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California Science Center starts complex process to display Space Shuttle Endeavour vertically

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:13:24 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A highly technical process began Thursday in Los Angeles to put NASA’s retired Space Shuttle Endeavour on permanent display in the vertical launch position complete with external tank and two solid rocket boosters.Workers used a crane to hoist the bottom segments of the boosters into the California Science Center’s future Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center, which is currently under construction in Exposition Park. The segments, called aft skirts, had to be precisely positioned so that the entire assembly can be stacked properly. Officials say it will be the first time the procedure has been done outside of a NASA facility.The 20-story-tall display will stand atop an 1,800-ton (1,633-metric ton) concrete slab supported by six so-called base isolators to protect Endeavour from earthquakes. Endeavour was built as a replacement for the destroyed Space Shuttle Challenger and flew 25 missions between 1992 and 2011.When NASA’s shuttles were retired, Endeavour...

Ex-Venezuelan spy chief pleads not guilty to charges alleging he flooded US with drugs

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:13:24 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — A former Venezuelan spy chief and longtime adviser to the country’s late leader Hugo Chávez pleaded not guilty Thursday in a New York courtroom to decade-old drug trafficking charges, a day after his extradition from Spain.Retired Maj. Gen. Hugo Carvajal, 63, agreed during an initial appearance in Manhattan federal court to remain behind bars while his lawyers prepare a bail proposal to present to the judge who will handle his case. Prosecutors want him to remain behind bars.Carvajal, in a white shirt and beige pants, did not speak during the brief court proceeding except to acknowledge that he understood his rights and that he could hear an interpreter.“Perfectly,” he said through the interpreter in response to whether he could hear the man through his earphones.Carvajal was brought to the United States on Wednesday to face narco-terrorism conspiracy, firearms and drug trafficking charges. Prosecutors allege he used his high office to coordinate the smuggling of app...

UN chief says the world is in a new era marked by the highest major power competition in decades

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:13:24 GMT

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the world’s nations Thursday that the post-Cold War period is over and the world is moving toward a new multipolar era already marked by the highest level of geopolitical tensions and major power competition in decades.He warned that these divisions are undermining the cornerstone of the United Nations – having all countries work together to solve global challenges.The U.N. chief ticked off a host of challenges — more complex and deadly conflicts, re-emerging concerns about possible nuclear war, growing inequalities within and between countries, widespread terrorism, the climate emergency, mounting distrust in public institutions, and human rights under attack globally “including a pernicious pushback against women’s rights.” The secretary-general said Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine has made it even more difficult to address these challenges. And without naming Russia he clearly criticized it, saying if every ...

Jury deliberations underway in double murder trial of rapper YNW Melly in South Florida

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:13:24 GMT

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Jurors in a South Florida courtroom began deliberating Thursday afternoon in the double murder trial of rapper YNW Melly, and the 24-year-old artist could face a possible death sentence if convicted of the fatal shooting of two childhood friends. The jury recessed after a few hours and was set to resume deliberations Friday morning.Broward County prosecutors delivered their closing argument Thursday morning in the October 2018 shooting deaths. They reminded jurors that the fatal shots came from inside a Jeep where the victims had been shot, and by every account, from the seat where YNW Melly was sitting, the Sun Sentinel reported. Melly, whose legal name is Jamell Demons, had his breakout in 2017 and went on to work with Kanye West on “Mixed Personalities,” which was released in January 2019, a month before Demons was arrested on murder charges.Killed were Anthony Williams and Christopher Thomas Jr. Williams and Thomas were both part of the YNW collectiv...

Annual Hemingway Look-Alike Contest begins in Florida Keys

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:13:24 GMT

KEY WEST, Fla. (AP) — Almost 140 bearded men who resemble Ernest Hemingway converged on Key West, the late author’s home during the 1930s, to compete in the Hemingway Look-Alike Contest that began Thursday evening.The challenge is a highlight of the island’s Hemingway Days festival that salutes the literary talent and adventurous life of the Nobel Prize-winning writer.During his Key West years, Hemingway penned classics including “For Whom the Bell Tolls” and “To Have and Have Not.”The three-night look-alike competition is held at Sloppy Joe’s Bar, where Hemingway often spent time with local and literary friends.Closely observed by a judging panel of previous winners including 2022’s Jon Auvil, of Dade City, Florida, contestants take turns pontificating and parading across Sloppy Joe’s stage.Many are repeat contenders who bring their own cheering sections, and most attempt to copy the “Papa” persona and appearance adopted by Hemingway in his later years.The contest’s second prelimin...

