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France spins its Ukraine aid

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:00:22 GMT

Presented by ASD By CALEB LARSON with LAURA KAYALI, JOSHUA POSANER, VERONIKA MELKOZEROVA and CLAUDIA CHIAPPA PRESENTED BY View in your browser or listen to audioSNEAK PEEK— The numbers show that France is a laggard when it comes to arming Ukraine, but a parliament report argues that it’s doing better than suggested. — Airbus is complaining that the German government is blocking Eurofighter sales to Saudi Arabia.— Germany spells out the details of its future troop deployment to Lithuania, the first time in its post-war history that soldiers will be permanently stationed abroad. Good morning, and welcome to Morning Defense. Tips to [email protected], [email protected] and [email protected] or follow us at @joshposaner,  @LauKaya and  @calebmlarson.DRIVING THE DAYFRANCE PUTS POSITIVE SPIN ON AID TO UKRAINE: The numbers showing that France is the military skinfl...

Stepping in, Providence’s Leo Slepski looks up to Los Angeles Chargers QB Justin Herbert. ‘Great role model to me.’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:00:22 GMT

Providence’s Leo Slepski said he tries to his model his game after Justin Herbert.The sophomore quarterback has followed Herbert’s career from when he was a star at Oregon to being a standout behind center in the NFL with the Los Angeles Chargers.Slepski likes what he sees, on and off the field.“I’ve been watching him ever since college,” Slepski said of Herbert. “In college, he always had the grades, and he was always a great quarterback. He just had it all, which is nice.“He’s a good leader and is a great role model to me. He can throw the ball. He’s good with his feet. He’s smart. Everything a good quarterback needs.”The Celtics also like what they’re seeing from Slepski, who took over the reins in Week 4 of the regular season and has been trying to turn into a complete package like Herbert.So far, Slepski is progressing quite well. He completed 7 of 8 passes for 208 yards and three touchdowns in SaturdayR...

6 Orioles nominated for All-MLB Team honoring top players at each position

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:00:22 GMT

The Orioles’ depth led them to 101 victories and the American League East title. It was also on display in nominations for the All-MLB Team.Six Orioles were among the nominees for an honor that recognizes the top players by position across the majors, rather than separating between the American and National Leagues, as most other honors do.There will be first- and second-team honorees, with one player selected at each infield spot and designated hitter along with three outfielders, five starting pitchers and two relievers for each team. Determination of the All-MLB Team is split between a fan vote and a media panel, with winners announced Dec. 16.Here are the Orioles’ All-MLB Team nominees.Catcher Adley RutschmanBaltimore’s second-year backstop was also a finalist for the Gold Glove and Silver Slugger Awards. He led all qualified primary catchers in games played (154), walk rate (13.4%), strikeout rate (14.7%), weighted runs created plus (127), on-base percentage (...

Mother Goose Parade in El Cajon cancels for fourth consecutive year

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:00:22 GMT

EL CAJON, Calif. -- The Mother Goose Parade, San Diego County's largest Thanksgiving celebration, will not happen for the fourth consecutive year in El Cajon, organizers said."There will be no 2023 event as the team begins the process of crafting the next chapter in this fabled celebration," the Mother Goose Parade Association said on its website.Organizers added the "beloved event shall be re-imagined as a new classic in 2024." Can you believe it? These five San Diego zip codes are among priciest for homebuyers Started in 1947, the Mother Goose Parade was held for the first time virtually in 2020 and 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic. Last year, it was called off due to "unprecedented staffing, logistics and supply chain challenges," per the website. El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells said the city usually helps the parade with money, police and fire personnel, but not having the event for a few years, has made the comeback challenging.The parade has not been live since 2019.

South Bay residents demand swift answers as international, local leaders collaborate to fix sewage crisis

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:00:22 GMT

CORONADO, Calif. -- The International Boundary and Water Commission U.S. Sector met in Coronado Wednesday night to discuss the ongoing Tijuana River Sewage Crisis. They are planning to work in conjunction with the county to install new sensors to better collect data on the issue. "We kind of have put ourselves in the status of a third world nation," shared one concerned resident who attended the meeting over the constant infamous odor plaguing the South Bay. “There’s a lot of money being spent, but there are no tangible projects to solve the problem," shared Leon Benham, who is IBWC Board Member and President of Citizens for Coastal Conservancy. The South San Diego beaches residents and tourists know, and love are no longer known for its sights but rather closures. “Tropical Storm Hilary really caused some damage, so we’re trying to repair that," explained Frank Fisher with the International Boundary and Water Commission. When heavy rain falls, bacteria come with it, streaming down ...

