WASHINGTON — The U.S. has picked up intelligence showing that Russian military officials were given an order to go ahead with an invasion of Ukraine, a U.S. official and another person with knowledge of the matter told NBC News.
The intelligence, which was developed very recently, informed President Joe Biden’s startling declaration Friday that the U.S. believes President Vladimir Putin has already decided to invade, the people said.
The US Food and Drug Administration on Friday issued an alert that various products purchased within the last year from Family Dollar Stores across six states may be contaminated and unsafe to use.
(CNN)The US Food and Drug Administration on Friday issued an alert that various products purchased within the last year from Family Dollar Stores across six states may be contaminated and unsafe to use.
Items ranging from dietary supplements and medication to cosmetics and pet foods may have been exposed to insanitary conditions at Family Dollar’s distribution facility in West Memphis, Arkansas, federal officials said in a news release. An FDA inspection found that a rodent infestation could have potentially contaminated the products.
Family Dollar on Friday issued a voluntary recall of particular items that were sold after January 1, 2021, at hundreds of stores throughout Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee, according to a news release.
Former President Donald Trump and his two eldest children, Ivanka and Don Jr., must be interviewed under oath in New York Attorney General Letitia James’ (D) probe of the Trump Organization’s business practices.
The United States Coast Guard is searching for a missing cruise ship passenger who went overboard a cruise ship in the Gulf of Mexico.
NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – The Carnival Valor has docked in New Orleans after a woman jumped from a balcony into the Gulf of Mexico.
According to the United States Coast Guard, a 32-year-old woman went overboard on the cruise ship around 2:28 p.m. on Wed., Feb. 16 approximately 150 miles offshore Southwest Pass, Louisiana.
The ship left from Cozumel, Mexico around 3:27 p.m. on Tues., Feb. 15. It returned to dock in New Orleans around 10:30 a.m. on Thurs., Feb. 17.
The region’s rivers were receding Saturday and roads were reopening after rain and melting snow caused some flooding.
Saturday afternoon, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation reopened portions of the Parkway North and East, including the area known as the bathtub, as the flooding subsided.
The southbound ramp on I-279 from the Fort Duquesne Bridge to eastbound I-376 had also been closed but now has reopened.
But the 10th Street Bypass remained closed.
The Ohio River crested at 22.93 feet Friday afternoon and has slowly been receding since, according to data collected by the National Weather Service in Moon.
The Ohio floods at 25 feet and as of 3:30 p.m. Saturday had fallen to about 19.5 feet.
The Pittsburgh Parking Authority closed the Mon Wharf parking area Friday due to flood concerns, and it will remain closed until further notice, the authority said.
Water levels along the Allegheny River also peaked Friday afternoon and have been falling since. The Monongahela River rose slightly due to the weather, but mostly stayed near its average level of about 12 feet.
Federal agencies are investigating the crash of a helicopter with three passengers into the Atlantic Ocean close to swimmers and sun bathers in Miami Beach, Florida, on Saturday.
Ottawa Police said 47 people were arrested Saturday amid an unprecedented police effort to clear the streets of protesters against COVID restrictions.
Hundreds of Canadian police swept through the country’s capital Saturday, arresting protesters and clearing out vehicles in an attempt to bring an end to a three-week protest against COVID-19 restrictions.
At least 170 people were arrested Friday and Saturday, after police began the crackdown of the so-called Freedom Convoy on Friday morning. Officers, some in riot gear, approached the protest zone and scuffles broke out in some areas as police, including some officers on horses, pushed the crowd back.
Protesters were gone from the street in front of Parliament Hill by Saturday morning. Police said on Twitter that protesters were “aggressive and assaultive” throughout their attempts to clear the area, and pepper spray was used to disperse them. They also said children had been brought to the front of the police line.
U.S. believes Russia intends attack on Ukraine in days – Biden
Ukraine military reports more ceasefire violations by separatists
Harris set to meet Ukraine’s leader at Munich security gathering
Separatists in East Ukraine call for military mobilisation
A satellite image shows new helicopter and su25 aircraft deployments, in Millerovo, Russia February 18, 2022. Maxar Technologies/Handout via REUTERS
DONETSK, Ukraine, Feb 19 (Reuters) – Russia’s President Vladimir Putin was set to oversee exercises by strategic nuclear missile forces on Saturday as Western leaders gathered in Munich, fearful that he could order troops massed on Ukraine’s border to invade at any time.
