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German defense minister announces €1.3B weapons package during visit to Kyiv

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:09:07 GMT

KYIV — German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius arrived in Kyiv on Tuesday bearing a much-needed gift: more military aid for Ukraine.“I have the honor to announce a new package,” Pistorius said during a press conference in Kyiv. It includes another four systems of IRIS-T medium-range missiles, 155-millimeter ammunition, and Panzer anti-tank defense mines, he clarified.“Altogether it is a package worth €1.3 billion euros, and I am quite sure this will help you and your fight against Russian aggression. We stand with Ukraine reliably,” Pistorius said.Although the European Union will likely miss its self-imposed deadline to deliver 1 million artillery shells to Ukraine by March 2024, Pistorius said that the German government included an additional 20,000 155-mm artillery shells to its already announced 140,000 for next year.“Altogether 160,000 for next year — with the number increasing, I hope, in 2025,” Pistorius added.When asked about whether Ukraine will ...

Palantir bid wins £330m British health service contract

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:09:07 GMT

LONDON — Britain’s National Health Service (NHS) on Tuesday awarded a £330 million contract to run a new data platform to a bid spearheaded by U.S. tech company Palantir.Under a deal initially set to run for five years, Palantir, alongside Accenture and PwC, will provide a “Federated Data Platform” to the NHS. The platform is a bid to connect the many different data systems within the U.K.’s sprawling, publicly-funded healthcare system.Health bosses say the FDP will improve patient care and stop patients having to repeatedly explain their ailments to staff at different hospitals.But the tender has attracted criticism from campaigners, who fret that it will lead to controversial U.S. tech firm Palantir gaining a central role in Britain’s cherished NHS.Palantir, which had long been tipped to win the contract, has courted controversy because of links to former Donald Trump donor Peter Thiel and work for national security agencies and militaries.“The safety and security of patient data ...

Lowe’s, Best Buy and Kohl’s predict a weak holiday

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:09:07 GMT

New York (CNN) — Shoppers will be splurging less this holiday than in past years, major retailers say.Best Buy, Lowe’s and Kohl’s all reported sales declines during their most recent quarter Tuesday and are forecasting holiday sales to drop from a year ago.“Consumer demand has been even more uneven and difficult to predict,” Best Buy CEO Corie Barry said in a statement, noting that the company “prepared for a customer who is very deal-focused.”Holiday sales are predicted to grow this year but at a slower rate.In 2021, Holiday shopping sales spiked by 14% and grew by a healthy 5% last year. But Moody’s Investors Service said in a report today that consumers are “losing spending steam” and holiday sales will grow by just 1% to 3% this year.Shoppers have become more cautious in the face of inflation, higher interest rates and the resumption of student loan repayments.Moody’s analysts say the high cost of living and dwindling savings will cause low and middle income consu...

Pressure mounts on Beacon Hill to pass bill with migrant aid, union contract dollars

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:09:07 GMT

Pressure mounted Monday on Beacon Hill lawmakers to find a deal on a $2.8 billion bill that includes money for 90 collective bargaining agreements and strained emergency shelters across the state housing migrant and homeless families.House Republicans and pushed Democratic negotiators in a letter to split off the union dollars from the main proposal as the shelter aid continues to hold up talks that broke down at the end of formal law making last week.There is clear consensus in both the House and Senate to fund the union contracts, most of which were agreed to months ago, Republicans wrote in the letter.“These (collective bargaining agreements) contain pay raises for approximately 100,000 workers, many of whom have gone without a COLA or raise in quite some time, even as the cost of living in Massachusetts has continued to climb. These CBAs were negotiated in good faith, and it is imperative that the state fulfill its obligation to fund these contracts,” the letter said.Sen. John K...

Colts’ George Taliaferro became first Black starting quarterback in modern NFL history 70 years ago this week

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:09:07 GMT

On a cool, foggy day in 1953, George Taliaferro stepped out of the mist and into history for the Baltimore Colts. When the team broke the huddle at the outset of a home game against the Los Angeles Rams, Taliaferro bent under center, becoming the first Black starting quarterback in modern NFL history.Seventy years later, pro football is rich in African American quarterbacks. This season, a record 14 of the 32 teams began the year with a Black player calling signals. But before standouts like the Ravens’ Lamar Jackson, the Kansas City Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes and the Philadelphia Eagles’ Jalen Hurt, there was Taliaferro. A fierce competitor, he played both offense and defense, and his appearance at quarterback on that gray Nov. 22 gave hope — and credence — to those of his race who would follow.Long a stellar running back, Taliaferro was a three-time All-American at Indiana University and, in 1949, the first Black player to be drafted by an NFL team, by t...

