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US speeds up deliveries of Abrams tanks, Patriot systems to Ukraine

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:46:25 GMT

FORT SILL, Okla. — The U.S. is accelerating the training and delivery of Abrams tanks and Patriot missile defense systems for Ukraine, as preparations ramp up for expected heavy fighting this year.The Pentagon is aiming to refurbish existing M1A1 Abrams tank hulls in order to get them to Ukraine this fall, as opposed to building new tanks that would be delivered much later, according to a Defense Department official, who was granted anonymity in order to speak ahead of an announcement.“The Pentagon is working as fast as they can,” National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said Tuesday on MSNBC when asked about the tanks. “We’re working on that. There’s some changes that you can make to the process, to sort of speed that up.”Meanwhile, 65 Ukrainians are wrapping up training on the Patriot missile system at Fort Sill, Okla., in the coming days, base military officials said as they hosted a small group reporters to view the instruction. The Ukrainian air defenders and two donat...

Shaquille O’Neal shares reason for his hospitalization

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:46:25 GMT

(CNN) — Shaquille O’Neal’s followers were worried when they saw on social media that he was in a hospital bed.Now the basketball star and game analyst has explained what has been going on — with some light humor.“To all the people who are concerned. First let me start off by saying thank you,” O’Neal wrote in an Instagran post on Monday. “And lastly i am fine. Just had to get some BBL work done aka #hipreplacement. but yes i am fine no need to worry.”“BBL” is an acronym for “Brazilian butt lift.”Over the weekend, O’Neal had posted a photo of himself on Twitter in which he was hooked up to machines in a hospital bed, sparking concern.“i’m always watching @TurnerSportsEJ and @Candace_Parker miss y’all,” the tweet from the Hall of Famer read.O’Neal has been an NBA analyst for Turner Sports (which is owned by CNN’s parent company) for more than a dozen years.

Martina Navratilova says her prognosis is ‘excellent’ after double cancer diagnosis — TalkTV interview

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:46:25 GMT

(CNN) — Tennis great Martina Navratilova says her “prognosis is excellent” having been diagnosed with throat and breast cancer.In an interview with Piers Morgan Uncensored on TalkTV, Navratilova said: “I mean, as far as they know I’m cancer-free … I definitely won’t be missing any of my check-ups. I will be very, very diligent about it, but the prognosis is excellent. But you never know.”The 66-year-old Navratilova, who won 59 grand slam singles and doubles titles over the course of her illustrious career, discovered an enlarged lymph node in her neck during the WTA Finals in Fort Worth, Texas last year.After a biopsy, she was later diagnosed with stage one throat cancer, her agent Mary Greenham told CNN in January. While undergoing throat tests, a suspicious form was found in Navratilova’s breast, which later was diagnosed as cancer, Greenham said.“It was again very up and down, right?” Navratilov...

Fox News producer files explosive lawsuits against the network, alleging she was coerced into providing misleading Dominion testimony

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:46:25 GMT

(CNN) — A Fox News producer on Monday filed a pair of explosive lawsuits against the right-wing talk channel, alleging that the network’s lawyers coerced her into providing misleading testimony in Dominion Voting Systems’ $1.6 billion defamation case against the company.The lawsuits filed by Abby Grossberg, who worked as a senior booking producer for Maria Bartiromo and most recently head of booking for Tucker Carlson, accused Fox’s legal team of having engaged in wrongful conduct as it prepared her for a pre-trial deposition in the election technology company’s case.The lawsuits from Grossberg, who has since been placed on administrative leave by Fox, were filed in Delaware Superior Court and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.“Fox News Attorneys acted as agents and at the behest of Fox News to misleadingly coach, manipulate, and coerce Ms. Grossberg to deliver shaded and/or incomplete answers during her sworn depositio...

US to send Patriot missile systems and tanks to Ukraine faster than originally planned

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:46:25 GMT

(CNN) — US Patriot missile defense systems and Abram tanks are set to be deployed to Ukraine faster than originally planned, US defense officials said on Tuesday.A group of 65 Ukrainian soldiers will complete their training on the systems at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, in the coming days, the defense officials said.The troops will then move on to Europe for additional training on the two Patriot systems — one American and one built by the Germans and Dutch — that will be deployed to Ukraine in the coming weeks, the officials told reporters at Fort Sill.The announcement of the acceleration of Patriot deployments came shortly after it was reported that the US will accelerate the time it takes to ship Abrams tanks to Ukraine by sending older M1-A1 models of America’s main battle tank instead of the more modern version of the tank, according to two US officials.The decision to speed up the delivery of tanks and Patriots comes as Ukraine is preparing ...

