With Saudi deals, US, China battle for influence in Mideast

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 13:19:36 GMT

With Saudi deals, US, China battle for influence in Mideast WASHINGTON (AP) — In a matter of days, Saudi Arabia carried out blockbuster agreements with the world’s two leading powers, signing a Chinese-facilitated deal aimed at restoring diplomatic ties with its arch-nemesis Iran and announcing a massive contract to buy commercial planes from U.S. manufacturer Boeing.The two announcements spurred speculation that the Saudis were laying their marker as a dominant economic and geopolitical force with the flexibility to play Beijing and Washington off each other. They also cast China in an unfamiliar leading role in Middle Eastern politics. And they raised questions about whether the U.S.-Saudi relationship — frosty for much of the first two years of President Joe Biden’s term — has reached a détente.But as the Biden administration takes stock of the moment, officials are pushing back against the notion that the developments amount to a shift in the dynamics of the U.S.-China competition in the Middle East. The White House scoffs at the i...

$250,000 reward offered for missing California girl whose mother was found murdered

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 13:19:36 GMT

$250,000 reward offered for missing California girl whose mother was found murdered Authorities are offering a $250,000 reward for information on a missing girl whose mother was found murdered in San Francisco in 2016.The missing girl, Arianna Fitts, now 9 years old, went missing on April 5, 2016, when she was only 2 years old after her mother, Nicole “Nikki” Fitts was found murdered.An age progression image of how Arianna might look today was released by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC).Age progressed photo of how 9-year-old Arianna might look in 2023 from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.Arianna and Nikki Fitts in a photo from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.Arianna Fitts in a photo from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.Arianna Fitts in a photo from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.Arianna Fitts in a photo from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.Nikki Fitts in a photo from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.Arianna a...

Steph Curry drops 50 points but Warriors lose again on the road

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 13:19:36 GMT

Steph Curry drops 50 points but Warriors lose again on the road LOS ANGELES — Stephen Curry draped a towel over his head as he sat on the bench with about a minute left of action Wednesday night. His second 50-point performance of the season was spoiled by a 134-126 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. With 12 games and only 3 1/2 weeks remaining in the regular season, the Warriors still don’t have answers for their road issues.Curry went 20 of 28 from the field and 8 of 14 from deep, and Goldne State couldn’t get the job done as it suffered one of their most gut-wrenching defeats yet. Shoddy perimeter defense, surrendering too many second-chance opportunities and committing turnovers (15) led to their demise in Los Angeles, the Warriors’ first stop of this five-city trip.Curry scored 21 of his game-high points in the third quarter to give the Warriors a fighting chance heading into the fourth. Ultimately, however, Golden State couldn’t get stops, and the Clippers, behind Kawhi Leonard, closed the door on the Warriors...

1 person taken to hospital being hit by tree branch in Santa Cruz County

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 13:19:36 GMT

1 person taken to hospital being hit by tree branch in Santa Cruz County SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, Calif. (KRON) -- One person was taken to the hospital after being hit by a large tree branch in Santa Cruz County on Wednesday, Cal Fire CZU announced on Twitter. Over 200 evacuated after Santa Rosa building catches fire Officials did not specify where the incident happened but said it happened in the Empire Grade area, which is approximately 10 miles north of UC Santa Cruz's campus.The victim was taken to the hospital via a helicopter. Video (above) shows a visual of the tree branch that hit an unidentified victim.The person's condition is unknown at this time. Cal Fire CZU sent out the tweet about the incident at 1:37 p.m.KRON On is streaming news live now.embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; }No other information was immediately available.

Santa Rosa man arrested after shooting victim in altercation: police

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 13:19:36 GMT

Santa Rosa man arrested after shooting victim in altercation: police SANTA ROSA, Calif. (KRON) – A man was arrested after allegedly discharging a firearm that injured one person on Tuesday, according to the Santa Rosa Police Department.At 11:54 a.m., officers responded to a shooting in the 2500 block of Pomo Trail after a person reported their friend was shot and fled the area for safety. The victim was located by police with minor injuries, SRPD said. Thirteen inmates overdose on fentanyl in Milpitas jail in one week Detectives from the department took over the investigation and determined the shooting was a result of an altercation between the suspect and victim inside a residence. The altercation resulted in the victim being shot at approximately five times based off the number of bullets that impacted the victim and a nearby vehicle, police said.The suspect was identified as Armando Castellanos-Flores, 55, from Santa Rosa. He was arrested on Wednesday at his residence in the 2500 block of Pomo Trail where a search warrant was also issued.KRON O...

