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Orbán’s walkout was planned, Macron says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:58 GMT

BRUSSELS — The coffee break that saved Ukraine’s EU accession bid had been planned all along.Speaking to reporters after a summit where European leaders successfully bypassed Viktor Orbán’s resistance to Ukraine’s membership of the bloc, French President Emmanuel Macron said the idea behind the Hungarian prime minister’s dramatic exit from the leaders’ room was a collective effort.In the run-up to the summit, European leaders coordinated a multi-pronged diplomatic effort to get Orbán to back down on his veto threat. According to several EU diplomats, Macron was coaxed into agreeing to leading the charm offensive on Orbán by his fellow leaders. He met Orbán for a private dinner in Paris last week and then on Thursday Orbán was treated to a breakfast with several EU leaders including Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and a separate reported bilateral with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.Macron said he worked ahead of the summit wit...

Putin wants a US president who is ‘more constructive,’ Kremlin says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:58 GMT

Russian President Vladimir Putin would prefer an American president who is “more constructive” toward Russia and understands the “importance of the dialogue” between the two countries, the Kremlin said on Friday.Asked whether Putin could work with the Republican front-runner in the U.S. election, former President Donald Trump, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told broadcaster NBC News that the Russian leader would be ready to work with “anyone who will understand that from now on, you have to be more careful with Russia and you have to take into account its concerns.” Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, relations between the West and Moscow have deteriorated, with Washington and its allies imposing wide-ranging sanctions on individuals and entities having links with Moscow regime.Moscow has long accused the West of igniting and sustaining the war, with Putin saying: “Ukraine has become hostage of the Kyiv regime and its We...

The house where 4 University of Idaho students were stabbed to death will be demolished this month

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:58 GMT

(CNN) — For over a year, a three-story house near the University of Idaho campus has served as “the grim reminder” of the gruesome stabbing deaths of four beloved students there in November 2022.Now, the house on King Road is set to be torn down on December 28, the university said Thursday. The demolition date was chosen to coincide with winter break to reduce the impact on those typically in the area, the university said.“Demolition will begin at 7 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 28, and it may take several days to completely clear the site,” the university said in a news release. The school had previously announced plans to raze the home before the school year began but delayed those plans.The owner of the off-campus rental home gave the property to the university after the deaths of Ethan Chapin, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Madison Mogen.Suspect Bryan Kohberger has been charged with four counts of murder and felony burglary, and a not guilty plea...

One person dead after fire in Raynham 

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:58 GMT

One person died after a fire broke out in a home in Raynham late Thursday night, state and local officials said. Officials in a joint statement shared by the state Department of Fire Services said neighbors first reported the fire on Peter Street shortly before 10:50 p.m. Firefighters responded but initially could not enter the home due to heavy fire conditions, officials said. After crews were able to enter, officials said, they found one occupant dead at the scene.“Our thoughts today are with the victim’s family and loved ones,” said Raynham Fire Chief Bryan LaCivita. “This is a terrible tragedy for them and a loss for our community.”Officials said it took crews roughly one hour to fully extinguish this fire. While authorities were not able to determine a specific cause, officials said investigators determined the fire started in a bedroom at the back of the home. Officials continued, saying the fire is not considered suspicious, with all potential causes deeme...

Red Sox still have options as starting pitching market heats up

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:58 GMT

One by one, starting pitchers keep coming off the board.Earlier this week Seth Lugo signed with the Royals, and on Friday he was joined in Kansas City by former Padres teammate Michael Wacha. The Dodgers landed one of the biggest arms on the trade market by acquiring Rays ace Tyler Glasnow, and top Japanese free agent Yoshinobu Yamamoto appears to be edging closer to a decision.But in Boston? Crickets.Though the Red Sox have made it clear adding starting pitching is a top priority, the club still hasn’t made a significant move. Meanwhile, teams like the Cardinals and Royals have already fleshed out their rotations and the Dodgers and Yankees have made massive splashes to further emphasize their championship ambitions.Unsurprisingly fans are growing restless, anxious for more than a nibble on the margins. The good news is that as irritating as the wait has been, there are still plenty of arms up for grabs.Yamamoto and Jordan Montgomery, two of the top free agent pitchers on the...

