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Senate impasse over border policy continues to threaten aid to Ukraine and Israel

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:43:43 GMT

(CNN) — A partisan clash between Senate Republicans and Democrats over border policy continues to threaten the effort to send badly needed foreign aid to key US allies as time and money are running out for Ukraine.Senate negotiators are vowing to continue to try to reach a deal, after Republicans blocked foreign aid from advancing Wednesday evening in protest over the package’s lack of changes to border and immigration policy. The impasse among negotiators has taken on a renewed sense of urgency as the 2023 congressional calendar is drawing to a close.The Senate has struggled for weeks as it tied immigration and border security policy – one of Congress’ historically most divisive issues – to a legislative package for sending aid to key US allies, among them Israel and Ukraine. Republicans’ insistence on changes to border policy have led to increased tension on Capitol Hill, including a classified briefing earlier this week that devolved into a closed-door shouting match.Lawmak...

Four to watch: Struggling rookie, two veteran skill players among keys

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:43:43 GMT

Poor Al Michaels.The switch from NBC’s “Sunday Night Football” to Amazon Prime’s “Thursday Night Football” has spelled a major downgrade in quality of games for the legendary broadcaster, and this week’s matchup between the Patriots and Steelers could be among the season’s worst.Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett is injured with a high ankle sprain, meaning Mitch Trubisky is slated to start. And Patriots starter Mac Jones was finally permanently demoted for backup Bailey Zappe last week.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Patriots might need help from practice squad based on injury report New England Patriots | Devin McCourty finds fault in Patriots organization for Mac Jones’ struggles New England Patriots | Patriots free-agent addition will be shut down for 2023 season New England Patriots | Callahan: The Steelers are who the Patriots should have been New Englan...

A Netherlands court sets a sentencing date for a man convicted in Canada of cyberbullying

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:43:43 GMT

AMSTERDAM (AP) — A court in the Netherlands said Thursday that it would rule in two weeks on the sentence for a man convicted in Canada in a notorious cyberbullying case.Judges at the Amsterdam District Court have to convert the 13-year sentence a Canadian court gave to Aydin Coban, who was convicted last year of crimes that included the extortion and harassment of Canadian teenager Amanda Todd.Coban was serving an 11-year Dutch sentence for the cyberbullying of more than 30 other victims when he was sent to Canada to stand trial in the Todd case. He was extradited on the condition that he served any Canadian sentence in a Dutch prison. The Amsterdam court now must adapt the sentence by the British Columbia Supreme Court to conform with the sentencing norms of the Netherlands.Coban blackmailed the 15-year-old Todd to expose herself in front of a webcam. She took her own life in 2012 after recounting her ordeal in a YouTube video watched by millions around the world.Earlier this year...

Police in St. John’s have closed the airport after finding suspicious package

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:43:43 GMT

The international airport in St. John’s, Newfoundland, has been reopened following an investigation into the discovery of a suspicious package.The airport’s social media account on X, the platform formally known as Twitter, says the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary has resolved the situation, and the airport is once again open for operations.The R-N-C’s X account noted that patrol officers initially took control of the situation, and then utilized a specialized unit to make the area safe.Police are expected to provide an update later this morning.Due to the interruption in service at the airport, travellers may see a slight delay.Airport officials are urging passengers to contact their airline directly for flight information.This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 7, 2023.The Canadian Press

Former UK leader Boris Johnson returns for second day of COVID-19 inquiry testimony

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:43:43 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson returns Thursday for a second day of testimony in Britain’s public inquiry into the COVID-19 pandemic, where he is expected to be grilled about how he dealt with the latter stages of the crisis.Johnson, who is testifying under oath, admitted Wednesday that he made mistakes in grasping the extent of the pandemic and that his advisers failed to sound a “loud enough klaxon of alarm” about the virus.“I was not being informed that this was something that was going to require urgent and immediate action,” he said, adding that the “panic level was not sufficiently high.”His remarks came after weeks of testimony by other ministers, including former Health Secretary Matt Hancock, who said they sought to raise the alarm inside the government. Hancock argued that thousands of lives could have been saved by putting the country under a lockdown a few weeks earlier than the eventual date of March 23, 2020.The United Kingdom went on to have one of ...

