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Russia accuses Ukraine of a drone attack on Moscow that hit the same building just days ago

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:02:06 GMT

TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — Russian authorities accused Kyiv early Tuesday of yet another attack on Moscow and its surroundings with drones, one of which hit the same building in the capital that was damaged by a drone just days ago in a similar attack. Russian officials have claimed that the intensified attacks on the capital region reflect failures in Ukraine’s counteroffensive, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said over the weekend that “the war is gradually coming back to Russian territory,” but stopped short of taking responsibility for the attacks. The repeated drone strikes underscore Moscow’s vulnerability as Russia’s war in Ukraine drags into its 18th month.Overnight, Russian forces attacked Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, with Iranian-made Shahed drones, according to Kharkiv Gov. Oleh Syniehubov. One drone struck a three-story building at an educational institution in the Saltivka district, partially destroying the top two floors of the buildin...

US restricts visa-free travel for Hungarian passport holders because of security concerns

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:02:06 GMT

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — The United States imposed new travel restrictions on citizens of Hungary on Tuesday over concerns that the identities of nearly 1 million foreigners granted Hungarian passports over nine years weren’t sufficiently verified, according to the U.S. Embassy and a government official.The restrictions apply to the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, which allows passport holders from 40 countries to enter the United States for business or tourism without a visa for up to 90 days.The validity period of travel for Hungarian passport holders under the Electronic System for Travel Authorization was reduced from two years to one year, and each traveler will be limited to a single entry into the United States. They are the only such restrictions among the 40 participating states in the Visa Waiver Program.A senior U.S. government official said the change followed years of failed efforts by the U.S. to work with Hungary’s government to resolve the security concerns. The offi...

Jill Biden says exercise including spin classes and jogging helps her find ‘inner strength’

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:02:06 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Spin classes when she’s on the road. Biking near her Delaware beach home. Jogging on the White House driveway.Jill Biden says exercise helps her find her “inner strength.” She gets out of bed at 5:45 a.m. most mornings to fit exercise into her schedule.The first lady also takes barre classes and rides a Peloton bike. Early morning workouts are when the 72-year-old can focus on herself, she says in the cover story for the upcoming September issue of Women’s Health magazine. “I need to be with myself and find inner strength so I can be strong for everyone else,” Biden says.The first lady is a longtime runner who finished the Marine Corps Marathon in 1998. But these days she jogs around the White House driveway that circles the South Lawn because of the security presence that would be needed if she were to run on District of Columbia streets, like Bill Clinton did when he was president. Clinton eventually had a jogging track built around the south driveway...

Blue Jays ‘still gathering information’ after Bo Bichette injures knee

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:02:06 GMT

Toronto Blue Jays star shortstop Bo Bichette suffered a right knee injury while running the bases during Monday’s game against the Baltimore Orioles.The injury occurred in the bottom of the third as Bichette tried to stop running while rounding first base. Bichette gripped his right knee and was in visible pain as he limped off the field. He was tagged out between first and second on the play.The Blue Jays later said Bichette left the game with “right knee discomfort.”After the game, manager John Schneider said the club was “still gathering information” and would make a decision on next steps Tuesday.“He said on the field coming off that he kind of jammed it a little bit,” Schneider said. “A guy like him you want to be extremely proactive, obviously.”Santiago Espinal took Bichette’s place at shortstop to start the fourth inning.Bichette has been the best Blue Jays hitter this season, hitting .318/.350/.492 with 17 home runs...

Iran will close government offices, banks and schools for 2 days over high temperatures

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:02:06 GMT

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran announced a nationwide two-day holiday because of increasing temperatures, state media reported Tuesday.Government spokesperson Ali Bahadori Jahromi said the decision to close governmental offices, banks and schools on Wednesday and Thursday came after the health ministry warned about a possible increase in cases of heat exhaustion because of high temperatures in the country, the official IRNA news agency reported.In recent days, cities and towns in Iran saw temperatures around 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). The capital, Tehran, experienced 38 C (100.4 F) on Tuesday.The metrological office predicted Tehran would see temperatures of 39 C (102.2 F) over the next three days.Ahvaz, the capital of an oil-rich province in the country’s southwest, experienced 50 C (122 F) on Tuesday.In 2022, Iran registered its hottest temperature at 53 C (127.4 F) in Ahvaz.Earth’s hottest day in modern history was likely July 4, when the average global temperat...

