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Pentagon forges new high-tech agreement with Australia, United Kingdom, aimed at countering China

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:31:20 GMT

MOUNTAIN VIEW, California (AP) — From underwater drones to electronic warfare, the U.S. is expanding its high-tech military cooperation with Australia and the United Kingdom as part of a broader effort to counter China’s rapidly growing influence in the Indo-Pacific.Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met with defense chiefs from Australia and the United Kingdom at the U.S. military’s defense technology hub in Silicon Valley on Friday to forge a new agreement to increase technology cooperation and information sharing. The goal, according to a joint statement, is to be able to better address global security challenges, ensure each can defend against rapidly evolving threats and to “contribute to stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.”Austin met with Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles and Grant Shapps, the British secretary of state for defense, at the Defense Innovation Unit headquarters. Speaking at a news conference after the meeting, Austin said the eff...

US proposes plan to help the snow-dependent Canada lynx before warming shrinks its habitat

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:31:20 GMT

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — U.S. officials proposed a $31 million recovery plan for Canada lynx on Friday in a bid to help the snow-dependent wildcat species that scientists say could be wiped out in parts of the contiguous U.S. by the end of the century.The proposal marks a sharp turnaround from five years ago, when officials in Donald Trump’s presidency said lynx had recovered and no longer needed protection after their numbers had rebounded in some areas. President Joseph Biden’s administration in 2021 reached a legal settlement with environmental groups to retain threatened species protections for lynx that were first imposed in 2000.Populations of the medium-sized wildcats in New Hampshire, Maine and Washington state are most at risk as warmer temperatures reduce habitat for lynx and their primary food, snowshoe hares, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service documents indicate.But declines for lynx would be seen in boreal forests across the contiguous U.S. under even the most optimistic warm...

Man armed with a knife shot dead by officers in Elk Grove Village

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:31:20 GMT

ELK GROVE VILLAGE — A man who Elk Grove Village police say was armed with a knife was shot and killed by officers Friday evening. Details remain limited but officials addressing the media said three officers were taken to a nearby hospital for observation following a response in the 200 block of Fern Drive. Elk Grove Village passes ordinance to help migrants while keeping community safe Police add that there is no existing threat to the community. Due to an active investigation, commuters are asked to avoid the area of Fern Drive and Ridge Avenue, however. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines This is a developing story. WGN's Andrea Medina will have more on the Evening News beginning at 9 p.m.

Judge rejects Trump’s immunity argument in federal 2020 election case

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:31:20 GMT

(The Hill) — A federal judge on Friday rejected former President Trump’s argument that he is immune in his 2020 election subversion criminal case, while also denying his other constitutional defenses."Whatever immunities a sitting President may enjoy, the United States has only one Chief Executive at a time, and that position does not confer a lifelong 'get-out-of-jail-free' pass, Former Presidents enjoy no special conditions on their federal criminal liability," U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan wrote in the 48-page ruling."Defendant may be subject to federal investigation, indictment, prosecution, conviction, and punishment for any criminal acts undertaken while in office," she added.Trump asserted the immunity defense in October, arguing all his actions leading up to the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol are protected by presidential immunity. The former president faces four felony charges in the case, with Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith's office say...

How to care for a real Christmas tree

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:31:20 GMT

(WSYR-TV) — If it's your first year getting a real Christmas tree or your 10th, there are some tips and tricks you might want to know when bringing a real one home.Not only is tree care important for the survival of your tree but it also helps prevent insect pests, diseases, or even house fires. According to Cornell University, it all starts when you pick the tree at the Christmas tree farm or lot.When picking out your real Christmas tree, you need to consider a few factors including if the tree has been stored away from the sun and wind or if it's been treated with anti-desiccant. Disney World’s Haunted Mansion finally adds fan-favorite character from Disneyland ride The State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF) also recommends considering what type of pine species you're picking because there's a difference between longer and shorter needle trees once cut."People choose a Christmas tree species depending on tradition and individual tas...

