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US unveils final aid package of year to Ukraine

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:19:23 GMT

The State Department on Wednesday unveiled this year’s final military aid package for Ukraine, as lawmakers continue to negotiate a spending deal that would sustain U.S. support for Kyiv into the new year.In a statement, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the U.S. will provide Ukraine with “up to $250 million of arms and equipment under previously directed drawdowns.” The package includes air defense munitions, air defense system components, ammunition for high mobility artillery rocket systems, 155mm and 105mm artillery ammunition, anti-armor munitions and over 15 million rounds of ammunition.The package, the last as U.S. aid money to Ukraine dries up, comes as Ukraine’s progress on the battlefield has stalled and winter conditions make continued fighting against the invading Russian army more challenging. It also comes as European leaders have grown increasingly pessimistic about Ukraine’s ability to repel Russia’s military advances and reclaim lost territory in...

Biden administration quietly shifts its strategy in Ukraine

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:19:23 GMT

With U.S. and European aid to Ukraine now in serious jeopardy, the Biden administration and European officials are quietly shifting their focus from supporting Ukraine’s goal of total victory over Russia to improving its position in an eventual negotiation to end the war, according to a Biden administration official and a European diplomat based in Washington. Such a negotiation would likely mean giving up parts of Ukraine to Russia.The White House and Pentagon publicly insist there is no official change in administration policy — that they still support Ukraine’s aim of forcing Russia’s military completely out of the country. But along with the Ukrainians themselves, U.S. and European officials are now discussing the redeployment of Kyiv’s forces away from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s mostly failed counteroffensive into a stronger defensive position against Russian forces in the east, according to the administration official and the European diplomat, and confirmed by ...

Mann up and stream ‘Ferrari’ director’s other works

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:19:23 GMT

With Michael Mann’s “Ferrari” roaring around theaters, it’s appropriate to revisit the body of work of this American auteur, from every stone-cold classic to misunderstood masterpiece. So take a spin around the track of the Mann oeuvre on streaming over the weekend to boost your appreciation of his latest film about a man obsessively driven to professional perfection.Though his first directorial effort, a TV movie called “The Jericho Mile” (1979) isn’t technically considered his first film, and can only be found on YouTube, it’s worth tracking down for its location shooting in Folsom Prison, which is where Mann connected with Danny Trejo, who later appeared in “Heat.” Mann’s first feature film is technically “Thief” (1981), starring James Caan as a Chicago safecracker, opposite Jim Belushi and Tuesday Weld. Chicago cop-turned-actor Dennis Farina makes his film debut. Stream “Thief” on the Roku Channel or Tubi.Mann executive produced the wildly popular and influential TV ...

USC's Moss throws Holiday Bowl-record 6 TD passes in 42-28 victory over No. 16 Louisville

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:19:23 GMT

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Southern California Trojans bid farewell to the Pac-12 Conference with a six-pack to go and an eggnog bath to toast an otherwise unremarkable season.With Caleb Williams watching from the sideline, Miller Moss threw a Holiday Bowl-record six touchdown passes in his first college start and USC ended a frustrating season by beating No. 16 Louisville 42-28 Wednesday night. Afterward, coach Lincoln Riley had a tub of eggnog poured over his head.Williams, the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner who opted out of the game, watched from the sideline with his No. 13 jersey hanging around his neck. He ran onto the field and jumped on Moss in celebration after the redshirt sophomore twice took a knee in victory formation at Petco Park.While Williams and several other Trojans sat out, others, like redshirt senior receiver Tahj Washington, who caught two touchdown passes, showed up to play.“From a leadership standpoint, we had a really strong senior group that wanted to come back and ...

Chain-reaction collision in dense fog on Turkish motorway leaves at least 10 people dead, 57 injured

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:19:23 GMT

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — A chain-reaction crash Thursday involving seven vehicles on a motorway in northwest Turkey killed at least 10 people and injured 57 others, officials said. The pileup occurred in dense fog and low visibility on the Northern Marmara Highway in Sakarya province, some 150 kilometers (93 miles) from Istanbul.An investigation has been launched into the accident but Gov. Yasar Karadeniz of Sakarya said it likely occurred when a vehicle hit a truck in poor visibility, triggering other crashes at the rear. At least three intercity buses were involved in the crash.Authorities believe some passengers died when they left their vehicles and were struck by another vehicle, Karadeniz told reporters at the scene.Seven of the injured were in serious condition, the governor said.Police and emergency personnel were seen clearing the wreckage at the scene.The Associated Press

