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Finland erects barriers at border with Russia to control influx of migrants. The Kremlin objects

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:28 GMT

HELSINKI (AP) — Finnish border guards and soldiers have begun erecting barriers including concrete obstacles topped with barbed-wire at some crossing points on the Nordic country’s long border with Russia to better control the flow of undocumented migrants, officials said Wednesday.Some 600 migrants without proper visas and documentation, mostly from the Middle East and Africa, have arrived in Finland in November compared to a few dozen in September and October. The arrivals include residents of Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Kenya, Morocco and Somalia, border officials said. “We need to do this to maintain order (at the crossing points) and guarantee the security of legal border traffic,” Tomi Tirkkonen, deputy commander of the Kainuu border guard district in eastern Finland, told The Associated Press. The Kremlin has voiced regret about Finland’s decision to close the checkpoints and rejected Finnish authorities’ claims that Russia has encouraged the influx of migrants at the bo...

Olympic organizers to release more than 400,000 new tickets for the Paris Games and Paralympics

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:28 GMT

PARIS (AP) — Olympic organizers will release 400,000 extra tickets for next year’s Paris Games and the Paralympics at the end of the month.Organizers said Wednesday the sale will start on Nov. 30 at 10 a.m. on the official ticketing website, with seats available for all sports except surfing, in all price categories. Tickets will be sold on a first come-first serve basis, without a lottery.Most of the tickets are for Olympic sporting events, organizers said, adding that tickets for the opening and closing ceremonies are also available.A third of the tickets in the new allotment will be sold under 50 euros ($55). The most expensive Olympic tickets are 2,700 euros ($2,900) for the opening ceremony. The cheapest tickets are 24 euros ($26).Organizers said they have already sold 7.2 million tickets out of 10 million available for the Olympics, with further tickets to be released next year.The sales for the Paralympics have not been revealed. Organizers aim to sell 2.8 million of th...

Immigration minister welcomes news Canadians can get tourist visas to India again

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:28 GMT

OTTAWA — Immigration Minister Marc Miller says he’s happy to hear that Canadians can once again apply online for tourist visas to India after two months of diplomatic tensions.The decision, which is effective as of today, was confirmed in a statement on social media by the High Commission of India in Ottawa. In September, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced there were “credible allegations” that India was involved in the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The 45-year-old was shot by masked gunmen outside a Surrey, B.C., gurdwara in June. The Indian government had accused Nijjar of being linked to terrorism but it has also denied involvement in his death, calling the allegations absurd.Since then, the two countries have expelled one another’s diplomats and India introduced a visa ban on Canadians, though it began easing those restrictions last month.This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 22, 2023.— With files from The Associ...

Leaders of 4 Central European states disagree on military aid for Ukraine but agree on other support

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:28 GMT

PRAGUE (AP) — The presidents of four Central European countries found some common ground Wednesday on Ukraine despite their governments’ diverging views on military support for its fight against Russia’s invasion.The Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary and Slovakia, all four post-communist European Union and NATO members, form an informal collective known as the Visegrad Group.At their annual meeting, the host, Czech President Petr Pavel, noted the leaders didn’t have sharply different opinions on the war, saying that “we’ve all agreed that it is in our imminent interest that Ukraine succeeds.”“We’ve agreed that we have to support Ukraine with all kinds of help,” Pavel added. Polish President Duda echoed that: “Ukraine needs help and we should provide it.”The Czech Republic and Poland have been have been staunch supporters of Ukraine, opening their borders for refugees and donating arms, though Polish-Ukrainian relations soured in September over Ukrainian grain entering and ...

What grocery stores are open for Thanksgiving 2023?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:28 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – Forgot an item for your Thanksgiving meal? Or maybe you burned the turkey and are searching for a replacement item (like America’s preferred frozen pizza)? Have no fear – some grocery stores are open on Turkey Day.  These major retail stores will be closed on Thanksgiving - here's when they'll open for Black Friday Here’s a look at the nationwide grocery chains that will be open for Thanksgiving, as well as their hours. It’s worth noting, though, that hours may vary by store. So check online or call before heading out.AlbertsonsAlbertsons will be closing its more than 2,000 stores at 4 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, according to their ad. Big LotsA company representative tells Nexstar Big Lots locations will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. CVSCVS stores will be open, but you’ll want to check your location’s hours online. Pharmacies may also be closed. Why is Thanksgiving celebrated on Thursdays? Dollar GeneralMost Dollar General stores will be open for t...

