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US gives final approval allowing F-16 training for Ukraine to begin

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:42:36 GMT

The Biden administration has formally approved the transfer of F-16 training materials to Denmark, allowing Ukrainian pilots to begin training on the long-anticipated fighter jets, according to two U.S officials.At the same time, the U.S. this week provided written assurances to Denmark and the Netherlands promising to “expedite” the approval of all necessary transfer requests so that the aircraft can be sent to the battlefield as soon as the pilots are trained to use them, according to one of the U.S. officials and a State Department spokesperson.The Biden administration has formally approved the transfer of F-16 training materials to Denmark, allowing Ukrainian pilots to begin training on the long-anticipated fighter jets, according to two U.S officials.At the same time, the U.S. this week provided written assurances to Denmark and the Netherlands promising to “expedite” the approval of all necessary transfer requests so that the aircraft can be sent to the battlefield as soon as ...

Coming soon: Westminster Insider returns

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:42:36 GMT

Listen on Spotify Apple Music Google Play EN_Google_Podcasts_Badge Created with Sketch. Stitcher .st0{fill:#EB8A23;} .st1{fill:#FAC617;} .st2{fill:#612368;} .st3{fill:#3792C4;} .st4{fill:#C33727;} Acast Westminster Insider will be back next Friday! Hosts Aggie Chambre and Ailbhe Rea chat about what to expect from season 11 of the weekly podcast from POLITICO.Subscribe now — and never miss an episode.

How the race to control AI is splitting the West

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:42:36 GMT

In the race to rein in artificial intelligence, Western governments have hit a major bump in the road: they all want to win. Officials from the European Union, the United States and other major economies are competing to write the definitive rules for artificial intelligence, including for the likes of OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Bard. Rival summits will be held in the Fall with the aim to reach a coordinated plan between Western governments on how to regulate the emerging technology. But these upcoming events risk entrenching divisions between countries in ways that threaten to undermine efforts to draw up a unified international rulebook on AI. To make matters worse, some of the talks are now getting personal. “Everyone is committed to making this work,” said a European Commission official involved in negotiations over AI rules. “But right now, there are a lot of egos in the room.”For this article, POLITICO spoke to six Western officials working on the...

Rep. Ocasio-Cortez calls on US to declassify documents on Chile’s 1973 coup

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:42:36 GMT

SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said Thursday in Chile that it was imperative for the United States to declassify documents that could shed light on Washington’s involvement in the South American country’s 1973 coup.“The transparency of the United States could present an opportunity for a new phase in our relationship between the United States and Chile,” Ocasio-Cortez said in Spanish in a video posted on Instagram alongside Camila Vallejo, the spokesperson for the left-leaning government of President Gabriel Boric.The Democratic congresswoman from New York is part of a delegation of lawmakers who traveled to the capital of Santiago ahead of the 50th anniversary of the coup against President Salvador Allende on Sept. 11, 1973.The delegation had first traveled to Brazil and will now go to Colombia, both of which are also ruled by left-leaning governments.The goal of the trip was to “start to change … the relationships between the United States and Chile and...

Buffalo Sabres broadcasting legend Rick Jeanneret dies at 81

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:42:36 GMT

Rick Jeanneret, a Hall of Fame broadcaster best known for his legendary play-by-play for the Buffalo Sabres, has died at age 81. The NHL club announced the news Thursday.Jeanneret’s incredible 51-year career ended following the 2021-2022 season. He called his last game for the Sabres on April 29, 2022.“Rick was indeed a very special and very loved man, to and by all, who knew him and listened to him, his magic, and his command,” Sabres owner Terry Pegula said in a release by the team. “How glad I am to have known him. How lucky were we all to have been around him and to have listened to him.“Rick Jeanneret’s mark on Sabres history extends far beyond the broadcast booth and we will miss him dearly. I extend my deepest condolences to Sandra, Rick’s family, friends, and all that were loved by him.”Rick Jeanneret forever. ????????pic.twitter.com/zOEwKaMkYX— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) August 18, 2023In a release from the Jeanneret family,...