Two UT teaching assistants lose their positions after message about Palestine

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:31:20 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Two University of Texas teaching assistants in the Department of Social Work were relieved after they sent an email to students through the UT message board system about the war between Israel and Palestine. The TAs said the message was intended to provide mental health resources to Palestinian, Arab and Muslim students. In a Nov. 22 letter to the TAs, Allan Cole, the Dean Steve Hicks School of Social Work at UT, said the “material was unrelated to the course and inappropriate given the setting,” read the letter. “This is unacceptable,” it continued. One of the teaching assistants, Callie Kennedy, said she was approached by a student who asked if the class discuss the mental health needs of Palestinian, Arab and Muslim students. She met with another TA, Parham Daghighi, and wrote the message with the approval of their supervising professor, she said.  "We were responding to a gap and willful neglect on the part of our university to meet the studen...

Rivals Westlake, Lake Travis face off for spot in 6A Division I semis Saturday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:31:20 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Westlake came away with a 20-14 win over Lake Travis played Sept. 22, but when the district rivals meet on the gridiron Saturday at The Pfield, it'll mean much more.It's a Battle of the Lakes in the 6A Division Region IV final that kicks off at 2 p.m. The game will be broadcast on KBVO, and here's how to find KBVO on several cable providers and over the air.AT&T U-Verse: Channel 1007 (HD) – Channel 7 (SD)DirecTV: Channel 51 (HD) – Channel 909 (SD) (HD/SD)Dish Network: Channel 51 (HD/SD)Grande Communications: Channel 818 (HD) – Channel 18 (SD)Northland Cable: Channel 101 (HD) – Channel 10 (SD)Over the Air: Channel 14Suddenlink: Channel 107 (HD) – Channel 7 (SD)Spectrum Cable: Channel 1215 (HD) – Channel 7 (SD)A lot has changed since that District 26 matchup at Cavalier Stadium. For Lake Travis, head coach Hank Carter made a change at quarterback during a 24-6 loss to Dripping Springs, moving junior Chaston Ditta in from wide receiver for an injured Kadyn Leon. Whe...

Gophers sweep Utah State in first round of NCAA volleyball tournament

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:31:20 GMT

The Gophers volleyball team opened the NCAA tournament with an impressive straight-set first-round victory over Utah State on Friday in Omaha, Neb.Minnesota won the match 25-17, 25-14, 25-23 to improve to 17-12 on the season under first-year head coach Keegan Cook.The Gophers won an NCAA tournament match for the ninth straight season and improved to 27-1 all time in opening-round matches.Minnesota finished with 12 blocks and held Utah State to .048 hitting to dominate the match.Lydia Grote finished with 10 kills (.471) to lead the Gophers, who also got 19 assists from Melani Shaffmaster, 17 digs from Kylie Murr, and six blocks each from Arica Davis and Phoebe Awoleye.“Proud of our group for how we played in the serve and serve receive game,” Cook said in a statement. “We applied a lot of pressure there. Then in the third set, we were down and really had to battle back. Proud that we showed a lot of what we’ve been known for late in the season here, and happy ...

Annual holiday decorations put on Albany Ronald McDonald House

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:31:20 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A local charity got into the holiday spirit on Friday with some help from a utility company. Dozens of National Grid employees stopped by the Ronald McDonald House in Albany to put up energy efficient Christmas lights and a Christmas tree.The Ronald McDonald House supports families of children facing medical challenges. Organizers said the holiday decorations will help brighten their days. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! "It's a joyful thing not only for the families staying here, but our staff enjoy it, our volunteers look forward to it, and I think the community at large, really, anticipates when the house is all lit up as they drive down South Lake Avenue, so it's a gift to lots of people for the whole season," Interim CEO Kimmy Venter said.National Grid also collected donations to support the charity's mission.

Pittsfield receives $20M to remove hazardous dam

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:31:20 GMT

PITTSFIELD, Mass. (NEWS10) -- The city of Pittsfield is receiving federal funding to remove a hazardous dam. The Bel Air Dam is located in the Housatonic River. It's almost 200 years old and has been abandoned.Massachusetts is using $20 million in federal COVID relief funds to remove it. Officials are worried it could cause devastating flooding if it breaks. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! "Many storm events are delivering higher volumes of precipitation in a single event, which puts a significant amount of pressure on dams, culverts, and other drainage infrastructure," Pittsfield Mayor Linda Tyer said.Leaders also hope the project will restore the river's natural habitat, which will reduce the risk of flooding and improve recreational opportunities.