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Watchdog: Western arms companies failed to ramp up production capacity in 2022 due to Ukraine war

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:44 GMT

STOCKHOLM (AP) — Many Western arms companies failed to ramp up production in 2022 despite a strong increase in demand for weapons and military equipment, a watchdog group said Monday, adding that labor shortages, soaring costs and supply chain disruptions had been exacerbated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.In its Top 100 of such firms, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, or SIPRI, said the arms revenue of the world’s largest arms-producing and military services companies last year stood at $597 billion — a 3.5% drop from 2021.“Many arms companies faced obstacles in adjusting to production for high-intensity warfare,” said Lucie Béraud-Sudreau, director of the independent institute’s Military Expenditure and Arms Production Program.SIPRI said the revenues of the 42 U.S. companies on the list — accounting for 51% of total arms sales — fell by 7.9% to $302 billion in 2022. Of those, 32 recorded a fall in year-on-year arms revenue, most of them citing ongoing s...

46th annual Toys for Tots Motorcycle Parade moves through Chicago

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:44 GMT

CHICAGO — Motorcyclists made their way through the city on Sunday for the 46th annual Toys for Tots Motorcycle Parade.Thousands of bikers, including some who decked out their rides with holiday decorations, took part in the 15-mile trip around Chicagoland.The parade got underway at 6 a.m. at the Dan Ryan Woods, on West 83rd Street and South Western Avenue, before heading north toward Lane Tech College Prep High School in North Center. Weekend Break: Museum of Illusions in Chicago Those who participated in Sunday's event were required to bring at least one new, unwrapped toy to donate.The annual event, which takes place on the first Sunday in December, brings riders together to help those in need ahead of the holidays.Toys for Tots has several Toy Box locations around the city for people to donate new, unwrapped toys. Visit the Chicagoland Toys for Tots website for more details on how to take part.

Man beaten, stabbed in early-morning attack on Near North Side

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:44 GMT

CHICAGO — A man is recovering after he was beaten and stabbed on the Near North Side in the early morning hours on Sunday, police say. According to Chicago Police, the attack happened around 3 a.m. in the 400 block of North Clark Street in River North.  Fire rekindles at historic Swift Mansion in Chicago Police say the 32-year-old man was walking on a sidewalk in the area when he was approached by a group of men. One of the men in the group then punched, kicked and stabbed the man. Police say the victim suffered a head injury and a stab wound to his stomach and was taken to the hospital in good condition. Currently, it is unclear what led to the attack and police say no arrests have been made. An investigation by Area Three detectives is now underway.  9-year-old boy critical after falling from window on North Side: CPD Anyone with information that could help authorities in their investigation is asked to call CPD Area Three Detectives at 312-744-8263.Tips fo...

Felicity Huffman opens up about college admissions scandal

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:44 GMT

(The Hill) -- Four years after “Varsity Blues,” Felicity Huffman is opening up about her role in the college admissions bribery scandal that sent her to prison.“It seemed like — and I know this seems crazy at the time — that that was my only option to give my daughter a future,” the former “Desperate Housewives” star told KABC’s Marc Brown in a Thursday interview.“I know hindsight is 20/20, but it felt like I would be a bad mother if I didn't do it,” Huffman, 60, said. Students from very wealthy families overrepresented in elite colleges: research The actor was sentenced to 14 days at a California prison in 2019 after pleading guilty to mail fraud and honest services fraud charges. Huffman paid an SAT proctor to alter her daughter’s scores.“People assumed that I went into this looking for a way to cheat the system and making proverbial criminal deals in back alleys, but that was not the case,” she said.“I worked with a highly recommended college counselor named Rick Sing...

4 dead after multi-vehicle crash in southeast Travis County

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:44 GMT

TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Four people died in a multi-vehicle crash on State Highway 130 Sunday in southeastern Travis County, according to Austin-Travis County EMS.ATCEMS tweeted about the crash at 4:24 p.m. and said five people were pinned in their vehicles with multiple ambulances and commanders responding, in addition to two STARFlight helicopters. The crash is near where the TX 130 northbound service road intersects with Maha Loop Road, close to US 183.One person was taken to St. David's South Austin Medical Center via STARFlight and another refused treatment, ATCEMS said. The area will be closed for an extended amount of time, ATCEMS said, and people should avoid driving in that area.This is a developing story and more details will be added when they become available.

