Russia and Belarus will hold a joint military drill in September | Ap

Officials say that Russia and Belarus will hold a joint military exercise in September, part of efforts by the two neighbors and allies to expand military ties amid the fighting in Ukraine. The Zapad, or West, 2025 drills will involve over 13,000 troops. That’s according to Valery Revenko, an assistant to the Belarusian defense minister. Belarus’ authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus with an iron hand for over 30 years and has relied on Kremlin subsidies and support, allowed Russia to use his country’s territory to send troops into neighboring Ukraine in 2022 and to host some of its tactical nuclear weapons.

Republican Mitch McConnell, the longest-serving Senate party leader in history, won’t seek reelection next year.

Sen. Mitch McConnell is announcing he won’t seek reelection next year, ending a decadeslong tenure as a power broker who championed conservative causes but ultimately ceded ground to the fierce populism of President Donald Trump. The Kentucky Republican has chosen his 83rd birthday on Thursday to share his decision to retire when his current term ends in January 2027. McConnell is the longest-serving Senate party leader in U.S. history. McConnell helped forge a conservative Supreme Court and steered the Senate through tax cuts and presidential impeachment trials. McConnell informed The Associated Press of his decision before he was set to address colleagues in a speech on the Senate floor.

Adam Burucki had a very peculiar Wednesday morning. Upon arriving at his warehouse in the quaint Polish village of Komorniki, he discovered that a massive chunk of charred rocket debris had crash-landed on his property.

The attention-grabbing aspect of “Zero Day” is that it sees Robert De Niro starring for the first time in a television show.

LOS ANGELES — It’s an end of an era for the man who likes his cocktails shaken, not stirred.

First, the good news about “The Unbreakable Boy,” a family drama based on the memoir by Scott LaRette: star Zachary Levi is acting his age. After a few high-profile childlike roles in the past few years in the “Shazam” movies, and “Harold and the Purple Crayon,” it’s a relief to see him as a…

The Trump administration’s decision to end Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans was “frivolous”, politically motivated and of questionable legality, a public policy research think tank said Thursday, adding that after reviewing the measure it concluded that there are strong grounds to …

A conservative nonprofit backed by billionaire Trump adviser Elon Musk is getting involved in a race that will determine the political direction of the highest court in one of the country’s most important presidential battleground states. Federal records show the group Building America’s Future is spending $1.6 million on television ads that started airing Thursday in the Wisconsin Supreme Court race. The spending comes after Musk posted a message last month on the social media platform he owns drawing attention to the election and calling for the Republican to win. The outcome of the April 1 election will determine whether the court will remain controlled by liberal justices or flip to a conservative majority.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva says predecessor Jair Bolsonaro is acknowledging his guilt in a case in which he’s accused of plotting a coup to stay in power by focusing on a campaign for amnesty. Bolsonaro and allied lawmakers are pushing for a bill that would pardon those convicted over an insurrection on Jan. 8, 2023. They are also trying to amend a law that prevents convicted criminals from running for office. Lula told a radio station during a live interview on Thursday that Bolsonaro is “asking for amnesty which means he’s basically saying ’Guys, I’m guilty.” Prosecutor-General Paulo Gonet on Tuesday charged Bolsonaro with devising a multipronged plot to remain in power despite his loss to Lula.

First, the good news about “The Unbreakable Boy,” a family drama based on the memoir by Scott LaRette: star Zachary Levi is acting his age. After a few high-profile childlike roles in the past few years in the “Shazam” movies, and “Harold and the Purple Crayon,” it’s a relief to see him as a…

The Trump administration’s decision to end Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans was “frivolous”, politically motivated and of questionable legality, a public policy research think tank said Thursday, adding that after reviewing the measure it concluded that there are strong grounds to …

LOS ANGELES — This year’s edition of the Slamdance Film Festival launches Thursday night, taking place for the first time in Los Angeles. The festival has long had its offices here, but the event itself had taken place in Park City, Utah, concurrent with the Sundance Film Festival.

A conservative nonprofit backed by billionaire Trump adviser Elon Musk is getting involved in a race that will determine the political direction of the highest court in one of the country’s most important presidential battleground states. Federal records show the group Building America’s Future is spending $1.6 million on television ads that started airing Thursday in the Wisconsin Supreme Court race. The spending comes after Musk posted a message last month on the social media platform he owns drawing attention to the election and calling for the Republican to win. The outcome of the April 1 election will determine whether the court will remain controlled by liberal justices or flip to a conservative majority.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva says predecessor Jair Bolsonaro is acknowledging his guilt in a case in which he’s accused of plotting a coup to stay in power by focusing on a campaign for amnesty. Bolsonaro and allied lawmakers are pushing for a bill that would pardon those convicted over an insurrection on Jan. 8, 2023. They are also trying to amend a law that prevents convicted criminals from running for office. Lula told a radio station during a live interview on Thursday that Bolsonaro is “asking for amnesty which means he’s basically saying ’Guys, I’m guilty.” Prosecutor-General Paulo Gonet on Tuesday charged Bolsonaro with devising a multipronged plot to remain in power despite his loss to Lula.

Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum says she will propose reforms to the country’s constitution to protect Mexico’s sovereignty after U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration designated six Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. On Thursday, the designation of eight Latin America-based criminal organizations was published in the U.S. Federal Register, carrying out a Jan. 20 executive order by Trump. The U.S. hopes the designation, something usually reserved for terrorist groups with political rather than economic objectives, will increase pressure on the groups. Sheinbaum said during her daily press briefing Thursday that Mexico wouldn’t allow outside involvement in investigations or prosecutions without authorization and collaboration of the Mexican government.

Reliever Kendall Graveman can earn up to $3.3 million for one year in his contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Graveman has a $1.35 million salary for this year in the deal announced Monday, which includes a $5 million mutual option for 2026 with a $100,000 buyout. His contract includes $1.95 million in performance bonuses this year for games as pitcher. He would get the full amount with 65. A 34-year-old right-hander, Graveman missed last season following surgery in January 2024 to repair the labrum in his right shoulder.

Snowy roads led to hundreds of crashes throughout Virginia and North Carolina, including a series of crashes on an interstate highway involving more than 50 vehicles. Officials continued to ask people to avoid travel on Thursday to allow crews to work on the roads. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol says it responded to nearly 1,200 collisions statewide on Wednesday. Virginia State Police reported early Thursday that there had been nearly 500 crashes statewide since the storm began, including at least 45 involving injuries. An Arctic air mass is bringing widespread, record-breaking cold to the central United States and forecasters expected some locations to experience their coldest temperatures on record this late in the season.

New York is suing several large electronic cigarette distributors for allegedly selling vaping flavors that can appeal to children. Attorney General Letitia James announced the lawsuit Thursday focusing on middlemen that distribute fruit- and candy-flavored e-cigarettes. New York banned all vaping flavors other than tobacco in 2020. But disposable brands like Puff Bar and Elf Bar remain widely available in hundreds of convenience stories and gas stations. Those products are the most popular among underage teens who vape. Previous lawsuits by state authorities focused on vaping manufacturers.

Paul DeJong would earn all of his $600,000 in available performance bonuses if he has 550 plate appearances this year. A former All-Star infielder, DeJong agreed to a $1 million, one-year contract that was announced Sunday. He would earn $100,000 each for 200, 300, 400, 450, 500 and 550 plate appearances. An All-Star in 2019, DeJong hit .227 with 24 homers and 56 RBIs last year for the Chicago White Sox and Kansas City, which acquired him on July 30.

Tommy Pham can earn an additional $250,000 in performance bonuses as part of his one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates that guarantees $4,025,000. An outfielder who turns 37 on March 8, Pham would get $125,000 each for 475 and 525 plate appearances as part of the contract announced last Sunday. He will be playing for his 10th major league organization. Pham, who turns 37 next month, split last season among the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago White Sox and Kansas City Royals, hitting .248 with 20 doubles, nine home runs and 39 RBIs.

Today in Sports, February 21 – Michael Jordan becomes first 40-year-old in NBA history to score 40 or more points

Pakistan cricketers have been docked 5% of their match fees for a slow over rate against New Zealand during the opening game of the Champions Trophy in Karachi. The ICC says Pakistan was one over short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration. New Zealand won by 60 runs in the Group A game on Wednesday. The ICC adds Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan pleaded guilty to the offense with no formal hearing required thereafter.

U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres says he will request that the United Nations assumes funding for the structural and logistical expenses of a multinational force in Haiti that is struggling to fight violent gangs. Guterres made the announcement late Wednesday in Barbados. That’s where leaders of a 15-member Caribbean trade bloc gathered for a three-day conference to tackle regional issues including gang violence in Haiti. Guterres said that the salaries for the multinational force would be paid through an already existing trust fund. The U.S. and other countries have warned that the mission lacks personnel and resources.

Inter Milan goalkeeper Yann Sommer has a broken right thumb ahead of key games in Serie A and the Champions League. Inter says the Swiss ’keeper’s injury was revealed in tests on Thursday and “necessary therapy will be decided in the coming days.” Thumb injuries can sideline goalkeepers for several weeks. No timetable has been set by Inter for Sommer. He has started every Serie A and Champions League game this season. Inter is second in Serie A and travels to play leader Napoli next week. Inter then has Champions League round-of-16 games from March 4-12.

