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Germany approves Poland’s request to send old fighter jets to Ukraine

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:42:49 GMT

The German government wants to allow Poland’s delivery of Soviet-designed fighter jets to Ukraine, Süddeutsche Zeitung said Thursday, quoting government sources. This concerns five MiG-29 jets from old GDR stocks that Germany had given to Poland in 2002, the outlet writes.The delivery of the MiG-29 jets does not add a new quality to the equipment of the Ukrainian armed forces, which renders the decision less problematic than the delivery of Western combat aircraft, the German government reportedly argues.Germany has been under pressure from allies when it was holding the delivery of German-made tanks for several months and Poland in particular pressuring Berlin by saying that it was ready to go ahead without Germany’s consent.Poland’s President Andrzej Duda Andrzej said last week that his country had already delivered eight MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine and added that it was able to deliver the whole remaining fleet, which would include those of German origin.Sale...

Leaks show US is underestimating us again, Ukrainian officials fume

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:42:49 GMT

KYIV — Ukrainian officials are fuming over the leak of classified United States intelligence documents — some stamped “top secret” — that were initially shared on a social media site associated with gamers, before subsequently spreading more widely. Their ire lies less with the assessments of Ukrainian military preparedness and resilience, or the highlighted shortfalls in weaponry — including air defense missiles — but more with the pessimism regarding Ukraine’s chances of capturing significant amounts of territory when an expected counteroffensive is likely launched in the next couple months. Publicly, Ukrainian authorities are downplaying the leaks, saying they won’t impact relations between Kyiv and Washington. And following a telephone call with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba tweeted on April 11 that “‪@SecBlinken reaffirmed the...

Germany’s Baerbock stresses alliance with US on Taiwan in riposte to Macron

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:42:49 GMT

BERLIN — Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on Thursday significantly distanced Berlin from contentious remarks by French President Emmanuel Macron that cast doubt over whether Europe would help the U.S. if communist China invades democratic Taiwan. Macron triggered fears about the transatlantic alliance over the weekend with comments that Europe should chart an independent course on Taiwan, by not acting as a “follower” to the U.S. and not getting involved in crises that were not its concern. His words sparked particular dismay among those who view the U.S. as Europe’s key security ally — notably being the main party arming Ukraine against Russia. Speaking during a visit to China, Baerbock said the EU “cannot be indifferent” to tensions over Taiwan, while stressing that close partnerships with partners with shared values like the U.S. would be crucial “when we face our own security threats” such as with Russia.“We are cur...

Poland busts Russian cyber spies targeting European diplomats

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:42:49 GMT

The Russian hackers behind the SolarWinds campaign have been extracting information from ministries and diplomatic entities of European Union and NATO countries, the Polish military and national CERT revealed Thursday.The campaign, which is still ongoing, according to a government statement, used emails impersonating embassies of European countries to target personnel at diplomatic posts. “The aim of publishing the advisory is to disrupt the ongoing espionage campaign, impose additional cost of operations against allied nations and enable the detection, analysis and tracking of the activity by affected parties and the wider cyber security industry,” the statement reads.In the body of the message or in an attached PDF, an invitation to a meeting would open a link directing the receiver to a downloadable file or to the ambassador’s calendar, which would then infect them with malware.Many of the elements observed in the campaign, including the techniques used and the tools, overl...

NYT: Leader of online group where leak documents were posted is a 21-year-old Air National Guardsman

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:42:49 GMT

(CNN) — A 21-year-old Massachusetts Air National Guardsman has been identified by The New York Times as the leader of an online gaming chat group where a trove of classified documents was posted. The Times reported Thursday that investigators want to talk to the service member and believe he has information relevant to the FBI’s ongoing investigation into the leak.CNN has not independently verified the identity of the chat leader or the FBI’s interest in talking with him.President Joe Biden appeared to suggest Thursday that the US government is close to identifying the leaker.“There’s a full-blown investigation going on, as you know,” Biden said when asked for comment about the leaks. “The intelligence community and the Justice Department. And they’re getting close. I don’t have an answer for you.”Biden was speaking in Dublin, where he is meeting the Irish president. It was the first time he co...