Chinese navy ships are first to dock at new pier at Cambodian naval base linked to Beijing

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:43:43 GMT

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Chinese naval vessels have become the first ships to dock at a new pier at a Cambodian naval base that the United States and some international security analysts say is destined to serve as a strategic outpost for Beijing’s navy.The docking of the two ships, which received little publicity, coincided with an official visit to Cambodia this week by China’s top defense official, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission He Weidong.News of at least two Chinese ships docking at the Ream Naval Base on the Gulf of Thailand came out indirectly, through a Facebook post on Sunday by Cambodian Defense Minister Tea Seiha. It said he visited the base to see preparations for Cambodian navy training and to inspect progress on infrastructure construction, but did not mention China by name. He also posted photos showing Cambodian officials with Chinese Ambassador Wang Wentian, and reviewing Chinese sailors. At least two warships could be seen in the photos, one wh...

Offensive woes sink Siena men's basketball against Bryant

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:43:43 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Siena men's basketball shot just 27% from the field including only 1-17 from three in a 67-51 setback vs. Bryant Wednesday night at MVP Arena. Saint Rose students protest college closure, demand answers Daniel Rivera led four in double figures with 20 points, seven rebounds and six of 13 total blocks for Bryant (6-4), which entered play ranked ninth nationally in blocks (6.4) and 25th in field goal percentage defense (.382). Preseason All-America East selection Sherif Gross-Bullock added 14 points for the Bulldogs who shot 53% in the second half to overcome a 5-25 night from three and 8-20 overall performance from the free throw line.Giovanni Emejuru posted his first collegiate double-double scoring 16 of his 18 points in the second half while adding a career-high 15 rebounds for Siena (2-7, 1-1). Freshman guard Michael Evbagharu added his second double-double of the young season with 10 points and 10 rebounds.The Saints started cold, missing their fi...

Over 30 million jobs in 2021 thanks to extra-EU exports

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:43:43 GMT

In 2021, the employment of 30.4 million persons in the EU was supported by exports to non-EU countries, a slight increase from 29.9 million in 2020 (+1.7%).  In relative terms, export-supported employment represented 15% of total employment in the EU (210 million), equivalent to just over 1 in 7 people employed within the EU. Germany was the EU country with the highest absolute level of employment supported by EU exports. In 2021, the employment of 6.9 million people in Germany was supported by exports from the EU, including from Germany itself. France and Italy (both 3.4 million people) had the following highest levels of export-supported employment. However, in relative terms, the highest share of employment supported by exports to non-EU countries was recorded in Ireland (27%), followed by Luxembourg (25%) and Bulgaria (23%).These results were compiled using the FIGARO tables (Full International and Global Accounts for Research in input-Output analysis), whose upda...

Horoscopes Dec. 7, 2023: Ellen Burstyn, let go of the past

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:43:43 GMT

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Emily Browning, 35; C. Thomas Howell, 57; Tom Waits, 74; Ellen Burstyn, 91.Happy Birthday: Trust your instincts, abilities and experience to reach your destination of choice this year. Expand your skills, qualifications and outlook to mesh with what’s trending that offers the highest return. Refuse to let emotions interfere with getting things done and meeting your expectations. Let go of the past and press forward with enthusiasm and gratitude. Don’t let what others choose to do stand in your way. Your numbers are 9, 13, 21, 24, 32, 39, 44.ARIES (March 21-April 19): Make your decisions count. Don’t mince words or let emotions cost you. Tell it like it is and ask for what you want. A direct approach will help you decide your next move and who to work alongside. 3 starsTAURUS (April 20-May 20): Emotions will stop you from discovering the truth. Step back, clear your head and look at the facts. Opportunity is apparent, but it will take s...

Bridge: Dec. 7, 2023

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:43:43 GMT

In a team-of-four match, one West passed as dealer. South opened two clubs in fourth seat and showed his spades next. North liked his hand, and they got to six spades.West led the queen of clubs. Declarer won, unblocked his ace of diamonds, led a trump to dummy’s nine and pitched clubs on the K-Q of diamonds. He intended to finesse twice in hearts — and was annoyed to go down.OFFSIDEIn the replay, West opened two hearts, weak. North-South reached slam again on the auction shown, and West led the queen of clubs. Here, South knew the K-J of hearts were offside. After discarding clubs on the K-Q of diamonds, he ruffed a club, led a trump to dummy, ruffed a club and drew trumps.Then, at the 11th trick, South led the queen of hearts. West took the king and had to return a heart to South’s A-10. Making six!Many players would have opened two hearts as West, but preempts are a two-edged sword. West’s bid told South how to make his slam.DAILY QUESTIONYou hold: S K 9 H 7 5 3...