Paradise News

Tag: General News

  • WATCH: Smuggler Crashes With Illegals Laying in Pickup Bed During Wild Pursuit


    Compact pickup carrying nine people slams into guardrail during dangerous chase near Mexican border

    A suspected human smuggler was arrested after a dangerous pursuit in Texas that ended when he crashed a pickup truck with illegal aliens laying in the bed, according to authorities.

    The harrowing incident unfolded on Monday in Webb County near the Mexican border.

    Texas Department of Public Safety (TxDPS) troopers attempted to pull over a suspicious vehicle when the driver took evasive action.

    TxDPS released footage from the ensuing chase, which unfolded on a local highway packed with traffic.

    The driver of the pickup can be seen weaving around big rigs and other vehicles before speeding down the grassy shoulder and nearly slamming into a tractor trailer passing through an intersection.

    The suspect leaves the roadway again at high speed before crashing into a guardrail and coming to a stop.

    TxDPS troopers swarm the pickup as passengers bail out of the cab.

    At least four more people can be seen laying dazed and confused in the bed of the pickup.

    The suspect was identified as Adrian Alejandro Ibarra, a resident of Laredo, Texas.

    Ibarra was charged with one count of smuggling a person under 18 years of age, seven counts of smuggling persons with the likelihood of serious bodily injury or death, and evading arrest.

    Chaos unfolds constantly along the U.S.-Mexico border, as Infowars regularly reports.

    Alex Jones reveals that taking the COVID-19 injection may make your blood useless to the Red Cross.



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  • Falana Replies AGF: ‘NLC’s Planned Nationwide Protest Not Contemptuous’

    The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has replied the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, contending that the National Industrial Court did not restrain Nigerian workers from protesting against “excruciating economic pains being experienced by the masses” under the President Bola Tinubu administration.

    The NLC replied to the AGF’s previous letter through its lawyer, Femi Falana.

    The AGF had cautioned the NLC against proceeding with its planned nationwide protest scheduled for February 27 and February 28, 2024.

    THE WHISTLER reports that Fagbemi had stated in the letter on Saturday that the Federal Government has “reasonably” complied with its memorandum of understanding with organised labour even though certain areas of the terms of agreement have been inhibited by “unforeseen” circumstances.

    “Upon the submission of grievances to the court, parties in the suit cannot resort to public protests over the same issues, as such conduct amounts to gross contempt and affront to the institution of our courts of law.

    “Therefore, the proposed nationwide protest action in all ramifications is in clear violation of the pending interim injunctive order granted in SUIT NO: NICN/ABJ/158/2023- FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA & ANORV. NIGERIAN LABOUR CONGRESS & ANOR on 5th June 2023 restraining both NLC and TUC from embarking on any industrial action or strike of any nature,” the AGF wrote.

    THE WHISTLER recalls that the NLC leadership had accused the Federal Government of refusing to implement the MOU which touched on workers’ welfare among other agreements.

    But in his letter to the AGF, made available to THE WHISTLER on Sunday, Falana maintained that the Federal Government, having earlier withdrawn the contempt proceedings filed against the NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC) for embarking on public protest on August 2, 2023, the AGF ought not to have threatened the NLC with contempt of court over its plan to hold rallies from February 27-28, 2024 against the astronomical cost of living in the country.

    Falana explained that while negotiations between organised labour and the Federal Government were in progress, the Federal Ministry of Justice had rushed to the National Industrial Court to file Suit No NICN/ABJ/158/2023 between the Federal Government of Nigeria & Anor. v Nigeria Labour Congress & Anor, seeking to force the NLC and TUC to comply with the ex parte order, though they promptly filed an application to set aside order for want of jurisdiction.

    He wrote that the application to set aside the ex parte order filed by the defendants and the motion for interlocutory injunction filed by the claimants have not been considered as parties resolved to settle the case out of court.

    The senior lawyer stated that on November 10, 2023, the Federal Government filed another Suit, No NICN/ABJ/322/2023 between the Federal Government of Nigeria & Anor. at the National Industrial Court against the NLC and TUC, notwithstanding the pendency of Suit No. Suit No NICN/ABJ/158/2023, and the court barred workers from embarking on the planned strike but both NLC and TUC challenged the competence of the fresh suit on the ground that it constitutes a gross abuse of court process.

