Zelenskyy set for surprise summit with Macron

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 21:43:08 GMT

Zelenskyy set for surprise summit with Macron Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will travel to Paris later Sunday as part of a tour of European capitals designed to shore up support among Kyiv’s allies, the Élysée Palace confirmed.Agence-France Presse and a handful of other outlets first reported on Sunday that French President Emmanuel Macron will receive Zelenskyy in the evening and the two leaders will hold talks over dinner ahead of a possible joint announcement. The Ukrainian president earlier Sunday was in Berlin to meet with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who confirmed that his country would send a €2.7 billion package of military aid to support Ukraine.“Now is the time for us to determine the end of the war already this year, we can make the aggressor’s defeat irreversible already this year,” Zelenskyy said at a press conference with Scholz.On Saturday, Zelenskyy met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome, thanking her for “helping to save lives” by continuing to provide aid to Kyiv. He also sat down f...

Mets strand nine runners and fall to Nationals in resumption of Saturday’s rain-delayed game

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 21:43:08 GMT

Mets strand nine runners and fall to Nationals in resumption of Saturday’s rain-delayed game WASHINGTON — The Mets found a way to lose on Sunday at Nationals Park.It was the continuation of a game that began Saturday afternoon and was delayed nearly four hours by rain. The Mets lost 3-2 with right-hander Dominic Leone giving up a go-ahead homer to CJ Abrams in the seventh.The Mets entered down 1-0 with runners on the corners in the third inning, but quickly tied it up with a sacrifice fly.Things were trending in the right direction in the fourth when they loaded the bases against Erasmo Ramirez with one out, but Daniel Vogelbach and Luis Guillorme went down quietly to strand the bases loaded.Stephen Nogosek got two outs in the bottom of the fourth, but walked Jeimer Candelario and hit Stone Garrett. Abrams then singled to right to score Candelario.The Mets came back to tie the game at 2-2 in the top of the seventh but the Nats moved ahead in the bottom, when Abrams teed off on a belt-high cutter from Leone (0-1) to make it 3-0.The Mets’ first run was charged to ...

Boy, 11, struck by vehicle during sword fight

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 21:43:08 GMT

Boy, 11, struck by vehicle during sword fight SAN DIEGO -- An 11-year-old boy was struck by a vehicle in the Wooded Area neighborhood on Saturday in the midst of a toy sword fight, authorities said. The incident occurred shortly after 7 p.m. when a 27-year-old man was driving his 2018 Ford Fusion south at 700 Catalina Blvd. and the boy stepped into the path of the vehicle from a dirt path along the west curb line, according to the San Diego Police Department. 6 places to go kayaking in San Diego Authorities say the vehicle struck the boy in the southbound traffic lane. The young pedestrian sustained a fractured pelvis, left tibia/fibula fracture, hematoma left side of head and multipleabrasions, SDPD confirmed. He was transported to a local hospital.The driver of the vehicle was uninjured and police say a DUI was not a factor in this collision. The SDPD Traffic Division is investigating the matter. Anyone with information related to the incident is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.

Minnesota Democrats: City council nomination brawlers could be expelled

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 21:43:08 GMT

Minnesota Democrats: City council nomination brawlers could be expelled MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Democratic Party will consider expelling anyone involved in a brawl that broke out over nominations for a Minneapolis City Council seat.At least two people were injured in Saturday’s confrontation. The head of the state Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, Chair Ken Martin, said on Twitter that he plans to call an emergency meeting later this week to consider banning anyone involved in the assaults from the DFL Party, an affiliate of the national Democratic Party.Video posted on social media showed the disturbance began after supporters of Minneapolis Council Member Aisha Chughtai took the stage, which caused an uproar among supporters of her challenger, Nasri Warsame. Some Warsame supporters then jumped on stage, shouting, banging on tables and waving signs.As supporters of both candidates pushed and shoved each other, a party official repeatedly banged a gavel and tried to quiet the crowd but was ignored.Convention chair Sam Doten called the behavior em...

Ukraine’s Zelenskyy makes surprise visit to Paris for talks with French President Macron

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 21:43:08 GMT

Ukraine’s Zelenskyy makes surprise visit to Paris for talks with French President Macron PARIS (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will make a surprise visit to Paris for talks Sunday night with French President Emmanuel Macron, extending a multi-stop European tour that has elicited fresh pledges of military support as his country gears up for a counteroffensive against Russian occupation forces.Macron’s office announced the Paris leg of Zelenskyy’s trip, and France dispatched a plane to pick up Zelenskyy in Germany, where he met Chancellor Olaf Scholz earlier Sunday.Macron’s office said the two leaders will hold talks over dinner and that Macron will “reaffirm France and Europe’s unwavering support to reestablish Ukraine in its legitimate rights and to defend its fundamental interests.”They’ll also discuss Ukraine’s military and humanitarian needs and “the more long term perspectives for a return to peace in Europe,” Macron’s office said. France has supplied Ukraine with an array of weaponry, include air-defense systems, light tanks, ...

