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Spoehr: Military recruiting crisis is getting worse

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:14:44 GMT

At a recent House Armed Services Committee hearing, leaders from the Army, Navy, and Air Force all dutifully reported that they expected to miss their annual recruiting goal this year by thousands. This is just the latest sign that the military recruiting crisis—the worst since the institution of the all-volunteer force in 1973—is not abating.Despite significant efforts by the military services, such as offering hefty enlistment bonuses of up to $50,000 and the ability to choose your first duty station, recruiting numbers have not improved. The effects on the armed forces are sobering: Navy ships are undermanned, and the Army is considering cutting the number of its Brigade Combat Teams.Assemble 100 experts and veterans in a room and you will hear 100 reasons why recruiting is in trouble. At least one will point to low unemployment and the competitive job market; others will blame the lack of eligible recruits, disqualified by obesity or low test scores. Still more will mention the ...

Franks: Trump and Biden too old for presidential game

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:14:44 GMT

I remember when Satchel Paige was pitching for the Kansas City Athletics in 1965. He was at least 20 years beyond his prime, much like President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump are today in politics.In his prime his pitches were very difficult to hit. But at an advanced age, this Hall of Fame pitcher would have trouble pitching to an All-Star line-up with players like Willie Mays, Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, Hank Aaron, Roger Maris or Roberto Clemente.There is a lesson here for Biden and Trump: Age diminishes your talents. Biden and Trump – your age is showing.For Team America, we cannot have either of these two old guys on the mound come January 2025. Today we have authoritarian All-Stars like China and Russia that we have to confront daily as well as up-and-coming wannabees like Saudi Arabia, Iran, North Korea, and a host of other countries all looking to take advantage of or do damage to America.It was painful to see Muhammad Ali hit the canvas in his later years as a ...

Russian mercenary chief says his forces are rebelling, some left Ukraine and entered city in Russia

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:14:44 GMT

Associated PressThe owner of the Wagner private military contractor made his most direct challenge to the Kremlin yet, calling for an armed rebellion aimed at ousting Russia’s defense minister. The security services reacted immediately by calling for the arrest of Yevgeny Prigozhin.In a sign of how seriously the Kremlin was taking the threat, security was heightened in Moscow and in Rostov-on-Don, which is home to the Russian military headquarters for the southern region and also oversees the fighting in Ukraine. While the outcome of the confrontation was still unclear, it appeared likely to further hinder Moscow’s war effort as Kyiv’s forces were probing Russian defenses in the initial stages of a counteroffensive. The dispute, especially if Prigozhin were to succeed, also could have repercussions for President Vladimir Putin and his ability to maintain a united front.Prigozhin claimed early Saturday that his forces had crossed into Russia from Ukraine and had rea...

Dear Abby: Relative is now more burden than pal

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:14:44 GMT

Dear Abby: I have a relative who lives in the same city I live in. Her parents and mine exchanged holiday dinners for decades. Our parents passed away many years ago, and I continued to include her for holiday dinners. I consider her a good friend and we share many interests.During COVID, we started to have dinner every weekend to support local restaurants, and we enjoyed the evenings when nearly all entertainment venues were closed. Now the shows and sports activities I enjoy have resumed, and our weekly dinners are interfering with the outdoor activities I prefer.She’s retired, and I still work, so my free time is limited during weekends. I feel pressured and must leave my events early in order to resume these dinners. Many of her close friends have passed away over the past couple of years, and she seems increasingly dependent upon me for companionship. She suggests many other events and trips during the week.I’m concerned my lack of enthusiasm may eventually offend h...

Dog trapped between two boulders in North County rescued

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:14:44 GMT

VALLEY CENTER, Calif. -- A months old Australian cattle dog is doing well after being stuck in a scary situation at a Valley Center construction site last weekend, San Diego County officials said. On Saturday, a construction worker heard whimpering when he found a puppy that managed to get himself wedged between two boulders, the County of San Diego reported. The worker repeatedly attempted to pull the puppy out but could not get his hips through and needed to head home for the day, according to County Department of Animal Services Officer Alyssa Moreno. He got into contact with Moreno, sending her pictures of the dog so she could make sure she had the right tools, and placing a tire on top of the boulders to mark the spot where the puppy was located. Crews rescue dog trapped in Los Angeles County storm drain When first responders arrived on scene, a long strap and flat wooden board was used to support the puppy's body while a nearby property owner brought over some soapy water to...

