Parsons, KS — Authorities in Parsons, Kansas discover an explosive device in the 2700 block of Dirr at around 2 PM on Thursday. When they arrived — they tested the device and the result was positive for explosive material. The Kansas Highway Patrol Hazardous Device Unit disposed of the device.
Ozark Co., MO — An Ozard County woman receives a 4-year prison sentence in connection with her daughter’s death. Prosecutors had argued that Rebecca Ruud drugged and beat her 16-year-old daughter Savannah Leckie in 2017. A jury found her not guilty of first-degree murder back in July. But convicted her on a charge of abandoning a corpse.
Kharkiv, Ukraine (AP) — Scores of images and videos have emerged in recent days of Russian tanks, armored vehicles, and other military equipment abandoned by forces in their hasty retreat from the Kharkiv region. Analysts say that Russia’s tank division may have lost half of its combat power and the Ukrainian military say that 590 pieces of Russian equipment were destroyed.
Switzerland (AP) — 28-time grand slam champion Roger Federer is hanging up his racket. In a post on social media Thursday — Federer announced his retirement from competitive tennis. Federer said next week’s ‘Laver Cup’ in London will be his last ATP event.
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Delaware Co., OK. — Authorities in Oklahoma determine a car crash killed two people found dead Tuesday night in Delaware County. Authorities also identified the victims as 22-year-old Shelby Blackfox of Oklahoma City and 46-year-old Ronald Hogshooter of Frederick, Oklahoma. Officers believe they were ejected from a single-vehicle crash though it’s still unclear what led to the crash.
McDonald Co., MO. — A telemedicine unit with medical grade equipment will allow McDonald County High School students to be seen from the school nurse’s office. A provider from Neosho’s hospital will be able to complete the student’s assessment. Parents can also join in on the visit from their phones by opening a link sent to them.
Uzbekistan (AP) — Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Uzbekistan Wednesday night where the Uzbekistan president welcomed him. According to Chinese state media — Xi is in the country as part of a state visit that will also see him attending a leaders’ meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
Canada (AP) — Canada is giving the public a way to honor Queen Elizabeth the Second. The department of Canadian heritage says people can sign an official book of condolences. Physical copies are available in legislative buildings across the country. Messages can’t be longer than 500 words or be offensive or inappropriate. The longest-reigning British monarch made 22 official visits to Canada as part of the Commonwealth.
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Joplin, MO — Joplin’s planning and zoning commission discusses plans for the future site of a Whataburger restaurant in the city. The commission looked at a site plan review brought forth by Whatabrands. The proposed location is two adjacent properties 2014 S Rangeline and 2019 S Highview Ave. Commissioners approved the review and it now heads to the city council.
Fort Scott, KS — The Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes in Fort Scott, Kansas celebrates its 15th anniversary and the grand opening of the Lowell Milken Park. The center honors around forty unsung heroes — one of which is a dog. 25 teachers — including one from Amsterdam — were a part of the celebration. The open house for the center takes place today from 10 AM to 4 PM.
Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine has retaken more than 1100 square miles of eastern territory in a massive ongoing counter-offensive. This is more than Russian troops have captured in all of their operations since April. Meanwhile — negotiations continue — over pausing military action in and around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant — amid fears of a catastrophic meltdown.
British Columbia, Canada (AP) — Air quality warnings and evacuation orders were put into effect in Canada’s westernmost province, British Columbia on Monday due to spreading wildfires. There are 193 active wildfires currently burning in the province. Together, the fires have forced about 100,000 people to leave their homes. According to the air quality index, Vancouver had the worst air quality in the world.
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Baxter Springs, KS. — Some Kansas drivers may have to look out for a detour starting today. The Kansas Department of Transportation looks to close the US 400 Bypass east of Baxter Springs. It’s being closed for construction as KDOT continues work on the US 166 expansion in Cherokee County. There will be a signed detour on US 68A, K66, and K26.
Anderson, MO. — Anderson, Missouri police charged a man with a fatal crash last month. Vincent Castro is now charged with a DWI resulting in the death of another — among other charges for the August 20th two-vehicle crash on Missouri 59 in Anderson. The other driver — 65-year-old David Cunningham was airlifted to Freeman Hospital in Joplin where he was later pronounced dead.
Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian soldiers raise their country’s flag in the main square of Izium. Russian forces were forced to flee the strategic eastern city just five days after Ukrainian forces began a new offensive eastward through the Kharkiv region. The last five days have seen the most ambitious ground assaults by the Ukrainians since Russia launched its full-scale invasion six months ago.
London (AP) — William and Prince Harry pay respects to their grandmother on the grounds of Windsor Castle. Sources say William reached out to Harry shortly before this walk. You can see the brother with their wives, Catherine and Meghan, look at some of the tributes to the queen left by the gates of the castle before greeting people who were there to offer their condolences. Public viewings for the queen are to get underway today.
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COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Danish police said Sunday that several people were shot at a Copenhagen shopping mall.
