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Hungary doesn’t want €20B fund for Ukraine military — for now

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:10:31 GMT

Hungary is emerging as the biggest hurdle for the EU’s attempt to set up a long-term fund of up to €20 billion to keep Ukraine’s military stocked. The plan, first reported by POLITICO earlier this week, was on the agenda for the first time Thursday as foreign ministers met in Brussels. The proposal would set aside at least €5 billion a year for the next four years to help cover the costs of EU countries buying and donating weapons for Ukraine and training Ukraine’s forces.But during the meeting, Hungary — which has argued Ukraine should stop fighting — said it would object to the fund until Ukraine removes a controversial Hungarian bank, OTP, from its “war sponsors” list. Until then, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said his country will not authorize more money for the EU’s so-called European Peace Facility — the ironically named fund Brussels has been using to subsidize weapons shipments to Ukraine. “We ca...

Russia’s Wagner mercenaries launch joint training with Belarusian military near Poland’s border

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:10:31 GMT

MOSCOW (AP) — Mercenaries from Russian military company Wagner launched joint drills with the Belarusian military on Thursday, almost a month after their short-lived rebellion against Moscow. Poland built up troops on its border with Belarus in response to the war games.The maneuvers followed a pledge by Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin to help protect Belarus from a potential incursion and to bolster its military. The Belarusian Defense Ministry said the weeklong drills would take place at a firing range near Brest, a city on the Polish border.A video released Wednesday appeared to show Prigozhin for the first time since he led last month’s mutiny. The recording shows him telling his troops that before deploying to Africa, they would spend some time in Belarus providing training to help “make the Belarusian army the second strongest army in the world.”Before the abortive rebellion led by Prigozhin, Wagner mercenaries fought alongside Russ...

Few Storms Friday, Wonderful Weekend

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:10:31 GMT

We had to wait quite a while for a day like today but we finally got it! Sunshine, no smoke, low humidity, and warm temperatures… it was beautiful today! Unfortunately tomorrow isn’t quite as nice. That doesn’t mean it’s terrible, but it’s not a repeat of today. We’ll have more clouds tomorrow and higher humidity back. Some of us will deal with storms in the afternoon, but others will stay dry until late in the evening.Storms will move in west to east but VERY SLOWLY. So the farther west you are, the more likely storms will be in the afternoon and evening. By 4pm you can see storms popping up across southern New Hampshire and Worcester County, but they don’t really make it to Boston and the 95 corridor until after 10pm!That’ll make it’s way out overnight and set up a wonderful weekend! Sun will return, humidity will drop, and temperatures will stay warm. There’s a small (10%) chance of a shower on Saturday but I wouldn̵...

Daughter of former New England Revolution player killed in boating accident

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:10:31 GMT

The 11-year-old daughter of a former New England Revolution player was killed in what her family has described as a tragic boating accident.Olivia Knighton, daughter of former goalkeeper and current Revolution academy coach Brad Knighton, died Wednesday after authorities say a boat carrying her and 11 others was rocked by a wave while traveling near Myrtle Beach in South Carolina.According to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, nine people were sent overboard, including Olivia who was then struck by a boat propeller and later died of her injuries.On social media, Brad Knighton announced his family’s loss, stating “there are no words to express the depth of our profound grief and sorrow in this moment.”“We are all still in disbelief that her bright and pure light was taken away from us so suddenly,” Knighton said, describing how Olivia loved soccer and the Revolution, and how the family had always felt the support of the team’...

Patriots announce dates for Pat Patriot throwback uniforms

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:10:31 GMT

The Patriots are turning back the clock again for two games this season.The Patriots announced Thursday that they will wear their red “Pat Patriot” throwback uniforms for two home games this season in Week 2 on “Sunday Night Football” against the Miami Dolphins and Week 13 against the Los Angeles Chargers.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Source: Patriots hosting RB Leonard Fournette for free-agent workout New England Patriots | OBF: Bill Belichick’s future in the hands of Mac Jones The Patriots brought back the throwback uniforms last season when the NFL altered a rule that only allowed teams to wear one helmet color per season. The loosening of the uniform guidelines meant the Patriots could bring back the white helmets they wore from their inception in 1960 until 1992 to pair with their regular silver helmets.The Patriots wore their throwbacks twice last season, as well. They beat the Detroit Lions in Week 5 but lost to the Buffalo Bills...

