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US gives ‘green light’ to European countries to train Ukrainians on F-16 fighter jets, Biden official says

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:50:40 GMT

Washington (CNN) — The US will allow European countries to train Ukrainians on F-16 fighter jets, a top Biden administration official confirmed Sunday, a potential boon for Ukraine’s efforts to counter Russia’s air superiority.“The president has given a green light and we will allow, permit, support, facilitate and in fact provide the necessary tools for Ukrainians to begin being trained on F-16s, as soon as the Europeans are prepared,” national security adviser Jake Sullivan told CNN’s Jake Tapper on “State of the Union.”The decision cements a stark turnaround for President Joe Biden, who said earlier this year that he did not believe that Ukraine needed the F-16s. One of the main issues Kyiv’s ground forces have faced as their counteroffensive gets underway is Russian air power holding them back. Russia still maintains air superiority, which makes it difficult for ground forces to advance.In May, Biden had informed G7 leaders that the US would support a joint effort with allies an...

Boston-based nonprofit teams up with Sweden to deliver aid to Ukraine

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:50:40 GMT

A Boston-based nonprofit and a member of Swedish parliament teamed up to make an amazing journey to deliver much-needed aid to the people of Ukraine.Sky Philanthropy and Sweden filled up two cargo trucks with supplies and Magnus Jacobssen, a member of Swedish parliament, drove them to Ukraine.“It is impossible to stand aside and watch this war in Ukraine, this terrible Russian aggression,” said Olga Lisovska, of Sky Philanthropy.Sky Philanthropy was formed after the Russian invasion started.Jacobssen said the trip was an eye-opening experience. “When you drive through areas where you see the houses completely destroyed, destroyed tanks, destroyed cars, for me, as a politician, but also for me as a Christian, and as as person, it is a strong emotion,” he said.Sky Philanthropy will be hosting the city’s annual Ukrainian Festival at Boston University on Aug. 26.

Earned runs or error? Chicago Cubs’ 11-5 loss to Boston Red Sox kicked off with controversial scoring call

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:50:40 GMT

It’s been a memorable week for left-hander Justin Steele, but Sunday was a day he, infielder Nico Hoerner and the rest of the Chicago Cubs would like to forget as quickly as possible.Steele, making his first start since throwing a scoreless inning in Tuesday’s Major League Baseball All-Star Game, allowed 10 hits in six innings and was — somewhat controversially — charged with six earned runs as the Cubs were routed 11-5 by the Boston Red Sox at Wrigley Field.“I felt pretty good, as far as all my stuff goes,” Steele said. “I threw some good sinkers, some good sliders. The pitch (Rafael) Devers hit out was a pretty well-executed slider low and away and he just put a good swing on it. The double he hit, I did exactly what I was trying to do with a sinker in on his hands and he was able to get it down the third-base line.“Sometimes you have to tip your cap.”The Red Sox (50-44) scored five runs in the fifth, a surge that started when ...

Going to Comic-Con? Here's what to know before you go

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:50:40 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- The time has officially arrived, San Diego.San Diego Comic-Con is just around the corner and thousands are expected to flock to the Convention Center to immerse themselves in their favorite franchises.For those that were able to snag a badge, we have answered some of the most frequently asked questions about Comic-Con to help make your experience as smooth as possible.If you still have questions about the event that aren't covered in this article, check out Comic-Con's official website by clicking here. MORE: San Diego Comic-Con What is the badge policy?Everyone attending Comic-Con, including children, must have a valid and confirmed Comic-Con badge connected to their Member ID account. Each badge features a unique barcode and RFID sticker, according to organizers. They are non-transferable.Organizers say security checks will be performed to ensure that only the person listed on the badge is admitted to the event using that badge. You will be asked to present a photo ...

Comic-Con schedule: What panels, presentations are set to take place

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:50:40 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- San Diego Comic-Con is less than a week away and while it will be a little lighter this year as Hollywood contends with ongoing strikes, there's still plenty for fans to get excited about.The event, which runs from July 19 to July 23 at the Convention Center, would have been the second year that the comic extravaganza was back in full-swing after the pandemic forced organizers to scaled back festivities.A few weeks back, however, several major studios like Marvel and HBO, who regularly hold blockbuster panels to promote their upcoming shows and movies, pulled out of the event.This came after screenwriters represented by the union, Writers Guild of America, initiated a strike in May over the collapse of contract negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, a guild that represents big studios and streamers. MORE: San Diego Comic-Con The WGA strike was joined by the screen actors union on Friday, effectively grinding Hollywood operations --...