    Falana stated that while the application has not been heard and determined by the National Industrial Court, the fundamental rights of Nigerians have not been restrained by the court.

    “We submit, without any fear of contradiction, that the proposed public protest of the NLC is not contemptuous of the two ex parte orders of the National Industrial Court.

    “In particular, the issue of contempt does not arise as the NLC has challenged the jurisdiction of the National Industrial Court to entertain the substantive case.

    “It is further submitted that the National Industrial Court has not restrained the members of the NLC from exercising their fundamental rights to freedom of assembly and freedom of expression to protest against the excruciating economic pains being experienced by the masses,” Falana added.

    Falana added that in the case of Inspector- General of Police versus All Nigeria Peoples Party (2008) 12 WRN 65, the Court of Appeal, which is superior to the industrial court, upheld the fundamental right of Nigerians to protest on matters of public interest.

    Falana added that the National Assembly has ensured that the right of aggrieved citizens to protest peacefully for or against the Government is protected.

    “Thus, section 83(4) of the Police Establishment Act 2020, which states “where a person or organization notifies the police of his or its intention to hold a public meeting, rally or procession on a public highway or such meetings in a place where the public has access to , the police officer responsible for the area where the meeting rally or procession will take place shall mobilize personnel to provide security to provide security cover for the meeting, rally or the procession,” he added.

    Falana told the AGF that while he has advised the members of the NLC to conduct the rallies scheduled for February 27-28, 2024 in a peaceful manner, the AGF should use his good offices “to direct the Inspector-General of Police to provide adequate security to the conveners and participants in the protest in line with the provisions of Section 83(4) of the Police Establishment Act.”

    “Finally, while awaiting your favourable reply to this letter, please accept, as usual, the assurance of our highest esteem,” the letter concluded.

    Falana Replies AGF: ‘NLC’s Planned Nationwide Protest Not Contemptuous’ is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

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  • Frank Gore Jr. following father’s footsteps at NFL Combine

    Frank Gore arrives Monday at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis as a member of the 49ers’ personnel department, and one obvious prospect is on his radar: Frank Gore Jr.

    “I’ve been a proud father,” Gore said in an exclusive interview with this news organization. “Just the process, how he’s handled it, man, he’s stepped up to the plate every time.”

    And now his namesake is on the NFL’s doorstep, following in the legendary footsteps of the 49ers’ all-time leading rusher.

    Frank Gore Jr., after four seasons at Southern Miss, emerged as the offensive MVP of the East-West Shrine Bowl on Feb. 1 in Frisco, Texas. As he received that trophy, his admiring father recorded the moment on the field with his mobile phone.

    “Everybody questioned him about the level he’d been playing, and at the East-West Shrine Bowl, he killed that. He had a great week,” Gore said of his son. “That let him know he’s a football player.

    “… I’m happy he got to play with Power Five guys at the Shrine Bowl, and look how it came out,” Gore added. “He had a great week of practice and a lot of people felt he was the best one at the position. That’s a plus.”

    A 49-yard touchdown run, on a third-and-1 carry, sparked Gore’s West team to a 26-11 win. “I know there’s a lot of questions about me, because I’m from a small school,” Gore Jr. said, according to LoneStarLive.com. “So I had a chip on my shoulder to come in and sort of prove to everyone that I belonged.”

    That should have been evident as he ran for 4,022 yards, the third-most in Southern Miss history. He ran for an FBS-bowl record 329 yards in the December 2022 LendingTree Bowl in a 38-24 win over Rice.

    That, along with grueling training sessions in South Florida ahead of the combine, may not translate to getting drafted in the first few rounds like his father. But this month’s Shrine Bowl performance certainly should lead to the name “Gore” being called during the NFL Draft from April 25-27; the 49ers are projected to have 11 picks.

    “I tell people he had chances to go to a bigger school. Miami wanted him, and I did not want him to go, because I feel like he became a man when he went up out of here,” the elder Gore said. “Kentucky wanted him back. He had opportunities to go to a Power Five (conference).

    “I told him that if he’s OK being with his friends and he likes his coach, scouts who really watch tape will find him.”