Stock market today: Asian shares mostly higher after China reports that prices fell in October

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:00:22 GMT

BANGKOK (AP) — Shares were mostly higher in Asia on Thursday after a another mixed close on Wall Street where benchmarks have been recalibrating following recent big swings. Stock prices fell in Hong Kong, Bangkok and Mumbai and rose in Tokyo, Seoul and Shanghai. U.S. futures slipped and oil prices edged higher. China reported that its consumer prices fell 0.2% from a year earlier in October while factory-gate prices declined 2.6%, suggesting demand remains slack as the economy struggles to recover from the economic disruptions of the pandemic. Falling prices have raised worries that China may fall into a bout of deflation, or chronically lower prices, but some analysts say much of the weakness recently is due to a decline in the cost of pork, a staple item for Chinese.“What China has right now, is a low rate of underlying inflation, which reflects the fact that domestic demand is fairly weak,” Robert Carnell of ING Economics said in a report. “If you want to use any term, ‘disinfla...

Japanese automaker Honda reports its 3Q profit jumped on strong demand at home and in the US

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:00:22 GMT

TOKYO (AP) — Honda Motor Co.’s profit jumped 34% in July-September from a year earlier as a weak yen helped boost the Japanese automaker’s strong overseas earnings thanks to healthy demand, especially in the U.S.Tokyo-based Honda’s profit rose to 254 billion yen ($1.7 billion) from 189 billion yen. Quarterly sales gained 17% to 4.9 trillion yen ($32 billion).Production in North America continued to recover from the crunch caused by a shortage of computer chips and other supplies, contributing to a recovery in profitability, Honda Senior Executive Officer Shinji Aoyama told reporters.Disruptions due to restrictions on business activity related to the COVID-19 pandemic had caused production delays for automakers around the world, but are gradually clearing up.Aoyama said slowing economic growth in China and Vietnam hurt Honda’s motorcycle sales.Surging demand for electric vehicles in China also hurt sales for Honda, which has fallen behind in the global shift toward battery elec...

A judge is set to hear arguments as Michigan activists try to keep Trump off the ballot

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:00:22 GMT

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — A judge in Michigan is expected to hear arguments Thursday on whether Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has the authority to keep Donald Trump’s name off state ballots for president.Activists are suing Benson in the Michigan Court of Claims to force her to keep Trump’s name off ballots and to assess Trump’s constitutional qualifications to serve a second term as president.Meanwhile, attorneys for the former president are demanding that Trump’s name be allowed on the 2024 Republican presidential primary ballot.Arguments were scheduled to begin Thursday morning in Grand Rapids before Judge James Robert Redford.Activists — in two separate suits — point to a section of the U.S. Constitution’s 14th Amendment that prohibits a person from running for federal office if they have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the U.S. or given aid or comfort to those who have.Liberal groups also have filed lawsuits in Colorado and Minnesota to bar Trump from th...

Political advertising: Deal on new measures to crack down on abuse 

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:00:22 GMT

On Monday evening (6 November), EU co-legislators reached a provisional deal on new rules to make election and referenda campaigns more transparent and resistant to interference.The new rules will regulate political advertisements, notably online ads, while also providing for a framework for political actors to advertise more easily across the EU.Commenting after the deal was struck between Parliament and Spanish Presidency negotiators, lead MEP Sandro Gozi (Renew, FR) said: “This is a major step in protecting our elections and achieving digital sovereignty in the EU. Citizens will be able to easily spot political advertising online and who stands behind it. The new rules will make it harder for foreign actors to spread disinformation and interfere in our free and democratic processes. We also secured a favourable environment for transnational campaigning in time for the next European Parliament elections”.Greater transparency and accountabilityPolitical advertising will have to be ...

Vigil held for Jewish man who died after 'altercation' with pro-Palestinian demonstrator in Thousand Oaks

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:00:22 GMT

In the presence of armed guards, family members, friends and supporters of many faiths gathered at Temple Etz Chaim in Thousand Oaks Wednesday for a vigil to remember 69-year-old Paul Kessler, a Jewish man who died just three miles away during an altercation with a pro-Palestinian demonstrator last weekend.Deputies with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office received multiple calls at around 3:20 p.m. Nov. 5 about a “battery” at the intersection of Westlake and Thousand Oaks boulevards where demonstrations were taking place involving pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian groups.When deputies arrived, they located Kessler, who was suffering from a head injury, the Sheriff’s Office said. He was taken to a nearby hospital where he succumbed to his injuries on Monday.Paul Kessler, a Jewish man who died after an altercation with a pro-Palestinian demonstrator on in thousand Oaks on Nov., 5, 2023. (Kessler Family)Video posted to social media shows an elderly man lying on the ground after purportedl...