Is tonight’s rain the only chance this week?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:44 GMT

ST. LOUIS – After a beautiful December Sunday, we're entering a fast and cool pattern.Rain chances are rolling up fast, with the first coming this evening. That rain will last into the early stages of the Monday morning commute, and then it’s gone.Monday will stay cool, with highs in the 40s. Another fast-moving system rolls in with a rain chance Monday night into Tuesday morning.There is a warming trend late this week, but there is also a chance of rain for next weekend. St. Louis radar: See a map of current weather here

Broncos’ Alex Singleton on shoving Texans QB C.J. Stroud: “It was nothing”

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:44 GMT

HOUSTON — Broncos inside linebacker Alex Singleton was fired up during his team’s matchup against the Houston Texans, but it came with a steep price in Sunday’s 22-17 loss.The Texans faced a fourth-and-2 in the first quarter when left tackle Laremy Tunsil was called for a false start. But the penalty didn’t matter because Singleton was flagged for unnecessary roughness on the same play after he got into a verbal altercation with rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud and pushed him.Both players got into each other’s faces before the Texans stepped in to defend their teammate.Singleton’s penalty gave Houston a first down inside the Broncos’ 10-yard line and the Texans responded. Running back Dameon Pierce scored on a 3-yard rushing touchdown to take a 10-0 with four minutes left in the quarter.Singleton stroke an unapologetic tone postgame, arguing that it was hypocritical for the officials to flag him but not Texans right guard Shaq Mason, who pushed the Broncos inside linebacke...

Felicity Huffman opens up about college admissions scandal that sent her to prison in California

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:44 GMT

Four years after “Varsity Blues,” Felicity Huffman is opening up about her role in the college admissions bribery scandal that sent her to prison.“It seemed like — and I know this seems crazy at the time — that that was my only option to give my daughter a future,” the former “Desperate Housewives” star told KABC’s Marc Brown in a Thursday interview.“I know hindsight is 20/20, but it felt like I would be a bad mother if I didn't do it,” Huffman, 60, said. L.A. man convicted for arranging hundreds of sham marriages The actor was sentenced to 14 days at a California prison in 2019 after pleading guilty to mail fraud and honest services fraud charges. Huffman paid an SAT proctor to alter her daughter’s scores.“People assumed that I went into this looking for a way to cheat the system and making proverbial criminal deals in back alleys, but that was not the case,” she said.“I worked with a highly recommended college counselor named Rick Singer. I worked with him fo...

Dre Greenlaw ejected from 49ers-Eagles after argument with Philly’s head of security

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:44 GMT

Dre Greenlaw was ejected from the 49ers’ road game against the Eagles along with Philadelphia’s head of security after a sideline scuffle that followed a personal foul penalty on the 49ers linebacker.With about nine and a half minutes left in the third quarter, Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts connected with receiver DeVonta Smith on a short pass and Greenlaw stopped Smith’s progress near the left sideline. Then Greenlaw, one of the most physical players on the San Francisco defense, picked up Smith and slammed him down with a wrestling-style suplex move.Eagles head of security Dom DiSandro, who was on the sideline, stepped between Greenlaw and Smith as they continued talking after the tackle, and pushed Greenlaw away from. Greenlaw pointed a finger in DiSandro’s face, making contact with him as they argued and officials separated them.The officials assessed Greenlaw a personal foul for the late slam of Smith, then deliberated and eventually ejected both Greenl...

Pac-12 bowl selections: UW’s daunting assignment, major letdown for Oregon, Arizona wins again, good news for OSU and more

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:44 GMT

College football’s biggest day unfolded as expected for the Pac-12, with Washington claiming the No. 2 seed in the playoff pairings, Oregon grabbing a spot in the Fiesta Bowl and the other six matchups falling into place without controversy.Instant reaction …1. The right team won the Pac-12 championship game in order for the conference to break its playoff drought.Given developments in the SEC, the Hotline believes Oregon would have been left out of the playoff if the Ducks had defeated Washington on Friday night in Las Vegas.We’ll never know, of course. But based on the selection committee’s rankings and reasoning, it sure seems like Alabama was headed to the semifinals after beating the No. 1 team (Georgia) in its backyard (Atlanta).And if the Crimson Tide was in, Texas had to be included because of its head-to-head victory in Tuscaloosa.That would have left one spot — for undefeated Florida State.As the Pac-12 champion without a victory over Georgia,...