    At 5-foot-7 and 199 pounds, he’s not quite as big as his father, whose 5-foot-9, 212-pound frame saw its way through tiny cracks and persevered long enough over 16 NFL seasons to run for 16,000 yards, the third-most in NFL history.

    Gore was the 2005 draft’s third-round steal out of Miami. Most teams, including the 49ers, considered him a major health risk because of his knee and shoulder injuries. He played for the 49ers from 2005-2014, covering 11,073 yards in his No. 21 jersey that no one else has worn since he was ushered out as a free agent. He finished his playing days with the 2015-17 Indianapolis Colts, the 2018 Miami Dolphins, the 2019 Buffalo Bills and the 2020 New York Jets. His brief dalliance as a professional boxer followed.

    This past year, the 49ers brought back Gore to launch his career as a personnel advisor, a year after he signed a ceremonial contract signifying his retirement. That also triggered the start of his five-year wait to become eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

    Having long adored the York family that owns the 49ers, Gore’s spent this past year not only attending college games to scout players and 49ers games to support the franchise, he’s also relished his time understanding other aspects of the operation, from the business side with Paraag Marathe to the personnel and coaching departments with general manager John Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan.

    “Kyle is a smart guy. I was surprised sitting around him how he really understands and knows players so well. A lot of coaches aren’t like that,” Gore said. “He really knows football players, bro. He really knows what to look for.”

    Gore has proven to have a keen eye for talent, and he enjoys when the 49ers’ seasoned evaluators challenge him and ask for his opinion.

    “Lynch asks me certain questions when we watch film, ‘What do you think about this, what do you think about that?’ But this being my first year, I want to respect those other guys (in personnel department),” Gore said. “Just because I played ball, I don’t feel I know everything. I’d rather let them ask me what I feel about something instead of just jumping into it. That’s their field, man. I know I played ball but I still have to learn that field.”



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  • Pentagon Investigating 50 Cases of Ukraine Aid Fraud


    In one instance, shipping manifests were mysteriously changed before arms packages reached the country

    The Pentagon’s inspector general has opened more than 50 cases into possible “theft, fraud or corruption, and diversion” of military aid to Ukraine. Allegations of graft surfaced almost immediately after the aid began flowing to Kiev and Inspector General Robert Storch has declared that more investigations are likely to follow.

    Speaking at a briefing on Thursday, Storch said that though no allegations have been substantiated yet, “that may well change in the future,” according to Bloomberg. Additional investigations will be necessary “given the quantity and speed” of weapons being sent to Ukraine, he noted.

    One case highlighted by Storch involved unidentified items arriving in Poland as part of a wider weapons shipment, before disappearing from a shipping manifest when they were sent across the border into Ukraine in June.

    While the case of the disappearing equipment was highlighted in a report by Storch’s office last year, the inspector did not say at the time whether the items had been lost or stolen. Instead, his office stated that Pentagon personnel “did not have required visibility and accountability of all types of equipment during the transfer process.”

    None of Storch’s reports to date have identified any outright criminality. However, Thursday’s announcement marks the first time he has acknowledged that his office is probing potential cases of “procurement fraud, product substitution, theft, fraud or corruption, and diversion.”

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    In the two years since Russia’s military operation in Ukraine began, the US has spent roughly $113 billion on military, economic, and humanitarian aid for Kiev. Around $45 billion of that amount has been spent on weapons, ammo, and other military support for Kiev’s forces.

    In the summer of 2022, a CBS News report suggested that only around 30% of the weapons sent by the West actually made it to the front lines in Ukraine. Around the same time, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu warned that weapons intended for Ukraine were showing up in Middle Eastern arms bazaars. 

    Storch’s office has since deployed more than two dozen people to Ukraine to track US arms shipments. However, allegations of corruption have continued to surface, with the graft often beginning before supplies even enter the country. Last month, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) announced the uncovering of a major embezzlement ring at the country’s Defense Ministry. According to the SBU, five suspects attempted to steal 1.5 billion hryvnia (around $39.6 million) in state funds intended for the purchase of mortar shells. 

    Ukrainian Defense Minister Aleksey Reznikov was dismissed from his post over graft allegations in September. His successor, Rustem Umerov, announced in January that an audit had revealed $262 million in theft-related costs in weapons procurement.

