An alleged drug baron wanted in the Netherlands is arrested in Colombia

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:50:53 GMT

An alleged drug baron wanted in the Netherlands is arrested in Colombia THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — An alleged drug baron wanted in the Netherlands over his suspected involvement in cocaine and methamphetamine was arrested in Colombia, the European Union police agency Europol said Thursday.The arrest comes amid sustained efforts to disrupt networks of traffickers who smuggle huge amounts of cocaine into Europe, often through ports in the Netherlands and neighboring Belgium.Dutch authorities have arrested several alleged gangsters in recent years linked to the country’s violent and lucrative drug trafficking networks.The 43-year-old Colombian national was detained Tuesday in the western city of Tulua on a Dutch warrant and is now in custody awaiting extradition. His name was not released.The Dutch Public Prosecution Office said in a statement that the suspect is allegedly a “key player in an ongoing investigation and is suspected of cocaine smuggling, participation in a criminal organization and money laundering.”Europol helped the Dutch-led inve...

At least 2 dead as Russia strikes Odesa and other southern Ukraine cities for a third night

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:50:53 GMT

At least 2 dead as Russia strikes Odesa and other southern Ukraine cities for a third night KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia pounded Ukraine’s southern cities, including the port city of Odesa, with drones and missiles for a third consecutive night in a wave of strikes that has destroyed some of the country’s critical grain export infrastructure.At least two people, in Odesa, were killed in the attacks, which come days after President Vladimir Putin pulled Russia out of a wartime deal that allowed Ukraine to send grain to countries facing the threat of hunger. The attacks intensified after Moscow vowed “retribution” earlier this week for an attack that damaged a crucial bridge between Russia and the Moscow-annexed Crimean Peninsula. Russian officials blamed that strike on Ukraine.Odesa Governor Oleh Kiper said Ukrainian air defenses destroyed all of the 12 Iranian-made Shahed drones and two Kalibr missiles that targeted Odesa. But he added that air defense systems were unable to shoot down some incoming missiles, in particular the X-22 and Onyx types. He didn’t say how ma...

Greene displays sexual images of Hunter Biden at IRS whistleblower hearing

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:50:53 GMT

Greene displays sexual images of Hunter Biden at IRS whistleblower hearing (The Hill) - Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) leaned in on some of the more salacious issues concerning Hunter Biden in her questioning of IRS whistleblowers who investigated Biden at a House Oversight Committee hearing Wednesday — and brought sexually explicit posters to make her point.“Before we begin, I would like to let the committee and everyone watching at home know that parental discretion is advised,” Greene said.Greene’s questioning included her holding up small posters featuring graphic sexual photos from the laptop hard drive that purportedly belonged to Hunter Biden, which were censored with black boxes.The faces of others involved in the sexual acts were censored with black boxes, but Biden’s face is visible in the photos.Staffers react as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., holds up sexually explicit images that she says are of Hunter Biden during her questioning of IRS whistleblowers during a House Oversight and Accountability Committee hearing with IRS whistleblow...

Fire near Jarrell spreads to 100 acres, 15% contained

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:50:53 GMT

Fire near Jarrell spreads to 100 acres, 15% contained WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- Officials are responding to a large outdoor fire between Georgetown and Jarrell in Williamson County Wednesday, the Williamson County Director of Communications confirmed to KXAN.Texas A&M Forest Service said it is responding for assistance on the estimated 100-acre fire. The forest service said it is 15% contained. The grass fire started at 1001 Cobb Creek Road shortly after 4:30 p.m., according to a news release from Williamson County. Shortly before 9 p.m., Williamson County said no evacuations were issued.Fire crews responded to a large outdoor fire between Georgetown and Jarrell in Williamson County July 19, 2023. (KXAN Photo/Andy Way)Fire crews responded to a large outdoor fire between Georgetown and Jarrell in Williamson County July 19, 2023. (KXAN Photo/Andy Way)Emergency crews expect the fire to die down as the humidity increases overnight, the release said. Additionally, new crews will take over the fire...

Heat rages on with another 7+ days of triple digit temps

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:50:53 GMT

Heat rages on with another 7+ days of triple digit temps AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The first 19 days of the month have now tied for the hottest July on record to date, matching the day and night temperature average from July, 2022.For the fourth consecutive day Wednesday, Austin tied or broke a daily record high, reaching 106° which ties the record set just last year. Austin also set an all-time record for number of consecutive days with highs of 105°+. The streak is now at 10 days, and appears it should continue for some time.Thursday afternoon forecast highsExcessive Heat Warnings and Heat Advisories remain in place nearly areawide through Thursday at 8 p.m. These heat alerts will be extended on Friday.Heat alerts in effect through 8 p.m. tonight (Thursday)A 10% chance of isolated thunderstorms returns to the forecast this weekend, but rain will be hard to come by. Record high temperatures will be in jeopardy again next week.Other than a few isolated storms this weekend, most stay dry over the next 7+ daysSummer Fan DriveThank you for helping ma...