What does the El Niño weather pattern mean for winter? Tracking the Tropics teams answers the question

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:28 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) -- As the 2023 hurricane season enters its final stretch, the El Niño weather pattern has shown up in full force. El Niño is one of the two phases in the El Niño-Southern Oscillation phenomenon. During this stage, trade winds weaken, causing warm Pacific Ocean water to move toward the Americas, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This climate pattern had a big impact on the 2023 hurricane season. With 19 named storms, the season was considered active, but thanks to the El Niño, few Atlantic cyclones ended up reaching the mainland U.S. "It really shows how different the weather pattern was this year with El Niño bringing warmer than normal sea surface temperatures in the Atlantic, and how that really played out to be fish storm, after fish storm, after fish storm," WFLA meteorologist Rebecca Barry said. Barry said the storms helped to cool down the abnormally warm Atlantic ocean, but not so much the reco...

The Loop Fantasy Football Report Week 12: Which replacements are quarterback keepers?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:28 GMT

For many fantasy football mavens, a good quarterback is getting awfully hard to find.The season-ending injury suffered by Cincinnati star Joe Burrow is only the latest setback for the top tier of QBs. Last week also saw an injury suffered by second-tier veteran Geno Smith.With the previous departures of the Vikings’ Kirk Cousins, the Colts’ Anthony Richardson and the Browns’ Deshaun Watson, the quarterback waters have rarely been this shallow.Who can you grab on waivers at this late date? You never had a chance at getting Arizona’s returning Kyler Murray. And we won’t even mention untested newbies like the Bengals’ Jake Browning or the Browns’ Dorian Thompson-Robinson.There are only five replacement quarterbacks to consider, and their appeal varies greatly:Josh Dobbs (Vikings) – It’s wishful thinking that the Passtronaut might still be available in your league. He’s clearly the best new starter as he is tied for eighth in the league with six rushing touchdowns, and he has passed for...

Hudson River Maritime Museum seeks winter wear donations

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:28 GMT

KINGSTON, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Hudson River Maritime Museum is seeking donations for its annual Mitten Tree Drive. During the holidays, the museum collects new or gently used winter wear that gets hung on a 10' wooden tree structure at the Wooden Boat School. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Once the tree is full, the donations are delivered to local adult and children's services organizations. The museum is seeking gloves, mittens, hats, scarves, socks, hand warmers, and umbrellas for all ages.Starting November 25, donations can be dropped off at the museum store at 50 Roundout Landing from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday to Sunday. A donation box will be placed on the front porch when the store is closed. This year, donations will be delivered to People's Place.

North Colonie CSD to offer free meals starting Dec. 1

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:28 GMT

LATHAM, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- All North Colonie Central School District students will be eligible for free school meals beginning December 1. Every student can have a free meal at breakfast and a free meal at lunch. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The announcement was made after the Department of Agriculture expanded its Community Eligibility Provision, thus allowing the North Colonie CSD to qualify. The North Colonie CSD will be eligible to offer free meals for the next four years. “We are thrilled to learn that we have qualified for free meals under the new state and federal guidelines. Having the ability to provide free breakfast and lunch to all of our students will be life-changing for some and certainly helpful to all others who wish to take advantage of the assistance,” said North Colonie Superintendent Kathleen Skeals. “It is vital for all students to have access to complete and nutritious meals that set them up to succ...

Attorney 'mix up' blamed for Hillsdale worker not showing up for court

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:28 GMT

CLAYTON, Mo. - A St. Louis County judge canceled the warrant issued for a Hillsdale employee who did not show up to court on a charge connected to running over a FOX 2 News photographer. Earl Longmeyer, 57, hired St. Louis-based attorney Donnell Smith to represent him after accidentally running over a FOX 2 photojournalist, according to court records. He has been charged with operating a motor vehicle in a careless manner involving an accident.Smith filed a motion requesting St. Louis County Associate Circuit Judge Natalie Warner recall the warrant after Longmeyer did not appear at a scheduled hearing on Tuesday. Smith told the judge his client did not appear because of an 'error due to Counsel.'"Counsel was recently retained by the Defendant and mistakenly entered the court date on the calendar for next week, November 27, 2023. Counsel is presently out of town and unavailable to appear," Smith told the court. St. Louis pot tax money goes up in smoke thanks to city hall blunder W...