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Biden’s China diplomacy spree hits Republicans’ great wall of scorn

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:02:48 GMT

Beijing is about to get its third marquee visit from a top U.S. official in the span of a month. But for now, they’re mostly talking for the sake of talking.President Joe Biden’s climate envoy John Kerry will be in Beijing for four days of meetings starting Sunday — on the heels of recent visits by Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. His task: Nudge the Chinese government to honor its commitments to reduce planet-warming methane emissions and “transition away from coal,” Kerry told a House Foreign Affairs subcommittee hearing Thursday. The first step to all that: simply restarting stalled climate talks.While Beijing continues to refuse to renew high-level military communications between the two countries, the visits by high-level officials show that Biden’s predicted “thaw” is happening at least in some areas.Chinese paramount leader Xi Jinping declared meaningful results from Blinken’s trip last month. “The two s...

Europe still waiting on US to formally approve F-16 training

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:02:48 GMT

Nearly a dozen European countries that pledged this week to train Ukrainian pilots are still waiting on the U.S. to formally approve the program before instruction on American F-16 fighter jets can begin, according to U.S. and European officials involved in the discussions.A coalition of 11 nations, led by Denmark and the Netherlands, formally agreed to train Ukrainians to fly F-16s and potentially other fighter aircraft at the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, this week. European officials have said they hope to begin the program in August in Denmark, and a training center will also be set up in Romania.But instruction on F-16s can’t actually start until the State Department formally signs off on the request to transfer instruction manuals, flight simulators and other materials associated with the jets — and that hasn’t happened yet.While President Joe Biden has promised to green-light the program, the formal request “is still being reviewed,” said Lt. Col. Garron Garn, a Pentagon...

Last-place Yankees’ bats, Carlos Rodón come up short in loss to Rockies to open second-half

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:02:48 GMT

DENVER — With a new hitting coach, mile-high altitude and an opposing starter with a 6.40 ERA working in their favor, the Yankees seemed primed for an offensive outburst at Coors Field on Friday.They scored two runs instead.Those came off the bat of Giancarlo Stanton, who laced a two-run, 455-foot homer off Colorado lefty Austin Gomber in the first inning. The blast started the Sean Casey era and the second half with a bang, but the tied for last place Yankees didn’t score again in a 7-2 loss to the last-place Rockies, who entered the game with the worst ERA in the National League.The Yankees had a chance to tack on more runs in the sixth, when Stanton led off with a bloop double. But Anthony Rizzo, Harrison Bader and Josh Donaldson all recorded outs as the Yankees’ offense continued to sputter like it did for much of the first half.Carlos Rodón, meanwhile, came up short in his second start for the Yankees. The southpaw totaled four hits, four earned runs, one...

Canada lifts education requirement for Hong Kong immigrants

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:02:48 GMT

Vancouver resident Calvin Wong says he can finally start picturing a future in Canada after the federal government announced it was dropping educational requirements for Hong Kongers seeking permanent residency in the wake of the Chinese city’s crackdown on dissent.Wong, 28, had graduated from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology with a computer science degree in 2017 before moving to Canada on a work permit in 2021, looking for a life where he could enjoy “political freedom.”But immigration pathways for Hong Kong residents that have allowed thousands to settle permanently in Canada excluded Wong because it has been more than five years since he graduated.That will change from August 15, after Ottawa announced on Tuesday it would remove all educational requirements for people with at least a year of work experience in Canada.Immigration consultants say the move effectively opens pathways for Hong Kongers of all ages, instead of the current focus on st...

Daily horoscope for July 15, 2023

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:02:48 GMT

Moon Alert: Avoid shopping or making important decisions from 8:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. EDT today (5:15 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. PDT). After that, the Moon moves from Gemini into Cancer.Happy Birthday for Saturday, July 15, 2023:You appreciate art, beauty and intellectual discoveries. You sometimes have a strong effect on people, whether you know it or not. This is a slower-paced year. Take time to focus on relationships, especially those that will benefit you and help you. Take time to rejuvenate yourself.ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★★★It’s Saturday, and this weekend is an excellent time for family discussions. Be open to listening to the advice of someone older or more experienced, because, let’s face it, you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. It’s also a lovely day to schmooze and enjoy playful times with kids and sports. Tonight: Advice.TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★★★Short trips, errands, appointments and interactions with siblings, relatives and neighbors will make thi...

Miss Manners: What can I do when other people’s stuff is where I want to sit?