Today in Sports – Week Ahead, Feb. 21 – Feb. 27. 2 Takes

Today in Sports – Week Ahead, Feb. 21 – Feb. 27. Take 2

A Kyiv official says a news conference after talks between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President Donald Trump’s Ukraine envoy was cancelled Thursday at the request of the U.S. The scheduled comments to the media by Zelenskyy and retired U.S. Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine and Russia, were called off after their meeting, the Ukrainian president’s spokesman Serhii Nikiforov said. Kellogg’s trip to Kyiv coincided with recent feuding between Trump and Zelenskyy that has bruised their personal relations and cast further doubt on the future of U.S. support for Ukraine’s war effort.

Reliever Drew Smith can earn up to $3.75 million over two seasons in his contract with the New York Mets if his 2026 club option is exercised and he pitches in at least 70 games in 2026. Smith is expected to miss all or most of this season while recovering from his second Tommy John surgery, but the right-hander should be ready for 2026. He agreed to a $1 million, one-year contract that was announced on Feb. 12, the same day the Mets finalized their $54 million, two-year contract with first baseman Pete Alonso.

Andrey Rublev has saved one match point and needed eight of his own to subdue Alex de Minaur 6-1, 3-6, 7-6 in the Qatar Open quarterfinals in Doha. The Russian fifth seed wasted a 5-2 lead in the last set against the Australian second seed, who forced the tiebreak with remarkable scrambling. But after 2 1/2 hours, Rublev was through to his fourth semifinals in Doha, where he won the title in 2020.

A news conference between Zelenskyy and Donald Trump’s Ukraine envoy is cancelled at U.S. request, a Kyiv official says.

Clayton Kershaw can earn up to $16 million in his one-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, getting the full amount if he makes 16 starts and is on the active roster for at least 90 days. A three-time Cy Young Award winner, Kershaw was guaranteed $7.5 million in the agreement announced Feb. 13. He would get $1 million each for 13, 14, 15 and 16 starts. Kershaw would receive $2.5 million for 30 days on the active roster and $1 million each for 60 and 90 days. He gets a hotel suite on road trips.

In a James Bond shakeup that stirred the film industry, MGM Amazon announced that the studio has taken the creative reins of the 007 franchise after decades of family control. Longtime Bond custodians Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli said Thursday they would be stepping back. Amazon MGM Studios, Wilson and Broccoli formed a new joint venture in which they will all co-own James Bond intellectual property rights. But Amazon MGM will have creative control. Financial terms weren’t disclosed. The deal is expected to close sometime this year.

Greece’s air traffic controllers say they will join a nationwide general strike called to demand justice for the victims of a fatal rail disaster two years ago. The air controllers’ participation in the Feb. 28 strike would ground all commercial passenger flights heading to and from Greek airports. Their union said that during the 24-hour work stoppage controllers will handle only certain types of flights, including medical, search and rescue and humanitarian aid services. The strike will mark the second anniversary of the country’s worst rail disaster, when 57 people were killed at Tempe, northern Greece, in a head-on collision of a freight train and a passenger train on Feb. 28, 2023.

As Rabbi Yusuf Hamra and his son Henry were visiting Damascus this week for the first time since emigrating from Syria to the United States more than three decades ago, they were met by former neighbors with embraces and and gossip . The Syrian-American Jewish family returned as part of a delegation organized by the Syrian Emergency Task Force, a U.S.-based nonprofit organization, in the wake of the fall of the government of former President Bashar Assad. “I left from Syria, but Syria never left us,” said Henry, who was 15 when his family left for New York.

James Bond film producers cede creative control of franchise to Amazon MGM after decades of family stewardship.

NEW YORK — Since being stripped of his federal security clearance last fall due to his corruption indictment, Mayor Eric Adams has been barred from receiving information on a range of sensitive issues, including “terroristic threats” to New York, his lawyer said in court Wednesday.

A computerized system that calls balls and strikes is being tested during Major League Baseball spring training exhibition games starting Thursday after four years of experiments in the minor leagues. Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred is an advocate of the Automated Ball-Strike System, which potentially as early as 2026 could be used to aid MLB home plate umpires, but not replace them. Starting in 2024, MLB focused testing on a challenge system in which the human umpire makes each original call. Data from the spring training test could cause MLB to make alterations to the system for Triple-A games this season.

South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol sought his release from detention at an initial hearing for the trial into allegations of insurrection over his martial law decree.

LOS ANGELES — Can prefab homes accelerate the rebuilding of Altadena and Pacific Palisades?