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Cyprus labors to shield reputation amid new US, UK action on Russian ‘sanctions evasion network’

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:15:24 GMT

NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — For Cypriots, it was a collective “here we go again” moment.In April, the U.S. and the U.K. included a handful of Cypriot nationals and Cyprus-registered companies on a list of “enablers” helping Russian oligarchs skirt sanctions. It was an unwelcome reminder of the lingering perception that the island nation somehow remains Moscow’s financial lackey. For years, authorities in this tiny European Union member country have tried hard to shake that reputation, partly buttressed by a 2013 financial crisis when all eyes were on Cypriot banks flush with Russian cash. At the time, nearly a third of the 68 billion euros in deposits — more than triple the country’s entire economy — was held by Russians.That was compounded by a badly structured and shoddily executed citizenship-for-investment program. For more than a decade, it generated billions by handing Cypriot passports — and by extension access to the EU — to hundreds of wealthy Russians and others, wi...

How Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis talks about his own Catholic faith on the presidential campaign trail

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:15:24 GMT

GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) — As Ron DeSantis wrapped up a 12-stop campaign tour that began in an Iowa evangelical church and ended here in a South Carolina convention center, dozens of pastors met backstage to pray for the presidential candidate. Later, to the 1,500 people in the auditorium, DeSantis closed out his speech with a paraphrased Bible verse: “I will fight the good fight, I will finish the race, and I will keep the faith.” The governor’s religious rhetoric and hard-charging policies are at the center of his outreach to white evangelicals — an important voting bloc in the early GOP nominating contests. When it comes to his own Catholicism, DeSantis is more guarded, rarely mentioning his specific faith practices. “I don’t think he’s a wear-your-religion-on-your-sleeve kind of guy,” said Brian Burch, president of CatholicVote, a conservative advocacy organization that hosted a fall rally for DeSantis.Burch argue DeSantis’ policies are the true measure of his faith, from Florida’s...

A little white pill, Captagon, gives Syria’s Assad a strong tool in winning over Arab states

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:15:24 GMT

BEIRUT (AP) — A little white pill has given Syrian President Bashar Assad powerful leverage with his Arab neighbors, who have been willing to bring him out of pariah status in hopes he will stop the flow of highly addictive Captagon amphetamines out of Syria. Western governments have been frustrated by the red-carpet treatment Arab countries have given Assad, fearing that their reconciliation will undermine the push for an end to Syria’s long-running civil war.But for Arab states, halting the Captagon trade is a high priority. Hundreds of millions of pills have been smuggled over the years into Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Arab countries, where the drug is used recreationally and by people with physically demanding jobs to keep them alert. Saudi Arabia has intercepted large shipments of pills hidden in crates of fake plastic oranges and in hollowed out pomegranates — even pills crushed and molded to look like traditional clay bowls.Analysts say Assad likely hopes ...

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis woos GOP Christian voters but stays tight-lipped on his own Catholic faith

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:15:24 GMT

GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) — As Ron DeSantis wrapped up a 12-stop campaign tour that began in an Iowa evangelical church and ended here in a South Carolina convention center, dozens of pastors met backstage to pray for the presidential candidate. Later, to the 1,500 people in the auditorium, DeSantis closed out his stump speech with a paraphrased Bible verse: “I will fight the good fight, I will finish the race, and I will keep the faith.” The governor’s religious rhetoric and hard-charging policies are at the center of his outreach to white evangelicals — an important voting bloc in the early GOP nominating contests. And yet, when it comes to his own Catholicism, the culture warrior is much more guarded, rarely mentioning the specifics of his faith and practice. “I don’t think he’s a wear-your-religion-on-your-sleeve kind of guy,” said Brian Burch, president of CatholicVote, a conservative advocacy organization that hosted a rally for DeSantis last fall. Burch argues DeSanti...

Serbia's PM Ana Brnabic says she is willing to resign amid protests

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:15:24 GMT

Serbia's Prime Minister Ana Brnabic (pictured, centre) said on Wednesday (7 June) she was willing to resign to test popularity of the ruling coalition, following weeks of opposition protests.For five consecutive weeks, tens of thousands of people have gathered for weekly anti-government rallies in Belgrade, blaming a culture of violence for the deaths of 18 people in two mass shootings in May.Protesters demand resignations of government officials and a ban of violent reality shows, and a fresh rally is scheduled for Friday.Brnabic said her government, dominated by the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) was ready to meet the opposition and discuss how to improve the situation."When the society is in a crisis, talks are the only way ... and they do not want to talk. I am ready and you may count on my resignation," she told a news conference in Belgrade.The opposition leaders have said they would meet the government once all their requests including dismissal of the interior minist...