    Alex Jones reveals that taking the COVID-19 injection may make your blood useless to the Red Cross.

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  • Wike, Governors Sued Over ‘Missing’ N40trn

    The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sued the 36 governors in Nigeria and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Nyesom Wike over their failure to account for the alleged missing N40 trillion federal allocations meant for local governments in the states and the FCT.

    SERAP disclosed this on Sunday in a statement made available to THE WHISTLER.

    Recall that the organisation had in January given the governors and Wike ultimatum, to make public details of the LGAs allocations.

    SERAP had warned that if appropriate actions were not taken with regards to its requests within seven days, it would consider legal actions to compel Wike and the governors

    In the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/231/2024 filed last Friday at the Federal High Court, Abuja, SERAP is asking the court to direct and compel the governors to publish details of LGA allocations and actual disbursement of the allocations to local governments in their respective states from 1999 to date.

    SERAP is also asking the court to compel and direct Wike to publish details of federal allocations meant for the Area Councils in the FCT and the actual disbursement of the allocations to the Area Councils in the FCT from 1999 to date.

    According to the organisation, there is lack of transparency in the actual disbursement of federal allocations to the LGAs in the states and FCT.

    SERAP noted that states and the FCT have over the years failed to disclose the portion of federal allocations that are disbursed to local governments.

    SERAP is also arguing that transparency in the actual disbursement and spending of federal allocations meant for local governments is fundamental to increase accountability, prevent corruption, and build trust in democratic institutions, and strengthen the rule of law.

    The suit filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi and Andrew Nwankwo, read in part: “Opacity in the amounts of federal allocations actually disbursed to local governments in the states and FCT has continued to have negative impacts on the fundamental interests of the citizens.”

    “The constitutional principle of democracy provides a foundation for Nigerians’ right to know details of spending of public funds. Citizens’ right to know promotes openness, transparency, and accountability that is in turn crucial for the country’s democratic order.”

    “The Nigerian Constitution, Freedom of Information Act, and the country’s international obligations rest on the principle that citizens should have access to information regarding their government’s activities.”

    “Implicit in the freedom of expression is the public’s right to know what governments are doing on their behalf, without which truth would languish and people’s participation in government would remain fragmented.”

    “Combating the corruption epidemic in the spending of federal allocations meant for local government areas in the states and FCT would alleviate poverty, improve access of Nigerians to basic public goods, and enhance the ability of the local governments to effectively and efficiently discharge their constitutional and statutory responsibilities.”

    “According to our information, the 36 states in Nigeria and the federal capital territory, Abuja, have collected over N40 trillion federal allocations meant for the 774 local governments areas in the country and FCT.”

    “The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) disbursed to states N225.21 billion federal allocations meant for local governments in November 2023 alone. States also collected N258,810,449,711.47 federal allocations meant for local government areas in December 2023.”

    “However, there is opacity in the actual disbursement of federal allocations to the local government areas in the states and FCT. States and the FCT have over the years failed and/or refused to disclose the portion of federal allocations that are disbursed to local governments.”

    “Former president Muhammadu Buhari recently alleged that state governors routinely pocket or divert federal allocations meant for local governments areas in their states.”

    “According to Buhari, ‘If the money from the Federation Account to the State is about N100 million, N50 million will be sent to the chairman but he will sign that he received N100 million. The chairman will pocket the balance and share it with whoever he wants to share it with.’”

    Wike, Governors Sued Over ‘Missing’ N40trn is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

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  • Chelsea Handler, live in the moment

    CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Rashida Jones, 48; Chelsea Handler, 49; Sean Astin, 53; Tea Leoni, 58.

    Happy Birthday: Tidy up, and get ready to move forward with enthusiasm. Don’t hesitate when you see something you want. Take advantage of the moment and turn things upside down. A change will invigorate you and send you on a quest for freedom. Make your journey count this year, follow your heart and live in the moment. Surround yourself with allies and see how much you achieve. Your numbers are 6, 10, 22, 26, 34, 41, 47.

