North Korea’s Kim vows ‘full support’ for Russia in Ukraine during Putin visit
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un promised full support for Russia’s war in Ukraine as he began a summit meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.Putin’s visit comes amid growing concerns about an arms arrangement in which Pyongyang provides Moscow with badly needed munitions to fuel Russia’s war in Ukraine in exchange for economic assistance and technology transfers that could enhance the threat posed by Kim’s nuclear weapons and missile program. Kim was quoted by Russian news agencies vowing his country’s “full support and solidarity to the Russian government, army and people in carrying out the special military operation in Ukraine to protect sovereignty, security interests and territorial integrity.”
Willie Mays, Giants’ electrifying ‘Say Hey Kid,’ has died at 93
Willie Mays, baseball’s exuberant and electrifying ‘Say Hey Kid,’ has died at 93. The Giants and Mays’ family jointly announced his death. The Giants center fielder, with his signature basket catch, was one of the game’s greatest and most beloved players. He hit more than 600 home runs, totaled more than 3,000 hits and was a joy to behold in the outfield. His over-the shoulder catch of a long drive in the 1954 World Series is baseball’s most celebrated defensive feat. He had been baseball’s oldest living Hall of Famer.
At least 1 dead in New Mexico wildfire that forced thousands to flee, governor’s office says
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The New Mexico governor’s office says at least one person has died in a wildfire that has forced thousands to evacuate. More than 500 structures have been damaged, including an unknown number of homes. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham told reporters Tuesday afternoon the swift-moving flames have made it too dangerous for authorities to get close enough to accurately assess. She also deployed National Guard troops as residents fled under evacuation orders with little time to rescue belongings. The governor said the magnitude of the fires is beyond local control and requires immediate state intervention. Her office did not have additional details on the fatality.
Immigrant families rejoice over Biden’s expansive move toward citizenship, while some are left out
HOUSTON (AP) — Hundreds of thousands of immigrants had reason to rejoice when President Joe Biden unveiled a highly expansive plan to extend legal status to spouses of U.S. citizens but, inevitably, some were left out. Biden says his administration will allow spouses without legal status to apply for permanent residency without having to first depart the country. To qualify, they must have lived in the United States for 10 years and be married to a U.S. citizen, both as of Monday. Every immigration benefit _ even those as sweeping as Biden’s election-year offer _ have cutoff dates and other eligibility requirements.
Strict asylum rules and poor treatment of migrants are pushing people north to the UK
AMBLETEUSE, France (AP) — Strict asylum rules and the hostile treatment of migrants are pushing people from the Middle East, Africa and Asia out of Europe and toward the United Kingdom. The U.K. government has been hostile toward migrants, but many have family or friends there, and a perception they will have more opportunities in Great Britain. One morning last month, the rising tide crept around a group of Kurdish migrants, soaking the babies they hugged tight. Around a dozen people refused to leave the cold waters of the English Channel in a futile attempt to delay the inevitable: French police had just foiled their latest attempt to reach the United Kingdom by boat.
Ship attacked by Yemen’s Houthi rebels in fatal assault sinks in Red Sea in second-such sinking
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A bulk carrier sank days after an attack by Yemen’s Houthi rebels believed to have killed one mariner on board. It’s the second-such ship to be sunk in the rebel campaign. The Tutor sank in the Red Sea. That’s according to the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center, which issued a warning to sailors in the region. It said: “Military authorities report maritime debris and oil sighted in the last reported location. The vessel is believed to have sunk.” The Houthis did not immediately acknowledge the sinking.
Russian court sentences US soldier to nearly 4 years on theft charges
MOSCOW (AP) — A court in Russia’s far eastern city of Vladivostok has sentenced an American soldier arrested earlier this year to three years and nine months in prison on charges of stealing and threats of murder. Russian state news agencies Tass and RIA Novosti reported Wednesday from the courtroom in the Pervomaisky District Court in Vladivostok that the judge also ordered Staff Sgt. Gordon Black to pay $115 in damages. The 34-year-old Black flew to the Pacific port city of Vladivostok to see his girlfriend and was arrested after she accused him of stealing from her, according to U.S. officials and Russian authorities. Black’s sentencing further complicates U.S. relations with Russia, which have grown increasingly tense as the fighting in Ukraine continues.
With pardons in Maryland, 2.5 million Americans will have marijuana convictions cleared or forgiven
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore is pardoning 175,000 people with cannabis convictions. That brings to more than 2.5 million people across the U.S. people whose convictions have been cleared or forgiven in recent years. Advocates say it’s an important way to redress the damage done by the nation’s long war on drugs. But they note that many people are still suffering legal consequences for past use of a drug that’s now allowed in most states. More than 30 million people have been convicted of marijuana convictions over the last 50 years. Black people are disproportionately charged and convicted of the offenses.
Early blast of heat and humidity leaves millions sweltering across the US
TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) — A blast of heat and humidity in the Midwest and Northeast days before the official start of summer has put a wet blanket on outdoor activities from festivals to sports camps as officials urge people to take precautions. Cities that opened cooling centers this week advised that Wednesday’s Juneteenth holiday means some public libraries, senior centers and pools where residents could beat the heat will be closed. The dangerous temperatures are expected to peak in the eastern Great Lakes and New England on Wednesday and Thursday, and in the Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic on Friday and Saturday.
Panthers see another chance at Cup slip away, fall to Oilers 5-3 in Game 5
SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Connor McDavid had two goals and two assists that added to his historic postseason, Evan Bouchard added three assists and the Edmonton Oilers fended off elimination yet again by beating the Florida Panthers 4-3 in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final on Tuesday night. Connor Brown, Zach Hyman and Corey Perry also had goals for the Oilers, who scored the game’s first three goals to take control — then held on late to cut Florida’s lead in the title series to 3-2. Evan Rodrigues and Matthew Tkachuk each had a goal and an assist for Florida, and Oliver Ekman-Larsson also scored for the Panthers. Game 6 is in Edmonton on Friday night.
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