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‘Dead’ Russian admiral may not actually be dead

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:49 GMT

Rumors of Admiral Viktor Sokolov’s death may have been greatly exaggerated. Ukraine on Monday claimed to have killed Sokolov — the commander of Russia’s Black Sea naval fleet — in an attack on the port of Sevastopol last week. But on Tuesday, Sokolov appeared, apparently alive and well, in video footage of a Kremlin defense meeting, published by Russian state-owned newswire RIA Novosti. In an initial statement after last Friday’s attack, the Russian defense ministry said it had shot down five incoming missiles and only one serviceman was killed, though the fleet’s headquarters were damaged.But reports about Sokolov’s death circulated online and Ukraine jumped Monday at the chance to announce his killing and say that it had inflicted huge casualties on the Russians in occupied Crimea. POLITICO could not independently verify the Ukrainian claims.The missile barrage was the latest in Ukraine’s quest to liberate occupied Crimea, which Russian Presid...

Europe drawing up years-long mRNA COVID vaccines tender

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:49 GMT

The European Commission is drawing up plans for a tender for mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, according to people close to the discussions — but it’s unclear if doses will be secured in time for this winter.Several countries have confirmed to POLITICO that a tender for the joint procurement of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines is being discussed. This contract would run from 2023 through 2026 and would be the first joint procurement of COVID-19 vaccines outside of the pandemic.As a new cold season emerges — and new adapted vaccines stand ready to begin shipments — some countries want to ensure they have sufficient supplies and choice of vaccines to protect their populations. Case numbers are once again picking up, including in hospital intensive care units.While previous COVID-19 vaccine joint procurement agreements were awarded on a company by company basis, POLITICO understands that this tender would allow multiple companies to secure the same contract.Currently, Pfizer/BioNTech is the only mRNA...

FCC to reintroduce rules protecting net neutrality

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:49 GMT

(CNN) — The US government aims to restore sweeping regulations for high-speed internet providers, such as AT&T, Comcast and Verizon, reviving “net neutrality” rules for the broadband industry – and an ongoing debate about the internet’s future.The proposed rules from the Federal Communications Commission will designate internet service — both the wired kind found in homes and businesses as well as mobile data on cellphones — as “essential telecommunications” akin to traditional telephone services, according to multiple people familiar with the plan. The rules would ban internet service providers (ISPs) from blocking or slowing down access to websites and online content, the people told CNN. Bloomberg was first to report the news.Agency chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel plans to unveil the proposal in a speech at the National Press Club on Tuesday, the people added, saying the FCC plans to vote Oct. 19 on whether to advance the draft rules by soliciting public feedbac...

Chicago Bulls player Ayo Dosunmu buys $2.2M Wicker Park home

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:49 GMT

Chicago Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu, who is starting his third season with the team, paid $2.2 million in August for a recently built, six-bedroom, 4,716-square-foot contemporary-style house in Wicker Park.A Chicago native, Dosunmu, 23, played for three years at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign before he was drafted by the Bulls in 2021.In Wicker Park, Dosunmu used an opaque land trust to buy the house, which has a stone, brick and metal facade. Built in 2018, the house has five full bathrooms, two half bathrooms, 10-foot ceilings, a floating glass panel staircase and a kitchen with a 60-inch Sub-Zero refrigerator, a 90-bottle Sub-Zero wine and beverage center, a 48-inch Wolf cooktop, a double oven, a warming drawer, an industrial hood, a built-in espresso machine, two hidden spice shelving units and a large island with quartzite countertops and waterfall edges.Other features include a primary bedroom suite with a custom closet system, a gas fireplace and a primary bathroo...

Patriots QB Mac Jones could be fined for alleged groin shot of Jets CB Sauce Gardner

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:49 GMT

Patriots quarterback Mac Jones isn’t expected to be suspended for allegedly hitting Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner in the groin during Sunday’s 15-10 win at New York, but could face a fine, according to the NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.Pelissero reported Tuesday morning: “The NFL reviews all plays and it’s possible, though not certain, that Jones could be fined.”Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Patriots-Jets film review: How Mac Jones and the offense made small progress in an ugly win New England Patriots | Sauce Gardner posts ‘proof’ of Mac Jones’ low blow in Patriots’ win over Jets New England Patriots | Bill Belichick compares Patriots rookie to elite NFL defender New England Patriots | Patriots RB Ezekiel Elliott opens up about facing Cowboys New England Patriots | Bill Belichick not losing faith in Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson through ear...

