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Ukraine downs hypersonic Russian missile using Patriot defense system

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:21 GMT

The Ukrainian military shot down a hypersonic Russian missile over Kyiv using the newly acquired Patriot missile defense system, an air force commander confirmed on Saturday.It’s the first time Ukraine has been known to intercept one of Moscow’s most sophisticated weapons, after receiving the long-sought, American-made defense batteries from the U.S., Germany and the Netherlands.“Yes, we shot down the ‘unique’ Kinzhal,” Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk said on Telegram, referring to a Kh-47 missile, which flies at 10 times the speed of sound. “It happened during the night time attack on May 4 in the skies of the Kyiv region.”Ukraine confirmed that two Patriot batteries were operational last month, following training on the system from the U.S. and Germany, according to the Kyiv Independent. The interception of the hypersonic missile also represents a major success for the Patriot technology, in use on the battlefield after 20 years of upgrades.Kyiv had initially denied that it h...

Burials held Serbia for some victims of mass shootings

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:21 GMT

BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Funerals are being held in Serbia on Saturday for some of the victims of two mass shootings that happened in just two days this week, leaving 17 people dead and 21 wounded, many of them children.The shootings on Wednesday in a school in Belgrade and on Thursday in a rural area south of the capital city have left the nation stunned with grief and disbelief.Though Serbia is awash with weapons and no stranger to crisis situations following the wars of the 1990s, a school shooting like the one on Wednesday has never happened before. The most recent previous mass shooting was in 2013 when a war veteran killed 13 people.The shooter on Wednesday was a 13-year-old boy who opened fire on his fellow students, killing seven girls, a boy and a school guard. A day later, a 20-year-old man fired randomly in two villages in central Serbia, killing eight people. While the country struggled to come to terms with what happened, authorities promised a gun crackdown and said the...

Pro-Kremlin novelist injured in car explosion in Russia

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:21 GMT

TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — The car of a prominent pro-Kremlin novelist exploded in Russia on Saturday, wounding him and killing his driver, Russia’s state news agency Tass reported, citing emergency and law enforcement officials. The incident involving the car of Zakhar Prilepin, a well-known nationalist writer and an ardent supporter of what the Kremlin calls a “special military operation” in Ukraine, took place in the region of Nizhny Novgorod, about 400 kilometers (250 miles) east of Moscow. It is the third explosion involving prominent pro-Kremlin figures since the start of the war in Ukraine. In August 2022, a car bombing on the outskirts of Moscow killed Daria Dugina, the daughter of an influential Russian political theorist often referred to as “Putin’s brain.” The authorities alleged that Ukraine was behind the blast. Last month, an explosion in a cafe in St. Petersburg killed a popular military blogger, Vladlen Tatarsky. Officials once again blamed Ukrainian ...

Trudeau, Simon take in pageantry of Britain’s first coronation in 70 years

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:21 GMT

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Gov. Gen. Mary Simon and astronaut Jeremy Hansen were among the Canadian dignitaries inside Westminster Abbey on Saturday morning to witness the coronation of King Charles III.A drizzle fell as the Canadian delegation entered the historic church.Indigenous leaders were also on the Canadian guest list, including Assembly of First Nations National Chief RoseAnne Archibald, President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami Natan Obed and President of the Métis National Council Cassidy Caron.Back in Canada, some royal-watchers set their alarm clocks to watch the pomp and pageantry in London, though polls have suggested many are lukewarm about the event — and the new monarch.In an interview ahead of the coronation, Ralph Goodale, High Commissioner for Canada in the United Kingdom, stressed the strong ties between the two countries.He cited the RCMP’s prominent position in the procession, and the fact that Charles met with Canadian Indigenous leaders right before the cor...

King Charles III crowned in Britain’s first coronation in 70 years

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:21 GMT

King Charles III has been crowned in his solemn coronation service and the congregation has cheered “God save the king.”The Archbishop of Canterbury placed the hefty gold and jewel-studded St. Edward’s crown on the head of Charles midway through the two-hour service. The crowning is the centerpiece of the coronation and it’s the only time during his reign that Charles will wear the solid gold crown.It features a purple velvet cap, ermine band and criss-crossed arches topped by a cross. It’s set with rubies, amethysts, sapphires, garnet, topazes and tourmalines. Camilla, the queen consort, was then anointed and crowned with Queen Mary’s Crown.Clergymen handed her the Queen Consort’s Scepter with Cross, and the Queen Consort’s Rod with Dove.The choir sang a new song, “Make a joyful noise,” composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Trumpets sounded inside the medieval abbey and the congregation shouted “God save King Charles̶...