Messi speaks publicly for 1st time since joining Inter Miami and says he’s happy with his choice

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:42:36 GMT

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Fans line up outside Inter Miami’s practice facility to watch Lionel Messi’s car drive away after training sessions. Players from opposing teams wait after matches to get his signature or just a simple handshake. His No. 10 jersey is everywhere in South Florida. For Messi, these are reminders that he made the right choice. He could have continued his acclaimed career with another stint in Barcelona, where he rose to stardom. He could have signed a lucrative deal to play for Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia. He chose the unfamiliar — to travel stateside and play soccer in the United States, and he’s glad about it.“From the beginning, from my arrival, it’s been an impressive welcome that we’ve received,” Messi said through an interpreter. He spoke publicly Thursday for the first time since announcing on June 7 that he’d join Inter Miami of the MLS.“Today I can tell you that I am very happy with the decision we made,” Messi said at MiamiR...

Saints starter Blayne Enlow hopes to end ‘rollercoaster of a year’ healthy

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:42:36 GMT

Saints right-handed starter Blayne Enlow only threw two innings against Indianapolis Thursday at CHS Field, but they might have been his two most important innings of the season.The 24-year-old Enlow, still working his way back from Tommy John surgery, made the most of his allotted time on the mound, retiring all six batters he faced as the Saints ended their losing streak at three games with a 4-1 victory over the Indians.“Just trying to take care of the arm,” Enlow said. “Health is wealth.”Enlow was ranked the No. 10 prospect in the Twins organization by MLB.com in 2020, but Tommy John surgery cost him almost all of the 2021 season. It also limited him to 24 appearances with Double-A Wichita in 2022.“I only threw 53 innings last year and I’m already at 84 this year,” Enlow said. “We’re building it up. There’s lot of stress on the arm right now. We’re just trying to take care of it because I’m going into free agency. Just trying to get healthy.”Enlow, a third-round pick by the Twin...

Warren County hosts emergency information program

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:42:36 GMT

QUEENSBURY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -The Warren County Sheriff's Office welcomed a full house the second time this year for their emergency information program. Master Seargent Lydia Gerardi led the training, showing the group how to prepare for dangerous situations. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! "First responders are very exhausted during any kind of natural or man-made disaster. The more people are able to help themselves, they are their own first responder at some point," said Gerardi.Before any disaster, attendees were taught the importance of preparing. Snowstorms in the area were used as examples, as you may not be able to even leave your home. "We have a very large state. We have a lot of different disasters that can happen. [Those in need] can have a little more time to take care of themselves," described Seargent First Class Nicodeme Esmel. 17-year-old charged with manslaughter in Fort Ann shooting Everyone at the meeting wa...

Heavy police presence on Saratoga Street in Cohoes

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:42:36 GMT

COHOES, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A heavy police presence was seen on Saratoga Street in the city of Cohoes Thursday night. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Police said a crash closed the street from Tibbits Avenue to Hot Dog Charlie's. Drivers are advised to find an alternate route.

Summer heat: What we've seen and what's still to come

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:42:36 GMT

ST. LOUIS - This summer’s heat has come in short bursts, interrupted only by shots of relatively cool air by summer standards.And remember, an official heat wave is made up of three or more consecutive days with temperatures greater than 90°. So far in 2023, we have seen 41 days over 90°.But because we’ve had so many cold fronts this summer, that only breaks down into six relatively short heat waves – the longest of which was seven days, back in late July. That mark may be challenged in the next week to 10 days, as the long-range weather charts are all solidly pointing to what could the longest stretch of the hottest temperatures we’ve seen all season long. St. Louis radar: See a map of current weather here The reason? The jet stream! We have been cooled by a northwest flow the past several days, but the heat that has backed Texas all summer is going to expand rapidly north and east this weekend as the jet stream retreats north into Canada.Unlike previous patterns, this one looks...