Wrong-way driver dead, 3 injured in Long Beach crash

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:15:24 GMT

Authorities in Long Beach are investigating a four-car crash that killed a wrong-way driver and sent three other men to the hospital Thursday night.  Officers with the Long Beach Police Department responded to the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and Junipero Avenue at around 7:19 p.m. on reports of the multi-vehicle collision.  Early reports suggest that the male driver of an SUV who was traveling westbound on PCH at Junipero Avenue went into the eastbound lanes of traffic and crashed into three other vehicles, an LBPD news release stated. Dash-cam video of the crash obtained by KTLA shows the moment the SUV came hurling into the wrong lanes, smashing into a minivan. Despite life-saving measures by personnel with the Long Beach Fire Department, the male driver, who was the sole occupant of the SUV, was declared dead at the scene. Three other male adults from different vehicles were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. An image from a vehicle's da...

3 hospitalized in shooting outside Hyde Park car wash

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:15:24 GMT

Three people were hospitalized after gunfire erupted outside of a car wash in Hyde Park on Thursday night.Officers responded to reports of a shooting on the 6400 block of S. West and Hyde Park Boulevards around 6:30 p.m., according to the Los Angeles Police Department.When authorities arrived at the scene, they found three men with injuries. They were transported to a local hospital for treatment in unknown condition.A shooting outside of a Hyde Park car wash left two people hospitalized on June 8, 2023. (Citizen)A shooting outside of a Hyde Park car wash left two people hospitalized on June 8, 2023. (Citizen)A shooting outside of a Hyde Park car wash left two people hospitalized on June 8, 2023. (Citizen)A shooting outside of a Hyde Park car wash left two people hospitalized on June 8, 2023. (Citizen)A shooting outside of a Hyde Park car wash left two people hospitalized on June 8, 2023. (Citizen)A shooting outside of a Hyde Park car wash left two people hospitalized on June 8, 202...

Djokovic and Alcaraz meet in French Open semifinals; other matchup is Zverev vs. Ruud

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:15:24 GMT

PARIS (AP) — Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz are scheduled to play against each other for the first time in more than a year when they meet in the French Open semifinals.The much-anticipated showdown is the first singles match on Friday at Court Philippe Chatrier.It is the 45th Grand Slam semifinal for Djokovic, a 36-year-old from Serbia, and the second for Alcaraz, a 20-year-old from Spain. Djokovic is hoping to leave Roland Garros this year with his third title in Paris and his 23rd major championship overall, which would break a tie with rival Rafael Nadal for the most by a man in the history of tennis.The other men’s semifinal will follow, pitting No. 4 Casper Ruud, last year’s runner-up at Roland Garros, against No. 22 Alexander Zverev. Neither has won a major trophy.Alcaraz is seeded No. 1, and Djokovic is No. 3. Each has dropped just one set along the way to the semifinals.They’ve only faced off once before on tour — on red clay at the Madrid Masters in Ma...

Pets, zoo animals share discomfort with humans in unhealthy air

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:15:24 GMT

Pets will be more comfortable inside during the current smog conditions, says a veterinarian.(WTOP/Neal Augenstein) Pets will be more comfortable inside during the current smog conditions, says a veterinarian.(WTOP/Neal Augenstein) Dogs and cats are just as uncomfortable as their humans, with the ongoing pollution and unhealthy air from wildfires in Canada.“We’re seeing very similar respiratory issues in animals, as people are complaining about,” said Christine Klippen, emergency veterinarian at Friendship Hospital For Animals, in D.C.“Increased coughing, reverse sneezing, animals with itchy eyes, and itchy feet, as a result of the smog that’s going on outside right now.”Klippen...

DC mayor taps San Francisco health director to lead health department

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:15:24 GMT

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced two new additions to her cabinet during an event at Howard University Thursday.Dr. Ayanna Bennett was named the acting director of the D.C. Department of Health. She will take over for interim director Dr. Sharon Lewis on July 17. Lewis had been filling in after Dr. LaQuandra Nesbitt left the agency last July.Bennett most recently worked for the city of San Francisco, where she served as the chief health equity officer and director of the city’s Public Health’s Office of Health Equity. She had been with the San Francisco Department of Public Health since 2016, working on combining multiple efforts across the agency as the director of Interdivisional Initiatives.Her work at the San Francisco department included initiatives that aimed to address long-standing health inequities and disparities of the city’s African American population.Bennett will join the D.C. agency as it continues to recover from the effects of COVID-19 and as it contin...