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Philippines joins Japan-led naval drills as brushes with China rise in the disputed South China Sea

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:20 GMT

ABOARD THE USS CARL VINSON (AP) — Japan led an annual multinational naval exercise that included the Philippines as an observer for the first time, as Filipino coast guard vessels are increasingly harassed by China in the disputed South China Sea. The Annualex exercises that began Saturday off Japan’s coast also included the United States, Australia and Canada. Their aim is to demonstrate and increase ways the navies can work together, and show their presence and commitment to defend a “free and open” Indo-Pacific, which the allies say is hampered by China’s growing ambitions that include sweeping territorial claims. On Saturday, a selected group of journalists, including The Associated Press, flew on an V-22 Osprey aircraft to the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier to observe takeoffs and landings of F-35C “Lightning” stealth fighters, as well as F/A-18 Super Hornet jets and E/A-18 Growlers. The Japanese destroyer Hyuga showed its presence next to the carrier. The exercis...

Fort Belvoir hosts Veterans Day observance on 50th anniversary of all-volunteer force

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:20 GMT

Dozens of veterans, family members, supporters and Fort Belvoir leaders gathered Thursday to express gratitude for the sacrifices made by veterans.Hosted at the Cold War Memorial on the base’s Long Parade Field, the invocation was performed by Chaplain Maj. Marlon Brown, and Col. Joseph Messina, the garrison’s commander, presented the opening remarks.“Soldiers made the choice to serve their country. It was not forced upon them. The strength of our force is reflected in the quality and professionalism of our people,” Messina said. “This year marked the 50th anniversary of the all- volunteer force, and if you are a veteran who served our country, I want to personally thank you for your commitment to keeping our country safe and for being part of the world’s greatest army.”In his remarks, Messina acknowledged the Army’s strengths and the necessity to continue supporting veterans after their service.“Our greatest asset is our people are al...

Emma Hayes cites family in decision to leave Chelsea. No comment on US women’s national team job

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:20 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Emma Hayes says she’s focused on Chelsea and her young son — not the United States women’s national team.Hayes plans to leave the Women’s Super League club after this season and said the reason is to spend more time with her 5-year-old son.“There’s still a lot of work to be done in the women’s game for people with children,” Hayes said ahead of Sunday’s game at Everton. “This is actually not a selfish decision, this is a selfless decision. This is about putting first some other things in my life and I’m ready for that.”U.S. Soccer is closing in on naming Hayes as the new coach, a source familiar with the negotiations has told The Associated Press.A week ago, Chelsea announced that Hayes will leave at the end of the season to “pursue a new opportunity outside of the WSL and club football.”Hayes was asked about the U.S. job at a press conference Friday.“You know what my answer is going to be. I’m not going to comment on that,” she said. “I’m...

Denver weather: Plenty of sunshine and warming

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:20 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) - The weather kicks off the weekend with mainly sunny skies across the Front Range and above-average temperatures.Weather today: Lost of sunshineVeterans Day looks great in Denver with abundant sunshine across most of the state. Winds will be light through the afternoon as highs top out in the upper 50s.Weather tonight: Mostly clearWe'll see a few clouds tonight as the skies stay mainly clear. Lows dip just below freezing, into the low 30s, as winds are light.Looking ahead: Staying dry, getting warmerSunny skies on Sunday afternoon help to warm temperatures into the lower 60s to finish off the weekend. We'll keep the clear and sunny skies to start the week with mild highs in the middle 60s on Monday. A few clouds arrive on Tuesday, but temperatures continue to climb into the upper 60s.Wednesday will be the warmest day of the week with mainly sunny skies and highs nearing the 70-degree mark. Thursday is still warm, but we begin to trend cooler with partly cloudy skies a...

DPD investigating late Friday shooting

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:20 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- The Denver Police Department investigated a shooting late Friday night that sent one person to the hospital.The shooting happened in the 1300 block of North Osage Street.The extent of the injuries was unknown. No suspect information was available.