Copenhagen police said that one person has been arrested in connection with the shooting at the Field’s shopping mall, which is close to the city’s airport. Police tweeted that “several people have been hit,” but gave no other details.
Copenhagen Mayor Sophie H. Andersen tweeted: “Terrible reports of shooting in Fields. We do not yet know for sure how many were injured or dead, but it is very serious.”
Images from the scene showed people running out of the mall, and Denmark’s TV2 broadcaster posted a photo of a man being put on a stretcher. Witnesses said people were crying and hid in shops.
Laurits Hermansen told Danish broadcaster DR that he was in a clothing store at the shopping center with his family when he heard “three-four bangs. Really loud bangs. It sounded like the shots were being fired just next to the store.”
A huge presence of heavily-armed police officers was on hand, with several fire department vehicles also parked outside the mall.
“One person has been arrested in connection with the shooting at Fields. We currently are not able to say more about the person concerned,” Copenhagen police tweeted. “We have a massive presence at Fields and are working on getting an overview.”
The shopping center is on the outskirts of Copenhagen just across from a subway line that connects the city center with the international airport. A major highway also runs adjacent to Fields.
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“Due to COVID social distancing concerns, there will be 16 chairs for reporters in the room. The seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Only one seat per news organization is authorized.” – Pentagon
U.S. Department of State Spokesperson Ned Price discusses the latest in Ukraine, actions by Russia and answers questions. They held a briefing today, Feb.25, 2022.
The following quotes are parts of the briefing tweeted by the agency while going live.
“The American people are standing with the people of Ukraine as they suffer an unjustified, unprovoked, and premeditated attack by Russia’s military forces. We will not falter in our resolute support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
“Moscow is resorting to outright lies in an effort to weaken the resolve of Ukraine’s military and its people. These tactics are classic intimidation and synonymous with the Kremlin–They are unacceptable.”
“The United States reaffirms that Crimea is Ukraine.”
“The people of Russia are not our enemy. We hold President Putin and his cronies responsible for this war, not them.”
“We stand united with our @NATO Allies and partners in Europe and around the world on confronting the Russian government and holding Putin to account.”
JASPER COUNTY, Mo. – Local Afghanistan veteran Stewart Tyree is making progress dealing with PTSD but doesn’t hide his frustration when it comes to the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan.
“Honestly, it’s more of a slap in the face than anything. You’ve got a lot of soldiers that lost their lives, veterans of all branches that lost their lives for a purpose, and keeping weaponry and any sort of item that could be used against us out of the Taliban’s hands was our main mission,” said the Afghanistan veteran.
Fortunately for Stewart and many other local veterans, they’ve got a support group to lean on in the form of Webb City-based nonprofit Charlie 22 Outdoors. The group typically organizes outdoor activities for U.S. veterans, but their mission doesn’t stop there.
“Today, we had veterans together just to talk about what’s happening, what their service was like. They came together today just for comradery, fellowship, and to encourage each other. It’s very important to fight what they’re facing mentally and emotionally,” said Charlie 22 Outdoors Director Scotty Hettinger.
The heroes involved with Charlie 22 Outdoors know that watching a country fall after 20 years of U.S. military involvement can be mentally scarring, which is why they’re encouraging any veteran who wants to talk about it to do just that.
“There are veterans everywhere. We are the only ones that can know exactly what you’re going through. Just reaching out to another veteran makes a world of difference,” said Stewart.
“It’s like I told my nephew when he had to go. He said, ‘It’s a different kind of war.’ And I’m like, “War is war. Somebody is out to get you and somebody needs to watch your back.’ I don’t care if you’re young or old, or what war it is, we have a comradery and the ability to come together and help each other because we’ve been through it,” said Vietnam veteran involved with Charlie 22 Outdoors, Allan Hardin.
“When the demons come and the issues come, don’t think you’re alone. You’re not alone. Just reach out, and we believe it’s a sign of strength when you reach out for help,” said Scotty.
If you’re a veteran who’d like to learn more about Charlie 22 Outdoors, click here. Veterans looking for more support options when it comes to discussing Afghanistan can click here.
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — The Taliban vowed Tuesday to respect women’s rights, forgive those who fought them and ensure Afghanistan does not become a haven for terrorists as part of a publicity blitz aimed at reassuring world powers and a fearful population.
Following a lightning offensive across Afghanistan that saw many cities fall to the insurgents without a fight, the Taliban have sought to portray themselves as more moderate than when they imposed a strict form of Islamic rule in the late 1990s. But many Afghans remain skeptical — and thousands have raced to the airport, desperate to flee the country.
Older generations remember the Taliban’s previous rule, when they largely confined women to their homes, banned television and music, and held public executions. A U.S.-led invasion drove them from power months after the 9/11 attacks, which al-Qaida had orchestrated from Afghanistan while being sheltered by the Taliban.
Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban’s longtime spokesman, emerged from the shadows Tuesday in his first-ever public appearance to address those concerns at a news conference.
