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Ukrainian troops to begin training on US-made tanks in next few weeks

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:52 GMT

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany — American-made Abrams tanks that Ukrainians will use for training will arrive in Germany in the next few weeks, allowing soldiers to begin learning to use the much-anticipated armor, according to two U.S. Defense Department officials. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is expected to announce the move at a Friday press conference after the 11th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, a gathering of more than 40 nations dedicated to supporting Kyiv against Russia’s all-out assault, said one of the DoD officials, who was granted anonymity to discuss sensitive operations.The 31 M1A1 Abrams tanks — a Ukrainian battalion’s worth — will arrive at the Grafenwoehr Training Area in Germany by mid-to-late May, according to the officials. The training will begin a week or two later, after the tanks go through a maintenance period. But the tanks the Ukrainian armed forces will train on in Germany are different from the ones that will eventually...

Fire officials investigating apparent house explosion in Truro

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:52 GMT

Fire officials are working to determine what caused an apparent house explosion in Truro as crews continue to battle hot spots in the area, officials said.Crews from several towns responded to assist with the flames. Video from the scene showed debris scattered across the area and a home reduced to rubble.No additional information was immediately available.This is a developing news story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest details.

Biden to sign order prioritizing ‘environmental justice’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:52 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Friday plans to sign an executive order that would make “environmental justice” the mission of federal agencies, the White House said.The Democratic administration wants to ensure that poverty, race and ethnic status do not lead to worse exposure to pollution and environmental harm. Biden is trying to draw a contrast between his agenda and that of Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. GOP lawmakers have called for less regulation of oil production to lower energy prices, while the Biden administration says the GOP policies would give benefits to highly profitable oil companies and surrender the renewable energy sector to the Chinese.Biden will sign the executive order to continue delivering on “the most ambitious environmental justice agenda in our nation’s history,” the White House said in a statement.The order tells executive branch agencies to use data and scientific research to understand how pollution hurts people’s he...

Search continues for 4th boater after 3 bodies found off Cape Ann

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:52 GMT

GLOUCESTER , MASS. (WHDH) – The Coast Guard is continuing to search for a fourth boater after the bodies of three people were found off the coast of Cape Ann amid an extensive search.Officials said the group had gone fishing from Hampton, New Hampshire headed for a spot near Jeffreys Ledge 50 miles offshore on Wednesday before they were reported missing. Their overturned boat, described as a 17-foot white center console, was found earlier in the day on Thursday before the bodies were found. The USCG Northeast said on social media that an MH-60 helicopter and HC-144 airplane from Air Station Cape Cod were part of the search, as well as two cutter ships and personnel at the Coast Guard Stations at Portsmouth Harbor, Merrimack River and Gloucester.Speaking with 7NEWS, Coast Guard Lt. Brandon Newman said officials never received a distress call. Rather, he said a family member reported the boaters missing after they didn’t return home when expected.As their search continued, ...

Markelle Fultz provides Magic with stability while elevating his own game

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:52 GMT

When it comes to Markelle Fultz’s impact on the Orlando Magic, most numbers don’t tell the full story.Among the 10 Magic players who played at least 30 games after Fultz returned from a fractured big left toe on Nov. 30, only rookie forward Paolo Banchero (minus-2.7) had a worse individual plus-minus than Fultz’s minus-2.2.Orlando’s offensive rating (points per 100 possessions) was identical during the minutes Fultz was on the floor (110.3 points) as when he was on the bench (111.3) after his return. There was a more significant improvement in the Magic’s defensive rating with Fultz off the floor (109.4) compared with when he was on (114).But watch a Magic game with Fultz on the floor compared to when he isn’t — especially in the 21 games he missed because of the toe injury — and it’s clear what he brought to Orlando.A serene presence in moments one was needed. A ballhandler who pushed the pace and created easier scoring opportun...