Follow the timeline of the Titan submersible’s journey from departure to discovery

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:14:44 GMT

The wrecks of the Titanic and the Titan sit on the ocean floor, separated by 1,600 feet (490 meters) and 111 years of history. How they came together unfolded over an intense week that raised temporary hopes and left lingering questions. THE BUILDUPThe Polar Prince, a Canadian icebreaker ship, steamed out of Newfoundland on Friday, June 16, towing the experimental Titan submersible and carrying the five-man team headed to explore the iconic ocean liner’s watery gravesite. Three missions involving other teams had been scrapped due to bad weather in the previous four weeks, but the latest OceanGate Expeditions group was hopeful. “A weather window has just opened up and we are going to attempt a dive tomorrow,” renowned adventurer Hamish Harding said Saturday on Instagram. “More expedition updates to follow IF the weather holds!”THE DIVE DOWNMoving about the Polar Prince, mission participants were required to wear water-activated life vests, bright orange jackets, helmets and ste...

Previous passengers recall ill-fated Titan: ‘I 100% knew this was going to happen’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:14:44 GMT

Talk to someone who rode on the Titan submersible, and they’re likely to mention a technological glitch: the propulsion system failed or communications with people on the surface cut out. Maybe there were problems balancing weights on board.They are also likely to mention Stockton Rush, the OceanGate Expeditions CEO who died on the fatal trip this week. He has been described by past passengers as both a meticulous planner and an overconfident pioneer.In the wake of the Titan’s fatal implosion near the Titanic shipwreck on Sunday, some people who embarked on the company’s deep-sea expeditions described experiences that foreshadowed the tragedy and look back on their decision to dive as “a bit naive.” But others expressed confidence and said that they felt they were “in good hands” nearly 13,000 feet (3,962 meters) below the ocean’s surface.‘Like playing Russian roulette’ “I 100% knew this was going to happen,” said Brian Weed, a c...

Librarian gathering in Chicago includes training to battle book bans in communities and schools

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:14:44 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — Book bans and how to fight them will be a major focus of the American Library Association’s annual meeting this weekend in Chicago.Librarians may attend sessions aimed at helping them confidently counter book challenges, fight legislative censorship and ensure “access to information and the freedom to read.” All day Saturday, attendees are invited to climb atop a giant chair to read their favorite banned book. “With an unparalleled rise in challenges and bans and legislation suppressing access to books and learning materials in libraries, schools, and universities, it is more important than ever to join forces in the fight against banning books!” the event description reads.The conference brings together authors, educators and librarians as several states push to restrict access to books in schools and libraries, overwhelmingly those about race, ethnicity and LGBTQ+ topics. The association in March released data showing a record 1,269 demands to cens...

11 passengers injured evacuating Cathay Pacific jet after aborted takeoff in Hong Kong

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:14:44 GMT

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — A Cathay Pacific jetliner aborted its takeoff at Hong Kong International Airport early Saturday, and 11 passengers were injured while evacuating the aircraft, the airline said.Flight CX880, bound for Los Angeles, returned to the gate after a “technical issue” caused the crew to abort the takeoff and “a precautionary passenger evacuation” was initiated, the airline said in a statement. It said those on board used five escape slides to exit the plane.Cathay Pacific gave no details on the problem. Public broadcaster RTHK reported one of the plane’s tires had overheated, causing it to burst, citing police.The flight was carrying 293 passengers and 17 crew members.“We understand that 11 passengers are being treated at the hospital with injuries sustained during the evacuation process,” Cathay Pacific said. “Our priority is to look after all affected passengers and crew.”By 10:30 a.m., nine of the injured passengers had been discharged from the hospital, the airline ...

US and Canada start the process of determining how the Titanic-bound submersible imploded

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:14:44 GMT

Authorities from the U.S. and Canada began the process of investigating the cause of the fatal Titan submersible implosion even as they grappled with questions of who was responsible for determining how the tragedy unfolded.A formal inquiry has not yet been launched because maritime agencies are still busy searching the area where the vessel was destroyed, killing all five people aboard, the U.S. Coast Guard said Friday. Debris was located about 12,500 feet (3,810 meters) underwater, several hundred feet away from the Titanic wreckage it was on its way to explore. The U.S. Coast Guard led the initial search and rescue mission, which was a massive international effort that likely cost millions of dollars.It was not entirely clear Friday who would have the authority to lead what is sure to be a complex investigation involving several countries. OceanGate Expeditions, the company that owned and operated the Titan, is based in the U.S. but the submersible was registered in the Bahamas. ...