He promised the Taliban would honor women’s rights within the norms of Islamic law, without elaborating. The Taliban have encouraged women to return to work and have allowed girls to return to school, handing out Islamic headscarves at the door. A female news anchor interviewed a Taliban official Monday in a TV studio.
The treatment of women varies widely across the Muslim world and sometimes even within the same country, with rural areas tending to be far more conservative. Some Muslim countries, including neighboring Pakistan, have had female prime ministers, while ultraconservative Saudi Arabia only recently allowed women to drive.
Mujahid also said the Taliban would not allow Afghanistan to be used as a base for attacking other countries, as it was in the years before 9/11. That assurance was part of a 2020 peace deal reached between the Taliban and the Trump administration that paved the way for the American withdrawal.
The Pentagon said U.S. commanders are communicating with the Taliban as they work to evacuate thousands of people through Kabul’s international airport. It said the Taliban have taken no hostile actions there.
Mujahid reiterated that the Taliban have offered full amnesty to Afghans who worked for the U.S. and the Western-backed government, saying “nobody will go to their doors to ask why they helped.” He said private media should “remain independent” but that journalists “should not work against national values.”
In front of a Taliban flag, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, center, speaks at his first news conference, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021. Mujahid vowed Tuesday that the Taliban would respect women’s rights, forgive those who resisted them and ensure a secure Afghanistan as part of a publicity blitz aimed at convincing world powers and a fearful population that they have changed. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)
Kabul, the capital, has remained calm as the Taliban patrol its streets. But many remain fearful after prisons and armories emptied out during the insurgents’ sweep across the country.
Kabul residents say groups of armed men have been going door-to-door seeking out individuals who worked with the ousted government and security forces, but it was unclear if the gunmen were Taliban or criminals posing as militants. Mujahid blamed the security breakdown on the former government, saying the Taliban only entered Kabul in order to restore law and order after the police melted away.
A broadcaster in Afghanistan said she was hiding at a relative’s house, too frightened to return home much less go to work. She said she and other women do not believe the Taliban have changed their ways. She spoke on condition of anonymity because she feared for her safety.
A group of women wearing Islamic headscarves demonstrated briefly in Kabul, holding signs demanding the Taliban not “eliminate women” from public life.
U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan said the U.S. and other governments will not simply take the Taliban at their word when it comes to women’s rights.
“Like I’ve said all along, this is not about trust. This is about verify,” Sullivan said at a White House briefing. “And we’ll see what the Taliban end up doing in the days and weeks ahead, and when I say we, I mean the entire international community.”
Whatever their true intentions, the Taliban have an interest in projecting moderation to prevent the international community from isolating their government, as it did in the 1990s.
The European Union said it was suspending development assistance to Afghanistan until the political situation is more clear but that it would consider boosting humanitarian aid.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the Taliban must respect U.N. Security Council resolutions and human rights to earn access to some 1.2 billion euros ($1.4 billion) in development funds earmarked through 2024.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said Britain might provide up to 10% more humanitarian aid, but the the Taliban would not get any money previously earmarked for security.
On Tuesday, the Taliban entered the civilian half of the airport, firing into the air to drive out around 500 people there, said an Afghan official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to brief journalists.
The Taliban appeared to be trying to control the crowd rather than prevent people from leaving. A video circulating online showed the Taliban supervising the orderly departure of dozens of foreigners.
The U.S. Embassy in Kabul, now operating from the military side of the airport, urged Americans to register online for evacuation but not to come to the airport before being contacted.
The German Foreign Ministry said a first German military transport plane landed in Kabul but took off with only seven people on board due to the chaos. Another left later with 125 people.
On Monday, the U.S. military and officials focus was on Kabul’s airport, where thousands of Afghans trapped by the sudden Taliban takeover rushed the tarmac and clung to U.S. military planes deployed to fly out staffers of the U.S. Embassy, which shut down Sunday, and others. (AP Photo/Shekib Rahmani)
U.S. President Joe Biden has defended his decision to end America’s longest war, blaming the rapid Taliban takeover on Afghanistan’s Western-backed government and security forces. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg echoed that assessment, while saying the alliance must investigate the flaws in its efforts to train the Afghan military.
Talks continued Tuesday between the Taliban and several Afghan politicians, including former President Hamid Karzai and Abdullah Abdullah, who once headed the country’s negotiating council. The Taliban have said they want to form an “inclusive, Islamic government.”
The talks focused on how a Taliban-dominated government would operate given the changes in Afghanistan over the last 20 years, rather than just dividing up ministries, officials with knowledge of the negotiations said on condition of anonymity to discuss the closed-door talks.
A top Taliban leader, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, arrived in Kandahar on Tuesday night from Qatar, potentially signaling a deal is close at hand.
The vice president of the ousted government, meanwhile, tweeted that he was the country’s “legitimate” caretaker president. Amrullah Saleh said that under the constitution, he should be in charge because President Ashraf Ghani has fled the country.