Three suspects arrested in connection to shooting death at Denver apartment complex

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:13:24 GMT

Three suspects have been arrested in connection to an exchange of gunfire at a Denver apartment complex that left one man dead and four people wounded.The incident happened about 8:45 p.m. May 10 at 9600 E. Girard Avenue, according to the Denver Police Department, where a brief altercation erupted into gunfire.On Wednesday three suspects were taken into custody, according to a DPD news release.Richard Kemp, 25, is being held on investigation of first-degree murder and three counts of attempted first-degree murder, police said. Jasmine Marin, 30, is being investigated for accessory to crime for first-degree murder and tampering with physical evidence. The third suspect, a juvenile, is being held for investigation of first-degree murder.Press Release: Denver Police Arrest Suspects for May 10th Homicide and Shooting at 9600 E. Girard Ave. pic.twitter.com/0e5FdptE24— Denver Police Dept. (@DenverPolice) July 20, 2023 Killed in the shooting was 22-year-old Rodney Jackson. Eme...

Controversial policy would require parent notification of transgender students in Chino Valley

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:13:24 GMT

Hundreds are expected to attend a Chino Valley Unified School District meeting as they vote on a controversial policy that would require parent notification if a child identifies as transgender.The policy would require staff to notify all parents in writing within three days after a student requests to identify with a gender different than what is on their birth certificate.The notification also applies to a student who requests a pronoun change or to be called a different name that is not listed on official school records. The request to use a different bathroom will also activate the notification policy.The board will vote on the policy Thursday night. State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tony Thurmond, will also be in attendance and speaking during the public comment period.The controversial policy has stirred up heated debate from both supporters and critics while gaining national attention.“You can never say what another board member is going to do or vote, but I feel ve...

Los Angeles man found dead at Death Valley National Park identified

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:13:24 GMT

A Los Angeles man who was found dead at a trailhead in Death Valley National Park was identified on Thursday.The hiker was confirmed to be Steve Curry, 71, from Sunland, according to the Inyo County Coroner’s Office.Curry was found collapsed outside of a restroom at Golden Canyon around 3:30 p.m. amid a blistering heatwave as temperatures hit 121°F in the area.National Park Service officials believe Curry had likely just been hiking on the popular trail shortly before he died.Earlier in the day, Curry was interviewed at Zabriskie Point by a reporter with the Los Angeles Times. He was photographed “slathered in sunscreen, huddled beneath a metal interpretive sign that afforded a small amount of shade,” officials said.According to the article, Curry had hiked to Zabriskie Point from Golden Canyon which was about two miles away. At some point, Curry left the point and hiked back to the Golden Canyon trailhead where he had parked his car.A sign warns people of extreme heat in multiple l...

Alaska Airlines adding new Burbank to San Francisco flights

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:13:24 GMT

Alaska Airlines is continuing to expand its flight options in the greater Los Angeles area, now with a new nonstop flight between Burbank and San Francisco.The West Coast-based airline will begin offering three daily flights from Hollywood Burbank Airport to San Francisco International Airport beginning Dec. 14. The service will be offered year-round upon launch, Alaska said.The news comes on the heels of other major announcements by the nation's fifth-largest airline.Just last month, the airline announced it was adding new flights between LAX and the Bahamas, and last week it announced new service between LAX and Guatemala City — the first flights the airline has ever offered to the Central American country.Neil Thwaites, Alaska Airlines’ regional vice-president for California, said the company was focused on growing a stronger network for California-based travelers.“We’re excited to give people more ways to connect nonstop between Southern and Northern California with the launch o...

Sen. Grassley releases full FBI memo about Hunter Biden

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:13:24 GMT

By Lisa Mascaro | Associated PressWASHINGTON — Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley released an unclassified document Thursday that Republicans claim is significant in their investigation of Hunter Biden as they delve into the financial affairs of the president and his son, and revive previously debunked claims of wrongdoing.Grassley of Iowa has been working alongside House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., as Republicans deepen their probe of President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter, ahead of the 2024 election. Comer had issued a subpoena for the document from the FBI.While lawmakers on the Oversight Committee have already been able to partly review the information, this is the first time the full document — which contains raw, unverified information — is being made public. Called an FD-1023 form, it involves claims a confidential informant made in 2020 about Hunter Biden’s alleged business dealings when he served on the board of Ukrainian energy company Burisma. Top ...