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Sky Not Falling: U.S. Government Again Exaggerates Damage From Leaks

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:22 GMT

Only death and taxes are certain in life, Ben Franklin wrote in 1789, though he could have done us a favor by also noting that we can count on our government to make exaggerated claims about the unauthorized publication of classified documents.Like clockwork, after a set of secret national security documents burst into public view last week, the Washington Post reported a “high level of panic” at the upper echelons of the Department of Defense, with officials “stunned” and “infuriated.” According to Politico, one Pentagon aide even said he was “sick to [his] stomach” over the alleged betrayal. The Department of Justice opened a criminal investigation, while John Kirby, the National Security Council spokesperson, warned, “This is information that has no business in the public domain. It is not intended for public consumption, and it should not be out there.”The intelligence documents appear to have entered the public domain in an unusual way — someone began sharing them, starting lat...

Germany approves Poland’s request to send jets to Ukraine

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:22 GMT

BERLIN (AP) — Germany has approved Poland’s request to transfer five Soviet-designed fighter jets to Ukraine, the German Defense Ministry said Thursday.The permission was needed because Germany used to own the Soviet-designed MiG 29 planes, which were part of communist East Germany’s military fleet.“I welcome the fact that we in the federal government have reached this decision together,” Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said in a statement. “This shows you can rely on Germany!”Poland was an early advocate of sending fighter jets to Ukraine. When Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Warsaw a week ago, Polish President Andrzej Duda said his country already had provided four MiG-29 jets to Ukraine, with four more in the process of getting handed over and another six being prepared.During a visit to Mali, Pistorius had confirmed German media reports saying that Germany had received Poland’s request and would reply by the end of the day. Source

Enjuiciarán a cuatro militares mexicanos por la muerte de cinco personas en Nuevo Laredo

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:22 GMT

(CNN Español) — Un juez federal en Tamaulipas decidió vincular a proceso a cuatro militares mexicanos acusados de homicidio calificado y homicidio calificado en grado de tentativa por la muerte de cinco jóvenes ocurrida el 26 de febrero en Nuevo Laredo, de acuerdo con datos suministrados por el Consejo de la Judicatura.El juez también decidió mantener la medida de prisión preventiva para los acusados y autorizar dos meses de plazo para la investigación complementaria de la Fiscalía.El presidente de México, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, ya ha dicho que no habrá impunidad en este caso.La Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional (Sedena) ya había admitido que varios militares participaron en el acto violento e informó días atrás a través de un comunicado que colabora con la Comisión Nacional de los Derechos Humanos en la indagatoria del hecho.Según Sedena, los militares dispararon sus armas de fuego en contra de una camioneta luego de escuchar “un estruendo”. La institución informó en un...

Heavy rains in Iran trigger flash floods, killing at least 2

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:22 GMT

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Heavy rains have triggered flash flooding in northern and western Iran, killing at least two people, Iranian state television reported Thursday. According to Pirhossein Koulivand, the head of the country’s emergency services, one fatality was reported in Qazvin province and the other in Ilam province in the past 24 hours, the state TV said. Kolivand also reported a third fatality, in West Azerbaijan province, where a person died from a lightning strike.Iran’s meteorological department has warned of the seasonal rains in many areas across the country, including in the capital of Tehran.Iran has suffered a decadeslong drought and the flood is blamed on climate change, as well as a disregard of safety measures such as construction of buildings and roads near river beds.Last July, at least 61 people died in landslides and flash floods across the country. Source

Blackhawks announce Toews will not be back next season

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:22 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews will not return to the team next year, ending a wildly successful run that included three Stanley Cup championships in 15 seasons.General manager Kyle Davidson said Thursday that the team will not re-sign its longtime center, who turns 35 on April 29.“I think words fail to adequately summarize everything that Jonathan’s done for the organization, the amazing memories that he provided,” Davidson said. “He’ll be a Blackhawk forever.”Chicago hosts Philadelphia in its season finale on Thursday night. Toews won his first championship when the Blackhawks beat the Flyers in the 2010 Stanley Cup Final.Toews was selected by Chicago with the No. 3 pick in the 2006 draft, one of the first markers in the team’s rise to the top of the NHL. He was just 20 years old when he became the 34th captain in team history in July 2008.Toews helped Chicago put together the best stretch in franchise history, winning the Stanley Cup in...