    ARIES (March 21-April 19): Recognize the possibilities and the downfalls before you act. Observation will help you distinguish what’s right for you. Don’t be too eager to offer your services before you understand the complexity of a situation. Look inward and concentrate on personal growth instead of trying to change others. 3 stars

    TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Turn your back on what you don’t condone and focus on what makes you hopeful. Advocate for positive change by joining those who think like you do. Your insight and wisdom will impact others and change the outcome. 5 stars

    GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Adopt wisdom, experience and better decisions. Don’t let someone lead you in a direction that fulfills them and not you. Deferring to others will deplete your confidence and waste your time. Concentrate on doing something physical. 2 stars

    CANCER (June 21-July 22): Explore what life has to offer. Contact friends who enrich your life and start conversations that fuel your imagination. Don’t let change cost you or take on unnecessary debt. Let intelligence be the force behind your decisions. 4 stars

    LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Don’t let anyone take advantage of you or let your ego trick you into thinking someone’s compliments are to benefit you. If you want clarity, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to reject or take a pass if you don’t like what you see or hear. 3 stars

    VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Look for alternatives, and you’ll discover the best route forward. An unusual connection will offer insight into new possibilities and people and places that can help you fill your imagination with tangible solutions. 3 stars

    LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Don’t follow someone else’s playbook. Formulate what you want and make it happen. Pick up the slack and put some muscle behind your words. You have plenty to gain if you stay focused, keep it simple and stick to a budget. Don’t complicate matters. 3 stars

    SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Rethink how to use your space gainfully. A change at home will influence how those close to you feel and what they choose to do next. Be prepared to let go of the past and to plant your feet firmly in the place that makes you happy. 4 stars

    SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Emotions will run high, and conversations will leave you questioning what you are doing. Take a walk down memory lane and revisit what you’d do differently. Consider what brings you joy and whether it’s time to mix things up and try something new. 2 stars

    CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Address issues affecting your home or finances before someone pressures you. Take an intelligent approach that encourages organizing and executing an unexpected plan. The element of surprise will buy you time to finish what you start. 5 stars

    AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Keep your thoughts to yourself until you have a plan and enough knowledge to ward off any interference you encounter. Play down any situation that is causing contempt. Take care of your promises and responsibilities. 3 stars

    PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Embrace change and discard whatever’s holding you back. Set yourself free from negativity and head in a direction that offers a direct link to someone or something you want to pursue. Join forces and strengthen your position. Focus on who and what bring you joy. 3 stars

    Birthday Baby: You are compassionate, resourceful and wise. You are persuasive and ambitious.

    1 star: Avoid conflicts; work behind the scenes. 2 stars: You can accomplish, but don’t rely on others. 3 stars: Focus and you’ll reach your goals. 4 stars: Aim high; start new projects. 5 stars: Nothing can stop you; go for gold.

    Visit Eugenialast.com, or join Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.

    Want a link to your daily horoscope delivered directly to your inbox each weekday morning? Sign up for our free Coffee Break newsletter at mercurynews.com/newsletters or eastbaytimes.com/newsletters. 

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  • The Atlantic: Democrats Should Not Certify Trump’s 2024 Election Win If Supreme Court Keeps Him on Ballot


    Isn’t this the same so-called ‘insurrection’ that hundreds of J6 protesters are currently languishing in prison for?

    Democrats could refuse to certify the 2024 election in the case of a Trump victory should the Supreme Court allow him to remain on the ballot, according to The Atlantic.

    The publication put out a piece Friday titled, “How Democrats Could Disqualify Trump If the Supreme Court Doesn’t“, outlining a strategy for Democrats to defy the election results if they don’t get their way.

    The editorial lamented the Supreme Court’s recent hearing on the 14th Amendment over Colorado’s unprecedented ruling to remove Trump from the 2024 ballot, and claimed Democrats may have to find another way to stop Trump outside the democratic process.

    From The Atlantic:

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    Without clear guidance from the Court, House Democrats suggest that they might not certify a Trump win on January 6.

    Sensing that Trump would likely stay on the ballot, the attorney, Jason Murray, said that if the Supreme Court didn’t resolve the question of Trump’s eligibility, “it could come back with a vengeance”—after the election, when Congress meets once again to count and certify the votes of the Electoral College.

