Latest news with #Lithuanian
ITV News
3 hours ago
- ITV News
Significant seizure at Port of Dover could have caused 'untold damage'
A significant haul of firearms, ammunition, ketamine and MDMA has been discovered at the Port of Dover. 20 firearms, 320 rounds of ammunition and 170kg of ketamine were found in a Lithuanian registered heavy goods vehicle which was stopped by Border Force officers on Monday 23rd June. The National Crime Agency estimates the ketamine has a street value of around £4.5 million while the 4,000 MDMA pills are thought to be worth of £40,000. Investigations are being carried out to assess if the firearms are viable pistols. The driver, a 34-year-old Tajikstan national, was arrested on suspicion of smuggling the illegal items but has since been bailed while enquiries continue. NCA senior investigating officer Darren Herbert said: "With thanks to our Border Force colleagues, an arsenal of deadly firearms, as well as harmful drugs, have been seized before they could reach the criminal supply chain. "Our investigation to trace and detain the individuals responsible for the attempted importation is ongoing. "Alongside our domestic and international partners, we are relentless in our efforts to suppress the supply of firearms to UK-based organised crime groups." Border Force Director for South East Region, Dave Smith said: "This is a significant seizure which demonstrates the vital work Border Force officers do every day to keep lethal weapons and dangerous drugs off our streets. "The firearms and drugs intercepted could have caused untold damage to our communities if they had reached their intended destination. "We will continue to work closely with the NCA to bring those responsible to justice and disrupt criminal networks involved in smuggling."
Daily Mirror
4 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
'One of biggest drug hauls in UK history' busted as £96m of cocaine found
Border Force officials have made one of the biggest drug busts in years as 2.4 tonnes of cocaine with a value of almost £100 million has been seized. The huge drug haul was found under containers on a ship arriving into London Gateway port from Panama, a Home Office spokesperson said. Officers detected the shipment earlier this month following an intelligence-led operation. With help from the port operator, officers moved 37 large containers to get to the stash. With a value of £96 million, it marks the sixth-largest cocaine bust since records began. Minister for migration and citizenship Seema Malhotra said: "Drugs gangs trying to import illegal substances into the UK are a blight on society and we will leave no stone left unturned in our pursuit of organised crime gangs inflicting addiction, misery and death upon Britain's communities. "Well done to Border Force Maritime officers on a hugely successful operation, which has struck a major blow against the criminals threatening our country." Cocaine-related deaths in England and Wales rose by 31% between 2022 and 2023, the Home Office said. Border Force Maritime director Charlie Eastaugh said: "This seizure - one of the largest of its kind - is just one example of how dedicated Border Force maritime officers remain one step ahead of the criminal gangs who threaten our security. "Our message to these criminals is clear - more than ever before, we are using intelligence and international law enforcement co-operation to disrupt and dismantle your operations." Elsewhere this week, guns and drugs worth millions were seized when a lorry was stopped at Dover. The National Crime Agency announced officers had seized 20 guns, 320 rounds of ammunition and 170kg of ketamine from a Lithuanian HGV of the Port of Dover. The officers, working with Border Force officials, stopped the lorry on Monday, June 23, with officers also finding 4,000 MDMA pills hidden in the vehicle. NCA investigators have estimated the street value of the ketamine alone would have been around £4.5 million, and £40,000 for the thousands of pills. The guns are yet to be tested by NCA experts but are believed to be viable pistols. The driver, a 34-year-old Tajikstan national, was arrested on suspicion of smuggling the guns and drugs. NCA senior investigating officer Darren Herbert said: "With thanks to our Border Force colleagues, an arsenal of deadly firearms, as well as harmful drugs, have been seized before they could reach the criminal supply chain. "Our investigation to trace and detain the individuals responsible for the attempted importation is ongoing. "Alongside our domestic and international partners, we are relentless in our efforts to suppress the supply of firearms to UK-based organised crime groups." Border Force Director for South East Region, Dave Smith said: "This is a significant seizure which demonstrates the vital work Border Force officers do every day to keep lethal weapons and dangerous drugs off our streets. "The firearms and drugs intercepted could have caused untold damage to our communities if they had reached their intended destination. "We will continue to work closely with the NCA to bring those responsible to justice and disrupt criminal networks involved in smuggling."
