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James Stavridis: Ukraine war may become a proving ground for AI

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:43:44 GMT

Artificial intelligence is, suddenly, everywhere. We are awash in ideas about how we can use AI productively — from agriculture to climate change to engineering to software construction. And, equally, there are plenty of cautionary notes being struck about using AI to control societies, manipulate economies, defeat commercial opponents, and generally fulfill Arthur C. Clarke’s visions of machines dominating man in “2001: A Space Odyssey.”Thus far, however, relatively little has been written about the implications of AI on warfare and geopolitics. For better and worse, those arenas also lend themselves to a variety of ways in which new technologies can suddenly break apart paradigms. Think of Agincourt in 1415, a medieval battle in which the flower of the French nobility — sporting the key technology of that age, plate armor — were slaughtered at long range through an emerging technology, English longbowmen led by King Henry V.Military technology &...

NYS Capitol celebrates 125 years of Philippine Independence

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:43:44 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- You wouldn’t recognize the Legislative Office Building, looking much more like a vibrant Filipino festival rather than a workplace Thursday afternoon.Famous dancers and dignitaries flying in from the Philippines to join New York State as it celebrates of 125 years since the Philippines officially declared independence from 300 years of Spanish colonization."It felt like we are so home and we felt like we belong here in New York," says Sol Kapunan, president of the Kalayaan 1521 Council.The gathering of traditional dance and culture is the first ever Philippine Independence Day celebration at the State Capitol. All organized by Assemblyman Steven Raga who is also the first Filipino-American elected to state office.He says he hopes this shows New Yorkers there’s more Filipinos among you than many realize."There’s a lot of us. We’re everywhere. Often we’re not loud—I might be one of the loudest—but we have a lot to be thankful for in our Filipino-American commu...

Danny Masterson convicted of 2 counts of rape; ‘That '70s Show’ actor faces 30 years to life

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:43:44 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — “That '70s Show” star Danny Masterson was led out in handcuffs from a Los Angeles courtroom Wednesday and could get 30 years to life in prison. A jury found him guilty on two of three counts of rape at his second trial, in which the Church of Scientology played a central role. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Masterson's wife, actor and model Bijou Phillips, gasped when the verdict was read and wept as he was taken into custody, with a group of family and friends who sat stone-faced behind him throughout both trials. Masterson, 47, will be held without bail until he is sentenced.No sentencing date was set. The jury of seven women and five men reached the verdict after deliberating for seven days spread over two weeks. They could not reach a verdict on the third count, that alleged Masterson raped a longtime girlfriend. They had voted 8-4 in favor of conviction. What led to Danny Masterson’s rape retrial ...

Cardinals keep flip-flopping Gallegos, Helsley in closer spots... Why?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:43:44 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Right around this time last year, the St. Louis Cardinals changed course with their bullpen and started handing Ryan Helsley more opportunities in traditional closer spots than Giovanny Gallegos. Lately, it seems that script has flipped a bit, but not completely. Gallegos has earned saves in each of the last three Cardinals' victories, all within the past calendar week. On Tuesday, he passed Helsley in saves this season, now leading seven to six. Heading into June, Gallegos and Helsley are the only Cardinals' relief pitchers with at least one save this season. It seems the Cardinals, for now, are flip-flopping between Helsley and Gallegos when it comes to closing out games, rather than letting one hurler firmly grasp the role like years past. RELATED - Diamond Sports out, MLB in for Padres streams; Could Cardinals follow? For the season, Helsley has taken the mound in slightly more save opportunities than Gallegos, 10-8. In the month of May, save opportunities trended...

Sean Payton hopes tight end Greg Dulcich can be Broncos’ “Joker”

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:43:44 GMT

It was hard to miss Greg Dulcich at Broncos OTAs on Thursday.During 11-on-11s, quarterback Russell Wilson rolled to his right, escaping defenders before connecting with the tight end on a short reception. Moments later, he arguably had one of the best plays of the afternoon.With backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham under center, Dulcich sped down the middle of the field, slipping past the secondary before making an impressive over-the-shoulder catch.Thursday was one of Dulcich’s best practices, according to head coach Sean Payton. As the first-year Broncos coach works on installing a new offense, he hopes the second-year player can use his unique skill-set to become the team’s “Joker” — a player who creates mismatches and provides versatility on the field.“Man, he can run and has good ball skills,” Payton said. “I think his menu is going to be lengthy in the passing game, and there’s enough stuff we can do in the run game.”Joker is the widely used the nickname of Nuggets star bi...

Broncos coach Sean Payton impressed by Nuggets’ culture and ownership: “Man, good to be a Kroenke for the past two years, right?”

