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Joe Biden and Rishi Sunak exchange warm words despite Ukraine tensions

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:12 GMT

LONDON — Joe Biden told Rishi Sunak he “couldn’t be meeting with a closer friend and a greater ally,” as the pair met briefly ahead of this week’s NATO summit in Vilnius.In a sit-down that ran to just 40 minutes, the U.S president and British PM reaffirmed what Biden called “rock solid” relations between the two countries — despite a number of geopolitical splits straining the coveted “special relationship.”The U.S. decision to arm Ukraine with cluster bombs — a controversial munition — opened a rift among NATO countries ahead of the summit, which kicks off Tuesday in Lithuania. Sunak said over the weekend that the U.K. “discourages” use of the weapons.The U.K. and U.S. also appear at odds over Ukraine’s aim to join NATO, a key theme of this week’s summit. In an interview Sunday, Biden said Ukraine is “not ready” to join NATO and that membership could only be considered once the war is over — whereas...

Dutch PM Mark Rutte is quitting politics

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:12 GMT

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said Monday he would leave politics after the next election, following his government’s collapse last Friday.“On Sunday I decided that I will not be available as a leader for the VVD in the upcoming elections,” Rutte told the Dutch parliament Monday. After the Cabinet collapse late last week, Rutte said he still had the “energy and ideas” to continue, but this weekend he decided to put an end to his 17 years as leader of the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD). “I do this with mixed feelings, with emotions,” he said. “I love the team dearly. But it feels right.” As one of Europe’s veteran leaders, Rutte has been linked with a number of top jobs outside the Netherlands, including at NATO and the EU. But Rutte said Monday that he’s not interested in an international top job.Rutte will stay on as a caretaker prime minister until the elections in November. He said that “restraint is appropriate”...

Downpours, Localized Flooding

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:12 GMT

Giving the way the last 5 weeks have gone, today should come as no surprise. More showers and storms are in the forecast. However, this go around, there is a flood watch posted for a large portion of central and western Southern New England. The highest risk for flooding today will be across CT, western Mass and up into VT. In fact, in Vermont, an additional 3-6″ of rain on top of what’s fallen, will continue to produce significant/damaging flooding, washing out roads as streams and rivers rise rapidly. While the flooding rains won’t be as severe across eastern Mass and RI, there is the potential of some localized street/poor drainage flooding as showers and storms will be capable of producing, locally, a quick 1-2″ of rain. Those showers and storms will be in and out starting late morning, into the afternoon. We’ll also watch for the potential of a strong storm or two this afternoon with the potential for damaging gusts.Rain tapers off tonight, and ot...

Orioles reset: Félix Bautista has earned his All-Star reputation. Just ask the hitters who’ve faced him.

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:12 GMT

When a dominant new pitcher emerges, Kevin Kiermaier is eager to face him and see what the hype is about.The Toronto Blue Jays center fielder had that same reaction with Félix Bautista when the Orioles closer broke out as one of the best relief pitchers in baseball, and Kiermaier has now faced the towering right-hander four times.Does he still have that same enthusiasm?“I’d gladly never face him again,” Kiermaier said with a laugh.In his second major league season, Bautista is an All-Star, earning a trip to Seattle after a stellar first half in which he saved 23 games, posted a 1.07 ERA and put himself on pace to shatter strikeout records by punching out 18.0 batters per nine innings.Despite his surprise breakout last season, it’s not a mystery why Bautista is having the success he is. It’s mostly simple: He throws 100 mph and has a nasty splitter.“He’s one of the best closers in the game for a reason,” Kansas City Royals infielder Maikel Garcia said.But hitters around the league li...

Column: Home Run Derby — this year featuring Chicago White Sox slugger Luis Robert Jr. — has eclipsed the All-Star Game as must-see TV

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:12 GMT

I recently relayed my idea for how Luis Robert Jr. could steal the show at Monday’s Home Run Derby in Seattle to one of his Chicago White Sox teammates.“That’s sick,” he replied.I wasn’t sure if he meant it was a cool idea or that I was disturbed, and since both were possibilities, I let it go. I then attempted to give my idea to Robert but was informed by his handler he was not talking that day. An attempt to interview Sox bullpen catcher Luis Sierra, who will be throwing to Robert in the derby, also was rebuffed.But if you see Robert walk out for the derby wearing the long coat and fedora that Sox players don after hitting home runs, remember where you heard it first. In fact all the contestants should have some similar kind of shtick, just as many teams do in dugouts.It is, after all, entertainment.A somewhat reluctant entrant into the derby, Robert originally said he was not interested in participating but changed his mind last week after some lobbying by fellow Cubans Randy Aro...

