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Virginia corrects its ‘oops’ on the sales tax holiday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:24:33 GMT

It’s too late to help you with back-to-school shopping, but Virginia’s sales tax holiday is coming back this weekend.The state sales tax holiday is from Friday, Oct. 20 to Sunday, Oct. 22. Lawmakers forgot to renew the sales tax holiday during budget negotiations back in March, and the legislation expired so it could not be offered in August as usual, when people are usually shopping for back-to-school items.During the sales tax holiday, consumers can buy qualifying items in Virginia without paying the state’s 5.3% sales tax.Qualifying shoes and clothing under $100 are still part of this weekend’s holiday, plus certain school supplies under $20. Items like sneakers, costumes, diapers and winter gear including coats, scarves and boots will be included, among many others.However, buyers will still have to pay sales tax on what the state deems “clothing accessory items” like cosmetics, jewelry and umbrellas. “Protective equipment” like breathing masks, hel...

Brussels terror attack suspect shot by police

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:24:33 GMT

Brussels police on Tuesday morning shot a man suspected of killing two Swedish football fans in a terrorist attack on Monday night, according to Belgian Interior Minister Annelies Verlinden speaking on Belgian radio.Verlinden said she was waiting for more information from the police. She did not confirm whether the suspect was alive or dead. In a press conference at 5 a.m. Tuesday morning, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said the suspect was “a man of Tunisian origin” who “was staying illegally in our country.”Monday night’s shooting took place not far from the city center, and happened shortly before Belgium played Sweden in an international football match. This story is being updated.

Breton wants more time on EU defense investment plan

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:24:33 GMT

Presented by ASD By CALEB LARSON with JOSHUA POSANER, VERONIKA MELKOZEROVA and JAN CIENSKI PRESENTED BY View in your browser or listen to audioSNEAK PEEK— Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton will tell the College of Commissioners today that he needs a bit more time to draft up a long-term financing scheme for Europe’s military.— Retired U.S. General Ben Hodges sees significant progress being made by Ukraine, despite the fact they’ve not gotten long-range strike capabilities from the U.S. and Germany.— With Israeli forces seemingly poised to launch a ground invasion of Gaza, two experts wonder if European militaries would be able to do the same if needed.Good morning and welcome to Morning Defense. Tips to [email protected], [email protected] and [email protected] or follow us at @joshposaner, @LauKaya and @calebmlarson.DRIVING THE DAYBRETON WANTS TO WAIT ON DEFENSE STRATEGY...

Police pursuit ends in crash in Barrio Logan

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:24:33 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- A police chase resulted in a crash Monday in the Barrio Logan neighborhood, authorities said.The collision occurred around 10:20 p.m. in the 2700 Boston Avenue, according to the San Diego Police Department's log.Police say they attempted to pull over a black SUV for a red light violation when the driver took off, prompting a pursuit. As the SUV traveled down Boston Avenue, it hit two cars, per SDPD. Woman hit, killed by car in East County The driver, who then got out of the vehicle and began to run, was arrested a short time later in an alley, authorities said.A total of four people were inside the black SUV, police said. Two of those occupants, including the driver, were taken to the hospital for minor injuries, police said.Officers were also looking for a gun after finding a holster in the car.Check back for updates on this developing story.

Live updates | Intense bombardments strike in southern Gaza on 11th day of Israel-Hamas war

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:24:33 GMT

Palestinians described intense bombardments early Tuesday near two towns in southern Gaza, where Israel had ordered civilians to seek refuge. Thousands of people trying to escape Gaza are gathered in Rafah, which has the territory’s only border crossing to Egypt. Mediators are pressing for an agreement to let aid in and refugees with foreign passports out. The U.S. hoped to break a deadlock with President Joe Biden set to head to Israel and Jordan on Wednesday. Aid workers warned that life in Gaza was near complete collapse because of the Israeli siege that followed a Hamas attack on Israel.The war that began Oct. 7 has become the deadliest of five Gaza wars for both sides. The Gaza Health Ministry said 2,778 Palestinians have been killed and 9,700 wounded. More than 1,400 Israelis have been killed, and at least 199 others, including children, were captured by Hamas and taken into Gaza, according to Israel.Currently:1. U.S. President Joe Biden will visit Israel on Wednesday, Secreta...

