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China’s Sinopec signs agreement to enter retail fuel market in crisis-hit Sri Lanka

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:24 GMT

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Chinese petroleum giant Sinopec signed an agreement with Sri Lanka on Monday to enter into the South Asian island country’s retail fuel market as it struggles to resolve a worsening energy crisis amid an unprecedented economic upheaval.The contract agreement would enable Sinopec to import, store, distribute and sell petroleum products in Sri Lanka, which has had a fuel shortage for more than a year.The move comes as Beijing looks to consolidate investments in Sri Lanka’s ports and energy sector amid growing security concerns raised by the island nation’s immediate neighbor, India, which considers Sri Lanka to be its strategic backyard.Sri Lanka, which is facing a foreign exchange crisis, hopes the deal will help to resolve its energy crisis.The agreement signed Monday in the Sri Lankan capital, Colombo, was made to “ensure uninterrupted fuel suppliers to consumers,” the president’s office said in a news release.Under the pact, Sinopec will be gr...

G20 delegates begin meeting in disputed Kashmir, with region’s intense security largely out of view

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:24 GMT

SRINAGAR, India (AP) — Delegates from the Group of 20 leading rich and developing nations began a meeting on tourism in Indian-controlled Kashmir on Monday that was condemned by China and Pakistan, as authorities reduced the visibility of security in the disputed region’s main city.The meeting is the first significant international event in Kashmir since New Delhi stripped the Muslim-majority region of its semi-autonomy in 2019. Indian authorities hope the meeting will show that the contentious changes have brought peace and prosperity to the region.The delegates will discuss topics such as ecotourism, destination management and the role of films in promoting tourist destinations.The main city of Srinagar appeared calm on Monday and roads were unusually clean. Most of the usual security checkpoints had been removed or camouflaged with G20 signs. Officials said hundreds of officers were specially trained in what they called “invisible policing” for the event.Shops in the city center ...

Ford’s Farley: Cut costs, improve quality and boost margins through software and services

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:24 GMT

DEARBORN, Mich. (AP) — Ford CEO Jim Farley says his company is remaking itself by cutting costs, raising quality and offering software, services and new vehicles that will make profit margins among the best in the industry.Farley and other executives gave details on how it will get there over the next few years during a capital markets day event Monday near its Dearborn, Michigan headquarters. One way is to reduce investment in hypercompetitive market segments such as two-row smaller SUVs, Farley told industry analysts. The company, he said, has been “stuck in a box,” with thin profit margins, weak growth and low stock valuation.Ford, Farley said, will emphasize software and services as well as iconic vehicles such as pickup trucks, large SUVs, commercial vehicles and advanced second-generation electric vehicles. He said the company is eliminating waste to close a cost gap with the best in the industry with a “lean disciplined operating system” that reaches into all Ford factories.B...

Accidente vehicular múltiple deja gravemente heridos a un niño y adultos al noroeste de DC

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:24 GMT

Un niño fue trasladado en helicóptero a un hospital y al menos tres adultos resultaron heridos después de un accidente en el noreste de Washington, DC el lunes que involucró a varios vehículos.Unidades del Departamento de Bomberos y Emergencias de DC respondieron al lado este de la cuadra 2800 de New York Avenue NE, cerca de Bladensburg Road, alrededor de las 10:30 a.m.El niño estaba dentro de uno de los vehículos y sufrió heridas graves, según las autoridades.Asimismo, un adulto resultó con heridas críticas, otro con heridas graves y un tercero con heridas leves. Fueron llevados para recibir tratamiento por transporte terrestre, informó el Departamento de Bomberos. La policía de DC cerró New York Avenue NE pasando Bladensburg Avenue. El tráfico se desvía hacia Bladensburg Road, indicó el Programa de Coordinación de Operaciones de Transporte del Área Metropolitana (MATOC, en inglés).Se espera un cierre prolongado, anticipó la agencia. El tráfico en el lado oeste de New York Avenue s...

Judge enters not guilty pleas for suspect in stabbing deaths of 4 University of Idaho students

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:24 GMT

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A judge entered not guilty pleas Monday for a man charged in the stabbing deaths of four University of Idaho students, setting the stage for a trial in which he could potentially face the death penalty.The Nov. 13, 2022, killings stunned the rural community of Moscow, Idaho, and prompted many students to leave campus early, switching to remote learning for the remainder of the semester.Bryan Kohberger, 28, was arrested late last year and charged with burglary and four counts of first-degree murder in connection with with the slayings of Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin at a rental home near the University of Idaho campus.Kohberger refused to enter pleas in Latah County District Court, prompting the judge to make them on his behalf.The judge set the trial date for Oct. 2, although it could be delayed.He was a graduate student studying criminology at nearby Washington State University at the time, but prosecutors have not released any...