Austin interim city manager puts forward $5.5 billion budget

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:50:40 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- City of Austin Interim City Manager Jesús Garza released his proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year on Sunday, which forecasts a combined projected increase of 2% in local fees for the typical ratepayer.In his message included in the budget, Garza said the budget is "Back to Basics." "The FY 2023-24 Budget we are proposing is Back to Basics in the sense that we are refocusing on the core services our residents need and expect," Garza said. "To ignite and foster a Back to Basics culture, I moved quickly to evaluate and fundamentally shift the organizational structure of the City. We went beyond an organizational chart – we carefully and critically assessed issues that represent our most significant community challenges, like emergency response, capital project delivery, homelessness and affordability, defining the City’s role, as well as the roles of partner organizations."He said that the $5.5 billion budget also targets the city council's priorities of "affor...

Total-loss fire highlights staffing concerns in Elgin

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:50:40 GMT

ELGIN, Texas (KXAN) -- A fire that displaced a family of five in Elgin highlights some staffing and procedural concerns regarding fire operations in the city.The fire happened at the Cooper family's home early in the morning on July 4. Chief Chris Botello, who was in command on scene, said the firefighters did everything they could, but he "wishes [they] could have done more.""We're not walking away with anything besides our lives," Deja Cooper said, adding that one firefighter ran into the house to save the family's puppy when the fire was still raging. She said her husband woke her up in the middle of the night telling her the house was on fire and that they and their three children needed to get out quickly."Looking up at him, and I just see this cloud of smoke," she said. "Entire back of the house was in flames, and there was so much smoke that it was hurting our eyes."The house is gutted. The roof is gone. When you look closely, you can see signs of what it used to look like. A...

Police investigate homicide in southeast Austin

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:50:40 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department is investigating a homicide Sunday night in southeast Austin, according to a tweet by the agency.APD said its officers are investigating near the 7500 block of South Glenn Street, which is near McKinney Falls Parkway and Burleson Road. This is a developing story. Check back to KXAN for updates.

Worker rescued after 'heat-related illness' at downtown Austin construction site

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:50:40 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A construction worker rescued from a downtown construction site Sunday is now recovering in a hospital from a "heat-related illness." The Austin Fire Department tweeted late Sunday afternoon its crews responded to a worker in need of medical attention "from a crane scaffold about 6 stories high" off a downtown construction site. Austin-Travis County EMS posted the call came in around 3:43 p.m. Sunday at 80 Red River Street, which is close to the Rainey Street area. The Austin Fire Department and Austin-Travis County EMS are tending to a construction worker experiencing a heat-related issue on a construction site in downtown Austin Sunday afternoon. (Courtesy: Austin Fire Department) The Austin Fire Department and Austin-Travis County EMS are tending to a construction worker experiencing a heat-related issue on a construction site in downtown Austin Sunday afternoon. (Courtesy: Austin Fire Department) The Austin Fire Department and Austin-Travis County EMS are tendin...

Twins sweep A’s, regain some confidence for the stretch run

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:50:40 GMT

OAKLAND, Calif. — It wasn’t always pretty, and often pretty dicey, but the Twins took care of business this weekend at Oakland Coliseum, returning from the All-Star break to sweep a series against a young A’s team going through some growing pains.Oakland gave the Twins all they could handle in each game, but Minnesota found a way to win every time, rallying from a 3-0 deficit on Sunday for a 5-4 victory in front of 9,335. The victory pushed them two games over .500 and 2½ games above second-place Cleveland in the American League Central.“No matter what team we’re playing, I think that’s the way we need to play every game — like we played this series,” said catcher Christian Vazquez, who went 2 for 4 with a walk and put the Twins on the board with a solo home run in fifth inning to cut their deficit to 3-1.“We played good,” he added. “We pitched good. The bullpen was good, and we had clutch hits with men on base.”The big blow was a bases-loaded double by Alex Kirilloff that scored th...