Fate of $522 million bond package to be decided by Hutto ISD voters Saturday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:21 GMT

Editor's Note: The above video is previous KXAN coverage on Hutto ISD's bond packageHUTTO, Texas (KXAN) — One of the fastest-growing school districts in Central Texas has asked voters to consider a $522 million bond package. This to help it accommodate a student population expected to nearly double by 2032.Hutto ISD's bond package has three propositions listed, the most costly being Prop A at $471.5 million.As listed on the district's website, this would green-light two additional elementary school campuses, add-on to existing schools, and buy land to build future facilities.See election results after polls close at 7 p.m.Dr. Celina Estrada Thomas, superintendent of Hutto ISD, said such measures are needed to keep up with an expected population boom in the region once several major economic developments are complete.“You have housing developments going up, developments going up. Samsung that’s just bringing in enormous growth, secondary and tertiary companies that are following Sams...

Dripping Springs ISD $223M bond focuses on district growth

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:21 GMT

Editor's Note: The above video is previous KXAN coverage of the Dripping Springs ISD bond.DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas (KXAN) -- Dripping Springs ISD voters will vote on a $223 million bond to address growth within the district.It includes both a focus on the district’s growth, capital improvements and renovations on DSISD’s oldest campus and campus security, as well as ADA updates on all district campuses.See election results after polls close at 7 p.m.The 2023 bond package includes things like:Build Elementary School No. 6Expand Sycamore Springs Middle SchoolBuild New Facility for Special Education 18 ProgramSecurity Updates for all CampusesClassroom PortablesIn November, voters decided not to pass three bonds for Dripping Springs ISD. Those proposals totaled $481 million. According to the district, enrollment grew from roughly 4,500 to 8,500 students in the last decade. The district also expects enrollment to essentially double again, to 16,000, in the next decade.

Voters to decide on Eanes ISD $131 million bond

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:21 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Eanes ISD Board of Trustees called a May 6 bond election for voters to consider maintenance and efficiency projects, safety and security upgrades, new technological devices for students and staff and stadium upgrades.The total bond package is about $131 million, which will be broken down into three propositions. Voter Guide: What you need to know ahead of the May 2023 local elections Proposition A: $117.773 million for safety and security upgrades, repairs and refurbishments at all Eanes ISD campuses. Other projects include energy-efficiency projects, network replacements, a new learning management system, library modernization, roof and HVAC repairs, parking lot pavement and fine arts equipment replacements.See election results after polls close at 7 p.m.Proposition B: $2.411 million for Chaparral Stadium projects including safety upgrades, pole lighting replacements, a new video board and track surface replacement.Proposition C: $11.245 million for digital de...

Hays CISD proposes growth, security upgrades in $367M bond

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:21 GMT

Editor's Note: The above video is of previous KXAN coverage on the Hays CISD bond.HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) - Hays CISD has four propositions totaling more than $367 million on the May ballot. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Hays CISD puts $367M bond on May ballot Proposition A: academics and growth ($208,814,047)Proposition B: theater and fine arts, athletics and CTE ($102,857,074)Proposition C: technology ($3,980,000)Proposition D: outdoor multipurpose pavilions ($52,173,445)'We would run out of space'The district said the money is needed to help keep up with the ongoing growth."We’re projected to grow as many as 1,000 a year for the next decade. If we did nothing, it would just be a matter of years before we would run out of space,” said Hays CISD spokesperson Tim Savoy.See election results after polls close at 7 p.m.Hays CISD Superintendent Dr. Eric Wright said increasing capacity is one of the district's main focuses. He said recently, their student projections for 2030-2031 went from ar...

San Marcos CISD proposing more safety measures in $166M bond

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:21 GMT

Editor's Note: The above video is of KXAN's previous coverage of San Marcos CISD's propositions.SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) - San Marcos CISD has four propositions on the ballot totaling $166 million.Proposition A: attendance credit electionProposition B: upgrades to all 12 campuses ($147,724,645)Proposition C: turf replacement ($984,563)Proposition D: district natatorium ($17,478,750)Safety and security measuresSan Marcos CISD Chief of Communications Andrew Fernandez said their Proposition B includes several new safety measures at all 12 of their campuses.See election results after polls close at 7 p.m.“We want to add cameras, we want to fix the cameras we currently have. We’re also wanting to have first responder communication testing,” Fernandez said. “So what that means is when first responders walk into our buildings, we want to make sure their radios work.” RELATED COVERAGE: San Marcos CISD board approves school marshal program Along with safety, the districts said it is tackli...