    Murray and other legal scholars say that, absent clear guidance from the Supreme Court, a Trump win could lead to a constitutional crisis in Congress. Democrats would have to choose between confirming a winner many of them believe is ineligible and defying the will of voters who elected him. Their choice could be decisive: As their victory in a House special election in New York last week demonstrated, Democrats have a serious chance of winning a majority in Congress in November, even if Trump recaptures the presidency on the same day. If that happens, they could have the votes to prevent him from taking office.

    In interviews, senior House Democrats would not commit to certifying a Trump win, saying they would do so only if the Supreme Court affirms his eligibility. But during oral arguments, liberal and conservative justices alike seemed inclined to dodge the question of his eligibility altogether and throw the decision to Congress.

    The Atlantic piece was roundly criticized on social media over the left’s hypocrisy of prosecuting hundreds of Jan. 6 protesters contesting the results of the 2020 election while now scheming to halt the certification of the 2024 election.

    This is just the latest example of Democrats projecting their intention to defy the will of the voters if Trump wins the 2024 election.

    Last month, NBC News reported that “a loose-knit network of public interest groups and lawmakers” are preparing to “foil any efforts” for Trump to use the military to carry out his political agenda if he becomes Commander-in-Chief once again.

    Democrats should expect to go to prison in D.C. for 22 years for trying to overturn the election since they’ve set the precedent by jailing nonviolent J6 protesters for speaking out against the rigged 2020 election.

    Follow Jamie White on X | Truth | Gab | Gettr | Minds



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  • Clamp Down On BDC Operators Will Worsen Forex Crisis – Peter Obi

    The Presidential candidate of Labour Party in the 2023 general election Mr Peter Obi has condemned the attacks on Bureaux de Change (BDCs) operators across the country by security agencies saying that it is ill-advised and wrongly directed.

    Obi, who stated this on Sunday on his verified Facebook page, stated that rather than solve the problem, the action will further escalate and worsen the exchange rate situation in the country.

    The former Anambra State governor disclosed that the BDCs operators are part of every economy and can be found even in the developed economies of the world.

    He emphasized that the only way to save the value of the naira is to move the country from consumption to production, especially export-led production, and fight corruption, which allows unproductive money to pursue the available supply of foreign currency.

    According to Obi, “The recent reported attacks and disruption of the business activities of Bureaux de Change (BDCs) operators in different urban centres across the country by Government Agencies are ill-advised and wrongly directed.

    “Rather than solve the problem, the action will further escalate and worsen the exchange rate situation in the country. The BDCs are not the primary suppliers of forex, nor do they create demand. They only provide a market to sellers and buyers of foreign currency.

    “They are part and parcel of every economy and can be found even in the developed economies of the world. To think that the BDCs are the cause of the declining value of the Naira is a smack on rational economic thinking.

    “The only way to shore up the value of our currency is to move the country from consumption to production, especially export-led production, and fight corruption, which allows unproductive money to pursue the available supply of foreign currency.

    “As long as Nigeria remains an unproductive economy and corruption continues unfettered with people in possession of unproductive excess cash, the value of our currency will continue to depreciate.

    “It’s important therefore that government authorities properly understand the workings of a modern economy and channel their efforts accordingly.”

    Clamp Down On BDC Operators Will Worsen Forex Crisis – Peter Obi is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

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  • San Jose Sharks’ Henry Thrun; Filip Zadina on upswing

    SAN JOSE – San Jose Sharks center Mikael Granlund is all too familiar with the talents of Juuse Saros. He was teammates with the Nashville Predators No. 1 goalie for four-plus seasons and experienced first-hand how difficult it is to get a puck past the one-time Vezina Trophy finalist.

    “I don’t think I’ve ever beat him in a practice,” Granlund said. “I don’t know anything about goalies. Let’s just put that out there first. But his positioning and the way he moves, I’ve never seen that fast of a goalie.”

    Granlund got one by Saros on Saturday, scoring in the third period when the Sharks started putting more pressure on the Predators and their netminder.

    Still, the Sharks lost to Saros for the 11th time in 14 all-time meetings, with the Finnish-born goalie making 23 saves in a 4-2 Predators win at SAP Center.

    Filip Zadina also scored for the Sharks, who are now 0-3-0 on this five-game homestand that continues Tuesday against the New Jersey Devils. San Jose has won just once in its last six games, scoring a combined 13 goals in that time.