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:02:48 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Does etiquette provide guidance on dealing with inanimate objects that are unaccompanied by their owners?Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: Was I wrong not to let this man have the parking space? Advice | Miss Manners: Their insinuating comments are getting on my nerves Advice | Miss Manners: I’m fed up with being told I’m using offensive words Advice | Miss Manners: I drove three days, then she said there was no room for me Advice | Miss Manners: She’s supposed to be a friend, but she drops innuendo about my marriage I swim laps daily at a recreation center. In the locker room, there are approximately 100 lockers and just two relatively narrow benches for patrons to utilize as they are changing.What should I do when the bench is largely occupied by things like empty baby carriers, gym bags, clothes or buckets of toiletries, leaving no place to comfortably change ...

Brentwood: Altercation ends in two males shooting each other

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:02:48 GMT

BRENTWOOD — Two people shot and injured each other Friday night in Brentwood, police said.The shooting was reported at 7:45 p.m. in the 800 block of Marjoram Drive, the Brentwood Police Department said in a statement.An initial investigation revealed two males were involved in an altercation before they exchanged gunfire, police said. Both were taken to hospitals, one of them with serious injuries.Officers detained others at the scene as part of the investigation, police said.A motive has not been identified, but police described the shooting as an “isolated incident with no apparent threat to public safety.”Anyone with information related to the case can contact detectives at 925-809-7911.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | One man killed, another injured in Pittsburg shooting Crime and Public Safety | Oakland: 8-year-old boy gravely injured in I-580 shooting Crime and Public Safety | Man shot in West Oakland on Thursday night C...

Dear Abby: The bride’s father is throwing a fit about the wedding

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:02:48 GMT

DEAR ABBY: My daughter, “Jessica,” is getting married. My husband offered to pay for most of the wedding. Jessica and her fiance happily accepted the offer.Related ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: She makes Christmas a nightmare with her bizarre demands Advice | Dear Abby: If my wife calls me schlubby, can I point out she’s fat? Advice | Dear Abby: My wife says I’m too sensitive about her lovers Advice | Dear Abby: What can I do about my husband’s embarrassing sneeze? Advice | Dear Abby: My ex-wife says these kids are my grandchildren. I’m not so sure. My husband is now insisting that all of his aunts, uncles and cousins be invited, which means that Jessica and her fiance will have to eliminate nearly all of their friends from the guest list. Note: None of my aunts, uncles or cousins are invited, but I am OK with that.My husband is now threatening not to attend the wedding ...

Mets aim to stop 3-game skid, take on the Dodgers

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:02:48 GMT

Los Angeles Dodgers (52-38, first in the NL West) vs. New York Mets (42-49, fourth in the NL East)New York; Saturday, 7:15 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Dodgers: Tony Gonsolin (5-3, 3.86 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 54 strikeouts); Mets: Kodai Senga (7-5, 3.31 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 113 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Dodgers -114, Mets -106; over/under is 9 runsBOTTOM LINE: The New York Mets head into a matchup with the Los Angeles Dodgers as losers of three in a row.New York has a 42-49 record overall and a 20-20 record at home. The Mets have gone 17-4 in games when they did not allow a home run.Los Angeles has a 52-38 record overall and a 23-22 record on the road. The Dodgers have hit 150 total home runs to rank second in MLB play.The teams match up Saturday for the fifth time this season. The season series is tied 2-2.TOP PERFORMERS: Brandon Nimmo leads the Mets with a .266 batting average, and has 14 doubles, four triples, 13 home runs, 46 walks and 41 RBI. Francisco Lindor is 14-for-40 with...

Padres bring 3-game win streak into game against the Phillies

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:02:48 GMT

San Diego Padres (44-47, fourth in the NL West) vs. Philadelphia Phillies (48-42, third in the NL East)Philadelphia; Saturday, 1:05 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Padres: Blake Snell (6-7, 2.94 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 132 strikeouts); Phillies: Taijuan Walker (10-3, 4.02 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 85 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Padres -130, Phillies +109; over/under is 9 runsBOTTOM LINE: The San Diego Padres will attempt to continue a three-game win streak with a victory against the Philadelphia Phillies.Philadelphia has gone 22-17 in home games and 48-42 overall. The Phillies have the seventh-ranked team ERA in the NL at 4.13.San Diego is 44-47 overall and 19-24 on the road. The Padres have gone 32-14 in games when they record eight or more hits.Saturday’s game is the second meeting between these teams this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Nicholas Castellanos has 26 doubles, a triple and 13 home runs for the Phillies. Alec Bohm is 15-for-37 with four doubles and two home runs over the past 10 g...