Day: September 30, 2024

A FDNY firehouse and the United States Navy Academy Men’s Lacrosse team exchanged pleasantries in Brooklyn on Saturday, Sept 28.

Firefighters and Alumni from Engine 257 and Tower Ladder 170 hosted 80 members of the team ahead of the Tunnel to Tower run on Sunday morning, an organization that gives homes to first responder families killed in the line of duty. This is the group’s second year in a row linking up for this event.

The lacrosse team ranges from ages 18 to 21, with Tower Ladder 170’s Lieutenant Kittleberg son having played on the team last year. The group exchanged knowledge of firefighting with the young candidates of the U.S Navy over dinner. 

Firefighter Robert Velasquez of Engine 257 gave a speech about working through adversity and leadership. He was seriously injured after bailing out of a two story private home after a collapsed trapped and killed firefighter Timothy Klein on April 25, 2022.

Members of the Navy Academy can go on to become Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technicians, Information  Systems Techs and Machinist’s Mate Nuclear. 

Reaction to Lavrov’s statement on Georgia

Gigi Gigiadze, a researcher at the “Center for Economic Policy Research,” stated in an interview with “Interpressnews” that Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov’s statement is a continuation of the long-standing policy Russia has pursued towards Georgia, claiming that three states exist on Georgian territory. According to Gigiadze, the approval of Lavrov’s statement suggests that the “Georgian Dream” party may be viewing the conflicts from Russia’s perspective.

Gigiadze believes that the positive assessment of Lavrov’s remarks by high-ranking officials and similar messages gradually push a narrative that does not align with the national interests of the country and directly serves Russia’s interests.

Ruined Ukraine vs. prosperous Georgia: Controversial election banners by the ruling party

People on social media are calling it a disgrace and “the lowest point.”

Gigi Gigiadze commented: “First of all, Lavrov’s statement became a lifeline for ‘Georgian Dream.’ Russia and ‘Georgian Dream’ are acting in coordination. Lavrov’s statement was a response to the attempt by ‘Georgian Dream’ to portray itself as supposedly resolving ethnic issues in Georgia.

Lavrov specifically highlighted the term ‘neighboring states,’ which clearly reflects Russia’s position—it sees not one, but three states on Georgia’s territory. How such a statement could be acceptable to anyone in Georgia who considers themselves a patriot, or how it could be approved in any way, is beyond understanding!”

Reaction to Lavrov’s statement on Georgia

Moscow is ready to help Georgia reconcile with its ‘neighboring countries’ – Abkhazia and ‘South Ossetia’ – Russian FM

“The current Georgian government is simply assessing the past fairly” – Sergey Lavrov

“We are discussing the fact that in the occupied territories of Georgia—Abkhazia and the so-called South Ossetia—Russia continues to violate Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Therefore, the only way to begin dialogue with these regions is by removing the Russian factor.

Russia will never be interested in restoring Georgia’s territorial integrity or preserving its sovereignty. It is not a force that will contribute in any way to solving ethnic problems.

Lavrov’s statement is a continuation of the same policy Russia has pursued towards Georgia for many years, claiming that there are three states on Georgian territory. This is categorically unacceptable for Georgia and any patriot because it indicates Russia’s opposition to Georgia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

I find it completely incomprehensible how anyone could endorse Sergey Lavrov’s statement. The only way to view it positively is to acknowledge that ‘Georgian Dream’ is trying to position itself as a political force that clearly supports a pro-Russian narrative.”

U.S. sanctions package developed against Georgian oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili — Voice of America

“There is information that Ivanishvili acted under the direction of Russian intelligence services”