Luis Robert Jr. is the top seed in the Home Run Derby. Here’s what else to know — including how Cubs and White Sox players have fared.

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:12 GMT

Chicago White Sox center fielder Luis Robert Jr. is the No. 1 seed in Monday night’s Home Run Derby at Lumen Field in Seattle.Here’s what to know about the event — including how Cubs and White Sox players have fared in the past.History of the eventESPN didn’t start airing the event live until 1994, but the derby actually dates to December 1959, when the major leagues’ best sluggers went to Wrigley Field — in Los Angeles, then home of the Pacific Coast League’s Angels — over a three-week period to take their hacks in “Home Run Derby,” a short-lived television show with Chicago native Mark Scott as host.The 30-minute show aired weekly for 26 episodes during the major-league season. Nine of the 19 players who participated in April 1960 — including Mickey Mantle, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays and Ernie Banks — went on to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Of the 20 players who hit 25 home runs or more in 1959, Scott recruited all but four to compete on “Home Run Derby.”And of the 16 major-lea...

Two-vehicle crash in Brampton sends man, woman to hospital

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:12 GMT

Two people are in hospital after a two-vehicle crash in Brampton on Monday morning.It happened at Humberwest Parkway and Cotrelle Boulevard, near Castlemore and Airport roads around 5:30 a.m.A man and a woman were taken to hospital with unknown injuries.Police say a traffic light was knocked down onto the roadway at the intersection.There is no word what caused the crash.Humberwest is closed between Castlemore and Williams Parkway for the investigation and collision cleanup. Motorists are being asked to avoid the area.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte will leave politics after election, marking end of a political era

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:12 GMT

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, the Netherlands’ longest serving premier, said Monday he will leave politics after an early general election sparked by a dispute over migration that led to his government’s resignation.His decision means the end of nearly 13 years in power for the conservative leader sometimes called ” Teflon Mark ” because scandals that plagued his four different administrations did not stick to him.Rutte, the 56-year-old leader of the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy, or VVD, announced his decision at a hastily arranged parliamentary debate to discuss the fall of his latest governing coalition.“Yesterday morning I made a decision that I will not be available again as a leader of the VVD. When a new Cabinet takes office after the elections, I will leave politics,” he said.Rutte called it a “personal decision, regardless of the developments in recent weeks.” There was no immediate indication who might replace Rutte a...

Man charged in Berlin with attempted arson attack on building housing Russian intelligence officers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:12 GMT

BERLIN (AP) — A Russian citizen has been charged in Berlin with attempted homicide and attempted arson for placing an explosive or incendiary device last year in a building where Russian intelligence officers lived, prosecutors in the German capital said Monday.The 45-year-old, whose name was not released, is accused of placing the device in an opening at the building’s basement in late April 2022. It failed to ignite for reasons that are unclear and was discovered and defused only days later.The suspect was arrested on Dec. 14. Before that, he was involved in public protests against the Russian government, including a protest camp outside the Russian Embassy in Berlin, prosecutors said in a statement. Shortly after Russia launched its war in Ukraine in February 2022, he posted on social media about the building that was later attacked and said that “war against us all” was being conducted from it.The man was “not uncontroversial” among Russian opposition activists, prosecutor...

Crash between GO bus, SUV in North York leaves man in critical condition

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:12 GMT

A man is fighting for his life in hospital after a crash involving a bus and another vehicle in North York.Emergency crews responded to a two-vehicle collision at Allen Road and Sheppard Avenue around 11:30 p.m. Sunday.Police say an SUV collided with a GO bus. The driver of the SUV was rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries.There is no word on what caused the crash.There were road closures in the area, but the area has since reopened to motorists.COLLISION:Allen Rd and Sheppard Ave W11:38 pm-two vehicles involved -SUV collided with a GO bus-the driver of the SUV was transported to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.-roads have now been re-opened#GO1598176^lm— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) July 10, 2023