USA Today
13 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Kasparas Jakučionis points to past stops as helpful experience for the NBA
Kasparas Jakučionis has played basketball with several teams in the past, and the Lithuanian believes that experience will help him as he joins the Miami Heat as the 20th pick in the 2025 NBA draft. Jakučionis began playing domestically with Perlas Vilnius in the second division of the NKL. He joined Barcelona two years later and split his time between the first and second divisions before moving to the United States to play at the University of Illinois last season. The 6-foot-5 guard has expanded his game at each stop and learned how to play various styles of basketball. The knowledge picked up in those countries is beneficial at this stage of his career. "I think every time I moved to play somewhere else, especially from home when I was just 15, it helped me grow as a person and a player, learning new cultures and playing different styles of games because Spain is different than Lithuania," Jakučionis said. "Then I moved to Illinois, (which was) another adjustment, to play U.S. basketball more than Spain. I think these adjustments will give me more experience." Jakučionis was named to the All-Big Ten third team last season at Illinois, averaging 15 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists on 44% shooting from 3-point range in 33 games. He led the team in scoring, tying the freshman record for total points in a season (494). The 19-year-old is highly touted thanks to his ability to score at all three levels, playmaking, vision and passing. His selection by the Heat was met with praise by some because he projects to be able to step in and help the team in several areas on offense. Jakučionis is eager to get to work with the team and begin yet another adjustment on the court. He understands he needs to improve in some areas, but he is up for the challenge. "I need to put the work in the weight room, building my body and strength, and with the process and time, I know it will come," Jakučionis said. "I'm just ready to work hard and be the best version of myself."
Miami Herald
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Heat introduces first-round draft pick Kasparas Jakucionis: ‘It doesn't feel real yet'
Just a month after celebrating his 19th birthday, Kasparas Jakucionis is an NBA player. Moments after posing for photos with his new Miami Heat jersey while standing between Heat coach Erik Spoelstra and Heat president Pat Riley, the skilled Lithuanian guard admitted the last few days have been surreal. 'It's a different feeling,' Jakucionis said during his introductory press conference at Kaseya Center on Friday afternoon. 'It's so hard to describe in words. It doesn't feel real yet. So I'm still kind of trying to figure everything out. But it doesn't feel real.' But it is real, as the Heat selected Jakucionis with the 20th overall pick in the first round of the NBA Draft held Wednesday night at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Jakucionis, who turned 19 on May 29, doesn't have much time to let it sink in with summer league looming. He'll travel to San Francisco early next week to begin practicing with the Heat's summer league team on Wednesday. 'Just playing in summer league, try to get to know the game a little bit and just dive into the process,' Jakucionis said of the experience ahead. Summer league will provide the first glimpse at Jakucionis' intriguing skill set that led to many draft experts projecting him to be a lottery pick before he ended up falling to the Heat at No. 20. Jakucionis brings size to the position at 6-foot-5 and 205 pounds with a 6-foot-8 wingspan, and comes with the versatility to play as a lead guard but also as a secondary ball-handler. After moving from Lithuania at 15 to play basketball in Spain for three years in Barcelona, Jakucionis moved to the United States to play college basketball at Illinois. He averaged 15 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game while shooting 44% from the field and 31.8% from three-point range as a freshman. Jakucionis now faces another transition, as he moves into the NBA. 'I think every time I moved somewhere else, especially from home when I was just 15, it helped me grow as a person and as a player,' he said. 'I learned new cultures, played different styles of games because Spain is different than Lithuania. Then I moved to Illinois, another adjustment to play basketball in the United States. I think all of these adjustments give me more experience. Obviously, it's a process and I can't wait to start working.' Jakucionis' top skills are his playmaking and passing ability, especially in pick-and-rolls. That's a skill set that should help a Heat roster in need of creativity and playmaking on offense, and it should really help Heat big men Bam Adebayo and Kel'el Ware as roll men. Jakucionis is also a quality finisher at the rim, shooting 65% around the basket in half-court settings during his lone season at Illinois despite none of those makes being dunks, according to Synergy. He also has a knack for drawing fouls, shooting an efficient 84.5% on 5.1 free-throw attempts per game. But there are some questions surrounding Jakucionis' three-point shooting (shot 31.8 percent on 5.2 three-point attempts per game at Illinois last season), turnover-prone play (averaged 3.7 turnovers per game last season) and defensive ability at the NBA level. 'Definitely it's exciting to improve that,' Jakucionis said of the opportunity to become a better defender in the Heat's system. 'I always give 100 percent and just try to help the team and be the best version of me on that end of the floor, too.' When asked which players he watches when trying to add to his game, Jakucionis pointed to Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Doncic and talented Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard. 'I like to be myself,' Jakucionis said. 