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Why Xi Jinping is still Vladimir Putin’s best friend

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:27 GMT

As he jets off for a state visit to Moscow this week, China’s President Xi Jinping is doing so in defiance of massive international pressure. Vladimir Putin, the man Xi once called his “best, most intimate friend,” has just become the world’s most wanted alleged war criminal. The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Putin on March 17 for his alleged role in illegally transferring Ukrainian civilians into Russian territories. But that isn’t deterring Xi, who broke Communist Party norms and formally secured a third term as Chinese leader this month. But why is China’s leader so determined to stand by Putin despite the inevitable backlash, at a time when the West is increasingly suspicious of Beijing’s military aims — and scrutinizing prized Chinese companies like TikTok — more closely than ever?For a start, Beijing’s worldview requires it to stay strategically close to Russia: As Beijing’s leaders see it, the U...

Macron faces no-confidence votes amid nationwide protests

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:27 GMT

PARIS — Emmanuel Macron’s government faces several motions of no confidence in the National Assembly Monday after his government forced through a deeply unpopular pensions reform bill last week.Protesters took to the streets in major cities over the weekend, after the government invoked a controversial constitutional maneuver to pass its pensions reform bill in what was widely seen as a move likely to inflame social unrest. Industrial action is expected to disrupt public transport, refineries, universities and waste collection this week, as trade unions hope to strong-arm the government into withdrawing the pensions reform.On Saturday, more than 100 people were arrested in Paris after a demonstration by several thousand protesters against the reform turned violent. The 573 lawmakers of the French National Assembly will vote on two motions of no confidence Monday which could trigger the resignation of Macron’s Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne and her government. Though the French presi...

The future of the European defense industry depends on a fast Ukrainian victory

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:27 GMT

Olivier Schmitt is a professor at the Center for War Studies at the University of Southern Denmark and the author of “Allies that Count: Junior Partners in Coalition Warfare.” Lucie Béraud-Sudreau is the director of the Military Expenditure and Arms Production Program at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute and a member of the Armament Industry European Research Group’s scientific committee.As European arms manufacturers scramble to ramp up production for the multiple purposes of supporting Ukraine, replenishing national stocks and increasing preparedness for high-intensity warfare, they may well find themselves crowded out of their own defense market — that is, unless Ukraine quickly defeats Russia. If the war is protracted, however, requiring more intense backing from Western governments, the provision of arms will be detrimental to the European Union’s Defense Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB). So, by aiding Ukraine to secure a rapid military victory,...

The EU as Europe’s arms negotiator? It won’t be easy

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:27 GMT

BRUSSELS — The EU’s grand ambition to band together and jointly buy weapons is facing a series of problems before it even gets going. EU leaders are aiming this week to sign off on a €2 billion plan — revealed by POLITICO — that officials argue will allow countries to both get cash back for sending Ukraine much-needed ammunition and fund future joint purchases to keep the shells coming for Kyiv. It’s the start, advocates hope, of the EU becoming an arms negotiator for Europe. The scheme marks a pivotal moment for the EU — a club born as a peace project is now poised to buy and send arms to a country at war.But having a plan is one thing. Getting people to participate is another. The first is time. Ukraine desperately needs more weapons now, particularly the 155-millimeter shells its front-line troops are burning through. But the EU’s defense industry will need months to get capacity in line with wartime needs. The next issue is money. While the EU seems to h...

Shrewsbury shocks St. Mary’s girls

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:27 GMT

For all the talk about how strong the St. Mary’s of Lynn girls hockey team’s defense stood and how potent the attack was this year entering its first state final appearance in a decade, the opposing team set to play in its first appearance ever felt a bit spurned to be as overlooked as it was.In the Div. 1 girls state title game Sunday night at TD Garden, it showed why.Along with a dominant defensive effort to limit the top-seeded Spartans to a rare six shots on net over the final two periods, the No. 3 Colonials powered their way to a three-goal third period for a 4-1 win and the program’s first state championship.Defenders Yasmine McKenzie and Maddie Mrva were instrumental in containing St. Mary’s to just its second game with less than two goals this season, all before scoring the respective go-ahead and insurance goals in the final frame.Amanda Forziati had tied the score for the Spartans early in the third to end Risa Montoya’s shutout, but the junior netminder (15 saves) wouldn...