Credit Suisse to borrow $54 billion from Swiss central bank

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 13:19:36 GMT

Credit Suisse to borrow $54 billion from Swiss central bank GENEVA (AP) — Swiss bank Credit Suisse said Thursday it will move to shore up its finances, borrowing up to $54 billion from the central bank after its shares plunged, dragging down other major European lenders in the wake of bank failures in the United States.Credit Suisse said would exercise an option to borrow up to 50 billion francs ($53.7 billion) from the central bank.“This additional liquidity would support Credit Suisse’s core businesses and clients as Credit Suisse takes the necessary steps to create a simpler and more focused bank built around client needs,” the bank said.Fanning new fears about the health of financial institutions following the recent collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank in the U.S., at one point, Credit Suisse shares lost more than a quarter of their value on Wednesday. The share price hit a record low after the bank’s biggest shareholder — the Saudi National Bank — told news outlets that it would not put more money into the Swiss len...

Mets’ Díaz latest on list of freak celebration injuries

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 13:19:36 GMT

Mets’ Díaz latest on list of freak celebration injuries Edwin Díaz was jumping for joy with his Puerto Rico teammates.Then Díaz crumbled to the turf, and the party came to a sudden stop.Díaz, an All-Star closer for the New York Mets, injured his right knee celebrating a 5-2 victory over the Dominican Republic on Wednesday night — a jarring scene that dashed the spirits of a club riding high from a berth into the World Baseball Classic quarterfinals.The right-hander was jumping in the infield with teammates when he collapsed, and he was taken off the field in a wheelchair. Díaz’s brother, Reds pitcher Alexis Díaz, was also crying as Edwin was put in a chair and wheeled away. Mets teammate and Puerto Rico shortstop Francisco Lindor stood nearby with his hands on his head.Díaz signed a $102 million, five-year deal to stay with the Mets in November, one of several moves Mets owner Steve Cohen hopes bring a championship to Queens.Now, his season could be in jeopardy.Díaz isn’t the first player injured while celebrating. Here are some ot...

National Audubon Society will keep its name despite namesake’s history, DC chapter official calls decision ‘shortsighted’

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 13:19:36 GMT

National Audubon Society will keep its name despite namesake’s history, DC chapter official calls decision ‘shortsighted’ The National Audubon Society has decided to keep its name after more than a year of taking a hard look at the legacy of its namesake John James Audubon, the 19th century illustrator and naturalist who — according to the organization’s own assessment — has a “complicated” history.The decision by one of the nation’s leading bird conservation organization’s board of directors came after more than a year of examining the issues surrounding Audubon’s history of owning slaves. On the National Audubon Society’s website, Audubon is described as a “genius” and a “pioneer” as well as “a complex and troubling character who did despicable things even by the standards of his day.”In a letter from Elizabeth Gray, CEO of the National Audubon Society, writing of Audubon, “There can be no doubt of the impact of his life’s work and passion for birds. And yet — he was also an enslaver whose racist views and treat...

Wilson helps Capitals rally late in 5-4 SO win over Sabres

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 13:19:36 GMT

Wilson helps Capitals rally late in 5-4 SO win over Sabres WASHINGTON (AP) — Tom Wilson tied it with 68 seconds left in regulation, Evgeny Kuznetsov and T.J. Oshie scored in the shootout and the Washington Capitals kept their faint playoff hopes alive by coming back to beat the Buffalo Sabres 5-4 Wednesday night.Wilson’s goal was the first tying or go-ahead goal in the final two minutes this season by the Capitals, who moved two points back of the second and final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. Oshie and Kuznetsov also scored in regulation, and Alex Ovechkin cut the Capitals’ deficit to one goal midway through the third period before Wilson tied it on a 6-on-4 goal with goaltender Charlie Lindgren pulled for an extra skater.Lindgren stopped Alex Tuch and Tage Thompson in the shootout after making 23 saves in regulation and overtime.Ilya Lyubushkin, JJ Peterka, Tyson Jost and Zemgus Girgensons scored in regulation for Buffalo. Ukko-Pekka Lukkonen made 35 saves for the Sabres, who have lost seven of nine.ISLANDERS 6, DUCKS 3A...

Palmieri, Nelson lead Islanders’ 6-3 rout of Anaheim Ducks

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 13:19:36 GMT

Palmieri, Nelson lead Islanders’ 6-3 rout of Anaheim Ducks ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Kyle Palmieri had a career-high four points with a goal and three assists, Brock Nelson scored two goals and linemate Pierre Engvall also scored in the New York Islanders’ 6-3 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday night.Nelson scored the tiebreaking goal late in the second period and added another in the third to secure his second straight 30-goal season for the Islanders, who snapped a two-game skid. Engvall matched his career high with his 15th goal by scoring in his third consecutive game for the Isles, who acquired the Swedish winger from Toronto two weeks ago.The 32-year-old Palmieri scored four points for the first time in his 724-game NHL career, which began with five seasons in Anaheim. The Ducks chose Palmieri in the first round back in 2009.Hudson Fasching and Zach Parise also scored and Ilya Sorokin made 20 saves in a bounce-back performance for New York, which had been outscored 10-3 in its first back-to-back regulation losses since January. ...