Alcohol sales will be extended at Coors Field during Rockies games

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:22 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- The implementation of the pitch clock for the 2023 Major League Baseball season has prompted several teams to change rules on alcohol sales.The Colorado Rockies announced on Thursday morning that after monitoring the effects of the rule change, alcohol sales at Coors Field will be extended to the end of the eighth inning. MLB’s new pitch clock is prompting parks to change their beer policies: Here’s why The change to alcohol sales will start on April 17, when the Rockies face the Pittsburgh Pirates.At least four other teams — the Arizona Diamondbacks, Texas Rangers, Minnesota Twins and Milwaukee Brewers — have chosen to extend sales into the eighth inning. Rockies mascot Dinger gets tackled by fan Since the implementation of the new pitch clock, games are averaging 25 minutes less compared to 2022, according to Sports Illustrated.

Rapid snow melt is causing flooding in Hayden

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:22 GMT

HAYDEN, Colo. (KDVR) -- A major waterway that runs through the middle of a Colorado town crested its banks Thursday, causing flash flooding.In a release, Town Manager Mathew Mendisco said the flooding could continue throughout the day due to rapid snow melt from increasing temperatures. Fire danger: These areas are under a red flag warning A flood advisory has been issued by the National Weather Service for Routt County and the intersection of Dry Creek and Highway 40. The advisory is in effect until 12 p.m. on Saturday.ClosuresThe Colorado Department of Transportation said Highway 40 between Hayden and Steamboat Springs is open to local traffic only, including traffic to and from Yampa Valley Regional Airport.All schools and parks have been closed in Hayden due to the flooding. Worst floods in Colorado history Mendisco asked that residents avoid the following areas of Hayden:3rd Street4th StreetPopular Street at the fairgroundsAreas that border Dry Creek on the southwest part ...

AP sources: FBI wants to speak with Guardsman in leaks probe

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:22 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The FBI wants to question a 21-year-old member of the Massachusetts Air National Guard in connection with the disclosure of classified military documents, two people familiar with the matter said Thursday.The two people who discussed the development were not authorized to discuss an ongoing investigation publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press.The New York Times earlier reported the FBI’s interest in the person.THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department and FBI have narrowed the pool of potential suspects believed responsible for the disclosure of highly classified military documents on the Ukraine war, a person familiar with the investigation said Thursday.The Biden administration has been working to assess the diplomatic and national security consequences of the leaked documents since they were first reported last week. A top Pentagon spokesman told reporters earlier...

Homes damaged after tornado hits community in Dania Beach

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:22 GMT

As South Florida deals with flooded areas due to heavy rains, it wasn’t just water damage after a community in Dania Beach was hit by a tornado. The strong winds Wednesday night ripped a roof of off a home. Homes on Jamaica Drive near Bryan Road were impacted by the heavy winds. Residents in the area were up early Thursday morning trying to help each other clean up the mess after a scary night. A storm ripped up a mobile home after dark, which left a trail of damage.“We don’t know, we had a bad storm last night, about 10, 10:30 p.m.” said a resident.“It started to spin like anything here, just on this street, Jamaica Street,” said a resident.Pieces of homes were scattered throughout the neighborhood. “There was rain, and rain, and rain, and at one moment, everything went quiet,” a resident said. “I got goosebumps and I said to my friend, ‘Something is happening,’ and then a few seconds after, we saw everything going. ...

Shirtless Florida man hides in tree after car chase for approximately two hours before being apprehended by Port Orange Police Department

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:22 GMT

(TMX) – A Florida man who fled police was apprehended by a K-9 unit after he fell out of a tree on Tuesday, authorities said.According to the Port Orange Police Department, officers attempted to stop a silver Nissan Maxima near South Nova Road and Isabelle Avenue on April 11. The driver fled, and officers pursued.Videos shared by the Port Orange Police department the pursuit from the air and the ground.Police deployed stop sticks in an attempt to stop the vehicle, and the Volusia Sheriff’s Office joined the pursuit with its Air 1 helicopter unit. The helicopter spotted the vehicle pulling into the backyard of an uninvolved residence on Nob Hill Boulevard.The male driver and female passenger both fled the vehicle on foot. Kaitlyn McCartney was apprehended nearby.A K-9 team from the Edgewater Police Department joined the search for the driver, who was found about two hours later up in a tree.Video shows officers approaching the driver, identified as Jonathan Kiser, with their w...