GOP threatens Blinken contempt charge over Afghanistan docs

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:38:28 GMT

GOP threatens Blinken contempt charge over Afghanistan docs WASHINGTON (AP) — The chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee has threatened to hold Secretary of State Antony Blinken in contempt of Congress if the State Department does not turn over classified cables related to the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, pledged in a letter Friday — obtained by The Associated Press — to escalate the ongoing battle with the State Department over a so-called dissent cable written by diplomats at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul shortly before the August 2021 withdrawal. The new deadline for the State Department to respond is Thursday. The threat is the latest in an already unprecedented effort by McCaul to force the release of sensitive documents to Congress, setting up what could become a constitutional showdown between House Republicans and the Biden administration on the ability of the legislative branch to conduct oversight. The July 2021 communication in question reportedly warned Blinken about the potential f...

Airstrikes kill well-known Syrian drug kingpin

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:38:28 GMT

Airstrikes kill well-known Syrian drug kingpin BEIRUT (AP) — Airstrikes over southern Syria early Monday killed one of the country’s most well-known drug dealers, an opposition war monitor and a pro-government radio station reported. The strikes come a day after Arab governments reinstated Syria to the Arab League following the country’s suspension for its crackdown on protests. As Arab governments gradually rekindle ties with Damascus, one of the key topics of discussion has been Syria’s illicit drug industry, which has flourished during the ongoing conflict — especially illegal amphetamine captagon.Western governments estimate that captagon has generated billions of dollars in revenue for President Bashar Assad, his Syrian associates, and allies. Damascus has denied the accusations.The first strike hit a home in the Syrian village of Shuab in Sweida province near the Jordanian border, killing Merhi Ramthan, his wife and six children, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The opposition...

GasBuddy: Albany prices see a drop

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:38:28 GMT

GasBuddy: Albany prices see a drop ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Average gasoline prices in Albany have fallen 3.7 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.69/g on Monday, according to GasBuddy's survey of 546 stations in Albany. Prices in Albany are 13.0 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and stand 78.9 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has fallen 6.3 cents in the last week and stands at $4.01 per gallon. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Albany was priced at $3.39/g Sunday while the most expensive was $3.89/g, a difference of 50.0 cents per gallon. The lowest price in the state yesterday was $2.56/g while the highest was $4.69/g, a difference of $2.13/g.The national average price of gasoline has fallen 7.5 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.50/g on Monday. The national average is down 7.5 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 80...

Two hospitalized after head-on crash in Pittsfield

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:38:28 GMT

Two hospitalized after head-on crash in Pittsfield PITTSFIELD, Mass. (NEWS10) -- Two people were hospitalized after a head-on crash in the area of Dalton Avenue in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, early Sunday morning. One of the drivers involved faces life-threatening injuries. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Police responded to the area of 1050 Dalton Avenue around 5 a.m. on Sunday. Pittsfield Police say a 2013 Chevrolet Silverado drove eastbound on Dalton Avenue when it collided with a 2013 Toyota Camry. The driver of the Camry is currently hospitalized with life-threatening injuries, according to police. The driver of the Silverado received minor injuries resulting from the crash. Police say both drivers were the only occupants of their cars. APD: Woman charged with attempted murder, tried driving into Hudson River The crash partially closed down Dalton Avenue for approximately four hours while an investigation took place. This crash is still under investigation, and any ...

UAlbany women's Lax wins third America East title

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:38:28 GMT

UAlbany women's Lax wins third America East title ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- UAlbany women's lacrosse secures its first America East title since 2012, knocking off the two-seeded Bearcats in a 14-13 thriller on John Fallon Field. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Key StatsSarah Falk and Shonly Wallace each scored five goalsBryar Hogg scored two goals and added three assistsGrace Cincebox recorded nine savesBinghamton won 18 draws to UAlbany's 12UAlbany committed 46 fouls to Binghamton's 33Binghamton committed 20 turnovers to UAlbany's 13Head Coach Katie Thomson: "This is such a special moment for us and our program.  I'm just so proud of the team.  The season is such a long journey and process, and our players stayed the course and believed and took it one game at a time.  We've learned so much and grown so much, they deserve so much and we're so proud of them.  I'm so grateful for my staff, Taylor and Leah, who do an outs...

