$10K Reward Offered After Dozen Guns Stolen From Local Gun Store

A reward of $10,000 is currently being offered for information leading to the recovery of stolen weapons from a Kettering firearm shop earlier this week.

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On Friday, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) stated that they along with the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) will offer a reward for details resulting in the apprehension and conviction of those responsible for the break-in at AC Firearms and Supplies.

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As News Center 7 previously reported , AC Firearms on Woodman Drive was burglarized just before 4 a.m. on Thursday.

The security footage captured within the store reveals one individual smashing open the establishment's main entrance. Following this, all three individuals swiftly enter and start removing guns from the display walls as well as retrieving items from storage units.

Adam Bennett, the proprietor of the store, informed News Center 7 that 14 firearms had been stolen. He mentioned that none of the ammunition or magazine clips were taken.

Bennett thinks that he was deliberately chosen as a target because of how swiftly the thieves managed to operate.

It was likely someone who has visited this place at least once before," Bennett stated. "They took whatever caught their attention quickly and easily, stuff that could be sold just as fast.

The burglary is currently being investigated by the ATF’s Columbus Field Division along with the Kettering Police Department.

Those who have details can reach out to the ATF via phone at 1-888-ATF-TIPS (888-283-8477) or send an email. ATFTips@atf.gov or contacting them via their website.

You may reach out to Detective Sgt. Vince Mason of the Kettering Police at (937)296-2595.

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US Boosts Submarine Presence in Strategic Australian Locations Under AUKUS Pact

By Kirsty Needham

PERTH () – Inside the command centre of the US Navy’s Virginia-class attack submarine, the USS Minnesota, stationed off the west coast of Australia near Perth, sonar technicians are fine-tuning their equipment to filter out the sounds of dolphins in unfamiliar waters as America prepares to substantially increase its submarine fleet presence here.

During a training mission from its homeport in Guam, USS Minnesota leads the way for four Virginia-class submarines that will be stationed at a Western Australian naval base starting in 2027 as part of the AUKUS agreement aimed at transferring nuclear submarine capabilities to Australia.

The crew employs video game controllers to question imagery displayed through a photonic mast, which substitutes for a traditional periscope. Living onboard may involve as many as 100 consecutive days without glimpsing daylight, along with sporadic contact with loved ones via e-mail to preserve secrecy.

The commanding officer, Jeffrey Corneille, states that the Virginia-class submarine is "the most technologically advanced battleship globally."

He explains that if someone wakes up and asks 'Is today the day?' we ensure they respond with 'Perhaps not,' highlighting its deterring effect.

Approximately 50 to 80 US Navy members are set to arrive by mid-year at the HMAS Stirling base in Western Australia. This facility is currently receiving an $8 billion AUD ($5 billion USD) makeover as part of preparations for the "Submarine Rotational Force West," according to statements from Australian authorities.

Within two years, these figures will balloon to include hundreds of US Navy personnel and support staff.

HMAS Stirling’s position, which is nearer to Asia and the Indian Ocean compared to the U.S. Pacific Fleet headquarters in Hawaii, holds significant strategic importance for the United States, according to Peter Dean, who serves as the director of Foreign Policy and Defence at the United States Studies Centre located at the University of Sydney.

He stated that protecting the Indian Ocean from China’s growing strength and influence is crucial.

The Virginia submarine programme has been excluded from the Pentagon’s budget reductions because the Trump administration is shifting its focus away from the Middle East and Europe towards the Indo-Pacific region, he stated.

Elbridge Colby, who holds one of the top positions at the Pentagon in the Trump administration, stated during a recent U.S. Senate confirmation hearing that attack submarines are “crucially important” for ensuring the defense of Taiwan remains feasible. He emphasized that the production rate should be increased initially to address American requirements and concurrently to uphold America’s commitment to provide submarines to Australia as part of the AUKUS agreement.

In November, the USS Minnesota shifted its home port from Hawaii to Guam, a U.S. Pacific territory nearer to Taiwan and close to the sole forward-deployed U.S. submarine base.

Australian authorities have pointed out that a Chinese naval fleet which sailed around Australia in February and March, conducting unusual live-fire exercises near the eastern seaboard that interfered with civilian air traffic, then moved past Western Australia coinciding with the arrival of the USS Minnesota at a port, and proceeded towards the Indian Ocean, underscores Beijing’s intention to increase its presence in the region surrounding Australia.

Through AUKUS, Australia's costliest defense initiative, the country plans to acquire two second-hand Virginia-class submarines in the coming decade and develop a new line of nuclear-powered vessels alongside the UK, aimed at replacing its outdated diesel-driven fleet.

According to US Navy officials, there are currently 115 Australians within the US nuclear navy training program or stationed with Virginia-class submarines, along with another 130 engaged in nuclear submarine maintenance training at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii.

(Kirsty Needham reported from Perth; edited by Giles Elgood)

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Russia and Ukraine Exchange Nighttime Aerial Assaults as Putin Outlines Ceasefire Conditions

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Overnight, Russia and Ukraine exchanged intense airstrikes, each country claiming on Saturday to have seen over 100 enemy drones flying above their lands.