APD releases new information about vehicle involved in 2013 cold case

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:50:53 GMT

APD releases new information about vehicle involved in 2013 cold case AUSTIN (KXAN) – Ten years after his death, the Austin Police Department on Wednesday released new information about the investigation into the death of Roberto Robby Reyna. According to APD, officers found Reyna, who was 36 at the time, with gunshot wounds in the living room of his grandmother's home on July 19, 2013. Reyna was taken to a hospital, where he later died. PAST COVERAGE: APD needs help with solving 2013 cold case APD said a family member who was with Roberto Reyna at the time he was shot told police that he and Reyna were swimming in the pool behind the home when a vehicle pulled up in front of the house. On Wednesday, APD described the vehicle as a black SUV. A man got out of the SUV and, according to APD, walked toward the backyard. APD said Reyna left the pool and spoke with the man for several minutes before the man pulled out a handgun and shot him.Police describe the man as: Hispanic 5-feet-7 to 5-feet-9 inches tall Bald or with very short hairMedium buildLast ...

One killed in Wednesday crash on FM 1327, DPS says

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:50:53 GMT

One killed in Wednesday crash on FM 1327, DPS says TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) – The Department of Public Safety said one person died Wednesday after a crash on FM 1327 in Southern Travis County. DPS said troopers responded to the crash around 10:20 a.m. on FM 1327 near Turnersville Road. That is about 1.5 miles east of Interstate 35 near Buda. According to DPS, the crash involved a vehicle and a pedestrian, who died at the scene. The driver remained the scene, according to DPS. The agency said the investigation is ongoing.

Eclipse chasers avoid Texas, plan to travel south for April 8th total solar eclipse

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:50:53 GMT

Eclipse chasers avoid Texas, plan to travel south for April 8th total solar eclipse AUSTIN (KXAN) - Professional eclipse chasers are gearing up for the April 8th, 2024 total solar eclipse. While the eclipse will pass directly over Texas, the experts won't be here. Instead, two of the world's best are heading to Mexico and booking ships that will take them to the Pacific Ocean."It's not that Texas has bad weather, it's just a little less likely to have good weather than Mexico," said Fred Espenak. A scientist emeritus with NASA Goddard, Espenak has been chasing eclipses since 1970. He has witnessed 50 eclipses since then, 30 of which have been total solar eclipses. Texas Hill Country prepares for thousands of visitors ahead of total solar eclipse "You've got to drink the Kool Aid, so to speak, to really understand what a total eclipse is all about," Espenak said.Paul D. Maley, Expedition Coordinator, NASA Johnson Space Center Astronomical Society, was born the day after a total solar eclipse. "I just missed that," he said with a laugh.Paul D. Maley has been chasi...

Justin Verlander no-hits White Sox through 6 innings, Brett Baty homers in Mets’ win

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:50:53 GMT

Justin Verlander no-hits White Sox through 6 innings, Brett Baty homers in Mets’ win Don’t look now, but the Mets might be on another run.After two ugly but gutsy wins Sunday and Tuesday, the Mets finally played sound baseball and cruised to a 5-1 win over the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday night at Citi Field. It extended their winning streak to three games and it’s their ninth in their last 13 tries. The Mets took the series to win their third one of the month.Brett Baty hit his second home run in as many nights and Justin Verlander one-hit Chicago (40-57) through six innings before surrendering one run in the seventh. The Mets (45-50) put up four runs to add to Baty’s homer in the fourth to go up 5-0.With the clock ticking down to the trade deadline and the Mets entering the day eight games back from the last NL Wild Card spot, Buck Showalter’s club needed a game like this one and a performance like the one they got from Verlander.The right-hander was extremely efficient, needing only 59 pitches to get through the first six innings. With o...

Recipes: 5 great barbecue side dishes

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:50:53 GMT

Recipes: 5 great barbecue side dishes Grilling is our preferred method of cooking during the warmer months. My husband and I love to sip a cocktail or beer on the patio while our meat sizzles away.And while I am a fan of our grilled and smoked meats, often the thing I look forward to most on my plate is whatever is on the side.I have a million recipes saved for salads, slaws, beans and more, and I switch things up often. But I do have a few go-to recipes that are crowd-pleasers if I need to contribute to a communal meal but are easy to scale down if it’s just our family. And I’ve included here a few newbies that will definitely be added to my list of favorites.These recipes are mostly light and fresh — an unexpected slaw, a cucumber salad with a twist, a BLT salad that mimics all the flavors of our favorite summer sandwich and a potato salad with bright Mediterranean flavors — but I made an exception for baked beans, one of my very favorite summer sides. My Aunt Sue made a version that I loved as a kid, and ...