    “It was frustrating today because we had some really good stretches and some really tough ones,” Sharks coach David Quinn said. “The one thing that we’ve got to do is clean up our bad stretches. They can’t be as bad as they’ve been, but we did a lot of good things against a good team.”

    Some takeaways from Saturday’s game:

    THRUN’S NIGHT, AND ADDISON’S: Quinn mentioned Saturday morning that Calen Addison, not Henry Thrun, would be on the ice with the Sharks’ first power play unit against the Predators, even though Thrun had practiced in that spot earlier in the week.

    When the Sharks were on their first two power plays in the opening period, though, it was Thrun, and not Addison, out there with Granlund, Fabian Zetterlund, Anthony Duclair, and William Eklund.

    Addison only played three shifts in the first period, with his last one ending in a Kiefer Sherwood goal.

    Michael McCarron had the puck in the corner to the right of the Sharks’ net, and Addison skated toward him, trying to stop the pass that went right to Sherwood’s stick for a pretty one-timer that got past Kaapo Kahkonen and under the crossbar.

    Quinn said that Addison has, “just got to defend harder more consistently. That’s usually what happens when he gets in a little bit of trouble and I just thought the first goal, there needed to be harder defending from his end of it, a little bit better decision.”

    Addison took a more regular shift in the second and third periods and ended up with 12:34 in ice time. Thrun, playing just his second game after missing six in a row with an upper-body injury, ended up with 23:37 in ice time, trailing only Roman Josi’s 24:08 among all skaters.

    “That’s not the number we want him at, so in fairness to him, he played a little bit too much tonight,” Quinn said. “Nobody’s fault but just wanted to send a message or two a couple of times. We shortened our d-corps up a little bit.”

    Thrun said he made an error on Nashville’s third goal, as it appeared he could not decide whether he wanted to hit Sherwood at the Sharks’ blue line or sit back a bit. Sherwood got by him anyway before he fired a shot past Kahkonen for a 3-1 Predators lead 3:40 into the third period.

    “I just made a bad read on it,” Thrun said. “I was trying to play aggressive down a goal and just kind of was half in and half out, which does you no good.”

    “The thing I love about Henry is he’s coachable, he learns from his mistakes, and he’ll have a better night next time.”

    We’ll see when the ‘next time’ is for Addison and whether Quinn tweaks his lineup for Tuesday’s game against the Devils. One possibility is to sit Addison and dress Nikita Okhotiuk, who was scratched Saturday and has now sat out four of the last five games.

    Marc-Edouard Vlasic is considered day-to-day with an upper-body injury.

    ZADINA’S CONFIDENCE: Zadina scored his eighth goal of the season at the 9:34 mark of the third period off an assist from Jan Rutta to cut Nashville’s lead to 3-2.

    After he scored twice on Feb. 15 against the Calgary Flames to snap a nine-game goal drought, Zadina now has three goals in four games and eight on the season in 51 games. He is approaching his career high of 10, set in 2021-2022 when he played 74 games for the Detroit Red Wings.

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  • Skepticism over Ukraine aid pervasive at CPAC

    National Harbor, Md. — This year’s Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) underscored the clear divide among Republicans on aid to Ukraine, with speakers and attendees largely expressing their opposition to giving the nation more assistance.

    Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has dragged on for two years, but Democrats and some Republicans have been supportive of offering further aid to the Eastern European country. The Senate passed bipartisan legislation this month that includes assistance geared toward Ukraine and Israel, for it’s ongoing war against Palestinian militant group Hamas. 

    But, a vocal faction of the Republican Party are pushing back against giving more money to Ukraine, as lawmakers argued at CPAC that the U.S. needs to focus more on domestic issues, like border security, and as some cast doubt that Ukraine can win against Russia. 

    “I think that it is absurd for us to devote so many resources, so much attention and so much time to a border conflict 6,000 miles away when our own U.S. southern border is wide open,” Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) argued Friday.  

    The issue of providing Ukraine with additional resources has become a lightning rod issue among former President Trump and Republican lawmakers. Trump, and many conservatives, have argued that the Biden administration is more interested in foreign conflicts than what’s happening in their own backyard.

    “Decide, Joe Biden, which country matters more to you: The border of the United States or the border of Ukraine?” Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) said.

