Santa Barbara County News and Events

NATO chief says Europe should ‘keep on dreaming’ if it thinks it can defend itself without the US

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NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte addresses committees of the European Union Parliament on Monday in Brussels

By Caitlin Danaher, CNN

(CNN) — NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has told Europe it should “keep on dreaming” if it thinks it can defend itself without the support of the United States.

“If anyone thinks here again that the European Union, or Europe as a whole, can defend itself without the US, keep on dreaming. You can’t. We can’t. We need each other,” Rutte said during an address to the European Parliament in Brussels on Monday.

The NATO chief warned European nations they would need to increase defense spending to 10% if they “really want to do it alone,” adding they would need to build up their own nuclear capability, costing billions of euros.

“In that scenario, you will lose the ultimate guarantor of our freedom, which is the US nuclear umbrella. So hey, good luck,” he said.

The comments came after a rollercoaster week for Europe and its Western allies, after President Donald Trump continued to advance his demands for the US ownership of Greenland, before publicly ruling out the use of force to annex the Arctic island during his speech at World Economic Forum in Switzerland’s Davos.

The NATO chief continued to praise Trump for raising the issue of Arctic security, acknowledging his defense of the president would likely irritate many in the room.

“I think he’s right. There is an issue with the Arctic region. There is an issue of collective security, because these sea lanes are opening up, and because the Chinese and the Russians are more and more active,” he said.

Rutte outlined there would be two work streams going forward regarding the Greenland issue. The first would involve NATO taking more collective responsibility for the defense of the Arctic, to prevent Russia and China’s access to the region, both militarily and economically.

The second would involve the continuation of trilateral discussions between the US, Denmark and Greenland. Rutte said he would not be involved in the discussions, adding that he has no mandate to negotiate on behalf of Denmark, and will not do so.

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen and his Greenlandic counterpart Vivian Motzfeld met with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington earlier this month. Rasmussen said the meeting was “constructive” but that a “fundamental disagreement” persists.

The following week, Trump and Rutte met in Davos, with the president claiming he had reached a framework for a Greenland deal with the NATO chief, and as a result said he would no longer impose tariffs on European nations that had opposed his ambitions to acquire the semi-autonomous territory of Denmark. It’s not yet fully clear what’s included in the framework, or Rutte’s exact role in the negotiations, but Trump’s stunning about-turn once again shone the spotlight on the NATO secretary general.

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Carbajal-Backed Bill to Expand Farm Aid, Delay Trump-Led SNAP Changes Introduced in the House

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U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) joined other Democratic members of the House Agriculture Committee in introducing a bill to assist struggling family farmers and safeguard key food benefits for low-income […]

The post Carbajal-Backed Bill to Expand Farm Aid, Delay Trump-Led SNAP Changes Introduced in the House appeared first on edhat.

Lula da Silva le pide a Trump trabajar “para el bienestar del pueblo venezolano”

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Por Gonzalo Zegarra, CNN en Español

El presidente de Brasil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, conversó este lunes con el mandatario estadounidense, Donald Trump, a quien le subrayó la necesidad de trabajar “para el bienestar del pueblo venezolano”.

“Intercambiamos impresiones sobre la situación de Venezuela. Resalté la importancia de preservar la paz y la estabilidad de la región”, dijo Lula en un mensaje en X tras la llamada.

El líder sudamericano también se refirió a la Junta de Paz, un órgano multilateral propuesto por Trump, y le sugirió que se limite “a la cuestión de Gaza” y contemple un asiento para el Estado palestino. Sobre la ONU, Lula dijo que requiere una “reforma integral” que incluya unua ampliación de miembros permanentes del Consejo de Seguridad.

El mandatario agregó que conversaron sobre los indicadores económicos de ambos y países y que le reiteró sus propuestas de combate al crimen organizado, lavado de dinero y tráfico de armas. “Celebramos la buena relación forjada en los últimos meses, que resultó en la eliminación de una parte significativa de los aranceles aplicados a los productos brasileños”, agregó.

Los presidentes acordaron una visita de Lula a Washington luego de su viaje a Asia en febrero, con fecha todavía no determinada.

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The post Lula da Silva le pide a Trump trabajar “para el bienestar del pueblo venezolano” appeared first on News Channel 3-12.

How to stay safe in cold weather, according to a doctor

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Cold weather can affect the body in several different important ways.

By Katia Hetter, CNN

(CNN) — Much of the United States is experiencing prolonged and extreme cold weather, with recent winter storms, dangerous windchills and record low temperatures affecting millions of people. As winter stretches on, many people still have to commute to work while figuring out how to keep active and safely let children play outside.