The assaults occurred fewer than 24 hours following a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff to talk about the specifics of the U.S. suggestion a 30-day ceasefire in the war with Ukraine .

On Thursday, Putin stated at a press conference that He backed a ceasefire in theory. However, it lays out numerous specifics that require clarification prior to agreement. Kyiv has already approved the ceasefire proposal; nonetheless, Ukrainian officials have expressed public concerns about whether Moscow would genuinely commit to such an accord.

Addressing reporters inKyiv on Saturday, following virtual talks During a gathering of Western allies hosted by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Zelenskyy expressed Ukraine’s backing for the proposed 30-day comprehensive ceasefire as a basis for negotiating a more lasting peace agreement. However, he also noted that Russia might try to disrupt these discussions with various preconditions and caveats.

Starmer has instructed his supporters to "maintain the pressure" on Putin to support a ceasefire in Ukraine, praising Ukraine as the "champion of peace." He stated that Putin will inevitably "have to sit down at the negotiating table" sooner or later.

Earlier on Saturday, Zelenskyy claimed that Moscow was amassing troops at the frontier.

"The accumulation of Russian troops suggests that Moscow plans to continue disregarding diplomatic efforts. It’s evident that Russia is extending the conflict," he stated.

Nonetheless, Zelenskyy emphasized that if Russia declined the U.S. proposal, there would be "concrete, severe, and direct" action taken by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump.

He additionally mentioned that Kyiv’s forces were sustaining their positions their existence in Russia’s Kursk area following Trump’s statement on Friday that "tens of thousands" of Ukrainian soldiers were encircled by the Russian forces.

The operations of our forces within the specified zones in the Kursk area persist," stated Zelenskyy. "Our soldiers keep resisting Russian and North Korean units in the Kursk region. Our troops have not been surrounded.

On Saturday, Ukraine's air force reported that Russia had initiated an assault during the night involving 178 unmanned aerial vehicles and two ballistic missiles. This onslaught included both genuine Shahed-class drones and imitative models meant to overwhelm air defense systems. Out of these, approximately 130 drones were intercepted, with another 38 failing to hit their intended destinations.

Russia targeted energy installations, resulting in considerable destruction, hitting power infrastructures in the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa areas, according to an announcement made by Ukraine’s private energy firm DTEK on Saturday. This led to some locals being left without electrical supply.

"The extent of the damage is considerable. Personnel from the energy company are already on site. We are taking all necessary measures to reinstate electricity to residences at the earliest," the energy firm stated.

A falling drone caused debris to ignite near an oil refinery operated by Lukoil in the Krasnoarmeysky district of Volgograd, Governor Andrei Bocharov stated, though he did not provide additional specifics. Local reports indicated that nearby airports briefly suspended operations as a result. Fortunately, no injuries have been recorded.

The Volgograd refinery has faced attacks from Kyiv’s forces multiple times since Moscow initiated its comprehensive assault on Ukraine over three years ago, with the latest incident being a drone strike on February 15th.

___ Katie Marie Davies from Manchester, England, provided contributions for this report. ___

Check out AP's reporting on the conflict in Ukraine here: https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

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'Blown Away': Signed Olympic Shirt Stuns Collector After Raygun Sale

Australian breakdancer Dr Rachael Gunn , widely recognized by her B-Girl alias "Raygun," has put up for auction an autographed official Team Australia jersey from the Paris 2024 Olympics.

The emerald and golden ASICS-created outfit, adorned with Gunn's autograph on the front, was auctioned off for $1860, with the funds benefiting charity.

Gunn rocketed to global fame following her Paris 2024 campaign went viral.

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When breaking first appeared at the Olympics in Paris, Gunn participated in three contests where he didn’t manage to earn even one point. .

The shirt that was sold wasn’t Gunn’s famous green one that she had worn during her performance. Her routine included uniquely Australian movements like the hopping kangaroo and the sprinkler.

The auction aimed to generate funds for a non-profit community-run preschool and childcare center in the rural NSW town of Harden, a place dear to her heart.

On Wednesday, Gunn shared in an Instagram story on her account the amount offered by the top bidder.

"Amazing!!! I can't believe my autographed shirt sold for so much!!!" she commented on an image of the eBay auction outcome, along with a mind-blowing emoji.

Thanks to all of those who shared and provided support.

We're now even nearer to reviving Bunyip Preschool and Daycare operations.

The dancer from Sydney who works as a university lecturer was also involved in hosting a children’s charity disco fundraiser in Harden just last month.

In an interview with the local media outlet Region Riverina, Gunn mentioned that she enjoyed Christmas during her childhood in Harden. She also noted that her cousin enrolls their three kids at the Bunyip Preschool and Daycare.

A severe hailstorm hit the town last month, causing flooding and damage to the nearby preschool and daycare center.

The center is presently functioning at the Harden Showgrounds until repairs are completed on the facility. Nonetheless, in a few months, the service provider will have to move once more.

Gunn is hoping to capitalise on her worldwide attention despite her campaign drawing criticism towards herself and the Australian Olympic Committee.

In July, many thousands of individuals signed a petition demanding "prompt transparency and accountability" regarding how Gunn became eligible to represent Australia .

Australian athletes have similar items available for purchase on the online marketplace as well.

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