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Turkey must stop blocking Ukraine minehunters, ex-NATO supreme commander warns

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 07:13:22 GMT

Turkey’s decision to stop two naval ships from being handed over to Ukraine is at odds with its commitments to NATO, the defense alliance’s former Supreme Allied Commander Europe said, calling on Ankara to take a tougher line against Russia.Retired U.S. Admiral James Stavridis told POLITICO the decision to deny passage through Turkish waters to the two Royal Navy Sandown Class vessels, donated to Kyiv by the U.K. to help clear mines from the busy shipping lanes of the Black Sea, was “unfortunate.” Ankara confirmed Tuesday that the minehunters would not be able to cross from the Mediterranean to the Black Sea through its strategic Bosphorous Strait. Turkish officials insist they are obliged to prevent the passage of warships during times of war under the terms of the Montreux Convention of 1936.However, Stavridis maintained, Turkey “certainly could have decided to allow defensive ships like minesweepers into the Black Sea” because “there is s...

Wim Wenders unveils ‘Anselm,’ ‘Perfect Days’

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 07:13:22 GMT

With a career that spans half a century that began as a founder of what was then called ‘New German Cinema,’ Wim Wenders has expanded storytelling and cinematic styles with global hits like “Paris, Texas,” “Pope Francis: A Man of His Word” and “Wings of Desire.”He’s received three Oscar nominations for his documentaries, including “Buena Vista Social Club” and is now fielding two buzzed-about pictures: This week’s “Anselm,” (at the Landmark Kendal Square) an inquiring portrait of postwar Germany’s greatest artist Anselm Kiefer available only in 3-D and, coming this month, “Perfect Days” which is shortlisted for an Academy Award nomination as Japan’s Best International Feature, a first for a German director. “Days” is a movie with a message: An enchanting character study of a lowly toilet cleaner who nevertheless experiences sublime happiness in his everyday routines.Asked if he had planned this double header that has put him in awards contention around the world, Wenders, 78, laughe...

Franks: America needs guidance from former presidents

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 07:13:22 GMT

I am asking the living and healthy past presidents of the United States, except for Donald Trump (a presidential candidate) to step up, help, and contribute to America again as advisors or as prominent and experienced Americans who can influence others. Unconventional times warrant unconventional solutions.Long after leaving office former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger continued to advise our nation’s leaders until his death last year at the age of 100. He did so privately, at times publicly, and always respectfully.Some of the lyrics to Simon and Garfinkel’s hit song Mrs. Robinson go like this, “Where have you gone Joe DiMaggio? Our nation turns its lonely eyes to you.” Well, where have you gone former Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama?Admittedly, each of you have had your detractors, but the following two things are undeniable about you:1. You kept us from being on the verge of World War III. We did not have two areas of the world with conflicts that co...

Friday’s high school roundup/scores: Marshfield coach nets 688th career victory

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 07:13:22 GMT

Ever since he first began coaching as an assistant in the 1960s, Bob Fisher has preached defense.That’s precisely what his group relied on Friday. James Molloy paced things with an 18-point outburst, while Jake Brilliant tacked on 16 points as Fisher inched ever closer to eclipsing 700 career wins (688 overall) by virtue of a 71-43 boys basketball victory for Marshfield over Patriot League rival Silver Lake.“It just shows you that I’ve had great kids,” said Fisher. “I’ve had great kids. Played 16 kids tonight. 16. Played 16 the other night too. May have cost me, but we did it. So, I’m proud of the accomplishments of the kids. Proud to be still doing what I love. Proud to have the energy that I have. I still think I have it, and the enthusiasm, and the passion.”In other Patriot League action, Zach Falls (21 points, strong defense), Trevor Jones (14 points) and Liam Burns (13 points) sparked Duxbury (4-1) in a 60-46 win over Plymouth North. … ...

Stigler: Would Reagan abandon Ukraine to Russia?

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 07:13:22 GMT

As the fighting in Ukraine continues, some representatives in Congress, primarily Republicans, oppose additional financial and military support for Ukraine’s resistance to Russia’s ongoing invasion.U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson has said he has reservations about continued support for Ukraine because he believes that there is inadequate oversight on how the aid is spent and sees no strategy to win. Johnson also argued that America’s border problems should take priority. Congress will take up the issue again this year, but the future of American aid to Ukraine is in serious doubt.Four decades ago, a Republican president supported a different victim of Russian aggression, in a situation similar to the one that the United States faces today. When the Soviets invaded Afghanistan in 1979, President Jimmy Carter offered limited aid to the Afghani resistance. But it was a Republican who championed and dramatically expanded funding for the Afghan mujahedeen during most of the nine-year eff...