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:43:44 GMT

Broncos safety Justin Simmons grew up in South Florida.So, too, did cornerback Pat Surtain II.Both had Nuggets hats on while chatting with reporters after Thursday’s OTA session, a few hours before the local hoops team tipped off its first-ever NBA Finals game against the Miami Heat.“A good amount of my family is Heat fans, but I grew up a Kobe fan so I naturally just cheered for the Lakers for most of my life,” Simmons said. “I think it would be pretty cool to see the Nuggets win the Finals, so that’s who I’m going for.”Surtain hesitated when asked if he was a Heat fan and played the “I’m looking for a good series,” card, but he also said he’s been in his Florida friends’ ears about Nikola Jokic and company.“I told ’em I like the Nuggets, so they already know what’s going on,” he said.Coach Sean Payton took in a Denver win against Phoenix earlier in the playoffs and said he had a conversation last week with former Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski about how the Nuggets and Heat matc...

Former Dodger Steve Garvey considers U.S. Senate bid in California

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:43:44 GMT

You'd have to go back a generation — to 1988 — to find the last time a Republican candidate won a U.S. Senate race in heavily Democratic California. This time, the party might get an MVP on the ballot.Baseball legend Steve Garvey, who played for the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres, is meeting with voters and senior GOP officials as he weighs a potential 2024 Senate bid in a race that already has several prominent Democratic contenders in the field. He appeared at a recent fundraiser for Republican Rep. Michelle Steel in Orange County, where he signed baseballs and talked about his potential candidacy.“He is seriously considering entering the race,” said veteran consultant Andy Gharakhani, who is advising Garvey. Former VP Pence rips Dodgers over gay ‘nun’ group invitation The 74-year-old Garvey had an 18-year major league career. He was National League MVP in 1974 and retired from baseball in 1987.Garvey has flirted with the possibility of entering politics before, includ...

Here's the average cost of getting hitched in L.A.

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:43:44 GMT

Getting hitched? Get ready to write some hefty checks.The average cost of a wedding nationwide is now $29,000, up about a grand from last year, according to the wedding-planning site Zola.The price hike isn't just because people are in a marryin' mood. It's also because Mean Mr. Inflation is a wedding crasher, boosting prices for everything from gowns to cakes.And average costs will run higher in major metro areas. In Los Angeles, be prepared to shell out nearly $31,000 (and again, that's just an average figure; your Kardashian-style nuptials will run considerably more).Some brides-to-be are responding by sporting a vintage gown rather than something new.Many couples are cutting costs by limiting guest lists, which can run to 150 invitees or more.And some lovebirds are forgoing traditional ceremonies and looking instead for more off-beat knot tyings.Pinterest says searches for "alternative weddings" are up more than 300%, with "underwater weddings" leading the way."This intriguing c...

Disneyland celebrates Black Music Month in June

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:43:44 GMT

In addition to the Pride Month celebrations, June is also Black Music Month at the Disneyland Resort.Guests visiting the theme parks can enjoy live musical entertainment, specialty food items and more activities that honor Black heritage and culture, theme park officials announced. Disneyland guests take one last ride on Splash Mountain Musical guests will perform songs that cover “genres and decades across the history of Black music” at different locations across the resort every day in June.At Disney California Adventure, park visitors can listen to Black music throughout the decades at the Hollywood Backlot Stage in the evenings. Three bands will rotate at this location throughout the month and will perform songs from artists like Aretha Franklin to Bruno MarsHere is a breakdown of the schedule.Midnight Hour: a performance of legendary 1960s hits from artists such as The Supremes, Aretha Franklin, The Temptations and more (Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays)Finesse: a group cove...

Benjamin Brookhart Dead after Head-on Collision on West Picture Rocks Road [Tucson, AZ]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:43:44 GMT

45-Year-Old Man Dead and 31-Year-Old Woman Arrested after Deadly Head-on Crash near Golden Date RoadTUCSON, AZ (June 1, 2023) – Wednesday evening, officers were dispatched in a head-on crash that claimed the life of Benjamin Brookhart.On May 17th, at around 7:00 p.m., a deadly two-vehicle collision occurred in the area of West Picture Rocks Road, just east of Golden Gate Road.According to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, a Ford Fusion driven by 31-year-old Jacqueline Klukosky. The Hyundai Accent driven by 45-year-old Brookhart was involved in the incident.Upon investigation, the officers learned that Klukosky was headed east at high speeds and attempted to make a right turn.Consequently, Klukosky turned and crashed head-on with Brookhart. Unfortunately, Brookhart was extremely injured which later led to his death.Meanwhile, Klukosky and her passenger both suffered injuries and were taken to a nearby hospital.Moreover, both directions of the roadway were briefly shut...