West
American filmmaker arrested and jailed for spreading pro-Russia propaganda dies in Ukrainian prison
A pro-Putin Chilean-American filmmaker who was imprisoned in Ukraine over allegations of spreading Russian propaganda has died in jail.
Gonzalo Lira, a 55-year-old YouTuber and film director who was born in Burbank, California, and spent part of his childhood in the Los Angeles area, died in a Ukrainian jail on Friday, the State Department confirmed to Fox News Digital.
“We can confirm the death of U.S. citizen Gonzalo Lira in Ukraine,” a State Department spokesperson told Fox News Digital. “We offer our sincerest condolences to the family on their loss.”
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The spokesperson added that the department stands “ready to provide all appropriate consular assistance,” but would have no further comment “out of respect from the family during this difficult time.”
Lira gained a following posting pro-Russian content that justified Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, according to a report from Newsweek, a criminal offense under Ukrainian law. He was initially jailed in May 2023 but was released on bail. He was jailed again after posting a video hinting that he was going to leave the country, being arrested again for allegedly breaching the conditions of his bail.
American-Chilean filmmaker Gonzalo Lira died in Ukraine. Lira had been in a Ukrainian jail on charges of spreading Ukrainian propaganda. (X/@GonzaloLira1968)
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Newsweek also reported that Lira made many controversial posts before being picked up by Ukrainian authorities, including labeling Ukrainian President Volodymry Zelenskyy a “cokehead” and praising Putin’s “special military operation” as “one of the most brilliant invasions in military history.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attends a joint press conference with European Council President Charles Michel and President of Moldova Maia Sandu in Kyiv, Ukraine. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)
The Ukrainian government’s Center for Stategic Communication and Information Security said Lira was arrested for “justifying Russian aggression against Ukraine,” according to Newsweek, a violation of Article 463-2 of Ukrainian criminal law.
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San Francisco, CA
George Kittle used bottle of tequila to deal with devastating Achilles injury
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle finished a bottle of top-shelf tequila after tearing his Achilles in the 49ers’ eventual 23-19 wild-card victory in Philadelphia Sunday night, according to The Athletic.
Kittle, who popped his Achilles in the second quarter, requested it after the injury, and a San Francisco employee was seen delivering a bottle of Patron to the 49ers’ locker room.
The bottle reportedly was sent from the owners’ suite at Lincoln Financial Field.
49ers owner Jed York personally visited Kittle in the locker room and asked if he could get him anything — and that’s when the bottle of tequila was delivered a few minutes later, according to The San Francisco Standard.
Kittle was pushed out of bounds on a 6-yard reception and immediately grabbed his leg.
The All-Pro tight end was carted off the field and hobbled on one leg into the locker room, as seen in videos online.
He was ruled out for the rest of the game.
York and Kittle’s wife, Claire Kittle, both appeared visibly somber as they entered the locker room, according to The Athletic.
The Niners were the underdogs heading into the wild-card clash with the reigning Super Bowl champion Eagles.
San Francisco was already down two key players in defensive end Nick Bosa (knee) and linebacker Fred Warner (ankle).
The Eagles’ offense was a mess.
They committed four drops on third down, the most in a playoff game since 2006, per ESPN stats.
The 49ers visit the top-seeded Seattle Seahawks in an NFC divisional playoff game on Saturday.
Denver, CO
Broncos healthy compared to Bills
With the Wild Card round of the playoffs officially in the books, the Broncos are looking to welcome the Buffalo Bills to Mile High this Sunday. Things are different this year than they were last year. The Broncos are no longer a team just happy to be there. They’re a 1-seed juggernaut of football awesome, a real force to be reckoned with.
Truth be told, I think playing the Bills was the most ideal outcome for this weekend. After losing to each during the regular season, Denver wanted nothing to do with the Jaguars or the Chargers. While I’m confident the Broncos would have found a way to come out on top against either team, I’m glad this Sunday’s opponent is one Denver didn’t play during the regular season.
Most importantly, the Broncos are not facing the Bills team from last year, they’re facing thes year’s team who featured no fewer than 16-players on the injury report going into their Wild Card tilt. Versus the Jaguars, the Bills suffered further injury to QB Josh Allen (he was one of the 16 listed), RB James Cook, WR Gabe Davis, S Jordan Poyer, and WR Tyrell Shavers.
By the time the Denver Broncos take the field on Sunday, they will have had 14-days rest and has the opportunity to return guys, like Drew Sanders who may come off IR this week, that needed time to heal up to return to the field. The benefit to rest and health can’t be underestimated when you see teams like the Bills staggering into Sunday bandaged and bruised.
By contrast, the Broncos featured just 6 players on IR before their regular season finale against the Chargers. Sure, the injuries to S PJ Locke, T Garett Bolles, and CAlex Forsyth were less than ideal. We’ll get an idea soon how recovery has gone with the extra week rest, but we all know they’re better off for having the time off.
The playoff bye week is over. It’s time to get to work, Denver. You’ve got the Bills coming into town and it’s your task to show them their way out of town and into the postseason. It’s a tall order, but there’s no better time than the present to show the world exactly who you are.
Seattle, WA
UPDATE: Another incident reported near ‘the curve’ toward southwest end of westbound West Seattle Bridge
9:38 PM: SPD is arriving at the scene of another incident repoorted near “the curve” by the Walking On Logs/Welcome to West Seattle pullout, on this rainy night. We haven’t seen a visual but emergency radio describes a 1996 Ford Crown Victoria “in the grass” off the road. Apparently no injuries, as SFD has been canceled. No pole or other damage this time, police told dispatch.
10:23 PM: Officers just told dispatch they’ll be blocking both westbound lanes for a bit while the tow truck driver does their work.
10:50 PM: Both westbound lanes have reopened.
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