Herndon High School Band celebrates 75 years with free concert

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:24 GMT

toggle audio on and off change volume download audio WTOP's Jason Fraley salutes 75 years of Herndon High School Band (Part 1) $(function () { $('.wtop-audio-container .fa-play').on('click', function(){ var audio_filename = $('div.wtop-audio-file').data("mp3-url"); ga('send', 'event', 'Audio', 'play', audio_filename); }); }); The Herndon High School Band is celebrating its 75th anniversary in Fairfax County, Virginia.You can join The Pride of Herndon for a free concert in the auditorium this Thursday at 7 p.m.“We would love to have people from all over come celebrate with us,” Band Director Kathleen Jacoby told...

Woman arrested in active shooter threat call at Hazel's in Boulder

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:24 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- The Boulder Police Department says a large law enforcement presence at a liquor store Saturday night was in response to a call that a masked person was inside a bathroom with an assault rifle.BPD said a person called dispatch at 10:23 p.m. and reported there was an active shooter situation at Hazel's Beverage World at 1955 28th St., which closed at 10 p.m. When will the hazy skies get clearer? Police arrived at the store at 10:25 p.m. and went into the store."Without hesitation and not knowing what they would find, officers entered the store within seconds and began their coordinated response just as our continued training as taught us," BPD shared.BPD said they quickly determined the threat was not credible.“We are very thankful this turned out not to be a real active shooter call, but our officers clearly demonstrated that if it would have been, their extensive training, bravery, and commitment to protecting our community would have kept the community safe,” Dep...

Fatal collision involving Brightline, FEC train and pedestrian in Deerfield Beach under investigation

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:24 GMT

Broward Sheriff’s Office homicide detectives are currently investigating a collision that claimed the life of a pedestrian in Deerfield Beach on Sunday morning. The incident involved a Brightline train, a Florida East Coast (FEC) train and an individual walking along the tracks.At approximately 9:07 a.m., Broward County Regional Communications received multiple reports of a crash near Dixie Highway, just north of Hillsboro Boulevard. BSO deputies and Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue arrived at the scene, where a female pedestrian was pronounced dead.According to detectives, witnesses stated that the pedestrian had deliberately bypassed the protective barrier on Hillsboro Boulevard. Ignoring the safety precautions, she proceeded to walk northbound on the Brightline train tracks. At that very moment, an FEC Railway cargo train was passing on the adjacent east side track, traveling southbound. The Brightline train, heading southbound on its designated track, struck the pedestrian. The impac...

Pro-Ukraine Russian soldiers storm border region, claim ‘liberation’ of villages

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:24 GMT

KYIV — Two Russian military groups reportedly fighting on Kyiv’s side of the war in Ukraine — Legion of Free Russia and Russian Volunteer Corps — said they entered Russia’s Belgorod region on Monday and overran villages.“The Legion and the RVC completely liberated Kozinka village, Belgorod Oblast. Forward units have entered Graivoron. Moving on. Russia will be free!” the Legion tweeted.The Russian groups claimed the liberation of at least two villages — Kozinka, and Gora-Podol — in the region bordering Ukraine. Local Russian Telegram channels and media reported heavy fighting in several villages next to the border, including Graivoron, a town where a Russian military base is located.“Ukrainian Armed Forces saboteurs group entered the territory of the Graivoronsk district. The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation together with the Border Service, the Russian Guard, and the FSB [intelligence service] are taking the necessary measures to eliminate the enemy,...

Sen. Gobi Tapped For New Healey Admin Post

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:24 GMT

Veteran Sen. Anne Gobi will leave the Legislature to fill a newly created post in the Healey administration, triggering a special election in the central Massachusetts district she represents.Gov. Maura Healey announced Monday that she tapped Gobi to become the state’s first director of rural affairs. The Spencer Democrat will serve “as a dedicated advocate and ombudsman cultivating economic development within rural communities,” Healey’s office said.Gobi will start her new job June 5, according to Healey’s office. Her Senate departure date is unclear.The Senate this week plans to meet over several days to advance its $55.8 billion fiscal year 2024 state budget.“We are building an economy that benefits all communities, businesses, and people in Massachusetts, particular [sic] those that are too often overlooked and underrepresented like rural and small towns,” Healey said. “Senator Gobi’s fierce advocacy of rural equity, agricult...