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Let’s build a combat-effective Europe

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 17:48:09 GMT

Kaja Kallas is the prime minister of Estonia.Sixteen months of war in Ukraine have revealed strategic opportunities and challenges for transatlantic security and European defense. With the European Council and NATO’s Summit in Vilnius lying just ahead, the time to lift our defense up to match the demands of the new security reality is now — because later may be too late.Prompted by Estonia, the European Union recently decided to provide a million artillery rounds to Ukraine by March 2024. This is highly important assistance for Ukraine and, simultaneously, an incremental step toward ramping up the European defense industry’s output, and a demonstration of where common resolve and action can take us.Russian aggression has reminded us that together, we can accomplish difficult things. However, it is equally true that when it comes to making Europe combat-effective, we are still under-delivering.Europe’s battle-decisive ammunition stocks and enabling capabilities are not enough for the...

Source: Patriots, WR DeVante Parker agree to reworked 3-year deal

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 17:48:09 GMT

The Patriots and wide receiver DeVante Parker agreed on a reworked 3-year contract Wednesday worth up to $33 million, per source.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Former Patriots QB Ryan Mallett, 35, reportedly dies in drowning accident New England Patriots | Will Patriots CB Jack Jones go to prison? Here’s what we know New England Patriots | Patriots CB Jack Jones arrested for trying to bring firearms onto flight at Logan Airport New England Patriots | Mac Jones, a breakout defender and 4 takeaways from Patriots minicamp New England Patriots | DeAndre Hopkins reportedly leaves ‘productive’ Patriots visit without a deal, could still sign Parker was set to enter a contract year, but his new deal runs through 2025. He can earn $14 million in guarantees and per-game roster bonuses alone. Parker caught 31 passes for 539 yards and three touchdowns last season, his first in New England, ...

Buck Showalter gets ejected, Mets drop to 8 games under .500 after another loss to Brewers

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 17:48:09 GMT

Steve Cohen sat in front of a crowd at Citi Field and said the Mets need to “get going.”But once they got on the field to face the Milwaukee Brewers, it became clear that the engine that is the 2023 Mets is still stalled.The Brewers gave the Mets chances but they failed to capitalize in a 5-2 loss Wednesday at Citi Field. The Mets went 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position and had the bases loaded in the fourth but managed only a single run.Kodai Senga put the Mets in a 2-0 hole in the first inning but settled in for four more. The right-hander finished the day with only five hits, two walks and eight strikeouts, but he still struggled with pitch efficiency, throwing 102 pitches but only 59 for strikes.Tommy Pham homered off left-hander Wade Miley to lead off the second and cut the Milwaukee (42-38) lead in half. The Mets loaded the bases in the fourth with no outs and Francisco Alvarez drew a walk to score Francisco Lindor. The free pass tied the game. But that ...

City announces opening of first safe sleeping lot for homeless

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 17:48:09 GMT

SAN DIEGO — The opening of San Diego's first homeless sleeping site was announced Wednesday as part of the city's new Safe Sleeping Program.Located at the city’s Central Operation Yard at B Street and 20th Street, the site will open Thursday and will have capacity for up to 136 tents.City leaders held a news conference Wednesday morning to announce the opening as crews prepared the site for clients.The program will not only provide a temporary, safe place for people experiencing homelessness to sleep, but also access to supportive services, meals and other amenities. SeaWorld closes ‘Electric Eel’ rollercoaster after reported injury “The Safe Sleeping program is more than just a safe place to sleep; it’s a place for people experiencing homelessness to be connected to the services they need to get back on their feet and to put them on a path toward permanent housing,” said Mayor Todd Gloria. “The quickness with which we’ve stood up this site should be the standard for a crisis this...

VIDEO: Dozens of dolphins seen swimming together along San Diego coast

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 17:48:09 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- It was dolphin-itely a sight to see. Dozens of dolphins were seen Wednesday swimming together in the waters of La Jolla Cove.Around 4:15 p.m., SkyFOX captured what appeared to be a "superpod" of dolphins gracefully popping in and out of the water along the San Diego coast.A superpod consists of a group of 100 or even several thousand dolphins, according to the Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC). SeaWorld closes ‘Electric Eel’ rollercoaster after reported injury "Superpods usually only last for short periods of time, and may form during times of mating or when prey is particularly abundant in an area," WDC said on its website. "Once they finish participating in the activity, the dolphins will return to their smaller pods with their family and/or friends until they meet up with other dolphins for the next gathering."Smaller groups, anywhere from 2 - 30 dolphins, are known as "pods," per marine officials."Dolphins are social mammals that i...