Healey hands out $100M in ‘Fair Share’ dollars for transportation upgrades

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:58 GMT

The Healey administration handed out $100 million in “Fair Share” dollars to the state’s 351 cities and towns Friday for transportation upgrades, with Boston raking in more than $5 million.Gov. Maura Healey left intact a plan Beacon Hill lawmakers approved in the fiscal year 2024 budget to spend $477 million of the expected $1 billion in revenue from the “Millionaires Tax” or “Fair Share Amendment” on transportation needs, including the MBTA and preserving highway bridge infrastructure.Healey said her administration was “going to make sure that Fair Share revenue was used to improve transportation and education for our communities, as the voters intended.”“This funding is particularly impactful because we are empowering cities and towns to decide how to use it to address their unique needs. We are grateful to the Legislature for making this funding available and look forward to seeing how the municipalities will use it to strengthen their communities,” she said in a statement.Offici...

Israeli military says it mistakenly killed 3 Israeli hostages in Gaza

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:58 GMT

By KARIN LAUB, NAJIB JOBAIN and JACK JEFFERY (Associated Press)RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) — The Israeli military on Friday mistakenly killed three Israeli hostages during its ground operation in the Gaza Strip, military officials said.The army’s chief spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, said Israeli troops found the hostages and erroneously identified them as a threat. He said it was not clear if they had escaped their captors or been abandoned.The deaths occurred in the Gaza City area of Shijaiyah, where troops have engaged in fierce battles against Hamas in recent days.He said the army expressed “deep sorrow” and was investigating.The deaths were announced as a U.S. envoy said the U.S. and Israel were discussing a timetable for scaling back intense combat operations in the war against Hamas, even though they agree the overall fight will take months.U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan also met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to discuss the besieged enclave’s p...

These are the new traffic and vehicle-related laws going into effect in California in 2024

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:58 GMT

Among the hundreds of bills that California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law this year are several related to owning and driving a vehicle. Most new laws go into effect on Jan. 1, 2024, unless there is a stipulation that it begins at a later date. •Video Above: California high-speed rail projects receive billions in federal fundingHere are more than ten significant laws regarding traffic and vehicle ownership going into effect soon in California. Ban on cruising prohibitionsAB 436 will prohibit cities and local governments from prohibiting cruising, and would no longer prohibit vehicles from being modified to sit at a level that’s lower than the vehicles’ rim. Tickets issued to speeding drivers caught via camerasAB 645 will allow several cities to establish a pilot system that will allow the citing of speeding drivers through the use of video cameras, similar to red light infractions that are issued with the help of video technology.  California faces reco...

La Jolla Children's Pool temporarily closed for harbor seal pupping season

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:58 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- City crews put up a closure sign and roped off part of the beach in La Jolla Friday morning.Harbor seal pupping season has started and that means the Children’s Pool will be closed for the next five months. Visitors will still be able to walk on the sidewalk and be near the seawall, but access down to the sand is now off limits.Through May 15, harbor seals will give birth to their pups. Beachgoers will be kept at a distance from the seals to create a safer environment for them to not only birth their babies but also nurse them. No more motorized pedicabs, mobility devices allowed along San Diego Bay Divers and swimmers will not be able to access the water from the area.The closure is something that happens every year due to an agreement between city and the California Coastal Commission.FOX 5 spoke with a former San Diegan, who is visiting from out of state, who said he first fought for the protection of these marine mammals nearly 30 years ago.“I come back every year...

Pacific storm likely to bring rain to San Diego County

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:58 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- A Santa Ana weather pattern is expected to bring warm and dry weather through the weekend, just ahead of a Pacific storm.The National Weather Service said offshore winds are expected to peak Friday in the late morning through the afternoon in the foothills and valleys. Top gusts may reach speeds between 30-45 mph.These winds are expected to relax Saturday and even further into Sunday as temperatures boost west of the mountains. According to weather officials, Saturday will be the warmest day of the weekend with temperatures above normal about 6-14 degrees.The dry pattern could get dampened next week as a Pacific storm moves through Southern California and northern Baja.NWS said a low pressure system will bring a chance for light showers Monday and Tuesday, so isolated sprinkles can be expected. This winter’s El Niño could be one of the strongest in 70 years. What does it mean for San Diego? Then, a stronger Pacific storm will bring better...