SIU investigating Scarborough shooting that left man in critical condition

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:02:06 GMT

Ontario’s police watchdog is investigating an overnight shooting in Scarborough that left a man with critical injuries.Police tell CityNews they were called to a home in the area of Pharmacy Avenue and Lawrence Avenue East around 2:30 a.m. Tuesday for reports of a person in crisis with a knife.Officers arrived at the home and minutes later a man was rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries. Police say the man is now in stable condition.The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has invoked their mandate and are now investigating.The SIU is automatically called in to investigate incidents involving police where there has been death, serious injury or allegations of sexual assault.

Paul Reubens completed a first draft of a memoir before his death, publicist confirms

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:02:06 GMT

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — Before his death, Paul Reubens had finished drafting a memoir chronicling his life, his career and his famous character Pee-wee Herman.Reubens, an actor and comedian known for his decades-long portrayal of Herman in both movies, television and on Broadway, completed a first draft of his memoir, publicist Kelly Bush Novack confirmed to WIAT. Reubens died Sunday after a six-year battle with cancer. Pee-wee Herman star Paul Reubens dies at age 70 after cancer fight "He finished a first draft," Novack said in a statement. "We are hoping it will be published posthumously."Reubens, best known for the movie "Pee-wee's Big Adventure" and the TV show "Pee-wee's Playhouse," had been working on the book for years."I’ve been making notes and writing down ideas for a few years already," Reubens told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in 2020. "I wrote all my funniest stories first and then moved on to more serious stuff. I’ve certainly lived an interesting life, met lots ...

Is tonight your lucky night? Mega Millions $1.05 billion jackpot up for grabs again

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:02:06 GMT

(NEXSTAR) - A estimated $1.05 billion Mega Millions jackpot will again be up for grabs Tuesday night, giving lottery players a chance to snap an unlucky streak that has stretched on for months.The current jackpot has steadily grown since April, after a ticketholder in New York matched all six numbers to win a $20-million prize. (The previous jackpot, awarded days before on April 14, was worth $483 million.) A total of 46 players, meanwhile, have won second-tier prizes worth $1 million or more since the last jackpot was won, the Mega Millions lottery confirmed in a press release. Joining an office lottery pool for the $910M Mega Millions jackpot? What to know Tuesday night's drawing will be the 30th since someone last won the jackpot.The drought is due to a combination of poor luck and terrible odds, as the chance of winning the Mega Millions jackpot is 1 in 302.6 million. The odds of winning smaller prizes, ranging from $1 million to $2, are significantly ...

Ask Amy: Husband’s teasing doesn’t qualify as “humor”

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:02:06 GMT

Dear Amy: My husband has always had a creative and witty sense of humor, and we have spent many hours in our decade-long marriage laughing until our eyes water. I love the fact that he has the ability to make people laugh.Over the past few years, he has gone from poking fun at me in an actual funny way, to him just being creatively mean.Examples of his humor are: He will pretend he’s limping, dragging his foot behind him and groaning — this started over two years ago when I was briefly hobbled by a broken foot. Honestly at this point I don’t think it’s funny.Another example started during a time when we were playing a trivia game with friends. I blanked on the name of one of my favorite actresses and ever since then he has called me “Movie Buff [followed by a slur used to insult mentally challenged people].”Those and other comments he makes about me feel like an attack on my values and personality and they persist daily, to the point where our children (all under the age...

Search and rescue: MEPs demand more EU action to save lives at sea 

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:02:06 GMT

MEPs wish to see the EU and member states carry out more active and co-ordinated search and rescue (SAR) operations, with border agency Frontex playing a key role, Plenary session , LIBE.Following a plenary debate, the European Parliament today adopted by show of hands a resolution asking for member states and Frontex to provide sufficient capacity in terms of vessels, equipment and personnel dedicated to SAR and a more proactive and coordinated approach in order to effectively save lives at sea. Member states should also make full use of vessels operated by NGOs. A comprehensive EU SAR mission implemented by authorities in member states and Frontex should be established, say MEPs.Parliament strongly condemns criminal smuggling and trafficking, whilst reiterating that safe and legal pathways, notably through resettlement, are the best way to avoid casualties at sea. MEPs also propose that more information about the dangers of this route should be disseminated to people in third coun...