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Beyond the Silk Road: Uzbekistan's modern resurgence and emergence as a strategic partner for the EU

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:52:57 GMT

Central Asia's historical significance stems from its strategic location at the crossroads of East and West, nestled between empires and bordering areas of conflict and insecurity (such as Afghanistan, China's Xinjiang province, and Iran). While the region was largely ignored throughout the Cold War, its vitality and importance were quickly rediscovered (NATO.int) (Makarenko, 2010). Spechler & Spechler (2009) write that "Uzbekistan has achieved independence and stability by exploiting its natural resources through a strategy of ‘staple globalism' and by balancing the great powers against each other,” (Arabnews.com)1, writes Derya Soysal, historian and environmental expert with a focus on Central Asia history and geography.Uzbekistan, a former republic of the Soviet Union, gained independence on August 31, 1991. The first president was Islam Karimov but in 2016 Shavkat Mirzoyev came to power. Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the former Prime Minister, assumed office and decisively won the pre...

Knife-wielding woman pushes her way into SoCal family's apartment

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:52:57 GMT

A family in Riverside County thought they would have to fight for their lives after a woman armed with a knife forced her way into their apartment earlier this week.  The incident unfolded just before 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 6, in the 700 block of Gianni Drive in Corona, according to officials at the Corona Police Department.  “I thought I was going to die,” Lauren Luna told KTLA’s Rick Chambers. “I thought that woman was going to murder our entire family.”  The suspect, described as a Black female adult, approximately 20-30 years old, with a large build who was wearing a black shirt and dark pants, knocked on the Luna’s front door. When Lauren opened the door, she could see the knife the woman was carrying.  “I looked down, I saw a knife in her hand that looked like she had been playing with,” Lauren explained. “And she started asking for someone named Levon. She said, ‘Where’s Levon? I know he’s here.’” Lauren told the intruder that no one by that name lived in the ...

Mail carrier robbed of postal keys in Palo Alto

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:52:57 GMT

PALO ALTO – Two men robbed a United States Postal Service mail carrier of her postal keys and cell phone Wednesday afternoon in Palo Alto, police said.The victim called police just before 2 p.m. to report she had been robbed roughly 10 minutes earlier in the 3400 block of Alma Street, the Palo Alto Police Department said in a news release. Officers searched the area but did not find the suspects.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Armed suspect linked to vehicle burglary spree in Morgan Hill Crime and Public Safety | San Jose daycare operators arraigned in child pool drownings Crime and Public Safety | Here’s how San Jose plans to nab more catalytic converter thieves Crime and Public Safety | San Jose doctor in spicy ‘Dragon Balls’ lawsuit against Los Gatos restaurant claims the truth has come out Crime and Public Safety | Man arrested in connection with two assaults, hit-and-run in Mo...

Pleasant Hill neighborhood under shelter-in-place after shooting

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:52:57 GMT

(KRON) -- People who live near 227 Cleopatra Drive in Pleasant Hill are advised by the city's police department to stay inside on Thursday evening. An alert was sent out by police at 7:33 p.m. The Pleasant Hill Police Department said a domestic disturbance was reported at about 7 p.m. A female was shot and hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. A male suspect, who is believed to have a weapon, is barricaded inside a house. A SWAT team and negotiators are at the scene. All inbound and outbound traffic from the Sherman Acres neighborhood is closed, police said. Monument Boulevard near the city limits is closed as well. This is a developing story. Stick with KRON4 for updates.

No. 2 UCLA women rout Cal State Northridge 111-48 as Kiki Rice just misses quadruple-double

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:52:57 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — On a night when almost everyone scored for No. 2 UCLA, Kiki Rice did a lot more.The sophomore guard had her first career triple-double with 14 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists Thursday in a 111-48 rout of Cal State Northridge. It was the 10th triple-double in program history.“I’m super excited about it,” Rice said. “We have so many great shooters, we have so many really good post players, so a lot of great opportunities to just feed the ball.”Rice came up just three steals shy of a quadruple-double. She donned a giveaway light-up headpiece with UCLA lettering similar to Mickey Mouse ears after the game.“I like the steals,” she said. “I was really focused on being active on my off-ball defense this week and Coach Cori challenged me to pick it up.”Londynn Jones led the Bruins (7-0) with 19 points. They had six players in double figures, including Gabriela Jaquez with 18 points and nine rebounds, and Lauren Betts with 18 points. Only one of UCLA’s 10 players ...