Patriots players bulked up ahead of 2023 NFL season

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:10:31 GMT

The Patriots didn’t only update their website recently with official coaching titles. They also updated weights for nearly every player on their 90-man roster.Multiple players seemingly bulked up this offseason based on those updated figures. One of which was wide receiver Kendrick Bourne, who said during the spring it was a “new year, new me, new us, new everything” when it was pointed out that he looked like he added muscle over the offseason. Bourne was listed at 190 pounds last season. He’s up to 205 pounds now.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Source: Patriots hosting RB Leonard Fournette for free-agent workout New England Patriots | OBF: Bill Belichick’s future in the hands of Mac Jones Cornerback Rodney Randle saw the biggest change in his listed weight from 170 pounds to 205 pounds. It seems likely the previous figure was out of date. He signed with the Patriots out of the CFL in January.As @TheJoeyMcNeely pointed out, the Pat...

Private donors commit $100K to relief fund for Mass. farmers reeling from rains, floods

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:10:31 GMT

EASTHAMPTON — A series of torrential rains over the past two weeks caused roughly $15 million in damages to about 2,000 acres of farmland in Massachusetts, which the Healey administration hopes to help save with a private relief fund announced Thursday afternoon.Farmers that have encountered multiple environmental setbacks this year, are now facing brunt of floods that left crops soaked right before harvest time. Gov. Maura Healey said she is “not holding” her breath for federal dollars and the newly created “Massachusetts Farm Resiliency Fund” is the best way to provide direct relief.“If people think that there’s going to be a whole bunch of money coming from the federal government this way, I’m not holding my breath, none of us are and I want to be really clear about that,” Healey said.Even as the governor cautioned against waiting for federal dollars, the state’s Congressional delegation pressured U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Thomas Vilsack and Farm Servic...

5 San Diego Wave FC players kick off 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:10:31 GMT

SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup officially kicks off in Australia and New Zealand Thursday with five San Diego Wave FC players on the rosters.With 32 nations vying for the championship, SD Wave player swill represent four different countries: the USA, Canada, Sweden and Austrailia.Defender Naomi Girma and forward Alex Morgan will compete for the USA, goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan for Canada, forward Sofia Jakobsson for Sweden, and midfielder Emily van Egmond for Australia. Women’s World Cup Guide: How to watch, schedule and betting favorites Van Egmond was the first to put her cleat on the turf, with her host country of Australia starting the tournament Thursday at 3 p.m. PT against the Republic of Ireland. Australia came out on top with a 1-0 victory over Ireland. Up next, the USA will have their first match of the world tournament Friday at 6 p.m. PT against Vietnam. The USA is in first place in the FIFA women's world rankings.Then, Sweden will play South Afr...

Two prominent Egyptian rights figures are released from prison following presidential pardons

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:10:31 GMT

CAIRO (AP) — Egypt on Thursday released two human rights defenders, including one who has ties with Italy, their lawyers said, concluding two cases that drew significant international criticism and attention.The releases of Patrick George Zaki, an activist and postgraduate student in Italy, and Mohamed el-Baker, a human rights lawyer, came a day after they were pardoned by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi along with four other people. Confirmation of the pardons was published in Egypt’s Official Gazette.The release of Zaki, whose case was championed by Italy’s government, was announced by Hossam Bahgat, founder of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, who posted a picture of the bearded postgraduate student on Facebook on Thursday afternoon. Zaki’s sister also confirmed his release, posting a photo on Facebook of her brother speaking to journalists after his release. “Patrick is on the Asphalt,” Marise Zaki wrote on Facebook, using a phrase that acti...

3 charged after shooting at a South Florida Walmart kills 1 and wounds another

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:10:31 GMT

MIAMI (AP) — Three men were facing charges Thursday after a shooting at a South Florida Walmart left one person dead and another wounded, authorities said.The Wednesday shooting broke out after a fight between two groups at the Walmart in Florida City, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) southwest of Miami, according to a Miami-Dade police report. Steve Lestin, 25, is charged with second-degree murder and attempted felony murder. Roberto Acevedo, 20, and Jimari Hodge, 21, are each charged with battery. Police said they weren’t searching for additional suspects.Rescue workers transported two victims to a Miami trauma center after the shooting, and one later died. The man who died, 23-year-old Nathaniel Baez, was involved in the confrontation, while the other victim was a bystander who was shot in the foot, police said.Several others were injured during the commotion caused by the shooting, officials said. A woman who fell and hit her head was taken to a hospital. Rescue workers trea...