NFL Draft 2023: Anthony Richardson and 7 potential Patriots quarterbacks

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:52 GMT

Welcome to Potential Patriots!Each day leading up to the NFL Draft on April 27, the Herald will introduce prospects the Patriots are likely targeting position by position. The Pats have 11 picks this year, starting at 14th overall, their highest selection in more than a decade. As for their other picks, the Patriots could pad their depth at virtually any position.Below is a breakdown of the Patriots’ best prospect fits at quarterback:CornerbacksWide receiversEdge rushersDay 1Anthony Richardson, FloridaHt/Wt: 6-4, 244Projected round: 1stScouting report: The Patriots have done some homework on quarterbacks, Richardson in particular. They’ve reportedly met with the Gators star. Add in the fact Pats personnel head Matt Groh didn’t dismiss the notion of adding a quarterback during his presser Tuesday, and it seems like the position is in the mix.Whether it’s simply good business to draft a quarterback every year, or there’s legitimate friction between Bill Belichick and start...

US to begin training Ukrainian troops on Abrams tank

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:52 GMT

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany (AP) — The United States will begin training Ukrainian forces on how to use and maintain Abrams tanks in the coming weeks, as the it continues to speed up its effort to get them onto the battlefield against Russia as quickly as possible, U.S. officials said Friday.The decision comes as defense leaders from around Europe and the world are meeting at Ramstein Air Base in Germany in the ongoing effort to coordinate the delivery of weapons and other equipment to Ukraine. An announcement is expected later Friday.According to the officials, 31 tanks will arrive at Grafenwoehr Training Area in Germany at the end of May, and the troops will begin training a couple of weeks later. Officials said the troop training will last about 10 weeks. The training tanks will not be the ones given to Ukraine as it fights against Russia’s invasion. Instead, 31 M1A1 battle tanks are being refurbished in the United States, and those will go to the frontlines when they are re...

UK deputy prime minister quits after bullying investigation

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:52 GMT

LONDON (AP) — U.K. Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab resigned Friday after an independent investigation found he bullied civil servants.Raab’s announcement the day after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak received findings into eight formal complaints that Raab, who is also justice secretary, had been abusive toward staff members during a previous stint in that office and while serving as Britain’s foreign secretary and Brexit secretary.Raab, 49, denied claims he belittled and demeaned his staff and said he “behaved professionally at all times,” but had said he would resign if the bullying complaints were upheld.The investigation made two findings of bullying against him and dismissed the others, Raab said in his resignation letter. But he called the findings “flawed” and said the inquiry “set a dangerous precedent” by “setting the threshold for bullying so low.”He said he quit because he was “duty bound” to resign since he had promised to.The resignation spares Sunak from havi...

10 members of same family dead in mass shooting in S. Africa

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:52 GMT

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Ten members of the same family, seven of them women, were killed in a mass shooting at a house in South Africa, police said Friday.According to initial reports, they were ambushed by unknown gunmen at the home in the city of Pietermaritzburg in the eastern KwaZulu-Natal province, police said. The shooting happened Thursday night or early Friday morning. Police Minister Bheki Cele was due to visit the scene on Friday.South Africa has one of the highest homicide rates in the world and there has been a spate of mass shootings in recent years.Eight people were fatally shot at a birthday party in the south coast city of Gqeberha in January. Last year, 16 died in a mass shooting at a bar in the Johannesburg township of Soweto when a group of armed men, some of them wielding rifles, opened fire on customers.___More AP Africa news: https://apnews.com/hub/africaMogomotsi Magome, The Associated Press

Amid joy and tragedy, Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr holiday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:52 GMT

BEIRUT (AP) — The holiday of Eid al-Fitr ushered in a day of prayers and joy for Muslims around the world on Friday. The celebration was marred by tragedy amid the explosion of conflict in Sudan, while in other countries it came against the backdrop of hopes for a better future.After the Ramadan month of fasting, Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr with feasts and family visits. The start of the holiday is traditionally based on sightings of the new moon, which vary according to geographic location.In Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, staccato blasts of gunfire marked the early hours of the feast day. A deadly conflict in the vast African country that erupted in the past week has forced many people to shelter indoors ahead of the holiday, even as water and food for civilians runs low.In Jerusalem, thousands of faithful gathered at Islam’s third holiest shrine, the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, where tensions with Israeli authorities have seethed in the past month. The compound also hosts Judais...