Bill Belichick explains why Patriots QB Will Grier took first-team reps in practice

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:09:07 GMT

FOXBORO — Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien made a somewhat surprising disclosure Monday when he said that Mac Jones, Bailey Zappe and Will Grier took first-team reps at quarterback during last week’s practice during the bye.Grier has served as the Patriots’ third or fourth quarterback since joining the team off of the Bengals’ practice squad in late September.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Bill Belichick suggests Patriots won’t name starting quarterback until Sunday New England Patriots | Callahan: Let Malik Cunningham compete for the Patriots’ starting QB job New England Patriots | Practice to determine Patriots’ Week 12 starting quarterback competition? New England Patriots | Patriots OC Bill O’Brien believes Mac Jones’ struggles are ‘fixable’ New England Patriots | Three Patriots quarterbacks took first-team reps in ...

Bill Belichick suggests Patriots won’t name starting quarterback until Sunday

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:09:07 GMT

FOXBORO — The Giants will start an undrafted rookie quarterback who’s still living with his parents this week in Tommy DeVito, and they arguably have a better situation at the position than the Patriots.Bill Belichick would not name a starting quarterback Tuesday morning in his first news conference since the Patriots’ bye week.“I’ve told all of the players the same thing: ‘Be ready to go.’ Hopefully, they will be,” Belichick said.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Bill Belichick explains why Patriots QB Will Grier took first-team reps in practice New England Patriots | Callahan: Let Malik Cunningham compete for the Patriots’ starting QB job New England Patriots | Practice to determine Patriots’ Week 12 starting quarterback competition? New England Patriots | Patriots OC Bill O’Brien believes Mac Jones’ struggles are ‘fixable’ New England ...

Milan Lucic released on personal recognizance after arraignment on assault charge

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:09:07 GMT

Bruins left wing Milan Lucic, 35,  was released Tuesday morning on personal recognizance following his arraignment on a charge of assault and battery on a household member.Lucic pleaded not guilty on the charge which was read in an arraignment that lasted about 8 minutes.The judge at Boston Municipal Court ordered Lucic to say away from alcohol before his trial.His next court date was set for Jan 19th. Lucic did not speak to media on his way out of court.According to prosecutors, Boston Police received a call from the victim at 1 a.m. Saturday alleging that Lucic had tried to choke her.Responding officers arrived at the Battery Street apartment building in Boston’s North End and met with the victim in the lobby, while Lucic remained in the apartment, according to prosecutors.Upon meeting with Lucic, prosecutors said police observed a broken lamp, and said that he was cooperative and came with them.The victim told police that after a night out drinking, Lucic had lost his phone and a...

Enjoy county parks for free on 'Green Friday'

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:09:07 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- San Diego County Parks and Recreation is encouraging the public to get outdoors this holiday weekend by lifting parking fees on "Green Friday." This Friday, Nov. 24, dubbed "Green Friday," County Parks and Recreation will be lifting parking fees so visitors can enjoy 380 miles of trails at dozens of county parks for free. On Green Friday, $3 day-use parking fees are waived. San Diego Zoo welcomes baby De Brazza’s Monkey, a first in 26 years There are several outdoor events you can join at parks throughout the county and many volunteer opportunities over Thanksgiving weekend. Use the County of San Diego Park and Recreation's interactive map to find a park to visit. Spend ‘Christmas on the Sand’ at La Jolla Christmas Parade & Holiday Festival San Diego County parks are open year-round. View the latest park hours, closures and other updates here. Parking lot gates, park offices and restrooms will be closed on Dec. 25., but parks will remain open to foot, horse a...

Boston Bruins forward Milan Lucic pleads not guilty to assaulting wife

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:09:07 GMT

BOSTON (AP) — Boston Bruins forward Milan Lucic was released on personal recognizance bail Tuesday after pleading not guilty to assaulting his wife.According to a Boston Police Department report, Lucic appeared intoxicated when officers arrived at his North End apartment early Saturday after his wife reported that he tried to choke her. Brittany Lucic told the responding officers that her husband had pulled her hair, but said he did not try to strangle her. She declined an offer of medical treatment.Milan Lucic, a member of the Bruins 2011 Stanley Cup championship team, was arrested on suspicion of assault and battery on a family member, which carries a maximum penalty of 2 1/2 years in prison.Lucic did not speak at his arraignment Tuesday morning. A plea of not guilty was entered on his behalf, and a pre-trial hearing was set for Jan. 19. As condition of his bail, Lucic was prohibited from abusing the alleged victim and from consuming alcohol.The judge granted a motion from Lucic’s...