Heat bracing for Knicks’ Randle after his 57 Monday (he had 43 last time in Miami)

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:46:25 GMT

Even if Julius Randle wasn’t coming off Monday night’s 57 points against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Miami Heat were well aware of the challenge ahead.That’s because the last time the Heat faced the New York Knicks, Randle went off for 43 points, including the winning 3-pointer with 1.7 seconds to play, on March 3 at Miami-Dade Arena.Wednesday night, the teams meet again at Miami-Dade Arena, with the Heat still with a shot to pass the No. 5 Knicks in the Eastern Conference playoff race.“Randle’s having a fantastic year,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said after Tuesday’s practice. “We know that we’re going to have to have our defense in order, the way we’re capable of. It was so competitive our last game here in Miami.”The initial challenge likely again will fall to Heat center Bam Adebayo.“I wasn’t guarding him last night, so I don’t know what happened,” Adebayo said of Randle’s Monday e...

BC tenders basketball coach Earl Grant a two-year extension

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:46:25 GMT

Boston College announced on Tuesday that head basketball coach Earl Grant has been tendered a two-year contract extension that would keep him at the Heights through the 2028-29 season.“Earl has done an outstanding job leading our men’s basketball program over the last two seasons and we are looking forward to him doing so many years to come,” said BC Athletic Director Blake James. “I am excited to watch the program continue to grow under his leadership.”Grant has made the Eagles more competitive in the ACC over the past two seasons, but the move could also be construed as James being proactive. There are many attractive Division 1 vacancies, including nearby Providence College in the Big East and Notre Dame in the ACC.The Eagles recorded nine conference wins for the first time in 14 years that included three ranked opponents, Virginia Tech, Clemson and Virginia. BC rebounded from a slow start against non-conference teams to win 16 games and advance to the second round of the ACC tou...

$10-a-barrel oil price plunge should bring relief at gas pump

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:46:25 GMT

Ron Hurtibise | (TNS) South Florida Sun SentinelWhat’s bad for the economy is sometimes good for motorists.High-profile bank failures sent stock market and crude oil prices plunging last week amid renewed concerns that a global recession could be taking shape.U.S. crude oil prices dropped about 13% over the past week, from $74.43 a barrel on March 14 to $64.54 in early morning trading on Monday. By mid-afternoon Monday, the price was hovering around $66.15.Oil prices fell 17% over the past two weeks and oil futures were trading on Monday at their lowest prices since December 2021.That’s a deep enough slide to put downward pressure on gas prices. According to travel club AAA’s weekly Gas Price Brief, on Monday a gallon of unleaded regular cost $3.44 nationwide, AAA statistics showed.“There were significant losses in the oil market last week, which should enable gas prices to move lower again,” said AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins. “The failure of two U.S. banks raised concerns of a ...

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued by National Weather Service

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:46:25 GMT

SAN DIEGO — A Severe Thunderstorm Warning has been issued by the National Weather Service for parts of San Diego County.The warning is in effect until 12 p.m. Tuesday and covers a large part of San Diego County, including Chula Vista and El Cajon, NWS San Diego said in a tweet.Winds up to 60 mph could be felt during the warning period and pea-sized hail drops are possible as well. Weather radar: Track the storm The warning covers an area of San Diego County ranging from the border up to Del Mar along the coast, ranging to El Cajon in the East and up to Escondido inland.The Severe Thunderstorm was originally expected to last until 11:15 a.m., but NWS later updated that until 12 p.m. A brief Special Marine Warning was also issued by NMW San Diego, as high winds and steep waves were reported in the ocean from the border up to San Mateo Point.The warnings come as a strong atmospheric river is making its way through region, bringing heavy rainfall and strong winds to the county.Floodin...

‘I demand you provide a sample’: Barrie man ordered to give breath sample at home after driving complaint

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:46:25 GMT

A video showing police arriving at a Barrie home and demanding a man provide a breath sample is raising questions about just how far the long arm of the law can extend.In the video posted to TikTok by Micah Colbert, Barrie police arrive at his family’s home, informing Colbert, aged 20, that they’ve received a traffic complaint from the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) “advising of a possible impairment.”“You were swerving in and out of lanes, so now I’m here to administer an alcohol screening device,” the officer explains. “Right now I demand that you provide a sample of your breath into an approved screening device.”“I understand,” Colbert replies, after which the officer demonstrates how to use the device.“Blow it up just like you’re blowing up a balloon,” the officer explains.Colbert never seems to question the request, but does speak up when he notices more officers arriving at the home.“Do ...