South Florida community, Home Depot Foundation partner up to renovate veteran’s home as token of appreciation

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:20 GMT

A South Florida community coming together to give a vet a very special salute — just in time for Veterans Day. And they went far and beyond a simple “thank you.”An Air Force veteran received some appreciated renovations Friday morning at his Miami Gardens home.In honor of Veterans Day, the Home Depot Foundation and Rebuilding Together Miami-dade teamed up to provide the resident with some needed home improvements.“This is totally awesome, I had a team out here from the West Kendall store for a week and then today we brought together over 50 volunteers to go ahead and finish the job but this is an awesome job that this team has done throughout the week.”With the help of volunteers, Randolph Stokely now has a patio set and a fresh paint job, as a thanks for his service to the country.“We love to give back to our veterans, we love to give back to those who fought for our country, and the best way to do so is to make sure that they live in a house that is s...

Israel, Hamas at critical juncture in negotiations for hostage deal

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:20 GMT

TEL AVIV — Israeli officials are becoming guardedly optimistic that a hostage deal with Hamas can be reached, but any agreement is likely to be interim and limited. A deal is likely to involve just a few dozen captive Israeli children and elderly, among them some dual nationals, including Americans, according to two Israeli officials, who were granted anonymity to discuss the sensitive topic of hostages.The formalizing of humanitarian pauses in northern Gaza has helped progress the talks via the Qataris and Egyptians, the two officials acknowledged. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this week agreed to put in place four-hour daily humanitarian pauses in its bombings in Gaza after almost two weeks of pressure from the Biden administration.But the two officials cautioned that there are still several outstanding issues that could easily derail a deal, including the Hamas militants withholding a complete list of the hostages being held in the Gaza Strip. The Hamas military leade...

Why a march against antisemitism became a headache for Macron

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:20 GMT

PARIS — The march against antisemitism planned for Sunday in the French capital was meant to mark unity in the face of a surge of antisemitic offenses in France. But instead it has spotlighted political divisions and is fast turning into a quandary for President Emmanuel Macron.At the center of the media storm over the march is whether the French leader himself will join the event, with reports swirling that the president is considering attending.But for Macron, that would mean walking in the same crowd as far-right leader Marine Le Pen and National Rally President Jordan Bardella, both of whom have confirmed they would attend Sunday’s march.The cross-party demonstration was initiated by the speakers of the two chambers of the French parliament, Yaël Braun-Pivet and Gérald Larcher, as a way to show support for the French Republic and to condemn antisemitism. France is home to the largest Jewish community and one of the largest Muslim communities in Europe and French authoritie...

Negotiations resume in Andover teachers strike

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:20 GMT

Negotiations resumed Saturday between bargaining teams for the Andover Education Association and Andover School Committee after members voted to strike on Thursday night. The bargaining session followed a day of picketing outside of Andover schools, which were scheduled to be open Friday, as well as a community rally that drew more than 1,000 people to the Andover Town Common.In a statement, the Andover Education Association said, “Our strike vote has initiated the kind of bargaining we have wanted for months. We have a lot of ground to cover, but both sides are talking and that is because the community has voiced its support for what educators are fighting for. We want to be back in our classrooms as quickly as possible. The Andover School Committee can make that happen by reaching fair agreements on wages, especially for instructional assistants, paid family leave, protected prep time, and more time for elementary school lunches and recess.”The stri...

Where to celebrate Veterans Day weekend across San Diego County

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:20 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Veterans Day weekend has arrived, and San Diego County will be honoring those who have served the U.S. Armed Forces throughout in region. For those still looking for a way to celebrate the occasion, FOX 5 has created a compilation of Veterans Day events happening from North County to downtown. North County-- Veterans Day Event & 'Operation Homefront' Quilt Auction (Carlsbad)-- Veterans Day Military Review & Flyover at the Army and Navy Academy (Carlsbad)-- VetFest and Parade (Escondido) Free gas for veterans, active military members at these San Diego locations -- Veterans Day Event at The Shoppes at Carlsbad (Carlsbad)-- Veterans Day Oceanside Beach Cleanup (Oceanside)-- Veterans Day at Northern Pine Brewing (Oceanside)-- Veterans Association of North County hosts annual Veterans Day Ceremony (Oceanside)-- Veterans Day Ceremony at Veteran Park (Poway)-- Veterans Day Celebration at Memorial Park (San Marcos)East County-- Veterans Day Flag Raising/ Free Admiss...