BEIJING - China became one of the last major countries to congratulate Joe Biden, who is expected to make few changes to U.S. policy in conflicts with Beijing over trade, technology and security. China, along with Russia, avoided joining the throng that congratulated Biden last weekend after he and vice presidential running mate Kamala Harris secured enough Electoral College votes to unseat President Donald Trump. “We respect the choice of the American people,” said a foreign ministry spokesman, Wang Wenbin. “We congratulate Mr. Biden and Ms. Harris.” Wang gave no reason for the delay but said, “the result will be confirmed according to U.S. laws and procedures.” U.S.-Chinese relations have plunged to their lowest level in decades amid a tariff war over Beijing's technology ambitions and trade surplus, accusations of spying and tension over human rights, the coronavirus pandemic, Hong Kong and control of the South China Sea.
CONNECTICUT - 2 dead, 1 missing in Connecticut veterans hospital explosion. An apparent steam explosion in a maintenance building at a Veterans Affairs hospital in Connecticut killed two people Friday, and a third person is missing, officials said. “We received a report this morning that an explosion occurred at the West Haven campus of the VA Connecticut Healthcare System that resulted in two deaths in a non-patient care area," VA Secretary Robert Wilkie said in a statement. “Neither of the victims were VA patients and patient care was not affected. Emergency personnel are on the scene," the statement said. "Our prayers are with the families of the victims of this explosion.”
Police frequency
BREAKING: Brush fire burning in Malibu. #LASD PCH closed at Tuna Cyn due to a brush fire. Avoid the area.
Boogaloo guys are weird and confused, Richmond, Virginia, last night.
Philadelphia's city council voted to apologize for the 1985 bombing of a Black neighborhood.
(Police dropped combat explosives on members of Black liberation group MOVE, who were living in a row house. 11 people killed — including 5 children — and fires left 250 people homeless.)
(Police dropped combat explosives on members of Black liberation group MOVE, who were living in a row house. 11 people killed — including 5 children — and fires left 250 people homeless.)
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DC Police Chief Peter Newsham told police are monitoring the MAGA groups that have planned rallies at Freedom Plaza this Saturday. Chief Newsham reminds people that, “you can not open/carry in D.C.''
A major police operation is underway in Montreal’s Mile-End neighbourhood after reports of a hostage situation at Ubisoft offices located at the intersection of St-Laurent Boulevard and St-Viateur Avenue. Police have cordoned off the area and are asking people to stay away. Video posted to social media shows officers pulling out their weapons and seeking cover behind a patrol car. Police have yet to release any details surrounding the possible hostage-taking, saying they are waiting to validate information. This is a developing story.
At least 50 people are being held hostage on the roof of the Ubisoft building on St. Laurent near St. Viateur. Montreal police say there have so far been no injuries reported at the building where Ubisoft's offices are located, and where a hostage situation is currently unfolding. According to TVA, a daycare on the premises has been barricaded.
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Heavily-armed SWAT move into position and prepare to enter the building.
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Dozens of people on rooftop are NOT taken hostage but have fled because of a hostage situation IN the Ubisoft building. Montreal Canada. Special units storming the building to liberate hostages.
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GEORGIA. One week before the election. PBS (Public Broadcasting Systems) does a deep dive on Georgia's use of Dominion Voting Systems machines. What they found was troubling.