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Mapping Project Reveals Locations of U.S. Border Surveillance Towers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:17 GMT

The precise locations of the U.S. government’s high-tech surveillance towers along the U.S-Mexico border are being made public for the first time as part of a mapping project by the Electronic Frontier Foundation.While the Department of Homeland Security’s investment of more than a billion dollars into a so-called virtual wall between the U.S. and Mexico is a matter of public record, the government does not disclose where these towers are located, despite privacy concerns of residents of both countries — and the fact that individual towers are plainly visible to observers. The surveillance tower map is the result of a year’s work steered by EFF Director of Investigations Dave Maass, who pieced together the constellation of surveillance towers through a combination of public procurement documents, satellite photographs, in-person trips to the border, and even virtual reality-enabled wandering through Google Street View imagery. While Maass notes the map is incomplete and remain...

First Republic Bank shares slide in volatile trading session

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:17 GMT

Trading in shares of First Republic Bank was halted multiple times on Monday as uneasiness still surrounds the financial institution following its $30 billion rescue package.First Republic Bank received a $30 billion rescue package from 11 of the biggest U.S. banks last week in an effort to prevent its collapse. First Republic Bank has since been downgraded by S&P Global Ratings which said that the rescue package should ease near-term liquidity pressures, but it may not solve the substantial business, liquidity, funding, and profitability challenges that it believes the San Francisco-based bank is now likely facing.At midday trading volume had surpassed 107 million shares, compared with the daily average of less than 14 million shares. At the most recent trade, the stock was down 31% at $15.98, close to an all-time low.In other news, the bidding process for the successor of Silicon Valley Bank is being extended by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. to give more time to work out...

Peak bloom is almost here: Here’s how you can help protect DC’s famed cherry trees

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:17 GMT

Peak bloom is set to arrive on the Tidal Basin this week, kicking off one of the busiest and crowded stretches along the cherry tree-lined paths around D.C.’s famous monuments.If you’ve lived in the D.C. area long enough, you should already know the rules about how to treat the trees. But that doesn’t mean everyone else does.PHOTOS: Cherry Blossoms 2023More Cherry Blossom NewsMore DC NewsMore Local NewsThis year, the National Park Service is providing a little more help, and also allowing visitors to sign up to become a “protector” of the cherry trees, too.“We’ve got a new program this year, visitors will see signage around the Tidal Basin encouraging them to take care, to become a cherry blossom protector,” said Mike Litterst, a spokesman for the National Park Service.Pins and badges will also be passed out to visitors.“Everybody who is here can help us to become a protector of the cherry tree,” he added.If you need a remi...

San Diego deputy faces DUI charge after car runs Navy gate

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:17 GMT

CORONADO, Calif. (AP) — An off-duty San Diego County deputy has been arrested on suspicion of driving past security at the main gate of a California Navy base while under the influence, prompting guards to open fire and the base to be put on lockdown briefly.The San Diego Sheriff’s Department said Sgt. Michael Cruz was taken into custody late Friday after driving without stopping through the entrance of Naval Air Station North Island, part of Naval Base Coronado, near San Diego. No one was hurt during the incident, which is being investigated by the Coronado police department and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.Cruz could not be reached for comment and it was unclear if he had an attorney. He was booked at San Diego Central Jail on a charge of driving under the influence and later released, the department said. He has worked at the department since 2006 and was put on paid administrative leave while the sheriff’s department conducts an internal affairs investiga...

‘Man on Wire’ legend Philippe Petit performs ‘Wonder on the Wire’ at National Building Museum in DC

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:17 GMT

(new Image()).src = "https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=9be9c680-c459-4acb-af21-654a2ccca384&cid=c2ffed0c-3624-46c0-b10f-97c976d290a3";cnx.cmd.push(function() { cnx({ playerId: "9be9c680-c459-4acb-af21-654a2ccca384",mediaId: "5139535d-f7d1-44b1-9c7a-fb7fe4599ba4"}).render("0c9cb73e6eb64a149ad32f7554125088"); });Hear our full conversation on my podcast “Beyond the Fame.” toggle audio on and off change volume download audio WTOP's Jason Fraley previews Philippe Petit at National Building Museum (Part 1) $(function () { $('.wtop-audio-container .fa-play').on('click', function(){ var audio_filename = $('div.wtop-audio-file').data("mp3-url"); ...