La Mesa could join El Cajon in using license plate-reading cameras

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:49 GMT

LA MESA, Calif. -- There may soon be more license plate readers in San Diego County. They're already in use in El Cajon, where critics say the new detection system is an invasion of privacy. Now, residents and city leaders in La Mesa are weighing in. “Any tool that we can use to help make sure that everyone is safe is a good tool to use," La Mesa resident of 10 years, Buddy Huard, said to FOX 5 on Monday. "People are coming by and flying up this hill doing about 60 ... Those kinds of things need to be controlled. La Mesa PD is shorthanded and they can only do so much.” Meanwhile, Suzanne (who chose to omit her last name) and her son Vince are also vying for extra security. They were both victims of a DUI-related accident. She says accountability is a plus. “He was speeding at a very high rate of 90 miles an hour. That wasn’t caught." 17 Hells Angels members indicted after violent attack in Ocean Beach La Mesa Councilmember Jack Shu says La Mesa PD shared plans of buying a Fl...

Supreme Court allows drawing of new Alabama congressional map to proceed, rejecting state’s plea

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:49 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed the drawing of a new Alabama congressional map with greater representation for Black voters to proceed, rejecting the state’s plea to retain Republican-drawn lines that were struck down by a lower court.In refusing to intervene, the justices allowed a court-appointed special master’s work to continue. On Monday, he submitted three proposals that would create a second congressional district where Black voters comprise a majority of the voting age population or close to it. Mark Sherman, The Associated Press

Book Review: ‘The Spice Must Flow’ chronicles the legacy of the breakthrough novel ‘Dune’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:49 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — The saga of how cult sci-fi novel “Dune” slowly permeated the mainstream over decades is a tale with almost as many twists and turns as “Dune” itself, and author Ryan Britt recounts it in the lively and entertaining “The Spice Must Flow.”As Britt details, author Frank Herbert began to plot the novel — about a young boy named Paul Atreides who may be the future leader of the galaxy — after doing research for a nonfiction article about a manmade technique to stabilize sand dunes.Much of the action takes place on Arrakis, a desert planet that has reserves of a precious natural resource, spice, and is infested with sandworms, Herbert’s iconic dune creature.Herbert had authored sci-fi short stories and novels before, but the only place he could find willing to publish “Dune” in 1964 was an auto-repair book publisher.But slowly “Dune,” and its sequels caught on. Different aspects of the novel — a swashbuckling adventure tale, an environmental treatise and a polemic against...

Taylor Swift is a fan and suddenly, so is everyone else. Travis Kelce jersey sales jump nearly 400%

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:49 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Taylor Swift’s trip to watch the Kansas City Chiefs’ Travis Kelce play football on Sunday didn’t just have the internet talking nonstop. Following the 12-time Grammy Award winner’s appearance at Arrowhead Stadium, jersey sales for the All-Pro tight-end seemingly skyrocketed.According to sportswear and fan merchandise company Fanatics, Kelce was one of the top 5 selling NFL players Sunday. He “saw a nearly 400% spike in sales throughout the Fanatics network of sites, including NFLShop.com,” a spokesperson told The Associated Press via email.Sales spiked on the same day that Swift was spotted in Kansas City, watching the Chiefs play the Chicago Bears alongside Kelce’s mother, Donna, from one of the football stadium’s glass-enclosed suites.Kelce did not speak to reporters afterward, but he was spotted leaving Arrowhead with Swift by his side.Still, just about everyone in the Kansas City locker room was buzzing about the news after Sunday...

Speaker Rota to meet House leaders over honouring man who fought for Nazis: Trudeau

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:18:49 GMT

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he expects that House of Commons Speaker Anthony Rota is reflecting on how to maintain dignity in the chamber ahead of a meeting later today with all party House leaders.Trudeau says it is good that Rota apologized to Parliament for inviting and recognizing in the House a Ukraine military veteran now living in Canada who had served in a Nazi unit during the Second World War.All members of Parliament stood and applauded 98-year-old Yaroslav Hunka last Friday during the official visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, without knowing the details of his past.Trudeau says the mistake is “deeply embarrassing.”Rota is to meet with House leaders at noon today after both the NDP and Bloc Québécois called for him to resign on Monday.The Conservatives say Trudeau is throwing Rota under the bus and that the prime minister should take responsibility for the invitation.This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 26...