Hong Kong man jailed for 6 years after pleading guilty to a terrorism charge over a foiled bomb plot

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:19:23 GMT

HONG KONG (AP) — A Hong Kong man was sentenced Thursday to six years in prison after pleading guilty to a terrorism charge under a Beijing-imposed national security law for his involvement in a foiled plot to bomb court buildings. Prosecutors said Ho Yu-wang, 19, was the plot mastermind who planned to manufacture explosives and target court buildings in 2021. The plot, involving mostly secondary students back then, was foiled due to a police investigation, while no bombs were made and no casualties occurred, the prosecution earlier said. Police said they raided a guesthouse room in 2021 and seized equipment believed to be used for making explosives. They also alleged Ho had written notes saying that his goal was to destabilize Hong Kong, promote conflicts between the central government and others, and build up a resistance group.Two other defendants received a jail term of up to six years for an alternative charge.Ho is a lesser-known activist in the semi-autonomous city’s pro-democ...

Texas has arrested thousands on trespassing charges at the border. Illegal crossings are still high

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:19:23 GMT

EAGLE PASS, Texas (AP) — Before settling in New York City like thousands of other migrants this year, Abdoul, a 32-year-old from West Africa, took an unexpected detour: Weeks in a remote Texas jail on local trespassing charges after crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. “I spent a lot of hours without sleeping, sitting on the floor,” said Abdoul, a political activist who fled Mauritania, fearing persecution. He spoke on the condition that his last name not be published for fear of jeopardizing his request for asylum.Starting in March, Texas will allow police to arrest migrants who enter the state illegally and give local judges the authority to order them out of the country. The new law comes two years after Texas launched a smaller-scale operation to arrest migrants for trespassing. But although that operation was also intended to stem illegal crossings, there is little indication that it has done so.The results raise questions about the impact arrests have on deterring immi...

High levels of respiratory illnesses spreading across Southern California

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:19:23 GMT

If it appears that everyone around you is sick, the increase is due to a trio of illnesses spreading widely and sickening families across Southern California.Dr. Ali Jamehdor at Dignity Health said there was a 33% increase in patients coming in with respiratory illnesses compared to the same time last year. Nearly one in four L.A. County residents have fallen ill in December alone, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health."This year, more than any other year, we are seeing more of influenza, RSV and COVID, higher than what we've seen in years past,” explained Jamehdor.Across the state, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes the level of flu-like illnesses, which include non-flu viruses such as coronavirus, is considered high. Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is peaking earlier than usual, and the flu might follow suit, the CDC warns. (Getty Images)How long your omicron symptoms last depends on several factors, including your age, vaccination sta...

Familiar problems haunt Sharks as losing streak grows to six games

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:19:23 GMT

The San Jose Sharks had their losing streak extended to six games on Wednesday and once again a disastrous second period proved to be the main culprit.Leading by one, the Sharks allowed three unanswered goals in the second period, including two in 13 seconds, in what became a 5-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings at Crypto.com Arena.“I think we played good hockey for the first 25-30 minutes,” Sharks center Mikael Granlund said. “They scored one goal, and then one right after.“We’ve got to be mentally stronger with those kinds of situations. After that, our game went down.”Fabian Zetterlund scored his 10th of the season in a first-period goal as San Jose took its first lead in a game since beating the Winnipeg Jets 2-1 on Dec. 12. But the Kings capitalized on two Sharks turnovers near the start of the second period to take a 2-1 lead.Sharks defenseman Henry Thrun had a pass intended for Alexander Barabanov inside the Kings zone intercepted by Kevin Fia...

Things to do in the DC area: New Year’s last-minute reservations, kid-friendly activities … and more!

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:19:23 GMT

There’s much to do in the D.C. area in the coming days, and WTOP has you covered with our weekly roundup of area events worth anticipating.Check back every Thursday for a roundup of Things to do in the D.C. area.Le Diplomate on New Year’s Eve. (Photo courtesy John Robinson/Le Diplomate)Looking for last-minute reservations to make for New Year’s? WTOP has you covered with this list of local restaurants that are offering special menus to celebrate the finale of 2023 and the beginning of 2024.Start the year off right with Le Diplomate on 14th Street Northwest. On New Year’s Eve, the French restaurant is offering a cocktail party with a raw bar, caviar station, cheese and charcuterie, plus made-to-order crepes and a live DJ. Tickets are $275 per person with the event running from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.In an interview with WTOP, Le Diplomate General Manager Peter Koll said that some additional highlights will include absinthes, a large selection of champagnes and a large cro...