Donors pledge $7.5 billion for Turkey, Syria after quake

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:17 GMT

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union and international donors on Monday pledged seven billion euros ($7.5 billion) to help Turkey and Syria in the aftermath of the earthquake that devastated parts of the neighboring countries last month.Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the EU’s executive arm, said 3.3 billion euros ($3.5 billion) of the total amount will be raised by the 27-nation bloc.The magnitude 7.8 earthquake on Feb. 6 killed more than 52,000 people — the vast majority in Turkey. Nearly 300,000 buildings in Turkey either collapsed or were severely damaged, according to the country’s president.“We have shown to the people in Turkey and Syria that we are supporting those in need,” Von der Leyen said, adding that the global pledge included 1.1 billion euros from the EU’s executive arm, and 500 millions from the European Investment Bank, backed by the EU budget.Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addressed the conference via videolink and described some of the re...

Dentist searched 'how to make poison' before wife's poisoning death, affidavit claims

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:17 GMT

AURORA, Colo. (KDVR) — An Aurora dentist who is accused of poisoning and killing his wife allegedly researched and ordered multiple "undetectable poisons" and Googled "how many grams of pure arsenic will kill a human."James Toliver Craig, 45, was arrested on a first-degree murder charge Sunday for the death of his wife Angela Craig. According to an arrest affidavit obtained by FOX31, the Aurora Police Department believes James went to great lengths to kill his wife by allegedly searching for ways to kill someone undetected, ordering multiple different types of poison, pouring them into her protein shakes, and then attempting to begin a new life with another woman. Just how far does a 6-figure salary go in Denver? According to the affidavit, Angela said she was suffering from dizziness, headaches and the feeling of being drugged beginning on March 6 through March 15. Angela became sick multiple times within that week and was admitted to the hospital three separate times. Co-workers...

US, Denver see first yearly drop in home prices since 2012

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:17 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- Colorado may be one of the most expensive housing markets in the country, but this year it marked its first annual drop in price in a decade. This comes on the heels of a national trend. According to a Redfin report on the national housing market, the median U.S. home sale price fell 1.2% in February to $386,721. The U.S. hasn't seen a year-over-year decline in home prices since 2012.  Want a spacious Colorado home? Dream on High mortgage rates turned the tables on what was one of the hottest housing markets of recent history. Buyers are less willing to pay the asking prices of last year, and sellers are still holding out for those prices. Prices are down even further along the Front Range, one of the nation's most scalding hot housing markets. The Denver metro median sales price was $560,000 in February, down from $575,000 in February 2022. This is a 2.6% drop - twice the national decline in prices from last year. Homes are facing far less competition than they h...

DeSantis needles Trump as he breaks silence on hush money case

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:17 GMT

(CNN) — Breaking his silence on Donald Trump’s legal troubles, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday criticized the Manhattan district attorney who is pursuing charges against the former president and vowed his office would not be involved if the matter trickles into Trump’s adopted home state.But DeSantis, a rising rival for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, stopped well short of offering support for the former president and instead seemed to poke fun at the situation Trump has found himself in as he attempts a political comeback and a third campaign for the White House. A grand jury is in the final stages of determining whether Trump should face charges over an alleged payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels related to a supposed affair.“I don’t know what goes into paying hush money to a porn star to secure silence over some type of alleged affair,” DeSantis said as laughter broke out at a news conference in Panama City, Florida. R...

Street in SW Miami-Dade named in honor of fallen MDPD officer

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:17 GMT

A sign of respect now stands in honor of a South Florida officer killed in the line of duty. The street where he grew up will now bear his name.The location, 162nd Avenue, near 56th Street, holds big meaning for Cesar Echaverry‘s family. It is where the Miami-Dade Police officer lived his life. “Today’s dedication will never ease the pain of his passing,” said Stephanie Vargas, his fiance. “We’ll remember him every single day, and we’ll do everything we can to honor his memory.”Echaverry was killed in August while chasing an armed robbery suspect. On Monday, 162nd Avenue, by his high school, Ferguson High, and also near the neighborhood where he grew up, was named after him. “The street itself is extremely meaningful as it was the main way to his daily routines; gym, church, my house,” Vargas said. MDPD Director Alfredo Ramirez was also at the street unveiling.“Southwest 167th Avenue is where Echy’s dreams came ...