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On the brink of joining NATO, Sweden seeks to boost its defense spending by 28%

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 20:17:36 GMT

STOCKHOLM (AP) — The Swedish government said Monday it wants to increase its defense budget by 28%, putting it on track to reach the military spending target 2% of gross domestic product set by the NATO alliance, which the Scandinavian country is preparing to join. “We are in the most serious security policy situation since the end of World War II, which requires Sweden to have a defense that is ready to protect Swedish territory,” defense minister Pål Jonson said.Unveiling a defense bill for 2024, Sweden’s center-right coalition government said military spending would increase by a total of 27 billion kronor ($2.4 billion). Of that amount, approximately 700 million kronor ($63 million) will be spent on Sweden’s future membership of NATO.Jonson said Sweden must adapt its preparedness and its military exercises to prepare for NATO membership but must also continue its support for Ukraine. In May last year, Sweden — and neighboring Finland — sought protection under NATO’s securi...

Aaron Rodgers carted from sideline after suffering ankle injury in his first series for Jets

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 20:17:36 GMT

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Aaron Rodgers was injured on his fourth snap in his debut with the New York Jets, needing to be carted from the sideline with an ankle injury Monday night.Rodgers was sacked by Buffalo’s Leonard Floyd and sat on the MetLife Stadium turf, where he appeared to reach down at his leg before trainers attended to him. He stood up after a few moments, but needed help getting to New York’s sideline.The 39-year-old Rodgers was taken to the blue medical tent to be examined — and then sat on a cart. Halfway to the locker room, he hopped off the cart and limped inside.“He’s dealing with an ankle right now. We’re getting him checked out,” Jets coach Robert Saleh told ESPN in a sideline interview.The Jets announced Rodgers was questionable to return. Zach Wilson replaced him.Before the game, Rodgers jogged onto the field with an American flag in hand and received his first official welcome from Jets fans.He was introduced along with the Jets’ starters on o...

Earthquake robbed Moroccan villagers of almost everything – loved ones, homes and possessions

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 20:17:36 GMT

TAFEGHAGHTE, Morocco (AP) — His dead relatives have been dug out and buried, but the remnants of Musa Bouissirfane’s former life are still trapped under rubble and dust in the ruins of the mud-brick Moroccan village of Tafeghaghte.“It’s incredibly challenging to lose your entire family and all your possessions,” Bouissirfane said as tears welled in his eyes in the community less than a two-hour drive from Marrakech. “We have lost everything — our homes, our livestock and all our possessions.”Less than a week ago, he was excited about his daughter starting second grade. Now he’s mourning her death. Far from ambulances and authorities, villagers could not retrieve her body for more than 14 hours, until Saturday afternoon. The earthquake also killed Bouissirfane’s mother and father and a niece. His wife is hospitalized in an intensive care unit.The toll of the massive earthquake that killed more than 2,800 people was on stark display Monday in remote villages such as Tafegh...

Evidence insufficient to charge BTK killer in Oklahoma cold case, prosecutor says

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 20:17:36 GMT

PAWNEE, Okla. (AP) — There isn’t enough evidence to charge the BTK serial killer in the 1976 disappearance of a 16-year-old girl, an Oklahoma prosecutor said Monday despite statements from law enforcement officials calling Dennis Rader a prime suspect.District Attorney Mike Fisher said at a news conference that he’s not at a point where he could file charges against Rader in the disappearance of Cynthia Dawn Kinney, a cheerleader from the northern Oklahoma city of Pawhuska who was last seen at a laundromat.But Fisher asked the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation to open a formal investigation into Kinney’s disappearance because of the public interest in the revived cold case, and he will file charges if he learns of evidence that would warrant it, he said. Osage County sheriff’s officials, including Undersheriff Gary Upton, have recently called Rader a “prime suspect” in Kinney’s disappearance and the death of 22-year-old Shawna Beth Garber, whose bo...

Pre-registration for re-entry flights set to begin for some N.W.T. communities

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 20:17:36 GMT

YELLOWKNIFE — It remains unclear when residents in the Northwest Territories’ South Slave region will be allowed to return home, but officials are set to open pre-registration for re-entry flights in anticipation.Jay Boast, an information officer with the territory’s Emergency Management Organization, says online and phone pre-registration for flights is set to begin at 8 a.m. Tuesday for wildfire evacuees from the communities of Hay River, Enterprise and K’atl’odeeche First Nation. Boast says the process will allow officials to develop passenger lists, which will help identify appropriate transportation needs.He says pre-registration is set to close on Thursday at 8 p.m.An evacuation order was issued for the 3,500 residents of Hay River, as well as Enterprise and K’atl’odeeche First Nation, on Aug. 13, three days before people in Yellowknife were ordered to leave.Yellowknife’s evacuation order was lifted Wednesday, but wildfire information ...