MBTA: Blue Line worker injured while performing maintenance work near Revere Beach Station

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:42:49 GMT

A Blue Line worker was injured early Thursday morning while performing scheduled maintenance work on the catenary system, according to the MBTA. The incident occurred near Revere Beach Station just before 1 a.m., transit officials say. The worker is receiving treatment for non-life-threatening injuries. The T says an investigation into why this happened is underway.At the start of service, shuttle buses replaced Blue Line trains until approximately 7 a.m. Thursday, when train service was restored between Orient Heights and Bowdoin stations. Shuttle buses remain in place between Orient Heights and Wonderland as of 12 p.m. while crews continue repairs near Revere Beach Station.MBTA officials say the Department of Public Utilities and the Federal Transit Administration were notified of the incident. No additional information has been released.

Police search Excel High School in South Boston, find nothing dangerous after school enters ‘safe mode’

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:42:49 GMT

A South Boston high school briefly entered “safe mode” Thursday as police searched the premises, turning up “nothing dangerous,” according to school officials.A large police presence that included police dogs could be seen at Excel High School Thursday morning, as the Boston Police Department responded to the area.Details on why officers were called to the school have not yet been released, but authorities told 7NEWS the school was placed in safe mode for a time as police searched the building.A spokesperson for Boston Public Schools told 7NEWS nothing dangerous was found inside the building, with the scene returning back to normal by noontime.“I was anxious in there because that never happened to me before,” one student told 7NEWS. “I’m pretty sure all of the kids in there are anxious and probably don’t want to come back because I don’t want to come back.”Officials said no injuries were reported and that all students...

About 100,000 nurses left the workforce due to pandemic-related burnout and stress, survey finds

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:42:49 GMT

(CNN) — About 100,000 registered nurses in the US left the workplace due to the stresses of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the results of a survey published Thursday by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.Another 610,388 registered nurses, who had more than 10 years of experience and an average age of 57, said they planned to leave the workforce by 2027 because of stress, burnout or retirement. The same was true of 189,000 additional nurses with 10 or fewer years of experience and an average age of 36.The survey found that there were over 5.2 million active registered nurses and 973,788 licensed practical nurses or vocational nurses in the US in 2022. The researchers analyzed data from 29,472 registered and advanced nurses and more than 24,000 licensed practical or vocational nurses across 45 states. More than a quarter of those surveyed said they plan to leave the industry or retire in the next five years, the study says.About 62% of the nurses surveyed said ...

Mary Quant, mastermind of Swinging ’60s style, dies at 93

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:42:49 GMT

By DANICA KIRKA and JILL LAWLESS (Associated Press)LONDON (AP) — Mary Quant, the visionary fashion designer whose colorful, sexy miniskirts epitomized London in the 1960s and influenced youth culture around the world, has died. She was 93.Quant’s family said she died “peacefully at home” in Surrey, southern England, on Thursday.Quant helped popularize the miniskirt — some credit her with inventing it — and the innovative tights and accessories that were an integral part of the look. She also created dresses and other simple mix-and-match garments that had an element of whimsy. Some compared her impact on the fashion world with The Beatles’ impact on pop music.“I think it was a happy confluence of events, which is really what fashion is so often all about,” said Hamish Bowles, international editor at large for American Vogue magazine. “She was the right person with the right sensibility in the right place at the right time. ...

Patriots announce Mike Vrabel, Logan Mankins and Bill Parcells as Hall finalists

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:42:49 GMT

The Patriots announced Mike Vrabel, Logan Mankins and Bill Parcells as the three finalists for induction into the team’s Hall of Fame for 2023.That trio emerged from a slate of 11 candidates. All three have been nominated before.Now fans will get to vote on who they believe is worthy of a red jacket and enshrinement as the 34th member of the Patriots Hall of Fame.This marks Vrabel’s seventh time as a finalist. He hasn’t been able to break through with the necessary fan vote.He lost out last year to Vince Wilfork. Before that, it was Richard Seymour, Rodney Harrison, Matt Light, Raymond Clayborn and Kevin Faulk.Will he finally break through this time?Vrabel was part of three championship teams. The linebacker epitomized the type of versatility Bill Belichick craves in players, as he also contributed on special teams and offense. He caught 10 touchdown passes lining up as a tight end down by the goal line.As for the other candidates, this is Mankins second time in the finalist circle....