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Opinion: Military recruiting crisis requires immediate call to action

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:38:27 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 ...

Fans raise security questions after shooting at Insomniac Events festival in Washington leaves two former California residents dead

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:38:27 GMT

After a shooting at Insomniac Events’ Beyond Wonderland Festival at Gorge Amphitheatre in Washington on June 17 that killed two former Southern California residents and injured several others, fans of the popular electronic music festival promoter’s events have expressed safety concerns.Fans took to social media to inquire about increased security measures for future events like the sold-out, two-day Day Trip Festival set to take place at The Queen Mary Waterfront in Long Beach on June 24-25.Pasquale Rotella, CEO of Burbank-based Insomniac Events, has responded to the shooting in a series of posts on his official Instagram account, extending his condolences to the victims’ families and for all of those affected by the shooting. He also explained that this was an isolated situation that took place a half mile outside the perimeter of the main festival grounds, but inside an overflow camping lot.ALSO SEE: Couple fatally shot at Beyond Wonderland EDM festival identified as former Calif...

California cop arrested for off-duty assault, stabbing at bar

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:38:27 GMT

An LAPD officer is behind bars after being arrested at an Upland bar for allegedly assaulting and stabbing another patron while off-duty, authorities say.The Upland Police Department arrested Officer Arthur Contreras, a 28-year veteran of the department, on Wednesday, June 21. Contreras served in the Detective Support and Vice Division.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Oakland police officer Phong Tran bound for trial on charges of bribing witness, perjury in murder case Crime and Public Safety | ‘A little ATM for you’: Oakland police detective accused of paying other murder witnesses Crime and Public Safety | Gov. Newsom plan would roll back access to police misconduct records Crime and Public Safety | Ex-California cop receives 13 years for crash that killed passenger, injured 2 others Crime and Public Safety | ‘I was told what to say’: Woman claims Oakland police officer fed...

Photos: Endangered blue whales hanging out off California coast

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:38:27 GMT

The summertime blues are back.Blue whales, the world’s largest animal, are showing up in big numbers off the Southern California coast this season, a welcome return for ocean and wildlife enthusiasts who marvel at the massive sight of the endangered species just a few miles from shore, with sightings spanning from the South Bay to Dana Point in recent days.Blue whales have been spotted off the coast, with five seen just a few miles off Dana Point’s coastline on June 21, 2023. The whale seen here, dubbed “Notcho” has a unique dorsal fin with a notch in it, making it easy for naturalists to spot. (Photo courtesy of Laura Lopez/Dana Wharf)Blue whales have been spotted off Orange County the past few weeks, thrilling ocean enthusiasts who get up-close looks at the world’s biggest animal. (Photo courtesy of Eli Parnes/Newport Coastal Adventure)Blue whales have been spotted off the coast, with five seen just a few miles off Dana Point’s coastline on June 21, 2...

Official says about 350 Pakistanis were on boat carrying migrants that sank off Greece last week and many may have died

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:38:27 GMT

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Official says about 350 Pakistanis were on boat carrying migrants that sank off Greece last week and many may have died.Source

La lucha por derogar una de las leyes de aborto más obsoletas del mundo se está llevando a cabo en Reino Unido

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:38:27 GMT

(CNN) — Cientos de manifestantes se alinearon en la calle frente al Tribunal Superior del Reino Unido el sábado con carteles que decían “Nuestros cuerpos, nuestro derecho a decidir”, antes de marchar por las calles del centro de Londres exigiendo reformas a las leyes de aborto para mujeres en Inglaterra y Gales.A principios de este mes, una mujer británica que usó medicamentos para interrumpir un embarazo después del límite permitido legalmente en el Reino Unido fue sentenciada a 28 meses de prisión según la legislación de la era victoriana, en un caso que ha dado lugar a llamados a una revisión de las leyes de justicia reproductiva en el país. La mujer, que tiene tres hijos, cumplirá 14 meses bajo custodia y el resto en libertad condicional.Un año después de que la Corte Suprema de EE.UU. anulara el fallo Roe vs. Wade y reavivara un movimiento de protesta mundial contra la restricción del acceso al aborto, los defensores del derecho a decidir en el Reino Unido dicen que se ha...