Siena women overwhelmed by perennial MAAC powerhouse Fairfield in title game

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:38:28 GMT

Siena women overwhelmed by perennial MAAC powerhouse Fairfield in title game FAIRFIELD, Connecticut (NEWS10) -- In a season chock full of accomplishments, the Siena women’s lacrosse season came to an end in a 17-4 defeat to host and top-seed Fairfield at Conway Field at Rafferty Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The Stags (14-4) got off to the quick start and did not relinquish its grip as it dominated the draw control 15-2 in the opening half and held a large advantage in foul disparity (29 fouls called against Siena to Fairfield’s 10) on route to a 13-4 halftime lead.   Fairfield’s large contingent of 17 seniors including four graduate students showed their veteran leadership as senior Elisabeth Talluto scored a game-high four goals, while senior Olivia Doody added three goals and graduate student Ellie Grefenstette added seven points (two goals, five assists) as the Stags raised its fifth consecutive MAAC Championship and eighth overall. Fairfield improved to ...

Bridge: May 8, 2023

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:38:28 GMT

Bridge: May 8, 2023 “I had a choice,” the Mad Hatter told Alice. “I could let declarer make a game or lose my head.”The players at the Hatter’s were taking a tea break; both Red Queens had been ardent kibitzers.“I was East,” the Hatter said, “and North-South got to 3NT. The Dormouse was West; he judged to lead the seven of hearts. As it happened, a spade would have been best.”Declarer, the March Hare, saw that he was safe unless West had five hearts. But East surely had a heart honor; West would have led the king from K-Q-J-x-x. So by putting up the ace, declarer might block the suit. Moreover, he would not face a spade shift.FINESSE“When South played the ace,” the Hatter said, “I wanted to unblock my queen. But you know how that Queen of Hearts feels about having her card captured. So I followed low. South came to his hand and lost the diamond finesse, but we couldn’t beat 3NT. At least I kept my head.”East’s cor...

Horoscopes May 8, 2023: Enrique Iglesias, don’t believe everything you hear

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:38:28 GMT

Horoscopes May 8, 2023: Enrique Iglesias, don’t believe everything you hear CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Stephen Amell, 42; Enrique Iglesias, 48; Melissa Gilbert, 59; David Keith, 69.Happy Birthday: A little charm and compassion will help you reach your goal. A disciplined mind and action will encourage others to support you every step of the way. Be thorough when dealing with legal, financial or medical issues. Don’t believe everything you hear; research, and you will overcome any obstacle. Plan, strategize and show dedication and willpower; success will follow. Your numbers are 7, 18, 23, 28, 31, 35, 44.ARIES (March 21-April 19): Deception is apparent. Curb your emotions and verify information before you proceed. The best way to take advantage of an opportunity is to recognize every facet of the possibilities. Be thorough and you won’t be disappointed. Protect against illness or injury. 5 starsTAURUS (April 20-May 20): Take pride in your work; recognition will follow. Participate, and the rewards will surpass any sacrifice you make. Communica...

Ask Amy: I set a high bar for how my boyfriend looks, and I wonder if that’s why I don’t have one

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:38:28 GMT

Ask Amy: I set a high bar for how my boyfriend looks, and I wonder if that’s why I don’t have one Dear Amy: I am a 16-year-old girl. School is OK (I’m a sophomore), but one thing I notice is the fact that I am really judgmental. I tend to have bad and judgmental thoughts about others.For example, if I see a girl wearing revealing clothing, I will call her a “slut” or a “whore” inside my head. Or if I see a boy wearing pajamas or slides or crocs at school, I’ll think of him as “lazy” and “sloppy.”I also have relatively high standards when it comes to having boyfriends. Most of my standards have to do with clothing and shoes.Even though I’ve never been in a relationship before, I will judge the person by the way they look and if they don’t match my standards, then I won’t give them a chance.There is this senior who was talking to me, but since he didn’t match my standards, I didn’t want to be seen with him around school.I’m one of those people who knows what they don’t want rather than what they do want.I’m trying to figure out what is wrong with me, but I guess ...

Harriette Cole: I don’t know what to tell them about my daughter’s love life

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:38:28 GMT

Harriette Cole: I don’t know what to tell them about my daughter’s love life DEAR HARRIETTE: Every time I show people pictures of my daughter, they fawn over her. I can admit that she is lovely. But then they go on to say how certain they are that she is dating, and they press me on who she is seeing.My daughter is away at college, but we talk a lot. Sadly, she is not dating. I wish she were. She is not shy, but so far she hasn’t met anyone.I don’t think she’s lying to me or concealing anything. I genuinely believe it just hasn’t happened yet.How do I manage the friends who are constantly badgering me as I also support my daughter who is feeling a little awkward since she hasn’t started dating?AwkwardDEAR AWKWARD: Nosy friends don’t really matter. Limit your engagement with them about your daughter’s life. You can even show them fewer photos.Related ArticlesAdvice | Harriette Cole: I heard the snobby things they said about my job Advice | Harriette Cole: I think my child is too young for de...