Police search for suspected extremist accused of killing 2 Swedish soccer fans on a Brussels street

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:24:33 GMT

BRUSSELS (AP) — Police in Belgium searched Tuesday for a suspected Tunisian extremist accused of killing two Swedish soccer fans in a brazen shooting on a Brussels street before disappearing into the night. Amateur videos posted on social media of Monday’s attack showed a man wearing an orange fluorescent vest pull up on a scooter, take out a large weapon and open fire on passersby before chasing them into a building to gun them down.“Last night, three people left for what was supposed to be a wonderful soccer party. Two of them lost their lives in a brutal terrorist attack,” Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said at a news conference just before dawn. “Their lives were cut short in full flight, cut down by extreme brutality.”De Croo said his thoughts were with the victims’ families and that he had sent his condolences to the Swedish prime minister. Security has been beefed up in the capital, particularly around places linked to the Swedish community in the city.“The attack that was ...

Here are the key leaders joining the Belt and Road forum and their wish lists to Beijing

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:24:33 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — China is hosting its third international forum centered around President Xi Jinping’s signature policy, the Belt and Road Initiative, which over the past 10 years has built infrastructure across continents, burdening some smaller countries with debt. The forum brings a flurry of diplomacy to Beijing, including at least 20 heads of state and government, mostly hailing from developing markets in Southeast and South Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America.Here are some key leaders visiting Beijing and an overview of their countries’ involvement in the Belt and Road projects. RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTINRussian President Vladimir Putin landed in Beijing on Tuesday, on his first trip outside the former Soviet Union since the International Criminal Court issued a warrant for him in March over his alleged involvement in the mass abduction of children from Ukraine. Putin’s visit underscores China’s economic and diplomatic support for Moscow amid the isolation brou...

Commission sends request for information to X under the Digital Services Act

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:24:33 GMT

The European Commission services formally sent X a request for information under the Digital Services Act (DSA). This request follows indications received by the Commission services of the alleged spreading of illegal content and disinformation, in particular the spreading of terrorist and violent content and hate speech. The request addresses compliance with other provisions of the DSA as well.Following its designation as Very Large Online Platform, X is required to comply with the full set of provisions introduced by the DSA since late August 2023, including the assessment and mitigation of risks related to the dissemination of illegal content, disinformation, gender-based violence, and any negative effects on the exercise of fundamental rights, rights of the child, public security and mental well-being.In this particular case, the Commission services are investigating X's compliance with the DSA, including with regard to its policies and actions regarding notices on illegal conte...

Palestinians report heavy Israeli airstrikes in southern Gaza, where they were ordered to seek refuge

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:24:33 GMT

KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Palestinians report heavy Israeli airstrikes in southern Gaza, where they were ordered to seek refuge.Source

Justin Herbert, Chargers’ offense come up short again in Los Angeles’ 20-17 loss to Dallas

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:24:33 GMT

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — On the second snap of the second quarter, Dallas defensive lineman DeMarcus Lawrence swatted Justin Herbert’s throw out of the air. The ball went straight back to Herbert, who alertly caught his own pass and ran 10 yards with it.At several later moments when the Chargers (2-3) needed Herbert to make another exceptional play in their tight Monday night game, the Los Angeles quarterback regretted that he repeatedly dropped the ball.Although his teammates rallied behind him afterward, Herbert realized he had been outplayed by Dak Prescott in the Cowboys’ 20-17 victory.“I think we can do a lot better on offense, and especially at quarterback,” Herbert said. “I can play a lot better.”The Chargers’ $262.5 million QB will remember the yards he didn’t gain and the throws that barely missed while Los Angeles fell back below .500 with yet another hard-luck loss.In each of their three losses by a combined eight points this season, th...