Are Washingtonians too chicken to eat ‘lab-grown’ meat?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:38:27 GMT

(new Image()).src = "https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=9be9c680-c459-4acb-af21-654a2ccca384&cid=c2ffed0c-3624-46c0-b10f-97c976d290a3";cnx.cmd.push(function() { cnx({ playerId: "9be9c680-c459-4acb-af21-654a2ccca384",mediaId: "4b091ca7-6e81-45a0-89c1-4a568fead027"}).render("dd4ecd21635449f48ea81031a7d3d27d"); });This week, U.S. regulators gave the green light to two companies creating “lab-grown chicken” — meat made from animal cells without slaughtering a chicken.While it may be a while before you see it on grocery store shelves, two restaurants will be the first to serve it — and one of them will be in D.C.Chef Jose Andrés also promised one of his restaurants will add it to the menu, but he hasn’t said which one, yet.In Dupont Circle, WTOP asked people if they would be willing to try it out. The results of the not-so-scientific study were mixed, to say the least.Gloria Akol of Alexandria, Virginia, said while the intentions are good, she would be uncomfortab...

Bayern signs Portugal left back Raphaël Guerreiro on a free transfer from rival Dortmund

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:38:27 GMT

MUNICH (AP) — Bayern Munich signed Portugal left back Raphaël Guerreiro on a free transfer Friday from Bundesliga rival Borussia Dortmund.Guerreiro joins on a three-year deal after his Dortmund contract expires at the end of the month. He will likely compete for the starting left back spot with Alphonso Davies but he can also play on the left of midfield and was also used as a central midfielder by Dortmund this season with some success.Bayern edged Dortmund for the German title on goal difference in the closest title race in years. Guerreiro is Bayern’s second signing of the off-season after Leipzig midfielder Konrad Laimer, also on a free transfer.Guerreiro has made 64 appearances for Portugal and played in four of his country’s five games at last year’s World Cup.___AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsSource

New York Mets to play Philadelphia Phillies in London in 2024

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:38:27 GMT

LONDON (AP) — The New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies will play in London next season, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said Friday.The teams will play at London Stadium in the third MLB series in the British capital. The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox played in London in 2019, and the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs will meet in a two-game series this weekend.The Mets-Phillies series had been widely reported earlier, though league officials held off on an announcement until the eve of the Cardinals-Cubs series.Manfred spoke at a news conference Friday before Cardinals and Cubs players worked out on the artificial turf at the home of Premier League soccer club West Ham.The Yankees are lobbying to play in Paris in 2025. The league hasn’t confirmed the French capital yet, but the players’ association signed off on MLB holding a game in Paris in 2025 as part of last year’s collective bargaining agreement.___AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsS...

Got expired tags? Prepare to pay during this enforcement campaign this weekend

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:38:27 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — If you have expired tags or an unregistered vehicle, consider yourself warned. Multiple agencies will be on the lookout this weekend and ticketing drivers during an enforcement campaign.The Aurora Police Department along with Adams, Arapahoe and Douglas County Sheriff's Office will be on the hunt for expired tags beginning Sunday, June 25 through July 1.According to APD, officers will be on the lookout for drivers in cars that are unregistered or have significantly expired tags that are more than three months old. Expired tags? Here’s how much it will cost you If you get can't with expired tags, it'll cost you a pretty penny. APD said if you are stopped by officers, it could result in a $93 ticket on top of late fees assigned by the state. This enforcement campaign is in an effort to encourage residents to get caught up on their vehicle registration.Besides just being the law, APD said there are other benefits to keeping your car up to date. Money from vehicle reg...