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

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 13:11:53 GMT

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 Wed, 12 Feb 2025 13:11:53 GMT

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 Wed, 12 Feb 2025 13:11:53 GMT

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 Wed, 12 Feb 2025 13:11:53 GMT

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 Wed, 12 Feb 2025 13:11:53 GMT

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 Wed, 12 Feb 2025 13:11:53 GMT

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...

'Guardians Vol. 3' and 'Super Mario Bros.' top box office again

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 13:11:53 GMT

Several new movies infiltrated theaters nationwide this weekend, from a lighthearted trip to Italy with Jane Fonda, Candice Bergen, Diane Keaton and Mary Steenburgen to a Ben Affleck-fronted detective thriller. The two top spots were once again claimed by Marvel and Mario, however. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! In its second weekend, “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” added $60.5 million from North American theaters, according to studio estimates on Sunday. That’s a slim 49% drop from its opening, which is rare for big superhero films that tend to be front-loaded and have big second weekend drops of 60% or more. As the smallest Marvel drop since the beginning of the pandemic, it also answers the “ superhero fatigue ” question that some floated last weekend. Including $91.9 million from international showings, “Vol. 3” has already grossed over $528.8 million worldwide.Second place went to “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” with $...

3 killed, 7 injured in major crash on 10 Freeway near Palm Springs

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 13:11:53 GMT

Three people were killed and seven others were injured in a significant crash on the 10 Freeway in Riverside County Sunday morning.The crash happened around 7:30 a.m. in Whitewater, a town located about 15 minutes northwest of Palm Springs.Two vehicles sustained major damage and multiple people were ejected, according to Cal Fire.In total, three people were declared dead at the scene, two people were taken to the hospital by helicopter, three were taken by ambulance and two others were treated and released at the scene. Riverside County Sheriff’s deputy dies following crash in San Jacinto The 10 Freeway experienced a major backup due to the crash and several lanes were closed for cleanup and investigation. The California Highway Patrol later announced that eastbound traffic was being diverted off the freeway onto surface streets to bypass the crash. That closure was expected to remain in place for about eight hours.

Vallejo police investigating fatal downtown shooting

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 13:11:53 GMT

Vallejo Police are investigating after a man was fatally shot in downtown Vallejo Saturday night, the department announced Sunday.The shooting occurred on Main Street at 8:53 p.m., just a few blocks from the bars and restaurants in Vallejo’s commercial core. When officers responded to reports of the shooting, they found one man shot and seriously injured. The man was transferred to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Vallejo PD has not announced the identity of the victim, pending notification of next of kin, and it’s currently unclear what led to the shooting. As of Sunday morning, no arrests had been announced.Vallejo Police are asking anyone with information about the shooting to contact Detective Brian Murphy at (707) 648-5430 or Detective Ken Jackson at (707) 648-4280.

Two Yosemite campgrounds to close starting Monday, May 15

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 13:11:53 GMT

Yosemite National Park has announced the closure of two campgrounds starting Monday, May 15, due to forecasted flooding, the latest effect of record snow this winter and rising temperatures this week.As of May 1, Yosemite had more than double the average amount of snow for this time of the year, according to park authorities. The Merced River, which flows through the southern part of the park, was expected to remain above flood stage “for some time.”More information on the two campgrounds – the Lower and North Pines Campground and the Housekeeping Camp – is expected on Monday evening, along with word of other potential closures. Tioga, Glacier Point and Mariposa Grove Roads are also closed as of Saturday afternoon.Related ArticlesEnvironment | California flooding: 80% of Sierra Nevada snowpack hasn’t melted yet Environment | Yosemite Valley to close due to flood risk from melting Sierra snowpack Environment | What the huge Sierra snow...