an opposition faction to work toward free and fair conditions for the 2024 presidential election.The release of Alex Saab, a Maduro associate who was arrested on a U.S. warrant for money laundering in 2020 and long was regarded as a criminal trophy b...

6th Street shooting suspect fired at officers, refused to be pat down trying to enter bar, records show

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 22:45:27 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Court documents obtained by KXAN reveal new details surrounding a shooting involving Austin Police Department officers on East Sixth Street over the weekend that left one person dead and three bystanders injured.The suspect, who has still not been identified, was shot and killed after he pointed his handgun at three Austin police officers and discharged "multiple projectiles" at them, according to a search warrant affidavit which cites a review of body camera video. The officers were not injured. Three innocent bystanders, however, were injured. On Sunday, one of the victims was listed in critical condition. The other two sustained "non-life-threatening" injuries, according to police. One killed, three injured in officer-involved shooting on 6th Street The incident happened at the Soho Lounge, located at 217 East Sixth St., according to the affidavit.The three uniformed Austin police officers responded to the bar around 10 minutes to midnight Saturday in response ...

Austin LGBTQ+ group wants to build multiple community centers

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 22:45:27 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- An Austin-based nonprofit plans to build five LGBTQ+ community centers over the next few years in order to overcome what it calls "major barriers" to the city's LGBTQ+ community. According to QWELL Community Foundation, results from its "LGBTQIA+ Wellbeing Survey of Greater Austin" show that local members of the LGBTQ+ community report feelings of isolation and a sense of disconnection from community. That study, conducted annually, surveys LGBTQ+ residents in Travis, Williamson, Bastrop, Hays and Caldwell counties.The group said that despite "a strong system of LGBTQIA+ organizations," a lack of community infrastructure limits the in-person capabilities of those organizations."We have the nation’s third-largest LGBTQIA+ population (5.9%) – only San Francisco and Portland have more LGBTQIA+ people per capita. Multiple LGBTQIA+ community centers around the Austin area will make sure that every LGBTQIA+ resident has convenient access to services, resources, guidance a...

Gophers men’s basketball benefitting from Parker Fox’s savvy, spark off the bench

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 22:45:27 GMT

Like one of those confetti cannons, Gophers men’s basketball coach Ben Johnson is trying to bottle up Parker Fox and uncork him in the right moments.Fox has come off the bench in all 11 games this season and will likely do so again Thursday when Minnesota (8-3) plays host to Ball State (8-3) at 7 p.m. at Williams Arena.Johnson likes the spark and savvy Fox has provided for the U in his 12 minutes per game.“I love whenever you can bring experience off the bench and you know exactly what they are bringing,” Johnson said. “I know with Parker, if things are dull, at least you’ve got a guy who is going to bring juice, that’s going to bring an older presence and bring some grit off the bench, and you can rely off that.”Johnson also has to gauge when Fox, a sixth-year player, will benefit from a lighter load in practices due to two consecutive season-ending knee injuries.“There are times, without a doubt, I know it’s bothering him,” Johnson said.Johnson said Fox’s situation is better than ...

Pimento Jamaican Kitchen now open downtown — till 2 a.m. on weekends

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 22:45:27 GMT

Pimento Jamaican Kitchen opened its long-awaited downtown St. Paul location this week.In addition to classic Jamaican food, the restaurant also includes a rum bar, stages for live music and DJs and a self-serve beer wall. And with a 2 a.m. closing time on Fridays and Saturdays, it’s one of just a handful of such late-night hotspots downtown.The local Caribbean restaurant has been growing quickly in recent years: In addition to its original Eat Street restaurant and rum bar, Pimento is also located at Keg and Case Market in St. Paul and in the new lakeside pavilion at Bde Maka Ska in Minneapolis.The downtown location had been initially scheduled to open in spring 2023 with a rooftop patio, but plans were delayed. The restaurant is connected to the Victory Ramp, where Pimento customers can park free; the location was formerly home to restaurants including Taco Libre and American Burger Bar.Pimento Jamaican Kitchen to open new downtown St. Paul location this spring — with a rooft...