Sandler receives Mark Twain Prize, praise from comic pals

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:27 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Adam Sandler placed his hand on the bronze bust of Mark Twain and speculated that it “one day might be the weapon used to bludgeon me in my sleep.”A host of comedic and entertainment royalty gathered at Washington’s Kennedy Center as Sandler was presented with the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.Presenters including Drew Barrymore, Conan O’Brien, Chris Rock, Jennifer Aniston, Steve Buscemi, Dana Carvey, and Luis Guzmán gave testimonials to Sandler’s creative longevity, while poking occasional fun at his uneven movie output and tendency to cast all his friends in his movies. Sandler’s longtime writing and production partner Tim Herlihy joked that the pair were responsible for “31 motion pictures with a combined Rotten Tomatoes score of 59.”Buscemi, known largely for dramatic and often violent roles, portrayed a string of comedic characters in Sandler movies. “He takes his comedy very seriously. I laugh hard at everything I do with him,” he said...

China’s Xi meeting Putin in boost for isolated Russia leader

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:27 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — Chinese leader Xi Jinping is due to meet Vladimir Putin in Moscow in a political boost for the isolated Russian president after the International Criminal Court charged him with war crimes in Ukraine.Xi’s government gave no details of what the Chinese leader hoped to accomplish. Xi and Putin declared they had a “no limits friendship” before last February’s attack on Ukraine, but China has tried to portray itself as neutral. Beijing called last month for a cease-fire, but Washington said that would ratify the Kremlin’s battlefield gains.The Chinese government said Xi would visit Moscow from Monday to Wednesday but gave no indication when he departed. The Russian government said Xi was due to arrive at midday and meet later with Putin.China looks to Russia as a source of oil and gas for its energy-hungry economy and a partner in opposing what both see as American domination of global affairs.The meeting gives Putin and Xi a chance to show they have “powerful partn...

Nordstrom Canada liquidation sale could begin as early as this week

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:27 GMT

A court hearing is scheduled for Monday as Nordstrom Canada seeks approval for a liquidation sale after announcing earlier this month it would be shuttering its Canadian operations.The company says customers can expect to find discounted items on its racks starting Tuesday if approval is received. Nordstrom announced back on March 2 it was closing six Nordstrom and seven Nordstrom Rack stores after determining there was no “realistic path to profitability for the Canadian business.” The upscale retailer hopes to wind up operations by late June. The move will result in 2,500 jobs being eliminated. Nordstrom expanded to Canada in 2012 and opened its first store in Calgary in September 2014. It quickly expanded with stores in Ottawa, Vancouver and Toronto.As a result of the Canadian closures, Nordstrom is expected to record US$300 to US$350 million in pre-tax charges in the first quarter of fiscal 2023.The wind-down is expected to result in a roughly US$400 million decline ...

Is it illegal to drive with hazard lights on in Illinois?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:27 GMT

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Say you're in a snow or rainstorm and visibility is reduced. You may wonder if it is legal to use your hazard lights to let other drivers know you're there.The answer, according to Illinois law, is: no, it is illegal to do so.Although heavy rain or snow can limit visibility, adding more light to the situation doesn't help, as the light reflects off the raindrops or snowflakes, creating a glare that makes it more difficult for other drivers to see properly.The Illinois Vehicle Code says: "Flashing lights are prohibited on motor vehicles except as expressly authorized in this Chapter or as a means for indicating a right or left turn, lane change, or a maneuver of a vehicle from a direct course of travel as provided in Section 12-208 or the presence of a vehicular traffic hazard requiring unusual care."Hazard lights are only to be used if:You've been in an accident;You're changing a tire, or the car is broken down;You're in a funeral procession;You're being pull...

After failed bond request, South Washington County seeking input on school facility plans

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:27 GMT

In the wake of voters rejecting a $462 million bond request last year, South Washington County School District officials are seeking public input in developing a new facility plan to handle increased enrollment at its schools.The $426 million bond request — the biggest ever in Minnesota — was rejected by a vote of 14,834 to 7,782 on Aug. 9.“We asked for what we needed,” Superintendent Julie Nielsen said in October. “But I would say that August was probably the perfect storm as we look at what was going on with the economy, returning to school and the largest ask in the state of Minnesota. All of those things played a role in the unsuccessful bond. We knew that it was a big ask for our community, and so this allows us the opportunity to kind of reflect on what we did, and move forward, hopefully, with a plan that our community can support.”The district announced this week that it is holding a series of community meetings to seek public input on a new plan.• 6:30 p.m., Tue...