Russian-backed separatist leaders in eastern Ukraine declared a full military mobilisation, a day after ordering women and children to evacuate to Russia, citing the threat of an imminent attack by Ukrainian forces. Kyiv flatly denied the accusation and Washington said it was part of Russia’s plan to create a pretext for an invasion of Ukraine. read more
“To those who disagree and feel a longer prison sentence is appropriate, as difficult as it may be, please try to empathize with Ms. Potter’s situation,” the judge said.
Former police officer Kim Potter was sentenced Friday to two years in prison for fatally shooting Daunte Wright during a traffic stop last year in a Minneapolis suburb. Potter was convicted of first-degree and second-degree manslaughter in December, but she was only sentenced for the more serious charge.
Potter, 49, may only have to serve two-thirds of her sentence — a year and four months — in prison if she behaves. The remaining time would be served on supervised release. Potter was credited for already serving 58 days.
“To those who disagree and feel a longer prison sentence is appropriate, as difficult as it may be, please try to empathize with Ms. Potter’s situation,” Judge Regina Chu said after handing down the sentence, adding that Wright’s life “mattered.”
“Officer Potter made a mistake that ended tragically,” Chu said. “She never intended to hurt anyone. Her conduct cries out for a sentence significantly below the guidelines.”
According to prosecutors, Potter faced a presumptive sentence of just over seven years under state guidelines. Her attorneys asked for a lesser sentence or just probation.
After Friday’s emotional hearing, Wright’s mother, Katie Wright, said of her son, “Today, the justice system murdered him all over again.”
TICKETS: $25 per day $50 for a 3-day pass $35 for Saturday & Sunday pass
Under 12 free with paying adult
MILITARY DISCOUNT: $10 OFF 3 Day Pass ONLY
SHOW LOCATION
Sheraton Pittsburgh Hotel at Station Square
300 W. Station Square Dr. Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Phone (412) 261-2000 Hotel Reservations
Or call: 866-716-8134
As guests make their way up the escalator to the second floor, they can catch a glimpse of it. The shiny smooth black finish and sleek design of the 2022 Maserati Levante Modena S stands out. At $133,795, it is believed to be the most expensive new car available at the show.
As guests make their way up the escalator to the second floor, they can catch a glimpse of it.
The shiny smooth black finish and sleek design of the 2022 Maserati Levante Modena S stands out. At $133,795, it is believed to be the most expensive new car available for purchase at the Pittsburgh International Auto Show.
The four-day event at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Downtown Pittsburgh runs through Monday.
The vehicle has a V-8 engine with 550 horsepower that can push it to 181 mph — which comes with fuel use ratings of 13 miles per gallon in the city and 20 on the highway.
Twenty-two-year-old Calvin Crew has been charged with homicide in the death of 38-year-old Christina Spicuzza of Turtle Creek.
Spicuzza was reported missing by family members after they didn’t hear from her while she was working as an Uber driver.
Police found her body in a wooded area in Monroeville on Saturday afternoon. On Feb. 13, police said an autopsy was performed on Spicuzza and it was determined that Spicuzza died from a single gunshot wound that entered her head on the back left side. The cause of death was determined to be a gunshot wound to the head and the manner of death was homicide.
According to the criminal complaint, she was found lying face down and was wearing a COVID-19 face mask. Police said one 9mm casing was found behind her.
While on scene, investigators learned that she was reported missing by her boyfriend on Feb. 11. She was working as an Uber driver on Feb. 10 when he had last heard from her.
Investigators also learned that her car was found earlier that day in Pitcairn.
While interviewing Spicuzza’s boyfriend, the criminal complaint said he told officers that he had purchased a dash camera for Spicuzza and it is normally inside her vehicle.
Police said when they searched her vehicle, the camera was not in its usual place.
Police then contacted Uber to obtain trip information for Spicuzza. It was learned that her last completed trip began at 9 p.m. on Feb. 10 from Brinton Road.
On Feb. 12, police said they were contacted by a person who was working along the railroad tracks beneath the TriBoro Expressway. The person found a pink cellphone with a cracked screen. The phone was determined to be Spicuzza’s.
Police then checked license plate readers for Spicuzza’s license plate numbers and found several “hits,” with someone along the TriBoro Expressway.
Detectives were then able to download Spicuzza’s cellphone and learn the locations she traveled. They also were able to find out when her phone stopped tracking new locations.
On Feb. 14, detectives in Penn Hills contacted a woman, later identified as Crew’s girlfriend, and asked to speak with her. When she arrived at the Penn Hills police station, she was with her boyfriend Calvin Crew.
The criminal complaint said Crew’s girlfriend told detectives that she was in Swissvale on Feb. 10 when she got a call from Crew asking her to order an Uber for him. She said Crew gave her an address to enter into the ride request.
In another interview with Crew’s girlfriend, police said she told them she purchased a 9 mm gun at a store in McKeesport and it went missing. She said she never reported the gun missing/stolen.