    Trump and his allies have also expressed frustration around the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), saying allies that are a part of the military alliance have not been following a commitment to put 2 percent of their gross domestic product (GDP) toward defense spending. 

    The former president made headlines earlier this month when he suggested that he would let Russia do “whatever the hell they want” if that defense spending commitment wasn’t adhered to by a NATO country — though some attendees at CPAC either shrugged off the comment or said that would have been a step too far.  

    “Our European allies, which consists of some very wealthy nations, underspend on their own defense, because they dupe you into paying for much of it,” Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) told CPAC attendees Friday. 

    NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg projected earlier this month that 18 NATO nations would meet the defense spending commitment this year, saying “European allies are spending more. However, some allies still have a ways to go.” 

    At the same time, a cohort of Republicans still believe it’s in U.S. interests to continue supporting Ukraine. 

    Earlier this month, senators voted to pass emergency defense spending bill that included the support of most Democrats and 22 Republicans that would put $60 billion toward aiding Ukraine and $14 billion toward Israel. The legislation, however, faces an uncertain future given House Speaker Mike Johnson’s (R-La.) opposition to it.  

    “The Senate understands the responsibilities of America’s national security and will not neglect them,” Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said in a statement after the Senate passed the legislation.  

    “Our adversaries want America to decide that reinforcing allies and partners is not in our interest, and that investing in strategic competition is not worth it,” he added. “They want us to take hard-earned credibility and light it on fire.”

    Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a member on the Senate Armed Services Committee, reasoned in a statement that lawmakers were stepping up to fill a void left by President Biden.  

    “By strengthening and equipping America to push back against our adversaries’ aggression, Congress has stepped up to do the job this President will not,” she said. “This step is critical to reversing President Biden’s weakness on the world stage that has abandoned our partners, emboldened authoritarians, and put American lives at risk.” 

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned Monday that Moscow is “taking advantage of the delays in aid to Ukraine.” Lawmakers in recent days have traveled to Ukraine to meet with Zelensky. 

    Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and a handful of Senate Democrats met with Zelensky Friday during a trip to Ukraine as they looked to underscore support for the country as it defends itself against Russia. A bipartisan group of House lawmakers met with the Ukrainian leader earlier this month. 

    Yet Republicans keen to continue aiding Ukraine have found themselves at a crossroads with members of the party who have taken a more isolationist foreign policy approach. That message was not lost among attendees at CPAC, whose slogan this year was “where globalism goes to die.” 

    “It is outrageous that too many people in the media, the Democratic Party and Joe Biden are trying to pull us into a war in Europe, no talk of peace deals. No talk of sitting down and resolving age-old conflicts,” claimed Matt Schlapp, chairman of the American Conservative Union, which hosts CPAC. 

    Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), another Trump ally who also sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said he voted against the emergency defense spending bill “because I know they can’t win.” 

    Many attendees at CPAC told The Hill they were also against or expressed skepticism toward further aid to Ukraine, echoing comments made by Trump and Republican lawmakers. 

    “Absolutely not. 100 percent not,” said Christine Blanchard, a visitor from California. “It’s not our war, and we have plenty of problems domestically to take care of. Our funds should not be going to that.” 

    “At the beginning of the conflict, I think we were all – all on board with that,” another visitor from Virginia, Ana Viso, responded. “I think now, as the crisis in our own country’s getting worse with our own border, I feel that we are – we should be moving more towards negotiations and trying to make peace between those two countries.” 

    Viso acknowledged that while the U.S. “should be concerned about Putin,” she added that “we also I think have to look inward.” 

    But others at the conference, including former lawmakers, believe the issue isn’t so black and white. 

    “It makes no sense for the United States from a national security perspective, not to support our allies who are engaged with enemies of the United States,” said former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.). “Russia is an enemy of the United States.”

    Santorum added that the fissure between Republicans around offering further aid to Ukraine baffled him.  

    “I don’t understand it,” he said.  

    “It’s an alien view of thought to me as someone who’s been around the Republican Party for a long time,” the former lawmaker explained. “I understand that there is — there’s a lot of sentiment because of the war in Afghanistan and particularly Iraq, that people are concerned about foreign commitments. But, you know, … these are apples and oranges.” 

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