Editorial: Going after Oct. 7 terrorists & abettors

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 07:13:22 GMT

For eight years, the U.S. State Department has offered a reward of up to $5 million for information on the whereabouts of Saleh Arouri, a Hamas terrorist whose hands were dripping red.This week, Israel found him.Arouri was killed on Tuesday with two other Hamas military leaders in an explosion outside of Beirut in Lebanon. Israeli officials wouldn’t comment on the development, but The New York Times reported that U.S. and other sources “ascribed the attack” to the Jewish state.“No one is safe if they had any hand in planning, raising money for or carrying out” the Oct. 7 attacks, an unnamed U.S. official told the Times. “This is just the beginning, and it’ll go on for years.”It’s important to note that Arouri had a bloody resume. The State Department said that he had been “linked to several terrorist attacks, hijackings and kidnappings.” One such crime was the 2014 abduction and murder of three Israeli teenagers in the West Bank, including one who was also an American citizen.Arouri...

Dear Abby: Had it with sulky hubby’s silent treatment

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 07:13:22 GMT

Dear Abby: My husband and I have been married for two years. We rushed into marriage, unfortunately, before getting to know each other very well. Whenever we have a disagreement, he gives me the silent treatment for days. Sometimes, it lasts weeks.He won’t eat anything I cook or help around the house. If I’m in one room, he will lock himself up in another one. He sleeps on the couch or on a pull-out mattress. Eventually, he will end it by returning to our bed and trying to initiate intimacy. I usually accept, but the issue never gets resolved or discussed — we just carry on. When I’ve tried discussing the issues, he says, “Don’t start!”I’m fed up with his childish behavior. We have a 7-month-old baby and children from my previous marriage, so it has become increasingly difficult for me to leave him. He’s not the type to go to therapy. He will admit we have communication issues, but that’s the extent of it. I’ve reache...

One person wounded in shooting outside City Heights smoke shop

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 07:13:22 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- One person was taken to the hospital Friday after a shooting in the Teralta West neighborhood, authorities said.The shooting occurred around 8:13 p.m. outside the Blue Stone Smoke Shop at 4278 University Ave., the San Diego Police Department confirmed to FOX 5. Woman sentenced to prison for friend’s death in DUI crash The victim's condition is unknown at this time.Police are looking for the shooter.Check back for updates on this developing story.

A push to expand Medicaid has Kansas governor embracing politics and cutting against her brand

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 07:13:22 GMT

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly is more aggressive and openly political in pushing to expand Medicaid in Kansas as the Republican-controlled Legislature prepares to open its annual session Monday following five years of failed efforts to provide state health coverage to another 150,000 people.Kelly faces leaders of GOP supermajorities whose priorities are to cut income taxes and rein in local property taxes, not to expand Medicaid. But Kelly’s new plan includes hitting expansion-opposing Republicans hard later this year during races for legislative seats, an approach that cuts against years of self-branding as a bipartisan problem-solver who doesn’t care about politics.“My previous approach, which has always been to try to bring people together and work collaboratively and come up with consensus and then get good policy on the books — that hasn’t worked,” Kelly said during a recent interview.“Taking a more aggressive approach and — to be direct, a more po...

Western Japan earthquakes have claimed 100 lives; rain and snow imperil already shaky ground

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 07:13:22 GMT

WAJIMA, Japan (AP) — Aftershocks threatened to bury more homes and block roads crucial for relief shipments, as the death toll from the earthquakes that rattled Japan’s western coastline last week reached 100 on Saturday.Among the dead was a 5-year-old boy who had been recovering from injuries after boiling water spilled on him during Monday’s 7.6 magnitude earthquake. His condition suddenly worsened and he died Friday, according to Ishikawa prefecture, the hardest-hit region.Officials warned that roads, already cracked from the dozens of earthquakes that continue to shake the area, could collapse completely. That risk was growing with rain and snow expected overnight and Sunday.Reported deaths had reached 98 earlier Saturday, and two more deaths were reported in Anamizu city as officials were holding their daily meeting to discuss strategy and damages.Wajima city has recorded the highest number of deaths with 59, followed by Suzu with 23. More than 500 people were injured, at least...