US sets record for billion-dollar weather disasters in a year – and there’s still 4 months to go

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 20:17:36 GMT

The deadly firestorm in Hawaii and Hurricane Idalia’s watery storm surge helped push the United States to a record for the number of weather disasters that cost $1 billion or more. And there’s still four months to go on what’s looking more like a calendar of calamities. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced Monday that there have been 23 weather extreme events in America that cost at least $1 billion this year through August, eclipsing the year-long record total of 22 set in 2020. So far this year’s disasters have cost more than $57.6 billion and claimed at least 253 lives.And NOAA’s count doesn’t yet include Tropical Storm Hilary’s damages in hitting California and a deep drought that has struck the South and Midwest because those costs are still to be totaled, said Adam Smith, the NOAA applied climatologist and economist who tracks the billion-dollar disasters.“We’re seeing the fingerprints of climate change a...

See it: Stunning rainbow over New York City on 9/11

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 20:17:36 GMT

NEW YORK (WPIX) -- They say that after the rain comes the rainbow. New Yorkers were treated to that stunning display Monday evening.After a storm passed through New York City, the clouds cleared and a perfect rainbow arched over the World Trade Center and Lower Manhattan skyline. The spectacular sight took place as New Yorkers marked 22 years since the Sept. 11 terror attack on the World Trade Center. Nearly 3,000 people were killed on 9/11. These are there names. Many people who spotted the rainbow took to social media to express their awe. "The rainbow over Manhattan hit different tonight on the 22nd anniversary of 9/11 🤍 🌈 🙏🏼🇺🇸," one person posted."911Anniversary Rest In Peace to all the loved ones lost. And Love & Light to all those reliving this trauma annually. Blessings," another person posted.A rainbow over New York City on Sept. 11, 2023. (credit: WPIX)Nearly 3,000 people were killed when hijacked planes crashed into the trade center, the Pentagon and a Pennsylvania f...

Aerosmith postpones multiple shows on farewell tour over Steven Tyler's vocal cord damage

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 20:17:36 GMT

CHICAGO (WGN) — The band Aerosmith has announced that it is rescheduling several stops on its farewell tour after an injury in the group. The band made the announcement in a statement shared on its website on Monday.According to the statement, lead singer Steven Tyler suffered vocal cord damage during a concert on Saturday, which has forced the group to postpone several upcoming tour stops. “I’m heartbroken to say I have received strict doctor’s orders not to sing for the next thirty days. I sustained vocal cord damage during Saturday’s show that led to subsequent bleeding. We’ll need to postpone a few dates so that we can come back and give you the performance you deserve," Tyler said in a statement. Drew Barrymore slammed for talk show return amid WGA and SAG-AFTRA strike The group is currently on its "Peace Out" farewell tour and had made three stops around the U.S. before their show in Elmont, New York, on Saturday, where Tyler suffered his injury. The below shows have been po...

Cubs will have to go without Adbert Alzolay the next few weeks

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 20:17:36 GMT

DENVER — Amid the excitement over the Cubs' calling up the top prospect in their system on Monday was also the bad news that came about the team's closer.As they battle for a playoff spot in the closing weeks of the season, they'll be without Adbert Alzolay.The Cubs’ Pete Crow-Armstrong call-up comes with a few other moves..- Closer Adbert Alzolay to the 15-day IL (Right forearm strain)- Reliever Michael Fulmer activated off IL- OF Alexander Canario optioned to Iowa- Reliever Anthony Kay DFA’d.@WGNNews pic.twitter.com/s91uKU3i6K— Larry Hawley (@HawleySports) September 11, 2023The pitcher is headed to the 15-day injured list as he deals with a right forearm strain, retroactive to September 10. Alzolay last pitched on Saturday against the Diamondbacks, pitching a shutout inning despite two walks and a hit in a 3-2 extra-inning loss to Arizona. First a starter for the Cubs and now a reliever, Alzolay has taken over the closer's role for the club over the last few months. He's con...

VIDEO: Restaurant fire fills downtown Austin with smoke

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 20:17:36 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Fire Department responded to a restaurant fire in downtown Austin on Monday evening.AFD said firefighters are working to extinguish the fire and remove smoke in a 30-story high-rise building at 303 Colorado Street. The restaurant has been evacuated, AFD said.According to photos and videos shared with KXAN, a large plume of smoke could be seen pushing through the street. Multiple firefighters responded to the area, according to photos shared with KXAN.This developing story will be updated as more information becomes available.