'But also I like to take something from other players, too. When I was little, I was watching Luka when he was still in Madrid. I moved to Spain after, too. I watch his playmaking. I like how Andrew Nembhard gives 100 percent on both ends of the floor, trying to do the right play and play the game the right way and shoot open shots. I would say those two the most, but I just like to be myself.' Jakucionis will become the fourth active Lithuanian player in the NBA, joining Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis, and Sacramento Kings centers Domantas Sabonis and Jonas Valanciunas. But unlike Heat teammates Nikola Jovic (Serbia) and Pelle Larsson (Sweden), Jakucionis does not plan on taking part in EuroBasket 2025 later this offseason. 'It's amazing,' Jakucionis said of representing Lithuania at the NBA level. 'Lithuania is not a big country. There's only 2.5 million people, but everybody loves basketball and everybody is trying to make the best out of it and everybody supports it.' But along with representing his Lithuanian roots, Jakucionis' time in Spain also left an imprint on him. He speaks fluent Spanish and even answered a question in Spanish during his introductory press conference on Friday. 'I love Spanish,' Jakucionis said. 'When I lived in Spain, I just learned it pretty quick. So I'm excited to be here because there's some Latin culture and a lot of people speak Spanish.' The Heat announced Friday that Jakucionis will wear No. 25, which has also been worn by former Heat players Orlando Robinson, Kendrick Nunn, Jordan Mickey, Wayne Simien, Anthony Carter, Jeff Malone and Milt Wagner. Jakucionis wore No. 32 at Illinois, but couldn't continue wearing that number because the Heat retired it for Hall of Fame center Shaquille O'Neal. So Jakucionis took some time to think about his new number before picking No. 25. 'A couple reasons,' Jakucionis said of his decision to wear No. 25 with the Heat. 'First, I was wearing No. 32. But before I was wearing No. 7 and the national team I was wearing No. 7 all the time. So 32 minus 7 is 25, my sister's favorite number is 25, her birthday is on the 25th of July, also I got drafted in 2025 and on June 25. So there's a lot that goes into it.' Jakucionis still has plenty to figure out as a fresh-faced 19-year-old. The Heat's offense badly needs Jakucionis' on-ball creativity after finishing with a bottom-10 offensive rating in each of the last three seasons, but he'll also need time to develop as one of the youngest players the Heat has ever drafted. But Jakucionis is already well aware of the Heat's famed 'culture' and he feels like he'll fit right in. 'It's a winning culture,' Jakucionis said. 'All the time, trying to do everything possible to win and give all-out effort every day and the toughness. I just love winning. I try to do everything possible for the team to win, try to work hard and be the best version of myself for the team to win.'
Time of India
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Harvey Milk, US 'gay rights icon, snubbed by Pentagon from a Navy ship. Who was he?
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced that the U.S. Navy is officially renaming the ship formerly known as the USNS Harvey Milk to the USNS Oscar V Peterson . 'We are taking the politics out of ship naming,' Hegseth said in a social media video announcing the decision. 'We're not renaming the ship to anything political. This is not about political activists, unlike the previous administration… People want to be proud of the ship they're sailing in.' Hegseth said in a video message Friday that the Navy ship honoring gay rights icon Harvey Milk has a new name. It is now named after Medal of Honor recipient Oscar V. Peterson, a chief petty officer who posthumously received the nation's highest honor for military valor in action. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cardiologist Reveals: The Simple Morning Habit for a Flatter Belly After 50! Lulutox Undo ALSO READ: Oscar Verner Peterson: WWII legend, after whom naval ship USNS Harvey Milk has been renamed, takes the helm Who was Harvey Milk? According to NewsWeek, Harvey Milk was one of the first openly gay elected officials in the United States and a pioneering figure in the LGBTQ+ rights movement. He served for four years in the Navy during the Korean War, before he was forced out for being gay. Live Events In 1977, Milk was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, becoming the first openly gay man elected to public office in California. He championed civil rights legislation and LGBTQ+ advocacy during his brief but impactful time in office. Milk was assassinated in November 1978, just 11 months into his term, aged 48. In recognition of his legacy, the U.S. Navy named a ship—the USNS Harvey Milk—in his honor in 2016. He was also posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009 by then-President Barack Obama for his contributions to equality and human rights. ALSO READ: New twist in Trump's immigration crackdown: Kristi Noem drops bombshell, names target countries accepting deported migrants "Harvey was born May 22, 1930, in Woodmere, New York. Harvey and his one sibling, Robert, worked in the family's department store, 'Milks'; his Lithuanian born father, William, served in the U.S. Navy and as did his spirited, independent mother Minerva, also of Lithuanian heritage, who was a Yeomanette during World War I," says Harvey Milk Foundation . The life and career of Harvey Milk have been the subjects of an opera, books, and films. These include the Shilt's biography, The Mayor of Castro Street (1982); the Oscar-winning documentary The Times of Harvey Milk by Robert Epstein(1984); and the Gus Van Sant directed drama Milk (2008). The latter film received eight Academy Award nominations, winning in two categories: Sean Penn was named best actor for his performance in the title role, and Dustin Lance Black won an Oscar for his screenplay.