Turkish incumbent Erdogan takes early lead in presidential election, state-run news agency says

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 21:43:08 GMT

Turkish incumbent Erdogan takes early lead in presidential election, state-run news agency says ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Early returns from Turkey’s national election Sunday had President Recep Tayyip Erdogan with a solid lead after some 47% of ballot boxes were counted, the Turkish state-run news agency said, while the longtime leader’s main challenger disputed the numbers that showed him trailing.Erdogan, who has governed NATO member Turkey as either prime minister or president for two decades, had 52.2 of the vote from the partial count, compared to 41.9% garnered by opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the Anadolu Agency reported.In the run-up to the election, opinion surveys had indicated the increasingly authoritarian Erdogan narrowly trailed his challenger. The race, which largely centered on domestic issues such as the economy, civil rights and a February earthquake that killed more than 50,000 people, had appeared to be shaping up as the toughest re-election bid of the Turkish leader’s 20-year rule.With the partial results showing otherwise, members of Kilicdaroglu’s ce...

MLB pitcher has skull fracture, concussion after taking line drive to the head

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 21:43:08 GMT

MLB pitcher has skull fracture, concussion after taking line drive to the head DENVER (AP) — Colorado pitcher Ryan Feltner has a skull fracture and concussion after getting hit by a line drive off the bat of Philadelphia's Nick Castellanos.Feltner was injured Saturday night and was likely to be discharged from Swedish Medical Center later Sunday. He will not need surgery.“Overall, he’s fine,” Colorado manager Bud Black said before Sunday's game. “I think the feeling is that it could have been worse.”Feltner was put on the 15-day injured list. When asked whether the 26-year-old right-hander will be out for days, weeks or months, Black said “probably on the longer end of that.”Feltner was hurt in the second inning when Castellanos hit a slider 92.7 mph back at the mound. The ball hit Feltner on the back right side of his head, and he fell to the ground. He lay on his stomach as two members of the Rockies athletic training staff aided. He was able to get on his feet and walked off the field with the assistance of the two trainers. Hobby Lobby doesn’t use barcod...

Your Mai Tai may give you island vibes, but it's not from Hawaii

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 21:43:08 GMT

Your Mai Tai may give you island vibes, but it's not from Hawaii HONOLULU (KHON) — If you've vacationed in Hawaii, or visited a tiki bar, it's likely you enjoyed a Mai Tai. Though popular on the islands, it was created thousands of miles away.Victor J. Bergeron, who also went by The Trader, lays claim to creating the drink. He explained on his website that, while at his Oakland, California restaurant in 1944, he felt a new drink was needed. Bergeron said he made this drink for his friends that were visiting from Tahiti. Why isn’t beer sold in plastic bottles like soda? One of those friends, Carrie Guild, reportedly took one sip and said, "Mai Tai – Roa Ae," which, in Tahitian, means "out of this world, the best." Bergeron said that ultimately inspired the drink's name, Mai Tai.Bergeron's original Mai Tai recipe was: 2 ounces of 17-year-old J. Wray Nephew Jamaican Rum½ ounce Holland De Kuyper Orange Curaçao½ ounce French Garnier Orgeat¼ ounce Rock Candy SyrupJuice from one whole limeTo top off this drink, it should be garnished with ½ of a lime ...

Weddings in Texas: Study ranks cities with lowest cost, shortest time to save for the big day

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 21:43:08 GMT

Weddings in Texas: Study ranks cities with lowest cost, shortest time to save for the big day AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas has some of the best wedding locations based on total cost and the amount of time it takes to save, according to a recent data study.SmartAsset said it examined the wedding cost, income and savings data for 344 metro areas in the United States and found three Texas locations among the top 25 best.On average, the study said an American wedding costs between $10,000 and $28,000, with some couples spending up to $100,000 or more; however, the study found the cost of a wedding does not only depend on the couple and their tastes, but it also depends on the location.Texas cities where it takes the least time to save for a wedding based on median wedding cost and average annual savings:Waco at No. 1 in the U.S.“The lack of state income taxes in Texas and a low cost of living will help expedite saving for a wedding in Waco,” the study said.According to the study, an average wedding in Waco costs $11,120, which would take 4.70 years to save up for on the local household...

New study reveals this Texas city has the Best Basketball fans

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 21:43:08 GMT

New study reveals this Texas city has the Best Basketball fans DALLAS (KDAF) — Sports fans are the heart of any sports team! Texas, of course, has put itself on the map for having one of the best cities for basketball fans. A personal financial website, Wallet Hub, conducted a new study. San Antonio ranked at #9 in the country for best basketball fans. The San Antonio Spurs can thank their fans for the recognition. "Basketball may be popular across the country, but what makes one city better than others for the sport? Top-performing teams, revenues, and traditions are all part of the equation, of course, but there’s simply no game without the fans," WalletHub said.Source: WalletHubSan Antonio Spurs fans have a unique "Go Spurs Go!" chant. This chant has come to symbolize the team's home games and serves as a unifying rallying cry for supporters from all ages and backgrounds. San Antonio's reputation as a premier city for basketball lovers is further enhanced by the city's lengthy basketball heritage. Since 1999, the Spurs have continuously be...