Cold weather brings real health risks and raises practical questions about everyday life, and they are not all solved by wearing a coat, hat and gloves. How does extreme cold affect the body? What precautions matter most when going outside? How can families balance safety with staying active, especially for kids? And what should people know about protecting themselves during extended cold spells?

To help answer these questions, I spoke with CNN wellness expert Dr. Leana Wen, an emergency physician and clinical associate professor at the George Washington University. She previously served as Baltimore’s health commissioner and is the mother of two young children she’s trying to keep warm as cold weather hits Maryland.

CNN: Why does extreme cold pose health risks, and who needs to be especially careful?

Dr. Leana Wen: Extreme cold stresses the body in multiple ways.
Cold temperatures cause blood vessels to constrict, which raises blood pressure and forces the heart to work harder. Breathing cold air can irritate the airways, and prolonged exposure increases the risk of frostbite and hypothermia, which can be extremely dangerous. Cold weather also reduces dexterity and balance, making falls more likely. There are also elevated risks of motor vehicle accidents with a lot of ice and snow.

Certain groups are at higher risk for cold-related illnesses. Older adults may have reduced ability to regulate body temperature. Young children lose heat faster than adults and may not recognize symptoms of hypothermia. People with heart or lung disease, diabetes, circulation problems, or mobility issues may be more vulnerable to complications. Medications that affect alertness (such as certain pain medicines and antidepressants) or circulation (such as some blood pressure pills) also can increase risk. That does not mean that people in these situations need to stay inside the entire time when it’s cold, but it does mean they should be especially cautious.

CNN: What should people do before heading outside in cold weather to reduce risk?

Wen: Preparation makes a big difference. Check the temperature and windchill before going out, not just the forecast’s high temperatures — because wind significantly increases heat loss. Plan how long you will be outside and know whether there are places to warm up if needed.

Try not to exercise outdoors alone. If you do, make sure to tell someone where you are going and consider sharing your live location with them. Always make sure your phone is charged. If you are driving, keep your gas tank at least half full and carry basic supplies including blankets and coats in case you are delayed.

CNN: What are the biggest concerns with injuries once you are outside?

Wen: Fal

How to stay safe in cold weather, according to a doctor

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CNN

By Katia Hetter, CNN

(CNN) — Much of the United States is experiencing prolonged and extreme cold weather, with recent winter storms, dangerous windchills and record low temperatures affecting millions of people. As winter stretches on, many people still have to commute to work while figuring out how to keep active and safely let children play outside.

Cold weather brings real health risks and raises practical questions about everyday life, and they are not all solved by wearing a coat, hat and gloves. How does extreme cold affect the body? What precautions matter most when going outside? How can families balance safety with staying active, especially for kids? And what should people know about protecting themselves during extended cold spells?

To help answer these questions, I spoke with CNN wellness expert Dr. Leana Wen, an emergency physician and clinical associate professor at the George Washington University. She previously served as Baltimore’s health commissioner and is the mother of two young children she’s trying to keep warm as cold weather hits Maryland.

CNN: Why does extreme cold pose health risks, and who needs to be especially careful?

Dr. Leana Wen: Extreme cold stresses the body in multiple ways.
Cold temperatures cause blood vessels to constrict, which raises blood pressure and forces the heart to work harder. Breathing cold air can irritate the airways, and prolonged exposure increases the risk of frostbite and hypothermia, which can be extremely dangerous. Cold weather also reduces dexterity and balance, making falls more likely. There are also elevated risks of motor vehicle accidents with a lot of ice and snow.

Certain groups are at higher risk for cold-related illnesses. Older adults may have reduced ability to regulate body temperature. Young children lose heat faster than adults and may not recognize symptoms of hypothermia. People with heart or lung disease, diabetes, circulation problems, or mobility issues may be more vulnerable to complications. Medications that affect alertness (such as certain pain medicines and antidepressants) or circulation (such as some blood pressure pills) also can increase risk. That does not mean that people in these situations need to stay inside the entire time when it’s cold, but it does mean they should be especially cautious.

CNN: What should people do before heading outside in cold weather to reduce risk?

Wen: Preparation makes a big difference. Check the temperature and windchill before going out, not just the forecast’s high temperatures — because wind significantly increases heat loss. Plan how long you will be outside and know whether there are places to warm up if needed.

Try not to exercise outdoors alone. If you do, make sure to tell someone where you are going and consider sharing your live location with them. Always make sure your phone is charged. If you are driving, keep your gas tank at least half full and carry basic supplies including blankets and coats in case you are delayed.

CNN: What are the biggest concerns with injuries once you are outside?

Wen: Falls are one of the most common and serious winter injuries. Ice, especially black ice, is often invisible and can form

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