The criminal complaint also said she told investigators that she had a feeling that Crew had her gun because he was the only person around her. When police went to retrieve the gun box and paperwork from her home, both were missing.
During an interview with Crew, police said he told them he got out of the Uber after the trip was completed then walked to the bus station in Wilkinsburg and took the Trafford bus to Pitcairn.
Police later reviewed the surveillance camera from the bus station and did not see anyone matching Crew’s description.
On Thursday, Feb. 17 detectives were canvassing an area in Penn Hills when a detective found the dash camera that was missing from Spicuzza’s vehicle.
The camera was found .1 mile from where Crew requested the Uber, police said.
A mini-SD card was found inside the camera and police were able to view the footage from the card.
The video recorded from the front and rear of the camera and also records audio from inside of the vehicle.
This evidence resulted in Crew being charged with criminal homicide, robbery and tampering with evidence.
Some protesters surrendered and were taken into custody following the three-week siege of Canada’s capital by truckers angry over the country’s Covid-19 restrictions.
By The Associated Press
OTTAWA, Ontario — Police began arresting protesters Friday in a bid to break the three-week siege of Canada’s capital by truckers angry over the country’s Covid-19 restrictions.
Some protesters surrendered and were taken into custody, police said. Some were seen being led away in handcuffs.
Police made their first move to take break up the traffic-snarling occupation late Thursday with the arrest of two protest leaders. They also sealed off much of the downtown area to outsiders to prevent them from coming to the aid of the self-styled Freedom Convoy protesters.
The capital represented the movement’s last stronghold after three weeks of demonstrations and blockades that shut down border crossings into the U.S., caused economic damage to both countries and created a political crisis for Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Over the past weeks, authorities had hesitated to move against many of the protesters around the country, in part for fear of violence. The demonstrations have drawn right-wing extremists and veterans, some of them armed.
The victim told police he was behind a red Chevy Impala that was blocking two lanes at the intersection of Smithfield Street and Fort Pitt Boulevard around 12:30 Thursday.
He said he honked his horn and when he pulled up alongside the Impala, the passenger fired several rounds at his car before taking off, heading downtown.
While the victim’s car was hit twice in the rear driver’s side door, he wasn’t injured.
State police say 30-year-old Devin Glace from Pittsburgh was walking in the right lane of the westbound turnpike in New Sewickley Township, Beaver County. The driver of a tractor-trailer could not stop in time and hit Glace head-on. He landed in the right driving lane, where he was hit by two more tractor-trailer drivers.
The fatal crash shut down the westbound lanes of the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — An 18-year-old is accused of leading police on a car chase through the Squirrel Hill Tunnel and crashing into another car inside.
Police said a trooper saw a black Nissan Altima driving erratically on Interstate-376, but when the trooper tried to stop the driver, he took off through the tunnel before crashing into another car.
A witness inside the tunnel caught the crash on his dashcam and said it all happened within seconds.
“I look to my left rearview mirror and I saw a car swerve from the right to the left lane at a ridiculous speed through the tunnels. I would estimate 65 to 70 miles per hour,” Thomas Maryanski said. “He passed me doing that speed and realized the vehicles in front of me, which were about 30 yards ahead of me, started braking. Everybody started slowing down and he slammed on his brakes, but it was too late. He lost control of his car, slammed into the car in the right lane. He flipped back and smashed against the wall and came to a stop.”
PITTSBURGH — A man was rushed to a hospital after he was found on the ground as smoke filled his apartment early Wednesday morning in Pittsburgh’s Carrick neighborhood, authorities said.
Firefighters also found a recliner chair on fire as they entered the man’s apartment, located in a building along Churchview Avenue.
Smoke was reported throughout the building just after 1 a.m., and residents were evacuating as firefighters pulled up to the scene.
When crews noticed heavy smoke coming from the man’s apartment, they went inside and pulled him out, officials said. Once out of the building, the man was taken by paramedics to a hospital in critical condition.
A woman who lives in the building was evaluated for smoke inhalation, but officials said she was not taken to a hospital.
Investigators said the fire is believed to be accidental. It was contained to the one apartment, but seven others sustained minor smoke and moderate water damage.
Pittsburgh Public Safety officials said the victim was taken to the hospital in a private vehicle following the shooting on the 2400 block of McCook Street a little after 5 p.m. Tuesday.
KATY, Texas — Two Texas sheriff deputies were shot and wounded Tuesday after exchanging gunfire with a suspect who was struck and killed, authorities said.
Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said the incident happened Tuesday night in Katy, Texas, about 30 miles (48 kilometers) west of Houston. Gonzalez said via Twitter that both officers were hospitalized with what appeared to be non-life-threatening injuries.
According to Gonzalez, the deputies responded to the scene after receiving reports of shots being fired. When deputies arrived, Gonzalez said, the suspect shot at the deputies and the deputies returned fire. The deputies were hit and the suspect was declared dead at the scene.
Chief Deputy Edison Toquica said during a news conference Tuesday night that the original call for service, by an occupant of the home, was at 8 p.m. and was regarding a discharge of firearms within the residence.
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (WJAC) — A Johnstown woman is facing charges for attacking a man with a wooden baseball bat Friday, police say.
Police say they were called to a home on D Street after a 911 hang-up.
When they arrived at the home, they say they saw 24-year-old Kali Jackson screaming at a man from her porch.
They say Jackson had a brush burn type injury on her arm and explained that the man had shoved her but then continued to argue with the man while being uncooperative with authorities.
Police say the man was visibly injured too, so both he and Jackson were taken into custody to be questioned.
A Hempfield man is free on bail after state police said he jumped in and out of traffic Friday and fought with troopers, according to court papers.
Kenneth Wayne Barron II, 22, is charged with resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, obstruction of highways and public drunkenness.
Police said they were called to Route 136 near the intersection with Cribbs Station Road in Hempfield around 5:30 p.m. after numerous people called 911 to report a man dressed in all black disrupting traffic. Troopers said the suspect was acting erratically and immediately fell to the ground when police tried to talk to him, according to court papers.
Barron violently resisted their attempts to handcuff him, police said, and tried multiple times to hit two troopers and an off-duty officer who stopped to help. The incident caused traffic to back up on Route 136, not far from where Barron lives and the Toll Route 66 interchange, according to court papers.
The off-duty officer took Barron to Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital. Troopers said they believed Barron had been using drugs. Family members said they suspected it was a mental health issue.
A girl who was missing for more than two years has been found alive in Ulster County, New York.
Paislee Shultis, then 4 years old, was reported missing in July of 2019, but police found her Monday night in a secret room under a staircase in Saugerties, New York, WCBS-TV reported.
The little girl was said to be in good condition. She was found more than 150 miles away from her home.
Police had been at the location before looking for the girl, but after a two-year search she was found in a cold, cramped secret space under a set of stairs.
Paislee was initially reported missing from the Tompkins County village of Cayuga Heights, near Ithaca.
Police have long suspected her biological parents, Kimberly Cooper and Kirk Shultis, of kidnapping the girl, but previous searches of their home in Saugerties, New York, came up empty.
Then a tip came in to police this week that the girl was being held in the home.
A former Greensburg man was found not guilty Tuesday of three felony offenses in which he was accused of being asleep as his young children walked alone on city streets. Jurors deliberated more than four hours before it acquitted Antonio Partlow, 33, now of New Kensington, of three counts of child endangerment. Westmoreland County Common Pleas Court Judge Christopher Feliciani declared a mistrial on three misdemeanor charges of reckless endangerment after the jury reported it could not reach a verdict on those offenses.
The deadlocked jury reported it had one holdout in favor of a guilty verdict, that deliberations became heated and further discussion would not result in a unanimous decision.
Partlow had been in jail since late last week after he initially failed to appear in court for his trial. He was released from custody Tuesday night after the judge reinstated his $25,000 unsecured bond.
Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign allegedly paid an internet company to “infiltrate” servers in order to link former President Donald Trump to Russia in 2016.
From the perspective of several years ago, it’s the stuff of an implausible political thriller or a conspiratorial YouTube account. One presidential campaign spies on another as part of a broad effort to get government agencies to pick up the baton and launch a high-stakes investigation of the new president that hampers his first years in office and consumes massive public attention.
Where could such a thing happen? Maybe Brazil or Equatorial Guinea? Well, we now know it happened in these United States.
The latest from special counsel John Durham is that a tech executive connected to the Hillary Clinton campaign mined Internet contacts between Russia and the entities connected to Donald Trump in a search for material to try, as Durham put it in a court filing last week, to “establish ‘an inference’ and ‘narrative’ tying then-candidate Trump to Russia.”
Durham’s probe is a righteous effort to get to the bottom of a matter that deranged American politics for two solid years but has been derided or ignored by the mainstream press, with baleful consequences.
Russiagate did more than its share to undermine the norm that losing campaigns should accept the result of free-and-fair elections and to erode confidence in institutions at the highest levels of our government. One way to minimize the harm is to insist on accountability. The people who were most invested in Russiagate for the longest, though, are least interested in revisiting its origins, let alone in apologizing for their own credulousness or malice.