Kirill Kaprizov finds scoring touch as still-hot Wild split two-game trip

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 22:45:27 GMT

Anyone who has really been paying attention to the Wild this season knows that Kirill Kaprizov has been playing good hockey — moving his feet, backchecking, causing turnovers and creating scoring chances.He just wasn’t scoring a ton of goals, eight through 29 games before Tuesday night’s game against the Bruins in Boston. It’s one of the reasons the Wild’s 4-3 overtime victory over the Atlantic Division leaders seems so auspicious.Kaprizov, the Wild’s leading scorer since he joined the team for the abridged 2020 season, scored the tying goal in the third period and the winning goal in overtime for the team’s best win of the season.“I’m really happy for him,” coach John Hynes said. “Sometimes when elite players, or guys that are point-producers, don’t get what they can get rewarded for, sometimes their game falters. I feel like he just stayed with it, continued to compete and play the right way, and tonight he was a huge difference-maker for us.”Kaprizov was at the foot of the right ...

Who is the missing man linked to the submerged car found in Camden County?

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 22:45:27 GMT

CAMDEN COUNTY, Mo. – Last weekend, a submerged car was retrieved from a pond on private property in the southern part of Camden County. The vehicle has been linked to a missing person, Donnie Erwin.Erwin was last seen on the morning of December 29, 2013, driving a silver Hyundai Elantra with Missouri license plate MK6-E3P.In an interview on December 29, 2022, Sergeant Scott Hines from the Camden County Police Department stated that Erwin left his house early in the morning, around 6 a.m., on the day he went missing.“He went to get cigarettes and never came back,” Hines said. “He did not have his wallet, glasses, or wheelchair. This was concerning as Mr. Erwin was an amputee, missing one leg due to health problems.”Hines mentioned in the interview that being an amputee affected Erwin’s mood. "He was on several different medications, and that was another concern for us. When he left that morning to go get cigarettes, he didn’t have any of his medication. He needed to have regular dose...

Adam Wainwright plans to release first studio album in February

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 22:45:27 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Adam Wainwright, just a few months into his retirement from baseball, plans to release his first studio album early next year. Wainwright announced Wednesday via Twitter that his first full album will be available to fans on Feb. 23. Until then, fans can enjoy one sample from his album on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube. Wainwright just released the song "Time To Fly," an ode to his time with the St. Louis Cardinals. Five free agents who could eventually join the Cardinals bullpen Wainwright performed "Time To Fly" during a postgame concert at Busch Stadium in late-September as part of his sendoff celebration. He also debuted the tunes “Hey Y’all” and “A Song Will Bring You Back” during the concert. Wainwright picked up guitar as a hobby during the 2021-22 offseason, particularly during the MLB lockout. As time passed and videos of his music came around, he gained the support of country artists Gary Baker, Greg Barnhill, and many others to pursue music as more than j...

The best subscription gifts for last-minute shoppers

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 22:45:27 GMT

BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. Details.Why give one gift when you can give a subscription?Are you looking for gifts that are sure to arrive in time for Christmas and will keep on giving after the season is over? If so, you may want to consider giving subscription gifts to those left on your Christmas shopping list. From home chefs to pet owners, and curious kids to avid coffee drinkers, there are subscriptions available to fit just about any need or interest. When you give a subscription, your loved one will remember the thoughtful gift as they enjoy a series of products or services throughout the subscription’s time frame. What’s more, subscriptions are ready to give as soon as you click “buy,” making it possible to complete your shopping with minimal effort and no worries about late gifts.The 50 best Christmas gift ideas 2023 Choosing a subscription gift  Wh...

Colorado Rapids announce 2024 MLS schedule

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 22:45:27 GMT

Since finishing the worst season in club history in October, Rapids fans have been counting days until they could move on. Wednesday made it real: Major League Soccer unveiled its complete 2024 regular-season schedule for the league’s 29th season.Colorado will begin a 34-game schedule — 17 home games and 17 away — on the road Feb. 24 against the Portland Timbers at Providence Park. The following week, the Rapids will host Nashville SC for the home opener at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on March 2.Season highlights include a trip to face Lionel Messi and Inter Miami for the first time April 6. IMFC joined MLS ahead of the 2020 season, while Messi joined the club last year.Colorado will travel to last season’s Supporters Shield winner, FC Cincinnati, on April 27. It is part of the longest road stretch of the season, with four of five games on the road between April 6 and May 5. The Rapids will host their annual 4thFest on July 4 against Sporting Kansas City to ki...