Israel designates a safe zone in Gaza. Palestinians and aid groups say it offers little relief

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:52:57 GMT

Palestinians mourn relatives killed in the Israeli bombardment on Rafah, Gaza Strip, Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023. AP Photo/Hatem Ali)(AP/Hatem Ali) Palestinians mourn relatives killed in the Israeli bombardment on Rafah, Gaza Strip, Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023. AP Photo/Hatem Ali)(AP/Hatem Ali) MUWASI, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israel has designated a small slice of mostly undeveloped land along Gaza’s Mediterranean coast as a safe zone — a place where waves of people fleeing the war can find protection from airstrikes and receive humanitarian supplies for their families.The reality? The area of Muwasi is a makeshift tent camp where thousands of dazed Palestinians live in squalid conditions in scattered farm fields and waterl...

Bailey Zappe throws for 3 TDs, Patriots damage Steelers’ playoff hopes with 21-18 win

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:52:57 GMT

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The wins used to come so easy and so often for David Andrews early in his career with the New England Patriots, the veteran center barely noticed them.That hasn’t been the case in 2023. Not with the franchise enduring its worst season in nearly a quarter century and with potentially seismic changes looming.So yeah, there was a sense of relief after a 21-18 win over Pittsburgh on Thursday night, a throwback of sorts to the Patriots’ many big wins over their longtime AFC rival, albeit with far lesser stakes.The offense that’s looked lost for a month gained some momentum behind Bailey Zappe’s three touchdown passes. The defense got the stops when necessary and New England (3-10) ended a five-game losing streak while damaging Pittsburgh’s increasingly brittle playoff hopes.“No one has quit in this locker room,” said Andrews, a two-time Super Bowl champion. “We’re fighting, we’re working. We’re trying to get better. ...

Another win for oil states? Azerbaijan gets boost in bid to host next climate talks.

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:52:57 GMT

Petrostates could be on a streak for hosting international climate talks.Oil-rich Azerbaijan got a surprise boost Thursday in its bid to hold next year’s COP29 when Armenia, a country it has warred with on and off for decades, dropped its own aspirations to host the talks — and endorsed its adversary’s candidacy.The extraordinary turn of events could add to a pattern of nations that produce oil and natural gas running the annual talks on how nations should respond to the Earth’s warming, whose major cause is the burning of fossil fuels. The talks occurring this week are based in the United Arab Emirates, one of the world’s largest oil producers, a year after negotiations in Egypt led to a final text favorable to continued gas production.Brazil, which has South America’s second-largest oil reserves, is favored to host COP30 in 2025.Azerbaijan and Armenia — which have fought for control of contested territory since the dissolution of the Soviet Union — issued a joint st...

Hunter Biden charged with nine criminal counts for allegedly failing to pay taxes

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:52:57 GMT

A federal grand jury in California has indicted Hunter Biden on nine charges, including three felonies, for failing to pay his taxes, understating his income and exaggerating his expenses on tax returns between 2016 and 2019.With separate criminal charges against him pending in Delaware for illegally possessing a gun, the president’s son could face two criminal trials next year as his father runs for reelection against Donald Trump, who himself is facing four criminal cases.The Hunter Biden cases were brought by special counsel David Weiss, the Delaware prosecutor who has long supervised the federal probe into the president’s son.The new charges include tax evasion, filing false returns, failure to file returns on time, and failing to pay federal taxes. They carry a maximum possible prison term of 17 years, although defendants typically get shorter sentences under federal guidelines.Each of the tax charges accuses Biden of acting “willfully,” something his defense is ...

Hundreds gather for Hanukkah celebration near SDSU

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:52:57 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Several hundred people gathered Thursday night for the lighting of the new menorah the Chabad House near SDSU to celebrate the first day of Hanukkah.The old menorah was vandalized earlier this year for the third time in two years. With the help of fundraising and engineering, a new 1,500-pound structure was built that stands 20 feet tall. The Rally for Light was broadcast live during a livestream hosted by The Times of Israel. Menorah lightings in Australia, France and New York were also broadcasted live.  “We believe in the power of good,” Rabbi Chalom said. “No matter how dark it is, people see hope.”  City of San Diego moves forward with plan for De Anza Cove At 6:50 p.m., the menorah was lit. Attendees sang, prayed and cheered as the menorah reflected blue.  “It releases hope, joy and prosperity,” said King Cohen, who brought his children to the event.  Thursday marked 60 days since the attack on Israel. The event symbolized unity and resi...