Man dies after being shot by police at B.C. hospital

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 17:48:09 GMT

HOPE, B.C. — British Columbia’s police watchdog is investigating the death of a man who was shot by an RCMP officer in southern British Columbia.Mounties say an “interaction” between the man and officers occurred at the Fraser Canyon Hospital in Hope, B.C., resulting in one officer discharging their firearm.In a statement police say the man received immediate medical attention but was pronounced deceased at the scene.Police say they were initially called to a report of a two-vehicle collision on Highway 5 at the Zopkios off-ramp, where multiple people were identified with non-life-threatening injuries and transported to the hospital.RCMP say an altercation allegedly occurred between two of the injured people that resulted in BC Emergency Health Services personnel requesting police assistance at the hospital.The Fraser Canyon Hospital emergency department is temporarily closed while the Independent Investigations Office of BC investigates.This report by The Canadian...

North Carolina lawmakers give final OK to ban on gender-affirming care for trans children

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 17:48:09 GMT

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina lawmakers finalized legislation on Wednesday that would prohibit certain gender-affirming care for children and prevent state funds from being used to provide such therapies and procedures. The House voted 67-46 to accept a version of the measure approved by the Senate on Tuesday. The legislation would bar any medical professional from providing hormone therapy, puberty blockers and surgical gender transition procedures to anyone under 18, with some medical exceptions. Young people who begin treatment before Aug. 1 could continue receiving such care if it’s considered medically necessary and their parents consent.The bill, written by Republicans, now heads to Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, whose veto is likely. Cooper has expressed opposition to bills that target trans youth. The GOP holds narrow veto-proof majorities in both chambers. If the bill is enacted into law, critics have already signaled litigation. Most of the 20 or so states with laws res...

RoseAnne Archibald voted out as Assembly of First Nations national chief

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 17:48:09 GMT

OTTAWA — RoseAnne Archibald has been voted out as national chief of the Assembly of First Nations after more than a year of turmoil involving her leadership.The vote took place during a special chiefs assembly that was convened in part to address the implications of a human resources investigation related to complaints that AFN staff had filed against Archibald.The resolution to oust her as national chief, just over two years after she became the first woman to serve in the role, passed with support from about 70 per cent of those who took part in the virtual meeting.The infighting at the national advocacy organization for more than 600 First Nations played out in public last July at a gathering in Vancouver, when Archibald showed up despite having been temporarily suspended.After chiefs voted down an emergency resolution to affirm her suspension, Archibald expressed her gratitude, alleging she was unfairly suspended because she had been trying to investigate corruption within the a...

Salty, gritty tap water has residents of Uruguay’s capital fuming as drought empties reservoir

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 17:48:09 GMT

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay (AP) — Residents of Uruguay’s capital are increasingly exasperated after two months of salty-tasting tap water that has damaged water heaters, boosted demand for bottled water and reportedly caused stomach ailments.The water “comes out saltier and saltier so you can’t drink it, but you’re thirsty and so you need to drink it,” said homemaker Natalia Moreira, 33, who lives in one of Montevideo’s poorer neighborhoods. She added that she and her children have been suffering stomach aches and diarrhea. “Now I have a coffee and go straight to the bathroom. Before, that didn’t happen to me,” Moreira said.People in Uruguay have always been able to safely drink the water that comes from their taps, unlike in some other Latin American countries. But the country is now suffering its most severe drought in 44 years, following decades without investment in freshwater reservoirs. The reservoir behind Uruguay’s largest dam, Paso Severino, is only 2.6% filled. The Sa...

Texas death row inmate Rodney Reed, who says he’s innocent, asked for a new trial. A court said no

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 17:48:09 GMT

HOUSTON (AP) — An appeals court on Wednesday denied a new trial request from longtime Texas death row inmate Rodney Reed, whose supporters say there is evidence to back his claims of innocence.The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals accepted a 2021 recommendation from a lower court judge, who had ruled against several claims made by Reed, including that he’s not guilty.Despite the ruling, Reed’s execution is not expected anytime soon. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in April that he should have a chance to argue for testing of crime-scene evidence that he says will exonerate him. The following month, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans ordered that additional legal briefs be filed on whether Reed should be granted additional DNA testing.Reed was condemned for the 1996 killing of 19-year-old Stacey Stites. Prosecutors say he raped and strangled Stites as she made her way to work at a supermarket in Bastrop, a rural community about 30 miles (50 kilometers) southe...